First Year
Two weeks went by in a blur and they didn’t fully come back until they were waiting to board the Hogwarts Express. “Straighten your ties.” Syldor said sternly. He’d had them already dressed in their school uniforms. Vax hated the tie. It felt too tight around his neck and he’d been fidgeting with it all morning. Vex wasn't a big fan either. She was slouched and nervous.
Syldor prodded her back to make her stand up straighter.
“Hey! Vex! Vax!” They saw Keylith waving at them brightly. She was with that short girl and the massive boy they’d seen in the robe shop. “Over here! Come on!”
Vex smiled softly and waved at the group nervously glancing at her father.
“Let’s go.” Vax said.
Syldor gave them a nod. “Go on then. And behave yourselves. If I get one owl saying that you’ve stepped out of line. There will be consequences.”
They both nodded and headed over to their sort of friends. Keylith beamed. They’d gotten four lettered from her in the last two weeks.
“You made it!” She beamed.
"We did. Made it in one piece.” Vex nodded.
“That’s great. Oh. This is Pike Trickfoot and Grog Strongjaw.” Keylith said gesturing at the very large boy and his much smaller friend.
"Hello. I'm Vex, this is my brother Vax.”
“Sup,” Grog grinned at them.
“Nice to meet you.” Pike smiled and shook their hands. They heard the train whistle.
“Oops we’d better get on.” Keylith gasped heaving her trunk off the platform with difficulty. Vex and Vax did the same. They really only had the required things for school so theirs wasn't too heavy. They found an empty compartment and Vax slid the door closed to block out most of the noise of the other kids, which was okay with the twins as they preferred the quiet right now. They got settled. Pike had a small owl in a cage and she hung that on the coat hook over the window. Vex smiled looking at the owl. It hooted dolefully and tucked Its head under a wing to sleep.
“What house do you guys think you’ll be in?” Pike asked.
They knew what house their father expected them to be in. He’d told them the whole family and nearly all been in Slytherin. Though Syldor’s wife Devana had been a Ravenclaw.
"I'm not sure. Keylith said it runs in families?“ Vex said. She got nervous whenever this got brought up. She didn’t want to be separated from Vax, and now she also didn’t want to share a house with their father.
“Not always.” Pike said. “It really all depends on your personality. What you value.”
”I see… I’m not sure…” what did she value? What did Vax?
“Pop pop says I’m a shoe in for Gryffindor.” Grog said proudly.
Vax smiled and lounged back in his seat. “Guess we’ll find out.” Away from their father at least he could relax.
The train ride didn’t end until the sun set. On the exit platform they’d saw the form of a truly massive man holding a lantern. “First years! First years over here!” He called to them.
“Woah.” Vax gaped up at the man Who’s face was largely hidden by a huge bushy beard and even bushier hair.
“Cool!” Grog was beaming. He honestly could have passed as this giant man’s son.
“You just follow me. We’re going up to the castle.” The giant man said as all the other first years gathered around. He lead them down a forest path to a lake and a set of docks. “No more than four to a boat.” He called indicating a fleet of little row boats. The four of them clambered in and for a moment they teetered thanks to having to balance Grog’s considerable weight.
Vax stayed closed to his sister once everyone was settled the man gave a command and the boat began to move of their own accord. Gliding across the lake like a flock of odd ducks. It didn't take long to get up to the castle. The huge man lead them up the yard and into the entrance hall. Waiting for them at the top of the shallow stone steps was a rather stern looking witch.
The bundle of nerves settled afresh in Vex’s stomach.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.” The woman said in a crisp voice. “I am professor McGonagall, deputy headmistress. In a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates but first you must be sorted into your houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.” She said that last one with the slightest hint of distain. “While you are here, your house will be like your family. You will attend classes with your house, and sleep in your house dormitory. I trust each of you will be a credit to the house that you are sorted into. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule breaking and you will loose points. At the end of the school year the house with the highest number of points will win the house cup.”
Vex nodded. She was still pretty nervous about being in a different house from Vax. Vax was gripping onto her hand just as nervous if not more so. Everyone was looking just as nervous though now. No one knew exactly how they would be sorted. Even Keylith, Pike and Grog couldn’t say how it was done and they been raised by wizards.
They were lead into the great hall. The sealing looked as if it opened up to the vast starry sky, hundreds of candles floating above to give light.
Professor McGonagall had placed a stool and a ragged witch’s hat at the foot of a raised dais. Everyone stared at it.
Everyone gasped when the hat shivered and moved. The rip above the brim opened like a mouth and the hat began to sing.
“A thousand years or more ago
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favourites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!”
As the assembled school clapped and the hat bowed to the four table Vex was interested and very nervous... she had to go let a talking hat look at her brain?
Professor McGonagall was speaking again.
“Now when I call your name. I will place the sorting hat on your head. When your house is called out you will join that table.” Vex considered asking what happened if people got in different houses, But the professor was already reading names of the list. Alphabetical by last name. She went through most of the As before calling. “Ashari, Keylith.”
Keylith nervously walked up. The hat sat on her head almost falling down to cover her eyes. The rip at the brim opened again and the hat shouted.
“Hufflepuff!”
The middle right table applauded.
The list went on until. “De Rolo, Ludwig.” A boy with soft brown hair and freckles sat on the stool.
“Gryffindor!” The hat cried. Several students at that table stood and applauded loudly. They looked like they could be this boy’s siblings.
“Strongjaw, Grog.”
“Gryffindor!”
“Trickfoot, Pike.”
“Hufflepuff!”
And finally. “Vessar, Vax’ildan.”
Vex didn't want to let go of his hand and squeezed it. Vax had to walked up and he sat on the stool. The hat fell down but only covered one of his eyes. He didn’t care which house as long as Vex was in that house as well. Then he heard a little voice in his head.
‘Oh yes you are an interesting one. Loyal but so very impulsive. Protective.’
Vax didn't know what to say. At first he was surprised by it all and thought he was imagining it.
‘But where to put you. You don’t have a bad mind either if you were to apply yourself. And you seem more cunning than most.’ The voice continued.
'I don't care as long as it's with my sister.' Vax thought.
‘I see then. Better be-‘
“Gryffindor!” That last word was shouted out loud by the hat.
Vax got up and joined the table though his nerves haven’t abated at all because Vex had t been sorted yet.
“Vessar, Vex’ahlia.” McGonagall called. She got up and put the hat on.
‘Ah, you must be the sister. Yes I see you.’ She heard the little voice say. ‘Strong and brave indeed, with a great thirst to be accepted. To be valued.’
'Isn't that what everyone wants?' She thought. She wasn't as freaked out as Vax had been. Not as freaked out as she thought she’d be letting a sentient hat look into her mind.
‘Some do not care whether they are accepted. But you do. You have a strong heart. I know where you should be.’
“Gryffindor!”
Vex sighed deeply in relief and joined that table with her Brother. Vax hugged her tightly. They’d been the last to be sorted.
An old man with long silver hair and beard stepped up now that the sorting hat had been taken away. “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. There will be time for speeches later but for now, enjoy.”
And the golden plates along all the tables suddenly filled with the most incredible looking food the twins had ever seen.
Vex's eyes went wide. They never got to eat like this. This was insane. She was still holding Vax in a hug. Vax was eyeing the food as well as everyone around them filled their plates. Grog looked like he had died and gone to heaven. Vex did let go and they got to eating. Vax was happy to fill his plate as much as he was able. Even with their father they weren’t allowed to have as much as they’d wanted. They hadn't felt like eating too much but with the pressure off they realized how little they had been eating. Vex ate quite a bit. Vax did as well. He didn’t think he’d ever eaten so much in his life but somehow it felt like just enough.
Vex sighed,"This was incredible.”
“Yeah.” Vax leaned back just a bit. “Hell… I could get used to this…”
"Same here.. I wasn't expecting this.” Vex sighed in contentment looking up at the enchanted starry ceiling.
“It really is something.” It was that boy speaking. Ludwig de Rolo.
Vex looked across the table,"Ludwig right? Have you been here before?”
“Nope. It’s my first year. But most of my siblings have been here for a few.” He smiled. “Our oldest brother Julius is captain of the house quidditch team. And Vesper was made a Hufflepuff prefect just this year.”
“And won’t shut up about it.” A girl to Ludwig’s left said rolling her eyes.
"Oh. I see. It's very grand.. I wasn't expecting a castle.” Vex smiled.
“Well they can’t fit most of the magical kids in the UK into one of those tiny muggle schools.” Ludwig shrugged.
“Just wait till you see the grounds.” The girl, who must have been one of his sisters said. “I’m Whitney by the way. And the buffoon with his face in the pudding is my twin Oliver.”
“Hey!” Oliver did in fact have a bit of pudding stuck to his face.
Vex laughed lightly. " Vax and I are twins."
“I noticed.” Whitney smiled. “It’s just our second year but we can show you all the best secrets we’ve found so far.”
"That sounds amazing.” Vex smiled. A castle with secrets? That she could get behind.
“It’s a deal then. As long as you show us anything you find.” Oliver smiled.
“Oh I’m sure we can find quite a bit.” Vax grinned back.
"There's not going to be a problem there. " Vex nodded.
“Perfect. We’ll get along just fine.” Whitney shook both their hands.
The year went by. Vex and Vax were packed up and telling their group of friends bye. They had done ok in classes. They had managed to not fail most of them but certainly didn't preform at the top level. They had spent a ton of time sneaking around with Oliver and Whitney.
“At least we both did well at defense against the dark arts.” Vax said. “Honestly. That one should be the most important right now.” They’d been filled in on the threat of the death eaters and their master already.
"Yea. That's good. We should be alright." Vex nodded. It didn't take too long for them to be back on the train and then waiting to be picked up.
Syldor was there alone. Vax had hoped Devana would at least be there as well but she must have been on another one of her business trips abroad. The twins quietly walked up to them after saying goodbye to their friends.
“We will talk at home.” He said coldly. “Come.”
Vex looked at her brother before following. What was going on? Sure Syldor hadn't been loving but he wasn't mean. At least she didn't think he was. Vax looked nervous as well. He’d thought their father had just been distant. Unsure of how to be a parent. But there was distain in his eyes when he looked at them now. It was unsettling and strange. Vax wished more than ever that Devana was home when they reached the estate. Something horrible was about to happen he just knew it.
The of the manor door shut with a click and both of them felt the stinging pain of a slap against their cheeks. “Explain yourselves. Now.”
Vex winced,"... what.?”
Vax stepped in front of his sister protectively. “We didn’t do anything!”
“You have disgraced my bloodline. Vessars, in Gryffindor. Mayhem in the corridors. Consorting with mudbloods and half breeds as if you are equals.” Syldor’s rage was quiet but frightening.
"We didn't choose our house! Its not our fault...." Vex was already crying from the shock of it all.
“No Vessar has ever been in that sorry excuse for a house.” Syldor spat. “And they certainly don’t ally with muggle born scum like the de Rolos or halfbreeds like that Strongjaw oaf.”
“They’re our friends!” Vax snapped which only earned him another hard slap. So hard his lip busted and he tasted blood.
Vex winced she was shaking.
"We didn't choose our house. It's not our fault. I won't apologize for being who I am.“
“You’re both disappointments.” Syldor hissed acidly. “If you weren’t my only hope of the Vessar name living on the death eaters could have you at their mercy.”
Vex shivered... she was terrified. Her face stung and hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Vax held her close. But with a flick of his wand Syldor not only separated them but they were dangling upside down by their feet.
“You don’t even get the privilege of staying together. I will be separating you until further notice.” Syldor said coldly.
"What.....” Vex whimpered.
“you can't do that!” Vax roared, his eyes wide and terrified.
“I can and I will.” And as they dangled there they were moved. Taken to completely separate parts of the estate and locked into those rooms.
Vex was sobbing harshly. She hated being away from Vax.
Vax was struggling to take a full breath. He couldn’t think. His body was shaking and he pounded on the door desperately.
Separation became a normal punishment, along with irregular meals, but very regular beatings. The only time it stopped was when Devana was home.
The two were absolutely terrified. They were also significantly too thin. Vex actually grabbed onto Devana one day and begged her not to leave. She was sobbing harshly.
"Please don't go."
Devana looked concerned. “What’s wrong dear?” She bent down to the girl’s level.
“Just stay… please…” Vax looked just as terrified.
"Please... we need you here.." Vex was struggling to get the words out.
“Hey… shh. It’s okay.” Devana gently took one of their hands each. “I’ll stay.” She smiled softly. She figured they were scared of the death eaters. Of them getting into the estate or them getting to her while she was gone. Vex took shaky breaths and nodded. She was hurting pretty much al the time from Syldor's treatment.
“That’s it. Deep breaths now.” Devana gave them a soft smile. “It’s all okay. How about we get some hot coco?”
She nodded," away from here?“
“If you want. I know a nice little place in town.” Another thing Devana never did was that she never spoke poorly of muggles. To her they were just people.
“thank you…” twins said together in quiet voices.
“Of course. Get your cloaks it’s chilly.” Devan said gently.
The twins seemed fine out and about. They were happy and playful.
The moment the house was back in sight, vex started panicking. Vax just closed his eyes and held her. Devana froze.
“Shh. It’s okay.” Gently she pulled them both close. “Please. Tell me what’s wrong. I promise I’ll do everything I can to fix it.”Vex was shaking harshly and struggling to breathe again. They were both so scared. Devana got between them and their line of sight of the house.
“I’ve got you. It’s okay. I promise. Breathe for me.”
Vex gripped her brother so tight it almost hurt. Vax just tried to hide. But Devana was whispering to them and gently rubbing their backs. Like their mother always had. Vex managed to pull herself together Eventually, but Vax was still shaking. He didn’t want to be separated from vex again. He wanted to go back to Hogwarts where it was safe and he didn’t have to fear their father. Where they had friends.
"I'm here... we are still together." Vex spoke softly .she didn't say it was ok. They both knew it wasn't. He just hid his face against her and held on as if his life depended on it.
Devana was starting to become scared for them. What had happened to make them this terrified?
From then on she made sure she was home as much as her work with the international confederation of wizards would allow her to be while the twins were home for the summers. And she would always send them Christmas gifts when they stayed at school or at friend’s homes for other holiday breaks. She may not have been the twin’s mother but she damn well would act as such as long as they needed her to be. And now it seemed they truly needed that.