A/N: Heya! Rock on people! The reviews are rolling in! Special thanks to Lil miss Potter, i think it was, who gave me the actual meaning of 'cat among the pixies.' I was close, and it still fits, which is a bonus! Im now going to announce the winner of the 500th reviewer contest. It was...RonMione4eva! She has won early viewing of 3 chapters, (which means shes already read this chapter and chapter 30, hehe) andher very own characterin the ball chapter! So back to now... This chapters a pretty long one, which is why i've not updated for a few days :( But enjoy, it's a good one! Nuff said! Now i'm going to go and do some reading. If you have any fanfics which i could read, just leave me the name in a review and i'll be glad to review them! All my best, Angel.

Chapter 29: Wet truths

(For Brooke...)

Harry stormed into the common room, with Erin at his heels. He sharply turned to face her once he'd reached the fireplace, and ran a stressed hand through his matted hair.

'So an explanation would be nice.' Erin said, sounding hassled. She stood facing Harry confidently, with her hands on her hips, and her long read hair tousled from flying.

'I don't know where to start.' Harry said, but it was like trying to speak underwater. Only a small whisper escaped his lips.

'Well who you are might be a good place.' Erin said, softening slightly at Harry's discomfort.

'I'm Harry James Potter, just not the one you know.' Harry explained, and Erin gave him a severe look.

'I don't like liars.' She replied, simply.

'But I'm not.' Harry exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air. 'I'm me. I'm not some random person pretending to be your brother. I'm not using polyjuice potion, I'm not inside his head. I'm myself, inside my own body. I'm just in the wrong place.'

'How is that possible?' Erin asked, taking a seat. 'Harry never had a twin, and we don't have any relations that resemble him so…'

Erin put a confused hand to her pale cheek, and Harry sat comfortingly beside her.

'Look, you've just got to trust me.' Harry said. 'Listen to what I have to say, then trust me. Who knows, maybe you could even help…'

Harry shifted uncomfortably, and Erin lifted her weary burly gaze to his eyes.

'So?' Two strong hazel eyes asked.

'I come from a different world.' Harry spoke slowly. 'A different universe, perhaps. The same time, the same place, but a different story.'

Harry lifted his tangled black fringe to bear a deep lightening scar. Erin raised a hand to her mouth in shock, and lifted the other as if to touch it.

'A scar like that…that can only be produced by a dark curse hitting you. I read about it in our library…' Erin stammered, before pulling herself together, and saying strongly: 'I'm ready to listen…'

Harry and Erin escaped to the astronomy tower before they were interrupted, and Harry found himself telling Erin everything, from the day he got his scar, to the day he found himself in this other world. Erin listened intently, and spoke very little. Harry wasn't even sure if she believed him or not.

'So that's how it is.' Harry said once he'd finished. 'Or how it was. I don't know how it is now.'

'Don't you want to go back?' Erin asked, looking concerned.

'So you do believe me?' Harry grinned, and Erin smiled in reply.

'Apparently so.'

Harry wiped his tired eyes, a million questions filtering through his brain, which only a sister could answer.

'So this Voldemort.' Erin said, with an unexpected shiver. 'Who is he? I mean, do you think he'll come here?'

'Theres a possibility.' Harry said, shifting his gaze across the floor. 'It depends whether the prophesy was created or not.'

'Right…So what's his real name? Voldemort isn't his fist name, surely?' Erin asked, brushing a strand of cinnamon hair behind her ear. Harry sat still.

'That's not important right now.' Harry said. 'You just have to trust me that I'm working everything out. If I tell you, It'll only worry you, and probably for no reason. If I find out he's coming back, you'll be the first to know.'

'Good.' Erin half smiled, looking a little more settled. 'So in your world, our parents died before I was even born?'

'Yes.' Harry hushed with a sigh, remembering what he'd forgotten to tell her. 'I never had any siblings, which was why I was so pleased when I met you. I always wanted a family. I grew up with our Aunt and Uncle, and our cousin Dudley, and they never treated me like family.'

'You mean our muggle Aunt and Uncle?' Erin asked in surprise, and Harry nodded. 'I've not seen them for years! They're awful! How did you survive?'

'I don't know.' Harry whispered, suddenly feeling self-conscious. 'I guess I was never treated with love, so I never missed it. I never got toys or treats, so I never expected them. I was lonely but I didn't know any different.'

'Oh Harry.' Erin said with an understanding gasp, and pulled Harry into a tight hug. 'You never played games or…had hobbies?'

'I was lucky if they remembered to feed me.' Harry chuckled, as Erin pulled away. 'My bedroom was the cupboard under the stairs, I had to do all the cooking and cleaning in the house. I went to school in Dudley's old clothes, and got picked on by Dudley's gang. I never had any friends.'

'That's madness!' Erin exclaimed. 'Ludicrous!'

'True.' Harry stated. 'I was pretty lonely until I got taken to Hogwarts and told I was a famous wizard.'

'Famous.' Erin laughed. 'Not that it's much difference here!'

Harry sighed wrapping his arms around himself, absorbed in his own little world, not listening to Erin at all.

'I can't remember mum and dad.' He said simply. 'Not at all. I don't know if I'll even recognize them.'

'Well if you don't, I'll point them out.' Erin smiled warmly. 'And you'll have plenty of time to get to know them over Christmas. Then, when we get back to school, I trust it will perhaps be time to tell Dumbledore your story.'

Harry looked up. It was as if she was reading his mind.

'Yeah.' He nodded wearily, picking himself up off the dusty ground. 'I'm so glad you believe me. I was worried that someone would figure it out, but you seem to understand.'

'Well that's because I've known for ages.' Erin explained, standing too. 'And about Hermione, Ron and Ginny.'

'What?' Harry asked. 'How'd you know about them too? I didn't mention it, I thought I…'

'No, no you didn't.' Erin insisted, trying to put Harry's mind at rest. 'But it's pretty obvious. Well to me at least.'

'I don't understand.' Harry said, rocking his head in his hands. 'How is it possible for you to guess that we're different. I didn't even know about Ginny till the other day.'

'Well I had a hunch.' Erin smiled. 'I've been thinking it over for a while. You, of course, are the most different, but you have reason to be. I mean, no doubt Hermione and Ron aren't under the same amount of stress as you.'

'What's that got do anything?' Harry asked, reaching for the doorknob.

'It's got to do with everything, Harry.' Erin chuckled. 'You surely don't think that I just thought this all up, do you? I just had a lucky guess? I'm not that smart Harry.'

'Well, then how did you know?' Harry questioned, feeling deprived.

'I can read auras.' Erin spoke clearly. 'You know, the thin mist of color which surrounds our bodies, and reflects how we feel. From the moment you got here I knew that you weren't my old brother. Your aura was so dark and dingy, and Harry's was always bright green or blue. So that's why I tried to question you. Just to be sure your aura wasn't playing tricks on me.'

'That's the only way you could tell?' Harry questioned, somewhat intrigued.

'That's the only way I needed.' Erin shrugged. 'I just noticed it, so I kept an eye on you. Aura's don't just change like that. Hermione and Ron's aura changes were more subtle, so I didn't pick up on them for a few weeks. It wasn't until I saw them together that I realized. People who are in love have much richer auras when they're together, and Hermione and Ron had nothing. Not until a few weeks ago.'

'You got this all from an aura?' Harry asked. 'You learnt this in Divination? Hermione will be horrified!'

'I do hope so!' Erin grinned. 'She doesn't understand Divination one bit! Her aura is one of the thinnest I've seen in a while.'

'And what about Ginny?' Harry asked eagerly. 'How did you know?'

'It took a while.' Erin admitted. 'She did a pretty good job being our Ginny. They're impossible to tell apart by mannerisms and looks. And Ginny's aura was so similar to my Ginny's. They both bear a deep purple.'

'Which means…?' Harry asked desperately.

'Unhappy, but somewhat content.' Erin said, with a thinking face. 'Often lonely too. Just generally unhappy. It's difficult to explain, you just know.'

'Why was your Ginny unhappy?' Harry asked, confused. 'She has everything. She's popular, rich, beautiful…carefree. What more can you want?'

'She wants love.' Erin said simply, casting her eyes away from Harry's.

'Wasn't the other Harry good enough?' Harry asked, grabbing Erin's arm and bringing her back to life. 'Harry always asked her out. He loved her.'

'Just not the way she wanted him too.' Erin sighed. 'He isn't like you, Harry. You're sweet, which is why your Ginny's falling for you.'

'No she's not.' Harry mumbled, kicking a stone across the ground.

'Believe what you want.' Erin smiled. 'I'm not going to try and persuade you.'

Harry strolled to the door again, and took the handle.

'So what colors my aura now?' Harry asked, testingly.

Erin paused for a moment, and gazed almost unnoticeable around the outside of Harry's head.

'A soft gray blue, and it's clearing.' Erin said lightly. 'I wish I could say the same for Dean.'

'Why? What's wrong with him?' Asked Harry.

'I wish I knew.' Erin said with a sigh and a shake of her head.

'Look, lets go to bed.' Harry directed. 'Can we meet tomorrow morning before Quidditch? I've got about a million things to ask you, but now's not the time. We need to go to bed, it's late.'

'You're so responsible.' Erin mocked, laughing. 'Keeping to the rules! A proper little hero. Dad would be so proud!'

The last remark hit Harry squarely in the heart, and he finally turned the door handle to reveal a foggy corridor.

'Come, Erin.' Harry muttered gruffly, and she followed.

A beautiful bright sky opened Sunday with a supple shower of rain. A gentle breeze graced the school grounds, as Harry trod towards the Quidditch pitch.

'Hey Harry!' A vibrant voice called from behind him.

Harry waited, and Erin ran to his side with a click of Quidditch boots.

'Hi.' He half smiled upon her arrival.

'Thought you were going without me.' Erin said, looking distantly across the grounds as they walked.

'Of course not.' Harry sighed, leading them across to a grassy stretch to the left of their destination.

'It's nice now the snow's gone.' Erin mumbled, towing the mud up with her left foot. 'Pretty unusual though. It usually keeps until Christmas. Still, it's better for Quidditch…'

'Erin?' Harry said, stopping dead still. 'What're mum and dad like? I mean, really like.'

'They're nice.' Erin smiled, elegaricly. 'Fun. Strict but fair.'

'No, I mean…' Harry stumbled, staring to walk again. 'Does mum cook? Does Dad play Quidditch with us? Do they help us with homework? Do they still love each other?'

'Mum cooks well.' Erin began. 'She can make all sorts cakes and cookies with sugar icing and sprinkles, which are wonderful. She cooks dinner, which we eat between 5 and 6, except for at the weekend, when Dad cooks.'

Erin took a seat upon a large rock and Harry followed suit, listening carefully to every word.

'Dad always takes us out to play Quidditch over Christmas.' Erin smiled. 'We've got a field out the back of our house where we play. And he's the one who taught you how to fly. They always help us with our homework. Mum wont give us the answers, but Dad often digs out old essays for us to copy. And yes, they love each other very much.'

Harry wiped a hand across his aching forehead, and heaved a sigh.

'They love you, Harry.' Erin said, putting a hand on his knee. 'Just wait until Christmas.'

'I'm going to have to.' Harry mused, standing up briskly.

'Anything else you want to know, in particular?' Erin asked. 'Mind you, you'll probably just pick things up as you go along.'

'I s'pose.' Harry said, starting absentmindedly towards the Quidditch pitch.

'I mean.' Erin said. 'I could try and tell you everything, but no doubt there'd be things that I'd miss.'

'Don't worry.' Harry mumbled, looking out at the Quidditch stadium.

'There's Dean!' Erin cheered, and Harry spotted him and Seamus going into the changing rooms.

'You really like him, don't you?' Harry asked, looking into Erin's sparkling eyes.

'Yeah.' Erin said, blushing. 'Things are going pretty good between us, I think.'

'You think?' Harry questioned.

'His auras been a little darker then usual over the past few days,' Erin explained, 'and sometimes when I speak to him, he seems a little…distant.'

'You should ask him what's on his mind.' Harry said.

'I will.' Erin chirped. 'As soon as I get the chance.'

'Good.' Harry stated, as they reached the changing rooms. 'Now lets get ready for the match.'

Rain began to pour, as the last few members of the team arrived.

'I am drenched!' Ron complained loudly, shaking the water off like a dog.

'Oh stop complaining.' Daisy said darkly, as she rung the water from her dusty blonde hair.

'I love the rain.' Ginny smiled, flicking her wet locks behind her. 'So refreshing.'

Ron and Daisy growled at her.

'Now now children.' Erin grinned, meeting Harry's eyes.

'Erin's right.' Harry chuckled. 'Go change before I give you your pointless team pep talk.'

The three wet ones trailed away, and Erin took a seat next to Dean.

'Perfect weather, eh?' Seamus sighed. 'We haven't had practice in rain like this before.'

'This is nothing.' Harry insisted, casting his eyes to the window. 'But we can still do it. We'll just have to try and make the game as short as possible.'

'You two!' Seamus exclaimed, after turning away from the window, and shielding his eyes.

Harry turned to see Erin and Dean pulling apart from a kiss.

'Do you have to do that in here?' Seamus said, before covering Harry's eyes. 'There are children in here!'

'Shut up Seamus!' Harry struggled, and Dean gave them a feeble laugh.

'All set?' Ginny questioned, fully dressed in her uniform.

'That was quick.' Harry pointed out with a smile. 'Someone's eager to fly.'

'Absolutely.' Ginny insisted, and Harry watched her smiling as she skipped away to the mirror. Erin shook her finger at him and gave him a knowing grin, before making her way over to Ginny.

'Erin.' Harry said in warning, trying to stop Erin's path, but she ignored him.

'Ginny, do you think you could do my hair for me?' Erin asked, teasing Harry. 'So that it wont get in my way during the match.'

'Sure.' Ginny said, putting down her own comb. 'I could put it into two French plaits.'

'Perfect.' Erin smiled, and the two approached the bench.

'I'll sit here.' Ginny said, taking a seat next to Harry. 'And you can sit on the floor in front of me.'

Erin did as was ordered, and Ginny began her hair.

'So Ginny.' Erin smiled, evilly. 'Have you ever sent a valentine to anyone?'

Harry cringed, remembering that he hadn't told the others about Erin, and suddenly wishing that he hadn't told Erin absolutely everything…

'No.' Ginny said quietly.

'Are you sure?' Erin asked, checking that Dean and Seamus were out of earshot. 'Not even when you were a first year?'

'Never.' Ginny said, going red in the face.

'So you've never sent anyone chocolates?' Erin asked falsely. 'Or a card? Or a…singing valentine?'

Ginny sat oddly still, her eyes chancing an embarrassed peek at Harry, before Erin burst out laughing.

'What?' Ginny asked naively.

'She knows.' Harry said warmly, resting a hand on Ginny's lower back. 'She found out about us and Ron and Hermione, so I told her everything.'

'Everything.' Erin chuckled. 'All about Voldemort.'

Ginny dropped one of her plaits in shock of the name, as Ron and Daisy sauntered into the room.

'Daisy!' Ginny called with a new found grin. 'Could you finish plaiting Erin's hair for me?'

'No problem.' Daisy smiled, preening her own hair, which was lined with careful twists, and up tight in a ponytail.

Ginny rushed over to Ron, and whispered hurriedly into Ron's ear. He exchanged a look between Erin and Harry, before saying quite clearly: 'cool.'

'Indeed.' Erin grinned widely, and suddenly the entire atmosphere changed. It was as if the barrier between the two worlds had been raised. Harry suddenly felt more at ease then he had done in years.

'Right.' Harry beamed, standing up. 'Pep talk.'

Dean and Seamus joined Daisy on the bench, and Ginny and Ron lent against the wall.

'We can do this,' Harry said, 'we all know we can. Lets just go out there and prove that we're the best team.'

'Lets do it!' Erin cheered.

'Are you all ready?' Harry asked, checking each face in turn.

'Just a moment, I need to do my hair.' Ginny said, and twirled her rich locks up into a perfect bun within seconds. 'All set.'

'Then lets go!'

Never had Harry enjoyed flying more before this game. Hufflepuff were no competition. Harry had tried not to catch the snitch on several occasions, just because he didn't want the game to end. It seemed a shame to Harry that Hufflepuff weren't enjoying the exercise as much as Gryffindor were. Even though it was raining and freezing cold, there was a warm friendly heat between his team, which was unbeatable. Ginny, for one, had scored some impossible goals without even batting an eyelid.

After a close call, where the Hufflepuff seeker had nearly caught the snitch, Harry decided to get down to business.

'And there Potter goes!' The commentator had shouted, as Harry made a final dive. 'And…just a minute. Harry's got the snitch! Gryffindor wins!'

Harry took a grand victory lap, before flying to the center of the field, and throwing the snitch up into the grizzly air with triumph. Ginny was flying above Harry, and without any notice, she simply kicked her leg over and dropped from her broomstick, and fell perfectly onto Harry's one.

'Good game.' She grinned, her chocolate eyes open wide.

'Are you alright?' Harry questioned, as Ginny breathed heavily.

'Fine.' Ginny cheered, electricity running through her veins. 'Just amazed. That game was prefect.'

'That's because you scored so many perfect goals!' Harry exclaimed, with enthusiasm. 'You were on fire!'

Ginny threw herself into Harry's arm for a big thank you hug, but unfortunately this caused Harry to loose his balance, and the pair tumbled graciously through the air in each others arms.

A few meters from the ground they stopped, both entangled together, and found Dumbledore standing before them.

'Congratulations.' He smiled. 'But next time, do try and be more careful when celebrating.'

With a flick of his wand, Harry and Ginny fell effortlessly to the ground and burst out laughing. The kind of laughter which lasts for hours. They laughed and laughed, and before they knew it, the sky was getting dark.

'We'd better head in.' Harry said, watching the stars begin to settle.

Harry was laying on his back, with one hand behind his head, and the other arm round Ginny. Ginny laid snuggled beside him, with her head resting on his chest.

'I s'pose.' Ginny yawned. 'I bet they're still celebrating.'

'We ought to make an appearance.' Harry said, but make no action to move.

'Yeah, we should.' Ginny agreed, slowly sitting up.

She took the band from her rich red hair, and let it cascade generously down her back. Harry watched the different tones and highlights, as they glittered in the early moons gaze.

Harry sat shiftily up, and followed Ginny's chocolate eyes out to the stars. The stars were beautiful, Harry recognized, yet they seemed to hold no glimmer compared to Ginny's eyes.

Ginny turned to Harry, who made no effort to look away. He kept his eyes strongly fixed on hers, and the magic within them.

'What?' Ginny asked sweetly, in an innocent non accusing tone.

'Nothing.' Harry said, looking serious yet sincere. He raised a hand to Ginny's cheek, making a decision as he did, and began to lean in…

A crashing noise caused Ginny and Harry to jump apart. With a look they noticed a shifty figure in the outskirts of the Quidditch pitch, who, on further inspection, could be recognized as Dean.

'What's he…?' Ginny murmured, and Harry leapt to his feet and offered his hand. Ginny took it, and together they ventured back to the changing room.

'Hey! Where have you two been?' Seamus called above the party noise, when Harry and Ginny got inside.

'Just out on the field.' Harry explained, then added. 'Talking.'

'That's my boy.' Seamus grinned cheekily, slapping Harry on the shoulder.

'Come on Seamus!' Daisy shouted, marching over. 'We need to get some more butterbeer!'

'It's out the back!' Seamus replied, as they marched away.

Harry and Ginny made their way through the heavy deafening crowd, over to the remaining team members, and Hermione, who were deep in conversation.

'Hey!' Ron cheered.

'Hey!' Harry grinned back.

'Where have you been?' He asked thunderously, finishing the last of his butterbeer. 'You'd better not have been messing around with my sister!'

'Leave them alone, Ron.' Hermione insisted loudly, slapping Ron's shoulder. 'They can do what they like!'

'We've just been talking!' Ginny explained, over the noisy volumes.

'Us too!' Ron shouted. 'Hermione knows that Erin knows!'

'Harry?' Erin asked, then raised her voice to be heard. 'Have you seen Dean?'

'He was outside.' Harry explained, then signaled that they should go.

Once outside, Erin and Harry found that the heavens had opened again.

'Damn.' Erin cursed, running her hands through her newly dried hair.

'Lets me walk you.' Harry said lightly, over the soft humming of the rain.

'Don't worry.' Erin said, shaking her head.

'No, I'm coming.' Harry insisted. 'Its too late for you to walk outside alone.'

Harry suddenly has visions of Erin coming across Blaise's gang in the dark.

'But it's raining.' Erin said.

'I don't care.' Harry stated, taking a step to his right. 'He went this way.'

The pair walked silently through the wet potent gloom. They strolled round the outskirts of the pitch, and past the stands. Assuming that Dean had gone back to the castle, Erin led Harry in that direction, and Harry followed aimlessly, before Erin came to a sharp halt.

Underneath an oak tree beside the lake, stood two intertwined figures. Erin marched at top speed towards them with fire in her stride, until one of the figures pulled away.

'Erin!' Dean said in shock, looking like he'd just seen a ghost. Sky stood beside him, brushing her hair elegantly from her face.

Erin stood still in silence, and Harry was expecting her to blow up at Dean with the passion he'd seen her have so many times, but she didn't. She gave each guilty face an aching look, before bursting onto tears, and flooding from the scene.

How sad... Now review!!!