Chapter 17

Thankfully the rest of the summer had passed quickly.

Within two days of talking with Montague I had told Dumbledore my 'decision.'

I

The old man had again invited me for a private chat in the study. We sat for a good 10 minutes resisting the urge to glare at each other before he spoke.

"Have you made your choice?" he questioned, peering over his half-moon glasses.

I looked into his eyes, feeling a certain glee in knowing he was trying to read my mind but couldn't - Snape obviously hadn't informed him I'm naturally immune as Dumbledore now looked slightly shocked. Though, hardly surprisingly, he didn't comment.

"I have," I replied testily, my wand in my pocket in case he went for me.

He looked at me inquiringly.

"I'm with the Order all the way," I replied, suddenly nervous about lying, "Voldermort tried to kill me. Though I do refuse to go though with your plan. I can't do it, I'm not strong enough."

"If that is so," he explained, in a voice that told me he had expected my choice, "then I must insist that you finish your relationship with Montague and friendship with Draco."

"You mean stop my contact with everyone in my house Dumbledore?" I snapped, "and what would I do then? What do you plan on doing with me then?"

/I

The conversation had ended rather abruptly after that. However, the headmaster excepted that I refused to spy for the Order - though I was forced to promise about the rest of it. I just thank Merlin he didn't force me to do any binding promises.

Before I could blink, the summer had gone. Suddenly, it was September the 1st and all the Weasley's still at school, Hermione, Harry, myself and most of the Order members were filing onto Platform 9 ¾.

This station had always fascinated me. It was accessed through what seemed to be a solid brick wall between platforms 9 and 10 at Kings Cross station in London. It seemed so long since I had first arrived at the station, clinging onto Fred and George - hoping they wouldn't leave me behind. Though I knew all this magic existed, I still couldn't believe that there was a platform called 9 ¾ - such a random number!

I

Every other day of the summer that I had spent at the Burrow had involved me being dragged out of bed by a member of the Weasley family - each informing me that it was time for breakfast. However, today was September the 1st and I had been looking forward to today ever since Dumbledore had saved me.

I was up long before sunrise - triple checking I had packed everything. My wand - though I didn't know any spells yet - was tucked safely in my Jean's pocket. I had wanted to wear my new uniform, however, it was strict muggle dress code until we got onto the train. Once I was changed I looked over at the clock on Ginny's bedside table. It was 7:30 in the morning so I decided to pull one of the textbooks off the top of my trunk - it was about potions and particularly fascinating, I had read it through twice already!

When I had first arrived Ginny had been a bit miffed about having to share a room with me. However, after hearing about who my twin brother was, she had lightened up considerably. She seemed to follow me around continuously. I think she fancies my brother because she talks about him all of the time! I haven't even met him yet for god's sake - I mean Merlin's sake. I really need to get used to this magical cursing thing.

It has been weird to adjust to everything. We went to collect the last of my belongings the other week from my foster parents. It had been sad finally saying goodbye to them. Though I did promise I'd contact them at some point, I was glad to be cutting off all ties with the muggle world. Not that I didn't like it, it was just that I had nothing in common with them any more. I hadn't even bothered to say goodbye to my muggle friends. The Jones' had promised to tell them that I had been sent to live with some distant relative who was a headmistress of as prestigious school somewhere. I knew they'd swallow it.

When we finally arrived at the station some hours later, the train was in fact going to leave in 10 minutes time, my hand was taken by Fred and he dragged me and my trolley through a solid brick wall! I thought we were going to crash and was completely surprised when I survived the ordeal.

"Harry will be on the train somewhere dear," explained Molly Weasley, the lovable matriarch of the family, "I know you have everything. So go and find your twin. Write to me and tell us what house you make. I'll see you soon."

She embraced me in a bone crushing hug, I think I almost broke a rib, which I returned, then - with help from Fred and Ron, the Weasley in the same year as me - I dragged my trunk onto the train.

We quickly found a compartment, it was empty other than a small raven-haired boy.

"Hello," Ron greeted, "can we sit here?" he asked, pointing at the both of us.

"Sure," replied the boy nervously, looking up at us.

I saw my own eyes staring back at me, a scar matching the one on my arm was on his forehead.

"Are you Harry Potter?" I asked, my palms starting to sweat.

He nodded, "What's your names?"

"Ron Weasley," greeted the red head, thanking his elder brother once our trunks were safely placed in the compartment.

"Kirsty Potter," I whispered, "I'm your twin."

/I

It had been the best day of my life meeting my brother. Today we were sitting in that exact same compartment. I must admit, it was a bit cosy with Harry, me, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George crammed into it.

My eyes had met Montague's on the platform. He had been standing with Draco and the other Death Eater related Slytherins. They both pretended to glare at me - though their eyes told a different story. They were both looking forward to speaking with me in the privacy of our house common room. My hand reached to touch the pendant around my neck. It was safe to wear without detection now - I had found a spell in the Black family library to mask dark magic.

"What are you thinking?" asked Harry, who was sitting beside me.

"Not much," I replied, "Just wondering if we're going to get a quiet year this year."

"Kirsty," stated the twins in unison, "you know very well there is no possible chance of that happening."

I sighed, they were probably right after all.

When I had eventually survived the long sorting feast, sitting at the Griffindor table under Dumbledore's instructions, I managed to escape and return to my common room.

"Montague!" I greeted, running up to him in the common room

He turned and caught my speeding figure in his long muscularly arms before capturing my lips in a kiss.

"Are you ok?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"I'm fine," I replied, "but I refuse to go back to where I was over the summer."

"You weren't in Romania," he informed me, "we had scouts over that way."

"That's what I was instructed to tell you, I think my owls were being watched," I explained, "I wouldn't be able to tell you anyway, the building has a secret keeper. So it can't be found unless they tell you the secret."

He nodded, "trust the Order to do something like that. Don't worry I'll tell father. By the way, I have a plan."

That sparked my immediate interest and my eyes started twinkling as they met his.

"Behave as normal this year. We'll inform the rest of the Slytherins what's going on," he told me, "hang out with your brother and we'll only have our relationship in private. Don't worry I promise I won't get with anybody else," I nodded , thankful, "however, as you know, this is my last year at Hogwarts. So I won't be there to watch you next year. Mother suggested that you come and live with us - as you have no legal guardians it can't be stopped - and then we'll teach you magic. Then, if everything goes to plan, you can take your NEWTs a year early at the ministry."

"Come live with you?" I whispered, hardly daring to believe it, "really?"

He nodded, "Really, really."

A/N: They have a plan!! But how will it work? Will Kirsty really have a quiet year? All will be revealed…

TBC……