Chapter 22-A very special day
"Morning all" Alana said happily as she sat down for breakfast. "There's your owl" Hermonine said watching Bowen fly towards her with some mail. "Grandfather, mom, dad" Alana said flipping through the mail. "Here's the daily prophet," she said opening it up. "Anything good" Harry asked.
"Oh it's September 27th " Alana said looking at the date. "What?" Ron said looking at the headline. "No it was the date I was looking at, I remembered something that happened a few years ago" Alana said sadly looking down. "What happened?" Harry thought as he noticed Alana's body language changing.
"Quizzes this week were better not good but better" Snape said walking into the room closing the shades. Alana looked down and noticed Malfoy watching her. "I'm not in the mood for this today" Alana thought as she shot him an evil glare.
"Ms.Deerr, what did I just say?" Snape asked. "Shoot" Alana thought. "I don't know," she said honestly. "20 points from Gryffindor for not paying attention. Maybe you can dance again to make up for it" Snape said as a group of Slytherins laughed.
"That wasn't necessary" Harry yelled. "That's another 20" Snape said as Alana clenched her fists. "Don't bother! Take all the points you want" Alana yelled as she got up and slammed her chair onto the desk.
Seamus and Dean looked stunned and looked over to Ron and Hermonine. Harry looked out the door and saw Alana running towards Gryffindor tower. "Another lovely performance from a Gryffindor. We will start today's lesson without interruption from either house" Snape said looking over at Malfoy. "I hate him," Harry thought as class started.
"I'm so stupid" Alana thought as she walked faster. "Whoa!" Professor Lupin said as she walked into. "I'm sorry" Alana said now in tears. "Ms.Deerr, what's wrong?" Professor Lupin said concerned.
"I'm fine, I just need to sleep" Alana said quickly walking past him. "I just hate this day," she thought as she noticed two men near the entrance. "Deerr, these men are looking for you" Filch said as Alana wiped some of her tears.
"Hey little sis" Steven said with Xander walking behind him. Alana ran to Steven and started to cry. "Hey, I know what today is for you" Steven said rubbing her shoulder. Alana shooked her head, "Not just that" Xander noticed Filch staring at them. "Maybe we should continue this at Hogsmade, Filch is known for being nosy" Xander said staring at him. "I just walked out of my class, so I have the rest of the afternoon free" Alana said wiping her tears as they walked out of Hogwarts.
"Snape was always a jackass when I was at school" Xander said as after Alana finished telling them about the morning class. "If it was any other day I could of dealt with it. My birth mom died today when I was six, ten years ago" Alana said to Xander.
"This professor Snape has it out for you and I'm not going to let that happen" Steven said angrily. "There's a bunch of Slytherins in that class whose parents are the same death eaters that killed her" Alana said tearing up again. Steven and Xander looked at each other.
"Where's Alana" Hermonine said entering the great hall. "She's not in the girl's dormitory" Harry said concerned. "No, she isn't with Justin and the other guys either" Ginny said walking in with Dean. "Ms.Deerr is with her brother for the rest of the day, she'll be back for dinner," Professor McGonagall said as she walked to the teacher's table. "She was so angry, it wasn't about Snape. It was something else," Harry said.
"What are you guys doing in England in the first place?" Alana asked. "I can't really tell you but when we come back to Hogwarts I need that box I asked you to hold for me" Steven said. "Mysterious" Alana said raising her eyebrows.
"Have mom and dad tried to contact you" Steven said as they rode back to Hogwarts. "They sent me letters, I didn't read them yet. Steve there's something else happening to me," Alana said as she looked down. "What?" Steven said. "You taught me some moves you and Xander do when your working but this defense class. I do stuff in it that I have no clue that I knew how to do. I held a sword yesterday at a dueling club and used it to save a professor's life and I don't know how I did it" Alana said a little frustrated.
"I don't know what to tell you" Steven said calmly as they landed the motorcycles. "That's what I thought, I feel better telling someone" Alana said noticing that it was dark outside.
"We're here early," Alana said as they walked into the great hall. "I haven't been here in years it looks the same," Xander said looking around. "Don't let Snape get to you" Xander said as he touched her shoulder.
"I'll try" Alana said as some teacher's walked into the room. "Xander! After all these years" Professor Hooch said as she walked up to them. "Professor Hooch it's good to see you" Xander said as Harry, Ron, and Hermonine walked into the great hall.
"I'll get that box for you" Alana said to Steven as she snuck out of the room before Harry saw her. "Where is she?" Harry thought as he noticed Steven. "Who's the other guy?" Hermonine said noticing that a lot of the professors were shaking his hand.
"Mr. Braden" Professor Snape said coldly. "Snape" Xander said as Steven got a better look at him. "What did we do to have a former student in our presence" Snape said. "My sister" Steven said angrily.
"And you are?" Snape said. "Steven Deerr" Steven said walking closer towards him. "Ms.Deerr's brother" Snape said. "This is going to get ugly," Ron said. "I heard how you tried to embarrass her today in class do you know what today is for her" Steven said.
"No what is today for her" Snape asked. "A lot of people outside America don't know that Alana was adopted. My parents adopted her at when she was six because her birthmother died on this day," Steven said raising his voice. Harry, Ron, and Hermonine looked at each other. Snape looked stunned himself along with Lupin and Hagrid. "That was why she was crying when she bumped into me" Lupin said as Steven nodded.
"Even if her mother didn't die on this day, what gives you the right to attack young women in class" Xander said. "Mr.Branden and Mr.Deerr, you are not professors at this school as a matter of fact the both of you are loose cannons according to Delores Umbridge" Professor Snape said as Alana walked over to Steven. "
It's in your bag" Alana said as she put the box in his book bag". "Ms.Deerr, welcome back" Professor Snape said. "Good to be back" Alana said rolling her eyes standing behind Steven. "Telling your big brother and his friend about class today" Snape began to say.
"Unbelievable" Alana interrupted. "Disappoints me I thought you can fight your own battles" Snape finished. Alana just laughed and looked at Steven. "I thought I can tell people that are your own size wait Steven and Zander are bigger well physically than you" Alana said. "That's quite enough Ms.Deerr" Lupin said as Alana took a deep breath.
"Thank you for today" she said as she gave Steven a hug. "Anytime, let me know if you need anything" Steven said. "Thank you Xander" Alana said touching his shoulder. She gave a weak smile to Harry, Ron, and Hermonine as she walked back to Gryffindor tower.
"See that comment you made to my sister, you try to come after her and I'll come after you" Steven said. "Whoa, Steven" Xander said pulling his friend back. "I'm sure," Snape said. "Silence" Professor Dumbledore said. "Professor Dumbledore" Xander said. "Hello Xander" Dumbledore said. "Professor I want these men out of" Snape began to say.
"I'm sure they're leaving. Your parents informed me this morning about today" Professor Dumbledore said to Steven. "They should of came in, she's fine now she's in her room" Steven said starting to walk away. "Good to see you again Professor Dumbledore" Xander said following Steven.
Snape noticed Harry, Ron and Hermonine were in the room. "I am sure they will not mention this to anyone unless Alana approves" Dumbledore said looking at them. The trio nodded as more students arrived for dinner. "That's why she reacted that way when she saw the date today" Ron said. Hermonine shook her head wiping a tear away. Harry looked at the space where Alana sits and clenched his right fist.
"Dear Alana I know what today means for you. Your mother died today. That was a painful day for me as well as your mother asked us to take her out of her misery of the awful curse. This is also the day we started to become a family and I am thankful that something good has come out of this. You have grown into a lovely young lady and there will be much happiness in your life. We will make sure of that.
Love Mother and Father" Alana read as she wiped a tear away and looked at the fire in the common room.
An hour later, Harry, Ron and Hermonine walked in. "Hey" Alana said forcing a smile. The trio sat down on the couch next to her. "What did my brother do after I left?" Alana asked.
"He threatened Snape, then Dumbledore came in" Ron said. "I guess you guys know what today is for me," Alana said as she stood up and looked at the fire. "Yes" Hermonine said. "Harry I told you that she died but what upsets me is how she died" Alana said tearing up.
"I was six, I don't remember the details but I just remember that my mom and I were running from a wizard. He had a cloak on so I never saw his face. He broke into our home and my mom tried to block him. He was coming after me. He used that awful crucio curse on my mother, she was spitting out blood. I pointed her wand at him and he disappeared. The next day we ended up at St.Mary's hospital. I was fine, but my mom" she said and started to cry.
Harry was about to get up. "No stay there! she was in so much pain. In three weeks Her entire body looked like a skeleton. She couldn't even speak, she started to hallucinate. My parents were taking care of her. She could only write to communicate. Her and my parents became close so close that she wrote a will and gave custody of me to the Deerr's. In September we moved into the Deerr mansion and my mother's condition got worse. I watched her scream to my parents to let her die, and one day on September 27th I walked into my mother's room and saw the Deerr's crying as a nurse put the blanket over her head" Alana said as she saw Ron, Hermonine and Harry in tears.
Alana took a deep breath as Harry walked over to her. Alana started to cry in Harry's arms. Harry led her to the sofa.
"I feel better that I finally talked about it with someone that isn't my family" Alana said. "I should have been more honest" she said looking down. Harry started to feel guilty at he looked at his three friends. "I haven't been too honest either" Harry said quietly.
Alana, Ron, and Hermonine looked at him. Harry stood up and took a deep breath. "After that day in the department of mysteries, Dumbledore wanted to talk to me. " Harry said. "About that?" Hermonine asked. "The prophecy" Harry answered. "What prophecy?" Ron said.
"One that was made sixteen years ago, by Trelawney. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the dark lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the dark lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live wile the other survives" Harry said calmly.
Hermonine put her hand over her mouth as Alana gasped. "So that means that either your or voldemont has got to kill the other one in the end?" Ron yelped. Harry nodded. "No, that can't be true" Hermonine began to say.
"It is true, my parents defied him three times, I was born July 31, he gave me this scar" Harry said angrily as he noticed a tear coming down his face. "That was the prophecy that Neville broke" Hermonine said.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Ron said. "I don't know why, I guess so I wouldn't have to see the way the both of you look right know" Harry said. "That was after Sirius' death" Hermonine said as Alana looked at Harry. "I'm going to bed" Ron said upset at what Harry just told him. "Me too" Hermonine said threw her tears as she walked into the girls dormitory.
Alana and Harry sat down looking at the first for a few moments. "I know about Sirius Black, well what the papers said about him" Alana said. "He was my godfather, the closest thing I had to my parents, to a parent myself. And it is my fault that he's dead" Harry said angrily as he slammed his fist on the table.
"Voldemont tricked me into thinking Sirius was in danger. So a group of Gryffindors and Luna went to the department of mysteries to save him. We fought off death eaters but there were to many of them. Lupin, and the rest of the members of the Order of the Phoenix saved us. Sirius was with them. Beatrix Lestrange and Sirius started to duel and she used a spell that led him into falling in the veil of death" Harry said now in tears.
Alana closed her eyes as she felt tears rolling down her face. "It is my fault that he's dead, it is my fault that Cedric Diggory is dead, it is my fault that my parents are dead!" Harry yelled.
"It's not your fault, like my mother's death wasn't mines. It still hurts" Alana said as Harry looked down. "It does" Harry said looking up at her as their heads moved closer together. Alana touched the right side of Harry's face as she tried to kiss him. Harry pushed her hand back as he saw a tear fall on the left side of her face.
Harry stroked the left side of her face with his index finger. Alana took a deep breath as she closed her eyes. Harry pushed Alana's face closer as he kissed her. Alana put her arms around Harry's neck welcoming the kiss as Harry's right hand cupped the right side of her face. Alana broke the kiss as Harry kissed her again.
"Wait we shouldn't do this" Alana said getting up trying to catch her breath. Harry got up as well and nodded. "I just wanted to comfort you" Alana began to say. "So did I, we're both emotional" Harry said. "This has been an emotional night, I feel better" Alana said realizing it was midnight. "So do I" Harry said. "I'm going to head to bed, I guess I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow' Alana said as Harry nodded. Alana closed the door to the girls' dormitory and touched her lips.
Chapter 23-A talk with Lupin
"Are you certain that she can be his heir" Dumbledore said as he was standing in the defense classroom. "She was adopted by the Deerr's so there's no blood connection to them. And at the dueling club the way she used Gryffindor sword, it was almost as if he was wielding it himself" Lupin said.
"Does she have any idea?" Dumbledore said. "No" Lupin answered. "Keep it that way till we have solid proof. I will not make the same mistake again" Dumbledore said sternly as Harry walked into the room. "Harry" Dumbledore said softly. "Professor" Harry said looking at Lupin. "What can I do you for" Lupin asked. "I wanted to talk to you about something" Harry said hinting it as private. "Well we're done here" Dumbledore said walking out.
"What's bothering you Harry" Lupin asked as Harry sat down. "It's not really bothering me" Harry said. "Ok, well spill it" Lupin insisted. "I kissed Alana in the common room a week ago, and now it's awkward for us to be around each other" Harry said.
"I noticed something was odd when I saw her sitting next to Mr. Finnegan last class" Lupin said. "What's wrong with a kiss? Was it a bad kiss" Lupin asked. "Remus!" Harry said at the oddness of that question. "It was a good kiss but we were both emotional" Harry said. "Are you trying to figure out your feelings for her" Lupin asked. "Yes!" Harry answered. "She's my friend, well a good friend. It's probably best that I don't do anything, she needs a guy without so many problems" Harry said.
"Well from what we heard a week ago she isn't perfect either" Lupin said. "She shouldn't think about if her boyfriend is going to live or not" Harry said. "Are you sure, that this is what you want?" Lupin asked. "I don't want it, it has to be" Harry said as he saw Alana walk into the room. "Professor Lupin I lost that handout you gave last class" Alana said looking at Harry. "Oh not a problem Ms.Deerr, I'll go get it" Lupin said as he walked to the back of the room.
"Hey" Alana said smiling. "Hey" Harry said. "I'm trying to get as much work done" Alana said showing Harry the books she was carrying. "Why?" Harry asked. "Well I'm doing that photoshoot for Madam Cleo's robes over the course of two weeks at different locations, the school and at Hogsmade. But I don't want to fall behind" Alana said.
"I don't think you will" Harry said. "You're an optimist" Alana said as Harry laughed. "About what happened in the common room" Harry began to say. "I'm sorry about that, I mean it was an intense day and it was emotional like you said" Alana said.
"Exactly, so we're cool" Harry asked. "Of course" Alana said hitting his shoulder as Lupin came back. "Here you go" Lupin said as he gave the paper to Alana. "Thank you professor, bye Harry" Alana said rushing out. Harry looked at her walking away. "Guess things are back to normal" Lupin said. "We're you eavesdropping?" Harry asked as Lupin faked innocence.