A/N: If you've not yet read the first part of this (Unknowns), you don't have to strictly speaking, but you'll be missing out on a lot. Because I've created a very AU set-up, you'll understand best if you start at the beginning. It's only 34 chapters total, and a fairly fast-flowing read.

Also, for returning readers, the stampcard will count reviews from part one and part two, so if you didn't review the end of the last story, you can still go back and do it. ;)

If you don't know the stampcards, check my profile. If you'd like clarification, feel free to PM me.

-C

Lily rubbed her eyes, sitting up in bed as she heard the cheering of her son and husband downstairs. Judging from her husband's babbling, or what she could hear of it, Harry had received his Hogwarts letter, just a few days before his eleventh birthday.

She put her feet on the cool wood floor and stood. She had been planning to see Damocles Belby today, but she supposed it could wait for tomorrow. Knowing her husband, he would want to go shopping for Harry's school things immediately. Perhaps she should call Alice, take Harry and Neville shopping together.

"Lily!" James called up the stairs. "Lily, he's got it!"

"I could hear!" she yelled back, smiling at their responding laughter.

As if there could have been any doubt that Harry would receive his letter. Every time she tried to cut his hair, it grew right back to its wild, unmanageable length. Perhaps now that he was learning to control his magic, she would be able to give him a proper haircut.

Lily and James were older, busier, but not much changed for it. Living through a war had aged all their peers before their time, and responsibility was just something they took in stride. For James, it was taking care of their son. For Lily, it was healing people, and working on improvements to the Wolfsbane Potion she and Damocles had invented to help people like her dear friend, Remus.

She pulled on her dressing gown and went downstairs, where James was doing a fry-up, probably in celebration of the news.

Harry was at the kitchen table, the very picture of what his father looked like at eleven, except for his bright green eyes. He'd even chosen glasses remarkably similar to James's, and no matter what James made, the two of them seemed to put away massive amounts of food without putting on a pound between them. They burned enough calories flying about the countryside, playing pickup games of Quidditch with Sirius Black and his family at the Selwyn estate during Sirius's holiday breaks from Hogwarts, but Lily suspected that they could sit around doing nothing and still not gain any weight.

"Mum, can I write Uncle Sirius?" Harry asked as James put the kettle on. "Kitty will be so jealous."

"Of course you can," Lily said, fighting a smile.

Catherine, Sirius and Cara's eldest, was named for her mother in a strange way. When Cara first came into their lives she didn't know who she was, and she thought her name was Catherine, a name planted in her mind by Death Eaters. For the first months of their knowing each other, before her memories returned, the Order knew Cara as Catherine, and sometimes former Order members still called her Cate. Her husband regularly called her Cat.

When their eldest child was born, Sirius was adamant about naming her Catherine, in spite of possible confusion, and it proved to be a suitable choice. She was growing up to resemble her mother greatly, with dark brown hair, aristocratic features, and a perfectly tapered chin. The one thing she had from her father was his gray eyes.

Kitty, Sirius had dubbed her, a name reserved for family and friends, and when Sirius referred to her, he called her Kitty-Cat.

Harry and Kitty could be a bit competitive with each other, always trying to run faster than each other, sneak Cara's wand and outdo each other at simple spells, fly higher on brooms – even the toy brooms they'd used in very early childhood. She won some things, like magical issues, and he won most of the athletic pursuits.

Harry hurried off to write his letter, to have a slightly boastful moment over Catherine, even though she would be coming to Hogwarts next year. Lily walked up behind James, who was pouring the tea, and she wrapped her arms around his waist, kissing the back of his neck.

"Shopping this afternoon, love?" she asked. "Or tomorrow?"

"What works for you?"

"Either," she said. "I'll clear my schedule no matter which. Only, do you want to go with the Longbottoms, or alone?"

His body stiffened and she let go of him so he could turn around and put the tea on the table.

"I hadn't thought of that," he said, still grinning. "Go ahead and call Alice and see what they want to do. That might be fun for Harry, if he goes with a friend."

Lily kissed him and went to the sitting room to use the Floo. The sooner they got in touch, the quicker they could solidify their plans.

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Ron sat at the end of the kitchen table at the Burrow, reading over his shopping list. When his brothers got into Hogwarts, there had been a bigger to-do, and maybe he would have had a little more attention, had Percy not gotten a Prefect badge in his letter. Even Fred and George were focusing their efforts on teasing Percy about his badge instead of teasing Ron about the unknowns of the first year, like how students were Sorted into houses, or what house he would be put in.

Maybe he would write to his cousin, Rhea Prewett, about his letter. She might be jealous enough to care that he'd be going to Hogwarts.

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All the whining in the world would not budge his wife, but it made James feel better. He told his wife that it wasn't fair, that their son was in at Hogwarts and he wanted to go now, but Lily was unrelenting.

Alice and Frank couldn't take Neville until August, and so they weren't taking Harry until August 1st, and that was that.

"That's okay, Dad," Harry said, shrugging and smiling. He was still enjoying the idea that he could lord it over Catherine at his birthday party, but James was slightly disappointed that his son couldn't see how much better it would be to hold a wand when bragging. Catherine would never get over her envy.

At least, until her letter came next summer.

"Maybe I'll buy you a broom to make up for it," James said, scratching his chin. Harry was still using his father's old Shooting Star, and Catherine got to use a Comet because Cara didn't fight with Sirius like Lily did with James.

"No!" Lily said from the kitchen, and James winced. He was too loud. "He's not allowed a broom first year, James, you know better!"

"Stupid bloody rule," James grumbled, winking at Harry.

He'd figure out a way to get Harry a broom somehow. Maybe he'd have words with Minerva about how quick and agile Harry was on even a poor broom. Maybe she'd be desperate enough to finally win the Quidditch Cup again that she'd convince Dumbledore to bend the rules.

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Neville ate his lunch quietly, not wanting to wake his Gran, who was not feeling well, deciding to take a nap. She often napped when Neville was having lunch at her house, when his parents had shifts at the same time, as they would for the last few days of the month, including his birthday.

He didn't really mind. Gran's house was interesting, with lots of old pictures and books to explore, and a fascinating garden in the back that he could explore with caution. Gran kept a very close eye on him, but Neville knew it was for his own safety. He'd not shown spectacular signs of magic, and they weren't even sure he'd have magic strong enough to get into Hogwarts.

His mother arranged for them to go school shopping with Harry in a few days, after their birthdays. Neville thought that would be nice. It wouldn't be nearly as intimidating if he weren't the only one going through the steps of purchasing his school things, getting a wand, doing a robes fitting.

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Every year, on his birthday, Harry's parents held a birthday party for Harry at Godric's Hollow, inviting whomever he wished. This typically included the Blacks and the Longbottoms, although Neville and his parents were unable to come this year because they were celebrating his birthday a day late because of their work schedules.

Uncle Sirius and Aunt Cara brought their three children, Catherine, Jason, and Caroline, and Harry got to celebrate being another year older. Because Catherine turned ten in April, turning eleven felt like a particular accomplishment to Harry. His birthday was like a reset button, allowing him to be the oldest properly again.

Apart from Catherine, who had a spring birthday, all of Uncle Sirius's children were summer birthdays. Jason had just turned eight in May, and in about a week, Caroline would turn seven.

Catherine walked into the house holding her father's hand, with a bored, superior expression that seemed to come naturally to her.

"Happy birthday," she said, "and congratulations, I suppose."

Harry smirked as Uncle Sirius clicked his tongue.

"Be nice, Kitty-Cat," he teased. "Claws in. No, good for you, Harry. Bought your things yet?"

"We're taking him tomorrow," Harry's mother said, kissing Uncle Sirius on the cheek. "We're going with Frank and Alice."

Aunt Cara and Harry's mother kissed each other's cheeks as Caroline and Jason trailed in after her.

The eeriest thing, to Harry, was how Caroline was starting to learn her sister's facial expressions, the looks of superiority.

"Hey, Jason," Harry said. "Hey, Caro."

They chorused their hellos and Harry's dad called out, "Dinner's ready!"

All eight of them crowded around the kitchen table, and Harry's parents began dishing up dinner. Catherine and Harry sat across the table from each other, as usual. She sat almost unnaturally straight in her seat, and he purposefully slouched to tease her, knowing it bothered her when he slouched. Her nostrils twitched with irritation, and her eyebrows rose imposingly. She had such thick, smooth eyebrows, curved gracefully like they were painted on her face.

If things got quiet between the kids, Uncle Sirius and Harry's father did enough talking and silliness between them for all eight people, and they kept everyone entertained. Harry's dad would tease Caroline – which their mothers didn't particularly approve of – and Caroline would turn everything right back on him. The teasing that went on between Harry and Catherine was nothing to little Caroline, who teased virtually everyone she'd ever met.

"I hope you're looking forward to History of Magic, Harry," Uncle Sirius said, winking.

Harry said he was, but in truth, the subjects his uncles Sirius, Remus, and Severus (whom he'd always really thought of as Professor Snape) taught were the ones that made him most nervous. All of them were required Ordinary Wizarding Level subjects, and depending on what Harry wanted to do, he might need all of them at the NEWT level as well. History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Potions were notoriously difficult courses, although Harry suspected that the first two would at least be fun.

"What are you going to do this year, Kitty?" Harry said while his mother cleared the table for cake and presents.

Catherine's nostrils twitched again and she said, "Adra and I will probably have lots of fun without you lot."

Adrasteia Lestrange, Catherine's cousin, was Catherine's age and had two younger brothers she was always trying to escape from. Harry liked Catherine, in spite of their teasing each other, but he'd never liked Adrasteia. Catherine was talented and never actually acted better than she was – she was just far above ordinary – where Adrasteia thought she was better than even Catherine, and as far as Harry could tell she really wasn't that great. She didn't fly, she couldn't do any spells better than Catherine, and she didn't even like to run. Harry didn't really have much use for her.

"Yeah, sure," Harry said sarcastically as his mother brought out the cake. It wasn't fancy, but he knew it would be delicious, and as far as Harry was concerned, that was what really mattered.

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After Catherine had brushed her teeth and changed into her pajamas, she combed her long, brown hair, staring in the mirror. There was a knock at the door, and she told the knocker to enter.

Her father walked in, smiling at her.

"How are you, Kitty-Cat?" he asked, holding out his hands to her, which she took eagerly, dropping her comb and letting him kiss both hands, as was his custom. "Are you upset that you aren't going to Hogwarts this year?"

"Honestly?" she said, letting him pull her to her feet so she could walk to her bed. "Not really. I mean, Harry will be there first year by himself, but after he leaves I'll have seventh year without him there. And last is best, after all."

She knew her father was amused, and he probably had all kinds of arguments for why she was being silly, but she had the best father in the world, and he never told her she was wrong. Catherine wasn't stupid, she knew he was overindulgent. But other adults in her life were more than happy to tell her when she was being foolish, like her Uncle Rabastan, or any of her aunts.

"Daddy, why does Harry not like Adra?" Catherine asked as her father tucked her into bed, smoothing her hair away from her face as she settled her head onto her pillow.

He laughed his barking laugh and said, "You know she's full of it, Kitty. Harry doesn't like your cousin because she's a bit…self-impressed."

Catherine didn't really understand what meant, but she nodded thoughtfully, as she had been practicing, the nod that Uncle Remus did when he and Aunt Lily were speaking about things that had to do with work.

"Daddy, next year, when I get into Hogwarts, can we throw a party?"

He smiled, kissed her nose, and said, "Whatever you want, princess."

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Lily kissed James's lips and curled up next to him on the sofa. Harry had gone upstairs to write to Neville about his presents, since Neville couldn't be at his party.

"Will those two ever grow up?" Lily asked.

"Who, Kitty and Caro?"

"No, Kitty and our son," she said, flicking his nose playfully. "They're always at each other's throats."

James snorted and said, "Oh, please. You've seen Caro and Aeson, and they're only, what, five?"

Lily smirked.

"Aeson Lestrange is seven, James. Caro's very nearly seven."

"And I thank you for only letting me have one, darling, because his age is hard enough to keep track of."

He leaned his back against the arm of the sofa, pulling Lily on top of him as he stretched his legs across the sofa. Her head rested on his chest and she felt his fingers trace lazily through his hair.

The joke, with Caroline and Aeson, was that if history repeated itself, they would end up married, but Lily didn't think so. They weren't much like her and James. Caroline was too much like Sirius to be anything like Lily, and Aeson wasn't mischievous like James had been, but a little more of a bully.

"James, I think we should get Harry an owl."

He didn't say anything for a long minute, thinking over the proposition. James had an owl when they were in school, as did Sirius, and although Lily didn't like to encourage the rivalry, she knew that Catherine would have an owl when she started school, and it didn't seem right not to get him one when he could afford it and he would be responsible enough to have one.

"Alright," he said. "Let's have him pick one out tomorrow."

They lazed on the sofa for what felt like hours, full of cake and butterbeer, tired from entertaining and putting together the whole evening. When she heard the sound of the sink upstairs alerting her that Harry was brushing his teeth, however, she got up and kissed James's forehead.

"I'll tuck him in, love. Why don't you do the dishes?"

He stuck out his tongue playfully and said, "You always do the fun stuff."

She ignored him, knowing that he was only teasing her. She often worked long, fruitless, dreary days poring over potions that wouldn't pan out to progress, and James got to play with their son. James did other things, too, like the washing and much of the cooking and cleaning. He did a great deal of their shopping and kept track of their finances. With Harry gone, though, away at school, Lily wasn't sure how he was going to fill all of the extra time in his days.

Perhaps he would go to sporting events, or take up some hobby, or join a committee. Dorcas Prewett was always trying to get him to join committees because of his influence in society. Cara usually joined whatever Dorcas asked because Kreacher could always watch the children, but she and James had opted not to get a house-elf. Now, though, perhaps he would join the committees Dorcas had to guarantee werewolf rights to marriage, employment, and health care. James certainly wanted to have more to do with helping Remus, as Lily was doing.

Harry was laying out his clothes for the morning when Lily got to his room, and he smiled at her, shrugging at his choices.

"I like this jumper," she said, touching the bright green jumper Sirius and Cara bought for him for Christmas. "But I think it'll be a little warm for it. Why don't you wear one of those t-shirts your dad gave you? He'll be so pleased."

James had given Harry a massive stack of his old band t-shirts from concerts he and Sirius had gone to as teenagers, and she knew that Sirius was saving them for whichever of his children showed an interest in Muggle music. Thus far that wasn't really any of them, but Lily guessed it would end up being Catherine or Jason, since Caroline showed almost no interest in Muggle culture.

"Sure," he said, pulling one of the shirts out of the box, and Lily fought a smile at the Led Zeppelin t-shirt. That had always been a favorite of Sirius's. "Mum, are we still doing Christmases at the manor?"

"I don't see why not," Lily said. "You'd have to ask your Aunt Cara, though. It's her house."

Harry said goodnight, kissed her cheek, and Lily left him to go to sleep, knowing tomorrow his excitement would burn down his energy.

A/N: This story will be long, and follow all four Potter and Black children from this moment through Caroline graduating Hogwarts. Obviously, AU. No Voldemort or Death Eaters, but other troubles arise.

Review Prompt: Thoughts on the children?

-C