J. K. Rowling owns Harry Potter

Chapter Nine

Dearest Cousin,

How have you been? I know it's been many years since we've met, but it still feels like we could just run back off to Grandfather's house for the holidays and we'd be children again. Funny how quickly we become little old ladies, isn't it? Not that I think you'll ever allow yourself to become a doddering senior citizen; I'm sure you're still quite busy and active, even at sixty-seven.

Either way, I'm writing for a reason. I gave you my word that I'd never tell anyone what you are, and I've kept that promise always, even though it bothers me terribly that my kids never knew there's another branch of the family. I think it may be time for us to change the terms, however. You see, Laura's Mark is in the same boat as you were at age eleven, and they're all very stressed, especially as we heard something about a war. I told them I had someone I could contact, but I wouldn't say who until I could get your permission.
Please respond soon, as everyone's nerves are stretched rather thin.

Love,
Anne

P.S. Isn't Alec the same age as Mark?

Alec was not looking forward to Tuesday. Going to some random old woman's house to meet her grandson and 'make friends' was not his idea of an enjoyable after-school activity, notwithstanding that they were supposedly third cousins. Just because the kid was a Muggle-born whose parents were scared to send him to Hogwarts did not mean he, Alec, should have to babysit him, he thought resentfully.

At least there was a bright side, though. He would be going with his grandmother, whose company he always enjoyed. She was the only adult he knew who would talk to an eleven-year-old like he was an actual person, which was a very useful secret weapon for someone who cared to know a lot more about the world than his peers. She was also rumored to be very close with Dumbledore, though she would never admit to it if asked.

He heaved his schoolbag onto his desk, very glad that it was his final year of Muggle school. In just a few months, he'd finally be where he belonged, studying magic with witches and wizards his own age.

Come to think of it, it might actually be a good thing to meet a potential friend before getting on the Hogwarts Express. He might have always stood somewhat aloof from his Muggle classmates, but that would not be a good idea in the real world - his world, where the Whitbys had been proud Hufflepuffs for centuries. Besides, if he was honest with himself, it would be nice to have a friend, someone he could just talk to, a welcome break from years of constantly worrying about accidentally revealing what he and his family were. Loner though he was, he needed some friends.

He pulled out his math book and set about doing his homework, hoping as he did that this Mark Evans would be someone worth befriending.

The drive to the Muggles' house was long, giving Alec plenty of time to reflect that Kevin would surely love doing this. His brother never missed the opportunity to take pride in being accepting and welcoming, always talking about how it was just so much better to be a Hufflepuff for that and what bigots the other houses were. Alec, though, far preferred to like other people from a distance.

They pulled up, and as they emerged from the car, his grandmother tapped him lightly on the arm. "You'll be fine," she said softly, and Alec wondered how she knew he was so nervous. He had thought he covered it well.

Whatever. We're off to see the Muggles, he thought wryly.

Having been ushered out of the room so the adults could have their adult conversations, Mark was left alone with another wizard for the first time, and rather unsure of what to say. The kid looked very composed, his black hair brushed neatly to one side, framing his pale face like marble. He settled for assuming that wizards were more or less similar to ordinary people. "Do you also hate it when they do that?" he asked.

"I assume you mean when adults treat children like they're stupid?" the boy replied in a somewhat bored voice.

"That and assume you'll be friends with someone just because you're the same age," Mark said, grinning, and the boy's restraint seemed to crack a bit.

"Something like that," he said with a small smile. "Alec Whitby, by the way, we may as well be formal about this," he added, extending his hand.

"Mark Evans," Mark replied, shaking it firmly. "Now can I finally get some information about Hogwarts, because I've been losing my mind since this Dumbledore guy came, told me I'm accepted, left a list of crazy things and books I need if… What?"

Alec was staring at him in what looked like a mixture of jealousy and admiration. "You… spoke to Dumbledore?" He seemed hardly able to speak. "He… came here himself?"

"Ye-es," Mark said slowly. "Is that unusual?"

"Dumbledore never does things like that! He's the headmaster; it's not his job! He's the greatest wizard in the world! I can't believe you actually spoke to him!" The frosty exterior of only a minute ago was very much gone now. "You don't know why he came personally, do you?" he finished, almost begging.

"No idea," said Mark, who did not really care. "But can you please tell me about Hogwarts?"

"Okay," said Alec, who seemed reluctant to change the subject. "School is for seven years. They teach Charms, Potions, Herbology, a variety of subjects." He was returning to his previous stiffness; he looked embarrassed at having lost his composure. "There are four houses: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. You get Sorted into the houses as soon as you get there; there's a Sorting Hat that does it by magic. You sleep and eat with your house. The classes are supposed to be manageable. Almost everyone loves Hogwarts; they say it's wonderful." He spoke very calmly, but his eyes shone.

"But what about this war?" Mark asked. "Isn't it dangerous there?" He had held the wish to never hear of the school again for too long to just change his mind without a fight.

"As long as Dumbledore's there, it's the safest place there is. He's the only one He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named ever feared," Alec said solemnly. "But yes, the Wizarding world in general -"

"Mark, Alec?" Mum poked her head into the hallway. "You can come in here."

Rolling his eyes at Alec, Mark led the way to his grandparents' living room, where his parents were looking tense but resolved, but the two grandmothers sat serenely. "We've decided that you can go to Hogwarts - if you want," Mum said. "It's your choice."

"I do," he said instantly, wondering as he did why he was so sure.

His parents seemed to have hoped for a different answer, but Alec was clearly trying not to smile. "Very well," Mum said. "We'll send a reply to the school."

"You'll need to get all your school things in Diagon Alley in London," Alec's grandmother pointed out. "We can meet there during the summer. We'll be in touch."