"Come on Neville," Henry said. "You have to get past your fear of flying sometime."
For as long as the twins had known Neville, he'd had a fear of flying. Henry and Harry both hoped they would be on their Houses Quidditch team someday. Henry was trying to convince Neville that he would do well on the team as well. However, their friend hadn't even moved past a toy broomstick. He was much too big at eleven to ride one, so he hadn't really been on one in years.
"It just takes confidence that's all," Harry said.
"Nope, my feet are fine on the ground thanks," Neville said. "My dad wasn't ever a player, so I don't see why I should have to be. Besides, I don't plan on joining the team. Mum says that as long I do well in school, she doesn't mind. She makes me read my books at least an hour a day so that I'll be prepared."
Neville made a face at that. Henry couldn't understand it. He enjoyed reading his course books, they all interested him. His brother only cared about testing the spells; he didn't want to have any of the knowledge that came with them. But, unlike his brother, Henry had been allowed to use magic with a training wand. Maybe that was why he wasn't as interested.
"Did your dad play on the team Jonathan?" Neville asked. "You never said."
"Um…" Harry answered trying to think about it.
Henry was sure Sirius had never played on the team, otherwise he would have bragged about it. He was good at flying though.
"I think so," Henry answered for him. "If not, he is good at flying. He has a flying motorcycle you know."
"But we're not allowed to use it until we're older," Harry added.
"He thinks we're too young now."
"They always think we're too young though."
"Well maybe now that we're joining school they won't."
"You two remind me of brothers sometimes," Neville said.
Harry and Henry gazed at each other uneasily, but they were saved by their father calling out the window. They were in the backyard near a mini Quidditch pitch James had made years ago. Quickly, they put their brooms in a shed and ran to the house. It was time for cake and presents.
Neville's birthday had been the day before, so they always celebrated their birthdays together. He had already received his presents, but they had their own for him, and he had brought one Henry. Harry had gotten a present from Neville in May.
As soon as they were inside, their parents, and Remus began to sing to them. Henry felt a little embarrassed but he put up with it. They always included the name 'Harry' in it even though everyone believed he was gone. James had told Neville's parents that they still celebrated Harry's birthday even if he wasn't there.
There were stacks of presents for Henry, but none for Harry. His were upstairs in his old bedroom to be opened later. This usually upset the boy, but he managed to keep it in. He would just watch as his twin opened all his presents. Henry noticed that his brother seemed even more upset than usual about it that day.
"This last gift is for both of you," Sirius told Harry and Henry. "Your father and I used them when we were in school, and now it's your turn."
They were each handed a rectangular gift. Henry had hoped that he would be getting his father's invisibility cloak, but it hadn't been part of the gifts. Instead, the twins opened their packages and found mirrors. Both looked up at their father and Godfather in confusion.
"Say H-Jonathan's name in yours," James told Henry.
He looked down into his mirror and gave a small shrug.
"Jonathan Black," he said.
His reflection turned into his brothers instead. This would certainly be useful, especially if there was a chance that they ended up in two different houses.
"Those are so neat!" Neville said.
"We got them back in our days at school," Sirius explained. "If your father and I were in different detentions, we would use them to talk to each other."
"Not to encourage you or anything," Remus said.
"Those are interesting gifts," Alice said. "Honestly, I wish I would have had those in my days at school."
Harry got up and walked over to his father to hug him.
Harry was allowed to open his presents after the Longbottom's left. He got more or less the same as his brother. He had been hoping to get the new Nimbus Two Thousand, but his father told him that he and Henry could get new ones next year. It made sense since they wouldn't be able to use them in school anyway. He was pleased with most of his gifts though.
His happiness didn't last for long. His father pulled out his old Invisibility Cloak and handed it to Henry.
"This has been passed down through my family from father to son for hundreds of years," he said. "Now I am giving it to you."
"What about me?" Harry couldn't help but ask.
"I'll share it," Henry said ecstatically as he wrapped the cloak around himself, just his head was shown while his body disappeared.
"But, I thought it goes to the oldest son," Harry said as he tried to hold back his tears. "I'm the oldest twin! I came first."
"But Harry, to the world you are Jonathan Black," his father answered.
Harry couldn't hold his tears in any longer, and he felt embarrassed. He hadn't cried in front of his family for years. His father tried to hug him, but he turned away. Instead, Sirius grabbed a hold of him and put an arm around him. He sobbed silently for everything he had lost.
"You'll be able to borrow it when you want," Henry said.
"I'm still your son," Harry said as he wiped the tears away. "How come we can't share it?"
"Well, you can," Remus said.
"That's right, your brother just said he'd share it with you," James said.
Harry started to cry harder. That wasn't the point. His father had given it to his brother alone. It wasn't until he had shown that this had upset him that James said it was for both of them. It was harsh but true, he wasn't a Potter. He pushed Sirius away and ran for the fireplace. He grabbed a handful of floo powder from a bowl nearby and threw it in the flames. He called out his designation.
As soon as he was home, he ran upstairs and into his room where he broke down completely.
The rest of the summer went by swiftly. James had talked to Harry, but he was still depressed. He knew he should have given the cloak to both the twins, but it was too late to make up for it now. The only problem was, the cloak was passed from father to son, not father to son's. Harry was the oldest twin, but he was a Black, so by rights, the cloak went to Henry instead. He could admit that he had been tactless though.
When he wasn't at work, he tried to spend as much of his time as he could with the boys. It was going to be strange when they went to school because the house would be empty. It was almost a scary thought. He had never lived alone. Now, ten months out of the year he would, and then the boys would be out on their own.
"Harry asked me why none of us are married," Sirius said one evening when James told him his worries. "I didn't want to tell him the truth though. I couldn't. He doesn't have much self-confidence as it is."
James had dated women he liked over the years, but he was scared to let any of them get too close. What if they found out Harry's true identity? At times it was hard to be close to Frank and Alice. He felt bad for Sirius who likely could have married years ago and had his own family. However, he was also too afraid to get close to a woman because of Harry. James sometimes wondered if he was ruining his friend's life, and he knew if he wondered this, Harry wouldn't take it well at all.
"I guess we really screwed up," James said.
"No, someone else screwed up for us," Sirius said. "I do not for one moment blame you or Harry for anything. Besides, I do consider Harry as my son. You've given me the rights to make decisions for him, he lives at my place… at least I have the chance to be a parent."
It wasn't enough though, James knew that. He knew Sirius wanted a woman in life, and maybe there was a chance he could now that the boys were going to school.
On the morning of September the first, Sirius woke Harry up early. He had made sure to repack his trunk the night before to be sure that he had everything. He had also been surprised with a snow owl, the night before. Apparently Sirius had decided at the last minute to get her for him. He figured he would give her a name when he was at school. He hadn't made up his mind yet.
He felt a little nervous about starting school. Not just because he might not be a Gryffindor, but because he was going to be Jonathan Black for real. There would not be anyone to call him Harry anymore, and he was going to have to get used to it.
They were going to meet his brother at the train station rather than going together. They apparated straight to the platform after breakfast. Sirius didn't want to go through all the crowds at the train station. Harry was relieved, he had heard about the barrier and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to disappear without the Muggles noticing.
"Let's find you a compartment then," Sirius said. "We're early, so we should be able to find you a good one."
Harry didn't say anything. He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would throw up. He just gave a small nod and followed Sirius who was carrying his trunk onto the train. By the time they had found one and were back out on the platform, Henry and his father had shown up.
"Remus wanted to come, but he thinks he may have found a job," his father said. "He has an interview at eleven. He sends his best wishes."
"Hi," Henry said to Harry. "Found a compartment yet?"
Harry nodded, and he showed his father and Henry where it was. On his way off the train, his father stopped him. He looked around first before speaking.
"Harry, you are still my son as much as Henry is. I will be proud of you no matter what you do. I think you will be a Gryffindor, but even if you aren't, I'll still be proud of you. You've gone through a lot in your short life, and you've lost a lot, and your one of the bravest kids I know," he said. "When I was in school, we made a map that showed all of Hogwarts and its grounds. Filch confiscated it when we were in the seventh year, but if I still had it, I would give it to you."
Harry didn't say anything. Was his father trying to make up for the Invisibility Cloak? He just gave another nod without saying another word. When they left the train, the platform was full of people. Sirius was talking to Henry about something.
"I want you two to behave," James said. "Remember what we told you about Severus Snape."
"Jonathan! Henry!"
The twins turned to see Neville hurrying over to them. He was holding a toad in his hands. Harry remembered him mentioning a toad over the summer.
"This Trevor?" Henry asked.
"Yes, do you have pets now?" Neville asked as he held out his toad proudly.
"I have a snow owl, but we sent her ahead to Hogwarts. S-Dad didn't want to carry too much to the platform since we apparated here. He said it was hard enough taking my trunk and me," Harry said.
"You got an owl?" Henry asked enviously, he shot a look at their Godfather, but didn't say anything else.
"Well, let's get you all on the train," Frank said. "Where are the boys sitting?"
They were given long hugs before they climbed onto the train quickly. Once they were in their compartment, they opened the window to lean out of it so they could continue to talk to their parents. Harry didn't say much, and he felt relieved once the train started to move. He didn't like the look of pity his father gave him.
"So, we're finally going!" Neville said. "Hey, do you think your brother got a letter? Do you think maybe there is a chance he'll be on the train as well?"
"I don't know," Henry said quickly. "Let's play exploding snap."
He climbed up onto the seat to find the cards in his trunk just as a girl with bushy hair entered the compartment.
"Can I sit here please?" she asked.
"Go ahead," Harry said, "but close the compartment door behind you. I think Neville's toad might try to escape."
The toad had indeed been trying to make its way to freedom, so the girl quickly shut the door behind her. She sat down in a seat beside Neville. As soon as Henry was seated again, she gasped as he pulled out the cards from their box.
"You're Henry Potter!" she said excitedly. "I'm Hermione Granger. I've read all about you."
"Have you?" Henry asked in an uneasy voice.
They too had read the books that Henry was in. Some of the people had written lies about him. According to one person, he liked to go around boasting that he was going to defeat Voldemort one day, but that was a lie. He didn't like it at all when people wanted to talk to him about his past.
"Yes, I'm really sorry about your brother. I heard they haven't had leads about where he could be," she continued.
"Er- it's kind of a tough conversation for him," Harry cut in.
"Oh!" she said and blushed. "I'm sorry; it's just, this is all so new to me. I didn't realize I was being rude. I only just heard about the wizarding world you see. I read as much as I could about it. Your story is in a lot of the books I read."
"It's fine," Henry said. "So, are you excited for Hogwarts then? It will be different from what you're used to."
"Oh yes, I have a book Hogwarts: A History and it told me all sorts about the school. I learned about the four different Houses. I'm hoping to be in Ravenclaw, but I think I wouldn't mind Gryffindor either."
"We're hoping to be there," Harry said.
"Our fathers were there," Henry added.
"My parents were there as well," Neville said. "I'm Neville Longbottom by the way."
"Pleased to meet you, I'm sorry, but I didn't get your name," she said turning to Harry.
"Jonathan Black," he answered.
As soon as he said it, he felt as if a shovel of dirt had been thrown onto his old self. He was sure it would continue to feel that way once they were at the school. They played Exploding Snap for most of the train ride there. They only stopped long enough to eat food off the trolley.
Hermione reminded Harry of a girl version of his brother. Soon the two were talking about their course books. Apparently she knew them all off by heart. Neville and Harry glanced at each other and smirked, but they didn't say anything.
When they got nearer to the castle, they changed into their school robes. A voice echoed through the train as it slowed down, it told them to leave their luggage on the train. Harry was glad about this since he didn't think he had the strength to carry it. He was feeling shaky by the time the train stopped.
He, Hermione, Henry and Neville made their way off the train. Some people were pushing and shoving to get past. Once they were off, they heard someone calling for the first years.
"But that sounds like Hagrid!" Henry said.
Hagrid was a good friend of their fathers. They had known him for years. He came around to visit in the summer at times. However, he had never told them that he would be leading them.
"Hello Henry, Jonathan," he said when he saw them "Anymore firs' years? All here then? Well, follow me."
They followed him down a steep path. It took a few minutes, but they were standing on a bank across by a lake. Across from the lake stood a castle with all of its lights turned on. There was a loud "Oooh!" from the crowd of first years.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid called.
Hermione, Henry, Neville and Harry climbed into a boat together. Once all of the first years were in a boat, they started to move across the lake on their own. Hagrid was in the front, he was so large that he took up one boat himself. In the past, he used to frighten him since he was twice the size of a normal man.
On the other side of the lake, they climbed out of the boats. Neville left his toad in their boat, but Hagrid found it for him. Then they followed him across the grass until they were at some stone steps. Once they reached the top, Hagrid knocked on the door three times.
Minerva McGonagall opened the door. She was someone else the twins had known for most of their lives. She gave them a small smile, but didn't speak. She thanked Hagrid for bringing them, and then led them into the school. They walked past a doorway where hundreds of voices came out of. Harry figured that must have been the Great Hall he had heard so much about.
They were led into a small chamber where McGonagall explained to them about the four houses of Hogwarts. She left afterward, so they were left alone. Harry could hear Hermione whispering about the spells she would use for the sorting. He rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything. She would find out that it was just a hat that sorted them. There would be no need for spells.
Some ghosts entered the chamber, which caused people to scream. They were arguing about whether or not Peeves should be allowed to be at the feast. The twins had heard about him, he was the school poltergeist. Harry felt that it was a good thing he wasn't allowed to attend, from what their father had told them, Peeves would likely start a food fight.
McGonagall returned a few minutes later, and then they were led into the Great Hall. Harry felt nervous when he saw the four house tables. All the students were watching them. They were led in front of the teachers table to where a stool sat with a hat on it. There were thousands of candles that lit the Great Hall. He looked up at the ceiling to see that it reflected the night's sky, so his father had told the truth. It was a very clear night, he could see thousands of stars.
Every eye in the Great Hall was on the hat. There was a moment of silence before a rip in the brim opened and the hat began to sing:
Oh you may not think me pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap
Everyone in the Great Hall broke into applause and then McGonagall stepped forward.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
Harry was relieved in a way that his name was at the beginning of the alphabet; he wanted to sit down so that there wouldn't be hundreds of eyes on him. Hannah Abbot was sorted into Hufflepuff first.
"Black, Jonathan."
Nervously, Harry made his way up to the stool and sat down. McGonagall put the hat on his head. He jumped when a voice whispered in his ear.
"Ah… you aren't really who you say you are… but the secrets necessary I see. Don't worry, Mr. Potter, you're secret is safe with me. Now let's see here. Brilliant mind here and kind of cunning…"
"Not Slytherin," Harry thought to himself, he knew his father said he wouldn't care, but he didn't want to be there.
"Not Slytherin? It would help you to greatness… but if not, I see a lot of loyalty on your part. You are also a very brave child because of your past. I can see what you want most is acceptance and your own identity… not your Potter identity, which I can see is what you want the most, but one to separate you from your brother and father. You want to prove yourself as your own person. I see you've made a lot of progress over the years and you are loyal to your father despite everything so I think you'd do well in HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry didn't move for a moment. Hufflepuff? He had never considered it. Shakily, he climbed off the stool and handed the hat back to McGonagall. He felt ashamed of himself. The hat had said he was brave, and Gryffindors were brave, so why wasn't he sorted there. He walked over to the clapping table. He blinked back his tears. He didn't want to embarrass himself any further.
Henry's mind was still reeling from the blow. His brother was not Hufflepuff material! He was supposed to end of in Gryffindor. He had read about their family line, no Potter had ever ended up in Hufflepuff. There had been some in Ravenclaw, one in Slytherin, and most were in Gryffindor. He was sure that there had never been a Black in that house either.
He barely paid attention to the rest of the sorting. Neville had been sorted in Gryffindor, which made him angry. His brother was a lot braver than Longbottom who was afraid of heights! A Malfoy boy was sorted in Slytherin. He knew of that family, they were the ones who looked down on people like Hermione Granger. He had never met the boy, but he'd only heard bad things about the family.
"Potter, Henry!" was finally called.
He heard people whispering excitedly when his name was called, but he ignored them. He was still very angry with the hat, and planned to tell it off. That's what he did as soon as it was on his head.
"How dare you put my brother in that house! He is better than that!"
"Aren't you supposed to be keeping that tidbit a secret young man…?"
"Well, you would have found anyway. My dad told me that you can read minds. He said you would know every secret I had, so I'm not really telling you anything you didn't find out from Harry."
"Hufflepuff, despite what you believe is a very good house. It has had some of the most astounding witches and wizards there. I believe your brother would do better there than in Gryffindor even though you don't believe. He is a very very brave boy, and be does have the traits for a good Gryffindor. However, he has more Hufflepuff traits because of his past. But I'm not here to discuss your brother; I am here to sort you. Now, you also have a lot of bravery in you. You seem to have a repressed memory, and it would be best for you to release it. Once you do, every truth you need to know will be out. You're also a very ambitious young man. I can see that you are also very clever. I know you wish to be in Gryffindor with your father, but I believe you would do well in RAVENCLAW!"
There seemed to be a shocked silence, everyone had expected The-Boy-Who-Lived to be in Gryffindor. The Ravenclaws suddenly started to cheer really loud. Henry was getting a bigger applause then anyone else had. He glanced over at Hufflepuff to see that Harry was staring back at him. He didn't look happy at all.
He looked up at the teachers table, Albus Dumbledore was watching him. Quickly, he adverted his attention to the students who were remaining. There was a tall boy with red hair who had gone rather green. Henry wondered if he was one of the Weasley's. He had always wanted to meet them; he heard there were seven children in the family.
His suspicions were confirmed soon, the boy's name was Ronald Weasley, and he was sorted into Gryffindor. Once the sorting was over, Dumbledore stood up and said:
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. I would like to say a few words, and here they are: Nitwick! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
Henry stared; he had always thought the man was a little mad. He shrugged as food appeared on the plates in front of him. He didn't mind being Ravenclaw at all, but he was still upset about where his brother had ended up.
A/N: I know some people might be upset about where Harry is. However, Hufflepuff isn't a bad house. There are a lot of brave members there; their house had the second most people to stay in DH to fight at Hogwarts. Harry is still a brave person, but he is a different child from the one in the books in this story.
I know some people will ask about Ron and Hermione. Well, they will be in the story, but not as main characters since the twins aren't in the same house as them. There are hundreds of stories on here about those two with Harry or the twin who lived and I wanted to write one where it's different. Also, there aren't many stories on here about Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, so I also wanted to include them in as well.
Sorry if I disappointed people. I had this idea for a while though.
Anyway, thanks to all the people who reviewed so far, thanks to those who added me to their alerts, C2's and favourites. Hope you will continue to enjoy.