DISCLAIMER 1: I don't own Harry Potter and have no direct contact with J.K. Rowling. Details her are based on the Harry Potter Universe but most of them would be adaptations to that. As such, there may not be any accuracy nor precision with what Rowling actually intends for all the characters. In any case, J.K. Rowling is a great author and I wish to do justice to her in this piece.
DISCLAIMER 2: I also don't own CHARMED (R) and some characters may be similar to them, but they are entirely fictional. I don't know the outcome after Season 8, you know.
Chapter 4: The whole truth
DERRICK’S PERSPECTIVE
Celebrating my birthday with my fellow Gryffindors was a yearly traditioin for me. It was always a happy occasion with lots of pranks and plays. Sometimes Professor Wood would join in the merry-making, but since his appointment as Deputy Headmaster, he’s been quite busy. Luckily Professor Longbottom was all game for the loud music and partying.
However, if there was something more special than all the partying, it was because I’d be able to spend some time with Demi during my birthday. For the past 6 years, it’s always just been me and Gryffindors. Now, I could share this day with my little brother. This is also the day I’m telling him the whole truth.
“Hey Jamie!” I called him after the party’s been heating up.
“Enjoying?” he asked.
“Yeah, but listen,” I said, “I need to go somewhere.”
“Awwh, you ain’t enjoying here babe?” he asked with a pout.
“I am, but I haven’t celebrated a single year with Demi since I came to Hogwarts.” I replied.
“Oh ok..” he said, the obvious finally dawning on him, “You want some quality time with your wittle bubba?”
“Uh huh! So am I allowed to go now dad?” Without waiting for a reply I ran out of the Fat Lady’s portrait
“Go get your little brother and bring him back here!” He shouted at me.
“Nope! I’ll take him to the lake.” I said, “I hope you don’t mind if I share him the special spot.”
“As long as what we do there stays between us two,”
“Don’t worry, I don’t think incest gets me hot!”
-oOo-
DEMI’S PERSPECTIVE
I swear! Professor Dickens would probably be the most inconsiderate Professor of all time. Okay, maybe next to Professor Snape, but a parchment on “Potion-making safety” and another one on “Properties of Sleeping Potion Ingredients” by tomorrow are quite inconsiderate. It doesn’t help that the internet would not be useful since there are no computer and network connections in Hogwarts.
Where to start?
Knock. Knock.
“Come in!” I hollered at the door.
“Hey Demi! Your brother’s outside the dormitory, he’s looking for you!” said Kyle Smith, my best friend.
“Sure, tell him I’d be right there” I replied.
I went to get my sweater and came down to the common room. It’s Derrick’s birthday so I was really looking forward to this day. I waved at my fellow Slytherin as I was passing by. Kyle was at one of the tables so I approached him and said, “I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“But we’ve got some essays to finish!” he yelled as I was opening the passage.
“Yeah, and I’ve also got a brother who is celebrating is 17th birthday today, so I guess, I’m going to have to have to pass making that essay until later.” I yelled back at him.
“Whatever Demi, just don’t copy mine!” he said.
“Sure thing,” I replied.
I’m a lazy bum… who’s arguing?
-oOo-
DERRICK’S PERSPECTIVE
“There you are! Happy Birthday”
I looked at the voice and saw my brother running out of a passage way. I met up with him and hugged a little, “Thanks Demi, this is the first time in a few years I’d be able to spend my birthday with you.”
“Yeah and I missed it,” he replied, “So where are we going?”
“There’s this place near the lake that I’d like to show you.” I said.
“What’s so good about the lake?” he asked while giggling a little bit, “I thought we were partying out at the Gryffindor common room.”
“That could wait until later.” I said, “I need to show you something.”
We walked in silence for a little while, passing by corridors of portraits and stone walls, finally we were at the castle entrance.
“You boys better not be off past curfew” said a Filch as he was patrolling past the doors. I was about to comeback with a funny comment but Demi beat me to it.
“Don’t worry Mr. Filch! We’re just walking across the grounds,” said Demi.
Good going Demi, be nice and all. That ain’t going to work with Filch. He’s just as cold-blooded as a Death Eater and probably too strict to let some kids have fun.
“Oh, then just be back by dinner time, we don’t want you kids getting into trouble.” He replied nicely and left.
What the hell just happened? Never in my entire stay at Hogwarts was Mr. Filch ever nice to me. Once we were out of earshot, I asked Demi, “What happened back there?”
“What do you mean what happened?” replied Demi.
“Well, when did you and Filch become buddies?” I asked again.
“Oh that,” he said, “I don’t know. It was just this morning I guess. I tried to walk out of Binns class since I was bored and he caught me. He told me to follow him to the Headmaster’s office, but I sort of told him that I can’t because I’m having stomach problems and have to go to the Hospital Wing. He bought my excuse and left me at peace.”
“Filch will never buy such an excuse,” I said, “I’m just amazed you can actually persuade someone to let you off the hook.”
“Well I don’t know,” he replied, “If I could persuade Professor Dickens to let me off the essays then I guess that would be amazing.”
That comment set us off a laughing spree. We walked towards the lake catching up on our day’s event. I told him about the surprise party but not the details of me and James adventure at the Room of Requirements. He told me about his full day and how he managed to do the Wingardium Leviosa Charm on his first try.
“I hope I could be as great as you when I get older,” he said.
“Me? Great?” I was stunned.
“Well yeah, you were able to get straight O’s for all your OWLS and you’re the Gryffindor Keeper,” he started, “A record holder at that, remember last year, you didn’t let a single quaffle through?”
“Well that’s not really me.” I said. We were at the lake shore and near James’ and my special place. We walked towards the forests and talked some more.
“What do you mean not really you?” he asked.
“There’s another side to me you don’t really know.” I continued, “That’s why I’m taking you here, to tell you everything.”
As I said that, we came to a clearing in the forest and there it was: a huge tree with small tree house on top. I was a nervous. This is it: the moment of truth.
“Everything?” he said.
“This is a tree house James and I made a few years back, let’s go up.” I said as I urged him to climb the tree. I was a little shaky so it took a while to get my bearings and climb.
“Who knows about this place?” he asked again as we were climbing.
“You, me and James” I said stopping a little to catch my breath.
“So why are you showing it to me?”
“Because you’re also special to me,” I replied as we reached the top.
On top, there was a balcony. The tree house was actually just a wooden floor with some fences around it. There was also a canopy of leaves that serve as the roof. It overlooks toward a beautiful sight. Up there, we were above most of the forest canopy and we could clearly see the lake. James and I usually visit this spot in the evening to watch the stars but at this hour, the sky was crimson as the sun was starting to set. It was beautiful the rays of the sun shining at the pristine waters of the lake, just as the cold breeze create small waves that result a tranquil movement. But unlike most days, this view didn’t relax me one bit. I was still nervous. Here I was with my brother and I was about to tell him that I’m the greatest disappointment in the whole Halliwell blood line.
He broke the momentary silence “So is that everything?”
“Well, no…” I continued, “You see, James and I, were not really best friends.”
“Oh that, I already figured it out,” he said breaking my train of thought and completely obliterating my prepared script.
“WHAT?!” it was my turn to ask questions.
“I mean, I already know that you and James are a couple.” He said.
“Since when?” I asked again getting freaked out.
“Just now,” he said then he pointed towards one of the branches at the center of the tree.
And there, out in the open was the only evidence of my relationship with James. Engraved in the tree was the following inscription, inside a heart:
A love that will last forever,
beyond space and time.
D & J
“Oh shit!” was the only thing I could say.
-oOo-
DEMI’S PERSPECTIVE
I already had a hunch three years ago. It was all James that came out of his mouth during the summer break. I thought I was losing my brother. We would play when he’s not in school and he spends a lot of time with me and our pets, but he seems a little bit distant these past few years. I knew he was keeping something. Then there was the Christmas dinner when all he was saying was “James was like this” and “James was like that”. Finally, today, he takes me here: at their tree house.
“Hey!” I yelled.
“I don’t really know what to say,” he said. “I mean, I prepared this whole script of coming out to you, and well, you just found out like that.”
“Don’t worry Derrick,” I said, “It doesn’t really matter. You’re still my big brother.”
I approached him and hugged him. I really missed my big brother. It was as if I found him again.
“I’m sorry for being a disappointment” he said.
“Disappointment?” I asked as I broke our hug, “If you call yourself a disappointment then what do we call Shanna Boggins?” Shanna was a Hufflepuff who couldn’t even mix a simple potion, couldn’t do a decent charm without blowing the place, and she’s supposed to be in fifth year.
“Well, I wouldn’t be able to marry and carry the Halliwell blood line seeing that I’m in love with a guy.” He said.
“What’s a disappointment in that?” I said, “You’re in love with one of the greatest guys in the planet. Isn’t that supposed to be what matters?”
He was quiet probably deep in thought. He may be my older brother but he kicks himself too much to appreciate all the great things he’s done and the great person that he is. And I’m supposed to be this 11 year-old brat he has for a brother.
“You’re right.” He said.
The sun has completely set and it was getting a little bit dark for my taste. The moon was hanging in the sky to the east, then I said, “Let’s go back to the castle. I still have that essay to finish.”
“Sure, but instead of walking let’s do this.” He grabbed me as he said, “I wish to go back to the castle.”
We were engulfed in bright white and bluish lights and I felt this weird thing in my guts like I was about to throw up. The next thing I know we were at the gates of Hogwarts Castle.
"Wicked!"
~o~O~o~
Thanks for bearing with me.. It's quite short, but I hope you enjoyed it...
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