A/N: Here's the first chapter to a story I've been working on for quite sometime now. I've been over-thinking this story way too hard for way too long so I thought I would throw the first chapter out there to see how you guys feel about it. Depending on how this goes, I might start posting the chapters.

This is a semi-canon story so there will be changes and some things will be different, though mostly it does follow the timeline.

Hopefully you guys enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I wish.

August 1976

It was a busy day in Diagon Alley.

The unique stores were swarming with witches and wizards doing last minute shopping before term started the following week. The lines to every shop were incredible, pouring out of doorways and onto the cobblestone streets.

I was standing outside of Magical Menagerie, a stone cold expression was on my face. I had my hands in the pocket of my ripped blue jeans. My bowtruckle, Rooty, was on my shoulder a small arm wrapped around a wisp of wavy black hair. I knew his eyes were where mine were locked on; the walls of cramped magical creatures stuffed into cages. The walls were lined with owls, kneazles, pygmy puffs, baby nifflers, and all creatures alike. All in unbearable living conditions and exploited for entertainment and money. I could feel the negative energy radiating from outside; it made me sick.

My pale green eyes darted over each animal, the anxiety and empathy I was feeling grew more intense. I met the gaze of the saleswoman behind the counter, she gave me a resentful sneer. I felt a spark in my chest and clenched my jaw. I was lifting my hand out of my pocket before a large rough hand grabbed my wrist, "Kari." A stern voice lifted my gaze and into familiar brown eyes, Mithras. My guardian eldest brother.

Mithras, or as we call him Ras for short, was at first glance, a very scary man. He had grown to be well over six foot and years of playing quidditch as a beater had bulked him up. He had our family staple of shining black hair, brown eyes, and tan complexion. In his Hogwarts days, he was such a heartthrob with all the ladies and quite the rebel.

"Relax," I wrenched my small wrist out of his claws, "I wasn't going to jinx the place again… just maybe give that saleswoman a much needed makeover." I gave him my most brilliant mischievous smile. It equally combated his willful attempt at looking like a parent.

"We talked about this Kariana, you're not allowed near the shop since you unlocked all the cages last summer. Well over three hundred magical creatures had to be recovered!"

"With thirty-four still roaming free." He cracked a smile.

"Still it wasn't easy for me to convince the Ministry that it was impossible for a fourth year to use the unlocking charm on two hundred cages. I'm still fairly new, I need to pull my own weight before using my position to our advantage, which includes getting you out of trouble. Mo and Matt already do enough shit, can't you at least be more careful?" I rolled my eyes as we walked down the Alley towards the Leaky Cauldron. I was nowhere near as insane as other two brothers.

Mormo and Matton were twins and in my opinion, the best. Of course, I thought all three of my older brothers were the best people in the fucking world but Mo and Matt were my best friends hands down. It was typical of our twenty-year old brother, trying to be a parent all the while finding it hilarious. I couldn't help the twinge of guilt that I felt though.

Our parents had died when we were young. My mother was an amazing witch and my father a remarkable muggle. Mum was in magical law enforcement for MACUSA while dad was a primary muggle school teacher. We were living in the United States and Mithras had just finished his first year at Ilverymorny. He was twelve and the twins had just celebrated their tenth birthday. It happened in not too long after the fourth of July. I don't like to think about it.

The sudden passing of our parents left us under the care of our grandparents who lived in England. So we packed our things and left our life behind. And when they passed… well it all fell to Mithras.

He was eighteen when he was put in charge of us three younger siblings. Fresh out of Hogwarts, he landed a prestigious position at the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry thanks to several letters of recommendation from both Hogwarts and Ilverymorny. There wasn't too much pressure, our parents left us with an inheritance. Now it wasn't a crazy amount but it was enough to get us by the past couple years. We were all teenagers by that time anyway so there wasn't much raising Ras had to do, more or less just keeping alive and out of trouble.

Mithras sighed, "I'm worried about you this year."

"Why?" I knew the answer, I was particularly lacking in the social experience department. I didn't have many friends at Hogwarts being that I thought a part of the student population were judging twats.

I've always been very closely attached to animals, magical and non-magical. There was this connection, or I wasn't sure how to explain it, but I felt connected to creatures to an extent that even where if I could explain it, wizards were even confused. I could sense creatures' emotions and there would be this bond that formed. They understood me and I understood them.

This didn't go unnoticed in my first few years at Hogwarts. Emma Vanity had seen me speaking to Rooty in my pocket one morning in Potions. After class, the slag tried to perform the full body bind spell on me in an attempt to steal him, she missed - of course, anyone would be incapable of performing adequate magic with that much air in their brain. Rooty, the small but fierce warrior became primal. He slipped from my grasp and leapt to gouge Vanity's eyes out before I managed to pull him off of her. The twat went to Slughorn for punishment, discussing suspension and the riddance of Rooty. Luckily, Lily Evans came forward as a witness telling the truth to Professor McGonagall ceasing all talk of punishment on my side though she did give a hefty lecture of containing my 'pet'. Emma received a night of detention but that didn't stop her from spreading rumors throughout the entire school. By the end of the day everyone had painted me freak and I couldn't be bothered to care since well Emma Vanity is a bitch and two, the only opinions I cared about were my brothers'. If the rest of the kids wanted to believe whatever rumors rather than actually get to know me then so be it. As far as the kids at school knew, I was the quiet, weird Redwood sister that spent way too much time alone and with magical beasts; I didn't try to change their presumptuous opinions. That was my take and the twins agreed. Ras, did not. He wanted me to have the experience my mom always told us about. She had gone to Hogwarts before moving to America. Our childhood was filled of her stories about her education there, her friends, and adventures. Mithras constantly reminded me that she would've wanted the same experience for me and not to spend my time alone, with creatures, or with my brothers. So this lecture was usual around this time of year.

"You can't show off this year." I turned to look at him, shocked. That wasn't usually how this conversation went. What did he mean?

"What do you mean? And I don't show off!"

Ras stopped and pulled her into Quality Quidditch Supplies, "Getting all O's on your OWLs last year?"

I scoffed, "Shouldn't you be, well I don't know, proud?" We walked towards the back where the polishes were. "Marlene McKinnon got a new broom for her marks and she only received two O's."

He gave me some hard side-eye and started comparing two different brands, "We all know you could've passed the OWLs in your second year." Ras had told me before that my magic had been impressive to begin with. He told stories of me performing accidental magic as a baby. When I was barely a year old, apparently I had turned my father's hair purple after a crying fit. I started been learning, practicing magic at the age of six when Mithras first gotten into Ilvermorny. I was an avid reader at that age and being the beast fanatic myself, I couldn't possibly resist when I saw his copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. After finishing the book, curiosity got the best of me and I would sneak one book after another. Matt had caught me reading a bunch of Ras's second year school books. It took some convincing but since I hadn't had the trace on me yet, Matt started teaching simple spells and charms. Then once Mo and Mithras found out, they joined in on training me throughout the years. In time, I had bested all of my brothers in one form of magic or another. To me, magic was as easy as walking.

Mithras cleared his throat, chose a type of broom polish, then lowered his voice, "I've been hearing things around the ministry. Even in my department. All these deaths that've been happening, it's a dark wizard. He's coming to power, he's recruiting and the ministry is covering it up to prevent chaos." His brown eyes bore into mine. I could see fear, it was the same look he had when our parents died. "Word is, is that soon he's going to start recruiting students." I was confused, there were only whispers of a dark wizard rising to power. Only those who were conspiracy theorists or read the Quibbler believed that it was actually true. Did he think I was going to be inclined to join? I began to say something sarcastic but what my brother said next changed my mind. "Those deaths are the people who said no to join." He was worried. Not in the usual way as in I might get into trouble, but as in he was worried for my life.

"It's not like I'm running around the castle dueling, firing off patronuses everywhere. No one even knows I received all O's anyway besides the professors." We paid four sickles for the polish and exited the store. "I know you're worried but I'm not an idiot. I know how to lie low, I've been doing it for five years, and it's not going to change in the next two. Now come off it, you know I don't have any friends to brag to either." I joked.

Ras sighed and ruffled my hair, a sign of him relaxing and cheering up, "Alright. Don't get me started on that subject either. Now let's go see what those losers we call brothers have gotten into at the Leaky Cauldron." I grinned again.

We entered the musty pub and the energy matched that of the alley outside. There were a number of guests including wizard families enjoying a bite and the lowly wizards who chose to start drinking in the early afternoons. Our brothers had made the executive decision to join the latter group. Mo and Matt seemed to be in the middle of what I could only assume was a very intense firewhiskey drinking contest. I assumed the goal was to finish a pint They were joined by a few fellow Hogwarts students and a few Leaky regulars who were egging on the competition.

"Oh bloody hell." Mithras groaned and I covered my mouth to hide my suppressed laughter.

Three students more students seemed to be in the contest; seventh year Oliver Zaybee and my fellow sixth years, Sirius Black, and James Potter. Marlene McKinnon and Dorcas Meadows, both seventh years, were in the audience. They all played on the quidditch team with my brothers. I had spoken to Oliver on several accounts being that he was friends with my only semi-non-magical-creature-friend Lily Evans. James and Sirius I had barely said two words to. As for Marlene and Dorcas, they were nice to me when we passed in the halls but I always thought that was because they fancied Matt and Mo. This was unusual for me to see my classmates outside of school. I made an effort not to let the abnormality get to me.

Instead, I turned to look at my twin brothers. They were just as tall as Mithras but leaner in build. Of course, they both had the same brown eyes as my oldest brother - I was the only one in the family with strange green eyes. Their black hair was long and while Mormo always kept it up, Matton's was always down and loose. A perfect ode to their slightly different personalities. Both being the most cheerful people I've ever met, Mo was slightly more reserved than Matt. Mo was keeper of the Gryffindor team along with Matt as first beater. Everyone loved them at Hogwarts, including the professors even though they often had their run in with trouble as usual with most male students. Staring at my brothers, laughing as whiskey spilled over their cups and down their shirts. It reminded me of years ago when they both couldn't consume anything without it ending up all over them.

Matt was the first to finish, firewhiskey dripping all over his mouth, covering his Fleetwood Mac shirt. The crowd cheered as his let out a large - very close to vomiting - belch. Mo finished third with Sirius in second and Potter in fourth. Laughing, I climbed on top of a rickety stool to cheer on my brother. Matt caught sight of me and waved, "Look here Mo, our little sister cheering on her favorite brother!"

Mo swayed as he looked up, "Nah dude, she's just hoping you'll buy her a shot."

"Oi!" Matt waved Tom over, "Another round of shots on me!"

Mithras had his head in his hands and looked like he was about to protest, I grabbed his shoulder. Standing on the stool I was actually tall enough to reach, "Take a day off, join your siblings for some much needed debauchery." I gave him my best puppy dog eyes. He was a sucker for them and after mentioning that it was our last week before school, he gave.

"I'm not taking care of you lot when you're hungover tomorrow." He passed down several shots through the group. Once we all had shots in our hands we made a toast.

"To being the best drinker in the room!" Matt called out grinning, Mo rolled his eyes at his twin. There a number of cheers before everyone took their shots.

Mithras went ahead and started ordering another round. Matt started hitting on an older witch at the far end before getting dragged away by Mo. Keeping my place on the stool, I had a view of everything.

James and Sirius were standing in front of me, James had to grip his friend for support while he leaned over, "Wager he won't even remember this tomorrow?"

"Five galleons?" Sirius smirked.

I leaned in, "Make it ten." They both gave me incredulous looks as I giggled. The boys seemed as surprised as I was that I was speaking. The liquor was strong and I was weak against it.

Tom passed more drinks around and Sirius Black lifted one up to me with an odd look on his face. I shrugged, "It's holiday." Then downed the fiery liquid. "How are you not fucked up right now?" I asked as I climbed down. I had seen him chug a whole pint of firewhiskey yet he was still standing, looking amazingly unaffected.

"Firewhiskey and I go way back, we're good friends." He leaned against the bar and ran his finger through his hair. I could've laughed at how ridiculous he looked, like he was trying to impress someone.

"Don't listen to 'em," James chimed in. "He's absolutely pissed." Sirius went to rebut but was interrupted.

"Bless my soul, is that Kariana Redwood socializing?" Oliver Zaybee grabbed me by the shoulders, he was just as plastered as the rest of them. He hand a pint of butterbeer "I've been telling 'ya for years to liven up, it's the dawn of a new age gents!" He raised his glass about spilling more than half of his drink. I was shaking with laughter. Oliver was a drama queen at that. He had come out ages ago, probably first year. No one really cared though, except possibly Slytherin. From what I saw at school, he was liked by everyone. He shook his auburn hair out of his face and looked at me, a flash of clarity passed through his golden eyes, "I'm going to find you a man this year."

I chuckled, "Okay, Oliver. Good luck with that." Shit what was even going on?

Oliver smiled and looked over at Sirius, his jaw dropped, "Merlin! You should date Sirius!" He grabbed the sides of his face as if he was mentally kicking himself for not thinking of it before. I stared at him trying to find a hint of humor in his face, I didn't find it. My face grew hot, from the alcohol or from Oliver's laughable comment

My eyes glanced over to Sirius who was staring at Oliver like a deer in headlights, James was keeling over chuckling, "Oh... wow, okay..." I sputtered out, "Wow, i'm obviously way to sober for this." I grabbed two more shots and downed them, thankful for my tolerance not being complete actual shit. I was regretting the whole situation.

"You can stop corrupting my little sister now Oliver," Mo, my savior, joined us, "Up for a drinking game?" I had accepted before he finished his question.

The rest of the night ended in a wild blur. The alcohol definitely hit me as I spoke more to my classmates. The last I remember was Ras pulling a limp Matt over his shoulders before flooing him home.

It was a great night and looking back, maybe I should've seen it as a sign that things were going to be different this year.

xxx

The next morning I awoke in a haze. The room spun at least four times when I first opened my eyes. I had to wait for them to settle before I dared to sit up.

My head was nestled into my soft pillows, in my drunken stupor I had cocooned myself in my quilt. I groaned as I realized I was still in last nights clothes. Changing would be an effort. What the fuck even happened last night?

Memories of the beginning flooded in, I cringed from Oliver's comment. That had been awkward enough. Deciding to save me more potential embarrassment, I chose not to think about what else could've possibly been said at my first social event with my classmates. Still in my cocoon I slid out of bed and managed to grab myself some comfier clothes.

After dressing myself and lying in bed for another moment to think my life over and my horrible decisions in drinking, it was time for me to go downstairs. I was praying Matt had gotten up early being the first one sent one and made breakfast. Matt was a great cook being that his favorite hobby was eating.

The scent of bacon filled my nostrils as I entered the hallway. Yes! With a little more pep to my step, I entered the kitchen. There sitting at my small kitchen table with Mo was Oliver Zaybee and Sirius Black. I froze. I was in my pajamas and they weren't my most conservative shorts. Matt was working in the kitchen. Was this real? Was I still drunk?

I was thinking of whether or not the food was worth it. As I considered going back to bed, Mo caught sight of me, "Morning Kari!" He greeted me cheerfully, giving me a kiss on the top of my head.

"Uh, morning?" I slowly joined the group at the table. Oliver looked rough, his blonde hair was sticking straight up, it was as if he hadn't slept for months. Sirius though, it was as if he hadn't drank my brothers under the table but had gotten a fucking proper nights sleep. He was staring into his half drunken cup of coffee. "So is anyone going to tell me why you two are here?"

"Wow Kari, you're so fucking welcoming in the morning." Oliver responded. "You also mean the three of us. James is still sleeping. Your brother invited us back to play drunk quidditch."

"Matt?" My brother shook his head.

"I was sent home remember?" He set down plates of bacon, eggs, and crumpets.

"You don't remember last night?" Sirius asked suddenly.

"I mean bits and pieces, mostly from the beginning, the end not so much." Sirius stared at me but I couldn't read his expression. Sighing, he focused back on his now empty cup of coffee.

"Ras invited us." He mumbled.

I almost spat out my bacon, "No fucking way. How drunk was he?" How could I have possibly missed him getting drunk?

"Absolutely knackered." Mo grinned. They went on about their two-on-two game with Mo as keeper. It wasn't a common occurrence for my oldest brother to invited drunk underage wizards over for a game of quidditch at three in the morning. I chuckled to myself at the thought of seeing him so gone. And after all that moaning and matriarchal shit about drinking. I was hoping this was a sign of my brother starting to let loose again. Mo and Matt were entering their seventh and final year at Hogwarts, mine, my sixth. We were getting older and maybe now Ras would finally stop worrying about taking care of us so much and focus on himself for once.

James eventually woke up and joined our recollecting of last nights festivities, "Mo, was I just completely hammered or were you snogging Dorcas last night?"

Mo blushed and I felt the annoying little sister part of me kick in. "I think I remember that." I teased.

He glared at me, "Really? Because I remember seeing Rooty in your pocket when you were told not to bring him." I felt the little bowtruckle stir in my hair bun.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Keep your gob shut or I'll pound you into the dirt underneath Matt's toenails." I threatened, half forgetting we had guests, half not caring.

"I know you can kid. But come on, feeding him doxy eggs in Gringotts? At least one of us were going to see you."

"But come on, snogging Dorcas at the Leaky Cauldron? At least one of us were going to see you." My favorite brother Matt smirked.

I threw a crumpet at Mo, "Rooty as attachment issues and you know that!" He put his hands up in surrender.

"If you all are done with your endearing sibling bullshit, can we please talk about the Dorcas situation." Oliver prodded as he tucked into his eggs.

I was listening mostly when I took notice Sirius wasn't talking at all. I studied the boy for a moment. He was leaning back casually in his chair, arms crossed. His eyes were staring out the kitchen window and into the backyard gardens. His dark hair was tousled in front of his eyes. The Sirius I saw in school had always been so lighthearted and in such high spirits when he wasn't dueling in the corridors. He, James, and their other two best mates Remus and Peter were always known for causing trouble. It was entertaining; I always admired how ballsy of stunts they pulled. Girls at school worshiped him in a way as I can only describe as repulsing but as much as I hated to admit... they were right. He wasn't 'godly' as the girls repeatedly said but he was extremely good looking. He often had a reputation for being a womanizer but as I already knew, rumors tended to be ghoul shit. However, this Sirius was less lively and resembled more of a pouting puppy.

His striking grey eyes looked up meeting my pale green and it recalled a memory from last night.

We had finished whatever bizarre drinking game Mo had us playing. The rest of the group had ventured around the pub talking among themselves, getting more drink. Sirius and I were the only ones left at the table. His head was thrown back, roaring at something I said. The memory made my stomach flip. I took that as nerves from being left alone with a boy from school I had barely ever talked to when I was drunk and have no recollection of what I said. I just prayed I hadn't said something weird and gone on about the thunderbird population in North America again.

I tore my eyes away from his and starting into my own cup. I really needed to stop drinking... or at least attain a higher tolerance. Especially if my brothers are going to be inviting our school mates around more often.

A/N: There you have it! Please review and let me know how you liked it!