CHAPTER 3

It had been three weeks since Elizabeth Black had decided to stay with Harry Potter. They had been very tactful in hiding Elizabeth, and each time she tried to leave Harry would persuade her otherwise. He wanted her to stay. He wanted for her to meet her father. He wanted her to have the parents, or parent, he never had.

He had bonded well with Elizabeth during her stay. He intended for her to go with him to the Weasley's with himself. It had took some convincing (as he found she was remarkably stubborn) but she eventually agreed. He had arranged to visit and stay at the Weasley's during the holidays, for two weeks before the school term would start.

Another thing Harry wanted, was for Elizabeth to go to school with him. He didn't know how she would cope, but he had a feeling that she was a strong witch, like Sirius. He was sure Sirius would agree with his decision, once he knew. As hard as it had been, he kept his promise and he kept Elizabeth's secret. Admittedly it had been difficult. Every time he wrote to Sirius it took every ounce of strength in him to resist giving even a hint. He hadn't even mentioned Elizabeth. Only to Mrs Weasley, though that was for sleeping purposes.

Harry Potter woke up late on a Sunday morning to see the sun beaming in through the pale curtains on the window. Today was the day he and Elizabeth would visit his old friends. It had felt like years since he had seen Ron and Hermione.

Squinting in the sunshine, he sat up and saw Elizabeth's bed empty. This had become a common occurrence. She often woke early, her excuse was she wasn't the sleeping sort. He had heard her speak in her sleep on more than one occasion. He guessed she had nightmares.

Quickly he dressed himself in his usual muggle clothes. Today was the day he and Elizabeth would go to the Weasley's. They planned to go early to Diagon Alley to buy all of their requested items for Hogwart's, though Harry's intentions were to buy Elizabeth all of her articles, as she arrived without money. He would have to do it in secret, Elizabeth wasn't one to accept gifts unusually.

His suitcase was packed, and Hedwig was fed. Everything was ready. He walked downstairs to see Elizabeth making breakfast. The Dursleys, he assumed were out.

"I made some breakfast for you. I wasn't sure what you'd like so I just put a bit of everything on." She said smiling sheepishly. She had taken to doing everything she could, it was the least she saw she could do for Harry, who had done so much for her already.

"Thanks. So you ready?" Elizabeth nodded. They had now sat on the dining room table.

"Yes. I really appreciate this Harry. I still can't believe that Mrs Weasley doesn't mind me staying. I would." She added quietly, with a grin.

"She's fine with it. She loves guests. Though I'm slightly concerned for the rest of the house, who probably would have been on cleaning duties since I told them."

"I don't want them to make a big deal out of this. Honestly I don't mind. I could find somewhere else to stay-"

"Elizabeth," And he looked his new friend in the eye, "I have told you time and time again not to worry. Please listen." He said it sternly, though his smile creeped onto his face.

"Sorry. It's just…you've been so considerable, and kind. I guess I'm not used to it." She looked back at the table, and began playing with her food again. Harry didn't know what to say to her remark. It ad been said light-heartedly but he could see a hidden meaning. "He isn't going to be there, is he?" Reluctant to give a full answer, he merely shook his head. He had been avoiding the question, but when it was given to him directly he had no choice but to lie. She would understand one day.

"Good," Elizabeth said softly. Harry hated lying to her. He knew this may ruin their friendship. But it had to be done. They didn't necessarily have to know they were related, but, as he said, it had to be done. He was banking on the fact that she would pull through and understand what he meant.

Their bond, Harry believed, had been heightened often by her shocking resemblance of Sirius he saw in her. Not just physically (although that was a large likeness in itself) but in their personalities. Elizabeth was entirely unique, of course, but little things she would say or how she would act reminded him so much of his, now free, godfather. It had seemed like he had known her years!