Logan rung his hands, eyes darting back and forth over the tables. The hat on his head hummed in consideration.

“Although,” it hummed in consideration, “Perhaps Slytherin is a better fit.”

Logan glanced towards the green and silver banner, the last one the hat could consider placing him under. “Slytherin is built on ambition and dedication. A sly wit and cunning nature. The house would surely help you build a name for yourself.”

The 12-year-old furrowed his brow and glanced back up at the hat. Each house had been painted in a pleasant enough light, given a fair chance. Perhaps, it was an attempt to seal in the idea he would belong in any of the houses. Logan let out a small huff under his breath. It wanted him to choose.

“Oh, you’re quick.” The hat laughed.

Logan simply sighs at the remark. “I’m assuming you’ve come to the conclusion of-”

“RAVENCLAW!” The hat announced. Logan rolled his eyes; the Sorting Hat sure had a thing for theatrics.

Logan walked to the blue-themed house and settled under the banner with a cheer of student’s he didn’t know swarming over him. He suppressed a flinch and tried his best to seclude himself to the edge of the table. Part of him supposed he should be happy about the warm welcome, but it felt hollow. A cheer for the house and gaining another member, rather than the member himself.

His mother would complain he was being too cynical. ‘Give them a chance’ she would coon, and peck a kiss against his forehead. If anything, an unbiased view of the world was his goal. It simplified things. Made life easier to swallow. After all, nothing was black and white. ‘I’ll give them a chance when I know more.’ would be the retort on his tongue. Even if he never said the words aloud. Ravenclaw simply fit him. The more you know, the better you could control your world.

“Hello, First Years!” the head boy announced to the table, “Do you, how do?”

Patton smiled brightly as the rest of the table either giggled or groaned, a few answers were thrown into the mix as well.

He smiled, “Wonderful! My name is Emile Picani, you are welcome to address me as Emile or Picani, whichever giggles your gut!” Emile beamed at the small crowd of youths that barely came up to his chest in height, “I am your adviser, confidant, and, hopefully, a friend! So, please feel welcome to ask me anything and everything!”

“Ok!” another head-boy’s voice boomed, walking backward. “Miniaturized humans! If you would follow me, my name’s Remy Melatin, my initials spell R-E-M and if you knew more about science you’d be laughing right now! And, no, my middle name is not for display, I’m aware of how much you all enjoy finding out the secrets of others!” The Slytherin head-boy turned around as he led his collection of first years, giving Emile a wide smile.

Patton watched the exuberant Head-boy before looking up at Emile, who was giving Remy a fairly stern look.

Remy leaned in closer to Emile and winked, “Enjoy me while I’m hot, girl.”

Patton tilted his head as Emile turned his attention back to his first years, lips pursed tight.

“Excuse me, Emile?”

“Yes- um Pattini?” Emile said, glancing down at the first year.

“Patton.” He corrected.

Emile looked him over, “I swear it was Pattini but I suppose I could be wrong. Yes, what was it?”

“I was just… wondering what Remy meant. And why’d he call you girl?”

Emile’s eyes widened, and he glanced up, seeming to search for someone. “I would suggest you leave such inquiries to your elder brother,” He said, his voice lowered into a more conversational tone, “As for the term ‘girl’… I believe Remy enjoys employing it’s use gender neutrally.”

Patton nodded, “Do you like being called girl?”

“Between you and me?” Emile let out a breath with a small smile, “Occasionally.”

“Okay!” Patton said, “Tell me when you do.”

Emile smiled a little wider and glanced back up at the group, “Alright! Follow me! Let me show you why we’ve got the best house in the house!” Emile announced, laughing to himself.

The boys in his room were nice. Brian, Gaius, and August. See, he already knew their names! That’s a feat! But, with August snoring and Brian babbling in his sleep, Patton was still wide awake. Patton stared at the ceiling. Which was much different from staring at the wood under Roman’s half of the bunk. Very different.

He sat up.

Emile had reinforced the fact that they weren’t allowed out of the dormitories after lights-out. Thomas had even reminded him. Thomas would only remind him if that meant he thought he would go out and do it, and he would only usually break the rules if Roman was there insisting that the rule was dumb (they usually were, but, maybe that’s a bias he’s started to hold in retrospect). Patton bit his lip, glancing over the other boys in his room. This was definitely a dumb rule.

He missed his twin, ok? He really, really, missed him. It didn’t help they hadn’t had much of a chance to meet up because they were being carted around by the prefects of their houses. He could probably find the Gryffindor dormitory without trouble. He chewed on his lower lip more. A breath escaped his lips and he was standing up, bare feet landing softly on the floor.

There was a constant scream in the back of his mind. You’ll get caught, you’re breaking the rules, on your first day no less, you’re already breaking the rules, you’ll get caught. He clung to his new wand like he usually clung to his brother’s sleeve when the mantras of trouble rang in his head. The darkness of the whole place at night almost made him turn back. Yet he stepped bravely forward, weaving his way through the castle, hyper-aware of every creak and moan.

Patton froze when he heard footsteps. His eyes darted from one end of the hall to the other. The footsteps burst into a run and Patton yelped as a figure practically lunged at him. Instead of being eaten alive or worse, he was being hugged. It was a very familiar hug. He curled his arms around the familiar warmth of his twin, nestling his head in the crook of his shoulder. The pair squeezed each other tight for a long while.

Roman pulled back to arm’s length and smiled at him, “I was going to go to Hufflepuff. I almost thought you were the caretaker!”

“I was going to Gryffindor. And I thought you were going to eat me!” Patton squeaked.

Roman giggled, and nipped Patton’s nose with his hand, “Nom-nom. Nummy Little Hufflepuff.”

Patton squirmed in a half-hearted attempt to rid himself of his twin’s attack on his face, giggling as he did so, “Stop it. Stop! We’re not 5.”

Roman let out an exaggerated sigh and pouted, “Fine.” The smile quickly returned to his face, however, “It’s funny we both decided to sneak out though. I thought you’d be too scared.”

Patton shoved his sibling in mock offense. He never did ‘offended’ as well as Roman could, however, and they began to walk somewhat aimlessly through the dark corridors.

They talked for what felt like hours. About new friends (Roman apparently was aided by his new Gryffindor roommates, Nate, Apollo and ‘Pranks’). Complaining about the rules they found weird and annoying. About how to get into each other’s houses. Really anything they could find to inform the other twin about.

In their stroll through the corridors, their quiet chatter ceased when Roman halted. “Did you hear that?”

“We are getting close to Hufflepuff and the kitchens,” Patton muttered.

“No, it sounded like footsteps. That way,” Roman insisted, pointing towards the hall just past the kitchen’s entry.

Patton frowned, “Ro,” he warned his brother, who was already inching closer towards the sound.

“Pat.”

Patton bounced on his heels before groaning and following after his twin, worming his hands around his arm. “I hate you.”

Roman smirked and bumped Patton with his elbow, “Love ya too.”

As they walked nearer, Patton pulled out his wand, seeing a swish of dark fabric darting behind a corner. Patton glanced at Roman, who appeared wandless. They didn’t know many spells, just ones they’d heard around the house. But Patton had practiced the motions and sounds of Lumos enough that he should be able to use it. He was mostly scared of two things- spiders, and the dark. He’d almost gotten over the dark, but, right now felt like a time for light to shower over them. He clung closer to Roman as his twin dared closer to where he’d seen the figure dart behind.

“What are you doing out of bed?”

Patton squeaked. The caretaker wasn’t looking at them however, the light was flooding down the corridor they were inching toward. A swear echoed through the corridor, and whoever the cloaked figure was turned the corridor and blindly turned and collided with the twins. They scrambled to a stand and the boy looked between them before back towards the rapidly approaching light. Patton took both his brother’s and this new boy’s hands and pulled them down the corridor, he scrambled to a halt and tapped frantically onto a barrel causing the lid to swing open. He ushered the boys in and followed after.

They collapsed into each other upon entering and the door shut behind them. Patton fell onto the ground to catch his breath and glanced up at Roman and the mystery boy, whose hood had fallen off. Patton pointed at the boy, “Who’re you?”

The boy’s eyes widened behind the curtain of black bangs, and roughly put his hood back on, “Nobody.” he whispered harshly, moving back towards the door, “How do I get out? I need out.”

“Why?” Roman asked.

He turned sharply towards the two, “Just let me get out!”

“It’s just a door,” Patton said, “You open it... You know, if you need food I have some in my room,” Patton said quietly.

Roman and the boy looked down at Patton and he smiled, “My name’s Patton, that’s my evil twin Roman,” his twin let out one of his many offended sounds. Patton shuffled to a stand and held out his hand, “I’m sorry we scared you.”

The boy lowered his hood again and slowly took Patton’s hand, “Um.” He twisted his eyes shut muttering something sounding vaguely like: ‘like a bandaid’, before he breathed out, “mynameisvirgil.”

Patton smiled, “Nice to meet you, Virgil.”

“Your common room is definitely the easiest to get into,” Roman said softly, looking around the room.

Patton rolled his eyes, “You say that now.” Patton smiled at the cloaked boy, “Com’on Virgil, my bunk-buddies seem the type to be hard sleepers, they won’t mind the extra friend.”

Roman lounged in Patton’s bed as his sibling watched Virgil nibble on his stash of food.

“How’d you even sneak all that in without Thomas noticing?” Roman murmured.

Patton simply leaned back to give a wide grin to his sibling.

“You’re a cunning little badger,” Roman whispered, eyes narrowed.

“Hey, Virge, which house do you belong to?” Patton asked, tilting his head.

Virgil stiffened and eyeing him with suspicion. “Don’t have one.”

“Nonsense, everyone has a house!” Roman declared. One of Patton’s roommates mumbled to themselves and Roman let out an uneasy giggle.

“Well, I don’t,” Virgil grumbled.

“Why not?” Patton asked, tilting his head gently. “It’s okay. We won’t tell.”

Virgil rubbed the back of his head before sighing, “I snuck onto the train… I’m not- supposed to be here.”

Roman and Patton glanced at each other, but, seeing Virgil’s face, silently agreed to keep their questions to themselves.

The light of morning filtered into the dormitory and Patton squinted out the light, the chatter of boys filling the room. Gaius was humming to himself while Brian and August talked over each other.

Patton leaned up and quirked a brow. No Roman, no Virgil. Later in the day, he met back with Roman. Roman who did not have a Virgil trailing behind him or near him.

“Where’s our new friend?” Patton asked, tilting his head gently.

Roman shrugged, “I went back to my dormitory and he said he knew a spot he could go to sleep.”

“He doesn’t have a dormitory Roman!”

“I know,” he huffed, “It wasn’t like I could force him to stay in your dorm or come with me to mine. He doesn’t want to be caught.”

“Well, he’s gonna get caught if he’s sleeping in some random classroom or something! Did he tell you where he went?”

Roman deadpanned and Patton groaned, “Fine, fine, he’ll probably head back to the kitchens tonight, hopefully before curfew, and we can talk to him.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Roman said simply. He hummed, “If only I could recreate an invisibility cloak.”

Patton breathed out a sigh, “Like that’ll happen.”

“But it exists, it has to be re-creatable! I bet I could make it be even better! Maybe it’s some special thread? You can knit, we can have the knitted Blanket of Invisibility. Useful and soft!”

“Oh boy,” Patton muttered with a smile as Roman continued his tangent on his personal invisibility cloak idea.

Roman was examining the library, picking every book he found interesting off the shelf. He carried the stack, which was nearly reached over his eyes, to a table, and set them down. Plopping himself down, he collected his quill and paper and began jotting down the titles.

“Might I suggest the Monster Book of Monsters while you’re at it?”

Roman yelped and looked up at the boy who was smiling at him. He did a once over of the boy- most likely his year, Ravenclaw from the blue tie (who wears the tie outside of class?), glasses (was he farsighted or nearsighted?), and an aura of just- nerdiness.

“Uh, what’s it about?” Roman muttered.

“Magical creatures, obviously. Specifically, the ones often considered more dangerous. It was a very- interactive book.”

“Mon-ster Book of Monst-ers,” Roman mumbled as he scribbled the name down.

The Ravenclaw leaned over to look at his parchment. “Why, if I may I ask- are you writing down the titles when you already picked them out?”

“Can’t read ‘em all in a day, can I?” Roman leaned back, looking at his stack, “I’m gonna know as much as I can as fast as I can. Get ahead of the ball before I’m crushed by it.”

The boy snorted and covered his smile, shaking his head. “Okay. So you just want to remember which ones interested you for when you return.”

Roman nodded, and extended his hand, “I’m Roman.”

“Logan. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“So Mr. Logan,” Roman said, folding his arms, “Why are you taking refuge in the library?”

Logan stiffened, “Refuge?”

Roman gave a concerned look to the boy, “Sorry, I just meant- you don’t have a book.” he said, gesturing to Logan’s empty hands.

A sigh seemed to shake out all the tension in his shoulders, “I just haven’t found one yet.”

“So you’re a picky reader,” Roman said with a smirk.

Logan breathed out a smile. “Maybe.”

They chatted easily after that. It felt impossible to run out of conversation. Especially when Logan pointed out another book Roman had in his pile and asked why he planned on reading it. By the time they needed to go back to classes, Roman hadn’t a chance to even begin a book.

Logan walked alongside Roman as they made their way to their classes.

“Which class is next on your schedule anyway?”

“Oh, um,” Roman rummaged through his pockets, folding out a piece of paper, “Defence Against the Dark Arts.”

Logan straightened, “Me too,” he said, peering over to look at the paper, “It seems we have class together.”

Roman smiled brightly, “Great! I already have a friend to cheat off of.”

Logan looked scandalized for a moment, but the goofy smile on Roman’s face made him break into laughter. Roman smiled as his new friend laughed, punctuated with snorts as he did his best to compose himself.

Roman had quickly learned that whatever Logan’s laugh was, it wasn’t a full on laugh. He could get Patton to laugh in 10 seconds, Thomas would laugh so hard he usually doubled over. Logan. Did. Not. Laugh. So many good jokes. Wasted! Roman was close to calling him The-Boy-Who-Never-Laughs. Sure was it a leap from the fact he hadn’t heard his new friend laugh like this from the few hours he had known him? Probably. Did that mean he was wrong? Nope. Not in his mind at least.

“You’re insufferable,” Logan said, his smile crooked when he finally uncovered his face.

“Excuse you,” Roman placed his hands on his hips and jutted his chin out, “I’m spectacular!”

“Point proven,” Logan said simply, rolling his eyes before continuing his walk to class.

Roman paced in front of the Hufflepuff commons as night began to fall. A tap on his shoulder made Roman scream before he turned to look at Patton. His shoulders relaxed and he groaned, “What is all that?”

Patton frowned as his bag was pointed at accusingly, “Goodie bag?” Patton opened the bag, rummaging through it, “I’ve got food, the extra toothbrush Mum had me pack -I can get another new toothbrush over Christmas break-”

“She didn't make me pack two.”

“Do you have one?” Patton said, eyes darting up to his sibling.

“Yess?” Roman said slowly.

Patton let out a suspicious hum before returning to his bag, “Pillow, blanket, an extra set of clothes, a jumper-”

“You’re going to mother this kid to death,” Roman said, peering over his brother’s head into the bag himself.

“I’m gonna dad-ify this kid to life!” Patton corrected.

Roman shook his head and shoved his sibling, “Ok padre Patton, what next?”

“Wait?” Patton muttered slowly.

“Cool, I can tell you about my new friend then,” Roman said, taking an apple from Patton’s goodie bag and leaning against the wall. Patton snatched back the apple with a stern frown and Roman gasped loudly.

It was the feeling of another presence that woke Roman up. Patton’s snores were soft in his ear and his right arm was turned into pins and needles from his brother leaning on him.

He opened his eyes to Virgil hovering over them.

“Hey Storm Cloud,” Roman said softly, yawning as he shoved his twin off of him.

Virgil raised a brow, “Storm Cloud?” he echoed.

“Would you rather one of the other nicknames I came up with?” Roman said with a gentle smirk of a smile.

Virgil shook his head and glanced at Patton who had fallen back onto Roman’s shoulder, “Why are you guys out here?” Virgil whispered.

“We assumed you’d be here before the caretaker would be.”

Virgil puffed the dark hairs out of his eyes. It settled stubbornly back in front of his eyes. “Let me repeat myself. Why?”

“Checkin if you’re ‘kay,” Patton grumbled sleepily.

“I’m fine. I can handle myself,” Virgil folded his arms, “Why are you two so nosey.”

“We’re your friends now, Dark and Gloomy, get used to it.”

Virgil gave a sideways smile before sitting down in front of the twins as Patton stretched and wordlessly scooted the bag over towards Virgil.

OK AAAAAH. I’ve been sitting on this one for a while.....

Hogwarts AU:

@under-the-blue-moonlight @strangerclown @4amanxiety @beetlequail @nottodaylogic

Gen Tag (because none of you complained so. YEAH):