A/N: This is the first of 3 parts of Secrets and Lies. It's called "Uncovered."
Chapter 2: Dead Man Walking
Early the next morning, two strangers stood outside of Snape Manor. One was a woman looking extremely tired and weak. Her companion was a healthier fifteen year old girl with blonde hair and purple contact lenses. They were lucky no one in the house had gotten any sleep last night. Severus Snape answered the door holding a cup of coffee. His face was pale and dark shadows had formed beneath his black eyes. It was obvious he hadn't slept at all.
"Hello," Severus said grumpily.
"My name is Petunia Dursley," the woman said. "Dumbledore sent me."
Petunia handed Severus a letter. He read over it quickly, looked them over once, and led them in.
Harry and Draco were in the living room when the tree walked in. Harry was on the couch playing his GameBoySP. Draco was in the chair reading a thick book written by James Potter. As soon as the girl saw Harry, she sat on the couch next to him, put one arm around his neck, and watched him play his game. Petunia and Severus stood by the doorway, talking.
"Who is she?"
"Sarah Potter. Harry's half sister."
"So James cheated on Lily?"
"Yes. Nasty, no-good man he was."
"I quite agree, Mrs. Dursley."
"And their kids are just the same."
"Exactly! ...Unfortunately, I have to take care of them."
"Pity."
But what really was a pity was the fact that Harry and Sarah took in every word. But they had continued on with what they were doing. Harry was trying to control his anger; Sarah didn't want them to know they were eavesdropping. Draco, unfortunately, was unaware of everything going on. He was too busy reading the book. It wasn't the only one in another language…. It was more of a fictional book that was uncompleted. It only had three long chapters, and about 543 blank pages. The story seemed too familiar to Draco, but he couldn't place it.
"Ahem."
It made all three teenagers look up to the adults.
"We need to go to my office," Severus said.
Outside, not far from Snape Manor, a strange man was walking down a dirt road. He wore a trench coat, a hat, and sunglasses. His identity was hidden. No one recognized him. No one would believe it if they saw him. He knew that. That was why he was wearing what he was. He had been in hiding on an uncharted island with six other people. Now, he was back. And he had business to attend to. He had to first meet up with Albus Dumbledore, then head over to Snape Manor. He was not looking forward to seeing Severus Snape.
The sky was dull gray, rain began to fall lightly. The man seemed to not care. He waited by the sign reading "Snape Manor." As the ran fell harder, he still waited.
Finally, Albus Dumbledore appeared by his side.
"Come, then," Dumbledore said, leading the man to the cold, dark mansion.
Scout answered the door.
"Come in, sirs," she squeaked, letting them in. The house elf led them to Severus's office, which looked more like a conference room with a long table with chairs. Severus, Petunia, Harry, Draco, and Sarah looked up at them.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Severus said. "Come in, come in!"
Dumbledore smiled, and led the mystery man in. All eyes remained on him. He sat down between Dumbledore and Harry.
"Have you started the meeting, Severus?" Dumbledore asked.
"No. We were waiting for you, sir," Severus replied, eyes not moving from the mysterious guest.
"Well, shall we begin?" Dumbledore asked.
The meeting lasted three hours going on about Voldemort, his plans, and their plans. Everyone was keeping an important secret, unaware of exactly how important they were.
Finally, the meeting came to its end. Everyone wishing to ask the same question. It was Severus who finally asked, "Who is our hidden guest?"
Dumbledore smiled. "He shall tell you when he is ready."
"I'm ready, Professor," the man said. He first took off his trench coat, then lost his hat, and finally removed his sunglasses to replace them with his regular glasses.
Jaws dropped. Eyes grew wide. Petunia screamed.
They were all staring at a very much alive James Potter.
"Oh my God!" Sarah shrieked happily. She ran over to James and hugged him. Everyone else gasped. James grinned, and hugged his daughter back… but his eyes were on Harry.
"How've you two been?" James asked when Sarah finally let him go.
Sarah smiled, and opened her mouth to speak, but Harry beat her to it.
"Lousy," he replied angrily. James looked shocked and hurt by the bitterness in his eldest child's voice. "You've been alive all this time…. I never hear nothing from you…. I think you're dead…. But you've been off doing who knows what forgetting your family!"
The smile on James's face slid off. The twinkle that was usually in Dumbledore's eyes was gone. Sarah and Petunia looked positively shocked by Harry's rage. Severus, however, looked gleeful at having seen Harry act so hatefully toward his father.
"I hade to hide…" James said, "from Voldemort."
"My mother died!" Harry shouted. "She let him kill her for me! You ran off pretending to be dead! You coward! You rat! You bloody git! Son of a…." He suddenly fell to the floor and began to cry from the mixture of sadness and anger that was overwhelming him. James dropped to the floor beside him, and pulled him into a tight hug. Their audience watched them, unsure if Harry would start yelling again. But, he didn't. He just cried and buried his face in his father's neck, allowing James to try to comfort him.
Minutes later, James finally got Harry to calm down. Sarah took James's place in holding her older brother tightly as James joined Severus and Dumbledore for their own more private meeting. Petunia remained in the dark corner she had been standing in. Draco watched Harry and Sarah from his seat.
Scout walked in after fifteen silent minutes, holding a tray of drinks and snacks.
"You is hungry?" she asked nervously.
Draco and Sarah gladly took cookies and butterbeer. Harry, however, refused it
"But sir," Scout squeaked, "you is not eating for two days!"
"Fine!" Harry snapped. He took a cookie, shoved it in his mouth, and glared at Scout.
Scout hurried out of the room with what was left of her tray. Draco, Sarah, and Petunia were all staring at Harry, amazed. He had gotten very angry over the summer. They'd all seen parts of it. And it was scary.
"Harry…" Sarah said shakily. "I… I think we might need to get you some help."
Harry turned his glare to Sarah, who jumped and backed away. He looked like he was ready to commit murder.
"Calm down, dude," Draco said. "Chill."
"SHUT UP!" Harry shouted. His face was now red. Everyone shut up and kept back. Harry ran out of the room and Draco muttered, "He needs anger management."
Later that day, Harry and Sarah were sittin in Harry's room, not speaking. They room seeked darker and colder than usual. Harry had calmed down and had spoken to nobody. Sarah had been in every half hour to see how he was doing. Now she decided to stay, hoping he'd say something to her.
"Harry…" Sarah said softly.
Harry looked up at her. There was no trace of anger on his face at all. He was calm, yet tired.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. He walked over, and pulled her into a one-armed hug.
"That's okay," she whispered.
"Harry, Sarah," said a voice, "dinner."
The two looked up to see their father standing in the doorway.
"We're coming," Sarah assured him.
James smiled and turned to leave.
"Dad," Harry said.
James turned around. Harry walked over to him and hugged him tightly. Shocked, James hugged him back.
"I've missed you, Dad."
End of Chapter 2
Chapter 3 coming soon….
