*

         I knew then that it was time. 

         As I looked into the rapidly maturing teenager, I knew.  She deserved the answers that I had been obligated to keep from her.  The poor girl, however not deprived of the wizarding world as Harry had, she was deprived of the only family she had left… Harry.  She had to understand that keeping it from her was for her safety.  Society thought the second potter daughter was lost in the night. She wasn't included in any of the  She was protected by being hidden, Harry was protected by The Dursley's, she was protected by me.  We could have done differently, but once she had turned six, we decided that under the possibility of Voldemort's return and the safety of the two kids at risk, we could put the two Potters left under any other situation.  It wasn't the best psychologically to Vanessa I suppose, considering the—well what I had to do… to keep her from finding out that her brother was in deed only a few streets over.  To keep  from her that her brother was famous.  To keep that her parents died because—well not even Harry knows that.  Only Sirius Black, their best friend, Dumbledore and myself know that.  We'll tell them at the same time.  My heart leaped.  Them, Together. After so long, it'll be great.  When though? Soon, it has to be soon.  Vanessa is getting overly suspicious , and anxious. I'll speak with Dumbledore… I'm on my way there now. 

I got to a cozy room on the top level of the Leaky Cauldron, the meeting place.  A roaring fire and cozy coaches surrounded a large table in the middle. Dumbledore will know what to do.  Will know the right time.  Voldemort is back.  He's back, body and all, old supporters, new supporters.  Almost as if he never skipped a beat.  Except , he didn't have control, he didn't have the same fear as before, he didn't have Dumbledore. 

         That's when a deep black, with a blue tint to the feathers, owl flew through the window.  I reached out for it, untied the string and un rolled the scroll,

    Arabella—

There has been an accident.  We don't know who has done it, but Professor Dumbledore is rendered unconscious.  Attacked in the night… We're not sure what spell was used, we are in the process of finding that out.   I'm sure his wish would be for you to carry on with the plans you two have for tonight. We'll send word with any change in events. Be on alert… dark times are on there way. 

         My Deepest Wishes,

                  Minerva McGonagall

         The paper fell to the floor. 

         Numb with shock, I contemplated the things I should do.  Dumbledore, Dumbledore…  Shush! I can do this!  Bring them here, continue with the plan.  I went over to the fire… pulled out a small drawstring bag, muttered some words, and threw some of the purple powder into the fire. Seconds later, Sirius Black's face appeared in it. 

" Arabella…"  He greeted grim fully, he knew. 

" Sirius."  I nodded my head at.. well his head.   " We have quite  a situation on our hands it seems." 

" Yes, I suppose we do.  Is she here?"

" Who, Vanessa? Of course she's here you fool where would she be? I'm here, she's here."

A look of… calming perhaps crossed the head in the fire.  His eyes glazed over, the "un-known one".  He was one of the few people who knew, and had been acquainted with the young girl.  People knew of course… the Potters having a child was a big thing.  But when their house was… when Voldemort… and she wasn't found they all thought they had her.  Or she had died and the body had disappeared. On the poor girls birthday non the less… turned three that very day.  The society hushed about the loss… no one knew what happened to her.   Harry was gone too, from the wizarding world that is.   And with the return of Voldemort, a good sign might be revealing the "lost" daughter. 

But what were they expecting from two teenagers, young , as those?  Sirius had yet to understand that. 

" So, Where's Harry?"

" Here… with the Weasly family."

" Excellent… I'll be there.." pop. The head in the fire disappeared and the entire body of Sirius Black aparated into the room.   

                                                                                                                     *

         Harry Potter was in a room filled with his family.  Or all he thought existed, he was smiling and laughing all day just in their company trying not to think about the events of the outer world.  Hermione was about to tell him something that sounded important when he heard his name spoken from a familiar voice by the door.   

         " Harry,"  He turned,

         " Sirius!"  He exclaimed smiling widely, then registering concern at the thought of his convicted Godfather in public, " What are you doing here?" 

         " Collecting you, there's something you need to know.  Walk with me."  He turned and Harry made to follow with a look back a the room full of red hair,

         " But Harry-" Hermione began. " I was just going to tell you about…"  Sirius interrupted.

         " Hermione, this is quite important, could it wait until later?"  Hermione blushed… but still managed to look disappointed.  She had really wanted to tell Harry. 

         " Of course Sirius, Nice seeing you again."  She gave him a small smile, returned by him.

         " You too, everyone else too!"  There were scattered hello's and goodbyes from the Weaslys beyond, before Sirius led Harry from the room. 

                                                                                                                                       * 

         I sat there waiting for at least an hour. Cramped up in that room, I hated being cooped up. 

         It was a very aggravating hour… where did she go that required so much time?  What was going on now.  But somewhere inside her she had an elated feeling.  A joy that was bursting to get out but she didn't know what was going to make it.  Anticipation, desire, anxiety…. Nerves.  All rolled into one ball that was the knot in her stomach.  But why? She was just waiting for Mrs.Figg to return, wasn't she? The object of her most recent thought then walked back into the number 4 room.   

         " I suppose you'll want your answers then?"  and she turned from the room , this time me jumping up to follow her. 

          She led me down the hall way… and up some stairs to a room with a roaring fire.   The walls were a deep red, but the ceiling had moving stars painted on it… there were shooting stars she could see darting across.  The fire took away some of the deep beauty but the sheer brilliance of it amazed me non the less.  There wasn't anyone in the room however.  Mrs.Figg gestured towards one of the black and red couches.  They were so comfortable she could have fallen asleep, even though it was only eight o'clock… where had the time gone?  Was it standing still in anticipation? I heard Mrs.Figg muttering things like 'where is he…'  '…taking so long…' and the tension grew bigger. Just WHO was I waiting for?   I just slumped further back into the couches. 

         But then the door opened.

         A man. 

         A man, standing tall with long black hair and a shadowed look about him.  Who was this? Then realization hit as I saw who was behind him.  I stood up suddenly with a start.

         The boy.  With the eyes, MY eyes that I had seen that day with Hermione.  There was an overpowering flash of dizziness that overcame me there. 

Harry. 

         And I fainted.