Family
Crowleys bones felt like they were made out of lead. He had a hard time keeping his eyes open but Aziraphale had made sure he got up early enough. He almost forgot to put his shades on and realised how comfortable he had felt since their arrival. And despite everything, he'd had a dreamless night. That was something.
They went down to the great hall and found Newt, who looked about as bad as Crowley felt. The events of the day before still stuck in his head. First, he had been in a huge fight with Hastur but suddenly bumped into a boy with white hair. He had never had a friend like Aziraphale. And so, even though he was admittedly scared of his families reaction on him being in Hufflepuff, he felt that with Aziraphale at his side he could take it.
"Come on Crowley youve got to eat something."
His new found friends stared at him with raised eyebrows. Crowley only continued poking at his scrambled eggs. Professor Sprout, a small and friendly looking woman, handed out their timetables. Newt let out a sigh.
"Here we go again."
Crowley frowned.
"What is it?"
"Like every year I have potions as my first class. Together with the Ravenclaws."
"Well, whats so bad about that?", asked Aziraphale.
One of the seventh years, Shadwell, leaned over and wiggled his eyebrows.
"Newts Crush is in Ravenclaw."
Newt rolled his eyes. "Its not a crush. She... she just makes me extremely nervous when shes in my seven meter radius?"
Crowley and Aziraphale looked at each other and shrugged. "Im sure youll survive it."
Their first class was transformation with Professor McGonnagal. She was strict, but Crowley somehow had a feeling that she'd be a good and fair teacher. She actually seemed to care whether they would succeed in her class.
Crowley already knew from his older cousins what the first week would look like.
Aziraphale had a hard time turning his match into a needle, but he was almost there at the end of the lesson.
Crowley found out that day that he was good at transformation. And maybe that wasnt so unlikely after all. Professor McGonnagal had said those kind of spells were about imagining where you want to go and the determination to get there.
And imagining was something he had always been good at.
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At lunch an owl with a very late letter with his name on it arrived. Of course it didnt come unexpected but none the less he dreaded what his parents had written. And he didnt dare look over to the Slytherin table. Hastur and Ligur were staring at him, waiting for a reaction for sure. Aziraphale hadnt said anything and pretended to be preoccupied with his meal, which suited Crowley just fine. He recognised his Mothers handwriting.
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My dear Crowley,
We tried to send this letter as soon as we heard the news. First of all, we want you to know that we are so proud of you! I never told you, but one of my grandmothers was in Hufflepuff as well and she fit in just alright. And that is all we want for you as well. To find a place where you feel like you belong. So dont worry about your cousins. They will come around eventually and if they try anything funny you write to us or talk to a teacher. We are very excited to hear about your time at Hogwarts. How are the teachers? Do you like your subjects? And have you found some friends already?*
Were waiting for your answer and think of you every day. Love,
Mom and Dad
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After he finished reading the letter, Crowley sat it aside and started eating. Aziraphale had stopped and looked at Crowley, but he pretended not to notice.
As they were on their way to the dungeons for their first potions class, Aziraphale apparently couldnt hold it in anymore.
"Was it a good letter then?"
Crowley took his time but eventually nodded and went over to one of the tables at the back of the room. Their teacher, Professor Filch was a strict woman and one of the Ravenclaws at their table told them she was the daughter of one of Hogwarts most feared caretakers.
They spent the lesson scribbling down some basic information as the Professor talked and at the end of the day Crowleys head was humming and he slumped down on one of the couches in their living room.
He started reading Hamlet. His aunt had recommended it to him (the only one he actually liked) and even though the language was difficult and he really didn't see much sense in a story ending with everyone dying, he had promised to give it a try.
Aziraphale sat opposite him, his eyeprows pinched together as he practised the transformation spell. Crowley already knew he would be good in every one of their subjects. Aziraphale however seemed to doubt that for what ever reason.
Days and weeks went by and it was only when he found Aziraphales little rabbit chewing on his pajamas one morning, he realised how used he had grown to his life in Hogwarts, in Hufflepuff and the friendship with Aziraphale and Newt.
His Cousins still mostly ignored him but he didnt really care anymore. Except Beez. His oldest cousin who had always told him stories about Hogwarts when he was only five years old.
One day they had met in the corridors and Beez had pulled him aside. Crowley noticed that they checked if the others where around first.
"Look, I really dont like this either but theres some quiet understanding amongst the others, that we're not talking to you anymore. I know its stupid but I am a Slytherin. I cant afford to just leave my friend group."
The fifth year looked at him with pleading eyes. Crowley just nodded and looked at the ground.
Beez sighed. "Im sorry little dude. But at least for now they can't see us together okay? And you've got your own friends. Seems like you wont need me anyway."
They had seemed a bit sad at that and Crowley shook his head.
"I will always need my big dude."
Beez had given him a tight smile.
"Ill miss you." And they walked away, disappearing into the crowd.