Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own Harry Potter. It is the property of J.K. Rowling and her associates. No monetary or material profit was gainned from this story.

Chapter Nine

Bubble

George stared at Harry, noticing the panicked expression on his face. Pure magic was leaking from his skin. It was incasing the two in a bubble of still air, throwing everything and everyone to the side of the room. Despite the overwhelming display of power that might scare most people, George had never felt safer than he did at that moment. He and his twin would be safe in this space, with Harry. It was then that he noticed that Fred was not with them.

"Fred? Where's Fred?!" he choked out. Panic started to overcome him. His twin was not within this safe bubble of magic. He could be who knows where! He could be with the Order!

Harry saw George start to panic. Suddenly the entire room froze. Nothing moved except Harry and George. It was as if someone had suddenly taken a Muggle picture of the room, trapping them inside and holding them still.

Arms wrapped around his shoulders, holding George close to his chest so he could hear his heartbeat. This did calm them down some, but the thought the one person that they both held near and dear to their heart was still out there was heart wrenching. He might be gone forever…

OoOoO

Kama and Nuvain landed with Fred outside the wards of the cottage. There was a moment of panic as the two elves realized that they were unable to move and were having trouble breathing for all of the pure magic clogging the air. They also noticed that Fred, however, was having no trouble moving or breathing.

They watched as he raced into the home, not paying any attention to the frozen people beside him. He just needed to find out if Harry and George were okay. If they weren't here… If they weren't okay and far away from the Order… Fred didn't know what he would do.

The relief was evident on his face when he saw his twin was being comforted and protected by someone who had to be one of the most powerful beings he knew. He looked on in awe at the lengths Harry had gone to comfort and protect George; Fred had finally noticed his surroundings.

It was a frozen storm of movement. Lamps and books were motionless in mid-flight. Knickknacks that the house elves had found and displayed were held in the air despite having already shattered against the wall.

He couldn't take it anymore. Fred launched himself at the two sitting on the floor, incasing them both in his long reaching arms. Harry and George were safe. He was safe. They were all safe.

OoOoO

Harry was shocked when another set of arms latched themselves around the both of them. Fred! Fred was back and he was safe! Slowly the air around them became devoid of the stillness that had filled the room. Furniture moved itself back to where it had been before. Shattered glass pieced itself seamlessly back together. Frames straightened themselves on the wall.

The last thing that happened was the release of the four elves that had been frozen in the vice of magic. His mates were safe. They may not know it, but he did. Harry knew that he had protected George, even if he hadn't really needed it.

At last the overwhelming use of magic, both wizarding and elf, had taken it's toll. He was getting rapidly sleepy. But, despite the fact he was nearly unconscious, Harry had an devastating desire to protect his mates even if there was no real danger. Pushing the last bit of energy into his magic, a small ward grew up and around the trio. His self-appointed mission completed, Harry promptly passed out.

OoOoO

"Harry? Harry?" George said gently, not know if he should wake up or move the young man whose head was currently residing in his lap.

"We should probably leave him be. By the looks of things he used a hell of a lot of magic. He has to be exhausted," Fred pointed out as he looked around the room. The room had been destroyed by the raw power that Harry had displayed. Now, it was cleaner and more in order than the House elves had ever managed to make it.

He moved slightly away from his twin and loved one, Fred examined the bubble that stood around him. It was mostly clear with a baby blue tint. It was almost like a shield spell. The bubble spanned nearly eight feet in every direction, enough room for him to have laid out on his back with both arms extended and not touch the ward.

Fred looked back at his brother and the man he loved (But, to his knowledge, would never have). They were all tired and it seemed that Harry had the right idea. Experimentally, Fred summoned a pile of blankets and pillows from a hall closet. They hovered shakily outside for a moment before entering the space. A few cushioning charms and some maneuvering later, George and Fred were curled around a sleeping elf, reveling in the feeling of being close and comfortable with each other. Not long after, the twins drifted off to sleep as well.

OoOoO

The four elves stared incredulously at the sight before them. Curled up together, limbs tangled together reminiscent of a litter of puppies, were three teenage boys. It was clear by how comfortable they appeared with one another that they were close.

"How can't they all see how perfect they are for each other?!" Nuvain sighed in pure exasperation.

"They are all male. Romance normally isn't a man's strong suit. And have been in a family situation for the majority of their time together. Do you really expect it to be like one of your romance novels? The instant knowledge that they are made for each other and then ride off into the sunset on white horses?" Kama said in a bitter tone. If only it was that simple.

"They will figure it out. It might not be pretty when they do, but they will soon. I can feel it," Nimbus said knowingly. He had a good feeling about that. Then again, He also had a feeling that something was going to go bad soon.

"Come on. Let's go so that they can sleep. We can have the House elves make them something when they wake." The others nodded at Kylan's advice.

Before leaving the room they all unconsciously looked back one last time. The way they were laying together looked like it should be uncomfortable, but the three looked more at ease then they ever had before. When one moved, the others instantly moved as well, never waking. They were truly made for each other.

A/N: Another one bites the dust! Things are really starting to roll.