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: Another chapter REVISED!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I can't believe you two talked me into this. Oh that's right you blackmailed me!" Stephanie exclaimed as she, Josh, and Eric walked to the Quidditch field.
"Stop talking, more walking. Plus this will be good for you. You really need to get out more." Eric said.
"Eric you are just saying that because, well you know, me being related to 'him'. And I am not antisocial! It's just people think I'm weird and don't care to know me." Stephanie said.
The three had finally reached the Quidditch Field. Stephanie had not realized how large the field was until now. It was one thing looking from the stands and from actually looking from the field.
"I can't do this." Stephanie said as she tried to walked back but was pulled back by Josh and Eric.
"Breathe Stephanie. We have faith in you." Eric said.
Do you guys think I really can do this? I mean I'm not all that aware how Quidditch works." Stephanie said trying to convince them that she couldn't do it.
"Stephanie the only thing that you have to worry about is watch out for the bludgers, avoid the beaters and chasers, and catch the Snitch before the other Seeker does. Now Eric and me will be in the stands watching. Good Luck." Josh said as he and Eric walked off the field.
'Okay Stephanie be confident. Oh yeah I don't have confidence! Stephanie, then ACT confident. That I can do.' Stephanie thought to herself as she walked across the field where the team captain was, Lauren Winning.
Lauren had long auburn hair almost always tied in a ponytail, and she had hazel eyes. Lauren was a 7th year student, Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, and Head Girl. And yet she was uptight as ever.
"Now it seems we only have two people trying out for the Seeker position, so we will begin, but first please tell me your names." Lauren said looking over Stephanie and the boy next to her.
He looked like he was a least a 4th year. He was very brawny, and didn't look too bright. But his muscles made up for that, somewhat.
"Jeff Holder." He said very arrogantly.
Stephanie took a deep breath and said her name.
"Stephanie Vigil." Stephanie said with strength on her first name, but weaker on her supposed last name.
"Okay now to receive the Seeker position, I will release the snitch, first person to catch it earns the spot. Okay I will give you about 5 minutes to warm up." Lauren left as she walked over to talk to her other teammates.
Stephanie mounted her school broom and took a deep breath preparing herself for her take off.
'Okay, now if I possibly do make the team, I NEED BETTER BROOM! Okay now just go into the air if you're terrified just go down."
Stephanie kicked off and then hovered about 5 feet above the ground. Stephanie looked down and smiled, and received an adrenaline rush. She liked this new feeling, so she decided that she should see what she really could do.
Stephanie ascended higher into the sky until she was a little more than a foot higher than the tallest Quidditch goal.
"Now let's see how far my Seeker blood can take me." Stephanie said smiling the Famous Harry Potter Grin.
Stephanie flew off diagonally in the air and preformed an almost perfect loop. Stephanie then flew at a rapid speed toward the ground and pulled up less than two feet from the ground, the Wronski Feint.
'Damn, I'm better than I have ever imagined. I never knew I could do a bloody loop.' Stephanie ended her thoughts when she saw Eric and Josh in the stand with both of their jaws open looking dumbfounded.
Stephanie flew over to them grinning. Enjoying that they are actually speechless, for once.
"So boys, fancy the show?" Stephanie said as she smiled wide.
"That was BLOODY BRILLIANT!" Josh shouted.
While Eric still looked astonished.
"Josh, check Eric's pulse, I think he just died of shock!" Stephanie said being playfully dramatic.
"I can't feel a pulse, but I know he has gone to a better place, the girls bathroom!" Josh added, getting into the act.
Stephanie then heard the familiar yell of the Gryffindor Captain.
"Whoops, got to go. Lauren wants to see me, something about a snitch. Josh tell me when Eric recovers." Stephanie said as she flew down to Lauren and Bradley.
"Sorry, I think my friend just had a heart attack or a stroke." Stephanie said.
"What?" Jeff looked confused at Stephanie.
Stephanie just rolled her eyes. "It was a joke, okay?" Stephanie asked Jeff.
"Uh, yeah okay." Jeff said looking confused as ever.
"Enough talking, I am going to release the snitch in 3...2...1 Go!" Lauren yelled motioning them to go.
Stephanie instantly went up like a rocket, while Jeff still stood there confused.
"Jeff, Go!" Lauren yelled at him.
"What? Oh yea right." Jeff said, as he mounted his broom and flew off.
Surprisingly the Snitch showed itself five minutes later, but unfortunately for Stephanie, it was right above Jeff. Luckily for Stephanie, Jeff was oblivious as ever.
Stephanie flew ever so slowly and casually toward Jeff not desiring any unwanted attention from the other Seeker candidate.
'What am I talking about? He acts like he has a peanut for a brain. He wouldn't know where the snitch was, even if it were tap dancing on his broom while wearing a mini Scottish Kilt.' Stephanie thought to herself as she flew over to Jeff.
"Hey Jeff. Oh my gosh, look over there! It's an escaped oompa loompa, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!" Stephanie exclaimed as she pointed in the opposite direction.
"What? Where?" Jeff asked as his head turned the direction of Stephanie's finger.
Stephanie took this opportunity and flew toward the snitch. But at that precise moment the Snitch decided it wanted to go down.
Stephanie reacted to this quickly and followed the snitch's downward movement, until 40 feet later, the snitch decided again to move, but upward this time, then horizontal. Stephanie continued to follow the snitch, until she pulled the same stunt her father did his first Quidditch game, she stood on her broomstick. Stephanie; although was much better at this since she was a pretty decent skateboarder. Stephanie stood like that for a while until she lunged for the snitch catching it, but falling from 50 feet. Stephanie had to think fast. Stephanie whipped out her wand.
"ACCIO BROOM!"
Stephanie shouted as the broom rapidly came toward her. Stephanie put the wand back into her pocket and grabbed the broom. Stephanie again mounted the broom and flew gracefully down to the ground holding the Snitch.
The players of the Gryffindor looked shocked at her. Looking much like Eric earlier.
"What? Didn't think I could do it? Okay I guess I won't be making the team." Stephanie said as she walked away, leaving the dumbfounded team. Just then all the players rushed toward Stephanie and crowded around her.
"Are you kidding? You're the best Seeker I have seen at Hogwarts since Harry Potter!" Lauren shouted.
"So I made it?" Stephanie asked.
"You made it!"
~*In the stands*~
Harry Potter leaned on a wall as he watched the scene before him, well mostly watching a certain 1st student of his. He had surprised to see such tricks from a 1st year; he wasn't even that good in his 1st year as the Gryffindor Seeker.
He had been pondering about that girl, since the encounter at that lake. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that she looked very familiar. The answer was right there in front of him, but he just couldn't grasp it. He couldn't help but feeling she was in danger, and he couldn't help but feeling an urge to protect her. Harry had absolutely no idea where it came from, yet it felt strangely natural to him.
One thing he knew for certain was that, Stephanie knew a lot more than she was telling.
Harry sighed and started to walk back to the castle.
'Maybe I should write to Sirius.'
Stephanie surprisingly didn't really want to talk to anyone right now. She just needed to be by herself. Stephanie had earlier told this to Eric and Josh, they understood and congratulated Stephanie being the new Seeker, and left her alone.
Stephanie went to the only place where she could relax, the lake. Hell, she might as well check to see if her necklace was there. Hopefully her father didn't find it and go insane, that would be bad.
It was becoming darker, but Stephanie didn't care. She didn't care if she was out past curfew, got 10 detentions and 1000 points from Gryffindor. Sure she probably become the most hated girl in Gryffindor, but really who cares about house points, what is the point in them? To bring honor to the House name? Well Gryffindor is already a great house, in her opinion, so why should anyone care if it has one really crappy year for points?
Stephanie approached the place where she had sat earlier, babbling her heart out accidentally to her dense father. Stephanie sat down on the ground, while checking for her necklace. With her luck, she found the heart necklace, though it was a bit dirty from the mud. Stephanie washed it off in the cold crystal water, then dried the necklace with her robes, and placed it back on her bare neck.
Stephanie just sat there in the moonlight admiring the stars and the constellations, and the giant moon. She always loved the night. Unlike most people, Stephanie felt safe and comfortable in the night. It covered people's mistakes and reality itself, while morning showed how the world really was. Though it always felt like someone was always watching her. Not knowing if they watched for her safety or for her downfall.
"I am so paranoid." Stephanie muttered to herself.
Stephanie leaned on a nearby rock as she stared at the lake with the moon and star's reflection on the shimmering silver surface. She swore she saw a shooting star fly by in the reflection, but when she looked up there was nothing.
Stephanie continued to look at the lake's silvery surface for a couple of moments when she saw a distant shadow in the lake. Stephanie ignored it thinking it was just an illusion of her eyes, until the figure spoke.
"Beautiful night isn't?" said the unfamiliar female voice.
"Not that anyone would care, but yes." Stephanie said still staring down at the lake. Not wanting to really know who was behind her.
"Congratulations, on becoming Seeker. Nice tricks you did out there, where did you learn them?" The girl asked.
"I didn't learn them from anywhere, I just did them. But I feel like I didn't earn the position. The only reason I got the position, it's because that dunderhead looked in the direction where I claimed I saw an oompa loompa. I watched Charlie and The Chocolate Factory far too many times." Stephanie said dully.
"That isn't true. I did see you do those great tricks and you thought fast on your feet when you were falling. You were made for the part. And what's an oompa loompa?" asked the girl.
"Yeah, only I was blackmailed into trying out. That's the last time I tell those two a secret. You have the blood Stephanie! Yeah but blood can only take you so far. Hell I have only known the existence of that man for about 4 months, and people already are comparing me to him. And an oompa loompa is a thing from the movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it's a muggle thing. I don't think you would understand." Stephanie said as she turned her head around to see a girl. She looked like she was in 4th year. She had brown hair, mahogany eyes, and a Gryffindor patch on her robe.
"Nice to meet you, Stephanie. My name is Victoria Wood, Keeper on the Quidditch team." Said Victoria as she held out her hand.
Stephanie stood up from the ground and placed her hand into Victoria's.
"Hi, Victoria. Nice to meet you. Do you mind if I call you Tori?" Stephanie asked the other girl
"Yeah sure. Hey, that's a good nickname for me, Tori. People keep on calling my Vick or Vicky. It gets annoying." Victoria explained to Stephanie.
"No problem with the nickname. So what year are you in anyway?" Stephanie asked Tori.
"Oh me? I'm in 3rd year." Tori told Stephanie.
"Really? I honestly thought you were in 4th year." Stephanie confessed.
"Most people do think I'm in 4th year. I'm just a little tall for my age that's all." said Tori.
"So your dad is Oliver Wood, right?" asked Stephanie.
"Yeah he is, but you know what? I hate when people always hang around me because of my dad. I know he's on the England Quidditch Team, but I don't need a million kids asking me for his autograph. It's frustrating!" Tori said with an aggravated groan.
"I can relate." Stephanie said speaking her thoughts out loud, by accident.
"What did you say?" asked Tori not catching Stephanie's comment.
"Oh, I said that must stink." Stephanie said trying to cover up her mistake.
"It does." said Tori believing Stephanie's answer. "Now maybe we should head in before we get detention."
"Sure." Stephanie said following Tori back to the castle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tori and Stephanie finally reached the portrait of the fat lady.
"Hello, wonderful night isn't? It seems it's very loud in there. Would you tell them to settle down? Password please?"
"Butterscotch Slugs." Tori said simply.
As the portrait door opened and the two girls stepped in and saw that a party was going on. As Stephanie examined the room, Josh popped out of nowhere in front of Stephanie
"Ladies and Gentlemen here is your guest of honor, birthday girl, and brand new Gryffindor Seeker, Stephanie Vigil! And now we present a brand new broom for our brand new Seeker!" Josh shouted over the room, as the whole room erupted into cheers, while an amazing broom found it's way into Stephanie's hands.
"Oh, my God. This is a Flamethrower!" Stephanie exclaimed as she examined the broom more closely. "Where the hell did you guys get this on such short notice?" Stephanie asked Josh and Eric who had just come up.
"Oh, I had a little help from my cousins in 4th year, the twins, Brian and Cody. Quite the pranksters, they get it from their uncles, Fred and George." said Josh.
"Josh whose their dad?" Stephanie asked Josh.
"Oh, Percy." Josh said grinning
"Well, that must drive him crazy. I can't believe your family had another set of twins that are jokesters." Stephanie said.
"Let's just say Fred and George influenced them well." Josh said. "And here are Brian and Cody now." said Josh.
"Hello our dear cousin, is life treating you all right?" asked Brian.
"Thank you for getting me a broom, Brian and Cody. I really appreciate it," said Stephanie.
"Stop you're making us blush." said Cody.
"Hey, Stephanie this is your birthday right?" asked Brian.
"Yeah, November 28th. Why do you ask?" Stephanie said hoping that they weren't on to her 'little' secret.
"Well that means you're the youngest Seeker of the century. You're 4 months younger than when Harry Potter became Seeker!" said Brian.
"Oh, yea. Oh, joy. Oh, woe is me." Stephanie muttered under her breath. "Oh, really that's very informative. You know what? I think I need to get out of here." Stephanie said as she walked through the portrait hole.
"What's with her?" asked Brian.
"Don't ask. Come on Eric let's go after her." said Josh grabbing Eric as they walked through the portrait door.
As soon as the closed the portrait, they saw Stephanie by the fat lady.
"Would you mind, I'm trying to hold a conversation with the picture." Stephanie said dully. "I hate it when people compare me to my father. I know they think it's a compliment to be at the same respect level as Harry Potter, but it isn't for me. I know they don't know the circumstances, but it still aggravates me," said Stephanie.
"It's okay Stephanie. At least you have us to talk to," said Josh putting his arm over Stephanie's shoulders. "Why don't we go to the kitchen and grab something to eat?" asked Josh.
"Okay, Stephanie you coming?" asked Eric as he put his arm over Stephanie also
"Sure what do I have to lose, besides my lunch?" Stephanie said as she put her arms over both Josh and Eric.
"How about your brain?" asked Eric.
"Or your insanity?" said Josh.
"Sorry guys, I already lost those two a long time ago, come on last one to the kitchen is a slimy Slytherin!" said Stephanie as she ran off in the direction of the Kitchen.
Stephanie laughed as she saw the shocked look on both of their faces as she ran to the kitchen. She was truly happy for the first time in the year.
Days had past until the first Quidditch game of the season. That game of course was Gryffindor against Slytherin. No one knew who was the Gryffindor's new Seeker was, except for the Gryffindors obviously. And almost everyone didn't know that the new Seeker was the daughter of the greatest Seeker of the century. That was a given.
Stephanie was nervous, let me rephrase that she was extremely nervous. The only thing she prayed for was that she did not die an early death.
Stephanie looked in the mirror. In the mirror was an 11-year-old girl, in a red Gryffindor Quidditch uniform. A 'Flamethrower 2000' broom in her right hand, and a ruby necklace on her neck, though covered by her uniform. Her wild, uncontrollable, but not bushy, cinnamon hair was pulled up into a ponytail, while her emerald eyes had become more intense due to her contacts.
Stephanie told one deep breath before muttering to her self.
"Please let me get out of this game alive."
The doors to her dorm then burst open revealing a worried looking Lauren. Suddenly, she was relieved of that expression when she saw Stephanie.
"There you are. I thought you chickened out on us. Come on we only have about 5 minutes before the call us." Lauren said as she took Stephanie's hand and led her down the stairs and out of the Common Room.
They shortly reached the other Gryffindor players, also relieving some of the troubled faces, some but not all.
"Where have you been? We were afraid we would have to forfeit!" said a very stressed out Tori.
"Relax, Victoria. She's here now. Now get ready all of you. We are the best and always will be. We have great chasers and beaters, an excellent keeper, and an outstanding Seeker. Now let's go kick some slimy Slytherin butt!" Lauren yelled giving her team a pep talk.
The announcer Anthony Klipto, a Gryffindor, started to announce the Slytherin team. After the whole team was announced Anthony started announcing the Gryffindor team.
"Now for the Gryffindor team! The chasers, Lauren Winning, also the captain, Lindsay Cashen, and Cassi Williams! For the Beaters Brian and Cody Weasley! Now the daughter of a brilliant keeper, who's a brilliant keeper herself, Victoria Wood! And finally our brand new Seeker, first year, Stephanie Vigil!"
Stephanie was amazed at seeing so many shock faces most likely caused because she was now, "The youngest Seeker of the century."
The Madam Hooch had come onto the pitch and had asked for a fair game and the game began!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been an hour since the game had begun and the snitch had yet to be found. The score 50-20 for Gryffindor. Stephanie was getting very anxious. She really wanted to prove herself to everyone.
'Ugh I really work myself too hard.' Stephanie thought to herself.
Stephanie watched the game a little longer. Lindsay had the ball she passed to Cassi and back again, until they came up to the goal and Lindsay scored.
Stephanie clapped loudly. 'Well we are in the lead, but still am I ever going to find that damn snitch?' Stephanie thought to herself.
Suddenly a bludger whizzed past Stephanie's head only missing her by mere inches. Stephanie turned to look at the basher only to find that the sapphire eyes Slytherin that earlier had called her a Mudblood.
"Nice to see you again Mr. Vale." Stephanie said very coolly.
"Can't say the same for you Mudblood." The nameless Vale said as he sneered.
"I am not a MUDBLOOD! But I can't say the same thing for you because you are lower than dirt." Stephanie said as she smirked.
Vale got angry at this comment and did the first thing that came into his mind. His beater bat. Vale threw it hard and accurately causing Stephanie to fall 35 ft from her broom and landing on her back.
Stephanie thought one last sentence before she blacked out.
'What the hell did I land on?' Then Stephanie blacked out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was 2 hours before Stephanie revived from her fall. Unfortunately no one was allowed to take the fallen students during the game (A/N: I know that this doesn't sound real, but give me a break!) so Stephanie was in the exact same spot. All the players looked extremely tired and the score was at 210 to 190 in favor of Slytherin by a narrow margin. Stephanie remained on the ground not really feeling like getting up quickly.
"Oh he is so going to pay. Hopefully this won't leave a bump." Stephanie said as she felt her head. Then Stephanie felt a bump on her head. A very large bump on her head that felt like 10 migraines centered at that one spot.
"Yup, it left a bump. Now what the hell did I land on? A rock?"
Stephanie then reached under her back and felt a round ball. Stephanie's eyes widened at realizing what it could possibly be. Or maybe it was just a very round rock. Who Knows?
"Please let it not be a rock, because my head hurts way too much to fly." Stephanie said slowly as she pulled the ball into her hand and brought it from under back. Stephanie slowly opened her hand to reveal the Golden Snitch.
Stephanie smiled like there was no tomorrow and held the Snitch up him receiving astounded looks. When they realized that she had the snitch Gryffindor and some Ravenclaw and HufflePuff exploded into cheers while Slytherin look obviously pissed.
"And the Gryffindor Seeker, Stephanie Vigil has gotten the Golden Snitch after a nasty blow to the head by that bloody bast.." At this point Anthony got a good scolding from Professor McGonagall. "Uh, sorry Professor. Ok so, Gryffindor wins 360 to 190!" Anthony continued obviously excited.
Stephanie stood there smiling while still holding the snitch. She technically didn't prove herself, yet. But it still did feel good to win. Stephanie then felt the pain in her head as she sat down, getting a bit light-headed. She then fainted.
Stephanie woke up with a HUGE headache and white all around her. It was very bright and Stephanie had to take a minute to adjust to the brightness. At seeing all the whiteness Stephanie thought the worst had happened at the Quidditch game. Then only she remembered she fell to the ground, possibly dead?
"Oh no I'm dead, I died at the Quidditch game. Am I at least in heaven now or limbo or did the devil have the urge to redecorate?"
"I'm sorry my dear but you are far from being deceased. You are just in the Hospital Wing," said a voice.
Stephanie sat up in bed searching for the source of the voice, only for her eyes to land on the Headmaster.
"How are you feeling Ms. Granger?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
Stephanie flopped back down on the bed, while replying.
"Oh like I got hit by the Hogwarts Express. Wait did you just call me Ms. Granger?" asked Stephanie hoping that maybe instead of knowing he just mistaken her for her mother. Fat chance. Stephanie looked into the Headmaster's eye seeing a twinkle in them.
"Well, Stephanie you are Hermione Granger's daughter aren't you?" asked Professor Dumbledore with a knowing smile.
"I'd figured that you would know who I really was. And I'm thinking that you know who my father is then?" asked Stephanie.
"A Mister Harry Potter?" Dumbledore asked knowingly.
"Bingo." Stephanie said sarcastically as she gave thumbs up. Stephanie eyes popped open with fear. "Are you going to tell him who I am? Mum's going to kill me."
"Ms. Granger I won't tell Mr. Potter. It is not my secret to tell." The Headmaster replied.
"Thank you." Stephanie said with a sigh of relief.
"Though I do think that Harry is getting a bit suspicious." Professor Dumbledore said as he walked out the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Weeks passed as Christmas approached closer and closer. Also as the Christmas vacation was right around the corner.
Stephanie was going home. One of the reasons was that she missed her mother extremely; the other reason was that she hadn't told her mother that she had become the new Gryffindor Seeker; well hopefully she wouldn't have to tell her mother.
Stephanie was in the Great Hall just recently finished packing. She now was reading Hogwarts: A History. Well her mother read it all the time; she might as well read it herself. Stephanie actually did find it quite interesting.
"Like mother, like daughter," said the familiar voice of Josh Weasley dragging his trunk along.
Stephanie looked up from her book and gave the death glare to Josh then stuck her tongue out and resumed her reading.
"Aren't you going home? The train leaves in 15 min." said Josh.
"What!? I got to get my trunk. Go on without me I will see you and Eric on the train save a seat for me!" Stephanie said as she closed her book and darted out of the Great Hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If Stephanie had left any later she would have missed the train. Well maybe more like 10 seconds. Stephanie had just hopped on the train as it was pulling out of the station.
"Whew, that was close. Now to find Sir Joshua and Sir Erica. Ha! Erica. I'll have to tease him about that later. Oh Sorry." Stephanie said speaking her thoughts while she accidentally bumped into a person.
"Watch where your going Mudblood." said a very familiar irritating voice.
Stephanie rolled her eyes and decided to explain to that Vale kid that she wasn't a MUDBLOOD!
"For the last time who ever the hell you are I am not a MUDBLOOD! My mother is a witch, my father is a wizard. Now can you get that through your head filled with hot air and now currently missing the peanut-sized brain that you were born with. Now get out of my way before I rip your manhood off and staple to the wall." Stephanie said obviously peeved, and started walking away. The only thing she heard out of his mouth was the last thing she expected.
"The name's Alex."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This would be a great place to stop wouldn't it well I still got a lot more to do. Oi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Okay that was just plain weird. First he throws a beater club at me then he introduces himself. I will never understand boys." Stephanie muttered to herself upon finding the compartment the two were residing in.
"There you are we thought that the train left without you." said Eric.
"Well it almost did, Erica."
Stephanie and Josh both laughed at each other and started cracking up, while Eric sat there looking pretty peeved. After a while they all calmed down.
The rest of the train ride was pretty uneventful, well except for the part when Stephanie, Josh, and Eric had a candy fight after the witch with the food cart came around. Of course the fight was mostly throwing Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans at each other. It started when Josh threw a dung flavored one in Eric's mouth while he was yawning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When the trio finally got of the train, Josh instantly saw his dad coming towards him, a Mr. Ron Weasley.
"Stephanie hide, my father's coming he might recognize you to be, well you look like Hermione and Harry!" Josh said in hushed tone.
Stephanie did the only thing she could think of at that moment. Hide behind Josh and Eric and hope to the gods the Ron did not see a resemblance to her parents.
"Hi Dad." Josh said simply to his dad.
"What no hug for your old man?" Ron asked.
Josh reluctantly stepped up to his dad and gave him hug, but not before silently motioning Eric to hide Stephanie. After the hug Josh stepped back to hide Stephanie once again.
"And who is your friend here?" asked Ron meaning Eric.
"Oh, this is my friend, Eric Sarem. And my other friend is Stephanie Vigil, who is around here somewhere."
At that precise moment Stephanie was trying not to sneezed but failed miserably. She looked to the sky and mouthed, 'Why?' Stephanie still hid where she was just praying that Ron thought he was hearing things or some other student, beside the one behind her son, had sneezed. Unfortunately Ron wasn't that dense.
"Hello and who is this?" asked Ron peering over Josh and Eric's shoulders.
A light bulb just turned on in Stephanie's head.
"I got it! Contacts, nasty little buggers keep falling out when you least expect it. Hi I'm Stephanie Vigil. Nice to meet you got to get going think I hear my mother calling. Bye Josh, bye Eric. See you two in a couple of weeks, and remember, KEEP YOUR BLOODY MOUTHS SHUT! Bye!" Stephanie said in one breath, then took her trunk and walked through the barrier.
"Reminds me of someone I used to know." Ron said sadly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The days 'til Christmas passed as slow as a flobberworm. Everything had been Muggle normal. There was no talk of magic, no doing magic, and definitely NO bringing up her father. Everything was like they had celebrated Christmas before, until Christmas Eve, when the most unexpected thing had happened.
Stephanie laid in her bed looking up at her ceiling studying the plastic glow-in-the dark stars that were on her ceiling. She always had an interest in astronomy, not exactly sure if that meant she was also into astrology. She guessed that she would find out when she took Divination, which would be a couple more years.
After a while, Stephanie found herself outside on the porch looking up at the real stars, thinking how it would be if she was in space. She suddenly had an urge to look across the street only to find a black, shaggy dog crossing the street and to see a car heading right towards the dog. Stephanie instinctively closed her eyes. She heard the car's horn, a sound of a large object hitting metal, and finally the car screeching away. Stephanie reluctantly opened her eyes to see the dog lying in the road.
In the road was the black, shaggy dog on his side. Stephanie instantly gasped at the sight of the dog and froze in place from shock. Stephanie once again closed her eyes to calm herself, and without realizing, she was walking towards the dog. Lucky for her there was no cars in the street, but in exception for the car that had ran over the dog, but had already fled from sight. Stephanie kneeled in front of the dog and thought the worst. She closed her eyes and shed a single tear.
Suddenly Stephanie felt a cool, damp thing brush against her hand. Stephanie opened her eyes to find the dog that she thought was dead was now licking her hand. Stephanie sniffed and a smile played on her lips. She then lifted her palm and wiped the lone tear away.
"You're alive. Well I guess you're one lucky dog. Now I have to quit all this blubbering." Stephanie said as she petted the dog on his head.
"Well you must be hungry follow me." Stephanie said as she stood up and started towards her house; she was half way when she saw that the dog wasn't follow her.
"Well, what are you waiting for? You want to eat or not? Come on boy!" Stephanie called over to the dog. The dog then started to trot over to Stephanie. As soon as the dog reached her, Stephanie scratched his ear.
"Good boy."
Stephanie slowly opened the door trying to prevent a squeak. Of course in all the months her mother and she had lived in the house it had never squeak once, but it squeaked today. Stephanie stopped the door for a few seconds listen to see if her mother had woken up, hearing she hadn't, Stephanie opened the door and let the dog inside. They both quietly climbed the stairs, and fortunately reached Stephanie's room without a sound.
As soon as Stephanie's door was shut she collapsed into a nearby beanbag chair. After a couple of seconds she rose and walked over to her dresser and picked up a plate and laid it in front of the dog.
"Here have some pizza courtesy of well, I don't know where it came from, but hey pizza is pizza to me. Eat up."
After a few minutes the slices of pizza were completely devoured by the dog.
"Wow, that was fast. Okay I'm going to hit the sack. If my mum comes up hide for your own well being. Why am I talking to you like you're a human? I'm starting to go bonkers. Well, goodnight, well really good morning considering it's about 1:00. So Happy Christmas, and Goodnight."
Then Stephanie flopped onto the bed and slept like there was no tomorrow. After about 15 minutes the dog stood up on all fours and transformed into a man. Well this man was tall, had black hair, and looked like he hadn't shaved in a week. This man was none other than Sirius Black.
Sirius first off all stretched his arms and back. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square package with a letter on top of it. Sirius carefully placed the package under Stephanie's bed, cautious not to wake the sleeping 11 year old up. Sirius pulled the fallen cover back on Stephanie and turned to leave. Before he left Sirius kissed Stephanie on the forehead and opened the door and left. Before he left he said one last thing.
"Goodnight my grand goddaughter."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*BEEP!*BEEP!*BEEP!*
"AAH! Crap!"
Stephanie had fallen out of her bed, startled by the alarm clock and flew flat on her face, the carpeting not really breaking her fall.
"Stupid alarm clock. I have to remind myself to transfigure it into a sock later." Stephanie said still laying on the floor, with her face on it.
It was then when Stephanie saw something under her bed. A small package it was to be exact. Stephanie reached for it and pulled it from under her bed. It was indeed a package, but it also had a letter on it.
Stephanie slowly took the letter from the package and started to open it. Before she read the card she said a little chant.
"Please don't be another death poem, please don't be another death poem, please don't be another death poem. Okay, here goes nothing."
Stephanie tore open the envelope and pulled out the message.
Stephanie,
I know you have no pictures of your father or mother when they were young, so here's a picture of Hermione, Harry, and their best friend, Ron. This picture was taken in their 5th year. Happy Christmas.
From, Snuffles
Stephanie put down the letter and picked up the package. Stephanie tore up the package and picked up a framed picture. The picture had her mother, father, and Josh's dad in it. The three had their arms around each other. The were laughing and looked very happy. Every once in a while Hermione and Harry would steal glances at each other. Sometimes caught each other looking at each other. Both would turn away blushing. All three looked so young and carefree, even though they practically had the world's safety on their shoulders.
Stephanie placed the picture on her nightstand next to her wand, reminding herself to later pack it up in her truck, so that she could take it to school with her. Stephanie then went into the bathroom and took a shower, dressed and went downstairs to open her presents and to grab something to eat. When Stephanie reached downstairs, she saw three owls waiting for her. One looked like a school owl, the second was a deep mahogany color, and the other owl was her own owl, Cinders.
The owl that Stephanie guessed was a school owl didn't stay for acknowledgement that she was, who she was, or even a treat; it just dropped the package and flew out the window.
"And I guess you are either Josh or Eric's owl, wait here a second." Stephanie said as she ran into her room retrieving two packages. Stephanie first untied the package from the mahogany owl and saw that it was from Eric. Stephanie gave half a bagel to the owl and tied one of the packages to the owl. The owl nipped her finger affectionately and flew out the window. Stephanie turned to Cinders and untied the package and saw that it was from none other than Josh. Stephanie gave her other half of the bagel to Cinders and tied the other package to Cinders. Cinders hooted in thanks for the bagel and flew away.
Stephanie first picked up Eric's gift that was a small square box. Stephanie first picked up the note that was with it.
Dear Stephanie,
Here's something for practice.
Eric
She was a bit confused at the note, particularly at the practice part. Stephanie opened it to reveal a nice new Golden Snitch. She now realized what he meant by practice
"Cool. I really could use the practice. Won't Eric be surprised when he sees that I got him a whole case of dung-flavored beans? Hopefully he will look through the whole box or he kick himself for not seeing those chocolate frog trading cards he's been after for a while." Stephanie muttered to herself.
Stephanie put the Snitch in the case, which came with the gift and put it in her pocket. Stephanie picked up the gift from Josh and ripped it up in curiosity. She also saw a note in the gift.
Dear Stephanie,
Happy Christmas! Hope you like your gift. I was wondering if you wanted to come to my Grandparents house for a New Year's Eve party, I'm inviting Eric also, so you guys can stay over until the term starts. Your mom can come for the party if she wants, but that might be problem, because I think Harry is coming. My whole family is coming, which you know is A LOT! Well the party starts at six, but you should come around one. Inside is a bag of Floo Powder. Hopefully you know how to use it, but if you don't, it's when you are by the fireplace, throw some powder and call out 'The Burrow'. Hopefully I will see you later.
Josh
When she finally got to the actually gifted, she gasped in surprise. Josh had given her a charm bracelet. The bracelet had 5 charms on it. The first charm was a miniature broom, most likely because she was on the Quidditch Team. The next was a little book, because her love of books. The third charm was a mini wand; Stephanie had no idea why he put that one on. The next charm was pretty much self-explanatory; the charm was a small lightning bolt. The last and most stunning charm was a petite orb that sparkled with the colors of blue, purple, and a dark forest green. If you looked close enough, you would see the initials S.G. in golden script.
"Wow, I hope that slip for any kind of robe at Madam Malkin's Robe shop will make up for how much he spent on the bracelet." Stephanie said to herself as she slipped the bracelet on her wrist.
Stephanie then remembered the third package that was dropped off carelessly by what she assumed was a school owl. Stephanie reached across the table for the package and took the letter that was attached to it.
Stephanie,
This belonged to your father and grandfather. It has been used on many adventures. It is best if you do not show this to your mother. Use it wisely.
Stephanie reread the passage a few more times before she started actually opening the package. She untied the string on the package to reveal a silvery cloak. Nothing really shouted out, 'Magical'. Stephanie inspected the cloak for a few minutes to find nothing really special about it. Stephanie then just decided to see how it fitted. Instantly, Stephanie neck and down, disappeared before her very eyes.
"Cool. An invisible thingy." Stephanie commented to herself.
"Actually its an invisibility cloak." said a familiar voice.
Stephanie didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. For all her eleven years of life she had heard that voice to many times to count. Stephanie turned around to face her mother, Hermione. Stephanie was about to say something when surprisingly her mother spoke again.
"Your father actually received that cloak in his first year at Hogwarts, from Professor Dumbledore. It was his father's also. I see it was passed down to you." Hermione said examining the cloak to see if it really was Harry's old cloak.
"You're…you're not mad?" Stephanie asked stunned.
"No I'm not, just keep it hidden, okay. Now what else did you receive?" Hermione said clearly wanting to change the subject.
"Well I got this, uh" Stephanie reached into her pocket and pulled the Golden Ball out. "Golden Snitch from my friend, Eric Sarem and I got this bracelet from my other friend, Josh Weasley." Stephanie said slightly blushing as she held up her wrist to show the bracelet to her mum. And then she just realized she accidentally slipped a couple of secrets. Yup, she really needed to find a potion to keep her mouth shut, because obviously she sucked at keeping secrets, most of them her very own secrets.
Unfortunately for Stephanie, Hermione caught both of the secrets in Stephanie's sentence.
"Weasley!? Is he related to Ron? Oh you probably don't know Ron. But at least do you know his father's name?" Hermione asked anxious to know if her daughter's best friend was in anyway related to her own best friend.
"Well first of all I know who Ron Weasley is, and second Josh is Ron's son." Stephanie said.
"Bloody hell, Ron has a son. Who in Merlin's name did he marry?" Hermione muttered to herself.
Overhearing her mum's conversation to herself, Stephanie answered the question. "Oh, Josh told me his mum's name was a woman named Lavendar. Do you know who that is?" Stephanie asked.
"Lavendar!?" Hermione shouted.
"I'm guessing that's a yes." Stephanie murmured.
"I thought I would never see the day Ron would marry Lavendar. I mean, well, she's Lavendar! That world has become absolutely mad since I left it." Hermione said once again to herself.
"Okay that's just great you know what? I'm just going go to my room, okay?" Stephanie said hoping that her mum wouldn't remember that little part about the Snitch. She wasn't so lucky this time.
"Hold it right there, now your other gift. Why would you need a Sni…" Realization just smacked Hermione in the face. "Oh my God. You are a Seeker." Hermione said dully, while astonishment was written all over her face. Then her anger overcame astonishment. "Do you know how dangerous that is? Becoming Seeker is just one giant clue to your identity. No doubt you have been leaving hints all over the place. Like for instance, your brown hair, your intense emerald eyes, your love of books, that you're a Gryffindor, that you're best friends with a Weasley, the fact you became Seeker in your 1st year, and so on and so forth. I am surprised that your father hasn't already barged through that door asking me whether or not you are his daughter!"
Stephanie couldn't take the yelling for too long until she snapped. "I can't help who I am! Obviously the green eyes and brown hair are from you two. The thing that should take the blame for me being in Gryffindor is that old ratty hat! My love of books, I get it from you, and you have known I love books, heck you have embraced it. And the reason why that I am the now "youngest Gryffindor Seeker in the Century" is because my two friends black mailed me into doing it because if I did they would tell who I really was." Stephanie suddenly stopped and slapped a hand over her mouth. She was in deep shit now.
"You did what?! Stephanie I told you not to say a single word to anybody! Just wait until the Daily Prophet gets a hold of this."
"Do not blame me for the stupid mistakes you made when you were seventeen! I get it; I am just one huge mistake! My whole bloody life is a mistake, but it is not my fault you screwed your best friend, The Great Harry Potter, and got pregnant by him. I bet you wonder everyday how your life would have turned out if you didn't have me. Well let me tell you. Your life would have been a lot better than having a daughter who had been wondering who her father is and if he even loved her, for ten straight years. That your daughter learned that she was a witch and that her father was the most famous wizard in the god damned world, by a bloody letter. That when she finally met her father, she couldn't tell who she really was. I know that I am the product, slash, accident of when you decided to shag your best friend, but do not blame me for your mistakes. If it were up to me I would of chosen never to be born." At this point tears were streaming down Stephanie's face. She took her palm of he hand and wiped her hand over her cheek to wipe away the tears. Stephanie took one last look at her mother's shocked face before she trudged upstairs, to her room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stephanie stayed in her room for well, she didn't know how long. Never coming out for food or anything else, luckily she had a little emergency kit of food, mostly made up of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, and Pez. The bad thing was she packed that kit a year ago. The thought of year old Twinkies made her stomach churn, so she just basically just ate the pez.
Stephanie obviously was still mad at her mother, mostly because of the mistake not for never telling her father that she was pregnant. But there was one part of her mind that continued to tell her something. 'Could you really blame her? Wouldn't you have done the same thing if you had gotten pregnant by your best friend? Not adding the fact that the father is more recognizable then Elvis Presley. Would you have enough courage to actually tell him?'
"Shut up brain." Stephanie told herself, as she starting counting the cracks on the ceiling, again, while lying on her bed.
*Knock*
"Stephanie can I come in?" Hermione said on the other side of the door.
After about a few seconds Stephanie finally answered. "Sorry, Stephanie decided to jumped off a cliff." Stephanie said, sarcasm dripping in her voice.
"I guess I deserve that." Hermione said opening the door to Stephanie's room. She walked over to the bed and plopped herself down on the bed as she also started staring at the ceiling.
After a very uncomfortable silence, Hermione finally broke it. "I was scared." She stated simply, but said it as she was keeping it as a secret for years.
"Of what?" Stephanie replied.
"Pretty much everything, about labor, how Harry would react, how Ron would react, how the entire school would react, how I would react when I would finally come to my senses. I really didn't believe I was pregnant, until I spewed my brains out. I was just really frightened, so I took the easy way out. Leaving Hogwarts without telling anyone that I was pregnant. Some Gryffindor I turned out to be, but I can't change the past." Hermione said as her eyes drifted to the nightstand.
"I guess I can't really blame you, you were scared, people who are frightened tend to do rash things." Stephanie said.
Hermione didn't answer upon seeing the picture on Stephanie's nightstand. She gasped and reached over to take a better look at the picture. "Where did you get this picture?"
Stephanie thought for a moment before finally answering.
"I got it from Snuffles." She said simply.
Hermione's eyes widened as she accidentally dropped the picture onto the carpet.
"Snuffles? You got this picture from Snuffles?" Hermione asked not believing her ears.
Stephanie nodded. "Yea Snuffles, although Josh and my theory is a guy named Sirius Black,"
"Harry's Godfather." Stephanie and Hermione said at the same time.
"Has he told, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I don't thinks so, Professor Potter acts totally normal around me." Stephanie relied.
"How ever did Sirius find out?" Hermione asked to herself.
"No idea." Stephanie answered even though she knew her mother was talking to herself.
"So are we ok now? I am sorry for saying those things, I just don't want you to suddenly became thee most famous kid in the Wizarding World. Now, how about tonight we stay up until dawn eating junk food till' we spew?" Hermione asked.
"What for?" Stephanie asked in return.
"Haven't you looked at your calendar? It's New Year's Eve."
Stephanie's eyes popped open. "What?! What time is it?"
Hermione looked very confused at her daughter, but answered her anyway. "It's 15 minutes to 12:00."
"Oh crap. Uh, hey mom. My friend Josh invited me to a New Year's Eve party, can I go? Plus I am going to stay there until the term starts again. Please?" Stephanie said as she got down to her knees and begged like her life was on the line.
Hermione eyed her daughter suspiciously. "Well who is going to be there?"
"Well I know Josh and Eric is going to be there. Josh told me his whole entire family is going to be there, which you know is a lot. And Josh said there might be a possibility that uh, Dad, might be there. But hey Josh said you could come if you want. PLEASE LET ME GO! I'm begging you!" Stephanie groveled once again.
Hermione took a deep breath. " Ok you can go."
"YES!!!!!" Stephanie yelled as she jumped up and started to do her victory dance, which looked very odd.
"Okay, stop doing the victory dance and start packing."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Stephanie said as she started packing her trunk.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
One hour and forty-five minutes later, Stephanie stood in front of her fireplace, with a shrunken trunk in her pocket.
During that time she amazing had tamed her hair to become very straight. She wore black jeans, and a black top with the words rock star on it.
"Mom, can you come with me I rather not do it alone, then you can apperate later, PLEASE?" Stephanie once again groveling on her knees.
"Stephanie…" Hermione started.
"Fine I will do it alone, meanie." Stephanie said as she mock pouted.
Hermione rolled her eyes at this. "Fine, but I'm not spending more than 2 minutes there." Hermione relented.
"Thank you! You are the best mum in the world!" Stephanie said as she handed the bag of Floo Powder to her mother.
"Ok on the count of three, we will shout The Burrow, Okay? One…Two…Three!"
"THE BURROW!" They shouted, as the suddenly took off.
After a while Stephanie fell on her butt as she finally reached her destination. She looked beside her and already saw her mother.
"That hurt." Stephanie said as she rubbed her now bruised arse.
"Least it's not as bad as Portkeys." Hermione said as she stood up and started to wipe off the ash.
"Hermione?!"
Hermione looked up and her eyes widened. The person who called her, she had not seen in 11 years. She looked startled for a bit before she answered.
"Hi…"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Oh and please excuse the mistakes I am in a bit of a hurry, becaue my brat of a sister has to use the phone. Honestly you think she was born with a phone attacted to her head.
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: Another chapter REVISED!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I can't believe you two talked me into this. Oh that's right you blackmailed me!" Stephanie exclaimed as she, Josh, and Eric walked to the Quidditch field.
"Stop talking, more walking. Plus this will be good for you. You really need to get out more." Eric said.
"Eric you are just saying that because, well you know, me being related to 'him'. And I am not antisocial! It's just people think I'm weird and don't care to know me." Stephanie said.
The three had finally reached the Quidditch Field. Stephanie had not realized how large the field was until now. It was one thing looking from the stands and from actually looking from the field.
"I can't do this." Stephanie said as she tried to walked back but was pulled back by Josh and Eric.
"Breathe Stephanie. We have faith in you." Eric said.
Do you guys think I really can do this? I mean I'm not all that aware how Quidditch works." Stephanie said trying to convince them that she couldn't do it.
"Stephanie the only thing that you have to worry about is watch out for the bludgers, avoid the beaters and chasers, and catch the Snitch before the other Seeker does. Now Eric and me will be in the stands watching. Good Luck." Josh said as he and Eric walked off the field.
'Okay Stephanie be confident. Oh yeah I don't have confidence! Stephanie, then ACT confident. That I can do.' Stephanie thought to herself as she walked across the field where the team captain was, Lauren Winning.
Lauren had long auburn hair almost always tied in a ponytail, and she had hazel eyes. Lauren was a 7th year student, Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, and Head Girl. And yet she was uptight as ever.
"Now it seems we only have two people trying out for the Seeker position, so we will begin, but first please tell me your names." Lauren said looking over Stephanie and the boy next to her.
He looked like he was a least a 4th year. He was very brawny, and didn't look too bright. But his muscles made up for that, somewhat.
"Jeff Holder." He said very arrogantly.
Stephanie took a deep breath and said her name.
"Stephanie Vigil." Stephanie said with strength on her first name, but weaker on her supposed last name.
"Okay now to receive the Seeker position, I will release the snitch, first person to catch it earns the spot. Okay I will give you about 5 minutes to warm up." Lauren left as she walked over to talk to her other teammates.
Stephanie mounted her school broom and took a deep breath preparing herself for her take off.
'Okay, now if I possibly do make the team, I NEED BETTER BROOM! Okay now just go into the air if you're terrified just go down."
Stephanie kicked off and then hovered about 5 feet above the ground. Stephanie looked down and smiled, and received an adrenaline rush. She liked this new feeling, so she decided that she should see what she really could do.
Stephanie ascended higher into the sky until she was a little more than a foot higher than the tallest Quidditch goal.
"Now let's see how far my Seeker blood can take me." Stephanie said smiling the Famous Harry Potter Grin.
Stephanie flew off diagonally in the air and preformed an almost perfect loop. Stephanie then flew at a rapid speed toward the ground and pulled up less than two feet from the ground, the Wronski Feint.
'Damn, I'm better than I have ever imagined. I never knew I could do a bloody loop.' Stephanie ended her thoughts when she saw Eric and Josh in the stand with both of their jaws open looking dumbfounded.
Stephanie flew over to them grinning. Enjoying that they are actually speechless, for once.
"So boys, fancy the show?" Stephanie said as she smiled wide.
"That was BLOODY BRILLIANT!" Josh shouted.
While Eric still looked astonished.
"Josh, check Eric's pulse, I think he just died of shock!" Stephanie said being playfully dramatic.
"I can't feel a pulse, but I know he has gone to a better place, the girls bathroom!" Josh added, getting into the act.
Stephanie then heard the familiar yell of the Gryffindor Captain.
"Whoops, got to go. Lauren wants to see me, something about a snitch. Josh tell me when Eric recovers." Stephanie said as she flew down to Lauren and Bradley.
"Sorry, I think my friend just had a heart attack or a stroke." Stephanie said.
"What?" Jeff looked confused at Stephanie.
Stephanie just rolled her eyes. "It was a joke, okay?" Stephanie asked Jeff.
"Uh, yeah okay." Jeff said looking confused as ever.
"Enough talking, I am going to release the snitch in 3...2...1 Go!" Lauren yelled motioning them to go.
Stephanie instantly went up like a rocket, while Jeff still stood there confused.
"Jeff, Go!" Lauren yelled at him.
"What? Oh yea right." Jeff said, as he mounted his broom and flew off.
Surprisingly the Snitch showed itself five minutes later, but unfortunately for Stephanie, it was right above Jeff. Luckily for Stephanie, Jeff was oblivious as ever.
Stephanie flew ever so slowly and casually toward Jeff not desiring any unwanted attention from the other Seeker candidate.
'What am I talking about? He acts like he has a peanut for a brain. He wouldn't know where the snitch was, even if it were tap dancing on his broom while wearing a mini Scottish Kilt.' Stephanie thought to herself as she flew over to Jeff.
"Hey Jeff. Oh my gosh, look over there! It's an escaped oompa loompa, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!" Stephanie exclaimed as she pointed in the opposite direction.
"What? Where?" Jeff asked as his head turned the direction of Stephanie's finger.
Stephanie took this opportunity and flew toward the snitch. But at that precise moment the Snitch decided it wanted to go down.
Stephanie reacted to this quickly and followed the snitch's downward movement, until 40 feet later, the snitch decided again to move, but upward this time, then horizontal. Stephanie continued to follow the snitch, until she pulled the same stunt her father did his first Quidditch game, she stood on her broomstick. Stephanie; although was much better at this since she was a pretty decent skateboarder. Stephanie stood like that for a while until she lunged for the snitch catching it, but falling from 50 feet. Stephanie had to think fast. Stephanie whipped out her wand.
"ACCIO BROOM!"
Stephanie shouted as the broom rapidly came toward her. Stephanie put the wand back into her pocket and grabbed the broom. Stephanie again mounted the broom and flew gracefully down to the ground holding the Snitch.
The players of the Gryffindor looked shocked at her. Looking much like Eric earlier.
"What? Didn't think I could do it? Okay I guess I won't be making the team." Stephanie said as she walked away, leaving the dumbfounded team. Just then all the players rushed toward Stephanie and crowded around her.
"Are you kidding? You're the best Seeker I have seen at Hogwarts since Harry Potter!" Lauren shouted.
"So I made it?" Stephanie asked.
"You made it!"
~*In the stands*~
Harry Potter leaned on a wall as he watched the scene before him, well mostly watching a certain 1st student of his. He had surprised to see such tricks from a 1st year; he wasn't even that good in his 1st year as the Gryffindor Seeker.
He had been pondering about that girl, since the encounter at that lake. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that she looked very familiar. The answer was right there in front of him, but he just couldn't grasp it. He couldn't help but feeling she was in danger, and he couldn't help but feeling an urge to protect her. Harry had absolutely no idea where it came from, yet it felt strangely natural to him.
One thing he knew for certain was that, Stephanie knew a lot more than she was telling.
Harry sighed and started to walk back to the castle.
'Maybe I should write to Sirius.'
Stephanie surprisingly didn't really want to talk to anyone right now. She just needed to be by herself. Stephanie had earlier told this to Eric and Josh, they understood and congratulated Stephanie being the new Seeker, and left her alone.
Stephanie went to the only place where she could relax, the lake. Hell, she might as well check to see if her necklace was there. Hopefully her father didn't find it and go insane, that would be bad.
It was becoming darker, but Stephanie didn't care. She didn't care if she was out past curfew, got 10 detentions and 1000 points from Gryffindor. Sure she probably become the most hated girl in Gryffindor, but really who cares about house points, what is the point in them? To bring honor to the House name? Well Gryffindor is already a great house, in her opinion, so why should anyone care if it has one really crappy year for points?
Stephanie approached the place where she had sat earlier, babbling her heart out accidentally to her dense father. Stephanie sat down on the ground, while checking for her necklace. With her luck, she found the heart necklace, though it was a bit dirty from the mud. Stephanie washed it off in the cold crystal water, then dried the necklace with her robes, and placed it back on her bare neck.
Stephanie just sat there in the moonlight admiring the stars and the constellations, and the giant moon. She always loved the night. Unlike most people, Stephanie felt safe and comfortable in the night. It covered people's mistakes and reality itself, while morning showed how the world really was. Though it always felt like someone was always watching her. Not knowing if they watched for her safety or for her downfall.
"I am so paranoid." Stephanie muttered to herself.
Stephanie leaned on a nearby rock as she stared at the lake with the moon and star's reflection on the shimmering silver surface. She swore she saw a shooting star fly by in the reflection, but when she looked up there was nothing.
Stephanie continued to look at the lake's silvery surface for a couple of moments when she saw a distant shadow in the lake. Stephanie ignored it thinking it was just an illusion of her eyes, until the figure spoke.
"Beautiful night isn't?" said the unfamiliar female voice.
"Not that anyone would care, but yes." Stephanie said still staring down at the lake. Not wanting to really know who was behind her.
"Congratulations, on becoming Seeker. Nice tricks you did out there, where did you learn them?" The girl asked.
"I didn't learn them from anywhere, I just did them. But I feel like I didn't earn the position. The only reason I got the position, it's because that dunderhead looked in the direction where I claimed I saw an oompa loompa. I watched Charlie and The Chocolate Factory far too many times." Stephanie said dully.
"That isn't true. I did see you do those great tricks and you thought fast on your feet when you were falling. You were made for the part. And what's an oompa loompa?" asked the girl.
"Yeah, only I was blackmailed into trying out. That's the last time I tell those two a secret. You have the blood Stephanie! Yeah but blood can only take you so far. Hell I have only known the existence of that man for about 4 months, and people already are comparing me to him. And an oompa loompa is a thing from the movie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it's a muggle thing. I don't think you would understand." Stephanie said as she turned her head around to see a girl. She looked like she was in 4th year. She had brown hair, mahogany eyes, and a Gryffindor patch on her robe.
"Nice to meet you, Stephanie. My name is Victoria Wood, Keeper on the Quidditch team." Said Victoria as she held out her hand.
Stephanie stood up from the ground and placed her hand into Victoria's.
"Hi, Victoria. Nice to meet you. Do you mind if I call you Tori?" Stephanie asked the other girl
"Yeah sure. Hey, that's a good nickname for me, Tori. People keep on calling my Vick or Vicky. It gets annoying." Victoria explained to Stephanie.
"No problem with the nickname. So what year are you in anyway?" Stephanie asked Tori.
"Oh me? I'm in 3rd year." Tori told Stephanie.
"Really? I honestly thought you were in 4th year." Stephanie confessed.
"Most people do think I'm in 4th year. I'm just a little tall for my age that's all." said Tori.
"So your dad is Oliver Wood, right?" asked Stephanie.
"Yeah he is, but you know what? I hate when people always hang around me because of my dad. I know he's on the England Quidditch Team, but I don't need a million kids asking me for his autograph. It's frustrating!" Tori said with an aggravated groan.
"I can relate." Stephanie said speaking her thoughts out loud, by accident.
"What did you say?" asked Tori not catching Stephanie's comment.
"Oh, I said that must stink." Stephanie said trying to cover up her mistake.
"It does." said Tori believing Stephanie's answer. "Now maybe we should head in before we get detention."
"Sure." Stephanie said following Tori back to the castle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tori and Stephanie finally reached the portrait of the fat lady.
"Hello, wonderful night isn't? It seems it's very loud in there. Would you tell them to settle down? Password please?"
"Butterscotch Slugs." Tori said simply.
As the portrait door opened and the two girls stepped in and saw that a party was going on. As Stephanie examined the room, Josh popped out of nowhere in front of Stephanie
"Ladies and Gentlemen here is your guest of honor, birthday girl, and brand new Gryffindor Seeker, Stephanie Vigil! And now we present a brand new broom for our brand new Seeker!" Josh shouted over the room, as the whole room erupted into cheers, while an amazing broom found it's way into Stephanie's hands.
"Oh, my God. This is a Flamethrower!" Stephanie exclaimed as she examined the broom more closely. "Where the hell did you guys get this on such short notice?" Stephanie asked Josh and Eric who had just come up.
"Oh, I had a little help from my cousins in 4th year, the twins, Brian and Cody. Quite the pranksters, they get it from their uncles, Fred and George." said Josh.
"Josh whose their dad?" Stephanie asked Josh.
"Oh, Percy." Josh said grinning
"Well, that must drive him crazy. I can't believe your family had another set of twins that are jokesters." Stephanie said.
"Let's just say Fred and George influenced them well." Josh said. "And here are Brian and Cody now." said Josh.
"Hello our dear cousin, is life treating you all right?" asked Brian.
"Thank you for getting me a broom, Brian and Cody. I really appreciate it," said Stephanie.
"Stop you're making us blush." said Cody.
"Hey, Stephanie this is your birthday right?" asked Brian.
"Yeah, November 28th. Why do you ask?" Stephanie said hoping that they weren't on to her 'little' secret.
"Well that means you're the youngest Seeker of the century. You're 4 months younger than when Harry Potter became Seeker!" said Brian.
"Oh, yea. Oh, joy. Oh, woe is me." Stephanie muttered under her breath. "Oh, really that's very informative. You know what? I think I need to get out of here." Stephanie said as she walked through the portrait hole.
"What's with her?" asked Brian.
"Don't ask. Come on Eric let's go after her." said Josh grabbing Eric as they walked through the portrait door.
As soon as the closed the portrait, they saw Stephanie by the fat lady.
"Would you mind, I'm trying to hold a conversation with the picture." Stephanie said dully. "I hate it when people compare me to my father. I know they think it's a compliment to be at the same respect level as Harry Potter, but it isn't for me. I know they don't know the circumstances, but it still aggravates me," said Stephanie.
"It's okay Stephanie. At least you have us to talk to," said Josh putting his arm over Stephanie's shoulders. "Why don't we go to the kitchen and grab something to eat?" asked Josh.
"Okay, Stephanie you coming?" asked Eric as he put his arm over Stephanie also
"Sure what do I have to lose, besides my lunch?" Stephanie said as she put her arms over both Josh and Eric.
"How about your brain?" asked Eric.
"Or your insanity?" said Josh.
"Sorry guys, I already lost those two a long time ago, come on last one to the kitchen is a slimy Slytherin!" said Stephanie as she ran off in the direction of the Kitchen.
Stephanie laughed as she saw the shocked look on both of their faces as she ran to the kitchen. She was truly happy for the first time in the year.
Days had past until the first Quidditch game of the season. That game of course was Gryffindor against Slytherin. No one knew who was the Gryffindor's new Seeker was, except for the Gryffindors obviously. And almost everyone didn't know that the new Seeker was the daughter of the greatest Seeker of the century. That was a given.
Stephanie was nervous, let me rephrase that she was extremely nervous. The only thing she prayed for was that she did not die an early death.
Stephanie looked in the mirror. In the mirror was an 11-year-old girl, in a red Gryffindor Quidditch uniform. A 'Flamethrower 2000' broom in her right hand, and a ruby necklace on her neck, though covered by her uniform. Her wild, uncontrollable, but not bushy, cinnamon hair was pulled up into a ponytail, while her emerald eyes had become more intense due to her contacts.
Stephanie told one deep breath before muttering to her self.
"Please let me get out of this game alive."
The doors to her dorm then burst open revealing a worried looking Lauren. Suddenly, she was relieved of that expression when she saw Stephanie.
"There you are. I thought you chickened out on us. Come on we only have about 5 minutes before the call us." Lauren said as she took Stephanie's hand and led her down the stairs and out of the Common Room.
They shortly reached the other Gryffindor players, also relieving some of the troubled faces, some but not all.
"Where have you been? We were afraid we would have to forfeit!" said a very stressed out Tori.
"Relax, Victoria. She's here now. Now get ready all of you. We are the best and always will be. We have great chasers and beaters, an excellent keeper, and an outstanding Seeker. Now let's go kick some slimy Slytherin butt!" Lauren yelled giving her team a pep talk.
The announcer Anthony Klipto, a Gryffindor, started to announce the Slytherin team. After the whole team was announced Anthony started announcing the Gryffindor team.
"Now for the Gryffindor team! The chasers, Lauren Winning, also the captain, Lindsay Cashen, and Cassi Williams! For the Beaters Brian and Cody Weasley! Now the daughter of a brilliant keeper, who's a brilliant keeper herself, Victoria Wood! And finally our brand new Seeker, first year, Stephanie Vigil!"
Stephanie was amazed at seeing so many shock faces most likely caused because she was now, "The youngest Seeker of the century."
The Madam Hooch had come onto the pitch and had asked for a fair game and the game began!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been an hour since the game had begun and the snitch had yet to be found. The score 50-20 for Gryffindor. Stephanie was getting very anxious. She really wanted to prove herself to everyone.
'Ugh I really work myself too hard.' Stephanie thought to herself.
Stephanie watched the game a little longer. Lindsay had the ball she passed to Cassi and back again, until they came up to the goal and Lindsay scored.
Stephanie clapped loudly. 'Well we are in the lead, but still am I ever going to find that damn snitch?' Stephanie thought to herself.
Suddenly a bludger whizzed past Stephanie's head only missing her by mere inches. Stephanie turned to look at the basher only to find that the sapphire eyes Slytherin that earlier had called her a Mudblood.
"Nice to see you again Mr. Vale." Stephanie said very coolly.
"Can't say the same for you Mudblood." The nameless Vale said as he sneered.
"I am not a MUDBLOOD! But I can't say the same thing for you because you are lower than dirt." Stephanie said as she smirked.
Vale got angry at this comment and did the first thing that came into his mind. His beater bat. Vale threw it hard and accurately causing Stephanie to fall 35 ft from her broom and landing on her back.
Stephanie thought one last sentence before she blacked out.
'What the hell did I land on?' Then Stephanie blacked out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was 2 hours before Stephanie revived from her fall. Unfortunately no one was allowed to take the fallen students during the game (A/N: I know that this doesn't sound real, but give me a break!) so Stephanie was in the exact same spot. All the players looked extremely tired and the score was at 210 to 190 in favor of Slytherin by a narrow margin. Stephanie remained on the ground not really feeling like getting up quickly.
"Oh he is so going to pay. Hopefully this won't leave a bump." Stephanie said as she felt her head. Then Stephanie felt a bump on her head. A very large bump on her head that felt like 10 migraines centered at that one spot.
"Yup, it left a bump. Now what the hell did I land on? A rock?"
Stephanie then reached under her back and felt a round ball. Stephanie's eyes widened at realizing what it could possibly be. Or maybe it was just a very round rock. Who Knows?
"Please let it not be a rock, because my head hurts way too much to fly." Stephanie said slowly as she pulled the ball into her hand and brought it from under back. Stephanie slowly opened her hand to reveal the Golden Snitch.
Stephanie smiled like there was no tomorrow and held the Snitch up him receiving astounded looks. When they realized that she had the snitch Gryffindor and some Ravenclaw and HufflePuff exploded into cheers while Slytherin look obviously pissed.
"And the Gryffindor Seeker, Stephanie Vigil has gotten the Golden Snitch after a nasty blow to the head by that bloody bast.." At this point Anthony got a good scolding from Professor McGonagall. "Uh, sorry Professor. Ok so, Gryffindor wins 360 to 190!" Anthony continued obviously excited.
Stephanie stood there smiling while still holding the snitch. She technically didn't prove herself, yet. But it still did feel good to win. Stephanie then felt the pain in her head as she sat down, getting a bit light-headed. She then fainted.
Stephanie woke up with a HUGE headache and white all around her. It was very bright and Stephanie had to take a minute to adjust to the brightness. At seeing all the whiteness Stephanie thought the worst had happened at the Quidditch game. Then only she remembered she fell to the ground, possibly dead?
"Oh no I'm dead, I died at the Quidditch game. Am I at least in heaven now or limbo or did the devil have the urge to redecorate?"
"I'm sorry my dear but you are far from being deceased. You are just in the Hospital Wing," said a voice.
Stephanie sat up in bed searching for the source of the voice, only for her eyes to land on the Headmaster.
"How are you feeling Ms. Granger?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
Stephanie flopped back down on the bed, while replying.
"Oh like I got hit by the Hogwarts Express. Wait did you just call me Ms. Granger?" asked Stephanie hoping that maybe instead of knowing he just mistaken her for her mother. Fat chance. Stephanie looked into the Headmaster's eye seeing a twinkle in them.
"Well, Stephanie you are Hermione Granger's daughter aren't you?" asked Professor Dumbledore with a knowing smile.
"I'd figured that you would know who I really was. And I'm thinking that you know who my father is then?" asked Stephanie.
"A Mister Harry Potter?" Dumbledore asked knowingly.
"Bingo." Stephanie said sarcastically as she gave thumbs up. Stephanie eyes popped open with fear. "Are you going to tell him who I am? Mum's going to kill me."
"Ms. Granger I won't tell Mr. Potter. It is not my secret to tell." The Headmaster replied.
"Thank you." Stephanie said with a sigh of relief.
"Though I do think that Harry is getting a bit suspicious." Professor Dumbledore said as he walked out the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Weeks passed as Christmas approached closer and closer. Also as the Christmas vacation was right around the corner.
Stephanie was going home. One of the reasons was that she missed her mother extremely; the other reason was that she hadn't told her mother that she had become the new Gryffindor Seeker; well hopefully she wouldn't have to tell her mother.
Stephanie was in the Great Hall just recently finished packing. She now was reading Hogwarts: A History. Well her mother read it all the time; she might as well read it herself. Stephanie actually did find it quite interesting.
"Like mother, like daughter," said the familiar voice of Josh Weasley dragging his trunk along.
Stephanie looked up from her book and gave the death glare to Josh then stuck her tongue out and resumed her reading.
"Aren't you going home? The train leaves in 15 min." said Josh.
"What!? I got to get my trunk. Go on without me I will see you and Eric on the train save a seat for me!" Stephanie said as she closed her book and darted out of the Great Hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
If Stephanie had left any later she would have missed the train. Well maybe more like 10 seconds. Stephanie had just hopped on the train as it was pulling out of the station.
"Whew, that was close. Now to find Sir Joshua and Sir Erica. Ha! Erica. I'll have to tease him about that later. Oh Sorry." Stephanie said speaking her thoughts while she accidentally bumped into a person.
"Watch where your going Mudblood." said a very familiar irritating voice.
Stephanie rolled her eyes and decided to explain to that Vale kid that she wasn't a MUDBLOOD!
"For the last time who ever the hell you are I am not a MUDBLOOD! My mother is a witch, my father is a wizard. Now can you get that through your head filled with hot air and now currently missing the peanut-sized brain that you were born with. Now get out of my way before I rip your manhood off and staple to the wall." Stephanie said obviously peeved, and started walking away. The only thing she heard out of his mouth was the last thing she expected.
"The name's Alex."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This would be a great place to stop wouldn't it well I still got a lot more to do. Oi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Okay that was just plain weird. First he throws a beater club at me then he introduces himself. I will never understand boys." Stephanie muttered to herself upon finding the compartment the two were residing in.
"There you are we thought that the train left without you." said Eric.
"Well it almost did, Erica."
Stephanie and Josh both laughed at each other and started cracking up, while Eric sat there looking pretty peeved. After a while they all calmed down.
The rest of the train ride was pretty uneventful, well except for the part when Stephanie, Josh, and Eric had a candy fight after the witch with the food cart came around. Of course the fight was mostly throwing Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans at each other. It started when Josh threw a dung flavored one in Eric's mouth while he was yawning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When the trio finally got of the train, Josh instantly saw his dad coming towards him, a Mr. Ron Weasley.
"Stephanie hide, my father's coming he might recognize you to be, well you look like Hermione and Harry!" Josh said in hushed tone.
Stephanie did the only thing she could think of at that moment. Hide behind Josh and Eric and hope to the gods the Ron did not see a resemblance to her parents.
"Hi Dad." Josh said simply to his dad.
"What no hug for your old man?" Ron asked.
Josh reluctantly stepped up to his dad and gave him hug, but not before silently motioning Eric to hide Stephanie. After the hug Josh stepped back to hide Stephanie once again.
"And who is your friend here?" asked Ron meaning Eric.
"Oh, this is my friend, Eric Sarem. And my other friend is Stephanie Vigil, who is around here somewhere."
At that precise moment Stephanie was trying not to sneezed but failed miserably. She looked to the sky and mouthed, 'Why?' Stephanie still hid where she was just praying that Ron thought he was hearing things or some other student, beside the one behind her son, had sneezed. Unfortunately Ron wasn't that dense.
"Hello and who is this?" asked Ron peering over Josh and Eric's shoulders.
A light bulb just turned on in Stephanie's head.
"I got it! Contacts, nasty little buggers keep falling out when you least expect it. Hi I'm Stephanie Vigil. Nice to meet you got to get going think I hear my mother calling. Bye Josh, bye Eric. See you two in a couple of weeks, and remember, KEEP YOUR BLOODY MOUTHS SHUT! Bye!" Stephanie said in one breath, then took her trunk and walked through the barrier.
"Reminds me of someone I used to know." Ron said sadly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The days 'til Christmas passed as slow as a flobberworm. Everything had been Muggle normal. There was no talk of magic, no doing magic, and definitely NO bringing up her father. Everything was like they had celebrated Christmas before, until Christmas Eve, when the most unexpected thing had happened.
Stephanie laid in her bed looking up at her ceiling studying the plastic glow-in-the dark stars that were on her ceiling. She always had an interest in astronomy, not exactly sure if that meant she was also into astrology. She guessed that she would find out when she took Divination, which would be a couple more years.
After a while, Stephanie found herself outside on the porch looking up at the real stars, thinking how it would be if she was in space. She suddenly had an urge to look across the street only to find a black, shaggy dog crossing the street and to see a car heading right towards the dog. Stephanie instinctively closed her eyes. She heard the car's horn, a sound of a large object hitting metal, and finally the car screeching away. Stephanie reluctantly opened her eyes to see the dog lying in the road.
In the road was the black, shaggy dog on his side. Stephanie instantly gasped at the sight of the dog and froze in place from shock. Stephanie once again closed her eyes to calm herself, and without realizing, she was walking towards the dog. Lucky for her there was no cars in the street, but in exception for the car that had ran over the dog, but had already fled from sight. Stephanie kneeled in front of the dog and thought the worst. She closed her eyes and shed a single tear.
Suddenly Stephanie felt a cool, damp thing brush against her hand. Stephanie opened her eyes to find the dog that she thought was dead was now licking her hand. Stephanie sniffed and a smile played on her lips. She then lifted her palm and wiped the lone tear away.
"You're alive. Well I guess you're one lucky dog. Now I have to quit all this blubbering." Stephanie said as she petted the dog on his head.
"Well you must be hungry follow me." Stephanie said as she stood up and started towards her house; she was half way when she saw that the dog wasn't follow her.
"Well, what are you waiting for? You want to eat or not? Come on boy!" Stephanie called over to the dog. The dog then started to trot over to Stephanie. As soon as the dog reached her, Stephanie scratched his ear.
"Good boy."
Stephanie slowly opened the door trying to prevent a squeak. Of course in all the months her mother and she had lived in the house it had never squeak once, but it squeaked today. Stephanie stopped the door for a few seconds listen to see if her mother had woken up, hearing she hadn't, Stephanie opened the door and let the dog inside. They both quietly climbed the stairs, and fortunately reached Stephanie's room without a sound.
As soon as Stephanie's door was shut she collapsed into a nearby beanbag chair. After a couple of seconds she rose and walked over to her dresser and picked up a plate and laid it in front of the dog.
"Here have some pizza courtesy of well, I don't know where it came from, but hey pizza is pizza to me. Eat up."
After a few minutes the slices of pizza were completely devoured by the dog.
"Wow, that was fast. Okay I'm going to hit the sack. If my mum comes up hide for your own well being. Why am I talking to you like you're a human? I'm starting to go bonkers. Well, goodnight, well really good morning considering it's about 1:00. So Happy Christmas, and Goodnight."
Then Stephanie flopped onto the bed and slept like there was no tomorrow. After about 15 minutes the dog stood up on all fours and transformed into a man. Well this man was tall, had black hair, and looked like he hadn't shaved in a week. This man was none other than Sirius Black.
Sirius first off all stretched his arms and back. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square package with a letter on top of it. Sirius carefully placed the package under Stephanie's bed, cautious not to wake the sleeping 11 year old up. Sirius pulled the fallen cover back on Stephanie and turned to leave. Before he left Sirius kissed Stephanie on the forehead and opened the door and left. Before he left he said one last thing.
"Goodnight my grand goddaughter."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*BEEP!*BEEP!*BEEP!*
"AAH! Crap!"
Stephanie had fallen out of her bed, startled by the alarm clock and flew flat on her face, the carpeting not really breaking her fall.
"Stupid alarm clock. I have to remind myself to transfigure it into a sock later." Stephanie said still laying on the floor, with her face on it.
It was then when Stephanie saw something under her bed. A small package it was to be exact. Stephanie reached for it and pulled it from under her bed. It was indeed a package, but it also had a letter on it.
Stephanie slowly took the letter from the package and started to open it. Before she read the card she said a little chant.
"Please don't be another death poem, please don't be another death poem, please don't be another death poem. Okay, here goes nothing."
Stephanie tore open the envelope and pulled out the message.
Stephanie,
I know you have no pictures of your father or mother when they were young, so here's a picture of Hermione, Harry, and their best friend, Ron. This picture was taken in their 5th year. Happy Christmas.
From, Snuffles
Stephanie put down the letter and picked up the package. Stephanie tore up the package and picked up a framed picture. The picture had her mother, father, and Josh's dad in it. The three had their arms around each other. The were laughing and looked very happy. Every once in a while Hermione and Harry would steal glances at each other. Sometimes caught each other looking at each other. Both would turn away blushing. All three looked so young and carefree, even though they practically had the world's safety on their shoulders.
Stephanie placed the picture on her nightstand next to her wand, reminding herself to later pack it up in her truck, so that she could take it to school with her. Stephanie then went into the bathroom and took a shower, dressed and went downstairs to open her presents and to grab something to eat. When Stephanie reached downstairs, she saw three owls waiting for her. One looked like a school owl, the second was a deep mahogany color, and the other owl was her own owl, Cinders.
The owl that Stephanie guessed was a school owl didn't stay for acknowledgement that she was, who she was, or even a treat; it just dropped the package and flew out the window.
"And I guess you are either Josh or Eric's owl, wait here a second." Stephanie said as she ran into her room retrieving two packages. Stephanie first untied the package from the mahogany owl and saw that it was from Eric. Stephanie gave half a bagel to the owl and tied one of the packages to the owl. The owl nipped her finger affectionately and flew out the window. Stephanie turned to Cinders and untied the package and saw that it was from none other than Josh. Stephanie gave her other half of the bagel to Cinders and tied the other package to Cinders. Cinders hooted in thanks for the bagel and flew away.
Stephanie first picked up Eric's gift that was a small square box. Stephanie first picked up the note that was with it.
Dear Stephanie,
Here's something for practice.
Eric
She was a bit confused at the note, particularly at the practice part. Stephanie opened it to reveal a nice new Golden Snitch. She now realized what he meant by practice
"Cool. I really could use the practice. Won't Eric be surprised when he sees that I got him a whole case of dung-flavored beans? Hopefully he will look through the whole box or he kick himself for not seeing those chocolate frog trading cards he's been after for a while." Stephanie muttered to herself.
Stephanie put the Snitch in the case, which came with the gift and put it in her pocket. Stephanie picked up the gift from Josh and ripped it up in curiosity. She also saw a note in the gift.
Dear Stephanie,
Happy Christmas! Hope you like your gift. I was wondering if you wanted to come to my Grandparents house for a New Year's Eve party, I'm inviting Eric also, so you guys can stay over until the term starts. Your mom can come for the party if she wants, but that might be problem, because I think Harry is coming. My whole family is coming, which you know is A LOT! Well the party starts at six, but you should come around one. Inside is a bag of Floo Powder. Hopefully you know how to use it, but if you don't, it's when you are by the fireplace, throw some powder and call out 'The Burrow'. Hopefully I will see you later.
Josh
When she finally got to the actually gifted, she gasped in surprise. Josh had given her a charm bracelet. The bracelet had 5 charms on it. The first charm was a miniature broom, most likely because she was on the Quidditch Team. The next was a little book, because her love of books. The third charm was a mini wand; Stephanie had no idea why he put that one on. The next charm was pretty much self-explanatory; the charm was a small lightning bolt. The last and most stunning charm was a petite orb that sparkled with the colors of blue, purple, and a dark forest green. If you looked close enough, you would see the initials S.G. in golden script.
"Wow, I hope that slip for any kind of robe at Madam Malkin's Robe shop will make up for how much he spent on the bracelet." Stephanie said to herself as she slipped the bracelet on her wrist.
Stephanie then remembered the third package that was dropped off carelessly by what she assumed was a school owl. Stephanie reached across the table for the package and took the letter that was attached to it.
Stephanie,
This belonged to your father and grandfather. It has been used on many adventures. It is best if you do not show this to your mother. Use it wisely.
Stephanie reread the passage a few more times before she started actually opening the package. She untied the string on the package to reveal a silvery cloak. Nothing really shouted out, 'Magical'. Stephanie inspected the cloak for a few minutes to find nothing really special about it. Stephanie then just decided to see how it fitted. Instantly, Stephanie neck and down, disappeared before her very eyes.
"Cool. An invisible thingy." Stephanie commented to herself.
"Actually its an invisibility cloak." said a familiar voice.
Stephanie didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. For all her eleven years of life she had heard that voice to many times to count. Stephanie turned around to face her mother, Hermione. Stephanie was about to say something when surprisingly her mother spoke again.
"Your father actually received that cloak in his first year at Hogwarts, from Professor Dumbledore. It was his father's also. I see it was passed down to you." Hermione said examining the cloak to see if it really was Harry's old cloak.
"You're…you're not mad?" Stephanie asked stunned.
"No I'm not, just keep it hidden, okay. Now what else did you receive?" Hermione said clearly wanting to change the subject.
"Well I got this, uh" Stephanie reached into her pocket and pulled the Golden Ball out. "Golden Snitch from my friend, Eric Sarem and I got this bracelet from my other friend, Josh Weasley." Stephanie said slightly blushing as she held up her wrist to show the bracelet to her mum. And then she just realized she accidentally slipped a couple of secrets. Yup, she really needed to find a potion to keep her mouth shut, because obviously she sucked at keeping secrets, most of them her very own secrets.
Unfortunately for Stephanie, Hermione caught both of the secrets in Stephanie's sentence.
"Weasley!? Is he related to Ron? Oh you probably don't know Ron. But at least do you know his father's name?" Hermione asked anxious to know if her daughter's best friend was in anyway related to her own best friend.
"Well first of all I know who Ron Weasley is, and second Josh is Ron's son." Stephanie said.
"Bloody hell, Ron has a son. Who in Merlin's name did he marry?" Hermione muttered to herself.
Overhearing her mum's conversation to herself, Stephanie answered the question. "Oh, Josh told me his mum's name was a woman named Lavendar. Do you know who that is?" Stephanie asked.
"Lavendar!?" Hermione shouted.
"I'm guessing that's a yes." Stephanie murmured.
"I thought I would never see the day Ron would marry Lavendar. I mean, well, she's Lavendar! That world has become absolutely mad since I left it." Hermione said once again to herself.
"Okay that's just great you know what? I'm just going go to my room, okay?" Stephanie said hoping that her mum wouldn't remember that little part about the Snitch. She wasn't so lucky this time.
"Hold it right there, now your other gift. Why would you need a Sni…" Realization just smacked Hermione in the face. "Oh my God. You are a Seeker." Hermione said dully, while astonishment was written all over her face. Then her anger overcame astonishment. "Do you know how dangerous that is? Becoming Seeker is just one giant clue to your identity. No doubt you have been leaving hints all over the place. Like for instance, your brown hair, your intense emerald eyes, your love of books, that you're a Gryffindor, that you're best friends with a Weasley, the fact you became Seeker in your 1st year, and so on and so forth. I am surprised that your father hasn't already barged through that door asking me whether or not you are his daughter!"
Stephanie couldn't take the yelling for too long until she snapped. "I can't help who I am! Obviously the green eyes and brown hair are from you two. The thing that should take the blame for me being in Gryffindor is that old ratty hat! My love of books, I get it from you, and you have known I love books, heck you have embraced it. And the reason why that I am the now "youngest Gryffindor Seeker in the Century" is because my two friends black mailed me into doing it because if I did they would tell who I really was." Stephanie suddenly stopped and slapped a hand over her mouth. She was in deep shit now.
"You did what?! Stephanie I told you not to say a single word to anybody! Just wait until the Daily Prophet gets a hold of this."
"Do not blame me for the stupid mistakes you made when you were seventeen! I get it; I am just one huge mistake! My whole bloody life is a mistake, but it is not my fault you screwed your best friend, The Great Harry Potter, and got pregnant by him. I bet you wonder everyday how your life would have turned out if you didn't have me. Well let me tell you. Your life would have been a lot better than having a daughter who had been wondering who her father is and if he even loved her, for ten straight years. That your daughter learned that she was a witch and that her father was the most famous wizard in the god damned world, by a bloody letter. That when she finally met her father, she couldn't tell who she really was. I know that I am the product, slash, accident of when you decided to shag your best friend, but do not blame me for your mistakes. If it were up to me I would of chosen never to be born." At this point tears were streaming down Stephanie's face. She took her palm of he hand and wiped her hand over her cheek to wipe away the tears. Stephanie took one last look at her mother's shocked face before she trudged upstairs, to her room.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stephanie stayed in her room for well, she didn't know how long. Never coming out for food or anything else, luckily she had a little emergency kit of food, mostly made up of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, and Pez. The bad thing was she packed that kit a year ago. The thought of year old Twinkies made her stomach churn, so she just basically just ate the pez.
Stephanie obviously was still mad at her mother, mostly because of the mistake not for never telling her father that she was pregnant. But there was one part of her mind that continued to tell her something. 'Could you really blame her? Wouldn't you have done the same thing if you had gotten pregnant by your best friend? Not adding the fact that the father is more recognizable then Elvis Presley. Would you have enough courage to actually tell him?'
"Shut up brain." Stephanie told herself, as she starting counting the cracks on the ceiling, again, while lying on her bed.
*Knock*
"Stephanie can I come in?" Hermione said on the other side of the door.
After about a few seconds Stephanie finally answered. "Sorry, Stephanie decided to jumped off a cliff." Stephanie said, sarcasm dripping in her voice.
"I guess I deserve that." Hermione said opening the door to Stephanie's room. She walked over to the bed and plopped herself down on the bed as she also started staring at the ceiling.
After a very uncomfortable silence, Hermione finally broke it. "I was scared." She stated simply, but said it as she was keeping it as a secret for years.
"Of what?" Stephanie replied.
"Pretty much everything, about labor, how Harry would react, how Ron would react, how the entire school would react, how I would react when I would finally come to my senses. I really didn't believe I was pregnant, until I spewed my brains out. I was just really frightened, so I took the easy way out. Leaving Hogwarts without telling anyone that I was pregnant. Some Gryffindor I turned out to be, but I can't change the past." Hermione said as her eyes drifted to the nightstand.
"I guess I can't really blame you, you were scared, people who are frightened tend to do rash things." Stephanie said.
Hermione didn't answer upon seeing the picture on Stephanie's nightstand. She gasped and reached over to take a better look at the picture. "Where did you get this picture?"
Stephanie thought for a moment before finally answering.
"I got it from Snuffles." She said simply.
Hermione's eyes widened as she accidentally dropped the picture onto the carpet.
"Snuffles? You got this picture from Snuffles?" Hermione asked not believing her ears.
Stephanie nodded. "Yea Snuffles, although Josh and my theory is a guy named Sirius Black,"
"Harry's Godfather." Stephanie and Hermione said at the same time.
"Has he told, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"I don't thinks so, Professor Potter acts totally normal around me." Stephanie relied.
"How ever did Sirius find out?" Hermione asked to herself.
"No idea." Stephanie answered even though she knew her mother was talking to herself.
"So are we ok now? I am sorry for saying those things, I just don't want you to suddenly became thee most famous kid in the Wizarding World. Now, how about tonight we stay up until dawn eating junk food till' we spew?" Hermione asked.
"What for?" Stephanie asked in return.
"Haven't you looked at your calendar? It's New Year's Eve."
Stephanie's eyes popped open. "What?! What time is it?"
Hermione looked very confused at her daughter, but answered her anyway. "It's 15 minutes to 12:00."
"Oh crap. Uh, hey mom. My friend Josh invited me to a New Year's Eve party, can I go? Plus I am going to stay there until the term starts again. Please?" Stephanie said as she got down to her knees and begged like her life was on the line.
Hermione eyed her daughter suspiciously. "Well who is going to be there?"
"Well I know Josh and Eric is going to be there. Josh told me his whole entire family is going to be there, which you know is a lot. And Josh said there might be a possibility that uh, Dad, might be there. But hey Josh said you could come if you want. PLEASE LET ME GO! I'm begging you!" Stephanie groveled once again.
Hermione took a deep breath. " Ok you can go."
"YES!!!!!" Stephanie yelled as she jumped up and started to do her victory dance, which looked very odd.
"Okay, stop doing the victory dance and start packing."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Stephanie said as she started packing her trunk.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
One hour and forty-five minutes later, Stephanie stood in front of her fireplace, with a shrunken trunk in her pocket.
During that time she amazing had tamed her hair to become very straight. She wore black jeans, and a black top with the words rock star on it.
"Mom, can you come with me I rather not do it alone, then you can apperate later, PLEASE?" Stephanie once again groveling on her knees.
"Stephanie…" Hermione started.
"Fine I will do it alone, meanie." Stephanie said as she mock pouted.
Hermione rolled her eyes at this. "Fine, but I'm not spending more than 2 minutes there." Hermione relented.
"Thank you! You are the best mum in the world!" Stephanie said as she handed the bag of Floo Powder to her mother.
"Ok on the count of three, we will shout The Burrow, Okay? One…Two…Three!"
"THE BURROW!" They shouted, as the suddenly took off.
After a while Stephanie fell on her butt as she finally reached her destination. She looked beside her and already saw her mother.
"That hurt." Stephanie said as she rubbed her now bruised arse.
"Least it's not as bad as Portkeys." Hermione said as she stood up and started to wipe off the ash.
"Hermione?!"
Hermione looked up and her eyes widened. The person who called her, she had not seen in 11 years. She looked startled for a bit before she answered.
"Hi…"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Oh and please excuse the mistakes I am in a bit of a hurry, becaue my brat of a sister has to use the phone. Honestly you think she was born with a phone attacted to her head.