This has just been a silly little idea in my head for ages, don't know if it'll get much hype but that's okay! This chapter is just a set-up
Will follow the main Harry Potter loosely, Harry would have still given everything even if he wasn't forced to suffer :)
Thanks for taking the time to read.
HarryXDraco, GeorgeXOC - other pairings to be decided
Chapter One.
"Wake up cousins! We're going to the zoo!"
The voice screamed above them, wood creaking under the pressure of having weight lifted off and back on again in quick succession. Dust escaping from the cracks, sprinkling down from the ceiling. Harry's eyes cracked open with a frown already on his face, watching through blurred vision as the dust landed on top of him. He turned his head to the right and was greeted by a pair of bright green eyes, similar to his own, staring back at him.
"We could murder them and run away…" She murmured through a sleep-stained voice.
Harry gave a smile; he was thankful every day that at least he had his twin by his side through all the crap life gave him, even if that meant sharing a single bed. He pushed up into a seated position as she passed his glasses over to him "Thanks, Alyssa."
"It must suck to be blind as a bat." She teased. "Come on, we best not keep them waiting. Vernon has been getting extra rough lately…"
Harry sighed; it was true their uncle had started hitting them for anything and everything, sometimes purely because it made him feel better. He has always given them a hit here and there growing up but it had started to get worse the older they got. Alyssa stood up and stretched, sharing the single bed was uncomfortable now that they were both nearing eleven; he himself rolling out his shoulder to relieve the ache. Harry stood and reached for the door, Alyssa throwing her long auburn hair up into a messy bun and following behind him quickly.
The sound of Dudley yelling about the lack of presents assaulted their ears as they entered the kitchen, pushing over a stack of presents in a fit of rage while Petunia tried to soothe him. Vernon glared at the twins yelling for his coffee and breakfast to which Harry went to make some bacon and eggs while Alyssa grabbed the coffee. Harry watched as Vernon smacked Alyssa over the head for taking too long to pour the coffee, the hot water spilling onto her hand in the process. Alyssa simply stared down at the ground and backed away slowly, she never allowed herself to react to his abuse, no matter how much he hurt her. She would not give him the pleasure of seeing her cry. Harry's grip on the spatula tightened in anger, day in day out they were treated like nothing more than disgusting peasants, these people never showed them any kindness or love. Were they that much of a burden? He felt Alyssa's hand against his arm and she shook her head, a gesture that had become like a signal for him to calm down; before turning to run cold water over her burnt hand.
Once breakfast was finished with they were rushed to dress and become somewhat presentable with the hand-me-down clothes they had been given, which were two sizes too big. The Dursley's only ever actually taking them out a handful of times, Dudley's birthday being one of them. Vernon had threatened them with death if they stepped even a toe out of line before shoving them into the car and driving to the zoo. The twins followed behind the Dursley's as they walked around the zoo, staying an appropriate distance away as to not embarrass them.
"Move!" Dudley yelled at the snake curled up in the enclosure, banging a fat fist against the glass. "Move! Move! Move!"
"He's asleep!" Harry snapped.
"Stupid snake" Dudley muttered walking away from the enclosure to go bother another snake, his parents following closely behind him.
"We apologise for him." Alyssa started.
"He doesn't know what it's like, sitting there day after day." Harry continued, slouching down over the rail with a heavy sigh.
"Watching people stick their ugly faces up against the glass."
The snake lifted its head to stare at the twins giving what looked like a wink. Harry shot up right; a look of shock across his face, Alyssa took a glance at Harry as if to ask him if the snake heard them. "Can you hear us?"
A nod from the snake which would have terrified anyone else made Alyssa smile. "I told you, I told you we were different!"
"It's a coincidence."
"The snake can hear us, Harry. I told you I remembered mum and dad using magic." Alyssa whispered the word magic in fear of Uncle Vernon hearing it, anytime he heard the word it would make him angry and scream before beating both of them.
"That…"
"Don't tell me my photographic memory is foggy when it comes to mum and dad, Harry." She interrupted, folding her arms and glaring at him.
"The snakes moving! Mum, dad!" Dudley yelled barrelling towards the enclosure, using his shoulder to push into Harry's back, sending him to the floor taking his sister with him.
Dudley climbed over the rail to get up against the glass, his face squishing into it. Harry pushed himself off his sister, turning around to glare at him with hatred deep in his heart for the little fat boy. The glass vanished from in front of him causing him to tumble into the enclosure landing in the water with a splash. The snake slid out of the enclosure and stopped in front of the twins, eyes darting between the two of them as if taking in every detail of their appearance. 'Thanks'
Harry sat there with his mouth gaped while Alyssa slowly nodded with wide eyes. "No worries."
"I'll remember the two of you." And with that the snake made for the exit, hissing at any passer byers.
Dudley's banging and screaming on the enclosure glass brought the twins back to reality, turning to look towards him stuck inside the once occupied snake house. Alyssa smirked while Harry let out a chuckle as the boy began to cry and their Aunt screamed running up to the glass to try and get him. Vernon stepped in front of the twins with a scowl on his face which caused both of them to drop their smiles.
Vernon dragged the twins into the house, grip harsh on their upper arms. He stopped in front of the door to the cupboard under the stairs and released his grip, eyes wild with a fury that scared them. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around Harry's collar, pulling him close. "What happened?" Vernon was mere inches from Harry's face, voice full of rage as he gave a rough shake momentarily displacing Harry.
Before Harry could even think of a reply Alyssa stepped forward. "Harry did nothing the glass disappeared! It was like magic!"
Vernon turned his head to glare at her, shoving Harry into their room, standing up straight he turned to walk towards her. Alyssa swallowed hard and tried not to show the fear she felt, the man towering over her once he came to a stop in front of her. He took of his belt in one swift movement, grasping Alyssa's arm and turning her around. He brought the belt down on her backside five times in quick, hard succession; the slap echoing through the house. Alyssa made no noise but Harry saw the tears brimming as he threw her into their 'bedroom'.
"There's no such thing as magic!" Vernon sneered as he slammed the door to their 'room' locking the latch before storming away.
Harry carefully guided Alyssa over to the bed, helping her sit down on her now stinging backside. "You need to stop covering for me"
Alyssa fought back the tears, trying to readjust her position on the bed to one that didn't cause her pain. "I'm your older sister, I need to-"
"We're twins, Lyssa, don't give me that."
"I'm thirty-six minutes older than you."
"And you don't let me forget it." Harry sighed. "You can't keep taking the beatings."
"He goes easier on me; we both know that." Was her reply, voice low as to not attract any more attention from their uncle. She wiped the tears from her eyes before they were able to fall on their own. "Are we going to talk about what happened at the zoo?"
"Tell me again about what it was you remember mum and dad doing."
"They had these stick things that they used to say words to, it made things float or light up! One of the sticks lighting up was what killed them too."
"Why do you think they tell us mum and dad died in a car crash?"
"I don't know... maybe they don't like whatever it was mum and dad were? They hate when we even say the word magic. We can't ever ask them; they mustn't know how my mind works. It's a secret, just between us remember?"
Harry nodded, the two had realised that Alyssa had the ability of a photographic memory early on. She was able to memorise books after one glance and could recall any event they had been too in great detail. She remembered their parents and what they looked like even though she had been just one when they were killed. But once they realised how badly their 'family' was treating them they decided to not let them know anything.
They were locked in the room for two days with little food and minimal toilet breaks, their uncle was punishing them for something they didn't even understand. They had learned to deal with the hunger pains over the years and instead focus on what little they had in the room to entertain them. Once freed from the room they were only allowed to do chores and only in silence, if he heard them even breathing too loud he was up and hitting them with his belt. One morning Harry was collecting the mail and saw a letter that was addressed to him and Alyssa, the envelope was sealed with red wax and the writing was in very neat black writing. Harry gave the other letters to Vernon before quietly walking over to Alyssa to show her the strange letter he had in his hands.
Mr H Potter and Miss A Potter
The cupboard under the stairs
4 Privet drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
Harry flipped over the letter to reveal the wax seal on the back. "The twins have a letter!" Dudley yelled snatching the envelope from Harry's grasp.
"Give it back!'
"It's ours!"
The twins yelled simultaneously, watching as Dudley handed his father the envelope. They saw Vernon's face drop as he inspected the envelope, Petunias mouth gaped and they both paled. Harry and Alyssa could do nothing as Vernon began ripping up the envelope in front of them with an evil glint in his eye. This is how the next few days happened, the twins would get a letter and their uncle would rip it up before they got a change to even look at it. Then the letters became too much that Uncle Vernon packed up the family and whisked them away to a holiday house.
The 'holiday house' was cold and they were forced to sleep on the floor with a small ratty blanket to share between them. Winds howling against the windows making them shake; the sound of water crashing against rocks was a numbing noise over the rumbling of their stomachs. Harry was drawing a birthday cake in the thick layer of dirt that covered the floor while Alyssa watched him. The watch that was fastened around Dudley's pudgy arm ticked over to midnight.
"Make a wish, Lis." Harry gave her a small lopsided smile.
"I wish you a happy birthday." Alyssa replied, taking a deep breath and blowing out the 'candles'.
A loud bang against the front door scared the twins so much they jumped to their feet at the same time Dudley shot awake. Alyssa took a hold of Harry's hand and felt him pull her just that little bit behind him. Vernon and Petunia walked down the stairs flicking on the light, shotgun aimed and ready. The door shook as the banging intensified until it blew off the hinges. A large figure entered the house and he was the biggest man either of them had ever seen with wild hair both on his face and on top of his head. "Sorry 'bout that." He grinned just before bending down to pick the door off the floor and putting it back. "'Arry! 'Lissa! My I haven't seen you two since you were babies." He walked towards them pulling out a box from somewhere before holding them out. "Happy birthday!"
The twins both stared at the white box that was held out for them; Harry took a side glance at Alyssa before releasing her hand and reaching out and taking the box. Opening it they peered inside to see a cake with the words 'happee birthdae' written in bright green icing. Harry placed the cake down and watched as the mysterious man made his way over to Vernon who had been telling the man to get out and bent the shotgun before heading over to the lounge to take a seat. "Um. Sorry but who are you?"
"Rubeus Hagrid, gamekeeper and keeper of keys and grounds of Hogwarts, but you know all about that." Pulling an umbrella from his coat he pointed it at the fireplace as two balls of fire shot out of the tip, lighting the wood that had been sitting there.
Harry's mouth gaped. "Um… no."
"You're a witch and wizard!" The giant bellowed gleefully. "And thumpin' good ones at that, I'd wager!"
"I knew it!' Alyssa yelled, grasping at Harry's arm while jumping up and down on the spot. "I told you, Harry!
"How do you know?!" Vernon growled stepping forward and taking her wrist, pulling her harshly so her face was mere inches from his. Alyssa paled feeling her wrist strain against the force in which he held her.
Hagrid was up with lightning speed considering his side and grabbed onto Vernon's arm with such strength the man yelped releasing Alyssa's. He gently put the twins behind him and pointed his umbrella at Vernon. "I'll not have you touch 'em like that. Not in front of me you great prune!"
Vernon put up his hands and cowered away from the umbrella, Petunia gripping the side of his stripped pyjama top, tugging him in her direction. "They'll not be going!"
"And I suppose a great muggle like yourself is going to stop me?"
"Muggle?" Harry questioned.
"Non-magic folk" Hagrid answered, turning around to face the twins. "Do you want to go to Hogwarts and learn magic under the finest headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen?"
"Take us, take us now!" Alyssa replied wanting nothing more than to leave the Dursley's behind. Hagrid grinned taking a gentle hold of both Twins shoulder, guiding them towards to door as if protecting them from their uncle.
Hagrid had taken the twins to Diagon alley where they had learnt many things about their life they didn't know. They learnt that they were considered famous in the Wizarding world, everyone knew who they were, some even asked to see their matching 'lightning bolt' scars that sat above Harry's right eyebrow and Alyssa's left. They learnt that their parents were 'rich' and had left them a good fortune which was locked up in Gringotts. Their wands that had chosen them had been very 'interesting' to Ollivander the wandmaker, for the phoenix only ever gave two of its tail feathers, one so large that it had been cut in half to make the two wands the twins held, and one that went into the wand of the person who gave them their scars. Hagrid bought the twins an owl each as a birthday present, one a snowy owl and the other a Screech owl. They finished their school supply shopping and over dinner Hagrid told them the story of the night their parents were killed, filling in the gaps from Alyssa's memories. It had felt nice to eat a hot meal at a table and engaged in conversation without the fear of being hit or screamed at.
The twins begged Hagrid not to take them back to their uncles; deep down it was the last place he wanted to send them so he made a deal with the owner of the leaky cauldron to allow the children to stay in a room for the month before school started. Hagrid got the twins to help him write a letter to Dumbledore to explain the situation before promising he would come see them every week. The twins spent the month reading their schoolbooks and the history of Hogwarts; there Harry picked Hedwig as a name for his owl whereas Alyssa had gone with the simple name of Boo. They were allowed to visit Diagon alley as they pleased and did so often, perusing the many stores that lined the alley. The twins had never felt as happy as they did at this moment, they would eat when they wanted, read when they wanted, sleep in their own beds when they wanted and didn't need permission to go to the toilet. Hagrid would come spend every Sunday with them until it was time to go to school.
Hagrid had left them at King's Cross Station after saying he had to go as the muggles were giving him funny looks. He explained that they needed platform nine and three quarters but hadn't told them exactly how to get to the platform. "He could have pointed us in the right direction; this is all new to us after all." Alyssa sighed, pushing her trolley around the platform between nine and ten.
Harry noticed a lady walking with four kids pushing the same trolleys he had. "Come on Lis."
"It's the same every year, always packed with muggles. What's the platform number again?" The woman sighed coming to a stop in front of a wall in between platforms nine and ten.
"Nine and three quarters!" A young girl that clung onto the woman's hand called out with a grin on her face.
Harry and Alyssa stopped just behind the family as the seemingly eldest walked straight into the wall and disappeared, followed by the identical boys after teasing their mother about who was who. "Excuse me!" Harry called out forcing the lady to look towards them, her daughter attached to her hip. "Can you tell us how too…?"
"Get through the barrier?" The lady smiled warmly before turning and pointing at the small redheaded boy to their left. "It's Ron's first time at Hogwarts too!" The boy in question was giving a small, embarrassed smile and a wave.
"Hi Ron." The twins spoke in unison causing another smile to grace the ladies face.
"I have a set of twins myself, much easier to tell you two apart though! Now, the barrier! You walk through the wall between platforms nine and ten, best to do it at a run if you're nervous."
"Won't the people notice us running at a wall and disappearing?" Alyssa asked.
"Well, you need to be as discreet as possible but don't worry, dear, there are Ministry of Magic employees around if there are any incidents." The plump woman's smile was always gracing her features and it made them feel comfortable. "Now off you go! You don't want to miss the train!"
Harry took a look at Alyssa before taking a deep breath and giving a nod, grip on his trolley tightening to turn his knuckles white. He took off at a run and closed his eyes tight at the same time he crossed through the barrier, opening his eyes once no pain came to him. The station was bustling with life, loud noises assaulted his ears and many things were fighting for his eyes attention. The scarlet train caught his attention first as it waited for students to board, steam from the engine flooding the platform. Cats ran about the station floor as owls hooting together echoed around him. Parents were helping their children load their trunks off their trolleys or fuss over them, students were running up to their friends, wands in their hands. A boy standing alone caught his attention; he was dressed in a nicely tailored suit, locks a silver blonde. He looked about Harry's age and he had an unamused look across his face.
"Better move to the side there." A voice rung louder to him than all the other noises.
"Unless you want to be run over before even making it to Hogwarts!" Another voice chimed along.
Harry blinked a few times before registering what they had said, quickly moving to the side as Alyssa came through to the platform. "Told you." The voices rang together.
"Oh my, Harry this is amazing!" Alyssa squealed coming up beside him, grin on her face.
"Thanks for telling me to move." Harry spoke to the two identical twins the lady had told them about.
"We normally just watch first year's crash into others." One of them laughed.
"But if you went before Ron you must have asked our lovely mother how to get through." The other shrugged.
"We'd feel bad." They said in unison, giving a wink and walking away towards the train.
"You've met Fred and George?" Ron questioned coming over to them as the twins left, his rickety trolley clicking as it rolled to a stop just beside them for a moment.
"They didn't tell us their names." Harry answered following along with Ron as he pushed the trolley towards the train.
"I think I'm in love with the one on the left." Alyssa sighed staring out after the two older boys, the wink making her heart flutter. Seeing the look the two gave her she cleared her throat. "So, can you show us what to do? We're kind of new to this whole magic thing."
Ron nodded and pointed ahead of himself. "We drop off our trunks over there, they'll take your birds too so you can leave them with your luggage. Then we board. We better hurry before there are no carriages left; that is if you don't mind sharing."
"We don't mind." Came their answer.
They walked down the train corridor passing carriage after carriage that was full until coming to an empty one and quickly claiming it as their own. Ron sat on one side while the twins sat on the other, taking a glance out the window to see if he could spot his mother to wave goodbye, pet rat clenched in his right hand. The sound of a whistle rang loudly in their ears as the engine roared to life signalling the train was leaving the station. The twins looked out the window to see all the parents standing there waving goodbyes, seeing Ron's mum and sister waving at him.
"Your parents couldn't come?" Ron asked as the train left the station.
"They died." Alyssa was the first to answer, wiggling into the seat to get comfortable.
"Oh. Sorry."
"It's okay happened a long time ago." Harry gave a small shrug; they had no pictures of their parents; he was only ever able to picture them when Alyssa would describe them to him in as much detail as she could.
"I'm Ron Wesley by the way." Ron held out his hand to shake.
"Alyssa."
"Harry."
"Potter." They chimed in unison and saw Ron's jaw drop, the recognition all over his face and he almost didn't shake Harry's hand back at the sheer surprise of it all.
"Do you… do you have the scars?" Alyssa and Harry both moved their fringes up and out of their face to reveal the scars that were hidden underneath. Aunt Petunia hated seeing their scars and ensured that at all times it was covered. 'Disgusting' she would mutter over and over again as she cut their hair every time it got too long. "Wicked" Ron grinned.
"Is it true that everyone knows about us?" Alyssa questioned.
Ron nodded. "I mean it not every day someone survives the killing curse! And two babies at that."
The trolley lady pulled up to their door, her cart full of sweets and asking, 'anything from the trolley dears?' Ron had pulled out some squished sandwiches from his pocket and made a face of disgust before declaring he was alright. Harry looked at the food and shook his head, pulling a handful of money from his pocket and holding it out to the lady. "We'll take three of everything!"
"Do you even know how much that cost?" Alyssa deadpanned, folding her arms as the trolley witch handed the children the candy.
"That's a lot of money!" Ron exclaimed. "Are you sure?"
"Eat away!" Harry grinned, nudging his sister in the ribs before giving her a box of 'Bertie Bott's every flavour beans.
The three ate and spoke for most of the train ride, Ron telling them all about his family while the twins simply asked questions about what it was like in the wizarding world, getting more and more excited to be a part of it with every detail that was shared to them. Ron attempted to do a spell he had learned on his pet rat Scabbers before a bushy haired girl burst into the carriage.
"Oh, are you about to do magic?" She asked, folding her arms and puffing out her chest. "Show us then." Ron frowned, cleared his throat and attempted to remember the spell his brothers had taught him however nothing happened forcing the twins to both shrug. "Was that it?" The girl sighed loudly as if to show how unimpressed she was. "I've only done a few small spells but they've all worked for me. You know I'm the only witch in my family but I've read plenty of books since finding out I was a witch; I've learned all my course books off by heart! My parents were really proud of me- I'm Hermione Granger by the way, you guys are?"
"…Ron Wesley."
"Alyssa"
"And Harry Potter."
"Are you really?" Hermione took a seat at that, staring wide eyed at the twins in front of her. "I've… I've read all about you two! Did you know that you are in Modern Magical History AND The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century?" The girl was speaking so fast the boys started at her with scrunched up noses. "I'm getting side tract!" She announced getting to her feet. "I'm looking for a toad, a boy named Neville has lost one, have any of you seen it?"
"No, no toad around here." Alyssa answered for all of them.
"Well, I best keep looking and you three should get changed into your robes, we'll be arriving at Hogwarts soon." She went to turn around but paused in the doorway. "Pleasure meeting you two!" She smiled at the twins and then left the carriage as quickly as she had entered.
"I hope whatever house she's in, I'm not." Ron frowned shoving his wand back into his pocket, folding his arms across his chest.
"What house do you want?" The twins questioned.
This took the frown off Ron's face and he leaned forward to tell the twins all about his family of Gryffindor's and how he too would be one. The three then changed into their Hogwarts robes and prepared themselves as the train pulled into Hogwarts station.
