Authors Note: Thanks everyone for the reviews! I got quite a surprise to see so many. I have quite a few comments to make, but I'll leave it until the end so I don't spoil the chapter for you.

Chapter 6: The Mystery That is Mark Evans

The book Harry received from his secret helper was invaluable. Although he knew that handwriting on the note, he simply could not place it. He had been searching through his mind all night but the identity of the owner of the handwriting just eluded him. He did, however, find the information he needed for Snape's homework task in no time and had completed his assignment in a couple of hours.

Snape's words to Harry had played on his mind all throughout the night in his dreams and continued to plague him during the morning. You are easy prey. The idea that Snape set him up to teach him a lesson was not lost on Harry. But the idea that Harry could be so easily lured absolutely horrified him. Even after the horrendous events at the Ministry of Magic, he had not learnt his lesson.

Snape had been working intently on something ever since Harry had started his lessons and he had been so intrigued by what it could be, possibly something for the Order, that he had never stopped to think about what he was doing. He should never have gone into Snape's lab. One day his curiosity was going to get him killed.

After he had done his morning chores for the Dursleys, Harry felt he needed to go for a walk to clear his mind before today's potion lesson, before he had to face Snape again. He knew he had to apologise, but had to work himself up to it. Apologising to someone he hated as much as Snape was never an easy task.

The cool breeze through Harry's hair as he walked had the desired effect as he begun to relax. When Harry past Magnolia Crescent, he caught sight of Dudley and his gang on the corner. Not wanting to deal with Dudley at the moment, Harry had started to change course until he saw Mark Evans exit the convenience store. Mark shouted a cheery, "Hi, Duds!" to Dudley, and Dudley promptly took off in fright, while his sycophants trailed behind.

Having to know what was going on between his cousin and Mark Evans, Harry quickly sprinted across the park to catch up with Mark.

"Hi, Mark," Harry said, panting slightly from the sprint.

A small 11 year-old boy looked up.  He was wearing blue jeans with white t-shirt and sneakers, his hair was a dark red and he had brown eyes. "Oh, hi Harry," Mark answered, smiling.

"How's your summer going?" Harry asked.

"Fine, yours?" Mark answered.

"Good. Is something going on between you and Dudley?" Harry asked. He really wanted to know. Mark wasn't going to co-operate, however, as he just shrugged.

Harry had an idea as to what it could be, as there was only one thing that Harry could think of that would make Dudley so terrified. Harry himself had personal experience of this nature. But seeing that the direct approach wasn't going to work, Harry tried subtlety. "You start secondary school this year, don't you?"

Mark nodded.

"Which school are you going to?" Harry asked, looking for any sign of hesitation or awkwardness at this question.

As it happened, Harry didn't need to look very far because Mark answered, "St Brutus'." Mark then winked, and took off down the street.

Harry giggled to himself. Mark's a wizard, and he knew Harry was a wizard too. Harry remembered before Hogwarts, how he used to perform magic without intending too. Harry wondered what Mark had unintentionally done to Dudley, and wished he had been there to see it. Because Mark had not yet started Hogwarts he could not be expelled for using magic, and Harry was sure Dudley knew it too. Harry did wonder why Mark wasn't prepared to talk about being a wizard to him, however. Unless Harry got the message wrong and Mark really was going to St Brutus'. Harry dismissed that idea. Mark was a good kid. He was definitely a wizard.

Feeling hungry, Harry decided to go to the small shopping centre on Walkers Way. He never had much of an opportunity to buy take-away in the muggle world as he's never had any muggle money before, and the muggle's would think him strange if he tried to hand over galleons (or stranger, as the Dursleys made sure that everyone in Surrey thought that Harry was odd, thereby making them think the Dursleys were saints for taking Harry in). Since Harry had the muggle money that he got Hermione to exchange for his 'board', he was going to enjoy himself for a change.

Harry enjoyed a peaceful meal of cottage pie and chips at a small casual restaurant. It wasn't as good as the meals the house elves served up at Hogwarts, but it was delicious none-the-less. Harry then decided to do some shopping, as this was another pastime that he was always deprived of. He wanted to get some muggle clothes that actually fit.

Some time later Harry was laden with shopping bags, which contained two sets of jeans, some t-shirts, an overcoat, a pair of new shoes, a watch and a new pair of glasses. Harry knew he shouldn't have gone so overboard with his purchases, but he was sick of wearing Dudley's enormous hand-me-downs.

On the way back to Privet Drive, Harry tried to think of a way to get his new belongings inside without the Dursleys seeing. Harry knew that the Dursleys would not be impressed at seeing Harry with so many new things. They would also like to know where Harry got the money from, as they are taking most of Harry's 'earnings' in board.

Just as Harry approached Privet Drive, he froze in his tracks, horrified. Just to confirm, he checked the time on his new watch. It was ten past two. He was over an hour late for his potions lesson! He had been having such a good time shopping that he completely forgot. Harry dashed down Privet Drive, hid his bags in some bushes at the back of the house, and ran inside. His intention was to run to his room to get his potions work. However, he was stopped by his Aunt Petunia, who was giving Harry a dirty look.

"Where have you been? There's someone in the lounge room who has been waiting for you for the past half and hour!" Aunt Petunia scolded. Dudley was standing behind Aunt Petunia, gloating. Harry knew this wasn't going to be good.

Harry forced himself to walk into the lounge room. His worst suspicions were confirmed when he stood face to face with his dreaded potions master.

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R&R

Author's notes:

I just wanted to make some comments on some of the reviews I've received. Nothing bad, of course, I think you're all wonderful! But some of you have given some insightful reviews and I wanted to comment back.

Xikum: Hi, thankyou so much for your review. You brought up some very interesting and very valid points, and thus forced me to think about the Snape/Harry relationship much more deeply than I have already. In terms of the books I completely agree with you. I desperately want to see some kind of resolution between Snape and Harry, or at the very least show us some understanding as to exactly why Snape loathes Harry so completely. It can't be just because of James. I'm sure that JKR won't let us down.

If I can add my opinions to yours: I do not see Snape changing his views on Harry any time soon. There are certainly similarities between Harry's and Snape's upbringing. They were both abused, and on the surface one can see a reason for Snape's treatment of Harry to change for this reason. But I see Snape as a broken man, and the man knows how to hold a grudge. He is not kind, or understanding. Many people who are abused continue the cycle of abuse. They grow up harsh and cruel just like their tormentors and this is where I place Snape. Harry is another kettle of fish though, as he was strong enough to break free of the cycle. This I believe is greatly attributed to not only to his own strength but the power of such great friends that are Ron and Hermione, which was something I believe Snape never had. In fact, Snape's friends were all also harsh and cruel, and all became death eaters. So although Snape and Harry's upbringings were similar in some ways, their situations are vastly different. It was very much influenced by their personal strength and by the people around them. The bottom line, I don't think that Snape is going to suddenly be kind to Harry just because his relatives say a few harsh words to him. Snape grew up to be just like the people who abused him. It's going to take something much more to bring Snape out of his hatred.

Some of the other things you brought up:

-I don't see Harry as rebellious either. He is just much too curious for his own good!

-Is Snape being kind to Draco in the effort of keeping him away from the dark? I don't believe I've mentioned that specifically in my story, and nor will I, as I am not writing a story about abuse. My use of Draco is merely a plot device, not intended to be examined closely. (Re-reading your review I just realised I never truly saw the potential for the parallel between Snape and his father, Harry and the Dursley's and Malfoy and his father. What you've suggested here would make for compelling reading if one was good enough at writing it.) I do want to say, just because Snape says something to Harry, it doesn't make it fact. That was included to make a completely different point, which will be revealed later on. Remember, Snape is the head of Slytherin, manipulative and in my opinion not always trustworthy. He wouldn't cross Dumbledore, but Harry's fair game.

-I don't see what I am doing as art. What I am doing is attempting to develop my writing style, which, with the help of the wonderful people who are my reviewers, may one day in the distant future enable me to write something that loosely resembles art.

Katie: Oops. You're absolutely right. I have a purpose for the lab scene happening but I needed to develop this much more in the chapters leading up to this event. I don't think anything could really dampen Harry's curiosity, he is just curious by nature.  Harry's been very curious to know exactly what Snape's been doing as he feels that since he is the one that has to face Voldemort, he should know what is going on. When Snape had left the house and left the door to the lab wide open, it was too much of a temptation. Of course, a well-written story wouldn't need this sort of explanation. In my defence, besides the short one-off I did a long time ago, this is my first foray into fiction of any kind and I still have a lot to learn!

R. LeMythe: Thankyou. Your advice has been noted and appreciated. You're right about my use of the word 'drag'. I didn't see it before. I'm Australian and we pick up a lot of both American and British-ism's. I was also worried about the letter from Dumbledore when I wrote it. As for my tenses, I tried to work on the tenses in this chapter. I'm not sure if I succeeded but I'm trying!

As for Snape not yelling at Dumbledore, I'm not sure if I agree, but I don't actively disagree either. Snape does respect Dumbledore, but that doesn't stop Snape from being Snape. Harry also respects Dumbledore but it didn't stop Harry from shouting at him and smashing his possessions. And you have to admit, what Dumbledore was asking Snape to do, giving up his summer to give special treatment to his most hated student, was very unreasonable. I wouldn't blame Snape for throwing a fit. And we've seen Snape blow his top before. But at the same time Snape may try to control his temper.

A couple of other points:

As for who sent the book, I'm not saying, but I will say that no-one's guessed it yet. It is related to the incident earlier on when Harry was trying to get Uncle Vernon to agree to let Harry take this 'job'. Remember the shadow in the hallway?

A couple of people mentioned developing a better relationship between Snape and Harry. Hmmm, maybe in the sequel? Now, Snape and Harry aren't going to fight all the time, honestly, who wants to read 13 chapters of Snape and Harry doing nothing but arguing? But they are not going to get all chummy either.

This story will only be for the duration of the summer holidays. I intend on leaving some things open which will be resolved in a sequel which will be much longer and last for the duration of the school year if people are interested. I'll ask the question again when this story is finished.

Okay, the Author's Note was as long as the chapter. I promise I won't write an Author's Note this long again :)