Chapter two
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, all familiar characters and linguistics belong to JK Rowling
"I don't know why you insisted on this..." began Severus Snape.
"It stops. You stop picking on her now. She is not James, she is my daughter. He has nothing to do with her and she has nothing to do with how he was at school," I said, when we met.
He glared at me.
"She has everything to do with James. She is his daughter. I can see it in her eyes; don't get me wrong I can see a lot of you in her but those eyes. Potter is the opposite. He has her eyes. Lily's," he said.
"And do you treat him badly? I doubt that very much. Please Severus. I have brought my daughter up a normal, young witch, please, treat her like one. I have never done you wrong," I added.
"I know Catherine. However her father was a swine and I will never forget. They are both making it very difficult," he said.
I glared at him in disgust.
"I am sorry if bringing my daughter into the world upsets you Severus but that was my decision. I know I was used and treated like some second-best girl but I'd never take his mistakes out on Rose, not ever, she is a completely different person," I explained.
My knees could have gone weak the way he looked at me. It was a raised eyebrow mixed with a smirk and age had done him more justice than me. I hadn't fancied anyone since I lost James but suddenly I had this urge to get to know Severus Snape a little better.
"Why don't you come round for dinner? Then you'll see what my daughter is really like," I suggested.
"She will always be James' daughter. You can't hide it from her forever," said Severus.
"Please, what would Dumbledore say if my daughter went up to Harry and introduced herself as his half sister?" I asked.
It was cute how he tilted his head and finally rolled his eyes.
"You're right, Dumbledore refuses to have any more harm come to the boy after what happened to him with the muggles," added Severus.
I frowned slightly as he explained about Harry's muggle family abusing him. James would have been furious at anyone treating his son like that. The charm worked only on blood relatives and Rose had his father's blood.
"He doesn't have to live there," I began.
"Catherine don't even think of it!" ordered Severus.
I shook my head and presented my case to my old headmaster. He looked taken aback and rather amused at the same time over the idea that I would take in my love-rival's son, but what Dumbledore often forgot was that I loved James too.
"James would haunt me if I didn't come to you and suggest this. My daughter is a blood relative, he is James' son. I know he is Lily's as well but unlike his Aunt I would never punish him for that. The boy needs a happy home life after losing both of his parents, not what you put him into over a charm that I could be party to," I added.
The old man shook his head and corrected me.
"You are not the blood relative. Rose would have to invite him in and to her he is Ginny Weasley's dream boyfriend," he said.
"And her brother. I have brought my daughter up with love. She would invite him in," I added.
"And you are willing to tell the boy that his father cheated on his mother with you? His mother who died to protect him? You think the boy will want to stay with you?" asked Dumbledore.
"I have to try," I replied.
It was like James was guiding me from the grave. I could almost feel a hand on mine when I told Rose the truth about her father. She was twelve years old and I was putting my heart infront of her.
"It is time I told you the truth about your dad. He was my childhood sweetheart and it didn't stop there. I knew he was seeing someone else and he got her pregnant and he did the responsible thing and married her. I wouldn't have had it any other way but he kept calling and my feelings for him didn't change. I was around twenty weeks pregnant when I found out your father and his wife had been killed but their baby survived," I said.
Rose looked at me like I had told he the story in another language. Eventually she seemed to understand what I was telling her about her father.
"Are you saying James Potter was my father? Harry Potter is my half brother?" she asked.
I nodded.
"I found out that he hasn't been treated very well by his muggle relatives on his mother's side. I owe it to you and your father to bring him here and move the protective charm that is currently there but that charm won't work without your help Rose. You have to want him here and somehow I have to convince him to come here," I added.
Rose looked again confused and I sighed.
"How do I explain to a thirteen year old that his father cheated on his mother with me and I had you? Do you really think he'll want to live here?" I asked.
Rose encouraged me to try. So I made my way into the muggle world and did some research into social services. When the muggles found me at the door I introduced myself with a false identity.
"Good afternoon, I am from social services, I have had a few reports about your nephew Harry James Potter..." I began.
"Oh what is it? Don't be all day I have to collect my sister from the station!" snapped a large man.
"Mr. Dursely I have had some serious allegations put your way about your treatment of this boy, enough for me to personally take him away..." I started.
"By all means woman he is yours!" snapped the man.
Harry was grabbed by the neck and pushed towards me. I didn't take well to such rude behaviour and so I took out my wand and moved the man aside and forced my way into the house with Harry not too far behind me.
"Who are you and why are you doing this?" he asked.
"Now that we are all inside I can tell you. I didn't lie when I said I was here about the treatment you have received or that I can offer you a way out but I fear you would not wish to take it," I replied.
Harry led me to a small bedroom so that we could talk in private. I don't know why I did but I held out my hand to him.
"Hello Harry, my name is Catherine Hunter. I was a friend of your dad's. Actually in my youth we were a little more and I do not just mean before he married Lily. I know you don't want to hear it and looking back it was a silly and selfish thing to do. Harry on the night your parents; I was going to tell James I was pregnant. You have a half sister and therefore as a blood relative that means the charm can be moved to our house, however you must hate me after..." I started.
"I have a sister? Does she go to Hogwarts? Who is she?" he asked.
I smiled slightly.
"She is a Ravenclaw and her name is Rose. She is a year below you at school. Harry what we did, we did not do to hurt your mother. James wasn't a bad man he was trying to do the right thing in his own way. I leave the decision up to you. As you can imagine the few people who do know have discouraged me from doing this. However the moment I heard that you hadn't been happy here, I felt I owed it to your father at least," I replied.
To my surprise the boy packed his things and he must have noticed that I was surprised at his reaction.
"You understand magic, the only family I have left is a half sister I have only just found out about and you've been brave enough to disobey Dumbledore. What you and dad did, I can't pretend I agree with it but he isn't here to defend himself and you haven't put all the blame on him," said Harry.
"It takes two Harry; you'll learn that much when you are older. Well I can't say I expected you to want to leave so quickly, I'll help you with the bird or shall we let her meet us there?" I asked.
Harry nodded and I unlocked the birdcage and glared at the muggles as we left. I took one look at the cupboard under the stairs and shook my head. I took out my wand and threatened his Uncle into the cupboard and locked the door and then locked the rest of his family in the living room. Harry laughed in disbelief as I said my last peace.
"Now you don't go reporting anyone. You see young Harry here is a very important young man in our world and to be honest our prison makes your excuse of punishment look like disapproving wag of the finger. Now technically speaking I have done everyone here a favour, you no longer have to look after him during the holidays and no longer have anything to do with magic," I added.
So with that out of the way I took Harry to meet Rose. They were both a little stunned and a little shy and uncertain so I gave Rose the birdcage.
"Go and help him pack, get to know each other and if you want anything let me know. That includes you Harry you are part of the family after all," I said.