Chapter Fifteen: The Dark Lord's Daughter

Harry grabbed his tapestry and headed towards the boy's dormitory. As he approached the stairway door, Harry found Katie Smith pacing in front of it, as if she had an agonizing decision to make. When Harry saw her, he thought he'd have a little fun with her. He became invisible, walked up to her, and brushed her elbow. As she suddenly whipped around to look in Harry's direction, she disappeared. 'Hmmm… so she knows my little trick. Interesting,' thought Harry as he watched her turn a shade of green. 'At least I now know those spells in Moody's spell book paid off.' Harry began to strafe around Katie. To Harry's surprise, she watched as he made each step.

"Excellent, Harry," said the invisible Katie, "It seems that you've more powers than you let on."

"As do you, Katie," replied Harry as he and Katie became visible again, "But… can you do this?"

Seconds later, a gigantic lion was roaring in front of Katie.

"Very nice, Harry. You're an Animagi," remarked Katie, "How do you like this?"

Katie began to grow in size, sprout white hairs, claws and teeth, and roared loudly. Katie had transformed into a polar bear. Harry returned to his human form.

"Wow, that's amazing," praised Harry, "But how about this one?"

Harry quickly began to shrink and sprout feathers and a beak, while Katie transformed back.

"Harry, you're beautiful," complimented Katie, "Now, watch me."

While Harry began to transform back, Katie began hers. When Harry stood, a red and gold phoenix with brown eyes sat before him.

"Wow! Just-" uttered a speechless Harry, "Just-"

"I'll take that as a compliment," said Katie when she transformed back."

Suddenly, an impassable test formed in Harry's mind.

How would you like to join the ranks of the Phoenix Guard, designed to protect the students, hissed Harry in Parseltongue as Katie's brown eyes widened in shock. (A/N: 's represent parseltongue speech. If needed, I'll specify the speaker.)

I would love to Katie hissed back, causing Harry to take a step back in horror.

"No, its not possible," said Harry, "How?"

"If your stories are all true," said Katie, "then all the legends surrounding me are true. I was raised in an orphanage until I was five. I was very lucky in that I was adopted by a magical family, one of the most prominent in North America. They told me your story like a fairy tale as I grew up. A child who single handedly brought down a foreign Dark Lord. They also told me a tale that is only known in the United States, even there it isn't very well known. According to the story, when the Dark Lord was in power, he would 'visit' American women, if you catch my meaning. The story said that one of these women was destined to carry his only child. This story came about because of a prophecy. According to the Seer, 'A daughter will be born to a Dark Lord… She will gain all his power… She will join forces with the Dark Lord's mortal enemy and help to defeat his minions… A daughter will be born to a Dark Lord…' As I told you, I took it to be a fairy tale but then Dumbledore showed up at my house in New York. He had somehow heard the prophecy a long time ago and had been searching for the daughter ever since. He told me I was the daughter. He planned for my family to move to Godric's Hollow. At first, I thought it was a coincidence that you lived in the same town. Then I realized that Dumbledore had hoped we'd meet before coming to school. This little test was my way of making sure you weren't lying to me."

"Why would I lie about something like that?" asked Harry, "If you didn't know, I'M the one who has to kill him! Do you think I want to be the one? I don't, believe me."

"I know that now, Harry," said Katie, "but I had to be absolutely sure. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I understand," said Harry, "Mow, I feel obligated to teach you a lost and powerful ancient magic. As far as I know, only you, Voldemort and I can use it. Luckily, I'm only the second wizard in the course of magical history to have been able to unlock its mysteries."

"Who was the first?" asked Katie.

"Your ancestor, Salazar Slytherin. Now, this magic is called Parsel Magic and it works by harnessing and using your Parselmouth abilities. I'll teach you it tomorrow before Potions," said Harry.

Still suspicious, Harry began to try and pry open Katie's mind but as soon as he had started…

"There's no point trying to use Legilimency against me, Harry," said Katie, "for two reasons: one, I will never lie to you. Second, I'm an Occlumens. See you tomorrow, Harry."

As Katie left, Harry made a mental note to ask Dumbledore about the prophecy. Harry proceeded up the stairs to his bed. He laid there for hours thinking about the night's events. He finally fell asleep long after Ron's snores filled the room.