Title: Finding Family
Pairings: Harry/Tyler (OMC) Sirius/Remus James/Lily
Warnings: Slash, non-con, child abuse, eventual twincest (let me know if I've missed anything)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any characters, and no money is being made
AN: A bit early this time! Next one will probably take a bit longer though...anyways. I hope you enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter 7: The Sorting
For the two twins, the month of August passed insufferably slow. Uncle and Aunt had spent the month complaining about how the world of magic was filled with freaks and shouldn't associate with normal people. These conversations and muttered complaints did much to explain to the boys why they were hated so. Dudley had taken to mostly avoiding them, afraid they were going to turn him into a toad or some other such nonsense. The peace and quiet had done wonders, and being locked in their room the majority of time, Harry had taken to reading up on everything possible while Tyler learned about Quidditch and other wizarding games.
Despite the Dursleys not being happy about the boys attending a school for magic, they also seemed happy that the twins would not be around to "influence their adorable boy and taint him with freakishness". The two boys were just as happy.
Harry was quite pleased with all his free time. Uncle had pulled him aside one afternoon when the other occupants of the house were out and told him not to reveal their secret time or he would kill the boy. Harry had just nodded frantically before fleeing upstairs. Since then he had only really seen Tyler. He used this time to practice writing with ink and quill. It was incredibly frustrating. Having not written much in the first place, having to use such an arcane object was not helping him. Luckily, he had bought a book on calligraphy which helped immensely. By the end of the summer he could mostly do the smooth curves and had stopped the ink from splattering and smudging. But most importantly, his handwriting was legible.
Determined to learn as much about the wizarding world as possible, Harry had also bought books on wizard mythology and legends. He hoped to gain a background in the culture, but found that he didn't understand quite a few words used. Next time he would get a dictionary. Hopefully that would solve the problem. Hadrian also poured over books covering historical figures (one of which contained information on him and Tyler), non-humans, light magic vs. dark magic (which he had found particularly interesting) as well as many other topics. By the time September first approached, he'd been able to get though most of the books and was well-versed in wizard information.
When August thirty first approached, the two boys made sure they had everything packed before doing a final clean of the house under the Dursley's strict watch. Professor Snape had told them to use the Night Bus to get to the platform and how to get onto it, so they weren't worried about getting on the train. Hadrian had ventured back into the cupboard briefly to take down some of the pictures Tyler had drawn so that he could hang them in his dorm.
That night, the boys lay cuddled together on the small mattress. Harry was plagued with thoughts about being around so many people and while he wanted to get away from Aunt and Uncle, he was scared.
"Don't worry Har, I'll protect you" Tyler told his brother confidently. Smiling against his brother's chest, Harry leaned up and kissed Tyler's cheek. He could feel his brother blush and then grab is hand, giving it a squeeze.
"I love you Har. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise". They both fell asleep after that with smiles on their faces and ready for what the wizarding world would bring.
September first dawned bright and beautiful. It was going to be a gorgeous day, the sun peeking out on the horizon and birds chirping merrily. Even though the boys were nervous, they had woken at a decent hour. The Dursley's only allowed them the bathroom for five minutes, so they showered together before dressing in some of their new clothes. They then checked to make sure everything was together, shrinking their trunk and putting them in their pockets before heading out to the curb, ready to call the Night Bus. Glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention, Tyler pulled out his wand and made a slashing motion. They both waited with baited breath, not sure it worked until a BANG broke the silence. A large purple triple-decker bus had appeared. Tyler grinned before greeting the conductor and handing him twenty two sickles. Half an hour and an incredibly frightening journey later, Harry and Tyler were in front of Kings Cross Station. Walking to the platform, they eyed the brick wall nervously. Sharing worried glances, they clasped hands before taking a deep breath, closing their eyes, and walking quickly into the brick wall.
When they opened their eyes they were met with a fantastic sight. Steam was coming from the top of a shining red and black train. A brick platform sported tons of wizarding and muggle families displaying a wide range of emotions. Most mothers were crying while their husbands attempted to hold back their own tears. Above them in golden letters on a wrought-iron sign read 'Platform Nine and Three-Quarters'.
Quickly, they boarded the train, trying to avoid the crowd and hoping to get an empty compartment. Luckily, they were able to find one about halfway down the train. Peering out the window they continued observing the various families. Tons of conversations were going on, but one in particular caught their attention. Shamelessly, they eavesdropped on the exchange.
"Ron, you've got something on your nose" a young red-headed boy was attempting to jerk away from his mother who had grabbed him and was rubbing his face with a handkerchief.
"Mum! Geroof!" he whined before wiggling free.
"Aaaaah, has ickle Ronnikins got something on his nosie?" One of the older boys teased. His twin (or at least who looked identical to him and Tyler and Harry had assumed to be his twin) ruffled the boy Ron's hair who looked annoyed at this.
"Shut it" Ron grumbled.
"Where's Percy?" the woman who they assumed was the mother asked as she tried to herd her red-haired children into one group. Just then another red-haired boy came striding over confidently, his Hogwarts robes billowing behind him. He had a shiny silver badge that had the letter P on it.
"Can't stay long Mother. I'm up at the front. The prefects have got two compartments to themselves so we can discuss—" he was explaining, only to be interrupted by one of the twins.
"Oh, are you a prefect Percy?" The twin gasped as if surprised. "You should have mentioned it! We had no idea!" He seemed devastated, but Harry and Tyler could sense the smirk.
"Hang on, I think I remember him saying something about it," the other twin said contemplated "Once—"
"Or twice—"
"A minute—"
"All summer—" the two twins spoke back and forth, sharing identical grins.
"Oh, shut it" Percy the prefect snapped in annoyance. It was there that Harry and Tyler stopped listening. Having no one who cared about them besides each other, they didn't want to have to listen to crying and blubbering they knew was soon to come. Harry rested his head on his brother's lap after he had closed the window. Tyler ran his fingers through his brother's long hair and sighed.
That was the sight one Draco Malfoy came upon not minutes later. He had been trying to find Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Theodore Nott. Having no success so far, he had decided just to find a compartment and greet them at the feast. Opening a compartment door, he stopped when he saw it was occupied by two boys. One with long black hair was resting his head and looked to have fallen asleep on the other boy's lap. Hazel eyes turned to look at him. Draco almost gasped. These must be the Potter twins! Determined not to make a scene he maintained his mask and entered the compartment.
"Hello, do you mind if I join you? I was looking for my friends but can't seem to find them". The hazel eyed boy gave him a suspicious look before nodding his head.
"I'm Draco Malfoy" Draco introduced himself, holding out his hand and giving a small smile. Tyler smiled back then and returned the handshake enthusiastically.
"I'm Tyler Potter and this is my brother Hadrian Potter" he returned politely. Tyler was pleased when Draco only nodded and sat down after closing the doors.
"So….do you play Quidditch?" Tyler asked. And so a friendship was born. For the rest of the ride while Harry slept blissfully unaware Tyler and Draco discussed the intriguing and engaging topic of Quidditch. It was only when they were close to the school that Tyler woke Harry so they could change into their robes.
Draco was surprised to see how much smaller Hadrian was than his brother. Mentally storing his thoughts, he decided to ask his godfather, Professor Snape, more about it when they had a chance to talk. However he was entranced by the shining emerald eyes, full red lips, high cheekbones and small pet nose. Long black hair fell in delicate waves around his face highlighting porcelain skin with not a blemish in sight save for the lightning bold scar on his forehead. However that small scar was mostly blocked by side bangs. All in all, he looked like an angel. Blushing, Draco turned away so the twins could change.
Once they were done, Tyler introduced his brother to Draco, who shook his hand briefly before blushing and grasping his brother's hand. Luckily they had arrived so Harry was saved from having to interact too much with Draco. Departing the train together, they were greeted by a large lamp that came bobbing over their heads. An incredibly tall and big man was holding the lamp and was calling out to the students.
"First years! First years over here! C'mon, follow me—anymore first years? Mind your step now! First years follow me!" The large man was beaming over the heads of the first years. Stumbling and trying not to slip, the first years followed the large man down a narrow steep path lined with what Harry assumed was trees due to the complete darkness. He tightened his hold on Tyler's hand. Nobody spoke and the only sounds that could be heard was the shuffling of feet and an occasional sniffing from someone.
Soon they stopped and stood in front of a large lake. Boats sat on the shore and the large man was loading people into them. It was only once everyone was seated that the fleet move all at once, gliding silently across the lake.
"You'll get your first sight of Hogwarts in a sec" The large man called out "Just around this bend here". A gasp followed his words as the school first came into sight. Perched atop a mountain stood a grand castle out of a story book with tower and turrets. Windows sparkled under the starry sky. A smile crossed Harry's face and he rested his chin on Tyler's shoulder.
"It's amazing Harry" Tyler whispered to him. Harry only nodded in agreement.
"Heads down" Came the booming voice and everyone bend their head as the boats carried them through a curtain of curling green ivy that obscured an opening in the face of the cliff. A dark tunnel greeted them and only the large man's lantern could be seen ahead of them. Luckily it wasn't long until they reached a harbor where they all disembarked onto large rocks. Clambering up a narrow passageway they came at last upon grass darkened by the shadow of the castle. A huge flight of stone steps loomed above them and everyone climbed up them in excitement to be met by a huge oak front door. The man raised a gigantic fist and knocked loudly three times on the door.
A tall, imposing witch in emerald-green robes with a wide brimmed hat stood just inside as the door swung open. She had a stern face and Harry fitted himself behind Tyler, telling himself that this was not a woman to cross.
"The first years, Professor McGonagall". The women appraised them silently.
"Thank you Hagrid, I will take them from here". She pulled the door the rest of the way open to reveal the entrance hall. It was a huge elegant space lined with portraits and suits of armor. Harry looked around in wonder seeing his brother and Draco doing the same. They were led to a large door where they were stopped. Muffled voices could be heard coming from the other side and Harry wondered if they were the last to arrive.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your houses will be like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house and sleep in your house dormitory, as well as spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you; please wait quietly". She left the chamber and Tyler and Harry exchanged nervous glances.
"Draco, do you know what the Sorting Ceremony involves?" Tyler asked their new friend.
"Father told me that you just have to put on an old hat" however Draco looked a little skeptical. People all around them were spouting other ways they were going to be sorted, some seeming incredibly implausible such as battling a mountain troll. Screaming broke the guessing. About ten ghosts had come streaming though the wall behind them. Pearly-white and slightly translucent, they floated across the room, apparently ignorant to the crowd of first years who were staring at them.
"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance—" one plumper ghost was saying.
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the changes he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost, we all know the bloody baron is the only one able to control him in the slightest, and ever since he reappeared he's been hiding from us—I say, what are you all doing here?" A ghost wearing a ruff with a beard sporting tights asked them. Nobody answered.
"New students!" the plump ghost named Friar exclaimed while smiling down at them, "About to be sorted I suppose?" A few braver students nodded.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house you know" he said brightly. They were stopped from replying by a sharp voice snapping at them.
"Move along now. They Sorting Ceremony is about to start". Professor McGonagall had come back into the hall and was ushering the students into a line. Harry gasped quietly when he first entered the Great Hall. The Hall was lit by thousands upon thousands of floating candles that floated high above four long tables and a fifth perpendicular to the others. Each table hosted the upper years and were adorned with glittering golden plates and goblets. It was an incredible sight. The first years came to a halt in front of a stool that held a patched and frayed old hat. Everyone stared at the hat in silence until it twitched and then the tip near the brim opened wide and the hat began to sing.
Harry and Tyler were too awestruck to really hear what was being said, but they gained a general understanding of what each house was like. Once it was over, the whole hall broke into applause. The hat bowed to the four tables before once more becoming still. Professor McGonagall stepped towards the stool and then pulled out a roll or parchment before turning and facing the students once more.
"When I call your name, you will put on the Hat and sit on the stool to be sorted" she called out. "Abbott, Hannah!" The first girl, pink-faced with blond hair stumbled forwards and put on the hat before sitting down. A moment passed before;
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hat shouted. The second table from the right clapped and cheered as Hannah dazedly walked over to the table and sat down. This continued as more and more students were called out. They watched as Draco got sorted quickly into Slytherin. He had sent them a thumbs-up before taking his seat at the table on the far right. It wasn't long until their turn. After Perks, they were finally called.
"Potter, Hadrian!" As Harry stepped forward, loud whispers broke out. Harry didn't like it. He just wanted it to be over and done with so he could be back with Tyler. The last thing he saw as the hat slipped over his eyes was the entire hall staring at him with their mouths open.
"My my, what do we have here? I see you have led a hard life young Potter. Mmm don't want to be separated from your brother either. Well, we'll have to see about that. An incredible mind. You would do well in Ravenclaw. However you would not do well there at all. Cutthroat they are" the hat began.
"Um, excuse me sir hat, but is Hat really your name?" Harry interrupted, a bit nervous about angering the magical object. He was instead rewarded by a rumbling laugh.
"Oh I like you young Hadrian. I do have a name. You can call me Atticus. Feel free to visit me in the Headmaster's office anytime. I'm sure we'd get along wonderfully. Now, don't want to keep people waiting. The place for you is where you will form your real family. Where you will be looked after and allowed to grow. Yes, the place for you is—"
"SLYTHERIN!" Harry was met with dead silence as he tugged the hat off his head. Keeping his head down, he headed to the Slytherin table and took a seat next to Draco. He stared fixedly at his plate while he waited for Tyler to be sorted.
"Potter, Tyler" and the same muttering and stares followed the boy. Tyler slipped on the hat and awaited the hat's decision.
"Oh, very caring towards your brother. And what's this I see? Already friends with young mister Malfoy. Your brother requested not to be separated from you, you know. At first I was hesitant, after all sometimes siblings get split up. But for him to heal and you to grow, I believe this is one set of twins that should not be separated. And so, you shall also go to—"
"SLYTHERIN!" the hat shouted once more. Tyler smiled and skipped merrily to his brother who gave him a beaming smile and immediately took his hand once more. Tyler gave it a small squeeze and turned back to watch the rest of the sorting. After the silence had stretched to the point of awkwardness, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and called out the rest of the names. Once "Zabini, Blaise" had been sorted into Slytherin, Albus Dumbledore stood up. He opened his arms as he beamed down at the students.
"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin out banquet, I would like to say a few short words. And here theyare: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He sat back down as everyone clapped and cheered. Harry and Tyler just blinked as Draco rolled his eyes. Then suddenly the dishes in front of them were piled high with every kind of food imaginable. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, steak, bacon, peas, fries, carrots, boiled potatoes. The list stretched on. Harry looked at the food in awe. Never had he seen so much. However after being starved most his life, Harry knew he had to take it slow. Taking a tiny portion of the vegetable and a little piece of the lamb and ate slowly and savored the delicious food. Tyler took no such precautions and soon his plate was piled high with a bit of everything.
Tyler was soon talking animatedly with their new housemates while Harry ate quietly, focusing on his plate and eavesdropping on all the different conversations. He also took the time to look up at the high table. The Headmaster sat in the middle, Professor McGonagall on his left. Next to her was another witch, and next to her was Professor Snape. He was sneering at the man on his left who was wearing a large purple turban. A few more witches and wizards lined that side before Hagrid who sat on the very end. On the other side, a short man who looked like a goblin sat, engaging the Headmaster in conversation. Next to him were more witches and wizards who Harry supposed he would be introduced to soon.
After dessert, where Harry had taken some fruit and a treacle tart, Professor Dumbledore stood up once more.
"Ahem—just a few words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death. And now, off you trot!" Harry determined that he would not be going to the third-floor corridor. Standing up, the twins followed the other Slytherin first years down into the bowels of the castle. Down and down they went until they stopped in front of a portrait of a young man with black hair and piercing blue eyes. He glared at the students and sniffed.
"This is the entrance to the Slytherin common room and dorms. The password changes on a weekly basis and will be posted on the notice board Fridays. No one is to tell anyone from another house the password or even where this entrance is. The first password is Salazar. The portrait sneered at them and then opened. Everyone clambered through the portrait hole. They entered a short hall which led to a large round room adorned with tables, chairs, filled bookcases, fireplaces, and armchairs. The room was decorated in green and silver. One of the walls was made of glass, and Harry could see fish and other creatures swimming on the other side.
"Welcome to Slytherin. We are known for ambition, secrecy, and deceit. I hope you all learn to utilize these traits and above all learn loyalty. We are a private house. What happens in here stays. We do not air our dirty laundry like the other houses. Even if you have a problem with someone, as soon as you step outside the portrait it ceases to exist. The dorms are split into the girls' and boys' dorm. The prefects' rooms are separate. Try not to come to us and solve problems on your own. Professor Snape is our head of house. If you have any major issues, feel free to go to him. He is also the Potions professor. Good luck tomorrow and goodnight". With that, the prefects left after showing the two genders to their dorms. Double rooms lined the hall and Harry and Tyler claimed one for themselves. As soon as they entered a room they were met with two four-poster beds fitted with dark green curtains as well as green comforters and pillowcases embroidered with silver snakes that seemed to move in the light. Changing quickly after their trunks had appeared, they chose a bed and cuddled close before succumbing to sleep exhausted after a long day. Their last thoughts were 'things would work out'.