A/N: Okay, so something just hit me and stole the wind from my sails. My muse is rather lethargic right now, and the plot bunnies have run off in search of something more fun, I'm afraid. I wanted a bit of a slower pace, but it seems I'll have to up the plot a bit just to get a solid chapter out. Maybe it'll help me get back on the fast track.
Discalimer: Why would I stalk characters I own?
Edit: apparently I had a bad typo with Duo meaning two. I've got it fixed now, thanks to those who informed me!
Ch. 11
Duo awoke slowly, the light from his window softly streaming in. With a muffled grunt he threw an arm over his eyes, trying to fall back into the dark sleep that wasn't too far behind him yet. He loved to simply lay in bed, drifting in and out of the haze associated with waking slowly. He sighed as he realized that by the amount of light it wouldn't be too long before he'd have to get up and fix breakfast; it was his day after all.
Duo snorted and knew his brothers wouldn't be down for a little while longer, he always put it off until he heard the tell-tale thump of Heero trying to make his way downstairs. Duo smiled at the thought of his favorite pilot. They were closer than Duo'd been with anyone, ever. Not even Solo took the same kind of place in his heart as Heero had somehow wormed his way into. Even if it wasn't romantic, Duo doubted he'd ever find someone he was as close to as he was with Heero.
Yeah, one disastrous attempt of a first kiss and the consequent scream-fest Relena had unleashed at them after stumbling in had quickly quelled that notion.
Duo gave a small chuckle and waited as his internal clock began the countdown. Three... two... one.
... No thump.
Confused, Duo sat up and looked about. Heero wasn't out on any missions, was he? Thinking, he took stock of his room. It looked usual, save for the fact that he didn't have his laptop on the desk like usual. Everything was nor-wait. Duo groaned and flopped back down onto the bed. Everything was normal for 12 Grimwald place, just not the safe house Duo had thought himself in. To confirm that fact, Duo realized that the 'sunshine' streaming through his window was from the beautiful source they called a street lamp.
With a sigh Duo got out of bed, sneaking downstairs quietly. He didn't want to worry anyone, but he needed some time. Hermione, Quat, and Trowa would notice he wasn't at morning training and chalk it up to him sleeping in. If they checked, his brothers would know he needed some time.
Duo walked out the front door and closed it behind him, staring up at the clear sky. Dawn wouldn't arrive for a while longer, the sky still dark.
Duo sat upon the steps as he drew his cross out from under his shirt. He clasped it tightly as he softly pleaded, "Father, please forgive me. I have gone against your ways of peace, and will have to do so again." With a painful sigh Duo closed his eyes, for once not fighting back the sorrow that constantly threatened to consume him.
"I am most certain your father wouldn't blame you for fighting," a kind voice stated. Duo gave a small jump and looked up at the figure of Albus Dumbledore standing at the bottom of the steps. The older man smiled gently and asked, "Might I join you?"
Duo looked again at the headmaster. Something in the man's eyes told him that the old man was haunted by the same kinds of horrors he himself was, and that they'd finally caught up with him. So Duo nodded, scooting closer to the wall to make room him.
Dumbledore smiled in thanks and sat down on the other side of the stairs, graciously taking the spot Duo had cleared for him. "It's a good night for ghosts, don't you think?"
Duo chuckled his agreement before turning his attention back to the stars. He looked up at where the L2 Colony Cluster was orbiting, feeling slightly homesick. After a few minutes of silence Duo finally stated, "You're wrong, you know." He could feel the questioning gaze but chose to ignore it as he continued to look at the stars. "Father Maxwell, he was all about peace. The resistance was taking shelter at the church, and even with all those desperate soldiers around he kept preaching peace." Duo didn't have to see himself to know his gaze had turned dark and dangerous as he ground out, "Even as the Alliance killed him, Father kept preaching peace."
Duo heard the old man sigh before soft words floated to his ears, "I used to believe that way as well." Duo looked at Dumbledore in curiosity which only heightened after he noticed that the older man's defenses were completely down. Dumbledore had removed his glasses and was rubbing the bridge of his nose as he continued, "I was a foolish boy in my youth, and believed in achieving peace without battle. I had a best friend, Grinwalde, and was planning on bettering the world with him. Something happened then, and suddenly a quest for world peace turned to a quest for world domination.
"We had an argument, and the resulting battle brought only sorrow. I determined then and there that battle wasn't the way to achieve peace. I stayed out of the fighting for years, not letting anyone convince me that anything other than peace talks were how I should help the war front." Dumbledore let out another sigh before continuing, "Nothing happened. The war just got worse and worse, until finally I couldn't take anymore of the death around me. And so I went out to the front lines, and defeated my best friend. Knowing that I was the cause of his death hurts to this day, yet the knowledge that I was the cause of so much needless death is what constantly haunts me."
Dumbledore turned and caught Duo's eye, his wizened face giving a small smile. "It was then I learned that sometimes peace cannot be attained without war. There is a time for all things, after all, and war is included among the number. I'm certain your father is watching, and has noticed your pure intentions. He'll forgive you, Harry, because he loves you."
Duo smiled in thanks at the man before commenting, "I know you wish for me to accept my heritage, but my name is my past. I can't go back on it because someone tells me that it's what my birth parents would have called me."
Dumbledore sighed again as he replied, "Forgive an old man his quirks, Harry. I admit it would be nice, but then I guess part of this is morning for the child you would have been."
Duo shrugged and went back to looking at the stars. He missed the Maxwell church. Today was the only day he couldn't smile as usual, the only day he couldn't shove the knowledge to the back of his mind. It was the anniversary, after all.
He heard the door open slightly, and was only mildly surprised when Hermione walked down between Dumbledore and himself. She gave Duo a sad smile before sitting down on the step directly below the one he was seated on. She leaned into him and pulled the surprised boy into a hug.
Duo sat in shock a few moments before hugging his little sister back. It felt good to have someone hold him, yet it wasn't as if the wound wasn't healing. The more he lived his life to the fullest the more he felt better about the past, probably because he was no longer stewing in it. It was that very problem that had brought him closer to Wufei. He'd entered the hideout only to see the pilot in a familiar dark cloud. Duo hadn't wasted time in hugging the other boy, holding him as the anger at such close contact turned into the tears he had been trying not to show. Duo was pretty certain that Wufei and he knew things about each other that no one else knew. They had found a common hurt in each other and consequently poured out their hearts to each other. Hermione's hug wasn't as good as the one from his Chinese friend Duo usually found himself in on the anniversary of the Maxwell Church Tragedy, yet it was still wonderful.
He smiled as he smelled the faint perfume she'd put on, recalling the moment he'd seen the twins secretly give it to her. He was so proud of his baby sister, for here she was of her own accord dressed in a black mini-skirt that had chains draped across it. Her sense of balance showed through better, for if she wore a smaller bottom she wore a more modest top. Today she'd gone with a simple baggy tank-top, one of his own, he duly noted. It made him smile. Being so close to life - a life he'd helped, no less - was invigorating and spreading a contagiously good feeling throughout his weary spirit.
Duo duly noted Dumbledore standing and entering the house, allowing the two of them to have some privacy. Duo knew he'd have to re-evaluate his ideas of the headmaster. While the old coot certainly didn't know what he was doing and was only concerned about the end, no matter what the means, he wasn't actually all that bad.
Duo gave a yawn as he and Hermione joined the group for breakfast. Trowa was sitting at the table and already catching up on his studies, one of the school books they'd been borrowing from Hermione open in front of him as he sipped his coffee.
Hermione looked flabbergasted as she blinked and asked, "Have you all been genetically wired to run on coffee or something?"
Duo just laughed and clapped her on the back as he made his way over to his usual seat. "You'll understand once you taste it, Hermione," he commented.
Strangely, Ron sat in front of them as they were all served breakfast. "Hey," he began, tilting his head down in an attempt to hide the forming blush. "Um... look, Duo, I have to apologize." Duo blinked in confusion and the still-reddening boy continued, "You're not at all what I expected, and so I haven't been the best of companions. Can we try again?"
Duo finally caught on and gave a small smile. "Sure, Ron," he answered. "Why don't we start today? You can hang with Quat and I after lunch, okay?"
Ron beamed and nodded his head before digging into his lunch. "Hey boys," Sirius stated as he plopped down next to the red head. "So, Dumbles has called out all of the teachers for some staff meeting. You've been instructed to read as much as you can in the next few days, but until Monday all your tutoring sessions are cancelled!" Duo beamed at his godfather with an exuberant cry of joy. It seemed most people followed the same schedule, for breakfast was a strangely silent affair with any adults leaving quickly. Not moments after breakfast Mrs. Weasley managed to wrangle the pilots and Hermione into a room on the third floor. After handing them strange spray cans she instructed them to clear out the doxies and to report back at lunch. Just as they were all comprehending what had happened, the door slammed shut behind her retreating figure.
"Well," Duo stated, breaking the silent surprise, "That was handy." Placing a hand on his hip, Duo turned to the room. "Q-bean, open a window, will ya?"
Quatre nodded and complied, giving a small cry of alarm and quickly hiding behind Trowa as a small blue fairy-like thing came out to attack him. Hermione giggled at the display as she commented, "That would be a doxie, Quatre."
Duo just smirked before allowing his magic to seep out from his skin. "Attention all doxies," he called. "The window is open, I would suggest that you leave." In a mass panic the blue creatures formed a giant cloud that squeezed itself out of the window. Duo walked over and slid the glass shut behind the fleeing forms, drawing his magic back into himself. "Well," he stated as he turned to his shocked companions, "there's one good thing about creatures fearing me. How about we conjure up a few chairs and chat, huh?"
"What is it," Trowa inquired as he walked over to a wall. With the usual crossing of his arms he leaned against it, patiently awaiting Duo's reply. Quatre and Hermione both sat gracefully on the ground, neither bothering to remind Duo that without the professors around they weren't supposed to perform magic until they returned to school.
With a sigh Duo explained, "School is in four weeks. We've nearly finished our training but we haven't been able to get a solid lead on where the prophesy is hidden."
Quatre looked at Hermione as he asked, "Do you know where it is?"
Hermione copied the sigh Duo had given before answering, "Yes. From what I've been able to gather the prophesies are all stored in the Department of Mysteries, which located at the Ministry of Magic. They should all be in a single room, on shelves categorized by date. The book I read stated that all prophesies can only be removed by those it addresses, and the names will be written on a tag beneath each prophesy."
"So what do they look like?" Duo interjected.
"Crystal balls," Hermione answered with a shrug. "No bigger than you can easily fit in your hand, each clear with a swirling fog trapped inside."
Quatre placed a light hand on her knee as all the pilots smiled at the treasure they'd somehow found. "Thank you, Hermione," Quatre gently stated. "With this information we can plan the retrieval." Hermione blushed at the praise as Quatre went on, "We need to scout the area first, find out for certain where it's at and the obstacles blocking it. Trowa," the boy in question looked at their leader, "as soon as we can get inside the ministry, you'll need to infiltrate the Department of Mysteries. After lunch you and Hermione can try to find any blue prints of the Ministry." Trowa nodded and Quatre turned his attention to Duo. "Duo, the ministry will probably want to see you before the school year starts in order to ascertain for themselves that you are actually Harry Potter. Keep your ears open, or even suggest it to Dumbledore yourself. When that happens you'll need to find a way for Trowa to accompany you in secret; perhaps Severus will help with that."
Duo nodded before giving a mock salute, "On it."
Hermione just observed all of this before turning to Quatre with astonished eyes. "You're the leader," she stated quietly. As all the boys looked at her in confusion she elaborated, "Based on the code numbers you've all been assigned, it's a logical assumption that 01 is the leader. But, you actually are the leader, aren't you, Quatre?"
Quatre gave her a small smile as he confirmed, "Yes, I am. It was never officially decided upon, but it happened to turn out that way."
Duo chuckled and added, "The code numbers of 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05 are actually in place because of the colony we came from. It was a simple way for the Doctors to figure out which pilot belonged to which scientist."
"Oh." Hermione thought a moment and then nodded, apparently answering her mental inquiry on her own. With a shrug she added, "Oh well, whatever. I'll keep watch while you guys sneak out to get Trowa's Gundam."
Trowa couldn't stop his eyes from widening, and Duo snickered as he noticed. "This one's damn smart, Tro," he commented. "I bet even Heero will share that same expression soon."
"Wait a bloody minute!"
The boys all turned to Hermione, who had jumped up and looked like she'd just solved world hunger.
She gave them a determined glare, one that sent shivers straight down their spines as she demanded, "What are the names of the other pilots and where did you all come from?"
Duo gulped. Her glare was like Une in interrogation rooms combined with Heero while he was in mother hen mode, trying to get them to rest after a bad mission. It was enough to bend all three boys to her will instantly, and so Duo found no objections as he quickly listed off, "Heero's from L1, Wufei is from L5, Tro's from L3, and Quat from L4."
Her face became incredulous as she dead-panned, "You've got to be kidding me." When blank stares met her statement, Hermione gave a loud sigh. Taking on the air of a teacher explaining the basics of addition to high school students she explained, "Pilot 01- Heero means one in Japanese, and comes from L1. Pilot 02- Duo means two and hails from L2. Pilot 03- Trowa most likely mean three somewhere and even follows the pattern three usually does in different languages, and the fact is only supported by the fact that he comes from L3. Pilot 04- Quatre is four in French, and he's the heir of L4. Pilot 05- the symbols making up Wufei can be translated as Five and fly, and he hails from L5."
The boys stared at her in shock for a total of two minutes.
"Damn, Hermy," Duo corrected, "you're not just smart, you're anal about details too."
Trowa and Quatre blinked, missing something as suddenly Duo had a red handprint on his cheek and Hermione straightened her silver bracelets. "Get moving," she instructed. "Quatre and I will keep prying ears away."Duo rolled his eyes but nodded, taking out the watch Lupin had given him. He handed it to Trowa, the two grasping hands. A quick explanation and they were off, leaving Quatre to discuss the current state of the wizarding government with Hermione.
A/N: And there we go. I wanted to get in a bit of good-Dumbles, but don't worry, he won't last for long.
I personally think Wufei and Duo would be really close brothers in their relationships, being the other people in the group most able to relate to losing someone so dear. I think they'd support each other during these times. I also happen to think that Wufei comforting Duo is too CUTE!
I am of the opinion that Heero is indeed a mother hen. He always makes certain the others are taken care of properly, even if he'll only admit to it being 'for the sake of the mission'.
AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED THIS? IS NO ONE ELSE SO OCD THAT THEY NOTICED THIS PATTERN?
On a calmer note, if I've made any erros is translation, please forgive me. I'm going mainly off of what I've read for Wufei and Heero, although I am VERY certain that they contain Five and One somewhere in translation. Trowa probably means three in some cuban or spanish sounding language. That's his nationallity, and his name starts with the TR usually found in words meaning three.
Now that I've shown my utter geek, I'll drop it. TTFN!
