Chapter 9

"What the hell?" said Harry weakly. "That doesn't make any sense!"

Amara bit her lip, and began to explain. "You are a year older than me, Harry. Your parents were killed when you were three months old, or so you were told. Isn't that right?"

He nodded slightly.

"After your father, who died to save you, was killed, your mother was the only thing that stood between you and Voldemort. Instead of killing her, Voldemort gave her as a present, to his most faithful Death Eater at the time… Snape. When Voldemort tried to kill you, the fact that your father had died to protect you saved you."

Harry looked at her sadly.

"They grew to love each other, despite everything. A month later, Lily Evans found out she was pregnant with me. That was when Snape turned from the Dark side. I was born nine months later."

"What about me?" Harry said indignantly. "She just forgot about me?"

"Of course not," said Amara soothingly. "A memory charm was performed on our mother to make her forget about you. I did not even know about you until she died."

"She Amara took a deep breath, and continued. "I lived an isolated life. I didn't have any friends, we didn't go out, it was only later that I understood why. We were constantly on the run from the Death Eaters. It would be dangerous to let anyone get to know or befriend us."

"Then, when I was four, Snape left us. To save his own selfish hide," she said bitterly. "For eight years, until I was twelve, the Death Eaters came. They… beat us, hurt us… for the fun of it. Then my mother died. She was beaten to death in an attempt to save me.I was then saved by Dumbledore and Snape, who took me took a boarding school for magic until I was fifteen. And then… people around me, people close to me started dying. I was taken to Hogwarts."

"I think that's why he hates me so much," she said. "I am a living reminder of what he left behind."

"How could he do that?" Harry cried. "How could he leave you? And our mother? To die!"

"I don't know," Amara said wearily, "I don't know."

"That means… you're my sister," he said and half-smiled at her.

"Half sister," corrected Amara gently.

He leaned forward to hug her, and their cheeks touch lightly, intermingling their tears.

"Sister," he insisted softly, over her shoulder.

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"Do you like him?" asked Hermione, looking amused. Hermione and Amara were walking down the corridor together alone, to Ancient Runes class.

Amara looked horrified. "Harry? I don't like him!" she cried. "At least not in the way you're talking about."

Hermione laughed. "Okay, okay! I was just wondering because you spend so much time together!"

I can hardly tell her that, no, I don't like Harry, he's my brother, thought Amara wryly. She had sworn Harry to secrecy after she had told him that they were related.

I won't even start discussing you and Ron," Amara teased.

Hermione blushed.

They entered the classroom together and sat down.

I can't keep it a secret forever though, Amara thought grimly. It will have to come out one day.

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(A/N Sorry this was a short chappie. Cookies and ice cream to all who review!)