This story is dedicated to one of my friends, Bec.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters whose names can be found in any of the Harry Potter books.

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Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, listening as two of his most troublesome students told him just how it wasn't their fault the Slytherins were blue. Half way through the tale of how the Slytherins must have done it themselves, an alarm went off. Dumbledore's head flew up, the alarm had been fitted a few weeks ago, its purpose was to alert him if there was any illegal magic cast in Godric's Hollow, the current residence of Lilly and James Potter.

"I'm sorry to have to disturb this wonderful tale." Dumbledore said, interrupting the student halfway through a sentence. "But a very pressing matter has come up." Getting up quickly and walking briskly across the room, Dumbledore opened his door and gestured for the students to go ahead of him. "But rest assured," Dumbledore said as the party descended the winding stairs. "I will be very interested in hearing the rest." Dumbledore would have laughed at the look the students gave each other if there weren't more pressing matters on his mind.

The headmaster appearated to Godric's Hollow, he appeared two streets away from Lily and James' house, as it was impossible to appearate to their house. Dumbledore himself had seen to that. Taking up a brisk run Dumbledore felt his heart speed up as he looked at the destruction to the neighbourhood. Voldemort would not have been able to resist the temptation to kill all the muggles who called Godric's Hollow home. Dumbledore's heart gave an almighty tug when he reached Lily and James' house. The house was in complete ruin, the ceiling had collapsed on one side of the house and the entire front had been blow apart. Quickening his pace even more, Dumbledore hurried through the ruined fence and stepped into the house. The sight that met him was just as he expect, but had been hoping he wouldn't find. The living room had been blasted, parts of the ceiling had fallen in and the walls looked ready to collapse, the wall to the kitchen even had. Furniture was strewn across the room and under a part of the ceiling that had fallen, lay James' unmoving body.

Dumbledore strode across the room in two quick steps, his wand jumping into his hand. Brandishing his wand, the piece of plaster pinning James down flew across the room and lay to rest on a broken armchair. Dumbledore fell to his knees at James figure and slow tears fell down his face.

"James" he whispered, his eyes clouded with tears. Without the plaster to restrain his movements James began to writhe again and Dumbledore's face broke into shocked expression.

"Enavate!" Albus cried and James' twitching immediately stopped. Slowly James' eyes opened and he looked up into Albus' bright blue eyes, brimming with tears.

"Albus," James managed, his voice sounding horse, like he had been screaming. "Lily, the boys, I couldn't." James eyes filled with his tears and Albus felt tears trickle down his cheeks, he had been very close to the Potters.

"There's still hope," Albus said, his voice sounding unconvinced, even as he said it. "Voldemort left you alive, he might have." Albus left the sentence hanging.

This did nothing to comfort James as he rolled over and tried to get to his feet, Albus putting an arm under him to help.

"He wanted the boys." James said, leaning heavily on Albus. "He wanted them dead. There's no way."

Slowly James and Albus made their way towards the remains of the stairs, James leaning heavily on Albus. The stairs had collapsed and there appeared to be no way to climb them. Gesturing to outside Albus helped James out into the garden. Using his wand to levitate them both to the second floor Albus gently set James down on the roof were he lay crouched, looking defeated. Turning towards the roof Albus levitated a section away, leaving an opening. Lowering both James and himself down Albus was surprised to find that this part of the house was fairly intact. Putting an arm under James to support him the pair walked slowly towards the twin's room.

As soon as James caught site of the open door and Lily lying on the floor, Matt in her arms James threw himself forward, trying to reach his wife. Managing to reach her James took Matt in his arms and sobbed, his tears rolling down his cheeks. Albus walked slowly into the room, his own tears marring his vision.

Suddenly a baby's cry broke him out of his state. "Albus!" James cried, throwing his head up to look at the elderly wizard.

Albus turned towards James' and saw to his amazement Matt's eyes open and brimming with tears, his tiny arms clinging to James.

"Matt, oh Matt" James sobbed, bringing his son close.

Albus eyes flew to the other child in the room and raced over to the cot bringing the other child into his arms and finding little Harry breathing. Crying out in happiness Albus brought the little boy close to his chest. The movement only caused Harry to snuggle closer.

"James!" Albus cried, turning around to face James. "He's alive. They're both alive."

James' face lit up in joy, then he whipped around to look at Lily. Moving his hand slowly to her neck his smile became, if possible, even wider.

"She's alive," he sobbed. "She's alive."

Handing Harry to James, Albus kneeled down facing Lily. "Enavate."

Lily stirred, her eyes slowly opening. In seconds her emerald eyes met James' hazel ones. "James." She whispered and threw herself into his arms, embracing the twins and her husband.

"Shh," James whispered as Lily sobbed, his own tears running down his face, the twins held between them.

Dumbledore smiled, it was a truly beautiful sight. Looking around though dark thought occurred to him, something he had been wondering since he had found James alive.

"Why had Voldemort let them live, what had he come for and where was he now?"

Matt continued to cry and Lily took him into her arms, shhing him gently, then her eyes caught sight of his forehead.

"James, Albus." Lily said, her voice sounding frantic. Matt started crying and Lily gently rocked him, easing him back into sleep.

"What Lily?" James asked, his eyes full of concern.

"Matt has a scar," Lily whispered gesturing to the lightning bolt of Matt's forehead.

"Scar?" At this Albus dropped to his knees to take a closer look. Waving his wand over the scar, Dumbledore's face took on an incredulous look.

"James, Lily"

"What is it Albus?" Lilly asked looking at her old headmaster.

"I know this isn't a good time but this is something you must know. You see there was a prophecy made about a boy who would defeat Voldemort." Dumbledore started.

Lily and James' eyes widened and looked down at Matt.

"You think it's Matt" James stated.

Albus looked sadly at the couple. "Yes James I think Matt is the child. It seems that he has banished him from here. Is that is the only logical reason I can think of that he would leave without getting what he wanted."

"He's dead then?" James asked.

Dumbledore looked sad. "I don't believe he is. I think Matt has only banished him, he has not killed him."

Lily let out a sob, and James looked shocked

"Does it have to be Matt" Lily started, holding a sleeping Matt close. "Is there no other way." Her eyes were frantic.

Dumbledore dipped his head a little, "No, it must be Matt, I'm sorry Lily."

Lily let out another sob, clutching her son to her. James looked just as shocked as his wife.

"There must be something we can we do Albus" he said.

"There is very little I'm afraid." Albus said. "Of course Matt doesn't have to fight him but I believe Voldemort will hunt him down."

James looked down sadly. "Running isn't an option then" He confirmed.

"We could do it." Lily said. "We could hide him."

"I know it's hard Lily." Dumbledore said, interrupting her. "Believe me I know, but Voldemort will find you, no matter where you run. He found you under the Fidelius charm, he can find you again."

At the mention of the Fidelius charm James' eyes turned cold. "Peter told." He said, turning to Dumbledore. "Voldemort told me when we were duelling, said it was useful to have a traitor."

Dumbledore's eyes went wide "You changed to Peter?" He asked.

"Yeah, Sirius convinced us to. He said it would be better, that Voldemort would suspect him as secret keeper but he wouldn't suspect Peter. None of us ever thought."

"That is a very interesting piece of news." Dumbledore said, looking thoughtful.

"Albus," Lily said, making her presence known. "There must be something we can do, to protect Matt."

"Ah yes," Dumbledore said. "I believe he should be trained, as early as possible. As soon as he can walk and talk."

"What about Harry?" Lilly asked.

"That is an interesting matter. Harry will need to be able to protect himself too, he will be attacked simply because he is related to Matt, though I do not know how things will be for him. Only time will tell. There is one other thing. I believe you should move to Potter manor. Since it is one of the few remaining castes build in the ancient times the protections are very old and Voldemort will have a hard time tracing you. As well as the fact that you can only reach it if you know where it is that is probably the safest place for you to be."

James looked at Lily. "That seems like the only option we have. We can't live here."

Dumbledore nodded sadly. "I can take you back to Hogwarts with me for now. We can decide where to go from there." James nodded.

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A cool wind whipped across the field. A little boy raised his head and the wind whipped his raven black hair back off his face. The boy looked about five and his eyes were closed tight against the wind, a smile brightened up his face.

The boy was standing out on a huge field at the edge of a forest. Near him was a taller man, his hair was black like the little boy's and he was facing towards forest watching another little boy with black hair climbing one of the trees.

"Daddy, Daddy!" The little boy on the ground sang out happily, staring up at the older man.

"Yes Harry," James said, bending down.

"Will you play with me?"

"We can't play right now Harry, it's time to train now. We'll play later."

Harry sighed, "yes daddy." This was what his daddy always said. It was always training and we'll play later, but Harry had found out a long time ago, later never came.

He looked over at his Mummy, she was encouraging Matt to climb higher up the tree, just to reach the next branch. Harry sighed, he might as well get to climbing. Walking over to a tree near Matt Harry reached up to the first branch and hauled himself up, then he grabbed the next branch. While climbing may be difficult for Matt, Harry had always found it quite easy. He liked to go into the forest around the manor and climb but he never told his parents. Swinging himself into one of the top branches Harry looked down at his twin. Matt's tree was considerably smaller and the branches were closer together yet Matt was just reaching to top now and Lily was cheering madly. Harry however had climbed his tree easily and no one had noticed he had even made it.

"Mum look at me!" Harry said, grinning from the top of his tree. Lily looked up at her youngest son and screamed.

"HARRY!" She yelled running over. "Don't move okay, I'll get you down."

Harry sighed as the wind whipped his forehead and Lily took out her wand and levitated him down.

Grabbing him in a hug as soon as he reached the ground Lily looked sternly at him.

"You should know better then to climb a tree that big." She said sternly. "What if you'd fallen? I'm not even sure how you managed to get up there."

"Sorry Mum." Harry said, looking down, though he had a feeling that if Matt had climbed the tree his mum would have just cheered him on rather then telling him he couldn't handle it.

That afternoon Harry was sitting on the grass in the middle of the grounds, a feather in front of him, Matt was next to him with an identical feather in front of him. James stood in front of the boys, his wand out and another feather in front of him.

"Now boys," James started. "I want you to really concentrate today. I've been teaching you the theory of this charm for two weeks now and I think you're ready to try some magic."

Both boys' faces broke into identical grins and they looked at each other with mischief in their eyes.

James chuckled. "Alright, since you will be trying magic, professor Dumbledore has managed to arrange some wands. You can't get your own wands yet so but these are pretty versatile. Professor Dumbledore has charmed them so they will sense your magic and change to what you need."

Out of his pocket James pulled two identical wands, they both looked to be made of some white wood and he handed one each to the boys.

As soon as the wands were in the boys hands Matt's began to change.

Matt's wand changed into a dark brown wood and lengthened slightly while Harry's wand remained the same white wood it had started off as.

James seemed to consider Harry's wand for a second before deciding that must be it.

"Well then." James said. "Let's get started."

After being at it for an hour neither boys had made much progress, Matt's feather had twitched slightly near the end but that was all.

"That was good work today boys." James said as both boys continued to glare at their feathers as if they were some great offence.

"But Daddy," Matt started, "we didn't do anything."

James laughed, "you won't get it right away Matt, you need to be patient. I'm sure you'll get it in the next few weeks."

James was right about Matt getting the spell in the next few weeks. Within five days of hard practise Matt could make the feather float while Harry had still made no process. After four weeks Matt had moved on to the unlocking charm and Harry's feather still remained motionless.

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Harry was walking slowly down to the quidditch pitch, dreading today's practise. As soon as he walked out onto the grounds the raven haired boy saw Matt sitting on the grass, levitating his feather. James wasn't there yet, which wasn't unusual, James had a tendency to over-sleep.

Harry flopped down next to Matt and took out his own feather, bringing out his wand as well.

"Wingardium Leviosa." Harry said clearly, but the feather remained motionless. Harry just sighed, he hadn't really expected it to work this time either.

"Good morning boys." A cheerful voice called across the grounds, looking up Harry and Matt saw the form of Professor Dumbledore striding across the grounds towards them.

"Morning Professor." The boys chorused as Dumbledore drew closer.

"What are you boys up to?" He asked, stopping in front of them.

"Levitation." Matt replied, gesturing to his feather.

"Well then," Dumbledore said, sounding pleased. "Let's see it then."

Matt grinned. "Windgardium Leviosa." His feather jumped up on his command and hovered.

Dumbledore clapped, "very well done. And what about you Harry?"

Harry sighed but nevertheless picked up his wand and waved it over his feather. "Wingardium Leviosa." The feather remained stationary and Harry just sighed again.

Dumbledore looked concerned. "Harry, may I see your wand?" He asked.

"Of course Professor," Harry said, handing over his white wand.

Looking closely at it Dumbledore looked over at Matt.

"Matt would you hold this for me, for a second."

"Sure professor," Matt replied, taking the wand. As soon as Matt touched it the wand changed shape to an identical to the wand he held in his other hand.

"Thank you Matt." Dumbledore said, taking the wand back and leaving Matt very confused.

"Here you are Harry." Dumbledore said, handing the wand back to Harry.

"Thanks Professor," Harry said as the wand changed back to the white he was used to. "Um Professor, sorry to be annoying but may I ask, why doesn't the wand change for you?"

Dumbledore smiled. "That wand is one of my better inventions. You see I knew you would be needing wands soon but weren't old enough to get your own so I invented these. Only a person who doesn't have a registered wand can use it. Other wise it will simply remain a piece of wood. Are you boys going to keep practising?"

"Yes professor." Both boys replied.

"Good, good," Dumbledore said. "Well I must be off, I have to talk to your parents. If you two would excuse me?"

As Dumbledore walked away Harry looked curiously at Matt. "What do you think he needs to talk to Mummy and Daddy about?"

"Don't know," Matt shrugged. "But I want to. Come on lets go find out." He said and both he and Harry started towards the manor.

The boys crept quietly into the entrance hall, careful to shut the door without making any noise. Looking around the boys kept towards the dining room where they could hear soft voices. Standing a bit away from the door frame so they could get away the boys listened to what the adults were discussing.

"Are you sure Albus?" Lily asked.

"Positive," Albus replied. "Harry has no magic at all." Harry's ears perked up at this and he lent a bit closer, trying to catch everything.

"But how do you know?" James asked. "I mean I know he hasn't been able to manage any magic yet, but it's still early."

Dumbledore sighed. "I wish I could tell you what you want to hear but if I did I would be lying to you. Harry has no magic, the wand told me that much."

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"The wand would respond to the wielders magic and it would change form accordingly to suit the wielder. When Harry holds the wand it doesn't change form."

"It could be faulty," Lily protested, looking for any possibility.

Dumbledore sighed, "I'm very sorry Lily but I've already tested that. When Matt held the wand it changed to suit him."

James let out a very defeated sigh. "How are we going to tell him?" He asked.

"You won't need to." Dumbledore said calmly.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked, sounding startled.

"Both he and Matt have heard the whole thing." Dumbledore said.

Harry and Matt were on their feet in seconds but James froze them before they could move more then a few steps.

"You two have some explaining to do." James said sternly.

Both Harry and Matt looked scared, wondering what their father had in mind.

"Boys," Dumbledore said, appearing next to James. "Since you are here, please come in. As you know, this concerns you too."

James waved his wand and the boys were given the ability to move again, both looked hesitantly at each other before walking into the room.

"Please take a seat" Dumbledore said, gesturing to the chairs around the table. The boys sat next to each other and Dumbledore, James and Lily sat opposite.

"As you overheard," Dumbledore started. "Harry in fact has no magic."

Harry felt his heart drop. All his life he had dreamed about doing magic like his parents.

"That does not mean that he will be isolated from our world however." Dumbledore said and Harry perked up slightly, looking up at the great wizard.

"Not all wizarding arts require a wand, as I'm sure you know." Dumbledore said. "Who knows Harry you may become a potions master." At this James wrinkled his nose but Harry didn't see. He was too busy concentrating on what Dumbledore had to say, he may still be able to do some magic. "I also believe it will prove beneficial if you learn to defend yourself like a muggle does. You never know when that could be useful. I also believe some survival skills could help you; knowing how to cook, clean, build a shelter, and track animals are all very useful skills and skills you can accomplish without magic.

Harry felt his heart sink slightly, nothing Dumbledore said sounded very exciting not like what Matt could do.

Dumbledore kept listing things. "You would also learn animal behaviours of both magical and non magical creatures and learn to treat wounds by muggle means. As well as normal training you would focus on non magical skills like herbology, potions, history and care of magical creatures."

Harry felt his heart sink even further as he realised one very important detail. "I wouldn't be able to go to Hogwarts would I?" He asked.

Dumbledore's face became equally as glum and he shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry Harry but all the students must have some magic, even if only a small amount."

Harry felt all the breath go out of him and an awkward silence fell over the room as the occupants took in everything that had been said.

Dumbledore stood up, his shoulders slightly slumped. "I'd better be going then, I'll see myself out." As soon as he had left the room Lily turned to Harry.

"This doesn't mean we'll love you any less Harry." She assured him rushing over to embrace him.

Harry just nodded his head, trying to keep in the tears that threatened to overwhelm him.

"When do I start?" Harry asked, trying to get his mind off everything that had just happened but not succeeding.

"I think Dumbledore said Hagrid would be coming over about midday." Lily said, looking at James for confirmation.

"Yes," James said distantly. "He said he'll meet you by the forest."

"I'd better go and meet him then." Harry said sadly. Lily realised him from her hug after one last squeeze and Harry walked sadly out of the room, his head hung in defeat.