Chapter 3
Dreams
otherwise known as
"Double Trouble"
"Come on now, try this one next.", Mabel spoke with the cadence of a parent, which the 13-year-old certainly wasn't.
"I don't like this one!", a young(er) David moaned.
"We're not buying you the long cloak. Do you want to look like an owl?"
"I told you, it's not an owl! It makes me look like Batman!"
Lacking the patience to argue with the little brat, the girl gave in with a guilt-inducing sigh.
"Fine. Try on the long one, David."
Giddy with excitement, the boy sprinted up the stairs of Diagon Alley's most affordable clothing store. At the end of a deserted 2nd floor, David found a set of four changing stalls at the very end, far away from the wide windows, for obvious reasons. He ripped open the first-
"Ah!", a girl screeched from inside, scaring David enough to have him drop on his butt. His senses still readjusting, the supposed victim jolted out of her stall, shock written all over her face as much as his.
"I- I- I'm so sorry! I thought it was empty!", he blurted out, averting his eyes in a comical fashion.
"Don't worry, I'm not naked!", she spoke with a thick, Northern Irish accent, "You just frightened me a wee bit. S'ppose I did the same to you."
A nervous chuckle later and David finally allowed himself to look up, getting on his feet in the process.
The girl's hair, cut to shoulder length, shone with a golden grace, her puffy cheeks carrying a nervous but friendly expression. Turquoise eyes blinked repeatedly as they awaited his answer.
"Thank God you're dressed. I thought I had turned into a pervert there for a second."
An uneasy giggle from the girl calmed his nerves somewhat.
"I was hidin' in there.", finally came from her with a sombre tone, "Some kids called me fatty earlier. Hurt my feelin's..."
Twiddling her thumbs, David magically found the exact correct response.
"That's a mean thing to say to someone.", he bluntly declared. The girl appeared delighted at this.
"Well, they were kind of right...", she pondered.
"I really don't think so.", David ratified, "And even if it was the case, you're wearing a cloak, aren't you? No one can see under that."
Admiring her piece of clothing and his advice, the girl found herself showing off a bright smile.
"Thank you. You're nice.", she gave back.
"David, are you finished yet?!", Mabel shouted from below stairs.
"Yeah!", the boy howled back, sounding annoyed.
"Who's that?", the girl inquired.
"Just my dumb sister, Mabel. Oh, speaking of..."
He put on his own cloak, showing it off to the curious Irish lass.
"Do you think it looks good?"
"I think it makes ya look rather dashing. A bit like Batman."
"Right, like Bat-", he briefly halts, staring at the girl with something akin to admiration.
"Thank you very much. Sorry again for scaring you earlier."
Departing her already, the girl was unable to muster the strength to say something else-
"Oh, I forgot!", David yelped, before turning back towards her, "What's your name?"
A bright smile grew upon her features.
"I'm Klea. Klea Grauenstein."
"Nice to meet you, Klea. See you in Hogwarts!"
DAVID: Can you believe the gall of that woman?!
Thankfully her brother had been complaining about the incident from the small, hidden Café, all the way to King's Cross, the Branchers strolling down platforms 9 and 10.
MABEL: It honestly doesn't sound too bad, David. I've had people cut in lines lots of times before.
DAVID: Yeah, in the Muggle World. When I'm in the Wizard World I don't want to feel like I'm at Tesco.
MABEL: I think you're being dramatic.
DAVID: And I think you don't quite care about this issue.
MABEL: You would be correct in your assumption.
Ribbit!
MABEL: Alright, we're here.
Still frowning behind his luggage cart he watches Mabel take aim with hers, then launching to rush towards the all too familiar stone wall, through which the girl subsequently disappears, unbeknownst to any non-wizards close by. Right before David follows her inside, he checks the clock hanging from the pillar, it displaying 10:35. The boy scoffs.
Emerging on the other side, Platform 9 ¾ is relatively stacked with students and noisy parents alike. For a moment David halts, fuming at his absent mother whilst hidden from his sister.
DAVID: Hey Mabel?
He begins to push his cart towards the rear end of the iconic Hogwarts Express.
DAVID: Turns out we didn't need to hurry at all. That Floo Powder path is so much quicker-
KLEA: Hi David!
He squeaks comically, the high pitch providing hilarious contrast to his usually semi-deep voice. He turns around to find Klea Grauenstein, jolly as ever, her outfit and hair not having changed in three years. Although, in all fairness, it does seem like puberty has started aging her up just a bit. She's also notably wearing her usual Muggle fit – skirt and hoodie.
DAVID: Klea?! Why would you scare me like that?
It seems the question makes her crumble slightly.
KLEA: Oh, right. I'm so sorry, David. I didn't mean to.
Guilt gets the best of him, in part due to Klea's odd behaviour. Not that the girl isn't usually overtly polite, but today his best friend appears somewhat nervous.
DAVID: It's alright, I was lost in thought. Have you seen Mabel?
MABEL: Has she ever?
His sassy sibling appears next to Klea, placing her elbow on the younger girl's shoulder.
DAVID: I see. Just wanted to tell you-
MABEL: Hey, why don't you go ahead and store your luggage in the back there? Klea and I will be waiting for you right here. Hm?
A weirdly pressing look gets him to turn around and walk out of earshot. Once far enough removed, Klea exhales dramatically.
MABEL: Are you nervous?
KLEA: Of course I'm nervous! How in the world am I supposed to tell him?
MABEL: Yeah, about that...
Empathetically, she turns to the Hufflepuff, grabbing both her shoulders in hopes of softening the impact of her next words.
MABEL: I don't think he likes you in that way, Klea. I'm not even sure he's capable of comprehending complex emotions like that. I'm sorry.
Having anticipated exactly that, Klea proceeds to hug herself.
KLEA: I expected that. I don't want to take the risk either. Especially since the two of us are such good friends.
MABEL: Are you absolutely sure you can be around him all the time while all of... that bubbles beneath the surface?
KLEA: Yeah. I'll be fine. Don't worry.
BEN: What are you two on about?
They turn to find Hufflepuff's residential short king, Ben, who is surprisingly smaller than the already not-so-tall Klea Grauenstein.
MABEL: What happened to your hair?
The boy responds in a squeaky voice and pronounced Birmingham accent.
BEN: Since puberty is takin' it's sweet ass time, Oi thought that maybe mixing it up a bit is going to help me with the ladies.
He lets his weirdly long, mahogany hair float around a bit.
BEN: It makes me look loike one of those rock stars.
MABEL: Or like one of the ladies.
Klea giggles slightly as Ben is silently shattered.
BEN: Thanks, girls. You're a real help...
DAVID: Oh hi, Ben.
As soon as David returns, Klea's focus seems to sharpen greatly.
DAVID: Nice hairdo. Makes you look like a rock star.
Ben points obnoxiously towards David.
MABEL: Why am I not surprised that my brother agrees?
DAVID: It's because Ben over here, has some taste. Now, how about we look for a compartment?
KLEA: Yes!
As David enters the Express, Klea tags straight after him. Both Mabel and Ben hesitate for a second before following inside.
BEN: She's totally into him, isn't she?
MABEL: Keep it to yourself, would you?
BEN: Of course. Oi can keep a secret.
Inside the hallway of the shiny locomotive, David has taken the lead in their quest to find an empty two-bencher.
KLEA: How was your summer, David?
DAVID: Oh, it was uneventful. Mostly. We went to France once.
KLEA: Sounds excitin'! How was that?
MABEL: Kind of dull. We didn't go a lot of places.
DAVID: And the beach was full most days. The French are annoying.
BEN: Oi don't think you can say that.
DAVID: Well, stop me then.
And stop he would, David that is, having spotted a compartment stacked with a certain Ravenclaw and a certain Hufflepuff. Patiently, smirk attached, he waits until Mabel has caught up to him.
CATHIE: Oh hey, Mabel's here.
On command, his sister briefly freezes up.
Cathie herself is gifted with tanned skin, her mocha hair worn puffy and long like a 40s dame.
MABEL (blushing): Oh uh... h- hey Cathie. Didn't see you there.
David and Ben share a nasty grin as Klea feels sort of left out. As Mabel's cheeks flare up, they almost match her red-haired ponytail, a few strains hanging down her face.
DOROTHIE: Benjamin.
Fun is over for little Ben as his sister's voice echoes through the wagon.
The older Mintmartin sibling wears her mahogany hair in a ponytail as well, bangs in the front providing a kind of border for her face. The girl's features always carry a resting pout when speaking to her brother.
BEN: Hey Dory...
DOROTHIE: I assume you will seated with your Hufflepuff friends again?
Notably, the girl's Birmingham accent is purposefully missing.
BEN: Oi think so.
DOROTHIE: "I" think so, Benjamin. Speak properly, please.
BEN (mockingly imitating Dorothie): Sweak pwopely pwease.
A firm frown forms on his sister.
DOROTHIE (furious): Benjamin!
BEN: Ugh, just leave me alone, Dory...
He walks past by all the others in the hall, continuing the noble search for a free compartment.
DOROTHIE: He is getting worse every year...
MABEL: Well, maybe one of these days the Fairy Mother will grant his wish and make him a real boy.
Importantly, Cathie laughs. Important for Mabel that is.
DOROTHIE: Are you going to be sitting with us, Mabel?
MABEL: Oh, no... I'll be uh...
She shares a quick glance with a clearly upset Klea.
MABEL: I'm gonna hang out with David and the others.
DOROTHIE: It's your choice. It would be kind of stuffy once Richard and Peter show up.
On command, Mabel's joyful expression melts. David actually took the liberty of pointing towards her face at the correct moment, causing her to toss a glare.
CATHIE: What a shame, I would've loved to hear about your summer.
DAVID: Ah it sucked, the French ruin everything. Hey, completely unrelated, you and Mabel go to Ancient Runes together, right?
His sister's grimace only grows in intensity at the question.
CATHIE: Yes. Why?
DAVID: Oh, just making conversation. Do you happen to read the Daily Prophet-
MABEL (suppressed anger): Okay...
She rudely pushes David down the hall, Klea moving on her own.
MABEL: See you two later?
DOROTHIE: See you later.
CATHIE: Bye, Mabel!
A final blush appears on her features as she escapes the situation.
Small spots of fog hide all over the landscape, which, slowly but surely, wanders into the north of the country, not quite having reached Scotland yet. Klea sits at the window, letting her sorrow wander over England's mountains of green, David next to her is still sulking over God knows what, while Ben is giving a surprisingly insightful explanation on a smoked duck recipe, chewing a piece of gum in an obnoxious manner on the other bench next to Mabel.
BEN: So yeah, most recipes say two hours, Oi personally always go for the hour and forty-five. Also never forget the garlic powder and white mushrooms. They soak in some of that extra flavour.
The Brancher siblings share their surprise with a quick look.
DAVID: Wow. You didn't lie.
BEN: Yeah, Oi figured girls like cooking, so Oi'd start getting into it.
MABEL: Is that a thing? Do girls like it when guys can cook?
Now Ben and David share a sneaky look.
BEN: Wouldn't... you know?
Just as she undoes her hair, Mabel is caught completely off-guard.
MABEL: Um... I mean, no one's ever cooked for me before. Maybe I uh... maybe I would enjoy it.
Reading the room completely wrong, Ben flicks his brows at her.
BEN (flirty): Oi could cook something for you.
MABEL (matt): Don't ruin it, Benjamin.
Imitating the harshness of one's sister would discourage anyone.
DAVID: Seriously Ben, don't push my sister like that. She's out of your league, regardless.
Mabel appears pleasantly surprised.
MABEL: Huh. Thanks Lil' Bro.
Too early to say thank you.
DAVID: Yeah. If she wanted anyone to cook for her, it would be Cathie.
With both boys laughing hysterically, Mabel decides to get up, her expression making it clear that she's rather upset about this.
DAVID: Oh no I- Mabel! I didn't mean it! Come on!
Their compartment sliding doors are already shut as Mabel walks off, most likely to the loo.
BEN: We moight better lay off the Cathie jokes. Oi think it's pretty serious.
DAVID: Yeah, I figured that one already.
With a wooden whoosh sound, the boy too opens the door.
KLEA: Are you going after her?
DAVID: Nah, she'll come back. I'm going to look for the trolley lady, buy her a chocolate frog. That usually works as an apology.
He turns to his friends just as he is about to exit.
DAVID: Anyone need anything?
BEN: Got gum.
KLEA: I'm good.
Just as he leaves, something within the girl commences her to add another sentence to her last response.
KLEA: But thanks for asking!
The door already shut, David's answer is a rather neutral thumbs up through the glass. A few seconds pass wherein Ben patiently waits for Klea to say something, though it's more than apparent that a certain issue is on his mind, impatiently awaiting to be uttered.
BEN: So... you loike duck?
Klea lets out a hearty grunt.
KLEA: Just go ahead and ask Ben, I know you've caught on to me already.
BEN: Oh, thank God. Oi thought Oi'd have to shut up for the entire roide.
The girl sat opposite of him lets out another breath, this one more filled with a calm sorrow.
BEN: Since when?
KLEA: It started sometime last semester. I- I don't I just... realized one day that the feelings are there. I don't know what to do.
BEN: You going to tell him?
KLEA: Oh, God no. I want to keep this whole thing under check. Just wait till it passes.
BEN: Well, at the very least you don't need to worry. David seems to be thicker than a brick when it comes to you.
She nods, making an odd sound that mixes agreeing and being uncomfortable.
BEN: Are you going to be okay though? Oi mean, you two are best friends. You spend loike every day together. Won't that be a problem?
KLEA: I'm going to be fine, thanks. It is gonna be a problem though...
BEN: Oi could be his best friend for a whoile if it helps-
KLEA (sharp): No!
The bark of an answer scared the boy sufficiently enough to have him swallow his gum on accident.
BEN: Roight. Good talk...
Outside, in the hallway...
OLD LADY: Anything from the trolley, dear?
At the distant sound of the familiar voice, David turns his head.
DAVID (to himself): Bingo.
While walking over at a brisk pace, he is forced to hold onto compartment doors once or twice. After all, the boy is standing inside a moving vehicle.
DAVID: Hello.
OLD LADY: Hello, young man. Anything from the trolley, dear?
DAVID: Uh... yes. One-
ALICE: Chocolate frog, please.
Screaming internally, David just stands there helplessly as Alice cuts in line yet another time.
DAVID: Uh... can I have one too?
OLD LADY: Sorry dear. That was the last one.
With that, the old lady is off to continue her sales routine somewhere else, working with the efficiency of a robot. After a few seconds of glares and smirks, David does something unforeseen – taking out his wand from his back pocket.
DAVID: That's enough!
ALICE: What?
DAVID: This is the second time you've insulted me today! I demand that we duel!
A snort later and his awkward pose does not waver.
ALICE: Oh, you're being serious? That's adorable.
DAVID: It's not! Are you going to accept my challenge or not?
ALICE: Do you even know any spells?
DAVID: Uh- um- yeah? You'd be surprised how much-
A screech, a bump, a rhythmic vibration of the train wandering down wagon by wagon, finally shaking David and Alice, causing her to stumble backwards and him to stumble forwards. Right... into her... um... well... chest.
He removes himself right away, though the damage has already been done. Her face a blend of pure anger and transparent embarrassment, David chooses to do the only right thing.
DAVID: Uh... nice talking to you!
He makes a run for it, never looking back. Two wagons later and he rushes into the correct compartment, plunging into his seat as he slams the door.
KLEA: David! What happened?
DAVID (out of breath): Uh... nothing...
Frustrated, he groans.
DAVID: Dammit! I forgot the chocolate frog!
Notably, Mabel is now back too.
MABEL: You were going to buy me a chocolate frog?
DAVID: Yeah, but that Alice girl got in the way...
Literally, and henceforth why David suddenly blushes, ringing Klea's alarm bells.
KLEA: Girl? What girl?!
Luckily David doesn't catch onto her distress, though Ben decides to toss her a sarcastic "okay" gesture.
MABEL: Some Slytherin girl David is quarrelling with. Did she take the last one?
DAVID: Yeah...
Obviously he leaves out what happened right after.
MABEL: Aw, that's sweet that you tried to get me one and got humiliated. I'm almost not angry with you anymore.
DAVID: Yeah. We're sorry about earlier.
BEN: "We"? Yeah, okay, Oi laughed too. Sorry, Mabel.
Satisfied, the Ravenclaw nods. They all turn their heads to the window again, a few raindrops jumping onto the glass.
BEN: Looks like bad weather.
DAVID: My cue.
He takes out his Walkman, headphones wandering to his skull already.
DAVID: Do you guys mind if I turn off for the rest of the ride?
MABEL: Nope.
BEN: Negative.
KLEA: Of course not!
He tosses her a smile, painfully oblivious to anything going on.
This year something is different. Upon arrival in the self-pulling carriages, the entire student body, right after the Sorting Hat Ceremony, is exposed to the newly assembled Hogwarts Choir. It also answers why Ben was allowed to hop onto a special carriage before anyone else. He hadn't told his friends as a surprise, though David guesses that it was due to the fact that he's the main lead soprano singer.
CHOIR (singing): ...Eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog...
DAVID (whispering to Klea): He's got the voice of an angel.
She giggles quite audibly, causing Mabel to toss a glance over from the Ravenclaw table. While the boy interprets her glare as a scolding of his interruption, it was in fact another display of worry directed towards an uneasy-looking Klea.
David's gaze wanders off from Mabel to the Slytherin table. Spotting Alice for just a second, their eyes happen to meet, the girl's glare much more pronounced than that of his sister. His head immediately switches back over to the choir, slowly wandering in the back and over to the teaching staff.
CHOIR (singing): ...In the cauldron boil and bake, fillet of a fenny snake...
In that moment, for just a few seconds, the headmaster smiles directly at David. The boy shakes his head in disbelief, rubbing his eyes and looking back at the old man, now longer meeting his gaze.
CHOIR (singing): ...Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn, and cauldron bubble... something wicked this way comes!
Thunderous applause from everyone, Dorothie even jolting up from her seat. In contrast to this, the Brancher boy remains frozen as the choir disperses.
KLEA (over the noise): Are you okay?
After another head shake he joins the applause briefly.
DAVID: I'm fine.
The noise subsides as Dumbledore, clad in Burgundy robes, walks up excitedly to the owl-crested podium.
DUMBLEDORE: Welcome, welcome! I am delighted to have all of you back for another marvellous year at Hogwarts. Once again, please give a round of applause for Professor Flitwick and the reformed Hogwarts Choir, which we had been missing dearly in these dark times, that are thankfully all but behind us.
The four rows of tables commence their clapping again, Ben having since rejoined David and Klea. With a firm hand signal, Dumbledore commands the crowd to calm down again.
DUMBLEDORE: A few more things. We would like the formally welcome Professor Severus Snape, who, after his training period, can now officially join us as the new Potions Master.
Once again, applause.
DAVID (over the noise): "Training period"? Snape was a trainee?
BEN (over the noise): Yeah, they were hesitant to give him the post, him being a former Death Eater and all.
Simultaneously, David and Klea turn to the Mintmartin boy.
BEN (over the noise): That's what Oi heard.
Just as he says that, the applause dies down yet another time.
DUMBLEDORE: We'd also like to thank Quirinus Quirrell, who has been serving as Professor of Muggle Studies for many years now. He will be leaving Hogwarts by the end of this year in pursuit of his studies on the continent. Thank you, Professor!
Clapping, once more.
KLEA (over the noise): Aw, Quirrell's leaving? Who's gonna teach us next year then?
BEN (over the noise): Sounds like a problem for Future Klea.
David cackles obnoxiously at that remark.
DUMBLEDORE (over the noise): Lastly...
Everyone quiets down.
DUMBLEDORE: ...some unfortunate news.
David, Klea, and Ben share uneasy looks.
DUMBLEDORE: Our beloved caretaker Mr. Filch is still recovering from an accident that occurred during summer break. As our thoughts remain with him, he will temporarily be replaced by Mr. Philipps.
He points to a relatively young fellow with glasses and a tiny, grey owl on his shoulder. As Mr. Philipps waves awkwardly, the student body explodes into applause yet again. David finds the news odd, but not special enough to comment on it. This time the room falls silent on its own.
DUMBLEDORE: That's as far as news goes. Now, this year might be unlike anything you have ever experienced. It might also be precisely what you expect it to be. Whether or not you will leave in a few months feeling unchanged or in some place else will, as always...
Again, the old man smiles directly at David, which no one but him seems to take note of.
DUMBLEDORE: ...it is up to you. Let's feast.
With rows of food manifesting, conversations briefly quiet down as everyone jumps onto their preferred meal.
Sometime later, David finally spoke up.
KLEA (with a full mouth): I don't think he was just looking at you, David. It wouldn't be much fair.
With a comical gulp, she swallows a piece of baked potato David would probably choke on.
KLEA: But then again, Dumbledore is pretty mysterious. S'ppose I couldn't put it past him.
BEN: Oi think he does this with some students here and there. Just to screw with us.
KLEA: Now, why would he do that?
PETER: NO WAY!
Spoken with the grace of a caveman, Peter Kerfuffle, who with his boring brown hair can best be described as "average", accidentally drew a whole bunch of attention towards the other side of the Hufflepuff table. Immediately, Cathie shushes her boyfriend.
CATHIE (whispering): Keep it down! I don't want everyone to know.
BEN: Everyone to know what?
Cutting his steak in a comedic pause, the older Hufflepuff girl finds pretty much all eyes drawn towards her. She sighs in defeat. David and Klea listen in closely.
CATHIE: Well... keep in mind, this is just a rumour I've heard...
Despite not wanting to share this, Ms. Torrance does seem to enjoy the attention she receives.
CATHIE: Apparently Mr. Filch didn't get injured in an accident. He was attacked.
KLEA: Attacked? By whom?
CATHIE: I don't know. All I know is he was attacked.
David literally raises an eyebrow at the missing piece.
DAVID: How do you know this Cathie?
MABEL: Why don't you shut it and let her talk, David?
At some point Mabel appeared behind him, leaning onto his and Ben's shoulders.
CATHIE: I can't tell you how I know this. Again, this is just a rumour...
PETER: I believe you, Cath.
CATHIE: Aw, thank you Pete.
A smooch shared causes Mabel to avert her face in disgust.
BEN: Did the disembodied rumour happen to mention why an old caretaker was attacked?
His slightly provocative tone gets Cathie to frown just a bit.
CATHIE: Something was stolen. Apparently, something valuable. And dangerous. Dumbledore is pretty nervous about it.
Everyone looks over to the jolly headmaster dunking a hot dog into vanilla pudding.
BEN: He seems fine to me.
Cathie shrugs at that.
CATHIE: Like I said already – it's a rumour. But the fact is that Filch is on sabbatical and Snape has been made Professor. That gives him access to all parts of the castle.
KLEA: You think Snape has something to do with it?
MABEL: No. It means Dumbledore has one more person he can use as security.
CATHIE: Correct.
Mabel averts her face and smirk. David finds all of this more than odd, turning around to take a good, hard look at the new Potions Master, who does not appear to be hungry at all.
CATHIE: But Klea does have a point. Snape was a disciple of You Know Whom not that long ago. Who knows if he can be trusted?
Notably, and to everyone's knowledge, Snape is also a Slytherin graduate. At the thought David tries to spot Alice again, unable to find her.