AN: Please read and enjoy! I'm putting two chapters up today, and after that I will update only on Sunday nights. But I will update once a week, unless I write otherwise. I promise not to go longer than a month without an update, and that only in an emergency!

The Love of Family

Chapter 1: The Summer of Saving Harry

July 1, 1991- 7:35 am, Matthew Peterson's bedroom; the Peterson Household; London

Matthew Orion Peterson was almost bouncing with excitement when he woke up one morning at the beginning of July. His older sister, Rosie, had been assuring him for a year that he'd get into her exclusive, private, boarding school. After all, even before their parents Anna and Rich Peterson had adopted them, they'd both been able to do the same odd things such as floating instead of falling, or summoning their toys to them.

Then one day a year ago, when Matt and his older brother Will had been at the park, Rosie had a visitor in the form of an older woman who was a Professor at a school for magic.

Matt had never met the Professor, but Rosie assured him that she'd visit him as well, as he was magical too. And she had come in July the previous summer, and now it was finally July of Matthew's eleventh birthday! Matt hoped she would come, but he also wanted to meet the teacher for a reason beyond admittance to Hogwarts.

Rosie was the only one who believed him about the boy whose mind he could enter at night. Maybe it was because Rosie understood magic too, or because she'd known him longest, but she was the only one who gave the notion a second thought. Will thought Matt made Harry up for attention, and his parents thought Harry was an imaginary friend of some sort.

But Matt knew that wasn't true at all. A few years ago he and Harry had a nightmare, one of Harry's that he often had, but that he'd somehow pulled Matt into that time. It was about a bad man killing a pretty woman with red hair by shooting green light at her, and then trying to kill Matt the same way.

But Harry had protected him. And that's when they had realized they were twins, who had somehow been separated, but because of their nighttime talks, never alone. Matt suspected that they had some sort of bond, and that he should be able to talk to Harry during the day, too. But he knew Harry worked during the day, and often got hurt. He knew that because of their bond one could feel whatever the other did, and Matt knew Harry blocked him out of the bond during the day because he didn't want Matt to get hurt, too.

So he had to wait until bedtime to reach out to his twin, and comfort him as he cried. Harry cried from loneliness. He cried from all the hurts he acquired over the hours. And he cried from happiness when Matt would sooth him. It made Matt guilty that such little things like kind words or a mental hug made Harry so deliriously happy, because Matt had such a good life with his family. Especially after his mother's second cousin had told her three years ago about her suspicions that Matt and Rosie had magic (apparently a distant relative of the Peterson's had gone to Hogwarts without Anna being informed of that world) they'd been encouraged in their accidental magics. Even if nothing about them being wizards had been confirmed until the previous summer.

But every time Harry did magic by accident, he was beaten till he couldn't move or even think. Matt wanted so much to find Harry, but he was only ten. Harry didn't know where the old building he lived in was, and even if he did Matt couldn't get there alone. And no adult would believe him when he said Harry needed help

Matt didn't know why he had ended up with such a good life, but Harry had ended up with the worst possible. Was it just luck? Why had they even been separated? Matt wished more than anything he could be with Harry physically to help him. Harry often 'felt' mentally that he needed a long hug.

Just the night before Matt had said he wished that he could be with Harry in their conversation, after wishing it silently for years.

But Harry had adamantly disagreed, saying he would never want Matt in a place like where he lived, and that he was happy Matt was loved and part of a family.

But no matter how often Harry denied his depression Matt knew his beloved little brother (that was something that survived their memories- Matt was older than Harry by a few minutes) wouldn't survive much longer in that horrible place.

He hoped that a full-grown witch like the Professor might believe him, and that maybe she could use magic to find Harry. Rosie wasn't allowed to use magic outside of school, even if she and Matt would have any idea how to go about a rescue mission.

So now that it was finally July, he was hoping that he'd get a visit any day. Rosie said she'd told the Professor her parents would need a personal visit like Rosie's the year before, rather than the traditional letter from families already knowledgeable about the magical world. Truthfully, their parents could use the help with navigating Diagon Alley again, so it wasn't really lying.

But Rosie knew all about Harry, and she knew that Matt wanted to talk to someone who could help him.

So she assured her little brother that as long as his name appeared on the List (which it would, according to the proud sister), Professor McGonagall would visit.

So now all that Matt had to do was wait, oh, and make up his list of what he wanted for his birthday at the end of the month.

July 3, 1991- 8:30 am, Headmaster's Office; Hogwarts

Minerva McGonagall was once again watching the Headmaster as he wearily sat at his desk, and looked the oldest she'd ever seen him.

"Are you sure?" he'd questioned her.

"Yes, Albus. I am. It is possible that they've been adopted or taken in somewhere, but there are no Potters on the list of letters to go out. I haven't checked the muggle born list thoroughly, but there were no Potters on the ones I've visited so far. Besides, that dratted quill on that dratted list only writes the first initial for me to copy onto the envelope with their surname. The official Hogwarts Book of eligible students in your office lists them as alive and still eligible, but still as Potters for their surnames, which indicated that their magic hasn't been affected by a magical adoption and magic still thinks of them as Potters. The whole thing is so confusing! Even if their names were the same, something that you doubted all those years ago due to them not having any identification, I'd be unable to recognize them from the list." She sighed heavily. "I am sorry, Albus. You know I wanted to find them as much as you did." she ended there, and then fidgeted uncomfortably as she realized she'd been ranting at the Headmaster.

Funny how he could still make her feel like an eleven-year-old student in trouble, just by looking at her.

He looked up guiltily, not having meant to be placing blame on her, and not realizing how difficultly she'd been taking the news. "There is no reason for you to be sorry, my dear. It's not your fault in any way. I am sorry, though, because I know you wanted so much to find them this year."

Another sigh, this time a weary one, from the witch. "I know, but it's not your fault either, Albus. You couldn't have known, or done anything differently than what we've already done. You're just human as well, don't forget."

"I know, I know. This situation reminds me whenever I could forget. Well, at least it keeps me humble." Some of the missing humor returned to his voice, "Now, don't you have some muggle-born homes to visit?"

She smiled at seeing the familiar twinkle come into his eyes again. "Yes, Albus, I'll be on my way. See you at supper, I suppose. There aren't many left- I visited a rather enthusiastic young girl by the name of Granger yesterday, and I only have three homes left to visit in the next few days. The wizarding home letters are scheduled to be delivered day after tomorrow."

"Good, good. See you tonight, my dear."

"Goodbye, Albus."

And as the door shut behind her, the old man turned to look absently out of the window that overlooked the grounds of his domain. He didn't want to worry the already stressed witch, but he had a feeling in his gut that something was wrong with the twins. He hoped that he was just being paranoid, but he would feel so much better if he could see them again, and know they were all right.

"Please, my boys; find your way to Hogwarts, somehow."

July 4, 1992- 9:00 am, The Kitchen of the Peterson Home; London

Matthew Peterson jumped in his chair as he heard the doorbell ring. He'd been doing that every time someone approached the door since the beginning of the summer, and it was starting to drive his family crazy.

"Matt!" his father exclaimed this time, "if it's for you, then we'll call you to the door. Now sit back down and finish your breakfast."

With a slight grumble Matt obeyed, chewing hurriedly on his bacon, and trying to hear his mother's conversation at the door.

However, he couldn't make out more than a vague murmur of voices, and had to be content to wait.

Finally he heard his mother's voice. "Matt! Come into the sitting room, please! And Rosie can come too, if she wants."

Before Matt could race out of the room, Rosie had beaten him to it, skidding into the doorway from the hallway to the sitting room, and blocking the view from Matt.

"No fair!" he cried as he tried to see over his sister's shoulder.

"Hello Professor!" he heard his sister greet the woman who must be her teacher, while ignoring his attempts to push her aside.

"Hello to you, too, Miss Peterson. You said you thought your brother would be admitted to Hogwarts, so I'm here to tell you that you were correct in your assumption. I'll be taking him to Diagon Alley after our meeting, and you are welcome to come and get your new books and replenish supplies, should you need to."

"Thanks, Professor!" Rosie did sound happy, so Matt supposed this woman must be all right, but now that he was faced with a real witch he was rather nervous. He stopped his attempts to push past his sister, and instead hid behind her back.

Rosie, thankfully, decided to help him when she felt the change in his behavior.

"This is my brother," she announced proudly, pushing Matt in front of her into the room and trying to help him in his attempt to help Harry, "and he actually had something to ask you, as a profess…" she trailed off as they observed the odd reaction of the Professor.

Matt was confused. The woman looked kind enough, though very stern. He supposed as a teacher of magic she had to control the classes she taught, so that no one got hurt while practicing. She had brown hair that was slightly graying at the temples though she didn't look to be much older than his grandma (and according to Rosie witches and wizards lived much longer than muggles, so she might be the equivalent of his mother's age, maybe), and it was secured in a tight bun at the back of her head. Square spectacles framed her dark eyes and she was wearing a long, green, velvet dress with a matching handbag.

However, the look she was giving him wasn't normal at all. She was gazing at him with a look akin to shock, with amazement and a little horror mixed in.

"James?" she finally murmured, sounding close to tears.

When Minerva McGonagall entered the Peterson house, she was mainly focused on the fact that she only had two of the muggle born students left for the coming year. She enjoyed her task, which was good because she had to do it every year. It came with the deputy head job, after all. She loved seeing the reactions as new students discovered that magic was real, and as she got to witness their joy and excitement upon the admittance to their new world.

However it could get tiring as well, especially with families that were skeptical at first, and she was ready to be done for this year. She was worn out, and subdued beyond her normal from the loss of the Potter twins. She remembered them so well, to this day. Little Matthew had been an adorable baby who looked like he would take after Lily in his looks. He'd always been cheerful and bubbly as a baby, with a smile for everyone and a laugh at everything.

But it was Harry whom she'd been drawn to, even when they were mere months old. He'd been the quieter, smaller of the two, though already he had seemed quite smart. She would sit with him for hours at her visits, reading stories to him. Matt would get bored after one or two, but Harry loved those times with Auntie Minnie, as James had taught them to call her when she visited.

Their disappearance had hurt her heart, and this year had been a mix of excitement, anticipation, disappointment, despair, and finally depression as she waited to find them after all these years, only to be bitterly disappointed and worried when they didn't appear.

But this muggle-born visit wouldn't be much work, at least. She knew some muggle families had trouble adjusting even after the first year, so when the little Hufflepuff Rosaline Peterson had told her that she thought her younger brother would be accepted for the coming year, and that her parents would most likely need help again with getting school supplies, she'd assured the girl that if Mr. Peterson got a letter, that she'd deliver it herself.

So this family wouldn't need explanations, easy, she'd thought.

But as Rosie talked and motioned her brother forward, Minerva froze.

One thought went through her head as the sparkling hazel eyes caught hers, and as the messy hair fell onto the boy's forehead.

She felt like she was twenty years back in time, once again looking at one of her all time favorite students as an eleven year old as he stood guiltily in her office, hauled in for some prank or other that she'd caught him at.

"James?" she whispered, feeling herself loose control of the emotions she'd been reigning in for days.

Rosie looked around in confusion as Minerva regained control of herself. "Professor?" she questioned, "what was that?"

Minerva cleared her throat. She realized who this was, and she couldn't believe it!

"Miss Peterson, did I hear that you were adopted?" she'd head about that in the staff room, but as the girl wasn't in her house it hadn't seemed to affect her.

But she'd been adopted- perhaps her brother had, too. This couldn't be a coincidence! Not after all this time!

"Yes, Professor," the confused girl answered politely.

"And you, Mr. Peterson, were you adopted as well?" she looked the boy in his bright, but confused, hazel eyes. So, so familiar. She knew his family was watching with bemusement, not sure what was happening. But she kept her eyes on the one thing anchoring her to consciousness.

"Ye-Yes, Professor," the boy stuttered out, "When they adopted Rosie, I was a bit over two year at the time."

Now that she looked closer, the boy wasn't an exact replica of James. It seemed they had been wrong when the boys were young- this redhead must be Matthew Potter the one who had taken after Lily, but he looked like a replica of James with Lily's color hair now! From his broad shoulders, to the messy mop of hair, and the color and shape of the laughing eyes, to his sharp cheekbones in his round-ish face (that would define itself more in a few years, like James's had when he was in his fourth year or so) to his posture as he stood confidently before her.

Now she gave him a small smile as she turned to Anna Peterson. "If you don't mind me asking, where and when did you adopt Matthew?"

Anna looked bewildered as she answered, "Not at all. It was in November of eighty-two, when he was roughly twenty-seven months old, from the St. Mary's Children's Home in London. Why do you ask?"

"Do you know when he was left at the Home?" Minerva asked desperately, ignoring the question for the moment.

"We were told he was left on the step when he was roughly fifteen months, the beginning of November of nineteen-eighty-one."

Minerva gasped as she turned her gaze on Matt again, before composing herself. She had suspected and hoped, maybe believed because she wanted it so badly- but this was as good as confirmation! Well, if him being the image of James himself wasn't enough…

"Excuse me," she said to the whole family, including the twelve-year-old that wasn't magical but a biological child of the family, who had joined them at some point during their discussion. She knew she'd been acting quite odd and rudely, "But I knew Matt as a baby, and we've been searching for him for years." At the horror-struck expressions on all the surrounding faces she realized their minds had jumped to the possibility that she'd take Matt away with her. "No, no! We'd never ask him to leave such a loving and wonderful family!" Their expressions cleared, leaving only curiosity, and excitement. "I was good friends with his family, before his parents were killed. We were looking for him because they had stayed on such good terms with the staff at Hogwarts after they graduated, and we wanted to make sure Matt was taken care of. There was no one else expecting to care for him, though, so your adoption is perfectly legal and standing." The elder Petersons exchanged relieved looks as they smiled at her.

Minerva looked at Matt's glowing face- he was bouncing he was so excited. "You knew my birth parents? Is that why you called me James? Was that my dad?"

"Yes," Minerva said, with a soft look and voice that her students almost never saw from her, "Lily and James Potter were two of the brightest students I have ever had the pleasure to teach. I loved them both very much, and I was introduced to you as 'Auntie Minnie' when you were a baby. You look exactly like your father, though your hair color is your mothers. You have your father's build, eyes, and completely uncontrollable hair, though." She smiled fondly, remembering James from his time at school.

Matt looked so excited by this information that she had known his parents, and that they had gone to Hogwarts themselves. He seemed to have forgotten, but Rosie had mentioned earlier that he had something to ask her…

Speaking of questions, she had one for him. One that she was so desperate to know the answer to that she almost didn't want to ask- there had been so many good surprises today, she knew she couldn't expect this too. But she wanted him to know, so, so badly.

"Matt?" she sounded strangely tentative, even to her own ears, "You probably don't remember him, but I had hoped…?" she trailed off, then started again, "Do you remember Harry, at all?" She held her breath in anticipation, knowing it was completely absurd to think Matt would remember something from way back when he was a baby, but she found herself hoping that maybe the Petersons knew where Harry had ended up, that maybe he'd been adopted by a similar, loving family when Matt had been. Her gaze turned to their confused faces briefly, but she barely had time to be disappointed yet again before Matt's anxious voice snapped her head back to face him.

"You know Harry?" The little boy exclaimed, "You need to help him, please!"

After those words, Minerva McGonagall felt like she would faint. Matt not only knew who she was talking about, but for some reason he thought Harry was in trouble, judging by his words and the anxious and pleading sound of his voice.

The previously happy eyes now looked shadowed and sad and worried, and the bounce in him had turned into a despairing slump of his shoulders, even as he ran over to her and grabbed her hand.

"Please, Professor McGonagall! Harry needs us!"

Several hours later, after Anna had pulled her son off of Minerva, and after the teacher had ascertained enough from the situation to know she needed Albus at the house with her, and after one patronus message, and after he'd arrived, and after they'd grilled Matt for whatever he knew, they finally had most of the information. They'd also discovered that because of the blankets with the snitches that Lily had ordered for the twins, Matt had been known as Matt Orion until he was adopted.

Minerva felt like a fool when she noticed the only letter that remained was for a 'Mr. H. James'. Obviously, the same had happened to him, and now they had a location for him!

Matt also had an odd connection with his twin, it seemed, one that only Albus had understood. This was the reason they were being held up on fetching Harry; Albus wanted to know everything before leaving, and this was the last bit. It also seemed that the rest of the Peterson family wasn't following their conversation as well as the Professors and Matt. They were rather confused, still, and understandable so.

One Hour Previously-

"Do you mean to tell me," Anna Peterson had said slowly, "That the little, abused boy Matt would tell me about really exists?"

"Yes, Mum!" Matt had cried, "I told you that!"

Albus had smoothly interjected here, "In the wizarding world, many twins are the same as they would be in your world. However, sometimes when they are born to exceptionally powerful parents or are powerful in their own right, something called a twin bond develops. Both of these cases are true in Matthew and Harry, which resulted in a rather strong twin bond. Lily and James once said that no matter where the twins were, Harry would always know when Matt was upset, and he'd cry until he was reunited with his brother, who he would then sooth. They were sure it was the beginning of a bond."

Then the Headmaster had turned to Matt. "Do you feel your brother, sometimes, in your mind?"

The rest of the family, Minerva had noticed, was confused and puzzled with the conversation. She was also, having not known much about bonds before this. But her mind was stuck on the word Anna had used previously to describe Harry. 'Abused'. She wanted to run directly to the little boy, but Albus said Harry had survived ten years, and could wait a few more hours so that they could make sure they were suitably prepared.

Matt nodded to the question. "Yes, and I can talk to him."

Albus beamed. "That is quite the powerful bond, I assume you can also know each others feelings?"

"Yes!" but then Matt seemed to deflate, "But Ry blocks me out except at night. He won't talk to me."

"Why?" Albus asked gently.

"He says he's busy, but I can tell it's because he knows when he's hit it'll hurt me, and he doesn't want me to worry or be hurt."

Albus looked shocked. "I've never heard of a bond that strong before…"

"Albus!" Minerva snapped, "That's not the important part! The important part is that Harry feels the need to block Matt out every day because of it!"

"I talk to him at night," Matt interjected, obviously trying to restore peace, "and I calm him when he cries himself to sleep."

Now Minerva was crying herself, and she didn't bother to try and stop. "Does that happen often?"

"Yes, ever since he was left there," Matt said. "They don't like when his accidental magic does anything, but he also gets hit for breathing wrong most days, or doing his chores wrong, or not finishing making breakfast on time, or some stupid reason." Seeing the shocked looks, he added, "But Harry's really brave and strong, and much wiser than I am, particularly for a ten-year-old." His parents smiled slightly, as if they liked how he'd notice that in another boy- he was rather mature himself, for his age.

But Minerva knew it must be because of his connection to Harry- no little child should know such suffering.

She spun to face Albus.

"Now," she said, and swept out of the house without waiting.

Three Hours Later-

There was quite the crowd in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. They had known that they'd need to get Harry healed at some capacity, but no one had guessed the extent. After laying eyes on the unconscious boy clothed in nothing but some old rags and clutching an old baby blanket, Poppy had kicked everyone else to the hallway. Because Matt had insisted on accompanying them to get his brother, his mother had insisted on waiting for him at the school. So Minerva and Matt had gone to fetch Harry, with Albus catching up after leaving the other four Petersons in the capable hands of the rest if the staff.

Minerva had cried again upon seeing Harry, and hearing Poppy's initial diagnosis.

"Three broken ribs, two mis-healed breaks in his legs, malnourishment with his height and growth stunted, not to mention bone-thin with no fat and barely any muscle, lice, covered in bruises, and bloody cuts all up and down his back! He has too many infected cuts to count, and that's where the sky-high fever came from, which resulted in the unconscious state he was found in. Though the concussion and bruise on the back of his head didn't help matters! It'll take weeks to heal him physically, not to mention the months of nutrition and nourishment potions for his continued health. And I don't even want to think of his mental health after this! He'll need a quiet and supportive atmosphere, and I'm not sure he'll ever recover fully in that aspect, though he should be physically back to where his growth should be within the year."

And then she'd put some sleeping charms on him, and told them to let her work in peace.

Now they were waiting for news, Matt almost asleep on his mother's lap after crying at seeing Harry. Though they were in contact every night, the boys hadn't seen each other in person since they were toddlers. Matt had wanted to hug his brother, but hadn't been allowed near the boy. Harry hadn't even been conscious when they'd found him, but knocked out in 'his cupboard', as Matt said he called the place where he slept. And so they'd brought him straight to Poppy.

At this point, Anna spoke up, saying softly, "If he has nowhere to go, I'd like to take Harry in. I'm sure it would benefit both him and Matt to be together."

Matt, Will, and Rosie looked excited, while Albus looked apprehensive.

But Minerva wasn't worried about insulting anyone, unlike the Headmaster, and she thoroughly disapproved of the idea.

"No," she said instantly.

"Minerva," Albus began, but she cut him off.

"No, Albus, you won't placate me about this. I'm sure you'd be wonderful to Harry," she assured Anna, who had been looking insulted, "And I know you mean well. But Harry has obviously, from what Matt's told us, been beaten when he accidentally used magic. He'd going to be traumatized and a magical guardian would be necessary to make him understand that he's normal in our world. And he'll need individual attention, and as loving as your family is, you have three other children to care for. You all heard what Poppy said!"

Minerva felt rather ashamed of her outburst, but Albus's eyes just twinkled stronger at her; a danger sign, as all the staff at the school knew well.

"And my dear Minerva, that's why I am sure you will make the best guardian for Mr. Potter."

Minerva just gaped at him. Was Albus really losing his marbles, as many of the conservatives of the society seemed to think?

"No, my dear, I'm perfectly sane," Albus once again showed his amazing capability for reading expressions, "But I am sure of this. Harry will also benefit from having a professor as a guardian. He'll need to live in separate quarters for a while, I'd think, as the dorms might be too much for him after only two months out of that terrible place."

Albus's expression hardened for a moment before his normally implacable calm returned. "And you have shown you care for him. I can think of no one better."

Looking around, Minerva saw only approval from the others gathered. She felt tears once again gather in her eyes. This was all that she'd dreamed of- she'd never had children, but her brother had. Nieces and nephews were all well and good, but she'd yearned for a child of her own. And Harry had always drawn her in, as such an intelligent and bright child. Helping him recover from the abuse and grow into his potential would be so rewarding.

She knew it would be difficult, but she knew it would be worth it in the end.

"All- all right, Albus." She eventually stuttered out, "If Harry agrees, then I would be honored to care for him in McGonagall Manor the rest of the summer, and then to house him in my quarters here."

Albus just smiled, and waited silently while the Petersons wished her luck and said goodbye before heading home at last, knowing Harry wouldn't awaken anytime soon.

Anna hesitated for a moment at the door, and then impulsively gave Minerva a hug that the surprised woman returned after a moment.

"With Harry living with you we're almost family; we'll be seeing a lot of each other when the boys visit, as they'll want to do often. I just want to tell you that I'm here for support or help, whatever you need. Just give a shout, anytime."

"Thank you," Minerva replied simply, and then she thought they were gone. But Matt hadn't left yet. He glanced behind him at his mother lingering in the hall, before looking back at Minerva.

"Yes, Mr. Peterson? How can I help you?"

"Just, take care of him, Professor. He'll want to go with you; I've heard about you from Rosie's letters, and told him. And once he knows you rescued him, he'll know you care. He can just tell those things."

Minerva filed that information away for later and gestured for Matt to continue.

"But he's gonna be nervous. Just help him, please."

"Of course, Mr. Peter- Matt. I will, I promise."

Then Matt smiled and left with his mother, and Minerva gulped as she realized what she'd agreed to.

But she'd succeed- she'd promised, after all. She'd promised Matt, herself, and most importantly, Harry.

AN: Please, please review! First five reviewers get the next five chapters dedicated to them! You know you want to, so please take one minute to give some feedback, whether it's only one word or an actual critique. Thank you!

-Golden Sun