His adoptive parents and siblings are Muggles, but his biological father had been a wizard. So here he is. Half-blood Jess Abrams as a little firstie Ravenclaw. Alone, but perfectly fine with that. Until his second year, when some first-year Gryffindor (a certain Emmett Callaghan) just won’t leave him be. There’s enough commotion with the Tournament, and now this? At least he can somewhat escape via violin at the ball. During Jess’s third year and Emmett’s second, a newcomer arrives! Another Gryffindor - a girl this time. A girl that gets into fights and loses points for her house. Together, the trio learns about the Patronus Charm. Each is delighted to discover they can each produce one (a lynx for Jess, a collie for Emmett, a ram for Ms. Ruth Guerra). After all, they’re still children - and happiness is abundant. Second-year Ruth and third-year Emmett - fourth-year Jess still asks himself every day why he chooses to hang out with them (but secretly wouldn’t trade them for the world). Emmett and Ruth wondering about the possibilities of becoming Animagi, but deciding the process is too much of a commitment. Jess is beyond relieved, to say the least. Ruth’s third year, Emmett’s fourth, and Jess’s fifth. There’s not much studying you can do with a war raging on around you. They stay for the battle, together as always. Emmett, forbidden by his parents to fight (but does so anyway), narrowly escapes death. Jess’s leg is destroyed. Gone for good. After all is over, after counting the bodies of their too-young friends and housemates, they share a moment. Huddled together. Silence. Nothing. Only each other. Only silent tears. Later, Jess seeks the company of the lynx he’s grown somewhat attached to, but is more than heartbroken to discover he can no longer produce it. (He tries again, years later, but still nothing.) And now. Two years left together. The fourth- and fifth-year Gryffindors. The sixth-year Ravenclaw. Inseparable. Unsure how they all fell in together, but unwilling to change it.