The bustling streets of Diagon Alley were alive with magical activity. Witches and wizards bustled between shops, owls swooped overhead, and the air was filled with the scent of freshly baked pastries and the tang of magical potions.
Harry Potter walked beside Hagrid, eyes wide as he tried to absorb everything. He had just learned something astonishing yesterday: he wasn't alone in the world.
"Hagrid…" Harry's voice was quiet, hesitant. "You said… I have a twin brother?"
Hagrid looked down at the small boy, his large frame slightly hunched, and nodded.
"Aye, Harry. You've got a brother. Name's Lucien… Lucien Aurelius Potter. Red hair like a sunset, eyes a deep amethyst, he's… well, he's a sight to see."
Harry blinked. "Red hair? Amethyst eyes? Really?" His hand unconsciously went to the scar on his forehead, and he swallowed hard. "Where is he now?"
Hagrid scratched his head. "He… wasn't raised with you, Harry. Sent to an orphanage for a time, but then he was adopted by a family from the muggle world. Big family, powerful folk… the Lionhardts, I think they're called. Rich as Gringotts itself, Harry."
Harry's eyes widened in awe. "The Lionhardt family? I… I've never heard of them."
"They're a family that's got influence in both the wizarding world and the muggle world," Hagrid explained. "And get this… your brother's not just adopted—he's the heir to the Peverell house. The oldest, most noble house in the wizarding world. Old as magic itself, Harry."
Harry's jaw dropped. "The Peverell house?" His heart thumped fast. "So… he's really… important?"
Hagrid nodded, handing Harry a newspaper. The front page bore a large, glossy photograph of Lucien, standing confidently, crimson hair catching the sunlight and violet eyes sparkling with an intensity Harry couldn't quite describe.
Harry clutched the paper to his chest. "He… he's incredible."
Hagrid chuckled softly. "Aye, Harry. And more than that… he loves you, lad. Even from afar."
A Visit to Gringotts
Their next stop was Gringotts, the famed wizarding bank.
Hagrid approached the goblin clerk, handing over the key to the Potter family vault. "This is for the Potter vault, goblin. Make sure the boy gets what he needs."
The goblin nodded solemnly.
Harry's eyes widened as he asked, "Has… my brother, Lucien… been here recently?"
The goblin's eyes flicked toward him, and he nodded. "Yes, Master Lucien came yesterday. He took half the galleons from this vault and moved them to the Peverell vault."
Harry's breath caught. "He… he moved it? Why?"
"He instructed," the goblin explained, "that if someone from the Potter family ever needs galleons, take it from the Peverell vault. That way, Master Lucien can help you, Harry."
Harry's hand went to his chest, touched by the thoughtfulness of his twin. "He… he's really looking out for me, isn't he?"
Hagrid smiled warmly, ruffling Harry's hair. "Aye, Harry. Your brother loves you very much. You'll see. He's watching over you, even from far away."
Harry nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I… I want to see him someday. Really see him."
Hagrid grinned. "You will, lad. You will. But first… let's get your supplies. Hogwarts won't wait, and neither will your new adventures."
Harry carefully took some galleons from the vault, feeling the weight of both the gold and the love behind it, before heading off with Hagrid to purchase his school supplies. Every step he took, he thought of Lucien, and the bond between the twin brothers, long separated but never broken, felt stronger than ever.