Catch Me Up ((Theo))

[Dylan Caoimhe]

"Oh, Excuse me," a short man with glasses said as he rushed pass. "Carter, hurry up!"

A little boy with red hair came struggling pass, heaving his trunk which was clearly too much for him to handle on his own.

"Carter!"

"I'm coming dad!" The boy named Carter began biting his lip, and even through his pained face, embarrassment still made itself evident as he watched everyone on Platform Nine and Three Quarters watching him. His father shook his head and continued walking, heading toward another wizard who was so well dressed, he must've been high-ranking in the Ministry or something of the like. Dylan sat his own trunk, which wasn't very full due to his lack of many belongings, against a bench, and made his way to the boy.

In a way, Carter reminded him of himself when he was eleven. Difference being he didn't have an idiot yelling at him. He actually had no one. Alanah had dropped him off at Kings Cross, and from there she told Dylan to find his way on his own, which is exactly what he would have to do when he got to Hogwarts. Of course he objected, and for the first and only time in his life, he begged her to come with him but she didn't. She kissed his cheek, and as Dylan looked down at his shoes teary-eyed, she apparated and was gone. He too had to heave his trunk, which was definitely too much for him, across the platform and onto the Hogwarts Express, only no one bothered to help him. All people saw was a little, dark haired boy in dingy clothes, pulling a second hand, faded, peeling trunk. He did it all on his own, and where there should have been a sense of accomplishment, there was sense of embarrassment, sadness, and shame. It only worsened when other kids got sight of him and picked at him for his old trainers. He would have given anything to have had someone help him out that day, and now, he saw the chance to help someone else.

"Hey," he shouted. Carter turned around, face red and green eyes tear filled. "Here. Let me get that for you." Dylan grabbed the trunk (which was a lot heavier than anticipated, but he still managed it), and carried it to the train, Carter in his wake. After finding an empty compartment, he hoisted it up onto the rack and turned to find the boy tapping his foot and wiping his nose.

"Thank you," he said barely audible.

"Don't worry about it. Your fathers a-" Dylan was on the brink of saying something that would've been very inappropriate. "Busy man. Or so it seems."

"No. He's not busy. He's just trying to get in good with his boss. There's this position that just opened up at his job in his department, and-"

Dylan made a face that he hadn't made in a long time. This kid was talking way too much and way too fast.

"So he's trying get this promotion and I've had to play with his stupid son all summer."

"Wow, er...so, I'm going to go now-" Dylan started but the kid held his hands out.

"NO! No, don't go! It'd be cool to sit with an older Gryffindor! That's the House I'm going to be in too!"

Dylan felt the slightest heat on his hairline as Carter's face was lit up. But, he was definitely not one for lying. "Er, I'm not in Gryffindor."

The light in the kids eyes got dimmer. "Oh. Well, Ravenclaw's cool too!."

"I'm.....not in Ravenclaw either." And the boys eyes got dimmer still.

"Oh. Well, Hufflepuff isn't that bad, but-"

"I'm a Slytherin." He said it simply and matter-of-factly.

"But....but, you helped me with my trun-"

Dylan held up his hand. Clearly Carter was instilled with the ever famous and cliche prejudices held against each perspective House. "Not all Slytherins are prats. Try and remember that when you get to school." And with that, he exited the compartment as a brown haired boy with oiled hair came bustling by him, eyes searching.

"Carter! There you are! I've been looking all over!"

"Hey Patrick," Dylan heard Carter call back miserably.

Making his way down the isle, Dylan peered through the window where he had left his trunk, and could feel his jaw drop when he saw it was gone. He quickly started jogging towards the train exit when he heard his name.

"Hey Caoimhe!"

He recognized that irritating voice immediately, but continued jogging.

"HEY CAOIMHE!"

Oh merlin, he thought. He turned around and sure enough, it was Gary Styles, resident head idiot of Hogwarts. But, unexpectedly, Dylan felt the hugest sense of relief. Not at seeing Gary, but what Gary had beside him. Dylan's trunk lay up against a compartment door.

Slowly and with more confident steps, Dylan got up to Gary and grabbed his trunk handle.

"I saw it on that bench over there," he said pointing. "Didn't want anyone to take it or anything." Gary looked expectant, like he had finally made friends with Dylan like he had been trying to do for the past four years at Hogwarts.

Their first year, Gary was one of the main ones who picked on Dylan because of his clothes and his not-so-new belongings; how could someone ''like him'' get into Slytherin? But once classes started and Dylan showed just how talented he was, Gary, along with a significant amount of others, began treating him very differently. But Dylan denied their invitations to "friendship." He honestly had nothing against Gary and held no grudges, until one of Dylan's closest friends, Theo Darke, told him about his encounters with Styles that involved another one of Dylan's friends; Scott Ryder. Dylan didn't have many friends. And the one's he did have, he was very protective over them. Mess with them, you messed with Dylan. It was just that simple.

"Hey, come sit with-"

"I.....," Dylan wanted to be blunt, as usual, but Gary did just kind of help him out. Sort of. "I.....want to sit alone. Maybe......I'll sit with you at dinner or something."

Gary smiled. "Cool, cool. See you then Caoimhe," he said clapping his shoulder and walking off.

What the hell did I do, he thought as he moved down the isle where there were two empty compartments across from each other. He opted for the left one, and went in shutting and locking the door behind him. Throwing his light trunk up on the rack, he pulled a book out of his pocket and plopped down and stretched out across the seat. The whistle blew, and the train began moving as Dylan unintentionally listened as students bade their families farewell. This used to get to him, but he didn't care anymore. He was sixteen now. Almost of age. Childish dreams of having a family were long gone. He accepted his life, and was now focused on himself. He couldn't change the past, but he could change the future; which is exactly what he was intent on doing.

After a little while of reading and occasionally peering out the window, Dylan saw figures pass through the window of his compartment door, and didn't even look up; he knew they must've been prefects finally getting out of their meeting. He smiled when he thought about another one of his friends, Mary Evans, who wrote Dylan over the summer with rather good news. She had made Head Girl, and was named Quidditch Captain. Also, she had appointed Dylan as her vice, which was a huge surprise for him since he thought Wynd would have been chosen far before he did. Dylan loved quidditch and couldn't wait for the season to start.

Turning a page, he glanced up, and two familiar heads, one blonde, one brown, caught his eye as they went into the empty compartment opposite his. "Theo and Scott," he said to himself, his heart lifting immensely while resisting the urge to yank his door open and invite them in. While he was definitely happy to see them, he didn't exactly know what to think, especially after Llarynsthud, which was an art school that they had all attended over the summer. Theo had acted quite strange, and Dylan knew why. But even more strange was what Dylan saw when he was taking a walk.

He had just come back from painting. It had started to rain, and Dylan put his hood over his head walking quickly when he noticed something move rather fast. Instinctively heading for his wand in his pocket, he froze as his eyes found the movement, and for a moment he was about send a curse flying through the air as it looked as if Theo were being forced against a tree, but then, Theo was indeed being forced against tree, and by someone Dylan didn't know. And, they were, kissing. Not comprehending correctly, Dylan just continued walking, thoroughly flustered and concluded he'd say absolutely nothing to Theo. The two of them had a very honest and open relationship; there wasn't really anything that Dylan had trouble with talking to Theo about and vice versa. If Theo wanted Dylan to know, then he would've said something. He didn't, so obviously Dylan would back off.

After a while, he looked back up, mainly because he was happy to see them and wanted another glance when he saw Scott heading down the isle, and Dylan almost dropped his book as he shot up. The guy who was kissing Theo in the woods was standing in the compartment looking at Theo very intensely. Theo then aimed his wand at the door, and in impossible speed, his arm was back down and Dylan narrowed his eyes and smiled slightly. Theo cast a spell on the door, he thought. After a while, the door opened, and Dylan was able to make eye contact just enough with Theo to let him know he wanted to see him. Now, there was nothing to do but wait and watch, which Dylan did.

[Theo Darke]

“Going to the loo.” Theo flashed Oscar a brief but reassuring smile whilst squeezing his hand. “Be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” A cheeky grin pushed its way onto his face, only to falter slightly once the compartment door was shut safely behind him, his back turned so Oscar couldn’t see his face any more. Theo let out a long breath he didn’t know he had been holding and tried not to let an expression of pain flicker across his pale face. “Oh damn,” he cursed himself angrily. Theo hated lying; but he hated lying to his first ever boyfriend even more. Except, he couldn’t confide in Oscar the truth, which, contrary to his thinking that Scott liked Theo, was that Theo liked Scott. How could he tell that to the Gryffindor when they were together? It just wasn’t plausible. Theo had to lie, he had to cover up his true feelings. Not just for his sake, but for Oscar’s sake – the sake of their relationship. Theo liked Oscar; he liked him very, very much, and he didn’t want to lose him. For Pete’s sake, he had only just found him! They were only just beginning to learn about each other, and Theo wanted to know what made Oscar smile and what made him tick. He was clinging to Oscar with all of his might, just as he was clinging onto sanity when he was around Scott – clinging to the reality that Scott was straight, that Scott was dating his best friend, and that he himself was dating a handsome, gorgeous, sweet and kind person who did not deserve to be hurt and betrayed like this.

There was nothing to it. Now, not only did Theo have to suppress his true emotions for Lori and Scott’s sake, but also for Oscar’s sake. However, even though Theo had successfully masked the truth and assured Oscar that he was being paranoid, it still pained him to do the deed of lying straight through his teeth. It was so unnatural, but it was slowly, and to his horror, becoming second nature to him – what with having to lie, somewhat, to Lori and Scott as well. Lying to Scott wasn’t so hard as he couldn’t always tell, but Lori was harder, since she was his best friend who had known him all his life and knew when he was telling even the smallest of fibs – hence why Theo had avoided contact with her. On the other hand, he was avoiding Scott too, because he hated letting his romantic emotions rise within him traitorously when he was around the other boy. He felt dirty… ashamed… evil. The new Theo that was forming disgusted him, but he couldn’t help it. He was so scared of his deepest secret being revealed. There was only one person who knew about his feelings for Scott, and that person was Dylan. Hence why the moment he had seen the Slytherin’s recognisable visage in the slit of the compartment door, Theo knew he had to leave to exchange a few words with him – that and he could avoid Oscar for a while, let the reality of lies and trickery settle uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach before having to face him again.

“Dylan.” Theo smiled easier as he approached the Slytherin. “Long time no see. How was your summer?” They were the usual questions one would ask a friend after returning to school. However, on Theo’s tongue, they felt forced and faked. “You want to talk to me?” It was more a noted comment rather than a question – like Dylan’s gaze upon him was one thing and not another. Theo could tell his friend knew something and he wanted to discuss it with him – he could see it lingering in his eyes. He hadn’t known Dylan for a long time, nor was he an easy person to read, but somehow, he and the Slytherin could assess each other’s minds rather easily, despite their differing personalities. “I’ve only got a few minutes to spare… My friend’s waiting for me.” Theo jerked his thumb in the direction of the compartment he had just come from with a slight concerned frown. Sensing, though, that what Dylan wanted to speak about would be of a serious and personal nature – maybe about Scott? Theo almost winced at the thought – he directed the Slytherin towards the empty compartment of the prefects, unoccupied now that the students had left to change and monitor the Hogwarts Express.

“So,” Theo began once they were somewhat comfortable and alone. His eyes darted worryingly towards the door, but he doubted anyone would be intruding for some time. “What did you want to talk about? Is it about… you know.” A nervous tremor twitched on his lips. However, Theo would not in his wildest dreams have envisaged Dylan saying what he would soon say in the next few minutes. And it would leave the poor, guilt-ridden Ravenclaw in another dilemma: to admit or to not admit? To tell the truth or to tell the lie? And to deceive another friend or to lose his only confidante?

[Dylan Caoimhe]

“Dylan.”

"Theo," he said with a bright smile throwing his book to the side and rising to his feet. Dylan shook Theo's hand and pulled him into a half hug, though he felt like lifting him off the ground and squeezing all air from his body until his head exploded.

“Long time no see. How was your summer?”

"It was alright I guess. Better than usual." Dylan took a step back to take in Theo's full appearance; he had grown a little and his hair was shorter than when he had last seen him, but his eyes were the same; still blue and twinkling. Dylan himself hadn't changed much at all. In fact, he had concluded that he had stopped growing some months ago. Dylan shifted his foot slightly but still kept eye contact with Theo. Might as well jump right into it, he thought. "I actually kind of want to talk to you about something."

“You want to talk to me?”

This was hardly the type of conversation he wanted to have with Theo now, seeing as how he was so happy to see him again, but he felt like it just needed to be gotten out of the way. Dylan didn't like feeling like there was something in the middle of them; he loved how open and clear their relationship was. Looking forward to the upcoming year, he just wanted what needed to be dealt with, dealt with and out of the way.

“I’ve only got a few minutes to spare… My friend’s waiting for me.”

Theo jerked his thumb towards the compartment he had just come out of, and Dylan licked his lips out of slight nervousness.

“So? What did you want to talk about? Is it about… you know.”

"It's about your 'waiting friend' in that compartment actually," Dylan said giving a nod at the door. "I saw you guys at Llarynsthud. In the forest." He tried his best to sound like his normal care free self and not accusatory, though he certainly wasn't accusing Theo of anything. For some reason he felt this to be an unknowingly sensitive subject, so he watched his words carefully. Taking a small breath, he continued, all the while studying Theo's posture. "I had just gotten out of class...and well...I thought someone was attacking you at first, but after looking a little closer......" Dylan left off right there, and could feel something radiating from Theo like shock waves, but yet he still continued. "You were.....kissing him. Or, he was kissing you, rather. But you were kissing him back."

Okay, maybe he did sound sort of accusatory, but he didn't understand why Theo wouldn't tell him what was going on in the first place. Plus, from what he understood, Theo was head over heels for Scott Ryder, so what was he doing with this.....this....guy? And kissing him at that? The question was at the tip of his tongue but he knew he had already said enough for one day.

"And what about Scott?"

It was as if someone else had spoken and not Dylan, but he knew he said it. Scott was another good friend, and he supposed his affection for him had caused him to blurt out before he could stop it. Dylan sighed and sat down, propping his legs up on the opposite bench crossing them. "Theo, I'm not trying to pry, you know I wouldn't do that." He took his focus from his lap and tried to give him meaningful look. "I guess I just don't want to see you make a huge mistake, or make some mess that'll be hard to clean up and sort out later." Dylan sighed. "Care to catch me up a bit here?"

[Theo Darke]

“Good.” Theo smiled brightly at Dylan’s answer, assessing the Slytherin. He hadn’t changed much; but he sure looked happier, though for what reason Theo wasn’t sure. He’d have to ask when they had a chance to sit down and chat properly. “Go ahead.” Theo nodded, trying to appear comfortable when he was sure that Dylan was about to unintentionally knock him off balance. Theo was already going through a lot – so much it made him want to fall asleep and forget, just forget about the issues in his romantic life right now – so the last thing he needed was Dylan getting on his case. However, Theo trusted Dylan enough; he knew his friend wouldn’t try to purposefully make things hard for him.

And then it came. Theo’s eyes widened a little as he processed Dylan’s words. He’d seen them? Him and Oscar? At Llanrhystud? Damn. Oh damn. Theo had been so sure he and Oscar were the only people in the forest... Oh, they were so careless, so stupid. Anyone could have walked in on or past them... In fact, now that Theo thought about it rationally, it was a good thing Dylan had been the one to catch them. At least he was Theo’s friend; at least he was trustworthy; but most of all, at least he wasn’t Lori or Scott. “Oh.” Theo couldn’t manage much speech as he digested Dylan’s admittance, his mind still assessing the situation he’d managed to get himself into.

At least, Theo’s mind thought, Scott didn’t know about Theo’s mini crush on him, and neither did Oscar.

“Um...” Theo tried to search for the right words, but Dylan kept talking, so he shut up again. After his friend had finished, Theo managed to collect himself and reply coherently with a strained expression. “I’m sorry.” He hung his head, blonde hair shielding his guilty eyes. “I’m so sorry... There’s just... so much happening right now; so much in my head.” He looked up and tapped his temple, biting his lip that gave away the hidden tension in his body. “I didn’t mean to leave you in the dark,” Theo finally managed with a deep, regretful sigh. “Oscar and I... we’ve agreed to keep it a secret. You should understand.” Theo sent him a painful look. “Everyone... doesn’t think Oscar’s... well, not straight. And I... I know it’s selfish, but can you imagine people’s reaction? I don’t want that. I want to be with him. I want to be happy.” Theo stuffed his hands into his pockets and sighed again.

“I admit... that you didn’t see wrongly. Oscar and I were kissing then.” Theo nodded and a slight smile appeared. “I won’t deny it to anyone else but you. I trust you,” he said simply, quietly. “I trust you not to tell anyone.” He looked at Dylan meaningfully, as though searching his eyes asking, ‘I can trust you to keep my secrets, can’t I?’ “I’m sure, Dylan, that this is not a mistake,” Theo pressed after a short pause when he collected his thoughts and pondered over how to phrase his explanation properly to his friend. “Oscar is not a mistake. I like him – so much. I can’t explain it. One minute we were strangers, then we became friends in a Quidditch shop... then I was at his house and it was all so... so happy. And then we argued.” Theo’s face clouded over with a dark expression as he recalled the past. “We argued and we separated... and then he found me at Llanrhystud and... kissed the life out of me.” Theo couldn’t help a grin spread across his face as he remembered the feel, the touch of Oscar’s lips against his own. It had been heaven; magic.

“I want this, Dylan. I want it so much. And in a way, I don’t care if things go wrong... Nothing’s perfect. I just know, when I’m with Oscar, it feels right. I’ve never felt so liberated before,” Theo admitted softly, his eyes downcast again. “And Scott... it’s like he doesn’t exist anymore.” Heaving a long, heavy sigh, Theo concluded, “I like Scott... But I think, in time, I will like Oscar more... I might fall in love with him. I have a chance with Oscar, not with Scott. I need to forget him and move on. Don’t you agree with me? Scott, me, Oscar... we deserve happiness. And the best way for me to be happy is to leave Scott behind and accept his and Lori’s relationship. Tell me, Dylan... is this the right way?” Theo asked a little helplessly, sitting down opposite the Slytherin at last and thrusting a hand through his hair in frustration.