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Chapter Text

Lance McClain was easily having the worst day of his life. 

First he woke up late. He had stayed up late making sure he was all packed and ready to go. Then was too excited to sleep so he woke up in a panic as Veronica came in and yanked the covers off him. Oversleeping meant he missed breakfast which happened in a large family. He was desperately scrambling around for last minute things too as the rest of the family followed in less of a panic. 

Travel to King’s Cross was a whole thing as well. Luckily the years had gone on and it left only three children to cart to Hogwarts instead of the huge mass of what had been the McClain clan. Veronica in her 5th year was officially the oldest McClain there. The brothers now graduated and starting real wizarding world jobs now. 

Then there were the final two. The youngest of the McClain clan. It was finally time for Lance and Rachel McClain to go to Hogwarts. It was supposed to be something to look forward to. For years they whispered to each other from their bunk beds about what they looked forward to the most. 

“The quidditch for sure!” Lance whispers under the light of the fireflies they had caught that night and released in their room

“Think of the forbidden forest!” Rachel said tracing patterns through the flashing bugs

“We aren’t allowed there, you know that.”

“So long as you don’t get caught.”

The pair would giggle then proceed to list several more things till they drifted to sleep. Such a happy thing Hogwarts seemed. Especially the way their siblings had gone on and on about it. Who would have thought school was exciting like that? What incredible luck to be born with magic and not have to study useless maths for the rest of your days.

They arrived at the platform a bit later than planned. Having to rush through the barrier and say quick goodbyes to their parents. Lance gave his mother a bit of an extra squeeze before he had to release. She smiled running a hand through his hair leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead then Rachel’s. 

It never occurred to Lance how generous it was that despite the crowd around them that people gave them the space to say goodbye. Missing the sideways glances they received. 

The whistle blew a warning and the trio of McClains hurried on finding a compartment fairly quickly. Leaning out to wave to their parents as the train raced out of the station. It didn’t seem like such a bad day anymore. 

“I’ve got to go do Prefect things. I’ll check on you two later alright. Behave. Don’t make friends with strangers,” Veronica waved closing the door behind her

Ah yes the stranger rule. It was a weird rule of thumb the McClains had let dictate their life since they were born. It was simple really. A rule all parents teach their children. Don’t talk to strangers. The meaning behind it just ran a bit different for them. 

The twins chatted about what they were most excited for again as nerves for the sorting kicked in. A few other late students peeked into their compartment looking for a seat. Most would pause and turn moving to the next. The few brave souls who would reach to open the door were stopped by the older group from the compartment right across. 

The majority of this went unnoticed by the twins. The compartment across filled with 3rd year Slytherins had left their door open for the very reason. Knowing the oldest McClain would not be pleased to see the youngest McClains with others. To keep the peace and their heads, they kept others away from the pair. 

Lance had seemed to forget about the horrible start to the morning. Didn’t seem so horrible anymore after all. He was headed to Hogwarts! The excitement building with each click of the tracks. 

As Veronica promised she checked in after lunch already in her robes instructing the pair to do the same as the darkness was approaching quickly. The pair dressed quickly and quietly as their nerves started up again. The sorting was a simple matter. They already knew that but it was still a big deal to them. 

The boat ride into Hogwarts didn’t help the matter. Some brat almost tipped one of the boats causing some slow progress as they made sure the boats stayed together. The twins had to share a boat with two others. Both looked fairly nervous but less so about who they shared the boat with and rather the looming castle ahead of them. 

The group soon filled in and chatter ceased as they stood in front of the sorting hat. The list of names being called proudly by a tan man with golden glasses. He had introduced himself at the start but Lance had forgotten the moment they walked into the Great Hall. 

Lance swallowed hard as his name was called. He took a deep breath as he sat down letting the hat settle gently on his head. He could have sworn he heard a small hum and a chuckle then the word interesting floated by. 

And he listened in horror as the hat shouted Gryffindor

Definitely worst day of his life

———————

Lance locked eyes with Rachel still in the crowd of 1st years then his eyes quickly searched for Veronica at the Slytherin table. Panic rising through as he clutched the sleeve of his robes sliding off the stool. Awkward applause scattered through the Great Hall with a mixture of whispers. 

He wanted to run to the Slytherin table and sit besides his sister where he was supposed to be. His feet automatically guided him to where the hat called him too however. Sinking into an empty seat right on the edge of the table trying to ease his shaking hands. The student closest to him scooted a bit farther down as they called Rachel’s name. Be it worried over the name of the student who just sat near him or giving space for the sister to join. 

Lance kept eyes locked on Rachel. This had never been a worry before. They had always planned on being in the same house together like the rest of their family. It had never been a thought they wouldn’t be together. Suddenly for the first time ever Lance was begging the stupid hat to put Rachel in Gryffindor. He couldn’t handle this alone. He had never been alone. He needed…

“Slytherin!”

Cheers erupted from the table across the hall. Lance’s full fledged panic now setting in. His hands in a cold sweat as he and Rachel locked eyes again. Mutual panic clearly etched across their faces as she let her feet guide her to her place besides her sister. The pair looking over to their brother alone at the edge of the rival table.

Now what?

Lance stared at the plates that had filled in front of him. The assortment mind boggling. It reminded him of his mother prepping for Christmas dinners. Only he had no desire to dig in. He simply stared at his own empty plate, the earlier hunger gone and replaced with a bundle of worry.

The others at his end of the table seemed to ignore him for the most part. Sparing a few glances in his direction and quickly cutting off any semi brave student who opened their mouth to speak to him. He could hear the slight bundles of the conversation around him.

“A McClain not in Slytherin?”

“Maybe it was a mistake?”

“Maybe he was cursed or something?”

“Well he is still a McClain after all”

“He can’t be trusted.”

Even the house ghost looked at him then across the hall and back before shrugging and gliding off. 

Lance suddenly thought back to his parents. How would they react? Would they be ashamed? Could he even go back home after this?

Lance couldn’t stop shaking at this point. All his happy thoughts of Hogwarts suddenly down the drain. Everything was coated with a new dread. The happy late night giggle sessions with Rachel suddenly seemed like a dream. Something unattainable.

Dinner was coming to an end as the last bits of desserts were being licked up greedily. Lance still staring down at his plate untouched becoming oblivious to the noise around him. The noise at the Gryffindor table was shutting down however as a figure walked around the far edge of the table along the wall as if trying not to draw attention but failing.

Lance didn’t even take notice till they knelt besides him. He jumped slightly as the movement seemed to yank him from his mind. He turned and felt the tears that had been hiding behind his eyes suddenly move forward at the sight of Veronica next to him.

“What am I supposed to do,” He whispered before she could speak

“You will be ok Lance. I am still here. Rachel is here and she will be in some of your classes. You are still a McClain and you will be proud of it. You are going to have to be careful and strong. A lot of people will not like you because you are a McClain and there is nothing you can do about it. Just keep your head down, stay safe, and don’t talk to strangers. If you need me for anything don’t be afraid to find me ok.”

Veronica squeezed his hand as he nodded trying to take deep breaths and begging his tears not to fall. Not here. Not in front of everyone. 

“Don’t tell mom and dad,” Lance whispered and Veronica’s eyes widened slightly

“Lance-,”

“No please… not… not yet.”

Veronica chewed the inside of her cheek before nodding giving her brother another squeeze of the hand slowly letting go. She needed to go back. She would have to show the first years how to get into the Slytherin common room. Lance would have to go to his own house with his own housemates.

Veronica stood glaring at the stares from the others causing many others to quickly look away. She offered her brother a final smile before heading back to her own table. 

The chatter around him started up again. He went back to staring at his plate trying to gather his emotions again. The last thing he needed was to get a hard time from the others. Veronica just warned him it may already happen. He didn’t need to give them another reason. 

He needed to stay out of trouble. Not draw attention to himself. He needed to figure out how he was going to do this for seven years. How was he going to do this all alone? How was he going to explain to the rest of his family he was a Gryffindor? 

So focused on how his family was going to be when they found out he completely forgot about the other problem… the other Gryffindors. 

His fellow first year Gryffindors broke the ice fairly quickly. 

As they lined up behind their Prefect Lance was slightly abandoned at the back of the line. Those not from magic families seemed to have gathered the message pretty quickly to stay away from him. 

The thing was… he was exactly sure why?

Sure everyone in his family were Slytherins. That’s how it was. They were a well bred family with a long line of history. Some amazing witches and wizards were from his family and were well known before the times changed. Even now though his father held a high place in the ministry. Surely just because he was placed in the wrong house didn’t mean he had to be hated on… right?

Lance silently followed the rest of his classmates as their Prefect gave them a rundown of the how tos of the castle. Thing he already knew thanks to his siblings but he was keeping a sharp eye on how to get to the common room. Gryffindor wasn’t exactly in the dungeons like he was expecting to be. 

He felt a bit of awe come back to him as he entered the common room and was shown to the dormitories. Despite the situation it was rather beautiful in sense. Felt a bit like home even. 

Well for a bit anyway

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Lance jumped slightly looking at the one of the boys he was rooming with. There were six new Gryffindor boys this year and five new girls. All divided by gender Lance was still surprised to see that all the first year boys would indeed be rooming together. 

“I know,” Lance simply responded opening his trunk moving away from the glares across the room from him 

“Seriously, what a sick joke. A McClain in Gryffindor? Nah man it’s a prank at best,” the guy started again folding his arm over his chest

“I don’t understand the problem… did he do something?” One of the other boys whispered to the group

Must be a muggle-born but honestly Lance was curious to know as well. What did he do wrong?

“He’s from a long line of Slytherins. He should be a Slytherin. Even his twin was sorted in so obviously it must be a mistake,” another snorted

“Ok but what’s wrong with Slytherin?” The kid asked again

“Everyone there is evil.”

“That’s not true,” Lance quickly jumped in defense of his family, “I’ve heard all that before but it’s not true. Some of the kindest people I know were from-“

“Ahh that’s because you are all the same!” The head interrogator cut in, “Loyal to yourselves. Hardly each other. Only use each other for your own gain.”

“That’s not true,” Lance felt a whine build in his chest 

“Why are you defending them if you aren’t one of them?”

Lance turned his head to the left where another student was sorting his trunk as well. His bed right next to Lance’s. He seemed roughed up and his dark hair a bit too long to stay kept. 

“I think there was a mistake,” Lance tried

“The hat doesn’t make mistakes,” the guy said not looking up

“Well it must have this time. I don’t want him sleeping here!” the other guy butted back in who had started the whole thing

“Come on Griffin, you don’t really think he’s a spy or something,” the guy besides the muggle kid said

The Griffin kid snorted looking over at Lance again giving him a good up and down.

“You never know with those McClains. Dirty traitors. All of them.”

Lance pulled his pajamas on stuffing his extra things back in his luggage slamming it closed. He grabbed his pillow and comforter balling it up and sticking it under his arm. 

“You act like I’m thrilled about how this turned out. You really think I want to be stuck with some self centered bastards with a bad hero complex? Last I checked it wasn’t my dad who almost killed a whole muggle village because a spell backfired from messing around, Griffin. Though I’m pretty sure it was mine cleaning up your mess.”

Lance felt a bit smug. Of course he had heard about that. Griffin was a bit common but he wasn’t a complete idiot. He had religiously listened to all of his father’s work cases. Be it in several years he came home late to rant to his wife. His father warned him who to be careful of. 

Last he checked his father listed Griffins as idiots who play God 

He enjoyed watching Griffin pink up slightly as Lance walked out of the room slamming the door. 

Hopefully the couch was comfortable in the common room. 

———————

To Lance’s misfortune however the couch was not comfortable. 

He tossed and turned most the night only catching dozes. He had received a few odd looks from those who went to bed late as he waited for the couch to clear. The moment the room was free he rolled himself into his blanket and dozed. 

The odd feeling of misery rose in him. He missed his family. His mom. His sisters. His dad’s stories when he came home. Even his brothers who had since left the house. The small garden in the back of the house that he was often found in as a kid covered in mud. Even the small clearing in the woods nearby where they spent afternoons playing mini games of Quidditch when the whole family was over. 

If this was going to be Hogwarts, he wanted no part of it. If he was going to be hated on by his own housemates and be away from his family, then he would rather go to a stupid muggle school near home. 

This wasn’t going to be worth it

However he knew he couldn’t exactly write home yet to explain. Heck how would he. A long line of Slytherins just demolished like that by one weird child. His parents were going to be angry and confused. How did this go so wrong? This was supposed to be a good thing. 

Would his parents even let him back home?

That was the final thought that drifted through Lance’s brain and the first that came back to him when he woke up. 

He cautiously entered what was supposed to be his room. Quick to change and dart out before the others woke up. He was one of the first down for breakfast hoping to avoid… well anyone at this point. 

But he had to wait…

He waited at the farthest possible spot away from the other first years as they got their schedule. Their head of house was a tall tan man with glass. The same that had given them instructions the first night. He carefully went down the row giving instructions again as he handed over their schedules. Having to repeat himself to Lance alone as Lance couldn’t hear him over any snide remark that had been sent his way prior. Mainly how he shouldn’t share class with them but with the rest of the Slytherins instead. Only leading remarks that they probably wouldn’t want him either. 

Lance was about to mark this as the second worst day of his life. 

Their schedule was simple. Three days a week they had Defense Against the Dark Arts followed by Potions. After Lunch they would go to Transfiguration then Charms. Twice a week they had Herbology then History of Magic. In the afternoon Flying and Astronomy. Potions and Herbology occasionally had doubles. 

All in all several hours of hell

Lance had another worry. He was to share classes with other first years of different houses. What would Rachel do? Would her loyalty be with her house or would she look like a traitor to them to stay with her brother. 
 
The uncertainty almost made Lance lose his breakfast. 

He was simply grateful he managed to get out of the Great Hall and to his first class without a real incident. For the moment at least. He still had Defense Against the Dark Arts to get through. Not to mention the rest of the day. 

Lance slumped near the door waiting for it to open. Other students hang around as well. More noise rolled through his stomach as he realized who was joining them for this class. It would be Slytherin. It just had to be Slytherin. 

The door opened and Lance was quick to jump through. Taking refuge in the farthest corner he could. Ice settling in when he realized he would indeed be stuck with a desk mate. 

Others filed in. Most of the fellow Gryffindors gave one look at him before moving ahead of him. A few Slytherins looked at the seat besides him only to sit nearby but not next to him. 

So they didn’t exactly hate him yet. That’s good. 

He could hear the chatter from students around him. 

“My brother says he’s a great teacher! Has real life experience you know!”

“My brother says his arm is missing because of a werewolf!”

“Not possible!”

“I’m telling ya! All those scars he has great stories!”

Lance flinched to life as a body landed in the seat besides him. 

“Well… how is it?”

Lance took a few seconds before turning to Rachel who’s chin was rested in her palm as she faced him. 

“Well they hate me but I’m not dead so I guess that’s good,” Lance muttered in response warning a scowl from Rachel

“They hurt you, they would have a lot to answer to.”

“They would actually have to land a hit first,” Lance teased noting that there was a Gryffindor in front of him and he instantly wished he could take back his words

A dull bell echoed through the castle signaling class to start. Followed by a thud and a flurry of papers landing on the ground from the entrance way. They all look down to see a man with dark hair and a bit of grey towards the front with a heavily scarred face look up sheepishly. 

“Well I guess this is a hello and welcome!”

Chapter Text

The air in the room was rather awkward. One of those moments of do you laugh or run to help. 

But it was also the first day and lots of rumors were hovering around them of what to expect. 

It was the Gryffindor in front of Lance who was the first to laugh. The others chuckled slightly as he broke the ice. The professor only rolled his eyes and stood. A quick wave of his wand and all his papers were back in order tucked safely in his arms. 
 
“Yes! Sorry about that and thank you Kogane for laughing as I make an idiot of myself,” Lance was surprised to see the professor simply smile at the Gryffindor in front of him half expecting point deductions

“I am Takashi Shirogane, your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Please just call me Professor Shiro. Honestly Shirogane can be a mouthful even for me and Shiro is quicker.”

Lance felt a bit more at ease as the professor settled at his desk placing the papers aside. He then leaned his back against the front of his desk looking over the group of students in front of him. 

“I am also the Head of Hufflepuff but I don’t show favoritism per house. That would get you all nowhere. I’m also going to go ahead and knock if the standard question that will follow. No you don’t need to write these down,” he smirked noticed some students reach for quills

“I am missing my right arm and not from a werewolf. That is illogical. No, I will not tell you how. At least not your first year. Yes all my scars are from some sort of encounter minus the one on my ankle that was just a deep cat scratch.”

The room giggled, seeming to relax more under the man’s voice. He gave off a warm and gentle aura despite the rough looking appearance. His eyes kind despite the mess of a body he was in. He must have been in some serious pain at one point in his life.

“Yes my hair is natural. Happens when you get to be old I guess. I am married but my students are my children. I have office hours but if you need me outside of it don’t hesitate to contact me. I will do my best to help you in the ways I can. Now!” He clapped his hands making a few jump

A lot of students straightened themselves again ready for whatever potential danger was ahead. Would they face some creature day one? Would they be tested on something? Would they have to duel each other?

“Pull out quills and parchment and scribble some small things for me. Your name, house, a bit about yourself, what you expect to learn from this class, and lastly give me your greatest strength and weakness. These will be due at the end of class. This will help me on how I move forward with you all as a class together. How I am going to teach you. My goal is for you all to learn in this class and actually take experience from it. Not just be useless slugs the Ministry molds later on,” He paused his slight pacing he had started and turned back to them, “Don’t tell them I said that but when finished feel free to chat amongst yourselves and if all finish early enough we will have some fun!”

There was a rush to get started. Most students eager to see what ‘fun’ was for the oddly happy professor. Was this how all their classes were? If so, how dull. 

Lance looked down at his own parchment to start

Lance McClain

Gryffindor

Youngest of five and a twin 

I hope to learn how the Dark Arts work and the best way to avoid it if possible

Lance paused looking over it. It seemed silly and stupid writing it out. His answers however seemed just as dull as the questions. 

But the last question… strength and weakness 

His quill hovered over the parchment feeling pressured as some students now stood and dropped the assignment in the rack at the desk. Including Rachel who again slouched in her chair. 

What if he just didn’t put anything? Could he do that?

Lance shook his head feeling Rachel’s eyes on him. He could pick a weakness sure but what was his greatest. The heck was his strength. Did he have one?

“It doesn’t have to be serious Lance just put something down,” Rachel muttered 

Lance tried to hide the blush crawling up his neck as he mumbled something rude to her. He straightened up with his parchment quick to note he wasn’t the only one stuck on the last question. Though some were still writing a paragraph for what they wanted to learn. 

He dropped his neck to the others getting a small nod from the professor. He dipped his head back and quickly returned to his desk. Forgetting completely he never actually wrote an answer for the last question. 

Apparently Professor Shiro’s idea of fun was a knowledge quiz of sorts. Basically not fun. He would shout random questions of the basics they should know already and would startle the answer out of someone. 

It wasn’t fun at all. At least the McClain twins didn’t think it was. A few other students seemed to be in the same boat but several others got a bit too into it making it a competition against houses. 

Not all the questions were Defense Against the Dark Arts related. Some were on current events or facts about themselves. Like Lance got asked what his favorite non magical animal was. Shark obviously. 

Either way Lance was much more relaxed once the bell rang than he had been at the start of the day. He was even more relieved to find they shared Potions with the Slytherins. Meaning they could walk together and sit together and there would be no worries. 

For now at least

Potions was also a boring affair. Their Professor, a thin old witch, seemed extremely strict in the scariest possible way. 

“It is important to remember to listen to everything I say. One mistake you could die. You could kill your partner. Even kill a friend at lunch simply because you didn’t clean properly. So pay attention,” she slammed her hand on the table a row ahead of Lance causing Griffin to flinch slightly as she glared at him

Professor Alby was her name and if Lance remembers anything from his siblings is that she was indeed creepy and sneaky. She had no good to get on you, just don’t get on her bad side. She could make your whole life hell if you make one minor mistake. 

Apparently she took her job very seriously 

During lunch Lance once again found himself alone in the farthest corner of the table. He was able to actually eat today though which was much better than the night before. His nerves easing up and it was easier to ignore the glares from the other Gryffindors. 

It was becoming easier to ignore but it was still unsettling. If this was going to be his whole Hogwarts experience he didn’t know how well he was going to handle it. 

And if he was stuck sleeping on the couch he definitely couldn’t handle it

Transfiguration was next and Lance felt uneasy again. He had noticed for the most part all his fellow Gryffindors had more or less buddied up for the other two classes already. Plus lunch they all chatted so even those who hadn’t already known each other were getting friendly. 

Leaving Lance alone again in the far corner of the room. Empty seat beside him as the students entered. Just like Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions, his housemates would look at him and walk away. The only other constant was the dark haired boy who still looked like he just walked out of a fight, would always sit in the spot in front of him. 

He felt a bit more hopeful realizing they would be sharing the class with Hufflepuff. Hufflepuffs were nice right? At least they were supposed to be the more welcoming of the four houses. Though the more who came in Lance was wondering if rumor of his treacherous self already wandered to their ears. 

Several looked around for spots giving small smiles and nods but still avoided Lance’s corner with intent. A Hufflepuff girl dropped into the seat in front of him and tried to introduce herself to the other Gryffindor. 

Lance rolled his eyes at the boy as he only said Krogane and went back to ignoring her. He had the chance to meet someone new and the kid just blew her off. Granted Lance was starting to think ignoring people would be the way to go. Might make the days easier. 

“Hey could I take a seat here or is it saved already?”

Lance jumped slightly looking up. Surprised to see a large and tan Hufflepuff pointing at the seat next to him. 

“Oh no not saved feel free. I won’t disturb you.”

The boy nodded, seeming relieved. It’s when Lance noticed just how few seats were actually left. He must have just been a last choice then. 

“Oh Hunk Garrett by the way!” The boy reaches over offering his hand

Lance felt another way of relief rush through him. Maybe it would be ok after all. 

“Lance McClain.”

The Hufflepuff in front of them twirled around in her seat looking rather excited 

“Oh I heard about you! You don’t look very sinister and evil to me though! You look alright!”

Lance could feel embarrassment rush to his face as the girl with long blond hair stared at him with intent. 

“Uhhh thanks?”

“What you haven’t heard then?” She asked tilting her head

“I’m sure I get the idea,” Lance really didn’t want to say passed that especially when another Gryffindor was right in front of him 

She stuck out her hand eagerly despite the fact, “Romelle Prince.”

Lance shook her hand carefully as if someone would jump in to tell him off. The girl snorted slightly. 

“I’m not going to break.”

“I… it’s not I just,” Lance’s ears turned pinked and she giggled again as the door closed

Eyes all gathered to the Professor. Lance recognized him. Tall, tan, thin, with gold rimmed glasses and a serious stare. He was who called names at the sorting and was his head of house. 

“I’m Professor Wright. I’m your Transfiguration Professor and yes Gryffindor’s head of house but that doesn’t mean any favors to you. In fact I expect more.”

The Gryffindor in front of Lance snorted quietly but seemed to remain undetected by the Professor. 

“I am starting this year as a reminder. Magic is dangerous so pay attention. Yes we are learning basics but even you idiots can turn the basics into something disastrous so any violations of rules will result in detention or worse. I will not have errors in my classroom.”

Both Lance and Hunk shared a look and swallowed hard before focusing back. They had been worried about their Defense Against the Dark Arts but it seemed that maybe Transfiguration was the one to worry about.

“We will begin with my classroom rules and jump right into it. There is a lot to learn for exams so I expect you to start memorizing now.”

There was a flurry of activity now in the classroom as students dived for ink, quills, and parchment. The rules were drowned out for the class before most had even fully pulled themselves together. 

Lance felt the first true nervousness not for the situation he was in for his House and family but for the classes. He knew they were tough his siblings had drones on and on about it but so far the other classes they had as well as any professor they had run into had been kind and forgiving to the first years. Granted it was day one really. A lot was due to change. 

Lance heard a slight grumble beside him as the Hufflepuff tried desperately to keep up with the words quickly leaving the Professor’s mouth. Lance slid his notes over slightly and slightly kicked the Hufflepuff under the desk. Hunk glanced over then paused seeing Lance was still writing but had positioned his notes so that Hunk could also read what he missed. 

He hissed a thank you scribbling rapidly before returning to what was being said. 

The class droned from there. Quick fingers trying to catch every word flying from the Professor’s mouth before they left the room. The bell finally signaled the end of class and the first years slumped in relief till the Professor read what chapter he wants read before next class. Silent groans filled the minds of all the students. 

Lance stretched as he stood gathering his things. 

“Thanks for the save with the notes,” Hunk said gathering his items as well

“No problem.”

“What do you all have next?”

Lance looked up at Romelle who had asked. She had spun in her seat staring right at Lance waiting for his answer. Lance’s brain blank before finally blinking some sense into himself. 

“Oh Charms.”

Romelle frowned standing as well books in her arms, “Darn I was hoping I would actually get to talk to you. I’m curious about what the supposed evil Gryffindor is actually like.”

Lance ducked his eyes back down to his papers shuffling them a bit extra to buy time. He didn’t like the words coming from her mouth but what could he do to stop it. He still didn’t understand what was going on. 

“We probably have more classes together tomorrow,” Hunk said standing

“Oh yeah! True! I guess we will see we gotta book it… I don’t really know where we are going,” Romelle smiled sheepishly up at Hunk 

“I thought you said you knew this place like the back of your hand!” Hunk turning to check they were the last Hufflepuffs in the room

“I mean sorta! My cousin and uncle make it seem like I know where I’m going but I still get turned around. Don’t trust me too much now,” she teased

“You told me to trust you this morning!”

Lance laughed slightly standing and shouldering his bag. The attention now off of him, he could relax again. He gave a small wave and exited looking up to find where the rest of the house had gone. Spotting the bit of red just ahead he quickly aimed off towards Charms.

Chapter Text

Keith Krogane had honestly never really looked forward to Hogwarts. 

He had many other aspects in life he was more focused on than school. Much to everyone else’s displeasure. Life however gave him a curveball when he got his Hogwarts letter. 

He had already known he was magic. He didn’t have much memory of his father but he did recall magic in their little apartment growing up. He could vaguely piece together chasing a patronus as it darted around the kitchen. He could recall some plants that would try to bite him when he over watered them. He was pretty sure his favorite game when he was really young was simply watching his father create tiny lights from the top of his wand. 

The memories were buried deep under dust and blankets in his brain but they were there nonetheless.

He never knew his mother. His father never mentioned her or kept photos of her around for Keith to know. He also had no knowledge of grandparents on either side. 

But if at least one parent was magic he should be magic… right?

So when his father didn’t come home one evening there wasn’t anyone to check on Keith. In fact Keith’s father always told him never to leave the house alone so it wasn’t till almost two weeks later when someone finally broke down the door of their apartment to find a very terrified and hungry Keith hiding under him and his father’s shared bed. 

There was a short discussion in what to do before Keith was shipped off to one of the very few orphanages that specialized in future witches and wizards. So few that after some research Keith discovered there was only one in the whole country. 

There Keith lived cramped with ten other boys in his room alone. That wasn’t even counting the other rooms for the older boys and then the girls also had two rooms.

Magic there was rarely used. Why Keith never fully understood but it had something to do with the off chance one of the orphans didn’t actually have magic in their blood. 

Magic was typically used after hours when the kids slept and for special punishments that Keith was unfortunately well accustomed to. There were also two house elves that worked behind the scenes to keep things semi organized. 

But the head caretaker was a horrible woman. A Squib herself she had no magic and often had to borrow what she could from special items. Keith never understood why she accepted this position because she rather seemed to hate children. 

Keith often wondered if she just did it to feel a bit of power over those who had magic but he could never really prove it. 

But given how life had essentially tossed him aside school became the last thing in his mind. He was more concerned about having enough to eat daily and not getting beaten either by the caretaker or older kids. The idea of going to a place like Hogwarts where there were even more kids and adults was disgusting. 

Things had changed for him recently however. Just two months before he got his Hogwarts letter there had been an adoption event. 

Adoption events were held twice a year. The idea was not only to raise money but also to help potentially adopt out some of the kids. The ministry had always made sure the orphanage at least had enough basic funds for things like food and they would cover any expenses for those going to Hogwarts but it still wasn’t enough to keep caring for so many kids. 

To them kids didn’t require things like toys, books, and new clothes. Even for their Hogwarts who everything was heavily pre owned and too well used to last some kids past the first year. So any bit of money they could round up was a blessing. 

Keith remembered sitting at the event on a stool in the corner just as he always did. Curled up and silently watching people go by. It was held at a small wizard town not far from the orphanage. It coincided with a week long fair the town had for their founding. 

It was one of the few times the orphans could actually wander in small groups and have a bit of fun even if they had no money. They could watch the rides and lights. Then pathetically stare and drool at the food like dogs in the hope someone would toss them a bit. 

It was day three and Keith was already sick of it opting to hide by the booth and watch others in the distance. He already knew the drill by now. Obviously the young cute kids got adopted fairly easily. There was also desire in those older ones who performed and behaved well once they entered Hogwarts. 

It was disgusting. Picking older ones with good scores to brag about how good of a future witch or wizard they would turn out to be. Showering them in front of other adults while behind doors they were pressured to do better and better. 

Only more of a reason Keith hoped he could avoid going to the stupid place. Till then he would sulk in his corner and hope he could avoid detection. 

Something had caught his gaze in the crowd. A color not so easy to find. A deep purple that could almost be mistaken as black. Keith normally only saw it when he looked in the mirror. 

But there it was blinking only a few feet in front of him looking right at him

Keith picked up his head from his knees blinking slowly. It was still there. Purple eyes like his looking at him. They belonged to a woman who was moving through the tents. Short choppy dark hair that curled under her ears perked out from her hood. She was taller than her male counterpart who’s back was turned to Keith as he peeled around a tent flap. 

Who were they? Why did she seem familiar?

Keith carefully moved from the stool coming out from behind the stand they had set for the orphanage. A group of teens darted in front of him blocking his view for a moment. He caught the movement of the woman’s cloak ducking around the tent her partner had been peeking around. 

Keith set off in a jog after them. Dodging strangers as he chased their trail. The pair ducked behind some food vendors toward a dark alley. Warning bells going off in Keith’s head but he followed them anyway. 

He paused at the mouth looking in. A flickering light at the end perished the moment Keith entered. 

“Hello?” He called out

Carefully tiptoeing along the wall letting his eyes adjust to no light. He jumped slightly as a cat jumped out from a trash bin. He crouched slightly trying to steady his frantic heart. 

He swallowed his fear moving quickly toward the back of the alley. He saw them come this way. They had to be nearby. 

“Hello?” He tries again

He almost rushed head first into a wall. He carefully placed a hand on the wall and pushed. It was solid. No one was there. 

Keith shivered stuffing his hand in his pockets. It was stupid chasing them anyway. He didn’t know them. Must have been a trick of the light. 

Keith turned on his heel only to smack himself straight into what felt like another wall forcing him to fall on his ass. 

“Sorry kid! What the hell are you doing here?”

Keith froze looking up. The tip of a wand suddenly lit the area. A wizard stared down at him and Keith felt fear drip down his spine. The wizard had mismatched hair. Scars running across his face and neck. He looked to be missing an arm too. 

“Takashi?” A voiced called down the alley

The wizard turned and shook his head but raised his wand to shed more light around them. 

“Oh and you are?” The other wizard asked as he approached 

He was tall, tan, and thin. For whatever reason the look on his faces was scarier than that man with scars and a missing arm. 

“I didn’t do anything. Leave me alone,” Keith felt his voice shake and winced at the fact

“Easy kid we are just helping out. We thought someone was lost or something,” the one armed guy said

Keith slowly stood trying to stop his legs from shaking under him but he cornered in a dark alley by two wizards he didn’t know. They weren’t exactly keen on not shaking right now. 

“I’m- I’m fine. I was just heading back to the fair,” Keith tried to roll back his shoulders and tilt his chin up

He could be brave. He had gotten into enough fights with the older kids and he had figured it out pretty quickly. He could at least fight enough to get away. 

“Oh we just came from there too. Why don’t we walk back together?” The one with glasses over a hand toward Keith but Keith simply shrank back a bit 

The man dropped his hand with a sigh, “We aren’t leaving you here. The least you can do is follow us to the fair so we can get you back home alright?”

Keith flinched at that too. The orphanage was not his home. He refused to call it that. It was just a temporary marker till he could either escape or age out. One or the other. 

The wizards looked at each other before back down at Keith. 

“You don’t want to go home?” The one with glasses asked

“It’s not home,” Keith muttered bitterly

“Oh are you with the orphanage?” The wizard with one arm seem to piece things together 

Keith nodded slightly. 

“No big deal. Follow us. We can take you back to the booth safely. It’s not safe for you to be wandering around like this at night,” the wizard flicked his wand slightly letting the light fade leaving them at the mercy of the moon

Keith really didn’t feel safe about any of it. They weren’t giving him much of a choice however. 

They made their way back toward the main part of the fair when Keith was supposed to stay. The familiar feeling of panic formed in his gut when he realized if the caretaker found out he was going to get a beating tonight. Subconsciously rubbing his wrist remembering the last time. 

He could feel eyes on him the whole way back. It made his skin crawl. He wanted to go back to his stool and not move ever again. Why did he go after strangers just because they had similar eyes? Maybe it was just a trick of the light anyway. Maybe they weren’t even really there. 

Keith spotted the booth just across the way and he slowed to a stop. The two wizards stopped as well looking down at the boy. 

“I can make it from here… thank you,” he ducked his head and muttered praying they wouldn’t walk him all the way there

He was lucky. They nodded and waved him off watching to make sure he was safely back. Keith took a seat on his stool again and that was where he stayed the rest of the evening till they went back for the night. 

The next evening they were back at the fair. Day four of seven. Keith yawned from his stool and leaned against a bit of wood besides him. 

He watched as kids ducked around the tents, squealing and playing. Enjoying their bit of freedom with the regular world. He also watched as a few couples visited the booth. Talking to the volunteer and caretaker available. Another volunteer was back at the orphanage to watch over the smaller ones that couldn’t venture out just yet. 

It was the most help the orphanage ever got was days like this. 

A pair walked by stopping at the table casually picking up a pamphlet. Keith blinked twice before realizing it was the two wizards from the night prior. The two that made sure he got back safely. 

The one with glasses must have felt his gaze as he looked up to meet it. He had a cold stare. Very unforgiving but there was a hint of something else Keith couldn’t pinpoint. 

He watched as the pair chatted with the caretaker for a few brief moments before leaving. Only a few hours later the one with the glasses seemed to materialize besides Keith offering him a small bag of popcorn. Keith took it very hesitantly saying a thank you and the man disappeared into the night again. 

Day five the wizard who lacked the arm came back by. He talked lightly with Keith. Asked him basic questions. His age, name, what he liked to do, etc. 

Keith gave the standard short and wary answers. He wasn’t an ideal candidate for the majority of people. He already knew that. Every kid had a record attached to them that was open to the public and he knew his list of fights and problems were easily the longest of them all. Compared to his accomplishments and special talents… which were none. 

Day six the pair came back. This time asking Keith if he would walk with them. Keith felt obligated. They could easily mention to the caretaker where they had originally found him. He could see a heavy punishment in his future if she found out. 

So he walked with them. 

He could feel them reading him as they asked questions or simply talked. He could feel them analyze every time he flinched or jumped. He could feel their stares as he turned down sweet after sweet offered to him. He felt them watching in the few moments Keith did relax watching the kids chase each other with sparklers and as they watched the firework show later that night. 

“You are afraid of getting attached to things aren’t you,” the wizard with the glasses who had finally introduced himself as Adam Wright said

Keith made a face, “The last time I trusted someone the left without warning and it took two weeks for anyone to come looking.”

“So you think it’s better to walk around life detached?” The other wizard who had introduced himself as Shiro asked

Keith simply shrugged as they made their way back to the booth. 

Day seven was the final day of the fair. 

Keith had noticed the caretaker throwing him smug looks. She doted on him a bit extra before leaving making sure he looked semi decent. 

“Why are you bothering?” He snapped as she moved his hair out of his eyes only to cover it again noting a fresh bruise from a fight in the bathroom that morning

“Because I don’t know if they just feel bad for you and want to take on a charity case or if they actually care but for once someone is actually interested in you problem child,” she rolled her eyes gather her normal paperwork for the evening

After that remark Keith tried to stay behind. He wasn’t actually sure how he felt about it. Being adopted was something he never thought of. 

The more he thought about it the more it terrified him. 

One of the older boys eventually dragged him out of the closet and helped pack him into the van to head to the final day of the fair. 

“You know you can ask them questions too so it’s less scary,” one of the older girls muttered watching Keith cling to the seat on the way there

The thing is the pair hadn’t seemed like bad people. The longer they had walked he had noticed the more Adam seemed to relax. Shiro was honestly like a giant kid himself eying the rides and games glancing between the other two ready to go for it at a moments notice. 

But he didn’t really know them 

He knew they were teachers currently but had only accepted the teaching jobs in the past few years. Prior they did a lot of research and traveling. Still sorta do outside of classes. He knew they met in school and dated for eight years before marrying a few summers ago. 

But really that was it

Keith hoped they wouldn’t come back that final day. His hopes were dashed when he spotted them already by the booth. The caretaker handed them some papers and then they left simply waving at Keith. 

Keith took spot on his stool and let his mind wander. He wondered what papers she gave them. Was it his shitty record? Maybe it was the full list of children available. What if they spotted a better kid? There were tons more that would probably love a quiet life in a small house with a family. 

The thought of them taking home a different kid however still didn’t ease Keith’s thoughts. In fact it simply turned his stomach more. 

When the fair ramped up again the pair came back asking Keith once again to walk with them. He really wanted to say no. To stay with the safety of his stool but that twisting and turning in his gut didn’t let him. 

They led him to the edge of a small pond not far from the edge of the fair. They sat and simply patted the ground besides them. 

“You don’t like the orphanage do you?” Adam started 

“I don’t think any kid is supposed to like an orphanage,” Keith answered flatly

“He means.. you struggle more than others there… right?” Shiro asked looking between the pair making sure he was correct

Keith simply shrugged, keeping his eyes out toward the water.

Adam pulled out the papers he had been given earlier, “You’ve been there for almost five years. You’ve been in close to one hundred and thirty-five fights. Not counting the one this morning. You are behind in basic schooling even though you are supposed to start Hogwarts this year. You have a habit of hiding and storing food. You avoid people if possible.”

“Are you just going to keep listing how much of a disaster I am?” Keith asked before he could continue 

Adam set the papers down looking over at Keith. The silence around them pecked at by the sounds of the fair not far from them. 

“You have sat on the stool the whole fair unless asked to walk minus when we found you in the alley. So why were you there?”

Keith looked at the pair only to shrug.

“So you weren’t following some people?” Adam asked resulting in Keith glancing up at him

So he hadn’t imagined it. 

“She seemed… familiar,” Keith whispered 

“So why lie about it then?” Shiro asked

Keith picked at his fingernails. He felt like this was a police investigation. 

“You thought you would get punished for wandering so far,” Adam finished eyes not moving off Keith

“If you knew the answer why would you ask?”

“You don’t lie per say you simply avoid answering which leads me to believe you want to behave at least a little bit,” Adam continued 

Keith made a face at the statement. It felt like an odd thing to say. 

“So why all the acting out? Are you afraid of someone or is it self defense?” Shiro asked

Keith moved his knees to his chest letting his chin rest on top so he could look out. 

“It was always just me and dad. No one came by the apartment and I never left. Then he left and I stayed. They are piranhas there. I don’t…” Keith moved a hand under him to scratch at the dirt, “I’m not good with people and they are piranhas. I’m even worse with piranhas.”

The two wizards shared a look. Silent communication in the blink of an eye for the two of them and everything seemed to pull together. 

“You are supposed to go to Hogwarts after this summer. Can you handle the piranhas there?” Shiro asked

Keith shrugged again, “I never thought much of school. Just on getting through the day.”

Just surviving. That’s what he had worried about. 

“And if someone gave you the chance,” Adam let his question waver out

Keith snorted looking at the stack of papers besides Adam

“Probably stupid of them. I have nothing to offer. I’m not a cute baby to raise as their own. I’m not a top student to brag about. I can hardly hold a regular conversation. I flinch at everything and hide easily because that was what I was taught my whole life to do and it’s kept me alive this long. So unless someone wants a hide and seek champion I have nothing to offer.”

“You're a kid you’re not supposed to offer anything you are suppose to live life without worry,” Shiro said with a weird look in his eye 

“You are not supposed to be livestock,” Adam added looking back down at the papers

Keith didn’t respond. Honestly he never knew what other kids were like. He had lived in a little apartment with just one person before being tossed into the deep end with a ton of orphans. None of them were normal either and most could hardly tell him what it was like before they were dumped there. 

“So what would you do if someone actually gave you a chance?” Shiro asked

Keith could feel both men looking at him waiting for a response. He didn’t know what answer they wanted. He didn’t know what to give them. He had never had the luxury to wonder. 

His mind wandered. When was the last time he was truly happy? It had been years right? A toddler really. What did he want to then? Could he even answer that?

Did he even want a chance?

“I guess I would just have to keep trying to survive wouldn’t I?”

Chapter Text

Everything after that night happened in what felt like the blink of an eye. 

There were forms filled, a house check, background check, and so many interviews that heads spun. The adoption process wasn’t any easier simply because they possessed magic. 

It felt like a weird dream. Keith wakes up his first night at Shiro and Adam’s house carefully wandering down to see breakfast almost ready. No one fighting over food or where to sit. Shiro almost buring the pancakes so Adam finally made him sit with Keith at the table. Shiro asked how he slept and if there was anything he needed to make himself more comfortable when an owl flew in. 

The odd sense of such domestic living didn’t seem to want to sink in to Keith yet especially when Shiro smiled as he looked at the letters that were delivered and handed one with a Hogwarts symbol over to Keith. 

“Oh I forgot that was today,” Adam said wiggling his nose

Keith could only stare at it. He still wasn’t sure. It felt fake. There was still no excitement about the thought of going to Hogwarts. Granted he no longer had to technically focus on just surviving… at least currently but there were still several other things he had to worry about. 

Like if he could actually make a family out of what was in front of him

Wouldn’t it be a bit too soon for him to be jumping into school if he was supposed to be trying to bond with the pair who had just adopted him? Granted they had spent a lot of time together over the past few months while getting things ready. 

It’s just…

They were still technically strangers… just strangers that knew his life story and he knew a fraction of theirs

“Oh before I forget… holidays,” Adam said, sliding the final pancake to the top of the stack, placing the group on the table, “Typically for Christmas we are stuck there. Nothing we can really do about it. We always try to rotate holidays as professors if we can but some of us always have to stay behind for the students that don’t go home. Easter Holiday typically we take a mini vacation just to enjoy time before dealing with the panic sessions of finals. If that sounds alright.”

Keith blinked slowly looking at the pair, “What do you mean stuck there?”

Shiro and Adam looked at each other for several long moments before Shiro’s eyes widened to a hysterical amount. 

“We told you we were teachers… we never really said for what or where did we?” He asked 

Keith shook his head as the pieces slowly flew together in his brain

“Oh… that’s awkward. We both teach at Hogwarts,” Adam confirmed sitting down at the table 

It was at the moment Keith decided he would rather die than go to Hogwarts. 

Yet there he was

They had exited Charms which was their final class of the day. He rubbed the back of his neck slightly as he walked back toward the common room. Why was their first day so packed full of all the hard stuff?

He was already looking forward to simply taking a shower and going to bed. Seemed like a perfect idea however there was the whole thing of dinner and the fact that some jerks actually gave them homework already. 

Plus he was at Hogwarts… while he didn’t want to be here to start with he was curious about all the secret places the castle held that the older kids had talked about. 

Keith dumped his belongings back in the room groaning as he took a moment to stretch out on the bed. Most of the other first years doing the same. 

“How are we supposed to have fun if everyday is like this,” Griffin groaned 

“It’s school. It’s no different than muggle school… well minus magic,” the muggle born said looking over what seemed to be his Charms notes

“Did it freak you out finding out about all this?” The guy Keith had only recently found out to be Kinkade

Honestly he still wasn’t sure of anyone else’s names. He hadn’t bothered asking. 

“Kinda. Like stuff had always happened that we could never explain. Though there were accidents or ghosts at a point. Ma even called a priest to bless the house,” the kid snorted at the memory

Keith sat up slightly looking off toward the empty bed besides his. The McClain kid hadn’t come back with them. 

“Anyway when Professor Rune came to explain Hogwarts to us and everything I guess it kinda felt like a joke. Then he showed us you know his wand and magic and such it kinda felt more and more like it made sense. Then of course we got lost in the shopping place and at the station because directions are something you all don’t do right.”

“Wait Watson, who’s Professor Rune?” Kinkade interrupted 

“Oh Muggle studies,” the muggle born answered, “Anyway… it still sorta feels like a fever dream. Like it’s still kinda fake but at the same time it answers a lot of questions.”

“I could never imagine not growing up without magic,” Griffin muttered looking over at Watson, “How do you all manage to do… well anything? We use magic so heavily in the house to do even basic choirs. Couldn’t imagine having to do all that without it.”

Watson chuckled, “That sounds dramatic. It’s really not that difficult. Maybe you use it as a crutch.”

Griffin scowled slightly, looking ready to toss a pillow at Watson only for the last boy who’s name Keith still didn’t know blocked it. 

“Magic in the household is a bit or a crutch don’t you think?”

“Oi Thomas why you gotta rain in my parade!”

“Oh yeah aren’t you half?” Kinkade asked Thomas

“Yeah dad has magic then he married my mom who is a muggle. I actually have an older brother who was born without magic so I think I surprised them a bit.”

Griffin let out a low whistle, “Must be weird then. Was he mad at you?”

“Who my brother? I don’t think so. I think he was just as shocked as the rest of us. I guess when he didn’t have magic my dad simply thought I wouldn’t either.”

Griffin turned his attention to Keith who was still staring off with zero thoughts in his brain. 

“What about you Kogane? You awful quiet over there.”

Keith tilted his head back slightly. His hair falling out of his face showing off the healing bruise on his face. 

“My dad was for sure. Never knew my mom though so couldn’t tell you honestly.”

“Oh sorry,” Griffin muttered but Keith only shrugged 

He was use to it

“What about the McClain kid? What exactly is his deal?” Watson asked

“Oh yeah guess you really don’t know,” Griffin said turning his full attention back to Watson

Keith turned slightly facing the rest of the group. He had heard his fair share of stories. From kids at the orphanage and from sneaks of The Daily Prophet. He knew the McClains had something to do with a lot of the recently aged out kids being orphans. He never really knew why though. He did know that those kids cursed the McClains every chance they got. 

“Well there are those who use magic for good and those who use it for their own selfish wishes right? The McClains are kinda the epitome of the second you can say. They are responsible for a lot of blood spilled over the years. Basically for as long as there has been a McClain there has been treason,” Griffin said as Kinkade made a face

“You don’t just,” Kinkade sighed looking over to Watson as well, “He’s not entirely wrong he just explained it poorly. Any war or major controversy that has involved witches and wizards through the years has been heavily dependent on how the McClain clan acts. They hold positions in all places of the Ministry. They have a lot of information, power, and blood. Basically whatever side they choose is often the side that wins and the other side shrivels in pain for several years.”

“If that’s so… does that mean the wizarding world is currently controlled by dark wizards?” Watson asked

It was an honest question. The pair definitely had made it seemed like the McClains chose evil thus evil must be in charge. 

“No,” Kinkade rubbed the back of his neck looking toward the empty bed, “It is more like… they have no loyalty that makes them dangerous. The last war was what fifty years ago now? I don’t know the full details but my grandfather was involved in the war. It was over muggleborn restrictions. For a while even if you were a witch or wizard if you had non-magical parents you had a ton of restrictions. It used to be worse. Like really bad at one point.”

Keith rolled his eyes as Kinkade danced around the details, “They were often killed or enslaved. Then they got rights close to what hundred years ago, but had limits. Like they couldn’t hold a job in the Ministry or couldn’t teach. Things like that,” Keith cleared for Watson who seemed to pale at the thought

“That’s what the war was over was for their rights,” Kinkade answered glancing over at Keith, “May seem a bit stupid thinking back on it now but it got very tense. A lot of wizards didn’t think it was right. They thought they would take what they know of magic and share it with the muggles you know. Teach them about what we really are.”

“It can be hard to explain so much history and legality to a group of people who had often banished and murdered so many in the past you know,” Griffin added, “Think of all those stories they use to tell of burning and hanging suspected witches and wizards it’s obvious why the whole wizard if world went into hiding. There are still more of them than us. It’s a safety thing. So they were worried if people found out magic was a thing again how it would turn out.”

“People are selfish and greedy in general and fear what they don’t know. Those with magic were afraid they would lose their ways and their life. While those without magic are likely to be greedy or scared of the idea of it. But there was still the fact that muggleborns were being treated like shit over it,” Keith added, “Basically the whole thing was over fear and the shitty treatment the muggleborns got.”

“Ok… so what happened? Obviously I’m at this school right and they told my parents what was up. So what happened?” Watson asked shifting slightly

“Well at first they tried simply changing laws to make life better for everyone but there were riots. Some say it wasn’t enough, others too much, Griffin added, “It escalated from there. Turned into a proper war. Wasn’t safe for a long time to simply walk down the street. If your neighbor knew that you had non magic parents they could easily kill you or protect you against others. It was a mess.”

“There was no real end near after about five years. The McClains had been rather silent up till then. There was a mass murder in a small muggle village. Apparently a group of people went through the whole place and killed all of them. Didn’t leave even the children. They were caught and charged obviously but that’s when the McClains finally gave their say,” Kinkade said looking up at the ceiling as if the memory was written up there

“Why was that the breaking point?” Watson asked

“No clue. Some say they had family or friends there. Some say maybe it was too close to where they lived. Whatever it was it the morning the news broke the McClains shut down the entire Ministry building. Held people hostage till something was done about it. Higher ups who were against the muggleborns died if they resisted. Was a whole mess but it worked,” Kinkade sighed as if sprouting off a history lesson was not in his plans for the day

“But they are the reason the laws were changed right? The reason I can come to school?”

“Yes and no,” Griffin was quick to cover, “They wanted to give them full rights and titles but they argued that they should have their own society. Just abide by our rules and kept as a barrier between magic and nonmagic. So essentially they were free but still tied to our society. They were still essentially outcasts to the wizard it community.”

Watson leaned against the back of his bed. Looking at the group of boys in front obviously still very lost in the entire situation.

Keith sighed, “A lot of people liked the idea but there were the hidden clauses the McClains put in. It was never publicly released what the hidden clauses were but it was enough for the Ministry to say absolutely not. It was enough however to get people to calm down and properly talk. It took five more years but muggleborns were granted full rights and citizenship. You can do everything and anything any other wizard can do but it was because of the McClains hidden clauses.”

“So… I’m not in danger?” Watson seemed to have a bit of color back in his face

“No not at all,” Kinkade settled the boys fears 

“Ok… but I still don’t understand the McClain issue. You say traitors but what they did there 

seemed… mostly fine.”

“That was the thing,” Griffin butted in again, “This was the first time ever the McClains stepped away from the Slytherin ideology which created a rift for a long time. They already had a rift with the rest of society. Prior there were issues in their stance with Magic’s Creature laws, how to handle the Muggles when they discovered magic, how to handle government interaction with them, the time they demolished an entire forest including the rare type of unicorns that were there, and so on. Their track record isn’t a good one. They would sooner stab you in the back prior to offering a hand. They always have secret clauses hidden in their offers to make you stay bound to them.”

“In short,” Kinkade raised a hand to break off Griffin’s rambling, “The wizarding community just doesn’t trust them. They respect them because of their power but being friendly with them means nothing really. They do what interests and benefits them.”

“If they picked a side of evil or good it wouldn’t be a problem but they just,” Griffin waved a hand with a huff

“Can’t trust a snake when you know it bites but you don’t know if it holds venom,” Keith finished looking to the group

Griffin clapped his hands together pointing at Keith, “Exactly!”

Thomas shifted slightly from his spot. He had been quiet the whole conversation. Likely unaware of even who the McClains were till that point. He cleared his throat grabbing attention from around the room. 

“Well I don’t know about you lot but I’m rather ready for dinner.”

Chapter Text

Well the reason Lance hadn’t gone back to the Gryffindor common room was fairly simple. 

The damn password 

He had outright forgotten it. In his shock of being deemed a Gryffindor he completely missed what the password had been. It didn’t help that as he awkwardly waited for someone who did know it he would typically receive a glare which made him uneasy to follow in. 

Because they must have figured out the situation and whispered the password to the Portrait. Slipping in before he could really get the chance to follow. 

This freaking sucked

Lance finally sucked down his courage and took a few hesitant steps toward the Fat Lady. She looked down at her with a small smile as if she already knew. 

“I can’t let you in without the password. If you have forgotten it you have to ask a classmate. I’m sorry.”

“Please… they won’t… can I even get a hint?” Lance tried glancing around praying no one was witnessing this

She sighed and shook her head, “Sorry honey. Rules are rules. You aren’t the first student who’s had this issue. You won’t be the first who sleeps in the hall either if you can’t get it.”

“Are you serious,” Lance squeaked clutching his bag closer to him 

“Oh come off it. Seriously,” Lance jumped at the voice behind him

The boy behind him looked down at Lance and shook his head slightly readjusting the glasses on his nose, “Wattlebird and can’t for once you be kind to the first years Ms?”

“You just say that because I left you outside a time or two!” She huffed but swung open

The boy who gave the password tilted his head through the hole in indication for Lance to enter first. He quickly hurried through not wanting to waste the opportunity. Though now he had the password life would be a smidge easier. 

“Thank you seriously. I was starting to think I was going to be out there all night,” Lance muttered keeping his eyes low

This was really his first time having an interaction with an older Gryffindor. He wasn’t sure what to expect exactly. 

“Don’t worry about it. Just remember to lock in on that password. Getting caught out passed curfew sucks and it’s even more embarrassing when it’s over a forgotten password,” the boy chuckled rubbing the back of his head joining Lance up the stairwell

“Definitely. Thank you. Thank you again,” Lance stopped himself from almost bowing 

“Seriously don’t stress,” the boy paused mid step right before the floor leveled off, “And… if the others keep giving you trouble then find me alright? I’m not a Prefect or Head Boy or anything but I can’t at least beat it through their skulls.”

Lance’s eyes widened and he nodded. The boy seeming satisfied nodded and kept climbing. 

Lance arrived in the room just as the others were about to head down for dinner. He was thankful to have the room to himself for a spare moment. Though he could feel extra heat in their gazes as they passed each other. Almost heavier and angrier than others he had gotten. Even the muggleborn seemed to be giving him a look. 

Lance was pretty sure he would be sleeping on the couch again tonight… maybe even for the rest of his time here. 

Maybe he didn’t have to come back after his first year. He could transfer couldn’t he? Avoid these tense moments and future years of torture. 

Maybe when he finally gets the courage to tell his mother the problem they can discuss it with his father. Move to a differ school. Not have to face the rest of the family and admit he wasn’t a Slytherin. It’s not like the cross reference other schooling houses right? He could be the cool one who was an exchange student or something. No one had to know. 

Dinner was as the rest of the meals were. Far away as he could get from the other even if not by choice. Quietly eating as he reviewed his notes from earlier that day. 

Lance found himself lucky enough when he returned to the common room that evening to steal one of the desks and chairs in a far corner and went ahead and started on his homework. Most others were socializing. Not worried about their school work just yet. A few older students however seemed to be writing long essays already only to throw some in a bin and restart. 

Honestly Lance didn’t feel like starting his work but it wasn’t like he could retire to his bed with others around. He also would have to wait till everyone went to bed before he could crash on the couch like last night. 

Lance winced as he was hit with a wave of homesickness. He could smell his mother’s bread baking as they sat by the fire telling jokes or wrestling. The worn leather of the couch was soft and form fitted to his body already. 

He winced again

Could he ever go back home?

Dread filled him as he realized he would be home winter break. He could stay… but what could he say as the reason? Homework maybe? What would Rachel and Veronica say? Would they come clean to their family despite Lance’s request?

This was going to be his school year. Curled up alone in a corner doing homework. Sleeping on the couch. His only relief would be the classes his sister was in. 

How was this only day one?

Lance was grateful everyone seemed to ignore him. It gave him a moment to recompose himself as tears dotted the book in his lap. Words too bleary to be read at this point anyway.

—————

Keith hadn’t had many dreams since Shiro and Adam moved forward to adopt him. Well he did but they were different than what he was used to. They typically woke him up in a sweat over being sent back to the orphanage or something along those lines. 

But he meant his normal dreams

The dreams of a still lake and purple eyes that change to yellow then silver in a flash. Where a mansion changes to a suffocating box in the ground. Crows call out only to change into something heavy with hair. There was always that voice calling to him. 

He could never make sense of these dreams but they always held the same topics. Occasionally something would shift and return or disappear for a year before making a new appearance. 

But they willed him often amd they seemed to have return 

Keith woke as his name was whispered and the eyes that had turned to yellow faded back to purple. The sun wasn’t fully up yet. Breakfast was still a bit away. There was a sense of grey outside that the rays hadn’t broken through yet. Everyone else still sleeping peacefully around him. 

Well expect McClain

Maybe that’s why he woke because a few moments later the door was eased open. The boy’s blue eyes darted around making sure he didn’t wake anyone. Keith played asleep for the moment. 

He slipped in trying not to drag his comforter on the floor with some difficulty. Keith could hear him carefully put the blanket back in place. Keith wondered if he had even brought a pillow with him last night. 

McClain moved so quietly, honestly Keith almost cracked a look to see if he was still there. He was of course. Stepping into his uniform for the day and reorganizing his bag. 

Keith felt a bit bad at the current situation. The kid obviously hadn’t done anything yet just his family. He may not even know what his family was responsible for. In all honesty the story they told the muggleborn weren’t even the full stories. 

Most were more bloody and traitorous but even they didn’t fully know what had happened and couldn’t share light. 

It was hard to believe the kid trying not to upset anyone and going well out of his way to not have to face anyone was from a family with more blood in their hands than sat in this very school. 

Honestly Keith felt curious himself. Half tempted to talk with Shiro and Adam about what they knew. Though they may not be willing to give talk some freely with McClain supposedly asleep in the bed next to their new son. 

Keith waited almost fifteen minutes after McClain slipped back out before starting his own day no longer able to just lay there. The others stirred just as he was finishing. 

The Great Hall matched the sky outside. A hint of grey as if the light was no match today. Some students had already made their early way to breakfast but most were still dragging themselves around their common rooms. 

Keith was not surprised to see McClain well away from the few older students already seated. Keith honestly not keen on morning talk either yet picked somewhere in the middle and filled his plate with some eggs and ham. 

“I’m surprised to see you up so early.”

Keith jumped slightly tilting his head back and seeing Shiro and Adam walking in together. 

Keith simply shrugged, “Woke up early.”

Shiro hummed stealing a grape off the table earning a light smack from Adam, “We have our own food.”

“By the way. Just because you are a student and you have to stay as such in class doesn’t mean you can’t seek us as needed. Plus your welcome to afternoon tea this Sunday if you aren’t busy with anything,” Adam said slowly taking note of the other students entering the hall

“Obviously timing wasn’t ideal for us to completely get to know each other but we are family now. At least the beginnings of one,” Shiro smiled softly as Adam tapped his elbow 

“We will see you around,” Adam said dragging his husband up to the staff table

For the first time Keith wondered if he could actually talk about them to the other students. That they were together and that they had recently adopted him. Sure some of the other orphans here probably knew but was there some rule?

He would have to ask on Sunday. 

Chapter Text

Lance felt a bit of relief echo in him when the Hufflepuff who sat next to him in Transfiguration and the Hufflepuff who had sat in front of him took either side of him when they entered Herbology. Even more relieved to find out they would also have History of Magic together and they had a long enough break between classes where Prince offered to show the pair where the library was. 

“I hope I don’t have to spend much time in here honestly but I know my cousin is obsessed with it,” she said as they entered 

“You talk of your cousin a lot. Do we ever get to meet her?” Garrett asked as they entered 

She giggled, “Oh I’m sure she’s here now!”

Romelle Prince was definitely… something. She dragged the boys around showing them different sections of the library getting a slight side eye from the librarian. Prince only flipped her hair over her shoulder giving a small wiggle of her fingers as they pressed on. 

Toward the back of the library there were some round tables in the center of the cases. Each row also held a lined table and desk easy ways to take notes without moving the book far from its home. 

Lance saw her before Prince could squeal and dart over to her. 

Romelle Prince was what Lance would consider a pretty girl. Though in all honesty his mother joked he wouldn’t care what a girl would look like till he was in his teens but he had asked enough questions about the girls his brothers brought over for his mother to explain the ways of dating. 

“One day a lovely girl will catch your eye. Maybe it’s her beauty or her smarts but something will draw you to her. You will want to get to know her and talk to her. If you find that you like her well enough and she shares the feelings then you might start dating but that’s all something for another time.” She had patted his head as she went on to making lunch that day

Well the girl in front of him was making him think he understood what his mother meant. 

Long white hair framed her dark face and dropped all the way to her waist. Her eyes a different kind of blue to his own but beautiful nonetheless. Lance felt spoiled looking at her. Like she was something too pretty for his eyes to see. 

“Guys this is my cousin! Allura Altea!”

And there’s the problem 

Ice felt like it dumped over his head clearing his thoughts. He should not be in a room with an Altea. He should be far away. Very far away. Not here. 

And Romelle Prince was a cousin 

Again far away. Very far away. They should not be friendly with each other. 

The McClains were big fans of not talking to strangers which Lance has very obviously been doing since his arrival. 

But you definitely don’t talk to a Altea

He honestly would have spun on his heels and walked out if Garrett wasn’t right behind him. 

“Oh hello,” She waved with her free hand while the other clutched a pile of books to her chest, “Please just call me Allura. I hate the formalities.”

“She’s a third year in Ravenclaw,” Prince filled in turning to the pair so they could introduce themselves 

Luckily Garrett didn’t seem as stuck on what to do, “Hunk Garrett. Like Romelle I’m a Hufflepuff first year.”

Lance felt the eyes shift to him. He could feel the tug of war in his guts as he opened his mouth. Prince had to know right? So this was a joke? A set up? He felt like just looking at the girl was going to set their families aflame. 

“Lance. Gryffindor first year,” he managed 

He knew it sounded a little choked. He was sure skipping his last name wouldn’t go unnoticed. It felt like a sin not being proud of his family but the McClain vs Altea battle was already problematic enough. He didn’t need to escalate it. 

“Pleasure to meet you both,” she said with a small smile, “If any of you ever need help or directions don’t be strangers. I know my cousin here tries to show off a bit but she’s going to get you lost eventually,” she teased

“Oh she did the first day don’t worry,” Garrett waved slightly as Prince huffed and rolled her eyes

“It helps I spend so much time here. I’ve learned a lot of the secrets of this castle. I have no issues sharing to those who can use it as well,” she shrugged 

“Well yeah it helps that your father is Headmaster. He probably showed you all the little hidden spots!” Prince bumped Allura lightly with her shoulder

Allura only chuckled slightly, “Or he knows I would use it for mischief. He tells me nothing for a reason,” she glances at her watch and tuts slightly, “If you have class you need to hurry. Last thing I want to hear from our Professors is you saying it’s my fault you're late to class.”

Prince rolled her eyes and gave her cousin a quick hug. Garrett gave a quick nice to meet you and turned to follow Prince out. Lance gave a slight head nod turning as well. 

“Oh Lance,” Allura said, readjusting her books but faced the bookshelf again, “You are not your pedigree. It’s wise to learn that now before they take advantage of it. Take it from someone who knows.”

Lance paused slightly before nodding again and followed Prince and Garrett out of the library. 

————

Lance felt grateful History of Magic was dull. It gave him time to recenter his brain. Only for them to move on to a class Lance honestly thought was the stupidest thing for him to be at. 

“Welcome to your first flying lesson first years. As you see you are set in mixed groups based on a guess of experience. Now you all may find this dull since this is the group we assumed had the most experience. It’s simple. Do well the first two weeks and you can test out. Wish to stay and we combine you with the rest of the groups. Clear?”

Lance nodded but felt a bit intimidated as the professor walked by all of them. He was tall. Demanded attention. Thin but the muscles in his hand alone made Lance think the muscles under the robes probably matched. 

He hadn’t even given his name

Lance was thankful to be with Rachel again. Apparently the only class of the day they had together. Next was his Astronomy with Ravenclaw but it wasn’t even till after dinner. 

But this had to be the most useless class he had to take

Well for any McClain to take

Their backyard was well coated with tree cover and the closest muggle household was far enough that even if they flew above the treeline they wouldn’t be spotted. So that granted the McClain kids many hours of flying growing up and it was something their parents made sure they could do as easily as they could walk. So it was no surprise they were often well ahead of the curb.

It was natural that they often found themselves on the Quidditch pitch. Lance knew his father had potential to go pro but chose not to in the end. He never really explained why he just remembers the stories from his mother growing up.

Honestly Quidditch was one of the reasons Lance had been most excited for Hogwarts. He and Rachel use to practice all sorts of combinations together in hopes to both be Chasers. If first years were allowed to join he was sure they would have made the team together. With them as Chasers and Veronica as their Keeper it would almost guarantee Slytherin a Quidditch Cup.

Lance felt another jolt echo through him at this thought. He couldn’t play for Slytherin. He couldn’t play with Veronica and Rachel like he had always planned. 

A sinking feeling followed as he realized that even when he could play next year more than likely his housemates would still hold whatever feelings they held toward him now. They wouldn’t let him on the team even if he was one of the best flyers. Honestly… he didn’t even know if he wanted to play against his family. If he could. 

Their professor called out instructions on how to call their broom, then mount, and hover. There was struggling around them but plenty of others didn’t seem to have much issue. Lance felt a bit of satisfaction watching Griffin struggle a bit with the hovering bit. 

The professor called out more instructions to some students while keeping others in the hovering stage. There were some complaints. Others grew bored asking to do more than just the basics being asked. They were ignored. Before long the professor’s sharp eyes narrowed in on the McClain twins who were hovering and waiting for their instructions. 

“Let me guess you two are probably like every other McClain that comes in here aren’t you? You have your basics well down and have already started messing with the Quidditch plays haven’t you?”

Rachel and Lance looked at each other with a shrug and nodded at the professor. 

He rolled up the sleeves of his robes slightly and waved up into the air, “All right show me. Prove you aren’t here to waste my time.”

Lance felt a thrill roll up through him. He was getting permission to fly. Fly freely and show off a bit. Lance knew there was a smirk on his face as he kicked off from the ground and took off toward the closest tower. He could feel the rush of the kick echo in his ankles and could barely feel Rachel kick off besides him. 

He lapped around the tower and did a few rotations before turning toward Rachel who was aiming like a missile at him. He kept his mark toward her and when she was close enough to crash into him he looped around her tight enough to feel the tail of her broom brush his hair.

Rachel plumited toward the ground before sharply pulling up and weaving between the trucks of the nearby trees. Lance dove after her giving chase. He managed to pull up close to her tapping her shoulder, “Your it,” and zoomed back toward the tower

Before they got too far there was the high pitched whistle pulling their attention back to the ground. Lance winced realizing they may have shown off a bit much but Rachel seemed over satisfied with their fun. They landed where they had kicked off and Lance could already feel the tinge of red embarrassment spread across his face.

Their professor turned and faced the rest of the class. Hands behind his back a stern look on his face as he glared the others down, “Can anyone else fly like that?” 

No one answered. Lance shifted slightly from foot to foot as every eye was locked onto him and Rachel.

“Good then I will see you all for the next two weeks. Class dismissed,” He said turning back to the McClain twins, “You two are excused from the class. No need to waste my time with you two.”

The twins nodded and turned to return the brooms to the proper places though Lance didn’t miss the final comment that was made.

“Shame the pair won’t be on the same team. It would be incredible.”

————

Lance took advantage of his free time before Astrology to explore the grounds. Rachel stuck in a class till dinner he found himself alone again. The weather hadn’t warmed up much and seemed to threaten the idea of rain. Seemed like Astrology tonight wouldn’t involve much staring at the stars. 

 He wandered toward the edge of the Lake recalling all the stories his siblings would tell him about some squid and supposedly the merpeople that would dance in the depths. They Slytherin common room just under his feet. 

He sat right on the edge letting his toes poke at the surface before flopping back into the grass. It was only day two and he felt more exhausted than he ever had in his life. It wasn’t the classes either, it was just the people. Slytherin seemed hit or miss with how to treat him. Either viewing him as a traitor or as a McClain. Ravenclaws seemed to simply stare at him like a spectacle but there was no ill intent with their words. Hufflepuff students seemed the most willing to interact with him. Maybe it was just a Hufflepuff thing but he was grateful for it. Gryffindor hasn’t budged in their opinions so far. Treating him as if he would switch robes at any moment. 

Maybe this is why the McClains were so big on don’t talk to strangers.

He let his fingers dig into the soft soil under him trying to get his mind to stop buzzing. All of his excitement for Hogwarts seemed to have died the moment the hat touched his head. He had to figure out something. A plan to at least get through the end of the year. 

“I’m assuming nothing has gone as planned has it?”

Lance tilted his head back slightly to see Veronica moving to sit besides him.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do Veronica. How do I even tell mom and dad? They are going to kill me.”

“No they won’t. You are a McClain,” Veronica answered simply

“Ok yeah but what does that mean to everyone else?” Lance asked sitting up, “It’s not just me right? Like people hear the name and it’s like their attitude changes more than hearing whatever house I am in.”

Veronica tapped the ground slightly before pulling her glasses from her face and cleaning them on the inside of her robes.

“Honestly Lance, there is a lot our name holds that even I am not sure of yet. Mom and Dad said when I was old enough they would explain it better to me but because of our name people will treat us differently. No matter our house and there are some families we have to be careful of because they don’t exactly like our family.”

“Like Altea,” Lance looked out to the lake

“Yes,” Her face darkened, “It doesn’t help that one is the current headmaster but we must play with caution. People are going to be rough the first few weeks but things will settle Lance.”

“You know there is a third year Altea and she has a cousin who doesn’t share the last name but she’s a first year in Hufflepuff.”

Veronica winced, “You have met Allura Altea and she has a cousin? And what did I say about talking to strangers?”

“Lance only shrugged, “Didn’t know who they were.”

“Which is why we don’t talk to strangers Lance.”

“So you and Rachel can have each other but I have to stay quiet and alone. Got it,” Lance didn’t leave the bitterness out of his words

“Lance-”

“What can I do? Transfer? Leave? I can’t tell mom and dad yet. I can’t… Veronica I am so screwed. It’s been two days and I’m miserable. I want to go home already. That’s not how this was supposed to go. I was supposed to be a Slytherin so why am I in Gryffindor?”

Veronica stayed quiet letting her gaze drift out on the lake as well.

“If things go south we call Marco. He can get you out and he wouldn’t tell our parents he had you if needed. Luis works too close to dad.”

Lance felt a stone sink in his stomach. They actually had a plan if things went south. So how likely would things go south?  

“Did you tell our family?” Lance whispered

“No and neither will Rachel but they are going to start asking about you Lance. You will have to go home eventually. Others here are probably talking to their parents. They will find out if you decided to tell them or not.”

Lance knew this. He wouldn’t be too surprised if he got a letter by next week with questions. He just needed more time to figure out what to say. To explain something he didn’t understand.

“So what do I do?” Lance was trying really hard not to let the panic rise up in his voice

“Stay low. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Let it blow over.”

Lance could describe the feeling in his chest. He just knew he didn’t like it and it was painful. He wanted to get rid of it but it felt like a small knot that burned and buried its way into his heart.

“I’ll do my best,” Lance muttered

“Good,” Veronica stood dusting herself off, “Because no matter what anyone says we are McClains. We protect our own and we will stay loyal to what's right. Got it?”

Lance nodded accepting Veronica’s hand as she helped him up but something kept running through his brain

What did McClain mean to the rest of the world?

Chapter Text

The weekend crept up before they knew it. Keith slumping down half asleep still to breakfast. Who knew magic could be so exhausting. 

Or maybe it was the dreams

They seemed to have picked up steam the past week. Maybe to make up for the fact they were so scattered this summer. 

But also class was exhausting 

Their professors had no forgiveness for the fact they were first years. Dumping a heavy amount of homework on them despite the fact Keith had zero clue what any of them were talking about. 

And like why the hell did they have to use ink and a quill 

Pens exist right?

As Keith slowly pulled bacon from the middle a small tawny owl carefully landed besides him with a soft whistle holding out her leg. He wiggled his nose slightly confused. He removed the letter attached to her and offered her a bit of bacon. She let out a weird sound of appreciation and took off again. 

Keith glances up noting a few other owls coming in. Not as heavy as it was during the weekday. Some kids received mail almost daily so far. Some with the Daily Prophet others with gifts from their parents. 

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted McClain on the far edge as normal. A large dark owl digging its claws in his shoulder as he offered it ham. A letter shaking in his hand slightly. His face dark as he read before quickly tearing apart the letter. 

Keith returned to his own. He undid the binding and saw a short note. 

Meet you outside your common room around 11am. I’ll show you around a bit before tea.

-Adam

Oh right that’s this weekend. 

Keith folded the letter and placed it in his pocket moving to stuff toast into his face next. Laughter at the other end of the hall drew his attention as he peeled the first off. Crowded together at the Hufflepuff table were a bunch of older students. Some from all houses but they did have something in common as they leaned over each other to read whatever they had between them. 

They were all from the orphanage. Keith had known them for years and they had all been well aware of him. They were also well aware of who took him home while they were still there. 

At least that seemed to have been the argument started on the train that ended in a fistfight between him and a 3rd year Ravenclaw. 

Jealousy some may call it. Logic others. By reason Keith should have never been adopted. There were several much better suited candidates yet Adam and Shiro chose Keith by the fate of running into him in the alley. 

Keith wasn’t stupid. He rather agreed with them. It wasn’t like he hadn’t questioned the logic over and over himself but it didn’t really matter now. He was at Hogwarts, much to his annoyance, and he was still trying to figure out the whole… adoptive parents are his professors thing. 

Favoritism had been brought up in the fight on the train as well. Some say the pair would favor Keith for being their adoptive son and let him pass easily. Again Keith could see their genuine logic if he hadn’t already had that talk with them himself. 

It was just frustrating and a constant reminder why Keith really rather stay alone… though his fellow Gryffindor’s weren’t giving him much of that option. 

Griffin slumped beside him with a sigh, “Finally a day off.”

Keith hummed, taking another bite of his breakfast. The other first years slouched in as well. 

Keith still wasn’t sure why they seemed more ready to accept him over McClain. Sure McClain was… well a McClain but even Keith knew he wasn’t a great choice of a housemate himself. 

Honestly he still wasn’t sure he wanted to be friendly with them. They kind of haven’t given him much choice. 

“You say day off yet we got a ton of schoolwork to get through,” Watson groaned piling things onto his own plate

“We don’t have to do it today? Besides I think we should explore the castle some more,” Griffin remarked stuffing his face full of egg

Others gave suggestions on the plan of the day. Maybe exploring the grounds more. Testing the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Check the creatures in the lake. See if they can figure out what the Hufflepuff first years kept giggling about with their dorm secret. 

“What you think Krogane?”

Keith jumped slightly as Thomas addressed him looking at the group staring at him. 

“Or sorry. I have a meeting so I will be unavailable.”

“A meeting? This early in the year? Detention already?” Griffin asked with a look

Keith shook his head, “No issue with forms apparently,” Keith stood pushing back his plate, “I’ll see you at lunch.”

He ignored the look he got from them as he left the table. Heading back to the dorms to try and burn time. 

He really still wasn’t sure what to think about them. Nor was he sure he wanted to be friendly to them. 

There is still much they don’t know. There still much he himself doesn’t know. He learned the hard way years ago. 

Trust doesn’t come or give easy either direction 

—————

“Did mom send you one too?” Rachel sat besides Lance under a tree not far from the lake holding up a letter

Lance mumbled tossing a stone toward the lake but it was too far to make it in. Rachel tilted her head in confusion. 

“Yeah and dad left his own note in there. Saying they were proud and hoped I was doing well. They want to hear back soon. Then dad left a freaking note.”

“About him coming to the first Slytherin match?” Rachel asked pointing at her own note where 

their dad left his own note

“Yeah and how he hopes the rumors aren’t true,” Lance sighed letting himself fall into the grass

“Oh… so quickly?”

“Apparently,” Lance could feel bile try to creep up his throat

This was going to be a nightmare

“Well when’s the first match?”

“November right? Gives me almost two full months to make my grave.”

“You're being dramatic,” Rachel lightly pushed Lance’s shoulder, “You are a McClain it’s not like mom and dad are going to kick you out or anything just because you are in a different house.”

Lance wished he could be as confident as she was but after his and Veronica’s talk he was becoming more and more worried about what lay in front of him. 

But something pulled at Lance’s thoughts

“Hey Rachel, why do you think we were always told not to talk to strangers?”

Rachel frowned and tilted her head, “Well people are sketchy right? Not to mention some people are jealous of our family name so no doubt as we grew up our family didn’t want us to deal with it. Even now there is always that worry people are going to treat us differently just because our family holds power in the Ministry.”

“Ok but why? What’s it actually mean to be a McClain?” Lance asked sitting up

Rachel opened and closed her mouth several times before frowning. 

It was something never actually explained. They were supposed to be proud to be McClains but never really explained as of why. They knew they held positions of power but doing what? Why did people hate them so much? Was it jealousy? Or something that had been kept from them?

“Well you know during our fifth year our parents take us and explain the whole thing right? They did with our brothers and it’s Veronica’s turn this year so maybe she can clue us in when they tell her,” Rachel finally suggested 

The big talk the McClains got during their fifth year was supposedly the secret of their family. Given to them around this time when Hogwarts started pushing them to think about their plans for the future. Lance couldn’t help but think how his brothers had changed a bit after the talk. They grew a bit more serious about the family name. Marco however separated himself a bit more. Showed up to less family gatherings. Argued with their father a bit more. Moved toward the city. He still had the family’s back and was in contact with them but it was more like he still attempted to separate himself slightly. 

Lance had always wondered why

“Don’t fall behind on schoolwork now. It builds up quickly.”

The twins looked up to see Veronica adjusting her glasses slightly as she passed them. 

“Well what are you doing out here?” Lance teased

Veronica pulled out a parchment and waved it slightly, “Quidditch planning. Tryouts are next week. I’ve got captain duties.”

Lance stuck his tongue out at her, dropping his head back to the Earth. 

“Did you get a letter this morning too?” Rachel asked

“Just them reminding me to keep an eye on you two.”

Lance could feel her gaze drift to him but he kept his head down. He was sick of talking about it. 

“I heard you two got out of flying lessons,” she continued 

Rachel grinned leaning against the tree, “Only first years this year to do so.”

“Cocky,” Lance muttered earning him a slight kick

“I guess this means I get to have you on the team next year?” Veronica narrowed her eyes at her sister and Lance slightly enjoyed watching Rachel falter under their older sister’s gaze

“Well duh you are going to need new chasers right? I’m the perfect candidate.”

Lance could feel Veronica’s gaze shift to him. He looked up seeing her expecting gaze. 

“What? Don’t look at me, I can’t try out for Slytherin.”

“No but you have your own house.”

Lance scoffed, “Yeah right,” letting his head rest again

“What scared of some sibling rivalry?” Rachel teased poking Lance’s thigh

“You act like they would let me tryout to start. They see me as a Slytherin not a Gryffindor.”

“Well you have a year to change that don’t you,” Veronica said firmly, “Now I’ve got to go. Don’t forget to actually do your class work. I don’t want to hear complaints about you two,” and with that she walked off

Lance watches her go confused. Did she just encourage him to buddy up with the rest of Gryffindor? Even after their talk?

“I don’t want to do homework,” Rachel muttered laying down besides Lance

Lance closed his eyes knowing he had finished it last night while waiting for the couch to clear so he could sleep. He had a feeling he would never have late homework if he was to sleep on the couch all year. 

————

Keith rocked on his heels slightly as he waited for Adam. A few students filtered past, not giving him much of a look which he was grateful for. 

Honestly now that the whirlwind of moving and classes had finally settled Keith realized there were a lot of questions he had for Adam and Shiro. He wasn’t sure how common it was to have a parent or family member working at Hogwarts let alone two but he was sure there were rules that needed to be covered. 

Adam showed up two minutes late, not that Keith actually knew, but Adam quickly instructed him to follow with the same tone he carries in the classroom. It was definitely interesting seeing the difference seeing the Adam Keith got to know over the summer was softer and a bit of a dork though he was stricter than Shiro. The tough guy act was rather humorous. 

The traveled toward a small side tower tucked away far enough from the Gryffindor tower and at the end of a hallway that seemed like it was hardly ever traveled in but close enough a small side staircase tucked away between some portraits that Keith had a gut feeling lead near the Hufflepuff common room. 

Made sense with Shiro being head of Hufflepuff and Adam being head of Gryffindor the pair needed to be available for quick access but opted to still live together. Keith suddenly wondered about the other professors. Everyone lived here right? Did they have spouses that lived in the castle with them as well or were they separate during the whole school season? 

Keith didn’t have time to dwell in the thought however as they came to the portrait at the very end. There was a small statue beside it of a lion. Adam gently stroked the top of its head, flattening its mane. The lion growled for a moment before letting out a low groan almost the equivalent of a chuff. The portrait was currently empty but swung open. 

“That's typically the best way to get in since the lion in the portrait is often too busy flirting with the others in the one on the staircases. You can do the same thing with him when he’s here,” Adam said as they climbed through

It felt oddly like home inside. It seemed similarly styled as well. It led right into the living room with a small kitchen attached to it though he was sure they hardly used it. There was a small hall leading down. Out of the corner of Keith’s eye he guessed a bathroom, bedroom, and then either a storage or work room to his best guess. 

Shiro was in the kitchen tapping the kettle his his wand muttering slightly. 

“Just don’t burn the kitchen this time,” Keith smirk seeing his concentration shift

“That was one time,” Shiro muttered

“In front of Keith maybe,” Adam added kicking off his shoes at the entrance encouraging Keith to do the same

Shiro rolled his eyes and with a flick of his wands drew nugs from the cabinet. Domestic things were not Shiro’s forte. Keith had picked up on that fairly quickly. He never went into heavy detail about all the scars and loss of his arm but Keith had a feeling that was part of the reason. Adam had simply explained his job prior to teaching was harsh on him and he was still trying to recover in little ways. 

Keith never pushed past that but curiosity also plagued him whenever Shiro joked about his old adventures. 

“How was the first week? Minus the fight on the train,” Shiro asked setting the mugs down on the side table in the living room as Keith and Adam took spots on the armchair and couch

“Well the whole school thing is an adjustment but it’s alright. No messes so far right,” Keith hesitated before picking up his mug honestly wondering if it was safe knowing Shiro’s tea history 

“And the train thing?” Adam asked sipping his tea slightly and nodding giving Keith faith in his own

Keith let his gaze drop slightly into the mug, “Old thing. Doesn’t matter it was handled.”

He could feel Shiro and Adam glance at each other as if deciding it was worth pressing. 

“Well,” Shiro said rubbing his hand against his thigh, “We uh kinda fell on the ball here. Realized we never actually discussed how everyone feels about well everything.”

Keith looked up with a smirk raising an eyebrow, “I’m sorry English please.”

Shiro scoffed and Adam snorted. 

“He’s right, you know. You suck with words really. Miracle you can teach,” Adam joked sipping his tea again

“I hate everything,” Shiro muttered drinking his own tea

At this point Keith felt it was safe enough to taste his own without fearing for his death so he took his first sip. It wasn’t horrible. 

“Basically we want to cover what everyone is comfortable with,” Adam said, getting set on track again, “Probably a solid understanding of who knows what really.”

“I assume staff know?” Keith asked receiving a nod, “And well the kids from the orphanage know too. They saw you with me often enough to know what was happening.”

“So more than likely the whole school will know by the end of the year,” Shiro added wiggling his foot slightly

“Likely. About you two being together and you two adopting me.”

“And are you alright with that?” Adam asked setting down his mug

Keith tilted his head slightly, dropping his brows, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because kids are dicks,” Shiro said flatly earning a kick from Adam

“You can’t say that now you have a kid.”

“I’m a teacher, I'm definitely allowed to say it.”

Keith couldn’t help but shake his head slightly and hide his smile. As chaotic as everything had been in his life this tiny start of something was somehow the most normal. 

And he really liked it

“I’m fine with people knowing. I’ve never cared much anyway but what about your relationship? Was it supposed to be a secret or something before?”

Shiro and Adam looked at each other and shrugged

“Some older students know,” Adam started, “Plus staff obviously.”

“Honestly we just never really announced anything because why do we need to. Adam worked here before I did and we had never changed our last name because work documents for me were difficult and someone is too prideful to change his,” Adam glared at Shiro slightly as he picked up his mug again

“You know some students are going to complain about favoritism right?” Adam added pushing forward

Keith nodded slightly not wanting to admit that that’s what the fight was about on the train. 

“So basically it we are all alright,” Shiro glanced between Keith and Adam

“To be blunt it’s not like any of us really wanted to hide it if we could I think,” Adam muttered taking a sip

A small flame of warmth spread through Keith at the thought. It was new having someone in his corner. He was still worried there was a loose panel they were missing that he would fall through. He would just have to trust them to catch him. 

“Besides all that,” Shiro smiled back down at Keith noting the almost empty tea mug, “Obviously we had time to get to know each other with the adoption process but we never got a ton of time to settle in together which isn’t fair to you.”

“Well we have breaks right? Plus summer and we will be around each other here too,” Keith muttered slightly ticking things off in his brain

“Obviously. We were also opening it to say our door is always open if you need us. Now there are things we can’t get you out of like curfew and such but if you need us we are always here,” Adam finished his mug and set it down officially 

“And we know once you fully settle and make friends you will be busy with friends and school but we wouldn’t mind making tea a weekly thing,” Shiro added lifting his mug slightly

This all felt so formal. Keith wondered slightly if other families were like this. He barely remembered his time with his father. Just glimpses so he didn’t really have anything to compare it to. Maybe it was a bit too optimistic to hope it was normal. 

Or at least it would be

“Yeah I would like that.”

Chapter Text

Three weeks into the term and Lance was starting to crave more than just a proper bed. Still sleeping on the couch he also found that with him not being in the room some of the other first years enjoyed moving around his stuff. It would become an annoying game of hide and seek in the early hours as he quietly tried to search for his missing items. 

He wanted to snap. He wanted to complain but really what good would it do him. He doubted a professor would believe him. He considered going to his head of house but honestly the man’s gaze scared him a bit. 

He wasn’t really being bullied per say but his entire house was flat out ignoring his existence. Unless he did something that caused harsh glares and whispers. 

He obviously didn't tell his sisters. They couldn’t exactly fix it and he was sure if they did say something the others would just change it to something worse. He was glad at least he wasn’t stuck to his common room full time. He could meet with Rachel or Veronica as needed and even the two Hufflepuffs that he seemed to have accidentally befriended also hung out with him outside of class. So it wasn’t terrible. 

But he still felt extremely lonely

He was often surrounded by the chatting and giggling of his other housemates in the late evening. Always waiting for the last one to leave before he could finally claim the couch and sleep. It wasn’t uncommon any more to find himself nodding off in a book. 

But no one said anything about it

In fact Lance really couldn’t remember when he had a conversation with any of his fellow first year Gryffindors. Not since the first few days. Lance was honestly debating if it would be better or worse to listen to them insult him all day long instead of the silent treatment. 

Maybe if he was naturally a loner it would be fine. He would be thriving off this but he could feel that itch to talk begin to grow more and more every day. 

It was early Sunday morning when he was finally caught sleeping on the couch. The fact it had taken three almost four weeks had been an impressive feat in itself in his opinion. Normally he was a heavy sleeper but thanks to that damned couch he woke at any sound well before it reached the room. 

Well he completely missed this one. 

“What the fuck are you doing?”

Lance shot straight up blinking around. His head still groggy and unfocused. He eventually narrows in on a figure standing in the stairwell to where the boys' rooms lead up too. It was the same guy who gave him the password the day he forgot. 

The same guy looked as confused and bleary eyed as Lance did. Rubbing his palms against his eyes under his glasses. He was still dressed in pajamas but seemed to be carrying a book with him. 

“Have you been sleeping here since the start of the year or something?” The boy mumbled again stumbling into the room fully

Lance yawned and nodded the slight spike of adrenaline already fading. No point in lying though he knew he wouldn’t be able to lie the whole freaking year. 

The boy huffed slamming his book on the table next to Lance. Grabbing Lance’s wrist and pulling him up. 

“It’s too early for this shit,” the guy dragged Lance who attempted to protest as they went up the stairs 

The guy dragged him to the room that held the first year boys. With a quick twist of the handle forced the door back with as much force as one could do so early that the door hit the wall with a loud bang. The bodies in the beds jumped up in various ways. Most startled, sitting up as equally confused as Lance had been several moments ago. One held a knife. One seemed like he was on the verge of tears. 

Lance kept slightly hidden behind the boy. Whatever was about to happen could not be good. 

“It is too early for me to be doing this crap but this is ridiculous. Three weeks! Three weeks! You all should be in detention for three weeks,” Lance was finding it a bit hard to take the guy seriously as his voice squeaked slightly as he shoved his way through the room pulling blankets off the others

“We are in the same house. We are supposed to be helping each other but the older students see that his own year won’t accept him then no one will. So at least pretend to get along for three freaking seconds.”

“What are you goin on about,” Griffin muttered dropping his head back to his pillow

The guy grabbed Griffin by the collar and shook him slightly, “I’m talking about how you cowards forced one of your own to sleep on the couch for three weeks.”

“He’s not-” Griffin started but the guy dropped him back in the bed

“I don’t want to hear it. You all act like this is the first time in history that families haven’t been in the same house. I can promise you my sister won’t be in Gryffindor when she arrives next year but you won’t see Ravenclaw treating her like she’s the damn plague.”

“Yeah you all aren’t McClains,” Thomas whispered looking at the guy who was still hovering over Griffin

“Yeah but the difference a lot of you don’t seem to realize is Alteas are basically the same as McClains and you all worship the ground they walk on don’t ya.”

The room’s atmosphere seemed to shift to something slightly uncomfortable. Some of the boys glanced at each other in confusion and others ducking their heads. Lance let his head fully enter the doorway. Regretting his actions when he felt gazes shift to him he wanted to pull back but the guy who seemed to have woken half the floor by now was still on it. 

“Every single one of you I swear. Cowards. How on Earth are you in Gryffindor? I have no idea because you are all behaving worse than Slytherins right now.”

Lance jumped as someone popped up on the landing behind him. The guy looked just as annoyed to be up this early on a Sunday as Lance felt.

“The hell is the problem Holt?”

The guy in the center of the room turned to look at the new kid. Lance thought he recognized him as a third year but honestly he hadn’t really been focused on figuring out who everyone was. 

“Perfect timing! I could use a hand tossing some of these first years to the giant squid,” Holt tossing a hot stare around the room

“Ok… and was it really needed to wake us up this early in the morning,” The guy letting his head rest against the door frame

He glanced at Lance who was still hiding in the hallway and frowned slightly looking back into the room. Despite his sleepy state it wasn’t really hard to put the pieces together. Everyone comfy in their beds minus one that was missing a comforter. While the rest of the room seemed lived in and set up with posters and such there was that one section that remained blank and untouched. 

He glanced back at Lance. It hadn’t been hard to notice the first year was often alone in the common room. Buried in a book or scribbling on parchment. Often in the common room well past normal hours. Some had just marked it up to him wanting to work ahead or he was just that slow in his work, 

But signs were falling into place

He was sure if he went downstairs there would be a blanket on the floor or couch somewhere. The guy sighed, rubbing his hand down his face. He faced Lance and focused on him.

“You haven’t been sleeping in your room have you?”

“It’s fine really,” Lance muttered, “I was trying to tell him it’s fine but-” The guy waved him off

“It’s not. You really never told anyone about this? I know we would have gotten an ear full from your sister if you had told her which means likely you haven’t told anyone but you shouldn’t be sleeping in the common room. You shouldn’t be outcasted especially without reason,” He turned glaring at the group inside the room still

“Holt get out we won’t toss them in yet but there will be consequences,” Griffin went to protest but quickly shut up and the harsh stare he received, “Ten points from Gryffindor for each of you for seriously letting this get out of hand like this. There is no reason this should have happened.”

Lance felt himself pale in realization the guy standing next to him was a Prefect. Not to mention they just lost fifty house points all because he was caught sleeping on the couch. They were going to hate him even more now. 

“Also the head of house will be alerted to the situation later on. He may find something else for you all besides Holt’s idea,” Holt rolled his eyes but shared a smile with the Prefect, how now turned his attention back to Lance, “Let us know next time. There was no reason for this to have happened. I don’t care what first years like to think. They don’t understand half of the world yet,”

The Prefect back out with a sigh, rubbing his hand on his face again when Holt exited the room as well, “You talk about first years knowing the world like you know more. You are a fifth year,” Holt teased

“And you are only a third Matt yet you have the balls to stomp around like a seventh year,” Holt snorted throwing an arm over Lance’s shoulder

“Come on, let's move you back in and then breakfast is on me.”

“Isn’t it on the school?” Lance couldn’t help the words that tumbled out of his mouth

The Prefect snorted as Holt smirked slightly

“You know what, let me show you how Hogwarts actually works, kid.”

————

Breakfast was starting in the Great Hall but that is not where Holt was dragging a now fully dressed Lance. Instead they aimed down the stairs toward the dungeons. Lance was still very confused on what exactly was happening. This morning's events had dropped so suddenly Lance would have almost believed they were a dream. 

Holt finally came to a stop in front of a large portrait. A bowl of fruit and in the corner a peach. Holt did a quick look down the hall before leaning forward and tickling the peach slightly. An opening appeared and he hopped though motioning for Lance to follow.

Veronica had mentioned several secret passages through the castle but without heavy detail knowing the twins would more than likely use them to an unfair advantage. Now he was willing following someone into one and he had no clue where it would take them. Kinda sketchy.

“Welcome to the kitchens,” Holt said as soon as his feet hit the floor waving a hand out to the crowd of house elves in front of them busy at work

Lance blinked. Then blinked again. Despite the fact he was from a long line of witches and wizards house elves were not a common use for his family. Something that his family had actually been vocal against. In their words it was a form of slavery that wasn’t appropriate for what they were capable of. 

“Hogwarts… has house elves,” Lance blinked looking at what felt like a sea of them

“Well yeah. They help out. Get the food handled, help with the cleaning and organizing, they help handle a lot of the behind the scenes stuff,” Holt strolled through and Lance followed mindlessly between the long tables that were around them

“I thought I told you not to show up during busy hours,” a sharp piercing voice rang through as they closed in on the main table

“Special case here Mims,” Holt waved a hand over to Lance as if that was a good enough explanation

Lance tried hard not to study the house elf too hard in front of him. He hadn’t met too many in person. Most cowering behind their masters or trying to hide in the shadows. This one seemed bolder. Seemed ready to hit Holt over the head with her spoon. Her large ears sitting straight up twitching constantly. Large eyes seemed not to blink but watching over every movement happening in the kitchen. She wore what appeared to be a tea towel that seemed white with blue swirls. It was cleaner than what he normally spotted house elves in. 

“I don’t do charity,” She waved her spoon 

“Aw come on Mims,” Holt took a seat at the table and pouted slightly, “Just this once.”

“Every time you say just this once. It is never,” She scolded glaring at the elves coming up behind the boys with trays of treats ready

“Hold on,” another squeak came from behind Lance

Lance tilted his head to see another smaller house elf scramble through the crowd with a teapot in hand. His ears flopped to the side with each step. He seemed to bounce as he did. 

“You are the Gryffindor that has been sleeping on the couch, yes?” He squeaked peering up at Lance

“Um… yes?”

One farther back groaned, “Do you know how hard it is to clean the couch when you sleep on it and students are everywhere in the day?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a problem for you,” The one who had groaned spun and glared at Lance

“Are you making fun of me?”

“Easy now easy,” Holt raised his hand to the elf, “He didn’t mean it. That’s why I’m here though. Poor kid was sleeping on the couch cause the others were bullies. Now we got it all figured out I figured we could give him a treat!”

Lance could feel the trays press in closer again in waiting. He tried to ignore the fact that all of them looked so eager to pounce and offer him something.

“It is breakfast. I am busy,” Mims said, waving the other house elves away, “Back to work!” she stomped her barefoot on the stone

Mims spun back and glared at Holt for a moment before looking up toward Lance. She stepped right up to him, staring hard. Then did a full circle around him.

“Too skinny. Do you not like my food?”

Lance jolted slightly at the comment, “The food is good I promise,” Lance risked looking down at her

Her eyes narrowed and she tapped Lance’s hip with her spoon. She glared at Holt again who was trying not to look smug. She walked back over to and lightly smacked the top of his head with the spoon.”

“Sit down,” She ordered Lance before disappearing into the sea of other elves

“She acts tough but she cares. She’s very motherly,” Holt said resting his chin on his palm

“Do you come down often?” Lance asked glancing around the kitchen watching in amazement as they would set food on the table and it would disappear

“No. Typically for late night snacks or something. Rodgers, the Prefect from this morning, showed me how to get here last year. So sometimes if I’m homesick or something I’ll come down and try to sweet talk Mims into my favorites. She acts tough like that so we don’t make a habit of it but she enjoys the students enough.”

“I didn’t realize Hogwarts had so many house elves,” Lance muttered

“Well, think about it. The professors wouldn’t be able to keep up with all of us. There is other staff too to help but there are too many students to keep everything clean and working.”

Lance frowned, “But there are plenty of students who can do their own cleaning.”

Holt laughed slightly, “Yeah your right but the want us to focus on our studies.”

Lance huffed slightly, still annoyed. He still saw no reason to have all the house elves. He was sure there were things they would rather be doing.

“They are treated well here if that’s what you're worried about,” Holt lowered his voice, “I know some other families don’t treat them well but at least here they are cared for and treated well.”

Before Lance could respond a heavy plate was set in front of him. Eggs, beans, tortillas, and potatoes. A glass of juice placed in front of him

He blinked and felt a tug inside him. It was simple and yet it was like a lock and was removed slightly. Just a simple breakfast but it wasn’t something they had been having every morning. This was more like home. Matt rubbed his hands as a stack of pancakes was set in front of him.

Mims nodded and stared harshly at Lance in waiting.

“How did you know?” Lance hesitated before picking up a tortilla

“I always know,” Mims squeaked spinning away her bare feet slapped the floor as she went back to work

————

Keith wanted to squirm under Adam’s sharp gaze. It wasn’t the dork Adam he was used to on these Sunday meetings. This was teacher Adam. Even Shiro seemed to be a bit quieter than normal as he stirred his tea waiting for someone to break the silence.

“I understand these meetings are more for us as family not teacher student but you could have told me what was happening,” Adam finally cracked

“And say what? It wasn’t anything different than what happened at the orphanage. The way Griffin had explained everything it wasn’t like it was hurting anyone that he chose to sleep on the couch.”

“What did Griffin say exactly,” Adam’s voice heavy

They hadn’t heard word of a punishment yet. Keith was sure there would be another seeing how angry Adam was about the whole situation. He could sense that there was something they had all missed.

“He just… he kinda explained the McClains at least why everyone is so wary of them.”

Shiro sighed, rubbing his hand across his face, “Keith the McClains… they are a complicated group of people. They do wrong things that have good meanings but they aren’t the only family who does this, they are just the ones who get the bad light on it.”

“And it doesn't give you all the right to judge your housemate based on his family when you haven’t even given him the chance to prove himself,” Adam added

Keith shifted in his seat glancing at the floor. He knew this but what was he going to do about it. He couldn’t change everyone else’s mind on them when he didn’t know the full details on them other than they were hated. 

“Keith think of it like it was you,” Shiro started, “No one gave you the chance before right? No one actually got to know you. We aren’t asking you to be his best friend or anything… just treat him like any other student.”

Keith sighed slightly and nodded, rubbing his hands on his pants. It was a different scolding than he was used to. It felt uncomfortable but at least there wasn’t a beating or food rights taken away. 

“Now,” Adam sighed, taking a sip of tea, closing his eyes and letting his teacher self slip away, “Tell me how is flying class going?”

Chapter Text

The bed was much more comfortable than the couch. 

Lance still felt uneasy about sleeping around others who weren’t exactly fond of him but at least he could do it in a nice cozy bed. His items left alone as well meaning he wasn’t frantically looking around the room for his missing items as everyone else slept. No one spoke to him still but he could survive on that. Especially since he wasn’t really fully alone anymore. 

Someone besides Holt must have spread the word about what was happening as the older Gryffindors were now greeting him. It was never a long conversation but enough good mornings and how are yous that Lance no longer felt like the backdrop melted above him. 

And Holt was now a constant companion

In the mornings at breakfast or in the common room where Lance often sat alone he was now joined by Holt. 

Or Matt as he had been pressed to call him

Which was odd for Lance in general. Outside of family there was almost no one he was allowed to call by their first name. It was rude or improper according to his father. First names were too friendly and he wasn’t supposed to be friendly. 

Then there were the others. The two Hufflepuffs Lance had… befriended? Been adopted by? He wasn’t sure really but they were willing to even hang out with him outside of classes which was a nice change. He was no longer alone on the grounds waiting for Rachel or hiding in the top towers. 

They were a rather… odd bunch. Romelle Prince often dragged the boys to different parts of the castle trying to tap on random spots of the walls looking for hidden rooms. Hunk Garrett often reminded them that they would all get expelled if actually caught. That would be if they ever found anything which they didn’t. Prince’s intel sucked. 

Luckily Allura was never around on these adventures. Lance only had to suffer the occasional waves as he ducked away. 

Then Rachel of course. When not with the Slytherins she was with Lance. Though she still avoided any contact with the two Hufflepuffs that had often joined Lance. 

“You shouldn’t be talking to them,” She would start anytime she would pass by Lance and she spotted the them together

Lance could only glare at her in return knowing full and well she had managed at least one friend in Slytherin. He had seen them in the Great Hall and on their walks to class. If she could have a friend why couldn’t he? 

However, that wasn’t the worry anymore. Quidditch was only two weeks away. Which meant his father would be coming to visit. Which means his father would know for sure. 

He had avoided his family's letters. Receiving a few from his mother with notes at the end from his father. Always telling him to reach out or giving him the family drama updates. The last note held a ‘gentle’ reminder his father would be coming soon. As well as a push that they had heard from his sisters but not him. Asking if they needed to send him a personal owl to make letters easier instead of the school or family owls. 

He couldn’t not go to the game either and play ill in the hospital wing. It was Slytherin’s first game. Veronica would be playing and he really did want to watch her play. Not to mention if he faked ill his father could still easily request to see him. 

Either way he would still know

“Maybe we can cast an illusion charm on your robes or something,” Rachel said tapping her book

“And you know how to cast one?”

“Veronica could.”

Lance rolled his eyes. 

Rachel rocked back in her chair, “Alright I’m sure we can pull spar robes or something right? That could work.”

“Just slipping in another house’s robes won’t fool him Rachel,” Lance sighed, closing his Charms book, “He’s going to find out we know this.”

Rachel twirled her quill between her fingers with a sigh, “It won’t be bad Lance,” she muttered in a false comfort

Lance could only stare at the stack of books in front of him. What a lie that was. He knew that. He could sense something crawling through the letters at him. His father’s magic seemed to linger there was a reminder. 

He also knew Veronica had been in contact with Marco recently. Lance wasn’t sure what she wrote but he received a letter from Marco simply stating if needed he had a bed available. 

Which meant… all three were actually worried. There must be a reason for it. Something Lance didn’t know but could sense. He just knew they were a proud family of Slytherins. What if the talk they got when they were older was the reason why?

Or maybe… he was just overthinking it 

“Like what’s the worst thing that can happen?” Rachel continued

“They kill me. Kick me out. Lock me in the attic amd leave me there,” Lance muttered sinking his head to the table

“Nonsense. They are our parents. They love you. Plus we are McClains. We stick by each other,” Rachel lightly slammed her fist on the table

The librarian poked her head around the corner and threw a finger toward the door. Lance sheepishly muttered sorry and gathered his books. Rachel scowled but followed. 

“But seriously Lance it’s not like they will disown you or anything. You will be fine. We are worrying for nothing,” Rachel overly determined as they left the library 

“So… you are worried too,” Lance muttered

“No.”

Lance rolled his eyes about to retort when Romelle Prince came sprinting down the hall straight towards them. 

“Oooo fantastic Lance I need hidden!”

She grabbed at Lance’s robes tugging slightly, jerking him in the other direction. Rachel looks disgusted and smacks at her hands. 

“The hell Prince,” Lance choked

“Like now now. I pissed of that stupid cat!”

“What cat?” Rachel asked

But there was no need to ask as a presence appeared 

Lance swore the hall dropped 10 degrees. A chill crept up his spine and he shivered. At the end of the hall day the ugliest cat he very well may ever live to see. Bright green eyes locked onto Prince and it let out a howl that sounded like a mix of a smoker and a train. It had half a tail or at least it seemed to. It looked like a giant grey dust bunny with the amount of fluff just sticking out from all directions of its body. 

“The hell is that?” Rachel hissed as the fat cat waddled closer

“That’s Duchess! Freaking Headmaster’s cat. This thing has hated me since I was a baby. I have no clue how it’s still alive. It saw me poking around the statue of the one eyed witch and she came after me!” Prince pulled harder finally dragging the twins with her 

The twins reluctantly allowed her to drag them farther down the hall and the moment they were out of the cat’s sight were in an empty classroom. The door shut and Prince quickly tapped it with her wand and a lock activated. She slumped against the door with a sigh and the twins simply glanced at each other before staring back at her. 

“I still don’t understand. It’s just a cat,” Rachel said but Prince hushed her and pointed at the door

The cat’s calls could be heard coming from the other side. Creeping closer and closer as it got near the door. It seemed to pause for a moment before letting out another loud call right outside the door. Then it kept on moving, calling for the girl she had been chasing. 

Rachel still glaring at Prince. Lance offered a hand for her to stand. Prince took it and quickly dusted herself off. 

“Thanks. I swear that cat is cursed. I can’t explain it but ever since I was a kid I swear that cat tattles on me.”

“You are still a kid,” Rachel grumbled to herself and tapped on the door

The door didn’t open. Rachel muttered her spell again and it remained stuck. She slowly turned and stared at Prince. 

“What did you do to it?”

“Nothing just locked it. You are probably saying it wrong,” Prince shoved passed Rachel and waved her wand, “Alohomora!”

The door remained stuck. 

“What spell did you put on it!” Rachel asked tugging at the door handle

“I just tapped it, wanting the door to stay closed. I didn’t think much of it!”

“You are telling me you cast an unknown spell and now we are stuck!” Rachel pulled harder at the door

“I didn’t mean too!”

Lance watched the girls as they tugged at the door together. He slowly turned to check the room. It wasn’t a room he had a class in so he couldn't exactly place it. He wandered to the teacher’s desk and dug a bit, finally pulling up a quill and parchment. There was no ink. He moved through more drawers shoveling things around. Mainly books and spar quills but no ink. 

“Where the hell is the ink,” Lance muttered turning to the shelves

Lance paused and sheepishly looked down at his own bag. He was stealing someone else’s stuff when he had his own right there. Pulling out his own ink he began to write. The girls still arguing at the door. Lance carefully stepped around them and attempted to slide the parchment under the door. 

It was close but it worked. The parchment hardly fit between the door and the floor. 

“What did you just do?” Prince asked suddenly focusing on Lance crouching on the floor 

Lance held up a finger and pressed his ear against the door and waited. The girls glanced at each other and shrugged. Lance stood up and backed up slightly. The handle jiggled and there was a muffled voice from the other end. The handle juggled again but didn’t budge. 

There was a knock, “Hey is this a prank?”

“No we are stuck,” Lance called out

“We tried Alohomora but it failed,” Prince said pressing herself close to the door

“Ah first years,” seemed to be a muttered agreement from the other side 

“Give us a sec, we might need a professor for this one!”

“Thank you!” Prince responded and sighed 

“Did you slide a letter under the door?” Rachel muttered to Lance

“Well yeah. Figured people are about to head back to the rooms hopefully an older student finds it,” Lance stuck a tongue out at Rache who rolled her eyes

“Oh look at you mister smarty pants.”

“What like what you were doing was working? How did that spell work for you?”

“Obviously it wasn’t the spell. It’s the door.”

“Ahhh see what happens when you start using magic? Becomes a crutch doesn't it?” Lance teased rubbing the top of Rachel hair

Rachel scowled, shoving Lance slightly, “Right as if. More like you couldn’t think of anything better so you dumbed it down.”

“Pretty sure I just made sure we don’t sleep in a classroom.”

“I would jump out the window first.”

“Gunna float yourself down? Didn’t you catch your feather on fire?” Lance teased again

“You are much more interesting when you relax your guard.”

Both twins paused their argument to look back at Prince who was still standing by the door watching them. Her smile more directed at Lance but sparing Rachel one as well. Lance shoved his hands deeper into his pockets focusing back on the door. 

Five minutes later they were free.

A professor none had met before opened the door with a quick snap looking more curious than disappointed. He smirked slightly looking down at the first years in the room. 

“You know it’s rude to sneak into classrooms.”

“We were hiding from that stupid cat,” Prince tossed her hands up

“She-“ Rachel interrupted with a pointed glare, “Was then she dragged us into it.”

Lance could only roll his eyes as the group stepped free of the classroom. The group of students who had noticed his note peeking around the professor to see who was trapped. He avoided eye contact with them simply nodding a thanks before turning back to the professor.

“Sorry I borrowed some parchment to write the note from your desk,” Lance muttered dipping his head again

“Don’t worry about it, McClain. It was quick thinking. Now get ready for bed. Curfew is soon,” and the professor closed his classroom door sending the rest away as well

Prince and Rachel were still arguing slightly ahead of Lance as they headed away. The paths soon to split. Rachel scowled more once she realized her and Prince would actually have to go the same path while Lance had to go up. 

“We should do that again,” Prince spun slightly with her hands behind her back looking at the twins 

“We should not,” Rachel narrowed her eyes

“See you tomorrow Prince, Rachel,” Lance waved to the girls behind him as he walked toward the staircase

Prince snorted slightly, waving back as Lance walked up the first set.

“Please, just call me Romelle!”

————

Keith kept his head firmly planted next to his plate as the morning noise filled around him. A pressure building behind his eyes. It hurt to keep them open but hurt just as much to close them. 

But he was so exhausted he didn’t care

“What no sleep again?” Griffin dropped in front of him

Keith only grunted in response. The past few weeks the dreams had grown violent. Wake him in the early hours and prevent him from sleeping after. 

The feeling it left in him was always cold yet he woke up sweating. The darkness around the dreams seemed haunting but the glints of purple and the voice that called to him were too enticing to resist. 

But it was blocked from him

He couldn’t explore deeper. It was like a clear veil blocked his path. Simply forcing him to stand and suffer before waking in a panic. 

He had just been glad he never shouted in his sleep. He always woke and the others were snoring softly around him. Occasionally McClain would be getting ready to leave and he always seemed to jump in surprise when Keith sat up quickly. 

But he had never mentioned anything either

Well… not that he ever talked to them so what did it matter. 

“Maybe a sleep potion of sorts would help. Aren’t we working on one soon? We can use you as the test subject!” Thomas teased only earning a glare from Keith

He really didn’t want to deal with them. 

Actually he was starting to hate it. 

They seemed to have a weird pack mentality. Constantly wanting to do things and be together. Like it was a mandatory thing all first years of the same house must do. None of them branched off to talk to other houses which was weird. Keith couldn’t even sit at a table away from them without them dragging him back. 

At first he thought it was just because he was so used to the orphanage. Sure some kids were nice but most of the time they were at each other’s throats. Fighting for resources that were scattered among the older ones after the younger ones finished. He wasn’t use to other kids his age openly trying to be friendly and hangout. 

But it felt so forced

And honestly they were freakin annoying 

He was rather envious of McClain who often hung out alone or was with a select few people. They seemed to have actual fun when they were together. They seemed to enjoy the conversations they were having. Not being forced to have an input on something stupid in the wizarding news. 

Which they were all weirdly obsessed with. 

“I’ll be fine it we all stop talking,” Keith muttered lifting his head enough to chug some coffee and let his head hit the table again

They weren’t supposed to have coffee. 

“What even is today? What do we have first?” Griffin looked at Keith’s cup a bit oddly

“Friday Defense Against the Dark Arts,” Kinkade sighed

Honestly he was the quietest of the annoying group and Keith heavily appreciated when he could keep the other calm. 

“Ooo that means Quidditch tomorrow!” Watson managed through a mouth full of egg

That had peeked Keith’s interest. They were nearing the end of their first bit of flying lessons. Keith had never sat on a broom before the first lessons and it was… embarrassing. At least he wasn’t the only one. But once he figured it out it felt almost easier than breathing. 

He started reading up on the sport as he only heard bits and pieces in the orphanage. It was the only thing he kept an eye on in the papers. He even looked up the history and rules of Quidditch in the library. He wanted to see the first game in person. To see how it really played. 

Adam had actually teased him slightly when he realized the boy had taken an interest in the sport. While Keith lived in the world of Magic and experienced more than a kid growing up with muggles, there were still huge gaps in his life that magic was supposed to fill. So Shiro and Adam were really surprised when Keith admitted he didn’t know much of the sport till recently. 

“Oh look at that Keith’s back with the living,” Griffin snorted

That was the other issue. As of recently they all decided to use first names… only Keith couldn’t remember them nor did he want to use them. 

Keith shouldered his back and swung his leg over the bench, “See you in class,” he grumbled moving off early 

He just needed alone time which they would never freaking give him. He made his way to the classroom not too surprised to see the door already open but no Shiro inside. He was still eating in the Great Hall with Adam when he glanced over. 

It felt weird… them being his parents now. He was grateful but at the same time it also felt like a small gap was there that they hadn’t closed. They got to know each other plenty during their visits and during the process of adoption but they didn’t really get a ton of time alone before Hogwarts started. They wouldn’t really till Easter and then summer again. 

So Keith actually enjoyed their Sunday teas and lunches. He would also visit sometimes after dinner or at other times when he needed a break. The lion statue standing guard. He still hadn’t met the lion from the painting. 

Keith slumped in his spot that he had claimed since day one. Letting his head rest on the desk with another sigh. The coolness of the desk easing the pain in his eyes. He closed them hoping just for a few minutes of rest. Just… a few. 

“But that’s not possible.”

“Your a first year you wouldn’t know.”

“Matt I’m telling you in the laws of Magic that is literally not possible.”

“Who said Magic? It was science.”

“I’m pretty sure even science has laws to follow.”

Keith was going to kill them. 

“Look I’m just sayin-“ Keith peeled his forehead off the desk to look at the doorway

McClain was leaning against the doorway of the classroom talking to the third year that woke them up to yell at them that one morning. The third year just outside the door in the hallway still but Keith could still hear his stupid voice. 

“See you Matt,” McClain chuckled turning to sit in his spot behind Keith

Keith let his head face down again hoping now that there would be peace and quiet. He still had a lot of questions about the McClain kid. Nothing really made sense from when the others had gossiped about it the first time. 

He was actually a fantastic roommate. Kept his stuff organized and clean. Hardly ever made noises. Never asked stupid questions. It was fantastic. 

With the exception of his sister he had also managed friends outside of Gryffindor. The girl was rather annoying, she sat next to him in a few classes, but the guy was nice. Then there was that third year. 

At first Keith thought it was because Holt had no other friends. The guy was kinda… a dork but it turned out to be the opposite. Keith watched and noticed how often he was stopped or stopped others in the halls to chat. House and year seemed not a factor. People always seemed ready to converse with him. 

Even after that one time in the great hall when he accidentally set some mail on fire. 

Keith couldn’t tell if it annoyed him or not. 

Honestly everything was annoying him right now. He just needed fucking sleep but judging by the shuffling of a chair from the other side of the room that wasn’t going to happen.

———

Keith did manage a nap that evening on Shiro and Adam’s couch. The dreams stayed away long enough for Keith to remember he does still hate everyone he has to deal with but not to the extent of how he felt that morning. 

“You know if you are having issues we can make you something. Or if you want to start small we can do a special tea,” Shiro said when Keith stumbled to their sink 

“It’s fine. It will go away soon,” Keith muttered sipping on the glass of water he made

“You said it’s dreams? The same one every time?” Adam asked from his spot at the table looking over what seemed to be a paper on trolls 

“Mostly but also no. It’s like… the feeling a color they give but it’s stuck in one spot. I can’t go past an area to see what the colors and feeling are trying to indicate.”

“Like… something is reaching for you but you are protected?” Shiro asked glancing over at Adam before refocusing on Keith

“Maybe but something is still on the side I’m on. That’s what wakes me every time. It’s a short dream and it doesn’t make sense but it’s there every time,” Keith muttered rubbing between his eyes

Adam hummed standing from the table and traveling to the his tea stash. He pulled a few select bags as he muttered to himself before pulling a few more. He wrapped them and handed them to Keith. 

“During dinner. See which helps and go from there,” Adam instructed ignoring Keith’s annoyed look

“It’s better than suffering,” Shiro added noticing the look

Keith grumbled but pocketed them before saying farewell for the night. The pair waited till the door closed and several minutes ticked by before speaking again

“Is this something we should be worried about?” Adam muttered looking up at Shiro

“These aren’t normal dreams are they?” Shiro sighed taking another sip from his cup

“Doesn’t sound like it but he spent most his life in the orphanage he shouldn’t have anything after him right?”

Shiro set his cup on the counter looking toward the door trying to ramble through his thoughts. 

“You remember the night we met him. He was chasing something and we thought he was following what we were chasing.”

Adam frowned leaning back in his chair, “But that doesn’t make sense. There is no connection.”

“Maybe… maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

The pair fell into silence looking back at the door as if waiting for Keith to turn around and have the answer for them. 

Chapter Text

The first frost of the year created them when they woke up Saturday morning. It was light and the moment a foot made contact it seemed to disappear. Small puffs of breath could be seen behind the bundles of scarfs. A thin fog settled on the Quidditch pitch. 

Judging by how quickly the weather was warming it would all be gone by first whistle. 

There were a lot more faces than normal so early in the Great Hall. Bundled in layers they would have to peel off later on. Scarfing down bits of breakfast and warm drinks like life depended on it. Keith couldn’t think of a time he had seen students so happy to be awake on a weekend.

People from different houses even decked out in colors holding flags and signs supporting houses they weren’t in. Blue and green seemed to fill the room. A battle of tactics is what Adam said today’s match was. 

Slytherin vs Ravenclaw in the first match of the year

“Look at that finally in colors he belongs in,” Griffin muttered flopping in the empty seat besides Keith

“Shut it unless you want more detention,” Kinkade hissed back but glanced up as well

McClain was over at the Slytherin table dressed down like most of the room. Keith realized he didn’t often see him out of robes but let’s be honest most the house still didn’t see him often even since the bedroom incident. Pants and a long sleeved dark shirt. Wearing a green hat along with a Slytherin scarf sitting with his twin who was wearing something similar. 

Neither seemed to be touching breakfast but glancing at the clock. Male McClain biting at his nails while glancing toward the doors where the older sister appeared dressed in a uniform. She narrowed in on her siblings and was quick to join them. Whispering into the ear of her brother who seemed to pale and swallow. 

Was it a threat? Or were they that worried about the game?

It was just a game right? How bad could it get?

“I am curious how this will play out though if the older McClain plays as good as she did last year. She only let three balls go through. The whole year! It’s insane to think about,” Griffin sighed eyes already somewhere new 

“Where did you even hear that?” Someone else grumbled and the conversation took off

Keith kept his eyes at the clock listening to the chatter around him. He was ready. He was ready to finally see it all in action. He had read what he could. He had watched some of the photos play out but he was curious to see the thing in action. So many students seemed so hyped about it. He wanted to experience it himself.

Finally the crowd of the hall started moving out. Students chattering rushing out to take a seat. Keith let his gaze wander up to Shiro and Adam. Honestly he was more tempted to watch it with them rather than his housemates. There was still that blip of waiting however of seeing what students would think about the whole situation. After the incident on the train Keith understood their hesitance but at the same time were kinda just waiting for the beans to spill. 

For now Keith followed the crowd as it flowed to the pitch. Maybe one day he could sit with them rather than listen to Griffin’s obnoxious insight on everything.

They climbed up a tower peeking around. Other Gryffinors also bundled up taking spots. Some even carrying blue in their support of Ravenclaw since their own house wasn’t playing till the next match. The sun cresting past the trees letting the frost glitter below. 

Keith tucked his nose deeper in his sweater at the sight of other’s breath swirled around him. His gaze on the pitch below. Three golden hoops on each end. Keith could only shiver slightly as the excitement around them rose with chatter. It felt like almost the whole school was here. The stands packed with students and even a section for teachers and guests. 

Keith watched as a box was finally hauled to the center field. The flying instructor with his own broom and a whistle around his neck. First whistle went off. Brooms flew out from the locker rooms making long soft laps as the crowd erupted for the first time. Soon they all hover in the center. The first balls released and the keepers are hoovered near their hoops. The whistle went off again, the quaffle went up and a battle begun.

Keith winced as a loud thump could be heard below as the chasers scrambled for the ball. A Ravenclaw came up with it quickly tossing it off to a waiting teammate. The dash down the field began. Keith was fascinated by the quick play of the quaffle. Bouncing from one teammate to the other. Slytherin players seemed to mainly hover right below, almost not worried about actually trying to swipe the ball. More like they were just waiting for a mistake. 

Ravenclaw went to attempt a score on the left but the Slytherin keeper seemed to appear out of nowhere grabbing it clean out of the air and tossing it down to her teammate in waiting. Slytherin sped off to the other side as those cheering Slytherin erupted off into a cheer. Chants of McClain filled the pitch.

“She’s good,” Kinkade muttered

“You have only seen one play,” Thomas added

“That’s all you need. Ravenclaw won’t get to score this game unless they exhaust or hurt her. She already had them read,” Kinkade explained watching as Slytherin quickly knocked in their first score

The commentator made the call of who scored with a quick gasp. The Slytherin seeker doing a quick dive. The snitch already? The Ravenclaw seeker dived to match the other only for the Slytherin seeker to pull up sharp. The other seeker skimmed across the ground slightly before rising, making some shouts and a dirty finger at the other. 

Fake out

“So tricky,” James muttered with stars in his eyes

Keith refocuses on the chasers. Ravenclaw was quick to get shut out twice more by the keeper. McClain looked like she was hardly trying. Looked almost bored with a hand on her hip just hovering far out ahead of the posts. Occasionally moving slightly out of the way of a bludger that was aimed her way. The beaters often quick to recover it and send it toward a Ravenclaw chaser. It was almost like she was toying with them.

Keith couldn’t even bring himself to scowl like the others when Slytherin scored again because it really was that impressive. They operated so smoothly and quickly like they never had time off. Like they didn’t have new players at all. They were mesmerizing.

How could you hate that? 

Keith couldn’t tell which part he was enjoying more. Watching the battle of chasers or watching McClain toy with Ravenclaw like they were toddlers. He wasn’t even watching the snitch. It didn’t even matter at this point if Ravenclaw caught the snitch because Slytherin would have already won with how dominant they were offensively. 

The sun soon forced people to strip layers as the game went on. Some students already scowling and leaving. Muttering how it was no fun when only one team can score. Really the defense of Slytherin was just McClain. 

Keith blinked slightly glancing around him. The twin McClains not in sight. They must be in another area. He had heard they were the only first years to get out of flying. Now he was curious. We’re they just as good? How were they so natural? He wanted to know. He wanted to be that natural. 

There was a huge rush as the seekers sped right by them. Keith could feel their cloaks brush against his hair. Both hands out. The Ravenclaw trying to swipe it for the sake of desperation. To save face. The Slytherin ready to shut down an already dominating performance. 

Keith turned his head so fast to follow. Narrowing his eyes to see. He could see both bodies slack. One in relief, one in defeat. A gloved hand raised holding a fluttering gold ball. The section of green erupted in more cheers as their seeker continued their victory lap. Groans echoed from the other sections.

“The next match should be better. Won’t be so one sided,” an older student mentioned from behind them as they stood ready to exit

Keith didn’t think he could agree much on that. 

--------

Lance and Rachel edged their way toward the pitch where the Slytherins were still celebrating. Veronica standing a bit off from her teammates looking toward the flowing crowd. A few patted her back and congratulated her as they passed her. Once she narrowed in on her siblings she smiled.

“Should we tell them you’ve had toddlers on brooms score on you better than what they just attempted,” Lance teased as she was in range

“You want them to feel more sore than they already do? How cruel,” Veronica laughed slightly ruffling Lance’s hair, “There will be a party in the common room if you are game.”

Lance raised an eyebrow, “I can get in?”

“Yeah we just gotta get you to your own house before curfew,” Veronica shrugged

Someone came up behind Veronica patting her shoulder causing her to glance behind her. Lance felt his eyes widen as he saw her actually smirk slightly. It was a teammate, one of the beaters if Lance could remember correctly.

“Not bad at all McClain. If the whole year is like this the cup will be ours again.”

“So long as Collins catches the snitch when she’s supposed to. I expect this year to go by smoothly.”

The beater turned his attention to the younger ones with a smirk, “What about you two? Are you two just as deadly on a broom? We are going to have spots open next year and we could use more McClains on brooms.”

“Rachel McClain future chaser,” Rachel saluted in a slight mocking manner

“Malcum Porter, your future beater,” He held out a hand and Rachel shook it

He turned his gaze to Lance tilting his head, “What about you? Finally going to give us some competition? I’m all for a good game, you know. I don’t mind a good challenge. Gryffindor could use some new chasers as well if that’s what you're interested in.”

Lance snorted slightly, “Chaser yeah but there’s no way they would let me on the team.”

Porter frowned, “What Gryffindor that stuck up they won’t accept a good flyer?”

Lance shrugged, “They still see me as a Slytherin not a Gryffindor. I would have more luck trying out for you all.”

Porter smirked again, dropping a heavy hand on Lance’s shoulder almost causing Lance’s knees to buckle together, “We would gladly accept ya!”

A throat cleared from besides them causing all four heads to turn. Lance felt his heart drop to his stomach. He had been so nervous prior to the game but when the game started he had let himself get swept up in it. He had forgotten his father was here. 

Porter gave a quick nod to the group before folding back into the crowd around them. Lance could feel his hands shaking besides him. Cold that had melted from him as the sun came up now returned. He had the urge to keep his eyes on the ground but he knew his father wouldn’t approve. So he smiled slightly as his gaze matched his father’s.

“Wonderful game Veronica. Glad to see the hard work pay off,” his father shared a warm smile with Veronica as he focused back on the twins, “And you two I hope everything is going well?”

The pair nodded still on edge. Their father wasn’t a bad man. He was loyal and loved his family. Lance recalled all the games and stories he told them growing up. He was the one who taught them to ride brooms at such an early age. He told them stories of Hogwarts that raised their curiosity. He showed them simple spells and flashy little things to keep them entertained. He tucked them in and kissed them goodnight. He was always a calm force paired with his mother.

But this very well might be the first time Lance was absolutely terrified to see him

“Classes are fairly easy so far but I’m not looking forward to exams that’s for sure,” Lance started hoping to break any fear he was hoarding

His father chuckled, “Yes well it only gets harder as you age but you lot have been well prepared. Hopefully we set you up so you're ahead of the curb.”  

“That’s for sure! Luckily a lot of the basics we are learning are stuff you and Ma have already taught us! We just couldn’t actually perform them till now!” Rachel nodded, grabbing her wand from her pocket twirling it between her fingers, “It’s a bit weird finally being able to put it all into practice now.”

“Yeah only after you exploded the potions room twice,” Lance teased bringing up what happened just last week

Potions was not Rachel’s specialty

“Oh you were the one hoarding the ingredients,” she blushed looking away

Their father laughed, “Don’t worry you're not the first or last. Better than catching the common room couch on fire,” Their father rubbed the back of his neck slightly sheepishly

“Oh we hadn’t heard that story,” Veronica pressed but he only shook his head and sighed

He glanced back to the twins before focusing on Lance specifically. His eyes flickering to the Slytherin gear he was sporting then to the crowd around them. Most people had cleared way pretty quickly once he had made his way to his children. Some glances and quick ducks of the head when they realized who he was.

Lance could feel his nerves spark again as his father settled on him again, “I’ve heard some rumors I’m hoping you could clear up for me Lance.” 

Lance nodded, biting his lip. He could sense Rachel tense next to him as well. Veronica remained in place. Why did this feel so wrong? Their father loved them… but he could sense it. The stain he had just placed on their family name. The burden he just set on them.

“There was a lot of talk in the Ministry after sorting day because obviously a lot of kids talked to their parents after they were sorted and they were saying there was a McClain that was not in Slytherin. That there was a McClain that was put in Gryffindor. I thought maybe by chance there was a third McClain not related to us that happened to be a first year as well. Only when neither me or your mother heard from you, only from Veronica and Rachel we had our suspicions.”

Lance couldn’t help but shift under the gaze. Just waiting for the build up to drop. His father’s gaze was no longer as kind and relaxed as it had been when they chatted at the start.

“But it was still weird since McClains have always been Slytherins. Even your mother who is literally the sweetest soul on Earth was a Slytherin often mistaken as a Huffelpuff so it didn’t make sense why we would be hearing these rumors and not hearing from one of our children… unless a McClain wasn’t a Slytherin,” His father’s tone growing quieter with each word

“So Lance, how do you like the Slytherin common room? Live up to the stories we told you?”

Lance swallowed hard. Hands shaking so much he was sure it was obvious. He could already sense the cold anger swirling around them. The disappointment. 

“I wouldn’t know,” Lance muttered

“And why would that be?”

“I didn’t get sorted into Slytherin,” Lance finally breaking and looking at the ground

All the times he got in trouble as a kid he never felt such annoyed anger or disappointment as he could right now. His sisters silent around him waiting like he was for what was going to happen. Their father simply pulled his gloves out of his pockets and pulled them on. Tugging them on slowly and pulling out what seemed to be a bit of gum. Unwrapping it before popping it into his mouth as if delaying would help what he had to say.

He hummed pocketing the trash before looking at Veronica and Rachel, “I’ll see you two for Christmas. Write to your mother more often.”

He turned, adjusting his hands in his pockets, “It can’t be helped. We can talk about this when we figure something out.”

Lance looked up as his father walked away. He felt something crack inside him with each step he took. They had always known it was a big deal to be in Slytherin to their family and today they just found out how big. 

“Lance,” Veronica started but Lance shook his head

“I’ll see you all later. I’ve got an essay to finish,” He muttered moving quickly toward the closest exit keeping his head down

This day felt like it just locked into one of his top five worst days.

---------

Lance held it together till he got to the safety of the empty bedroom. Quickly kicking off his shoes and stripping down to more comfortable clothes. It may be too early for pajamas but he didn’t care. Tears were already falling down his face as pulled on a new shirt. Rubbing his eyes with his palms. 

He pulled the covers over his head and let the pillow muffle his cries. He had been terrified before on what would happen. He was sure his family would be mad. He was sure there would be issues. He had many thoughts on what they could be. 

But he hoped it would be ok 

God how he hoped

He hoped he would go home and his mother would hug him and offer a snack. He hoped the others would teased him about how badly they would beat him in quidditch. He hoped that despite everything he could come home and it would be ok.

He was already excluded for Christmas.

Lance let the tears drain him and push him on the edge of sleep. His breathing still ragged but the tears were empty for now. He allowed his eyes to close ready to sleep off the new headache brewing when the door opened.

Lance wanted to kick them out. To snap at them and yell. Just like he had wanted to the first night but he hadn’t. Just like he wanted to every time he heard Griffin make a joke about his family. 

But he stayed silent and just prayed they would leave soon

“Are you alright?”

Or not

Lance let his face poke out from under the blanket. He was sure his hair was a mess, his cheeks stained, and eyes red. He was sure whoever it was would tell the others and they would mock him later for it. 

But for now he was just hoping seeing him would make them leave

The other boy blinked at him holding a book in his hands. It was the dark haired boy Griffin often draped himself over. The one that sat in front of him in several classes. He sat besides Romelle in one. K his named started with a K.

The boy raised his eyebrows and tried again, “Are you good or do you need the nurse or something?”

Lance shook his head slightly. 

“You're missing lunch, you know.”

Lance just blinked at him. His face seemed to say he didn’t care. Simply holding his book staring at Lance almost confused but besides Matt and a few random older Gryffindors this was the most someone had spoken to him in his own house. It almost made everything hurt more.

The boy finally shrugged and turned leaving Lance to his thoughts and allowed sleep to swallow him whole.

-------

Lance woke after several hours. No one else was in the room yet but judging by the window it wouldn’t be long. Lance stretched wincing at the feeling of his body’s desperate call of a shower. His gaze landed on the small side table next to him. A small plate of a mix of snacks sat waiting along with a cup of tea by the looks.

The drink was even still warm

Chapter Text

Keith debated on a few things the next week. Between his dreams increasing, the clingy way the other Gryffindors seemed so demanding to be, and now McClain’s new silent stance he felt his curiosity and frustrations burying themselves deeper into his skin. 

Overall he wasn’t sure what was his to meld and deal with and what he should let be… or simply hand off. 

The dreams were the same. Chasing someone as they called, hitting a wall that he couldn’t see,and purple eyes that screamed with familiarity. They weren’t… normal dreams but what could he or anyone else do about them? So those were shoved away. 

The clingy group of kids that seemed hell bent on never leaving him alone. He guessed that would be his to deal with. He wondered how McClain managed to fend off people besides just his last name. Maybe he spent too much time at the orphanage being crowded and harassed that the idea of being around anyone was too much for him to take full time mentally. 

Then there was McClain himself. 

Keith wasn’t going to lie he felt a bit guilty with the whole sleeping in the common room thing. He still didn’t understand half of what was going on anyway with the family drama. Just that most everyone was still actively avoiding McClain with the exception of that one older Gryffindor but as of lately McClain has been avoiding everyone including his sisters. 

Something must have happened at the Quidditch match that had dipped under the radar. Keith had been surprised to find the boy breathing oddly after the match. His eyes rimmed red as he glanced out from his blankets. Keith was used to kids being upset. He found several of them crying and hiding for one reason or another when he lived at the orphanage but he had always let them be. 

Comforting people was not his specialty

He thought that things would slip back to normal a day or two after the match but they didn’t. McClain ever more distant with his housemates and now sisters and the few people who he did seem friendly with. So Keith finally did what had been asked of him.

“I think something happened at the Quidditch match with McClain,” Keith muttered as he sipped his Sunday tea

“His father was at the match so it wouldn’t be much of a surprise,” Adam sighed, setting his cup down, “But what makes you think so?”

“He’s always avoided people as is but he’s now avoiding everyone, even his sisters. Skipping meals and basically hiding now. Both sisters have even asked us if we know where he’s hiding but,” Keith shrugged 

Shiro made a face as he glanced at Adam. They seemed to be having a private conversation between them that Keith couldn’t read. Adam tapped his knee with his thumb as if writing down a reminder for himself.

“Thank you, I’ll see what we can do,” Adam sighed and lifted an eyebrow at Keith, “Anything else?”

“Honestly that was the only thing I needed to report,” Keith shrugged hoping their afternoon could go back to normal

Adam hummed before looking at Shiro with a sharp smile, “Speaking of Quidditch are you ready to lose soon.”

Shiro scowled and argument sparked about the upcoming Hufflepuff and Gryffindor match. While it was still a few weeks away the build up had already begun. Especially after the dominant performance from Slytherin most were hoping for a closer match and were arguing who would be the first team to score on Slythern’s keeper.

Shiro and Adam had caught Keith’s interest in Quidditch after the first match. When they met the following day and much to their amusement Keith didn’t shut up about the match. It was the most he openly talked about a subject without being prompted. It was also the most energetic they had seen him since he mentioned the dreams so they were glad at least something was keeping him sidetracked.

“Babe you have like half a team this year,” Shiro jabbed as they kept on

“Still better than yours,” Adam scowled 

Wasn’t a lie a lot of his team graduated last year and it was definitely going to show when they played. Hufflepuff on the other hand hadn’t has a consistent team in ages which often left them like newborns flying in the sky. Ravenclaw and Slytherin have been on a roll the past six years. Slytherin a smidge longer thanks to the amount of McClains that come in and out right on schedule.

“Besides, Keith will be flying for Gryffindor next year. Can’t side with your house,”Adam snickered watching Keith’s eyes brighten at the concept

Shiro groaned muttered curses under his breath at Adam with a pointed look. Of course he would be pushing for Keith to join the team after finding out the kid likes it. Especially if it benefits his house team. 

“Sorry Shiro, it is two to one,” Keith added as he sipped his tea enjoying the ease and tease of the conversation

The small tea times made him really feel like he had a family now. He just hoped they could keep it that way.

———

“Hey Keith where ya been!”

Keith gritted his teeth as he entered the common room. Most of the first years were lounging about near the fire. Some of the girls seemed to be crowded around a magazine sprawled out on the floor. A group of third years were arguing at the desk a bit too loudly for Keith’s entertainment. The urge to turn around and walk out was high. There were too many people to deal with at this stupid school. 

Keith simply shrugged at James and moved to go up to the room. Maybe he could fake he was tired and sneak a nap or something. Maybe for once James would let him be without a babysitter.

“I wouldn’t go up there if I were you. McClain was up there and kicked as all out,” James jutted a thumb where Keith was headed

“What do you mean kicked you all out he doesn’t talk to anyone?” Keith turned his head slightly looking back at the group

“Well he didn’t talk he screamed at us to get out so we just left,” James waved a hand 

Kincade glared at him slightly before looking up at Keith, “He did kick us out but James started it.”

“Hey! Did not!” 

The pair began to bicker. Keith could only pick up a few things in the conversation. Something about a missing item and the typical McClain banter. 

Keith made a fist and squeezed twice with a sigh. He felt aged dealing with them. It made him glad that Shiro and Adam weren’t planning on giving him siblings… or at least he hoped not. He honestly couldn’t handle more people in his life at this point. 

Keith slumped up the stairs to the room for first year boys. He cracked the door open and peeked inside to see what damage had been done. McClain was muttering under his breath cleaning up the room which looked every bit as if someone turned the whole place over. 

“What happened?”

McClain glared up at Keith who fully stepped inside. Keith took into account what items seemed to be tossed everywhere. If he was correct it was all McClain’s and maybe a few of James’s. 

“Your asshat friend claimed I had his Charms book and tossed everything looking for it. Do you know where his book was? Under his freakin bed but he still threw shit everywhere and yelled at me. Then I look like the bad guy for kicking them out because they trashed my stuff,” McClain mumbled on

He seemed like he wanted to yell. There was the borderline murderous intent flickering in his eyes as he picked up item after item chucking it either onto his bed or James’s. 

“He’s not my friend,” was all Keith managed watching the display 

Lance chucked a shoe a bit harder than he should at his bed watching it bounce off and land on the floor, “Yeah sure whatever. Get out.”

“He’s not.”

“Sure seems like it,” Lance turned back to the mess around him

Keith felt stuck in the frame. He didn’t want to go back down and have to deal with James and the others. On the flip side he also still wasn’t sure about the whole McClain thing and he definitely wasn’t wanting to actively try and add another clingy follower to his wake. 

He just wanted alone time for once in this damn castle. Was that too much to ask?

Keith felt McClain glare at him again so he backed out slightly and shut the door. Leaving his hand on the knob, eyes closed. 

He sighed making his decision. He reopened the door McClain spinning mouth open but Keith held up a hand. He grabbed his bag from beside his bed and stalked back out of the room. Traveling back down the stairs gritting his teeth as he moved across the common room. 

“Oi what no fireworks?” James called out then tilting his head, “Wait where are you going?”

“It was your fault,” Keith muttered climbing out of the portrait hole ignoring the others calling behind him

The weather was too cold to hide in the towers or in the courtyard. Let alone anywhere outside. Despite both parents working and living in the school his knowledge of hiding spots were limited. Leaving him with one option. 

The library 

There were some students whispering together under piles of books with homework spread out in front of them. Others who seemed like they came to try but were more interested in doodling in the corners of their pages. Luckily there weren’t many students there. Most were likely holed up in their commons rooms like he wished he could do without being bothered yet here he was moving to hide in the farthest corner he could manage. 

He honestly didn’t even have work really to finish. Nothing that would take him long anyway. 

But it was still better than the shadows that cling to him all day 

Keith huffed and slid into a cornered spot between some shelves. One of those perfect cubbie spots that could fit one to two people and give some privacy. There was a pair of older students working a bit behind him but they seemed quiet and intent on their work. 

Perfect spot

He hoped he could hide away till dinner and drop his stuff off so by the time he reached the hall he would miss most of the talk. He flicked open his Charms book to the spot he needed. 

Small bit of him wondered if it was weird to try and sneak away from James and them. He knew growing up in the orphanage he was in for a bit of a challenge but he was used to there always being someone around then. Used to the shadows and trying to hide for a five minute break. 

Maybe he just expected less of it here. Were humans naturally like this? So freaking annoying?

He hoped not. 

Keith grumbled under his breath as he began his work. The pair of students behind him occasionally made a comment on their work but mostly the next hour was filled with pages flipping and occasional scribbles on parchment. Keith couldn’t help but realize that this was probably the first time he was able to study in peace since arriving. He must find more hiding places in this castle. Maybe Shiro and Adam could share some that they claimed they didn’t know. Wasn’t like he was using it for mischief. Just freaking peace.

The pair of students behind him mumbled something about dinner and soon shuffled their items together and left. Keith glanced up at the nearest clock. Sure enough dinner was about to get going. 

Keith groaned, stalling slightly. Very slowly putting the finished work away. The longer he took the better the chance the others went on ahead of him. Maybe he should even sneak a shower before eating and burn more time.

The librarian paused beside him as he placed everything in his bag. She bent down, picking up a paper and handing it over to Keith.

“You must have dropped this,” her voice sent unsettling chills down his spine as it mimicked the ghost in the horror movies they watched without permission at the orphanage

“Thank you,” Keith ducked his head shoving it in his bag as well rushing out the door back toward the common room

———

Lance stretched his arms above his head as he headed back to the Gryffindor common room. Dinner has become another dull affair again since the Quidditch match. Matt had tried but Lance felt a bit more repulsed by the idea of his house at the moment. Matt knew something had happened as rumors flew around the school thanks to a few Slytherins who had been on the pitch at the time and heard bits and pieces of the conversation. 

Some were saying Lance was officially disowned which was probably the closest. Others saying he was banished and was told to live in the closest woods which wasn’t completely accurate but again same lines. There was other stuff too but most were too scared to talk to Lance at this point so he was only getting the really filtered versions.  

Either way those who used to actively talk to him were keeping their distance or he was hiding from them. 

Which included his sisters as hard as they try. Rachel consistently tried to get him to talk during class but he had won more quiet games as a kid than her so he had the practice here. Only speaking to her when it had to do with the class assignment when they were partnered. A whole week of silence was going to be too much for someone; it was just a matter of who broke first. 

The staircases shifted around just in time for Lance to take the path he needed. He still hadn’t figured out for sure how they worked. He had seen them take off with students halfway up them leaving them sprinting in order for them not to be late to their next lesson. Sometimes they seemed to show up right as needed. He had yet to see a pattern to them though. He didn’t sense a timer or anything that could be a hint that they were about to change. 

A shoulder bumped into Lance spooking Lance out of his thoughts. He was normally one of the first down to dinner so he could finish and leave without dealing with the others. A grand blessing that left him much alone time. Typically only leaving the students he saw rushing on their way down. So it was a surprise to look up and see who must have rushed forward to catch up to him. 

Allura Altea

“Hello Lance. Been awhile.”

“Uhh yeah,” Lance could only blink his brain back into operation

Allura’s own blue eyes are more steady and poised. As if she had been waiting and now had made her calculated strike. It was slightly unsettling given… everything.

“You haven’t taken my advice,” She said simply moving forward off the staircase onto the landing

Lance followed her on instinct

“Advice?” Lance frowned thinking back to the single time they had met

“You are not your pedigree and it would be wise to learn that,” Allura glared at the portrait besides them as the maiden witch tried to make a snide comment

Lance scoffed looking down the staircase they came from. Like the whole wizarding world wasn’t so stupidly attracted to family names for that to be realistic.

“I’m serious,” Allura snapped glaring down at Lance which forced him to look back, “You aren’t the only one walking around with a family who’s constantly being monitored and judged.”

“I’m sorry last I checked you weren’t being outcast by the whole freakin castle,” Lance gritted his teeth

Allura stared back down at him. A bit of her hair sliding off her ear and Lance’s hand twitched in response. Her face remained still though. Lance couldn’t catch her thoughts dancing behind her eyes.

“Yes you are going to have it harder than others but that is partly because you let your last name control you so much. Let go of it. There are those around who are willing to look past it. Don’t prove them wrong,” She tugged at the edge of her skirt

“How can I prove anyone right or wrong when I don’t even understand the weight of what my last name carries to others. I just know what it means to me and my family,” Lance hissed moving past her to the next staircase

He only made it three steps up when she called up, “Do you really not… know?”

Lance turned and looked down at her shaking his head. That same annoying frustrated anger boiling deep inside him. 

Allura turned to him fully jaw set as she responded, “Murders, traitors, only loyal to themselves and the darkside… that is what your family is know for.”

Lance felt heated vines pull at his skin while ice formed down his spine and bones. That wasn’t right. Not the family he knew. His mother rocked all the kids to sleep when they woke with nightmares. His father kissed their injuries before healing them. His uncle would bring them gifts of his travels with stories of the magical forests he camped in. Talking about the most respectful ways to bury magical creatures he came across that were dead and laid out in the open. His aunt helped cure those who were sick and hurt but couldn’t afford the big hospitals in town. He had family in the ministry. They couldn’t work there if they were evil. His siblings were the farthest thing from it. He was the farthest thing from it.

“That is not the family I know,” He answered feeling his eyebrow twitch

A look flickered across Allura’s features but he was too far and frazzled to register what it could be. Just as he moved to move back up the stairs he caught a glimpse of someone walking back from the great hall. She looked up as soon as she stepped onto the starter landing. Her eyes catching Allura and then Lance looking back at her. Her movements paused trying to read what she was seeing.

But even with her glasses she couldn’t read her brother’s expression from that far

Allura noticed Lance’s focus had changed and she followed his gaze back down to where they rested on Veronica who was well away from where her house’s common room was. Veronica and Allura’s gazes met and by the time they turned to look back at Lance he was already gone. 

Chapter Text

They really should have been proud of Keith for making it this far without issues. At least… issues they knew about. 

Sure the fight on the train they knew but that had been it. He had done good. He hadn’t exploded. 

However it was obvious there was a tension growing again among those who Keith had fought against in the train. It wasn’t too surprising but casual passes in the hallway were now being added with a shoulder check and spilled books. 

The other first years had complained about it saying it was rude that older students particularly from other houses really should be trying to start a fight with a younger student who has done them no wrong. 

Though they weren’t aware of how wrong they were. 

Because Keith had done something wrong and they were finally building the courage to do something about it. 

Adoption in the magical world was… spotty. Hardly any kids from the orphanage found homes and those who typically did were often by families who had tried over and over and failed to produce a child. Even then it was never from purebloods which is where the issues often lied. Those who were half or muggleborn often went to more common orphanages. Occasionally accidentally picking up a magically kid in the process but it wasn’t guaranteed. 

There was less advertisement about them nowadays compared to the past. 

Originally adopting an already known witch or wizard was huge. Picking up kids who were standouts in their class in order to brag. Those who were naturally gifted so they could wean their way into a higher social placement. The best students went to the best homes. 

When the war hit however things changed a bit. People on both sides taking in kids to use as soldiers and spies. That was the rumor Keith had heard at least behind hidden hands. It was easier to convince a kid with nothing to train under them when they had no other choice. 

With the combination of the two things the Ministry stepped in and changed guidelines. Most prevalent was no longer being able to discuss schooling. Sure there were still ways around it but now that that had been taken out of the equation the decline began. There was no advertisement of potential bright stars in need of homes or child soldiers to mold. 

The orphanage grew full. Less kids adopted and those who were were the young ones. Never the ones of age. 

So when an older kid was actually adopted and it wasn’t based off of grades there was definitely some green eyes on them. The fact he was adopted by Hogwarts teachers no less added a spotlight. 

They knew it would be a matter of time before the beans finally spilled. They had debated a bit on if it would be better for them to mention something rather than word just running loose but Adam and Shiro ran the worry that there would be talk of favoritism among students. If they continued and their classroom relationship seemed normal then word got out there would be less declaration of favoritism. 

Keith could sense their time was running out.

They were testing their limits currently. What they could get away with without him saying anything or being noticed. To them Keith had stolen an opportunity. One he didn’t deserve.

And he didn’t exactly think they were wrong

“What is with them,” Kinkade muttered grabbing a book that had fallen closer to him

Keith only shrugged putting the book back in his bag tugging it back over his shoulder watching the 3rd year stalk off to his next class. He had been the worst of it. He was the one who started it on the train. His best friend was a 4th year Slytherin who had joined the fun more and more meaning he was either tag teamed or getting hit multiple times a day. 

The 3rd year was exactly the picture perfect image of what one would expect a Ravenclaw to be. Stupidly clever and smooth. Book smart by natural habit and street smart the hard way. He was clever and respected at the orphanage and apparently enough by his own house no one really questioned the targeting. 

At least no one said anything.

“He’s always been like that,” Keith only muttered moving on to the next class

“You know him?” Kinkade had every right to look surprised

It wasn’t like Keith was out making friends with anyone openly. Half the time he was seen with other students it wasn’t his choice.

“He will get over it,” Keith took his normal seat in front of McClain 

“Shouldn’t you tell someone?” Kinkade pushed, “Like a professor or something?”

Keith shook his head, “He will get bored soon.”

Kinkade looked unsure but took his seat besides Griffin. Keith was glad that the one thing that really hadn’t changed was their seats since the start of the year. None of the teachers had them actually assigned and luckily very few students had shifted around from their first day of classes. Maybe it was a first year thing or something but the classes were still very divided in house seating. A few students milled between but so far most the rooms still split half and half. 

So Keith found himself grateful that he only sat in front of one fellow Gryffindor and across from another. Gave him a break from the constant clingy group he had been threaded into.

He pulled out his books and parchment to properly attempt fixing what had been done prior when he noticed handwriting that wasn’t his. The curls of the letters and sway of words too pretty for anything he could have managed. He squinted slight tilting the page as he looked at it. 

They definitely weren’t his notes. 

The Ravenclaw who typically sat beside him dropped recklessly in almost knocking her own bag off the desk as she groaned to her friend beside her about a paper. She glanced sideways only to break off her conversation and look back. 

“Why do you have Divination notes?” Her voice bright and curious 

“They aren’t mine so I’m not sure. Must have accidentally picked them up when things fell,” Keith grimaced hoping they weren’t important to someone

The girl leaned forward and Keith resisted the urge to push her away from his bubble. 

“Hmm well I don’t know who they belong to but it’s definitely an older student. Probably female. If you could figure out who’s currently doing dream studies that would narrow it down but it could also be just something they are doing on the side.”

Ah yes… so helpful 

Keith shrugged carefully, rolling it and sliding it back into his bag. The girl besides him returned her attention to her friend. 

Dream studies… that was a thing? 

———

Lance was officially winning the world longest quiet game. 

It hadn’t gone unnoticed that he hadn’t received a single letter from either parent since his father found out. Nor had he heard from his siblings that had already graduated. He slightly expected to feel the curious eyes and whispers grow around him as the slight drama of the McClain family was now being played out for all those at Hogwarts to see. Reality everything around him grew more still. Most granted his desire to fade away to the background like he originally had even if it had been accidental. His time in Gryffindor tower returned to stillness despite Matt Holt’s attempts. He wasn’t sure if the guy gave up or if someone had convinced him to stand down but now the only contact with him was from a distance. The only pair of eyes he could feel glued to him besides his sisters.

They had paused their attempts too. 

Ever since Veronica spotted him and Allura on the staircase. He wondered slightly if she simply marked him as a traitor or how much she had heard of the conversation. None of that actually aligned so honestly he believed they were just waiting for him to break.

But at this point really Lance was just trying to figure out a plan

What that plan was however… well ask anyone but him he couldn’t even figure out what to do past Christmas break.

There was one more Quidditch match before Christmas Break. He knew he was already going to be staying at Hogwarts for break and likely for any holiday that passed. For summer however he reached a different issue. Originally Marco said he could stay with him but did that offer still stand? If not what should he expect once arriving back at the train station. Would his family ignore him? Take him home and never see the light of day again? 

It was more than his eleven year old brain could manage. 

“Mr McClain do you mind stay behind a moment,” Lance looked up to Professor Wright not looking up from his stack of papers up front

Lance swallowed ready to sputter out an excuse about being late to Charms but Professor Wright held up a paper and held it in the air, “Krogane can you please give this to your next Professor for me.”

The boy that typically sat in front of Lance didn’t seem at all surprised to be called on. Simply nodded and walked up with his bag over his shoulder to grab the paper, polite enough not to look at it as he left the room. A few Hufflepuff eyes flickered over to Lance as he slowly reached the desk. More specifically the attention of Romelle and Hunk who had also fallen victim to the silent treatment the world was now receiving from Lance. 

It wasn’t long however for the room to empty and Lance be left alone standing awkwardly at the desk waiting for a sign of punishment or questioning.

“Would you like a tea?”

Lance blinked and looked up at his professor. The stern man was always very on task. Didn’t handle any room for error in his classroom. Said there was a difference in error and line of improvement and refused to let his students dip below where they started. His tests were simple but graded hard. Lance thought he had been doing well to not fall below his start line but he was beginning to wonder if his last paper was as horrid as it was to write.

So invitation to tea was not his expectation

“Oh. No thank you I’m fine,” Lance managed once his brain redirected

“There is no rush, you won’t be going to Charms today anyway. Rigby will get the note I sent and she will get you notes by the evening. You are far ahead in all your classes anyway, one missed lesson won’t kill you,” Lance finally felt the sharp gaze focus on him as the man scooped up his papers, “Follow me to my office if you don’t mind.”

Lance really didn’t see much of a choice in the order. He followed to a door just behind the desk. Wright pushed the door open and Lance couldn’t help but glance around. 

One side of the office was covered in books while the other half was journals. Behind the desk was a large glass display case of items under a large window. Some seemed like basic teacups, others with more deformed shapes that Lance couldn’t identify. Wood shelving lined the doorway with more items. A few portraits along that wall and above the cases. In the center was another desk. This one more messy than the one in the classroom but Lance had a feeling it was the cat sleeping belly up to blame in that matter. A few chairs around the desk seemed almost as if they were hardly used with the exception of the one Wright sat in dropping his papers to the corner of the desk. 

He raised a hand to the empty seating across as he poked the black cat in the belly. It made a sound of displeasure as it rolled over and stretched. Pitch black and sleek. It stretched before jumping off the desk and striding out, flickering its tail back and forth.

“Honestly I have no clue who’s cat that is but every afternoon she comes in her to lay in the sun like she can’t do that anywhere,” Wright muttered to himself as he dusted the cat hair off his desk

He refocused looking across at Lance who nervously shifted his hands in his lap. Bag now on the ground as he took the seat by the desk nearest the door. 

“It has been brought to my attention by two students now that something has occured recently. I let it go for a bit thinking things may work out on their own as I don’t like to get involved with family matters but I have a growing concern at this point and now so have a few other staff mentioned their concern.”

Oh…

Lance swallowed and dipped his head slightly to hide his gaze toward the edge of the desk, “Sorry everything is fine. Didn’t mean to cause an inconvenience.”

“Wrong.”

Lance blinked and looked up. Professor Wright simply leaned back in his chair looking over at Lance. His gaze still sharp but didn’t seem as harsh in close quarters. 

“You are not fine and it is ok to not be fine at times,” He waved his hand slightly and Lance swore he felt the air warm slightly despite no fireplace in sight, “But not figuring a solution be in alone or with help is not alright. Not when it’s been this long.”

This long… How long have they been watching?

“You are a bright student McClain but is it because you have nothing to do but your studies or because you are actually just that smart has yet to be explored. You have dove into the one thing that feels safe right now and that is your studies but what happens when that disappears from you.”

Lance felt a chill run through him. Was that a threat? A threat that they could kick him out?

“Answer me this, if you were sorted into Slytherin do you think you would be this far ahead in your studies?” Wright asked sliding the paper he had been concerned about earlier with a perfect grade facing the top

“Maybe…”

“Answer honestly,” Even if it was soft it felt like a command

Lance swallowed again, “Maybe not.”

“You would be making friends and spending too much time gossiping in the common room or goofing off at dinner. Maybe even teasing the squid in the pond… right?”

Lance nodded

“So what’s stopping that from happening now,” Wright let his fingers draw a figure on the desk as he waited for the answer

Lance however was stuck on that aspect. He knew why but there was still the pit that he hadn’t touched. The why. The full depth of hatred that seemed to involve his family and now him as well. 

He still didn’t understand why Allura had said what she said. He didn’t know what stories she knew. He just knew what he knew and that was that his family were good people.

Only… that didn’t seem the case to the rest of the world

He was still scrambling to understand. It was hard to do though when silence is the only thing on either feed. Yes he had cemented the silence but really it was for his own protection. 

It hurt less when it was by his doing and not because his parents forced it. 

“I was sorted into the wrong house and it’s ruining my life.”

“Wrong. You were not sorted into the wrong house. The hat is never wrong,” Wright let his fingers tap on the wood trying to let Lance depict his options

Lance opened and closed his mouth a few times. Really though, wasn't that the problem? None of this would be happening if he was in Slytherin. 

“You had made friends despite this just with other houses or older students. Something changed. You shut them out.”

They really had been watching. 

Lance tightened his fingers together in frustration. He felt backed into a wall and smaller than when he first stepped in the room. 

“You seem to already have your answer so why do you ask me?” Lance pulled up his shield on instinct it didn’t seem to phase his head of house however

Wright leaned forward again and Lance wanted to shrink farther in his chair under the stare.

“You aren’t the only first year having issues Lance. Nor are you the only one to waltz into this castle with family troubles. It is your decision on what you make of these next few years. Yes things are confusing and suck right now but is isolating yourself really the way to go?”

“It is when I don’t understand what’s wrong,” Lance didn’t withhold the desperation, “I don’t understand. No one will say why. I haven’t done anything to anyone and I’m being treated as if I’ve murdered half the castle’s family all because of my last name. Which makes no sense. I know my family. They are good people. So I don’t understand what is happening anymore,” his voice cracking a bit as his frustration leaked out

Professor Wright's expression didn’t falter. His eyes maybe softened a tad but it was hard to tell as Lance dropped his eyes again begging for the ache to stop. 

He just wanted to go home and he wasn’t even welcomed there anymore. 

“Your family is a complicated matter. It is not my place to understand how your family works but I have done my work with some of your family so I understand some of it,” Lance glanced back up at this, “It is up to you and your family to talk properly about what your name means to others. What I can give you is that your family has achieved amazing things in history but almost always at a cost. They have caused plenty of other families to bare their own sins across their face so most find it fitting yours must do the same.”

Wright sighed, resting back into his chair again adjusting his glasses.

“You have enemies because of your name and people will always judge you for it but you haven’t earned your title yet,” Lance blinked and his hands fell open, “You are eleven. You are a kid. You haven’t figured out the basics of magic yet. You have time to figure out where you belong with your family and where you belong in this school that is preferably not in the shadows that you seem so hellbent to lay in. It is not your duty to figure out life now it is your duty to learn and grow then figure out your path be it with your family or elsewhere. There is no shame in either despite what others may claim.”

Lance felt a wave of exhaustion hit him. He was just tired of it all. He had been stressed for so long. He still has and still likely would be. 

But it was out of his control

“So what just… be a student?” Lance shrugged 

Wright’s lips curved slightly, “Be a kid Lance.”

Lance let out a shuttered sigh which seemed to satisfy the Professor, “Hogwarts is stressful enough on its own. It’s easier with others in your corner. Even if you aren’t prepared to talk to your family again I’m sure there is a certain older Gryffindor and a few Hufflepuffs your age that have been patiently waiting for your return.”

Professor Wright handed him a note addressed to Rigby, “For when you see her next just in case she opted to ignore Keith’s letter from me.”

He waved his hand and Lance stood to take his leave giving a small head nod. Gathering his bag and placing the note inside. As Lance’s hand landed on the door knob he was called out to a final time. 

“Oh and Lance, it may be wise to know that not all families are made through blood. If your family doesn’t accept you for who you are there is no shame in creating a family around you who supports and cares for you. No blood required.  Oftentimes the bonds that lie there are stronger.”

Lance nodded once more and quickly took his leave back to the common room.

————

Adam sighed rubbing his hands across his face

“Kids are stressful,” he muttered

Between multiple people bringing up Lance’s sudden isolation and now a report from another first year that Keith was being targeted by an older student he had a feeling his group of first years were going to be more problems than they were worth. 

He really just hoped they didn’t all explode at the same time. 

He knew Keith was due for something. He could see it in every movement. It was almost as if he was begging for someone to just push him over the edge to give him an excuse to fight. 

That Ravenclaw was going to give him that chance if they couldn’t address it rapidly. 

There was a tap on his window. 

A large brown owl clung to the sill as it tapped the class. Scroll attached to his leg. 

Adam opened the window quickly offering it a bit of food he had hidden in his desk. It hardly gave him the time to tear off the wrapper. The moment he untied the letter he took off back out the window. 

Adam winced at the seal. Unraveling the letter to see a short message graced the page. 

Galra are on the move

Chapter Text

When Keith arrived back to the common room there was a note on his bed. 

We had to take a small emergency trip for business. Will be back Monday. Behave -Shiro

Keith frowned slightly at it because what business did they have outside of Hogwarts? He knew Shiro had mostly retired and was really only supposed to be giving advice out. He wasn’t supposed to be in the field as far as Keith knew.

Them being gone meant they would miss both the Quidditch match on Saturday and their tea season. 

Oddly enough Keith felt a bit alone for the first time since he arrived at Hogwarts. Just not in the way he had wanted. 

He stuffed the letter away and left the notes Rigby had left for McClain on McClain’s bed under the pillow in hope no one else saw. She seemed to have already expected the note from Adam and had notes prepared. 

He headed back down where the rest of the Gryffindors were also filtering around dinner was soon and with it officially being the end of day and with a Quidditch match in the morning there was a new feeling in the air. 

Keith hadn’t met who their Quidditch players were yet but judging by how a few students were being swarmed and the past few days he had an idea. He knew most of their players were older. Ready to graduate in the next year or two. It had lead to complaints from Adam about the potential team in the next few years while Hufflepuff’s team was still rather green. 

“More than half the team this year is made up from 3rd and 4th years,” Shiro had complained 

“Ours is all 6th and 7th with a few random 3rd years. We will suffer next year if the 3rd years don’t step up,” Adam had added

So on paper it looked great for Gryffindor however even he had heard the rumor of the Hufflepuff beaters. 

There were two new Hufflepuff beaters. Best friends. Third years. No one has seen them yet but the rest of the Hufflepuffs couldn’t help but be openly excited about them which led to the rumors. 

“It helps when you are close to your teammates like that,” Griffin had commented when the rumor first started, “Best friends or siblings already have that upper hand. They are in sync before the rest of the team is typically.”

“You plan on trying out for the team next year?” One of the first year girls had asked

Griffin of course puffed his chest like a peacock, “Of course! We are going to need a new seeker after all!”

Keith didn’t think Griffin fit the seeker profile but he let it go. 

Griffin wasn’t the only one who shared interest in joining in the future. Keith knew he would… if he could figure out the flying but more properly. There was also a 2nd year girl who didn’t try this year but had plans on trying next year. Keith had watched her a few morning practicing before teams arrived. She fit the seeker title better, he thought. 

Either way the roll of excitement for tomorrow’s match seemed to be growing heavier. Maybe it was just due to it being their own house this round though. 

But they still had another night to wait and find out what the talk was really all about

———

Professor Wright was right of course. Lance didn’t have to fade back to the darkness and be alone. 

But at the same time he didn’t fully feel ready

So he took a tiny step. 

When he entered the Great Hall for dinner he ignored the eyes of his sisters like normal but gave Matt a small smile when his eyes fixed onto him. He didn’t sit next to him but the smile was fine for now. 

In the common room that evening he wasn’t the last one. He normally either tried to beat everyone to bed or wait till everyone was asleep. For the first time since he had arrived he went to bed when he actually wanted to. Which really didn’t seem like a big deal but it almost felt like a bit of relief entered his exhausted bones as he did. 

He also found the Charms notes he had missed tucked safely under his pillow. Unharmed which meant the others hadn’t messed with them. 

There was a light. Either he had missed it while too heavy in the void or it was there as he turned the corner. It was still far and he wasn’t in a rush to meet it but he at least knew it was there. 

It still didn’t mean all his problems were fixed. 

The boys around him that night gave him weird looks over the fact he was still awake as they chatted but luckily they left it be. After the detention served when it had been first discovered that they weren’t allowing him to sleep in bed that had openly chosen to ignore him. Only giving him trouble as seen fit. Like when items went ‘missing’. Really it was all stirred up by only one of them. 

James Griffin

The Griffin family was considered a bit younger in the wizarding community compared to others. For whatever reason they acted desperate to catch up with the older families. Wanting their name to be just as well liked as others. In that journey they slipped a few times causing really nothing but extra clean up but nonetheless they were slowly getting there. Some of their first members finally working in decent spots in the Ministry. 

However it didn’t seem a bold enough reason for this particular Griffin to be raising issues

Lance couldn’t guess the reason. Maybe fear like the others but even then wouldn’t it be better for him to keep away rather than try to stir up the issue? 

Lance didn’t understand it at all. 

But for once he got to enjoy the basic full conversation that went on around him as he prepared for bed at the same time as the others

It was weird what he missed. Basic company of others even if they opted to still pretend he didn’t exist. It was still for the best. He could survive a bit longer like that. 

Either way tomorrow was another day 

He could choose to take another baby step or just wait. It wasn’t like he had the choice anymore to just be left behind. Eventually something had to change. 

Better or worse

————

Saturday morning was blistering cold. 

But Quidditch went on anyway

The Great Hall filled rapidly despite the weekend cold. Students bundled to a ridiculous sense as the threat of snow seemed to hang in the air. It didn’t stop the conversation from rolling in. 

Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor 

Keith felt even more eager than the first match. Many of his fellow Gryffindors dressed heavily in their colors. He did manage some red but it was mainly accidental. The moment he saw the sky that morning he simply pulled out all his layers. 

Quick glance at the table showed that Adam and Shiro were still gone. Unfortunately, they're going to miss their own matches. Keith couldn’t help but wonder where they both had to run off to. 

Family emergency instead of business maybe?

Keith could only theorize but what good would it do. He would simply ask when they returned. 

Griffin hadn’t shut up since he woke. Keith was debating on testing that silencing spell he had seen. He understood the excitement but if he was going to have to listen to the potential play by play all match he was going to relocate to a different section.

“James chill it before someone shuts you up,” Kinkade muttered likely taking note of the annoyance on Keith’s face as he sipped the hot tea in front of him

“What do you mean chill? How are you not excited right now?” James slammed a hand on the table causing some juice to threaten its way out of nearby cups earning more glares, “It should be a closer game so it will be awesome to see more plays and such and I want to know about these beaters Hufflepuff has. I want to crush them.”

“You won’t be crushing anything. You are watching,” Holt reminded him as he walked past the group of first years with a pointed look

Holt dressed similarly to the rest of the Gryffindors. Heavy cloaks and red scarfs. Hair half brushed and even wore his glasses for the day as if he hadn’t actually planned on getting out of bed. The older student still wasn’t on the greatest terms with them after the sleeping issues and still kept an eye on them.

“I could use it as a learning opportunity for when I try for the team next year,” James pointed his fork at the boy slightly

“What makes you think you will make the team as a second year?” Holt smirked

“What are you trying for it?” 

Holt snorted, hiding his face deeper into his scarf, “No but you realize how many are planning next year who simply didn’t make it this year for one reason or another that have more miles on a broom than you? It’s hard for a second year to make the team even if we are losing most of our team in the next year. Likely there will only be one second year making it next year and I’m willing to bet it won’t be you.”

Griffin's face contorted to annoyance and spoke before Kinkade could rein him in, “If you are talking about McClain-”

“I’m hoping McClain will even be willing to try,” Holt quickly interrupted him, “Unfortunately thanks to you lot I doubt he will even bother which is a shame since he’s better on a broom then some of the chasers now. Least from what I’ve heard of it. No, I was talking about one of your girls.”

This gained attention from the others. The boys all turned to look over at the girls not far off. Holt leaned over the groups of boys nodding to the girls slightly.

“The one on the far end with the blonde hair, Missy Harrison. If any of you are hoping to be the next seaker you are out of luck. It will be her.”

Keith recalled her from flying classes. She was good. From a muggle family if he remembered anything but he didn’t understand why Holt picked her.

Before anyone could ask Holt answered their question, “The Quidditch team is always watching when the younger students fly,” and with that moved on to join the group he normally sat with

“What does he mean her?” Griffin started looking over at her, “We are in the same flying class, she's not even a standout.”

Keith sighed, draining the rest of his cup before setting it back on the table and standing to leave.

“Where are you headed? We still have awhile,” Thomas asked as Keith moved away

“I’m headed to the common room for a bit. I’m tired of it.”

He didn’t elaborate what it was just simply moved out of the hall and back up the staircase. The common room had a few students around who had been either early to breakfast or were late rising. Most prepping for the match. It seemed like the common room would be empty for it. 

He took a seat in an armchair near the fireplace. Pulling his scarf off his neck. If it wasn’t for his curiosity of the match he would have just stayed there. Maybe wandering to Shiro and Adam’s room to hide away for the day. 

But he really wanted to watch

He closed his eyes, resting his head back. The tension building was killing him. He wondered if anyone around him could even feel it or where they numb to it? He wanted to be numb to it but maybe it was a bit like a survival instinct he had picked up. 

Pulling a bit of food he had stuffed away in his pocket he nibbled on the muffin wishing his head to stop. Occasionally the weight of feet coming down the stairs through the portrait could be felt. Each step vibrated his brain against his skull. 

He just wanted it to stop. 

Was that so much to ask for?

———

Lance made it to the hall just toward the end of breakfast. Goal was simple.

Steal food
Find hiding spot in stands
Watch match without interruptions

Easy. Super easy. He could do that. 

He could not do that. 

Lance quickly stuffed some muffins in his pockets as he plated eggs and bacon when the weight of the bench shifted slightly besides him. He glanced over as the fork barely reached his lips and quickly locked focus onto his plate. 

“Are you done with this yet?”

Lance ignored the question, shoveling the rest of the food into his mouth glancing to the exit. A few early students leaving for the stands already. 

“Lance seriously this is stupid. Veronica and I are going to talk to mom and dad when we are on break. It will be fine,” Rachel sighed nudging Lance slightly 

Lance ignored her drinking some juice before moving to the bacon. He could feel eyes glance over at Rachel before minding their own business again. People seem to have found the McClain drama boring now and for that he was grateful. 

“Lance,” Rachel hissed slamming her hand on the table

Another body slid in from the other side quickly shoving a thermos in Lance’s direction, “Ready to go?”

Lance barely glanced over as he nodded. Pulling his legs out from under the bench he quickly moved to follow grabbing the thermos as he went. He couldn’t resist the urge to peek back at his sister glaring at the pair as they shuffled toward the main doors. 

“Thanks,” Lance muttered not entirely sure Holt could hear him as the crowd thickened around them

It didn’t seem to matter because Holt wrapped his hand at the edge of Lance’s cloak and kept him beside him as they moved through the crowd. Lance didn’t have much choice in where he ended up as Holt just dragged him along besides him. 

Eventually climbing the stairs and finding a spot in the end not far from two other 3rd year Gryffindor’s that Holt hung out around the most. The sea of red and gold seemed to huddle close together for the sake of warmth. Even the little banners that were there were being used as blankets rather than being waved like normal. 

“It’s too damn cold for this,” Holt muttered tapping his cloak and then Lance’s with his wand 

Lance blinked in surprise as warmth eased up around him. It wasn’t super warm but enough to keep the wind chill from biting down so hard. 

Magic was wonderful

Lance lifted the thermos Holt had originally pushed his way up from him to see. Holt hummed and thanked him as he took it back. Occasionally shooting off a comment to his friends next to him. 

Lance allowed himself to relax a bit and look out toward the pitch. Frost heavy on the ground it almost looked like snow. Wind kicking up the flags on each point of the stand. Lance noted that he had been seated in a group of mainly older Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students. 

None of the usual younger students who spoke openly about their distaste of him. 

His attention was drawn back to the pitch as a large crate floated out. The ref glanced at his watch with the whistle in his mouth. The crowd stilled slightly and shifted as they waited for the first whistle to sound. 

Lance flinched slightly as Holt jostled slightly closer as another student a bit farther down pushed in. Holt didn’t adjust though. Instead keeping the steady pressure of his shoulder and thigh lined up to Lance’s shoulder and thigh. The height difference was there but really not by a ton. 

Lance honestly could pick on Holt’s height a bit if he felt brave enough to. The guy was shorter than most of the other 3rd year guys in their house. While Lance was the second tallest first year at the moment. Kinkade barely had much on him and honestly Lance wondered a bit if it was the hair. 

The whistle cut clean through the cold wind and cheers went up around him as the teams filtered out. Lance didn’t cheer. He rather didn’t care who won this match he just was curious and wanted to watch. He had always loved Quidditch even if it was only to watch. 

Lance clasped his hands together as they kicked off and shortly the next whistle blew. There wasn’t a big rush and slam like when Slytherin and Ravenclaw played. Gryffindor was quick to pick it up but already a quick aimed bludger sent it dropping and into Hufflepuff’s possession. 

The keepers weren’t Veronica so Lance felt himself lean forward to see how someone else would handle the upcoming situation. 

That was the up and down of playing with only your family. He knew everyone’s weak spot but they also knew his. The battles were often long and drawn out but there were scores on the board all the same. Watching Veronica purely dominate defense was incredible but even he got bored of the spectacle. Spotting random openings that may not look like anything but bait. His fingers twitched to sit on a broom and try himself. 

Hufflepuff put the first points on. They were green but the more time they spent in the air their confidence seemed to grow. Gryffindor had the experience however and it was showing. 

The key for Hufflepuff was indeed their beaters. They almost seemed to teleport to where the blushers appeared, knocking them clear cross field to a player who was about to get the quaffle. Sending the Gryffindor chasers scattering and their beaters desperately chasing after to protect them. 

“How are they so accurate?” Holt muttered besides him

It took about half an hour for Lance to make an answer.

“They aren’t they’ve created a trap,” Lance pulled his hands apart pointing at the beater closets to them, “Watch. He’s going to head left after he sends this one over, then hover till the Gryffindor chasers round up to the left side. Then he will swing high so long as the other can keep the bludger toward the other corner. They are alternating on where to aim. The bludger is going to go as it pleases but it can be directed. They are directing it to stay in an area and creating a pattern. Any time it breaks pattern is when Gryffindor’s beaters swipe it or it aims at them but they reel it back once they get the chance.”

Holt and the other guy besides Holt blink down and Lance then over to the pitch. Watching as over the span of another ten minutes Lance’s words play out. 

“No… there’s no way it’s that easy is it?” The guys besides Holt said confused

“It’s not but either the other beaters haven’t figured it out or they haven’t been able to make their plan work. I think the first as they have been mainly protecting the chasers rather than attacking. Really if they could keep the other beaters moving more so they can’t make the trap or even just get rid of the bludger completely it would help.”

“Get rid of it?” Holt asked

Lance shrugged, “I’m not a beater, it's just a thought. The chasers probably won’t notice it at all but someone has too by this point. It’s going on too long. We are just not in the game, it's easier to see.”

The guy beside Holt whistled slightly, “Kid’s got Quidditch brains.”

Gryffindor was only up by twenty. Whoever caught the snitch would be the winner. It was a much closer game than the last. 

Matt leaned down slightly to mutter to Lance, “Half the team is leaving next year yet the other half is mainly 3rd and 4th years.”

Lance turned slightly to face Holt and waited. The boy only looked at him and glanced over at the pitch and back. Lance rolled his eyes and shook his head. 

That had been a painful enough realization. Even if over the span of the next year or so his house didn’t hate him as much he doubted playing for them was a smart move. One wrong move on pitch and he would be back to sleeping on the couch again. Not to mention Rachel. Since the first time they sat on brooms the idea had been to be chasers together. 

“It’s the best position!” Lance and Rachel would often argue in unison when their siblings teased the pair about the positions they chose

The rest would often fight between seaker and beaters. The idea of saving the game with the catch of the tiny gold ball of having an excuse to knock a sibling off the broom was a bit too satisfying.

But in his eyes chaser was the best position and he had always planned on doing it with his sister besides him

It actually hurt knowing she was going to try out next year even if he couldn’t fly besides her. Just felt like another barrier being dropped between them. Each barrier falling creates a box around him preventing him from moving. He couldn’t join them anymore. 

Holt didn’t push the topic. Just offered him his thermos with a tilt. Lance hesitated but took a sip before handing it back. The sweet warmth of hot chocolate eased down his throat and settled in his belly spreading extra warmth to him.

Once the trap was realized it almost hurt to keep watching. It was like watching an obvious problem being ignored when it was so easy to fix. Lance changed his gaze searching for where the seakers were flinting about. The sooner they did their job the sooner the game would end and put the poor chasers out of their misery. 

“There,” Matt whispered nudging Lance and tilting his head in the direction far left

Just behind one of the flags danced the little yellow snitch. Lance wondered if ice crystals formed along its wings that struggled against the wind dues to the cold in the air. The Gryffindor beater made the error. Calling attention as he spotted it. Both seekers reacted. The snitch dove quick toward the crowd then jaggedly darted back toward the pitch straight to the lawn. 

The problem was when the beater called attention to it the Hufflepuff seeker was closer. While the Gryffindor seeker acted the moment called upon the Hufflepuff seeker took an extra few seconds to move but already had several paces on the Gryffindor seeker. So when the snitch darted upward again it didn’t matter as the Hufflepuff seeker descended on it at just the right angle. Gryffindor’s seeker had only just extended their arm in an attempt but failed.

Cheers and groans erupted through. Lance watched as Gryffindor’s exhausted fliers slumbed on their brooms in realization. Their first game of the year and a loss. At least point wise they still sat in front of Ravenclaw but it still didn’t make it better at the moment. They essentially froze to their brooms for nothing. 

“Damn… Well the common room will be quiet at least,” Holt muttered glancing at the reaction to his friends beside him

Lance’s eyes however remained on the pitch as he watched the two Hufflepuff beaters hug sloppily on their brooms. Celebrating such a basic win.

Lance didn’t think they would get to celebrate again.

———

Keith buried his nose deeper into his scarf as he made it down the stairs. The rest of the students around him grumbling about the match outcome as well. 

He didn’t think this game was as impressive as the last one but what did he know?

“What’s wrong Krogane? Did they leave you behind already?”

Keith pushed on trying to ignore the Ravenclaw calling out to him. A few students peeked around to see why the random shout was made.

“Oh come on Krogane don’t be like that. You know we will welcome you back with open arms. No one figured you could make it work anyway. You were the kid who hid in closets and trees to get away from people. Makes sense why two adults wouldn’t want you either!” He called out

Someone grabbed Keith’s arm pulling him back. He stumbled slightly. They were right at the base of the stairs. Movement now blocked. Confusion from higher up began as the pace stilled. 

“Come on, be polite now. You gotta respect your elders. That’s probably why you were ditched in the first place.”

It was that Slytherin. The one that was friends with the Ravenclaw who had been testing boundaries for a while now. The ones he fought on the train. 

Keith tried to rip his arm out from his hold but the fingers dug deeper as he drug him off the stairs to wait off to the side. Looks being shared around them but now that traffic was flowing again no one really complained. 

“Now Keith how kind of you to wait for me,” The Ravenclaw let his food slide off the stair landing right in front of Keith with a smirk

“Powell,” Keith felt his heartbeat quicken 

Is it bad he wanted this? He had been waiting for a while and it was finally happening. His fingers twitched and feet wanted to spread slightly to give him better balance. He just had to wait a bit longer. 

He just had to make sure someone else threw the first punch. 

“We can drop the formalities Keith come on especially if we are going to be roommates again. What happened to your new dads huh? Family emergency? Shouldn’t that include you?”

“I’m not going back,” Keith watched Powell’s face waiting for the change

“Sure you aren’t. Tell me Keith was it your attitude? Maybe they got sick of covering your grades. I’m sure they were trying to make sure their new toy looked smart enough to show off. Probably couldn’t convince the rest to help out though could they?”

“Aren’t you the one giving out the answers to tests to other students after you take them first,” Keith pointed out 

It was a brag that the guy had done a bit at the orphanage. Supposedly other kids paid him in things if he managed to sneak them test answers during or prior to the test. It worked great for the most part he knew that’s how some of Slytherin even passed their tests last year. 

“Why need some extra help?” Powell’s Slytherin friend bumped in

“No but your friend sure seems like he does since it’s the only time people seem to want him is for a chance at a decent grade,” Keith remarked hoping to see something change

It didn’t

Powell simply rolled his eyes and leaned forward a bit more, “Please, petty words aren’t going to cut it.”

“Then why are you speaking to begin with?”

Still no flicker of change behind the boy’s eyes. Keith wasn’t hitting any of the right buttons. 

He could just hit him with the one that would do it… might be a bit much really. A bit predictable. 

“It’s true isn’t it?” Keith started again, “You are just needy for attention cause your whore of a mother couldn’t handle you so she dropped you off and you haven’t been picked first for anything since. At least my parents didn’t walk away,” Keith edge feeling a thrill run through him as a frown appeared

That wasn’t the full truth but Powell didn’t need to know that. Keith assumed his parents were dead. It was the only thing that made sense. He never really got that confirmation email though. 

“Dead parents are just the same as ones who abandoned their kids. They aren’t there,” Powell hissed

“At least mine didn’t have a choice. Yours just didn’t want you,” Keith smirked with satisfaction as the fist finally connected with his nose

That was all he needed. 

Chapter Text

Keith didn’t even care about the glare he was getting from the witch fixing his nose. He was on a high right now. He felt great. Powell on the other side of the room getting his face cleared by an older student who seemed to have been helping out in here already when the pair were dragged in. Head of Ravenclaw talking to the group of students who had been roped with them to get more detail on the matter.  

“I was warned about you prior but really didn’t think you would stick to fists since now you got a wand. I should be grateful. Sometimes when you add magic to your fights it makes it harder to fix you all up,” The lady mumbled clearing the blood off Keith’s face

She noticed the look in his eye however, “Don’t be getting ideas,” she added giving him a slight bop with her wand against his skull

“Yeah yeah I wasn’t even the one who started it,” Keith grumbled

“I figured not,” she mumbled glancing over her shoulder before taking a seat beside the bed, “I’m not exactly supposed to tell you but you parents gave me a heads up with your file considering everything.”

Keith frowned, dropping his eyes to his lap. They were going to be so mad when they got back.

“You had a lot of fights on that file,” She leaned forward and whispered, “And I have a feeling they were all like this one weren’t they? You don’t start it but you make sure to finish it.”

Keith couldn’t stop his cheeks from reddening as he nodded. She hummed and stood thrusting something into his hand, “Eat,” then she walked over to Powell

Keith looked down to see a chocolate frog in his hand. He smiled slightly despite the situation. At least she wasn’t angry at him.

The head of Ravenclaw rubbed a hand down her face as she walked over to Keith with a pointed look. Her stare wasn’t as harsh as Adam’s could be. It was actually bearable to return the stare. 

“Alright your side,” She chirped

“He started it. I finished it.”

She rolled her eyes and waved her hand slightly, “Detail.”

“He called for me when I was leaving the match. He wouldn’t let me leave. He started to insult me. I just said a better one. He broke my nose so I finished it,” Keith broke a leg off the frog and popped it in his mouth

“We have a strict no fighting rule here. Most who saw at least the majority did defend that you didn’t start it but we can’t just let you off with a warning.”

“So I was just supposed to lie down and take it? You know that gets you killed in some places,” Keith’s voiced hardened, his high from the fight fading the more he had to speak to her

“Twenty points from Gryffindor. Detention Monday and Tuesday with me and your parents are made aware of what happened,” She twisted her hands together with a sigh, “And don’t worry Powell is getting punished too. His punishment is between me and him but his is more severe than yours so don’t go hunting to even out the punishment.”

Keith scowled but nodded. The head of Ravenclaw nodded, turning to the witch in charge, “Madam Welch, is he cleared to go?”

“Yes he’s clear,” The little witch waved a hand in the air lazily as she checked over her students work on Powell

“I’ll send an owl Monday morning with your detention info,” She replied stepping away from Keith back to her own student

Keith nodded sliding off the bed ignoring the few students that had decided to hang around after being questioned. Whispers as he passed suddenly made him realize a bigger problem.

“Do you think it’s true?”

“There is no way.”

“I thought Professor Shiro said he had no kids and never mentioned he was married.”

“Married to Wright of all things.”

“There is no way they are gay.”

“Krogane as their kid?”

“None of them have the same last name.”

“Does this mean he’s adopted?”

“Well Krogane has gotten into other fights. Also happened to be kids from that orphanage right?”

“Do you think that’s why Krogane does well in class? The other teachers know who he belongs to so they play favorites?”

“So what he thinks he can start fights and get away with it?”

“He didn’t start this one.”

“No but he seemed a little too excited to get into one, didn't he?”

Keith closed his eyes as he quickened his pace to the common room

“Shiro and Adam are going to kill me.”

———

By dinner the whole castle seemed to be a buzz. Word spread quickly. So quickly that even Lance heard about it.

“He never said anything to me. Anything to you?” Griffin scowled asking the other first years at the table

Lance had been rejoined with Matt and his friends for dinner. Griffin was loud enough that the group could hear the complaints. Even Matt seemed to pause and listen in.

“No, but I’m not surprised the fight happened,” Kinkade admitted, “I reported to Professor Wright about Powell. Keith must have finally snapped and had enough.”

“If Powell knew that Keith’s parents were professors here he probably wouldn’t have started something,” one of the first year girls added tucking a piece of her red hair behind her ear

“That’s the thing,” Griffin slammed his hand on the table, “Powell and Keith came from the same orphanage apparently. Remember when Keith said his parents were gone? Guess that meant his birth parents. He was hiding the fact he had already been adopted.”

“Oh no,” Matt muttered besides Lance regaining his attention

“Guess that means more people are going to find out about Professor Shiro and Professor Wright,” Andrew Burk, one of Matt’s friends, muttered listening in

“Was no one suppose to know?” Lance asked the older group

Burk shrugged, “They never announced it because,” he held a hand up breaking it at the wrist, “Still not super accepted by a lot of wizarding families. Something about letting the magic die out.”

“A few know about it but it’s been trusted students really,” Matt glanced back over to the other first years

“How did you all know about it?” Lance asked

Burk’s tanned face suddenly tinted red, “None of your business kid. Don’t stick your nose into things like that,” he muttered

Matt rolled his eyes and nudged Burk, “Oh relax. Besides by the sounds of it everyone knows and they aren’t even here to do damage control.”

Lance glanced up at the table and sure enough their spots still empty like before.

There was a shift of eyes in the hall that gained attention for most others. Glancing at the entrance of the Great Hall was Krogane. His steps didn’t falter but his eyes shifted down. Carefully marking a potential spot at the table. Aiming toward the spot Lance typically occupied which was on the other side of the first years.

Lance noted the mistakes. If he had wanted to avoid an audience he should have some earlier. Left before the rest of the first years settled in. Coming in late brought more eyes, more gossip and knowing how Griffin was he wouldn’t be afraid to say something to him.

Sure enough as soon as Keith sat Griffin moved.

“I think that first year is my least favorite first year,” Matt muttered watching Griffin

“What want to adopt another one now,” Leon Keene teased earning a foot to the shin apparently by the way he hissed and reached down

The attention shifted back to Griffin and Krogane

“So you weren’t going to say anything?”

“Nope.”

“It’s kind of important to mention that your adopters are professors at this school.”

“Not really.”

“What, so you wanted the advantage all to yourself?”

Krogane finally looked up at Griffin, fork halfway to his mouth. He carefully set it down and Lance swore the air around them began to buzz as more students around them quieted down.

“I’m going to give you the chance now to leave me alone and drop it. If not I’m pretty sure the whole school knows now that I will win in a fist fight,” Krogane lifted his wand out of his pocket lazily holding it, “And I’m pretty sure I could probably jinx you properly enough to leave you in the hospital wing for the evening.”

Griffin's eyes narrowed. His mouth opened and closed a few times before finally regaining his thought. He set his jaw turning his body back to the other first years but not before tossing his final words toward Krogane.

“If that’s how it’s going to be Krogane.”

———

The change was noticeable in the common room and bed room. Keith felt the eyes everywhere he went and felt the whispers tickle his neck.

So this was what Adam and Shiro were hoping to prevent.

Keith really hadn’t thought it was going to be that big of a deal. Figured a few students would complain about playing favorites but it would all settle down in a few days.

But it was definitely more than that

Yes he was getting a lot of the light because of it but some of the things they were saying about Shiro and Adam… he wasn’t prepared for.

He had never thought it was that big of a deal. He didn’t realize the mistake he had just cost them. Potentially their careers once the parents get wind of it all.

He could deal with the glares and whispers about himself. He didn’t mind if people got mad at him or thought he had the upper hand in classes. Heck he would be thrilled if the first years opted to never talk to him again.

But if Shiro and Adam got in trouble 

And they thought he was too much trouble

They could take him back

He didn’t want to go back 

And that realization scared him even more

They hadn’t been together long. Keith was still unsure if they were considered family. Heck he had never called either dad or anything and he wasn’t sure if he would ever be comfortable doing so. He definitely still didn’t really want to be at Hogwarts… but that had been an issue since before he even met them. 

He had never expected to be adopt. He never expected a family. Now that the potential was there he didn’t even realize he was scared of losing it.

When the fuck had that happened?

Keith couldn’t sleep. His eyes glued to the top of the bed trying to figure out what feeling was overwhelming him. When things had been changing. He shouldn’t have gotten attached this quickly. It hadn’t even been a year yet.

He was better than this. He had never cared before. 

This… what was this…

Why was he suddenly scared to lose it?

Chapter Text

“I’m pretty sure getting into a fight doesn’t qualify as behaving,” Adam’s voice sharp as he dropped his briefcase next to the couch where Keith was napping

Jumping by the sudden intrusion, Keith almost fell off the couch, his heart almost jumping out of his chest. Shiro just behind Adam with a bit of a tentative look at Adam before refocusing on Keith.

It was Sunday evening after dinner. Not cut off time to be back in the dorms but getting close. Keith figured they would be back sometime tonight; he just wasn’t expecting them to come back as he napped on the couch. 

Keith ducked his head slightly to avoid the stare. 

He hadn’t been in trouble with them before. When they found him at the summer fair away from where he was supposed to be they weren’t in charge of punishment then. While there had been rocky spots moving to their care they hadn’t been the one to deal out the punishment. The short amount of time they were at the house he hadn’t really done anything to warrant a punishment.

There were weird things he had done that they questioned or watched from the sidelines and never said anything. Never been punished for anything. So this was uncharted waters.

At the orphanage typically if there was a punishment it involved a few basics. No dinner, sitting in a chair or closet for a period of time, and the adults were good about not hitting but the kids weren’t if they felt the punishment wasn’t severe enough. The head lady was a Squib so luckily magic was off the table for punishments but here was still open and he was aware of that. 

Because Keith’s history of past issues were long he was use to punishments not often given to the other kids

He went without food a lot. Often storing extra bits in random places in case his punishment went past a certain amount of days. He liked hiding in the closet when they were searching for him but when it was locked it was a different story. She used the one in her room for that and wasn’t afraid of keeping him in there for a few days if needed. He had been locked out of the place a few times too. Stuck sleeping on the porch or trees. 

He had heard from other kids what some families would do.

Hitting seemed common. Magic use was the scariest though.

Keith would never forget the girl that came back one evening when he was younger.

She had left three years prior to her return. The family seemed nice enough. They had an older son and had been trying for a second without luck so they adopted. The girl was about to enter her first year at Hogwarts too so it was exciting to have an older kid actually be adopted. The older kids reported the first year everything was fine and normal. She had confirmed there was some adjustment but the family was great. She was a sweet girl without many past issues. It would seem textbook that she had no issues joining a new family.

The next year there was news that her new mom actually got pregnant so they were excited for that but that was also when everything changed.

Keith never knew all the details of what happened between her first and almost fourth year. He remembered very vividly her return though. 

He was in the kitchen that evening cleaning when the door to the front snapped open. They clearly weren't expecting anyone because the head of house was confused coming out of her office right by the door. Heads poking out from all around the place. 

There in the foyer was the girl, on her knees begging and crying, her father simply glancing around locking eyes with the head of house. Pointing down to the girl he so proudly called daughter for three years. Bruised and dirty, tears all over her face as she begged. Her voice weak in the effort.

“We can’t take her anymore. She is unbearable. Lies, steals, and breaks things. She accuses my son of horrible things. Attacks our new daughter. You lied about her and that is not our fault. She is your problem now,” and he turned out the door a bit after there was a snap that cleared the air and he was gone

Over the past few days her story filtered through the orphanage. The older boy was horrid to her in school and at home. Used magic on her at all opportunities at school. At home blaming her for things that was him but she was an easy target. Before the baby came and once the baby was born her parents even started using magic on her as well in the home. To keep her quiet. Keep her still. Keep her out of the way and the baby safe. 

The older boy took advantage of that.

She only went back to Hogwarts for about a week before coming back. She was never adopted again and she was completely different. Flinched at the talk magic, refused to be alone, often slept in beds with the other girls and would wake up crying a lot. She aged out recently and Keith wondered a bit what she did once she was out of the orphanage. 

Even good parents punished their kids. So Keith knew it would happen eventually. They just never discussed what exactly it would be.

Meaning anything was a fair game.

“Adam,” Shiro’s voice easy and careful as he took note of Keith’s shaking hands

Adam glanced at his husband and back at Keith. His eyes still held a serious glint to them. As he sat on the armchair, Shiro took the spot next to Keith on the couch.  

“There was a fight and you have detention, is that correct?” Adam started 

Keith nodded, feeling that every movement was being studied. He swallowed hard trying to settle the beating of his heart as it abused his chest and ears. 

He could handle it. Whatever their punishment was. If he took it quietly maybe he wouldn’t be sent back.

But seeing he ruined their reputation they may send him back anyways

“It was the kid from the orphanage that had been bugging you before, correct?” Adam asked again

Keith couldn’t stop the confusion light across his face, “How do you know-”

“A student reported the issue,” Shiro jumped in, “Apparently because you told them it was fine and he would back off.”

Keith gritted his teeth and swallowed hard. Great he was going to really get in trouble if they thought this could have been prevented.

“Why didn’t you admit there was a problem before?” Adam pushed on ignoring the look from Shiro

“I really didn’t think anything of it,” Keith muttered, noting the eyebrow raise he pushed on, “I figured he would tire himself out with it. Get bored if I didn’t do anything or he would settle it like we normally do.”

“Normally do?” 

“You’ve seen my record,” Keith mumbled again, “I didn’t really think he would bring you all into it.”

The pair blinked then glanced at each other then back at Keith

“So you think you are in trouble because the whole school knows you adopted by us?” Adam asked with a frown

Keith glanced between the pair, “Well… yeah? That and the fighting.”

“We are more annoyed that you didn’t speak up for yourself. That you would have rather just suffered till it blew over. You weren’t the one to start the fight,” Shiro’s fingers drummed against the couch

“We knew people were going to find out about us eventually. We had just seen how students from other staff were treated and figured it would be best if it was a bomb dropped later rather at the start. We talked about that,” Adam pulled his glasses from his nose setting them on the coffee table

“Yeah when the headmaster announced his daughter’s arrival there was a swoop of kids trying to rub elbows with her for a good recommendation. Luckily she has a head on her and seemed to choose her actually friends well,” Shiro added looking back at Keith 

“The headmaster has a daughter here?” Keith’s voiced his surprise 

“Yeah a Ravenclaw. He has a niece too. The Hufflepuff girl that sits beside you,” Adam reminded him

Keith blinked slightly. He had never bothered talking to the girl so he wouldn’t know. He hardly paid much attention to what other students had gossiped about outside of the Gryffindor tower. Really the only drama he knew of was of the McClains. He didn’t realize more staff had children here. 

“The thing is people are going to know. We aren’t mad about that.”

“I’m sure those letters are going to be fun though,” Adam muttered interrupting Shiro 

Shiro glared at him, “We just don’t know why you didn’t speak up.”

“I really didn’t think it was that big of a deal. If we spoke up before… well,” Keith shrugged letting the pair glance at each other to figured it out

There was that little muggle saying snitches get stitches

Worked well where he was raised 

“I know we haven’t had a lot of time to figure things out with you,” Shiro gently reaches over, giving Keith’s knee a squeeze before carefully pulling back his hand, “But don’t be afraid to come to us for stuff.”

“You aren’t in trouble by any means with us,” Adam also stated and Keith could feel the pressure lift from his heart, “The detention serves enough and we know it wasn’t you who started the whole debacle but in the future it would be best to avoid what fights you can. We are teachers, we know how kids can be.”

Keith nodded slowly trying his best to keep his face neutral. 

There was no punishment. There was not hitting or lack of food. No magic. 

But would it be like this every time or just for the first? 

The detention was a fitting enough punishment for them this round. What if it wasn’t next time?

Because there would be a next time

“Alright it’s late,” Adam stood dusting himself off despite there being no dust to knock off, “Head to bed.”

Shiro stood, joining his husband, “And if there is trouble let us know.”

————

“Are you sure this is safe?”

“Absolutely.”

“Do not lie to him this is stupid.”

“You suggested it.”

“Did not!”

Lance peered behind the corner of the wall they were hiding behind. The ugly cat perched right outside the door they were aiming for. 

The Prefect bathroom

It was Matt who claimed they had to go in there. The coast was clear he claimed but that cat that Romelle claimed was out to get her sat right in front. 

“Well why don’t we just send it a distraction?” Burk suggested holding his wand out

He muttered something Lance couldn’t really hear but soon a small beam of light shot out from his wand. It wasn’t quite Lumos… but it seemed very similar. Instead of sitting at the edge of the wand the light actually shone away from it. 

Burk aimed the light at the floor near the cat. The cat locked on to it carefully stepping toward it to bat her paw at it. The light bounces away. She made that horrid meow like it was stuck in a blender and went after it. Smacking at it again the light bounced away down the hall. Her meows echoed off the walls as she chased after the ball of light. 

“That should keep her busy,” Burk muttered pocketing his wand

“We will be quick anyway,” Matt grabbed Lance’s arm dragging him to the door next to the statue, “Pine-fresh,” Matt muttered and the lock to the door dropped for them allowing the handle to turn

Now the regular bathrooms in the common rooms weren’t anything overly special nor did they really lack much. The girls had their private one as did the boys. It was almost locker room style where there sat an open area to put things away while one cleaned. There was a side door to the left for toilets. The right led to the row of showers. 

But this bathroom was a whole new level 

Unlike the regular common room bathrooms there was a massive tub that could honestly pass as a pool. So many knobs lined the sides it was almost dizzying to look at. The marble seemed to soften their steps rather than echo. The soft light above them creates a calming effect. 

“Not bad right?” Matt asked kicking his shoes off near a cubby that lined the first wall they entered in

“How do you all have access to this? Neither of you qualify for the password,” Lance asked his eyes stuck to the mermaid on the wall a live the pool like tub

“Because I am easy to like,” Matt shrugged rearing an arm over Lance’s shoulder

“More like he tricks older students into liking him and uses it to his advantage,” Burk answered earning a string of untrues from Matt

Burk moved ahead tapping some of the handles, testing a smell every now and then as bubbles and water quickly filled the pool. 

“Really it’s the most empty bathroom in the whole castle. Few students have access to it which means it’s typically open. So long as you don’t get caught using it, what does it matter?” Matt moved off Lance turning to take off his shirt and grabbed some towels

Lance’s head jerked away when he heard a splash. Burk’s head slowly rising to the top of the water. Bubbles flopping around his head scattering as he shook his head. 

“Hope you know how to swim, kid.”

Lance tried to hide the flush of his face, noting most of Burk’s clothes tossed to the side of the pool. Being naked in front of your family is one thing but people you don’t really know… 

“Chill the bubbles hide everything,” Matt knocked the back of Lance’s head forcing him to look at the floor as there was another splash

Burk cursed and scrambled to dunk Matt’s head underwater. Lance hesitated before removing his own clothes and plopping in before the others could pay much attention to his nakedness. 

Once they stopped trying to drown each other the older pair took spot along the side of the tub leaning heads back against the edge. Allowing all the bath salts and soaps to permeate their skin. 

Lance too let himself relax. The hot water forced the tension in his shoulders to drain. A brush of his foot against his calf confirmed that he was going to be smooth as could be from the bath oils when they got out. 

“This is exactly what is needed after a long ass week,” Matt muttered sinking deeper into the water

Lance couldn’t help but agree. After all the drama from the weekend, even the stuff he wasn’t involved in, he was ready for the week to start over. 

“Remind me next time to figure out a way to play music in here,” Burk muttered glancing at the mermaid above them, “And maybe sunglasses for her or something. She creeps me out.”

The mermaid made a rude gesture before turning around. 

“They don’t even look like that in real life,” Lance muttered watching her dive deeper into her water

“You’ve seen them?” Burk asked turning to look at him

Lance shook his head, “Not in person. I have an uncle who likes to deal with the creatures of the oceans. I’ve seen photos and such of what they really look like from him. Less human, more fish and even the full grown ones seem to appear like tiny humans just with old faces.”

Burk hummed looking back up at the mermaid in front of them, “This is the muggle depiction then?”

“Even then not really,” Matt said looking at her as well, “In fairytales maybe more guided for children but there are plenty of muggles who view the idea more of almost skeleton like. Like if a human were to actually spend their whole life underwater.”

“That’s more accurate,” Lance muttered letting a foot peek above the bubbles

“Your family really taught you a lot about magic prior to coming,” Burk said more as a statement then anything

“Stupid legacy bullshit,” Lance muttered 

“Knowledge isn’t a bad thing,” Matt spoke his eyes back to the mermaid, “And ya know break the cycle and all that bullshit.”

“But really,” Burk resting his chin on his palm, “Your family?”

Lance said silent for a bit letting his hands pile bubbles besides him. He really didn’t know what to say. 

Everyone was so convinced his family were the worst people in the world. He had never seen or heard of anything anyone had been mumbling behind his back. They were some of the kindest people he had ever dealt with. 

But his father also seemed to have decided he was no longer apart of the family

The anger he had over his family essentially dumping him over something he couldn’t control was overwhelming. At the same time he knew them. He knew if things went south they would back him. He would always have a home with them. They would never treat him poorly. 

… but yet

So Lance shrugged 

“Judging by the letters and my father I may not be a McClain much longer,” he muttered

“So you are now just Lance,” Matt smirked 

Lance rolled his eyes at the teasing tone

“Yeah, guess I’m just Lance.”

Chapter Text

They had what the professors called mock exams right before winter break. Keith didn’t think they should be called mock however considering they did count towards the overall grade but they claimed it was mainly in prep for final exams. 

Then some had the audacity to assign papers and reading for break. Keith definitely didn’t hold back his glare when Shiro assigned his. 

“I thought you were supposed to be the fun teacher out of the pair of you,” he grumbled when he exited the classroom passing Shiro

“He assigned reading too,” Shiro rolled his eyes waving the next student by as Keith left to their next class

Keith’s detention was thankfully rather dull. It was reshelving and reorganizing some books in a special section of the library. Keith was pretty sure this would have all been done in three seconds with magic and that the librarian would approve of that more considering she made sure he whipped his hands and wore gloves to do so. Something about the oils on his hands ruining pages but either way the logic was busy hands would keep him out of trouble. 

He was never told directly what Powell’s punishment was but he did eventually gather it was all the way till Christmas break which meant almost a full two weeks. 

Thankfully others who were in the orphanage with them seemed to have taken the hint and dialed it back. No more shoulder checks or fights but there were still definitely looks. Really though that was from the rest of the student body. 

Now that word fully spread who his adopted parents were there was definitely the debate on if he was getting off easy in class because of it. Thanks to some slightly chaotic results in a few classes that seemed to have settled. Specifically after Transfiguration class that may or may not have resulted in him accidentally giving a book legs and it promptly jumped out the window and darted into the forbidden forest before anyone could touch it. 

Adam did deduct points over the fact he lost that book and was going to have to replace it. 

However when Keith showed up to their room later Adam hadn’t stopped giggling to himself for the past hour according to Shiro

He was glad he was able to blend back into the background. Even more thrilled that the other first years hadn’t tried to apologize yet to get in his good graces again. 

Well most seemed friendly with him after at least. They seemed to have gotten over the shock of the fact fairly quickly. 

Except for Griffin

Really the attention shifted toward Shiro and Adam and not in a good way. 

Letters from parents arrived rather quickly. There were even a few howlers. Mostly complaints of how it was unnatural and about letting true magic blood die out. Things Shiro and Adam already warned Keith would come to head. 

But if they were bothered by it they didn’t let it show

The other weird turn of events to it was now there were a few random older students all across the board who were very openly friendly to him. He wasn’t exactly sure how to respond to them. 

“Oh those are probably the students who already knew we were together,” Shiro supplies when Keith finally brought it up

“Why did only certain students know?” Keith couldn’t help but ask

Adam and Shiro glanced at each other as Shiro stumbled over words, “Well we were the only ones who kinda knew how to help them?”

Adam rolled his eyes, “Word got out that we are safe to confide in from a few others. They kept it quiet for the select group.”

Still didn’t really answer Keith’s question 

Either way Keith finally actually enjoyed a bit of time at Hogwarts and with break rapidly approaching it was even better considering the majority of the castle was going to be empty. From the sounds of it most of the Gryffindor first years would be gone. He had a feeling McClain would also be staying but he hadn’t heard anything in confirmation. From what Shiro and Adam had said, typically only about twenty or so students stay for Christmas break but more stay for Easter. 

They said that there were several things the professors often set up for the kids to keep them entertained but for the most part the kids were allowed free reign within reason. It was break after all. There was also a solid reason why some of these kids opted to stay in the castle instead of with their family. So giving them the option was kinda the castle’s way of saying ‘Well pick how miserable you really want to be’.

He knew that he would be spending a lot of time in Shiro and Adam’s room. They had already made a light decision about the full plan for the holiday. Since it was their first holiday together and well first real holiday since Keith lost his dad, he had a feeling that Shiro had wanted to kinda go all out but Adam was reigning him in. Which he really appreciated. 

Keith knew that he had a slight idea of what to expect but at the same time the air of uncertainty made him a bit nervous. He still felt like he was on a trail run despite what he told Powell. Kids had been returned before, why would he be any different? It would just be worse having to see the people who returned him every time he was forced to go back for school.

If he hadn’t been looking forward to Hogwarts before he couldn’t imagine what it would be like if he was returned and still had to go.

Either way Keith still breathed a sigh of relief watching the hoard of students pack and waddle out toward the train station. 

Peace… or at least as peaceful as it was going to get

——

Lance said goodbye to Matt that morning in the Great Hall. Watching from high up as the students left the grounds all bundled up in heavy sweaters and thick winter robes. The wind blowing snow drifts knee high. It was predicted to calm down and warm up tomorrow but it would surely take awhile for all this snow to melt. 

Neither of his sisters bothered reaching out to say goodbye. Lance was still stuck trying to figure out if he was relieved they gave up or if it stung. He did get a letter right before break from Marco saying he could stay at his place for break but that likely he would have to stay alone for a bit over Christmas so he could go over to the family house and try working things out.

Lance didn’t even send a reply

He still wasn’t even sure how he would have responded. Just no? Explain that being alienated even for the span of a few days wasn’t any better then what was likely to come? Lie and say he was staying with a friend?

Either way he just left it and signed up for holiday here when the list came around

He wasn’t the only Gryffindor. Kogane was also staying behind but he guessed that wasn’t a surprising seeing his parents lived in the castle as well. Then there was apparently a fifth year that was also staying behind. There were also likely a few others scattered in other houses but the few people he talked to in the castle were headed home for the holidays.

Lance stretched out near the fire opting to finish the work assigned over break since he had nothing better to do. He figured later he might take advantage of the empty castle and bathe in the Prefect bathroom again. He hadn’t been there since Matt had taken him the one time but he hadn’t wanted to risk getting caught. He also hadn’t been to the kitchens either since the first time either. Just didn’t settle with him right.

He stayed there till about lunch where he was greeted to an unfortunate sight. 

All the house tables were pulled away leaving two long tables in there place close together. A few students already there for an early lunch seemed familiar with the idea. Lance couldn’t make out their house as none seemed to be first years he was familiar with. 

He hesitated slightly unsure how welcoming the students already there were. He was grateful when approached one of the emptier middle portions only receiving a glance as they kept talking. Lunch was a simple affair of an assortment of sandwiches and soups. Everything toasty and simple.

Lance couldn’t help but listen in to some of the talk. Curiosity getting the best of him.

“Are we playing later?”

“Yeah just meet me in front of the statue and I’ll get you in. She changes everything with her riddles.”

“Curfew is extended right?”

“Probably not but let’s be honest it’s not like they enforce it.”

“Think they are going to do the mandatory Christmas party again?”

“I hope not.”

Nothing important to note.

Lance finished and didn’t waste time leaving the Great Hall, hands in his pockets as he headed toward the staircase.

“Oh you're staying too?”

Lance titled his head to the right to see Allura Altea with another Ravenclaw. They hadn’t spoken since the last time they ran into each other on these very stairs. He hadn’t been too keen on seeing her to begin with. 

“Your cousin left so why are you here?”

She pinked slightly, “Oh um… we stay most of break.”

Most of break? Oh right Headmaster duties but likely there is also a privilege.

“Christmas eve and day we do visit family then come back. This year I chose to stay with my father rather than leave early. I had a few things here to take care of,” She lifted slightly the single book in her hand

Lance gave a short nod before turning to continue his climb

“And you?” She called out as he took a few steps past her

“You are telling me you spend that much time with your head in a book and you can’t connect the dots on your own?” Lance kept walking not missing the nasty look the other Ravenclaw gave him

He really could care less of the opinion a Ravenclaw had on his manners. Especially with how Altea seemed so insistent on worming details of his life out of him. They may not have spoken since the last time but he had noticed her attempts. 

He had just gotten good at ignoring those around him.

——

Lance will admit it would have probably been smarter to wait till after hours to sneak into the Prefect bathroom but the idea of a warm bubble bath right after dinner was too good to pass up especially with the weather. He didn’t see a single soul on the way there and enjoyed the peace while he was there.

He was not expecting to be greeted by a professor just outside of the bathroom, however hair still wet and he was sure the smell of soaps lingered heavily.

“Oh McClain! Didn’t think I would see you here.”

Lance about jumped out of his skin as he was greeted with the sight of the flying instructor dressed down out of robes for once. His blonde hair up in a tiny ponytail.

Lance still didn’t know his name.

“Oh sorry!” Lance squeezed quickly trying to clear his voice, “Just went for a walk after the showers. Castle is a lot quieter than normal. Taking advantage of it.”

Lance tried to ignore the obvious, ‘Yeah right’ look he was given as the professor’s gaze lingered slightly to the bathroom he wasn’t supposed to have access to was only a few strides behind him. 

“Definitely quieter than normal,” He said, seeming to have let it pass for now, “I meant to ask you and your sister before I excused you from my class, what positions were you planning on trying out for next year? I know you won’t be on the same team but it definitely will make things interesting considering Veronica’s keeper skills are simply unmatched here.”

“Oh,” Lance felt his panic diminish at the thought of this topic again, “Um were we hoping to be chasers.”

“Ah,” he tapped his chin walking in a circle around Lance, “Yes, I could see it. Especially with time.”

Lance debated slightly if he should ruin the guy’s daydream of maybe let it go for now in the hopes he won’t rat him out about the Prefect’s bathroom

“Considering you already don’t follow rules well,” well thanks, “First years are limited to no brooms on the grounds,” he moved back, heading back down the hall looking slightly over his shoulder, “Doesn’t mean the school ones can’t be used so long as you care for them properly.”

Lance watched as he traveled farther down the hall facing forward and lifting a hand high as a goodbye.

“Would hate to see you get rusty!”

——

Keith was pretty sure this was the first time he experienced the true beauty of Hogwarts.

The common room cozy and warm. The deep red accented with gold through the room offset the coolness of stone. The towers held great views of the grounds currently coated with snow. Even the lake seemed to be trying to fully freeze over. The halls were decorated with portraits, statues, and sets of armor. Some with signs telling you of their importance. Others would simply tell you themselves. 

He completely took advantage of the lack of students and for the first time since he arrived really wandered and explored random sections of the castle. Finding random staircases that sent him to the complete opposite end of the castle. There were more random rooms than he could understand. Like why were there so many empty or storage rooms?

However he wasn’t exactly sure which shower McClain came out of when he passed him headed back into the common room because he definitely hadn’t found one in the direction he came from.

Either way Keith had explored more parts of the castle in the span of a day then in the several months he had been there.

“Well the class schedule use to be more complicated,” Adam supplied when Keith asked about all the extra rooms

“There were also more students too. Wizarding families were originally having anywhere from four to ten kids really. It was weird to see just a single child from a family. It’s not that way anymore,” Shiro added as he lay on his belly on the floor

Something about it helped with his back. Keith wasn’t sure. Didn’t look comfortable.

“There was also a time before the war they offered basically year round schooling to select students. Then there was always when we used to host other schools for events,” Adam continued flipping the page in his book, “Hogwarts kinda cut itself away from a lot of groups after the war. When everyone was still fighting over basic rights. Some of the more old fashioned schools disagreed with how things were done so Hogwarts just stopped inviting them to things.”

Keith hummed from his spot on the couch, “So they are just… there?”

“Yeah basically,” Shiro shrugged

Keith couldn’t help but think of it being such a waste of space. Not to mention the fact there were even more rooms locked or hidden he hadn’t seen. Secret doors that only appeared under certain conditions and things like that. All empty and waiting for the right person. All going to waste.

He said his goodnights after a bit longer, headed back to the common room. He was greeted by the warmth of the fire and the fifth year who seemed to hover over some box with figures in it. They seemed to dance in the light disappearing into shadows only to return when the flickering fire shifted. The fifth year would tap the box with her wand and mutter something under her breath but nothing changed that he could see. 

Climbing the stairs entering the boy’s first year room he wasn’t surprised to see McClain still awake. He was a bit surprised to find him looking longingly out the window out across the snow covered ground where the moon now lit a path. He seemed to not have heard Keith come in or simply ignored him.

Keith still wasn’t sure how he was supposed to handle him. Honestly he still didn’t think he wanted to. The guy seemed just as interested in being alone as he did. 

And that was perfectly fine

So Keith enjoyed the silence with McClain as he readied for bed. Sliding under the covers dimming the light closest to him. Only a bit later McClain would do the same. 

What a peaceful break this would be

Chapter Text

“What the hell is that?” Keith whispered slightly frozen part way to the common room door

McClain who wasn’t far behind them in their journey for breakfast, hit the brakes peering over Keith’s shoulder slightly. Keith looked over at him to see his face drop and take several steps back toward the stairs.

“Um I could be very wrong but that isn’t supposed to be here,” McClain whispered he glanced up at the staircase for the girl’s dormitory

“Should we call someone?” Keith whispered also backing away

“Do you have an owl nearby?” McClain seemed to scoff still backing up 

Laying right next to the now destroyed Christmas tree was a large rock and wood looking toad. Easily the size of them with small mushrooms and moss scattered along its back. It was asleep by the sound of it. Leaning heavily against the side wall. By the looks of the common room it had been there a good chunk of the night with tables knocked over and a weird trail of dried mud sticking to the couch. 

“What is it?” Keith asked again

Lance shrugged, “I don’t know and I don’t really want to find out.”

Keith glanced toward the girl’s dormitory, “Should we get the other student?”

“We can’t go up there,” Lance pinched the bridge of his nose, “A guy tries and it like screams at you or something. It might wake up that thing.”

Keith glanced at where it lay compared to the exit. They could technically make it… if they were very careful but that would point leaving the older student in a bind if they hadn’t already left. The thing was huge however and almost blocked the doorway. 

“Go get your dads,” McClain muttered, his eyes not leaving the creature, “I’ll stay in case the  other student comes down.”

“How the hell am I going to get past it?” Keith hissed

“Very slowly.”

Keith rolled his eyes. Yeah that was helpful.

Keith was glad in that moment the castle’s floor was not wood like it was in the orphanage. Where the floor would shift and creak under the slightest weight change alerting everyone someone was sneaking about. He was able to step on the very edge of the room keeping his back toward the wall and an eye on the creature. He noted out of the corner of his eye McClain’s wand was out. He doubted either of them knew anything that would be useful.  

He could feel the creature’s marsh like breath on his face as he slid past as quickly as possible. Holding his breath as the creature breathed in hoping it wouldn’t wake to his smell of morning breath or something. He didn’t know how sensitive this thing was.

He barely pressed on the portrait as she swung open. Doing his best to make sure it didn’t slam close but the slight creak it made was unavoidable. He didn’t hear any shouting once it was closed so he raced off toward where Shiro and Adam stayed hoping they hadn’t wandered to breakfast yet. 

A few gossiping school ghosts scowled him for running as he ran right through them as he turned tight on a corner. Trying to ignore the shudder feeling over running through an iced veil. He managed to arrive at the lion statue right as Adam was coming out of the portrait. 

“Emergency,” Keith panted dropping his hands to his knees to catch his breath for a moment 

“Sorry?” Shiro asked also stepping forward 

Keith waved his hand slightly toward where he came from, “There is some creature in the common room.” Shiro and Adam glanced at each other sharing a confused yet worried look, “Big smells like a swamp. Asleep,” Keith wheezed out finally standing to full height again

Adam’s face seemed to deadpan, “There is no way someone snuck a Dugbog in here.”

“A wha?” Keith asked already turning back toward the common room as his dads followed

“Just… you said it was asleep?” Shiro already had his wand in hand as they hurried along

Keith nodded, “McClain is there making sure the other student doesn’t come down and wake it.”

“I’m so glad you all had common sense for once,” Adam muttered as they finally reach the Fat Lady 

“Common sense,” Keith hissed, “We haven’t done anything dumb yet.”

“Key word yet,” Adam whispered peeking into the common room to see the creature still asleep right in front of them tucked against the branches of the Christmas tree

Keith peeked around Adam when Adam lifted a finger to his lips to see McClain had been joined by the older student whose face was pale and eyes wide. She mouthed something along the lines of “fuck is this,” making a gesture to the sleeping creature. 

Shiro tutted besides Adam, “It’s just a baby. Probably not used to the temperature drop.”

Keith turned slowly to stare at Shiro. A baby… this thing would get bigger?

Shiro carefully moved around Adam and the pair in tandem flicked their wands and ropes appeared around the short, thick legs, and around the muzzle. Shiro quickly whispered another spell as the creature stirred and it soon returned to its sleeping state. 

“And none of you brought it in?” Adam asked finally turning to a normal volume 

“Hell no!” The older student squeaked, “The last time I saw one of those it grabbed a deer right in front of the lake. Like hell I would smuggle one in.”

Shiro tapped the Fat Lady lightly and she swung back open. Keith could hear her ask about last night. She claims she has no recollection of opening after hours. 

“If it didn’t have the password it didn’t come in,” she tutted

“How did it get in then? There is literally a trail leading up to here,” Shiro slightly amused as she seemed to blush

“I couldn’t tell you.”

Shiro rolled his eyes, “Of course not.”

McClain had stepped closer to it now that it was safely bound and asleep again. Gently placing a hand along its back ignoring Adam’s glare before lifting his hand to look at the bottom of it.

“Well if it was cold it’s sure not now. Are they supposed to hibernate or something?”

“That’s a dugbog,” Shiro answered coming back through, “There are a few dens not far from here. They typically bury down in the harshest part of winter but not quite hibernate as far as I know. It is that time of year however where they start arguing over who stays den buddies or not when the snow melts. He may have been booted out early and just wanted warmth.”

“Aww,” McClain patted it again, “Poor guy.”

The older student rolled her eyes and began to move past the pair, “Well… I don’t think I need coffee anymore but I still do want breakfast.”

“Yes you all should head down before it finished,” Adam checked his watch, “We can handle getting this thing in the right direction or at least to the gamekeeper. They can handle it.”

“I still want to know how it could get in without a password and yet when I tried,” McClain muttered throwing a nasty look at the Fat Lady who only huffed and crossed her arms

Keith was the last of the three to leave, watching slightly as Shiro repeated McClain’s movements of gently patting the thick creature’s bark like back with a sigh.

“I really could have used more coffee before dealing with this.”

———

Lance found himself increasingly bored as the break days wore on. He was well ahead of class work already and there was only so much reading he could entertain himself with. It wasn’t like under normal circumstances he would read so rabidly anyway. There were a few things the school held to keep students entertained but for the most part they were left to their own devices within reason. 

He found himself exploring bits of the castle that he hadn’t been able to check. Places his older siblings had hinted were potential fun. He hadn’t found much other than old trinkets, trophy rooms, and classrooms filled with old books and supplies. He half wondered why no one ever bothered to clean any of it or at the least organize it. The clutter in every abandoned room seemed like a hazard and waste. 

He found himself at a point up in one of the astronomy towers where the ceiling was actually enchanted to look like the night sky at all times. Up close, able to watch stars and comets dance above him as he lay on one of the mats from a cabinet. From what he had been told previously with the right instructions one could change the way the stars looked. Asking for what their positions were on certain days like birthdays or major events. To some form even asking to see a bit into the future but never too far. 

There weren’t many in his family that got super into astronomy nor divination so his understanding of it was always a bit vague. 

“Pretty isn’t it?”

Lance sat up rapidly turning his head toward the door unsure just how long he had laid there tracing the path of things shining above him.

“It’s one of my favorite rooms. I come here just to read or think some evenings, but also” Allura Altea stepped more in the path of the stars' light, giving a slight wave of her wand “It can hold the answer to a lot of your questions.”

Lance glanced above to see the stars change drastically. Meteor showers grazed the sky in a way that almost lit the room fully with how bright they were. Everything seemed zoomed in and on fast forward as a planet grew in size and flashed closely as it seemed to speed by as well. The hues of the surface still leaving faint traces behind it as it traveled. 

“When is your birthday?”

Lance glanced at Allura who’s gaze was fixed upward.

“We already did birthday studies,” Lance turned his body a bit more to face her

She rolled her eyes looking down at him, “Sure the first year way not my way.”

Lance rolled his eyes as well, “July 28th.”

Allura seemed to pass slightly as if trying to do mental math due to the lack of year he gave her but ultimately with another flick of her wand the sky froze above them. 

“You even look like a Leo,” Allura muttered before waving her wand free hand high, “The sun is good for you be wise to it. It was an active night when you were born but the moon took a break tying your loyalty to the sun even more. She will be your best guide.”

Lance rolled his eyes slightly. No wonder hardly any of his family went into it. She was being vague and running in circles.

“Your favorite color is blue but you are oddly very drawn to red,” Allura continued as Lance stood

“The stars on my birthday control my favorite color?” Lance scoffed slightly, “Last I checked Astronomy is all about study of the planets, stars, the moon. Had nothing to do with my favorite colors.”

Allura smirked slightly, “The moon makes sure the waves rise and fall with each breath. Are you saying you are more than a wave?”

Lance gave her a look and she chuckled slightly

“Respectfully I am teasing a bit,” She looked back up at the stars that graced the sky on Lance’s birth, “But even those of us who have the ability of magic are not fully in control or understand the full bearing of the world let alone the universe. To this day there are still bits of magic in the world that even though witches and wizards are aware of the existence are mocked or thought lesser of, even if they have been more prominent in the history of humankind than any other.”

“You mean the things Muggles deem parlor tricks of sorts. The study of stars, palms, and dreams,” Lance looked up as well

“It very well may be the strongest form of magic if even they can access traces of it,” Allura whispered

Lance let his gaze slide over to her slightly. Her eyes tracing every star, planet, and constellation available to her as if it held every answer. Her eyes almost sparkling as she read them. Fingers wrapped around her book drumming slightly as if eager to write what she saw.

“Yet there are outliers so I guess it’s not wise to judge someone based on indirect knowledge,” She smiled softly looking at Lance again

Lance ducked his head to hide the slight red tinting his cheeks

——

Christmas morning came and Lance found himself alone in the boy’s room still. Kogane hadn’t come back to bed after dinner and after some time Lance figured he may be staying the evening with his dads. 

Minorly wondering how holiday plans worked for teachers and where they actually stayed. He knew it was somewhere in the castle logically but he was more curious in what it actually looked like inside. Was it like their regular home or something smaller?

But that wasn’t what surprised him

There was a small package sitting on his trunk at the foot of his bed. His name scrawled on the note that made his heart clench. 

He hesitated before scooting toward the end of his bed gently pulling the package toward his lap. Pulling the envelope from the string first popping open the McClain’s wax seal. The letter was short but the familiar handwriting seemed to shove a lump down Lance’s throat. 

Lance,

Merry Christmas 

Mom

His fingers traced the edge of the parchment before gently pulling the string apart from the package. A thick blue sweater nestled in the wrapping hugging a small box of chocolates. 

Lance closed his eyes and leaned back but not before the box of chocolates was greeted with a few fresh tears

———

Keith crashed on the couch after some night time tea. He wasn’t sure what Adam had put in it but he swore it was stronger than the other night time teas he had taken prior. So instead of the quiet shuffling he had grown used to waking up there was a loud clang of a cup and slight string of curse words.

“Dija break it,” Keith muttered into the pillow before looking up suddenly feeling the weight of the blanket around his shoulders

“Sorry,” Shiro looked slightly sheepish, “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

Keith huffed and dropped his head back into the pillow, “Is that coffee?”

“I can’t hear you,” Shiro chuckled fixing whatever mess he created

Keith lifted his head again, “Is it coffee?”

“You are twelve you don’t need coffee,” Adam’s voiced carried in

Keith could hear the pair share a morning and a kiss as another cup sounded against the counter

“Merry Christmas by the way,” Shiro said gently prodding Keith’s shoulder with a fresh cup

“Mmm Merry Christmas,” Keith sat up carefully taking the fresh cup of coffee 

A few sips in and Keith tried hard to keep his gaze straight because in the corner was the Christmas tree and there were things nestled under it.

Christmas at the orphanage had never really contained anything. At best a bit nicer breakfast and dinner. Occasionally some people from the Ministry would drop by a few basic items that had been requested that others had donated. Some used, few new that were shared amongst the children. Mainly clothes, a few schooling items, hardly any toys or such. 

He didn’t know what to expect here. Was he supposed to get them something as well or help choose the others gifts? If so he didn’t. Should he have offered? He didn’t ask for anything. They hadn’t brought it up. Maybe he was stressing for nothing. Maybe none of that was for him. That would be fine, he didn’t need anything anyway.

Adam joined Keith on the couch cradling his own mug of coffee, eyes partly closed as he savoried the caffeine flooding his veins.

“Um,” Shiro gained their attention, “We didn’t really go over how we handled most holidays with you kinda because our holidays before had always been…”

“Chaotic,” Adam supplied noting the glance of help from his husband

“We never made them much of a big deal before because it was just the pair of us and well even prior to that for us holidays were never the biggest focus.”

Keith nodded slightly thinking back to his birthday. They had a little private celebration after dinner that evening of a small birthday cake and they had gifted him a pair of omnioculars and chatted Quidditch. It was a quiet and nice little evening. He had gone to bed feeling a bit warm that night.

“We had meant to talk to you prior about it,” Adam rubbed his hand down his face, “But honestly it slipped our minds and we are still trying to get used to all of this like you.”

“I’ve never really had holidays either so I really don’t need much,” Keith was quick to keep his gaze to his coffee, “Even before the orphanage I don’t really remember them being a big deal. No traditions or anything. So I’m a blank slate really,” He smiled slightly, “I don’t have any expectations if that’s what you're worried about.”

“Blank slate isn’t really the term I would have used,” Adam rolled his eyes but with a snap of his fingers the present floated over to them, “But we mean we will get better at this… family stuff and traditions I mean. If that’s ok with you.”

Keith blinked slowly at the small stack of presents sitting in front of him. They were perfectly wrapped by any means but they were each carefully picked and chosen for him. 

He had people thinking of him. He wasn’t really alone anymore. 

“Yeah… we can figure it out together.”

Chapter Text

Students started to rejoin the castle on the coldest day so far. Bundled in heavy sweaters and clokes. Their scarfs wrapped so high on their face it was a guessing game on who it actually was behind there. The quietness of the castle officially gone as students raced to find their friends and talk of the holiday.

Matt quickly found Lance ruffling his hair as he shed layers in the middle of the common room, “This whole damn castle is too cold you would think they have figured a better way to heat it by now.”

Lance could only raise a brow as Matt flopped beside him leaving the layers he took off on the floor, “How was home?” he asked ignoring the glare from an older student who pointedly looked at Matt’s pile of close on the floor 

“Good,” Matt raised his head slightly, “I got to catch up with my sister and dad. Apparently my sister is driving my mom up a wall right now. You actually get to meet her next year. She will be a first year.”

Lance hummed slightly as Matt dropped his head back down taking up the full couch again. Luckily most students were too busy unpacking to care much for all the extra space he was taking up.

“What did you do?” Matt asked his gaze still on the ceiling

“Mainly explored bits of the castle. Had to deal with a dugbog in the common room but that was it really,” Lance let the words settle over Matt for a moment before the boy sat straight up eyes wide

“I’m sorry. What was where?”

Lance tilted his head innocently, “Well it wasn’t me I’ll tell you that.”

“Ok sure,” Matt waved a hand, “But like,” he waved both hands high, flapping them slightly like a bird, “Details.”

Lance laughed slightly and told him about how the creature was found asleep under the Christmas tree and really it wasn’t anything too exciting. More just how everyone was really confused how it got in. 

Toward the end of the story the Fat Lady opened again. Nothing surprising since it had been doing that on and off for awhile but Lance felt eyes lock onto him as soon as the bodies stepped into the common room. A few of the other first years had returned and judging by the smug look on Griffin’s face he was going to be stuck hearing him boast about something from break. 

And judging by the heavy weight of his stare as he passed he was assuming he was going to be stuck on the end of it

—

The drudge of first day class began around the castle with the weather finally starting to ease up for a little bit. Students still layered in thicker socks and robes but able to comfortably ditch the gloves at the very least. Which was for the best after the first potions class there was a screeching lecture about the dangers of gloves and potions. 

Keith found himself once again dodging some of the others from the orphanage. Powell seemed to have at least learned his lesson as he kept well enough away besides shooting glares whenever they were in the vicinity but the others seemed to have gotten brave again. It was mostly snide comments and shoulders bumping into each other. Keith was ready though. He knew things would tip one way or another in just a matter of time.

Shiro and Adam didn’t make any mention of it but he thinks the howlers finally eased about a week after break. Parents could only complain so long before realizing nothing would be done. He also wasn’t sure if the headmaster ended up making a statement or anything but wouldn’t have been surprised with the amount of letters that came through. 

Either way the school day tempo settled back into the norm over the week. Students still catching up from the break, rushing to finish assignments that had been assigned over break, and settling back into a routine. 

Keith was also mostly on his own now much to his relief. James still seemed sore about the lack of information Keith had given him about his adopted parents. Feelings cheated for whatever rhyme or reason. He still didn’t understand why he felt so affected by it. The others, even though at this point they seemed to roll their eyes at James' complaints, seemed to respect more the fact Keith would rather be out of the common room than hang around them full time. They didn’t exactly shut him out like that had with McClain but there was finally the break from socialization that Keith had so desperately been craving beforehand.

Keith savored this. Finding himself more than not in Adam and Shiro’s place rather than the common room during down times when they were often just relaxing themselves or grading papers. Sometimes they weren’t even there but Keith would take spot anyway to work on his own work or take a nap.

Unfortunately that was one of the things that hadn’t settled

If anything it felt as if had gotten worse

The dreams that he was chasing something only to be blocked. Purple blinking at him begging him to join. Now however there was an added factor. He felt like he was being chased too. Hands lightly tracing the air around him but he couldn’t see who they belonged to or what they wanted. They could never touch him just like he couldn’t reach whatever he also chased.

They were becoming nightly. Waking in a sweat and the teas Adam had originally given were turning into no help. Every sleep the dreams felt more real. Like whatever it was was now only being guarded by the thinnest sheet of glass. Every touch just a bit closer to letting it shatter under his touch.

He was finding classes harder to stay awake in only to be jerked awake by the touch of the dream or from a neighboring student kind enough to nudge him awake before he could get caught. He had admitted to Adam and Shiro when Shiro was kind enough not to call him out on it when Romelle had pinched his arm and had definitely been caught doing so, about the dreams and issues sleeping were growing to be a bigger issue. The following evening Adam prepared a tea himself and it definitely took the edge off. The dream still there but foggy again. Clouded and less tense.  

“I can make one nightly for now if it helps but hopefully they will fade once you settle more,” Adam had said when Keith reported back 

“What are they from exactly?” Keith peeked around Adam’s shoulder as he prepped the tea, “Stress?”

“Could be,” Adam carefully poured the mixture into a mug, “could be a few other things but we will start with one thing at a time,” He carefully handed the mug to Keith who sniffed it and wiggled his nose. Definitely wasn’t the greatest tasting tea he had ever had but at least sleep was possible.

—

Keith said his farewell for the evening and headed back to the common room. Adam waved, collecting the mug for the mixture he had made for Keith. Shiro doing the same from his spot by the fire. Book sitting innocently in his lap. They waited several moments after the door closed before looking at each other. 

“Charm or type of spell?”

Shiro sighed letting his hand glide over the pages of the book in front of him, “It can’t be an item per say. He didn’t take anything with him from the orphanage and as far as we are aware he didn’t have anything either when he arrived there. I’m leaning toward a type of protection spell currently.”

Adam frowned, placing the mug in the sink, “From what and who?” He sat beside his husband placing a hand on his arm, “And more importantly why is it starting to fail now and how long has it lasted?”

“I still think back to the night we first found him. He mentions purple in his dreams and he just happened to be tailing Galra even if he was unaware,” Shiro closed the book meeting Adam’s gaze

“We never did find anything of interest about his father,” Adam’s thought wavered for a moment, “With permission may I do some searching?”

“You know where it might lead you,” Shiro muttered frowning, “Besides it may be Keith’s permission you seek if you are going to be digging into his family tree.”

“I don’t want to turn over that stone for him if it’s for not,” Adam sighed as Shiro raised his hand to pull Adam’s glasses from his face to place them on the nearby stand, “He just needs to be a kid for now. He still has no clue how to do that.”

Shiro hummed as Adam dropped his head on to his shoulder. The spot they sat definitely too small for the pair like this.

“If you look into it please make sure you aren’t traced,” Shiro mumbled to the top of Adam’s head

“I’m always cautious you know that,” Adam confident in his words and abilities but he was well aware of Shiro’s fears and they were valid

Shiro hummed, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “Plan accordingly then.”

—

“I heard something interesting about your family over break McClain.”

Lance didn’t show that he heard a word that was said as he prepped for bed. A few of the other first years around as well. Griffin had already locked eyes on his target at this point and there likely wasn’t much squirming out of it.

“Well maybe you should actually be grateful they are disowning you,” Griffin continued ignoring the quiet request to stop from Kinkade, “Because it seems like your family is back up to its normal path.”

Lance paused for just a moment with his hand on his pillow wondering if he should just make it toward the common room for the night. Might be safer than sleeping in the same room who only wants to raise such hell. At the same time he was curious as well. Veronica and Rachel hadn’t made any attempts to talk to him since their return to the castle. Veronica looked like she was carrying heavy news and it hadn’t gone unnoticed by Lance. However they were finally respecting the fact he had separated himself from them now and he was hesitant to reach back out.

The idea that Christmas continued per normal with all their traditions without him stung. The fact that the only person in their whole family that had even bothered to reach out to him had been his mother. He couldn’t even bring himself to wear the sweater she sent despite the cold. It laid untouched in his trunk. It didn’t feel like a peace offering. More like a taunt and bitter reminder.

“Apparently there is a manhunt for one of your uncles. Burned down a few houses during Christmas break. All connections to the Ministry,” Griffin smug as he crossed his arms

“Shame it wasn’t yours,” Lance quipped just as the door popped open

Griffin smirked faded and he was quick to pull his wand from his pocket, “Say it to my face a bit louder would- HEY!”

Lance turned to see Griffin's wand fly out of his hand toward the door with an exhausted looking Kogane. His wand out and he bent to pick up the stray wand. Lance’s own hand had been hovering near his pocket when he sensed Griffin’s shift in sour mood.

“You didn’t even speak,” Kinkade muttered looking incredibly shocked at Kogane

“Why does it always have to be you?” Kogane sighed looking pointedly at Griffin

Griffin scoffed, narrowing his eyes, stretching out his hand, “My wand if you will.”

Kogane held up the wand still part way out of the door and seemed to be studying it in a mocking sense. Dangling it slightly as if disgusted to be holding it before tossing it out the door toward the landing. 

Griffin red faced began to stride forward, “Keep your nose out of what you don’t belong in. Your dads can’t protect you from everything,” His hand raised just enough to give reason

“Petrificus Totalus,” Lance muttered and Griffin was not so gracefully dropped to the floor all limbs snapping against his side

Shouts from the others in the room rang out as Kogane casually stepped to the side letting Griffin hit the floor face first. Thomas was the first to reach him, flipping him over onto his back placing a finger under his nose to check for air as Griffin’s eyes ran back and forth between everyone in the room. When his eyes met Lance’s he was greeted with a smirk as he resumed getting ready for bed. 

“We can’t leave him like this,” Thomas hissed as Watson left the room to gather Griffin’s missing wand and likely and older student

“It wears off,” Lance shrugged climbing into bed noting Kogane also prepping for bed

Kinkade reached for his Charms book, muttering curses under his breath as he went to double check what he could safely use. Watson however beat him back bringing possible the worst student up to help as Matt was dragged in to look at the scene. He took one glance around the room and snorted.

“I’m tempted to leave him like this,” Matt place his hands on his hips watching Griffin glare at him to the best of his abilities

“Would be a peaceful night,” Kogane added sliding into his bed already turning to his side and drawing the curtains around him

Kinkade sighed pulling his own wand out carefully pronouncing the words as he read them and Griffin’s body suddenly relaxed. He sat up rapidly grabbing his wand from Watson only to have it pulled from his hand again by Matt who tutted slightly.

“Did you not learn your lesson the first time?” Matt pointedly pointed Griffin’s own wand back at him in a casually threat

He scowled, grabbing it and making his way to his own bed. Matt rolled his eyes glancing around the rest of the room, “If there are any more problems the Head of House will hear and I’m sure you all would love more detention.”

The threat of detention seemed to be enough to get Griffin back to bed for the evening. Muttering and cursing as he did. Lacne was sure he would find something new by next week to start something over.

—

Lance was unfortunately greeted with the Daily Prophet on his bed before breakfast even started. Right on the front cover in the corner was a familiar face he had grown up with. The man who taught him how to swim and which berries were safe to eat when they spent long hours out in the woods. A reward for any information of his whereabouts was being offered by the Ministry. Along with the reminder for being dangerous and to not approach. 

It would not be the first or last time Lance would see murderer next to the McClain name.

Chapter Text

Classes had been back in session for three weeks and the thrill of winter break had waned, however the thrill was picking up again with the next Quidditch match around the corner. Even weather luck seemed to be hinting at them as the cold had eased up the past few days even gifting them with glints of sun.

Yet Keith found himself huddled in the library staring blankly at that random slip of paper he had slipped in his bag by accident over a month back

It was notes from what he guessed was an older student. The pretty swirl of the letters spread so evenly over the page it made it a bit to easy to read. He wondered if the student panicked when they noticed their notes were gone. He wondered if they passed any papers or test given without them.

He had forgotten about the dream study notes to be honest. Having slipped them back into his bag only to rediscover them as he dumped it to clean for the new term. The sleep teas Adam had been giving him were dulling the dreams mostly but every once in awhile one would poke through. The purple he chased still blocked behind a wall he could not go through. 

Why was it always the same? Did it mean something?

Despite knowing of magic since birth, the magical world itself was still an unknown to him. There were things he knew from the older kids who would relay any knowledge from what they learned at Hogwarts as time went on but there were always gaps not covered for once reason or another.

So what was the magical world’s deal with dreams? 

They obviously studied them. So maybe he should look into more himself. Finally put a stop to the never ending cycle that ripped precious sleep from him or maybe finally pass through the barrier and see what he’s been chasing. Any answer in general at this point would satisfy him.

The question was just where to start?

The notes themselves seemed simple: Dreams are considered the oldest form of Divination. A dream is rarely ever a dream (Yeah right). Dream Interpretation can be easily done even by nonseers but the true message might be missed. Focus on the hidden and recurring symbols not just the main event. Keep notes on symbols and double meanings. Any abnormal changes like bunnies aren’t typically blue. (Copy symbol list from Dream Oracle towards back of the book)

There were also flash notes about their own dreams and potential meanings along with snide notes off to the side which he assumed was used as if to pass notes to others in the class about silly dreams. He was starting to think the creator of the notes wouldn’t actually miss them given some of the comments scribbled to the side made comments of how dull the class was and unrealistic. 

But really even if it was he was willing to try anything at this point

He wondered if the book mentioned was somewhere in the library. He looked down at the list of symbols scattered toward the bottom but it seemed incomplete like they were in a rush well class ended. Too busy scribbling notes to their friends he supposed. 

Leaving his things at his station he moved through the library glancing and the worn gold labels that neatly marked the section he was in to guide him to the right location. It took him a bit deeper in the library toward a darker corner. Books toward the bottom and scrolls higher up stacked high enough to cover corner to corner. There was an older student there as well, tapping her wand at on of the top cubbies where the scroll was watching as they seemed to shuffle for her and she eventually pulled the one she needed.  

Keith eyes widened slightly as he looked at the selection of books. The whole section alone was about dreams. How Tos and Journals lined each section. Most seemed to collect dust but that seemed like a common theme in any section of Divination. Admittedly most of the time he had been spending in the library up to now had been for hiding purposes from the other first years but even then he typically did that in Shiro and Adam’s room. He hadn’t really explored much of it. Honestly come to think of it he hadn’t explored most the castle at all at this point. He was too focused on just catching up and not having to deal with the first years or kids from the orphanage.

Keith found Dream Oracle and opted just to start there since it had been mentioned in the notes he accidentally took. Maybe later if needed he could look at another but if he was lucky his answers would be in here. 

The librarian noted the book at check out, “Are you jumping ahead in your courses for a reason?”

“Something like that,” Keith muttered as she made her notes and handed the book back giving him the time line on when he needed to return it before tucking it safely in his bag to begin to study after dinner

—

Neither of Lance’s sisters attempted to approach him even once since school was back in session. Something he would have been more grateful of prior to break but now that itch was growing. He wanted to know the real details of his uncle not just the ones printed in the Prophet. He was still at large apparently. No signs of him anywhere. 

But murderer is not something he was use to seeing in front of his family name

Not only that but Veronica seemed… different. The air around her had changed. She seemed sullen and stressed. She had always been one of the more serious siblings but this was new. He could often feel her gaze on him when they were in the same room and he wondered if he should look back at her. Almost afraid of what he would see if he did. 

She had received the McClain of age conversation. Maybe there was more to it than Lance thought. Maybe the conversation extended to him. He was too afraid to find out.

Rachel on the other hand just mimicked his cold shoulder. Despite classes together and even having some assigned seats next to each other, she treated him like a blip in the system. They never paired together anymore. Didn’t share looks. Nothing. Instead she kept to her own house and seemed to have given up being friendly to her twin.

He also hadn’t received any updated owls from any of his other siblings or his parents. His father would be coming to the next Quidditch match since Slytherin was playing but he wasn’t sure what protocol was for that other than avoid him. 

Overall he knows he started the cold shoulder but his sisters had been so strong on the idea talking to their parents over break would clear things. He didn’t need to know how the conversation went to know it didn’t go well. 

He had joked at one point with Matt it seemed he had lost the right to call himself a McClain but now it was really starting to feel like that may be the case. Even though now with the Prophet calling his Uncle a murder the castle seems to still thing he carried the name and would be the next one to turn on them.

Maybe he would at this point. He still didn’t know the weight of his own name and as much as he was sick of it. Hate every issue it had caused him from the moment he entered this castle. There was still a feeling of loneliness he tried to ignore anytime he saw his sisters together. Maybe it was that sight that formally prompt him to reach back out to Marco finally. It had been Marco and Veronica’s planning that if something went wrong he would go to Marco’s and there was the offer to stay at his place on Christmas even though he wouldn’t be there the whole time himself. The curiosity and bitterness just sat bubbling in his chest as he wrote to his brother.

Do I need to make arrangements to stay with someone outside of family for summer?

-Lance 

He had been tempted to write the word friends in there but figured it might be pushing whatever tiny bit of luck he had. Plus the plural of friends might be pushing it. Sure they hung out with him in the confides of the castle but what about outside of it. How would their families enjoy a crasher for the summer? It wasn’t like it was just a few days or week. It would be several months of an extra mouth to drag around. 

But if this was as serious of an issues as his stoned faced sisters seemed to suddenly think it was he needed to plan ahead of time

The school owl who carried his message was a small brown owl who gladly accepted his treat as he tied the short letter onto her leg. She nibbled slightly at his palm once he finished as if to check for remaining crumbs only to be disappointed before her take off.

—

Lance was surprised to receive a reply only a few days later. The school owl quick to steal the bacon in front of him before allowing him to take the letter from her. He could feel Matt’s eyes on him as he undid the bindings. He technically hadn’t received an owl since Marco mentioned Christmas and even before then it was for the first Quidditch match. An owl carrying anything was definitely not the norm.

Mom made the point during Christmas that you are coming back for the summer. If something happens I have a spare you we can move you to. I don’t know if the girls told you anything from break but there is a lot going on right now with Dad’s job and well you probably saw the Prophet. I think when things settle down it life should ease up a bit.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to me if you need anything. We are still family.

-Marco

Lance didn’t really know how to feel about the other details outside of the fact he didn’t need to beg someone to take him in over summer. He just still couldn’t shake that feeling of unease that was digging into his shoulders. Maybe that was just life and he was never going to shake it away.

—

Adam wasn’t the one who made his tea that evening and it seemed Shiro had only guessed at what the levels of it was because Keith woke up drenched in sweat panting. A scream caught in his throat as his body trembled with effort. As if it wasn’t just a dream. As if he had been running the whole time too.

Still shaking he swung his legs over the side of his bed. He was too awake now even if it was too early to be up. He looked up to see McClain blurry eyed, pull back his curtains to look at him.

“You ok?” He managed to mutter

“Sorry,” Keith glanced around to see if he accidentally woke anyone else, “Bad dream.”

McClain made a sound eyes still half closed, “Kitchen closed but water is,” and he half waved his hand to one of the pitcher by the door, “They refill every night.”

Keith nodded slightly not really understanding what the kitchens had to do with it but he did appreciate the water suggestion. Moving to fill up a cup from the pitcher so help his throat.

No one else seemed to have been interrupted from his dream. In fact Griffin was still snoring peacefully as if nothing could wake him. McClain was still blinking sleepily at him but every blink he seemed to gain a bit more clarity. He felt a bit awkward so he finished the water and gave a short nod to McClain once more before crawling back into his bed and pulling the curtain around him. 

There was no more sleeping that night. Just tossing and turning to the sound of Griffin’s snores.

—

Lance was glad to see the sun trying to greet them as they made their way to breakfast that morning. Winter still hadn’t loosened her hold but at the very least the sun would help as the chatter in the hall swelled with anticipation. 

The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins were teasing each other as they were fully decked in their house colors. Out of all the houses Hufflepuff was always the one that tended to buddy up fairly easily to Slytherins despite all the talk. There were plenty of friendships that mingled outside of houses, Slytherin included, it was just such a big McClain no no on not to. Others shared that as well but mainly limited it to anti Slytherin talk. 

Regardless the two houses had a more friendly rivalry toward each other compared to some other houses making the game a bit more fun to watch.

“Is your dad coming?” Matt had muttered quietly to him when Veronica had entered the hall

Lance shrugged, “I’m assuming yes since he rarely doesn’t show.”

Matt hummed his gaze shifting slightly before pulling out a thermos sticking his arm out behind him thrusting the thermos into Kogane’s chest. Lance raised an eyebrow in surprise and confusion. Matt let go of the thermos once it was safely in Kogane’s grasp turning back to Lance as Kogane continued down the table.

“How many of those do you have?” Lance asked as he pulled another one out from his robes

“Not enough apparently,” Matt shrugged uncapping it and doing a taste test, “Anyway if he is here shouldn’t be an issue if you hide with us,” Matt let his gaze slip back down to meet Lance’s eyes, “Unless you want to talk to him?”

Lance shook his head quickly, “No,” he whispered, “I think I’m done.”

Matt nodded giving him a slight look like he knew he was potentially lying but wasn’t going to pick on it, “Anyway, how long do you think it’s going to take Slytherin to figure out the Hufflepuff’s beater trap?”

Lance smirked slightly already knowing the answer, “They won’t have time to set the trap.”

—

And he was right

Lance may not have been talking to his sisters during the Hufflepuff vs Gryfindor match but he knew they watched. The Hufflepuff beaters were never allowed into a rhythm not just thanks to the Slytherin beaters but the chasers as well. If people thought the first Slytherin game was boring to watch because of how one sided it was then this must be dull for them as well.

But really it was even more entertaining

“They are torturing them,” Burk whispered watching the Hufflepuff beater take a bludger to the face himself

“Hufflepuff’s entire defense was based on their beater’s trap,” Lance shrugged, “A trap that was easy to break apart once you saw it. They didn’t have a back up plan.”

“Trap?”

The group blinked turning slightly to look behind them to see Kogane not far off locked in on their conversation

“You mean the triangle thing they were doing last time?”

Lance nodded as Burk replied, “Oh you saw it too? Is it like a more common trick because last time was the first time I had seen it?”

Lance noted Kogane was waiting for a response as well so Lance answered, “I mean I’m sure others have tried it but it’s not really reliable enough to be used every time let alone the whole match. This being why,” He motioned to the absolute slaughter fest happening on the pitch, “Honestly their captain should have noted that from the first day it was brought up.”

“Sure cocky enough McClain,” Griffin was only a row down unfortunately turned to face him making it obvious he had been listening in, “Think you are good enough to take down the whole Hufflepuff team on your own?”

Lance rolled his eyes, “I’ve seen toddlers who can ride a broom better than you Griffin. Don’t think you have room to boast Quidditch strategy.” 

Kinkade was quick to grab Griffin’s elbow and turn him back to watch the match. Lance could hear a few giggles around them. 

“He’s not wrong though,” A Ravenclaw who was directly behind him jumped in, “Yes Quidditch is flying, skill, and luck but if you lack even basic strategy you are basically risking it all on luck and the fact your opponent sucks. Slytherin’s adaptability strategy is the whole reason why they are so strong.”

“This is why I hate watching Quidditch with you,” Her friend mumbled, “You make it all strategy. It’s less fun.”

But it had gotten Griffin’s attention again, “So your saying there is an easy way to beat Slytherin?” he turned to the Ravenclaw

The Ravenclaw and Lance shared a glance and a shrug, “Of course they are,” She answered as all eyes now locked onto her awaiting an answer, “Don’t look at me though I don’t know if it can be properly executed. Not to mention they would likely adapt to it.”

“You have played against her,” Burk looked over at Lance, “Are they actually beatable?”

“Yeah,” Lance answered easily, “I just don’t think any of the teams have enough teamwork at this stage to pull it off. All the points scored on Veronica are toward the end of the year right?” the older students nodded, “It’s because the teams are finally willing to take some risks that they didn’t trust themselves to earlier in the year. This isn’t a pro team it’s a school team. It’s not like everyone is seeing the pitch time they should be. If You stuck her on a pro team you would see the difference.”

“What I’m hearing it you have an idea on how to beat Slytherin and you won’t tell us,” Griffin jumped smirked up at him

“I have a way to beat my sister,” Lance said firmly “It would be up to the rest of the team to do their jobs.”

Griffin went to open his mouth again but Kinkade grabbed him again with a sigh.

The match was overwhelmingly a Slytherin win. No points on Hufflepuffs end and there was a good few injuries on the Hufflepuff team. The beaters in particular and they all looked miserably defeated. The Slytherins were celebrating their win on the pitch with others joining in as the rest of the students filtered down the stairs and back to the school.

Lance’s heart was pained slightly as a familiar figure made it’s way down and headed toward the Slytherin players. The path clearing quickly as it made its way to his sister. He kept his gaze low and focused on leaving unseen.

So of course Griffin just had to start something at the mouth of the stadium.

“You really aren’t going to let us in on the secret,” He was quick to drop an arm over Lance’s shoulders earning a look of discuss from Matt besides him

“It’s nothing you could execute,” Lance said simply

“Come on it’s not like the rest of your family wants you now. Would it really hurt to help out your new family?” Lance turned and shoved Griffin back hard enough to stumble causing those behind them to freeze in their tracks

Griffin sat up red faced ready to open his mouth as Lance drew his wand. A hand reached for his forearm but someone else beat him to it as Griffin once again had his legs snap together and arms snap to his side. Falling back flat like a frozen board. A few people looked at Lance in suspect but those closer looked toward those passing by since no spell actually left Lance’s lips.

From the corner of Lance’s eye he saw a wand carefully slip back into a pocket. Meeting his gaze with a smirk he and Kogane nodded to each other before he slipped back toward the castle unnoticed. 

Chapter Text

I’m not dead btw!

No not a formal update and I will delete this after a 48ish hour period but just letting everyone know I am still actively working on all my work in progress things and then some!

At the start of the year I reread everything I had and buckled down. I’ve been editing, fixing issues, replanning etc. I also made the decision to not post another update till the fic was finished (I know I know SHAME) but I felt bad about only updating sporadically once every 3-4 months and just not being consistent (blame my job)

At this stage i currently have about 4-15 unposted chapters of each fic I have up. I still feel pretty committed to not posting again till the fics are actually finished/almost finished to the point I can easily post 1-2 chapters a week for you all rather than the scattered way it has been.

Well life changes are happening ✨again✨ I’m moving and wildly enough doing a slight job change. I’m sure it’s going to take a bit of getting used to but the big thing is I am going to be having a lot more alone/free time.

And when I tell you I’ve been itching to write even more than the current availability I do have. It’s been driving me nuts. I even dream about it in the 4-5 hours of sleep I get 😅

So I’m being optimistic and thinking that hopefully a regular posting cycle will start early next year depending on which fic you are seeing this on!

In the meantime i apologize for the wait hopefully it’s worth it!