Behind Enemy Lines (D.M.)

Chapter Three (Years of the Chamber of Secrets)

The excitement of the upcoming school year was already fading. I used to long for this and had dreamt of what my school days at Hogwarts would be like a student. Everything was flipped upside down when I learned about my true identity as the long lost twin sister of the famous Harry Potter. It got flipped again as I actually attended. Godrick only knows when and how it'll get flipped again.

Summers still felt lonely at Hogwarts- everyone went home, including Harry. The only good thing was that I'd get to visit my old wing and stay in complete solitude. I had missed my bed and privacy.. I was staring out my old window when a knock on the door interrupted. Minerva McGonagall popped her head in and smiled.

"Moment with the birthday girl?" I nodded my head. She came in and sat by my ledge. She held a pretty bottle that I thought was perfume. Realization hit me and I slumped my shoulders. The original polyjuice had finally worn off and I felt normal again every time I looked in the mirror. I had my beautiful green eyes back, my long raven black hair, and no freckles. "Snape said to stop after class at any point you feel off. It should still last as long, but now that you're thirteen... Well, there comes a time in every girl's life that we go through... changes." I could tell she was picking her words carefully. The urge to cover my ears and yell through what she was about to say next bubbled up.

"I promise you, I've read enough books to know. I know." I cringed at this interaction. Minerva nodded and looked down at the potion. She gently set the bottle in my hands and cupped them.

"I..." She trailed off. "I'm here if you ever need to talk or have questions. I know it's a time of self discovery and that is hard when we have to pretend we're someone we're not. Just know that no matter how you look on the outside, you are always beautiful within, Lillian."

I looked up at the smile on her face. The wrinkles on her eyes curved upwards and I believed her. It was nurturing and without knowing, I needed that. Looking back now, she was my rock.

"Well, I know it can be rough to have your skin transform from under you so I better let you be. But happy birthday dear. Have you sent Harry an owl? The trains don't arrive until Sunday night."

"I did... Can I ask one thing?" She had patted my hand and was halfway to the door. My question caused her to turn to me with a raised eyebrow. I had practiced this proposal a thousand times but my mouth felt dry. "Everyone else is going to be seen at Diagon Alley buying their supplies and it might be weird if I'm... already here. Can I please, please, please go and just get one thing? I'll be extra safe and it'll be so much more believable." I tried to pull my best puppy eyes. She mulled my question over before slowly nodding.

"I'll talk it over with Albus... But, I think you bring up a good point... As long as we are indeed safe and on our best discreet behavior." I eagerly nodded.

"Thank you! Thank you!!" I smiled, gushing thank yous until she held up a hand.. With a pointed look, she bid me goodnight and closed the door after. The small feeling of joy was squashed by downing the polyjuice potion.

I remember the moment I saw him again in the bookshop. Everyone was preoccupied with Gilderoy Lockhart but my gaze shifted to the boy on the stairs. The summer had been nice to him; his skin was slightly tanner, his stark white hair was longer. The chubby cheeks had actually begun to thin out, elongating his face. Not to mention he looked taller. What didn't change were those intense stormy eyes. He had been looking around the bookstore, his eyes narrowing below at the supposed scum beneath him. I watched behind the book stacks as he sauntered down the staircase and put himself in the way of my brother. Of course they were interacting again.