A Potter Secret

A Brother's Greeting

          The trio flies in silence over the waves and through the warm fog. Hedwig sits just in Isabella's arms. It's a long flight. Fred and George use sticking charms to keep her on her broom as she dozes off. It's been a long day for her especially. As they reach the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole, Fred shakes Isabella. "Izzy," Fred tries. "Izzy, we're here. You need to land."

Isabella looks up at him dazedly. She nods and lets Fred guide her down to the ground. When they land, Isabella races forward, Hedwig flying above her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry watches out the window, looking into the night sky. He sees a small white speck grow larger as it comes closer. Harry notices other things around the white speck. As they land, Harry sees Isabella just as he remembers on their first meeting when she was seven. He runs downstairs and stares out the window for a moment. Remus and Tonks stand and the door, wands out and wary of these people.

Harry pushes through as Remus tries to grab him. "Harry!" Remus cries. Harry wraps his arms around Isabella as she cries into him. He can tell by her appearance she feels vulnerable and scared. He picks Isabella into his arms, carrying her past Remus, Hermione, and the Weasley's who, other than Ron and the twins, stare at Harry and Isabella in shock.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry starts, softly. "Is there room for one more?"

Mrs. Weasley starts to reply when Kingsley steps forward, having been staying the night to help out. "Harry, who is she and why is someone so young here?" He has his wand out.

Harry takes a deep breath, adjusting Isabella on his hips. She hides into him. "This is Isabella," Harry explains. "She's- she's my little sister." The Weasley's gasp in surprise. "She's a metamorphmagus and- and has been through all of her N.E.W.T.'s and knows everything she can about magic. She's scared, that's why she looks so young. She's supposed to be 16 in a few weeks by because of a stasis, she's thirteen."

"Harry, we must be sure," Kingsley replies. "Is there something she would know that no one else would?"

"She's already scared, leave her alone!" Hermione shouts. She steps forward with Ron and encircle Isabella.

"Izzy," Ron whispers. "What's wrong?"

She shakes her head, burying into Hermione's neck. Fred steps forward. "Er, we had to tell her about her Grandpa Dumble," Fred whispers.

"And Hedwig," George continues. "Also she left a lot of good friends."

"She proved it's her," Fred replies. "I swear, she proved to us who she is."

Kingsley looks on, still hesitating. Remus steps forward and runs a hand through Isabella's hair. "Izzy, what was the first gift you ever gave me and how much of it was there?" Remus asks quietly.

Isabella looks up. "Wolfsbane for a year and a house," She mumbles. "A house from Padfoot."

Remus sighs shakily before nodding. "That's right, Izzy. That's completely right."

"Where's Padfoot?" Isabella asks. "I- I want Padfoot."

Fred and George share a look before shaking their heads at Harry. "Isabella," Remus starts. "I'm so sorry. Padfoot's gone, sweetie."

The tears start again and Harry takes Isabella back. "Satisfied now?" Harry asks. He lets Isabella bury into him before starting up the stairs. "She's been through enough. She's barely a teenager." Harry turns to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, pleading with his eyes.

"Of course she can stay, Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley says. Isabella's sobs are breaking her heart. "There's always space for family. She can stay with the girls in their room if she'd like. I'll brings some linens."