A/N Back again. Still broke and owning nothing………..Holla.
Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, Ministry of Magic
Arthur Weasley looked up from his desk as an official looking owl landed next to him and held out its leg.
"Everything alright sir?" Assistant Perkins asked.
"Yes," replied Arthur as he read the note. "It seems that we've received a report that an entertainer in London may be using enchanted artifacts. I am to accompany auror Dawlish to a performance tonight to determine whether any ministry laws are being broken."
"Well then, happy hunting!"
London, 4 hours later
"That's it ladies and gents. Thanks again for coming, and drive safely."
Harry and Row had just finished another performance at the local night club, and were walking backstage when they were suddenly confronted by two men.
"Ok son, I think you have some explaining to do," Arthur Weasley stated bluntly. "I can't say I know who you are, but what in the world are you thinking using magic in front of muggles like that?"
"Uh, don't take this personally," Harry replied slowly, "but I haven't the faintest idea who you are or what you're talking about. So I'd appreciate if you left us alone now."
"Now see here!" Exclaimed Dawlish as he pulled his wand. "You can't be more than a year out of Hogwarts, so I know you understand the laws you're breaking. It will be better for everyone here if you just cooperate."
Row cast a withering look at the second man. "Look, I'm sorry if you have us confused with somebody else, but we don't know what the hell you're talking about. So if you could just –"
"Bollocks!" Exclaimed Dawlish as he leveled his wand at Row. "Come quietly or we'll be forced to stun you."
Harry didn't understand what was happening, but he knew threat when he heard one. Without a second thought Harry sent two nearby chairs crashing into the unsuspecting auror, knocking him out cold.
"STUPEFY!" Arthur Weasley immediately sent a red jet of light at Harry.
Harry twisted at the last second, leaving the stunner to make contact with his shoulder. The impact sent him flying into the wall, and for a moment Harry thought he was going to pass out. His vision seemed to swim and Harry found himself slowly slipping into unconsciousness.
"HARRY! HELP!"
Row's voice cut through Harry's consciousness like a knife. Hearing the panic and helpless in Row's plea, Harry fought viciously against the darkness that threatened to overtake him. As the darkness receded, Harry turned just in time to see Row dodge another jet of red light from the red-haired attacker.
Thinking quickly, Harry attempted to throw the attacker against the wall. As the man was lifted off the ground, he turned with an astonished look on his face before waving the stick in his hand and muttering something. Immediately, the man stopped moving and landed on the ground.
He has my same powers! Thought Harry frantically. What am I supposed to do now?
Arthur Weasley, meanwhile, was thoroughly confused by the fact that a young man who couldn't be a day over 17 had managed to cast a rather powerful banishing charm without a wand.
Unfortunately for Arthur, his surprise caused him to forget that he had failed to subdue the young woman to his right. As he cautiously watched the young man in front of him, Row crept up from behind and swung one of the broken chairs at Arthur's skull with all her strength, knocking him out.
"I-Is he dead?" Row asked in a trembling voice.
Harry put his finger to Arthur's neck. "No, he's alive. Just knocked out. Come on, let's get out of here." Harry grabbed Row's hand and teleported them both back to their flat.
When they returned, Harry explained what had happened to Jack while Row began to pace.
"What the hell was that?" Row asked once she had settled down. "He had a stick and kept saying 'stupefy,' then a red beam would shoot from the stick right at me."
"Obviously I don't know exactly what happened," Harry said as he turned to face her. "But I think he has the same powers that we do. I tried to pick him up so we could ask him some questions, but he saw it coming and somehow stopped it. Then he hit me with that red beam and I almost passed out. I think it's safe to say that we're not the only ones that have these powers, Row."
"If you think about it, it makes sense," supplied Jack, "out of the three of us, the two of you both have this power, so we really should have expected to find someone else like you eventually."
"Well," Row responded thoughtfully, "I really don't fancy coming up against another guy like that. I think we'd better find a way for us to shield ourselves from another attack."
"Yeah," Harry replied, "but the stuff he was doing wasn't quite the same as what I can do. First of all, he was using a stick, almost like it was a magic wand. Every time he used his powers, he waved the stick and said something out loud."
"That sounds like what the wizards did in the Dragonlance series," exclaimed Jack. "Except I think they used staffs, not wands."
"Well, whatever it was, we need to find a way to counter it." Interrupted Row. "Those guys were obviously after us, showing up like that did. If they find us again, we need to be ready."
Harry had been thinking the same thing.
"Don't worry Row, I won't let anybody hurt you," Harry said soothingly. Then his voice hardened. "I'll get better, and next time, I'll be ready. I swear it."
------------------------------------------------
As spring slowly gave way to summer, Harry practiced almost exclusively on shielding himself from an attacker with his same powers. The first step had been to re-create the red "stupefy" beam that the red haired man had attacked with. When the beam had hit Harry he had felt woozy and almost lost consciousness, therefore the trio decided that it was almost certainly a knock out ray of some kind. After a significant amount of trial and error, Harry was finally able to cast a bright red beam that could knock Jack out for about 20 minutes. With that step completed, he and Jack moved on to finding ways to block it.
"Ok, now cast it against the wall and try to make it go through."
A bright red beam shot from Harry's hand and hit the nearest wall, leaving the wall completely unblemished.
"Ok, I think that's good," said Jack, thinking aloud. "This spell is used to knock people out right?" Harry nodded. "So you wouldn't want it to do any real damage. That means that any solid object should be able to block it, and if you hit somebody with it, the only thing that will happen is that they wake up with a headache."
"You know what's funny?" Asked Harry as he examined his hand. "This spell feels different, like I can feel the energy building up before I release it. Hang on, I want to try something."
Harry levitated a chair from the dining room and placed it on the floor. He concentrated on shooting a similar beam, but with a different goal. He flicked his hand outwards and another, darker, red beam shot out and hit the chair. As soon as the beam made contact, the chair shattered into a hundred pieces.
"HOLY SHIT!" Exclaimed Jack. "That was awesome! What did you do different?"
"I think this is a totally different way of using my powers," Harry answered slowly. "It's more focused, if that makes any sense. Whereas with most things I just kind of send the power out and then manipulate it, when I do this it's like concentrating everything I want to happen in that one beam and then sending it out. It let's me use more power since it's so concentrated, but I don't have as much control as I do when I'm levitating and throwing things. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's the best I can explain it."
"Can you do both at the same time?" Asked Jack.
"I'm not sure," Harry replied. "Let's find out."
The rest of the practice session continued with Harry attempting to use ordinary objects as shields while attacking with the stunning ray, as they had taken to calling it. To simulate attacking stunners, Jack was throwing tennis balls at Harry, who would enlarge chairs or cushions to block them.
When the session had ended, Jack sat down across from Harry with a serious look on his face.
"I need to ask you about something."
"Ok," Harry looked at Jack questioningly, "what's up?"
"Well, it's like this," Jack said as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm worried about you. You've always been really closed off, especially when I first met you. Never smiling, never laughing, and I know that it was for a good reason. Hell," he snorted, "I didn't laugh much either back then. But now we're free!" He waved his hand around the room. "We can do anything we want, have as much fun as we want, and never look back. Row and I have had more fun in the last year that the rest of our lives combined, and I can see it in her face." Jack leaned forward and looked at Harry intently. "But not you. You still don't really laugh, and even when you smile it almost never reaches your eyes. In fact, I think the last time I saw you look truly happy was on Christmas. All you ever seem to do anymore is practice using your powers. Look Harry, you're my best friend. And if anyone deserves to be happy, it's you."
Seeing that his friend truly meant what he said touched Harry.
"Thanks Jack, that means a lot. And it's not that I'm not happy, I'm happier than I've ever been." Harry shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you. I practice using my powers because I think it's important. I mean, what if we run into some more of those guys? What if there's more of them this time, or if they're stronger? What then?"
"It's not your job to protect everybody, Harry." Jack said quietly.
"Then whose job is it?" Replied Harry in the same tone. "I have a gift Jack; a power that most people only dream of. What do I have it for if not to protect others? It might not be my job, but that doesn't make me want to do it any less. Life is cruel, Jack, we both know that. How many other people are out there right now in the same situation we were in? Innocent people being hurt and abused, living every day in misery with no hope of ever getting out? I know they don't expect me to help them, but that just makes me want to do it more. I have power, Jack. Real power, enough to make a difference. Tell me, what else can I do?"
Jack and Harry studied each other for a long moment. Finally, Jack broke the silence.
"I don't know man," he said finally. "I just know that you're always pushing yourself, always looking ahead. I know how important it is to you, but you still have to live in the moment every now and then. You're a hero, Harry." Jack put up a hand to forestall Harry's objection. "Wait, hear me out. Everything you do is based on protecting people that are weaker than you, and I get that. Hell, I used to be that. Before you got us out of Little Whinging, everything I did was aimed at making it easier for Row. Now I don't have to do that because you do it for us, and I don't think I can ever repay you for that. All I can do is make you realize that heroes can have fun too."
Harry gave Jack a small grin. "Sounds like a pretty good job for you, huh?"
"Damn straight," Jack smirked. "Now get dressed, there's fun to be had tonight, and we're just the blokes to have it."
------------------------------------------------
The next month passed slowly but without incident. After their encounter with the other magic attackers, Harry and Row had decided to take a break from their normal performance schedule. Harry had also changed the illusions on himself and Row, on the off chance that there were other people out there looking for them. At night, Jack and Harry would continue their combat practice, and Row would concentrate on using her powers as Harry instructed, most often juggling balls and moving objects. Harry quickly discovered two things about Row: she was an exceptionally quick learner and she asked way too many questions. Because so much of what Harry could do was basically instinct, he found it very hard to put into words, often resorting to his standby: "you just do it." This annoyed Row to no end.
Jack and Harry had also decided it would be best if they learned some martial arts, so they had enrolled in lessons together at a local dojo. Their sensei, master Choi, had been immediately impressed with Harry's ability to focus inward and react on instinct, and Harry had found himself quite enjoying his instruction. Jack, who always ended the lesson considerably worse for wear, held a somewhat different opinion.
Still, between training to use his powers and practicing martial arts, Harry was confident that the next time he was engaged in combat he would emerge the victor. As the full weight of August heat descended upon their flat, the young trio had admit that life was good.
------------------------------------------------
Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts
Albus Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk examining the role of potential first years when a chime in his office alerted him of a visitor.
"Come in, Severus."
Severus Snape entered the headmaster's office with his usual scowl.
"You summoned me, Headmaster?"
"Indeed I did, Severus," replied Dumbledore, eyes twinkling merrily. "I have a bit of a surprise for you, although shock may be a more appropriate word." Dumbledore reached into a drawer and withdrew a letter addressed in familiar green ink. "I came across this while looking over the names of potential new students. I think you will find the name most interesting."
Snape took the offered letter and stared in shock at its addressee:
Rowena Selena T'Albieran Snape Thomas
He looked up at the headmaster, dumfounded.
"What does this mean, headmaster? How could Selena have given birth to a daughter than I didn't know about?"
"I do not believe she did, Severus," replied the headmaster. "I believe that your sister adopted the young woman, and in doing so magically granted her your family name, despite all her efforts to leave it behind. Muggle records have her recorded only as Rowena Selena Thomas, since she was adopted after your sister's marriage." Dumbledore was smiling now. "I believe you also recognize the significance of the name T'Albieran?"
"Of course," Snape replied bitterly, "she was obsessed with it. I can only surmise she found who she believed to be its last remaining member, and therefore the last of Rowena Ravenclaw's bloodline."
"You do not believe that is the truth?" Dumbledore's twinkle dimmed slightly.
"I believe that Selena would do anything she could to prove that her childish claims were true," Snape replied. "We argued frequently over what was fact and why was just myth. Of course, when I got to Hogwarts we stopped talking altogether. She never forgave me for being a Slytherin, or for trying to keep her away from that filthy muggle. When I became a Death Eater, she told me she was ashamed to be my sister, and that she never wanted to see me again." His scowl was replaced with a look of sorrow. "She was killed a few short years later trying to protect some muggles during a Death Eater training raid. I hadn't even known they'd been married." He paused, then softly added, "I will never forgive her for that."
"And what of your niece?"
"I will go to her myself." Snape snatched the letter from the desk and made to leave. "She would have been very young when Selena was killed; it is possible she knows nothing of me or her blood family. I would prefer to keep it that way, if possible."
Dumbledore regarded the potions master sadly.
"I shall respect your wishes of course," he replied. "However, my advice would be to get to know the young woman. She is your family, Severus. Whether you admit it or not."
"She is the adopted child of a woman who hated me," Snape replied, regaining his scowl. "The fact that the woman was my sister does nothing to change that. I will meet her, beyond that I promise nothing." With that, he gave a curt nod and strode quickly from the office.
Snape walked quickly to the edge of Hogwarts and disapparated, arriving outside a rather run down building. He doubled checked the address and the letter and repressed a shudder at the thought of his niece living in such a place.
She is not a Snape. He reminded himself forcefully. You have no family; nothing will change that.
Still, he could not help but be anxious to meet his adopted niece. Although there had been no love lost between his sister and him, he was old enough now to admit that she had been right about many things. Joining the Death Eaters had been the biggest mistake of his life, but it had taken until well after her death for him to properly realize it.
He approached the correct door and knocked forcefully. After several moments the door opened a crack and he could just barely make out blue eyes and blond hair before a boy's voice spoke.
"What do you want?"
"My name is Professor Severus Snape, and I am here to see a Miss Rowena Thomas," he replied in a haughty tone.
"Professor?" The voice asked cautiously. He nodded.
"Ok, hang on a minute." With that he closed the door.
Inside, Row was thinking frantically. What possible reason could a professor have to see me? She wondered.
"I don't like it," Harry said immediately. "What's a professor doing here?"
"Well, Row always did get really good grades," supplied Jack helpfully. "Maybe he found us somehow. In any case, it's just one guy and he might have a good reason. I say we hear him out."
Harry still looked skeptical, but agreed nonetheless. He cancelled the illusion spell on Row but left his and Jack's firmly in place.
Outside, Severus Snape was becoming very annoyed at being kept waiting and was about to simply alohamora the door when it opened to reveal a young woman that he instinctively knew to be his niece.
"I'm Rowena, but call me Row. These are my brothers Jack and Harry." The two boys nodded at him, but one seemed to be examining him very closely.
"A pleasure, I'm sure. Miss Thomas, I have been asked to deliver this letter to you. It's an acceptance letter from the very prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This may seem hard to accept, but you Miss Thomas, are a witch."
Row looked at the letter with wide eyes and then looked questioningly at Harry, who shook his head slightly.
"Well, I can accept that I guess. After all, every now and then weird things happen around me. But why didn't anybody tell me sooner?"
Snape was slightly miffed at her easy acceptance, but answered her question nonetheless
"Your adopted parents were not magical, they were what wizards refer to as 'muggles' which means that they were unable to do magic. However, it appears that your biological parents were wizards, and hence where you get your magic." Snape glanced around. "Speaking of which, where are you parents? I had expected to have this conversation with them."
"Dead sir," Jack answered immediately. "Mum died when Row was 2 and our dad died just last year. The three of us have been living together ever since."
"Indeed," Snape arched an eyebrow. "And just how do you support yourselves?"
"Can you demonstrate some magic for us, sir?" Harry attempted to change the subject. "Not that I don't believe you, but you must admit it all seems a little far-fetched."
Snape scowled at the obvious misdirection, but complied by turning his chair into clock, then into a pig before returning it to its original form.
"That was really cool Mr. Snape!" Squealed Row. "But what was that stick you were using? Was it magic too?"
"This is not a stick, Miss Thomas," reprimanded Snape. "This is my wand, and it is an essential part of doing magic for any witch or wizard, as nearly all major types of magic are impossible to perform without one."
The three youths exchanged startled glances at that. Row recovered first.
"When do I get one?" She asked.
"If you accept admission to Hogwarts, you will be sent directions to Diagon Alley in London," Snape replied. "Diagon Alley is the wizarding shopping district. There you will procure all necessary items as detailed in your school letter."
"What other types of things can I do?" Row asked eagerly. "Will I be like Merlin or Gandalf? Can I fly? Can we-"
"I assure you, Miss Thomas, that all your questions will be answered should you choose to attend Hogwarts." Interrupted Snape. "Now, as I am a very busy man I shall leave you, unless you have any other relevant questions?"
"How are we supposed to pay for this?" Harry asked.
Again Snape scowled. "It is quite possible that Miss Thomas has a wizarding bank account in her name already, as her parents were wizards. If not, you may apply for a Hogwarts scholarship or you may pay the tuition using muggle money. I believe it comes out to approximately 10,000 pounds yearly. If that is all, I will bid you a good day."
"Of course Professor," Harry replied smoothly. "Thank you for coming, it has been most enlightening."
Snape gave the young boy an odd look before turning towards Row.
"Miss Thomas, I do not mean to pry but I was wondering if you knew your adopted mother's maiden name. It may make it easier for you to find out about your birth parents if you decide to attend Hogwarts."
Row looked questioningly at Jack, who looked thoughtful.
"Well, my old man introduced her as Miss White once, so I guess that's your answer. She got real mad when he did it though."
"Indeed," Snape looked oddly relieved at that answer. "Well, then, if there is nothing further?" They all shook their head and Snape disapparated on the spot.
When he was certain the man was gone, Harry turned to his friends.
"Well, that certainly explains a lot."
A/N Ok, Things are starting to get interesting. In case anybody's wondering, Row is obviously a year younger than Harry, which is why she got her letter this year. Owls still can't track Harry because his address still comes up as "The cupboard under the stairs," so Row will attend Hogwarts before Harry does. Next chapter we have the first trip to Diagon Alley and the first appearance by some of our more familiar HP characters. Thanks for reading and stay tuned.