Harry sat on his bed in feeling just as numb as usual. Every day was
merging into the next, until Harry had lost all sense of time. He felt like
he had been on holiday for months and yet it felt like he still had ages
until he went back to school. Thanks to Moody and the others, Uncle Vernon
and the rest of the Dursleys (particularly Aunt Petunia) were trying their
hardest to be nice to Harry, but he was finding it hard to appreciate it. A
year ago it would have made a great amount of difference, but now all Harry
could think about was Sirius. He had been the closest thing Harry had to
family, and he had been the closest thing that Harry had to his parents
too, Sirius had been their best friend. And now Harry had lost him. And to
make it worse, he was stuck with the Dursley's, who had no knowledge or
understanding of Harry's suffering. His only consolation was that soon he
would be back at Hogwarts, back in the wizarding world.
All this free time was doing Harry no good. He was trying to read some of his Hogwarts text books and revise what he had learnt, to try and get his mind off his problems, but he could concentrate on nothing. He just kept mulling over the events that had led up to Sirius' death, thinking of all the things that he could have done differently to prevent it. And there were so many things that he could've done. If only.
Harry couldn't even communicate with his friends, for fear of their owls falling into the wrong hands. Then, when Harry thought he could no longer stand to be alone with his thoughts, there was a knock on the front door. It was a week before Harry was due to go back to school, and they were coming to collect him.
'HARRY!' he heard Uncle Vernon holler up the stairs. 'There's someone for you at the door. Some of your friends!' Although Vernon and the rest of the Dursley's were supposed to be being nice to Harry, his uncle couldn't hide the disgust in his voice as he said that. Harry jumped to his feet and bolted down the stairs like a greyhound from a trap. For weeks he had been feeling nothing but depression but now he was suddenly excited. He sprinted down the stairs to the front door and there stood Mr. Wealsey, Ron and Hermione.
'Hello Harry,' Mr. Wealsey smiled. 'Thought that you might like to come and stay with us at Grimmuld Place for the last week of term. Er, that is alright with you, isn't it?' he looked at Uncle Vernon who was standing there rather disgruntled, who was obviously hoping his neighbors weren't observing the strangers standing on his doorstep.
'That's fine with me,' Uncle Vernon said gruffly.
'I'll go get my things,' Harry said eagerly.
'We'll help you,' Hermione said quickly, and the three quickly went up to Harry's bedroom.
'How have you been Harry?' Hermione asked as soon as Harry closed the door.
'We've been pretty worried about you,' Ron said. 'Especially Mum, she's going to be so glad to see you, she's been worrying so much.' Harry longed to tell them how unhappy he was, how every night he feared to sleep because his dreams were filled with the image of Sirius falling.falling.always falling, but it was sometimes he, Harry, that was pushing him. Or even worse, Harry would sometimes dream Sirius was still alive, and when he awoke, for one brief shining moment he would believe it was true, but then slowly, he would remember that Sirius is dead, and would never come back. But he told them none of this; instead he shrugged and said he was fine.
'Well there's been so many comings and goings at Grimmuld Place, but of course, they won't tell us anything, so you know about as much as us. But Mum's gone ape about Fred and George starting their own joke shop, seriously, you are lucky she's feeling so sorry for you or else she would probably curse you for giving them that money.' As Ron was telling Harry all this, Harry was packing his bags. He was only half listening. In the back of his mind, he was thinking that he was about to go back to Grimmuld Place for the first time since Sirius's death, which was not only the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, but had also been Sirius's home. This would be the first time he would be going there, and Sirius wasn't going to be there. He started to feel sick.
'So, what about you Harry?' Hermione asked tentatively. 'How have the Dursley's been treating you?'
'Oh yeah, they've been fine,' Harry said. Ron and Hermione seemed to notice that Harry was being rather distant, and exchanged a look, that they didn't think Harry saw.
'So, have you got everything?' Ron asked in an overly pleasant voice.
'Yeah, pretty much,' Harry said, picking up Hedwigs cage.
'Okay, well we'd better get going then,' Ron said, picking up Harry's suitcase for him. The three made their way down the staircase, laden with baggage. Mr. Wealsey was asking avidly on the doorstep to Uncle Vernon about the Underground.
'Got all your things, Harry?' Mr. Wealsey asked, noticing Harry and the others walking down the stairs.
'Yeah,' Harry nodded.
'Well, let's just get it all into the car,' Mr. Wealsey said, talking his wand from his pocket. He waved it at the cases, and the lifted from Harry, Ron and Hermione's arms and started floating towards the doorway. With a yelp, Uncle Vernon leapt to one side as the cases flew apparently unaided through the air towards the boot of the car, which had sprung open by itself.
'Would you mind,' Uncle Vernon roared, 'not using magic in my house! Or anywhere near my property!' Mr. Weasley's concentration was distracted, and the cases all fell to the floor with a bang.
'Oh, I'm terribly sorry.' Mr. Wealsey blustered. 'I didn't think, it just comes as second nature.come on Harry, Ron, Hermione, we'd better be going.' Mr. Wealsey was backing away from Uncle Vernon who was turning redder by the second. Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly rushed from the stairs and out of the doorway, and Uncle Vernon slammed it loudly shut behind them.
'Oh dear,' Mr. Weasley said, hurriedly picking up Harry's cases, and putting them into the car. 'I'm sorry Harry, I didn't realize your uncle was so.so.'
'Don't worry about it, he's always like that,' Harry sighed. Mr. Wealsey flicked his wand at the car and the doors all flew open and the boot slammed closed.
'Well let's get in then,' Mr. Weasley said, getting into the driver's seat. Harry, Ron and Hermione all climbed into the back seats. The car seemed a lot larger on the inside than it was on the out. Harry wasn't surprised about that. But what did surprise him was when Mr. Weasley pressed a button which had 'Invisibility Booster' inscribed below it. Mr. Weasley saw Harry's raised eyebrows in the wing-mirror, and said quickly,
'Oh, don't worry Harry, it doesn't fly. It just goes a little faster than muggle cars. Best not mention it to Molly though, eh?'
'Right,' Harry affirmed. Ron grinned at Harry. Harry smiled back. Suddenly, Mr. Weasley started the car and they all jerked forwards, and then were pushed back into their seats. It went more than just a 'little faster' than muggle cars. Harry was surprised Mr. Weasley could steer it, until he looked over at him in the passenger's seat. Mr. Weasley was sitting calmly back, letting the car steer itself. He seemed to be the only relaxed one though, Ron and Hermione looked like they were fighting the urge to throw up. However, thanks to the great speed of the car, the journey was very short, and they were soon all climbing (gratefully in Harry, Ron and Hermione's case) out of the car. Mr. Weasley gave it a fond pat. Then the four of them walked to the spot where 12 Grimmuld Place was. Mr. Weasley gave a flick of his wand, and the house started growing out of nowhere. When it was done, Harry got such a feeling of nostalgia, that he felt sick. How could he go into that house when Sirius wasn't there? Mr. Weasley opened the front door and was followed inside by Ron and Hermione, and then slowly, and rather reluctantly, Harry. The first thing he noticed was that the portrait of Sirius's mother had been taken down. He felt a little relieved; he hadn't welcomed the prospect of her screaming rage. They made their way up the stairs and to the kitchen. There were several people sitting round the table. There was Mrs. Weasley, Lupin, a woman that Harry did not recognize, Snape, and sitting beside Snape, a girl that Harry did not know. As Harry's eyes fell upon this girl, he stood, transfixed, unable to take his eyes from her. Her dark brown hair was held from her head in a long pony tale and a fringe swept across her forehead. She had large, bright blue eyes, a cute well proportioned nose and full red lips. Her tanned skin signaled she had come from somewhere warmer than this. She looked up at Harry, and smiled at him. Her smiled did funny things to Harry's heart, like the feelings he got when Cho Chang smiled at him, but stronger. He smiled back nervously, and withdrew his eyes.
'Arthur!' the strange woman said, getting to her feet and hugging Mr. Weasley. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down around the table, Hermione next to the unknown girl.
'Ron,' Mr. Weasley said, 'this is your Aunt Annabelle!' Ron looked up at her in surprise.
'Oh! Hello!'
'Hi,' she smiled. Harry could now see the resemblance, Annabelle didn't have bright ginger hair like the other Weasley's, but it was auburn, and she had the same brown eyes as Mr. Weasley. She also had the same glowing skin as Claire.
'This is Hermione, and Harry,' Mr. Weasley said, pointing out the other two to Annabelle.
'Harry?' Annabelle looked at him in surprise. 'Oh, but of course you are. You look so much like James.'
'Annabelle has come from America to join the Order, and be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts,' Mr. Weasley explained.
'That's right,' Annabelle smiled. Harry looked over at Snape to see his reaction; he had always wanted that job. However he did not look angry or bitter, he was just looking at Annabelle in a strange way.
'And this is Claire,' Mrs. Weasley said to Mr. Weasley, indicating to the girl sitting beside Snape. 'She came over from America with Annabelle. She's Sanpe's niece.' Harry couldn't help it. His jaw dropped. Snape's niece? The beauty sitting almost opposite him was related to the teacher he had hated for 5 years?
'She's going to be staying here for the last week of the holiday and then she's going to Hogwarts for the sixth form,' Mrs. Weasley finished.
'Right,' Mr. Weasley said.
'Well, I've got to be returning to the school,' Snape said getting to his feet. 'My niece had better be treated as well as possible, she is very important to me.' He hugged the girl called Claire. Harry did not know how she could hug him back with such tenderness. 'I'll see you in a week Uncle Severus,' Claire smiled.
'Be good Claire. You'll be safe here,' he smiled back. Harry was sure he had never seen Snape smile before, and if he had, it had never been like that. He and Claire obviously had a tight bond, in which case, she probably wouldn't even want to know Harry. He sighed.
Snape swept from the room.
'Well, why don't you two go and unpack your things,' Mrs. Weasley said to Claire and Harry. 'Ron, show Claire to her room, it's the one next to Hermione's.'
'Yes mum,' Ron said, and he, Harry, Claire and Hermione all got to their feet, and went upstairs. The first room they reached was Harry and Ron's, and they all went inside.
'So you're Snape's niece?' Ron asked.
'Yep,' Claire smiled, then noticing the look on Ron's face, 'why, don't you like him?'
'No offense, but.no. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he's a great Uncle, just not exactly my favorite teacher. He tends to favour those in his house.'
'Uncle Severus?' Claire asked with surprise.
'That's right,' Ron nodded.
'Ron!' Hermione said suddenly said in horror. 'Crookshanks!' Ron's gasped. 'We'll be right back,' and he and Hermione quickly rushed from the room.
'What's up with them two?' Claire asked. Harry shrugged. He was finding it rather difficult to talk.
'So you're Harry Potter,' Claire said. 'I've heard so much about you.'
'Yeah,' Harry said. But he wasn't in the mood for discussing his famous exploits, so he quickly asked, 'But what about you? How come you've come over here from America?'
'Oh, with you-know-who coming back, it's causing Death Eaters to come out all over the world. I think Uncle Severus thought I'd be safer at Hogwarts. And I think it'll make him feel better, I mean he comes to see me every holiday but I think he'll prefer it if he can keep more of an eye on me. I don't mind. I mean, it was nice over in America and everything but I didn't really have anyone I was close to. The person I was closest to really was Annabelle and when she decided to come back over here, it just seemed logical to go with her.'
'So she taught Defense Against the Dark Arts in America?' Harry asked. Claire nodded.
'What was it like over there?' Harry asked. Claire smiled. 'It was amazing. In the summer, everyday was hot and sunny. And in the winter, there was real deep snow. It was the best. But then again, England is my home, I grew up here, and I missed Uncle Severus. Plus,' she grinned at Harry, 'I think the guys are cuter over here.' Harry smiled instinctively.
'Yeah, however good America was, I'm glad to be home.' Harry couldn't help but wonder why Claire had gone to America in the first place but he felt that maybe now wasn't the best time to ask.
Just then, Ron and Hermione burst in, Hermione with her ginger cat in her arms.
'We left him in the attic all afternoon,' Hermione explained. 'Put him in there to get the mice this morning and forgot to take him out before we left to collect you Harry.' She looked at Claire. 'Would you like me to show you where your room is and help you unpack?'
'Oh, yes please,' Claire said pleasantly, and the two girls left the room.
'Blimy,' Ron said. 'I mean, I thought that Claire girl was quite pretty, but can you believe she's Snape's niece! I bet you anything she's going to be in Slytherin, even though she doesn't really seem the type. But you never can tell anymore.'
'Yeah,' Harry agreed.
'Wow, I can't believe I've finally met Aunt Annabelle though. Dad talks about her sometimes but I've never actually met her.' Harry suddenly remembered something. 'Hey, did she know my dad?' Earlier she had said Harry resembled James.
'I think she was at school with him,' Ron said.
'So she would have known Sirius?' Harry asked, a lump forming in his throat. Ron nodded. Harry and Claire had both unpacked their things, and the two of them, plus Ron and Hermione, all went to sit in the drawing room. The adults were all still in deep discussion in the kitchen. It seemed that Mad Eye Moody had turned up too.
'Are you worried about your O.W.L results?' Hermione asked, looking worried herself.
'The results!' Harry exclaimed. With everything else that had been on his mind, he had completely forgotten that they would be receiving their O.W.L results the very next day!
'Don't tell me you've forgotten Harry?' Hermione said disapprovingly.
'Well I have had a lot on my mind, I guess O.W.L results weren't at the top of my worry list,' Harry said. A slightly awkward silence followed.
'Well I'm not too worried,' Ron said. 'I mean, I know Mum wants me to get good results, but no offense to Fred and George, but I can't do much worse than them. As long I get good enough grades to stay at Hogwarts, I'll be happy.'
'I can't stop thinking about it. I keep having nightmares that I'm going to fail.' Hermione admitted. Ron and Harry looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
'What?' Claire and Hermione said at the same time.
'There's about as much chance of Hermione failing her O.W.L's as there is of Draco Malfoy coming in here and telling us that he really likes all of us,' Ron laughed.
'I don't think it's that funny,' Hermione pouted.
'Well I just want to get good grades to impress Uncle Severus,' Claire told them.
'I'm sure you will do,' Harry told her. 'I think anything you do will impress your uncle.' They started having a discussion about Quidditch; Ron's enthusiasm seemed to have increased tenfold since he had become keeper. But Harry wasn't really paying that much attention to the conversation, he was more interested in watching Claire. He was fascinated by her and couldn't take his eyes from her. She was so lovely.
'You're an amazing Seeker though, aren't you Harry?' she suddenly said to him, snapping him out of his trance.
'Oh yeah, he was the youngest Seeker for a century,' Hermione said proudly. And she and Ron launched into an explanation of all of Harry's greatest catches.
'It's a team effort though,' Harry reminded them modestly. 'Anyway, I don't know if I'm even allowed to play Quidditch anymore.'
'Really? How come?' Claire asked with surprise. Harry explained how last year he had been banned by the horrible teacher, Umbridge.
'Oh my God that's terrible!' Claire exclaimed. 'What a horrible woman.'
'You should hear some of the other stuff she did,' Harry muttered.
'But there's no way Dumbledore's going to let that ban stand,' Ron said.
'He'd better not, I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't play Quidditch,' Harry admitted.
'Hey, do you think I'll be able to play?' Claire asked. 'I was a Chaser at my old school and I was pretty good.'
'Well it depends which house you're sorted into, and if they have any vacancies on their team,' Ron told her.
'What are the houses?' Claire asked. 'I can only remember Slytherin because Uncle Severus was in it and Gryffindor because Annabelle was in it.'
'The other two are Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw,' Hermione told her. 'The obvious prediction would be that you are going to be sorted into Slytherin, but it would be foolish to assume that just because your uncle's in it. What about anyone else in your family?' Claire looked away and said quickly, 'the rest of my families are muggles. So what house are you three in then?' Harry noticed how quickly she changed the subject and wondered what she wasn't telling them.
'We're all in Gryffindor,' Ron told her proudly. 'And here's hoping you are too.'
'Thanks,' Claire smiled.
'It'll be for your own good you know. I mean, I know I'm biased, but it really is the best house,' Ron boasted.
'I'm sure it is,' Claire smiled. 'I mean, if you lot are in it...' she flashed Harry a brilliant smile. There was a sudden knock on the door, and Annabelle walked in.
'Hi guys,' she said. 'I've got to go back to Hogwarts soon I just wanted to say goodbye.'
'Oh, bye Annabelle,' Claire said.
'Yeah, bye Aunt Annabelle,' Ron said.
'It's been nice seeing you again Ron,' Annabelle smiled. 'I haven't seen you since you were a baby. And it's been nice meeting you Harry. A privilege.' Harry smiled at her. 'It was nice to meet you too.'
'Well I guess I'll see you all next week,' Annabelle said.
'Yeah, see you,' Claire said. 'And tell Uncle Severus I said hi will you?'
'Oh, I will,' Annabelle grinned and left the room.
'She seems nice,' Ron commented. 'It's nice to finally meet my aunt.'
'She is really nice,' Claire agreed. 'She was more like a friend than a teacher in America, maybe because we're both from over here and she knew my uncle and everything.' Ron nodded.
'So you know Draco Malfoy then?' Claire asked.
'Yeah, we know him,' Ron said, slightly bitterly.
'What's he like? Because Uncle Severus was talking about him. He said he's the kind of friend I should be making at Hogwarts and he hopes we get along well.'
'Yeah, he would say that,' Harry said angrily. Claire looked questioningly at Harry. 'Malfoy is in Slytherin and he's Snape's little teacher's pet. He's a slimeball, we've been enemy's since day one.'
'Seriously?' Claire raised her eyebrows at him. 'Uncle Severus painted such a good portrait of him.'
'Yeah, well he would do,' Ron said, copying Harry's tone.
'Well I suppose I'll have to see what this Malfoy is like for myself,' Claire shrugged. They sat up for a lot longer, talking about Hogwarts and other things. They were in the middle of discussing subjects they liked when Fred and George apparated into the room.
'Hello everyone,' Fred said. He looked at Claire. 'And who might this be?'
'I'm Claire,' she told him. 'Claire Snape.'
'Snape eh?' Fred raised his eyebrows.
'Any relation of Severus?' George asked.
'Yes, he's my uncle,' Claire told them.
'Oh right,' George said.
'Well we're Fred and George, it's nice to meet you,' Fred said.
'Nice to meet you too,' Claire smiled.
'Hey, you missed Aunt Annabelle,' Ron said.
'Aunt Annabelle?' George queried.
'She came from America with Claire today, to join the Order and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts,' Ron explained.
'Oh right,' George nodded. Fred frowned. 'It's a pity we missed her, we haven't seen her since we were about what.?'
'Four,' George finished.
'She seemed nice,' Ron said.
'Hey, mum said you're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow,' Fred said. 'You guys have to come and check out Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.'
'Yeah,' Geroge agreed. 'And tell us how good your O.W.L results are.'
'Of course we will,' Ron said.
'You're going to have a tough job doing better than us,' Fred grinned.
'Well, we're going to go to bed now, so see you lot tomorrow,' George told them, and the two disapparated with a pop.
'What's Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes?' Claire asked with interest.
'Thanks to Harry, my two older brothers have opened a joke shop in Diagon Alley,' Ron told her.
'Why, how did Harry help?' Claire asked.
'He gave them the money to buy the premises,' Ron told her.
'Really?' Claire asked.
'Well it was the money I won in the Triwizard Tournament and I'm sure they could use it better than me,' Harry said quickly.
'That was nice of you Harry,' Claire said. She didn't mention the Triwizard Tournament, so obviously she knew what had happened at the end of it. They talked for a bit longer until Mrs. Weasley came in and told them to go to bed.
'We're going to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get your things so you'd best get an early night,' she told them. So the four obediently went up to bed.
Ron and Harry talked for a short while but Harry pretended he wanted to go to sleep so that he could think. It had been a strange sort of a day. He had been finally freed from the Dursley's and taken back into the magical world. He had met some new and interesting people. Ron's Aunt had been at school with Harry's father and Sirius and he had met Snape's niece. She had caused him the most surprise during the cause of that day. Firstly, that she could be related to Snape, and secondly the person that she brought out in him. And Snape wasn't the only one Claire had had and effect on. Harry could not stop thinking about her. He couldn't stop remembering the moment their eyes had met, she had smiled at him, and it almost felt as though they had shared some kind of understanding. Harry hadn't felt anything like this since Cho Chang, and that had seemed to go wrong. But maybe that was because he hadn't really known Cho, and once he did get to know her; he realised that they weren't really suited. He found Claire very pretty and she seemed like the type of girl he would get along with. If only she wasn't related to Snape, it would be perfect. But Claire's closeness to Snape worried Harry. How much influence did the potions master have over his niece? Enough to stop her from liking Harry? Claire seemed like the kind of girl who liked to form her own opinions of people, but then, what if she shared Snape's opinion? Harry guessed he would just have to wait and find out. But now he felt himself drifting into sleep.
Harry dreamt he was flying to Hogwarts on his broomstick from the Dursley's. But he hadn't been able to bring all his school things because he was flying and he was worried that he would get into trouble. He started flying over a dark looking forest, and for some reason, flew down into it. He landed and there was Claire, sitting on the ground, picking flowers.
'Hi,' Harry said. Claire looked up at him, but before she could speak, Snape came over.
'Claire, come away from Harry. We're supposed to be catching rats in the attic.' Claire got to her feet, and followed Snape away. Then everything got darker. Harry suddenly felt like he was in less of a dream, and more in reality. There, in front of him, was a Dementor. Harry felt a sudden, searing pain in his scar, and awoke. Ron was standing over him. Harry was instinctively clutching his forehead.
All this free time was doing Harry no good. He was trying to read some of his Hogwarts text books and revise what he had learnt, to try and get his mind off his problems, but he could concentrate on nothing. He just kept mulling over the events that had led up to Sirius' death, thinking of all the things that he could have done differently to prevent it. And there were so many things that he could've done. If only.
Harry couldn't even communicate with his friends, for fear of their owls falling into the wrong hands. Then, when Harry thought he could no longer stand to be alone with his thoughts, there was a knock on the front door. It was a week before Harry was due to go back to school, and they were coming to collect him.
'HARRY!' he heard Uncle Vernon holler up the stairs. 'There's someone for you at the door. Some of your friends!' Although Vernon and the rest of the Dursley's were supposed to be being nice to Harry, his uncle couldn't hide the disgust in his voice as he said that. Harry jumped to his feet and bolted down the stairs like a greyhound from a trap. For weeks he had been feeling nothing but depression but now he was suddenly excited. He sprinted down the stairs to the front door and there stood Mr. Wealsey, Ron and Hermione.
'Hello Harry,' Mr. Wealsey smiled. 'Thought that you might like to come and stay with us at Grimmuld Place for the last week of term. Er, that is alright with you, isn't it?' he looked at Uncle Vernon who was standing there rather disgruntled, who was obviously hoping his neighbors weren't observing the strangers standing on his doorstep.
'That's fine with me,' Uncle Vernon said gruffly.
'I'll go get my things,' Harry said eagerly.
'We'll help you,' Hermione said quickly, and the three quickly went up to Harry's bedroom.
'How have you been Harry?' Hermione asked as soon as Harry closed the door.
'We've been pretty worried about you,' Ron said. 'Especially Mum, she's going to be so glad to see you, she's been worrying so much.' Harry longed to tell them how unhappy he was, how every night he feared to sleep because his dreams were filled with the image of Sirius falling.falling.always falling, but it was sometimes he, Harry, that was pushing him. Or even worse, Harry would sometimes dream Sirius was still alive, and when he awoke, for one brief shining moment he would believe it was true, but then slowly, he would remember that Sirius is dead, and would never come back. But he told them none of this; instead he shrugged and said he was fine.
'Well there's been so many comings and goings at Grimmuld Place, but of course, they won't tell us anything, so you know about as much as us. But Mum's gone ape about Fred and George starting their own joke shop, seriously, you are lucky she's feeling so sorry for you or else she would probably curse you for giving them that money.' As Ron was telling Harry all this, Harry was packing his bags. He was only half listening. In the back of his mind, he was thinking that he was about to go back to Grimmuld Place for the first time since Sirius's death, which was not only the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix, but had also been Sirius's home. This would be the first time he would be going there, and Sirius wasn't going to be there. He started to feel sick.
'So, what about you Harry?' Hermione asked tentatively. 'How have the Dursley's been treating you?'
'Oh yeah, they've been fine,' Harry said. Ron and Hermione seemed to notice that Harry was being rather distant, and exchanged a look, that they didn't think Harry saw.
'So, have you got everything?' Ron asked in an overly pleasant voice.
'Yeah, pretty much,' Harry said, picking up Hedwigs cage.
'Okay, well we'd better get going then,' Ron said, picking up Harry's suitcase for him. The three made their way down the staircase, laden with baggage. Mr. Wealsey was asking avidly on the doorstep to Uncle Vernon about the Underground.
'Got all your things, Harry?' Mr. Wealsey asked, noticing Harry and the others walking down the stairs.
'Yeah,' Harry nodded.
'Well, let's just get it all into the car,' Mr. Wealsey said, talking his wand from his pocket. He waved it at the cases, and the lifted from Harry, Ron and Hermione's arms and started floating towards the doorway. With a yelp, Uncle Vernon leapt to one side as the cases flew apparently unaided through the air towards the boot of the car, which had sprung open by itself.
'Would you mind,' Uncle Vernon roared, 'not using magic in my house! Or anywhere near my property!' Mr. Weasley's concentration was distracted, and the cases all fell to the floor with a bang.
'Oh, I'm terribly sorry.' Mr. Wealsey blustered. 'I didn't think, it just comes as second nature.come on Harry, Ron, Hermione, we'd better be going.' Mr. Wealsey was backing away from Uncle Vernon who was turning redder by the second. Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly rushed from the stairs and out of the doorway, and Uncle Vernon slammed it loudly shut behind them.
'Oh dear,' Mr. Weasley said, hurriedly picking up Harry's cases, and putting them into the car. 'I'm sorry Harry, I didn't realize your uncle was so.so.'
'Don't worry about it, he's always like that,' Harry sighed. Mr. Wealsey flicked his wand at the car and the doors all flew open and the boot slammed closed.
'Well let's get in then,' Mr. Weasley said, getting into the driver's seat. Harry, Ron and Hermione all climbed into the back seats. The car seemed a lot larger on the inside than it was on the out. Harry wasn't surprised about that. But what did surprise him was when Mr. Weasley pressed a button which had 'Invisibility Booster' inscribed below it. Mr. Weasley saw Harry's raised eyebrows in the wing-mirror, and said quickly,
'Oh, don't worry Harry, it doesn't fly. It just goes a little faster than muggle cars. Best not mention it to Molly though, eh?'
'Right,' Harry affirmed. Ron grinned at Harry. Harry smiled back. Suddenly, Mr. Weasley started the car and they all jerked forwards, and then were pushed back into their seats. It went more than just a 'little faster' than muggle cars. Harry was surprised Mr. Weasley could steer it, until he looked over at him in the passenger's seat. Mr. Weasley was sitting calmly back, letting the car steer itself. He seemed to be the only relaxed one though, Ron and Hermione looked like they were fighting the urge to throw up. However, thanks to the great speed of the car, the journey was very short, and they were soon all climbing (gratefully in Harry, Ron and Hermione's case) out of the car. Mr. Weasley gave it a fond pat. Then the four of them walked to the spot where 12 Grimmuld Place was. Mr. Weasley gave a flick of his wand, and the house started growing out of nowhere. When it was done, Harry got such a feeling of nostalgia, that he felt sick. How could he go into that house when Sirius wasn't there? Mr. Weasley opened the front door and was followed inside by Ron and Hermione, and then slowly, and rather reluctantly, Harry. The first thing he noticed was that the portrait of Sirius's mother had been taken down. He felt a little relieved; he hadn't welcomed the prospect of her screaming rage. They made their way up the stairs and to the kitchen. There were several people sitting round the table. There was Mrs. Weasley, Lupin, a woman that Harry did not recognize, Snape, and sitting beside Snape, a girl that Harry did not know. As Harry's eyes fell upon this girl, he stood, transfixed, unable to take his eyes from her. Her dark brown hair was held from her head in a long pony tale and a fringe swept across her forehead. She had large, bright blue eyes, a cute well proportioned nose and full red lips. Her tanned skin signaled she had come from somewhere warmer than this. She looked up at Harry, and smiled at him. Her smiled did funny things to Harry's heart, like the feelings he got when Cho Chang smiled at him, but stronger. He smiled back nervously, and withdrew his eyes.
'Arthur!' the strange woman said, getting to her feet and hugging Mr. Weasley. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down around the table, Hermione next to the unknown girl.
'Ron,' Mr. Weasley said, 'this is your Aunt Annabelle!' Ron looked up at her in surprise.
'Oh! Hello!'
'Hi,' she smiled. Harry could now see the resemblance, Annabelle didn't have bright ginger hair like the other Weasley's, but it was auburn, and she had the same brown eyes as Mr. Weasley. She also had the same glowing skin as Claire.
'This is Hermione, and Harry,' Mr. Weasley said, pointing out the other two to Annabelle.
'Harry?' Annabelle looked at him in surprise. 'Oh, but of course you are. You look so much like James.'
'Annabelle has come from America to join the Order, and be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts,' Mr. Weasley explained.
'That's right,' Annabelle smiled. Harry looked over at Snape to see his reaction; he had always wanted that job. However he did not look angry or bitter, he was just looking at Annabelle in a strange way.
'And this is Claire,' Mrs. Weasley said to Mr. Weasley, indicating to the girl sitting beside Snape. 'She came over from America with Annabelle. She's Sanpe's niece.' Harry couldn't help it. His jaw dropped. Snape's niece? The beauty sitting almost opposite him was related to the teacher he had hated for 5 years?
'She's going to be staying here for the last week of the holiday and then she's going to Hogwarts for the sixth form,' Mrs. Weasley finished.
'Right,' Mr. Weasley said.
'Well, I've got to be returning to the school,' Snape said getting to his feet. 'My niece had better be treated as well as possible, she is very important to me.' He hugged the girl called Claire. Harry did not know how she could hug him back with such tenderness. 'I'll see you in a week Uncle Severus,' Claire smiled.
'Be good Claire. You'll be safe here,' he smiled back. Harry was sure he had never seen Snape smile before, and if he had, it had never been like that. He and Claire obviously had a tight bond, in which case, she probably wouldn't even want to know Harry. He sighed.
Snape swept from the room.
'Well, why don't you two go and unpack your things,' Mrs. Weasley said to Claire and Harry. 'Ron, show Claire to her room, it's the one next to Hermione's.'
'Yes mum,' Ron said, and he, Harry, Claire and Hermione all got to their feet, and went upstairs. The first room they reached was Harry and Ron's, and they all went inside.
'So you're Snape's niece?' Ron asked.
'Yep,' Claire smiled, then noticing the look on Ron's face, 'why, don't you like him?'
'No offense, but.no. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he's a great Uncle, just not exactly my favorite teacher. He tends to favour those in his house.'
'Uncle Severus?' Claire asked with surprise.
'That's right,' Ron nodded.
'Ron!' Hermione said suddenly said in horror. 'Crookshanks!' Ron's gasped. 'We'll be right back,' and he and Hermione quickly rushed from the room.
'What's up with them two?' Claire asked. Harry shrugged. He was finding it rather difficult to talk.
'So you're Harry Potter,' Claire said. 'I've heard so much about you.'
'Yeah,' Harry said. But he wasn't in the mood for discussing his famous exploits, so he quickly asked, 'But what about you? How come you've come over here from America?'
'Oh, with you-know-who coming back, it's causing Death Eaters to come out all over the world. I think Uncle Severus thought I'd be safer at Hogwarts. And I think it'll make him feel better, I mean he comes to see me every holiday but I think he'll prefer it if he can keep more of an eye on me. I don't mind. I mean, it was nice over in America and everything but I didn't really have anyone I was close to. The person I was closest to really was Annabelle and when she decided to come back over here, it just seemed logical to go with her.'
'So she taught Defense Against the Dark Arts in America?' Harry asked. Claire nodded.
'What was it like over there?' Harry asked. Claire smiled. 'It was amazing. In the summer, everyday was hot and sunny. And in the winter, there was real deep snow. It was the best. But then again, England is my home, I grew up here, and I missed Uncle Severus. Plus,' she grinned at Harry, 'I think the guys are cuter over here.' Harry smiled instinctively.
'Yeah, however good America was, I'm glad to be home.' Harry couldn't help but wonder why Claire had gone to America in the first place but he felt that maybe now wasn't the best time to ask.
Just then, Ron and Hermione burst in, Hermione with her ginger cat in her arms.
'We left him in the attic all afternoon,' Hermione explained. 'Put him in there to get the mice this morning and forgot to take him out before we left to collect you Harry.' She looked at Claire. 'Would you like me to show you where your room is and help you unpack?'
'Oh, yes please,' Claire said pleasantly, and the two girls left the room.
'Blimy,' Ron said. 'I mean, I thought that Claire girl was quite pretty, but can you believe she's Snape's niece! I bet you anything she's going to be in Slytherin, even though she doesn't really seem the type. But you never can tell anymore.'
'Yeah,' Harry agreed.
'Wow, I can't believe I've finally met Aunt Annabelle though. Dad talks about her sometimes but I've never actually met her.' Harry suddenly remembered something. 'Hey, did she know my dad?' Earlier she had said Harry resembled James.
'I think she was at school with him,' Ron said.
'So she would have known Sirius?' Harry asked, a lump forming in his throat. Ron nodded. Harry and Claire had both unpacked their things, and the two of them, plus Ron and Hermione, all went to sit in the drawing room. The adults were all still in deep discussion in the kitchen. It seemed that Mad Eye Moody had turned up too.
'Are you worried about your O.W.L results?' Hermione asked, looking worried herself.
'The results!' Harry exclaimed. With everything else that had been on his mind, he had completely forgotten that they would be receiving their O.W.L results the very next day!
'Don't tell me you've forgotten Harry?' Hermione said disapprovingly.
'Well I have had a lot on my mind, I guess O.W.L results weren't at the top of my worry list,' Harry said. A slightly awkward silence followed.
'Well I'm not too worried,' Ron said. 'I mean, I know Mum wants me to get good results, but no offense to Fred and George, but I can't do much worse than them. As long I get good enough grades to stay at Hogwarts, I'll be happy.'
'I can't stop thinking about it. I keep having nightmares that I'm going to fail.' Hermione admitted. Ron and Harry looked at each other, and burst out laughing.
'What?' Claire and Hermione said at the same time.
'There's about as much chance of Hermione failing her O.W.L's as there is of Draco Malfoy coming in here and telling us that he really likes all of us,' Ron laughed.
'I don't think it's that funny,' Hermione pouted.
'Well I just want to get good grades to impress Uncle Severus,' Claire told them.
'I'm sure you will do,' Harry told her. 'I think anything you do will impress your uncle.' They started having a discussion about Quidditch; Ron's enthusiasm seemed to have increased tenfold since he had become keeper. But Harry wasn't really paying that much attention to the conversation, he was more interested in watching Claire. He was fascinated by her and couldn't take his eyes from her. She was so lovely.
'You're an amazing Seeker though, aren't you Harry?' she suddenly said to him, snapping him out of his trance.
'Oh yeah, he was the youngest Seeker for a century,' Hermione said proudly. And she and Ron launched into an explanation of all of Harry's greatest catches.
'It's a team effort though,' Harry reminded them modestly. 'Anyway, I don't know if I'm even allowed to play Quidditch anymore.'
'Really? How come?' Claire asked with surprise. Harry explained how last year he had been banned by the horrible teacher, Umbridge.
'Oh my God that's terrible!' Claire exclaimed. 'What a horrible woman.'
'You should hear some of the other stuff she did,' Harry muttered.
'But there's no way Dumbledore's going to let that ban stand,' Ron said.
'He'd better not, I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't play Quidditch,' Harry admitted.
'Hey, do you think I'll be able to play?' Claire asked. 'I was a Chaser at my old school and I was pretty good.'
'Well it depends which house you're sorted into, and if they have any vacancies on their team,' Ron told her.
'What are the houses?' Claire asked. 'I can only remember Slytherin because Uncle Severus was in it and Gryffindor because Annabelle was in it.'
'The other two are Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw,' Hermione told her. 'The obvious prediction would be that you are going to be sorted into Slytherin, but it would be foolish to assume that just because your uncle's in it. What about anyone else in your family?' Claire looked away and said quickly, 'the rest of my families are muggles. So what house are you three in then?' Harry noticed how quickly she changed the subject and wondered what she wasn't telling them.
'We're all in Gryffindor,' Ron told her proudly. 'And here's hoping you are too.'
'Thanks,' Claire smiled.
'It'll be for your own good you know. I mean, I know I'm biased, but it really is the best house,' Ron boasted.
'I'm sure it is,' Claire smiled. 'I mean, if you lot are in it...' she flashed Harry a brilliant smile. There was a sudden knock on the door, and Annabelle walked in.
'Hi guys,' she said. 'I've got to go back to Hogwarts soon I just wanted to say goodbye.'
'Oh, bye Annabelle,' Claire said.
'Yeah, bye Aunt Annabelle,' Ron said.
'It's been nice seeing you again Ron,' Annabelle smiled. 'I haven't seen you since you were a baby. And it's been nice meeting you Harry. A privilege.' Harry smiled at her. 'It was nice to meet you too.'
'Well I guess I'll see you all next week,' Annabelle said.
'Yeah, see you,' Claire said. 'And tell Uncle Severus I said hi will you?'
'Oh, I will,' Annabelle grinned and left the room.
'She seems nice,' Ron commented. 'It's nice to finally meet my aunt.'
'She is really nice,' Claire agreed. 'She was more like a friend than a teacher in America, maybe because we're both from over here and she knew my uncle and everything.' Ron nodded.
'So you know Draco Malfoy then?' Claire asked.
'Yeah, we know him,' Ron said, slightly bitterly.
'What's he like? Because Uncle Severus was talking about him. He said he's the kind of friend I should be making at Hogwarts and he hopes we get along well.'
'Yeah, he would say that,' Harry said angrily. Claire looked questioningly at Harry. 'Malfoy is in Slytherin and he's Snape's little teacher's pet. He's a slimeball, we've been enemy's since day one.'
'Seriously?' Claire raised her eyebrows at him. 'Uncle Severus painted such a good portrait of him.'
'Yeah, well he would do,' Ron said, copying Harry's tone.
'Well I suppose I'll have to see what this Malfoy is like for myself,' Claire shrugged. They sat up for a lot longer, talking about Hogwarts and other things. They were in the middle of discussing subjects they liked when Fred and George apparated into the room.
'Hello everyone,' Fred said. He looked at Claire. 'And who might this be?'
'I'm Claire,' she told him. 'Claire Snape.'
'Snape eh?' Fred raised his eyebrows.
'Any relation of Severus?' George asked.
'Yes, he's my uncle,' Claire told them.
'Oh right,' George said.
'Well we're Fred and George, it's nice to meet you,' Fred said.
'Nice to meet you too,' Claire smiled.
'Hey, you missed Aunt Annabelle,' Ron said.
'Aunt Annabelle?' George queried.
'She came from America with Claire today, to join the Order and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts,' Ron explained.
'Oh right,' George nodded. Fred frowned. 'It's a pity we missed her, we haven't seen her since we were about what.?'
'Four,' George finished.
'She seemed nice,' Ron said.
'Hey, mum said you're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow,' Fred said. 'You guys have to come and check out Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.'
'Yeah,' Geroge agreed. 'And tell us how good your O.W.L results are.'
'Of course we will,' Ron said.
'You're going to have a tough job doing better than us,' Fred grinned.
'Well, we're going to go to bed now, so see you lot tomorrow,' George told them, and the two disapparated with a pop.
'What's Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes?' Claire asked with interest.
'Thanks to Harry, my two older brothers have opened a joke shop in Diagon Alley,' Ron told her.
'Why, how did Harry help?' Claire asked.
'He gave them the money to buy the premises,' Ron told her.
'Really?' Claire asked.
'Well it was the money I won in the Triwizard Tournament and I'm sure they could use it better than me,' Harry said quickly.
'That was nice of you Harry,' Claire said. She didn't mention the Triwizard Tournament, so obviously she knew what had happened at the end of it. They talked for a bit longer until Mrs. Weasley came in and told them to go to bed.
'We're going to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get your things so you'd best get an early night,' she told them. So the four obediently went up to bed.
Ron and Harry talked for a short while but Harry pretended he wanted to go to sleep so that he could think. It had been a strange sort of a day. He had been finally freed from the Dursley's and taken back into the magical world. He had met some new and interesting people. Ron's Aunt had been at school with Harry's father and Sirius and he had met Snape's niece. She had caused him the most surprise during the cause of that day. Firstly, that she could be related to Snape, and secondly the person that she brought out in him. And Snape wasn't the only one Claire had had and effect on. Harry could not stop thinking about her. He couldn't stop remembering the moment their eyes had met, she had smiled at him, and it almost felt as though they had shared some kind of understanding. Harry hadn't felt anything like this since Cho Chang, and that had seemed to go wrong. But maybe that was because he hadn't really known Cho, and once he did get to know her; he realised that they weren't really suited. He found Claire very pretty and she seemed like the type of girl he would get along with. If only she wasn't related to Snape, it would be perfect. But Claire's closeness to Snape worried Harry. How much influence did the potions master have over his niece? Enough to stop her from liking Harry? Claire seemed like the kind of girl who liked to form her own opinions of people, but then, what if she shared Snape's opinion? Harry guessed he would just have to wait and find out. But now he felt himself drifting into sleep.
Harry dreamt he was flying to Hogwarts on his broomstick from the Dursley's. But he hadn't been able to bring all his school things because he was flying and he was worried that he would get into trouble. He started flying over a dark looking forest, and for some reason, flew down into it. He landed and there was Claire, sitting on the ground, picking flowers.
'Hi,' Harry said. Claire looked up at him, but before she could speak, Snape came over.
'Claire, come away from Harry. We're supposed to be catching rats in the attic.' Claire got to her feet, and followed Snape away. Then everything got darker. Harry suddenly felt like he was in less of a dream, and more in reality. There, in front of him, was a Dementor. Harry felt a sudden, searing pain in his scar, and awoke. Ron was standing over him. Harry was instinctively clutching his forehead.