A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I didn't know it was against the rules to answer reviews within a chapter, so I guess I'll have to do it some other way. Disclaimers: well I obviously don't own Harry Potter (yet). I think my theories on apparating laws/underage magic are different from canon, but this is the only way they make sense to me. If the ministry could detect all magic and tell when anybody apparates, wouldn't it be ridiculously easy to catch criminals?
Anyways, back to the story.
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September 1
Dear Jack and Harry,
Harry, I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it.
You're famous in the wizarding world.
When I found Hermione on the train, I asked her if she knew what happened with the professor that got knocked out. She said he had been trying to apprehend somebody, but nobody knew who. I told her I'd heard somebody mention the name Potter, and instantly she asked "Harry Potter? Really?" Really excited. (I made her promise not to tell anyone what I heard, though). I asked her what the big deal was, and this is what she said:
Basically, 10 or 15 years ago there was a really evil wizard who was threatening to take over the wizarding world. He was so bad, that even to this day nobody will say his name, and always say "he-who-must-not-be-named," or "you-know-you" when they want to talk about him. I finally convinced Hermione to write it down for me, and the guy's name was Lord Voldemort. He and his followers, called Death Eaters, were big into blood purity, which basically means that they wanted to make sure that only pure-blooded wizards could do magic. I'm still a little unclear what this means, exactly, so you'll have to wait until I can do some research and can explain it better.
Anyway, Voldemort and the Death Eaters killed a lot of people and basically acted like terrorists, putting the whole wizarding world in a panic. Then, on October 31, 1981, he attacked you and your parents. Your mom and dad didn't die in a car crash, Harry. They were murdered.
Your parents names were James and Lily Potter, and you lived together at a place called Godric's Hollow. Voldemort attacked on Halloween and killed both your parents using a really dark magic curse called 'Avada Kedavra,' more commonly called the killing curse. Basically, it kills whatever it touches, and Voldemort used it to kill both your parents.
This is where it really gets weird, and nobody really knows what happened next. Apparently, Voldemort tried to use the same curse on you, but for some reason it backfired and hit him instead, effectively killing him and leaving you with the lightning bolt scar on your forehead. That's why you're famous, Harry. You are the only person in history ever to survive the killing curse, AND you defeated the darkest wizard in recent history when you were only a year old. To most of the wizarding world, you're known as the 'boy-who-lived'.
I asked another girl about you, her name is Ginny Weasley (her father was the redhead that attacked us, I'll tell you more about that later). Anyway, she went on and on about how you were this amazing hero and she'd heard the story a thousand times. I don't know how you're going to take this Harry, but apparently you were her favorite bedtime story growing up.
I asked Hermione why they would attack you on the platform if you were such a hero, and she said that most of the wizarding world thinks you've been kidnapped. Part of the story is that after your parents were killed, you were hidden away in a safe place, but nobody knows exactly where or who hid you. When you didn't come to Hogwarts last year (yes, you were supposed to get a letter), people starting asking questions and there was a big scandal about how nobody knew where you were. This happened because you didn't come to Hogwarts like everybody expected. I have no idea why you didn't get your letter, but according to Hermione it's common knowledge that Harry Potter should be at Hogwarts.
Ok, it's getting late and my hand is already cramping from writing with this strange quill. I have loads to tell you about Hogwarts, the sorting ceremony, and all kinds of other things but I'll save them for tomorrow and send this out tonight since it's important.
Love,
Row
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September 2
Dear Row,
From now on, address all your letters to Jack only. If you have to refer to me, call me James in case your letters are ever read by someone else.
I really don't know what to think about your last letter, I just wanted to write to tell you that I got it and to thank you for working so hard to find out. If Harry Potter really is that famous, I should be able to find some references in the history books I bought. I have a million thoughts in my head right now, and I have to think before I try to write any of it down. Here's Jack.
Hey sis, just wanted to get on and wish you luck with everything at Hogwarts. Who could have guessed that our James was rich AND famous? I swear, it's never a dull moment with him around. Anyway, do your best to make friends and have some fun out there. You deserve it.
Love,
Jack and
James
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September 5
Dear Jack and James,
I know I promised to write sooner, but I've been really busy. First of all, I got sorted into Ravenclaw! I know James has already read the beginning of Hogwarts: A History so you can tell Jack about what that means. It was weird, they put a hat on my head and it started talking to me! I could feel it going through my head while it decided what house to put me in, it felt like when James does his mind tricks, but softer.
I don't get to see Hermione as much I thought, she's a Gryffindor, so I really only get to see her in the library. My roommates are ok I guess, but most of them seem really boring. One of them is cool though, her name is Sarah and she's a muggleborn. I tell people I'm muggleborn too, since it's easier to explain how I don't know anything about wizard customs. I'm still feeling a little shy around all these new people, but I'm adjusting.
The castle is amazing. There are real ghosts here, like actual dead people that talk and everything! The great hall is just like the book says and the library is HUGE! I could stay in there for a year and not read half the titles, and that's not even counting the restricted section!
And using a wand to do magic is SOOOO much easier! James, you wouldn't believe how easy it is to do the same spells using a wand. Remember how I was having problems lifting the table? It would be a piece of cake now. It's amazing, like I hardly need to concentrate at all.
Actually, that brings me to a possible problem. You remember how we thought there might be laws against doing magic sometimes? Well, it turns out it IS illegal to magic in front of muggles, and Ginny's dad (his name is Arthur) is one of the guy's responsible for chasing down people that use magic on regular objects. That's what they thought we were doing when they came after us; it had nothing to do with you specifically, James.
It's also illegal for students to do magic until they're 17, which is the wizarding age of adulthood. That means that students wands have all have some sort of tracking spell on them, and if you do any magic outside of school, you can be expelled. It also means that if James gets caught doing magic, he's going to be in even more trouble than we thought, although it appears that they can't detect magic done without a wand, so as long as nobody sees you, you're safe.
Also, I was asking Hermione about wandless magic and she said that it's very uncommon for a witch or wizard to be able to do any serious magic without a wand. Basically she said that small levitations or summoning isn't completely uncommon, but anything stronger (like stunners) it practically unheard of. Do you think I can show her and Sarah my wandless skills, or should I keep them secret?
Love,
Row
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September 8
Dear Row,
We've decided on an official format for your letters. James will write first and Jack will write second, so without further ado, here's James.
I'm glad to hear everything is going well, it will come as no surprise that I was very worried when we left you on the platform. Things here are going well, Jack and I are still training with master Choi and we have lessons with Ms. Johnston 3 times a week, so we're keeping busy.
If you want to show your friends what you can do without a wand, I think it's fine, as long as you don't tell them you had someone teaching you. You're at a magic school now, so there's no reason to hold any of your skills back. I kind of figured you'd be a Ravenclaw when I read about the houses, congratulations.
That's interesting what you say about a wand. Now that I can read about spell theory, everything seems to be easier for me as well (I conveniently ignore the part about wand movements). Have you had Defense Against the Dark Arts yet? I'm really interested to see what they teach you there; the book I bought doesn't really describe what 'dark arts' are.
I still don't know what to think about Harry Potter and Hogwarts. I found some books that had info about Harry Potter, so I'm reading them now. I'm finding it hard to accept that he's a famous wizard, but I'm adjusting. I just don't understand how he can be famous but sent to live in hell and forgotten. I still don't know what to think about that. If you can, I'd like you try and find out who was supposed to be responsible for him if his parents died. There had to be somebody designated in a will or something (I refuse to believe that his parents would condone where he was sent). Remember if you need anything, send Hedwig immediately.
Love, James
Hey sis, it's your favorite brother. You need to tell James that not all of us are super human; that guy's a menace! Master Choi is sadistic, as always, and Ms. Johnston is a bloody nightmare! She's way worse than a regular teacher: she gives enough homework in 3 days to last a bloody month! Sorry about the language, but you know I never liked school. Still, it beats working for a living, right?
Harry told me about how Ravenclaw is the bookworm house, and although I can't say I didn't expect it, I still think you should try to have some fun this year. You live in a castle, for god's sake, there are probably all kinds of secret passages just waiting to used. LIFE IS FUN! Remember that. Study hard too, though, because that's also important.
Ok, that last part didn't really make sense and Harry is making use this stupid quill thing so I don't know how to erase. BLAST! Anyway, write back soon.
Love,
Jack
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September 21
Dear Jack and James,
I don't really have much to say, my classes are going really well, especially charms with Professor Flitwick (he's my head of house). I always get extra points in that class because most of the stuff we're learning I already learned from James. My second favorite class is Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall (she's head of Gryffindor). It's probably the coolest kind of magic, I even saw the professor turn herself into a cat! It was really cool.
I'm sorry to disappoint you James, but Defense Against the Dark Arts is a pretty worthless class. The teacher is supposed to be a big wizard hero, but all he does it sit around and talk about himself. He even gave us a quiz that asked us what his favorite color was! No, I'm not kidding Jack.
The only class worse than that is potions, taught by Professor Snape (he's the head of Slytherin, and the one who attacked you). He's really mean to everybody in my class (we have potions with Hufflepuff), and I swear he's always looking at me, but I can never seem to catch him. In any case, he gives me the creeps. You'll be happy to know that the whole school thinks he got beat up by a student at the train station, but nobody knows who it was (wink).
I get to see Hermione in the library a lot, and we're pretty good friends now. It's weird, because it seems like she doesn't have any friends in her own house, and other than me she's almost always by herself, and she's really shy. I want to ask her about it, but I don't want to be rude. Sarah and I are also good friends now, and there's an older girl in my house, her name is Padma, she's cool too. I also see Ginny Weasley every now and then since we have some classes together, but there's something off about her, and her older brothers are really annoying (although they would get along famously with you, Jack). Their family is HUGE though, and they're all in Gryffindor.
Anyway, things are going good here, I'm really glad I came. I think that Harry Potter would like it here.
Love,
Row
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September 27
Dear Row,
From now on you should use school owls to send your notes, since I may be using Hedwig for other deliveries.
I understand what you're saying about Harry Potter enjoying Hogwarts, but you have to consider the fact that maybe him ending up where he did was not an accident. Somebody left him on that doorstep, and that somebody was almost certainly a wizard. Until we know more about his situation, it's probably best that things stay the way they are. There is plenty of time for Harry Potter to come to Hogwarts later if he decides to.
I'm progressing though the magic books I bought much more quickly than I thought I would. Charms especially seem to come easily to me, since they seem to require less concentration than Transfiguration. Hexes and curses come rather easily as well, although not quite as easily as charms. Still, I think that by Christmas I will be done with at least the majority of the books that I bought I'm planning another trip to Diagon Alley soon for more books, so if there is anything you want, let me know. Remember if there is anything at all that you need, let us know immediately.
Love, James
Hey sis. You will not believe what master Choi has James and I doing: James has to wear a blindfold when we're training and even a little around the house, and I am "encouraged to attack him at random intervals." Can you believe that? Supposedly he's going to learn how to sense attacks coming and react without his sight. What this really means is that I finally get some payback for all the thrashings I get at the dojo, because so far he's terrible. Heh, fun for me though.
You wouldn't believe how boring James is these days. All he goes is read, plan, train, study, or think about reading, planning, training, or studying. I know we've had this conversation before, Row, but this isn't healthy for a 12 year old kid. I'm three years older than him and yet it's obvious he's the one always looking out for me. I'm beginning to think that life with those Dursleys was even worse than he let on, and maybe he has scars that even his magic can't heal.
I'm glad to hear things are going well for you out there. I miss you too.
Love,
Jack
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October 11
Dear Jack and James
I know it's been a long time, but it seems like every time I'm going to write a letter I find out something new. I have so much to tell you that I don't even know where to start.
I finally asked Hermione why she doesn't have any friends in her own house, and she ended up telling me about her first year at Hogwarts. Apparently, a lot of people in her house didn't like the way she acted in class because she always knew the answers and loved to ask questions. Some of them started calling her names, and last year on Halloween this guy named Ron (he's another one of Ginny's brothers, Hermione's age though), he said some really nasty things about her when he thought she couldn't hear, and she ended up crying in the bathroom. Problem is, somehow a Troll got into the school and went into the same bathroom. Trolls are usually between 10 and 15 feet tall and they're really strong and vicious. Hermione was seriously injured, and ended up in the wizard hospital in serious condition. This was really hard for her to tell, and she was crying by the end of it. Ever since then, her housemates tend to leave her alone and she returns the favor. It's really sad, actually, but I don't really know what I can do about it.
This brings me to some really disturbing news: Lord Voldemort might still be alive. I know everybody says that Harry Potter defeated him, but according to Hermione, he's still alive and actually possessed a teacher at the school last year. I got some of this story from Hermione and the older girls in my house, but most of it came from a really large man named Hagrid who's the Hogwarts groundskeeper. Basically, this is what I pieced together:
Headmaster Dumbledore hid something really valuable in Hogwarts last year behind a bunch of traps and enchantments (nobody knows exactly what, but Hagrid slipped once and called it 'the stone'). Professor Quirrell, who was the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, lured Dumbledore away from the school and tried to steal it at the end of the year. Fortunately, whatever safeguards Dumbledore had in place to guard the stone succeeded, and kept him from getting it. Dumbledore came back to the school and went to check on the stone, found Quirrell, and killed him. I'm still unsure whether he meant to kill him, or whether it was an accident (Hagrid thinks it was an accident). What they all agree on is that Quirrell was being possessed by Lord Voldemort, and that when Dumbledore expelled Voldemort from the body, Quirrell died.
Hermione told me that everyone in the school knows that the professor was killed, but only a few believe that it was Voldemort that was responsible. Dumbledore announced an abridged version at the end of term feast, where he said that Quirrell had been trying to steal an important item and had not survived the enchantments protecting it. Hermione claims that she and several other Gryffindor first years overhead a conversation between two professors where they specifically said that Quirrell had been possessed by Lord Voldemort, and Dumbledore had arrived just in time to drive him out, thus killing Quirrell. Hagrid unwittingly confirmed this theory for us when we asked him if it was true.
As if this wasn't enough of a bombshell, I found out who put Harry Potter with the muggles. When I told Hermione I wanted to learn about things about Harry Potter that you couldn't find in books, she said that she had seen Hagrid crying one night after it came out that Harry Potter was missing, so maybe I should talk to him (this is also when we confirmed the stories about Quirrell).
I asked Hagrid if he knew anything about the muggles that Harry Potter went to live with. At first he was surprised that I knew he was living with muggles, but I convinced him I'd done some good detective work and he bought it. At first he said he couldn't tell me anything about it, but Hagrid isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, and eventually he let something big slip.
It turns out that it was Hagrid himself who brought Harry Potter from Godric's Hollow to Privet Drive the night the Potter's were killed. Once he realized what he'd said, he made me promise that I wouldn't tell anybody else, because he could "get some good people into a lot of trouble". I promised that no trouble would be caused because of what he told me, if he would answer the rest of my questions. He agreed.
So, why did Hagrid take Harry to Privet Drive? Because Albus Dumbledore told him to. Albus Dumbledore was the one who made the decision to put Harry Potter with the muggles. I asked him why Dumbledore got to decide where to place him, and why it didn't come from the Potter's will. He said that the reasons were a secret (I didn't want to press too much), but essentially all of Harry Potter's other family was dead, and most of the Potter's friends had also been killed in the war. He also said that they all recognized Dumbledore as their leader, and trusted him to do the right thing. Basically, no one questioned him when he said that Harry Potter was safe.
I can only image the shock that you're feeling right now, James. I can hardly believe that it was the headmaster who made the decision, but there it is. Remember that I love you (and you too Jack), and I miss you both terribly.
Love,
Row
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October 18
Dear Row,
I've come up with a way for us to communicate without these ridiculous codes (they weren't very smart anyway). I've charmed this paper so that only you, Jack, and I can read it. When you want to write back, you have to touch your wand to the paper, concentrate on clearing it, and say "clarus." I've attached the directions for the spell from one of my books in case you have a problem.
I have spent the
last few days reading everything I could find about Albus Dumbledore.
He appears to be the pinnacle of wizarding achievement; everything I
read praises him for both his brilliance in magic and his social
contributions to the wizarding world. He seems to have all the
qualities that a wizard should aspire to be. He also seems to be very powerful politically.
I am having a very hard time resolving this man with the man who left me with the Dursleys. There is no way that a wizard of his intelligence would have simply dropped me off on the doorstep without a second thought. He must have done some research into what sort of family the Dursleys were and what Petunia thought of her sister. That means that one of two things happened: either his information was completely wrong, or he KNEW. HE KNEW that they would hate me, and he left me there anyway. If Albus Dumbledore is half the wizard that the history books claim he is, the second option is the only one that makes sense.
If he did know what kind of hell he was putting me into, why did he do it? Would he try to do it again? From what you've told me, he can do pretty much whatever he wants without question, which means that he could force me to live somewhere else, away from you and Jack. Again, if half of what they write is true, I seriously doubt that I could stop him.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm beginning to think that it would be best if I never have any contact with the magical world, and live my life as a muggle. In the magical world, I have a headmaster who condemned me to a life of suffering and would be in a position to do it again, AND I have the spirit of an evil wizard that probably hates my guts running around trying to find another body to possess. The only reason to come to Hogwarts would be to do magic, and I can already do that. I know you want me to come to Hogwarts with you, Row, and truthfully I think I'd really like to, in a perfect world. But the last thing I'm going to do is trap myself in a position that I can't fight my way out of. Maybe if I can come up with some way to stay in control, I'll consider it. I hope you understand.
Jack wrote you a letter but I can't find it here, so he'll have to send it later (plus it's not on the new secure parchment). We miss you.
Love,
Harry
P.S. On my last trip to Diagon Alley I found out that I can teleport to the town of Hogsmede, which is right next to Hogwarts, and then run up to the castle from there. That means that if you ever need me, I can be there as soon as I get your owl.
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October 21
Dear Jack and Harry,
First of all, Harry, this new parchment is brilliant. Hermione saw me writing on it and couldn't stop asking how I made it (snicker). Of course, ever since I showed her and Sarah my wandless abilities, they expect that sort of thing from me. :-)
I understand what you're saying about Hogwarts, and I won't try to argue with you in a letter. You're going to get an earful at Christmas, however.
The real reason I'm writing to you is that I found out that what you call teleporting is actually called apparating, and like everything else in the wizarding world, you have to be 17 before you can be licensed to do it legally. One of the girls in my dorm has a dad who works at the ministry of magic, and she told me that it basically works the same way as a driver's license. The ministry can't trace all apparition, but occasionally the aurors (wizard police) will set up a checkpoint at a popular area, like Diagon Alley, and anyone without a license apparating in will be automatically tagged and ticketed. It's like a muggle speed trap. There are other ways to get caught, of course, but this is the one that you should worry about. So next time you're going to teleport, be careful. It certainly wouldn't do for Harry Potter to be picked up by aurors for underage apparition.
Classes are still going well for me, I've even gotten a little better at potions. Nothing especially exciting has happened, although my house prefect, Penelope, swears that there's no such thing as a quiet year at Hogwarts.
Jack, you really have to meet these Weasley twins sometime (the older brothers I told you about), they take pranks and mischief to a whole different level. I actually saw them turn two 2nd year boys into human sized chickens, complete with feathers. Think you can compete with that?
Love,
Row
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October 26
Dear Row,
Harry hogged the last letter, so this one's just from me. Harry made two more of these secure papers, so we don't have to wait for each other to write back to use one.
These twins sound like my kind of folks. Magical pranks? Maybe next time Harry goes to Diagon Alley I'll sneak along and pick some up (that way I'll actually have a chance of getting him).
Remember when I said Harry was terrible at sensing his surroundings? Well, that didn't last long. He still can't beat me in a fight with a blindfold on, but I can't take him by surprise anymore, even if it's just throwing a pillow at him. Pretty soon he'll be able to beat me with his eyes closed. Literally.
Things are going pretty good for me lately. Ms. Johnston is still a nightmare, but since I can't go to a regular secondary school, I guess I can't complain. It's a small price to pay for life I have here.
Some days I can't believe things turned out the way they did, and I'm not just talking about the magic thing. You remember when the old man caught us coming home really late the night after we met Harry? I remember thinking that I was going to die before I ever got out of that house, and now here I am, completely free and without a care in the world. That's why I'm always hounding you to be silly and have some fun; we have to make up for lost time!
I hope everything is still going well for you at Hogwarts.
Love,
Jack
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November 2
Dear Jack and Harry,
Well, it looks like Penelope was right, there IS no such thing as a quiet year at Hogwarts. A couple days ago, somebody petrified a cat that belonged to the Hogwarts caretaker, Mr. Filch. There was a message on the wall saying that something called the "Chamber of Secrets" had been opened, but nobody seems to know what that is. Hermione says that the teachers all looked really worried, but I don't know why. I mean, it was just a cat, and petrification can be cured. It looks more like a student prank than anything else. Still, it can't hurt to find out more about this chamber of secrets (there's no mention of it in Hogwarts: A History).
Other than that things are pretty much the same. My classes have gotten a little harder, but I still haven't come across anything that I couldn't do. My friend Sarah really wants to meet you guys, she says that every other sentence out of my mouth has the words "my brothers," in it.
Oh, I forgot to tell you that I had my first flying lesson already. It was brilliant! It was a little awkward at first, but once I got the hang of it it's absolutely incredible. The first Quidditch match of the year is coming up in a couple weeks, and I can't wait to see what it's like. If it's as fun as it sounds, I just might have to learn how to play (although Hermione says it's actually boring, I don't believe her).
Christmas is coming up fast, and I can't wait to see you guys.
Love,
Row
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November 17
Dear Jack and Harry,
Ok, here's the deal with the Chamber of Secrets. Supposedly, Salazar Slytherin (Harry, tell Jack who he is) had a big disagreement with the other three founders about whether or not to let muggleborn students attend Hogwarts (this should sound familiar, it's the same kind of thing Voldemort believed in). He was overruled by the other three, and chose to leave the school. According to legend, before he left he built a secret chamber somewhere in Hogwarts and put a monster in it. Supposedly, only Slytherin's heir can access the chamber and control the monster, thus cleansing the school of muggleborn students.
At first this sounded like just a myth, but two days ago a muggleborn student named Colin Creevey was attacked and petrified in the halls. It happened right after a Quidditch match, and a Gryffindor girl named Katie Bell was in the hospital wing when they brought him in. She overheard Professor Dumbledore say that it meant that the chamber had definitely been opened AGAIN, implying that it had been opened before. Now it makes sense that the teacher's were all worried after the cat got petrified.
I know that once you hear this, your first reaction is going to be to come get me, but I need you to trust me on this. If there really is a monster in Hogwarts, it's only petrifying people, not killing them. Even in the magical world, there aren't that many creatures that can petrify people at will, so it shouldn't take long before we know exactly what we're dealing with. My friends and I are already working on it, and with any luck we'll know by the time we leave for Christmas. I'll tell you everything we find out then.
Love,
Row
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November 21
Dear Row
I understand that you want to solve the mystery of this chamber and its monster, but please, be careful. I'll admit that you know more about the magical world than I do at this point, but that doesn't mean you should go rushing to solve riddles that have gone unsolved for a thousand years, no matter how curious you are. Salazar Slytherin was undoubtedly a very powerful wizard, so if he did leave a secret chamber inside Hogwarts, it is guaranteed to be guarded by more than a simple locking charm. Remember, if at any point you think that you or your friends might be in danger, let me know immediately.
Regarding the Christmas holiday, Jack and I will meet you outside the station next to the taxi stand on the 17th, just in case they're looking for me again. Until then, be careful.
Love, Harry
Ancient riddles and dangerous monsters? You get to have all the fun. I've always said you were too curious for your own good, so if there's anybody that can solve this mystery it's you. Still, I must say I'm a little jealous that you've found yourself in a real Indiana Jones style adventure, and you'd better have some good stories for me at Christmas!
I also want to talk to you about the possibility of Harry going to Hogwarts. I know he wants to, but there's just so many things that could go wrong that it makes him too scared to take the risk. Lately he seems to be thinking really hard about something and going to the regular library for information. I can only guess he's trying to come up with a safe way to find out more about himself and his magical family. Speaking of which, have you found out anything about your birth family? I know it can't be easy, thinking that you might have an entire family out there somewhere, but no matter what, you'll always have us. Remember that.
We're really looking forward to seeing you at Christmas.
Love,
Jack
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December 10
Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts
"Come in, Severus"
"I'd appreciate if we could make this quick, headmaster," said Snape as he strode into the room. "I'm a busy man."
"Of course, Severus. You do remind of that fact quite often, I believe." replied Dumbledore lightly. "Seeing as how it is almost time for the Christmas Holiday, I thought we might discuss the information I received from muggle affairs regarding Miss Thomas."
Snape's eyes narrowed. "And why would such information interest me?"
"Because it appears that she was not entirely truthful with you earlier this year," said Dumbledore carefully. "Her father is not dead, and she has only one brother, a Jack Thomas, your nephew. What's more, it appears that their father actually lives in Surrey, not in London."
"They ran away?" Snape asked, surprised.
"It would appear so," the headmaster replied. "Although it would also appear that the father is in no hurry to get them back, as he has made no attempt to find them."
"Who was the other boy then, she said they were both her brothers."
"I do not know, Severus," Dumbledore replied. "This is the limit of my information. If you wish to know more, I would suggest talking to Miss Thomas directly."
Snape seemed to waver for a moment, before regaining his usual sneer.
"That will not be necessary, headmaster. Will you be speaking with her regarding her living arrangement?"
"No Severus," Dumbledore sighed heavily. "It is not my business to interfere in the life of Miss Thomas. I only give you the option in the hope that you will take a more active interest in her life, and that of your nephew."
Snape scowled. "If that is all, then?" Dumbledore nodded sadly and Snape walked to the exit, carefully considering what to do with this new information.
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King's Cross Station, December 17
"What time is it?"
"Five minutes since the last time you asked, Jack," replied Harry evenly.
"Yeah, well, I thought she'd be here by now," Jack grumbled. He opened his mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by a loud squeal as a pair of small arms engulfed him in a hug.
"Oh, I missed you two terribly," squeaked Row as she gave Harry the same treatment.
"We missed you too, sis," Jack chuckled. Harry gave her a small smile. "So, ready to head home?"
Row's smile widened. "You bet."
The taxi ride home passed quickly, with the trio exchanging mostly small talk. Once or twice Row would start to talk about Hogwarts, only to be silenced by Harry.
"We'd best wait until we're alone to talk in detail," he told her quietly.
Finally they had reached their destination. Harry paid the driver while Jack grabbed Row's trunk from the boot and followed her inside.
"Home sweet home," said Row as she entered the flat. "I love Hogwarts, but it's definitely good to be back."
Harry smiled. "It's definitely not the same without you," he said, taking a seat on the sofa. "Alright, now that we're alone let's all have a seat. We've got a lot to talk about."
A/N Ok, there we go. What'd you guys think of the letters format? I needed a way to show things at both ends, and figured it was best (especially since we basically already know what happens). Next chapter is Christmas, Row tells what she knows of the Chamber, and Harry makes some plans.