Price to be Paid

Chapter 7; Creeping Shadows

Spencer Academy – June 18th

"Wahoo!" Reid could barely keep in his excitement as he jumped down the four steps out of the front of the building dragging Tyler with him as he spun around in happiness at finally finishing all of his exams for the year.

Harry ducked as Caleb took an attempt at ruffling his hair as Harry walked down the steps between the two bigger boys. "He's happy." Harry observed grinning up at Caleb who slung an arm around his back even as he pulled off his tie.

"Reid's always like this when he's got the summer holidays to look forward to." Caleb laughed and shoved Harry gently towards Reid who caught him and uncaring about their audience hugged him tightly and spun him around. Tyler steadied Harry as Reid let go and soon the three were heading up to Reid and Tyler's dorm room while Caleb and Pogue headed for home. They already had plans to see a movie and crash at Caleb's manor house for the night.

Harry collapsed back onto Reid's bed and threw the duvet over Reid when he leapt on beside him. Harry quickly rolled over and pinned the struggling Reid so he was cocooned under the bedding and couldn't move. Tyler laughed as he yanked off his shoes and socks and sat on his own bed.

"Alright, I'll calm down." Reid mumbled into the thick duvet. Harry grinned over at Tyler before leaning down so his body was completely covering the entombed Reid.

"Promise?" Harry asked.

"Kinda?" Reid tried before flipping Harry off of him and onto the floor. Harry grunted in surprise and seconds later Reid was on top of him and the two had the privacy of the duvet and in the darkness Harry ended up staring up into the face of the only person he'd ever be in love with. "Hey babe."

"Hey." Harry whispered back and a second later Reid was kissing him. They heard the sound of Tyler moving about the room getting changed but stayed together just being quiet and gently kissing. Reid pulled back ten minutes later and started undoing Harry's shirt buttons. Harry copied the motion and Reid wrapped his arms around Harry's chest and put his head down. "You like the summer holidays then?" Harry asked innocently.

"Sure if it means spending every waking moment with you." Reid told him.

"You already do!" Tyler's announcement made Harry laugh and Harry relaxed again and just merely enjoyed Reid's presence. The year had been going so well and Harry couldn't believe the end was so close. It had been perfect after everything had calmed down. Harry still had the odd panic attacks but whenever he did Reid would be there for him and even if Reid wasn't there instantly one of the others was always quick to respond, be it Tyler, Caleb or Pogue. Reid never minded finding Harry sleeping next to Pogue, Caleb or Tyler knowing exactly what would have led Harry there and he knew just how closely Harry associated Caleb and Pogue with safety. They were ascended and they were powerful and completely devoted to protecting their brothers so it was natural that Harry felt safe with them. Reid didn't mind because he knew that even without the ascended powers Harry felt even safer with Reid.

Josh had visited at least once a month for the odd extended weekend and had spent Christmas and Easter up with them snowboarding up at the cabin with Reid and Tyler and occasionally Caleb and Pogue and their girlfriends.

Harry had actually almost managed to forget everything else in his life but there was always the small reminders here and there about what had happened to him and what would happen when his little bubble burst. So many people wanted him dead or beaten down that he had no hope of hiding in his little perfect world for much longer. "Reid?" Harry asked and Reid jerked up as he was awoken from his little doze.

"Yeah?" Reid asked and Harry struggled to sit up. Reid slid off of him but snuggled into his side on the floor when Harry put his back to the bed. Tyler was sitting on his bed reading a fiction book wearing blue torn jeans and a white t-shirt and he pretended not to realise that Harry and Reid were even in the room. He was rather good at it actually.

"I..." Harry bit his lip and his hesitation made Reid look up at him.

"What is it, babe?" Reid asked putting his head on Harry's shoulder and wrapping an arm around him.

"I'm going to have to leave soon." Harry whispered it so quietly that Tyler only just heard it but Harry knew he had because he saw the way his hands jerked.

"Leave?" Reid sounded pained.

"The..." Harry flinched and his hands started shaking and Reid grabbed them and wrapped himself around Harry. Tyler sat up and put down the book, knowing it was pointless staying out of this conversation and knowing that Harry had meant to include him. "The wizards." Harry forced himself to say. "They took a year to find me at the Conner's home."

"And you think they'll manage it again?" Tyler asked knowing that his brother wouldn't want to let Harry hear the pain in his voice right now. Harry just nodded. "You think you have to leave? You'll ascend soon and so will Reid and I."

Harry jerked and shook his head so much that Reid had to lift his own to look at him. "I can't..." Harry denied. "I can't lose any of you. I can't..."

Reid shifted and sat in Harry's lap and drew Harry's head down and hugged him. "You won't lose any of us but I can't lose you either even if it's just you leaving here. I'm staying with you no matter what." Reid swore to him.

"We don't have to decide this right now." Tyler pointed out. "I'm sure the Grand Master has a plan sorted out so just enjoy the rest of the year. You've still got two months before you need to worry about moving. That's plenty of time to enjoy yourself.

Harry nodded and Reid tightened his arms around him. "And we're going up to the cabin this weekend for two weeks." Reid reminded him.

"With no snow." Harry pouted making Tyler laugh. Tyler slid down onto the floor and pulled his two favourite people into a tight embrace before he smiled down at Harry and jumped back onto his bed.

"You've got an hour, guys." Tyler warned them. "Then we're late." Reid sat up and looked around not realising how long they'd laid on the floor for.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That weekend

"You sure you're not having too much fun there, Reid?" Caleb asked as Reid tugged Harry along by the hand towards the cabin up the grass of the mountains. It was the first time that Harry had been up to the cabin when it wasn't covered in snow and it looked completely different but the cosy inside was just as familiar as he remembered and he and Tyler helped Reid carry all of their stuff into the twin room letting Caleb, Sarah, Pogue and Kate take the two double rooms.

Reid pulled Harry down onto the same bed as last time they were here. "How about we christen the bed right now?" Reid suggested.

"I think Tyler might complain." Harry laughed and sat up to help Tyler unpack their things. Reid complained but then decided to just be less than subtle. He sat up next to Harry, pulled up his t-shirt as he leant down and then licked and nibbled on his suddenly exposed left nipple. Harry groaned involuntarily and couldn't stop Reid from pulling him flat across the bed until his head was hanging down over the edge.

Tyler, rather than being disgusted, just started laughing at them but they quickly righted themselves when there was a knock at the door and Caleb burst in a second later. "Food run." Caleb announced blinking at Harry and Reid's flushed faces and Harry's rumpled clothing. "Note to self, wait longer after knocking." This just made Harry blush further and Tyler laugh harder. "You coming Harry? You're the only one that can cook worth a damn after all so you should pick what we eat."

"Yeah, alright." Harry jumped up and ignored the groan of disappointment from Reid. "You'll have to sort yourself out in the bathroom." Harry threw back at his boyfriend who just hid his face into the pillow on the bed. Caleb slung an arm over his shoulder as they walked out, meeting Sarah by the front door.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next day

Harry tumbled down the grassy slope with Reid under and over him as they wrestled with each other. They came to a stop at Tyler's feet and stared up at an amused expression. "Finished?" Tyler asked. Harry sat up and twisted his legs around Tyler's and sent the slightly younger boy falling backwards onto Reid who caught him and held him as Harry jumped up and started tickling the boy mercilessly. Tyler finally managed to get free a few minutes later and took off at a run towards the cabin. Harry and Reid glanced at each other before sprinting off in chase, neither of them noticing in the growing darkness that a figure was watching them from the top of the hill behind the cabin.

They tumbled through the lounge startling Caleb, Sarah, Pogue and Kate and though the girls were a little startled Pogue and Caleb just laughed at them and Harry and Reid caught up to Tyler and pulled him into their bedroom to torment him for a while. Tyler took a quick shower after Reid and Harry left him alone and he told them he was taking fresh clothes into the bathroom to change afterwards and that Reid was to put them back in the room after they finished. Harry had stared after him in confusion but Reid had just gotten up and locked the door before straddling Harry's lap with a smirk on his face.

Harry's eyes widened in realisation. With Tyler using the bathroom and holding them up there was no way for the two to go shower now so a half hour delay was just what they needed to get some alone time. They knew Pogue and Caleb wouldn't complain at knowing what they were doing. They joked and teased them enough about it at every opportunity. The problem was Kate and Sarah, who for all their kind natures still acted surprised by any show of affection and love between the two young men. Especially when either of them did something even mildly sexual in front of the group, like pushing a hand under the bottom of a t-shirt or even just kissing.

They emerged into the lounge almost forty minutes, all sexed out for the time being, freshly clean and in comfortable clothing. Reid fell onto the sofa next to Tyler who was half lounging and taking up half of the sofa himself He made to move to let Harry sit between them but Harry just sat himself on the floor between Reid's legs and used his left thigh as a pillow as he put a hand under Reid's tracksuit trousers to slowly rub his leg. Tyler was clearly comfortable and Harry was just as comfortable here as up on the sofa so he didn't mind. Plus down on the floor with his legs under the coffee table meant he and his affectionate touching with Reid didn't get as noticed by Kate and Sarah. Also Harry hated it when Tyler moved away from Reid to give Harry space. He knew it was just Tyler being considerate but Tyler was the only one here without a partner and Harry didn't want him acting like the extra wheel.

"Harry..." Pogue spoke up as he, Kate, Caleb and Sarah finished a round of cards that they'd been playing.

"I'll start dinner in a bit, Pogue." Harry muttered without opening his eyes making Kate giggle and he knew that Reid was smirking at his older 'brother'.

"Brat." Pogue grumbled.

"I need a volunteer." Harry muttered again without opening his eyes. "Not Reid." He amended when he knew Reid would have opened his mouth. There was a little bit of true laughter at that but they knew that Harry was asking for someone to help him cook dinner and Reid wasn't that good in a kitchen. In fact he'd set fire to the kitchen the day before. Pogue had accused Harry of distracting him with a blowjob which had turned Harry, Kate and Sarah red in embarrassment. In truth Harry had only been watching from the other side of the counter. Completely innocent. Okay so he'd distracted Reid by telling him what he wanted to do to him that night and Reid had dropped the oven glove in the flames of the hob.

"I'll give you a hand, Harry." Tyler laughed and in fact Tyler was a good cook and had been bugging Harry to teach him a few things.

Harry turned to look up at him and opened his eyes as he smiled and Tyler smiled back at the warm emerald eyes looking up at him. He arched his head back and looked at Reid to check he wasn't annoyed but found Reid smirking down at him before hands pulled him up onto his lap and kissed him on the neck.

Harry ended up a few minutes later lying with his feet over Tyler's lap and onto the arm of the sofa and his head in Reid's lap happily content until he heard Pogue's stomach rumble. The others laughed as he rolled off of the sofa muttering about men with too many muscles.

Harry and Tyler prepared everything as they joined in the talking across the other side of the room and Harry put everything together as Kate and Sarah selected a film to put on which was a twenty minute discussion in and of itself since Reid, not being one of their boyfriends, kept vetoing the movies much to Pogue and Caleb's relief.

Harry and Tyler rejoined them after it was completely dark outside and they were starting to run out of wood for the open fire. It was still rather chilly up here at night in the mountains. Caleb grabbed his jacket after putting the last few pieces to the side but Kate and Sarah stood up and announced that they'd do it and quickly disappeared out of the front door. Harry watched them disappear and he could barely see them pass the lights outside. They hadn't bothered to turn on the porch light but there was a light under the lean to by the side so they could at least see what they were doing.

"Come on Reid, Harry." Pogue announce as he stood up. "You two can have the armchair."

Harry grinned happily as he fell into the seat as Pogue vacated it. He liked the armchair because he and Reid could curl up comfortably and not infringe on anyone else. Pogue, Caleb and their girlfriends were less 'snuggly' than Reid and Harry and the girls were always commenting on it as if studying two cats curled up together. Reid curled up in his lap and buried his face into Harry's neck and Harry felt him drawn in a lung full of Harry's scent. Tyler laughed at his best friend and mockingly put a blanket over them both and tucked it in.

"That's cute." Caleb announced.

"It was cute when he was curled up with you the other day." Pogue teased their oldest.

"Caleb was warm." Harry argued as he grinned up at Caleb. When they'd been staying at Caleb's after the cinema the other night Harry had been thinking too much about next year and left Reid to sleep in peace. He'd found Caleb still up making chocolate because he'd just taken Sarah home and he'd sat down with him in the living room to talk about it. He'd ended up lying in Caleb's lap on the sofa and they'd both fallen asleep. Reid had taken a picture the next day and talked about how cute it had been for days.

"You know Tyler's going to be finishing dinner right?" Reid asked lifting his head. "Harry's too comfortable to curl up on."

Tyler laughed but knowing that the food needed checking he walked past them and into the kitchen area. They wouldn't start the film until they had the dinner in front of them and they could all get comfortable. Undoubtedly they'd watch a few films and disappear to bed when they felt tired. Most of the time Harry and Reid would just lie there and fall asleep together in the lounge and wake up in the middle of the night and sneak into their bedroom without waking Tyler. That happened most of the time, especially when they got to have the armchair.

"The girls are taking their time." Tyler pointed out as he rejoined them making Pogue, Caleb and Harry frown as they glanced up at the clock. They hadn't exactly checked when they'd left but it must have been five minutes since they'd left, easily too long for any amount of wood they could carry.

Harry glanced to the window but it was too dark outside to see anything but he did notice the light was still on out around where the logs were kept but the log lean to was out of sight. "I'll go see what's taking them." Caleb announced and headed for the door. He put his hand on the door and opened it and the sound that suddenly filled the room had them all lurching up at the same time. It was screaming, loud screaming. But it wasn't a type that many of them had ever heard, it wasn't screaming in fear but screaming in agony. Harry had heard it before, from his own mouth.

Harry threw himself towards the door even as Caleb, Pogue, Tyler and Reid stood petrified by the sound. Harry had heard screams like that in his dreams too often. He slammed past Caleb who came alive and chased out after him. Whether the others followed or not he didn't know and didn't care as soon as he was outside and skidded around the cabin to find Kate and Sarah on the ground lit by the light from the lean-to and standing on the other side of them was a figure from his nightmares except without the bone mask which made it all the worst.

Bellatrix Lestrange. Escaped Death Eater from Azkaban. Torturer of Neville's parents and murderer of his godfather. Her own cousin. "No!" Harry screamed and his voice bled with pain and anger.

She leered up to him as she twisted her wand sending another scream of agony through Sarah. Sarah was the one they had heard screaming as she writhed under the Cruciatus curse but Kate was completely still, her eyes blinking yet her body not moving. Harry's eyes burst with flames and turned black and impossible to see and Bellatrix smirked at the response. Harry lashed out with his hand, barely five seconds since coming out and seeing her though it seemed like minutes of staring at the horrific sight. Power launched from him and slammed into her but she was faster and a shield protected her even as she released Kate who curled up into a ball on the ground.

Bellatrix flicked her wand and Harry's magic was cast aside. A spell shot at him and his own magic flared and sent it up into the air. She clearly outmatched him though if his most powerful, rage filled, attack couldn't dent her shield. Caleb slid to a stop beside him and without caring about the reasons behind the scene knew only that Harry had attacked her and that their friends were on the ground. His magic was like a sledge hammer hitting a window as it surged up and with precise control it stabbed straight through Bellatrix's shield and sent her flying backwards across the grass and into a tree. Pogue was on his other side an instant later and Harry could feel his magic throbbing just under the surface. Reid and Tyler were there somewhere even though he couldn't take his eyes off of the horror of a Witch in front of him. She righted herself and started laughing, cackling really. The kind of sound that sends shivers down your spine.

"Poor little Potty!" She leered nastily but she was clearly pleased with herself as she turned and ran away. Skipping away in sick pleasure.

Caleb and Pogue ran forwards as soon as she was out of sight and Harry's world suddenly spun and he found himself on his knees staring across at Caleb and Pogue holding their girlfriends. He didn't really take anything in, not the sight, nor even the sound, until Reid and Tyler grabbed his arms and dragged him backwards towards the house and then inside. He stared as Caleb and Pogue carried their loved ones inside and Tyler ran and shut the door.

"I don't see her!" Tyler told everyone nervously as the eldest two set their girlfriends down. The difference was shocking though. Sarah clung to Caleb with tears streaming from her eyes and her body not responding to her demands. Kate, on the other hand, was silent and limp, not even focusing on Pogue as he tried to get a response from her.

"Harry?" Caleb looked up. "Who was that? Did she know you?"

Harry stared at him with black eyes, unable to release his power like Caleb, Pogue, Reid and Tyler had done. Harry looked back at Reid who was standing nervously behind him and then back to Caleb and Kate clinging to him with limp arms. Then he made the mistake of looking at Kate and Pogue only to see Pogue looking at him with anger and hatred in his eye. He shuddered and the next thing he knew Reid was easing his passage to the ground, cradling him in his arms.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Harry muttered to himself. "This is all my fault. I did this. She's here for me. She's killing them again. Please don't hate me." He whispered the last bit and felt Reid's arms tighten around him. "I'm sorry, Caleb, Pogue. I killed him. It's my fault."

"Killed who?" Tyler asked kneeling in front of him. "Who did you kill, Harry? Who was that out there?"

"Sirius." Harry cried turning into Reid. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here. I should have left. You hate me, Pogue. You have to hate me, Caleb." He seemed to almost be talking to himself at the end and missed the looks the others shared.

"Sirius." Reid whispered before shifting and picking Harry up in his arms. "We're not safe out here. Pogue, Ty, bring Kate and Sarah. Caleb, you need to put up the strongest wards you can. Don't let anything inside."

"Reid?" Caleb almost seemed to be begging for an explanation.

"Caleb, do it." Reid pleaded and the pain in his voice clearly got results. Reid turned and carried a limp and sobbing Harry back into their own room and put him down against the wall by the door. Harry gripped his hand but Reid didn't go far as he stood up. Harry realised in his state that Reid shouldn't be helping him though. Pogue and Caleb would hate him now and he didn't want Reid to be forced to help him so as Tyler came in carry Sarah he let go of Reid's hand and curled himself up in the corner, hugging his knees as he stared up at the five now in the room.

Sarah and Kate were laid on a bed each and after a moment Pogue ran from the room with Tyler to help Caleb cast the spells. Reid stayed in the middle of the room, his eyes black as he sunk into his own power and through it all Harry sat curled in the corner, feeling useless. Worse than useless because if he wasn't here then Kate and Sarah would have been safe and he wouldn't have turned all of their love and affection into hate. Again.

He stared down at the floor wondering whether just going out and getting himself captured or preferably killed would save them. Would Bellatrix just leave? Maybe if Harry bargained with her, maybe if he agreed to let her take him to Voldemort without any struggle. She'd go for the reward of breaking Harry Potter. She'd spare them. He knew it. It had to work. He couldn't be the cause of this anymore. He stood up and had taken two steps before Reid caught him and spun him back towards him. His eyes were back to normal and he didn't seem too panicky.

"Where are you going?" Reid asked in confusion. "They've finished, love."

Harry couldn't stop the flinch as Reid used that word and Reid frowned at him. "If I go out she'll just take me." Harry whispered but his words carried in the room where the only noise was Sarah and Kate's breathing. He figured then that Caleb had cast a spell to make her sleep. Did he already know what Harry had done?

"No, Harry." Reid shook his head. "No!"

"You know I have to." Harry reasoned, feeling more tears on his cheeks. "She'd just take me and leave you alone. I might get lucky and she might just kill me."

"Harry!" Reid grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug that Harry tried to get out of. It was the first time he'd ever tried to escape a hug from Reid, or any of the others.

"This is my fault, Reid." Harry begged him to understand. "You'll all hate me anyway."

"We don't hate you, Harry." Tyler's voice told him but Harry didn't try to turn. He didn't want to see the lie in Tyler's eyes. Tyler was no good at lying, you could always see it in his eyes.

"Pogue and Caleb will." Harry sobbed and fell against Reid. Reid held him up as Harry shook. "They'll hate me. They'll know I did this. It's my fault. I killed him and I did this to them."

"You didn't kill Sirius." Reid told him. "He tried to save you and she killed him."

"The house is secure." Caleb announced from behind him making Harry jump and cling to Reid harder. Reid turned as Tyler helped Caleb carry a mattress into the room and Pogue carried in another and Tyler shut the door behind them, locking it just to be on the safe side. Reid led Harry out of the way and Harry curled up on the mattress they put beside the door, at the foot of the bed with Kate laying on it. The other mattress went between the two single beds.

"Black out the windows, Caleb." Reid ordered sharply with a hitch in his throat. Harry tried to find out what was wrong but Reid grabbed his head and held in into his neck. Tyler gave a startled cry and magic surged through the room. Reid finally let him look up only to see that Reid, Tyler, Caleb and Pogue were all looking pale and the curtains were across the window. A second later there was the sound of nails on glass from the window furthest from Harry and then a cackle from outside the building. Her laughing. Harry whimpered and tried to make himself into the smallest shape possible. Reid was crying as well, Harry could feel his tears against the top of his head.

"We need to get you to sleep, babe." Reid said.

"Reid, we need to know what happened out there." Caleb said. "Who is she?"

Harry froze up but Reid pulled him up into his lap and rocked him, kissing the side of his head and muttering about loving him and that it wasn't his fault. Reid wouldn't lie to him and maybe it wasn't his actions but it was his fault that she'd come here. It was his fault that she'd targeted the girls and not just because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time but because she'd been watching them and knew that it would hurt Harry. Worse than that it would make Pogue and Caleb turn against him.

"I don't know what happened." Reid spoke up after a couple of minutes. "Her name is Bellatrix Lestrange. She's a witch."

"From where Harry comes from?" Caleb asked and Harry whimpered. They were already blaming him. They'd probably throw him out to her. He found himself wrapping his arms around Reid for safety.

"They're not going to give you up, Harry." Reid tried to soothe him and heard a shocked gasp from across the room. Caleb. Had Caleb actually been thinking that and was shocked that Reid knew?

"They've found Harry." Tyler muttered but Harry didn't want to look up at more accusing eyes, he didn't want to see that look on Tyler's face. It would be so wrong.

"What do we do?" Caleb asked.

"We need to call Josh and the Grand Master." Reid stated. "Harry? Come on babe." Harry didn't respond but Reid obviously decided he was listening. "Do you know what spell she used on them? Sarah's been put to sleep by Caleb but she was in..." Reid trailed off, they all knew that Sarah had been in pain. "What about Kate? What was the spell? What do we tell the Conners?"

Harry stilled but finally looked up at Reid and saw Reid tense up at the dull coldness in his eyes. All of the warmth and happiness had completely drained away since the last time he'd looked up into Reid's face. "It's called the Cruciatus." Harry whispered. "Keegan knows it. Make Sarah drink water but Kate..." He whimpered before he could stop himself and curled into Reid again. Half expected Pogue to come over and punch him for what he'd done. "I'm sorry. Please don't hate me."

"Nobody hates you." Tyler tried to reassure but again Harry didn't want to see the lie in his expression.

"Tyler, call Josh." Caleb ordered. "I'll go get some food and water. Reid... just try to get him asleep, okay."

Harry pressed into Reid tighter. Caleb didn't even want to talk to him. It was a struggle but Reid slowly got Harry down to just his boxers knowing that Harry would sleep better if he could feel the warmth of Reid's own body. He pulled off his own clothes and put Harry under the duvet that had come in with the mattress and Harry pressed himself into Reid's side. Reid sat up against the wall as Harry's laid his head on his stomach, trying to absorb the heat and ignore his pain. That only made him hurt more though. He didn't deserve to be helped.

"Harry?" Reid asked five minutes later after the door had opened and shut again bringing Caleb back into the room. "Can you hear me love?" Harry nodded but otherwise didn't move. He could hear Sarah crying softly on the other side of the room so clearly Caleb had awoken her to get her to drink and was probably holding her in bed to try to get her to calm down. He suspected that Pogue would be sitting with the comatose Kate or plotting a way to give Harry up to save the rest of them.

Reid ran his hands up and down Harry's back. "Why do you think Caleb and Pogue hate you all of a sudden?" Reid asked quietly.

"Because they should." Harry muttered back. "I shouldn't have stayed. I should have left before someone got hurt. I always cause this. Somebody should..." He trailed off.

"Harry? What?" Reid pressed.

"You should let Pogue give me to her." Harry muttered before crying out as he flinched and tried to move away from the window by Kate's bed as nails scratched over glass again. She was playing with them.

"You're safe, Harry." Reid sounded so pained but he knew that most of Harry's pain wasn't because of the Witch out there but what he conceived as possible in here. Sure, the witch could hurt him and those around him but the thing that would break Harry was if somebody in here turned on him. "Nobody's going to hurt you. We all love you." Reid sounded suddenly very relieved and Harry almost looked up at him when the duvet moved behind him making Harry want to move closer to Reid except he was as close as possible already. Then he realised that the person, presumably Tyler, was sliding into bed behind him. Harry could feel their warmth but then the body moved closer and a thickly muscled arm pried Harry away from Reid and his protection and Harry was forcibly turned into a form far bigger than Tyler.

Thick and sturdy armed pulled Harry into a chest more built up that he was used to being held to and Harry trembled in panic but then realised with a gasp that it was Pogue and he wasn't restraining Harry but holding him. Just like Caleb did when Harry panicked. Pogue was lying on his back with Harry half on top of him and half on his right side and his big arms were lying on Harry's back keeping Harry close to him. Reid wrapped his arms around them both from behind Harry and Harry felt safe all of a sudden.

"Pogue?" Harry gasped out. "Why? You hate..."

Pogue reached up and carded his hand through his hair. "I can't hate you, Harry. You're too kind and caring." Pogue told him. "That bitch out there might be here for you but that doesn't make any of this your fault. And it definitely doesn't mean I hate you. We all love you, just like Reid told you."

Harry cried and Pogue didn't seem to mind his tears on his chest. Someone else touched the back of his neck and somebody kissed the side of his head that was still exposed. Harry opened his eyes and look up into the room to find Tyler leaning over him. Tyler nodded and moved out of the way and a few seconds later Caleb knelt down and ran his hand over Harry's hair to comfort him. "The same here, Harry. I couldn't never hate you and Kate and Sarah would never want us to."

Harry controlled himself and slowly sat up though he didn't want Pogue to leave him and left his hands on Pogue's stomach. Pogue stayed down but left his right arm between Reid and Harry, not trying to retract it. Harry looked around at everyone watching him an blushed slightly under their gazes. "I'm sorry."

Caleb smiled at him knowing that he was meaning about losing faith in them. "Do you know anything about this spell?" Caleb asked. Harry nodded sadly. "You ever felt it?"

Harry flinched and nodded again but they clearly wanted him to talk. "When I was fourteen, Voldemort kidnapped me and he tortured me with it a bit. Not much."

"Not much?" Caleb raised an eyebrow. "How much is not much?"

"A minute, maybe a little more." Harry shrugged. "I relived it when Chase cursed me." Reid's arms tightened around him but he knew that Caleb and Pogue needed to know what the girls had gone through. "It's hard to make you understand what it feels like. It's not a natural level. There's no tolerance, you can't get used to it. It's like every part of your body is burning but it doesn't end until they lift the spell."

"Why is Kate unresponsive?" Pogue asked quietly and Harry looked down at Pogue's stomach unable to look at his face. Pogue sat up and pulled Harry to his chest but didn't say anything else.

"A small burst doesn't really linger, a slightly longer one leaves you like Sarah, feeling the after effect of the pain and unable to control your muscles but she'll be alright after a good night's sleep." Harry felt tears on his arms and he took comfort in Pogue's warmth. "A friend of mine never knew his parents. Bellatrix Lestrange tortured his parents under the spell for almost ten minutes. They haven't responded to anything since. They're in a long term ward."

Pogue had tensed up and Harry couldn't find a way to reassure him. Caleb sat down on the bottom of Sarah's bed and rubbed at his hair. "And Kate couldn't have been under it for more than four, maybe five minutes."

Harry shook his head. "I don't know how it differs with people without magic. I think they don't last as long." He muttered knowing his words would hurt Pogue. "But it shouldn't be permanent."

Harry slowly turned into Reid's body. Now that he knew that Pogue didn't hate him he wanted Reid's warm presence, his reassurance and love and Reid let him curl up against him. Pogue rose up from the bed and sat himself beside Kate on the bed touching her throat. "She's sleeping I think." Pogue told them all before jumping when something hit the window before screeching again as nails clawed at the window pane.

Harry flinched knowing that it was her scratching her nails on the window. "What's she doing out there?" Tyler asked as she clearly left again.

"Trying to break Harry." Reid tightened his grip on Harry. "That woman is worse than Voldemort in his mind. She's done far more to him for no reason. She's a monster."

"She can't get in here." Caleb assured them. "As it is I'll have to drop them when the Grand Master arrives."

"Which he will in the morning." Tyler told them. "They're flying up right now. Everyone they can bring."

"Harry, you should try to sleep some." Caleb told him suddenly from behind them.

"I don't feel safe." Harry shook his head and Reid kissed him feeling Harry calming down a little at the confidence in Caleb's voice. Caleb and Pogue weren't Reid but they gave Harry a feeling of safety that Reid couldn't really give him with his limited powers.

"I won't leave you." Reid promised and it was obvious how much seeing Harry like this pained him.

"Harry?" Harry froze at the voice from outside the window and the room went utterly still. Harry wasn't even breathing as he recognised the man's voice outside and then he started shaking so violently that Reid gasped and drew him close. "Harry?" The voice spoke up again. "You have to help me! She's gone away but you have to let me in. Quickly before she comes back. I've come to rescue you."

"Harry?" Reid asked. "Do you know him?"

Harry whimpered. "Quick Harry, let me in. She's coming back! She'll kill me! It's me, Harry, you have to believe me." Harry started crying, gripping his fingers into Reid's flesh hard enough to draw blood.

"Harry!" Reid hissed. "What do we do?"

"He's dead." Harry whimpered sobbing into Reid's chest.

"Crucio!" A woman's voice screeched and then the man was screaming in pain making everyone in the room flinch and move away from the wall as someone started banging on the closest window.

"Sirius..." Harry shuddered.

"Oh god." Reid gasped but felt helpless as Harry shook violently. "You're godfather? He's not really here, babe. She's tricking us. Don't listen." Reid hugged Harry's head trying to hide the sound of Sirius' screaming and begging as Bellatrix seemingly stopped torturing him for a few seconds now and then. Harry knew it was fake but that didn't make it any easier to hear. Sirius would never try to get Harry to leave the safety of the building to save himself. He'd died to try to save him.

The bed moved and the blanket moved to expose his back for a moment before a large body wrapped him up in its arms and pulled him back against his chest. It was Caleb. Slightly more lithe than Pogue but still strong and broad. Protective and sincere as Harry had his back pulled into his warmth. Reid turned and wrapped himself around Harry's front, trapping Harry between them and holding his face into his chest. All the time the air was filled with the sound of Sirius in pain until suddenly it ended and Bellatrix began laughing cruelly.

"So, little bitty Potter likes listening my little cousin in pain?" She laughed trailing something over the window. They heard sparking so Harry knew it was her wand. "Such a shame you already killed him, Potter, I would so much have liked to hear my little cousin screaming again. He used to scream so much in Azkaban! Crying about his little cub. I so wish I had seen Voldemort kill your parents. At least I could have had little Harry Potter to myself. You could have been my child. I would have cared for you."

Reid squeezed Harry closely knowing that her words were hurting him more than her little trick had. "Okay, no I wouldn't but it would have been so fun watching you grow up. Poor little Potter living in a cupboard, beaten by his Uncle." Caleb flinched at that.

"Is that true, Reid?" Caleb whispered and Harry felt Reid nod and felt Caleb pull Harry tighter into his body.

"Tell me, little Potter, has anyone you love ever loved you back?" She asked and Harry trembled even more. "Oh I suppose Remus still likes you. It's a shame to see him in the state he's in. So torn up and depressed he killed himself after you left. You abandoned him, little Potter and he killed himself because of you."

Harry and Reid went completely still but Reid came back to life as Harry started properly crying. Tears that were real sadness rather than pain. "Harry, baby. She's lying. You didn't." Reid knew that the only hope that Harry had had that anybody had really still loved him there was Remus.

"Pogue, stop the sound from coming in." Tyler hissed sharply and then there was sudden silence just as Bellatrix was starting to laugh again.

"Baby?" Reid asked in the sudden quiet. "Come on baby, she can't torment you now."

Harry wriggled and Caleb turned onto his back to give Harry some room but Harry didn't let him get up and used his chest as a pillow as Reid spooned behind him, hold him tightly and stroking his side with his fingertips. Caleb started stroking his hair as Harry cried onto his chest.

Harry wasn't sure how long he laid there in the dark with Caleb as his pillow and Reid holding him from behind before he finally felt safe enough to fall to sleep in exhaustion. What had started as such a nice day had turned into something of nightmares and if it wasn't for the unconditional love of Reid, Tyler, Caleb and Pogue he'd have never survived the night intact.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next morning

Harry woke up blearily. Unsurprisingly he'd had trouble falling to sleep but eventually he had and he felt Reid's body against his back and his arm lying over his own. The only pause for thought was that his own arm was across somebody else's clothed stomach and his head was on somebody's chest. He lifted his head to find himself cuddled up to Joshua's form. He groaned at the thought of what had happened to ruin their pleasant week away together and dropped his head back onto Josh's chest as he felt tears well up in his eyes. No matter what anyone said this whole thing was his fault. Bellatrix Lestrange would never had come to Ipswich if he hadn't been there. And not only had Sarah and Kate gotten caught in the crossfire that was his life but they'd actually been targeted specifically to destroy Harry's life. To try to turn Caleb and Pogue against him and therefore break him. Did his enemies really know him so well?

Josh grunted as Harry woke him with his movements and his arms came up to embrace Harry, accidentally waking Reid as well. Reid grumbled as he awoke but then tensed and then bolted upright, looking around. Harry followed him up and saw no surprise in Reid's eyes in regards to Josh's presence.

"When did you get here?" Harry asked Josh as Josh sat behind him and hugged him.

"About six this morning. I didn't sleep well so dad told me to just come stay with you." Josh explained. "Dad's here with Geoffrey and eight other guys."

Harry turned and hugged Josh, hiding his face in his hair. "Thank you for coming. I know you didn't have to."

"I wasn't going to let dad come up here without me." Josh tightened his hold on him. "Although it was a little strange having Reid feeling me up in his sleep."

Harry choked on his laughter and Reid giggled, leant across and kissed Josh on the cheek before leaning down and catching Harry up in a kiss. "You alright, love?" Reid asked. Harry didn't really know what to say so just nodded. "Let's go get a shower." Reid suggested and stood up and pulled Harry up by the hand.

"I'll meet you in the front room." Josh told them before ducking out of the room.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

An hour later

Harry slid down onto the sofa between Reid and Josh and turned to look at Caleb, Pogue and Tyler standing behind them. Across from them Keegan sat down and leaned forwards in his chair. Harry had been caught up with everything that had happened since the ascended members had arrived. They'd run Bellatrix off but not managed to catch and subdue her before she'd managed to apparate away. Since then the house was surrounded by their spells and volunteers that Keegan had brought with them. All more powerful than Bellatrix.

"I don't think I need to tell you that it's no longer safe for you here." Keegan sighed and looked directly at Harry.

Harry nodded miserably and Reid straightened up next to him. "With all respect, sir." Reid gained the Grand Master's attention. "Whatever you plan to do has to take me into account. If you send him somewhere else I'm going with him."

"The last I heard you had been disowned." Keegan raised his eyebrows at Reid. "You expect Harry to support you?"

"His father is a bastard." Harry snapped. "And I'd happily support Reid. I have the money."

"On the matter of his father." Keegan shared a small smile with Harry. "We are in agreement. I have made my discontent at his behaviour quite clear and I am not alone among the Covenant in doing so. Your father has lost the majority of his business contacts amongst the Covenant. People he had begun to rely on. I'll admit that the concept of two first sons falling in love with each other is not a popular one amongst the Covenant however the Covenant as a whole find what he has done even less popular. Endangering your own child is not looked upon fondly. How the rumour mill found out what had happened is still something that eludes many of us." The fact that Keegan looked at his second son as he finished gave away exactly how that had happened. Josh had many acquaintances amongst the Covenant.

"So you're happy for me to support Reid?" Harry asked. "Wherever you send me?"

"I am not sending you anywhere." Keegan sat back and crossed his right leg over his left. "The Covenant want the last Potter somewhere where he can be protected on a first person basis."

"As much as I hate to say it, Sir." Caleb spoke up. "We can't do that here. We don't want to lose Harry but he can't stay here if they are going to target him again."

"All true." Keegan nodded. "That is why Harry is coming home with us."

Harry's eyes widened and Josh straightened up. "Really?" Josh asked and his smile was clear in his tone.

"The Manor is the safest place for you right now." Keegan told him. "All of you."

"All of them?" Harry asked, his eyes brightening slightly.

"Including the two girls." Keegan said simply. "To protect Covenant secrecy their conditions must be kept close to the chest. A normal hospital will only become confused. Of course suitable excuses will have to be made."

"Why?" Caleb asked. "I mean why Tyler, Pogue and I too?"

"For two reasons." Keegan said simply. "Firstly because it's what Harry needs most of all." Harry collapsed into Reid's side and let Reid wrap his arms around him. "And secondly because the Death Eaters now know where Harry has been. They will come here looking for him even knowing he has gone and they will kill you all in an attempt to break him. Even ignoring Harry's happiness the Covenant cannot stand by and let the four of you be targeted."

"Thank you, sir." Tyler nodded agreeably.

"I have already spoken to your families and come to agreements." Keegan stated simply. "Mr. Danvers, your mother is already arranging to leave Ipswich and Mr. Simms, your family is doing the same."

"And Reid's parents?" Caleb asked.

"Were not interested in hearing what I had to say about Reid and Harry." Keegan stated simply. "A couple of my friends who came with me have gone to forcibly make them listen."

Reid kept quiet but Harry knew he was concerned. Perhaps not so much about his father but definitely about his mother, especially after seeing what one Death Eater had done to Sarah and Kate.

"When do we leave?" Pogue asked with a grunt and Harry turned to look at them all. Were they all happy with Harry when he was uprooting them all?

"As soon as possible." Keegan stated and looked at Josh and then at Reid. Something passed and Harry figured that they were being instructed to watch over him which didn't surprise him.

Reid, Tyler, Harry and Josh headed back into the room where they had spent the night and quickly packed away all of their things. Harry finished off and sat down and looked at Reid who stared back at him before smiling. Reid wasn't bothered about leaving, the only thing he had here was his best friends. Harry smiled back and looked at Tyler. "Are you alright leaving, Ty?" Harry asked. Tyler nodded to him just as the door to the bedroom opened and Caleb and Pogue walked inside.

"As long as I'm with Reid then I'm happy anywhere." Tyler told him even as Harry stood and nervously fiddled with his hands as Pogue and Caleb looked at him. Caleb quickly crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Harry. Harry found his face buried in Caleb's chest and he squeezed the bigger boy.

"As long as I have my family then I'm happy to be wherever." Caleb told him quietly. "Reid's happiness comes first and that means going where you go. You're my little brother, Harry, and you always will be. I love you."

Harry felt his breath catch. He'd been told by all of them that they loved him but never so seriously and never privately like this. Caleb backed up and Harry saw that Pogue was holding Reid tightly just like Caleb had been holding Harry. Pogue pulled back and Reid flashed him a smile as Pogue crossed to where Caleb had been and pulled Harry into a hug.

"No matter what, we stick together." Pogue told him. "And just remember that I'm not weak enough to fall for their little games. They can't stop me from caring about you just like they'd never stand a chance at stopping me from caring about Reid and Tyler."

"You know I feel unloved right?" Tyler mused as Pogue pulled back. Caleb had hugged a still nervous Reid to him. Harry felt for Reid knowing that deep down he knew that it was his decisions that had brought such chaos to their lives. Caleb and Pogue laughed and jumped Tyler, picking him up between them and hugging him. Harry felt a hand on his back and then arms wrapped around him. Josh hugged him from behind.

"It's time to go." Caleb announced. "Grab your bags."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

End Chapter