"I'm gonna try to sleep some more," lovelle told the professor with a yawn. He'd been strangely quiet after her apology for having awakened him and she didn't have the brainpower at the moment for figuring out just why that was.

Severus' eyes bore into his child's thoughtfully. At her almost inaudible words, he realized he'd waited too long in making his decision.

"I could provide you with a vial of dreamless sleep," he offered, knowing it was all he could do to help her in the meantime. Until he officially met the bastard named Coleman, the potion's master would simply wait to bring this subject up again. At least by that point he would have a reason for knowing about her past…well, a reason aside from having eavesdropped on her earlier conversation with Potter. "It would prevent the nightmares from returning," the man elaborated at lovelle's curious expression.

"Oh," she perked up at the very idea of a potion that would stop these terrible dreams. "I would like that," she smiled shyly, hoping he wouldn't pry any more answers from her and would just fetch the antidote.

Two things surprised her after that: one being that he actually did as she'd wished; two being that he had done so with magic rather than retrieve the potion by muggle means.

"Thanks," lovelle said gratefully, thereafter downing the liquid. It was once she'd done so that she no longer felt grateful. The substance tasted of everything disgusting. "Ewww!" she gagged, shoving the empty container back into her father's hands. "You could have at least warned me," the eleven year old complained, her mouth still coated with the vile aftertaste.

"Had I done so, would you honestly have taken it?" he inquired, raising a brow.

She smiled weakly and admitted, "Probably not."

Severus ever so slightly smirked before responding vocally, "Sleep now," he instructed, "You shall be rising early tomorrow."

Lovelle rubbed her eyes, feeling more tired than before she'd taken the dreamless sleep potion. It was probably a side effect, she guessed. "Are you going to keep me from seeing Harry?" she wanted to know, not bothering to ask why she was being forced to get up earlier than usual.

Severus stood from his previous place, "No," he replied simply, "which is why, the following morning, you will be up sooner rather than later."

"Why?" she asked, too sleepy to compose a better question.

"To start on the six-hundred lines you have yet to begin," he let her know bluntly.

Lovelle yawned again, fighting to stay conscious. "But I thought it was only five-hundred," she managed to recall in her sleepy state.

"Indeed it was," Severus agreed prior to explaining, "however, that had been previous to your choice of disregarding curfew," he reminded her of the mistake she'd made.

"I didn't mean to," the girl mumbled, her heavy eyelids closed now.

Realizing that she wouldn't likely be aware of whatever else he chose to say that night, her father opted to merely exit the room. The girl was quite obviously no longer coherent enough to comprehend anything.

"Don't leave," lovelle suddenly called out for him through the dark. Her voice came across as shaky and frightened, as if, were he to go, the nightmares would return despite the potion she'd just had.

More so taken aback than irritated, Severus returned to his seat at the edge of the bed. It was once he did so that his daughter contentedly re-shut her eyes, feeling more at ease with him close by.

Why she wanted so desperately for him to stay, the professor could not fathom. Typically, lovelle would never behave in such a way towards him…not since the first day he'd upset her. Yet, even then, she didn't show any desire to be with him, exactly. She simply did not want to be placed back at Wool's.

Yes, it really had been quite unlike her to reach out for him like this.

…Not that he minded, for it felt oddly nice to be needed.

And perhaps, over time, lovelle would grow to trust him with the more important things. Until then, he'd have to settle with situations such as these; where his half-conscious daughter asked for him to stay with her, most likely unaware of just what she was doing.

Severus rubbed his face tiredly, choosing to let those thoughts slip away for time being. He stood from his place, realizing lovelle was well asleep by now, and bid her farewell for the late evening.

"Goodnight, child," he'd said. Then, believing she probably did not hear his soft words, he quietly closed her door and left the room.

…Entirely wrong in his assumption.

Two Days Later

Wednesday, like Thursday, had gone and passed in a jiffy. Harry had (physically) healed completely after his three day stay in the hospital wing and went on to meet the Weasleys late Friday afternoon.

Flashback

Wednesday morning, lovelle woke up with little recollection of what had taken place the night before. All she could seem to remember was visiting her brother, breaking curfew, and being sent to bed earlier than usual.

'There was something else…' the girl thought harder now, vying to riddle it out. "Ugh!" she clutched her hair in frustration. Why couldn't she recall anything?

Looking around the room as she racked her memory, lovelle caught sight of an empty potions vial atop her nightstand.

"Oh…" the eleven year olds heart sank as her stomach twisted. From reading, she knew dreamless sleep caused temporary memory loss as a side effect, but now that she had solid evidence of what had taken place last night, the events all came rushing back.

'He knows about my nightmares,' she mentally cried. Lovelle never wanted anybody finding out. It was bad enough having Molly, Ginny, and Maggie know. She didn't want her father believing her to be a weak little girl terrified of mere memories. Coleman was out of the picture now, after all. What excuse did she have for being such a coward anymore? 'Well, he doesn't know what they're about,' she told herself.

Then again, would it be better if Severus knew? 'I mean, maybe if he knew what they were about, he'd be less likely to look down on me," the girl considered this.

If the professor thought her to be having nightmares about something foolish like monsters, (although Coleman could easily be classified as one) then he would definitely view her as weak. However, if her father realized that they were more so memories than anything else…memories that excused her for having such sleep issues…there was a chance he'd understand and possibly even try to help.

'He helped me last night,' she remembered, smiling slightly. He didn't pry for details or berate her for disturbing him so late…No, what he did was quite the contrary.

Lovelle's outlook on him discovering her secret changed drastically because of that. In the past, nobody had helped as he had. Mrs. Weasley would offer her some warm milk; Ginny would try talking with her, while Maggie always stayed up and distracted her until sleep overcame them both.

Her father on the other hand…well, it wasn't so much the potion that made his situation different. For a reason lovelle couldn't quite place, he'd managed to make her feel safer; like, so long as he was around, both Coleman and the nightmares would vanish, never to return again.

Yes, the idea was foolish, (for Coleman still existed) but that didn't impact or change how she felt. Having Severus around allowed her to feel like everything would be okay.

'He deserves to know,' lovelle decided. She realized it was for the best. Justice would befall Paul Coleman as it had for the Dursley's and no harm would turn Evangeline's way because the woman remained innocent. It had been irrational of her to ever think otherwise.

Besides, after all Severus had tolerated from and given her since they had met, this was just a small something that she could give back. Her telling him about this would be proof of the trust she was beginning to form and evidence that she wanted to have an honest relationship with him.

In short, this would be the first big step towards progress…and a very big step at that (for her, at least).

An Hour Later

After having completed about one hundred of her lines, Haley peered up from her seat across Severus' desk only to find him still marking papers for a reason she could only guess at. School had yet to start so she assumed they were new lesson plans or something of the like.

"Is there something I may help you with?" the professor inquired, not remotely glancing up from his work.

This nearly caused lovelle to fall from her seat. 'How could he possibly know I was watching him without even looking?' she had thought whilst instead saying, "No, I'm fine," and hastily returned to the task at hand.

…

About fifty lines later, lovelle quit writing again. She really wanted to talk with her father about last night and knew that if she didn't soon, it would likely never happen. For the past two hours she'd been building up the courage to come out and tell him about Coleman and still she was scared to do so.

"Unless you have decided against visiting Potter today, I would advise you to resume writing," Severus instructed, again without tearing his eyes away from the parchment before him.

Lovelle sighed in both defeat and frustration. She'd nearly dumped an entire bottle of ink onto herself this time. 'I swear, he's scaring me on purpose,' the girl thought angrily, thereafter reluctantly setting back to her punishment.

…

Another hour and seventy-five lines passed by when lovelle set her quill down once more. Not only was her hand screaming out in pain, she realized that if she didn't speak up about her past this time, there would be no time where she did at all; ever.

"I highly doubt you have managed to complete all six-hundred lines," the potion's master spoke without even the slightest bit of warning, yet again.

"How do you do that?" Lovelle desperately desired to know, her heart racing as he'd managed to frighten her for the third time that morning. "It's like you do it on purpose," she accused aloud, entirely fed up with being caught off guard repeatedly.

Finally, Severus put a pause to his work and focused on the child before him. "What is it I do intentionally?" he inquired with a sarcastic curiosity that only he could pull off.

"You sneak up on me practically all the time!" Lovelle admitted to her frustration. "You always talk or make some sort of noise when I least expect it and nearly give me heart attacks!" she let him know.

"What has you at so much unease that you cannot function properly within the same living space as other human beings?" her father asked, much to her surprise.

Lovelle became flustered, "I don't know what you mean," she tried prolonging the moment she'd have to give a real answer.

"Do not lie to me," Severus calmly commanded in an eerily quiet fashion. "Each time I or any other person approaches you, immediately you are frightened and on edge," he truthfully stated, "Surely you can enlighten me as to why this is."

Multi-colored eyes averted themselves from the black set once staring deeply into them. Feeling all too nervous now, lovelle looked down at her ink stained hands and began to fiddle with each finger. "I just get scared easily," she answered almost inaudibly, not unleashing the full story behind her words.

"Clearly," Severus retorted in a tone that made his daughter feel foolish. "Yet your answer fails to explain why," he informed her, awaiting the truth.

"It's just…" lovelle sighed. It was now or never.

"I used to be bullied a lot," she bravely started, "back at Wool's. No one really liked me…and, once Maggie left, I was all alone," the raven-haired girl with a side braid recalled sadly. "But the real reason I get so jumpy is because of this one man…" she took a big breath prior to saying his name aloud for the first time in weeks, "Mr. Coleman."

Severus leaned forward in his seat, giving lovelle his full attention now. Since yesterday he'd been waiting to have this conversation with the girl; and quite honestly, he did not think it would take place until after his visit to the orphanage when he brought the matter up himself. So, the professor intended to get out all that he could from her now in this rare moment.

…And he would try to wait until afterwards before setting out for Wool's cook.

"See, he kind of used to tease me," lovelle put it lightly. "I never did anything bad to deserve it," she added as an afterthought, "but he still bothered me anyways." She stopped for a moment as her eyes became watery with what she was about to unveil. "Actually, he was really, really mean to me," the child bluntly admitted. "Mr. Coleman wouldn't just tease me. He chased me and would hit me if he caught me…and it was always for no reason!" Lovelle angrily vented these feelings of hers for the first time. "I mean, I could understand if I had misbehaved, but I never did anything wrong on purpose," she sniffled. "I don't get why he always scared me…" her tone turned timid and uncertain, "Am I just weak? Is it my fault?" she couldn't help but ask whilst feeling utterly pathetic.

Severus could not have felt any more conflicted as he did in that moment. A part of him wanted nothing more than to leave the room and seek out Coleman for revenge in regards to the harm and permanent scarring he'd caused for his only child. Another side of him, however, recognized that he needed to stay and help her get past this…the stronger end, apparently, as it ultimately won.

"You are not weak, Miss Evans," the professor began reassuringly, "you are a child."

Lovelle intervened before he could proceed, "That's no excuse," she told him, believing it to be true. "I could've fought harder," the eleven year old insisted, "And even now I still have nightmares like some immature toddler," she wiped the falling tears from her face furiously using her sleeve.

Severus sighed, knowing now that this would not be an easy discussion. "You should not have had to fight in the first place," he informed her sharply, not being able to control the sudden flashback he'd had of his own childhood. "Coleman is a vile man who shall suffer an eternity for his crimes," the potion's master voiced this openly, his anger getting the best of him.

Lovelle, who knew all about her father's short temper, was hardly fazed by it, "Like the Dursley's?" she checked, not wanting him to get into any trouble by harming Mr. Coleman (no matter how much said scrawny man may deserve it).

He pinched the bridge of his nose. No, Severus did not particularly like the idea of simply shipping him off to a muggle prison like they had with Vernon and Petunia…not without any fair form of justice. Still, there was no need to frighten the girl by telling her that so, when he next spoke, it was only half-true. "Yes," he nodded curtly, "Coleman shall be put into arrest as they were."

She nodded her head back in understanding, pleased with the answer. Several moments passed by before either of them said anything else.

"In regards as to whether or not it was your fault," Severus went on, bringing light to the other question she'd asked, "to even consider that suggests you are a greater dunderhead than I had originally thought."

Lovelle's head shot up at the unexpected insult. At first, she'd been thoroughly upset with being deemed an idiot. However, once she saw her father's smirk the girl knew it to only be a mere jape. Within the past couple of days she had learned that the professor was hardly talented with soft, kind, or basically any form of complementary words. They were simply a non-existent part of his vocabulary. She also realized that he had absolutely no experience when it came to being a parent. That being said, even though anyone else would take his response harshly, lovelle could only smile.

"I know," she cleared her eyes of the last remaining tears, "I was just being stupid," the eleven year old owned up to her irrational beliefs.

"Interesting," her father drawled on, "I thought to have already informed you of your idiocy."

His daughter laughed, oddly finding his pseudo rudeness to be comforting. After that, the two sat quietly for but a minute before lovelle chose to speak up.

"I'm sorry for waking you last night," she apologized, having been feeling guilty ever since, "and for breaking curfew. I really didn't mean to," she sincerely let him know.

"Miss Evans-"

"Lovelle," the girl corrected shyly, "can you call me by my name at least until school starts?"

The emotionless mask Severus always wore had almost been shed by her request. He'd never called any student by their given name and hadn't thought it would ever be necessary for him to do so.

But this child was not merely another student of his…this child was his own.

"Lovelle," he conceded, the name feeling foreign upon his tongue. "I trust you know that the treatment you received at Wool's is not something any child deserves," Severus wanted to be certain prior to carrying on, "Am I correct in this assumption?"

She had smiled when the potion's master said her name for the first time, happy that they were finally getting somewhere.

But now the girl's face shifted into a more neutral state as the seriousness had been dragged back into their conversation.

Like with Harry (and with common sense) lovelle was more than aware that the abuse she'd lived through at the orphanage hadn't been earned, let alone deserved, for nobody should have to endure that. "Yes," she responded simply, waiting to hear what he'd say next.

"With that," he went on, satisfied with her honest answer, "any nightmares you may have for this reason are not unwarranted."

"But I have them nearly every night," lovelle pointed out, "that can't be normal," she looked away shamefully.

"Time and assistance will rectify that, I assure you," Severus stated with stern certainty that left no room for debate. "However," he added just as the girl was about to talk, "know that you cannot rely on dreamless sleep each night. Not only is the substance addicting, it is not meant to be treated as a permanent cure. You may take two doses every seven days under my supervision, so long as it is actually needed. If, by chance, you are still disturbed by nightmares whilst unpermitted to take the potion, you shall speak with me instead, no matter the hour," he decided. "Do I make myself clear?"

"It works though," lovelle complained, not wanting something so wonderful to be taken away from her. Last night she'd managed more sleep than she had in the past week. Why would anybody want to give that up? "And I won't get addicted to it," she tried, "I promise."

"My decision stands," the professor spoke with finality. He would not be having his daughter take the coward's way out. She would learn to overcome her fears; not run from them. "In addition to that, if I find you trying to steal any potions from my stores or learn that you have been asking other professors for it, there will be consequences," he warned. "And do not underestimate my abilities. If indeed you plan on doing so, I will find out," he emphasized the last part of his sentence, making sure she understood.

Lovelle swallowed, not wanting to know what would happen if she ever chose to go behind her father's back and betray his wishes.

While she was growing to trust the man, he still terrified her at times.

"Okay," she agreed rather meekly after a good portion of silence surpassed them.

"It is for the best," Severus put in, not wanting her to believe he was merely being cruel…also not knowing why he even cared what she thought. Nevertheless, it was something he felt necessary to say.

Lovelle nodded her head, smiling slightly as she realized it was true. "I know," she looked up to meet his gaze for the first time since she'd brought up Coleman. "Thanks," she said genuinely; simultaneously preventing herself from calling him anything.

Once school began she knew she'd have to keep everything formal by addressing him as 'professor' or 'sir'. For now though, calling him dad or either of those titles just didn't seem right. Again, lovelle thought, maybe after the official adoption process, things would change…which made her wonder…

"When are you going to Wool's?" she wanted to know.

"Sunday," he answered easily, "why do you ask?"

Lovelle shrugged her shoulders, "Just curious," she half-lied. All the while her mind was reeling with a dozen different things.

'So, he's waiting until after I board the train to go,' she mentally mulled the new information over, 'that's only three and a half days away too,' the idea made her both excited and anxious. Would being adopted really change anything between them? And if so, would it be for the better or worse? She wasn't sure. Unfortunately, only time would tell.

Still, of one thing she was certain: lovelle most definitely did not want to be in Paul Coleman's shoes come Sunday. Of that much she was sure.

"May I go visit with Harry now?" she practically begged, brushing those thoughts away temporarily. "I don't think I can write anymore," she gestured to her aching hands. Having never used a quill before, writing lines had not only taken longer than it should've, it hurt more than it should have as well.

Severus considered her request. He still wanted to further discuss what had gone on between her and the cook, but knew that it would take time, for recovery was a process. Eventually, lovelle would not only be rid of her constant nightmares, she would also get back to a sufficient eating pattern and would grow to no longer be put on edge so easily.

"You may," he finally consented, thereafter pulling out a soothing cream he'd earlier concocted for her, having anticipated the need. "Apply this generously," the potion's master instructed, handing it to his daughter, "it will relieve the discomfort."

Lovelle grinned appreciatively and took the jar, "Thank you," she said for the second time that day, afterwards applying the antidote.

The professor merely nodded and watched as the girl went to take her leave.

Early Friday

Although Harry was permitted to leave the hospital wing Thursday morning, Madame Pomfrey extended his stay an extra day simply as a precautionary measure. Whilst neither of Lily's children thought this to be fair, they were no match for the healer. The duo learned the hard way that when it came to her patients, nobody could or even dared argue with Poppy.

"Did you ever write your friends back?" Harry asked as he and his sister strolled about the grounds of Hogwarts that morning, waiting for the Weasley's to arrive.

Lovelle stopped walking, "Oh no," she placed her head into her hands, feeling awful, "I forgot."

"Well you're gonna see them today anyways," he reminded her, vying to cheer her up. "I'm sure they won't be mad."

"I know, but still…" she drifted off, still sad that she'd managed to forget about two of her three best friends.

She knew Harry was right though; Fred and George weren't ones for being angry or holding grudges; and knowing that she'd be staying with them until it was time to board the Express lightened her mood immensely. 'Every time I think we've said goodbye for good, I keep going back,' she thought funnily.

"Well, 'ello there," somebody greeted loudly from behind the siblings. Turning around, both of their eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Yeh must be young Harry," the large being looked to lovelle's brother, smiling greatly. "I remember when yeh were no bigger than a grindylow," he shook his monstrous head, "now look at yeh, all grown," his eyes grew slightly moist.

"Umm," lovelle looked up at the man, mustering any courage she had left at this point, "excuse me sir, but do we know you?" she asked politely, referring to him as 'sir' (even though she wasn't sure if he was entirely human).

"Ah, I fergot," he chuckled, "blimey, it's been so long since I seen yeh last," he told Harry, "not that I expect yeh to remember. Yeh was only a year old at the time."

Lovelle and Harry looked at one another, completely puzzled.

"My names Rubeus Hagrid," he extended a large hand, "but jus' call me Hagrid," he offered, as it was what he preferred.

Cautiously, lovelle went first in shaking Hagrid's hand, wincing slightly when he returned her grip with too much force.

"An' yeh must be lovelle," he said after releasing Harry's now-sore hand. "Can' say I've met yeh before, though I've heard of yeh from Perfessor McGonagall."

Well that made sense…sort of. "Do you work here?" she asked, as that proved the only logical reason for him knowing Minerva in her mind.

"Tha' I do," Hagrid affirmed. "I work as keeper of the keys an' grounds 'ere at Hogwarts," he elaborated.

"Oh," both children acknowledged together.

"But, sir," Harry had to ask, "How do you know me?"

Lovelle looked to Hagrid as well, wanting to know the same thing.

And it was then that the half-giant went on to explain that terrible night of James and Lily's death, how he was sent by Dumbledore to retrieve young Mr. Potter, and just when he'd learnt of lovelle as well. By the end of his tale, they found out just why he remained so tall and why he couldn't seem to pronounce the Dark Lord's name. All the two did not understand was why everyone seemed so hesitant to say it. Neither Harry nor lovelle had any problems with doing so. They didn't see what the big deal was.

"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you," lovelle recounted her manners, yet being honest all the while. She really liked Hagrid; and as Harry had smiled in agreement, one could only guess he felt the same.

"An' you," he beamed at the duo, "feel free ter stop by fer tea anytime yeh like."

"We will," she promised on both of their behalves. It was after she had done so that Hagrid happily walked back to his hut.

"He was nice," Harry said once he'd gone.

"Yeah, he was," lovelle agreed. Although, she hardly liked what he had to say about He Who Must Not Be Named. A lot of wizards, she found, sincerely believed he'd return someday.

And while lovelle hadn't said anything in fear of frightening her sibling, even she was beginning to think so too…she only hoped that it wouldn't be anytime soon.

Either way, she had many questions to ask and tons of researching ahead of her.

Lovelle had to be prepared.

End Flashback

"Harry dear, how lovely it is to meet you!" Molly wrapped the boy into one of her infamous motherly hugs. "And Haley," she turned to said eleven year old that late Friday afternoon, "How are you?" she asked, placing a hand on either of the girl's cheeks.

"I'm fine Mrs. Weasley," lovelle reassured her, wanting nothing more than to be out of this embarrassing situation. Currently, she, Harry, Molly, and Minerva all stood within the head of Gryffindor house's quarters, moments away from leaving. Typically, her brother wouldn't be staying at the Burrow on weekends, let alone nights; but this time had been made an exception. By staying Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday, he could acquaint himself with the family whilst having his sister there to make things easier.

"Have you already bid your father farewell, Miss Evans?" McGonagall checked, not wanting Severus at her door just hours later.

She nodded, "Yeah, he told me he'd meet with us at King's Cross before eleven."

Even as lovelle said this, she still didn't know the reasoning behind it. She assumed, what with the transfiguration professor escorting Harry back to the castle, he wouldn't have any need to come…Not that she was complaining. It would be nice to have her own family of sorts there to say goodbye to (even if she'd be seeing him not much later).

"Alright," Minerva accepted the response, "well, you had best be going," she informed them.

"We should," Mrs. Weasley agreed, "lovelle, dear, can you manage taking the floo alone?" she checked, aware that Harry would need her help and that all three of them wouldn't fit.

"Of course," the girl replied, not liking whenever someone underestimated her (much like the potion's master).

"Very good then," the red-headed woman smiled. "Harry, do you know how this works?" she asked the eight year old standing at her left.

He nodded, "lovelle told me about it." Still, despite his sister explaining the process, he had no idea what doing it would actually be like and couldn't help feeling slightly nervous.

Sensing that, lovelle walked over to him. "You know, Harry," she began, her voice just as reassuring as the warm smile on her face, "it's really very fun," she tried relaxing him. "And it takes only a second," she went on as she noticed it was working, "so you'll be there before you know it."

Both Minerva and Molly grinned at the scene, finding it rather adorable.

"Okay," Harry took a breath, "I think I'm ready now."

With that, lovelle hugged the small boy and provided him with a slight push towards Mrs. Weasley. After, Molly picked him up just as said woman had upon her own first time, and vanished into the fireplace.

The Next Day

"Why is your sister so weird?"

Ron shrugged. For the past two days Ginny had been avoiding Harry like the plague. "Aren't all girls?"

"My sister isn't," he noted. Lovelle, who was currently in the backyard with Fred and George, was nothing like the seven year old girl.

"I guess," he looked thoughtful. "Hey, do you wanna go play wizard's chess?"

"What's that?" Harry hadn't heard of it and didn't believe lovelle had mentioned it either.

"Are you joking?" Ron's expression was completely shocked.

"No, sorry," he replied sheepishly.

"Right, I forgot you were raised by muggles," the redhead said apologetically. He should've remembered from meeting lovelle  that just because you're magic doesn't mean you know everything other witches and wizards do.

"It's okay," Harry assured him. "You can always teach me," he offered, wanting to play. They had about an hour until supper with nothing better to do anyways.

"Yeah, alright," Ron smiled at the new challenge. He loved wizard's chess. "C'mon then," he stood from his seat on the floor of the bedroom he and Harry now shared. "The board is downstairs."

Harry smiled back and quickly followed his new friend.

…

Lovelle sat outside watching as the twins flew about the backyard of the Burrow. With only two brooms on hand, the trio had to take turns.

From the first evening she'd arrived with Harry, the boys had begun teaching her to fly. At this point, she absolutely loved everything about it. She knew her brother would as well, but would sadly have to wait a little longer before getting to experience it.

Anyways, as it was no longer her turn at the moment, she had been left sitting alone on the grass, lost in thought amongst the warm Saturday evening.

She was incredibly pleased with how little time it had taken for Harry to befriend Ron. Being the same age, she had a feeling they would be good mates for many years. Also, she liked the fact that her brother would have someone to enter Hogwarts with. She didn't want him ever being alone, simply out of her own protectiveness; and having the Weasleys around would give Harry someone else to be by his side when she couldn't…someone she knew she could trust.

However, lovelle knew she could also count on Neville. Having met him and Augusta in the hospital wing this past Thursday, she could truthfully say that she liked them both.

Neville and Harry had much in common that didn't just include their birthdays. For this reason, it was clear that he looked forward to spending his weekends with the Longbottoms, which made lovelle happy. She felt terrible for what happened to Frank and Alice, though. It definitely added fuel to the fire of hatred she had for the Dark Lord…

That aside, Ron and Neville were different enough to give Harry some variety, she thought. Being around the same person all the time was never healthy. Surrounding oneself with different people always provided new outlooks and allowed the person to be more open minded. So, while lovelle liked the friendship Harry and Ron had, she was just as content with the one he and Neville obtained. It was much like her case with Amaryllis. The blonde was so different from Fred and George, yet interesting to be around like Maggie. She only hoped all of her friends would get along. While she had different relationships with each, lovelle still didn't want to lose any of them.

Fifteen Hours Later

The following morning, Minerva had arrived a little after ten in order to retrieve Harry. Until the Weasley's returned from their trip to King's Cross, Hagrid would be watching over him. It simply wasn't safe for the boy-who-lived to be exposed unnecessarily, according to the headmaster.

"I'll see you tonight, okay?" Lovelle told her brother as he was about to leave with her mentor. The two hadn't been separated much since they'd first met and both desperately wanted to keep it that way.

…But in the end, they knew it couldn't be done. School was here now and Harry had his own schedule to keep. So, aside from nights, the siblings would have to manage being away from each other.

"Okay," Harry agreed sadly, feeling abandoned even though he knew better.

Feeling just as sad and even more so guilty, lovelle pulled him into a tight embrace. "It's just for a few hours," the girl reasoned, still holding onto him, "you'll get to see Hagrid for a bit and then you will be with Ron and Ginny," she slowly pulled back, his arms still wrapped firmly around her torso. "You'll hardly miss me," she smiled, feeling ridiculous for having to be strong. It wasn't a big deal, really. Normal siblings would gladly be rid of each other for several hours. Even the twins, who wouldn't be seeing their brother and sister for months, weren't acting like she and Harry were.

However, they were different. They hadn't been fortunate enough to grow up together as the Weasley's had. Just under a week ago they'd met for the first time. Prior to that, neither raven-haired child could say they had much of a family before. So, maybe it was normal afterall for them to be acting this way.

"Yes I will," Harry argued. Of course he'd miss her! Why wouldn't he?

Lovelle chuckled, "That's not what I meant." Then, at his confused look, she explained, "I just meant that you'll be having so much fun here with your friends that it'll be like I never left."

"Oh," he understood now.

"Yeah, so cheer up," she ordered, leading Harry over to Minerva. "And I'll see you soon," lovelle ruffled his hair, finally pulling a smile out of him.

"Good bye, Miss Evans," McGonagall grinned kindly at the girl before turning to face the twins as well, "I shall see you three at the sorting."

A chorus of goodbyes from her and the Weasleys was all to be heard as she watched the duo disappear into the green flames before them.

"King's Cross," George broke the silence.

"Here we come!" Fred finished, lightening the mood.

Lovelle could only laugh.

Twenty Minutes Later

"Severus, she had a right to know," the animagus defended, regretting the moment she'd even thought to tell her colleague this.

"Not from you," the potion's master argued.

"You would not have told her," Minerva fought back. "Nevertheless," she continued before he could, her Scottish brogue ever prominent, "I fail to see why you are making such a large deal out of nothing."

"Nothing?" Severus spat, furious.

"Yes," the transfiguration professor stood her ground. "Your history with James answered most everything Miss Evans desired to know," she told him truthfully, "everything she deserved to know after being kept in the dark for so many years," McGonagall added sternly.

"And with whom does that fault lie?" Severus accused with much venom.

She was completely taken aback. Yes, the choice was Lily's when it came to keeping lovelle a secret…but the request for her to remain that way should have died when Mrs. Potter had. Watching the potion's master storm from her office, Minerva knew that now.

…

"He's not George, I am!" Lovelle watched as Fred lied to Mrs. Weasley. Unlike the twin's mum, she had no difficulty in telling to two boys apart.

"Honestly woman, you call yourself our mother," George shook his head in mock disappointment.

"Oh, sorry George," Molly apologized, shooing him through the barrier afterwards.

"We're only joking," the real George admitted.

"I am Fred," his brother let her know, laughing his way through platform nine and three quarters.

Lovelle knew Molly definitely would have swatted them if given the chance. However, the twins were smarter than that and had run away the moment they unveiled the truth.

She could hardly quit giggling. Percy and Charlie had already crossed through, leaving only her and Mrs. Weasley behind. Bill went to work at Gringotts and Ginny stayed back at the Burrow with Arthur. Harry would've stayed too, but when given the option of doing that or visiting Hagrid; his choice had been the latter. The cause for this had been the fact that little Ginny always acted odd in his presence, making the raven-haired boy feel uncomfortable. Although, his sister knew if Ron had stayed, he most likely would have as well. Unfortunately, though, the youngest Weasley boy was off visiting his friend Dean Thomas, who lived not far from their home. And Harry, not being all that great with strangers, declined that invitation also.

"Are you quite ready, dear?" Molly asked, slightly annoyed by what had just taken place, but more so amused as she watched the laughing child.

"Yes," lovelle nodded, all the while attempting to catch her breath. "Sorry, it was just so funny," she told her, feeling bad for not helping Mrs. Weasley figure out who was who.

Said woman simply shook her head, "Someday I'll sort it out," she grinned, "for now, let's get onto the platform before the train takes off," Molly got back down to business, "Shall we?"

She smiled back, not having to be told twice. Following her friends, lovelle ran straight through the wall ahead, excited about whatever remained on the other side.