Only Death Will Have Me

Crinus Muto

Next morning Neil was the first to wake up, he went to the bathroom, and before he could close the door he saw his reflection. The spell he used to make his eyes and hair brown had worn off. He felt panic creep up his spine, but it subsided when he took a deep breath, remembering he didn't need to change it anymore. He looked into his father's eyes for a little longer before carrying on. After that he went to wake Kevin up, he said they would practice in the mornings. Kevin wouldn't wake up, he looked dead to the world, but Neil could notice his breath.

"He is terrible with mornings," Said Jean holding his bed curtain to look at Neil. "Don't worry, in a minute his bed will throw him off, just step aside. Nice hair by the way."

Neil runned a hand through his curls and smiled. He went to his own bed, tugging his gloves on, and his running shoes. As Jean said, the mattress simply shoved Kevin to the floor, he woke up in a gasp and groaned when he understood what was happening. Jean laughed while he entered the bathroom.

"Neil?" Kevin asked, getting up, his brows furrowed.

"Yes? I'm ready,"

"Your hair," Kevin said stepping near Neil, he was taller, so the view must be a shock. "Why is it like this?"

"How rude Kevin." Said Seth, that just woke up.

"It's my natural color, I had done a spell to turn it brown a few days ago, it just wore off, and I decided not to do it again." Neil explained and opened the window. "I'll start warming up, see you at the pitch."

They trained until they were almost missing breakfast, Neil ate with Kevin and Jean on an almost empty table. They went their separate ways. Neil had a first year map of the castle Dumbledore gave him, it was lacking to say the least. He took almost 15 minutes to find his potions class. He entered the room and everyone looked at him, even the professor.

"I'm really sorry, I got lost."

"Oh, you must be Mr. Josten." Said the old man in front of the class, he was cheery and kind. "It's no matter, please, find yourself a partner."

"You can call me Neil," he looked around the room, he saw Andrew and Andrew, but it wasn't quite him. Aaron, his brain provided, Andrew has a brother, twins. They were partnered up.

A tall boy from Gryffindor waved at Neil, telling him to join him, Neil went, and smiled.

"Hi, thank you."

"You are the new kid, can't believe it, it's an achievement you know, we only get new first years! I'm Nick by the way," They shook hands. "Those two are my cousins, Aaron and Andrew." He pointed, and Neil looked at them, Aaron was wearing ravenclaw robes.

Andrew leaned into Aaron's space whispering something and a second later he was coming in their direction.

"Let's exchange." Said Aaron, and was already putting his things on their working space.

Neil stepped aside and looked at Andrew, who tilted his head in invitation.

"I'll… go." Neil said going to stand beside Andrew.

"Not fair, why do you always get the hot dudes?" Neil heard Nick complaining. "Bloody greedy brat."

Andrew drew his wand and muttered Silencio, pointing at Nick, his voice disappearing even if he was moving his lips. Neil smiled, Andrew simply put away his wand.

"Mr.Minyard, I saw that, it's not appropriate," Said the professor pointing his wand at Nick. "Finite. Now open your books on page 18, please."

Andrew's face went sour, but he opened his book, Neil following suit. They worked on a sleeping potion, his mother did this one only once, it didn't work, she ended up killing the person with it, it was Neil's fault. Neil didn't share that, and just helped Andrew doing the simple tasks, just like he did with his mother. The class was making mistakes all over, but their potion turned out perfectly. Neil wanted to be proud, but the memories only ruined everything.