AN: Hi people of earth! Review to tell me what you think of this story idea!
Disclaimer: Just my idea. Rowling owns the characters!
Arthur and Molly Weasley woke to a loud slam coming from the babies' room.
"What on earth…?" Arthur began to ask. Ron and Rachel couldn't have done that. They were only a few weeks old. They could hardly move on their own. None of the other children should be in there either. Suddenly there was a bang and Molly and Arthur grabbed their wands and rushed across the hall. They threw the door open but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Molly put her wand away and went to the crib.
When see looked inside the crib she let out a strangled cry. Arthur rushed to her side then frantically searched the house. Rachel was gone.
11 Years Later
Haley James Potter sat on the train thinking about how the she got there. A few weeks ago she was locked in her cupboard and missing meals for doing things she couldn't understand; now she was on her way to a school made for people just like her. She was slightly confused though. Whenever she told them her name they would stare at her, shake her hand, or – occasionally – poke at her forehead. She wanted to ask Hagrid why people treated her strangely but at the Dursley's she was taught not to ask questions. Or speak really. She tried not to let it trouble her but she did wonder why someone had called her, 'The Girl Who Lived'. Lived through what?
Haley was happy to have the train compartment to herself. She was never very good at making friends. Maybe it would be different here. This was a place for people like her. Haley changed into the robes she had bought with Hagrid. Haley had bright emerald green eyes and long black wavy hair that nicely covered the gross scar on her forehead. It was in the shape of a heart. Lots of people thought it was cool but Haley thought it was kinda weird. She assumed she got it in the car accident that killed her parents.
Haley tried to calm herself. She was very nervous. Considering she was alone she closed the compartment door and started singing to herself.
"I heard there was a secret cord that David played and it pleased the lord but you don't really care for music, do ya? Well it goes like this, the fourth the fifth the minor fall, the major lift; the baffled king composing hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
Finally the train arrived to Hogwarts. It was beautiful. First years rode in boats to the castle. Haley was stunned. She sat in a boat with a three other people; two boys and one girl. One of the boys had flaming red hair and was carrying a rat while the other boy had brown hair and was trying to keep his toad from running away. The girl was very talkative. Haley quickly learned that her name was Hermione. Haley wasn't sure why but she somewhat liked the frizzy haired girl.
It wasn't long until all the first years were lined up and waiting for their turn to be sorted. Haley was delighted that all they needed to do was try on a silly hat. That couldn't be too hard.
"Hermione Granger!"
Haley watched as the frizzy haired girl took her seat.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Haley wasn't sure which house she wanted to be in before but now she was hoping it would be Gryffindor. The Slytherins looked scary. She didn't want to be with them. Hermione seemed nice. Maybe if they were in the same house they could be friends. The boy with the toad was also put in Gryffindor. His name turned out to be Neville Longbottom.
Haley waited for what seemed like forever but finally her moment came.
"Haley Potter!"
Whispers immediately broke out. Haley looked around as she made her way to the stool.
"The Haley Potter?"
"Is it really her?"
Haley was about to sit down when she heard someone yell, "Are you The-Girl-Who-Lived?"
Haley faced everyone. They were staring at her expectantly. All she could say was, "Recently I have been called that but I have no idea what it actually refers to or what I supposedly lived through."
Professor McGonagall sputtered, "You don't know?"
Haley shook her head.
"Well you will need to have a discussion with someone after the feast. You cannot very well go around the school where everyone but yourself knows your story."
With that Haley took her seat and McGonagall placed the hat on her head. For a few moments nothing happened then she heard the hat say aloud, "Minerva, correct me if I'm wrong, but I am on someone's head, right?"
"Yes, why? Is there a problem?"
"I cannot see into this students head at all. There is something blocking it. Albus!"
Haley covered her ears at the loud yell and heard someone approaching. She was getting very nervous. Would they sent her back if they couldn't sort her?
"What's wrong?" a man asked.
"I cannot even tell that there is someone there," the hat explained.
"Severus!" the man yelled.
More footsteps could be heard before Haley heard a man she assumed to be Severus say, "Yes, Headmaster?"
"Ms. Potter has shields blocking the hat from sorting her. Could you temporarily remove the shields so she can be sorted and then we can learn more about them after?" the Headmaster asked.
"Of course," Severus replied.
A moment later she felt a presence in her head. She did not like the feeling but did not fight it. Once the hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!" though she pushed the presence out immediately. As McGonagall pulled the hat off she saw someone suddenly get pushed several feet and land on his back.
"Oh my goodness!" McGonagall yelled as she rushed over to help him up.
"Severus, what happened?" the headmaster asked.
"The girl," Severus breathed, "She has some strange wards in her head that definitely should not be there. She also is very powerful. No wonder Voldemort's dead! She kept me past the wards long enough to be sorted but as soon as it was done she wanted me out of there."
The whole room stared at Haley in disbelief. Haley just had two questions, "Who's Voldemort and how did he die?"
Once again the whispers began.
Dumbledore silenced everyone and turned to Haley, "Ms. Potter, I would like for you to come to my office after the feast if that is alright with you. We have many things to discuss."
Haley just nodded and walked over to the Gryffindor table.
"Hi, I'm Neville," the boy she sat beside said.
Haley gave a small wave and smiled shyly.
"I'm Hermione Granger," the girl called across the table. "We'll be roommates!"
The meal went smoothly. The ginger boy was also sorted in Gryffindor. His name turned out to be Ronald Weasley but he liked to be called Ron. He seemed nice but a bit more outgoing than Haley was used to. Neville and Hermione were becoming quick friends with her though. Ron was sort of a friend to but he had more in common with Dean and Seamus. Lavender Brown was to girly for Haley's taste. She was nice and all but they didn't have much in common.
The meal went slowly. Haley was nervous about her meeting with the Headmaster. All too soon she was approached by Professor Snape.
"Ms. Potter, the headmaster has asked me to escort you to his office where he will be waiting with Professor McGonagall."
"Oh thank you Professor." Haley stood and followed his out of the Great Hall. "Um, Professor?"
Snape groaned slightly as he said, "Yes Potter."
"Was it my fault that you fell earlier?" Haley asked quietly.
Snape looked at her with shock. She sounded guilty and Snape felt that he needed to reassure her; which was a rare feeling for him. "No, Ms. Potter. It seems someone put a ward on you. With your own power you could easily push me out of your head but with the wards it pushed much harder than it should have. It was not your fault. You have no control over the wards."
"That makes sense but I don't see where I could have gotten the wards. I was raised by muggles."
Snape was surprised again by the fact that she had understood what he said. Most third years would have been confused. He was even more surprised that she had a very good point. It wasn't long before all four of them were sitting in Dumbledores office.
Haley liked the office. Several paintings were waving to her. Dumbledore cleared his throat and started to explain. Apparently an evil wizard murdered his parents but when he tried to kill Haley his spell backfired and he killed himself on the spot and Haley only got her scar.
"So everyone knows my name because I never died? That kinda sucks."
Dumbledore chuckled, "You're right, Ms. Potter. It somewhat does 'suck'."
With that explained they changed the subject to the wards on her head. "I believe that there are more spells on Ms. Potter than we realize," Snape began. "I think that they are being used to hide parts of her. There is the possibility that they are hiding some of her powers. I know a potion that will remove all wards from a person's body. It would be safer than trying to remove each of the separately through spells. The only problem is that it is a very complicated potion and will take until Christmas to finish properly. After that it will take about a week to completely take effect. Then Poppy and I will need to do several tests to learn if there is anything else we do not know about. From there I can make any other necessary potions."
"That sounds like I'm going be putting you through a lot of trouble Professor," Haley said shyly.
Once again Snape was surprised at wanting to reassure her, "Not at all, Potter. I have always wanted to try this potion but have not had the need to yet."
McGonagall led Haley to Gryffindor tower an hour later and she immediately went to her bed.
888
The first few months of school went quickly. Haley, Neville, and Hermione spent a lot of time studying. They even convinced Ron to join them occasionally. The three of them were at the top of their classes. Neville was a genius in Herbology. Haley was great in Potions, Transfiguration, and Defense against the Dark Arts. Hermione was good at everything though. Whenever someone was struggling the others would help. There was an incident in their first flying lesson and Haley somehow got on the Quiddich team. She was the young seeker of the century and the youngest female seeker ever. When she wasn't studying she would usually be found flying on her new Nimbus 2000 that she was given. Christmas break approached quickly and Haley and the four Weasley boys were the only Gryffindors that were planning to stay behind. Ron was nice. On Christmas Eve he seemed to feel bad that she was alone and took it upon himself to teach her chess. Haley enjoyed his company. Fred and George talked to her about Quiddich. They were on the team also. They were in the beaters position. Haley thought that this seemed appropriate because they were like two human bludgers.
On Christmas morning Haley treated it like any other day. She never really celebrated Christmas. The Dursleys never bought her any presents. She got dressed and trailed downstairs to find the Weasleys huddled around the fire.
"About time you got down here!" Fred yelled.
"We were giving you ten more minutes before waking you up ourselves!" George continued.
Haley looked at them confused.
"We didn't want to open our presents without you," Percy explained.
Fred picked Haley up and threw her over his shoulder. They laughed when she gave a small shriek. Fred was about to take her over to the couch when he froze. Haley was unsure why considering she was hanging upside down from Fred shoulder. She almost burst out laughing when she heard Ron say, "Oh, um, Merry Christmas Professors."
"Mr. Weasley, is there a reason you have Ms. Potter over your shoulder?" Haley heard McGonagall ask.
"Would the fact that the girl needs to learn to have fun be a good enough excuse?"
Haley heard Snape say, "No," at the exact same time she heard Dumbledore say, "Yes."
"I like the headmasters answer better," Fred said before throwing Haley on the couch.
When Haley sat up she looked at everyone and they all seemed to be chuckling at her. "What can we help you this morning Professors?" Haley asked sheepishly.
"Well, Ms. Potter," Snape started, "I am almost done your potion. It will be done tomorrow so I would Professor McGonagall has graciously agreed to escort you to the hospital wing tomorrow at one. Just meet her here in the common room."
"Of course, thank you Professor."
Dumbledore spoke next, "I'm only here to drop this off for you Haley." He set a wrapped present under the tree and said, "It was your fathers. As it is Christmas I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to return it."
"Thank you Headmaster!" Haley breathed. A real present!
"Well I believe we will leave and allow you to enjoy your day," Albus said as he and Severus exited. McGonagall stayed however.
"I brought you five something," she said as she went around the corner. When she came was carrying a small crate. "Twenty butter beer! I hope you enjoy."
Everyone quickly said thank you as she passed one to everyone. Haley spoke up and asked, "Would you like one yourself, Professor?"
Minerva smiled at the girls' generosity. She never ceased to surprise her. "No thank you Ms. Potter. You five enjoy your Christmas. I will see you tomorrow Haley." She then left the room before they could reply.
"What's butter beer?" Haley asked.
"Only the best drink ever invented!" George said excited.
"Try it!" Ron encouraged.
Haley took a sip. Everyone was looking at her expectantly. She just gave them a large smile and they started laughing and drinking their own butter beers.
"Okay! Present time!" Fred nearly shouted.
They each exchanged gifts. Fred was handing out present after present; waiting for one with Haley's name on it. Finally he was getting annoyed and said, "Here Haley! I'm very interested to see what the Headmaster gave you."
Everyone crowded around her as she carefully unwrapped it and pulled out a large piece of cloth. She stood up to show everyone the cloak.
"Try it on!" Percy encouraged.
As soon as she did there were large gasps and Fred actually did a spit take on his butter beer. Haley looked down to see her entire body was gone.
"Bloody hell!" she yelled.
"That's an invisibility cloak!" George shouted.
"Wicked!" Ron gasped.
Percy bent over and picked something off the floor and handed it to Haley saying, "There's a note."
Haley read it aloud, "Dear Haley. Your father lent this to me before he passed. I believe you are the rightful owner. I want you to enjoy it but hopefully you won't get in as much trouble with it as your father and his friends did. They used to use it to pull pranks. They went around calling themselves the Marauders. Merry Christmas.
Fred and George gasped and as one said, "Your father was a Marauder?"
"I guess so."
They looked at each other nodded and said, "We'll be right back!"
Moments later they returned and said, "Haley, we have a present for you!"
"What?" Haley asked confused.
Fred unfolded a piece of parchment, pointed his wand at it, and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Haley took the parchment and said, "The Marauders Map?"
"It's a map of Hogwarts!"
"It shows where everyone is,"
"Every minute,"
"Of every day!"
"Since your father was a Marauder,"
"It's only right that you have it!"
"And when you're done with it point your wand and say, 'Mischief Managed' otherwise anyone can read it!"
Fred once again began handing out presents.
They each got a dragon scale necklace from their brother Charlie.
"Oh Haley! Here's one for you!" Fred said. Everyone looked oddly relieved. Her relatives didn't forget her!
She opened there card and smiled as she said, "It's from Hagrid!"
That wasn't what they wanted to hear.
She unwrapped it to find a hand carved flute and a book on magical beasts. "Oh! That was so nice of him!"
Fred continued hoping that there was some more for Haley. Each of the boys got a new sweater from their mother and something from their brother Bill. Fred decided to go to the very back to try to find one for Haley.
"Ah! Here Haley!" Fred said.
"Another one?" Haley said astonished.
"Of course! You haven't opened a present from your relatives yet," Percy pointed out.
Haley quietly took the gift and opened the card. She smiled at the familiar writing.
"What does it say?" Fred asked.
"Huh? Oh! It's from Hermione and Neville. They wanted to get me something special so they went in on one gift together!" Haley said.
"Oh," Ron said slightly nervous that they were almost out of presents. "Well go on! Open it!"
Haley set the card aside and unwrapped the package to find a strange large black box. She opened the box and the inside glowed. "Wow!" Haley said confused.
"Oh Haley! The box has been enchanted. Their present was too large to fit so they out a charm on the box. Just set it on the floor reach in and pull out whatever you grab," Percy explained.
Haley did as she was told. She had most of her arm in the box before she had a decent grab on the gift. The moment she touched it she knew what it was and gasped.
"Is there something wrong?" George asked.
"No, no. I know what it is and I was surprised is all." Haley pulled out the gift. Now everyone else gasped.
It was an acoustic guitar. Nothing to fancy but it was perfect to her.
"I didn't know you played," Ron said.
Haley played a quick rift to show them a little of what she could do. They were all very impressed.
It didn't take long to go through the last of the presents. To the boys disappointment Haley didn't have any more presents.
"Um, Haley can I ask you something?" Fred questioned. Haley nodded as she looked at him. "Why didn't your relatives send you a gift? I was under the impression that you lived with your aunt and uncle."
"I do but I never celebrate with them."
"Why not?"
"They don't really like me. It's no big deal but we never really got along. There muggles and they don't like magic. I've gotten used to it. Actually I never expect anything at Christmas. This was quite the surprise to be honest."
"Well that's depressing," George muttered.
The Weasley dedicated the rest of the day to making it the best Christmas Haley ever had; which unfortunately wasn't very hard. They took her outside and made a snow fort. Then they went for a quick fly before heading back inside and getting a house elf to bring them hot chocolate. After they warmed up a bit Fred and George thought it would be fun to take her through one of the secret passageways. It ended at Honeydukes. They took her upstairs and introduced her to the owners. They were very honored to meet THE Haley Potter.
"Haley's never celebrated Christmas because her families gits, so we are making this the best Christmas ever," George said earning a small slap in the gut.
"That's horrible!" the man said. Then he ran into the back and came back carrying a large basket. "Here Ms. Potter. Please accept this as a token of our appreciation. I was on You-Know-Who's hit list. You are there reason I am here today. Please take it. I want you to have a real Christmas. If anyone deserves it it's you!"
Haley didn't know what to say to she just said, "That's really not necessary. I don't even remember it. Plus I would have done it no matter what. No one needs to thank me."
"She's modest too. Please take it. I insist!"
She lost the war a carried the heavy basket back to Hogwarts with her.
"Where did that come from?" Ron asked when they entered the common room. He laughed at her when she told him what the twins said.
The basket was full of different candies. The five of them spent the next hour telling stories, eating candy, and just learning more about each other. But the more the Weasleys learned about Haley's past the angrier they got. How could someone treat a child like that?
"Mom and Dad let me decorate my room this summer. I painted the walls orange because my favorite team is the Chudley Canons," Ron told her.
"What's your bedroom look like?" Fred asked.
"Oh um… It's nothing special."
George noticed something was wrong so he persisted, "Well you could give a little more detail than that. What floor is it on? What color is it? How big is it?"
Haley didn't want to lie to them. She decided to tell them the truth and hope that they wouldn't judge her. She took a deep breath and said, "I don't have a bedroom."
Everyone looked at her as if she just said she was in love with Voldemort.
"What do you mean? Doesn't there house have enough rooms?" Percy asked.
She took a big gulp of butter bear and said, "There house has four bedrooms; one for my aunt and uncle, one is a guest room, and two are my cousin Dudley's. My bedroom is a spider infested cupboard under their stair case. I sleep with the cleaning supplies. Okay?"
They were stunned for a few moments but Percy surprised everyone by saying, "No Haley, that's not okay! That's child abuse! You cannot continue to live like that! Who on earth sent you there?!"
"The Headmaster did."
Percy looked at his watch, "Oh look at that! We should be heading down to the Great Hall for the turkey dinner. While we are there I think I may have a quick chat with our brilliant Headmaster."
They all thought it was best not to argue with Percy on this one. He looked kinda scary. On the way to the Great Hall Fred and George lifted Haley up and sat her on their shoulders so they could carry her the whole way.
There was just one table in the Great Hall and they were the last to arrive. Everyone laughed at Haley on the twins. The dinner was a lovely affair but Haley noticed the Weasleys all occasionally glaring at their headmaster. Clearly Dumbledore noticed too. He was the first to leave the table and was quickly followed by Percy. Out of panic they rest of the Weasleys and Haley rushed after the two. They found Percy flagging down the Headmaster and ran to his aid.
They reached them just in time to hear Percy say, "Headmaster, I am very confused with you right now. I have always seen you to be this brilliant man. Someone worth looking up to. But today I only spent a few hours getting to know Haley and I know that you made a grave mistake that could very well have ruined her life."
Dumbledore was more than slightly surprised to hear this from Percy. He looked at Haley. Haley suddenly found her shoes very interesting.
"Please continue Mr. Weasley. I am finding this conversation slightly hard to follow."
"Correct me if I'm wrong Headmaster but you did leave Haley on the Dursleys doorstep?"
"Yes, Mr. Weasley, I did. They are her only living relatives. I did not having many options."
"But Headmaster, almost anything would have been better than the Dursleys. They treated her like the Malfoys do their house elves. Haley sleeps in a cupboard. She has clearly been abused but the extent of it is unclear because Haley does not want to talk about it."
Dumbledore looked his age for once, "Haley, is this true?"
Haley gave a barely noticeable nod.
"Mr. Weasley, you are one hundred percent right. I cannot believe I didn't see it. Haley I am so sorry! I will find you new guardians and after you take your potion we will see if you have any physical problems as a result of your neglect."
When they got back to the common room Haley couldn't hold it in any longer. She threw her arms around Percy's neck and pulled him into a huge hug. He was confused at first but soon began to hug back. "Thank you so much Percy! I never could have done that."