"So what are you saying Harry?" It's Ginny. The Gryffindor four are sitting on the couch in the corner of the common room.
"I think he's saying that he's got to kill You-Know-Who." answers Ron in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Well, I think we need to research this. Divination is a murky branch of magic, it might not be true. And besides, Harry is only 15. How is he going to kill V-Voldemort?"
"I think he's perfectly capable of it. He's the most powerful wizard in Hogwarts, next to maybe Dumbledore alone. And if Dumbledore believes the prophecy, it must be true." retorts Ginny.
"Can you all please stop talking about me like I'm not here?" says Harry slightly angry. "Yes, the prophecy is true. I don't know if I'm capable of offing him, but I have to now don't I. I could really use your support on this instead of bickering. There's one more thing that Dumbledore told me that night."
One week ago, Harry and his friends went on a mission to the Ministry of Magic, where they believed Sirius was being held captive. They quickly realized that it was a trap. The Order arrived and helped battle the Death Eaters. Sirius was lost, but no one else suffered any lasting injuries. That same night, when Harry arrived back at Hogwarts, Dumbledore told him about the prophecy and about Mandy.
"What could possibly be worse than this?" questioned Ron.
"Actually, it's not bad at all. It's surprising, but good. I can't tell you guys now though. You'll see what I'm talking about in a minute." With that, Harry gets up and leaves the common room before the other three can stop him. A few minutes later he reenters through the portrait hole. Behind him, clad in robes of royal blue satin enters Mandy. Her wavy Raven hair is in a loose pony tail. She appears to be scared. Harry protectively puts his arm around her and ushers her into the room. On the couch, Ginny tenses. She doesn't like the looks of this. Ron's jaw is open. Hermione, for once, looks puzzled. The small explosions coming from Fred and George's corner of the room cease. The first years look at Harry in silence, watching the scene unfold like a movie.
"Everyone, this is Mandy. She's a Ravenclaw 5th year. I met her last week the night of the Ministry attack. She's my twin." Immediately the questions start flying from every direction.
"Funny Harry, who is she really?"
"Why didn't you know?"
"Why didn't she go to the Dursley's with you?"
To say that the whole of Gryffindor is in chaos is an understatement. With a slight motion of his hand, Harry achieves silence. This is just a small display of the power this young man holds.
"I promise to answer all of your questions, well, at least the ones that we know the answers to. Dumbledore told us that when we were born, we were separated for safety reasons. After our parents died, the Dursley's refused to take in more than just me, since I needed the blood protection to fend off Voldemort." There is a shudder from most everyone, Mandy included, at the use of his name. Only Harry, Hermione, and Ginny call him by his real name. "Apparently, the need to conceal the fact that I'm a Potter was still present, though we're not sure why. Since our Aunt and Uncle wouldn't take me in, Dumbledore felt it best if I was raised a muggle. I went to an orphanage until I got my letter. Because of the events in previous years, Dumbledore refrained from telling us until now. So here we are." finishes Mandy. Harry makes a round of introductions before they settle on the couch. Slowly the consistent white noise of chatter and minor explosions returns.
"This is awesome, mate." says Ron.
"It's crazy." says Ginny.
"I think it's great. It's like a dream though, you know?" says Harry.
"Yeah it really is. I never thought I would ever meet my family, until last week I didn't even know their names." comments Mandy. "Your common room is so lively. In my house, the common room is always silent. Everyone just revises all the time. I get bored a lot."
"You're welcome here anytime. There's never silence in here, despite Hermione's best efforts. Fred and George are always cooking up some new practical joke they're Ginny and my brothers."
"You must have a wonderful family." Says Mandy.
"Wait 'til you meet them all. Mum's going to have kittens. Harry's practically her seventh son." replies Ginny.
"Seventh?"
"Yup, there are six official Weasley sons. I'm the youngest of the boys. Then there's Fred and George, they're nuts. You remember the fireworks, the swamp, and two boys making a grand exit? That's them. They left the school because of Umbridge until mum sent them back the next day, says they have to finish school no matter what. Next is Percy, the world's largest prat, we don't talk to him anymore. Then is Charlie, he worked with dragons in Romania, now he works for the Ministry. The oldest is Bill. He's a curse breaker in Egypt. My dad works for the Ministry, he's obsessed with muggles. And then our mum."
"Wow. I've always wanted to be a part of a large family." says Mandy.
"Look no further sis', they're my family, so now they're yours also."
As the five continue to talk about the past, and the future, the hours tick by. Eventually they are the only ones left.
"I really need to get back to the Tower, it's way past curfew. If Filch catches me, I'm dead."
"He won't."
"How can you be sure Harry, that bloody cat of his always finds me."
"Be right back." At that, Harry darts up the stairs to boys dormitory, returning a short while later under the guise of his Cloak.
"What was that?"
"What was what Mandy?" Ginny can barely disguise her giggles through the question. It didn't take long for the three to figure out what Harry was going to do.
"Something poked me just then."
"It must have been your imagination."
"Who said that?" Mandy sounds panicked at this.
"You really need some sleep, now you're hearing things." says Hermione.
"Or maybe….Gryffindor Tower is haunted."
"By who? The boy who scared the crap out of his long lost sister? Give it up Harry." says Ron. With a swish of cloth Harry materializes.
"An invisibility cloak? But they're so rare! Where did you find that?"
"Actually, Dumbledore sent it in first year. It was our dad's."
"I guess he knew even then that you were the more mischievous of us. He gave me this necklace. I just didn't know who's it truly was." She motions to the delicate gold chain around her neck. The locket hanging from it has an ornate crest embossed on the front. Inside were the words amor.virtus.decus.
"Love. Courage. Honor." translates Hermione. "It must be your family motto. All old wizarding families had Crests and Mottos representing them. The Potter family goes as far back as magic does."
"This is really great Mand." says Harry. "You really ought to get going now though, we have class tomorrow."
"Thanks Harry, and to all of you for actually making me feel comfortable here."
"Why wouldn't we?" says Ron, a little too exuberantly. His ears turn a tell-tale red in record time.
"Yeah, your Harry's family, which means your ours also." adds Ginny quickly, mostly to save her brother from further embarrassment.
Mandy leaves and the four head to their respective dormitories for some much needed sleep.
Mandy becomes something of a permanent fixture in Gryffindor Tower over the remaining week of term. Her easy going nature endears her to all. Her recently discovered love of practical jokes and tricks delights the other twins. She is often seen huddled in a corner discussing things in hushed voices, only to cause a loud explosion of something a few minutes later.
The week flies by in a whirlwind of curious chatter. It seems that the entire school heard the news overnight and nothing has happened to replace the topic. The Gryffindor table is no exception. As Harry sits down, the tail end of Fred's latest comment reaches his ears.
"Course we like her. Look at her, did you see how she filled out those robes? They don't make 'em like that in Gryffindor."
"Will you shut up about my sister for just 5 minutes? Hexing people into oblivion on an empty stomach isn't smart. Did you know that Ginny taught me that Bat-Bogey Hex of hers?" He laughs as the entire male sector of Gryffindor gulps. Eventually the conversation shifts to the next year's Quidditch prospects.
"I wonder who the new captain is going to be. Katie told McGonagall she didn't want the position. That leaves Harry with the most seniority." comments Seamus.
"Is your ban going to be lifted?" ask Dean
"It better be. That oaf Umbrige has no say anymore. Not since Fudge finally woke up, besides she's in the loony bin since she was attacked by centaurs" retorts Ginny.
"I've already gotten my broom back to answer your question, but I don't know if I want the position. Maybe Ron could have it."
"Me? But Harry, you're definitely the best player we have, it's gotta be you."
"Let's leave that up to Professor McGonagall to decide then."
"I can't believe today is the last day!" says Neville excitedly.
"I can't believe that Dumbledore forced the Dursleys into taking in Mandy for the summer also. Somehow, I don't think this summer is going to be nearly as bad as they have been."
At this comment Dumbledore rises from his seat and clears his throat. "As this is the Leaving Feast, I feel it necessary to make a few announcements." Ron can be heard groaning across the Great Hall at this statement. "We are all aware that these are dark times. Voldemort is indeed back. The events at the Ministry have finally convinced our Minister of this. I urge you all to be on the alert this summer. Many of you have learned advanced defensive spells and methods of protection this year, do not be afraid to use magic this summer. The Ministry has agreed that in cases of emergency all students will be allowed to defend themselves. However, do not take this privilege for granted. On that note, I will stop rambling. Tuck In."
The feast appears on the tables and everyone begins filling their plates. Idle chitchat reigns throughout dinner as no one wants to discuss anything too grave at their last meal together. All too soon, it is time to turn in. The next morning would mean his return to the Dursley's and Mandy's first summer there.