Chapter: 10

IMPORTANT: (MUST READ) This is another Round Robin being written on Slytherin Mafia's yahoo group. With their permission, I put this up on here for other people to read and give ideas. This will be updated weekly or whenever the next person puts their chapter up. Any reviews will be passed on to them and replies will be the same. Please R&R. Thanks. IMPORTANT: (MUST READ)

Disclaimer: WE do not own Gundam Wing or Harry Potter however much we which we did.

Summary: During the War Duo comes across an abused Harry (age about 5) who hides him from OZ/Alliance. Seeing the abuse Duo takes Harry away with him. Harry gets shunted about between the Pilots during the rest of the War. After the War, Harry stays with Duo and becomes the Pilots' collective little brother. He doesn't want to go to Hogwarts when the letter comes. Dumbledore won't take no for an answer.

Chapter 10 – Truths and Promises

"I'm home!" Duo called as he walked out of the hanger. The mission had been relatively simple, go in, destroy the carrier, get out. There had been no complications, and so Duo was able to return home days earlier than he'd planned. Unfortunately, that also meant that he was going to have to decide what to do with Harry that much sooner.

'DUO!" A small black blur flew out of his room as Harry launched himself towards Duo, an act that would have sent the braided pilot to the floor had he not braced himself, and wrapped his arms tightly around the older boy's neck.

"What's up, little guy?" One look at the small boy's face told Duo that something was wrong, Harry looked like he was about to cry.

"You left and Howard said you don't say goodbye, but you didn't even tell me you were leaving and I thought you didn't want me anymore and you weren't going to come back 'cause you saw me do freaky stuff." After spouting it all out in a single breath, Harry tightened his grip, burying his face in the pilot's hair. Duo looked towards Howard, who was standing in the doorway that Harry had come out of. 'What?' Duo mouthed silently, pointing to Harry with one hand, even as he supported the boy's weight with his other.

Howard mouthed back, 'We need to talk.' before gesturing for Duo to put the boy down.

"Harry, I'm going to put you down now, OK?" Harry stiffened, releasing his grip on Duo's neck.

"Sorry." he whispered as he allowed Duo to lower him to the floor, only to step back a few steps and bow his head, bracing for a blow.

"...Harry?" Duo just stared in confusion at the younger boy, wondering what he had said. "Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry for que- questioning your judgment." Harry said, his voice completely void of emotion, though his eyes shone with unshed tears as he recited a phrase that had been burnt into his memory. He had violated the one of the most important rules his uncle had laid out for him, surely Duo wouldn't let him get away with that. He had ruined everything. Duo wouldn't want him anymore. "Please don't make me leave!" he was unable to stop himself from crying out, "I deserve punishment, but please don't make me leave!"

Duo realized what was wrong in an instant, his eyes blazing as he cursed Harry's relatives. Taking care to keep his voice calm, he knelt on the floor to reassure the shaking boy. "Harry, it's okay." He reached out, lifting Harry's face so that he could look him in the eyes. "You won't be punished for telling us what's on your mind. You have done nothing to deserve a punishment."

"Bu-but I... I showed disrespect." Harry stuttered out, unwilling to meet the other's eyes. "Uncle Vernon says f-freaks must be respectful to their betters. And when they're not, they get hit and sent to the cupboard without food."

Duo sighed heavily, "Harry. You. Are. Not. A. Freak. Understand? You are an adorable little boy who has been mistreated. And you weren't disrespectful. You merely told me what was wrong. And even if you did do something wrong, you don't deserve to be beaten."

Harry stared at him, nodding his head in acknowledgement, despite his clear disbelief. Duo pulled him close, comforting the smaller boy, doing his best to restrain his anger. Harry stiffened at the first contact, before sinking into the embrace, even returning the gesture.

After a few minutes, Howard coughed, and the two boys separated slowly, neither wanting to lose the warmth that was so rare in their lives. "You okay now, Harry?"

Harry nodded, his cheeks reddening as he stared at his feet, not wanting the other to know just how much he had enjoyed being hugged. He had often seen other families, other kids hugging their parents, and wished that he could have that experience. And now that Duo had given him it, not once, but multiple times, he couldn't see himself without his braided savior. Suddenly, he realized that Duo had never said he wouldn't have to leave. "You're going to send me away, aren't you." It was not a question, but a matter-of-fact statement.

Duo froze, looking towards Howard for help. The old man just shrugged, leaving Duo to respond on his own. "Let's go sit down." Harry frowned, but allowed himself to be led back into the room he shared with the braided boy.

Duo sat down on the bottom bunk, gesturing for Harry to sit next to him. Howard just continued to stand in the doorway, ready to offer his support if needed.

"Harry..." Duo started, unsure of what to say. Harry just stared at him, resigned to the fact that he was unwanted. "It's not that I don't want to keep you, it's just..." He trailed off, not wanting to say the wrong thing. A pleading glance towards Howard yielded nothing, so he pushed on, doing his best to explain exactly what he was feeling. "... I can't risk your life. I'm a... soldier. I kill people and there are many people who would love to get their hands on me because of that. If I keep you with me, you'll be in danger. The people who are after me, if they find you, they won't care that you're just a kid, they'll take you to get to me. I... I don't think I could live with myself if I got you killed." Not again. I won't let Harry die like Father Maxwell, Sister Helen, Solo... Everyone I love dies and if that's what it takes to keep him alive, I won't let myself love Harry.

Seeing that Duo was too caught up in his memories to continue, Howard looked to see Harry's reaction. The scarred boy was just staring wide-eyed at Duo, he had never ever, in as long as he could remember, had anyone want to keep him safe. In fact, Vernon had complained about how the freak should just die, save him the trouble of taking care of him. The very thought that Duo would be sad if Harry died brought a joyful feeling to his chest, though it was dampened by the thought that he would have to leave. As he studied Duo's face, the older boy's obvious sorrow made up his mind. "I'm not leaving." Harry knew that should Duo decide to, his words would be enough to deserve an entire week in the cupboard, but they had to be said. He wouldn't let his Duo be sad. "If you want to keep me, then do it. Don't make yourself sad because of me. I want to stay with you. If you don't want me to go, then I won't. If you really do want me to go, then I will." He said, though it was clear that he couldn't believe Duo would ever truly want to keep him.

Duo looked up, Harry was looking at him resignedly, his eyes far more weary than any five-year-old's should be. Suddenly, he burst out laughing, both Harry and Howard looking at him with concern. "You're... you're right." He managed to say, pulling Harry into another embrace, "Can't argue with that logic. Kiddo, looks like you're stuck with us." He looked towards Howard, "We'll just have to make sure he can take care of himself, won't we?"

Howard smiled, nodding. "Welcome to the family, kid."

Harry just smiled, Family. He returned Duo's embrace, ignoring the tears sliding down his cheeks. He had family now, and he wouldn't let anyone take it away from him. Even if he had to use the freakiness to stop them.

Well, hopefully you like it. A bit emotional, but hopefully no one's too OOC.

Next up is... Raliena. Good luck!

This was written by: ReaderGirl