Chapter 6 Walking Around, Running In, Falling Down

"Stella is here?" I asked, looking at Dumbledore with a shocked expression. Her image suddenly coming to my mind. She was always a very beautiful girl; she had the same jet-black hair as her brother and nephew, except she was able to keep it somewhat tidy. She had dark penetrating eyes that could see right through you and a prefect alabaster skin color. I could only imagine what she would look like as a full-grown woman.

"Yes. She is taking a walk with her nephew. It is the first time she has seen him since he was born. You will be able to see her later."

"Headmaster I wonder if now is the time that I can..."

"I think that the timing is just right for letting her know what has happened." Dumbledore smiled at him.

"Well if that's all Headmaster, I have something things to get ready for the start of term."

"Of course Severus." I stood and left the office.

Meanwhile

"You really have grown since I've last seen you. It's been nearly 16 years." I said, trying to find a way to break the ice.

"Yes. I didn't even know that my dad had a sister, let alone a twin. Uh... Aunt Stella, I've been wondering why you didn't take care of me after my parents died? Didn't you want me?" Harry asked, he sounded very hurt.

"I knew it would only be a matter of time before you asked me that. When James and Lily went into hiding they weren't the only ones who did. I was also forced to hide... James thought it best since a friend of mine decided to join the Death Eaters and James was worried that he would come after me. So I didn't find out for a while about what happened to Lily and James. And when I did come out of hiding I wasn't told what had happened to you except that you were somewhere safe. After a bit of time the Ministry sent me on some jobs that were rather dangerous. Harry if I had known that they were keeping you with Vernon and Petunia I would have left my work and taken you. If you want to come live with me now you're more than welcome to. Think of it as making up for lost time."

"I think that would be brilliant. I hate living with the Dursleys."

"They are rather awful aren't they? I remember when I met them for the first and last time. Looked at James and I as if we were from outer space or something."

"Yes, they haven't been the best people to live with." Harry said, slightly smiling at me.

"My God, I can't believe how much you look like your father, except your eyes. Those are definitely Lily looking through. I bet people tell you that all the time."

"Oh yes. Professor Lupin and Sirius did quite a few times."

"How is old Lupin, haven't seen him for ages. And Sirius as well?"

"Professor Lupin is doing well... Sirius... he died..."

"He died?" I exclaimed. "I... I'm sorry... I hadn't heard. I've been in the muggle world for some time." I hadn't realized how out of everything I've been until now. I never did think that he was guilty of betraying Lily and James.

"He died last year..." Harry started to tell me what had happened as we walked back into the school.

"So are you going to spend the rest of the summer here or do you have some friends you are going to stay with?" I doubted him wanting to stay here for the last week of vacation.

"I'm going to go stay with my friend Ron Weasly."

"Oh I have something for you. It's a bit late for your birthday but I thought you would want to have it." I said, reaching into my robe pocket and pulling out a smallish box then handing it to Harry. "It was your father, I figured you'd want it."

Harry quickly opened the box to find the pocket watch that was inside. "Wicked." He said, pulling it out of the box and looking it over.

"And if you open it back here..." I pulled the back of the watch open to show him the picture. "Those are your grandparents and your father and I when we were younger." He thanked me and gave me a hug. As we were walking back to Dumbledore's office we rounded a corner quickly and I knocked right into someone, the both of us getting knocked to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked me, helping me up.

"Yes I'm fine. Just a little..." I stopped speaking; there on the floor infront of me lied Severus Snape.

"Are you alright Professor Snape?" Harry asked, trying to be polite.

"Yes fine, Potter..." He also stopped speaking when he noticed me standing infront of him. "Stell?" He asked, raising an eyebrow in the same way he used to, not completely sure it was me.

"Sev." I said, offering him a hand up.

"Bloody hell look at you. What it's been nearly..."

"Let's just say it's been a while."

"Yes. I haven't seen you since graduation night out by the..."

"I remember perfectly well when we last saw each other was and I think that we still have some things to discuss."

"Yes we do. Later perhaps?"

"Yes. I was just taking Harry back to Dumbledore's office."

"Right than. I am glad to see you again." He said sincerely.

"Well. We'll see if I am as glad after we have our little talk. See you later." I said, leading a very confused Harry away.