THC, Round 5, Slytherin, HoH, Standard.

Prompt: [Multiple Characters] Creevey Brothers (Dennis and Colin)

IWSC, Ilvermorny, Year 1.

Theme: Corruption - Going against the social norms whereby children are always innocent or protected.

Prompts: (Mandatory) [Word] Narcissism, and (Additional) [Emotion] Glee.

Hogwarts; Assignment 6; Hufflepuff

Subject/Task: Healer Studies: Ailments; Task #4: Mumblemumps: Write about someone who is often ignored or overlooked.

Word Count: 2998

Beta(s): AccioBroom, Chloe, Vee, Aya, Butterflies765

Dennis Creevey bit his lip to keep himself from making a sound as he pressed his back against the tree behind him. He listened to the leaves crunching under frantic footsteps, jagged breaths, and whimpers merely feet away.

With a glance at his brother, he nodded his head and revealed himself.

"Ryan?" he questioned nervously. "What's going on?"

Ryan, a boy barely five-years-old, ran towards him. "I don't know where I am!"

Dennis wrapped his arms around the boy, who was just two years younger than him. "I… I think I know the way home."

Holding each other tightly, they took each other's hand, and Dennis looked around. He observed the large trees looming over them and the lack of green leaves creating shelter. The cool wind blew the few remaining leaves around in the wind, one falling to the ground, joining the other brown ones.

Dennis headed down an overgrown path, knowing that it wouldn't take them directly back to the street where they both lived.

"Why are you out here alone?"

Ryan ran his sleeve across his nose as he sniffed. "You said… you said… that I could find candy in this forest if I walked straight… but… I couldn't find it."

"I didn't mean for you to come in here alone," Dennis exclaimed, shock riddled on his face as he looked down. "You always have to come with an adult… or… at least somebody older than you."

"What are you doing here then?"

Dennis bit his lip. "I thought I saw the Mercer's dog run into the woods and followed him."

"Did you find him?"

He shook his head. The truth of why he was in the woods was very different from what he had said.

With a sigh, Dennis held onto Ryan's hand a little tighter and started to steer them back towards their street. They had been out here for at least an hour, and it was starting to get dark quickly; maybe there was a storm coming.

Dennis scanned the trees but couldn't see Colin anywhere; where had he gone? He wasn't supposed to leave alone. Especially not in the woods. With all of the creatures, animals, and noises.

"Are you scared?"

Dennis almost jumped at Ryan's voice and sharply looked at him. "Me? Scared? No… I can get us back… I think."

Ryan squeezed his hand.

When he and Colin had made this plan, he hadn't expected that they'd go through with it or that any of the kids on their street would be gullible enough to listen to them.

It felt very different going through with this than the fantasy of planning it. The idea of being called heroes. Instead of being called 'freaks'. He wanted to be a hero, to be accepted, to be just like everybody else.

While he wasn't as isolated as Colin, as Dennis had gotten older, he had lost some of his friends and had started to be excluded from parties. Helping to save a little boy who had gotten lost in the woods or find a lost dog would make them more accepted.

Colin had taken Pokies, their neighbour's sausage dog, two days ago and had hidden him in their shed. Dennis had been feeding him twice daily. They were going to return him today. However, that was before Colin had found him playing in his room.

Dennis looked up in confusion as Colin rushed into his room, closing the door and crouching down.

"Come on. We've got to go!" Colin exclaimed in hushed tones as he pulled him up to his feet. "Before he gets out of sight."

"Who?" Dennis asked, grabbing his jacket and allowing his older brother to drag him out of the room.

"The ginger boy down the street! We're going to be famous!" Colin whispered excitedly.

Dennis picked up his pace. The only ginger family in this street was the Crawfords, and their son was only five.

The second they got out of the front door, Colin released his arm, and they both went running towards the woods. Dennis followed his brother's lead, yearning for the opportunity to have his approval and to do the right thing. The mere thought of helping somebody else made his skin bubble in excitement.

A smile grew on his face when he saw Ryan in a clearing.

"There he is."

Colin instantly hushed him, pulling up his camera and taking a picture.

"Do you think he's okay there?"

"Of course. Adults always think we're so weak. Can you imagine how they'll react when they realise that a child can save a child! That we're not all weak. We can do whatever we want without silly rules at school to keep us safe. They'll soon know."

"Who?"

"Everybody. We won't be overlooked anymore."

Dennis nodded confidently. "Let's do this." He went to move forward, but a hand on his shoulder made him stop.

"We have to wait until he's gone for a long enough for everybody to be worried." Colin put his camera to his eye and snapped another picture, a cruel smile on his face. "Maybe half an hour when he's missed his dinner."

Dennis looked around, watching as Ryan walked further into the woods. "What if it gets dark?"

"All the better."

Dennis bit his lip in worry. This didn't seem right. He didn't want Ryan in the woods for too long; it wasn't completely safe in there. A few months ago, there had been a fox sighting. Who knew what else lurked after dark?

"But Mum and Dad will get worried about us."

Colin stopped taking photos to glance down at his brother, the smile not leaving his face, but his eyes bore into him. It made Dennis feel uncomfortable.

"We can go home and find Ryan tomorrow if you want?"

Shaking his head, Dennis decided to keep quiet.

"Good." He turned away from him. "Besides, you'll find him before it's dark. I can't turn the flash on; he'll see us."

"Dennis?"

"Yes?"

Ryan started to cry. "I don't wanna be out here in the dark."

The trees' shadows deepened as the light from the sun began to dissipate slowly. The sky was reddening from the sunset.

"It'll be okay, remember. It's okay to be scared. As long as we stay together, we'll be okay. Right?"

Ryan nodded. "Okay."

Okay… Okay… Okay. Dennis bit his lip to keep his emotions in check, he wasn't completely sure where they were, but he couldn't let Ryan down. He held to the younger boy's hand a little more securely. He ignored the clamminess of the younger boys' hand; he was sure he was sweating himself.

"Do you know where we are?" Dennis asked gently.

The five-year-old looked around rapidly. "This way should be home?"

Despite it being a guess, Dennis nodded in agreement, and they changed direction slightly and followed the path they had found.

"Paths always lead out," he said in hopes of being correct for his sake and Ryan's.

It was in his hands now that Colin had broken his promise.

Dennis leant against a tree while Colin walked around for a while. The uneven bark pressed imprints into his back. He wasn't entirely sure where they were anymore, but his brother did. That's all that mattered. He'd keep them safe, all three of them.

Biting his lip, he looked around. Where was he? He's been gone for too long. It must have been twenty minutes by now.

"Colin?" he whispered, looking around.

Nothing.

A few more minutes passed. Was his own brother ignoring him like his friends started to do?

"Colin?" he whispered a little louder. "Co—"

"Quiet!"

Relief filled Dennis when Colin appeared by his side. He hadn't left him here alone. While he knew his brother would never leave him, he couldn't help but be worried.

"It's time."

"Where's Ryan?"

"He's circled back, should be appearing through those two large trees soon," Colin told him. "Go."

Dennis shuffled his feet. "You won't leave, right?"

Colin placed a hand onto his shoulder. "I will be hiding, but I won't leave you alone. I promise. Now go." He shoved him.

Nodding, Dennis followed his orders and headed towards the trees.

Dennis suddenly stopped, a gasp leaving his mouth, before smiling.

"What is it?" Ryan asked, nervousness clear over his features.

"I hear a car!"

The two boys quickened their pace towards where the noise was coming from, holding onto each other's hands tightly.

"It's a road!" Ryan shouted.

Dennis grinned; he had done it! He had gotten them both to safety without Colin.

"See, I knew we'd make it out!"

Hope and excitement filled Dennis. They were going to be okay! They both were going to get home unharmed.

"This way home!" Ryan exclaimed, pulling Dennis left down the road.

Dennis quickly walked with him, knowing that he was right and glad that they had gotten out of the woods before the sun fully set. Now they had the street lights to keep the shadows away.

The two of them ended up running back. However, as they got to the street, Dennis got nervous. The police were here.

What if they knew? What if he was in trouble? What if they thought that he had taken Ryan?

He allowed Ryan to pull him along.

"Mum!"

A flash caught Dennis's attention; Colin was there. They caught eyes, and Dennis realised that his brother had been more eager to take the photo of his return than ensuring that he made it here safely.

"Dennis!"

Dennis released Ryan's hand as the young boy jumped into his father's arms right as Dennis's mother grabbed hold of him.

"Baby! Where were you? Are you okay?"

Dennis looked over at Ryan and was almost able to smile at the joy on both Ryan's face and his father's. There was no sadness, nor fear, not even resentment. It was clear that Ryan was simply happy to have been reunited with his dad.

"Ryan!" a woman called. She ran towards the newly found five-year-old, nearly tripping over when one of her shoes fell off, and threw her arms around her son. "I'm here! Mama's here!"

Dennis started to cry, ignoring the series of flashes. Ryan may have been happy, but Dennis was far from it. He felt guilty. It wasn't fair to have put another person's health in jeopardy for the thought of fame or for Colin's desire to be better than other people. Though, despite being upset at his brother, he couldn't confess to what he did.

"I thought I saw Pokies. I thought I saw the dog. And then I found Ryan in the woods," he tried to explain.

"My brave boy. Let's get you inside; you must be freezing."

Dennis wrapped his arms around her neck tightly, feeling her safe arms holding him tightly, and he ignored all of the commotion around him. Closing his eyes, he took in the smell of his mother's perfume. It was familiar and safe.

He didn't like it. He didn't like all of the flashes or the attention. Doubt filled him. This hadn't been a good idea. They could have been lost all night. One of them could've been injured. What if he hadn't made it back home?

"Mummy," he whispered.

It was time to stop all of the lies. To come clean. To be good.

He wanted to be liked for who he was, not what people think he did. He should just fit into society or his neighbourhood by being honest. And that started now.

"Yes, my brave boy?"

Dennis looked over to Ryan, whose joy had dissipated slightly as he clung onto both of his parents. Nobody was paying attention to him. They cared about Ryan more. He felt ignored by his street again, but Colin was still taking pictures, and everybody had come out. There was so much chatter. But it was only his mother who was here with him now. He was overlooked again. But they were right to do so; he didn't deserve to be noticed.

"Colin stole the dog; it's in our shed."

She paused, looking over her shoulder.

"In, now," she ordered behind her before continuing to walk.

Colin ran up to them. "I was so worried! Are you okay, Den?"

"Fine."

"Don't go into the woods alone next time; it's dangerous in there."

Dennis looked over at him, seeing the camera pointed in his direction, his brother ready to capture the perfect moment. But Dennis didn't give it to him.

They weren't famous, and even if people thought they were, it wouldn't be for the right reason.

Dennis twiddled his thumbs as his teeth gripped down on his lips. He pressed his ear against the door as he tried to listen to the nice lady. She had introduced herself as Professor McGonagall. She had talked about strange things before his parents asked him and Colin to go to the other room.

"What are they saying?" Colin asked, standing further away from the doorway.

Dennis had always been the more sneaky of the two, whereas Colin was more outgoing. "They're talking about you," he replied in hushed tones before listening again. His brows furrowed together. "What's Narcissism?"

Colin rolled his eyes.

"Remember when Ryan went missing?"

Dennis nodded.

"They made me talk to somebody because they thought I was Narcissist. Felt I was too important to follow the social norms and all of that rubbish."

Dennis nodded. He could understand why they thought that. Colin had always been very sure of himself. He did always say that he was above the rules.

He put his ear closer to the door and felt lots of different emotions rush through his nine-year-old brain; confusion, realisation, glee, sadness. It ended in disappointment as he looked at his brother.

"They're sending you to a boarding school for gifted individuals," Dennis informed Colin.

"Really? That's awesome!"

"Maybe they'll send us both," Colin suggested. He paused for a while, a smile slowly increasing on his face. "Can you imagine it, the two Creevey boys going to a school for the gifted!"

And while that dream was exhilarating, it was unconfirmed. Though, when they had gone back into the room—with his parent's permission—this school was more than what either of them could have imagined.

"I have magical powers?"

The nice professor smiled. "That is one way to look at it. You are a wizard, and with the training at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, we can teach you how to use your 'magical powers' safely."

Dennis and Colin shared a look of utter excitement.

"Will Dennis come when he's old enough?" Colin asked as he leant forward in his chair a few more inches, barely staying on, his whole expression full of wonder and glee.

Professor McGonagall looked at the younger boy and smiled. "We will find out when he turns eleven. For now, though, I can only confirm that young Colin here is a wizard."

"Great!"

Dennis smiled as hope filled him. He was sure that this school would welcome both of the brothers without any prior conception about them. They wouldn't be the weird kids down the street. They'd be wizards just like the rest of them!

Dennis had been left at home with his Dad while his Mother had gone to collect Colin from the train station.

For a few months, his letter had gone ignored by his older brother, but he knew he hadn't really been forgotten. He received a letter a few days ago from him filled with mountains and mountains of stories. Colin most likely got distracted; he hadn't ignored his brother's letters.

He reread the latest letter and grinned ear to ear.

The excitement continued to bubble up inside him. Every letter had hinted at how incredible the school was, and even though Dennis wasn't allowed to attend yet, he was hopeful that he'd be accepted when he turned eleven, too.

What was taking so long?

He glanced behind him to ask his father when he heard a familiar rumble of their car. Suddenly, Dennis had jumped up, a huge smile on his face.

"Dad! Dad! They're back! He's back! Colin's home!"

Colin had run into the house, his camera around his neck and photographs in his hand. The two boys quickly ran upstairs to exchange all of the exhilarating details.

"What is he like?" was Dennis's first question.

Colin proudly dropped a stack of photographs onto the floor.

"Harry Potter is incredible! I got so many photographs of him! And I'm almost famous too!"

Dennis's eyes widened.

"You're famous?"

"I was nearly killed at school!" Colin gleefully remarked. "I was one of the few children that had been petrified, so my name will go down in history for that!"

Though his brother was thrilled with almost dying, Dennis couldn't help but feel the colour drain from his face. He hadn't known any of this and had presumed that Colin had gotten too busy enjoying his time to send letters.

How could he be happy that he almost died? All for a bit of fame? That wasn't right. It was dangerous.

"Colin…"

Colin didn't seem to acknowledge his concern and handed him a photo.

"Look at this photo! I snuck onto the Quidditch Pitch and got this awesome shot of Harry Potter!" His smile was almost contagious. "Maybe I'll be famous for my photography!"

"Well, at least that'll be safer."

Dennis looked through the photographs that Colin had brought back with him, and absolute doubt had filled him.

If this was the cost for fame, Dennis didn't want it. He still got the occasional nightmare about being lost in the forest with Ryan. Sometimes he was alone. Sometimes he never made it back to his mother.

Dennis decided at that point that he wouldn't search for fame like his brother, but he'd do whatever he could to do the right thing. And perhaps he'll be able to help Colin along the way.