Letters
Dear Harry and Emma,
I visited your mum last night and she isn't in the best of conditions. She's been feeling ill recently and we'd appreciate it if you two stayed on your best behaviour for a while. We would tell you ourselves but something has come up. We'll talk to you about it in a few hours after we've sorted out your mum. please behave and don't go bullying Slytherins, though it was a good move in my opinion (don't tell your mum I said that).
Dad
Harry and Emma looked at each other uncertainly. Hedwig was chewing on a piece of toast that Harry had left on his plate.
"Why didn't he just tell us himself, why'd he send a letter?" Harry asked.
"I say we go and see her." Emma said.
"I agree. Ron, Hermione, I'll see you in the common room later." Harry said. It was a Saturday and Harry was desperately trying to put off his studying.
"Alright." Ron said.
"We'll be in the library." Hermione said. Ron looked at her.
"We will?" He asked in horror.
"Yes. We will." She said firmly. Ron groaned and put his head against the table. Harry smirked and followed Emma up to Lily's rooms.
"Evans." Emma said to a portrait of some fairies that guarded her mum's quarters.
"Mum!" Harry called. April wandered out of Lily's bedroom.
"Hello children." She said brightly.
"Where's mum?" Harry asked.
"Is she ok?" Emma asked.
"She's fine. A bit ill." April said.
"Where is she?" Harry asked.
"Hospital wing." April said. "Don't stress her out." April added. Emma rolled her eyes and pulled Harry after her. They made their way to the hospital wing. The castle was a lot quieter then usual. They had been told about the new rules and most students preferred to stay in their common rooms. Harry and Emma went into the office of the Hospital wing. James was sitting opposite Lily at the desk. Lily looked as though she was trying to work while James just kept talking to her.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Harry asked, glad to see him. James and Lily looked up.
"Harry, Emma. We have some good news for you!" James said happily. Lily looked at James.
"Now really isn't the right time." Lily said to James.
"Nonsense." James said. "Harry, Emma, sit!" James said, conjuring another chair and moving out of his seat. Lily rolled her eyes and put down her quill. Emma and Harry looked at each other confused. They sat down and looked at their parents.
"What's going on?" Emma asked suspiciously.
"We have good news." James said.
"There's good news in this time?" Harry asked. "Oh god, the world isn't as dark as everyone makes it out to be" He said sarcastically. Emma giggled slightly and looked at her parents.
"Ok, what's the good news?" Emma asked. Lily bit her lip and looked at James. She turned back to Harry and Emma.
"How do you feel about having another brother or sister?" Lily asked. Emma and Harry looked at Lily like they hadn't registered what she'd said.
"Emma? Harry?" James asked. Harry shook his head.
"Another bother or sister?" Harry asked.
"Yeh" James said.
"We're not getting another brother or sister are we?" Emma asked. "That would mean either you're adopting or mum's Preg-" Emma shuddered at the thought. She looked at Lily. "Please say you're not pregnant."
"Um, ok. I'm not pregnant." Lily said apprehensively.
"Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew!" Emma said holding her head.
"What's wrong with mum being pregnant?" Harry asked.
"It means that mum and dad are still…you know…" Emma said wincing like the thought really truly disturbed her.
"Emma, calm down." James said. "Your mum is pregnant, we just thought you should know. You don't like it?" He asked.
"Well….I don't know. I've just been the youngest for fifteen years! And now you have another baby! Ew!" Emma said.
"Well, I don't mind but if Voldemort finds out-" Harry started to say but Lily cut him off.
"That's why you are not to tell anyone." Lily said. "I'm not leaving this castle until I have to give birth and no one is to know, except Dumbledore, April and you two. Can you keep it a secret?" Harry nodded.
"Can I tell Rhia?" Emma asked. Lily scowled slightly.
"I personally see why not, I mean, we know that we can trust her." James said. Lily looked at James slightly alarmed. "I mean no. Don't tell a soul!" He ordered. Harry suddenly grinned "What?" James asked.
"Mum's pregnant, that's so cool!" Harry said. Lily smiled at Harry and suddenly put a hand to her mouth. Harry and Emma frowned.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked. Lily got up and walked rather quickly to the loo. James bit his lip.
"Morning sickness." He told the two teens. "Now you two run along and stay safe!" James said. He looked at Emma, "No associating with anyone who isn't in Gryffindor or anyone that Harry doesn't approve of." James then turned to Harry. "Work hard, practice those spells and I'll be in touch." Harry nodded. He left the hospital swing with Emma. Emma was shuddering all the way up the grand staircase.
"What is wrong with you?" Harry asked.
"The thought of Mum and dad." Emma asked. "I can't imagine you doing it, let alone them!"
"How do you think we were made?" Harry asked her.
"But still." Emma said. "Thank Merlin I don't have to picture you doing it. Cause, you know, you're still a you know what." Emma said. Harry gave her a smile. He leant towards her ear and whispered in her ear.
"Rhia obviously hasn't told you anything." Harry whispered. Emma's mouth dropped open. She stared at Harry.
"You!" She asked. Harry nodded. "And my best friend!" She nearly screamed. Harry rolled his eyes. "AH!" Emma shouted as she ran back to the Gryffindor tower. Harry rolled his eyes again and went to the library. Ron and Hermione were sitting at a table with only two seats, both of which they were occupying so Harry went to a separate table and conjured his homework. He smirked to himself as he made sure nothing was missing. He began working when someone sat down in front of him. He looked up to see Rhia.
"Hi." She said softly.
"Hey." He said with a smile. "I thought you were in the common room."
"I was, then I got an owl from Catcher." Rhia said. Harry frowned.
"What did he want?" Harry asked.
"We're doing a song together." Rhia said, "He just sent me the words. I just wanted to see how you were doing though." She said.
"I'm alright thanks, you?" Harry asked.
"I feel a bit different but I'm ok." Rhia said.
"Different how?" Harry asked suspiciously.
"It's a little embarrassing." Rhia said, looking at some parchment she held in her hands.
"No, tell me. If anything has happened-" Harry said.
"Oh, nothing has happened. It's just since we, you know, I just feel slightly different." Rhia said.
"You're not pregnant are you?" Harry blurted out. Rhia looked at him confused. "You're not throwing up a lot or feeling…you know…hormonal" He whispered. Rhia burst out laughing. Madam Pince hissed at her to be quiet.
"No!" Rhia whispered. "I just mean, I feel a bit different. You know, I wasn't really expecting to lose it in the changing room." She said.
"Oh, um, sorry about that." Harry said, absently scratching his head. Rhia sighed.
"It's ok. It would be better if we were still a couple though." She said hopefully. Harry closed his eyes.
"Rhia." He said. Rhia got up.
"It's ok." She said, "Forget I said anything." She said rather quickly.
"Rhia!" Harry hissed as she walked away, obviously annoyed. Harry hit his head on the table.
"You know, that's really not the way to go about telling my sister you don't want her." Came Orion's voice.
"Go away." Harry muttered. He looked up to see that Orion had taken the seat that Rhia had vacated. "Merlin, what is it with you Blacks?" He muttered. Orion grinned.
"Well, we get it from out dad." He said. "Well, mum's rather stubborn too." Harry picked up his quill.
"Go away, I need to work."
"So, your mum…" Orion said. Harry looked up immediately. "You're getting another brother or sister?" Orion asked with a grin. He was barely talking louder then his breathing.
"How do you know?" Harry asked him. Orion nodded to where Jessie was sitting with Mei and Kaylee. "I should have known. Don't tell anyone."
"Your secret is safe with me." Orion said. "Can you help me with my Defence against the Dark arts homework?"
Remus stood in the doorway to the bedroom that he shared with Jenny. He looked at Jenny, who was still asleep and lying peacefully in bed. He felt hate welling up inside of him. He didn't understand why but he knew he wanted to kill her. Her and all her friends, the people that Remus had once called friends. He growled slightly and turned around to see Grandmother Chang standing right behind him with both her hands on the top of her walking stick.
"Have you any feelings you would like to share?" She asked in her old slightly squeaky voice.
"No." Remus replied to the Chinese in English.
"You are in big trouble Lemus. You are not meant to be back. Both of us know this." Grandmother Chang told him.
"No, that's what you assume. You don't know what I'm meant to be doing here." Remus retorted.
"Harry was very unwise to bring you back." Grandmother Chang said. "You have been corrupted by the dark. I must put you to rest." She said, she got her long slender wand out of a pocket in her dress. Remus growled and felt himself transform even though it was a week after full moon. Grandmother Chang just looked at him calmly. "You cannot scare me Lemus. My granddaughter may be blind to your affliction but I am not. You were once a good man, better then anyone could want for my granddaughter but your soul is tainted. Return willingly or you may spend a life in the darkest of worlds." Remus growled at her, baring his sharp upper teeth.
"Remus?" Jenny moaned from the bed. Remus turned to look at her and turned back into a human. He turned back to grandmother Chang.
"Stay out of this old lady or you'll be terribly sorry for getting in the way."
"I am not scared of death. Death is just another adventure, waiting to be discovered." She said. Remus felt like spitting at her. The old lady disgusted him almost as much as Lily Potter or Sirius Black disgusted him, or even his own son.
"You sound just like Dumbledore." He said. Grandmother Chang gave him a small smile.
"Though I am Chinese and he is English, we have many values and ideals that we share. Be wary Lemus, for I will not hesitate to do what my granddaughter and her friends will not do."
"And what is that?" Remus asked.
"Send you back." Grandmother Chang said. Jenny sat up in bed rubbing her eyes. She frowned at them.
"Grandmother? Remus? What are you doing, Remus, can you get me a drink please?" Jenny said with a smile. Remus returned the smile and nodded.
"Alright, Tea? Ok, I'll be back in a minute." He said softly. He turned to Grandmother Chang and sneered at her as he passed her. Grandmother Chang looked unfazed. She turned to look at her confused granddaughter.
"I think I will write a letter to a friend of mine." Grandmother Chang told Jenny.
"Um, ok." Jenny said, feeling rather confused.
Ron dragged a fed up Harry after him down the streets of Hogsmeade. For once Harry's conscience was starting to get the better of him. He had his invisibility cloak packed carefully inside his bag and his wand clenched tightly in his fist, hidden from sight by a particularly baggy jumper. Harry was boiling under the jumper but he kept it on. Ron kept running a nervous hand through his vibrant red hair.
"We really shouldn't be here." Harry said, looking around slightly nervously. He'd heard of the death eater attacks in Hogsmeade. In the past week at least three people had died and four were missing, presumed dead. Harry didn't want to be one of those, he didn't want Ron to be one of them either.
"I know but this is really important." Ron said.
"What's more important then our safety?" Harry said as he kept pace with Ron. Ron peered at some of the shops. They were open and ready for business. "If anyone I know sees me I'm a dead Potter." Harry grumbled as he followed Ron into a jewellery shop. Harry didn't actually notice the peculiarity of it until Ron put a ring onto the counter. The witch behind the counter looked at him curiously.
"I'd like a ring in that size." Ron said.
"Which one dear?" The witch asked kindly. She had curly silver hair and a pair of silver rimmed glasses that sat on the end of her nose. She looked like the perfect grandmother. Harry looked at Ron slightly confused.
"What are we doing here?" He asked.
"I want to get a ring." Ron said. Harry looked at him weirdly.
"For who?" Harry asked.
"For Hermione." Ron said. He began to look at the rings in the glass cabinets. Harry stood there watching him for a few moments trying to figure it out. It suddenly clicked as Ron was looking at a ring with a simple colourless diamond in it. He turned to another ring, which was more elaborate and far more expensive. Ron sighed and turned to Harry. Harry's mouth dropped open then he grinned. Ron's expression flickered with uncertainty for a moment.
"Do you think I'm making the right choice?" Ron asked. Harry nodded. Ron sighed with relief and smiled.
"So which ring are you going to get her?" Harry asked, putting his hands behind his back and following Ron.
"I was thinking this one, because it seems like the only one I can afford right now." Ron said. There was a look of regret in his face. Harry knew how much it pained Ron to be so poor.
"If you want, I can lend-"
"No, I don't want your help to pay for it. I have to pay for everything myself."
"But-"
"No." Ron said. He looked at the ring and made a few small calculations in his head.
"Have you chosen dear?" the witch asked.
"Yes, can I have that one please. I need it to be the same size as the one on the counter." Ron said.
"Of course." She said with a knowing smile. "So what are you two fine young men doing outside of Hogwarts?"
"Isn't it obvious." Ron asked.
"Ah yes, ask a stupid question get a stupid answer I suppose" She said. Harry smirked slightly. "So what are you doing out without an adult then Mr. Potter. There are many people that have been passing through here who want you dead." She said as she tapped the ring with her wand.
"Oh, well, um…" Harry stammered.
"I forced him to come with me. He's like my brother." Ron said. The witch nodded and began inspecting the ring carefully.
"So are we likely to see you giving that lovely Black girl a ring any time soon?" She muttered as she touched the ring with her wand again. The loop of metal grew very slightly. Harry seemed to flush very slightly.
"Um, well, no. We're not really seeing each other anymore." Harry said uncertainly. The witch nearly dropped the ring.
"Excuse me?" She asked in shock. "Her father seems rather convinced that you two will be together. He came in here yesterday to buy a ring and necklace set for one of his daughters and he was almost boasting about it." She said.
"Yeah, he doesn't know yet." Harry said. He felt a strange sense of security around this woman. The woman put the ring into a small velvet box and took down Ron's vault number.
"I'll change the money over in the next few days." The woman said in a rather tense voice. Ron smiled broadly.
"Thanks. We better get going." Ron said. He and Harry left the shop quickly and made their way up to school. The witch behind the counter clenched her fists.
"That no good son of a -" She muttered as her silver hair receded to short black hair. Her features began to become more defined and chiselled until there stood Sirius Black grinding his teeth and clenching his fists. He picked up his wand and barged out of the shop. Harry and Ron were talking in the distance. He ran towards them as fast as he could. He didn't know what he'd do once he reached them.
Harry turned in time to see Sirius charging towards him. He shouted in alarm and dived to the ground just in time. Sirius had obviously been expecting to hit Harry but instead went tumbling head first into the dirt. Sirius got up spluttering and looked at Harry.
"When did you break up with her!" He demanded. Harry pushed himself backwards on the ground.
"A few months ago." Harry spluttered, "After the thing with Remus." Sirius got to his feet and clenched his fists. His face was going from its slightly tanned colour to a rather alarmingly deep shade of read.
"You better not have hurt her." Sirius said.
"Well, I sort of had to, I have to keep her away from me." Harry said so quickly that Ron couldn't make out the words. Sirius obviously did. He charged at Harry again. Harry rolled to the side and pulled his cloak out of his bag. He wrapped it around himself and watched as Sirius glared at thin air. Sirius began grabbing thin air.
"I know you have a cloak Harry. I'm going to have a serious talk with you in due course. If Voldemort doesn't kill you I will if you've even hurt a single cell in my daughter's body." Harry took a deep breath as he watched Sirius retreat angrily back to the jewellers. Ron watched him go.
"That was so close." Ron muttered.
"Too close." Harry said as he pulled the cloak off.
"I say we get back to school." Ron said quickly.
"Me too."
Peter Pettigrew sat shivering in his cell at Azkaban. Just because the Dementors had gone it didn't mean that he was still scared out of his mind. He felt his soul slowly slipping away from him. Bit by tiny shredded bit. He sat in one corner, pressing himself against the murky slimy moss covered wall. There wasn't any way out. There wasn't any way out of this dungeon. He had tried to get out in rat form but the entire room was sealed. There wasn't even a gap in the door. He couldn't even find the door! Peter shivered more as he felt the evil presence of the prison sucking out more of his soul. Why did he have to go and betray the Potters? What had made him do it? He'd asked himself this many times over the past fifteen years or so. He heard the footsteps of the guards outside the door. Peter shied away from the vague area of the door and pressed himself further against the wall. There was a clanging sound and a square of dim light appeared in the wall opposite him. Peter looked away with a squeal of fear. Someone put their head in the doorway and looked in. Peter glanced up timidly. It was a man, he could tell.
"You're a pitiful excuse for a man aren't you." The man said. Peter recognised his voice from somewhere.
"Who are you?" Peter squeaked.
"None of your business, I have a proposition for you." He said. The man turned to someone on the other side of the door. "Open it up." He said. There was the sound of a key being put into a lock and a large clanging sound. Someone said a spell and the door creaked open. In the doorway stood a man wearing black robes with a small silver badge on his chest indicating he was from the Auror unit of the Ministry.
"Get up" He said. Peter got to his feet and stood shaking in front of this man. He considered changing into a rat and making a run for it but he could tell that it would fail straight away. Peter took a step closer to the man and recognised him from James' office. The man who had been getting closer to Jenny.
"Dwight." He said holding his hand forwards. Peter looked at it and slowly took it firmly in his. Dwight shook his hand and let go. "I have an offer for you." He said wiping his hand on his robes.
"What's that?" Peter asked.
"A chance to let you go free." Dwight said. "I need a message sent to the master and I can't get it to him right now." Peter looked at him apprehensively. He knew that if he went then the Potters and Blacks would follow him to his death. He didn't feel threatened by the Lupins because, in his opinion, they were far weaker then the others.
"Don't you think it's a bit unsafe to be talking about this here?" Peter asked.
"My men can be trusted. The prisoners talk a load of rubbish anyway so no one will believe them. Do you accept my offer?" Dwight asked. "Tell the master my message in return for freedom."
"What about Potter?" Peter asked.
"He can be dealt with." Dwight said casually. Peter looked at Dwight. The arrogance and cockiness almost radiated off him.
"Don't underestimate Potter." Peter said. "I've made the mistake of crossing his family several times, they're a formidable force." Dwight waved a hand.
"What do you say?" Dwight asked. Peter bit his lip and nodded. "Good. Now I want you to tell the Master that there will be an addition to the Potter family. I found it out completely by accident while Potter was working." Peter looked at Dwight confused.
"A new addition?" Peter asked. Dwight nodded.
"He seems to think he's going to get another daughter, which means that Harry Potter's break up with Rhia Black was a charade. The master may want to see to that." Dwight said. Peter nodded. "What are you waiting for? Go!" Peter squeaked and turned into a rat. He scuttled off as fast as he could out of Azkaban and out into the wilderness of the northern isles of Scotland.
"What do you mean they're getting another daughter?" Voldemort asked Peter.
"I am just delivering the message my lord." Peter said trembling. He had every intention of running away after this. Possibly going to live with rats again.
"Harry Potter is getting married?" Voldemort asked.
"I do not know my lord." Peter asked. Voldemort frowned and turned to face the wall. This was good for him in a way. It meant that Potter would have a weakness, but at the same time it could make him stronger. Voldemort had underestimated the power of love before, he didn't want to tempt it again. Fortunately the protection that Harry Potter carried from his mother's willingness to sacrifice herself was now in him. Voldemort clenched a fist and raised it to his mouth.
"Leave me." Voldemort said. Peter scurried out of the room as quickly as he could.
"What are you going to do now master?" Came Bellatrix Lestrange's voice. She emerged from the shadows of the room.
"Take your husband and brother-in-law to Hogsmeade. I want that village under my control. Tell Malfoy to secure the area around Hogwarts and I want the train line secured. I think it's time to tempt Potter out from under the Mudblood lover's protection." Voldemort said. "Go." Bellatrix bowed and disapparated out of the room. Voldemort sat in a chair and closed his eyes.
Emma sat on her bed absently strumming her guitar. She watched Rhia carefully. She was worried about her friend. She and Harry had had another slight disagreement. She felt very tempted to cheer Rhia up by telling her about her new possible brother or sister. Emma thought the prospect of Lily getting pregnant very disturbing but there was nothing she could do about it now. Emma paused in her playing and shuddered at the thought. Rhia looked at her.
"What's wrong?" Rhia asked.
"Nothing." Emma said. Rhia looked at her curiously.
"You can tell me." Rhia said sitting up.
"I really would but my parents swore me to secrecy." Emma said. Rhia sighed and slumped back on her bed. They heard some giggling outside their door and a very familiar voice going up the stairs.
"Come on, it's nearly done, just a few more days and we'll find out!" came Kaylee's voice. "What do you mean who are we annoying? It'll be obvious in a few days." Emma and Rhia looked at each other. "Well obviously it's going to be a Gryffindor! Jessie, you're supposed to be the smart one!" Rhia got up and opened the door. Kaylee and Jessie were just disappearing into the sixth year girl's bathroom. Emma and Rhia followed curiously after Emma put her guitar down.
"Hermione! Why would Hermione's hair be changing colour. This is Lavender Brown's hair shampoo!" Kaylee said.
"So you two are the culprits!" Emma said. Kaylee and Jessie jumped in surprise.
"That is Hermione's shampoo." Rhia said. Kaylee and Jessie's eyes went wide.
"Uh oh." Jessie said.
"Why? What have you done?" Rhia asked suspiciously.
"Nothing." Kaylee said innocently. Emma felt her head spinning as she tried to focus on the twins. There was suddenly three, no four, no wait…six of them! Emma shook her head to try and clear her vision. She closed her eyes for a moment but when she opened them again her eyes were a dark red. She got her wand out of the holder attached to her belt.
"Liar!" She said. She pointed the wand at Kaylee and fired a spell at her. Jessie pushed Kaylee out of the way and they both tumbled to the floor. Rhia turned to Emma in alarm.
"Emma!" Rhia said. Emma turned on her.
"You filthy Mudblood lover, join me or you will suffer worse then a thousand deaths." Emma said. Her voice was harsher and rougher then usual. She began to raise her wand but Rhia jumped at her and pushed Emma against the wall. She held onto her wrists and tried to get the wand out of Emma's hand. Emma struggled and pushed Rhia to the floor with unnatural strength. Rhia looked at Emma scared and looked into her face. Rhia saw Emma's eyes immediately and looked to her sisters.
"Get help!" Rhia shouted at them. The twins bolted from the bathroom as Rhia moved out of the way of a curse. Rhia got out her wand and pointed it at Emma. "Whoever is in there get out of her mind!" Rhia said. Emma sneered at her.
"You rely so much on trust. I have a message for Potter. Tell him to meet me in Hogsmeade on the eve of his birthday or I will kill everyone he holds dear." Emma said. Rhia looked at Emma slightly confused.
"Voldemort?" She asked. Emma laughed.
"You are a stupid girl to say my name out loud." She said. She sent another curse at Rhia. She didn't move out of the way in time as it caught her square in the chest. Rhia stumbled back in pain and agony. She felt like there were worms actually inside her body. It was soon joined by another feeling of something biting away at her insides.
"You lie. You can't kill us." Rhia said between gritted teeth. Hermione and Lavender Brown appeared in the doorway just as Emma sent another curse at Rhia.
"You don't know what I can do." Emma said. Hermione and Lavender immediately knew there was something wrong with Emma.
"Emma!" Hermione said, going to Emma. Emma pointed her wand at Hermione and sent a spell at her. Hermione flew back into Lavender and knocked her out through the door. The door slammed shut and bolted behind them. Rhia felt something picking at her mind as everything went slightly blurred. She screamed as her brain felt as though someone was squeezing it as hard as they could.
'Give him the message and maybe I'll let you live.' Came Voldemort's voice. The pain disappeared as both Emma and Rhia collapsed unconscious on the floor.
"Emma! Rhia!" came Lavender's voice through the door.
"Stand back." Hermione said. The door burst open in tiny fragments and splinters that dusted the two younger girls. Hermione and Lavender both looked at each other uncertainly. "Stay here." Hermione said. Lavender nodded and went about clearing the splinters while Hermione ran for more help.
A/N:- I actually think this story is nearing an end...shock horror! I thought it was gonna go on for ages but the story has inadvertantly picked up pace in the next few chapters. I think i'm actually nearing the end! oh my god -slaps cheek in shock- Oh my god, i'm in shock. Basically, my plan is for Harry to fight voldemort in this story and the next one, will be what happens after the major battle. Does that make any sense? Just to answer Rhia's Question, the adults (Jenny, Remus, Lily, James, April and SIrius) are about 37 at this point of the story...well, actually i think they're more like 38 but Lily's still only 37 (In my version cause her birthday is in August in my version). Anyway, just to give you a taster of something in 2 chapters time, here's a little spoiler :P
"What's happening?" Hermione asked. Bo came and sat down next to them.
"Something was happening in Hogsmeade last night. I guess they don't want us to know what it is." Bo said. Harry glanced at him.
"I don't know. It seems to be more then that." Harry said. His scar had been tingling all morning. He had thought he'd gotten over this stage but apparently Voldemort was getting stronger. Harry didn't consider this a problem, he was getting equally as strong. As the Daily Prophets got confiscated there came an air of nervousness and seriousness that settled among the students. Even the Slytherins were silent and not saying anything.
As they say in the Coke Cola adverts...enjoy