As ever, standard disclaimers apply.
Octavius' classes passed uneventfully. He paid rapt attention to everything his teacher's said and took copious notes. He bothered no one and they left him alone as well. When it was time for break, no one asked him where he was going when he headed to Mr Potter's office. Wrapped up in so many thoughts, he was unprepared when, part way down the corridor, three boys leaped out of a classroom and blocked his way.
He recognized these three Gryffindor boys at once and knew right away this confrontation wasn't going to go well for him. He fixed a scowl on his face in a hopeful attempt to intimidate the Finnigan twins and Sirius Potter.
Raucous laughter greeted his attempt. "Oi, that's pathetic," the freckled twin, Sean, managed between guffaws.
"The Hat finally made a mistake. This bloke's in the wrong house!" Added his twin, Stuart.
The third boy grinned broadly. "Let's make sure he gets to the right House, then, shall we?"
"Hufflepuff!" The three shouted gleefully.
Octavius surreptitiously began to draw out his wand.
"No wait, mate. I don't think he'd fit there either. They're a friendly lot and this bloke's not friendly at all," Stuart said thoughtfully, his grin broadening.
"Let me pass." Octavius ordered coldly.
"Or what?" Sirius prodded.
"Or I shall--" He cut himself off. He'd get in trouble for fighting and he had no doubt he'd be caught. "Nothing. Absolutely, nothing. It's just that would be the civilized thing to do."
Three high pitched whistles answered that.
"Posh, ain't he," Stuart observed.
"Decidedly," Sean responded.
"He doesn't look very posh." Sirius pointed out.
"He doesn't look like much of anything, actually." Stuart said thoughtfully.
Octavius sighed and still determined to avoid a fight, started backing away.
Stuart's long arms shot out and grabbed him. "Oy, mate, where're you off to so suddenly?"
"I think he doesn't appreciate our companionship," Sirius suggested.
"See? Decidedly unfriendly." Sean agreed.
"I think we owe it to the school to teach this boy how to be friendly. Don't you, mates?" Stuart's grip tightened as his brother and their friend nodded.
"Let go!" Octavius struggled, twisting himself side to side, trying to wrench himself free of the now painful hold. He growled and no longer concerned about trouble, tried to slip his wand into his hand.
"Sirius!" A new voice, an older voice, broke his concentration. In fact all of them suddenly moved apart and looked toward the interloper. It was the older Potter son.
"Arthur. What are you doing here?" Sirius' voice was just a tad shakier than normal.
"Keeping you out of trouble, it looks like." He glared at his younger brother, hands on hips looking all the world like an irate minder.
"We weren't doing anything," the younger Potter grumbled. His comrades wisely kept still. "Besides, you aren't a prefect. You can't take points or do anything, so sod off."
"Fine." Arthur turned toward the small Slytherin. "Where are you headed?"
"Mr Potter's office."
"Great! I'll walk you. I'm headed in that direction myself." So saying, he patted Octavius' shoulder, prodding him forward gently. The three young Gryffindors moved aside to let them pass.
"Traitor!" Sirius called to his brother's back.
"Never mind mate," Stuart said "He won't have a nanny to hide behind all the time.
Octavius followed the lead of the older boy, but stiffened at the insults as they walked calmly down the hall. He looked up at the red-head. "Why?" He did not quite know how else to start.
Arthur grinned down at him. "My brother can be such a git, sometimes, can't he?"
Octavius hesitated. Then nodded. "Yes. He can be. All three of them!" The last was mumbled with barely repressed vehemence.
"Hm," Arthur replied thoughtfully. He came to a halt and grabbed the younger boy's arm, bringing him to a halt as well. "I think my brother is jealous."
"Of me?! Surely not."
But Arthur was nodding. "He's the youngest, you see. Been babied by the twins and both mum and da."
"What has that to do with me?!" The question was asked exasperatedly.
"Well, our father seems to have taken some interest in you. He took you out of school to get a wand. He's never done that before."
Octavius frowned. "Perhaps, then, your brother will leave me alone if I have nothing more to do with your father?"
Arthur shook his head. "Too late for that. Besides, there's still the Finnigans and I haven't any idea what's up their --"
"Arthur! Octavius!" Harry Potter's voice interrupted their conversation as the man came striding down the hall. "Octavius, I was expecting you some time ago."
"I'm sorry sir. I -- erm -- I was -- erm--"
"Sirius and the Finnigans stopped him on the way, Da."
"I see." Harry paused for effect. "Anything you want to tell me about?"
"No!" Octavius almost shouted out. Arthur merely shrugged.
"Very well, then. Octavius, let's go to my office. Arthur, thank you for seeing him on his way."
Man and boy proceeded along in an uncomfortable silence that was broken only by the normal sounds of footsteps and then Mr Potter's office door opening and closing. "Octavius, please sit."
"I didn't hex anyone this time." The undersized student offered.
Harry nodded. "I noticed. You should excellent restraint."
But rather than being mollified, this earned only a guilt-ridden wince from the boy in response. Harry pretended not to notice.
"Well, Octavius --"
"Sir, I changed my mind, I don't want to talk about it. I want to return the things you lent me, I don't really need them. It's my fault, I forgot to pack everything I needed--" The words were coming in a sudden desperate flood.
"No, Octavius." Harry shook his head as he disagreed softly. "We both know better than that."
"I don't want them, then. I don't need Sirius Potter's castoffs!"
Harry sat back in his chair and said nothing.
"Do you hear me? I don't need anything from you!" But the child's voice broke and he didn't even sound convincing to himself.
"Octavius, what happened?"
"Nothing."
"You're a bit overwrought for 'nothing' young man."
Octavius shrugged.
"Just because I am Sirius' father does not mean I will ignore his bad behavior."
Octavius felt his cheeks burn. "No one hurt me."
"Octavius... Fine, we'll leave Sirius and the Finnigans out of this. But what about last night? Do you remember what you said?"
The boy's cheeks burned hotter. "No. I didn't mean it. I don't want to do anything. Please. I've changed my mind. Everything is fine." The words stumbled over each other. Surely one of these would appease Mr Potter. "I... I want to go home," he finally whispered in a hoarse and confused voice.
"Do you really? You want to go back to a man who beats you and locks you in a wardrobe and does other terrible things to you?" The Counselor's voice was hard and though it started low and quiet the question was a challenge practically yelled. Harry lifted the boy's face so that their eyes met. "No one should want that, Octavius," he whispered huskily. "No one deserves that."
"I... I don't know." The boy tried to break eye contact but somehow the older wizard's gaze had trapped him.
"Do you remember what Severus told you? What did he say?"
"He said that it wasn't too late."
"That's right. It isn't. But it will be soon. How long do you think it will be before your father kills you?"
"He won't. I'll show him--"
"Octavius, he might not even mean to but accidents happen."
"No."
"What about your sister? Wasn't that an accident?"
"No... No. She wasn't good enough."
"Are you good enough?"
Tears fled the child's eyes. That was all the answer that would come.
Harry rushed to the other side of his desk and gathered the child in his arms. He did not ask him to cease the tears. This was a flood he wanted to happen. This was a catharsis that needed to happen. But he did want the boy to learn that comfort and security were available. So he held the boy close and rocked him as the sobs came ever stronger and the terrible walls of isolation crumbled under the onslaught.