Disclaimer: I own none of this with the exception of Kacey, Professor Hope,
a nobody new kid, and the plot. JK Rowling owns the rest of it.
A/N: I'm back and we had a hellish time. But anyway, I'm back to updating. Sorry it's been a few days... I had a brain fart. This is the longest chapter by far, but there is a reason...^_^
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
The day got more interesting. Hermione and Harry walked into Potions discussing possible ways Professor Hope got the job as the new Defense job. However, they suddenly hushed at the look Snape was shooting at Harry. There was no need to ask why Snape looked so furious; he was still bitter over the fact that Harry didn't die last year when he faced Voldemort. Snape simply threw his nose up at them and walked to the front of the room and waited in silence for everyone to take their seats.
"Today," Snape said quietly, "we will be starting a potion that can save your life from vampires, so if the time ever comes when you come across a vampire" he paused momentarily to scan the room. "You'll know how to stay...human." He looked quite pleased with his little speech until someone else spoke up.
"Aren't we starting off a bit fast?" said some boy from the back. Harry noticed he had a Canadian accent. He must be a transfer student. "We shouldn't even be going over them until around February." The boy quickly realized he was threading on forbidden ground. Snape looked like he was going to explode.
"Fifty points from Hufflepuff in addition to detention with me tonight!" Snape shouted. "Don't you EVER criticize my methods of teaching again, nor should you suggest when subjects are taught. If I hear another peep from you, Green, I swear you will sorely regret it." Snape was red in the face and he almost looked like he was going to whip his wand out on the boy. Everyone knew that Snape was not to be bothered after this unless they wanted to die slowly. But still, someone else raised their hand.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but Professor Hope has already told us about it..." Hermione said barely above a whisper. She didn't even make eye contact with him. Even she knew she was doing something very stupid.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Granger, but nobody asked for your opinion." Snape replied with ice in his calm voice. "Ten points from Gryffindor for interrupting my class, and if you're smart, you'll keep that trap of yours shut until someone asks for you to speak.." Snape did look disappointed though. Hermione hung her head and looked at her feet. Every few seconds, she'd look up and give Snape a dark glare while he wasn't looking.
~*~
The next few days went fairly smoothly without any disturbances. Snape's bitter mood improved after a while. Four days after their first time back in potions, however, they found him in an even worse mood.
"Potter! Weasley!" Snape bellowed from his desk, "You are three minutes late! I thought punctuality was a quality of Gryffindors! Fifty points from Gryffindor for being late and for being a disgrace to their own house!"
Harry and Ron silently took their seats next to Hermione, who remained quiet and was looking at the desk. She has been terribly silent whenever Snape came around. She always was, but never has it been for this long. Everyone had already started on continuing their Anti-Vampire potions.
"I don't know what his problem is, honestly!" said Ron who was a tad sick of Snape's attitude with them lately. "Three stupid minutes doesn't make that much of a difference. That stupid git need to pull that dead grindylow out of his arse." Harry muffled a laugh and playfully punched Ron.
"Oh, so you want detention with me tonight too, eh, Weasley?" Snape spoke cooly. Apparently, he had heard him. "So be it. Stay after class tonight to arrange it. Now get working."
"Dammit!" Ron mouthed silently and hit his fist on the table. After twenty minutes had passed, Kacey entered the room in a bit of a jog and rushed over to Snape.
"Well, hello, Kacey." Snape said with an actual trace of happiness in his voice. His face even cracked into a smile...it was a horrible sight. Harry saw Seamus fall out of his seat at the site of it. Kacey didn't reply, but whispered something to Snape. Harry strained to hear what was being said. "I see. Do the rest of the Professors know?" Snape asked. Kacey shook her head and mouthed something else to him. "Find out the security level." Snape whispered back so silently, Harry was unsure if he had said anything at all. Kacey nodded then took a step back.
"Professor, I forgot to mention to you the other day that Mr. Malfoy had started a fight with another student and ended up cursing him." Kacey was obviously talking about Ron's nose. They were talking at a normal level now, but they were still pretty quiet. "That student was stuck in the hospital wing for two days."
"I see. Who was this student?" Snape asked. Harry mentally prayed Kacey wouldn't tell him it was Ron. If she did, he wouldn't punish Malfoy.
"I decided that student should remain anonymous. It doesn't matter anyway," Kacey replied. Harry expected Snape to blow up at her for not telling him, but he merely nodded. "That student is doing fine now. I trust you will see it fit to punish Mr. Malfoy?"
"Oh, ...yes" said Snape. He seemed to be thinking about something.
"Then I'll be going then." She bowed her head and turned on her heel towards the door. "Oh wait, I forgot. Professor, Dumbledore has asked to see Harry Potter. Can we borrow him for a while?" She added. Snape's gleeful-looking mood left without a trace as he swung his hand out towards Harry.
"Please." He said shortly and darkly. ~*~
Harry followed Kacey silently down the corridor towards Dumbledore's office. Harry glanced over at Kacey to see what her expression was. She look very professional. Her chin was up and her hands were cupped behind her back. Harry was strongly reminded of Percy, except she wasn't prissy or anywhere near as lame as him. She looked very proud of what she was.
"So, uh, why does Dumbledore want to see me?" Harry asked stupidly. He knew why, he just wanted to break the silence.
"Hush." She said quietly. Harry was startled at her response, but he relaxed when she turned her head towards him, grinned then winked.
They soon reached the stone gargoyle. "Milky Way" Kacey muttered to it. The stone demon sprang to life and jumped out of the way. Harry followed her inside. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk with his fingers linked. He, of course, had a dancing blue twinkle in his eye. Professor McGonagall was sitting in another chair on the side of the office petting an enormous black dog. Harry smiled at the sight of Sirius. McGonagall grinned too.
"Harry, it's nice to see you again." Professor Dumbledore greeted them. "Miss. Harper ...where do you think you're going?" he asked when he saw her turning out the door. "This meeting has to do with you as well." Kacey looked extremely confused as she took a seat next to Harry.
"Now I know the both of you had felt something when the two of you were first introduced." Dumbledore started. "And I also know it befuddled you. What I am about to tell you is very serious and I don't expect either of you to understand fully why things are this way. In fact, we weren't planning on telling you at all, but then you guys met and it could no longer be a secret." He paused there simply for the effect of things and to see how well they were taking it in.
"Harry, this girl sitting next to you is your sister." Dumbledore smiled very happily and looked quite pleased with himself. It seemed as though he expected them to jump up and hug each other. Harry, however did not share his enthusiasm. He was staring at Dumbledore as if he had just shaved his beard off. He quickly looked over at Kacey. She didn't look too surprised by the news though. She was looking at the corner of Dumbledore's desk and looked very thoughtful. "I'll be happy to answer any questions you have."
"You have a really twisted sense of humor, you know that Dumbledore?" Kacey said coldly. "That's not even remotely funny."
"Oh, I assure you, Miss. Potter, this is no joke." Dumbledore said more seriously.
"Don't call me that. I'm not his sister." Kacey said, getting angrier by the moment. Harry just watched, stunned.
"I'm sorry if this news is terrible to you, Miss Potter, but I swear you are." Dumbledore said calmly. He should have expected this from her.
"Prove it." She said flatly. With a flick of Dumbledore's hand, two pieces of old parchment flew into his hand.
"I'd be glad to. Here is your birth certificate. You were born Madison Lorenna Potter to James and Lily Potter." He said holding out one piece of parchment. She snatched it away and scanned over it.
"This doesn't prove anything. Madison Potter died that night. And even if she didn't, this could be anyone." She said tossing the birth certificate back at him.
"Oh, by all means, let me finish." Dumbledore went on. He was determined to win this battle. "Madison did not die. There was no body found, there are no death certificates." Kacey looked very shocked. "Even with your position at the Ministry, they do not tell you everything." Now Harry was the confused one. What has the Ministry got to do with this?
"The night your parents died, you were picked up by a passing couple that heard you crying. They carried you off before the Ministry arrived. That next day, an adoption certificate was illegally filled out for you." He gave her the other piece of parchment. Harry leaned over her shoulder to see it: Kacey Sidney Harper adopted November First by Harold and Virginia Harper. Kacey's eyes filled with tears when she saw this. She must have been told she was theirs by birth. "You and your adoptive family then flew out to the United States to hide out from the Ministry. By the time they had tracked you down, you were already nine years old and completely brainwashed. That was when it was decided to just let things be as they were. You were happy and they were taking care of you."
"What a crock." Kacey had finally managed to say. Even though there were tears pouring down her face, she still looked as though she could explode from her anger.
"Miss Potter, haven't you ever wondered why you were sent here instead of the American Academy of Magic?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Yeah, because it was a crummy school and the Ministry over here wanted me here." She replied.
"You're half right." Dumbledore said. "The American Academy is, along with Hogwarts, is one of the best schools in the world. However, the Ministry did want you. It was agreed with your adoptive family that they would not be sent to Azkaban for their crime of kidnapping if you were sent to Hogwarts for school and given a job with the Ministry."
"What a crock." Kacey said again. And with that, she got up from her seat and stormed out the door.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ~~
A/N: Heh heh *smiles evilly* Cliffhanger...ohh.... so what do ya think? She didn't take it too well...
A/N: I'm back and we had a hellish time. But anyway, I'm back to updating. Sorry it's been a few days... I had a brain fart. This is the longest chapter by far, but there is a reason...^_^
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
The day got more interesting. Hermione and Harry walked into Potions discussing possible ways Professor Hope got the job as the new Defense job. However, they suddenly hushed at the look Snape was shooting at Harry. There was no need to ask why Snape looked so furious; he was still bitter over the fact that Harry didn't die last year when he faced Voldemort. Snape simply threw his nose up at them and walked to the front of the room and waited in silence for everyone to take their seats.
"Today," Snape said quietly, "we will be starting a potion that can save your life from vampires, so if the time ever comes when you come across a vampire" he paused momentarily to scan the room. "You'll know how to stay...human." He looked quite pleased with his little speech until someone else spoke up.
"Aren't we starting off a bit fast?" said some boy from the back. Harry noticed he had a Canadian accent. He must be a transfer student. "We shouldn't even be going over them until around February." The boy quickly realized he was threading on forbidden ground. Snape looked like he was going to explode.
"Fifty points from Hufflepuff in addition to detention with me tonight!" Snape shouted. "Don't you EVER criticize my methods of teaching again, nor should you suggest when subjects are taught. If I hear another peep from you, Green, I swear you will sorely regret it." Snape was red in the face and he almost looked like he was going to whip his wand out on the boy. Everyone knew that Snape was not to be bothered after this unless they wanted to die slowly. But still, someone else raised their hand.
"Sir, I'm sorry, but Professor Hope has already told us about it..." Hermione said barely above a whisper. She didn't even make eye contact with him. Even she knew she was doing something very stupid.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Granger, but nobody asked for your opinion." Snape replied with ice in his calm voice. "Ten points from Gryffindor for interrupting my class, and if you're smart, you'll keep that trap of yours shut until someone asks for you to speak.." Snape did look disappointed though. Hermione hung her head and looked at her feet. Every few seconds, she'd look up and give Snape a dark glare while he wasn't looking.
~*~
The next few days went fairly smoothly without any disturbances. Snape's bitter mood improved after a while. Four days after their first time back in potions, however, they found him in an even worse mood.
"Potter! Weasley!" Snape bellowed from his desk, "You are three minutes late! I thought punctuality was a quality of Gryffindors! Fifty points from Gryffindor for being late and for being a disgrace to their own house!"
Harry and Ron silently took their seats next to Hermione, who remained quiet and was looking at the desk. She has been terribly silent whenever Snape came around. She always was, but never has it been for this long. Everyone had already started on continuing their Anti-Vampire potions.
"I don't know what his problem is, honestly!" said Ron who was a tad sick of Snape's attitude with them lately. "Three stupid minutes doesn't make that much of a difference. That stupid git need to pull that dead grindylow out of his arse." Harry muffled a laugh and playfully punched Ron.
"Oh, so you want detention with me tonight too, eh, Weasley?" Snape spoke cooly. Apparently, he had heard him. "So be it. Stay after class tonight to arrange it. Now get working."
"Dammit!" Ron mouthed silently and hit his fist on the table. After twenty minutes had passed, Kacey entered the room in a bit of a jog and rushed over to Snape.
"Well, hello, Kacey." Snape said with an actual trace of happiness in his voice. His face even cracked into a smile...it was a horrible sight. Harry saw Seamus fall out of his seat at the site of it. Kacey didn't reply, but whispered something to Snape. Harry strained to hear what was being said. "I see. Do the rest of the Professors know?" Snape asked. Kacey shook her head and mouthed something else to him. "Find out the security level." Snape whispered back so silently, Harry was unsure if he had said anything at all. Kacey nodded then took a step back.
"Professor, I forgot to mention to you the other day that Mr. Malfoy had started a fight with another student and ended up cursing him." Kacey was obviously talking about Ron's nose. They were talking at a normal level now, but they were still pretty quiet. "That student was stuck in the hospital wing for two days."
"I see. Who was this student?" Snape asked. Harry mentally prayed Kacey wouldn't tell him it was Ron. If she did, he wouldn't punish Malfoy.
"I decided that student should remain anonymous. It doesn't matter anyway," Kacey replied. Harry expected Snape to blow up at her for not telling him, but he merely nodded. "That student is doing fine now. I trust you will see it fit to punish Mr. Malfoy?"
"Oh, ...yes" said Snape. He seemed to be thinking about something.
"Then I'll be going then." She bowed her head and turned on her heel towards the door. "Oh wait, I forgot. Professor, Dumbledore has asked to see Harry Potter. Can we borrow him for a while?" She added. Snape's gleeful-looking mood left without a trace as he swung his hand out towards Harry.
"Please." He said shortly and darkly. ~*~
Harry followed Kacey silently down the corridor towards Dumbledore's office. Harry glanced over at Kacey to see what her expression was. She look very professional. Her chin was up and her hands were cupped behind her back. Harry was strongly reminded of Percy, except she wasn't prissy or anywhere near as lame as him. She looked very proud of what she was.
"So, uh, why does Dumbledore want to see me?" Harry asked stupidly. He knew why, he just wanted to break the silence.
"Hush." She said quietly. Harry was startled at her response, but he relaxed when she turned her head towards him, grinned then winked.
They soon reached the stone gargoyle. "Milky Way" Kacey muttered to it. The stone demon sprang to life and jumped out of the way. Harry followed her inside. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk with his fingers linked. He, of course, had a dancing blue twinkle in his eye. Professor McGonagall was sitting in another chair on the side of the office petting an enormous black dog. Harry smiled at the sight of Sirius. McGonagall grinned too.
"Harry, it's nice to see you again." Professor Dumbledore greeted them. "Miss. Harper ...where do you think you're going?" he asked when he saw her turning out the door. "This meeting has to do with you as well." Kacey looked extremely confused as she took a seat next to Harry.
"Now I know the both of you had felt something when the two of you were first introduced." Dumbledore started. "And I also know it befuddled you. What I am about to tell you is very serious and I don't expect either of you to understand fully why things are this way. In fact, we weren't planning on telling you at all, but then you guys met and it could no longer be a secret." He paused there simply for the effect of things and to see how well they were taking it in.
"Harry, this girl sitting next to you is your sister." Dumbledore smiled very happily and looked quite pleased with himself. It seemed as though he expected them to jump up and hug each other. Harry, however did not share his enthusiasm. He was staring at Dumbledore as if he had just shaved his beard off. He quickly looked over at Kacey. She didn't look too surprised by the news though. She was looking at the corner of Dumbledore's desk and looked very thoughtful. "I'll be happy to answer any questions you have."
"You have a really twisted sense of humor, you know that Dumbledore?" Kacey said coldly. "That's not even remotely funny."
"Oh, I assure you, Miss. Potter, this is no joke." Dumbledore said more seriously.
"Don't call me that. I'm not his sister." Kacey said, getting angrier by the moment. Harry just watched, stunned.
"I'm sorry if this news is terrible to you, Miss Potter, but I swear you are." Dumbledore said calmly. He should have expected this from her.
"Prove it." She said flatly. With a flick of Dumbledore's hand, two pieces of old parchment flew into his hand.
"I'd be glad to. Here is your birth certificate. You were born Madison Lorenna Potter to James and Lily Potter." He said holding out one piece of parchment. She snatched it away and scanned over it.
"This doesn't prove anything. Madison Potter died that night. And even if she didn't, this could be anyone." She said tossing the birth certificate back at him.
"Oh, by all means, let me finish." Dumbledore went on. He was determined to win this battle. "Madison did not die. There was no body found, there are no death certificates." Kacey looked very shocked. "Even with your position at the Ministry, they do not tell you everything." Now Harry was the confused one. What has the Ministry got to do with this?
"The night your parents died, you were picked up by a passing couple that heard you crying. They carried you off before the Ministry arrived. That next day, an adoption certificate was illegally filled out for you." He gave her the other piece of parchment. Harry leaned over her shoulder to see it: Kacey Sidney Harper adopted November First by Harold and Virginia Harper. Kacey's eyes filled with tears when she saw this. She must have been told she was theirs by birth. "You and your adoptive family then flew out to the United States to hide out from the Ministry. By the time they had tracked you down, you were already nine years old and completely brainwashed. That was when it was decided to just let things be as they were. You were happy and they were taking care of you."
"What a crock." Kacey had finally managed to say. Even though there were tears pouring down her face, she still looked as though she could explode from her anger.
"Miss Potter, haven't you ever wondered why you were sent here instead of the American Academy of Magic?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Yeah, because it was a crummy school and the Ministry over here wanted me here." She replied.
"You're half right." Dumbledore said. "The American Academy is, along with Hogwarts, is one of the best schools in the world. However, the Ministry did want you. It was agreed with your adoptive family that they would not be sent to Azkaban for their crime of kidnapping if you were sent to Hogwarts for school and given a job with the Ministry."
"What a crock." Kacey said again. And with that, she got up from her seat and stormed out the door.
~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** ~~
A/N: Heh heh *smiles evilly* Cliffhanger...ohh.... so what do ya think? She didn't take it too well...