Even before entering the Wizarding World, Samuel felt magical. He had just crossed the border between the Muggle realm and that of magic, arriving at Diagon Alley. Finally, there was nothing that could hold him back now. "Yes," thought Samuel, "It's my moment. The beginning of my journey..." He grinned. Just the thought had delighted him. "Yep, look out Hogwarts, because here comes Samuel Sulliva-"
A strong gust of wind interrupted him, blowing his short side-parted black hair across his aquamarine eyes and into Samuel's mouth. "Puh! Pah!" He choked, sputtering. Attempting to fix the problem, Samuel trips on his own black robes, falling to the ground. So much for a grand introduction.
Suddenly, a taller figure approached him. Somebody almost identical to Samuel himself, minus the black circular glasses and hairstyle (his was curled). "Need help?" asked the person, extending his arm.
Samuel quickly grabbed it and pulled himself up. "Thank you, but I could have helped myself..." they announced, with a slight sense of annoyance. Another boy, one paralleling the other, simply with wavy shoulder-length hair approached Samuel, laughing at resting his arm on him. "Sure you could," he chuckled, "You're just mad you had a pathetic introduction." Samuel scowled.
Following that, a girl confronted the laughing boy, unamused. "Quit it, Samwise. He doesn't like it." The student of the name Samwise glares at the girl, before scoffing. "Whatever. You're no fun." The girl is just about to respond, when the taller boy abruptly wrapped his arms around the other three. "Guys, don't bicker. We're finally preparing for our First Year at Hogwarts and you're still fighting? What would Mum and Dad say?"
Yes, those kids were indeed Samuel's siblings. Even worse, they were quadruplets, and Samuel was the eldest. Then followed Samson, the taller boy, Samantha, the girl, and of course, Samwise. (You heard that right. Although their parents were wonderful people, the name sharing was a bit too far). And sure, it may sound fun to be a quadruplet, but Samuel was annoyed by the sharing and the living in one anothers shadows. Samson was the popular kid, Samantha was the social butterfly, and even Samwise - the immature little brother named after a book character - was more liked than Samuel.
Who would like a nerdy kid like himself anyways?
"-so why don't we go there first?" asked Samson. Samuel blinked in confusion. He had been drifting off again. "Wow," Samwise exclaimed, "Even I was listening. This is a new low for you." Samuel snarls. "Shut up." Samwise smiles, obviously pleased with this. Samuel was of course intelligent in the ways that mattered to him, but one thing that he lacked was emotion intelligence. "Don't let him get to you," comforted Samantha, "He just wants a reaction."
Samantha stared at him in concern whilst Samson scolded Samwise. It was meant with good intention, but it didn't sit right with Samuel. He felt like he was lesser, that he had to be taken care of, and that he was some kind of freak. Samuel wished for an adventure to prove all of his doubts wrong, but he knew that he was just hopeless.
"Whatever," he croaked, walking away. "Sam, wait-" Samantha cried out, although Samuel didn't listen. She begins to run after him, but Samson quickly holds her back. "He'll be fine. He needs some time alone, and since we have his luggage I know we won't lose him..." Samwise snickered, "Aww man!"
Samuel walked along the rows of stores filled with people, looking down with shame and sulking. This was pathetic, he was pathetic. "You're nothing," thought Samuel, "You can't handle anything..." He had wished for some sort of positive trait like his siblings - bravery, friendliness, cunning - he was fine with anything as long as it meant he wasn't himself.
"I need to look out for myself..." muttered Samuel, reading his Hogwarts invitation letter again. He could very much get his equipment himself, without the help of his stupid siblings. It read,
"Dear Samuel Sullivan,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Deputy Headmistress,
Minerva McGonagall."
As he walked reading the list of equipment, Samuel accidentally bumped into somebody's back with a "THUD!" He had hoped it wasn't somebody like the Headmaster, or a Dark Wizard, or worse - one of those old Witches that silently judge him as he walks by. Sure it was catastrophising but he had to go through all of the options first.
Luckily, the person turned around, revealing a dark-toned first-year boy with black hair and square black glasses. "Phew, it's not someone scary..." Samuel thought. The boy rapidly apologises, before looking up at beaming with light. "Wait, are you another first year?" he asks, as Samuel nods. "Oh good, I can tell by your robes," they announce, pointing to Samuel's plain robes. All of the other years would either have red, green, blue or yellow robes based on their Hogwarts house, a system they had been sorted into prior.
"I've been so alone!" cries the boy, "I'm glad I've met you!" Samuel can't help but smile back, as the student before him simply radiated good energy. "Oh, I'm Rowan Khanna by the way," explains the boy, "And you are...?"
"Samuel. Samuel Sullivan." Rowan reaches out his arm and shakes Samuel's hand. "Nice to meet you Sullivan," he begins to scratch his head, "I feel as if I've heard that name before... No matter! Anyways, have you gotten your textbooks?"
"No, do you know where I should get them?" questions Samuel. "Of course!" assures Rowan, "Follow me, it's just in Flourish and Blotts!" Rowan grabs Samuel by the arm and brings him into a bookshop. Unfortunately, it is crowded. "Oh man... I guess we'll just look at the books while we wait?" Rowan suggests. Samuel nods, "Sure, why not?"
While looking through the books, Samuel and Rowan talk to one another. "So I'm a pure-blood wizard," Rowan tells, "And my family owns a farm that supplies high-quality wood for the manufacture of wands and broomsticks!" Samuel smiles in intrigue, "Interesting, I'm also a pure-blood although my parents both work at the Ministry of Magic." Rowan asks, "Any siblings? I don't have any and I wish I did." Samuel gulps and quickly thinks. "No, none at all."
The pair continue speaking to one another, quickly becoming friends. "I aspire to become the youngest professor in Hogwarts history, you know?" Rowan grins. Samuel gasps, "Really?! Me too!" Rowan chuckles, "Well then I guess we'll see who gets there first!"
The duo chat about their (lack of) friends, subjects, etc., until they are called up at the counter. "Oh, of course! Sorry, I had completely forgotten! I got lost in conversation I guess..." Samuel laughs, as he orders his books.
Samuel and his new friend then go around Diagon Alley, talking and having fun. "What suits me best, a smart scarf or some cool trousers?" asks Rowan. "A smart scarf obviously!" Samuel exclaims.
After exploring, the two go to one final stop. "So, this is where I'll get my wand?" questions Samuel. Rowan nods, clutching to his colourful scarf in the wind. "The place is called Ollivander's, named after the owner." Samuel perks up, "Garrick Ollivander, isn't it?" Rowan smiles in agreement, "Bingo! Anyways, let's head inside, it's freezing out here!"
When they enter, Samuel is shocked to see three familiar faces - his siblings. Samson is testing out his new wand as Samwise and Samantha watch, clutching their own in their hands.Rowan's mouth opens in shock. "Is this some kind of spell or am I seeing quadruple?"
Samuel stammers, "Rowan, I-I can explain-" This was it. His first friend and they'll probably already leave because he'd lied. "Who is this?" teases Samwise, "Your boyfriend?" Samuel side-eyes him, though everyone else ignores it.
"There's nothing to explain, Samuel." Rowan replies, "I just can't believe it..."
"I can't believe you have siblings! Lucky!" Rowan exclaims. "What?! Aren't you mad I lied about being an only child?!" responds Samuel. Rowan shrugs, "Everyone makes mistakes. But I just can't believe you're a quadruplet!" Samwise stares in confusion, "How did he figure that out?"
Samantha rolls her eyes, "There's four of us, we're identical and the same age. Use your head!"
Samson finishes with his wand and turns to Samuel, "Woah, a new friend already? Nice one!" Again, good intentions, bad delivery. But before anything else could be said, Garrick Ollivander calls Samuel up. Sam found him to be an intelligent-looking man with grey hair, and was one example of the term 'experienced' being more suitable compared to 'old'. "Another sibling of Jacob Sullivan, I see?"
"What?! Jacob Sullivan?! The boy who was kicked out of Hogwarts and disappeared?! I knew that name was familiar!" celebrated Rowan, before composing himself. "Oh, I mean... Sorry, that was insensitive." Samson smiles at him, "Man, it's fine."
Samuel looks back up at Ollivander. "How did you feel when you heard the news?" The wand-maker asked, "You know, learning of his quest for the Cursed Vaults and whatnot..." Samuel paused to think, before replying, "I was upset. He really just left... And... I can't put it into words..."
Ollivander simply nods and grabs a wand from the back of the store. "I believe that this 11 inch unique holly wood with a phoenix feather core will suit you. Why don't you test it out?"
Samuel agrees and begins flicking. He feels... Powerful. Less insecure, more in control. It's a bright, almost burning sensation... "It's great..." he announced, paying Ollivander the seven Galleons. Ollivander nodded, "Very well then! Well now I believe that you should be going, as the Hogwarts Express leaves soon!"
"Already?" Samwise chimes, "Oh shoot!" He bursts out the door. "Does he even know where he's running?" questions Samson. Samantha responds, "Knowing him, probably not."