Hi! Not my first work for Harry Potter, but it kind of is considering this plot has already been attempted before but I took that story down for a rewrite and here we are!

First: Serena has not entered Hogwarts until now and that is a major part of the plot so it won't be explored yet.

Second: Serena is Harry's cousin, the Dursley's first child and she is a schizophrenic. She is sociopathic and cruel but Harry is her soft spot, hmm?

Third: This plot is very complex and twisted - and I mean that in more ways than one - with it being stretched to a 3 part story.

So, now that the details - for now - are out there, I hope you all enjoy this. Review, fav and follow!

"Beware of the heartless who make your heart beat quickly.

They're only using yours because theirs won't start.

"Harry, I'm sure she's fine, stop worrying so much."

Harry finally looked away from the doors to the Great Hall, briefly catching Ron trying desperately to keep his head up. Hermione was staring at Harry with a sympathetic look, book in her hands. He sighed and looked back to the doors with renewed patience, but he only had so much and they knew that. Still, it was like watching someone getting stood up, he looked so lost and torn.

"She said fifteen minutes," Harry murmured, fear settling thickly in his gut. "Fifteen minutes and she'd be here - where is she?"

Hermione had never seen Harry so nervous, distressed, even back in second year when. . .she'd known he and his cousin, Serena, were close but since she didn't realize how attached he was, Hermione didn't really know how to comfort him on her tardiness. When it was just Harry, he was perfectly fine with their separation, but since Serena had announced her arrival the previous night via owl, he had been shaky; Ron said he didn't sleep and even snapped at Ron for taking too long in the lavatory.

Harry jerked as the doors slammed open, the room going relatively silent as Snape stormed in, dragging Serena by the upper arm. She had a devilish smirk on her lips as she stumbled beside him, red hair covering half of her face. She saw Harry and winked, scowling when Snape snapped something at her.

"Finally," Harry breathed, running a hand through his hair and completely used to her demeanor.

"Snape doesn't look very happy," Hermione commented, closing her book.

"When does the git ever look happy," Ron asked before taking a bite out of his chicken leg.

"Do you ever stop eating," Hermione grumbled.

"Ah, Severus," Dumbledore hummed as Snape jerked Serena to an abrupt halt. "I see you've found Miss Dursley."

Snape grumbled, basically sneering down at the girl and pushes her forward slightly. "Yes," he drawled and she adjusted her robes. "It would seem she was separated from the others while entering the castle."

"I didn't get separated," she snapped, brushing out her skirt. "I snuck away."

"Your honesty does nothing here, Miss Dursley," Snape drawled, glaring down at her.

"Its funny," she chirped then smiled at Dumbeldore, hands held in front of her. "Sir, may I please go sit with my cousin?"

"Of course, Miss Dursley." His eyes followed her as she smirked at Snape and wandered through the snickering and whispering students.

She plunked down beside Harry, reaching forward to pull an apple from the large bowl in the center of the table. "Sorry for worrying you, Harry." She smiled softly at him as he took a steadying breath. "I just got curious. . ."

"Of course." He hesitated, eyes darting to the faces around them. He looked back over to Serena again, watching her munch on the apple in her hand; she was staring at Snape, who was still glaring at her. "Did you take your meds?"

She stiffened. "We don't talk about that here," she snapped at him.

He sighed and hung his head in slight embarrassment. "Sorry. . ."

"I know you worry, Harry." She reached over and pulled him against her side. "And I appreciate it but I don't need to be a freak here like back home, do I?"

He sighed and shook his head. "No, Serena, I just got scared when you didn't show up on time. I thought -"

"Harry." She placed her free hand over his, a kind smile on her face. "I don't disappear anymore. Its been three years since I had an episode, the meds work. I take them. Calm down. Have a cupcake."

She reached forward and handed him a strawberry shortcake pastry, which he just stares at while she introduced herself to Hermione; she had already met Ron a handful of times and he was too busy stuffing his face.

It was like he was preparing for Winter.

Serena chuckled at something Hermione said and then noticed Ron scrambling for the roll he had dropped. "Do you ever stop eating," she questioned, brow furrowed in concern.

Ron ignores her and Serena rolled her eyes. "So," she started, leaning forward. "What'd I miss?"

"Nothing much," Hermione muttered. "Just the sorting and some of the professors expressed worry about you being gone."

Serena hummed under her breath and toyed with a strand of her hair. "I don't really know why they were worried." She shrugged. "Its not like anything happened, they knew I arrived and everything. I was fine."

"They seemed to think otherwise," Hermione chirped. "How did you happen to get caught by Professor Snape." She said his name like it was a bad taste in her mouth.

Serena shrugged, picking at the red skin of her apple. "I was headed up to the Gryffindor common room and then he was there and hauling me down those moving stairs - I almost fell trying to get up them and he was dragging me around!"

"Why were you headed to the Gryffindor common room," Ron questioned around a mouthful of food.

Serena flicked away a bit of bread that had struck her cheek. "Say it, don't spray it." He ducked his head and she tore a bite from her apple. "And I was merely curious about the Fat Lady is all."

"Draco Malfoy is giving you the stink eye," Hermione murmured subtly, picking at the fish on her plate.

Serena blinked a couple of times and peered around the room, finding the boy in question. She smirked and winked at him, which only seemed to infuriate him even more. She chuckled softly and looked to Harry, chewing slowly on her food.

"What's his problem," she questioned.

"You're sitting at the Gryffindor table." Hermione answered simply. "The Sorting Hate claimed you Slytherin without you even being near it."

"Well, he'll just have to deal with it now won't he?" Serena raised an eyebrow across the room, knowing he could hear and daring him to say something. Draco glared back before turning his attention to the boy at his right. "He's a real wanker," Serena bit out, chewing on her bite of apple.

"You don't know the half of it." Hermione sighed dramatically. "Can I ask why you haven't been here until today? It seems quite strange."

"Beat around the bush 'mione," Ron murmured, examining the crêpe in his hand.

She stuck her tongue out at him before returning her attention to Serena, who was staring at her hands in a daze and wondering just how her apple core had disappeared; maybe she could learn how to do that here. When she caught Hermione's pointed stare, she grinned menacingly; medicine or not, she was the queen of uncomfortable interactions.

Hermione didn't look her straight in the eye after that.

"Dumbledore was pretty cryptic about it," she hummed, looking to the Headmaster; he wasn't paying attention to the students. "Just said it wasn't my time. Until about a week ago."

"And now it is." Hermione mused.

Serena shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Harry glanced at his cousin as he finished what he wanted from his plate, pushing it to the side. "Everything alright," he questioned.

She shrugged, elbows balanced on the edge of the table while she threaded her fingers under her chin. "Just feels weird. . .ya know? Maybe its just the meds. They make me feel like I have cotton in my ears. . ."

"Wish I could help." Harry frowned deeply and Serena chuckled.

"Sweetheart," she murmured kindly. "Its okay. Who knows, maybe there's a spell the cure or at least suppress schizophrenia."

Hermione cocked her head to the right, fingers drumming against the edge of the table. "I could do some research if you like," she started. "It sounds like a fascinating subject."

Serena gave her a strange look. "I guess. . .if you want," she hummed noncommittally. "Not like I really care."

"You have to care some." Hermione furrowed her brow. "Isn't it dangerous?"

Serena shrugged, running a bored finger around the rim of her goblet. "Sometimes," her eyes flickered up, catching Snape staring at her intently. "Mood swings. . ." She smiled a little. "Identity disorder. . .hyper sexuality. . .all a part of the package."

Harry shook her head slowly. "Only controlled by Muggle medicine." They were the only ones that seemed to care enough to treat the disorder.

Serena nodded as she took a couple of chicken legs. She could still feel Snape's gaze boring into the side of her head. If he was trying to make her uncomfortable, he had to try a Hell of a lot harder than that.

"He keeps looking at me," she mentioned.

The others shrugged, knowing exactly who she was talking about. "He's probably thinks you shame the Slytherin House by sitting with us," Ron stated. "That or he's gotten even weirder than usual."

Harry refrained from speaking suspicions, watching Serena nibble here and there, laugh and make a few new friends with the Gryffindors; Snape had finally taken his eyes off of Serena, but only because he was walking out of the Great Hall. Serena's eyes followed his back until he was gone, brow deeply furrowed with a mouthful of food; she could give Ron a run for his money.

"Aside from Mr. Creeper and the glare of snake people," she snickered when glares flickered her way. "This place is full of so much warmth."

Harry nodded in enthusiastic agreement, stomach full and ears buzzing. It was a huge difference from the Hell that was the Dursley household. Even though Serena was their first born, because of her powers and mental disorder, she was more alien than Harry.

It also didn't help that she looked like Harry's mother, her mothers sister. Dead sister. It was like a clone of his mom there sitting next to him. A disturbed, hungry clone.

"Its late," Harry said, catching everyone's attention. "We should head to bed."

Hermione nodded and swiped Ron's half empty plate from under him, which drew up a look of terror. "Honestly," she scolded. "You're disgusting sometimes."

Ron rolled his eyes and wiped his mouth with a napkin, which curled up and popped away. "C'mon, Harry," he said as he got up from the table.

"I'll be a minute," he replied, watching Hermione and Ron trail out of the Hall before he looked back to Serena. "Will you be alright," he asked.

She chuckled and waved a hand at him. "I'll be fine, Harry." She gave him a playful shove. "Go on, now."

Harry grinned and jogged off to catch up with his friends. Serena sighed and stood, looking around the room of dwindling students with deep interest. She loved Harry, she really did, but sometimes he could be stifling.

"I'll deal with that another day," she mumbled.

"Slytherin?! You put her in Slytherin?!"

"I did nothing," Dumbeldore said as he leaned over his desk, gesturing to the Sorting Hat sitting on his desk. "It did."

"It was not even touching her," Snape drawled, hands tightly clasped behind his back. "Tradition and decency dictates that she go through the ceremony just like all of the others."

Dumbeldore chuckled, eyebrows shooting into his hairline when he heard the soft pat of dress shoes. "Good thing I know that, hmm Severus?"

"I've already gotten my things unpacked," Serena said in an irritated manner, brushing past McGonagall and Snape like they weren't even there. "If this ratty old thing says I have to move, I'm gonna get. . .testy." Her eyes seemed to flash as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Dumbeldore chuckled again and stood smoothly, eyes watching McGonagall as she plucked up the Sorting Hat. "I have no doubts of where you will be placed, Miss Dursley."

Serena snorted, eyes darting to Severus as he came up to Dumbeldore's side, his eyes slightly hooded as he watch McGonagall place the hat upon Serena's red hair. It stirred then, Serena could feel that and she also felt a sort of numbness, a sharp prick between her ears. She blinked rapidly a few times before closing her eyes, releasing a small, calming sigh.

"Hurts to be inside of your head," the Hat mumbled and she could swear she felt it wiggle on the top of her head. "Too much going on, too many things to consider, too many personalities and traits to pin down. . .but there is a distinct lust inside of you. For power, to rule, also a strong need to protect. . .Harry Potter is your cousin, hmm." Serena growled a little and the Hat chuckled at her. "No, you can belong nowhere but Slytherin, Ravenclaw if your desires were prioritized."

Serena opened her eyes as McGonagall lifted the Hat from her head, lips slightly pursed. "So. . .still a snake, hmm?" Serena snorted. "Told you this was a waste of time." She arched an eyebrow at Dumbeldore. "Can I go now, sir? Harry is waiting for me."

Dumbeldore nodded with a smile and Serena bobbed her head, casting Severus a side glance. She winked as she turned completely, flipping her hair back over her shoulder. As she disappears through the door, Severus looks at the Headmaster, who only lowers himself with a sigh into his chair.

"Watch her, Severus." Dumbledore massaged the bridge of his nose. "She needs guidance. . ."

"And you believe I am the right one for the job?" He cast a glance at McGonagall, surprised to find she was already gone.

"Oh yes," Dumbeldore said with a nearly suspicious look in his eye. "There is no other."