The Truth

Harry could not believe his ears. He completely forgot about the curtains and left Ron, who did not hear a word, struggling with Sirius's mother. His green eyes carefully scrutinized the girl that just moments earlier seemed like a Death Eater. It sounded crazy now, as he thought about it. She was too small and too delicate to be of any value to Voldemort; however, his suspicions did not wane, and with each passing minute his mouth became drier.

"You think you're being funny, do you?" Mrs. Weasley's harsh words fell like venom from a snake. Harry became, out of his mind, confused.

"No, I'm not." The girl said firmly.

"Than tell me your name."

"I did."

"You think that I'm a fool? You think I don't know that Harry is the only Potter? How dare you use such a name? Do you want fame, is that it?" Mrs. Weasley spat out. Harry was astonished; something was definitely wrong.

"Just because you're not aware of me does not mean I do not exist. I said what I am known as and wish not to prove it." The girl said confidently releasing a small hint of a French accent.

Suddenly Mr. Weasley appeared before his wife with a loud pop. He quickly looked about to make sure he got to where he wanted. Seeing the infuriated Mrs. Weasley he swiftly searched for a cause, stopping on the young girl.

"And you will be?" He asked smiling.

"She claims to be a Potter!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked. By this time Professor Lupin, Charlie, and Ginny assembled in the corridor. Ron finally pulled the curtains shut and walked to the group joining Harry.

Everyone was quiet for a wile until Professor Lupin grabbed the girl's hand and walked her to the living room.

"Who brought her here?" He asked nervously.

"Severus," Mrs. Weasley said shortly.

"What for? She was to remain in Baxbeauton!" He shouted in aggravation. He motioned her to sit on the sofa, whispered something to her, and locked the doors.

"That fool! She's in more danger here then she ever was. I thought it was decided that she would stay another year in France. It is not safe here. We should have moved Harry there too from the beginning."

"Remus, what is her name? I couldn't get it out of her. I knew there was a problem with a girl in France, but I never caught her name."

"Her name is Valerie Potter. Albus moved her family there shortly after James's and Lillian's death. We were planning to bring her here, but due to the circumstances it was made clear to leave her there! What was Severus thinking?"

"So it's true!" Harry said excitedly.

"Harry..." Professor Lupin crossed his arms before his chest knowing that nothing good can come of this, "what do you know about any of this?"

"I got a letter from her." He reached into his pocket and retrieved a crumbled piece of paper, handing it to the outstretched hand before him. Mr. Weasley scanned the letter behind Professor Lupin's shoulder.

"Stupid child! She could have gotten herself killed!"

"Well, Remus you got to give her some points for her courage."

"That courage could have caused her her life, and then everyone could have remembered her as 'Miss Brave'. What good will that do if she is dead?"

"Calm down Remus." Mrs. Weasley said. Harry's professor took a deep breath and looked once more at Harry.

"When did you receive this?" Professor Lupin asked shaking the parchment before Harry's face.

"Three or four days ago." He answered. He felt uneasy and flushed. His hands were moist from the cold sweat; he was shaking trying hard to remain composed.

"And you did not tell anyone?"

"No professor, I thought that she could...she could be...a..."

"A DEATH EATER!" Professor Lupin screamed causing everyone in the room to jump form the surprised attack.

"Yes...I..."

"Well, you thought right! I give you two thumbs up for that, but for the lack of intelligence I have to take them back!"

"What will become of the girl?" Mr. Weasley asked trying hard to refresh the atmosphere.

"She is here, so we can't send her back! There will be another thing to talk about in Hogwarts' Halls." With that said he stormed into the living room where Valerie was quietly sitting carefully studding a very old chandelier. He closed the door behind him leaving the gathered group with no answers. Sirius's mother was once again creating a cacophony thanks to Professor Lupin. Mrs. Weasley was the first one to come to her senses.

"How wonderful to see you Harry, dear. I hope you had a safe travel. I bet you are hungry and tiered."

"Ya mum he is very tiered! We are going to our room so he can rest a bit, but we'll be up for dinner." Ron grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him towards the stairs. They swiftly ran into their bedroom, Ron closed the door, and began studding his friend as if trying to read his mind.

"Rotten luck, I have no clue of what you are thinking."

"You're no Dumbledore that's for sure, and you're not Snape either."

"Hey Harry, what came of your lessons with him? Are you finished for good?"

"I'm not sure, and to tell you the truth I don't really care. I'm more preoccupied with my new relative. Where is she from? Why was she brought here when she was said to stay in France? Why did Snape bring her? Is she connected to him in any way? Do you think Snape is the uncle she was talking about?" Harry asked a little worried.

" You must be out of your mind. Snape doesn't look anything like her. Besides if she was really his niece let alone his daughter, as she said, then he wouldn't be a cranky old fool. Furthermore she's too pretty to be related to him, and you said she was dangerous." Ron chuckled under his breath, as his eyes sparkled with delight.

"Malfoy's mother is beautiful and she's no pick-nick. And do you remember that Bellatrix was thought to be the most gorgeous girl in the history of Hogwarts? She is a monster."

"Well, yes you're right. I wish Hermione was here. She'll know what to do."

"Ron, there is very little we can do. We just have to get to know her."

"Well, I can't wait to see Hermione on Monday."

"Me too." Ron kicked off his shoes and jumped on to his bed. Placing his hands behind his head he started humming some melody that Mrs. Weasley used to sing when he was little.

"Nice timing Ron. You just made my day; all I needed was for you to sing for my full happiness."

"Oh, glad that I could help." Ron said sarcastically and renewed his humming. Harry groaned trying hard to conceal his anger. He walked out of the door slamming it shut behind him and headed towards the living room gazing hatefully at the house elves that decorated the walls.

"How could you expose yourself in such a manner? What were you thinking? What if the letter was intercepted?"

"But nothing happened, and I..."

"You can't expect everything going your way! Life is life everything turns the way you do not wish it to! You're not a little girl anymore! I thought you've learned this concept a long time ago. You have to take responsibilities for your actions that if ignored can firstly jeopardize your life and the lives of others! You have to think everything through, weight every little detail, take care of the consequences, and only then act. You just did what you wanted to do thinking of absolutely nothing!"

Valerie was quietly sitting on a chair in the middle of the room and focused her eyes on the floor trying hard to avoid eye contact. Remus was walking back and forwards before her. He kept reading and rereading the dangerous letters that could have brought distraction to the Order. His mind was filled with different scenarios of the brutal death brought to everyone he knew. He could not rid himself from the image of Voldemort's success.

"I'm sorry professor. I shouldn't have been so careless. It won't happen again. But I don't understand why you're so angry about my letter, if I'm going to Hogwarts this year Professor Snape has to report that there's another Potter."

"No, he does not have to report that because you are no Potter, you are a Belventhorp." He enriched his voice on her last name to make it clear that she was never to use Potter outside the house.

"You're not saying that I'm going under that name!"

"I thought that you'll go by your true name, but I don't want anyone to talk about you and it keeps you safe. Let's drop the subject I still have to talk to Dumbledore. Why did Severus Snape bring you here?"

"I don't know. He apparated into my house, scared my nanny, told me to pack my things, didn't answer any questions, and brought me here. I was surprised because just yesterday Professor Dumbledore said that I was staying in Beauxbatons for another year."

"Where is your trunk?"

"I do not have it with me. My nanny was to pack it and someone needs to get it."

"You are to stay here! I don't want to see you out of this house! Do you understand?"

"I can't go to Diagon Alley?"

"You didn't hear me? Nowhere!"

"But I need to get my supplies. What am I going to do in school, finger-paint? My books are in French as well. Besides I need to get new ones. My ink is low and I need a new quill." Professor Lupin looked at his young converser with amazement and disapproval.

"And what were you thinking? Why didn't you buy the supplies in France?"

"Well, school is not starting for another two weeks." She was outraged by such lack of freedom. She hated sitting closed within the four walls of her house or school. She always remained home with her nanny during vocations and never left the school grounds. When all the students left to Lyon once a month for their trip she stayed in her dormitory doing nothing. Her brother always cautioned her to pay attention to everyone. Because of this she had few friends, everyone were a threat and a potential enemy.

"Fine, I'm letting you go on Monday with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I don't want you leaving their sight no matter what. You'll get what you need and return right away! Am I understood?" A smile escaped Val's lips. She jumped off the stool and hugged her professor.

"Thank you Professor! You are the best!"

"I'm in charge of you. If anything happens to you I will never forget myself. You're just giving me a head ach."

"Can I go?"

"Suit yourself." She turned around, grabbed her bag, and headed towards the door.

"Oh...professor? Where would I be sleeping?"

"Molly would help you out, ask her." Remus sat himself comfortably in an old sofa by the fireplace opening the Daily Prophet to get acquainted with the daily news.

"Who is Molly?"

"Oh, that is Mrs. Weasley. She's the wonderful lady that greeted you today." Remus said sarcastically smirking to himself. He was still focused on the newspaper and paid no attention to the young girl.

"I will not talk to her!"

"Val, I don't need your foolishness. If you need something you talk to her; she's in charge of the kids, and unfortunately you're still a kid, and she is an adult that has to be respected."

"I have to be respected as well even if I am just a kid, and she just overlooked that little detail." Seeing Remus's tiered eyes gazing at her she released her breath with disappointment and headed to the door. As she stepped out of the living room, she came face to face with a person she was most anxious to meet.

A/N: Sorry that it took so long, but school takes too much time. I hardly have anytime to write, but I finished chapter three! Yay! I hope you'll enjoy it.

Kisses!