Mending
Chapter 11- Planning
Of all of the possible reactions Harry could have predicted from Kurt after revealing his identity, he never would have predicted what actually happened.
Kurt, while maintaining eye contact, slowly stood from his chair and walked carefully around the table- acting as if Harry was an animal about to bolt. When Kurt finally reached the other wizard, he carefully gripped Harry's bicep and pulled him so they were both facing each other.
Harry wasn't sure what to expect. He didn't know if Kurt would yell at him for keeping his identity secret or maybe even start fanboying all over him. Instead Kurt surprised him.
He hugged him.
Kurt simply reached forward and gently pulled Harry into his arms and held him close.
"Oh, Harry, I am so sorry for everything you went through. At my old school we followed the TriWizard Tournament faithfully because we wanted to start our own in America. I thought it was awful what they did to you and how you were treated by the press. I always told myself that if I ever met Harry Potter, I would give him a hug and let him know that there was someone out there who knew it was all so unfair."
At that statement Harry gripped even harder to Kurt. He was amazed that this boy he barely knew saw what he wished everyone would know. He didn't ask for all of the shit in his life to happen, it just did. His childhood was stolen from him twice and he lost so many people he loved fighting for a destiny that he never asked for.
Harry didn't even realize he had started crying until Kurt began rubbing circles on his back to calm him down.
"It's okay, Harry. All of that is over now. You did you job and now you just get to figure out how to be you. Don't be afraid to let out what you're feeling. I can't even imagine all of the pain you've faced."
It was like Kurt opened a floodgate in Harry that he couldn't stop. Without breaking their embrace, Kurt led them to the couch so they could be more comfortable while Harry sobbed out his feelings.
Harry felt like he would have been drowning if it wasn't for Kurt's grip on him. He had never taken the time to grieve like this; he always felt someone else deserved it more. To top it off, no one had given him permission to release his feelings. He knew he was getting tears and snot all over Kurt's clothes and vowed silently to himself he would personally perform the cleaning charms to repair the damage.
The two teens had no idea how long they had been holding each other on the couch while Harry cried. Harry was ridding himself of the grief and jealousy he felt seeing Ron and Hermione solidify their relationship and the guilt he felt for hating being left out when he heard someone clear their voice above them.
"Kurt? Is everything okay here?"
The teens jumped apart and Harry saw a man standing over the couch that had to be Kurt's father. He was dressed completely opposite of his new friend, but Harry would have recognized those kind eyes anywhere. Harry thought that if a father had ever found him on a couch cuddling with said father's very gay son, he would be facing a lot of anger. Instead, Harry only saw concern and confusion.
Kurt gracefully rose and led his father to the kitchen to "speak privately". Before he left, Kurt used his wand to summon a magazine for Harry.
"Something to keep you entertained," he smiled.
Harry almost giggled at Mr. Hummel's expression at seeing his son do magic in front of a stranger and Kurt had to gently push his shoulder to get him to go to the kitchen. Harry only felt a little guilty that he could still hear their entire conversation.
"What's going on, Kurt? Is this kid a wizard? I don't remember him from your old school," Mr. Hummel said.
"Harry is a new friend and yes, he's a wizard. He just moved here from England and is going through a lot right now," was Kurt's reply.
"Yeah, like what?" Harry heard Mr. Hummel ask.
There were a few moments of silence before Kurt said quietly, "Dad, he's Harry Potter." Harry heard Mr. Hummel's sharp intake of breath. Kurt continued to explain the situation.
"I met him at Dalton, and he noticed my wand holster. He wanted to be friends and told me who he was. I think I've helped him get out a lot of what he's been holding in for the past months, or even years."
There was a little mumbling after that that Harry couldn't hear and the two Hummel men returned to the living room. Harry could admit to himself that he was a bit nervous, but Kurt smiled and stood next to him.
"Harry, I'd like you to meet my father, Burt Hummel. Dad, this is my new friend, Harry Potter."
Harry shook hands with Mr. Hummel offering the classic "Pleasure to meet you, sir."
Mr. Hummel continued to give Harry an appraising look. "You really get rid of that Dark Wizard like the papers said?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."
Once again Harry was shocked by the action of a Hummel man. Rather than asking questions about his defeat of Voldemort, like Harry was expecting, Burt walked up to him and gently grabbed his shoulders and looked him in the eye.
"Kid, you went through stuff no one should have to. You are always welcome into this house, but as yourself. We don't want heroes, we want friends." Burt held his gaze for a few more moments and released a very emotional Harry to go sit in his recliner.
The two teens sat on the couch (Kurt gently holding Harry) and the three men chatted amongst themselves, everyone eager to know each other better. They talked about Kurt's Glee club, Burt's shop, and the differences between American and British magical education. Eventually, they got to the topic of Harry's move to Dalton and eventually how the two teens met.
"So, Harry, why did you decide to come visit Kurt today? I know he wasn't expecting anyone or he would cleaned the house for a second time this week," Burt (he insisted Harry call him Burt) asked.
Harry barely noticed Kurt stiffen when he answered, "Oh, my friend Blaine offered Kurt some awful advice about his bully issue, so I had to come and make sure Kurt didn't do something that would cause problems."
Harry felt a sense of dread when Burt and Kurt both sat up facing each other and began to argue.
"You said you were safe at that school!"
"I am, Dad! The bullies only think they hurt me!"
"And how do I know that? How do I know your magic does protect you? You shouldn't have to rely on that to be safe!"
Harry thought to interrupt and ease some of Burt's feelings.
"Actually, Kurt's magic can protect him against almost any muggle attack." Both Hummels became silent and turned as one to Harry. Ooo, that is scary.
"Um, simple protection charms and cushioning charms keep him perfectly safe. He has a protection charm up right now. You could even shoot him with a gun and he'd be fine."
Harry let out his breath when he noticed them start to relax. Burt rested back in his chair and looked at Kurt.
"If you can protect yourself, then what did Harry come here for?" he asked.
Kurt looked down at his hands like he was ashamed of what he was about to say. "He came to protect the bullies from me. If I followed Blaine's advice and confronted Karofsky, he would probably get violent. If I got too scared or upset, my magic would flare without my control and could seriously hurt him."
Burt sat there silently and rubbed his face.
"That's why I came," Harry said, reminding everyone he was still in the room. "When I was living with my relatives, they made me so upset once that I literally inflated my aunt. I could have been expelled or imprisoned for such a feat, but I had absolutely no control over it. I wanted to make sure Kurt would take care of himself first."
The men sat in the room silently for a few minutes, each thinking about what had happened and what easily could happen.
Burt finally broke the silence. "What can we do? I don't want to send you back to a place where you aren't safe. Safe from bullies and control over yourself. I love that magic is part of who you are, Kurt, but you know I barely know anything about it. I can't even begin to understand."
Kurt signed and replied. "I know, Dad. I'm not sure what to do either. I could try to avoid him, but he seems to always be able to find me. I don't want to change schools- the whole point in coming to McKinley was to be at home.
Harry looked at Kurt and Burt and said what he had originally came to visit Kurt to do.
"Um, I actually have a solution."
