Disclaimer: All rights belong to J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, and Stephanie Meyer, author of the Twilight series.

Warnings: slash, meaning boyxboy, characters may be OOC

Note: Set five years prior to story's setting, but around a month after the previous chapter. Harry Potter timeline shifted back, and Twilight timeline shifted forwards.

Not Alone

Harry leaned back into his comfy chair, dressed in his crimson auror robes, reading the daily newspaper.

June 30, 2009. Oh, it looks like they discovered a new breed of dragons.

Emerald eyes scanned the paper uninterestedly.

Boring, boring, boring, he thought, flipping through the pages pointedly. At least tomorrow's paper will be more interesting.

He smiled secretly before glancing up at the clock hanging on the wall of his office. It should almost be time...

At that moment, a loud alarm sounded. He immediately sprang out of his chair and flung the door open, running forward without a second glance back. He wouldn't miss that office one bit. Or this job, for that matter. In the past, his sense of obligation might have overweighed his desire for happiness, but now, he felt an increasing tiredness from the constant life endangering missions and mountains of paperwork. It was time to live happily, by his own guidance, without the opinions of others.

He ran past Kingsley, who sent him an inconspicuous wink before his face morphed back into a stony mask. Once he was out the front door, Harry cast multiple spells that would slow down the other aurors from exiting. He trusted that the other exits were blocked by Hermione and Ron and that Kingsley would distract his former comrades long enough to complete their plan.

Quickly apparating to Gringotts, he was greeted by the sight of many people surrounding the bank, loudly gossiping. Luna was standing in front of the building, smiling absently at the crowd, preventing anyone from going in. Harry looked around before spotting the old beat-up car that housed Mr. Weasley. The redhead gave him a thumbs-up, and he shot him a small smile in return. He pushed his way through the crowd, hearing Luna's soft voice call out, "The aurors will be here shortly," as if she could sense his presence. Emerging from the huge gathering of people, Harry nodded at the bright beam she sent him.

Entering through the doors, Harry made his way to the deeper parts of Gringotts.

"Point me, George Weasley," he said, watching as his wand turned and turned before settling in one direction.

As he traveled closer to his destination, the heat gradually rose to the point that it became uncomfortable. By the time he stopped in front of the vault door, he could see the metal starting to melt, like Hermione told him it would. Pulling the heavy door, he hissed as it burned his hands, slipping through the crack and closing the vault behind him. Sweat dripped down his forehead as the overwhelming heat slammed into him. Breathing became laborious. Blinking his eyes fast in order to ensure that they won't suddenly dry and fall out of his head from the intensity of the heat, Harry could see the slightly blurry figure of George in front of him, form tense from the sheer amount of concentration and focus he had as he casted Fiendfyre. Quietly stepping from behind, Harry gathered up his magic and shouted the charm needed to cease the flames. He managed to catch the redhead, who stumbled back from exhaustion.

"Took you long enough, boy hero," George huffed playfully while he gulped in air.

"Thanks for your hard work," said Harry, dragging his friend to a corner and propping him against the wall to rest.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered.

The two watched as the remaining flames stubbornly tried to find a way to survive, licking pointlessly at the stony surfaces of the walls and floor. Harry unbuttoned his robe and tossed it to the flames, creating a bigger fire, intent on creating evidence of his death.

"You're so lucky that the goblins agreed to this."

Harry nodded gratefully. Where could he even begin to express his thanks? He owed them big time.

"They're probably almost here," he muttered, hauling himself up with a grunt. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed George still sitting on the floor.

"Help me," the redhead pouted before smirking mischievously.

Harry shook his head exasperatedly but helped him up nonetheless. To help with George's momentary incapability of walking upright, he threw an arm around his shoulder to help steady him.

"Thanks, shorty."

"Shut up," he pretended to be annoyed, but Harry felt a pang inside as he was once again reminded of his eternal youth as he gazed at the tall stature of the man beside him. Because that was what George was: a man. And what Harry couldn't be, forever stuck inside the body of a seventeen year old.

He jerked his head to the metal door when he heard voices on the other side. Quickly throwing his invisibility cloak over the both of them, he huddled close to George, who had to bend forward uncomfortably to accompany his height. The two waited with bated breath as the aurors tried to push open the vault door that was sealed tight by the melted metal. Finally it seemed to relinquish its iron grip as it creaked open, revealing a team of wizards decked in red robes with their wands at the ready. A barrage of voices rang out.

"I don't see the culprit!"

"Where's Auror Potter?"

"Didn't he come first?"

"Oy! I think I see something!"

The team rushed toward his discarded auror robe. Harry hurriedly decided to make his escape as he pulled George along with him, completely unseen by the trained professionals, bypassing Kingsley who stood guard by the door to prevent any intruders from coming in, but not from any coming out if the smirk on his face when Harry whispered his thanks was anything to go by. Once the two made their way safely out of Gringotts, they climbed into the Weasley car and threw off the invisibility cloak.

"Ready to go?" Mr. Weasley asked, starting up the car, taking in their exhausted but satisfied faces.

"Yeah, let's get out of here."

Hello! Sorry for the impossibly long wait, but now that summer is here, hopefully I'll get around to writing more. If only I could find a way to cure my procrastination problem...

In other news, I think I should start replying to the reviews you've left me, right?

Pikachu79: Everything will be revealed in due time (here's my attempt at trying to sound mysterious), but your question will be answered in the next chapter.

Seraphinus: I was never fond of the idea of Harry ending up with Ginny either. I just makes me cringe. The last two (or should I say three, counting this one?) were before Harry met the Cullens, but the next chapter should be the last one that is focused on the past.

Irissiell: Thank you for patiently waiting for my return! Although I never truly left. But I apologize for taking so long. Aren't Harry and Jasper just wonderful together? I don't know, they just give off similar auras of a wounded soldier needing some love and affection. Maybe that's why I ship them so hard. I swear, they're one of my favorite pairings.

Elfin69: You don't know how much I appreciate all of your reviews! You have my immense gratitude! I don't want to reveal anything though (I've always hated spoilers, it just crushes my will to continue reading), but your questions will be answered the next chapter.

greenwings33: Confused about what? Maybe I can help? Anything specific?

RiceballNinja: Thank you! I hope to continue having your support throughout the course of this story.

To everyone who reviewed, whether it was at the start of the story or just recently, thank you! I appreciate all of your support! Seriously, even just a simple "Please update soon" or "Great story" brings a smile to my face.