Chapter 1
"Harry! Harry, get up! Now!"
The sound of Aunt Petunia screeching wakes Solis up. Unlike Harry, Solis has an actual room to sleep in instead of a cramped closet under the stairs; when asked Vernon says it is because the raven-haired boy is a guest they took in, that he's not like their orphaned nephew. A charity chase to make the Dursleys look better is the unspoken real reason.
Hearing Dudley stomp down the stairs, shouting about the zoo, shakes the last of sleep from Solis' mind as he gets dressed and brushes his hair. Wearing skinny jeans and one of Dudley's old t-shirts Solis makes his way to the kitchen and to his spot at the table to Uncle Vernon's left. Harry was pouring the man's coffee and not so subtly glaring at his cousin who kept yammering about the zoo. Solis couldn't care less about the spoiled boy or animal prison, he has his own plans today.
'Ok, casual, eye contact but not too much. Mention the brat or it's an automatic no! You got this.'
"Uncle Vernon?" Solis glances at Dudley before looking at Vernon and tries not to cringe at both having ham sticking out their mouths as they chew. "I was wondering if I could stay here instead of going to the zoo."
The man finally looks at him, scowl etched on his face. "What for?"
Solis takes a bite of his food before answering. "Well, there's this project I have to finish for the new school year. And I was thinking I use todays quiet to help me focus so I get a good grade on it." He looks at Dudley and smiles. "Besides, tickets will cost less if I stay and I don't want to put a damper on Dudley's birthday today."
Harry was looking at the black-haired boy with envy. He can always see through Solis' charades and he hates how the boy can manipulate others. The Dursleys, classmates, even the mailman. Solis is that A+ student who's respectful, that parents and teachers use as an example and it makes Harry mad that no one can see Solis uses that leverage to get his way. That the picture perfect child is just want he wants others to see.
Harry knows Solis skips classes but still aces tests and assignments. He knows Solis has 'free time' to work at the bakery down the road from school. He knows Solis keeps a sharp eye on everyone around him, especially the Dursleys, looking for new ways to trick them. And Harry hates it. Harry knows Solis only does this to not get looked down upon like he does; that it is only how the ebony-haired boy adapted to survive in this hell hole.
But knowing that doesn't stop Harry from disliking the boy.
Vernon empties his plate, clearing his throat he answers. "Fine, you can stay home. But that project better not disappoint."
"I never do."
After breakfast, saying his good-byes to the four and watching them drive off, Solis hurries up to his room and pulls his favorite book off of the bookshelf, Different Seasons by Stephen Kings. Hidden between its pages is a picture and a letter. The letter he got the day before and had managed to hide it before the others found out. The Dursleys may like their "charity case" over Potter, but that doesn't mean they'll treat him like their own; Vernon makes sure everyday that Solis is reminded that he was orphaned twice.
First by his father, then again by the Potters.
He doesn't really know what happened to his father. He knows his mother died giving birth, but his dad? Solis' dad gave his to the Potter family before disappearing, and a few days before they died. Solis only knows his father was in his life because of a photo he has. It is of a man with brown curly hair to his shoulders with a giant smile plastered to his face. The man is holding a baby wrapped in a blue and silver blanket, the child's hands stretched out and grabbing onto the man's pinky. On the back of the photo is a note written in cursive, "Look to the sky and know I'm watching after you Solis. I love you. Love, Dad"
That photo is Solis' most treasured possession.
Setting it aside he pulls out the letter and unfolds it, taking a seat on his bed Solis reads the parchment for the hundredth time.
Dear Mr. Solis Black,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You will find a list of all the necessary books and supplies for school alongside this letter. The new term begins on September 1st, we await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Solis falls back on his bed, exhaling a sigh of disbelief, he becomes lost in his thoughts at this possible chance.
'Witchcraft? Wizardry? It's gotta be fake, I mean the only thing that exists is on TV. But, it was sealed with a logo and they did send a school list, which has weird supplies on it. My real name is even on it! Black. Not Potter or Dursley; ugh, why'd that teach have to call me a Dursley? Gross. I came up empty handed at the library searching for the school but that makes sense, a magic school would want to keep non-magic people oblivious and still thinking its fantasy. Ooh, what if the school is in another realm? Sorta like Mary Poppins with the pictures. That's a fun movie. I should watch it again. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious if you say it loud enough you'll always sou-'
The front door slammed open, breaking Solis out of his thoughts. Voices replaced the silence.
"It's freezing! Mommy, I'm freezing!"
"It's okay. Come on, let's get you inside! You're alright!"
The commotion caught the ebony-haired boy's interest, he came out of his room and hid just out of view at the top of the stairs. Vernon is dragging the brunette by his hair as he shouted, "It was like magic!"
Vernon shoved Harry into his room, locking him in. "There is no such thing as magic!" The man spit out the word magic like it was some contagious disease.
Later that day Solis found out what had happened at the zoo, about Dudley getting locked in a snake tank. He couldn't blame Harry for laughing at the boy, Solis did too.
Harry spent the rest of the day locked in the small closet reading his books or messing with his toy soldiers; there is not a lot for entertainment in the house. Once the Dursleys had gone to bed and were asleep, Solis snuck down the stairs. Every time the brunette got in trouble and locked up, Solis would let him out when no one was around, a plate of food in one hand, and sometimes a book or toy in the other. It is because of this that Harry could never truly hate his black-haired acquaintance.
And same as always, when the closet door opens, Solis stands in front of it holding a plate of food out to Harry.
With a nod Harry accepts the food. "Thanks."
Solis looks to the side and scratches the back of his neck. "No problem."
"And uh," They look at each other, making eye contact. "Happy Birthday."
This causes Solis to pause for a second. He had forgotten his own birthday. Well, no one remembers or even knows his birthday besides Harry. The brunette says it every year and every year it catches Solis by surprise.
Turning to walk away, Solis says one last thing. "Get some sleep, Harry."
"Night, Solis."