28So writing this story has really helped me through a lot of things, as some of you will know. This story actually got me to write again, it also gave me a chance to get out a lot of my dark thoughts. If you came here looking for something similar to my previous story, I'm not sure you're going to find it. However, this is a somewhat different genre really, and a bit of an experiment to be honest.
This story is and will get progressively darker as it goes on. In this world the Dursleys are not nice people, "probably nothing a good beating wouldn't have cured". The boys will suffer a lot of hardship. Certain characters might seem a little OOC but, it is just my interpretation of them. I don't feel that there is any one way to read the books and see the characters in your head, hell I have two very strong images of Harry in my head. Disabilities shouldn't come with a warning. Yes one character is deaf in this story.
Once again thank you for your time and consideration.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, just Evan he's mine, like Cat was.
Warnings: Child Abuse.
Chapter 1 – My Brother sets a snake loose.
Evan Potter couldn't sleep. His head was pounding like a drum, and the shrill ringing in his ears had changed tone. He released a breath, knowing he wouldn't be getting back to sleep anytime soon. He rolled over trying not to disturb the bed. He swung his legs out from the blanket and slowly sat up. His head fell into his hands. Letting out his breath in a soft whoosh, he peaked between his fingers to where his younger brother was lying in bed, still sleeping. Probably dreaming. He sighed again. He didn't manage to sleep very much, and when he did sleep he never dreamed. Instead he had nightmares. Nightmares that left him dripping in cold sweat and shaking in fear. He would wake in pain, much like he had today. He wondered what the time was. Slowly so the bed didn't dip too much and wake Harry, he rose to his feet to examine the cupboard door. Locked. He sighed and placed his hand on the door exactly where the bolt on the opposite side of the door would be. He breathed in, closing his eyes and held his hand there. The bolt released with a soft click. He pushed the door open and crept into the hallway. He pushed the door back slowly and closed it not putting the bolt into place.
Evan glanced at the time on the microwave; it glared four am in bright green at him. His head was still pounding. He carefully pulled open drawers looking for the pain killers. He stopped. His aunt and uncle had moved all the medicines to a cabinet above the counter. He turned looking at the cabinet in the corner. He wouldn't be able to reach it unless he climbed up. If he pulled a chair over it would make too much noise, if he stood on the counter his aunt would know. Somehow, she always knew when something wasn't right in the kitchen. He frowned closing the drawer softly and walked over to the corner where the cabinet was. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He felt lighter, almost like he was hovering. As he opened his eyes he found himself level with the cabinet. He smirked reaching into the cabinet, pulling out the last two pain pills and swallowing them dry. He knew not to turn on the tap for a glass of water. Stuffing the pill packet back into the cabinet and lowered himself to the ground. He hoped his aunt and uncle wouldn't notice that he had finished the entire box.
Slipping back down the hall, Evan returned to the cupboard under the stairs. Harry was still sleeping he had rolled over since Evan had left. A slight smile pulled at his lips as he watched his brother content in sleep. He knew he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep even with the pounding in his head dulled to a subtle ache. He heaved a sigh and began searching for a set of clothes that were clean and began to get dressed. He reached for a tattered dog-eared book, on the shelf above Harry's head. Evan snuck back out of the cupboard. He kept his eyes on his still sleeping brother for as long as possible through the narrowing crack as he slowly pushed the cupboard door closed.
Evan jumped when his aunt dumped an armload of presents onto the kitchen table. Jolting back, he watched as his aunt turned scowling from him to the door of cupboard under the stairs. He tucked the book into his back pocket as he stood watching her. Aunt Petunia was thin and blonde and had an usually amount of neck. Which she used to crane over garden fences, spying on the neighbours.
"Wasn't that door locked?" she snapped. He shook his head. "Speak when you are spoken to." She barked.
"It must not have been, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get out until you unlocked it," Evan spoke.
"Wake your brother up, I want breakfast started. Everything must be perfect for Little Dudleykins birthday." She stared down at him in contempt, "There are more presents upstairs in the second bedroom, do not break them." She hissed.
He nodded and went to the hallway to wake Harry up. Gently, Evan shook Harry awake, watching as matching green eyes settled on his face. He placed a finger to his lips as Harry reached up behind him and grabbed his glasses. With glasses in place Harry turned his very groggy attention to his brother.
"It's Dudley's birthday," Evan whispered. Harry groaned. "Shh, Aunt Petunia is in the kitchen already. She wants you to start breakfast, while I collect the rest of his presents." Harry nodded his eyes darting in the direction of the kitchen.
Evan bent down and grabbed some clean clothes for Harry, shoving them into his brother's hands. He reached into his back pocket and placed the book back on the shelf.
Harry's hand snatched his wrist, "You didn't sleep well again," He whispered. Evan shook his head. "Headache?" Harry asked.
"We'll talk about it later. Get dressed, she's waiting." Evan messed up Harry's hair and left.
Evan slipped quietly up the stairs and darted into Dudley's second bedroom. He stopped, seeing the huge pile of presents. There wasn't any floor space left; the presents had taken up the entirety of the room. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia spoilt their own child. He and Harry were lucky if they got an old pair of socks between them. Carefully he grabbed the nearest stack; it was heavier than expected. He groaned shifting the weight in his arms and swiftly walked back into the kitchen. As he deposited the presents on the table, his aunt promptly rearranged them in front of Dudley's seat. Evan glanced over to Harry who was pulling out everything needed for a full English breakfast.
Evan managed several more trips before Uncle Vernon lumbered out of the bedroom. He narrowly avoided walking into the man with his arms so full of presents he could scarcely see where he was going. He felt the clout on the back of his head, however. Evan turned to look at his Uncle. Uncle Vernon was a big, beefy man with hardly any neck. He had a large purple face, with thick, dark hair and a very large moustache. The moustache covering his lips made it hard for Evan to pick out what he was saying.
"Watch where you're going! You, filthy little toe rag!" he snapped.
Evan gulped and continued down the stairs with his Uncle close behind him. He quickened his pace as he handed over the presents to Aunt Petunia. He edged around Uncle Vernon who had gone to collect the paper from the living room and sprinted back up the stairs to grab the remaining presents. Carefully handing the last of the load over to his aunt, Evan walked into the kitchen to begin helping Harry with the breakfast.
Evan reached up into a cabinet and pulled out two tins of beans and placed them on the counter. Harry moved a saucepan onto the oven top for him with one hand, rolling the sausage on the frying pan with the other. Evan opened the beans and poured them into the proffered saucepan. He pulled out another skillet and passed it with the bacon over to Harry, before digging in the drawer for a sharp knife. He sliced the mushrooms thinly and added them to the final frying pan. Together they got out the plates and started loading the different food items on to the plates. Evan was just cracking the last of the eggs when Dudley waddled into the kitchen.
Dudley looked a lot like Uncle Vernon. He had a large, pink face, not much neck, watery blue eyes and thick blonde hair that lay smoothly on his thick, fat head. He was also four times as large as both Harry and Evan, who were often given Dudley's old clothes to wear.
Although Harry and Evan were both small and skinny for their ages, (Evan was taller). Both had the same complexion and bright green eyes. That was where their similarities ended. In fact, they were a stark contrast to each other. Harry had dark hair that stuck up in every direction no matter what anyone tried to do to it. He'd had more haircuts than most children his age. Mainly because the Dursleys couldn't stand the sight of it all unkempt. Harry's bright green eyes sat hidden behind glasses, which were sellotaped together from one too many meetings with Dudley's fist. And his defining feature was the small lightning shaped scar on his forehead.
Meanwhile, Evan had dark reddish-brown hair that was always falling into his face. Freckles spattered across his nose and cheeks and there was a patch of brown flicking across one of his bright green eyes. A sectoral heterochromia iridum, he had once been informed by a doctor. The boys had both earned their unique quirks the same night. The night Evan had gained the constant ringing in his ear.
The doctor had asked if Evan had been in any sort of explosion once. Aunt Petunia had flicked worried eyes between the two brothers. "Our house blew up when we were little," Evan had said in broken English. The doctor had nodded and performed more tests on Evan finally diagnosing him as deaf in one ear. When the boys had returned home they had asked Aunt Petunia about the explosion.
"Your parents died in a car crash!" she snapped irritably staring at Evan.
"No, they died in a gas explosion that destroyed our house." He had answered back. Aunt Petunia had pursed her lips. She scowled at the boys, told them never to contradict her or ask questions again, and sent them to the cupboard. They had spent a week in the cupboard for that. But Aunt Petunia had changed her story of the night when their parents died after that day.
The boys had learned very quickly after that: that there were rules they had to follow. The first rule for a quiet life with the Dursleys was not to ask questions. The second was never to back chat. Something Evan found difficult especially if he felt something was unjust.
As Harry was spooning beans onto the plates for the family, Uncle Vernon barked at Harry from behind his newspaper to sort his hair out. Harry stopped loading the plates with food and attempt (and failed as usual) to flatten his hair. Evan was busy buttering the toast and adding it onto the plates. Harry ran the plates over to the table placing them down into what little space there was between the presents. That was the one good thing about birthdays: there was always a big breakfast, which the boys got to join in with. Evan brought over the last two plates placing them gingerly down at his and Harry's seats.
Evan began to eat the food they had prepared. He ate as quickly as his stomach would allow; the food was rich and greasy and not something they got to enjoy often. He glanced to see Harry was wolfing down his food even faster. Evan looked up to see that Dudley's face was going red. He must be about to throw a tantrum. Evan quickly decided to follow Harry's suit and finish his meal too.
Abruptly, Evan noticed Aunt Petunia, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and Harry all glance in the direction of the telephone in the hall. It must be ringing. Aunt Petunia disappeared as Dudley continued unwrapping presents. Evan slipped from the table his plate empty, moving into the kitchen to start cleaning up. He was filling the sink with bubbles when Harry walked in. Neither of them spoke as the kitchen was only separated from the dining room by an island counter. Harry placed his plate next to Evan's and began moving things over to the side, so Evan could begin the washing up. Harry got a tea towel and was drying the dishes Evan passed to him, listening as aunt Petunia walked back into the room her lips pursed.
Evan looked to Harry as a conversation happened across the dining room. The Dursleys eyes settling on the boys every now and then. "Mrs. Figg's broken her leg. She can't take us." Harry mouthed. Evan nodded understanding. Every year on Dudley's birthday his parents took him and a friend out for the day. To adventure parks, hamburger bars or the cinema. Every year, Harry and Evan were left behind with Mrs. Figg, a mad old lady who lived two streets away. The house smelled of cabbage. Evan didn't mind the strange cats too much, but neither of the boys enjoyed having to look at the photographs of them all. Evan looked to Harry handing over the last of the frying pans.
"You could leave us here." Harry broached.
Evan stared at Harry. That was a great idea; they could do whatever they wanted then. But when he looked to Aunt Petunia's face he knew that was not a possibility. She looked like she had swallowed a lemon.
"And come back and find the house in ruins?" she snarled.
"We won't blow it up," Evan shrugged.
The look on their faces when he said that, if looks could kill he was sure he'd be dead right now. He gulped as uncle Vernon rose from his chair. He was advancing towards them when everybody's head snapped round to face the front door. Uncle Vernon's advance towards Evan halted. For three pounding heart beats, Uncle Vernon paused there, but then he turned and went to answer the door.
A moment later and Dudley's friend. Piers Polkiss, walked in with his mother. Piers was a scrawny boy with a face like a rat. He was part of Dudley's gang, usually the one holding people's arms behind their backs while Dudley hit them. Evan had given him a nice bruise on his jaw the other day, and he was a little sorry to see that it was no longer showing. Evan had often stood up to Dudley's gang, especially when they had started to target Harry. The punishment Evan received was worth it to see their faces when he had clocked Piers right on the jaw. Nobody really stood up to Dudley's gang. Dudley who had been pretending to cry about not wanting Harry and Evan at his birthday outing, wrapped in his mother's arm, stopped at once when his friend walked in.
Half an hour later, Harry and Evan shared a smile as they were sitting in the back of the Dursleys' new car. On the way to the zoo for the first time in their lives. Their aunt and uncle hadn't been able to think of anything else to do with them. Before they left Uncle Vernon had pulled the boys aside, his grip tight on their upper arms.
"I'm warning you both," he pointed to each in turn, his face a deep shade of purple. "I'm warning you now, any funny business-anything at all – and you'll both be in that cupboard from now until Christmas."
The boys shared a look, "We won't do anything," They said in unison. "It's not like we plan on doing anything," Evan shrugged. He knew full well that he had somehow gotten out of the locked cupboard, not to mention into the medicine cabinet in the kitchen, just earlier that morning.
Uncle Vernon stared down at the two boys, they both squirmed as his face became even more purple in anger. "Get in the car," he ground out. The boys quickly jumped into the back of the grumbled internally. It really wasn't fair that Uncle Vernon blamed them. Things just happened around the two of them, not that they could tell the Dursleys that.
Once, Aunt Petunia, fed up of Harry coming back from the barbers looking as though he hadn't been at all, had taken a pair of kitchen scissors and cut his hair. It was so short he was almost bald except for his bangs, which she left "to hide that horrible scar." Dudley had laughed himself silly at Harry, who had spent the night needing to be comforted by Evan about school the next day. At school, both boys were already laughed at for their baggy clothes, and Harry for his sellotaped glasses, and Evan for being bottom of the class. Next morning, they had gotten up to find his hair exactly as it had been before Aunt Petunia had sheared it off. They had spent a week in the cupboard for that, even though neither of them could explain how it had grown back so quickly.
Another time, Evan had been having a nightmare: a cackling laugh, a flash of green followed by an explosion. He woke up screaming, waking the neighbours because he had somehow appeared on the roof. The neighbours had rung on the doorbell alerting the Dursleys to Evan's predicament. The fire brigade had hastily arrived to rescue had no clue how he'd gotten there, only that his head was pounding, and his ear was ringing. His aunt and uncle had acted very worried and concerned in front of the neighbours and the fire brigade. As soon as the door shut, however, Uncle Vernon's face had turned thunderous. He had spent a very painful month in the cupboard for that.
And there was that time Evan had disappeared. Harry had woken up alone in the cupboard. He had spent all day wondering what had happened to his brother. He even went back into the cupboard to check that he hadn't imagined that he had a brother. But Evan's book was still on the shelf, so he must have been real. A few hours later the Dursleys had received a phone call from a wildlife sanctuary. Evan had been found in one of their enclosures. It had taken most of the day for the keepers to get close enough to the very protective animals to retrieve Evan. Evan once again had no idea how he had managed to travel over half the county. Uncle Vernon had not been very happy having to drive all the way out there to collect him. That had earned him an even more painful month in the cupboard. Evan seemed to get into terrible trouble for his strange things.
And then there was Harry. Once Aunt Petunia had been trying to force him into a revolting old sweater of Dudley's. The more insistent she got the smaller it seemed to become, until finally it certainly wouldn't fit Harry. She had decided it must have shrunk in the wash and to their surprise and Harry's great relief, he wasn't punished.
He had however, gotten into trouble for being found on the roof of the school kitchens. Evan had been made to stay inside to catch up on some school work, so Dudley's gang took the opportunity to chase Harry. As much as to Harry's surprise and anyone else's, there he was sitting on the chimney. The next day an angry letter from school arrived. It informed the Dursley's that Harry had been climbing school buildings. Harry shouted out what happened from inside the locked cupboard, but they didn't believe him. He'd only been trying to jump behind the bins outside the kitchen doors to escape Dudley's gang. Harry supposed that the wind must have caught him in mid jump.
But today nothing was going to go wrong. It was worth being near Dudley and Piers. They were happy to be somewhere that wasn't school, the cupboard, or Mrs. Figg's cabbage smelling living room. Evan couldn't wait to see all the animals; his excitement was catching as Harry bounced in his seat.
While he drove Uncle Vernon complained to Aunt Petunia. He loved to complain about things; people at work, his nephews, the council, his nephews, the bank and the two boys. These were just some of his favourite subjects. This morning it was motorcycles. Evan had been ignoring the conversation, watching as a motorbike overtook them. Until Uncle Vernon had turned around in his seat. His face like a giant beetroot with a moustache, "MOTORBIKES DON'T FLY!"
Evan turned his attention to Harry his eyes wide, a flying motorbike, he hadn't had that dream in long time. Harry noticed Evan's stare and leant closer that they could talk.
"The motorbike with the giant?" Evan whispered.
Harry nodded; they had each had the same dream. Evan turned so that he was facing Harry, who mirrored him. He was just about to open his mouth when.
"STOP THAT!" Uncle Vernon shouted seeing the two boys facing each other. They weren't supposed to be talking together. "Don't get any funny ideas," they were told. Almost like they were secretly planning how they could make the kettle spring to life. The atmosphere in the car had changed. Now the boys could see Uncle Vernon's eyes looking back at them from the rear-view mirror. If there was one thing the Dursleys hated more than them asking questions, it was, them talking about anything acting in a way it shouldn't, no matter if it was a dream or even a cartoon. Not that they got to watch many cartoons, Dudley sat glued to the television. The Dursleys seemed to be under the impression it would give them dangerous ideas. Granted Evan had plotted to make the kettle sing and dance once. After reading a book about objects that came to life in an enchanted castle and there was a curse and a beast. The book had soon ended up in the fireplace. So now Evan guarded his books with his life.
It was a very sunny Saturday and the zoo was crowded with families. The Dursleys bought Dudley and Piers large chocolate ice creams at the entrance. And then, because the smiling lady in the van had asked Harry and Evan what they wanted, they got a cheap lemon ice pop. It was a refreshing taste. They were licking them quite happily as they watched a gorilla scratching its head, looking remarkably like Dudley, except that it wasn't blond.
Evan had the best morning ever. He dragged Harry over to the animals who all seemed to want to come over and see them, much to Mr and Mrs Dursley's chagrin. Dudley and Piers found it entertaining. The boys were careful to keep back from the Dursleys as they walked. Dudley and Piers started to get bored of the animals walking over to Evan and vying for his attention. He'd notice Harry smiling at him as he watched him.
At one point the window overlooking the bats was black. The furry little creatures had covered the window as they tried to come and see Evan. Evan was dragged a way from the big cats by Harry. He was fascinated by them and even jumped when the lions started to roar right in front of him. The tigers chuffed, and Evan would quietly chuff back. Dudley and Piers preyed on the nearness of the animals by making fun of them. But they were starting to get bored by lunchtime.
Evan had noticed Dudley and Piers losing interesting in the animals. He really didn't want to have to defend himself and Harry in front of Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. He made sure to put himself between them and Harry. They ate in the zoo restaurant, he and Harry each had a child's lunch box (it being the cheapest thing on the menu), while Dudley and Piers could get whatever they wanted. Dudley threw a tantrum because his knickerbocker glory didn't have enough ice cream on top. He was bought a second one and the ice cream was passed to the two boys. Evan passed the ice cream over to Harry whose face lit up in delight as he dug into the ice cream.
Evan gushed to Harry about all the animals. His brother smiled at him in awe as they made their way to the reptile house. It was cool and dark inside, with lit windows all along the ways. Evan sighed in relief, he liked the sunshine, but too much light gave him a headache. He much preferred the darker places, anything to not end up with his head pounding. Dudley quickly found the largest snake in the place. It was so large it could have wrapped itself around Uncle Vernon's car twice and crushed it into a dustbin - – but at that moment it looked asleep.
Dudley had squashed his face up to the glass. He frowned when the snake refused to move; even commanding Uncle Vernon to tap on the glass couldn't get the snake to wake. Evan found himself grabbed suddenly by Uncle Vernon and shoved in front of the glass. Every other animal had moved instantly to gain Evan's attention and yet the snake remained where it was. Dudley shuffled away proclaiming it was boring. Uncle Vernon released Evan and walked back over to Aunt Petunia.
Harry walked over to the tank. Evan watched as slowly the snake raised its head. He watched the glistening brown coils until at last the snake's head had reached the same height as Harry. It winked. Evan blinked in disbelief none of the other animals had done that. Evan stepped closer to Harry as he winked back. He tilted his head watching as the snake moved in a way as though it was having a conversation with Harry. The snake jabbed its tail at the sign on the side of the cage. Evan thought he heard a faint hissing sound above the ringing in his ear, he presumed it was the snake. The boys both jumped as Piers who had moved behind them shouted.
"DUDLEY! MR DURSLEY! COME AND LOOK AT THIS SNAKE! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT IT'S DOING!"
Dudley came waddling over. He kicked Evan in the back of the knee making his legs buckle. He fell to his knees in front of the tank, while Dudley elbowed Harry aside making Harry fall hard on the concrete floor. Evan's hand shot forward to steady his fall. Then he looked up as it happened. One moment Piers and Dudley were leaning right on top of the glass, the next, they had leapt back with howls of horror.
The glass had disappeared from its frame. As Evan watched, the Boa Constrictor was uncoiling itself to slither onto the floor. Evan threw his hands up to his ears the screams overwhelming him, as people throughout the reptile house started running for the exits. The snake turned and looked at the two fallen Potter boys before continuing past them. Evan turned to Harry in shock, he could have sworn the snake had hissed as if in thanks.
The keeper of the reptile house was in shock. He kept stammering "where did the glass go?"
Aunt Petunia had a cup of strong, sweet tea made by the zoo director, while he apologised repeatedly. Evan placed himself between Harry and the Dursleys as they made their way back to the car. Piers and Dudley could only gibber. As far as Evan had seen, the snake hadn't even tried to eat them. But by the time they were all back in Uncle Vernon's car, Dudley was telling them how it had nearly bitten off his leg. While Piers was swearing it had tried to squeeze him to death. Then Piers said something that sent a shiver down Evan's spine. "Harry was talking to it, weren't you Harry?"
Uncle Vernon waited until Piers was safely out of the house before he started on the boys. Aunt Petunia helped take Dudley's presents upstairs. Where he busied himself with his new computer.
"It wasn't Harry. I did it." Evan quickly took the blame.
"Then why would Piers say Harry was talking to it?" Uncle Vernon advanced.
Evan stood in front of Harry, protecting him from their Uncle's rising temper.
"Just because he was talking to it doesn't mean he did it." Evan stared in defiance.
Aunt Petunia walked in handing over a large glass of brandy. Then she turned, holding the empty box of pain killers in her hand. Evan's eyes flicked from his irate Uncle to the box in his aunt's hand. Harry who stood behind him did the same.
"We're out of pain killers again." She snapped, "I'll have to run out and get some more." She threw a glare at Evan, grabbing her purse and walking out the front door.
Uncle Vernon was so angry he could hardly speak. He lunged forward, grabbing hold of Evan by the front of his shirt. He managed to say, "Go – cupboard- stay- no meals," he looked at Harry, who moved very quickly into the cupboard. Uncle Vernon downed the large brandy.
Evan woke slowly at first. Then he jumped awake, realising he was in the dark cupboard. He hissed as he felt the damage of his body. Harry reached for his hand, seeking comfort. Evan pulled himself forward so that he was facing Harry. Harry was huddled on one side of the bed; his glasses were missing. Evan moved closer, resting his forehead against Harry's. "So, I might have taken the last of the pain killers earlier," he confided.
Harry nodded, pulling away. "You've used the entire box." Evan blinked, not having realised this.
"I'm sorry, I don't know how I did that."
Harry shook his head slowly.
"It's okay. Strange things just happen around us is all."
Evan glanced at the door wondering what time it was.
"They haven't gone to bed yet." Harry pulled his face round to talk to him.
Evan nodded, sagging as his breath hitched suddenly. "Do you remember that trick to unlock the door?" Harry nodded, "Good, you might have to be the one to sneak out later." Harry pulled Evan into a hug.
They'd lived with the Dursley's almost ten years now. Ten miserable years. For as long as they could remember, ever since they'd been small, and their parents had died in the explosion. Evan knew Harry couldn't remember it much; they'd spoke about it. Harry had confided once. Sometimes when he strained his memory during long hours stuck in the cupboard, he came up with a strange vision: a blinding flash of green light and a burning pain on his forehead. This he supposed was the explosion, though he couldn't imagine where all the green light came from. Their aunt and uncle never spoke of their parents and of course they were forbidden to ask questions. They were no photographs of them in the house.
Harry even told him once that he had dreamed of some unknown relation coming to take them away. But it had never happened; the Dursleys were their only family. Yet sometimes they thought that strangers in the street seemed to know them. A tiny man in a violet top hat had bowed to Harry once while out shopping with Aunt Petunia and Dudley. Evan had moved in front of Harry instantly. Aunt Petunia had asked Harry if he knew the man, then rushed them out of the shop without buying anything. A wild looking old woman dressed all in green had waved merrily at them once on a bus. A bald man in a very long purple coat had shaken their hands in the street the other day and then walked away without a word. The weirdest thing about all these people was the way they seemed to vanish when you tried to get a closer look.
At school the boys only had each other. Everybody knew that Dudley's gang hated Harry Potter in his baggy clothes and broken glasses. And Evan Potter in equally baggy clothes and who was failing in his school work. Nobody liked to disagree with Dudley's gang. So, the two brothers stuck together. Harry helping Evan with his school work while Evan tried to protect Harry from Dudley's gang.
Yet Evan could remember a time when it hadn't been just the two of them. He could remember a woman with the same hair and eye colour as him smiling and giggling with them. A man who looked so much like Harry smiling proudly down at them. He could remember the green light, a high cackling laughter, then the rumble of the explosion. He was a little envious that Harry had only gained a small scar while he had lost his hearing. But then he felt guilty, guilty because he could remember the two people that Harry wished to know the most.
He hugged Harry tightly. Now it was just the two of them, and he would do anything to protect Harry.
Thank you for reading.
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