Twin B

The Great Hall fell silent as the last of the newly sorted first years took their seats at their respective tables. Above Dumbledore rose from his place behind the staff table, his smile as grandfatherly and kind as ever. Raising his arms, he began the yearly speech.
“Welcome! To another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…” The Headmaster cleared his throat, “As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.”
“Sirius Black,” A whisper washed over the Slytherin-four.
“They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds,” Dumbledores tone turned a bit grave. “And while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks and disguises -or even Invisibility Cloaks.” He added, before Zabini narrowed his eyes at Harry. He only shrugged a shoulder, feigning ignorance. “It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I took to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors.” He paused.
A smile grew along the Headmasters lips. “On a happier note. I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Potter, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts.”
The reactions were sparse. Those who knew Lily Potter neé Evans was still alive, applauded and made her feel very welcomed (especially those in Gryffindor), easily putting her son (Harden Potter) as one of the loudest. On the other hand, those who didn’t know she was alive or weren’t particularly fond of her in the past, either applauded though surprised a Potter other than the Potter twins were still alive and well, or (mainly the Slytherins) were less than happy and didn’t bother -unsurprisingly Harry choose neither path and turned to Parkinson when she whispered something to him.
Lily smiled and waved to Harden, proud to see him in red and gold, before looking for her other son, having thought he too would have been in Gryffindor. Imagine her shock when she turned to the Slytherin table from across the Hall and saw him talking to the short-haired girl she had seen earlier on the train. Her smile vanished into a frown at the realization that one of her sons was placed into Slytherin -Voldemorts House. The idea revolted her.
Nonetheless, Dumbeldore continued when the applause burned out. “As to our second new appointment… Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care Of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties.”
Fear washed over the Hall like a troll crashing his club into the stalls of the second floor girls bathroom. Harry, one of the students who took it upon themselves to befriend Hagrid, saw his life flash before his eyes. Many others paled at the realization as… well, Hagrid would most definitely make those who are taking the ‘Care of Magical Creatures’ course do something far more dangerous than what Kettleburn usually had them do. Still, reluctantly, the Hall shared a round of applause for the positively beaming half-giant.
“We’re dead.” Harry whined. Everyone agreed with a less-than-enthused ‘mm’.
Still, Dumbledore continued, “Well, I think that’s everything of importance. Let the feast begin!” Clapping his hands twice -goblets, cutlery, platters of food and napkins appeared on the long tables of the four houses. The first years eyes glowed as talk rose in the Great Hall as students began to pull food onto their plates. Lily happily dived into the chicken on a platter in front of her, while skimming over her sons to see their choices of food.
Hardens plate was filled with mashed potatoes, steak and some greens Ginny seemed to have forced onto his plate. Across the Hall Harry looked to have grabbed a bowl instead and was filling it with a light soup. The lack of solid food made Lily frown, as she didn’t understand what was keeping Harry, like Harden, from chomping down on all the other delicious food in front of him. She watched as the darker-skinned boy sitting beside the obvious spawn of Lucius Malfoy, handed over a cut piece of bread to Harry which he happily accepted along with the container of pumpkin juice -his lack of solid food didn’t seem to surprise Harry's… choice of friends, confusing Lily even more.

The entirety of the feast, Lily tried to find plausible reasons for her sons’ lack of food. Maybe he was a picky eater… but there was more than just a few choices of food. Maybe he didn’t like eating in front of people… then why were her friends handing over different small foods? Was it his way of fitting into Slytherin? Was he wrongly put into Slytherin?
Lily scoffed to herself.
Of course he was wrongly put into Slytherin. Potters were Gryffndors -they embezzled red and gold, not green and silver. This was obviously some mistake made by the sorting hat. Her son wasn’t thriving in Slytherin -he was being tortured. Those purebloods weren’t allowing him to eat. That was the problem. That was why he was in a separate compartment earlier too! Yes. Yes that was the problem -and because she was here, and because she was seeing this for herself. Lily would fix this -she would fight for her sons freedom from those snakes.
So when the feast ended and each house rose to leave for their common rooms. Lily also stood, but not before catching a glimpse of Harry pulling away from his bullies to run up to the table. She watched as he came to stop in front of Rubeus Hagrid and congratulated him on his new position. Now… why wasn’t he doing that for her? “Mum?” Lily turned from watching Harry comfort Hagrid (though looking rather uncomfortable) as the man cried from pure emotion. She smiled seeing her other son accompanied by Ron and Hermione -the muggleborn who had been with Harry during the dementor encounter. Harden beamed, now having her attention. “Congratulations. When you said you had a surprise for me I hadn’t thought you meant being a teacher.” Lily shared his excitement. “Well of course. When Dumbledore came to me I was ecstatic.” Humming, Harden stepped closer before whispering to his mother. “Be careful of Harry, though, mum. He’s successfully gotten rid of every Defense teacher we’ve had in the past two years.” She blinked, startled at the information before the Granger girl smacked Hardens arm hard enough to move him out of the way. She scowled, stepping where he had previously been standing. “That wasn’t Harrys fault, twat. If the teachers were more qualified then maybe they wouldn’t be driven out because of -oh, I don’t know- trying to kill the students!” Harden scoffed. “You only defend him because he’s such a precious baby.” He mocked. “If anyone is the precious baby it’s you. Harry has done nothing to gain your ill graces.” Harden only rolled his eyes. Huffing, Hermione turned to face Lily. “All I wanted to say was thank you for helping Harry earlier on the train. I know he won’t do it personally, but your help was much appreciated.” Lily frowned in confusion, “Why won’t he thank me himself?” Hermione only waved her off, before sending a last sharp look at Harden and leaving the Great Hall.
Sighing, Lily sent the other two away for bed, knowing they’d be stuck outside the tower the entire night if they didn’t hurry. She looked back over, hoping to get another glimpse of Harry, but it seemed he had long been gone as Hagrid was now only sniffling. Pouting in disappointment, Lily shook her head to wash off her disapproval, before heading toward Dumbledore. When she closed in on the Headmaster, the old man looked up, seeming to have expected her. He smiled, “Lily, dear, get your fill of food? I particularly thought the sweet tart was marvelous.” “Why didn’t you tell me Harry was in Slytherin?” All playfulness seemed to wipe itself off of the Headmasters lightened mood, before he nodded and stood. He had prepared for this -of course he had, all Potters and even Lily were in Gryffindor. She suspected he knew this conversation would happen whether he told her or not. “Please come with me, my dear.”

Lily did exactly that. She followed him through the back door all the way to the eagle statue. They climbed the stairs into the office she remembered for the few times in the past she had to enter on account for whatever prank James and Sirius had pulled. Such memories, prickled at Lilys mind, making her feel so… weak compared to then when they all thought the world fell to their feet. Dumbledore settled himself behind his desk as Lily looked around the never-changing office. Truly, all silver trinkets were on their shelves, books still had the same aging binds and the ceiling rose high with portraits of old Headmasters and Headmistresses.
“...I want Harry out of Slytherin.” Lily turned to Dumbledore. He said nothing. “He doesn’t belong in Slytherin. I saw -I watched as those Slytherins around him didn’t allow him to eat. They handed him tiny pieces of bread or fruit -they were starving him, Dumbledore. I want him moved to another house.” The Headmaster smiled, “And I presume you would want him moved to Gryffindor?” “Of course!” Lily plopped herself into the chair in front of Dumbledores desk. “He’d feel most at home in Gryffindor -his brother is there.” The man stroked his long and white beard, looking as if giving some thought to what she’s said. “The Potters have always been sorted into Gryffindor,” Lily went on. “Harry must be tormented knowing he’s an outcast in his own family -knowing that he can’t connect with his father and me. Please, Dumbledore, move my son into another house, even if it isn’t Gryffindor.”
Laying his hands on the desk, Dumbledore gave Lily a small smile. “You know I can’t do that. Harry was sorted into Slytherin by the sorting hat -I can do nothing to change it.” “You're the Headmaster!” Lily protested, “He’s being bullied by his own house, Albus. You have to do something.” His only response was to shake his head, enraging the overbearing mother (if you could even call her that). “Have him resorted.” “And if he is sorted into Slytherin again?” “Then lie and say he was sorted into another house -say the hat had made a mistake!” Dumbledore sighed. “Lily, my dear, you know that the hat never makes a mistake.” “Well, I won’t let my child be bullied, even if you won’t do anything to help.”
Saying that, Lily stomped to her feet and stormed out of the Headmasters office. How could such a powerful wizard not help one helpless child? Her child nevertheless… (even if he isn’t the boy-who-lived).

Stepping out of the showers, Harry slipped on his glasses to not just see his dormmate but also Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Parkinson and Nott sitting on their leather couch and chairs. He was almost dumbstruck by the revelation that happened every single year since first year, before exasperating a silent puff of air. “Well hello friends.” “Hello.” They chorused. He chuckled and climbed onto the arm of the chair Zabini slouched in. “What are we doing this time? Gossiping about what’s yet to happen?” “Actually we’re discussing the new classes. Your taking Hagrids class aren’t you?” Harry nodded, “Getting the book was extraordinary.” “How do you even open the damn thing?” Parkinson flipped Harrys copy of ‘Monster Book of Monsters’ over in her boney-hands, perplexed by the actual fur the book seemed to have grown. Harry shrugged. “Dunno. Malfoy you figure it out? I know you also signed up for the course.” “Tch. How that bloody oaf thinks anyone will be able to open the book is beyond me.” “He’s a human, not an oaf.” “Your compassion for that half-giant is beginning to get annoying.” “You say that every time, you know that?” “I know you can never let such a silly insult pass over without commenting.” “Because you say it over and over and over and-” “Okay we get it!” Parkinson snapped. “Can we move from the ‘over and over and over’ part?” “Isn’t that the part they ignore each other?” Nott asked. “Yep.” Crabbe grunted. So Harry and Malfoy grunted and turned to face away from one another. The group rolled their eyes, before continuing on with another topic.

It was very much past midnight when the group dispersed for bed as class was later that morning. Harry sighed and flopped onto his bed, the towel still wrapped around his neck though he’s been dry for the last three hours. “Do you really have to do that every night?” Malfoy sneered. “It's a tradition, Malfoy. Where I live my bed isn’t nearly as comfortable as this one.” “And yet you're in Slytherin.” “Well if you can be, so can I.” Scoffing, Malfoy changed from his evening outfit into his silk pajamas. Harry, like every year, snickered seeing the silk-ivory colored clothing. Malfoy turned around and glared. “What?” “How many of those pajamas do you have? Do you mix-match them sometimes or…?” “Why must you always ask the same questions?” “Because I like that you still wear two piece jammies.” Harry giggled. “Shut up Potter. My clothes are much better than those things you call sleep wear.” Harry looked down at his sweatpants and t-shirt, before shrugging. “At least these are thicker than some cloth.” Rolling his eyes, Malfoy climbed into his own queen sized bed and under the green and black covers. Potter smiled, “What? Not going to entertain me tonight?” “Go to bed Potter, we have classes early in the morning.” Harry groaned but climbed into bed before Malfoy waved his wand to extinguish the candles. “Nighty night buzz killer.” “Oh my merlin, shut up.” With a last laugh, Harry complied and rolled over in his bed.
The pillows, the sheets, and the mattress were all so comfortable. When he grew up, Harry was going to have a bed just like this one.