Author note:

I can't express how happy I am about how many people have enjoyed the story so far and with only one chapter up (now two). I know I have one certain guest reviewer who is a rather big well he shall not be mentioned further as my views of people like that have already been stated in another story.

To those who have generously given your feelings on the story ( without it being outright sickening to read ) I feel honoured. So thank you. Also thank you to all of those who have read, favourited, followed, and even added to a community. Man it's already in two communities which in my books is pretty big!

Hope you all enjoy chapter number two and don't forget to leave comments, I'm always open to (good and true) criticism. Also tell me if the explanations I have given so far are to confusing and not explained properly.

Quick note: Don't expect chapters to be as long as this one, this just - well I couldn't find a better place to cut it.

Thank you to all of those who noticed the error I made, its been fixed!

Chapter II

So who'se up for cabbage cake and hulla hoops?

Kingsley Shacklebolt looked at number 17 on Wisteria Walk. The house was just like all the others yet the front held a rather barren garden. The curtains being pulled prevented anybody from looking inside.

Looking towards his companion he noticed how she seemed to still be waking up. It was a well-known fact that Nymphadora Tonks was not a morning person among the Auror department.

"Come on Tonks, after this, I will treat you to coffee," he offered, earning a bright smile from the woman who had become his partner.

She had been the last one Moody had trained – even though he retired years before. The first one he picked since he retired. He was well known to come into the office now and again to help with some of the training but with Tonks it had been completely different. Most thought it was a way to make up for the fact that he had been the one to train the last Black to enter the Auror Programme. She was good, if not a little clumsy but she was always bright and full of spunk, something Kingsley appreciated.

Walking towards the door, he knocked firmly before waiting for an answer. Slowly the door opened to reveal a woman, not overly tall in with grizzled grey flyaway hair. Dressed in a pink dressing gown and looking very nervous, even more so at the site of them.

"Hello ma'am, I'm Kingsley Shacklebolt and this is Nymphadora Tonks we're Aurors with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. We noticed you in the area the other day and hoped to speak with you. We understand your – statue and must emphasise that we don't care. We simply want to know what you can tell us about – Harry Potter." Kingsley greeted only serving to make the woman look even more worried.

"Please ma'am, this is for the safety of a child. We need to know as much as possible to help," Tonks hurried to jump in. "Could you help us please?"

"I – I'm afraid I don't know much about what happened." She stuttered softly earning a soft smile from bubble gum pink hair.

"Anything will help,"

"Well – fine, come in and mind my pets." The older woman sighed before moving away from the door allowing them to push it open a bit more and enter the house.

The site that welcomed them the moment they entered was not pleasant. The horrible scent of boiling cabbage was pungent around the room, then came the number of animals inside the house – all cats. One look at his companion had him staring into an equally grossed out face before they both masked it as best they could.

Following the woman into the sitting room they accepted the seats on the plastic covered sofa before turning to the woman who sat perched nervously on an armchair.

"What do you want to know?" She asked.

"First, did you know Harry Potter well?" Kingsley questioned curiously.

"Well, I've lived here since he was a little baby. When the Dursley's would go on holiday, they often left him with me. I knew he did not particularly like his relatives, and that they did not like him but to make sure he had a small reprieve from them I had to make sure that he did not enjoy his time here either. He was always such a sweet child, always polite yet terribly thin and pale." She explained earning a nod from the duo.

"Did you ever speak with him about the magical world?"

"Oh no – no, I wasn't allowed –"

"Who told you that? The boy was a wizard you knew that everybody knew," Kingsley grunted confused by this statement.

"I was told – not to show the boy anything. He had to grow up unaware of his fame so that when he went to Hogwarts he would not have a large ego,"

"Who told you to do this Mrs Figg?" Tonks asked curiously yet the woman only bit her bottom lip, clearly uncertain if she should reveal the information.

"Ma'am, this is an open investigation, please any information you can give us you must," Kingsley ordered.

"Dumbledore," she finally mumbled out. "Dumbledore asked me to watch the boy ensure no harm come to him from – from You Know Who."

"Did you ever suspect that the boy was - well did you ever suspect abuse at the hands of his relatives?" Kingsley questioned yet the woman didn't have to answer as he saw the flicker of sadness cross her expression. "Did you ever mention this to Dumbledore?"

"I mentioned it, yes, but the man never listened, he insisted that nothing bad was be falling the boy. I wished I could have done something else but he wouldn't have listened." She answered sadly.

"Thank you, Mrs Figg, I believe that is all we need to ask you today," Tonks thanked softly after a nod from Kingsley.

"How is Harry?" The woman asked.

"Harry was admitted to the hospital with a bullet wound and a high fever. According to Madam Bones, Harry will make a full recovery," Kingsley answered before rising to his feet. "At least we hope he will,"

"Oh – I see,"

Bidding the woman farewell, they left the house. The moment they were a good distance away Tonks took a deep gulp of air.

"Merlin how can she stay in a house that smells that foil!" She exclaimed causing Kingsley to chuckle.

"I don't know Tonks, I really don't but right now we just got some worrying news, we need to report to Madam Bones," He remarked earning a pout.

"I was promised coffee,"

"Okay first coffee then report,"

…

Early morning came quickly to Amelia as she woke from her sleep. She was thankful towards the nurses of the hospital, they had brought her a small bed to lay on the night before. She hadn't wished to leave on the off-chance the teen on the bed did, in fact, wake up in the middle of the night. Thankfully, she thought she was safe in that matter. The teen looked just as sound asleep as before.

Running a hand through her hair, she was just about to rise to her feet when the door opened to reveal one of her Aurors.

"Morning ma'am, we thought you might need to get a shower and change. Knew you wouldn't leave her on her own so I came to stand guard," he remarked making her smile.

"Thank you Aurors Chanslor, I appreciate it."

With one last look towards the young girl on the bed, she stopped herself from biting her lip before turning away and leaving the room. She would be as quick as she could.

Leaving the hospital it took very little time to arrive home. The moment she did she made her way to the only occupied room in the house, her nieces. To her surprised she found Susan awake, sitting up on her bed reading a book as she peaked in. At her side was a plate of half eaten food from breakfast.

"I wasn't expecting you awake so early," she commented causing her little niece to jump in shock.

"Aunty your home!" the soon to be thirteen-year-old exclaimed making Amelia smile before she slipped into the room and walked to the bed to sit down. "Kingsley told me that you would be away all night, is everything okay?"

"I'm afraid not Susan, something had happened that will be taking me away for a little bit. A case that is very sensitive in nature." She answered earning a nod from the teen.

"I understand aunty, your job is important and it must be a really bad case if you're this involved," Susan remarked softly before reaching out and hugging her. "You look tired,"

"It's not a good case my love, somebody – you're age – was being hurt at home by people who were supposed to be their family and love them. They will be needing help to get past all of this but they lack the proper people. We also learned something that puts everything else in a spin and won't know what to do until things unravel and settle." Amelia sighed before pulling away and brushing bangs from her niece's eyes. "I've made arrangements with Antoinette, Hannah is excited to spend more time with you and you'll be staying at their home for the time being until things get better."

"I understand Aunty, I hope things get better for whoever it is," Susan remarked before wrinkling her nose. "But you need a shower first,"

"Duly noted," Amelia laughed before rising to her feet and walking towards the door. "Get a bag ready, you'll be heading over before I leave."

Leaving the room, she shook her head and let a soft laugh leave her lips. It didn't take her long to arrive at her room and slip into it. Heading to her own bathroom, she turned the water on before going to her closet and picking out a new outfit, a more comfortable one considering her plans for the day.

With an outfit decided upon, she swiftly entered the shower. Stepping under the hot spray, she allowed her thoughts to wonder.

During the first war, many children were taken, parents used to be terrified that theirs would be next. Aurors tried their best to find them yet it seldom happened. In the entire time since the end of the war and during only three children had ever been located and returned to their true parents, before anything truly damaging could happen.

By damaging, she meant that the children were unable to remember that they had ever been separated from their parents, not having to choose between two sets. This time though things were different. For her entire life, Harry Potter had been told that her parents were James and Lily Potter but what was even worse was that she had been told, had looked like and thought she was a boy. The poor child had no idea that she was actually a girl.

"They held no consideration," she whispered angrily. "No consideration for the children they were hurting."

Shaking her head, she stopped the tears from escaping her own eyes before taking a deep breath and hurrying to wash her hair. If there was one thing she would do it was going to be to make sure this child found a proper family, a family that would love her and help her through all of this.

"That is, a promise I intend to keep," she murmured softly before finishing her shower and turning the water off. Grabbing a towel, she wrapped it around herself before grabbing another and drying her hair.

It took her a full ten minutes to get ready and as she left, her room Susan was leaving hers with a bag slung over her shoulder and dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a t-shirt.

"Are we eating breakfast here?" The teen asked making her smile.

"Trifle made some chocolate croissants for us so yes we'll be eating a little breakfast here," Amelia answered before placing an arm around the young teen's shoulders. "I am sorry about this Susan, summer only just started a week ago and work has pulled me away."

"I told you, Aunty, it's okay. This case is important just like your work is important. Just make sure that whoever it gets better." Susan hurried to say before giving her aunt a hug around the waist. "That person needs you more than I do right now, not that I don't need you." The teen laughed causing Amelia to do so as well.

It was an hour later that, Amelia slipped back into the hospital room. There she found the same Auror who had relieved her standing guard. Dismissing him, she only just sank into a chair when the door opened again and Kingsley walked in with Tonks trailing behind him.

"Morning ma'am," they both greeted.

"Morning you two, how did your interview go this morning?" She asked curiously.

"It went well ma'am," Auror Tonks chirped in. "We learned things that are – pertaining to the case."

"Do tell,"

"Apparently, she was placed there by Dumbledore with the specific order of keeping an eye on Harry Potter. She was not supposed to reveal the magical world to Harry nor tell the – boy – about his fame. According to her, Dumbledore didn't want the boy to have a big head when he entered the magical world." Kingsley explained, yet by the tone of his voice it was clear he did not agree with this statement, nor did Amelia for that matter.

"She held her suspicions that Harry was not being treated as he should at the Dursleys and mentioned it to Dumbledore but the man did not listen and did nothing." Tonks continued for her partner.

For a moment, Amelia remained silent. What hold did Dumbledore have upon the teen? Had the Potters listed him as Magical Guardian? No that couldn't be considering the will had not be read, it had been sealed – sealed by Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore seems to have his toes, in this case, more than I would like. We must keep him unknowing of the situation for the time being. Lucky for us he is currently overseas. We most definitely need Gringotts, I want to know what right Dumbledore has to Harry Potter, or thinks he has." Amelia murmured before the door to the room opened again to reveal Chalisse. "Chalisse what's wrong?"

Healer Chalisse White looked positively pale and worried as she entered the room a folder in her arms. It was not a look Amelia was used to seeing with her friend considering the woman was normally very calm.

"Amelia, we need to talk," Chalisse whispered while shooting both Kingsley and Tonks looks that clearly meant to excuse them.

Giving her Aurors nods of approval both left the room leaving both women alone with the patient.

"Alright Chalisse what's wrong? Have you found something about Harry that is worse than we expected?" She questioned yet the woman only walked over to take a seat and placed the document onto her lap.

"Last night I spent a good portion of my evening looking through the missing children reports, both muggle and magical." Chalisse began before taking a deep breath. "Firstly, you would not believe how many babies went missing in 1981."

"I can believe more than the usual number, now what else did you learn?" Amelia questioned knowing the woman wouldn't have come looking like she did simply for that information.

"After hours of searching – I found a match," Chalisse admitted causing Amelia to freeze before her eyes turned to Chalisse in surprise.

"You found a match?"

"Yes, a perfect match to one of the magical children." She answered before slowly handing the document over to Amelia. "I double checked it Amelia but it's a perfect match,"

Accepting the file, Amelia shot Chalisse one last look before looking down at it. The folder was like all the other missing children folders in her office, a simple brown folder. Slowly opening the page, she spotted the picture that was affixed to the top right corner and froze.

The picture was an adorable one, a little baby girl dressed in a purple frilly outfit that had stars decorating it. The baby had blue eyes, like all babies and was smiling at the camera; a tuft of red hair was also present.

She knew this picture, she knew it all too well and as she began to shake her head shook side to side in complete denial until firm hands settled onto her shoulders forcing her to look to Chalisse with wide eyes.

"It's her Amelia, I promise I double checked, she is a perfect match," Chalisse spoke emphasising the last few words.

"I – I need Kingsley here now," she whispered desperately and hurriedly Chalisse oblige, opening the door and motioning the man inside.

"What's wrong ma'am?" The calm Auror questioned cautiously.

"Kingsley" Amelia whispered before slowly rising to her feet and walking to stand beside the bed. "– I'm excusing myself from the case,"

"What – ma'am I don't understand!" Kingsley objected clearly taken aback by this decision.

"I'm removing myself because I – I cannot be unbiased Kingsley. Harry Potter is – is Kinsley Amelia Black, she's my daughter." Amelia whispered, the weight of her words crashing into the normally calm Auror who and the Head of the DMLE.

"Kinsley – that's" Yet the man couldn't speak.

He knew about Kinsley Black, he, and Amelia had been on the force for almost the same amount of time. There was a two-year difference between them. He had been there when she had gone into labour when Kinsley was born. He had been one of the first on the scene when she had been declared missing. The entire Auror office had done everything in their power to find her and yet they had failed.

Slowly walking over to he stood beside Amelia and looked down at the child for the first time seeing just how much the child resembled Amelia, she might have had higher cheekbones and more of an aristocrat's face but the rest of her was Amelia. Those other features came from her father, a man Kingsley thought he had been able to trust, who Amelia had loved – Sirius Black.

…

Everything was white, thought Harry Potter as he looked around himself. He didn't know where he was, all he knew was that he felt weightless and at peace. He hadn't felt at peace in – well ever to be honest. It was nice, a nice feeling that he didn't want to leave but like everything in his life that would most probably leave as well.

"Harry," came a soft voice pulling him from his thoughts and as he looked around trying to find the voice, he found nothing. "Harry, wake up sweetheart, we have so much to talk to you about and not a lot of time to do it."

The voice was warm and filled with a loving tone yet he didn't remember ever hearing it before. Frowning he suddenly was surrounded by darkness until it all disappeared as he slowly opened his eyes.

Blinking, he stared into bright emerald green eyes that matched his own and as the rest of the features came into view he was met with a beautiful smiling woman whose red hair cascaded down her shoulders.

"Hi there sweetheart," Lily Potter whispered, a hand moving to brush his hair from his forehead.

"Mum?" he whispered confused yet a soft sad smile was all he got before he was gingerly helped into a sitting position.

At that point, he was able to see another figure, a man he was told he looked identical to, James Potter.

"Hey kiddo," The man greeted warmly making butterflies flutter in Harry's stomach.

"Is it really you guys? Am I – am I dead?" He asked uncertainly.

"Well, sweetheart, a lot of things have happened and we were sent to you to help explain things. Other were also sent but we were the first so that we could do the first stretch of explanations. First to answer your question, no you are not dead. You're very much alive all bet injured." Lily answered before running a hand through his hair.

"We have a lot to tell you Harry and a lot of it will be a shock and you won't understand some of it but you have to believe us that we are not lying to you." James began knowing that they had to get the worst out of the mixture before turning to the better. "Do you remember what has happened in the last few days?"

"I – somewhat, I remember being sick, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia didn't like that and I was confined to my room. I really didn't feel well at all, I was hot, really hot and yet really cold too." Harry whispered while trying to think hard about the past few days. "Then, all I remember is the pain, I don't know what else happened."

"Well, kiddo a lot more happened in those few short days, first that heat and cold feeling you were feeling were the effect of the Basilisk Poison and Phoenix Tears fighting in your body for dominance. You see the Phoenix tears did not nullify the poison completely simply made it so that it would not kill you." James began before looking to Lily for help in explaining the rest.

"They were the reason you were sick but they finally settled a day ago and have settled into your body. The fact remains that they give you certain advantages but also disadvantages. Firstly, the poison of the Basilisk has made it so that you are immune or mostly immune to most poisons and toxins. There is very little chances that you will die of poisoning." Lily whispered making Harry's eyes widen in surprise. "With that though means that you are unable to donate blood, you should never do so Harry. Your blood will be poisonous to other people, it will be considered a toxin and will slowly kill anybody who takes it from you."

"The biggest change, though," James continued knowing that that part was done he could continue. "When the two were fighting your magic was protecting you and it got to a point where it built up.

It finally exploded, setting off alarms in the Ministry of Magic. This turned into a very good thing because Aurors were sent to Privet Drive and found you, although not before the muggle police."

"Why would the muggle police have found me?" Harry asked confused.

"Well, kiddo, you see the neighbours heard something that made them call the police. They heard a gunshot. Vernon tried to – well he shot you,"

Stomach dropping, Harry looked away from his parents as he digested this information. He knew that his relatives hated him that they hated magic and everything to do with it but he never ever imagined that they would have tried to kill him.

"You're magic exploding brought down many things Harry, things that we're going to explain because when you wake up you'll be met with them and will have to adjust to them." Lily hurried to speak pulling her child's thoughts away from the Dursley's.

"What things, I can't be a bigger freak than I already am," he whispered softly yet clearly not softly enough as both his parents overheard him.

"You aren't a freak Harry Potter!" Lily exclaimed angrily. "No, you look at me! You are not a freak, you are a sweet considerate, brave, and amazing child that is loved by many. It is the Dursley's who are abnormal, doing what they have done to you was – was wrong." Lily struggled to say, tears falling from her eyes as she thought about how her sister had treated her child. "You should have been raised by people who loved you not by those monsters."

"You think I'm brave?" Harry whispered making both his parents laugh.

"Sweetheart a number of times you gave me heart attacks, I swear I've broken James' hand twenty times since you've entered the magical world all because of the stunts you've pulled. Bravery is something you have plenty of." Lily assured him before her smile turned sad. "You should never have been put into half those situations, or any at all. You need to be more careful Harry, and thoughtful of your surroundings and people you talk to. Things in the magical world aren't all rainbows and unicorns and knowledge is important. Don't allow your ambition to leave you simply because you are a Gryffindor. Allow that ambition to grow, let it lead you to your future."

"Ambition is a wonderful trait to possess kiddo, it will serve you proudly and never be afraid of showing it," James remarked, placing his two knuts into the conversation. "Sadly we're being derailed, we need to hurry to explain the very important things okay kiddo."

"Okay, what do you need to tell me?" He asked earning sad smiles from his parents.

"Harry nobody ever told you this but – you were adopted," Lily whispered tearfully.

"I found you when I was in London. You were in an alleyway wrapped in this hand knit baby blanket, not making a sound as people pass by. I only saw you because I was going to use that alley to apparate home." James began explaining the store.

"I was abandoned?" Harry asked, unsure what to think at the moment.

"That is, what we believed until now. You see Harry when you're magic exploded outwards it brought down enchantments that had been placed upon you, by unknown people. You were kidnapped kiddo, by Death Eaters during the first war, they abandoned you in an alley. It was common practice back then to kidnap children and not just from muggle families either, but magical ones as well but they went a step higher and using magic, hide you in the only way that people would not suspect, they changed your gender." James explained darkly and the shocked and horrified look his son was sending him made him sigh.

Helping Harry to his feet, he led him to a mirror that had suddenly appeared and made him stand before it. Looking into the mirror, Harry could see his scrawny, short appearance, his messy black hair and emerald green eyes yet slowly those things began to change. He gained a bit more height, and his body changed to a more curvy waist and slightly producing chest. His messy hair grew and lightened until it was a soft amber colour and reached past his shoulders. His emerald eyes lightened to a soft mint colour that was both captivating and warming at the same time. His facial features also changed, it went more oval in shape with his cheeks becoming higher and his nose shrinking and becoming cuter. His lips seemed to swell while his fingers grew longer and thinner.

"This is what you look like Harry," James whispered into his ear as he stared at himself in the mirror. "I know it's a huge shock and it's going to take you time to adjust but you won't be alone, I promise. You're true identity was found."

"I – do I have –" yet he didn't know how to ask without offending the people he had always considered to be his parents, not only that but the little he spoke showed that his voice had also changed, becoming softer and less hoarse, more feminine.

"Yes you have parents, your birth parents are both alive but for now only your mother can take you in. The situation is complicated but you need to trust your gut on it and don't always believe what people have to say about your father. I can't say more as I've been told not to." James answered looking sad.

"This is all – all so overwhelming," he whispered, the sound of his own voice sounding foreign to his ears even as he watched his lips move and the sound come out. It felt as though somebody else was speaking for him, her no he couldn't go by that suffix just yet. It would take time because it just felt – wrong.

"Come on, let's sit back down, it's a lot of shocks you're getting in one go and I know you're going to get even more soon."

Allowing his father – or adopted father to lead him back to where they had been, he sat down couldn't help but look at both adults for further explanations. He felt lost, and confused, both feelings he hated.

"Why does this always happen to me? Why can I never be normal?" He asked, tears welling up in his eyes and he felt angry because he didn't want to cry, but his emotions were just – crazy.

"Oh sweetheart, it's not you I promise." Lily hurried to assure him before pulling him towards her and hugging him.

Wrapping his arms around his adoptive mother's waist, he buried his face in her shoulder. Even though he felt mortified by the fact that he was crying; just having somebody there that held him and assured him that things were going to be okay, was relieving.

"What am I supposed to do? I – I don't know how to act like a girl, I have always been a boy." He whispered before pulling away and brushing away the tears.

"I know it seems hard right now darling but you won't go through this alone. There will be people who are close to you that will help you through all of this. You will never be alone," Lily whispered before running a hand over his cheek and giving him a soft smile. "Always believe in yourself,"

That was easier said than done, Harry thought.

"Our time is coming short I'm afraid kiddo, but before you leave we want you to meet a few people," James remarked catching his attention and forcing him to look up. "We know you're adjusting to this change and all the people that want to meet you understand that okay, they would just like to meet you that is all."

"What – what sort of people?" he questioned tone one of curiosity.

"Well, to begin, your grandparents on both our sides would like to meet you, even if you are not related by blood you are family Harry and we will always consider that. Second, we have members of your parent's families that would like to meet you as well. Sadly, they are not able to introduce themselves completely but you'll know their first names. They also won't be able to tell you who your parents are." He explained gently before giving him a smile. "Your father's father actually is very excited to meet you, which is an oddity in its own right considering I met the man in the magical world and he was – a strict man."

"You mean – I'm going to meet others?" Harry whispered eyes wide in shock.

"They would love to meet you sweetheart and trust us, you'll enjoy it," Lily whispered while brushing her hand through his hair, his much longer hair.

Slowly nodding, he allowed himself to be pulled up to his feet before he was pulled into a tight hug by both his parents.

"We love you kiddo, never forget that. We're also so very proud of you. You have any idea how excited I was when you were made part of the Gryffindor Quidditch team in your first year?!"

That made Harry laugh, the sound much lighter than he was used to yet it wasn't unpleasant and it was nice to know that the man he had considered his father for his entire life was proud of him.

"We are both so very proud of you Harry, but you need to know something. Dumbledore sealed our will; he had no valid reason to do so. You need to find a way to have it unsealed so that information can be read that needs to be read." Lily whispered before kissing his forehead and giving him, another hung. "We love you, sweetheart, never forget that."

"I won't," he whispered, knowing that he spoke the truth.

James and Lily might not have been his birth parents but to him, they were his parents. They had taken him in, they had raised him for a year of his life, and they were – for now – the only parents he had ever known. They had sacrificed their lives for him.

"So, are you ready to meet more family members?" James asked earning a nervous smile from Harry.

"I guess so," he whispered.

"Then, it's time for us to leave," Lily whispered before kissing his forehead. "Keep your mind open darling and never forget to be true to yourself."

"We'll always be proud of you, no matter what happens," James added in before placing a hand on his head and ruffling his hair making his daughter smile up at him a blush on his cheeks. "We love you,"

With those last words, a final kissed was placed upon his brow and as he opened his eyes to see his parents again he found them both gone leaving him alone.