･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.

｡☆✼★━━━ The Weight of Legacy

The first day of classes at Hogwarts always buzzed with a distinct kind of energy—a blend of excitement, nerves, and the comforting scent of parchment and broom polish. The ancient stone walls hummed with chatter as students reunited, ready to dive into another year of magic and mayhem. For the younger years, it was a time of wide-eyed wonder, but for the older students, it was a return to routine, to friendships rekindled, and, for some, to the unspoken hierarchies that ruled the social circles of Hogwarts.

Sydney King walked the corridors like he owned them, though not in the way Draco Malfoy or other self-proclaimed royalty did. No, Syd's presence wasn't about arrogance; it was about inevitability. You couldn't not notice him. He wasn't the loudest, nor the tallest, but the energy he carried was enough to stop conversations mid-sentence. It was the confidence, the way his storm-grey eyes scanned the world as if constantly entertained by some unseen joke, the way his uniform was just a little too undone to be proper but too intentional to be careless. His wild black hair only added to the air of rebellion he exuded.

Trailing at his side were two equally unforgettable figures: Vincent "Vinny Rotten" Lupin and Leo "Slasher" Lestrange.

Vinny Rotten, son of Remus Lupin, was the kind of person who could talk his way out of detention and into a free meal at the Three Broomsticks in the same breath. His brown hair was perpetually tousled, his Gryffindor tie perpetually askew, and his grin sharp enough to cut through even the dullest moments. He had inherited his father's kindness, but with an added flair for mischief. He was the heart of their little trio, a drummer both in music and in spirit, always setting the pace for whatever chaos followed in their wake.

Slasher, on the other hand, lived up to his nickname. There was something dangerous about him—not in a crude or violent way, but in the way he carried himself. He was a Lestrange through and through, with piercing emerald eyes that missed nothing and a sharpness to his features that suggested he knew more than he let on. But those who truly knew him knew that his loyalty ran deeper than blood. A sixth-year Slytherin, Slasher had little patience for nonsense, though he often found himself dragged into it by Vinny.

The trio moved effortlessly through the corridors, their steps in sync, their presence something Hogwarts had long grown accustomed to but never ignored. As they approached the grand doors of the Great Hall, the volume around them dimmed—not into silence, but into that unmistakable hum of curiosity, admiration, and, for some, barely concealed longing.

At the Gryffindor table, Harry Potter looked up from his toast, catching sight of them as they entered.

And he felt it.

That pull.

Harry had never been able to explain it, this strange fascination he had with Sydney King. It wasn't jealousy—he didn't want to be him, exactly. But there was something about the way Syd carried himself, the way he existed in the world as if it was his own personal playground. It was in the leather jacket slung over his robes, the smudge of eyeliner under his eyes, the way he moved with the kind of grace that suggested he belonged anywhere he went.

But Syd's gaze never drifted toward Harry. His path was already set.

Straight to the Hufflepuff table.

Without hesitation, without a single glance at anyone else, Syd slid onto the bench beside Cedric Diggory, his entire presence softening in an instant.

Cedric's face lit up like the sun had chosen to rise just for him. The easy, brilliant smile that made hearts flutter across Hogwarts was now fixed solely on Syd. But beneath that effortless charm, there was something nervous about Cedric—something Harry had never quite seen before.

"Morning, sunshine," Syd teased, voice low, smooth as velvet.

Cedric laughed, a quiet, breathless sound. "You're impossible."

Syd grinned, leaning in just slightly before pressing a soft kiss to Cedric's cheek. The touch was fleeting, but the way Cedric's ears turned red was anything but subtle.

The Great Hall didn't fall silent, but the shift in attention was undeniable. Syd never hid. That wasn't the surprise. But the way Cedric leaned into him, the way they existed in their own little world despite the dozens of eyes on them—it was enough to make the whispers start.

At the Gryffindor table, Harry exhaled slowly, unsure what exactly he was feeling.

It wasn't envy.

It wasn't desire.

It was just... something.

And then Hermione's voice cut through his thoughts. "Harry, are you even listening?"

Harry blinked, pulling his gaze away from the Hufflepuff table to find Hermione watching him expectantly. Across from them, Ron was already halfway through his breakfast, entirely unbothered by anything happening outside his plate.

"Sorry," Harry muttered, lifting his pumpkin juice to his lips. "What were you saying?"

Hermione sighed, though there was an edge of fondness to it. "I was saying we should start making a study schedule now. O.W.L.s aren't as far away as you think."

Ron groaned. "Hermione, it's literally the first day of class. The only schedule I care about is breakfast now, nap later."

Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. "Honestly, Ron."

Harry half-listened as they bickered, but his mind wasn't in it. His gaze drifted back toward the Hufflepuff table, where Syd and Cedric were now bent over a piece of parchment. Syd was sketching something—probably a band logo, judging by the bold lines and chaotic strokes—while Cedric watched with an amused, utterly captivated expression.

Across the Hall, Vinny had already made his way to the Gryffindor table, sliding in next to the Weasley Twins like he had been there the whole time. Slasher, meanwhile, had claimed his usual spot at the Slytherin table, boots propped up on the bench, smirk firmly in place as he watched the room with calculated disinterest.

The scrape of utensils against plates quieted as Professor McGonagall's voice rang out, announcing that timetables would be handed out shortly. A rustle of parchment followed as students prepared for the inevitable chaos of their first lessons.

Syd gave Cedric's hand one last squeeze before standing, stretching lazily. He glanced around the Great Hall, not truly paying attention to anyone but Cedric. He took two steps toward the Gryffindor table —

And then spun on his heel.

Before anyone could blink, Syd dashed back to the Hufflepuff table, cupped Cedric's face in both hands, and planted a quick but passionate kiss right on his lips. Cedric blinked, startled, before melting into laughter as Syd pulled away with a grin that could light up the whole castle.

The hall erupted into chuckles and a few scattered cheers.

"Mr. King!" came Professor McGonagall's sharp voice from the staff table.

Syd winced, turning toward her sheepishly.

"You should be seated at your house table before timetables are distributed," she scolded, though there was a telltale twitch at the corner of her mouth.

"Sorry, Minnie!" Syd called back with a wink.

The hall roared with laughter as he jogged the rest of the way to the Gryffindor table, sliding into a seat across from Vinny Rotten and the Weasley twins.

"Oi, Rotten," Syd greeted, slapping Vinny's hand in a practiced, rhythmic gesture they'd long since perfected.

"King," Vinny shot back with a grin.

Then Syd turned to the twins. "Gred. Forge." He slapped each of their hands in turn, both twins responding with wide smirks.

"Your timing," Fred began.

"—is as brilliant as ever," George finished.

Harry watched the whole thing unfold in stunned silence. He didn't know if he was witnessing chaos or magic itself.

Hermione's voice once again cut through the haze.

"Harry! Honestly, where is your head today?"

He blinked and turned toward her, catching her furrowed brow.

"What?" he asked dumbly.

She exhaled through her nose. "I was asking if you wanted to split the reading for Defense Against the Dark Arts. But clearly, your mind is elsewhere."

Harry glanced once more at Syd, who was now chatting animatedly with Vinny and the twins, laughter bright and carefree. He felt that strange ache again — the desire to be part of something that effortless. To be looked at like Cedric had been.

He shook his head and turned back to Hermione with a small smile.

"Yeah," he said. "Sorry. Just... weird first day."

Syd lounged in his seat like he owned the place,  grinning as Vinny and the twins peppered him with questions about his summer.

"All I'm saying," Syd said, leaning forward conspiratorially, "is that the Muggle music scene is tragic without a wizard or two shaking it up."

"Tragic," Vinny agreed, smirking.

Fred nudged George. "We need to sneak into one of his shows, you reckon?"

George nodded. "Under Polyjuice as band managers."

Syd's grin widened. "Oh, I'd pay good galleons to see that."

Then his grey eyes glittered with mischief. "Actually... speaking of style improvements... Rotten."

Vinny raised an eyebrow. "What."

"I've had a vision." Syd held his hands up dramatically. "Bleach-blonde hair."

Vinny choked on his pumpkin juice. "Absolutely not."

Syd leaned in, resting his chin on his hand, storm-grey eyes sparkling. "Vinny. I need you to really visualize this. Bleach-blonde. The whole look. Sharp black eyeliner, leather jacket — you'll be unstoppable."

Vinny narrowed his eyes. "You're not serious."

Syd's grin only grew. "I have never been more serious in my life."

Fred clapped his hands together. "Think of it, Rotten! You could be the face of wizard rock!"

George joined in, eyes wide with mock reverence. "The mysterious, brooding drummer with platinum hair! You'd have groupies by next weekend!"

Vinny snorted. "I don't need groupies. I need to pass Potions."

Syd just shrugged. "The blonde will make you look smarter. People will think you're eccentric and mysterious. Like, 'Is he brilliant or just chaotic?' Nobody will know."

Vinny faltered. He looked at Fred and George.

Fred nodded solemnly. "I can get you the best Muggle hair bleach from my cousin in London."

George added, "And we'll help apply it. Tonight. Common room. After hours."

Vinny groaned, but there was no hiding the slow smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're all insane."

Syd sat back triumphantly. "That's a yes."

Vinny pointed at him, half-laughing, half-resigned. "If this goes wrong, I'm blaming you."

Syd held a hand to his heart. "I would expect nothing less."

The twins fist-bumped each other over the table.

Fred looked at Vinny, his face dead serious. "Rotten... by tomorrow morning, you're going to be a legend."

George nodded. "And if it all explodes, at least it'll be memorable."

Vinny dropped his head onto the table with a dramatic groan. "What have I done."

Syd patted his back. "Made the best decision of your life."

Just then, McGonagall returned with Fred and George's timetables and, pausing briefly, gave the group a suspicious look.

"I won't ask," she muttered, handing the schedules over.

Syd winked at her. "We're model students, Minnie."

She shook her head, but there was a smile tugging at her mouth as she walked away.

Syd flipped his timetable onto the table with a flourish. "Alright, Rotten. Let's see what punishment they've cooked up for us this year."

Vinny laid his own timetable down next to Syd's.

"Double Potions with Slasher," Syd read aloud. "Lovely. He's going to hex my eyebrows off if I borrow his notes again."

Vinny snorted. "You're on your own, mate."

Fred and George immediately leaned over.

"Ooh, compare with ours!" Fred said.

"Maybe we've got chaos brewing together," George added.

They lined all the timetables up.

Syd scanned them quickly. "Transfiguration with you two, nice... Care of Magical Creatures, yes please... Defense Against the Dark Arts with..." He paused and groaned dramatically. "The fourth-year Gryffindors."

Vinny let out a matching groan. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Who's even in that class?" Syd asked, though he already had a suspicion.

Vinny ticked them off on his fingers. "Potter. Longbottom. The whole lot of them."

Syd sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm going to end up tutoring Harry Potter, aren't I?"

Fred and George burst out laughing.

"Could be worse," Fred offered.

"At least he listens," George added.

Syd slumped against the table dramatically. "This is how I die."

Vinny clapped him on the back. "We'll survive."

Vinny groaned. "We are going to suffer."

Fred smirked. "Or... inspire."

George wiggled his eyebrows. "Who knows? Maybe Potter'll bleach his hair too."

Syd barked out a laugh, and for a moment, everything was perfect — just friends, plans, and the spark of chaos about to unfold.

The clatter of plates and chatter slowly died down as students began standing from their house tables, gathering their books and scrolls for the first classes of the year. The start-of-term excitement buzzed in the air like static.

Cedric made his way toward Syd with a soft smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. Before Cedric could even greet him, Syd stood and grabbed him by the front of his robes, pulling him in for a kiss — longer this time, deeper, leaving Cedric dazed and flushed pink when they broke apart.

Syd spun around dramatically, grinning at the group still seated at the Gryffindor table. "Gentlemen, I present to you... the first sixth-year to ever be named Head Boy in Hogwarts history!"

Fred and George gave an exaggerated round of applause.

George whistled. "Diggory, you absolute legend!"

Fred added, "We'll start bowing whenever you enter a room."

Cedric ducked his head, embarrassed but glowing. Syd threw an arm around his waist, planting another quick kiss to his temple.

"Don't be modest," Syd teased. "You're practically royalty now."

Slasher strolled up from the Slytherin table, slinging his bag over his shoulder. His emerald eyes gleamed with amusement. "Should I start calling you 'Your Majesty,' or do you prefer 'Your Headboy-ness'?"

Cedric groaned. "You lot are impossible."

Harry, from his seat at Gryffindor, watched the whole scene unfold. There was something magnetic about Syd's energy — the way he laughed easily, the way he pulled Cedric close like he belonged there, arm draped around his boyfriend's waist, confidence radiating in every move.

Syd fished out his timetable from his robe pocket and unfolded it, comparing it with Cedric's and then with Leo's.

"Double Potions first thing," Syd said, glancing between them. "Brilliant. Starting the year with Snape's glares."

Slasher groaned. "At least we'll all suffer together."

Vinny stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Good luck down in the dungeons, boys."

Fred clapped Syd on the back. "Don't let Snape destroy your spirit."

George grinned. "Though you might be the first student to charm him into submission."

Syd winked. "I'm always up for a challenge."

They exchanged final goodbyes, Vinny heading toward the towers with the Weasley twins and the others making their way out of the Great Hall.

Syd walked with his arm still wrapped around Cedric's waist, Leo strolling on Cedric's other side, all three of them joking and laughing as they disappeared through the grand doors, ready to face the first class of the year together.

Behind them, Harry sat still for a moment longer, watching them go, feeling a strange ache of envy and admiration swirl in his chest.

Later that evening, the Gryffindor common room was alive with warmth and laughter, the crackle of the fire mingling with low chatter. At the large window, by a round table that had long since been claimed as their spot, the group had gathered.

Syd lounged in one of the cushioned chairs, Cedric comfortably curled up in his lap, looking perfectly at home. Cedric's head rested on Syd's shoulder as the group swapped stories about their first day of classes.

Leo 'Slasher' Lestrange was stretched out with his boots propped on the table, and Vinny 'Rotten' Lupin sat cross-legged on the floor, nervously fidgeting with a deck of enchanted cards that tried to skitter away. Fred and George Weasley were on either side of the table, grinning mischievously.

"So," Syd began, his grin wide and easy as he ran his fingers lazily through Cedric's hair, "tonight's the night."

Vinny looked up suspiciously. "Tonight's what night?"

Fred nodded solemnly. "I told you I could get you the best Muggle hair bleach from my cousin in London."

Vinny's face dropped. "You were serious?!"

"Deadly," George confirmed, exchanging a gleeful glance with Fred.

Syd leaned forward slightly, his smirk wicked but somehow charming. "Rotten, you're going platinum, mate. You're going to look like a rock god."

Cedric tilted his head up just enough to smirk. "And you'll pull it off brilliantly."

Vinny groaned and buried his face in his hands. "I hate all of you."

Syd laughed, warm and unbothered. "You love us."

Near the corner, Harry sat with Hermione, half-listening while pretending to finish his Transfiguration essay. Every burst of Syd's laughter tugged his attention away from his parchment. He couldn't help it; there was something magnetic about the way Syd filled a room.

Just then, the common room portrait swung open, and Ron walked in, slightly flushed from the evening chill. He gave a small wave toward Harry and Hermione, then made his way, clutching a brown paper parcel, toward the lively group at the window.

Syd sat up a bit, smiling warmly. "Hey there, little Weasley!"

Ron stopped for a second, clearly flustered, but managed a shy grin. "Hey... um... your owl dropped this off at the wrong window," he mumbled, handing the parcel to George.

George's eyes lit up. "Brilliant! This is it — the good stuff." He ruffled Ron's hair affectionately. "Thanks, mate. You're a