The Space Boy and The Red Head

1 - Perfect Families

The McLaggen's lived in a small white cottage just North of Hogsmeade. Mr and Mrs McLaggen had been high school sweethearts during their teens, with David being a Ravenclaw and Rosie being a Hufflepuff. They were often found glancing over the Great hall at one another or walking hand in hand during their rounds as prefects. Both graduated Hogwarts at the height of the war and fought with honour against many Death Eaters. The couple were a perfectly lovely pair. After the war they had settled down in the Scottish village. Not far from where either had lived as children. They got respectful jobs at the Ministry and were well liked by many. Everyone had expected them to start a family right away. But it seemed like it just wouldn't happen for them. After yet another unsuccessful attempt they pursued other routes.

Nowadays, the McLaggen's are wonderful parents to their two sons. The couple had found they were unable to conceive and after the war there were many children left without parents. Wizarding orphanages were overrun. Naturally, they decided to adopt. Two boys by the names of Apollo and Cormac. Apollo was a year older than his brother. The pair had found themselves orphaned within only days of each other. The staff had introduced the two babbling babies to each other as they were similar in age. Apollo grew protective of his new brother. Even as a toddler. So when the McLaggens wished to adopt the two together everyone was thrilled the lovely boys wouldn't be separated.

The boys were raised with all the stories of the wonders of Hogwarts, about the brave wizards who stood up to you-know-who, and the tales of the hero that was but a baby - The Boy who Lived. Mr McLaggen even taught the two boys quidditch, whilst Mrs McLaggen argued that just because they could walk now didn't mean they were ready for brooms yet.

Now at 7 years old Apollo was dismounting his practice broom as the sun was slowly setting. The late August heat finally ebbing away as the moon was beginning to rise over the Scottish highlands.
"Boys! it's getting dark, get inside and cleaned up for bed. Tidy up your brooms first!" his mother shouted through the open kitchen window to where the brothers had been practicing. A slight rustle of leaves sounded in the shadows in the far end of the garden, with soft steps indicated an animal visitor, it wasn't uncommon for wildlife to wander through their garden. Especially in summer. Nonetheless, Cormac looked to his big brother for protection. Sensing his fear Apollo offered to tidy up.
"You head in. I'll tidy this up and be right behind you" he said.

Apollo watched his brother scurry back into the cottage as the sun dipped further beyond the horizon. He could see his mum cooking in the soft glow of the house through the kitchen window as he picked up the quidditch equipment strewn across the garden then turning to put it away in the shed. His little hands were going numb with the cold as it got darker, his fingers struggling to get the keys to turn in the shed door to lock it. The noise from the shadows returned. This time it was closer. Its proximity scared him, dropping the keys. He turned around, blindly searching in the long, dark grass for the keys.

A low growl rumbled from above him as his fingers finally grasped the cold metal. He froze. Too scared to move. Slowly bringing his eyes up, he was shocked to see amber ones glaring straight back. The eyes were accompanied by a snarling jaw with razor sharp teeth. Apollo screamed. He screamed for his mum, his dad, for anyone. He wanted someone to come chase away this monster. But his screaming angered it. It clamped its jaws around his shoulder, blood began dripping down his arm and chest. His mother and father sprinted out the house to see the horrific sight of the werewolf with their son in its mouth. They began to fire curses and spells at it. Doing anything to get it to release their boy.

The beast dropped the child, who collapsed in a heap at his father's feet. The adults quickly rushed him inside to treat his wounds and keep him safe from the monster. Inside he was laid on the kitchen table whilst they worked to use all the healing magic could think of. All the while Cormac stood crying, watching helplessly as his brother fought to live on the kitchen. His sobs echoed around the house as he pleaded for his brother to wake up. To tell him it would be ok again.

Cormac had to wait 9 days for his brother to wake up. His parents hadn't let him even go into Apollos room yet to see him, even whilst he slept. They had decided not to go to St Mungos. It was for the boys own good, if the healers there asked what bit him they'd have to tell the truth. That their boy had been bitten by a werewolf, and was now most likely also infected with lycanthropy. As ministry officials they would be required to put him on the registry, it would ruin his life. Instead they decided that outside of the family, no one could know.

Apollo lived with the secret of his condition. He told no one. Not one of his friends ever knew. When he turned 11 and received his Hogwarts letter, his parents almost denied him the opportunity to go. They were scared that his secret might be revealed, or worse, he might accidentally hurt someone. After initially turning down the letter, the parents were visited by Professor McGonagall. They explained the circumstances to her and in turn, she explained that there had previously been werewolves taught at the school. She told them that no one need know about his condition apart from a select few staff (Headmaster Dumbledore, his head of house, and the nurse - Madame Pomfrey). McGonagall ensured the worried parents that no student would be at risk of accidentally encountering Apollo during a Full moon. So, with their worries eased, they relented. Allowing their son to join the greatest school of witchcraft and wizardry.

Of course school wasn't perfect for Apollo. People often stared at his scars as he passed in the halls. He also had a hard time coming up with excuses for his disappearances every month. But his most challenging task was continuously having to lie to his friends. Keeping the secret was finally taking its toll on him. He'd often write home, pondering to his parents, about whether or not to tell his best friends. His parents always responded with the same answer. "No, do not tell your friends. You don't know who can be trusted." And so he never did. He'd gone through 5 years so far without them finding out, which he thought was a miracle to be honest. Now due to start his 6 year at Hogwarts he only had to get by this year and next without anyone finding out. Then he could move off to live in the muggle world where no one would believe in monsters like him. He could cope with his secret better.