A/N: I apologize for the delay. My computer crashed and I had to start all over on this and several other stories. It's not as long as the original but I desperately wanted to post!
DEDICATED TO: J, my precious younger brother, 1988 – 2009; may you finally find peace; You helped me keep going on through my toughest times and encouraged me to write which is why I had the strength to re-write this chapter. Gone but never forgotten, always in my heart. I love you kid!
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"Merlin help us," Harry whispered as he started out the kitchen, the two older people following.
He was in the hallway when he heard a loud yell, causing him to flinch slightly. A Gryffindor red body with Weasley red hair flashed by, "Fred, George, you're dead!"
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Harry couldn't stop the giggle from bubbling up through his throat and out his lips. He closed his eyes, willing himself to stop before the giggles turned into full laughter.
"Drake's going to kill you if he finds you laughing still," A voice broke in.
"I can't help it," Harry cried through his laughter. "He was so…so…red!"
Ginny snorted from her seat on the bench across from Harry. She said nothing though as she was soon engrossed in conversation with Luna Lovegood whom they asked to share a compartment with when they found no other free ones.
Luna gazed at him thoughtfully, a smile gracing her lips. She may not have known what the boy was talking about but to see him smile, made her smile.
Ron smirked while Hermione rolled her eyes. Both smiled brightly when they heard their friend give a squeak of indignation followed by a plaintive cry.
"Ne-ev," Harry whined as his boyfriend once again lifted him out of his seat without warning to place him on his lap. The truth of the matter was though, that no matter how much he whined, Harry truly loved the feel of his boyfriend's strength. He felt safe in the other boy's arms.
The rest of his protests were muffled by when Neville leaned in to kiss him. The two younger girls giggled softly and exchanged smiles.
Hermione cleared her throat causing the couple to break away, "What house do you think Dylan will be in?"
The only couple in the compartment shared a look before answering at the same time, "Slytherin."
"I thought you said you liked him?" Ron snorted.
"If we didn't we'd have said Hufflepuff," The matter – of – fact response came from the boy – who – lived.
Ron snickered while Hermione glared, "There's nothing wrong with Hufflepuff."
Harry blinked innocently, "Never said there was."
"Then why…" Hermione was interrupted by the two younger girls who laughed and then excused themselves before the older witch could turn her full attention to them.
"It breaks down like this," Flame announced, "Ron."
"Thank you Harry," Ron nodded pretending to be serious. He cleared his throat, "Dylan would kill of the Hufflepuffs in their sleep if given the chance. He likes to prank and the Huffs are too sensitive. Neville, if you will?"
"Thank you Ron," The former pudgy boy nodded, also pretending to be serious, "Dylan is smart enough not to get caught but hates to do homework. The Ravenclaws would kill him in his sleep for bringing down their overall class grade. Harry, love, please continue."
"Thank you Neville," The multi nicknamed boy nodded, keeping the same look that he had from the beginning. "Dylan is smart and if pissed can be mean, hurt his family and he'll kill you. He can keep his mouth shut and face it, after everything he's done and plans to do to the twins…he's the perfect Slytherin."
The three boys smirked at the witch who rolled her eyes, "And what about your own house? Unless of course you're saying that Dylan isn't brave. I wonder what he'd say…"
The three boys' eyes went wide, "Hermione!"
Before Hermione could respond back their compartment door opened and shut with a bang causing them to jump.
"I was here the entire time," Dylan ordered sitting beside the only female in the small space and picking up a book.
"Speak of the devil," Harry mumbled to the room at large causing chuckles to sound.
Seconds later the door opened and shut with a second bang, "Dylan David Storm!"
"Hm?" Dylan pulled his gaze away from the book in his hands, his look one of pure innocence. "Draco, when did you get here?"
Draco went red in the face, "What the hell did you do?"
"I've been here the entire time Dray," The slightly younger wizard responded.
"New nickname?" Harry interrupted, trying to change the subject.
"Do you like it?" Storm asked with a smile.
"Very nice," His younger brother agreed, "We'll have to have a ceremony this coming weekend."
"Party," Neville smiled.
"Stop changing the subject," Draco snapped at the room at large, "What did you do to Blaise?"
"I didn't do anything to Blaise," Dylan promised.
"Then why is now sporting gold lions on himself?" The oldest of the three was seething. Jokes on most anyone were funny. However, there were a few people who even Harry knew better then to mess with.
Harry's eyes went wide, "You pulled a prank on Blaise!"
"Of course not," The other wizard snapped, "I pulled a prank on the two morons that were following Dray and Blaise. There's a difference, you know."
Knowing that they were all about to see Satan's Spawn appear Neville jumped out of his seat, practically dropping his boyfriend on the floor in his rush. He pulled the necklace he knew Draco wore out from under Draco's shirt and gently forced the wizard to take a hold of the necklace.
"Say your nickname," He ordered.
"Luc (pronounce Luke) Junior," Draco spoke clearly, trying to keep his temper under wraps.
It was less than thirty seconds later when his appearance had completely changed, Draco now had long, dirty blonde hair that he pulled back into a low sweeping ponytail. His eye color changed to a gently brown color while his skin tone darkened so he now looked like he had a slight tan.
"Let's take a walk," Neville steered him out of the room.
Everyone in the room breathed easier when the door shut behind the two. Ron shook his head, never imagining he'd see Neville ordering around Draco Malfoy. Things were defiantly changing.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard a slight yell. Looking over he watched with a smile while Harry did his best to pummel his slightly older, and defiantly bigger, brother.
It was twenty minutes later when the two missing boys came back. With the help of the trolley witch they'd gotten Blaise sorted out; Draco had undone his appearance change and Neville had, had to hide in another compartment.
"Don't mess with Blaise," Draco ordered.
Dylan shot him a smile. The compartment of friends talked for the next hour before Draco took his leave, knowing there'd be questions with the amount of time he'd been gone already and not wanting more.
"Behave yourselves," Prince ordered as he headed to leave.
"Draco," Hermione stopped him, "We were having a debate earlier and I wanted your opinion. Which house do you think Dylan will be in?"
"He just went into a compartment full of Slytherins to pull a prank," Draco sneered, "He'll be in Gryffindor."
Remembering their conversation from earlier Harry, his boyfriend, and best mate all started to laugh.
By the time they got to Hogwarts the group was glad to be off the train. The friend parted ways with Luna and made their way to their table. It seemed to take five times as long before finally it was Dylan's turn to be sorted.
"This year, we were lucky enough," The headmaster started, "to get an exchange student from the United States. His parents are both Hogwarts alumni. Come and be sorted, Mr. Dylan Storm."
Intent on applauding no one noticed a pair of eyes narrow from the head table as the name registered.
The hat was placed on his head and the room waited...for almost five whole minutes. It was obvious that something was going on but only Harry realized what.
Finally, in an almost defeated tone the hat called out, "GRYFFENDOR!"
