Twin B

Harden Potter. I had first heard of him by Hagrid when he told me I was a wizard -though it wasn’t like I believed him. Hell, I had barely believed him when he said I could perform magic and that my pare -mother- was actually alive. So when I heard his name at the sorting hat ceremony -you can imagine my surprise. I mean, he was an exact replica of me. Black unruly hair, emerald eyes, glasses and darkened skin. He seemed to even be my same height -though it did look like he had a bit (okay, a lot) more meat on his bones. I watched as he plopped himself onto the stool and the sorting hat was sat on top of his head. I crossed my arms, feeling a bit self conscious as he practically radiated confidence while I… well, I feel about ready to puke from nerves alone. That’s when a presence looms over my shoulder. My first reaction is to flinch away and turn. The boy who seemed about ready to blow into my ear smirked at my jumpiness. I frown in return. “What? Why are you smirking like that?” His head tilts, and I remember he’s that boy I had met in that robe place. I remember how he called Hagrid an oaf, and my dislike for his smirk deepens. “You’re his brother, aren’t you?” He gestures to Harden who’s running up to his red-haired friend (Ron something, if I remember correctly) at Gryffindor table. “... Does it matter?” The boy shrugs. “Just wondering. I mean, it would be like a dream to many to be Potters sibling.” I opened my mouth to reply, but then my name was called and both of our attention turns back to Professor McGonagall. He snorts. “Guess that answers that.” I huff. “You’re mean, you know that?” “Whatever. Go be sorted with the Gryfiindorks just like your golden brother.” I don’t even know him. Huffing, I turn on my heel and almost stomp my way up to the stool. Any nerves I had felt before have long since vanished.

Professor McGonagall waits for me to jump onto the stools top before she sets the hat onto my head. I jolt when a rupturing voice whispers into my brain. “Ah the second Potter…” The voice cackles. “You're different… mm… much different from your brother.” It hisses. “A sense of justice, but also to prove yourself.” It cackles again. “My, my what a kind heart you have. Helping animals, even taking care of kids that cousin of yours picks on~... Hm… many qualities. Good qualities.” It sighs deep into my ear. “But what house?... What house would you succeed in best?” I frown in confusion. “Why would it matter what house you put me in? Either way I’ll be the brother of Harden.” The cackle rings loud, almost thunderous. “Oh.. so you are aware of your brothers… fame.” It cackles again. “Well… if that is the way you think young Harry Potter, best put you in….”

“SLYTHERIN!”

The hat was removed from my head not a second later, and the loud yelling and screams of the Great Hall flooded my ears. I felt dizzy hearing the mixture of whooping from the green and silver table, and the booing and sneering from the red and gold table. I jumped from the stool, and headed for the green and silver table as quickly as I could. I’m pulled into a seat beside the Zabini kid I had talked to on the Hogwarts Express. He raises an eyebrow and smiles. “Welcome to the serpents Potter.” I raise an eyebrow, a frown tugging down at my lips as other students from the table clap my shoulder and send friendly smiles.

Why are they looking at me like that?

I figured that answer out pretty early on. People wanted ways into Hardens life… not that I could exactly provide them with that. I mean, we barely even knew each others name. And… Harden made it perfectly clear early on that he wanted nothing to do with me… but some did -like Blaise Zabini. So in second year when Lockhart took an unusual interest in me, of course I was his first pick in his ‘Defence club’. I remember as clear as day as he called my name to the long table he was standing on. I felt embarrassed being called on as only a minute ago Lockhart had been blasted backward by Professor Snape -the only Professor who truly seemed to hate my guts. Don’t ask why, I have been trying to solve that for two, now three years- but seeing it was a Professor beckoning, I did as he asked and jumped onto the table. Then Professor Snape called on… bloody Malfoy.

It’s not that I hate Malfoy. He has his moments of seeming like any normal teenager, but his attitude is annoying, and he always brings up the fact that I’m the twin of Harden Potter. But in that moment, when he smirked and asked if I was scared, I saw an annoying prat I had to silence, not a twelve year old I shared a dorm with. So I had sent him flying like Snape had done with Lockhart… but in the end the twat just had to use the Serpensortia spell and that… that is when I began to be called the ‘Slytherin heir’.

It’s now one year later and I’m a third year. Sitting next to Blaise Zabini and across from us is Theodore Nott. Both are exceptionally handsome (good-looking if you’d like to use a less sophisticated word) teenage boys. We lounge in the Slytherin cart of the Hogwarts Express, noise is rowdy around us as people catch up on the latest fashion, broomsticks, and whatever else that has been happening in the wizarding world since I’ve been with my Aunt and Uncle. But the largest topic of gossip is Sirius Black. Shunpike had told me about him the night I left Privet Drive -apparently he was a convicted serial murderer who had gone on a killing spree, killing not only one of his best friends but thirteen muggle bystanders. Even now, in front of me Zabini was sipping a cup of pumpkin juice and reading over the latest article of Sirius Blacks’ escape. “Brilliant, isn’t it?” I look up, knowing Zabini and Nott follow as well. Sighing, I plop my chin into the palm of my hand. “Oh the shining apple of my eye. What do you want, Malfoy?” Malfoy smirks from above me, already decked out in his school uniform. Nott shuffles over as the twat slides into the seat in front of me. “I thought you would be happy Potter. A family reunion you would be a part of.” “That’s cute, isn’t he your uncle Malfoy? I’m sure you're happy he’s finally come home.” Malfoy smirks, “Very. He’s actually staying at my house right now. Father is ecstatic that a blood traitor is leeching off of us.” I roll my eyes at the blatant lie. “You're so funny I may die of laughter.” “You don’t need to flatter me so, Potter. I already know.” Oh wow., I mouth. Malfoy smiles, satisfied with my reaction before turning to Zabini. “How’s your summer been, Blaise? I heard your mother has a new bachelor.” “I’m shocked you're done picking on Potter so quickly. Don’t you usually duke it out until there's wood in your pants?” “Funny.” “I’m serious.” “Why would there be wood in his pants?” I whisper. Zabini only pats my head and turns to the Daily Prophet. “Don’t worry too much angel.” I huff. “I’m not an angel.” Nott only smiles, Malfoy raises an eyebrow but no one objects me.

“About the Black problem.” Malfoy starts up just as Parkinson skips over and leans on the table. She smiles at me, but quickly turns her attention back to Malfoy. “Father says the Ministry is stationing dementors everywhere.” “Even Hogwarts?” Nott asks. “No, just your Manor and any other big public space.” I say. Malfoy waves us both off. “Dementors aren’t a joking matter Potter. You do know what they are, yeah?” I scowl, “Of course I know what dementors do.” “Good, because they will be stationed at Hogwarts. Father said to be vigilante, especially if they don’t cancel quidditch this year.” I turn to Zabini. “They’re canceling quidditch?” “He said ‘if’, idiot.” He hits the Daily Prophet against my forehead. “And quidditch being canceled wouldn’t kill you.” “It would.” I argue. “Being on my broom is the only thing keeping me in my seat, trust me.” “Oh we trust you.” I glare at Malfoy. “I wasn’t talking to you.” He pouts, “Are you sure? We are on the team together.” I humph. “It was only last year you were trying to take my position as seeker and now you're saying we’re teammates? Would you make up your mind already?” “Says you.” Malfoy sneered when we all turned to see Hermione Granger (the brightest witch of our year) walking in from Ravenclaws cart. She wears the blue and bronze tie proudly as she walks up and plops herself onto my knee. “You can barely make up your mind Harry. Don’t tell others to do what you can’t.” “Aren’t you supposed to be on my side? I mean you don’t even like the git.” I grunt when Malfoy kicks my shin below the table. “Could you take the flirting with your mudblood somewhere else? I’m about to puke.” “She’s not a mudblood Malfoy. Stop being so indecent.” “Aren’t I always indecent?” Rolling my eyes, I pull Hermione off of me and stand. “Take my spot and I’ll shove you to the floor.” “Ouch,” Parkinson pouts. “That hurts my feelings.” I roll my eyes before pulling Hermione out of the Slytherin cart.

She turned once we found a somehow vacant compartment holding nothing but a sleeping person. I closed the door and turned back to her. She was looking me up and down disapprovingly -apparently my muggle clothes weren’t her style. “What’s up Hermione? You usually don’t go as far as going to Slytherin to see me.” She frowned. “How do you always know these things?” “Woman's intuition.” “You aren’t a woman!” I chuckled. She sighed. “Look I spent the summer with Harden and Ron-” I went to say something but she quickly interrupted. “And no I’m not cheating on you.” I shut my mouth. “Look I only wanted to warn you -seeing you never seem to be in the wizarding world when I am- but Sirius Black is after you.” “...Huh?” “Well you and your brother. I heard Mr. and Mrs. Weasley talking about it and thought I should warn you.” I frown. “Why would a mass murderer be after me?” “Because you're James Potters son. You-Know-Who couldn’t kill you so he’s going after you himself.” I was almost speechless. “You think a guy who’s gone insane in Azkaban is going after Harden and I because we’re the sons of James Potter?” She nodded. “You do understand most people didn’t even know I was alive before my first year at Hogwarts correct? How would I even be targeted when Harden is already prancing around?” “It’s your fathers long term friend, Harry. You think he didn’t know your parents had twins?” “They were in a war. I’d be surprised if he knew we even existed.” Rolling her eyes, Hermione exasperated a sigh and went to reply with a smart remark, but the lights above flickered. We looked up before sharing a look and frown in confusion. The lights flickered again, before a sudden chill erupted goosebumps on our skin. There was a rattle, and when Hermione looked outside, you could see the visible slowing of the train. Hermione turned to me, and I turned to the compartment door. Like many students, I poked my head out in confusion, but the lights flickered off and the train rattled.

“Oh shit.”

Falling backwards, I fell into Hermione, bringing us both to the ground as a sort of sucking noise entered the chilling air. “Harry… what’s happening?” Her voice whispered against my ear, and I would like to give an answer, except I didn’t have one. “I don’t know.” “Well figure it out.” “I’m not a fucking psychic Hermione.” She smacked my shoulder, pushing me effectively off of her. It didn’t take much to move me, let’s all be real here. Climbing from the ground, I made my way for the door, but a feeling of frozen ice came over me. My body tensed, a shiver clawing down my spine as I grabbed the door handle. But it wasn’t there. Instead my hand touched a very ghostly, and a very cold... something. The feeling was unreal, and… chilling. But then my body was… weightless, and faintly, just faintly I could hear the whisper of my Aunts scolding and… punishments. I don’t know what happened next -but I do know someone was laughing. A loud, hissing and horrible laugh. It was a laugh only from nightmares.

…

“Harry.” It was a whisper. “Harry!” It was louder. Someone shook my shoulder. “Oh for merlins sake, wake up Harry!” Hermione screamed. For a moment it felt as if I were back in my cupboard, the banging of Uncle Vernons fist on the door. It was a sickening twist in my stomach, before my eyes snapped to her and I realized it wasn’t just Hermone but also Nott, Malfoy and Zabini looking down at me. Hermone sighed in relief, most likely from seeing me awake as I struggled to sit up. “How are you feeling?” I jumped at the sudden question, before I turned my head to see a young woman beside me. She had red hair, pale skin and sparkling green eyes. “Ah…” “Well he’s not fine.” Hermione puffed, “He fainted from that… that thing that was sucking out his soul!” “Calm down Granger, he’s not dying.” “Shut up, you weren’t the one who saw him collapse.” She hissed. Hermione huffed before looking back to me. “Are you alright though? Dementors are scary.” “I thought she said she didn’t know what it was.” Nott whispered. “Shut it Nott.” I grabbed Hermiones hand before she could continue insulting the people in the compartment. “I’m fine Hermione, calm down.” “I will not calm down!” She smacked my hand away. “I can only imagine what would’ve happened if Professor Evans wasn’t here to drive that dementor away. I’m sure you know all of the bad things dementors are capable of.” I smile. “Who would I be if I didn’t.” “He doesn’t.” Zabini informed. “Shut up.” He shrugged. “It’s my arse on the line if you faint again.” “How is it- you know what I don’t even want to know.”

Clearing her throat, the woman beside me stands and smiles. “It seems I must go and have a chat with the conductor. Nibble on this dear, it’ll help with your withdrawal from the dementor attack.” I frowned at the chocolate she held out, but, quite reluctantly, I took the chocolate. Though I didn’t eat it, not trusting what some… woman handed me. She stood there a moment longer just… staring at me, before flashing one last smile and leaving the compartment. It was Malfoy who spoke up first when she was far enough away. “Okay tell me she is not creepy.” Hermione smacked his chest. “She seems like a perfectly lovable and respectful woman. If we’re judging by the cover, then I’d say she’s much better than you.” “No one asked for a mudbloods opinion.” “Malfoy, be nice.” I sighed and went to stand, and yet when I attempted it, vertigo hit -badly.

Two sets of arms caught me before I could fall whatever direction my body would’ve gone. “If you puke on me I’m smacking the shit out of you.” “Draco come now, he’s just been attacked by a dementor.” Zabini and Malfoy sat me back down. “Eat the chocolate Potter, I won’t let you stand otherwise.” “We love the controlling Draco, but maybe save it for later.” “Shut up Blaise.” I just roll my eyes. “Eat the chocolate Harry. I don’t know why you're being so hesitant about it.” “Not hungry.” I heard someone above me click their tongue, before the chocolate was snatched from my hand and shoved into my mouth. I choked, having not expected someone to grab my hair and force my mouth open. “Malfoy!” Hermione screamed. I slapped my fist into Malfoys chest, but he refused to let go until the bloody sweet was shoved down into my stomach. I gagged when he finally let me go, and Zabini sighed. “...Well that was one way to solve that. Are you alright?” I glare from rubbing my throat. “A solid food was just shoved down my throat and you think it’s appropriate to ask if I’m okay?” “Better to check than to not.” I roll my eyes, but lick the remnants from my lips and look up. “I hate you so much.” “You’ll thank me when you can walk.” I snarl. What bullshit.