Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, characters, universe, franchise, etc. I am not J. K. Rowling. I don't make any money from this. No copyright or trademark infringement intended.


Author's Note: This is the expanded version of my oneshot "My Brother, the Hero". I have no posting schedule for this fic and updates will be sporadic, but I wanted to start posting it as I promised that I would. I'm not sure how long this will end up, but the basic idea is to go through enough key scenes throughout Harry's life to demonstrate why he is the way that he is. So I won't be detailing every single aspect of Harry's life but the scenes I do write should provide enough information to connect them.


Brief Synopsis of Backstory: The prophecy was delivered as in canon, but Lily had twin sons. On Halloween 1981, James and Lily left for a meeting with Dumbledore and left Peter to babysit. He invited Voldemort over. No one witnessed what he did in that room, but Peter went inside after the explosion to find his lord gone, wand on the floor, Ethan screaming and Harry awake and quiet. He took the wand and fled. Since it was Ethan who was scarred that night, Dumbledore decided that Voldemort had "marked him as his equal" and extrapolated the whole blocking the killing curse scenario based on magical residue.

Warnings: Darkish!Intelligent!Slytherin!Harry, Manipulative!Dumbledore (shocker, I know), Voldemort is going to be a little more sane and less vindictive than his canon portrayal. I don't think he's given enough credit for deviousness. Anywho, there will be character death! Scary, right? Don't worry, it's not Harry. And who really cares about the rest of them? Considering some of what happened in canon, I think it's reasonable for some people to die here and there. Oh, and lots of bashing of almost everyone!

Pairings: Harry/Voldie. Also James/Lily and Lucius/Narcissa, but we're not focusing on that. If I decide on additional side pairings, I'll announce them at that time.


My Brother, the Hero

.:1:.

The Potter Family


15 June 1991 – Potter Manor

"Hey, Mum! There's a couple owls here!" Ethan's voice came from the courtyard below. "I don't recognize…" a beat of silence and then, "THEY CAME! MUM! DAD! THEY CAME! THEY'RE HERE!"

I sighed and noted my page before closing my book. I knew that I wouldn't get any more reading done now. Not when Ethan was screaming in that tone of voice. That tone meant that he'd not be appeased until he'd garnered the rapt attention of the entire house. That was unfortunate. I'd hoped to finish that book before dinner. Hogwarts was only six weeks away now, and the reading list I'd challenged myself to finish before then was still far from complete.

"What are you screaming about, Ethan?" Mum laughed as she entered the courtyard.

"The letters! They're here!" he enthused.

I cast a regretful glance at my book, then made my way out of my third story bedroom and down to the ground floor. By the time I got there, Dad had arrived and Ethan already had his letter open with each of our parents standing over his shoulders.

I brushed off the momentary flare of jealousy as they failed to notice my arrival. This meant a lot more to Ethan than it did to me, and it was hardly their fault that I moved quietly. I let them have their moment as I relieved the other owl of the second letter.

It was, completely unsurprisingly, my acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Ethan had been going on about this pretty much nonstop since Christmas. He always did that. I kind of thought being excited and anticipatory was half the fun for him. Personally, I didn't see the point. Really, they were letters. It wasn't as though there'd ever been any question as to us being accepted. Ethan had defeated Voldemort as a baby for Godric's sake. I obviously hadn't done anything like that, but my first accidental magic had started right after that.

Yeah, I didn't see why it was exciting to get these letters, but I wasn't about to ruin Ethan's moment. I smiled as I watched Ethan going on and on about how awesome Hogwarts would be. Mum glanced up and caught my eye. She gave me a warm smile and a quick wink before Ethan's enthusiasm reclaimed her attention.

I just shook my head fondly and padded silently back inside. I might have time to finish my book after all.


17 June 1991 – Diagon Alley

"Harry! Honey, it's time to go!" Mum shouted up the stairs.

I smirked as I gently closed my book and slipped off the window seat where I'd been partially concealed behind the curtain for the last half hour while Mum, Dad, and Ethan had been getting ready. "No need to shout, Mum."

She flinched at the sound of my quiet voice and spun around with one hand clutched over her heart. "Merlin, Harry! I've told you not to do that!" she admonished.

"I didn't mean to startle you," I lied innocently. Really, if anyone ever paid any attention to me, it wouldn't be so bloody easy to sneak up on them. Not that I was bitter about it. Or, at least, I tried not to be. It really wasn't anyone's fault that Ethan's personality tended to grab and absorb everyone's attention. He was just extremely high energy. And high drama. And short attention span. And low patience. And being the famous Boy-Who-Lived didn't help anything.

Really, I wouldn't have switched places with him for anything. I loved being able to blend into the background. Ethan usually got whatever he wanted because he was just that good at looking pathetic and begging shamelessly. I usually got whatever I wanted because no one was looking when I took it. Being invisible could be seriously fun. Of course, every now and then, it might have been nice if either of my parents – dangerous auror and brilliant Unspeakable – were aware of the fact that I'd been in the room with them for half an hour.

Mum just gave me a look that clearly said she didn't believe me for a moment, but didn't have time to argue with me just then before she picked up the floo powder and ushered Dad through first. I smirked once they'd all stopped looking at me. I got that look pretty often. I only remembered twice that she'd actually remembered to punish me for anything if she didn't do it immediately.

Ethan went through the floo next, and then it was my turn. I stumbled slightly on exiting – I really was getting better at that – and quickly stepped back into a shadowy corner far enough from Ethan that I was out of the focus that was immediately and automatically on him whenever he stepped foot outside the manor. Mum came through the fireplace next, and Ethan did the smiles and shaking hands bit that seemed to be mandatory – another reason that I was glad he had the famous scar and not me.

What followed was a typical whirlwind trip through the busy Alley. Ethan, as always, was instantly drawing every eye to himself, which made it even easier for me to blend into the background. My favorite part about these family shopping trips that we usually took a few times a year? Mum and Dad were so busy managing the crowds and watching Ethan lest someone try to assassinate him that they could never be bothered to pay much attention to what they were buying or exactly how much it was costing them. It was beyond easy to slip a few extra items onto the counter in each store, then slide them into my pockets while the rest was shrunken down to be taken home. A lot of my best stuff was acquired that way, including the cloak with the expanded pockets that I was wearing.

When we got to Flourish and Blotts, I ditched the family as soon as we got into the store and slipped immediately into the stacks, scanning the labels above the shelves as I mentally organized my list. I got most of my books by owl order – that's where I spent most of my allowance – but I could mostly only get books that I knew I wanted in that way. Actually being at the bookstore, I was able to browse the shelves to find books that I didn't even know about.

Merlin, I couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts. Some of the stories that Mum had told me about the library there… It kept me up at night, just thinking about it. And I'd heard that Ravenclaw Tower had their own private library. And quiet study rooms surrounded by other people who appreciated a good book… Really, I was as excited as Ethan was. I was just a lot better at handling that excitement.

As expected, Ethan was soon bored and clamoring to move on. I was pleased to find that I'd timed it just right so that I could add my books to the purchases waiting to be tallied. Dad was playing bodyguard, standing behind Ethan with one hand on his shoulder and the other on his wand while Ethan chatted with some witch who looked just out of Hogwarts. It looked like he'd already signed an autograph for her. Mum was strategically positioned to control how many people were able to approach her famous son.

I smiled just a little as my extra purchases were tallied, and slipped them into my cloak pockets while Dad was sparing a bit of attention to sign the check. Ethan was really in his element when he was surrounded by fans. I had to admit that he made a really good Savior.

Eventually, we made it out of the bookstore. By the time half our shopping was done, it was lunch. We went to Monique's to eat. It was drastically overpriced and I'd honestly have rather had a sandwich and chips than quail kabobs, but the real benefit of eating in places like this was that the other patrons were usually refined enough to avoid mobbing us for autographs, and there was always security available to keep out… Well, anyone without expensive robes and deep pockets, really.

After lunch, we made a slow trek back through the Alley to continue our shopping. There really was a good reason that we only ventured out like this a couple of times a year. By the time we got home, even Ethan would be too tired for much more than a sedate evening.

Ethan was almost literally vibrating with excitement when we finally came to Ollivander's. It was so bad that I think it was actually soaking into me through our twin bond. I was having much more difficulty than usual keeping myself still and quiet. Even so, I saw Ollivander's eyes come to rest on me almost as often as Ethan. It was a strange and uncomfortable phenomenon, being acknowledged by a perfect stranger when Ethan was in the same room. I didn't much care for it, I found.

Ethan went first, obviously. It probably would have taken an entire team of aurors to squeeze any more patience out of my brother today. It took quite a while to find his wand. At one point, the old man seemed to get excited about one wand, but it didn't respond to him at all. Eventually, Ethan was paired with a holly and unicorn hair, 12 ½ inches, which was evidently slightly swishy and good for defense. It emitted a shower of yellow and light green sparks when Ethan touched it.

I closed my book and slipped it into my pocket while I stood from the corner in which I'd settled a good half hour ago. I smiled and congratulated my elated brother before stepping forward and praying that it didn't take as long to find my own wand.

"Well, let's just see…" the old man muttered after I failed to get a response from the first two wands. "Holly and phoenix feather," he said as he presented me with the wand and I was pretty sure it was the same that he's expected to respond to Ethan.

The instant that it touched my hand, it took my breath away. Dark purple and orange sparks cascaded from the tip of the wand while heat ignited in my chest and coursed through my body in a way that I had never felt before. I found myself grinning, which was an expression that I very rarely ever adopted.

"Curious. Very curious," Ollivander's muttering cut through my elation.

"What's curious, sir?" Ethan questioned even as he clapped me on the back in congratulation.

Ollivander stared at me for a long moment, his expression troubled. "I remember every wand I've ever sold," he said at last. "Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather is in your wand gave another feather. Just one other. It is very curious indeed, Mr. Potter, that your brother should be destined for that wand when its brother… Why its brother gave you that scar."

I looked at the wand in my hand. I was sure that everyone else was doing the same, though I couldn't spare enough attention to check. I swallowed. There had to be a mistake. That's all I could think. This couldn't be right.

"N-no," I heard Ethan object, the horror that he was feeling even stronger than what burned in my own heart. I felt like… a traitor somehow, even though I knew that this couldn't be my fault. I hadn't done anything to warrant this. I hadn't. "That can't be right," Ethan protested for me while I continued to stare mutely at the wand that felt so right in my hand. It seemed like it was mocking me by continuing to hum pleasantly against my fingers.

"I'm afraid it is, Mr. Potter," the old bastard said gravely.

"Mr. Ollivander," Dad finally stepped forward and I prayed that he was going to fix this. "Ethan tried dozens of wands. Harry only tried three. Surely you can let him try some more. I don't doubt that he can find a better fit," he said tightly but with confidence.

"Mr. Potter," Ollivander frowned. "I'm afraid the wand chooses the wizard and this wand has chosen."

"Well, we don't accept that!" Dad snapped, and I could hear that he was getting really angry now. "My son is a good boy, and he deserves better! I won't have any connection to Voldemort in my house, much less my son's possession!" And with that, he snatched the wand out of my hand and thrust it at the old wandmaker.

An involuntary sound of distress was ripped from my throat as the wonderful feeling I'd only just discovered was torn away from me.

I bit it off as quickly as I could and stared very hard at the floor as I willed traitorous tears to remain at bay. At least until I was locked away in my secret room at home.

"Come on, Ethan. Harry. We're going home."

I didn't dare speak a word until we were all back in the manor. "Does this mean that I can't go to Hogwarts?" I finally voiced. I was sure I'd never heard my own voice sound so small and frail.

"You have to go!" Ethan crowed immediately, turning on Mum and Dad with his most stubborn glare. "Harry has to go to Hogwarts! He's my brother! He has to go! You can't make him stay just because…! Well, you can't!" he insisted.

"Oh, no, Honey," Mum sighed. "Don't worry, Harry is going to Hogwarts. I promise. Your father's going to talk to Professor Dumbledore about this… wand issue. I'm sure he'll know what to do. If nothing else, Harry, we'll go to Gregorovitch for your wand. Don't worry."

I swallowed around the sob that was trying to get out, willed my eyes to hold onto the tears that were leaking into them, and managed to get out, "I'm tired." I wanted to walk calmly out of the room, but I was sure I wouldn't last that long. I ended up running all the way up to my room. I avoided the bed. I knew Ethan would find me there, and I couldn't let him see me cry. Instead, I ran into my closet, all the way to the back, and slipped through the small house-elf door, which was really little more than a crawl space. I'd wondered, when I was younger, why creatures that could apparate needed such passages, so I'd done some research and found that, apparently, back in pre-Hogwarts times, family manors had had wards so strong that even family house-elves couldn't apparate inside them.

I didn't much care about that anymore. For me, it just meant that the old manor was riddled with a maze of hidden passages that everyone had forgotten even existed.

I made my way up to one of the tiny attic rooms that I'd long ago claimed as my own. I liked it here. I liked my collection of possessions that my parents wouldn't approve of. I even liked the constant presence of the dust, because that meant that even the house-elves didn't come in here. It was mine and mine alone. I came here to read a lot, when I really just didn't want to deal with anyone. Today, I just curled my arms around my knees and let myself cry.

I'd only held that stupid wand for like a minute. It shouldn't have been a big deal to lose it when I'd never really had it to begin with. But it hurt. Like there was a hole in my chest, and no matter how much I breathed, I just couldn't get it to fill up again. I'd never in my life felt really whole like I had when I'd first touched that wand. And now it was gone and I didn't think I'd ever be whole again.

Even worse, I was seriously wondering if there wasn't something wrong with me that I'd be chosen by the brother wand of Voldemort's wand. And I knew that I shouldn't miss that wand, because it was an evil wand. Voldemort had tried to kill us. I didn't want to be like him. I didn't want to hurt innocent people!

I wanted my wand back, and I hated it for being a brother to Voldemort's wand. I hated myself for wanting what I knew that I shouldn't. I felt like I'd betrayed Ethan and my parents. I felt like continuing to want that wand was a continued betrayal.

But I couldn't make myself stop.


A/N: Okay, that ended on a rather sad note. Harry's first year is going to be somewhat angsty (hopefully not extremely so), but things will begin to look up in his life as he makes friends and learns that it isn't a bad thing to be himself.

Stay tuned! In the next chapter, the twins go to Hogwarts, and Harry gets sorted!