#// if gladion knew the reasoning he'd be creeped out about it

[nullum-nocte]

Don’t mess with Aether’s wand

Just a fun little thing written for my own enjoyment and got way out of hand! The three characters mentioned aren’t mine- they'll all oc’s by @moonkxssed @toeachfuture @serenesunlight I hope you guys enjoy and I hope I managed not to make your characters too ooc 

It was like any other day for Gladion, having to race through the Slytherins passages to escape his housemates and into the great hall. He’d stick to the wall and slink towards the Gryffindor table where Mitsuki and Selene were already sitting side by side. By now the house of lions learned never to keep Mitsuki away from her friends or they’d pay the ultimate price. Gladion still got a few dirty or untrustworthy looks but nothing he couldn’t ignore. 

Glancing at the Slytherin table he had to wonder whatever happened to the supposed house unity that Professor Snape was so adamant about? At least his head of house never punished him for visiting his friends. It was odd, one would assume he’d pull out all the stops in attempts to get him to sit with his house due to his great dislike of Gryffindor... Though that train of thought was better to be mulled over on another day.

“Did you run into trouble again Gladion,” Selene whispered leaning forward so as to keep the conversation between the three of them. He only scoffed at the oh so familiar worry the Hufflepuff girl gave him. He was fine thank you very much, he could deal with little brats that thought he was a good target. 

“Shouldn’t you all be worrying over Elio instead, he hasn’t shown up for breakfast yet,” he sent the empty seat next to Selene a pointed stare. 

Elio was the one the group collectively worried over but tried not to baby. Tried being the word here, sometimes they all were unable to help it. Gladion was usually more times than not the more level head out of the three and would smack some sense into the other two and tell them to give Elio his space. He’s sure if he was coddled he’d lose his mind and they shouldn’t treat Elio differently due to how weak his body was. Yes, they should be aware of it and know when not to push him but babying him would do nothing but hurt his feelings. 

Elio was strong in his own right and only deserved respect.  

“I think he’s sleeping in,” Selene murmured a thoughtful look crossing her features.

“Did you see him in your common room?” Gladion asked as he picked up a fork scooping up the scrambled eggs and began to eat.

Selene shook her head worried lit to her voice, “no he wasn’t napping on the sofa or reading next to the fireplace like usual....”

Mitsuki frowned but didn’t seem too worried, after all, how many times has one or the other slept in for a bit. Still, she made it a point to say, “You should go wake him up Selene he’s going to miss breakfast at this rate!” 

Selene nodded stuffing a piece of buttered toast in her mouth before running off. It’d be easy for her to get into the boy's dorms, unlike the girls they aren’t charmed to kick a girl out. Which was strange, did the Professors think a girl wouldn’t dare enter the boy's dorms? It was almost laughable! 

By the time she came back Gladion had eaten his fill and now was just leisurely drinking pumpkin juice from a goblet. The panicked look in her eyes snuffed out whatever peace he momentarily felt and brought him towards alertness.

“He’s not in his dorm! I went in and his bed was a mess- the whole place was a mess as if there was this huge fight!” The next part she leaned in close to furiously whisper, “And all his creatures where running about mucking up the whole dorm room in distress- especially Tubbs.”

Mitsuki and Gladion both winched at the mentions of Tubbs the Chupacabra. How no one has caught the beast nor seen it due to it’s overprotective ways he’s unsure. It wouldn't be surprising if Tubbs had managed to leave a few nasty parting bites to whoever dragged Elio out of his dorm. 

Slowly Gladion stood from his seat, his breakfast dishes disappearing as soon as he made a move to leave. His eyes roamed over the tables looking for any signs that they were the cause of his friend's disappearance. Of course there was a snicker and of course, it had to come from the Gryffindor table- the very table he was sitting at. He stared with cool calculating eyes at the perpetrator and with that one look he knew. It was easy to read the guilt in the boy's eyes- not because the other felt sorry- no, it was pure malice that rolled off the boys form. 

He had his fair share of knowing when harm was meant for him and this boys very being was drenched in it.

It must have been a joint effort between the Slytherins and Gryffindor’s. He wasn't 100% positive and the very thought of those two forces working together would almost make one think it was a hox. But- but... if they had the same goal, the same enemy who wouldn’t work together to conquer it?

Turning from the student body he strode towards the large oak doors Selene and Mitsuki hot on his heels. Once out in the front hall, he told the two it was best to split up to cover more ground. He had faith in his friend's skills and knew they would be fine if they met with trouble.

A flash of anger washed over him at the scene, Elio panting harshly wand raised with a furious snake hissing at the three much larger students who were trying to back him into a corner. His anger soon faded as he saw the state the three were in. One supported extremely nasty boils another appeared to favor one leg over the other, streaks of blood on their leg where Tubbs most likely bit them and they appeared to have a slightly green complexion. The third seemed to have his hands glued to his sides and burn marks on his clothes obviously done by the Firedrake Pumpkin.  

There might be some things Gladion would lie about to himself but one of the things he didn’t was how vindictive he could be. Seeing how they were in far worst shape then Elio himself was in made a federal smile curl upon his lips.

Gladion clapped, making the three whirls around, poison green eyes gleaming in amusement. “Good job Elio I taught you how to throw curses well!”

Elio frowned, “B-But... you d-didn’t teach me a-any of this! I-I learned t-this on my own!” 

The smile on his lips only widened as the three sent wide-eyed looks towards the unsuspecting Hufflepuff boy. This was always Gladion’s favorite part of dealing with things like these. Showing these fools just how amazing the boy in front of them really was, if it didn’t seem to sink in whilst they fought. 

“That you did Elio, and your more amazing for it.” As he spoke Gladion took a step forward glancing at the three obviously disinterested in them. Still, he rolled his wand within his hand making them stiffen.

 “Now why don’t you stop playing with your.... acquaintances,” he spat the word acquaintances out heavily dripped in venom. “and let us be off. You know how Mitsuki gets and she’s dying to talk about the new quidditch game coming up.”

By now Gladion had made it past the three goons and had wrapped a protective arm around Elio moving him away. The snake that had been wrapped around Elio’s arm swiftly moved towards Gladion. Not to bite him but to slither onto his shoulder and be closer to the threat. Even with the protective snake on his shoulder, Gladion never once let his guard down waiting for them to throw hex’s his way as he maneuvered Elio to the side trying to walk around them.

What Gladion wasn’t expecting was for these idiots to think of tackling him like a muggle. Granted it caught him off guard and he’d have to work on his reflexs later but still. 

Gladion was brought down with a single swoop much to his chagrin, ( he was more upset by the fact that Elio was brought down along with him ) the harsh pounce making him drop his wand. The snake had lept off of him and sunk it’s fangs into the boy that tackled them making them cry out in pain. Gladion watched his wand roll away from him, his hand raised as if he could wandlessly call it back to him. He steadied himself mind whirling as he thought of a way to get them out of this before they could do who knows Merlin what to his wand. 

Everything seemed to go in slow motion as he watched the girl- the one who was favoring one leg over the other bend down. Her fingers were inches away from his wand and an ugly triumphant smirk upon her face- the very sight making his very soul recoil at the scene.

What none of them were expecting was for a bolt of lightning to come down upon the girls head striking her down with a god-like furry. Struck dumb by the occurrence, Gladion was able to forcefully push the boy who had tackled him off then grab his wand. He paid no attention to the wriggling body on the floor that looked to be having a seizure. He wasn’t sure if he could without grimacing in disgust- whatever happened he saw it as a way out for the both of them. 

Elio looked beyond startled- in a state between shock and maybe horror, his reaction to the scene made the snake perk up moving towards Elio to wrap around his wrist once more and send out- comforting hisses? Gladion wasn’t sure. 

With one look into the boy's deep Golden eyes, he cursed himself knowing the other wanted to help her. How he could after being practically dragged from his bed and into the corridor to most likely be beat black and blue Gladion would never know.

With an irritated snarl, Gladion flicked his wand to the side pointing it at the wriggling girl, “Wingardium Leviosa!” He rolled his eyes as the two boys jumped as far away from their companion as possible. The show of cowardice almost made him snap but he let it go.

The girl began to float in the air still wiggling as it were. Satisfied Gladion stalked off down the dark corridors leaving the two goons behind. 

The rest of his day after that was relatively normal and he wasn’t connected to the girl due to some fast thinking. It had all worked out wonderfully in the end though they didn’t get back to the great hall in time to finish breakfast. 

It was only a few weeks after he took notice that the gossip mills were running full force. What the subject of it was Gladion didn’t know, and not knowing irritated him. How he still hadn’t found out was a mystery to him... They were usually glad to let their loose lips run without caring who would hear.

“Selene, what’s with all the rabble?” He gestured towards the Ravenclaw table the three girl and singular boy pouring over books while taking sneaking glances at him. A similar sight was met at the Gryffindor table minus the books, the lions were just gathered around each other and whispering furiously. The table that the four sat at today, being the Hufflepuff table was oddly quiet. It wasn't fully silent but a hush had fallen over the students. His house table was the only one that was purely silent, only knowing glances passing between the other Slytherins.

He only got a deep sigh in return for his question, “I'm not sure. I keep asking around my house but it’s as if everyone took an unbreakable oath! I know it has something to do with you but I have no clue what it could be about.” 

Neither did he, though he had a sneaking suspicion. He was positive no one else was around when he dropped that girl off at the infirmary but he couldn’t be sure. People were curious by nature, maybe someone saw it and was spreading rumors that he beat up a girl. Oh, dear Merlin if his mother found out she’d have his head! 

This whole debacle was giving him a headache-  even the headmaster was staring at him- in what was it? Suspicion?? Amusement?? Those twinkling eyes won’t fool him! Staring daggers at the headmaster was a foolish endeavor but something he still did, beyond frustrated with not knowing what gossip he was part of. The headmaster only seemed to grow more amused eyes twinkling even more- if that was even possible. The action startled Gladion along with.... something else- a feeling he couldn’t name in the back of his head. Quickly looking away from Dumbledore his eyes landed onto Professor Snape’s who was staring as well- which that in itself wasn't odd, he would always stare when he sat next to Mitsuki. No, he started at him a bit longer than normal with pride?? In his cold eyes?? This was all too much! 

Standing up abruptly he gathered his things making his escape into the hall, leaving his three friends behind. Where he was going he had no clue- all he knew is he had to get out of that castle before he ripped his hair out. It was undignified to run away- which he didn’t, he was fast walking there was a great difference. He only ran once no one was in sight all the way to the greenhouse. It was still early in the morning, no one would be there yet class wouldn’t start until nine.

At least that’s what he had hoped. 

He busted down the door panting harshly from running only to startle a Gryffindor boy- he recognized the person almost imminently- how could he ever forget the only other pureblood who loathed galas as much as he did? 

Neville Longbottom, a shy boy but Gladion knew abuse when he saw it. It was like a mirror to himself of what he could’ve been, what Neville could’ve been. He didn’t scorn the young boy for his anxieties and fears for they were one and the same.

Gladion was just better at hiding his. 

Taking a deep breath he squashed down any and all negative emotions into himself. He had been learning occlumency, partly due to his mother influence and partly to help keep his emotions in check. It helped to be able to stuff every feeling he ever felt into a box and be able to ignore it. 

“H-Heir Aether,” Neville mumbled inching closer looking more unsure of himself with every step.

It was apparent that he was trying to stick to his upbringing beliving gladion would have nothing less than appropriate manners. A soft un-audible sigh left his lips at the others actions. Not the boy's fault though, the first year he was a mess trying to be perfect and uphold the Aether name afraid if he didn’t his mother would descend onto him like a banshee.

“No need for formalities Neville, we may have never previously spoken but I am aware of who you are.” He kept his face neutral and his tone friendly as he took in the other boys slumped posture and fidgeting hands. He couldn’t help but notice how short the others nails were, most likely bitten off in nerves.   

Neville flushed, surprise flashing in his eyes, his lips parting as he asked, “you remember me?” He even managed to stop shaking as if Gladions words have rocked his world. 

“I do, I always saw you as a kindred spirit I never liked showing up to those Gala’s either.”

The corner of his lip twitched into a smile extending his hand, “let's meet properly it only seems fair. Gladion Aether, just Gladion on school grounds.” and with friends, he silently added on.

“ O-oh, yeah. I’m uh, I’m Neville. Longbottom.” Neville shook his hand lightly, his palm sweaty. Gladion didn’t even flinch as the moist hand wrapped around his own.  

“It’s nice to finally be able to speak with you on my own terms, Neville.” That it was, no mother breathing down his back and hissing at him to stay away from the blood traitor. He always wished to be able to speak with Neville knowing somewhere deep in his gut the both of them had many things in common.

Gladion’s words only seemed to struck the boy dumb causing him to freeze up and to practically drop Gladion’s hand as if it just burned him. He took no offense, with how he acted and the blatant rumors he heard about Augusta Longbottom painted an unhappy childhood for the boy in front of him riddled with self-worth issues and never being good enough to be remembered by anyone.  

“R-Really, why me? I-I don’t get it- you could talk with anyone you wanted so  why did you even think about talk to me back then?” Neville's face was nearly the same color as the red on his tie, his hair a ruffled mess due to the humidity and looked like he’d properly faint at any moment.

With what Gladion was about to say then the boy just might faint- but oh well he’d cross that bridge when he got there. “Because, we’re both similar, it would’ve been lovely to talk to someone who had the same mindset as me.”

He watched the other boy's brow furrow in confusion before his brown eyes sparkled in realization. “O-Oh! You mean about muggle-borns?”

Gladion blinked in an almost owlish manner. That wasn't what he was thinking of but he supposed that was something they had in common as well. “Yes, that too, but I was mostly referring to the parties and being forced to parade around like trained monkeys for the adult's amusement.”

That managed to startle a laugh out of Neville making the Gryffindor relax. “T-that’s new, I’ve never heard a-anyone else call it that!”

A real smile managed to make it’s way onto Gladion’s face watching the other unstiffen before his eyes and show a part of who he truly was.

“Unpleasant memories aside of being treated as entertainment, what brings you here so early?”

Neville appeared to want to sling the question right back at him but reframed from doing so. Good, Gladion didn’t feel like opening the can of worms which was his current school life. 

“Oh, um,” he twiddled his fingers glancing away from him as he mumbled, I’ve always liked working with plants. My uncle Algie has a greenhouse he let’s me tend to so....”

Gladion hummed in acknowledgment, “I’ve heard you're proficient with plants and that you make straight O’s in Herbology. It’s a subject I find lacking in due to my mother never wanting my hands to get dirty saying it was beneath my station.”

‘And just as one thought the flush was gone from the boys face it appears again with a vengeance,’ a voice in the back of his head chuckles.

“I-I’ve had a lot of practice I’m sure if you practice that you’ll soon get O’s too!” Neville was quick to put his achievements down as nothing special, slightly irritating Gladion. 

He waved the boys words off, “you’re not giving yourself enough credit, not just anyone can go and memorize everything about plants and know what is what at a glance. 

Neville stayed silent seemingly not knowing what to say or even if he could say it to Gladions face. And so they were at a stalemate stuck in awkward silence until one of them can think of something.

Coughing to clear his throat Gladion was the one to take the leap, “I’ve wanted to get a tutor for Herbology but I don't want word getting back to my mother. Do you know anyone who's good at keeping secrets?

More silence.....

Then a soft, “I could.....”

He raised an eyebrow at what he would assume was Neville’s bold attempt as tribute.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind that- it’d be a bonus for you being able to do something you love it’d feel less like teaching and more like having fun.”

Neville smiled and nodded, nerves seeming to fully vanish for now which was a great relief for Gladion. “ Yeah, I’ve always enjoyed being able to be in the greenhouse when I first got my letter this was the only class I had been looking forward too.”

“Would you mind if we start our tutoring early?”

Neville shuffled closer not quite in his personal bubble but not as far away has he had been before. “S-Sure, even though we’ll have class in a few minutes I don’t mind.” 

As if his words were the magic spell he started buzzing around the greenhouse like a hummingbird bring out the tools they’d need. “I-If you don’t mind we could... I mean I could-” Neville’s voice soon turned to soft mutterings as he finished grabbing everything needed and plopped them onto a work table. 

Before the boy could work himself up even more Gladion placated him, “You want to partner up?” He had to mentally check his schedule out first before he said yes since he was unsure if he had Herbology and was grateful to know he in fact did.

Neville scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepishly at Gladion, “y-yeah. I-If you want- I don't want to take you away from your friends or anything!”

Gladion snorted as if his current partner was a friend it was more like forced to work together due to Slytherin bias.

“I don’t have any friends in this class, it’d be a nice change of pace to have someone adamant about the subject we’re being taught then to hear my seatmates bitter grumbling.”

Neville's shoulders dropped in relief tenseness leaving him once more, he even appeared to be excited. Not that Gladion wasn't excited, no he was happy with the change anything would be better than his current partner and he’s sure he wouldn’t be missed.

Though- Not feeling as overwhelmed by his emotions anymore he slowly let down his occlumency shields letting emotion slowly trickle back into him. His face twisted into worry, “ I’m from Slytherin- surely you must know that and I.... I don’t want to cause you any problems with your housemates.”

To Gladion’s surprise, Neville's chin tilted up, an almost challenging look flashing in his eyes. The bright embers of determination flared within him almost throwing Gladion through a loop. Well, it looks like he found where that Gryffindor courage lay.

“That shouldn’t matter- and it doesn't matter to me. You’re already friends with one of my housemates and she likes you enough- and I think you’re really nice. You’re actually talking to me, and that’s more than I can say for most of the other people in my house.”

Now it was Gladions turn to be struck dumb by the boy's words- he only just talked with him today and already he was willing to throw whatever possible friendship he could have into the fire for him? Him a supposed slimy snake destined for the dark arts and to have raging bloodlust against all muggle kind? And surely those rumors going around couldn't be helping him either in that department.

Right then and there a soft possessive voice in the back of his head cooed that Neville was going to be his friend. Just one of the many he managed to find and keep during his stay here. 

Nothing was going to stop him from making that happen.

Well besides himself.

“You shouldn’t be throwing away the possible friends you could make all out because of me,” he murmured glancing away from the boy as his heart ached at the thought of Neville facing bullying like he had too- like his friends had too. He didn’t want to bring that down upon the other boys head all because of him.

Why couldn’t he just let himself be happy?

The words seemed to roll off Neville’s back not affecting him in the least- the burning behind his eyes seemed to be even brighter now face set firmly. “If anyone has a problem with me hanging out with you because you're in Slytherin, I don’t think I’d want to be friends with them anyways!”

He was too trusting, seriously how can he be this kind- is it because he was the only one relatively friendly and admirable towards him? That’s a dangerous trait to have- he’s going to have to teach him that people would use him for their own gain if he acted that way.

“Well if you have free time my friends are having a study session you can always join us. Some of them are younger years like my sister but the age gap isn’t that obvious.” 

Neville’s nodded sending Gladion a shy smile which he returned as well pleased to have the other agree to come. 

After that, both of them managed to start the tutoring session which was un-surprisingly cut short when Professor Sprout can in followed by other students. And like he promised Gladion stayed rooted to the spot next to Neville even if his old partner sneered at him for the obvious snub. If Gladion wasn’t on the bottom rung of the Slytherin hierarchy then he surely was now.

The class went on as suspected until mid-lesson....

Gladion’s hair stood on end at the feeling of something- to close to him and it surely wasn’t Neville. It all seemed to have happened in slow motion- he turned his head making eye contact with his old seatmate who’s hand was in his pocket- the pocket where he kept his wand at.

With a deft inducing crack, lightning struck the boy making everyone in the greenhouse scream including Neville. The boy just like that girl a week ago was left convulsing on the floor. Gladion was dazed having been close to the strike and slightly blinded by it. A hand wrapped around his own- his first instincts had been to throw the person off but the part of his brain that was still conscious said it was Neville as the boy was the only one close enough to grab his hand. 

There was a loud ringing in his ears that refused to go away- most likely due to the close proximity of the strike. The next thing he knew Neville was leading him out of the greenhouse, throwing him worried glances every step. By now the commotion had gathered a large crowd causing whispers to erupt. 

“It’s that Aether kid again! He must have done something”

“I wonder who made him angry this time?”

“You guys can’t be serious Aether can’t know wandless magic- he’s too weak for that!”

Although Gladion was unable to hear any of the whispers- or if he did he was unable to process them Neville did and it only upset him. He may not have known Gladion for all that long but in the time that he did, he felt the other boy wasn’t as bad as everyone made him out to be.  

The whole fiasco ended with Gladion being grilled then released once no one was able to prove he did it. Neville helped descalate the situation by vouching for him and saying Gladion didn’t speak an incantation. 

After that, it seemed to have turned into a sport on who would be able to get Aethers wand. There was a large betting pool going on, several people having been included within it. This only made random lightning strikes another part of daily life for Gladion. At first, he was slightly worried for the people who got hurt but as time passed he grew callused to the happenstance.

Which brings him to just another morning- normal by his standards. He was sitting peacefully next to Mitsuki while Elio took the seat by his left leaving a pouting Selene forced to sit next to him. Surprisingly enough Neville had joined their little group which slightly changed their dynamics.

He wasn’t fully paying attention to what Mitsuki was talking about- quidditch most likely and with how Neville was responding only made the chances higher. Gladion didn't care too much for the sport not being one interested into such things. A piece of the Pumpkin pastry was halfway towards his mouth when an ear-shattering bang rocked the great hall, this one shaking the whole foundation. Now that was slightly new, he supposed this time the person was having truly dark thoughts towards him.

“Just another morning at Hogwarts,” he muttered to himself shaking his head as he spared glances at his friends. A few had been with him during the times where his wand was almost stolen though none seemed to have gotten use to the lightning like he did. With a weary sigh, he closed the screaming out, stuffing his face with the pastry. He was over all this it by now. Maybe he’d feel sorry for them if they weren’t constantly trying to steal his wand.

Hey, he never claimed to be a good person.

Dumbledore appeared exasperated, Gladion didn’t blame him. He wouldn’t be surprised if  Madam Pomfrey threatened to hex his balls off if he didn’t stop students from being sent to the infirmary. The other professors were all in states of horror and shock the only one not being Snape which didn’t surprise him either. 

“AETHER!”

He sighed again at the shrill yell, yes looks like it’s time to face the music. 

“Yes, yes coming.” He grumbled under his breath at the loud shriek from one of the stand in Professors. He took one last bite of his breakfast then slowly stood up, the body of whoever thought it was a smart idea to steal his wand this week surrounded by people and being lifted up by levitation charm and floated away.

Eyes followed him as he strode up towards the professor's table his eyes never leaving the Professor who called upon him. If his gaze wavered he knew he’d get sick to his stomach from the crowd and he wasn’t going to show any signs of weakness in front of enemies.

He was preparing himself to be chewed out until something unexpected happened. Dumbledore raised his hand to shush the professor who looked ready to rip his head off and asked one simple question.

“What wood is your wand made from my boy?”

Gladion grimaced- he’s not the headmaster's boy, he’s no one's boy! 

“Laurel.” He was short and to the point, not knowing what wood his wand was made up of having to do with the random lightning strikes. He’s just assumed he had a deep bond with it and it reflected itself by not letting it be able to be stolen.

Surprisingly Dumbledore began to laugh shaking his head in a manner that suggested he suspected this. The action only threw Gladion off-kilter, a frown marred his face showing just how amused he was with the Headmaster.

“Mr. Aether, a Laurel wand is known for once accepting a hardworking wand holder and creating a deep relationship with them for setting off lightning strikes if another witch or wizard attempts to steal it.”

Gladion was floored, for one thing, he never thought of himself as a hard worker- it was just what was expected of him. The work he did on a daily bases was normal and if that impressed his wand to this extent well... Bringing out his wand he stared down at it as if it could unlock the secrets of the world.

All he could let out from this sudden realization was a soft, “oh.” Gladion didn’t even send the old wizard a bitter frown from the pat to his head.  

With another soft chuckle, the old man went towards the podium and started to address the whole school. He was blunt and to the point with his speech telling the student body not to steal others wands as they’d be in for a nasty shock. And if anyone was brought to the infirmary under electrical shock they’d have 50 points taken from their house.

Thankfully that was the end of the huge race towards stealing his wand leaving him once again at peace.

Or what little peace a Slytherin could have.