I Love Your Existence

Chapter 4

Warnings: See previous chapters.

Pairings: Viktor/Harry, Draco/Ron, Remus/Severus/Sirius, Fred/Neville/George

Author's Note: Howdy folks!

An update! I'm impressed with myself. I wasn't expecting to get a chapter out for another few weeks, but your reviews inspired me.

This chapter ran away from me. I swear sometimes that it writes itself, because I barely think of half of the content, and it just suddenly appears as I start typing.

This will definitely be the last chapter for a while. I'm heading off to University in September, so I have to pack my room and whatnot.

Thanks again to my lovely beta, the idiot with no name, for making sure I don't look like a grammatical moron.

-VKHP-

He was in his cupboard at the Dursleys. He barely had time to hear the thundering steps, then smell the alcohol before the door to his cupboard was ripped open and Vernon dragged his small body from the dark cavern, throwing him to the laminate floor. He hated laminate. He'd had to wash his blood from it too often to ever fully enjoy it.

Uncle Vernon loomed over him, like a large storm over a nice meadow, ready to ruin the moment. He tried to curl into himself as much as possible, to prevent there being a large space for Vernon to hurt. As much as he prepared for the pain, there was no way to ever get used to the strike of a steel toe boot to his back.

Screaming, he tried to worm away from the attack, but it was no use; he was cornered. The blows rained down on him from seemingly every angle. Just when it stopped, and he managed to breathe a barely noticeable sigh of relief, he felt the tug on the waist of his too large jeans and the sound of a zipper being pulled down.

He screamed again, trying desperately to get his muscles to cooperate and move, run, GET AWAY, but all he heard was paralyzing laughter. Laughing. Uncle Vernon was always laughing, or shouting. Laughing, laughing, laughing. Laughing as he took his innocence. Laughing as he broke his body. Laughing as he splintered his soul. Always laughing.

Harry woke with a shout, still hearing laughter echoing through his ears, and lashed out at the hands holding him down, tears streaming across his face at his flashback turned nightmare. The hands immediately withdrew and Harry curled himself into a tight little ball, sobbing into his knees. Nonononono, I'm not there. Please don't hurt me. Not there, No, I'm not at the Dursley's, I'm safe. Please don't hurt me, nonononono.

Harry heard a growl and a curse and scrunched further into himself, realizing that he was babbling out loud, not just in his head. Lifting his head slightly, Harry saw a red headed blob and threw himself at it, instinctively knowing it was Ron. Ron grabbed him and shoved past the other boys, completely focused on calming Harry down. He made shushing noises and babbled reassuringly. This was a routine they were used to, having done it virtually every night since Harry had escaped the Dursleys.

Neville herded the other boys back to their beds, telling them that Ron obviously had Harry taken care of and that it was two in the morning and they all needed sleep.

Ron shut the heavy curtains on his bed and held the sobbing boy tightly to his chest, letting his little brother cry his fears out while petting his hair. After a half hour, Harry had calmed down some, and the other boys' snores rang through the dormitory.

"Ron," Harry whispered weakly.

"Yeah Hare-Bear?" Ron muttered quietly, aware of the other sleeping boys in the dorm.

"When is it going to stop? When am I going to be over it? When will the pain go away? I don't want to be weak anymore. I want to be strong, like you. I'm tired of tears. I want to be angry. Really, I just want to be okay." Harry rambled, tearing up once again before he swiped at his eyes angrily.

Ron sighed, his eyes sad as he once again tucked Harry's head under his chin.

"Well, Hare-Bear, I guess it just depends on you. You are already making good progress. Just by being around so many people and not freezing up is a good thing. As for being angry, well, you could get angry, but it wouldn't solve anything. Besides, everyone else is already angry enough for you. You should hear the dark ramblings of Fred and George. Scary." Ron explained, giving a dramatic shiver at the end for effect. He managed to wrangle a chuckle out of the raven-haired boy before he once again sighed.

"I know Ron. I'm just tired of feeling small and helpless. And I'm really tired of being so emotional all the time. I mean, no one else our age cries this much. Overall, I'm just tired." Harry said, burrowing into Ron's arms, settling in for whatever sleep he could get. Ron repositioned them so that they were spooning, Harry against his chest. Pressing a brotherly kiss to Harry's forehead, he also settled in for sleep.

"Well, Hare, I guess the solution for being tired is to sleep. Just sleep it off. Take it a day at a time, and at night, just sleep. No more worries. We'll get you happy again, no matter what it takes. We're Weasleys; we don't quit, nor do we fail. We'll be okay Bear. We'll be just fine."

With those words of reassurance, Harry fell into a deep sleep for the first time in weeks.

-VKHP-

"You okay Harry?" Seamus asked as Harry stumbled down the dormitory stairs the next morning, half-heartedly trying to do up his tie.

Harry shrugged and muttered something unintelligible as his tie refused to cooperate.

"Harry?" Dean asked.

Harry finally looked up, his eyes for once not haunted by large bags, "I'm all good, guys. Sorry for disturbing your sleep last night. I'll remember to put up silencing charms from now on."

Both boys hurried to reassure him that it was okay, that silencing charms weren't necessary, that they were just concerned, before Neville butted in.

"Guys, it's okay. Harry, no silencing charms. If you're having problems, we need to be able to hear you, so we can help you. None of this self sacrificing nonsense. You're our friend. We look after each other." Neville stated determinedly, marching up to Harry to fix his tie for him.

Harry flinched back from the sudden movement, taking a few steps back before he could stop himself. Neville immediately stilled, before approaching again more cautiously. He fixed Harry's tie, this time with no flinch from the raven.

"See? All good. Now, where's Ron? It's breakfast." Neville asked steadily.

Harry took the moment to observe Neville, and immediately noticed the changes in his friend. Gone were the chubby cheeks, instead replaced by strong tanned cheek bones and a chiseled jaw. His watery blue eyes were still friendly, but held the same strength that his frame did, a silent signal that he was ready for anything. His body was noticeably more muscular, even through his robes.

"Ron's just hopping out of the shower, he'll be down in a few minutes. So how was your summer? Sorry we didn't talk earlier. Stuff, well, yeah, stuff happened, and whatnot." Harry stuttered out. Neville just shot him a reassuring smile. Seamus and Dean took the opportunity to escape to the Great Hall, the call of breakfast just too strong to resist.

"My summer was good. I learned the art of exercise and spent a lot of time in the Longbottom greenhouses. I finally told my Gran that I wasn't my Dad, and that I'm never going to follow in his footsteps and be an Auror." He explained, becoming slightly bashful. Harry winced sympathetically. The year before he'd confided in Harry that his Gran always bullied him about not being more like his Dad, and that he couldn't stand it.

"How'd she take that?" Harry asked, already sure that she didn't take it very well. Augusta Longbottom was a force to be reckoned with, being the matriarch of one of the oldest Wizarding families, even older than the Malfoys.

Neville smiled, "She was notably unimpressed. I finally snapped after she badgered me about spending so much in the greenhouses instead of practicing my dueling skills, and what use was I going to be as an Auror if I couldn't use my wand. I told her I had no such plans and that I was never going to be my dad. I mean, I love him, he's my dad, he gave me life, but I've never known the man. How could I be like him? She was scandalized and wouldn't talk to me for a week. She spent another week sulking before she approached me, telling me she was sorry for how she behaved all these years. We've had quite a few heart-to-hearts since. I think we're going to be okay."

Harry smiled and clapped him on the back as Ron stumbled down the steps. Harry was glad his friend was happy and that he had familial support.

"Breakfast?" Ron asked, beaming at the lack of uncomfortableness Harry exuded around Neville. It was good that Harry had another person he could be comfortable around.

They all headed down to breakfast, Ron of course eating the most, and grabbed their timetables from McGonagall. McGonagall told Harry that all the teachers had been informed that he was now a Weasley and he would be properly addressed in classes. Giving her an appreciative nod, and getting a fond smile in return, Harry turned back to his meager breakfast of oatmeal and strawberries with milk. He was on a strict meal plan from Madam Pomfrey so that his stomach would adjust to larger meal sizes and he was getting all the nutrients he needed.

The fourth year Gryffindor boys traveled together to Charms, all of them ignoring the bushy haired girl glaring at all of them.

-VKHP-

Viktor awoke in his room, anxiously awaiting the time for lunch so he would finally get to see his angel. He sauntered over to his wardrobe, quickly discarding his heavy furs; Scotland wasn't nearly as cold as Bulgaria, in fact it was almost hot. Viktor decided on one of his nicer robes, a dark blue one that was tight around his shoulders, showing off what Viktor thought to be his best feature.

He swept from his rooms in the belly of the ship and made his way towards the Durmstrang eating hall, in the exact center of the expanded ship. Greeting his brothers as they passed, he entered the hall, greeted by all within.

Viktor quickly grabbed some food and sat at a table, swiftly eating all he could, just to take his mind of the fact that time moved too slowly. He wanted it to be lunch, he wanted to be with Harry.

Finishing his meal and deciding he still needed something to distract himself, Viktor made his way back to his room and grabbed his favorite book, 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Viktor was well aware that it was a Muggle book, but it was the first novel he had ever read, having found it in a dusty corner of the orphanage, and he had a certain fondness for it that would never fade.

Sinking into the adventures of Holmes and Watson, Viktor briefly wondered what Harry was up to.

-VKHP-

"We're going to die."

"Come on now, Ron, aren't you being just a tad over dramatic? I mean, it's just Charms."

"Just Charms? Were you not in the same class as I was? That was horrible. This year is ten times more difficult then last year, even with the Tournament. So far for Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, we have three essays, all with a minimum of three feet, and about a million questions to answer! What's the deal? There is something seriously wrong with all the teachers this year." Ron moaned as the boys dragged themselves through the corridors to the Great Hall for lunch.

Neville snorted, shaking his head at Seamus' attempts at appeasing Ron, before answering himself,

"Ron. The Tournament is exactly why we have so much homework. Both Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are tough schools. Their school years run from September to the end of July, allowing more teaching time, and they are impeccably clean, both being rather new and not in old musty castles. The teachers want to show the other schools that they are above average in intelligence and class. Haven't you noticed how clean Hogwarts is? Even the suits of armor shine, and those things are thousands of years old. They want to look good. Gran said that they rounded up all the house elves they could find to get the castle to gleam. And what better way for the students to look smart then for them to work hard. The more students that are seen working, the smarter we all seem."

Ron looked kind of dumbfounded while Harry nodded, having noticed the increased cleanliness of the castle and the thinly veiled disdain the teachers had when speaking in regards for the other schools.

Just then, Harry was rudely pushed to the ground from behind. He threw his arms out to brace his fall, but they landed awkwardly and a shoot of pain went up his right wrist before he smashed his face on the stone floor. Immediately, blood started to flow from his nose and everything went black.

When Harry came to, all he could hear was shouting, causing his head to pound even more. Opening his eyes, all he saw was stone floor. I must not have been out for long. He groaned and rolled over, interrupting the shouting.

Ron suddenly appeared in Harry's line of sight. "Harry! Are you okay? Never mind, obviously you're not okay. Come on, let's get you up and to the infirmary."

Ron, with the help of Neville, hauled Harry up by his shoulders. Harry's vision whirled before he was finally vertical, allowing him to assess the situation.

There was Hermione, red faced, with anger Harry assumed, and shouting as Professor Flitwick tried to fight through the crowd to them. The thing that threw Harry for a loop was the fact that Draco Malfoy was shouting at her. Harry couldn't process exactly what was being said, but he could recognize it as angry, and the people surrounding the group were looking astonished.

"What happened here!" Flitwick asked, once he managed to wade through the horde of students.

Neville piped up, "Hermione shoved Harry from behind Sir. He fell and hurt himself on the floor. She did it for no reason, he hadn't said a word to her all day. When Ron tried to defend Harry, she hexed him with boils," that's when Harry noticed that Ron's faced looked particularly gruesome and he was uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot, "Then Malfoy stepped in to defend Ron, and she raised her wand again, but Malfoy disarmed her before she got the chance."

Flitwick took in the situation, examining everyone's expressions, before deciding on a course of action.

"Miss Granger, you are hereby assigned four detentions with Professor Snape. Report to him to find out when they will be held. As it would hurt Gryffindor for your imbecilic actions, I will not deduct points, but be sure that Professor McGonagall will hear of this and deal with you as she pleases. Mr. Malfoy, ten points to Slytherin for standing up for a fellow classmate. Ten points to you, Mr. Weasley, for the same reason. Mr. Longbottom, please escort Messrs Potter-Weasley and Weasley to the infirmary, so Madam Pomfrey can take care of their ailments. Miss Granger, I will escort you to your Head of House, so you can explain your actions and convince her and Dumbledore to persuade your victims to not press charges. The rest of you, go to your classes!"

As everyone went their separate ways, Harry couldn't help but notice the world fading in and out, before it all went black entirely.

-VKHP-

"Harry Potter is in the Infirmary."

"What!" Viktor shot out of bed, quickly turning to his best mate, Adrian.

Adrian nodded quickly, "Yes. I was in the castle, heading to the Great Hall for lunch, and all the students were talking about how he was assaulted and is now in the Hospital Wing."

Viktor swore and growled in anger at not being there to protect his angel. He quickly turned to his wardrobe and grabbed his outer robe, as well as the picnic basket he had packed for Harry and himself for lunch.

When Viktor first found his way into the Hogwarts kitchens, having been directed by a small girl wearing a yellow and black tie, he was instantly bombarded with small House Elves practically begging for him to order them around. Viktor had been overwhelmed and was grateful when one elf, who wore a large black sock on his left foot for some reason, ordered them all back to their work.

The elf had identified himself as Dobby, and upon Viktor requesting Harry's sandwich, the elf sprung into a tirade about how he loved Harry Potter Sir and how Harry had given him the sock and how Dobby knew Viktor had been talking about Harry because only Harry likes chicken salad sandwiches. The elf then had the audacity to threaten Viktor with bodily harm should Dobby even find out that Viktor hurt Harry in any way. Viktor probably would have reacted more unfavorably then standing there dumbfounded, however he was swiftly ushered out of the kitchen with a full picnic basket and one last threat from the very strange elf.

Snapping back to the present, Viktor marched up to the castle quickly, only to be intercepted once again by the strange small blonde. Luna, Viktor recalled was her name.

"Hello Viktor. Nice to see you again. You're probably worried about Harry, right? Don't worry, he's fine. Well, fine as one can be in this current stage of his life. Don't worry, he'll be better then fine in the future. While I didn't see this afternoon's incident, Harry will still come out to the lake today, as I have said before. Harry will be out in about, oh, ten minutes, so you should probably just go set yourself up under that oak tree over there. It's one of Harry's favorite spots. Well, toodle-oo. I'm currently searching for Waggle-Nosed Humperdinck, little green things with atrociously large noses, and they like to be around dour people, so I'm off to find Professor Snape. Have a good lunch! Say hello to Harry for me!" With that, Luna floated away.

Viktor shook his head in disbelief for what felt like the millionth time that day. He sighed and stalked over to the aforementioned tree, laying out the blanket he'd brought, all the while wondering what he'd gotten himself into. Oh, Viktor knew his angel would be worth it, but currently everything was a little pear-shaped, even more than usual.

-VKHP-

"Madam Pomfrey, I'm fine, really. Before you say it, yes, I know I broke my nose, got a concussion and sprained my wrist, but I'm telling you I'm fine. You healed me well, you are fantastic at your job." Harry finished with some flattery, widening his eyes for an innocent effect.

The Healer gave those eyes one look and caved like an unsteady mineshaft.

"Fine, Harry, you may go. However, you must wear that wrist brace for a week! No exceptions, other than showering. My potions and spells work wonders, but after too many sprains they tend to become mostly ineffective." She scowled, remembering why her potions wouldn't work on his wrists anymore. Damn Dursleys, she thought, mentally tearing strips off those sorry excuses for human beings.

Sensing that the Healer had gone off into a dark place, Harry took the opportunity to escape the Hospital Wing. Ron and Neville had been sent ahead to lunch, but Harry knew he didn't want to go to the Great Hall just yet. He didn't want to be surrounded by the whispers and stares.

Nope, no Great Hall for me. Harry decided then to go out to the lake, and maybe ask Dobby to bring him some chicken salad sandwiches.

Exiting the Entrance Hall doors, Harry absently wandered over to his favorite tree not paying much attention to his surroundings. He was wondering what set Hermione off so badly as to physically assault him.

So lost in his thoughts, Harry didn't notice the picnic basket until he tripped over it. Bracing himself for his second painful fall of the day, Harry was surprised when he didn't hit the grass, instead he felt suspending in the air.

It was then he noticed warm arms around his waist and a strong presence at his back. Noticing that he had yet to tense, even though a random stranger was very close to him, Harry decided that this person was obviously one of those safe people, like Ron and Neville.

"Hello." The voice had a thick accent, and understanding slowly dawned on Harry. He was set on his feet and once he was stable, Harry turned around in his saviors embrace to see who it was.

Harry found himself staring into the most piercing eyes he had ever seen. They were chocolate in color, but massive in their intensity.

"Hello." Harry breathed, to struck to formulate a better reply, or even a thank you.

Viktor smiled at his angel, thoughts of their future dancing behind his eyes.

"Are you alright?"

Harry blinked slowly twice before the words registered and he was quick to reply.

"Oh, yes. Yes I'm fine. Thank you for catching me. I wasn't paying attention and am usually very clumsy and it's obviously not a very good combination. Did you get hurt, catching me? Because if you did, I'm sorry. Oh no, did I ruin your picnic? I'm so sorr-" Harry was cut off with a small chaste kiss to his lips that left him dumbfounded.

"Have lunch with me?" Viktor smiled, something he hadn't done in years but couldn't help but do in the presence of his soul mate.

Harry just stared, then nodded slowly, and Viktor guided him down onto the checkered blanket he had spread out on the ground.

Harry didn't really know what was going on, but he's certainly not crazy enough to stop it.