Harry Silver

Harry was having the best summer he could remember. Not having to deal with The Dursleys was one thing, but being allowed to stay in Hogwarts? It was a dream come true for Harry.

He and Harrison had been given two small bedrooms with an adjoining bathroom and common space. The entire thing was smaller than any of the house common rooms but with just the two of them it was more than enough space.

Most of the castle had more or less shut down during the summer. The Great Hall was nothing but an empty space with the house tables gathering dust. Their meals were served directly in their common space for breakfast and dinner. Lunch they simply went to the kitchens directly for a sandwich.

They didn’t have complete free reign of the castle. Most of it was shut off for the holidays, including all the common rooms and library. They were allowed books from the library if they wished but they had to ask a teacher to retrieve them. They were allowed to walk around the grounds so long as they didn’t get too close to the forest and had even been allowed to practise on brooms on the quidditch pitch so long as they told someone first.

For the most part they were left to their own devices most of the time. Certainly Dumbledore and McGonagall were too busy preparing for the upcoming year to spend any time with the boys and they rarely saw much of either. Filch was presumably in some deep dark hallway cleaning all the time as they never saw him either, not that either were complaining and Trelawney had also failed to show up at any point. Again, something Harry was more than pleased with.

Flitwick was the only teacher who seemed to actively seek out and check on the boys. Normally visiting their common room at least once every other evening to make sure they were keeping out of trouble and doing their homework. He was also making sure the boys understood the value of hard work, the house elves had been instructed not to clean their rooms or make their beds, making sure the pair had at least some chores to complete in the summer.

They had also begun to spend more time with Hagrid, mainly because he was the easiest teacher to ask for permission to go and fly. Hagrid seemed thrilled at having the pair around and was always happy to welcome them into his hut for a cup of tea.

Ironically one of the biggest problems Harry was starting to face during the summer was boredom. The novelty of being in Hogwarts and being able to use magic quickly wore off when he realised all he really had to do was read and do homework. Harrison, who was much more into reading than Harry had ever been, was more than happy with this arrangement. But Harry found himself wandering outside a lot of the time. He’d spent years being locked inside for his own safety and was finally able to appreciate the hot summer sun without a backload of chores to do.

A few days into summer Harry had found Hagrid attending the Hogwarts gardens and had enquired about helping out. At first Hagrid was a little suspicious, probably due to the colour of his robes but let Harry help out anyway. A week later he’d caught Harry with a grass snake (luckily not hearing the parseltongue) and his attitude had flipped.

Harry also found he loved gardening. He assumed he wouldn't be that keen, he’d always hated when Petunia made him attend to her flowerbeds. But unlike Petunia Hagrid wasn’t interested in perfectly arranged flowers. He wanted the gardens to be luscious and a place for nature to thrive. When Harry had reached to rip a bunch of weeds out on the first day Hagrid had put a stop to it, telling him they had as much a right to grow in Hogwarts as any other plant. Harry probably wasn’t as good as Neville would be but he enjoyed it nonetheless, not to mention the variety of small magical animals he came across including plenty of snakes. Harry had always liked animals.

The weeks rolled by and before long it was only a few days before Harry and Harrison's birthday. Harry was down by Hagrid's hut, helping him plant the pumpkins for Halloween.

“Good work ‘Arry!” Hagrid said as he watched, “These will be fine pumpkins when they’re done!”

“Thanks Hagrid!” Harry said with a smile as he wiped the sweat off his brow, the sun was beating down and it was swelteringly hot.

“I got a few bottles of butterbeer in the hut if you’re thirsty?” Hagrid offered, seeing Harry's red face.

“That would be great, Hagrid.”

Hagrid smiled and headed into his hut. Harry pulled out his wand and with a wave evened the soil around the plot he had just planted. Being able to cast magic during the holidays was a game changer. He was able to practise the spells for the upcoming year well ahead of time. It was easily going to give him a leg up.

Hagrid returned with a cool bottle of butterbeer which Harry eagerly gulped down.

“Hey guys!”

“Ello ‘Arrison!” Hagrid said as Harrison walked up to them holding two brooms.

“How's the gardening?”

“Great!” Hagrid responded with a wide smile, “Arry’s help has been wonderful, I’ve never gotten so much done in one summer.”

“I’m glad to help Hagrid.” Harry said.

“Got some free time?” Harrison asked as he indicated to the brooms, “I was thinking we could go practise. If that’s ok Hagrid?”

“Course. Just don’t be out after dark, you know the rules.” Hagrid replied, “By the way, isn’t your birthday coming up for both of you? What are your plans?”

Harry and Harrison glanced at each other, truth be told they’d never really considered it. Neither had celebrated their birthday very much before.

“I don’t think we really have any plans.” Harrison confessed.

“Well we can’t be havin that!” Hagrid said, looking outraged at the prospect, “Tell you what, why don’t you come on down to mine for dinner on your birthday? I’ll whip you up something special, get some ingredients in and maybe get some stuff from the Three Broomsticks. It’ll be great!”

“Sure,” Harrison said with a smile, “That sounds great!”

“All right, I best start some prep then!” Hagrid said and took off into his hut.

Harrison chucked Harry a broom and they made their way towards the quidditch pitch. Both were determined to make their house team this year. Though their respective nerves shone through every time they practised. Harry knew he was a good seeker but he also didn’t have his Nimbus 2000 to rely on, he’d be stuck using one of the old school brooms during try-outs. Meanwhile Harrison was toying with the idea of buying his own broom but had no idea what position to try out for. Harry had suggested seeker of course but knew he couldn’t push him.

They spent the next few hours looping and flying across the quidditch pitch. It was obvious Harry had much more experience on a broom than Harrison (not that Harrison knew it) but they still did a good job of keeping up with each other.

The sun was just starting to set when they headed back to the castle, both exhausted and ready for a hot meal and bed.

“I think I’ve ruled out trying to be a beater or keeper,” Harrison said as they discussed the upcoming tryouts, “Everything says beaters have to be big and brawny and I’m definitely not that. And a keeper is more about sitting on the broom and watching everything unfold, I much prefer actually flying around.”

“So why not a seeker?” Harry asked.

“I would but Cedric is the current seeker and I’m not sure I want to compete against him.”

Harry hummed, Cedric was indeed a very good seeker, “What about the chasers?”

“Two of them graduated last year and I don’t know the last one very well. But it seems like a safe bet to try out for.”

“Why not try for both?”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Harrison said as they walked through the main entrance to Hogwarts.

“Well Dumbledore I look forward to starting. You’ll have my reading list by the end of the week of course, I hope you don’t mind if it’s a smidge self indulgent but our students really deserve the best.”

Harry’s eyes widened in horror, “Oh no. Oh Merlin no, anyone but him.”

Harrison looked up at him with a frown as they turned a corner. Coming the other way was a rather grumpy looking McGonagall with a Dumbledore who was very much forcing a smile. Between them was a man with bright blonde hair, even brighter white teeth and a smile that made Harry physically shiver.

“Yes Gilderoy…” Dumbledore said, “I’m sure you’ll provide the best materials for our students. Ah, hello boys.” He said as he caught sight of Harry and Harrison.

“Hello Professor Dumbledore,” Harrison said politely.

“Oh?” Lockhart said as he turned to boys with a curious eyebrow, “Who might these be Dumbledore? Visiting grandchildren perhaps? If you like I can tell them stories of when I pushed back the Vampire of Berlin and-”

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken Gilderoy,” McGonagall interrupted with thin lips, “These boys are students. They are the only current wards of Hogwarts. Harrison Potter and Harry-”

“Harrison Potter!” Lockhart said with a wide smile and marched forwards to Harrison, “A pleasure to meet you. Of course you already know who I am.”

Harrison reached out to awkwardly stretch the hand extended to him, “Oh uh… I’m afraid not Mr…?”

“Truly!?” Lockhart gasped, “You have no idea who I am? Oh but of course, I suppose my pictures can’t do me true justice. People are so awed by me in real life you can’t actually believe it’s me! Gilderoy Lockhart!”

“Uh… right,” Harrison said as Lockhart continued to shake his hand for far longer than anyone would deem necessary, “And this is my friend, Harry Silver.”

“Pleasure to meet you Mr Bronze!” Lockhart said without turning to Harry, “What on earth are you doing here Harrison? Surely you would be with your family during the summer?”

Dumbledore cleared his throat, “Mr Silver and Mr Potter have transferred their magical guardianship over to Hogwarts. As their teachers it’s our responsibility to oversee their upbringing within these walls.”

“Really?” Lockhart said and threw an arm around Harrison, “Not to worry Harrison, I’ve been told by many a witch I’d make a fine father figure! Why we’d make quite the father and son pair, don't you think?”

Harrison looked up at him and frowned, “I have a father.”

“Isn’t he dead?”

“Mr Lockhart,” Dumbledore said sternly before McGonagall could explode into rage next to him, “It’s getting late and I must insist these boys get to bed. Please owl us what you need by the end of the week.

“Yes yes of course!” Lockhart said, completely ignorant to the situation around him, “I’ll see you at the start of term boys!”

Lockhart strutted out the entrance towards the main gates, looking far too pleased with himself for Harry's liking. The moment he was out of earshot McGonagall angrily turned to Dumbledore.

“Please tell me we’re not actually hiring that fool!”

“What choice do we have Minerva?” Dumbledore said with a sigh, “He is the only one to have applied for the position.”

“Couldn’t you take over classes Sir?” Harrison asked Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looked down and smiled at him, “While it would give me nothing but joy to return to the classroom I’m afraid I’m simply too busy to take on seven years worth of Defence classes.”

McGonagall groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose, “We haven’t had a decent defence teacher for years. I’m amazed the school governors haven’t intervened as of yet.”

Dumbledore frowned, “That would be less than ideal. Should that happen I fear the ministry would send someone half qualified to teach in that case.”

“As opposed to the shining symbol of teaching that just walked out of here?” Harry said before he could stop himself.

“Watch your cheek Silver,” McGonagall said though it didn’t sound like she actually cared and Dumbledore was giving him an amused smile, “I’ll speak to other heads of houses, make sure we can at least limit the damage. Hopefully he simply turns out to be an arrogant fool who at least knows what he’s talking about.”

Oh how Harry wished he could tell McGonagall the truth.

“Indeed. Now then boys, it was true what I said, you should be getting upstairs for dinner. I see you’ve spent yet another afternoon on the quidditch pitch.” Dumbledore said with a smile.

“You’ve been watching us Sir?” Harrison asked.

“I have, I’m lucky enough that one of the office windows looks directly over the pitch. I must say you’re both extremely skilled. I look forward to seeing what you can both bring to your respective teams.”

“Great,” McGonagall mumbled, “Another year without a Gryffindor victory…”

Harrison eventually caved in and bought himself a broom the day before their birthday. He’d actually looked away from British makes and models on the advice of Flitwick who had told him that nearly every student in Hogwarts flew on British brooms. Buying one from abroad would give him a bit of an edge. (When questioned about giving rival teams an advantage Flitwick laughed and said he expected his Ravenclaws to know better anyway).

So the day before their birthday Harry and Harrison had spent time fawning over Harrisons new Speedi Broom Max. It was an American brand that focused on control and manoeuvrability over speed and power. It wouldn’t quite match the speeds of a Nimbus but it could take corners in half the distance. It was made of a dyed redwood that shone in the sunlight and had sleek twigs on the end of it that made a V shape. Harry had to confess after trying it out that while he definitely preferred his Nimbus and Firebolt it wasn’t a half bad broom.

The morning of their birthday Harry awoke with a cautious amount of excitement. If nothing else it would be one of the few birthdays he’d spent away from The Dursleys and he was sure even if the food wouldn’t be that great he’d enjoy the meal at Hagrids.

He showered and dressed as normal before exiting his bedroom and heading into his and Harrisons shared living room. He found Harrison sat frowning at the table inside. Normally it would have a few selections for breakfast on but this morning it was empty.

“That hungry huh?” Harry joked.

Harrison rolled his eyes, “I’ve been up for ten minutes and no sign of any food yet.”

“Maybe the elves are on strike?” Harry suggested, “Happy birthday by the way!”

Harrison smiled at him, “Happy Birthday.”

There was a sudden pop as a house elf appeared in the room. Harrison let out a small jump (though it was an improvement over the near scream he’d let out the first time it happened).

“Masters are asked to please attend the Great Hall for breakfast.” The elf said before popping out of the room.

The pair looked at each other and shrugged before heading down to the hall. Upon entering they found a small circular table in the middle of the room piled high with breakfast as well as a small stack of presents. McGonagall was also there giving them a small smile as well as-

“Blaise? Tracey? Tonks? What are you guys doing here?” Harry asked with a smile as he hurried inside.

“We thought we’d start term early,” Blaise said with an eyeroll, “We’re here for your birthdays you idiot.”

“Oh.” Harry said, sounding genuinely shocked, “Right.”

“I wrote to a few of your friends to see if they wanted to spend the day,” McGonagall explained, “I didn’t think you’d both want to spend your birthday locked inside a castle with a bunch of old Professors.”

“Thank you Professor,” Harrison said with a wide smile.

“Of course, now just because it’s your birthday I expect you all to follow the normal rules. Other than that, please enjoy yourselves.” McGonagall said before leaving.

“Sorry it’s just us three,” Tracey said, “Daphne wanted to come but she has family stuff.”

“And Hermione, Susan and Hannah are all abroad. I think Neville did want to come but was too afraid to ask his Gran.”  Tonks said as the five of them sat around the table.

They dug into the breakfast and talk quickly turned to what they had all been up to. Tracey was indulging in all the muggle delights she didn’t get at Hogwarts and was taking frequent trips to the cinema, amusement parks and shopping malls. Tonks was mainly trying to avoid doing her homework and getting lectured by her mother while also doing what she referred to as some ‘extra curricular’ training much to the confusion of Blaise and Tracey but which Harry and Harrison knew to be metamorphmagus lessons. Meanwhile Blaise was living it up in the traditional pureblood way of eating around the world at fine restaurants and visiting his parents villa in Spain.

“I don’t know much about Speedi Brooms but I know they’re the most popular American made brand,” Tracey said as the subject of Harrisons new broom came up, “I think the American and Canadian Quidditch team used them too.”

“I’d still prefer a Nimbus,” Harry said and didn’t catch the smirks of his friends.

Blaise cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, “Well I don’t think I can eat another piece of bacon even if my life depended on it. So how about presents?”

“Sure!” Harrison said excitedly.

As if knowing their intentions the breakfast food vanished off the table and the stack of presents were moved towards Harry and Harrison. Harry took one look at them and gave Blaise a deadpanned look.

“This was your idea wasn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Blaise smirked.

Some of the presents were wrapped in plain brown paper. The others were the same except the paper was covered in pictures of glasses much like Harry’s.

“Oh stop complaining and open them already.” Tonks insisted and pushed the stack forward.

Harry chuckled and reached for his presents. The first was poorly wrapped with a scrawny note from Hagrid.

Happy Birthday Harry,

Saw you taking an interest in a lot of the animals on the grounds so thought you might enjoy this!

From Hagrid.

In the paper was a thick book that looked old and smelled slightly, certainly not the type of book somebody would find in Flourish and Blotts. Upon reading the cover Harry realised why.

The A-Z of Britain's Most Dangerous Magical Creatures

Knowing Hagrid he probably thought it was a good book to use to choose a pet.

The next present Harry grabbed was finely wrapped and as he undid the ribbon it set off a small firework. The note inside was written in the fanciest handwriting Harry had ever seen.

Mr Silver,

As you’re now a ward of Hogwarts as Headmaster I thought you deserved a gift from myself and all the staff here. Have a wonderful Birthday.

Albus Percival Wulfric Dumbledore

Harry raised his eyebrow and found himself looking down at an expensive leather wand holster. It was the same dark green associated with his house and when he put it on his worst it fit perfectly. He slid his wand in like it had always been there.

When he opened his present from Fred and George he couldn’t help but laugh. He and Harrison had the exact same thing. A magical self testing family kit to find out if two people were related. 

Both boys laughed about it but Harry would make sure never to actually use it. Merlin knows what the results would say.

Looking back at the desk Harry found one large present being pushed towards him by an eager Tracey. He looked down at the long thin package with a frown and grabbed the note.

Happy Birthday Harry!

None of us were sure what to get you so we all decided to pitch in for this!

Love Hermione, Tonks, Blaise, Tracey, Daphne, Susan, Neville and Hannah.

Harry reached down and pulled the wrapping paper off the gift. He hadn’t even gotten halfway before his jaw dropped and he tore the rest of the wrapping away.

“No way…” He whispered.

Blaise chuckled, “It took a while to get the non-Slytherins around to it. After all it’s their houses you’ll be using it against.”

Harry was holding a brand new Nimbus 2001, the latest broom from Nimbus. Unlike the horrible black and silver colours Malfoy’s had Harry's new broom had kept the original wooden handle. A soft brown that felt smooth and light to the touch while the bristles had been coloured a soft gold, the same as a snitch with the initials H.S carved in green on the handle.

Harry looked up at his friends with shock, “But this must have cost…”

“Oh relax,” Tonks said and waved him off, “The rich purebloods paid for most of it, the rest of us just put in what we could.”

“Which reminds me. Daphne says this comes with the condition that you help win us the house cup back next year,” Blaise said.

Harry would win them the house cup for the rest of their time at Hogwarts if he had anything to say about it. He hadn’t been so touched by a present in all his life. 

Harry’s final present was from Harrison himself. Harry reached forward for it when Harrison’s hand shot out.

“Wait!”

Everyone at the table froze and looked towards Harrison.

“Sorry… I uh… Well…”

“Merlin, if it's a private present between the two of you just say so,” Tonks said with an eye roll, “It’s not that big a deal for siblings to open their presents in private.”

“We’re not-”

“Yeah yeah yeah,” Tonks said and waved them off, “Just keep telling yourselves that.”

“Well if sibling presents are a secret why don’t we go test out these new brooms you guys have got?” Blaise suggested.

They spent more or less the entire day on the Quidditch pitch, each taking turns to fly Harry and Harrison’s new brooms. Tonks and Blaise took a more steady approach to the whole thing, neither all that confident on a broom while Tracey was just as happy as Harry and Harrison in the air. She secretly admitted to Harry while the pair of them were hovering above the pitch that she wanted to join the Quidditch team but as she wanted to be a beater figured she’d need to grow up a bit and gain some muscle.

Far too early for Harry’s liking it was time for their friends to head back home via the floo. At least he and Harrison had tea at Hagrids to look forward to. Although both privately dreaded what the food would be like.

Though they needn’t have. As it turned out when Hagrid had gotten to the Three Broomsticks to ask for advice, Rosmerta had been horrified at the thought of him cooking a full meal so had just given him one to take back. 

Hagrid spent the entire evening telling the pair stories he knew of Harrison’s parents and by the end he’d drunk so much he fell asleep before Harry and Harrison had even left.

By time they reached their rooms for the night Harry had completely forgotten about the present. Until Harrison stopped him.

“Sorry about earlier,” He said as he pulled the box from the table it had transferred too, “I just figured it would raise too many questions you wouldn’t want to answer.”

Harry gave him a curious look before opening the present. Inside was an elegant black box. Harry flipped it open and the candle light immediately gleamed off what was inside. It was black in colour with specks of silver in it that made it look like the night sky. It was in a loop, with its tail currently in its mouth. A snake that had deep red ruby eyes and was about a foot long.

“Wow,” Harry said, unsure what to say, it looked expensive and he appreciated it but he was never one for jewellery.

“For the love of… Talk to it Harry!” Harrison snapped.

Harry frowned and shrugged, “Hello?”

“In parseltongue you idiot!”

“OH! Right… Uh… Hello?”

The snake instantly came to life and its body filled with Harry's magic. It slithered out of its box and wrapped itself around Harry’s arm.

“It doesn’t talk back obviously,” Harrison said, “But it links to your magic and obeys any command you give it in parseltongue.”

Harry looked down at the snake on his arm, “Hiss at Harrison.”

The snake's head immediately shot up and it let out a soft hiss in Harrison’s direction.

“You’re hilarious.”

“Harrison this is unreal, where did you even get it?” Harry said as the snake returned to his arm.

“Tonks,” Harrison said, “Apparently there’s this shop that does all sorts of stuff for people with unique magical gifts. It's where she goes to get all her metamorphmagus potions and textbooks. She noticed they had a small section for parselmouths, although most of it was gathering dust. She even bought it for me after I gave her the money.”

“You think I can get it to sneak into Malfoys bed?”

“Please don’t do anything that would get us expelled, because that also means we’d be homeless now.” Harrison said.

Harry chuckled and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a coin and tossed it to Harrison.

“Happy Birthday.”

“A galleon?” Harrison asked as he looked over the coin.

“Not just any galleon, read it.”

Harrison narrowed his eyes at the inscription imprinted on the coin.

Harrison Potter is a moron.

“Again. You’re hilarious.”

Harry smirked and pulled out an identical coin, “They’re linked. We can write short messages to each other and if you’re in danger squeeze the middle and it causes the other one to vibrate. I figured after weeks of living together it would come in handy, you know when we go back to being in separate houses.”

“Where did you get them?” Harrison asked, inspecting his coin.

“I made them,” Harry replied, they were basically just a replica of the coins the DA had used in his original timeline.

“That’s impressive. Thanks Harry!” Harrison said with a wide smile.

Before long the pair retired to their bedrooms. Harry was just starting to fall asleep, his new snake wrapped around his waist, when he heard a crash and a shout from Harrison’s room.

“Ah,” Harry said to himself, “I was wondering if Dobby would show up.”