CHAPTER 5

"She seems nice enough," Hermione said matter-of-factly. The three were catching up, while Elizabeth was out on a walk, and the conversation had turned to her.

"Yeah, But she's got this look about her. You know, like she's been through it all, know what I mean?" Ron stated. "She probably has," Harry muttered under his breath.

"What?" A suspicious Hermione looked at Harry, expecting a long line of confessions, "Uh, nothing, nothing." She continued looking at Harry for a second, before distracting herself with a book.

"Why'd she come without any packing? Mum was proper confused by that." Ron asked, simply as part of the conversation, but Harry still felt under interrogation. Hermione looked up from her book for a second to see Harry's reaction.

"Light packer." He said plainly.

Slamming her book shut, causing Ron to jump up, Hermione spoke, irritated, "Come off it Harry, we're not idiots. What's wrong with her?" Ron looked shocked at Hermione's last comment, causing her to blush, ashamed, "Not like that, but Harry, she comes with no packing, worn clothes, no wand Harry! There's clearly a story."

"I promised I wouldn't say anything!" Harry said in his defence, cursing himself inwardly when he realized he proved that there was a secret. Hermione sat back on the bed in Ron's room and smiled satisfied.

"No wand?" Ron, practically shouting, just realizing what Hermione had said. Harry and Hermione exchanged glances and laughed at their friend's somewhat stupidity.

Hermione calmed herself and spoke again, more calmly, "We're just a little concerned. We're your best friends," Hermione nudged Ron meaningfully, "Wha-? Oh. Yeah, Harry." I mean, is she a squib?"

"No. Definitely not."

"Why did you take her in, Harry? She just turns up on your doorstep, and you welcome her in! You didn't know who she was! She could've been a death eater, or-"

"I know," Harry cut off his friend, "I have my reasons, Hermione."

"I understand Harry, but we just want to know why you'd let a complete stranger into your house. Is she a relative?"

Harry hesitated. In ways he saw her as a relative, as he saw Sirius a relative. Though they were not bound by blood he felt a connection. Likewise with Sirius.

"She's related!" Hermione said, satisfied and excited at the same time.

"She's not, not really."

"'Not really…'" Hermione repeated. Suddenly she appeared shocked, " She's related to-!"

"Yes." Harry said blandly. Although he was happy he could discuss this matter with hid friends, he was overcome with guilt. He had broken his promise, and he wasn't sure Elizabeth would even forgive him for his upcoming plans. Involving Sirius. "You can't say anything Hermione, you can't. I swore I'd keep it secret. He doesn't even know he has a daughter."

"Harry, honestly," Hermione sighed, "You cannot trust us, can you? Ron and I will keep quiet about it. Won't we? Ron?"

Ron, who had been staring from Hermione and Harry through this argument, looked blankly at Hermione, and replied honestly, "You know Hermione, I would, if I knew what the hell you were both on about." This resulted in laughter from both Hermione and Harry. Hermione explained the situation faster than what Harry knew to be humanly possible.

"Sirius - Elizabeth - father?" Ron stuttered helplessly.

"Yes, and we are to keep it a secret. Right?" Ron nodded, slightly gormless.

"So who'd he get knocked-up?" Harry chuckled at this expression, though stopped after receiving one of Hermione's conspicuous glares.

"I don't know. She doesn't talk about her past much. She's already said to me she doesn't like talking about it. And she doesn't know if she wants to meet Sirius. I don't think it's anything personal, but she doesn't want to bring it up. And if she's meeting her father for the first time, that's going to be an obvious subject." Both of his friends nodded in agreement.

"Why doesn't she have a wand, do you think?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," This had never been an obvious subject with Elizabeth. He had respected her privacy, though the more he began to think of it, the more he began to wonder.

"I'd hate to think she's spent years alone, though, unaware of her abilities." Hermione said.

"She knew. She knew she was a witch. And somehow she found out about her father, Sirius."

"It doesn't make sense." Ron said infuriated.

"I know." Harry agreed quietly.