Title: Xander's Green-Eyed Obsession
Author: Grayswandir
Fandom: Harry Potter, BtVS

A/N: There is minor Buffy!bashing this chapter.

BBT

Harry never did receive a clear answer on what exactly had occurred to force Xander to cancel the flat warming party but the evening was not unpleasant. Harry did know it had to have been quite disastrous; Xander spent the entirety of the following day talking to his friends in tones bordering on angry, and regularly upset.

Harry was reluctantly thankful for Xander's distraction as he finished with the paperwork end of his deal in Argentina. Just in time for the full moon. After repairing Malfoy's folly, the negotiations passed without incident. The hardest part of the deal was the insistence Harry be present for the first harvest. He spent the better part of three hours conveying his own personal commitments before they had allowed his concession. February. Harry would attend the February harvest to watch the mooncalves dance out their crop circles and the workers collect the dung. Neville's rare herbs were going to be happy plants in less than a week.

Completed contracts (and an explicit note that Harry was not available for negotiations until after the 6th of January, excepting emergency phone only basis) happily sent off, Harry joined Xander in the living room, watching as he argued with one of his friends on his own phone. Sliding onto the couch cushion beside Xander, Harry pulled him down so Xander's head was resting in his lap. Xander moaned softly as Harry started massaging his temples.

"Listen, Buffy, I'm tired of this!" Xander groaned out. "I am not the one to be doing the apologizing. You are, Missy May, and until you accept that, I'm going nowhere with you." A minute of silence followed where Harry could just barely hear the sounds of the bleached blond girl reaching out from the phone. Xander sighed. "Look, if you want to do this in person, Wil suggested Bronzing it tomorrow. I hadn't decided or asked Harry yet, but I might." Another short salvo and Xander began sagging into the couch. "I'll ask. Bye." Xander sighed as he relaxed following the end of the call.

Harry hmmed, continuing his ministrations. "Bronzing? Well I doubt that's a recreational tanning activity." Xander laughed, opening his eyes to catch Harry's. "So, guessing The Bronze?" Xander nodded. Switching to card his fingers through locks longer than his own, Harry continued, "If you wish to go, I will gladly accompany you."

Quirking a brow, Xander smirked. "There you go being all understanding again." Drawing up from his resting position, Xander drew Harry in for a kiss. He grinned as Harry went slack.

BBT

Xander had shared so many tales of his adventures in Sunnydale with Harry that, on entrance, The Bronze felt slightly akin to entering a place he had visited before but had not entered in many years. Light electronica filled the air, the live entertainment not due to start for another half hour. Despite the uneven tempo, several couples were swaying away on the dance floor. And there, perched on the stools around the center table, sat Buffy, Willow, and Oz. Showtime. Squeezing Xander's right hand, Harry brought both their hands up between them as he turned to face Xander full on. Grasping Xander's chin with his right hand, Harry smiled closing in to kissing distance. "Alright, Xander, we're here," he whispered. "Now you have to decide if you really are going to take their bollocks, "Xander laughed, "or force them to accept that you have a right to decide for yourself."

Xander smirked before stealing the distance between them for a tantalizingly sweet kiss. I've created a monster, Harry thought as he surrendered to the feeling, his eyes sliding shut. Cho, Ginny, not even that retched moment of charmed-mistletoe glory with Malfoy came close to the completeness Harry felt in a simple kiss from Xander. Harry had lost all hope of finding happiness in the aftermath of that final clash against Voldemort.

Shaking himself from the morbid thoughts of the past, Harry pulled back. "They're watching." Xander groaned, pulling back himself to view the occupied center table. Three sets of eyes were staring at the pair. "Go, join. I'll get you a Dr Pepper." Xander reluctantly relinquished his hold on Harry to join his trio of friends. The Scooby group dynamic still confused Harry. He understood Willow, the giddy bookworm type, and her boyfriend Oz, the near silent supporter, likely only present because of the relationship. Even though Harry had only met him that brief morning in the college commons, he was nearly certain Oz was a werewolf. Must be mistaken. He was looking rather steady for this close to the full moon.

Xander's own role was fluid, but solid. He was the comedic relief and the random creative. Harry had borne witness to biting remarks that would have made Snape proud and glorious moments of genius that even the Weasley twins would fail to top. Xander represented the type of person the 'Golden Trio' definitely lacked and had sorely needed.

Then there was Buffy, an odd choice as de facto leader. She seemed a bit hung up on dating and fashion and her incredibly quick jump from whiny pity-me to a jealous streak that night in the pub was a bit off-kilter. Harry guiltily admitted that he had been that way for a while. In his defense, major extenuating circumstances. From Xander's stories Harry sensed she had a very wooly look on the world and the world extended only as far as what directly affected her. Her actions had been driving a wedge between Willow and Xander, a friendship that had been solid for at least ten years, since the day she arrived. It almost made Harry grateful for Dudley not allowing him to ever have friends before entering the wizarding world. Almost.

The jostle from a passerby knocked Harry out of his contemplations to force him to the refreshment area, joining the short queue for drinks. The unmistakable sound of an English accent reflexively caused Harry to view those stood ahead of him. Giles. This man made a bit more sense as leader of the Scoobies. The man seemed to be of equal authority to Dumbledore or McGonagall. Or, perhaps, Madam Pomfrey? Harry swallowed a laugh at the image of the man garbed in the hospital matron's robes. The odd part of the entire affair was that he was still voluntarily hanging out with these teenagers.

Harry was unsure of what to make of it but was interrupted by the refreshment stand attendant. He happily ordered Xander's drink along with his own choice, hot chocolate. It wasn't cold out, but he was of a mood and butter beer wasn't an available option. While waiting, Harry focused on the departing figure of Giles.

The elder male had stepped up to the group at the center table, the current occupants appeared to be chatting amicably. Curiously, the blonde immediately began to jump from her seat as soon as Giles began speaking, but just as swiftly resettled. Harry wasn't close enough to hear, but he had noted the odd stares the man received. Shifting around the edge of the counter, Harry pushed near enough to overhear what was being said.

"Uh, latte anyone? On me?" The tremulous intonation in Giles' voice struck Harry funny. Why is he nervous?

Buffy's whispered addition of "So much for your predictable blanky theory, Wil" certainly didn't endear her to Harry.

"Splendid." The bitter note in Giles' voice did not go amiss as Harry watched him perch on the stool he was certain belonged to him. Aw well. Collecting the ready drinks, Harry passed through the lingering bodies to join the collected group. "It's ages since I've been to a gig. Don't look that way." Harry held a chuckle as he silently handed Xander his drink, glad the older gentleman could still convey his indignation. "I'm," Giles paused, scrambling slightly for the next word, "down with the new music. And I have the albums to prove it."

Harry aborted Xander's attempt to stand whispering, "I'm fine," content to stand at the table edge. In reply, Xander wrapped his right arm around Harry's waist, pulling him flush to his side.

Buffy's sudden biting remark of "Yes, but it's your cutting edge 8-tracks that keep you ahead of the scene" almost yanked a snide retort from Harry when a chill passed down his spine. Goose pimples rose on every plane of Harry's body. A compulsion charm, here? He shivered, scanning the crowd to determine the origination of the spell. A warm pressure pulled Harry to look at Xander. A concerned look lit his eyes. 'I'm fine,' Harry mouthed, contentedly drawing his left hand to twirl his fingers in Xander's hair.

The conversation had continued while Harry searched the crowd, still not seeing what or who had brought the compulsion charm to the dance hall. It didn't appear to be affecting anyone yet, perhaps it wasn't what he thought. The band was nearing ready to start and the sniping at the table continued. Giles' sudden sarcastic "Thank you, all, for making me feel right at home" had Harry coughing to cover Xander's rejoinder. The look Harry was certain to receive for his interrupt, never happened. Suddenly, everyone at the table peered at the stage as the female lead began to sing.

Harry restrained the growl he felt rumbling in his chest. Bingo. Surveying the room again, Harry noticed that quite a few faces had turned rapturously toward the singer, most of them quite near to the table the Scoobies had settled at, fewer further out.

"Every Wednesday, I told you." Oz's reply turned Harry back to the table. Xander, Giles, and Oz remained intent on the stage performance while Buffy and Willow fell out of the spell's effects. The worry in Willow's eyes tore through Harry. The swerving attention of Oz suggested that the spell was targeted, semi-successfully, at him. Whoever cast it certainly was an amateur, or perhaps it was witchcraft. Hmm…

"I think she's rather remarkable. Such presence from someone her age." Harry turned to face the older Brit. He, Xander, and Oz remained entranced by the spell, their attention fixed wholly on the singing female. I wonder.

Shifting closer to Giles, Harry nearly whispered, "Penny for the guy?" Giles promptly responded, "Of course," fishing a twenty out of his wallet and handing it over before centering back on the stage. A wry grin warped Harry's lips. Of course, it could just be a general voice response compulsion. Very dangerous. Sliding the proffered bill under Giles' overly large coffee mug, Harry turned his attention to Xander. No spell is going to turn him away from me. Forcing semi-limp digits to relinquish a half full glass of soda, Harry took hold of Xander's cheek, turning those chocolate irises to meet his own. "Let's dance." Harry firmly pulled Xander from his perch to join the multitude of swaying couples. It twigged Harry that no one seemed overly concerned at the sudden intense attraction the band received, as if this were a common occurrence. Further, something this strong, among a largely muggle crowd, and not one magical enforcement agent. Have to visit San Francisco, see what's up.

Unfortunately Harry's plans to locate the core of the magical mischief fell to the wayside. The sudden bleeping of his mobile at two o'clock that night announced a call from Andromeda's solicitor. Ron and Hermione had garnered support from a lesser branch of a squib line of the Black family. Harry silently cursed his former friends. All he wanted was for Teddy to grow up in a healthier environment than he had. Hermione, read a bloody inheritance law book. Buy a clue!

BBT

Friday morning Xander woke again to the other side of the bed being cold and largely unruffled. Two nights in a row. Ever since that late night call Wednesday night, Harry had spent a huge portion of time arguing with lawyer types across the sea and at every moment of respite Xander noticed Harry shaking almost imperceptibly, his eyes shuttered to the world. Sighing, Xander pulled himself upright, dragging the world into its standard directional focus. His ears no longer muffled by the pillow, Xander could hear Harry in yet another long distance argument in the living room. This has got to stop!

Eating up the distance between the bedroom and living room set, Xander couldn't help but frown at the very harassed appearance Harry had adopted over the course of the past day. His shirt had come un-tucked, his hair stood straight up instead of in its usual disarray, and a growling posture took the place of his easy smile.

"Now look, Hermione! I understand that you are stubborn and have issues with the entire idea that the system is archaic but preventing me from attaining full custody of Teddy-!" Harry froze as an angry spate of female yelling came back toward him. A bitter chuckle issued from Harry's etched frown. With a sarcastic bite, he began again. "Because I'm capable of looking at the truth and saying 'No, that cannot be! I refuse to accept, must be a lie!' Grow up! Grab another of those obscure books you love so much with less than reputable sources and try again."

The screeching continued to assault both their senses as Xander drew near. Harry's entire stance looked tired, beaten, as his muscles went slack in a defeated air. Enough is enough. Pulling the phone from Harry's hand, Xander immediately turned his own voice to the conversation. "This number is being redirected to the dial tone as Harry is unable to stomach your shit for the remainder of the day. Please try your call again, when you've purchased a clue. Bye!" Xander viciously stabbed the end button before turning the phone off.

Harry attempted to smile when Xander turned back to him, but could barely manage bittersweet. "Thanks," he said, collapsing onto the couch.

Xander joined him, dropping the phone off on the coffee table. "You looked like someone ran over your dog and was trying to sue you for damages and mental anguish." Harry laughed, a genuine smile peeking out. "C'mon, I believe you still owe me some fighting lessons and definitely need to work off some of this frustration."

Harry stared at Xander. "And, where do you propose we do this? There isn't any room in this apartment and I have yet to actually find a gym in this town."

"I know the perfect place."

BBT

The sound of footsteps on the staircase drew Xander's attention to the interior wall. "Hey, Wil. Mom let you in?"

"She seemed cranky." Willow froze on the last step. Harry had conked out about an hour earlier as he watched Xander sort through his various belongings, his head resting on his crossed arms at the foot of the fold out, facing the outside entry. "Uhmm," she started, pointing at the sleeping figure. "What's he doing here?"

Xander smiled, moving to settle down on the remaining half of the bed. Silently he adjusted Harry's shirt to cover the scars peeking out from over his waistband. Harry snuffled slightly, his right arm moving marginally out from under his head, before settling back to deep sleep. "Long story." The incredulous look directed at him told Xander he better be more forthcoming. "Harry's been on the phone nearly non-stop since we left The Bronze, talking to lawyer-types about his godson. This morning he looked exhausted, frustrated, and in serious need of a calm down."

A smile played on Willow's lips as she responded, "So why not leave him at the apartment to bake up a storm?"

Xander mock-growled, "He's already put me off my Twinkies." Willow laughed. "I wasn't about to let him start on another of my favored snacks. Not yet. Once a month is frequent enough."

"As for cranky Mom," Xander continued. "She heard us down here, I finally had Harry start teaching me to fight, and with him being a bit tired, didn't last long." He started to blush. "We got off-track and Mom sorta freaked. She came to ask where I'd been for the past week. Things are a bit complicated.

"So," Xander interrupted himself. "I know why I'm in a dank sunless little room, why are you?"

Xander later wished he had roused Harry to help him with the deep thinking conversation he had with Willow, especially considering the aftermath. He just wished he could share with Harry why Oz skipped out. Damn you, Buffy.

TBC

Post A/N: Hoping to get the next chappy up in time for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the reviews! They are much appreciated.