Chapter Text
Damian couldn't say exactly when his life turned into a three-ring circus. Alfred called it an active personal life. Bruce was very proud of his son and his social success. And Damian, let's be honest, hadn't asked for any of it. In any case, there was no going back now, so all he could do was take a deep breath and stoically accept reality.
And here was the reality: he'd somehow acquired two strange friends, met a bunch of oddballs, and found himself in trouble because of them every single day.
But it's better to tell the story in order. Wherever it might have started. Because there were many possible beginnings, and the youngest Wayne was firmly convinced that every single one of them was a disaster.
Maybe it all started the day Damian went with his father to Diagon Alley for school supplies, and a red-haired boy with ridiculous freckles and big green eyes crashed into him. Damian had been distracted by the latest issue of the Prophet about the family's new financial project and had expected to meet a look of admiration and awe, the kind he usually received—the Wayne family was known not only for its wealth but also for its heroic deeds. But this boy didn't seem to care at all. He quietly apologized and asked if Damian had seen his guinea pig. Realizing the absurdity of the situation, the younger Wayne froze, then, collecting himself, offered to help with the search—not entirely sure why.
Maybe it all started a little later, at the station.
After saying goodbye to his father, he boarded the train. His new acquaintance, following him like a little shadow, settled into the same compartment.
"You don't look nervous at all," Colin said with a slight smile, placing his guinea pig on his shoulder.
"Because I'm not nervous. I've waited a very long time for this day, and getting anxious now is pointless. Besides, even the Sorting will be predictable—everyone in my family has been in Slytherin."
A whistle blew, and Cupcake cooed in fright. Damian just shook his head.
"Aren't you afraid he'll run away again?"
"He was scared of an owl. I'm sure he'll be fine at school."
"And what about the wizards who might want to pick on anything and anyone?"
"But we'll be able to protect him, won't we?"
Damian didn't get a chance to list all the dangers that might befall a small rodent before the compartment door opened slightly. The boy who interrupted them appeared to be a first-year as well. Judging by his stupid plaid shirt and ripped jeans, he wasn't from a wizarding family. Damian fixed him with a cold stare and raised his eyebrows.
"Uh, hi. Everywhere else is full, so... mind if I join?"
"Of course not," Damian shot a withering look at his overly friendly acquaintance, but Colin didn't even flinch. "I'm Colin Wilkes, this is Damian Wayne. Nice to meet you!"
"Jon Kent. Likewise," the boy hoisted his trunk onto the luggage rack and sat down next to Colin, wisely deciding that was safer.
And yes—the son of famous journalist Clark Kent, whose name constantly appeared in the Prophet. Now the boy's rudeness and love of plaid shirts made sense.
Another whistle blew, and the train lurched into motion. Colin practically glued himself to the window, as if watching the passing scenery could possibly be interesting.
After sitting in silence for a couple of minutes, Jon stopped staring at the white toes of his Converse and cleared his throat.
"So... the Wayne?"
"The Kent."
Sensing the hostile atmosphere, Colin handed his guinea pig to the newcomer.
"Meet Cupcake. He doesn't bite, so you can pet him."
"He's so soft and fluffy!"
"And quite intelligent, for his species."
"And extremely fast," Damian reminded, crossing his arms.
"But you managed to catch him," Colin smiled at him. "I think you're a natural-born Seeker."
In the time Damian had spent with Colin, he'd managed to educate him on all aspects of magical life, including the history of the school and the rules of Quidditch—a game Damian himself found extremely captivating. During Damian's explanations, Colin asked a ton of questions, his bright eyes betraying his excited state. Damian could only marvel at how Colin remembered everything in just one evening.
"Actually, I'm planning to be a Chaser next year."
"Like your father?" Jon inquired, petting Cupcake between the ears.
The youngest Wayne looked like a manticore pushed to its limit and was about to express his opinion, but fortunately for young Kent, the candy trolley appeared.
"Anything for you, dears?"
His fellow travelers remained silent, so Damian took matters into his own hands and bought a stack of toffees, Fizzing Whizzbees, and Chocolate Frogs. As soon the compartment door closed behind the elderly witch, the boy unloaded the sweets onto the table and stared out the window. Colin thanked him and reached for the toffees, while Jon continued to eye his gloomy companion with doubt, wondering why he seemed so grumpy.
"What are you looking at? You thought I'd buy blood-flavored lollipops?"
Kent blinked in surprise. He'd heard about the Wayne family's reputation, about the terrible rumors surrounding them, but frankly, he didn't care. The intimidating aura of power and strength was more concerning.
"This is going to be a fun ride, isn't it?" Wilkes asked Jon.
"Undoubtedly," Jon replied, popping a toffee into his mouth and turning toward the window. He'd never imagined his first journey to Hogwarts would be like this. Nothing like a fun trip with friends who were just as eager to start learning magic.
Home was behind him now, along with his parents and friends. Young Kent was about to begin a new life as a student at the finest school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Jon dozed off and completely lost track of time. So when Colin shook him awake, he didn't immediately realize where he was. But meeting the icy blue glare of Damian's eyes, he remembered instantly.
"We're almost there," Wilkes said with a smile, pressing his forehead against the window.
Scooting over, Jon could also see the majestic castle and couldn't suppress a joyful smile. When Colin turned back to him, his face held just as much happiness, and meeting each other's eyes, they both laughed nervously.
"I'm so nervous," Kent admitted.
"Yeah, my palms are even sweaty," the boy hugged Cupcake, apparently trying to calm himself. "It's just so unbelievable, isn't it?"
"You shouldn't have eaten so much candy. You're too worked up," Damian set aside a book with a black leather cover which title Jon hadn't been able to read.
Colin abruptly leaned across the table and grabbed Damian's hand, eyes gleaming.
"You have no damn idea how right you are."
At this, Wayne just snorted, then petted Cupcake on the table, who was clearly intent on nibbling the candy wrappers.
"We should put on our robes," Damian reminded.
Jon still couldn't decide whether this Wayne was a complete jerk or not. But that they wouldn't get along was as clear as day—though for some reason, the thought bothered him.
Damian, unlike the other newcomers, didn't gawk at his surroundings or gasp. He navigated around chattering clusters of first-years and dragged Colin along by his robe sleeve so that he wouldn't trip while admiring everything.
When the first-years entered the Great Hall, more exclamations of surprise erupted, making Damian roll his eyes. He even had to remind to his companion that people needed to breathe to stay alive.
"It's so beautiful in here! Doesn't it amaze you at all?"
Thousands of candles floating in the air above the four long house tables. On each table were plates piled with various foods that made mouth water just by looking at them. Older students watched the newcomers with interest, smiling welcomingly. Some stared with indifference, some with mock condescension. But Damian's gaze was fixed on the Sorting Hat.
"What about Jon?" Damian hadn't expected the question, and his surprise must have shown on his face. "You didn't seem to like him. I personally thought he seemed nice."
"His father is a journalist at that famous paper. He's written a couple of critical articles about my father and his work."
"Is that so terrible? You said your family is noble and respected. Can a couple of articles change people's opinion of you?"
"We have many envious rivals. They love to spread rumors, forgetting how much my family has done for the Wizarding World. And Kent's articles only inflame the situation."
"Either way, that's between your fathers. It has nothing to do with Jon. Won't you give him a chance?"
"I hope you're joking, Wilkes. And you've surely heard about the rivalry between the houses. He, like his whole family, will almost certainly end up in Gryffindor. And I want nothing to do with that."
When the Headmaster stepped forward, everyone fell silent. He began a welcoming speech which meaning, Damian knew, could be condensed into a few words: "Study diligently, don't break the rules, don't go into the Forbidden Forest, try not to die." Nothing that young Wayne didn't already know.
Then the Hat sang a song about Hogwarts' history and the four houses. Damian was very glad when the introductions were over and the Sorting began. The first student, whose name Damian didn't catch, went to the Ravenclaw table amid thunderous applause. The boy felt Colin squeeze his hand tightly and raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm just so nervous. Is that okay?"
"No need to be so worried. I've explained how this works a hundred times. It's not an exam, after all."
"I know, but I'm still not used to magic being real, to being here, to having friends at all. My heart is about to burst out of my chest!"
"Alright," Damian shook Colin by the shoulders and forced him to meet his eyes. "You have nothing to be afraid of. Take a deep breath. Good. Now a deep breath out. In. And out again. We even practiced this. No, you won't trip on the way up. No, you won't fall off the stool. So relax, okay?"
Wilkes smiled slightly, clearly less nervous now.
"What would I do without you?"
"Fall down the stairs on the way here."
Colin laughed, and Damian couldn't help smiling. Maybe he really could call this red-haired disaster his friend.
"Wilkes, Colin!"
The boys flinched, then Colin, taking one more deep breath, walked to the stool. Once he sat down, the Hat was placed on his head and remained tensely silent for several minutes. Wilkes's eyes were huge with fear, and he seemed to have forgotten how to breathe, his face taking on an unhealthy hue.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Hat declared. And Colin walked on unsteady legs to his table. Damian exhaled in relief. The hardest part was over.
When his name was called, he walked confidently to the stool and sat down. Before the Hat could even be lowered to his head, it shouted the house name. Amid hooting and whispers from all sides, Damian sat down at the Slytherin table.
"Welcome, Wayne," one of the older students smirked at him. "Make yourself at home."
"Certainly," the boy surveyed his new housemates and smirked back.
This school year was definitely going to be memorable.