REVISED!!!!!!!!!!!
TITLE: Troubled Minds
PAIRING: Harry/Hermione past/possibly future
DISTRIBUTION: Ask and you shall receive
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only thing that belongs to this author is the storyline and the characters made up by the author.
A/N: Got another revised chapter up, now okay Moi is going to be gone th 21st of June to the 5th of July, I MISSING THE OoTP BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!! Ugh, I'm going to Minnesota to visit my relatives, but I will be writing in my notebook the new chapters, so don't fret! Hey anyone of my loyals readers on June 21st going to be in LAX or the airport in Denver,CO or St. Paul Minnesota? Well I'll be there!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stephanie buried her head into her pillow with a groan. Everywhere she went people kept on bringing up Harry Potter's name. He had been a hot topic for almost thirty years, couldn't people just give it a break? Sure he faced the Dark Lord numerous of times, but really, didn't people have there own lives to worry about, or possibly something more interesting to talk about, other than the famous Harry Potter?
While pondering this Stephanie didn't even notice her roommates when they came up to get their books. She didn't even notice them when they kept on asking, "What's wrong?" And Stephanie didn't even glimpse when they left. Stephanie stayed in this position thinking about her plan of action when in the presence of her father. That is until Josh and Eric came up to the dormitory, looking quite flushed.
"Oh, there you are! Stephanie! Get Up! We are going to be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts!" Josh said as they both dashed into the room shaking Stephanie.
"What? Hey you guys know you're in the girl's dorms." Stephanie said as she yawned loudly.
"Forget that! We are going to be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts!" Eric yelled.
"Awe Crap! First day of classes and we're late. Come on let's move!!" Stephanie said as she grabbed her books and bolted out of the dorm, Josh and Eric following her.
The three friends ran as fast as they could out through the portrait while receiving a good scolding from the Fat Lady. They continued running until they reached the classroom. Unfortunately for the trio Professor Potter was already there.
"Ms. Vigil, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Sarem, thank you for joining us, and may you explain why you are late?"
Stephanie said the first thing that came into her mind. "Uh, I lost a contact?" Stephanie said hoping that he would buy it.
"And why did this task need three people?" asked Professor Potter.
"Well my contacts are fairly small, and without them I would be practically blind. Josh and Eric here with, the kindness of their heart helped me find it instead of leaving me on the floor looking for my contact, half blind." Stephanie said trying to be convincing.
"Very well then, Please take your seats and we will begin." Said Harry as a thought came to his mind. 'Another terrible trio.' He thought with a smirk.
"As most of you know I am Harry Potter. I would like you to call me Professor Potter. Now I know most of you are very interested in me. So we will devote this time to get to know each other. After all we will have to spend this year and possible many more together. So for each of you can ask me one question, and I in return will ask you a question. Now who first?" As Harry spoke those words every single hand shot up except for Stephanie's. Stephanie looked around the room and suddenly felt out of place, but still refused to raise her hand. Stephanie didn't have any questions; well she did, but they weren't really appropriate for class. Luckily for her Professor Potter didn't noticed the absent of one student's hand, especially that it was the hand of his daughter, not that he knew that. Harry called one of the Slytherin boys, for they had this class with them. The boy from Slytherin had dark brown hair, which from a distance could be mistaken for black. His eyes though were a deep sapphire blue that could entrance anyone's eyes, much like Harry and Stephanie's intense emerald eyes.
"Yes, Mr. Vale?" asked Harry.
"What house were you in here in Hogwarts?" The boy asked, most likely hoping that the Great Harry Potter was in the Slytherin House.
"I was in the Gryffindor House. My turn. Did you want to be in Slytherin?"
"Of course, I wanted to be in Slytherin, it's the best house there is!" exclaimed the boy, very smugly.
"Very well. You there Mr. Sarem, what is your question?" asked Harry as he saw Eric's hand in the air.
"Is it true you can talk to snakes?" asked Eric.
"Yes, I can talk to snakes. By the way I will give someone fifteen points if they can tell me what that ability is called." Said Harry examining the class if anyone knew that answer.
Stephanie looked around the room seeing that the whole class had put down their hands. With a sigh Stephanie raised her hand knowing the answer, but hoping she wouldn't receive the reputation that she was a know-it-all like her mother had when she went to Hogwarts, but it would be a plus to receive some points from Gryffindor.
"Yes, Miss Vigil?"
"The ability to talk to snakes is called Parseltongue, which is a very rare and uncommon gift. The earliest person known to have this gift was Salazar Slytherin, ans the last person that had this gift, before you professor, was Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, who is the Heir of Slytherin."
Everyone in the class shuddered at the name except for Professor Potter and herself.
"Fear of a name, increases fear of a thing itself." Stephanie said, suddenly becoming very interested in her desk.
Harry raised an eyebrow at this. "Very Good, Miss Vigil. Twenty points to Gryffindor." said an impressed Harry.
'Not many first years know that or actually say Voldemort's name, or even know that Voldemort is actually Tom Riddle. She is like a minature Hermione. No bad Harry stop thinking about Hermione. One day I will find her, but what if she's dead? Harry stop thinking about her, she's been gone for ten years, pay attention to the class. It going to be hard to forget her when there is a girl in the glass that looks exactly like her, and is as smart as her. Okay, then think about her later. Fine, but still that girl looks a lot like Hermione.' Harry thought as he studied Stephanie intently.
The questions for Harry continued for a while until it was Harry's turn to ask Stephanie a question.
Stephanie herself had been deep in thought, and had not realized that Professor Potter had directed a question at her. "Miss Vigil?"
"Oh, sorry. Can you repeat the question?" Stephanie said while being suddenly pulled from her thoughts.
"Can you tell us a little about your life? Like what are your hobbies, or who your parents are." asked Harry.
This confirmed it. The Fates wanted her dead, buried and eaten by worms. Out of the thousands and thousand of questions one could asked, he picked that question. Not any person but her father, not that he knew that. Now the question on her mind was to lie or not to lie. Extend the truth? Just say an answer! Any answer! Before anyone thinks something is wrong!
"Well, before coming here to England, I used to live in New York. It is actually a great city. My hobbies are skateboarding, which is a muggle activity. My mom is a journalist for the New York Times, and she was recently relocated to England. My dad, well I never met him. And I have no siblings to speak of." Said Stephanie very casually. After she had finished the bell, which was charmed to ring all over the school, rang.
"It looks like we have run out of time, class dismissed," said Harry.
As they were exiting the brown hair, sapphire blue eyed Slytherin passed by Stephanie and muttered "Know-It- All Mudblood."
Offended by the comment Stephanie glared. "Bastard!" Stephanie cursed like a New Zealand dockworker before the boy disappeared the corridor with his robes swishing behind him.
"What is with Slytherins and robe swishing?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Stephanie, Josh, and Eric, made their way down to the dungeons, where their first Potions class was to be taken place. When the three enter the murky classroom, they sat down in the front of the room, with Stephanie in the middle of the two boys. After a while the classroom started to become more populated with Slytherins and Gryffindors. Of course the Slytherins sat on the oppisite side of the Gryffindors.
It was ten minutes into the class when Professor Malfoy decided to show. When he did it was not a pretty site.
The classroom's doors exploded open as Professor Malfoy walked through them. He had a scowl on his face and his walk was brisk and angered. He stalked all the way up to the front of the classroom and mad his way over to his desk. He sat down in his seat and started to write furiously with his quill. Professor Malfoy continued like this for about five minutes until he got out of his seat and stalked all the way out of the classroom. When he left noone moved, for fear he would come back and catch them.
It was a full 10 minutes before Professor Malfoy came back. He once again sauntered angrily up to the front of the classroom, but he did not go to his desk, but instead stood in front of the classroom. The class once again was deadly silent for about 15 seconds when Professor Malfoy erupted into laughter. This confused the class utterly.
"You should of seen your faces!" He barely choked out.
After Professor Malfoy's laughing fit he composed himself.
"Sorry couldn't help myself. Well for all of you who don't know who I am, I'm Professor Malfoy, the local potions master. Since it's the first day of class, I decided to do something fun that will also help me find out how much knowledge you have about potions. We aregoing to spilt up into two teams- Well it seems you have already done so. Each time you will have to choose one member of your team to come up here. I will give each person a mystery potion. They will have to figured out what potion it is by smelling it and observing it. If they get the potion right, points to that team depending on the potion, if not, they will have to drink the potion. The potion may be good, bad, or it may do nothing. Now I ask for each team to pick a person. This potion will be worth 5 points."
There were mumurs all over the classroom. The Slytherins finally picked a girl with greasy looking brown hair, with an abnormally long nose, she had the tradmark Slytherin sneer, but the most noticeable feature about her was the giant, hairy mole in the middle of her forehead. The Gryffindors also had chosen a girl, Anatasia Haag.
Anastasia had very wazy aburn hair which was currently in a braid, and and cinnamon brown eyes. She was a 1st year and one of Stephanie's very annoying roommates. She preferred to be called Ana.
The two girls walked up to the front of the classrom where they met Professor Malfoy.
"Hello, and what are your names."
The Slytherin girl answered first. " Gertrude Geech."
"Anastasia Haag." Ana answered.
"Right, now can you two please guess what kind of potion this is?" Professor Malfoy asked as he handed them two goblets containing the same pinkish liquid.
The two girl first looked at the potion before sniffing it.
"Love potion." The both said at the same time.
Professor Malfoy raised his eyebrow. "Ok. That was weird. Well, since both of you got the potion right, I guess we are going to have a tie breaker. Now, love potions are numbered from 1 to 10. One being the weakest love potion. Whoever gets the number closest to this potion will get the points. Gertrude what's you guess?"
"Um, five." Gertrude said uncertainly.
"Anastasia?"
"Four." Ana said simply.
"This love potion is a…" Professor Malfoy paused for effect. "Number 3."
The Gryffindors cheered loudly as Ana skipped happily back to her seat, while Gertrude had to stay at the front.
"Now, Ms.Geech, I believe you have to drink the potion."
Gertrude gulped loudly. She looked down at the pink potion and swallowed. She she put the goblet to her lips and took a sip. At first nothing real happened, until she got this dreamy type expression. She was directing her love gaze toward another Slytherin, the sapphire eyed one.
She was just staring dreamly at him for awhile, and then it happened. Gertrude shot of like a rocket and grabbed the kid into a bone-crushing hug.
"Ok Miss Geech, I believe if you sqeeze Mr. Vale any tighter, she will suffer from brain damage. Now you can go to the Hospital Wing for the antidote, it seems the love potion was even stronger because of your *ahem* attraction to Mr. Vale."
The game continued for a while, each house getting their fair amount of points. Then Professor Malfoy took out the last and hardest potion.
"Now, I want you to pick a person in your house, I suggest a very smart one."
At that same moment all of the Gryffindors' eyes landed on Stephanie.
"Don't look at me." And suddenly without warning all the Gryffindors pushed her to the front. "Okay, okay. Really haven't you heard of a personal bubble?"
"Slytherin have you chosen your person?" asked Professor Malfoy.
The Slytherins parted to reveal, the Vale boy.
"Wonderful…" Stephanie muttered to herself.
"Now the potion that I am about to give you, you will not learn until your later years at Hogwarts. This potion is woth twenty-five points to the person's house if they get the point correctly. I do not expect you to know what the potion is, but you may guess any way." Professor Malfoy said as he handed the Slytherin and Stephanie the goblets containing the potion.
Stephanie peered into the goblet to examine the appearance of the potion. The potion was totally clear and looked much like water, but had a silvery touch to it. Much like the surface of a pensive.
'Where did that thought come from? I don't even know what a pensive is, much less what its surface is.' Stephanie thought to herself.
The potion didn't smell like anything in particular, but it definitely didn't smell like water. It had a faint sweet smell. Then it came to her, what the potion was. Stephanie didn't know exactly how she knew what the potion was, she just knew.
"Veritaserum." Stephanie whispered barely above a decibel.
"What did you just say Miss Vigil?" asked Professor Malfoy not believing what he heard.
"Veritaserum. The truth potion." Stephanie said a little bit louder, but not by much.
"Yes, that's correct." Professor Malfoy barely choked out in disbelief.
"Excuse me, Professor Malfoy, may I sit down?" Stephanie asked sheepishly.
"Oh yes, go on. Also thirty points to Gryffindor." Professor Malfoy said in a daze not realizing he gave an extra five points to Gryffindor.
"But Professor Malfoy, you gave-" Started one of the Slytherins.
"Not now, class dismissed." He said still bewildered trying to sit in his chair.
While Stephanie, Josh, and Eric were walking down the hall way, almost every one in the Potions class (every Slytherins!) came up and congratulated Stephanie for shocking Professor Malfoy for dismissing them early, without homework!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stephanie sat by the fire in the Common Room. Surprisingly, she was the only one there.
'Guess people were tired from the first day.' Stephanie thought to herself.
'Okay; now it seems that Dad or Professor Potter, not really sure what to call the guy, isn't married, I think. But I'm not really sure if that is a pro or a con. He's personality is well I have only met him once but he seems okay, but he seems a little depressed. Most likely caused by my mother's leaving, but wait, I don't know even if he loved my mom. Or even if my mom loved him. How am I going to get through this year without feeling nervous around my DADA teacher? Oi, I'm giving myself a headache, I'm going to bed.'
Stephanie finally stopped babbling to herself and surrendered to the last voice in her head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next couple of weeks went by like a blur to Stephanie and her friends, but always the Defense Against Dark Arts Class always seemed the longest to Stephanie. It was November 28th, Christmas was coming up quick and the weather was showing it. Stephanie was playing with her breakfast that morning. She really wasn't in the mood to eat. It was her 11th birthday but Stephanie felt depressed.
"Hey Stephanie, why aren't you eating?" Eric said with a mouth full of food.
"Oh, I'm not hungry." Stephanie said dully.
Eric jumped at the chance.
"Can I have your food?" Eric said showering Stephanie with bits of food that was previously in his mouth.
"Sure knock yourself dead, but next time you ask swallow first, talk later." Stephanie said while wiping bits of pre-chewed food off her face.
Though by that time Eric was already gnawing away at Stephanie's food.
"What's wrong, Stephanie?" asked Josh.
Before Stephanie could answer Josh, dozens and dozens of owls came flying through the hall. One owl had dropped a package in front of Stephanie.
'Most likely from Mum.' Stephanie thought to herself
Stephanie opened the package and found a little note inside.
I thought you would like this. Your father gave it to me. You can keep it, but make sure that he doesn't see it. Happy Birthday.
Mom
Stephanie picked up the square velvet box from the package. Stephanie opened it to reveal a stunning emerald necklace. Stephanie carefully took the necklace out. The emerald was a very good cut, and was the color of a deep forest green. The necklace had silver chain, which was attached to the back of the emerald, which was also silver and was the shape of an oval. Stephanie turned the necklace, only to find a short engraving on the back.
'To, H.G. Love, H.P.'
'He really did love her.' Stephanie thought to herself as she placed the necklace on her own neck. Stephanie thoughts were interrupted by another package landing in front of her. The package was black, narrow, and light. Stephanie carefully and reluctantly opened the package to find a dead, black rose and a poem.
Born of a wizard and a witch
Father was born a legend and seeker for a snitch
Mother a bookworm and muggleborn
Their love to each other both worn
The two were together and now are apart
Mudblood left behind a broken heart
Afraid of what he would say about the baby she held
She left him there never to tell
Eleven years later their baby girl is full-grown
Her father she has never known
You are a powerful witch in potential danger
Because I know you're the child of Potter and Granger
Family secrets stowed away
Hoping that the never see the light of day
The truth is hidden in your dream
Some things aren't what they seem
Stephanie just stared awestruck at the parchment. Someone knew she was the daughter of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Was this just a cruel prank? Should she go to the headmaster? Write to her source? What if her source was the one who wanted to put her to harm. Was the sender Voldemort?
All that Stephanie knew at that moment she couldn't stay in the Great Hall she had to go somewhere else. Stephanie grabbed the poem and dead rose and ran out of the Great Hall leaving a confused Eric and Josh behind.
And one concerned, green-eyed professor.
Stephanie kept on running until she was at the lake. Stephanie then threw the dead rose into the lake and crumpled the poem into a paper ball and also threw in it the lake. In anger Stephanie ripped the emerald necklace off her neck and threw it on the ground. Stephanie looked up to the sky and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"WHY CAN'T I HAVE A NORMAL LIFE? BUT NO! YOU JUST HAD TO MAKE MY LIFE MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE OF MY FATHER AND MOTHER! I DON'T WANT TO EXIST! I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO BE BORN! JUST KILL ME NOW AND GET OVER WITH IT! BECAUSE I'M PRETTY SURE SOMEONE'S GOING TRY TO KILL ME THIS YEAR JUST BECAUSE OF WHO MY PARENTS ARE! WHY ARE YOU GUYS UP THERE TRYING TO MAKE MY LIFE A LIVING HELL?"
Stephanie then paused and panted heavily from lack of air. Then collapsed to the ground and wept.
'I could have been a normal witch but no I have to be the daughter of Harry Potter. Some kids would kill to be his kid, but I rather have anyone else as a dad.' Stephanie thought bitterly.
Then Stephanie felt a warm hand on her back.
"Go away." Stephanie said weakly, thinking maybe it was Josh or Eric.
Yet the person did not leave.
"I said go…" Stephanie then turned around curiously seeing none other than Professor Potter.
"Away." Stephanie said as she stood up quickly, brushing of her robes and rubbing the tears away from her cheeks.
"Oh, I'm sorry Professor Potter I thought you were Josh or Eric, please don't tell me that I got detention." Stephanie said meekly.
"It's okay. I was just checking to see if you're okay. So what made you so upset?" said Harry as he smiled.
'Okay I guess it's okay to tell him some things about my life. Well he might be secretly putting the pieces together in his mind. So far the clues are the green eyes, the chestnut hair, well there is the fact that my 11th birthday is today and it is exactly been 11 years and 9 MONTHS since, mum left, that should be one big clue right there. Okay just tell him some things, yet not too much if you don't tell him anything he will get even more suspicious. Plus I think he thinks that my mom is a muggle.' Stephanie babbled in her thoughts.
"I feel like a mistake." Stephanie said dully. "That's my problem."
"Whatever makes you feel like that?" said Professor Potter with a tiny frown.
"Because I AM a mistake. My mother got pregnant when she was 17 by my father. Then my mother found out she was pregnant dropped out of school, and left England without ever telling my father. Intending that I never know whom my father is. To sum it all up my life is incredibly screwed up." Stephanie babbled forgetting whom she was talking to. "So that's why you see me here today, screaming at the fates to kill me already, to save time because I'm probably going to be killed by that person who wrote that bloody poem, that I got for my birthday today." Realizing at what she just said Stephanie put her hand over her mouth.
"Sorry, I just realized I have a Potions test coming up, but I haven't studied enough. And if I don't study Professor Malfoy is going to kill me. Thanks for listening. Bye, Bye." Stephanie said as she quickly ran back to the castle, unaware that she had left her emerald necklace on the ground right next to her puzzled father.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stephanie flopped down on the couch in the Common Room with a groan.
'Stephanie you definitely need a potion to shut you up. You just told your father how you came into existence! He must be at least a little suspicious by now, if not he is the most oblivious man in the universe. I really can't live like this for seven years! I really have to talk to mum during Christmas about our little secret. I'm not sure if I can hold it in much longer.'
Suddenly the loud slamming of the portrait door interrupted Stephanie's thoughts. Coming in were none other than Josh and Eric.
"Hey Stephanie. Is anything wrong? You really have been acting weird lately." Said Josh. As Eric and he sat next to her on the couch.
Stephanie couldn't take it anymore. She had to tell someone about her secret, anyone!
'I know mom said to keep my mom shut, but still, I am only eleven. I can't keep a secret, it's in my nature to blab!' Stephanie thought to herself.
"Okay guys, I'm going to tell you a huge secret now you have to promise that you are going to keep it. If not, I will kill you both and use your intestine to hang you. Got it?" Stephanie said intimidating the boys.
They both looked at each other and then looked back at Stephanie and nodded their heads.
"Okay, Josh you said your father was Ron Weasley. Right?" asked Stephanie.
"Yes." Josh replied.
"Did he have a friend named Hermione Granger?" asked Stephanie.
"I think so. Oh yeah! Now I remember she was one of my dad's best friends. I think my dad told me she disappeared in their 7th year. Why do you want to know?" Josh asked.
Stephanie took a deep breath and placed her hand in front of the two boys.
"Hi, I'm Stephanie Granger. Nice to meet you."
At this time Josh's jaw dropped open while Eric looked confused as ever.
"Eric my mother's was one of Harry's Potter's best friends," explained Stephanie.
"Not only that, she's his bloody daughter." Josh yelled.
At this Eric's jaw also dropped open.
"Shh, do you want the whole entire castle know about it before my dad actually does?" Stephanie whispered forcefully.
"Do you have any proof?" Eric said finally.
"Do you see the resemblance in the eyes? I have the exact same eyes as him!" Stephanie exclaimed.
"Okay breathe Stephanie, breathe. No wonder you're so stressed." Josh said.
"I told you my life was messed up. But no! Nobody ever listens to me!" Stephanie said as she took another deep breath. "This is way too much stress for an eleven year old."
"On top of that you have top grades in the year! No wonder you're so up tight all the time. OUCH!" Eric said as Stephanie smacked him in the head.
Stephanie involuntarily reached up top her neck to squeeze the necklace for stress relief only to find it bare. Her eyes widened as her mouth opened in shocked. As she replayed the scene over and over in her head. She had ripped her necklace off and left it with her father.
"Bloody hell." Stephanie said with obvious shock in her voice.
"Stephanie are you okay?" Josh said as he saw her go into shock mode.
"I…I left my necklace at the lake. The necklace had my mom and dad's initials engraved into them. Professor Potter came to see what was wrong. I said too much and ran off with out my necklace leaving it there at the lake with Professor Potter." Stephanie explained.
"Oh Shit!" Eric exclaimed.
"Let's hope he didn't see it." Josh said.
"I have to get it back, and it would be very bad if he saw it. I would have to explain a lot of things that I can't answer. I have to go in the morning. It's no use if I go tonight. He either saw it or not." Stephanie said.
"Do you think anyone else knows about your identity?" asked Eric.
"Okay well you two know, My source knows, the person who sent me a little death poem
that said if I tell dad my real identity I will die a horrible death, and I'm betting two bucks that Professor Dumbledore knows," said Stephanie.
"Stephanie what's two bucks?" asked Eric.
"Oh sorry I think I was in New York too long, it means two dollars, or I guess maybe a pound. I never was too keen about British money." Stephanie explained.
"So you think Dumbledore knows about your identity and all that?" asked Josh.
"Yeah, I would probably bet all my savings that he does." Stephanie replied.
"What did you mean by 'my source'?" asked Josh.
"Oh, well you see, sometime in July, I received these letters, which told me who I really was." Stephanie explained.
"Do you know who sent you the letters?" asked Eric.
"Well, sort of, I think it might be a pen name, or something like that. All my letters were just simply signed 'Snuffles'." said Stephanie.
"Snuffles?! Are you sure it was signed Snuffles?" asked Josh.
Stephanie nodded.
"One time my dad told me something about Snuffles. What was it?" A realization then dawned on Josh. "It was Sirius! Sirius is Harry's godfather!" Exclaimed Josh.
"What? How do you know that?" asked a stunned Stephanie.
"Sirius was convicted for crimes he didn't commit. In Harry's 3rd year he and well, Hermione rescued him. He was cleared of the crimes around my dad's sixth year, I believe. You see, Sirius had the animagus form of a dog, and they called him Snuffles in letters and anywhere that was public, when he was still a fugitive, so people didn't know it was him!" Josh exclaimed.
"Josh sometimes you can be a dork other times you can be okay, but now this is just plain scary." Stephanie said to Josh.
"Stephanie, do you think Sirius told Harry about you?" asked Eric.
"No, I don't think so. I think if he knew he would be acting really weird around me," explained Stephanie.
"I think he acts weird around everyone. Hey, I just remembered, what did you say something about a death poem?" asked Eric.
"Oh, I almost forgot. This morning I got this warning in poem style telling me if I tell my dad who I really am, that I will basically die. The truth is I really think it might be Voldemort." Stephanie suspected.
At the certain name said both Eric and Josh shuddered. Stephanie raised an eyebrow at this never understanding why people shuddered at that specific name.
"Are you sure, Stephanie?" asked Josh.
"No. But I think it's a possibility. I mean his enemy is my fath…. Oh crap." Stephanie said as her face paled.
"What?" asked Eric seeing the color drain from Stephanie's face.
"He's going to come after me. He will try to get through to me father by me. " Stephanie explained while in a dead-panned tone.
"That's not good," said Eric.
"That's the biggest under statement of the year! Stephanie you really should go to Dumbledore about this." said Josh.
"I know but at least after Christmas break ok? Case closed. I really rather not talk about anything that is related to my father right now. Okay?"
There now was very pregnant pause between the three friends, until Eric decide to break the silence.
"Quidditch tryouts are today." Eric said trying to perk everyone up, but also yelling at the top of his lung.
"Okay, Eric turn it down a notch, will you?" asked Josh.
"Yea, sure, whatever." An idea popped up into his head and a little devious smile appeared on Eric's face unknown to either Stephanie or Josh.
"Hey Stephanie why don't you tryout?"
"What? Me tryout? For what?" Stephanie said forgetting the little detail that her father was a Gryffindor Seeker.
"Well how about Seeker?" said Josh getting in with Eric's little scheme.
A perplexed look was on Stephanie's face until a sudden realization came on Stephanie's face for a second then was replaced by anger.
"I am not going to be a Seeker, just because I'm related to the, and I quote 'The youngest Seeker of the Century'. That does not mean I am good!" Stephanie practically shouted.
"Hey you won't know until you try." Eric said.
"And I heard we desperately need a Seeker for Gryffindor." Josh added.
"I thought first years were not allowed to tryout or even own a broom!" Stephanie said.
"Nope, open tryouts 1st years through 7th years. 1st years are allowed brooms if chosen to be on the team" Eric smirked triumphantly.
Stephanie both looked at Eric and Josh, seeing if either would relent. Seeing that both were determined to make Stephanie the new Seeker, Stephanie gave up.
"UGH!" Stephanie groaned in defeat. "FINE! I will tryout! But it doesn't mean I will have a good tryout." Stephanie said as she flashed them a devious smile.
"And it doesn't mean we won't tell Harry who you are." Eric grinned in victory.
Stephanie fumed in frustration.
"FINE! Some friends you two are!" Stephanie then laid on the couch once again. "So when are the tryouts." Stephanie said in an exhausted tone as she put hand on her forehead and leaned on her elbow.
Eric and Josh both looked at each other and grinned.
"Well let's see where should we start?" Josh said as he grinned.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
REVIEW!!! Tell me how I'm doing in my revisions!!
TITLE: Troubled Minds
PAIRING: Harry/Hermione past/possibly future
DISTRIBUTION: Ask and you shall receive
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only thing that belongs to this author is the storyline and the characters made up by the author.
A/N: Got another revised chapter up, now okay Moi is going to be gone th 21st of June to the 5th of July, I MISSING THE OoTP BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!! Ugh, I'm going to Minnesota to visit my relatives, but I will be writing in my notebook the new chapters, so don't fret! Hey anyone of my loyals readers on June 21st going to be in LAX or the airport in Denver,CO or St. Paul Minnesota? Well I'll be there!
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Stephanie buried her head into her pillow with a groan. Everywhere she went people kept on bringing up Harry Potter's name. He had been a hot topic for almost thirty years, couldn't people just give it a break? Sure he faced the Dark Lord numerous of times, but really, didn't people have there own lives to worry about, or possibly something more interesting to talk about, other than the famous Harry Potter?
While pondering this Stephanie didn't even notice her roommates when they came up to get their books. She didn't even notice them when they kept on asking, "What's wrong?" And Stephanie didn't even glimpse when they left. Stephanie stayed in this position thinking about her plan of action when in the presence of her father. That is until Josh and Eric came up to the dormitory, looking quite flushed.
"Oh, there you are! Stephanie! Get Up! We are going to be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts!" Josh said as they both dashed into the room shaking Stephanie.
"What? Hey you guys know you're in the girl's dorms." Stephanie said as she yawned loudly.
"Forget that! We are going to be late for Defense Against the Dark Arts!" Eric yelled.
"Awe Crap! First day of classes and we're late. Come on let's move!!" Stephanie said as she grabbed her books and bolted out of the dorm, Josh and Eric following her.
The three friends ran as fast as they could out through the portrait while receiving a good scolding from the Fat Lady. They continued running until they reached the classroom. Unfortunately for the trio Professor Potter was already there.
"Ms. Vigil, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Sarem, thank you for joining us, and may you explain why you are late?"
Stephanie said the first thing that came into her mind. "Uh, I lost a contact?" Stephanie said hoping that he would buy it.
"And why did this task need three people?" asked Professor Potter.
"Well my contacts are fairly small, and without them I would be practically blind. Josh and Eric here with, the kindness of their heart helped me find it instead of leaving me on the floor looking for my contact, half blind." Stephanie said trying to be convincing.
"Very well then, Please take your seats and we will begin." Said Harry as a thought came to his mind. 'Another terrible trio.' He thought with a smirk.
"As most of you know I am Harry Potter. I would like you to call me Professor Potter. Now I know most of you are very interested in me. So we will devote this time to get to know each other. After all we will have to spend this year and possible many more together. So for each of you can ask me one question, and I in return will ask you a question. Now who first?" As Harry spoke those words every single hand shot up except for Stephanie's. Stephanie looked around the room and suddenly felt out of place, but still refused to raise her hand. Stephanie didn't have any questions; well she did, but they weren't really appropriate for class. Luckily for her Professor Potter didn't noticed the absent of one student's hand, especially that it was the hand of his daughter, not that he knew that. Harry called one of the Slytherin boys, for they had this class with them. The boy from Slytherin had dark brown hair, which from a distance could be mistaken for black. His eyes though were a deep sapphire blue that could entrance anyone's eyes, much like Harry and Stephanie's intense emerald eyes.
"Yes, Mr. Vale?" asked Harry.
"What house were you in here in Hogwarts?" The boy asked, most likely hoping that the Great Harry Potter was in the Slytherin House.
"I was in the Gryffindor House. My turn. Did you want to be in Slytherin?"
"Of course, I wanted to be in Slytherin, it's the best house there is!" exclaimed the boy, very smugly.
"Very well. You there Mr. Sarem, what is your question?" asked Harry as he saw Eric's hand in the air.
"Is it true you can talk to snakes?" asked Eric.
"Yes, I can talk to snakes. By the way I will give someone fifteen points if they can tell me what that ability is called." Said Harry examining the class if anyone knew that answer.
Stephanie looked around the room seeing that the whole class had put down their hands. With a sigh Stephanie raised her hand knowing the answer, but hoping she wouldn't receive the reputation that she was a know-it-all like her mother had when she went to Hogwarts, but it would be a plus to receive some points from Gryffindor.
"Yes, Miss Vigil?"
"The ability to talk to snakes is called Parseltongue, which is a very rare and uncommon gift. The earliest person known to have this gift was Salazar Slytherin, ans the last person that had this gift, before you professor, was Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, who is the Heir of Slytherin."
Everyone in the class shuddered at the name except for Professor Potter and herself.
"Fear of a name, increases fear of a thing itself." Stephanie said, suddenly becoming very interested in her desk.
Harry raised an eyebrow at this. "Very Good, Miss Vigil. Twenty points to Gryffindor." said an impressed Harry.
'Not many first years know that or actually say Voldemort's name, or even know that Voldemort is actually Tom Riddle. She is like a minature Hermione. No bad Harry stop thinking about Hermione. One day I will find her, but what if she's dead? Harry stop thinking about her, she's been gone for ten years, pay attention to the class. It going to be hard to forget her when there is a girl in the glass that looks exactly like her, and is as smart as her. Okay, then think about her later. Fine, but still that girl looks a lot like Hermione.' Harry thought as he studied Stephanie intently.
The questions for Harry continued for a while until it was Harry's turn to ask Stephanie a question.
Stephanie herself had been deep in thought, and had not realized that Professor Potter had directed a question at her. "Miss Vigil?"
"Oh, sorry. Can you repeat the question?" Stephanie said while being suddenly pulled from her thoughts.
"Can you tell us a little about your life? Like what are your hobbies, or who your parents are." asked Harry.
This confirmed it. The Fates wanted her dead, buried and eaten by worms. Out of the thousands and thousand of questions one could asked, he picked that question. Not any person but her father, not that he knew that. Now the question on her mind was to lie or not to lie. Extend the truth? Just say an answer! Any answer! Before anyone thinks something is wrong!
"Well, before coming here to England, I used to live in New York. It is actually a great city. My hobbies are skateboarding, which is a muggle activity. My mom is a journalist for the New York Times, and she was recently relocated to England. My dad, well I never met him. And I have no siblings to speak of." Said Stephanie very casually. After she had finished the bell, which was charmed to ring all over the school, rang.
"It looks like we have run out of time, class dismissed," said Harry.
As they were exiting the brown hair, sapphire blue eyed Slytherin passed by Stephanie and muttered "Know-It- All Mudblood."
Offended by the comment Stephanie glared. "Bastard!" Stephanie cursed like a New Zealand dockworker before the boy disappeared the corridor with his robes swishing behind him.
"What is with Slytherins and robe swishing?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Stephanie, Josh, and Eric, made their way down to the dungeons, where their first Potions class was to be taken place. When the three enter the murky classroom, they sat down in the front of the room, with Stephanie in the middle of the two boys. After a while the classroom started to become more populated with Slytherins and Gryffindors. Of course the Slytherins sat on the oppisite side of the Gryffindors.
It was ten minutes into the class when Professor Malfoy decided to show. When he did it was not a pretty site.
The classroom's doors exploded open as Professor Malfoy walked through them. He had a scowl on his face and his walk was brisk and angered. He stalked all the way up to the front of the classroom and mad his way over to his desk. He sat down in his seat and started to write furiously with his quill. Professor Malfoy continued like this for about five minutes until he got out of his seat and stalked all the way out of the classroom. When he left noone moved, for fear he would come back and catch them.
It was a full 10 minutes before Professor Malfoy came back. He once again sauntered angrily up to the front of the classroom, but he did not go to his desk, but instead stood in front of the classroom. The class once again was deadly silent for about 15 seconds when Professor Malfoy erupted into laughter. This confused the class utterly.
"You should of seen your faces!" He barely choked out.
After Professor Malfoy's laughing fit he composed himself.
"Sorry couldn't help myself. Well for all of you who don't know who I am, I'm Professor Malfoy, the local potions master. Since it's the first day of class, I decided to do something fun that will also help me find out how much knowledge you have about potions. We aregoing to spilt up into two teams- Well it seems you have already done so. Each time you will have to choose one member of your team to come up here. I will give each person a mystery potion. They will have to figured out what potion it is by smelling it and observing it. If they get the potion right, points to that team depending on the potion, if not, they will have to drink the potion. The potion may be good, bad, or it may do nothing. Now I ask for each team to pick a person. This potion will be worth 5 points."
There were mumurs all over the classroom. The Slytherins finally picked a girl with greasy looking brown hair, with an abnormally long nose, she had the tradmark Slytherin sneer, but the most noticeable feature about her was the giant, hairy mole in the middle of her forehead. The Gryffindors also had chosen a girl, Anatasia Haag.
Anastasia had very wazy aburn hair which was currently in a braid, and and cinnamon brown eyes. She was a 1st year and one of Stephanie's very annoying roommates. She preferred to be called Ana.
The two girls walked up to the front of the classrom where they met Professor Malfoy.
"Hello, and what are your names."
The Slytherin girl answered first. " Gertrude Geech."
"Anastasia Haag." Ana answered.
"Right, now can you two please guess what kind of potion this is?" Professor Malfoy asked as he handed them two goblets containing the same pinkish liquid.
The two girl first looked at the potion before sniffing it.
"Love potion." The both said at the same time.
Professor Malfoy raised his eyebrow. "Ok. That was weird. Well, since both of you got the potion right, I guess we are going to have a tie breaker. Now, love potions are numbered from 1 to 10. One being the weakest love potion. Whoever gets the number closest to this potion will get the points. Gertrude what's you guess?"
"Um, five." Gertrude said uncertainly.
"Anastasia?"
"Four." Ana said simply.
"This love potion is a…" Professor Malfoy paused for effect. "Number 3."
The Gryffindors cheered loudly as Ana skipped happily back to her seat, while Gertrude had to stay at the front.
"Now, Ms.Geech, I believe you have to drink the potion."
Gertrude gulped loudly. She looked down at the pink potion and swallowed. She she put the goblet to her lips and took a sip. At first nothing real happened, until she got this dreamy type expression. She was directing her love gaze toward another Slytherin, the sapphire eyed one.
She was just staring dreamly at him for awhile, and then it happened. Gertrude shot of like a rocket and grabbed the kid into a bone-crushing hug.
"Ok Miss Geech, I believe if you sqeeze Mr. Vale any tighter, she will suffer from brain damage. Now you can go to the Hospital Wing for the antidote, it seems the love potion was even stronger because of your *ahem* attraction to Mr. Vale."
The game continued for a while, each house getting their fair amount of points. Then Professor Malfoy took out the last and hardest potion.
"Now, I want you to pick a person in your house, I suggest a very smart one."
At that same moment all of the Gryffindors' eyes landed on Stephanie.
"Don't look at me." And suddenly without warning all the Gryffindors pushed her to the front. "Okay, okay. Really haven't you heard of a personal bubble?"
"Slytherin have you chosen your person?" asked Professor Malfoy.
The Slytherins parted to reveal, the Vale boy.
"Wonderful…" Stephanie muttered to herself.
"Now the potion that I am about to give you, you will not learn until your later years at Hogwarts. This potion is woth twenty-five points to the person's house if they get the point correctly. I do not expect you to know what the potion is, but you may guess any way." Professor Malfoy said as he handed the Slytherin and Stephanie the goblets containing the potion.
Stephanie peered into the goblet to examine the appearance of the potion. The potion was totally clear and looked much like water, but had a silvery touch to it. Much like the surface of a pensive.
'Where did that thought come from? I don't even know what a pensive is, much less what its surface is.' Stephanie thought to herself.
The potion didn't smell like anything in particular, but it definitely didn't smell like water. It had a faint sweet smell. Then it came to her, what the potion was. Stephanie didn't know exactly how she knew what the potion was, she just knew.
"Veritaserum." Stephanie whispered barely above a decibel.
"What did you just say Miss Vigil?" asked Professor Malfoy not believing what he heard.
"Veritaserum. The truth potion." Stephanie said a little bit louder, but not by much.
"Yes, that's correct." Professor Malfoy barely choked out in disbelief.
"Excuse me, Professor Malfoy, may I sit down?" Stephanie asked sheepishly.
"Oh yes, go on. Also thirty points to Gryffindor." Professor Malfoy said in a daze not realizing he gave an extra five points to Gryffindor.
"But Professor Malfoy, you gave-" Started one of the Slytherins.
"Not now, class dismissed." He said still bewildered trying to sit in his chair.
While Stephanie, Josh, and Eric were walking down the hall way, almost every one in the Potions class (every Slytherins!) came up and congratulated Stephanie for shocking Professor Malfoy for dismissing them early, without homework!
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Stephanie sat by the fire in the Common Room. Surprisingly, she was the only one there.
'Guess people were tired from the first day.' Stephanie thought to herself.
'Okay; now it seems that Dad or Professor Potter, not really sure what to call the guy, isn't married, I think. But I'm not really sure if that is a pro or a con. He's personality is well I have only met him once but he seems okay, but he seems a little depressed. Most likely caused by my mother's leaving, but wait, I don't know even if he loved my mom. Or even if my mom loved him. How am I going to get through this year without feeling nervous around my DADA teacher? Oi, I'm giving myself a headache, I'm going to bed.'
Stephanie finally stopped babbling to herself and surrendered to the last voice in her head.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next couple of weeks went by like a blur to Stephanie and her friends, but always the Defense Against Dark Arts Class always seemed the longest to Stephanie. It was November 28th, Christmas was coming up quick and the weather was showing it. Stephanie was playing with her breakfast that morning. She really wasn't in the mood to eat. It was her 11th birthday but Stephanie felt depressed.
"Hey Stephanie, why aren't you eating?" Eric said with a mouth full of food.
"Oh, I'm not hungry." Stephanie said dully.
Eric jumped at the chance.
"Can I have your food?" Eric said showering Stephanie with bits of food that was previously in his mouth.
"Sure knock yourself dead, but next time you ask swallow first, talk later." Stephanie said while wiping bits of pre-chewed food off her face.
Though by that time Eric was already gnawing away at Stephanie's food.
"What's wrong, Stephanie?" asked Josh.
Before Stephanie could answer Josh, dozens and dozens of owls came flying through the hall. One owl had dropped a package in front of Stephanie.
'Most likely from Mum.' Stephanie thought to herself
Stephanie opened the package and found a little note inside.
I thought you would like this. Your father gave it to me. You can keep it, but make sure that he doesn't see it. Happy Birthday.
Mom
Stephanie picked up the square velvet box from the package. Stephanie opened it to reveal a stunning emerald necklace. Stephanie carefully took the necklace out. The emerald was a very good cut, and was the color of a deep forest green. The necklace had silver chain, which was attached to the back of the emerald, which was also silver and was the shape of an oval. Stephanie turned the necklace, only to find a short engraving on the back.
'To, H.G. Love, H.P.'
'He really did love her.' Stephanie thought to herself as she placed the necklace on her own neck. Stephanie thoughts were interrupted by another package landing in front of her. The package was black, narrow, and light. Stephanie carefully and reluctantly opened the package to find a dead, black rose and a poem.
Born of a wizard and a witch
Father was born a legend and seeker for a snitch
Mother a bookworm and muggleborn
Their love to each other both worn
The two were together and now are apart
Mudblood left behind a broken heart
Afraid of what he would say about the baby she held
She left him there never to tell
Eleven years later their baby girl is full-grown
Her father she has never known
You are a powerful witch in potential danger
Because I know you're the child of Potter and Granger
Family secrets stowed away
Hoping that the never see the light of day
The truth is hidden in your dream
Some things aren't what they seem
Stephanie just stared awestruck at the parchment. Someone knew she was the daughter of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Was this just a cruel prank? Should she go to the headmaster? Write to her source? What if her source was the one who wanted to put her to harm. Was the sender Voldemort?
All that Stephanie knew at that moment she couldn't stay in the Great Hall she had to go somewhere else. Stephanie grabbed the poem and dead rose and ran out of the Great Hall leaving a confused Eric and Josh behind.
And one concerned, green-eyed professor.
Stephanie kept on running until she was at the lake. Stephanie then threw the dead rose into the lake and crumpled the poem into a paper ball and also threw in it the lake. In anger Stephanie ripped the emerald necklace off her neck and threw it on the ground. Stephanie looked up to the sky and screamed at the top of her lungs.
"WHY CAN'T I HAVE A NORMAL LIFE? BUT NO! YOU JUST HAD TO MAKE MY LIFE MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE OF MY FATHER AND MOTHER! I DON'T WANT TO EXIST! I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO BE BORN! JUST KILL ME NOW AND GET OVER WITH IT! BECAUSE I'M PRETTY SURE SOMEONE'S GOING TRY TO KILL ME THIS YEAR JUST BECAUSE OF WHO MY PARENTS ARE! WHY ARE YOU GUYS UP THERE TRYING TO MAKE MY LIFE A LIVING HELL?"
Stephanie then paused and panted heavily from lack of air. Then collapsed to the ground and wept.
'I could have been a normal witch but no I have to be the daughter of Harry Potter. Some kids would kill to be his kid, but I rather have anyone else as a dad.' Stephanie thought bitterly.
Then Stephanie felt a warm hand on her back.
"Go away." Stephanie said weakly, thinking maybe it was Josh or Eric.
Yet the person did not leave.
"I said go…" Stephanie then turned around curiously seeing none other than Professor Potter.
"Away." Stephanie said as she stood up quickly, brushing of her robes and rubbing the tears away from her cheeks.
"Oh, I'm sorry Professor Potter I thought you were Josh or Eric, please don't tell me that I got detention." Stephanie said meekly.
"It's okay. I was just checking to see if you're okay. So what made you so upset?" said Harry as he smiled.
'Okay I guess it's okay to tell him some things about my life. Well he might be secretly putting the pieces together in his mind. So far the clues are the green eyes, the chestnut hair, well there is the fact that my 11th birthday is today and it is exactly been 11 years and 9 MONTHS since, mum left, that should be one big clue right there. Okay just tell him some things, yet not too much if you don't tell him anything he will get even more suspicious. Plus I think he thinks that my mom is a muggle.' Stephanie babbled in her thoughts.
"I feel like a mistake." Stephanie said dully. "That's my problem."
"Whatever makes you feel like that?" said Professor Potter with a tiny frown.
"Because I AM a mistake. My mother got pregnant when she was 17 by my father. Then my mother found out she was pregnant dropped out of school, and left England without ever telling my father. Intending that I never know whom my father is. To sum it all up my life is incredibly screwed up." Stephanie babbled forgetting whom she was talking to. "So that's why you see me here today, screaming at the fates to kill me already, to save time because I'm probably going to be killed by that person who wrote that bloody poem, that I got for my birthday today." Realizing at what she just said Stephanie put her hand over her mouth.
"Sorry, I just realized I have a Potions test coming up, but I haven't studied enough. And if I don't study Professor Malfoy is going to kill me. Thanks for listening. Bye, Bye." Stephanie said as she quickly ran back to the castle, unaware that she had left her emerald necklace on the ground right next to her puzzled father.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stephanie flopped down on the couch in the Common Room with a groan.
'Stephanie you definitely need a potion to shut you up. You just told your father how you came into existence! He must be at least a little suspicious by now, if not he is the most oblivious man in the universe. I really can't live like this for seven years! I really have to talk to mum during Christmas about our little secret. I'm not sure if I can hold it in much longer.'
Suddenly the loud slamming of the portrait door interrupted Stephanie's thoughts. Coming in were none other than Josh and Eric.
"Hey Stephanie. Is anything wrong? You really have been acting weird lately." Said Josh. As Eric and he sat next to her on the couch.
Stephanie couldn't take it anymore. She had to tell someone about her secret, anyone!
'I know mom said to keep my mom shut, but still, I am only eleven. I can't keep a secret, it's in my nature to blab!' Stephanie thought to herself.
"Okay guys, I'm going to tell you a huge secret now you have to promise that you are going to keep it. If not, I will kill you both and use your intestine to hang you. Got it?" Stephanie said intimidating the boys.
They both looked at each other and then looked back at Stephanie and nodded their heads.
"Okay, Josh you said your father was Ron Weasley. Right?" asked Stephanie.
"Yes." Josh replied.
"Did he have a friend named Hermione Granger?" asked Stephanie.
"I think so. Oh yeah! Now I remember she was one of my dad's best friends. I think my dad told me she disappeared in their 7th year. Why do you want to know?" Josh asked.
Stephanie took a deep breath and placed her hand in front of the two boys.
"Hi, I'm Stephanie Granger. Nice to meet you."
At this time Josh's jaw dropped open while Eric looked confused as ever.
"Eric my mother's was one of Harry's Potter's best friends," explained Stephanie.
"Not only that, she's his bloody daughter." Josh yelled.
At this Eric's jaw also dropped open.
"Shh, do you want the whole entire castle know about it before my dad actually does?" Stephanie whispered forcefully.
"Do you have any proof?" Eric said finally.
"Do you see the resemblance in the eyes? I have the exact same eyes as him!" Stephanie exclaimed.
"Okay breathe Stephanie, breathe. No wonder you're so stressed." Josh said.
"I told you my life was messed up. But no! Nobody ever listens to me!" Stephanie said as she took another deep breath. "This is way too much stress for an eleven year old."
"On top of that you have top grades in the year! No wonder you're so up tight all the time. OUCH!" Eric said as Stephanie smacked him in the head.
Stephanie involuntarily reached up top her neck to squeeze the necklace for stress relief only to find it bare. Her eyes widened as her mouth opened in shocked. As she replayed the scene over and over in her head. She had ripped her necklace off and left it with her father.
"Bloody hell." Stephanie said with obvious shock in her voice.
"Stephanie are you okay?" Josh said as he saw her go into shock mode.
"I…I left my necklace at the lake. The necklace had my mom and dad's initials engraved into them. Professor Potter came to see what was wrong. I said too much and ran off with out my necklace leaving it there at the lake with Professor Potter." Stephanie explained.
"Oh Shit!" Eric exclaimed.
"Let's hope he didn't see it." Josh said.
"I have to get it back, and it would be very bad if he saw it. I would have to explain a lot of things that I can't answer. I have to go in the morning. It's no use if I go tonight. He either saw it or not." Stephanie said.
"Do you think anyone else knows about your identity?" asked Eric.
"Okay well you two know, My source knows, the person who sent me a little death poem
that said if I tell dad my real identity I will die a horrible death, and I'm betting two bucks that Professor Dumbledore knows," said Stephanie.
"Stephanie what's two bucks?" asked Eric.
"Oh sorry I think I was in New York too long, it means two dollars, or I guess maybe a pound. I never was too keen about British money." Stephanie explained.
"So you think Dumbledore knows about your identity and all that?" asked Josh.
"Yeah, I would probably bet all my savings that he does." Stephanie replied.
"What did you mean by 'my source'?" asked Josh.
"Oh, well you see, sometime in July, I received these letters, which told me who I really was." Stephanie explained.
"Do you know who sent you the letters?" asked Eric.
"Well, sort of, I think it might be a pen name, or something like that. All my letters were just simply signed 'Snuffles'." said Stephanie.
"Snuffles?! Are you sure it was signed Snuffles?" asked Josh.
Stephanie nodded.
"One time my dad told me something about Snuffles. What was it?" A realization then dawned on Josh. "It was Sirius! Sirius is Harry's godfather!" Exclaimed Josh.
"What? How do you know that?" asked a stunned Stephanie.
"Sirius was convicted for crimes he didn't commit. In Harry's 3rd year he and well, Hermione rescued him. He was cleared of the crimes around my dad's sixth year, I believe. You see, Sirius had the animagus form of a dog, and they called him Snuffles in letters and anywhere that was public, when he was still a fugitive, so people didn't know it was him!" Josh exclaimed.
"Josh sometimes you can be a dork other times you can be okay, but now this is just plain scary." Stephanie said to Josh.
"Stephanie, do you think Sirius told Harry about you?" asked Eric.
"No, I don't think so. I think if he knew he would be acting really weird around me," explained Stephanie.
"I think he acts weird around everyone. Hey, I just remembered, what did you say something about a death poem?" asked Eric.
"Oh, I almost forgot. This morning I got this warning in poem style telling me if I tell my dad who I really am, that I will basically die. The truth is I really think it might be Voldemort." Stephanie suspected.
At the certain name said both Eric and Josh shuddered. Stephanie raised an eyebrow at this never understanding why people shuddered at that specific name.
"Are you sure, Stephanie?" asked Josh.
"No. But I think it's a possibility. I mean his enemy is my fath…. Oh crap." Stephanie said as her face paled.
"What?" asked Eric seeing the color drain from Stephanie's face.
"He's going to come after me. He will try to get through to me father by me. " Stephanie explained while in a dead-panned tone.
"That's not good," said Eric.
"That's the biggest under statement of the year! Stephanie you really should go to Dumbledore about this." said Josh.
"I know but at least after Christmas break ok? Case closed. I really rather not talk about anything that is related to my father right now. Okay?"
There now was very pregnant pause between the three friends, until Eric decide to break the silence.
"Quidditch tryouts are today." Eric said trying to perk everyone up, but also yelling at the top of his lung.
"Okay, Eric turn it down a notch, will you?" asked Josh.
"Yea, sure, whatever." An idea popped up into his head and a little devious smile appeared on Eric's face unknown to either Stephanie or Josh.
"Hey Stephanie why don't you tryout?"
"What? Me tryout? For what?" Stephanie said forgetting the little detail that her father was a Gryffindor Seeker.
"Well how about Seeker?" said Josh getting in with Eric's little scheme.
A perplexed look was on Stephanie's face until a sudden realization came on Stephanie's face for a second then was replaced by anger.
"I am not going to be a Seeker, just because I'm related to the, and I quote 'The youngest Seeker of the Century'. That does not mean I am good!" Stephanie practically shouted.
"Hey you won't know until you try." Eric said.
"And I heard we desperately need a Seeker for Gryffindor." Josh added.
"I thought first years were not allowed to tryout or even own a broom!" Stephanie said.
"Nope, open tryouts 1st years through 7th years. 1st years are allowed brooms if chosen to be on the team" Eric smirked triumphantly.
Stephanie both looked at Eric and Josh, seeing if either would relent. Seeing that both were determined to make Stephanie the new Seeker, Stephanie gave up.
"UGH!" Stephanie groaned in defeat. "FINE! I will tryout! But it doesn't mean I will have a good tryout." Stephanie said as she flashed them a devious smile.
"And it doesn't mean we won't tell Harry who you are." Eric grinned in victory.
Stephanie fumed in frustration.
"FINE! Some friends you two are!" Stephanie then laid on the couch once again. "So when are the tryouts." Stephanie said in an exhausted tone as she put hand on her forehead and leaned on her elbow.
Eric and Josh both looked at each other and grinned.
"Well let's see where should we start?" Josh said as he grinned.
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REVIEW!!! Tell me how I'm doing in my revisions!!