Several hours later, Harry, Ron and Hermione were talking in a corner in the Gryffindor common room. After the hat had finished the strange poem, it had been carried away and although everyone was a little confused, the feast went on as per usual. Tired and full, everyone had returned to the common room where the bright, warm fires crackling merrily in the tower made everyone feel sleepy and contented.

The three in question were huddled in the corner holding their private discussion about the day. Hermione was fixated on what the hat had said earlier and was thinking very hard as to why the Sorting hat, after several thousand years, had decided to become to disobedient and blurt something like that out.

Hermione frowned in concentration and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her hair.

"Well, some of this sounds familiar. I mean, I've heard a lot of those names from before. Here, I have it written down."

Ron raised his eyebrows. "How did you get that? I mean, the hat only said that once, and really quickly. How did you remember that whole poem?"

Hermione smiled and gave a pleased look. "Well, I used a memory retrieval spell. But it wasn't my idea. Obviously, I wanted to examine the poem and I didn't remember all of it. I was thinking how to get the poem back when Rose told me to use the spell. I'm so glad she did!" she finished happily.

No, no. The pleasure's all mine. Came the reply in Hermione's head. Then, Harry and Ron heard what she started to say.

Well, there you go. Dumbledore says that it's a prophecy of some kind, so don't give it to anyone else or leave it lying around.

Harry frowned. He had bad experiences with prophecies, especially after the last one in the Ministry of Magic ended up causing Sirius's death not long ago. "How did you know about this so quickly?" he asked.

"It's not like you live anywhere near. Or do you?" he added the last part as an afterthought, becoming somewhat skeptical.

He had never actually thought about where Rose lived: she seemed to know everything that was happening at Hogwarts, so she had to be in close contact with someone in the school. That knowledge seemed a bit suspicious. What if she was in league with Voldemort? Harry thought to himself irrationally. No, no! he berated himself. She couldn't be…could she?

There came a long and laboured sigh from inside Harry's head, and Rose came back.

Harry, c'mon. I can read your thoughts, for Merlin's sake, and I'm NOT in league with that piece of Death Eater trash. Really, I said you could trust me.

She said this rather sadly, as if the fact that Harry entertained such thoughts was disappointing to her.

"Okay. Sorry," Harry said apologetically. Just then he noticed that Ron and Hermione were looking at him expectantly. Obviously, they could not hear a word that was being said between the two.

Ron looked at the brunette and shrugged. "This might take a while," he said, sliding an arm around her waist with a sly grin on his face. She giggled and turned away from the rest of the common room and leaned in to meet Ron's kiss.

Harry shook his head, turned away blushing and focussed on the conversation he was having with Rose.

"Rose," he thought, "I'm just having doubts about everything cause I'm having trouble accepting. You're a really great friend to have, and you've got me out of a few jams. The problem is that I've never seen you or talked to you face to face."

Again, she sighed. This was becoming tiresome, she thought to herself (and not to Harry). Dumbledore didn't want them to be formally introduced just yet. For some weird reason he believed in people figuring things out on their own.

Yeah, I know. I'm dying to meet you three as well, but Dumbledore says not yet. I can't tell you where I live, but I'll say that I'm close.

Now, about this poem. Apparently, Dumbledore says it's a prophecy. We just have to figure it out. Umm, let's see. Hermione will certainly help, tell her that there is a link with Roman and Greek mythology. Get her to check all that. There's something important you need to know.

There came a hesitation. Harry nodded to himself, as if she could see him and would continue if he prompted her enough. She built up the dramatic tension for a while. Then she let go.

You know that new boy, Lindsey?

Harry cocked his head to the side. Oh, yeah, he thought, that new guy in Gryffindor. He frowned pensively as he remembered what Lindsey had said earlier, at the table in the Great Hall- 'Rose says hi.' How did they know each other?

Rose interrupted his train of thought.

Yeah. Him. It's very important that you become friends with him. I've had a vision…he will help you. He is on our side, and can be trusted. Lindsey may be able to help work out the prophecy. Go, she urged, talk to him. I'll speak to you later.

With that, she was gone.

Harry shook his head in bewilderment over Rose's peculiar instructions. He looked over to where Lindsey was sitting, talking to Ginny. She was smiling and giggling, tossing her hair; he stood with a lopsided grin and appreciative gaze. Wait, that wasn't talking, Harry thought, narrowing his eyes with a knowing grin. That was blatant flirting!

He looked to the other side of the room and spied Dean Thomas locked in a conversation with Parvati Patil. Just then, Dean shot a glance across the room to where Ginny was standing. It was a look full of remorse and resignation. Hermione had told Harry earlier that day that Ginny and Dean had broken up a week or so before term started, so both were now free. Ginny seemed to be experiencing the joys of being single again, and was really having fun with Lindsey.

Harry walked over to where they were and stuck out a hand.

"Hey, I don't think we were properly introduced. Harry Potter," he said, and the dark haired youth looked at him and grinned, shaking his hand.

"Lindsey Black." Ginny grinned and made an exit.

"See you round. I'll let you two bond," she declared and left them alone.

Harry sat down and looked Lindsey up and down quizzically. "Black, huh? Any relation to-" he glanced around nervously to see if anyone was within earshot before continuing, "-Sirius Black?"

Lindsey blinked at the question. That was pretty out of the blue. But, still, his mum had said that she and his dad were Harry's godparents, so it was safe to tell him.

"Yeah," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving Harry's. "As a matter of fact…he was my dad."

Harry gaped. He never knew Sirius had any family of his own. Harry had seen the Black family tree last year and it certainly didn't have Sirius's son on it. But, then; Sirius himself was scratched off the tree, so there was a reason as to why his family wasn't on it. Feeling sort of betrayed that his godfather had not told him he had a son, Harry continued in a shocked voice.

"What…How can Sirius have a son?" Lindsey grinned widely at that question, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"Really, Harry, do I have to tell you that?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Please. I meant how come I didn't know he had a family?"

Lindsey shrugged. "Well, being in Azkaban and all, mum and I have been in hiding and dad didn't want the Ministry to harass us. Being related to a convicted mass murderer is not healthy." Harry frowned.

"You do know that he was innocent, don't you?" asked Harry incredulously.

Lindsey rolled his eyes. "Of course I do. No duh. The problem is that the Ministry of Magic didn't. So, we've been in hiding."

Harry blinked questioningly. "Where've you been hiding?"

Lindsey winked. "Can I tell you somewhere a little more private?"

Harry nodded and led the new boy up the stairs to the sixth year boys' dormitories, where all their luggage already was. Sitting down on the new bed that had been provided for Lindsey's arrival, Harry prompted him.

"Well?"

Lindsey bit his lip in contemplation. "Well," he began slowly, "I guess it's more of a why and who question, than a where. You see, we were disguised." Lindsey hastily explained seeing Harry's blank look.

"Mum – yeah, that the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Black – well she was disguised as an old woman. I think you may know her as Mrs Wilshire from down the road?" he added with a sly, triumphant grin. Harry sat slackjawed. Mrs Wilshire, that wrinkly old lady with the cat down the road from the Dursleys, was a witch? That could mean one thing: if she was Lindsey's mother she must also be…Sirius's wife.

Harry's heart started pumping very fast indeed from the shock. Professor Dumbledore had always said that he was protected from Voldemort at Privet Drive, and Harry now realised that apart from old Mrs Figg, there were some other people guarding him as well. Harry shook his head in astonishment. All the pieces fit!

Lindsey grinned. "And I was also disguised. He may not have told you, but dad was an Animagi when he was here. A dog. So, to confuse anyone looking for us, I was transformed into the opposite: a cat."

Harry blinked. "You've got to be kidding me," he said weakly.

Lindsey laughed good-naturedly and stood up, spreading his arms wide.

"You may recall me as Felix," he proclaimed with a laugh.

Harry looked Lindsey up and down. That little black kitten that was always following old Mrs Wilshire around was him? Harry was silent for a moment, and then burst out in laughter. This was simply too much. For a full fifteen minutes the two dark haired adolescents were rendered helpless on the ground as they rolled about giggling madly. Harry made a mental note to talk to Luna Lovegood some time. She had said something weird last year about talking to her dead mother, and if that was possible, Harry had to talk to Sirius.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next day, Harry explained everything to Ron and Hermione and Ginny. While the four sixth years were talking quietly in a corner, Ginny came over to them and gave Harry a letter.

She whispered into his ear, "An owl just came for you and flew off in a hurry. I think it's from Mum." He pulled her down into the group. It was obvious that Ginny could be trusted.

"Hey, we have something to tell you. Lindsey is Sirius's son." He waited for the desired effect. Ginny threw her hands up to her mouth with a gasp.

"Oooooooooh. So that's where you get it from." She said, as if she were saying the most evident thing in the world. The four looked upon her with curious gazes; Lindsey in particular was interested in what she saw in him. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Well, gee, just look at him. He's got the whole tall, dark and handsome thing happening. I mean, come on, have a clue. Lindsey looks just like Sirius. Except not as scruffy," she said in a cheerful tone, giving them looks as if to say that they were all slightly dumb.

Lindsey grinned appreciably. This was a big change from, 'ooh, kitty!' "You're not so scruffy yourself, love," he answered in a light, offhand voice. She smiled, and flicked her hair. Ron frowned and raised an eyebrow at his displeasure at his sister. Sure, he liked Lindsey enough, but he was flirting with his baby sister. Clearing his throat loudly, Ron continued the discussion they were having.

"So, uh, Harry, are we going to tell everything?" he asked quietly, referring to Rose. Should they tell Ginny about Rose? And could Ginny be trusted?

A rustling sound was heard, and the hair on the back of Lindsey's neck prickled.

Hello, everyone. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lindsey… you can trust Ginny. It's important that she knows as well. Tell each other everything, right from the start.

It was evident from Ginny's questioning glance that the four realised that Ginny couldn't hear anything that was being said. Oh, boy; thought Harry. This was going to take a while.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Since it was a Sunday, there was lots of spare time to tell all. After an hour or so, all five of them were fully informed of what was happening in each others' lives. Well, almost everything. Lindsey had promised Professor Dumbledore and his mother that he wouldn't tell a soul about Rose's whereabouts, despite how much he wanted to. Ginny was leaning up against Lindsey's shoulder, biting her lip. She had just been told the whole story. Spread in front of her was the prophecy, and the group of five was trying to sort it out. Ginny clucked her tongue.

"Wow. I mean…just wow. This is lot to take in, although it makes a lot of sense. I wish I could hear Rose too," she said half to herself. Harry smiled.

"Maybe you will. Try calling her name out." Ginny started to take a deep breath, but Harry stopped her. "No, I mean in your mind. Think her name really hard and maybe she'll answer."

Ginny looked up at Lindsey, who smiled down at her. "Have a go," he said encouragingly.

She quirked her mouth in a way that Ron recognised as something she did when she was doing something that she was doubtful, but willing to try. With a resigned shrug, she closed her eyes.

"Rose?" she thought. "Rose? Hello?" There was a faint whooshing sound and a pretty girl's voice filled her mind.

Hi, Ginny. Came a voice, but then disappeared.

Harry was watching Ginny's reaction to her first telepathic conversation when Rose interrupted his thoughts.

Ugh. Hi Harry. I'm going to have to talk through you. Pity I can't talk too much to the others, but I'm pretty drained of energy and you're easier to talk to. I want you to ask Lindsey to tell you about where he was yesterday, and say I told him it was okay but NOT to come up here unless he tells Professor Dumbledore, okay? Otherwise I could get in major trouble.

Harry, thoroughly baffled, leaned over and repeated the message to Lindsey. The boy in question looked uneasy, but relaxed when he explained to the others that he was under oath not to tell anyone, so he didn't tell them where Rose was before.

Hermione raised an eyebrow and Ron put an arm around her. "so, where is Rose?" she questioned Lindsey. Lindsey smiled and shook his head.

"You're never going to believe this," he started, "But for the last 15 years, Rose has been living right above us now. In the tower."

A/N

Man, am I tired. It's very late where I am at the moment. Oohoo, I do appreciate a cliffy.

Well, I'm going to post much more soon. Sorry I'm so late, but I have a very busy life at the moment. shudder exams.

Oh well. Hope you all enjoy. I'm STILL not getting many reviews : (

PLEASE?? little girl pout, begging eyes thanks to all those who have reviewed. You make my day! : ) : P