Invisible
Chapter 4
I'm posting this sorely for the wounded soul that has delicate sensibilities - A few lines of the story is inspired by the story/film Matilda...which almost everyone on the planet knows by the way. For your information Fiction Lover I DID HAVE A MESSAGE ABOUT IT BUT IT WAS REMOVED WHEN THE STORY CHAPTER WAS EDITED! There credit acknowledged and dealt with I can now move on.
Growing Up and Their Hogwarts Letters
Nick and Harry grew up worlds apart, yet in the same household.
Needless to say, they both had very different lives. Harry had no love from his family, few toys, and a small room. Nick had the love of a family, a big room, and anything he ever wanted. The only real rules Harry had to follow were to stay out of the way and never ask for anything, while Nick apparently had no rules at all. Nick was given private tutoring and play dates with other similar-aged children while Harry had to learn everything without a teacher, and was rarely, if ever, allowed around other children his age. Books became Harry's best friends while they were Nick's nemeses.
If anyone had spent even one minute thinking about and watching Harry, they would have realized he was extraordinary.
A couple of months after the defeat of the Dark Lord, Harry was, as usual, feeding himself. He wrote his name across the dirty high chair tray, something very few other children his age could do. However, no one paid the little boy the slightest bit of attention; his father just waved his wand and the so-called mess disappeared.
Many people were always in and out of Potter Manor. The Weasleys were there a lot of the time, as well as many people from the Ministry, including Madam Bones and her niece, Susan. Everyone knew about Nick Potter, since he was always in the newspapers. They never once thought about the other boy who was a part of that family. Sure, they knew he had a brother; however, they didn't care, as it hadn't been Harry who had defeated You-Know-Who or saved the world.
By the time Harry and Nick were three, Harry had learned to do what few other children at the tender age of three should have had to do: he had learned to look after himself, bathe himself, and look after what toys he had. He could, and did, read the books their parents had gotten Nick, who didn't read them if he could help it. Harry hid them under his bed so nobody could take them away from him.
Harry never brought up the fact that he was the one who defeated Voldemort. He knew that, if he did, they wouldn't believe him; they were too wrapped up in thinking his twin brother was the one who had saved the world. They had celebrated every time Nick's name appeared in books, newspapers, and magazines. So far, it had happened twelve times. All the newspaper and magazine clippings had been kept and hung in Nick's room. James and Lily also duplicated them and put them up in their own room.
Remus and Sirius were there occasionally, but they were mostly away doing work for something called the Order. Since they didn't have families, they volunteered to do most of the work. Everyone knew the Dark Lord was not gone, so Albus had asked them to keep being nice to the werewolves. As a result, Sirius and Remus didn't have any time for him, either. Occasionally Remus would speak with him, but Sirius always only wanted to see Nick. It seemed Sirius had forgotten he even had another godson.
Lily had registered two strong women as Nick's godmothers, Alice Longbottom and Amelia Bones, in addition to his godfather, though Lily had wanted to use Remus. Harry didn't have godmothers, only a godfather.
Harry was always bored; he usually spent all his time in his room, reading what books he had over and over again since he could read perfectly. Thankfully, for the twins' fourth birthday, their parents decided to get Nick his own library, paid for with the money and filled with the books people gave them as gifts for Nick for saving the world. The Potter library was locked up, though, as the children were deemed still too young to read most of those kinds of books.
It seemed Nick took after his dad and didn't want to read stories. Harry, on the other hand, was in heaven with all the books in Nick's library, as most were picture books. He took one at a time, so was constantly going back and fourth while reading all the books he could...Which wasn't hard to do, since his parents never even thought about him, or even gave him the time of day. That, however, pleased Harry; he knew he was different from his family. If they had been around, they would have seen a happy Harry smiling and laughing as he read the books. They were Harry's escape from the world which deemed him unimportant.
The years slowly passed, the hero-worshipping seemed to slow down, people saw Nick as an ordinary boy as well as a hero. He did small bouts of accidental magic, though nothing magnificent, like they imagined he would do. James and Lily didn't see that at all; they continued to spoil their first born son. Alice had her second son with Frank; Lily and James were named godparents to him. They named their new son Marcus Frank Longbottom. He was three years younger than Neville. Most people actually called him Frankie.
Neville and Nick were good friends, but not best friends. Nick loved Quidditch and playing pranks. Neville was a quiet person like his father, who liked to draw or play in the garden with his plants. He would have been the prefect playmate for Harry, if he had only been encouraged to pay the slightest bit of attention to the little boy. It didn't help that Harry usually hid in the library every time people were around...Not that he was ever out of the library; he slept and ate his meals there. Some would think he lived there instead of having his own small room.
Harry and Nick were four when they saw their mother's belly start to swell, then he overheard Nick being told he was going to be a big brother, that his mum was pregnant. Nick had been so happy to hear he was going to have a brother or sister...However, it broke Harry's little heart when he heard and saw it.
No matter how much he was used to it, to being left out, it always seemed to hurt. He had tried very hard to get his mother's attention, but nothing seemed to work.
Finally, he had given up and started trying to keep himself occupied. He had never truly been happy in his life before, but no one seemed to care. He was never really a bubbly boy full of happiness; he was content with his books, but never happy.
When they were almost five, their sister was brought into the world. Her name was Roxy Lillian Potter. She had her mother's fiery red hair and her green eyes, and Lily was over the moon. They would soon realize she also had her mother's temper and book smarts.
Harry and Nick were not quite identical anymore. While Nick's hair became a bird's nest messier than it had a right to be (which seemed to be the Potters' only curse), Harry's hair had grown out smoothly until it reached just past his shoulder blades. Nick still got the most attention as his brother and sister grew up, but Roxy had been told nighttime stories about her brave, heroic brother saving the world. As such, it was no surprise when Roxy preferred spending time with Nick instead of Harry.
The only thing Harry had as something like a friend and confidant was his journal. It was a book that never ran out; paper magically appeared in it when he reached the last page. His book was full...of sad and heart-wrenching entries which would have had anyone crying. Remus had gotten two for the twins' birthday, though not surprisingly, Nick's was unused.
The younger twin's, on the other hand...
Dear journal,
I looked out my window today, and I saw my brother again, with his friends. I wish I had a friend to play with...they all seem very happy...Why am I hated so much? Why am I ignored? No one ever says hello to me, it's like I'm invisible. They're playing a game called tag, and they also have the cat my mother bought for Nick. I always wanted a pet, but I'm not even allowed to pet the cat. Nick punched me in the face for petting it. I was left with a bruise, and no one cared. When Nick is hurt, he's cleaned up and sorted...why do they hate me? I would do anything just to be seen for even a minute! I hate them for not noticing me, and I just wish they would love me...Love me as they love Nick. It's not my fault I'm not as noisy or good at pulling pranks as him. I just don't know how, they never gave me a chance.
Harry
There were, of course, many, many more desperate, lonely entries in the journal as Harry grew older.
It didn't feel like a long time until the letters to Hogwarts were due to come. Minerva McGonagall had come over to see the Potters personally to give them their letters for school. She had always liked the Potters; she favored them, though she would never admit to it.
"Ah, Professor McGonagall, what are you doing here? Come in and I will get some coffee ready," said Lily in surprise when she saw the formidable woman at her door. She hadn't seen any of the teachers since Dumbledore's visit the night Nick defeated Voldemort.
"I would like that. I am here to personally give you your sons' Hogwarts letters," said Minerva, a smile on her face.
"That's great! Nick has been looking forward to it—his father isn't in enough, and he doesn't get to play Quidditch often enough," said Lily, shaking her head in amusement.
"So he takes after his father, does he?" asked Minerva, smiling again.
"Yes, that's right. Hang on a minute," said Lily, waiting for permission to interrupt the conversation
"Sure," agreed Minerva.
"Nick, come down here now! Your Hogwarts letter has arrived!" shouted Lily.
"I have two here," said Minerva in confusion.
"Ah, you have Harry's, too. He will probably get it later," shrugged Lily, brushing it off as Nick ran into the sitting room followed by Roxy.
"Right. Here you go, then," nodded Minerva, handing them over to Lily. She thought Harry was perhaps out and about; she had no idea how wrong she was.
"Okay, Nick, here you go," smiled Lily as she found the one with his name on it and passed it to her older son.
Happily, Nick opened his envelope and began reading the contents within as Lily opened and quickly skimmed Harry's letter.
"Mr. Nick Sirius Potter,
We are pleased to inform you of your acceptance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A list of necessary supplies has been provided for your upcoming year. If you accept, please write your name on the back of this paper and return it to us by owl at your earliest convenience.
Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Order of Merlin, First Class; Grand Sorcerer; Founder of the Order of the Phoenix; Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot; Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags!
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self -Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2) set
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope set
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS!
"I can't believe it! My Hogwarts letter is here! Mum, can we go to Diagon Ally? Please mum? Can we go?" asked Nick eagerly, jumping up and down.
"Oh, Nick, was there any doubt you'd be accepted? You have been down since you were born," said James as he came into the room, a proud smile lighting his face. He had so many things he wanted to give Nick before he left for Hogwarts.
"Yes, we can go to Diagon tonight! As a matter of fact, we will eat out to celebrate," smiled Lily.
Minerva finished off her coffee and excused herself after saying, "I hope to see you in my House, Mr. Potter." She then departed, Apparating away once she was past the wards surrounding Potter Manor. They had moved in after the events of Halloween, not feeling safe in Godric's Hollow any longer.
James, Lily, Nick, and Roxy were ready to go when Harry walked down the stairs, an empty plate in his hand; he made his own meals most of the time now. His parents either didn't care or didn't see the deep sadness that lingered in the boy's eyes.
"I will get your stuff since you're the same size as Nick. Just stay here," said Lily as she made a Portkey for everyone. "Oh, and sign the back of your letter so I can owl it with Nick's in the morning—it's on the coffee table in the sitting room. Just leave it on the kitchen table."
"Okay," agreed Harry softly, continuing on his way as though it didn't bother him.
He never called them anything if he could help it. They were his mother and father, but he could not bring himself to think of them as such. To him, they were people who ignored him and hurt him so much.
No one saw the sagging of Harry's shoulders or the lone tear that trickled its way out of one of Harry's weary eyes and down his cheek, landing with a plop on the floor of Potter Manor. His family didn't even want him. It hurt more and more as the years passed, though he didn't know why. He would have thought it would get better, but instead, it got worse...The hollow ache just got bigger until his heart was like a gaping wound.