Hiraeth

Ranboo stared at his textbook, the night before leaving him covered in scratches and bruises. He adjusted his gloves, trying to cover up the scales that dotted his arm. He barely remembered anything from the night before, however he could remember Dream's face. His older brother looking down at him with concern as he lay on the floor. The morning was rough, his older brother and Techno fixing his wounds. Originally Ranboo was very against the idea of Techno even knowing about his condition, however Dream needed help and George was too queasy. Ranboo's stomach twisted as he remembered the sequence of the night's events. The pain that followed after his horns grew out, and the sharp sting of pain as his mouth was torn open. He knew it would heal by the morning leaving nothing more than a pale scar. What Ranboo however didn't understand was why he couldn't control it, his Mother knew when to bring it out. And his older brother had perfected control over it. But Ranboo on the other hand still struggled, then again in his own mothers words.

"It is stronger with you than the average eleven year old Ranboo, you are too hard on yourself." Her words always brought him some level of comfort, but she wasn't there right now. She was back home, far away from Hogwarts and all of his problems. Ranboo flinched as he remembered how easily his claws tore through Dream's arm, his hands shook as he remembered how the blood seeped through Dream's bright green sweater. He remembered returning to his conscious state out of guilt, the sharp curved serrated edges of his claws as blood dripped down on his palm. Despite Dream's constant worry for Ranboo's safety and wellbeing when he shifted, all Ranboo felt was guilt. Guilt at hurting Dream. The worst part was, than because of his unstable emotional state, he hadn't completely shifted back. Scales doted his arm and his hands had long serrated claws instead of fingers. He hid his tail under his robe, and his horns under his hat. He could practically see the stares he got from his peers for wearing a hat inside. He stuck out like a sore thumb. At least Tommy and Tubbo didn't seem to mind. Tommy said something about his father while Tubbo just asked him how despite wearing the school uniform they could still look decent.  Obviously the last thing he ever wanted was for any of his newfound friends to find out about the dangers Ranboo presented. 

"Oi Ranboo." Tommy waved a hand in front of there face. "You there?" 

"Hm?" Ranboo looked up.

"Oh good I thought you died." Tubbo chuckled as he packed up his bag. 

"What?" Ranboo blinked,

"You zoned out for like ages." Tommy supplied, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Oh.. whoops... "Anyway do you still want to go to the lake today? I finally got Henry out." 

"Henry." Tubbo snorted under his breath. 

"What's wrong with Henry?" Tommy bristled defensively. 

"Henry's a cow." Tubbo snorted. "Not a bull."

"Henry is the biggest man." Tommy grinned proudly. 

"Henry's a cow." Tubbo deadpanned. 

"Fuck you." Tommy snapped, crossing his arms. 

"Guys." Ranboo stepped in, "Let's just head to the lake, Tubbs think you can get Spins?" 

"Yep!" Tubbo nodded, "I left him in my dorm room."

"You know..." Tommy thought aloud. "Since Tubbo has his own room, I think we should all have a sleepover some time." I have my own room too... 

"That's a good idea." Ranboo nodded, "Anyway, Tommy and I'll head down to the lake Tubbo you go get Spins."

"Mhm." Tubbo grinned trotting off in the direction of the Slytherin common room. Meanwhile Ranboo led Tommy down the stairs, jumping over the vanishing stairs and greeting the ghosts on the way down. However as they made their way past one of the arched windows, Ranboo was pulled back by Tommy. The blonde's eyes glinting mischievously as he looked aver at a couple of students that sat on the window sill. A red haired girl with dark tanned skin, and pointed ears with gold jewelry leaned against the window. Next to her was a tall lanky brunette with wavy hair and round glasses. Oh. It's Wilbur. Tommy's older brother. Ranboo glanced from the couple to his friend. Tommy looked like he was about to do something stupid.  

"What are you-"

"Heyyy Wilburrrr." Ranboo was dragged along as Tommy leaned in close to his brother.

"Tommy." The brunette pushed the younger boy away. His face turning redder than the girl's hair. "What do you want?" He asked.

"Nothing." Tommy smirked, "But you never told me that you hung out with Sally." Ranboo stood awkwardly to the side while Tommy bothered the older boy. 

"...heh-"

"I mean I knew you li-" With lighting speed, Wilbur covered his brother's mouth with one hand. 

"Shut up Tommy!" Wilbur hissed. "Why don't you go bother Techno for once?- DID YOU JUST LICK MY HAND!" Wilbur pulled away disgusted, Sally let out a giggle as the brother's started arguing. 

"Arn't they just adorable?" She asked her question directed at a confused Ranboo. She had a strong accent that made her roll her r's, and a sugary sweet voice. As she smiled Ranboo took note of her teeth, sharp and serrated, with one tooth made of gold.

"Huh-?" 

"Tommy and Wilbur." Sally smiled, "They are so cute together," 

"Tommy is literally bitting Wilbur's arm." Ranboo mumbled, his tail twitching beneath his robes. As Wilbur swatted the blonde boy with his hand.

"Siblings do it all the time." Sally shrugged. "Are you an only child or something?" She snickered, her eyes piercing through Ranboo as if she knew all of his secrets.  

"No." Ranboo folded his hands.

"Who's you sibling then? Do they go to hogwarts?" 

"My brother's Dream." Ranboo fiddled with his hands. "He's in Slytherin."

"Really?" Sally grinned, brushing her coiled hair out of her face as she spoke, "I remember I had a big old crush on him a while back." 

"Cool," Ranboo slowly inched away, wishing that Tommy would stop rolling around on the floor with Wilbur so they could leave. "Uh it's been great Sally was it?- But Tommy and I really need to go..." Ranboo inched over to the fighting brothers grabbing Tommy and dragging him away. "So byeeee." He speed walked away while Tommy shot curse words at Wilbur. "WHAT WAS THAT!?" Ranboo hissed once out of earshot. 

"What? It was just playful teasing." Tommy huffed. 

"Not that!" Ranboo rolled his eyes. "Why would you leave me alone with Sally?" 

"Why you got a crush on her?" Tommy asked playfully. 

"Read the room." Ranboo scowled. "That was the most awkward interaction of my life." 

"booooo." Tommy booed him. 

"I can't tell if your trying to say my name. Or acting rude." Ranboo rolled his eyes as they reached the main hall, walking past a few students they reached the lake where Tubbo was waiting for them. 

"Both." Tommy grinned before beelining his way to Henry, the cow nibbling on the grass. 

"Hey Ran! I don't think you have met Spins yet!" Tubbo gestured to a giant bee, Ranboo took a step back upon spotting the bumblebee. "Isn't she cute!" Tubbo booped Spins, who sat on his head. 

"She's uh... She's great..." Ranboo nodded, whistling as he waited for Enderchest to appear. And sure enough the dark shadow bounced out in the form of a cat. "And uh.. This is Enderchest. Or Ender for short." Ender immediately shifting to a more demonic version of a cat. 

"Aww...? What is it?" Tubbo asked, as Enderchest wound their way through Tubbo's legs. 

"Great question." Ranboo smiled. "I have no clue." 

"Heh-"

"My mother calls them a shapeshifter." Ranboo interrupted Tommy.

"Creative." Tubbo laughed, as he pet the creature. 

"Hey! At least Ender is not basic." Ranboo grinned, "They can be anything and everything."

"Anything-"

"NO." Ranboo glared at Tommy, before stepping back as Spins stared at them with her big eyes. "Does- Does she always do that-?"

"Oh yeah." Tubbo scratched the bee, "She's just curious. Isn't that right Spins?" His voice became high pitched as he spoke to the bee. "Who's a good bee? You are." He booped the bee's nose? face? Ranboo didn't really know. Henry however was far more chill, just laying out in the sun munching on grass as Enderchest climbed all over her. The shapeshifter now in the shape of a rat, Tommy leaned against Henry. 

"I told you Spins was creepy." He hissed to Ranboo.

"SHE IS NOT CREEPY!" Tubbo snapped as he covered her head with his hands. "She's cute."

"She's bloody terrifying." Tommy pointed at Spins, "Bitch looks like she wants to fucking kill me."

"Don't you talk about Spins like that!" Tubbo pressed the giant bumblebee close to him, it's fluffy fur enveloping Tubbo's hands. "Especially when you named your cOw HEnrY!" 

"WILL YOU LET THAT GO!" Tommy pouted like a child, "Henry is a good name."

"I like Enderchest." Ranboo volunteered his opinion. 

"Yeah we know." Tubbo rolled his eyes. "You got the coolest pet, but Ender will always be second compared to Spins for me." 

"Figured as much." Ranboo cracked a smile, fixing his hat as he spoke. Since they got the rest of the day off, the trio spent their time at the lake while Tubbo tried to drown and waterboard Tommy, Ranboo watched from a distance, careful to avoid the wet boys like the plague until they dried off. Enderchest had quickly ended up be-friending the other to familiars, and had to their horror shift into a giant bee like Spins that nearly made Ranboo curse their own familiar. Other first years seemed to have the same idea as a few of them dotted the lawn in their own groups as they talked and did their homework. Luckily the trio was mostly left alone, other than the ocasional stares and inevitable gossip that Ranboo was subjected to overhear. However there peaceful time in the sun was interrupted when Harry and Ron showed up. Actually it was just Harry who showed up to ask questions. 

"Um, hello?" 

"Can we help you?" Ranboo asked as Enderchest quickly morphed into a cat and sat in their lap. 

"I- I had some questions about well- About you guys." Harry sat down next to Ranboo, causing the taller one to inch away. 

"What's the question?" Tommy asked with a maniacal grin as he leaned against Tubbo. 

"Is. Is it true your family stayed out of the war?" Harry asked the same question Ranboo had heard a thousand times. 

"Yes." Tommy and Ranboo responded in unison, annoyance creeping into their voices as they spoke.

"Why would- No. How did they stay out Ron- he said they were powerful wizards and witches why would they stay out?" Harry asked, his gaze holding no malice just curiosity. 

"Mother had her own issues to deal with." Ranboo shook his head,

"Same." Tommy stood up. "Anyway if that's your question can you go before- OH GREAT!" Tommy groaned as Ron showed up, the red haired boy storming across the front lawn in their direction. Harry looked apologetic as Ron stomped over, in all honesty Ranboo just zoned out as Ron screamed something about death eaters and monsters. Tommy has started playing tic tac toe with Ender and Tubbo looked half asleep as Ron screeched. 

"Look can you just go away?" Ranboo sighed sick of the terrible opera. "We are not bothering you."

"Ron let's just go-"

"You are bothering me." Ron shrugged Harry off. "Your existence bothers everyone," Ranboo shared a bored glance with Tubbo and Tommy. "Puffy is a freak. A monster. And you're just like her. Your a freak. Just like your mother." 

"Say that again." Ranboo's eyes snapped over to Ron, as he tensed up sitting up straight, his tail twitched beneath his robes. How dare- How dare this inbred ginger prick speak his mother's name...

"Youre a freak just like your mother. A Mosnter just like Puffy." Ron repeated. "Don't think I don't know what you and Puffy are-" Ron didn't get to finish his sentence as Ranboo launched himself at him grabbing him by his neck. 

"You don't get to speak about my mother." Ranboo shook the boy, gripping his neck with both hands. His eyes wide and manic with fury, sharp pain shot up his face as he felt his skin tear at the mouth. "You keep her name out of your filthy mouth." Ranboo snarled his eyes growing impossibly larger. 

"Ranboo calm down." Tubbo leaned against the tree inspecting his nails. Not meaning a single word that came out of his mouth. 

"Yeah, wouldn't want to hurt him now would we?" Tommy grinned sadisticly in Ron's direction, the boy gasping for air.

"H-Hey- Leave Ron alone." Harry stuttered out, his eyes wide as he stared up at Ranboo, immediately jumping back as Ranboo's harsh glare pierced through Harry's green eyes. The rest was a blur, Ranboo vaguely remembered the screams of the teacher's as they spotted him mauling Ron. He had stomped the red-head into the floor, before using the serrated edges of his claws to claw and scratch the offender. While Teacher's and students panicked around him, both Tommy and Tubbo played a game of cards, until Dream showed up. His older brother bee-lining his way over to Ranboo's monstrous form.

"RANBOO!" Dream stepped beetween Ron and Ranboo. "This is not how to make a good impression on the school!" Dream scolded, his green eyes glinting with annoyance. The look on proffesor Quirrels face was priceless as the man realised that Dream did not in fact care about the mauled body of Ron Weasley. Speaking of Quirrel Ranboo wrinkled his nose, the stench from the turbaned professor was almost unbearable. "Look." Dream sighed. "I'm proud that you have managed to keep your head. But you cannot maul the children!"