Unwanted

by WokFriedIce

Harry had always been told his parents were dead, but when he was 5 he learned the truth. He was unwanted. That was the year his baby sister was left on the Dursley's doorstep. A one-shot expansion on a reply to a HPFanfic prompt response. Not quite canon.

1. Chapter 1 - Unwanted

I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Unwanted

"My parents are alive. I have a little sister."

Harry Potter sat and held his little sister, trying to stop her crying as much as he was trying to stop his own. It was difficult to do, something no five-year-old should have to do. He had grown up with his relatives the Dursleys: Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Cousin Dudley, and despite living with them, he always felt alone.

The Dursleys told him every day that he was alone, that his parents were dead, that he had no family. They did not consider him a part of their family. They reminded him of that grim fact every day for years. He was told that he was alone, unneeded, unnecessary.

Unwanted.

A part of him hoped that they were lying to him. He still harbored a tiny wish that they did care about him in some small way. The wish died more and more every year. He dreamed of a different life, that all of this was a terrible mistake. That one day he would have a family that loved him, that would rescue him from starvation, from overwork, from neglect and pain.

Then one day, something appeared to prove that one of the lies was in fact a lie. His parents were alive. But it seemed he was unwanted after all.

Something he shared with his newly discovered baby sister.

Petunia, his mother's sister, had been equal parts cruelly amused and upset when she read the letter that accompanied the little girl. The Potters had faked their deaths at the end of a war that had consumed the Wizarding World. They sent Harry away to be safe and it seemed that it was still unsafe enough to send away the little girl. They trusted Petunia to keep them safe.

If it was not so tragic, it would be hilarious.

Harry had never known safety while living at the Dursleys. He slept in a tiny cupboard under the stairs. He was fed just enough to survive. He was overworked every day. He suffered. And now his little sister would share his fate.

Equally unwanted by everyone.

He felt a tiny hand touch his face, stemming the tears from falling. The tiny girl in his arms no longer wailed or sobbed. She gurgled, patting his face clumsily, making soft noises. She snuggled closer to him, eager for warmth and to share it.

No. She would not suffer. She would not endure what he had.

Harry felt something deep in his chest. Before he felt an emptiness, a coldness that could not be warmed. He passed the days aimlessly, without purpose. Now he had a purpose.

She would be wanted. By him.

-0-

"Don't take her out with you while you work in the yard," Petunia spat. "People will notice!"

"She doesn't cry when she is near me," Harry said, deceptively calm. "You don't want to hear her cry and I don't want to hear her cry. I have yard work to do."

Petunia glared at him, unsure what to say or do.

"I'm doing the chores and taking care of her. What more do you want?"

She flinched a little at his tone. Before she appeared, Harry was beaten down and docile. With her here, he still did the work but he no longer looked like a beaten dog while doing it. He never talked back, always cringed in front of them before she arrived. Now he looked resolved, stoic. He looked like something lying in wait, patient.

It unnerved her.

"See that you do both then," she said lamely and walked away.

-0-

"You have a lot of nerve asking me for that," Vernon growled.

He growled to hide his nervousness. Before, it was easy to make Harry cower. Screaming at him, beating him, taking his food away, all means to keep him in his place. But ever since that damned baby showed up, Harry refused to back down. There was a hardness to Harry's eyes now. He refused to break, to bend.

It unnerved him.

"I'm not asking for much," Harry said. "Just enough for her. You can see the receipts if you want. Everything will be for her. I've always worked hard for you."

"And we kept you alive! Keep both of you alive now you ungrateful whelp!"

Harry did not flinch. "And she needs more than just be alive."

Vernon backhanded the boy furiously. Before, a meaty blow like that would send the boy to his knees, make him shake, make him cry out.

Harry's head turned away and then back. He ignored the blow and stared at Vernon.

"Fine," Vernon huffed. "Just enough more and I'll be reading every receipt."

Only then did Harry walk away. Only then did Vernon relax a little.

-0-

The years passed and Harry continued to work hard. He toiled for long hours, still overworked and underfed.

Now, however, he did so without complaint, without thinking about himself. He no longer felt as hungry as he did before despite having even less food. All he had to do was look at Holly, at his little sister. Hearing her giggle, seeing her smile, warmed him and sated him.

He still wished for a lot of things, but the focus had changed. He wished he could give her more. Something besides a box of crayons for a birthday. Something besides a ribbon he saved and scrimped for. He wished she could sleep in a real bed, have toys of her own, have things he did not have.

She did not cry much as she got older. She learned fast that it was dangerous to cry around the Dursleys. She learned to not ask them for anything. She was smart. She saw how she lived compared to them. She saw how they treated her and Harry.

The few times she felt safe to cry was with Harry. The times she felt safe to smile and to laugh was with him. She used to look at the other little girls when they were out, see the clothes they wore, see how freely they acted. Then she saw what Harry did for her, how he sacrificed for her, and she was content as long as he was near.

"One day," he would say to her as they lay together on the small mattress in the cupboard, "one day you'll get all sorts of nice things. I swear."

"Will you be there?" she asked.

"Of course."

"That's all I want," she said simply.

"You deserve more," he whispered.

She hugged him and snuggled closer to him, content.

The years passed and while Harry and Holly were not truly happy, they had each other. For now, it was enough.

-0-

Albus Dumbledore was a very old and very experienced wizard. He had seen a lot, done a lot. He had seen some of the heights of magic and bore witness to the darkest depths of magic. At his age and experience, not much surprised him.

A single envelope robbed him of his wits and senses. The name written across the front chilled him.

"How…how is this possible," he whispered.

Minerva McGonagall was similarly shocked. "I thought it was a mistake, a cruel prank," she stammered. "I checked however, and there is one for James Potter the Second and one for…Harry Potter. I thought the boy was dead! And they're being sent to two different addresses. And what in the name of Merlin does it mean 'The Cupboard Under the Stairs'?!"

"I do not know," Dumbledore admitted. He rarely admitted things that he did not know, usually making a calculated guess to hide his lack of knowledge. Yet he truly did not know what any of this meant.

"Should I go investigate?" she asked.

"No. I will get to the bottom of this," Dumbledore said quietly.

-0-

Harry looked over at Holly, frowning slightly. He was listening to her read as he worked. It was something they came to enjoy. When she could not help with the chores, meaning he would not let her, she would practice reading while he worked. She was reading a new story to him from a book they borrowed from the library before stopping abruptly. "What's wrong?" he asked.

She said nothing, instead coming over to him and curling up against him, looking over his shoulder. He turned, thinking it was one of Dudley's friends, harsh words coming to his lips. The words faded when he looked up at a tall man wearing bright purple robes and long white hair. He stared at the man, shocked at his appearance.

The man stared back, seemingly as shocked as Harry was. The boy was the spitting image of his father but had his mother's eyes. Then the man noticed Holly fully and his eyebrows rose even higher. "It can't be," he whispered. It was easy to see the kinship between Harry and Holly, how alike they looked.

"May I help you sir?" Harry asked, rising to his feet and keeping himself in between the man and Holly.

"I…you are Harry Potter," the man said.

"Yes sir."

"My name is Albus Dumbledore and…I would like to know how you are here."

"I do not feel comfortable telling you that sir and ask that you leave us alone."

Dumbledore winced. "I…I am sorry, I am making a mess of this. Allow me to explain. I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and…I know your parents. I count them as friends." His shock increased at Harry's expression. Before, the boy was cautious and suspicious. Now, his eyes were cold and his posture rigid.

"I see. Well sir, I do not know them nor do I care to and will ask you to please leave us alone."

The old man's heart broke a little at the boy's words and demeanor. There was much more to this than he had thought and he knew he was in for a lot more pain and ache the further he uncovered. Yet he felt the need to and he persisted. "I am afraid I cannot do that. Allow me to explain."

For a while he told Harry and Holly of a world hidden to them, a world of magic. He explained and showed them what magic was, explained why he was there. He felt relief as he saw the two children relax, see the excitement grow in Harry's eyes.

Harry was truly happy to hear about magic. With magic, he could make a life for Holly and himself. He could get them away from the Dursleys. Ensure that she actually got to live instead of survive. Magic would be the opportunity that would break them free. Then he looked down at Holly and the touch of reality stole the warmth of dreams from him. "What about Holly?"

"She will be accepted as a student in time," Dumbledore said.

"So she can't come now?"

"I'm afraid she is too young." Dumbledore saw the light in Harry's eyes die.

"I'm not going," Harry said. "I won't leave her."

"Harry," Holly said softly. "You should go." She tried to hide the fear in her voice but the quaver in it revealed it to everyone.

"No, I won't. I'm not leaving you here by yourself."

"Surely your relations would take care of her in your absence," Dumbledore said.

Harry laughed without humor. It was a cold and raspy sound. "No, they won't. I took care of Holly ever since she came. Me. I am responsible for her. I want her. I'm not letting her stay and be neglected like I was. Hurt like I was. I'm not going."

Dumbledore could only stare. What he thought he knew was shaking apart at the foundations. "What if I…find her alternate arrangements?"

As if reading his mind, Harry spoke harshly, "They gave her up in the first place. I'm not letting her go back to them."

"I won't go," Holly said. "I want to be with Harry, or I'll stay here."

"I'm not going anywhere without you," Harry said.

Dumbledore looked at the house and then back at the children. "What if I made assurances? Ensured her safety here, her wellbeing?"

Harry stared at him. "If you can guarantee it, if nothing will happen to her, then I'll consider going," he said finally. He truly did not want to leave her. He did not trust the Dursleys with her. Yet to make a life for her, a life that she deserved, he needed to learn magic. To learn, he had to go to school. Only then would they have a chance at something better.

"I promise you that I will do everything I can," Dumbledore said.

Finally, Harry nodded.

After a lengthy conversation with Petunia and Vernon, Dumbledore took Harry and Holly to Diagon Alley. For a moment the boy and the girl could forget about their circumstances and immerse themselves in the wonder that was the Wizarding World. They smiled and looked their age at the sights, able to escape their reality for a moment.

Until Harry thought about how he would afford this.

At Gringotts, the Wizarding Bank, Harry learned he had some money set aside for him. The Potters did that much at least. There was a small amount set aside for Holly as well. Harry stared at the vault for long moments, debating on what to do. Finally, he took the smallest amount that Dumbledore thought he would need.

Long accustomed to frugality, Harry bought all his things second hand. He did not care about the state of his robes, how scuffed his potions kit was, how beaten his trunk looked. There would only be two things he bought new: a stuffed toy for Holly and his wand.

"Why not make use of your vault?" Dumbledore asked.

"I won't use their money if I don't have to," Harry said. "As far as I'm concerned, it's a loan. I'll pay it back and I won't owe them anything."

Dumbledore said nothing. In fact he had pressed Harry to get a wand that would suit him best, not going for a used one. He was also able to give Harry a gift that Rubeus Hagrid had insisted on when Dumbledore left the school.

Harry had tried to refuse the gift, until Dumbledore said that the snowy owl would be the link between Harry and Holly while he was at school. Only then did he accept it. He had to admit that having the wand was very nice. He had felt the magic when he touched it, felt the strength and the wonder of it, the possibilities.

The fact that it was made of holly made him feel a lot better.

Eventually Dumbledore brought them back to Number 4 Privet Drive and after telling Harry how to get to the Hogwarts Express, he left. But he did not go back to Hogwarts.

-0-

"Hey Headmaster!"

Dumbledore smiled down at the boy. So alike and yet not. The boy looked like the one he saw earlier saved for a few details. This boy was healthy and happy, possessing energy and assurance. He had hazel eyes, just shy of brown. He lacked a scar on his forehead. This boy smiled easily and looked unguarded and carefree.

So alike and so unalike but for a change of circumstances.

"Hello James," Dumbledore said. "Excited for Hogwarts?"

"You bet! I'm going to be in Gryffindor and be just like my mum and dad!"

"I am sure. Could you please fetch them? I would like to speak with them." Dumbledore waited in the sitting room, trying to master his feelings and organize his thoughts. Eventually James and Lily Potter appeared. He looked at them with a new eye and was unsure if he liked what he saw, knowing what he knew now.

"Hey there Albus," James Senior said, an easy grin on his lips. "What brings you by?"

Dumbledore waited for James Junior to leave. His smile faded and James and Lily looked concerned. "Why?" Dumbledore finally asked.

"Why what?" Lily asked in turn.

"I know," Dumbledore said quietly.

All good cheer evaporated from the man and woman's faces. James looked shocked, then angry. Lily looked shocked, then pained. "How?" James asked shortly.

"I met him. He had a letter. It caught Minerva's attention and she brought it to mine." He stared at them and for a moment he was viscerally reminded of the pair as students, at them fidgeting when caught breaking a rule. "Why?"

"We had to. You said that we would still be targeted, that He might still be around," James said. "You said so."

"I never said to abandon the boy!" Dumbledore's voice rose and the couple flinched. "You told me he died! You told everyone that Tom killed him. Why would you do that to him?"

"Harry was lucky to only have the scar," Lily said tearfully. "It was safer to send Harry away and he wouldn't be targeted anymore, like us. We thought his magic was hurt by the scar. We thought it would be safer for him, for everyone, for him to be somewhere else. Petunia would take care of him. Harry had already suffered enough…"

Dumbledore stared at her. "Surely you do not truly believe that. He would be safer if he was properly protected!" He rubbed his eyes. "Then explain the girl. Why send her away too?"

"We had to keep James safe," James said stubbornly. "And sending her away to them would do that and keep them safe too."

Dumbledore could only stare at them. "What did you think would happen when Harry went to Hogwarts? When your daughter goes?"

Their silence was telling.

"How did I fail this much?" Dumbledore whispered. "How could my words have been taken to this extreme?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned to leave.

"How…how is Harry?" Lily asked, voice shaking. "And Holly?"

Dumbledore turned and stared at her. "He is very unlike James," he said at last. "As is she." Without explaining more, he left.

-0-

Harry stared out the window. He imagined under different circumstances, he would be enjoying the train ride. He normally would be ecstatic about leaving the Dursleys, about being somewhere else for many months.

All he felt now was pain and worry. He was deeply worried about Holly, about how she would be without him. He knew she was smart and would get along fine without him more or less. However, he did not trust anyone else to care for her. He knew he would fret about her constantly, worried if she was eating properly and stayed warm and healthy.

Before he left, he made sure to warn Dudley about bothering her, to keep his friends from bothering her. He warned the bigger boy what would happen if she reported any kind of harassment. He reminded Dudley about the lengths Harry would go to protect his little sister.

Dudley remembered. He still bore his own scars from the last time he tried to bully Holly.

Holly had tried to be brave the last few weeks. She listened diligently to all of Harry's advice, to do as he said. She promised she would take care, to keep up with her schooling. To stay warm. She tried to smile for him every time he looked at her. Yet the night before and this morning she had cried and cried, something she had not done in a long time.

Harry swore things would get better for her, that he would dedicate himself to learning as much as he could to ensure they would have a better life. That when he could, he would get her out of there and give her everything she wanted.

She said she only wanted him and begged him to be careful.

The door to the compartment slammed open and Harry looked at the door, his mouth dropping open. He stared at the boy in the doorway, looking into a mirror image. It was not a perfect mirror image. The other boy was healthy for one, looking well fed and emotionally sound. He exuded energy and arrogance. His clothes were new and well taken care of. In many ways, he looked the opposite.

However, James Potter Junior did not have green eyes. He did not have a scar on his forehead.

James glared at Harry. "So, you're pretending to be a Potter."

"I'm not pretending," Harry said. "I've never pretended to be one."

James sneered. "I thought you were dead. Mum and Dad said you were." James felt a lot of anger deep in his chest. He had heard what Dumbledore said, hiding behind the doorway back home. Later, when he confronted his parents, they told him that Dumbledore was not lying. That there was another Potter out there, James' twin. They explained that they sent him away to keep James and their family safe.

James saw Harry flinch at the way James said 'mum and dad'. A part of him felt grim satisfaction at hurting this poor facsimile. He saw Harry as a source of pain for his parents and he felt it was his duty to keep Harry down, to punish him for his crimes. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Why aren't you dead?"

Harry stared through James. "I don't know."

James glared at him. "You better stay out of my way," he said and left the compartment.

"They didn't want me or Holly, but they wanted him?"

-0-

"Harry Potter."

The Great Hall was filled with noise.

"Harry Potter? Who's Harry Potter?"

"There's another Potter?"

"He looks like James!"

The teachers stared. Only Dumbledore and McGonagall knew about the letter and it showed. Everyone stared with open astonishment at the boy walking to the stool and the Sorting Hat. The other students at the school whispered to one another, some standing to look at this new Potter.

James was shaking from anger. He hated that there was another Potter. He liked to be the center of attention and yet he knew this was not the right kind of attention. The red-headed boy beside him looked between the two with open astonishment, an expression shared by the other first year students that came from the Wizarding World. The Muggle-borns looked confused, knowing that they were missing something vital.

Harry ignored them all. He was used to being stared at, hissed and whispered about. More than a few people back at Surrey thought it was odd that a young boy walked around caring for a baby. Petunia had said that he was her caretaker, a rare bit of truth from her, and the others questioned that but were content to gossip and guess about Harry and Holly instead of asking them.

Harry put the Hat on and sat on the stool, ignoring the stares and the whispers.

Ah. Harry Potter. Welcome to Hogwarts. There is much going on in here, the Hat whispered into his head.

"That's kind of you to say," Harry thought.

The Hat chuckled. You've gone through a lot boy; I am sorry to see. Yet you are strong. You have a desire to protect that I have rarely seen. You work hard. You care a lot for someone.

"My little sister Holly," Harry thought proudly. "I'll do anything for her. I'm here for her, to make things right for her."

A laudable goal. Do not forget about yourself however. You deserve it just as much.

Harry snorted softly. So far the kindest words he had ever heard from someone that was not Holly was from a hat. "I'll try."

That is all I ask. Hard worker. Loyalty. Devotion. It is easy to put you in- "HUFFLEFPUFF!" the Hat cried out.

More whispers. Though none had expected a second Potter, none would expect a Potter to be put into Hufflepuff when the original Potters had a long history of being in Gryffindor. James blew a sigh of relief, knowing that Harry would not be in the same House.

Harry joined the Hufflepuff table, nodding politely at his fellow first years and Housemates. He watched dispassionately as James walked to the stool and the Hat barely took any time before announcing him a Gryffindor.

"We got the wrong Potter," an older Hufflepuff muttered before being shushed.

Harry did not care. He felt intense relief that he would not be in the same House as James. A part of him wondered if he should feel shame for feeling that way. But when their eyes met and he recoiled slightly at the naked venom in James' eyes, Harry knew that the relief was warranted.

No matter. He was not here to reconnect with his newly found brother. He only thought of one sibling.

He only wanted one sibling, one that wanted him.

-0-

Hi Harry!

I hope you are doing okay at Hogwarts. That still sounds so silly to say and read. I hope you are learning a lot and doing good.

I'm okay. I'm making sure I practice my writing and reading a lot. I'm eating enough. Please don't worry. Hedwig is wonderful! She bit Uncle Vernon really hard when he tried to keep her away and I think they're afraid of her now. She sits with me when she visits and is really sweet.

Hufflepuff sounds silly too but nice. I like badgers. I drew you as a badger. Hope you like it.

I miss you.

Love,

Holly.

-0-

Pomona Sprout rubbed her neck slightly. Hufflepuffs, by and large, were known as hard workers and she was proud to be the Head of the House. Her students typically worked hard and school, and relaxed just as hard truth be told. Of course some worked less hard and some worked harder.

Harry was perhaps the hardest working student she had encountered in all her years of teaching and that was saying something.

He did very well in his classes, she often saw him reading in the Great Hall or the library. The other teachers had nothing bad to say about him at all, not even Severus Snape for some reason though the Potions Master had a lot to say about his apparent twin brother.

That was another thing that made Sprout uneasy. The appearance of another Potter child was surprising enough, especially long thought dead. Now that he was here with his twin, the Potter child that was well known, it caused a certain amount of tension. Even weeks into the term the students still gossiped about it, as did the professors behind closed doors.

Sprout liked Harry. He was polite and courteous, a little withdrawn and aloof but not detrimentally so. He was not as easy-going or open as most Hufflepuffs went but he was diligent in his work and did not try to drive away people, he just did not open up easily or grow close easily.

James was arrogant, there really was no other way to say it. He demanded attention through his words and actions. He was boisterous, talented, and while also polite for the most part, it was obvious that he did it as a courtesy, as if he was being indulgent. He was popular, drawing a crowd of students to him, much like his father did.

Seeing the two boys side-by-side made their differences that much more startling.

Still, even knowing how hard of a worker Harry was, his latest request was still very strange. It was something no student had personally asked Sprout before and she was more than a little concerned. "Why do you need a job, Mister Potter? The school is not failing your needs, is it?"

"No ma'am, however I need to make money so I can pay back what I borrowed and I need it for…personal circumstances."

Pay back what you borrowed? She coughed. "May I ask what those circumstances are? You are very young and I worry that you working would interfere with your schooling, not to mention your social life here at school."

Harry chewed his lip for a moment. "I need to send money home for my little sister. If I don't, I worry about her care. As far as my schooling, I am close to the top of my classes and will continue to work hard to stay there. I'm willing to stop working if my grades drop but I don't think they will. And as far as my social life…" he shrugged awkwardly, "I'll be honest and say that it's not really a concern right now."

Little sister? "Uh, well, let me speak to the Headmaster about that."

"Yes ma'am. If it helps, we already discussed it, the Headmaster and I. It was part of my conditions of coming to Hogwarts. But I know you'd rather hear it from him."

Yes I do, among other things.

-0-

Dumbledore sighed. "Yes, we did discuss that and he is correct, I did agree to that."

"Albus, pardon my language, but what in the bloody hell is going on here?!" Heads turned to stare at Sprout. It took a considerable amount of stress for Sprout to say anything rude, and few had heard her swear before. "He has a little sister?!"

"He what?!" Filius Flitwick exclaimed. "And she is with Harry and not with her parents?!"

Snape's eye twitched and his normally dour expression became even more so.

"And he's responsible for her care? What is the matter with James and Lily?" Sprout continued. "Why is an eleven-year-old child responsible for someone younger than he is?!"

"I would like to know as well," McGonagall hissed.

"They are not being forthcoming with explanations," Dumbledore said finally, "and honestly, we do not have the right to them."

"I disagree," McGonagall said. "Surely something can be done about this."

"I am exploring the available options," Dumbledore confessed softly. "It is a tricky situation and needs a gentle touch." He sighed deeply. "Let us return to the matter at hand. Yes, I did assure Mister Potter that he would be able to work. I had in mind that he can assist with class preparations as an aide of sorts or help Hagrid. He is too young to work anywhere in Hogsmeade."

"I suppose that will be fine," Sprout said. "He can learn while he helps with class things so he won't be far behind and we can keep an eye on him." She still looked troubled. "I still don't like this Albus."

"Neither do I," Dumbledore said, sharing her look.

-0-

"Hey! What are you doing on the grounds wearing that ratty thing?"

Harry did not recognize the voice and so he ignored it. He continued to clear one of the outdoor plots of weeds and overgrowth, much like how he used to do at Number 4.

"James! I'm talking to you!" The voice lost its jocularity and became stern.

Harry froze. No one confused him for James now, not after a couple days of school. The differences were too great. So for someone to confuse them now… He rose from the ground and turned and he saw something that he had always hoped to before, at least, before Holly came into his life.

James and Lily stared in shock at Harry who stared right back.

"You're not James," James gasped.

"Oh!" Lily's hand went to her mouth.

Harry's heart beat until it ached. He could only stare at his mother and father. That's who they had to be. He did look like James and now seeing the elder, the younger was even more alike in appearance. All except for the eyes. Harry's eyes matched his mother's. She looked like an older version of Holly.

Holly.

Thinking of her made his heart slow and grow cold, thinking at how these two abandoned their daughter to the Dursleys. He knew they abandoned him too but that was not important right now. They had sent their daughter to a place that was wholly incapable of caring for children. Dudley's childhood could be argued that it was not capable care. They had sent Holly to suffer, to starve, to be tortured.

Once, a long time ago, he dreamed of this moment. He thought it would take a lot longer to get there, after he had died. Then when Holly appeared, he had harbored a tiny hope that their parents would see the error of their ways and come back for them. The hope had dwindled and suffocated as the years passed.

Seeing them now, seeing James Junior, destroyed that hope.

"Hello," Harry said finally, his voice cool and polite. "I'm not James. I think he's either at the pitch or up in his common room."

"N-not in yours?" James said.

"No. I am in Hufflepuff."

"You're a Hufflepuff?" James said, aghast.

Harry narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I am."

"Wh-what are you doing out here," Lily stammered, "doing that and wearing that?"

"I'm doing my student job," Harry said. "I'm clearing the plots for preservation before the winter."

"You have a student job?" James frowned. "Why?"

"I need the money," Harry said. "To care for Holly."

That made the Potters flinch. "What do you mean?" Lily asked. "Isn't Petunia taking care of you two?" Harry's laugh made them shiver.

"No," he said as his laughter died. "They overworked us and underfed us. If I don't send money back then they won't care for her."

"That's…you must be wrong," Lily said tearfully.

"That doesn't explain why you're wearing those," James blustered, focusing on something new to move past the intense awkwardness in the same way a piece of meat moves past the pan for the fire.

"It's what I bought and could afford. I already paid the vault back for what I borrowed." He ignored their looks. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to get back to work." He walked away as calmly as he could, fighting to keep the tears at bay until he could hide.

James and Lily did not stop him. They stood and watched helplessly. "Oh James, what have we done?" Lily said at last.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this. I thought you said they'd care for him, for them," he said hollowly.

"I thought they would," Lily exclaimed.

"It'll be fine," he said with false confidence. "It'll all work out."

-0-

Hi Holly!

Hope you're doing okay. I'm proud of you for getting through the workbooks and things. You're doing really good. Keep it up.

Hogwarts is fine. Magic is really cool though and I can't wait until you can do it too with your own wand and stuff. I'm going to teach you all I know. Oh and Hedwig loves the ribbon you gave her. She wears it all the time and she always gets eager when she knows she's visiting you. She's the best, isn't she?

Here's a little money for you to keep. Put it somewhere safe. Do not give it to them, I already gave them what they want.

I miss you.

Love,

Harry

-0-

"Excuse me."

Harry looked up from the table. A girl stood beside him, fidgeting slightly. He recognized her from two of his classes and it was not hard to remember her name. "Hello Hermione."

The girl looked startled for a moment before smiling slightly. "Oh you know my name."

"We do share a couple classes," Harry said.

"Oh, right." She fidgeted some more. "I wanted to say thank you. For sending Susan and Hannah to the bathroom to talk to me."

"I didn't send them really. I just asked them to see if you were okay once I heard you were crying in it."

"Why?" she asked frankly. "We barely know each other. Why did you care enough to ask people to check on a stranger?"

Harry looked down at the table. He was no stranger to hiding in a corner and crying, begging for help that would not come. He did it a lot before Holly came to Number 4. When he walked past the bathroom that day, heard a girl sobbing inside, he was reminded of himself and of Holly. He had caught her a few times when she was little of hiding and crying. He had told her to never do that, to always find him if she wanted to cry. That he would never let her suffer alone.

He hated the sound of helpless crying. It reminded him of Holly.

"I have a little sister," he said at last. "I just thought of how alone she would be like that and didn't like it."

"You have a little sister?" Hermione looked surprised. "James never mentions having a little sister." Her eyes widened at the look on Harry's face.

"No, I don't think he would," Harry said at last.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't." Harry sighed. "Anyways, I'm glad you're okay."

"Me too. I dread to think what would have happened to me if I was still there and the troll was there." She bit her lip. "Would you like to do homework together?"

Harry nodded and she joined him at the table.

-0-

"Harry!"

Harry caught Holly as she threw herself at him. He hugged her desperately, feeling immense relief seeing her. He had gone back to Number 4 for the winter holidays to see her and even knowing that he would be forced to work and clean and cook for the Dursleys was worth seeing her again.

"You've gotten big," he praised.

"A little bit!" she said happily. She continued to cling to him. "I'm so happy to see you."

"Same, maybe more than you."

"Nuh-uh!"

Time passed all too swiftly, something that had never happened to him before while at Number 4. The harsh words and actions of the Dursleys felt miniscule compared to how happy Harry was to be with Holly again and the feeling was mutual. She helped him with the chores, gleefully ignoring his protests, saying they could spend more time together like that.

One night he took her out of the house, bundling her as warmly as possible, and took her down the streets to look at the lights. It was a tradition for them. It let them escape the Dursleys for a small period of time and Holly loves seeing the twinkling lights and decorations, feel the cold winter air. This year Hedwig was with them and she flew around them here and there before sitting on their heads for long intervals.

"Here, Happy Christmas," Harry said and gave her a wrapped bundle.

She undid the wrapping carefully and eagerly. "Books! Are these new?!"

He smiled. "They are! I saved up for you so you could have a proper Christmas."

She hugged him. "I've always had proper ones with you," she said. "Thank you! I love them." She reached into a pocket and pulled out a small bag tied with colored twine. "Happy Christmas!"

He opened it and smiled at the bracelet that fell out of it. It was braided cord, colored yellow and black. "I love it," he said, holding out his wrist for her to tie on.

"I love you," she said and hugged him.

"I love you more," he replied.

They stood there under the falling snow, among the twinkling lights, and everything felt fine at that moment.

-0-

He sat there, rubbing the edges of the braid between his finger tips in an attempt to remain calm. He stared straight ahead at the Headmaster, knowing if he looked left or right, the sight would be decidedly unpleasant and hostile.

James sat to his right, his parents behind him. The father and the son kept giving him looks while the mother was looking anywhere but at him. To his left sat Draco Malfoy and his parents: Lucius and Narcissa. The father and the son also kept giving him unfriendly looks while the mother looked at him at least, though with a decidedly disinterested air.

Harry sat alone between all of them, confused and nervous.

"I'm sure this is all some kind of mistake," James Senior said. "A mix up between Harry," Harry flinched hearing his name from his mouth, "and James here. They're…they look alike. It's easy to get them mixed up."

"And if he is responsible for the mix-up," Lucius said oily, "then he should be punished and my son should not be."

"It must be nice to have parents help you," Harry thought to himself.

Dumbledore said nothing, looking sadly at Harry. "Harry," he said gently, waiting for Harry to look at him. "I am sorry to call you here under these circumstances, but I unfortunately need to ask you something. Have you visited Hagrid's hut recently?"

"Yes sir," Harry said, confused. "When I reported to him for work."

"Work?" Narcissa repeated, incredulous. She gave the Potters a sardonic look that made them bristle. James Junior and Senior glared at Harry even more.

"And that was during the afternoon hours, during a free period, correct?" Dumbledore said, giving the adults a look that made them go still.

"Yes sir."

"So you were not outside of your common room on Tuesday night?"

"No sir."

"He's lying, I know he was out," Draco hissed.

"He was not." Snape walked into the office followed by McGonagall and Sprout. Sprout stood behind Harry and put a hand on his shoulder and the boy welcomed the comforting touch.

Lucius glared at Snape. "And how are you so sure?"

"Because he was assisting me that evening," Snape replied blandly. "He reported to my office after dinner and worked until late and I escorted him back to the Hufflepuff common room directly."

"Why did you not say this before?" Lucius spat.

"I had no idea that your son accused Mister Harry Potter of any wrongdoing," Snape retorted. "If I did, then I would have said something sooner to prevent any…unfortunate misconceptions."

Both James and Draco fidgeted, looking caught in the light spell. Their parents glared at their respective children and none of them spared Harry a look.

"Mister Harry Potter has my full confidence," Sprout said, a hint of censure in her voice. She looked straight at the Potters. "Harry is an excellent student and a hard worker."

Harry wondered if the subtle emphasis on his first name was his imagination. He hoped it was not. He had never been praised like this before. It felt nice.

"I had little doubts about that and I apologize, Harry, for this," Dumbledore said kindly. "I was doing my due diligence as Headmaster."

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir," Harry said, keeping his voice as calm as possible.

"You may leave," Dumbledore said.

Sprout stood between Harry and the Potters and left with him. After they descended the spiral stone staircase, Harry released a breath. "Thank you, Professor," he said quietly.

"Of course, Harry. You are one of mine and I will fight for you." Her eyes were sad as she looked down at him. "I did mean that, you know. You are an excellent student and person. I am very proud of you."

He looked down to hide the tears. "Thank you," he whispered again.

-0-

The end of the year came.

Harry had worked hard until the end and ended up near the top of the year in marks, something he was proud of. He proved that he was able to cope with the schoolwork and maintain a job and Sprout had said she would allow him to continue as long as his schoolwork did not suffer.

He had mixed feelings as he rode the train back to London. He had enjoyed his time at Hogwarts throughout the year. He slept in a real bed, and did not have to worry about food. He learned about magic. He was even friendly with a few of the other students. Not sure if he had friends per se, but it was certainly much more than he ever had before.

However, finally meeting James and his parents had crushed a dream of his, one that he had nearly forgotten about. James had remained unpleasant to him, treating him like an enemy. Draco had not tried anything more since his disastrous attempt at getting him into trouble, resorting to taunts and insults. Harry did not care how much Draco mocked how poor he looked and how he was one of the only students with a job. He was used to that.

Harry had once hoped that he would meet his parents again and have a family. He had hoped that everything was just one giant misunderstanding and that he would have a mother and a father that loved him, siblings that loved him. That would not be the case here. James Senior seemed to be upset at him more often than not, blaming him for James Junior's actions. Lily seemed to waver between intense embarrassment and wanting to do something but never actually doing anything besides standing beside the James'. Meeting the family in reality had crushed the imagined one, utterly and completely.

Well, that was not completely true. He had Holly. Holly loved him and he loved her.

Being away for so long made him worry about her. She was never far from his mind. The weekly notes sent back and forth were nice and helped but it was not the same. At least he would be with her for the summer. He had the money he earned in a secret pouch in his pocket. He saved every coin he got and would ensure that Holly got a few things of her own, to help her.

He knew returning to Number 4 meant a loss of the freedoms he had come to enjoy while at Hogwarts. Yet seeing her and making sure she was well was worth the loss. In a few years she would join him at school and once he left, he would make a home for them while she attended the school. They would not have to see the Dursleys ever again.

It would be a long few years before that, but it was shorter than the time they spent helpless in Surrey. He could endure. He only had to imagine Holly happy and that was enough.

-0-

The summer flew by once more. All too soon Harry was returning to Hogwarts and Holly would be left alone at Number 4. Things have improved a little bit. Holly did chores around the house, not nearly as much as Harry did, Harry ensured that. She was capable and he knew she could do it, but he was adamant about keeping her from being overworked like he was.

The money he sent back from his student job was 'adequate' enough to keep Holly in the smallest bedroom, allowing her some basic comforts. Harry made sure to hold Vernon and Petunia to their words. He reiterated his warning to Dudley to leave Holly alone.

"I can't wait to join you," Holly sighed near the end of the summer holiday. "It sounds nice."

"It is, mostly. The stairs like to try and confuse you and nothing quite prepares you for a ghost suddenly walking through a wall. Especially when they walk through you. It's very cold."

"Like my feet?"

"Colder if that's possible." He poked her leg when she rested her feet on his. He smiled at her giggle. "The teachers are nice. And magic really is interesting."

"Is it easy to make friends?"

"I…I don't know if I have any to be fair," Harry said lamely.

"You should try," Holly frowned.

"Okay, I'll try."

She sobered. "How…how is he?"

He knew who she was talking about. She had asked him during the winter holiday about them and he told her he would tell her during the summer. He had tried to keep it hidden, the fact that he had met their brother and their parents. Yet it had slipped out and while she had never pushed too hard, he knew she was curious.

"He's…not great," he said at last.

"Oh."

He hugged her. "He has reason to be, I suppose."

"What reason?" she asked sadly, her voice small and broken. "He has parents."

Harry's heart felt like her voice. "But he doesn't have you."

She looked up at him, watery emerald eyes meeting watery emerald eyes. "He doesn't have you," she replied softly.

-0-

The man stopped, head whipping around. "Who are you?" he said, his voice shaking.

Harry stopped and looked up at the man, taking a step back at the man's demeanor. They were back at Hogwarts and Harry was walking down the hall and had passed this man without sparing him a second glance. Now face to face, Harry noticed the man was thin and had greying hair, his skin puckered with marks and scars. The eyes were what alarmed Harry. They were large and piercing, they honed in on him like a predator sighting prey.

"My name is Harry Potter," Harry said warily.

The man gasped. "Impossible, that's impossible! Who are you really?"

Harry took a second step back. "I am quite sure that I am."

"Harry Potter is dead!"

Harry flinched. "I wish so many people didn't wish I was," he whispered to himself. Somehow the man seemed to have heard him and his eyes opened wider.

"Lupin. What is the matter?"

Harry relaxed as Snape walked to them. He knew he was one of the few people that did not mind the potions master's presence. Snape did not act like he favored him, but he was professional to Harry at least.

"Severus, this…this is…he says he's-"

"Harry Potter, yes. He is a second year in Hufflepuff." Snape ignored the open shock on the other man's face. "Mister Potter, this is Remus Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

"Hello sir," Harry said, still giving the man a wary look. At the year's end feast last year, Dumbledore had announced that Quirrel was leaving the position and few cared, he was not a very good professor. Harry always felt a sense of unease and discomfort around the Defense professor and did not spend a lot of time with him. He was also one of the few professors that did not ask for a student aide so Harry never worked for him.

"But how," Remus gasped. "He looks just like-"

"His relations," Snape said smoothly and he smirked at Remus' confusion. "He is well aware of that." Once more Snape turned from the flabbergasted man to Harry. "I trust you are still maintaining your student aide role?"

"Yes sir."

"I will expect you in my office soon. I have many reagents that need preparing. You are much more diligent than those who do it while in detention."

Harry's smile was small but proud. "Thank you, sir. I will be there."

"On your way then." Snape watched as Harry walked away, waiting for the boy to turn the corner before turning to stare at Remus.

"You're…kind to him," Remus said softly.

"I have no reason not to be. He is a more than adequate potions student and works hard as an aide."

"Why is he working as an aide?"

"Because he needs the money." Snape savored Remus' obvious confusion. "And he learns while he works. Not to mention he is nothing like his brother or father." A dark look covered Snape's face. "And scant like his mother now."

"But…I thought…how is he here?!"

"You should ask your friends," Snape said, twisting the word.

-0-

"Hey Moony!" James grinned at the head in the Floo. Noticing the expression on Remus' face made his grin fade. "What's wrong? Did Junior get in trouble already?"

"He's alive."

James gulped. "Moony, let me ex-"

"Why." Remus' voice made the fire feel ice cold.

"We had to."

"How could you do this?" Remus asked in a terrible whisper. "I had to see the boy myself first, without warning. You've known he was here for a year and you never told me?!"

"It's hard to get a hold of you! This will be the first time you've had a steady way of getting a message to you since we went to school!"

"We've spoken since then! I can't believe this!"

"After what happened with Peter, can you blame us for being scared?! For keeping secrets like this?!" James immediately knew that was the wrong thing to say. The color drained from Remus' already pale face. "Remus, I'm sorry-"

"Is it true?" Remus' voice cut through James' apology. "You left him with Petunia?"

"She was supposed to take care of him."

"You had to know that wouldn't have happened! We've met her and she's so incredibly unpleasant, downright hostile to you and Lily! Why would she have taken care of Harry?!"

"It was the safest thing to do for James and Lily!"

"Was it safe for him? Have you seen him?!"

"Yeah, wearing clothes like that, acting like that," James said sourly. "He's a student worker. No one works while at Hogwarts. He's dragging the name down."

Remus stared at him. "I knew you were proud of your family name but to act like this, to your own son, what have you become?"

The crackling fire filled the silence.

"Does Sirius know?" Remus laughed hollowly at James' wince. "I can't believe it. Not even Sirius knows."

"You're not going to tell him, are you?" James asked, fully aware of how pathetic he sounded. "It really should come from us."

"You had years to do so," Remus said and disappeared from the flames.

-0-

"You must be happy the new professor is here," Draco sneered.

"He does seem like he knows the subject," Harry said blandly. "And it's easier to understand him."

"That and his robes look worse than yours, didn't think that was possible." Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle grunted with laughter and while a few other students smiled and snickered, most just stopped to see what would happen.

Draco alternated targets at a whim. Most knew that when Draco and James were near each other, a fight would be breaking out soon. Harry was usually content to ignore Draco, going about his business or sparing barely any words for him. Most did not know which irritated Draco more: James' belligerence or Harry's indifference.

Harry sighed. "No, his are better. At least his fits him."

Others chuckled at his turn of the conversation, at his self-deprecating remarks. Draco turned red, angered by how Harry took control of the insult. "No you're right, you still look like a pathetic excuse of a wizard. I bet he and the Weasleys are glad you're around to make them look better."

Harry shrugged and started to walk away. He stopped and whirled as he felt the bracelet on his wrist go flying off into Draco's hand. "Give that back," Harry said sharply.

"What, this thing? What is it? It's newer than your entire wardrobe but it's so cheap looking." Draco twisted it idly in his fingers.

"Give. It. Back." Harry's voice was cold and with each word, he took a step towards Draco. The other students backed away. None had ever seen Harry like this, even in the face of James and Draco's worst.

Draco smiled cruelly, proud of the reaction he got. "Make me Potter. Oh wait, you're barely a Potter, aren't you?" He threw the bracelet down on the ground and stomped on it, grinding it beneath his heel. "What're you going to do about-" He bent over, clutching his middle, the air knocked out of him.

Harry flicked his wand two more times, knocking Goyle and Crabbe over with Bludgeoning Hexes. The other students scrambled out of the way as Draco raised a trembling hand, gasping out a hex of his own.

Harry barely flinched as the spell cut his arm, ignoring the blood that ran. Others screamed but he ignored them and cast again, knocking Draco to his knees. The pale boy clutched his broken nose, whimpering in agony.

Harry shoved him over and gently picked the bracelet off the stones. "Mess with me all you want. Make fun of me all you like. I don't care. But never mess with this or the person that made this. They are the only person I care about and if you even look at them the wrong way when they come, I'll make sure you don't look at anything ever again. Understand?"

Draco shivered from fear and pain, staring up at Harry's face. He whimpered and nodded, trying to stem the flow of blood.

Harry gave him one last look before turning. "I'll go get Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape," he said and walked away. The crowd of students stared after him in utter silence.

-0-

Snape looked at Harry carefully. "You are in trouble, Mister Potter."

"Yes sir," Harry replied.

"Lucky for you, there were many witnesses that said Mister Malfoy started the altercation. I have heard his…version of events. I would like to hear yours."

"He tried to insult me, I tried to ignore him. He stole my bracelet, and I asked for it back. He refused and tried to damage it. I cast spells at him and warned him to never do it again. I then went to Madam Pomfrey and you," Harry rattled off, as if reading a potions ingredients list.

"Did you threaten to kill him?"

"No sir. I threatened to blind him."

Snape snorted. "At least you are honest." He rubbed his temples. "His parents are quite upset with you."

Harry did not say anything.

"We met with the Headmaster as well as your Head of House. Punishments were agreed upon."

"Yes sir."

Snape paused. "Your…parents were contacted and neither appeared."

Harry did not say anything again.

The man coughed slightly. "All that for a bracelet?"

Harry looked up at him. His eyes were hot with anger, wet with pain. "For who gave it to me."

"They are not even here. Why get into trouble defending them?"

"Because no one else will, no matter where she is," Harry said quietly, defiantly.

Snape stared at him for a long moment. "Mister Malfoy lost 30 points for casting spells in the halls, starting a fight, and taking what wasn't his. You will be losing 20 points for casting spells, and for fighting in the fight. Detention for the both of you but will be administered separately."

"Yes sir," Harry said. "I apologize for what happened but not for doing it. I lost my temper."

"Some may call me hypocritical for saying this, but you must learn how to master your temper, Mister Potter. Lose control and you lose more. You will not have your student aide position anymore if you continue to do so. You will not be able to earn a wage." He saw Harry shiver. "Consider what more you can lose and determine if it is worth it or not."

Harry gulped. "Yes sir. Thank you for the advice."

Snape looked down at the boy. So physically alike. So unalike in every other way. "See that you heed my words, or suffer the consequences."

-0-

Harry blinked a few times as Hermione slid onto the chair opposite of him.

"Hello," she said pleasantly. "Oh good, you're working on potions."

"I am. Are you sure you want to sit with me?"

"Why wouldn't I? I mean, I don't approve of fighting in the halls but you were punished for it and you didn't start it."

He smiled wryly. "I heard James warning people off about me."

"Oh that." Hermione waved a negligent hand. "I don't listen to James Potter. I find you the much more pleasant Potter and rather interact with you. If you don't mind of course," she ended hurriedly.

Harry blinked again. "No, I don't at all. Thank you. That was really kind of you to say." He smiled awkwardly. "I'm not the most pleasant Potter though. My little sister is."

"You really like her, don't you?" Hermione smiled. She looked a little wistful. "I'm an only child and sometimes I wish I had siblings. Then again, no offense, seeing how James treats you, I'm a bit relieved."

"None taken. You're the one I feel sorry for, you live with him in the same tower," he joked feebly.

She giggled. "He's easy to ignore most of the time. Did your sister make your bracelet?"

Harry nodded. He had carefully cleaned the bracelet by hand and repaired it. Luckily it was not damaged too much. "She made it for me for Christmas."

"That's sweet," Hermione smiled. "I still don't approve of fighting, but I can see why you did."

They were soon joined by Susan and Hannah and Ernie. They worked for a while, trading suggestions and helping one another. "Maybe I do have friends," he thought.

-0-

"Hey Sirius!"

"Hey James!" Sirius Black lifted James up and hugged him, before dropping him and rubbing his head. "Look at you! You Chaser on the team yet?"

"Yeah! Finally, I should've been last year!"

Sirius laughed. "There're rules about that, you know."

"As if you and dad and Uncle Remus cared about rules."

"Well there are rules you can break and rules you can't," Sirius smiled. "How's Moony as a professor? Should be good at it."

"He's alright. Gives me homework though and doesn't treat me any better."

"Like I said, rules you can't break," Sirius snorted. "And there's your dad and mum. Hey there! Why the long faces like this?"

"Run along James," Lily smiled, the expression not quite reaching her eyes.

James' good cheer fled him. "We're going to talk about him, aren't we."

Sirius looked confused at the sudden changes. "Whose him?"

"Junior, mind your mother," James said sharply. With a huff, Junior stomped away, leaving Sirius even more perplexed.

"What's going on?" Sirius asked.

"Did Remus tell you?" James asked shortly.

"Tell me what? That he's the new Defense professor? Yeah, obviously. He was happy, always did like teaching and he helped us with our work and stuff so he's good at it."

"You didn't hear then?" Lily asked quietly.

"Hear what? I've been in the States for a long time. Tell me."

James and Lily looked at each other. "Harry's alive and at Hogwarts," James said at last.

Sirius stared at his best friend. "I'm sorry, I must be suffering from the different time zone thing and misheard you. What did you say?"

"Harry's at Hogwarts," Lily whispered.

"This isn't funny," Sirius said.

"You think I'd joke about this?" James asked angrily.

"I rather you did instead of thinking what things mean now!" Sirius snarled. "Did he suddenly appear or something?! I thought he was dead, you told me he was dead." Sirius paled at the looks on James and Lily's faces. "You knew? You knew!"

"We sent him to Petunia to keep him safe," Lily whimpered. "To keep us safe too."

"How is that keeping him safe?!" Sirius shouted.

"We're still targets!" James shouted. "At least elsewhere he might have a chance at a decent life."

"That's bullshite and you know it or else you'd give Junior up too!"

"Things are much better now, I can keep the three of us safe," James said angrily.

"We thought the scar harmed him permanently," Lily said lamely.

Sirius punched James, knocking him to the ground. "So that's why," Sirius spat at his friend. "That sounds like the James I know. You're reminded that you couldn't keep everyone perfectly safe and so you sent away the proof of your failure! I fucking know you and I fucking know that's the reason!"

"It's not the only one," Lily moaned.

"Don't-" James said.

"Tell me," Sirius said coldly.

"What if Harry's the target?" Lily whispered.

"And if he is, you sent him somewhere where he won't be protected?! To save your own skins?!" Sirius laughed hysterically. "That's something I'd expect from the Blacks but not from the Potters!" Sirius shook his head. "Have you tried reaching out to him? Explaining anything?"

"He doesn't want anything to do with us," James hissed, climbing up. "He doesn't act like us at all. He's a student aide of all things, working for money. He doesn't have any proper pride."

"Who would teach him that?" Sirius asked scathingly.

"If all you're going to do is bitch at us then you can leave," James said angrily.

"Fine. I'll see you later," Sirius said. He reached into his pocket and put a small pile of shrunken presents on the ground and unshrinking them. "Here, in case I don't make it back for Christmas." He stormed out.

"Everything'll be okay," James said as Lily healed the bruise on his face.

"You still don't believe that, do you?" she asked.

"I do." I have to.

-0-

Remus opened the door and stared at Sirius. "Sirius! When did you get back?"

"Earlier today. And McGonagall let me into the castle, I know you were going to ask that." Sirius swept into Remus' quarters and slumped into a chair.

"You know then," Remus observed.

"Just came from the Potters." Sirius closed his eyes. "How could they do this?"

"I have asked myself that many times. From what I can tell, they took something Dumbledore said to extremes and panicked."

"Why didn't they tell us?!"

Remus' mouth twisted. "Peter of course."

"Of course." Sirius sighed. "We could have done something if we knew."

"Maybe," Remus said slowly. "But you and I know we would have done what James and Lily thought best too."

"I'd like to think we wouldn't have done this," Sirius muttered. He looked at his friend. "How is he?"

"He…looks just like James and has Lily's eyes," Remus said.

"Senior said Harry wants nothing to do with them."

"With the way Junior treats him, I do not doubt it. James Junior antagonizes him terribly. I tried to get him to stop but he blames Harry for the problems he and his parents are having."

"As if it's Harry's fault," Sirius growled.

"James is a boy. It's easier to blame another boy than the parents for the situation."

"Is he…okay?" Sirius asked.

"He's a very hard worker, intelligent. Not very friendly to many but perfectly polite save to those that try to harm him." Remus sighed. "I have tried to get closer to him but he holds me at arm's length."

"Why?"

"Because of my friendship with his parents."

"So I'm probably not a great person to approach him either," Sirius groaned.

"He blames them for much and it's warranted," Remus said sadly. "For himself and for his sister."

Sirius stared at Remus in horror. "His what?!"

-0-

"I believe I should be impressed," Snape said. He watched as Harry stiffened slightly. "You are brewing potions beyond a second year."

"Thought I'd try something different," Harry said evasively.

It was the end of the school year and Harry had spent the last few days doing extra work. He was also doing some extra brewing while he could. The problem was, the potions were not part of his year's curriculum so he could not say that it was review work.

Snape crossed in front of the desk, inspecting the cauldron with a critical eye. "Pain relief potion. Well made too." He looked at the small vials on the desk. "Anti-fever. Healing ointment." He looked at Harry. "I do hope you know it is illegal to sell these without a permit or license."

"Yes sir," Harry said stiffly. "I was not going to sell them. They're for personal use."

"That is quite a lot," Snape observed. "Do you anticipate needing so much?"

"Best to be prepared," Harry said, staring down at his cauldron.

"Indeed." Snape looked over the vials some more. "How did you obtain such results?"

Harry gestured to the textbook in front of him. "I found this in the book cupboard. It has some really nice notes and instructions in it."

Snape's eyes widened as he recognized the book and the small print in the margins, the way certain things were crossed off. "So that's where it went," he murmured to himself. He coughed when Harry raised an eyebrow at him. "Typically one should be careful about reading instructions written into a text."

"Yes sir. I never tried the spells, some seemed dodgy to me." He missed Snape's look. "But once I tried a potion one and it worked great. I tried to do some extra research to see if other books verify the results but I…it helped me a lot and I was a bit…desperate for the results."

Snape grunted. "Even for two children, you have too much." He flicked his wand and separated the vials into two collections. "This should more than suffice for you and your sister."

"Yes sir." Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like Snape was going to let him take some of the potions at least. He looked at the man when he set a small pile of coins down and pushed them to him.

"I am no thief," Snape said. "I am purchasing these from you. They are adequate and you did use school resources after all so I took the ingredients fee from the calculations."

"Th-thank you sir." Harry carefully poured the coins into a pouch and secured the vials into a bag. "I…I thought it was illegal to sell them without a permit."

"I am paying you for your efforts, not for the products." Snape gave him a sardonic look. "Or are you so flush with money that you do not want it?"

"No! I mean, no sir. I just didn't want you to get into trouble for my account."

"Believe me when I say I have no intentions of getting into trouble for you," Snape said softly. "I merely wish to reward effort."

"I'm grateful. Thank you, sir," Harry said.

-0-

Harry knew something was wrong.

Holly did not come to King's Cross to greet him when he returned. She had gone the last few times to get him and he had grown suspicious when it was just Vernon. His suspicion grew when Vernon was quiet, not acting like Harry was a burden, that getting him from the train station was an onerous task like the times before.

Harry rushed into the house when they got to Number 4, racing up the stairs pulling his trunk behind him and Hedwig's cage under his arm. "Holly?!"

"Harry!"

He released the breath he held ever since getting onto the platform, hugging her desperately. "There you are! I was so worried-" he stopped talking, noticing how hard Holly hugged him, how she shook. "What happened?"

"I'm so sorry! I'm-"

"What. Happened." He raised her chin and his eyes blazed at the bruise on her cheek. He looked past her into the room and saw torn pages from a book, at how she was trying to tape them back together. "What did Dudley do to you?"

"He was going through the room and he found the money you sent me. He said Uncle and Aunt told him to take it because you owed it and when I said you paid, he hit me and started tearing up my books. I tried to stop him and I'm so sorry!"

Harry's breathing became low and heavy, his magic poured off him in waves. "You did nothing wrong," he said, his voice trembling from the strain. "I should have known you couldn't be here by yourself. It's not safe."

"I'm sorry," Holly said again, crying openly. "I tried to tell Aunt and Uncle what happened but they started screaming at me, saying if I tell you then they'll kick us out and I was trying to fix the book before you got back so you wouldn't see."

Harry hugged her again. "Holly, do you trust me?"

She nodded.

"Okay. Trust me on this. Everything's going to be okay." He opened Hedwig's cage and pulled out parchment and quill and ink. He scribbled a note and tied it to her leg. "Hurry Hedwig. I need you to go to Dumbledore as fast as you can. Holly needs us."

Hedwig pressed her head against his, cooing softly. She nuzzled Holly's cheek and flew out the window and in seconds, was gone from sight.

"Stay here," Harry said to Holly. He held his wand and walked out of the room and kicked Dudley's door open.

The bigger boy screeched. "She's lying! I didn't do-" he immediately froze when Harry pointed his wand at him.

"I warned you," Harry growled. "I warned you! And you still did it! Give it back. NOW!" His last word was as sharp as a whip crack and the cup on Dudley's desk shattered. Dudley screamed and threw the money back at Harry, cowering in the corner.

Harry picked it up and calmly walked back to the bedroom he shared with Holly. "Gather your things," he said to her. "You can put them with my stuff in the trunk."

In moments Vernon came running into the room, his face bright red. "How dare you threaten my son!" He stopped when Harry pointed the wand at him.

"We had a deal," Harry said, his voice cold. "I sent you money to take care of Holly. You would treat her right. I held up my end of the deal for two years! I worked hard for you all my life! WE HAD A DEAL!"

Vernon quailed as the door shook, the window panes flexed and creaked. "You-You wouldn't dare!" he stammered. "You cast magic here, you'll get into so much trouble!"

"Sure," Harry said in the same dead voice. "But you'll still suffer before anyone comes to stop me."

"You don't have the stones," Vernon said in a wavering voice.

"Try me," Harry said quietly.

Harry had no idea how much time passed with him and Vernon staring at one another, Petunia and Dudley peeking in from the hallway, Holly standing behind him. Finally the doorbell rang and Petunia went downstairs. In moments she returned with Dumbledore.

"They hit her," Harry said before the older wizard could speak. "I won't tolerate it. They hit her and stole from her."

Dumbledore looked severely at the Dursleys. "I thought we had an agreement," he said.

"We don't have to keep agreements with freaks!" Vernon bellowed.

"She won't stay here anymore," Harry said. "Neither will I. If you force us to stay, someone will get hurt and the only person that won't be will be Holly." Dumbledore looked at Harry while the Dursleys shuddered.

"Do not be like them," he said softly. "Do not use fear or threats, Harry."

"No sir," Harry said calmly. "Not a threat, and not trying to scare them. I made a promise." He pointed with his wand at the Dursleys. "I will not let anyone hurt Holly, not anymore." He looked straight at Dumbledore. "Help us, please sir. You said you would ensure her safety. You said you would do anything you could."

Dumbledore nodded. "I did. Very well. Let us go and see what we can do."

-0-

Dumbledore drained his glass of firewhiskey.

"How many glasses is that?" McGonagall asked.

Dumbledore looked at the half empty bottle on his desk. "More than I like and less than I want I suppose." He poured out more measures of alcohol to Sprout and McGonagall and himself.

"I don't like this situation all that much," McGonagall said after draining her own glass.

"I've hated it since I met the boy but judging the relief on his and his sister's face, this is the lesser of evils," Sprout said.

"Living in a tavern is not ideal for children," McGonagall said sadly. "Even one as nice as the Three Broomsticks. Can't we bend the rules somehow to get them here at least?"

"I'm being stopped by the School Governors," Dumbledore sighed. "Once the girl is a student we can make arrangements but not until then, she is still too young for another two years. And I cannot make other arrangements for them because James won't let me."

"Hang him and what he wants!" Sprout threw her glass to the ground and it shattered. "I've seen that poor boy work himself to the bone for his sister while his brother and his parents live in every conceivable comfort!"

"Trust me, I feel the same way," Dumbledore said bitterly. "However I cannot overrule James in any way. He is actively fighting me in the courts and as the laws are now, they will side with their parents."

"Even if the parents don't care about them?!" Sprout exclaimed.

"Even then," Dumbledore said wearily.

Sprout spat and waved her wand, repairing the glass. She poured herself more alcohol and swigged moodily. "What happened to those two. If you ever told me that James Potter and Lily Evans would ever become like this, I'd say you were confounded."

"I want to know as well," McGonagall said sadly. "They refuse to see me and I think they refuse to speak to Remus about the subject as well."

"I feel partially to blame," Dumbledore said, making the two witches look at each other. "I said that I thought Tom might still be alive and plotting, or at least some of his followers. That made James even more paranoid, considering how close Tom came to killing his family."

"Even so, it makes no sense to abandon one boy and pretend that he was dead," Sprout argued. "Not to mention a sister!"

"Fear robs anyone of their senses and pride prevents them from atoning," Dumbledore said quietly.

They drank in silence.

"Rosmerta is kind but her kindness has limits," McGonagall said at last. "How are they affording the girl to stay there for the next few years?"

"I already gave Harry permission to work at the Three Broomsticks on the weekends," Dumbledore said softly. "Waived the form so he can go to Hogsmeade." He snorted, disgusted with himself.

"He already works too much," McGonagall said sadly.

"He wouldn't accept anything else," Dumbledore said. "He pays back every coin he takes from the vault his parents set him. He aims to provide for Holly on his own." A small smile grew, the first one since Hedwig's appearance at his window earlier that day. "He is prideful in his own way."

"At least it's for a better reason," Sprout muttered.

"We cannot do anything officially for them," Dumbledore said. "We can provide aide and comfort when we can however."

"It's so little," Sprout said.

"It's more than they ever had before," Dumbledore sighed.

-0-

"What are we going to do?"

Harry's heart broke at the uncertainty in Holly's voice. "It'll be fine. I'll still be working and the wages that I get from working here will pay for food and lodging. I won't have to send any more money back to…them and that'll help us a lot."

"I'll work too."

"You will not," he said sharply.

"It's not fair. I can do things. You were doing more when you were my age."

Harry ground his teeth. "No, I can take care of us. You should be happy."

"How can I be happy when I see you suffer like this?"

He hugged her. "I'm fine. I'm better. I know you aren't there anymore and you'll be safe and you'll have food. You're only a little far away from me now. I'll be able to see you every week."

Her eyes glittered from unshed tears. "That's my favorite part. I've missed you so much."

"Me too." They held each other for long moments.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Don't be," he said, voice heavy. "You've nothing to be sorry for. I do all this willingly, for us." He coughed when she squeezed tighter. "I should be saying sorry. I wish I can do more for you."

"You've always taken care of me. You never blame me for anything. You're why I'm safe." She burrowed deeper into him. "You already do so much."

He softened a little. "I love you."

"I love you more."

He smiled. "Nuh-uh." The smile grew as she squeezed him even harder, feeling her giggles resonate in his chest.

-0-

The Three Broomsticks bustled with patrons: Hogsmeade locals and students from Hogwarts. It was the first Hogwarts weekend for the students and most took full advantage, especially the third years who had never visited before.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when she walked in with Susan and Hannah. She felt a little bad at doing so, since she was relieved not to see any of her fellow Housemates from her year, but she did not get along with them very much. She was fine with Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, her dormmates, but not with the boys so much.

"We saw them in here earlier," Susan said, guessing at Hermione's thoughts. "That's why we suggested coming later."

"You must think me dreadful," Hermione laughed, embarrassed and blushing.

"I do but not for that," Hannah teased. She laughed when Hermione pushed her. "I mean, Lavender and Parvati are okay but the boys are not. They treat you rudely too. We see it."

Hermione shrugged. "Yeah, well, it's not everything. I'm glad I'm friends with you two." They found seats at a table in the back and settled down. Hermione turned to look when Hannah spoke.

"Hey, look at her."

The girls looked over at a small girl sitting at a table in the corner. It was a small table and she was alone. She was writing with a quill and reading a book, tongue stuck out in concentration as she wrote.

"She's by herself," Susan observed. "Looks like she's studying."

"In a tavern? Wow," Hermione shook her head. "She doesn't look too bothered surprisingly." She looked up as someone brought them drinks. "Thank you very-Harry?"

"Oh hi Hermione," Harry said pleasantly. He had a plain bandanna bound over his head, hiding his hair and his scar. He wore a large apron covering his front and though he had his wand, he carried things by hand. "Hi Susan, Hannah. How are you all doing?"

"What are you doing here?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Working," Harry said. "I bus the tables and deliver food and drinks, keep things clean."

"This is where you are on Saturday nights?!" Susan asked.

"Yeah, sometimes Fridays if none of the professors need any help. Some busy Sundays too."

"Wait, every Saturday night?" Hermione gasped.

"Pretty much. It's good work," Harry said.

"How are you working like this and keeping up with school?" Hannah asked, eyes wide.

"Well I can't work if I don't do well in school so I have to. It's not too bad," Harry said. He flushed a little at the incredulous looks from the girls. "Really, it isn't. Also don't go 'round telling people if you don't mind."

"Has no one else recognized you?" Susan asked weakly.

"Not really. My cunning disguise worked for the most part," Harry said, tapping the bandanna.

"Harry, is this for your little sister?" Hermione asked softly.

"Yup. That's why it's not too bad." He left the table at Rosmerta's call, walking to the bar and picking up the tray of drinks.

"He works for his little sister?" Hannah repeated, her voice thick.

"I asked him once why he worked as a student aide for money," Hermione said quietly. "He told me it was to care for his little sister."

Susan frowned. "Why aren't his parents taking care of her?"

"Why aren't his parents helping him?" Hannah retorted.

They watched him work. Eventually he walked over with their meals. "Can you join us?" Hermione asked.

"Thanks for the invitation, but I'm going to take my break with someone else," he said apologetically. "But I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow?" He smiled and walked back to the bar top, picking up another plate of food and walking towards the corner.

"Oh my God," Hermione gasped as she watched Harry walk to the corner. The little girl looked up and her smile lit the room, her eyes were the same as Harry's. Harry set the food down on the table and hugged her, dividing the plate into two and giving her the larger portion.

"That's his little sister?" Hannah's eyes went wider. "Oh gosh, they do look really similar. But, she's always lived here in Hogsmeade?"

"No, she used to live with his relations, their relations I suppose." Hermione stared at the siblings. "But…Harry mentioned once that they weren't kind, that he sent money back for her. I always thought that was odd. Something must have happened and she's here now."

"And he's working even harder now to care for her," Susan sniffled.

"I thought it was weird this year," Hannah said. "He's looked more tired and works harder but he seemed…more content. Like not as worried. He smiles a little easier."

Harry did look exhausted but his smile was warm and sincere as he watched Holly eat. Their conversation was inaudible to the rest of the tavern but none could mistake the joy on Holly's face. Harry looked at his sister with a tenderness that made the heart ache, a care that was warm.

"I can't ever imagine James looking like that, much less doing any of that," Hannah said softly.

"We have to help them somehow," Hermione said sadly.

"We can," Susan said, resolute. "We'll figure something out."

-0-

"It's not enough that you ruin my life and my parents' lives, now you have to ruin their friendships!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about James."

"They're fighting with my godfather and uncle Remus a lot," James said angrily. "And it's all your fault!"

"I've done nothing," Harry retorted. He ignored James' belligerent posture, at how his friend Seamus Finnegan tried to look threatening. Harry snorted seeing Seamus trying to look tough. Ronald Weasley stood to the side, looking uncomfortable.

"They're fighting about you!" James accused.

"It's not my fault! I only talk to Professor Lupin when it comes to classwork and I don't know your godfather and I don't talk to…your parents!"

"You ruin everything!"

Harry sighed. "I'm just trying to do my school work and other things. You're the one that tries to fight with me. Leave me alone James."

"Why didn't Voldemort kill you," James said hatefully, ignoring the flinch from Ron and the look from Seamus. "I wish I didn't stop him."

Harry's hollow look made James stop. "Yeah? There was a time I'd wish that too."

"Why not anymore," James blustered, trying to save face.

"Because I have a reason to carry on now."

"Why?"

"Fuck you, that's why," Harry said. "And that's not the reason. Believe it or not, I'm not here to spite you, James. I just want to make a life for my own reasons. I just didn't want to tell you the reason. I did want to tell you to fuck off though." Without waiting for a response, Harry walked away.

-0-

"Hi Harry! Happy Christmas!"

Harry smiled at the girls before he looked at the large bag they were giving him. "This seems a bit much," he joked as he took it from them. They exchanged gifts in the past. Usually, they gave him chocolates that he saved to share with Holly and he gave them things he made with things he found from his work. They loved his gifts, being small practical things that he made by hand.

When he looked inside, he froze, looking back at them.

"They're mostly things we've worn before but they're clean and in good condition," Susan said hurriedly. "We wrote home and asked them to be sent."

"We hope you don't think it's inappropriate or that we pity you or anything," Hannah said. "Just, we saw you and Holly together and we…kinda sorta guessed things."

"We figured this would help," Hermione said weakly.

Harry scrubbed his eyes. "It…it'll help a lot, actually. Th-thank you so much." He hated how his voice shook, how weak he felt. A part of him wanted to save face and refuse. But it would help immensely and he knew Holly would like the clothing. It would be more than she ever had before and unlike the things the Dursleys tried to force on her, things before Harry resewed them or bought second hand for her, these clothes were in much better condition and were much nicer.

Pride made him want to refuse but pride was for those that had choices. He had none.

"She'll love them," he said at last. "I…really appreciate it. Now that she's able to eat enough, she really needs new clothes. These will be the nicest she's ever had." The girls sighed at his words and expression. "I'll pay you back, I promise."

"It's a Christmas gift, don't be silly," Susan said.

"Besides, you help us study and stuff all the time," Hannah smiled.

"We just wanted to make things a little better for you and Holly," Hermione said.

He smiled, wiping away tears. "You do and you will."

Days later, the girls each received a thank you card that Holly had drawn for each of them. Each girl was drawn as their House symbol and dressed in Holly's favorite article of clothing that she received from them.

They met and showed each other the cards, delighting in the drawings and the sincerity that was obvious in the messages.

"She's so cute," Hannah gushed.

"Makes you wonder what went wrong with their brother," Susan sniffed, "when you compare how they act."

"I don't suppose you would care to swap Potters," Hermione asked. She sighed at the glares that Susan and Hannah gave her. "Didn't think so."

-0-

"Hey Harry! Want one?"

It was a year later and it had been a very nice year for Harry and Holly. Holly did not mind staying at the Three Broomsticks. The room was much larger and nicer than either room she and Harry slept in at Number 4. She was allowed to explore Hogsmeade and became a familiar face to the village. Against Harry's better judgement, she was able to do odd things around the village and the residents came to like seeing the girl.

Likewise, Harry became a familiar face at the Broomsticks on weekend nights. The village came to enjoy seeing the brother and sister together. Harry worked hard and was cordial, Holly was bright and polite. That summer Harry stayed with Holly at the Broomsticks and they were the happiest they have ever been.

Harry's fourth year would be exciting with the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He was mildly interested in seeing the visiting students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. They did not disappoint, being so different in appearance than the Hogwarts students.

Then the Champions were chosen and Hufflepuff's own Cedric Diggory was selected as Champion for Hogwarts. Harry had applauded with the rest of his House. Cedric was a kind person, always treating Harry well. Harry liked him and was happy for him.

Then the Goblet of Fire spat forth a fourth name: James Potter.

The school was in an uproar. Many called James a cheat due to him being underaged, not to mention it was supposed to be a Tri-Wizard and not a Quad-Wizard. The Hufflepuffs were beyond angry and joined by the Ravenclaws and Slytherins.

For the last three years and some months, James had acted like the golden child of the school. He was arrogant and loud, constantly competing for attention. He seemed to revel in the possibilities of being Champion. Though he claimed he did not put his name in the Goblet and most of the school did not believe him.

Harry looked at the badge Ernie handed him. "Support Cedric Diggory," he read. "Sure. I definitely support Cedric."

"And check this out." Ernie tapped the badge and the words changed to 'Potter Stinks'. Ernie froze, as if realizing the gaff. "Oh…uh…I should have put a J in there…"

Harry grinned. "I know you don't mean me but I don't think I'll wear it." He handed it back. "But don't worry, I definitely support Cedric."

"I mean, everyone knows that you aren't wearing one to say you stink," Ernie said weakly.

"I know but it still doesn't feel right to me really," Harry said. "Feel free to wear it if you want, I don't mind."

"Why though?" Justin Finch Fletchley asked. "You know if something happened to you, he wouldn't hesitate to join the others against you."

"Sure but that's him, and I'm me," Harry said, shrugging. "I don't feel a need to put him down."

"If he doesn't want to wear one, then don't force him," Susan scolded the other boys.

"Just saying it's your chance at a bit of revenge," Justin said.

"Tempting, but I don't have time for revenge," Harry said.

"You're a good person Harry," Hannah said.

Harry smiled wryly. "I'm not that good. I'm not telling you lot not to wear them, am I?"

-0-

"Why aren't you at the school?" Holly asked.

"Because I would rather be here with you," Harry said. He looked at her with an injured expression. "You didn't want me here to spend the holiday with you?"

Holly hugged him, snuggling into his side. "I'm always happy to be with you but I thought there was a Ball."

"Oh that. I wasn't really interested."

"No girls you wanted to go with?" Holly teased.

"Not really, the only one I'd want to go with wouldn't be allowed to go," he said, kissing her forehead.

She blushed prettily. "Harry, you can go do stuff on your own. You don't have to always take care of me."

"I know that, I want to take care of you."

Her smile had a bit of worry in it. "I don't want you sacrificing everything for me though. You need to be happy too and I know you say you're happy with me but still."

"Don't worry about me."

"Then you don't worry about me."

"Fat chance."

"You're fat!"

Harry gasped. "How rude! Hedwig? Am I fat?"

The owl gave him a look making the boy and girl laugh hysterically. She bobbed her head dramatically.

"Cruel, the both of you," Harry said, pretending to slump over.

Holly giggled and patted his stomach. "I mean, you're only a little fat. You're not really fat."

"You're a little fat," Harry said and poked her back. He sighed. "But it's okay, really. I am happy and I want to take care of you. There'll be time for other things eventually."

She cuddled with him, resting her head on his chest. "Okay, if you're sure."

"I'm sure." After a while he looked down at her, watching her giggle silently. "What now?"

"Maybe you did ask girls and no one wanted to go with you," Holly said mischievously.

"Yup, that's it," he said. "You sussed me out. That's why I couldn't go, to save face."

"Your face does need a lot of saving," she said sagely. She squealed as he started to tickle her. "Hedwig, help!"

Hedwig flew into the fray, playfully nipping and pulling on hair. After a lot of struggling and wrestling, they lay in a heap with Hedwig sitting on top of them, the victor of the conflict.

"I love you," Holly said, breathless from laughing and exertion.

"I love you too," Harry said, hugging her close.

Hedwig cheeped indignantly.

"I love you too," Harry said, hugging Hedwig too.

-0-

"What are you doing here?!" James Senior shouted.

"He is here on my invitation," Dumbledore said, staring at James.

It was after the third task and things had gone spectacularly wrong. The four Champions had battled through a hedge maze, each going for the Tri-Wizard Cup. However, when James got to it, it turned out to be a portkey and took him away. While Aurors investigated and the professors tried to figure out what happened, James returned, injured. He was spirited away to the infirmary but the things he said when he returned were already going around.

Lord Voldemort had returned.

Harry had watched from the stands, he was forced to attend the final task, and had been as confused as the others when James disappeared. Seeing him return, injured and panicked, made him feel disquiet. He had no fondness for James but unlike most, he actively did not wish him ill. Only when James was bothering him to his face.

As the students were dismissed back to their dorms, Dumbledore had asked Harry to come with him. If Harry knew that he was coming to the infirmary and confronting the Potters, he might have tried to refuse.

"Here to gloat, are you?" Senior spat. "Glad to see your brother suffering?!"

"Mister Potter! I will not have you throwing such accusations!" Sprout shouted.

"I'll speak to my son however I wish!"

Sprout growled and put an arm around Harry, not liking the expression on Harry's face at all. "Oh now he's your son?! Only now?! When you have ignored letters and requests about him for the last few years?!"

Remus frowned at Senior who looked slightly abashed. Pomfrey was glaring at everyone with professional indignation. Lily looked down at James, holding his hands, and did not look at Harry. Sirius' eyes were large as he stared at Harry. Snape glowered at the Potters and McGonagall looked upset and disappointed.

"Where were you all year then?" Senior said, voice shaking angrily. "You left your brother twist in the wind without help."

"He wouldn't have accepted it," Remus said softly,

"Remus, how can you stand against-"

"I won't lie for you or Junior. Junior has done nothing remotely kind or polite to Harry. He has treated Harry terribly. Why would he help him?"

"If he cared to be a part of our family then he should have!" Senior shouted.

Harry's snort cut through the shout. "Do you know what James said to me the day we met?" Harry asked.

The room was deathly quiet.

"He said you told him I was dead and asked why I wasn't dead."

The Potters flinched and the professors stared at James with disgust and shock.

"A few weeks ago he said he wished he didn't stop Voldemort from killing me."

Lily moaned and Junior squirmed under the accusing looks. Senior paled.

"Which leads us to this," Dumbledore said, trying to diffuse things. "Voldemort is back. Luckily the Aurors have proof that the imposter judge manipulated the tournament to fit this end. I have been told the Aurors have found the ritual site and the Ministry will be forced to acknowledge that Voldemort has returned."

"Then we were right," Senior said hollowly. "James was the target. He still is."

"It seems to be," Dumbledore said. "Luckily, with James Junior's escape, we have prior warning. He has lost the element of surprise. While we have no idea what his plans are, we can at least prepare for things. We have the chance to act together and prepare."

He looked at James and Lily. "A chance to make wrongs right."

They looked at each other, they looked down at James Junior.

They did not look at Harry.

"This is what you meant," Sirius said in a strangled voice. "That's why you sent him away. You hoped that he'd be bait."

That tiny hope that stubbornly burned deep inside Harry's chest, the hope that shrank with every year and every encounter with the Potters, finally died completely.

"Thank you, sir, for your efforts," he said in a voice completely devoid of emotion. He looked at Dumbledore that looked incredibly sad. "I appreciate what you're trying to do but it's okay. It's only been me and then me and Holly, we'll be okay."

He looked at the Potters and James and Lily finally looked at him. James looked angry and ashamed, Lily looked heart-broken. "When I was little, I used to dream about meeting you two again. I thought I had to die to see you again." Everyone flinched at the words and how he said them. "I wished I did die 'cause at least we would be together."

He stood straight and looked past them. "I'm glad I didn't die because if I did, I would have lost the only reason to live. I have a real purpose now, and thank you for giving it to me." He turned and left, followed by Sprout and Snape.

James and Lily said nothing, enduring the stares from their friends and former professors. When it was just them and Junior, Lily finally spoke. "Isn't this when you tell me it'll all be alright?"

James said nothing.

-0-

The atmosphere was tense that summer. With Voldemort returned, a lot of turmoil went on in the Wizarding World. The Daily Prophet ran articles of the atrocities from the last war, about who was caught as a Death Eater and who was not. A bitter fight was going on in the Ministry as Cornelius Fudge tried to diminish the situation while an opposing faction tried to increase the responses.

For Harry and Holly however, things went on and were still much better for them than years past. In fact, things would be a bit brighter for them. Holly received her Hogwarts letter. Amusingly it came from Hedwig and they guessed that she had intercepted the Hogwarts' owl and fought with them to bring the letter to Holly.

Sprout was more than happy to accompany them to Diagon Alley and McGonagall and Snape of all people came with her. McGonagall claimed she had errands to run and Snape wanted to restock on supplies, but Sprout was glad for the company and additional security.

Sprout and McGonagall watched with deep fondness at the siblings arguing as they shopped. Holly refused the newer clothes and things, insisting on sticking to the second-hand things like her brother. For the professors, it was a treat to see the normally intractable and stubborn Harry being lenient to his little sister. Not quite catering to her whims, without fighting at least, but Holly got her way more often than not.

"Look, this is money I earned for you, for us," he amended at her look. "We're not using any of the money from the other vaults. We can get you nicer and newer things."

"And I'm very happy with the things I picked out," Holly retorted. "I don't need brand new robes when these are just fine and really nice. And you saved your old books and kept them in good shape."

"Which is why we can get you nicer things," Harry sighed.

They fought more and eventually finished. They did get a brand-new wand for Holly, English oak and Phoenix feather, and she was happy to share the same core as her brother. She also did get a new stuffed animal, a very cute and cuddly badger.

"I approve," Sprout smiled. "I hope to see you in my House."

"I won't be anywhere else," Holly said confidently. "I'm going to be with my brother." She hugged him and the toy tightly and the older witches sighed softly at the sight.

"No comment about her other brother?" Sprout asked McGonagall later.

"As far as she's concerned, and I honestly, she really only has the one," McGonagall said sadly. "But he is as wonderful as one could be."

-0-

"Hi Harry! Hi Holly!"

"Hi Hermione!" Holly hugged the older girl readily. Later in the school year, Harry had introduced his friends to Holly and they became fast friends. At first, Harry felt a pang seeing them get along so easily. For the longest time, he was the only one Holly could rely on and he felt an odd sense of loss seeing her get along with Hermione and Susan and Hannah.

He quickly resolved that. He was happy they were friends, Holly deserved more. Plus they were girls so he was sure they could help her with the things he could not.

Sprout had taken the siblings to King's Cross station so they could ride the Express back to Hogwarts. Normally Harry would ignore the train, seeing how he would not want to waste time traveling on the train since he lived in Hogsmeade. He did not want Holly to miss out however, especially on the first ride on the train.

Harry kept an eye out of the compartment windows, preparing for and dreading a certain encounter. IT never came however and he was able to enjoy the train ride with his friends and little sister.

"You look so excited," Hannah smiled.

"I am! I've heard so much about school and I'm eager to learn," Holly said.

"And be with your brother more," Susan teased.

"Obviously. He's useless without me," she said cheekily and the others in the compartment laughed heartily.

"She's not wrong," Harry chuckled, hugging her.

-0-

The encounter that Harry dreaded ended up happening after all. The day after the Sorting, where an incredibly happy Harry saw Holly become a Hufflepuff, they were walking together to the Great Hall for breakfast. He was so happy to finally have Holly nearby and not have to worry about her. He later morosely thought that the encounter happened because he was so happy.

"Well, look at who's here," a voice said, falsely bright.

James walked up to them, his smile cold and not reaching his eyes. His summer had been one of turmoil. While the Prophet once more lauded him as the Boy-Who-Lived and he was treated well in public, it did not smooth over the trouble in his private life. His parents were even more cautious now about things, quick to anger and irritation. While Remus and Sirius had not cut off ties, their relationship had suffered. The Potters were unhappy.

And James was waiting for the chance to make what he thought was the source of their unhappiness pay.

He looked down at Holly who looked back up at him. Holly, while never seeing him before up close aside from the rare times catching a glimpse while at the Three Broomsticks, recognized him. He and Harry did look shockingly similar save for the eyes and the scars. However, their demeanors were night and day. Harry exuded warmth and comfort. James oozed arrogance and threat. She took a step closer to Harry, looking up at James with a mixture of nervousness and defiance.

"Back off James," Harry said harshly. "Leave her out of this."

"What? I just wanted to see my cute little sister, I haven't seen her in so long."

A crowd gathered, a mixture of the Houses. The gossip that happened when Holly Potter's name was announced the night prior was still going strong. Seamus stood right behind James, looking grimly at Harry and Holly. The whispers grew louder, James had never admitted to having a sister before.

"Leave her alone," Harry said as calmly as he could.

"You don't tell me what to do," James spat back. He looked down at Holly. "Too bad you're a 'Puff. You should have been in Gryffindor with your better brother."

"I'm proud to be a Hufflepuff like my real brother," Holly replied, eyes blazing.

James' laugh was devoid of humor. He patted her shoulder heavily, making Harry bristle.

"Last warning," Harry said. His voice was as cold as night. "Do not touch her or mess with her."

"And I said, don't tell me what to do with my family," James retorted.

Before coming to Hogwarts, Harry had taught Holly two spells. He was worried about her safety and decided that these two spells were relatively easy to cast and good to use in an emergency. Holly, not wanting James to touch her anymore, pulled her wand out, pressed it into his arm and cast the Spark Jinx.

James howled with pain as his arm jolted from the shock. He shook it wildly, turning red at people's laughter and at Harry's grim smile. "You little-!" His arm snapped out and grabbed Holly's neck.

His scream echoed around the hall as Harry pressed his wand into James' arm and cast a maximized Bludgeoner Hex directly into it. His bones shattered and he fell back, screaming in agony. However, he had learned how to duel from his father and godfather and he grabbed his wand with his other hand.

James and Harry dueled each other and everyone but two people jumped out of the way. They cast spells and summoned shields but James was at a disadvantage, cradling a broken arm. Seamus pulled out his wand and aimed at Harry's back.

Holly cast her second spell, sending a spray of red lights and sparks directly into Seamus' face. He howled from pain, hands rushing to clutch them. His howl became a screech when Holly kicked him hard between the legs. He fell over, clutching himself and Holly kicked him two more times, enraged at him attempting to attack her brother from behind.

Harry saw Seamus fall over and grinned savagely. James paled, knowing he lost the other advantage. He raised his wand again and dropped it screaming when Harry's Severing Charm cut a line into his arm, making him bleed. Another Bludgeoner knocked him over.

Harry looked around, eyes searching for another threat. Holly pressed her back to his and they stood, back-to-back, together against the odds. Harry breathed hard and no one had ever seen him like that before. They were used to the reserved Harry, one that was polite but aloof. Some had seen him irritated, especially when James was resolved. The fight with Draco years ago had shown a side of him that most people respected.

Today was a side of him people feared. His face was carved from stone and his eyes were so cold they burned. Draco took one look and fled, not at all wanting to risk Harry's attention right now. He still remembered Harry's warning and his nose throbbed as he ran.

"Anyone else?" Harry asked. "Anyone else want to mess with my little sister?"

No one answered him.

"First and last warning. Anyone that touches her without her permission and I will cut it off." He looked down at a shaking and whimpering James. "I don't care who you are."

-0-

Holly reached out and took his hand, squeezing it with hers. She and Harry sat in the Headmaster's office, waiting. They had taken James and Seamus to the infirmary and had readily confessed to what happened. Pomfrey had healed their wounds swiftly and sent word to Sprout, McGonagall, and Dumbledore. After hearing their accounts, they were sent to wait in the office.

The door banged open and James and Lilly walked in followed by the Headmaster and Heads of House. "You! This is it! I'm going to make…sure…you…" James' voice died as he saw Holly. Lily squeaked, hand to her mouth as she stared at the girl.

Holly's eyes widened, seeing her parents for the first time. For a moment she looked vulnerable, wanting. Then she saw how James glared at Harry and she turned away, sliding closer to press against him.

Lily's heart broke seeing Holly's reaction and she knew she had no one else to blame.

Sprout stood protectively by Harry and Holly, giving the Potter parents a dark look. McGonagall stood closer to the children, also looking severely at her former students. Dumbledore sighed. "It is never pleasant to see you like this," he said to Harry, a small smile to take the sting away.

"I'm sorry sir," Harry said and meant it a little. "You know I'd rather we didn't meet like this either."

"I do. After going over what happened, James Junior will lose 50 points for instigating a fight and dueling and will receive detention. You, Harry, will lose 40 points for fighting and dueling and will also receive detention. James Junior has been warned to not approach either of you again."

"He could have killed James!" Senior shouted. "Why isn't he being punished worse!"

"Because Junior started it while being warned not to! Harry was defending himself and his sister!" McGonagall said sharply. "We have numerous eyewitness accounts where he grabbed her neck!"

"James didn't mean anything by it, he's their brother," James sputtered.

Dumbledore looked at James. "You do not get to acknowledge Harry and Holly's relation to you at your convenience," he said softly, making the elder Potters flinch. "You have done that at your whim for far too long." He looked at Harry sadly. "Do you have any questions?"

"No sir, especially since you said James had been warned not to bother Holly."

Dumbledore nodded then looked surprised when Holly raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Potter?"

"I cast spells and fought too. I should be punished if Harry is."

Dumbledore smiled gently. "Seeing how you were acting in self-defense and it is your first incident, we can let you off with a warning."

"Harry fought for my defense," she insisted.

"You are a credit to your House," Dumbledore said with a broader smile.

"Of course. Harry's my brother," Holly said, head high and eyes straight.

"No points but you may share a detention with Harry in the spirit of the rules," Dumbledore said at last.

"Thank you, sir," Holly said politely.

They were dismissed. Once more, Sprout stood in between Harry and the older Potters, even more so with Holly there. Holly held Harry's hand and did not turn her head, not looking at her distraught mother and broken father.

Dumbledore waited for their steps to fade entirely before he looked at James and Lily. "As I said those years before, they are not like James at all."

-0-

They sat in the corner of the common room. Holly clutched him desperately, sobbing into his chest. Harry held her, rubbing her back in slow circles. It had been years since she cried like this and he did not tell her to not cry, to try and compose herself.

"I dreamed of meeting them," she said at last, hiccupping. "I dreamed of seeing them. Hoping this was all a mistake."

"Me too," he admitted quietly.

"They, they really did it, didn't they? They abandoned us."

"I think so," he said sadly.

She started crying again. "They didn't want us. They don't want us."

"No they don't. But I want you," he said and hugged her tightly. "Ever since the day we met, I wanted you."

"Me too," she said, her voice muffled by pain and his chest. "I'm glad you were there for me."

"I'm glad you're here for me," he whispered.

-0-

Hogsmeade burned.

Voldemort, harried by a Ministry that was not docile and plagued by a needling doubt, came to Hogsmeade for two reasons. He aimed to sow terror and destruction in hopes to make the Ministry wary of him, to buy himself some breathing room. His second reason was to put an end to what he considered a grave threat.

His Death Eaters had struck at various targets around Wizarding England to sow discord and to distract. Then with a few of his most loyal, he attacked Hogsmeade. It was a weekend where the students were visiting and he had his Death Eaters cause widespread damage and panic while he looked for his targets.

Harry had gone to Hogsmeade to get some candy for Holly. As he was leaving Honeydukes, the village was under attack. He defended himself from a Death Eater, scattered another that attacked his friend, and tried to make his way out of the village. He ran down an alley and felt a tingle of magic go over him. He looked around confused before stopping completely, staring at the scene before him.

Lord Voldemort turned and stared at Harry with red eyes. The pale wizard looked astonished for a moment. "How did you cross the barrier?" he asked, his voice an oily hiss. His eyes narrowed. "Ah. I know you. I remember your eyes."

Harry held his wand in front of him, taking in Voldemort. He saw James standing on the other side of Voldemort, fear and defiance written across the other boy's face.

"Of course you could cross the line I drew," Voldemort continued. "You share his blood. You are the other Potter child. My memories of that night are somewhat fragmented but yes, there are two of you." He focused on the scar on Harry's forehead. "And that's my mark on you. Yes, you stopped me before. But I had heard you were dead. Though my host a few years ago encountered you, imagine my surprise."

Voldemort looked at James. "I thought it was this one responsible for my downfall. That is why I had him captured to use for my ritual. No matter, one is as good as the other." He flicked his wand and James fell over, paralyzed. "Do not think I did not notice you trying to play the hero. Behave and you will live a little longer."

"All this to kill us?" Harry finally said, hand clenching on his wand. His other held the bag of candy tighter.

"Yes. I do learn from my mistakes. For me to be victorious this time, I will eliminate the Potters once and for all. Nothing will stand in my way this time. I will kill you both, then your parents."

Harry thought of Holly, so close and yet so far away in the castle. AS if scenting something, Voldemort turned and made eye contact with Harry and Harry winced as his head was filled with blinding pain. "Oh? There is a third?"

Harry's blood froze. "Don't you dare touch her!"

Voldemort's smile was devoid of humanity. "Do not worry. She will not be alone for long." He flicked his hand and Harry's word was bathed in green light before becoming utterly black.

-0-

Harry blinked.

He felt odd, numb, disoriented. He looked around slowly, confused. "Where am I?" he said. His voice echoed and he spoke more to hear himself speak, to feel something.

He was surrounded in white mist, feeling oddly detached from…everything. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, trying to focus. The world slowly took shape around him. He found himself in Number 4 and he shuddered as the memories of the place filled him once more. He looked upstairs, feeling something dark and foreboding up there. It felt utterly foreign and he had no desire to go.

He shivered more as he looked to the side, seeing the cupboard beneath the stairs. He felt the darkness within the tiny cupboard, all the years of pain and agony, all the tears he shed in there.

The door opened and bright light flowed into the house. It was warm and he felt peace as it flowed over him. Somehow, he knew that if he walked out the door, he would be at peace. He could hear birdsong and music, and feel the warm spring air. Freedom was so close and it promised so much to him. He only had to let go and walk outside. It felt wonderful to him and he knew he and Holly would love it.

Holly.

He stopped and remembered seeing Voldemort, seeing the green light again. He looked at the cupboard and despite the pain and despair he felt from it, he felt something else. He felt how much nicer the prison became when Holly came into his life. He remembered how she made him feel. He remembered the vow he made when he held her as a baby.

Without a second thought he ran and dove into the cupboard.

-0-

James gasped as he saw Voldemort kill his brother.

He knew he would be next.

All summer, all his life, he learned dueling from his father and godfather. He learned about how Voldemort came to kill his parents and him, how he killed his brother. His parents told him that there was a chance that Voldemort was still around, and that they had to be careful and to be safe.

Then he learned that Harry was not dead. That his parents had given up his twin and pretended they were dead to him while telling James that his brother was dead. Then they did the same with Holly.

James saw Harry as the enemy, the reason his parents were so sad and ashamed. He only saw Harry as the source of the pain his family felt. He blamed him. He had made Harry's life hell all throughout their time at Hogwarts, to punish him.

Now, seeing Harry fall from the Killing Curse, James realized that perhaps Harry was not to be blamed at all. That the whole situation was not his fault and James had no right making it to be. And now, things would be far too late to do anything else, much less amends.

Something odd happened. Voldemort sank to his knees, crying out in pain after Harry died. The man's face was twisted, a rictus of agony. The magic that bound James loosened but he could not move, still shocked by the murder of his brother in front of him.

After a few moments Voldemort composed himself, rising to his feet. He looked at Harry's body with an expression of concern and even fear, but it only lasted a moment. "One down," Voldemort said, a cruel smile appearing. He turned and faced James. "Now the second. Then the third. And I will go find your parents and end this story once and for all."

Voldemort raised his arm and aimed his stump at James.

James and Voldemort realized at the same time that his arm ended in bloody nothing, his hand fell to the earth, still clutching his wand. Voldemort stared at his hand without comprehension until it started to spurt blood and he screamed in pain and horror.

Harry climbed to his feet and he cast the Severing Charm again and Voldemort fell, the charm cutting deep into his knee from behind. He twisted as he fell and screamed again as Bludgeoners broke bones. His loudest scream came when Harry obliterated his hand and wand with a devastating Bombardment Curse.

"Why aren't you dead?!" Voldemort screamed.

"You've taken enough from me!" Harry shouted as he limped towards the prone wizard. "You killed my relationship with my parents! You killed my relationship with my brother!" Harry stood over Voldemort and his eyes blazed with hate and rage and regret. "You won't take my sister from me! You won't lay a hand on her!"

"DIFFINDO!"

The Severing Charm went clean through Voldemort's neck. Harry kicked Tom Riddle Junior's head hard and it went flying away from the body, rolling out into the street. The eyes were still wide open, staring sightlessly.

"And fuck you! That's why!" Harry spat and kicked Tom's body for good measure.

With his death, the barrier fell and the sounds of battle could be heard. The Death Eaters began to wail, feeling the death of their lord. Already people were gathering, pointing at the head and shouting. More gathered at the street and some began to look down the alley.

Harry looked down at Tom's headless body for a long moment before turning away. His eyes met James for a brief moment before Harry limped away, stopping only to scoop up the bag of candy that he dropped.

James was soon surrounded by cheering Aurors and villagers and he ignored them all, staring after where Harry had gone.

-0-

"Uh…Harry?"

"What do you want, James?"

It was weeks after the Hogsmeade attack, after the death of Lord Voldemort. Wizarding Britain was overjoyed despite the loss of life from the attacks that day. The Dark Lord was truly dead. Dumbledore verified it somehow and the populace were eager to believe it. The threat of another war was firmly gone and they celebrated wildly.

Eventually it was found out that Harry had stopped the Dark Lord, and that he was the one responsible for stopping him many years ago. The furor that started when Harry reappeared five years prior when everyone thought he was dead was reignited. The speculation and gossip was even higher when they discovered Holly's existence and how she was more like Harry than James of their parents.

Harry and Holly ignored all the attention easily. James was forced to really examine all he thought he knew and it turned out that he knew nothing.

James coughed. "I…I wanted to thank you."

"I didn't do it for you, or for your parents."

He winced. "You did it for her."

Harry stared at him. "Yeah, for her."

"I feel like I should do something."

"Leave us alone. You and your parents."

"But they want you back, both of you. They want us all to be a family again." James shivered. Harry's eyes were colder than ice and he had seen the expression twice. Each time, someone was grievously injured. The first time was his ill-fated experience with Harry over Holly, but at least he survived it.

Tom Riddle Junior did not survive his encounter.

"There was a time I wanted that," Harry said softly. "More than anything. I dreamed about it."

"Then why not accept-"

"Because I don't want it anymore. Neither does Holly. If she did, I might be tempted but she doesn't. Now I want nothing from you or your parents. You made your choice and we made ours."

Harry released a deep breath. "I think you and I finally have something in common."

"We do?"

"Yeah. I bet you wanted for nothing when you grew up. Now, I want nothing from you or your parents. You guys gave me the only thing I ever wanted from the Potters: Holly. Tell them to leave us alone."

"I…I'm sorry."

Harry walked away. "I don't want your apologies either."

-0-

"I thought you had to be older to own property," Holly smiled.

Harry smiled back. "I guess helping save Hogsmeade has some benefits, like being able to have a small house for us."

Harry and Holly had a home of their own. Harry was given the property and it was the beginning of the summer holiday. They each had a room of their own, things of their own. It was heaven to them.

"Oh, they sent me another letter." Holly said.

"I wish they'd stop," Harry sighed.

"Me too. You'd think they'd get the hint after I sent them the last one back and charmed it to explode when they opened it."

He smiled. "Lovely charm work by the way."

"Thanks! I had a wonderful tutor." She wrapped her arms around him.

"What's this, for tutoring you?" he teased.

"No. For loving me." She sniffled. "For coming back for me. For taking care of me. For wanting me."

"I will always love you and take care of you. I will always come back for you," he said, hugging her close and kissing her forehead. "I will always want you."

They stood there together for long moments in each other's arms. "I can finally take proper care of you, give you all the things you deserve," he said huskily.

"You've always taken proper care of me," she murmured. "I love you"

"I love you more," he said softly into her hair. He smiled gently. "Thank you for wanting me."

"Always, since the day we met," she whispered.

Fin