Greyson joined Harry, Ron, and Hermione back at Hagrid's hut after the game for rock cakes and tea. They looked as unappetizing as ever, dark brown and craggy like actual rocks, but Greyson found he actually enjoyed the treat if he let them soak up some of his tea to both sweeten and soften the teeth-breaking cakes.

"Hermione, what were you doing under the stands anyway?" Greyson inquired as he sipped on his chamomile and lemongrass tea, remembering how much better it tasted with the brandy in it.

"I was stopping Snape from jinxing Harry's broom," she replied, as if everyone should know exactly what she's talking about.

"Snape was doing it?" Harry asked before shaking his head. "I knew he was up to no good. He was even trying to get past that three headed dog on Halloween."

Greyson looked at him sharply. "How do you know about the Cerberus?"

"Well... I..." Harry stuttered, looking away and focusing on Hermione, seeming to beg with his eyes for rescue.

"We ended up there the night of Malfoy's duel," she explained. Her hair bounced as she turned her body away from everyone, physically walling herself off from any oncoming drama.

"Wait, how did you know?" Ron piped up from onside Hermione, giving Greyson a suspicious look.

"I was trying to figure out why Quirrell was directing everyone towards the dungeons," Greyson told them, squaring his shoulders under their stares. "I followed him to the third floor and I saw Snape following him. I went and looked for the third floor door later on to see why Snape was limping after Halloween." But then he remembered everything Harry had been keeping from him. "But my question is why are you being so reckless and not telling me anything about midnight duels and encountering three headed dogs?" He bit out. The sting from earlier was back full force. Harry was actively hiding things from him. Was he not trustworthy? Not supportive enough? Was he suffocating him? Why did everyone else know about his little brother's problems and not him?

"It's not like you're being safe," Harry snapped back. "And besides, you were doing the same thing as me. You even went to the third floor on purpose. You even went to that room with the giant dog on purpose."

"But I don't go on midnight runs, gallivanting all around Hogwarts to fight duels like an imbecile," Greyson's voice shook as he tried to keep his voice from rising. They almost never raised their voices at each other, but their relationship changing was frightening. More frightening than that was that Harry didn't seem to care. Not like Greyson did. "And you don't even know anything about wizard duels. Not to mention you've become nothing but hot headed when it comes to Malfoy."

"Oh, like you didn't punch him on the train because he upset you," Harry scowled. The expression looks wrong on his normally calm and carefree face, and it just made Greyson's blood burn hotter with anger. "Besides, you always got into fights with the Dursleys, especially Dudley. Every time I turned around you were provoking them and getting locked in the cupboard with no dinner."

"To keep you safe," Greyson growled. "Did it ever occur to you that I didn't actually care about me? That all I ever worried about was how you were doing? If you were safe? I wouldn't have even come to this miserable school if you hadn't wanted to. I was even prepared to leave the day I thought you were going to get expelled because I wasn't going to leave you defenseless at the Dursleys and let Dudley smack you with that ridiculous excuse for discipline known as a Smelting Stick."

"I never asked you to," Harry was yelling now, arms thrown in the air. "I never asked you to baby me and protect me from everything. You chose to, you-"

"Well, maybe I shouldn't have," Greyson cut him off, the silence deafening following those monotone words. "Maybe I should just stop caring and let you go get yourself killed on jinxed brooms and three headed dogs. Because if you don't care if you live or die, then why should I?" No one moved or said anything, the air felt heavy, so heavy Greyson could hardly breathe.

Finally he tore his eyes away from Harry and looked at Hagrid. "Thanks for the tea and cakes," He said softly. Bowing politely, he clasped his shaking hands in front of his body. Why were his hands even shaking? He felt numb. It was almost a relief. Emotions seemed too difficult to deal with right now. "I'll see you later Hagrid." Before he could second guess himself, he walked out and shut the door behind him quietly.

Greyson went about his business for the next week or so and didn't let himself worry about Harry. He didn't attend any more of the Quidditch games because he wasn't worried about his brother. He didn't care if Harry failed that History test they had on the Gargoyle War of 584 or if he managed to complete his paper on transfiguration of animals and what could happen if they were done wrong. He didn't even lose sleep on if Harry was going to be in trouble with Snape for mixing up ashitaba and ashwagandha, herbs that sounded alike but were from completely different countries. Every time feelings tried to overwhelm him, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply until he felt as calm as a placid lake right again. Harry didn't need or want him. That was fine. He would be fine.

Instead he threw all his focus into learning about Fluffy, the name Hagrid gave the Cerberus. He even started to visit Fluffy about once a day to acclimate the giant dog to his presence. Who could resist such a perfect dog? He was very unlike Fang, the large black and wrinkly dog that lived in Hagrid's hut with him. Fluffy was even beginning to warm up to Greyson and had stopped growling every time he saw him. That might be the best accomplishment of his life. He couldn't wait to see how Fluffy would continue to open up with time. Imagining all he could learn from a three-headed dog was enough to have him vibrating with excitement for days.

Soon it was almost time for the Christmas holidays and Greyson tried figuring out what to get Harry for Christmas. "I'm not buying him anything," he chastised himself as he sat in the great hall for lunch. "I don't care about him." He felt like this was the thousandth time he told himself to stop worrying about his brother and tried to pretend like Harry wasn't the entire world to him.

"Greyson," he heard a small and familiar voice mumble behind him. He felt his body attempt to immediately twist toward his brother, but managed to stop himself from jumping up and hugging Harry because he did not care about his brother.

"What?" he asked without turning around, practiced disinterest coloring his voice.

He heard a sigh and saw Harry sit down beside him out of the corner of his eye. "Will you look at me?" Harry tried. "Please?"

Greyson huffed but did turn to look at his brother after a second's hesitation. "What do you want Harry?"

"I wanted to apologize," he admitted in a small voice, holding his gaze so earnestly it was hard to keep a stoic face. "I shouldn't have been trying to keep things from you... I just... you can be a bit much sometimes."

"A bit much?" Greyson repeated, crossing his arms protectively across his front before he could stop himself.

"Yes, a bit much," Harry whispered, keeping his voice low. "You act like I can't do anything by myself. If I would have told you about the duel with Malfoy, you wouldn't have let me go or you would have tried to take my place in it, like you always do."

"I would not," Greyson countered, even though he knew Harry was right and the look Harry gave him was calling him out on it as well. "Alright, fine. Perhaps I am a bit overprotective... at times..." Harry's look intensified and he sighed. "Okay... a lot of the time..."

"I just want to be able to tell you about things without you getting worried all the time. Like Fred and George with Ron," Harry told him. "Instead, you're more like a Percy."

Greyson frowned at that. Rude. "Fine, I see your point," he grudgingly agreed, not wanting to be anything like that rule following brown nosed entitled weasel any day. "Well, why don't we work together on the whole mystery thing?" Maybe this would work better for him and Harry instead of fighting each other at every turn.

Harry nodded, face lighting up and relief practically radiating off of him at the offer. "We've been doing research in the library," He stood up and Greyson followed suit.

"Research on what?"

"Nicholas Flamel."

"Who?"

"Nicholas Flamel has something to do with whatever Fluffy is guarding and Snape is after," Harry explained.

"I'm telling you, it's not Snape," Greyson said shaking his head. "And if it is, he's working with Quirrell. Because when your broom was jinxed, he was very focused and was not jumping at his own shadow."

Harry frowned. "But Quirrell is so kind," he said.

"And so can Dudley when he wants something," Greyson replied with an eyeroll. "Because Halloween made no sense. Why would Quirrell talk about trolls in the dungeon and Dumbledore send all of Slytherin right where the troll is knowing none of the students are fully equipped to handle one?"

Harry frowned as he thought about it. "I suppose you're right," he conceded. "But I do think Snape is in on it. He was complaining to Filch about how he couldn't pay attention to all three heads at the same time."

"Alright, then we'll keep an eye on both Snape and Quirrell," Greyson decided, holding Harry's eye as he waited for him to nod his agreement. "If either are up to no good, then at least we'll know." Seeing his brother's nod, he felt his smile come naturally for the first time in over a week. Harry returned it easily, and it felt like they were a team again. Greyson hoped Snape and Quirell were ready; it wouldn't be much fun if this mystery was too easy.

Soon enough they had their last class before the Christmas holidays. Greyson was working with Malfoy while Harry, Ron, and Hermione were on the other side of the room with the other Gryffindors.

"I honestly feel sorry for those who can't go home for Christmas just because they aren't wanted," Malfoy drawled loudly, looking towards Harry.

"Malfoy, you should pay more attention to our potion instead of spewing a bunch of hot air," Greyson singsonged in the most annoying way possible, the words going in one ear and out the other. It was like his brain could tell now when Malfoy was saying something that wasn't worth truly responding to. "You added powdered dung beetle in it, instead of crushed millipede legs." Their potion started turning a violent green color instead of the pleasant magenta it was supposed to be. Greyson hummed and added a bit of grated acacia root to it, causing it to become magenta again. "You're lucky I read how to fix that."

"Good job, Potter," Snape droned as he pulled up alongside their work station. He looked down his pointed nose at their experiment and seemed as satisfied as Snape ever was. Now that Greyson was attempting to figure out what was going on, he was making sure to be a model student. He couldn't have Snape keeping an eye on him after all. "Ten points for Slytherin." Greyson smirked at Malfoy, glad he one upped him and got some points for his house to boot. "You're lucky, Malfoy, that Potter was able to correct your mistake." Malfoy's head ducked in apology, and their professor continued his measured steps toward the other workstations.

After class, the four of them made their way out of the dungeons and towards the library to research more on Nicholas Flamel. Instead they were stopped by a massive fir tree that appeared to be being held up by two floating hands and two giant feet as far as Greyson could tell. The fact that he only felt curiosity and immediately felt his feet pull him to the front of the group should have been frightening, but he couldn't convince himself to miss the little bit of self-preservation he once had. He felt a twinge of disappointment that it was Hagrid carrying the tree, and not a tree that had managed to grow limbs or some other bizarre phenomena. That was quickly overridden by his happiness at seeing Hagrid, so he didn't dwell on it.

"Hello Hagrid," Ron said cheerfully, not missing a beat.

Hagrid's massive head popped up from behind the tree. "'Ello, boys. And Hermione," His face split into a warm and easy grin and it only got wider as his eyes darted between the brothers. "Glad to see you two made up."

"Yeah," Greyson mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "What are you up to anyway, Hagrid?"

"Can you lot move?" Malfoy drawled, causing Greyson to roll his eyes and not even attempt to move. Then his blue eyes landed on Ron and he seemed more offended over nothing than he already had been. "What are you doing Weasley? Practicing to be a gamekeeper for extra money? That hut must be a mansion compared to what you're used to." Greyson stepped back as he realized Ron was diving for Malfoy, knocking him to the ground, getting in one good hit before Snape showed up.

"Five points from Gryffindor," Snape's monotonous and chilling tone stopped Ron in his tracks. "No fighting, Weasley." Ron's head seemed to nod like a bobblehead under Snape's intense and yet disinterested stare.

"Not his fault," Hagrid piped up. "He was insultin' 'is family."

"It doesn't matter," Snape shooed everyone out of his way as he continued walking down the hallway. "Fighting is against the rules. He's lucky I don't make it ten." Malfoy's goons had managed to catch up at that point and they followed Malfoy as he walked after Snape, sneering at everyone as they shoved their own way through. Greyson noticed that Malfoy didn't quite shove him, however. He just turned his nose up, sneering, and maintained eye contact as he brushed past him.

"I swear," Greyson said, shaking his head. "I never know what to think about Malfoy." He dutifully ignored the others' stares at his almost fond tone.

"Well, I hate him and Snape," Harry sniffed. "I wish I could jinx them."

"I agree," Ron told them, as if they didn't already know his opinion on anything Slytherin related that didn't include Greyson.

"Well, why don't you four come and see the Great Hall?" Hagrid suggested as he continued carrying in the giant fir tree. They followed Hagrid along and took in how festive the Great Hall looked. Decorations sparkled from every corner, and Greyson resisted the urge to cover his eyes from the brightness so he could watch his step. There seemed to be just as many ornaments and garlands on the floor as hung up around the room.

"Ah, the last one, thank you Hagrid," Professor McGonagall praised, gesturing to somewhere further in the hall. "It goes in the corner over there." Hagrid moved it to where McGonagall pointed as she continued to decorate the largest tree that stood in the center of the tables for the teachers.

"It looks marvelous in here, Professor," Greyson told her, taking in all the red and green, gold and silver. There was garland strung along the hall and trees decorated with candles. "Makes me feel like it's Christmas day already."

"Thank you, Mr. Potter," she said, smiling fondly. He couldn't help smiling back and resisted the urge to compliment her work more if it meant getting another smile like that. "I must say, it is a shame you weren't a Gryffindor."

Greyson shrugged bashfully, and tried to physically wave away his embarrassing thoughts. "Slytherin isn't too bad, once you get past all the sneering and upturned noses. They can even be sweet sometimes."

"Like a piranha," Harry huffed, causing Ron to chuckle. They followed Hagrid over to the corner where he placed down the giant tree.

"Oh," Hermione gasped suddenly. "We need to get to the library."

"Library?" Hagrid questioned as he brushed off his hands on his pants. "Bit close to the holidays for studying, eh?"

"Oh, we aren't studying," Greyson dismissed that immediately. He was going to fully enjoy the holidays and that was that. "We're looking for Nicholas Flamel."

"Nicholas Flamel?" Hagrid asked disapprovingly. "I thought I told you to leave all of that nonsense alone."

"We just want to know who he is," Harry insisted, cutting off the conversation and giving his best attempt at an innocent smile.

"... Well, I suppose that's alright," Hagrid conceded after a few moments, but the suspicion in his tone hadn't banked at all. Greyson smiled his widest smile and didn't bother even trying to look anything less than guilty. "Just leave Fluffy and all that nonsense alone."

"We will," Harry assured and ushered them all out quickly toward the library.

After spending a few hours searching fruitlessly in the library, Greyson let out a sigh. "Hermione, I don't think we're ever going to find out about Flamel," he told her. "At least not without Madam Pince's help."

"I'm sure we can," Hermione insisted. "Besides we can't have Snape and Quirrel knowing we're onto them."

"And I know I've read about Flamel somewhere," Harry's voice floated over from his side of the table. Greyson had no idea how he managed to sound so bored but also determined at the same time.

Greyson sighed again as his stomach grumbled. "Well, let's go get some lunch at least. A break would definitely do me some good" He closed his book and got up. "We can look more over the holiday."

"And Hermione, you can look for Flamel on the internet," Harry added.

"Internet?" Ron asked frowning.

"It's a muggle invention," Greyson explained. "You have this box called a computer and when you turn it on you can access all the information muggles have ever made. It's like a hive mind for muggles, basically."

"It even catalogs books and stores plenty of documents," Hermione sounded so adoring you'd think she was daydreaming about the biggest library in the world.

"You can even play games," Harry piled on, seeming to not even notice Ron looking more confused and scared as they continued on. "Dudley loved blowing up aliens all the time."

"Aliens?" Ron repeated in a squeaky voice, his wide eyes darting between them.

"Creatures that live in space," Greyson explained, leaning forward like he was telling a horror story. Ron's eyes seemed to get even wider and his bottom lip even started trembling. Oh this was too easy. Greyson successfully resisted the urge to cackle but it was a close call. Greyson couldn't wait to show Ron all the cool things that Muggles could do, though he was sure it would blow his mind at the thought that Muggles had managed to create things that wizards hadn't been able to do, like videos instead of moving pictures. He would have to bring something next year for Ron to see. Next time, he'd have a camera ready. It was really a crime not to get that terrified look on film.