Just so you know, I did write out the first bit properly, with her reactions to the news and everything, but then it didn't save, and I didn't really want to re-write it because it took me a while, so now it's just a brief summary. Sorry!

And the picture on this chapter is Danny (you'll know who he is soon enough)

*****************************************

You don't understand how weird things have been for me this summer.

First off, Gertrude is hardly ever around, off with her new Slytherin boyfriend all the time .

Secondly, my aunt and uncle have been avoiding as much as possible. They won't admit to it, but I know it's true. That's fine. I don't want to be anywhere near them. They've kept too many secrets from me. I had a whole other life I didn't know about.

Thirdly, the reason they're avoiding me is because they didn't tell me about my twin brother.

They made the excuse that I wasn't "old enough" to know. That finding out that they weren't my real parents was pressure enough for one year. I disagree.

Telling me they're my parents is one thing, acting like I don't have a sibling or likes me is another (of course, I now know Gertrude isn't my sibling, thank goodness).

They showed me a recent picture Dumbledore gave them. If it wasn't for him, I still wouldn't know about my twin.

His name is Dathaniel. He has short black hair and brown eyes and resembles our mother, apparently. He has freckles and a friendly smile.

According to Dumbledore, he's lived in America since our parents died with the other side of our family, Mum's side. Since they have no magic schools over there, he didn't find out he was a wizard until a few months ago, when he ran away from home. His current location is the Leaky Cauldron, where he is staying with - according to the Daily Prophet - Harry. We've communicated by owl post but we have yet to meet in person.

Just when I thought my life couldn't get any crazier.

******************************************

"Harry! Dathaniel! HARRY! DATHANIEL!" Hermione shouts.

We are sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour, all of us, Ron looking incredibly freckle and Hermione and me very brown, all waving frantically at Harry and Dathaniel, whom I run up to and give a big hug which he returns gladly. We're both laughing and hanging on so tightly I swear we'll stop breathing.

I've changed a bit over the summer. I've stopped wearing my hair in braids and now let it fall loosely around my shoulders. I've grown into my features a bit and now choose any opportunity I can to wear pink.

"Finally!" says Ron, grinning at Harry and Dathaniel as they sit down. "We went to the Leaky Cauldron, but they said you'd left, and we went to Flourish and Blotts, and Madam Malkin's, and-"

"We got all our school stuff last week," Harry explains. "And how come you know I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Dad," says Ron simply before turning to Dathaniol. "I'm Ron Weasley, and that's Hermione Granger. You must be Dawn's brother Dathaniel."

"Yeah, but you can call me Danny."

Mr Weasley, who works at the Ministry of Magic, would of course heard the whole story of what happened to Harry's Aunt Marge, so, naturally, me and Hermione have been filled in.

"Did you really blow up your aunt, Harry?" I say very seriously.

"He didn't mean to," says Danny, while Ron roars with laughter. "He just - lost control."

"It's not funny, Ron," says Hermione sharply. "Honestly, I'm amazed Harry wasn't expelled."

"So am I," admits Harry. "Forget expelled, I thought I was going to be arrested." He looks at Ron. "Your dad doesn't know why Fudge let me off, does he?"

"Probably 'cause it's you, isn't it?" shrugs Ron, still chuckling. "Famous Harry Potter and all that. I'd hate to see what the Ministry'd do to me if I blew up an aunt. Mind you, they'd have to dig me up first, because Mum would've killed me. Anyway, you can ask Dad yourself this evening. We're staying at the Leaky Cauldron tonight, too! So you can come to King's Cross with us tomorrow! Hermione and Dawn's there as well!"

Me and Hermione nod, beaming. "Aunt Daisy and Uncle Zach dropped me off this morning with all my Hogwarts things," I say. "And the best part? Gertrude's been staying with her boyfriend for the past two weeks. Some dude called Zabini Blaise."

"Excellent," says Danny happily. Harry's obviously told him about our devil cousin. "And while we're on the topic of boys, I expect to meet your boyfriend at some point, Dawn. Harry's told me all about him." I glare at Harry and me smiles at me apologetically. He can never keep his big mouth shut. But Dathaniel seems outgoing and fun. A perfect brother. "So, have you got all your new books and stuff?"

"Look at this," says Ron, pulling a long thin box out of a bag and opening it. "Brand-new wand. Fourteen inches, willow, containing one unicorn tail-hair. And we've got all our books" - he points at a large bag under his chair. "What about those Monster Books, eh? The assistant nearly cried when we said we wanted three."

"What's all that, Hermione, Dawn?" Harry asks, him and Danny pointing at not two, but six bulging bags in the chairs next to us.

"Well, we're taking more new subjects than you, aren't we?" says Hermione. "Those are our books for Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, the Study of Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies-"

"What are you doing Muggle Studies for?" says Ron, rolling his eyes at Harry and Danny. "You're Muggle-born! Your mum and dad are Muggles and your aunt's one, Dawn! You both already know all about Muggles!"

"But it'll be fascinating to study them from a wizarding point of view," I say earnestly.

"Are you planning to sleep or eat at all this year, Hermione, Dawn?" asks Danny, while Ron sniggers. Hermione and me ignore them.

"We've still got ten galleons each," Hermione says, both of us checking our purses. "It's my birthday in September, and Mum and Dad gave me some money to myself an early birthday present. They gave you something to apologise for all the drama, didn't they, Dawn?"

"How about a nice book?" says Ron innocently.

"No, I don't think so," I say composedly. "I really want an owl. I mean, Harry's got Hedwig and you've got Errol-"

"I have an owl, too, her name's Midnight. I bought her last week," says Danny.

"And I haven't," says Ron. "Errol's a family owl. All I've got is Scabbers." He pulls his pet rat out of his pocket. "And I want to get him checked over," he adds, placing Scabbers on the table in front of us. "I don't think Egypt agreed with him."

Scabbers is looking thinner than usual, and there is a definite droop to his whiskers.

"There's a magical-creature shop just over there," says Harry, who must know Diagon Alley very well by now. "You can see if they've got anything for Scabbers, and Hermione and Dawn can get their owls."

So we pay for our ice-creams and cross the street to the Magical Menagerie.

There isn't much room inside. Every inch of wall is hidden by cages. It is smelly and very noisy because the occupants of these cages are all squeaking, squawking, jabbering or hissing. The witch behind the counter is already advising a wizard on the care of double-ended newts, so Harry, Danny, Ron, Hermione and me wait, examining the cages.

A pair of enormous purple toads sit gulping wetly and feasting on dead blowflies. A gigantic tortoise with a jewel-encrusted shell is glittering near the window. Poisonous orange snails are oozing slowly up the side of their glass tank, and a fat white rabbit keeps changing into a silk top hat and back again with a loud popping noise. Then there are cats of every colour, a noisy cage of ravens, a basket of funny custard-coloured furballs that are humming loudly, and, on the counter, a vast cage of sleek black rats which are playing some sort of skipping game using their long bald tails.

The double-ended newt wizard leaves and Ron approaches the counter.

"It's my rat," he tells the witch. "He's been a bit off-colour ever since I brought him back from Egypt."

"Bang him on the counter," says the witch, pulling a pair of heavy black spectacles out of her pocket.

Ron lifts Scabbers out of his inside pocket and places him next to the cage of his fellow rats, who stop their skipping tricks and scuffle to the wire for a better look.

Like nearly everything Ron owns, Scabbers the rat is second-hand and a bit battered. Next to the glossy rats in the cage, he looks especially woebegone.

"Hm," says the witch, picking Scabbers up. "How old is this rat?"

"Dunno," says Ron. "Quite old. He used to belong to my brother."

"What powers does he have?" says the witch, examining Scabbers closely.

"Er-" says Ron. The truth is that Scabbers has never shown the faintest trace of interesting powers. The witch's eyes move from Scabber's tattered left ear to his front paw, which has a toe missing, and tuts loudly.

"He's been through the mill, this one," she says.

"He was like that when Percy gave him to me," says Ron defensively.

"An ordinary, common or garden rat like this can't be expected to live longer than three years or so," says the witch. "Now, if you were looking for something a bit more hard-wearing, you might like one of these..."

She indicates the black rats, who promptly start skipping again. Ron mutters, "Show-offs."

"Well, if you don't want a replacement, you can try this Rat Tonic," says the witch, reaching under the counter and bringing out a small red bottle.

"OK," says Ron. "How much - OUCH!"

Ron buckles as somethings huge, orange and patched come soaring from top of the highest cages, land on their heads and then propel themselves, spitting madly, at Scabbers.

"NO, CROOKSHANKS, LIZZIE, NO!" cries the witch, but Scabbers shoots from between her hands like a bar of soap, lands splay-legged on the floor and then scarpers for the door.

"Scabbers!" Ron shouts, haring out of the shop after him; Harry and Danny follow.

****************************************

Hermione and me come out of the shop, but we're not carrying owls. Hermione's arms are clamped tightly around the enormous ginger cat whilst mine are clamped around the enormous tortoiseshell.

"You bought those monsters?" says Ron, his mouth hanging open.

"They're gorgeous, aren't they?" says Hermione, she and I glowing.

Hermione's cat's fur is thick and fluffy, but it is definitely a bit bow-legged and its face looks grumpy and oddly squashed, as though it has run headlong into a brick wall. My cat's fur is thin and coarse, but she has straight, athletic legs and her face looks happy and like any other cat's. Now that Scabbers is out of sight, the cat's are purring contentedly in mine and Hermione's arms.

"Hermione, Dawn, those things nearly scalped me!" says Ron.

"They didn't mean to, did you, Crookshanks, Lizzie?" I say.

"And what about Scabbers?" says Ron, pointing at the lump in his chest pocket. "He needs rest and relaxation! How's he going to get it with those things around?"

"That reminds me, you forgot your Rat Tonic," says Hermione, she and I slapping the small red bottle into Ron's hand. "And stop worrying, Crookshanks and Lizzie will be sleeping in our dormitory and Scabbers in yours. What's the problem? Poor Crookshanks, poor Lizzie, that witch said they'd been there for ages: no one wanted them."

"I wonder why," says Ron sarcastically, as we set off towards the Leaky Cauldron.

We find Mr Weasley sitting in the bar, reading the Daily Prophet.

"Harry! And you must be Dathaniel!" he says, smiling as he looks up. "How are you?"

"Fine, thanks," Danny says, as he, Harry, Ron, Hermione and me join Mr Weasley with all our shopping. "But please, call me Danny."

Mr Weasley puts down his paper, and I see the now familiar picture of Sirius Black staring up at me.

"They still haven't caught him, then?" Harry asks.

"No," says Mr Weasley, looking extremely grave. "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to try and find him, but no luck so far."

"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" asks Ron. "It'd be good to get some more money-"

"Don't be ridiculous, Ron," says Mr Weasley, who on closer inspection looks very strained. "Black's not going to be caught by a thirteen-year-old wizard. It's the Azkaban guards who'll get him back, you mark my words."

At that moment, Mrs Weasley enters the bar, laden with shopping and followed by the twins, Fred and George, who are about to start their fifth year at Hogwarts, the newly elected Head Boy, Percy, and the Weasleys' youngest children and only girls, Ginny and Misty, who was officially adopted over the summer. Ginny looks like the rest of the Weasleys, with her red hair, but Misty is quite different. She has glossy blonde hair and looks very pretty this year. I'm not saying she didn't last year, but...her hair just seems lighter and her braces have gone.

Ginny, who has always been very taken with Harry, seems even more heartily embarrassed than usual when she and Misty see us, perhaps because he saved their lives during their last term at Hogwarts. They both go very red and Misty mutters "hello" without either of them looking at Harry or Danny. Percy, however, holds out his hand solemnly as though he and Harry have never met and says, "Harry. How nice to see you. And you must be Dathaniel, yes?"

"Hello, you must be Percy," Danny say, both he and Harry trying not to laugh. "You can call me Danny."

"I hope you're both well?" says Percy pompously, shaking hands. It is probably rather like being introduced to the mayor.

"Very well, thanks-" says Harry.

"Harry! Danny!" says Fred, elbowing Percy out of the way and bowing deeply. "Simply splendid to see you, old boys-"

"What are we?" I say. "Fried chicken?"

"Marvellous," says George, pushing Fred aside and seizing Harry and Danny's hands in turn. "Absolutely spiffing."

Percy scowls.

"That's enough, now," says Mrs Weasley.

"Mum!" says Fred, as though he's only just spotted her, and seizes her hand, too. "How really corking to see you-"

"Still waiting!" I sing, and Fred grins at me.

"I said, that's enough," says Mrs Weasley, depositing her shopping in an empty chair. "Hello, Harry, dear. How nice to meet you, Dathaniel. I suppose you've both heard our exciting news?" She pointed at the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest. "Second Head Boy in the family!" she says, swelling with pride.

"And last," Fred mutters under his breath.

"Maybe the reason Bill was Prefect was because he and Dumbledore liked to share hair-styling tips..." I say with mock thoughtfulness, but quietly so that hardly anyone can hear me. Fred snorts and tries to contain a smile and look seriously at his mother.

"I don't doubt that," says Mrs Weasley, frowning suddenly. "I notice they haven't made you two Prefects."

"What do we want to be Prefects for?" says George, looking revolted at the very idea. "It'd take all the fun out of life."

Ginny and Misty giggle.

"You want to set a better example to your sisters!" snaps Mrs Weasley.

"Ginny and Misty've got other brothers to set them an example, Mother," says Percy loftily. "I'm going up to change for dinner..."

He disappears and George heaves a sigh.

"We tried to shut him in a pyramid," he tells Harry and Danny. "But Mum spotted us."

******************************************

Dinner that night is a very enjoyable affair. Tom the innkeeper puts three tables together in the parlour and the eight Weasleys, Harry, Danny, Hermione and me eat our way through five delicious courses.

"How're we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" asks Fred, as we tuck into a sumptuous chocolate pudding.

"Yeah. How do you guys get to Kings Cross?" I say.

"The Ministry's providing a couple of cars," says Mr Weasley.

Everyone looks up at him.

"Why?" says Percy curiously.

"It's because of you, Perce," says George seriously. "And there'll be little flags on the bonnets, with HB on them-"

"for Humungous Bighead," says Fred.

"Or Hairy Bull-" I begin, but Fred puts his hand over my mouth before many people realise what I was about to say. We both start laughing silently.

Everyone except Percy and Mrs Weasley snort into their puddings.

"Why are the Ministry providing cars, Father?" Percy asks again, in a dignified voice.

"Well, as I haven't got one anymore," says Mr Weasley, "and I work there, they're doing me a favour..."

His voice is casual, but I can't help noticing that Mr Weasley's ears have gone red, just like Ron's do when he's under pressure.

"Good job, too," says Mrs Weasley briskly. "Do you realise how much luggage you've all got between you? A nice sight you'd be on the Muggle Underground...You are all packed, aren't you?"

Ron hasn't put all his new things in his trunk yet," says Percy in a long-suffering voice. "He's dumped them on my bed."

"You'd better go and pack properly, Ron, because we won't have much time in the morning," Mrs Weasley calls down the table. Ron scowls at Percy.

After dinner everyone feels very full and sleepy. One by one we make our way up to our rooms to check our things for the next day. I'm sharing with Hermione and Danny with Harry, since there are not many rooms left with the rest of us here. The last thing I think before I drift off to sleep is that Danny has settled in rather well with everyone already...

*

Question of the chapter: Dumbledore or Mrs Dursley?