Chapter Text
The Childhood of the Squib
The obstetric department of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries was loud by a newborn's cry. After his mother soothed him the baby opened his huge eyes.
“What about Argus?” asked the mother. Her husband and she were trying to come up with the perfect name for the baby. It was like a tradition between them, cuddling in the hospital bed in the dark room with only a few candles giving light. They did the same after giving birth to Andrew then Brian, and now for the newest member of the family. It was calm and peaceful.
“Argus. Argus Filch,” tried Mr Filch. He was smiling.
’”Do you like your name, little Argus?” Mrs. Filch stroked Argus’ tiny cheek.
***
Mrs. Filch tried to pay attention to his book and her three sons simultaneously.
Brian and Andrew were hanging upside down from a monkey bar and Argus tried to follow them. Mrs Filch put her reading down, and looked at Brian who was helping Argus to climb to their older brother, Andrew. As soon as they reached the top of the monkey bar Argus changed his mind.
“Let’s play tag.”
Argus ran as fast as a three year old could with his short legs, he would have liked to catch up with Andrew, but his older brother was too quick compared to him. Argus soon gave up and tried to touch Brian instead. He was faster than Argus too, but sometimes Brian let his little brother catch him.
** *
The Filch family was woken up early on a November morning. Argus burst into his parents’s room and climbed up onto their bed. As soon as he started jumping his siblings came into the room as well.
“Today’s my birthday!” shouted Argus.
“Is it? I’ve totally forgotten about it. Sorry son, there’s no present nor cake this year. Next time we should pay more attention to it.”
Argus looked in his dad’s eyes. His parents had never ever forgotten about a birthday before. Last evening when Argus had been looking for his presents he had found a dozen cupcakes in the pantry. He had almost taken one away but he wouldn’t want to mess with the freezing charm. Next to them had been six candles.
Argus suddenly understood what was going on. His dad was only joking.
“Dad! You didn’t forget it!”
“Why do you think that?”
“I just know it,” said Argus. “Am I right, Mom?”
“Of course, honey. This is the most important day of the year.”
Mrs Filch brought the cupcakes on a plate with six glowing candles. When Argus blew them out he wished the same thing as always. He wanted to be a professional Quidditch player one day.
After the cupcakes were eaten the family settled down in the living room around Argus and his gifts. Argus opened the largest box first, in which was a wizard chess supply. The next gift was from his grandparents, a bag of Every Flavored Beans.
“We wanted you to open this last,” Mr Filch gave an envelope to Argus. “It is for your brothers as well.”
As Andrew and Brian heard their name they sit closer to Argus who has been ripping the paper already. The little boy found five pieces of yellow paper. Argus got so excited.
“Wow! These are real tickets, right? For the next Quidditch match, which will be here? In England? This will be the third qualifying round and the Chinese team comes as well. The Rubin Ying who’s keeper is one of the seven best Keepers on the Earth,” said Argus with one breath.
“Do you like it?” asked his mum with a gentle smile.
“I love it! This is the most wonderful gift I could get. Thank you.” Mr. and Mrs. Filch knelt down and Argus hugged them tightly.
The whole family was aware of Argus’ Quidditch passion, the child was a big fan of the sport since he was a toddler. Unfortunately too many muggles lived in the neighborhood to let the kids play freely with brooms in the garden but they could try their mom’s old Nimbus a few times. Argus wasn’t as talented as Andrew, he couldn’t really make the broom to listen to him but he was way more enthusiastic and he convinced his parents to subscribe to Quidditch News of the Month and when the paper arrived Andrew or one of his parents read the articles to him.
***
As usual, Argus was the one who woke up first. It was four in the morning but he just couldn't sleep any more. He got up and made his way to Brian’ room. He was as quiet as he could be when he passed Anrew’ door because he knew how grumpy he could get if someone disturbs his sleep.
“Brian?” Brian didn’t answer, but Argus didn’t want to go back to his own bed. He had seen a shadow on the corridor on the way here. He was not afraid of course since he was a brave, big boy but still, he chose to stay here with Brian.
“Hey, Brian, are you awake?”
“Is it you, Arg?” grumbled a sound in the darkness. “What time is it?”
“Half past four, soon,” answered Argus as he checked Brian cool, glowing clock on the wall. There was a moving dragon on it which breathed fire every hour. Brian moaned and he was stirring in his bed.
“Mom said we have to wake up at half past seven.”
“But I can’t sleep,” said Argus. He climbed into bed next to Brian.
“Just be quiet then.”
Argus tried. He tried so really hard, but then, “The Quidditch match is today.”
“‘Know,” muttered Brian.
“Are you excited?” asked Argus. When he didn’t get a reply he tapped Brian’ shoulder. “Don’t fall back!”
“Am awake,” said Brian but his words were blurred.
“I know all of the players' names.” Argus was so excited and full of energy. Brian was sure that he wouldn’t be able to get any more sleep this morning.
“Did you see when Edward Butcher almost coughed the Snitch but then he had to turn because of a Bludger?” Argus cheeks were red with enthusiasm.
“Take a breath, Argus!” Said Andrew but he was as cheerful as Argus. Their favourite team had won the game.
***
It was a hot, late summer day but the Flitch family was more excited than usual. Their breakfast was interrupted when an owl flew through the open window.
“Has it arrived?” asked Andrew eagerly.
“This is for you.” Mr Filch gave an envelope to his eldest son.
Everyone was staring at Andrew who now read the letter out loud.
“ Dear Mr Filch, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry… There is a list of the things I need to bring but I can go to Hogwarts!”
”Oh, honey, we are so proud of you!” Despite of Andrew’ protest Mrs Filch gave him a kiss on his cheek.
“We should make a trip to Diagon Alley today,” said Mr Filch.
“Of course, give me that list, darling!”
***
Andrew came home for the Christmas break and he was full of stories. It was his second year at Hogwarts and he was selected in the Ravenclaw team as the reserve Seeker.
“If Colin, our Seeker, gets sick I could play in the match against Hufflepuff.”
“We have big news as well. Brian did magic again. This was his seventh time.” Mrs Filch looked at Brian proudly.
“Yeah, two more than yours,” said Brian to Andrew.
“If I were you I wouldn't brag about things that are illegal. Although,” continued Andrew a few moments later, “I could do magic when I was only four years old but you passed five when you did the first time.”
Argus slipped on his chair a little bit lower, he was seven years old but he didn’t do any magic. He promised to himself that when he would go to Hogwarts he would stay up every night if he had to but he would be the best student in the school. Then everybody could be proud of him.
***
Brian ended his third year at Hogwarts successfully. Andrew had been waiting for his OWL results which arrived this morning with Brian’ usual school letter.
“Wow ten Outstanding one Exceeds Expectations and a… Oh, but it’s only Care of Magical Creatures so not that important.
“What? Show me!” Brian snatched the latter out of his older brother’s hand. “How could you get a T in the easiest subject ever?”
On a normal day Mr or Mrs Filch would step in to stop the bickering but this was not a normal day. Their suspicion was proved. Argus didn’t get his letter from Hogwarts nor any other magical school.
Mr Filch gazed out of the window, Mrs Filch’ eyes were filled with tears.
“I’m waiting to see your OWL results as learning and hard work are not big things in Gryffindor.”
Brian didn’t reply to the insult at his house insead he was looking at his little brother.
“What’s wrong, Arg?”
“I didn’t receive any letter,” snivelled the little boy.
Brian glanced at his mother, then at his father, both of them kept silent. Andrew found an interesting patch on the tablecloth.
“Maybe it’s been lost somewhere,” broke Brian the silence. “Or a clumsier owl was sent and it hadn’t arrived here yet.”
“I won’t attend Hogwarts, right?” Argus looked up to his brother, Brian was unable to lie to him, but he couldn’t say the truth out loud as well.
“Look, Argus. You’re the best little brother. I believe that you’ll become a really great man. We can always count on you, if we have trouble with something you help us. You are talented.”
“I can’t do magic.”
“You are talented in so many other ways, you can paint beautiful paintings, you are so brilliant in chess, you know everything about Quidditch.”
Argus stood up suddenly and hugged his brother as tightly as he could. The little boy was sobbing hard the tears fell on Brian’ shirt.