Tommy didn't see either of his brothers until Christmas and, even then, it was a fleeting week they were together until his brothers were whisked back to their magical boarding school. The house was... quiet, without them. After all, now it was just him and his mother. Not that he minded. He didn't really care that much. Actually, the twins were pricks who'd tease him all the time and he does not miss them, under any circumstances. They can go and stay at that magic school for all he cares. Which he doesn't. He doesn't care.

"I don't care," He told his mum as they walked around the park, the sun having set a long time. He stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets, huffing loudly as his breath condensed slightly in the cold, February air. "I bet they're bored out of their minds, living in a school."

Obviously, though, he was lying. Within the week the twins had been home, both had spun incredible tales of Hogwarts. Wilbur explained to Tommy what it felt to fly, even if just for a second - how the broom truly took your weight, and about a girl who had put too much weight on the broom and fell off. He even explained what the detentions were like; down in the dungeons, where it was cold and chilly, hunched over the parchment and writing with a quill and ink. Technoblade had elaborated in fascinated detail on the houses: Gryffindor; Ravenclaw; Hufflepuff; Slytherin. Techno said that he and Wilbur were both sorted into Slytherin, which meant they got to wear green and silver ties, and their dormitory was half-submerged under a gloomy lake - he also told Tommy of a giant squid in the lake, that he had once seen brush against the glass, late one night when he should've been asleep.

Tommy's mother gave him a sympathetic look. "You can admit you miss them, y'know. I do."

"Well, that's because you're sappy. And old. And you've got dementia."

Kristin blinked at her son. "I... don't have dementia."

"But you're old."

"I'm... I'm really not-"

"Old."

"Of course, dear."

Tommy huffed, as if his mum was being difficult, and turned his attention back to stomping on the littered foliage under his feet. "I don't miss them. Besides, I've got my SATs coming up and that's far more important than whatever Techno and Wilbur are doing."

"True," His mother agreed, wrapping an arm around him and giving her son a little squeeze. "Does this mean you're gonna start studying?"

"Wha?!" Spluttered Tommy, in offence. "Of course not! I don't have that much time on my hands."

Kristin sighed. "Of course not. You won't be in Ravenclaw, I see."

Tommy looked up at her with a frown. "Wassat meant to mean?"

She smiled. "Well, there are four houses at Hogwarts and all of them are designed to help sort students with those likeminded. It also brings about a bit of school competition, too. There's a house-point system, Quidditch games, and clubs, too."

"Yeah, but why won't I be in Ravenclaw?"

His mother hummed, turning her eyes back to the path they were trekking. "Well, to be sorted in Ravenclaw, you need to have wit-"

"Got that."

"Intelligence-"

"Got that too."

"Creativity-"

"I'm seeing all things I have, here."

"And a burning desire to learn new things." Tommy made a face instantly and his mum grinned cheekily. "Still want to go to Ravenclaw?"

He sneered a little. "With a bunch of nerds? Hell, no."

His mother laughed. "That's what I thought. I can't imagine you in blue, either."

Tommy grunted and kept walking. A soft silence fell on the pair as they breathed in the nights' air, listening to the scuttles and whines of the animals around them. The boy looked up to Kristin again. "What about Slytherin?"

"Huh?"

"Slytherin," He repeated. "That's the house Wil and Techno are in, right? Why're they in Slytherin?"

His mother folded her arms, looking up at the sky through the branches thoughtfully. "Well, to be in Slytherin, you need to be determined, prideful and ambitious. You're cunning, resourceful and maybe a tad bit self-centred." She smiled at her youngest son. "I was in Slytherin, myself, y'know."

"Oh. Cool." The house sounded interesting, for sure, but something didn't sit too right in Tommy's chest about it. He may be determined and prideful but... but it didn't feel right labelling himself 'cunning' or 'ambitious'. Maybe Slytherin wasn't his house either. "What house was Dad in?"

"Now, your father was a Hufflepuff. I remember that quite well." His mother laughed a little at her own memories. "Being pale ginger while wearing yellow was not the best look in the world, I can tell you that for sure."

Tommy nodded, not entirely caring that much about fashion. "What do you need to be a Hufflepuff?"

"You work hard, you're fair. You're practically loyal to a fault, too. Modest and patient, as well," She gave Tommy a brief glance, looking him up and down. "I don't think you'd particularly fit in there, to be honest. No one can keep up with your energy."

He made a face. "Rude. I'll have you know that I'm incredibly patient and loyal. And I always try my hardest."

"But are you modest?"

"Ha! Naturally, mother dearest."

Kristin smiled and rolled her eyes lightly. "Of course, you are. How could I forget?"

Tommy sniffed slightly and kept walking down the path. Despite what he had said, Hufflepuff didn't feel right either. It didn't feel right at all. None of the houses had sounded even remotely like him. Ravenclaw sounded too studious; Slytherin sounded too arrogant; Hufflepuff sounded too soft. He wouldn't belong in any of those. So Tommy turned to his mother again, almost pleadingly. "Is there another house?"

"Well, of course," She answered and Tommy felt himself feel a little lighter with relief. "There's Gryffindor."

He nodded. "The twins did say something about that. Is it the last house?"

"Yep. Gryffindors are courageous; brave; determined." Tommy felt his heart swell deep inside him as his mother continued with a small smile. "They are daring, chivalrous and then they've got the nerve to see it to the end."

Tommy blinked dumbly. "They sound... awesome."

"Oh, trust me, it's not all sparkles and roses," She laughed. "They're reckless and have basically no sense of self-preservation."

Her son smiled, unphased. "They're fucking awesome."

Kristin gasped, lightly cuffing his ear. "Language, young man! Ooh, if your father heard those words, he'd come flying back on his broomstick just to stick you in Ravenclaw himself!"

"No!" Gasped Tommy, appalled. "Not with the nerds!"

"With the nerds!" Crowed his mother, grabbing Tommy under the arms and hoisting her screaming boy high in the air. "Where you'll read the dictionary each night before bed! And you'll do homework all throughout the holidays!"

"No! No!" Tommy shrieked desperately, writhing violently in his mum's arms. "I don't want to be a loser!"

"Oh, yeah?" She brought him lower, grinning in his ear. "How about a Hufflepuff? You wanna be patient and hard-working?"

"Ugh! No, get off! I'm not going into Hufflepuff and I won't wear yellow if Dad has!"

His mother lifted him high up again, tossing him left and right in the air like a ragdoll. "A Slytherin, then? You wanna go and be just like Mummy?"

"Ew! Ew! No, I'm not gonna go with the twins, that's gross! And I won't be lame like you!"

"Lame?" His mother gasped and dropped her son back on the floor, feigning heartbreak. "Me? Lame? I thought I was the cool mum!"

Tommy stuck out his tongue. "Well, you're not. You're boring and you're like the twins."

Kristin crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? Well, what house do you want to be in, Tommy?"

"Gryffindor, of course," He said and Kristin couldn't help but feel surprised at the conviction in his beam. "I'm going to be a Gryffindor when it's my turn."

.:*:.

And, oh boy, did he have to wait for his turn.

Every month that went past made the time left feel longer. It was like there was still an eternity to wait before he'd ever see his name written on an envelope in green, mysterious ink. Every morning and every night, Tommy would rush downstairs to see if the letter was there yet, addressed to him and only him. Every morning and every night, Tommy was left immensely disappointed, since the letter never came. It had gotten to the point that he'd try to sleep outside the door, lying across the steps, in case it was secretly sent in the middle of the night but that idea did not go down particularly well with his mum...

Kristen would carry him, hissing and screaming, up to his room, telling him he needed his sleep. Tommy didn't need sleep. He needed his acceptance letter from Hogwarts.

The wait was even worse when the twins came home again.

His mother woke him up from a nap on the sofa, late in the evening. The next thing he knew, Tommy had been pushed into the car, yawning still, as his mother drove nearly too fast down the roads, beaming with giddy excitement. She ushered him through Kings' Cross Station and then proceeded to practically shove him through the barrier into Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters. Tommy stumbled across the platform, now fully awake, with his hand in Kristins'.

Today, the station was full - far fuller than it had been when they went to drop off the twins. Some adults stood alone, others with their spouses. There were even whole families gathered together, grandparents and all. Tommy looked across at all of them, eyes slightly wide. Were they all magic too? His eyes fell on a pair of very witchy people. A man with blond hair, straight and slicked back across his scalp, and a woman, drawn to her full height, with her own blonde hair curly and wrangled into a sharp, impeccable high ponytail. They both wore all black, their green eyes holding a commanding sneer as they looked around the platforms. Both of them had their wands in hand. Tommy had only ever seen four wands before: his fathers'; his mothers'; the twins'. But their wands had been varying shades of brown, no matter how pale Techno's had been. These wands were white as bone scraped clean and their handles were blacker than the darkest shadow.

Before Tommy could really register the strange pair, the wind whistled around them and he watched as a scarlet locomotive came pulling into the station. Some students were leaning out of the windows, waving wildly, while others seemed to be crowding at the doors, desperate to be set free and go home. He perked up instantly, focusing hard on every fleeting face he saw for either greasy brown hair or curly locks.

"Alright, Tommy," His mother said, with a small beam at him. "You ready to see Wil and Techno again?"

The boy made a face. "Who? Sorry, I don't care about weird losers."

She raised an eyebrow. "Did ya miss 'em?"

"No! Shut up!"

The train doors opened and the busy platform grew busier and significantly louder, too. There were the hoots of owls, the meow of cats and the ever-irritating ribbit of toads. Students were shouting loudly and parents were shouting even louder. Tommy tilted his head left and right, trying to catch sight of the twins disembarking. Then he caught sight of something different.

The strange, blond couple from before had raised their wands high in the sky. He watched the tips light up and glow white. A white light almost blinding. Tommy tugged Krisins' sleeve, getting her attention. "Mum," He said, voice raised over the commotion, "Who are they?"

She frowned and looked where he was pointing. Then her frown deepened. "Oh. The Takens. Well, Toms, they're a pureblood family who I have the pleasure of working with, in the Ministry. Why they're here, I can't quite say."

Tommy thought about his mothers' tone and made an appropriate face. "They look ugly."

"Oh, I'm glad you agree. Black is not their colour, even if they are traitorous little... Well, Tommy, Daddy and I don't particularly get along with the Takens." She tried a strained smile. "But this is gonna stay between us, alright? This conversation?"

The boy nodded awkwardly.

Kristin's smile relaxed. "Okay. Good. I'm trusting you, my future Gryffindor; keep this a deathly secret. Now, unfortunately," She stood up straighter, "I think I need to talk to Amanda Taken about some work files she's 'misplaced'. I won't be a minute, 'kay?"

"What if the twins show up?"

"Oh, I won't be far." She patted his head. "You stay safe, alright? Shriek at terrifying volume if you need me."

Tommy stood a little straighter, with a wide grin and an army salute. "Will do, ma'am!"

"I know you will." She gave him a tight hug before walking over to the creepy couple with the look of a soldier walking to their final battle. Damn, Tommy thought to himself, adults were so dramatic.

Then he turned back to the train doors. Somehow, more people kept on managing to spill through the doors, like an endless stream. It was nearly irritating how many people pushed their way past but none happened to be his brothers. Jeez, they leave for a year and seem to forget about Tommy's incredibly short attention span; he can't watch weirdos disembark off a train forever.

But then a familiar suitcase was lugged off the train. A suitcase with stickers that Tommy had slapped on to annoy a certain someone. And that certain someone was the one dragging the suitcase so he stood out of the way of the train doors, along the edge of the platform. His hair was longer, greasier and his clothes were black, with green and silver details, but there was no mistaking that deathly bored expression.

"Technoblade!" Squealed Tommy, at an almost embarrassing pitch, and he saw Techno's head snap over instantly and a smile spread across his face delightedly.

"Tommy!" He yelled, crouching a little as his brother came sprinting over and jumped. The addition of a tall ten-year-old almost overbalanced him but Tommy noticed a hand come to catch Techno and his eyes and smile widened exactly when Wilbur came into view next to them.

"Wilby!" He crowed, practically crawling out of Techno's arms into Wilburs'. "You're back! Fucking finally!" Wilbur's hair had also gotten longer, he noticed, and his pet snake was wrapped around his neck fast asleep, like a breathing scarf.

Techno laughed, as did Wilbur, and Tommy grinned broadly. "Hey, Tommy," Wilbur said, having to put his brother on the ground with a heaving sigh. "Have you gotten shorter?"

Tommy punched Wilbur in the stomach and Techno picked him up next, a rare smile crossing his face from ear to ear. "You've definitely gotten shorter. Look, you're never gonna grow past my shoulder."

"I am past your shoulder!" Tommy protested, turning to give Techno an energetic kick. "By, like, nearly a whole inch!"

Wilbur and Techno both arched an eyebrow, chorusing, "By a quarter of a centimetre."

"Oh, same difference!"

And then they both laughed and Tommy felt himself swell a little inside. Even if the twins were pompous, good-for-nothing a-holes, he had missed their laugh. But only a little. Actually, he hadn't missed it at all and he remembered that very true fact as it struck him like lightning. Tommy hurriedly composed himself, turning on his heel, and proceeded to glare in an opposite direction.

"You two took your time," He sniffed indignantly. "But you can go back now. It was so much more fun without you."

Wilbur leaned down on his right side, grinning evilly. "Oh, really?"

Techno leaned over on his left side, smirking wickedly. "Is that so?"

"Yes!"

The twins looked at each other across Tommy and both smiled. "Well, then," Wilbur sighed, standing up straight. "I guess we must board the train once more since we're no longer welcome here."

"I think the next stop is Timbucktoo," Added Techno, helpfully.

Tommy blinked, then frowned, turning once more to watch the twins grab their suitcases with mournful expressions and begin to head towards the train doors once more. The boy gasped loudly and rushed forwards, jumping in front of them. "Hell no-!" He began then something collided with his face.

The blow was unexpected and it sent Tommy flying to the floor, with a small yelp. He skidded on the harsh stone platform and heard Wilbur bark an angry "Hey!" at someone. When he turned to look up, he felt an immediate boiling pit of hatred in his chest.

"Whoops," they said, smiling at him. "Looks like I hit a stray pest."

The person who had collided with him and blond hair and eyes the colour of green venom. He had the light dusting of freckles across his cheeks and nose and the cold look of indifference and unapologetic curled his lip, even in the face of the two taller twins.

"Oh, Soots," He said, in a forcedly high voice. "What's got you two so riled up now?"

"Taken," Sneered Technoblade, stepping forwards. "You're a son of a bitch, y'know that?"

"Aw, what now?" The boy shrugged and Tommy noticed the large suitcase in his hand. "Did I accidentally slip on the grease trail you leave behind you, piggy?"

Techno bristled instantly and Tommy saw his hand flicker to his pocket. Then Wilbur stepped forwards, putting a hand on Techno's shoulder. His snake had woken up and it fixed its eyes on the stranger menacing, even if Wilbur gave him an impassive look.

"Dream," He said, almost calmly.

The boy, Dream, smiled at Tommy's brother as if nothing had transpired. "Wilbur," He answered, with the same level of energy. "You still manage to look great, even after that dreadful train journey. Did you get any sleep?"

"Keep your mouth closed and apologise to my brothers," Responded Wilbur, voice managing to drop an octave. Around his neck, the snake hissed angrily at Dream. "I really don't think you ought to be picking fights with so many witnesses?"

Dream looked from Wilbur to Techno and then finally to Tommy. "Alright," He said with a shrug, "didn't mean to cause any offence, y'know. Soot, apologies for my rather harsh comment. Just thought you might need a subtle reminder to sort out your hair-" he lowered his voice to whisper, "-it's a bit of a fire hazard." Technoblade stood straight, staring down the other with hateful fury but Dream took no mind, turning to Tommy with his hand outstretched. "And I offer my condolences, baby Soot. I didn't see you when I left the train and, well, on the ground you looked a little too pathetic to be human. I thought I had hit an untrained dog by mistake."

Tommy sneered and slapped his hand away hard, getting to his own feet. "I'm sorry for rushing in front of you," He began with gritted teeth, "But I'm now more sorry that you've ended up becoming so inbred that your vision doesn't work properly. Bet Mummy dearest didn't have to change her name in your family 'stump' then, huh?"

His remark earned the brightest and meanest grin Technoblade had ever managed to form and a slight sigh but secretly-very-proud smirk from Wilbur. Dream didn't lose his fake smile for a second, even if his green eyes narrowed. "You're just like the older Soot, then?" He asked mockingly. "A sloppy pig."

Tommy curled his fists, about to swing a punch into the boys' nose, but Dream shouldered past him without hesitation, flashing the slightest smirk behind him. The boy had to be satisfied with aggressively flipping him off as the prick joined the creepy couple that Tommy's mother was still talking with.

"I hate that fucking dickhead," Techno hissed, standing next to Tommy with his arms crossed.

"Me too," Wilbur agreed, appearing on Tommy's other side, "But you won't beat him in a fight, Techno, and you know it."

The elder grunted. "Maybe not with magic but I sure as hell could pummel that slimy, smiling bastard with my fists."

"Oh, I know you could," Wilbur agreed, "But not in the middle of a crowded train station. Wait till we end up back in the dormitory, then smother him."

Tommy looked up at his brothers. "Who was he?"

"His name's Dream Taken," Wilbur answered, glancing down at Tommy. "He's a pretty awful person, if I'm being honest, but can sometimes see reason. He's the perfect example of a rat given a wig and too much power."

"Rumours have it that he's some missing prince or there's a prophecy about him," Added Techno, with a discerning sneer. "But it's utter bullshit. Taken's probably made it all up to seem cool, or he's had his lackeys running around and doing it for him. Next time he lays a finger on you, Tommy, don't be shy and break his motherfucking nose."

Wilbur hummed hesitantly. "Maybe don't do that. At least, not near that Sapnap guy. He looks like he weight lifts trees for fun."

Techno and Tommy both grunted at that. The twins grabbed their suitcase, got far away from the locomotive, and made their way over to the wall. Tommy rubbed where the suitcase had hit him and sighed a little; a bump was forming already.

Thankfully, the three didn't need to wait long before Kristin returned, an agitated scowl on her face. "Gosh, I hate the Takens," She said as she approached.

"Tell me about it," Techno and Tommy chorused. Wilbur rolled his eyes, stroking the head of his snake.

"Sounds like you met their pleasant son, then?" Their mother asked, rubbing Techno's head affectionately. "He was certainly a character."

"His name's Dream," Replied Techno, leaning silently into the touch. "And he's an utter prick. He's in Slytherin and it's absolutely awful."

She made an apologetic face and pulled Techno in for a light hug. "Well, I'm sorry you had to deal with him. I'm also sorry his parents were even conceived because they, sure as hell, ain't any better. Should we get home, then? You look exhausted - even you, Wilbur."

"I feel fine," Wilbur said but didn't get to finish whatever he was planning to say next due to a loud yawn. Cheeks flushed with embarrassment, he stubbornly avoided the amused looks of his family. "But I guess we could go home."

"Good," Kristin said, with a small smile, "because I need a lot of tequila to forget about that thrilling conversation I've just had."

.:*:.

Phil came home a week after the twins, turning up one day when Tommy was sure he hadn't heard the front door open. He pegged it down to magic, happy to have his father back, and began to immediately pester him for his letter.

"I don't have it, mate. It'll be delivered in the post," His father would say every time. Every time, Tommy told him his answer was unacceptable and would sulk in his room until it was time to eat.

The days turned into weeks into a month. No letter arrived.

He started to get nervous, feeling his hands shake whenever he imagined a future without the letter coming. Having to go to a normal school; having to be apart from the twins for another year; having to be average. For a year of his life, he had planned his future around going to Hogwarts and being magic. It was all he wanted now. But the letter didn't seem to come and the wait seemed to be infinite.

Tommy sat at the breakfast table in utter defeat.

His head was on an empty, clean plate and he didn't move for anything.

"Tommy, love," he heard his mother say, "can you move your head before I dump eggs on it?"

"No," He answered loudly.

There was a moment of hesitation. "Tommy, your letter will get here," Promised his dad. "Just give it a little longer."

"I'm never getting into Hogwarts," Was Tommy's stubborn answer and he could practically see the nervous glances his parents gave each other. "Never, ever, ever. They won't let me in."

There was the sound of the letterbox fluttering and Tommy heard his mother gasp a little. Phil put a heavy hand on his back. "Do you wanna go check the post, mate?"

"No," He replied.

"I'll get it," Wilbur announced, with a hint of bored irritation. The twins had been teasing him, saying his letter would never arrive, but then Tommy became no fun to pick on anymore, and their interest dropped significantly. He listened to Wilbur's chair scraping on the kitchen tiles and then his footsteps echoing out of the room.

"You'll get your letter soon, Tommy," Techno said calmly. Tommy looked up to glare at him and the half of a pair shrugged. "What? It's not like you won't get in when we're all magic, y'know. Look, you've still got ages of the holidays left - I'm sure the letter will come soon."

Tommy sneered at him slightly. "Shut up. Easy for you to say when you have your bleeding letter."

"Whatever," Grunted Techno, turning his attention back to his book. Then he frowned and looked up at Tommy. "Isn't it a Sunday?"

"Yeah," He answered, hesitantly. "Why?"

Techno turned to their mother, who stood with a knowing smile at the head of the table. "There's not supposed to be any post on Sundays."

"Not muggle post," She answered.

At that precise second, Wilbur rushed in with a wide grin. "Tommy!" He said, brandishing a cloth envelope with a handwritten, green address on it. "It's your letter!"

Tommy sprang from his seat with an ecstatic shriek and sprinted over to Wilbur, tearing it out of his hands with almost too much excitement. He danced around the kitchen, whooping and yelling with joy. Wilbur joined him with a laugh, letting Tommy prance delightedly around him.

Tom Soot

In the Third room Upstairs

It was his letter. His. Finally, it was here.

Tommy couldn't believe it as he sang and giggled his way all throughout breakfast. Finally, he was going to get to Hogwarts too. Finally, he could be magic too. And he couldn't wait any longer.