Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Attic
Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, sat with his friends around the Gryffindor table, enjoying his meal in the Great Hall. It was a rare occasion since all tables were usually loud and rowdy. After losing Cedric, however, the tables have become more subdued, even the Slytherins. Everyone was mostly trying to forget everything that has happened, including the rumors that Voldemort may be back. Harry was just relieved that nothing bad seemed to be going on at the moment. They all could use a break.
Unfortunately, he spoke to soon.
A sudden bright light surrounded the Great Hall and everyone in it when suddenly the castle walls disappeared. No more ever changing sky, no more statues or ghost. Everything was just gone. Luckily, all their seats stayed where they were so no one was falling to the floor (unless they are Neville who fell fairly quickly). The silence of the Great Hall quickly turned to shouts of panic and accusation.
"Where are we?"
"What's going on?"
"Potter! What did you do?!"
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore's baritone voice boomed through the white room they were in, seeming to fill all four corners. "Don’t panic. I’m sure there is an explanation for all of this.”
"That is quite correct," a disembodied voice stated cheerfully from above them. Some students jumped, yelped and even tripped over themselves at the sudden sound. "Oh! Hold on, forgot something," the voice sounded sheepish and femimine, which meant it was most likely a girl. Another bright light surrounded the room and a collection of thuds echoed.
The whole Order of the Phoenix appeared between the four house tables along with some of the important people of the ministry.
Minister Fudge was yelling curses as he stood and glared around, his face completely flustered red. His eyes settled on Dumbledore and his expletives grew in volume.
Sirius and Remus conveniently found themselves by Harry and gave their cub a smile.
"Sirius! What are you doing here?" Harry asked, even though it was a stupid question. One half was hoping Sirius knew, the other just felt like it was the proper question to ask.
"Can't say really. But what an extraordinary place! Remus, are we in an insane asylum?"
Remus cuffed Sirius on the back of the head with an eye roll.
"Ow! It was a legitimate question!"
"Everyone calm down!" The feminine voice said again, now sounding a bit exasperated. The room quieted down, finally allowing her to be heard."Hello, my name is Marie. I have gathered you all here to watch 8 movies together. They are about Mr. Harry Potter.”
Harry groaned and ducked his head while quiet chattering happened around him.
"Everything in these movies have happened, none of it has been tampered with. The only difference is that...well...Harry you have a twin."
Harry blinked, not sure he heard correctly. "A-A what?"
"I have another godson?!" Sirius exclaimed before Remus covered his mouth, muttering angrily into his ear.
"A twin brother named Daniel. I have asked him to join you if you don't mind. You see in his dimension, the war just ended," Marie said softly.
Harry was still taking in the fact that he had a twin before a loud pop and a thud made everyone look to where the noise came from. Behind the four house tables was empty space where most of the order and Ministry workers were stationed in their own sets of chairs. Laying on the ground next to them was someone new. Someone no one had met before.
"I hate you," a husky male voice wheezed as the body turned on it’s side.
"Love you too, Danny.”
"Shut up.”
The male finally stood, back towards the audience. They could clearly see the messy hair on top of his head, a tall strong back with a lean torso. He turned and the brightest pair of ice blue eyes stared at the Hogwarts students and faculty. He didn't have glasses but it was clear he was most definitely a Potter. The shock made everyone stare, causing the 18 year old to shift uncomfortably.
"Oh...Hullo?"
"Good, now that that's all done with, we should get to the movies," Marie said.
"Um...you all probably have some questions but the movies will explain everything so…” Daniel trailed off awkwardly, giving a small dimpled smile.
Many of the girls swooned at the sight and Harry couldn't look away from his twin . Daniel caught Harry's eye and gave him a wink, making his way over to Harry and sitting by his feet. Harry glanced at Daniel and tried to memorize everything about him while Sirius crowded the 18 year olds other side with Remus.
"Good! Let's begin!!" Marie said as the room faded into a dark black that you could barely see your fingertips in front of you. On the far wall in front of everyone, a bright square with black numbers started counting down until the movie started to play.
Scene: A neighborhood on a street called Privet Drive. An owl, sitting on the street sign flies off to reveal a mysterious appearing old man walking through a forest near the street. He stops at the start of the street and takes out a mechanical device and zaps all the light out of the lampposts. He puts away the device and a cat meows. The man, ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, looks down at the cat, which is a tabby and is sitting on a brick ledge.
Dumbledore: I should have known that you would be here...Professor McGonagall.
The cat meows, sniffs out and the camera pans back to a wall. The cat's shadow is seen progressing into a human. There are footsteps and MINERVA MCGONAGALL is revealed.
"It's so cool how she does that," Daniel whispered to Harry. The younger boy nodded, a shy grin on his face.
McGonagall: Good evening, Professor Dumbledore. Are the rumors true, Albus?
Dumbledore: I'm afraid so, Professor. The good, and the bad.
McGonagall: And the boys?
Dumbledore: Hagrid is bringing them.
McGonagall: Do you think it wise to trust Hagrid with something as important as this?
"Of course he does," Draco muttered with an eye roll.
Daniel looked at the blonde and couldn't help but smile.
"Aye, don't worry blondie, it gets more interesting," he winked, making the 14 year old blush in surprise.
Albus: Ah, Professor, I would trust Hagrid with my life.
There is a motor sound, and the two professors looked up to see a flying motorcycle coming down from the air. It skids on the street and halts. A large man, RUBEUS HAGRID, takes off his goggles.
Hagrid: Professor Dumbledore, Sir. Professor McGonagall.
Dumbledore: No problems, I trust, Hagrid?
Hagrid: No, sir. Little tykes fell asleep just as we were flying over Bristol. Heh. Try not to wake them. There you go.
Hagrid hands the babies in a blanket over to Dumbledore.
McGonagall: Albus, do you really think it's safe, leaving them with these people? I've been watching them all day. They're the worst sort of Muggles imaginable. They really are-
Dumbledore: The only family he has.
"Wait...you knew they were bad people but you still put me with them?" Harry asked, hurt in his voice.
Daniel nudged him with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Don't worry about it Harry. I'm the older brother of the two of us. I protected ya best I could.”
They stop outside a house.
McGonagall: These boys will be famous. There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know their names.
Dumbledore: Exactly. They are better off growing up away from all that. Until they're ready.
Hagrid coughs and sniffles, he is crying. He clears his throat.
Dumbledore: There, there, Hagrid. It's not really good-bye, after all.
Hagrid nods. Dumbledore takes a letter and places it on the baby to the right, both are now at the foot of the door. The baby has a visible lightning-bolt shaped scar on his forehead.
Dumbledore: Good luck...Hadrian Potter.
Dumbledore turns to the other baby to the left and placed his thumb on the baby's forehead.
Dumbledore: Protect your brother at all costs. He will need you most, Daniel Potter.
The camera pans into the scar and the opening title shows: HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE.
"See! I got roped into it," Daniel pretended to pout making Harry and Sirius laugh.
Almost ten years after:
DURSLEY's home.
The camera pans on one sleeping boy, almost eleven, with a lightning-bolt shaped scar on his forehead. The boy shifts and his eyes flutter open, revealing his emerald green eyes. The Boy tried shifting over only to see an arm wrapped firmly around his waist. The boy turned his head and we see another boy, eleven, sleeping soundly. They both look alike and were obviously twins. The first boy smiled and laid back down, cuddling into the others chest.
Daniel: {muttering} Stop moving Harry.
Multiple Aww's erupted from the crowd making the 18 and 14 year old blush.
"Shut up," They both whined in unison.
HADRIEN laughed softly and did as he was told. Then outside the door was a click, and knocking. A tall woman, PETUNIA DURSLEY, raps the door.
Petunia: Up. Get up. {Knocks} {sighs} Now! {Smacks door of closet which is the boys bedroom}
A large, tubby boy, DUDLEY DURSLEY, suddenly comes running down the stairs above the closet. He stops half-way down and goes back, jumping on the staircase.
Dudley: Wake up, cousins! We're going to the zoo!
Dudley laughs, comes down the stairs and runs for the kitchen. The boy, HADRIEN POTTER, tries to come out of the closet, but is pushed back in by Dudley. His brother, DANIEL POTTER, catches him before he fell.
DANIEL: And I thought we were already at the Zoo...
"HOLD ON!" Sirius suddenly shouted. The movie paused and everyone looked at then convicted man. "YOU TWO SLEPT IN A CUPBOARD?"
"Under the stairs," Daniel corrected, looking at him in confusion.
"Not helping," Harry whispered, elbowing his brother. The audience filled with students and teachers also gaped at the truths being revealed by the movie.
"We will talk about this boys," Remus said sternly before ushering Sirius back into his seat.
"I don't see what the big deal is," Daniel huffed.
The movie started playing again.
Petunia is in the kitchen, where Dudley has gone.
Petunia: Oh, here he comes, the birthday boy!
A larger man, VERNON DURSLEY, is sitting at the kitchen table.
"Who's the whale?" Somebody asked.
"Our uncle," The Potters chorused.
Vernon: Happy birthday, son.
Petunia and Dudley giggle together. Hadrian and Daniel come into the kitchen, dressed in rags.
Petunia: Why don't you just cook the breakfast and try not to burn anything.
Hadrian: Yes, Aunt Petunia.
He sets to work. Daniel follows and starts making coffee and pulling things out of the fridge.
Petunia: I want everything to be perfect for my Dudley's special day.
Vernon: Hurry up! Bring my coffee, boy!
Daniel: Yes, Uncle Vernon.
Daniel moved to his uncle. Petunia leads Dudley over to the family room, where there are a vast amount of presents. Dudley stares.
Dudley: How many are there?
Vernon: Thirty-six. Counted 'em myself.
Daniel: {while pouring coffee, whispering} Shouldn't have said that.
Dudley: Thirty-six?! But last year—last year I got thirty-seven!
Daniel: {moves back to Harry} I tried to tell him.
Hadrian: {giggles}
Others giggle along with the onscreen Harry.
Vernon: Yes, well, some of them are quite a bit bigger than last year!
Dudley: I don't care how big they are!
Petunia: Oh, now, now, now. This is what we're going to do, is that when we go out we're going to buy you two new presents! How's that sound, Pumpkin?
Daniel and Harry: Spoiled.
Vernon glares at the twins, both flinch. Daniel moved a bit over Hadrian to protect him more. The boys moved to their cupboard and looked around for clothes. You could see them bumping into each other as they didn't have a lot of room. Hadrian picked up a green shirt and smiled before a grey shirt fell on his face. Hadrian turned to scold his brother before stopping. Daniel had his back turned and all along his back were scars. Long gashes crisscrossed and had dry blood on them. Some were still red but most were white. Daniel turned and smiled cheerily at his younger brother.
Daniel: Come on! Get dressed!
The room turned deathly silent as the movie paused again.
"Mr. Potter," an angry voice drawled and Daniel recognized him as Snape. "Pray tell what the hell happened to your back.”
Daniel clenched his fists till they turned white and met his old Professors eyes before giving his charming smiles. It didn't reach his eyes.
"You'll find out,"
Sirius wrapped an arm around Daniel, making the older teen jump in shock. Harry leaned against him and frowned, holding him as well. He got beat but he never had scars and whip lashes that bad. And at such a young age...It was unheard of.
Scene: Outside, morning. The happy family is heading to the car. Hadrian goes to get in first but is stopped by Vernon who grabbed both twin’s biceps.
Petunia: This will be a lovely day at the zoo. I'm really looking forward to it.
Vernon: I'm warning you now, boys. Any funny business, any at all, and you won't have any meals for a week. {turns to Daniel} And you will be getting the attic. Get in.
"THEY STARVED YOU!" Remus was growling low in his throat while McGonagall started going off on the Headmaster, saying how it was getting too much and that he should have listened to her all those years ago.
Sirius was about to ask as well but it seemed Daniel was tired of all the interruptions and let everyone know it.
"If your going to freak out at every little thing that's happened then you might as well just stop watching and mind your own business!”
The Professors fell silent and Harry glanced at his angered twin. Daniel nodded and sat back down, crossing his arms.
"They're just showing they care," Hermione whispered from behind them. Daniel tensed at her voice and scoffed, turning back to the playing movie.
Scene: The zoo. The family is in the reptile house, looking at a large BOA CONSTRICTOR. Daniel and Hadrian have their arms connected and had cheeky smiles on their faces, making them look adorable together.
Dudley: Make it move.
Vernon raps the glass of the cage.
Vernon: Move!
Dudley raps the glass much harder, and Vernon winces.
Dudley: MOVE!
"They have issues," Draco said, body tense as the lives of Potter were revealed to him. Nothing was as it seemed, none of what he believed was true and it was unsettling.
"You said the same in my dimension," Daniel said, giving the blonde a dimpled grin. He seemed to be relaxing from his outburst.
Draco blinked before nodding, almost unsurely at the older boy. He didn’t think he would actually be friends with a Potter, even in another dimension.
Hadrian: He's asleep!
Dudley: He's boring.
Daniel: {muttering} You’re boring...
Dudley and his parents retreat to another enclosure. The twins are left with the snake.
Daniel: Sorry about him, mate.
Hadrian: He doesn't understand what it's like, lying there day after day, having people press their ugly faces in on you.
The snake looks up and blinks.
Hadrian: Can you...hear us? {The snake nods}
Daniel: It's just...We've never talked to a snake before. Do you...I mean...do you talk to people often? {The snake shakes its head}
Hadrian: You're from Burma, aren't you? Was it nice there, do you miss your family? {The snake turns its head in the direction of a sign which says, Bred in Captivity} I see. That's us as well. We never knew our parents, either.
"That's so sad," a girl whispered.
"Nobody realizes that while we may have killed Voldemort, we lost something more important. We lost our chance of having a family, growing up with parents. Things you take for granted. We would kill to have are mum and dad back," Daniel explained with a sigh.
"I never wanted the fame," Harry admitted, "I just wanted a family. My family.”
The now awake snake has attracted Dudley's attention. He rips over to the cage, knocking Daniel and Hadrian to the floor. Daniel hissed as he scrapes his palm against the concrete. Dudley’s actions manage to make Hadrian angry for the injury he caused his twin.
Dudley: Mummy, dad, come here! You won't believe what this snake is doing!
Dudley puts his hands on the glass wall. Hadrien, from the ground, glares at him. Suddenly, the glass disappears. Dudley wretches forward.
Dudley: Whoa! Ahh! Ahh!
Dudley falls into the snake enclosure, sputtering in a pool of water.
Giggle erupted from the crowd.
"That's what you get!"
"Revenge!"
"Think he could swim?"
"Better yet, think he can float?
The snake gets out of the exhibit, stopping in front of The twins.
Snake: Thankssssssss.
Harry and Daniel: {shocked/surprised} Anytime.
The snake starts off.
Man: SNAKE!
There is a lot of screaming as the snake heads for freedom. Dudley gets up to get out, but the glass is now back over the enclosure. He is stuck. He pounds the glass.
Dudley: Mum, mummy!
Petunia: {Sees him} AHH!
Dudley: Mum, help! Help me!
Petunia: My darling boy! How did you get in there?!
The crowd is now laughing harder at the faces the muggles were making. Harry and Daniel fell quiet. Harry knew how his punishment went but he couldn’t help but wonder how much worse the twins punishment might be.
Hadrian and Daniel: {Grins and giggles}
Vernon glares down at him and The twins matching grins disappear. Daniel pulled Hadrian up and stood in front of him protectively.
Petunia: {continues screaming} How did you get in there? Dudley, oh, Dudley!
Scene: Back at the Dursley's. Petunia and a bundled up Dudley come in.
Petunia: It's all right. It's all right.
They disappear around the corner. Hadrian, Daniel and Vernon enter. Vernon slams the door and shoves Hadrian and Daniel against a wall, taking Hadrian's hair. Daniel protested but was quickly silenced with an elbow to the stomach.
The room suddenly becomes more serious and everyone’s eyes focused closely on the screen.
Daniel stands and takes a deep breath, movie pausing.
"I wouldn't recommend first years watching or even second years. None of you should watch this part... "
"Daniel?"
"Be prepared and...remember. I'm fine,"
One words crossed everyone's mind at the moment. Attic.
Hadrian: Ow!
Vernon: What happened?
Hadrian: I swear I don't know! One minute the glass was there and then it was gone! It was like magic!
Vernon: {Scoffs and shoves Hadrian into the closet} There's no such thing as magic! {turns to Daniel and roughly slams him against the cupboard door} Remember where your going, boy! {starts dragging Daniel away}
Hadrian: {Panicking} No! No, wait! Daniel! {tries shoving the cupboard open, only to find it locked} DANIEL!
Daniel: {shouting} Hey! It's ok Harry! It'll be fine!
Everyone turned tense as the next scene started playing. Harry was clutching Daniel tightly, eyes going wide as dread pooled in his belly.
Scene: it's a dark room and you see Vernon closing the door. Daniel is standing near a large window and looking out it.
Vernon: You know what to do.
Daniel doesn't respond and takes off his shirt. Scars run along his chest and you could count his ribs. It zooms up to his blue eyes, they are looking back in forth but determination is shone in them.
Vernon: {yells} Hurry up boy!
Daniel: Yes, Uncle Vernon
Daniel starts to unbutton his pants and steps out of them. His legs are covered in welts and scars. Daniel spreads his legs and hold his wrists up and to the side.
"No..no no no," The voice of Molly Weasley cried, voicing everyone's thoughts.
They couldn’t imagine what that was like. No one wanted to think of what might be happening especially with that position of Daniel’s body. Many were hoping for the best, but others were not as optimistic. The first years were all teary-eyed and some were even sobbing, this movie scaring them especially because they knew Harry.
Vernon cuffs Daniels hands and legs and Daniel is staring out the window, hanging there, feet barely touching the ground. Vernon picks up a chain from the floor and swings it gently in his hands before lashing out and striking Daniel on the shoulder. Daniel flinched but didn't make a sound.
Vernon: You know the rules Potter. You have to count. First ten you know you deserve. You deserve it. The rest is for you. I'm doing this for you! UNDERSTAND? I'm getting the freakiness out of you!
Daniel: {whispers} I deserve it. I understand.
Vernon: Good boy. Now begin. {lashes the chain and it stings the center of Daniels back}
Daniel: {winces and bits lip before grunting out} One.
The room is silent as the movie pauses, giving everyone a much needed break from the intense scene. Someone let out a small sob in the back and suddenly an onslaught of crying echoed through the dark room.
Harry was clutching ontoDaniel, tears falling from his eyes as he stared at the harsh face of his alternate dimensional twin the movie paused on.
"Daniel. Oh my god, Daniel," Sirius buried his face in his other godson’s hair and let out small cry while Remus had to move away, trying to get a good hold on his wolf. "Tell me—please tell me you’re not staying there anymore!"
Daniel stayed silent and looked directly at the wall. Harry started crying harder and fear was clouding his mind. His uncle did this. His other dimension uncle did this. That's worse than Voldemort! How can a human be so cruel to their flesh and blood? How can Vernon react so violently to something he didn’t understand?
"Did-Did you deal with this too?" Sirius asked Harry, eyes pleading for the truth but also fear for what he may find out.
Harry shook his head.
"I can't say the same for Hadrian but the Dursleys never did that to me,"
"It happened to my brother twice," Daniels eyes flashed dangerously from the memory. "Never again. I don't allow it.”
"You take his punishment…” someone said, disbelief and pity in their voice.
"Always,"
"I would like to do a scan on you Mr. Potter. Both of you," Madame Pomfrey stated.
Daniel chuckled and turned his head. "This was 7 years ago,” he reminded them.
"And you still live with these monsters! Both you and Hadrian!" Remus growled.
"We don't exactly have anywhere else to go!"
"You could of stayed with me," Sirius muttered, eyes wide and full of pain.
Daniel sighed and looked at the man he knew to be dead. The man he never truly got to know.
"I honestly couldn't. Don't worry though, we are ok! I swear.”
Sirius didn't respond but the crying in the room progressively got quieter.
Daniel sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Maybe we should invite Hadrian.”
"Yes!" Chorused through the room. Even if they weren't their dimensions heroes, it's still child abuse and still their Harry.
"Ok ok," Daniel turned to the wall and let out a small cough. "Marie, darling? Could you send Hadrian through?"
"I think you'd need him," Marie's voice was soft and another figure came from a door on the side of the other wall, in the back.
"How come he gets a door and I get thrown down?!" Daniel whined.
"She likes me better," Hadrian responded with a chuckle. He was just as tall as his brother and hair just as unruly. His emerald eyes sparkled with laughter under his glasses until he saw the sad faces. "What's going on?"
"They saw the first part of the Philosophers Stone,"
Hadrian sighed in realization, his face twisting with distaste and anger. He moved to where his twin was and sat next to him, arms crossing as he remembered those painful memories. Daniel chuckled and ruffled his twins hair, trying to get him to lighten up. After all, it’s supposed to be getting better now. Hadrian turned his head to avoid the hair ruffle and his eyes landed on Malfoy.
"Is that Draco?! I forgot he was that small at 14!"
"Hadrian!" Daniel hissed, his cheeks flushing.
Hadrian smiled unapologetic as the blonde huffed about not being small. The younger twin glanced around again and saw Sirius and Remus, blinking startled at the sight of his deceased family. He looked to Daniel who smiled weakly in return of his surprise.
"Come on, we got a movie to finish.”