Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. You know that and I know that but I still have to write the disclaimer, even though the site is called FAN fiction. I have read many fanfictions and consequently may have "borrowed" other people's ideas so if you recognise something it probably isn't mine. Finally if I am aware that I have taken somebody's idea I will put their pen name in brackets after it or acknowledge them at the end of the appropriate chapter, this is only if I know the name. If you recognize something of yours that has not been acknowledged, tell me and I will acknowledge it. I am not making any money out of this so don't sue. I don't know why I bothered to write this as no one reads these anyway…

Okay, only two reviewers, who I am very thankful of, acknowledgements at the end of the fic. I need reviews to keep me motivated- surely more people read my fic?

I have altered the earlier chapters slightly, nothing too major but I think the adaptations are beneficial to the reading of the story.

In order to prevent these re-postings I would really like a beta. Anyone interested? E-mail amyhome2.plus.com with your name (or penname), e-mail, age, and ideally some of your own writing.

That's all,

Last time:

Another phone call to Hermione, birthday wishes and Hermione is going to the Weasley's…

Waking at midnight on the 31st of July was traditional, however, this time it was very much accidental, as the cause, a 'nightmare', had him shaking in a cold sweat.

The Voldemort induced nightmares had subsided, possibly due to clearing his mind, possibly because Voldemort had turned his mind to other things. Nightmares from memories, however, were frequent. Mainly they featured Sirius falling through the veil, sometimes the dementors made and appearance and, recently, he had felt as though someone was looking over his shoulder as he viewed whatever scene. As if they were not bad enough already.

Therefore it was something of a shock to Harry that many owls were headed for his window. He let them in automatically before realizing that it was his birthday.

Having never before received so many Harry was surprised and curious, sufficiently so that his nightmare was forgotten. Remembering his promise from yesterday Harry moved the chest of drawers and crept down the passage it blocked, smirking at the signs of people who had attempted to enter the room that way and having failed, entering his younger cousins room quietly Harry covered the final stretch quickly and proceeded to tickle Mark. Mercilessly.

In the end only his desire to remain unheard by the rest of the house caused him to cease and Mark hastily scrambled out of Harry's reach and ran upstairs, Harry following.

An out of breath Mark watched Harry heave the chest of drawers back across the entrance before noticing the pile of presents, and menagerie of recovering owls, by the window and running over to them.

Harry relieved the Hogwarts owl of its burden first, and it promptly flew out of the window.

A bizarre, brightly coloured bird that definitely had parrot in it's ancestry held a large lurid parcel bearing the markings of WWW, attached was a letter. Deciding to leave that present for now Harry undid the ties and moved on to the next owl.

A package wrapped in brown paper, labelled in unknown handwriting, caught his attention, not in spite of but because of its inconspicuousness.

As Harry moved to open it Mark was practically jumping up and down, "How can it take you soooooooo long to open presents?!"

Smiling Harry ripped apart the wrapping and a card fell out, which to Mark's horror, he read. The present was a book on duelling and the package had been spelled to go unnoticed. It had come from Tonks, although several other Order members had signed the card.

Another package wrapped in brown paper came from Remus, another book. Sighing at his not unexpected present Harry opened it.

'The complete compilation of Marauder pranks and escapades'

It took several readings of the title to take in what it meant. Inside were several pieces of parchment. One was obviously new, a letter from Remus, and the other, though less worn, seemed strikingly similar to a battered piece of parchment already lying in the bottom of his trunk…

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Spoke Harry softly, ad sure enough the tell tale lines began appearing. A quick "Mischief managed" cleared the map and Harry set the letter and book to the side, to look at later.

A battered cake and chocolate smeared card from Mrs Weasley arrived next along with chocolate frogs from Ginny, "as you won't be able to eat anything Fred and George send you. They're driving mum mad."

From Ron and Hermione Harry received a watch, which if you turned the face 90o clockwise showed sidereal time by the planets and constellations. Hermione had seen it in a catalogue and had enclosed the instruction manual. It would take longer to read than his duelling book.

The last owl carried a single card, inside were the signatures of the DA members including those who had sent him separate cards. The only two who had not signed the card were Cho and Marietta. Harry felt absolutely no sorrow that they had not bothered, and was happy that everyone else had bothered.

As Harry was about to reach for the things he had put to one side when Mark, who had watched his cousin reverently open his presents in silence, shyly gave him a present.

It was a pile of photos of his mother as a girl in an inlaid box. The paler wood spelt 'Lily', some were with her brother Rowan, some with Petunia, but all of Lily. Harry did not have any of his mum before Hogwarts, and, as ever, the thought of how little he knew of his mother brought salty tears to his eyes.

"Do you like it?" queried Mark worriedly. His cousin had been brilliant to him, helping him get back at his sisters, being there to talk to, generally being the kind of big brother he'd always wanted, and he had wanted to get Harry something special. Knowing how few photos Harry had he had gotten some from Rowan… but his cousin seemed upset…

"They're wonderful", whispered Harry, hastily brushing away the traitorous tears.

Placing them with the maurauder's book. Harry then reached for the Hogwarts post. There were two letters.

Harry assumed that the second were his OWLs and decided that he'd rather not know, for know, how badly he'd done.

The letter was standard except instead of enclosing a book list the was a page explaining subjects for the following year:

At NEWT level students are expected to take four subjects, in some cases a student may take five subjects. September 1st all students who achieved five 'Acceptable's in their OWLs (to be received on the 26th August) and wish to continue must report to your Head of House. Where you will state which subjects you wish to take. All subjects require an 'A' to continue, Transfiguration requires an 'E' and potions requires an 'O'.

This year, due to anomalies in the results, you may take defence against the dark arts. It has been officially agreed that 'E' and 'O' grades do reflect the student that achieved them, but that lower grades do not necessarily reflect ability. Speak to your Head of House if you received a 'P' or 'D' as to your suitability for the course.

3rd September you will be asked to confirm your choices and speak to the professors of the subjects in question. All professors take a limited number of students, so refusal is possible and your choices may have to be reworked.

4th September there will be a floo connection to Diagon Alley for students to collect any equipment and/or texts for their new subjects.

Lessons start on the following Monday,

Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall

Harry only got as far as 'OWLs to be received August 26th before he looked at the other letter, addressed, not to him but to Mark.

"Mark! You've got a letter from Hogwarts"

"Really? Give it here then!"

Indeed the letter was an acceptance letter, meaning that Mark could go to Hogwarts with Harry, rather than Beauxbatons with his sisters.

Harry's eyes went to his presents again and he read the letter sent by the twins, he did not want to read Remus' with Mark present.

It basically stated that here was another sample of products for their 'sleeping partner', especially big on account of it being his birthday and advising him to use them since Hogwarts would be boring if no one takes their place.

Laughing Harry peered into the box, some familiar tricks, Canary Creams and the like, but some new ones too. Smirking at the fact he could try them out before using them on the Slytherins Harry put them into his cupboard.

Yawning massively, Mark left to go back to bed, Harry sighed looking between his bed and Remus' letter. Bed did not stand a chance.

9AM Mark found Harry curled up asleep on the floor, tears of grief and relief having left streaks of whiteness down his face. Mark left him there.

I used this idea in my other fic too.

Procyonblack

Well, this was very interesting! I usually don't like fics with Mark Evans in them but I liked this one because it didn't take place at Hogwarts and because it gave a proper family background which was as plausible as they get!
I also liked the bit about the inheritance from Sirius. And I like the way you go into detail, so don't speed things up just for the sake of it.
Will this be Severitus as you said? Looking forward to more!

Thank you! I'm so glad that it is different from other Mark Evans fics and that you like detail. I'm still not sure about whether it will be Severitus, if it is I doubt that it will be strictly to the challenge, especially the timings… I'll see. Oh! And I love your severitus fic.

Gandalf Lyonn

Okay, I really like how this starts and where it is going.

Thanks.

Hope you liked the new chapter, sorry it took so long to update- but it's been a busy year.

Please Review