There's a New Girl in Town

Chapter 9 The Unexpected Visitor

After dinner, Hermione and I finished the rest of Charms. When we went to see what the others were up to, we went to Ron’s room and found Harry and Ron playing a game of chess. We quietly stood at the door and watched the game. Subtle moves were being made between each person while the other was thinking over their next move. Right now, Ron was staring at the board while Harry was staring at him as thought he was watching his every move. His eyes traveled down from Ron’s head over his intense face onto his chest then back up. He looked away just in time, Ron made his move and it was Harry’s turn. Ron did the same thing only we saw him shift some in his seat and heard him suck in his breath quietly when Harry licked his lips. After Harry finished, he looked up was about to say “check” when the two boys eyes met and locked.
I turned to Hermione who turned to me with the same shocked look on her face. We both quietly turned and left just as Ron pulled his gaze away and back to the board. We ran quietly back to our room and Hermione said “Oh my god I never knew Ron and Harry liked each other or were gay.”
“I don’t think Harry’s gay Hermione,” I said.
“What?! You saw, didn’t you? You saw him.” I caught a hint of hurt in her voice and knew I was right, Hermione loved Harry.
“Well he told me something on the way here that makes me think he is not gay, but bi. He said that he was madly in love with you.” Hermione just stood there, staring at me.
She finally says “Really?” I nodded. “Well, I could swear that Ron has the hots for you, too. He couldn’t stop staring at you all day today.” It was my turn now to stare. She laughed and said, “Let’s find Ginny and tell her.” We left the room and started to head downstairs when we heard a bang come from below. We ran down the stairs with Ron and Harry right behind and into the living room, where I came to a sudden stop.
There, standing in front of the fireplace was one of the only men that I have a memory of. This memory was so small and faint but the minute I saw him, I knew it was the same person. I hoped that he remembered me or even recognized me. The problem was that I had no memory of his name, only the face, the laugh, and most of all the strong arms and hands as he caught me. I regained movement after my shock and ran to him and through my arms around him in a hug. What happened next was not what I expected or what my heart wanted. Instead of throwing his arms around me he pushed me away saying roughly with a stern cold look on his face. “What do you think you’re doing silly girl.”
His voice wasn’t how I remembered it. It was cold and heartless. I pulled back and stared at the creature in front of me. He was nothing like I remembered. He was dead inside. The man I knew was full of life and joy. I tried to hold back the tears like always but I couldn’t. I started crying.
“What’s your name? Why do I remember you? Why did you push me away? Why?” I asked through my sobs. The whole room was silent. People were staring from one person to the other. This was their first clue to my past.
“Why? Why what? Who are you? How do you know me?”
“Harriet” I whispered my name and closed my eyes trying to remember the scene and continued with my eyes closed. “I’ll teach them all about the art of potion making, he said as he throws a little baby up, up, up into the air then down catching her. Before you get a chance to corrupt her with... with... with.” I opened my eyes, tears streaming from them. My memory now was ruined. It was the one thing I held onto that kept me sane when I was at the orphanage. This was a person that loved me, that I thought would always love me. I continued, “I don’t remember the rest. The man is vivid in my mind. He has only a few things that are different. His eyes, how they sparkled and shone with love. His voice and laugh were contagious and sounded like the wind. But most of all, I remember the hands, the strong hands catching me and holding me. You have to be the same person. Why don’t you remember? What else did you say? Who were you talking to? And most importantly, who are you?”
“I don’t remember anything. That wasn’t me, fool. I never had a baby, especially one as annoying as you. You’re having dreams and delusions. My name is Severus Snape. I am the potions master at Hogwarts, if you must know. Now get out of my way, brat. ” He said this looking straight into my eyes, then pushed past me and said to the others. “Dumbledore has informed me that I am to take you to Grimmauld Place. It isn’t safe here since the Dark Lord has more forces and is planning an attack. Your little friend here can’t come. We leave now.” I was in shock; it felt like my world was crashing down around me. Ron ran up to me and held me as if he was holding me away from my pain.
“You git, don’t you see that your words hurt her. That memory of her past was the only good thing in her life, you jerk!” He yelled at the cold man rocking me whispering comforting words.
“You will not speak to a teacher like that! You are lucky we are not at school or you would have no house points and detention for a whole year.” The man said.
“Shut up!” was his response “I don’t care what the hell you think. We are not at school. You are just a coldhearted bastard that no one likes.”
“Ronald” Mrs. Weasley warned. He just ignored her.
“Harriet will go with us.” Harry said, his eyes ablaze with anger and disgust. Breaking up the yelling match
“No she won’t she will just be more trouble then need be.”
“If Harriet doesn’t go, then I don’t go either,” said Hermione which shocked everyone even her.
“Nor I” said Ginny
“Hey, this girl is part of our shop.” Said George.
“And we’re not getting rid of her.” Said Fred
“She stays with us.” They said forcefully together.
“I agree with Severus. I would only be a distraction. If Voldemort is looking for you, I would only be one more person to keep safe. I’ll just go back to the orphanage. I don’t mind, really.” I whispered. All I wanted right now was to be as far from this man as I could. I didn’t want to go back, but at least it wasn’t here with this new pain. I knew how to deal with the broken bones, the bruises, and more but not this pain. I blindly got up and began to walk to the door.”
“NO!” everyone said together. Ginny grabbed me and held me tightly. Somehow, I began to stop crying in her arms. I gripped her tightly not wanting to let go of my new found relief.
“Ok, then you come with us and we will talk to Dumbledore when we get there.” Said Snape.
The others got Ginny and my stuff as quickly as we could. Ginny just held me on the couch. I was back to the world of reality and we soon portkeyed to Grimmauld Place.
Traveling by portkey is not what I would call fun. It was worse than flooing. Well, not quite. There was an unexpected pull on my navel regions and a whirl that made me a bit sick. We landed in a heap on the floor where we were greeted by an old man with a long white beard and moon shaped glasses. He gave off a radiance of caring, importance, and comfort. I liked him instantly, as his presence calmed me down even more. That could have something to do with a pair of arms that were still around me.
“Ahh, welcome back. Who is the beautiful girl with you? Why were you crying, dear?” the old man said.
“My name is Harriet, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you, though I’m afraid I do not know who you are. Mr. Snape just said something that made me upset, nothing to worry about.” I said shaking his hand
“Albus Dumbledore. Severus has a way with words that hurt many. Don’t take what he says to heart my child.”
“Thank you, I’ll try not to. You are the headmaster of Hogwarts, aren’t you?”
“Yes, child I do believe I am, would you like a lemon drop?”
“No, thank you.” Turning to Harry and the others. “This is a very interesting place, but I still agree with Snape. I should go back to the orphanage.”
“You will not be going back to the orphanage if I can help it.” Harry responded.
“Harry, how can I make you understand. You were taken from the Burrow because of the risk of an attack. I would just be another person to look after if I stayed. I would only be putting everyone into more danger.”
“What about you? What about going to Hogwarts? What about the friends you have here?
I could feel myself getting frustrated and angry.
“First, Harry, I’ve lived at the orphanage for 12 years. I survived. I can survive another 12 years. Second, Hogwarts is just a school. It might be my dream, but people can’t get everything they want in life. That’s something you have to learn. Third, I will still have my friends here and I know how to owl people. Fourth,” My voice was rising as I went on. “Fourth...” I felt it, then saw it in Harry’s eyes. I was loosing control of my power. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in and said to myself “Relax, Harriet. Relax. You know the consequences.” I then opened my eyes and said, “Are they still red?”
“No” Harry said, scared “Only pink.” At I went to the sink and with a glass I filled a glass of water and poured it on me.
“Now?”
“Normal.” I nodded my approval.
“Ok, Harry. Fourth, if I stay, I will be putting my friends into danger. That could result in no friends to owl. I don’t think me staying here is a good idea.”
“Well considering what you are, and your power, I think you staying would be a good thing. Voldemort would want you for one of his servants. You want to go to Hogwarts, I think I can arrange that. How much do you know?” Dumbledore asked.
Still a bit hesitant, I said, “Ok, I guess.” Dumbledore didn’t seem like a man to go against. “Um, Hermione has been helping me learn. I should be near the level I should be at if we continue our studies. I’ll be 16 years old tomorrow. I have also told some people that my family and I just moved from the states and that my last name was Johnson.”
“Harriet, that is Harry’s birthday as well.” I smiled and nodded then stifled a yawn.
“You should go to bed.” Ron said, who was standing next to me. I gave a grateful smile, and turned to leave.
“I hope no one minds if I catch up on some needed sleep, and if you do then it sounds like a personal problem.” Crying can take a lot out of you. I turned to go again then said “Wait, I don’t know what room or bed is to be mine since I seems like I will have to say here.”
“I will show you.” Said a voice from behind. I turned and saw a man wearing a ragged robe. He had dirty blonde hair that was cut just at the ears. His eye shone a golden hazel color. He was what many would call attractive. I smiled and walked to him.
“Thank you sir. My name is Harriet.”
“Remus Lupin, It would be my pleasure.” The man said his eyes sweeping over me. I gave him a questioning glance but then pushed it away I must look familiar.
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Next chapter will be the birthday party and I need ideas.