I am am proud to say that the end of this chapter is completely mine! I own none of the characters though.

'We really didn't know what a terrible mistake we were making giving you up, Harry. But I thought of you every single day. I really hope that even if you don't trust us just yet, you'll be able to soon.'

James had cornered Harry outside in the corridor after Harry left.

His searching eyes passed over Harry's face, memorizing every detail.

'I'm glad you chose to come to Hogwarts, Harry. I'm really grateful.'

A genuine smile quirked at James' lips, as he tightened his grasp on his son's shoulder.

Harry shrugged the hand off.

'Don't be. I'm not sure I chose to come because of you.' Harry turned, and walked swiftly down the corridor, never looking back once to catch the stricken look on James' face, or to let James take a glimpse of the conflicting emotions flickering through his face.

Harry sighed. It had been hours since that conversation had taken place, yet bits and pieces of that conversation kept passing through his mind, capturing his thoughts.

'Harry, you are the Boy-Who-Lived. Even if you were to remain at Lantions, which may well be superior to Hogwarts, yet it is no place to be fighting a war! What with the geographical distance and the-'

'-You don't know how sorry we are that we missed so much of your life. Please, forgive us and let us get to know you at least…'

'I never wanted to send you away. I thought it would be in your best interests-'

Harry turned and punched his pillow viciously. Sleep had been eluding him, and these thoughts did nothing to help. If anything, it made him even more confused. Turning back around, he gazed up at the darkened bunk bed above his, where Alex was snoring loudly.

'Why did I choose Hogwarts anyway?' he wondered to himself. Screw the war and his parents. Dumbledore was right about one thing. Lantions was superior to Hogwarts, in every conceivable way.

And his adoptive parents. Harry sat up, pulling a framed photograph from his bedside table. Harry gazed at his eleven year old self, proudly beaming while sandwiched between two adults. One, a brunette, with hair falling past her shoulders, her steady brown eyes gazing laughingly at the camera. The next, a tall grey-headed man, smiling broadly at the camera.

'Dad. Mum.' Harry whispered, even as he traced the outlines of their faces. A vivid recollection hit him.

Flashback:

Harry sobbed freely, burying his face in his mother's arms. Lindsay Keller rubbed her hands over her son's shoulders, trying to soothe him.

Harry suddenly lifted his head, the stubborn glint in his eyes flashing dangerously.

'I want to go back to Britain.' He announced.

Lindsay looked down at his determined little face. 'Why?' she enquired gently, trying to cover her shock. 'I thought you liked it here, Harry. And I thought you liked us too.'

Harry scrunched up his face. 'I do.' He agreed. 'But some boy called me a-a- garbage trash boy. He said my parents didn't want me. I don't think you'd want me too.'

'Oh Harry,' Lindsay smiled. 'Of course we want you! Even if you do something incredibly naughty in the future, remember this. We chose you. And we'll never choose to let you go.'

Harry sniffled, his tears drying up fast. 'But what about my parents?' he asked in a small voice. 'Everyone said they didn't want me. The kids at the orphanage, the kids here… they're right aren't they?'

Lindsay hesitated, uncertain about how to broach the topic. 'Harry,' she began carefully. 'I don't know what led your parents to give up such a wonderful son as you are. But I do know that you will be very happy here. I'm sure of it. From here on, you do have parents, and they're Russell and me.'

Harry smiled happily, his earlier fears forgotten. Lindsay ran her fingers through his unruly hair comfortably, eyes indecisive. Then, she chose to speak out, not wanting this issue to be a question in the future.

'Harry, I just want you to know that if somehow in the future, you wish to find your parents, or your parents find you, Russell and I wouldn't object to you meeting with them. It'd be a great thing for you Harry.'

That had been years ago. Eons before the thought of even finding his parents, or even the consideration that they were still alive, hit him.

And when it did, it hit him in the form of the Daily Prophet. More accurately, an owl had hit Harry on the head, accidentally dropping a copy of the Daily Prophet while Alex and Harry had been on a Alex-proclaimed 'Sabbatical for Burned Out Students yet Avid Skiers' on the Alps. Alex had immediately clamored to read it; after all, the eccentric Headmaster had banned all forms of communication from the castle. It was extreme, but it was partly the reason as to the school's success. Without the constant letters from parents detailing the world outside, and girls ogling over the newest hottie featured in the magazines subscribed to, one tended to focus intently on work. And that was exactly how Randall had intended it.

His school was one to hone your skills. To have your potential developed. Not one for frivolities.

It was harsh, but the students got used to it. Having no other forms of communications with others except their fellow students. Not being able to return home, until the day they graduated. Instead, parents could only come for one hour a week, if they so wished, to visit. It was tough. But it was what one needed to do to survive.

When Alex had tossed back the newspaper, after ripping out the comics and the section featuring exotic models, Harry had indifferently flipped the pages, not really interested in the world outside. After all, who cared what the latest band was when they didn't even know what they sounded like?

He had halted in shock though, at the write-up on William Potter, in celebration of the 12th anniversary of the Dark Lord's defeat. The Dark Lord and everything about William Potter had been covered years ago in History of the Modern World. But, there were no pictures in their History course book. The moving picture of the boy, smiling openly at the reader, and twirling his wand lightly, arrested him. The sight was what Harry was used to looking at everyday in the mirror.

Tearing out the section, Harry quickly perused the article, quickly joined by Alex.

In fact, it was Alex that noticed the tiny line that stated '-Despite having to bear the loss of his brother Harry years ago, Will has-'

That line had stuck with Harry, and he had, over the years obtained discreet information from his sources outside whenever he could. And soon, Harry had more or less figured out that he was Harry Potter, brother of the Boy-Who-Lived.

He had always debated upon one day searching his parents out, after graduation of course. But that day had seemed like an eternity away. Now it seemed he was the one who had been searched out.

He smacked his head in frustration. 'So what if you always wanted to meet your parents, you fool.' He mentally berated himself. 'That doesn't mean you got to uproot yourself all the way across continents … wait Britain's on the same continent… scratch that. That doesn't mean you have to go the whole hog all the way to Hoggywarts!'

He was almost on the verge of getting straight out of bed, and telling them he had changed his mind, but he didn't.

Maybe, despite his arguments, all he really was was a confused little kid that just really wanted to find the damn reason he got abandoned.

Or maybe, it was that voice in his head telling him that Hogwarts would be the key to his future.

Switzerland…

When Lindsay got the letter from Harry, she sat down first to read it properly. She read through all the reasons for going there, why he was choosing to go Hogwarts, and all his hopes and fears about his real parents.

Russell walked over and read over her shoulder, all the time rubbing a comforting hand on her arm.

When Lindsay had finished reading, she placed the letter gently to the side, before turning in her husband's embrace to face him.

'So what do you think, Russ?' She questioned, tracing her finger across his stubble. 'Harry's leaving us.'

Russell caught his wife's finger with his hand. 'You know we discussed this before, Linds. We agreed that should Harry ever choose to seek out his parents, he would go with our blessing.'

'And he is going with our blessing. It's just that…I hope they treat him right. He really deserves all the best in his life.' Lindsay smiled wanly and pulled away from her husband. 'Now I've got a letter to write.'

Smiling at his wife, Russell Keller returned to his book.

Paris…

Draco yawned widely, barely even bothering to cover his mouth. Stretching languidly in the doorway, he then gracefully glided over to the table his parents were seated at; ignoring the glances passed his way.

Seating himself at the table, he tucked a stray piece of blond hair behind his ear. Looking up, he noticed his parents staring at him.

'Draco dear,' His mother fussed fretfully, even while buttering a scone. 'Don't tell me you don't feel like eating again. Come, starving yourself is not the way to go. You've got to eat something before you waste away!'

Draco just shrugged, accepting the scone his mother offered.

'Bad night again, son?' his father inquired, his eyes displaying genuine concern.

'You guessed it. I was sleepless until about 5a.m., before finally drifting off to sleep, and being tormented by those dreams.' Draco turned his own tormented eyes upon his father. 'Dad, I don't think I can take much of this anymore. I'm going to crack soon, I really am!'

Lucius hushed his son, whose speech steadily got louder, until the nearby table was looking over interestedly.

'If you want, a dreamless sleep potion could be prepared for you. I could instruct-'

'No. I don't want that.' Draco interrupted hastily, gathering a bemused look from his father, until Lucius' eyes widened in sudden comprehension.

Lucius chuckled, before composing himself.

Draco groaned; certain that his father had caught his drift. He couldn't live with the dreams, and he certainly couldn't live without them.

The dreams were getting … more risqué by the night. It had started innocently enough, with a flash of vivid green eyes, the touch of a warm hand, him running his fingers through his mate's hair... These dreams had him waking up with his heart pounding like a jackhammer, certain that the dream had been for real. His father had assured him that these dreams would stop once his mate had been found. But he hadn't found his mate. Not yet. And the dreams got more and more daring each night, up to the point where he awoke each morning with a desperate hard-on.

Draco was honestly finding it hard to cope with such desire without his mate in sight.

When his seventeenth birthday had occurred six months ago, he had assumed he would find his mate in Hogwarts. After all, his dad had. But he had woken up in that castle feeling cold and lonely. Swearing that his mate was definitely not in Hogwarts, Lucius and Narcissa had then pledged to find their son's mate.

With Dumbledore's understanding, they had globe-trotted for the last six months, often spending a night in a city, and leaving the next, after checking out every single possible school, with all their students.

Draco was popping in and out of Hogwarts, collecting his homework and entering some classes every two weeks, and returning the homework the next. He caught up with private tutoring while traveling, though the Hogwarts teachers were treating him very fairly for this period. Everyone knew, a Veela without his mate was not a productive Veela. Frankly, the whole process was exhausting.

Draco and his family had exhausted all the schools in most of Europe, all of Asia, Australia, and every conceivable place. And with each school ticked off the list, Draco grew more and more despondent, the eager hope in which they had set out on wearing thin.

Narcissa spotted the wistful look on her son's face, and tried to comfort him. 'Come on darling, we've got to get you back to Hogwarts to catch up this week. Just enjoy your last few days in Paris okay? We'll work even harder when we start again.'

Draco nodded, idly stirring his cup of coffee.

Will adjusted his tie nervously once again. Once Harry had decided to join Hogwarts, the whole family had returned to Britain to make plans. Dumbledore was planning the classes, and his parents were rushing around madly half the time.

Then, they had received the news that Harry's best friend was going to Hogwarts with him, and that Harry himself would transport himself to King's Cross, and no transportation arrangements were required, thank you very much.

That had really dented the bubbles of Lily and James very much, Will could tell. They had been looking very forward to showing Harry around Godric's Hollow, which was rebuilt very much to its original condition before The Incident, and perhaps spending more time to casually get to know him.

Apparently, Harry wasn't going to make this easy on them.

But Will and Harry both knew that Lily and James, both being in the Order of the Phoenix, would use every conceivable excuse to come to the castle. They both were very familiar fixtures in the castle anyway; with their concern for Will back when the world still thought he was the One. They had both been popping in and out of the castle so much Dumbledore gave in in the end, choosing to have two more plates installed at the Head Table, to accommodate them.

Will himself, wasn't very keen on them getting forgiven so easily too. After all, they had hidden the existence of a sibling he knew he had expressed he wanted so badly from him nearly his whole life! And they would have continued doing it too, despite all Lily's defense that they would have welcomed Harry back into their family in due time.

The family was treading on very thin ice now, with them not talking like they used to.

Still, Will knew he would forgive his parents. Eventually. After all, he didn't spend a lifetime with them without knowing they were essentially good people at heart, and not malicious. But he wanted to hold on to his anger a bit longer, and let them wallow in the consequences of their mistake.

Harry was the sibling he should have had for life. And it scared him, to look into his brother's eyes, and see a stranger staring back at him.

Well, he'd be damned if he let his parents get between a friendship between Harry and himself.

Harry cut through the crowd of photographers easily, the normally persistent paparazzi stepping aside at his elegant yet touch-me-and-die attitude. He easily radiated confidence and grace as he purposefully made his way to the platform, the flashes flashing at his face.

Stepping past the barrier, he entered the platform, stopping awhile to marvel at the happily choo-ing train blowing whistles.

Students were rushing around the platform, some headed purposefully for the train, some playing around with the trolleys, some standing in clusters chatting with their friends, and others saying their tearful farewells to their families.

Harry turned his head away from the last type. In Lantions none of this would have occurred, except maybe on the first day of starting Lantions. Besides, it hurt too much to think of them having families to say goodbye to, and him …

A shock of black hair obscured his vision, and he tilted his head slightly to look at his brother, Will Potter, in the eye.

It irked Harry that Will was at least two inches taller than he was up front. 'No more intimidation factor,' he groaned in his head. That kid looked way shorter from two yards away, and in a chair.

The tension between them was palpable, yet not hostile. On-lookers gaped as they saw the twins face off, standing nose-to-nose. Will opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a boy that stumbled into Harry, causing Harry to crash into his shoulder.

'Shit.' Harry muttered, even as Will helped him back up.

Alex winced. 'Whoops didn't mean to do that.' He paused while his mind went on a whole different tangent. 'But did you see all the photographers out there!? It was crazy! I barely got through unscathed! I don't know how you managed to waltz all the way through that and-'

Harry decided to spare Will from Alex's incessant talking. 'Will, this is Alex. Alex, this is-'

'Twin One. I got it!' Alex shouted cheerfully. 'See, Harry you're Twin Two, since you're younger, and he's Twin One, because he's older. Simple. Oh wait. Kid!' he hollered. 'That's my bloody trolley. And that's my bloody bag! Get back here you bloody-'

Will and Harry watched in bemusement as they watched Alex run down the mischievous third-year. Will let out the first chuckle, and Harry joined in.

Amidst the laughter, Will straightened up. His face was still crumpled up in laughter. 'Harry, I'm Will Potter. Glad to meet you.'

Harry considered him for a second, before grinning. 'Likewise.' He answered. And like that, the two of them walked off into the train to find a carriage, and to pull Alex off from where he was pummeling the third-year.

3 days later…

Harry had been in Hogwarts for about three days now. On the first day, at the Welcoming Feast, all eyes had turned to the front to witness Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, put the hat on. The last thing Harry saw before the darkness of the inside of the hat enveloped him was 600 students all leaning forward in their chair to take a glimpse at him.

Soon, a voice spoke in his ear.

'So…' it murmured. 'Harry Potter. I see you at last.'

Harry winced at the unfamiliar sound of that last name. when his mother had written, telling him how proud she was, and how she hoped he would make good choices, Harry did not expect Lindsay to request that he don the Potter surname, to 'make things easier'. But he had done as she had asked. It saved him from a lot of questions from curious strangers anyway. Besides, it was just for now. When he returned, and yes he was planning on returning, a Keller through and through he was.

The hat murmured yet again, shaking Harry out of his stupor. 'Boy-Who-Lived. At last you've come to Hogwarts. Now the question is, what house should we put you in? Hufflepuff is definitely out of the question. Loyal, you are. But no, you don't strike me as a Hufflepuff. Gryffindor? That's a possibility. So is Slytherin and Ravenclaw. You're smart, yet not one sided on the book-smarts. You hunger for that recognition, and power is more than within you, but you would not stoop to evil means to get what you desire. Gryffindor … you're brave, yes. Very brave. You wouldn't rush into a fight for mere honour though.'

The hat considered briefly. You're a more perfect balance of all four houses than all I've ever seen, Harry. Well, guess I'd better put you into …'

'GRYFFINDOR!' the Hat bellowed to the Hall, to stamps of approval, vigorous clapping, and squeals of girls in Gryffindor. As Harry walked over to the Gryffindor table, clapping Will on the back, he overheard some girls squeal excitedly 'Oh my gosh! We got Harry Potter! I can't believe it! He is positively fi-ine.'

Leaning back, he gave the girls a wink, leading them to squeal even further. Alex, who came bounding over to congratulate him(Alex had been sorted into Gryffindor before Harry), pouted.

Harry soon realized once you were settled in, there really wasn't much about Hogwarts that was very different from Lantions. People were all generally the same everywhere, and Harry found himself settling into the routine of things. That was excepting the stares that were directed at Harry. He was famous now. At Lantions he was a nobody, besides being the best in the cohort and practically the whole school, he was still a nobody. Now, this was different.

Classes similar to the ones Harry took at Lantions were simple, almost way below his standard. Even below Alex's standard. But Dumbledore had discreetly told Harry that his private lessons would be starting soon. Dumbledore was going to be coaching Harry personally in the arts, and Harry was rather looking forward to it.

Besides, it wasn't so much a chore to be in the classes. The professors were particularly entertaining, if a little nuts, while Harry had more than settled the psychopath of Severus Snape.

Flashback:

Snape glided around the room, his robes swishing softly at his feet. Harry eyed him interestedly,

Will had many a thing to say about this particular professor. In fact, after he had decided to give Will a chance at the platform, he had grown to like Will immensely. For his easy charm and honest ways that were very much disarming. After a few days, Harry had grown to feel as if meeting the brother he never knew he had was indeed something to be grateful for.

Will led Alex and Harry around the classes and the castle, acting as a tour guide of sorts, and rating teachers.

He had whispered to both of them, 'Watch out for this grumpy old bat. He never liked me. Reckon it was because of some old rivalry between him and my dad. Anyway, he's bound to dislike you too, since you look pretty much the same as Dad too, minus the eyes.'

Harry had winced slightly at being compared to his father, but only Alex managed to notice.

'You!' Snape suddenly snapped. 'Harry Potter. The newest addition. Let's see what your pathetic years in education have taught you so far.'

He glided around all the tables, stopping at Harry's desk. 'Mister Potter.' He murmured silkily. 'What do you add to a bubbling Casinovas potion?'

Harry evenly stared back. 'Professor Snape.' He stated, with no inflection at all. 'You would add a pint of a komodo dragon's blood, along with a claw from its left foot. Then stir in a clockwise direction, until the potion turns green.'

Snape was shocked, although he tried valiantly to hide it. 'And what is the purpose of a Valiarium potion?'

'A Valarium potion is used to induce feelings of courage in a person. When the user imbibes the potion, the effect is immediate, and depending on the strength of the potion, which depends on the intensity of the Moonflower that is added during the 12th stage, the user will be able to experience confidence, intense enough to lead him into a Giant's cave.'

'I am impressed Mister Potter.' Snape answered. 'You've obviously been more useful in your life than your brother has been in his. Ten points to Gryffindor.'

(Alex later remarked that it was highly impressive of Snape to be able to compliment yet insult a person at the same time and not have someone throw an egg at his face.)

Overall, life was good.

It was a Monday morning that found Harry sitting at the Gryffindor table eating his breakfast surrounded by Alex, Will, and his two friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, when he overheard some giggly Hufflepuff's gossip.

'Who's Draco Malfoy?' he enquired, leaning over Alex to ask Will.

'Huh what?' Will stared up belligerently, his mouth full of cereal.

'Draco Malfoy.' Harry repeated patiently. 'Some Hufflepuff said he'd be coming back later this day. Why's he only coming to school so late?'

Before Will could reply, Ron butted in. 'He's a ferret, he is. Been totally sarcastic and he really loves to torture us, back from when we were in first year.'

Hermione scolded Ron. 'Ron! That's not a very nice thing to say. Malfoy's perfectly nice. Just that his high and mighty upperclass ways may have rubbed you the wrong way. Anyway, he's been fine this year, at least to you.'

Ron snorted. 'Yeah, that's because he's gone half the time! Traipsing around the world searching for his mate.'

Hermione frowned. 'It's pretty sad actually. I feel sorry for him, I do. Must be pretty hard for a Veela to have to search for their mate for six months.' She then jerked herself out of her haze. 'Anyway, he's going through a tough time right now, so lay off him.' She warned severely.

Ron only grunted in reply, as he stuffed his mouth with more food.

Harry nodded thoughtfully as he absorbed all this information. 'Oh well.' He shrugged. 'It doesn't involve me.'

Alex flopped onto the bed in their dorm, gazing balefully at Harry. Harry finally lifted his eyes off his book. 'What?' he asked, even though he knew that look in Alex's eyes meant they would be up to no good soon.

'Harry!' Alex whined. 'Can we explore the castle?'

Harry sighed. 'We already did, Alex. Will showed us the whole castle, it's done!'

Alex pouted. 'No he didn't' Alex persisted. 'He's like, next in line to be the Head Prefect, do you think he'd show us all the cool but scandalous places? Come on! I'm sure we passed a dark corridor somewhere that leads to someplace cool!'

When Harry kept silent Alex huffed, before dragging the yelping Harry out of the Common Room.