Anyways, one thing I forgot to mention this story is dedicated to my two beta for Revised Help! They are awesome and I wanted to give them something. So, you all should thank Catzi and Barrel of Monkeys!
Don't worry as soon as I think of a super special awesome idea, I'll write something for Ie-Maru to! I'm sorry for any reviews left unanswered, I will answer all tomorrow.
"Help" emphasis on something
"Help" snake speak
I own nothin!
Beta-ed by the super awesome Ie-Maru, who I wish a very happy birthday too. This chapter and the next are both different so might wanna re-read.
A month had passed since Beyond and Harry had visited the Wizarding World. As the month had passed the duo had spent all if not most of the time in their room, eagerly absorbing all the information contained in their schoolbooks. They were astonished to read about all the creatures they previously had thought were fantasy. Along with that they each had tasked themselves to learn some of the basic spells that their textbooks mentioned to perfection.
Beyond had said, "We can't be unprepared when we get to Hogwarts. The kids there will probably know tons of spells." Harry had agreed, willing to go along with whatever Beyond had to say, as the older boy had never steered him wrong before.
At exactly seven in the morning on August 31st, Harry and Beyond were wide-awake both dressed in casual clothes with their trunks doubled-checked and packed along with their owls in their cages. Whammy had arranged a car to drive them to the train station and had given them extra money for the train. Whammy had pulled Beyond aside before the two had left, leaving Harry a bit confused.
Whammy stared at Beyond for minutes wondering how to start. Beyond Birthday had provided him unnecessary fear throughout the boy's stay at the orphanage, always giving him stress, as he got older, still Whammy couldn't help but feel some affection toward him. He cared for every child that passed through his doors.
"Do you have something to say? Harry is waiting; he doesn't like being alone for long periods of time. It makes him freak out." Beyond said breaking the uneasy air between the two. Whammy cracked a smile at Beyond, the boy was always worried about Harry.
"Actually, I do. I want you to keep Harry safe from harm. Promise me that nothing will happen to him through his seven years. I know you can take care of yourself; however, Harry couldn't without you."
Beyond had both eyebrows raised and his eyes searched Whammy's for a moment. There was no ill will nor any hint of disgust or disdain, he sincerely meant what he had said. "You know as well as I do, as long as Harry is by my side no one will think to touch him." A gleam in his eye made itself known when Beyond uttered those words.
Whammy smiled, "That was all the answer I needed." The old man still disliked their relationship to the very core of his being, but he had come in terms with it. Reaching over he had ruffled Beyond's hair as his own sort of goodbye, then shoved a piece of paper into his hands.
"Don't throw it away. It will help you find the train." Whammy said.
Beyond frowned but held on to the paper. "Is that all?" Whammy nodded, shooing the other boy back toward Harry. When Whammy heard the car doors slam and the engine come to life, he watched the car till it disappeared down the road. Walking back toward his office he sat down watching the sun slowly come up. His mind in the past, remembering memories of Beyond and Harry.
X
Two hours later, Beyond and Harry had arrived at King's Cross Station. The driver of the car put their luggage on a trolley and walked them over to Platform 9 and Platform 10. "Will you two be needing anything?" He asked politely. Beyond and Harry shook their heads before quietly thanking him.
Pulling the piece of paper out of his jean pocket, Beyond quickly looked over it. His eyebrows furrowed together with a look of confusion clear on his face. "This doesn't make sense." He muttered out loud.
"What?"
"This." Beyond pointed the paper, where Whammy had scrawled; Walk through Platform 9's brick wall. "You can't walk through a wall." Beyond stated firmly. Harry was about to agree when he saw a family of redheads talking in hushed whispers pointing to said brick wall.
He watched with interest when a tall redhead goofily smiled, grabbing a hold of his cart and took a running start toward the wall. Harry had expected the idiot to crash into the wall, but to his surprise he went right through. The people around him didn't seem to notice it either.
"George-" Harry heard the plump redhead lady shriek. Like before a tall redhead wore a goofy grin before sprinting toward the wall going through it like the other had. Turning to the Beyond, Harry tugged on his hand making the other direct his attention toward him.
"We're going through that wall." Harry said.
"We can't walk through walls. I accept that we live in a magical world but walls are solid. Unless we're ghosts like those on Ghostbusters." Beyond insisted. Didn't Harry understand that there had to be another way on the train? Harry just laughed, pointing toward the group of redheads, and mouthed, "Watch."
Beyond frowned and turned toward the eccentric family just in time to see the shortest redheaded boy take a running start to the wall.
"The boy is going to crash painfully." Beyond said. Harry grinned, his eyes intently focused on Beyond, wanting to see his reaction when he was proved wrong. Ron went through the wall with no problem, the family of redheads following behind soon afterward.
"Now do you believe me?" Beyond snorted, already making his way toward the wall. Harry only laughed; it was a rare treat to prove the other boy wrong.
Seconds later, a large train came into view. A deep red and gold decorated its middle with Hogwarts Express stenciled in the middle. Gray clouds of smoke came from the top; hundreds of kids were in their own little groups, talking to parents or friends.
Harry and Beyond spotted the young redhead with his mother who was fussing over him. Boarding the train, the duo was successful in finding a quiet, empty compartment. A loud whistle from the train signaled to all passengers that it was time to board.
When the train lurched forward, Harry turned to Beyond. "What do you think Hogwarts will be like?" Beyond was about to shrug but Harry was staring at him like that again. He internally cursed, he could never deny the other boy anything not even simple questions. Those green eyes had an unbelievable power over him.
Pulling him close, he started to talk, " I assume Hogwarts is quite large, maybe the size of a castle judging by how many kids there are-" He was interrupted when the short redhead they had seen earlier pulled their door open.
"Can I sit with you guys? My brothers kicked me out of their compartment." The redhead asked, though he was already putting his trunk with theirs up above. Seating himself with a huff a gentle smile on his face, he held out a hand and introduced himself, "Hi, my name is Ron Weasley."
"Beyond Birthday."
"Harry Potter."
Ron gaped, "H-H-Harry Potter!" Harry nodded moving slightly closer to Beyond. This boy, Ron, was staring at him very weirdly now. He couldn't say he liked the feeling at all. "I've met the Harry Potter. I've met the Boy-Who-Lived. Mum's going to freak. Ginny and the Twins will never believe this. Wow, I met Harry!" Ron managed to say in one breath.
"So, do you like Quidditch? I love the Chudley Cannons."
"S-sure…" Harry replied. He had read about it and it seemed interesting enough, just not something he thought he would do. Ron continued to jabber on and on while Harry made grunts and replied with short answers. Beyond was silent, planning to speak when the time was right.
The train rode on well into the night and Harry had fallen asleep, his whole body stretched on their side of the compartment with his head in Beyond's lap. Ron had stopped his talking, his thoughts mainly about Harry and him. He was sure he would be a great friend to Harry, maybe even in the same house with him.
They would be on the Quidditch team together and have the same classes. Yes, he was sure he would be the best mate of Harry Potter. He was absolutely sure of it.
"You know Harry will never be friends with filth like you." A voice said, cruelly snapping him out of thoughts. Ron looked across from him in confusion, who would say that?
"Wha-" Ron responded, his ears tinged red.
Beyond smirked, enunciating to Ron like he was a small child he repeated, "Harry. Will. Never. Be. Friends. With. Filth. Like. You."
Ron shook his head, "That's not true. Harry can and will be friends with me." Beyond moved with lightning speed toward Ron. The redhead cowered throwing his hands in front of his face, when no hit or harsh words came at him, he relaxed slightly. Beyond was a hair's breadth away.
Grinning maliciously, Beyond whispered, "Harry is only friends with me. I am the only one with this privilege. Harry is mine. If you try to come in between us…" He trailed off, his garnet eyes glazed at the tantalizing thought of ending the redhead right now.
Despite his shaking, Ron replied back inwardly cursing at how weak his voice sounded. "Y-y-you can't do that. I'll tell Harry and everybody else as soon as we get to Hogwarts."
Beyond purred, "Are you sure they'll believe you? Will you last that long?" Ron gulped audibly. At that time, Harry had awoken.
Rubbing his eyes tiredly, Harry sat in an upright position. "Beyond, what are you doing?" Beyond turned around giving Harry a small smile. Beyond sat down in his previous place, drawing an arm around Harry's waist.
"Harry get away from him, he's loony!" Ron yelled, pointing a shaking finger at Beyond who's smirk broadened. Ignoring Ron, Harry gave Beyond a questioning gaze.
"He's trying to take me away from you. He doesn't think I'm good enough for you." Beyond said softly. Caressing Harry's cheek making Harry blush slightly, Beyond continued. "Maybe he's right. I'm not good enough to be your friend or to even be associated with you."
Emerald-colored eyes widened dramatically, a choked sound escaped his mouth. Straddling Beyond, Harry threw his arms around his neck. "Beyond…. never say that." Throwing a glance over Harry's shoulder Beyond saw Ron still shaking.
"Ron just said…" Beyond started again.
Harry pulled back, "Fuck what he says, the whole world could burn along with its inhabitants and I wouldn't care. You are the most important to me." Turning back to face Ron, Harry's eyes blazed while his face contorted in fury. "Don't try that stuff again, you'll regret it," His tone slightly resembling a snake's.
Ron flinched back violently. "Understand me?" Harry said. Ron trembled, plastering himself to his seat.
"Yes."
Harry smiled lightly at Ron then he turned to Beyond, "Should we get our robes on, I think we'll be arriving at Hogwarts soon."
Beyond nodded, satisfied that his plan had worked out far better than he had originally thought.
X
The cool air hit Harry and Beyond immediately as they stepped off the train. Tens of lampposts illuminated the night, providing enough light so both of them could see their surroundings. Older students broke apart when they heard various adults beckoning for them to follow while Harry and Beyond, along with about twenty or so kids, stood there waiting for someone to tell them where to go.
"First year's over 'ere." A non-mistakable accent boomed. All heads turned toward the sound to see Hagrid waving a large hand. "Over 'ere, four to a boat."
Once everyone were in boats, Hagrid stood on a boat in front and, with a wave of his arm, all the boat simultaneously moved at once. The murky water rippled as the boats steadily moved forward. Harry skimmed his fingers along the water's surface, taken aback when he felt something brush against his fingers.
"There's something in the water." Harry said to Beyond.
Beyond rolled his eyes, "Harry, it's water. What do you think is in it?"
"It wasn't fish!" Harry defended. It felt like a tentacle of some sort.
"Just relax and look." Beyond nudged Harry pointing to the giant stone castle up ahead. Harry and Beyond could feel the magic rolling over the place, it was astounding. The castle looked positively medieval, it was mesmerizing. After a few seconds the boats docked, and a mid -aged woman appeared.
"My name is Professor McGonagall, and I will escort you outside the Great Hall. Once the doors open you will walk in and wait to be sorted. There will be absolutely no foolishness." She commanded before turning sharply around, her deep green cloak sweeping the ground behind her. Once everyone was inside, she was gone. Almost immediately chatter broke out.
"I heard that you had to fight a troll to be sorted…"
"I heard you picked a name out of a hat…."
"I heard that you had someone cut your palm, and based on how much blood comes out…"
"My father…."
Were responses that were heard all around them. Harry leaned toward Beyond whispering in his ear, "Don't they know that a hat sorts them into their houses?" Beyond shrugged, guessing that these morons around him didn't bother to read any of the textbooks. A loud groan came from the doors making any and all chatter stop.
"Enter."
The kids gave nervous glances before hesitantly taking steps forward. Some of the kids gasped quietly when they saw the night sky inside the Great Hall and the many lit candles floating in mid-air. The woman they had seen before stood in front next to a stool with a hat and scroll in hand.
The people surrounding them were quiet. "When I call your name, you will step forward to be sorted." Unfurling the scroll, she called out "Hannah Abbot." A shy pale blond girl squeaked softly before making her way toward the front.
Seating herself on the stool, the hat came to life. It appeared to mutter before shouting out, "Hufflepuff!" Hannah blushed heavily making her way over to the cheering table toward the far left. Three more people had been called up before it was Beyond's turn.
Harry almost went up with Beyond but stopped himself. No matter how much he hated it, he wouldn't cause any type of disruption despite his personal feelings. McGonagall dropped the hat on Beyond's spiked black hair.
"My, my, you're an interesting child." A voice said.
"Who are you? My name is Beyond Birthday." Beyond asked, a bit startled at the sudden intrusion of this unknown person or thing.
"I'm the Sorting Hat. There is no need to be afraid or scared. I don't bite; I'm just here to sort like my masters intended me to do so. Your obvious house is Slytherin, like your ancestors. However, I have a bit of advice."
"Yes?"
"Don't let your obsessions or promises of revenge eat you up. You'll end up walking the same path that your father is, and it's not a pretty one."
Beyond was tempted to ask another question but the hat called, "Slytherin!" The Slytherin house clapped politely, each person trying to see if they should know the surname Birthday while some tried to remember where they had seen garnet eyes like Beyond's from.
Fifteen names later McGonagall had called Harry's name. Small conversations that were previously being held stopped, any and all eyes on Harry's small form as he sat on the stool.
The hat's dark rim had obscured Harry's vision of the outside world, shielding him from all the eyes.
"You are the prize that everyone seems to be after...I'm the Sorting Hat, by the way."
Harry nodded absentmindedly and the hat chuckled in response. "I assume that you want to be with the one known as Beyond Birthday. You and him have a rather strong bond from what I can see."
"Yes, we do."
"However, while you have traits of the Slytherin house the deep loyalty you have toward Beyond makes you less suited for it." Harry froze at the Hat's comment. He had no words at that moment.
"You are not like your parents so Gryffindor is a no for you. Ravenclaw is a possibility, but that house is for those who value knowledge above all else." The hat didn't say anything more, growing quiet.
An eternity ticked by for Harry while in reality it was a just few seconds. The hat said a meager, "Sorry," before it bellowed, "Hufflepuff!"
The house to the far left cheered loudly while other houses frowned deeply, but clapped nevertheless. Harry meanwhile was frozen on the stool. He wouldn't be placed near Beyond. He started shaking and nervously grabbed at his sleeves, his eyes searching for Beyond's and the reassurance the boy would provide.
He wouldn't be near him?
"Mr. Potter please go to your table."
Harry was glued to the seat he didn't even hear her only a faint chatter. His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of his impending separation from the only friend he had. He was being taken away from Beyond. He was separated from Beyond; he wouldn't be able to touch him at all. He couldn't take it anymore. His green eyes grew glassy and his form became tense.
The hall became quiet once more as the small boy fell off the stool in a dead faint.
