Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe is NOT mine! It belongs to JK Rowling, Warner Bros and Scholastic Books, I only own copies of the books and films. I am just having some fun in the sandbox that Rowling created. There will be some OCs that I've created that will inhabit the Wizarding World.

Author's Note:Just want to let everyone know that this story will not completely line up with the canon story as set down by JK Rowling when she created the amazing Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The main change to the Harry Potter timeline is that Hogwarts starts two years later than in canon, so Harry and company start their first year Sept. 1, 1993. The events of the Harry Potter story remain the same, up until the start of this story, so books 1-5 all happen in the same fashion, just two years later. The other main change is that there will be a deeper exploration of the Potter family.

"I am sure you have many questions Harry," Arthur said as he led Harry into the house, Matthew following behind them, carrying Harry's trunk. "And I will answer them once we get comfortable."

"Sounds good," Harry said, looking around the entrance hall. In front of him, there was a staircase that led up to the first floor, to Harry's left there was a large formal dining area, and to Harry's right there was a large sitting room with several comfortable looking chairs and a large sofa arrayed in front of a television. The far wall of the sitting room was lined with bookcases, full of books.

"Let us talk in my office," Arthur said, leading Harry down the hall into a richly decorated office that was behind the sitting room, next to the kitchen. "Please sit down, would you like something to drink?"

"Just some water I suppose."

"Of course." Arthur stepped out of the office and into the kitchen.

While he waited, Harry took in the office. The room was dominated by a large desk set in the center of the room, framed by two large windows. There was a fireplace against one wall, the rest of the walls were covered by bookcases much like the sitting room. There was also a door opposite the fireplace that led to a washroom.

"Here you are Harry," Arthur said, placing a glass of water in front of Harry, and setting a cup of tea down for himself on the desk. "Now then, let us begin. You can ask me any question; I might not be able to answer but I will tell you why I cannot."

"Ok, my first question is simple: where have you been my whole life?" Harry asked. "I never knew about you, why would no one tell me that I had another relative, let alone one from my father's family?"

"Very few still alive in the magical world knew of my existence," Arthur said. "As I said at the Dursleys, I am a Squib, the first born to the Potter line in over two centuries. And back when I was younger, it was seen as a disgrace to have a Squib born to your family. Many children vanished if they did not show any magic, if they were lucky, they were shipped off into the non-magical world, but if they were not lucky, the embarrassment was taken care off."

Harry swallowed heavily as he realized that Arthur was telling him that some Squibs were killed by their families because they didn't have magic.

"But I am getting slightly ahead of things," Arthur said after taking a sip of his tea. "I was born on March 6th, 1919, several months after the end of the Great War. My parents were Fleamont Gawain Potter and Euphemia Potter nee Beaumont, and I had an older brother who was eighteen years older than I was. His name was Charlus Percival Potter, and he was my hero, and your grandfather."

"I do not know how much of our family legacy you have been told…"

"I didn't even know what my parents' names were until I went to Hogwarts," Harry said.

Arthur's hand trembled around his cup of tea, and Harry saw his uncle close his eyes and breathe out sharply to calm himself.

"That is something we will rectify nephew," Arthur said. "But that will come later. When it came time for my Hogwarts letter to arrive, I was so excited to go. Charlus had told me all sorts of stories about the castle, his lessons, everything, that I could hardly wait to go. But my letter never came, and the unfortunate truth came out, I was considered a Squib. I had some magic in me but not enough to use a wand or fly on a broom."

"At this time, the magical world was both very similar and very different to today," Arthur said. "Non-magicals and those not from magical families were still looked down upon though it was not as obvious and outspoken, mostly it was just that the magical world ignored the non-magical one. But the Potter family has kept a foot in both worlds as much as was possible. The line had been all magical for centuries, though not because we only married magical families."

"It did take some time for me to get over the fact that I would never follow in my brother's footsteps at Hogwarts," Arthur said. "Charlus never treated me differently, not did my parents but there was a rift that appeared. I was quietly put into the non-magical school system after being tutored up, and I excelled. I vowed to prove to everyone that sneered at me or looked down at my family, that they were wrong. Because of my scores, and my desire to make something of myself on my own, I received an officer's commission at what is now Sandhurst in 1937."

"You joined the muggle military?"

"I joined His Majesty's Army yes," Arthur said. "Like I said, I wanted to make something of myself with my own abilities, and joining the military was a way to do so. The unrest on the continent, in both worlds, was growing. I am sure you know of what I speak."

"So, the rumor was true, that Grindelwald was working with the Nazis?" Harry asked.

"Nothing was every truly proven Harry," Arthur said. "Only that Grindelwald took advantage of the unrest and sought control for himself. But that story is for another time. After joining the Academy, I spent the next two years studying, training and preparing. I kept in touch with my parents and Charlus, and they were there when I graduated as a 2nd lieutenant."

"They were there?"

"Of course, even though we were of a magical line, my parents and brother knew how important service to one's country was," Arthur said. "My father, Fleamont, was an Auror within the Ministry, eventually retiring as Head Auror in 1922. Charlus joined the Auror Corps after he graduated from Hogwarts, rising through the ranks all the way to being the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Head. So, me joining the Army seemed normal."

"My first posting after graduating was as an advisor across the Channel," Arthur said. "Even as a wet-behind-the-ears 2nd lieutenant, I could see that warfare had changed much since the end of the Great War, let alone prior to that. Somewhat amusedly, non-magical warfare was moving closer to how magical duels are carried out."

"What does that mean?" Harry asked, recalling his two experiences in dueling, against Malfoy in his 2nd year, and then against Voldemort in the graveyard.

"I am not talking about some schoolyard duel, where one bows to the other, up on some narrow and raised platforms for all the world to watch," Arthur said. "Most magical duels are mobile events; the best are ones who are able to avoid getting hit and hitting one's opponent where they aren't expecting such."

The description Arthur gave sent Harry back to the Department of Mysteries, images of spells flashing and people rushing about.

"Harry, Harry, are you alright?" Arthur's voice broke through the memories. "You've gone quite white."

"I am fine," Harry said, blinking away the Department of Mysteries from his eyes. "Just some bad memories."

"Are you sure Harry?" Arthur asked. "I am sure that today has been quite a shock, and we can stop here and begin again in the morning?"

"No," Harry said sharply. "No, I want to know everything."

"Very well," Arthur said. "War broke out within a year of me arriving in France, and I was lucky enough to be rescued off the beaches of Dunkirk, and was able to see my brother get married a year later. I was promoted to full Lieutenant during the height of the Blitz after manning a radar station. I was on my way to a posh London posting by the end of the Blitz but I wanted to do my part. I wasn't going to be someone who sat back and let others do the fighting. I was a Potter, even if I didn't have magic, and Potters have always been those who lead from the front, we don't hide behind others."

Harry felt a swell of pride at learning more of his father's family's history. All anyone had told him about his father was that James was brave, loyal and willing to fight for what was right, though that was slightly colored by Snape's memories and the fact that James had been a berk when he was younger.

"So, I managed to get transferred to the Middle East where the action was heating up," Arthur said. "And it was there, in that God-forsaken desert, where I truly found my calling. After several weeks of bouncing between the front against Rommel and his Africa-corp, and recovering in Cairo, I ran into a very peculiar lieutenant who had a revolutionary idea."

"And what was that?"

"The creation of a very specialized unit that could operate behind enemy lines with very little in the way of support," Arthur said. "The unit was initially known only as 'L' detachment but it later became known as the Special Air Service."

Harry's jaw dropped. Even though he was sheltered from the Muggle world, he knew of the SAS. He recalled learning about the SAS at first before he went to Hogwarts when Uncle Vernon made Petunia and Dudley watch a television program commemorating the ten-year anniversary of the Iranian Embassy Siege.

"You were in the SAS?" Harry asked.

"I was," Arthur said. "I fought in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany with the unit. I lost a lot of friends during those campaigns but we managed to do our part in defeating the Nazis. After the war, I had the option to retire, come home, find a nice girl and start a family but by that time my parents had been killed by agents of Grindelwald and while Charlus and I were still as close as our lives could let us be, there was nothing left for me in England. So, I decided to remain in the Army."

Arthur took a sip of his tea while Harry took a drink of his water.

"After the war, I rarely spent time in England until I retired in 1967 as a Major after thirty years in the Army," Arthur said. "By this point, your father had already been born but both Charlus and I decided for me to remain away. When our parents were killed by agents of Grindelwald, Charlus suggested that I fake my death at least as it pertained to the magical world."

"Why?"

"I am a Squib, I wouldn't really be able to protect myself against magic," Arthur said. "And I did not want to be a burden on Charlus, not that he would consider myself as such. But he had his own family to worry about with his growing list of enemies due to his work as an Auror and during the war against Grindelwald. And because of that, James, your father, was not aware of me so he never told any of his friends about me. Charlus and I did exchange letters, and that's how I came to learn about your mother and you."

"Unfortunately, history has a nasty habit of repeating itself," Arthur said. "In 1980, your grandparents, my brother Charlus and his wife Dorea, were killed in a Death Eater attack on Diagon Alley. And because we had kept my existence hidden from James, I could not attend the funeral. I only found out about your parents' own deaths because I was able to get a copy of the Daily Prophet several days after that Halloween. I spent weeks trying to find you but couldn't and for that I am sorry Harry."

"It is not your fault Uncle," Harry said. "My parents were betrayed by a close friend, and I was supposed to go to the care of my godfather."

"Perhaps now it is your turn to tell a story Harry," Arthur suggested. "You've heard mine, but I don't know yours."

Harry sighed. He had a feeling that this was coming, and Arthur was right, he had told his own story, so not it was Harry's turn. Taking a deep breath, Harry began. He knew it would take some time but as he began, Harry noticed that the weight that had been pressing down on his chest and shoulder for what felt like ages had begun to lessen. Arthur remained silent throughout Harry's tale, the only sounds being Harry's voice and the occasional tapping of a pen on notepad next to Arthur.

When Harry finally ended his tale, he felt completely wrung out. He had drained his glass of water several times over while talking but even so his voice felt scratchy and his throat raw. Harry looked up as Arthur had remained silent for most of Harry's telling, and Harry couldn't help but flinch at the rage in Arthur's eyes.

"I am not angry with you Harry," Arthur said. "I am angry at a great many people but you are certainly not one of them. You have been failed by many people, I am one of them, and it is to them that I direct my anger."

"Uncle…"

"No Harry, you will not dissuade me of my own share of guilt," Arthur said. "I shall do all I can to make up for my errors. But we shall discuss that later, now Harry, while you wishing to join the Army is a very noble thing to do, and in any other situation, I would be all for it."

"But?"

"Please do not take this the wrong way Harry but I do not think you are ready to join."

"Why not? Is it my age?"

"No, it is not your age Harry," Arthur said. "As I told you, I joined the Army when I was your age. No, my reasoning is because I feel you need healing."

"Healing? I am not hurt."

"Physically, perhaps not," Arthur said. "But emotionally, you are certainly hurting. While you are not a soldier, please listen to an old one when I say I recognize the signs of PTSD."

"PTSD?"

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," Arthur explained. "You have gone through so much in your young life, too much for someone your age, and I would wager a guess that you haven't had someone to talk with about your history."

"I just did with you."

"You did, and that is a wonderful start," Arthur said. "PTSD is something that many soldier deal with, especially those who have seen combat. Being under immense and constant stress takes its toll on one's mind and body. You should only be worrying about your grades at school and perhaps if a girl you fancy fancies you back. Unfortunately, you have had to deal with much more than any young man should have too. And that is the fault of the people who were meant to raise and protect you."

"What does this have to do with me not being ready to join the Army?" Harry asked.

"Because I don't know if you are mentally ready," Arthur said. "Basic training is all about breaking you down, and then building you back up. It is a very difficult thing, there are those who fail out of basic training, who can't physically handle it, or they break mentally. And I fear that you are not mentally ready for the stress that it would put on you."

"Are you saying I am crazy or weak?"

"No!" Arthur said sharply. "Never that Harry, I am just saying that you have gone through so much and think perhaps you need a break."

Harry looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. "I guess I can understand," he said. "It's just I feel that if I do take a break, I will fall apart. I need to be doing something, Voldemort is out there, getting stronger and I am already so far behind him, I can't wait anymore."

Arthur sighed as he looked down at his nephew. He could tell that Harry was teetering on the edge of a breakdown, Arthur had seen many young men break under the strain of combat, and yet they had undergone training when Harry had not. Arthur marveled at his nephew's fortitude in the face of such misery and hardship, and yet Arthur knew that everyone had their breaking point. And with Harry's abilities, if he broke, who knows what might happen.

"I understand the feeling of needing to be doing something," Harry said. "When my parents were killed, I was stationed overseas. When I received word, I wanted nothing more than to rush back to England and then track down the scum who had killed them. But I couldn't, I couldn't abandon my men even if they would have understood. I spent countless nights burying the rage I felt at their killers, at my brother who couldn't protect them, and mostly at myself for not having magic so I could have protected them."

"How about a compromise then Harry?" Arthur said. "Give me the rest of the summer before making a decision. You will undergo a basic training course under my supervision, and at the end of it, I will know if you are ready to truly enlist. Is that acceptable?"

Harry sat quiet for several moments before nodding. "It's a deal Uncle," he said. "I promise you, I won't disappoint you."

"I know you won't Harry."

A/N: Happy 2025 one and all! Thank you for reading this new chapter, and please excuse any mistakes I make regarding the Britishisms, as I am American, so I'm not completely up on the British slang, plus I'm trying to make it seem like we are back in the later-1990s, and not using slang that people use today. Also, thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the tragic events in New Orleans last night/this morning. It absolutely sucks that we had to start off a new year with such a tragedy. Until next time, thank you again for reading and please leave your comments if you would be so kind.