Chapter 24: Twist of Faith

Amelia walked into the common room feeling somewhat better about everything that was happening around her. Her life was really changing now that she was at Hogwarts and though it seemed like a really scary thing she was confident that eventually things would get better. She did have very good friends that she loved very dearly and very trustworthy people that she new she could look to if ever she needed the help. She walked though the passage entering the common room and was greeted by a very worried group of friends. Harry and Dominic nearly tripped over each other as they rushed to her.

"What happened with Snape?" Harry asked as he reach Amelia first.

"Nothing," she said, "he didn't take any points away from Gryffindor, if that's what you mean."

Harry looked back at Ron and Hermione stunned by the news that Snape didn't take points away. He always took points away any chance he would get.

"We have been freaking out about you," Hermione said as she handed Amelia five sheets of parchment that had writing on both sides, "we have found out a lot about the Phoenix and the Double Wands and everything makes so much sense now."

"Yeah I came looking for you and could find you anywhere, then I came back and got the map and by that time the map showed that Snape had already gotten to you," Harry said.

Amelia smiled at Harry then turned back to Hermione, "I know we are on the right track, Snape told me the truth about everything that concerns the Phoenix and mom," she said holding the parchment close to her heart.

"You told Snape what we were doing? Are you Crazy? We are totally dead for sure now!" Dominic yelled, "how could you give away such valuable information to the enemy?"

"He's not our enemy, we don't have to worry about Snape," Amelia said angrily, "Voldimort is the one you should be worried about."

"Now you are taking his side, you are as stupid as mom for trusting a slytherin. Amelia the man is evil and you know that!"Dominic yelled louder.

"Oh here we go again," Ron said as he pulled out his wand, "should I try a silencing charm on him?" he asked Hermione.

"No," she said pushing his wand away, "just let them go."

"He's not a death eater anymore and he already knew everything that we have been trying to find out," Amelia said trying to keep her calm.

"I can't believe this," Dominic was furious, "you are worse than mom, why don't you just go to Voldimort now and tell him all of the secrets as well, better yet, why don't you just take Harry by the hand and lead him right into the lap of the dark lord. That's an even better idea you stupid woman. Now that you have told Snape all of our secrets you may as well just do that!" he yelled.

"Dominic you are over reacting, Snape isn't going to go to Voldimort," Amelia said as she sunk onto a couch and tried not to freak out.

"What do you love him now, big crush on the prof Amelia? That Slytherin friend of your has got you brain washed to the dark side hasn't he?" Dominic yelled.

"At least professor Snape as been honest, unlike you Dominic, running around spying on me. If that's how Gryffindor's act then maybe I should be a Slytherin!" Amelia finally had lost it, "and furthermore you are the only one in this place that is feeling like Snape is the bad guy. Just because you don't like him and he's a hard teacher doesn't mean that he is evil. He isn't like that. And you, you have the nerve to yell at me when you are the one sneaking around breaking rule and freaking out. You are more a Slytherin than anyone here!" she screamed.

"Oh yeah Amelia way to hit below the belt and open old wounds," Dominic shouted as he glared at his sister.

"You started all of this don't blame it on me," Amelia said glaring back.

"You know what, I don't have time for this bull shit anymore Amelia. From now on you're on your own. I don't care what happens to you, or who you make friends with. I am cutting myself off from you. Don't ever ask me for my help again," Dominic was fuming, he turned to leave for the boys dormitories.

"I don't need your help anymore Dominic I am a big girl," Amelia said under her breath.

"I heard that," he yelled and disappeared into the stairs.

Amelia stomped her feet on the floor and clenched her fist till her fingernails cut her skin and her hands began to bleed. When she had calmed down she realised what she had done and rushed to grab some tissues.

"Amelia are you ok?" Harry asked with a very concerned tone.

"Yes," she said shortly.

"Did Snape say anything else useful about our cause?" Hermione finally asked as she took out a quill and another piece of parchment ready for any added information.

"No, just that we are all safe at Hogwarts. The people that have to know about the secret know and have taken the steps to protecting mom and the bird. My family will be in danger until the day that the dark lord is gone for good. Its just something that we are going to have to learn to live with and there are lots of people around here that have devoted their lives to helping that cause," Amelia said, "I was really freaked out by the realisation of what was really happening around me but now that I know we know the truth about the Phoenix and the Double Wands I feel better and more prepared to face the situation should it arise."

"Alright," Hermione smiled, "I think that has been enough for one night. Tomorrow is another day and we should all get our rest for the Hogsmade trip tomorrow," she said as she walked toward the stairs, "are you coming Amelia?" she asked.

"I think I will stay here for a bit, to many things going on in my head I need to clear my mind before I go to bed," Amelia said as she sank deeper into the couch in front of the warm fire of the common room.

"I think you are right Hermione," Ron said as he too ran off to bed.

Amelia was left alone in the common room with Harry. Amelia stared blankly into the fire as Harry sat beside her. There was a long silence before anyone spoke again.

"Do you really trust him?" Harry asked as he took Amelia's hand.

"Right now, Harry, I think my idea of trust and safety are very clouded. What I think they should be are not what they are," she sighed sadly, "I do think I trust him as much as I trust you and Ron and Hermione."

"What about Dominic," Harry asked.

"I am scared for Dominic right now," Amelia sighed, "he's to passionate about this. It is out of his control and he can't stand that and its making him wild with anger and fear. I don't know how to get through to him that he can't control everything and I fear that if he doesn't start to control his passion soon it could mean greater devastation for all of us then confiding in Snape."

"I think you are right," Harry sighed as he squeezed her hand, "what happened down there tonight?"

Amelia opened her mind to Harry and all the events that happened after Snape had found her, the talk they had and the confidence she found in him. Harry saw the compassion and fear in his eyes as he looked down at Amelia and the softness in his speech. Playing back the events Amelia began to cry again and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. He watched until Amelia had showed him the whole conversation and the promise Snape made to her. She didn't want to show anything of the orb because she didn't understand it herself and it scared her a little. She would wait to hear what Dumbledore said about anything before sharing it with her friends. Amelia cried softly into Harry's shoulder. He listened to her, his heart filled with fear and compassion for this pour girl.

"I think you are right about professor Snape," Harry said finally as he held Amelia's hand, "he has only good intentions for you and I think he wishes he could be something more for you. He loves your mother very much, its obvious, I think he wishes he could protect you like a father."

"I felt safer tonight with him than I ever have felt, even when I knew my father," Amelia whispered, "I don't mean to upset you Harry, but I know that should we ever step outside of Hogwarts I could never be safe with you," she said as tears rolled down her face and she looked deeply into his eyes, "just stay here, in this place with me forever and let the dark lord die in his own time," she whispered.

"I can't do that," Harry sighed, "you know that the prophecies state I have to face him for anything to happen."

Amelia squeezed his hand tighter, "do you think you would have a chance against him if he got a hold of the bird?" she asked fearfully.

"No," Harry said softly, "we'd all be doomed if it happened. Everything would be left in Dumbledore's hands then."

"Are you afraid to die, Harry?" Amelia asked.

"Not really anymore," Harry said calmly, "I am more afraid for everyone else. If everything they think is true, and I still fail what will happen to everyone?"

"That's to much for one person to carry," Amelia whispered.

"I've carried it all my life, it makes me who I am," Harry said feeling very comfortable talking to this girl about things that he had only kept to himself.

"I believe in you Harry," she whispered even softer.

"Thank you," Harry smiled as he noticed that she was drifting off to sleep. He decided that it would be best not to wake her and he rested his head on the back of the sofa and drifted off himself.

Morning came quickly to Hogwarts. Harry awoke to the light of the brilliant sun pouring into the windows of the common room. Amelia had pulled her school cloak close around her as a blanket but she still clung to Harry's hand. He smiled at her as he gave her a little nudge, "Amelia, its morning, wake up," he said with a laugh.

"Oh my gosh," Amelia said a little startled, "why did you let me fall asleep like that?"

"Cause I couldn't bring myself to wake you," he laughed.

Amelia looked at her watch in a panic and realised it was still only very early in the morning. She stood up from the sofa and smiled at Harry, "we could still get three more hours of sleep, its only five in the morning, the sun has only just started to rise. If Hermione wakes to find that I didn't come to bed she might worry even more. I should go up there," she said and ran for the stairs, "you'd be wise to do the same Harry, we have a big day today."

Harry laughed as he walked to were she was standing and looked up the opposite flight of stairs, "you're probably right, Dominic will be very angry should he know that I spent the night by your side when he is so angry for god only knows what reason."

Amelia giggled a little bit but was still angry with her brother, "I will see you in a few hours Harry, meet me for breakfast and please don't say anything to Dominic if he asks. He needs some time to think himself."

"I wont," Harry said with a smile and a wave and they both ran up the stairs.

Harry found it very hard to fall back to sleep. He laid in his bed wide awake and stared at the curtain that covered the window. He waited another hour till his bedside clock read six then pulled himself out of bed again. He dressed in clean cloths and pulled on another school robe on and headed back into the common room of Gryffindor tower. No one was in the tower yet so he continued on out of the common room and into the hall of the castle. He found himself wandering toward Mrs. Cross' class room. He stopped as he watched to door open and Belinda stepped out.

"Oh Harry," she said with a smile as she spotted him, "you are awake early dear. Did you not sleep well?"

"Not really professor," he said with a sigh, "to many things going through my mind."

"You should be practising to free your mind dear," she smiled, "is it not working?"

"Oh it is, Amelia and Dominic have been a great help but I guess now the things I once worried about are at the back of my mind and I feel more worry for other things. Like Amelia," he said before he realised he had said it.

"Are you worried about her hanging out with Draco Malfoy," Belinda grinned.

"Its partly that I guess," Harry said.

"And what else?" she asked.

"Amelia and Dominic have been fighting a lot," Harry said as he looked at his hands, "again last night and Dominic said some really hurtful things and still Amelia worries about him and his temper more than anything else."

"Oh, Harry," Belinda laughed, "those two fight like cats and dogs. One minute they will be screaming and the next they are best friends."

"I don't know if it will be that simple this time," Harry sighed, "Dominic told Amelia that he was cutting her out of his life."

"He does that once a month," Belinda laughed, "normally he doesn't say it out loud but he knows that, that's the best way to get at Amelia's heart. Dominic loves his sister far to much to ever really mean it. He just needs to calm down, I think there are to many things that he is learning about our family that really scare him and I am sure he will be spending every second he has trying to make sense of things. I am sure that he has probably developed many ideas as to why things are so dangerous and before he will say he's afraid he will act like he's angry and he normally will take it out on Amelia. He'll come around," she said with a smile.

"I hope you are right," Harry said.

"Trust me," Belinda smiled, "they'll be friends again by this afternoon," she said as she waved to him and headed off in another direction.

Harry sighed to himself and continued on. He should be happy about the day, it was a Hogsmade trip day and yet he felt a looming presence. Something was wrong but he didn't know what. Students began to fill the halls. Noise came from the great hall as the breakfast was already being set out and owls began to fly through the school. The mail was arriving. Harry rushed off with another group of Gryffindor's to grab some breakfast. It wasn't long before Hermione and Amelia were with him at the table. Light chatter was filling the hall about the afternoon trip to the city. Amelia was all smiles as she sat down, her books in one arm.

"Good morning Harry," she said as she smiled and winked at him.

"Morning," Harry said to both Amelia and Hermione.

Hermione was quick to catch her copy of the Daily Profit and busy herself with reading it. Amelia took a small bit of food and looked strangely at the now very quiet Harry.

"is something wrong?" she asked him.

"No," he said with a sigh, "just a weird feeling like something is going to happen."

"Maybe we'll get our marks back from the last potions test today," Amelia said enthusiastically, "or maybe a new store has opened in Hogsmade. Or maybe a new broom has been released that we can ogle it when we go to town."

Harry laughed at her excitement for the day, "I will be ogling brooms all day, you have a date with Malfoy," he teased.

"Its not a date," Amelia said as she playfully kicked him under the table, "its just friends going out. Call it an experiment, I want to see how dark wizards live. See if it is truly better on the dark side," she teased.

"Oh I am sure it is!" Harry laughed.

"Ok, what is going on between the two of you?" Hermione asked. They had not noticed her stop reading her paper and watch them play fight.

"Nothing," they both said together.

"Ha," Hermione laughed with a sarcastic tone.

"What, really," Harry said, "its nothing."

"Yeah Hermione, we're just playing," Amelia said as she saw Draco come into the great hall and wave for her to come to him, "I gotta run you guys, I will see you this afternoon when we get back from Hogsmade," she smiled and ran off.

"What is really going on?" Hermione asked again now that she was left alone with Harry.

"I have a really bad feeling about today," He said and didn't say another word all though breakfast.