Title: Blood is Thicker

Author: Spanish Surprise

Rating: All over the place, but M for the sake of the alphabet (language and such, some adult themes)

Summary: After discovering the Dark Lord was on the hunt for a boy prophesied to end him, a group of parents make a blood oath to each other to protect their sons at any costs. Not long after, James and Lily Potter are dead, Franks and Alice Longbottom are tortured to the point of mere existence, the Dark Lord is vanquished and little baby Harry is left with a scar and a seriously pissed off grandmother...

o0o0o0o

"Has it not stopped raining then?" Lily Potter asked, as her brother in law was escorted into the spacious drawing room by the small elf. He grinned and shook his head and body much like a giant dog. The women in the room squealed as they were pelted with drops of rain.

"That answer your question, Lil?" Sirius replied cheekily. James Potter and Frank Longbottom chuckled at their friend's humor.

Lily scoffed playfully and relaxed back against her husband on the small, two person sofa. Sirius removed his coat and went and scooped up one of small, dark haired boys from the middle of the carpet where they played with stuffed animals and such. "Hello there godson!" he cooed. "How are you-"

"That's not your godson Sirius." Alice Longbottom said deadpanned. The boy he was holding was in fact her ten month old son, Neville. Lily rolled her eyes as James and Frank roared in laughter again.

Sirius frowned as he held the baby out in front of him for closer inspection. It was indeed baby Neville. He shrugged and smacked a sloppy kiss on the infant anyway. "No matter."

"Maybe we should have had gone with Remus after all," James muttered to his wife as Sirius returned Neville to the floor and picked up the other dark haired boy. "Honestly, how do you not know your own godson?"

Sirius chuckled as he smiled at the green eyed, raven haired baby. "Babies all look the same. See, chubby, dark haired." Baby Harry smiled at his godfather, proudly showing off his first two teeth. After a moment Sirius plopped himself on the ground as the two babies made short work of pulling his long hair, and climbing all over him.

Alice's heart seemed to melt at the scene. "He might as well be the godfather of the group, seeing as he's got no kids of his own."

"By my own choice mind you!" Sirius jibed back.

"Or it could be because there's probably not a single witch in Britain that hasn't heard of the infamous Sirius Black." James teased.

"Yes, they say he's quite the dog." Lily added.

"Don't tell me you've been humping people again Sirius," Frank said between laughs. "I thought you knocked that habit."

Sirius made a face. "Ha ha. You lot are so funny." He winced slightly as Harry tugged particularly hard at the roots of his hair. "Now stop those vicious lies, there are children present."

They all laughed again as the small house elf appeared with a tray of whiskey for the adults, and two bottle for the babies. For a while, they all sat and talked while Harry and Neville gradually succumbed to sleep. Alice and Lily made to place them in the two cribs that James conjured before rejoining their husbands on the couches.

Sirius looked around at Frank and Alice and James and Lily. "Maybe I ought to meet a decent lady. I'm feeling very lonely right now..."

"Well I know that you and Remus get along pretty well..." Frank stated. Sirius glared at him as James sniggered.

The rain continued to beat down on the windows as the night wore on. Just as James was gathering up Harry from his crib, the small elf appeared again.

"Master Longbottom," she said in her squeaky voice. "Professor Dumbledore is here to speak with you all. He is asking that the Potters please stay."

Alice and Lily exchanged curious glances and Frank nodded. "Please escort him upstairs Mimi." The elf bowed low and disappeared, only to reappeared moments later with Albus Dumbledore himself. His cloak was hardly wet, though they knew it to be a ferocious storm out, and his long white beard looked particularly fluffy. His half moon spectacles were in place and his nose was as crooked as ever. Frank indicated that he take a seat. All the adults couldn't help but notice that the old wizard looked most troubled, and appeared to have aged since they last saw him at the Order's meeting.

Alice was immediately worried. "Albus?" she asked urgently. "Is everything alright? This is a pretty late time to call."

Dumbledore shook his head sadly and looked at the crib where Neville still slept, and at Jame's arm, where Harry too remained sleeping. He wished he could be like them at the moment, content and safe in his parent's arms; of course that dream died many long years ago.

"I'm afraid I have very grave news." Dumbledore replied. "Lord Voldemort has decided his next move."

"What's that racist bastard up to now?" Sirius asked angrily. James handed off Harry to Lily and he stood up next to Sirius, his armed crossed menacingly.

"A prophecy was made several nights ago as I was interviewing a Seer for the position of Divination. The prophecy stated that a boy born as the seventh month dies, to parents that denied the Dark Lord thrice, was said have a power the Dark Lord knows not." Albus saw no need to tell who had made the prediction, or that it was made unknowingly.

Alice and Lily exchanged glances again. Lily unconsciously drew Harry closer to her chest.

Albus sighed and continued. "The prophecy also stated that this child would be the only one to defeat Lord Voldemort. Specifically, neither can live while the other survived (JKR- OOP)."

"And?" Sirius prompted impatiently. He had an inkling that this wasn't nearly the brunt of the bad news.

"A servant of Lord Voldemort was apparently eavesdropping and overheard the prophecy, naturally he returned to his master and relayed what he had heard."

"No," Alice began shaking her head furiously and all but apparated to her son's side, hurriedly grabbing him up in her arms. "don't say it, Albus! Don't you dare say it!" she cried.

Lily, seeming to read her friend's thoughts fought the tears that threatened to spill. She began rocking her baby in arms and tried to force herself not to hyperventilate, because unlike the fathers, the mothers already knew what Dumbledore was going to say.

Albus stopped to catch his breath. He looked away from Frank and James who seemed to be reaching the same conclusion. He forced the next part out. "His servant did not hear the entire prophecy and because of his mistake, Lord Voldemort, I'm afraid, he's going to come for Harry."

And just like that, Lily Potter lost it. She stared at her former headmaster, eyes brimming with tears, praying that it was all just a cruel joke. "Not my Harry." she kept repeating. "Not Harry."

Sirius was beside himself. "I'll kill him myself. BASTARD! What makes him so sure it's our Harry? Plenty of children are born in July. HE'S A BABY FOR GOD'S SAKE!"

Dumbledore could hardly say he was surprised. "Yes, but no other wizarding family has declined joining Lord Voldemort's army three times except for the Longbottoms and the Potters. Any other person would have been killed had they said no once, but because of your high standing, he was more persistent that usual."

"We'll protect him," Frank said fiercely, and Alice nodded her head vigorously.

"Who was the death eater?" James asked coldly, the first words he'd spoken since his son had been marked for death.

Dumbledore would hope that little detail would escape unnoticed. He was positive no stone would be unturned if James and Sirius had discovered what their slippery former classmate had done. "That is of no consequence." he replied smoothly.

This of course only enraged the adults in the room. "THE HELL IT IS! I WANT TO KILL THE MAN THAT COULDN'T KEEP HIS DAMNED MOUTH SHUT!"

His shouting had awoken the babies and Alice and Lily struggled to console their crying children. "How could you not tell us who the monster is?" Alice asked pleadingly. "Surely you know?"

"You can't possibly see the good in this one, Albus." Sirius said disbelievingly. When Dumbledore did not reply Sirius stared at the man with a newfound hatred in his eyes.

Frank stepped away from his wife and child and looked Dumbledore straight in the eye. "You said the servant didn't hear the whole prophecy? Then tell us the whole prophecy." he all but demanded.

Albus shook his head sadly. "Also something I cannot tell you, as the prophecy was not made to me. I cannot tell you the entire message word for word, nor can I dispel it's contents."

James realized they would have better luck retrieving the cursed thing from the Hall of Prophecy for all the answers Dumbledore was giving them. The marauder was rapidly losing his patience for the man. "What can you tell us then?" he asked sarcastically.

Dumbledore thought for a moment. "I suggest a Fidelis Charm, and the secret keeper someone Voldemort would least expect."

The room was quiet. Silently, Alice passed off a wide-eyed Nevile to his father and stood to her feet. Quick as ever, she had he wand out and pointed squarely between Dumbledore's eyes. "Get out of my house." she said in a dangerously low voice.

Dumbledore eyed her wand wearily. HE proceeded to use his best soothing voice to placate the woman. "Alice, please. We mustn't act rash in these times-"

"GET OUT THIS INSTANT!" she screeched. "MY GODSON IS BEING HUNTED BY FUCKING VOLDEMORT AND YOUR ADVICE IS TO USE A BLOODY FIDELIS CHARM? AS THE SUPPOSED LEADER OF LIGHT YOU'RE DOING A TERRIBLE EFFING JOB OF KEEPING THE DARKNESS AT BAY! OUT I SAID OUT!"

Sirius and Frank made to quickly grab hold of the angry witch as the tip of her wand began smoking. James stared at the headmaster, eyes full of reproach. "We're done here, Albus. Please don't attempt to contact us again."

Recognizing, although not familiar with, defeat, Albus let himself out of the room. Moments later, Alice and Lily were clutching at each other, crying their hearts out. It wasn't just Lily or James' son, Harry and Neville belonged to all of the adults in the room, and Remus too Even the shy Peter had been seen tickling Neville's tummy once or twice.

"We can beat this," Sirius said seriously. "we'll go into hiding, and I hate to admit the Fidelis would be our best bet."

"Godric's Hollow?" Lily asked uncertainly. "Won't he know where that is by now?"

Frank shook his head. "Not yet. It's already protected with minor spells. And unless he's run into Remus, there's no way he can find out where it is." the group managed a small chuckle as they all knew that at the moment, Remus was probably running around the woods somewhere with claws, fur, and a tail.

"Who would be secret keeper?" Alice wondered. "He would automatically suspect us and Sirius, and probably Remus as well."

James pondered for a moment. "Peter?"

At the moment, the shy man was traveling to Albania, where his parents now resided. He was due to return any day now. Sirius shook his head. "You can't risk a few days waiting on him."

Lily agreed. "Sirius, you'll be secret keeper. When Peter returns, we'll speak with him. Only the five of us know this plan and we must keep it that way." she pleaded.

Alice nodded anxiously. "Of course Lily. I love you all. We must remain safe and sound and we'll get through this."

Sirius turned to Frank. "I know we joked about this earlier, but I would gladly become Neville's other godfather as well."

Frank and James nodded. "And we could also be godparents too, and you for Harry."

Lily and Alice nodded eagerly. "Take out your wands," Lily instructed to Sirius. Lily placed Harry in Alice's arms while Frank wrapped both of his around her; they looked like a family, like Harry could be their son. James and Lily each placed a hand on them. Sirius cleared his throat. "You you, Frank Augustus and Alice Lillian Longbottom solemnly swear on your magic, to take the responsibility as godparents for Harry James Potter?"

"We do." they replied.

"Do you promise as godparents, to protect, and keep Harry safe if his natural parents are no longer able to do so?"

Again they replied, "We do."

"And do you promise to always treat Harry like a son, and cherish him as you do your own, ensuring that he receives as much love and care in your home as he would with his parents?"

"We do." the replied in unison. A silver, blue, and gold strand of light emerged from Sirius' wand and wound itself around the Longbottoms and the Potters, glowing brightly for a moment, and then fading. Alice placed a kiss on Harry's forehead.

Since Lily and James were already godparents to Neville, Sirius took hold of Neville with Alice and Frank while James performed the spell. Sirius kissed Neville when it was done.

Not long after, the Potters and Sirius bade the Longbottoms goodnight and left for Godric's Hollow, where they would perform the Fidelis Charm. Alice watched sadly as Frank put Neville to bed. She loved her friends dearly and would hate to see any harm come to them and she knew they would die before they let anything happen to Harry of Neville. She couldn't shake the feeling the fear from the far corners of her mind, because as much as they wanted to protect their loved ones, Voldemort wanted to kill them.

There was not a wizard left alive once Voldemort decided he wanted them to die.

o0o0o0o

"Mum, could you watch Neville for a little while?" Frank called as he and his wife made their way into the luxurious den where the Longbottom matriarch was reading a novel. "He's taking a nap, Alice and I need to make a run to Gringotts, then we promised to stop by Lily and James' place."

Augusta Longbottom looked over the top of her reading glasses and watched as Alice casually stuck her hand into the candy dish that sat on top of the mantle. In an instant, Augusta had used a silent summoning spell and the entire dish zoomed to her side, leaving a bewildered Alice.

"What?" she said indignantly. "I was only grabbing a piece of gum."

Augusta smiled. She knew Alice to have an incurable sweet tooth. "Get some in the Alley. These are for the muggle children. Today they celebrate Halloween by dressing up as us and begging complete strangers for candy." she tutted disapprovingly, but smiled at Alice who was pouting.

"Mum, it's not like any muggles are coming near the mansion, you put up muggle repelling charms." Frank pointed out.

Alice beamed and Augusta faked a scowl. She withdrew a single piece of blowing gum and held it in her hand. "Fine. But I don't know why you would ruin your pearly white teeth with so much sugar and sweets."

"I'm a witch." Alice replied obviously. "I can fix them."

Frank chuckled as his mother handed over the candy to his wife. "Only because you've given me such a wonderful grandson." she replied as Alice began chewing on the treat. "And Neville."

Alice and Frank gave her equal looks of 'are you serious?'" It was Augusta's turn to chuckle. "I jest, I jest," she said, slipping a piece of candy from the dish into her own mouth. "But Harry is a very wonderful child, please send my regards to the Potters won't you? They simply must come around more. In dark times like these, there is no place better to be than with family."

Alice smiled at the woman. At times she was stern, but there was no doubting the love she had for her family and friends. Frank leaned in and gave his mother a peck on the cheek while Alice snuck another piece of candy from the dish. Augusta watched her daughter in law pocket the wrappers as they left the room to apparate into the Leaky Cauldron.

Augusta would later invest in a pensieve solely to recount those moments with her son and wife, as it was the last complete conversation they ever had.

o0o0o0o

Augusta was in a right state; it had just been broadcast all over the Wizarding Wireless Network that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was vanquished and the cause was a backfiring curse intended for Harry Potter. Many long years fighting against him and his army, and it took a mere baby a few seconds to deflect his curse and send the monster to hell where he belonged. Baby Harry emerged with only a scratch. Of course, if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had made it far enough to aim his wand at Harry, that meant that Lily and James were also dead. Also confirmed by the WWN.

Distraught by this news alone, it had been hours since Frank and Alice had returned. She knew they were headed for Gringotts and assumed that since they were not confirmed dead along with the Dark Lord, James and Lily, then they must not have made it there. The question was, where were they?

Augusta frequently found herself staring at the one year that sat gazing at her with his wide, brown eyes and chubby face. He appeared to be asking her the same question.

Not even an hour later, a small screech owl wearing a chain with the St. Mungo's emblem on it tapped at her window. Augusta open the window and permitted the bird to enter. While she read the letter, her face became a mask of horror. She was at a loss for words. Her own children...Could this day get any worse?

She was broken from her thoughts as the owl nipped Neville's ear in what he thought was an affectionate way, but only reduced the baby to tears.

o0o0o0o

"Albus you simply can't place him here!" Minerva pleaded for seemed like the hundredth time. "I've watched them all day and can tell you honestly they are the worst sort of muggles there are. He will not thrive here!"

That is the idea, Albus thought to himself. He continued on clicking his diluminator in his quest to sheath the entire Privet Drive in darkness and shadows. "Minerva, please trust me. Harry needs to be with his family." he indicated to the neat and tidy Number 4. "They are his last surviving relatives."

Minerva was losing patience. "What about godparents? Surly he has godparents?"

Dumbledore turned to address his colleague. There was so much she needed to learn. "Of course. But seeing as Sirius Black has gone missing, and Frank and Alice Longbottom are in no fit state to raise their own child, what do you suppose we do?"

Minerva hated when he spoke to her like she was a child who had said something foolish. She narrowed her eyes at him but her words were lost as Hagrid touched down on a very familiar looking motorbike, albeit, much much larger.

"Well," the half giant sniffed, while approaching the two. There was a small bundle in his massive arms. "here's the little tyke."

Dumbledore smiled kindly up at him. "I trust that you ran into no problems?"

Hagrid sniffed again. "No. Funny thing was, that right there is Sirius' motorbike. Bit funny how it ended up there I 'spose. But I just had teh," he sobbed. "teh get little Harry out. The place was in ruins. I used me umbrella to make the bike a bit larger and flyin' over here he must've fallen asleep."

Dumbledore smiled to himself as he took the baby from Hagrid's arms, he walked up the path to the front door, Minerva at his side and Hagrid's wails in the background. He placed the sleeping baby right on the doorstep and removed a letter addressed to Petunia Dursley on top of the blankets.

Minerva took one look at the lightening shaped scar on Harry's forehead and wondering how many other scars he would acquire before reaching Hogwarts when he turned eleven. She heard Albus mutter a simple "Good luck, Harry," and watched furiously as he turned and apparated away. After several moments, she transformed into a cat and slinked off into the night.

Realizing he was alone after some time, the teary eyed Hagrid settled back on his new bike, revved up the engine, and began the long journey back to his little hut on the Hogwarts ground in Scotland.

o0o0o0o

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!" the headmaster looked up from his desk as a woman a few years older than McGonagall exited the fireplace in his office in a blur of green flames. The vulture on her hat wobbled ominously. "What is the meaning of this?"

He regarded her with polite interest. He had no doubt as to where this meeting was headed. "Why Augusta, I must say I'm presently surprised."

"You bloody well better to be," she said while straightening her crisp suit. "Where is my grandson? I demand you tell me this instant!"

Dumbledore hid the small smirk on his face. "Well, I assume you wouldn't leave him alone in your mansion, I must take a guess and say that your elf Mimi is attending to young Neville at the moment."

Augusta could barely contain her rage. The nerve of this man. "You know bloody well I'm not talking about Neville. I know where he is! I'm speaking of Harry Potter!"

"Really?" Dumbledore feigned surprised. "I was not aware of the relation between you and young Harry. I must look into that."

"You'll do no such thing, you meddlesome old fool!" Augusta bellowed. "He was entrusted to the care of my Frank and Alice! Who are you to deny them that? And to leave him with muggles who no doubt despise magic? Do not for one moment think that Lily Potter has neglected to share her relationship, or lack thereof, with her sister and brother in law with myself."

Dumbledore thought for a moment. Of course she would know of the animosity between the sisters, but no matter. "Yes, that may be so. But As I understand, Harry Potter was entrusted to Frank and Alice, and unless there has been, forgive me, some miracle, I believe the two currently hold permanent rooms in St. Mungo's?"

Augusta actually took a step back, her face showing pain, and horror at the old man's words. "How could you be so cruel? Alice and Frank worshiped you, and you speak of their...misfortune so casually? Albus, I had no idea there was this side of you."

Dumbledore cursed himself. He had no desire to be thought of as the bad guy. His face softened immediately. "Augusta, I'm terribly sorry the way that came out. I was enamored with Frank and Alice and I can't tell you how hurt I am by their unfortunate fate. Please, accept my apology?"

His eyes bore into hers and after a moment she gave a curt nod. "As for Harry Potter, I know that your Frank and Alice were his godparents, but that was the extent of it. Since they cannot take care of him, I have decided to become his magical guardian whilst his only remaining blood relations take charge of him until he becomes of age."

Augusta hid her contempt for the old man. "Of course, I can see your logic, leader of the light as the magical guardian of the boy who lived." she fought the urge to scoff at the man. "I do wish that you would occasionally allow myself and Neville to visit him, as they were very close and their parents did intend for them to grow up as brothers."

Dumbledore almost felt sorry for the woman. But Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom becoming friends before Hogwarts just wasn't in his plans. "I'm sorry Augusta. But as you know, Harry's aunt and uncle will have a hard enough time dealing with a magical nephew, but I think your presence will offset them more. I myself will not even be in contact with them and I strongly advise that you do not attempt to contact him either."

Augusta had had it with him. She fixed him with one haughty gaze that only a pureblooded witch could muster and turned to make her leave via floo. Before she stepped into the green flames she turned for one more word with Dumbledore.

"You may not wish for me or my Neville to contact Harry, who is my extended family whether you like it or not, but let us look at Lily and James, and Frank and Alice; we do not always get what we wish, Albus."

And with that final remark, the matriarch was on her way, though Longbottom Manor was her last destination.

o0o0o0o

So you may or may not have noticed, but I kinda sorta don't really like Dumbledore. I think he's more than a little manipulating and is the living embodiment of the phrase, "My way or the highway" to his liking.

Not very nice of him.

Anywho, please leave your feedback for this story as I would really appreciate it. Sometimes I have a tendency to start a fic, and then lose the fire for it and just delete it altogether. That usually happens when I feel like no body wants to read it.

So, to help me out a lot (if you all could be so kind) and I'm sure this is the case with thousands of other young writers, please give us some feedback or we'll never know how our fics can be improved, nor can we answer questions.

I personally really want to finish this but if I don't have the support, how can I?

Don't take this as a guilt trip either, as if even one person tells me they want me to finish it, I'll do it for that one person.

And then bake them cookies. Who doesn't like cookies?

Please and Thank you, love to you all

~Spanish Surprise.