Chapter Text
Friday, February 19th, 2015 (8:30 P.M.)
“Tomorrow is going to be fine. Everything will be perfect,” Ben said to himself as he finished washing his face before bed. He left his bathroom and immediately went and found his clipboard on his desk to give it one final look over. It hadn’t left his hands for the entirety of the week. Tomorrow was the day that the children of the Isle would be arriving in Auradon. Everything had to go off without a hitch. He'd planned almost everything down to the last miniscule detail in order for it to. “Their dorms are all set up at school? Check,” he told himself, crossing that note off his list. “The limo is arranged to pick them up promptly at ten am tomorrow. Check,” he continued, pacing as he made his way down the list. Scamp watched him from the bed and cocked his head in confusion. He let out a small bark and pounded his paws against the sheets to get his owner’s attention.
“Huh? Oh, sorry Scamp. I’ll climb into bed soon. Promise,” Ben told his fuzzy buddy, picking up one of his chew toys and tossing it to him. Scamp sniffed it and took a nibble before huffing and curling up onto Ben’s pillow. “Oh calm down. I won’t be much longer,” he continued, rolling his eyes and chuckling at his pet. “Doug got the band ready to perform for their welcome? Check. And he has their class schedules. Check,” he pressed on, glad he and Harry had managed to get Doug to agree. While he might not have gotten the fullest support from his friends, evident by Audrey nearly fainting when he announced it, or their parents, a few of them were trying to see his point of view. Well, Melody and Doug were at least. That counts for something.
“What else? What else?,” he asked himself as he sat down at his desk. “Harry agreed to help with the tour, right?,” he questioned, tapping his pen against his temple.
“Check,” he suddenly heard from behind. He nearly gave himself whiplash from turning around so fast; startled at the sudden appearance of his brother standing behind him.
“I’m gonna get you a bell to wear,” Ben stated, rubbing the back of his neck as a knot began to form.
Harry smirked and walked over to him with a stride. “I've been called cat-like before,” he replied, checking his teeth in the mirror. “But despite our mother, bells aren't really the accessory for me,” he joked, hoping to get his brother to laugh.
“Well I'm glad your confidence is back,” Ben replied, chuckling and throwing a paper ball at his brother. “All of mine has flown off to Neverland preparing for tomorrow," he continued, returning his attention to his clipboard. “Okay… that’s a check…check,” he mumbled, crossing off notes and scribbling new ones.
Harry sighed and, before Ben could protest, he pulled the clipboard away from his brother. Ben turned to him and saw Harry right in his face. “Check on everything. Everything and everyone is ready," he told him, placing his hands on his shoulders. “You've worked so hard this week preparing for tomorrow and it's all going to go smoothly,” he reassured him with a smile. “Besides, if this plan doesn't work out, I'm sure you'll find out sooner than later,” he continued with a half smile. “Now relax,” he told him as he laughed and shook his shoulders vigorously.
“Okay, okay. I'm relaxed, I’m relaxed,” Ben laughed, prying Harry's hands off him and shoving him playfully. He grabbed his clipboard back and gave it one final look over. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”, he asked, glancing up as Harry made his way to sit down on the bed.
Harry shrugged as he plopped down and gave another half smile. “As ready as I can be,” he answered, running his fingers over the bedspread. “I’m not worried, if that’s what you mean,” he continued, glancing out the window and catching sight of the Isle. But of course he was worried. At least a little bit. How could he not be? But he wasn’t about to let Ben become aware of that. He’d worked his butt off to get to this point and Harry wasn’t going to let anything or anyone ruin this for Ben. Especially not his own brother. He looked up at his brother and saw him smiling.
“Good. Cause there’s no need to be. Once they see how much better life is over here, they won’t even think twice about doing anything even remotely evil,” Ben told him confidently. Harry smiled and chuckled softly. Even when nervous, Ben was always optimistic. He and everyone else in Auradon for that matter, had to admire him for that.
“Well, on that note, I’m gonna head on to bed. Big day tomorrow, afterall,” Harry said, standing up and heading for the door. “Try and get some sleep,” he told Ben as he started pulling the door shut.
“Don’t worry. I will. Goodnight,” Ben replied with a smile, gesturing that he was heading to bed soon.
“Goodnight,” Harry told him as he shut the door. As it clicked, he took in a breath and released it almost as fast. He’d reassured Ben, but now he needed to reassure himself that everything would be fine. The best thing to do would be to prepare himself for both the best, and worst, outcomes. As he made his way down the hallway to his room, he could hear someone making what sounded like a ‘psst’ sound. He looked around for the source and could see, to his surprise, his father making the noise and gesturing for him to join him downstairs. He did as instructed and quickly made his way down to the living room where he found his mother sitting in her chair and his father standing before the fireplace.
He made his way over to the couch and took a seat before asking, “Is everything alright?”
“Everything is fine, dear,” Belle said calmly. “Your father and I, well mainly your father, just wanted to… discuss tomorrow with you,” she explained, gesturing towards her husband.
“Love the support, honey,” Adam replied somewhat sarcastically. Belle simply raised her eyebrows and took a sip of her tea. This was his idea. Not hers. She simply nodded in agreement that it was at least a good idea.
“Discuss what about tomorrow? Should I go get Ben? I think he’s still awake,” Harry asked, already standing to grab his brother.
“No, no. This just concerns you, Harry,” Adam told him, gesturing for him to return to his seat.
Harry did so and began to feel uneasy about this conversation. “What about me?,” he questioned nervously. What was so important to discuss about tomorrow that Ben DIDN’T need to be involved? Tomorrow was his doing after all. He’d never seen his parents act so secretive about something in his entire life.
Adam sat down directly next to his son and placed his hand on his back. “Harry, when you and Ben are welcoming your new ‘classmates’ tomorrow, I need you to be on high alert,” he said in a serious tone. Harry creased his brow in confusion. What did his dad mean by high alert? “We don’t know what these kids are capable of. With them crossing that barrier and being exposed to magic, they might become more powerful than we could even imagine. Especially that daughter of Maleficent," he continued, Maleficent’s name coming off his tongue like venom. Harry was still unsure about where his father was going with this whole thing though. Why he couldn’t just get to the point, he’ll never know.
“So, for not only you and your brother’s safety, but all of Auradon’s, take one of your swords with you,” Adam finally told him rather sternly.
Harry’s eyes widened at that. “You really think I’m gonna need a sword, dad? They’re just kids,” he countered. Sure he wasn’t exactly resting easy about this, but he didn’t feel like he needed a weapon on him. Like, killing the royal family five minutes in wouldn’t exactly get them far with any scheme they may or may not be planning.
“Just as a precaution. One of those ‘what if?’ situations,” Adam answered, hoping to get through to his youngest son. “Harrison, as king, I have to make decisions that might seem a little out there. A little… extreme at times. But when it comes to protecting my people… my family…,” he continued, walking over to Belle and taking her hand in his. “... I don’t take chances. That is why the Isle of the Lost was created in the first place. Yes, it was to punish and imprison the villains who wrong us. But also protect the citizens of Auradon. To protect my wife and any future children we had,” he explained, his eyes giving off a very soft and sensitive look.
Harry had never seen his father look this way in, well, ever. Whenever his father was instructing him or Ben to do something, it was always straight forward. Right to the punch. But this time, him being very openly worried and sensitive about it, showed how he truly was worried about Ben’s proclamation. He leaned back on the couch and thought for a minute. He didn’t see the harm in having just… a little protection. Better to be safe than sorry.
“Okay. I-I’ll take my sword with me. Promise,” is all he said before standing and heading back upstairs. First he was just a tour guide. Now he’s gotta be a tour guide and a body guard? So much for getting a restful night’s sleep.
Saturday, February 20th, 2015 (9:45 A.M.)
Every student at Auradon Prep was waiting with baited breath. Today, children of their parents sworn enemies would be allowed off the Isle of the Lost. To live amongst them. To come to their school. And the good majority were not looking forward to this, to say the least. They were complying, if anything. Ben was their friend and future king after all was said and done. They could question, argue, and protest all they wanted. But at the end of the day, they truly had no say in what he did.
“I still don't understand how this benefits us to let these villain kids come here,” Chad questioned as he sat on a couch in the school commons while he and some of the other students awaited their new schoolmates arrival. He was one hundred and one percent not on board with this idea. Isle kids were rotten, dirty, and evil. They had no place amongst the civilized people in his eyes.
“Because it doesn't benefit us, Chaddy-Waddy. Not in the slightest,” Audrey answered, wrapping her arm around him like a dragon protecting a pile of treasure. She was even more against the idea. Especially once she heard the horrible, ugly, and malicious daughter of Maleficent was coming. Of all the villains, how could Ben choose her parents' arch enemies kid?
Melody rolled her eyes at the pair after fixing her hair in a mirror. “This is supposed to benefit us by letting the past be the past. Forgive and forget? To not hold onto grudges? Keep moving forward?,” she explained, standing over them with her arms crossed. While hesitant, seeing as she'd be meeting Ursula's daughter in a short while, she knows Ben would never do anything to cause harm to Auradon.
“And who knows, they might not be anything like their parents,” Doug chimed in as he and the school band cleaned their instruments to welcome the new students musically. He for one wasn't too nervous. For one, no one connected to his father was coming. But also, he was all for changing things up around here. With Ben becoming king and having these kinds of ideas, life on Auradon was going to get some real spice added to it.
“Statistics show that the probability of parents and children scoring similarly in any given trait is only about 38 percent. Compare that to the 33 percent similarity they'll score among strangers,” he continued before taking a moment to tune his trumpet.
Chad gave a snoring sound listening to all of the math he'd just heard, making Audrey giggle before he received a gentle slap on the back of his head from an unseen hand.
“Hey! What gives?,” he argued, ready to have some choice words with his attacker. But after turning his head, he got to see Ben smirking behind him.
“Sorry, bud. Just making sure you're wide awake before the limo arrives,” Ben laughed with a wink. Maybe he wasn't as bold as his brother to punch Chad, but a nice slap will suffice.
“Oh yeah. That'd be horrible. We would just hate to miss their arrival,” Audrey replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes till he couldn't see.
“See, it's that kind of excitement that really made our relationship worthwhile, Auddie,” Harry suddenly said behind her, leaning against the couch and grinning at the princess. She crinkled her nose and mocked him before giving a small smile. Though both were still somewhat bitter, Audrey about being dumped and Harry for what she had said, letting their aggression out in sarcastic jabs was making it somewhat tolerable to be around each other again. Maybe not alone, but in a group they were fine.
Fairy Godmother and Jane soon entered the room, FG clapping her hands to focus the group on her. “Alright students, I have just gotten word that the limo is crossing the bridge. Our new students will be here in less than thirty minutes,” she announced, trying to sound excited for Ben's proclamation to fully begin. “Now, we've got their rooms prepared and schedules made, including my new class on Remedial Goodness,” she explained, checking over her clipboard. “And remember students, they are to be treated with the same level of kindness and respect we have for one another. They are guests and, hopefully, future citizens of our beautiful United States of Auradon,” she told them, catching a few of them rolling their eyes and groaning.
“I mean it,” she said more sternly, snapping her pen at them all before turning her attention back to the clipboard.
Harry glanced over and saw Chad rolling his eyes and throwing his head back in annoyance. He hated to think it, but he wouldn’t be surprised if Chad tried to start some trouble with the villain kids. A stupid spat between princes, like what had happened with him and Chad. was bad enough, but who knew how the son of Jafar or even the daughter of Ursula might react to Chad’s…shining personality. Harry would keep an eye on the Charming boy. He did not want him to be the reason that Ben’s first proclamation went south.
Speaking of Ben, he was proudly adjusting his jacket and clearing his throat as he made his way to the center of the room. All eyes were on him now.
“I just wanted to give all of you a huge thank you. I’m so glad all of you are on board with what is about to occur today and that you're all ready to welcome these Isle kids with open arms,” he said with a smile that was not returned by the good majority of the room. A few had fake grins. Some subtly rolled their eyes. Melody and Doug were the only two attempting encouraging facial expressions. This was definitely a side to his friends he had never seen. Or that anyone had ever seen.
To the entire kingdom, Ben could do no wrong. At least in the eyes of someone like, say Harry. He was the poster child of perfection. Good grades, well behaved, and popular. But now he questioned the norm. He stepped out of the bubble of Auradon and made waves. And now he was getting divisive stares from his classmates and friends. His father hadn't even looked him in the eye this morning before the boys left for school. But, he supposed this was the price he had to pay if he wanted to make a change that benefited everyone. Not just the privileged of Auradon.
He raised his eyebrows at the group and mouthed ‘Okay’ to himself before continuing. “Now, before we all head down to meet the limo, I have one final request. I need two more students to help Harry and I give the tour of campus,” he said, looking around for anyone willing to assist. He didn’t have any doubt in his mind that he and Harry could handle them on their own. But he wanted to be on an equal playing field with these kids. So if he could get two more volunteers, specifically and hopefully girls, he’d have his wish fulfilled. But, judging by the looks he was getting, it seemed like the welcome committee might only be operating at the front door and no further.
“I’m in,” Melody suddenly said, walking over to him. “I wanna meet Ursula’s kid first to see what she’s all about,” she continued, stretching and popping her knuckles as if preparing for a fight. She was joking, of course. She wouldn’t dare start a fight with the sea witch’s daughter… but she wasn’t afraid of ending one either. She intertwined her arm with Ben’s before placing a kiss on his cheek. “Besides, I’d be a pretty bad girlfriend if I said no to you, Beasty,” she told him with a chuckle, getting him to grin and kiss the top of her head.
“Anyone else?,” Ben asked, scanning the room once more. Several students averted their gaze, hoping he wouldn’t call them out. The last thing they wanted to do, other than any of this, was spend the entire day walking the school with a bunch of villain kids.
Harry looked around for only a second before he got a rather wicked grin. He knew the perfect person to help with the tour.
“I nominated Audrey to assist us,” he said abruptly.
“Excuse me? Why should I?,” Audrey asked with a shocked laugh.
“C’mon, Auddie. You’re telling me you don’t wanna meet Malficent’s daughter the second she steps foot out of that limousine?,” Harry asked, walking over to where she and Chad sat. Chad tightened his grip on her as if Harry was about to steal her away. As if. “Show her who’s boss? The true queen of Auradon prep? Make sure she knows not to mess with the daughter of THE Sleeping Beauty?,” Harry continued, circling her like a shark did a seal. He was intentionally egging her on and feeding her ego. He knew she couldn’t resist showing someone up. Man, she and Chad really were more alike than he liked to admit.
Audrey’s eyebrow twitched and her lips curled into a grin. “Well… I never considered it quite that way, Harry-Beary,” she teased, using his old nickname as a retaliation. She knew he was baiting her, but she took it anyway. Because he was right. If anyone was going to put Maleficent’s daughter in her rightful place, it was going to be Audrey.
“Fine, I’ll help with the tour,” she said eagerly, ruffling Chad’s hair before standing and joining Ben and Melody at the common’s entrance. Harry rolled his eyes before sauntering over to the group as well. It definitely was feeling like nothing had changed. The four had spent the last three years nearly inseparable, so doing this together felt natural.
“Alright children!,” Fairy Godmother suddenly said as she popped her head into the room, startling half the kids. “The limo is almost here! Let us all go meet our new students,” she continued, gesturing all the students out of the room. Doug and the band left first so they could set themselves up in the right spot. The other students soon followed, begrudgingly bringing along some ‘Welcome’ banners and flags… that Ben had made and handed out as they left the room. Once Melody and Audrey were out of the room, Ben put his arm out and stopped Harry from leaving.
“What’s up, Goldi?,” Harry asked, confused as to why they weren’t heading out to get things underway.
“Look, I haven’t said anything all morning, but I have to ask… what’s with the sword?,” Ben asked, pointing towards the weapon dangling from his brother's hip. “You haven’t had it on you since your punishment started. Why today?,” he continued, crossing his arms.
“Um… you never know if it might come in handy,” Harry answered, trying his best to not be suspicious. Of course that failed.
“Did dad tell you to bring it?,” Ben questioned with a chuckle. “He’s unbelievable. The once fearsome beast, whose very appearance scared an entire village, is worried about a few teenagers?,” he continued, shoving his hands in his pockets. “And you went along with the idea? Why?,” he questioned, honestly shocked that Harry would side with his dad.
“I mean… It’s just a precaution, Ben. What if, you know?,” Harry replied hesitantly, not wanting to ruffle his brother’s feathers anymore that they already were.
“Come again?,” Ben questioned, his eyebrow arched.
“Their parents are villains, Goldi. They've more than likely idolized and copied their behaviors and personalities their whole lives. You know, monkey see, monkey do," Harry tried explaining, Ben's expression unchanged. "I'm on your side all the way. They're innocent of any of the crimes their parents committed. But… if our parents were villains, you don't think we'd act like villains? That people would instinctively be cautious around us?," he continued, hoping he could try and see why he had to side with his dad about simply being prepared for anything.
Ben thought about his response for a solid minute before saying, “I believe that people are made of both good and evil, Haz. Just because their parents are evil… doesn't mean they’re incapable of being good. That we should immediately need to fear or worry that they may or may not pose a threat.” He let that soak in as Harry continued to look down at his sneakers before continuing.
“But… being cautious isn’t a bad thing,” he said with a small grin, this response causing Harry to snap his head up quickly. “So, let's just hope that… they’re on their best behavior today and you don’t have to show them why the king personally chose you to protect us,” he finished with a grin. Harry laughed and gave his shoulder a quick nudge before they continued on their way to join the others.