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The next day passed. Harry found that Charms was just as easy as his Transfiguration class had been. He allowed himself to use his full talent and perform the spell they were meant to be learning within the first ten seconds. He couldn't help himself. Plus Colin's envious face had been worth it.
But History of Magic was boring. Very, very boring.
Allyssa had loved to tell Harry all about the history of magic. She told him many stories about Merlin, the four founders of Hogwarts, and many other great wizards and witches. And Harry loved to listen.
But Professor Binns didn't have the same talent that Allyssa had for interesting people with history. He kept going on and on and on about dates and even got names muddled up. Harry found himself falling asleep on his desk.
The best part of the lesson was learning that he was allowed to leave.
Harry was sat in the Great Hall eating breakfast with the rest of the group, talking about their upcoming potions lesson.
"So," said Pansy. "Do you think potions will be as bad as everyone keeps saying?"
"No, Snape is a good teacher," Draco answered.
Theo leaned forward eagerly. "I heard from Seamus in Gryffindor that he took away thirty-five points away in the first ten minutes of a class!"
"Really!?" Harry asked.
He hadn't really been feeling nervous about potions class. Potions had always been a favourite of his, something he had in common with his Mum, and he had felt prepared. But, after hearing all the rumours about Snape, he was convinced that the moment he walked through that classroom door he would forget everything.
"Don't worry, Harry. Take it from me, it'll be fine. Trust me," said Draco.
Harry didn't have time to answer before the noise of what must have been hundreds of owls came flooding into the hall. Everyone looked up in delight as the owls circled overhead, searching for their wizard or witch.
Harry smiled as he saw Hedwig among the owl. She dropped the letter into his awaiting hands. Harry tore it open as Hedwig landed perfectly on the table and began to pick at his cereal happily.
Dear Harry
Congratulations on your sorting!
Don't worry about me, Big Sam, and Samson, we're okay. I'm currently staying with Erin in Istanbul. You'd love it, it's very exciting. But nowhere near as exciting as Hogwarts! I'm happy you've met up with your best friend again, I hope you're all fitting in well. I know how hard it can be, but if anyone can do it, you can!
About the question you had about showing off your talent: Do you remember that comic the James brothers are obsessed with? I'm sure you remember that in the comic the hero pulls his punches when fighting so he isn't using his full strength. This is because he knows that if he doesn't then he would fatally hurt his opponent, giving him an unfair advantage. That is strength that shouldn't be used at full potential. Harry, whatever power you have, use it. You have earned that right after after everything. My only advice is to let your results do the talking, not your mouth. That's all you need to do.
Write to me when you have the chance. And let me know if you need anything, such as clothes, books, or anything else you need.
Keep safe,
Your Mum, Allyssa
PS: Erin says "Hello".
Harry smiled, feeling a lot more confident. He looked up after reading the letter, all of his friends had letters too.
Draco, who was sat across from Harry, asked, "What's your Mum said about your sorting?"
But, before Harry could answer, a loud gasp came from Theo, who was sat next to Harry. Harry turned to look at him.
"Harry..." Theo lifted up a copy of the Daily Prophet.
Harry was momentarily confused. But then read the headline:
POTTER'S ABANDONED BOY WHO LIVED'S TWIN
And underneath was a photo of Colin and his family, smiling and laughing.
Harry didn't even think as he pulled the paper from Theo's hands and began to read the article to his friends.
"James and Lily may have to answer some very shameful questions as it was revealed on September 1st that Colin Potter is not the only child the Potter's have. Colin Potter has a twin, a boy called Harry James Potter. Lily and James have, strangely, never mentioned ever having another child, so the news about a twin is shocking.
Harry, reportedly, was abandoned by his once beloved parents on his fourth birthday. A day that was meant to be happy and exciting for the innocent little boy. A day which quickly became the worst day of the poor boy's life.
James Potter lashed out at his shunned son after he amazed the guests with his early magical talent at the birthday party his parents had thrown for his brother, and purposely left him out of.
James Potter told his barely four-year-old son: "Colin's important, he needs and deserves this party and attention a lot more than you do. He is a special boy who deserves all the love he can get. You're just another boy. Understand that. Now go to bed!"
Harry never saw his parents again for seven years. It is unknown how, but he was found and adopted by Allyssa Rose, a best-selling potions mistress, who has raised him for seven years as her own son and who he calls 'Mum'. A relationship which a well deserving Harry describes as being all he could ever wish for.
It isn't yet known how Harry found his way into this kind woman's arms as a lost and scared little child, but it would not be out of character for the fame loving parents of the Boy Who Lived to abandon their unwanted son on the streets. Especially if they thought Harry may be becoming more inviting for fans.
Before news of Harry's existence was released, the Potter family attempted to win him over by offering him the love that should have been unconditional from birth, not used as means to get better publicity. Harry, rightly, refused. But the strain of this must seriously effect the boy, especially since he has only just started at Hogwarts.
"Harry's a fantastic kid," commented a Hogwarts friend of Harry's, who asked to not be named. "He isn't even fuming at the thought of being abandoned. He's moved on, he's happy. And now the Potter's want to take him away from his happy life, shows what kind of people they are!"
From the information gathered, Harry is a very bright, calm, and nice child who works hard and was sorted into Slytherin house (while Colin is inexplicably in Ravenclaw). It is clear that this Potter twin has a very persona to his twin. But who the better twin is is yet to be seen."
Harry took a deep breath and sighed, covering his face with his hands. Someone had told the Daily Prophet. One of his friends had told them.
He looked up and at the teacher's table.
James and Lily had received a lot of letters. A lot of letters. But they hadn't been opened yet. The pair were too busy reading the Daily Prophet. With pure horrified looks on their faces.
Harry had now begun to notice people looking at him with sympathy, the paper in their hands.
"I have to go, I'll see you all in potions!" he said to his friends as he stood up, grabbing his bag.
"Harry! It wasn't us who-" began Draco, who was interrupted by a loud bang.
The whole hall was silent. Well, the people in the hall were quiet. The howler that Lily and James had been sent wasn't exactly quiet.
"HOW DARE YOU ABANDON YOUR OWN SON! YOU ARE BOTH A DISGRACE TO PARENTHOOD! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY GOOD PEOPLE CAN'T HAVE CHILDREN WHILE MONSTERS LIKE YOU ABANDON YOUR OWN!?! I'M GLAD HARRY FOUND MISS ROSE! HE DESERVES A HAPPY LIFE! YOU DESERVE TO THROWN IN A-"
Harry couldn't listen to anymore. He walked out of the hall quickly and got into the halls, he wasn't really sure where he was going, he just felt a need to get away from the hall.
"Harry!"
"Wait!"
Harry turned around, it was Fred and George.
"Are you okay?" asked Fred as they caught up to him.
"I-I don't know," he answered, running a hand through his messy hair. "I thought I'd be happy if everything came out. I mean, it always crossed my mind to go to the press..."
"If you don't mind us asking..." began Fred, shifting nervously.
"Why didn't you?" asked George, sheepishly.
Harry thought for a moment. "Because I didn't want them to love me just because of the publicity. Whatever feelings they show for me, good or bad, I wanted them to be genuine. Do you understand? Or is that stupid?"
"No!" they said together.
Both of the twins looked at each other and shared a sigh. "Harry..."
"Yes?"
They answered together. "We told the Daily Prophet..."
Harry stood in silence for a second.
"What?"