Chapter 3 : A New Beginning
It had been a month since the arrival of Halle, and the new term was swiftly approaching. It had taken a few days, but Halle began to become open about talking about their parents. Harry had never thought he'd be happy again. He felt bad, being in Sirius' house without him, yet still enjoying himself, but it's what his godfather would have wanted.
With private tutoring from the best teachers at Hogwarts, Halle quickly caught up with the rest of their year. Professor Snape had even been less of his rotten self to her. Maybe it was because Halle resembled Lily more than Harry did. Whatever the matter with that was, both Harry and Halle received semi-decent remarks from Snape when they passed their apparition tests with flying colors.
Word began to pass through the wizarding world that there was another Potter. Though Dumbledore had wanted to downplay the reappearance of Halle, once the news was spread through the ministry, there was no hope of that.
Harry and Lupin sat in the living room talking. "It's strange Remus. Halle and I did almost the same on our OWLS."
"What was different?" He questioned, then realizing how stupid of a question that was. "Defense Against the Dark Arts." He answered himself.
"Know what's even stranger? Not hearing from you best mate practically the WHOLE summer." Came a voice from behind them.
Harry turned around and saw an even taller Ron. "Ron!" He exclaimed. The two quickly embraced. Ron's eyes suddenly bulged when he caught a glimpse of Halle who had just walked into the room.
"Harry you got a girlfriend!" He exclaimed
Harry turned and looked behind him. "No Ron."
The girl laughed hearing the question Ron had asked.
"Ron, this is my sister, Halle." Harry replied.
"I read the story in the Daily Prophet but blimey a part of me thought it was all false." Ron rambled.
"Really Ron, must you gawke at her? I'm sure it makes her feel real welcome to be stared at." Hermione's voice came from behind him. "Harry!" She said as she locked eyes with the boy-who-lived. Running over she wrapped her arms around him. "So good to see you!" As she let go of him she looked over at Halle. "Hi Halle, I'm Hermione Granger."
"Nice to meet you. I've heard so much about you two. Where's the other one?" Halle asked.
"Other what?" Ron questioned.
"The other red-headed girl I heard about." Halle explained.
"Oh, Ginny? Yeah, she's here." Ron said, then turned toward the door and yelled. "GINNY GET IN HERE!"
"Honestly Ron, must you yell!" She said walking into the kitchen.
"Sorry Gin just thought you might want to meet Harry's twin sister Halle." Ron said.
"Oh, sorry. Hi I'm Ginny!" She said towards the girl. "Unfortunately I'm related to this tall lanky thing." She said pointing towards her brother.
Halle laughed as Ron's face grew red.
"What are you lot doing here anyway?" Harry questioned.
"It's almost September 1st! We came to get you and go to Diagon Alley." Ron exclaimed.
"Oh right, of course." Harry replied. "Halle how many books must we get?"
"Says, TWELVE! Four of them are for Potions!" She exclaimed.
"Great. Another fun year with Snape." Harry frowned.
The trip to Diagon Alley had been a fun outing for all of the kids, especially Halle. Although she had been there before to get her wand and such, she was still amazed at everything that was there. It was now the morning of September 1st and everyone was rushing to get last minute things together. After much hollering by Mrs. Weasley, everyone was finally packed and ready to go.
"Now all you have to do is walk straight between platforms 9 and 10." Harry explained to Halle. "Might want to do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous."
Halle swallowed hard and began walking swiftly at the wall. She was waiting for a loud crashing sound, but instead she saw in front of her a train that read Hogwarts Express. Not far behind came Harry, Ron, Hermione, and finally Ginny. Putting their baggage in the respective places, they settled into a compartment. Halle was listening to all the adventures that they had all had over their 5 years together.
"Seems like I missed all the fun." Halle stated frowning slightly.
"Getting chased by a giant spider was not my idea of fun!" Ron exclaimed.
Ginny laughed then frowned herself. "Having your mind controlled isn't too fun either." Looking over at Harry then lowering her head remembering how they were almost killed.
"You know what I mean. I wasn't around for any of this. I feel so out of place. What are people going to say about me it's just poof Harry has a sister." Halle replied.
"Hey guys listen to this." Hermione suddenly interjected. "The now under investigation Minister Fudge has released the following statement to the press: On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to extend our sincerest apology for the wrongful prosecution and imprisonment of one Sirius Black. Reliable sources have come forward with the information that another betrayed the Potters that fateful night, and the same was the one that framed Black for the numerous murders. Currently the culprit, Peter Pettigrew, is nowhere to be found however our best auror's are on the case."
Harry frowned. "Now that he's dead they set him free."
"Wait he was." Halle started.
"Our Godfather." Harry replied. "Wish you could've met him."
"I knew a Sirius back home." Halle stated. "Friend of my adopted parents. Great guy. I'm sure if he was half as nice as this one he was an amazing person."
"He was." Harry responded wiping a stray tear from his eye.
The group suddenly stopped talking when the Castle came to sight.
Halle's eyes grew big. "Wow it's gorgeous."
"Welcome to Hogwarts." Ginny said looking over at Harry who was grinning from ear to ear at the burst of happiness of his sister.
"I don't understand why they didn't sort her. The rest of us had to go through it." Ron exclaimed.
"Ron where do you think the hat was going to place her, Slytherian?" Hermione retorted as the group walked into the Gryffindor common room.
"Who's the new Defense bloke?" Harry asked changing the subject.
"Names Guthrie Gallagher. Went to Hogwarts and was a 7th year when mum and dad were 1st years." Ron replied. "Mum said he was a pretty nice guy. Prefect and Head boy. Was a chaser for the Ravenclaw team. Don't know much else about him."
"After last year it's nice to have someone qualified and pleasant for the part." Hermione said referring to Umbridge whom made everyone's lives, specifically Harry's a living hell last year.
"Now back to this sorting thing." Ron began.
"Oh Ron come off it. Does it matter that much to you that Halle wasn't sorted?" Hermione exclaimed.
No one seemed to noticed a girl quickly leave the common room while everyone else was distracted.
Halle wandered through the weaving castle that was now her new home for the entire term. Everything had come so fast. She could still vividly see her room back at her home with her adopted parents. Closing her eyes she felt she could smell the distinct essence of her moms chocolate chip cookies but when she opened her eyes her surroundings were unfamiliar and less comforting than that of a warm cookie and a comfortable bed.
She had walked past so many portraits and cases full of antiques and parts of the school history. She had just as soon walked passed the next when something jumped out at her. Looking closer she saw it. James Potter, Seeker. 'Isn't that what Harry plays?' She thought to herself. Her real parents were nothing but people in a photograph to her. I guess that's how Harry felt. But he had been there. Granted his time with them was brief but he was there. He was in pictures with them. They had held him and comforted him when he cried. Then the selfish thought that had been lurking around in the back of her head came to the forefront of her thoughts. 'Why me? Why didn't they hide Harry?' Then thinking about it she realized the great responsibility she'd have on her back had the situation been reversed.
Turning on her heals she headed back to the Gryffindor tower. It had been a long day and she was beginning to feel her dorm bed beckon for her.
"Harry?" Came a voice from behind him. Harry had been unable to sleep so he came down to sit and watch the fire. Sometimes he thought he saw Sirius's head in the flames but he knew that that was something completely impossible. Turning around he saw the red head descend the stairs of the girls' dormitories.
"Ginny, what are you doing up?" Harry asked.
"Well I guess I could say the same about you." Ginny replied.
Harry sighed. "Couldn't sleep. I just keep thinking about how much I missed out on as a kid. How much Halle and I missed out on. The funny thing is, it doesn't make me sad it just makes me hate Voldemort even more than I already do. I didn't think that was possible."
"You have every right to be Harry. He has taken so much from you. But there's one thing he hasn't gotten and that you can't let him get. There's a girl sleeping up there who needs you just as much as you need her." Ginny brushed Harry's hair out of his face as she talked.
Harry smiled. "I know Gin, thanks." Pausing for a moment he spoke again. "So why are you up?"
Ginny frowned. "Bad dream."
"The Chamber huh?" Harry questioned.
Looking down at the ground Ginny sighed. "Yeah."
"Ginny look at me." Harry said lifting her head up with his hand under her chin. "None of that was your fault." Gulping Harry continued. "Last year, at the ministry, Voldemort possessed me."
Ginny wore a startled look on her face. "He did?"
"Yes. Gin, you're the only one who knows this." Harry replied.
"I won't tell anyone, I promise." Ginny replied. "Well I better get back to bed, first day of classes tomorrow. G'night Harry, and thanks."
"Goodnight Ginny." Harry answered smiling.