Title: It Started With a Crush

Rating: M (to be safe)

Pairing(s): Harry/Austin (OMC), Other miner pairings (mentioned)

Warnings: slash, AU, EWE

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.

Summary: Harry meets Austin Carlson, a friend/co-worker of Bill's, during fifth year. Sparks fly. This is the story of how they became a family. Will be a series of vignettes (in a way).

Notes: For the Fan-Made Potter Family Challenge at the HPFC forum. I was given the pairing Harry/OMC, and I chose the option to 'Write a multi-chapter with the Potter family and how Harry finally settled down.'

Sorry this chapter took a little longer than usual. I was busy moving into a new house, and then I got sick. I'm still sick, but I was well enough to finally write after not writing for over a week.

Feedback: Yes


Harry and Austin had been in Egypt for awhile when the next obstacle crossed their paths. Harry was studying when the wards alerted him that someone was approaching his home. Harry looked at the time and knew it was too early for it to be Austin.

In his threadbare clothes, ones he always wore for the comfort, he went to the door and came face-to-face with a very tall man. He had green eyes a couple of shades lighter than Harry's, a pert nose, a strong jaw, and a muscular body. When he smiled, dimples shined through.

Harry swallowed nervously. "May I help you?"

"I'm looking for Austin," he said in a deep baritone.

Harry eyes narrowed. "He's not here. Who are you?" Harry knew he sounded rude, but he couldn't help it.

The smile turned into a smirk. "Xavier." He said it as if Harry should know who he was.

Harry blinked. He took great pleasure in saying, "Austin never talked about you."

He stifled a smile when Xavier glared. "Who are you?"

Harry crossed his arms. "Harry, Austin's boyfriend."

Xavier stepped closer until his invaded Harry's personal space. If he was trying to intimidate, he failed. Nothing really intimidated him after facing Voldemort. "Not for long," he huskily vowed.

When Xavier turned away, Harry slumped. Austin's ex-boyfriend was back in town and wanted him back. What was Harry going to do?

"Oh," Xavier called out with his back still turned. "I'll be back later today and hopefully Austin will be home."

Harry glared, and he wished he had heat vision. He closed the door with a slam and marched back to the couch.

He couldn't focus on studying the rest of the day. He stewed while he waited for Austin to come home.

As soon as Austin walked in, Harry pounced metaphorically. He demanded answers. "Who in Merlin's name is Xavier?"

Austin opened his mouth, and then closed it again.

Harry tapped his foot. "I'm waiting."

"Um, Xavier is an ex-boyfriend. How do you know his name? I know I never told you about him."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, he came to the door today, asking for you. Why is he asking for you?"

"I don't know." Austin shrugged. "I haven't talked to him since we broke up."

Harry relaxed his posture. He knew Xavier's reappearance wasn't Austin's fault. He felt defensive, and he was taking it out on Austin, rather unfairly, too. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Austin said, even as he still looked hesitant.

"Why did you break up with him?"

"Actually, he broke up with me," Austin said. Almost immediately, he hit himself in the forehead. "I really shouldn't have said that."

Harry turned away. "No, you shouldn't have."

"Listen, that's all in the past. I'm with you now, only you. You have nothing to worry about." As soon as Austin put his arms around Harry, the wards alerted.

Harry sighed. "That's probably Xavier. He said he'd be back later today."

Austin squeezed Harry's shoulder before going to let Xavier into their home.

Harry watched as Xavier stared at Austin's ass as he was led in. He clenched his fists.

Austin tossed a smile over his shoulder. "I know you already met Harry."

"Yeah, yeah." Xavier barely acknowledged him.

Harry went back to the couch and sat with his legs crossed.

Austin didn't seem to notice Xavier's attitude.

"You're looking good, Aussie."

"Aussie?" Harry asked incredulously.

Before Austin could answer, Xavier spoke. "It's my nickname for him."

Harry rolled his eyes. He wanted to say it sounded ridiculous, but he bit his tongue, literally.

Austin smiled warmly. "You look good too, Xav."

Harry was pushed to the end of the couch so the two of them could sit next to each other. Austin wasn't even in the middle, though. He was on the other end. Xavier seemed to already be wedging himself between them.

Harry looked down his hands. It was true that Austin never talked about the relationship, and that could mean he moved on. On the other hand, it could mean it was too painful to talk about the relationship. It might also mean Austin had lingering feelings for his ex. The last two would not mean good news for Harry.

He knew he should trust Austin. He never really had any reason to doubt their relationship. Maybe if Austin had told him about Xavier, he would feel better about this whole thing. Watching Xavier flirt and seeing that Austin didn't seem to mind caused something to crack in Harry's chest. Maybe it was his heart.

Xavier leaned in really close, and Harry tuned back into their conversation. "We should definitely get together alone. Catch up."

Austin frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea. You, Harry, and I can do something, though."

Harry began to relax, seeing that Austin wasn't going to go off alone with Xavier. Another thought struck him. Maybe he wasn't going off alone with Xavier because he couldn't trust himself alone with the man. Maybe he was afraid that if he was alone with Xavier, something would happen between them.

Harry needed to know if there was anything lingering between them for his own peace of mind. "You should go out with him."

Austin's eyes widened as they locked with Harry's eyes. "What?"

Harry stared impassively in the face of Xavier's smirk. "I said you should go out with him. Catch up with an old friend. I'd just get in the way."

"You never get in the way," Austin whispered.

Harry bit his lip. "I'd be bored. You'd be telling stories about days before I knew you. I wouldn't be able to follow. I'll have more fun here. Maybe I'll call Suzie and go out with her."

Harry knew if he said he'd go out with Suzie, Austin would give in. After moving to Egypt, Harry met Suzie, the little sister of one of Austin's co-workers. She immediately became his best friend in a very unfamiliar place.

"Are you sure?"

Harry forced himself to smile. "Very."

Austin looked at Xavier. "Okay, sure. We can go out... I guess."

Harry didn't say anything as they left the next night. He had lied; he wasn't going out with Suzie, but Austin didn't need to know that.

Harry didn't ask questions when his lover got back. He closed his eyes while they made love. He wondered if it was going to be one of their last times together.

Austin and Xavier went out a couple of more nights before Harry finally spoke up. "Xavier, wait. Before you go, I need to say something."

Xavier leaned against the wall, arms folded across his built chest, glare fixed firmly on his face. Austin looked at him questioningly.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I don't believe I have it in me to be manipulative or even persuasive. Not really. Especially when I never thought I'd have to be with you, Austin. Frankly, all I care about is your happiness."

"Harry –"

Harry held up a hand, silencing Austin. "Please, let me finish. Austin, you mean everything to me. Which is why I'm saying what I am to you. If you want to be with him, I understand. You two just seem to click, and I want you happy, even if it's with someone else. I won't stand in your way or try to talk you out of it."

Xavier's glare turned into a smirk. Harry knew what was going through his mind: I won. Was it really winning when Harry surrendered, though?

Austin turned around to face Xavier. Harry closed his eyes. He might have said it was okay, but he didn't want to see them kiss. He didn't think Austin was that cruel, but one never knew. "Xavier, what you and I had at one time was wonderful. It was passionate and fun." Harry clenched his eyes shut even tighter. "It was only ever temporary, though. It was never meant to last. If you hadn't broken it off, I would have when it fizzled out." Harry opened his eyes. He felt cautiously hopeful. "What I have with Harry is meant to last. Not only do we have the passion and the fun, but we have the talking and understanding. We fight, but we talk and make-up. We don't go weeks without talking because of a fight. We both work at our relationship, and that's why it's as strong as it is. It's so strong that I'm astonished Harry would even consider the possibility of me breaking up with him. I love him and only him. He's who I want, and there's no one else for me."

Harry stepped forward. "You never said that to me."

Austin turned back around so he faced Harry. He gripped Harry's chin gently so Harry couldn't look down at his feet. "Of course the first time I said it, I hoped we'd be alone, but it doesn't change the truth of the sentiment."

"Why did you wait so long to say it then?"

"Didn't want to scare you off." Austin moved his arms around Harry's waist.

Harry smiled. "We have a lot in common. I was afraid of scaring you off as well. I love you, too. So much. The thought of losing you devastated me, but your happiness meant the world to me."

"You don't ever have to worry about losing me. You stuck with me."

"That's the best news I ever heard."

As they kissed, Harry was aware of a door being slammed, but he didn't care. He had his lover and nothing was about to make that change. Not even an ex-boyfriend.