Prologue
Prologue
The warm wind danced across Toby’s skin. It was the first warm night, so it was the perfect night for camping out. Justin, his older brother was home from Hogwarts. He missed his brother while he was gone. The family couldn’t believe they had a wizard as a son. They thought he was the only one until Toby was born. Their other siblings were muggles. Nathaniel was following in their father’s footsteps being the eldest. Someone had to take over when his father retired. Then Camillia, well she is just a baby.
“Just think Tobes you will be with me at Hogwarts this year. I know you will be a Hufflepuff like me. Everyone is excited to have you.” Toby couldn’t wait to go to Hogwarts.
“I know when they meet me they will be like ‘Justin are you sure this is your little brother?” Justin pushed him as they walked around the garden. Toby laughed it off, he could always get him with his size.
“Ha ha, you are so funny.” They walked in silence. It was peacefully quiet, almost too quiet. Toby shook his head. He was at home in his garden. There is nothing bad that could happen here. His father had security 24 hours a day.
A faint whine grew louder as they walked back toward the tent that they set up.
“What is that?” Toby ran toward the sound. Justin followed behind him. A wolf sat in the moonlight. He got closer. Blood covered their snout and paws. The poor thing looked horrible. They had to do something.
“Tobes, maybe we should go get one of the…” Justin was always the voice of reason. Maybe Tobey would be in Gryffindor. He was braver than his brother.
“There isn’t enough time. They look bad, Justin.” The closer he got the bigger the wolf became. This wasn’t a regular wolf. The blood on its fur wasn’t theirs. The wolf sniffed the air. Toby held his breath. This wasn’t good. He gasped when the wolf stood.
“Toby back up slowly. That is a werewolf. Fuck! Don’t panic okay keep backing up.” Justin’s voice was calm. How was his voice so calm? They are going to die and he is calm.
The werewolf growled. Saliva dripped off its fangs. If the werewolf wouldn’t kill him, the heart attack would. A piercing howl rang out.
“TOBY RUN!” Justin pulled Toby back by his shirt. The younger boy turned quickly and sprinted towards the manor.
Toby felt his heart pound out of his chest as he ran.
“Keep running Tobes don’t look back we are almost home.” Toby wanted to look back. He knew the wolf was gaining on them. A growl got closer. This caused Toby's steps to falter. Justin tried to get in front of him but Toby was bigger than his brother thankfully. He was the younger brother but he wanted to save his older brother. That is when he felt it. The worst pain he has ever felt. A scream ripped from his throat. Magic shot from him. It hit the werewolf who crumbled to the ground. It was too late. The damage had already been done. As the venom flowed through his veins, Toby’s eyes fluttered closed. The sound of his brother's scream was the last thing he heard.
—------
Toby picked at the bandages on his wrist. Justin stood beside him with his arm around his shoulder. His aunt looked worried as she talked to the lady at the desk.
“Oh dear, an 11-year-old werewolf poor thing.” Toby blanked out until he heard his brother's voice.
“Tobes, I will come see you every week. When you can get visitors.” Toby couldn’t look his brother in the eyes. Guilt felt like lead in his stomach. So he nodded. “I love you Tobes. You are who you are and you are Toby Finch Fletchly, not just a werewolf.” Toby flinched when his brother called him what he was. “Always remember you are my little brother. One of these days we will be the same size.” The tears in his eyes are what Toby remembers vividly and probably will for years to come.
“Toby, it’s time to go now.” A tall man walked up to him. He wore blue scrubs. This was it. This was the last time he would see his brother for a long time. Toby blinked away his tears but threw himself in his brother’s arms.
“I love you Tobes. I’ll come see you soon.” Justin sobbed out. Toby couldn’t speak he just nodded into his shoulder. Toby growled when he felt a tug unexpectedly.
“You don’t want to do that Toby. Let go of your brother.” Toby hung onto Justin. Yes, what he did he knew he needed help but his brother was all he had now.
“He is just saying goodbye! Give him a minute.” Justin held on to him as he spoke. “It's okay Tobes I’ll see you in no time.” He whispered into his ear.
The man tugged on him again and Toby snapped his head to the nurse and showed his fangs that transformed due to his high emotions.
Justin squeezed him again. “Toby it is okay. You gotta go now okay. Calm down I’ll write you every day I promise. I love you.” The wolf inside of him whined he didn’t want to leave his only pack.
Toby felt a prick in his neck and he howled. Everything was going dark and the last thing he saw was Justin’s eyes filled with tears.
“I… lov…”
—----
Years have passed and Toby is still in his personal hell. Would he ever leave it probably not. Why would he? He is a monster. No one stayed long enough for him to be friends with. Toby’s favorite time was lunchtime. It was when he didn’t have to speak to anyone. He could eat in peace.
Toby took a bite of his sandwich when a blond man sat next to him. He has never seen this one before must be new. Great now he will have to talk. Even though most feared him it wasn’t because he was an arsehole. It was because of his status. Toby looked at the man who hadn’t said a word yet. There was a scar that ran up from the inside of his shirt up to his face. It looked painful. The blond caught him staring and Toby apologized.
“Sorry.” He mumbled and the blond shook his head and picked at his food. That was strange.
Day after day the blond would come to his table. He wouldn’t say a word. One day the blond didn’t come to lunch. It worried Toby. He hoped he was okay. After lunch, he looked for his new friend. Toby looked around everywhere. He finally found him in the art room. The blond was sitting at an easel crying. It tugged at Toby’s heart. He made sure to make a sound so he knew someone was there. That got the blond’s attention who quickly wiped the tears from his face. Then Toby noticed the painting. It was of a castle, not just any castle it was Hogwarts. This man was from the UK as well. It was strange most people here were from the States because it was in America.
“Is that Hogwarts? I’ve never been. My brother went there. I was going to go there until…” Toby shook his head. Might as well let the wolf out of the bag. “Until I was bitten. I’m Toby.” The blond eyes widened and then a look of sadness took over his face. Though he reached out and grabbed onto Toby’s hand. Then pulled out a journal. He flipped to the front page. It read.
~Hello, I’m Draco. I can hear you, I am just unable to speak.~
“It’s nice to meet you Draco. I’m sorry to bother you I just wanted to see if you were okay. You were not at lunch.”
Draco wrinkled his nose and wrote in his journal. Toby read as he wrote.
~I don’t think I can stomach cold sandwiches today.~ Yeah the food here wasn’t that good.
“The food here does suck sometimes. The dessert is good though.”
Toby and Draco talked the rest of the night until the lights out.
—-----
“Hey J.” Justin pulled him into a hug. He felt his brother tense before his body sagged in his arms.
“Hey, Tobes.” Justin kissed his temple before he walked him over to the couch.
“You look good.” Justin turned to face him. “Heard you are starting music therapy. I’m proud of you for trying something new.” Toby rolled his eyes but looked down at his hands.
“Healer Grant thought it would be a significant change. I don’t think it will help, but.” Toby shrugged. “Y... You still going to art therapy?”
Justin smiled. Toby didn’t like to talk about himself much, it was better if others were talking.
“I am. It’s going well, actually.” Toby watched his brother’s face, what was going on with him.
“Must be going well, seeing as you are blushing. I can guess why you are smiling like you are. You look like Nurse Jackson when he sees Healer Grant. Don’t tell me you like the Healer at your art therapy?” Toby leaned forward, his tired brown eyes sparkled.
Justin chuckled and shook his head. “No, it’s not a healer. It's actually someone in the group.” Toby felt his face changed quickly.
“Justin, you can’t fix everyone.” Toby crossed his arms. “Not saying that is what you are trying to do. Maybe you really do like this person, but make sure that they won’t become a project for you to fix since you can’t fix me.”
“Of course I like Draco. Toby, he is gorgeous, smart, and so talented.” Justin rushed out. “I don’t need to fix you, Toby. You are not broken. You were never broken.” Toby’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. DRACO?!?!?
“Draco! You… You’ve seen Draco?! They won’t let him come visit yet. I’ve asked, and he has owled me every week. They won’t let him come yet. They said he needs to be away for a little longer before he comes to visit. I miss him. How is he doing? I’m glad he is still doing art! He is talented! I have a picture he painted me for Christmas.” Justin just sat in shock.
“Justin…. Please don’t be weird around him now. He isn’t like me. He has only been here once. It was only for a couple of weeks.”
Justin shook his head and smiled at him. “No, of course not! I was just shocked that you know each other. I’m guessing you know how gorgeous he is then. You… you don’t?”
Toby barked out a laugh. Gross. “Of course not! Draco was just a close friend. So he is doing okay?”
Justin nodded and reached over and grasped his hand. “Yes, he is doing okay, or from what I can tell. His art is beautiful. I can’t believe you are lucky to have something he made.” Toby smirked at him. “He has a brand new nephew. He is actually friends with Charlie and his family. I was shocked when I saw him at family dinners.”A pang of jealousy tore through him. Family of course he had a family. Not that he didn’t want Draaco to have a family he did. He just wished he could have one of his own.
“Oh, that’s good. I’m glad he has the support system.” Toby bit his bottom lip, and Justin squeezed his hand again.
“You will meet Barnaby and his crazy family. I promise. Talk to Healer Grant before, though. I want to make sure that it’s a good idea to have everyone here.” Toby pulled his hand away from his brother and huffed.
“Fine, sure I’ll ask him. Are you sure you are worried about them being hurt and not about me? Can’t trust me around them?” Justin shook his head.
“Of course, I can trust you around them! Toby, you know you mean the world to me. You are my best friend. My brother. I don’t want any setbacks”
Toby’s face fell, and he leaned forward into Justin’s arms.
“I love you, Toby.” Justin rubbed his little brother’s back.
“I love you too J.”
—-----
Today was the day! Draco is coming! He has missed his friend. Justin wanted to give them time, so it would only be them.
When the door opened his heart pounded. Draco jumped up. Toby’s curls bounced as he ran to him. He threw his arms around his friend.
“I have missed you! Even though my brother talked about you nonstop. He is gone for you.” It made Toby happy that his brother found love. A little jealous but mostly happy.
*You look great?* Draco beamed at him. Toby did feel a little better. It didn’t have to do with a particular music therapist…
*Thanks. New therapy and potions. I’ve been working on my signs.* Toby signed. He has worked very hard on learning signs. He wanted to be able to properly understand, and talk with his friend.
*You are doing wonderfully. Now tell me how are you? I’ve missed you!* Toby felt his face flush. Might as well tell his best friend about his music therapist.
“I have started music therapy. I didn’t think it was going to work, Draco. I felt it was just something they were making me do. So I wouldn’t stay in my room all day. I fought it first. Then one day this guy comes in with a guitar. He was an instructor. Though he lives in London, he travels around helping people like me. We talk about him having a husband and daughter. Too bad because he is sexy. He has the deepest brown eyes. He showed me a picture of his husband. Holy shit Draco. They are completely opposite looking. The husband has the reddest hair I have ever seen.” Toby felt himself ramble on. He had so much to tell Draco and for once, he wanted to!
*I’m so proud of you! Maybe you can get better and get out of here. They might want a 3rd.* Even if they would they wouldn’t pick him. Toby shook his head.
“Sure, because who wouldn’t want a broken werewolf like myself? Now, do you have your notebook? I need to hear about you and my brother.” Draco smirked and pulled out his notebook.
—----
“So Toby, I saw Draco came and visited you. How did it go?” Healer Grant asked. Toby wrapped his arms around his legs.
“It was good. I missed him.” Toby really missed his friend. Justin was his only friend, and that didn’t count. He was his brother. When he met Draco, he finally found someone else.
“I’m glad that you get to see him. I bet it will do you good to see more of your friends. I heard that your music therapy is going well. Tell me about it.” Healer Grant kept writing in his journal.
“I am learning how to play the guitar. Lee, the instructor, is an amazing musician.” Toby felt his cheeks burn when he thought about Lee. That made his healer look up.
“You are interested in this. I’ve never seen you excited. I’m proud of your progress, Toby. What changed?” Toby then said something that he didn’t think he would say, ever.
“I am ready to leave here. D…Do you think that is possible?” Toby stared at his knees. If Healer Grant told him no. He didn’t know what he would do.
“I think that is amazing, Toby. I believe we can get you to that point. Maybe by next Christmas, you can spend it with your brother.” A family Christmas. With a whole family.
“I’m ready.”
—---
“So Toby, I heard that you have been pushing yourself.” Healer Grant pushed his glasses on top of his head. Toby knotted his fingers. He couldn’t look his healer in the eye.
“I’m not pushing myself. I want to get out of here.” He wanted to be with his family.
“Toby, I understand you want to get out of here. Though if you rush I do fear you will not be as successful as you want to be.” Toby nodded. He couldn’t fail; he didn't want to let Justin down, or Barnaby.
“I want to be successful, but why am I not getting better?” When he looked into healer Grant's eyes he saw the support. The man had been his mid-healer since he was a young teen.
“You are getting better. It takes time.”
Toby shook his head he didn’t have the time he wanted to be out before Draco had his baby. “But I need to be out before Draco has his baby. I want to be there when I become an Uncle. I know I will never have kids so I want to be there and see my niece or nephew grow up.” He had to. He wanted them to know their uncle. He wanted to be there for them.
“Then we will have you home before the baby comes. That gives us a goal. A doable goal. I have full faith that you will be out of here by then. You have to promise me that you will bring pictures of you together.”
Toby nodded he would do whatever he had to do. He couldn’t fail not this time.
“Good now tell me how music therapy is going. You still enjoying your instructor?”
‘I’m enjoying him too much.’ Toby thought to himself.
“It’s good and Lee is a great teacher.” Lee is just great.
—----
Toby
Toby couldn’t sit still. He bounced on his toes as he waited at the door. This was the last visit before he left this place for good. Toby would be able to see Justin and Draco every day. When the baby is born he could help. Deep down, Toby always wanted a baby. Would he want a baby to go through what he goes through each month? He shook his head. Why worry about something that would never happen.
When the door finally opened. Toby walked into the room. Justin was standing. He held something in his hand.
”Toby!” His older brother pulled him into a hug. “I can’t believe next time I will be taking you home. Draco would have been here today, but he is setting up your room. Barnaby is excited to have you. I am not sure why you don't want to stay with us.
Toby rolled his eyes. He pulled Justin to sit down.
“The baby is going to be here soon. You will be really busy. You don’t need your brother around. Though I will be there a lot to see my niece or nephew. Toby watched as a big smile appeared on his older brother’s face.
”I have something to show you. We don’t know if the baby will be a girl or a boy yet. Next appointment we will find out but they did give us pictures and I wanted to give you this one.” Justin handed him a black-and-white photo of a blob. He could maybe see a baby.
“I can’t believe that you are going to be a dad. I’m going to be an uncle.”
Justin squeezed his knee.
“I get to do it with you there. I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. You have worked so hard. I don’t think I could have done everything you have done.”
Justin was stronger than he was.
“Of course, you could. You wouldn’t have been here as long as I have. But what matters is that I did it…. I… I’m a person. I am not a monster. I am a son, brother, and soon-to-be uncle.”
There were tears in Justin’s eyes as his older brother hugged him.
“You are the best, brother and I know you will be the best uncle.
—--
Today is the day! The first family dinner. His stomach was in knots. Justin said that he shouldn’t worry. Today was extra special. This was the day they found out if he would have a nephew or niece. Draco did tell him that Malfoy’s haven’t had a girl in their line ever. Though Toby had faith.
Toby took a deep breath as he opened his bedroom door. Barnaby and Hagrid had been perfect. They had given him space to be independent. Though showed him the love that he has only felt from his brother.
His hand smoothed down the clothes that Barnaby bought him. He hadn’t been to a shop yet. Toby wasn’t ready for that. The jumper he wore was big. The weight he needed to gain was noticeable but he knew he would gain now he lived with these two men. If it wasn’t Barnaby it was Harry. He met Barnaby and Hagrids son once. Harry was nice. Almost too nice.
The sound of laughter filled the house. Everyone should be here now. IT took him longer to hype himself up. 1…2..3.. Toby counted each step he walked down. He inhaled and exhaled. The anxiety tickled the roof of his mouth and fingertips. When he made it to the bottom step. He was calm. Well, as calm as he could be. The first face he saw was Draco’s. His blond hair was pushed back from his face by a hairband. It was longer now it laid past his ears with an undercut.
*Brother!* Toby smiled as Draco signed. Draco has put his foot down everyone will be fluent in sign language before the baby is born. He wanted the baby to know English and sign as their primary language. Which meant he called them by their names so he wouldn’t have to fingerspell everyone’s names.
*Brother!* Toby signed back and was pulled into a hug. Draco’s baby bump made it harder but he closed his eyes. Toby was touch starved.
There was a flash of light. Toby opened his eyes and saw Barnaby holding a camera. Tears were in his eyes.
“Oh, I couldn’t help it! It was so cute! This one is going on the mantle Ruby!” The small man was distracted by the gaggle of grandkids at his feet. “Come little ones. It is time to see who will win this time boys or girls? We are even right now!” He knew that Harry had two a boy and a girl. The other blond who was married to the professor had two boys. Then Percy had a girl. Where was the missing child?
Draco gave him one last squeeze before he pulled away.
Justin took the blond's hand and pulled them towards a black balloon. On it was printed, Boy or Girl?
Toby walked closer into the room. He felt eyes on him. With a shaky breath, he let his eyes roam around the room. Then he saw beautiful honey-colored eyes looking at him. They were attached to a tall, lean man with bright red hair. Toby swallowed. The man was attractive. He must be related to all the rest of the redheads in the room. Though each redhead had a partner. Well besides the oldest. The spell was broken when he saw a familiar face walk with a child on his hip. Lee! The redhead was Lee’s husband! Why was Lee’s husband looking at him like that? Then he blushed when he had both men’s attention. Lee and the redhead smiled at him and waved. Toby bit his bottom lip. He was about to wave when the countdown started.
“3…2….1” A loud POP filled the room. Pink confetti fell gracefully.
”IT’S A GIRL!”