Here is the third in the series. I will post the fourth when I have finished the fifth, which I don't think will be too long as I believe the fourth will be the hardest of them all, as it's literally all about Harry, hard to interpretation without adding my OC into the tournament as well, which I wasn't okay with.
Anyway, I'm on holidays now so it shouldn't be too long but I also want to add so some of my other stories as well, get some more sequels up.
Let me know if you find any spelling mistakes so I can fix them.
Hope you like it :)
Chapter 1:
Alicia stopped as she stood on a step and it creaked under her weight. She bit her lip and listened carefully, one of her hands clutching a parcel, the other a rope over her shoulder. After assuring herself no one had heard her, she moved her weight from the step and proceeded to the next one, skipping the creaky stair.
Alicia proceeded to the front door, which, after taking a look around the landing, she slowly unlocked, preventing the locks from clicking when she released them, stopping any noise. She closed the door, stood still for a second listening before grinning in success.
Alicia turned without a backwards glance and ran down the road. She checked her wrist where a watch sat and frowned, she was already late thanks to Ms Bane, the caretaker, staying up later then expected.
Alicia Evans lived in an orphanage, and had done her entire life. Her parents had died when she was just a year old. But it was how they died that was the interesting story. Lily and James Potter were killed, murdered, by a man who's name is feared by many.
Alicia Evans belonged to a world hidden to anyone who wasn't a part of it. Alicia was a witch. Two years ago, before her eleventh birthday a man had come and handed her a letter to his school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The man himself was Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster.
It was at Hogwarts that Alicia learned her heritage and that she wasn't alone. She had a secret family member.
Alicia stopped outside a house grinning, panting slightly from having run all the way. Quietly, she climbed the fence to the backyard, a little difficultly thanks to the package in one hand, before moving around to the back garden.
Alicia listened carefully to what was going on inside, it was utter silence within the house broken only by the distant grunting snores. She noticed a suddenly flash of light from the room above her, the window was open which was perfect. Alicia grinned before she grabbed a reasonably sized rock from the garden, slipped it into the loop in the end of her rope and looked back to the window.
As if practiced a boy appeared there, leaning on the window sill. He had jet black hair like Alicia, though it was stubbornly untidy as usual, and the same bright green eyes as her also. He wore round glasses and though you couldn't tell from outside, he was rather small and skinny.
Harry Potter. Alicia's twin brother, though only a certain few knew they were related. He was famous throughout the entire wizarding world because of a lightning shaped scar over his forehead. He had received it when the feared dark wizard of the time, Voldemort, tried to kill him and in turn, killed their parents.
Both Harry and Alicia had survived.
As a result, Voldemort was left to something less than human. Alicia and Harry had faced him twice now, both in different scenarios.
Harry looked out the window for a second before he spotted Alicia. She grinned, glanced at another window before whisper shouting.
"Happy Birthday Harry!" Harry grinned down at her
"Happy Birthday Alicia." he said quietly. Alicia held up the rock, the rope tied to it.
"Catch?" she asked. Harry nodded and glanced into the room before Alicia aimed and threw the rock. Luckily for them, Harry caught it silently. Alicia grinned as Harry disappeared into the room and when he reappeared, he nodded.
Alicia climbed the rope and climbed into the room through the window. The first thing she did was hug Harry.
"What are you doing here?" he wondered, though he was still grinning
"Yeah right. We're thirteen! Teenagers! No way would I wait till morning." Alicia rolled her eyes like that was expected. "I know you stay up late studying and I would have been here sooner, but, Ms Bane decided to stay up late." Alicia sighed. She then grinned again and held up a present.
"Got you this." she smiled. Harry looked at her guiltily "Don't look at me like that, I know you don't have access to money and you can't use Hedwig for mail." Alicia knew Harry didn't have money.
The people Harry lived with were his aunt and uncle, and they were muggles — non magic folk. Aunt Petunia was Lily Potter's sister. Alicia had been separated from him, and them, after the accident for safety. The Dursleys didn't like abnormality. They didn't like what the Potters were and they didn't like what Harry was. For this, they treated him like rubbish. For eleven years they tried to beat the magic out of Harry, refusing to allow him to be like his family, they even told him his parents had been killed in a car accident.
Harry hesitantly took the parcel from Alicia and sat on his bed, Alicia sitting next to him, grinning. He unwrapped the brown package to find a set of clothes, as Harry had to wear his cousin Dudley's things which were all ten sizes to big for him, a newspaper and a box of chocolate frogs.
"You shouldn't have." Harry muttered. Alicia shrugged
"I mixed it up, some muggle things, some wizard things, of which I ordered with Noel." Noel was Alicia's black owl, Harry had an owl also, but snowy white. Hedwig.
"Speaking of owls," Alicia noticed the bird cage was empty "Where's Hedwig?"
"Don't know."
"How long's she been gone for?"
"Two nights." Harry looked at Alicia who glanced at the window "She's been gone this long before." Harry assured. Alicia nodded
"I think Noel's gone to find Hermione." Alicia rolled her eyes.
Hermione Granger was one of Alicia and Harry's best friends, along with Ronald Weasley. Like Harry and Alicia, Hermione grew up with muggles, both her parents being so. Ron on the other hand was from a wizarding family, both his parents, his five brothers and his sister were all wizards, everyone but apparently a distant cousin on his mother's side, who, as Alicia remembered Ron saying, they didn't talk to. Ron, his sister Ginny and three brothers were all at Hogwarts with Alicia and Harry.
Harry looked confused at Alicia.
"Hermione's gone away." Alicia admitted "Sent me an owl just before she left… didn't I show you?" Harry shook his head and Alicia looked annoyed with herself.
"I was supposed to let you read it, it was addressed to you too." Alicia grumbled
"That's alright." Harry shrugged. Unlike last year, when a house elf named Dobby was intercepting them, letters did reach Harry and Hermione and Ron had sent a few but, just like last year, the Dursleys didn't want Harry sending or receiving letters from anyone. Not even if it was sent by muggle mail with the postman.
"What's this?" Harry asked holding up the newspaper.
"It's the Daily Prophet." Alicia grinned "Wizard newspaper. Don't let the Dursleys see it they'll tare it up." Alicia whispered, glancing at the door. Harry unfolded it to see the front cover's black and white picture was moving, as all pictures did in the wizarding world.
"This way you wont feel so disconnected, keep in on what's been going on. I've been having it delivered, per Hermione's suggestion, and decided you should get a few too. So here's this weeks." Alicia grinned
"How much is that?" Harry asked
"Couple of knuts." Alicia shrugged. Harry looked at the front cover, reading it as Alicia stood up and walked over to the window, glancing out for any signs of an owl.
"Hey… Harry…" Alicia began. Harry put the newspaper down and joined her beside the window. "See that?" she asked confused.
Silhouetted against the golden moon, and growing larger every moment, was a large, strangely lopsided creature, and it was flapping in the two's direction. Alicia looked at Harry confused as they stood quite still, watching it sink lower and lower. Harry slowly moved his hand and put it on the window latch, ready to slam it shut. Alicia however grabbed his arm as the bizarre creature soared over one of the street lamps of Privet Drive. Alicia pulled Harry to the side and out of the way.
Through the window soared four owls, two of them holding up the third, which appeared to be unconscious, the fourth leading the way. They landed with a soft flump on Harry's bed, and the middle owl, which was large and grey, keeled right over and lay motionless. There were two large packages tied to its legs.
"Oh god…" Alicia muttered as she recognised the owl. It was hard not to. His name was Errol, and he belonged to the Weasley family. "Ron should know better. Sending Errol on such a trip." Alicia waved her arms with a roll of her eyes as Harry dashed to the bed. He untied the cords around Errol's legs, took off the parcels, and then carried Errol to Hedwig's cage. Errol opened one bleary eye, gave a feeble hoot of thanks, and began to gulp some water.
The three owls left stood waiting, two were recognisable. The large snowy owl was Harry's own Hedwig, the large black was Alicia's Noel. They two were carrying parcels, Hedwig looked very pleased with herself and Noel looked at Alicia expectantly, waiting to be congratulated almost.
"Alright, let me see." Alicia smiled as she moved to Noel and took the package, she immediately noticed Hermione's neat handwriting on the parcel. Noel nipped her ear as Hedwig did the same to Harry as he removed her burden, then both flew across the room to join Errol. Alicia was surprised they fit in the cage.
Neither of them recognised the third owl.
"Now who else would send us a package on our birthday?" Alicia asked, fake curiosity on her face. Harry however didn't seem to understand. "It's a Hogwarts owl Harry. Hagrid."
Rubeus Hagrid was the Hogwarts game keeper. He was the one who had told Harry he was a wizard and about Harry's parents. He was also the one who took both Harry and Alicia around Diagon Alley, a hidden alley full of wizard shops, to buy their very first school supplies.
Harry looked back at the scrawny owl and noticed the letters it had, two of them, each bearing the Hogwarts crest.
When Harry relieved this owl of its burden, it ruffled its feathers importantly, stretched its wings, and took off through the window into the night.
"I'm glad I decided to come now." Alicia grinned as she sat on the bed and picked up the package from Ron with her name on it. Harry sat next to her and did the same. He ripped off the brown paper, and discovered a present wrapped in gold, and his first ever birthday card. Fingers trembling slightly, he opened the envelope. Two pieces of paper fell out — a letter and a newspaper clipping.
The clipping had come out of the Daily Prophet. Harry picked up the clipping, smoothed it out, Alicia leaning over his shoulder as he read. She grinned, having already seen the clipping a week ago.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE
Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.
A delighted Mr. Weasley told the Daily Prophet, "We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.
"Personally I think they deserve it." Alicia grinned as she looked at the moving photo. All nine of the Weasleys were waving furiously at them, standing in front of a large pyramid. Plump little Mrs. Weasley; tall, balding Mr. Weasley; six sons; and one daughter, all (though the black-and-white picture didn't show it) with flaming-red hair. Right in the middle of the picture was Ron, tall and gangling, with his pet rat, Scabbers, on his shoulder and his arm around his little sister, Ginny.
Alicia opened her present from Ron to find a book.
"Ron sent me a book…" she said surprised, that was something Hermione was more expected to do. Harry looked surprised also.
"Ancient History of Egypt." Alicia read. "Oh." She smiled, finding it less surprising now.
Dear Alicia,
Did you see the article? Isn't it awesome! I couldn't believe it when Dad won the draw! Seven hundred galleons! Most of it's gone on this trip, but they're going to buy me a new wand for next year.
Alicia chuckled, Ron's wand had broken at the beginning of last year when the car she, Ron and Harry had traveled to Hogwarts in had hit a tree. All because they were locked out of Platform Nine and Three Quarters by Dobby the house elf.
Is Harry alright? After my phone call? Did he tell you about that? I hope he is… dad said I shouldn't have shouted…
Alicia laughed, she remembered very clearly the phone call, she'd luckily been standing right in the doorway that morning when it happened.
Most unluckily it had been Uncle Vernon who had answered the call.
"Vernon Dursley speaking."
Harry had frozen and Alicia had stopped as Petunia stood at the door before her.
"HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? I — WANT — TO — TALK — TO — HARRY — POTTER!"
Ron was yelling so loudly that Uncle Vernon jumped and held the receiver a foot away from his ear, staring at it with an expression of mingled fury and alarm.
"WHO IS THIS?" he roared in the direction of the mouthpiece. "WHO ARE YOU?"
Alicia was laughing her head off, to who Petunia had pursed her lips and looked both annoyed and worried at the same time, her eyes darting between Alicia, Harry and her husband with the phone.
"RON — WEASLEY!" Ron bellowed back, as though he and Uncle Vernon were speaking from opposite ends of a football field. "I'M — A — FRIEND — OF — HARRY'S — FROM — SCHOOL —"
Uncle Vernon's small eyes swivelled around to Harry, who was rooted to the spot.
"THERE IS NO HARRY POTTER HERE!" he roared, now holding the receiver at arm's length, as though frightened it might explode. "I DON'T KNOW WHAT SCHOOL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! NEVER CONTACT ME AGAIN! DON'T YOU COME NEAR MY FAMILY!"
And he threw the receiver back onto the telephone as if dropping a poisonous spider.
The fight that had followed had been one of the worst ever.
"HOW DARE YOU GIVE THIS NUMBER TO PEOPLE LIKE — PEOPLE LIKE YOU !" Uncle Vernon had roared, spraying Harry with spit.
"How do you know I didn't give them the number?" Alicia asked, the Dursleys didn't know Alicia was family and were reluctant to treat her like they did Harry. Petunia always looked at her the same as Alicia was the splitting image of her mother, only with black hair. The Dursleys also didn't know about Alicia's family, they were probably scared she tell her magic parents about them.
The Dursleys had all shared a worried look but no one had answered as Harry got up and left, dragging Alicia as far from the house has possible.
Anyway, we'll be back about a week before term starts and we'll be going up to London to get my wand and our new books. Any chance of meeting you and Harry there?
Ron.
PS. Percy's Head Boy. He got the Letter last week.
Alicia turned to look at the picture about the same time Harry did, Percy, who was in his seventh and final year at Hogwarts, was looking particularly smug. He had pinned his Head Boy badge to the fez perched jauntily on top of his neat hair, his horn-rimmed glasses flashing in the Egyptian sun.
"We're never going to hear the end of this, it'll be worse then when he was a prefect." Alicia sighed, Percy loved to brag, he loved to be important and have power over others. Apparently he wanted to be Minister of Magic.
"What did you get?" Alicia asked as she turned to Harry.
Harry turned to his present and unwrapped it. Inside was what looked like a miniature glass spinning top. There was another note from Ron beneath it.
Harry — this is a Pocket Sneakoscope. If there's someone untrustworthy around, it's supposed to light up and spin. Bill says it's rubbish sold for wizard tourists and isn't reliable, because it kept lighting up at dinner last night. But he didn't realise Fred and George had put beetles in his soup.
Bye —
Ron.
Alicia chuckled. Ron's twin brothers, Fred and George Weasley were the Hogwarts pranksters. No one got into more trouble then them and no one knew the secret passageways of the castle better then them. Including the mean caretaker Argus Filch.
Harry put the Pocket Sneakoscope on his bedside table, where it stood quite still, balanced on its point, reflecting the luminous hands of his clock.
"With Voldemort turning up twice now, it might be handy." Alicia smiled in admittance. Harry looked at her and nodded.
Alicia picked up Hermione's package which Noel had brought. She was not surprised that this was a book also. Alicia enjoyed reading, its what allowed her to compete with Hermione in school, both were rivals for being the brightest witches of their year level, only Hermione was better with words and facts while Alicia was better with spells. Of course she had a slight photographic memory that helped remember all the spells.
This book however was from France, Alicia opened it to find all the french words turn to english. It was on France wizardry, past and present. With it was another book on charms and wizard key chain of the Eiffel tower. When Alicia looked closely, she found there were people on top waving at her. She grinned.
Harry was reading card from Hermione and Alicia leaned over to peak.
Dear Harry,
Ron wrote to me and told me about his phone call to your Uncle Vernon. I do hope you're all right.
I'm on holiday in France at the moment and I didn't know how I was going to send this to you — what if they'd opened it at customs? — but then Hedwig and Noel turned up! I think she wanted to make sure you got something for your birthday for a change. I bought your present by owl-order; there was an advertisement in the Daily Prophet (I've been getting it delivered; it's so good to keep up with what's going on in the wizarding world).
"Told you." Alicia said
Did you see that picture of Ron and his family a week ago? I bet he's learning loads. I'm really jealous — the ancient Egyptian wizards were fascinating.
There's some interesting local history of witchcraft here, too. I've rewritten my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things I've found out. I hope it's not too long — it's two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for.
Ron says he's going to be in London in the last week of the holidays. Can you make it? Will your aunt and uncle let you come? I really hope you can. If not, I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express on September first!
Love from Hermione.
PS. Ron says Percy's Head Boy. I'll bet Percy's really pleased. Ron doesn't seem too happy about it.
Alicia turned to her letter.
Hey Alicia,
Thanks for sending Noel! I knew telling you about my holiday was a good idea, I wasn't sure about customs and I didn't want to wait a month till we were on our way to school.
It was a surprise when both she and Hedwig turned up, especially Hedwig as I haven't seen her all summer. They seemed to arrive right on time too… did you get the presents in time?
I hope you like the book, I thought a little history could brighten your day, help with Professor Binns essay, I rewrote mine… it's two pieces of parchment more then he asked.
The key chain was just a little fun, I thought the wizard tools were better than the muggles and I know you love your charms, they've got some interesting ones here, but be careful, you need to pronounce them right. French words will end badly is you're not careful, like Buffalo remember from Flitwick's class in first year.
I hope you and Harry can come to London a week before we return, I know you can but can Harry? I'd like to see him beforehand. Ron's going did he tell you? Did you see him in the Daily Prophet? Are you still getting it? I'm so jealous, Egypt is full of fascinating information!
Anyway, I hope to see you in London! I have heaps to tell you about what I've learnt here!
Love From Hermione.
PS. Did you hear about Percy? I bet he's proud, Ron isn't.
"Typical Hermione." Alicia smiled as both letters were similar. Of course Hermione had less to tell Alicia then she did Harry.
Harry laughed as he put Hermione's letter aside and picked up her present. It was very heavy. Knowing Hermione, you would think it'd be a large book full of very difficult spells — but it wasn't. Harry ripped back the paper and saw a sleek black leather case, with silver words stamped across it, reading Broomstick Servicing Kit.
"Wow, Hermione!" Harry whispered, unzipping the case to look inside.
"Aww! Jealous!" Alicia said as she eyed the kit.
There was a large jar of Fleetwood's High-Finish Handle Polish, a pair of gleaming silver Tail-Twig Clippers, a tiny brass compass to clip on your broom for long journeys, and a Handbook of Do-It-Yourself Broomcare.
"Think I can borrow it?" Alicia asked smiling innocently. Alicia loved her broom and more then all she loved what she used it for. Wizard sport, Quidditch. Highly dangerous, very exciting, and played on broomsticks. Both Harry and Alicia were naturally gifted at the sport, their father having been a Chaser when he was at Hogwarts. Both twins were on the Gryffindor team, Harry as the Seeker, Alicia as a Chaser. Harry loved his broom just as much as Alicia, while he had a Nimbus two-thousand, Alicia had a Firebolt, the fastest broom in the world so far.
The last presents were from Hagrid, Harry put the leather case aside and picked up his first. He tore off the top layer of paper and glimpsed something green and leathery, but before he could unwrap it properly, the parcel gave a strange quiver, and whatever was inside it snapped loudly — as though it had jaws.
Alicia leaned away from Harry suddenly and she and him shared a look. They both knew that Hagrid would never send them anything dangerous on purpose, but then, Hagrid didn't have a normal person's view of what was dangerous. Hagrid had been known to befriend giant spiders, buy vicious, three-headed dogs from men in pubs, and sneak illegal dragon eggs into his cabin.
Harry poked the parcel nervously. It snapped loudly again. Harry reached for the lamp on his bedside table, gripped it firmly in one hand, and raised it over his head, ready to strike while Alicia stood up and moved away slightly. Harry seized the rest of the wrapping paper in his other hand and pulled.
And out fell — a book. Alicia just registered its handsome green cover, emblazoned with the golden title The Monster Book of Monsters, before it flipped onto its edge and scuttled side-ways along the bed like some weird crab.
"Uh-oh," Harry muttered.
The book toppled off the bed with a loud clunk and shuffled rapidly across the room. Alicia and Harry both paused for a minute, listening for the Dursleys before Harry, after hearing nothing from the sleeping family, followed the book stealthily.
"I shouldn't be at all surprised Hagrid would send us a biting book but really?" Alicia asked, she returned to her parcel and poked it, only to have it move too. Alicia drew back biting her lip as she watched Harry. The book was hiding in the dark space under his desk. Harry got down on his hands and knees and reached toward it.
"Don't —"
"Ouch!" Harry hadn't listened. The book snapped shut on his hand and then flapped past him, still scuttling on its covers.
"Biting, book." Alicia said slowly, Harry sent her a look before he scrambled around, threw himself forward, and managed to flatten the book. Uncle Vernon gave a loud, sleepy grunt in the room next door.
Noel, Hedwig and Errol watched interestedly as Harry clamped the struggling book tightly in his arms.
"Alicia, belt." Harry muttered. Alicia hurried to the chest of drawers, and pulled out a belt quickly before giving it to Harry, who buckled it tightly around the book. The Monster Book shuddered angrily, but could no longer flap and snap.
"I think I'll open mine back in my room… So I can tie it up with something too." Alicia decided, poking it again. Harry nodded in agreement, throwing his down on the bed and reaching for Hagrid's card.
Dear Harry,
Happy birthday!
Think you might find this useful for next year. Won't say no more here. Tell you when I see you. Hope the Muggles are treating you right.
All the best,
Hagrid
"How is a biting book useful?" Harry asked
"It's Hagrid, when is a monster book not useful?" Alicia wondered crossing her arms
"Yeah but that's for him."
"Come on Harry, 'seriously misunderstood creatures'." she quoted. Harry sighed and nodded. He reached for the Hogwarts letters first before handing her one.
"Yours is here too." Alicia grinned
"I love how Dumbledore does that." Last year he'd sent both Harry and Alicia's letters to the Burrow, Ron's house, as they'd gone there for the last month of holidays and the year before Dumbledore had followed Harry around with cards as the Dursleys tried to hide from them.
Alicia opened her letter to find three pieces of parchment inside, the book list, the letter and a form.
Dear Miss Evans,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.
A list of books for next year is enclosed. Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"We get to go to Hogsmeade!" Alicia grinned excitedly. Hogsmeade was the wizard village just outside of Hogwarts, the closest town the giant castle was too. Alicia had never been to a wizard village before. She pulled out the Hogsmeade form before thinking of something and looking to Harry worried.
"How are you going to get the Dursleys to sign?" Alicia mumbled. Harry sighed and shook his head "Maybe Ms Bane could sign it, I'm sure Dumbledore would allow it, I mean he could had of easily have put you with the orphanage instead." she admitted. Harry looked at her
"McGonagall wouldn't fall for it."
"I know, but Dumbledore might." Alicia nagged, Harry didn't look hopeful.
"I'll worry about it later." he turned to the clock, it was now two in the morning. "You'd better get home." he said. Alicia sighed.
"Sure. Shall I come back later?" she smiled
"Well the Dursley's aren't going to have planned anything." Harry reminded her
"True… you know I think I wont knock today, I'll just walk straight in, seeing as Vernon likes to shout a little I'll just tell him it's my birthday and I can do what I want." Alicia shrugged "Say, I've been thinking, we should make up a story about my parents, that they're alive and wizards and will beat the living crap out of the Dursleys." Alicia grinned. Harry couldn't keep the smile of his face either but he tried to control himself
"I don't…"
"Can we at least tell Dudley?" Alicia loved tormenting Dudley as he had done so to Harry for eleven years.
Harry sighed and Alicia rolled her eyes before grabbing her presents and moving to the window.
"Drop them down for me when I land?" she asked. Harry nodded
"Come on Noel, Vernon will kill you if he finds you here." Alicia admitted. Noel gave Hedwig and Errol an small hoot of goodbye before she flew out the window and landed on a bush waiting.
Alicia climbed down the rope and Harry unattached it. When Alicia had rolled the rope back up again Harry dropped the presents into her hands and she waved good bye before carrying them back around to the front and to the road, Noel flying by her side.
"One day we're going to have something up on these Dursleys, even if it is when we're seventeen and able to sue magic." Alicia muttered to her owl.