Chapter Text
A few nights later, Harry is patrolling the seventh floor when he hears the scuffling of feet. He freezes and so do the feet. A smirk makes it way onto his face, “Sneaking around already, Henry?”
There’s a second of silence before a tiny, “No,” is heard.
Harry snorts, “Dad didn’t give you his cloak for no reason. You aren’t in trouble, Hen, c’mon.”
Henry groans and tugs the cloak off himself, revealing himself a few steps in front of Harry, “You can’t play favorites, Henry.”
Harry raises an eyebrow, “Who said I was playing favorites? Not in trouble means I won’t be giving you detention, little me.”
Henry’s eyes widen, “How many?”
“I’ll only take ten points from Slytherin for now but next time, pick up your feet as you walk so I can’t hear it,” Harry smiles. “C’mon, I’ll take you back down to the dungeons. I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a little bit anyway but you always run off after my class.”
Harry places a hand on Henry’s shoulder and starts leading him down to the dungeons. Henry frowns, “I don’t want to make my friends wait, plus, I figured you’d like… ask after me or something.”
“Who’ve you made friends with?”
Henry perks up and smiles widely, “Well, I made friends with Draco Malfoy first. Sorry, Draco Black, he doesn’t go by Malfoy but his mum can’t get his name changed yet. And then I met my dorm mates so we’re all friends too but I’m mainly close with Theo Nott and Draco right now. And Pansy Parkinson. I haven’t had time to talk to Ron or Neville yet but Ron seems to be getting along with Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan and Neville is getting along with Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones so I’m not too worried.”
Harry hums, “That’s good, Hen, I’m glad you’ve made friends. What about your classes?”
“They’re good. Remus is the best, everyone agrees about that. And I actually like History of Magic, I just wish Binns was a little more fast paced,” Henry says seriously. “I’m about to start reading history books just to learn faster.”
Harry grins, “Well, you sure are more excited about doing schoolwork than I ever was. What else?”
“I don’t know. There’s this one guy who’s really annoying but he’s a good professor, unfortunately, so I have to deal with him,” Henry says.
It takes Harry a few seconds too long to realize it’s him Henry is talking about, “Okay, you menace, calm down. You’ve been here four days, I will get better.”
“Mhm, I’m sure,” Henry nods seriously. “I’ll be waiting.”
“I ought to tell Mum about this.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t.”
“Don’t test me, Harry James, I’m not above letting my mum deal with my problems.”
“Neither am I. May the best Harry win,” Henry holds his chin high and they stay silent for all of two seconds before they both dissolve into quiet laughter.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying everything, though,” Harry says after they’ve calmed down. “I’ll admit, everything gets way better in your third year. That’s when it starts going uphill.”
“So I’ve heard,” Henry says. “Fred and George are definitely having more fun already but, then again, they are the main reasons the fun is happening, so.”
Harry continues to talk with Henry about his other classes and they reach the dungeons in no time.
“This is where we part, little me,” Harry ruffles Henry’s hair. “Like I said, pick your feet up next time or learn a Silencing Charm to cast on your feet, that’s what I did. After being told to because I was not as smart as I am now. Next time I catch you out, I’ll take more points. I’m only letting you go with ten because it’s the first time.”
“I know,” Henry mumbles. “Goodnight, Henry.”
Harry grins, “Goodnight, Henry.”
Harry heads back to the seventh floor to finish his patrolling. When he finally gets back to his quarters an hour later, he finds a letter waiting for him on his bed. He picks it up and decidedly ignores the little jump his heart makes at seeing Bill’s familiar handwriting, quickly opening it and unfolding the letter as he sits down on his bed.
Hey loser,
I’m sorry I haven’t been keeping in touch, I’ve just been so busy, but I promise I’m taking every chance I get to sit down and write to you and my family. Anyway, how’s it going? What is this, year eight of teaching? Little Harry and Ron started a few days ago but I haven’t heard what house they’re in yet. I’m assuming Gryffindor for Ron and Slytherin for Little Harry and I have a hunch that I’m right. I did hear, however, from James that Little Harry wants to get into wand making when he’s older and I think that’s wonderful, wand making is such a cool job. But enough about them, what about you? I miss you, mate, if you’re down to do emotions right now. If not, skip this part. I can’t wait to see you again! It’s been a few years, huh? Too long, if you ask me. I love this job, it’s been my dream since forever, but I’m honestly thinking about asking if I can find some stuff to do back in Europe. Egypt is awesome and meeting new people everyday is the coolest but I’m missing home bad, mate. And, believe it or not, it’s not the missing my family that’s making me consider coming back to Europe, it’s the missing you I can’t get over right now. You were at my side for eight years! I spent more nights in your personal quarters than my own dorm room and I’m getting along good with the people I’m working with but I miss our idiotic talks at three in the morning. Feelings, huh? I don’t like them very much. I blame you and you’re stupid personality, making me want to be around you and all that bullshit. How dare you? Anyway, I’ll stop so you don’t start crying or anything, not that I’m about to. That’s completely barmy. Tell me all about what you haven’t told since your last letter, alright? I think I might finally get to come home this Christmas but don’t get your hopes up. I’ll be impatiently awaiting your owl and definitely not crying while thinking about how much I miss you.
A very big hug and kiss on the forehead from your favorite loser,
Bill
Harry laughs wetly and quickly gets out some parchment and a quill, writing a letter back to Bill confirming that Bill is justified with his feelings because Harry misses him just as much and also telling him about recent events, like winning a hundred and twenty-five galleons after the sorting. He sends it off with Hedwig, who has started stopping by his quarters every night, most likely knowing how much he loves her and wanting to check on him like the little mother she is.
He goes to bed that night very much ignoring the ache in his heart and the true meaning behind it, instead telling himself it’s just because he hasn’t seen his best mate in a few years.
Because Harry may be actively smart now but he never stopped being oblivious.