Twin Connection Solo

As Henry climbed the steps of the owlery with his orange feline; Loki, a smile was seen on his face as that day turned out better than he first imagined.

No word or letter has came from his brother or twin or anyone for that matter that morning, Henry remembered feeling a moment of despair. Of loneliness. Emptiness. Like no matter what he did it won't matter because it isn't like he did it first or was the greatest at it. That no matter anything he would try, he would fail. Thoughts of his second stage duel hit him again as he remembered how it felt to be hit unconscious. That same feeling felt like it was happening all over again.

It was the boy's birthday, he was 13. He was officially a teenage. You think that he would he happy about it but instead he wasn't, all the boy could think about the whole day was not receiving a letter from his home and imagining every possible factor to why he didn't.

The thoughts haunting the boy even after class however he would receive a momentary distraction from his friends which probably were the reason that day was unexpected. It was better than he originally thought or or hoped it to be.

Henry was thankful for that distraction and it made most of his day but now he was skipping dinner to head to the owlery with his orange feline; Loki determined that the letter just was coming later. That his brother won't forget about him. That his twin won't forget about him. About their birthday.

However there has been something tingling in Henry since that morning, it wasn't necessarily a feeling or a thought but something else. A odd sensation made him think that something was wrong, something at his home or with his family was wrong and that was why he didn't receive any letter yet. Of course it was just a feeling even if he wouldn't exactly describe it as one so the newly thirteen year old tried not to think about it much but it still laid in the back of his mind.

Henry would step into the owlery, the sound of birds sleeping on their perches surrounded him and Loki.

Henry brushed a few strands of hair from his face and walked across the tower to the open window, placing his hands on the ledge and poking his head out.

The boy would stretch his neck out, searching for any sign of a owl but would come up empty handed.

However he didn't give up hope, he won't give up hope. Instead Henry would walk back across the tower and sit next to the entrance, leaning his back against the wall while keeping his shining blue eyes on the window.

Loki would approach him and not purr, but rub against his legs before making a single circle and stretching out on the spot right next to Henry.

The second year would smile at his orange feline before he would starch behind his ears as he spoke lightly, " it will be here soon, don't worry boy," the cat would give him a single meow in return before laying down on the rather bitter floor of the tower next to Henry.

The boy would keep his eyes on the open window but his mind floated to thoughts of earlier in the day and other events.

"Today was fun, uh Loki," the teen said to his feline with a smile as he remembered how his best friend help him set up everything after school and was already thinking of ways to repay her for it.

"Maybe I could get Logan a box of sweets or cakes? Or set up a birthday celebration for her? What do you think Loki?" Henry asked his cat knowing that he probably won't get much of a response besides from his single meow that he kept but still it felt sort of comforting to the second year to talk to his cat then get lost in his head letting the chance of his anxiety taking over and having another panic attack.

"Alexa looked rather nice in class today, don't you think Loki? Her eyes seemed even more radiant than usual and her hair is almost like fire or rubies, then her smile it's so amazing. It could light up a room, don't you think Loki," Henry asked his feline again with a smile and a hint of red on his cheeks but nothing noticable.

Loki gave a meow back before waiting a second and meowing again, even through he was a teenager Henry still had a bit of imagination and pretended to be in a conversation with his feline as he replied" don't be draft, I don't have a crush on Alexa. She's just a amazing person, yeah that's it and anyway isn't she currently dating Simon Kincaid. So even if I did there's not much I can do, uh yeah that's it-" Henry would let his eyes linger on the surrounding owls as his thoughts wander and a feeling of embarrassment but also panic washed over him.

Do I have a crush on Alexa Mackenzie? I mean she is beautiful and kind and intelligent and a amazing person with fiery red hair that is beautiful and bright green eyes that are radiant and almost look like a dragons do in the morning sun... wait do I? No, I... I can't.... I'm not my brother, I don't date 10 girls a year and I'm not a expert with love or anything. I just had my Miranda and we broke up in January because we never spoke! Not to mention I like Amara or liked... anyone I can't have a crush on Alexa and even if I did would it matter? Isn't Simon dating her and I'm sure he's twice the boyfriend or price charming that I'll ever be... so I can't right... right...

Henry brushed another few strands of hair from his face as thoughts circled around his head causing a feeling that his anxiety was increasing forcing him to take a breath or a few that were deep.

The thirteen year old would close his eyes and take a breath for a moment as a act to stop any panic attacks from coming.

In

And Out

And In

And Out

And In

And Out

And In

And Out

And In

Hold

And Out

Henry opened his eyes again and he was calm however there still wasn't any owl. The second year would lean his head against the wall and scratch Loki's ears with his hand as he stared impatiently at the open window occasionally have a 'conversation' with Loki about how the day.

Seconds ticked by. Mintues tuned to hours. Dinner would be over with by now but it was still before curfew so there was still time. Time for the letter to come. Time for words from his brother and hopefully twin to take him for a moment back home.

Henry would check the slytherin watch on his right wrist, the time would say 8:01 which means dinner would have just ended and at least another hour till curfew.

Looking looking at the window, hoping that a owl would fly through at any moment now as his feline continued to sit beside him.

Henry would tap his fingers with th4 hand not letting Loki on the ground as thoughts started to spiral around his head, some humourous almost while some were stressful and panic producing.

What if the letter doesn't come! I could be waiting for nothing because they forgot to send it or write it or just forgot about what day it is or or or... just relax or try to... breath... breath...

'They did probably forget. Who would even remember a failures birthday anyway.'

'You should leave already, give up. You should know how to do it since your a failure.'

Voices of others that he yet to identify started sounding off in his head. The voices only just started a few months ago but they felt like they been there a lifetime, most times they were unbearable but the second year still hid them quite well from others.

'This is why your a idiot, you still haven't figure out that no letter is coming'

Just breath... take a breath and breath... calm down...

'You know that everyone forgot about the letter which is why it won't come'

Breath Henry... in and out....

'Why would anyone remember a failures birthday to begin with'

Breath... don't let your anxiety control you

'Its a shocker that your friends remember it even'

Breath... close your eyes and breath...

'I doubt any of those people are truly your friends'

Breath Henry... breath... just breath...

'You still the puny annoying freak from Godric Hollow'

In and out.... in and out...

'And you'll always be... why because your a failure and once a failure, always a failure'

Henry decided to stand and started pacing with his hands behind his head trying to calm himself down. Trying to keep his anxiety at least in a tiny bit of control. Trying to not have a manic attack... at least not yet.

Henry would check his watch again.

8:45

It was getting closer to 9, he should be going but would 10 more minutes really be that bad. Henry would walk across the room and rest his hands on the windowsill as he looked for a owl.

No owl could seen on the dark canvas of the night sky, Loki would walk toward the middle of the tower and give a soft meow almost as if the feline was suggesting they should turn in for the night.

Henry took a step back from the window and was about to agree with his feline until he saw it.

A owl and not just any owl.

"Sandy?"

"Sandy!"

Henry recognize his older brother owl and smiled down at Loki before approaching the windowsill again, letting the female barn owl land first before carefully petting the creatures feathers for a bit.

Smiling wider now as the second year took the package from the owl along with the letter as he spoke" rough travels, Sandy, Henry knew that his brother won't forget about but yet there was still something in the back of his mind telling him that something was still wrong.

Henry would sit on the floor of the owlery and lay both the package and letter in front of him as Loki throttled to his side.

The boy smiled at him and would normally read the letter first but that day he decided to open the package first. Pulling it close and carefully undoing the string along with the brown parchment paper to reveal a small pocket utility knife and a cassette tape with a pair of headphones. Henry knew that cassette tapes are a muggle device that doesn't need electricity to work but they were invented in 1992 in Belgium and now were replaced with other muggle devices but he couldn't get over why his brother sent it.

Placing them to the side as he open the letter and brought his eyes to the words as he begun to read

Dear Henry,

When you get this letter it will be close to curfew or you'll already be in bed, first I would like to apology for sending it so late. It has been a rough day and second I want to wish you a happy birthday and I hope you did at least have a good birthday. Your officially a teenage, you must be happy right little brother? Just promise me that you won't cause too much mischief or get into much trouble?

I hope you liked the gifts I sent you, it isn't much but I remembered how excited you were to be on the dueling team and how well let down that you lost your second duel so I was going to get you a dueling strategy book but instead I got you a pocket utility knife as another way to stay safe since Hogwarts doesn't seen like the safest anymore from what you told me. As for the cassette tape, don't tell father I gave it to you but I doubt your even talking to him. Anyway I found it in a box of old things as I was finishing moving out a few months ago and thought that you could use it.

Now I hate to be the one to tell you this Henry since it's yours birthday and your at Hogwarts, trust me Henry if I could be there with you now I would. The reason why this is getting to you so late is because I and father and a few others have been out searching for Annabeth, she was gone this morning and no one has seen her since last night.

We believed that she ran away but get this none of the muggles around us seen her leave, odd isn't it. Anyway stay safe and if you hear anything from Anna let me know.

Happy birthday Henry.

With Love, Your Brother,
Arthur Knight

Henry read over the words a second time and a third. It took the fourth time till the words truly sunk in and cut like a knife.

Annabeth Knight is missing.

His sister is gone.

Racing to his feet before remembering there isn't much that he could do since he was at Hogwarts and everything was happening else where. Henry felt useless, he felt like a waste space, like someone that couldn't do anything even if he tried. Tears stayed to build in his eyes.

It was true that his twin and him weren't that close anymore but she was still his twin sister and he never wanted her to run away. Henry felt his breathing quicken and heart ache while his head throbbed from the thoughts spiraling around in his head.

'You did this, you cause this!'

'You fought with her during winter break, do you remember your words?'

'Its your fault that she's missing and it will be your fault if she dies!'

'Another prime example that proves your nothing but a failure!'

'If it wasn't for you maybe she would still be here!'

'You should blame yourself, there isn't anyone else to blame!'

'Anyone that loves is destined to get hurt, your mum did and now your twin! Who's next Arthur? Logan? Rose? Scarlett? Paige?'

'This is why you deserve to be alone!'

'This is why no one will ever love you!'

Henry clinched his fists before releasing them and dropping the letter to the ground.

"Your right,"

With that Henry lean against the wall next to the window and sat down on the tower floor.

The barn owl waited a moment before flying off back into the night sky however Loki would approach the boy and put a single paw on his leg with a soft meow.

Henry would wipe away his tear and pull the feline onto his lap, Loki wasn't exactly happy but allow it as the second year held his cat on his lap and cried into his fur.

"It is all my fault Loki because I am a failure and a freak. I can't do anything right and maybe if we didn't have that argument," Henry cried to his feline still hugging him in his arms as memories flow into his mind... specifically the night before he went back to Hogwarts.... the last time Henry would speak to his twin sister...

I stood across from my twin sister in our room, both of us were kind of angry as I heard her shout

"Were twins not the same person! I don't have to tell you where I'm going and I definitely don't have to like your arse!"

Before I knew it, I replied not shouting back

"I just ask a question, you could have said no Anna instead of scream-"

"Your such a bloody idiot Henry! I wonder how were even twins sometimes! You never needed to ask and you didn't just ask. You also brought up are father's engagement to Pearl!"

I heard her yell back but still tried to stay calm

"It just happen, I thought maybe you would like to talk about since you were always the closest with mum and-"

"And this is all your fault that it's happening!"

"it's not my fault, I wasn't the reason that she's dead!"

"Yes, you are Henry! Your really are draft sometimes! If it wasn't for your bloody arse then maybe she would still be alive but no you didn't run like a normal person! Its like you wanted to a werewolf! A monster! And father had to save you instead of her! It's your fault she died! Its your fault he's engaged! It's all your fault! And you can't see it because your a idiot!"

And that was the moment that I had enough and snapped

"No it's not! It's not my fault that she is dead and it's not my fault that father is engaged! And if am a idiot then your a moron if you can't see that night is no ones fault but your to childish to grow up! To see that in situations like that it was no ones fault!"

"I can see everything perfectly and it was your fault! Why because your a freak! Wait no, your a monster! A monster that no one loves or has no friends,"

"Stop it Anna, I mean it please stop it!"

"A monster that does nothing but destroy others and is destined to be alone! A monster that suffers from anxiety and has a stutter!"

" Anna, please stop!"

"You will always be a monster that's why everyone around you finds themselves dead or injured!"

"Shut up! Just shut up Annabeth! I wish you were never my twin!"

"I wish you were never my twin either then!"

Henry cried into his cats fur and felt the words he said stink through and felt like it was his fault. His fault that his twin sister was missing now.

Minutes started to pass and the second year was still seated on the owlery crying into his feline,
the happiest day just turned into the worst day in a blink of a eye.

In the night a unknown owl delivered a letter to Franklin Moon in the ravenclaw tower before flying down to the owlery and waiting on the windowsill for Henry.

Loki would notice first and give a meow but Henry would just ignore him. The feline wild then try again, wiggling himself free from Henry's grip and sitting down on the floor before batting at Henry's arm and giving another meow.

"Leave me Loki! I don't want to play and I don't care about curfew!"
Henry only said through sobs but just like his owner, the cat was stubborn and smart this time batting at Henry again with his claws out.

Henry would look up at the cat as he spoke "What the hell Loki! Can't you see that I want to be alone!" but the cat gave another meow and a head tilt almost to the owl on the windowsill.

Henry would get to his feet and nod toward his cat with a ping of guilt as wiped away his tears before speaking " sorry buddy, uh you think he's for me?" Henry would approach the owl and slowly take the folded up piece of parchment from his break.

Henry would eye the bird before looking down at the parchment and begin the red the few lines

Henry

I'm with the Knights
Any and all contact between us is terminated

- A Knight

Ps. Happy Birthday To Us

It didn't take long for Henry to recognize the sloppy cursive or G's with large loops, that was his twin sisters hand writing!

Henry smile as tears strained his cheeks, " it's from Anna Loki! She's okay, she's okay. She safe and with the Knights? Did they find her or did she find them? Maybe she was kidnap or maybe she isn't safe? How do I know anything for sure?"

Henry looked back at the lines on the parchment, the last put comfort in Henry's mind because that was their saying. "Happy birthday to us" a simple phase but something that connected them, something that allowed each other to knew that the other was safe. So she was safe but question was where.

Henry placed his hand by the owl and in a moment it bit him, Henry jumped as he shouted " ah!" before he would suck the blood at his finger at a attempt to stop the bleeding for a moment.

When it partly worked, Henry stopped to watched the owl fly off before looking back at the piece of parchment.

Annabeth is out there somewhere and with the Knights! She's safe or at least she is for now but possibly not forever.... Art told me to tell him if I heard anything from her but... but what if that only puts more people in danger... no! It's my fault she's with them and it will be me who will fix this! I just need to speed up my process on finding who the Knights are and now where they are

Henry would look over at Loki and smile at the feline before stuffing the parchment along with Arthur's letter in his jean pocket. He picked up the cassette tape and pocket knife and called Loki to follow him as they left the owlery for the common room and dormitory. Still before curfew.

That day started out differently and had good intertwine which Henry loves but it now also held the bad but he no longer was a child. He was 13 now. A teenage. And his twin sister was missing. And if anyone was going to find her then it should be her twin. Twins do have a connection after all.