Wow! So many lovely reviews. I'm truly happy that you enjoy my story so much! Thank you for all the encouragement and for a thank you; a long chapter and an early post. I really hope that this will continue to live up to your expectations like this.
My pairing has still not been decided but there will be moments between both Optimus and Ratchet where Harry feels a connection with the both of them. The possibility of a trine is also still up for the play.
Just a little note that Hochi-Tachi mentioned; I believe that I just pointed my obvious nationality as not being from America. I will change that mistake as soon as possible. I apologize if I offended but please understand that I'm not from either nationality that this story is set in. Thanks again; I'll change that as soon as I can.
Anyways thanks again; I hope you like the new chapter:
"I knew there was something different about this car." Harry said when they climbed into the Camero and headed towards someplace Sam had called N.E.S.T Headquarters. If Wheelie had transformed into a tiny toy truck then Harry could only imagine what size Bumblebee was going to be when Harry saw him for the first time. Now as Sam turned in the driver's seat without touching any of the pedals Harry sat back surprised. The surprises just kept coming and Harry was for once not feeling threatened but almost giddy with excitement. Bumblebee could drive himself.
'I knew something was different about you too.' The radio crackled to life and Harry started before bursting into a fit of giggles at his own antics. When he realized that it was Bumblebee who was talking to him Harry patted the dashboard beneath his fingers; not thinking anything of the contented purr that seemed to spill from the car.
"I like you; I can see we're going to be good friends." Harry chuckled. "Does he always talk through the radio?" Harry turned to Sam with a frown. His confusion increasing when he saw his new friend flinch at the mention of the question and Harry wondered if he had overstepped his boundaries somehow. He was on the verge of launching into a panic but stilled when Sam sent him a pitying look before those suddenly sad eyes returned to the front of the road. A little whine spilled from the radio before it was quiet again.
"I thought so too the first time I met him. But actually Bumblebee's vocal processors were damaged in the war for Cybertron." Harry stilled at that single word. War; Sam had mentioned the one word he had hoped would not come up today. If he was going to be fighting in another war then this time he wanted to make that choice and not just be thrust into it. He didn't like the idea of being involved in another war but Harry also knew that if he made friends in this circle then his 'hero complex' would not let him stand aside and just watch as their world fell apart.
"War? Is there still a war going on?" Harry asked suddenly; shuddering in trepidation when Bumblebee let out a warbled click and a static whine. That was an answer in itself and Harry did not like it.
"Optimus is going to be have to be the one to tell you that. I promised him that he could debrief you and he doesn't like his pedes being stepped on." Sam looked apologetic but he smiled a little.
"But I can tell you a bit about some of the Autobots characteristics. Optimus Prime is the Leader of the Autobots; I'm warning you now - if you think Bumblebee is big then you should see Optimus. He towers over everyone except for maybe Megatron but that's a story for another day."
"Bumblebee is the scout of the group; he was sent here first out of all of them to look for me. I met him in his true form first and he has been with me ever since." Sam admitted. The radio roared to live with a catching tune about 'first love'.
"Yeah, yeah. Shut it 'bee. We get that you're excited about Harry joining us." Another burst of static launched through the car before Sam patted the dashboard soothingly. "This form that Bumblebee takes is called an Alt form or the Alternative form to their true form. Every Autobot has one and some are very colourful. They use it to blend into the world around them." Sam continued in his lecturing voice.
"When we get there; we'll be meeting Major William Lennox; the head of the Soldier Division of N.E.S.T. He's like the mediator between the military and the Autobots. He'll be sitting in on the meeting and as far as I know only a few Autobots will be present. Then we have Ironhide; the resident Weapons Specialist - he's Will's guardian as Bumblebee is mine. He loves to scare people and with his range of weapons he does it very often and very easily. Lastly we have Ratchet. If I were you; I'd try and stay on the good side of him. He's the resident Chief Medical Officer for both the Autobots and the humans present on the base. He's got a very dry, sarcastic approach to life and he can be pretty unbearable at times but I think he's got the softest spark out of all of them." Harry nodded; he knew this was just the gist of it but it was enough to satisfy him for the few hour drive Sam had warned him about.
"What's a spark?" Harry asked curiously.
"It's the essence that gives them life. Like their Soul." Harry frowned but filed away the information for later use. A sudden thought stuck Harry and in his haste to learn more about the Autobots he has completely forgotten that he should actually be informing Kingsley about his absence and also another meeting between them was going have to be scheduled.
"Sam?" Harry inquired before turning his attention to his friend. "Do you mind if I send my friend a quick message?" When he acquired a shake of Sam's head Harry sighed in relief. Pulling out the Elder Wand from beneath his black shirt's long sleeve and its hidden holster; he caught sight of Sam's interested gaze. Harry informed his friend quickly what a wand was when curious eyes trained on the wooden object in his right hand as if seeing it for the first time.
The Elder Wand sputtered a few green sparks before it stilled when Harry gave it an experimental wave. It had been a while since Harry had actively used magic a bit more complex than housework spells and simple filing charms. The Elder Wand it seemed was obviously just as excited about the new challenge. Drawing up the feeling of his magical core from inside of him and allowing happy memories to overwhelm his heart and soul he cast without an incantation. Silvery white mist exploded from the tip before a small stag curled in his open palm. Harry held out his left palm as the miniature version of his Patronus stood up and trotted over his palm as Harry brought it closer to his face.
"Find Kingsley Shacklebolt." Harry said sternly. "I want a secure apparition path for him to 1783 Autumnway Park exactly a week from now. I need to see him and it's urgent. Tell him that he also might want to take off a few days from the Ministry to come here; the President did express an interest in seeing him a few weeks ago. No Aurors and no Order Members; that is the most important. This cannot go public if I get consent from both parties about informing him." Harry informed the Patronus standing to attention on his open palm as it listened intently to everything he said.
"Did you get all that then? Come now; off you go!" In a mist of silver the Patronus disappeared with a final nod to its creator. Harry chanced a look towards a stunned Sam before apologizing for scaring him. Harry had been so caught up in getting all the points across that had completely forgotten that Muggles could very easily be a bit surprised by such a blatant display of magic.
"The Ministry of Magic is going to kill me." Harry whined; his forehead resting on his open palm - a touch of exasperation in his voice.
"Wha?" The garbled sound pulled Harry from his melancholic mood with a smile on his lips. Harry chuckled openly at the impressive impression of a gaping cod-fish that Sam was doing. It should have won him first prize at a fair.
"It's a Patronus Charm; it is like the embodiment of your happiness in a defensive form. The Wizarding World in Britain only recently stepped out of a war barely stable and running. Our only way of communication was through the use of a Patronus. I guess old habits die hard when it's been ingrained into your everyday life."
"That was freaking awesome! Are all spells like that?" Harry shook his head at the young man's antics. His first reaction to magic had been very similar; only Harry remembered being very shy and afraid to say anything in case it would be taken away from him. That little joy he had found in a world of hate and desperation; his first feeling of being important and not nothing as his relatives had always pointed out.
"No; actually there are four branches of magic. Light magic - like you just saw. Dark magic that draws on sacrifice. Those two are the most common in what we use as everyday magic. Then the rarer ones are Animagi magic; which gives the wielder the ability to transform into an animal and lastly we have Potions." Harry summarised as best he could. He didn't want to reveal too much at the given time.
"Last night you referred to yourself as the Boy-Who-Lived-Twice? What does that mean?" Harry turned his eyes away from his friend to stare at the changing scenery outside the window. He really didn't want to get into that. The pain, the knowing that he housed a part of Voldemort's soul just like he knew he was raised just so that he could sacrifice himself for the war. He knew he had always been a mere martyr to the Wizarding World and when he had survived the attack on Hogwarts after being hit with Avada Kedavra for a second time; no one really knew what to do with him anymore and now he was once again between worlds and between depression and a true chance at happiness.
"Would you mind terribly if I just skip that whole begging and middle part of that and just tell you the ending of the story?" Harry asked; amused when Sam's brow furrowed in confusion.
"I guess not then. Well; then I'm sure you can keep your curiosity in check for a while longer. I don't want to repeat myself." Harry warned with a wary sigh before he turned an apologetic smile towards his friend and leaned back into warm seats; his head resting on cool glass as Harry fought with his inner turmoil. This was the one thing he knew he was going to hate the most. He knew that it would only be fair the he share his history with those who were willing to actually debrief him on their entire existence. Closing tired green eyes behind silver rimmed glasses; Harry mused that it would be better if he replaced his old looking glasses. Maybe a visit to the optometrist would be beneficial for once and not a burden. He was technically not living in England anymore and his glasses could use a new look too. What did he live in the 19th century for; this wasn't London...
Drifting into a restless slumber filled with memories he'd rather forget; a comfortable silence settled between the two friends.
"PRIME! If you don't sit still for a nanosecond longer I will weld you to that berth! To hell with the guests we are expecting!" A loud voice boomed through the entire Headquarters just as two teens slipped out of the yellow Camero parking in a large hanger.
"If I do not fix that panel in the next earth minute; you are not going anywhere for an entire WEEK!" Harry cringed at the volume of the voice but inside he felt himself shuddering with mirth. That warning had sounded just like Madam Pomfrey and Harry had an idea that whoever had shouted that was not only serious about it but they would actually do it.
When a clang of metal resounded through the base and the ground started shaking Harry took a step back. Something big was coming but before he could pull his wand in aid of his defence; Bumblebee's Alt form skidded before him and Sam before the sound of twisting gears, clicks of metal sliding in place and power hummed through the Autobot as he transformed right before their eyes. Bumblebee stood over them protectively; already guarding the two precious teens whilst he crouched before them. Harry in the mean time was speechless; now it was him who was doing the perfect impression of a gaping cod-fish and Harry wanted to scowl at Sam's laughter next to him but he just couldn't.
"W-Wow." Harry spluttered after several seconds in complete awe. His gaze travelled upwards; taking in every little detail he could focus on. When bright green eyes collided with blue optics he smiled up at the large yellow 'bot. He could see honestly in those depths and a slight yearning to be able to talk to him properly but ―
"Bumblebee! You're early." Harry's eyes rested on the Autobot that emerged from a large arched doorway to their left. The moment that presence stepped into the room Harry felt his breath leave his lungs in a rush. So powerful, so wise and the sorrow in those gentle blue optics were just like Harry's - if not more so. When Bumblebee shifted away to expose the two of them; Harry got a better look at the Autobot approaching them. He was huge; Sam hadn't been kidding when he said they were big. But the striking blue and red colours over his armour were what drew Harry in. The aura surrounding this being was powerful and definitely screamed 'leader' and Harry just knew this was Optimus Prime.
"Ah, Sam. I trust you arrived safely?" That deep voice reverberated throughout the entire hanger and Harry shuddered in an unexpected flash of pleasure. That voice; it was rumbling, gentle and held so much power. It was such an intoxicating sound that Harry felt his mind become fuzzy with the power it held over him. This wasn't a magical phenomenon; no - this was something else entirely. To Harry it felt as if he was in the presence of a god. Harry's gaze was steady when those optics landed on him and he was gifted with a gentle smile. Not quite sure what to do when a servo was held out for him; Harry looked at Sam for answers when his friend gestured for him to get on. Harry nodded and did as he was asked without hesitation. There was no fear, just acceptance and something else blossoming between them.
"You must be Lord Harry James Potter-Black." The deep voice rumbled again as Harry was now eyelevel with the giant Autobot. A hushed silence fell across the entire hanger as several Autobots walked in and the others that had already been there stopped to watch the scene before them. Harry felt his magic shimmer in the air around him in response to the net of power that was draped around Optimus. It felt like a touch of potent magic that was rushing into his magical core.
"Yes. But please call me Harry." Several moments later when Harry had regained his senses from his slight daze he answered the question he had been asked.
"Harry," The Autobot tested out the name and Harry shuddered again. "You are not afraid?" Optimus asked curiously and this time Harry squirmed under that intense gaze directed at him. It wasn't a gaze that was analyzing but more of a very curious and interested stare. Even with the scrutiny he found himself under he could not find it himself to be afraid.
"No. Facing a Hungarian Horntail at fourteen; now that is scary. You seem different; no malice, no hate and definitely not scary. Trust me I know scary." Harry babbled before feeling heat touch his cheeks in a familiar caress of embarrassment.
"Hungarian Horn―?"
"For Primus sake Optimus! Stop scaring the child!" Another deep voice sounded around them and Harry turned around to look at the new mech approaching him. He was smaller than Optimus but his personality was definitely bigger. He wasn't afraid of the Leader; in fact the amusement and playful banter that passed between the two most likely made them a little more than just good friends. They were comfortable around each other. An indigent squawk left Harry as he was plucked from one servo to another; where he fell on his ass after losing his balance. He now found himself under the gaze of the lime green and red Autobot that had stormed in after Optimus.
"Um hello?" Harry greeted uncertainly. His left hand lifting in a wave. He was stopped when a blue light shot from one of the mech's fingers; it didn't hurt but it certainly tickled across Harry's skin. He bit back his laughter when the blue light moved over him a few times. Green eyes watched fascinated as the large mech managed to frown; his mouth tugging into a disapproving frown before those intense blue optics turned back to him. They were a darker shade of blue than Optimus' but Harry could see the hardship that they had seen and experienced. It made his breath stall for a moment before a large thumb brushed across his back in a comforting gesture. That startled Harry slightly but he said nothing, just tensed slightly under the touch. He wasn't used to touches like that.
"So many injuries child; what have you done with yourself? Since you were merely a babe to only last year I can count at least nine potentially fatal injuries." Complete silence fell across the hanger in a start before the mech he was now resting in the palm of started heading in a different direction that the rest of his colleagues despite the protests that followed them.
"Who are? Where are you taking me?" Harry asked in shakily; his voice wavering on the verge of panic. He did not like being man handled like that and neither did he like the look of concern and hidden pain he saw across the mech's faceplates. His heart was beating too fast to be normal and yet it wasn't fear of what might have been done to him but the fear of what might be discovered that scared him. There was so much that he didn't want to tell but the Autobot had just revealed what he had feared most of being discovered. How many times had he almost died? Once he really did die. Harry was sure that Ratchet had picked up on that as well. His heart had been still for more than fifteen minutes before he had been revived by the Resurrection Stone.
"Hush child; I'm not going to hurt you. I'm Ratchet; the Chief Medical Officer and as your current medic whilst you stay on this base I am taking you to the Medbay for a more in-depth scan to look for any lasting effects of your previous injuries." Harry squirmed; wanting to escape the big servo holding him in place. He knew the questions were coming and he was frankly not ready to answer them just quite yet.
"Ratchet?" Harry turned towards the door to the Medbay where Optimus was standing in the large doorway. His servos crossed over his chest as he leaned against the frame absently. Sorrowful blue optics shuttered for a moment before they flickered on again and a rush of air travelled through the Leader of the Autobot's vents in semblance of a sigh.
"Leave Harry be for the moment. His heart rate indicates an acute situation of stress; it is not wise to push him further. I don't want his first experience here to be one of fear and scrutiny." Harry heard the subtle warning in those words and when he saw Ratchet slump but nod in assent he was passed once again to the older mech's servo. Harry felt an acute sense of loss when he was passed along; for some strange reason he hadn't minded being held in that large palm as if he was something very fragile and important. Even Harry would be lying if he said he didn't feel the care and concern that had washed over him in waves from the lime green and red Autobot.
"I apologize for Ratchet, young Harry but he is very protective of those he considers his Sparklings. He can see you later if you consent to it but first we better get to the meeting room before those gathered are going to start asking questions. Are you ready?" Harry nodded. Aware of the emotions flashing across his heart as relief and a slight bit of disappointment.
"Since an orbital cycle ago we now find ourselves settling into our new home here; the threat of the Fallen and the Decepticons at a minimum. Peace upon this earth has made us wary of the next 'move' in this stalemate but we're keeping our sensors trained for anything that can lead to another attack like last time." Optimus finished; his holo projector running from his optics clicked off as he faced the room. He knew how telling their history again could affect some of his followers but he had been asked and the expression of awe, immense sorrow and a shared understanding passed between him and Harry when those brilliant green eyes trained on him. His spark called out to the little human; it was something he couldn't explain but neither did he want that feeling of more than kinship to falter or disappear between them.
"Thank you; sir." Harry said; his eyes now hidden behind a curtain of regret and compassion for their cause. "I appreciate your honesty and forth coming gentleness. I will reward you with the same then." Harry said softly. Everything he now knew was as extraordinary as the beings around him. They were so much better than the Wizarding world and better yet; they held no grudges and wasn't really expecting anything from him in return.
All that ran through Harry's mind was that he was really happy that he had not met Megatron or the Fallen for that matter. Although, according to Optimus - there was still a big possibility that he could be alive and was biding his time whilst in hiding. The war between the two factions seemed ingrained into their programming just as the Wizarding War had become a part of Harry's everyday life even after the war was over. To think that all this had started because the Lord High Protector turned the transformers against each other by a shortage of Energon was just cruel. The Primes; another mystery for Harry to pursue in-depth later. Sam had added his part of the story by explaining what he could about his experience in the desert. It seemed a lot like what had happened to Harry after he had been hit with the killing curse a second time. A state of limbo really where one hung on the edge of fate's decision.
When it came to the disintegrated All Spark; it did not seem fair that their entire civilization had to pay for the greed of another. Now; those who had survived the war had to survive on a strange land where there was nothing much to do but wait. Since the Cube had been destroyed a few years ago Harry vowed that he would find a way for them to live and create new life. He needed to do this; to mend the broken pieces of their civilization and offer them a second chance at a true life. He was going to be buried in research for months maybe even years to come but Harry was determined; he had an eternity to do it and it would give him peace of mind that he could still do something for others. The Deathly Hallows it seemed wouldn't have it any other way.
The large rec room they had gathered in seated four Autobots; two higher ranking officers, him and Sam. There were no officials, no press and no continues pressure from others. It was just the environment that Harry felt comfortable in; comfortable enough to start informing them about the existence of the Wizarding World. Harry stood from his comfortable seat when he saw all eyes and optics trained on him expectantly. He calmly approached the middle of the haphazard circle that had been formed when the meeting had started three hours ago; even though his heart was beating a bit too fast he felt relatively at ease and decided it was nothing like the War Trails where those who had caused injury and harm to others were sent away to spend their lives in Azkaban. He had to be present for most of them as a witness.
"I'm sure you are all curious as to who and what exactly I am." Harry began; not sure if this was the right approach. But their gazes of curiosity prompted him to continue. "I've only been able to give Sam half responses to his questions before because I am sworn under the Statue of Secrecy. Well considering today I am probably breaking every single law within the Ministry of Magic's secrecy act I'll tell as much as I can."Harry said with hidden glee and a spark of mischief in his green eyes.
"In this world where you have made a new home for yourselves; and some of you have grown up in. There exists an entirely different world where magic exists and thrives."
"My name is Lord Harry James Potter-Black but to the Wizarding Community of England I am known as just Harry Potter ― The Boy-Who-Lived-Twice; the next possible Dark Lord and of course now - the High Ambassador of the American Wizarding Community." Seriousness spread across Harry's features as he fumbled around in his messenger bag stung over his shoulder for something. With a flick of his wrist; the Elder Wand appeared in his right hand before he pulled out a glowing orb in his left. Raising his wand upwards he made the ball float in front of his spectators.
"I guess you can say the Wizarding World has been stuck in a blood supremacy war for a more than twenty years before I was born. Tom Marvolo Riddle, the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort; take your pick of insane names." Harry chuckled mirthfully. "Was a brilliant but completely insane wizard that started the hype about pureblood supremacy many years ago even when the pureblood community was already on the rise with the pureblood supremacy ideal being passed down in all the old wizarding family homes for generations. He was quite the hypocrite for that; being a half-blood himself."
"I guess the truth all started with this floating orb; or 'The Prophecy' as it is now known in our history books. An innocent little looking thing isn't it; for such a nightmarish backlash?" Harry said jokingly; but his voice was laced with a tinge of pain and seriousness. It really did cause him a lot of pain and unnecessary loss. It spun to the caress of his magic before it stilled completely as if by Harry's sole command.
"Revelio!" Harry shouted at the object as it twisted on its axis a few times before it started spilling its secrets. He watched the orb as it twisted in the air before a raspy disembodied voice drifted through the room in a booming caress of harsh reality.
"'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies ...'" (1*) Just as it started looping Harry cast a quick 'Finite' before allowing it to keep floating in the air. The story he had kept locked up in his heart and soul for years along with the Wizarding World's corruption and unequal approach to everything started spilling forth in a rush of explanations that jumped from one point to another. When Harry took a breath halfway through his recollection; green eyes widened when he observed Ironhide suddenly falling over backwards. Shooting a frantic look of panic at Ratchet; Harry was confused as to why the Medic just stayed where he was before a heartily laugh split the air.
"Will he be alright?" Harry asked frantically; had he done something wrong? He could still feel the ground vibrating beneath his feet from the shockwave that the large mech had caused when he fell. Harry was truly worried and looking over to Optimus he could see the same worry reflect in blue optics along with just a touch of amusement. With a sigh and in hopes of quelling the teen's panic; Ratchet finally headed over the fallen Cybertronian. Running a few diagnostic scans over the Weapons Specialist before he hummed to himself and tugged at a few wires beneath Ironhide's armour.
"Oh; don't worry. You just crashed his CPU. He'll be fine in an hour or so." Ratchet purred happily to the teen to calm him. Inside he was revelling in the feeling of triumph; now he had good black mail material he could use for later. Turning his attention back to the standing teen he gave an encouraging smile and waved him on to continue.
"He's just - like you say on earth - 'fainted'." Ratchet soothed when Harry was still looking a bit uncertain. That little mouth formed an 'o' in surprise before a series of expression rushed across attractive features. Ratchet wouldn't lie; he was finding all this fascinating and completely processor bending. He knew that as long as he did not try to decipher magic and its abilities logically then he'd be fine. One thing Ratchet was infinitely happy about was that Prowl had not yet joined them; otherwise he'd be replacing about six fried logic circuits by now. He had better things to do than deal with minor repairs like that and getting the programming to run correctly could often take him hours he did not have because it had to be keyed to the mech's personality program.
Harry shifted on his feet; he felt immensely guilty and sheepish at the same time. It should have occurred to him that Magic - to extremely logical sentient beings - would be completely incomprehensible. When Harry continued he was careful to omit anything that would cause the same effect as what had happened to Ironhide. He really didn't want to see Ratchet, Bumblebee or Optimus like that. In fact he didn't want to see that ever again. He had been frightened with the flurry of sparks and then the toppling mech that barely missed the three entranced humans listening to his impromptu lesson on the Wizarding World. That was one thing he would like to not have happen again; he was going to have to apologize to Ironhide after this and he just hoped that those dangerously whirring cannons would not be aimed at him. He didn't think a simple 'Protego' could save his ass this time.
Optimus Prime was not in a particularly good mood right now. Having to debrief young Harry had been not only tiring but it brought up restricted memories for him. He had actually killed his brother that time before he had been resurrected with a shard from the All Spark. Inadvertently it was his fault and even though the Prime and the Lord High Protector had been siblings in the past that the animosity between the two had grown to such an extent. Yet; Optimus still felt responsible for Megatron becoming the being he was today. Up in the tower at Iacon; Optimus had been the inexperienced Data Clerk Orion Pax who had suddenly taken over from Sentinel Prime. His lineage had been traced to the last surviving Prime the day the Matrix of Leadership had chosen him as the next Leader of Cybertron.
Thrown into a world he did not know; politics he did not understand and fame he did not want - Optimus had found comfort in his newly found legitimate brother who had been the Lord High Protector for many vorns before he had been chosen as Prime. This little tit bit of information Optimus had not told Harry because not even Sam knew and nor was anyone but Ratchet aware of his suffering in that regard. How could two beings from two different worlds be so much alike? Optimus wanted to believe that Primus had dictated that Harry should cross his path but for what reason exactly he himself wasn't so sure of. A young Cybertronian forced into a position of power and a small human babe mistaken for the child of a prophecy. So many similarities, it was almost as if they were two souls walking the same path in life despite their life span's being completely different and moved to a different set of realities.
"A sickle for your thoughts?" A small voice drifted through his audial receivers and he turned his attention to the hanger he now found himself in. The doors were open and leaning against one of the open doors beneath the silvery shimmer of stars and a waning moon was Harry. Optimus approached the teen before going outside and sitting on the patch of grass; he didn't have to wait long until Harry joined him. The silence was charged with unsaid words and hidden secrets that they both knew they were keeping but were reluctant to share.
"What's it like up there?" Optimus turned his optics down to the child laying on the ground. Those startling emerald green eyes locked on the stars. Pulling away his optics he followed Harry's line of sight towards Sirius; the Dog Star. A sigh vented through his systems before he could even think of an answer.
"its home." Harry understood and felt a spike of pain and understanding travel between them. Sitting up again he turned sorrowful eyes towards that one star that once meant the world to him. He had only mentioned Sirius in passing when he had given them a recount of the past; Sirius his godfather and only true family he had ever had. His happiness of that time had not lasted long; not long at all in comparison to the stretch of eternity that was now spread before his wary eyes. Melancholy was rife between the both of them as each in their own was caught up in memories that stained once happy thoughts of a good day.
"A home;" Harry whispered after a while. His tone laced with the tears he could no longer cry. "I've never really had a home before. Perhaps one day you can tell me what's it like?" Harry denoted in a whimsical voice.
"You know Harry; I believe it is the human race that often says 'home is where the heart is'. Where's your spark?" Bitter laughter rose up in Harry's throat before it bubbled over and rang into the night air. Mirthless tears stained smooth cheeks as glasses were ripped from his face by his own hand so that he could stem the flow of his weakness by pinching the bridge of his nose.
"My heart is dead." Harry pointed out after a second of silence. "It died with Voldemort, he stole my purpose. It died with my godfather, he stole my love. It died with my mother and father, they stole my innocence. It died with Remus, he stole my last hope at happiness." Harry said with a dry voice; his heart was aching and despite claiming he did not have a heart Harry knew that he did. It was just ripped to shreds; smashed into a thousand pieces and so bruised that it would never be normal again. It would never know anything but pain. The only thing that was confusing Harry was why he was telling all this to a sentient being from outer space? Why did he feel so comfortable...
"A Spark can never die;" Optimus said calmly. His voice reverberating through the ground Harry was sitting on and Harry felt truly comforted by that simple but confident answer. "It may be injured, overrode with sorrow and pain, shattered by circumstances but a spark can never die. It always returns to the Creator; to the Well of Sparks where peace, love, joy and forgiveness can be found no matter the pain one suffers through in one life time." Silence stretched but Harry for some reason felt a little lighter.
"Thank you." Harry said so softly in fear of hearing his own voice crack. How could he ever stand beside a being too far above him in wisdom and understanding? Harry felt small compared to Optimus; his pain a mere flicker to the millennia of suffering that the Cybertronian had gone through. How do you offer someone like that comfort without sounding like a creature so far beneath their consciousness to the entirety of the world?
Harry had at some point crawled closer to the Autobot Leader in search of warmth. The warmth that Optimus gave off was more profound and felt more real than any simple warming spell could do. Lazy green eyes flickered in curiosity when he watched those sorrowful blue optics continue to stare at the stars above. It was as if Optimus carried the sorrow of his entire race on his shoulders and not only the Autobots but the entirety of the Cybertronian race; Decepticons included. In that moment his wavering decision was set firm. If Harry could not give them back their destroyed home then the least he could do was to actually bring them peace and salvage a new All Spark.
"I was wondering what you two were doing out of recharge." Another voice interrupted their stillness and Harry sat bolt upright, his breaths coming in a surprised gasp as a blush dusted his cheeks. Green eyes flashing in embarrassment when Ratchet stepped out of the hanger doors; the sky was already beginning to change in colour and the air was getting chillier with every second. It must have been past three in the morning. That little estimation gave Harry an idea that he and Optimus had been sitting outside for more than four hours.
"Optimus; recharge-berth NOW! You've been avoiding it lately." Those sharp optics turned towards Harry. Squirming under the intense gaze Harry shivered slightly in the cold. "Please return to your quarters Harrison; I don't want to see you walking around on the base in less than seven hours." Harry wisely did not argue; he recognized the veiled threat for what it was.
"Thank you Optimus;" Harry said as took one more look at the Autobot Leader's impressive stature as he stood towering over him and Ratchet. "Can we talk again sometime?" Harry asked hopefully and was gifted with a genuine smile before Optimus nodded and offered him his servo again. Accepting the offer of kinship; Harry climbed into the warmth before settling there for the short walk back into the hanger. When Harry was put on the ground before the entrance to the human barracks; he was surprised when a large metallic forefinger nudged him forward towards his rooms.
"Pleasant dreams; my young Harry."
1* - The Prophecy - I know that it was destroyed in the fifth book but let's just for the sake of an authoress' plot that it wasn't. It is also a direct quote from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. If you don't like this explanation then I'll just say Harry managed to create a copy of it before it was destroyed.
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See You
DF