AN: So, here is the second chapter. Please read and review! Enjoy and feel free to give me ideas!
...
"Alright, disorderlies, most of you know the drill."
Mr. Peters waved his hand vaguely and everyone fell silent. Harry's previous laughter evaporated on the spot and he watched as everyone started to get in a single line. Josh pulled him in front of him, resting his hands on Harry's shoulder. There was a noticeable height difference between the two which only succeeded in making Harry feel smaller.
"Just go along with us." Olivia whispered, turning around from where she stood in front of him.
"Yeah, okay." Harry agreed quietly.
Mr. Peters led them into the building and Harry looked around, frowning at the bland surroundings. It was like someone had made the place liveable and that was it. There was no creativity, nothing that brought forth any emotions. They were led inside and immediately upon entering, there were three ways to go. A hallway to the left, a hallway to the right, or straight into what appeared to be a cafeteria. Mr. Peters went straight and they followed, only the sound of their steps echoing in the otherwise silent place.
They entered the cafeteria and immediately on the right, there was three tables. One table each had one person sitting behind them. There were about nine more adults lingering around the tables but they didn't seem to be doing anything and they all held black plastic sticks that Harry assumed he knew what they were used for. Mr. Peters waved them on and one by one, each disorderly stepped up to the first table. As soon as the first one moved to the next table, the second disorderly moved to the first and so on.
Harry couldn't see what was happening at each table and could only catch snippets of the words as he drew closer. The line dwindled and soon, Harry could see more. The lady at the first table had multiple large manila envelopes and a marker. She was chewing gum, smacking more like it, and slipping each closed manila envelope in a plastic bin beside her. Out of the group Harry had met, Nick was the first at the table.
"Good, looking clean to me, Nick." The lady announced, her voice drawing out some as she chewed her gum vigorously. She waved him on and Em was next.
"Every damn summer, you come looking like this. Least you invested in some contacts. Alright, girl, lose the metal." The lady snapped, looking annoyed at her.
Harry watched in bemusement as Em glared at the lady and slowly reached up. She started taking out all her piercings. Harry watched, fascinated, as Em slowly unclasped them from various points on her face. And then, she brushed her hair back and started on her ear. Harry counted thirteen piercings between both ears. After that, Harry was sure she would be done but she wasn't. She lifted her shirt, flashing a smooth tan stomach, and took out a belly button ring. Harry was mystified, to be honest. How did she do it?
"You'll need this." The lady said as she reached down by her foot and lifted up a white bottle. As Em grabbed it, the lady started picking up the piercings and tossing them into a folder. With the marker, she wrote 'EMILY EVANSON' in large letters.
"Best wash out the purple next shower or Peters will be on ya." The lady said and waved Em on.
Harry couldn't see Em but by her tense stance as she moved to the next table, he knew she was angry. Olivia was next and the lady merely rolled her eyes and smacked her gum harder. She waggled her fingers, motioning for Olivia to 'lose the metal' as she said. Olivia huffed and took out her nose ring and tongue ring. That was all she had, apparently, and she was waved on. Harry stepped up next.
"New disorderly, eh? Tell me, kid, you got any piercings?" The lady asked, eyeing him closely.
"Er, no." Harry muttered.
"Any tattoos that I just am missing?"
"No."
"What's your natural hair color?"
"Er, this." Harry said, motioning to his hair.
"You lying?" She asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. Harry shook his head.
"No."
"Ah huh. That's what they all say. Well, by next summer you'll surely have a piercing or tattoo. For now, you're new. So, I will need your glasses."
"What?" Harry asked.
"Your glasses, boy. Hand them here." She demanded, holding out a hand. Harry didn't move.
"I need my glasses to see." Harry said slowly.
"Obviously. I'll be loaning you some contacts. I suggest you invest in some soon. Now, hand me your glasses." The lady ordered, growing more impatient.
"I'm sorry but... I can't just give you my-"
The lady stood up abruptly and snatched his glasses from his face. Harry blinked rapidly and his mouth dropped open. The woman sat back down with a scowl. She opened a fresh envelope and dropped his glasses in it. She sealed it and opened the marker.
"Name?" She asked curtly.
"Harry." He whispered, feeling as if the floor had just been snatched out from under him. He squinted, trying to see better.
"I don't know why the new disorderlies always fight me on that. Here, take these. Now, get."
Harry grabbed the box she held out to him. Harry squinted down, barely managing to read the words. It was contacts that matched his prescription perfectly. That surprised him and he wondered how she knew. Maybe she remembered some sort of file they had on him by name. He stepped away, walking to the second table. He heard the lady faintly chastising Josh on his tattoo and hair length.
"Harry, was it? Alright, kid. Take off your shoes and socks, lose the hoody, and if you're wearing any gloves or scarf, take them off too."
Harry squinted at the man in front of him. What he could see past the blurriness, the man was being completely serious. Harry slowly sat the box down on the table and started removing the clothes. When he was left in nothing but his underclothing, shirt, and trousers, Harry picked the box back up again. He felt odd, standing there without no shoes on. The man took his clothes that he gave and packed them away in a bag that had three clasps.
"Here is your uniforms. Keep them washed because we will not be handing out new ones. So, wash them and don't lose them. However, the clothes you wear must be packed away. Someone will be by to pick them up within the first hour of you moving into your quarters." The man explained in a blank drone.
"Er, thanks?" Harry said, though it came out as a question. He grabbed the grey blurs that the blurry man was holding out to him. He saw the man wave him on to the next table.
"Name?"
Harry narrowed his eyes to look at the woman more clearly. She held a stack of papers and her voice sounded bored. Harry cleared his throat and stepped closer, trying to see. He could hear the man giving giving the same droning speech to Josh behind him. He also caught the flash of leather that was Josh's jacket out of the corner of his eyes. Not completely blind then. The woman in front of him snapped her finger and demanded his name again.
"Harry Potter." He said quietly.
"Alright Potter, here's your schedule. You'll be in room fifteen. The rules are on the back of the paper. Break them and you'll face severe consequences." The woman said and handed him a paper.
"Yes, ma'am." Harry murmured. He was waved on and as he walked away, one of the lingering adults stepped up and handed him a pamphlet.
He continued on, squinting to look for Olivia's dark red hair. He couldn't find it but before he could properly panic, someone stepped up behind him. He jumped as a hand clamped down on his shoulder. He turned and was relieved to see the blurring out line of Josh's face. Josh sighed quietly and took the box from Harry's hands. Harry tried to see what he was doing but was unable to with his eyesight.
"Look up at me." Josh murmured.
"What- why-"
"Just do it." Josh muttered. Harry hesitated a moment before tilting his head back. He stared up at Josh but couldn't see anything but blurs.
"What-"
"Don't flinch. Just relax." Josh said. Then, Harry nearly reared back as something was being put in his eyes. He blinked rapidly but Josh had already moved his hand back. Harry could see out of his left eye but not his right. It was disorienting.
"Thanks. Can you..." Harry trailed off, feeling slightly foolish. Josh smiled and lifted the next contact.
"Relax. I'll be quick." Josh said. And then, his hand darted out and was putting in the other contact.
It was a strange feeling, uncomfortable if he was being honest. He blinked and was surprised at how watery his eyes were. However, after a moment, it went away. He felt fine and could see quite nicely. He felt naked without his glasses but at least he could see. He grabbed the box and smiled at Josh gratefully.
"Thanks."
"You'll learn eventually. Come on. We've got to go to our quarters and shower and change."
And so, Harry followed Josh out of the cafeteria. They went to the right and Harry looked around for Em or Olivia or Nick. They were nowhere in sight in the sea of people in a single line. Josh didn't seem concerned so Harry let it go. He shouldn't already be worrying about people. He was the new one! As they continued down the hall, they passed multiple rooms. The line grew shorter and shorter as people filed into their assigned room. And, when a door with the number fifteen above it came up, Harry stopped.
"Go in, disorderly." Mr. Peters ordered in a bored tone. Josh shot him a reassuring look and Harry went in.
He opened the door and turned to watch as Josh continued down the hall. He stuck his head out and saw Josh go in the door with a seventeen above it. Two doors down. Harry caught Mr. Peters staring, no, glaring at him and he quickly turned back around. He went in and shut the door, looking around.
It was- well, it was...empty. Empty and blank and grey. Harry blinked, frowning at his surroundings. The room wasn't large, smaller than his room at the Dursleys but bigger than the cupboard. It had a twin sized cot in the far right corner and his trunk sat at the foot of his bed. He blinked to see it open and all his Dudley hand-me-downs were gone. He had left his invisibility cloak and marauder's map at the Dursleys, not willing to risk losing them. All he had packed was his clothes and they were all gone. He looked down at the bundle of grey clothes before him before looking back around the room, scanning to see what else would be there.
The walls were grey bricks and there were a few cracks in the bricks but that was the only noticeable thing about them. The very back wall had a window but it had a metal slate that made him uncomfortable. The far left wall held a sink and a small mirror above it. That was it. Stepping forward to the bed, he sat the clothes down, ready to sort through them.
They were grey, just like everything in the place. They felt like linen cloth, like nurse scrubs. There were three long sleeve shirts that were actually wool but they were as equally unattractive as the other four thin regular sleeved shirts. And, the pants we're all the same, all seven pair. Simple trousers and that was all. He folded them all with a sigh and moved to his trunk. Looking in, he saw nine pairs of underpants and eight pairs of socks with two pairs of laceless shoes. All grey and blank like the shirts and pants, the only difference being that the socks and underwear were soft cotton. There was also two coats that wouldn't do much good, Harry assumed.
Harry sighed heavily and took out some underwear, a pair of socks, a short sleeved shirt, and pants. Looking around, he wondered where the shower was. He saw the left wall bend inwards before it met the back wall. He stepped closer and sure enough, it was a shower. Or, what a shower might've been a hundred years ago. It was a simple shower head with one knob under it. There was a small ledge that held one bar of soap and that was all. Turning around, he saw another ledge on the back wall that held six towels. And they were, you guessed it, grey. Bland grey. And, a little to the left of the ledge, out of sight, there sat his toilet.
Chewing his lip, he stepped in the crevice. It was about the size of his cupboard back at the Dursleys, way smaller than he was used to. Nervously, he poked his head around the wall to make sure he couldn't be seen. It was stupid, seeing as his door was closed, but it made him feel better to know the wall properly blocked him. Unless he was to purposely step in the other room, no one would see him. That alone slightly made up for the fact that there was no door. So, cautiously as he could, Harry stripped naked.
The place wasn't cold as he expected and maybe that was because it was summer. However, that didn't mean he wanted to get cold. Unbeknownst to him, there was only one temperature on the knob that produced water. Frigid cold water beat down on him from the showerhead and he yelped in surprise. He quickly rushed to take a shower, scrubbing himself as quickly as possible. As soon as he was rinsed, the water was shut off and he shivered as toweled himself off. Once suitably dry, he yanked on his new clothes.
He took his old clothes and left the small bathroom cave as he had dubbed it. He folded his clothes and sat them on the top of his trunk after he closed it. He sat the box of contacts on one of the four posts of the bed. After that, he sat down on the bed and grabbed up the paper he had, reading the rules warily.
In your quarters:
-You must keep your quarters neat and tidy at all times
-You are not allowed to decorate your room with pictures, posters, stickers, markings, etc.
-You are required to keep all garments, including shoes, packed away in your brought suitcase
-You are not allowed to rearrange your bed or remove any sheets
-You are required to take at least one shower a day and can have no more than four unless they are appointed to you by administration
-You will be brought a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a brush daily in the morning and evening to groom but you are not allowed to keep them
-You are only allowed one book in your quarters at a time and it must be from the Karlbergs library
-The administration is allowed random quarter inspections and will check daily that your room in up to standards on the rules
-You will be allowed one hour daily to free roam and have others in your quarters but this action can be revoked if administration sees it fit
-You reserve the right to ask others to leave your quarters
-If asked, you must leave someone else's quarters that their request or the administration
In the cafeteria:
-You will be quiet unless you are given permission to speak
-You are required to attend each meal
-You are allowed to sit where you wish but administration is allowed to move you away if they see fit to it
-You are not allowed to horseplay
-Fighting is not permitted
-Public displays of affection must be kept to the minimum and if an administrator asks it, the displays must cease altogether
-Administration is allowed to send you away from a meal but no more than one in a day and four a week
In gatherings or classes:
-Each teacher is allowed to set up their own rules
-You must be quiet unless allowed to talk
-You cannot skip any event whether it is class or a gathering
-You must be respectful and mindful of all rules that apply
-Fighting is not permitted
-Public displays of affection must be kept to the minimum and if an administrator asks it, the displays must cease altogether
-Administration is allowed to discipline you as they see fit if you misbehave in any way
On the job:
-You must work to finish your appointed job in the allotted time given
-You must work with whoever is assigned and refrain from confrontation
-You must participate in completing the job
-You are not allowed to skip any job appointed to you
-You must stay quiet unless allowed to talk
-Fighting is not permitted
-Public displays of affection must be kept to the minimum and if an administrator asks it, the displays must cease altogether
-Administration is allowed to reassign you to a new job or discipline you for misbehaving as they see fit
Main Rules:
-Listen to the administration and follow their instructions
-Fighting is not permitted, whether verbal or physical
-Public displays of affection must be kept to the minimum and if an administrator asks it, the displays must cease altogether
-You must follow your schedule and attend all events, including your appointed job
-You are not allowed to have any object that the administration bans
-Any unauthorized objects will be confiscated immediately and you'll be seen to accordingly
-You are not allowed to threaten others, including the administrative staff
-You are not allowed to entertain the thought of or try and commit homicide or suicide
-You must learn to behave
Harry's eyebrows were trying to mold to his hairline by the time he was finished. These rules were barbaric and made him furious. They treated these kids like they were criminals, even giving them their own personal prison. It was horrible and it was everything his uncle could've ever wanted for him.
He wondered vaguely if maybe these kids really were criminals. Surely, not all the parents were like the Dursleys. Harry didn't have the faintest clue for what laid back Josh might've done. Or, casual Olivia. Or, nervous Nick. Or, silent Em. Any one of them could've set a house on fire or robbed a store or mobbed some unsuspecting kid or fought their parents. He just didn't know and that was what worried him. He sighed and turned over the paper, ready to read his schedule.
HARRY JAMES POTTER
DISORDERLY ID: 748110196
MEAL PIN: 19312
Schedule:
5:00am-wake up
6:30am-breakfast
7:10am-reflection
7:15am-art wind down
8:30am-1st council
9:45am-review
11:00am-history of violence
12:30-lunch
1:10-reflection
1:15-kitchen duty
6:00-dinner
6:50-reflection
7:00-2nd council
8:15-preparation for lights out
9:00-lights out
Harry wasn't sure how long he stared at the schedule in front of him, trying to make sense of it. He couldn't quite believe that his life over the summer was planned out by the hour. This was his daily schedule, one he couldn't break without getting punished. He didn't even get weekends off, did he? Harry flipped the sheet over and skimmed, looking for any sign but it said nothing about the weekends.
Harry sighed heavily and folded the sheet, slipping it in his pocket. With a jolt, Harry sat up straight. He scrambled to his jeans he had changed from and frantically searched pockets. With an explosive relieved breath, Harry pulled out his wand. He looked around, wondering where to put it. There would be inspections and they could search anything. But, what about under his mattress? He doubted he'd break it and the adults wouldn't flip the bed unless there was call for suspicion. Harry could hide it, that much was for sure. Quickly, he slipped his wand under the mattress at where his head would rest.
He took a deep steadying breath and folded his jeans back. He sat on the bed, not able to think of it as his yet. He wondered what Ron was doing right now or Hermione or Remus or Sirius or the twins or Ginny. They wouldn't know about him being here and would wonder why he wasn't responding to any letters. Would they get worried? Would they investigate? Would they go to Dumbledore about it? If they did, what would Dumbledore say?
This was so surreal. He was a sixteen year old wizard, a very important one especially, and yet, he was being handled like a muggle deviant. He knew he didn't deserve this, knew it with his whole being. Yes, last year he had led his friends straight into a death eater trap and nearly got Sirius killed. And yes, his friends and Sirius had been injured. However, no one died and he had heard the prophecy. He liked to think nearly losing Sirius was punishment enough.
He wasn't a bad kid. He tried to stay out of trouble and do the right thing. Of course, sometimes he wasn't able to do that. But, his whole life has been about surviving. He had hoped that he would catch a break and just have a normal summer and school year. And now, he was here. His life really sucked sometimes.
The door burst open and Harry glanced up, thoroughly taken by surprise. Mr. Peters stood in the doorway, looking at Harry as a hawk would look at a very small dog to see if it was possibly edible. He looked away and around the room. Harry stood up, feeling awkward. It was like when his uncle Vernon would enter his room unannounced. Mr. Peters, after scanning the room as if Harry had hidden drugs, stepped up to Harry and held out a small ziplock bag.
"You have ten minutes, hurry up." Mr. Peters said curtly. Harry grabbed the bag and looked in it.
It held toothpaste a toothbrush, floss, and an actual brush. It was all generic, which wasn't a far cry from what he was normally given by his relatives. There wasn't that much difference but Harry felt uneasy anyway. He sighed and walked over to the sink and mirror. Ten minutes? Okay, he could manage that.
And, he did.
"You did see the brush in there, yes?" Mr. Peters asked, faintly disdainful, and flicked his eyes to stare at his unruly hair. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes. You saw me use it." Harry pointed out. He'd watched Mr. Peters watch his every move in the mirror.
"Didn't work, obviously."
"I know." Harry said, somewhat proudly.
"Right then. Give it here." Mr. Peters muttered and grabbed the bag, sealing it back. He took out a marker and wrote Harry's full name on it, smudging the last few letters in his first name so it looked like 'Hally'.
"What now?" Harry asked.
"Now, you follow me out to the hallway." Mr. Peters said, waving Harry on.
Harry walked out, ruffling his hair some more. It felt somehow like being rebellious. It was about like when he deliberately didn't brush his hair after a night's sleep to annoy his aunt. Mr. Peters led him out and to the right where he came to stand behind someone. Someone as short as he, damp curls that was as black as his, and a uniform just like his. The person turned and Harry barely recognized her.
Em.
Except, he did recognize her. She looked so familiar that it was scary. She looked just like him, just more feminine. Her eyes were darker than his but still a brilliant green that he had and her hair was longer, curlier, but just as black and slightly messy. With the purple in her hair and her piercings gone, it was like looking in a softened mirror. It was bizarre and for a moment, they just stared at each other in shock.
"You- We... You look different..." He murmured quietly, taking in the size of her eyes. As big as his, they were.
Em didn't reply, something that reminded Harry that she was mute. Somehow, in his shock, he had forgotten. She just stared at him, her eyes running over him as if she had just met him for the very first time. Then, the line that they were in started moving and she turned around and followed. Harry stared at the back of her unruly hair and followed as well, equally lost in thought as he suspected she was.
The next door they stopped at, a chubby African-American girl stepped out. She looked at her shoes but Harry could see the scowl on her face. When she came to stand behind Harry, she looked up to a cluster of other disorderlies with a longing look. He could tell she wanted to be up there with them and he shuffled to the left, giving her the option to slip by. She shot a look at the few adults walking with them and noticed they didn't appear to be paying attention. The girl nodded at Harry and slipped by, the adults were none the wiser about it.
Next, Josh stepped out. Harry blinked in surprise at his appearance. His hair was damp and as curly as Em's, only neater and held an almost blue hue, giving an ebony shade to his hair. His eyes were bright, far outshining his dull uniform that matched Harry's. His hair was down and swaying across his shoulders. His tattoo was more visible than earlier, revealing neat and beautifully cursive words. The words 'When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty' were starting at the curve of his neck and ending on his collarbone. Despite losing his troublemaker appearance, he still managed to pull off a mischievous vibe.
"Alright there, Em, Harry?" Josh whispered as he came to stand behind Harry.
"I'm okay." Harry replied and Em turned around to flash them both a smile that revealed dimples.
"Hey... You two look a lot alike. Did you know?" Josh murmured, smirking slightly.
"Yeah, I- uh, well I might've noticed that." Harry admitted. Em chuckled silently and nodded.
"Could be twins, really. Lose all the medal, Em, and you look just like his twin."
"Well, you look different, too." Harry muttered.
"Still sexy, though, right?" Josh asked, arching an eyebrow cockily and winking at Em.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Harry said lightly.
They fell silent as the next few disorderlies came to the end of the line. Three doors down from Josh, Nick resurfaced. He looked the same but the grey uniform made him look more gaunt, more haunted. His pale brown eyes, pale sandy hair, pale skin, and pale uniform all made him look otherworldly and not in a good way. A mere door down, Olivia walked out. As opposed to Nick, she managed to stay vibrant in her uniform. Her face was fresh and rosy cheeked and her hair was red as ever. They continued on.
They were led back to the cafeteria that was rearranged. It was filled with tables that had attached circle seats. They were led through the back doors and into an open area. To the right, there was basketball goals without the nets and tetherball poles without the balls or rope. To the left, there was one big tree. The rest was just open ground, brown dead grass and cracked concrete.
"Alright, disorderlies. You have your day. Tomorrow, schedules start. Beat it." Mr. Peters called out.
At his words, the line broke up and multiple groups dispersed. About twelve adults walked out, holding their sticks and watching the kids like hawks. Josh walked over to Nick, throwing his arm over his shoulder. Olivia walked to Nick's open side. Harry, admittedly, felt a little uncertain. He jumped when Em came to his side and got his attention.
"Hey." Harry greeted. Em smiled a tiny smile and nodded at him.
"We have free time, then?" He asked. She nodded again and he hummed lightly.
"We can just do whatever we want?" Harry asked skeptically. He looked over and Em had an eyebrow arched, looking at him like she expected more of him.
"Right. Within reason, of course."
"So, what do you normally do?" He asked after a beat of silence. He nodded his head towards the other three ahead of them. He paused and his eyebrows shot up to see Olivia's fingers threaded through Nick's.
"Are they-" He started but abruptly cut himself off as Em's fingers lightly touched his elbow. He turned and she was shaking her head at him. He frowned and she rolled her eyes.
"What?" He asked but she didn't respond.
She continued to just stare at him and it hit him that she wasn't going to speak. He wondered if she chose to never talk or if she was physically unable to. Her green eyes stared back at him and slowly, she smiled a knowing smile. He thought that maybe she knew what he was thinking and maybe it amused her. She let her hand run down his arm and threaded her fingers through his. He blushed, of course.
"Er..." He choked out. She rolled her eyes again and squeezed his fingers. For the briefest moment, he allowed himself to just think about the gesture. It was almost comforting, not even romantic really. Before he knew it, his fingers relaxed and he squeezed back.
"Oi! Come on over to our tree!" Josh called out to them, briefly turning towards them and smiling.
And then, Em was pulling him by their interlocked fingers towards the large tree he had seen. He watched as the others reached the tree and all sat down. Nick leaned against the bark with his legs splayed out before him. Josh actually half sat, half laid down on the ground, resting his head on Nick's lap. Only he could make that look so cool. Olivia then plopped down right on top of Josh, making sure that only her feet touched the dirt. Upon arrival, Em dropped his hand and walked right up to Nick.
Harry watched in slight awe as Nick braced his hands and allowed her to sit her foot in his palms. Em reached up and bounced just as Nick pushed her up, working in sync as if it was a practiced routine. Harry couldn't believe it but Em's hands grasped one of the thick branches high above them and she braced her feet against the trunk. She shimmied and climbed her way up, twisting and scooting to sit on the branch. Her legs dangled and she grinned down at everyone, waving playfully and breathing in deeply.
"Isn't she afraid she'll fall?" Harry blurted out.
"Oh no. Em's been doing that for years. Loves heights, she does." Nick murmured.
"Mhm. Personally, I prefer my feet to be on the ground. I get the feeling that if Em could, she would fly like a bird." Olivia mused, tilting her head back and smiling up at Em. Harry thought about his beloved Firebolt and his chest gave a little pang.
"Come and sit down, Harry." Josh said with a contented sigh.
"Sit by me so I can put my legs in your lap." Olivia demanded with a goofy smile. Harry couldn't help but laugh as he walked over and sank down at Josh's side. Olivia put her legs in his lap immediately and smiled happily. Josh reached over and started caressing Harry's ankle, winking playfully.
"She's been wanting to be able to sit and never touch this ground for ages." Nick laughed, his eyes blinking frantically. Olivia simply nodded.
"Josh is such a doll, letting me sit on him, and now, you are holding my legs and feet for me. Really, boys, I do feel special." Olivia teased, twirling her red hair and blowing a kiss at both Harry and Josh.
"You shouldn't. Truly, I'm benefiting from the placement of your arse." Josh snickered, wiggling his hips and waggling his eyebrows. Olivia smacked his chest and huffed, shooting him a mock glare.
"Right."
"And, Harry here is just a nice bloke, I believe." Josh commented, rubbing Harry's ankle more firmly. It felt nice, actually, and Harry fought a blush.
"Well, just know, Harry, that with me, nice blokes don't finish last." Olivia said in a breathy voice and a heavy sultry look, winking exaggeratedly.
Harry's eyes widened and he panicked, put on the spot and unsure. Then, Josh, Nick, and Olivia all burst out into laughter. Harry realized they were taking the mickey and growled playfully, pushing Olivia's knees slightly and huffing. However, after a moment, he joined in and laughed with them. Looking up, Em was laughing silently. His laughter died gradually.
"Hey, Josh...?" Nick said suddenly. He reached out and his voice still held the question as he touched Josh's hair lightly.
"Yeah, go for it, mate." Josh said with a small long suffering sigh.
Harry watched as Nick slumped in relief, a tenseness that Harry hadn't picked up on loosening out of him. Nick reached beside him and started sitting small flowers and blades of grass by Josh's head. Josh adjusted his head until all his hair was splayed out around his head like a glossy ebony halo. Nick's hands stayed busy and he seemed to be more relaxed as he braided and tied the earthy objects into Josh's hair. Nick seemed to be at ease whenever he was fiddling with something. Josh met Harry's eyes and simply smiled as if this was an everyday occurrence.
"So, Harry... Tell us what's your home life like?" Olivia asked abruptly.
"What?" Harry asked, startled.
"What's your family like? Mum, dad, siblings?" Olivia reiterated, blatantly staring at him. Nick slowed his nimble fingers and his eyes flicked to Harry and Josh's eyes locked onto him.
"I stay with my aunt, uncle, and cousin." Harry said cautiously, somehow feeling that he was being eased into a trap of some sort.
"Parents couldn't handle you or didn't want you?" Nick asked casually.
"Parents druggies? Aren't fit to take care of you?" Olivia suggested.
"They're dead." Harry said flatly, cutting off whatever Josh had opened his mouth to suggest.
The others fell silent and Harry looked away. He didn't want to see their pitying expressions. That was one thing about being famous in the wizarding world as The-Boy-Who-Lived. Everyone knew his parents were dead and he didn't have to explain or talk about it. And, no one else was comfortable with talking about it either. This was the first time he ever had to explain about it and it hurt worse than what he thought it would. After all, he couldn't really remember his parents that much. He never knew them. How could he feel loss? It didn't matter because he still did.
"When?" Josh asked suddenly. Harry glanced at him sharply. Nick was still twining the flowers and grass and twigs into his hair and pointedly ignoring the conversation. Olivia was chewing her lip awkwardly. Josh, though, he didn't look pitying or anything really.
"I was one."
"You never knew them." Josh said. Harry's lips tightened and he wanted to be angry for it. Except, it was a statement. It wasn't said coldly or sadly. It was just a soft sentence that hit the nail on the head.
"Not really, no." Harry whispered.
"That's tough luck, mate." Josh murmured and met Harry's eyes head on, a certain respect in them. Harry couldn't help what he said next.
"What about you, then?"
"My parents?" Josh asked.
"Yeah." Harry confirmed, tilting his head slightly.
"They're perfect. Polished and regal, very demanding. I disappoint them a great deal." Josh admitted, shrugging. The smirk he wore was small.
"I imagine you would. But, maybe that's a good thing." Harry said and as soon as the words tumbled past his lips, he regretted them. He didn't know Josh's parents and couldn't go about saying things like that. However, Josh just laughed, his eyes dancing in approval.
"My thoughts exactly."
"What's your aunt, uncle, and cousin like?" Olivia asked, pulling the topic back on track.
"They're... They are so...normal. They want everything in their life normal and standard. They don't believe in imagination and hate anything different. To them, life only extends to what others think about them. It's all about gossip and thinking normal. They don't believe in a fulfilled life or magic or-"
Harry cut himself off, inwardly cursing. He'd slipped, he was screwed. He hadn't ever ranted about the Dursleys, not like this. It was just that Josh had been honest and Harry didn't doubt that they all mostly had troubled home lives. He knew they'd understand. But, he hadn't meant to drag magic into it. How was he supposed to cover it up? What was he going to say? His heart thudded and he hesitantly looked up.
"They're dull. You see the magic and imagination in life and they hate you for it." Olivia guessed. Harry didn't reply, hardly allowing himself to believe that they weren't picking up his slip.
"She's right, isn't she?" Nick asked, his pale eyes froze onto Harry.
"Yeah... She is." Harry murmured, clearing the lump out of his throat.
"I never have met my father. He left when I was a baby and my mum tried to raise me. She just couldn't stay sober to do it. When the social services picked me up, I was half starved and drugged up on who knows what." Nick said, not blinking once.
This one time, he looked completely focused and serious. Harry was afraid to blink and his mind whirred at the new information. What Nick was describing, it was...well, it was absolutely horrible. It was sick for a child's life to turn out like that. Harry couldn't imagine it, didn't want to. It was one of the reasons that he never complained about his home life too much. He, at least, had somewhere to sleep, even if it was a cupboard at one point in time.
"You don't remember what you were drugged up on?" Harry asked, knowing it was insensitive but not being able to hold in the question.
"I try not to think about it. Drugs fucked me up really bad." Nick said, shrugging. He finally blinked and went back to playing with Josh's hair.
"Do they- Don't take this the wrong way, Harry, but... Do they beat you?" Olivia asked, grimacing.
"No, not really. My uncle can get rough and my cousin will pound on me if he can catch me but... Nothing serious." Harry said quickly, frowning slightly.
"Consider yourself lucky then." Olivia said with a tight smile. Harry stared at her.
"Do you- I mean... Are you..." Harry tried but wasn't able to say the words. Surely, sweet playful Olivia wasn't... No, she didn't... Right?
"My mum died a few years ago. My dad's been a drunk ever since and well... I look a lot like mum." Olivia admitted with a small quirk of her lips.
"And, he beats you for that?" Harry hissed, his eyes flashing. Josh's fingers gripped his ankle a little harder, bringing him out of his angry reviere.
"My dad is a good man," Olivia began fiercely, "but sometimes, he can get out of hand. I provoke him, anyhow. It is my fault. He loves me, he does."
"But..." Harry started but his voice broke off as Josh's fingers dug into his skin. He winced but got the warning. He quickly snapped his mouth shut.
"But nothing." Olivia said tersely.
"Okay. Fine, okay. So, what about Em?" Harry asked, tilting his head back and looking up at her. His voice lowered at his own accord. She was sitting with her back to the trunk and her legs crossed on the branch. Her eyes were closed as wind whipped her messy hair around her face and she seemed peaceful.
"She's a bit of a mystery." Josh admitted.
"How?" Harry asked.
"She lives in a nun school." Olivia said quietly. Harry jerked in utter shock and gaped at the red head.
"A nun school?"
"Yes."
"Like Catholics and priests and marriage to Jesus and uh...celibacy?" Harry asked in a surprised rush. Josh snorted and Olivia giggled lightly.
"That would be the one, yes." Nick confirmed, his voice betraying his amusement.
"Em?" Harry deadpanned, thinking back to the piercings and purple hair.
"Yep. I assume you can think of a few reasons why goody goody nuns want to send her to a behavioral center." Josh muttered, clucking his tongue lightly.
"So, she didn't even do anything wrong and she ended up here?" Harry asked.
"Not necessarily. Tell me, Harry. If you knew you were going down for something no matter what... Wouldn't you do something worth it?" Josh asked, eyeing Harry intently. His blue eyes glinted in a mysterious way.
Harry gave it serious thought. Warily, he considered what Em might've done so horrible. But, that wasn't the question. He thought back to when he was expelled from Hogwarts. He remembered panicking and considering running away with his wand and living on the run. It was sort of like that. If he was going to be expelled for 'breaking the law', he had figured he might as well truly do it.
"Truth be told, I would." Harry admitted honestly.
"Em's that way, too. She knew that they'd send her here for something as small as dying her hair purple or green. So, why not do that, something small, and something more?" Josh explained.
"What'd she do?" Harry asked hesitantly, not sure he really wanted to know.
"She'll have to tell you that." Josh said lightly. Harry blinked and stared at him.
"She can't talk."
"Not my problem. If you really want to know, you'll figure it out somehow."
"So... She's a nun? Or, is her mum a nun?" Harry asked, brushing what she did to the side. He wasn't certain he really wanted to know right now.
"Oh no. She has no family. She was dropped off at an orphanage when she was a baby. Apparently, weird things always happened around her and the people thought she was possessed. They took her and enrolled her in the yearly nun school, hoping to 'cleanse her' or whatever." Nick spat, making air quotes and shaking his head in disgust.
"No...no family at all?" Harry croaked.
"No records, nothing. There was only an index card in her blanket when she arrived. It read, Name is Emily Lilian Evanson. That was it." Olivia said.
"But, Harry, what did you do to deserve Karlbergs?" Josh said and they all stared at him expectantly.
"Would you believe me if I just said that they sent me here because I'm different and my family hates me?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Not likely." Josh snorted. Harry sighed and thought back, trying to muggle up everything he's ever done.
"Ah, well, once I set a snake after my cousin. Well, actually, I released the snake in the zoo and I laughed when it just happened to snap at my cousin. Er, I've ran away a couple of times. I went joyriding, also. I might've lost it on my aunt once. A cake dropped on a couple of my uncle's important clients or bosses or whatever because of me."
Harry stopped and blinked. It was mad to think about but there was even more that he couldn't muggle up. When he talked about it like this, it sounded so much worse than what it was. He gave a start when the others started laughing good naturedly at him.
"Obviously, you've got major behavioral issues!" Josh snickered. Harry rolled his eyes.
"And, what did you do!?" Harry huffed. Josh smirked.
"I stole my dad's credit card and bought four cars and then wrecked them all. I bought a motorcycle, got pulled over and it was impounded. Then, I bought another one and put it in storage." Josh said.
"You're joking." Harry muttered, his eyes widening.
"No, I'm serious."
And, Harry just laughed because bloody hell, he was! If Sirius was a muggle, he didn't doubt that Sirius would've been just as rebellious. Josh looked pleased that Harry found the hilarity in his actions. He flashed a smug smile and Harry just shook his head. It was surreal how alike they were. And, despite how wrong it was, Harry couldn't help but find what Josh did as funny, though he suspected the parents were put in the situation of a lifetime. Talk about debt.
"What about you, Olivia?"
"My dad didn't like that I snuck out after curfew and sent police to pick me up. I resisted arrest and pissed off one of the cops by swaying his canine partner to liking me instead of chasing me." Olivia said with a wry grin. Harry couldn't help but smile ruefully back.
"And you, Nick?" Harry asked. Nick paused in braiding a flower in Josh's hair.
"My adoptive brother took something of mine and so I smashed his head into the pavement." Nick said casually, frowning down at one of the flowers that came loose. Harry's smile evaporated on the spot.
"What?" He asked and his voice cracked. Josh's fingers grew soft against his skin, almost distracting in how nice it felt on his ankle.
"I didn't mean to but when I get quite angry... Well, I can't remember. He's fine, though. I'll just be getting a new family when I get out of here." Nick murmured.
Harry couldn't reply, couldn't talk. His heart had dropped and his stomach was in knots. He stared at Nick, unable to make sense of his own thoughts. Nick continued playing with Josh's hair, humming as he did so. Olivia's feet were minutely pressing into his legs before letting up, as if to give some comfort. Josh was rubbing his ankle and it felt quite nice. And yet, Harry couldn't tear his mind away from Nick.
For the first time, he allowed himself to wonder if Nick had a mental illness. Something about him was odd, wasn't right. It made Harry sad to see him unhinged like that. It was when he was playing with Josh's hair and humming that he seemed so harmless and altogether vulnerable. But then, he'd smile maniacally or make nonchalant comments about bashing people's heads into concrete. It unnerved Harry.
He glanced away and found Josh's soft eyes on his. They were pleading and full of something sincere. Don't judge too harshly, they seemed to beg of him. They held understanding, seeming to know what Harry was thinking. Harry decided that maybe he just didn't know all of the facts, didn't know everything. He decided to just let it go. Be careful but not judgemental. He had no right to be as it was.
The awkward silence, only broken by Nick's off tune humming, slipped into comfortable silence as Harry relaxed. Olivia started drawing patterns in Josh's arms with her fingers, pressing lightly to see the difference in the coloration. Josh just looked up, peering either at Em or the clouds. Nick continued his humming and playing with Josh's hair. Em continued enjoying her height. Harry sighed and looked around at everyone.
He didn't want to make assumptions but the place didn't seem so bad. Many of the kids were walking around and talking and laughing. They all seemed to be enjoying the sun and just relaxing. The adults were walking around but weren't bothering anyone. In truth, Harry felt peaceful. It was better than at the Dursleys. He hadn't expected that. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad as he thought it would.
"Don't fall for it." Josh's voice cut through his musings. Harry glanced at him in confusion.
"What?"
"The false sense of security." Josh said by a way of explanation as if Harry was supposed to know.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Place doesn't seem so bad, does it? Easy and calm. Lax on the rules, even. Yeah?"
"Well... Yeah."
"It's a lie. On the first day, they let all the new arrivals believe that this is what they have to look forward to. Let them get sloppy and relaxed. And then, BAM! Next thing you know, you're scrubbing toilets with your toothbrush for laughing too loud." Josh said wisely.
"That's... That's terrible."
"They're morbid beings." Josh muttered, his blue eyes flicking over to glare at the adults.
"Thanks for... Well, everything. All of you. I'd probably be in trouble already if is wasn't for you all. Nick, Em, Olivia... You too." Harry said gratefully.
Nick paused and looked up to give him a genuine smile that lit up and softened his whole face. Olivia giggled and faked blushing but he could see that it warmed her heart for the gratitude he showed. Josh simply winked and waved his hands as if batting away flies. Harry looked up and Em was grinning down at him, her eyes shining happily.
"You're family now." Josh said simply.
And, Harry believed him.