Saturday morning came quietly to the Hufflepuff common room. The warm, earthy space hummed with the faint crackle of the fireplace and the occasional rustle of pages from a seventh-year's book. Most of Marley's housemates were still in bed, but she had woken early, her thoughts too restless to let her sleep in.

The air smelled faintly of damp stone and the sweet aroma of breakfast lingering from the Great Hall above. Marley curled up in one of the overstuffed armchairs near the fire, a steaming cup of tea balanced precariously on the armrest. She held it close, letting the heat seep into her hands as she gazed into the flickering flames.

The week went by way faster than Marley would've wished, and before she knew it, it was the weekend and she hadn't uttered a single word to Harry. Very quickly, Marley came to the conclusion that she could live life without talking to Harry. She was too scared he wouldn't like her, or that he didn't know about her. That would be a problem for the future.

With a sigh, Marley set her tea aside and reached for her parchment and quill. Writing to Ted and Andromeda always helped settle her thoughts.

Mum and Dad,

I'm sorry I didn't write sooner, I hope you're doing well and not missing me too much already! I wanted to wait until my first week of classes were done. I got sorted into Hufflepuff! And I've already made friends, which is really exciting. I've found out that I really enjoy Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall said that I show promise! I've also found out that I'm really bad at Herbology. I think Professor Sprout is not thrilled that someone from Hufflepuff can't tell the difference between Gillyweed and Snapdragons. I'll keep trying, though.

Also... I've found my brother. He's in Gryffindor, just like Mum and Dad were. I haven't talked to him yet, and I'm kind of scared. I don't know what to say to him, or even how to start. What if he doesn't want to know me? What if he doesn't even know about me? I'm quite happy living in my own little Hufflepuff common room by the kitchen with my Hufflepuff friends. I'll be okay.

I hope everything is going well at home. Did you have a nice dinner with the Weasleys?

Give my love to Dora (and tell her I'm in Hufflepuff)!

Love you guys,

Marley

Marley smiled, folded the parchment, and placed it in an envelope. She sealed it with a Hufflepuff crest sticker that Susan had gifted her. Quietly, she snuck upstairs and pulled on a cardigan before heading to the Owlry. After about half an hour of wandering around looking for the entrance to the tall tower, she finally found it. As she ascended the spiral staircase to the owlery, the air grew cooler, tinged with the crisp scent of morning.

When she reached the top, Marley gasped. The owlery was alive with soft hoots and the rustle of wings, the high beams and ledges crowded with owls of every size and color. Morning sunlight streamed through the arched windows, illuminating motes of dust that danced lazily in the air. Beyond the windows stretched a breathtaking view of the Hogwarts grounds, the Black Lake shimmering like a mirror beneath the cloudless sky.

It took her a few minutes, but eventually she found Morticia, her mom's owl. With a string, she tied the letter to Morticia's leg and sent her off. Marley stood and watched Morticia fly until she was a mere black dot in the distance.

Marley took a few steps back, spun around, and slammed right into someone.

"Blimey, I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention, and– Harry?"

The boy she had run into steadied himself, adjusting his glasses. His messy black hair was even more untamed up close, and those green eyes—their green eyes—were unmistakable.

Warning bells went off in Marley's head. Without another word, Marley quickly made for the staircase to leave.

"Marlene!"

Marley froze. Her heart pounded against her chest. She could barely breathe. This was it, the moment she met her brother.

"It's Marley," she replied sheepishly, turning around.

Harry swallowed thickly and nodded. "'Course. I'm Harry Potter." He cringed slightly. "But you already know that of course. How long have you–"

"A few years," Marley said, cutting him off slightly. "Professor McGonagall came over for dinner and told me. I didn't know how to... say anything. I wasn't even sure if you knew about me."

Harry looked down, his hands gripping the strap of his bag tightly. "I only found out a few weeks ago. Hagrid told me—about Mum and Dad. About... you. I didn't even know I had a sister."

Marley's jaw dropped. "What? Really? Our aunt and uncle didn't tell you?"

"No, they never once mentioned I had a... a sister."

They stood in awkward silence, the weight of unspoken questions pressing between them.

"We mustn't tell anyone," Marley said with a rush. "My uncle... my foster dad warned me that we should only tell people we trust that we're related. You're already famous, and I don't want to make things harder for you."

Harry nodded like he understood, but he didn't really. "Sure, makes sense."

More awkward silence filled the air. They didn't know what to do. No one had really prepared either of them for this moment, and Marley was more prepared to avoid it than to actually take part in it.

"Should we... I don't know, sit down and talk? You probably know more about our parents than I do," Harry pointed out.

"Er, sure," Marley said nervously. "We can meet in the library tomorrow, say around two? We can find a table out of the way so no one really sees us."

"Okay, have a good day Marley," Harry said, turning to his snowy owl.

Marley nodded, her face turning red. "Yeah, you too Harry."

As soon as she left, she noticed that her hands were shaking. It wasn't supposed to be like this. She didn't know what she expected to happen. She didn't think Harry was going to hug her and they were going to talk like they'd known each other their whole lives. Maybe she just didn't think it would be that awkward. What if this was all it would ever be? What if Harry didn't want to know her, not really?

This was going to take a lot more work than Marley had thought. She wanted her brother to be her brother and not just some long lost relative she never spoke to. Now, she had to figure out how to make an effort to get to know him while also not letting out the secret that Harry Potter had a sister.

✦✦✦

The warm, inviting scent of roasted chicken and freshly baked bread filled the Tonks' cozy dining room. The table was set with mismatched plates and glasses, and the centerpiece was a modest arrangement of sunflowers from Ted's garden. Andromeda bustled between the kitchen and the table, carrying steaming dishes, while Molly Weasley helped her arrange them.

Arthur and Ted were already seated, glasses of mead in hand, chatting amicably about some new contraption Arthur had come across at work—a Muggle "microwave," he called it, though Ted's confusion over its purpose had led to much laughter.

When the final dish was placed on the table, Andromeda took her seat and looked around with a smile. "Thank you both for coming. It's been too long since we had a proper dinner together."

"It has," Molly agreed, smoothing her apron as she sat down beside Arthur. "And thank you for inviting us. It's been wonderful to catch up."

They began serving themselves, the room filling with the comforting clatter of utensils and soft hum of conversation.

"So, how's Ron getting on at Hogwarts?" Andromeda asked, her tone light but genuinely curious.

Molly's face softened into a smile. "Oh, you know Ron. He's written a few times—short letters, mind you—but he seems to be settling in well. He mentioned making friends with Harry Potter. Imagine that! I knew Harry was starting this year, of course, but to think he and Ron would become friends..." She shook her head fondly. "It's good for Ron, though."

Andromeda exchanged a brief look with Ted before nodding. "That's wonderful to hear. Marley's letters have been full of excitement too—she adores her classes, though I'm not sure she's quite taken to Herbology yet."

Ted chuckled. "She's not much of a green thumb, bless her. But she's enjoying herself, and that's what matters."

Andromeda turned to Molly and Arthur. "Thank you again for letting me speak to Fred, George, and Percy before term started. It means a lot to us."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all," Arthur said, waving a hand. "Honestly, it gives Fred and George something to do that won't immediately land them in detention."

"And they've taken to it," Molly added with a nod. "I got a letter from them, as well. They're keeping an eye on Marley, though perhaps they're not very subtle about it. It's good for them, really—makes them feel useful." She smiled wryly. "I dare say Percy would've done it whether we asked him to or not. He's a natural prefect in the making, that one."

Andromeda's expression grew more serious. "It's a comfort, knowing there are people looking out for her. If the wrong person finds out she's a Potter... It helps me sleep at night."

Arthur nodded solemnly. "We understand. And from what Molly's told me, Ron's doing much the same with Harry, though he doesn't know it. They're natural companions, and I think that's exactly what Harry needs."

Ted leaned forward, his brow furrowing slightly. "You don't think Dumbledore knows something, do you? About what might be coming?"

Arthur and Molly exchanged a glance. "Dumbledore always knows more than he lets on," Arthur said carefully. "But if there's something specific, he hasn't shared it with us."

Ted sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's just a feeling I have. The way he arranged everything—Harry, Marley, keeping them separated but placing them where they'd still have some kind of protection. It feels... deliberate."

"Deliberate or not, he's always acted with their safety in mind," Molly said firmly. "I trust him. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep our own eyes open and protect those poor children. In fact, I've already begun knitting Harry and Marley sweaters for Christmas. I thought they might enjoy it."

Andromeda's face brightened. "Oh, that's lovely."

A brief silence fell over the table as they returned to their food.

After a moment, Andromeda set down her fork and spoke hesitantly. "Molly, Arthur... There's something Ted and I have been meaning to ask. It's about Marley, from when she was young."

Ted picked up where she left off. "When we first took her in, we noticed... marks, magical wounds. Two small, pitch-black spots under her ribcage, each about the size of a Knut. We've shown them to Healers, even to Dumbledore, but no one seems to know what they are. They don't hurt her—or at least she's never mentioned any pain—but they've always worried us."

Molly's expression grew grave. She exchanged a glance with Arthur, who gave her a slight nod.

"I've seen something like that before," Molly said slowly, her voice tinged with unease. "But only once. My brothers... before they died..." She trailed off, her eyes distant.

Arthur placed a comforting hand over hers, his expression somber.

"What happened?" Andromeda asked gently, her voice barely above a whisper.

Molly shook her head, forcing a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It was a long time ago," she said. "I'll try to find out more, if I can."

The room fell silent, the weight of Molly's words settling over them like a heavy fog. Ted reached for Andromeda's hand under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you, Molly," Andromeda said softly.

Molly nodded, her expression pensive. "Of course. We'll figure it out, together."

✦✦✦

Sunday afternoon, Marley headed for the library. She was barely able to escape Susan, Hannah, and Daphne, who wanted to go down the Black Lake, but she told them she had a migraine and wanted to stay back. After her two roommates had left the common room, Marley got out of bed and got herself ready to go meet her brother in the library. Her hands were shaking again. She twisted her hands around one another to get them to stop, but nothing was helping. She couldn't seem to stay calm.

She had never imagined that meeting Harry would be this hard. After their brief encounter in the owlery, Marley had replayed the awkward exchange over and over in her mind, wondering if she had said something wrong or if Harry was just as uncertain about everything as she was. But the thought of talking to him, truly talking to him, made her stomach flutter with a mix of hope and fear. What would they even talk about?

When Marley arrived at the secluded alcove they had agreed to meet in, her eyes swept over the rows of towering bookshelves. The wooden shelves loomed over her like silent witnesses. The first thing she did was grab a book off a random shelf so Madam Prince, the librarian, didn't think she was loitering. After peering through bookshelves, she found Harry sitting at a table in the back corner of the library.

"Hi Harry," she said, setting the book down and taking a seat at the table.

"Hi Marley. How's... Legends of the Phoenix?" He had craned his neck to read the title off the book that Marley had grabbed.

"Perfectly stimulating," Marley said, cracking a smile. "I just grabbed a book to ward off Madam Prince."

Harry pulled a book off his lap, also smiling. "Yeah, me too."

"How to Use Divination to Find Your Soulmate... interesting. Guess we already think a little bit alike."

They shared a smile.

They sat there for a moment, neither quite knowing what to do next. The weight of their shared history seemed too heavy, and Marley's breath caught in her throat. What now?

"Look, we don't have to do this if you don't want to," Harry said suddenly, his words almost too quick, too desperate.

Marley blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's—well, it's a lot to take in, right? I'm just... not sure what to say," Harry continued, his voice trailing off.

Marley nodded slowly, her mind spinning. "Yeah, me neither." She smiled awkwardly, glancing down at the floor. "But I guess we can start somewhere. I mean... we're siblings, right?"

"Yeah... So how's your first week of classes going? I take it you didn't see much magic living with our aunt and uncle," Marley inquired.

"I didn't see any magic, didn't even know it existed until Hagrid knocked down my front door. I mean, they told me the basics. That my parents died when I was a baby and left me everything. But they never let me know anything about them. I didn't even know I was a wizard until I was eleven." He ran a hand through his messy hair, his eyes distant. "I didn't know anything about magic, how to use it, or what I was supposed to be doing. It was like being dropped into a world I didn't even belong in."

Marley's mouth went dry as she listened, her thoughts swirling with disbelief. How could they do that to him? She shook her head, unable to fully comprehend what Harry had been through.

"That's... awful," she said softly, her voice trembling. "So you didn't even know you were famous until recently. I don't even know what to say. I can't believe they treated you like that. That's crazy."

"Tell me about it," Harry said. "Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia didn't tell me anything. They didn't even tell me the truth about how Mum and Dad died."

"Petunia..." Marley whispered. She'd never known her aunt and uncle's names. Professor McGonagall never told her, just that Harry was living with their aunt and uncle. "My middle name is Petunia. That's Mum's sister, right?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, she's perfectly awful, so is her husband and son. I don't know why Mum would name you after her. Do you know where your first name came from?"

"A friend of Mum and Dad's, Marlene McKinnon. She was killed too," Marley said quietly.

"Oh..." Harry looked down at his book for a few moments. "But you grew up with magic?"

"Yeah, Ted and Andromeda Tonks are my foster parents, they both went to Hogwarts, as did their daughter."

Harry looked at her curiously. "And how was it with your foster parents?"

A small smile tugged at Marley's lips. "They're amazing. I mean, Andromeda's warm and fuzzy like people often expect, but she's... she's there for me. And Ted, he's brilliant. He's an inventor. He taught me a lot about Muggle inventions before I came to Hogwarts." She paused, her eyes falling to her hands. "I don't think anyone could have given me a better home. It just feels wrong to be here and not be able to tell anyone who I am, what I really am."

"I get that," Harry said, nodding. "You don't know how many times I've wished I could have had a family like that. I always felt like I was missing something. Like, someone. I still don't feel like I belong, even here." He gave a short, dry laugh. "Funny, huh? I'm supposed to be famous, but I don't even feel like I know who I am half the time."

Marley felt the weight of his words settle on her chest. "I get it," she said softly. "I mean, I didn't grow up in a bad situation. I have Ted and Andromeda. They've always treated me like I'm their own. But it's different, you know? I never knew what happened to you or why we were kept apart. I always felt like there was something missing."

He looked at Marley again, a question flickering behind his eyes. "And you're... you're okay with all this? I mean, with me, with everything?"

Marley took a deep breath, feeling a weight in her chest. "I mean it's a lot," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "But I'll try to get used to it. I've always imagined what it would be like, meeting you, knowing you. But... it's different now. Awkward, you know?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I didn't realize it would be this awkward." He gave her a wry smile. "Guess I always thought it would be easy, like we'd just pick up where we left off. But it's not like that, is it?"

Marley shook her head, letting out a small laugh. "No. I don't even know where we would start."

They both paused, the silence between them stretching, and Marley felt the weight of the moment. This is my brother. But it felt strange, unnatural somehow. She hadn't imagined it would feel like this—hesitant, uncertain, filled with so many questions.

"I don't know if we'll ever be close," she said quietly, "but I'd like to try. Maybe start by being just... siblings?"

Harry's face softened as he nodded. "Yeah. Siblings. We'll figure it out."

"Look, Harry, I don't know why we got separated. I'd much rather have lived with you and the Dursleys than not known you at all." Marley frowned.

"No," Harry said with a bitter laugh. "You wouldn't have, I sleep in a cupboard under the stairs."

Marley's jaw dropped. "I'm sorry, what?" she exclaimed rather loudly. Eyebrows raised, Harry looked around, hoping Madam Prince hadn't heard, and when it became apparent she hadn't he turned back to her.

"Yes, I hate it, but I don't really have another choice, now do I?"

"I'm sorry," Marley whispered, looking her brother right in the eyes. "I'm so so sorry that you were the one to be stuck with them."

Harry shrugged. "Better me than you. As much as I hate to say it, Dudley's friends would have a field day with a pretty girl."

Marley shuddered, and they were immersed in silence again.

"Do you know which one of us is older?" Harry asked suddenly.

"No," Marley said, shaking her head. "I don't think Ted and Andromeda know either."

Harry paused, looked at his hands for a few moments, and then back up at Marley. "Do you think you could tell me what you know about Mum and Dad?"

The two Potters sat and talked for another hour about James and Lily, about magic, about themselves. Marley learned a lot about Harry's life the past ten years, and was greatly sorrowed by the life that he had lived. She felt a deep pang of guilt in her chest that she'd been the fortunate one. She knew about magic from before her first steps, she grew up with loving foster parents and a loving foster sister, and Harry grew up being a slave to his own aunt and uncle.

The tension in the air seemed to lift a little, and for the first time since meeting him, Marley felt something resembling hope. They would never get back the years they had lost, but perhaps they could start building something new.

After a few moments of silence, Marley glanced down at her watch. "I should go. Susan and Hannah are probably wondering where I've gone off to."

"Yeah, me too," Harry said. "We'll talk more later?"

"Definitely," Marley replied, offering a small but genuine smile.

When Marley left their meeting, with the promise to hang out more, she made it back to the cozy Hufflepuff common room with a smile on her face. That smile remained on her face until her friends got back and found her reading in front of the fireplace. She'd actually checked out Legends of the Phoenix, it was fairly interesting.

"What're you smiling about?" Susan asked with a cocked eyebrow. Her and Hannah walked in and sat down on the sofa next to Marley's armchair.

"Yeah, I thought you had a migraine?"

Marley shrugged. "Oh, I guess the stuff Madam Pomfrey gave me is just really working its magic. Pun intended. How was the lake?"

Hannah's eyes brightened. "Oh, so much fun, Daphne swears she saw the Giant Squid, but I really just think it was the merpeople."

"What did you do today?" Susan asked.

Marley just smiled softly to herself again. "Oh, nothing much."

. . . . . . . . . . 𝙖𝙗𝙗𝙮 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙨 . . . . . . . . . .

Yay! Marley and Harry have met! But it'll be a long road to actually getting to be siblings. It's a little hard when you have to keep it a secret and didn't really know the other existed for a while.

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do. Vote, comment your thoughts, and share with your friends!