A/N: this is a re betaed chap. Many thanks to Machele for taking pity on my story. Please review and enjoy!

Harry was one of a kind, as his brothers would always tell him. And although he always kidded that they were just as weird as him, he knew deep inside that they were right. Harry was adopted by a man named Simon Conway shortly after the fall of Voldemort. His brothers, Draco "Drake" Malfoy, Neville "Nick" Longbottom, and Jake Riley, Jake were adopted shortly after Harry. They grew up in America, far away from Great Britain and that is just how Simon wanted it. He knew that these four boys were probably going to be the most powerful wizards in all of Britain. But they would need training, discipline, structure and a chance to have a family, to be loved, a chance to just be boys.

Fifteen year old Harry Potter was unlike any other wizard in Britain. Never mind his lightning shaped scar, or being abandoned by his birth parents. Harry Potter, along with his three brothers, had a reputation in the little town of Bar Harbor Maine. And it wasn't the good kind of reputation. He, along with his brothers, had a reputation of being bad asses. The four were all dressed in black, had their hair spiked with midnight blue tips, and mischievous looks. They always looked ready to get in some kind of trouble. Right now they were huddled in a compartment, going over some papers, and that is how Hermione Granger found the four brothers. She eyed each boy, racking her brain and trying to figure out who the four were, but when she couldn't she stepped in the cabin uninvited and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm Hermione Granger." She said with an air of authority. "Who are you?"

The boys looked up from their papers and shoved them in their bags before Hermione could see them.

"What was that?" she asked fingering her wand in her pocket. The boys looked Slytherin, and she knew not to let her guard down around Slytherins. She took a step closer to the four, despite her fear. She just had to know what was going on.

"Well aren't you inquisitive?" Drake asked, choking back a laugh.

Hermione huffed. "I asked you a question."

The boys laughed again. "To ask a question," Jake said, eyeing the girl up and down, "means to do just that, ask. What you did was demand to know, not ask. There's a difference." Jake explained

"You don't have to be so rude. I just wanted to know who you are-"

"And what we were doing, and no we weren't being rude, you were." Nick said.

Hermione huffed again. "I just wanted to make sure that you are supposed to be on this train."

Nick scoffed. "My brother's and I are going to Hogwarts this year as fifth years. And the reason that you have never seen us before now is because we have been home schooled."

"Home schooled!" Hermione said excitingly, forgetting her fear towards the four. "How exciting! Do you know lots of spells? Are you from America? You have a funny accent."

"Nice deduction there Sherlock," Drake said and laughed, "What gave it away?"

Just then Ron Weasley, another fifth year Gryffindor, popped his head into the compartment. He took one look at the four boys, and without asking who they were, he immediately labeled them Slytherins. "These four giving you trouble, 'Mionie?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, these are new students. They're going to be fifth years. And stop calling me that!"

"I'm Ron Weasley," he said stepping into the compartment and puffing out his chest. The four brothers sniggered. Ron was about to say something else when Hermione cut him off, sensing a fight coming on.

"I expect we'll be arriving soon, you four had better change. And when you get to the platform, you'll want to find Hagrid, he's our games keeper. He'll take you four, with the rest of the first years to the school."

Drake stood, "and if you don't want to stick around for the show," he said taking off his shirt. "you'd better leave."

Ron had to practically drag Hermione out of the compartment.

"If this is how all people act," Jake said taking a pack of blue bubble gum out of his mouth and popping a piece in his mouth, "then perhaps it was a mistake coming this year."

Drake swiped the pack out of Jake's hand and took a piece before throwing the pack to Nick, before Jake could take it back. "It wouldn't matter what year we came bro, jerks like Ron Weasley will always be there. Besides, who cares? We're gonna stick together, not play into that whole "house wars" game.

Their father had warned the four that Hogwarts had split the students in to four separate houses based on personality and ability. And even though all houses were supposed to be treated fairly, they weren't.

"Now there have been friendships among the houses before, but know this. At Hogwarts most will judge you not by who you are or how smart you are, or even where your loyalties truly lie, but by the badge that you wear. Don't let their rules and customs divide you. No matter where you end up, always remember you are brothers first."

When the four departed from the train, they went grudgingly with the first years to the boats. The first years stared at them with wide eyes, wondering how eleven year olds could look like that, but no one dared to ask.

Professor McGonagall met them at the door. She didn't say anything aloud, knowing full well who the boys were, but she prayed silently that none of them would end up in her house. There were whispers all around when the four entered the Great Hall for the first time, with there spiked hair, black robes that almost shimmered in the candle light while blowing blue bubbles with their gum. Dumbledore cleared his throat and stood.

"As some of you may have noticed, we have four new students, that are obviously not you average eleven years olds. Draco Malfoy Conway, Neville Longbottom Conway, Jacob Riley Conway, and Harry Potter Conway-"

At Harry's names even more whispering broke out in the hall. Harry merely rolled his eyes.

"It's just Conway, sir" Drake said loudly. McGonagall turned to tell him to hush. But Draco beat her to it. "We don't use our birth names. It's too much of a mouthful."

"My apologies Mr. Conway. As I was saying these four young men will be joining us as fifth years. I hope you all make them feel welcome. Now!" Dumbledore said rubbing his hands together.

Harry shifted uncomfortably in his spot. He knew that most people were watching and whispering about him. But there seemed to be three people especially that were outright staring at him. Lily and James Potter sat at the head table and watched Harry with a mixture of expressions crossing their faces. But it was Adam Potter who sat at the Gryffindor table watching his brother with a pure look of contempt written on his face. Drake had moved to stand next to Harry blocked his view of Adam. Nick stood at his other side with Jake in front of Harry. Harry loosened his shoulders and closed his eyes. He opened them again with a new determination. Harry would not let his past get to him. He had learned a long time ago just what would happen if he allowed himself to get sucked back into that drama and swore to himself that he would not let that happen. Shaking his head he focused on the Sorting hat's song.

Back when the school was new

And the founders ruled the school

They combined their magic

For if they hadn't, the results would have been tragic

The school stayed protected

Evil magic, deflected

Through all times the school remained strong

A haven of sorts for students to learn right from wrong

But I warn you now that the time to unite is here

No longer can we stand apart living in fear

For the true founding four shall unite us all

The school shall once again stand tall

Left in the shadows by his kin

The Shadow boy's reign will truly begin

Willing to stand and defeat evil rising in this final hour

For he truly has the greatest power

Only then we shall know what the future holds

As the prophecy unfolds...

"Well if that didn't state the obvious," Harry whispered.

As soon as the hat stopped, satisfied and even looking a bit smug, if a hat can be described as looking that way, the Great hall broke into whispers wondering who the four chosen ones could be. Even Dumbledore looked concerned, but he said nothing, only nodded to McGonagall to start the sorting.

McGonagall cleared her throat and began sorting the first years. Six of the new students went to Gryffindor; four went to Ravenclaw, five went to Hufflepuff, and seven went to Slytherin. The four brothers clapped politely as each student was sorted, and waited anxiously for their turn.

"Draco M-Conway," McGonagall said correcting herself.

It took awhile of discussion between the hat and Drake, but the hat finally shouted "Slytherin!" Drake smirked and hopped off of the stool, but instead of joining his house mates, he went and stood next to his brothers. McGonagall was about to tell him to go to his table, but Drake spoke up before she got the chance.

"I'd like to stand with my brother's when they get sorted," he said.

McGonagall turned to Dumbledore who nodded thoughtfully at the strange occurrence and motioned for her to continue. Many twins and siblings have been sorted together, but none had asked to stay while the other is sorted. Dumbledore he would have to keep an eye on the four.

"Harry Conway," McGonagall spoke. Harry Potter with his short spiky black hair with vivid red tips hoped up on the platform ignoring the looks that people were giving him. Dumbledore leaned forward in his seat, trying to hear what the sorting hat was talking to Harry about. Over the past few years Dumbledore had grown more and more suspicious about Adam's twin. Perhaps Harry was more powerful then everyone though him to be. But Dumbledore sighed in relief when the hat finally shouted out "Gryffindor!"

Harry's face showed no expression as he joined Drake, waiting for the rest of his brothers to be sorted.

The cheering from the Gryffindor table was minimal at best, mostly because Adam wasn't clapping and looked scathingly at anyone around him who dared to clap. Everyone in Gryffindor knew what Adam though of his brother. Although they didn't grow up together, Adam felt nothing but pure hate for his twin, though the reason why was still unclear.

"Jacob Conway," McGonagall said and gave the hat to Jake as soon as he jumped on stage. Jake had kept a big dopey grin on his face the entire time he and the hat conversed.

"Ravenclaw," the hat finally shouted.

"Neville Conway," McGonagall said loudly, inwardly glad that it was the last student.

The hat seemed to take an even longer time sorting Nick, before finally sending him to Hufflepuff. The four brothers congratulated each other before dutifully going to their respected tables, ignoring any and all questions they were asked.

When all of the students had eaten, and the noise in the great hall was rising again, Dumbledore stood and tapped his spoon against his goblet. "Now that we have all stuffed ourselves to the fullest, may I please have your attention for some start of term announcements? First as always, the forbidden forest is just that, forbidden. A list of items that are banned can be found in our caretaker, Mr. Filch's office. And as you may have noticed we have a new addition to our staff this year. Joining us as the new History of Magic teacher, I would like to welcome Professor Hannah Prescott." Hannah Prescott stood and smiled briefly before sitting, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Also joining us this year is Madam Deloris Umbridge, serving as the school's delegate for the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry has sent Madam Umbridge to asses the inter-workings of the school, and to see," he said choosing his next words carefully, "if any changes need to be made. Madam Umbridge has been given the authority to give and take away points and to hand out detentions if need be. I expect every student here to treat her with the respect that you would give any professor here at Hogwarts. I would also like to welcome back," He said in his grandfatherly voice, "Professors Lily and James Potter. Professor James Potter again, teaching Defense against the dark arts and Professor Lily Potter teaching Muggle Studies. And I would like to wish a warm welcome back to all of our teachers.

Severus Snape eyed the four brothers warily. Deep in thought he pushed away his food and looked at his newest Slytherin. Draco Conway, formerly Malfoy, was sitting at the end of the Slytherin table ignoring any contact that his housemates tried to make with him. Like the rest of his brothers, he kept a defiant look on his face as he picked at his food.

Severus wondered if the young Malfoy heir knew who Severus was to him. Before Draco's father's death, Lucius had named Severus God father to his son. But only a year after Draco had been born Lucius had been found guilty of being a supported of Voldemort and the deaths of countless Muggle born's and half bloods. He was given the dementorskiss and died shortly after. Severus, being on a mission for Dumbledore had heard the news weeks after Lucius had died and immediately went to check on Narcissa and Draco, only to find a drunken and broken Narcissa who had told him that she had given Draco up for adoption. He had searched night and day for his Godson, but had given up after two years of searching. He was surprised to find out that Draco had been adopted by Simon Conway, one of the most powerful wizards in all of Great Britain.

He was even more surprised that Neville Longbottom had been adopted by the man as well. He was taken from his still distraught grandmother, promising the woman that he would be taken good care of. It was not a hasty decision, but one made over a few days time. She later told the shocked headmaster, that she was an old woman and could not give her grandson the proper upbringing that he deserved. The proper paperwork had been filled with the Ministry and the adoption was legally binding. The Longbottom Matriarch seemed reasonably sound in her decision, so the headmaster, while he was alarmed that Simon Conway's name kept coming up when it came to the adoption of pureblood boys. Severus knew that the man who was rumoured to be so powerful, must have been up to something, but only time would tell what.

Conway was said to have gone into hiding just after Voldemort's rise to power. Nobody would have guessed that he would have adopted four boys from the most well known and respected families. Severus looked at the four brothers and shook his head. It didn't take a genius to figure out who the sorting hat spoke of when he spoke of the four chosen ones. Severus sighed, he would have to keep an eye on those four. Needless to say, it was going to be an interesting year.

tbc