I keep realising that I'm not quite happy with the Harry and John series so I've decided that this will be the 'remedy' to that feeling. The idea is that John (Harry's twin brother) and Harry are separated after Voldemort targets the Potters. He is being babysat by Remus on the fateful night, but Remus puts John up for Muggle adoption owing to being incapable of affording to look after him permanently.
I'll have explanations for the blood protection stuff and I'll have explanations for everything in between.
POVs will be mostly of Harry and John with switches to other characters here and there, but more importantly perhaps, some of Voldemort's plans will be different. This will get *much* darker than the original story as it unfolds. Without further rambling from myself... enjoy!
John Potter awoke on the first day of the summer holidays after primary school as he did on most days; starving. He was hoping that he would be able to do absolutely nothing, as he normally did on summer holidays... perhaps throw his rugby ball around with his adoptive sister, perhaps cycle to the park with his friends... definitely sleep a lot more, that was for sure.
However, that was not the case today. In fact, as he, his adoptive sister and parents ate lunch together, something rather bizarre happened. A large barn owl of all things, flew into the kitchen and perched itself on top of the oven and stuck out its right leg. John looked closely to realise that the owl was... carrying letters.
"W-what?" asked Ella, John's sister.
"Err... do we... do we grab the letters or something?" asked John.
"I suppose I'll do it", said Jeremy, his father, eyeing the owl suspiciously.
"Be careful!" said his wife Helen.
Jeremy walked slowly towards the owl, but seemed to realise that the owl was more comfortable with him than he was with the owl. A rather interesting reversal of normal human-animal interactions.
Jeremy took the letters from the owl's leg and the owl promptly flew away.
Two letters now sat in his hands. One addressed to him and his wife, and another to John.
Mr Jeremy Taylor and Mrs. Helen Taylor
13 Grovesnor Road
Richmond
London
Mr John Potter
13 Grovesnor Road
Richmond
London
Bemused, he passed John's letter to him and began opening his own. They both held identical crests with a large 'H' in the centre.
"Owls... giving us letters? In broad daylight?" asked Ella.
"I know... really weird", said John, who unrolled his letter.
Howarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmaster: Professor Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, first class, Grand Sorc. Chief Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than the 31st of July.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Err... what? Is this some sort of joke? We await your owl? What, do they expect us to get an owl and train it to deliver letters or something? By daylight too I'm guessing?" asked John, handing his letter to Ella.
"Our letter is equally confusing, I must say", said Helen, passing it to her son.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Taylor,
As you know, your adopted son John has received his Hogwarts acceptance letter. We understand that this scenario may be rather confusing and so as is common practice with students in a similar situation, a Hogwarts representative will arrive shortly to explain the situation.
Kind regards,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
"I've never heard of this... Hogwarts", said Ella.
"Of course you haven't... this must be some elaborate joke. A school of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Wouldn't we have heard of such a place by now?" Jeremy asked rhetorically.
Before the conversation about the 'joke' could continue, the doorbell rang.
"I've got it!", said John, jogging towards the door.
He answered it to see a tall, ageing woman, wearing some strange sort of emerald green gown standing there. Her dark hair was pulled back into a very neat bun and she reminded John vaguely of his old science teacher, Mrs. McGregor, though this woman was noticeably older.
"Err... hi, can I help you?" John asked. Jeremy and Helen appeared behind him.
The woman cast her eye over the three of them and nodded once she saw John.
"The Taylor household I presume?" she asked.
"Yes... is there something we can help you with?" asked Helen.
"Yes. I am Minerva McGonagall. I wrote a letter confirming your acceptance to Hogwarts. May I come in?" she asked.
Helen, John and Jeremy exchanged quizzical looks.
"Of course, come in", said Jeremy. McGonagall thanked them and walked into the house.
"This is our daughter Ella", said Helen as they took seats in the living room.
"A pleasure to meet you", said McGonagall, as Ella gave her a shy, rather awkward smile.
"Now... I think it best that I get immediately to the point of my visit... your acceptance into Hogwarts", said McGonagall.
"Yeah... I thought it was a joke or something", said John.
"Far from it. You are in fact a wizard", said McGonagall. John narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"A... wizard", said Jeremy, flatly.
"Yes. In fact, there is a separate society of wizards and witches living across the world as we speak. I understand your scepticism however", she said, pulling out a long, thin piece of wood. She pointed it at the coffee table and made a complicated, swishing movement
"Scribblifors"
Before their very eyes, their knee-high coffee table transformed into an eagle-feather writing quill.
Everyone gaped at McGonagall.
"Y-you just... how..." Helen choked out.
"As I said, some people in our world are wizards or witches. Gifted with magical abilities. Including John", said McGonagall, lazily flicking the piece of wood to transform it back into the original coffee table.
"Me? But I couldn't do... that", said John.
McGonagall gave him a smile.
"You could. Once properly educated and trained", she said.
"And you're sure... there hasn't been some kind of mistake?" asked Jeremy.
"No. Of this I am certain. In fact, I knew your parents", said McGonagall.
"My... biological parents?" asked John. Jeremy and Helen exchanged wide-eyed looks. Ella looked like she was bursting to say something or the other.
"Precisely. I daresay I rarely knew such a fine witch and wizard. You, Mr. Potter, resemble your father almost exactly", said McGonagall, her smile broadening.
"What happened to them? Where are they?" asked John, before he could stop himself.
Just like that, McGonagall's smile was wiped off her face.
"They are... no longer with us. I'm perhaps the wrong person to explain what happened to them", said McGonagall.
John grew quiet as he always seemed to do upon mention of his biological parents. He'd known he was adopted for a few years now, but since then he'd always yearned to know who his biological parents were. Not that it meant that he didn't know Jeremy as his mum and dad.
"So... this school... you're saying that it will teach him how to be a wizard? And you're certain John has... wizard powers?" Helen interjected to try to take her son's mind off the sobering topic.
"Yes", said McGonagall. "Given your wizarding heritage, I assume that some strange occurrences may have happened around you. Something you couldn't explain which happened while you were perhaps emotionally distressed?" asked McGonagall.
John immediately thought of an instance when he was competing at the sports day high-jump event and somehow ended up on the roof of his school.
"Y-yeah, I can think of one", he said.
"But wait... John, you're meant to be going to Orleans Park next year! It's a great school!", said Ella.
"Ah, yes, I did think we may come to this issue eventually", said McGonagall. "But I must impress the importance of magical education to any wizard or witch. We will teach you how to control your powers. It is of course, your choice as his legal guardians", McGonagall said, nodding to Jeremy and Helen, "But simply put, his magic will become dangerous if he isn't taught proper magical control and application. It will become a risk to himself and to those around him", said McGonagall.
"Well... what will this mean for John's future?" asked Jeremy.
"He will have a place in wizarding society. Hogwarts is, in my admittedly biased view, the finest wizarding school in the world and its headmaster, Albus Dumbledore is widely regarded as the greatest wizard alive. Job prospects will be abundant and we offer careers advice before our standardised testing. We ensure that each Hogwarts student has a clear path before them", said McGonagall.
Jeremy and Helen looked at each other, still unsure.
"I think John should decide", said Ella, who blushed when the adults looked at her.
"I... I think you're right", said Helen with a trembling voice.
"Well... if there's a way for me to test if I really am a wizard... I'll go to this Hogwarts place. For all we know the weird thing that came to my mind might have another weird explanation", said John.
"Simple enough", said McGonagall, handing Helen her wand. "Give it a wave Mrs. Taylor. I expect nothing will happen"
Sure enough, Helen waved the wand and nothing happened.
"Now, your turn Mr. Potter", said McGonagall. John waved the wand at a cushion, which spun on the spot.
"I... guess that's decided then", said John.
"Very well. Now, for you to purchase your school supplies, we have plans in place to assist your brother-" McGonagall started.
"Brother. What?" John asked after his stomach did three somersaults.
John and the three Taylors listened as McGonagall explained how he and his brother (Harry) were separated when they were babies owing to some form of magical protection placed on Harry which the professor didn't exactly understand. She did seem to dodge certain questions, such as why Harry was with their parents and he wasn't at the time, but the important thing was that he was going to Hogwarts and that he was going to meet a brother he never knew he had.
And soon.
One month later
Harry woke up, having had the most peculiar dream. He dreamt that a giant called Hagrid had shown up and that he was going to a school of magic called Hogwarts. Expecting to be waking up on the floor, he was shocked to see a gigantic, hairy figure sitting in front of him. The rocking, he realised, was because he was on a boat. It was real... all of it!
"Mornin' Harry! Still yer birthday, so before we get ter buyin' yer school supplies, I figured there'd be one more nice surprise fer you!", said Hagrid.
Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Whassat?" he asked, inwardly cringing at how he always messed up the first sentence he spoke after waking up.
"There's someone yeh'll be meetin' today. He's waitin' fer us at the shore", said Hagrid, who didn't say anything further. Harry guessed that the surprise was the identity of the person he was going to meet and didn't press.
When their boat did eventually land at the shore of Brighton, Hagrid led Harry to four people who were apparently standing there, waiting for them. Two of them were adults, apparently a married couple who looked to be about forty years old. The woman was quite pretty and had blonde hair, tied up in a neat bun. The man was tall and heavily built, similar to a rugby player. There were two children with them. One was a miniature of the woman, who was apparently her mother. The boy with them however, didn't bear any familial resemblance to the other three. The man had light brown hair and blue eyes, the woman and girl had blonde hair and grey eyes. The boy however, had black hair and hazel eyes. He, like the girl, looked like he was very well cared for.
That however, wasn't what struck Harry. The boy's black hair looked just like his. It was scruffy, sticking up at the back. His nose was rounded and small, like Harry's. His eyes, while hazel, were shaped like Harry's. His jawline was as sharp as Harry's. If it weren't for the fact that the boy was much larger than Harry and with differently coloured eyes, he could've said he was looking at a mirror.
"Thank you Hagrid", said the woman, softly, not taking her eyes off Harry.
"Harry... meet yer brother", said Hagrid, happily.
The boy gave Harry an easy, confident and broad smile.
"The name's John", he said, extending his hand. Harry hesitantly took it. It seemed strange... that his first meeting with his brother was marked by a handshake, but then again, this was still their first meeting.
"My sister here's called Ella", said John and the girl like John, shook Harry's hand. She was beaming at him and in spite of not resembling John, she had that same easy confidence about her that Harry wished he had himself.
"Don't feel shy about calling us Jeremy and Helen", said the woman, warmly smiling at Harry as she and her husband shook his hand.
"S-so... am I going to be living with you from now?" asked Harry.
The smiles faded from their faces.
"I wish we could take you in. But we're not your legal guardians for one thing, and for another... there's supposed to be some complicated magic that ties you to the family already caring for you", said Jeremy.
Caring was a strong word for what the Dursleys did... but even if he wasn't to live with these new people there were at least people who could brighten up his days here and there.
"So... are you all wizards and witches?" asked Harry.
"Oh no. Only John here. The rest of us are... what are we called again?" asked Helen.
"Muggles - non magical folk", Hagrid supplied.
"Right... muggles. But you'll be off to Hogwarts with John soon, so we thought it was important to get you two introduced. It'll be a new world for both of you, so you'll need a familiar face!" said Jeremy bracingly.
"Exactly!" said Hagrid, happily. "So John, yeh'll be headin' out with Harry and me ter get yer school stuff and I'll take yeh back ter there place first before the Dursleys. Gives yeh time ter bond n'all tha'", said Hagrid.
The idea of bonding with a brother he never knew he had was surprisingly terrifying to Harry. This would be his first chance at really having a friend and some family. He didn't want to ruin it, that was certain.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea. We'll see the two of you later today then, alright?" asked Helen, smiling encouragingly.
The differences between Harry and John became very clear very quickly. John, unlike Harry had an easy confidence about him; it wasn't just a first impression thing. He was quite funny and sarcastic and certainly easy to get along with. Harry did however, get the impression that John had something of an ego about him (especially about playing rugby), but no one was perfect.
The first real shock of the day after meeting his brother however, was seeing his vault at the wizarding world's bank, Gringotts. Apparently their parents had left them a small fortune. It was worthless in the muggle world, but in the wizarding world they were clearly 'loaded' as John put it. There was a monumental pile of golden galleons in their vault, with piles of silver sickles stacked to the side and large numbers of bronze knuts scattered here and there too.
They spent a brilliant day in Diagon Alley, the main Wizarding shopping area of London getting their school supplies as well as some snacks. John, Harry found out was capable of eating a lot more than a normal eleven year old boy, though he was almost as big as Dudley, only without the fat.
As different as they were physically however, they looked forward to the same purchase that day; their wands.
"I wondered when I'd be seeing you... yes indeed... it almost seems yesterday when your mother and father were in here buying their first wands! And Hagrid, how good to see you! Sixteen inches, oak, wasn't it?"
The wandmaker, Olivander was an eccentric looking old wizard with shaggy grey hair and a stooped back. He apparently remembered each wand he sold, somehow.
"Yeah... I kept the pieces after... y'know", Hagrid mumbled.
"Hmm... anyway, up you come, we'll sort you out!", said Olivander, looking at the boys. Harry and John looked at each other quizzically and John stepped forward first upon seeing Harry's hesitation.
Olivander took a series of measurements of John's right hand and arm while John looked back at Harry, still confused. Once the measurements had finished, John was handed two separate wands which Olivander snatched out of his hands immediately, before a third was passed to him. John felt a jolt of heat shoot through his fingers and arm.
"Hmm... rather unsurprising in a way... that wand is twelve inches, slightly springy, made of a rare white pine with a dragon heartstring core... a very unusual combination", said Olivander.
"Why's that unusual?" John asked. He had no idea about any of what Olivander had been up to when giving him his wand.
"The first thing you must understand is that the wand chooses the wizard. The wand that has chosen you seems to have a wide range of properties... dragon heartstrings for example, produce the most powerful magic, though they are also the wands most easily turned to the dark arts... and yet the wood is a rare white pine, signifying a certain kind of... purity I might say. Integrity perhaps. Perhaps that's why the wand has a springy quality to it... some balance to the whole wand", said Olivander.
"Err... right", said John, who seemed slightly taken aback that there was so much to consider with wands. His first impression from McGonagall was that it was just a bit of wood that wizards or witches used to cast magic.
Ollivander had yet more to say when Harry's wand was chosen.
Harry listened as Ollivander explained that the phoenix from which the tail feather in his wand gave only one other feather to Ollivander. That wand happened to belong to the man who gave Harry the scar on his forehead. Not only that, but the wand had done a great number of extraordinary yet terrible feats of magic.
It didn't take Harry long to piece together that the one who owned that other wand was the real reason for his parents' death. That was something he simply had to ask Hagrid about.
"He... killed my parents, didn't he? The one who gave me this scar", said Harry, pointing at his forehead as he, Hagrid and John sat at a table at the Leaky Cauldron to eat a meal.
Hagrid visibly shuddered, but nodded.
"What happened that night? And why were we separated?" asked John.
The brothers sat and listened as Hagrid explained that it was a wizard called Voldemort (a name which was something of a taboo to use in modern wizarding society) who did it. Voldemort was apparently the most powerful dark wizard in memory, recent and historical. He targeted the Potters and killed their parents, before turning his wand on Harry and somehow... failing. At the cost of his powers, no less.
"Some folk say he died. Bunch o' rubbish if yeh ask me. I think he's still out there, barely alive, bidin' his time", Hagrid finished.
"But... why couldn't he kill Harry?" asked John. For the first time, John looked pale and frightened, which suggested that even though they'd known each other for less than a day, John already felt... fond of him? Protective? Whatever it was, it made Harry feel just a little bit warmer in the wake of Hagrid's chilling tale.
"No one knows. No one could withstand him and then suddenly, you did it as a baby. That's why yeh're so famous! You're the boy who lived... that's what they call yeh", said Hagrid. The three of them remained silent for a moment, before Harry asked his other burning question.
"So... why were John and I separated?" asked Harry.
"Circumstances I suppose. Yer mum an' dad were leavin' yeh with a couple of their friends... different friends mind yeh. John, you'd already been picked up by one of them. The other one was a bit delayed and he was on his way, but by the time he arrived..." Hagrid trailed off.
That made sense. However... something about Hagrid's tone made Harry feel like he was omitting something. He didn't want to ask however, because talking about that day ten years ago was clearly upsetting to Hagrid, who'd shown them nothing but kindness so far. He'd certainly done enough for them already.
Hagrid as promised, dropped Harry off at John's family's place to allow them to get to know each other further. The Taylors, John's adoptive family promised to drop him off back at Privet drive later, though he wasn't exactly looking forward to it.
"Which school were you meant to go to if it weren't for Hogwarts then?" John asked after they'd settled down with a plate of snacks in the living room.
"Stonewall High", said Harry simply.
Ella cringed.
"Is it that bad?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. My cousin's got a boyfriend who goes there and... well... he's lovely but he's told us... stories I'll say", Ella explained.
"Yeah, apparently the police were called there last year because a fight escalated to the point where one of the students pulled a knife out", said John.
Harry shuddered. This whole Hogwarts and the wizarding world situation seemed like more and more of a lucky escape.
"I was meant to go to Orleans Park. Really good school, great for rugby, but a whole new world? No way was I saying no to that!" said John.
"I wish I could go with you", said Ella mournfully.
"We'll see to it that John sends as much of the wizarding world as possible", said Mr. Taylor, eyeing John with a grin.
"Suppose I won't have much of a choice, will I?" asked John, grinning back at him.
Harry felt a pang in his chest. He'd never known what it was like to have a father or father figure. Adopted father or not, it was clear that John saw his adoptive family as a real family. He had no idea what it'd take to move in here, but he'd certainly make the effort.
"Anyway, do you play much sport?" asked John.
"Well... not really. I'm alright at basketball I suppose", said Harry.
"John's a little obsessed with sports, so you'll have to excuse him", said Mrs. Taylor, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Yeah, for someone so lazy, you wouldn't think he'd have the time to play rugby, have a black belt in karate and judo, go cycling around the neighbourhood with his friends every week and play golf with dad", said Ella, elbowing John slightly.
"Two black belts?" Harry asked, astonished.
"Well I did start when I was really small", said John fairly. "Failed both of my black belt gradings twice each", said John.
"How old were you when you started?" asked Harry.
"Five. If I never failed any gradings I'd have been a black belt when I was nine but I only got them a couple of months ago", said John. "Ella got her black belt in karate way before I did", he added.
"The one sporty thing I ever beat you in", said Ella.
"She didn't want to do judo. Wow, I'm blabbing on about sport again, aren't I?" John asked.
"Just a bit", said Harry, smiling slightly.
"What about Hogwarts then? Did Hagrid tell you much before we met you?" asked John.
"Not much really. Only that my- our mum and dad were head boy and head girl in their time", said Harry.
"Blimey. Hope that doesn't mean we're expected to behave ourselves", said John.
"You will behave yourself John. It's a new school, you have to make a good impression at least", said Mrs. Taylor sternly. "I won't be impressed if I have to be dragged into your school over some report that you've caused another explosion in chemistry or... potions I suppose for you"
"Explosion?" Harry asked, laughing.
"It wasn't supposed to explode to be fair..." said John sheepishly.
"He dropped a massive hunk of potassium into water when we were learning metal reactivity", said Ella, rolling her eyes.
"What? Why?" Harry asked.
"I was curious. The teacher dropped a piece the size of a pea into the water and it burned and skidded around and I thought it was cool, so I snuck away and grabbed a bigger piece of potassium and well... when I did it it wasn't exactly the same", said John, grinning.
Harry found himself laughing loudly, not only then, but regularly for the rest of the evening. He liked John and his family more than he could've hoped for and whether or not he was going back to Privet Drive or not, he was excited to see them again whenever possible.
It went without saying that on top of that, he was almost itching to get to Hogwarts with John.