Greyson laid awake in his bed. It was morning and he didn't want to have to face the world today. He honestly had no idea what the day held for him, and a single thought seemed to run circles in his mind. What if Harry forgot? He groaned, trying to chase those traitorous thoughts away.

"What's your problem?" Malfoy asked, somehow sounding annoyed and disinterested at the same time.

"Nothing," Greyson lied. "Just tired."

Malfoy just rolled his eyes and and set about doing his very long dressing ritual. Greyson sighed and threw back the covers. He got up and threw on his clothes, looking very rumpled but not caring in the least. He refused to spend an entire hour getting ready like Malfoy, even on his best days.

With a mumbled goodbye to his roommate, Greyson headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast and didn't eat much. Though, he reasoned, at least he was eating more regularly now that his worry for Harry had subsided, save for that nagging notion of Harry not having a proper broom for Quidditch. However, today wasn't just any school day, but a little part of him worried no one would remember.

He managed to eat some eggs by the time mail came. His eyes widened when Atrox dropped a giant thing that fell on his plate sending eggs everywhere, getting many shouts from the Slytherins who were hit with said egg. Greyson couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled out of him at their enraged expressions and let them glare at him to their heart's content, turning back to his package.

He blinked as growling seemed to come from the package. He shook his head, bewildered, and grabbed the tag.

Know you like reading

Happy Birthday

-Hagrid

Greyson grinned and tore open the package. He sat there stunned as the growling coming from his birthday present picked up considerably. Hagrid had given him a very angry book in a cage. Huh.

"What the bloody hell?" Greyson said, staring at it. He went to reach for it, curiosity and excitement getting the best of him, only to jerk his hand back when it tried to bite him.

"Who would buy you a book that would eat you?" Malfoy's voice came from behind him, disgust dripping from his words as he got a good look at the book's beady black eyes and sharp yellow teeth.

"Someone who remembered my birthday," Greyson drawled as he got up, holding the very angry book's cage at arm's length. He wasn't in the mood for smashed eggs for breakfast and he just had to know how he was supposed to read this book. He would unlock its secrets and enjoy every minute of it.

"Hagrid!" he hollered as he got near. "How do I get this bloody book not to bite me?"

"What do ya' mean?" Hagrid grumbled as Greyson finished approaching. "Didn't ya' stroke it's spine?"

"What? There weren't any instructions, were there? Did I miss them?" Greyson shot off his questions as he set the cage down, eager to learn more. He watched intently as Hagrid held out an apple to the book and the book opened its maw wide to happily eat it. It purred as Hagrid stroked its spine, falling open with a particularly loud and satisfied rumble.

"Just make sure yeh feed it red things," Hagrid told him. "Gets angry if it eats anything but red."

Greyson nodded and made a mental note to invest in plenty of crayons for his new book. "Where did you even find this book?"

"Found this one from a traveler at the Cauldron," Hagrid told him, lips curling into that familiar warm smile. "Read it an' thought you might like your own since yeh're always readin."

Greyson's face broke into a smile, eyes prickling. No. I will not cry. Not again. I'm stronger than that and I'll start showing everyone here. I'll make Hagrid and Harry proud of me. "Thanks, Hagrid," he gushed, satisfied that the happiness trembling in his chest didn't make it into his voice. He wrapped his arms the best he could around Hagrid's much larger form as the bell started to ring, signaling the end of breakfast. It took more effort than it should have to let go. He'd miss this comfort for the rest of the day. "I'll see you after classes," Greyson whispered to him, afraid speaking any louder would break the moment. He made sure to turn and wave before leaving the hall, just to see that smile one more time.

Greyson had been spending his days after Harry made the Quidditch team visiting Hagrid and doing a lot of reading in his spare time. He still visited with his brother to make sure he was okay, but he didn't worry as much. He could see Harry was getting braver and able to stand up for himself. He didn't need Greyson as much. The thought was as depressing as it was a relief.

Greyson still didn't get along with most of the Slytherins, but he was sorta developing a friendship with Malfoy. If friendship meant he didn't want to punch Malfoy whenever he made an arrogant remark or that he didn't roll his eyes everytime Malfoy said the word pure blood.

The good thing was that he didn't have a full day of classes as Halloween was apparently a big holiday at Hogwarts. They were even having a Halloween feast at five to allow for plenty of time after dinner for fun.

He tossed Harry a smile when he saw him there, and was relieved that Harry at least returned it today. Between classes and what not, he wasn't able to talk to Harry. After the feast however, he'd have time to see his brother. It was enough to have him almost peaceful as he looked at the food for the night.

Greyson always thought it was fitting that he was born on Halloween since he always enjoyed ghosts and goblins and scary stories. He had the book Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and he always read it well into the night for his birthday. It was his own birthday tradition.

He sat there picking at his food, somewhat enjoying it. He was more eager to see Harry and get to his room to read his book like he did every year than to eat some food. But to get to those things he'd have to force down a couple of bites.

Halfway through the feast Quirrell came in. "Tr-Troll in the Dungeon!" he yelled. Greyson stood up and stared as everyone around him started to panic.

"Silence!" Dumbledore yelled. "Prefects, take your houses back to the common rooms." Greyson frowned. He wasn't going to go to his room. The troll was down there according to Quirrell... unless... it wasn't.

In the confusion, it was easy to sneak behind him and follow him around, keeping to the shadows and tracking him suspiciously as Quirrell seemed to head up… stairs? When did those get there? Greyson frowned as they headed to the third floor.

"What are you doing?" He heard a harsh whisper in his ear and practically jumped out of his skin.

He turned quickly, excuses on his tongue, and relaxed to see Malfoy behind him. "I'm following Quirrell," He whispered. "Don't you think it's odd that Dumbledore would send us back to our rooms when the troll is lurking right near them? We would be smashed to bits."

Malfoy just had that pinched look on his face like he had been sucking on a lemon. "So why are we on the third floor? It's forbidden."

Greyson blinked slowly, frowning as he tried to remember hearing such a rule. "What? Since when?"

"Since the beginning of the year," Malfoy told him with an eye roll. "Dumbledore said so at the feast."

Greyson blinked slowly again and then nodded. He ignored how Malfoy only looked more annoyed at his lack of response. At least he couldn't give him another lecture on daydreaming. It was no wonder he hadn't known the rule, he hadn't exactly been listening during the feast. "Quirrel is up to no good," he said and watched as the man in question slipped behind a door. They looked around and saw Snape following Quirrel into the door.

"What is Professor Snape doing?" Greyson asked, suspicion flaring higher.

"I don't know, but we should head back to our rooms," Malfoy said and Greyson had to reluctantly agree. He couldn't risk getting in trouble with Snape again. At least not yet. Making a note to check out that door on the third floor at a later date, they turned and hurriedly walked away as quietly as possible.

They snuck into the room as the roll call began and luckily no one seemed to realize they were gone so they were free to enjoy the remainder of the Halloween feast.

Greyson ate a small bit more, but had his mind more centered on the forbidden floor and what Quirrell was trying to accomplish with his troll bit. He sighed and decided he'd look into it tomorrow when he could go to the library to research it. Nothing he could do now. He took a few more petulant bites, trying not to let the curiosity eat him alive.

It wasn't until he was in bed later that night and listening to Malfoy's light snores that a thought struck him. Harry hadn't wished him a happy birthday or anything of the sort... The thought stung sharply and Greyson gasped as his hand unconsciously came to pet at his chest, as though he could soothe the hurt from the outside. He refused to get upset again over Harry and chased the treacherous thoughts away with a bone-deep sigh. He probably just forgot in the confusion. Of course that's it. Stupid troll.

While Greyson was eating breakfast the next morning, Harry came up to him. "After classes, will you join me in the Library?" He asked, sitting next to him, much to the detest of the other Slytherins. Harry seemed to not even hear their displeased murmurs and swishing robes as they physically turned away from him in their seats.

"Of course," Greyson replied blankly, still smarting from yesterday. "What for?"

"I need some help on my report for Professor Binns," Harry said. Greyson nodded absently, and struggled to not let the conversation drop off so soon.

"I've already finished mine," he told him, despite the hurt settling anew in his chest despite his best efforts at not caring. "So it should be easy enough."

"Thanks," Harry grinned and waved easily as he headed back to his friends. Greyson sighed and picked at his breakfast. At least while he was helping Harry, he could try and do research on the third floor. That's the kind of distraction he would need to not snap at his brother. He would forgive Harry of course, as he always did, but he was determined to keep his hurt close to his chest for at least a little while. It would take a while to soothe this time.

Classes went by dreadfully slow in Greyson's opinion. It probably had to do with the fact he just wanted it all to end. Potions went by decently, Neville and Seamus managed to mess up their potion again, but nowhere near as bad as the first incident. But he did note that Professor Snape was limping. What had happened behind that locked door with Quirrell?

His Herbology class was entertaining as they learned about Molly and Dittany, both herbs used for healing generally. Turns out they had some very interesting side effects if prepared incorrectly. If Dittany was eaten cooked instead of raw, it would cause you to be colored in purple stripes, much like a zebra or tiger. Francis had volunteered to taste the stewed Dittany and everyone turned their heads as Greyson felt the laughter bubble out of him. Moly on the other hand, if you ate it fresh instead of dried, it caused bright hair to grow all over your body as found out by Susan, causing Greyson to laugh a little harder.

After lunch, he met up with Harry outside of the Great Hall to head to the library as they agreed. "Oh, did you hear?" Harry asked excitedly.

"Hear what?" Greyson inquired, wondering how his brother could be so carefree with a troll running around.

"Ron and I managed to take down the Mountain Troll," he answered casually, a grin blooming on his face. Greyson felt his face go blank as he processed those words.

"It was in the dungeons?" He stopped in his tracks, turning to his brother, heart hammering in his chest. "And why would you go after it? Harry, you could have been killed!" He threw his arms up and immediately started inspecting Harry for wounds like a mother hen, hands shaking.

Harry shook his head, seeming amused by Greyson's worry. "It was in the girl's bathroom."

Greyson stopped again and looked back at Harry. "Why on earth were you in the girl's bathroom?" he asked. "You're a boy!"

"Ron and I went to go get Hermione," he clarified. "She didn't know about the troll and we wanted to make sure she was safe." Greyson searched his face intently, but found no trace of a lie. Well, he was glad to know his brother wasn't a peeping tom, at least. He didn't even know how he'd start a conversation addressing that.

"Just be careful Harry," he pleaded, shaking his head. "I don't need you getting yourself killed." Harry just smiled, not seeming to take any of this as seriously as he should.

"Of course," he said and they continued their way to the library once Greyson was finally satisfied Harry didn't have more than a few scrapes on him.

When they walked in, they were immediately showered in confetti. "SURPRISE!" a handful of people called out, all of which were Gryffindors and Hagrid, and most of which were Weasleys. Greyson was stunned as he took in the sight of balloons and a banner that said 'Happy Birthday Greyson'. The relief took his breath away.

"What the..." Greyson choked out finally, not exactly believing what he was seeing despite having the evidence right in front of him.

"It's a birthday party," Harry clarified as he put a cardboard hat on Greyson. "Your birthday party." He opened his mouth to ask where Malfoy was, but then closed it. It wasn't like they were truly friends of any sort. Surely he would know for sure if they were. He'd never had a friend that was his own age except for Harry, but he's sure he would probably know.

He smiled after a few more moments and finally settled on a simple, "Thanks.". He took in the people smiling at him and noted that there were only five people there; the Weasley twins, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid.

A spot of bright color in the corner of his eye caught his attention and he turned to see a small collection of presents. "How did you do this?" he asked shakily, noticing the librarian in the back and surprised that they were not being shushed for being too loud.

"I asked Madam Pince about it for you," Harry explained. "We were supposed to do it after the feast, but since the troll happened, she let us do it after classes today." Greyson felt his body moving before he could fully think and wrapped Harry in a tight hug.

"You're the best brother I could ask for," Greyson whispered to him, his heart ready to burst with joy. He took a few deep breaths to get his smile back under control, the feeling of his cheeks so stretched an unfamiliar but not wholly unwelcome sensation. When he released his brother with a gentle squeeze that he hoped would help get the depth of his appreciation across, Fred spoke up.

"Well, come on, aren't you going to blow out your candles?" he asked, beckoning at the cake he hadn't even noticed.

"And make a wish?" George piped up from the side as Greyson stared at the chocolate cake that looked much like the one Harry had received for his birthday. Greyson nodded jerkily as they lit the candles and sang him 'Happy Birthday'.

He blew out the candles and enjoyed eating the cake. He opened his other gifts and saw that Harry had gotten him a bag of penny sweets ("Hermione had her parents buy it," Harry explained.), a book called Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes from Hermione, Ron got him some parchment and quills, the twins got him a thing of magic ink that appears when you said a certain spell, and there was a small gift in the center that smelled of cabbage, a chocolate bar from Mrs. Figg. Greyson smiled, uncaring of who saw it and unable to remember a happier birthday.