Harry sat at a table in the Leaky Cauldron the next day. After blowing Aunt Marge up like a balloon at dessert, he'd gotten aboard the Knight Bus and headed for the pub.

Fortunately or unfortunately – he wasn't sure which yet – Lucy had been aboard and on her way to the same place. She had refrained from lecturing him in front of Stan and Ernie but had instead joined the conversation about Sirius Black; a murderer who had recently escaped Azkaban. Lucy had no doubt been raised in a wizarding community.

Upon arriving at the Leaky Cauldron, Mr. Fudge (Minister of Magic) spoke to Harry about using magic while underage and warned him against crossing paths with anyone suspicious.

And so here he was, sitting with a fuming 11 year old, eating her breakfast, and wondering what would come next.

"You promised me you'd still be there," she mumbled. Harry rolled his eyes.

"Does it matter? You're with me now," he replied.

"Yes it matters! You broke a promise. I've had enough broken promises from other people. I'd appreciate it if my brother could at least keep one simple one." she ranted.

"Just show me your proof and get this over with," Harry changed the subject.

"Right," Lucy reached into her brown bag and pulled out a battered, maroon-coloured photo album. "My adoptive mom gave it to me when she told me about you. I hope this is enough for you to believe." Lucy's angry scowl turned into an innocent puppy dog face but the emotion behind her eyes was real; sadness, hardship, and hope.

Harry took the album, not sure what to expect and opened the cover to reveal the first page.

This Album Belongs To: Lily Potter

The pages were weathered and torn and had clearly been leafed through many times by the girl sitting next to him.

The first page depicted a large group of witches and wizards eating a Christmas dinner together. Harry picked out his mom and dad almost immediately. James looked almost identical to Harry with his black and untidy hair, glasses, and scrawny frame. Lily had the same green eyes as Harry and, as Harry noticed just then, as Lucy. And the same dark red hair that Lucy had put into a long braid.

"There's, um, mom and dad." Lucy said, pointing. "Beside mom is Marlene McKinnon and beside dad is Caradoc Dearborn." Marlene was older than Lily and her hair had begun to grey at the temples. Caradoc looked fairly young, perhaps two or three years younger than Harry's parents. He stared lovingly at the simplistic gathering. Holly and mistletoe hung from the ceilings and a wreath hung on the wall behind Lily. The table was adorned with turkey, potatoes, turnips, rolls, cranberry sauce, and other delicious holiday foods.

"How was your Christmas Marlene?" Lily asked thoughtfully.

"Dismal; we had the kids over but kept it small. With Voldemort after members it's hard to celebrate. But this is just lovely Lily. Thanks for having us; it's been a wonderful evening." Marlene smiled sweetly and Lily waved a hand dismissively.

"It was really nothing. What else would James and I be doing? We'd be alone probably." She lifted a forkful of green beans to her mouth. "I'm sorry you couldn't celebrate bigger. It truly is a time to be thankful. Another year is soon to come," she added.

"Don't apologize dear, it's not your fault he turned to the Dark side. Just enjoy yourself while you can." Marlene smiled half heartedly and continued to eat.

Meanwhile, James and Caradoc were talking about James' favourite subject; Quidditch.

"Did you hear the result of last night's game? Appleby Arrows vs. Tutshill Tornadoes; what a match!" Caradoc exclaimed, shaking his head.

"I heard about it on the wireless. Did you go?" James replied with a question.

"Yes, and I was embarrassed. You know I cheer for Tutshill Tornadoes usually, but I was almost ashamed to be wearing those dark blue T's that night. What a bunch of buffoons." Caradoc whistled lowly.

"Yeah, what was the score at the end of the match? 300-70? And the number of fouls too; I'd have been ashamed as well." James commented.

"Why don't you play anymore James? I've heard from quite a number of people that you were a very talented Chaser." Caradoc asked, cutting his turkey.

"Wanted to settle down with the love of my life, live a quiet life, not have to worry about going out in public. I do miss it sometimes, but there's always another day right?" They both smiled, not knowing the truth of what would come.

Harry watched as the people at the table sat and talked, ate their dinner, and laughed at each other's stories. How innocent they made it all look. And although he knew it wouldn't be forever, the picture made him yearn for something that he wasn't sure would ever exist again; peace.

Lucy pointed out the next picture to him before he could contemplate on this idea anymore.

"This one was taken a few years after that." She said, and looked at a picture of two young boys sitting on the carpet playing with toys. One of them, a round-faced boy with mouse brown hair and brown eyes, was sitting quietly, attempting to put different shaped blocks into the corresponding holes. The other boy was unmistakably Harry; dark hair, already a mess, and green luminescent eyes. He was looking at a picture book of broomsticks and Quidditch equipment.

"They play so nicely together. I'm sure they'll be just like James and his friends when they go off to Hogwarts." Lily exclaimed, cooing over the two boys.

"Better hope they don't get into too much trouble Lil, they'd be quite a handful if they were exactly like James and the group." The other woman, a petite woman who resembled the boy with her round face and mousy features, said.

"Oh, Alice relax! They'll learn their lesson after the first detention with Filch." Lily poured Alice a drink and then sat down on the couch to drink hers.

The two boys continued to play while their mothers talked. It was unbelievable how much they could chat; about their sons, husbands, the daily news, and life in general. Soon, James and Alice's husband came into the room.

"How was the flying Frank?" Alice asked. She stood up to stand beside him.

"It was alright, had some wind and a bit of rain at one point but it died down." Frank replied.

"We saw Benjy Fenwick out there, asked him to join us. He's got really good balance on his old Shooting Star." James added. Then he spotted the two boys playing. He scooped Harry up and tickled him while Harry laughed uncontrollably.

"How's my future top Quidditch player in the world? Huh?"

"James, put him down, he was playing so nicely with Neville." Lily playfully slapped her husband's arm. James put Harry back down and he began playing again as if nothing had interrupted him.

"Sorry we've got to go, thank you so much for having us over." Alice picked up Neville and hugged Lily and James. "Stay safe, bye Harry!" She smiled and waved to the now lonely boy. Frank shook hands with James and lightly hugged Lily and the family left.

"C'mon Harry, let's go have a bath," Lily bent over to get him when he started fussing.

"See, he already knows that getting clean is a bad thing," James chuckled and Lily rolled her eyes.

This is what life had been like. Harry recognized Neville Longbottom who was in his year at Hogwarts. They had been friends when they were young and while they were both pleasant to each other now, there was no blooming friendship. It was strange how things changed.

"There's one more picture I want you to see Harry," Lucy turned to the back of the book and revealed a picture that Harry knew was the climax of the conversation.

It was a hospital and Lily was still in her hospital gown sitting on the bed. James stood beside her. Harry sat on Lily's lap, a puzzle in front of him and James held a bundle of pink blankets; Lucy.

"She's beautiful," James looked down at the tiny face, surrounded by blanket. She had Lily's eyes and hair but James saw his stubborn glint in her eyes. She would be smart, just like her mom.

"Harry, do you want to hold your sister?" Lily asked him softly. Harry nodded vigorously and held his arms out at a 90 degree angle. James carefully laid Lucy in his outstretched arms and Lily helped him hold her up.

"That's your little sister Harry, say hi." James bent over watch as his son and daughter saw each other for the first time.

"Hi Luceee," Harry said smiling. James smiled too and looked at his wife. She was crying. He wiped away the tears and kissed the top of her head.

"I love you Lil," he whispered. Lily's eyes were still wet but she controlled herself.

"I love you too James. And you Harry, and you Lucy. I'd give up everything for you." She said. At such a young age, Harry didn't understand what she meant or even what was happening. He only knew he was happy at the time.

11 years later he couldn't remember this ever happening. And yet his sister was sitting beside him and his parents weren't.

"Do you believe me now?" Lucy asked softly. Harry just stared at the picture longingly, wanting to go back to the time when they were all together.

"If you want to know more, since I hardly know any of it myself, write to my adoptive parents; Bob and Carol Harrington. Here's their address," she handed him a piece of parchment with a street name and number written on it. "You can hold onto that for awhile," she added, indicating the scrapbook.

"Okay, thanks." Harry said quietly. Lucy got up and left for her room while Harry sat thinking. He too got up after a few minutes and went upstairs to his room where he got out fresh parchment, ink, and a quill. He wasn't sure how to start this letter but needed to know more. As much as he could. When he was done, he tied it to Hedwig's leg and sent her out the window and into the streets of Diagon Alley. He hoped the response would come sooner rather than later. In the meantime he would treat Lucy like a friend.

***

In only two days, the reply from the Harrington's came back with Hedwig and Harry opened it in anticipation. He hoped it contained the whole story.

Dear Harry Potter,

My name is Carol Harrington and I received your letter. I understand you must be curious but I can only tell you what I know. On May 12th 1982, my husband, Bob, and I decided to adopt from St. Mungos. We'd registered but no child became available for us. On November 16th 1983, we received a letter from Dumbledore saying he had chosen a child for us to take. We were curious as to why Albus Dumbledore had chosen somebody for us instead of the staff at St Mungos. He arranged to meet with us at our house and he would bring the child. When he arrived, he told us everything. That this little girl, no more than 10 months old, was the daughter of Lily and James Potter. He told us that her brother, Harry, had been sent to live with other family but Lucy had still been in the hospital at the time. It was our responsibility to tell her about you and we decided to wait until she got her Hogwarts letter. We apologize for not telling her or you sooner but we wanted Lucy's life to be perfect. She is your sister. Please help her to understand, as she struggled with it for months before going to find you. Thank you for contacting us, it means a lot that our Lucy has a real family.

Yours truly,

Carol Harrington

And that was that. Harry had a sister and Dumbledore knew. Why Dumbledore hadn't told Harry, he didn't know. Now Harry had to be a big brother. How did anyone do that? Suddenly become a brother to an 11 year old girl? He could always ask Ron for advice, or any of the Weasley boys. How would he break it to Ron and Hermione? Hermione probably already knew.

Before he could ponder it any longer, Harry went off in search to find his little sister; Lucy.