Disclaimer: If it's mine, my lawyer hasn't informed me.
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I've had a lot of last minute projects, and finals are next week. I was also making some tough decisions on how I'm going to continue this story. It was the same writer's block that hit me when I was working on the old version. This time, I have a plan though, which I will tell you guys about as soon as you review. Ha ha, blackmail.
"Stupid Mudblood!" Draco ranted as he stomped into his room. His blonde hair had fallen into disarray and his silver eyes flashed with fury. Draco Malfoy was ready to throw a tantrum of epic proportions, and all because of one little Muggleborn who had dared to lay a finger on him. If he ever saw that brat again, she would rue the day her filthy Muggle parents procreated, and genetics deemed her lucky enough to hold a wand…
"How dare she!" he seethed, aiming a kick at the whimpering house-elf that trotted at his heals with his purchases. "I am a Malfoy! No one treats me like that!"
Draco snatched up a porcelain dragon on his desk and threw it, hoping to ease some of his frustration. He watched it shatter against the wall with some satisfaction, the tiny shards disappearing into the plush carpet. The house-elf squeaked in dismay at the destruction and tried to dissuade his young master from continuing. Neither noticed as the bedroom door creaked open, and a sliver cane tipped in, followed by a pair of polished black boots. The gleaming shoes paused inside as their owner surveyed the scene, cold blue eyes narrowing in disapproval.
"Draco, cease and desist at once!"
The boy's already pale complexion whitened further, and the miniature glass solar system he'd been ready to dash across the floor dropped from his fingers. The house-elf dived for the delicate model, skidding along the glass-strewn carpet in desperation. With a shaky sigh, he returned it to a new shelf, one far out of his young master's reach.
"Father!" Draco said, trying to ignore the mess around his room, and the elf running underfoot to clean it all up. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "When did you get home?"
Lucius Malfoy arched an eyebrow at his son. So much for going straight into his study…
"What have you been up to, Draco?" He let his eyes roam around, taking in the broken décor. "It is not befitting of a Malfoy to express himself in such a manner. Just what could have caused you to forget that?"
"I'm s-sorry, sir. It won't happen again," Draco muttered, blushing with shame under his father's scrutiny.
Lucius made a noncommittal noise. "See that it doesn't." The man turned, fighting down a grimace. He sometimes forgot how much the boy took after his mother, and it was at times like this that an education at Durmstrang sounded all the better. Hopefully Draco would grow out of these juvenile fits…
Draco breathed out slowly as his father left. He leaned against the bed, some of his previous rage draining out of him. His father was right. He shouldn't have lost control like that… The Mudblood wasn't worth it, no matter how humiliated he was… bent over gasping in the middle of the street for any one of his future classmates to see… And he was almost positive the Greengrasses were in the Alleys that day…! The Malfoy heir bested by a girl who probably didn't know which end up the wand to point… And she must have a foot shorter than him!
"Young Master!"
The house-elf's startled yell interrupted Draco's rising anger. The frantic elf tried to pry the silk coverlet out of Draco's twisting hands. He let go abruptly, sending the elf sprawling on the floor, the silver sheets held protectively above its floppy ears.
Draco snarled at it to clean the mess up, and stormed out to take a long, hot bath. He needed to forget about today's little debacle. School was beginning next week, and he had far more important matters to worry about- like Harry Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived would be utterly smitten with Draco if he had anything to say about it. No one could resist the Malfoy charm, after all, and he would have the rest of his classmates eating out of the palm of his hand. Now he just had to refrain from cursing that green-eyed wench… Sweet Merlin, he hoped she wasn't anyone near the castle on September first…
"I'M A WHAT?"
Hallie's last words rang in the silent office as she stared incredulously at Dumbledore. She was so dumbfounded that she didn't even notice as several of the previously sleeping portraits peeked open an eye to watch. A particularly sour-faced man let out a derisive scoff, but was quickly silenced by one of his fellow paintings.
"You are a witch, Hallie," Dumbledore repeated with a benign smile. He acted as though dropping such bombshells were the simple pleasures in life. Well, every old man had to get his kicks somehow.
This had to be some kind of elaborate joke… Sure, Diagon Alley was strange, and there was that creepy old woman that looked like she wanted to just eat Hallie up (and not in the overbearing grandmotherly way)… Mr. Lupin had said and done some unusual things, as well, like that trick with the fireplace, but still…
"Prove it!" Hallie said stubbornly.
Dumbledore seemed taken aback. He didn't really believe she was that gullible, did he?
"I don't believe this rubbish for a second! I don't know what the bloody hell has been happening today, but it can't be magic! I more inclined to calling this a conspiracy! Did you have something to do with the zoo? Everyone knows there's no such thing-"
Hallie's voice died out as the bearded Merlin-wannabe pulled out a pale, crooked piece of wood. A single wave followed, and the desk between them suddenly vanished, replaced by a grand dining table. Hallie's stiff-backed wooden chair suddenly lurched before morphing into a cozy purple chintz armchair. Another swish and flick filled the empty table with a delicate white china set that Aunt Petunia might have killed for, as well as two cups of piping hot tea and a tray of sugary biscuits. A small saucer of milk appeared at her feet, and the cat abandoned his comatose friend to lap it up.
Wide green eyes stared unblinkingly as the Headmaster completed his work and placed his wand on the table. His wrinkled hands lifted one of the steaming cups, and he took a deep sip, sighing in satisfaction afterward.
"Please have a cup, my dear," he offered when Hallie remained in shock. "I dare say you'll feel better afterward."
Hallie just goggled, her gaze riveted on the wand. Irrationally she thought, if it was that easy to conjure an entire tea party, Hallie would never have to slave away over a hot stove again. Shakily, she reached for her own cup when it became clear that Dumbledore was content to finish his in silence. He was correct that she felt much better as the hot liquid slid down her throat. An uncommonly fuzzy feeling came over her, and Hallie felt so calm, and quite willing to hear whatever this man had to say. Magic must be a lovely thing if it could break her out of hysterics that quickly… Or maybe the tea was drugged? Somehow, Hallie couldn't bring herself to care anymore.
Hallie took a deep breath. "Okay, say that magic is real," she conceded. She didn't believe technology had advanced enough to cover what she just seen, anyway. "You're saying that I'm a witch, as in, I can do magic?"
"Absolutely, Miss Potter." He gave that infuriating smile again, and started rooting through one of the cabinets behind his chair. "Now, where did I put them…?"
"And let me guess," she began in a sarcastic tone, "you're a witch too?"
"Aha!" he cried, turning back to Hallie with a small plastic bag in his hands. "Actually," he added as an afterthought," the term is wizard."
"Of course," Hallie said faintly. She decided another gulp of that wonderfully relaxing tea was in order.
"Lemon drop?" Dumbledore offered, revealing that the bag was full of sour yellow sweets. Hallie declined and the old man shrugged. He popped one into his mouth and then folded both arms, leaning onto the table. "Now, down to business, Miss Potter. I trust Remus Lupin explained something of why you are here?"
"Er, not really…" Hallie frowned, thinking. "He was asking me about some letter that I obviously didn't receive, but it sounded important."
"Ah, yes…" Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes seemed to dull as something was confirmed from Hallie's reply. "Well, Hallie, I believe Remus was referring to your Hogwarts letter."
"You said something about Hogwarts before…?"
"Yes, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This past month you should have been notified of your invitation to our school. In fact, myself and others were getting rather worried when we didn't hear from you-"
"Wait," Hallie looked up at him sharply, "did you say last month? I think… Yes, there was some sort of letter that came in the post. My uncle snatched it before I got a good look at it though," she didn't notice as Dumbledore's frown deepened. "He seemed really upset about it too, and Aunt Petunia threw a fit. They even locked me in my-" Hallie cleared her throat awkwardly, "er, bedroom."
Hallie was careful not to mention anything further. She remembered that morning in excruciating detail now. The Dursleys had panicked after reading the curving script on the outside of the thick, yellowish paper. Aunt Petunia had fainted in her tea, and Vernon had turned three different shades of red. Dudley was just as stunned as she was by his parents' uncharacteristic behavior. When Hallie made the mistake of asking if everything was alright, her enraged uncle had dragged her to the cupboard by the back of Dudley's oversized shirt and tossed her in, bellowing about freaks and stalkers. At the time, Hallie had thought it was just junk mail, like someone offering a ten-year-old a credit card. She should have known something was off when her aunt started giving her even dirtier looks than usual. It was as though Hallie's worth had declined from a cockroach to a speck of dirt.
Dumbledore sighed. "I was afraid of something like this. When I left you with your aunt and uncle, there was a letter explaining your situation. I had hoped they would show it to you when you were old enough-"
"You left me there?" Hallie jumped out her seat, upsetting the tea set. Her half-empty cup crashed to the floor, just missing the cat and his saucer. He hissed and sulked over to a dusty golden perch while she shouted herself hoarse at the old man. He took the verbal abuse calmly, letting Hallie get it all out.
"How could you? Those people hate me! Anything would have been better than Privet Drive… like an orphanage! Or some friends of the family, anything! There is no way I'm going back there-"
"I'm afraid I must insist, Hallie," Dumbledore interrupted gently.
"Give me one good reason," she growled, fists clenching at her sides. Hallie had finally found the person responsible for her lousy childhood, and she felt every harsh word every used against her rising up in her throat like bile. Hallie never even noticed as the tableware began to rattle and clink.
"It just wouldn't be safe. The wards will only hold so long as you are with your mother's blood-"
"Wards?" Hallie snapped back into focus. She'd been expecting some kind of speech about familial ties, but this was startling. "What are you talking about? Why wouldn't I be safe somewhere else? I'd say anywhere is safer than that house! It's not like I've got people trying to kill me…"
Hallie trailed off into silence, staring at Dumbledore when he didn't answer. The vibrant old man seemed to age before her eyes, hunching over as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
"That is incorrect, Miss Potter. There are indeed those who would gladly see you dead."
"…Why?"
"They want you dead, Hallie, because you destroyed their master… the same night he murdered your parents… and failed to kill you."
Hallie's mouth moved soundlessly as she struggled to find something to say. A hundred questions ran through her head at once, but only one stood out foremost.
"Murdered? What are you…? How…? MY PARENTS WERE KILLED IN A CAR CRASH!" Hallie screamed at the headmaster, daring him to say differently.
"No, they were not." Dumbledore sighed, and leaned forward to placate the heaving girl as she began to hyperventilate. "Please, retake your seat before I explain." He waited for her to do so before continuing. "I left a letter for your aunt the night I dropped you on their doorstep. I had hoped they would show it to you one day, explain just how special you are to us, the entire wizarding world."
"But I'm just Hallie," she muttered into her lap. "I'm nothing special… nothing at all."
"That is where you are wrong. You see, it all begins with a man calling himself Lord Voldemort, although many today will refer to him as You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"Why?"
"Because they fear him. He did many things, terrible things. He was a wizard of unrivaled power who sunk deep into the Dark Arts to gain power. Voldemort also held a grudge against the Muggle population, non-magic people. He believed they were unworthy of existence, and sought to wipe them out. He gathered his own followers, and he had many. They terrorized the wizarding world for at least a decade. Those were dark times. One never knew who could be trusted, and more died every day until, at last, he was defeated."
"How? I thought you said he was all-powerful. Who could-"
"You did. No one is quite sure how, but something about you stopped him."
The tiny black cat meowed from the floor during a pause in the awkward conversation. He leapt into Hallie's lap, trying to butt his head against her limply folded hands. She began petting him absently.
"Many wizards and witches fought against Voldemort, despite how hopeless it might have seemed at times. Your parents did so, and quite admirably, if I might say so. At one point, I learned from a spy that Voldemort might come after your family. I sent them into hiding in the hopes that they would be safe. But it was not to be so. On Halloween night, you were a little over a year old then, he found your home in Godric's Hollow. He killed both your mother and father, and then went to finish the job-"
"The green light," Hallie whispered under her breath. She'd had many dreams over the years, unpleasant ones filled with a woman's screams, and a flash of luminous green light… All this time, she had imagined it coming from twin headlights, just before their car barreled into another, with metal screeching and tearing… She'd dreamt of the green light ending her parents' lives in the crushing pain of broken bones and splattered blood… Now she wondered if magic lights did the same. Did her mother and father feel any pain…?
"However," Dumbledore added as Hallie zoned out, "the killing curse rebounded off you, leaving the very scar on your forehead. It hit Lord Voldemort, tearing him from his body, and setting the house on fire. A colleague of mine retrieved you from the wreckage and brought you to your aunt and uncle."
"So, he's gone?" she asked after a moment. There was no need to clarify who 'he' was.
"That, I cannot say. The Ministry of Magic believes we have seen the last of the Dark Lord. I think he may yet return. It is only a matter of time."
"Well, bollocks," Hallie commented with a scowl. She was finding an awful lot to curse about that day… "So, let me see if I've got this straight. I defeated a murdering psychopath when I was a baby by bouncing magic spells of death off my forehead? Go me," she joked weakly.
Dumbledore gave a light chuckle. "Yes, but unfortunately there is more…"
"More? You've got to be kidding me! What else could there be? Am I long-lost royalty, third cousin twice removed on the queen's side?"
"Not quite, but you are rather famous in our world, the result of saving hundreds of lives."
Hallie blushed. "Oh."
"There is something else I should discuss with you, though," he cleared his throat, suddenly looking uncomfortable. This was one topic that Dumbledore dreaded. He subtly placed a shield or two around some of his more delicate possessions in the office. Hallie didn't pick up on anything unusual, but the portraits began to ease warily out of their frames.
"Go ahead then," Hallie gestured. "I doubt there's much more that can surprise me after today…"
A few more shields wouldn't hurt. Oddly enough, the creature that had arrived with Miss Potter had relocated to one of the farthest corners of the room.
"Your parents were forced into hiding right after your birth. There was hardly any time for them to celebrate what should have been a joyous occasion. They never had the chance to see their friends, either, only sending out an owl before they were forced under the Fidelius charm. I also convinced them to take some extra precautionary measures, incase something should happen to them. It was my idea to keep the details of the newest Potter vague. The less the world knew about you, the harder it would be to find you later on, should any of Voldemort's supporters seek to harm the helpless infant of a prominent light family. Therefore, James and Lily made up a fake birth certificate for the Ministry records, with the assistance of a contact of mine at Saint Mungo's Hospital. They put down the name Harold, or Harry, Potter, after James' father-"
"Wait," Hallie interrupted, "you told people I was a boy?"
"Yes, Hallie. You see, your parents had plans to send you to some close friends if things got too dangerous, and this way, Voldemort's followers would not be looking for a baby girl…"
"Why do I get the feeling there's more to this?" Hallie raised an eyebrow.
Dumbledore smiled, although it came out closer to a grimace. "Are you sure you wouldn't like a lemon drop?"
"No thanks." Hallie realized that he was stalling.
He put one in his own mouth, sucking on it for strength. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Well, I told you that the wizarding world considers you a hero, their savior. When the other students arrive, you will find that anyone with magical parents will have heard your name. Your story is known throughout all magical society, Hallie."
"But- Hold on…" Hallie felt the bottom of her stomach drop. He couldn't mean that… "You said people thought I was a… Oh, no… Don't tell me-"
"When you defeated Lord Voldemort, the wizarding community was still under the impression that you were a bouncing baby boy. After coming to the conclusion that I would have to leave you in the Muggle world, hidden from any who might harm you… I let them continue to think so."
"WHAT?" Hallie screeched. "But what am I supposed to do? Tell everyone I'm Harry Potter's illegitimate sister?"
"Of course not, my dear girl. I was thinking of telling them exactly the opposite. We simply let them think you are Harry Potter, and we can take care of your appearance quite easily. With a little wand work, no one will be able to tell that you were ever female-"
The cups were rattling again.
"-I'm a bit rusty on my charms, but I daresay we'll manage. Glamour spells really are magnificent. I can even keep it from being detected by anyone but an Auror-"
Dilys Derwent's portrait debated the wisdom of popping into Mungo's and asking for a Healer on standby, just as a precaution. Everard gave her an emphatic nod as he and the other Headmasters kept a close eye on the frighteningly quiet little girl.
"-and you'll be able to hide under the façade of the Potters' son, returning to your aunt and uncle every summer, safe in the knowledge that no wizard will recognize you on the street-"
Hallie felt some kind of pressure swelling within her. It was either magic or indigestion from that suspicious sandwich she had for dinner last night. She hoped it was the former because Hallie had the strongest urge to blow something up…
"-I really do believe it's for the best. Your safety is all that matters-"
The black cat began searching for an escape. It even contemplated the tower window for a moment, regardless of the open skies beyond.
"-So, what do you say, my dear?"
"NO WAY."
One of the curious silver instruments on Dumbledore's shelf let out a piercing whistle.
A thoroughly frustrated Professor McGonagall stalked through the halls of Hogwarts on her return from the Dursleys' residence, but not before hexing one of their perfect shrubs to a charred crisp. She'd been waiting to do that for ten years…
As she headed to the Headmaster's office, she nearly ran into Professor Snape, who was resurfacing from a long weekend brewing potions in the dank dungeons. A single blink of his shadowed eyes was the only surprise he showed at her abrupt appearance.
"Watch where you're going, Minerva," he snapped. Snape paused before leaving as he noticed the poorly-concealed fury in her pinched lips. "What has you in such a fit this time?" he drawled.
The severe woman chose to ignore his comment in favor of letting out some of her rage. "Severus, I was just at Privet Drive-"
"I should have guessed," he sneered. "Another Potter causing trouble? The term hasn't even started yet, and the brat is vying for attention-" Before Snape could launch into a full tirade, McGonagall had already left, robes billowing in a manner eerily reminiscent of the irate potions master himself.
"Merlin's beard!" McGonagall cursed uncharacteristically. She had never expected this year to begin with such difficulty. Harry Potter was finally starting as a first year, or at least he would be if she'd gotten a reply. Dozens of letters had been sent off to Surrey, and not a single owl had come back. After speaking with his guardians, she knew that a good deal of them had been burned in the fireplace, flushed down the toilet, and even shredded in some kind of kitchen device. She had warned Albus all those years ago! They should never have left the boy with those rotten Muggles! Well, there was nothing to do but go see the Headmaster. Let him find a solution because McGonagall was at her wit's end!
She set off toward the entrance to Dumbledore's office. However, when she got there, she sighed in exasperation. She could never remember the ridiculous passwords he came up with!
"Lo, Minerva. Ye be lookin' fer Dumbledore?" Rubeus Hagrid asked as he passed by the stone gargoyle.
"Why, yes, Hagrid. Where are you off to?"
"Goin' ter see Professor Quirrell 'bout the thestrals. Somethin' in the forest's been makin' em act up. Was gonna ask him this mornin' fer help, he jus' got back, but I couldn't find 'im anywhere…"
"That's odd. Well, I do hope the thestrals will be up to pulling the carriages this year."
"Aye."
"Hmm, back to business. Hagrid, do you have any idea what the password is this time?"
"Nope. Why don' ye jus' start namin' as many sweets as ye can?"
McGonagall sighed in disgust, "Oh, alright." She was never a fan of sweets. She tried to recall what the students were always sneaking into her classes. "Er, Bertie Bott's? Sugar Quills, Pumpkin Pasties, Cockroach Clusters, Licorice Wands, Blood Lollipops, Droobles Best Blowing Gum…? Chocolate Frog?" The stone gargoyle groaned and sunk into the floor, revealing a spiral staircase.
"What is with Albus and sugar? You'd think he was only a tenth of his age!"
"Well, ya know, he's been especially fond 'o the Chocolate Frogs since they gave 'im his own card," Hagrid chuckled. It was true. Dumbledore seemed to think his face on a Chocolate Frog card was worth more than his Order of Merlin, First Class.
McGonagall just rolled her eyes and bid Hagrid farewell. He lumbered off, humming slightly under his breath. Steeling herself, McGonagall stepped onto the moving stairs, finally coming to the oak door with its golden knocker. She raised one fist to knock, anticipating Albus' voice welcoming her in before she even managed it. McGonagall was disappointed, however, when something else altogether interrupted. There was a sound like thunder booming, and she could have sworn that the heavy door curved outward for a moment under some kind of pressure from the other side. Alarmed, she pulled out her wand and charged into the office uninvited.
Hallie's flat out refusal hung in the air between them as she glared at the placid Headmaster. She was pleased, however, to note a small twitch in his left eye as he (unbeknownst to her) dealt with the backlash of his own protective wards. His office remained safe, but for how long was the question, as Hallie panted with exertion and clenched her fists into the armrests.
Before she could continue telling Dumbledore just where to shove his 'brilliant idea,' the door behind her burst open and a stern old woman in dark robes and a pointed hat ran in. McGonagall stopped, looking rather foolish as she realized that the Headmaster was perfectly fine. Well, for now, she amended as she recalled her previous ire. Her frigid gaze landed on Dumbledore, who was beginning to feel rather sorry for himself, and she completely missed the other occupant of the room.
"Ah, good afternoon, Minerva. How can I help-"
"We don't have time for pleasantries, Albus! Harry Potter is missing, and those wretched Muggles wouldn't tell me a thing! They claimed that the 'freak' ran away this afternoon, and they hadn't seen 'it' since. These are the kind of people you leave our savior with? Have you finally gone senile, Albus?"
"Minerva, if you would just take I seat, I could explain-"
"You had better explain!" she barked, strands of her graying hair coming out of its bun with stress.
"I take it your visit with the Dursleys didn't go well?" the Headmaster asked.
Hallie sat by silently, hoping for details of her relatives. So, Dumbledore had actually sent a witch to find her? She could just imagine the sort reception the woman got from her aunt and uncle. They didn't appreciate anyone odd turning up at their doorstep, in plain view of the gossipy neighbors. It would only double their upset if that person asked for Hallie. After all, they still hadn't forgiven Hallie for the last time someone came calling on her account.
'At least she wasn't with the police. Of course, I don't know why I got all the blame. It wasn't my fault that I ended up on the roof of the school… I think.'
"Didn't go well? Ha!" The woman let out a stiff laugh. "Those people were impossible! They have no idea what happened to their own nephew, and I very much doubt they care. At this rate, we'll never find the boy! He could be anywhere, lying in a ditch somewhere, or Merlin forbid, with dark wizards! We've got to find him, Albus! We should send Hagrid at once-"
"Eh-hem."
A quite voice cleared their throat, interrupting the panicked witch. She looked flustered for a moment as she searched for the source of the disruption. Her spectacled eyes landed on a young girl, smaller even than most first years, who sat dwarfed in the large plush chair in front of the headmaster's desk. Wide green eyes blinked up at her, the corners of the girl's mouth twitching.
"Oh, my-" McGonagall floundered for a moment, unsure after losing her composure in front of a student. While she didn't remember ever meeting the girl, there was a certain familiarity about her.
"Pardon me," she said, straightening her robes as she observed the girl, "I am Professor McGonagall."
She held out a wrinkled hand, and Hallie grasped it lightly, smiling crookedly. She couldn't believe what she was about to do to the poor woman. It just wouldn't be right…
'Oh, I can't help myself.'
Hallie's gaze flickered toward Dumbledore for a moment, and he felt a chill or foreboding run down his spine. For a moment, he thought it was James Potter himself with that daring glint, but in Lily's emerald eyes.
"Hello, Professor. I'm Hallie. Hallie Potter." As she said it, Hallie tilted her head upward and to the side slightly, allowing her long bangs to fall back. She bit back a smirk as the old woman noticed the lightning bolt scar.
Instead of paling or fainting, as Hallie had expected, McGonagall turned a sickly white, her thin lips tightening. She released Hallie's hand and turned to stare at the twinkling headmaster who was still sucking on a lemon drop and smiling serenely. However, the slight twitch of his beard belied his nerves as the stern woman rose to her full height of little more than five feet. The very hackles on the woman seemed to rise, like an angry cat, as she narrowed her eyes at Dumbledore.
Using a voice reserved only for the Weasley twins, McGonagall growled out, "Albus, what have you done now?"
REVIEW!
For those of you that never read the old, and deleted, version of this story, you're probably a bit surprised about some things. I have a feeling I'm about to receive a few rants, especially after the next chapter. It happened last time, and was the partial cause of my giving up. But don't worry, sniffle, you guys are still the best readers anyone one could ever have! (blows nose) I hope you won't abandon me… For the record, if anyone decides to flame me and say they want to stop reading because I ruined the story… been there, done that, toasted marshmallows with the angry emails.