Harry Potter and the Black Secret

Chapter Twelve

Rediscover the Past

The next couple of days past fairly uneventfully at Celestial Manor. The snow stopped falling on Boxing Day and most of the afternoon was spent making snowmen, having snowball fights and sledging down the huge hill at the rear of the mansion. Everything was calm, exactly as it should be. But peace never lasts for long.

December 30^th. Eleven A.M. Draco was lying on his bed reading, Kristine sitting on the edge of the bed at his feet writing a letter to Sirius and Sarah downstairs helping with the spring-cleaning (not that it was spring). The Manor was usually looked after by several hired Muggle cleaners, (house elves would be too conspicuous in a Muggle town), but Sarah insisted on helping. She said it helped her relax, and it was rare that she got to do any cleaning at Malfoy Manor.

The door opened to Draco's bedroom and Sarah walked in. She looked pale. Saddened. She held a letter in her hand. It was made of parchment, and that meant it was from a Wizard.

Draco turned over and sat up to face his mother.

"Lucius is back," she said simply, a cold edge to her voice, "I'm sorry Draco, we have to go back to the mansion. Tonight."

Silence filled the room and Draco took a deep breath to absorb the information before slowly nodding his head.

"There's more," Sarah said. She looked very serious. "He says that he will be back in the country for the foreseeable future, that he has 'new information regarding his search'. He rants on for quite a while about Blacks release and how she will be easy to find. She's in the country."

Kristine closed her eyes. They all knew it would happen some time, but that didn't make it any less of a shock.

"Well, you've got to give the old man credit," Draco drawled sarcastically, "Finally, after what? Five months? He's finally figured out that you're a girl."

Kristine smiled slightly, amused at the whole situation.

"Que Sera Sera," she said, "I'd better go pack my stuff," and with that she walked out of the room leaving the Malfoys to themselves.

By the late evening all three were ready to leave, Kristine headed by Floo for the Burrow and Sarah and Draco for Malfoy Manor first by car, then Floo from London. The location, the very existence, of Celestial Manor had to be kept from Lucius Malfoy.

Dressed in winter cloaks, solemn looks on all their faces they said goodbye.

Sarah and Kristine hugged.

"Look after yourself sweetheart," Sarah said, "And don't worry about us. Enjoy the New Year and we'll see each other again soon."

"Thank you," Kristine said, embracing the other woman again and then whispering in her ear, "Please be careful."

Sarah smiled as they drew apart and headed out the door to the car leaving Draco and Kristine alone in the kitchen in front of the fireplace.

Kristine had spoken to Ron that morning asking if she could come by a day early, everything was ready for her arrival, but she still didn't want to leave.

Kristine ran a finger along Draco's cheek and the kissed softly for what seemed like a lifetime, but still not long enough.

Draco started to speak but Kristine silenced him with another quick kiss.

"Don't," she whispered, as their faces were only centimetres apart, "Don't say goodbye."

He smiled faintly.

"See you soon love," he said.

"Happy New Year," Kristine replied, and with that she stepped into the fireplace, taking one more look at his face, and in an instant, she was gone.

*

Harry sat at the kitchen table at The Burrow. It wasn't late, but everyone had been tired and retired to bed early, everyone except himself and Ginny that is.

Ginny was making two mugs of hot chocolate for herself and Harry. They were waiting for Kristine to arrive before going to bed, but in all honesty Harry didn't feel very tired. He had never slept so well in his life as he had been the previous months. Everything was calm. Of course there was the impending doom of Voldemort still looming over him, but since the nightmares had stopped (a nasty element of Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts) and he had dealt with his guilt and grief over Cedric, even that couldn't keep him from his slumber.

It had been a relatively calm year so far. The new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was not unfamiliar to Harry. It was Gilderoy Lockhart, the DATDA from second year, who had tried to Obliverate Harry's memory, but the charm had backfired due to Ron's faulty wand and Lockhart had spent the last three years developing a new personality. He was as irritating as ever, but what with his revised training and lack of memory, he was at least a competent teacher, and Harry knew that he was not an agent of Voldemort.

No, all in all, sixth year was the calmest year yet at Hogwarts for Harry.

Ginny set down the mug in front of Harry and took a seat on the other side of the table. She had changed a lot over the last couple of years. She was still shy and a bit jumpy, but after what had happened to her in her first year at school, you could hardly blame her. She was getting better though. She no longer blushed and ran out the room every time Harry spoke to her, in that area, she was much more relaxed.

She had changed physically too though. Her hair was waist length, probably never more than trimmed over the last few years, and she had had it magically curled for Christmas. She always appeared petite, but looking at her now, not surrounded by her very tall brothers, Harry could see that she was average height, just with a slim build. She was looking quizzically at Harry.

He realised he had been staring at her and blushed slightly over his cheekbones.

"Sorry Gin," he said, "I was just thinking. You and I, we've never really spoken have we? Just on our own I mean."

"Well, there was that one time down in the chamber of secrets," she said, "But I was in shock and you were dying, so I don't think that counts."

Harry couldn't help but laugh a little.

"I wouldn't have thought you'd want to talk about that," he said.

She shrugged.

"It was a long time ago now. That experience made me grow up a little, you know, after the blinding terror of the whole thing wore off."

Harry wasn't sure he was hearing right, but Ginny appeared to be joking about what must have been the most traumatic experience of her life. Before he could say anything on the subject, Ginny asked him a question.

"Harry, if I ask you something, do you promise not to bite my head off?"

"I'd never do that Ginny," Harry said, "Of course you can ask me."

"Now that Sirius has adopted you, which by the way, I'm a little confused about seeing as I thought he was trying to kill you, you and Kristine seemed...closer? I'm just a little bemused by the whole situation."

Harry smiled. It hadn't even crossed his mind that Ginny knew nothing about Sirius.

"Sirius is my Godfather Gin, he was my fathers best friend. He didn't kill all those people, he was innocent, and now that its been proven, he's adopted me," Harry paused, deciding whether or not to tell Ginny the next part, "Ginny, you have to promise not to tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Only a few people know this, but Kristine, well, Sirius is her father."

Ginny seemed to absorb this information rather well.

"So now you're officially brother and sister?" she said.

Harry smiled. He loved hearing that.

"I guess so."

"So you and her, you're really not...?"

"For the hundredth and final time, no! Kristine is my friend, and now she's my sister, that's all. She is not now, has never been nor ever will be my girlfriend," Harry said.

"You said you wouldn't bite my head off," Ginny said pointedly.

"I didn't, I was just..." Harry said, trailing off when he saw the amused expression on her face, "You have spent way to much time with those brothers of yours," he said.

They talked for a good half an hour about everything and nothing until Kristine arrived, and they all went off to bed. They had a long day of travelling ahead of them tomorrow.

*

"GET OUT OF BED!!!!!" Mrs Weasley's voice echoed throughout The Burrow causing the majority of the household to leap out of their skins in horrified shock, and several people to fall unceremoniously onto the floor from their beds, "IT IS HALF PAST NINE AND WE HAVE TO BE OUT BY TEN! I KNOW THAT HALF OF YOU HAVE NOT EVEN WASHED YOURSELVES YET, LET ALONE PACK A BAG FOR THE NIGHT, IN THAT BAG I EXPECT NOTHING BUT THE ESSENTIALS, THAT MEANS YOU FRED AND GEORGE! OH, AND GOOD MORNING KRISTINE, I HOPE YOU SLEPT WELL. UP! NOW!"

It was like being delivered a group howler.

Kristine and Ginny were already up, washed and dressed, and were just putting together an overnight bag. Percy was waiting downstairs ready to go, Charlie was ramming on the bathroom door for Bill to hurry up and the other four boys were still in bed. Well, they were anyway, now they were lying in rabid shock by their beds.

Mr Weasley had arranged two hire cars from a Muggle shop (couldn't risk another magically expanded car after the enquiry against his Ford Anglia a few years ago). He was to drive one vehicle and Charlie the other, who had taken the Muggle driving test last year. Bill was going to ride on his motorcycle to Hermione's home.

By half past ten they were all outside getting into the cars, arguing about who went with who. A quarter of an hour after that they were off, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Percy, Fred and George (much to their disgust) in one car, Charlie, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Kristine in the other and Bill following behind.

It was a four hour drive to Hermione's home (Langley House near Brighton) from The Burrow, which was situated somewhere north of Surry, Harry wasn't exactly sure where. At least, it should have been a four-hour drive. Traffic made the journey last an extra hour and an hour's break mainly for Bills benefit in the middle meant that they didn't actually arrive at Langley House until about five in the afternoon.

The whole group wowed as the pulled into Hermione's estate with the exception of Charlie who decided that 'Bloody Hell' was a far more accurate comment and Ron who seemed indifferent to the stately home in which his girlfriend lived (having visited there before of course, not that they knew that).

It really was a beautiful house. Detached with a good distance between it and its neighbour, but not isolated in any way. Music could be heard coming from the house and lights were flashing in the back garden. It was clear that this house was hosting the local New Years Eve party.

The large group walked up to the front door and stood outside for quite a few minutes until Harry realised that no one knew that they had to ring the doorbell. He stepped forward and pushed the little white button causing Mr Weasley to say, "Muggles! Ingenious!"

Hermione opened the door dressed in black trousers and a black halter neck top, a serving dish of appetisers in her hand and a wide grin on her face.

"You made it!" she exclaimed, clearly overjoyed, "Come in, come in," she beckoned making sweeping motions with her arms ushering them all inside, stopping only to kiss Ron tenderly on the lips.

Harry and Kristine raised eyebrows at each other at this open display of affection between them.

Pretty soon they were in a large room filled with people all laughing, dancing and generally enjoying themselves. The room looked like it was usually a dining area and a pair of wide-open double doors led into the sitting area. Both rooms had been cleared of the usual furniture and replaced with tables along the walls and open space for dancing. At the far end of the second room were open patio doors leading to a marquee in the enormous garden. A platform was set up in the marquee with a microphone and sound system, but no one was performing.

Mrs Granger came over and welcomed everyone, and relieved Hermione of her tray of food.

"Go and enjoy yourself sweetie. Why don't you show your friends around, oh and try to find a volunteer to go first on the you-know-what?" and with that cryptic message she began chatting to Mr and Mrs Weasley.

Hermione led the rest of the group into the party in the marquee. Fred and George disappeared fairly quickly spotting a group of teenage girls dancing in a corner of the room. Charlie started talking a to a pretty girl by the drinks table and that left three couple to dance together. Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron, Percy and Kristine. They were having a fairly good time all chatting together as they danced once Kristine convinced Percy that the Ministry would be fine without him for one night.

Kristine felt a hand touch her on the arm and she turned around to se Bill. She had managed to push the eldest Weasley from her mind rather effectively, but it was inevitable that she'd have to speak to him soon enough.

"Mind if I cut in," Bill said to his brother.

Percy didn't seem to mind as he had spotted the twins acting suspiciously near a fruit punch, and he rushed over to lecture them.

"We need to talk," Bill whispered in Kristine's ear. She nodded, dreading the conversation that was bound to follow, but let herself be led away from the party and into the garden.

The pair stood there, Kristine avoiding eye contact, Bill leaning against a tree trying to figure out how to phrase his words. Language failed him.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" he almost yelled.

"I'm at my friends party and I was having a good time until just then," she snapped back, not in the mood to be yelled at.

Bill took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry," he said calmly, "But please Krissy, will you tell me what's going on."

"You're not going to like it," Kristine sighed.

"I don't care."

"You remember me telling you that my Mum had got a new job as a publicist and we were moving to Australia?" she said.

Bill nodded.

"Well that was a tangled web of lies," she said, "Mum got a new job, but it was as an Auror and it was in England."

"So you are a witch then?" Bill said.

"Born and bred," Kristine replied, "I started Hogwarts at the beginning of this term, met Harry and Ron and everyone, met my father for the first time when my mother died in the field, and to top it all off, I'm prophesised to save the world."

"I guess that makes you 16 then?" Bill said.

Kristine smiled sheepishly.

"I never actually said I wasn't you know, you just sort of assumed I was over 21 when you saw me having a drink in the bar."

Bill shook his head in amusement. This whole situation was just insane.

"So," Kristine said, "Bill Weasley ay? I am to take it that you are a wizard just like the rest of your family and not a world class soccer player like you so convincingly told me?"

"It could happen," Bill said grinning, "Besides, if I remember correctly you claimed to be a famous Canadian actress."

"It could happen," Kristine replied.

"They don't know do they?" Bill said suddenly serious.

Kristine hung her head. This was the part of the conversation she had been dreading.

"You were pretty messed up that summer," Bill said, "You were on edge before, you should be proud of yourself. Losing your mother, that's hard for normal people, it must have been torture for you, but you made it."

"I wasn't alone," Kristine said, still not looking up. Memories of her past flooded her mind.

She remembered what had driven her into that bar in the first place. Why she had drunk so much. Why she didn't go home for five weeks, didn't even call.

Bill had approached her on her third subsequent night in the bar. He had just arrived in Chicago. It was early. She was still sober.

He had brought her a drink. They had spent the whole night talking and then he walked her back to the motel at which she was sleeping. For the first night since she had booked in she remembered the walk to the grotty room where the few personal items she had grabbed were residing.

"You never did tell me why you ran away," Bill said interrupting her thoughts.

"I haven't told anyone," she said quietly.

*

They went back to the party and Hermione promptly grabbed Kristine.

"Where were you?" she said, "Were you with Bill?" then she gasped, "Are you and he,"

"No!" Kristine swiftly cut her off, "Is that why you dragged be over here? For idle gossip? I'm deeply disheartened Hermione, I thought you were above that."

"No its not why I grabbed you, I was just trying to find out if I could blackmail you with any gossip."

"Blackmail me into doing what?" Kristine said suspiciously.

"I need someone to get up and sing first, you know, to get the party going. Please say you'll do it!"

"You want me to sing karaoke!" Kristine exclaimed, "No way, not a hope in hell. I'm sorry Hermione, I love you, but there is no way I'm getting up there on my own and singing in front of people. Actual real, living people. It ain't gonna happen. Nu-uh, no way, never."

An hour later Kristine was on the platform holding a microphone. It turned out that the alcohol free punch was now alcohol full thanks to Fred, George and a bottle of vodka. Oh well, at least she wasn't the first one up there.

[A/N: Song is I hate myself for loving you by Joan Jett. For full effect, play the song along with the fic! Download it!]

Midnight gettin' uptight Where are you
You said you'd meet me now it's quarter to two
I know I'm hangin' but I'm still wantin' you

Hey Jack It's a fact they're talkin' in town
I turn my back and you're messin' around
I'm not really jealous don't like lookin' like a clown

I think of you ev'ry night and day
You took my heart then you took my pride away

I hate myself for loving you
Can't break free from the things that you do
I wanna walk but I run back to you that's why
I hate myself for loving you

Daylight spent the night without you
But I've been dreamin' 'bout the lovin' you do
I won't be as angry 'bout the hell you put me through

Hey man bet you can treat me right
You just don't know what you was missin' last night
I wanna see your face and say forget it just from spite

I think of you ev'ry night and day
You took my heart then you took my pride away

I hate myself for loving you
Can't break free from the things that you do
I wanna walk but I run back to you, that's why
I hate myself for loving you

I think of you ev'ry night and day
You took my heart then you took my pride away

I hate myself for loving you
Can't break free from the things that you do
I wanna walk but I run back to you that's why
I hate myself for loving you

I hate myself for loving you
Can't break free from the things that you do
I wanna walk but I run back to you that's why
I hate myself for loving you
I hate myself for loving you
I hate myself for loving you

Kristine leapt off the stage, high on adrenaline and a little drunk. Harry couldn't stop laughing in shock and he kissed her on the cheek as she came over after her performance.

"I can't believe you did that," he said.

"Me neither," she said, then turning to Hermione and Ron, "I believe we had a deal?"

Both the redhead and the hostess looked terrified.

"Here you go mate," Fred said handing Ron a silver bottle from which Ron took a quick swig.

"Good Luck," George said grinning.

Harry finally understood when he saw Hermione and Ron on the stage together. They really had nothing to worry about though as everyone cheered them on through their rendition of 'Summer Nights' from Grease.

They danced the time away to various songs, some sung better than others. Kristine danced with Harry for a while before insisting that he go and talk to Ginny.

"You like her," she said with a wink, "I can tell."

Ron had asked for the next dance as Hermione talked to some old friends from her primary school, friends who were unaware of her magic skills. One moment everything was fine, the next a sharp pain hit Kristine inside her head and she stumbled. Luckily Ron caught her, but another wave of pain his inside her chest. It felt like she was being struck, but wasn't. It was hard to explain.

The next and final burst of pain explained what she was feeling as it erupted in her mind, along with the image of Draco. It was his pain she was feeling. He was hurt, but she also knew that it wasn't fatal, and he didn't feel scared.

"Kriss? Kriss, are you alright?" Ron was saying.

She looked up at Ron who was supporting her on her feet.

"I'm fine," she said, "I think I've had too much to drink," she lied, "I just need to sit down for a while."

Ron led her over to a chair and sat with her a while until she convinced him that it was just a small headache and that she was feeling much better. He went to find Hermione and Kristine closed her eyes allowing the wave of nausea that she knew to be worry, course through her veins. Eventually she got up and headed back to the party.

Before she knew it, it was the countdown to midnight. Kristine stood at the edge of the room smiling as she watched everyone find someone to kiss for the bringing in of the New Year.

"Not joining in the festivities?" Bill said leaning against the wall beside her.

"I'm alright," she said, answering the unasked question behind the question.

"Promise?" he said.

"Yes, I promise," she laughed, "I'm just worried about..."

She stopped herself mid sentence. She was about to say 'Draco'.

"You're seeing someone aren't you? Someone they don't know about?" Bill said nodding in the direction of Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny.

"Have you always been this perceptive?" she asked trying to lighten the mood.

"It's a gift," he said, "and don't change the subject."

"Yes, I am, and yes, they don't know about him. You won't say anything will you?"

"Of course not. I'm still you're friend Krissy. Last summer, well, it was last summer; I hope it won't make things difficult between us. I'll always care about you and I'll be here for you if you need me."

Kristine could vaguely hear the chanting, ten, nine, eight, seven...

"I'm glad. You were there for me when I needed someone Bill; I'll never forget that. I'd hate for us to not be friends," she said.

Six, five, four, three...

"For old times sake?" Bill said turning to face Kristine.

She smiled and faced him as well.

Two, one...

They kissed gently and pulled apart.

"Happy New year," Kristine said.

"Happy New year," said Bill smiling kindly.

That was when Kristine spotted him. Standing in the doorway of the room over Bill's shoulder and she stood staring at him a he stared back.

Bill turned to see who she was looking at, and in an instant she had run the distance between them and leapt into his arms hugging him as if her life depended on it.

"Happy new year Kristine," Sirius said.