Harry Potter woke up early on his 11th birthday. Sleeping the night before had been rough for him, he'd been tossing and turning most of the night. Harry was looking forward to his first birthday with his new family but he was also frightened of what would happen today. The now 11 year old boy laid in his plush warm bed staring at the ceiling. Harry looked back at the things that happened the last month.

The dursleys had been killed, devoured by his current caretakers. Slender Man and The Crawler. They killed them and everyone else at the campsite but Harry and then took him to their home. It was still surreal how everything had changed. Not only had his relatives had been murdered, and he was being taken care of by their murderers, but he had magic. Harry 'the freak' Potter has magic. It was a shocking realization but then, his life has never been normal. In just one month he had escaped his horrible family and gained a new one. Sure, his new family was all murderers and monsters but they all treated him with love and care. It was absolutely insane, but so nice.

Harry laughed a bit to himself as he stared up at his ceiling made of blackened wood. "I have a family. A real one. I don't need anything else, I already got the best present ever." Harry said to himself quietly, a bright smile on his lips. He was still afraid of something terrible happening but Harry was pushing it to the back of his mind. The Crawler had told him not to worry, that no one would ruin this day or they'd risk losing life and limb, mainly limbs if Crawler had anything to do with it.

Harry eventually sat up and looked around his room once more. Because he was actually living in the room most of the dust was gone as Harry cleaned. His new family had been a bit worried when it came to Harry cooking and cleaning since that was all he did at the dursleys but it was really ok. Harry found it relaxing to cook and clean on his own terms. Harry stood up, wearing the green pajamas that Hoodie had gotten him a few days ago, and went about the room grabbing the clothes he wanted to wear. Harry dressed into his usual outfit, the first one he had gotten when Masky took him shopping with Slender. Harry loved to wear it and he felt like wearing it today.

There were many things on his mind despite his tries to not to worry. Being that today was his 11th birthday that meant he was going to get his Hogwarts letter. How he wasn't sure but the fact he was going to get it at all brought up many questions he needed to decide the answers for. Harry was magical which meant he had powers he needed training for, but he couldn't get them here with his family. Harry had talked it over with Crawler the night before as The Rake had told him that Crawler was the only creature among them that had abilities like a magicals. The Crawler had explained to Harry that while Crawler had his own version of magic, it was nothing like the kind Harry had and that he couldn't train him in his magics until he was far older and even then it would be unlikely to be a safe thing to do. So that left Harry got in a dilemma. Hogwarts was said to be the best school of magic in all of Europe and according to the books Masky had gotten there were a few other schools but none they knew how to contact. Harry was stuck with Hogwarts, which was ran by a man that was supposedly the most powerful wizard of the wizarding world. Harry wasn't sure how to feel about this. He didn't know enough and that left Harry more worried than he wanted to think of right now as he brushed his teeth. He was pretty sure he had more time to think about this, and today is his birthday. The first real birthday he was going to have. That helped to quiet the worried thoughts in his young mind.

Harry left his bathroom after he had taken care of all his business in it, a soft smile on his face and his eyes shining brightly with excitement. The boy walked out of his bedroom and into the dark hallway that didn't frighten him at all anymore. Harry stopped for a moment and felt the blackened wall and breathed deeply. Now it was time to see what his family was doing.

The first thing Harry saw as he walked into the living room was something Harry couldn't have ever expected.

Slender and The Crawler were close, their arms wrapped around one another. There were loud whispers echoing through the room that Harry couldn't make out but he could see that Slender's suit jacket was off and the Crawler's claws were digging into the back of his white shirt. The weirdest thing of it all had to be the fact that Slender's maw was open and.. Almost grinning as Crawler pulled down his red tie to-

Harry's eyes were suddenly covered before he could see anything and he felt himself being dragged away by familiar hands. "Okay! Harry is saved despite almost getting an eyeful of Slendy and Crawler going at it!" Hoodie said while laughing but it was clear he was frightened by how high his pitch had gotten. Hoodie pulled his hands away so Harry could see now.

It was another living room but this one was done up with brighter greys and soft whites. There was more actual lights and even a large TV. Hoodie moved out from behind him and Harry then noticed Masky with his mask atop his head same as Hoodie and The Rake were in sitting on a couch nearby in the center of the room. "Well that's.. Okay." Masky said throwing his hands up in the air for a moment before chuckling and motioning for Harry to come over. "Sorry about that Harry. Slender and Crawler got in a mood while waiting for you to wake up and now the main living room isn't.. Exactly safe for underaged eyes.. Or any eyes really." Masky apologized with a shiver of disgust. Harry looked confused but he moved to sit on the couch before Hoodie came and sat on the other side of him. "What exactly were they doing Masky?" Harry asked curiously. It sorta reminded him of his aunt and uncle during the few moments he ever saw them happy together.

"Oh uhm.. This isn't that easy to explain." Masky began before going quiet for a moment. Harry saw that the Rake was sitting nearby in a big plush dark green chair that looked some what like Slender's grand chair. "No it's really easy Masky. Slendy and the Crawler are.. Mates so to speak. Like in terms of animals I mean, they are a couple, in a relationship, ya know fu-ushng." A wide eyed Masky covered Hoodie's month before he could finish that last word. "Please be quiet now but yes Hoodie is correct they are together." Harry tilted his head, much like the Rake did at the same exact moment. "Oh so.. They're married then. That makes sense, I think." Harry said before shrugging with a soft smile as he got off the couch to squeeze himself into the plush chair with the Rake. The Rake cooed softly at Harry and sat almost normally so that Harry could sit in front of him on the chair. The Rake wrapped his arms around Harry' stomach and rested his chin on the boy's shoulder before he then released a contented breath. The Rake was far taller than Harry and he had almost his whole body wrapped around Harry and to both Hoodie and Masky it did look very creepy but Harry merely smiled and rested his hands over the Rake's clawed ones. "The Crawler is my mama for sure then, that's cool.. But if they are busy who's gonna make breakfast?" When Harry asked that, Hoodie jumped up from the couch with a bright grin.

Hoodie went over to a nearby table that had a large brown paper bag on it. "Oh I got that covered just after Slendy and Crawler started going at it. Milk and several different cereals! Just come and get your favorite, I got bowls and spoons too!" Hoodie said cheerfully as he pulled out everything from the bag. Harry carefully pried himself out from the Rake's grip and went to get some breakfast for them both. Harry hadn't ever gotten fresh cereal, if he was lucky he'd get dudley's leftovers from the box but now he got to pick whatever he wanted. Masky and Hoodie had been worried that it wasn't gonna be good enough for Harry, because it wasn't exactly the best birthday breakfast ever but Harry seemed perfectly happy with it either way.

The birthday boy ended up getting two bowls filled with various types of cereal while he grinned and giggled with far more excitement than any kid should probably have towards cereal. Harry returned to the Rake who was now sitting on the floor. He handed the Rake a bowl with a spoon in it before sitting in the plush chair. His legs folded so his lap could be a small table. Harry was still giggling, far too happy with his cereal, as he took his first bite. Harry gave a loud sound of happiness at his first spoonful before he nearly burst into laughter at how the Rake decided to eat the cereal. The Rake had decided, quite simply, to put his whole face into the bowl and just go at it all like that. He had even put the spoon away to do it. Hoodie and Masky burst right into laughter at the Rake, both nearly spilling their own bowls in the process before they calmed down enough to return to eating.

After everyone calmed down from the Rake's unique manner of eating, everyone ate quietly and happily. Harry was happy and getting a sugar high very quickly so it didn't take him long to finish his breakfast. "What can we do? I really wanna run around." Harry said as he bounced a bit in his chair, clearly high off of the sugar. Masky and Hoodie looked at each other. "Maybe it wasn't your best idea to feed an 11 year old sugary cereals." Masky calmly said to Hoodie "Nope! Not at all but kiddo I'll go ask Slender if we can go roam the woods. That'll be a good way to run down that energy of yours!" Hoodie said to Masky and then continued to Harry as he stood up.

Hoodie walked out of the secondary living room as the Rake took to distracting the currently sugar high bound Harry by teaching him simple hand signs.

Hoodie carefully snuck into the main living room to thankfully find an empty room. "Okay good they didn't decide to fuck out here." Hoodie mumbled to himself with a sigh before he turned and walked into the blackened hallways. He headed for Slender's bedroom and prayed he wouldn't be interrupting them during anything graphic.. Again at least. Hoodie found Slender's pale white door and knocked a few times before waiting patiently in front of it. It didn't take long for someone to answer the door, and that someone turned out to be a half nude Slender. His large maw was still open and his gray tongue was hanging out as he panted silently. His white shirt and red tie were missing revealing a slender muscular torso but his pants were still on to Hoodie's relief. "Uh, sorry to interrupt anything Boss but Harry wants to play outside and.. Yeah." Hoodie told him as he waved his hands around nervously. Hissing whispers responded to Hoodie and the Proxy nodded before he quickly turned and walked away while Slender shut the door. "Thank god that's not a common thing." Hoodie whispered to himself at the thought of what Slender was doing with/do Crawler.

Hoodie went back to the group and grinned. "Okay we've got permission to go!"

It took a bit to get everyone set up, which was enough time for Harry to calm down from the sugar high with the Rake's help in distracting him. Masky and Hoodie got a couple backpacks and set up one for Harry that was filled with makeshift outdoor toys. They hadn't planned to give the second one, which was filled with snacks to hold onto till lunch, to the Rake but he had stared at Hoodie and Masky until they gave it to him. Harry had helped the Rake wear the red backpack while Harry wore the green one on his own back. While Harry had done that, Hoodie and Masky set themselves up.

They both knew the woods weren't totally safe but Slender kept out all the more unfriendly creatures of the area but they both preferred to be safe rather than sorry. Masky had several knives hidden in his own hoodie and sleeves, he preferred knives over most other weapons. Hoodie did the same as Masky but with hand axes instead.

In every pair of proxies, there was a Hunter and a Guardian. One that choose and haunted the next target and began the mental torment, and one that aided and protected the Hunter with their very life. Their very reason of existence was to help Slender Man in his own hunts, extensions of his own being but one proxy couldn't survive alone. A lone proxy would die, without fail given time, but with two neither would die.

In Masky and Hoodie's case this was clear to be true. Masky was the Hunter and Hoodie the Guardian. Together they had lived, but alone they would die.

When everyone was packed up for a time out, Masky double checked everything before nodding. "Ok we're all set. Let's go." Masky said with a bright smile before he pulled his mask down. Hoodie did the same and Harry became curious but he didn't bother to ask. They couldn't show their real faces outside the house. That make sense to him somehow.

Harry left the house first and was shocked. The forest was dark and shaded with how thick the forest was. It made it seem so dark and sinister but so nice as well. It felt very much like the house to Harry. Safe and comfortable. Everything was alive and Harry could hear birds nearby and the wing rushing throughout the trees. "This is awesome." Harry mumbled as he slowly grinned. "Yeah I guess it is." Hoodie agreed with a soft chuckle. "I forgot this was the first time you stepped outside the house. Slendy does so love his instant travel, however he does it." Masty said kindly as he stretched a bit, glad to not be in the house anymore. Harry walked forward and looked around as he did with a sense of wonder clear in his green eyes.

The Rake watched him silently, his never blinking black eyes so focused on Harry. The Rake soon moved to follow Harry as Masky led him around the woods, mentioning some lake nearby but the Rake heard very little about it. The Creature more focused on simply watching Harry. The boy looked so much like his partner. He had the same black hair and the same green eyes. The boy even acted a bit like him but so much younger. The Rake could not remember when he had met his partner or what he had even been then but Harry reminded him so much of his partner. Harry could see through the claws and the unblinking black eyes, he could see what his partner saw.. But what did that even mean? The Rake wished his partner was still alive, he would have the answers.

It didn't take them long to find the lake and its waters were a dark blue. Harry rushed up to the lake's shore and looked around with wonder filled eyes before he knelt down at the edge to dip his hand into the water while Hoodie and Masky caught up. "The water's so cold!" Harry grinned and looked at the Rake who was right next to him. A mischievous look came to Harry's green eyes before he scooped some water into his hands and tried to throw the cold water at the Rake. It failed though as the Rake somehow dunked under the water and slid up close to Harry with unnatural ease, but did leave Harry a good deal disturbed as the Rake's real from flickered into reality for Harry. The Rake's leavener colored eyes were bright but his grin was wide and haunted for some reason, and that startled Harry slightly. "Okay, you win that fight." Harry mumbled before backing away with a faint blush. "Oh really!" Hoodie laughed as he dumped a bucket of water onto the Rake. "He's won nothing!" Hoodie gave a mock evil laugh as he stood quite proud of what he'd done.

"Hoodie you just ruined our lunch, I really hope you know that." Masky groaned with a hand covering his mask. "What? No I didn't.." Hoodie looked back at a very wet Rake, who's backpack was also soaked through as well. "Well shit." Hoodie muttered before Harry smiled. "Well what's done is done but we can still explore and have fun." Harry said cheerfully as he stood up and walked over to the Rake. Harry used the sleeve of his hoodie to dry off the Rake's face. "There that has to help a bit." The Rake grabbed Harry's hand and then nuzzled it, making Harry smile a bit sadly. "I'll get you a hoodie next time, you should have one so you don't get cold." Harry said as he gently pet the Rake's head. "No offence but wouldn't a pair of pants be better?" Hoodie asked, tilting his head as he looked at the Rake and Harry.

Harry shrugged and turned around to face the lake. He frowned as he leaned forward to get a better look across the dark lake. "Uhm, Masky, Hoodie, are there supposed to be any dogs out here?" The proxy pair looked at Harry "What? Dogs? No the only animals this far out are birds and some dear. Possibly a bear or two." Masky answered as he walked to stand next to Harry. "Then why is there a dog swimming towards us?" Harry asked as he pointed out the dog steadily getting closer and closer to them in the water.

"It looks like some kind of Rottweiler but there aren't any humans within a hundred miles of this place." Masky said softly with an air of confusion while Hoodie just shrugged but silently readied one of his hand axes in the sleeve of his hood. The dog soon made it to shore, panting and wet, and it walked straight to Harry before sitting down. Harry looked around at Hoodie and Masky, and then down to the Rake. Each of them had a guarded expression but Harry looked back at the dog.

"He doesn't look mean." Harry sat before he slowly reached out his hand. The dog didn't react and Harry managed to pet its head lightly before he smiled. "You're a good dog, aren't ya." Harry said with a soft smile.

It had certainly seemed that way but that all changed in a short moment.

Harry pulled his hand back and smiled at the Rake before sounds of what sickeningly sounded like bones breaking began. Harry looked back at the dog with alarm and fear in his eyes. The dog was changing right before his eyes, growing bigger and bigger before the dog became something else entirely. A ridiculously tall creature stood in the dog's place, it wore a red pinstripe suit and its limbs were all crooked before its arms shot out. It's long spindly hands opened palm first. An unseen force sent Masky and Hoodie flying back. The force had nearly sent the Rake away but he had dug his claws deep into the ground to stay put.

The Crooked Man looked down at Harry, it's skin a greenish gray with a wide grin filled with sharp teeth. Its eyes were black and beady with a rim of black glasses on the brim of its red bowler hat. The creature wasn't that frightening to Harry but the fact it had just attacked his family had him frozen in fear.

"The Crooked Man has walked his crooked path, through spinning waves and dark skies, through murderous lights and cunning blacks, to find you, Harry Potter." The Crooked man spoke, the same disturbing grin on his face. It reached down to grab Harry by his chin but the man never had the chance.

A loud animalistic growl left the Rake before he unhooked his claws from the ground and stood up, a snarl on his face. The Rake then attacked the Crooked Man with full force, sending them both into the lake.