Ahh yeah, everything belongs to JK Rowling (she's the best!) except for
Samantha... she's mine and I'm partial to her so pleeeeeease ask before
borrowing her. "Anything but Ordinary" is Avril Lavigne's.
This is my first big story alone... I miss working with you Susan, but I guess our lives get in the way sometimes. I love ya. Thanks to those of you who reviewed... I only got a few, but that's encouraging enough to continue! MissLexiRe, wicked-woman, and Pipergirl2003; thanks for your encouraging comments... hope everyone enjoys this part.
Hey, this is "my" world... if there are some bizarre things that make you think 'that could never happen' it's probably cuz they can't! That'll make more sense in chapters to come!
Anything but Ordinary Part 2
Hermione stared in wonder as the young woman who was seated next to Professor Snape stared right back at her. She nodded once to Hermione and smiled brightly. "I." Hermione was at a loss for words.
"Your sister? But I thought you were from a Muggle family. You've never even told me that you have a sister!" Harry exclaimed, trying to get his friend's attention. Hermione still had her gaze locked on the woman.
Just then, Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall with the first years in tow. She walked past Hermione and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder before continuing to the front of the hall. The Sorting Hat had a new song for the first years, explaining the significance of each of Hogwarts's four houses. Once done, McGonagall began reading off the names of the students and placing the hat on their heads. Hermione wasn't paying attention. She turned to Harry. "I swear, that's my sister, Samantha."
"I believe you, Hermione, I really do. But, you always said you were Muggle born."
"I am, my parents are dentists, remember?" Harry nodded. She looked up at her sister. "My sister, Samantha, is eleven years older then I am. I really only remember her from pictures and when she would come home on holidays. oh my goodness, Harry!"
"What, what is it?" Ron asked. He too was interested to see how this story ended.
"When I was about seven, I asked where my sister went to school and my parents told me that she went to a special school for gifted children in America," Hermione explained, as the pieces of another puzzle began to take shape. "I'd be willing to bet my wand that she was at a wizarding school in America!" Hermione whipped her head around to look at her sister who was smiling and nodded at Hermione, as if she could hear the conversation that had taken place. "I can't believe my mum and dad never told me," she whispered.
"Imagine that," Ron mused, "two witches born to muggle parents. Weird."
"Yeah, no kidding," Harry added, just as Dumbledore rose to give his start of term notices.
"Welcome, welcome! Another year starts, for some it's your first, and for others," Dumbledore's gaze fell on the trio of Gryffindors who had seen so much in their time at Hogwarts, "it is your last. First years please note, that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. I want to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Lupin. It is so nice to have him back at Hogwarts." Many students applauded as Lupin's face reddened some. "I would also like to extend a welcome to our new Charms instructor who hails all the way from America. Seeing as how Professor Flitwick has decided to retire, so she will also be headmistress to Ravenclaw house. May I introduce Professor Samantha Granger." Samantha gave a small wave to the students.
The table of Ravenclaw students broke into a loud roar of cheering. Many students began turning toward Hermione with curious chatter. Hermione ran a shaky hand through her hair as she smiled. "Hey, this is really cool," Harry whispered to her. Ron nodded in agreement.
"And now, may the feast begin!" Dumbledore clapped his hands once and food appeared on golden platters all up and down the tables. Students began chattering and looking around for their friends as the feast began.
"Hermione?" Fellow seventh year student and Gryffindor Lavender Brown came up to her. "Is she related to you?"
"Yeah, that's my sister," Hermione said, still not believing it herself. "I need to go up there," Hermione pushed her chair back and made her way up to the head table. At the same moment, Samantha rose from her seat and walked around to its front. Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the other professors watched in silence.
They approached each other quite fast, but came to halt a few feet from each other. Samantha's long indigo robes swished around her feet as she stopped. Hermione looked her sister up and down. While at first glance they looked nothing alike, Hermione knew that they both had the same chocolate brown eyes and the same slightly crooked nose. Samantha smiled at her younger sister. "Well."
"I can't believe it," Hermione stated. "Mum and Dad never told me."
"I know, and I'm so sorry, Herm," Samantha said sincerely.
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "Your hair!"
"After not seeing you in almost ten years all you can comment on is my hair?" Samantha exclaimed as her tears began streaking down her cheeks. Samantha opened her arms and Hermione flung herself into them. They both let out a shaky sigh as they were reunited. "Oh, my baby sister is all grown up," Samantha said as she pulled Hermione away to examine her. "As for my hair. it was a rebellion thing."
"I love it," Hermione told her. "You have a lot more than your hair to explain!" Hermione warned her, laughing slightly.
"I will come by your dorm this evening."
"I'd like that," Hermione said. She wandered back to where Ron and Harry were and sat down to eat.
"So, it's her, huh?" Ron asked with a mouthful of food.
"She's coming by the dorm tonight so we can talk," she smiled.
"Try the potatoes, I think they doctored up the recipe," Ron commented.
"Only you would notice that, Ron," Harry laughed.
Hermione smiled and laughed out loud. "Guys, my parents are muggles and they produced two witches."
"She'll explain," Harry assured her, laying gentle hand on her shoulder. Hermione nodded and started enjoying the amazing feast laid out before her.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
After the halls were cleared out and the first years were settled in their houses, Ron and Harry played a round of Wizard's Chess in the Gryffindor Common room, while Hermione sat on the floor and idly read her worn out copy of "Hogwarts: A History." She was lounging against the side of Harry's left leg, flipping without really reading. The hand that Harry wasn't moving pieces with was slowly stroking her hair. She slowly closed the book and sighed, "I never knew."
"I'm sure there's some logical explanation to all of this. Knight to A-6," Ron said. Ron's Knight took out one of Harry's Bishops. "I mean, there must be another muggle family that's produced more than one witch."
"Well I for one have certainly never heard of it," Hermione said as she stood and stretched. She crossed the common room and turned back to them just as Ron made the kill and took Harry's King. "I'm going back to my dorm."
Harry shook Ron's hand, "I'll walk with you," he offered, standing up. "Ron, if you see Colin, tell him that we're going to be having a Quidditch meeting on Saturday to welcome Oliver back." After George and Fred Weasley had left Hogwarts, Ron and fellow Gryffindor Colin Creevey had been made the house team beaters.
"No problem, Captain," Ron said as he stood and saluted Harry. Both of them laughed as Harry and Hermione stepped through the portrait hole.
"Good night, Dears," the picture of the fat lady said. Harry and Hermione said good night as they wandered down the halls toward their dorms. As head boy and girl, they had a separate dorm that was more like an apartment.
"Have you seen the dorm yet?" Harry asked.
"No, I haven't had a chance to get up there yet," Hermione told him. "I think I'm going to miss living in Gryffindor though," she admitted.
"Me too," Harry smiled.
After climbing several sets of winding stairs, they came to a portrait of a beautiful sorceress. She had long, straight black hair and piercing blue eyes. Her robes were as black as night and had hundreds of silver and gold sparkling stars all over them. In her hand was a silver wand and she was idly petting a white unicorn. "Good evening," she said in a voice that seemed to sing. "I am Rowena, and I will be your guardian this year. Password?"
"Oculus Reparo," Harry recited. The door swung open and Hermione let out a stifled laugh. "What? I thought you would appreciate the fact that I had finally remembered that spell!"
"No, it's. cute," she smiled, and ducked into the common room of their dormitory. "Oh, Harry, I take it back. I don't miss Gryffindor." The room was decorated in deep hues of blue, scarlet, green, and yellow; the colors of the four houses. There were two arm chairs of deep blue, a couch of deep green, a scarlet rug that spread from the roaring fireplace to the furniture, and the window curtains were a deep yellow. "This is amazing," she whispered. Harry nodded in agreement.
Hermione sat down in one of the blue chairs, while Harry kicked of his shoes and lounged on the couch. "This is so nice. Do you hear that?"
"What?" Hermione looked around.
"Nothing. it's silence. No first years bothering us, no roommates, no nothing," he smiled, turning around to look at Hermione.
"Yeah, it's nice," she smiled and closed her eyes. Moments later, the portrait swung forward. Instinct kicked in and both of them leaped to their feet.
"Whoa, it's only me," Samantha smiled, entering the common room. "Professor McGonagall gave me professor's password to get in. I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's just a reflex," Harry grinned, sliding his feet into his shoes.
"I understand," Samantha said, moving to the center of the room. "I'm Samantha Granger, Hermione's long lost sister."
"Well, lost to me, but no one else," Hermione added.
"I'm Harry Potter," Harry said, shaking Samantha's hand.
"Oh, yes. My parents have told me about you."
"Oh?" Harry stole a glance at Hermione who began blushing, and shuffling her feet.
Samantha grinned, "It's nice to meet someone whom my sister holds in such high regards. Your fame proceeds you not only in London, but in the States as well."
It was now Harry's turn to blush, "Oh, well." Harry stumbled. "I'll leave you two to catch up some. Nice meeting you, Professor," he said. Samantha nodded and smiled at him.
"I'll see you at breakfast?" Hermione said, turning to him.
"Yeah, good night, Hermione," he said, and leaned over and softly kissed her cheek. Harry made his was up the staircase to his room, while Hermione watched after him, her hand caressing her cheek.
"Oh, Herm, he is so adorable!" Samantha informed her sister.
"Yeah? I didn't really. notice," Hermione mumbled as she rubbed the back of her neck and sat down in a chair.
Samantha sat down across from her in the other chair. "So, where do you want me to start?" Samantha asked.
"From the beginning," Hermione told her, "the very beginning."
"You're probably wondering if Mum and Dad are really muggles. Well, rest assure, they are. Not a drop of wizard blood in either of them."
"Well, just look at them," Hermione laughed.
"I know! The beginning? Well, I'm a witch, and Mum and Dad knew all along. When you were only months old, I received a visit from Albus Dumbledore. I was almost eleven, and I was told that I was special, I had special powers; I was a witch. Dumbledore and a group of wizards from America were starting a school in Salem, Massachusetts."
"How ironic," Hermione observed.
"No one knew if it would work. Would Americans find our secret school? Or could we stay in hiding, like Hogwarts has, for a thousand years? Mum and Dad were reluctant to agree. This was right around the time of the rise of." Samantha looked reluctant to say his name.
"Say his name. He can't touch us anymore, Sam."
"Voldemort," she croaked out. "Dumbledore told us that we were a generation of students that were going to be the ones who took him down if they couldn't. We were a dying generation's last hope. Then, your friend, Harry, did the unthinkable, and he was only a baby."
Hermione smiled at her sister. "To this day, no one truly knows how his mother protected him."
"Love is very powerful, Herm. Anyway, once the threat of Voldemort had passed for the time being, Salem School for Witchcraft and Wizardry became another wizarding school. I loved being in the States. Those seven years were some of the best times of my life, as I'm sure you can understand," Samantha laughed.
"So, what happened when you were done with your schooling? Why didn't you come home? Why didn't Mum and Dad ever tell me?"
"Herm, you were only almost eight at the time. Mum and Dad had no idea you were a witch yet! In the years that followed, I stayed in America, working with fellow graduates on finding the whereabouts of Voldemort," Samantha explained. "There were rumors of his power growing once again. As the years went on and Harry edged closed to his eleventh birthdays, the year you would both begin your training here, that rumor grew stronger, louder."
"OK, so, Voldemort came back, and we defeated him! Where were you?" Hermione demanded.
"I'm getting there, kiddo."
"Sorry," Hermione apologized.
"The year that Voldemort reappeared and attacked Hogwarts, your fifth year at Hogwarts, Salem School came under attack as well. It was like reliving the persecution of all those supposed witches in the old days. Muggles heard of witches living in Salem and began hunting us down. We had to uproot our students and relocate. It was a difficult time."
"So, what about Mum and Dad?"
"I wanted to be the one to tell you, when the time was right," she told Hermione.
Hermione sank into the chair. It was too much to take in in one evening. "I don't understand. Why now?"
"Because I am here now," Samantha grinned. "Salem School has been settled in its new location, safely hidden and Hogwarts needed a Charms professor."
"Your specialty?"
"But of course!" Samantha laughed. "Oh, Hermione. I'm so sorry."
"I wish I had known. It would have been nice to have you around, or at least been able to have sent you an owl once and awhile."
"Well," Samantha threw her hair behind her shoulders and sighed, "I'm here now, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm here to stay! Now, you tell me about you."
"What don't you know?" Hermione asked.
"No much," Samantha admitted.
"Dumbledore?"
"No, actually Professor McGonagall caught me up. I really wish that I had been here two years ago," she said softly.
"I'm OK, really. I don't remember much because I was unconscious. What little I know, Harry refuses to embellish on," she said.
"Probably for good reason. He's a good friend," Samantha said.
Hermione sighed. "I remember feeling like I was floating in a dream, and when I came to, all I saw and felt was darkness. In my mind I was screaming, but I knew that out loud, my voice was paralyzed. Yet, somehow, Harry found me," Hermione whispered her last comment.
Samantha took her sister's hand in hers. "He heard you, Herm."
"Yeah, I guess he did," Hermione's gaze drifted to the stairs. She felt that flutter in her stomach that she had felt before but couldn't explain. She turned back to her sister and they both smiled.
"My baby sister is all grown up."
"Oh stop, you're only twenty-eight you know! Don't go getting like that on me!"
They both laughed. "Just don't always let your mind get in the way of what your heart is trying to tell you." Samantha stood and headed for the portrait. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Yeah, we still have a lot of catching up to do."
"I still have to learn all about this place. I keep getting lost!"
"Hang on!" Hermione crossed the room and picked up her worn copy of "Hogwarts: A History" and handed it to Samantha. "Consider it a welcome home present."
"Thank you," Samantha said, hugging Hermione to her.
"I have one more question," Hermione said. Samantha nodded for her to continue. "When did you lose your British accent?"
Samantha let out a laugh. "Probably when I was off gallivanting around New York City fifteen years ago! Is it that noticeable?" She asked as the portrait swung open and she stepped out.
"Let's just say that you're definitely going to stand out tomorrow!" Hermione said.
Ten minutes later, Hermione had made her way up to her room and changed into the pajamas when there was a soft knock on the door. Harry entered and leaned against the door frame. "So?"
'Don't always let your mind get in the way of what your heart is trying to tell you.' She could hear her sister's words in her head. Hermione studied him for a moment then crossed the room to him. She put her arms around Harry's neck and he automatically bent down to envelop her in a hug.
"Hey," he whispered. "You OK?"
Hermione nodded into his neck. "I just." She pulled away and laid her hands on his forearms. Harry smiled at her and brushed a stray hair from her face. "I just needed to tell you that I'm so thankful that I have you in my life," she whispered.
Harry smiled down at her. "You're one of my very best friends, Hermione. I don't know what I would do without you."
"I never thanked you for what you did that night." Hermione began but Harry laid a finger to her lips to silence her.
"Yes you did. You thank me everyday when you smile or when you laugh or even when you're making sure I do my homework," Harry laughed.
"Harry!" Hermione pushed him away and laughed. "I'm trying to be serious here," she said.
"So am I," he said, crossing into her room. Hermione turned back around. She really looked at him this time. His hair was unruly, more so then usual because he had been in bed before he came to her room, and he had on an old tee shirt and sweat pants for bed. He never looked more perfect or at peace then right at that moment, Hermione thought. He looked so calm. He stepped closer to her and touched her cheek.
"Harry." she whispered but he shook his head for her to stop talking.
Just before he could move any closer, Hedwig flew into the room and dropped a letter on Harry's head. Hermione sat quickly on her bed and laid a hand on her racing heart. Harry cursed Hedwig and sent her to the owlry. She nipped Harry's ear before leaving. "It's from Sirius," he told Hermione, after he read the letter.
"What's he say?" She asked.
"He's arriving in Hogsmeade day after tomorrow and heading for Hogwarts. I mean, I know he said he was going to visit, but we just got here," Harry observed. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and yawned. "I wonder what's going on," he yawned.
His yawn was contagious as Hermione did the same. "You'll see him in two days, and you can ask him then," she teased.
Harry walked over to her and gently pushed her back into the bed. He pulled her covers up over her as she yawned again. "You've had a long day," he mumbled, "and all I've done is made things worse," he whispered.
"Nothing you could do could ever make things worse in my life," Hermione said sleepily, as her eyes slid shut and she drifted to sleep.
Harry smiled at what she said and bent down to gently kiss her cheek. 'What now?' Harry thought to himself as he left her room and headed to bed, where he was sure he would get little sleep.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Ohhhh please review... ya know you want to... hehe
Is it enough to love? Is it enough to breath? Somebody rip my heart out, and leave me here to bleed. Is it enough to die? Somebody save my life. I'd rather be anything by ordinary, please. ~Avril Lavigne; "Anything but Ordinary"
This is my first big story alone... I miss working with you Susan, but I guess our lives get in the way sometimes. I love ya. Thanks to those of you who reviewed... I only got a few, but that's encouraging enough to continue! MissLexiRe, wicked-woman, and Pipergirl2003; thanks for your encouraging comments... hope everyone enjoys this part.
Hey, this is "my" world... if there are some bizarre things that make you think 'that could never happen' it's probably cuz they can't! That'll make more sense in chapters to come!
Anything but Ordinary Part 2
Hermione stared in wonder as the young woman who was seated next to Professor Snape stared right back at her. She nodded once to Hermione and smiled brightly. "I." Hermione was at a loss for words.
"Your sister? But I thought you were from a Muggle family. You've never even told me that you have a sister!" Harry exclaimed, trying to get his friend's attention. Hermione still had her gaze locked on the woman.
Just then, Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall with the first years in tow. She walked past Hermione and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder before continuing to the front of the hall. The Sorting Hat had a new song for the first years, explaining the significance of each of Hogwarts's four houses. Once done, McGonagall began reading off the names of the students and placing the hat on their heads. Hermione wasn't paying attention. She turned to Harry. "I swear, that's my sister, Samantha."
"I believe you, Hermione, I really do. But, you always said you were Muggle born."
"I am, my parents are dentists, remember?" Harry nodded. She looked up at her sister. "My sister, Samantha, is eleven years older then I am. I really only remember her from pictures and when she would come home on holidays. oh my goodness, Harry!"
"What, what is it?" Ron asked. He too was interested to see how this story ended.
"When I was about seven, I asked where my sister went to school and my parents told me that she went to a special school for gifted children in America," Hermione explained, as the pieces of another puzzle began to take shape. "I'd be willing to bet my wand that she was at a wizarding school in America!" Hermione whipped her head around to look at her sister who was smiling and nodded at Hermione, as if she could hear the conversation that had taken place. "I can't believe my mum and dad never told me," she whispered.
"Imagine that," Ron mused, "two witches born to muggle parents. Weird."
"Yeah, no kidding," Harry added, just as Dumbledore rose to give his start of term notices.
"Welcome, welcome! Another year starts, for some it's your first, and for others," Dumbledore's gaze fell on the trio of Gryffindors who had seen so much in their time at Hogwarts, "it is your last. First years please note, that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. I want to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, Professor Lupin. It is so nice to have him back at Hogwarts." Many students applauded as Lupin's face reddened some. "I would also like to extend a welcome to our new Charms instructor who hails all the way from America. Seeing as how Professor Flitwick has decided to retire, so she will also be headmistress to Ravenclaw house. May I introduce Professor Samantha Granger." Samantha gave a small wave to the students.
The table of Ravenclaw students broke into a loud roar of cheering. Many students began turning toward Hermione with curious chatter. Hermione ran a shaky hand through her hair as she smiled. "Hey, this is really cool," Harry whispered to her. Ron nodded in agreement.
"And now, may the feast begin!" Dumbledore clapped his hands once and food appeared on golden platters all up and down the tables. Students began chattering and looking around for their friends as the feast began.
"Hermione?" Fellow seventh year student and Gryffindor Lavender Brown came up to her. "Is she related to you?"
"Yeah, that's my sister," Hermione said, still not believing it herself. "I need to go up there," Hermione pushed her chair back and made her way up to the head table. At the same moment, Samantha rose from her seat and walked around to its front. Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the other professors watched in silence.
They approached each other quite fast, but came to halt a few feet from each other. Samantha's long indigo robes swished around her feet as she stopped. Hermione looked her sister up and down. While at first glance they looked nothing alike, Hermione knew that they both had the same chocolate brown eyes and the same slightly crooked nose. Samantha smiled at her younger sister. "Well."
"I can't believe it," Hermione stated. "Mum and Dad never told me."
"I know, and I'm so sorry, Herm," Samantha said sincerely.
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. "Your hair!"
"After not seeing you in almost ten years all you can comment on is my hair?" Samantha exclaimed as her tears began streaking down her cheeks. Samantha opened her arms and Hermione flung herself into them. They both let out a shaky sigh as they were reunited. "Oh, my baby sister is all grown up," Samantha said as she pulled Hermione away to examine her. "As for my hair. it was a rebellion thing."
"I love it," Hermione told her. "You have a lot more than your hair to explain!" Hermione warned her, laughing slightly.
"I will come by your dorm this evening."
"I'd like that," Hermione said. She wandered back to where Ron and Harry were and sat down to eat.
"So, it's her, huh?" Ron asked with a mouthful of food.
"She's coming by the dorm tonight so we can talk," she smiled.
"Try the potatoes, I think they doctored up the recipe," Ron commented.
"Only you would notice that, Ron," Harry laughed.
Hermione smiled and laughed out loud. "Guys, my parents are muggles and they produced two witches."
"She'll explain," Harry assured her, laying gentle hand on her shoulder. Hermione nodded and started enjoying the amazing feast laid out before her.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
After the halls were cleared out and the first years were settled in their houses, Ron and Harry played a round of Wizard's Chess in the Gryffindor Common room, while Hermione sat on the floor and idly read her worn out copy of "Hogwarts: A History." She was lounging against the side of Harry's left leg, flipping without really reading. The hand that Harry wasn't moving pieces with was slowly stroking her hair. She slowly closed the book and sighed, "I never knew."
"I'm sure there's some logical explanation to all of this. Knight to A-6," Ron said. Ron's Knight took out one of Harry's Bishops. "I mean, there must be another muggle family that's produced more than one witch."
"Well I for one have certainly never heard of it," Hermione said as she stood and stretched. She crossed the common room and turned back to them just as Ron made the kill and took Harry's King. "I'm going back to my dorm."
Harry shook Ron's hand, "I'll walk with you," he offered, standing up. "Ron, if you see Colin, tell him that we're going to be having a Quidditch meeting on Saturday to welcome Oliver back." After George and Fred Weasley had left Hogwarts, Ron and fellow Gryffindor Colin Creevey had been made the house team beaters.
"No problem, Captain," Ron said as he stood and saluted Harry. Both of them laughed as Harry and Hermione stepped through the portrait hole.
"Good night, Dears," the picture of the fat lady said. Harry and Hermione said good night as they wandered down the halls toward their dorms. As head boy and girl, they had a separate dorm that was more like an apartment.
"Have you seen the dorm yet?" Harry asked.
"No, I haven't had a chance to get up there yet," Hermione told him. "I think I'm going to miss living in Gryffindor though," she admitted.
"Me too," Harry smiled.
After climbing several sets of winding stairs, they came to a portrait of a beautiful sorceress. She had long, straight black hair and piercing blue eyes. Her robes were as black as night and had hundreds of silver and gold sparkling stars all over them. In her hand was a silver wand and she was idly petting a white unicorn. "Good evening," she said in a voice that seemed to sing. "I am Rowena, and I will be your guardian this year. Password?"
"Oculus Reparo," Harry recited. The door swung open and Hermione let out a stifled laugh. "What? I thought you would appreciate the fact that I had finally remembered that spell!"
"No, it's. cute," she smiled, and ducked into the common room of their dormitory. "Oh, Harry, I take it back. I don't miss Gryffindor." The room was decorated in deep hues of blue, scarlet, green, and yellow; the colors of the four houses. There were two arm chairs of deep blue, a couch of deep green, a scarlet rug that spread from the roaring fireplace to the furniture, and the window curtains were a deep yellow. "This is amazing," she whispered. Harry nodded in agreement.
Hermione sat down in one of the blue chairs, while Harry kicked of his shoes and lounged on the couch. "This is so nice. Do you hear that?"
"What?" Hermione looked around.
"Nothing. it's silence. No first years bothering us, no roommates, no nothing," he smiled, turning around to look at Hermione.
"Yeah, it's nice," she smiled and closed her eyes. Moments later, the portrait swung forward. Instinct kicked in and both of them leaped to their feet.
"Whoa, it's only me," Samantha smiled, entering the common room. "Professor McGonagall gave me professor's password to get in. I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's just a reflex," Harry grinned, sliding his feet into his shoes.
"I understand," Samantha said, moving to the center of the room. "I'm Samantha Granger, Hermione's long lost sister."
"Well, lost to me, but no one else," Hermione added.
"I'm Harry Potter," Harry said, shaking Samantha's hand.
"Oh, yes. My parents have told me about you."
"Oh?" Harry stole a glance at Hermione who began blushing, and shuffling her feet.
Samantha grinned, "It's nice to meet someone whom my sister holds in such high regards. Your fame proceeds you not only in London, but in the States as well."
It was now Harry's turn to blush, "Oh, well." Harry stumbled. "I'll leave you two to catch up some. Nice meeting you, Professor," he said. Samantha nodded and smiled at him.
"I'll see you at breakfast?" Hermione said, turning to him.
"Yeah, good night, Hermione," he said, and leaned over and softly kissed her cheek. Harry made his was up the staircase to his room, while Hermione watched after him, her hand caressing her cheek.
"Oh, Herm, he is so adorable!" Samantha informed her sister.
"Yeah? I didn't really. notice," Hermione mumbled as she rubbed the back of her neck and sat down in a chair.
Samantha sat down across from her in the other chair. "So, where do you want me to start?" Samantha asked.
"From the beginning," Hermione told her, "the very beginning."
"You're probably wondering if Mum and Dad are really muggles. Well, rest assure, they are. Not a drop of wizard blood in either of them."
"Well, just look at them," Hermione laughed.
"I know! The beginning? Well, I'm a witch, and Mum and Dad knew all along. When you were only months old, I received a visit from Albus Dumbledore. I was almost eleven, and I was told that I was special, I had special powers; I was a witch. Dumbledore and a group of wizards from America were starting a school in Salem, Massachusetts."
"How ironic," Hermione observed.
"No one knew if it would work. Would Americans find our secret school? Or could we stay in hiding, like Hogwarts has, for a thousand years? Mum and Dad were reluctant to agree. This was right around the time of the rise of." Samantha looked reluctant to say his name.
"Say his name. He can't touch us anymore, Sam."
"Voldemort," she croaked out. "Dumbledore told us that we were a generation of students that were going to be the ones who took him down if they couldn't. We were a dying generation's last hope. Then, your friend, Harry, did the unthinkable, and he was only a baby."
Hermione smiled at her sister. "To this day, no one truly knows how his mother protected him."
"Love is very powerful, Herm. Anyway, once the threat of Voldemort had passed for the time being, Salem School for Witchcraft and Wizardry became another wizarding school. I loved being in the States. Those seven years were some of the best times of my life, as I'm sure you can understand," Samantha laughed.
"So, what happened when you were done with your schooling? Why didn't you come home? Why didn't Mum and Dad ever tell me?"
"Herm, you were only almost eight at the time. Mum and Dad had no idea you were a witch yet! In the years that followed, I stayed in America, working with fellow graduates on finding the whereabouts of Voldemort," Samantha explained. "There were rumors of his power growing once again. As the years went on and Harry edged closed to his eleventh birthdays, the year you would both begin your training here, that rumor grew stronger, louder."
"OK, so, Voldemort came back, and we defeated him! Where were you?" Hermione demanded.
"I'm getting there, kiddo."
"Sorry," Hermione apologized.
"The year that Voldemort reappeared and attacked Hogwarts, your fifth year at Hogwarts, Salem School came under attack as well. It was like reliving the persecution of all those supposed witches in the old days. Muggles heard of witches living in Salem and began hunting us down. We had to uproot our students and relocate. It was a difficult time."
"So, what about Mum and Dad?"
"I wanted to be the one to tell you, when the time was right," she told Hermione.
Hermione sank into the chair. It was too much to take in in one evening. "I don't understand. Why now?"
"Because I am here now," Samantha grinned. "Salem School has been settled in its new location, safely hidden and Hogwarts needed a Charms professor."
"Your specialty?"
"But of course!" Samantha laughed. "Oh, Hermione. I'm so sorry."
"I wish I had known. It would have been nice to have you around, or at least been able to have sent you an owl once and awhile."
"Well," Samantha threw her hair behind her shoulders and sighed, "I'm here now, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm here to stay! Now, you tell me about you."
"What don't you know?" Hermione asked.
"No much," Samantha admitted.
"Dumbledore?"
"No, actually Professor McGonagall caught me up. I really wish that I had been here two years ago," she said softly.
"I'm OK, really. I don't remember much because I was unconscious. What little I know, Harry refuses to embellish on," she said.
"Probably for good reason. He's a good friend," Samantha said.
Hermione sighed. "I remember feeling like I was floating in a dream, and when I came to, all I saw and felt was darkness. In my mind I was screaming, but I knew that out loud, my voice was paralyzed. Yet, somehow, Harry found me," Hermione whispered her last comment.
Samantha took her sister's hand in hers. "He heard you, Herm."
"Yeah, I guess he did," Hermione's gaze drifted to the stairs. She felt that flutter in her stomach that she had felt before but couldn't explain. She turned back to her sister and they both smiled.
"My baby sister is all grown up."
"Oh stop, you're only twenty-eight you know! Don't go getting like that on me!"
They both laughed. "Just don't always let your mind get in the way of what your heart is trying to tell you." Samantha stood and headed for the portrait. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Yeah, we still have a lot of catching up to do."
"I still have to learn all about this place. I keep getting lost!"
"Hang on!" Hermione crossed the room and picked up her worn copy of "Hogwarts: A History" and handed it to Samantha. "Consider it a welcome home present."
"Thank you," Samantha said, hugging Hermione to her.
"I have one more question," Hermione said. Samantha nodded for her to continue. "When did you lose your British accent?"
Samantha let out a laugh. "Probably when I was off gallivanting around New York City fifteen years ago! Is it that noticeable?" She asked as the portrait swung open and she stepped out.
"Let's just say that you're definitely going to stand out tomorrow!" Hermione said.
Ten minutes later, Hermione had made her way up to her room and changed into the pajamas when there was a soft knock on the door. Harry entered and leaned against the door frame. "So?"
'Don't always let your mind get in the way of what your heart is trying to tell you.' She could hear her sister's words in her head. Hermione studied him for a moment then crossed the room to him. She put her arms around Harry's neck and he automatically bent down to envelop her in a hug.
"Hey," he whispered. "You OK?"
Hermione nodded into his neck. "I just." She pulled away and laid her hands on his forearms. Harry smiled at her and brushed a stray hair from her face. "I just needed to tell you that I'm so thankful that I have you in my life," she whispered.
Harry smiled down at her. "You're one of my very best friends, Hermione. I don't know what I would do without you."
"I never thanked you for what you did that night." Hermione began but Harry laid a finger to her lips to silence her.
"Yes you did. You thank me everyday when you smile or when you laugh or even when you're making sure I do my homework," Harry laughed.
"Harry!" Hermione pushed him away and laughed. "I'm trying to be serious here," she said.
"So am I," he said, crossing into her room. Hermione turned back around. She really looked at him this time. His hair was unruly, more so then usual because he had been in bed before he came to her room, and he had on an old tee shirt and sweat pants for bed. He never looked more perfect or at peace then right at that moment, Hermione thought. He looked so calm. He stepped closer to her and touched her cheek.
"Harry." she whispered but he shook his head for her to stop talking.
Just before he could move any closer, Hedwig flew into the room and dropped a letter on Harry's head. Hermione sat quickly on her bed and laid a hand on her racing heart. Harry cursed Hedwig and sent her to the owlry. She nipped Harry's ear before leaving. "It's from Sirius," he told Hermione, after he read the letter.
"What's he say?" She asked.
"He's arriving in Hogsmeade day after tomorrow and heading for Hogwarts. I mean, I know he said he was going to visit, but we just got here," Harry observed. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and yawned. "I wonder what's going on," he yawned.
His yawn was contagious as Hermione did the same. "You'll see him in two days, and you can ask him then," she teased.
Harry walked over to her and gently pushed her back into the bed. He pulled her covers up over her as she yawned again. "You've had a long day," he mumbled, "and all I've done is made things worse," he whispered.
"Nothing you could do could ever make things worse in my life," Hermione said sleepily, as her eyes slid shut and she drifted to sleep.
Harry smiled at what she said and bent down to gently kiss her cheek. 'What now?' Harry thought to himself as he left her room and headed to bed, where he was sure he would get little sleep.
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Ohhhh please review... ya know you want to... hehe
Is it enough to love? Is it enough to breath? Somebody rip my heart out, and leave me here to bleed. Is it enough to die? Somebody save my life. I'd rather be anything by ordinary, please. ~Avril Lavigne; "Anything but Ordinary"