So what will Harry's reaction be? and will everyone see SHell differently? Read on to find out :) I only own Michelle and any other OCs that appear throughout the story.
Chapter 11
The suspense was killing me as I watched, every emotion under the rainbow cross Harry's face.
"W-What?" He finally choked out shock being the final emotion to cross his face.
"It's me Harry, I'm your sister" I sighed, relieved that the secret I had been carrying with me was finally revealed, well at least one of them anyway.
"But I saw you that day at the station, why didn't you say anything?" My heart broke a little hearing those words. I completely understood where he was coming from, I really should have said something that day.
"I didn't know what to say, the last time I saw you, you were just a baby" my voice broke as I spoke. I could feel the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, not because I was upset, but because he had accepted me.
"But your last name is Evans" his eyes searched my face, a small crease forming between his eyebrows. He watched me carefully, pushing his glasses further onto his nose.
"Dumbledore thought it would be best to keep my last name a secret, to protect you" At least that's what they had told me. It could have been for a different reason entirely, but I guess they didn't want to put too much pressure on a 13-year-old. Harry fidgeted as if he was trying to figure out what to say next and I couldn't help but wish that Remus was here to help me reassure him.
"My actual name Is Michelle Lillian Evans Potter" I smiled as I revealed my full name. I guess I could drop the Evans now, but it was a part of my mum and I wanted to keep that. Lillian was for my mum as well, with Lily being a shorter version of the name. In a way it made sense that both Harry and I had our parents' names incorporated with our own.
"Wow…you…you really are my sister?" Harry choked out the shock getting better of him.
"Yeah…you look so much like dad, except for the eyes of course" I smiled but didn't make a move, I didn't want to scare him.
"I really…I just…um" He stuttered for a few moments before shooting forward to hug me. I didn't move at first as his sudden movement shocked me, but after a few seconds I hugged him back. I realised now that George was right, I really had nothing to worry about. Harry leaned back with a face-splitting grin on his face, and I could see his eyes beginning to water. We spent another few hours chatting about the Dursleys and the Weasleys. I told him about my first two years at Hogwarts and what to expect, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him about my condition, that would have to wait for another time, for now I was happy.
For the next two weeks I split my time between getting to know more about Harry and spending time with my friends. It was surreal to think that we knew so little about each other, as we had only been told certain things by the people around us. I spent my lunches with Hannah at the Gryffindor table, laughing, joking and helping the twins plan their latest pranks. I was shocked to find that I got on well with Angelina and seeing that she made Fred happy made me happy as well.
After a morning filled with Transfiguration and defence against the dark arts Hannah and I made our way to lunch. This time we sat with our own house as Oliver had called a Quidditch meeting for the Gryffindor team. We filled our plates, and I began helping her with her potions essay.
"So, what did you talk to Harry about?" Cedric sat across from us, his brown hair in its usual messy style and his tie hung loose.
"Just congratulated him on the game" I watched as Hannah busied herself with the essay, scribbling notes on a piece of parchment. Over the last couple of weeks Cedric and I had begun talking properly again, but I couldn't help but feel a little bit of hostility from him. Maybe it was down to me spending more time with the twins again, but I couldn't really put my finger on it.
"What are you not telling me Shell?" he sighed pushing some food around his plate. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to keep from rolling my eyes. The first year of dating Cedric was great, he looked after me, made sure I took my potion before the full moon and we laughed, but recently he seemed distance, more judgemental.
"Nothing" I offered him a small smile, but deep down I was tired of this conversation and the constant questions. At that moment Snowy chose to make her entrance, dropping a letter in front of me. Cedric rolled his eyes and moved away to talk to Ernie McMillan. Somewhere in the back of my mind I couldn't help but think that maybe Cedric and I wouldn't work out. He was my first boyfriend after all, but did I really love him? I picked the envelope up and inspected it, noticing the green cursive that held my name. Flipping it over I opened it to read the message.
Miss Potter,
Meet me in my office after dinner, the password is 'lemon drops
Professor Dumbledore.
I frowned but quickly shoved the parchment into the pocket of my robes. It was very unusual for Dumbledore to want to see me, and I couldn't help but think it had something to do with Harry. The rest of lunch dragged on and before I knew it I had reached the statue that held the entrance to Dumbledor's office.
"Lemon Drops" I spoke clearly and took a sudden step back as the statue began moving upwards revealing a staircase. Taking a deep breath, I made my way up the stone steps. At the end of the staircase, I was met by an intricately carved wooden door, much like the ones that belong to the entrance hall. Swallowing my nervousness I knocked twice, waiting patiently for a reply.
"Enter" came a voice from the other side. I pushed the door open to reveal a large circular room, adorned with the portraits of what must've been previous headmasters. In the centre of the room at the top of three steps, lay a large wooden desk behind which Dumbledore sat. To his right a perch which held the most beautiful creature I had ever seen; a Phoenix.
"Professor Dumbledore? You wanted to see me sir" My voice shook as I took a step into the room. The Phoenix watched me as I made my way towards the desk, its golden yellow ears a stark contrast against the brilliant red of its feathers.
"Ah Miss Potter, have a seat...Sherbert Lemon?" He spoke in a quiet aging voice as he waved his hand towards the chair opposite him.
"No thankyou Sir" I politely declined the sweet as I took my place in the chair. The room itself was very daunting but also welcoming at the same time, a significant difference from the dungeons.
"I feel it is time to go by your true name Miss Potter" Dumbledore peered over his half-moon spectacles at me, his kind eyes watching me carefully.
"But Sir won't that put Harry at risk?" I frowned as I spoke. Why would he choose now to revert to my given last name? Given that the reason he told me not to use it in the first place, was purely to keep Harry safe.
"I believe it will, however I also believe that Mr Potter will be better protected with family by his side" Dumbledore interlocked his fingers as he spoke, leaning forward to rest his hands on the desk. The phoenix chirped as if he was agreeing with Dumbledore's statement.
"Yes Sir" I reluctantly agreed with him, my thoughts a jumble as I tried to process what was happening. My main question was how would Harry take the news? Followed very closely by what would the rest of the school think of me when the news broke out?
"Now Miss Potter, how are you doing?" Dumbledore asked me with a trained voice.
"Well...a lot better than when I first started at Hogwarts" I sighed, relaxing into the chair as I answered his question. It was partially true, now I had Hannah and my relationship with Fred was getting back to normal, I felt more at ease in some respects.
"As I explained to Mr Lupin during his time here, my door is always open" knowing that he went through a similar situation with Remus put me more at ease.
"Thank you, Sir, I appreciate it" I smiled a small but sorrowful smile, wishing that Remus was here to help guide me through the next steps in what seemed to be a very eventful life. I spent another hour or so in Dumbledore's office talking about how I felt, being the only werewolf in school and what the weight of that secret felt like. He also introduced me to the Phoenix who I found out was called Fawkes.
I made my way back towards the common room as the night began to draw in, painting the sky in a beautiful red and purple sunset.
"Hey Michelle, can I walk with you?" Hannah bounced up to me, her blonde curls flowing around her shoulders.
"Hey! Of course you can...how did your essay go?" I chuckled as she fell into step beside me. I curious to find out how Snape took her essay, knowing full well that the only reason he was teaching students about the wolfsbane potion was because of me. Dumbledore may have let that piece of information slip.
"Great! I got nearly full marks, thank you again for helping me" She exclaimed and hugged me showing her appreciation.
"Anytime, I'm just happy to help" I laughed as we turned the corner towards the kitchens. Have I mentioned how handy it is to have a common room so close to the kitchen.
"It means I can enjoy Halloween, it's my favourite time of year" she bounced from one foot to the other, practically dragging me away from the common room towards the great hall. I almost questioned her on why she did that, but then realised that it was time for supper when my stomach growled with hunger.
"Not a big fan I must say" I sighed running a hand through my auburn hair. In all truth I hated Halloween, it was on this day 10 years ago that my parents met their untimely death. Remus tried to make it a fun day for me, but the memory was too present in my mind, and it became my most hated day of the year. I may have been hidden on the dreaded night, but I can still remember the green flash and the piercing scream as my mother met her end.
"If you don't mind me asking...why?" Hannah frowned as she awaited my answer. I let the air whistled through my teeth as I tried to think of a way to answer her without divulging to much information.
"Something bad always seems to happen" I sighed as we grew closer to the great hall. I hated talking about it and took every opportunity to divert the conversation away from that subject. Before we reached the doors to the hall, we were forced to one side as the panting frame of Professor Quirrell barged past us.
"TROLL IN THE DUNGEON! TROLL IN THE DUNGEON!" He bellowed as he burst through the heavy doors of the hall. Hannah and I looked at each other in shock, Quirrell was always a little weird, but this was just pure insanity.
"Thought you ought to know" He squeaked before passing out, his skinny frame collapsing to the floor. Everyone looked around at each other, looks of confusion flying around before anyone realised what he had said. Then the chaos followed.
Uh Oh..chaos is begining...please read and review to find out what happens to our dear little wolf :)
