Author's Note: So, I'm here with my first Harry Potter story. I'm excited for this one. It's 'Wrong Boy Who Lived' and 'Reincarnated Peverell' Alternate Universes since I enjoy those a lot. There will be some bashing to certain individuals, including the Potters and Albus, however I'll try not to make it too extreme even if I really, really don't like Albus Dumbledore now that I'm an adult.
There will be no romance, as I've never felt comfortable writing it. However, there will be relationships! Just not romantic ones. Please remember this. I will sometimes go back just to tweak certain parts and correct grammar so if it updates but there's no new chapter then it's probably that. This is Pre-Hogwarts right now. I hope you'll let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or that world. All rights belong to its creator J. K. Rowling. I make no money from this. It is purely for my entertainment.
Summary:
Harry James Potter's older twin brother- Richard Fleamont Potter- is declared the Boy-Who-Lived. This unfortunately results in Harry being neglected until he's six and left with Petunia Dursley when they begin to train Richard.
After weeks of Harry not being checked up on, things begin to go downhill for Harry who refuses to put up with it any longer. He has a strange dream involving Death and two others with the order to go to Gringotts on the 31st of July. Doing as told, he leaves for Gringotts, in hopes of finding a way for him to get out of the Potters' control and answers to his dream.
Enter Severus Snape and a reborn Tom Riddle who are also following the instructions from the dream the three of them have shared. Here, they find out truths and clear up misunderstandings. In addition, they may even find a family. As the year leading up to Hogwarts begins to pass, many objectives need to be completed before they enter Hogwarts.
Not as a Potter, Snape, and Riddle. But rather, as the brothers of the Ancient and Noble Peverell name. With much to do before Hogwarts, including getting accustomed to having a family, tracking down Horcruxes, and coming up with ways of screwing the Potters either before or during the first school year, they may not have much quiet time before then. Can they succeed anyways? Only they can figure that out.
The Dream
Almost ten-years old Harry James Potter tossed and turned on his uncomfortable cot in the cupboard under the Dursleys' stairs. He was used to difficulty sleeping. Has been for years due to hunger and pain.
However, he knew the reason for its persistence this time, as it was the same as it had been for the last four years since he had been abandoned by his so-called family, the Potters. It was nearly the 31st of July, his and Richard's 10th birthday.
Not that he had actually celebrated his birthday since he was five years old when all of their parties became Richard's parties. Well, there was once he remembers, when he was six a few months before he wound up here where he hasn't celebrated since.
He still has the journal that had been gifted to him by the dark-haired potions master. It was one of the only things he had been permitted when they told him he'd be living with their muggle relatives for a bit. That, some muggle books, and his muggle clothes that he hadn't outgrown in four years thanks to forced child labor and malnutrition due to a lack of food.
He sighed, wondering if he'd ever be free from this hole or if he was destined to live this way until Hogwarts. Then what? It's not like the Potters would take him back. They hadn't even visited since they left him on the Dursleys' doorstep. Would he just wind up back here every summer? He snorted quietly as his eyes finally began to drop after hours of struggling. 'As if there were any other options for the rejected Potter twin.' he thought bitterly falling asleep.
It felt like an instant later when his eyes opened to a beautiful cottage. It was a warm honey brown in a clearing surrounded by thick woods with a clear stream flowing into them. The trees were dark, despite the supposedly noon time sun shining down on the scene. He blinked.
Harry was used to strange dreams over the past few years. He has dreamt he was an only child and his parents had died to protect him that night. That dream had left him feeling guilty for some time.
He's dreamt he was a girl, he dreamt he was a Malfoy, and he's had other dreams where he's part of several other families. He's dreamt of different moments in each of these different lives.
And in many those, they had some starring roles. The dark-haired potions master that had given him his only gift after everyone else forgot he was also born on that day. And the man who had put all of this into motion.
So, yeah, Harry was used to strange dreams. Yet even then, he knew that's all they were. Dreams. This, however, was different. This felt more real than any of the others ever had.
The door to the cottage- a pale brown mahogany- opened. He didn't feel threatened, so he slowly entered the cottage. The ground story was an open floor plan with a warm kitchen to one side, a partial partition separated it from the living room where three others were sitting. He could see a couple doors down the hall but went to the living room despite wanting to explore.
"Ah, there you are. I knew you'd arrive sooner rather than later." The tallest of the trio said as they turned towards him. The one who spoke was a skeletally thin figure, and Harry couldn't make out any facial features through their hood. At least, not anything except for bright green eyes exactly like his own. Another point against Harry in the eyes of Lily, as they were so different from her own emerald, an emerald which Richard had shared.
Harry knew this figure, but he couldn't place where from at the moment. "You did?" He asked, focusing on the figure's words instead.
"I did. Just as I knew all three of you would arrive here." Harry glanced at the other two and his eyes widened as he recognized both. There was Severus, the one who had gifted him his never-ending journal. The other, Harry knew only from putting together things from his many dreams and his own memories. Tom Marvolo Riddle, also known as Voldemort, who had attacked his family nine Halloweens ago.
"It seems you recognize me." Severus said in amusement and relief.
"Yes! I still have the journal you gave me."
"You do?" He seemed surprised by that but pleased as well. Harry nodded vigorously.
"Yup! I love it. I have to keep it hidden from the Dursleys though, so they don't try to destroy it or take it from me." Harry pouted a little at that.
"Petunia Dursley?" Severus asked, confused. Harry nodded. "Why are you with that harpy and not with the Potters?"
"They left me there when I was six so they could start training Richard or something like that. They never came back." Harry shrugged. Severus's sharp gaze ran over the 10-year-old boy. He scowled darkly.
"I see that the bi- woman- hasn't changed." The man caught himself. "You're supposed to be ten but don't look any older than seven! What did they do to you?" Harry was surprised by the venom in the other's voice.
And it was for him, not at him. Huh. He had forgotten what someone caring about his wellbeing had felt like. So, Harry told them about the lack of food, the endless chores, and the dark, cramped cupboard under the stairs he slept in.
They were all furious on his behalf and it felt weird after so long. "This is a bigger issue than I foresaw. But not as horrible as I feared." The first figure muttered, seeming to be lost in their thoughts.
Leaving them to it, he turned to the other man with them. "You're Tom Riddle, also called Voldemort." He said with a searching look. "You don't look like you did that night. You look more human." Harry mused, and it was the truth. Instead of the snake-like being that had arrived at Godric's Hollow that night- similar to how he had appeared in some of his dreams- he looked more like he did from a different dream. The one where he was an orphaned Gryffindor and single child. Just older.
Thick dark brown- almost black- hair, pale brownish red eyes, and pale skin. "You remember that night?" Tom asked, sounding startled. As well as ashamed and embarrassed... This was nothing like the maniac from that night.
"Parts of it. I remember you entering the room and I remember the curse and explosion that followed."
Tom frowned. "I am sorry for that night. I was literally insane due to several mistakes I made in my youth, and I wish I could take that back. But I don't know if I can. Especially with the life you're being forced to survive at the hands of those monsters you're with." The man deeply and genuinely apologized.
"It's fine. I blame the Potters for abandoning me. Not you for just trying to win a war."
"What a mature outlook on things." Severus said dryly, but in agreement. "Although I'm curious how you knew who he was." Severus mused.
"That would partly be my fault, I'm afraid." The first figure said, getting the trio's attention once more.
"How can it be your fault? It's just dreams." Harry said confused.
"Dreams? Please don't tell me you're a seer." Tom sounded horrified on the boy's behalf.
"No. No, Harry is not a seer. Do not worry. But he did see other realities through dreams." The first figure said. That only relaxed the two men slightly.
It was then that it clicked for Harry. "I've seen you before. You're in every one of those dreams! You're Lord Death." Then he frowned as Death's words registered. "Other realities?" He echoed.
"Indeed, no matter the world or reality, I am present. Always. No one is exempt." Death said. "Other realities. It's a gift that really shouldn't have been awoken in you quite yet. I expected it to remain dormant for another century or two." He mused.
"Another century or two?" The three dark haired males asked.
"Indeed. I suspect if it's been going on for at least a few years then that's enough time for it to quiet down. It's a way of gaining answers through interpretation of other events. These dreams will begin to arrive depending on your current situation. At first it was probably all over the place since very few options have yet to settle. They will be more specific as time goes by. But it shouldn't be too often now that you're here."
"Where is here? And why are we here?" Tom asked.
"This is my realm. And you three are here because I have a request, and a chance for something more. This will be yours whether you accept my request or not." He assured them. The trio shared a look before turning to the deity before them.
"We'll hear you out." They spoke.
"I am sure you know of the Dark Lord." He began. The trio tensed but nodded. "As he currently is, he is an abomination and threat to the world's balance. If he isn't stopped, he'll cause a terrible imbalance to magic, and it'll disappear from the world."
Harry's eyes widened. He had seen something similar to that and it had been a nightmare for him to witness. "That's a worst-case scenario. The loss of magic would lead to the death of the world as a whole, since magic is necessary for existence." He worried his bottom lip.
"Exactly." Death said. "And as things stand, he is beyond my reach."
"How?" Severus asked in concern. Realization dawned in Tom's eyes as he hissed.
"The Horcruxes!" Severus reacted without thinking and smacked the man upside the head. "Ow! Hey!"
"Horcruxes Tom? Horcruxes! What the hell! How many?"
"Six."
"Six?" Severus smacked the man again, ignoring his protests. "No wonder you became a genocidal megalomaniac!" Severus snarled.
"I know! I know!" He cried, stepping back from the enraged potions master who only started to calm down after Harry gently touched his arm.
"We wondered why things had changed. You no longer cared about the wizarding world or its people anymore, just spilling any blood that wasn't pure blood despite being half-blood like me." Severus said. "Which leads me to wonder how you're here. Are you reformed? Or are you a wraith with a human form in this realm?"
"Reborn." Death answered. "Thanks to the ring he used as a vessel. It is only because of the stone set in this ring that I was able to access it." He held up a ring that all three had recognized from one point or another either in their lives, in Severus and Tom's cases. Or through dreams, in Harry's.
"How come?" Harry asked curiously, eyes focused on the stone. It was familiar.
"Because this is one of my three Hallows." Death answered, breaking the stone from its setting in the ring and allowing the gaudy gold to melt into nothingness.
"Those are real?" Severus asked in some shock, eyeing the black and silver stone. All this time it was believed to just be a story. Death nodded.
"It is also yours." Death added holding the stone out to him. Severus blinked but did not take it.
"I'm sorry? What do you mean it is mine?"
"That is a part of the reason it has to be the three of you to get rid of the Horcruxes and shade of Voldemort that is haunting the living realm."
"I don't think I'm following." Tom said hesitantly, eyeing the stone that was forced into Severus's hand wearily. Harry gasped softly.
"Surely not." He said, looking into matching Avada green eyes.
"Indeed. That is the way of things."
"We're the Peverell Brothers from the story reincarnated?" Harry squeaked. Severus and Tom froze. That... Those words had implications.
"Indeed. And it is only they who can be rid of this slight against nature and order."
"What about the Prophecy?" Severus asked at a loss.
"Prophecy?" Harry asked with a furrowed brow. Severus winced before continuing. Harry, more than anyone else, had a right to know.
"I overheard a partial prophecy during the early part of my career as a Death Eater. I reported it which was a bad decision on my part considering how he went manic from it. I told Albus Dumbledore when I realized the affect it had on the man I followed and naively hoped that the Light would be able to dissuade the notion." Severus sighed.
"Albus believed I turned out of love for Lily. I'm not sure where he got the notion that I was in love with her from. I merely loved her at the time... Like an older sister. My hope was that Tom would regain some rationality if his target wasn't easily available. Or for more time to figure out a solution with Lucius and Narcissa's help."
"Instead, I became more obsessed that there was merit to it. Which is why it had said merit." Tom realized himself.
"You have one thing wrong there." Death said. "It was Voldemort, not Tom Riddle, who set the prophecy into motion. You are not him any longer. After all, he exists on that plain already. Can't have two of you in the same plain, believe it or not." Death explained. "And this situation makes the two of you very different people."
"And prophecy can't be trumped once it's set into motion. The interpretation or solution, on the other hand, can be manipulated. However, we won't need any of that in this case, as it's possible to complete the prophecy's requirements with those present."
"But Richard's the Boy-Who-Lived. If prophecy can't be trumped, we'll need him." Harry pointed out. Death hummed.
"Is he? I happen to remember coming to the cottage expecting to collect the youngest child's soul."
"How?" Harry asked, not sure how to react at the news yet.
"Well, your magic and his recognized each other as brothers, even faintly and magics put on the blood caused the rebound. As his soul was heavily damaged, he became a wraith rather than surviving whole as you had. Though you retained a part of his soul becoming his seventh Horcrux, which will be dealt with later."
Harry was silent for a long moment before breaking into painful, slightly hysterical laughter. The two other men gained extremely concerned expressions at the reaction. "Harry?" Tom asked cautiously.
"This is just perfect! I was wondering how I could get revenge on the Potters for how they treated me and left me in that hell hole. To know that they chose the wrong one. Oh Merlin." Harry sobered up suddenly. Another worrying factor that pointed to a not so sound mentality. "Oh yeah. I'm still stuck with the Potters. They can just take me back and force me to follow their agendas." Harry looked disgusted at the thought.
"Actually, this is where that chance comes in. But we are, unfortunately, running out of time here." Death said. "All I can say in the time left is to go to Gringotts when you three wake up. Arrive at noon and request Guardian Goblin Ragnok. He's been expecting the three of you for some time." Death paused before adding.
"When the goblin teller requests his proof, merely show him my mark which will be present when you return and validate your claim. This is my gift to you. Regardless of your stance on my request." He promised and they believed him.
"But why? It can't be just because we're reincarnated, right?" Harry asked confused. Death radiated a feral aura in that moment.
"Because you three are mine, and it is my right to do so." He answered, sending shivers down their spines at the possessive answer. His aura gentled suddenly. Soothing yet with no hint of embarrassment at the response. Merely conviction in it.
"I was unable to get to any of you in time to prevent the tragedies in your lives. This is my atonement for that. You best pack what you want to keep, Harry. You won't be returning to those things. That I can guarantee." Death added.
"Is there any way we can get a hold of you to give you our answer or ask any questions we may have?" Severus asked.
"A ritual on Samhain using the stone will reach me. I'm afraid it's also the earliest way to do so. Once a Hallow is used in a ritual to summon me, it can also be used to contact me. Once all three have been bathed in the ritual magics and connected to my marks that you'll bare, it'll be easier to contact me no matter the time or place." He informed them.
It was then that the ambient light from outside that had been so bright was suddenly darkened. Like a heavy cloud covering the sun. "Time to go I'm guessing." Severus stated.
"Indeed. Until Samhain." Death told them as darkness filled the room.
-The Peverell Brothers-
Three males woke up in the early morning light of July 31st. Dream firmly lodged into their minds, they began to get ready for the day ahead.
Things would change that day. And three wizards who never knew a real family were unknowingly going to get a second chance at what they had been so tragically deprived of.
Author's Note: And there we go. It's short and I'm hoping the chapters will be longer as I progress in the writing. I can't guarantee reliable updates, I just know I'm in my Harry Potter phase for now. Until the next one. Please let me know what you thought.