Ramblings and Dribbles

by WolfgangNH

This is a posting of ramblings, dripples, one-shots, unfinished ideas or other stuff I just don't think deserves it's own storyline. Some I plan to finish someday, others are what they are. This is mature reading for some posts. Some items may be well developed, others are not yet, and may never be. There will many different pairings, and sometimes none.

6. Chapter 6 - The Potter Twins

For the vote on my next major project put The Potter Twins as a low priority. Here is the start of the story... maybe it will become a major project in the future. This is a little over 15K words.

A/N: The Potter Twins: Seperated after their parents die, Calla grows up bouncing from Foster family to Foster family. That is until she found by a Wizarding Child Service person and ends up with the Tonks. Become best friends with Hermione around eight. Harry grows up with the Dursleys. After an 'accident' that kills the Dursleys, Harry ends up in St. Mungo's and is reunited with is sister about age nine. Harry/Calla grow up with the Tonks, friends with Hermione and probably Neville before they all go to Hogwarts. Haven't decides yet if many of the main time events happen as normal if this is a mix and mash as they go through with a final Voldemort clash where both twins need to be involved: Pairing: Harry/Hermione, Calla/Neville

-oOo-

Chapter 1

October 31, 1981

Godric's Hollow, England

Lily watched Harry chase the poor cat. He was squealing and laughing as Midnight jumped on a chair. The cat looked disgruntled, but was finally out of Harry's grasp. He put his hands on the chair, trying to get her.

The cat, realizing it was safe, sat and started to clean it's ruffled fur.

She let out an exasperated sigh. "Come here you troublemaker," she said to him affectionately. He was only in his pants, his shirt having been covered in the pasta they had tonight. She scrunched her nose to see the sauce in his hair.

"M'ni't'," Harry said reaching for Midnight.

"Leave her alone for now. It's time for a bath."

Harry squirmed to get out of her grasp. "No," he started repeating.

Prim was easy to get into the bath. She liked the water. The raven hair boy, on the other hand, hated baths. "No," he kept saying as she brought him upstairs.

"Yes. If you hadn't worn your dinner, then maybe it could have waited for tomorrow," she informed him.

"No," Harry repeated.

James chuckled from the bathroom. "We could just take him outside and run him under the hose," he said as she walked into the bathroom.

"James," she admonished. "It's not the middle of summer."

The raven hair man shrugged before pushing his glasses up his nose. She caught his eye as he smirked. "I don't see the difference. Hey, what are you up to," he said as the redhead in the bath splashed James. Prim laughed as her father turned and started to tickle her.

She shook her head. These two were going to be as much trouble as her husband. She shucked Harry out of his pants and diaper.

"Here. Try not to flood the bathroom this time." She handed Harry to James.

"That wasn't me last time," he said getting Harry in. Prim splashed her bother, who didn't look happy. She laughed at her twins before walking out, feeling no guilt in leaving them with their father. It was his turn tonight.

Flooding the bathroom last week had been Prim doing an accidental bit of magic that threw most of the water in the tub at their father. Of course, James had been washing Harry, who was screaming. She figured she was just trying to help Harry.

Of course, it had beens Harry's magic that flung the peas every where. She was still finding mashed peas in places she thought she had cleaned. A summoning charm hadn't worked on his magic.

It wasn't long before they were both clean, in their nighties and in bed.

After singing to them, she touched the glow globe with her wand in their spinning night light and closed the door to Harry quietly babbling with his sister, who looked half asleep already.

James was on the couch, leaning back with his head on the back cushion. His feet where up on the table. She put a beer on the table at his feet. She chuckled as she sat down. "It couldn't have been that bad today."

"You try chasing the twins around the house all day," he told her.

"You mean like most days," she asked taking a drink of her own beer.

James smiled. "I don't know how you do it most days."

She shrugged before putting her beer on the table and then putting her head on his chest. He wrapped an arm around her. "I don't either. I haven't made any progress in my charms work in two months."

James sighed. "It's gotten really bad out there, Lils. You and the twins are safest here."

"And what about you and the others? Remus hasn't responded to my letters in over a month. I'm getting afraid he may have finally joined a pack, or worse."

James shifted. "Lils, I don't like how much Remus is in with the werewolves. Someone betrayed the McKinnons and only those in the Order knew where they were."

She wrapped her arms around James. "Remus would never betray us."

He sighed. "I know. Prim, said a new word today..." he started before stiffening.

She felt it too. Someone had just stepped into their wards that had not been invited. They both shot up. James wand rolled off the table. She reached for hers and realized she must have left it with the twins.

"Lily, get the twins. Go to our safe house," James said getting up and looking for his wand.

"James, don't do anything stupid," she told him rushing out of the room. She needed her wand and the twins.

She made it to the top of the stairs before the door burst from its hinges and cracked and crashed as it flew down the hall towards the kitchen. "Lily, its him," James yelled before the glow of spells started to rip up the walls.

"Shite," she said under her breath. Prim started to cry at the noise. She rushed to their room. Her wand was on their table. She grabbed it before the house shook. Prim was standing up reaching for her. Harry was grabbing the side of his crib, not making a sound.

Picking them both up, she knew she wouldn't be any good in a duel. The house rocked again with a huge explosion. The floor tilted and she stumbled into the wall with both of them. "James," she called out. She was greeted to the sound of more spell fire.

"Right, just be brave for mummy," she told her children as she turned. She felt panic start to take over as she didn't leave the room. An anti-apparition ward had been erected. She moved across the uneven floor to the window. She could see shades of blue, white, red and green splash across the front lawn. Parts of the house were scattered about the yard.

She tried again before blasting the window out. "Lily, go," James shouted up to her.

Without hesitation, she jumped out the window, casting a motion arresting charm and cushioning charm. She landed and started to run. The spell fire was intense behind her. She made it to the hedgerow before a short, mousy looking man stepped in front of her.

"Oh, Peter," she said panicked. "Take Prim. We need to get out of here."

She went to hand her daughter to their friend and the man stepped back. There was a cry of triumph behind her as the spell fire died.

Her ring suddenly went cold.

Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach sank.

James was dead.

"Peter, please," she asked. She had to get the twins away and if Peter took Prim, she would have her wand arm free.

"I'm sorry, Lily. You and James will always be my friends," the man said raising his wand.

She stumbled back. "No," she said uncertain, not believing what she was seeing. "No. Let me pass, Peter. Harry and Prim," she said with tears starting to leak from her eyes.

Someone started to cackle a mirthless laugh behind her. She knew she wouldn't be able to run now without her wand arm being free. "Peter, please," she begged.

"Expelliarmus," Peter said morosely. Her wand zoomed out of her hand.

Prim was still crying. Harry grabbed her shirt tight.

She took another step back. Her body felt weird, like she was starting to float away. Of all the people she ever expected to betray them, it was not Peter. He worshipped James and Sirius.

"Excellent, Pettigrew," a cold, high voice said behind her. Peter winced.

Tears were streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't let Harry and Prim die. Their was a loud crack behind her. She turned to see a tall man with bone white skin, no hair and snake like eyes looking at her. Behind him, there was another crack before the side of the house, where the sitting room had been, collapsed. It was a crash that filled the night. The twins room fell into the ruined gap. She could not see James' body.

"You are not getting my children," she said fiercely.

Voldemort laughed. "I admit, your husband was a challenge I had not expected. I have word you are even more skilled, Lily Potter."

She tried not shiver at the cold voice. Prim had stopped crying. He was grabbing her shirt and hair as hard as Harry was.

"Give me back my wand and you can find out," she told the man.

He looked at her for a moment. "Pettigrew, you can leave now. Tell Bellatrix she can take care of the Longbottoms. I have this."

"Y... ye... yes, Master," the man said. A second later, he disapparated. He had taken her wand. She had no way to protect her boys.

"Now, Mrs. Potter," the man said sounding more like a proper pureblood. She knew his secret though. "I would like to give you a chance to join my loyal Death Eaters. All you have to do is put down Harry and I will let you live. You can keep your other brat. There is one that wishes you as a gift, and he has earned it."

She scowled at him. "I know what happens with your gifts, Tom," she said. She took a step backwards. Maybe she could keep him talking long enough to make it into the street. She could still apparate without a wand.

The man's composure fell. He didn't look as pleased. "You dare call me that, you filthy mudblood. I am here to be a merciful Lord. I offer you your life. I will even let you keep that red headed abomination."

She pulled both of them in tighter. "I will not serve you, Tom," she said knowing it would make him upset. She refused to call him by the name he wanted. It gave her a chance to take another step back.

The man scowled. "This is the last time, girl. Put that brat down and you and the other one live."

She scuttled back as he took a big step towards her. She was within two steps of the hedge. If she could buy just another few seconds. "You will not have either of my children."

He regarded her and she took one more step back as he raised his arm. "I hate destroying real talent, but I will not let anyone stand in my way." She took one more step. It would be just one more. She just needed one more. She went to open her mouth. "Avada Kedavra," he spat.

She dropped her twins and moved to shield them. She loved them more than herself or James. James had felt the same way. The crumpling house behind Voldemort was proof. She just hoped her sacrifice would do as she hoped.

A moment later, she was in a world that was just white. There was nothing, just a soft light that illuminated the space.

"Lils," a voice came from behind her.

She turned to see James. "I couldn't stop him," she told him tearfully.

"I know, luv. We can't do anything else now," James told her.

"James, we can't leave them," she said looking around. "Send me back. Don't leave them like this!"

"Lily, it will be alright. You don't really want to go back," he told her.

"James, their our children."

He looked upset too. "I know. Lils. Merlin I know, but if we go back, they will move to a place we can never go."

She sipped at the tears. How could they leave them?

She looked around. "Is this where we decide if we are going on or not?"

He sighed. "I think so."

He took her hand. "James, I can't leave them."

"I know, Lils. But you can't stay and I know you don't want to be a ghost."

She shook her head before moving to him. He took her in his arms. "We should wait for them."

James smiles sadly. "They aren't joining us tonight. You at least gave them a chance to live."

She gave a sad smile. "I wanted to see them grow up. I want to see them go to Hogwarts. I want see Prim on her wedding day and Harry complain about his kids getting into trouble."

He moved in and hugged her. "I do too. Do you really want to go back?"

She cried into his chest for a few. "You would go back too, wouldn't you?"

"I would follow you anywhere you go."

How could she be that selfish to take the chance away from him to see them again. "You will be there with me when they come back to us?"

"Always, Lils. Always."

A whistle sounded. She pulled back to look. The white void had changed into something looking like King's Cross Station. A gleaming red steam engine and train were waiting on the platform. "Come on, Lils. Lets go wait for our Harry and Primrose."

-oOo-

A/N: As is starting to be my habit, I am posting the general notes and rules I am giving myself for this story. These may change at any point.

In general, this is my second attempt at the Twin genre. It is not a story where one twin gets everything and Harry is just dumped on. It may seem unfair at times to Harry, but it will get better and Harry will get what he deserves: a loving family, good friends, and much more.

1) Harry and Primrose are twins. Harry is the older twin, born just before midnight on July 31st, and Prim born on August 1st.
2) They are separated, Harry going to the Dursley's and Prim going elsewhere
3) Dumbledore is going to be a manipulative twat, but with the 'best' intentions
4) Not sure how much events will follow the books, but plan to hit many of the big ones, even if in my own way
5) Death Eaters and others are supposed to be scary. I will write them that way.
6) Politics May come into the story
7) In later years, want this to be a story where they grow up. There will most likely be lemons, including self-explorations and couple scenes
8) Do not plan on multiple pairings right now
9) Have general ideas of couples, but no guarantee: Harry/Hermione, Prim/ Neville
10) Not sure how involved the Weasley's will be.
11) Write in Harry or Prim's POV almost exclusively

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 2

July 31, 1989

Little Winging, England

It was late in the afternoon and his Aunt had just opened the closet. "Come out, you," she said, not sounding angry or commanding. That must mean Dudley and Uncle Vernon were out. It was the only time she didn't sound upset with him.

It was his eighth birthday and he was hungry. After breaking his Aunts vase when Dudley had pushed him into the table, his Uncle had 'punished' him and stuck him in his closet. He had been able to get out to go the bathroom last night and this morning, only getting water from the sink when he pretended to wash his hands.

"There only gone for an hour or so," she told him.

He stumbled out, his back still feeling soar, but not raw. She had him sit at the table and put a plate of crisps, a sandwich with thick cuts of ham and a big glass of milk.

His Aunt didn't say anything, just walked out of the room. He heard her bustling in the sitting room. He was hungry. The more he moved, the more his muscles stretched and he felt better. About a half hour later, she came back in, took his plate and gave him three granola bars.

"Go take a quick shower," she told him.

Harry hid the granola bars and rushed up the stairs.

He was in his closet just a little bit before he heard the door open. His Uncle's heavy foot steps came in and he pulled his legs up, trying to crush himself into the corner to be as far from the locked door as he could.

"He was no trouble, I assume," his Uncle asked.

Dudley ran through, banging on the door and laughing on his way to the kitchen.

"No, Vernon. He was quiet," she told the man.

"Good."

His Uncle walked by. "Don't worry, Petunia. He'll be out tomorrow and you can relax again."

"Yes, Vernon," she responded.

Later that night, Harry thought today was a better birthday than last year. His stomach was full and he hadn't had to smell the cake that was usually made for his cousin. His back was still soar though.

-oOo-

August 1st, 1989

Outskirts of London, England

Prim sat up in the bed. Again, she had done something 'freaky' and had ended up in the hospital.

Her latest family she was with had called the ambulance when she had started to scream and grab at her back. The nice dress she had on now had blood strains across the back.

A woman knocked at her door. Her nice brown hair, overcoat and just the way she stood spoke of someone from child services. Prim had known this was coming when Mrs. Pappas had left that first night and not come back.

Something flew by the window and she looked out. A bird was flitting between trees. She watched it.

"Primrose Evans," the lady asked.

She didn't turn or say anything.

The woman walked in and stopped at the end of the bed. "It's a lovely day outside. Would you like to go for a walk?"

Prim turned to her. She couldn't remember anyone from Child Services asking that before.

"Don't you have ten more cases to get to today," Prim asked the woman.

"No. You are the only case I have for the foreseeable future. Are you Primrose Evans?"

"I prefer Prim," she told the woman.

The woman gave her a smile. "Alright, Prim. Would you like to go for a walk?"

"The nurses said I should remain in bed," she responded.

"Is your back still soar," the woman asked.

Prim rolled her shoulders and stretched her arms, her shoulder length auburn hair falling into her face. She felt the raised skin from the scars on her back, and the scabs that where already flaking off.

"A little."

It was no worse than the first time it happened two years ago. She knew her body healed fast. She just wished she knew why it happened.

"Do you have any clothes?"

Prim shook her head. Anything she owned was still at the Pappas' house.

The woman nodded. Her large bag plopped onto the bed and she reached in. A moment later, she pulled out a pretty blue dress with a ribbon around the waist. Prim liked dresses like that. More importantly, how did a dress that looked perfectly pressed come out of the bag?

"This might be slightly large, but it should do."

"Who are you," she asked.

"My name is Mallory Diggory. You either call me Mallory or Mrs. Diggory. Which ever makes you more comfortable."

"Would you mind if I call you Mallory," she asked. Everyone she ever knew to have a Mrs., Miss or Mister in their name had always abandoned her.

"That is fine, dear. Now, why don't you go put this on, and we can go for that walk," Mallory told her.

Prim got up, took the dress and went into the bathroom. When she came out, Mallory was at a desk in the corner and was writting on thick paper with a feather. She had never seen anyone do that before.

She didn't question it though. This woman was going to take her outside.

"Do you have any shoes, Prim," the woman asked.

"Not here," she said.

Mallory finished what she was writting and put a stopper in a vial of ink and blew on the paper. "Just give me a moment. Gather up anything you need."

Prim didn't move. She didn't have anything here.

The woman put the paper into a folder and then put everything into her bag, before pulling out a nice pair of black shoes. "Try these on," Mallory said handing them to her.

Prim took them and they fit just about perfectly.

"Do you have anything you brought with you," Mallory asked.

"No, Mallory. Anything I have is at the Pappas's."

The woman nodded. "We'll get all your stuff in a little bit. I see it's your eighth birthday today?"

Prim nodded.

"Happy Birthday. I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to take you to another hospital for a little bit for an evaluation, and then we can get a nice lunch," Mallory told her.

Prim frowned and followed Mallory out. They walked out of the hospital, into a park across the street and into a copse of trees. "Here, take my arm, Prim."

Prim looked at her oddly, but put her arm around Mallory's as instructed. "Hold tight," she was instructed.

"Why," she asked before Mallory turned and she was suddenly sucked through a straw and ended up on a quiet street before an abandoned department store. Her stomach churned at the sensation and quickly jumped out of her.

Mallory pat her back. "That often happens the first time."

Prim backed away. Whatever just happened was scary and she didn't want to be blamed for doing something else freakish. "What do you mean that happens the first time," she asked, wiping her mouth. "What was that? Where are we?"

"If you would come inside with me, I can explain everything," the woman said.

"What are you," she asked, concerned.

Mallory looked around before leaning over to be level with her. "I'm like you. I'm a witch."

-oOo-

December 22, 1990

The Country Side, England

The evening was dark, under a sky of clouds. Cars passed by with their lamps on.

Harry was clutching his jacket to him, his hands hurting from clutching it for the last hour and a half. They were going to spend Christmas week with the person Harry hated almost as much as his Uncle. The man's sister.

Aunt Marge was a horrid person who used him to train her dogs. Last summer he had spent hours up a tree as the dog didn't want to leave him alone. He had a few scars from being bitten.

"Listen, boy. You will be on your best behavior," Uncle Vernon said to him.

"Vernon, we have already told him this," his Aunt said.

His Uncle's face turned kinder. "I know, pumpkin, but we can't have any of his freakiness showing while there."

Harry clutched his hands harder. "Just keep her dogs away," he said silently.

"Dad, he's saying something bad again," Dudley said with a grin.

Uncle Vernon spun his head around, shifting in his seat. "What did you say, boy?" The man just about spat in his anger.

"VERNON! The road," his Aunt screeched.

His Uncle sat back fast, just catching the car before it went off the road into a ditch and some woods. The car swung violently for a few seconds. When his Uncle got it back under control, his neck and face turned red. "Another freakish thing," the man said lowly.

Harry knew he was in for a beating now.

He was tired of always being beat. As they approached a bridge, an insane thought came to him.

It would be easy to just open the door and jump out. Drowning sounded better than than being mauled and days spent recovering again. He also didn't want to be bitten again.

Harry watched the fields as the bridge got closer.

It would be so easy.

He would never suffer again.

Never be called freak, boy or any other demeaning thing.

He wouldn't be visited by his Uncle in the middle of the night...

Very slowly and as quietly as he could, he undid his seatbelt. His Uncle was still muttering about him and Dudley had gone back to his Gameboy. As they approached the bridge, he made his decision.

Unlocking the door, he threw it open. "VERNON," his Aunt yelled. The man tried to reach for him. Harry was already throwing himself out of the door. He hoped he would miss the guard rail and just hit the water.

What he hadn't expected was to bounce.

He hit the pavement at the fifty miles per hour his Uncle was going. The pain didn't come as he suddenly felt like he was a rubber ball. He bounced over the rail as he heard the crash.

He spun over as he flew to see the car. The passenger side front was crushed and flinging parts off the car everywhere as it did its own pirouette in the air. There was the sound of screeching tires as the car behind them tried to avoid the accident.

The car spun out of sight and the dark evening sky came into view. He heard the car crash into the river before he did. It was cold, dark and painful as he hit the water flat on his back.

A few seconds later, her came above the water, instinctively took in a few breaths of air, then was swept under in the current. He struggled for a few, his body not accepting the decision his mind had made to kill them.

His relatives had never taught him to swim, so he went under again. He gulped in water.

He wasn't sure how long this repeated. All he knew was he came above the water and was pulled under again, until he suddenly hit ground and was forced into the shallows around a bend. He crawled and pulled himself onto the edge of the steep bank.

His body felt soar, cold and he was struggling to breath as he coughed up water. He was only able to pull himself into the few inches of water that lapped at the bank before collapsing.

He lay on his side shivering, unable to move his left arm. He was sure his shoulder felt dislocated.

His glasses had fallen off at some point. After a bit, he saw flashing blurs, as though they were very far off. He coughed again, his back sending a sharp pain through him as he did.

He wasn't sure how long it had been, but he had almost stopped shaking. The cold had been replaced with warmth and he just felt numb.

Harry liked numb.

There was no pain.

There was no one yelling at him.

There was no one hitting him.

There were no late night visits...

Harry liked numb.

"Over here," someone called out.

A tear escaped his eye. Harry just wanted to stay here, numb.

-oOo-

December 24, 1990

London, England

The wizarding hospital was so different than the normal ones. The beds felt older. The rooms were sparse in medical equipment. There were no beeps, tubes, televisions or anything she was used too. By now, she should be used to this, but she wasn't.

At least Aunt Andi had brought her drawing supplies, and the runes books she enjoyed.

Yawning, she took her bag and the drawing pad. The color pencils and inks were her favorites. Because she was still in bed, she took out the color pencils. She sketched out a dragon they had seen last summer. A while later, the door opened.

The head that poked in had a mop of vibrant pink hair, pink eyes and a smile. "Wotcher, Red!"

"DORA!" She cried out loud to see her adoptive sister.

"Hey sis," the older girl said. "I brought someone with me."

A familiar mane of brown hair came in behind her sister. "Hermione!"

"Prim," her best mate said rushing to the side of the bed. Hermione paused for a second. Prim pulled her in and hugged her friend. She hadn't seen her in two days. The last time Hermione had seen her, Prim had collapsed on their way to her parents dinner table.

"What am I," Dora asked.

"A pain," Prim said and pulled her in too.

"You scared us so much," Hermione told her.

"I didn't mean too," she told them.

"I know," Dora said pulling back. "Don't do it again."

Dora put her hand on her hair and started to muss it up. "Get off," she said exacerbated.

Hermione laughed and backed up.

"Where's Aunt Andi," she asked.

"Checking on another patient. Dad took us over. He sent us in while seeing a client. They'll be here soon," Dora told her.

"I'm glad to see you," she told them.

"Are you alright," Hermione asked.

"I'm fine, Hermione. Aunt Andi said I just got a bad cold," she told her.

Hermione didn't look convinced. "You weren't coughing, sniffling or anything and we had just been dancing around in my room."

She could see the concern in her friends face. Prim was so happy that another witch her age lived in the neighborhood. She was Prim's first, and only friend, next to her older sister. To have a family that understood what she was and why things happened to her was more than she felt she deserved at times.

"If mum said she was sick, she was sick," Dora said.

"Dora, I am telling you she was perfectly healthy, then she was suddenly white as a ghost and just dropped. How do you go from being flush with heat one moment to cold as a stone just a few seconds later? I haven't seen any accidental magic like that," she told her sister.

"I don't know, Hermione. I'm just glad she's alright," Dora said.

"I like you too," she told her sister.

Dora winked. "Who else would I make fun of when I'm home? Glad to see you squirt."

"I'm not that small."

"Smallest in your class," she said. "That's alright, boys like small girls."

She laughed and then coughed. It was a rattling cough that shook her whole body and left her wheezing and weak when it passed. She was leaning over and Dora had a hand on her back.

"Here, just lay back," her sister said.

She shook her head. "I breathe better sitting up."

"Primrose, how sick are you," Hermione asked sounding scared.

She took Hermione's hand as she leaned into Dora. She breathed in heavily. It was probably getting close to needing her potions again. "I heard Aunt Andi tell Uncle Ted I almost died," she said scared.

Dora wrapped her arm around her and pulled her in. "You'll be fine, Red," Dora said affectionately.

Prim melted in her. Hermione moved onto the bed and wrapped her arms around her. "I don't know why this happens. I don't want to die," she told them.

The door closed and she shot her head up. They hadn't heard it open. Her Aunt had come in. Tears were still streaming out of her eyes. "Mrs. Tonks, is Prim going to live?"

The woman came over to their knot and sat on the bed. She looked at her, her grey eyes caring and soft. "Prim is not going to die, Hermione. I am hoping we can have her home for Christmas."

"I heard you talking with Uncle Ted," she told her, still breathing heavily.

"Are you having a hard time breathing?"

Prim nodded.

"Let me get you the potions and we can talk."

Dora didn't let go of her as her best mate sat up. Prim didn't let go of her hand. She needed her and her sister.

A few minutes later, Aunt Andi came back. She made a face to take the four potions. "Better?"

Prim took a few breaths. "Yes. Aunt Andi, why does this happen," she asked.

The woman sighed. "It has to do with your scar. I am unsure why, but something causes the magic in it to lash out at you. I am still trying to figure how or what."

Prim felt the tingle in her shoulder. She couldn't rub it with how Dora held her and she held Hermione.

"Mum, its been over two years," Dora said.

"I know, Nymphadora, but sometimes even Healers find things that magic either can't heal or identify."

"It's Dora, mum," her sister said.

Prim smiled at her sister briefly before yawning.

Her Aunt glared at Dora, but didn't push it today. "Primrose, I am doing everything I can for you."

"I know," she said.

"Hermione, would you help me put her stuff away. You should take a nap."

"Yes, Mrs. Tonks."

Prim moved to help, but felt so weak. She hated feeling so weak at times and these things that happened to her. "Just lay down," Tonks said.

"Will you stay with me," she asked. She didn't want to feel abandoned any more.

"We're sisters. You're stuck with me," Dora told her.

Hermione climbed into bed with her, laying down with her over the covers and held her hand. Aunt Andi came over and brushed the hair out of her face. It was the last thing she remembered.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 3

December 26, 1990

London, England

Harry woke to warmth. He was snuggled under the blankets in his bed. It was quiet and peaceful.

It took him a while to really come out of his morning fudd. When he did, he blinked, expecting to see the stairs above his head. "It must still be early," he said, yawning. It wasn't often he woke before the Dursleys. Usually he was so tired, it was the soft noise of his Aunt's alarm clock that woke him.

He reached over head to grab his glasses. When they hit a wall, he paused for a moment. It was then that he realized the air smelled rather fresh and there where no fresh spiderwebs around him.

Sitting up, it dawned on him he was in a real bed. Even at Aunt Marge's he only merited a floor with some thin blankets. Aunt Marge...

Images of a car flying through the air...

A hard impact on the water...

His Uncle had been very upset...

It was a series of images that caused him to cry out and jerk back like he had just hit the water again. He fell out of the bed. "Aunt Andi," a girl cried out.

The sound of curtains opened greeted his ears. There was a sudden blinding light and he saw a blurry figure come from it.

"Easy there, dear," a woman said.

"Where am I? Who are you? Where are my glasses?" He shot off as he backed away.

The woman stopped and knelt down. "Easy. You've been through alot and shouldn't be jumping out of bed."

He put a hand to his head, the light starting to cause a headache. "Where am I?"

"Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies," the woman said. "I am one of the Healers. Healer Tonks."

"You mean like a doctor," he asked, his brain still fuzzy.

"Yes. The same as a Doctor. Do you know who you are?"

He looked at her and blinked. "Harry Potter. I can't see you. Where are my glasses?"

"You didn't have any when you were brought here. We can get you some new ones in just a short bit. Can I help you get back into bed," she asked.

He backed up against the wall when she moved towards him. He had never known a Doctor to hurt him the few times he could remember seeing one, but this was all too new. "Where is my Aunt," he asked. She had always been the one to take him.

There was a silence for a few before the woman spoke in a sad voice. "Harry, do you remember what happened?"

He shivered to remember the last few minutes before he hit the water. Everything else was cloudy after that. He didn't want to tell her he jumped out of the car. "There was an accident," he said.

"Yes, dear. Would you like a blanket at least," she offered.

He just pulled his legs to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. After a moment, she moved again. She must have taken a blanket off the bed because when she moved closer, she wrapped it around him. He tried not to flinch, never knowing anyone to do this.

"Are they dead," he asked.

She was close enough now he could see her. She hard brown hair that was tied up in a bun, expressive grey eyes, a mouth that looked like it liked to smile and a feel about her that made Harry less nervous, almost safe.

Her eyes looked into his for a long moment. "The emergency crews were unable to save them."

Harry nodded. He wasn't sure to be upset? Happy maybe? Sick at himself for being a little of both? More than anything, he just wanted to be numb, but something wouldn't let him.

After a few, he couldn't keep his eyes on her and put his chin on his knees.

"Harry, who were those people you were with?"

"My relatives," he told her.

"Is your head hurting you," she asked.

He rubbed his scar. It was prickling. It wasn't uncommon to hurt from time to time, but now it felt scared. It was crazy for a scar to feel! "It usually does."

"Can I ask a few more questions? Then I can leave you alone if you want," she told him.

He looked up at her, feeling slightly panicked. He didn't want to be alone. What if his Uncle wasn't really dead and came looking for him? "I don't want to be alone."

"Aunt Andi," the girls voice came again.

"Would you like to meet my adopted daughter, Harry?"

"Are you going to leave," he asked her.

"Not until you are comfortable with that, but Primrose can stay with you. I also expect my other daughter to be here in a bit. They can keep you company, if you don't mind," she asked.

"My Uncle and cousin won't find out," he asked, knowing they would find a way to chase anyone away that got close to him.

The woman kept a pleasant expression on her face, but Harry felt like she was not pleased. "Your Uncle and cousin won't be by," she said.

He looked at her. There was no lie in her. He could tell when people lied to him. It helped to keep him alive at times to know that. "Are they my age?"

"Primrose, or Prim as she likes, is your age. If I'm not mistaken, I think you a day older than her," she said, sounding odd. "Nymphadora is seventeen. I think you will like her though."

There was a scuffling behind her and Harry looked into the light. "Aunt Andi," a girl asked. "Oh, I'm sorry."

The woman smiled. "It's fine Primrose. Would you like to meet her?"

Harry looked at the girl. He could only make out she was in a yellow jumper, jeans and her hair was red. "Is she nice," he asked rather lowely.

"Yes," Healer Tonks responded. He nodded. "Primrose, come here."

The girl shuffled over and leaned down. She had shoulder length red hair that was straight and pulled back into a small pony tail. Her eyes were hazel and her nose looked very similar to his. She was cute. Harry had a feeling he knew her, but he thought he would remember someone like this.

"Harry, this is Primrose Evans. Primrose, this is Harry Potter," the woman said.

There was a light that lit in the girl's eyes. "Are you really," she asked.

He felt a little self-conscious. "Ah," he said uncertain. "Yeah."

Her eyes drifted to his forehead, and her eyes grew even wider, before she looked a little white. She swayed before falling over. "Primrose," the woman yelled, moving to catch her.

Harry shot away from the wall, just barely getting his hands under her head before it hit the floor. The woman was over them. "Primrose," she said, taking a stick out of her pocket and running it over the girl.

His eyes went wide to see a circle with various characters around it. After a moment, the woman let out a breath. "Are you alright, Harry," she asked, taking the girls head out of his hands and and pulling her up.

As she did, the loose cardigan slipped, revealing a thin strap shirt. He would have thought nothing of it except that peaking out from under the strap was a fan like scar that looked like a lightening bolt. It was red in areas, as though it was still fresh.

"Harry, are you alright," the woman asked.

He pointed to the scar on the girl. "Where did she get that," he asked, before rubbing his own scar.

The woman looked at him, and then the girl she said was her adopted-daughter. "I am suspecting she got it the same way you got yours," she told him.

He looked at her. "Her parents were killed in a car crash too?"

The woman blinked at him a few times. "Harry, your relatives were just killed in a car crash, but they were not your parents."

"Aunt Petunia always said my parents were killed in a car crash," he told her.

He saw real anger storm in the woman's eyes for a second, before she let out a breath.

"Harry, I am sorry to tell you, but your parents were not killed in a car crash. They were killed by a dark wizard," she told him.

He blinked at her this time. "A what," he asked, positive he had not heard her correctly.

"A dark wizard. I am a witch, as is Primrose. And you are going to be a wizard."

He blinked again before shaking his head. "What you just did now..."

"It was a diagnostic spell to make sure she didn't hurt herself."

He looked at the redhead girl in her arms. Like him, she was small for her age, but she didn't look malnourished, just small.

"Who is she," he asked.

Healer Tonks looked at him, as though trying to decide something. After a moment, the woman spoke up. "Her real name is Primrose Potter. The muggle adoption agency had been told her last name was Evans. Like your mother's maiden name."

Harry blinked. His world felt like it was spinning. He sat back against the wall very heavily. This was all too much.

-oOo-

A while later, Harry was sitting in bed, a new pair of glasses on his nose and a girl sitting on his bed. She was looking at him. He liked her pink hair.

"So, you're Prim's twin," she said, as though challenging him.

He still felt so disorientated. "I don't have a twin," he told her. "I don't have any brother or sister."

"That's not what mum says. Your scar looks just like Prim's. If you aren't twins, are you some secret lovers or something?"

He looked at her totally confused. "Are we what," he asked.

She wagged her eyes. "That's it. You saw Prim, thought she was cute, and copied her."

"I didn't copy anyone," he said to her. God, this girl was annoying.

"Fine, not losers."

"I am not a loser either," he responded angrily and she smirked. He didn't normally defend himself, but he felt like he had too."

"Lovers?"

"No," he said exacerbated!

"Then that only leaves twins. So, did you try to off her, is that why she was an orphan," the pink hair girl asked.

"I don't have a sister," he yelled at her.

"Alright. Alright. Touchy, aren't you," she asked.

He huffed. "Just drop it."

Her hair suddenly turned black and spikey like his, eyes green and nose like hers. "You're right, she is far cuter. There is no way she would be your twin."

"Just drop it," Harry said angrily.

The girl held up her hands and changed back to the way she was. "Alright. Sorry."

The door opened and two women entered the room. Healer Tonks was leading in a woman in yellow robes. She had light brown hair and brown eyes. "Nymphadora, are you bugging Harry," Healer Tonks asked.

"No," she said.

"Yes," the other girl said. He hadn't noticed she was standing just on the other side of the curtains.

"Why are you out of bed, young lady," Healer Tonks chastised the girl, but it didn't sound like there was real heat in it.

"Is he really my brother," she asked, coming around the screen.

Harry looked at her.

"We were going to prove it or not," the other woman said.

"Harry, this is Agent Mallory Diggory. She is from Wizarding child services and would like to talk with you," Healer Tonks told him. "Can you help Primrose?"

"Yeah, come here, Red," the older girl said jumping off his bed. She moved to Primrose and the smaller girl leaned into her.

"How are you feeling today, Prim," the other woman asked.

"Better, thank you, Mallory," she told Agent Diggory.

"Glad to see you on your feet. Now, Harry, you can call me what you are most comfortable with." She moved over to the bed.

"You feel good enough to get lunch in the tearoom?"

"I love to get out of here. When am I going home?" Prim asked.

"Tomorrow. Nymphadora has been patiently waiting to open your gifts," the Healer said.

"You said you would wait for me," Prim whined.

The older girl shrugged. "I wanted to see if you got that dress you wanted."

"Dora!"

"She hasn't opened anything. Now, go," she said to the girls. Prim took Dora's hand and stopped half way to the door.

"I'm sorry you lost your relatives," she told him.

Harry nodded. He still felt numb about everything about them. Harry nodded.

"If you are my brother, I hope you come live with us."

"We'll see," Agent Diggory said.

Dora led her out and Harry was left with the ladies. Agent Diggory came over and sat on the side of his bed. "Harry, I am sorry for your loss."

He just shrugged.

"I want you to know, if you ever get uncomfortable with what we are to discuss, it is alright to say you don't want to talk about it right now," she told him.

He nodded.

"I am going to start with a few simple questions."

"Alright."

"Is your full name Harry James Potter," she asked him.

"Yes."

"You are the son of Lily and James Potter?"

He looked down. "I don't know the first names of my parents," he told her.

There was a pause. "You told Healer Tonks that they died in a car accident?"

"That is what my Aunt and Uncle said."

"You had no knowledge you were a wizard?"

"No."

She sighed. "Harry, who is your Guardian?"

"My Aunt and Uncle. Or they were." He looked up at her.

"Harry, when I visited your Aunt and Uncles house to retrieve your belongings, I only found a few in a bed in a closet. Is that where you slept?"

He looked down, not saying anything. He was never to tell anyone where he slept. That had been been beaten into him to never tell anyone.

The woman reached for one of the bags she brought with her. "Would you mind confirming if I missed anything? You will not be going back."

He pulled the bag to him and opened it. The few broken toys figurines he kept hidden under his matress. A book a teacher had given him. Some overlarge clothes and his toothbrush. It was everything he considered his.

"I don't have anything else."

Agent Diggory nodded, the nice look on her face, but her eyes worried.

"Harry, Healer Tonks did an exam on you when the Auror's brought you here. She has found some items of concern I would like to aske you about."

Harry didn't say a word.

"Did your Aunt and Uncle ever hit you?"

He just sat there, quietly.

"Where you ever taken to a doctors?"

"I've been to a hospital a few time," he told her.

"How about a doctor just to check on you, or give you your immunizations," she asked.

He shook his head.

"How much did they feed you," she asked in a kind tone.

His stomach growled at the thought of food. He felt hungry now, even though he had eaten breakfast after waking a few hours ago.

"Do you know of any other relatives that might be willing to take you in," she asked.

He started to shake. The only other relative he knew was his Uncle's sister, and would rather just off this building than go to her. "No one."

"Harry," Healer Tonks asked.

He looked up at her. "I am your second cousin, to your father James. My husband and I would be willing to take you in, if you want."

He wasn't sure what he wanted. He just didn't want to go to Aunt Marge.

"Do I really have a sister?"

"I would like to do a test, just to confirm it, but she is the right age and her original last name of Potter," Agent Diggory said.

"Why would she not have lived with me," he asked.

"I don't know," the woman responded.

"I have been looking for you for years, once I knew Primrose had survived. Many of us thought you and her dead," Healer Tonks said.

Harry looked down. He wished he was. His relatives where dead. Why wasn't he?

"She liked Prim," he said. He felt confused why he would say that.

"She does," Agent Diggory agreed.

He looked up at Healer Tonks. "Why would you adopt her, and not me too?"

"We couldn't find you, Harry. And we only found Prim just after her eighth birthday after some accidental magic," Healer Tonks told him.

He looked at her, only really trusting this woman. He had never trusted any adult before, but he trusted her. He didn't know why. "Why couldn't you find us?"

He felt he was being unfair, but he needed someone to protect him all those years, and she had been no where.

Healer Tonks moved a little closer to him. She looked like she was just barely keeping herself together. "Harry, I tried to find you and Prim after your parents died. Your Godfather was mine and James cousin, and he passed his responsibilities the year why found Primrose. If I had found you earlier, you never would have been left there."

He took in a stuttering breath. "Is he really dead?"

She regarded him for a moment. "Your Uncle? Yes."

He looked at his still shaking hands. She took them. No one had ever done that before. "Harry, it will be alright now. Would you like to come stay with Ted and I?"

"I don't want to sleep in a closet," he told her.

"You will never do that again. We have a room for you."

He nodded.

-oOo-

Tea Room, St. Mungo's, London, England

Prim sat in the chair, the small mine pie only having been picked at and her pumpkin juice barely touched. She wasn't feeling that hungry. She was feeling tired already and just wanted to be better again.

"Wotcher, Red," Dora said nudging her.

"What," she asked, looking up.

She had been thinking of the green-eyed boy down stairs.

"You haven't touched your food. You need me to start a food fight," Dora asked mischievously.

She smiled at her sister. "Dora, why didn't Aunt Andi ever tell me I had a brother? There isn't any pictures of that. There aren't any pictures of me as a baby either."

Dora sighed. "Mum only told me last summer just before I went back to Hogwarts. when I finally found out your real last name was Potter. I know, pretty dumb of me when she takes out a picture of your parents."

"Yeah, pretty dumb," she said.

Dora chuckled. "Mum always said we were cousins, but wouldn't say how. I thought that maybe my Cousin Lily had a kid when she was in school and gave you up for adoption. It wasn't until I was doing some reading about the last war that I finally put two and two together."

She picked at her pie. "Why doesn't Aunt Andi have any pictures of my parents? They were cousins."

"I don't know, Red."

"Could you just call me Prim today," she asked, usually liking the nicknames Dora used.

"Sure, Primrose," she said with a smile.

"Thanks, Nymphadora."

"Don't call me that," her sister hissed, her hair turning more of a vibrant pink.

"Then just call me Prim for now!"

Dora nudged her again. "Prim, what's really bothering you?"

She took in a breath and let it out. "I saw him without a shirt yesterday. Aunt Andi was looking over him with Mallory."

Dora chuckled. "I think I was in third year when I started to peak."

Prim looked at her, her cheeks heating for some reason. "Why would you want to peak," she asked disgusted.

Dora laughed this time. "You'll understand in a few years. After mum gives you the talk, come talk to me. I can teach you how to have fun."

She looked at her cousin very confused. "The talk?"

The mischevious smile told Prim her older sister knew something she didn't. "Anyways, you playing peeping Prim," she said.

"You are so weird at times," Prim told her.

Dora laughed again. "Blame, dad."

"I do," she said.

"So, what did you see," Dora asked.

Prim's expression fell. She looked down. "Scars," was all she said.

Dora sobered. "What do you mean scars?"

When she spoke, her voice just barely carried to Dora. "Scars like mine."

Dora just looked at her. "You mean like your back or your shoulder?"

"Don't act stupid with me. I saw that scar on his head. It is the same thing I have," she told Dora. She didn't think about it as her scar twerked and she rubbed her shoulder.

"Is it hurting again," Dora asked with concern. "Your also not supposed to get so worked up. Mum said you still have a few more days of those potions."

"I'm not trying to get worked up. He has scars like my back."

Dora took a swig of her butterbeer. "Well, that explains alot."

She looked confused at Dora. "What explains a lot?"

"I think you need to talk to mum," Dora told her.

She narrowed her eyes. "What do you know? Tell me or I will find a way to send you frod spawn in your letters."

Dora chuckled. "Bring it, Re... Prim."

"Dora!"

"It's just something I heard mum and dad talking about," she shrugged. "I think you should talk to mum."

Her mind went to the worst possible place. "I have cancer! Is that why I get so sick"

"You have what? What is cancer?"

"I don't know. It's something I've seen on the on the tellie. Children die of it," she told her sister.

"Prim, do think mum would let you die," she asked. "She is the best Healer here."

"She hasn't been able to stop what happens," she said morosely.

Dora sighed. "Listen, Prim. I don't know all the details. Mum says its something related to the lightening scar. Merlin, Harry Potter is your brother."

She didn't feel better, but she appreciated what Dora was doing. Prim shrugged. "I'm not that impressed."

Dora laughed. "I bet you thought him cute before you found out he was your brother."

She tried not to let the heat rise to her face. If mum had green eyes like that, she could understand why dad liked her. "I did not not."

"Liar, Red."

"Call me Prim, Nymphadora!"

"Don't call me Nymphadora!"

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 4

December 28, 1990

Istead Rise, England

Prim stepped out of the fireplace. The first thing she did was was to take in a huge breath through her nose. She was so happy to be home. The tree still smelled of fresh pine and a pile of presents were below it.

Dora came through next.

"Mum is making dinner before we open those," she told her.

Dora's hair was long and black today, not her usual vibrant color. She only let her normal hair come out for Aunt Andi on days like this. Aunt Andi let her old Pure Blood ways come out on some days, like Christmas.

Harry stumbled out and Dora laughed as he landed on the floor. "Watch that first step, cousin."

Harry looked a little red in the face. "Can you give him at least a day to get used to us," Prim said moving to help him up.

"Nope. If he's living with us, then he gets the full treatment," she said.

"I thought I heard you out here," Uncle Ted said.

"Uncle Ted," she exclaimed, leaving Harry's side and jumping at the man. She hadn't seen him in a few days as he took care of things for Harry.

"It's only been three days, little girl," he said.

"I'm glad to be home."

He hugged her tight, making her feel safe. "We told you this is always your home."

"Thank you," she whispered to him.

The man sniffed and let her go. "Welcome to the Tonks," Uncle Ted said, reaching a hand out to Harry. "I'm sorry I haven't met you yet. You and Prim have been sleeping every time I've been there the last few days. Theodore Tonks. Most call me Ted, Uncle Ted or dad."

Harry had been looking around as Dora sat on the couch. Harry shied away, not taking 'Uncle Ted's' hand. "It is very nice to meet you Mr. Tonks."

"Did you lose my wife? I thought she was coming with you," he said.

"Mrs. Diggory caught her before we left. She should be along soon. What do you like to watch, Harry?"

"You can watch the tellie later. Prim, why don't you go show Harry his room and around the house. We converted my office," he told her.

"Sure, Uncle Ted," she said.

To be home felt so good. Even two-and-a-half-years later, she still feared they would get rid of her. Everyone one else had before them. "What did you do with your library? I still steal books from that," Dora said.

"In the basement. Speaking of which, did you return that book on Underage Magic Law," he asked his daughter.

She caught Harry's eye. "This way," she said.

Harry followed her. Dora and Uncle Ted were getting into a conversation on Law. "Be careful. You get them going on that, and they can talk about it for hours."

Harry looked a little uncertain. "Just about law? Isn't that boring?"

"Yeah. Pretty much. Dora wants to be an Auror."

Harry nodded. She led him into a hall and up some stairs. "Aunt Andi and Uncle Ted," she said pointing to the door to their left at the top of the stairs. "Bathroom. Linen Closet. Dora's Room. Mine," she said walking onto the landing and past the stairs. The closet and the girl's doors were across the hall. They walked down the landing. On the far side of the stairs, across from her room, was her Uncle's study.

"This is your room," she said, opening the door.

Harry walked in and she followed, interested to see what they had done. Like her room, there was a desk, two bookcases, a large wardrobe, a dresser, a bed with blue sheets and blankets and a night stand.

On the end of the bed was a stocking full of small gifts. She felt a thrill of excitement, having spent Christmas and Boxing day in the hospital. That meant she had her own in her room.

"You can open your stocking whenever, but Aunt Andi likes to keep the larger presents for after dinner," she told him.

Harry looked at the stocking. "You mean that is mine," he asked disbelieving.

"Who else would it belong to," she asked. She had to admit she felt the same at times.

"I'm sure Uncle Ted or Aunt Andi can take you out to get what you need," she said looking around the room. "If you want one of my quidditch posters to liven things up, you can have your pick. Just not the one of Jones over my bed."

Harry looked around the room, stunned. "This is all mine," he asked looking around, his eyes wide.

"Yeah," she said, feeling emotional to see him like this.

She was still trying to get used to the idea that he was her older brother, by about forty minutes. Truthfully, she wasn't sure she believed she had a brother, let alone a twin. Harry had acted much the same the last two days.

"Can I sit on the bed," Harry asked.

"It's yours," she told him.

He walked over, tentatively sat on the bed, as though expecting to get into trouble. After a moment, his expression softened and he let himself fall back, his arms out and bouncing slightly. "I've always wanted to do that," he told her.

Prim didn't understand why that would be such a big deal. She got the shell-shocked look that he wasn't being thrown out. That was a feeling she knew all too well.

"What is quidditch," he asked, his green eyes closed. He looked to be enjoying just laying on his bed, his legs hanging over the side.

"A wizarding game. I can't wait to play at Hogwarts. Dora's boyfriend started to teach me last summer how to play Chaser. It is going to be so wicked. I want to be as good on Hestia Jones some day," she told him.

Harry opened his eyes. He propped himself up on his elbows. "You want to play what?"

"Chaser. There are seven players in four positions on a Quidditch team. Three Chasers use the quaffle to score. The Beaters use bats and hit bludgers at other players. Then you have the Goalkeep, who tried to keep the other team from scoring. Lastly, there is the Seeker. They catch the golden snitch," she said excitedly. That was one of the best things since finding out about the wizarding world. She got to see a couple games a year, and never missed a Harpies game when she had the chance.

Harry still looked confused. "Oh, come here," she said, marching out of his room and opening the door into hers.

She was happy her adopted parents let her do what she wanted in here. The walls were plastered with posters, almost all of them magical and showing flying people. The Harpies made up most of the posters, but she had one for the English team and two for Ireland.

The rest of the room was between a tom boy and a girl. A few snow globes, castles of play bricks, some stuffed animals, muggle and magical dolls scattered on shelves, her bed or the top of her chest. It had the feel of someone who had lived here for a while.

As long as she lived here, she would make it feel that way. She didn't want to move again.

On the far wall were her real pride and joys. Her new Cleansweep Seven that she had gotten for her tenth birthday, which hung on the wall over the older Cleansweep five. Both were in immaculate condition. Below them was the quaffle she got Jones to sign at the last game she went to, and her collection of other quidditch paraphernalia.

"I take it you like this quidditch game," he said looking around her room.

"If I do nothing else, I just want to fly," she said, taking her practice quaffle. "Catch," she told him, throwing as hard as she would if Charlie was here.

'Omph,' Harry said getting it to his chest. He caught it though. "That is a quaffle. Maybe Uncle Ted will take us out to the fields later and we can teach you to fly."

"On those," Harry asked, looking at the brooms.

Prim looked up and smiled. "Yeah. On those."

Looking at the Cleansweep five, she remembered when Aunt Andi had said she been given a few items from her parents when Uncle Ted had tried to clean up their parents estate. She had been told it was her fathers. Aunt Andi had asked her to help Harry feel welcomed. He wasn't going anywhere, just like she wasn't.

Standing up, she let out a breath and took the Cleansweep Five off the wall. "I know you don't have your own broom yet." She held it out for him with both her hands. "Aunt Andi and Uncle Ted says this belong to my father... our father, I guess. I have my own broom now, so you should take this."

Harry looked at her. His green eyes looked so pained, but hopeful at the same time. "You believe we are twins," he asked her.

She let out a breath. "I know my real last name is Potter. Uncle Ted gave me a choice when they adopted me. I have only ever gone by Evans. I like that having both names keeps me close to my... our parents."

Harry kept her gaze for a moment before looking at the broom. "This is yours," he said, pushing it back.

She wasn't having it. Prim had made the decision and wasn't going back on it. "Listen, Potter is engraved into the handle. I think it would look silly for an Evans to ride it," she told him.

The green eyes looked up to her again before he took the broom. "Thank you," he said.

"I want the quaffle back though."

Harry gave her a small smile, gently tossing the ball back to her. "You're no chaser," she said in a joking tone.

"I don't even know what that is."

They stood there in silence for a few. "If you want a poster or two, just tell me which ones. We can have Dora move it to your room."

He pulled the broom to him, clutching it like it was the most precious thing he ever had. She wouldn't realize until later it was.

Grabbing a thick book from her shelves. "This is the best book I have on Quidditch. Feel free to borrow it."

A knock came at her door and Aunt Andi was standing in it. "I see she is already trying to bring you to the dark side," she said with a smile. Her Aunt was in jeans and a nice shirt. Prim liked her like that, more than when she wore those lime-green robes at St. Mungo's.

Harry looked at her questioningly. "The dark side? Isn't that a non-wizard thing," he asked.

Her Aunt laughed. "You will find Ted was unwilling to give up many of the conveniences muggles enjoy. He is an avid SciFi and muggle fantasy fan. Our little girl here, lets say she is enamored with quidditch."

"Aunt Andi," she said, sounding embarrassed. "I was only trying to explain things."

Her Aunt smiled. "I heard. I can move those hooks to hang the broom in your room in a few minutes, Harry. I know it is rather sparse at the moment, but did you like your room so far?"

He looked uncertain. "Is it really mine?"

"Yes, Harry. I have a few things in your draws, but we will have do some shopping to get you a full wardrobe. We can go to a mall tomorrow, and Diagon Alley in a day or two and get you some basics, books, whatever else you need to feel at home."

"What is Diagon Alley," he asked.

"It's a street full of just wizards. Fortescue's makes the best ice cream and we can stop in Quality Quidditch supplies. Oh, you need to at least see Gringott's. The goblins are neat, though a little scary when you see them in battle gear as the Guards out front are always in," Prim told him.

"Goblins," Harry sounded frightened. "Don't they eat people?"

"These aren't the Goblins you read about or see on the tellie. Goblins can be fierce and deadly when angered, but they are the best money handlers in the world, and extremely trustworthy and honor bound when treated well," her Aunt said. "Just never go back on a deal, and know any goblin will always try to get the upper hand in a deal."

Harry didn't look any less concerned.

"Why don't you two open your stocking and then get cleaned up. If you don't mind, I put out a nice pair of slacks and a shirt for you, Harry. I should have an early dinner ready in about two hours."

"Sure, Aunt Andi," she said.

Harry grabbed the broom even tighter. "Thank you," he told her.

A few minutes later, Prim had her door closed and sat on her bed. The spot on the wall stuck out to not have her father's broom there. It was one of the things she had of her parents. Uncle Ted said they had other stuff, but her vaults were still sealed in Gringott's.

It wasn't just her vaults or broom though, was it? Harry was her brother. He was the older of them and a male. From what Andi said, it was pretty much all his, unless their parents had split it. Uncle Ted wouldn't really tell her much, but she had a sense he was very frustrated that he hadn't been able to get access to her vaults, or other essential paperwork.

Harry was her brother.

As much as she didn't like giving him that broom, she felt it right. Prim had a feeling Harry had even less than she did before coming here.

Aunt Andi was right. Harry needed to feel welcomed. She would do that.

First, she wanted to see what was in her stocking.

Prim had missed Christmas here.

-oOo-

Istead Rise Hill, England

Harry sat on a chair on the outside of the small family circle around the tree. Mr. and Mrs. Tonks sat on a couch, joking with the girls, as the girls sat impatiently before the tree and the pile of presents before it.

"Harry, get over here," Dora told him.

"I'm fine here," he told them. This was an all to familiar scene. Watching others open presents while he just watched.

"Will you give him these," Dora told Prim.

"You do it. You picked them up first," Prim told her.

"Girls, it's Christmas. No arguing," Mr. Tonks said in a kind voice. He wasn't yelling at them, he didn't even raise his voice, but there was a tenor to it that said he didn't chastise them often and he expected to be obeyed when he did.

"Sorry, dad," Dora responded. She hopped across the floor on her bottom with a half dozen packages on her lap. "Here," she told him, just dropping them on the floor before him. He heard what sounded like something breaking.

"Nymphadora," her mum scolded.

"I didn't know they were fragile," she said with a grin.

"I swear," the woman responded, pinching her nose.

"Can we open them now," Prim asked, taking up a long square box.

"Yes," Mrs. Tonks said.

Prim ripped off the paper. "No fair," Dora said, still trying to get back to her pile.

Harry looked at the pile before him. He could see two of the tags clearly said, 'Harry'. He had never received gifts before.

Prim squealed. "You got it for me!"

He looked up to see a pale blue garment. She shot up, hugged the Tonks and then put it on. Harry realized it looked like an old cloak. It just about dragged the floor. Prim was beaming. "I thought this was too much?"

"It's a Christmas gift. Don't worry about it," Mr. Tonks said.

"Looking good, sis," Dora said before returning to some books in her hands. "Dad, are these the books the Academy suggested?"

"All five first year Academie books. Those are the real ones, not the Prep books."

The older girl looked just as happy as Prim. Prim plopped back down, the cloak wrapped around her, and she picked up the next gift. Everyone turned to him. He looked over his shoulder before turning back.

"We all open a gift before the next one," Mrs. Tonks told him.

Harry was waiting for the joke. He thought Dudley might come running out and steal the pile as he reached for it. It didn't register his cousin never would do that again.

"Open the big one," Prim told him.

He looked at her. She was still smiling broadly. He took the top one off the pile. It was relatively small and flat. He felt their eyes on him as he gingerly unwrapped it. He opened a box to find a black scarf made of thick wool. He took it out, gingerly.

"Mum always gets us some new clothes or winter stuff. You should have opened the big one first," Dora told him.

"Thank you," he said.

Harry gave a genuine smile. That feeling of wanting to be numb forever was cracking. It had started when Prim gave him the broom earlier. It was expanding now.

A while later, he had a few sets of bricks, a nice winter cloak and some books on introduction to magic. He was looking through the potions book as the others talked.

Mr. Tonks came up to him and was holding out a glass. "You like eggnog," he asked.

"I've never had it," he told the man. The Dursley's believed in water, and a glass of milk once or twice a week.

"Here," the man said holding the glass out to him.

Harry looked at it for a moment before taking it. He took a tentative sip, his eyes on the man. It went down smooth and easy, tasting a bit like the vanilla ice cream he had one time. It was delicious.

Mr. Tonks laughed. "Prim had the same expression the first time she tried it. We have more if you want. Just take the one in the clear bottle. The other one if for the adults."

Harry gave a wan smile. "Yes, sir."

The man took a swig of his own cup. "Harry, you don't have call me sir or Mr. Tonks, if you don't want. This is your home now and I want you to be as comfortable as you can."

"Yes, sir," he repeated. In his experience, almost all adults were dangerous, especially men. Mr. Tonks seemed different, but he still felt shell shocked.

The man smiled at him. "Do you like your haul? Andi and I were unsure what you liked. Well, I mean, Father Christmas."

He smiled. "I never believed in Father Christmas. Thank you very much."

The man's smile didn't fall, but his eyes looked sad. "Feel free to open those bricks when you want. Prim already has half of hers together," he said, indicating Prim, who had already built a castle out of the bricks she got.

Dora was curled up in a chair, one of her books in her lap and a notebook on the edge of the chair. "Dora is a hard worker. She'll finish anything she puts her mind to or is given a task. I'm not surprised she ended up in Hufflepuff."

"What is Hufflepuff," Harry asked, watching the girl skim the page and then write something down with her quill.

"One of the four Houses at Hogwarts. I assume you and Prim will get your letters this summer for next fall," he commented.

Harry looked confused. He was still so new to this magic stuff, and so far, this house felt far more normal than magical, except when Mrs. Tonks had used a spell to set knifes chopping at food or summoning things from the cold box.

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's were just about all witches and wizards in Brittan go to school to learn how to do magic. I was a Hufflepuff, like Dora. Andi a Slytherin, and both your parents Gryffindors," he said.

"Oh," Harry said as though he understood, but really had no clue.

The man eyed him before chuckling. "You'll learn soon enough. Always ask what ever question you have. I'm pretty sure one of your books is Hogwarts: A History. It does a pretty good job of explaining the school, and the more colorful points in its history. I'm sure Dora wouldn't mind telling you all about it."

Dora looked up. "What was that, dad," she asked.

"Just saying you have a big nose."

The older girl smiled and her nose changed into a huge honker. "Don't know what you are talking about," she said cheekily and Harry laughed. Dora smiled and started to change her nose again.

"Oh, Dora. Dora. Do the duck beak," Prim said.

Prim laughed as Dora's nose and mouth morphed into a large duck beak. Her father laughed. "You're getting better at that one," he said.

"What do you like, Harry," she asked.

"I don't know. A cat, maybe," he said, not sure how to answer. A few seconds later her nose looked like a cat's and she had whiskers on her face. He smiled at her.

Mrs. Tonks came into the room, yawning. "It's been a long few days. I have the next week off," she said to her husband. "I'm going to get to bed early tonight. Don't let them stay up too late. I want to go to the mall and downtown tomorrow."

"Sure, luv," the man said and pushed up onto his toes to kiss his wife. Harry hadn't realized that Mrs. Tonks was a head or more taller than her husband.

"Night all," she said walking over to Prim, who hugged her and kissed her on the top of her head. She did the same to Dora, who looked a little abashed at the attention. Harry was caught off guard when she kissed him on the top of the head on the way through.

"I'll get you all up by seven tomorrow," she told them.

"Sure, mum."

When she walked out, Mr. Tonks looked around the room. "Whose up for popcorn, sweets and some movies."

Dora closed the book with a clap. "I thought she would never go to bed," she said.

"It's actually earlier than normal," Prim said. She was still wearing her cloak. "I'll get the kettle on."

"I want hot chocolate tonight," Dora said moving over to a cabinet.

Harry looked around, totally confused.

Mr. Tonks winked at him. "Andi is not a fan of the tellie, so she usually goes to bed early to read while we take over the sitting room," he said with a smirk.

Prim was already out of the room and Mr. Tonks followed her.

"Harry, you know what you like to watch," she asked, taking out some VHS tapes. "I feel like some action tonight. Top Gun or The Princess Bride," she asked.

He had no clue what either of them were. "What's Top Gun?"

"It's about some American flying aces going through training to fly off a carrier. Dad likes collecting alot of these American movies. Or we have the Goonies. Oh, Time Bandits! This is one you have to watch," she said.

He still felt so confused by this change.

That confusion settled later as he leaned against the front of the couch so that he could be close enough to the popcorn. Prim was behind him, her head on Mr. Tonk's lap as he ran his hand through her hair. She was refusing to take her cloak off.

Harry had never felt part of a family before. Was this what it felt like?

Dora was still in her chair, only half paying attention to the movie as she read some and then looked up.

When it was done, Harry had to admit he liked it. A lot. He was also tired. "Dora, would you mind getting Prims door for me," the man asked, scooping the now sleeping girl into his arms. She was ten, but looked a year or two younger with her size. Much like him.

Dora looked up. "Sure dad. Come on, Harry. You look ready to fall asleep."

They made their way up stairs. Dora opened the door. "You think we should change her or just leave her in this," Mr. Tony's asked.

"If I know her, she'll be upset if her dress or new cloak is all ruffled. I got her," she said pulling her wand out. "It's so nice being seventeen."

"Don't pull any tricks on her tonight. She is still recovering some," Mr. Tonks told his daughter.

"I'll be good tonight."

"Do you need anything, Harry, or are you all set," the man asked him.

"I'm good," he said moving to his room. He shut the door behind him. There was a lock on it. Harry had never had a lock on the inside of a door. He had always been locked in.

This would mean it would be his choice if someone else entered the room.

He bolted the door and found a set of pajamas on the bed. That was twice now he had new clothes, without holes, loose stitching or any other damage. They fit him well.

He didn't leave his room. He was in here. It was a safe place with a bolt. He actually felt safe.

The last few days, especially today, had been a whirlwind of activity. He looked around the room. Everything in it looked new, or if it was old, very well taken care of. Mrs. Tonks had put the rack on the wall and the broom was on it.

He was tired, but there was something about it that called to him. He got up, took it down and went back to the bed. He ran his fingers over it until he found 'Potter'. His last name was Potter. Had this really belonged to his father. Their father?

The fact the red hair girl would give this to him, something she obviously treasured with how well maintained it was, didn't make sense. Dudley had never shared anything with Harry, not even the broken toys his cousin never wanted before.

He felt something hot run down his cheeks. Wiping at it, he realized it was a tear.

His Aunt, Uncle and Cousin were dead. He hadn't shed a tear for them. As more tears came, he felt grief, but not for them. He touched the name on the broom again, and sniffed.

His parents hadn't abandoned him by being irresponsible drunks. They really had been wizards. This broom was his proof. They had died saving him. Him and Prim. More tears came and soon he was being wracked by sobbing gasps.

He cried for a long time. He cried for the parents he didn't know. He cried for a life he hadn't known until today. He cried for being ripped from his sister. He didn't shed a single tear for the ones that had tortured him for all those years.

He wasn't sure when he stopped crying. He just remembered waking to a knock on his door and light filtering in through the shades on the windows.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 5

December 29, 1990

Istead Rise, England

Prim had stayed home with Uncle Ted, not feeling totally well this morning. Dora and Aunt Andi had taken Harry out shopping.

She had her homework out that was supposed to get done over Christmas Break. She didn't feel like being in her room today, so she had her books and notebooks over half the kitchen table, while Uncle Ted took up the other side with whatever paperwork he was doing. He usually working in his office, but he had said he wanted to keep an eye on her today.

"You decide if you are going to take your SATS, or just give up on all the muggle learning," Uncle Ted asked.

"I should sit the SATS," she told him.

He nodded. "We'll get Harry enrolled next week. I hope you and Hermione can help him fit in."

She made a face. Hermione and her didn't fit in. How was she supposed to help Harry?

"We'll do what we can. Can I go see Hermione this afternoon," she asked. Prim was actually surprised Hermione hadn't come over yet.

"Why don't you invite her over here. Andi doesn't want you going far yet after this morning," he said kindly.

"Can I use Myles," she asked.

He chuckled. "You just want an excuse to send her an owl instead of using the phone," he told her.

"She is a witch," she said defensively.

"I'm not going to stop you. You just know your Aunt likes as little attention to us as possible," he said.

"Then why have so many owls come and go from here," she asked, knowing Uncle Ted received and sent mail at all times of the day. Myles was the family's owl, but Uncle Ted owned four others for his Law business.

"I have my business and have wards to keep muggles from noticing. Hermione does not. Now invite her over."

She smiled, scrawled a quick letter to her best friend and raced out to the small owlery in the yard. When she went back in, Uncle Ted chuckled as she skipped to the table. "Feeling better," he asked her.

"Yes," she told him.

It wasn't even fifteen minutes before a knock came at the back door. "It's open," her Uncle called.

It burst open and the frizzy haired girl came in. "PRIM!"

She got up and Hermione pulled her into one of her bone crushing hugs. "I missed you too," she said.

Hermione stood back. "Why didn't you tell me you were back yesterday! I have been so worried and my mum wouldn't let me go to the hospital again. How are you," she asked looking her over. "Are you really better? Prim, don't scare me like that again!"

"Hermy, I'll be all right. Aunt Andi said I'm almost back to normal," she said.

Her Uncle snorted. "As normal as you can be," he remarked dryly as he read a parchment.

She rolled her eyes and Hermione flushed. "Hello, Mr. Tonks."

"Hello, Hermione. Prim, I want you to finish that math work before you two go off," he told her.

Hermione sat as she did. "Where are you? I already finished it all. Do you need help," she asked.

"I think I have it. Another two pages and I'm done," Prim told her.

"Prim got some new books that are still under the tree, if you are interested," her Uncle said.

"I haven't had a chance to read them yet," she said despondent as Hermione got up and just about bounced over to the tree.

"Which one don't you want me to look at," she asked.

"Leave the charms and potion book alone," she told her friend.

Her Uncle chuckled. When she came back, Hermione sat and opened a book on Runes. "So, where is Harry," she asked.

Prim shook her head. "I tell you I have a brother in a letter, and that is all you have to say?"

"You told me not to make a big deal out of it," Hermione responded.

"He's not here right now. He went out with Dora and Aunt Andi," she told her.

Hermione looked up for the book. Her friends brown eyes met her hazel eyes, and her Uncle was pretending he wasn't listening. "Why didn't you go with them?"

"Prim wasn't feeling well this morning. She is staying home today," Uncle Ted said. "Finish your work and then you can go off and talk."

Hermione gave her a look before settling back into the book. It was an hour later that she put her stuff away. "Can we go up to my room," Prim asked.

Her Uncle looked at her. "If you start to feel tired, I want you to lay down. Are you staying for lunch," he asked Hermione.

"If I can," she asked.

"That is fine. You can take the other potions after lunch."

When they got up to her room, Hermione shut the door. "Why are you still taking potions?"

"I'm still having some issues breathing. Aunt Andi said there was more damage to my lungs than thought," she told her. "My magical core also isn't strong enough yet to take some of the more advanced methods."

Hermione looked at her. "Prim, will you get better?"

"Eventually. Aunt Andi thinks it may last another week or two. I may have to miss a week of school," she told her.

Hermione looked bothered. "I'll take you your work every day and help you."

Prim smiled. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"I don't know either," the brunette said and laughed as Prim pushed her.

"Prat," Prim said laughing.

After a moment, they sobered. "So, is Harry Potter really your brother?"

She let out a deep breath. "His scar looks just like the one I have." Her hand moved to her right shoulder.

"Does that mean he is?"

"I don't know. Aunt Andi never said anything about me having a brother until the other day. Her and Uncle Ted act as though I should have always known," she told her.

Hermione looked pensive. "You never mentioned it before, and I think that something I would remember. Unless you are keeping secrets from me?"

"You know everything I do. I don't want to start going around as Primrose Potter. I like Evans."

"I know, but there is a ring to it. Primrose Potter."

She had to admit, Hermione had a point. "It may not matter according to Uncle Ted. It will depend on what the Goblins have on their records. The Ministry did a blood trace, and now we need to get to it verified at Gringotts."

"What is a blood trace," she asked. Prim was as ignorant as her best mate until three days ago.

"There is a magic that can trace back through your ancestors for a few generations. We have the same parents. Uncle Ted and Aunt Andi are my second cousins. Like real cousins," she said. "Aunt Andi said they tried to do one a few years ago, but it wouldn't work. Something was blocking it."

Hermione just looked at her. "Why would it work now, and not back then?"

"I don't know."

Hermione nodded her head. "So, your the sister of the most recognizable person in our world."

"Twins," she said.

"You're twins with the Boy-Who-Lived, You both have a scar, that you are rubbing now, and he now lives with you," she said. "Did I miss anything?"

"I gave him dad's Cleansweep five. Hermione, when they took him here, he had only a few broken toys and odd ends. He asked not to sleep under the stairs."

Hermione's eyes were wide. "You mean downstairs, like a basement?"

She shook her head. "I think it was a cupboard under some stairs. He keeps flinching half the time Uncle Ted comes near. I also heard what happened. It sounds like he jumped out the car before his relatives crashed into a bridge and ended up in a river."

Hermione put her hands to her mouth. "Oh, Prim."