Part Three: Siblings Reunited

Hayley awoke the next morning to a sharp poke inserting itself through the fabric of her nightgown and penetrating her backbone.

"Hayley," Hermione's morning voice cut through the dormitory, making her stir even more out of slumber.

"Wha…" she mumbled into her pillow, stopping herself quickly and opening her eyes. Hayley inclined her head, meeting the colors of her dormitory and not the pale flesh of the hospital room.

"C'mon, Harry and Ron are waiting for us in the common room," Hermione repeated, giving another poke into the thin fabric.

"Alright," she moaned, throwing the covers off her and getting out of bed, shivering as the cold air struck at her bare legs, causing several small bumps to erupt over the surface.

Hermione shot her a prided grin at a successful wake call, and walked over towards her own four-poster. Hayley was visibly aware of the fact that she was watching her with a questioning stare.

"Sleep well?" questioned Hermione, her voice holding a disbelief tone in her words. That's when it came to Hayley that maybe Hermione knew more then she was letting on. Bringing her head up and meeting her eyes, Hayley gave her a content smile.

"Fine. Yourself?"

"Alright." Hayley took a quick glance over towards her, watching as she folded up some of her new jumpers that had just returned from the laundry. Hayley stared at Hermione a bit longer than needed, curious as to where the pursed lips and the knitted eyebrows were coming from. The morning silence covering over their usual morning greetings.

"You went to bed awful early last night," said Hermione after awhile, her eyes still focused on her laundry as she continued, "Was something wrong?"

'You have no idea Hermione.'
"Er – no, nothing's wrong. Why do you ask?"

"You seem a bit off basis is all," she said. "Anything you want to talk about?"

"Okay, Hermione," said Hayley, not feeling in the mood to discuss this anymore, fearing of where it was leading. "What's up? Why are you asking me all these questions?"

"I'm just curious if anything's wrong, you seem upset by something."

'I'm sure you'd be too, if you didn't know who your parents were,' thought Hayley as she groaned to herself.

"What was that?" asked Hermione, closing her trunk with a sharp snap.

"Never you mind. Lets go down to breakfast already, I'm famished."

"Okay, hurry up then."

Hayley sighed as she pulled out her uniform and undergarments. She was distinctly aware of the hard emotion pulling at her stomach, causing her to become off track and her mind to wonder off towards Will and Jane. Would they ever find out what she now knew? That their well-kept secret has been exposed and the new feelings were now taking over the covering they had placed around her.

It probably was a no wonder Hermione was suddenly aware of the new atmosphere Hayley carried with her. After they had returned from the library last night, Hayley had only stayed in the presence of her friends for half an hour more, then bid them goodnight and headed up to bed, blindly aware of the fact that all she could think about was Will and Jane.

Hayley dressed in silence. While pulling on her under shirt, then her jumper, she was still visibly aware of the curious eyes of chocolate following her every movement as she scrambled around the dormitory to get the rest of her outfit on.

"Ready," she announced, tightening her tie in the mirror, and making sure that her scar was well covered under the mass of her raven hair.

Hermione and Hayley exited the dormitory in silence. Stepping out of the door, Hayley's eyes immediately began scanning the room for any sign of the boys.

"There you are," said Ron, standing up out of the chair he had been occupying and walking over towards them, Harry trailing not far behind him.

Hayley smiled at the look Ron was giving her, implying it with mirth depths and a lopsided grin over his face.

"Morning," said Harry, declining his head and giving Hermione a soft kiss upon the lips. Hayley focused her eyes elsewhere as the couple greeted one other. She could feel Ron's eyes on her as Hermione kissed Harry once more. She had never felt uncomfortable in the presence of Hermione and Harry's romantic affection towards one another, but when it was in the presence of Ron, Hayley would always feel his eyes on her, giving her questioning glances and urging stares.

"Ready to go then," asked Harry, giving Ron a deep stare. Ron seemed to have caught on, and to Hayley's relief, removed his eyes away from her.

"Harry," Hermione started, stepping out into the hallway and glancing back at the three of them. "I couldn't find you after you left the library yesterday. Where did you and Ron run off to?"

Even though her eyes were staring upon the floor, Hayley still found it hard to keep the vision of Jane from forming a picture within her clouded brain. She smiled as the memory began to play itself through her thoughts, causing her to loose pace and fall behind the trio, who now were walking and talking cheerfully in front of her.

'"Will – where you've been? I've been looking for you since I got home! Mrs. Kenbreak isn't here either!"

Hayley glanced up to her father's pale face, studying her mother's stern chocolate depths. It had been lucky enough that they had hid their brooms before entering the house, clearly knowing that Hayley was supposed to have been in tutoring for another hour, and Will, sending Mrs. Kenbreak home as an earlier birthday present to her.

"We've been nowhere, love. Just outside, enjoying the nice summer day. Mrs. Kenbreak came down with something -- sent her home straight away…"'


"Well if I were you two, I'd think more about my studies before my broomstick! I'm going to the library tonight with Hayley to help her catch up. Right, Hayley – Hayley?" called Hermione, stopping and turning her head behind them.

Harry felt the surge feeling of turning around also, and just upon doing so, he almost came head on to crashing straight into Hayley. He could distinctly see the thinking thoughts coursing through her eyes and a small smile caressing her dry lips.

"What're you doing?" asked Harry, taking a step away from her. Hayley looked up from the ground and straight into his eyes; pulling them away as fast as she had placed them there.

'What's wrong with her?' he thought involuntary, shooting Ron and Hermione a questioning look.

"Nothing's wrong with me alright, Harry!" Hayley snapped, bringing her head up and giving him a glare.

"What?" asked Harry, a look of shock falling into his face.

"Don't act like I'm all thick, alright! I heard you mumble that!"

"Hayley," began Ron, his face holding a confused expression over it, as was Hermione's. "He didn't say anything."

"Yes he did!" screeched Hayley, her raven hair falling into place over her eyes. "He just said something was wrong with me. Didn't – didn't you hear him?" She felt her face turning red while eyeing Hermione and Ron.

"He just asked what you were doing, and then you snapped at him," said Ron.

Harry watched as Hayley's eyes wandered around the stone walls, staring intently at the paintings above their heads. Her eyes holding a look of deep sadness inside the confused emerald. Harry turned back to Hermione and Ron. No words were spoken, Ron just nodded his head, and Hermione mumbled "you stay with her; we'll see you in the Great Hall."

Harry smiled at them, giving both of them a short nod and then watching as they turned away from him and began walking towards the stairs. Harry sighed, turning back to Hayley. Her body still aimed towards the wall, her eyes still incoherent to understand what was wrong.

"Hayley?"

She turned to him, her eyes a dark forest green. Harry stopped walking as she shot him another glare, he felt advancing on her would only anger her more.

"You really didn't say anything?" she asked, her voice holding the disbelief lingering within her eyes.

"Unless I'm loosing my memory, then no."

Harry felt relief run up his spine at the sigh of her smile, he walked closer and watched as she leaned up against the wall, and slid down into a fetal position. She glanced up at Harry when she noticed he wasn't doing the same, and patted the spot next to her.

"One minute you're yelling at me, and the next you're inviting me to sit next to you," laughed Harry, walking forward and sitting down next to her, turning his head and watching Hayley smile at the comment.

"I think I am loosing my mind," she replied, descending her head down and playing with a piece of fabric sticking out from her skirt.

"Why d'you say that?" asked Harry, sneaking another look at her, but as soon as his eyes stopped on her face, he couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked, despite the small cuts still lining her chin. It was a no wonder Ron had feelings for her. Though Ron would never admit to it, Harry already knew. He had the feeling that his best friend was falling in love. Harry had gone threw it with Hermione.

It was an unusually unique way for a relationship to start, but Harry had realized after what had almost happened to Sirius, Ron, and Hermione last year, he couldn't help but start feeling strong emotions towards her. His stomach would always leap into his throat every time he received a letter from her, falling asleep with her face pasted behind the comfort of closed eyelids, and the calming coax her voice could have on him.

But Ron was a completely different idea to where love took him – he took one look at Hayley, and Harry already knew he felt the emotions he had felt for Hermione, but with Hermione it had been different then. Their love had been a friendship of six years, but Ron and Hayley, a friendship of two months.

"You wouldn't ever understand," mumbled Hayley, bringing Harry out of his stance and looking back at her.

"Try me," he replied. Hayley looked at him with dignity in her eyes, her face set on a distant look Harry couldn't place.

'Maybe he could help me – maybe he knows of a stray dog in Hogsmeade that saves people from deathly fires.'


Harry pulled his eyes away from her quickly, knowing that comment had not been spoken aloud. The corridor was to quiet not to have heard the slightest echo of her mouth moving and words spilling from it. Only silence, but Harry felt as if they were having a conversation within there minds, it hadn't taken long to figure it out; there was a connection they shared. A connection that had not been broken over the fifteen years of separation.

"Harry, you alright?"

His mind felt like it was wondering, it couldn't belong, nor process, the scene playing out before him. He could feel her eyes burning into his soul, reading him, almost seeing straight through him. A dog? It didn't seem possible, but with his life leading out into the world and the directions it was passing him, it could be very well possible.

"Harry?" he heard her small voice call again. He turned his eyes to meet her piercing green, and felt the urge to turn them away again. He held her gaze, and slowly stood up while doing so.

"C'mon, I'd rather you not be late for your first day back."

He caught her gaze once more as it burned into him. She stood from the ground, while rubbing the fabric of her jumper, reducing any crinkles that had formed within the material. Hayley began walking soundly down the corridor, Harry next to her, but she could tell his concentration was elsewhere.

They continued retreating down the stairs, minds lingering in other directions, bodies moving by only influence, for their mentality was anything but clear at knowing where they were walking to.

They entered the Great Hall together. Harry eye's instantly scanning for Ron and Hermione -- he spotted them at their usual situate, and made his way over towards them, Hayley following close behind him.

As Hayley walked, she could feel eyes upon her, staring into the back of her neck, taunting her to turn around. Gathering up the courage she could, she inhaled a great deal of breath and turned. Immediately seeing Draco Malfoy staring at her. Hayley felt a shiver run up her spine, the small smirk upon his lips, the rebellious glint in his eye, all this almost telling Hayley that he had been involved in the fire that had almost taken her life.

"Hayley," Harry muttered in front of her, pulling her gaze away from Malfoy's. Hayley turned to look at Harry, but regretted doing so the minute the look upon his face came into her view. His eyes spoke murder, his lips were pursed and his hand was buried deep in the fabric of his robes; Hayley having no doubt that he was gripping his wand. "Harry," she spoke, her voice apprehensive. She watched as Harry slowly removed his eyes away from Malfoy's, and began walking towards Ron and Hermione once more.

"…Ron, why don't you just ask Katie if you can have that night off for prefect duties? I'm sure she would allow you –"

"I sincerely doubt that, Hermione. Snape'll become nice the day that occurs."

"What's going on?" asked Harry, sitting himself beside Ron, Hayley following suit next to Hermione.

"Prefect duties and whatnot," said Hermione, sipping at her goblet and holding the Daily Prophet in her other hand, gazing over the contents covering the paper.

Hayley let out a quiet sigh, reaching over and pulling the bowl of porridge towards her; she scooped out two handfuls. She knew she wasn't hungry but should eat something anyway. Hayley felt a glint of light hit her eye, and looking up, she gasped at what she saw. The Great Hall looked magnificent. The five trees glistening all around them, the mistletoes directly above their heads, the bright full colors sparkling and bouncing off them. All this compared to going home for Christmas didn't even seem logical. The thought of having to go home for Christmas hung in her head. She felt rage surge through her as she thought of Will and Jane again.

"Oh good, mail's here," said Ron, his head looking up to the thousands of owls pouring into the Great Hall and departing there parcels and letters to their respectful owners and flying off once more.

Hayley felt too absorbed in her thoughts to even notice that an owl had landed itself right beside her goblet. Feeling ignored, the owl began pecking at her forearm until a nice red mark formed in place.

"What -- oh sorry," said Hayley, petting the golden owl and untying the letter it held beneath its talons.

"I thought you said your parents owned an owl?" asked Ron.

"No – they own a house elf, but never an owl," replied Hayley, unrolling the parchment and placing it before her eyes.

Hello Love,

Hope everything is alright and you're safely settled in. You stormed out a bit quick yesterday, we were worried about you. Hope everything is well, and see you at King's Cross in almost a week's time for the holidays.

Your Aunt Valerian and Uncle Shaitan won't be making it in for the holidays. Apparently, she went into labor a little earlier than expected, so it will just be your mother, you, and I.

Love you,
Your Father

"Joy," muttered Hayley, folding up the parchment and placing it within her robes.

"Something wrong?" asked Hermione, setting the paper down and sipping at her goblet once more. Hayley looked at Hermione and like this morning, saw the same piercing glance hovering within her eyes.

"Peachy keen," muttered Hayley, dipping her spoon into her porridge. Her mind occupying only one thought as she slipped the spoon into her mouth and swallowed.

After they had finished breakfast, they walked quietly back to the common room. Hayley's mind still lingering on the letter laying inside her robes. She could feel Ron staring at her from behind, and felt suddenly uncomfortable with the straining blue gaze upon her.

They retrieved their bags, and began heading in the direction of Transfiguration. The anger that had filled Hayley earlier, now replaced by the anxiety of returning to class after almost a week.

"Harry, what time did Hagrid say your detention was?" asked Ron, waking Hayley up from the constant daydreaming her mind kept exploring.

"Hagrid didn't tell me, McGonagall did. I have to meet him at his cabin at around seven, I reckon."

"Lucky git, you bloody well know Hagrid won't do a Filch on you and make you clean something filthy," said Ron, shooting Harry a small smirk.

"I'm not complaining," responded Harry.

They entered the classroom and started walking towards the back, Hayley ignoring the looks of desire as she passed the Slytherin proportion of the classroom. She could feel Malfoy's eyes on her; yet, she did not turn to meet the gaze.

Hayley set her bag on of the table and sighed as she sat down. The morning exhaustion filling her body and exchanging the anger and sadness that had been with her earlier. Hermione sat down next to her, giving her a short smile, which Hayley returned shortly after, starting to feel more comfortable at the desk. Harry and Ron were sitting in back of them. Hayley had already noticed they had pulled out their wands from their bags and were ready to begin.

"Settle down, settle down," came the echo of McGonagall's voice as she closed the door and walked up to the front of the pupils view.

"We will be continuing the art of Transfiguration with large object today. Ah Miss Glenwood…."

Hayley's head shot up at the voice addressing her. McGonagall had a soft and calm complexion over her elder face.

"Yes, Professor?"

"I do believe you had been absence from our class for the last three lessons. I will not be able to help you recover the information you have missed, but will assign a student to help and tutor you until you can fully master what we have been learning. I have assigned Potter to help you. You may go into the back of the classroom while we are practicing up here."

Hayley felt the calm emotion drop away and pain replace it. She should have known. The least person – beside Malfoy – Hayley needed to see speak with now, was the exact person McGonagall would assign her with. Hayley had been very well clear with the fact that she hadn't completely forgotten about the dream.

"Potter, now please," said McGonagall, pulling her wand out and aiming it at the two of them.

Hayley heard Harry slowly get up from his chair and walk to the back of the classroom, Hayley getting up and following behind him.

"Most likely not your first pick, am I?" said Harry, coming to a stop just before her.

"I never said that, Harry," replied Hayley, feeling anger rise in her stomach at being assumed.

"All right, lets do this."

Hayley was very aware of the sigh in his voice, but decided to just leave it at that. She reached into her pockets and pulled her wand out, twirling it in her fingers, awaiting Harry to voice the instructions at her.

Realizing after some minutes that he wasn't talking, she looked up and met his gaze. His green eyes staring intently at her own.

'The dream!' a voice screamed at her.

Hayley pulled her eyes away from Harry's, suddenly feeling the urge to get to the loo -- her porridge making its way to her throat. She tried to take deep breaths in between each jump of her stomach.

"H-Harry, what're you doing?" she questioned.

"Wait here," was all he said as he walked passed her and straight up to McGonagall.

Hayley placed her hands on the desk in front of her. She felt like she was fainting in her own mind, those eyes making her body turn weak and timid.

'Stop it, Glenwood!'

Hayley looked up right as she saw Harry walking over to her again. "C'mon she's letting us go out in the corridor." Hayley nodded her head, letting Harry lead her into the hall and pushing the door closed behind them.

"What's up?" asked Harry, advancing towards her.

"Never you mind! W-why did McGonagall put us out here?"

"Thought I could talk to you for a few minutes." He kept his straining gaze on her and Hayley felt the nauseas feeling making its way into her stomach once more.

"What d'you want to talk about?" she questioned, inhaling great breaths to try and push the dizziness away from her sight. What was wrong? Why wasn't Harry seeing what was going on?

"Hayley," said Harry, his voice calm and ancient, "I-I need to know what happened in that fire."

Hayley stood where she was and said nothing. She had been expecting someone to ask her that dreaded question -- but she prayed it wouldn't be Harry. Maybe Hermione, even Ron, but never Harry. It was a deep feeling, telling her to trust him, but every time those eyes met her gaze, she felt herself sink away within them and lose control of reality.

"Harry," she began, her voice calm, "I-I can't tell you."

'She's lying to me,' he thought instantly followed by her statement.

"I'm not lying, Harry! Will you quit saying rubbish like that and making me look all barmy! And also, quit referring to me like some ruddy second person!"

"Hayley," said Harry, keeping his voice calm, "I didn't say anything –"

"Oh no! You're not doing this again, you pillock!"

"Hayley, stop!"

Hayley stopped ranting long enough to turn her flushed face back to Harry. He could visibly see the red marks creeping into her face and neck and with a sudden shock, the crystal shimmer of tears filling the brim of her eyes.

"Hayley," Harry began, a questioning tone in his voice as he very slowly advanced on her.

"Harry – don't," she snapped, though Harry wasn't the least bit convinced. Something was wrong, that was easy enough to determine – but Harry needed to know what emotionally was racking her mind. It was a feeling, a vibe, almost as if her feelings were crossing her boundary and entering his.

Harry could see the crystal shimmer as it absorbed within her depths and the tears began to build up upon another. Hayley, trying to bite her tongue to keep them from spilling over their threshold. He could see that this was resulting in her turning even redder from the pain of holding each breath as more tears began to gather. Harry closed the distance lingering between their bodies. As he encircled his arms around Hayley's shoulders, she found no reason to hold in the tears anymore. Harry could feel the hard, rasps of breath she drew in after the tears fell from her face.

Harry pulled her closer to his him, feeling the need to have her close, to keep her safe, take away her pain, whatever the pain may be. He could feel the vibe pulling him closer to her, and as Harry tightened his grip around her shoulders, he found Hayley having a harder time trying to regain breath into her lungs.

"Sorry," she mumbled, pulling away slowly, not putting distance between them. Hayley brought her hand up and began wiping impatiently at the tears still clinging to her face.

"No need to be sorry," he replied, removing his arms away from her body, allowing her to clear space between them, which Harry felt odd when she didn't take a step back but kept in place.

Hayley tried bringing a smile to her face, but found it a harder task than thought. She gave one last sniff before the last tear fell from her eye, reaching up once more to wipe it away – she froze when Harry's hand caught her hand and brushed away the tear himself. Hayley felt the smile appear on her face almost involuntary at how soft his touch was towards her, observing her face as he touched her cheek, making sure that she wouldn't pull away again.

Hayley felt herself being drawn into his eyes once more, but this time she did nothing to stop it. She felt as if a calling was pulling her closer to him. Harry lowered his hand, watching her carefully now as she studied him, though he found it a bit uncomfortable. He watched each emotion pass through her eyes as she watched him.

"Harry," she said, her eyes no longer focusing on his, but rather the pinpoint of where his bangs were falling over his forehead.

"What?"

"What's that?"

"What's what?"

"This," she replied, slowly raising her hand and bringing it down onto his forehead. Before Harry could register what she was reaching for, or pull away for that matter, Hayley lifted the mass of raven hair and stumbled backwards as her eye's met the site upon it.

"Hayley –"

"What – is – that?"

"Hayley listen to me…"

The last few words trailed from his open mouth as he watched Hayley. She brought her hand up towards her forehead, and with one quick movement, she pulled back the hair covering the object over her forehead – her scar.

Harry inhaled a deep breath, suddenly finding air a problem to reach his lungs. Hayley stared at him in disbelief, her mouth wide open.

Harry watched as she advanced closer to him, her hand reaching to his bangs. Harry felt he couldn't move even if he wanted to. A longing holding him there, watching Hayley lift his bangs away from his forehead once more, her eyes never leaving his.

She gingerly touched the harped skin, gently running her fingertips over the ragged mark.

"It's exactly like mine," she mumbled. With a harsh realization of what she was doing, Hayley pulled her hand away in a fast re-take, backing out of Harry's embrace and up against the wall.

Hayley was drawing him in with her desperation in a way that baffled him, yet urged him to hold her closer to him, a shiver running through his body at the sudden loss she put between them. A drive, an impulse, he didn't know, but something kept moving him closer to her.

"Hayley…."

"It's exactly like mine," she repeated, only her voice was even more somber and mumbled. "Why is it exactly like mine?"

Harry was caught off guard at the sudden rage that captured her voice and echoed into the silent corridor.

"I don't know –"

"You duff! You're a complete nesh wimp, Harry! Why won't you just bloody well tell me!"

"Will you quit slagging me, Hayley!" snapped Harry, finally fed up with her non-sense to release her anger in a direction pointed at him.

Hayley stood up from the wall and began pacing around the corridor, nearly colliding with Harry more then once, and exhaling a short mumble every now and again.

'Oh God, oh God, oh God.'

Harry's head shot up out of his train of thought, his eyes never leaving her pacing form.

"Oh God what?" he asked, moving towards her.

Hayley stopped in her tracks. She turned around to face him, her face adapting a pale flesh over the normal peach. Harry could see that her eyes were empty and wide.

"I – I didn't – I mean – how did you know that?"

"Know what?"

"I – I didn't say that?"

"What d'you mean you didn't say what?"

"I-I didn't say that Harry, but -- you heard me say it?"

Harry nodded slowly, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it enwrapping his body within each rhythmic beat, he felt light headed, the sun becoming a problem against the shields of his eyes.

Hayley stared at Harry in silence. Then, before Harry could detect what she was doing, she turned around and stood there.

"Stay there," she mumbled. Harry could feel his heart beating beyond anxiety, his head beginning to feel each beat his heart urged and started to feel nauseas within his stomach.

'Harry.'

"What," he said, rubbing at his stomach to ease the pain surging through it.

'Harry.'


"What?" he snapped at her.

Harry looked up just in time as Hayley turned back around to him, her eyes holding a stern hollow look in her depths, her lips perused together.

'Harry.'

Harry felt his hand drop to his side, every feeling enveloping his body suddenly forgotten as he stared at Hayley in disbelief. It wouldn't have affected him as much, if he had known what he was seeing wasn't believable or true for that matter. But what he was seeing was true: Hayley's mouth hadn't moved when she spoke his name.

'Harry – I'm not talking.'


"I know," he replied, regaining his balance and walking slowly towards her.

Hayley stood her ground as he walked closer, her eyes holding an emotion her body couldn't place.

'Can you do it too?'

Harry stopped in his tracks at her question. Closing his eyes shortly, he put his mind to where it was calling, to where the person beyond the lids could read each of his emotions. A similar urge to be near Hayley pulled him towards her. Harry opened his eyes, finding that he had finished walking the length of the distance marking them apart. Now standing directly in front of her.

'Yes.'

"I can hear you," she said, her voice shaking with the weight of her words.

"As can I," he replied, pulling her into his arms as he saw new tears making their way into her already red glossed depths.

"Why is this happening? I – I don't understand. How come I can't hear Hermione and Ron? Why just you?"

Harry pulled Hayley away from him, trying to wipe every expression lingering to his face and appear it to be evaporated into a plain expression as she stared at him.

"Hayley," he began, a sudden jolt entering his stomach. "I think it's time you knew something…"

Hayley didn't say anything as Harry pulled her away completely from him, she only stared confused for a moment, but anxiety filled the hole as the thought entered her mind. Could this be her answer? Maybe to Will and Jane? Did Harry know more then he was letting on?

"Hayley," Harry began, keeping eye contact only on her; his voice a casual, calm tone. "I don't know how you tell you this –"

"Does it really take this long to explain a theory of Transfiguration, Potter?" Professor McGonagall stern voice cut through the corridor.

Harry and Hayley separated from one another, Hayley kept her gaze down, trying to avoid McGonagall's cautious stare looking over her. Harry on the other hand, kept his head up, staring the Professor straight into her face. He felt a surge of power flow through his body. He recognized the look the Professor was giving him; he had seen it being directed at him more than once. Harry had the upper hand here and judging from the auspicious look McGonagall's was giving him, she knew it too. Harry knew, and surely the others would to, the game was up, the lies were done and the truth would surely be out. Harry had no doubt about it; it was the second time McGonagall had caught him on the verge of telling her everything, and one day Harry knew she wouldn't be there to stop him.

"Get in the classroom, Potter – Glenwood, you too."

Harry walked ahead, Hayley following closely behind him, he could hear her feet scrapping across the floor, telling him she needed that answer just as badly as he needed to reveal it. Harry tried to avoid Hermione's wary look as he passed her and sat beside Ron, Hayley next to Hermione in front of them. Sulking in her chair and paying not the least bit of attention to McGonagall. Suddenly, an idea came to Harry. He sat up in his chair, keeping a vigilant watch on the back of Hayley's neck. McGonagall couldn't read minds, now could she?

Harry closed his eyes tightly, focusing on the words brewing from his mind and waiting to be released into the figure in front of him.

'Later, when we're alone.'


Hayley brought her head up in a fast motion, glancing a quick look at McGonagall, she turned her head behind her. When their eyes met, Harry had no doubt she had heard him, the look portraying her face was clearly identifiable not to distinguish that she hadn't heard him.

"What's going on between you two?" Ron whispered into his ear. Harry turned his head to face him, he couldn't tell him, not just yet.

"We just came to a compromise, is all."

Ron dropped the subject from there on, though whether it was because he wasn't convinced or he just didn't care, Harry didn't know. The rest of the period seemed to pass in a blur for Harry, the resistance not to connect with Hayley was persisting, but he knew McGonagall would suspect something if both of them had their eyes closed and their faces scrunched up. The risk wasn't worth taking. It didn't help matters when Hermione kept throwing him glances and then turning away like she hadn't done anything of the sort. Keeping something from Ron was one thing, but Hermione would find out somehow, and the time to tell both of them what had occurred in the corridor was drawing to a close.

When the bell had rung, Harry gathered his books and stuffed them into his bag hotly, hoping the rest of the day would pass by in a haze. He didn't need this weight upon him when he headed off to Hagrids at seven tonight.

..............................................................................

Hayley sat within the dormitory, trying to concentrate on her charm's homework, but only found the words washing over her and bringing with it, a fresh new wave of tired and soreness to her body.

If the result of this day could end, Hayley would have liked it to end it with a good nights worth of sleep. It had dawned on her, that after Transfiguration, her mind would be as worthless to learning as it would have been if she were asleep. Her concentration kept wandering off into a world that consisted nothing of her schoolwork, and her eyes kept glancing themselves at Harry every chance she could take.

Why was this happening? Was it some unknown theory waiting to be exposed? Something such as a mind connection, Hayley realized, probably wasn't an accuracy you come across everyday. Hayley could remember Mrs. Kenbreak teaching the subject to her and suddenly found the option of cursing herself for not of having paid more attention to her former Professor, more obtainable than ever. Every option crossed Hayley's mind, was it just a coincidence they shared the same scar, or the new fact they could communicate telepathic?

A scream outside the door brought Hayley out of her constant reverie. Standing up, she was unaware of how anesthetized her body felt at the moment. Hayley glanced at the clock and sighed when the numbers met her gaze, which in turn, she didn't find much of a surprise, being as she had been staring at the clock for over ten minutes now.

7:13 PM

Hayley sighed once more as Harry returned to her thoughts. The mantra he kept insuring upon himself to not look at her in class was slowing wearing off. Hayley knew he could see the anxious looks that were shot at him four times a class period. Throwing her books bag into her bag, Hayley stood from her bed and began walking towards the common room. Surely where Hermione and Ron would still be doing homework, and hopefully Harry had already left for his detention.

"Finished your homework?" Hermione asked, glancing at her as Hayley stepped out of the door.

"Nearly. I'm having a bit of a snag with Charms though," she replied, throwing her bag on the floor and sitting down next to Ron on the couch.

"That's perfect then. I need to go and read on the Poly Juice Potion. Ron needs to look up something for Divination and you with Charms, so we can all go together then."

"Not so much bonding is relating to doing homework Hermione," mumbled Ron, shutting his book and placing it in his bag.

"What time did Harry leave for Hagrids?" asked Hayley, unaware of how fast her voice spoke the words or how contemptuous it must have sounded with the subject of homework.

"'Bout twenty minutes ago. C'mon now, lets go then before it closes."

As Hayley bent over to retrieve her bag, Ron leaned in towards her direction.

"What," she asked at the concern portrayal coming from his face.

"Nothing –you alright? You seem a bit distracted."

"I'm fine, Ron." Hayley smiled at him as she said this, "just a bit tired, is all."

Walking out of the Portrait, Hayley could feel Hermione's eyes on her, but tried to make her face seem un-intimidated by the brown gaze crossing over her. Hayley hoped the trip to the library or the piles of homework that was due to be finished would help smooth her mind over. She needed to see Harry, but homework would unquestionably pass the time, and then they could be alone. That's all she needed now, that's all she was waiting for. Everything else could wait, she needed her questions filled, and she knew Harry held the answers to those questions.

..............................................................................

A sharp pain stretched along the outer layer of skin. The spot itself turning a dull crimson color as the wound seized its capture over the remaining pain. Harry groaned as he pulled the thorn from his hand, already spotting several opened flesh wounds along his hand from their other former greeters.

"Watch out for them thorns now 'arry," said Hagrid, watching from afar as Harry pulled; yet, another thorn from his hand.

Harry tried to hold a civil look upon his face as he reached down and grasped another weed vine, pulling it out with one sharp movement of his wrist.

When Harry had thought this detention would go by smoothly and calm, he had been exceedingly wrong. His hand had already endured enough thorns; he could have sworn the area was dead numb to this point. Hagrid had put him to work pulling weeds that had been growing from the limited land around his cabin that were permitted to him. But unfortunately they had been growing overly large; therefore as punishment for his detention, it was Harry's job to pull all, if not, most of them up.

"So -- no problems with Hayley now, I presume," asked Hagrid, his beady eyes pouring over Harry under the night sky.

"Problems – er no, not really," said Harry, grasping the end of the vine and pulling it up sharply, inhaling a sharp breath as he felt the needles puncture his skin.

"Always nice to hear," Hagrid said, his voice still holding the concern shinning through his eyes. Harry couldn't help but think that these questions weren't out of concern, but also curiosity of another straining soul. He knew better than to think Dumbledore would set Hagrid up to the job of watching over him and his sister, but with Dumbledore's mysterious actions this past month, it could be anything resorting to that.

Time seemed to be passing slowly as the detention aged on, the stars becoming so bright outside, Harry felt as if millions of eyes were staring down upon him; two pairs in particular he knew never left his side. Finally, Hagrid released him from the dutiful job he was sentenced to, and sent him back up to the castle to nurture his hand and a promise to greet Ron, Hermione, and Hayley from him.

Harry tired not to delve on the thought of his bed awaiting him just a few stairs away, knowing that if he gave into the tiredness his body was aching for, his pile of homework would be left uncompleted and also the groaning knowledge of his stomach's present hunger pushed away the present tiredness. He turned down a corridor and decided instead to head towards the library. Knowing Hermione would have already set the whip on Hayley to complete her absent work and batter Ron for his 'condensed work,' or as she put it.

Harry walked on and not before long, found himself standing outside the library doors. Slowing stepping inside, he moved passed the threshold and began scanning for any signs of voices or familiar features.

"…You think Harry would've been done by now."

"It's only been a few hours Ron."

Harry smiled to himself as he spotted Ron and Hermione standing near the end of the bookshelf, Ron sitting upon the shelf while Hermione seemed to be scanning the numerous books. Ron, maybe feeling a new presence upon them, glanced up away from the book in his lap. "Oy! How long have you been standing there?" he said, giving Harry a quirked smile.

"Not long, just came in actually. What're two doing back here?"

"I'm searching for a book for Hayley," said Hermione, her tone seemed a bit stressed tonight than usual. Even through it, Harry couldn't help but stare at her features and notice how cute she looked with her hair pulled back and her eyebrows knitted together, thoughtfully.

Jumping from the table, Ron set the book down and began walking passed Harry, mumbling on his way, "Maybe I should go check on Hayley."

"Hey you," said Harry, glancing around for any signs of intruding eyes or ears.

Hermione exhaled a deep sigh and set the pile of books down beside her. She turned her eyes towards Harry, and there he got a clear view of her exhausted body.

"Hey," she responded, walking slowly up to him and leaning against him.

"Hermione, why are looking for Hayley's books? Isn't that her job?" Harry whispered into her hair.

"She is! I was just helping – oh what in the world happened to your hands?" Hermione grabbed after his forearm and holding it up to the light, she carefully looked over them. She concentrated over his wounds for a small while, and then letting his arm fall, she gave Harry a perturbed look.

"Detention -- just one of Hagrid's jobs. It's no big deal," he said, shrugging his shoulders defensively.

"I'll give you some murtlap tentacles when we get back," she responded, her tone holding no room for any argument. Not that Harry would've mind spending more time with her after school hours alone. "C'mon, lets go see how Hayley and Ron are doing."

Suddenly, he could feel his stomach's vines start to twist and turn inside him, Harry glanced up to make sure he had heard right. See Hayley? The thought seemed ambiguous, yet Harry found a sudden urge to see her, to communicate with her – if that's how you call it. Would tonight be the night Hayley could look at him and know the green eyes and the raven hair weren't all just a small coincidence? That the people she once called 'mummy' and 'daddy' were isolating her from the truth?

Harry held his breath as he turned the corner behind Hermione, trying to keep his eyes in one gaze point as he walked.

"Oh Harry! I forgot to tell you. We brought your school bag along with us, in case you'd like to get some work done also," said Hermione, pushing the bag across the table.

"Thanks love," Harry responded, smiling at her for the thought, but not exactly finding the gesture a longing desire.

"Hey Hermione," called a familiar voice. "Is the Potion section over here?"

Harry glanced up right as Hayley turned the corner, he could feel his heart starting to pound, as she too, looked up and their eyes met. He could already feel the connection pulling him closer to her; all the symptoms rushing back to him, the need to protect her, tell her the truth, just to be able to release the secret in one breath.

"Hello Harry," she said, her voice small and her eyes gazed to the floor from his straining eyes. Harry could see the tingle of crimson spreading through her cheeks.

"Ron," spoke Hermione, observing the scene before her with an uncomfortable posture. "Come help me find this book for our Potions assignment."

"But Hermione I have to finish this –"

"Now, Ron!"

Ron jumped from his chair, shooting Hermione a quirked look before setting down towards the Potions section of the library, Hermione following close behind him.

"So er – how was detention?" asked Hayley, nervously twirling her wand in her hand.

"It was alright," responded Harry in an un-convincing tone, pushing his hands behind his back to hid the covering lie.

A discomforted silence fell over the two. Harry could just barely see Hayley out of the corner of his eye, twirling the wooden wand in her hands, carefully trying to focus on it more than at Harry.

"Is homework coming along nicely?" he asked, closely staring at her. She couldn't seem to muster the strength to look directly back at him.

"It's coming along, but I don't know about nicely," she sighed.

Harry silently nodded his head, not really knowing what other gesture to expose to her.

"Harry I –" Hayley began, but quickly closed her mouth as she spotted Ron and Hermione making their way around the corner once more, and back to their seat.

The two glanced up at Ron, as he threw his book down on the table, an exhausted, long drawn out sigh following after. Hermione, seeming not to take attention towards this, sat down quietly and began examining through more books. Both Harry and Hayley looked towards one another, but quickly dropped the subject from thereon.

"This is completely rubbish!" mumbled Ron, throwing his quill down onto his parchment after a few minutes. A frustrated expression lingering tightly to his freckled face. "Hermione, what do you say we just call it a day and go back to the common room? Or better yet, down to the kitchens for some late night snacks?"

Even Hermione seemed to find the idea craving, she sighed, gently closing one of the numerous books stacked up beside her. "Well," she began, her eyes holding consideration. "Alright, I can't seem to concentrate anymore either."

"Harry? Hayley? You both coming?" asked Ron, hotly shoving his books back into his bag.

"Yeah," said Harry, standing up along with Hermione. "Hayley?" asked Ron again.

"You three go on. I'm going to stay here and try to finish up a bit."

"Okay, meet us back in the common room then," said Hermione. Hayley nodded to her, taking a glimpse at Harry's retreating form as the trio began heading for the door. Hayley didn't bother looking up again, until she heard the soft wooden oak close softly behind them, she sighed.

She brought the book back to her eye level, letting the text wash over her eyes, but finding the words as useless and incoherent then it would have been if she had been reading it in a foreign language. 'Harry,' her mind told her. The mind block becoming worse as she reflected on the thought more. There had to be something. Just something she didn't understand. It couldn't be an everyday occurrence to suddenly become telepathic with someone. Hayley glanced up towards the ceiling; willing trying to think passed Harry for just a few justified moments. That's when it suddenly hit her. A library. She was in a library full of books; there couldn't be any doubt that not one of them held the answers to her lost questions.

Feeling her heart launch into her throat, in a hustle, she stood up from her chair, but before she could rush down to the first isle she could reach, both her thighs slammed into the table out of clumsiness. Hayley cursed loudly, letting the numb pain rush to her legs. She stepped away from the table, but once again before she could take a step to the nearest isle, she spotted something on the floor just beside of where she had just hit.

'Harry's bag?'

Why would Harry have left it here with her? Surely he would have remembered to have taken it with him?

Hayley bent to pick the bag up off the floor, upon lifting it off the ground, three new objects fell from within the leather carrier. "Oh bloody hell," Hayley muttered, picturing exactly what in all hells fire Harry would do if he caught her doing this. She got to the floor and grabbed the three items, standing up once more, she set them on the table beside the bag, noticing the first item to be a book and the other, an outside reading. But before she could turn away, the third item caught her eye.

Hayley glanced around her surroundings, confident that she was the only soul left in the library for the night; she pulled the paper out of its place of the stack, her heart stopping almost instantly as the image on the front page fully met her gaze. The baby boy, her mind spoke on instinct. Her throat suddenly feeling a bit parched in the abrupt moment. In such a daze, Hayley didn't even notice when the title had met her eyesight, the large bold almost felt blinding to her rather then the picture on the bottom.

THE GIFT OF A HERO BUT AT THE LOSS OF HIS FAMILY

She slowly pulled the chair back out from behind her, once she sat down, she allowed her eyes to flow further along the text, the words washing over her eyes, her breath coming out in gasps, her emerald orbs pouring down the paper…

The only distant echo heard throughout the entire library was the soft sound of paper falling to the floor -- raced steps running over the wooden surface -- the soft snap of wood as the oak door shut, Hayley, running out of the library.

..............................................................................

Harry, Ron, and Hermoine gradually walked through the corridors. Harry and Hermione hand in hand, while Ron chatted on about the new prefects meeting him and Hermione had to attend early last night.

"…Honestly, I think Dumbledore's letting on about a dance this June –"

"Ron!" snapped Hermione, leaning passed Harry to glare at him. "You know that's only the prefect's business!"

"Oh Hermione stop ranting. I'm only telling Harry for Merlin's sake!"

"I don't care if you tell Harry, but before long, the entire school will know…"

Harry slipped out of their bickering clash and let his mind began to wander – wander back to Hayley in the library. Picturing what she might be doing at that very moment, or what she maybe was thinking? Harry sighed. He knew he wouldn't be able to connect to her with Ron and Hermione around. Though, through their bickering battle, he doubted if his concentration would have allowed him to anyhow. Something sharp and painful slammed into his leg at that moment, and upon looking down, found it to be Hermione's brown leather bag.

Harry stopped in his tracks, suddenly realizing at loss with something. Glancing around everywhere on his body for the exact same strap that should've been hanging off his shoulder.

"Ron I swear you're impossible – Harry? What's wrong?" asked Hermione, stopping with a curious expression on her face.

"My bag. I think I left it at the library unless one of you two grabbed it?" He ran up and down their bodies with his vision, but neither seemed to of had it.

"No, I thought you grabbed it, mate?" said Ron.

"I'll have to go back and get it, you two go on ahead and I'll meet you there."

"Okay," they both chanted in unison.

Harry turned back and began following his tracks back to the library, hoping that when he entered, Hayley would be in another isle looking for books. He didn't want to imagine running into her while she was still sitting down and working at the table…

..............................................................................

Hayley felt the cramp in her side crunch further into a painful resistance, but she, for no reason at all, was willing to stop due to some little pain. Her heart raced against her body, her feet slammed against the floor, echo's ringing off the walls and meeting her ears as she raced down the corridor…

.............................................................................

Harry sighed to himself once more, how could he have been so involved at watching Hayley then to have grabbed his bag?

He could hear the distant echo of something – sounded almost like shoes – slamming into a rhythm against the floor. He shook it off, probably one of the first years playing tag with one another in the corridors, he thought as he kept walking…

..............................................................................

'C'mon, c'mon they have to be here somewhere!'

Hayley turned down the corridor and began running as fast as her legs would carry her. Her breathing was beginning to come out in harsh gasps, but she refused to stop. Her mind wouldn't seem to allow it, not with the influence to keep moving. Hayley looked up in time just as a new corner was approaching her. Her legs consciously speeding up towards it…

..............................................................................

Harry felt his legs gaining speed, yet he couldn't figure out why, or even what was driving them to expand his distance faster to the library. He couldn't help but glance around as the echoing steps of feet began to come closer and closer to him. It sounded no more then one pair of shoes, but awfully fast shoes at that.

He stared at the corner ahead of him and the more his eyes gazed upon it, he found his body moving faster to it. Suddenly, he was no longer walking fast towards it, but felt his legs and body break out into a run, his breath becoming soft gasps as he pushed his legs further along the pavement floor, his own steps now greeting him with soft echo's.

Harry pushed himself harder down the corridor. The corner, only a few more steps away, a few more effortless steps away…

..............................................................................

Hayley pushed harder, the corner, coming so close. The ache in her side suddenly turning the entire right side of her stomach numb. Nothing that Hayley was willing to surrender to. She inhaled a hard breath, her feet turning the corner…

..............................................................................

Harry felt his breath now hitching to a point of hard gasps as he turned the corner…

SLAM!

Coming upon such a force, Hayley's entire body flew to the floor as she collided with something -- or someone. Upon hitting the floor, Hayley felt her head crash into the hard surface, everything around her looked to be spinning…

"Hey why don't you bloody watch oh -- Hayley!"

Hayley glanced up at the voice announcing her name, and suddenly the pain in her head seemed to have subsided, she could feel her heart lunge into her throat with a huge leap.

"What're you doing? I thought you were still in the library?" asked Harry, rubbing his own head and straightening his glasses from the askew position they had fallen into as he hit the floor.

Hayley stared up at Harry, no longer being able to speak, no longer being able find words to express herself. She could feel his eyes pouring into her, over her, yet she still couldn't seem to move.

"Hayley, are you alright?"

Impulsively, she found her voice, but as coherent as it sounded in her head, she didn't know if he'd be able understand the mumbles. "Yeah, yeah. I'm – fine."

"You sure?" Harry asked again, reaching his hand out to her. Hayley gradually accepted it. The skin contact between them sending her heart into a beating rapid. She was almost sure Harry could hear it.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she repeated, still finding herself gazing deeply into his face, seeing him entirely in a new light.

"Well if you're done, Ron and Hermione are going to the kitchens right 'bout now for some snacks. I'll meet you guys there in a second."

Hayley nodded, watching as he began walking reverse from where she had just came from. Almost on instinct, Hayley knew she couldn't let him go. She knew if he turned down that corridor, she felt she might lose him -- lose the answers she needed. Her heart began thumping against her rib cage. Harry was now to far to take a chance in hearing her mumble, but he was still very close in hearing a thought. Hayley closed her eyes tightly and began desperately thinking…connecting to him…trying to bring him closer to her…

'I'm fine…brother…'

Hayley opened her eyes and watched as Harry came to a sudden halt. Hayley held her breath as he turned to face her very slowly. An ashen pale color hugging his face, his eyes wide as saucers, but this time, Hayley felt secure staring at the pools of emerald at this distance.

"W-what did you just say?" His voice was cracked and barely audible through his fast breathing.

Hayley could no longer take the distance separating them, a wall similar to everything else that had been holding them apart. She ran to Harry, throwing her arms around his neck and burying her head into the fabric of his uniform, tears grazing her eyes, holding him, grasping him to her as if her last breath depended on it.

Harry could hardly keep balance with Hayley's crushing weight on him. His mind felt an entire blur. He couldn't keep one emotion apart from the other. Harry only wanted to take Hayley, hold her, protect her, tell her everything of her real family, let no harm ever come near them, no one could stop them now, no one ever would.

The sudden harsh gasp of Hayley's hard breathing muffled with her cries and rapid breath were echoing back to him off the walls. Harry knew he had to take her somewhere, just the two of them, where no one would find them for a few hours. Glancing around his surroundings, Harry spotted a broom closet a few feet off from his left. He pulled Hayley back from him and gently took her forearm, leading her towards the closet. Upon opening it, Hayley went in first. Harry pulled out his wand and muttered a silencing charm around the cubic center, locking the door shut afterwards with the strongest spell he knew.

He the muttered a small lumos, setting his wand on the ground as he turned back to Hayley. The light glistened and danced off the salty tracks running from her face, she looked so small of someone who had experienced so much as she, these past few weeks.

"The raven hair, the green eyes, it all makes sense now," she quietly mumbled to herself.

Harry didn't feel the need to know how she had figured this out, morning would be enough for that. His only wish now was to do something he's wanted to do since he first found out of her.

He slowly pulled her into his arms, allowing her to do the same with him. It only took a few more seconds till Harry felt, once again, her warm rapid breath on his neck, new tears grazing her eyes, down her crimson cheeks. Harry backed himself up into the wall, pushing some left over rubbish away from the ground, allowing them more room to sit. He gently allowed Hayley and himself slide down to the floor in each other's arms.

Morning would come soon, but Harry only wanted this moment now. His bag left forgotten in the library, Ron and Hermione awaiting him in the kitchens -- none of it seemed to matter at the moment.

It wasn't until the small tear touched Harry's eye that he realized Hayley's breath had died to a regular pace of breathing against his neck. Allowing the tear to fall down his cheek, Harry felt his eyes close, sleep gathering its victim in a peaceful rest…

I am terribly sorry this chapter took me almost six months to get typed. A lot of things have happened since Christmas, and I just couldn't find the time. But now that summer is here, I promise to keep the chapters updated as quickly as I can. I'm not sure about once every week, but I will absolutely try my best. I want to thank you all for not entirely killing me, or giving up on me through these six weeks. You all urged me on and kept sending me e-mails and I appreciate it so much. Thank you!

Thank you Sandy for all your help!