Chapter Four – An Unknown Relation

Harry stood in shock, at the words that had just issued from Luna's mouth. If he had heard correctly, she had just said something about a human turning into a dog. Harry's mind wandered - what if it was somebody else? It couldn't have been, Luna wouldn't have told him if it wasn't. From what Harry understood, Luna had just told him that Sirius alive!

"You promise not to tell anybody, Harry? Not even Ron or Hermione?" Luna questioned, raising her pale eyebrows. She saw Harry nod, and smiled back. She then turned away from Harry, and left the compartment.

Harry followed her, a warm feeling slowly entering his thoughts. He couldn't believe it! He knew that it was Luna and all who had said it, but still. Harry had learned to like Luna. Of course, not in a love way, but just as a friend. He wanted to trust her, he had almost lost everything, and now he had an oppurtunity to get some back. Of course, he would believe her.

As he sat down at the Gryffindor table, between Ron and Hermione, he grinned. If he hadn't come back, he would be at number 4 Privet Drive, moping about everything. The only thing that troubled him right then was Malfoy, and he had almost forgotten about that.

The Sorting Hat started its song. Almost by the time it started, it had ended. Many students were surprised at the length, but said nothing.

"I wish this would hurry up," Ron started wrinkling his nose. "I mean really, why do we have to sit here every year and watch the midgets get sorted?" Ron stared at the table in front of him. "They should do the feast before they get sorted. That way, I'd be more focussed on the midgets."

"Ron, you are so insensitive. The poor first years are terrified!" Hermione fired back, just as Kendra Evans was sorted into Gryffindor, and robotically toddled to the table. Hermione looked away from Ron, and turned to Kendra, looking for a seat. "You can sit here if you like," Hermione said gently to the first year, motioning to the seat next to her.

Ron rolled his eyes, and faced Harry. "She's too nice to them you know. If I were her, I'd let the kid find their own seat."

Harry laughed, and started discussing with Ron everything to do with Quidditch. Hermione continued chatting with the first year, telling her all about Hogwarts. The little girl's big green eyes widened as Hermione told her about Harry.

"My dad says she heard of all those things! Actually, he knows an awful lot about everything that happened with Harry Potter, and ummm, You-Know-Who." Kendra informed Hermione, tucking a piece of her red hair behind her left ear.

"Oh really? How does he know that much?" Hermione asked, humouring the girl. Harry turned his head, overhearing what the little girl said. Interested, he continued to listen.

Kendra didn't finish what she was saying though. She had a shocked look on her face, as she had just realized the boy next to Hermione was 'The Harry Potter'. She bit her lip, and blinked a couple of times.

Harry raised his eyebrows, and looked at her.

"Well, I better watch the sorting. These are my future classmates and –"

Kendra was cut off by Harry, in the middle of her sentence. "Really? If it's about me, I'm sure you can say it!"

"Okay, okay. My dad says that he was your mum's cousin or something. I don't know. I think maybe he was in contact with someone. Actually, he umm, got a letter about you once. Last year. It was from somebody named Dumdeblore. Or something like that."

"Your dad was in contact with Dumbledore?" Harry asked in amazement. "Your dad was a wizard too?"

"No, dad wasn't a wizard. He and mum were both muggles. I know all about you though. I read the letter," She said. "Not on purpose!" She added hastily.

The rest of their conversation was useless information from Kendra. It seemed that she was starting to get a little bit more comfortable with being at Hogwarts.

That night, as Harry lay on his four-poster bed, he thought: I have a family. Today has been so weird, first Sirius, then this!