Chapter Text
Making his way onto the familiar Hogwarts Express for the beginning of his 6th year, George is eager to get back into the routine at Hogwarts. As he walks through the train's long corridor, passing compartments of friends excitedly reuniting, George is more so excited but nervous about the academics of it all. George has always been at the top of his classes, he thrives with the pressure of academics and pushing himself to be the best. It was no surprise to him, to be sorted into Ravenclaw. His mother was also a Ravenclaw, it seemed to run in her side of the family. His father, a muggle, left the two of them when George was only a baby, the wizarding world being all too much for him to handle. George has never minded.
Sometimes he wishes for a father, but George is not exactly the affectionate type, and neither is his mother. It's safe to say their relationship isn't a typical mother-son relationship. George's mother is a strict woman, working long hours at the Ministry of Magic. There was no time for mistakes, growing up as a child. If you want to be the best George, do it. There are no excuses for failure.
Perhaps, part of the reason George is so obsessed with his academics is because of the pressure to live up to his mother's expectations. Even if he didn't want to, it's all he's known his entire life.
There is no such thing as second place, George. Either you are first, or you are nothing.
He never felt like enough, not to himself, not in his mother's eyes. Yet, he keeps going, pushing himself day after day, essay after essay, in the hopes that one day she might say; I'm proud of you George.
As he continues down the corridor, he peaks into the compartment windows trying to find any familiar faces.
“George! Hey!”, he hears from a few doors down. Shaggy brown hair peaks out from the compartment door, waving him over energetically.
“Karl, how was your summer?”, George walks to greet his Hufflepuff friend.
“George! It’s so good to see you!”, he jumps up excitedly, completely missing George’s question and going in for a hug. Karl is very affectionate with his friends. Physical affection is his love language. A part of George is almost jealous that Karl can be so open and expressive. I guess having an emotionally unavailable mother and a deadbeat father will do that to you.
Awkwardly freezing within the cage of Karl’s arms, he awkwardly pulls away. “Good to see you too Karl”, he responds with a smile.
“Come sit! Sapnap’s already inside!”, Karl leads him by the hand into the compartment.
Inside, Sapnap sits by the window, devouring a packet of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. “Oh hey George, what’s up?”, the American greets with a mouthful of sweets.
Sapnap is part of an exchange program with Illvermorny, the American wizarding school in 5th year. Karl and Sapnap immediately hit it off after being seated together in Transfiguration all year, so naturally with Karl spending a lot of time with Sapnap, and Karl also being George’s only friend, the three are inseparable.
“Hey Sap”, George smiles back.
As George goes to sit across from Sapnap, he immediately reaches into his bag, pulling out his Defence Against the Dark Arts book. It doesn't hurt to get a head start on the year.
“Bro you’re such a nerd, the term hasn’t even started”, Sapnap says rolling his eyes, smirking at the brunette.
“Maybe if you did the same, you wouldn’t be an idiot”, George sasses back.
To an outsider, it may seem as if George and Sapnap completely hate each other. The two have an odd relationship, almost like brothers. They banter and fight, constantly egging each other on, but in the end, they love each other.
As the two banter back and forth, jelly beans flying at each other's heads, Karl laughs from the sidelines as he usually does.
George doesn’t realise just how much he has missed the two. He loves studying, that’s true, but he loves Sapnap and Karl. The way he can just let go and not worry about what's expected from him, George can forget about everything when he's in the company of his two friends.
“Wow Georgie, I didn’t know you were capable of smiling”
George’s once happy mood now has been overcome with dread and annoyance. As he turns to the door, he sees his favourite person. Dream.
Dream like Sapnap, is also an American exchange student. The two of them came over already being childhood friends. George can’t stand Dream. A Slytherin, captain of the quidditch team, class clown, everyone loves him, and the bane of George’s existence. It’s almost as if his only purpose in life is to make George’s life a living hell.
“Dream what do you want?”, George says rolling his eyes.
“Oh just wanted to check in with my three best friends after the summer break Georgie, is that alright with you?”, he says with his signature smirk.
“We’re not friends Dream, so leave”, George says with a wave of his hand.
“Oh come on Georgie”, he leans against the doorframe of the compartment as the train starts to move, beginning the familiar journey to Hogwarts. “How long are you gonna pretend you hate me?”, he says with a pout.
George doesn't answer, opting to turn his focus to the landscape outside his window.
“Okay that’s it!”, Karl stands up in frustration between the two as Sapnap continues snacking on his sweets, watching the show unfold.
“I am so sick of you constantly picking on George Dream. We’re supposed to be friends!”, Karl says exhaustedly.
“Yeah Dream”, George says.
Karl turns to look at George, “And you George. Stop giving him the reaction you know he wants!”.
“Yeah George”, Dream smirks.
“George can I please speak to you outside for a second please?”, Karl asks with a stern look on his face. The seriousness almost scares George. He’s never seen him so pissed.
“Oooo you’re in trouble”, Dream jokes.
“Don’t even Dream, you’re next”, Karl says with the point of his finger to the taller boy.
Ignoring Dream, George nods, following him into the hall and closing the door behind him.
“George, I’ve had enough of this rivalry”, Karl says softly. “I know you don't like having too many friends and that’s fair. But Dream is Sapnap’s best friend and honestly, he’s a pretty cool dude once you get to know him. Yes, he can be an idiot but he’s harmless really! It’s been a year since this little feud started out of literally nowhere, might I add, and because of it we can never hang out as a group without an argument starting!”
A feud starting out of nowhere, George laughs in his head. How could his friend, his best friend be blaming him for all this right now?!
“Karl, how could you put all the blame on me?! You see how he always taunts me?!”, George scoffs in disbelief.
“And I’m going to talk to him too, don’t worry. Look, George, I’m not asking you two to be best friends with him but at least just try to put it behind you and start over or something! It’s our second last year at Hogwarts and I just want us all to have a good time without Sapnap and I having to walk on eggshells around the two of you”
George never realised exactly how this has affected his friends and truthfully, he does feel a little guilty. But that still won’t change just how much he loathes Dream.
“I guess if that’s how you feel, then I’ll try to be civil. Civil though, that’s all. Don’t expect me to be friends with him, and that’s only if he agrees too”, George says like he’s in physical pain because of what he’s agreed to. Karl’s face immediately lights up, jumping to wrap his arms around George and jumping the two of them up and down. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And don’t worry I’m gonna talk to him right now!”, Karl answers George’s worries.
Karl drags George back into the compartment, signalling for Dream to join him just outside as the Slytherin stands and follows. Sighing, George sits across from Sapnap and continues his book.
What the hell did I just agree to?
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George watches as the last couple of first years get sorted into their houses. The cheering and celebrating give George a headache as he awkwardly sits and waits for the food to appear.
As he eats dinner, he looks over to the Hufflepuff table where Karl’s laughter can be heard all around the hall, infectious to the people around him as they join in. Meeting Karl on their first day at Hogwarts, George wished he had been sorted into Hufflepuff along with his new friend, and now years later, that wish doesn’t change. Picking at his potatoes, he turns his attention to the Slytherin table behind him, making eye contact with Sapnao as he sticks up the middle finger to him. George laughs in response, shaking his head as his gaze meets Dream’s, with an unreadable expression on his face. Unsure of what to make from the interaction? George focuses on his food, and avoiding the awkward unwanted eye contact from his fellow Ravenclaws.