Dimension Hoppers

Orion was brushing his hair, marveling at how silky soft it’s gotten thanks to Will’s maintenance tips when Dad bursts into the room with a loud shout “It’s time to go! Come along Pup,I can’t have my future son-in-law wait too long!”

Dropping the brush, the young werewolf whirl around, face turning a bright red. “Dad! I told you it’s not like that!”

The answering grin he got in return was filled with mischievous glee, curling on his parent’s face in a terrible resemblance of the Grinch when he got a wonderful awful idea. Orion mentally kicked himself for comparing his Dad to the green abomination even if it had been Hadrian’s favorite Christmas movie and he had to watch it twice now.

 When Orion told the other boy he had never really seen movies the other took it as a personal challenge to bombard him with all the ones the other owned on VHS. Some had been rather entertaining, and he could see why muggles loved them so, but the Grinch haunted his nightmares. 

Not that he would ever let his best friend know. Nope, Orion was a Grif, he had pride thank you.

“Hadrian and I are merely friends,” He says lowering his voice from the high pitch on pure will alone. No need to give Dad more admission then he already had.  Marlin knows every time he gets embarrassed his cracks more than usual. Orion cannot wait till this whole puberty thing was over.  “Please refrain from calling him things like that. He may get the wrong idea which will make Hogwarts very awkward” 

Dad’s eyes dimmed just a bit  “Hadrian is a good kid. He won’t stop being your friend the moment you two get to Hogwarts.” 

For one terrifying second Orion feels like he may cry but he pushes the burning in his eyes away, stubbornly stomping down on the worry in his chest. “I know.” 

He watches his Dad open his mouth but reconsiders whatever he was going to say and closes it again. There is a bit of regretful longing in his gaze as he shakes his head. It must be about Har-Potter.  Dad only gets like that when he thinks about what he and Uncle James used to have. 

Sometimes Orion resents the fact his parents are still friendly with the Potters. Resents it so much it burns. How could they stand aside and smile when their son suffered so much around his bully? How can they invite the Potters over for tea while the youngest Potter made snib remarks of not wanting something prepared by a werewolf? How could they stand to watch the way Har-Potter make Father hunches his shoulders in shame?

How could they sit there, acting like nothing was wrong, while the person they invited into their home discriminated against them?

Orion had no intention of being friendly.

 He didn’t need to anymore, he had Hadrian now. Oh, he would be civil, would show Uncle James and Aunt Lily respect as Father would never allow anything otherwise but he will be distant. He will make it clear that they stand over there and he stands over here. 

Like he has done before. Like every time he walked Hogwarts halls and his classmates always seem to stand together while he watched in the far distance cripply lonely.  

But this time someone will stand with you an encouraging voice says in his head which sounds an awful lot like Will. You’re not alone anymore

It’s Dad’s answering smile that informs Orion his grinning like a loon. He tries to smooth out his face even though he knows it’s a wasted effort. “So, um are we leaving or-?”

“Yes, yes,” Dad says perking up.  “Your father is just packing you and Hadrian a meal for the train then we can be on our way. Will flooed just moments ago. He’s going to meet us at the station.”

Orion nods, picking up the dropped brush and adding it to his trunk. His eyes catch his house robes. For a moment he worries Hadrian will be sorted in a different house but disregarded the fear.  

His friend is one of the bravest people he’s ever met. Only twelve and already unwilling to bend to anyone’s command (except maybe Will’s. Hadrian seems unable to disappoint his brother. But then again, almost everyone is. Will is someone you just feel terrible about letting down.) 

When customers become unreasonable Orion always gets weary, unsure in how to handle the situation but not Hadrian. He had no qualms with throwing people out. Sometimes even did the physical removal of them himself. It was amazing to watch.

Surely, Hadrian will be in Gryffindor. And they would be living together.  Orion felt his face heat up as he imagines what it is like to live with Hadrian.  He would be able to tell him goodnight and have pillow fights and study nights and he would get to see Hadrian hair in the mornings. Right after he rolls out of bed, sticking up in the back like always and he just knows it be adorable-

“Orion? Are you ready?” Father asks from the door. 

“Oh, he’s ready. Been standing there for a while smiling in excitement at the thought of his second year.” Dad answers for him.

The werewolf jumps horrified that he forgot about his Dad. He peaks up at his parents and flushes a dark red when he sees the knowing look they trade. Dad is making that Grinch-smile again.  “Remember when we were second years? Takes me back to those days of young love”

“Dad!”  Dang it, his voice cracked again. 

An hour later Orion is kneeling on the cushions of the Hogwarts Express seats poking his head out the top half of the window. He keeps glancing around the crowd but he can’t spot the Evans anywhere. Why weren’t they here yet? What if Hadrian didn’t arrive? The train was to leave in only two minutes!

He is already inside, having picked the last compartment as far away from Potter’s group as possible. It also happens to be by the last door so boarding and un-boarding will be quick meaning they can avoid the crowd when they get to Hogwarts. Something Hadrian will appreciate….if he gets here.

The train horn goes off, signaling departure and his stomach drops. 

Father looks just as worried as he feels.  “ Do you think they don’t know how to find the platform? The Evans have never been to Hogwarts before.”

“Yes. I explain it to Will this morning in the Floo” Despite how he doesn’t try to show it Dad looks unsure himself  “I should have told them to come with us. At this rate, Hadrian will miss the train! Perhaps I should go look for them-”

“Please excuse us! We are very late! Pardon me, I need to get through!” Will’s voice breaks through the noise of parents tearfully saying goodbye to their children. He sounds polite but he’s elbowing anyone out of his way who isn’t fast enough, dragging a trunk and running like the hell hounds are after him.

Hadrian is one step behind, gently offering his own pardons, following the path his brother carved through the crowd. Orion doesn’t break into a large smile like he wants to- here in public he feels uncomfortable showing too much emotion- but he does wave his hand. 

He doesn’t worry about grabbing the Evans attention since Dad gladly does it for him. “You two are late!”

“Sorry, sorry” Will gasps coming to a stop before them. His hair for once looks absolutely fabulous. It’s all volume and fashionably tousled, curling around his head like a halo. It seems Will had finally given up on straight hair and had embraced reality, making something wonderful of it.  “It was all my fault. I was trying to get a natural wavy look but I-”

“You took too long in the bathroom!” Hadrian complains. He isn’t out of breath but his face is flushed from the run. Orion knows that means the two had been running for a long while. It takes a lot to make the brothers tired. “I told you not to try steaming it but did you listen? No.”

“Nevermind that! Get on! Quickly!” Father ushers the youngest Evans just as the train jerks starting to inch forward. Orion watches in some kind of fascinated horror as the man who practically embodies the concept of Big Brother boldly chucks Hadrian’s trunk onto the train stairs and in the same motion picks up Hadrian.

The train is moving quickly now, but the intent of the eldest is obvious. He’s running alongside the train, people jumping out of the way. Father’s eyes widen, while Dad’s smile falters and Hadrian screams as Will launches the boy into the air. “GRAB THE RAILING!”

Orion nearly throws himself out the window hands desperately reaching outwards even though he knows he won’t be able to help Hadrian. The boy lands on his feet, thankfully on the train, holding onto the stair railing with an angry snort. “Will!”

“I love you! Have a wonderful year! Remember to write, study hard and no boyfriends or girlfriends until your fourth year!” Will yells back seemingly to not be worried by the venom in Hadrian’s glare as the train leaves the station. Will waves making sure to lock eyes with Orion, his smile warm filled with brotherly adoration. “If you need anything from the store, Owl me! Bye boys! Have a good time! I love you!”

Hadrian huffs, grabbing his trunk before it rolls off and jerks the train car door with it until he is in. 

Orion barely resettles into his seat before the door to the compartment is open by a frizzled Hadrian. He walks into the room slumping onto the couch opposite of him, leaving his trunk on the floor. He tries not to laugh he really does, but the expression on his best friend’s face is too much and he bursts into breathless laughter.

 Soon pearls of laughter join his. They stay like for who knows how long until Orion can’t breathe.  “He threw you onto a moving train!”

“I know, I was there” Hadrian sounds put out upon but his smile is happy. “Good way to start the year I reckon.”

“If one is interested in barbaric displays I believe it would be considered a good start” A new voice has Orion freezing up. He shuts himself behind all the walls his built turning cool eyes to the doorway. He almost lets his mask fall in surprise as he finds himself staring at Draco Malfoy.

What was he doing here? The heir never left the front of the train, as it was where the “first class” students sat.

Hadrian, however, doesn’t seem started. But then again he never does. “Hi, Draco. How are you?”

“Very well Evans. And you?”  

 “I told you to call me Hadrian”

“I told you that won’t happen.”

Hey, hey, hey why was the blond acting so friendly with Orion’s best friend? “You two know each other?”

  Hadrian waves a hand inviting Malfoy to take a sit by Pureblood customs. The werewolf has always wondered how he seemed to know those, using them subconsciously at the oddest of times.  “When we first open, he was our first sale. Turns out we’re the only ones that sell the French Team Quidditch merchandise in Diagon Alley. He came in as soon as he saw them through our front window.” 

“You simply have good taste,” Malfoy said with great dignity acting as if though he wasn’t twirling the ring on his finger. Orion recognized it as snitch design rings he stocked in the Quidditch aisle three days ago. They were a real sealer.  “Someone in that place has to, I suppose”

“I suppose” Hadrian agreed easily, amusement in his voice. “How was France by the way?”

“Wonderful. It was a great vacation the likes of which I’m sure you are not used to. Father even bought me the lastest broom while I was there.”  Malfoy brags turning his nose upwards like the proud little Slytherin he is. Orion can’t fight the urge to roll his eyes. 

“I’m glad you had fun with your dad then.”  The werewolf is about to grimace in annoyance that Hadrian is being nice to the snake but he watches with small amounts of astonishment as the pureblood’s face softens. It’s not by much but in the world of upper-class wizardly politics, it’s the equivalent of beaming.  

“Thank you, Evans. Perhaps next time you can come along.”

“Hadrian” His friend corrects. He looks at the blond sitting at his side with a bemused smile then he waves a hand at the other male in the cart.  “This is Orion Black by the way. Orion, this is Draco Malfoy”

“We’ve meet,” Malfoy says suddenly coldly. The wolf in Orion sneers. “I take it you are the one Evans mention in the letters? Judging by your face you seem unaware Evans and I were owling this summer.”

Why did the bastard sound so smug? “I wasn’t. I was too busy working alongside him instead.”

“Ugh, guys?” Hadrian looks back and forth between them looking confused by the sudden tension. Orion himself is confused by it too but he’s too caught up in the moment to really care. 

“I see.” Malfoy frowns for only a split second before his face smooths out. He gently touches Hadrian’s arm as he stands “I shall be returning now to my cart but if you wish to join me later you may. It best to meet with those that will be in your house soon and I am more than willing to explain any questions you no doubt may have. I am, after all, the most suited.”

“Sure thing. Thanks, Draco,” Hadrian says a little wary still unsure of what just transferred. Not Orion. He knows what that was. It was a challenge. “If I need anything I’ll look for you.”

With a nod, the Malfoy gracefully leaves, back straight and head held high. Orion silently adds him to his mental hate list right under Potter as Hadrian watches him go. It’s not till the other second year has crossed train cars that Hadrian leans back into his seat, sliding the door close.  

“That was odd. He’s not usually like that.” Hadrian mumbles  “It’s almost like the first time…”

Orion’s jaw tightens. There is an odd nasty burning in his chest. “Why does he think you’ll be a Slytherin?”

Hadrian wasn’t…hoping to be in the snake house, was he?  

“I honestly don’t know. Draco’s just been saying that for months now.”

“You’ve known him longer than me” It’s not a question. 

“I met him a month before you actually. He just went to spend the summer in France a week before you and Remus came to the shop.” Hadrian’s eyes have a weird emotion in them, the kind that says grief but also hope. “Turns out he’s really easy to get along with if you listen to watch he means instead of the words he uses to express himself with.”

What the heck did that mean?  “What house do you want to be in?”

It’s a testament to their friendship that Hadrian doesn’t even bat an eye at the nearly desperate question as he shrugs  “Whichever one will have me I guess. I know your family was in Gryffindor but Draco’s in Slytherin and he seems alright. I’m sure Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff will be nice too.”

“Yeah,” Orion says feeling restless “Yeah I’m sure they are.” 

The rest of the train ride went on. Both boys ate the lunch his father packed- some beef ravioli for Orion and salad for Hadrian- laughing and joking for hours on end but Orion couldn’t shake the feeling he wasn’t going to be able to see Hadrian bed hair like he hoped-er thought.  

He was proven right when the sorting hat shouted for the world to hear “HUFFLEPUFF” after being on Hadrian’s head for seven minutes. He bites back the disappointment, clapping along with the crowd as his friend gracefull walks to the table of yellow and black. 

He is quickly greeted by Cedric Diggory who is a tad too friendly with the way he leans into Hadrian’s space. He doesn’t seem to notice the boy’s dislike of him yet, obviously too used to people falling for his charm.

His eyes flickered over the Slytherin and he locked gazes with Malfoy. No doubt he noticed the same thing he did. Orion is surprised by the nod he receives, returning it automatically. It feels like the acknowledgment of a warrior across battlefields allying together to bring down a bigger opponent.

It humbles him.

Gently he removes Malfoy from the hate list because Hadrian had been right. He’s not really all that bad it seems.

The next morning Hadrian casually sits before him at the Gryffindor table acting like he doesn’t notice the stares he’s getting for doing so and Orion allows himself one small smile. 

Why did he think anything would change when they got to Hogwarts? Hadrian Evans was far too good for that silly nonsense.