Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Buttoned up tightly inside his torn sweatshirt is a carefully folded scrap of paper, one which Chibita will protect with his life. He cradles it away from the heavy rain and the harsh snow all through the winter and never lets anyone see it, but knows it’s there day in and out, occasionally smiling to himself when he can still feel it under his clothes. It’s a life saver, like a dream but it’s real, delivered to him one day along with a bout of good luck and hope.

He knows. It’ll get so much better in September.

That’s what he mutters to himself through the cold and hunger and bruises, every day, until one day in late May, where he sits on the steps where he normally sits, batting around a dew covered flower lightly and watching his breath against the pastel sky. It’s peaceful, or at least, it is until Chibita hears a yell that throws him from his thoughts, and he puts himself on guard as the six of them, the Matsuno kids, come running in perfect sync, as always, like they’re one person.

“Oi, Chibitaaa!” they yell, and he stands, expecting a fight, until they stop in a line, hands on hips and grinning. It’s uncanny. They’re too similar. “It’s our birthday today, y’know? We got the best gift ever! You’re gonna be super jealous! Isn’t he? He so is!”

“I don’t care about your stupid birthday,” he huffs, crossing his arms tightly, which currently feel like lumps of ice. “Your present’s probably stupid too!”

“Huh? What’d you say?” they echo together, frowning angrily, but then seemingly decide it’s not worth their time, probably thinking they could be bragging about whatever expensive thing they’ve been given. One of them grins cunningly, before producing something his pocket. The others follow. Chibita scoffs, because it’s just-

It’s just a-

Oh no.

“We got accepted into a special school,” someone brags, waving the letter around. “We can’t say what because it’s a secret but it’s super cool, we’re gonna learn stuff they don’t teach here!”

Chibita sits down on the pavement and throws his head into his hands, groaning loudly, unsure if he should cry or just punch them.

“Huh? What’s wrong, Chibita? Are you sick? Oi, you didn’t even say happy birthday!”

“You guys are the worst,” he mumbles, feeling the weight of his letter triple against his chest, because damn it, why is the world suddenly only seven people wide, out of everyone, out of everyone-

“Chibitaaa? What’re you doing? You’re jealous, right?”

Chibita shudders as the jumbled babbles continue around him. If having to put up with troublemaking sextuplets for the past five years wasn’t bad enough, now he’s going to have deal with magic troublemaking sextuplets for who knows how many more years.

…The world isn’t fair, he thinks dully. So not fair.

-

-

-

Karamatsu looks up at the ceiling with a vague interest, finding the sight of the candles against the grey clouds as mystifyingly beautiful as always. He always think he’d have got used to it by now, but even like now when he can see the rain falling down, he has to remind himself he won’t actually get wet. It’s strange, but always enchanting to look at. His brothers hardly pay attention to it these days though.

The hall is almost empty by now, quieter as the end of lunchtime draws closer, and they sit together at the end of the Hufflepuff table, Choromatsu across from him with various parchments and books covering the table. Karamatsu has a lot to talk about with him (he always does), but every time he tries, his brother hushes him quiet, focused on something far more past the level Karamatsu thinks is necessary. But, if it’s important to his brother, then who is he to interrupt?

“Heeyyy, you guys,” he hears from across the hall as a figure comes hurrying through the door, water dripping from his hair and robes, leaving a trail across the stone. “What’d I miss?”

“Osomatsu.” Choromatsu sighs in irritation. “There’s only ten minutes of lunch left, where have you been? Also, what’s with your robes? Why didn’t you use some kind of protection charm? They’re not hard.”

“God, Choromatsu, I’ve been here for like five seconds and you’re already spewing some Ravenclaw supremacist crap,” he says, rolling his eyes and crashing down on the bench. “Is all the food already gone? Ah, this sucksss.”

“Sorry, I tried to save you a plate but it disappeared along with everything else,” Karamatsu explains, but Osomatsu just waves a hand dismissively.

“The others already gone?” he asks, using a hand to drag some water out of his hair.

“Ichimatsu and Jyushimatsu left together, and Todomatsu said he was going to wait by his lesson since we weren’t really doing anything here-“

“Osomatsu, you’re dripping over everything,” Choromatsu exclaims with a long breath of air, before taking out his wand and waving it over him. There’s a warm gust of air that Karamatsu can just about feel, and then he notices Osomatsu completely dry with his hair just a little ruffled from the wind. Choromatsu turns back to his work, furiously working the quill.

“Huh, that was pretty fancy,” Osomatsu says, feeling his robes. “Damn, shouldn’t have given you a chance to show off further.”

“I’m not showing off,” Choromatsu says briskly, trying to look like he’s focusing intently on the parchment though Karamatsu can tell he’s not really.

“Why are you doing your work in here then? It’d be a lot more normal to go to the library with all the other nerds.”

“There wasn’t enough time, I have a test next lesson and I need to be ready,” Choromatsu says, and Osomatsu pulls a face, before at last turning back to Karamatsu. He thanks that it’s just the three of them and that Choromatsu was already busy, otherwise he might not have gotten a chance to get spoken to.

“So, what’s going on with your life,” he asks in a bored tone, rubbing his nose.

Karamatsu prepares himself, looking up with his hand resting on the side of his face (for dramatic effect, of course). “Hm, well, the endeavours of my life are as intriguing as always, with-“

There’s a sudden clash of noise through the air as the clock strikes from the tower, and Karamatsu lets his voice fade away, faltering a little. Maybe next time.

“A-already? Oh no, I thought we had more time…” Choromatsu fumbles with picking up all his equipment, eyes glancing around nervously as the other students leave the hall.

“Allow me to help-” Karamatsu tries, but his brother waves him away distractedly.

“No, I’ve got it,” he says, before knocking a jar of ink over and cursing. Karamatsu lingers uncertainly.

“Are you sure-“

“C’mon, Karamatsu, leave him to it,” Osomatsu says with a carefree shrug, and he has no choice but to follow as the leave the hall whilst Choromatsu spits out a number of spells to clean the mess quicker. “Jeez, he’s such a try-hard. And totally a show off, like hell he didn’t have enough time to go the library, more like there’s not enough people to see him being a try-hard there. Hey, you know any protection charms though? ‘s Herbology next so we gotta go outside.”

“Ah, I know one or two, I think…” Karamatsu frowns. “Herbology, the fantastic study of glorious plants! But…I’m not sure I have a good chance of passing, unfortunately.”

“Yeah, me too,” Osomatsu says with a laugh, before throwing his arm around Karamatsu. “Don’t worry! We’ll fail together, as one!”

“R-right.” Karamatsu does a shaky grin. “There’s always other subjects. Divination is my true calling!”

“Dumb made up futurey stuff sounds like your kinda thing,” Osomatsu says, before they reach the archway out onto the fields, greenhouses in the distance. “Okay, now. Show me your best protection charm!”

Karamatsu takes out his wand, and takes a breath.

-

It feels a little awkward standing there in the greenhouse with the entire of his right side soaked whilst his left stands perfectly dry, with the opposite true for Osomatsu next to him. He tries to ignore the other classmates giving them an occasional confused look, and wishes that next time he attempts the charm he’ll realise it’s one per person, and won’t stretch out for the both of them with one wave of his wand. Across from them, Jyushimatsu beams at them in a similar state, though his entire body is drenched. At least they (kind of) match, Karamatsu reckons.

“Now, who knows a practical use of the Diffindo spell in this context? Karamatsu? Can you tell me?”

He blinks, staring at the teacher with a blank mind. Diffindo. That’s- it’s- uh, something?????

“Come on, this is second year material,” she says, raising her eyebrows, and he offers a smile like he knows but has just forgotten and it’s actually kind of funny, even though, really, it’s not like that.

“…That is…it is…a very useful watering spell!” he guesses, trying to seem confident in the answer for maybe a bonus point or two. That’s close, isn’t it? Plants, it can’t be too wrong to say something to do with water-

“Not even slightly.” She shakes her head, and Karamatsu tries not to let the disappointment show. He’s going to fail this class so badly, he just knows it. And it’s kind of sad really, because he does like plants, he thinks they’re very beautiful sometimes scary BUT mostly magnificent, as well as useful for a whole range of things. Karamatsu has a lot of respect for plants, but he’s not sure they feel the same way. Sometimes quite literally. A mandrake once bit a hole in his robes. A bowtruckle made him bleed.

They’ve only been having lessons for two months since coming back, but the assignment they’ve been given for the first half of the year is already going ridiculously bad. When the practical part of the lesson starts and they have to tend to the set task, Karamatsu stares sadly down at the black stem in his pot.

“Wow, it’s even worse than mine,” Osomatsu comments, glancing at his too-small stub of a plant growing slowly out of the soil. Small, but alive. “You didn’t do anything dangerous like talk to it, did you?”

“I thought talking to plants was good? Fuel to inspire vigorous growth!”

Osomatsu laughs. “Maybe not for you though.”

“Tada!” Jyushimatsu slams a pot down in front of them suddenly, causing a loud bang that draws the attention of several nearby students. Not that Jyushimatsu seems to notice. “It’s not dead!!”

“You idjits are too noisy,” someone else cuts in from beside them, and Karamatsu glances over to dear childhood friend Chibita, who has a thriving plant in front of him, probably not too far off blooming. Karamatsu stares with shining eyes as his brothers start having some kind of ‘plant competition’ behind him. “I dunno what you’re all celebrating, ‘cause your plants all look pretty crap.”

“Chibita!” he exclaims, cupping a leaf gently in his hands and hoping it won’t bite him or anything (because really, last time it hurt far more than he’d expected). “How did you make her so exquisite!”

“What? Who?” He frowns, then follows Karamatsu’s gaze to the plant. “Oh, you mean the plant. Uh, I dunno. Just basic stuff. The hell’s wrong with yours, anyway?”

“Mm, alas, she seems to be failing to grasp onto the frail string that is life,” he muses, observing the sad and withered stem.

“The hell? It died so quick! How is that even possible? What’ve you been doing with it?”

“Maybe she doesn’t appreciate what I’ve been using to encourage her,” Karamatsu says, holding a hand to his face in though. “What kind of potions are using to water yours?”

“P-potions?” Chibita splutters with a horrified look, then suddenly moves his pot closer to himself as if in protection. Karamatsu isn’t sure if he should feel offended or not. “Why the hell are you using potions to water a fanged geranium?! The hell, no wonder it’s dead as dust, you idjit! You’re supposed to use goddamn water-“

There’s a sudden smashing noise from behind them, and Karamatsu turns to see Jyushimatsu frozen with his pot held high above his head, and Osomatsu staring down at a collection of pot shards and soil on the floor, hands held still in the air. The other students stare in silence. Karamatsu can’t help wonder what exactly the trials for a ‘plant competition’ are.

“Uhh…” Osomatsu takes out his wand sheepishly. “…Reparo?”

The pot clumsily begins to draw itself back together along with the soil, and the students slowly start to dissolve into quiet laughs and murmurs as everything goes back to normal. Jyushimatsu lowers his arms as Osomatsu picks up the newly mended plant.

“The hell are you doing?” Chibita dares to ask, now almost hugging his own plant close to his chest.

“Fight!” Jyushimatsu replies as if this explains everything, and Osomatsu agrees with a short nod. “I won!”

“…Listen, Karaboy,” Chibita starts, pushing a hand against his forehead. “It’s kinda painful watching you torture that plant so much, so if you ever need help with however the hell you’re gonna revive it, please just ask me before you set it on fire or anything. I’m free most lunches, just saying.”

“Ah, thank you.” Karamatsu turns to his plant again, and wonders if Chibita means just water, or water alongside the potions, since he’s not too sure on how he’s going to make it sparkle otherwise.

-

“Aaaah, that test was so haaard,” Todomatsu whines, slumping forwards in resignation as they exit the classroom. “Naming all of the Goblin Rebellions with the years included? That’s impossible! I think I got like, four of them.”

“I just skipped that one,” Ichimatsu mumbles, hands tucked his trouser pockets.

“It was worth almost a quarter of the marks!” Choromatsu recoils in shock, but Ichimatsu just shrugs, and he sighs. “I’ve got Ancient Runes now, so I’ll see you later. And don’t go to the Ravenclaw common room because they know you’re not Ravenclaw, and I get in trouble for it if they notice you there.”

“Well, the Hufflepuff one is nicer anyway,” Todomatsu says with a frown. “They’re never mean to us! And they don’t make us leave either.”

“I don’t think they even notice Jyushimatsu is the only one who’s actually supposed to be there,” Ichimatsu muses with a small smile. Choromatsu just rolls his eyes and waves them a goodbye as he diverts down a different corridor. “…Aren’t you going with him?”

“Oh, no, I don’t have Ancient Runes on Fridays, I’ve got Arithmancy now,” Todomatsu explains lightly, and Ichimatsu stares like he’s trying to remember something.

“…The number thing,” he tries, and Todomatsu nods. “Ew. Good luck with that.”

“It’s not that bad,” he says, then thinks back to his class and reconsiders. “Maybe. That guy’s in my class this year again, remember? I told you about him - he’s such a snob. for real, like, he’s a Ravenclaw and he just sits there with perfectly brushed hair and this knowing little smirk getting full marks on every test and I just want to- just- ugh!! Seriously! You know what I mean?”

“Not really,” Ichimatsu says with a shrug, and they have to press themselves against the smooth stone of the walls as a group of hurrying first years bustle past. He pauses at the exit out onto the fields. “See you. I’ve got Magical Care.”

“Say hi to Jyushimatsu for me!” Todomatsu calls as his brother steps outside into the light drizzle, not bothering with any kind of protection charm.

The Arithmancy classroom is as daunting as always, with some horrifying looking equation/table/something drawn on the blackboard. Todomatsu feels his mood drop, because it’s last thing on a Friday and this isn’t what he needs right now. At time like this he feels intense regret for choosing the subject; the only reason he elected for it in the first place was because he thought none of his brothers would go for it, but then Choromatsu had to suddenly decide it was a ‘smart’ option and went for it anyway. They’re not in the same class, so Todomatsu doesn’t mind too much, but still, there isn’t even any uniqueness behind it now and it’s so boring.

And! Most importantly, the main contender, above everything else to fuel his hate for the lesson, who is somehow already sat at the bench with his book already open, and god is he reading over his notes before lesson even begins-

“Good afternoon, Todomatsu,” he says without looking up, still with that stupid little smug smile.

“Hiiii, Atsushi,” he greets back, clenching his fist tucked inside robes and sitting down next to him, trying to display as little animosity as he can, smile tensely forced on his face. There’s silence between them then, and Todomatsu looks at him irritably, and then glances towards the book. “Ah, isn’t that stuff we don’t cover until later in the year?”

“I like to get ahead,” he replies smoothly, and Todomatsu presses his nails into his palm and narrows his eyes, still holding his cute smile as best he can.

“That’s…really practical,” he says, then tears open his own book briskly, before realising he has no idea what page they’re even supposed to be looking at today. It doesn’t matter too much though, since the teacher comes striding into the room at that moment and instructs them to a certain page. A no-funny-business lesson today then, he thinks, and resists the urge to cry.

Explanations of numbers and their magical properties within ‘general’ (magical) life fill the air for next fifty minutes, and Todomatsu feels a constant irritation as he tries to take notes, but can see Atsushi’s quill moving so much faster that he wonders if it has to be enchanted, but either way his page is full of at least three times more notes by the time the teacher ceases their talk. He wishes he could just ignore it, but there’s something so stupidly annoying about Atsushi that he just can’t. Maybe it’s his overall sense of superiority that conflicts with Todomatsu’s Slytherin nature. He doesn’t know.

“…To finish off, for the remainder of the lesson, I’m going to explain a project required of you over the next three months, leading up to just before the end of January,” the teacher carries on, and Todomatsu snaps back to attention. “Applying what we’ve done since the start of term – and, for revision purposes, last year’s content also, I’m going to ask you keep a log of the different numbers you see within the next week or so, then create a record of their possible meanings and place within your life’s structure. An essay will also be required. However, I’ll be asking you work in groups, so the workload shouldn’t be too much.”

Todomatsu blinks, then realises something with horror. Groupwork. Oh god, wait, oh no-

“Your partner will be whoever is sitting directly next to you, but keep in mind you’ll both have to hand in a copy of the work, and no duplicating parchments, because the essay needs to be individual work. Is that understood?”

Todomatsu stares down at his open book in horror, hardly registering anything going on. Out of all the people, because there are a lot of other people in this class, all people it had to be stupid stupid stupid Atsushi whyyyy.

“Looks like we’re working together then,” Atsushi says, shutting his book softly as the teacher flutters around the class handing out the parchment with the task instructions on.

“I-If you wanna work separately, I’m fine with that,” Todomatsu tries, trying desperately to sound casual. “Since I know you’re way smarter than me, it might just be easier if you worked alone! I can always find a three to join.”

“No, it’s fine.” Atsushi smiles at him almost like he knows how annoying he is, and Todomatsu flushes in irritation, moving his gaze back to his own book. “I look forward to working with you.”

“Ah, um, yeah, you too.” Todomatsu forces himself to smile, even though he’s even more pissed off now, because now Atsushi’s being all polite but obviously it’s just to make himself look better, Todomatsu knows because he does that too and there’s no way someone so snobby from Ravenclaw would be genuinely nice anyway.

The lesson comes to a close and Todomatsu skirts away as fast as he can to avoid any more confrontations, stopping outside the Great Hall to undo his tie and swap it with a yellow and black one, before carrying on down past the kitchens.

“Todomatsu!”

He blinks, waving a little to his brother as he stands outside the room, looking concerned for whatever reason. “What’re you doing, Choromatsu?”

“I-I was just waiting for someone else to get here,” he murmurs, looking away. Todomatsu stares carefully.

“Hmmm~? Oooor, was it that you forgot the rhythm to tap? Or maybe you’re just scared you’re gonna get it wrong?” He laughs as Choromatsu flushes, spitting out rebuttals. Todomatsu taps the pattern onto the barrels with dainty fingers, winking as they open up to reveal the entrance. “I~diot.”

“What kind of method is that anyway, it’s so stupid, it makes a lot more sense to ask a question…” he mutters as they step through into the bright golden room, and Todomatsu smiles as he breathes in the floral scent of the various plants and vines scattered around.

“It’s sooo much nicer than the Slytherin common room, honestly,” he says, settling down on a chair and stretching out contently. “Everything’s so dark and gloomy down there.”

“Looks like we’re the first ones here,” Choromatsu says, glancing around at the other students whilst sitting down tensely across from Todomatsu. “They’re going to notice us once everyone arrives…”

“Ah, no, don’t worry,” Todomatsu says with the wave of a hand. “Only Jyushimatsu’s coming here, we decided it before. The others are gonna go to the Gryffindor tower instead. Me and Ichimatsu flipped a sickle! He was really mad. I bet he ends up hexing Karamatsu again.”

“Well, that seems-“ Choromatsu starts, but then stops when the entrance bursts open again, and the previously mentioned brother strides in, grinning brightly with half his robe burnt off, revealing his soil brushed blouse underneath.

“I’m baaack!”

“Uh, what the hell happened to you?” Choromatsu exclaims, standing up and blinking furiously whilst looking Jyushimatsu over. “What lesson did you just have? Did you mess up something in Charms again?”

“Haha, nope! It was Fire Crabs! Ichimatsu was really good but I got too close and it fireballed me!”

“I don’t know how you stand being around all those things, they’re so gross and freaky,” Todomatsu mutters, watching as Choromatsu takes out his wand with a sigh.

“Honestly, it feels like all I ever do with my magic is sort you guys out,” he mutters, and Jyushimatsu just laughs. “Reparo! Wait, let me do your blouse too- Scourgify!”

“Ah, you fixed it,” Jyushimatsu says, glancing down at his newly restored clothes. “I bet I’ll have to use that a lot! ‘Cause of quidditch practice.”

“Kick Ravenclaw’s ass for me!” Todomatsu adds with a hopeful gaze. “We have to beat the older brothers down!”

“Uh, there’s no way you’re going to beat Ravenclaw-“

“I’ll try my best!” Jyushimatsu grins in determination. “Even if I get all the bludgers to the head I’m gonna keep going!”

“Go straight to the Medical Ward if you get hurt,” Choromatsu warns, sitting back down alongside him whilst he continues to bat his tie around cheerfully. “The way you all beat each other up is insane, I don’t even know how it’s still allowed. Every time I go to watch it’s always brutal. I might do some revision instead.”

“Huuhh, really?” Jyushimatsu droops his shoulders in obvious disappointment. “Aren’t you gonna cheer me on?”

“Don’t get all pretentiousy,” Todomatsu says, rolling his eyes. “There’re a bunch of cute sixth year girls on the Ravenclaw team, you know? And some of the Hufflepuff ones aren’t that bad.”

“…Of course, I’ll always be there to support my brother even if the game is violent,” Choromatsu says after a pause, face red, and Todomatsu resists the urge to slap him for being so easy to manipulate.

Just as Jyushimatsu crashes down next to Choromatsu, the entrance swings open again, and another unknown Hufflepuff enters, along with a gliding piece of paper that drops smoothly onto Todomatsu’s lap.

“What’s that?” Jyushimatsu leans over, tilting his head a little.

“It can’t be from one of the others, it was too well charmed,” Choromatsu murmurs as Todomatsu picks up the note with a frown, opening the carefully folded edges.

It would be helpful to have a set meeting time where we can work on the project – lessons are unlikely to give us enough time. Is every Saturday around 4pm alright for you? Please let me know if you’d rather rearrange.
Atsushi (from Arithmancy)

“What the hell…” Todomatsu mutters under his breath, almost embarrassed by this fancily written note resting in his palm. “We only had class like ten minutes ago! Why didn’t he just tell me then? He’s such a show off, I don’t get it, and it’s so formal, doesn’t he realise he’s a fifth year too? Godddd, I hate him so much!”

“Who is this?” Choromatsu asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Just some annoying Ra- some guy in my class,” Todomatsu says, scrunching up the note and tossing it into the lit fire a short distance from them. “I’ll reply once I’m back at the common room, I can’t be bothered now. Aaah, some people are so bothersome.”

“What’s it say?” Jyushimatsu stares with wide questioning eyes, and Todomatsu feels a piece of his resolve melt.

“Just someone asking to meet up tomorrow,” he says with a sigh, then notices Choromatsu blink at Jyushimatsu with an unreadable expression. “…What?”

“Nooothin’.” Jyushimatsu grins like there very much is something. “Hey, guess what though! I got some new Every Flavour Beans. Wanna try? Osomatsu gave me them, he said he ate one and it tasted like wet sock!”

“Eww,” Todomatsu says.

“That sounds disgusting,” Choromatsu says.

He rummages in his trouser pocket and pulls out a small and slightly squished bag of jellybeans, and holds them out with a bright grin. “Here!”

Todomatsu glances at Choromatsu who looks back at him with a blank look, and then they reach forward and each grab a handful. It is Friday, after all.

Chapter Text

Osomatsu blinks, and the weekend is gone. Almost literally too, though it wasn’t like he was asleep for all of it, just, a lot of it. And now it’s Monday again and everything is suffering.

“Why does this time even exist,” he murmurs weakly, head resting against the table whilst half chewing on a piece of toast.

“It isn’t that early,” Choromatsu comments, but Osomatsu can see the bags under his eyes and who does he even think he’s fooling, he’s so obviously tired too, though probably from doing boring things. Ichimatsu sits next to him, head hidden in his folded arms, contrasting greatly with the grinning Jyushimatsu brightly beside him. Osomatsu narrows his eyes, wondering if he even needs to sleep or whether the sunlight just fuels his existence.

“Wigardium Lovida!” he exclaims, pointing his wand at his fork, and Osomatsu blinks sleepily, watching the cutlery stay lying still.

“You’re saying that wrong,” Choromatsu says, and doesn’t even bother to correct him.

“Ah, really?” Jyushimatsu narrows his eyes in thought, before just staring intently at the fork and waving his wand a little without speech. It lifts slightly, then drops.

“…I don’t get how your magic works,” Todomatsu says with a raised eyebrow, before yawning and rubbing his eyes. “Man, I wanna go back to sleeeep…”

“Let’s.” Osomatsu stands up briskly, and Ichimatsu wordlessly follows.

“No,” Choromatsu says sharply, grabbing his arm and pulling him back down to the bench. Jyushimatsu does the same on the other side of the table, laughing as Ichimatsu slumps back down.

“Oh, the owls are here!” Karamatsu says brightly from beside him even though Osomatsu didn’t even realise he was there, with his easily ignored presence. With a heavy gaze he looks up to see the birds flying over and dropping various pieces of parchment and newspapers across the table.

“Ah look, Choromatsu, it’s your pathetic owl,” Todomatsu says, pointing upwards, and the others snicker as Choromatsu flushes, catching the note as it drops.

“He’s not pathetic, he’s just-“

“Super small!” Jyushimatsu cuts in.

“He’s supposed to be small, he’s an Elf owl-“

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Osomatsu reaches over to grab the letter from his brother. “What’s it say?”

“Hey-!”

He glances over the paper for a few moments, blinking, then shoves it back to Choromatsu. “I’m too tired to read.”

“It doesn’t work like that,” he mutters, sighing irritably in that super annoying way only Choromatsu can perfect. Osomatsu notices Karamatsu still looking up hopefully whilst his other brother looks over the letter.

“No Azz today, huh?” he asks, and Karamatsu startles slightly, like he wasn’t expecting someone to actually talk to him.

“Perhaps she has simply overrun her beauty sleep-“

“Beauty sleep,” Todomatsu mocks. “Karamatsu, your owl has eyebrows almost as bad as you. Your owl’s not beautiful, and you’re not getting any post.”

He opens his thought though Osomatsu can’t even guess what he’d try to reply, but then Choromatsu speaks back up again, placing the note down next to his empty plate.

“Mum and Dad are thinking about going away for Christmas,” he explains. “They want to know if we’re okay staying here over the winter holidays.”

“Whaaaat,” Osomatsu whines, frowning. “Seriously?”

“This is totally because you set that table on fire last year, Ichimatsu!” Todomatsu huffs. Ichimatsu just shrugs with an indifferent look. “We’re still getting presents, right though?”

“Yeah, they said they’ll send them over…” Choromatsu signs, and stands up with a slight stretch. “Well, I guess we can talk about it later. It’s time for lesson.”

“…No it’s not?” Todomatsu blinks. “We have like, ten minutes.”

“I meant if we actually want to arrive on time,” Choromatsu says scathingly, and Osomatsu throws him a dirty look as he leaves.

“What’s his problem?” he says, then yawns loudly, already bored of it. “Mmm, Karamatsu, pretend to be me next lesson so I don’t have to go. C’monnn, do it for your big broo.”

“Ah, but, we’re both supposed to attend next lesson-“

“Do it for your big bro!” he repeats louder in a whining tone, slamming his hands against the table in a short rhythm and making the plates rattle a little. A few people turn to look with hushed laughs.

“Oh my god like our reputation couldn’t get any worse,” Todomatsu sighs with a flushed face, then stands up. “Ichimatsu, walk with me to Potions!”

“Go alone.”

“Huh?” Todomatsu recoils, clearly offended. “Why?! You’re not even doing anything!”

Ichimatsu blinks, looking over the rest of them, before his gaze lands on Jyushimatsu, who’s fiddling around with his wand distractedly. “…’m helping Jyushimatsu with his Charms.”

“Eh? Really?” Jyushimatsu looks up like he’s only just realised he’s there. Osomatsu lets out a half-hearted laugh before slumping back down, too tired to even join in the banter.

“Oh my god, no you’re not, c’mon we’re going.” Todomatsu grabs Ichimatsu’s arm and is immediately met with a piercing glare, but doesn’t fight back. Well, obviously, Osomatsu thinks. Todomatsu wouldn’t pick a fight he couldn’t win.

“Have fun in lessons, brothers!” Karamatsu calls after them.

“Have fun hopefully dying,” Ichimatsu spits out wearily, and then they’re gone.

“Haha, they’re pretty funny!” Jyushimatsu laughs brightly, like no death threats were just passed, then blinks as the single piece of bacon left on his plate vanishes. “Ahh, it went.”

“End of breakfast,” Osomatsu says, then groans loudly when he realises he has to actually move. “Carry meeee!”

“Of course!”

“Okay!”

Osomatsu blinks as his two remaining brothers stand up, and then remembers that that wasn’t the best thing to say in the company of ‘almost-died-jumping-into-a-river-after-a-brother’s-book’ and ‘also-almost-died-jumping-into-the-same-river-to-rescue-aforementioned-brother’.

“Don’t actually, I was kidding,” he adds quickly, then stands up with a stretch.

-

It takes all his energy to drag himself into the classroom, and he instantly drops his head against the cold wood of the desk as soon as they’re sat down.

“Let’s just skip,” he sighs, shutting his eyes. “I’m even more tired now we’re here.”

“Well, we’re already here now…” Karamatsu says uncertainty, like he’d actually ever break a rule not involving their uniforms.

“It’s so cruel having DADA first thing,” he mumbles, sitting up slightly because wow it’s actually really uncomfortable to sit like that. “The real darkness is having lessons on a Monday. ‘m gonna complain. We should be in half term right now.”

“Ah, but, half term was two weeks ago-“

“Oh, I have some news!!” Jyushimatsu exclaims suddenly, and Osomatsu blinks at his loudness. Sometimes he wonders what would happen if they gave him some Felix Felicis. Choromatsu has expressed his strict disapproval at even imagining it. “We think Totty had a date at the weekend!”

“…Eh?” Karamatsu blinks. “You mean, the romantic, flowers and chocolate kind of date?”

“Who the hell would want a date like that,” Osomatsu grumbles, then stops. “…Wait, wait. A date? A date?! What the hell, are you kidding?! Totty got a DATE?! With who?!”

Jyushimatsu shrugs with a laugh. “He got a note, and went kinda red, and wouldn’t tell us what it said!”

“What the hell, screw that guy, I’m gonna jinx him to Azkaban and back.”

“Hm, shouldn’t we be supportive of our dear brother’s romantic expeditions?” Karamatsu says, and Osomatsu quickly turns to his textbook, flipping it open.

“What page?”

“Eh?”

The lessons ticks by ridiculously slow as always, until somewhere after forty minutes, where Jyushimatsu exclaims ‘ahh, a Boggart!”’ as the teacher nods, stood in front of a jostling cupboard. Osomatsu sits up a little, interested, and takes advantage of the class’ jumbled muttering.

“It’s one of those things, I remember them,” he says, grinning confidently. “Hey, you remember, right, Karamatsu? It was some monster thing and we just pissed ourselves laughing at how stupid it looked and got like full marks! Easiest lesson ever. When was that, like third year?”

“I remember,” Karamatsu nods with a composed smile. “It was-“

“I like Boggarts,” Jyushimatsu says keenly, leaning forward in his seat. “They’re fun!”

“-end of year exam will most certainly feature the counter spell for defeating a Boggart, so this will work as useful revision for then. Can anyone recall said spell?”

“Rizinkulus!” Jyushimatsu offers, and the teacher nods and repeats ‘riddikulus’, though it’s closer than anything Osomatsu would have guessed. Occasionally he has to wonder why and how his brother became so good at the subject.

“Reckon it’ll still be the same thing?” Osomatsu whispers to Karamatsu, grinning. “I bet yours turns into clothes without sparkling enchantments.”

“Would anyone like to volunteer to defeat the Boggart?” the teacher calls, and there’s a mix of nervous and excited chatter. Probably a split between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students, Osomatsu supposes. Though, looking at it, Jyushimatsu seems more eager than Karamatsu at the prospect of facing it, so maybe it’s not all like that. A few students put up their hands and clamber to the front.

“Ahh, it’s so easy, I bet I could do it with my eyes closed,” Osomatsu says, watching various creatures pop up as the other students half-talk half-watch. “Hey, you guys dare me?”

“Hm, only if you’re-“

“Go for it, Osomatsu!” Jyushimatsu cheers, and Osomatsu stands up, brimming with confidence, taking out his wand from his pocket – then dusting off a few crumbs.

“Watch, it’ll be great,” he snickers, joining the back of the queue and feeling his Monday blues drain away. Having a practical lesson is so much better than writing essays and taking notes. Might as well take advantage of doing something fun since the rest of the day is probably going to be horrifically boring. What was the spell again? Riddikuals? Something like that. All he has to do is laugh though. If his worst fear is Karamatsu’s fashion sense, this should be a breeze.

The student in front of him steps aside, beaming in satisfaction at the giant cockroach now dyed bubble-gum pink, and Osomatsu wonders if they wrapped a Slytherin scarf around it would it look the same as Todomatsu. He smiles and readies himself as the Boggart flutters a little, switching rapidly between vague shapes. With a glance back at his brothers, he sees them watching with wide expectant eyes.

“Get ready!” Karamatsu calls out, voice just audible over the conversations of other students, and Osomatsu laughs at his overly cautious expression. What’s with that, he’s supposed to be a Gryffindor too.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. I mean, what’s the worst it could-“

He turns back, and stops.

Wait-

Wait-

Oh god oh god oh god something has gone very wrong-

There’s been a mistake, there’s no Boggart, it’s gone, he doesn’t know where it went but it’s gone and instead there’s just oh god oh god oh fuck no please no no no nono no no no-

“Osomatsu?” someone says beside him, and he blinks, aware that he’s somehow on the floor – did he fall – but he can’t stop looking at it, at them, and dully he can feel hands on each of his shoulders.

“Are you okay??” someone else asks (who is that, it sounds familiar), and Osomatsu blinks again, harder, and feels tears in his eyes. When he looks up, he can see...Karamatsu. Jyushimatsu. But-they’re…

Osomatsu glances back but suddenly there’re only three of them led there lifelessly, but still, three, fuck, shit, what happened, how, why didn’t he stop it-

“Uh, someone else can go next, I think he tripped,” Karamatsu says, then suddenly two pairs of strong arms are lifting him up and another student steps in front of him, so he can’t the see the bodies anymore.

“They-“ he tries to choke out of his throat, lungs tight.

“Not real!” Jyushimatsu exclaims.

“It was just the Boggart. Merely a simple fragment of the imagination, see?”

Osomatsu takes a breath as they sit back down, feeling himself fall back down into reality. It- wasn’t real. It was just a stupid Boggart, he just basically collapsed at a Boggart, oh god. This is a whole new level of embarrassment, being the oldest and a Gryffindor, and he knows he needs to try and laugh it off but he can’t.

“…I wanna go back to bed,” he mumbles, but it doesn’t come out as nonchalant as he’d like, so he makes way to change the topic and fight off his flushed face. The other two still look mildly concerned (fuck them) but luckily are both masters in the act of ‘let’s stop talking about this subject to lighten the atmosphere’ and don’t bring it up for the remainder of the lesson, but Osomatsu doesn’t feel at ease even then. He’s still frightened, thinking of it, and that pisses him off to no end.

The feeling doesn’t dissipate until lunch, when Osomatsu can see all his brothers sat arguing and being assholes like always, and finally the tension leaves his chest. They’re fine. It’s alright, and he grins and settles down beside them, ready to shake whatever secrets Todomatsu is harbouring out of him.

-

At the end of the day, Ichimatsu opts not to go back to the Gryffindor common room with the others. It’s too bright, too stupidly cheery, and no way is he going to deal with Karamatsu and his annoying self-made spells which never work and are always accompanied by a six minute speech. God. No wonder everyone ignores him.

There’re too many people in the main room, people with who he shares mutual hatred, so he slinks back to the dorms, which are thankfully empty. With a sigh, he lies down on his bed, curling up a little.

He has homework. He should do it. He should, but he won’t, because he’s a bad person, shitty person, and can’t be bothered. Every day, it’s just, too much. And he’ll probably fail his OWLs. And his brothers will think he’s stupid, and terrible, and whatever they’ll be right.

Mondays.

God.

There’re no other students in here. Ichimatsu takes a breath and sits up a little. “Anya? Chh, chh, Anya…”

There’s a small meow from somewhere under the drawers, and Ichimatsu lets himself smile as the bright amber eyes of a cat poke out from the darkness, and he calls her over again. Anya emerges and makes her way over to him, but, her steps are a little unsteady, a little slow. Ichimatsu frowns.

“What’s wrong,” he asks quietly, even though he knows she can’t tell him. The cat meows at him again and he leans down and picks her up gently, concern growing because normally she jumps up by herself. Behind her, he can see the still full food bowl, and he strokes her head softly, then scratches behind her ears. They’re too cold. Ichimatsu huddles her close to him, and is aware she feels too thin, too fragile. “You’re sick.”

Anya purrs lightly, and Ichimatsu stares for a moment more, deliberating, then holds her closer to her. There’ll be medicine. She’ll be fine. Things aren’t like normal, there’s magic here that can cure all sorts.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be okay,” he murmurs to her, and she shuts her eyes contentedly (tiredly??). Ichimatsu grits his teeth. “Promise.”

A short while later, he’s managed to construct a more or less calm sounding note to Jyushimatsu, and prays it’ll send easily enough. It’s an easy incantation, isn’t it? But god he is so bad at Charms.

are you going to hogsmeade next week
if so can i come i need some stuff
ichi

Several minutes pass, and Ichimatsu just strokes Anya until a note comes flying back, and what the hell that was quick, too quick, wasn’t Jyushimatsu in Quidditch practise right now-

The note glitters, and Ichimatsu freezes in horror.

Why. Whyyyy.

Brother!
Pleasantly surprised I am to receive such an invitation, yet I am afraid I must decline, for there is another crucial event I must attend to, unfortunately. Perhaps another brother can assist, if you haven’t already asked?
Sincerely, your brother, Karamatsu ☆

Ichimatsu sets the note on fire almost before wand’s left his pocket. That much cringe is going to scar him for life, holy crap. Not only did he send a note to the worst person possible, but he also got goddamn rejected, what the hell. It takes him a split second to make the next note.

wrong fucking person you piece of shit
ps go die

And this time he’s confident in his incantation as the note speeds off out the window, towards Gryffindor tower. After another is written and sent to Jyushimatsu, he sits back on his bed with his cat and sighs, staring up the ceiling.

-

The sound of cheering and yelling is overly loud in the air, and Ichimatsu is glad he no longer sits amongst everyone else in the stands, instead choosing to perch in a hidden spot in the grass. It doesn’t have the best view but he can see enough, and he see the score counter at least. This isn’t somewhere he would choose to be ordinarily, but Jyushimatsu is playing, so he decides he might as well tag along just for a while.

There’s a sudden rush of frantic booing and cheering, and Ichimatsu glances up to see the Hufflepuff score rise from 20 to 30. They’re still losing though. Energetic as Jyushimatsu might be, the tactics of Ravenclaw always seem to shine through superior to anything Hufflepuff can offer.

The noise gets too annoying after a while of no action, and Ichimatsu pulls himself up and sets off with his hands shoved in his pockets, slinking across by the edge of the forest with his eyes trained on the ground. He ends up each time wondering what it would be like to go inside the deep covering of leaves and branches, away from all other students and shrouded in the darkness, but always decides against it. As much as he likes magical creatures…it might not be the best idea to wander into a labyrinth full of flesh eating monsters. Not that he’d mind them killing him, but, yeah. Maybe not today, at least.

By the time he makes it back to the quidditch grounds, the students have begun to leave the stands, the players drifting around the pitch, stretching and exchanging post-game words. The sky is already darkening, but he can still see his brother come running towards him, grin bright despite the losing score behind his head.

“Ichimatsu!” he yells with a laugh, wiping a small dab of blood from under his nose. “We lost!”

“Yeah, I saw.” He looks around a little. “You’ll win the next one. Gryffindor are awful.”

“Hope so!” Jyushimatsu grins at him, then seems to notice the trickle of blood at his lips, and licks it away. Ichimatsu raises an eyebrow slightly. “Got hit by a bludger. It really hurt!”

“Mm.”

“’m gonna practise even harder for our next match! It’s not until March so I’ll have loads of practise time, so I’m gonna start tomorrow!”

“Good luck with that,” Ichimatsu says, then glances back towards the castle. “Hey, lemme sleep in your common room tonight.”

“Huh?” Jyushimatsu blinks. “Ah, ’kay!”

He feels a little reassured about everything seeing his brother’s endless depths of pure optimism, even letting himself smile a little on their way back to the common room as Jyushimatsu retells the match in over the top gestures and jumbled words once finding out Ichimatsu wasn’t present for a good half of it.

They’re still going to Hogsmeade together next week anyway, so it should be fine. Even if he’s a soul-sucking happiness-draining being of darkness, with his brother around, things always get just a little brighter somehow. And that’s enough for now.

-

Jyushimatsu sucks in the icy air whilst twirling his broomstick around on the way back to the broomshed, grinning with satisfaction. The day feels like it went well! It got dark quicker than he expected, though he’s not sure if that’s because it’s late or because it’s winter now, and he stares up at the lights scattered across the castle, wondering if his brothers are having fun doing things like breaking rules or sleeping. He hopes they saw how good his practise session went – only two falls, and no injuries!

With a satisfying clunk the broomstick lands back in its holder. Jyushimatsu accidentally slams the door of the shed shut too hard and it makes a loud noise that makes the trees rustle, and he smiles apologetically to nobody. Now that his heartrate is slowing back down again after the intense practise, the air starts to feel cold against his damp skin, and he shivers, starting to wish he brought his scarf. It’s a nice night though, lots of stars, and Jyushimatsu loses himself for a moment staring up at the bright freckles of the sky. But there’s another rustle of leaves behind him, even though it’s not windy, and Jyushimatsu halts when it catches up to him that loud noises don’t make leaves move, and he looks around, alert.

Adventure!! Or, mystery! Or action? Something fun, he thinks, and presses himself against the shed, listening tentatively. And he waits, and waits, and almost gives up, but then there’s a gentle collection of steps from somewhere and he darts forward to follow it, trying to tread quietly along the hard grass in scuffed trainers.

When he moves forward into the moonlight, he can see a figure, and he holds his breath. A gust of wind hits him suddenly, making his shirt flap a little, and the scarf of the stranger blows out, and he thinks they must be a lot warmer than him, but then he notices a braid fall back down against their back, and all his thoughts immediately switch to ‘girl!!’.

Jyushimatsu wants to say hi but doesn’t want to startle her, so he makes way to get a bit closer, but then the girl carries on walking briskly, down the path and onto the bridge by the lake. Now he can see her a little better, and she’s pretty, obviously, since she is a girl, but then he hears a tiny sad gasp and the moon reflects tears rolling down her cheeks and he stops, faltering slightly. Maybe he should leave, or maybe definitely go say hello if she’s sad, but then what if that makes her sadder, he doesn’t want to do that, not at all.

He keeps behind a tree, body tense, and peers round just a little, watching as she takes a thin and dainty wand out her pocket. Jyushimatsu blinks – is she going to practise a spell with the water? – but then she places it on the ground softly and suddenly Jyushimatsu feels like something really isn’t right. The girl lets out another quiet sob, like she’s holding back even though she thinks she’s alone, and then takes a tiny step forwards so she’s way way way too close to the edge and-

“Expectro Partronus!!” he yells as loud as he can, fluidly grabbing his wand and casting the spell in one movement as he rushes out from behind the tree. There’s a burst of light that pools between them, the silver mist swirling up to form a giraffe, and the girl takes a step back, eyes wide and shining, hands flying up her mouth, and he feels bad because he frightened her but not too bad because she’s away from the water now. “Ah- sorry! I was just practising! I got the spell wrong though, haha…”

“Wh-what…” she murmurs as the patronus nuzzles her gently, walking around on long legs. “What…is it?”

“Um, a patronus!” Jyushimatsu says, stepping forward with a grin. “You have to be really happy for them to work! So if you see a patronus you know there’s lots of happiness out there! Do you have one?”

The girl stares for a moment more, blinking with large brown eyes, then swallows and shakes her head numbly. “Th-they’re too advanced…”

“Nah, you just gotta be happy!” Jyushimatsu watches as the giraffe slowly fades away back into mist, dissipating into the night air. The girl keeps watching him with clear conflict, and he fumbles for something else to say. “Um, um- I’m sure if you make a patronus, it’ll be really beautiful!”

She stay staring, still.

“I’m Jyushimatsu!” he announces, resisting the urge to throw out his hand, since it’d probably just scare her more.

“H-Homura…” the girl says with a shaking voice, still looking she’s not quite sure what’s going on. Then Jyushimatsu notices the yellow and black stripes on her scarf and perks up a little.

“You’re in Hufflepuff!” he exclaims brightly. “Me too! Ahh, we can walk back to the common room together! It’s really cold, huh?”

Homura blinks a few times, then more tears start spilling out her eyes, and Jyushimatsu panics internally, trying to retrace his words to think what he might have said to upset her. She seems to notice this and shakes her head again, using the back of her hand to try and wipe the tears away.

“Sorry,” she murmurs, and sniffs, before reaching down to retrieve her wand. “Okay. Let’s walk back together.”

“Right!” He swings his hands happily as they set off away from the water phew and Homura follows, occasionally glancing behind her. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around the common room that much, I think.”

“I spend most of my time in the dormitories,” she says softly, and tugs at her sleeves a little. “Sometimes I see you and your brothers though. Um, they call you the Polyjuice ‘Posters, don’t they?”

“Haha, yeah! It’s ‘cause we all look the same! It’s kind of a weird nickname though.”

“Mmm.” Homura stares down with a small smile that still looks sad, and Jyushimatsu presses his lips shut for a few seconds, before grinning again.

“I’ll show you one of the Charms my brother taught me sometime! It’s a lot of fun!”

“O-okay,” she says, voice quiet.

“And I can teach you how to make a patronus too, if you want!”

“I don’t think I could…”

“Don’t worry!” Jyushimatsu beams, and decides to make this his new main determination. Even more so than quidditch.

-

The scarf feels a little loose hung around his neck, and Choromatsu tightens it, glancing around the corridor with tense shoulders. It’s so cold, it drains his energy and he feels irritable and tired. Last night he revised until he couldn’t stay awake any longer, but it doesn’t feel like he even got anything done. Maybe he wasn’t focused enough. There’re still two months until the OWL mocks begin though. It’s okay for now.

“Ahhh, I’m freezing!” Todomatsu stands next to him, rubbing his hands together, whilst Ichimatsu stays staring at the floor, robes pulled up around his collar. “I’m gonna buy like a billion bottles of butterbeer next time we go to Hogsmeade. Mmm, well, if someone lends me a galleon or two-“

“I’m not lending you money,” Choromatsu cuts in, following them into the classroom as the doors creak open. “You’re almost as bad for Osomatsu for not paying back.”

“You’re so stingy, god, it wasn’t like I was gonna hog them all to myself,” Todomatsu huffs, crossing his arms. “I do know how to share!”

“No way,” Ichimatsu mutters, sitting and down and putting his head against the desk. Choromatsu sighs, and takes his own seat, pulling out his book and turning to the page where his revision notes end, trying to force his thoughts away from unimportant matters and back to potion ingredients and stirring techniques. The teacher stands at the front, shushing the class.

“Alright everyone, can you all get out the work I set you last lesson please!”

…What.

What?????

Choromatsu looks around frantically with a tight feeling in his chest, and sees the boy next to him pull out a parchment full of writing, and only then does he remember in horror the teacher administering the essay. He didn’t do it since he had been revising first and then assumed after doing all that he had nothing else to do, he forgot and oh no, oh no he hasn’t completed it, there’s no time now, it’s not done.

With a pounding heart and dry mouth, Choromatsu watches the teacher make her way around the room, lightly scolding the few who haven’t done it, one of those being Ichimatsu who looks like he couldn’t care less, but he never does homework but Choromatsu always does and now she’s in front of him with an expectant stare that bites into him.

“S-sorry,” he manages, face red, voice tight. “I forgot- I’ll, have it for tomorrow, uh-…”

“I’d have expected better from you, Choromatsu,” she says, shaking her head before walking off, and he stares down at the desk, hoping he’ll disappear. The other two are probably laughing at him, the whole class is probably laughing at him. And the teacher’s going to think he’s lazy, or disorganised, even though he tried so hard not to be. His perfect record, vanished. Not good enough. Idiot.

-

His sour mood continues throughout the lesson, making it hard to concentrate on taking notes (which will not be helpful in the long run, he knows). When the lesson ends and they make their way to the hall for lunch, it still hasn’t dissipated. The others are already there, looking as rowdy as ever. Ugh. Choromatsu sits down opposite, stone faced.

“What’s up with you?” Osomatsu asks, hardly looking away from his meal. “You look like an old guy’s ass.”

“He’s just mad ‘cause he forgot his Potions homework,” Todomatsu says, rolling his eyes like it doesn’t even matter. “His superiority complex has been damaged, at last.”

“Oh, is that it.” Osomatsu snickers. “No big deal.”

“It is a big deal,” Choromatsu says through gritted teeth. “This is the first time I’ve forgotten all year. If you weren’t such an idiot delinquent you’d be able to understand why it’s bad.”

“Huh, you’re in a pretty shitty mood today. It’s just a piece of homework, you don’t gotta cry about it. I always forget stuff, it’s not like I make a big deal about it.”

“You do though! You actually do! You always show off about how many detentions you’ve had, you’re totally proud of being an idiot!”

“Hm, to forget such an essential yet mundane relic of life truly reflect our-“

“Shut up!” they both yell together, and Karamatsu presses his mouth shut, looking away with a shaky smile.

“At least I don’t try to act like I’m better than everyone else just ‘cause of my house,” Osomatsu carries on, pulling a face. Choromatsu tightens his grip around his fork.

“Ichimatsu always forgets his homework!” Jyushimatsu interrupts, looking between them with a bright expression. “Right?”

“I guess,” Ichimatsu says with a tired shrug.

“Ravenclaws are smarter than the other houses though,” Choromatsu says, crossing his arms.

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure,” Osomatsu says with a laugh. “I’m pretty sure you’re only interested in Charms to try and use it for pervy stuff though.”

“And I’m pretty sure you’re just jealous.”

“Huh? Of you? Jeez, how big is your ego? Like hell! You think you’re so much better than the rest of us but really you’re just the same.”

“Keep telling yourself that, keep pretending that we haven’t all grown up and changed and you’re the only one left behind-“

“Oi-!”

Ichimatsu stands up suddenly. “I’m leaving. This is uncomfortable.”

“Huh?” Jyushimatsu stares with a confused grin as Ichimatsu walks down along the hall, food forgotten.

“I’ll…go after him!” Todomatsu says hastily, acting like he actually cares and he’s not just looking for an excuse to escape.

The rest of their meal is spent in tense silence, and Choromatsu scowls into his food, listening to Karamatsu and Jyushimatsu try to fill the emptiness with hollow attempts at conversation, and he follows them down the hall after they’ve finished, refusing to look at Osomatsu.

“I wonder where Ichimatsu and Totty wentttt,” Jyushimatsu says as they step outside the hall. “Choromatsu, what’ve you got next?”

“Don’t ask him, he probably thinks he’s too good to talk to anyone other than Ravenclaw,” Osomatsu says with a grin he knows is just to piss him but god it’s working.

“Too good to talk to someone who can’t even beat a Boggart,” he says, watching to see his brother’s reaction. He has no idea what actually happened from Karamatsu and Jyushimatsu’s broken attempt at recounting the story (because honestly, those two need to learn to speak like normal people), but he’s pretty sure Osomatsu is decently embarrassed about it from his lack of usual bragging about his failures. Besides, he’s heard rumours about another student whose Boggart was corpses, so he’s sure whatever Osomatsu’s was can’t even compare. Even so, it seems to strike a vein with Osomatsu and-

“Shut up-!”

And then there’s a fist, and Choromatsu squeezes his eyes shut on reflex, ready to feel a smash of pain hit him, but then…there’s nothing. In confusion he opens his eyes to see Osomatsu’s arm still raised in the air, and it takes him a moment to realise Karamatsu has his hand wrapped around his older brother’s arm.

“What’re you doing-“

“We should probably get to lesson,” Karamatsu says carefully, staring at Jyushimatsu, who watches with wide eyes at the scene. “Right, Jyushimatsu?”

“Y-yeah!”

“Whatever, I don’t care anyway,” Osomatsu spits, tearing his arm away from Karamatsu’s grip and storming off down the corridor. Jyushimatsu looks between them, and Choromatsu lets his shock dissolve back into annoyance.

“He always overreacts so much, he’s such an idiot,” he says, before sighing hard, turning around. “See you.”

And he doesn’t wait for a response, striding away with his arms crossed. He doesn’t have time worry about stupid stuff like this. If Osomatsu wants to be an idiot, that’s his choice. Choromatsu doesn’t care.

Chapter Text

A trip to Hogsmeade sounds more than ideal to gather more information for our project. We can meet at 10am on Saturday outside the castle entrance. I’ll look forward it.
Atsushi (from Arithmancy)

Todomatsu grips the note tightly in a clenched fist, stood shivering in the light snow, well aware his nose has gone pink. He’s alone, having managed to shoo his brothers away a good ten minutes ago, insisting ‘it’ll get super busy so you should go on ahead’, because being a ‘Polyjuice ‘Poster’ is bad enough by itself, but having to meet Atsushi surrounded by said Polyjuice ‘Posters is just…unthinkable. Whole new levels of awful. He shudders at the thought.

“Are you okay?” A smooth voice interrupts his thoughts, and Todomatsu jumps a little, shoving the too formal note back into his pocket.

“Atsushi! Yup, I’m fine!” He gives a light-hearted wink, putting his usual smile back in place, trying not to notice that Atsushi’s weekend clothes look super expensive and nice, because gosh they do, what’s with this guy and his need to look perfect for everything.

“…Have you got your book?” Atsushi asks, staring at Todomatsu’s emptyhandedness.

“I’ll just use accio if I need anything.”

“…Right,” Atsushi says with a small smile, almost looking like he knows Todomatsu is hoping he’ll just write down all the notes for him. “Let’s go then.”

“Kaaay-o!” Todomatsu says lightly, following him down the snow dusted path. It’s annoying it’s with someone like this, but having someone normal to walk with for once is actually kind of nice. Even if it is quality entertainment watching Ichimatsu shove snow down Karamatsu’s back.

Hogsmeade looks as cheery as always, and Todomatsu feels a burst of Christmas spirit hit him at the sight of tinsel wrapped around window displays, as well as the constant flow of owls in and out of the post office. One cuts past close to his hat and he jumps, swerving into Atsushi’s side with a light apology and a rush of embarrassment.

“It’s definitely a busy time for owls,” Atsushi muses, glancing up at the sky as Todomatsu readjusts himself.

“They should be more careful,” he huffs, before perking up again. “But I guess it is Christmas soon. Hey, Atsushi, you’re gonna get me a gift, right?”

“What do you want?”

“What?” Todomatsu blinks at the unexpected response, tearing his gaze away from a shop window. “I was just kidding, Atsushi! You don’t have to get me anything.”

“Even so, what would you ask for?” Atsushi asks, pausing momentarily to lean against a wall, jotting down a few numbers that were stuck up in a window. Todomatsu waits, holding his finger up to his mouth in thought.

“Umm…some gloves! Or, chocolate! Maybe a new scarf…and new clothes in general, and some shower gel, and body lotion, or a new collar for my cat-“

“You certainly have an extensive list,” Atsushi says, shutting the book again and looking up with a teasing smile.

“Not really.” Todomatsu shrugs, before looking around the street with mild interest. There aren’t a lot of students here yet, and luckily his brothers are nowhere to be seen. For a moment he just scans the shops, looking for somewhere to go to get out of the cold, before stopping in awe. “Oh my gosh, Atsushi, look at that teashop! It’s so cute! Let’s go!”

He immediately takes hold of Atsushi and drags him through the snow towards the pink glow of the teashop, already completely charmed by the cute décor. The bell above them makes a light ringing sound, and Todomatsu feels the snow on his clothes start to melt as the warmth hits them. It smells like about a thousand different cakes, and Todomatsu decides instantly he has to try them all.

“Madam Puddifoot’s,” Atsushi murmurs, voice quieter amongst the gentle sounds of the nearly empty shop. He lets out a small, almost awkward laugh. “It wouldn’t be my first choice.”

“Huh? Why?” Todomatsu finds a sofa seat in the corner and sits down happily, pulling a menu towards him.

“It’s…” Atsushi stops, sitting down across from him with an unreadable expression on his face. “It’s very pink.”

“Pink’s cute,” Todomatsu replies defiantly, ready to defend himself, before turning back to scanning the list of cakes with admiration. “Oooh, gingerbread and latte! And pumpkin spice! Hey, are you getting anything?”

Atsushi places the arithmancy book down on the dark wood of the table, the lighting giving his face a slightly pink hue. “…I might just get a coffee.”

“Booringg,” Todomatsu says, deciding on a top three, and smiles as the waitress comes over, notepad at the ready. Time to make the most of eating out with company.

-

“That was so gooood,” Todomatsu purrs as they leave the shop with another ring of the bell, back out into the freezing afternoon air. “Sorry about forgetting to bring my money again!”

“Don’t worry about it,” Atsushi says with a trace of amusement visible on his face. “Money isn’t a problem for me.”

Todomatsu resists the urge to roll his eyes at the comment, because after everything he supposes Atsushi still is a show off, though he really doesn’t seem as bad as before. It’s almost…fun, being with him. Which is annoying just in itself.

They walk on a little further, with Atsushi still occasionally adding notes to the book though Todomatsu doesn’t know why, since there’s nothing even important around here, and he focuses on window shopping, eyes gleaming at the various arrangements laid out.

“Todomatsu,” Atsushi says suddenly, snapping him out of his enchantment at watching two toy nutcrackers beat each other up. “You’re muggle born, aren’t you?”

He tenses a little and frowns, looking away. “…So? Why does that matter?”

“No, sorry, I didn’t mean any offense,” Atsushi explains, shaking his head. “It’s just interesting seeing someone still learning so much about wizard culture, since I’ve always been brought up around pure-bloods.”

“Well, we’re in our fifth year, I’d say I know lots of stuff,” Todomatsu says indignantly.

“It must be interesting, being in Slytherin as a muggle born.”

Todomatsu doesn’t say anything, looking to the side with mild irritation, even though he can tell Atsushi probably (probably) doesn’t mean anything insulting by saying it. But, still…!

“I-“

He’s cut off by an all too familiar sounding yell from down the street, and they turn to look along with some other students at the source of the noise.

“-it’s not my fault if you make your prices way too high! Jeez!”

“Oh no, kill me now,” Todomatsu mutters, pulling his hat down a little and turning away, praying please that he won’t get spotted-

“Oi, Todomatsu!”

He screams internally as Osomatsu comes striding over, hands in his pockets, unfortunately looking like he’s got something to say. Todomatsu considers just running, but isn’t confident he can do so in the snow without falling, with probably wouldn’t serve to impress Atsushi any further after whatever hell this meeting brings.

 “Hey, can you believe it costs like three sickles for a chocolate frog now? Seriously, what’s with that! And I was telling the staff they should just sell it for me for normal price of way less and they were all like uh no sorry you gotta leave! That’s total crap, right?”

“Osomatsu,” he starts with a forced smile, too aware of Atsushi still stood beside him. “Where are the others?”

“Doing stuff without me,” he huffs, scowling. “I dunno. Ichimatsu and Jyushimatsu went to a different shop to get some stuff without me, Karamatsu’s still at school doing whatever and I couldn’t give a shit about where Choromatsu is, he’s probably f-“

“Okay well I’m really busy, I’m working on a project right now,” Todomatsu says firmly, blinking hard at his big brother and trying to send as many piss off vibes as he can. “See you later~!”

“Hey, wait, aren’t you gonna introduce your big brother to your new friend?”

“No.”

“What, c’mon, Tottyyy-!”

“Atsushi, we should get going,” he says, tugging on the other’s arm and leading them away from Osomatsu, who’s looking at him almost dejectedly. Not that he cares! Go play with someone else, he thinks in irritation. This is probably Karamatsu’s fault for suddenly having a life.

They end up in Honeydukes, since Todomatsu presumes if his brother just got kicked out, he’s not going to be allowed back in. It’s reasonably crowded, and Todomatsu lets go of Atsushi’s arm with a sigh, moving to observe the selection of sweets.

“…Your brother seems interesting,” he says after a moment.

“I’m sorry, he’s an idiot.” Todomatsu purses his lips, frowning. “I promise I’m the normal one.”

Atsushi lets out a slight laugh. “You shouldn’t apologise. It’s amazing how similar you look though. I’ve never really had the chance to see two of you so close up before. It’s no wonder people thought you’d taken Polyjuice Potion.”

“I don’t know why anyone would want to voluntarily look like any of us,” Todomatsu says with a sly smile, peering over the boxes and packets. “Well, maybe except me. I’m pretty sure I’m cuter than the rest of them. Oh, ew, Fudge Flies. Why do they even sell them, they’re so gross. The only person I know who buys them is my brother, but he’s totally not a normal person, and I’m pretty sure he shares most of them with his gross toad.”

“…I see.” Atsushi follows alongside him slowly. “Do you and your brothers not get along?”

“Pfft, no,” Todomatsu says with a quick laugh. “We hate each other. Like, in a nice way, I guess, but still. Hate each other. Any of us would put ourselves before the other, for sure. And you saw my brother, right? Who wouldn’t, seriously.”

“Do you fight?”

“Fight?” Todomatsu muses over this for a moment. “Well, nobody fights with me because I’m too cute, but I guess the others do. But, not like seriously. The last serious fight we had was back in like first year but we cleared that up and stuff. I think Osomatsu and Choromatsu are in some kind of spat right now but it’s nothing to worry about, it never is, even if they always think it is. They both love overreacting about stuff, almost as much as Karamatsu does.”

“Huh,” Atsushi says, looking thoughtful. “Having brothers must be quite the experience.”

“Trust me, you’re the lucky one here,” Todomatsu says, before picking up a packet of Sugar Quills. “Oooh, we should get some of these! They’re sooo nice, and you can eat them during lesson too! Seriously the teachers never notice.”

Atsushi stares at him for a moment, before giving a resigned sigh with a smile, and Todomatsu beams as he goes to pay. Weirdly enough though, it does make him feel a little bad considering Atsushi seems pretty understanding and almost friendly in an irritating kind of way, and he makes a mental note to pay him back sometime. Maybe.

-

This section of the shop is dimly lit and covered in a thin layer of dust, and Ichimatsu has to squint slightly to read the text printed on the front of the book. Jyushimatsu stands next to him, waiting for a verdict with a patient grin.

“…I don’t think this will help,” he says eventually after scanning the blurb, and places it back on the shelf with a firm feeling of disappointment. This has to be at least the thirtieth book they’ve tried, but everything is too wrong and unfocused. It won’t tell him what he needs.

“I’m sure you’ll find it!” Jyushimatsu cheers, always supportive, but Ichimatsu can tell he’s getting restless, getting bored of being in such a still place like a bookshop, and he feels a twinge of guilt for making him come along to help in the first place. It wasn’t supposed to take this long, he just wanted some company for what he thought would be a few minutes scanning the shelves.

“You can wait upfront if you want,” he murmurs, bending down to examine some other titles more closely. “I’ll be done soon.”

“Sure?” Jyushimatsu asks with wide eyes, and Ichimatsu nods once. “Okay! I’ll wait for you.”

His brother steps out of the shadows back into the sun, swerving a bookcase with ease. Whilst Ichimatsu peers over the selection of books, the bell at the entrance lets out a small noise, and he tenses a little, hoping to remain undisturbed. Luckily, all conversation takes place at the front of the shop, allowing him to relax enough to locate the book he’s looking for, a dulled thick book with obvious wear labelled ‘Mending Magical Mishaps in Mammals’.

He’s sure only a few moments had passed, but at the front of the shop, only the sleepy looking cashier is left stood behind the desk. Ichimatsu glances around uncertainly, placing the book down with a soft thud which seems to startle the dozing wizard back into reality.

“Hmm? Weren’t you just here?”

“No…that was my brother,” he murmurs, frowning slightly. The man shrugs and scans the book with his wand. “…Did you…see where he went?”

“…Doesn’t look like he’s anywhere around here,” he says after a brief glance around the shop, and Ichimatsu blinks, annoyed at the unhelpful answer. Not that he’s had a lot of positive experiences whilst interacting with strangers, but this one seems even more useless than most. “Two galleons, please. Got a problem with your pet then?”

“Oh…yeah,” Ichimatsu mumbles, fishing out the last coins in his pocket. “A cat.”

“You oughta be careful with your mogs at this time of the year,” the man says, twirling his moustache with his wand. “Lots of nasty bugs hanging around right now that’ll really knock your animals down.”

“It’s not that bad,” Ichimatsu says, taking his book hastily before the conversation can reveal something he doesn’t want to know. A part of him still wants to ask, because maybe it could be helpful asking someone experienced like this, but more parts of him want to leave. Being this social wasn’t in today’s plan. “Thanks anyway. Bye.”

The man waves him goodbye as he leaves the shop, stepping back into the snow, which seems to have increased its intensity and decreased its temperature. It’s hard to see past the blinding white, and even harder to keep his eyes open against the heavy snowfall. Jyushimatsu is nowhere to be seen, and there’s probably little hope in finding him. Ichimatsu isn’t concerned since he knows Jyushimatsu is basically invincible against anything a normal human would struggle with, but he can’t help but feel a little hurt. It was him who was stupid enough to try and bring his nonstop sport obsessed brother to a bookshop, but even still, it picks at him, the fact he’s apparently not even worth waiting for.

But, whatever. He got what he needed. Pulling his scarf up over his mouth and gripping his already numb fingers around the bag, Ichimatsu sets off across the blizzard back to school, alone.

-

There’s an irritating buzz as another note zooms past and lands in Todomatsu’s lap, and Ichimatsu watches in irritation as he reads over it with a catlike smile, half a Sugar Quill hanging out his mouth. He tries his best to avoid paying his younger brother any attention, sat opposite huddled up in a black armchair in their usual position of being shoved into the corner away from the centre of the common room – and more importantly, the fire. Ichimatsu doesn’t let it bother him. He prefers being away from the crowds anyway. Even if it’s a bit colder, and darker.

His gaze moves back to focus on the text of ‘Chapter 4: Fixing Feline Fractures and Failures’, but then Todomatsu sends another note flying and his weak grasp on his patience finally slips.

“Stop it,” he says with narrowed eyes. Todomatsu leans back with a coy smile.

“Why? Are you jeaaaalous of my friends?”

“It’s just one guy,” Ichimatsu mutters in distaste. “I thought you hated him anyway.”

“I do,” Todomatsu says quickly, looking away in disdain. “…But, he’s not that bad.”

“…You’re flirting with him.”

“What?” Todomatsu recoils in horror, flushing. “What the hell are you talking about? With Atsushi? No way, piss off! God, I knew your grasp on social interaction was bad but I could never have guessed it would reach this level. God. Seriously!”

Ichimatsu says nothing, moving back to his book.

“What’re you reading anyway? Did you catch Choromatsu’s gross nerd disease?”

“It’s nothing,” he says, moving the book a little closer to himself.

“Huuhhh?” Todomatsu goes to lean forward and grab the book, but luckily at that moment another note whizzes past, distracting him. Ichimatsu doesn’t loosen his guard even as his brother scans the note, not looking as interested as before. “Bleh, it’s just from Choromatsu. He wants to know who I drew for the Secret Santa.”

“Who’d you get?”

“Not telling~,” Todomatsu says with a wink. Ichimatsu doesn’t care about their stupid tradition though, especially since he’d managed to draw ‘Karamatsu’ out the cauldron they’d put the names in, having promptly scrunched up the scrap of parchment and watching it burn after getting back to the common room. No way.

The book describes a lot of things Ichimatsu isn’t really interested in, but then he notices a section on illnesses tucked away in the corner of the page and reads over it, the anxious feeling returning. If it’s something related to muggles then it’s fine, but if not…

“I’m going to bed,” he says abruptly, shutting the book and standing up, slinking away almost before Todomatsu can let out a ‘huh?’. It’ll be fine. It’s fine, it’s fine.

Chapter Text

“What makes you happy?”

Jyushimatsu stares expectantly at the blank faced girl in front of him, smile bright. Homura shifts a little, still wearing her full robes even though they’re sat by the fire.

“I’m…not really sure,” she says softly, smiling shakily with a small shrug.

“You have to be really happy to cast a patronus!” he explains, spreading his arms to show just how much. “You think of really happy things, and it makes you feel good, and then you can cast a patronus! It’s the most important thing about it!”

“It sounds difficult,” she says, frowning a little. “You must be very skilled to be able to cast such an advanced charm, Jyushimatsu.”

“Nah, nah, it’s pretty much the only spell I can do!” He says, waving his sleeve around at the embarrassment of being complimented by such a pretty girl. She just smiles at him politely, and even though it’s a nice smile, he kind of wishes it was more real, more genuine. Then she could cast a patronus, he’s sure!

“What do you think about?” she asks, and Jyushimatsu has to take a moment to think of exactly what makes him grin so much so widely.

“Ahh…my brothers! And quidditch! I like dogs too, and my toad! You could think about something like that!”

“I…” Homura opens her mouth for a moment, then looks down at her lap with a wistful look. “You’re very sweet, Jyushimatsu, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to cast a patronus.”

“Don’t you like dogs?”

“I do, but…”

She trails off, looking slightly awkward. Jyushimatsu stares for a few seconds, furiously wracking his brains for something useful to say. It’s hard asking things like this though, he doesn’t know what makes Homura happy yet, and she doesn’t know either, so how is he supposed to help her focus on good things when they don’t even know what they are? Maybe it'll be something she hasn't seen before, since she said she doesn't live in a muggle place, but then the other day she was buying a book about muggle stuff so maybe she does already know? He looks around a little, deep in thought, before a sudden burst of inspiration hits him.

“Hey, Homura!” He takes out his wand and points it towards a vase on the table. “Ducklifors!”

With a grin, he watches as the flowers morph and twist, before settling in the shape of a duck, which lets out a short quack and waddles across the table, knocking the vase over. He laughs, and looks up to see Homura staring at the duck, face blank. For a moment, he panics, wondering if this is only funny to him, but then she lets out a slight breath of air which she tries to cover with her hand, but then she’s laughing hard, and Jyushimatsu grins wider. That’s a real smile, and it’s almost as wide as his. A hundred point smile!

“Wh…what did you…” she tries, voice muffled through her giggles.

“It turns stuff into ducks!” he says happily, and pets the duck fondly as Homura continues to laugh. “Hey, he needs a friend now!”

Within ten minutes, there are exactly twenty seven ducks walking around the common room, and Homura has tears in her eyes from laughing, leaning back on the sofa in apparent paralysis. Jyushimatsu occasionally glances back to check she’s still breathing, then carries on looking for a spare plant to transfigure. It’s a good thing most Hufflepuffs apparently really like plants. Also good that there aren’t any other people in here except for a few first years who are looking both scared and amused over by their seats in the corner.

Jyushimatsu’s about to wave his wand at another plant, before the door rolls open and he glances over, seeing Todomatsu walk in with a bored face which instantly changes to confused disbelief as he looks around the room.

“…What am I even supposed to say to this,” he says, stepping back a little as a duck walks past by his feet. “So long as they don’t poop everywhere, I guess it’s fine.”

“We’re practising patronuses!”

“’We’?” Todomatsu peers around to see a recovering Homura sat on the sofa, and his eyes widen. “Oooh, who’s this? Is she your gir-“

“I’m teaching her how to make a patronus,” he states firmly, smiling.

“Patronuses are for like, eighty year old wizards who have reached some kind of enlightenment. Why don’t you teach her something cute? I know a really good spell that turns everything baby pink.”

“Nah, just patronus,” Jyushimatsu says, laughing as a duck pecks lightly at his robes.

“If I’m interrupting I can leave,” Todomatsu says suddenly, shooting a pseudo-upset face at him and blinking dejectedly. “But Osomatsu’s asleep, and Karamatsu’s himself, Choromatsu’s in his common room and Ichimatsu’s being sad and boring. And Atsushi went home for the holidays already! Ugh.”

“Atsushi?” Jyushimatsu repeats, blinking.

“Ravenclaw prick.”

“Ahh,” he says, nodding in understanding. Then he turns towards Homura, who’s sitting up a little, still stifling small laughs as she watches the crowd of ducks waddle around the carpet. “This is Homura! Homura, this is my brother, Todomatsu! He likes pink and is good at Transfiguration!”

“Speaking of which, do you want me to put these back to normal? They’re starting to smell.” He waves his wand over the ducks without waiting for a reply, and instantly the common room is filled with flowers and plants once more, lying scattered around the floor. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, Homura! I didn’t realise my brother was capable of making such normal friends.”

“O-oh, it’s nice to meet you too, Todomatsu,” she says, nodding politely. “Are you both staying for the holidays then?”

“Yeah, our parents can only deal with so many idiot older brothers, and I think Osomatsu has enough idiocy for like four people just by himself.”

“Aren’t you staying?” Jyushimatsu asks with a blink, faltering slightly.

Homura fidgets a little, smile shrinking. “I have to go home. M-my dad doesn’t like me staying here for too long at a time.”

“Aww…but, when you come back we can practise some more! Remember, Expectro Patronus!”

“Um, isn’t it Expecto Patronum,” Todomatsu says, then shakes his head. Jyushimatsu sits back down on the sofa, expecting his brother to follow, but he seems to notice something and move over to behind the sofa, before emerging with a happy look on his face. A tabby cat sits in his arms, purring lightly. “Look what I found~!”

“Ah, Cat,” Homura says, and Jyushimatsu nods in agreement with this observation. “Oh, um, he’s my cat. H-he’s kind of called Cat…I’m not very good at names…”

“It’s a good name!”

“Ah, he’s pretty cute, almost as cute as my cat,” Todomatsu says, letting the cat jump from his arms onto the sofa. “If you like cute things, Homura, you’re gonna be sadly disappointed when you realise my brother here chose a toad as his beloved pet.”

“Toads can be cute in their own way though,” she points out softly, and Jyushimatsu stares in amazement, as does Todomatsu, though he assumes it’s different for the two of them. Homura thinks toads can be cute. Homura is amazing, he decides.

-

There’s a beautiful smell of flowers that wafts around outside the greenhouse, and Karamatsu breathes it in with a cool smile, feeling closer to nature than ever- then sneezes, arms instinctively wrapping around his cold arms with a shiver.

“Idjit, that’s what you get for wearing stupid clothes in the middle of December,” Chibita says, raising an eyebrow. “Why aren’t you wearing your winter jumper anyway?”

“Hm, it didn’t agree with my cool fashion-“

“Cool fashion for sure! You’re freezing!”

Chibita lets out a loud laugh, and Karamatsu glances around at the ice encrusted around the pale grass beneath their feet, then back up at the greenhouse, which seems to glow with inviting radiance and warmth. Beside him, Chibita continues to laugh quietly at his pun, fumbling with the key before sliding the door open. A blast of hot air hits Karamatsu as they step inside, and he stretches out with a smile, then realises he’s a little too close to the plants resting on the side as one bites down onto his robe.

“You’re pretty lucky the Herbology teacher let me come in here after school hours,” Chibita says, shrugging off his coat and crossing his arms. “She says one time she saw you trying to serenade a plant and all she could do afterwards was go home and cry.”

“…Was it that beautiful?”

“Uh, let’s just start,” Chibita says hastily, moving towards a selection of not too dangerous looking plants, and Karamatsu leans down towards them, eager to learn. “You know what these are?”

“Darlings!”

“…They’re called self-fertilising shrubs,” he explains after a short pause, and Karamatsu blinks at the small green pockets buried in the soil, wondering if these ones would be okay to touch. Chibita hums, tapping his foot a little. “Ehh…there’s not really much to say about them. They self-fertilise, as you can probably guess. Oh yeah, and also they eat flesh but-“

In a flash Karamatsu leaps backwards with a yelp, withdrawing his hands tightly into his robe in horror. “Eat flesh?”

“Yeah? So?”

He glances around the greenhouse with tepid fear, taking a small step closer to Chibita, who looks at him with amusement. Maybe it would be a better tactic to wait for Chibita to explain fully all the plants, as lovely as they look, he thinks, swallowing.

“C’mon, aren’t you supposed to be a Gryffindor? Get some guts!” He shakes his head, and frowns in obvious contemplation. “It’s not really any different to us eating plants, right?”

“Ahh…as in, the circle of life,” Karamatsu tries to say smoothly, dropping his voice back down a little.

“Sure, whatever,” Chibita says, then brightens up spotting a pile of tall pots in the corner. “Oohh, you remember these, right? We had to plant them in our second year!”

“…Uhhm.” Karamatsu peers at the tall sprouts, trying to think back three years, mind going blank. He tries to look for something that might give him a clue, the dark colour of the soil, several chips in the pot, the wispy texture of the leaves sticking out the top…

“You passed out, remember? Heh, that was a fun lesson to watch.”

“Mandrakes!” Karamatsu exclaims, grinning at finally having remembered something. It would be hard to forget that, Osomatsu still likes to makes digs about it even to this day. “They’re…noisy! They like to bite.”

“Well, you’re not gonna pass your OWL writing that in the exam.”

“Probably not,” Karamatsu says with a small grin, accidentally letting his posture falter a little. Then he realises who he’s with and perks up again, giving a thumbs up. “But I’m sure with your expertise, I’ll at least be able to pass!”

“I dunno, you might be too far gone by this point,” Chibita says, frowning. Karamatsu drops again. “But I am pretty great too! I’ll try my best, but you better pay me back for it!”

“Of course!” He nods, passion sparking again. “Okay, enlighten me about mandrakes!”

It’s amazingly interesting to listen to Chibita talk about the healing properties of each plant, and so much easier to understand than anything the Herbology teacher had ever said to him in the past, and without his brothers causing distraction (well intended, but nevertheless). He stresses the importance of never, never, never watering plants with homemade unstable potions, and Karamatsu nods in slight understanding, though he’s not still not sure how merely trying to add a little sparkle can be so damaging.

“How did you learn all this?” he asks in awe, halting the other mid speech in his explanation about Fluxweed. “I never realised you were so smart.”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?” Chibita gives him a look, and he blinks, panicking at having said the wrong thing, before a loud laugh erupts from the other and he receives a hefty pat on the back. “But I guess I am pretty smart, huh? Well, that’s what you get when you spend half your life making food with whatever you can find growing.”

“O-oh,” Karamatsu says quietly, suddenly feeling a little awkward. Then he remembers it’s never good to make a situation awkward and crosses his arms cooly, aware that even if his face is flushed with shame, it’s hot in here anyway so Chibita won’t be able to tell. “I guess all experience is useful in its own way! Even our hardships allow us some kind of growth.”

“Tsch, whatever makes you happy, idjit,” he says, rolling his eyes, before going back to the talk of Fluxweed. Karamatsu lets out a silent sigh of relief. This is going a lot better than he thought, and he can’t mess it up now. A chance to make a friend has arisen, and he doesn’t plan on wasting it.

They’ve managed to cover a large variety of plants and flowers, when Karamatsu spots a sudden note drifts in through the window almost tiredly, faltering for a second before knocking into the back of Chibita’s head.

“The hell was that?” he murmurs, frowning, and Karamatsu glances down at the crumpled note on the floor. Chibita picks it up with a questioning stare, then his eyes flicker back to Karamatsu. “From your brother.”

“Brother?” He moves forwards with increased interest, peering over Chibita to read the note.

chibita do you know any potions to heal sick animals like cats
i think it's some kind of magical flu thing
Ichimatsu

“Is his pet sick or somethin’?” Chibita asks, raising an eyebrow. “He must be pretty desperate if he’s asking me, of all people.”

“…Anya?” Karamatsu muses, thinking back to the petite Scottish fold that timidly lurks around the Slytherin common room from time to time, from the few times he’s managed to sneak in with Todomatsu or one of the others.

“Who?”

“Ah, his cat,” he explains, checking there’s nothing flesh eating behind him before leaning back thoughtfully against the wall. “She must be sick. But, there’ll be something to counter it, right? The magic world is full of all sorts of cures!”

Chibita sighs, rubbing his forehead a little. “Cures for muggle stuff, yeah, but…I dunno about this kinda stuff. ‘specially with animals. Hey, got a quill on you?”

Luckily, he does, since somewhere during third year he had decided it would always be useful to have some parchment and a quill stuffed into his pockets just in case he came out with something particularly poetic to jot down. And he’d only ended up pricking himself with it a few times.

I dont think theres such a thing?

They both watch the note fly off out the greenhouse, and almost immediately another one comes shooting back towards Chibita, and Karamatsu blinks in surprise. He didn’t think Ichimatsu was able to do anything so quick. It’s a simple note though, and it picks at Karamatsu a little, slight concern building.

there has to be

“Man, he really is desperate,” Chibita says, pulling a face. “I feel kinda bad now…can you tell him sorry or something?”

Karamatsu looks away with a tight smile. “It would probably hold more meaning coming directly from you, I think.”

“Ugh, I guess,” Chibita says, before scribbling a hasty ‘Sorry’ down on the back of the note, and sending it back off. “Anyway, what was I talking about again? Are you still keepin’ up after all this information?”

“Of course! You were enlightening me on the abstract beauty of the Screamsprout!”

“No, Screechsnap,” Chibita corrects with a sigh. “Fancy up your talk all you want but you can’t go changing the names of stuff, Karaboy. That’s gonna fail your OWLs before you’ve even started.”

“But, I-“

“And you’re not gonna fail! I’ve decided now, I’m gonna make you pass this godamn course if it kills me! Alright? Now, listen up! Screechsnap!”

Karamatsu stares blankly for a moment, then nods, feeling a spark of determination that can only be given by another person’s motivation burst in his chest. Right, he can pass! He has to! For Chibita’s sake!

-

The glow of the huge Christmas tree at the front of the room spreads out across the hall, helping the floating candles to bring a little light to the dark sky up above, light snowflakes falling persistently only to fade away into nothing. It’s only him, Choromatsu and Ichimatsu sat at the table for breakfast, and Karamatsu muses at the few students who have either yet to go home or are staying the holidays, letting out a slight cough. It’s the first time they’ve stayed, and Karamatsu has to admit he almost likes the relaxed and empty feel of the school right now. Not to mention his excitement building for Christmas! Such a romantic time, full of joy and passion. And, presents, those too.

A few owls flutter through the room, and he looks up with slight hope, wondering if his darling Lady Azalea will have any news for him today. Like always though, only Choromatsu’s owl flaps past, dropping a newspaper and a small red envelope in front of him. Ichimatsu raises an eyebrow.

“What’s that,” he asks, and Choromatsu’s face turns to worry as he picks it up, tensing slightly.

“A…howler,” he says, then swallows. “It doesn’t have a name on it. Who would send me a howler…? Mum, maybe? But, I didn’t even know she knew how to get these. And I didn’t do anything wrong…”

“Open it,” Ichimatsu urges, a sadistically eager look on his face, and Choromatsu seems to hesitate for a moment, reaching out for the note before recoiling his hand.

“B-but…it’s a howler, they’re so loud, maybe I should take it outside the hall to open-“

“It’ll explode,” Ichimatsu says, and Karamatsu watches as the envelope starts to shake slightly. “Open it.”

Choromatsu frowns anxiously, before nervously reaching and untying the black ribbon, which almost seems to untie itself once his fingers have brushed against it. In an instance the note stands up, and they wait for the inevitable.

“Oi, Choromatsu!!” the note yells, and Karamatsu recognises at once the note to be Osomatsu’s voice. The rest of the hall goes quieter, glancing over at their isolated spot on the table. “What did I tell you about leaving your dirty tissues around, HUH? I’m not judging you for having a bit of a cheeky one, since I’m such a great brother, but at least clean up afterwards!! God!”

The note immediately rips itself into shreds before bursting into flames, but Karamatsu has a feeling the heat of the fire isn’t the reason why Choromatsu’s face is currently bright red. Murmurs of awkward laughter echo from a few of the other students, before the quiet chatter picks back up again.

“Well,” Ichimatsu says. “You have no choice but to kill yourself now.”

“I’m gonna kill him,” he seethes through gritted teeth, standing up in fury. “I’m going to actually kill him.”

“Good luck,” Ichimatsu says, looking at the dying embers of the note. Choromatsu flees the hall at once, and Karamatsu hopes there won’t be another fight to break up, though the threat of it getting serious seems to have faded.

For a moment there’s an awkward silence between the two of them, and Karamatsu looks around uncertainly, before his younger brother eventually looks at him with a scowl and spits out “why are you so quiet all of a sudden?”.

With a low smirk and a deep inhale of breath, Karamatsu puts a hand to his forehead dramatically. “…s-…ms, …m-voi…-nto…yss.”

“You’ve lost your voice,” Ichimatsu states after a moment, visibly brightening, then smiles like his greatest dream has come true. “Christmas is going to be great this year.”

His brother stands up to leave as Karamatsu can’t help but cough a little, voice straining with the attempt at his wispy speech. He’s not entirely sure how it happened, since he didn’t feel like he was ill beforehand, but it seems colds in the magical world work a little differently to the ones he’s used to. It’s a little challenging, considering it was hard enough to get his brothers attention normally, but without his voice he’s a little worried they might just entirely forget his being. Probably not though. They are brothers after all.

Karamatsu sits by himself for a moment, wondering how exactly he’s supposed to spend his day. There’s some homework he could do but lessons have only just ended, so he doesn’t really feel like it. Osomatsu prefers it when they do their homework together anyway, since he can copy any bits he doesn’t understand. Which…normally ends up being a quite lot, now he thinks about it.

“Oh, Karaboy! Wasn’t expecting to see you here still! Your train get delayed or somethin’?”

Karamatsu blinks up to see Chibita stood with his arms crossed, grinning. Well, it makes sense he would be here, considering this is the Hufflepuff table. With another smirk and flicking his fringe, he attempts another raspy reply. “…T…no-…mm, th- ar.”

“The hell?” Chibita frowns, looking him over. “What’d you do to your voice? That’s messed up! You know there’re potions for this kinda stuff, I could probably make you one if you want! If you pay me! Kehehe.”

“S…b-…” Karamatsu tries, but Chibita just shakes his head, waving a hand.

“It’s painful just hearing you try,” he says, sighing. “Gimme a few hours, I’ll figure somethin’ out.”

For a few seconds, Karamatsu just stares, almost enchanted by the kind words directed at him, then he takes a breath and nods, sending Chibita a cool grin. The boy just shrugs modestly like he hasn’t just offered to do something incredibly good natured, and Karamatsu wonders how he could have ever treated such a person so badly. Once he gets his voice back, he knows the first thing he needs to do is to stop putting it off and apologise properly. Definitely.

Chapter Text

When he wakes up on Christmas morning, Osomatsu grins, stands up, then coughs up a vibrant cloud of glitter. The effects of the stupid potion Choromatsu slipped into this drink yesterday are apparently still lingering, and though they’ve almost gone, he ended up sending Karamatsu on a mission to find a cure anyway. As he changes into his much warmer hoodie, said brother comes back into the almost empty dorm, holding two vials, a dark blue and a pale yellow potion. He’s decided on wearing his favourite jumper, adorned with bedazzled reindeer spawn from hell that actually hurts to look at.

“Jeez, you took your time,” he says with a yawn, like he hasn’t only just woken up, and Karamatsu attempts a confident ‘hmm’, smirking.

“F…m-e, -ss, ti-…yy,” he rasps out in a rattling breath, and Osomatsu rolls his eyes, catching the bottle easily as it’s tossed to him, hurrying it down before he makes the entire bed look like a six year old’s (or, Karamatsu’s) homemade Christmas card. His brother uncaps the small vial and takes a gulp, then clears his throat overdramatically. “Ah, I am reunited with my voice once more!”

“Good for you,” Osomatsu snickers, standing up and stretching. “Man, how d’you reckon I should get back at Choromatsu for that stupid potion? I bet he thought he was being super clever sneaking it in my drink, huh? But I knew, I just drank anyway ‘cause it tastes nice.”

“I see,” Karamatsu says, patting his fringe down in the mirror. “So long as nobody’s getting hurt.”

“Oh, people are getting hurt,” Osomatsu says, grinning. “Like, he stepped on my robe and tripped me up after I swotknotted him, but it was so worth it – he couldn’t get it undone for like ten minutes. I thought he was gonna cry.”

Karamatsu makes a thoughtful hum as they step outside the dorms into the common room, and Osomatsu glances up at the snow falling outside the window, and wraps an arm around his brother’s shoulder, beaming.

“Alright, let’s go get some presents!” he exclaims, then stops. “Oh, but first. We gotta go outside, need to get something.”

-

“Merry CHRISTMAS!” Osomatsu yells as he jumps up behind Choromatsu, shoving a large handful of snow down his back. It’s near impossible to stop laughing as his brother near enough screams, jumping up and clawing at his back furiously.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you an actual infant?!” He pulls at his top and the snow falls out onto the floor, leaving a damp mark on his shirt. The others laugh as he shivers, face furious.

“Gift for a gift,” he says with a wink, swinging his legs around the bench lightly as Karamatsu sits down next to him. Looking around the hall, there are only a few groups of students cluttered around the table, chatting quietly with occasional glances up at the frost covered windows anxiously.

"Karamatsu that is the tackiest piece of crap I have ever seen," Todomatsu says, staring at the sparkling reindeer in disgust. "And you're getting glitter everywhere! It's even on the food, ugh. You’re in charge of eating that stuff."

"Hm, no worry! Then the beauty will exist within me too!"

"Uh, what?"

"All in favour of agreeing that Karamatsu eats glitter and will probably die eating said glitter say 'aye'," Osomatsu calls to the table, and there's a murmur of ‘ayes’ from around the table, as Karamatsu lets out a quiet ‘eh?’.

“Ahhh, owls are so unreliable, seriously!” Todomatsu moans, rubbing his hands together even though it isn’t really that cold in here. “I wanna see what Mum and Dad got me already!”

“Hopefully a new personality,” Ichimatsu mutters, head resting on his hand with a miserable look on his face, though Osomatsu reckons it looks even more miserable than usual. Maybe it’s the ‘Christmas spirit’.

“Says you, you absolute scrooge-“ Todomatsu starts, scowling, before Jyushimatsu perks up, grinning up at the windows.

“They’re here!!” He points up as a small flock of owls come flying in, carrying various packages and bags. Two pass over them, Choromatsu’s tiny pathetic owl and Karamatsu’s larger but still embarrassing owl, and they drop a bag each onto the table.

“Good ol’ Fart and Azz,” Osomatsu says, routing through the bags and dishing out the individual presents.

“His name is Quark, that’s not even similar-“

“What about the Secret Santa gifts too?” Todomatsu says, glancing around with a pleased smiled, taking a little box out his pocket. “Here you go, Ichimatsu! I hope you like it because it was super hard to find.”

“Oh…thanks,” Ichimatsu says, blinking almost surprised at the box. Everyone else looks at him expectantly, and he diverts his gaze, frowning slightly. “I had Shittymatsu over here so obviously I didn’t get anything.”

“Boo,” Todomatsu complains, pulling a face.

“Who got me though?” Osomatsu asks eagerly, glancing around the table, though his joy quickly shifts to wary doubt when Choromatsu slides a bag towards him.

“It’s nothing bad,” he says with a frown. “I’m more mature than to spent money on a purposely bad gift, even if you are acting like a total dickhead right now.”

“Speak for yourself,” Osomatsu mutters.

“Christmas truce!” Jyushimatsu cheers, mouth already stuffed with chocolate from Osomatsu’s gift, a new coat wrapped around his shoulders (which is a good thing, since in Osomatsu’s experience, a cold Jyushimatsu is something to be feared). He notices an extra card in front of his brother, and reaches forward to grab it before Jyushimatsu can react, scanning it as fast as he can.

‘Dear Jyushimatsu,
Merry Christmas! It’s been a lot of fun spending time with you this past month. Thank you for showing me the Ducklifors spell, it still makes me smile. Have a nice holiday!
From Homura’

“No way- is this-“ he says, but Jyushimatsu grabs the card back from him with a flustered grin. He wants to pester more but the constant fumble of gifts being passed around him works as a distraction. Soon enough, everyone has opened their gifts, and Osomatsu grins, happy with his haul. He looks around the group once more, then realises- Karamatsu doesn’t have anything in front of him. He’s just glancing around the rest of them with a hint of hesitant expectation in his eyes.

Before Osomatsu can say anything, there’s another cry of an owl, and an unfamiliar owl flies past with another neatly wrapped package, and he lets out a small breath of relief as Karamatsu’s eyes light up, because obviously there’d be a present for him, but then the owl drops it in front of Todomatsu, who blinks at the sudden package.

“Huh? Is this for me?” He takes a look at the note attached, then flushes a little as his eyes widen, scrambling to open the present, pulling out a pair of light pink gloves. “Wh-what the hell...he’s so…”

“It’s from his boyfriend!” Jyushimatsu exclaims, laughing as Todomatsu goes red and swats at him, scowling. The others dissolve back into conversation, and Osomatsu hesitantly looks back to Karamatsu, and regrets it almost immediately at the absolute crushed look in his eyes. He’s not sure what to say, since he knows it’d be best to say something like ‘don’t worry Karamatsu I’m sure you’ll get something’ but then also, Karamatsu is just so easy to forget, he doesn’t doubt his parents just managed to miss him off this year.

It’s too awkward, and Osomatsu just focuses on his other brothers, joining in the light conversation, barely muttering a ‘see ya’ when Karamatsu quietly excuses himself from the table and leaves the hall. Seeing him not be overly dramatic something is…concerning, at the last. But still, it’s Christmas after all. Not the time for him to be brought down by anything. That’s what Boxing Day is for.

-

Two days after Christmas, Karamatsu decides that matters must be taken into his own hands. He took a few hours to think about it on the day, then lamented his troubles to his dear Lady Azalea, then come to the conclusion there must have been a dire mistake, and he’s the only one with the power to fix it. With sparking ink he constructs a note to his ‘darling Mother and Father’, trying to emphasise he’s not whining, and that there may have a chance- no, that there was a problem with the postal system and his present didn’t arrive. Which, had to be why, didn’t it?

Like most of his brilliant ideas, this one strikes him at the late hour of midnight.

…Like most of his brilliant ideas, he doesn’t really think this one through as much as he should before starting.

It isn’t until he’s halfway down the corridor outside the common room does he realise that, like Osomatsu, he should probably be fast asleep, should have waited until morning, because it’s dark and even with a lumos spell there’ll only be so much light, not to mention it’s freezing, and the owls will probably be asleep anyway, he’ll wake them up, and Chibita’s potion has worn off so he keeps coughing, what if he gets caught, and- bad idea, Karamatsu. Bad idea.

He turns back to the painting and opens his mouth. “Uh- e-xs…m…”

…Oh, no. The potion wore off.

The woman in the frame doesn’t stir. Ah, mistake, mistake, he thinks. Bad idea, Karamatsu, REALLY bad idea.

“Ss…ry…-c-n, I…” he tries, lightly tapping the canvas, but she stays lightly snoring, and Karamatsu tenses a little, looking around apprehensively. It’s okay. He has his wand, and he has a letter. …And he might as well send the letter, he supposes, since it was the very thing that got him into this predicament in the first place. Karamatsu turns, coughing again, and makes his way into the darkness. He tries to whisper a spell to his wand to light up the way a little, but it won’t respond to such a rasp of a voice, barely even flickering.

…It’s very dark.

Be brave, Karamatsu. You’re a Gryffindor!

…Or, he’s supposed to be anyway. Even though it never feels like it is, based on the other kinds of people he sees around the common room. And even though he knows everyone thinks he’d be much better in Hufflepuff, and he-

Karamatsu’s heart lurches as he suddenly feels nothing under his feet.

Oh-

-god-

For a moment he’s only aware of a thudthudthud, then he gasps out a tight breath, sees only the darkness, realises he’s no longer falling, and then pain.

PAIN.

He lets out a strangled attempt of a cry at the horrific sensation of a grinding ache deep within his leg, like moving it would tear apart the roots of his existence, and hears himself rasp out a whispered sob.

Oh god it hurts.

Oh god it really hurts.

Karamatsu tries to lie as still as he can, then takes a few breaths to try and assess the situation. It’s dark. It hurts. He’s slumped on his side? Did he- no, he knows he fell, somehow. Did the staircase move? Ahh, it hurts. His head feels foggy with the pain shooting up his leg, and he grits his teeth to hold back anymore sobs. Plan, plan. He needs to do something.

Call for help. But his voice won’t work.

Use a spell? There aren’t any he knows for this situation. And they wouldn’t work anyway, without a proper incantation.

…Wait for a brother to find him?

...

Karamatsu doubts they’d come looking at this hour.

Karamatsu doubts they’d come looking at all.

Oh god it hurts so much. There has to be something he can do, anything, at all. With futile desperation, he tries to push himself up just a little, but the pain intensifies violently and he has to drop back down again, lightheaded, his mind only focused on ow, ow, ow.

He stares at the nothingness for a moment, breathing haggard, then swallows. This- isn’t that bad. It’s, it could be worse, he’s still…conscious, he’s still…

Alone. In the dark. Hurt. Frightened. Forgotten.

He needs to be strong-

He can’t-

He has to be-

But-

This was such a bad idea, he’s such an idiot, it’s no wonder everyone hates him, he probably would too-

Footsteps.

His breath hitches and he looks around desperately in the darkness, opening his mouth to try and rasp out something to get their attention, but he can only cough weakly.

 “…Hello?” someone calls out quietly, and, Karamatsu thinks he recognises it, but maybe he’s just being too hopeful and stupid again.

“I-“ he croaks, and he hears a soft ‘lumos’, and then, in front of him-

“K-Karamatsu?” Chibita blinks at him with wide eyes that shine in the light of his wand, and Karamatsu feels tears quickly well up in his eyes again, but this time he can’t stop them. “Hey, wh-what happened? Are you okay? The hell, how long have you been here?”

He sound so concerned.

Karamatsu can’t stop crying.

“Hey, uh, can you sit up?” Chibita moves closer, one hand clutching something to his chest, another moving his wand up and down. “Oh damn, your leg’s all…”

“So…-y,” Karamatsu manages, sniffing hard.

“Oh, your voice’s all screwed up again,” Chibita says in what’s probably irritation, and Karamatsu nods lowly. “Don’t be sorry, idjit, you’re hurt. Look, lemme just…I’ll help you up.”

Karamatsu tries to explain there’s no way, Chibita is too small, he’ll be too heavy, but then he gets shifted slightly and the pain triples and his head spins and-

He opens his eyes and sees brightness. Huh…? What? Where is…

“Oh, you’re awake.”

Chibita sits on his knees a short distance away from him, stirring something in a small cauldron, and Karamatsu blinks, recognising the yellow hue of the Hufflepuff common room.

“-ib…t,” he says, then stops, remembering. No voice. Ah, leg, pain.

“Here, this’ll sort your voice,” Chibita says, and holds out a familiar looking bottle. “I’ve also got one that’ll stop your leg hurting, drink that too. Making one to fix it is gonna take a lot longer though, I mean, I’d go to the Hospital Wing but, y’know, I don’t trust those guys. I can make potions for myself without their help, and I normally do…but, god, you idjit, the hell were you doing, falling down the stairs like that?”

Karamatsu downs the cherry-honey flavoured liquid, and clears his throat a little. “…I was sending a letter.”

“Huh? A letter? It’s like 1am! Who the hell to?”

Everything seems to catch up with him then. It was a reminder to his parents to say he still existed, not even getting a present from his brothers, and then he’d fallen down the stairs like some kind of idiot-

“H-hey, why’re you crying? Does it still hurt? Did I make it bad or somethin’?”

“No, it’s just-“ Karamatsu even talk even with the potion, his voice failing him, oh god, Chibita must think he’s useless, and so pathetic. The person in question just stares at him almost analytically, then lets out a sigh, rubbing his hand against his head with a frown.

“You’ve really reached the end of your tether, huh.”

I haven’t. I’m better than that. I’m stronger. I’m not upset. I have no reason to be.

“I’m fine, really,” he tries, though his voice wobbles a little. “This is just- another life trial! Test of…s-strength.”

“Like hell it is! God, if I wasn’t the one who made it I’d say that potion was making you delusional.” Chibita stops stirring and observes the mixture carefully. “Okay, this isn’t gonna be done until the morning at least, more likely afternoon. So, you’re stuck here ‘til then. Who was the letter to?”

“…My parents,” Karamatsu murmurs, suddenly embarrassed. The thought of Chibita maybe thinking he’s cool, only to have to admit ‘my parents forget about me possibly probably’ is crushing, since there’s nothing cool about being left behind.

“What for?” Chibita asks, still frowning. Karamatsu glances away, and notices that his injured leg has been propped up on one of the cushions. He tries not to cry again, biting his lip. “Okay, you don’t gotta tell if you don’t wanna-“

“H-how come you were wondering around at night too?”

“Me?” Chibita sits up suddenly, grinning with a deviously proud look on his face. “I was stealing ingredients to make your voice potions! Heh, bet you didn’t realise you were assisting crime by asking me for help, huh!”

“Crime?” Karamatsu blinks, feeling a sudden wave of confidence spring back over him at Chibita’s nonchalant tone. “Non non, you’re a miracle worker! And, just then too! Had I had to stay there all night, I sure would have perished, with all to mourn my tragic departure.”

“Back to that again, then,” Chibita says with a snort, rolling his eyes.

Karamatsu doesn’t say anything else then, and he stares at the cauldron bubbling away smoothly, and then looks towards the windows where he can just about see the stars up over the snow coated grass, and then towards the dimly flickering fire, then back at Chibita, who’s staring thoughtfully over the potion, even though it probably doesn’t need supervision now it’s only brewing.

“…Thank you, Chibita.”

“Huh? No, don’t worry about it! It’s not like I woulda just left you there!”

One time he fell off a swing when he was eight, and his brothers just left him there.

…They had…a reason though.

The reason was-

Or, more likely-

That he wasn’t good enough for them to stay.

But then, why did Chibita, why did he, why would he want to- he could have just ignored him, there was nobody around and it was dark anyway, probably even the paintings couldn’t see. Wasn’t it hard to drag him back here without hurting him any further? And to get those ingredients, and, more than anything, to just keep managing to put up with him? Had Chibita ever ignored him, even once?

Maybe it would be better just to ask. He didn’t feel like he was getting very far with his usual tactic of just mulling it over inside his head.

“Chibita?”

“What now?” he replies in an irritated tone that might put Karamatsu off if he couldn’t see the teasing smirk on the other’s face. “Can’t get enough of how great I am, right?”

“I can’t!” Karamatsu exclaims in awe, and tries to shift to look at Chibita better, before realising he can’t move. “You- you’re my hero!”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far, I mean, that’s pretty embarrassing-“

“But-!” Karamatsu has to stop a moment and consider how best to ask this, to not seem rude or ungrateful. “Why are you- how- always so nice?”

“I ain’t nice. I bit a man before.”

“I mean-“ Karamatsu stops. “…Bit a man? Ah, no, no, I mean, to me, I was just…wondering why.”

“Why?” Chibita repeats incredulously, and Karamatsu panics because oh no it might really have sounded rude after all. When he speaks again, his voice is quieter, coming out in annoyed little murmurs that Karamatsu has to strain to hear. “The hell…I dunno…you just need help a lot, I guess…and…dunno…maybe just ‘cause I like you ‘n stuff.”

Like?

“You mean I’m…a friend?” Karamatsu asks with bated breath, a soar of hope rising in his chest, and he tries not to get too happy, but he doesn’t think he’s had anyone think of him honestly as a friend before, only his brothers, but they might not count since they got stuck with him by no fault of their own-

“Maybe, maybe not, I dunno.”

“Ah.” Karamatsu stares at his lap with a small smile. He must’ve got ahead of himself then. It’s hard to think of someone as a friend, after all, and he had still never said a proper apology for the terrible things they always used to do to him as a child, like beating him up and teasing him even though they should’ve been friends, had a lot in common in term of wizarding ability even if they didn’t know it back then, and actually maybe that’s how Chibita managed to cope so well with being homeless from such a young age?, using unknown pieces of magic to help him through.

Chibita just stares at the potion furiously with a slightly flushed face, and Karamatsu wonders if he was actually embarrassed by just the suggestion of being friends, and suddenly feels stupid again. “Hm. I understand.”

“Y-you do?”

“Friendship requires years of close bond and dedication, obviously it can’t just be handed out to anyone, which is why-“

“Th- the hell are you talking about? I didn’t mean it like less than a friend, idjit!”

Karamatsu halts. “…Then…more, than a friend?”

“N-not more, just…different,” Chibita murmurs in a hushed tone, and Karamatsu suddenly feels a similar feeling to how he felt falling down the stairs, but this time it’s good, still scary, but good, and his face starts to flush.

“D-different?” he repeats, voice coming out much too high pitched.

“Different.”

The room goes quiet again, but now Karamatsu feels a little uncomfortable, almost embarrassed, and he has to think carefully to try and figure out the best thing to do next. What would be cool, what would be charming. He doesn’t know. What was it again? Different. Different.

“…Ch-Chibita-“ He stops, and purses his lips, thinking furiously. Then a sudden burst of panicked inspiration hits him, and he closes his eyes in a way he hopes is dramatically, placing a hand over his heart whilst using the other to prop him up a little. “I- my- no, it’s…I- am an imperfect actor on the stage!”

“…Huh?”

“Whose fear has, put beside his heart-or, a fierce thing with…ang- rage! So I, forget to say- for fear-!”

“The hell are you talking about?” Chibita stares at him incredulously, and he swallows, inspired passion fading.

“…I-I’m trying to say sorry,” he says quietly, twisting a piece of his hair nervously between his fingers.

“Sorry for what?” Chibita blinks, then looks away, speaking with a softer voice. “…Did I say something weird?”

“But, I always used to beat you up when we were younger-“

“So? We were kids, and don’t act like it was all you guys doing the beating, I’d say I got a few fair hits in there myself most days. Yeah sure, you weren’t making things any easier for me, but whatever. I ain’t got the time to dwell on the past, unlike you idjits.”

“…I…thought you’d hate me because of it,” Karamatsu admits, feeling himself flush.

“Hate you? Yeah right, I might as well just kick a puppy.” Chibita sighs, pulling himself up. “Alright, ya idjit. Where’s this letter? Might as well go send it since you’ve caused all this trouble.”

“Ah…” He fumbles, checking both his pockets and biting his lip. It must’ve fallen out his hand when he fell down the stairs. Where abouts was it…just outside the common room…it’s probably still where he fell. Karamatsu pulls out his wand. “Accio letter!”

He isn’t really expecting it to work, and they both glance around for a few moments awkwardly.

“Uh, I can just go look for it if you dropped it-“

But then the letter actually comes flying into the room, and Karamatsu brightens, catching it easily with a triumphant look. And Chibita almost looks impressed, to his delighted surprise.

“Huh, looks like you’re not as bad at Charms as you are at Herbology. Well, I guess you’d probably enjoy all that over the top wand flicking and stuff. Seems up your alley.”

“Hm, well, my dearest brother uses accio regularly-“

“I can imagine that, it’s the perfect spell for lazy people like yourselves.” Chibita holds out his hand expectantly, and Karamatsu hands the note over with a little hesitance. He supposes it wouldn’t be too bad for him to read it after everything, but even still…it’s probably best to protect his reputation. Though, he’s already cried by now so it’s likely already ruined…would Chibita even care? “So should I just go give this to your owl?”

“Won’t they be asleep though?”

“Karamatsu,” Chibita says slowly. “Like ninety percent of owls are nocturnal.”

“…Correct.” Karamatsu blinks, then nods like he knew this all along.

“What’s your owl like then? There’s gotta be tons of them in that place.”

“She is the most beautiful owl, with eyes like gleaming ambers and-“

“No, I mean like, what’s the name,” Chibita cuts in, rolling his eyes.

“Ah. Lady Azalea.”

“Lady Azalea? Wow, that’s a name. Think she’ll mind if I just call her Lady?”

“…Probably not,” Karamatsu says thoughtfully. “I think she’ll like you.”

“Who wouldn’t!” Chibita laughs loudly as he hops through the exist easily, and Karamatsu just smiles to himself as he’s left alone in the common room, watching the crystalline stars outside. Who wouldn’t, definitely.

-

Girding Potion (increases endurance)
 - golden colour
Ingredients:
 - Doxy eggs
 - Fairy wings
 - Dra...

Choromatsu’s quill works furiously across the parchment, and he’s tired yet determined to finish this section of revision before the library closes. It’s completely empty in here, which is understandable considering it’s the holidays, but then also it’s not because the start of mocks is only two weeks away. And if he can’t pass his mocks, there’s no way he can pass his actual exams.

The heavy thud of the door opening startles him, resulting in a long line of ink cutting through the lines on the paper, and Choromatsu glances up anxiously, waiting for someone to appear at the end of the tall aisles. He blinks in half-relief half-confusion when he sees Todomatsu peering around, before spotting him sat at the table.

“Huuuh, Choromatsu?” he says, waltzing forwards with nonchalant gazes at the books around him. “Is this where you’ve been coming to nerd out?”

“Uh, what’re you doing here?” he asks bluntly, somewhat apprehensive. Todomatsu isn’t as bad as Osomatsu or Ichimatsu in terms of not doing work, but being in a library in the middle of the holidays is definitely not something he’d ordinarily expect out of his youngest brother. Todomatsu just huffs and folds his arms.

“What, am I not allowed to do something studious for once? Maybe I just want to secure being smart as well as being cute, then I can be a winner on both sides! Besides, I got bored of transfiguring these weird pixie things, so I thought I’d come here.”

“Why were you even doing that?” He frowns, staring at his brother as he leans on the table looking around with a loose gaze. “And where would you even find them?”

“I dunno, I just found a bunch in one of the classrooms. It’s good practice, I thought a Ravenclaw would get that! It was fun at first, I turned a few into bottles, then porcupines, but then a few got loose so I stopped. I dunno where they went though. But if you see any suspicious looking animals around the grounds, it’s not my fault, ‘kaaay?”

Choromatsu grits his teeth in irritation, looking back down his book. There’s no time to be dealing with this kind of obnoxious crap right now.

“What’re you doing anyway?” he persists, leaning over him with wide eyes, and before Choromatsu can stop him he drags out a scrap of parchment from underneath his book. There’s a small moment of silence as Todomatsu stares at the crudely drawn pictures of cute girls, before he bursts out laughing, and it feels so loud echoing through the silent library. Choromatsu is well aware he’s blushing furiously.

“Sh-shut up! It was just from a study break!”

“This is too funny,” Todomatsu gasps, wiping a tear from his eyes. “You’re gonna kill me, Choromatsu! Gosh, is that Totoko from the quidditch team? I guess she’s pretty cute…hey, she’s in my house, I should pass this onto her-!”

“I will hurt you,” Choromatsu hisses with a murderous expression, and Todomatsu lets out a final laugh, before taking a breath and letting go of the page, which Choromatsu immediately tucks into the back of his book, keeping one hand pressed against it to keep it shut.

“What’re you actually doing though?” he asks, blinking with mild interest. Choromatsu still feels wary, because really, why would he care? Todomatsu doesn’t care about anything unless it’s concerned with himself.

“R-revision,” he says guardedly.

“Ohh, motivational potions! I remember these…wow, you’ve done a lot. Hmm, you should different coloured inks though, it doesn’t look very cute like this.”

“What do you want?” Choromatsu asks at last, sighing.

“You’re so rude,” Todomatsu huffs, then steps back a little, rocking back and forth in a way he probably thinks is cute, but really it’s just annoying. “You spend a lot of time here, right? Do you know where the Arithmancy books are?”

And there’s the ulterior motive. “Be a little more specific.”

“I can’t. I just need those kind of books.”

“Why?”

“It’s for a project I’ve gotta do,” Todomatsu explains lightly. “Aren’t you doing something like that too?”

“No? Sh-should I?”

Todomatsu just shrugs, obviously not really caring. “Where abouts though?”

“Uhh…maybe towards the front on the left? It’ll probably be labelled or something.”

“’Kay, thanks.” Todomatsu beams at him and skips off, and Choromatsu goes back to his work, trying desperately to ignore the humming as his brother pulls books off the shelf noisily. He’s so doing it on purpose, he thinks scathingly. Asshole.

Chapter Text

Something is so so wrong, and Ichimatsu is terrified.

He tries to carry on with the desperate belief that there’s something he can do, something else to try, but he knows really that he’s out of options now. Countless books and potions and just trying and, god, he even sent Chibita a pathetic note begging for some kind of help, but still, nothing.

Anya lies curled up under his bed, and he sits on the floor, watching her with heavy eyes. All she does now is sleep – she hardly eats, hardly drinks, doesn’t meow, just sits in her own space and sleeps. Ichimatsu has no idea what else to try. She’s so sick, but, there’s just, nothing else.

“Anya,” he calls out hoarsely, and she doesn’t move, though her ears twitch a little. Ichimatsu leans down a little to stroke her, frowning. She’s so cold.

There’s a clutter as a few others come into the room, and Ichimatsu tenses, aware from the number of footsteps that it can’t be Todomatsu. He hates that lessons had to start again, partially for the workload, but mostly because of the people the new term drags back in. The talking cuts off into a hushed silence, with just a few whispers and someone’s muffled laugher, and Ichimatsu braces himself, knowing they know he’s there.

“Ummm, what’re you doing on the floor?” a girl asks, stepping over and peering down at him with a feigned interest, smirking.

“He probably just feels more at home down there in the filth,” another boy says, and there’s a dim chorus of snickers. Ichimatsu stays staring at the floor, hoping it’ll magically disappear and they’ll all fall to their deaths. Except for Anya, of course. And maybe even Todomatsu’s spoilt-as-shit cat (Princess, for god’s sake), if she’s around here.

“Aw, leave him alone, it’s not his fault his blood’s dirty,” a different girl says, and Ichimatsu considers just jinxing them all and dealing with the consequences in their fullest, but at that moment the doors slam open again, and they turn to look at the new source of commotion.

“WHERE is my skirt?!” a girl’s voice snaps furiously, and they all shift a little, looking at one another.

“It’s not gonna be in the boy’s dorms-“

“How do you even lose a skirt…”

“It was with my other stuff before I got changed for quidditch, and I need to be ready in FIVE MINUTES so you better help me RIGHT NOW because I am not staying in my gross practise clothes-“

Ichimatsu lets the arguing continue, moving his attention back to Anya, wishing that they’d all just shut up so she could at least sleep in peace. Fortunately enough, they leave a few minutes later without paying him any further attention, and he’s left alone once more. The cat breathes softly, shallowly, and all he can do is stroke her as lightly as he can, hoping that please she’ll be okay.

-

With everything else that’s been going on, Ichimatsu ends up completely forgetting to complete a Charms essay that was apparently due today. The teacher yells at him about it for far too long, acting like it’s the most important thing to ever happen, the only thing worth worrying about, like his cat isn’t sat up in his room probably dying.

She finishes off her rant by sentencing to him a detention at the end of the day, and Ichimatsu frowns in irritation, because it seems stupid as hell that he has to waste even more time sitting around when he could be trying to help her. He just keeps his head down, paying no attention to the lesson, following along after the others afterwards like normal. As they part at the end of the day, he notices Choromatsu sending him an almost pitying look, which annoys him more than he thought was possible, but almost understands why when he drags himself through into the detention room and sees Osomatsu slumped over a desk, looking horrifically bored. The door makes a small noise as it shuts behind him, and his brother turns around lazily, then grins, sitting up a little and brightening instantly.

“Aww, yes! Thank god I get to spend detention with someone not completely boring. You’re doing your big bro a big favour by breaking the rules today, Ichimatsu!”

He makes a small noise of agreement as he sits down on the other row, mind already drifting. It’s a mix of concern for his cat and the usual self-loathing, thinking what if he did his homework and then could be in the dorms right now and realise a way she’d be okay or something, something like that.

“What’d you do to end up here, anyway? Curse someone?”

“I wish,” Ichimatsu mumbles, feeling a small burst of happiness at the thought of the boys from his common room covered in blood from a well-aimed sectumsempra. “Didn’t do some homework.”

“Wow, boring,” Osomatsu says, stretching out with a loose smile. “Okay, so you know how Choromatsu’s a total dickweed right now, yeah?”

Ichimatsu hasn’t been keeping up with the latest events between the six of them, but nods anyway. Sounds about right.

“So, I found this girl’s skirt near the broomshed when I was looking for something to do, and I snuck into the Ravenclaw common room when some first year went in and stuck it in his drawers, so like, he’s gonna have to wear it. It’s gonna be great, seriously! And I just know it’s gonna piss him off so bad- but I got caught on the way back and landed myself here. But it was so worth it!”

He opens his mouth to reply, but at that moment the door slams and the teacher spits out a short ‘silence’, thrusting down the essay title Ichimatsu was supposed to complete and he glances at it distastefully. This’ll take at least an hour.

“Get on with that, you’ve got ninety minutes,” she demands briskly, and Ichimatsu watches as she dishes out Osomatsu’s work. “And you, Ichimatsu-“

“No, I’m Osomatsu, see, ‘cause I’m Gryffindor. Red tie.”

“…Okay, Osomatsu…- I expect a good sized paragraph about why it’s dangerous to sneak around the castle at night, understood?”

The room sinks back down into silence as Ichimatsu stares for a moment more, then starts a shaky introduction about the importance of certain charms, but he can’t concentrate at all. He just wants to be curled up asleep, warm with his cat in his arms. After the first paragraph, he just fumbles all the information he can remember about the topic (which isn’t a lot), then drops his head against the desk. Across from his he can see Osomatsu frowning at something on his paper, occasionally writing a word before stopping again. Obviously. That idiot probably genuinely has no idea why late night castle expeditions are bad. Not that Ichimatsu really does either, but, whatever.

After a long ten minutes of doing absolutely nothing, a bunched up piece of paper lands lightly on his desk. Ichimatsu looks up but the teacher is somehow still eyes down, focused on some marking. He opens up the note quietly, relieved that Osomatsu didn’t send it via a charm, since Ichimatsu knows he’d never be able to send it back the same way and then he’d just look stupid.

is iresponsible spelt like that
also you look really pissed whats up

it’s irresponsible i think, dunno
i’ve got places to be other than here

Ichimatsu tosses it back deftly, and wonders just how blind the teacher is not to see Osomatsu leap up out of his seat to dive towards it. It comes back in almost no time.

gotta take a shit?

He lets out a small snort.

something like that

youll be fine
but I swear this works gonna kill me for real AVENGE ME
wish I had some of those puking pastiles left now

you deserve it for using a whole pack and not using any to spike shittymatsu’s drinks

Ichimatsu tosses the note back the exact same time the teacher’s head snaps up, and he blinks down to his work to avoid the piercing gaze, but not bothering with the effort to look like he was actually working on it.

“How dare you,” she spits. “I’m adding another thirty minutes for that.”

“What, he wasn’t even-“

“Don’t make me add extra minutes on you too."

Osomatsu glances back at him and mimes snapping his neck, face apologetic. Ichimatsu just nods in agreement. He looks up at the clock and realises it’s been just under an hour, feeling panic spring up when he realises by now most students will be back at the common room, thinking of a swarm of Slytherin scum scaring his sick cat. They can chat crap about him, he doesn’t give a shit, but not her. She doesn’t deserve it.

“Oi, Miss, it’s time for Osomatsu to go,” his brother pipes up suddenly, and Ichimatsu blinks in mild surprise, giving his brother a look, before noticing his tie fading to a snake green, and glancing down to see his own dipping into scarlet hues. Osomatsu pushes the tip of his wand back into his pocket, and Ichimatsu stares in newfound respect.

“I can see that myself,” she says sharply, then stops, frowning. “…Weren’t you…”

“What, you’re getting us mixed up again? Red for Osomatsu, green for Ichimatsu, c’mon, Miss, it’s not that hard.”

“Less of the attitude please,” the teacher snaps, but nods regardless of the calculative scowl. “Very well, Osomatsu, you’re free to go.”

He gives Osomatsu the best appreciative look he can manage (which probably seems just as neutral as always) and hurries from the room, speeding along the corridors with heavy footsteps whilst his tie fades back to green, running into the common room, where there are a good amount of people, but he doesn’t stop to give them chance to start, running to the dorms and sliding down next to his bed, seeing Anya lying there looking so, so weak. Todomatsu’s asshole cat strides over and sits down, staring at the other cat almost pityingly, and oh god this better not be one of those cases where the other animals can sense that another is going to-

Ichimatsu scoops her out gently from under the bed and she doesn’t resist, siting limply in his lap, breaths slow. Shit. Shit.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs to her, stroking her like it’ll work as some magical cure, like magic could actually do anything at this point. He should’ve been here earlier, is all he can think. He should’ve just skipped detention, god, what’s wrong with him, what the hell why is he such a piece of shit to let this happen in the first place. “Anya, it’s okay.”

She doesn’t meow at him, lying there, trembling lightly in his lap, and Ichimatsu feels tears prick his eyes, feeling so useless it’s almost unreal. “Hey, Anya, it’s okay, it’s fine, it’s fine…”

The cat takes a few more slow breaths, before sucking in one last breath, and stopping. Ichimatsu stares, frozen with wide eyes for a few seconds, then realises his tears are dripping down onto the floor, and he can’t stop them. Oh god. Oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god no no no no please no please she didn’t deserve this she didn’t deserve any of this oh god it’s all this fault oh god why why why why.

Ichimatsu cradles the cat close to him, shoulders shaking and torn sobs escaping his tightly clamped mouth. Todomatsu’s cat sits beside them and mourns, silent. It’s over.

-

atsushi~~~
i did some research over the holidays, ive attached it on the back of the note!!
see, i can be helpful!
we’re totes gonna smash this project >:3
todo <3
ps u know u dont have to add ‘from arthimancy’ i know who u are

Todomatsu,
…Did you remember to get the page references for each book you used?
Atsushi (from Arithmancy)
PS: I know you know, I just like how formal it looks, so it's staying

The short exchange of notes once school starts again is what leads to the two of them sat on the library floor, surrounded by a swarm of books and what feels like at least a hundred pieces of parchment. It’s already dark, and the library’s closing time is fast approaching. Only three days until the project is due. God.

Todomatsu starts off with a peppy, mildly apologetic ‘don’t worry about it!’ smile, before changing rapidly to a ‘kill me now’ look of desperation, a pile of six books all with about four hundred pages each, unable to locate this one stupid quote. The only thing that stops him from flipping a table is Atsushi, who flips through the pages with ease despite the looming clock. Even still…

“Ahh! This is so annoying!"

Todomatsu throws the quill down against the carpet and Atsushi doesn't even flinch, continuing to calmly read through the books. He has no idea how the other can stay so composed considering there's so much work to do and so little time.

"This is so stupid," he moans, rubbing at his eyes. Then he bites his lip slightly and frowns."...I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Atsushi responds simply, turning a page. "It's just a minor setback."

"Minor setback? There's like a billion more things we have to do now just 'cause I tried to help."

"Here." Atsushi passes him the book he's reading, held open at a certain page, and Todomatsu blinks as he notices at LAST the quote he'd been looking for. "Don't be too upset. I know you were just trying to do something nice, which is a rarity, honestly."

"Rude! I'm super nice!"

"And modest too, clearly."

"Shut up," Todomatsu huffs, lightly elbowing Atsushi, who just laughs. With a glance up at the window, Todomatsu can see the dark sky outside. He draws up his knees to his chest, resting his head on them. "Hmnnmn, I'm tired."

"Not much left now," Atsushi says, and Todomatsu shuts his eyes. It's kind of stressful sorting through all these books, obviously, but like this, it doesn't seem too bad. Peaceful almost. There's no noise, and the floors aren't that uncomfortable he supposes, and he knows Atsushi is next to him.

Hmnm...

Maybe he could just fall asleep, like this.

"Atsushiii," he mumbles, shifting a little with a yawn.

"Don’t fall asleep.”

"I’m not gonna.”

Then, he falls asleep.

-

...

...Soft.

There's something soft, warm, comfortable pressed against his cheek. He doesn't want to move. But the rest of his body is cold, and his neck feels a little stiff. Wait, where...

Todomatsu opens his eyes, and blinks at the darkness. Everything's shrouded in blue, the lights all switched off, and- are they still in the library? What? Did nobody kick them out? He fell asleep then. Moving his head a little, he realises he’s resting against Atsushi's shoulder, who's also fast asleep. So comfortable. But, too dark.

"Atsushi," he whispers, reluctantly moving his head away and lightly shaking the other's arm. "Hey, Atsushi, wake up."

Luckily it seems he's an easy rouser, and he stirs, opening his eyes and looking around for a second or two. Todomatsu doesn't let go of his arm.

"...What time is it?" Atsushi asks quietly, sitting up.

"Dunno. It's really dark."

"Yes, I can see that." He pulls himself up off the floor, sending the books back to their shelves with the wave of his wand, and Todomatsu follows, still clinging. "We should get back to our common rooms."

"It's too dark though."

"Lumos," Atsushi says, and the area around them lights up. He glances at Todomatsu with an expectant look. No way.

"You should walk back with me."

"Should I?"

Todomatsu pulls a face. "Yes."

"I don't even know where the Slytherin common room is."

"Atsushiiii," he whines gently, glancing up at the boy with pleading eyes, and after a moment Atsushi sighs.

"Okay. Lead the way."

They exit the locked library with a hushed 'alohomora', and Todomatsu keeps his hold on him as they walk through the corridors, the sound of their footsteps ominously loud as he glances around nervously.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" Atsushi asks with a hint of amusement after a few minutes, and Todomatsu tenses a little.

"Not of the dark! Just-"

And at that moment, obviously, a stray ghost floats through the wall and up through the ceiling without even noticing them. Todomatsu yelps, squeezing his eyes shut and burying himself into Atsushi's chest. There’s a slight pause, and then-

"Ghosts?" he says,  and Todomatsu flushes, pushing back a little. "Why?"

"Ghosts are scary to normal- um, to muggles. They're out for vengeance! Also, they're DEAD people!!"

"Ghosts aren't dead like that though."

"Whatever," he mutters, carrying on with the walk, wrapping himself around Atsushi's arm once more. It just makes him feel so much safer, having him there. If he had to do this alone, he'd probably be shaking violently in floods of tears. But, now...

Atsushi is just, nice to be with. Even if annoyingly pretentious, even if stupidly smart, he's just...good to be around. God he hates him. Todomatsu refuses to let go until they reach the corridor outside the Slytherin common room, and it leaves him feeling empty and cold.

"Is this it?" Atsushi asks, glancing around.

"Mm."

Neither of them move.

"...Thanks," Todomatsu says.

"No problem."

A beat passes, and Todomatsu doesn't know if it's just because he’s sleepy and it’s making his thoughts all hazy or whether it’s the irritation of how stupidly nice Atsushi looks in the glow of light, but all at once he just grabs Atsushi's annoying face with both his hands, pulls him forward, leans, and kisses him.

Soft.

Sweet.

Wait wait wait wait wait.

Todomatsu pushes him away, fists clenched, and forces his voice to come out of his throat. “Wh-what are you doing?!”

Atsushi stares blankly for a few seconds, before letting out a breath of laughter. “What am I doing?”

“I-“ Todomatsu stops, swallowing hard. It hits him then, what exactly he just did. Oh god, this isn’t good, it’s really not good. He thinks maybe he should run. It would probably be a good idea to run, and, just…never talk to Atsushi again, ignore him in lessons, ignore him forever. Use a memory altering charm. On the both of them. Pretend this never happened.

“….Can I ask you something, Todomatsu?” Atsushi says after a few seconds of strained silence, and he nods, not meeting the other’s gaze. “Do you like me?”

“No,” he replies instinctively. Then he has to reassess his thoughts, noticing Atsushi’s patient face still staring at him and feeling another wave of embarrassment. “I-it’s not like it’s my fault! You’re just super, like, you’re all smart and charming and attractive and stuff! And really irritating too, you’re such a snob! So what if I like you?!”

Ah, he said it. He said a lot. Todomatsu blinks tensely and hopes that his cat face will save him from looking like a total idiot (it so won’t), and he starts practising the wand motion for Obliviate in his head.

Atsushi just stares at him for a moment, before doing his annoying little smile which is so easy to miss and Todomatsu probably would have done if he wasn’t still focused on his lips, which open and softly whisper ‘nox’.

The darkness floods back in around them, and Todomatsu tenses, wondering if he’s pushed it too far, now Atsushi knows he’s scared he’s just going to leave him in the darkness- he starts fumbling for his wand, but stops when he feels a hand on his shoulder. And then- once again- their lips meet, but now it’s in the dark, nobody can see, it doesn’t matter, and Todomatsu lets himself lean into it, enjoy it. There’s nothing to be scared of like this.

“…You’re awful,” he whispers afterwards, keeping a hand on Atsushi’s arm. “You know? Super awful.”

“I like you too, Todomatsu.”

“Nnmmn, shut up, you’re so embarrassing…”

Atsushi laughs quietly. “You know, I think sometimes the things you do unintentionally are the cutest things.”

“Huh?”

He hears Atsushi take a step back. “Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

For a moment Todomatsu can only stand numbly with a burning face, trying to figure things out, but then he realises Atsushi’s movements are getting further away and opens his mouth suddenly, letting out a yell of “th-this means you have to buy me more cake!!”.

“I’ll try my best,” he replies from the distance, and then there’s nothing more. Todomatsu blinks in the darkness a moment longer more, allowing himself to grin widely in the darkness where nobody can see. Then he lights his wand back up, and returns back to the common room with a more persistent, smaller smile. Things could have gone a lot worse. Going out with someone who’s so high tier…he can let this one slide.

-

The teacher hands them all the test paper, and Choromatsu swallows, shifting a little in his seat. He knows he just needs to relax, stay calm, focus. Focus. It’ll be fine. He’s revised all this stuff for months, there’s no way he can fail. This should be easy.

He picks up his quill and takes a breath, hand trembling. It’s just a mock, he repeats to himself, trying to remember all the notes he read before the lesson. Aconite, that’s toxic, you can use that in the Wolfsbane Potion, which is…good for lycanthropy- but you can only use the root. And, you can use fire seeds to- you can- what were they used for again? Oh god, he just did this, what was it, he doesn’t know, oh no, wait, don’t panic, stay calm, just take a moment-

“You may begin.”

Crap.

There’s a rustle of papers as everyone turns over their sheets, and Choromatsu flips his with a trembling hand. First essay – self-improvement potions. That’s…what is that. He doesn’t remember revising that. No, he has to know. It’s. It’s-! He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know. Oh god. No no no.

In desperation, he looks around, hoping for some sudden burst of recollection. But everyone else has started writing. He’s the only one who doesn’t know. Choromatsu feels his lungs tighten. Fail, he’s going to fail. Worst in class. The teacher’ll think he’s slacking. Not enough effort. Lazy. Stupid. Failure. Fail he’ll fail he’s going to fail.

Oh god but he has to write something. The time is ticking on.

Shaking, Choromatsu starts a scrawled introduction sentence, vague and empty. They’re going to know he’s talking total crap, that he has no idea what he’s talking about. How is he supposed to write an essay he knows nothing about? This is a third of the paper. He has no chance of passing if he can’t do it and he can’t-

He can’t breathe.

Oh god- he- he can’t- everyone else is- is he supposed to ask the teacher to leave- is he going red, can people see, he feels like he’s going to cry, everyone else is going to see him looking all pathetic, and see him fail, oh god, oh god, he can’t, he can’t he can’t can’t breathe his chest is so heavy and tight he feels dizzy the clock is so loud and he’s written one line.

What if he faints-

He might-

That’s too embarrassing-

What’s he supposed to do though-

Maybe he’ll be sick, actually, he’s sweating-

“What are you-“ the teacher starts to ask as Choromatsu stands up from his seat before bolting out of the room, running out down the corridors which absolutely no idea where he’s headed. But he can’t go on for too long with no air, and collapses against a wall and tries to remember how exhaling works. Oh god what the hell did he just do. He just screwed his entire education probably- and tears threaten to spill down his cheeks as he draws his knees closer to his body.

He still feels faint. Sucks a breath in, then tries to release, but they’re only coming in, like he can’t breathe-

“Choromatsu!”

Oh god no he really can’t breathe-

“Hey, what’s the matter? Are you okay? Heeyy…”

Todomatsu. Probably here to laugh or say ‘the teacher failed you’-

“Ummm, just…calm down, okay? Are you going to be sick?”

He doesn’t even know. There’s a reluctant hand on his shoulder.

“Slow down, you’re breathing all crazy. Hold on, I’m just gonna…”

And then he’s gone again. Choromatsu tries to calm down but can’t, he can’t stop thinking about that paper and the fact he’s probably going to fail all his classes even though he did all that revision and tried so hard, and he’s supposed to be a Ravenclaw yet he’s like this, and Osomatsu was right he’s just as shitty as the rest of them, he can’t ever progress no matter how much effort he pours into everything-

“Hey, drink this.” Todomatsu again, for whatever reason. Something is tossed gently onto his lap as his brother continues to keep his distance, rocking back and forth slightly. “It’s just a Calming Draught. It’ll stop you freaking out, trust me. I got it from the infirmary.”

Choromatsu moves his head, still dizzy, and sees Todomatsu staring down at him what he’d call an almost concerned look, if he didn’t know any better. With trembling gasps, he uncaps the turquoise potion and tries a cautious sip. It tastes like- oxygen, and he feels his lungs loosen a little. Choromatsu downs the whole thing at once, sucking his controlled breaths as the tension leaves his body, his rapid thoughts starting to slow.

…Why did he do that.

“Ichimatsu was right when he said you’d been looking super shit lately.”

“Thanks,” Choromatsu says dully, and stares at his lap.

“What’s wrong?” Todomatsu asks, going to sit down before scowling in disgust, taking off his robe and sitting on that instead. “The floor’s so gross here, ew.”

“I- can’t do it.”

“What, you mean the mock?”

“Everything,” Choromatsu says, then sighs.

“Well, honestly it’s kind of obnoxious that you even ever thought you could do everything. I mean, that’s just setting up yourself up for failure, right?”

He furrows his eyebrows at that, looking down hazily. “I am a failure. I’m supposed to be a Ravenclaw.”

“And Karamatsu’s supposed to be a Gryffindor, but he still screams if you use that super loud firecracker spell behind his back,” Todomatsu replies with a quizzical frown. “You’re taking it way too seriously.”

“You’re not taking it seriously enough,” Choromatsu replies dryly, scowling.

“I’m just trying to help!” Todomatsu huffs, crossing his arms. “Whatever you’re trying to prove, it’s not working! Just accept you’re not better than everyone else. Like, so what if you fail an exam, everyone does at some point, even Atsushi did one time, and he’s Ravenclaw too. You can’t be perfect all the time, seriously! Even I have days where I’m not at one hundred percent cuteness!”

“We have our OWLs in five months though,” Choromatsu argues weakly, choosing not to pick at the egocentric comments of his brother for once. “I can’t fail. And I can’t fail these mocks, either, Osomatsu will-“

“You and Osomatsu are both being obnoxious as hell,” Todomatsu cuts in sharply. ”You’re so stupid, fighting and stuff. Just apologise already! It’s starting to get really annoying, and I can’t keep up with it anymore anyway. We’re not in first year anymore we don’t need any more OTT drama.”

Choromatsu looks up from the floor. “…Why aren’t you doing your exam?”

“I said I’d check on you, since I was really worried!” Todomatsu says this in a much too innocent tone.

“…I somehow don’t believe that.”

“Am I not allowed to be worried about my big brother?”

“No?” Choromatsu replies almost instantly. “I’ve known you for fifteen years and that wouldn’t at all fit into what I know about you. You’re dry and terrible and I bet you were probably just trying to skive your test.”

“Huh? What’s with that? Do Calming Draughts make people assholes or something?” Todomatsu scowls, then stands up, picking his robe back and pointing his wand at it with a quick ‘scorify!’, wrapping it back over himself. “I was trying to be nice, but you’re still just a huge bitch like normal. And an asshat. Like…bitchhat.”

“What the hell is a bitchhat?” Choromatsu shoots in irritation, standing up shakily. “So, what now? Am I just supposed to walk back in there? What do I even say, I just- just what?”

“I’ll tell Sir you puked, if you want,” Todomatsu says like this is the act of a saint, eyes shining with a coy smile.

“You’re not telling everyone that!”

“Explosive diarrhoea it is then.”

“NO, fine, just say I threw up then,” Choromatsu says hastily as they begin their walk back. As they draw closer to the room though, mild panic starts fluttering in his chest again, somewhat dulled by the lingering effects of the draught. “I-I still can’t do the exam. I don’t know any of the answers.”

“Well, just do the first essay, then just make stuff up for the other two. Hey, maybe we’ll get extra marks for missing some of the time!”

“The first question is exactly the problem!” he snaps, already feeling stressed again. Calming Draught or not, he’s still an idiot-

“Um, what the hell are you talking about?” Todomatsu stares at him with an odd expression. “You were revising all that kind of stuff when I saw you in the library! Remember, like the Girding Potion and the Invigoration Draught? But your notes weren’t cute, maybe that’s why you forgot.”

“…That…that’s a different topic, isn’t it…? The test said self-improvement, but those ones were…”

Todomatsu snorts. “God, you really are stupid, aren’t you?”

“I-it wasn’t phrased like that in the book!” Choromatsu exclaims, feeling his face heat up whilst a blossom of hope blooms nevertheless. He can do it, so long as he keeps calms and actually reads the question before sprinting out the room in blind panic, oh god. It’s almost worse now he knows it was all over basically nothing. Todomatsu just looks at him with a snide smile. “…Why are you so upbeat today, anyway?”

“Upbeat? Am I?” He blinks virtuously. “Maybe I’m just always like this! Or maybe something really good happened, who knows~.”

“…I’m not going to ask, if that’s what you want me to do.”

“I’m not going to tell you, so that’s fine,” he says like anyone actually cares, then glances back to the door. “C’mon, let’s go. I don’t really wanna get any house points deducted for being gone too long.”

“Uh, Todomatsu-!” Choromatsu says suddenly before his brother can push the door open. He stares at him curiously, hand against the wood. “…Please, don’t tell the others about this. Especially Osomatsu.”

“Not even Jyushimatsu?”

“Not even Jyushimatsu.” He pauses. “Thanks for helping.”

“Well, of course,” Todomatsu says smugly with a wink. “Have to keep up my standard of being Mum’s favourite!”

“You’re not-!” he goes to argue, but Todomatsu pushes the door open and he’s forced to shut up as they enter the room together. Choromatsu apologises quickly with a burning face whilst Todomatsu explains in a sugary voice that ‘he threw up tons, really bad, but he’s okay now thanks to me!’, and glances back at his work, crossing out the watery first line and getting ready to write a proper essay that he knows. It will be okay. He’s got this.

-

Jyushimatsu remembers that back in first year, they had been advised not to fly in heavy storm conditions. The teacher had firmly stated that it was dangerous, the risk of thunder and slipping too high to be worth it, and lots of other warnings that Jyushimatsu can hardly remember by this point. That’s what they’d all been taught but yet, in the first week of March and the dawn of the Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor match he finds himself gripping onto his broomstick furiously against pelting wind and thundering rain, creating a ghostly mist around him where the only way to see the bludger is to feel it crashing into his arms. Hard. Well, if it works!

Lesson disregard aside, Jyushimatsu does remember one thing that comes in useful, flying low to avoid the high winds and stumbling second year seekers. The rain still hits hard against his cheek, and to his side he hears one of his opponents yell ‘bloody chuckin’ it down’, and finds himself grinning despite the cold. Storm or not, there’s nothing that can beat the atmosphere of an official quidditch game. One they’ll hopefully win too! Win, before it gets cancelled. Though he can’t actually see the point counter.

Jyushimatsu hovers near the ground, glancing around restlessly for something to do. But it’s so so so impossible to see anything above him, and instead he finds himself looking around the rest of the pitch distractedly, and sees the crowds, the blurred lights of the castle in the distance, the far off lake, the shadowed figure of Homura slinking down the path, the pools of grassy mud beneath him-

…Homura?

Jyushimatsu blinks, and shakes his head, trying to focus. There’s the clear ding of a goal being made somewhere in the distance, he’s not sure which team, and why would she be going there in this kind of weather, doesn’t she want to see who wins the game or anything like that? Why is she-, she shouldn’t be, he thinks, then looks around the pitch once more, his movements sharper, a little more frantic.

It wouldn’t it wouldn’t be it wouldn’t be. He shakes his head again.

…Might be though.

He tightens his grip against the mildly splintered wood once more, then nods to himself in determination, soaring off out of the pitch and away from the sight of whoever could see him, if anyone. Maybe nobody will notice, but he doesn’t really mind. His teammates will understand, they’re nice people.

It probably won’t be what he thinks though. It’ll be fine. This just a precaution! It’s what his brothers tell him he needs to take more often.

The wind pushes his wet hair back harshly as he increases his speed and he thinks just for a moment he’ll end up looking like Ichimatsu but then he gets closer and his thoughts freeze, then drop like they’re made of ice, and he his mind goes numb and goes fast but it might not be fast enough why again he doesn’t understand he doesn’t get it she shouldn’t be but she is and it’s not fast enough she’s going to step forwards and at the last second Jyushimatsu leaps off his broom and falls for a moment and she looks up just as she’s falling and he crashes into her then they both fall-

For a moment there’s only water, a complete darkness, an icy touch on his skin, but then Jyushimatsu forces his eyes open and his mouth shut and sees the swish of a floating braid and wraps an arm around her waist and kicks up, fuelled with sudden adrenaline, furiously pushing them up towards to the light of surface just visible above them, his chest tight hurting a bit now but he has to has to has to-

Air floods back into his lungs as they break through the surface of the water, back out into the heavy rainfall, though now they’re already soaked so it doesn’t matter, and Jyushimatsu keeps kicking, still frantically determined, pushed on by Homura’s desperate coughing and gasping next to him. He thinks now it’s a really good thing he likes quidditch because it lets him have strong arms, which help as he hauls the two of them out of the water onto the grass.

A short time passes as he just lays there on his back, feeling his chest heave, sucking in quick gasps of air and letting everything fall back into place. The heavy pounding of his heart fades away as the rain seems to grow louder, and he breathes out a grin. Safe. Safe safe safe, she’s safe.

Jyushimatsu pulls himself up heavily, falling onto his side so he can look at her better. Homura lies with a limp body that looks like it’s given up, but alert eyes that let him know it hasn’t, pretty and sad eyes that stare up into the rain that joins in with the water trickling down her cheek. He takes another breath.

“Are you okay?” he asks. Homura stays still for a moment more, then slowly drags her knees towards her body, curling up. “Ah, you’re not hurt, are you? I wacked into you super hard, sorry!”

And then she bursts into tears. There’s a lot of rain so it might be hard to tell but can see her shoulder shaking and she makes strained little gasps and doesn’t move her head to his voice, and Jyushimatsu panics a little, filtering through choices of things to say and things to do that would make it a better situation, but, nothing seems to fit. So he stays still for a moment more, then carefully puts an arm around her waist so maybe she’ll stop shaking as much. It feels like it should be a little awkward, because he’s never been so so close to a girl, but just like this, it’s not really, somehow.

She ended up coming back here then, he thinks faintly.

It takes a while before Homura can gather enough air and composure to say anything, and when she does she just-

“I’m so- sorry,” she manages, then buries her face in her palms again, voice breaking. “I’m- I can’t be-“

“Don’t worry,” he assures her, grinning. “Everyone loses at least one match at some point! We’ll definitely win next time.”

Homura cries for a bit longer anyway, and he sits and lets her, watching the rain create a blanket of ripples over the lake, refusing to stop. It’s only when he has the sudden recollection of Choromatsu’s voice lecturing about wet clothes and getting sick does he think maybe they should head back somewhere warmer and drier, and he helps pulls Homura up, keeping an arm around her still, for support. He even tries to keep his steps slow and steady, though, it’s kind of hard when he’s always used to walking fast or carelessly.

A few students might have given them a few judgy looks on their way back to the common room, but Jyushimatsu doesn’t let it get to him, still smiling with determination as he taps the passwords on the barrel, helping Homura step in. Then he hesitates. Next step??

“Ah…I know a spell to get dry,” he says, then stops. Did it begin with a c? Or was that something else? But Homura shakes her head, staring at the carpet.

“It’s okay,” she whispers. “Thank you, Jyushimatsu.”

“No problem!” He grins brightly, using a hand to push his hair down where the water is tickling his head. The girl stays still for a few seconds more, then he sees her eyebrows twitch a little, tears flickering back into her eyes, but she turns away and moves towards the dorms before he can say anything. His grin fades a little, confusion clouding his mind. Maybe it’s something he just can’t really understand. Maybe he isn't meant to. But, even still, he really hopes it’ll be okay. …He hopes she isn’t mad at him for stopping her again.

He moves over to the fire and shrugs off his quidditch robes, glancing around the emptiness. There must be a lot of people watching the match right now…huh.

The door slides open and he twists around, face brightening when he sees the one person who of course wouldn’t be outside in the floods watching a sport he doesn’t really know anything about.

“Ichimatsu!” He smiles, but his brother just blinks at him in dull confusion. He might have been crying, his eyes are so unhappy.

“…Aren’t you playing right now?”

“Umm, something happened!”

“…Whatever,” Ichimatsu mutters, moving over to one of the sofas and curling up. He hasn’t even bothered to change his tie. Jyushimatsu wonders if anyone will notice. His brother looks too sad though, more downcast than usual, so he doesn’t bother to tell him about it.

“Are you okay, Ichimatsu?” he asks, leaning over him. Ichimatsu doesn’t reply, gaze elsewhere. “You should’ve brought Anya if you’re sad!”

Still nothing.

“…I bet Homura would let you borrow Cat if you want though!” He glances around the room for the cat, but can’t see the tabby pattern of her fur anywhere.

“Mm, yeah.” Ichimatsu frowns just a little, and Jyushimatsu assess the situation for a moment, then decides it’s probably best to leave his brother alone for now. He’s sad.

Sad. Sad people, lots of sad sad people, Jyushimatsu thinks. He just wishes there was some way to cheer them up for once.

-

He screws up his face as he sees Choromatsu coming towards him, Gryffindor tie hanging tightly from his neck. Osomatsu doesn’t sit up from his place slouched on the sofa, moving his eyes to look at the ceiling like he doesn’t care about his younger brother, which, honestly, he doesn’t right now. It’s been a super long super boring Thursday and he can’t be bothered with whatever’s about to come.

“Osomatsu,” Choromatsu starts, like there would be someone else he’d be talking to even though he’s the only other brother in the room. “I-“

“I don’t careee,” he moans, stretching his arms and legs out. “I just wanna sleep.”

“It’s only six-“

“I just said I don’t care.”

He hears Choromatsu do his restrained little ‘I’m-getting-pissy-but-trying-to-act-like-I’m-the-bigger-person-here’ sigh. “I think we should stop fighting.”

“Are we fighting?”

“Uh, are you kidding me?”

Osomatsu remembers his last prank then and moves his head back to look at his brother with a grin, opening an eye. “Did you have fun wearing that skirt? I bet you were super into it, right?”

Choromatsu flushes a little. “I didn’t wear it-!“

“Wow, that’s even worse, you pervert.”

“No, I just used a spell to get some of my trousers! Seriously, what the hell, you’re making this so difficult!” Choromatsu takes a breath. “I-I just…sorry for being annoying.”

“…Really?” Osomatsu shoots him a doubtful look, then shrugs. “Okay, so long as you’ve admitted it. Big bro won’t judge you for your past mistakes!”

“You say that after giving me crap for like the past four months-“ He stops, pressing his lips shut and looking up for a moment. “Look, you still haven’t figured out how to beat your Boggart, have you? And you’re predicted to fail almost all your core classes.”

“Did you come here just to be even more annoying?” Osomatsu asks, staring at him in disbelief. “Is that why you were apologising, ‘cause it’s about to go from five to a hundred?”

“I’m not done yet!” he snaps, before sitting down on the armchair opposite. “I’m offering to help you. The others said they would too. Jyushimatsu can help with your Dark Arts Defence, and I can help with your Potions, Todomatsu with Transfiguration-“

“Huh? I’m not that bad!”

“You kind of are.”

“Well, the practical things aren’t that bad, it’s just all the essays and stuff that get me.” He scratches his head, yawning. “It’ll be fine. They’re not gonna kick me out of magic school.”

“You say that like just because it’s not a muggle school they don’t have any rules.”

“But there’re six of us, they can’t even tell us apart-“

“Well they’re going to be able to tell you apart when you’re not allowed to continue onto your NEWTs and have to get separated from us to resit your OWLs.”

Choromatsu’s voice is deadly serious, and Osomatsu sits up abruptly, staring at him with wide eyes.

“I have to pass.”

“Yeah, you should have realised that a long time ago.”

“Shit, what do I do? I’m fucked.” A wave of panic sets in, because he hasn’t been paying attention to anything to do with theory of magic for the past five years almost. And exams are four months away. Choromatsu seems to be almost relieved to see his frantic expression, the asshole.

“We’re going to help you,” he says. “Including the Boggart! Miss is letting Jyushimatsu borrow the classroom at some point in the evening, along with the Boggart, and we’re all going to come and help you figure it out, okay?”

“That’s…” he starts, then laughs sheepishly, rubbing his nose. “You don’t gotta do that.”

“Too bad, we’re going to. It’s already set up.”

Osomatsu stares at him, unsure of what exactly to think.

“Feel free to say thank you,” Choromatsu says with a teasingly smug smile, crossing his arms. Osomatsu wonders if he should punch him. “We’re only doing so much though, we have our own stuff too. You’ll have to actually put effort in.”

“Ughhh,” he whines, rolling his head around. “Why do you have to be such a nerd.”

“You better turn up to all these lessons, or else I’ll make Jyushimatsu carry you there.” Choromatsu stands up with a satisfied look. Then he stops, glancing at Osomatsu with a piqued look. “Uh, you know you didn’t say sorry yourself.”

“Huh? What do you want me to say sorry for?” Osomatsu laughs as his brother’s face morphs into a pissed off scowl, his shoulders rising a little.

“Maybe for trying to punch me? Or replacing my trousers with some girl’s skirt? OR that howler-“

“Yeah, yeah, sorry, sorry,” he says with a laugh. “It was funny though, right?”

“How would it be funny? Do you know how embarrassing it was? I thought I was going to die!”

“You just need to get a sense of humour! And you should’ve totally worn that skirt, it would’ve been great.”

“I’m leaving,” Choromatsu says tersely, turning around to hide the pissed off face Osomatsu was aiming for. “Karamatsu’s meeting you tomorrow at five o’clock in the Divination classroom. Don’t be late, and try not to forget your wand.”

“Do you even need a wand in Divination?” Osomatsu asks, frowning.

“Uh, you’re the one who’s taken it for the past two years! How the hell do you not even know that?”

“Look, you can’t judge me until you’ve sat in one of those classrooms, they have these incense sticks and super comfy chairs-“

“I’m leaving,” Choromatsu repeats harder, then at last sets off across the room and out the exit. Osomatsu leans back against the chair, staring up at the tall ceiling above. The conversation sits a little uneasily in his chest, as much as he tried to soften it down. Three months until exams…ehh…maybe they’ll figure something out. They have got literal magic to work with here, after all.

Chapter Text

There’s a rustle of noise as the other students stand up, heavily pulling themselves up off the cushy chairs and stretching. Karamatsu wonders if half of them weren’t asleep with the way they drift around the room, watching them leave with an inquisitive stare, before accidentally managing to catch the eye of the teacher, who brightens and veers across the room towards them. He’s suddenly very aware of Osomatsu still fast asleep next to him.

“Karamatsu, I expect you need no assistance in setting up?”

“It’s fine, Miss, I’ve got it sorted,” he says, nodding confidently, hoping to keep the teacher’s gaze away from his brother before he can wake up. “It’s only revision after all!”

“Yes, yes…hmm, I didn’t get a chance to speak to you this lesson, did I? Mind enlightening me on what your eyes can glean from today’s crystal message?”

Karamatsu tenses a little, glancing at the shining sphere in front of him. Yes, there it sits, clear, beautiful, reflective! …Too reflective. All Karamatsu has ever been able to see since day one is his own face staring back at him. Not that that’s a bad thing, but…he has a feeling it’s not what the ball is intended for.

“…Of course,” he says with a look that hopefully implies he knows even a little what he’s doing, and stares into the glass. Karamatsu hums thoughtfully, pulling at all his improv skills. “Hm, yes, I see it. The enamouring future! A pair of sparkling eyes, filled to the brim with passion, staring into a cauldron full of velvet red liquid! And- a bird flies past the bright sun, over the fields of freshly blooming flowers!”

“Ah! What kind of flowers?”

Karamatsu blinks, and the teacher stares back with sparkling eyes. He can hear Osomatsu’s soft breathing next to him, and inspiration flies at him, a sudden solution to both problems. “It is- Screechsnap!”

“Screechsnap?”

“Yes, and it yells ‘wake up, wake up!” Karamatsu throws a split-second glance to his brother, who doesn’t stir. “Keeps saying that, ‘wake up already, hey, wake up!’”

“My, fascinating!” She nods in acceptance and Karamatsu feels at least a little relieved that his performance went over flawlessly as usual. “Continue with this level of vividness and I predict a certain ‘Outstanding’ in your future! Though, as for your brother…”

Karamatsu nods, then freezes. Is he still asleep??? The teacher glances at Osomatsu, and in a last ditch effort, Karamatsu uses his foot to deliver a sharp kick into his brother’s leg.

And, of course, immediately he sits up and yells ‘shit-where’m-I?!”

“…Mm, yes,” the teacher says coldly, looking wholly unamused. “I wish you good luck with your revision.”

She wanders from the room, and the second the door shuts, Osomatsu strikes with a counter-attack, hitting Karamatsu’s arm twice as hard.

“What the hell was with that kick? It seriously hurt!”

“I was trying to rouse you-“

“I was having a nice sleep, god!” Osomatsu scowls, before leaning back down in the chair. “So annoying…’kay, I’m going back to sleep.”

“Wait-, uh, Choromatsu asked me to help you-“

“Ugh, yeah I know, he’s been so frickin’ annoying lately.” He yawns, and Karamatsu half expects his brother to just fall asleep regardless, but to his surprise, he pulls himself up with a sigh. “Okay, go for it. Tell me how to Divination. But like, you know I’ve slept through pretty much every lesson right? I don’t even know what I don’t know.”

“It…it’ll be fine. Divination is a skill of self-revelation, you just need to state as your heart directs you to!”

“Yeah, I’d rather not do that,” Osomatsu says with an unimpressed expression, then tilts his head back in thought. “Hey, what if I just wrote about my dreams or whatever? Like, since I’ve always been asleep in this lesson. That counts, right?”

“That…that could work,” Karamatsu muses. “Dreams are important indicators of the subconscious’ desires.”

“Yeah, like this one time, I had this dream where there was this really fit blonde girl and-“

“Maybe don’t write about the ones with girls in in your exams?” he suggests desperately.

“…That’s gonna be pretty hard,” Osomatsu says after a short pause, and Karamatsu feels his ‘anything-is-possible’ demeanour start to fade into an ‘anything-but-this’ one. “Alright, all the boring dreams then. What else? Is that it?”

Karamatsu thinks for a moment. “Are you any good at tarot card readings? Ah, I think for the exam you just need to know the meanings. Accio cards!”

The pack of cards comes flying across over to them one by one, filing itself neatly back together into a stack on the table in front of them. Osomatsu stares, then grins.

“Is this like the magic trick things?” He pushes the cards towards Karamatsu eagerly. “Hey, take one, I’ll see if I can guess it.”

“Uh, that’s not exactly…” He stops, then takes a card anyway, forming a plan. “Okay, you can guess what it is, but then you also have to enlighten me on its meaning! Understand?”

Osomatsu laughs loosely. “Yeah, sure. Uh, four of spades.”

Karamatsu blinks. “…Meaning?”

“What, no way, did I actually get it?” Osomatsu’s eyes widen. “Take another!”

“But, you didn’t tell me the meaning…” he tries to point out, then selects another card from the middle of the pile.

“Uhhh, eleventh of hearts!”

“There isn’t an eleventh in cards.” Karamatsu glances down at the card. “…It…it is a jack though.”

“Seriously? Oh man, see, I must’ve picked something up all the times I fell asleep in here. There’s probably something weird in the incense.”

Karamatsu blinks in confusion, slowly placing the card back down. Maybe Osomatsu is actually gifted at Divination? But, he remembers before in the lessons where his brother had stayed awake, he’d failed to figure out even the basics…so why is it so different when it’s Karamatsu doing the testing?

“Honestly, I think Choromatsu’s too worried about all this,” Osomatsu continues, seemingly finished with their game now he’s ‘won’. “He’s gone super intensive, like, extra lessons even on Saturdays? He’s lost it. And he says we’re gonna be making some potion, which isn’t too bad I guess, but he says I gotta get all the ingredients myself and ugh there’s some really weird stuff on that list. And you know the other day he got pissed ‘cause I was using a pen instead of a quill? He was like ‘that’s not how wizards do it’, but c’mon, it’s so much easier!”

“Right,” he says, nodding seriously.

“I bet he’s just trying to distract himself from the fact he’s still not got a girlfriend.” Osomatsu pulls a face. “Like the rest of us. Maybe I should ask him if we can make a love potion instead of the other thing.”

“Love potion…” Karamatsu thinks this over, then smirks. “But a result from that is only a pseudo infatuation! To truly capture a girl’s heart, you need charm.”

Osomatsu snorts, leaning his head against the side of the chair. “Oh, yeah. And where are all these beautiful girls you’ve got from doing that kinda stuff.”

“Beautiful girls,” he repeats thoughtfully, then stops. “…I think, I’ve managed to entwine hearts with someone even better than that!”

“Yeah, sure.” Osomatsu yawns again, clearly not paying much attention to Karamatsu’s dismay. He already had the speech planned out… “Wake me up in like twenty minutes and I promise I’ll write down whatever I dream about, ‘kay?”

“Ah, okay…” Karamatsu watches as his brother sprawls out, seemingly falling asleep in an instant. For a moment he just stares, unsure of what to do, then reaches into his bag and takes out the notes Chibita gave him for Potions and Herbology, smiling fondly at the sprawled handwriting, before drawing a lavish heart at the top of the page. Behind the notes, the crystal ball sparkles, and Karamatsu pauses, then winks in response. Maybe the future simply isn’t meant to be read.

-

Unhappy Ichimatsu.

Unhappy Homura.

Solution???

Jyushimatsu sits curled up on the sofa, staring into the fire, deep in thought. He lets himself go unaware to all around him, in the process of an intensive discussion with his thoughts. They’re both sad but won’t tell him why. They likely have very different issues. Jyushimatsu wants to fix it, thinks he might be able to, because he’s not sad, not anymore, but he doesn’t know what’s wrong with them so?? But there has to be a way! But, what is it? He doesn’t know…

“Hey, anyone in there?”

Jyushimatsu bolts up, snapping back into reality and blinks away the bright silhouette the fire imprinted into his vision to see Osomatsu staring at him, frowning but amused, holding up the hand he’d just used to tap Jyushimatsu’s forehead.

“Hi, Osomatsu!” he says, dropping his thoughts all at once, focus changing.

“You were pretty zoned out there,” his brother says, leaning back onto to the opposite sofa like it belongs to him even though he’s not even in Hufflepuff. “Thinkin’ about boobs?”

“Haha, nope!”

“You should be,” Osomatsu says with a mischievous grin. “What were you thinking about then? Wait, do I even wanna know what’s going on in your head? Explain it in like five or less words, or else never mind.”

“Uhh…” Jyushimatsu stops. What was he thinking about…? Something. It was… “Oh! Uhh…what’s a cheer up spell?”

“What, other than the duck one? Dunno. Wouldn’t Choromatsu be better to ask for that? He’s the spell know it all.”

“Ahh…” Jyushimatsu doesn’t know if his other brother knows fun spells, only practical ones. Which are good! But, not fun. “How can I cheer up Ichimatsu though?”

“Woah, you’re asking for the impossible there,” Osomatsu snickers, rubbing his nose. “Sneak him a Felix Felicis, oh man that’d be interesting. He’d probably kill someone. Or try a truth serum, force him to say what he’s always so mad about, if anything. I don’t think you can make him happy happy though, it’s not his thing. Like, you’re the happy one, Karamatsu’s the embarrassing one…Ichimatsu’s just the sad one, right?”

Jyushimatsu thinks this over. “But, we used to be the same!”

“…Yeah, we still are,” Osomatsu after a few seconds. “People still call us the Polyjuice Crew or whatever, don’t they? We’re totally the same! Hey, anyway, I’ve got a favour for you. Wanna help?”

“What is it?”

“’Kay, so I have to take these extra lessons with you all, right, but I’m doing potions with Choromatsu and he’s making this potion with me to practise stuff, and he wants me to get the ingredients myself, but, that’s a lot of effort. So! You wanna help me find some of the stuff?”

“Stuff?”

“Yeah, uhh, I need…” He tilts his head back as if searching for the answer on the ceiling. Jyushimatsu glances up too, but there’s nothing there. “Some porcupine quills. Can you get me that? It’d seriously help me out!”

“Porcupine?” Jyushimatsu blinks, and thinks this over for a few seconds. Then nods eagerly. “Yup! I’ll get some!”

“Nice, thanks.” Osomatsu sits up and stretches. “Anyway, I’m gonna go back to my own common room, I’ve still gotta a ton of other stuff to do. Ugh, who’d have thought school was this much work…”

Jyushimatsu nods in agreement as his brother leaves with a light wave, and is about to fall back into the deep ‘how make happy’ thoughts, when the door rolls open again and Ichimatsu slinks in, instantly moving towards Jyushimatsu when he spots him.

“’m staying here again tonight,” he mutters, sitting down on the sofa and curling up into a ball. Jyushimatsu stares, then realises. Solution! Osomatsu did give him one. A start and finish.

“We need to go out!” he declares, standing up briskly as Ichimatsu just looks at him. “Osomatsu asked me to find a porcupine! So we have to go find one!”

“I’ll stay.”

“Nope!” Jyushimatsu pills his brother to his feet firmly, and luckily only receives a mildly threatening glare, most of his expression clouded with wary confusion. “Let’s go!!”

Game, start!

-

The air is cold outside, the April air just a little too bitter for his liking, but Jyushimatsu keeps his scarf wrapped around his mouth tightly so it doesn’t feel too bad. It makes his voice a little muffled, but he makes up for it by talking extra loud. Ichimatsu hardly replies, nor meets his gaze. He tries his best, talking about anything he can think of, but all of it is easily deflected by his brother. It’s almost like he can see his words dropping down onto the path uselessly. For a moment there’s total silence.

“Hey, Ichimatsu, what’s the difference between a porcupine and a hedgehog?” he asks at last, grinning expectantly.

“A lot,” Ichimatsu murmurs.

“…Like?”

He shrugs. “They look different. They’re different sizes.”

“Really?” Jyushimatsu smiles but his brother doesn’t say anything else, just looking down with that frustratingly persistent sad look in his eyes. Seems like it was another missed shot, he supposes. Need to focus harder!

The silence sinks back in as Jyushimatsu ponders another thing he can say that might provoke a response, but it definitely seems like a desperate case. Even Karamatsu is easier to cheer up than this. Something really really bad must have happened. But he still doesn’t know what.

“Jyushimatsu?”

He jumps, twisting around suddenly to see Homura blinking at him in confusion. Ichimatsu tenses beside him, staring harder at the ground. Right. No good with strangers.

“Hi!” he greets, stepping forward to be friendly but also so Ichimatsu can’t sneak away when he’s not looking. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, I was just on my way back from talking to someone,” Homura says, smiling politely.

“Sounds good!” he says, then stops. This- this could be a really good thing! Now he has the two of them, and a possible solution-! “Hey, we’re looking for porcupines! Do you wanna help?”

“Porcupines…? Why?”

“Need their quills!” he explains, growing more and more confident in the idea. “You can come with us! Three is better than two, we’ll have more eyes!”

“Is it okay?” she asks, gaze momentarily drifting to look at Ichimatsu.

“It’s fine!” Jyushimatsu reassures, and Homura seems to relent, stepping next to him. “Oh, right! Um, Homura, this is Ichimatsu! He’s my brother and likes cats and sleeping!”

“N-nice to meet you,” she murmurs somewhat shyly, and Jyushimatsu grins at both of them, full of determination.

“Mm,” Ichimatsu says. “Nice to…meet you.”

There’s a very heavy moment of silence where nobody talks, and Jyushimatsu looks between them, at Homura with her slightly hunched holding one arm position and then Ichimatsu with his tight hands in pocket ‘I-don’t-want-to-be-here’ pose. Jyushimatsu almost falters, because it doesn’t seem like they’ve made any progress, but he can’t stop now. No half time in a proper match.

“Okay! Now we just need to find one and take its quills! Where do you think they live?”

“There,” Ichimatsu says, pointing over to a patch of grass. At first Jyushimatsu thinks he’s just joking, but then he notices there actually is a porcupine lumbering ahead through the grass and bounces up on his heels, eyes wide.

“I wasn’t expecting that…” Homura says with a slight laugh. “Umm…how are we going to get it? Won’t it just run?”

“It shouldn’t be too hard!” Jyushimatsu says confidently, then runs forward to grab it. At the same time, the porcupine’s head shoots up, staring at him, and he swears he sees it narrow its eyes before it runs to the side, much faster than Jyushimatsu thought was possible.

“Wait, don’t move any further, it might run away completely,” Homura warns, and starts to slowly edge over to where it’s stood.

“Try cornering it,” Ichimatsu suggests, looking just a little less bored, hands still in his pockets.

“Ah, right…” Jyushimatsu bends down, and Homura uses her wand to block its path. He creeps forwards just a little, ready to grab it-

And the porcupine immediately disappears.

“Huh? What?”

“Where did it…” Homura glances around in confusion.

“H-hey, look…” Ichimatsu looks up, and they follow his gaze, only to see the porcupine sat contentedly on a tree branch. There’s another flash, and it suddenly appears one further up. Jyushimatsu blinks.

“It…it can apparate?” Homura exclaims, face with enough disbelief that Jyushimatsu supposes transporting forest animals aren’t just a normal thing in wizard life. The porcupine walks along the branch a little, then sends them a look. Jyushimatsu suddenly feels challenged.

“What the hell,” Ichimatsu mutters. “It’s got attitude.”

“How are we supposed to get it down? Should we try to find another one? I don’t think this is normal…”

“Use a spell!” Jyushimatsu tries. The other two look at him expectantly and he realises he doesn’t actually know anything helpful to get it down.

“Um, I could probably get it off, but it might just run away or…apparate again,” Homura says unsurely, but Jyushimatsu nods, and she carefully lifts the porcupine with her wand. The animal looks highly offended at the action, eyes glinting dangerously. As soon it touches the ground again it makes attempt to scuttle off, but Ichimatsu bends down and holds out a hand. It glares at him menacingly, but Jyushimatsu knows there’s no one who can beat his brother’s scary face. The porcupine stares, then at last sits down in resignation. Jyushimatsu at once pounces on it.

“Be careful,” Ichimatsu says as he goes to grab a quill. “They’re pretty sharp.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry,” he says, managing to find a loose one and taking it out. “It won’t hurt as bad as my quidditch cut!”

“What’s that?” Homura asks, walking over to them and slotting her wand back in her pocket.

“Don’t use reparo on cuts,” Ichimatsu mutters, and Jyushimatsu laughs, pulling up his sleeve to reveal the jagged scar running down his forearm.

“Choromatsu was really mad!” he says. “I thought I could fix it myself, but, nope! Really hurt!”

“Idiot,” Ichimatsu says, shaking his head. Jyushimatsu just grins.

“It’s fine, ‘cause now I know not to do that again! And I won’t forget, ‘cause the scar’s like a memory that my arm has!”

“Don’t be so weird around a girl,” Ichimatsu reminds him quietly, and they look towards Homura, who just stares with a fond smile.

“I don’t mind,” she says. “You two seem close, it’s nice to see.”

Jyushimatsu grins, but his brother looks away in embarrassment. “Are we done?”

“Ah, yeah!” He shoves the quill into his pocket, feeling extremely satisfied. “Thanks! Now Osomatsu can use these for his potion!”

The two suddenly stare at him with hesitant faces, and he falters slightly, wondering if he’s lost the match at the last moment, but then Homura lets out a laugh that she tries to cover with her hand, and Ichimatsu looks away with a smirk in his eyes.

“What?”

“Um, if it’s for a potion, you can just buy the quills from the school,” Homura explains, failing to keep in her laughter. “I-I didn’t realise that’s why you wanted one. You should have said.”

“Mm.” Ichimatsu nods. “Should’ve said.”

“Whaaat? B-but it was fun, right?” he tries, waving his arms around desperately.

His brother shrugs.

“I guess,” Homura says with a light smile.

Game won? Lost? Draw?? Jyushimatsu isn’t actually sure. But then, he thinks, they seem to have eased up a little, be more comfortable and normal, so really, he must’ve won something, because getting that kind of outcome is worth more than catching a thousand golden snitches.

-

Ichimatsu stares at the desk, bored, mind elsewhere. He’s finally managed to drag himself back to lessons after everything, feeling a little braver in facing life, though it’s still as terrible as always. The class murmur amongst themselves as they’re given back the results of their latest mock exam, all formalities of lesson fallen apart as the last few minutes tick by, For the first time, he’s not actually sure what he’s going to get. Normally he just does nothing and is fine with the resulting fail he receives, but after being forced to help Osomatsu and collecting those potion ingredients, it almost felt like the exam was understandable, somehow.

A piece of parchment is placed is down in front of him, and he finds himself staring down at an ‘Acceptable’.

“Wowww, Ichimatsu, you didn’t fail,” Todomatsu says in awe, leaning over from his place next to him. “You were actually close to the next grade too, see, I got an E but my score wasn’t that much higher than yours. Hey, maybe if you actually try you might actually be able to beat Choromatsu!”

They glance over to their other brother, who’s staring down at his page with a relieved expression. Ichimatsu can only assume he got the nerd grade he wanted.

“We’ve gotta be moving on up in the world by now, right?” Todomatsu smiles happily, and Ichimatsu just shrugs, trying to act like he isn’t actually fairly happy with his grade. “Maybe we’ll actually be able to pass our OWLs by this point, and then-“

The parchment is suddenly ripped away from the table, and Todomatsu stops, turning around to see some asshole from their house sneering down at them. Ichimatsu narrows his eyes.

“You got an E? And he got an A?”

Todomatsu looks away, scowling. “C’mon, Ichimatsu, let’s go see how Choromatsu did-“

“Don’t fucking ignore me,” he spits, staring at the parchment like it’s something disgusting, before letting out a short laugh, ripping it in half slowly. Ichimatsu sees Todomatsu tense beside him. “Stupid little mudbloods.”

Ichimatsu looks away, because there it is again, that word they love to throw around that always manages to make him think even lower of himself. It’s only then does he realise the class has slowly dissolved into silence, and when he looks back up he stares at the boy in front of him, skin now dyed the colour of a marshmallow.

“What-?!”

“Please don’t talk to my brothers like that again.”

Choromatsu??

Ichimatsu turns in total shock to see his brother stood with his wand out, face unusually unforgiving. The rest of the class stares in shock too, because, really, the only time the class has ever noticed Choromatsu is because of his stupidly high grades, and there’s no way someone like him would ever-

“S-sir, I need to go to the Hospital Wing! He’s poisoned me!”

“No, it’s just a colour change spell. It’ll wear off in a day or so.”

“A day?!”

“Everyone, you can go,” the teacher’s voice calls up suddenly, frowning. “You two, stay behind please.”

The boy tosses the parchment pieces to the floor and storms to the front as the rest of the class empty out, and Ichimatsu lingers for a moment, before collecting them up and leaving the room along with Todomatsu.

“What the hell just happened?” his brother exclaims as soon as they get back out into the corridor. “Did that just happen? Did Choromatsu just jinx someone? In the middle of a classroom? No, I’m not going crazy, am I?”

“It happened,” Ichimatsu says, then glances back to the opening door. A few students are waiting outside to see the aftermath, and go quiet when Choromatsu walks out, looking strangely at ease. Todomatsu leaps towards him instantly.

“What was that, Choromatsu? Are you crazy? You totally dyed that guy like, baby pink! Why?! You know he calls us mudbloods like twice a day, right? What were you doing?”

“Well, I hadn’t had chance to practise that spell in a while, so.” Choromatsu shrugs. “…Felt pretty good, honestly. I kinda get why Osomatsu always breaks the rules now.”

“Ah, he’s one of us now,” Ichimatsu says, nodding in satisfaction.

“What did Sir say? Honestly, I’m kind of surprised you’re not crying.”

“Took ten points from Ravenclaw,” Choromatsu says simply, then seems to consider something. “But fifteen from Slytherin. Hope you don’t mind.”

“This is so weird, I need to go lie down,” Todomatsu complains, and they start walking on through the corridor away from the gathered students. “One minute you’re all like ‘ohh noo, I’m a Ravenclaw, I need to be the most perfect person of all perfect people’ and then suddenly it’s like ‘whatever I’ll just break all the rules who even cares’.”

“Those guys shouldn’t speak to you like that,” Choromatsu argues, frowning. “Now I get why you guys never hang out in your own common room.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not that big a deal,” Todomatsu says, and Ichimatsu makes a small noise of agreement.

“And he tore up your tests, didn’t he? Did you get them off the floor?” Choromatsu takes the pieces from Ichimatsu, readying his wand, and in seconds they’re whole again. “Idiot, doesn’t he realise parchment always tears, it’s not like there wouldn’t be a way to fix it easily- wait, you guys actually did well on the test?!”

“Don’t act so surprised,” Todomatsu says with a sly wink. “Told you it was useful to have cute revision notes.”

“Even you did well, Ichimatsu…” Choromatsu muses, handing them their tests back. “…I need to get a move on. I only got ninety one percent.”

“Only,” Todomatsu mocks, rolling his eyes. “Well, I knew Ichimatsu was smart, that’s why he’s in the same house as me, because we’re the good ones.”

“Oh, yeah, because Slytherins are definitely the ones with a reputation of being smart and good-“

Choromatsu and Todomatsu break off into a spat about who has the superior house (that makes a change), and Ichimatsu finds himself staring at his test, feeling a new sensation of actually…not being worthless. If he had actually put effort into it…maybe he could have done really well, like Todomatsu said. Suddenly there seems to be a lot more options for him. Maybe he doesn’t have to spend his entire life being useless. Maybe…he actually has a chance now.

For the first time in months, he lets himself smile.

-

“L-lumos.”

The whisper leaves his lips softly, and Todomatsu’s wand lights up dimly, illuminating the space around the end of his bed with a pale glow. A quick glance reveals Ichimatsu still fast asleep, and he shakes his head. So lazy! Even still, he places a small bag of chocolate at the end of the bed, then turns around swiftly, leaving the dorms behind him.

The main common room is just as dark and cold as always, and Todomatsu shuffles across the carpet trying not to hit any of the dark furniture, wishing his wand was just a little brighter. Stupid spring with its lazy sun. Wake up and do your job, he thinks angrily. It’s already 5am.

As soon as Todomatsu steps out the common room, something bright crashes into him, nearly knocking him over, and he shrieks, covering his face protectively. Then a second later he cracks open an eye, realising that he’s not being attacked by some evil werewolf, but instead it’s just his brother. Of course it is.

Jyushimatsu laughs loudly, volume enhanced by the dead surroundings. “Why are you scared?”

“I wasn’t expecting you! I thought you said you were gonna wait by your common room, anyway!” Todomatsu huffs, trying to act like he isn’t secretly glad now he won’t have to walk all the way in the dark by himself, but Jyushimatsu probably knows better, as stupid as he is. With a sigh, he thrusts out his hand with another bag of chocolate sat on it. “Happy biiirthday, Jyushimatsu.”

“Ahh, right!” He beams happily, shoving it in his pocket.

“Won’t it melt like that?” Todomatsu frowns, shaking his head. Then waits. “…Did you get me anything?”

Jyushimatsu laughs. “I forgot it was today-“

“No way! You don’t get to use that excuse when we all share the same birthday!!” He crosses his arms in irritation, biting his lip, then stops when he notices at in the dim light that Jyushimatsu’s already got mud splattered up his legs, his hoodie tied around his waist. “…Have you already been out?”

“Oh, yeah! I got bored!”

“How long have you been awake, jeez…” But thinking it over a little more, it’s probably a good thing his brother’s already burnt off some energy. Maybe he’ll actually be able to keep up this time. “Hey, can you do the lumos thing? Your wand’s always brighter than mine.”

His brother nods happily, and then moments later the corridor floods with light. Todomatsu slips his wand back into his pocket. At least he won’t have to carry it now, at least.

-

As it turns out, Jyushimatsu’s energy is as endless as always, bounding on ahead multiple times during their jog. It’s even worse than normal, actually. Todomatsu isn’t a bad runner, but Jyushimatsu is just something else. It’s like if he’s happy he runs faster, but also if he’s sad, or bored, or excited, or just, anything. Todomatsu doubts he’ll ever really understand.

“Jyushimatsuuu, let’s just walk for a bit,” he calls breathlessly, stretching off his slumped shoulders. “We still need to exchange birthday gossip!”

“Birthday gossip?” Jyushimatsu stops with a contemplative face, giving Todomatsu the chance to catch up. They walk together across the grass, with his brother swinging his arms around loosely, wand still clutched in his left hand, even though the sun’s already dragged itself up into a dull grey sky that Todomatsu doesn’t like the look of.

“Spill!” he urges, but Jyushimatsu just looks at him with a blank smile. “Like…anything! What about that girl? Are you two still friends? Are you going to ask her out?”

Jyushimatsu laughs evasively, and Todomatsu doesn’t miss the way his eyes dart to the side. “Maybe.”

“You should!”

“Did you?”

“Me?” He blinks. “What?”

“Ravenclaw prick!” Jyushimatsu gestures. Todomatsu feels a wave of embarrassment, because he swears he wasn’t that obvious, but then just lets himself smirk slyly.

“Maybe.”

“Hmm, Totty…” Jyushimatsu narrows his eyes with a mock perceptive look that Todomatsu always knows is a joke because obviously his brother can’t be perceptive. Then, abruptly- “How’s Ichimatsu?”

“Umm, boring? Sad? What do you want me to say?”

“Still sad?”

“Isn’t he always?” Todomatsu takes a moment to reflect for a moment, frowning. “Hmm…I guess maybe not as much, I dunno. He isn’t missing lessons as much now, but I thought that’s just ‘cause it’s getting warmer, like he was hibernating or something weird. Why? Did something happen?”

“Mmm…” Jyushimatsu pauses in thought for a few seconds. “He told me the other day, his cat died.”

“Anya?” Todomatsu tenses in shock, feeling a burst of sadness. “Oh my god that’s awful! I had no idea, I thought he was just being mopey ‘cause he always is, god, no wonder Princess has been acting so weird lately.”

“We wanted to get him a new pet, but he said he doesn’t want another.”

“Well, that’s kind of understandable. Ahh, Mum’ll be so sad, she loves our cats. It’s the owls that’re the problem, though I totally get why…hm, maybe this’ll be the year Osomatsu gets deemed responsible enough to have one, but probably not, considering-“

Todomatsu’s focus drifts as he feels a sudden prick of rain land against his cheek. He holds out his hand to test the sky’s temperament as Jyushimatsu tilts his head back, staring at the dark clouds above.

“Impervius!” he commands his wand, then does the same for his brother because whilst he might not mind getting sick, Todomatsu does, and refuses to deal with the possibility that he’ll have to deal with him being all gross for a week or so. “Hey, let’s head back. The others’ll be awake soon, and I need to see if any of them actually got me a present.”

Jyushimatsu nods with a slight laugh, and they set off walking across the pitch, rain bouncing harmlessly off his hoodie. Everything should definitely have brightened by now, but the sky’s still a boring white. Todomatsu glances out towards the castle. He’s always thought it looked too old fashioned, and not at all cute, but against the pale backdrop it actually looks kind of atmospheric. The grounds are so clear too, except for one person far off in the distance-

“Totty!” Jyushimatsu exclaims brightly, pointing with his sleeve. “That’s him, right?”

“Huh?” Todomatsu blinks, peering forwards a little at the figure. “Who…”

“Ravenclaw prick!!”

“Huh?” He repeats, eyes wide, looking a little closer and realising oh god it’s definitely-

“Let’s say hi!”

“Wait, what-!”

“Heyyy, Totty’s boyfrieenndd!!”

“Silencio!” he spits out quickly, but it’s too late, he’s already seen Atsushi turn towards them. With a rush of mortification he takes a moment to panic, then starts patting his hair down furiously, wishing he could remember one of those stupid beautifying spells Karamatsu always uses, because god he probably looks so gross and sweaty right now, he’s wearing leggings, why is Jyushimatsu so stupid, and Atsushi’s already approaching them so he automatically flips back to his cute face but oh god is the shield charm wearing off already just kill him now-

“This is a pleasant surprise,” he greets, smile smooth, not even looking dishevelled at all what the hell. “I don’t normally see you around this time.”

“W-well, we don’t go every morning, just some days since I need to keep my brother company after all, so?? You know.” Todomatsu shrugs lightly, smile tightening as he sees Jyushimatsu waving his arms around and moving his mouth mutely, grin unrestrained. “…He…doesn’t talk much.”

“Really,” Atsushi says with a much too disbelieving smirk, and Todomatsu resists the urge to punch him. “Happy birthday, by the way.”

“Huh?” He stares, then feels his face blossom into a violent blush and looks away desperately. “H-how did you…”

Atsushi just shrugs with that stupid pure blood ‘just a magic thing’ look, then seems to notice something. “Your charm’s wearing off.”

“I-is it,” Todomatsu manages, now aware of the drips of rain landing against his warm cheeks, and brushes them distractedly with his hand. Atsushi takes out his wand, holding it up over them as a ghostly figure of an umbrella rises from the top.

“We can walk back together,” he says.

What the hell is this guy a literal romance novel protagonist why doesn’t he just go die-

“The three of us.”

Three-!?

“Ah, no, um, Jyushimatsu’s probably going to run a bit longer, right? He really loves running and sporty stuff, like, he’s on the quidditch team and stuff, so…”

“I’ve seen,” Atsushi says, raising his eyebrows in amusement as Jyushimatsu bounces on the spot with a desperate expression. “And I’ve heard. He tends to yell a lot during the matches, doesn’t he? He has a very loud voice.”

Todomatsu freezes, then smiles sheepishly with a sideways glance. Caught outtt. “Finite.”

“Boehh!” Jyushimatsu yells experimentally, then grins in success. Todomatsu slinks down a little.

“Honestly, Atsushi, it was for your own good, you-“

“Have you two kissed? Do you love each other? Is Totty a good boyfriend? Are you going to-“

“Shut up!” Todomatsu hisses, resisting the urge to push him solely due to the fact Atsushi is stood watching them, smiling. He tries to recompose himself a little, taking a breath. “Look, Jyushimatsu, don’t you want to run some more? The rain doesn’t bother you, right?”

“Mm, true!” Jyushimatsu nods. “Okay! Back to running! Have fun with your boyfriend, Totty!”

It appears that his brother has finally learnt how to take a hint, Todomatsu thinks in awe as they watch him set off across the field. Though, seeing him skid and fall on the mud only to leap back up again makes Todomatsu think maybe he’s overestimating him. Honestly, it’s more likely he genuinely just really wants to run.

“He’s also very interesting,” Atsushi says after a few seconds.

“Oh shut up,” Todomatsu scowls, moving closer to him as they set off walking. “What’re you doing out here so early anyway?”

“I try to run regularly, to help me stay fit. A few miles every morning or so.”

Annoying!! So annoying!! Todomatsu pulls a face, then blinks, another thought coming into his mind. “I can come with you in the mornings instead then.”

“What about your brother?”

“He’ll be fine, he’s too fast for me anyway.” Then he looks around, realising something. “…This isn’t the way back to the castle.”

“No.”

“…Where then?”

“The owlery,” Atsushi replies smoothly.

“Huh? Why?! Don’t you know how bad that place smells?”

“I’m expecting a package,” he says, and Todomatsu perks up, attaching himself to Atsushi’s arm with a coy smile.

“Is it for meee?”

“It’s not.”

Todomatsu lets go instantly. “Go away then.”

“If you want.”

“No, don’t actually,” Todomatsu says quickly, grabbing his arm just to make sure he won’t escape. “You wouldn’t leave me all alone on my birthday, would you, Atsushi?”

“Well,” he starts.

“Wrong answer.” Todomatsu frowns, tightening his grip.

“I didn’t realise you were so easily flustered though,” he says. “You don’t have to be embarrassed by your brothers.”

“I’m not easily flustered,” Todomatsu mutters, looking down at the grass. His gaze is suddenly pulled away from the ground as there’s a hand on his cheek that turns his head around and then a pair of lips is being pressed to his own. Before he can even comprehend the situation, the contact is gone, and he’s left staring, red faced and open mouthed at Atsushi’s smug face.

“Are you sure?”

“Th-that’s- not fair!” he exclaims furiously. His boyfriend just lets out a small laugh with an irritating expression, carrying on walking that leaves Todomatsu hurrying along to not get left behind in the rain. Idiot. Idiot so annoying just go die already ugh.

-

The second they step into the owlery, Todomatsu instantly pushes them back out again, stepping against the wall and remaining still.

“…What?” Atsushi asks after a few seconds of silence pass, and Todomatsu narrows his eyes, peering carefully back through the entrance. It’s a little hard to make out due to the numerous owls flapping their wings all over the place, but Todomatsu can just about see his brother near the back wall, talking to- who is that…Chibita? He peers harder, but at that moment he’s pulled back out again.

“I’m trying to listen!” he complains, pulling a face at Atsushi.

“To who?” he asks, looking increasingly confused. “The owls?”

“It’s my brother, he’s in there, I wanna know what he’s up to,” he explains loosely, and looks round again. Atsushi follows, just above his head.

“A different one?”

“Karamatsu,” he says, then lowers his voice. “Shh, I can’t hear.”

Irritating as it is, the combined noise of the rain and the owls means it’s practically impossible to make out anything being said, and he has no idea if there are any spells that would help him to eavesdrop, so he just has to watch and try to figure out what exactly is going on. They’re just talking…then he hears Chibita laugh loudly, and Karamatsu just smiles, and reach out towards- is that his owl? It’s got a present- is that one of their presents from their parents? No way, he can’t be stealing it, can he…?

“Who is that?” Atsushi asks quietly, and Todomatsu hisses at him, waving a hand for him to be quiet.

The owl drops two presents over to where Karamatsu stands, and he pulls that over the top face like he’s going to cry, and Todomatsu pouts, because why is he getting two presents that’s so not fair, but then Chibita pulls some horribly wrapped sad looking thing out of his pocket and hands it over. Karamatsu stares, and then grabs Chibita in a hug and he just about the hear the noises of complaint from the smaller boy, and Todomatsu frowns in confusion, trying to lean forwards a little more, but then loses his grip on the doorframe and slips, almost falling until Atsushi saves him, pulling him back out into the rain.

“Crap, do you think they saw us?” he asks, then shakes his head. “What was that? Why is he getting three presents, that’s so unfair, I can’t believe this! Our parents never get any of us more than one for our birthdays or for Christmas, they’ve always done that, why is it different this year? And he’s getting a present off Chibita, since when have they been friends, or more, when has Karamatsu had friends full stop-“

He cuts himself off as he starts to hear voices grow nearer, and skirts behind the wall, pulling Atsushi along with him. And then…

“-so wonderful, is it not? To think it was only a simple mistake!”

Todomatsu winces and pulls a face as he hears his brother’s annoying wannabe-cool-guy voice, because honestly, is he still not stopping that stupid act? This is exactly why he has no friends.

“Yeah well, you idjit. You worry too much. It’s not like they wouldn’ta got you somethin’ on purpose.”

…Or, used to have no friends??

“But the real gift was of course the one from you, dearest Chibita!”

“Sh-shut up, it cost me like, nothing. It’s justa piece of crap anyway, you don’t gotta get all excited about it…”

The voices trail off again, and Todomatsu watches suspiciously as they walk back off towards the castle.

“…Maybe I should be jogging with Karamatsu instead,” he muses, only now realising that he’s likely a much better source of gossip than Jyushimatsu is. And likely a lot slower…it’d be a nice ego boost to keep running ahead and leaving him behind.

“Did something happen?”

“Who knows.” Todomatsu shrugs lightly, putting his cute face back on. “Atsushi! Go sort out your owl quickly so I can go back and figure out what just happened!”

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“To see your owl?”

“Yes,” Atsushi says, then pauses. “She’s called Aequa.”

“That sounds so pretentious,” Todomatsu says before he can stop himself. Atsushi just raises an eyebrow in amusement, and he looks away. “Well, I mean, it is…”

“It’s Latin.”

“That just makes it worse,” he sighs, shaking his head in despair. “I’ll just wait outside. I don’t like owls, they stress out my cat and they’re too noisy and gross.”

“Fair enough,” Atsushi says with a shrug, then hands Todomatsu the umbrella-wand before disappearing into the owlery. He leans back, thinking over all the weird things going on with his brothers for a few moments, before ultimately deciding he doesn’t care enough to dwell on it. They always end up getting over it in the end; they’re too lazy to maintain problems for long. Then he hears a voice call “I guess you don’t want your present then?”

“…You lied!” Todomatsu yells, then hurries inside, grinning. Even if owls are gross, he supposes he can put up with this once for the sake of his present. Besides, if any of them peck at him, he can just get his boyfriend to protect him.

-

Jyushimatsu drops down breathlessly after another practice session, and is elated to see Homura still sitting there, smiling brightly and applauding him on his flying technique and lots of other stuff he wasn’t really thinking about. It’s not really that hot anymore, since the sun’s already going down, but his cheeks still feel flushed when he beams back at her.

“It’s such a nice evening tonight,” she says as they walk back across the pitch, head held higher than he’s seen it in a long time. “The flowers are finally all blooming, it’s so lovely.”

Jyushimatsu follows her gaze to a nearby collection of bright coloured flowers, and then glances back her at her small smile, and hardly even thinks about it before he turns one of them into a duck once again. Homura blinks, then covers her mouth as her shoulders start to shake, and then she bursts out into hysterical laughter.

“S-stop, why do you always…I can’t, it’s so-“ Her words hardly even leave her mouth through her loud giggles, and he beams at her. That one always works, and he’ll never stop using it until it doesn’t. He’s always just a little worried she might end up knocking herself out with the intensity of her laughs though. Just a little.

“I can teach you how to do that, if you want!” he offers. “Then you can use it whenever you get sad.”

“It’s better when you do it,” she says, catching her breath. Then she looks back up at him, and her eyes look very pretty and happy and her smile is so nice he almost wants to kiss it, but instead just grins back at her. “Thank you. Thank you a lot.”

“What for?”

Homura shakes her head, then takes a breath. With a slightly shaky hand, she takes out her wand, then nods, though it looks more like it’s to herself than to him. “Okay.”

Jyushimatsu watches, unsure if she means she wants him to teach her the spell after all, but before he can ask she makes a sudden movement and yells ‘expecto patronum’, and his eyes widen as there’s a gust of silver wind that cuts through the wind, and he stares in awe, because wow wow wow she made a formless patronus WOW but then Homura opens an eye and glances at him, and the intensity suddenly increases tenfold and then the wind seems to focus together and he blinks and then-

“Ah! D-dragonfly!” He stares at the glittering ghost of a dragonfly that flies around above them, hovering around, and Homura watches with a face a total disbelief like she wasn’t expecting it to work at all. Then she lets out a small laugh, and then another, and he panics a little when he sees tears start streaming down her face, but she still looks happy so he’s not really sure it’s a bad thing now.

“It- it worked,” she breathes, letting out an overjoyed sob as the dragonfly floats back to her, before dissolving back out into the summer air. “Jyushimatsu…I…”

He shakes his head, feeling a little embarrassed but mostly just happy and okay. and Homura doesn’t say anything else, and he takes her hand a little uncertainly but she laces their fingers together. It’s silent, but it doesn’t feel like a bad thing. It feels really good. Super great!

And a week later, they finally manage to win the last game of the season against Slytherin, landing them in third place altogether. Which, is better than last year! Maybe next year, they’ll even get second. Jyushimatsu thinks he’ll be equally happy either way.

-

They’re still waiting for Ichimatsu and Todomatsu to show up when there’s a clatter of heavy footsteps against the stone, and Choromatsu frowns in brief confusion, before stopping as the source of the noise becomes visible. A furious, but very cute girl stands in front of them, hands on hips, and he feels his face flush when he realises- it’s Totoko!! The Slytherin beater, he’s seen her before, but she’s actually a lot cuter in person, not that’s he’s looking at her like that, it’s just now she’s here-

“Who’s who?” she demands, frowning at them whilst her gaze flickers across the four of them. None of them move, and she sighs, glancing down at something scrawled on her hand. “Osomatsu, Choromatsu?”

Totoko is looking for him?? Choromatsu’s breath hitches and he tries to stammer out a ‘me?’ as Karamatsu takes a step back, pulling Jyushimatsu with him.

“Oooosomatsu, at your service!” Osomatsu says with a grin, and Choromatsu watches as she seems to weigh them up with a calculating stare, then seems to relax, arms dropping to her side.

“Huhh, I heard some same face creeps stole my skirt, but you guys just look like hopeless nerds or something. I was expecting at least someone tougher, hmm…” She takes her wand from her pocket and looks at it thoughtfully, fiddling it between her fingers. “But that doesn’t change anything! Locomotor Wibbly!”

Instantly Choromatsu feels his legs turn to jelly, and stumbles back, unable to stand. He sees Osomatsu do the same behind him, letting out a small noise of surprise as his legs crumple, knocking him to the floor. Choromatsu makes an attempt to grip the wall for support, but feels his muscle strength slipping. Looking back up at Totoko reveals her smiling with a satisfied look (and it’s still so cute!!).

“I know that I’m super adorable, but if you take any of my stuff again I’ll gut you with zero hesitation, ‘kay?” She laughs, and Choromatsu flushes even though he’s near half paralysed. “Okay, bye bye!! Never talk to me again, please!”

Totoko skips off lightly down the corridor with a happy hum, and slowly Choromatsu turns to look at Osomatsu, disbelief clogging his fury.

“You stole a skirt from Totoko?” he asks, feeling Karamatsu help him up from behind.

“I didn’t know it was hers!” his brother counters as Jyushimatsu hauls him up. “Man, that was crazy! I never realised how big her tits are – do you think there’s a spell to make them bigger, or reckon they were just naturally like that?”

“I-!” Choromatsu stops. “…I don’t know.”

“You guys are such idiots.” There’s a burst of laughter from around the corner, and Todomatsu and Ichimatsu appear at least, staring down at them with amused sneers. “You messed with Totoko, oh my gosh. Even the most assholish guys in our house are terrified of her! You’re totally lucky she didn’t mince you.”

“Uh, and where were you?” Choromatsu narrows his eyes, trying to stop his legs from their violent trembling. “You could have tried to stop her! She might have listened to you if you’re in the same house!”

“Are you kidding? That was hilarious! Why would I wanna put a stop to that?” Todomatsu snickers and even Ichimatsu smirks behind him. Freaking Slytherins-

“Yup! She’s a pretty mean beater!” Jyushimatsu adds in, grinning. “We still won though!”

“I didn’t even steal the stupid skirt anyway,” Choromatsu whines quietly, managing to stand. “Now she’ll never date me.”

“Um, that ship sailed a looonng time ago,” Todomatsu says.

“That ship was burnt at the harbour,” Ichimatsu adds.

“Hm, I’m sure that so long as your heart desires it, you will find true love!” Karamatsu exclaims, and Choromatsu notices Osomatsu literally wince.

“Karamatsu says weird things,” Jyushimatsu laughs, and their second brother seems to take it as a compliment, smirking confidentially.

“Weird, or just, unique?”

“Weird, now hurry up,” Ichimatsu mutters, looking bored. “I wanna see this Boggart already.”

“Yeah, I’ve got things to do, so I’d rather this not take ages,” Todomatsu says, crossing his arms.

“Like what?” Choromatsu asks suspiciously.

“Oh, you know.” Todomatsu smiles, blinking innocently. Choromatsu always finds it amazing how he always finds ways to be even more annoying, just when he thought it wasn’t possible.

“Ready!!” Jyushimatsu exclaims, and before any of them can disagree he throws the door open, and they’re greeted with an empty room full of desks and scattered chairs, a smudge of chalk still on the blackboard. Choromatsu frowns at the mess, and with a quick wave of his wand he watches in satisfaction as everything rolls to the back of the room, clearing an empty space.

“Nicely done, my little show off brother,” Osomatsu says with a fond pat on the back, and Choromatsu just rolls his eyes.

They step forwards into the room, and Ichimatsu immediately finds a spot in the corner on one of the desks at the back. Choromatsu watches as Karamatsu steps forward confidentially, only for a passing note to smack into his face, falling to the floor limply.

“Gosh, Karamatsu, watch where you’re going,” Todomatsu sighs, picking the note up and brushing it off, before hopping along to join Ichimatsu.

There’s a sudden thud as Jyushimatsu pulls out a chest of drawers, smiling as it shuffles slightly. “Gooot it!”

“Well, we can see that,” Choromatsu mutters. He looks towards Osomatsu, and only notices the unease when Karamatsu gives him a thumbs up and his ‘I-believe-in-you’ nod. “Hey, Osomatsu? What…what actually is it?”

“…Something stupid,” he replies, then laughs. “You sure you wanna be around for this? It’s, it’s really stupid, seriously. It’s just a waste of time.”

“No, you’re not getting out of this that easily,” Choromatsu says firmly, shaking his head. “I’m sure it can’t be that bad.”

“…Yeah, sure. Whatever.”

“Heyyy, hurry up and finish already,” Todomatsu calls from the back. “It’s annoying we have to be here anyway so don’t make it take forever.”

“Right!” Jyushimatsu digs around for his wand, readying himself.

“I don’t want them to see it,” Osomatsu mutters suddenly, voice quiet and quick.

“What?” Choromatsu blinks.

“I-“ He looks around, almost frantically. “I-it’s embarrassing, y’know? Let’s just, uh, turn it around so the others can’t see, okay? You can do that, right?”

“You’re embarrassed?” Choromatsu repeats incredulously. “What the hell is it?”

Osomatsu shifts in discomfort, and Choromatsu almost feels concerned. This doesn’t just seem like a case of him being ashamed he messed up initially, he realises. It’s something else.

“Ready?” Jyushimatsu calls, grinning with his wand ready. “I’ll beat if you can’t, okay?”

“Ah, wait, we should turn the drawers around so it doesn’t accidentally go to someone else,” Karamatsu suggests, and Choromatsu stares. There’s no way he could have heard Osomatsu ask that before, he was too far away- did he somehow notice? Actually, now he thinks about it, haven’t Jyushimatsu and Karamatsu already seen it? The amount of curiosity he’s feeling right now verges on painful.

Karamatsu flips the drawers around so they’re facing away from the others, and Jyushimatsu stands behind them eagerly. Choromatsu stays to the left, close enough so he’ll still be able to see it, and sees Karamatsu opposite him on the right.

“You brought your potion, right?” he asks, and Osomatsu blinks like he’s just realised something, rummaging around inside his robes for a few moments, before taking out a small vial.

“…Wait, isn’t that…that’s the potion we were making, right? The one you told me to make with him- you said it was ‘cause he struggled with that one most, not for this-“ Choromatsu stops as Osomatsu downs the potion one, and hopes to god they managed to make it correctly, or else. For a moment he waits, half expecting his brother to explode or something, but then he just grins, letting out a breath.

“’kay, I’m ready. Man, that thing’s like drinking a ton of butterbeer.” He nods with a determined grin. “Go for it, Jyushimatsu. I’ve got this.”

Their brother nods firmly, and waves his wand so the drawers burst open, and Choromatsu watches carefully as the shadow flickers, pooling out onto the floor, morphing in a way his eyes can’t quite decipher the shapes, and then-

-finds himself staring into the blank eyes of his own dead body.

Choromatsu recoils, feeling a wave of nausea hit him. The bloodied and pale corpses of his brothers lie there hauntingly, still, unmoving.

“It’s okay,” Karamatsu calls, and Choromatsu tears his gaze away to see Osomatsu staring with a hollow look, wand at the ready but body apparently frozen. For a second he glances between the two of them, then at the others behind who aren’t really paying any attention, distracted by some weird thing Jyushimatsu is doing. Choromatsu looks back- and- it’s just blood. No bodies. Did he already-?

“Riddikulus!” Osomatsu yells suddenly, and the blood melts into the ground, leaving nothing behind. Choromatsu wonders if that’s enough, but his brother lets out a relieved laugh, and the shadow jumps back into the drawer, defeated.

“Done!” Jyushimatsu flings himself back over and slams the drawer shut, beaming. “Well done, Osomatsu!”

“Yeah, glad that’s finished with,” Osomatsu says, rubbing his nose. “Knew boggarts were naff.”

“My congratulations, bro-“

“Silencio,” Ichimatsu cuts in with a smirk, and Karamatsu’s voice halts in this throat. “Jyushimatsu taught me that one.”

“Hey, that’s MY spell-“ Todomatsu spits, and suddenly there’s a cluster of arguments. Choromatsu can’t even join in, instead turning to Osomatsu with a hesitant swallow.

“It was-“ he starts shakily, then tries again. “The…corpse guy. It was you.”

“I guess. Are people still talking about that? It feels like ages ago.”

“Osomatsu-“ He takes a breath. “I’m sorry. Really, I-I didn’t know, I thought it’d be something actually stupid, I thought you were just being an idiot like always.”

“It was stupid, if you guys all fucked off it’d be the best thing that ever happened to me,” Osomatsu says with a laugh, eyes not quite meeting his own. Then he looks back up to the others. “Hey, Jyushimatsu, can you teach me how to do the Melofors Jinx now? The one that turns people’s heads into a pumpkin!”

“Right!” Jyushimatsu runs over, eyes gleaming. “You just-“

“WAIT!” Choromatsu yanks his brother’s wand from his hand, feeling his authorative side kick back up. “You are NOT doing that. And someone should give Karamatsu his voice back-“

“What, with Silencio?” Osomatsu tries, and Choromatsu’s voice fades away.  He grits in teeth in irritation as his brother laughs. “This is my new favourite spell. Well, after accio.”

“Ah, I like this one!” Jyushimatsu flicks his wand and suddenly the gravity in the room seems to flip off, and all six of them are lifted into the air, along with the chairs and tables and pretty much everything else.

“Jyushimatsu STOP oh my god put me DOWN-“ Todomatsu yelps, batting away a quill that’s floating dangerously towards him.

Choromatsu can’t even find the words to yell at him. …Not because he doesn’t have them, but because this stupid muting spell. Once he gets his voice back, he’s going to give them all an absolute earful.

-

The heat of the July sun beats down hard against them as they stand waiting for the train, and Osomatsu yawns, still feeling too hot despite having shed his robes and jumper and tie and rolling up the sleeves on his shirt so he almost looks like Karamatsu. As exhausting as everything has been, the relief of finally having finished all their exams (the struggle, oh god the struggle) actually kind of soothes the atmosphere, which also makes it really really hard to not fall asleep.

“Wow, it feels like foreeeverr since we last went home,” Todomatsu says, holding his cat basket in his arms and nothing else, with a wobbling Karamatsu next to him balancing both their luggage in his arms. “I hope Mum doesn’t forget who’s who or anything.”

“We should swap clothes just to razz with her,” Osomatsu suggests, grinning.

“Ugh, no, then it even gets confusing for me,” Todomatsu says in disdain.

“Seriously? Sixteen years and you still get us mixed up?” Choromatsu throws him a look of offended disbelief.

“I bet I’d never get you guys mixed up,” Osomatsu says proudly, leaning back. “As your big bro, I know everything about you! Can’t pull one over on me.”

Ichimatsu makes a small noise of ‘yeah-right’, looking weirdly emptyhanded without his cat, and Todomatsu shoots a sly look at Osomatsu. “You so don’t know everything about us.”

“I so do! Like, what could you guys say that I don’t already know?

There’s a sudden crash as Karamatsu manages to finally succeed in dropping everything everywhere, and then a pause, before he turns to them confidently and says, “Did you know, I’m dating Chibita?”

“What?”

“And did you also know I’ve got a boyfriend?” Todomatsu adds, smiling maliciously at him. Osomatsu feels his brain start to go into overdrive.

“I got an after school detention,” Choromatsu adds. “And I didn’t even mind.”

“Wh-“ He looks around desperately, and sees Ichimatsu and Jyushimatsu stood there watching. “Wh-what about you guys? There’s nothing unpredictable about you, right?

Ichimatsu shrugs. “…I decided to start animagus training after the summer.”

“You’re- kidding!” With a last futile attempt, he looks to Jyushimatsu.

“I got a girlfriend!” he says cheerfully, swinging his bags loosely. Osomatsu folds his arms.

“Yeah, see I knew that-“

“Also, I’m predicted an Outstanding on my Arithmancy exam! I think it went really well!”

“You do Arithmancy?” Osomatsu falls to the floor, defeated. “I can’t believe this…there’s no way…”

“You’ll recover,” Choromatsu says, patting him lightly on the back. “Oh, the train’s here. Get up.”

With a high pitched whistle, the train pulls into the station, and Osomatsu has to drag himself back onto his feet, feeling like his soul has been drained out of his body. What the hell is this…he didn’t need a plot twist like this right at the end of the year, let alone five of them.

“Are you guys all gonna go with your girlfriends and whatever through the journey?” he asks mournfully, trying to copy Todomatsu’s best ‘pity-me’ face. The three of them exchange a look.

“Well, um.” Todomatsu shrugs lightly. “Yeah. Of course. Definitely. I wouldn’t spend the journey with you guys again even if you paid me.”

“I’ve been fully and utterly betrayed,” Osomatsu murmurs, climbing onto the train. “I’d expect this off Todomatsu, but, everybody…ugh…”

“Don’t worry, me and Ichimatsu are still pitifully single, so we’ve got no choice but to spend the trip with you,” Choromatsu says, sliding a door open to an empty carriage. “This one’s empty, let’s go in here.”

“Ichimatsu just sleeps through the entire journey anyway!” he complains, and his younger brother just shrugs in agreement. Osomatsu sits down and slumps down, wondering if this is the year he decides to follow this philosophy too. Especially if Choromatsu tries to lecture him on anything, which he will, he always does. He sighs, and shuts his eyes.

-

At some point the door slides open, and Osomatsu blinks his eyes open to see Choromatsu sitting back down, who stares at him with an equally blank face, a bar of chocolate in his hands. Ichimatsu remains fast sleep next to him.

“Are you awake?”

“Was I asleep?” He stretches and sits up, looking out the window. It’s still light, but it’s summer. It’s always light. “What time is it? We almost home?”

“Soon. We’re about two thirds through the journey.” Choromatsu opens the chocolate and Osomatsu leans forward to steal a piece. His brother glares, but doesn’t resist.

The carriage feels weirdly empty with only three people, and obviously nobody else in the school would opt to sit with them. Osomatsu glances around, frowning. Did they enchant the train to be bigger, or is it just him?

“You’re not actually mad about all that stuff, are you?” Choromatsu asks, raising an eyebrow. “I guess you were just too busy being lazy all year that you missed out on a bunch.”

“It’s terrible, I’m supposed to be the all-knowing big brother, you guys are terrible, living your lives without me.”

Choromatsu lets out a snort. “I thought you might go all extreme like you did back in first year when we all got sorted into different houses. You know, when you were all like ‘Karamatsu is the true brother’, and totally ignoring the rest of us.”

“Well, you deserved it for deserting me.”

“It’s not like it was our choice! And do you even know how many fights you caused among us that year? It was a lot!” He shakes his head, sighing. “Just because we’re not like we were as kids, doesn’t mean we’re drifting apart. I mean, the rest of the school can’t even tell us apart, and it’s not like we all have our own massive troop of friends we can sit with. The Hufflepuff table is the only that’ll actually put up with us all, for god’s sake.”

“Yeah, well-“ Osomatsu starts to give a stock reply, before the door slides open again, and he sees Jyushimatsu, Todomatsu and Karamatsu stood there, grinning.

“We saw you guys were buying chocolate, so we came back to steal some,” Todomatsu says, falling against the seat lightly and grabbing the bar out of Choromatsu’s hands.

“Nah, I bet you missed us!” Osomatsu says, sitting up and grinning. “Can’t handle not spending the journey like we always do.”

“Tradition is a hard thing to suddenly break,” Karamatsu says, then glances at the sleeping Ichimatsu, before letting out a breath of relief. Osomatsu considers waking him up. Maybe later, if Karamatsu gets too much for his ribs to bear.

“We’re almost back now anyway,” Todomatsu says, dodging easily as Jyushimatsu cries out ‘YAY!!’ and throws himself across the row of seats. “No big deal.”

And it isn’t really, Osomatsu supposes. After everything, it really is no big deal. This much change…he can handle it, he reckons. If he could survive being told one day he had literal magic flowing through his veins, he’s sure he can handle something like this.

(Or at least, he’s pretty sure, since after they arrive back at the train station, and Ichimatsu manages to find a box of abandoned kittens outside which he somehow sneaks back into the car, electing to keep them all. But, you know. That’s a problem for another day.)