HANNAH:

For a moment we just stood there staring at each other but quite suddenly my eyes filled up with tears; tears I'd kept in ever since I lost mamma, tears which had been trying to escape my eyes for the last nine years but I had been reluctant to shed.

I was starving for love and reassurance and Harry was the only family I had left apart from Aunt Izabetta. I couldn't help myself. I flung both my arms around his neck and sobbed into his overlarge T-shirt.

*What am I doing, he must think I'm the biggest baby ever*

But I couldn't let go. Not yet. My mind said *Let go, you are probably strangling him* but my body wouldn't budge.

.

HARRY:

I was surprised with her actions that at first I wasn't sure of what to do.

*Should I hug her back?*

But as the shock died down, natural instinct took over. I returned the hug, feeling my eyes prickle slightly with their own tears. She was my only other living relative alive now apart from Petunia and Dudley and she looked so much like me.

Emotion welled up inside me and a tear ran down my cheek. I could feel a bond developing between us immediately and I suddenly felt as though I didn't ever want to brake away from this memorable embrace. It was as if it was feeding me some of the love I had missed out on growing up. I needed that love, that companionship.

But at that moment she pulled away from me and wiped away her tears.

'I'm sorry Harry. It's just that this is so immediate and sudden and I haven't had enough time to take it all in and just seeing you- wow, you look exactly like me.' She said suddenly as if she had only just noticed.

'I know. I feel the same way-' It was hard to speak because I had a huge lump in my throat that threatening to give way to a swamp of tears.

Then we embraced again, but this time it was a gentle, loving and understanding hug and not as if we were hanging on for dear life like before. But just a few moments later, Uncle Vernon decided fit to come and investigate the situation.

'So, you must be the other Potter.' He said.

We both jumped in surprise. Well she did, I was about to panic.

'Yes Sir. My name is Hannah, it is a pleasure to meet you.' She smiled at his unnaturally large head and stuck out her hand to greet him.

Vernon merely glared at her and then at her hand. 'Harry, I thought you said you had made other arrangements. If I find out you were lying to me, and I don't care what those psycho friends of yours threatened to do, I will have you punished severely!'

Harry had never seen his uncle face so inflated, so swollen, so ready to explode. Was air being pumped into his face every time he got mad? In the corner of Harry's eye, he could see Hannah quickly dropping her hand and her smiling face turn white with shock. Or was it disgust?

'I'm taking Hannah to Mrs. Figg's home where she will stay until school starts. I hope you don't have a problem with that as well.' Replied Harry calmly but harshly. In the corridor, Harry spotted Dudley trying to spy in on the scene and also trying to see Hannah behind Vernon's humongous backside.

'Well what are you waiting for. Don't stay here, take her!' he bellowed.

Harry was beginning to feel the heat of his own rage bubbling up inside him.

*How can anyone be so rude to someone they just met?* The thought. *And how dare he act like that to my sister!*

I was about to start yelling back, when Hannah quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me away. 'Why don't we just go Harry, I'm sure this Mrs. Figg you mentioned is a decent and normal human being. I would like to meet her as soon as possible.' And with a look of pure disgust on her face, Hannah dragged me away from the front door and over to the footpath where she turned right.

'Uh, Hannah? Mrs. Figg's is the other way.' I said.

'Oh, right. Sorry I just got a little carried away. That man is so obnoxious! How dare he talk to you that way. And is he always so rude to visitors?' Hannah was now puffing with outrage.

'No he is just like that to anyone who is a witch or wizard. Him and Petunia have a major paranoia of anything to do with magic or that isn't "normal", I mean they don't even allow you to say the word "magic" in the house or around them. I am really sorry that had to happen to you. I was hoping he wouldn't come to the door.' I looked at her apologetically and she smiled.

'It is quite alright Harry. My own uncle and aunt think along the same lines and they are also really horrible but not quite as ugly!' We both laughed at that. It was good to be laughing together for the first time.

'Yeh, I'm still trying to decide who is uglier out of my uncle and Lord Voldemort!' I lifted both my arms and used them to mime weights. 'Vernon or Voldemort' I was balancing my hands but kept them at the same level. 'Nope, still can't tell.' I laughed and so did Hannah.

Just then I realised something and stopped.

'Hannah. I just said His name and you didn't even react to it. I mean, everyone else usually gets really scared when they hear it but you didn't even seen to notice!'

'Oh, yeah. Well Harry I never did grow up to fear his name because I didn't even know I was a witch until I was eleven years old and so when a friend at Celano told me His name I didn't understand what the big deal was. But of course I learned quickly not to say it aloud in public because people would freeze in fright or even scream sometimes.' She explained as we approached Mrs. Figg's house.

'That's great! I'll finally have someone to talk to where I won't constantly have to remember to always say "He who must not be named" or "You know who". Anyway, here we are and don't worry about Mrs. Figg, she is really nice. And just last year I found out that she was born from a wizards family but she is a Squib so she can't do magic.' I explained quickly because I could here footsteps approaching from inside the house.

The door swung open to reveal a bright smile of welcome from Mrs. Figg.

'Welcome dear, please come in. Harry has told me the whole story and I'm still quite shocked of course. Oh my, you two look so alike. Please, please! Let me take your luggage to the guest room. Just make yourself at home.'

'Oh thankyou Mrs. Figg!' Hannah called after her as she hurried down the hall. 'She is so kind Harry. Oh! Look at her beautiful kitty!' Hannah slipped onto the sofa, where a fluffy white kitten sat lazily licking its paw. She patted it while beaming at its cuteness.

'I see you've met Snowflake.' Said Mrs. Figg, coming into the room carrying a plate of ginger cookies.

*How many sweets does she keep in this place anyway?* I thought.

She offered us some milk as well and then sat down with us.

'You know, Harmony- that's my owl- is the only pet I have ever had and I love animals!' Hannah said enthusiastically.

'Really? Well after Hogwarts you should consider getting some more pets but preferably not a cat around your owl.' Said Mrs. Figg.

'Well Hedwig- that's my owl- is the only pet I've ever had as well but I don't really want any more.' I said. Then we all got into animal conversations and talked about our favourite animals and then funny experiences etc.

It was the most fun I had had in ages. This was great! I was forgetting all the depressing thoughts which had been haunting all summer and now I had someone I could share everything with. Well except for Ron and Hermione. But this was different. Hannah was my sister and that goes deeper than friendship. I didn't know what I would id I lost her as well.

THE RIDDLE HOUSE

'My Lord, we have done all we can and have been successful, yet also unsuccessful.' Rookwood was now bowing at Voldemort's feet.

'Tell me all you have found out.' Voldemort's cold voice ordered.

'The girls name is Hannah Minola. She is Harry's half sister and has been living in Italy for the last five years with some relatives on her mother's side of the family. The bad news is that Dumbledore had already found her and she has been sent to Harry. Avery and I found out that she arrived there this morning.' He said with a quivering voice.

'What! How could you let this happen.' Voldemort kicked Rookwood away from his feet. ' Get out before I put the Cruciatus curse on you, fool!'

Rookwood scattered out of the room, whimpering in pain.' Malfoy! Bellatrix! Come immediately!' Voldemort called.

Within seconds, they emerged from the door. 'What is it master? Is it news on the whereabouts of Potter's sister?' They asked.

'Yes it is.' He repeated what Rookwood had reported to him. 'I need you two do an important task for me.'

'Anything my Lord.' They said together.

He gave them both instructions and they nodded, evil grins spreading their faces. 'As you leave, tell Wormtail to come here for some instructions.'

When Wormtail came, he bowed his head to the Dark Lord and stepped close to him.' You called me master?'

'Yes, Wormtail. I have been feeling you distancing yourself lately and it does not please me.' Voldemort eyed him coldly.

'Distancing Lord? No, I would never-'

'Do not lie to me Wormtail! I know your feelings. But because you were the only one who bothered to search for me when I was weak, I will give you a task to redeem yourself.'

'What task would that be master? I will do anything for you, you know I will.' Said Wormtail humbly.

'Make a portkey' And Voldemort explained his plan carefully to Wormtail.

LATER THAT NIGHT

'Sirius, Peter, we drink this potion tonight for the sake of our friend Remus. Together we will be known as the Marauders, the most mischievous and intelligent people to ever come to Hogwarts. One day some may follow in our footsteps but we will always be known as the best. I drink this toast to our achievements and to our everlasting friendship. May it never die.' James held up his goblet and the others did too.

'May it never die!' They all said together before draining their goblets.

Wormtail woke with a jolt, sweat dripping from his face. He held his head and rocked backwards and forwards.

*What have I done, what have I done!* He suddenly slapped himself across the face.

*Get it together Peter, that is all in the past now. You're serving Lord Voldemort now and there is nothing you can do about it* He told himself.

He slumped his head back down onto the ground that he had been sleeping on and closed his eyes.

*When will the day come that I will not be riddled by this guilt?*