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Author: Erica Evans Story: Secrets That Were Kept Rating: Young Teens Setting: AU Status: WIP Reviews: 0 Words: 38,764
"Excuse me," Ginny said, breaking the silence. "How can you be Harry's cousin? His parents died when he was one. He doesn't have any other relatives." "That, in fact, is completely fabricated, created solely for the purpose of hiding my side of the family from yours," Julie stated. "My side of the family?" Harry repeated to himself, realizing what she had said. "From yours? How can that be so?" Julie sighed. "I guess I had just better tell you the entire story then." Swallowing, she looked at Harry and then Ginny. "Harry, you and I are related, through your father's side, obviously." Julie began. "Your grandfather is my grandfather's twin brother. Your father never knew about any of this. Our great grandparent's parents got into a huge argument and our great grandmother ended up leaving and moving to America. Now at those times it was completely uncommon for a married couple to split up, so our great grandfather claimed that she had died. She brought my grandfather with her. They were about seven when their parents separated them. Our grandfathers were told that their twin had died. Now, everyone thought he was dead, so naturally Dumbledore had no clue either. Our great grandmother used a form of the Fidelius Charm to hide us from everyone back here, with the absence of a Secret-Keeper." "So how did you find out about all of this?" Ginny asked. "Well, my grandfather died two weeks ago," Julie said, looking down. "On his death bed he confessed this to my family. We all grew up not knowing any of this. My grandfather went to an American school for wizardry, and he raised his family there. It was on his mother's death bed that she told him the truth. And he never told us until before he died." "What's my grandfather's name?" Harry asked suddenly, after a brief pause. "Excuse me?" Julie asked him. "Well, if your story is true then you should know my grandfather's name," Harry stated, looking at her. He was trained as an Auror, and highly ranked as well. He could usually tell a lie from the moment it started, but this was different. He wanted this to be true so badly that he was ignoring every intuition that told him it wasn't. "Bradden," Julie said. "Your grandfather's name was Bradden. My grandfather's name was Benjamin." She was right and Harry knew it. Dumbledore had told him that his grandfather's name was Bradden. He looked at her and smiled. "I have family," Harry said slowly. "And I never knew about them." Looking at Ginny, he could see the same amount of joy creeping across her face. "Yeah, and they want to meet you," Julie replied. "I came to offer you an invitation to America, to meet us all." "I can't believe this," Harry said. "This is surreal. I'm, I'm speechless." "Well, all you have to say is that you'll come to America to see us," Julie asked, hopefully. Harry looked at Ginny pleadingly and she smiled back. "Of course we'll come to meet everyone," Ginny said, half laughing at Harry. It was great for her to see her husband like this, giddy and vulnerable. "We should go soon," Harry said eagerly, jumping up from the couch. "I have holiday time I could use, and the boys are home and we haven't traveled in such a long time." "It's fine with me," Ginny laughed. "Can you get time off from work?" he asked her. "Harry, I'm headmistress at a grammar school, I don't work during the summer holiday, remember?" "Oh, right," he said, trying to get a hold of himself. "Harry, calm down," Ginny said and pulled him back down onto the couch. "It will be wonderful to have you," Julie said, delighted. "Yeah!!" Reagan squealed and came running into the room. Harry looked back to see all three of his children come into the room, looking embarrassed. "Sorry Dad, we were listing from the hall," Darenn told his father. "It's all right," Ginny said as they sat around them. "This is Julie; she's your father's cousin." "It's very nice to meet you," Reagan beamed and shook Julie's hand. Harry laughed as his sons shook his cousin's hand as well. "Do we get to go to America today?" Harry laughed and shook his head. "Well, not today, but soon. Probably within the next couple days." "Yeah!!!" Reagan squealed again and hugged him excitedly. "That'll be great!" James declared. "Of course it will!" Darenn cried. "We haven't been anywhere in forever!" "Boys, settle down," Ginny said, laughing. They quieted down a bit and pulled an excited Reagan out the room with them, talking excitedly of their trip to come. "I still can't believe this," Harry stated, leaning back into the couch. "I can't either," Julie said. "It'll be so great for everyone to finally meet you." "Where in America do you live?" Ginny asked, resting her head on Harry's shoulder. "Oh, on the west coast, in Northern California," Julie said. "There are a lot of magical communities there." She looked at them and how happy they looked. "I have to tell you, Harry, this came as a bit of a shock for me, as well as my family. We're as excited as you are about this." Harry looked at her and she smiled. "This is incredible," He started and paused. "Ever since I was in grammar school I had hoped for some long lost relative to come and take me away. And now, thirty years later, I find out that I do have long lost relatives. I just can't believe it." He looked at Ginny, glad she was here to share this with him. "Yeah, well now we can spend time with a family that doesn't have red hair," Ginny told him and they both laughed. "Ginny's the youngest of seven," Harry explained to Julie. "Yeah, with six older brothers," Ginny cried. "Six!" Julie exclaimed. "Oh my." Julie's eye grew huge and she laughed a little. "So seeing someone other than a red haired Weasley should be interesting," Harry said. "Ron!" Ginny cried, covering her mouth. "Harry, what are you gonna tell Ron?" "I'll ask him if he wants to come along," Harry simply stated. "I can't very well leave Ron and Hermione out of this." "My brother is his best friend from school," Ginny explained quickly. "Oh, well you're welcome to bring anyone you'd like. We'd love to meet everyone," Julie replied. "I am still in shock," Harry said, looking at Julie. "Well, I leave you to iron out the details," she said, getting up. "Oh, won't you stay for dinner?" Ginny asked, getting up as well. "I wish I could," Julie replied. "But I actually do have to get home. I've been in England for two weeks looking for you, Harry. You're not exactly the easiest wizard to find." Harry laughed. "Well, it makes life easier if no one knows where we are." "First I had to locate a wizarding location in London, and once I got to Diagon Alley, no one there knew where you lived. The Daily Prophet didn't even know, but was excited I was asking. It seems you are a bit famous, Harry. I finally tried Muggle London as last resort, but, I made it. I found you, somehow." "Sorry, it took you so long," Harry said as they walked towards the door. "It turned out all right, though," Julie said, smiling and they walked towards the entrance hall. "I'll owl you with my address and directions and everything." "Thank you," Harry said, opening the door. "For what?" Julie asked, looking back at him. "For coming," Harry stated. "For telling me everything. You have no idea how wonderful this all is. A bit of a shock, but its wonderful to know that I have my own relatives and everything." "Well, you're very welcome," Julie said, stepping out the door. "So, we'll see you in a week or so?" Ginny asked, taking Harry's hand. "Everyone will be so pleased," Julie replied. "I can't wait," Harry said, and Julie walked down the path towards the street.
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