Chapter 10 – Runaway Harry

Harry snuck out grabbed his bike and quietly walked it until he hit the end of the street. Then he rode away as fast as he could. The argument going through his mind. He had been living with Tim a month and everything was going well until a few hours ago.

Harry grinned when he remembered that first morning. His whole world had changed for the better after that thanks to Tim. It had been a challenging month for both of them but they were getting along even with the few issues that popped up.

Tonight as they sat down to dinner Tim had dropped a bomb in his lap. Harry wasn't going back to Hogwarts. An argument broke out and Harry started losing control over his magic. Tim got both of them out of danger and then helped Harry calm down.

Harry did feel bad that Tim would have to replace the glasses that were on the table. They had blown up when he first started to lose control of his magic. Although the way Tim got them out of danger made him blush. Tim had picked him up like a toddler and carried him away from the table. Then sat with him on his lap on the couch in the living room were there wasn't any glass. Then calmed him and his magic down enough that the lights stopped flickering and the windows stopped rattling. Tim had thought it was amusing when Harry complained he wasn't a baby that needed to be carried around.

Harry rolled his eyes when he remembered Tim telling him he wasn't trying to baby him. He was just getting them both to a safe spot away from any windows and the broken glass around the table. Then sent Harry to his room to finish calming down as he got ready for bed. Telling him they'd talk in the morning. When they both had a chance to calm down and could talk rationally.

Harry got really upset when Tim wouldn't hear of Harry helping him clean up. Even when Harry had pointed out the mess was his fault. Tim wouldn't hear of it and told him again to go upstairs. Harry might have started whining but Tim didn't have to yell. Upstairs Now! Harry apologized for upsetting him. But Tim just pointed at the stairs. Harry went upstairs but didn't know why he was so mad he was just trying to help.

Harry rode faster as he thought about that. It was the first time Tim had gotten angry with him. Ok maybe not angry but defiantly annoyed with him. He hadn't raised his voice as they argued just gotten quieter. That is until Harry was yelling and Tim raised his voice to be heard over him and then again later when he pushed Tim to let him help clean up.

Harry went wide eyed as he slowed down and he realized. That Tim was already annoyed with him at that point. He's lucky he hadn't been punished for pushing him and only got yelled at.

Dam-it! Why'd he do that? Why push him? He knew from living with the Dursleys to never push an already annoyed adult. Tim was just trying to help him. And why'd he have to lose control of his magic again? That was really getting old and every time he did. Tim and everyone babied him for days after. Harry smiled as he slowed down more. He had to admit sometimes it was kind of nice and he would miss everyone maybe he should go back. Tim probably didn't even know he left.

Harry shook his head and said out loud. "No I want to go back to Hogwarts."

Harry road faster as he thought about what happened next to make himself remember why he left. Harry had done as Tim told him and gone upstairs to his room throwing himself across his bed. Trying to think how he could explain rationally to Tim how important returning to Hogwarts was to him.

Harry decided he didn't care if Tim was mad about him not getting ready for bed. He refused to sleep until he figure out a way to make Tim understand. But it didn't work out that way he fell asleep. Only to wake up a few hours later to find he had been changed into pajamas and tucked in bed. Harry went downstairs to try and convince Tim not to wait until morning to talk. Harry stopped outside Tim office planning to knock. When he overheard Tim talking on the phone and was furious at what he heard. He was telling someone Harry should never return to Hogwarts that they were using him.

Harry ran back to his room and slammed the door. Angrier than he remembered ever being. Pacing and grumbling he felt his magic along his skin and forced himself to calm down. He didn't want Tim to have a reason to come up to his room. As he wasn't sure what he'd say but it wouldn't be pretty. As he forced his magic back he came up with an idea. He could run away and make his own way to Hogwarts. It was the first home he'd ever known. He couldn't understand how Tim could keep him from it. Tim had to know how important it was him to return, he must not care.

Harry ignore the little voice that whispered. That wasn't true that he was missing something and to hear the man out. A part of him would miss Tim and everyone but a larger part said he had to do this. This would solve his problem and prove to Tim he couldn't make choices for him. Besides once he was there it wasn't like they would force him back. His friends saw their families for holidays why couldn't he.

Although Tim might not let him he'd be pretty mad at first. And he didn't want to know what Gibbs would say. When he took the pajamas off he put them in the bag he pack to take with him to Hogwarts. He grabbed the darkest clothes he had and threw his bag on his back. Slipping out the window ignoring the feeling that he was doing something really stupid growing in his stomach.

Blinking his eyes as angry frustrated tears welded up. Harry stopped and got off his bike as he rubbed his eyes and looked around. Cursing when he realized he was across the street from a park. He would have to go through the park a few miles from the house to get to the bus station on the other side.

Harry began to get scared he wasn't supposed to ride his bike at night. And he really wasn't supposed to be alone in the park at night. He shook it off as he tried to ignore how dark and scary the park looked. He scolded himself mentally and reminded himself that those were the old rules. He got back on his bike and told himself he'd have to get over it. He reminded himself he was on his own and he'd make his own rules to follow.

Harry shrugged and tried to act like his next thought train of thought didn't bother him. He'd have to see how this played out. Once he got to Hogwarts. Tim might let him visit on Holidays and during the summer. Or he might decide he was too much trouble and wash his hands of him. Besides this was the only route he knew to get to the bus station.

Harry decided to just ride fast through the park and get over with. He started riding faster and faster just to get through the park. When he about jumped out of his skin when he heard someone shout his name from behind him and then stop.

Harry yelped and tried riding even faster hoping to out run them. Not looking where he was going and the bike going too fast to control fully. Harry ran right into a tree knocking himself off his bike and falling hard on the ground. He tried to get away as he panted and tried to get his breath back. He froze when he heard a familiar voice above him.

"Don't try and get up just yet Harry. You hit the tree pretty hard give it a minute." Tony said and sat next to Harry looking him over. Seeing Harry was ok. That he just had the wind knocked out of him and a few bumps and bruises from the tumble off the bike. But Harry was also doing his best to hold a brave front while not looking at him.

All Tony saw was a scared and angry little boy. Tony quickly texted Tim while Harry wasn't looking. He knew Ducky already was at Tim's trying to keep Tim calm as they looked for Harry.

Tony texted Tim: Park we run in. Harry ok. Angry, scared. Hit a tree with his bike. Bumps and bruises and wind knocked out of him but ok. Ducky should check him out.

Tim texted back: On my way. Stall. Gibbs will call off the search. Ducky will wait at my place to check him.

Tony sent back: OK.

Harry sat up after he got his breath back. He was trying to not look scared but angry and having a hard time of it. He knew he was in deep trouble and he had to get away. So he wasn't saying anything or looking directly at Tony. Of all the people Tony had to be the one to find him. Tony had a way of making him talk when he really didn't want too. It was really annoying.

Tony knew he had to stall but also wanted to help both Harry and Tim. So maybe he could use the time as they waited. Now he had to get Harry to talk not always an easy task. He hid a smirk as he thought to himself like father like son. He wondered sometimes if Harry got his stubbornness from all three parents or just Tim.

"So want to talk about it?" Tony asked.

Harry shook his head and started picking at the grass around him. The less he talked the better. He knew Tony would take Tim's side and really didn't want to hear how wrong he was right now. He was being childish and he knew it. But he didn't care right now. He knew Tony wouldn't let him leave or pretend he didn't see him and leave himself. Although he did wondered if Tim would show up or if Tony would force him to go back.

Tony frowned and sat next to Harry and said. "Come on you and Tim where getting along pretty good. Then we get a call that you and your bike are gone. No note just an empty bed and a missing bike. That was very not cool Harry. Gibbs convinced Tim to let us look for you before he called the police. Gibbs was convinced you left on your own and couldn't have gotten far. Tim's worried sick about you. So spill what happen."

Harry said. "I didn't mean to make Tim worry about me. We had a disagreement and I left end of the story."

Tony raise an eyebrow and pushing his ears out said. "Must have been pretty bad to make you leave. Come on you two were getting along great the last time I was over. And now you are hitting the road. Spill Harry. Come on two working ears no waiting. Lay it out for me."

Harry rolled his eyes and said. "Fine it won't matter not like it will change. Tim won't let me go back to Hogwarts. All my friends are there Tony. For years I had no friends or a place to call home. Then I went to Hogwarts and found a home, friends and started to learn things I'd only dreamt about. I even found people to help me when I needed it and people who knew my parents and even me as a baby. My parents want me to go to where they went to school. Besides all my friend will be expecting me there when school starts and I want to be there it's not fair." Harry felt a flash of frustration mixed with heat and realized he needed to calm down. Before he had a bough of accidental magic right here in the park. He muttered. "Never mind you'll just take Tim's side."

Harry closed his eyes and started taking deep breaths and releasing them slowly. Just like Tim had taught him to help him calm down. A few minutes later he had calmed down and opened his eyes to see Tony watching him a concerned look on his face.

"This isn't about sides Harry. I don't want you to get upset again but I won't lie to you ether. This is about getting you what you need both in your education and how to keep you safe. Tim wouldn't make a choice like this without looking at everything involved. He must have a good reason for you not returning to Hogwarts. You know that about him. And also you and I both know he probably has research every school in DC. To make sure whatever school you end up at has whatever you need available. Did you ask why he decided to not let you go back or just get your back up and start yelling? Did he maybe send you to your room to calm down and so he could calm down as well. Also so the both of you had time to think about it and then calmly talk things out later." Tony asked.

Harry blushed and glared then said. "Ok fine. I admit I got upset and I wasn't listening past I couldn't go back. But he just sprung it on me as we were sitting down to dinner and then wouldn't listen to me. I lost control of my magic and yes he did helped me calm down. But did he have to treat me like a baby. Then after I was calm I wanted to help him clean the mess my magic made. Does he let me help? No he just sent me to my room like a little kid having a temper tantrum and he yelled at me. After I was in my room I fell asleep even though I didn't want to. When I woke up he had tucked me in and changed my clothes to pajamas. I went to try and talk to him and heard Tim on the phone. He was telling someone I shouldn't ever go back because there just using me. How can he say that? My Friends care about me and I want to be with them."

Tony thought for a moment and said. "Ok a lot to cover here. But to sum it up from what I hear. The reason you left is you were upset over a disagreement with Tim which included him babying you. Then later you overheard part of a conversation. When you were supposed to be in bed and didn't give Tim a chance to explain what you heard. Just like he wouldn't listen to you when you tried to talk to him at dinner and had a disagreement over that. Sounds like both of you were being unfair to the other one and let your tempers take over. I think you and Tim need to talk it out."

Harry shook his head and said. "He's already made up his mind there using me and won't let me go back because of it. And he hasn't even met them Tony. How is that in any way fair?"

Tony held his hand up and said. "Hold on Harry listen to me. Be upset with Tim for the disagreement all you want and even be annoyed at being babied but the rest. You don't know what Tim's reason for not letting you go back are. He might have been just letting off steam by talking to a friend or that might be his reason. You don't know ether way Harry. Even you admit you only overheard part of a conversation. I think you should give him a chance to explain. Who knows you might agree with his reason once you give him a chance to explain or you might not. It's worth a shot and I don't think Tim's that mad. I'm sure he didn't mean to yell. Just like you didn't mean to yell at him. After all he did tuck you in and make sure you were comfortable. Can't you at least hear him out before you leave? I think he at least deserves that much don't you?"

Harry went back to picking the grass not answering. He had saved the pajamas Tim conquered even in his anger he packed them to take to Hogwarts. He started thinking about if Tim would listen to him. He doubted Tim would agree even if he told him how important Hogwarts or his friends were to him. Earlier Tim had sounded firm on his decision no matter what he thought. Not that what he thought mattered adults rarely listened to kids. But this wasn't something he would give up on. He wanted to go to Hogwarts and be with his friends.

"Harry answer me this ok. Do you think Tim is doing this to hurt you or keep you away from your friends?" Tony asked.

Harry sniffled and said. "Yes."

Tony raised an eyebrow and said. "Harry don't let you anger talk for you. Is that what you really think?"

Harry shook his head and said. "No he's usually pretty reasonable. Your right I'm just angry at him. He must have a reason. But I don't care what that reason is Tony. I want to go back to Hogwarts I told you why. Doesn't what I want matter?"

"Yes it does. In less you're in danger then happiness isn't a factor as long as you're safe. I'm sorry but that's the way it goes. So let's think about this. What could be the reason? Maybe we can find a compromise to appease Tim and you can go. No promises but we can try." Tony said.

Harry shrugged.

"I could take you home and you could ask him." Tony said.

Harry shook his head and said. "I don't want to I'm still too angry. If I got back now he'll be really mad and we'll argue again. Then I'll be right back to where I started. But this time he'll probably spell the doors and windows so I can't leave."

"I don't think he'll go that far Harry. But I don't think he'll let you just leave. More than likely he'd talk it out with you. At least until you come to something you both can live with. Face it Harry. You have to go home some time. And you know some type of agreement will have to be made. Even if you two just agree to disagree." Tony said.

Harry nodded and wrapped his arms around his knees and said. "In a little while. Besides I'm sure you already called Tim."

Tony scratched his head and grinned as he said. "Well yeah. Everyone was worried and looking for you. Plus I had to call off the search to. No point in still looking if you're already found."

Harry sighed and looked up at the sky and said. "How long?"

Tony looked confused and said. "How long what?"

Harry glared as he looked over at Tony and said. "We've been over this before Tony. I'm a kid not stupid. You're keeping me talking and in one place. Until Tim gets here or you convince me to be taken home. You're not pushing taking me home. So how long until Tim shows up? I know he'll show up sooner or later. So quit stalling how long?"

"Oh about right now." Tim said.

Harry glared and up at Tim and said. "I don't want to talk to you and you can't make me."

Tim shrugged and said. "Ok." He grabbed Harry's bike and walked it over to his car putting it in his trunk. Then came back and sat down leaning his back against the tree facing Harry but watching the sky.

Harry folded his arms and glared. He said. "You can't just sit there and wait until I start talking to you Tim. It won't work."

Tim still watching the sky grinned and said. "Hate to break it to you Harry. But you are talking to me. If you want to stop go ahead. It's a warm clear night. Just perfect for star gazing. Take your time. I'll be here."

Harry glared and with a huff got up and walked away.

Tony stood to follow and Tim stopped him. "Let him be Tony. I can still see him and I'll handle it if he goes too far. He's testing me just wait."

"I can hear you, you know. And I'm not testing you. It's not my fault you being unreasonable." Harry said turning around and glaring with his arms crossed.

Tim grinned and said. "Yep nothing wrong with your hearing. And there is all kinds of tests in life Harry. Are ready to talk to me yet? Maybe explain how and why you think I'm being unreasonable?"

Harry huffed again and turned back around and stomped off. No one wanted him to go back. Fine! No one cared what he thought or wanted. Fine! He'd show them. He'd get back on his own. He started getting angrier as he thought about it. He walked further away. Getting angrier with every step. His magic crackling along his skin and he for once reveled in the feeling and let the wind whip around him when it came. He realized he was losing control and was close to losing total control. He stopped and started breathing deep and letting it out until he was calmer. Under control again he began walking again.

Harry realized he needed a plan. Taking the bike failed but what if he could hide until Tim and Tony left. He could figure out a way to Hogwarts he was sure of it. If he reached Hogwarts too early for school to start. Then he'd stay with one of his friends. It crossed his mind that he might have a slight problem with that. He didn't know were any of them lived or how to get there.

Then Harry smiled as an idea struck him. He could get to Hogwarts and then borrow a school owl. He'd send them a note and ask if he could stay with them until school started. Dumbledore or the other Professors might try and get involved. But if he hid from them until he heard from his friends it shouldn't be an issue. He knew lots of good hiding places at Hogwarts that he could use. And he could always meet the friend he stayed with somewhere else and then go home with them. Not a great plan but he'd have time to work on it later. Right now he needed to hide.

Plan made he started looking for a good hiding place. He spotted some tall trees that he could hide in. He smirked he doubted ether man could or would follow him up a tree. If they even saw him climb one. He'd have to get as far away from them as he could. Then when they least expected it run as fast as he could. He knew he couldn't out run them but if he could get far enough away and disappear up a tree. They'd be so busy running they'd just think he disappeared. A huge risk since he knew both men both ran together and alone through this park. And he and Tim brought their dog here most weekends. But it was his only plan. Now just how far away from them was he and were they still watching him.

Harry turned to see what the two men were doing now. His temper flared when they seemed to be ignoring him. Talking and laughing and having a grand old time. Harry continued walking as he watched them. When he got to certain point he noticed Tim's eyebrows go up and he started to stand, Tony stood as well.

Figuring he was as far from then as he could get and that this was his best chance. Harry ran as fast as he could and got to the biggest tree he could. Climbing as fast as he could to get as high as he could. Harry's breathing was getting heavy from running and climbing. He wasn't sure how high he was but he had no choice but to stop and stayed where he was. But he did the best he could to blend in with the branches and leaves. After a few minutes his breath was back to normal and he leaned against the tree tears in his eyes. He was so tired and just wanted to go home. He still wanted to go back to Hogwarts but at this point he was so tired. If only he could just wake up and have all of this be a dream. Tim calling him down for breakfast and Jethro snoring at the end of his bed. But he knew it wasn't a dream and if they found him he was in so much trouble. He started crying figuring if he kept quiet no one could see or hear him.

Tony looked at Tim and said. "Really he's running. Where does he think he's going?"

Tim shrugged and started walking as he said. "We both saw him looking for a hiding place. And he seemed pretty frustrated. That we were talking as we were waiting for him. He might think we were ignoring him. Not realizing we both were watching him. Hell Tony for all I know. Maybe he thinks we'll get tired of waiting around and just leave."

Tony smirked and started walking next to Tim and said. "We're cops we get paid to wait."

Tim shrugged again and he said. "I know that and you know that but he's 11. Tony we watched him run in plain sight. I think he's angry, frustrated, tired and scared. I don't he's thinking rationally at this point."

Tony nodded and spotted Harry. He nudged Tim and pointed up. He said. "I think we found our lost kitten. And by the looks of things he's not a happy kitten ether. I think you right about what you said earlier. He looks like he's about had it. How do you want to play this?"

Tim glared at the kitten comment but had to hide a chuckle at the same time. He said quietly. "We sit and wait. I know he's upset but we give him space until he calls attention to himself."

Tony nodded and he and Tim sat under the tree Harry was in. Then they started talking about of all things gardening. It seems Tim had been thinking about landscaping the front and back yard possibly putting a treehouse in at some point.

Harry was surprised they found him so fast. But he wasn't about to give away where he was just in case they were just resting. But after a few minutes of being quiet and listening to them talk. About flowers verses trees and which would need more care. He wondered if they intended to bore him to death. He liked gardening but really listen to it verses doing it was boring. Harry looked down to see Tim looking right at him and he said quietly. "Am I in more trouble now?"

Tim raised an eyebrow and said. "What do you think?"

"Yes. Are you going to punish me?" Harry said timidly.

Tim stood up and stood right under Harry as he said. "Yes. I'll never hurt you Harry. I promise you any punishment that you ever get from me or anyone I trust your care with. We we'll discuss and make sure were both ok with it. As for tonight this isn't ok and can't happen again. You can't run away every time I say or do something you don't like. Kids are kidnapped or hurt every day. If someone grabbed you or tried to hurt you. No one would have known to even look for you until it was too late. This was dangerous and reckless. Not to mention you also could have gotten lost or been hurt and no one would have known where you were to help you. Anything could have happened. Do you need help down?"

Harry nodded and Tim helped him down out of the tree and into his arms.

Harry hugged Tim and said. "I'm really sorry. I know I'll still be punished for what I did. But I just wanted you to know I didn't mean to be reckless or put myself in danger. I was just so angry I had to do something."

Tim nodded and hugged Harry back. Then placed him on his feet on the ground and after checking he was alright. Tim put a finger under Harry's chin and said. "I'm glad you're sorry and that you realize the risk you took. But you're still in big trouble. Let's go home we'll talk about what made you so angry and work it out."

Harry nodded and followed Tim to the car and got in. Tony walked with them to the car but then said his goodbyes and went home.

Harry looked out the window said. "I know I'm in trouble, but I'm still angry and think your being unfair."

Tim nodded and said. "I know. I'm not exactly thrilled with you right now. Ducky's at the house to check you over. We can talk after he leaves. For now just relax and enjoy the ride home."

Harry huffed but didn't say anything.