Daphne: This may sound strange to you, but somehow, it feels
really...empowering to have my HP fic finally up. I have been wanting to
share it for so long, and finally felt right about doing so. I really hope
that you enjoy it, and I want to thank everyone who reviewed this fic
before! Happy reading!
Oh, I almost forgot!
**Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me, unfortunately. But I am glad I get to share him! Hehehehehe!!!!**
~*~*~*~
The Phoenix's Prophecy
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 2.
~*~*~*~
"POTTER!"
Harry looked up from his summer Potion's homework, and groaned. Quickly putting his quill down, he capped his ink-bottle and then hurried out of his room. Entering the lounge, he was surprised to find his uncle there alone, looking anxious.
"Now, I don't want any funny business when she comes." His uncle got right to the point. Harry, annoyed with his accusing tone, played dumb.
"When who comes?"
"This Rose girl. I want no funny business while she is staying here." His uncle repeated. Harry hid a smirk and pretended to be confused.
"Funny business?"
"That...your...that thing you do." His uncle hissed, his face turning a nice vermilion color.
"What thing?" Harry asked, screwing up his face into a frown; he wanted his uncle to say it. He watched as his uncle's face went pale, and then almost a purple, finally settling on a splotchy effect of both colors.
"Magic." Vernon finally spat out, as though it was a sickening taste in his mouth. Harry smirked.
"All right, but I can't assure you that Hedwig will stay quiet all the time. You know how she likes to make noise..."
"Just keep that bloody bird quiet, do you understand me, Potter?!" Vernon raged, his fists shaking a bit. Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing and nodded.
"Vernon, she'll be here any minute!" Aunt Petunia called, coming down the stairs. Dudley was close behind her, his hair slicked down and his face a shining pink, obviously newly washed.
"Indeed she will. Now, Dudley..."
"I'll open the door." Dudley said in a sickly-smooth voice. His father beamed at him.
"Petunia?"
"I'll be waiting in the kitchen, to welcome her." Petunia stated, her face shining. Harry got the strange feeling that his aunt was excited about having another girl in the house, for once. He couldn't blame her, being the lone woman in a house-full of three men.
"And you?" Vernon asked, glowering at Harry. Harry smiled.
"I'll be up in my room, keeping out of the way." He murmured, trying to look obedient. Vernon nodded his head.
"You most certainly will." He finished. He motioned the family to their stations, and glared at Harry as he walked past him, towards the stairs. But before Harry could even take one step onto the staircase, the doorbell pealed out through the front hall, and Harry froze, turning to look at his uncle. Vernon shot him an annoyed look, as if telling him that he would get his later, but he had best stay down, now that he was there, and then he nodded at Dudley. Harry turned, so it would look like he had just come down the stairs, and watched as the door opened to reveal the guest.
"Welcome! You must be Rose! I am Vernon Dursley, and this is my son, Dudley." Vernon exclaimed, coming forward with his arms open, as if to hug the girl. The door still blocked Harry's view, but by the star-struck look on Dudley's face, Harry got the feeling that she was a pretty one.
Just then, Petunia came out of the kitchen, a smile on her face and her hands clasped in front of her. But her smile slipped and her eyes widened, as she caught sight of the girl who had entered. A tiny, choked gasp escaped from her lips, and Harry turned to see what had startled her.
"It is nice to meet you. I'm Rose McBride." Came a soft, musical voice from the doorway, as the girl stepped into view. Harry caught his breath as well.
Now Harry knew why his aunt had reacted the way that she had.
The girl was medium height, and quite slim. A cascade of bright red hair spilled down the girl's back, and bright emerald eyes sparkled at the Dursley's. Her skin was an ivory color, but her cheeks had a rosy tint to them, and her lips were a rosy-red.
She looked like she could be the twin sister of Harry's mother, Lily Potter.
"It is very kind of you to have me." The girl continued, her emerald eyes sweeping over the Dursleys, and landed on Harry. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and she nodded politely at him. Vernon saw this and did not look pleased.
"That is our nephew, Harry Potter. And this is my wife, Petunia." Vernon went on, motioning to his wife, who had seemed to regain herself enough to smile at the girl and hold out a hand.
"Come in, darling. You must be exhausted from your trip." Petunia murmured. Rose smiled her pretty smile and shook her head.
"Not really. The plane-trip was a bit dull, but the sights in London were amazing." She murmured, in her lilting American accent. She smiled at Dudley, who smiled back goofily and offered to take one of her suitcases.
"Harry, would you take Rose's things upstairs?" Vernon asked in a forcefully kind voice. Harry nearly smirked again and then nodded.
"Oh no! Please, I'll take them to the room myself." Rose insisted, taking one of her bags from Harry. Harry looked at her in surprise, but her emerald eyes simply sparkled a bit mischievously at him.
"Well...well then. Harry, will you show Rose to the guest room?" Petunia quickly recovered, though she did not look very pleased. Her frown disappeared, however, when Rose shot her a melting smile, before following Harry up the stairs.
Harry resisted an urge to turn and stare at the girl who looked so much like his mother. Instead, he silently led her up the stairs, to the room where Aunt Marge usually stayed. It was a large room, brightened by the sunlight that drifted through two large windows. The bed had a pink bed- cover on it, and Harry got the distinct feeling that his aunt had bought it just for Rose.
"Oh, it's lovely!" Rose exclaimed, looking around the room in delight. Her red hair swung around her shoulders as she spun around, taking everything in with her green eyes. Harry couldn't help but stare at her, noting the shocking resemblance between her and his mother, once again.
"Um...Mr. Potter?" Rose asked, looking half-hesitant, half-joking. Harry blushed as he realized that he had been staring.
"It's Harry. Sorry. It's just..." He trailed off, unsure of how to put it.
"Just...what?" She asked, tilting her head to the right a bit. Harry sighed and set down her suitcases in a corner of the room.
"You look a lot like someone...I know." He muttered, half-hoping that she wouldn't hear him.
"Who?" Rose asked, a strange, knowing smile coming to her lips. This unnerved Harry a bit and he shrugged.
"My mum." He said shortly, walking towards the door. There was a silvery giggle behind him, and Harry turned, wide eyed, to see Rose eyeing him happily.
"She looks this young?" She asked teasingly, motioning to herself. Harry couldn't help but grin.
"Well, in some of her pictures she does." He told her, folding his arms. She laughed again.
"I would have liked to meet her, then." Rose said in her soft voice, almost wistfully. Harry frowned and stared at her.
"So would I." He muttered bitingly. Rose flinched a little.
"Are your parents..."
"They died when I was one." Harry said, leaving the room at a quick walk, hoping that he could reach his own room, before she saw his face.
"Harry?"
Harry sighed and turned slowly, facing the girl. She didn't look uncomfortable with the situation, surprisingly enough. She simply put a hand on his shoulder and sent him a soft smile.
"I'm sorry for reminding you of her." She whispered. Harry managed a small smile, and his spirit's lifted.
"Don't be. It doesn't bother me at all." He informed her. Rose grinned.
"Good, because you will be dealing with me a lot more before this summer is through!" She giggled, flicking his nose and running for the stairs. Harry smirked and chased after her, not even realizing the fact that they hardly knew each other yet. In fact, for some strange reason, it seemed almost as if he had known Rose all his life, and not just for those few moments.
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Rose seemed to be able to make everyone around her like her, whether they wanted to or not...
~*~*~*~
Unlike many of his meals with the Dursley's, this one was not uncomfortable. For once, Uncle Vernon actually paid attention to him, and his aunt was even more civil then ever. Even Dudley seemed to acknowledge him with some civility, but Harry had a feeling that was because Rose was sitting directly across from him, next to Harry. Petunia had insisted that the girl sit next to her at the table (with Harry on the other side), and Harry got the distinct feeling that having Rose there, was like having Lily there, to Petunia.
"Your gardens are beautiful, Mrs. Dursley." Rose murmured, after conversing for a while with Vernon over, what else, drills. Petunia flushed modestly.
"Why thank you, dear. And please, call me Petunia." She insisted. Rose broke into another of her beautiful smiles, and nodded. Then she turned to Harry.
"Now, where do you go to school?" She asked softly, her eyes bright with questioning. Harry froze and Uncle Vernon gave a cough.
"St. Brutesus." He said shortly. Rose looked over at Dudley and cocked her head to the side.
"And you?"
"Smeltings. It is a private school." Dudley said proudly. Rose actually looked interested and nodded her head.
"I go to a school in Salem, Massachusetts. It is the home of the famous 'Salem Witch Trials'." Rose commented, her emerald eyes twinkling. For once, Vernon actually looked happy to hear the word 'witch'.
"Oh?" He asked slyly, looking at Harry. Rose nodded.
"In fact, my school is built over one of the sites of the hangings. It is really interesting."
"What type of school is it?" Petunia asked in curiosity.
"It is a boarding school. My Aunt May, teaches there. Her son, Jackson, and I, attend and live there. It makes it a whole lot easier on May." Rose laughed softly, and Harry couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.
"And what of your parents? Where do they live?" Petunia asked. Almost immediately, Rose's expression changed. Her face fell and her eyes lost their sparkle.
"My parents...they died when I was very little. Aunt May adopted me soon after. She was one of their friends." Rose's words were hesitant, and the Dursley's immediately fell silent, looking guilty. Harry wondered how someone, who seemed to have such a gusto for life, could have had such pain before.
"Oh, I am sorry." Petunia murmured, looking slightly frightened. Rose smiled and the light returned to her eyes.
"That's all right. I never knew them, but May tells me about them all the time. I like hearing about them. It makes them seem as if they were alive now, watching me." Rose stated, her smile widening. Petunia looked relieved and beside him, Dudley let out a breath, as though he had been holding it for a long time.
"Rose, tell me. What would you like to do while you are here?" Vernon asked, ending the silence. Rose shot him a slightly surprised look.
"Well...I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about it..."
"Perhaps you would like to see some of the things Britain is famous for? Buckingham Palace, the tube, Stonehenge?" Petunia put in. Rose looked excited.
"Oh, I've always wanted to visit Stonehenge! And to see the countryside! It is supposed to be lovely!" Rose exclaimed, sitting up straight in her chair and clasping her hands together. Harry couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, and beside him, Dudley chuckled.
"Then you shall see it. Perhaps we can take a small trip out there some day soon." Vernon said, taking a satisfied bite of his meal.
"Will we all go?" Rose asked, looking at Harry as she said this. Vernon nearly dropped his fork, Dudley made a face, but Petunia nodded decidedly.
"Yes, we will *all* go." She stated, looking at her husband as she emphasized, 'all'. Vernon gained a defeated look, and Harry's heart raised. His own green eyes met Rose's, and he noticed a slightly mischievous, knowing look in them. But before he could get a better look, Rose lowered her head and continued eating her meal.
~*~*~*~
"Time for bed." Petunia called, poking her head into the living-room where Dudley, Rose, and Harry sat, watching TV. Rose had been captivated by how different English TV was, when compared with American.
"The commercials are much funnier." She had commented, when an advertisement for beer came on. Harry had chuckled at all her comments, and Dudley had eagerly answered all her questions. It seemed that Rose was already considered one of the family, by the way Harry's aunt and uncle were treating her.
"Aw! Mum..." Dudley complained, sending a pleading glance over at his mother. It seemed Petunia was about to give in, when Rose stood up and smiled.
"You are right. I am feeling tired. Goodnight Mrs. Dur...I mean, Petunia. Good night, Dudley." She walked towards the door, giving a small wave at them before she disappeared from sight. Harry said a quick 'good night', and followed her out of the room. He was surprised to find Rose standing at the bottom of the steps, waiting for him.
"They are nice." She murmured, as they began up the stairs together. Harry rolled his eyes.
"To guests." He mumbled, but she heard him.
"Aren't they kind to you?" She asked, surprised. Harry snorted.
"Only when they have to be." He muttered, looking darkly down the stairs. Rose winced slightly and placed her hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know..."
"It's all right." He said quickly, not wanting to hear her pitying him. She smiled understandingly.
"Goodnight, Harry." She murmured, squeezing his arm before going into her room and shutting the door. Harry stared at the door for a moment, and then smiled.
"Goodnight, Rose." He murmured, before going into his own room. He was so tired, that he only managed to take off his shirt, before falling into bed and going fast asleep.
~*~*~*~
*DREAM SEQUENCE*
He was walking down a long, dimly lighted hallway. There was not a sound to be heard, besides his own footsteps. There were many doors in this hallway, but he didn't dare open them, for some strange reason.
Still he walked on.
Step.
Step.
Step.
THERE! Just ahead and to the left! A bright light was shining through the only open door in the whole hall.
Feeling a rush of curiosity fill him, he walked towards the light, and peered through the open door.
It was a room, painted entirely white, and looking very sanitary. There were a few chairs and a table to one side, and a sink to the other. In the middle of the room was a bed, around which stood two people, talking in low voices. And in that bed was one more person.
A woman, with fiery red hair, lay pale and tired, in that bed. Her emerald eyes seemed to be almost dulled with sadness, as she gazed at a tiny bundle in her arms. A man stood to one side of the bed, his head hidden in shadows, and another woman stood on the other side, looking pale and upset.
"I can't!"
"You have to." Said a tense, male voice. The man's face came into view. His brown eyes were laced with pain and sorrow, and his dark hair seemed even more messy than usual.
"NO! I can't just take her away! She is yours, Lily! She is your baby!" The woman beside the bed began to cry. The red-haired maiden in the bed stared at her, emerald eyes filled with pain.
"You have to, May. This is the only way. It is only a matter of time before Voldemort comes after us, and he must not know about her! Take her away, May! Far away!"
"But Lily!" The woman beside the bed wailed, tears streaming down her face.
"Do as we say, May! This is her one chance at having a normal, carefree life! It is too late for Harry, he is already too old, he wouldn't understand. But she is innocent, May! And she must not..." The man's voice cracked here, almost as though he too, were crying.
"She must not know. She must never know! Take her May! Love her, care for her! And if God wills, we will see each other again. Until then, GO!" The man shouted. The red haired woman in the bed held up the bundle and gently placed it into the standing woman's arms.
"We have taken care of the doctors. No one knows but us. There is no record but for her birth certificate, which you have. Now, take her! Please, May!" The woman in the bed pleaded. The standing woman let out a sob, reached down to hug the woman in the bed, then rushed from the room, away down the hall, gone forever.
With that precious bundle in her arms.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" He shouted, as the distraught couple in the room also began to fade away into darkness.
"You can't have her! You can't! Don't do it!" He tried to make them hear, but it was all in vain.
"Harry?"
"NO!"
"Harry!"
*END DREAM SEQUENCE*
~*~*~*~
"NO!"
Harry's eyes sprung open and his body jolted, as cold sweat poured down his back, chest, neck and face. Frightened emerald eyes gazed down into his, and long red hair spilled onto his arm.
"Harry?" Rose's voice wavered. Harry simply stared at her, his eyes wide with confusion, dawning awareness, and disbelief.
"You! You!" He finally managed, struggling to sit up. Rose sighed and gently pushed him back down.
"I, what?" She asked in her soft voice. Harry tried to straighten his thoughts in his muddled mind, but only one thing seemed to stand out to him, at that moment.
"You look like my mum." He murmured. A slight twinkle came to Rose's eye.
"Yes, you've said that."
"This is different."
"How so?" She asked, tilting her head and gazing down at him, as if daring him to answer.
"You know? You've known?" He asked. Rose frowned slightly, more out of impatience than anything.
"Known what?"
"Who you truly are." Harry managed, propping himself up on one arm and staring into her face. Rose sighed and looked away, out his window.
"Yes."
"So...so I'm not just going crazy? I really did just dream about...you?" He asked. Rose sighed again, and turned to look at him.
"Yes, Harry. You probably did." At her words, Harry lay, stunned and unable to say anything. Nothing was right. And yet, everything was. This explained why he felt like he knew her, even though he didn't. This explained her knowing glances and her concern over him. This explained her sadness at dinner, when Petunia had brought up her parents. This explained her looks, her love for the Dursleys, and her caring of him.
This explained almost nothing.
"I have a..." Harry trailed off, almost afraid to say the words. Rose smiled down at him.
"Sister?" She asked teasingly. Harry felt numb.
"I have a sister. I...have a sister! I am not the only Potter!" He choked out, his eyes wide as he gazed at the ceiling.
"No, you are not. But no one knows, Harry. No one but May, you, and I. And no one must know! No one!" Rose whispered. Harry's thoughts wouldn't settle.
He had a sister. Someone of his own flesh and blood, closer than Aunt Petunia! Someone that no one knew about! Someone who had known about him, long before he had known about her. Someone who seemed to care for him, love him, even. A sister. His sister. HIS SISTER!
"I can't handle this." Harry groaned, rolling over to face the wall, and wishing that he could just fall unconscious. Rose giggled and Harry was surprised to feel her tiny body press up against his back.
"I felt the same way when I found out." She murmured. Harry frowned and turned over onto his back. Rose huddled close to him, and looked up into his eyes, like a squirrel curled up in its tail.
"I can't handle this." Harry repeated, a stinging feeling coming to his eyes. Images of his friends, of Voldemort and Dumbledore fighting, of Cedric dying...of Sirius dying, all welled up in his mind. Sorrow beyond anything he had ever felt before filled him.
Screwing up his face as he had on Mrs. Weasley's shoulder during his fourth year, he worked to keep the wave of helplessness from overtaking him. It was all too much. Too much pain, too much sorrow, too much guilt.
Too much reality.
He wished he was dead. He wished Voldemort would come out of nowhere and end all this, right now. He wished his future wasn't already chosen for him. He wanted a choice, damn it! He didn't want to be a murderer! He didn't want to even follow what that stupid prophesy had said. TO HELL WITH THE PROPHESY!
Visions of Sirius rose into his mind. Sirius laughing, Sirius angry, Sirius being Sirius. Sirius falling beyond that veil...
A soft hand brushed over Harry's hot cheeks, over his eyes and then finally brushed his hair back from his forehead. A cool, soothing finger ran over his scar, ending the prickling sensation that had begun there.
"Cry, Harry. Let it out. You *need* this." Came Rose's sweet, smooth voice. It wafted over him like a calming wave and his defenses fell. Burying his head in her neck, Harry allowed the howl that had been stuck in his throat, to escape. Rose soothingly ran her hands over his back, through his hair, gentler than a breeze.
So they stayed there. Harry sobbing into Rose's neck, and her comforting him, allowing all the sorrow, anger, and despair that had filled him over the past six years, to wash out of him.
~*~*~*~
Oh, I almost forgot!
**Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me, unfortunately. But I am glad I get to share him! Hehehehehe!!!!**
~*~*~*~
The Phoenix's Prophecy
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 2.
~*~*~*~
"POTTER!"
Harry looked up from his summer Potion's homework, and groaned. Quickly putting his quill down, he capped his ink-bottle and then hurried out of his room. Entering the lounge, he was surprised to find his uncle there alone, looking anxious.
"Now, I don't want any funny business when she comes." His uncle got right to the point. Harry, annoyed with his accusing tone, played dumb.
"When who comes?"
"This Rose girl. I want no funny business while she is staying here." His uncle repeated. Harry hid a smirk and pretended to be confused.
"Funny business?"
"That...your...that thing you do." His uncle hissed, his face turning a nice vermilion color.
"What thing?" Harry asked, screwing up his face into a frown; he wanted his uncle to say it. He watched as his uncle's face went pale, and then almost a purple, finally settling on a splotchy effect of both colors.
"Magic." Vernon finally spat out, as though it was a sickening taste in his mouth. Harry smirked.
"All right, but I can't assure you that Hedwig will stay quiet all the time. You know how she likes to make noise..."
"Just keep that bloody bird quiet, do you understand me, Potter?!" Vernon raged, his fists shaking a bit. Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing and nodded.
"Vernon, she'll be here any minute!" Aunt Petunia called, coming down the stairs. Dudley was close behind her, his hair slicked down and his face a shining pink, obviously newly washed.
"Indeed she will. Now, Dudley..."
"I'll open the door." Dudley said in a sickly-smooth voice. His father beamed at him.
"Petunia?"
"I'll be waiting in the kitchen, to welcome her." Petunia stated, her face shining. Harry got the strange feeling that his aunt was excited about having another girl in the house, for once. He couldn't blame her, being the lone woman in a house-full of three men.
"And you?" Vernon asked, glowering at Harry. Harry smiled.
"I'll be up in my room, keeping out of the way." He murmured, trying to look obedient. Vernon nodded his head.
"You most certainly will." He finished. He motioned the family to their stations, and glared at Harry as he walked past him, towards the stairs. But before Harry could even take one step onto the staircase, the doorbell pealed out through the front hall, and Harry froze, turning to look at his uncle. Vernon shot him an annoyed look, as if telling him that he would get his later, but he had best stay down, now that he was there, and then he nodded at Dudley. Harry turned, so it would look like he had just come down the stairs, and watched as the door opened to reveal the guest.
"Welcome! You must be Rose! I am Vernon Dursley, and this is my son, Dudley." Vernon exclaimed, coming forward with his arms open, as if to hug the girl. The door still blocked Harry's view, but by the star-struck look on Dudley's face, Harry got the feeling that she was a pretty one.
Just then, Petunia came out of the kitchen, a smile on her face and her hands clasped in front of her. But her smile slipped and her eyes widened, as she caught sight of the girl who had entered. A tiny, choked gasp escaped from her lips, and Harry turned to see what had startled her.
"It is nice to meet you. I'm Rose McBride." Came a soft, musical voice from the doorway, as the girl stepped into view. Harry caught his breath as well.
Now Harry knew why his aunt had reacted the way that she had.
The girl was medium height, and quite slim. A cascade of bright red hair spilled down the girl's back, and bright emerald eyes sparkled at the Dursley's. Her skin was an ivory color, but her cheeks had a rosy tint to them, and her lips were a rosy-red.
She looked like she could be the twin sister of Harry's mother, Lily Potter.
"It is very kind of you to have me." The girl continued, her emerald eyes sweeping over the Dursleys, and landed on Harry. A slight smile appeared on her lips, and she nodded politely at him. Vernon saw this and did not look pleased.
"That is our nephew, Harry Potter. And this is my wife, Petunia." Vernon went on, motioning to his wife, who had seemed to regain herself enough to smile at the girl and hold out a hand.
"Come in, darling. You must be exhausted from your trip." Petunia murmured. Rose smiled her pretty smile and shook her head.
"Not really. The plane-trip was a bit dull, but the sights in London were amazing." She murmured, in her lilting American accent. She smiled at Dudley, who smiled back goofily and offered to take one of her suitcases.
"Harry, would you take Rose's things upstairs?" Vernon asked in a forcefully kind voice. Harry nearly smirked again and then nodded.
"Oh no! Please, I'll take them to the room myself." Rose insisted, taking one of her bags from Harry. Harry looked at her in surprise, but her emerald eyes simply sparkled a bit mischievously at him.
"Well...well then. Harry, will you show Rose to the guest room?" Petunia quickly recovered, though she did not look very pleased. Her frown disappeared, however, when Rose shot her a melting smile, before following Harry up the stairs.
Harry resisted an urge to turn and stare at the girl who looked so much like his mother. Instead, he silently led her up the stairs, to the room where Aunt Marge usually stayed. It was a large room, brightened by the sunlight that drifted through two large windows. The bed had a pink bed- cover on it, and Harry got the distinct feeling that his aunt had bought it just for Rose.
"Oh, it's lovely!" Rose exclaimed, looking around the room in delight. Her red hair swung around her shoulders as she spun around, taking everything in with her green eyes. Harry couldn't help but stare at her, noting the shocking resemblance between her and his mother, once again.
"Um...Mr. Potter?" Rose asked, looking half-hesitant, half-joking. Harry blushed as he realized that he had been staring.
"It's Harry. Sorry. It's just..." He trailed off, unsure of how to put it.
"Just...what?" She asked, tilting her head to the right a bit. Harry sighed and set down her suitcases in a corner of the room.
"You look a lot like someone...I know." He muttered, half-hoping that she wouldn't hear him.
"Who?" Rose asked, a strange, knowing smile coming to her lips. This unnerved Harry a bit and he shrugged.
"My mum." He said shortly, walking towards the door. There was a silvery giggle behind him, and Harry turned, wide eyed, to see Rose eyeing him happily.
"She looks this young?" She asked teasingly, motioning to herself. Harry couldn't help but grin.
"Well, in some of her pictures she does." He told her, folding his arms. She laughed again.
"I would have liked to meet her, then." Rose said in her soft voice, almost wistfully. Harry frowned and stared at her.
"So would I." He muttered bitingly. Rose flinched a little.
"Are your parents..."
"They died when I was one." Harry said, leaving the room at a quick walk, hoping that he could reach his own room, before she saw his face.
"Harry?"
Harry sighed and turned slowly, facing the girl. She didn't look uncomfortable with the situation, surprisingly enough. She simply put a hand on his shoulder and sent him a soft smile.
"I'm sorry for reminding you of her." She whispered. Harry managed a small smile, and his spirit's lifted.
"Don't be. It doesn't bother me at all." He informed her. Rose grinned.
"Good, because you will be dealing with me a lot more before this summer is through!" She giggled, flicking his nose and running for the stairs. Harry smirked and chased after her, not even realizing the fact that they hardly knew each other yet. In fact, for some strange reason, it seemed almost as if he had known Rose all his life, and not just for those few moments.
Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Rose seemed to be able to make everyone around her like her, whether they wanted to or not...
~*~*~*~
Unlike many of his meals with the Dursley's, this one was not uncomfortable. For once, Uncle Vernon actually paid attention to him, and his aunt was even more civil then ever. Even Dudley seemed to acknowledge him with some civility, but Harry had a feeling that was because Rose was sitting directly across from him, next to Harry. Petunia had insisted that the girl sit next to her at the table (with Harry on the other side), and Harry got the distinct feeling that having Rose there, was like having Lily there, to Petunia.
"Your gardens are beautiful, Mrs. Dursley." Rose murmured, after conversing for a while with Vernon over, what else, drills. Petunia flushed modestly.
"Why thank you, dear. And please, call me Petunia." She insisted. Rose broke into another of her beautiful smiles, and nodded. Then she turned to Harry.
"Now, where do you go to school?" She asked softly, her eyes bright with questioning. Harry froze and Uncle Vernon gave a cough.
"St. Brutesus." He said shortly. Rose looked over at Dudley and cocked her head to the side.
"And you?"
"Smeltings. It is a private school." Dudley said proudly. Rose actually looked interested and nodded her head.
"I go to a school in Salem, Massachusetts. It is the home of the famous 'Salem Witch Trials'." Rose commented, her emerald eyes twinkling. For once, Vernon actually looked happy to hear the word 'witch'.
"Oh?" He asked slyly, looking at Harry. Rose nodded.
"In fact, my school is built over one of the sites of the hangings. It is really interesting."
"What type of school is it?" Petunia asked in curiosity.
"It is a boarding school. My Aunt May, teaches there. Her son, Jackson, and I, attend and live there. It makes it a whole lot easier on May." Rose laughed softly, and Harry couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.
"And what of your parents? Where do they live?" Petunia asked. Almost immediately, Rose's expression changed. Her face fell and her eyes lost their sparkle.
"My parents...they died when I was very little. Aunt May adopted me soon after. She was one of their friends." Rose's words were hesitant, and the Dursley's immediately fell silent, looking guilty. Harry wondered how someone, who seemed to have such a gusto for life, could have had such pain before.
"Oh, I am sorry." Petunia murmured, looking slightly frightened. Rose smiled and the light returned to her eyes.
"That's all right. I never knew them, but May tells me about them all the time. I like hearing about them. It makes them seem as if they were alive now, watching me." Rose stated, her smile widening. Petunia looked relieved and beside him, Dudley let out a breath, as though he had been holding it for a long time.
"Rose, tell me. What would you like to do while you are here?" Vernon asked, ending the silence. Rose shot him a slightly surprised look.
"Well...I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about it..."
"Perhaps you would like to see some of the things Britain is famous for? Buckingham Palace, the tube, Stonehenge?" Petunia put in. Rose looked excited.
"Oh, I've always wanted to visit Stonehenge! And to see the countryside! It is supposed to be lovely!" Rose exclaimed, sitting up straight in her chair and clasping her hands together. Harry couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, and beside him, Dudley chuckled.
"Then you shall see it. Perhaps we can take a small trip out there some day soon." Vernon said, taking a satisfied bite of his meal.
"Will we all go?" Rose asked, looking at Harry as she said this. Vernon nearly dropped his fork, Dudley made a face, but Petunia nodded decidedly.
"Yes, we will *all* go." She stated, looking at her husband as she emphasized, 'all'. Vernon gained a defeated look, and Harry's heart raised. His own green eyes met Rose's, and he noticed a slightly mischievous, knowing look in them. But before he could get a better look, Rose lowered her head and continued eating her meal.
~*~*~*~
"Time for bed." Petunia called, poking her head into the living-room where Dudley, Rose, and Harry sat, watching TV. Rose had been captivated by how different English TV was, when compared with American.
"The commercials are much funnier." She had commented, when an advertisement for beer came on. Harry had chuckled at all her comments, and Dudley had eagerly answered all her questions. It seemed that Rose was already considered one of the family, by the way Harry's aunt and uncle were treating her.
"Aw! Mum..." Dudley complained, sending a pleading glance over at his mother. It seemed Petunia was about to give in, when Rose stood up and smiled.
"You are right. I am feeling tired. Goodnight Mrs. Dur...I mean, Petunia. Good night, Dudley." She walked towards the door, giving a small wave at them before she disappeared from sight. Harry said a quick 'good night', and followed her out of the room. He was surprised to find Rose standing at the bottom of the steps, waiting for him.
"They are nice." She murmured, as they began up the stairs together. Harry rolled his eyes.
"To guests." He mumbled, but she heard him.
"Aren't they kind to you?" She asked, surprised. Harry snorted.
"Only when they have to be." He muttered, looking darkly down the stairs. Rose winced slightly and placed her hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know..."
"It's all right." He said quickly, not wanting to hear her pitying him. She smiled understandingly.
"Goodnight, Harry." She murmured, squeezing his arm before going into her room and shutting the door. Harry stared at the door for a moment, and then smiled.
"Goodnight, Rose." He murmured, before going into his own room. He was so tired, that he only managed to take off his shirt, before falling into bed and going fast asleep.
~*~*~*~
*DREAM SEQUENCE*
He was walking down a long, dimly lighted hallway. There was not a sound to be heard, besides his own footsteps. There were many doors in this hallway, but he didn't dare open them, for some strange reason.
Still he walked on.
Step.
Step.
Step.
THERE! Just ahead and to the left! A bright light was shining through the only open door in the whole hall.
Feeling a rush of curiosity fill him, he walked towards the light, and peered through the open door.
It was a room, painted entirely white, and looking very sanitary. There were a few chairs and a table to one side, and a sink to the other. In the middle of the room was a bed, around which stood two people, talking in low voices. And in that bed was one more person.
A woman, with fiery red hair, lay pale and tired, in that bed. Her emerald eyes seemed to be almost dulled with sadness, as she gazed at a tiny bundle in her arms. A man stood to one side of the bed, his head hidden in shadows, and another woman stood on the other side, looking pale and upset.
"I can't!"
"You have to." Said a tense, male voice. The man's face came into view. His brown eyes were laced with pain and sorrow, and his dark hair seemed even more messy than usual.
"NO! I can't just take her away! She is yours, Lily! She is your baby!" The woman beside the bed began to cry. The red-haired maiden in the bed stared at her, emerald eyes filled with pain.
"You have to, May. This is the only way. It is only a matter of time before Voldemort comes after us, and he must not know about her! Take her away, May! Far away!"
"But Lily!" The woman beside the bed wailed, tears streaming down her face.
"Do as we say, May! This is her one chance at having a normal, carefree life! It is too late for Harry, he is already too old, he wouldn't understand. But she is innocent, May! And she must not..." The man's voice cracked here, almost as though he too, were crying.
"She must not know. She must never know! Take her May! Love her, care for her! And if God wills, we will see each other again. Until then, GO!" The man shouted. The red haired woman in the bed held up the bundle and gently placed it into the standing woman's arms.
"We have taken care of the doctors. No one knows but us. There is no record but for her birth certificate, which you have. Now, take her! Please, May!" The woman in the bed pleaded. The standing woman let out a sob, reached down to hug the woman in the bed, then rushed from the room, away down the hall, gone forever.
With that precious bundle in her arms.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" He shouted, as the distraught couple in the room also began to fade away into darkness.
"You can't have her! You can't! Don't do it!" He tried to make them hear, but it was all in vain.
"Harry?"
"NO!"
"Harry!"
*END DREAM SEQUENCE*
~*~*~*~
"NO!"
Harry's eyes sprung open and his body jolted, as cold sweat poured down his back, chest, neck and face. Frightened emerald eyes gazed down into his, and long red hair spilled onto his arm.
"Harry?" Rose's voice wavered. Harry simply stared at her, his eyes wide with confusion, dawning awareness, and disbelief.
"You! You!" He finally managed, struggling to sit up. Rose sighed and gently pushed him back down.
"I, what?" She asked in her soft voice. Harry tried to straighten his thoughts in his muddled mind, but only one thing seemed to stand out to him, at that moment.
"You look like my mum." He murmured. A slight twinkle came to Rose's eye.
"Yes, you've said that."
"This is different."
"How so?" She asked, tilting her head and gazing down at him, as if daring him to answer.
"You know? You've known?" He asked. Rose frowned slightly, more out of impatience than anything.
"Known what?"
"Who you truly are." Harry managed, propping himself up on one arm and staring into her face. Rose sighed and looked away, out his window.
"Yes."
"So...so I'm not just going crazy? I really did just dream about...you?" He asked. Rose sighed again, and turned to look at him.
"Yes, Harry. You probably did." At her words, Harry lay, stunned and unable to say anything. Nothing was right. And yet, everything was. This explained why he felt like he knew her, even though he didn't. This explained her knowing glances and her concern over him. This explained her sadness at dinner, when Petunia had brought up her parents. This explained her looks, her love for the Dursleys, and her caring of him.
This explained almost nothing.
"I have a..." Harry trailed off, almost afraid to say the words. Rose smiled down at him.
"Sister?" She asked teasingly. Harry felt numb.
"I have a sister. I...have a sister! I am not the only Potter!" He choked out, his eyes wide as he gazed at the ceiling.
"No, you are not. But no one knows, Harry. No one but May, you, and I. And no one must know! No one!" Rose whispered. Harry's thoughts wouldn't settle.
He had a sister. Someone of his own flesh and blood, closer than Aunt Petunia! Someone that no one knew about! Someone who had known about him, long before he had known about her. Someone who seemed to care for him, love him, even. A sister. His sister. HIS SISTER!
"I can't handle this." Harry groaned, rolling over to face the wall, and wishing that he could just fall unconscious. Rose giggled and Harry was surprised to feel her tiny body press up against his back.
"I felt the same way when I found out." She murmured. Harry frowned and turned over onto his back. Rose huddled close to him, and looked up into his eyes, like a squirrel curled up in its tail.
"I can't handle this." Harry repeated, a stinging feeling coming to his eyes. Images of his friends, of Voldemort and Dumbledore fighting, of Cedric dying...of Sirius dying, all welled up in his mind. Sorrow beyond anything he had ever felt before filled him.
Screwing up his face as he had on Mrs. Weasley's shoulder during his fourth year, he worked to keep the wave of helplessness from overtaking him. It was all too much. Too much pain, too much sorrow, too much guilt.
Too much reality.
He wished he was dead. He wished Voldemort would come out of nowhere and end all this, right now. He wished his future wasn't already chosen for him. He wanted a choice, damn it! He didn't want to be a murderer! He didn't want to even follow what that stupid prophesy had said. TO HELL WITH THE PROPHESY!
Visions of Sirius rose into his mind. Sirius laughing, Sirius angry, Sirius being Sirius. Sirius falling beyond that veil...
A soft hand brushed over Harry's hot cheeks, over his eyes and then finally brushed his hair back from his forehead. A cool, soothing finger ran over his scar, ending the prickling sensation that had begun there.
"Cry, Harry. Let it out. You *need* this." Came Rose's sweet, smooth voice. It wafted over him like a calming wave and his defenses fell. Burying his head in her neck, Harry allowed the howl that had been stuck in his throat, to escape. Rose soothingly ran her hands over his back, through his hair, gentler than a breeze.
So they stayed there. Harry sobbing into Rose's neck, and her comforting him, allowing all the sorrow, anger, and despair that had filled him over the past six years, to wash out of him.
~*~*~*~