Filch's Story

Argus Filch is a disgrace to his family, and an outcast to the wizarding world. The only person who accepts him for who he is, is his twin brother, Liam. So Argus follows Liam to wizarding school, but as Keeper of the Keys. But soon tragedy strikes, and Argus is left with a choice.

Chapter 1: The Letter

Mother and Father were so proud when Liam got his letter. They barely let the owl through the window before peppering him with praise. Liam with his magic, all ready to go to magic school. I was at the far end of the table, eating my oatmeal, trying to be happy for my brother. I plastered a fake smile on my face and congratulated him. My twin smiled back at me, looking more relieved than anything else. His bright blue eyes were lit up from all the excitement. Those eyes are on my face, as well, along with the rest of his features, but for me they will never glow like this. They will never shine like the sun was peeking out from behind.

Because I am a Squib.

I will never go to magic school. I will never learn to do charms, or potions. I will never be scolded for making Father's reading glasses Vanish, or Transfiguring the coffee table into an oversized rodent. I will never be able to clean up a spill by uttering a single word. I will never be able to even levitate a rock.

Because I am a useless Squib.

But I am proud of Liam, really. I'm glad he wasn't born an abomination, like me. Really.

We didn't know for sure that I was a Squib until today. Mother and Father had suspected, since Liam had been able to produce magic, and I had not.

"You're just a late bloomer," Father told me, though I could see the doubt and worry behind his eyes.

I had tried to believe him. My magic is coming. It's just late, I told myself. But as Liam's magic started developing, I knew deep down that I was a Squib.

Now I had proof. The Hogwarts letters arrive at the same time for siblings. Mine's never coming.

Tears glistened in my eyes as Liam read out all the supplies he would be needing.

"Ooh, ooh, it says I can get a cat!" he squealed. My brother had always wanted a cat, but Mother was allergic. "I'm going to call her Mrs. Norris!"

"How long have you been thinking about that name?" I joked.

"And I'm going to join the Quidditch team!" he went on, ignoring my comment, "I'm going to be the best beater ever!"

"It says first years aren't allowed broomsticks," I told him.

"Next year, then."

I went upstairs to my bedroom to leave my twin to his Quidditch fantasies. It was a small room I used to share with Liam, until he accidentally set it one fire. Now it's just my room. I don't have a lot of decorations. Honestly, if you happened upon it, you would think it was uninhabited. But I like things simple. My brother's the wild one. I may look like him, but we're complete opposites. He's talented, funny, charming. Me, I'm just the one that sits in the corner and watches. I would probably fail magic school, anyways. It's better I didn't get in.

The next few weeks are a blur. A trip to Diagon Alley (where Liam got a magic wand, and I got chocolate ice cream). Packing (Liam forgot socks; I packed them). By this point I was ready for September first; then Liam would go away to Hogwarts, and all the surrounding hype would cool down.

I got a big surprise when my brother walked into my room two days before he was set to go to school.

"Argie, I know you really wanted to come to Hogwarts with me."

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, I sent an owl to the headmaster, Professor Dippet, and I told him that you didn't get a letter, and I asked him if you could come, like maybe it was sent with a really incompetent owl or something, and he said if you couldn't do magic, you couldn't be a student there-"

"Yeah, I know," I interrupted.

"But he said that you could come and be the Gamekeeper!"

"What's a Gamekeeper?"

"I don't really know, but apparently you get your own little hut and everything, and you do stuff with um, games, probably and it's kinda confusing, but you get to go to Hogwarts!"

I leaped up from my bed and swaddled my amazing brother in a bear hug. "You're the best!"

My brain was exploding from the news. I would get to go to magic school with Liam! I still wouldn't have magic, but that's okay. I packed my things and got ready to board the Hogwarts express.