Nine-year-old Y/n ran around the orphanage in his usual ripped clothes as he laughed at the elder man who chased him, unable to catch the sneaky child. "Come on!" Y/n yelled as he glanced back at the man, taunting him as he did so before shaking his head to get the strands of hair out of his face. "You are only 29 and yet you carry on worse than a dinosaur..." Y/n chuckled as he jumped over some tables and kept running.
Immobulus!
Y/n slid the worn-out wand from beneath his sleeve as he launched himself into the air while doing a 180 spin, watching the purple-blue ball moving closer towards him with his smile never leaving his face.
Protego!
He cast as a ripple in the air shielded against the spell launched at him. He landed and proceeded to continue running, his laugh only growing at the spell cast at him. "You are going to have to do better than that, old man!" He heard the chaser let out a breathy chuckle as he slowed down. "Done already?" Y/n slowed down as he turned around to face his pursuer while jogging backwards. Y/n was so busy laughing at the man that he didn't notice someone step behind him until he bumped into the figure and a hand grabbed his shoulder. "Sorry," Y/n apologized as he spun around once more.
"Y/n, are you giving Bruce more trouble again?" The voice of one powerful Wizard chuckled as he watched the small boy take a deep breath. "You have plenty of energy, not always a good thing is it?" Dumbledore smiled as he ran his hand over his beard.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Y/n eyes grew while his smile stretched even further as he watched the figure of his hero., his eyes lit up with excitement for a moment before he gave a slight bow "I didn't mean to bump into you," He apologized once more as he slid his wand back into his sleeve.
"Nonsense," Dumbledore led them over to the nearby table before sitting done and motioning to the seat across from him. "That was some impressive casting, I wasn't aware you could cast a full spell yet," Dumbledore sounded impressed even though he tried to give the young Wizard a stern glare.
"I've been able to cast protego for a few days now," Y/n smiled at the older Wizard, sliding his wand out and handing it to Dumbledore to inspect.
"This is a very weak wand,"
"Yes but it helps Bruce teach me what I need to know," Y/n explained as he watched the man walk over to him and Dumbledore.
"Why is Bruce teaching you magic, That's very bad?"
"He is doing it because I begged him to," Y/n explained, not a sign of fear in the small boy's expression. "He was against it but eventually I found the wand somewhere and it was either he helps me or I'd try to study myself,"
"And why do you need to study?" Dumbledore asked as he watched the young boy give him a small smile.
"Professor, let's be honest..." Dumbledore watched Y/n's facial expression become more serious, and emotionless as he spoke to the elder wizard. "I'm nine, no family is rushing to adopt a child that they would be sending off to Hogwarts." Y/n seemed unbothered by this as he took the wand back. "No family means no Hogwarts, I'll train myself until eventually I can get out of this home and do something with my life,"
"Y/n, you can't just rule out being adopted..."
"Professor," Y/n interrupted Dumbledore as he stood up, face still lacking emotion as he spoke. "I've seen the way families look at the older children here, I've seen how it affects them and I refuse to let it bother me," He readjusted his sleeve as he slid his wand into it. "I appreciate you stopping by but I have had enough exercise for today and should probably go study another spell," He gave Dumbledore a slight nod before leaving the two of them and disappearing down the halls.
"Does he do that often?" Dumbledore asked the man next to him.
"Yeah, ever since he figured out how to switch his emotions off," Bruce watched the young boy disappear as he spoke. "But he isn't wrong though," Bruce admitted as his expression softened. "I feel bad for him but he is brilliant for someone his age,"
"I am aware," Dumbledore admitted. "However, to say that he will never get adopted seems quite a stretch, does it not?" Dumbledore turned his attention towards the caregiver.
Bruce couldn't answer, all he could do was shake his head. "The number of times it's happened can be counted on one hand." Bruce looked hurt as he spoke. "And it pains me to see him do what he does, someone as young as him shoulder never feel the need to shut down like that..." Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose as he continued. "He does it every time someone else is adopted and they talk to him, he does it so that they don't feel bad for him and instead focus on themself..."
"He does it to 'protect' those around him?"
"Yes, sir," Bruce answered as he shook his head. "He is afraid that if he shows them how it hurts then they won't be happy, even though he knows he might never have a normal life..." Bruce shook his head as he watched Dumbledore stand up.
"I must get going, Bruce," Dumbledore spoke as he walked away from the table. "There are some things that require my attention but you must understand that no matter what happens, Y/n can never have a normal life..." And with that, the older wizards Apparated from the orphanage, leaving the caregiver sitting there.
"Earth to the idiot!" A voice snapped Y/n out of his thoughts as he shook his head. "Damn, still alive I see," Y/n looked at the blond-haired girl standing next to his bed.
"Cynthia, what do you want?" Y/n grumbled as he shifted on his bed, watching her sit down next to him.
"Watch your tongue, boy," Cynthia glared at the boy next to her. "Keep that up and I'll lock you in a room with Draco for an hour," She let out a giggle as she ruffled his bed hair, earning a chuckle from him.
"Oh I am truly sorry then, please..." Y/n shifted off the bed as he stood up. "Anything but that," He chuckled as he stretched. "What can I help you with, dear sister?" Y/n asked as he grabbed a shirt and pulled it on.
"For starters, you can stop getting lost in your head," Cynthia laughed as she stood up, slightly towering over her brother. "It's never good when you do," She rolled her eyes as she watched him walk over to his bathroom.
"And why is that?" He asked while grabbing his toothbrush. Y/n stood at the sink, brushing his teeth, while Cynthia leaned against the door frame, holding an envelope in her hand.
"Play dumb, if you want..." Cynthia grinned mischievously. "Oh, guess what I found, dear brother?" She dangled the envelope in front of Y/n's face.
Y/n's toothbrush paused mid-stroke as he looked at Cynthia with curiosity. "What's that?"
"A letter for you," Cynthia teased, wiggling the envelope playfully. "It seems our neighbour's daughter has quite the crush on you."
Y/n rinsed his mouth and turned to face Cynthia, his toothbrush still in hand. "Oh, really? And what does the letter say?"
Cynthia's eyes sparkled with amusement as she opened the envelope and pulled out a small piece of paper. "Let's see, shall we?" She cleared her throat dramatically before beginning to read.
"Oh, Y/n, my heart's delight, With eyes that twinkle, oh, so bright, Your smile like sunshine, it melts my soul, In your presence, I long to be whole."
Y/n couldn't help but chuckle, covering his mouth with his hand. "Is that really what it says? She's quite the poet."
Cynthia smirked, enjoying Y/n's reaction. "Oh, it gets better. Listen to this:
"Your laugh, a melody I adore, To be by your side, I yearn for more, In every dream, you are my knight, Will you be mine, my shining light?"
Y/n's laughter grew louder, finding the situation both amusing and perplexing. "She certainly has a way with words. But what's the point of all this romance stuff anyway?"
Cynthia raised an eyebrow, feigning offence. "Oh, come on, Y/n. Don't tell me you're oblivious to the charms of young love."
Y/n shrugged, still puzzled. "I just don't see the need for all these flowery words and gestures. I'd rather focus on more important things."
Cynthia playfully rolled her eyes. "Oh, Mr Brilliant, always thinking about academics. But you know, sometimes it's nice to have a little romance in life. It adds a bit of magic."
Y/n grinned and patted Cynthia's shoulder. "Well, you can keep the letter as a memento if you want, but I think I'll pass on this one."
Cynthia chuckled, shaking her head. "Suit yourself, Mr Practicality. Just remember, there's more to life than logic and reason."
Y/n nodded, appreciating Cynthia's perspective. "I'll keep that in mind, sis. Now, let's go find something more interesting to do."
Y/n and Cynthia made their way into the kitchen, where their mother, Narcissa, was preparing breakfast. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, making the atmosphere warm and inviting.
Cynthia couldn't help but smirk mischievously as she glanced at Y/n. "Mom, you won't believe what our dear Y/n received today."
Narcissa turned toward them, a curious smile on her face. "Oh, really? What's all the excitement about?"
Cynthia leaned against the kitchen counter, pretending to be dramatic. "Well, it seems someone has a secret admirer who wrote them a love letter."
Narcissa's eyes sparkled with amusement as she played along. "Oh, do tell me more. Who's the lucky person?"
Y/n rolled his eyes, feeling slightly embarrassed but amused by Cynthia's antics. "It's nothing, really. Just a letter from a girl in the neighbourhood."
Cynthia couldn't contain her laughter. "Oh, don't be so modest, Y/n! She poured her heart out in that letter, and our dear Y/n here rejected her."
Just as Y/n and Cynthia exchanged teasing banter with their mother, the kitchen door swung open, revealing Draco and Lucius Malfoy entering the room. Draco's expression held a mix of curiosity and amusement, while Lucius maintained his signature air of superiority.
Draco's eyes fell upon Y/n, and a mischievous smile tugged at his lips. "What's this I hear about a love letter, Y/n? You've been hiding secrets from your dear brother?"
Y/n couldn't help but roll his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his face. "It's nothing, Draco. Just a bit of sibling teasing."
Draco walked over to Y/n, leaning casually against the counter next to him. "Teasing or not, I must say I agree with you on this one. Who needs the complications of romance when there are more important matters to focus on?"
Y/n knew that he and Draco had different ideas of what was important but he did appreciate that Draco sided with him on this ridiculous conversation.
Lucius, observing the scene with an arched eyebrow, chimed in, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Yes, Y/n, do enlighten us. Why would you reject the advances of a love-struck admirer?"
Y/n sighed, not expecting his brother and father to join in on the conversation. "It's not that I'm against love entirely, but at this point in my life, I believe there are other priorities that deserve my attention."
Lucius raised an eyebrow, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. "Well said, Y/n. Focus on what truly matters, distractions can wait."
Before any more could be said they heard the sounds of wings flapping as three owls flew into the kitchen before dropping letters on the table and flying away. "It's here," Cynthia smiled excitedly as she grabbed the letter addressed to her and tore it open.
"Calm down, sis," Y/n placed a hand on her shoulder. "You know that you made it," Y/n reassured his sister as Draco handed him his letter. "Here it is..." He muttered to himself as he slowly opened the letter, watching his father focus on Draco while Narcissa shifted her glance between all three of them.
"Yes!" Both Draco and Cynthia roared as they threw their hands up in victory, Draco ran over to Lucius while Cynthia calmed herself down and watched her brother as he slowly took his letter out and opened it.
Y/n felt his breath become shallow as his hands shook, eyes scanning over the page as best as he could before he dropped the page on the table and rested his head against the table he stood at. "Did you not make it in?" The venom in Lucius' words was obvious to every person in the room as Cynthia picked up the letter and read it herself.
Everyone jumped as Cynthia squealed before running over to Narcissa and showing her the letter who gasped and ran up to her son, pulling him into a hug. "Both my babies made it," She smiled as she held Y/n tight. "I am so proud of you," She kissed his head as he just stood there.
"You are babying him too much, Narcissa," Lucius spoke as he watched his watch.
"Lucius, all our kids are in Hogwarts," She began as she let go of Y/n and pulled Draco into a hug. "This is a special moment," She explained as she hugged her other son who simply pushed away from the embrace.
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Chapter One is now complete, I quite look forward to this book since I've gotten into a Harry Potter hype again after all these Years. It's a nice break from all the Wednesday content I've been writing.
What are your thoughts on the book so far?
What are your thoughts on the family?
How do you feel about the siblings?