Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any intellectual property associated with Harry potter.

Author's note: Hello everyone!

The only notable change you need to know before entering the world of Jakob Quade is that the starting age for beginning Hogwarts is 13, not 11, in this AU story.

Chapter 1. A dark room.

He tossed and turned in his bed, the darkness around him punctuated by stark flashes of lightning. The thunder roared like a million howling voices that seemed to fill every corner of the room with unearthly cries, making it look like someone had unleashed a powerful white Avada Kedavra.

The 13-year-old teenager let out a long sigh, flopped onto his back and stared up towards the ceiling. After flying outside with Draco the entire day, Jakob Quade was utterly exhausted.

However, he couldn't seem to find the peace he required to drift off to sleep, his eyes unwillingly opening every time he tried to shut them. His body was burdened with fatigue after hours of manoeuvring a broom, yet his legs were restless enough to send a tingling sensation coursing through them.

His heart raced as he watched the violent thunderstorm from his king-sized bed. With each lightning flash that illuminated the room, the boy held his breath, counting down the seconds until the flash vanished, leaving behind nothing but the eerie howling of the wind and the sound of trees being whipped by the storm.

His body almost trembled with excitement as the sound of thunder boomed in his ears and clashed with the roaring storm outside. The thirteen-year-old lay there, eagerly anticipating the next lightning strike.

During the brief pauses in the lightning, his eyes roamed his spacious room. His gaze came to a rest near his desk, where a Nimbus 2000 was hovering in the corner, a gift from his father earlier that summer. The desk was cluttered with stacks of homework and handwritten parchments assigned by his homeschool teacher during their classes.

Moving away from the papers, he cast an anxious glance at the open wardrobe, hoping a boggart wouldn't suddenly rush out and consume him, as his older sister had often teased him about.

"I wonder what the Boggart would transform into if I faced it," the boy whispered in the dark, a sense of unease washing over him as he averted his eyes.

Jakob continued looking around and felt overwhelmed by the size of his room; it was way too big for his liking. He would, however, never express his feelings about his room loudly to his father, Thomas. After all, if his father realised that his son wasn't pleased with the luxurious and expansive space, there would be severe repercussions.

As the heir to the noble and ancient House of Quade, Jakob was expected to impress guests with the grandeur of his surroundings. They were supposed to envy what he had, but the 13-year-old boy understood differently. A prison made of gold was still a prison.

People already knew his identity everywhere he went, and he had never been able to establish his identity or act like an ordinary boy. Instead, Jakob lived within the meticulously crafted image his father had designed for him.

A Pureblooded and intelligent boy, deemed suitable for this society, were the exact words Lucius Malfoy had once used to describe him to the minister.

What he had called his own son and Jakob's best friend was not as kind, but the two boys had grown up in this climate and were not so easily broken by words anymore.

His gaze settled on the wall where his family crest hung proudly, and a twinge of resentment rose within him. The sight of the crest reminded him of the burdens that came with his name. It felt like an inescapable weight, one he could never shake off. Despite the privileges that accompanied it, he yearned for the freedom to live life on his terms, free from the crushing weight of his lineage's expectations. Material possessions held no temptation for him.

He craved power, a reputation built on his own accomplishments rather than his lineage.

"I will become something greater than all of them. I won't turn into another old man, sitting behind a desk and passing laws I don't even care about," whispered the now more irritated 13-year-old, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He was determined to be exceptional, to be stronger. He was willing to go to lengths that others would never dare, and when Jakob was finished, every wizard and witch would recognise him for his achievements rather than his name alone.

A powerful gust of wind, determined to cause chaos, flung the window in Jakob's room open with a loud crash. Deep in his thoughts, the boy was jolted by the sudden noise. He swiftly sprang from his bed and hurried to the window, where he grappled with it for a few moments before successfully closing it.

As he turned around in his black pyjamas, a tired sigh escaped him as he noticed that the papers from his desk had been scattered across the floor. Taking a few steps, he got down on one knee and carefully collected the pieces of parchment one by one. As he did, the young boy noticed a piece of paper, larger than the others, with gold lettering that read "House Quade - A History". Picking it up, today's lesson came back like a daydream.

His professor had been lecturing about the Quade family, emphasising their status as one of the oldest noble houses in Europe, with roots tracing back to Germany. The Quades were renowned for their extensive knowledge of spellcasting and magical potions, and they had even visited Britain generations ago to share their expertise.

The Quade family possessed a long and storied history that extended as far back as anyone could remember. Tales of their achievements and power had been passed down from generation to generation with great admiration. According to legend, the Quades were celebrated in German folklore for their mastery of all things mysterious and dark.

When every piece of paper was neatly stacked on his desk again, Jakob slipped back into bed and surrounded himself in the comforting warmth of his covers. With Quade's lesson fresh in his mind, the recent lecture about the Quade family's history swirled through his mind, reigniting his curiosity about his heritage.

Growing up, the youngest Quade member had heard stories about distant family members in Germany, but he never had the opportunity to travel there and meet them. He became increasingly curious about his heritage, wondering about his roots and those who shared his blood. He couldn't help but feel a connection to a place so far away from home, like something or someone was calling to him. His mind had worked countless days in his life, trying to imagine what life would have been like if he had been born there instead of in Britain.

Jakob's grandparents had passed away long before his birth, leaving his father with a sizable company that he knew, one day, he would be expected to inherit. The prospect of taking over the family business was not something he looked forward to.

The war that had ended 11 years ago had put a dent in the growth of the Quade family's business, but it was nothing Thomas Quade couldn't fix. Lord Quade had fought alongside the dark lord and the Dark Alliance, and Thomas had demonstrated the power and influence of his house, making a significant contribution to Lord Voldemort's strength during the conflict.

Suddenly, one night, it all came to a swift end with none other than Harry Potter and his annoying twin, Ivy. No one knew exactly how it had happened, but after that fateful night, the dark lord, the leader of the Dark Alliance and supposed saviour of the wizarding world, had been defeated.

Jakob snorted in disbelief and turned to his side. "Can't be so great if a mere toddler beat him," he muttered, unable to comprehend how a young child could have brought down the dark lord.

Susie, the housemaid and a loyal servant of the house had once confided in Jakob that his mother had played a significant role in persuading his father to align with the dark lord. When Jakob, driven by curiosity, had inquired why his father needed convincing, she had simply shrugged and said,

"If only I knew what was going through that man's head."

In any case, when the war came to an abrupt and unexpected end, Jakob's father managed to escape any repercussions by following a path similar to Lord Malfoy's, although Susie had never disclosed the exact details.

Jakob had been puzzled when he first heard the story. His father's actions seemed to imply that he wasn't fully committed to serving the dark lord despite being a proud member of the Dark Alliance and having close ties to Lord Malfoy, who often praised the dark lord's actions and plans for the future.

The inconsistencies in his father's behaviour left Jakob with questions and doubts. Still, he had learned early not to pry too deeply into matters concerning his father, especially those related to the dark lord and the dark alliance.

Jakob jolted upright in his bed, his heart racing, as a series of knocks echoed from the other side of the door. He hesitated, his mouth half-open to respond, but decided to remain silent, straining to discern who might be seeking entry.

At first, he thought it could be Emma, but a vivid image of his father filled his mind, leaving him with a dry mouth. If Thomas were to discover Jakob awake at this hour, there would surely be consequences.

"Alohomora."

The Quade heir couldn't help but smirk at hearing the caster's voice, but he quickly closed his eyes and turned over in bed, hoping to appear asleep. The sound of bare feet rapidly thudding against the marble floor grew louder as the intruder approached his bed.

"It's alright, little pest, it's just me," said a hushed voice laced with a hint of mischief.

The boy who was still pretending to sleep did not move a muscle, kept his eyes closed and made sure to breathe heavier through his nose.

As soon as he felt a warm hand on his left shoulder, Jakob immediately tensed, his instincts taking over. He firmly grasped the hand, then swiftly drew out his wand from underneath his pillow. The thunder roared, and lightning flickered, illuminating his sister's face with an unnerving, malevolent smile that reminded him of a wolf before it attacked its prey.

Her straight blonde hair cascaded around her fair and freckled face, giving her an air of cunning and danger. The glint in her eyes made it difficult to discern whether she was going to be gentle or cruel, but one thing was certain: this time, he was going to win.

As the wand neared Emma's neck, an abrupt realisation struck him: he had already been defeated. Emma had moved with such agility and precision that she now had her wand aimed directly at his forehead in a split second. It was clear that underestimating her had been a grave mistake.

"You need to understand one thing, my beloved little brother."

She released her hand from his loosened grip and gave him a gentle caress on his cheek. With a mischievous tone, the older Quade continued.

"I'm always going to be one step ahead of you."

She smirked as she said it and sat down beside him on the bed. Feeling slightly bitter after his defeat, Jakob still let his sister embrace him. He knew that she meant well, but the loss still stung.

"Don't be like that pest. Are you not happy to see me again?"

As she embraced him tighter, the older blonde girl couldn't help but feel a sense of joy as she saw her little brother's frown slowly transform into a smile. Her determination to keep pushing forward intensified, and she was willing to do whatever it took to reciprocate his hug.

"Or is it that you have forgotten about me? Have you found another girl to hug instead of your older sister that loves you the most?"

Emma put on a melancholic smile as she pretended to let go of her brother. But just as she was about to move away, he wrapped his arms tightly around her back, and she felt a victorious shiver, knowing that her little brother always would need her.

Jakob knew that Emma was just playing games with him. This wasn't the first time his older sister tried to use his emotions to get what she wanted, and he always played along, not wanting to make her realise that he had cracked the code long ago.

As he inhaled the sweet scent of her hair and felt the warmth of her toned body in his embrace, he almost allowed himself to pretend that she was his mother instead of his sister. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he shook it away. Still, however, He enjoyed being so close to her, and his only sibling knew it.

Had Jakob stepped back and taken a closer look at his sister, he would have seen Emma smile in bliss. This power and control she thought she had over him was something she took great pleasure in.

Emma had never cared for intimacy from others, especially boys who lusted after her in school; even one or two professors had given her looks, but the only boy that was allowed to touch or even look at the blonde 17-year-old was her beloved little pest.

"When did you get back?" Jakob asked, gently loosening his grip around his sister's body. He felt a brief moment of resistance as she didn't seem to want to let go just yet.

"Why are you not in Ilvermorny?" he continued, seeing that Emma's smile had turned into a frown for a second. Realising that the boy sitting beside her had noticed her vulnerability, she quickly composed herself and rolled her eyes, letting out a quiet sigh.

"Because Father can't be bothered to take you to the train station tomorrow, so it falls on me, your amazing sister, to take that role," she spoke in a humorous tone, fully aware that the news might sadden her little brother. Her prediction was accurate. A small burst of disdain for her father ignited in her chest when the boy's face turned away from her gaze.

Thomas knew how important this was; still, he insisted on Emma returning home from school and ordered her and Susie to do his job while he needed to attend a wizengamot.

Trying her best to get the boy on other thoughts, the blonde began stroking Jakob's raven-coloured hair as she continued saying.

"I see you finally have your wand - I had been looking forward to seeing the expression on your face when you held it for the first time. But I guess being first one you try to hurt is almost as special."

Jakob, who had been trying his best not to show his disappointment over his father's absence yet again, was interrupted by the comment and glanced down to his right hand, where he had a firm grip on his wand. A prideful smirk tugged at his lips as he twirled the wand in his fingers, watching as the flashes of lightning outside his window temporarily lit up its surface.

"It arrived three days ago. Father said not to try anything too challenging, and Susie told me that I wasn't allowed to use it at all without the supervision of either herself or father." Jakob chuckled briefly before continuing. "You should have seen his face when she gave him the death glare for trying to reason with her." Said the now happier boy.

"I can only imagen. Father would never willingly seek Susie's fury," answered Emma and gave a snort as the image of the situation appeared in her mind.

Susie and her daughter, Ella, were considered part of the Quade household, but they were more than just staff; they were family. Susie had been a constant presence in Emma's life since her birth and, in their mother's absence, had taken on a maternal role for the two Quade children.

Even Ella, Susie's daughter and an enslaved witch, seamlessly integrated into the Quade family. Her conduct and demeanour behind closed doors did not suggest her enslaved status to those unaware of her situation. Had anyone met her or Susie in Diagon Alley without knowing the crest adorning their outfit, they would have never guessed that these two were enslaved.

Oblivious to his sister's thoughtful expression, Jakob chatted on, now looking somewhat puzzled at the wand in his hands.

"When Father sent off my blood for the creation of my wand last year, I had hoped it wouldn't take so long to arrive. I only got it a few days before Draco, and school starts tomorrow."

Emma gave her younger brother a warm and understanding smile and shifted closer to him, resting her head beside his on the pillow.

"It's a necessary price for being a Quade. Our wands are designed to harmonise with our energy and no one else's," she explained solemnly. As she talked, the blonde girl brushed away a strand of her hair and looked down at the wand in her brother's hand, inspecting it with intrigue.

"It's very beautiful. Tell me what it's made of and what it has for a core."

Her question, or rather, her command, made Jakob's eyes beam with pride as he shifted his gaze from the wand and locked eyes with his sister.

"Father told me that it's black ebony wood, and the core is part of a dementor," before he continued, his expression suddenly shifted as he furrowed his brows together.

"He did not specify what part, though. I hope it isn't something disgusting."

Emma's shocked expression gave way to a snicker after she heard the last comment, giving a playful nudge to the now smirk-wearing boy beside her.

"I'm confident that father wouldn't permit anything awful to be the core of your wand, but I've never heard of a dementor being chosen as the core. Dragon heart, Unicorn horn, yes, but never Dementor," she mused, looking at the wand with a mix of intrigue and envy.

Noticing the long, lingering gaze his sister was giving his wand, Jakob nudged her out of her trance. She returned to reality and smiled reassuringly at her little brother before quickly changing the subject.

"You should get some rest. I will wake you early tomorrow so you can finish your packing. If Father hears that we missed the train, me and-"

"I'm already packed," Jakob interrupted, disappointment evident in his tone as he gestured toward the trunk in the corner. Emma's gaze followed his pointing finger as she listened to her brother's mumbling continue.

"I wish I could go to Ilvermorny like you. Why is it so crucial to Father that I go to Hogwarts?"

She had heard her brother whining about this the entire summer, and although she felt a little sorry for him initially, the blonde had grown increasingly frustrated with his constant complaining. With a sigh, she sat up and looked around the large empty room.

It was far from what a 13-year-old's room should look like. Clean and orderly, not a single piece of clothing on the ground or useless toy in sight - a stark contrast to Emma's own bedroom with piles of clothes strewn across the floor and her desk buried under paperwork and potion ingredients.

Susie had tried on many occasions to tidy it up, but the stubborn 17-year-old girl had always managed to outmanoeuvre the house matriarch. Thomas has had to intervene after a particularly nasty fight between the two. Susie had witnessed Emma levitating a dozen plates and bowls from her room, each covered with days, if not weeks, old food.

Lord Quade, who usually left the upbringing to Susie, had made Emma swear that she would clean once a week after he had punished her.

Jakob, who had been with Ella when the commotion had started, quietly made his way toward the scene. As the two children arrived, they hid to see the situation unfold.

The two youngest members of the house had noticed the false smile on Emma's face as she reluctantly agreed to the terms. The young Quade heir had immediately known that his sister was lying, and it was clear that Susie had picked up on it, too.

"You know why, pest," Emma tiredly muttered, drawing her legs up to her chest and hugging them. Unaware or uncaring, the movement caused her blue silk-laced nightgown to slip back, momentarily revealing the goosebumps on her thighs, illuminated by the lightning outside.

The fatigue in her voice turned into an exasperated scowl when she heard a snort emanating from the boy on her left.

"You are a Quade, and it's time you start acting like one. The family business will be yours one day, and you need to establish more connections," Emma declared. Before Jakob could interject, Emma, with an air of frustration, continued her train of thought, already knowing his response.

"Connections other than House Malfoy, you annoying little pest. Father sent me to Ilvermorny to strengthen our ties with the prominent houses in America, and you will do the same here," Emma retorted, emphasising the importance of their family's network.

Annoyance turned to anger as Jakob refused to acknowledge her words or provide any indication of understanding. Emma's face transformed swiftly, taking on a hostile expression. She disliked her brother's behaviour and believed a reminder of his place was necessary.

She pinched his arm, applying more force than she had initially intended.

"Ouch! What the bloody-" Jakob, in the middle of his swearing, was cut off as he felt his sister pounce on him, her giggle ringing through the room as she tried to lock her hands around his arms to keep him in place.

In recent months, Jakob had noticed that his older sister's wrestling attempts had grown crueller and more painful. It hadn't been like this before. A year ago, it had been playfully, lovingly, but now it was spiteful, hateful and aggressive. It felt like Emma was intentionally trying anything to injure him in these moments.

She had started to change in her behaviour, but when the clueless and worried boy had asked Susie about it, the older woman would always look away, not wanting to speak about it. Once she had even said that, he probably was imagining things, but if Susie had seen the expression on his sister's face right now, she would have taken back those words in an instant.

With a surge of panic rising inside him, he desperately tried to break free of his older sister's grasp, but it was futile; she was stronger than a regular witch her age. Even without the unnatural reflexes or strength, Jakob wouldn't stand a chance against a 17-year-old.

The panic in her brother's eyes only served to make Emma's grin grow larger, and with lightning speed, she had both his wrists in an iron grip above his head. Her nails began to dig into his skin, and as her prey tried to break free from her grasp. She relished the rushing sensation that swept over her, making her close her eyes briefly in what seemed like pleasure.

"You are hurting me. Let me go. This isn't funny anymore."

Jakob ceased his attempts to break free, instead shooting his older sister an icy glare, attempting to mask the pain he felt. Blood trickled slowly down his wrist and smudged the pillow underneath.

Emma took her time absorbing the situation fully before lowering her head closer to his face and responding to his pleas.

"Think you can hide behind our fancy Quade name if someone comes after you? What if you're trapped, unable to call for help? If you don't start maturing, learning to protect yourself from the harsh world, and stop complaining about things you can't change, there might not be much of a future for a little pest like you."

Her nails continued to dig into his skin as she spoke, and the pain urged Jakob to attempt one last escape, but he resisted the urge. Instead, he focused on controlling his breathing, determined not to let her get the better of him.

Giving his older sister a defiant glare, he replied, "Someday, I'll become even more powerful than you, and then you'll regret hurting me, I promise."

The threat seemed to confuse the older girl for a moment, but before she could ask what the hell he was on about, her eyes flickered up to see the blood-covered wrists and pillow.

Emma's fingers slowly unclasped his arms, and the realisation of what she had inadvertently done to her little brother washed through her mind only a second later. She raised her hand to study the blood in a mixture of wonder and horror.

Jakob seized this opportunity to push his sister away and retreated, putting some distance between them as he positioned his body near the bedframe, creating a gap between them. Before she could regain her composure, the dark-haired boy had his wand aimed at her, prepared to defend himself if she attempted anything else.

Coming out of her stupor, Emma noticed her brother's wand aimed at her and his wary expression. She offered an apologetic smile and slowly raised her hands in surrender.

"I'm sorry, I don't really know what happened. Let me heal that for you, alright?"

Jakob, though still suspicious, nodded in agreement. He understood that it would be best to let her heal his wounds, as any visible injuries could lead to awkward questions and explanations for the two Quade siblings.

"I want you to leave when you are finished," replied Jakob in a firm tone. Emma nodded quickly, grabbed her wand, and gestured for him to show her his wrist.

"Episkey."

As the older girl spoke, Jakob felt a wave of heat followed by a cold sensation that washed over his wrists. As the pain subsided, he closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath of relief.

When he opened his eyes again, he noticed Emma studying him with a worried expression on her face. Their eyes briefly met before she turned away, filled with shame over her actions. She couldn't bring herself to look at him and hastily got up from Jakob's bed, a bit awkwardly and clumsy.

A shiver ran down the blonde girl's spine as she felt the cold marble floor beneath her bare feet. Clearing her throat, Emma adjusted her nightgown before speaking one last time.

"Get some sleep. Susie won't be pleased if you look tired tomorrow. Goodnight." Jakob gave his sister a nod and held his gaze as she stood frozen for a few seconds. Before he could react, however, Emma spun around and embraced him.

Jakob felt a gentle tug at the corners of his mouth as he heard Emma's faint whisper, "Sorry, pest".

Her tone said it all.

He knew his sister meant it, and her love for him was as it always had been. But he couldn't help but fear that with each passing day, Emma was growing, becoming more and more like their father. Would this also happen to Jakob in the future? Was it unavoidable?

He observed as his elder sibling hurried towards the door, swiftly grasping the handle. A few rays of light from the hallway spilt into the room as she slipped out, flashing a brief smile before quietly closing the door behind her.

Emma stood in the hallway, her gaze fixed on her fingertips still stained with Jakob's blood. She cursed the books she had read that had failed to provide her with a solution. Raising her hand closer to inspect the crimson stains, she unconsciously parted her lips and extended her tongue as if to taste it.

However, before she could act further, footsteps echoing further down the hall snapped her out of her trance. She spun around in the direction of the approaching sound, her blonde hair dancing wildly in the air and nearly smacking her on the cheek.

Emma unknowingly held her breath for a second and quickly tucked her hand behind her back. She was so afraid that she had been caught that her body refused to move and made it look like she had been turned to stone.

In an instant, a surge of terror coursed through her veins as she contemplated the potential repercussions. Emma's instinctive reaction was to bolt towards her bedroom without sparing even a moment for a backward glance.

Her heart pounded within her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she stumbled into her bedroom. Her trembling hands fumbled with the lock, each second stretching into an eternity. Then, finally, with a satisfying click, she secured the door.

Exhaustion washed over Emma like a heavy tide as she slumped against the door. Shallow, uneven breaths caused her sweat-drenched hair to cling to her skin.

With a feeble hand, she brushed her hair back and managed a brief, relieved chuckle before her trembling body gave way, and she slid down to sit on the floor, spent and emotionally drained.

"I'm so fucked up."

Still lying in his bed, Jakob had been unaware of the situation outside. He felt himself drifting away, his eyes slowly closing. Before letting sleep consume him, the thirteen-year-old thought about the coming day. Tomorrow, he would start Hogwarts. Tomorrow, he would be free. Tomorrow would be the first day of his long journey to greatness.