Year 1: Breaking Traditions

Chapter 11: Alone

Keith debated on a few things the next week. Between his dreams increasing, the clingy way the other Gryffindors seemed so demanding to be, and now McClain's new silent stance he felt his curiosity and frustrations burying themselves deeper into his skin.

Overall he wasn't sure what was his to meld and deal with and what he should let be... or simply hand off.

The dreams were the same. Chasing someone as they called, hitting a wall that he couldn't see,and purple eyes that screamed with familiarity. They weren't... normal dreams but what could he or anyone else do about them? So those were shoved away.

The clingy group of kids that seemed hell bent on never leaving him alone. He guessed that would be his to deal with. He wondered how McClain managed to fend off people besides just his last name. Maybe he spent too much time at the orphanage being crowded and harassed that the idea of being around anyone was too much for him to take full time mentally.

Then there was McClain himself.

Keith wasn't going to lie he felt a bit guilty with the whole sleeping in the common room thing. He still didn't understand half of what was going on anyway with the family drama. Just that most everyone was still actively avoiding McClain with the exception of that one older Gryffindor but as of lately McClain has been avoiding everyone including his sisters.

Something must have happened at the Quidditch match that had dipped under the radar. Keith had been surprised to find the boy breathing oddly after the match. His eyes rimmed red as he glanced out from his blankets. Keith was used to kids being upset. He found several of them crying and hiding for one reason or another when he lived at the orphanage but he had always let them be.

Comforting people was not his specialty

He thought that things would slip back to normal a day or two after the match but they didn't. McClain ever more distant with his housemates and now sisters and the few people who he did seem friendly with. So Keith finally did what had been asked of him.

"I think something happened at the Quidditch match with McClain," Keith muttered as he sipped his Sunday tea

"His father was at the match so it wouldn't be much of a surprise," Adam sighed, setting his cup down, "But what makes you think so?"

"He's always avoided people as is but he's now avoiding everyone, even his sisters. Skipping meals and basically hiding now. Both sisters have even asked us if we know where he's hiding but," Keith shrugged

Shiro made a face as he glanced at Adam. They seemed to be having a private conversation between them that Keith couldn't read. Adam tapped his knee with his thumb as if writing down a reminder for himself.

"Thank you, I'll see what we can do," Adam sighed and lifted an eyebrow at Keith, "Anything else?"

"Honestly that was the only thing I needed to report," Keith shrugged hoping their afternoon could go back to normal

Adam hummed before looking at Shiro with a sharp smile, "Speaking of Quidditch are you ready to lose soon."

Shiro scowled and argument sparked about the upcoming Hufflepuff and Gryffindor match. While it was still a few weeks away the build up had already begun. Especially after the dominant performance from Slytherin most were hoping for a closer match and were arguing who would be the first team to score on Slythern's keeper.

Shiro and Adam had caught Keith's interest in Quidditch after the first match. When they met the following day and much to their amusement Keith didn't shut up about the match. It was the most he openly talked about a subject without being prompted. It was also the most energetic they had seen him since he mentioned the dreams so they were glad at least something was keeping him sidetracked.