Disclaimer: I do not own anything that deals with Harry Potter

Chapter 2 : Lily's Sister

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Although it was hardly sundown, Harry Potter lay in his bed at Number 4 Privet Drive, having no desire to join in watching the evening news which was showing downstairs on the television. His Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon preferred it that way. His cousin having changed a bit since last year, had become more muscled than anything, but thankfully he did not try and beat Harry up anymore. Growing up, Harry had been Dudley's favourite punching bag. But when Harry returned from his first year fresh from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, all three Dursley's were somewhat fearful of him. Now they were -to an extent- terrified of him. They knew that the minute Harry turned Seventeen; he would be able to use magic legally away from Hogwarts. So the Dursley's lived the past month away from Harry as much as possible.

Harry was grateful for this, he needed to think. He got to his feet and started pacing the floor reliving for the one hundredth time that summer, all the visits into Dumbledore's pensive.

Harry's mentor had been Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore had insisted that Harry take private lessons with him last year. Harry was unable to talk to anyone about these lessons apart from his best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. No one knew apart from them why Dumbledore was leaving the School for periods of time. Dumbledore would return to Hogwarts, send for Harry, and together would take a trip into someone's memory. Showing Harry pieces of the story behind how a talented young man, named Tom Riddle, became the most powerful and evil wizard 'Lord Voldemort'.

Harry and Dumbledore had learned that before Voldemort had killed Harry's parents, James and Lily Potter; he had split his soul, dividing it in half. One piece still remained in him, the other was transformed into the pages of a diary creating a Horcrux, which Harry had destroyed in his second year at Hogwarts.

The memories that Dumbledore showed him next though would be unforgettable. Together they learned that Tom Riddle had not just split his soul in two. But into seven pieces, thus creating six Horcrux. The Diary was gone, and Dumbledore had ensured that a ring that once belonged to Tom Riddle's grandfather, bearing the Salazar Slytherin crest was destroyed. Bringing the amount of Horcrux down to four.

Salazar Slytherin was an ancient ancestor of Tom Riddle.

Riddle was a dark wizard that most wizards today, more than sixteen years later still feared to name. Choosing instead, to refer to him as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Harry had assumed that the reasoning behind Dumbledore showing him these Horcrux, was so they could hunt them down and together destroy all four before turning there focus on the fifth and final remaining piece of Voldemort, himself. Though Voldemort may not be able to feel the Horcrux being destroyed. he would however be terrible to fight. For even though Voldemort will in turn be mortal again, with all six Horcrux gone, he would still be strong in mind and talent. Voldemort would still have his wand, a wizard's most valuable asset.

Voldemort's life as Tom Riddle had been deprived of affection, so he would naturally want to put a piece of his soul into something that meant something. Here, Dumbledore hazarded a guess as to what they might be looking for.

A memory had shown them that Tom Riddle came into a private showing of a Locket that had bore the Salazar Slythrin crest, as well as a cup that had once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff. Two of the four founders of Hogwarts. Another guess of Dumbledore's was a snake Harry had met up close at the end of his fourth year when Voldemort had returned to full power. The snake known as Nagini was the most beloved breathing thing that Voldemort ever cared about. The last Horcrux was a little harder than the rest; for all Harry knew about it was that it might be in something that had once belonged to Gryffindor, or Ravenclaw, the remaining two founders of Hogwarts. Harry had been going over this all Summer while pacing around his bedroom floor,

'Locket...Cup...Snake...something of Ravenclaw or Gryffindor...Locket...Cup...Snake...something of Ravenclaw or Gryffindor!'

Harry glanced into the sky; the sun was setting and causing a red glare to enter his room. The red instantly reminding him of a girl Harry had dated for a brief time last year. Ginny Weasley, sister of his best friend Ron. Ginny had been perfect for Harry, and Harry cared deeply for her. She had come to mean so much to him in a short amount of time. Harry had broken up with her in hope that he would keep her safe on the sidelines. He would not get her hurt, or worse killed. But Harry could not stop himself about thinking of her. Her smile played on his mind while the memory of her floral scent played with his senses. But Harry knew he could not make anything of it, at least just yet. If Harry succeeded in killing Voldemort he would be free, free to explore a normal life. Well, normal for a wizard anyway. If Ginny still cared for him, maybe they could be together. So much rode on the 'if's' that Harry could not think straight.

He slumped into his bed and pressed his hands into his eyes until white spots appeared. Taking a deep sigh, Harry glanced out the window. A black spot could be seen. Harry suddenly realized that it was an owl and hurried to open the window.

The tiny owl flew in and Harry watched as it flew in circles above his head. Reaching out and taking the owl he now recognized as Pig. Harry untied the letter, and let Pig drink out of Hedwig's water dish, whom Harry thought didn't look too pleased with this small intrusion. Upon opening the letter Harry sat down again and saw Ron's handwriting.

Harry,
I can't talk much but we'll be picking you up on Saturday
around two in the afternoon. I hope all is well. Everyone
sends their hellos and Harry make sure you're ready a day
in advance, just in case.
Ron

Ready a day in advance, what was that all about? Harry stirred this in his mind. Glancing up on the wall Harry saw that tomorrow was Saturday. Giving the letter one last look, Harry deposited it on his desk. Glancing around the room, Harry lifted his trunk onto the bed, quickly clearing away the old reminders of last year's sweets, and crumpled bits of parchment. He started piling his wizardry materials inside. He paused briefly at his school things, thinking that he wouldn't need them, but packed them anyhow. He packed until all that he owned was inside his truck. Which he found odd, the trunk seemed to be able to hold all his possessions. A noise outside his door told him someone was lurking. Harry opened his door to see Dudley trying to see through the key hole in his door. Dudley straightened up.

"What are you doing in there?"

"Well now see Dudder's that's none of your business is it" Harry replied running a hand through his hair causing it to ruffle even more.

"Well, Mum wants to know if you want dinner?" Dudley said this fairly fast and Harry found it kind of curious. The Dursley's never asked him to come down to dinner before. Harry decided he was indeed a bit hungry.

"Yeah, sure why not."

Harry allowed Dudley to go before him and Dudley was nervous about this all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. He kept sending Harry nervous glances over his shoulder. Harry had to fight the urge to give his bullying cousin a swift kick in the butt. But made it into the kitchen with out incident all the same. Harry moved over to sit on the opposite side of Dudley, and his Aunt Petunia set down a casserole in the middle of the table. Dudley hurriedly helped himself to the dishes contents. Harry and the Dursley's ate in peace with the only sound coming from eating and drinking. Only just remembering about the letter from Ron on his desk upstairs.

"I'll be having some friends drop by tomorrow," Harry felt the already tense atmosphere in the room go almost unbearable.

"I'll not have your kind trailing in this house blowing up the living room again!" Harry looked at his uncle Vernon, whose face was a purple shade bypassing red altogether.

"They will be picking me up to leave." His uncle started spluttering again, but Harry quickly cut him off "...they'll be collecting me and I'll be leaving ...for good!" His uncle's face started showing his normal colour before he spoke again

"I guess one last time won't hurt, but I'll not have them blowing up the living room again!"

"It was fixed was it not?" Harry didn't know what made him say this, but his courage was growing stronger by the day.

"That's not the point, the point is...is...is-"

"Is what exactly?" Harry was getting a little annoyed by this conversation. But watched his uncle sputter and send spit flying over his end of the table trying to come up with a good excuse. Harry found this part slightly amusing.

"That's not the point."

"Yeah, you've said that already". Harry was now enjoying this; his uncle had never been at a loss to say anything. "Look it is this simple. My friends are going to be picking me up and you'll be seeing my backside for the last time, so that's it, I'll be out of your hair and you'll be out of mine." Harry pushed his chair back from the table and went upstairs back to his room. He immediately packed the last of his things, which was Ron's latest letter in his trunk, closed it and moved it by the door. Harry turned to Hedwig and found Pig still there.

"I guess your staying until Saturday then?" The owl looked up and nipped his finger a little too hard, but Harry got the gist of it all the same. He started feeding the two owls with owl treats when a soft knock came at his door. "Yeah?" Harry said rather irritably. A harassed version of his Aunt came in. She shut the door behind her quietly. She looked at Harry then at the two owls.

"Who is that one?"

"Well this one is my friend Ron's, his name is Pig" Harry didn't know why he offered this information. Aunt Petunia walked over to where he stood and pulled out his desk chair. She sat down with her eyes still on Pig. Harry turned and continued to feed the two owls. Confusion was setting in, first she sent Dudley up here to make sure he was at dinner, then now here she was sitting in his room and getting comfy judging by the look of it. Harry glanced at her again.

"May I?"

"What?"

"Can I help feed them?" Harry was amused but slightly nervous, but he held out the package of owl treats and she collected a few from the bag. Harry watched, slightly astonished that she knew how to properly feed an owl as they were often temperamental. She gave a gasp and a little laugh, as Pig nipped her finger in thanks.

"I think he likes me."

"Yeah..." said an even more confused Harry

"Did you know that I was accepted at Hogwarts?"

"What?" Harry dropped what he was holding, he couldn't remember what it was but he heard it hit the floor, then several small things rolling away from where he stood paralyzed with shock.

"Yes, I was of course eleven, when an owl came. Thinking it was for her, Lily got up from the table where we were eating, and she gasped in excitement, she told me the letter said it was for me, I got up and went to retrieve my letter. I was startled, why would Hogwarts want someone like me?"

Harry was momentarily thinking the same thing, but she cleared her throat and started talking again.

"I was stunned, I was frightened to death, so I slept with the letter under my pillow, by the time I woke I was just too scared to go, and I told my parents and Lily that I wished not to go. Lily was heartbroken that day. I wished to stay behind out of simple fear. I had heard her talk about the studying being hard, and then about the magical creatures that lived in the forest surrounding the castle, and the headmaster, the teachers and how one could even transform into a cat. I was so scared that I took it out on her, calling her abnormal and...well, a whole lot of bad words. We lost our friendship that year. Lily was the best friend a girl could have asked for, and I pushed her away, because well… because of her talents."

'Whoa!' Thought Harry. First his Aunt who didn't want to talk with Harry unless giving him chores to do, was standing here talking about a sister she tried desperately to pretend didn't exist ever, and now she's admitted to have been able to go to Hogwarts. Harry was losing his mind. Because now she was referring to his abnormalities -as she usually called it- as a talent. Harry sat on his bed as his head was making him dizzy.

"I have regretted my actions, but no more than I do right now. I know you have a lot that rests on your shoulders, as you said last year, and when you leave this house it will probably be for good. Who can blame you after all we put you through. I... well, I just wanted to say "Sorry Harry", but I let old ties get in the way. I know now that magic is a part of our world, there is nothing we can do to stop it. There is something else too."

"And what is that?" Harry spoke for the first time since she began her conversation with him.

She pulled a small envelope out of her pocket.

"Vernon doesn't know about this. I found it on you the day we found you on our doorstep I was going to toss it out, but never could for some strange reason." She held the envelope out to Harry, who stood up to take it, as he rose so did Aunt Petunia and gave it to him. Harry looked down at the parcel then to his Aunt.

"Thanks..." She wiped a solitary tear from her cheek and threw her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Harry was startled for the umpteenth time since she had entered his room. But he hugged her back wondering vaguely if his mother's hug was anything like this.

"Your mother would have been pleased with you; you know I see her every time I look in your eyes."

"I hope... it's just... it would have been nice to see them though, to remember them more than I do." Aunt Petunia let go of him and stepped back. She walked quickly from the room and came back in holding a parcel.

"This also arrived for you a week after you did. It arrived by owl while Vernon was at work so he doesn't about this either."

"Thanks," said Harry taking the parcel. "I appreciate you giving me room, and food for the past well, almost 17 years now"

"It is I who owe you thanks, for showing me through your eyes that Lily forgave me, and she still loved me"

"You will always love your family." Harry spoke this as the Weasley's came to his mind; He loved each and every one of them. His Aunt Petunia wiped more tears that were coming from her eyes when the doorbell rang.

"I wonder who that could be?" His Aunt walked out of the room, but then his Uncle Vernon hollered at him.

"BOY GET DOWN HERE!"

Wondering what he was supposed to have done now, Harry walked down the stairs. It wasn't until he was halfway down that he looked up to find several people crowding the entranceway.

"Harry!"

Hermione, Ron, Mr. Weasley, and Lupin were standing there looking up at him. Hermione came bounding up the stairs at him, threw her arms around him and hugged him gingerly. He could tell she had grown a lot since they departed, she somehow had become more lady like and Harry was not at all surprised to turn and find Ron looking up at them wistfully.

Harry and Hermione walked down into the entrance way. Dudley was standing in the door way of the living room. He had an odd look on his face.

"Would you care to come in and sit for a while?"

Harry was surprised to turn and find Dudley was openly staring at Hermione as if there was a mistake and she was even friends with Harry. Hermione said thanks and Dudley followed her into the Living room, with Ron at their heels. Harry wondered what had come over Dudley.

Hermione sat on the couch and Ron was fast to sit on the remaining side while Dudley opted to stand by the electric fireplace, flexing his muscles and winking at her. Harry was thoroughly enjoying this scene and wondered how Uncle Vernon would like it if Dudley actually married a witch. Turning he saw that Lupin was obviously thinking the same thing by the look on his face, and Mr. Weasley couldn't have looked more confused about what Dudley was attempting to do.

"Aren't we leaving?" Ron was quick at asking and Harry smiled at this. He was sure that Ron would go on for days at the scene playing out before him.

"Why not stay for awhile and chat a little, I'm Dudley by the way." Dudley stepped up to Hermione and held out his hand she accepted it and Dudley kissed the top of it. A small sputtering came form Ron and Uncle Vernon at the same time.

"Hello, I'm Hermione-"

"Yeah and I'm Ron." Ron's comment went unnoticed by Dudley who was trying to keep Hermione's eyes on him. Harry however, was laughing out loud as Dudley went into a long winded speech about his wrestling career. Hermione looked flabbergasted. Answering him only with "wow" and "how about that", while Ron scowled on looking at Dudley. Harry smiled a little more.

"Ah yes, well, anyway Harry. Molly and I would like to know if you would like to stay with us for a while until, well you know." Harry had turned to Mr. Weasley.

"I don't want to impose."

"Nonsense. I think though, more than one red headed girl would be mad at me if I didn't bring you back with us today." Harry smiled a little bit more. Knowing full well that there were only two red headed women in the Weasley bunch, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny.

"Well, I'll spare you then, I would be honoured."

"Thanks Harry, okay then lets get cracking we have a Ministry of Magic car. So we best not keep it waiting."

"Harry and I will collect his things." Lupin said turning to Mr. Weasley. Harry made to follow Lupin back through the entrance way when Ron hollered.

"Don't forget Pig, I brought his cage." Harry knew that Ron would have gotten Pig himself, but knew that his friend wanted to stay to make sure Dudley didn't get too close to Hermione, and it was not at all for Hermione's sake. So Harry picked up Pigs cage by the door and lead Lupin up the stairs.

"This is your room then?" Asked Lupin as they reached Harry's room.

"Yeah." Harry quickly snatched the moving owl that was flying above their heads and stuffed him into the cage he was still holding. Then went to gather his Firebolt and felt a heartstring pull remembering Sirius had given it to him. A comforting hand patted his shoulder, and Harry laid it by his truck. He turned by the door and looked at the room.

"Let's make it match the rest of this surgically clean house shall we. A way of saying thanks, hmm."

Harry nodded, and watched as Lupin made a swish movement around the room and suddenly the waste basket was emptied, the owl treats he had dropped earlier were gone and the bed made itself. By the end the room was just like the rest of the house. Harry made to reach for his trunk.

"I think it would be easier if I did it."

Lupin waved his wand again, and the trunk levitated in the air, leading the way into the hall. Harry picked up the parcel his aunt had given him earlier, then reached for his Firebolt again, and for the last time closed the door to the room he knew he would never see again.

When Harry and Lupin made their way back downstairs Lupin turned to him.

"I'll just take this stuff outside to get it loaded up."

"Okay thanks, I'll get everyone else." Lupin nodded his agreement; he too clearly thought it would be best if they left as soon as possible.

When Harry entered the living room again; it was to find Ron had literally gone green with jealousy and Mr. Weasley looking at the three with amusement. Vernon however looked outraged, while Petunia looked crossed between amusement and uncertainty.

"Mr. Weasley"

"Harry"

"Lupin says he's waiting in the car."

"Oh yes, lets get going shall we."

"Yeah lets go Hermione." Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and Hermione said a hurried goodbye to Dudley who was looking outraged that she was leaving without the promise of seeing him again. Ron dragged Hermione out of the house and turned to make a rude gesture to Dudley who balled his hand in a fist.

"I wouldn't do that Dudder's," said Harry.

"Why not? He's a wimp!"

"Well, I've seen him take down a fully grown mountain troll in our first year at school." Dudley lowered his fist but only slightly.

"I bet it wasn't the size I am though," replied Dudley.

Harry smiled. "Actually it was twenty-two feet tall and was slinging a club that weighed about fifty kilos. Ron took it down with just one spell." Dudley looked confused. Domeone smaller than he had just won, and Harry pressed that matter. "Only Merlin knows what he's learned since then." Harry smiled at the look on his cousin's face.

"She's probably not worth it." Dudley said as he turned and went back by his parents. While Hermione and Ron filed into the car with Lupin, Harry turned to face the Dursley's.

"Thanks for letting my stay here... bye."

His uncle grunted and his Aunt hugged him again. Dudley just nodded, still looking at the car where Hermione sat, and still trying to decide if it were truly worth it or not. Ron made the rude hand gesture out the window again, and Hermione grabbed his hand and Harry could tell they were in a heated conversation. Like always.

"Well, let's go."

"Bye, nice seeing you again." said Mr. Weasley.

Harry noticed that the Dursley's didn't reply, as Mr. Weasley and Harry turned and got in the car. Mr. Weasley took the front seat while Harry took the back with the rest, ignoring the argument taking place beside him, between his two best friends. He watched as Surrey faded from his window to country side and knew he was heading back to where his heart lay, back to Ginny.

An:

Hey thanks for reading to chapter 2. I hope your liking the story, please keep reading and review at anytime. I love hearing your thought's, emotions and I'll answer any question I can along the way. Please Review!

Thanks to beardie04 : Susan you are an awesome beta!

Thanks to Michael for the layout, even if I can't get it too come through!

Thanks, and untill next chapter take care,

HogwartsAngel101