Hiraeth

Ranboo leaned against his older brother. Anxiety churning in his stomach as he watched the other families with their students board the hogwarts express. 

"You'll do fine Ran." He smiled at his younger brother. Ranboo disagreed. Dream was everything he wasn't. Strong, smart, popular with blonde hair and green eyes. He was nothing like Ranboo. Ranboo with his mismatched eyes and his black and white hair. Ranboo with his shy and cautious nature. Ranboo with his condition.

"Doubt it." Ranboo mumbled, gripping his brothers arm like his life line. 

"C'mon cheer up Ran." Dream laughed, "in fact I bet you'll be sorted into Ravenclaw."

Ranboo shook there head in disagreement. "Ravenclaw is for smart people. I want to be in Slytherin with you."

"That's up to the sorting hat." Dream smiled warmly, lowering his voice to a whisper. "And don't worry about you condition Ran. You'll be fine." He squeezed his hand comfortingly. 

"If you say so..." Ranboo trailed off. 

"There you are!" Their mother hurried over. Her dark red dress flowing with the wind. Puffy despised wizarding fashion, preferring that of muggles. "Ranboo you have dirt on your nose." She detached him from his brother grabbing a handkerchief and wiping his nose. 

"Ma. I'm fine." Ranboo mumbled, escaping her iron grip. Puffy stood up, at full height she was shorter than both her sons. 

"Now. Are you two ready?" She smiled at her sons. 

"Yeah!" Dream grinned, "I can't wait to see George and Sapnap again!" 

"...Yeah..." Ranboo mumbled less enthusiastically than his older brother. 

"Don't worry Ran. You'll make great friends." Puffy smiled, patting the back of her son's back. What the- how did she- Ranboo shook his head, his mother could read him like a book. The train whistled signifying 5 minutes before departure. "Now come on on't want to miss the train." Puffy steered her son's in the direction of the train. Ranboo watched as Dream and Puffy lifted their trunks up on the train. Grabbing his owl and Dream's cat he boarded after his brother. Sitting down in a compartment he placed the basket containing Patches on the seat next to him and placed his "owl" Enderchest on the rack above him. The creature letting out a shriek of indignation. 

"Calm down Ender." Ranboo smiled at his owl. "It's just a little longer and I can let you out." Enderchest let out a mournful hoot. Meanwhile Patches had gotten out of her basket and lay in the sunlight her brown fur glowing gold in the light. 

"Now remember." Puffy stuck her head into the compartment after Dream. "Dream take care of your brother." She gave a stern glare at the blonde. "And don't forget to write to me Ran." The train whistled once more signifying departure. Ranboo watched from the window as Puffy waved her goodbye's at them. Her figure becoming smaller, and smaller in the distance as the train sped away. 

"Hey Ran." Dream perked up, petting Patches. "You won't mind if Sap, and George sit with us right?" 

"I don't mind." Ranboo responded watching the fields march by. In truth he enjoyed the hotheaded Gryffindor and the sassy Ravenclaw. 

"Dream!" George stuck his head into the compartment his dark glasses reflecting the sun. 

"George." Dream patted the seat next to him. 

"Oh and it's Ranboo!" Sapnap grinned dragging behind him a brown haired boy. Sapnap plopped himself down next to Ranboo, "Oh yeah Ranboo this is Karl." He intoduced the brunette to him. 

"Nice to meet you." Karl smiled, the scarf around his neck were those of the hufflepuff colors, he had already changed into his robes. Ranboo blinked noticing the amount of pocket watches the boy had stuffed into his overflowing pockets. Brass and silver glittered as the soft tick tock of all his clocks filled the room.

"Ranboo's finally joining us in hogwarts." Dream grinned proudly nudging Ranboo. 

"I'm only two years younger than you." Ranboo pouted, crossing his arms. 

"Our little bro is finally growing up." George faked wiping a tear off his cheek. 

"Yeah you wish he was your brother in law." Sapnap scoffed leaning back. Ranboo let out a giggle at the glare George sent at Sapnap. "What? It's true." He shrugged sending a knowing glance to Ranboo. Out of all of Dream's friends he had known Sapnap longest, the raven haired boy practically living in their home. Sapnap was always the first to start a fight. His hair as per usual was tied back with a bandana. 

"Anyway. Have you heard." George regained his composure. "Harry Potter is joining hogwarts this year." Ranboo perked up, that peaked his interest. His family hadn't been affected by the wizarding war for some reason. So it would be interesting to meet the boy who lived. 

"That's not the only thing." Karl smiled, "Apparently Tommy's joining hogwarts as well." 

"You hear that Ran?" Sapnap grinned nudging Ranboo. "You're gonna have a rivalry just like your big bro." Ranboo nodded along with what the boy said, he knew of Dream's friendship rivalry with Technoblade. The second oldest kid of the Minecraft family. George had his own rivalry with the oldest of the family. Wilbur. And he had heard about Tommy, he had in fact met him a few times when Puffy had brought him along to a party. He always hung around Tubbo, the kid to one of the most well known death eaters. Schlatt. He had met the man once, and decided once was enough. 

"He doesn't need that pressure." Dream protested, making Ranboo inwardly cringe. I don't need you protection. He thought to himself, a wave of guilt hitting him afterwards. He's just looking out for me. Shaking away his thoughts he looked over to his brother, Dream lay draped on the seat, an arm around George.

"What house you reckon your going to go in?" Karl asked, looking over to Ranboo. 

"I want to go to Slytherin with Dream." Ranboo mumbled, looking at the floor. 

"Ran, with brains like yours you'll end up in Ravenclaw." George laughed. 

"You calling me dumb?" Dream gasped in mock offense. 

"Yeah I am." 

"But I don't want to be alone." Ranboo pointed out. 

"Nah you'll be fine. No matter what house you go to at least one of us will be there." Sapnap gestured around the compartment. Ranboo looked over at Dream seeking reassurance. The blonde giving him a nod and a wink.

"You'll do great Ran. I know it." He beamed, "Now who's down for a game of chess?" After a total of ten games, all won by Dream to everyone but Ranboo's surprise. Dream was always an expert at chess. He could plan out every movement. Every strategy. 

"How are you winning." George growled, now on his fifth game against Dream. 

"I'm just better." Dream smirked. His eyes glinting mischievously. 

"For someone dumber then Sapnap you shouldn't be this good." George snapped, taking off his glasses. 

"HEY!!" Sapnap snapped, jumping up. 

"What do you mean hey? I'm right." George bickered. Ranboo watched amused as the two broke into their usual spat, Dream gave him a knowing grin, Ranboo smiled back. Neither won these arguments, Dream would always have to pull them apart eventually. However this time there spat was interrupted by a girl with brown frizzy hair opening the door to their compartment.  

"Have you seen a toad?" She asked, although it was more a demand, Ranboo frowned he didn't like her already. She had that annoying know-it-all voice, the voice people who thought they were better than others had.

"No?" Ranboo snapped, before anyone could intervene. "None of us have seen a toad." He glared at her, who does she think she is?

"Fine." The girl sniffed slamming the compartment door shut as she left. 

"Wierdo... who brings a toad as your pet." Sapnap snickered leaning back into his seat. "I mean an Owl has no most use... no offense Patches." He added petting the tabby. "Then there's Ranboo's owl-thing." He indicated to Enderchest who had decided to stop being an owl and had changed into a jet black cat. "But a toad? That's ridiculous." 

"Says the one who brought a fox." George snorted. 

"HEY! Sketcher's is a great fox." Sapnap defended the ginger animal. "I don't see you telling Niki that Fungi is stupid."

"I never called Sketchers stupid." George grinned triumphantly. "Those were your words not mine."

"OH YOU BIT-" 

"Sapnap calm down." Karl nudged the raven haired boy, "No need to start a a fight."

"Yeah you've already had like three on this train ride alone." Dream laughed, Patches letting out a soft mewl in agreement with her owner. 

"Says you." Sapnap snapped, resuming his previous argument with George. The rest of the journey went undisturbed, Ranboo played cards with Karl while Dream was dealing with Sapnap and George. 

"So how do you feel?" Karl asked, placing down a card. "About the sorting." He clarified picking up on Ranboo's confusion. 

"Oh that... well i don't know." Ranboo admitted. "I'm a little scared I won't be in Slytherin." 

"Why do you want to go to Slytherin so much?" Karl asked, looking at Ranboo expectantly. 

]"Is it hard to be friends with other houses?" Ranboo asked changing the subject, his heart squeezing with anxiety. He wanted to make sure he wouldn't be too far from Dream. He needed to make sure that he wouldn't be too far away from Dream.

"Not really." Karl shrugged, "I suppose you don't see each other as often but it's not like you can't be friends." 

"Alright." The rest of the train ride went smoothly, with everyone kicking each other out of the compartment so they could change. As the sun set, Ranboo could see the looming castle in the distance. Anxiety churned in his stomach, so they had made themselves comfortable next to Dream. Clutching his brother's arm, he could hear other children run from compartment to compartment voices loud and piercing. Ranboo hated the uniform, much like the rest of his family he thought wizard fashion was ugly. Then again his brother's sense of fashion wizard or not was horrifying. Lime green hoodie's and black pants with combat boots and a turtle neck. 

"C'mon we're here." Dream nudged Ranboo as he stood up, Ranboo hesitantly followed clinging to his brother.

"What about our stuff?" 

"They bring it to the dorm." Sapnap explained, leaning against a rather annoyed George.

"Okay..." Ranboo looked around, feeling uneasy. 

"First year's this way!" A large shaggy man yelled, he held a lamp in one of his giant hands his face obscured by his bushy beard.

"Go one Ran." Dream detached himself from Ranboo's grip, "See you in the dining hall!" Ranboo watched absolutely lost as his brother vanished alongside everyone else he somewhat knew. Following the scraggly man to a bunch of boats he found himself sitting in a boat with a blonde and brunette boy. 

"Hi I'm Tubbo, and that's Tommy." Tubbo smiled at Ranboo introducing himself. He had brown hair that partially obscured his hazel eyes, and a necklace with a few charms. The biggest charms being a bee and a compass. 

"Ranboo." So this is Tommy. He had never seen the boy this close, he had bright blue eyes similar to his father Philza, the boy also having a similar necklace with charms. However his had a pair of round oval objects and a compass. 

"I'm Tommy, Tommy Minecraft." Tommy announced proudly, puffing his chest out like a bird. 

"I think he already knows that." Tubbo scoffed. "Since were doing last names I guess, I'm Tubbo Underscore Schlatt." Tubbo eyed Ranboo. "But I think you already knew that." He added quietly. 

"Ranboo... Ranboo Beloved." Ranboo smiled awkwardly. 

"You're Dream's younger brother right?" Tommy asked, "I'm Techno's favourite brother."

"Keep dreaming." Tubbo snorted as the boats moved in the direction of the castle. "What house do you think you'll end up in?" Tubbo asked curious. 

"I wan't to be with Wilbur." Tommy announced, his voice seemingly getting louder with each word.  

"I wasn't asking you." Tubbo snorted shoving the blonde. 

"I want to be in Slytherin with my brother." Ranboo smiled, playing with his fingers.

"I want to be in Hufflepuff!" Tubbo grinned, "I like they're colors, but personality wise I think I'll be in Slytherin. Tommy I think is going to Gryffindor." Tubbo rolled his eyes, "Where all the loud kids go." 

"Hey!" Tommy shrieked indignantly. "And you- your going to hufflepuff you- bitch." Tommy struggled coming up with a rebuttal making Ranboo giggle. 

"See." Tubbo grinned at Ranboo, "Gryffindor. Not only loud but also dumb." 

"Fuck you mate." Tommy scowled. 

"No. Get denied." Tubbo snapped back. Ranboo looked out at the castle looming before him as the boat crossed the lake. 

"So what animal companion did you bring?" Ranboo asked looking into the depths of the dark water.

"I brought my cow." Tommy grinned, "His name is Henry."

"It's a bull not a cow." Tubbo grumbled. 

"Henry's a cow." Tommy pointed out. 

"Anyway what are you bringing Tubbo?" Ranboo asked, resting his face in his hands. 

"My bee." Tubbo grinned. "His name is Spins." 

"Aren't bee's like tiny..." Ranboo glanced at the brunette. "How would he bee (haha pun) of use?"

"Spins is like the size of my head." Tubbo grinned, "I fucked up a potion when I was seven and then turned Spins into a big boy."

"Oh- that's mildly terrifying." Ranboo squeaked out. I'm going to have nightmares about this bee. 

"So what are you bringing?" Tommy butted in. 

"I'm bringing Enderchest. They are... something..." Ranboo mumbled out, in truth he knew Enderchest was some kind of creature his other found. His mother had called it a shapeshifter. How very creative. 

"That's a cool name!" Tubbo commented, 

"HENRY'S A BETTER NAME!" Tommy announced. 

"Henry is such a basic name Tommy." Tubbo rolled his eyes. "Spins is much better." 

"Fuck you." Tommy spat. 

"Please add more words to your vocabulary." Tubbo teased, glancing at Ranboo. 

"You two bicker a lot." Ranboo commented, "Kinda like my brother and his friends." Tubbo nodded as the boat reached the the side of the shore. Getting out of the boat first Ranboo offered a hand to Tommy and then Tubbo after the blonde swatted his hand away proclaiming that he was a big man. Only to fall out of the boat two seconds later.

"Wow a gentleman." Tubbo snickered using Ranboo's arm as a method of pulling himself out of the boat. 

"I am never being nice to you again." Ranboo scowled, dropping Tubbo's hand and making him stumble and nearly fall onto Tommy.

"HEY! Fine I'm sorry." Tubbo grumbled regaining his composure.

"We should probably move faster." Tommy pointed out getting up from the shore. "We are the last ones left." And sure enough all the other first years had already climbed the stairs to the main doors. 

"Come on!" Tubbo grabbed Ranboo and Tommy's sleeves practically dragging them up the stairs. Only to be met with a scene some kid with bleached hair that was slicked back using what looked like ten containers of gel was talking to a scraggly looking kid with round glasses who looked homeless. And next to the homeless kid was another slightly less homeless kid with flaming red hair and an uncountable amount of freckles.

"That kid looks like a carrot." Tommy hissed pointing at the red haired one.

"Ew is that Malfoy?" Tubbo scowled squinting at the group.

"Is that the homeless kid or the one who looks like he used fifteen containers of gel." Ranboo whispered, bending down a little so he could whisper into Tubbo's ear. 

"The gel kid." Tubbo clarified. 

"Okay... and why does he suck?" Ranboo hissed. 

"Malfoy is an ass." Tommy cut in before Tubbo could answer. 

"Thank you for that valuable information Tommy." Tubbo rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Anyway. Malfoy is infuriating, he's a stuck up prick who thinks the world owes him everything." Tubbo explained with a scowl. 

"And he's Tubbo's ex-bestfriend." Tommy jumped in. 

"He wasn't my friend." Tubbo scowled at the memory. "It was more of a business friendship."

"Huh. That must have sucked." Ranboo thought aloud. 

"No shit." Tubbo shook his head. "Worst years of my life."

"Do you know who the other ones are?" Ranboo asked.

"Uhhh the red haired one is probably a Weasley." Tubbo pointed at the slightly less homeless looking boy. "And I dunno who the other kid is." 

"Hey guys." Tommy leaned against Tubbo, "How are we going to meet up if we are in different houses?" 

"It's called food." Tubbo swatted Tommy off him. "If we can maybe we could sit together at one table... Also THAT is completely off topic!"

"Yeah but I wanna make sure I can still play with Spins." Tommy pointed out, "As creepy as he is I love their fluff." 

"Aww your being soft!" Tubbo teased. 

"I AM NOT!!" Tommy hissed shoving Tubbo angirly. 

"Guys stop your going to get us in trouble!" Ranboo hissed pushing himself between them. "The sorting's going to start soon and I don't want to get expelled before even getting into my house." Quieting down the trio waited for the old witch McGonagall to bring them into the great hall. After what felt like hours of waiting the doors to the great hall finally opened, and the wiry form of Professor McGonagall appeared in the doorframe, she wore dark green robes with black lace patterns and a black cloak with a matching pointed hat.