Disclaimer: I do not own Harry, or any of the other characters used in this story unless noted otherwise. For instance, Harry has a sister! I decided to take the books and just get rid of them. (Not really of course, I would never do that on purpose) I'm going to make this as realistic as magically possible, and make this a total possibility for an alternate reality. (First disclaimer i've ever actually done... don't know why...)

Velvet: Hey all you awesome readers! For those of you just starting my fics, welcome! To all you readers of any of my other HP fics (There are three, and two are oneshots, to all you newcomers) Welcome back! Joining me today is none other than my good friend Draco Malfoy! Say hi Draco!

Draco: Hi Draco.

Velvet: Ugh... never mind...

Draco: I was kidding!

Velvet: Sureeee. Enjoy peoples! Btw check out Truth and Lies if you wanna know why Draco and I are friends. What? You think I just want you to read my other story? That's absurd!

Draco: You're absurd! (Oooooh... AVPS reference!)

Velvet: Oh hush, Draco.

What if James and Lily never died? What if Voldemort never learned of the Prophecy? What, and who, does that affect? Alternate Universe story. Find out in... Total Darkness, Year 1. (More to come)

Prologue

"Harry, Lexi, hurry up or we'll be late!" Lily sighed, sometimes her children were so slow. Of course they got it from their father, the king of late himself. Of course, that didn't compare to their family friends. Always in a rush, almost never on time, it was a wonder they got their kids to Hogwarts, since they always come within minutes of the scheduled time.

"Calm down Lils, they understand, they deal with last minute all the time!" James gave his wife a small kiss on the cheek and smiled at her. The reminder only worried her more. She didn't want to think of this becoming routine. She didn't want to be in a rush on September first. That would be horrible! What if he missed the train? How would he get to Hogwarts?

"But I promised-" James cut her off. He knew she could argue for ages, but that wouldn't end well for anyone in the family. He decided he was going to save her the trouble of getting upset. Today was going to be a happy day. A day without worrying for their children's safety, although with him being a Potter, a pureblood, they weren't exactly high on Voldemort's wanted list. Even if they were in the Order of the Phoenix, and his family was most likely on the Blood Traitor list.

"We're flooing, not driving, calm down." Just then a small voice from upstairs called to them. It was that of their ten year old daughter, Lexi. Well, her name was Alexandra but she preferred Lexi. She was going to Hogwarts the year after this one. Harry was starting this year, though, and he was very excited.

"We're coming mum!" Lily sighed again, this time this was a relaxing sigh. She watched her children come down the stairs. They each donned traveling cloaks. Harry's was emerald, Lexi's was lavender. The two children only shared one thing in common, their eyes. they both had their mothers eyes.

Alexandra, Lexi for short, with her flaming red hair and green eyes. She was wearing a pair of jeans, and a black t-shirt. She was the spitting image of her mother, from when she was younger. Around her neck was a gold locket with an L on it. Inside were pictures. One of her and Harry laughing with their parents, the other of her and Ginny. The pictures weren't like muggle pictures. No, these moved.

Harry on the other hand had jet black untamable hair, like his father. He did, however, have his mother's green eyes, just like his sister did. He was wearing a pair of jeans as well, but his shirt was emerald green, like his cloak. His father said it matched his eyes, which was true.

"Lexi, you're doing it wrong." She shook her head, and more of her hair fell over her shoulder, so she pushed it back. "Yes, you are, let me help you." He held out his arm to help her fasten her cloak and she stopped him. She didn't want any help, she knew could do it herself. She just needed to try. She had never done it before. Her family insisted on doing it for her.

"You always do it! I want to do it by myself! I'm ten years old how am I ever going to learn if you do everything for me?" Lexi was sometimes babied, and was rather tired of it. Harry sighed, even though what she had said was true. She was his sister, and she let him help her. He had never realized she didn't want help though. She let him do it. She should have stopped him.

"Fine, but if you can't get it-" Just then, with the familiar click, she fastened her cloak. "Never mind then." She giggled at her brother, and finished coming down the stairs. She joined her mother and father in front of the fireplace. She was literally bouncing with excitement.

"I'm ready to go!" The family sighed at the ten year old. Lexi went first. She took a small amount of floo powder and stepped in to the fireplace. They had all agreed on a particular place to meet.. "The Leaky Cauldron!" She threw the powder, and tucked her elbows in quickly. She arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, and grinned. The small pub wasn't very crowded, as usual, and it was easy to see that the family she was looking for, wasn't there yet.

"Lexi!" She turned her head around and smiled. Harry had just arrived, covered in soot. Her parents came next, Her mother first, her father last. "So, they aren't here yet? Bummer, I haven't seen Ron all summer." She shook her head at what he'd said. Even though it was true for the both of them. Her with Ginny though.

"It's only early August Harry." She looked pretty bummed too, though. She hadn't seen her best friend Ginny all summer either. Ginny was the same age as her, although her birthday was in August so she was just slightly younger, and was going to start Hogwarts the same year as her as well. They were both very excited, and very sad that they had to wait another year.

"See Lils? They're late too." James was taking out his wand. "Now is anyone opposed to a little magical clean up?" No one objected and James silently waved his wand. Soon, none of them were covered in soot. They heard a noise from behind them. Soon a group of people were behind them, covered in soot just as they had been moments ago.

"How come you guys are clean?" Ron looked pretty upset. Whenever they traveled by floo powder they always ended up walking around covered in soot and ash. He was jealous that his best friend was clean, when they both traveled using the same method.

"Dad cleaned us off." Harry felt a little bad, Mrs. Weasley didn't like to directly use magic on, or around them. This time though, Ron's mum pulled out her wand and waved it. They were soon soot free too.

"Happy birthday, mate." Ron patted Harry's shoulder. He knew they would go to Diagon Alley on his birthday. He handed his friend a card and Harry smiled as he read it. He tucked the card in his pocket.

"Ginny!" Lexi called to the youngest female. Well... the only female, excluding her friends mom. The rest of the family were boys, though she hadn't seen Bill and Charlie since their visit last Christmas.

"Hey, shush, we're all in the same room!" Lexi blushed as red as her hair.

"Sorry... um... Fred?" Lexi always confused the two. He nodded. She nearly squealed with joy. She never got them right. It had taken her ten years to get, but she had done it. She smiled.

"Nice job Lexdra." The twins called her that all the time. They were the only ones allowed to call her that though, if anyone other then them tried it they got punched. The group of people walked together to the back, and James tapped the bricks. The archway opened up and they all walked through. They planned to split off into small groups, promising to meet up again in Flourish and Blotts in one hour. Fred and George were allowed to go by themselves, since they were both thirteen. Percy would leave by himself, Ron and Harry with the dads, and Lexi and Ginny with the moms. They did have one more stop as a group though. Gringotts.

A goblin in the front bowed them into the bank, and they found a goblin that wasn't busy. Each family took a cart and visited their respective vaults. When they left they all had money jingling in their leather bags. Mr. Weasley's job didn't pay well, but the Potters were their closest friends and paid them whenever the family watched their kids. Harry and Ron were starting Hogwarts this year, which meant new robes, a wand, a cauldron, glass phials, potions ingredients, a telescope, and lots of books. The first year was always the most expensive, which had made it difficult with Bill and Charlie, because the Potters didn't have kids at the time that they had started.

The parents decided they wanted to see their children get their wands so the group of eight walked in. Mr. Ollivander smiled at them, and was obviously about to name wands when Lily stopped him, quickly. She didn't want to be rude, but she didn't want his photographic memory to hold them up.

"We would like to get the wands, and would rather not hear what wands we got again. I don't mean to be rude of course." Lily smiled sweetly at Mr. Ollivander, and he nodded. He seemed to understand, though she could have sworn he looked a little upset by her comment. She decided not to think too much about it.

"Of course, of course. Now let me see... Mr. Weasley first." He looked at Ron, who looked somewhat pale with fright. Mrs. Weasley nudged Ron forward and Mr. Ollivander handed him a wand. "Beech, 12 inches, Nymph Hair. Give it a wave." Ollivander seemed more commanding then any of the adults remembered. Ron waved the wand, and had it snatched back quickly. "No, no. Here, Willow, 14 inches, Unicorn Hair. Give it a try." Ron felt a warmth in his fingers. He waved it and red and gold sparks emitted from the wand. He grinned, and stepped back.

"Your turn, Harry." Harry gulped, and nodded. He stepped forward, trying not to look at the man for too long. He kind of creeped him out. Well, he creeped everyone out really. No one had the guts to tell him though, because he was still very nice.

"Mr. Potter," he turned around and searched in the pile of wand boxes. He pulled one out and opened it on his way back. "Try this, Holly, Phoenix Tail Feather, 11 inches. Rather unusual, but no matter." Harry held the wand and felt a warmth run through him. He waved the wand and red and gold sparks, like Ron's, emitted from its tip. Everyone was shocked. Not many managed on their first try.

"Bloody-" Mrs. Weasley gave Ron a glare before he could finish. "Right on the first try!" Lexi wanted to see the wand, but Harry was looking it over. She moved closer, and looked, trying to get a better view of it. She had seen both of her parents wands, but now she wanted to see Harry's. Harry looked down at her with a questioning look.

"Can I see, Harry?" Harry smiled, held out the wand and placed it in his sister's hand. "Cool!" She turned the wand over in her hand and smiled. "That's awesome!" She held the wand carefully, as if it was made of glass. She then handed it back to Harry, smiling.

~With The girls~

After Ollivander's they split off, and the moms took the girls to look at the different pets to pass the time. They sold all different animals, but only owls, cats, and toads were allowed at Hogwarts. Lexi seemed to be favoring a small white puppy in a corner of the shop. She put her finger in the cage for the puppy to lick when she heard a voice.

"For safety, please don't put your fingers in the cage." A witch spoke to Lexi in a stern, but kind voice. "If an animal is not used to you it might bite you. The rule is precautionary." Lexi looked at her, perplexed.

"But, she's so sweet, see?" The little puppy was licking Lexi's finger. She giggled at the puppy. "Does she have a name?" The witch shook her head.

"We let the costumer name the animal, so please don't offer a name unless you intend to buy her." Lexi nodded, and ran towards her mom. She tugged on her cloak. Lily was talking to Mrs. Weasley, and didn't seem to notice Lexi. She decided to try talking to her.

"Mum!" Lily turned around, and smiled down at Lexi. The girl had a look on her face. It looked slightly desperate, in a not-too-desperate way. The girl obviously wanted an animal. Just so long as it wasn't a snake. They kind of scared her, though she had nothing wrong with Slytherins, having been friends with one in her childhood. Just so long as they didn't try to hurt her, or her family. Or call her a mudblood.

"What is it Lex?" Lexi grabbed her hand brought her to the puppy, and pointed to her.

"Please, can I get her mum?" Her eyes were even wider then usual. Lily looked from the puppy, to her daughter. She sighed, and nodded.

"I haven't got a problem with it, but I need to talk to your father first." Lexi sighed. She was hoping her mother wouldn't say that. The puppy could get bought by the time they had talked about it. Lily looked at her daughters crestfallen face. "Alright, i'm sure your father won't mind. We can get her now." Lexi smiled at her mother.

"Thank you mum!" She hugged her mother around the waist, and went over to the puppy as Lily went to talk to the shopkeeper. Lily discussed the price of the puppy, along with the food, toys, and collar and leash. After her mother paid for the supplies and equipment, she asked for everything to be sent to the Potter Mansion, except for the collar and leash. They took the puppy out of her cage, and put the collar on her. They then clipped the leash on, and met Mrs. Weasley and Ginny at the door.

"What's her name?" Ginny was stroking the puppy's fur. Lily had been wondering that too, but assumed that her daughter hadn't come up with a name yet. So the instant response shocked her.

"Snowball." Ginny coo'ed at the name. she got up and wiped the stray fur from her hands. Lexi giggled, as Ginny struggled with the fur. "Sorry... but it's funny. It's just fur how hard can it be to get off?"

"Pretty fitting, Lexi. And you're mean." Lexi grinned, and the four walked out toward the stationary store, for quills, ink and parchment in bulk. They would give some to their children to bring to school. Lexi guiding her new puppy, trying to make sure she didn't knock anything over, didn't get to admire the different inks and quills. They went and got some ice cream from Florean's before heading off to Flourish and Blotts. They met up with them a few minutes later, while they were picking up some of the required textbooks.

~The boy's during the girls POV~

Harry and Ron had always dreamed of this day. The day they would be shopping together in Diagon Alley for their school supplies. Harry had never gone with the Weasley's school shopping, and Ron didn't go the last time because he was visiting Harry. In fact, Ron hadn't even gone to Kings Cross last year. His parents agreed he didn't really have to go, and let him stay with Harry. They both stepped into the robes shop. A small, slightly plump, witch greeted them. She looked slightly frazzled, but nice enough.

"Hogwarts, my dears? Wait there, i'll get some robes for your fitting. Just fitting up another young man over there as a matter of fact." The witch gestured to a boy who looked their age. He smiled warmly at them, unable to wave because another small witch was pinning his sleeves. The witch obviously wasn't Madam Malkin, but it was probably an assistant or something.

"My name's Dean Thomas. I'm starting this year. You too?" The two boys nodded. "I'm a muggleborn, but I don't mind." The two boys shared a look. They hoped their blood status wouldn't worry, or upset, him. They weren't prejudiced, and didn't want him to think they were.

"I'm Harry Potter, this is Ron Weasley. My mum was a muggleborn, but my dad is a pureblood." He smiled at him, as he was escorted to a small stool, and shrugged into the much too big robes she handed him. She shook her head, and brought out a smaller set. This seemed to fit Harry fine, but the lengths were off. She began pinning the robes to the correct length.

"As Harry said, i'm Ron. I'm in a long line of purebloods, but many call my family blood traitors." Ron choked on these words, and obviously didn't want to dwell on that small fact and his look showed it. No one questioned further. "I think my mum has a cousin who's an accountant but we never talk about him" Madam Malkin then escorted Ron up. Both Harry, and Dean, had finished and only Ron was left. The dads were outside talking, waiting to be called in to pay. Harry motioned for them to come in.

"Yes Harry?" Harry nodded at Ron, who was being fitted now. James and Arthur got their bags of money ready, and prepared to pay. When they finished that, the boys said good bye to Dean, and left to get a cauldron, phials, ingredients, and a telescope. the two were pretty excited, even if they heard that the potions professor was a jerk.

"I hear Snape is right awful. Don't wanna run into him in a dark alley, heard he's almost like a giant bat." Harry gave him a look that said, no duh. He grimaced at the description that the twins had given the two one day. Greasy black hair, black robes, horrible attitude, and completely unfair. They walked into the Apothecary.

"Ugh." Harry grimaced, and wrinkled his nose, at the smell. Ron had been in here before and it didn't bother him as much. Not saying it didn't bother him, because he wrinkled his nose slightly as well. James and Mr. Weasley walked up to the front of the store to order the ingredients. They left five minutes later with two bags. Going into the cauldron shop, they each got a standard size cauldron, pewter. Neither knew what pewter was, and didn't bother asking. After picking up the telescopes, phials, and scales, they headed to Flourish and Blotts. On their way, they passed Eeylops. The boys looked at each other, then at the fathers.

"Dad?" It was Harry who decided to get their attention. The two men turned around. "Can we each have an owl?" The fathers looked at each other, and then at their sons, and nodded. The boys nearly cheered with joy. Twenty five minutes later the four came out. Harry carrying a snowy owl, Ron carrying a barn owl. (See picture on profile, I assume you know what Harry's owl looks like) Ron decided to call his owl Aaron. He rather liked the name, although he wasn't quite sure why. Harry had talked with his father, and decided to name his owl Hedwig. They then made their way to Flourish and Blotts.

~With Lexi, since buying books is boring~

Percy paid for his books first, and offered to keep Lexi company outside, since her puppy was starting to disrupt people. The two were standing outside talking about Hogwarts, with Snowball bouncing around like a nut. It wasn't until she tripped a boy that was shopping with his father that there was a problem.

"I'm so sorry! I was having trouble keeping her calm inside, so I brought her out here. Are you alright?" She held out her free hand to help the boy up. He smacked away her hand though, got up on his own, and dusted himself off. She looked at Percy, who was glaring at the man that was with the boy. Mr. Weasley and James came out at that moment, as if they knew that their kids were in danger, and James went over to Lexi's side.

"Stay away from my daughter, Lucius." He sneered at his name. He was sending glares at the blonde man, named Lucius. Lexi immediately started wondering how long it took this man to do his hair in the morning. Even spells aren't that reliable. There were limits, of course. There had to be. Her father had told her so.

"For your information, James, she tripped my son." He sneered at James' name. Lexi wanted to hurt the man for pinning the blame on her. She didn't know him, but it was obvious her father did. The two now shared hatred for the man, although James' hatred was ten times worse then his daughters'.

"Snowball tripped him by accident! I apologized!" James could've sworn she growled at him. Not just any growl, but a doggish growl. Sirius must've gotten to her. He tugged her back by her shoulder.

"He's not worth it. Let's go." He sent a glare at him before leaving to get the others. They all left to the Leaky Cauldron. They decided to floo to the Potter Mansion and stay there, but Ron and Ginny had both been invited to stay the night, so the Weasley's left for the Burrow to get their overnight things. They were going to get to the Mansion around 5:30. The Potters immediately set about getting everything ready at home.

O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

Lexi was sitting in her room, watching one of her Holyhead Harpies posters as the players zoomed around the photo. The clock on the wall read 5:00 and she was getting restless. She didn't like waiting for Ginny and everyone else. Snowball yipped from her little dog bed that had been set up in a corner of the room. She looked over at her brand new puppy, remembering that boy and his father. Why had they been so mean to her? Just then she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in!" She called out and her door opened. A handsome man with smoothed black hair walked into her room. "Uncle Siri! What are you doing here?" She got up and jumped at him, attacking him with a hug.

"What, i'm not allowed to visit my little Lily?" He ruffled her red hair and kissed her forehead. "You look just like your mother used to." He dropped his voice a whisper. "Then she got all old." The two of them laughed quietly when someone cleared their throat from Lexi's doorway.

"What were you telling my daughter, Black?" Sirius straightened up and tried to even out his voice. He failed miserably in trying to defend himself from what he said. She glared at him and he quavered under Lily's glare. Finally, he cracked and she directed him out of Lexi's room. Lexi laughed and he glared at her as he left. "Go, Black." He nodded and left, closing the door behind him.

"Was there something you wanted, mum?" She went over to her bed and sat down. Her mother walked in a little more.

"I thought you'd want to know that Ron and Ginny are here early." Lexi's eyes widened and she jumped off her bed.

"Really?" She ran downstairs and saw Ginny. She ran over to her and hugged her. "Ginny!" Ginny laughed and hugged her back. The two of them ran down to the basement, which was where they kept the games. They even had muggle things. There was a television, and a computer, and a game station. They also had Wizards Chess, Exploding Snap, and Gobstones. Lexi had just picked up the television remote when they were joined by Harry and Ron.

"Gotta share with us now, Lex." Lexi gave an overly dramatic sigh as she turned on the TV. She turned on Scooby Doo and looked over at Harry.

"I hope for your sake you'll watch this without complaining because i'm not changing it." She was grinning on the inside, since she knew Harry actually really liked Scooby Doo. It was one of the only shows he watched. Harry looked at the show and put on his best grimace.

"I guess I can endure it..." The four of them sat down and Ron pulled out his Wizards Chess set. It had belonged to his grandfather. Harry pulled out the chess board and put it on the ground. The two began to play chess while The girls watched and listened to Scooby Doo. The night continued the like this, with the families talking and having fun. Lexi went to bed that night, wishing that every day could be like that.

Velvet: So what didya think? Like it? Love it? Gotta have it? (Virtual chocolate chip cookie if you guess where that came from. Hint: Ice Cream.) I personally think it was my best work so far. *Bows* By the way, I know Dean isn't a muggle born, but he thinks he is, alright? Just clearing that up for ya!

Draco: Self-centered much?

Velvet: *Whacks Draco upside the head.*

Draco: Ow!

Velvet: Please review! *Puppy dog eyes*

Draco: *Rubbing his head* Or she'll clobber me upside the head again!

Velvet: *Clobbers Draco upside the head. Again.* Shush, Draco! *Smiles innocently*