Sweet Serpent
ONE OF THE many things Kingston took into consideration as his eyes travelled from the bustling crowd of magical families to the seemingly never-ending train to his left was that he and his caretaker did not, surprisingly, standout. His gaze darted from the overly dressed parents that were ushering their pampered-looking children towards the train then to the single guardian that was giving a girl his age the cage of her pet owl.
He hummed softly before turning to his caretaker. Her loose bun held together by a grey hair-clamp jiggled comically as her head faced different directions at a fast pace. Although she looked tired, as always, the smile she offered him for a split second made her more radiant than ever. The usual asparagus coloured dress she wore on a daily basis was now replaced by beautiful dark green robes. If he hadn't seen her before with a darker style of makeup then he swore that the woman beside him, carefully holding his hand while guiding him closer to the train, was not his beloved caretaker.
"You'll be away for a year, Tonton." Kingston couldn't stop himself from cringing at the nickname but did not say anything. “You're a big boy now so I'm not expecting any letters from teachers, parents, or the like,” said the caretaker as she slowly knelt in front of him, almost being on eye level. “You wouldn't like it if your daddy finds out you're not being good, right?”
At the mention of his biological father, the salt and pepper haired boy scowled, earning him a light pinch to his nose. He might not know the man personally but with all the newspapers lying around in the manor, he had read more than enough about his father and supposed older half-brother. All he knew about his brother was that he attended the very same school he's about to attend just a few years ago. If his assumptions are correct—which always was—then his brother would already be in his early twenties.
The sound of the first whistle made by the train had Kingston grimacing before looking to where the other children were running off to. He pursed his lips then looked to his caretaker, briefly allowing himself the gentleness of her embrace before detaching himself.
“Write whenever you can,” said the little boy as he began dragging his dark green luggage with gold outlines of his last name on the sides. He didn't look back when his caretaker called for one last goodbye. He imagined her to be waving him off with her light lavender handkerchief that always smelled like soap and coffee, a giant smile on her faintly wrinkled face.
It didn't take him long to find an empty space just nearing the end of the Hogwarts Express. After placing his luggage on the compartment overhead, he quickly opened the window to call for his caretaker. His lips quirked upwards as soon as he saw her just standing a few feet away from his window.
“Tita Linda!” He yelled, quickly gaining her attention. “My cat, please!” He pointed at the small grey container near her feet. He watched her gasp comically, bending down to pick the container up then rushing to give it to him through the window. Thankfully, the container was just small enough to fit through.
“Thank you!” He called out once more as another whistle ripped through the air, more children came running in the train as well as bidding farewell to their parents or guardians. Nobody has yet to sit with him in the compartment and he wished it would just be like this until the end of the ride. Not that he minded some company—he actually did, who was he kidding?
Just right after the last whistle and everyone has boarded safely, Kingston set his beloved bengal cat free from her cage. The spotted feline instantly moved out, hopping to his lap and purring softly as she rubbed her head against his free hand. The cage was long forgotten on the floor now that he had a more preferred company than children his age. With one hand on the cat's soft fur, scratching her back gentle, Kingston waved a lazy hand towards Tita Linda. The train hadn't even moved yet and the woman was already sobbing. Like a full on sob that had her hiccuping and fanning her face.
A plump woman about the same age as his caretaker approached her, offering a comforting hand to her shoulder. She, and presumably her husband, had the same wild shade of orange for their hair. During his time in the Philippines, that kind of hair colour would warrant unwanted judgemental looks and somewhat admiring stares from the younger generation. He could only wonder what they were talking about as the train began to move. Perhaps the woman assumed that she was crying because she had to bid farewell to her only son and wait for a year before seeing him again.
Kingston nodded his head at that thought. It seemed possible. Maybe she'd correct them as well and say that she's only his caretaker slash godmother. That also seemed likely to happen since she had always corrected those they come across and assume that he was her son. But that was only in the Philippines. Nobody really assumed such after arriving in Britain.
His quiet thinking was abruptly interrupted by a boy with the same shade of orange shoulder length hair as the two adults he saw opening his compartment door. He raised both of his eyebrows as Waffles, his Bengal cat, hissed at the newcomer.
“May I sit here?” The boy asked.
Kingston huffed then nodded. “Make yourself comfortable.”
The boy gave him a small smile and took a seat a little opposite him after putting his own luggage in the compartment above. No more than five minutes later, the boy put his hand in front of him, as if offering to shake his hand. “My name is William Weasley, but I prefer being called Bill. Nice to meet you.”
Pleasantly surprised that the boy, now known as Bill, introduced himself, Kingston now felt obligated to say his name as well. An uneasy feeling settled itself upon the pits of his stomach as he hesitantly took the other's hand in his own. “Kingston Antonio Avery. I'm fine with just my last name or first name. No nicknames, please.” He watched the orange haired boy's facial expression change from something pleasant to a more scrunched up look as soon as his last name slipped from his lips.
Damn his older brother for associating with people that could tarnish his reputation. He did applaud him for escaping the horrid wizarding prison that equates to the death sentence in some countries.
“Are you. . . related to. . . ?” The full question faded but Kingston nodded as confirmation.
He simply continued to stroke his cat's soft fur after releasing the other's hand, eyes gazing out the window and observing the ever-moving and ever-changing clouds. It seemed his deflection at continuing the topic escalated to an awkward silence between the two since Bill cleared his throat, making himself more comfortable in his seat.
“Where do you think you'll be sorted to? I'll probably be in Gryffindor since nearly all my relatives have been one.” The attempt to make a light conversation made Kingston snort, but decided to answer. “Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Tita says I'm too smart for my own good sometimes but the house elves believe I'll be in Slytherin like my older brother and father.”
“What would you do then if you aren't sorted in one of those two?” Bill asked eagerly. Kingston thought for a moment, adjusting his cat to a more comfortable position since his legs and thighs started to feel a prickling sensation from the lack of movement and additional weight of his pet.
“Well,” the boy started, tilting his head as if it would make his thoughts clearer, “I doubt Tita would mind. She doesn't really care, she didn't go to Hogwarts so there isn't really this pressuring expectation set upon me. My father and brother wouldn't care as well since I have no contact with them personally. It's just a little bet made by the house elves and Tita.”
The appearance of an old lady pushing a cart filled with sweets and goods ultimately paused their conversation. She smiled at the two and stopped in front of their compartment.
“Anything from the trolley, dears?”
Kingston noticed how Bill simply shook his head and sunk further in his seat. He sighed before taking a small dark green pouch from his front pocket with an unnoticeable Extension Charm casted upon it by his Tita Linda. He let Waffles jump off of him and settle herself on the open space beside him before approaching the trolley and began pointing at whatever seemed to look good to him.
“Three cauldron cakes, five nougat chunks, three chocolate frogs, four liquorice wands, two sugar quills, two every flavoured beans, two pumpkin pasties, and two treacle fudge. Please and thank you.”
Of course, he didn't forget to say those three special words. He didn't want to be seen as someone impolite and commanding, not when it's just barely his first day in school—he was yet to arrive at Hogwarts though. At once, the trolley lady sorted out the sweets and snacks he wanted, and he payed her without looking at how much he took from his pouch. All he was certain was that it was about several galleons, a couple of sickles, and maybe a few knuts.
Without batting an eye, he placed all of the treats on the empty seat next to Bill and pointed at it. “Take whatever you want. Half is yours, half is mine. This can probably last us until we get to Hogwarts.” Kingston sat back down in his seat after taking one of the treacle fudge and two nougat chunks. He continued his silent gazing at the scenery beyond the compartment window, savoring the sweetness of his treacle fudge.
From his peripheral vision, Bill was hesitant to take from the pile beside him, brown eyes darting from his pepper haired companion to the small stock of goods. “Thanks, mate,” Bill said before finally taking a cauldron cake and one of the sugar quills.
The rest of the train ride before they needed to change into their school robes was filled with light conversations. Most of it consisted of exchanges in experiences in their respective countries, with Bill telling him about what he should expect while staying in Britain—or Magical Britain, to be exact—while Kingston told stories of how it is like to live in the Philippines.
Without a doubt, he left out the part where the Philippine Government and the country itself was not in the right state. He was not in any sort of position to talk about that, let alone talk about it with someone his age that knows nothing of the country. He had no plans in staining the views of someone else's on his home country.
“Then does that mean you're a half-blood since your mom is from another country and your aunt is a half-blood?” Bill asked in earnest as he prepared to change into his school robes. Kingston was already changing into his while Bill ate the rest of the snack pile earlier.
Kingston shook his head while wiping his glasses with the small cloth especially made for cleaning it. “Mama is also a pureblood, I'm just some kind of illegitimate child since mama and father aren't married or together in any way. Tita Linda isn't my biological aunt as well, I just call her that because she's my legal guardian.” He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly after putting his glasses back on. “Not to mention mama’s dead.”
That brutal truth had Bill blinking in shock. “I'm sorry to hear that.”
Kingston simply waved him off while letting Waffles sit on his lap again. “It's fine, it's been years,” he said, fingers finding their way back to the cat's fur.
“You sound a lot older for an eleven year old sometimes,” Bill commented, earning him a curious glance. “You sometimes talk like you've experienced a bit too many hardships for someone our age. Like not many things bother you anymore.”
Once again, the boy shrugged. “Wizarding war or political war, it's all the same. There's always gonna be unnecessary deaths for the sake of what people think is right.”
A thick, awkward silence enveloped their compartment once more. This time, Kingston ignored it until he could see what he assumed were parts of Scotland. Soon they'll arrive at Hogwarts and he'll be sorted to whichever House suited him. He wondered how his older brother was like during his time in Hogwarts. Tita Linda almost never mentioned how he was like except for when he met him for the first and last time while making a deal with their father.
In the whole year he started living in Britain, his caretaker also never told him anything about the deal, just that the two adults agreed that she would be the one to take care of him until he turns seventeen, which is the legal age according to the wizarding law.
His rumination was suddenly halted by Bill gasping while looking out the window, clearly excited about something. He watched the ginger boy—he only learnt about gingers and their hair colour from Bill a while ago—pressed against the glass window, smiling while nearly bouncing in his spot. He wished the excitement the boy radiated could seep through his skin but there was only a small twang of nausea that sat disgustingly in his stomach.
Not only will he be forced to mingle with other people, regardless of age, gender, or house, he will also have to change some aspects of his personality so he'll be deemed socially acceptable. This would be a long and draining year, and he'll be doing this for the next seven years of his teenage life.
As Kingston heaved a heavy sigh, he placed Waffles back in her cage, her meows becoming muffled and barely heard as students began filing out of their own compartments. He stood up and stretched, waiting to hear the familiar pop against his joints. The pain coming from sitting in the same position for several hours was now overcome by the satisfying pleasure of being able to move again. He did little kicks with his feet before flapping his dark robes gently, letting some crumbs and dust fall off to the floor.
His companion noticed what he was doing and did the same. Bill even cracked his neck to match what Kingston had done earlier. The two shared a look before leaving their compartment with their luggages, Waffles’ cage in Kingston's hand.
Since the majority of the other children have already left the train, there weren't any issues with finding a clear exit. The only ones that were left besides Kingston and Bill were the older students that were looking through each compartment, perhaps checking if there were any students left behind or any luggage that needed to be taken out. They were quickly helped to go down by an older Hufflepuff student based on the yellow scarf that was wrapped around his neck.
“Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here! C'mon, follow me!” A man, bigger than anyone Kingston has ever met in his entire life, yelled above the heads of all the children his age, gaze swiftly sweeping over him and the so-called first years he was with.
After the simple calling, he tuned everything out. Even Bill that was attempting to grab his attention with how excited he was for his very first year in Hogwarts was ignored. He still felt reluctant to leave his luggage unattended though, especially with Waffles in her cage just sitting above it, but the giant man had told them to do so.
Throughout the whole walk along a shady path that Kingston hardly paid attention to, his hand was attached to Bill’s elbow, and it seems the boy didn't mind at all as he conversed with another boy beside him, only bending his arm slightly so his hand was in a more secured position. The subtle guidance was not left unnoticed as he gently squeezed the other's arm. Bill turned to him for a moment and smiled, moving his arm a tad bit so Kingston could move closer, maybe to give a go at conversing with the other boy.
It didn't take long for them to arrive in front of a clearing. Hogwarts was just right in front of them, the only thing separating the children and the large man from the grounds the castle was built upon was the lake. He didn't like how he had to cross the lake on a boat with three other people—he hardly minded Bill anymore but he was not going to mingle with a bunch of others so soon—and he most certainly didn't like how the boats looked a bit too unstable.
The boats may be able to hold them all up, even the huge man with his equally huge beard and lamp, but he was still disgusted with how old and decayed it looked. Clearly, a scowl was visible on his face as Bill laughed, already on a boat with two others he barely cares about.
“Come on now. Take my hand and come sit next to me if you're not too fond of boat rides,” said Bill with an outstretched hand. Kingston looked around briefly in hopes to see if there were others that felt the same as him, but scowled once more at the sight of everyone eagerly hopping in a boat already. One even managed to fall into the water despite three hands grabbing on her clothes.
“Fine,” he muttered, feeling dejected but eagerly sat next to Bill.
No more than five seconds later, another hand was in front of him, this time it was the hand of a tall, sandy haired boy that had a smile that didn't reach his auburn eyes. His smile was sharp, and he easily recognized it as one of his own. One he'd show to people he'll only ever interact with for the sake of deals and using each other.
“My name is Eridanus Knightley. You must be the second son of the Avery family,” said the boy, possibly trying to charm his way into Kingston's good books. Kingston shook his hand lazily, his own hand feeling quite small in the other's.
“Correct.” The rest of the boat ride was silent. Too silent since all the other boats were filled with giggles, jokes, introductions, and even amazed gasps at whatever their eyes could land on. Bill had an arm behind Kingston after the boat had wobbled the tiniest bit, the slightly distressed sound the pepper haired boy made caused everyone else in the boat to stay still and even went as far as having one of their limbs as a blockage or a pillar in case the boat wobbled once more.
His temporary prince treatment came to an end once they all reached the other side of the lake. The giant man helped up quite a few students that struggled to hop out of the boats, it would've included Kingston if it hadn't been for Bill and Eridanus practically carrying him off the boat, the other boy they were with was already walking with the other first years.
Kingston huffed, choosing to stay closer with Bill willingly now after that horrid boat ride. If they had not used those shaky boats then he would've admired the night sky above. He frowned, irritated at the fact that he missed a chance to gaze at the stars and perhaps to get a glimpse of the moon. The full moon had already passed just a day ago but he still loved looking at the many other phases of the moon.
Soon enough, they all finally arrived at the castle. Its majestic stance amongst the mountains really had everyone in awe, even Kingston couldn't help but feel amazed at the sight. The manors he had gone to weren't as large and captivating as Hogwarts, the buildings he had seen in the Philippines didn't have that magical air to them as well. This was the first time he'd ever been amazed by a building alone, he could only hope and imagine what lies in-store for him inside.
They were all quickly ushered along the hallways by a strict-looking teacher, resembling that of an older Tita Linda. She wore dark green robes and her glasses glinted under the fire of the torches in a way that made him tilt his head. She was an interesting woman, and she definitely sounded like a far stricter version of his caretaker.
“In a few moments, you will be joining your classmates. However, before you do so, you must be sorted into your Houses,” said the witch. He assumed he must be one of the teachers or a general staff of the school since she was the one that was guiding the first years along. “There are a total of four Houses. There is Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.”
Kingston nodded along but had his eyes straight ahead, still holding onto Bill's elbow. He wondered if his luggage and Waffles were already in a safe place. Surely pets of any kind wouldn't simply be left out in the cold, dark night. A frown made its way to his lips as he thought about his cat. She was most likely hungry already since the last time she ate was back on the train ride.
Then his thoughts jumped from his pet and belongings to all the possibilities that could happen whilst in school. Knowing that he'll be living with many others in his House made his mouth dry. He might have to room with many others that he either does not care about or would be bothersome to him. He suppressed a light shudder at the realisation that he will most likely share a bathroom with many others.
God knows what horrid hygiene most eleven to twelve year olds have.
A gentle tug forced Kingston to escape his thoughts. He turned to Bill who was pointing at the rest of the first years that were already walking through the door. He huffed and nodded, returning his face to a more refined expression and straightening his posture as he walked in a rather graceful manner.
A small giggle came from Bill just as they arrived at the Great Hall. “You looked aristocratic when you did that, mate,” he whispered in his ear while continuing on walking to where others were, “especially with your hand on my arm. You looked similar to a noble.”
“Who's to say I'm not?” Kingston whispered back just as the same elderly witch began talking again, easily garnering everyone's attention.
“Before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words.” The witch moved aside to reveal a very old man, perhaps thrice the age of his Tita Linda, standing up with an intriguing sparkle in his eyes.
“As per usual, here are the start of term notices all students must know. The Dark Forest must not be ventured by any and all students, it is strictly forbidden and if any teacher catches you then punishment must be met. I would also like to remind you all that the fourth floor corridor in the left wing is closed off, unless any of you would want to have purple skin for the rest of the school year.
“And just to add a personal quote for our first years: Imperfection does not equate to failure and perfection does not always mean success. No matter how far and high you think you've come, improvement will always be needed. Thank you.” Professor Dumbledore took his seat once more, allowing the witch—should he call her professor as well?—to proceed with the Sorting Ceremony.
Kingston only now noticed that she was carrying a somewhat short rolled up parchment along with a tattered looking pointed hat, a stool stood next to her, just high enough for children his age to be able to hop on.
Before unrolling the parchment, her scrutinising gaze swept over them once more. “When I call your name, you shall sit here and I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head, then you'll be sorted into your House.”
Oh, no.
Kingston inwardly cursed and closed his eyes for a brief moment, channelling some inner—nonexistent—peace before what he assumed would happen. . . happens.
“Kingston Avery.” At the mention of his name, he felt as if he was plunged into freezing water. The stares of everyone around him, including the teachers and the piercing yet interesting look of the headmaster, made his skin crawl and throat tighten, but the comforting tap against his hand by Bill had him merely tilting his chin upward and walking towards the stool.
As soon as the hat touched his head, he felt as if someone was intruding his mind. He looked at Bill through the crowd, who only gave him a thumbs up. Next to him was Eridanus with a small smile.
Suddenly, the hat began to speak, announcing to everyone some of his and its thoughts.
“Well, aren't you a tricky one, eh? Clearly too clever for your own good and creatively cunning!”
Much like what his Tita Linda and some of the house elves always say. He slowly grew tired of it and simply rolled his eyes at the sentient piece of clothing.
“Mind filled with wicked ideas and having complex moral values. Hmm, I see.”
He was uncertain what part of his mind did the hat think he had come up with any wicked ideas as of yet but he guessed that it might've been part of what he had learned from the magic his Tita Linda taught and how easily he could use them.
“You'd be very splendid in. . . SLYTHERIN!”
Loud cheers filled the Great Hall accompanied by whistles and excited claps. As soon as the hat was off his head and he was off the stool, he looked back to Bill that still gave him a thumbs up, Eridanus’ smile was now replaced by a more genuine look.
Many of the older Slytherins stood up to greet the new addition to their House, a couple of sixth and seventh year Slytherins shook his hand while a select few had gotten a smile filled with gratitude from him. Kingston took his seat next to a boy, much taller than he was, with straight light brown hair that had streaks of dark brown that almost looked to be black in some angles. The boy didn't hesitate to open his hand to the new Slytherin, a warm smile on his lips.
“Welcome to Slytherin, Avery. If you have any questions about anything, I'm right by your side,” he said in such a gentle voice that had Kingston nodding to his words, a smile playing at his lips as well. “I’m Andrealphus Goldman, by the way. Andrei would be much shorter but it's fine if you prefer calling people by their last names.”
“I think I'd like to call you Andrei,” Kingston uttered, voice just loud enough for the other to hear.
Andrei smiled brighter. “Lovely.”
***
There were much less first years than the average amount this year so it didn't take long for dinner to start. The meals that appeared on the table before Kingston were food that he wasn't very familiar with, given that he was born and raised in the Philippines, but there were a few that he could already guess what they were called or made from.
He took a piece of some roasted turkey, pork chop, mashed potatoes, and other vegetables. He, much like the other Slytherins, ate with elegance and silence. Well, as much silence as children and teenagers can do. Many spoke to each other in low voices, but not enough to be counted as murmurs or whispers.
Andrei was amongst those that spoke to their friends, him and his fellow third years were talking about the quidditch game that happened last year. Kingston remained silent as he listened to their conversation, Andrei wordlessly passing him plates of food without even looking at him.
“McKinley was definitely on something that match,” a boy with dark green eyes and dark brown hair spoke with irritation, but he seemed more certain than irritated.
“Oh, absolutely,” someone from the boy's left agreed. Kingston moved an inch in his seat to see a girl with a high ponytail and glasses. She briefly looked at him and smiled before returning to her conversation with Andrei and the other boy. “My brother said he heard some of the other players talking about McKinley’s weird behaviour days before the match.”
Andrei raised a brow at this while stabbing a piece of carrot on his plate. “Really? In the Ravenclaw common room?”
The girl nodded firmly. “You can ask Ian himself. He practically sees and hears everything in his house.”
As the girl pointed at someone from another table with her lips, Kingston turned around as well. A boy that looked quite similar to his Slytherin upperclassman waved excitedly at them, then pointed at an eating Eridanus beside him before pointing at Kingston himself. The older Ravenclaw nudged Eridanus, making him pause with what he was doing to his potato to look at Kingston.
“Is that your friend?” Andrei asked, seemingly amused at the interaction. Kingston sighed—he wanted to shrug but decided against it. It was better to assume someone's his friend after seeing how happy he looked after he got sorted into Slytherin—and nodded.
“Barely my first day and I've gained two friends already,” he said, then took a bite out of his turkey leg. “Tita Linda would be so proud of me.”
The mildly exasperated boy felt a gentle clap on the back from his upperclassman, prompting him to look up from his delicious and savoury roasted turkey leg. There was a familiar glint in Andrei's eyes that reminded him of the one he'd see whenever Tita Linda was talking to her employees, specifically the newly hired associate attorneys. Either it meant a storm was coming and she was excited for it or the person had more than the desired potential of someone so new and fresh.
Kingston just had to guess what might it be, even after the words Andrei had spoken to him.
“You'll truly do well in Slytherin, as the hat says, and we'll make sure of it.”