A Million Things {Hamilton/Harry Potter Universe}

Chapter 4

He didn't want to go back to the common room, so he hid in the Owlery. Hundreds of owls were perched around him, occasionally swooping in and out of the windows.

Alexander was determined to stay there until he could stop crying. His father had left him and his mother and his older brother to settle some debts in St. Kitts. He hadn't returned. After their mother died, he and James had been separated. Alexander had been shuffled around a few other relatives before they eventually kicked the bucket. Then it was shuffling around foster care.

His father had not been the greatest one, but the poor boy believed he had to still be around. Alexander had sent many letters through the muggle mail, but no answer ever came. Perhaps that Potter was right, he thought, with a trickle of doubt.

He buried his head in his knees. It would be all over as soon as he left the Owlery. He could just imagine Potter and Burr blabbing that the confident Hamilton was a just muggle-born orphan. Then Snape jumping in a verifying that it was true.

"What are you doing here?" Benedict entered the Owlery. Relief flooded his pale face. "Boy, I've been looking everywhere for you. Slug Club ended ages ago." He stopped when he saw Alexander's tear-stained face. "Whoa, what happened?"

Alexander told the whole humiliating story. "I'm surprised you didn't know," he said, when he was done.

Benedict shook his head. "I didn't hear a word. Potter hates all Slytherins but he didn't say anything. He's not a pureblood elitist or anything. That Burr kept his mouth shut too. They're not going to get you," he said, shifting his weight.

"It'll get out somehow and you know all the other Slytherins will get me for it," Alexander said miserably. He couldn't see any positivity out of this.

There was a long silence and then Benedict slapped him across the face. Alexander swore loudly. "What the heck?" he screamed, clutching his cheek.

Benedict did not look sorry. "You need to snap out of it. Right now. Alex, you got to fend for yourself. Like you always do. In that subborn, arrogant..."

Alexander laughed, but his friend wasn't finished.

"...seriously annoying way that you do. If anyone gives you grief for it, let them know who they're dealing with. Be proud of being muggle-born. You prove that blood status doesn't matter. That will be important in the future. You know that."

The two boys were silent, thinking. Their world was becoming darker as the threat of Lord Voldemort was on the horizon, sneaking ever closer. Some wizards were even saying that they may be on the brink of a war. Alexander wondered with a pang, who would be on which side of it.

Benedict lightly punched Alexander on the shoulder. "Come on, let's go to bed. You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm better now." He stood up. "Thanks."

"Anytime. And Alex?"

"Hmm?"

"Just hex somebody if my advice doesn't work."