Disclaimer: I own not Harry Potter.
A/N: To the two who last reviewed, thanks so here're some of your answers, we still don't know how Hermione knew about the Prophecy, but you'll find out. Sorry about the delay... well... (Puts the pedal to the metal and holds his breath ready for the plunge off the cliff.) here goes nothing.
"Harry... meet your brother, Evan Jonathan Potter." James said putting a hand on Harry's shoulder "What's going on!?" Harry found himself almost screeching in a shrill voice which clearly expressed his mental instability. He put a hand to his head in pure confusion. When he removed it he was looking once again... at what seemed to be himself. Evan Potter sat in front of his twin brother extending his hand. "Hullo Harry" he said in a calming, warm voice. Harry began to shake again... too much... it was all too much.
He could tell he was becoming unhinged and he knew he had to be stronger or he couldn't beat Voldemort. Like Harry, Evan had a wiry build and thus looked weak and fragile, but Harry figured that like himself, Evan was made of tougher stuff then that, as Voldemort had undoubtedly done this to him the same night he had killed their parents and attempted to murder Harry.
Recalling his attention to his current situation Harry seized control of himself and took Evan's hand firmly, and was shocked when he was pulled into an embrace. When Evan released him he smiled softly. "You've been through a lot Harry, it's written all over your soul." James smiled lightly and said. "You two catch up and in a while a healer will be in to examine you both and determine if you're ready to be released." Lily and James left.
"This is only a bit uncomfortable." Evan said smiling softly. Harry returned it, finally some humor. "Yeah, well then what say we lay it all out, Harry? First, there are some things you've not yet told everyone. In fact only Mum, Dad, Sirius and I think two of your friends know... well and me too." Evan reached out and rolled Harry's sleeve up. "Firstly, Harry you're going to stop that. And the blood collection bowl is going to be destroyed. Alright?" Harry's eyes widened with shock. "Sure... I mean I've got no... Desire to do it anymore.... But how did you know? "
"I, Harry, can read your mind. That's how I've got most of my abilities... I kind of... borrowed the lessons from your memories. If you focus you can read mine too and we can communicate in this manner but we're the only ones it works with. Focus on me." Harry reluctantly followed instructions, he shut out all other thoughts and sounds and suddenly he heard, somewhat loudly a voice in his head. 'Harry, can you hear me?' His eyes widened. 'That's a definite yes... think AT me. I can read your mind when you're thinking but I get only a foggy idea of what you're thinking... you must think at me. Join me in our minds. Close your eyes Harry.' Harry looked at his twin's serene face for a moment before closing his eyes.
He was in a large chamber suddenly full of images of himself and of Evan, the difference was hard to see but Harry could see it Evan looked slightly unnourished and didn't share the scar. Images of Dumbledore floated around Dumbledore was talking about the Patronus Charm to Evan and telling him that due to Harry's ability to do it he would now be able to as long as he could produce a strong enough memory.
Suddenly Harry could see Evan in front of him. Harry still had his eyes closed he knew this yet he could 'see' his brother and couldn't open them, so he did the only thing he could think of, he asked a question. "Evan, where are we?" Evan smiled the same serene smile. "We're in a place... I guess it's like a mental connection expressed through magic... we're in the Chamber of the Mind Connection. That's a good name for it. Here we can access each others thoughts, help each other understand what one is thinking, fill in each others gaps in knowledge. Check your memory for the night Voldemort came, I was fading into the coma when he turned his wand on you, and somehow I've retained it, now it's yours as well." Harry shook his head in confusion, or his Symbolic Body's head. "Check my memory? How, we're in our minds, and I can't go back to the real world." Evan tsked. "This is as real as that Harry.
Look... I started waking up each time your mind was invaded by Voldemort... since then Dumbledore has filled me in. Mum and Dad showed up right before you awoke... and I discovered that I still had memories. But that's off the subject; I'll show you how to get 'back' in a moment for now... just try to think of the memory." So Harry did... trying to find a memory in the chamber he was in. In front of them both flew an image of a one year old Harry standing in his crib.
Voldemort was pointing his wand at Harry. "Young mister Potter... you would have caused me trouble... thank god for the Seer. Your brother may well be the one the Prophecy spoke of, so for good measure in a moment he shall be in an eternal sleep. But you will soon die. Goodbye, Harry Potter, son of those who have thrice defied me." Then all was black as Voldemort yelled the beginning of the Killing Curse.
Harry felt wonder overtake him. Then grief, extremely strong, he had caused another persons life to be ruined... suddenly he didn't feel all of that grief... some was still there but the rest seemed... distant. Instantly Harry understood. "Oh no you don't Harry, you're not at fault here... and from now on I'm going to be here to take part of the burden from you... if you'll let me. I've read, heard about all of it, from members of the order. Also I heard from Hermione and Ron, and I want to help you all, especially you Harry. I'm going to take part of your burden. Please Harry, you have to trust me. I want revenge on Voldemort as much as you, I understand what is at stake, that being your life. I have to help. Now Harry you should breathe deeply."
Harry took a deep breath and suddenly his eyes flew open. A moment after his eyes became accustomed to the light and he saw his brother- he could think of him as his brother easily now... after that- sitting opposite of him, Harry became aware that he was really tired.
Somewhere far off he could feel a weariness that Harry recognized as Evan's. "We're linked now Harry, I can tell. I've read about these links before, they're permanent, and rare. But I'm really tired, it always is like this after the first link I read... should pass in a moment. Just promise you'll throw away the knife and bowl." Harry smiled and thought at him. 'I Promise.' With that Evan fell back onto his bed and fell asleep. Harry took a nearby chair and was surprised when he awoke to a voice.
"Oh my dear! They're both out!" Evan was asleep still, as Harry could tell without opening his eyes, there was only a dull edge of contentedness coming through the link between them, and he must be having a nice dream. Harry opened his eyes and looked at the Healer. "Nope, we're both just incredibly tired." He reached out slowly and touched Evan's shoulder tentatively.
Evan stirred and sat up yawning and smiling. "Wow, they're here already...." He muttered as the Healer ran her wand over Harry then Evan himself. Two slips fall from the wand simultaneously. "You both check out, you're free to go." Harry held out his hand, feeling an unexplained love for the boy in front of him that had come almost immediately. A brotherly love, he thought then chuckled. 'Well duh Harry.' Evan thought at him and Harry heard him laugh as he stepped out of bed and immediately fell forward into Harry's waiting arms. "Thought that'd happen, I'm not a healer or a Muggle Doctor but I'm smart enough to know your leg muscles aren't too strong yet... come on." He flung one of Evan's arms around his shoulder and helped him out of the room.
They were met by Dumbledore. "Harry you and Evan are to come directly to a meeting of The Order. Here, an authorized portkey. Hold tight to him Harry." Unceremoniously, Dumbledore shoved a small brass ring into Harry's free hand. There was a small jerk and they began to swirl. Softly he heard Evan's mental voice imploring him not to release him. They appeared in the kitchen of Number Twelve. Percy and all the Weasly brothers with the acception Ron stood in front of him. "Charlie... Help me get him to a seat." Harry said and moments after sitting Evan into a chair they all rounded on him. "Is it true Harry?" Fred asked. "Are they back?" George asked. "Seriously!?" Bill asked.
Charlie and Percy asked the same question. "And Sirius too?" "Whoa you guys... he can only answer so much at once." Sirius stepped into the room in his full glory and as Harry looked around, he saw most of the order sitting at the table. Unceremoniously, Dumbledore, James Potter, and Lily Potter appeared into the Kitchen with three loud simultaneous cracks. The members of the Order who had not been present at the concert... very few that was, began to murmur. Suddenly a nagging question came from Harry's mouth.
"Where is Shawn? Did you already wipe his memory? I wanted to thank him!" Dumbledore smiled. "We have decided he can keep his memory until Voldemort has fallen. He and the rest of them are with Mr. Weasly and Mrs. Grainger in the basement. They await the presence of you and Evan as soon as you're done here. This may be tough but I'm going to need to confront you here and now about those."
Dumbledore removed with a motion of his wand, the pads on Harry's wrists revealing scars. Harry felt anxiety rise in him, and felt it being staved off by Evan's calming thought voice telling him to relax. " Wh... did you... cut yourself? Why!?" Remus Lupin asked as he pulled Harry's now bare wrist out. Harry kept his head down as he heard Mundungus and Shacklebolt muttering, Tonks gasping, Percy tsking, and Bill and Charlie saying, "Harry, how could you do that?" Harry felt himself shake and knew the tears were coming. Evan's hand found his shoulder... followed by his godfathers. His parents stood above him smiling softly, comfortingly. "Don't worry Harry; we're not here to give you grief or guilt." Dumbledore said. "We just..." James trailed off and Lily finished. "We want you to promise not to do it ever again no matter what happens." Harry felt his brother's grip intensify. "I promise... and I apologize to all of you."
Harry didn't await anymore reaction as Dumbledore asked him if he Evan and the Weasly twins would please leave. Immediately Harry helped Evan to his feet and helped him limp out. Before they could get to the basement George turned. "Fred... I need to come clean with you... I've done what Harry did... Harry... stopped me from it. You see when Sirius died... I felt so guilty... when dad was in the hospital all I did was goad him about how he was sitting around doing nothing. And I felt I had caused another bit of pain in Harry's life... so I ... just thought you should know." George Weasly smiled meekly at Evan and Harry and Fred then, a first in Harry's book happened, George burst into tears.
Fred and George stood staring at each other in the way they usually did as if they were smoothing things over and then nodded simultaneously. Suddenly it hit Harry, either that or the verbally silent Evan mentally pushed it into his mind. "You two have the connection too don't you?" Fred looked shocked then looked at Evan and nodded smiling in realization. "Yeah." Harry was confused. "Then how did you manage to keep it from Fred this long?" He asked George. "It's called Mind block. Now that you have the problem, perhaps I'll teach it to you some time." Harry shook his head smirking slightly as a red faced George threw his arms around Fred Evan and himself.
"Come on now you three... they'll want us down there. Especially Evan and Fred. Fred saved Hermione's life you know... a Death Eater had fired a Killing Spell at her... Fred knocked her out of the way just in time and ducked himself." Harry smiled. "Thanks Fred." Evan had been quiet mentally and physically for a while so Harry became worried and was quickly verbally comforted. "Don't worry Harry... I'm just rather weak...none of my muscles are too strong." As they arrived in the basement Harry helped Evan to a chair and then they were all four bombarded with questions. "Are you okay?" This being the one mainly thrown at Harry he just continued to nod.
"Do you need some food or water?" This was shot at Evan who gratefully accepted the offer of a cup of water. "Were you crying or something?" Hermione said to George who looked down slightly. Fred shrugged when Hermione then asked him what was wrong, it was a family matter, and Harry and Evan Potter were pretty much family. Harry reluctantly left Evan's side to hug Hermione tightly, who after that went to Evan and gave him a small bottle of potion.
"It'll help. I did some research." Evan drank it slowly and energy returning to him he smiled. "You're a genius you know that right, I can see why Harry loves you. You're also rather beautiful; indeed you should see some of the things Harry is thinking about right n-" "Evan!" Harry said turning red, pushed the images of Hermione in his arms away. He turned to a solemn figure in a pair of faded jeans a white shirt and a black trench coat that was leaning against the wall. "Shawn... thank you...." Shawn remained in that posture.
"Thank me for what? I should thank you, you saved my life, and I almost cost you yours... if I could only fight like you guys, with magic and stuff, the spell would have been deflected before it was near you... I'm worthless." Kyle who had been the only one other then Shawn not to join the crowd now stood from his place on the ground. "No you aren't... Shawn doesn't beat yourself down, or I'll spear you." Kyle said grinning trying to lighten the mood. Shawn growled. "And all of you... lying to me!" The group whom Harry had thought to be Muggle looked down. "We had no choice Shawn." Kyle said sounding slightly injured
Harry looked in the mean time to Evan who was talking to Fred, then to Hermione who had finally stopped talking with Ron long enough for him to come up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist. She turned and returned his embrace.
Harry closed his eyes as Hermione buried her face into his chest and when they broke apart he couldn't help but notice that everyone was holding unopened bottles of butterbeer. Ron raised his and said. "A toast, to the couple..."
Evan spoke now raising his. "To brotherhood..." George followed suit. "To friendship and love," Fred raised his as well. "And to honesty and to Harry for brightening the room with his smile." Harry was grinning broadly now identically to Evan. After Shawn handed him one, and Hermione another Harry raised his in the fashion that the others had them. "And to a promise of doing my best to not lose my composure again." With a cry of "Cheers!" they all took a deep long draught. Suddenly Harry found himself laughing uncontrollably.
The source of his laughter was completely unknown to him until Evan, George and Fred grinned broadly and the rest, including Hermione, burst into laughter. "You... guys!" He continued to laugh until the Laughing Charm dissipated. Hermione held him tight and voiced the thoughts of everyone. "It's great to hear that sound again."
Moments later Harry fell onto the bed in the room he shared with Evan. After close to an hour he thought out. 'Evan you awake?' Evan replied. 'Yes I am. Let me guess, you're going to ask if I feel up to going to the Chamber of the Mind Connection? Well I am. I'll initiate the link.' So they lie there, their minds and souls combined and intertwined for hours, sharing their memories, Harry explaining things to Evan, Evan explaining things to Harry, and by the end of it both knew themselves better. Until the link suddenly broke and Harry realized Evan had fallen asleep, as he had found himself looking at the ceiling above him.
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A/N: Is that a drop off I see along the way? You decide. By the way this is 2872 words.
A/N: To the two who last reviewed, thanks so here're some of your answers, we still don't know how Hermione knew about the Prophecy, but you'll find out. Sorry about the delay... well... (Puts the pedal to the metal and holds his breath ready for the plunge off the cliff.) here goes nothing.
"Harry... meet your brother, Evan Jonathan Potter." James said putting a hand on Harry's shoulder "What's going on!?" Harry found himself almost screeching in a shrill voice which clearly expressed his mental instability. He put a hand to his head in pure confusion. When he removed it he was looking once again... at what seemed to be himself. Evan Potter sat in front of his twin brother extending his hand. "Hullo Harry" he said in a calming, warm voice. Harry began to shake again... too much... it was all too much.
He could tell he was becoming unhinged and he knew he had to be stronger or he couldn't beat Voldemort. Like Harry, Evan had a wiry build and thus looked weak and fragile, but Harry figured that like himself, Evan was made of tougher stuff then that, as Voldemort had undoubtedly done this to him the same night he had killed their parents and attempted to murder Harry.
Recalling his attention to his current situation Harry seized control of himself and took Evan's hand firmly, and was shocked when he was pulled into an embrace. When Evan released him he smiled softly. "You've been through a lot Harry, it's written all over your soul." James smiled lightly and said. "You two catch up and in a while a healer will be in to examine you both and determine if you're ready to be released." Lily and James left.
"This is only a bit uncomfortable." Evan said smiling softly. Harry returned it, finally some humor. "Yeah, well then what say we lay it all out, Harry? First, there are some things you've not yet told everyone. In fact only Mum, Dad, Sirius and I think two of your friends know... well and me too." Evan reached out and rolled Harry's sleeve up. "Firstly, Harry you're going to stop that. And the blood collection bowl is going to be destroyed. Alright?" Harry's eyes widened with shock. "Sure... I mean I've got no... Desire to do it anymore.... But how did you know? "
"I, Harry, can read your mind. That's how I've got most of my abilities... I kind of... borrowed the lessons from your memories. If you focus you can read mine too and we can communicate in this manner but we're the only ones it works with. Focus on me." Harry reluctantly followed instructions, he shut out all other thoughts and sounds and suddenly he heard, somewhat loudly a voice in his head. 'Harry, can you hear me?' His eyes widened. 'That's a definite yes... think AT me. I can read your mind when you're thinking but I get only a foggy idea of what you're thinking... you must think at me. Join me in our minds. Close your eyes Harry.' Harry looked at his twin's serene face for a moment before closing his eyes.
He was in a large chamber suddenly full of images of himself and of Evan, the difference was hard to see but Harry could see it Evan looked slightly unnourished and didn't share the scar. Images of Dumbledore floated around Dumbledore was talking about the Patronus Charm to Evan and telling him that due to Harry's ability to do it he would now be able to as long as he could produce a strong enough memory.
Suddenly Harry could see Evan in front of him. Harry still had his eyes closed he knew this yet he could 'see' his brother and couldn't open them, so he did the only thing he could think of, he asked a question. "Evan, where are we?" Evan smiled the same serene smile. "We're in a place... I guess it's like a mental connection expressed through magic... we're in the Chamber of the Mind Connection. That's a good name for it. Here we can access each others thoughts, help each other understand what one is thinking, fill in each others gaps in knowledge. Check your memory for the night Voldemort came, I was fading into the coma when he turned his wand on you, and somehow I've retained it, now it's yours as well." Harry shook his head in confusion, or his Symbolic Body's head. "Check my memory? How, we're in our minds, and I can't go back to the real world." Evan tsked. "This is as real as that Harry.
Look... I started waking up each time your mind was invaded by Voldemort... since then Dumbledore has filled me in. Mum and Dad showed up right before you awoke... and I discovered that I still had memories. But that's off the subject; I'll show you how to get 'back' in a moment for now... just try to think of the memory." So Harry did... trying to find a memory in the chamber he was in. In front of them both flew an image of a one year old Harry standing in his crib.
Voldemort was pointing his wand at Harry. "Young mister Potter... you would have caused me trouble... thank god for the Seer. Your brother may well be the one the Prophecy spoke of, so for good measure in a moment he shall be in an eternal sleep. But you will soon die. Goodbye, Harry Potter, son of those who have thrice defied me." Then all was black as Voldemort yelled the beginning of the Killing Curse.
Harry felt wonder overtake him. Then grief, extremely strong, he had caused another persons life to be ruined... suddenly he didn't feel all of that grief... some was still there but the rest seemed... distant. Instantly Harry understood. "Oh no you don't Harry, you're not at fault here... and from now on I'm going to be here to take part of the burden from you... if you'll let me. I've read, heard about all of it, from members of the order. Also I heard from Hermione and Ron, and I want to help you all, especially you Harry. I'm going to take part of your burden. Please Harry, you have to trust me. I want revenge on Voldemort as much as you, I understand what is at stake, that being your life. I have to help. Now Harry you should breathe deeply."
Harry took a deep breath and suddenly his eyes flew open. A moment after his eyes became accustomed to the light and he saw his brother- he could think of him as his brother easily now... after that- sitting opposite of him, Harry became aware that he was really tired.
Somewhere far off he could feel a weariness that Harry recognized as Evan's. "We're linked now Harry, I can tell. I've read about these links before, they're permanent, and rare. But I'm really tired, it always is like this after the first link I read... should pass in a moment. Just promise you'll throw away the knife and bowl." Harry smiled and thought at him. 'I Promise.' With that Evan fell back onto his bed and fell asleep. Harry took a nearby chair and was surprised when he awoke to a voice.
"Oh my dear! They're both out!" Evan was asleep still, as Harry could tell without opening his eyes, there was only a dull edge of contentedness coming through the link between them, and he must be having a nice dream. Harry opened his eyes and looked at the Healer. "Nope, we're both just incredibly tired." He reached out slowly and touched Evan's shoulder tentatively.
Evan stirred and sat up yawning and smiling. "Wow, they're here already...." He muttered as the Healer ran her wand over Harry then Evan himself. Two slips fall from the wand simultaneously. "You both check out, you're free to go." Harry held out his hand, feeling an unexplained love for the boy in front of him that had come almost immediately. A brotherly love, he thought then chuckled. 'Well duh Harry.' Evan thought at him and Harry heard him laugh as he stepped out of bed and immediately fell forward into Harry's waiting arms. "Thought that'd happen, I'm not a healer or a Muggle Doctor but I'm smart enough to know your leg muscles aren't too strong yet... come on." He flung one of Evan's arms around his shoulder and helped him out of the room.
They were met by Dumbledore. "Harry you and Evan are to come directly to a meeting of The Order. Here, an authorized portkey. Hold tight to him Harry." Unceremoniously, Dumbledore shoved a small brass ring into Harry's free hand. There was a small jerk and they began to swirl. Softly he heard Evan's mental voice imploring him not to release him. They appeared in the kitchen of Number Twelve. Percy and all the Weasly brothers with the acception Ron stood in front of him. "Charlie... Help me get him to a seat." Harry said and moments after sitting Evan into a chair they all rounded on him. "Is it true Harry?" Fred asked. "Are they back?" George asked. "Seriously!?" Bill asked.
Charlie and Percy asked the same question. "And Sirius too?" "Whoa you guys... he can only answer so much at once." Sirius stepped into the room in his full glory and as Harry looked around, he saw most of the order sitting at the table. Unceremoniously, Dumbledore, James Potter, and Lily Potter appeared into the Kitchen with three loud simultaneous cracks. The members of the Order who had not been present at the concert... very few that was, began to murmur. Suddenly a nagging question came from Harry's mouth.
"Where is Shawn? Did you already wipe his memory? I wanted to thank him!" Dumbledore smiled. "We have decided he can keep his memory until Voldemort has fallen. He and the rest of them are with Mr. Weasly and Mrs. Grainger in the basement. They await the presence of you and Evan as soon as you're done here. This may be tough but I'm going to need to confront you here and now about those."
Dumbledore removed with a motion of his wand, the pads on Harry's wrists revealing scars. Harry felt anxiety rise in him, and felt it being staved off by Evan's calming thought voice telling him to relax. " Wh... did you... cut yourself? Why!?" Remus Lupin asked as he pulled Harry's now bare wrist out. Harry kept his head down as he heard Mundungus and Shacklebolt muttering, Tonks gasping, Percy tsking, and Bill and Charlie saying, "Harry, how could you do that?" Harry felt himself shake and knew the tears were coming. Evan's hand found his shoulder... followed by his godfathers. His parents stood above him smiling softly, comfortingly. "Don't worry Harry; we're not here to give you grief or guilt." Dumbledore said. "We just..." James trailed off and Lily finished. "We want you to promise not to do it ever again no matter what happens." Harry felt his brother's grip intensify. "I promise... and I apologize to all of you."
Harry didn't await anymore reaction as Dumbledore asked him if he Evan and the Weasly twins would please leave. Immediately Harry helped Evan to his feet and helped him limp out. Before they could get to the basement George turned. "Fred... I need to come clean with you... I've done what Harry did... Harry... stopped me from it. You see when Sirius died... I felt so guilty... when dad was in the hospital all I did was goad him about how he was sitting around doing nothing. And I felt I had caused another bit of pain in Harry's life... so I ... just thought you should know." George Weasly smiled meekly at Evan and Harry and Fred then, a first in Harry's book happened, George burst into tears.
Fred and George stood staring at each other in the way they usually did as if they were smoothing things over and then nodded simultaneously. Suddenly it hit Harry, either that or the verbally silent Evan mentally pushed it into his mind. "You two have the connection too don't you?" Fred looked shocked then looked at Evan and nodded smiling in realization. "Yeah." Harry was confused. "Then how did you manage to keep it from Fred this long?" He asked George. "It's called Mind block. Now that you have the problem, perhaps I'll teach it to you some time." Harry shook his head smirking slightly as a red faced George threw his arms around Fred Evan and himself.
"Come on now you three... they'll want us down there. Especially Evan and Fred. Fred saved Hermione's life you know... a Death Eater had fired a Killing Spell at her... Fred knocked her out of the way just in time and ducked himself." Harry smiled. "Thanks Fred." Evan had been quiet mentally and physically for a while so Harry became worried and was quickly verbally comforted. "Don't worry Harry... I'm just rather weak...none of my muscles are too strong." As they arrived in the basement Harry helped Evan to a chair and then they were all four bombarded with questions. "Are you okay?" This being the one mainly thrown at Harry he just continued to nod.
"Do you need some food or water?" This was shot at Evan who gratefully accepted the offer of a cup of water. "Were you crying or something?" Hermione said to George who looked down slightly. Fred shrugged when Hermione then asked him what was wrong, it was a family matter, and Harry and Evan Potter were pretty much family. Harry reluctantly left Evan's side to hug Hermione tightly, who after that went to Evan and gave him a small bottle of potion.
"It'll help. I did some research." Evan drank it slowly and energy returning to him he smiled. "You're a genius you know that right, I can see why Harry loves you. You're also rather beautiful; indeed you should see some of the things Harry is thinking about right n-" "Evan!" Harry said turning red, pushed the images of Hermione in his arms away. He turned to a solemn figure in a pair of faded jeans a white shirt and a black trench coat that was leaning against the wall. "Shawn... thank you...." Shawn remained in that posture.
"Thank me for what? I should thank you, you saved my life, and I almost cost you yours... if I could only fight like you guys, with magic and stuff, the spell would have been deflected before it was near you... I'm worthless." Kyle who had been the only one other then Shawn not to join the crowd now stood from his place on the ground. "No you aren't... Shawn doesn't beat yourself down, or I'll spear you." Kyle said grinning trying to lighten the mood. Shawn growled. "And all of you... lying to me!" The group whom Harry had thought to be Muggle looked down. "We had no choice Shawn." Kyle said sounding slightly injured
Harry looked in the mean time to Evan who was talking to Fred, then to Hermione who had finally stopped talking with Ron long enough for him to come up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist. She turned and returned his embrace.
Harry closed his eyes as Hermione buried her face into his chest and when they broke apart he couldn't help but notice that everyone was holding unopened bottles of butterbeer. Ron raised his and said. "A toast, to the couple..."
Evan spoke now raising his. "To brotherhood..." George followed suit. "To friendship and love," Fred raised his as well. "And to honesty and to Harry for brightening the room with his smile." Harry was grinning broadly now identically to Evan. After Shawn handed him one, and Hermione another Harry raised his in the fashion that the others had them. "And to a promise of doing my best to not lose my composure again." With a cry of "Cheers!" they all took a deep long draught. Suddenly Harry found himself laughing uncontrollably.
The source of his laughter was completely unknown to him until Evan, George and Fred grinned broadly and the rest, including Hermione, burst into laughter. "You... guys!" He continued to laugh until the Laughing Charm dissipated. Hermione held him tight and voiced the thoughts of everyone. "It's great to hear that sound again."
Moments later Harry fell onto the bed in the room he shared with Evan. After close to an hour he thought out. 'Evan you awake?' Evan replied. 'Yes I am. Let me guess, you're going to ask if I feel up to going to the Chamber of the Mind Connection? Well I am. I'll initiate the link.' So they lie there, their minds and souls combined and intertwined for hours, sharing their memories, Harry explaining things to Evan, Evan explaining things to Harry, and by the end of it both knew themselves better. Until the link suddenly broke and Harry realized Evan had fallen asleep, as he had found himself looking at the ceiling above him.
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A/N: Is that a drop off I see along the way? You decide. By the way this is 2872 words.