Chapter 4
I immediately saw a large room. A second level was further inside, overlooking the front. The cream-colored walls were covered on the right side with rows of pictures in unblemished gold frames. The pictures, I squinted in disbelief, were moving, like they were alive! I was about to brush it off as not enough rest when I stopped and decided, 'anything is possible today.' To my left, a large bird was perched on a tall bookshelf, one of many, its brilliant red and orange plumage spread gracefully out. It cawed at us softly. Harry moved toward the bird and greeted him. "Hello Fawkes." Fawkes hopped down and landed gently on Harry's outstretched arm. The teen petted him calmly. Fawkes cawed again and lifted off from his arm, flying back to the security of the shelf. A desk was placed in the center of the room. A large comfortable grey chair sat on one side; on the other were two purple chairs. I strode over to the desk and sat down in one of the chairs. Snape leaned against the wall next to Fawkes' shelf. Harry sat in the other chair next to me, and the dog lay on the ground next to him. The teen bent down and said calmly, "It's ok Sirius. I don't think she will tell anyone." The dog whined a bit in protest, but he grew taller and morphed. Seconds later the dog was now a man, about thirty-five years of age. He had shaggy black hair and grey eyes. He stood up.
"How did you do that?" I questioned. Sirius looked at me, brushing off any dried on dirt from his robes.
"I'm an animagus," he began, "I can change into a certain animal at will." I nodded though I still did not understand.
I muttered to myself, "Pettigrew did that too." Harry and Sirius' heads snapped up.
"What do you know about Peter Pettigrew?" Harry's voice was tinged in anger though I do not think the anger was directed at me.
I shrugged, "Nothing really. Just, I saw him change from a rat to a human."
"He attacked you in front of the school," Sirius added. "I arrived from an order meeting just in time. You were lucky. That rat has murdered more than a dozen people." He fell silent, brooding in the past.
Ten minutes passed in silence. I fidgeted in my chair until I could not sit anymore and explored the room. The pictures were of different headmasters and mistresses and moved like real people. They were sleeping, a few lightly snoring. One was obviously faking though; he was snoring much unnaturally loud, louder than any normal sleeper would. Sirius had conjured up a chair and was now slouched in it, fast asleep. Harry sat in his chair, staring off into space. And Snape, Snape did not move the entire time, almost becoming invisible. I examined the bookshelves' contents that lined up on the left side of the room, and took out a book labeled 'Experienced Potions'. I brought it back to the purple chair and opened the book to the Table of Contents. It did not contain things I had heard of, nor did I want to. There was Veritaserum, which was mentioned on the train, Elixir of Life, which gave you eternal life, Polyjuice Potion, Sleeping Drought Potion, and more. Strange. Returning the book back to its original place on the shelf, I reached for another.
I chose, ironically, a large dusty book called 'Advanced Spells.' This could be interesting. I lifted the cover and flipped through the ages. There were spells that could change your IQ, to the good or bad, change the will of others, one called 'Expecto Patronum', though I did not read that one. I turned the page to a written-in spell called 'Poloportalus', which would create a portal to another world/planet/scene in a book/ even into your mind. You could also anywhere in the world, like Italy. The word you spoke was Poloportus, and then you must think hard of where you wanted to go. I glanced around. No one was paying attention.
Taking the book in one hand, I thought about going to Disney World in Florida. I always wanted to visit that place again. I envisioned it in my mind. Concentrating as hard as I could, I whispered, "poloportus." Nothing happened. Frowning, I tried repeatedly, but still nothing. I checked the instructions. Then I noticed a footnote at the bottom of the yellowing page. 'For wand-less magic, say poloportus as well as the place you wish to visit.'
I took the advice, summoned up the image, and whispered, "Poloportus, Disney World." It did not work. What if I wasn't magical at all? Frustrated, I thrust the book closed, causing a cloud of dust to fly into the air, and angrily yelled, "Poloportus, Disney World!" Immediately, with a loud 'bang' a large mirror-like circle appeared, floating in the middle of the room. It hovered a foot in the air, and in the inside, you could see the entrance to the theme park. At the desk, Harry jumped a foot in the air, wide eyed. Sirius, snapped awake, and fell out of his chair, landing ungracefully on the ground. The professor leaped from his spot in the corner. He already had his wand out.
Snape called, "finite incantatem!" But the portal did not disappear. In fact, it seemed to grow larger. Nervously, I slid the book back onto the shelf. All three of them turned to look at me. Then Snape rounded on me. "What exactly do you think you are doing?" I was saved from answering, however, as the door to the stairs opened and Dumbledore entered pleasantly. He stopped and stared at us, curiosity reflecting in his eyes. Snape looked furious, Sirius on the floor, and Harry and I both gazing at the portal in the middle of the room, which had elves in it.
"Well," Dumbledore began calmly, "I see you've been keeping yourselves entertained."
Dumbledore approached his desk cheerfully and took a seat in his large chair. The portal still floated hazily to the left of the desk. Sirius was standing next to Harry, arms folded over his chest. I sat silently in my chair, watching worriedly as the irritated professor stood by the bookshelves, flipping through books, trying to find the counter-spell. He threw another book, about NEWT spells, unceremoniously onto the ground. Dumbledore spoke up. "Olivia Camelle, you and your parents should be in hiding still, and yet here you are. I have already invited them over, and they are most surprised. In fact, they agree that you have been told nothing about Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He looked at Harry, "I bet you have no idea why you are here as well Harry." The teen shook his head. "Can you not see the resemblance?" The headmaster gazed at me. I turned to see Harry. We did appear quite alike.
Harry frowned, "We look related, but that can't be possible. You said that I have no other blood relations but the Dursleys."
At this Dumbledore's face crinkled with guilt. "I am very deeply sorry Harry, but she is indeed your cousin, from your father's side. He had a brother, who is Olivia's father. Her family, like yours, had to go into hiding because of Voldemort. They were very high up on his list of people to convert, not only because both were aurors, but also because they were related to your family. Therefore, when they refused, they were put on his hit list. We all agreed that going into hiding was their only option. I was and am their secret keeper. They had to change their name to her mother's maiden name, so they could let Olivia go to Muggle School. Your family unfortunately was betrayed and your home was found. You know the rest of the story." He stopped and waited for this to sink in. So I was related to Harry Potter after all. Somehow, this did not truly surprise me. But it sure did shock Harry.
"Let me get this straight," he stood up swiftly. "You put me in the DURSLEY'S home, even though I had other relatives." His voice began to rise. Sirius put a comforting hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off. "You both lied to me; my life could have been completely different!"
"Harry," started Sirius, "We are very sorry." Harry fell back in his chair, a very sullen look now plastered on his face. We all sat in silence; even Snape had stopped throwing books onto the ground and was wearing a guarded expression on his face, as if he did not want anyone to know what he was thinking. A minute passed, and a knock on the door startled everyone.
"Come in," Dumbledore sighed. The door opened and in walked my mother and father. I sat up straighter as they approached the desk with a nod to each person. When their eyes landed on me, I sank in my chair a bit. "Welcome, please have a seat." Dumbledore flicked his wrist and two more chairs appeared, next to mine. "It appears that your daughter has somehow found her way to Hogwarts, though I do not know how." My mother gave my father a scathing look, and he shook his head rapidly. Everyone looked at me.
"Do you care to explain, Olivia?" my mother asked gently. I began to tell them everything, seeing them disappear into the wall, going on the train, floating in the air, and running from the carriage. Snape sent a glare at me when I mentioned the carriage part, but no one interrupted me. I told them how the woman changed from the pink-haired woman, and how her and Pettigrew were arguing. My mother gasped as I told them how Pettigrew had almost caught me, and Dumbledore seemed very curious when I mentioned my ring protecting me. I finished with explaining that Sirius saved me, and that is how I ended up here.
Snape was the first to break the silence. "Dumbledore, as fascinating as this is, why am I here?" Sirius appeared to agree.
Dumbledore replied seriously, "Severus, if this girl stays at Hogwarts, then she will also have to be protected from any onslaught of Voldemort, or he could use her against us. You would have to teach her Occlumency along with continue Harry's studies. To the point, we must decide if Ms. Camelle should stay here at Hogwarts, or go back home. I must remind you though, Voldemort probably has been told by now that Olivia is Harry's cousin. It was not your intent Olivia, but you were right about being his cousin, though you did not know it at the time. If she stays here, she will have to use the last name of Potter, because many people know her as such."
My parents exchanged looks. Then my mother spoke up. "Why don't we let Olivia decide?" I sat there for a moment. Go to a magical school or plain-jane school? Was that even a real choice?
"I would like to stay here," I responded. Harry sent me a tiny smile, as did Dumbledore.
"Splendid," he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Now, I believe you must be sorted. You have been gone for five years, but we will resolve that later." A pointed hat appeared on the desk, looking extremely worn. "Place the hat on your head, and it will call out the House that you will be placed in." I reached slowly for the hat and carefully set it on my head. Instantly, a voice spoke in my head.
"Very good, a late bloomer you are. Much future for you that I can tell. Smart- perhaps Ravenclaw, a lot of courage- would be great in Gryffindor, or Slytherin might be a good fit- you are sly if need be, could be powerful." The word Slytherin immediately reminded me of a snake, a slimy, greasy snake that could do whatever it wanted. Just like Malfoy, I thought with revulsion.
I decided to make a request. "Can I be with Harry, or in something besides Slytherin?" The hat stopped its pondering.
Then it replied, "Your courage is strongest I see. Let's put you in-" it suddenly cried out to everyone in the room, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry looked much happier. I pulled the hat off my head and set it back on the desk. "Well," Dumbledore started, "The only thing left to do is get you information about the past five years that you have missed. For this, I need your help Harry." Harry was surprised, but agreed. The headmaster stood up, walked past the portal still in the room, and searched for a something on the shelves. He appeared confused for a second before muttering, "Accio 'Dangerous Spell' book." A volume flew off a shelf and landed in his hands. "Must have replaced it," he said, more to himself. Dumbledore approached the desk with the same book that I had used earlier to create the portal that still had elves walking through it. "Harry," he addressed to him, "you must think of all of the things that you have learned, just summarize it in your head. Then with this spell, I will make a copy of the information, and Olivia will receive the information. It is like reading someone's notes that they took in class." He turned to me. "It will not be nearly as good as being in the classes and it will not make you actually able to perform the spells, that takes much practice, but you will have the knowledge of the spells and potions and so forth to build on for the rest of the time that you will be here." I was nervous, but with encouraging smiles from my parents, I nodded.
Dumbledore began to mutter under his breath and Harry closed his eyes, possibly trying to visualize everything. Then I jolted as thousands of strange words suddenly poured into my mind. None of it made any sense. Pictures of potions and cauldrons ran through my brain. As fast as it started, the onslaught stopped, and I opened my eyes. I did not realize that I shut them. Now, with the word that Dumbledore said, 'accio', I knew that it meant 'to summon'.
"Did it work?" my father asked. I nodded.
"I think so. My head feels so full!"
"Wonderful!" exclaimed Dumbledore. He waved his hand and a large pile of books appeared, there must have been fifteen. "Here are your books I am lending you to look over tonight before you begin classes tomorrow. They are from your first, second, third, and fourth year. Tomorrow you will go with Sirius at eight o clock to get your school supplies; wand, books, robes, etc. The feast should have finished by now, so we shall send up some supper from the kitchens. Now, Harry, if you would be so kind and take Olivia to the Gryffindor room, I need a word with Professor Snape, Mr. Black, and Mr. and Mrs. Camelle." Harry complied, I turned to leave, but I remembered something. I grabbed the dusty book of spells off the desk, flipping to the portal page. At the bottom it read, the portal-maker must enter the portal and leave it for the portal to disappear. Uh oh. Setting it down, I hugged my mother and father goodbye and followed Harry down the winding stairs, us both hauling the books with us. I also slung my backpack on my shoulder, making an even heavier load.
We walked for a while through various corridors until we finally came upon a very big moving portrait. A large woman was painted in there with a long pink dress and curls in her hair. She appeared to be drinking a couple glasses of wine, to celebrate the start of a new year. She squawked, holding a large wine glass in her hand, "Password, kind sir and lady." I glanced at Harry; he shrugged, appearing a bit worried. We stood there for a moment before running footsteps reached my ears, and a girl's voice say, "Felix felicis!" The portrait swung open to reveal a passageway, followed by a door. I turned to see who it was that said the password. It was the girl who stood by Harry at the train station, the bushy-haired one. She sported black robes, almost identical to Harry's robes, except a badge with 'P' was at the top, near the collar.
"Hermione!" called Harry, brightening at the sight of his friend. She waved for us to follow her inside and entered the room. We stepped into a very large room, most likely the common room for Gryffindor. The walls were gold and red tapestries. Long white couches surrounded a large fireplace, logs crackling merrily in the hearth. The room was crowded with people hauling up suitcases and animals up two sets of stairs. A small sign by one staircase read 'girls' dormitories', the other at the other staircase read 'boys' dormitories'. In the back right corner of the room, where we approached, the red headed friend of Harry's was sitting at a table. He looked up, saw us, and stood.
"Harry, where've you been?"
Harry replied, "I was in Dumbledore's office with Sirius and Olivia, my cousin," he nodded to me. I smiled shyly at the other two's curious faces. We both set down my books on the table, it groaned with all of the unwelcome weight.
Hermione began to tell us what happened in the Great Hall, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "We just saw you leave with Sirius and Snape and Olivia, and then Professor Lupin took Pettigrew out. We don't know where," she added quickly when Harry opened his mouth. "Dumbledore finished his speech about the new castle security, and we ate dinner. Oh yes, there are panic buttons in every classroom, and in the Great Hall, as well as in Hagrid's hut. The whole castle has been fortified with new things; the main doors have double the security that last year had. In addition, Dementors are here again, but Dumbledore does not trust them a bit, says they are here on orders of Voldemort, not Fudge. No one is allowed near them. A new curfew is in place, so if you are caught out of bed, you will be suspended from Hogwarts or worse, expelled. This is our only night of Prefect watches, the teachers and ghosts are to do the watches from now on." Here she stopped for a breath. "Oh, and Professor Lupin is going to be here, though not teaching, he will be helping Dumbledore on some mission, which means that we have a New Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. They weren't there tonight, so we should meet him or her tomorrow."
Harry sat down on a long white couch that sat in front of the fire. We all did the same. He began to explain what happened in the office, and I added some parts as well. I also talked about my life before today. Ron, Hermione, and Harry voiced their thoughts of how awesome it was that I was there. They in turn told me stories of their adventures in their earlier years.
A strange creature, a house-elf Harry explained, brought us dinner. His name was Dobby. The elf had socks of flashing colors placed on his large ears, as well as on his feet. A tea cozy sat comfortably on his body, though everyone said it was better than the last one he had. Also, a knitted sweater with the initial, 'R', covered him. I had an idea of where it came from. Extravagant meals piled on a large silver platter, half of which Ron helped eat. His excuse was, 'don't want you to get sick by eating all of this yourselves.' When we finished, a comfortable silence fell over the area. People had long since left the common room, going up to their dorms. At last, my three new friends headed off to bed; after all, we had our first day of lessons tomorrow. I was to stay in Hermione's dorm, since one of her roommates had been pulled from school.
I was so exhausted…