Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter Franchise, JK Rowling does. I am merely playing in her universe.

Summary: No one knows what really happened on Halloween night in 1981 besides Voldemort, whom the Ministry has declared dead. Responsible for his defeat is Rose Lily Potter, the only daughter of James and Lily Potter. In the wake of that night, the one whose life is changed most drastically is Harry James Potter, the forgotten older twin of the "Girl Who Lived". Growing up, Harry struggles with the realization that he will never be as important or wanted as his sister, and that his parents will never have the time for him. But along the way, he finds people that love him for who he is, not who his sister is, and he learns one of the most important lessons of all: Family isn't always Blood.

Chapter One: As Years Go By

July 31, 1983

"Isn't it sad?" Sirius said, with no small amount of disgust in his voice. He was looking, just as he knew Severus was, towards the young boy who was standing in a deserted corner of the yard while the rest of his family and their friends celebrated. "I mean, it's his birthday too."

"It's expected." Severus said evenly. Sirius turned to look at the other man and saw resigned anger in his eyes, the only place Severus ever showed any emotion. "It's horrible, and despicable, but it's normal now."

"How could they do that to their own kid?" Sirius asked, letting some of the horror he was feeling leak into his voice. "Especially knowing how we grew up..."

Severus sighed. "It isn't the same and you know it. James and Lily aren't abusive. They do love him...they just love her more."

Both men turned to look at the young girl, surrounded by admirers. Rose Lily Potter, the Girl Who Lived, vanquished Voldemort at fifteen months, the only physical reminder of which was the 'LV' that had been cut into her forehead. Sirius could remember it like it was yesterday...the call that had come late that Halloween night, the relief that it was finally over. They had thought that they would be able to move on with their lives, and everything would finally be back to the way it should be. And for many, it had. But not for little Harry, who could never do anything big enough to draw attention away from his younger sister.

"They sure don't show it." Sirius said, snapping them both out of their thoughts. "If it wasn't for us, Harry wouldn't remember ever being shown love by adults."

"What can we do about it, Sirius? You saw what happened when Remus said something to James." Severus said, and Sirius could barely restrain a wince. Remus had mentioned the apparent neglect of Harry to James once, a few months ago, and to this day they were barely on speaking terms with each other.

"He's not the same James we went to school with." Sirius said sadly, before adding in a voice barely above a whisper, "I just want my brother back, Ghost."

"So do I, Padfoot. So do I." Severus said. Both men were silent for a few moments, observing the festivities in the yard, until Sirius felt Severus' eyes on him. He turned to look at the other man, raising an eyebrow, and Severus gave him a small, sad, smile. "We should go over to Harry. Show him that someone remembered that his birthday is important too."

Sirius nodded, burying his irritation towards Lily and James as they walked towards his godson. Harry had grown slightly since the last time Sirius had seen him, which was surprising, as he had just seen the now three year old a week ago. As he got closer, Sirius also noticed that his godson was flipping through a picture book, and wouldn't notice their approach. With James forgotten, Sirius shot Severus an evil grin, handed him the camera, and motioned for the man to stay silent. He then snuck up behind Harry. After nodding at Severus, Sirius bent over and picked up Harry, spinning him through the air.

Harry, who had been so absorbed in his book, started giggling as Sirius ran around the small area with Harry over his head. Sirius could hear the click of the camera and Severus' laughter as he messed around with his godson, ending it after throwing the boy in the air once and catching him. When he looked up at Sirius, the change in Harry's face was amazing. No longer looking withdrawn and serious, the slightest bit of love and attention had put a wide grin on his face.

"Sirius! Sev! You came!" Harry said excitedly as he hugged the two men. "I wasn't sure if you would!"

Sirius exchanged a look with Severus before turning back to Harry. "Of course we came, kiddo! We told you we'd be here, didn't we?"

"Yeah. But I thought maybe you'd wanna be with Rose instead." Harry said seriously before perking up. "Since you're here, can we play a game?"

"Hmm doesn't someone have to open his presents first though?" Severus asked in a mock-confused tone. Harry grinned and Sirius couldn't help but laugh as he handed his godson his presents.

"Wow! A new toddler broom? Can we try it out now? Please?!" Harry said, talking a mile a minute. "And I love the potions kit Sev but I wanna do it when I'm at your house because Daddy doesn't like potions."

"Of course we-"

"C'mon you three! It's time for Rose's birthday cake!" Lily called out, and Sirius couldn't help but notice the way Harry's face immediately fell.

"Hey kiddo." Sirius bent down and whispered in his ear. "How about I talk to your mum and see if maybe she'll let you come stay with us for a day or two? I know Remus has a present for you, and I bet he'd love to see you."

The smile on Harry's face just confirmed for Sirius that the upcoming argument with Lily and James was worth it.

September 16, 1984

"That's it Harry," Severus said proudly. "You wrote that set of letters a lot better than the first time."

Harry smiled shyly, almost as if not used to the praise, and Sirius ruffled his hair. "Does this mean you'll teach me how to read soon?"

Severus seemed to consider it for a moment, but Sirius already knew what his answer would be. "I think we can manage that."

Harry's small smile broke into a wide grin at that. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, his bedroom door opened and Rose walked in. Sirius had to stiffle his groan as Severus rolled his eyes. Both men watched as Harry's smile diminished, and he seemed to resign himself to whatever happened.

"Hi Rose." Harry said softly.

"Harry." She said disinterestedly before turning to Sirius and Severus and becoming more animated. "Daddy just told me you were here and he said you'd teach me how to read, Sev!"

Severus raised an eyebrow. Sirius had to bite his lip to prevent himself from saying something he would regret. He knew for a fact that three days ago, Severus had asked Rose if she wanted to learn how to read before they had left. She had told him no. Sirius figured that Rose had heard James or Lily talking about Harry learning how to read, and decided that he shouldn't be able to do something she couldn't. One look at Severus showed he was thinking the same thing.

"Well how about you come over and write the alphabet a few times with Harry, since that's the first thing you need to learn." Severus said carefully. Sirius hoped that it would be enough to oblige Rose, but he knew it wouldn't.

"But Daddy said you would teach me by myself," She pouted.

"How about I teach you?" Sirius said. "Despite what Daddy says, I can read and write, and I'm good at it too."

"I want Sev to teach me." Rose whined. Severus looked torn, but before he could say anything, Harry spoke up.

"Go on, Sev. Sirius can help me practice the alphabet and next time we can move on." Harry said quietly. Severus nodded, resigned, and got up, following Rose from the room.

Sirius watched them walk out, before turning to the now very quiet boy next to him. He sighed. "That was very nice of you, Harry."

"I didn't do it for her." Harry said quietly, picking at his blanket. "I just don't want you two to have to go away."

"Go away?" Sirius asked, slightly confused. He thought that he and Severus had been able to convince Harry that they wanted to be around him.

"Like Remus did." Harry said sadly.

"What do you mean, Harry?" Sirius questioned slowly. He wasn't sure how much he knew about what had happened between Remus and James.

"Rose wanted him to read her a story, but Remus was doing a puzzle with me and said she had to wait. Then Daddy and Remus fought and now he can't come over anymore." Harry said. "Daddy and Mummy told us that Remus was too busy and didn't want to see us anymore. But I asked him when I was at your house and he told me that there was a fight and of course he still loves me and wants to see me."

"What else did Remus tell you?"

"I asked what the fight was about and he wouldn't tell me so it was probably about me and Rose."

"Rose and I." Sirius interrupted absentmindedly. Harry just gave him a look that Sirius was positive meant that he had been around Severus way too often and continued talking.

"So if you don't do what Rose says, then there'll be a fight and you'll have to leave. And I would miss you and Sev." Harry said, and the childishness and innocence in his voice broke Sirius' heart. He had no idea that Harry had known that much, and figured that Severus hadn't known any of it either. Even Remus probably didn't realize how much Harry knew. The fact that Harry would lose what was important to him if they didn't listen to Rose hurt him a lot. That was why when Harry asked him, in the same tone, "Promise you'll do what she says Siri. I don't want you to have to leave," Sirius knew there was only one way he could answer.

"I promise."

August 1, 1985

"Sirius, you should've been there. It was horrible." Alice Longbottom was currently pacing back and forth in the living room, and Sirius was filled with dread at just what she was hinting at.

"He has been a bit quiet..." Sirius said slowly before trailing off.

"Well he had good reason to be." Alice said fiercely, and Sirius was suddenly reminded of the fact that Alice had a similar temperament to Lily when angered.

"Do I even want to know?" Sirius asked warily.

"It made me wish I was still an auror. I saw enough yesterday for a neglect investigation to be launched. And the party was only five hours long." Alice said. "If it hadn't been Neville's birthday, and if I didn't know what happened to Remus, they would have gotten an earful."

Sirius checked the time. "We have about forty minutes before lunch. Is that enough time?"

"More than enough. There's actually not much to the story. Rose, of course, stole all the attention, so Harry and Neville spent most of the party together. Neville left Harry alone for a few minutes, I'm not sure why...maybe to open a present or something, and then he came up to me and said he couldn't find Harry. So of course I went to tell Lily and James."

"Let me guess...they were less than concerned." Sirius said dryly.

"I think their exact words were, 'Oh, he'll wander back eventually.'" Alice said. "Of course, Neville didn't seem thrilled at the idea that one of his best friends was wandering around, and neither was I, so we went looking for him. Guess where we found him?"

"Hopefully right in the front yard, but I doubt that's going to happen."

"Nope. He was on the edge of the property, right outside the wards, talking Minerva's ear off." Alice said. "It was lucky that she just so happened to be coming to the party late."

"Minerva? As in Minerva McGonagall?" Sirius asked in disbelief.

"The one and only. She gave Harry and Rose their birthday presents as well, actually. Neville and Harry both got a copy of Silver Fox, Golden Bird. I believe she got Rose an animated toy cat."

Sirius snorted. "How'd she react to that one?"

"Turned her nose up at it of course. Harry, on the other hand, thanked her probably close to a million times. The cutest part though was when he and Neville shyly asked her to read it to them. I took pictures, which you'll be getting a copy of."

"Lily and James?" Sirius asked.

"Oh yeah, like they'd actually do anything with them. Ten knuts says they end up in a drawer somewhere." She shook her head. "Don't be surprised if Minerva asks you if she can see Harry sometime. She thinks he's the cutest thing."

"Of course she does. He takes after his godfather." Sirius said in a haughty tone. Alice just raised an eyebrow, and he grinned for a moment before getting serious again. "Did anything else happen?"

"There were no specific events, it was just the way they acted, you know?" Alice said, furrowing her brow in thought. "James and Lily always had eyes on Rose, and their body language was always protective of her. Like they'd, oh what's that muggle saying...jump in front of a bullet for her. Harry though, sometimes it was like he barely existed. I mean, when he initiated contact with them, they responded, but they never started any type of communication with him until they had to leave. Rose is a right terror to Harry, always picking on him and getting away with it. And Harry just takes it from all of them. When he saw I was getting upset about it, he quietly asked me not to say anything."

"That's because he knows what happened to Remus." Sirius sighed. "We're lucky that Lily and James still let him come over here for a few days, especially since Remus is here. I think it would be different if Rose was coming too, but she knows that they'll be treated equally and hates that."

"We need to do something Sirius. He can't stay there, it's not healthy."

"But what can we do? If we try anything, we risk not being able to see Harry, which would make it worse for him. It's, unfortunately, a no-win situation. Even if we could get custody of him or something, he would know it's because his parents don't pay any attention to him at all, and that would hurt." Sirius said with a bit of anger. He then noticed that Alice was rubbing her right arm, which was twitching a bit more than usual. Sirius' voice softened. "You need a potion?"

"Yeah I'll go grab one from Sev." Alice said with a wince. "I should've taken something an hour or so ago, but I forgot...again."

Sirius gave a small smile. "Hopefully Sev will figure out something more permanent soon. He keeps saying there's just one thing he's missing. Maybe then we'll see you back in auror robes?"

"You just might," Alice said as she stood up, rolling her shoulder. "But probably not until Neville is a bit older, maybe when he goes to Hogwarts. I want him to grow up with a parent, knowing he's loved. I don't want to be the wife and mother that throws herself into work when something happens to her husband, you know?" She winced again.

"Yeah, I know." Sirius said sadly, before attempting to perk up a bit. "Now let's go hunt down everyone else. I don't know about you, but I'm quite hungry."

June 21, 1986

"Can we read Silver Fox, Golden Bird?" Harry asked, and Sirius and Severus both had to laugh.

"Of course we can. Why don't you go get it from your room?" Sirius asked him, and Harry ran out of the room. He turned to Severus. "I doubt I need the book. I probably have the thing memorized at this point."

"Oh knock it off. You know that we were just as obsessed with that book when we were his age. I'm sure that's why Minnie gave it to him."

"Probably." Sirius agreed after a moment's thought. The two men sat in a comfortable silence while waiting for Harry to return to the living room of Potter Manor, where the family of four had been living since the attack. It was a spacious room, and in the place of one of the walls was a massive window. Over the years, it had become Harry's favorite place to read year-round, as it meant he could always see outside into the yard and behind that, the forest.

The two men hadn't been alone long when they heard Harry running down the stairs. "Hey Pup! No running on the stairs!" Sirius yelled, before picking up his glass of water.

Harry calmly walked into the room and rolled his eyes. "No yelling in the house, Sirius."

Sirius choked on his water and Severus disguised his cough as a laugh. Sirius glared at him. "I blame you for this. That eyeroll was 100% you. He's only six, and you've already corrupted him."

Severus just laughed even harder, no longer even attempting to hide it, and this time Harry joined in too. Sirius hid his grin and gave a fake pout instead. This had the effect he had been hoping for, as Harry started laughing even harder. Sirius smirked, and after waiting for everyone to calm down a bit, he held out his hand for the book, which Harry gave to him, still grinning. "Any particular verse?"

"From the beginning!"

"Alright, alright, from the beginning it is." Sirius rolled his eyes, which Severus smirked at, and began to read.

One of silver, one of gold
Though neither fit what the fates foretold
One destined to determine the fate of magic
The other to meet a fate most tragic
Roles switched by a dangerous mistake
No one trusts the world in the hands of a snake
One doted on by all she knows,
Gifts, riches and fame she is bestowed
The other doomed to a life of despair,
Until the brothers three take him from there.
Joined by the Stars, the three Lions and the Seer True,
Together they build the world anew.
But success only comes if the right choice is made,
Courage or Cunning, Crimson or Jade

"Sirus!" Rose's excited voice rang through the living room as she ran in. "It's such a nice day and Daddy said I could go flying! Will you come with me?!"

Sirius first looked to Severus, who had the mask he had perfected during his childhood firmly up, with the anger barely showing through his eyes. He felt Harry lean away from him, and more than that, felt him start to shut down again, and Sirius mentally cursed Rose for doing this. He knew it wasn't accidental, if the smirk on her face was anything to go by.

Sirius didn't want to go. It was plain as that. He knew he shouldn't play favorites with the kids of the person who had once been his brother, but he did. And his was Harry. He didn't want to leave to go flying, even though he loved to fly; he wanted to stay inside and lounge around while reading a book told in verse with his godson. Harry seemed to realize this, for he whispered quietly, "You promised."

Sirius sighed, and looked at Harry, who had a pleading look in his eyes. Sirius nodded, resigned. Severus motioned to Harry to come closer, and reached a hand towards Sirius. "I'll read."

As Sirius walked out, he tuned out Rose and turned back for one last look at his godson, and saw him leaning into Severus' side, as Severus began to read.

One stops evil day by day
It was really me, the other does say
Everyone believes the child of Gold
For only the Bird would be so bold.

August 30, 1987

"Sirius?" Harry asked softly, as the two of them were laying outstide on the grass.

"Yeah, kiddo?" Sirius responded lazily.

"You'll always tell me the truth, right?"

Sirius instantly became more alert, unsure of where the conversation was going to go. "You know I will. What's on your mind?"

Harry was silent for a few moments, and Sirius was beginning to wonder if the seven year old had dozed off in the sunlight when he spoke up. "Why don't Mum and Dad love me?"

Sirius exhaled deeply. "They do love you, Harry."

"Not as much as they love Rose."

Sirius was silent for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to play dumb. "They love you in a different way than they love Rose."

"What do you mean?" Harry sat up and turned a piercing stare on Sirius. Sirius also sat up, and tried to arrange his thoughts.

"Well...they love you. They don't want you to get hurt or upset or anything. They just think Rose is more important, because she made Voldemort disappear and might have to do it again one day. So they're more worried about her happiness."

Harry nodded. "She is more important. She deserves their love more than I do, because she's the Girl Who Lived."

Sirius' heart broke a little at those words. "No, Harry. You're just as important as she is. You deserve love just as much. You know Sev, Remus, Alice, Neville, Aunt Minnie and I all love you so much. And that's the way that your parents should love you."

"Then why don't they?" The words sounded so childish, a way that Harry rarely sounded anymore. "Am I not good enough?"

"You'll always be good enough. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Ever."

"Then why...?"

"I don't know, Pup." Sirius said sadly, and Harry leant into him. "I wish I did."

"I wish I could live with you." Harry whispered so quietly that Sirius probably wouldn't have heard it if he wasn't an animagus.

"What?" He asked in surprise.

"I know it's stupid and will never happen...but sometimes I wish I could live with you, and Remus, and Sev." Harry mumbled, refusing to look Sirius in the eye. Sirius frowned.

"Harry." There was no response. "Hey, Harry, look at me, kiddo."

Harry looked towards him, and Sirius could see the unshed tears about to spill over. He motioned for his godson to come closer, and wrapped him in a hug. "Harry, all three of of love you. And we would take you in a minute."

"Please Sirius. Please. I promise I'll be good and I'll listen to everything you say. I can't stay here anymore." Harry said, and Sirius bit his lip in worry.

"Harry, what brought this on? Why are you so upset all of a sudden?"

"Yesterday, Mum and Dad were in the kitchen making dinner and Rose came into my room and said that no one loved me, especially not Mum and Dad, and that she would make sure it stays that way. What if she tries to get Dad to stop letting you come? What if he stops letting me go to your house? Siri, I can't lose you and Sev and Remus and Alice and Neville and Aunt Minnie!" Harry was so upset at this point, that he was barely breathing, and the tears were running down his face.

Sirius sighed, and made a split second decision. "Harry, do you want me to go talk to your dad and see what he says?"

"Please." Harry said desperately, and Sirius got up, lifting Harry with him. He placed the young boy's feet on the ground.

"I'm going to go talk to your dad." He felt Harry clutch him tighter. "Relax Harry. No matter what happens, I will come say goodbye. And even then I'll find a way to see you. But right now, I need to go talk to him, okay?" At Harry's nod, Sirius let go of him. "Stay here, okay? I'll be back soon."

As Sirius walked away, he let the anger he felt at his godson's treatment break free from where he had been holding it for so long. He had been waiting for this opportunity to talk to James for years, and now he was going to get it.

James and Lily Potter were going to regret ever neglecting the godson of a Black.

A/N: So, this is chapter one. Next Chapter will feature the conversation between Sirius and James, as well as the consequences of the ensuing argument.
Thank you so much to everyone who has followed and favorited this story...but it would also be reallyyy nice to get some reviews this chapter. They make me write faster, I swear XD