Second chapter:
Harry was taken by surprise, in front of him stood a slightly trembling figure of Mark Evans. "Hey Mark," he said, trying to recover from the shock. "How have you done that??" he asked curiously. "I-I, I don't know" stuttered Mark "One moment were Dudley and his gang chasing me, and the next I stood here. It doesn't make sense, does it? I can't explain how it happened. I swear I don't know,"Mark said hopelessly "But you won't beat me up, will you?" he asked with a shaky voice. "People say you're a godforsaken delinquent who attends St. Brutus, I don't believe it, though. I've heard that Big D used to use you as his punching-back, but he quitted. May I ask why?" he asked out of breath.
"Whoa, slow down, bloke," Harry chuckled "At first I'll ask you a few questions. The first one: Has something similar happened to you before? Anything odd...?"
"Yeah, when I was younger, I used to be allergic on furry animals like cats and dogs, however the old lady who used to baby-sit me had loads of dogs and well...I once managed to vanish their fur. She was livid as well as my parents. I was grounded for more than 3 months, it was horrible..." Mark remembered with a slight frown.
"I see," replied Harry "Umm, the second question is: You're 11, right? Haven't you recently received a letter from an unknown school?"
"Yup, something about witchcraft or so. I found it pretty amusing. Nevertheless I've never found out who made that prank on me. When I showed it to my parents, my father acted really strangely. Although he usually likes jokes, he paled and said he won't even read such rubbish. Then he took the letter from me and destroyed it."
"Oh, that explains everything," thought Harry. "Mark, I know it might sound daft, but you are a wizard,"he said. "Yep, and you're definitely one, too, aren't you. Oh, come off it," Mark snickered.
"No Mark, I'm deadly serious. And yes, I'm also a wizard. The school I attend is actually not St. Brutus but it's called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The only reason you were told I go to school to St. Brutus was because of my lovely relatives, who hate or rather are scared of magic and magic folk. They're terrified that somebody will find out how the land lies; that they, the most ordinary family in England, have a wizard under their roof, someone as abnormal as possible."
Mark started slowly realizing Harry was telling him truth and then it hit him: "Harry, the letter is destroyed, so it would seem as if I declined it! " he cried with dismay. "Oh, don't worry. If it was your father who destroyed the letter, you'll receive shortly a new one," Harry answered. "Cool! I suppose I'll go home. Maybe it already came. Anyway, it was nice to talk to you and we'll probably see each other at school!" with that he said goodbye and left.
"So it seems as if Surrey has a new wizard apprentice. Dudley won't be all that thrilled" he sniggered. "Oh, shit!" he looked at his watch and became conscious that he should be already at home for lunch, so he turned back and started dashing home.
After the lunch he went upstairs and sent Hedwig to Diagon Alley to borrow a few books from Luprecht's Library. This library was probably the second biggest in England, maybe even in Europe, after Hogwarts's. The books he asked for were mostly about DADA, nonetheless he asked for a few about Transfiguration, Charms and Potions, too. He didn't want to give Snape the satisfaction of docking points from Gryffindor anymore. And if he truly wanted to become an Auror, he would have to study hard. Ron would probably tell him that he's turning into the second know-it-all AKA Hermione. But Harry knew it was essential for him.
Later that evening, when Hedwig came back with another owl that helped her carrying the books, he curled up in his bed and started reading a copy of The Other Unknown Potente Potions, he saw two barn owls from school bringing his Arithmancy books along. "Oh, damn, I have almost forgotten about that. Never mind, I'll go through this book first and then I'll plunge myself into The Basics of the Art of Arithmancy. It seems like a have enough on my plate for the next few days..." he thought sullenly. With that and without a proper dinner he felt asleep.
The next day he managed to finish his book about potions and looked forward to replying a letter from Hermione, which came earlier that day. He read it once again before taking his quill, a piece of parchment and a bottle of ink.
Dear Harry,
Hope you're all right and your relatives are treating you well. I know it might not be easy, but try to move on. I don't mean I want you to forget about him! Not at all! You know that I'm here for you as are Ron and others, so please don't hesitate to contact us if you want to speak about it. Snuffles wouldn't want you to dwell on the past; you have to live your own life...
"My god damned life. How wonderful." But he knew Hermione didn't mean it bad, she actually didn't even know about the prophecy. With the thought of the prophecy, Harry's stomach gave a small twist.
...Yesterday I came back from the holiday with my parents. We went to Egypt, where Ron had been few years back. I can't explain in a letter how amazing the whole country is...and the pyramids, that's something unbelievable. I did a small research in their national library...
"Yep," Harry chuckled, "that sounds exactly like Hermione. Doing researches and extra homework...some things will definitely never change."
...It's indeed enormous, you know, and I found out a few nice hexes and jinxes that might come in handy. I won't tell here more in case the letter would be intercepted. Viktor wanted me to visit him in Bulgaria, but I declined it, my parents wouldn't probably allow it and I can only imagine Ron's face if he had ever found out. Ron has actually invited me to come and stay at Burrow and later you-know-where, where we'll meet you soon. Today came my OWLs, I can't believe it I've got all O except for Astronomy and Ancient Runes where I've got only O...
Harry imagined her disappointed face, when she read the results and couldn't hold him self but laugh.
...How did your results turn out? I'm sure you did well. Ron scored 15 OWLs. He found it stunning, so I told him that if he prepares himself for NEWTs just as well as for OWLs, he wouldn't have any problem with passing it.
OK, that's all for now, take care and write back soon!
Love,
Hermione
"I wonder why she didn't mention my recklessness" thought Harry bitterly as he dipped his quill into the ink and started writing his reply.
Hey Mione!
CONGRATULATIONS on your marvelous score! Yeah, my uncle and aunt are treating me quite well. I know that I have to move on, but I guess it'll be pretty hard for me. However I won't stop trying. My summer was, as usual, rather uneventful. Well at least until I found out that one of my 11-year- old neighbors is a wizard. Have I ever told you about Mark Evans? He used to be Dudley's boxing back as I once was. I think Dudley won't stick his fat ass out of the house next year. Wow, Egypt, that must have been superb. I am happy you enjoyed it that much. The only thing I can say to the "Ron- issue" is: Don't worry; he's an insensitive dull wart, but we can't give our hopes up that he will grow up.
I guess there's nothing more to say, looking forward to seeing you again,
Harry
With that he finished and tied up the letter to Hedwig's leg. But before he could even let her fly, a small owl named Pig came soaring throw a window. The only thing attached to its leg was an article cut from some newspaper, probably Daily Prophet. The headline was:
MASSIVE BREAKOUTS AT AZKABAN
Harry was taken by surprise, in front of him stood a slightly trembling figure of Mark Evans. "Hey Mark," he said, trying to recover from the shock. "How have you done that??" he asked curiously. "I-I, I don't know" stuttered Mark "One moment were Dudley and his gang chasing me, and the next I stood here. It doesn't make sense, does it? I can't explain how it happened. I swear I don't know,"Mark said hopelessly "But you won't beat me up, will you?" he asked with a shaky voice. "People say you're a godforsaken delinquent who attends St. Brutus, I don't believe it, though. I've heard that Big D used to use you as his punching-back, but he quitted. May I ask why?" he asked out of breath.
"Whoa, slow down, bloke," Harry chuckled "At first I'll ask you a few questions. The first one: Has something similar happened to you before? Anything odd...?"
"Yeah, when I was younger, I used to be allergic on furry animals like cats and dogs, however the old lady who used to baby-sit me had loads of dogs and well...I once managed to vanish their fur. She was livid as well as my parents. I was grounded for more than 3 months, it was horrible..." Mark remembered with a slight frown.
"I see," replied Harry "Umm, the second question is: You're 11, right? Haven't you recently received a letter from an unknown school?"
"Yup, something about witchcraft or so. I found it pretty amusing. Nevertheless I've never found out who made that prank on me. When I showed it to my parents, my father acted really strangely. Although he usually likes jokes, he paled and said he won't even read such rubbish. Then he took the letter from me and destroyed it."
"Oh, that explains everything," thought Harry. "Mark, I know it might sound daft, but you are a wizard,"he said. "Yep, and you're definitely one, too, aren't you. Oh, come off it," Mark snickered.
"No Mark, I'm deadly serious. And yes, I'm also a wizard. The school I attend is actually not St. Brutus but it's called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The only reason you were told I go to school to St. Brutus was because of my lovely relatives, who hate or rather are scared of magic and magic folk. They're terrified that somebody will find out how the land lies; that they, the most ordinary family in England, have a wizard under their roof, someone as abnormal as possible."
Mark started slowly realizing Harry was telling him truth and then it hit him: "Harry, the letter is destroyed, so it would seem as if I declined it! " he cried with dismay. "Oh, don't worry. If it was your father who destroyed the letter, you'll receive shortly a new one," Harry answered. "Cool! I suppose I'll go home. Maybe it already came. Anyway, it was nice to talk to you and we'll probably see each other at school!" with that he said goodbye and left.
"So it seems as if Surrey has a new wizard apprentice. Dudley won't be all that thrilled" he sniggered. "Oh, shit!" he looked at his watch and became conscious that he should be already at home for lunch, so he turned back and started dashing home.
After the lunch he went upstairs and sent Hedwig to Diagon Alley to borrow a few books from Luprecht's Library. This library was probably the second biggest in England, maybe even in Europe, after Hogwarts's. The books he asked for were mostly about DADA, nonetheless he asked for a few about Transfiguration, Charms and Potions, too. He didn't want to give Snape the satisfaction of docking points from Gryffindor anymore. And if he truly wanted to become an Auror, he would have to study hard. Ron would probably tell him that he's turning into the second know-it-all AKA Hermione. But Harry knew it was essential for him.
Later that evening, when Hedwig came back with another owl that helped her carrying the books, he curled up in his bed and started reading a copy of The Other Unknown Potente Potions, he saw two barn owls from school bringing his Arithmancy books along. "Oh, damn, I have almost forgotten about that. Never mind, I'll go through this book first and then I'll plunge myself into The Basics of the Art of Arithmancy. It seems like a have enough on my plate for the next few days..." he thought sullenly. With that and without a proper dinner he felt asleep.
The next day he managed to finish his book about potions and looked forward to replying a letter from Hermione, which came earlier that day. He read it once again before taking his quill, a piece of parchment and a bottle of ink.
Dear Harry,
Hope you're all right and your relatives are treating you well. I know it might not be easy, but try to move on. I don't mean I want you to forget about him! Not at all! You know that I'm here for you as are Ron and others, so please don't hesitate to contact us if you want to speak about it. Snuffles wouldn't want you to dwell on the past; you have to live your own life...
"My god damned life. How wonderful." But he knew Hermione didn't mean it bad, she actually didn't even know about the prophecy. With the thought of the prophecy, Harry's stomach gave a small twist.
...Yesterday I came back from the holiday with my parents. We went to Egypt, where Ron had been few years back. I can't explain in a letter how amazing the whole country is...and the pyramids, that's something unbelievable. I did a small research in their national library...
"Yep," Harry chuckled, "that sounds exactly like Hermione. Doing researches and extra homework...some things will definitely never change."
...It's indeed enormous, you know, and I found out a few nice hexes and jinxes that might come in handy. I won't tell here more in case the letter would be intercepted. Viktor wanted me to visit him in Bulgaria, but I declined it, my parents wouldn't probably allow it and I can only imagine Ron's face if he had ever found out. Ron has actually invited me to come and stay at Burrow and later you-know-where, where we'll meet you soon. Today came my OWLs, I can't believe it I've got all O except for Astronomy and Ancient Runes where I've got only O...
Harry imagined her disappointed face, when she read the results and couldn't hold him self but laugh.
...How did your results turn out? I'm sure you did well. Ron scored 15 OWLs. He found it stunning, so I told him that if he prepares himself for NEWTs just as well as for OWLs, he wouldn't have any problem with passing it.
OK, that's all for now, take care and write back soon!
Love,
Hermione
"I wonder why she didn't mention my recklessness" thought Harry bitterly as he dipped his quill into the ink and started writing his reply.
Hey Mione!
CONGRATULATIONS on your marvelous score! Yeah, my uncle and aunt are treating me quite well. I know that I have to move on, but I guess it'll be pretty hard for me. However I won't stop trying. My summer was, as usual, rather uneventful. Well at least until I found out that one of my 11-year- old neighbors is a wizard. Have I ever told you about Mark Evans? He used to be Dudley's boxing back as I once was. I think Dudley won't stick his fat ass out of the house next year. Wow, Egypt, that must have been superb. I am happy you enjoyed it that much. The only thing I can say to the "Ron- issue" is: Don't worry; he's an insensitive dull wart, but we can't give our hopes up that he will grow up.
I guess there's nothing more to say, looking forward to seeing you again,
Harry
With that he finished and tied up the letter to Hedwig's leg. But before he could even let her fly, a small owl named Pig came soaring throw a window. The only thing attached to its leg was an article cut from some newspaper, probably Daily Prophet. The headline was:
MASSIVE BREAKOUTS AT AZKABAN
