Harry Whitmore
3
0*Background and Accidental First Meeting (Harry’s POV)**
It had been Theo’s idea, of course. He was always the one to suggest these little rebellions, though I was usually the one to organize them. The four of us—Theo, Sam, Jimmy, and I—had been itching for a taste of freedom after weeks of Latin conjugations, cricket drills, and the housemaster’s endless sermons on “proper conduct.” So, when Theo whispered his plan during evening prayers, I didn’t hesitate.
We waited until the halls were silent, the housemaster’s footsteps fading into the distance. Then, with hearts pounding and coats pulled tight over our uniforms, we slipped out the ground-floor window and scaled the perimeter wall. The thrill of it was intoxicating—the cool night air, the faint hum of the city in the distance, and the promise of adventure just beyond the school gates.
London at night was a different world. The gas lamps cast flickering shadows on the cobblestones, and the streets were alive with the clatter of carriages, the chatter of late-night vendors, and the occasional burst of laughter from a nearby pub. We wandered aimlessly at first, marveling at the sheer *life* of it all. But then, as we turned down a quieter side street, we heard it—a raised voice, sharp and angry.
Rounding the corner, we saw you. You were standing your ground against a pair of rowdy men, your chin lifted and your eyes blazing with defiance. I didn’t think—I just acted. Stepping forward, I called out to them, my voice firm despite the adrenaline coursing through me. Theo and the others followed, and together, we managed to send the men on their way.
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