Severus billowed through the hallways, searching for students out of bed. As he narrowed his eyes at every tiny sound or shadow, he let his mind wander.

Unknown to Harry— Potter, he had followed him to the park and Diagon Alley. Harry Potter— the boy of mystery.

When the young Mark Evans had been sorted to Slytherin, Potter didn't seem to mind and neither did Evans and yet, when he gave his every-year speech, Evans looked close to tears. Had Potter done something to him while he hadn't seen or maybe he sent a letter with not too happy news or even insults.

Somehow he doubted it. Em– dammit! Potter may have been getting into trouble a lot, but Severus had never seen him bully him. But again, he was Potter.

Suddenly, Severus heard quiet sobs come from a nearby corridor. As he reached it, he saw the small boy, Mark Evans, sitting, his legs close to his chest.

The boy didn't notice him come.

"Mr Evans," he said softly. The boy looked up with huge frightened eyes. He scrambled up.

"I'm sorry, sir. I was just...uh sleepwalking...you know...anyway...I'm sorry, sir," he mumbled quickly, not meeting his eyes.

Severus knelt, so that he was on the same eye-level as the boy.

"Mr Evans, I can tell that it is not the cause."

He sniffed.

"Professor, can you promise not to tell anyone?"

Severus sighed and nodded.

"It's Harry...he used to walk me home whenever he could and always when he could he told me goodnight, but this time he didn't even look at me," he said in one breath and Severus felt anger rise at Potter.

He held his hand out to the boy, who took it hesitantly. Severus began to drag him towards the Gryffindor common room, seething.

As soon as he entered he roared "POTTER!"

Harry who was on the couch, falling asleep behind a book, jumped up, toppled over, landed his cloak in the fireplace, cursed in both English and Parceltongue, stamped out the fire, then looked at the peace-ruiner with a glare. When he saw who it was, his face softened.

"Mr Potter, out. Now!" said Snape, his eyes flashing.

The other Gryffindors followed the group out with their eyes, then shrugged fearfully at each other.

"Mark, Professor, what's going on?"

"I swear Harry, I didn't want to get you into trouble. He was just asking and I couldn't lie. I mean he's my head of house and all—"

"Hush, Mark," Harry said gently and turned to Professor Snape, raising his eyebrows.

"Well Professor?"

Severus merely sneered. "I don't care if you bully students from the other houses, but you will not bully them from mine."

"Excuse me Professor?" said Harry, getting even more confused.

"I found Mr Evans here, bawling his eyes out because the Golden Boy didn't say goodnight to him. But I doubt Potter that it's the true cause."

Harry's face softened. He turned to ignore the Professor and walked over to the young boy, who had silent tears running on his cheeks.

Harry's lips quirked a bit.

"Mark," he said softly. The boy lifted his head a bit and looked at Harry through his overgrown fringe. "You're a stupid, stupid boy."

Mark looked down and Severus was ready to pull the older boys hair out, but Harry wasn't finished.

Harry pulled the boy close to him, holding him tightly.

He let go and sunk to the younger's eye level.

"Mark, you're my little brother, my baby brother. Do you honestly think that the letter I sent was fake? Don't you remember what we talked about before we came?"

"Letter?" said Mark, confused. "What letter?"

Harry frowned. "You didn't get it?"

Just then Ceroth, flew at high speed, almost crashed into Severus, but then landed kn Harry's arm, his beak holding a mouse and the letter still tied to his leg.

Harry glared at the raven and Mark began to laugh. Harry rolled his eyes, but couldn't hold in a small smile.

"Well," said Harry. "At least we know what happened to the letter."

The raven gave a small apologetic craw, but hopped off his arm to give the letter to Mark.

Severus took the letter and opened to read it, ignoring Harry, who was glaring heatedly at him.

It said:

Mark,

We'll probably be getting into different houses and so I wanted to send you this letter, because you will probably be swept away by a prefect with the other first-years. The gryffindor password is Mimbus Mibletonia, so feel free to find me if you need to or want to.

Remember: We are entwined by soul and body from the start and may neither life nor death us part.

Your good ol' bro

Severus looked up at the till glaring H— Potter and begrudgingly gave the letter to the youngest of their trio.

Mark read it and with a beaming smile jumped into a hug, squeezing Harry as strong as possible.

"Mark, ribs," Harry gasped out, but placed his hands around the younger, with a small smile.

Mark sounded muffled from where he buried his face into Harry's robes as he mumbled: "Copycat."

"Harry?"

Harry grunted sleepily. "G'way Mione."

"Harry?"

He was shaken again. Sighing, he opened his eyes and looked into the eyes of Hermione. He unstuck a piece of muggle paper from his cheek and closed some books, in which he had been researching.

"Harry, I found something," said Hermione. She opened the huge tome she held. "This is all about runes."

Harry sighed. He had never read so many books before. He took the tome and let it drop heavily onto the table, as Hermione hurried away.

The tome fell open at a page and Harry stared at it.

"So, now all I have to do to find answers is throw books?" he asked himself.

"Come now, my boy. There is nothing to be afraid of. All you have to do is answer my question. It cannot be that hard?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but I won't."

That did it. The great Albus Dumbledore lost his temper right there and then. He hit the table with his hand, so the entire room shuddered and the boy before him flinched.

They had been there for hours.

"I will be forced to expel you, if you WILL CONTINUE LYING!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"Chanting does not help in such matters as this..."

The door burst open.

Dumbledore mentally cursed for using an abandoned classroom for a chat with the first-year. The opened door revealed Harry Potter, who didn't look too happy at the sight of Mark Evans cowering before the Headmaster.

"What us going on here?" Harry snarled.

Dumbledore looked smug for a moment. "Harry Potter, by the spell of Apollon I command you not to defy me, but turn and leave this instant.

Harry's eyes turned blue and he froze as if a robot.

"Harry! Please!"

"Emy...please...Emy, go! Run!...Please!"

Harry's eyes turned back to emerald. Only then Dumbledore realised that Harry's eyes had been green when he entered. His eyes widened, as Harry turned to him with a sneer.

"So, it was you," he said rather casually, yet dangerously.

He walked over to Dumbledore until he was leaning over the old baboon.

"If you just think doing something to my brother, I will not hesitate to torture you until I hear you beg."

He stood and turned. There standing was shocked Draco Malfoy and gaping Severus Snape. Harry ignored them as he led Mark out.

A/N

I don't know when the next chapter is coming, but I would truly want to thank all that reviewed my story. There aren't many people like you and I want to thank you for all of the support that didn't make me give up.

Thank you!

Liliana

NEXT CHAPTER

"I don't know what to do. That goat is just...the bane of my existance."

"Surely it can't be that bad?"

"You have no idea. But no matter. I will stand up for those two. I will save them. Even if it's the last thing I ever do."

They didn't see a shadowy figure leave rather silently.