Sunrise at Midnight

I felt a tug at the back of my robe as I was about to swing at Malfoy. I was pulled back with such force, I almost lost my balance and tumbled over.

"You bastard," I yelled at him.

I turned my attention to Harry, who was staring at me in complete shock. "Sister..?"

"Thought it was a coincidence you two had the same last name, didn't you, Potter? Clearly you're not so smart now, are you? I see why the Sorting Hat didn't put you in Ravenclaw," Malfoy spat.

Harry shot him a glare and watched as his little gang snickered in victory. Ron and Hermione were shooting daggers with their eyes at the Slytherins in front of us.

"You don't know what you're saying, Malfoy. Leave us the hell alone," I hissed threateningly.

He smirked, knowing he had won this round. With that, his small figure began walking down the hall with his friends, who were congratulating him. Why did the Slytherins always have to find some way to win, even if it was by ruining everything?

Harry was staring up at me with a blank expression. I had no idea what to say or do at this point. Should I tell him the truth? Maybe make up a lie? Run for it and never speak to him again or go near him again? I was at loss for words or actions.

That little son of a Death Eater was going to pay.

At that point, I did the only thing I could do. The thing I had done for the past three years every time I was troubled.

I took off running like a cheetah towards the dungeons, leaving the gaping trio behind. My legs continued to sprint as I made my way towards the Potions classroom. Snape and Dumbledore were the only two Professors I could actually trust, despite one being a total wise lunatic and the other one being a rude ass Slytherin.

I opened the door of the classroom to see Professor Snape sitting in his desk, watching a student who was doing lines. Detention, I guessed. Upon my unexpected entrance, his cold eyes met mine.

"Potter, what brings you here uninvited," he asked in his usual boring and rude tone.

"Sna - Erm, Professor," I said, remembering there was a student around, and I couldn't call him by his name, "it's urgent. I need you to come with me to see Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Potter," he snapped. "Do you not see I'm busy right now with detention? What is so important and urgent you must barge in and interrupt?"

"He knows."

Those two words were all I needed to say for him to understand what the situation was. Faster than I could blink, he was up from his chair and walking towards the door. He turned to the second year Hufflepuff.

"Don't talk or leave this room until I get back. When I do get back, those lines better be done, or I'll add another week."

The Hufflepuff boy gulped and nodded, frightened. He immediately began writing again.

Snape and I bustled out of the room hurriedly towards Dumbledore's office in his tower.

"How did he find out," Snape asked me in a if-you-don't-answer-me-you'll-be-the-one-in-detention tone. "If I find out you were the one who told him you will be in serious trouble."

"I'll explain when we see Dumbledore. And I have a reason to accuse you, why were you being so rude to that poor Hufflepuff boy," I exclaimed, feeling bad for the second year.

"Because it's my job," he snapped.

"Your job being an arse," I mumbled under my breath.

"What was that," he asked me with a cold tone.

I widened my eyes. "Nothing."

Snape immediately said the password to enter Dumbledore's tower. I began rushing up the steps, almost knocking him out of the way in the process. I opened the door to see Dumbledore in his desk, looking at a copy of The Daily Prophet.

"Professor," I said. "We have a problem."

Snape walked in from behind and said the same two words I had used earlier. "He knows."

Dumbledore looked up at us through his half-moon spectacles. Despite the problem in hand, he looked calm. He gestured for me to take a seat, which I immediately did. I felt like the intensity of this situation was getting to me, and my head was pounding.

"Tell me, how?"

Snape and Dumbledore eyed me intently as they waited for a response. I sighed and began speaking, keeping my eyes on the floor. "The Quidditch match had just ended - we were walking back when some Slytherins approached us. One of those Slytherins began taunting us, and Harry defended me. That same Slytherin blurt it out, and I ran off looking for Snape so we could come see you, I honestly don't know what to do about this."

Snape's eyes widened a bit. "Who was the Slytherin? They will receive immediate punishment."

"Severus, I think she noted it was a group of them."

"Exactly. Not just one," I stated.

Dumbledore nodded. "Who were these students?"

"Moreno, these two other first year boys who I think were called Crabbe and Goyle, and the one who blurted it out was Malfoy."

Snape let out a sigh. "How did I expect Malfoy was one of them? But I think we shouldn't punish him - take house points away?"

I gaped at him repulsively. "What do you mean 'shouldn't punish him,'" I exclaimed. "He told Harry! And you suggested punishment in the first place!"

"Calm down, Miss Potter, there's no need to raise our voice," Dumbledore said.

I nodded, sighing.

"Severus, the students must be punished in some way."

"Fine, I shall give him detention along with the others."

I huffed, crossing my arms. "Why is it always Malfoy who gets favoritism?"

Snape jerked his attention from the Headmaster to me. "He is a Malfoy after all, Potter."

"Still not a valid reason."

He rolled his eyes at me.

"So, Professor Dumbledore, what do I do," I asked.

"The only thing you can do. Tell him the truth."

"Headmaster, excuse me, but that's a bloody terrible idea," the Potions master exclaimed. "It's not safe, and we all know wh-"

"Severus, he has a right to know. They will overcome the dangers. Bravery is a great thing."

I nodded. "Thank you, Professor."

I got up and ran towards the door. I was about to walk out, when I heard Professor Dumbledore call my name.

"Oh, and Rosalie. I think you should start referring Severus as 'Professor Snape.'"

I nodded. "Alright."

With that, I left, heading back to the Gryffindor common room, ready to explain to Harry everything. My insides were bubbling. I didn't know what I was feeling. Excitement that I no longer had to hide it? Fear that he wouldn't take it the right way? Telling an eleven year old they had a sister they didn't even know was alive or existed isn't the easiest thing in the world.

I climbed up the moving staircase impatiently, hoping with everything that Harry was in the common room or at least somewhere in the Gryffindor tower. Dinnertime wasn't for another hour, and I could bet the celebration was still on our win from the the game was still on.

"Caput Draconis," I said to the Fat Lady's portrait as I reached the top of the tower. The painting swung open, revealing the entrance to the common room. Like I had predicted, people were still celebrating and partying. It was rather loud in the room, but I didn't care at the moment. I only had one concern.

"Wey hey, Congratulations on the win, Rosalie," a random Sixth year said.

"Er, thanks. Hey, have you seen Harry around," I asked the guy.

"Your brother? Yeah, he's over there," he said, pointing to the couch over by the fireplace. Surely enough, I could make out Harry sitting next to the bushy-haired Hermione and the red-headed Ron as he watched the fire. "He's not in the mood to talk though - I tried to congratulate him, but he just ignored me and his little first year friends shooed me off."

I thanked him and walked towards the sofa. I tapped Harry on the back to get his attention. He turned around to face me. His expression was unreadable - a mixture of confusion, betrayal, and upset lingering in his eyes. Had Ron and Hermione told him? It pained me deeply to see him like this.

"We need to talk, Harry," I stated.

He nodded slowly. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other before standing up and leaving us alone. I took a seat next to my brother and stared at the fire for a minute, silence taking over.

"What did Malfoy mean, when he said 'older sister,'" Harry asked, breaking the silence.

"Harry, he meant exactly what he said," I said, keeping my attention on the flickering flames of the fireplaces.

"But, I never had any siblings. I'm an only child."

I laughed to myself. "Of course, you can't remember me. You weren't even a year old. You were probably convinced your whole life you were an only child. For me, it wasn't like that. Since I was older, I was able to remember you. I knew very well I had a younger brother. Harry Potter. I was told differently, that the night Voldemort came to our house, my brother was killed." A tear rolled down my cheek at the memory. I sniffed and wiped it off. "I lived my whole life believing what they had told me, and everyone but me knew the truth. That night of the Sorting, when I heard them say your name, I refused to believe it was you, But then I saw you walk up to the stool, you looked so much like dad. I don't know what came over me, but they told me I couldn't tell you. Not yet, at least. I tried to stay away so I wouldn't spoil anything, but Hermione introduced me, but I'm kind of glad she did. But Malfoy just had to come and ruin it."

I didn't realize I had my head inbetween my knees and I was crying, shaking. I lifted my head up to see face Harry, who wasn't with his past expression. He had concern and sadness written all over him. Did he believe me?

My question was answered when his small arms wrapped around mine in a hug. I hugged him back. At that moment, I couldn't help but allow the tears that fought to come out flow, because it felt so good to finally be able to have my brother back, with him knowing I was here and alive.