Minerva walked quickly to Gryffindor tower, knowing it was the most likely place that Harry Potter would be at this time of day. Luckily her office was close enough to the tower that she would be able to avoid most of the students coming off of the express, and she was nor scheduled to retrieve them. Thankfully Hagrid and Pomona were gathering the children, ensuring that they made it to the castle in one piece.

She gave the Fat Lady the password and was granted access. The elder witch passed through the portrait entryway and stood up straight, her eyes sweeping over the common room. She easily spotted the wizard with messy hair that resembled his father's with his mother's beautiful eyes.

"Mister Potter," she called clearly.

"Yes, Professor?" he asked, uneasily.

"If you would come with me please?" she asked, although they both knew it wasn't really a request.

"Of course, Professor," he replied politely and got up to follow his professor.

The youngest Weasley boy looked at his friend as though he felt sorry for him. He sent the other boy a look of which Potter shrugged, letting the other boy knew he didn't know what this was about.

When he was two paces away, the witch turned around and walked out of the portrait, expecting the young wizard to follow her. The wizard in question did not disappoint her.

"What is this about, Professor?" he asked.

"We will discuss it in my office, Mister Potter," she replied tersely.

She honestly didn't want the Headmaster to catch wind of any of this. It was all being done under his crooked nose. It was unseemly the way he kept a close eye on Potter, if Minerva didn't know any better she would have been uncomfortable with the attention he gave the boy.

Harry quietly followed his head of house the rest of the way to her office. He was surprised by how fast she was walking, it was quicker than her normal brisk pace. If he weren't so fit he knew he would have a hard time keeping up with the older witch, who didn't show any signs of being out of breath or strained in any way.

She held the door open to her office, "After you, Mister Potter."

Harry quickly stepped into her office and was surprised at seeing Hermione there. His heart dropped and hoped it wasn't something to do with the tournament. It was bad enough that both of his friends were already bait, he just hoped Hermione wouldn't be used that way again.

"What's going on, Professor? Hermione are you okay?" he asked, quite panicked.

"I'm fine, Harry. Please sit down. It's important," the younger witch reassured him.

The professor walked around her desk and took her seat, only then did Harry sit down, following her example, knowing it would be weird if he were the only one standing.

"Hermione, what's going on?" he asked again.

Hermione looked away and pursed her lips. She wanted to tell him a lot of things, but she made an oath so she wouldn't be able to be the one to tell him anyways.

"Miss Granger has taken an oath so she cannot answer that, Mister Potter," the transfiguration professor announced.

The green eyed boy looked away from his best friend and looked at his professor beseechingly.

"Mister Potter, it has been discussed between myself and a colleague as well as Miss Granger, and we think it would be best if you were to perform a blood bond with Miss Granger," she said primly, as though she were speaking about school rules.

"A blood bond?" he asked.

"A sibling blood bond, Harry. It would mean that I'm you sister, even in blood. I see you as a brother, and you're everything I could ever ask for in one. You already know I'm an only child, but I would love to have a brother. But, I want you to be my brother. Will you be my blood brother, Harry?" the curly haired witch asked, knowing it would go better if she asked instead of bossed.

"A sibling blood bond… You'd be my sister. My blood sister. Would that make you a Potter?" he asked, not saying no.

"It would make me a Potter as much as it would make you a Granger," she said with a large smile.

"Do I have to have an answer right now, Professor?" he asked.

"I'm afraid so, Mister Potter," she said with a small sigh.

"Why isn't Ron here?" he asked.

"Harry if you're related to Ron, then you'd be related to Ginny. You know how she feels about you," Hermione hedged. She hoped Harry didn't feel the same about the small redhead, but she would rather that Harry stay away from them for now.

Harry blushed and nodded at Hermione's explanation. Even if he didn't feel the same way as Ginny, he knew that Mrs. Weasley would most likely be upset that he upset Ginny.

"Hermione are you sure you want to be my sister? I mean… that would mean you'd be related to the Dursley's," he asked.

"Harry," she grabbed his hand with hers, "if it meant being your sister, I would be okay being related to Malfoy," she said, her face as serious as she could keep it.

Harry's face scrunched up at the idea of being related to the blond ferret, but laughed at Hermione's joke. He was glad when Hermione joined in, and was further lightened when he saw even Professor McGonagall's lips form a tight smile.

"Hermione, if it meant having a wonderful person like you for a sister, I would be the luckiest boy in the world. How do we do this, Professor?" he asked with a large grin on his face.

Minerva's smile widened a little bit before answering, "Well Mister Potter, first you'd both have to cut your wand hands. Not deeply mind you, but enough to draw blood. Then you each make sure that your palms are touching, the blood mixes easier this way. I'll be your binder, so all you'll have to do is follow my lead. Is that clear?" she asked.

"Yes, Professor," they answer simultaneously.

The elder witch pulled out a silver mirror from her desk and transfigured it into a silver dagger. She passed it to Miss Granger, whom she knew was serious about this.

Hermione grabbed the dagger carefully, noticing that her head of house made it sharp, before opening her wand hand and dragging it down carefully, biting her tongue. After taking the cruciatus this felt like a papercut, but that didn't mean it didn't sting a little.

Harry watched with awe as Hermione didn't even hesitate. His heart filled with something unknown but made him happy and sad at the same time, she wanted to be his sister with no hesitation. She was his friend without holding back. She always believed in him even if she didn't always believe him. If there was one person he would choose to be related to, it would be Hermione.

She passed him the dagger, which he copied her actions of cutting his palm, but hissed as he did it. The professor then took the dagger from his hand as she had walked around her desk to stand next to them. Hermione held her hand up for Harry to hold, he grasped it tightly. Normally you couldn't pick your family, but he was getting the rare chance to do so and was going to grab onto it as hard as he could.

Minerva waved her wand over their hands, a gold light was flowing from her wand and wrapping itself around their hands, up to their arms like a ribbon.

"Do you Hermione Jean Granger, take Harry James Potter to be your brother in blood?"

"With all my heart, I accept Harry James Potter as my brother."

"Harry James Potter, do you take Hermione Jean Granger to be your sister in blood?"

"I accept Hermione Jean Granger as my sister with everything I am."

"Do you accept Harry James Potter's claim?"

"With everything that I am."

"Do you accept Hermione Jean Granger's claim?"

"With all my heart."

The gold magic that wrapped around the witch and wizard glowed brightly, nearly blinding them, but they kept their eyes open, staring at each other with bright smiles. The light dwindled down before dispersing itself in what looked like glitter to the two teens.

Minerva smiled at them, happy for her cubs.

"Congratulations Mister Potter, Miss Granger."

"Thank you, Professor," they chimed together.

They pulled their hands apart slowly and were both pleased that the cuts were sealed and there was no scar.

"Remember, this should stay secret for as long as possible," the stern professor said to them.

"Why?" Harry asked, confused. He was proud to have a sister, he was proud to have family.

"You'll understand later, Harry. Just listen to her on this, okay?" Hermione implored.

Harry turned and nodded at his sister.

'His sister! He had a fucking sister!'

The young wizard's eyes watered with emotion. He had a family. He had family he considered family, someone who loved him!

"Oh, Harry, don't cry now." She said, grabbing her sleeve and wiping his eyes.

He laughed softly through his tears.

"Professor, I told the common room that I was going to take a bath in the prefects' bathroom. Would you happen to know the password this week?" the witch asked.

The elder witch sighed, "It's Tugging Thorn."

"Thank you, Professor!" the witch exclaimed as she grabbed her new brother's hand and dragged him out of the transfiguration professor's office. Harry laughed at his sister's antics. Minerva smiled at the boy's laughter, it was so far and few in-between. He chuckled of course, to Mister Weasley's stupidity, but he never really laughed like that. It was good for him.

Hermione pulled her brother down the hall, making her way to the prefects' bathroom.

"Don't forget after dinner, we're going to finish your homework," she reminded him.

"I didn't forget, Hermione. You're my sister not my mother," he said, with a goofy smile.

Hermione grinned back.

"I really am going to take a bath though, you should too, you were on your broom this afternoon," she said lightly.

After she forced the wizard to walk her to the portrait (well dragged him rather, but semantics) she turned around and threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Harry hugged her back and cried.

All he ever wanted was family who loved him. That was why he was so enamored with the Weasley family, they loved him like family. Now he had family who loved him. The witch in his arms was his family. Was his sister.

It wasn't anything like he always imagined it would be… it was better.

As soon as they returned home with their owl, Leeroy let him out so he could get used to the house.

"Well?" he asked the owl.

The owl ruffled his feathers, obviously pleased. The house was clean, the room they were in had nice open space, and the windows were large.

"Glad you approve. Now you need a name. It would be rude to call you owl," he said.

Abagail rolled her eyes are her husband, having already left the pair to go into the kitchen to go through the phone book. She knew that the owl would be part of the family and would make a fine pair with her husband. She saw the click as sure as she saw Hermione's. She just hoped he wouldn't be mean to her, that's all she asked for.

"How about… Martin? And we'll call you Marty?" Leeroy asked with a grin.

"God of War?" Abagail called, making sure that she heard him properly.

"Yep! How about it chap? Marty?" he asked.

The owl hooted and leaned over to nibble his new master's hand affectionately. Leeroy smiled as he pet the owl softly.

"I have to take a picture of you and send you to Hogwarts. Hermione has to know what you look like, okay?" he spoke gently to the newest family member.

He received a small hoot in response.

Abagail smiled, listening to her Leeroy. At this rate the owl would be better than having that dog Leeroy always asked for. Well she hoped at least.

She ran her finger down the page, leafing through the phone book. She would find the Dursley's, get their phone number and address, and pay them a home visit. It would be nice to have a chat with this Petunia woman. First she would discuss things with her lawyers, then she would call and serve the papers herself, if they would let her… or she would just show up to the homemaker's house. Whatever she was feeling in the moment.

Abagail smiled predatorily at the name she was looking for.

Dursley, Petunia and Vernon

4 Privet Drive,

Little Whinging, Surrey

Petunia had packed light for her and her family. She packed what she remembered seeing those people wear at her sister's wedding. It was bad enough they had a name for normal people, muggles. Ugh. The least they could do was try to blend in. It would be in Scotland, so it would be chilly she was sure, so she made sure to grab coats. Her husband was a bit large for a button up vest… Her Dudders would be fine as long as she made him wear black slacks and a jumper. Her husband though would be hard to dress, black slacks to match their son, but he was too old to just pass by with a jumper. He would be wearing a heavy coat… so she supposed he could just wear a button up.

She had already picked out her outfit, a long slimming grey ankle length dress, with simple flats, for the next day she had a similar dress, but a dashing green to go with her blond hair. Vernon and Dudley would just have to wear the same styled pants, but different shirts.

Vernon was not looking forward to going, at all. He put his foot down and told Petunia that they would tell Dudley that they were going two nights in advance. That was all the notice he would get. It was bad enough that they were fretting over the date, their son shouldn't suffer under the stress with them. Dudley was still traumatized with his experiences with magic thus far, no need to worry him.

Albus was pleased that Harry was still in the castle and not moping about under his cloak this holiday. He had planned to slip the boy some liquid luck in a cup of tea or cocoa, he wasn't sure which just yet, maybe pumpkin juice… The boy would be unknowing about the Felix Felicis and it would keep him alive long enough.

He knew the time was close when Tom would be resurrected. He had debated with himself for over a decade whether to ruin the name Lord Voldemort but telling the public his true name. However he had to respect the other wizard in front of the masses, if appear unconcerned and undermine him with his true name. It would infuriate him, to use his muggle name in front of his followers. However after the Chamber of Secrets fiasco, he was tempted to bring out the truth concerning the half giant in his employ. He knew that Hagrid never released the basilisk, he was good with creatures, but he wasn't a parslemouth.

However it was easier to have someone do anything for you, being grateful and feeling that they simply had to than to convince them otherwise. The large man was indeed an asset that he didn't want to lose, even if he had a broken wand. He might have been better use with a wand, but then the truth would come out that he knew how to support his case better in the first place. It would place him in a tight spot with the giant. He already did well enough getting the half breed out of Azkaban.

Sirius however, he made sure the wizard was forgotten about. He was so sure that the dark wizard betrayed the Potter's that he confound the aurors in charge of his case. He waited the minimum in custody and by day 20 everyone forgot that he was entitled to a trial. Then he escaped and he almost had the wizard kissed.

He gave the Granger girl the idea of saving him, only after remembering that Black had a house they could use for the Order when the time came. Of course he played innocent that he had no idea what the teenagers did that evening. He hadn't expected them to save the hippogriff as well, but it was no matter. They could have let the hippogriff go into the wild at any time, but he let Hagrid think differently considering that the Minister wanted the beast dead at Malfoy's behest.

It was just another thing to add in his pocket. He could have had the half breed demoted, or sacked even, but instead said it was easier to say his farewells to the creature. He wouldn't have the half giant sacked, he needed him. Although it was easier in Britain where the wizarding society held high disdain for half breeds to have him thinking that he wouldn't be able to find employment anywhere else.

Hogwarts was always open to those in need…

… as long as they did what he wanted them to do. It was better when they felt like they need to do it though. For the Greater Good of course.

He was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the Greater Good needed him to lead the side of light. Harry Potter was supposed to be his replacement as the Boy-Who-Lived, however if things turned south, he could always turn to the Longbottom boy, it could have easily been him. He was soft, but in time he would be able to turn the boy into a warrior. His only problem there was he would have to do it when Augusta was unaware, that was why he picked the Potters. Augusta Longbottom was force to be reckoned with, and even he knew it.