Chapter 21 - Veritaserum

(December - January)

Christmas came and past quietly. There had been a large meal served at the Kent house that Harry had been invited to. Chloe had eaten with her father who had been hired by MI on December 24th and told he had until the 28th before he first turned up. After budget spending for so long the Sullivan's had a huge meal in celebration.

Lois, not able to spend Christmas with her father who was off in some distant part of the world had been torn between spending Christmas with the Kent's or the Sullivan's. In the end Lois decided that she'd spend the day with her cousin and the evening with the Kent's and Harry. Lana had spent the day spending time with everyone, eventually having a meal alone with Jason in her apartment.

Harry had done his best to appear cheerful, for which the most he was. There was however still the overhanging thought of him being alone. Having never been allowed to celebrate Christmas with the Dursleys, this was his first Christmas away from the magical world and despite the atmosphere and the people, it still felt somewhat hollow. The Weasleys were the ones responsible for insuring he had a good Christmas in the past and now half of them were gone. The other half were 4000 miles away.

He did his best to enjoy it, but he wasn't sure how successful he'd been. With the looks Lois had been shooting him he wasn't sure he'd managed successfully.

He'd spent the day in a Weasley sweater, the same one he'd worn on Halloween. That had gotten a few odds looks from Chloe and Lana. He wasn't sure if that was because he was wearing a colour that wasn't black or because they recognised it from his Halloween breakdown. Wearing the sweater had helped somewhat as a way of reminding him that the lost Weasleys were still with him in spirit.

Clark had been upset about Alicia leaving for a day or two but the Christmas excitement had cheered him quickly and as long as no one mentioned the blonde teleporter, he was content, doing what he could to help around the house.

Gifts had been exchanged and Harry had done his best not to spend too much. He had just bought for his friends what he thought they would like, not really bothering by the price tags. On one occasion though, after seeing the price of an item he'd found for Lana, he placed it back on the shelf. If anyone had worked out how much it had cost, he'd of had a lot of questions to answer.

What he had received had cheered him up somewhat. The common theme from the girls in his life was clothes. He had received several t-shirts and shirts, none of them having as much as a millimetre of black stitching on them. It added a problem for him though. Whilst he didn't want to wear anything other than his black clothes, not wearing their gifts would be rude. He'd have to find a compromise somewhere.

The holiday had been safe. There had been no life or death situations. Whilst Harry was glad for that, having nothing to take out his building frustration on was, well, frustrating. He knew with his temper he'd eventually snap and take it out on someone who was just trying to help and he was doing what he could to avoid such a situation. With his history in not getting what he wanted, he should have known trying to avoid a situation was the quickest way to find one. The incident in question had taken place only a few days after Christmas.

(December 27th 2004)

Christmas and Boxing Day past and the excitement that had been around Smallville for the last week was slowly dropping to back to standard levels. With that, Harry's mood slowly began to darken again. He didn't understand why. He'd been happy two days ago and nothing had happened to bring him down, but that's still what was happening.

He finally reached a solid down point whilst watching TV with Lois in his lounge. Clark was off doing chores, Lana was with Jason and Chloe was in Metropolis, having been offered a tour of Marauder Tower. With her father starting work there the next day, the tour was for his benefit, but Harry had seen to it that Chloe could go with him, something she was more than eager to do.

Harry and Lois sat in silence watching a film on his couch. It had been another of the DVD's that Harry had picked up during his initial 'buying' phase when he first arrived in Smallville. He still hadn't watched most of them, only watching one when a friend came around. Having spent years either physically training during spare time, playing chess or reading a book, watching something on a television still felt weird. Added to the years of conditioning from the Dursleys, it was a difficult habit to break into to.

The film Lois chosen had been alright so far. The uses of magic set him on edge slightly. An item similar in essence to a Horcrux was the main crux of the film and he couldn't help but think of Voldemort. As the film progress he slowly grew more uncomfortable. He watched silently as two magic users fought one another. The stories villain quickly overcame the hero and began throwing him across the room with thrusts of his staff, at first to immobilize the hero, then leading to spells that were clearly designed to shame his opponent. "It'd be something to be able to do that," Lois commented, casually watching the scene. "Especially in this town."

Having been in situations like that before, Harry didn't enjoy it quite so much. "Not when you're on the receiving end of it," Harry muttered quietly.

"What?" Lois asked, having missed Harry's comment.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Nothing."

Lois picked up the remote for the DVD player and put the film on pause. Harry turned to her enquiringly to find her looking at him, an expression of determination clearly shown on her face, "What is it with you these days?"

Harry did his best to look like he had no clue what she meant, "I'm fine."

Lois snorted and rolled her eyes, "You have not been fine. You've been moping ever since you stormed out of the hospital when Alicia was here. You were fine for a few days at Christmas but you seem to be snapping right back into how you were before it. You know how much I like uncomfortable silences and yours reached uncomfortable days ago. I thought you might snap out of it but that doesn't' seem to be happening."

"You're imagining things," Harry told Lois, sounding more forceful than he intended. He hated people pestering him about things, especially things that he couldn't explain. "I had a bad day in the hospital but I've been fine since."

"Please!" Lois exclaimed. "I know what fake smiles look like." Her expression soften slightly, "I know you've had a difficult life, anyone can tell that, but so have other people. There are people you can talk to about this."

The lights in the room flickering marginally was the only indication that Harry was growing more annoyed with the conversation, "You don't know what my life's been like," Harry told her, keeping his voice as calm as he could. He didn't want this conversation. He got on best with Lois here; he'd either have to convince her to stop talking or storm out of his house.

Lois laughed bitterly, "Well you don't talk about it so how could we?"

"You know plenty," Harry told her, wishing she would leave.

"We know the names of some of your friends, we know a few things about them, and we know about your home life and that you went to boarding school but that's all. The only reason we know about your family is because Chloe looked them up."

"They are not my family," Harry told her firmly. No matter what she said she was just making things worse. The Dursleys would always be a sore spot, especially at this time of year, but there was also the guilt he felt about hiding so much from his friends. He had told them so little about his life. He'd been thinking about it recently and having Lois bring it up hurt. "You wouldn't want to hear about what my life was like before, so don't pretend to."

"You think your friends wouldn't want to know about you? You think I wouldn't want to know about you? We're your friends, we can help."

He didn't know what it was that caused him to say it; he didn't even know why the last comment had been the one to cause him to snap. Maybe something in him wanted her to know, either so she would understand or so that she would leave. He especially didn't know why he used the incident that he did. "You think you can help?" Harry growled at her. Had he been paying attention and not focused inwardly he would have seen the flash of fear cross her eyes. He hadn't noticed the temperature of the room rise or that the lights now had enough energy running through them that they glowing like miniature suns and audibly humming. The only thing that kept them exploding was the protective charms the Magitek Ward had cast on them when he had first entered the house.

He leaned over to her, rolled up both his sleeves sharply and moved the silver Magitek bracelets backwards. He held his arms out to her, fists closed. He pointed out the inch thick circular scar that each wrist held that were usually covered by the bracelets. He rotated his arms so that his underarms were facing her and showed her the matching scar on the other side, "Do you know how someone gets a scar like this?" Harry asked her, his voice cold.

"No," Lois said, her voice shaky despite her best efforts to cover it up.

There was a moment's silence. "Crucifixion," Harry told her. Lois, already pale, paled more. "You get those scars from the nails driven through your wrists when someone crucifies you."

It took Lois a second to find her voice, "What kind of sick freak would do that to someone?"

Harry laughed darkly, "The same one that killed my parents; the same one that tried to kill me for nine straight years. That's the same son of a bitch that would do that to a 19 year old. He thought it would be fitting for me; fitting for me to suffer that way. You think I can talk about this? You think anyone can relate to or understand?"

It was then that Harry properly looked into her eyes and felt the emotions she was broadcasting; shock, revulsion and fear.

Fear.

Her fear was direct at him.

He pushed himself out of his seat as he had been hit with a stinging charm. He took a few steps back and held his head in his hands.

What caused him to say that? Why the hell did he tell Lois that? He had no idea and now she was scared of him. He hadn't meant that, hadn't wanted that. A hand on his shoulder startled him out of his thoughts.

"I'm not scared of you, you just startled me."

"I was speaking out loud?" Harry asked, taken aback.

"Yeah, you were and you do not scare me."

"I did," Harry told her. "I could feel it. I don't know why I said that."

Lois ignored the last sentence for what it truly was, "I told you; you startled me. I can't say I've ever seen you angry before and what you told me scared the hell outta me. You can talk to your friends about this."

"How can I tell people I've only known for a few months that I was tortured? Any smart person would turn and run if I told them that. I'm not right in the head. I'm just surprised it's taken me this long to snap at someone."

Lois stepped into his line of vision, determined. Harry saw no trace of fear in her eyes anymore, just a need to help him deal with his demons. "Come on, sit down."

Harry didn't hesitate and sat down next to Lois. "I know you don't like being type-cast, but the way your feeling isn't unnatural. It's not completely the same but when I was still living on the military bases with the General I saw people that react like you."

"You've what?" Harry asked.

"The soldiers sent to wars, ones that were fired on, shot, or had a friend die." She took one his hands in her, "It's called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It happens when you've seen or been part of a traumatic event. I've seen men come back from wars and close themselves away. With everything you've told us about you, I'm surprised it's taken you this long to snap at someone."

Harry exhaled deeply. "I didn't mean to snap at you," he told Lois uncomfortably.

Lois smiled reassuringly at him, "Better me than anyone else here. You don't spend as long as I did in army barracks without hearing stories you shouldn't. I can help, or at least try."

"What helps?" Harry asked quietly.

"Talking to someone helps. I'd recommend a shrink if I thought for a second you'd actually listen to me."

Harry laughed slightly; yeah, he would have completely ignored her. "Talking helps? People have been telling me that for years and I've never believed it."

"From what I've seen," Lois told him. "How much sleep have you been getting?"

"I've been sleeping fine," Harry answered on reflex. Lois looked at, clearly disbelieving. Harry knew that insisting he was sleeping fine wouldn't work. Technically he hadn't slept in well over a year now, usually getting an hour or two occlumency induced rest a night. "Maybe 4 hours a night at most," Harry lied to Lois, knowing neither truth would work.

"You hide it well," Lois told him with a smile. "You have to tell me your secret."

"My what?" Harry asked, startled.

"The make-up secrets you know to hide the bags under your eyes."

Harry choked on his tongue, "Make-up? I don't wear make-up." He noticed the amuse smirk on Lois' face and sighed, "You're funny Lane." He was thankful for her comment. Whilst it had taken him by surprise and whilst he had interpreted it wrong, she was still messing with him like she usually would.

"I know," Lois said, clearly pleased with herself. "How about I leave you for a bit to think about what you want to do?" Lois asked.

Harry ran a hand through his hair, "Yeah, probably do me some good."

Lois pushed herself to her feet and Harry followed. He walked her to the door, "Thanks Lois."

She nodded, "Remember, you can talk to me about this if you want."

"I'll think about it," Harry said with a small smile, trying to show that he would. Maybe he couldn't tell her everything, but getting some stuff off his chest would probably do him some good. "Don't tell anyone about this, alright?"

"You're secrets safe with me," Lois promised. "You coming out tonight?"

Harry shook his head, "I'll come find you tomorrow sometime."

Lois nodded before punching him in shoulder, "Make sure you do." With that, she turned and left. Harry shook his head at her antics before going back inside. He closed the door and leaned against it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"What do I do now?" Harry asked himself. "Why did I tell her?" He massaged his temples, thinking hard. Lois knew another part of him, a darker part and she seemed alright with it. That was good. He knew she'd treat him somewhat differently now, but hopefully she wouldn't give him those pitying looks everyone else use to give him. He'd notice her arm tense before she punched him. For Lois that was unusual and Harry was sure she'd done that in order to warn him that she would punch him like normal. She'd be more careful around him for a while, but hopefully she'd get over it.

None-the-less the mere fact that he was hiding one less secret made him feel lighter; not much, but some. He made his way up to his study and turned on his laptop. He logged on to the internet and search for 'Post Traumatic Stress Disorder' or 'PTSD.' He spent an hour looking through what he could find. From what he read he understood what Lois had meant when she had told him that she was surprised he hadn't snapped before now. From what he read some of the most common causes of PTSD were violent assault, kidnapping, torture and experienced a personal disaster. Symptoms were even linked to child abuse. Having experienced all of that, and for the PTSD to really kick in now was surprising.

What Lois had said was right. Talking would help although talking to a professional was what was recommended. There was also medication that he could take, but that likely wouldn't have much effect on him.

(December – January)

The following days Harry felt better. He had spent the rest of the day after Lois' talk just thinking. He had promised his friends before and after their death's that he would keep on living and that was something he was beginning to break. He couldn't remain depressed; he had enough to live for. He had forcibly told himself that he would snap out of it.

The day after he spoke with Lois he wore a yellow and grey polo shirt that had likely been the only non-gag item of clothing that she'd bought him. He had yet to work out just how which of the t-shirts had been a gag gift, especially the pink one that Lois had gotten. As well as several t-shirts she bought him a couple of CD's of her favourite music.

Everyone's reaction to the drastic colour change had made him smile. Lois' smile had said more than everyone else's and he knew that was because it was the shirt she'd gotten him. After their talk the day before his change in colour clearly said more.

He'd noticed that with him happier everyone else seemed happier as well. Something Ginny had told him a few years ago had sprung to mind, "Harry, when you get depressed, everyone can feel it, no matter how well you think you're hiding it..." Clearly his attempts to smile hadn't fooled anyone. "…but when you're happy, when your happy everyone can feel it. It's like you radiate it somewhat. I don't know if it's your magic that does it, it's just how everyone feels," had been the rest of what Ginny had told him. She was still alive, although, where she was he didn't know. She had been one of the few people that could rip him out of his sullen moods.

He knew that he needed some information on his friends. That was something else that was beginning to weigh on him. He didn't need to see them, didn't need to talk to them, he just needed to know if they were alright after his abrupt departure. He'd try work out how he could manage that without having to turn up in person.

OoOoOoOoO

(Early January 2005)

The next several days were better for Harry. New Years Eve had been a busy day. He had helped to set the Talon up for the end of the year celebration along with almost a dozen other people. This also involved removing a good deal of Christmas decorations as the place would have been over-decorated otherwise. That night he had spent time jumping back and forth between the Talon party and the First annual New Year's party at Marauder Industries. Having missed out on the Christmas party, Zeke had all but ordered him to turn up to this one. Drink-Apparating was punishable by law due to the splinching incidents so he kept the alcohol to a minimum.

It had been the first time he'd interacted with his employee's on a personal basis and spent the evening, disguised as Alexander Black, getting to know the people that worked for him. In the end, he'd spent more time at Marauder Tower than he had in Smallville, but everyone in Smallville was too drunk to notice. For the bells he Apparated back to Smallville and had been kissed at midnight by a very drunk, very enthusiastic Lois. It had taken him a moment to realise what had just happened and by the time he did Lois had moved across the room and exuberantly shaking hands with whoever crossed her path; some people more than once.

Lana had kissed him on the cheek just after midnight and that had brought a smile to his face. It was likely all he'd ever get from her, so he'd enjoy it when he could.

The party had continued until late and by the time things were winding down only he and Clark were sober amongst the group. Knowing that a lot of people were looking forward to the party Harry had done his part to ensure that it would be a success. The day before he had looked up and cast and specific notice me not charm on the Talon. Anyone not looking for a party and to have a drink wouldn't be able to find the Talon. He had also provided the alcohol, including several bottles of champagne. They didn't have a liquor license but Harry had somehow convinced Lana that he had taken care of it. Why she believed him without proof, he didn't know.

Harry was seated on the Talon bar watching Clark, the ever responsible adult, steer people out of the Talon. He had been unsure about allowing everyone to drink alcohol due to being underage, but Harry, the devil on Clark's shoulder, had talked him into it; having two people with superpowers to keep order if things got out of hand had convinced him. Clark needed to have more fun and Harry had decided that, as he needed to have more fun as well, that he'd drag Clark with him.

"That wasn't so bad was it?" Harry asked Clark who was now tidying the room. It was in a surprising good shape all things considered.

"It could have been worse," Clark agreed. "I can't say the same thing about Lois when she wakes up though." Clark looked over to the near comatose Lois who was asleep on a chair in the corner of the coffee shop with an amused smile. "She's going to have to headache in the morning."

Harry laughed quietly as to not disturb Lois, "She's usually alright with her drink but she clearly had some secret reason to drink herself into a coma tonight. If she was aware of it before hand it would surprise me." Lois had been a force of nature during the party, barely staying still for a minute. She had also drunk non-stop and had finally succumbed to the alcohol; a difficult feat for Lois.

"I saw she kissed you," Clark said with what a small amused smirk.

Harry found himself blushing slightly; he had been sure no one had seen that. "Like I said," Harry told Clark, trying to save face. "She was far more drunk tonight than she's been in a while. She'll have no idea what she did when she wakes up."

"Unless someone tells her," Clark said innocently, tying up a black plastic bin bag.

Harry paused for a second, running Clark's words through his head a second time, making sure it wasn't a hallucination. "You will say nothing," Harry told him.

Clark said nothing but the amused look never left his face as he continued to tidy up. "I've known some of the best prankster's the world has ever seen. My father had filing cabinets full of punishment for pranks he pulled and I've been taught by professionals. Do not tempt me."

"So if I tell Lois what she did you'll prank me?" Clark asked. "I think it's worth it."

Harry grinned evilly at Clark, "You'll regret it."

"We'll see," Clark said before going into super speed, reappearing a second later with all the bin bags gone. Harry was sure the powers had been used to remind Harry just who he was dealing with. Clark was at the disadvantage of not knowing most of what Harry could do though. Harry still wasn't sure just what magic would do to Clark, but he was sure it would work.

"That's handy," Harry said in approval. Not as handy as vanishing things, but still handy.

Harry looked at Clark closely. He seemed far more at ease tonight and he didn't know why. He hadn't had a conversation like this with Clark in a while at any rate. Of course, he was in a better mood, but he had a reason for that.

"Damn," Harry said aloud, slightly impressed.

"What?" Clark asked.

"I've worked out why you're in a good mood."

"I've not been in a bad mood," Clark said in confusion.

"Lana kiss you on the cheek at midnight?" Harry asked, a slight smile on his face. If he thought hard enough that Lana was out of bounds for him, joking about things like this was easier. It didn't annoy him quite as much.

Clark blushed slightly, "You saw that?"

Harry shook his head, "I guessed. About then I had Lois' tongue down my throat." Clark looked slightly ill at the image. "If you tell her I will end you," Harry promised Clark.

Clark's smirk came back for a second, "So where did you keep going tonight?" he asked casually.

Harry paled slightly, "You noticed that as well?

"I saw you disappear a few times."

"I was at a party in Metropolis that I was invited to."

"Where at?" Clark asked curiously.

"Just some people I know," Harry said, hoping Clark got the hint not to ask more. He couldn't say he was at a friends party because then Clark would be curious at to who those friends in Metropolis were.

Clark surveyed him for a moment, clearing trying to read his intentions. After a few long seconds Clark shrugged and took a seat, "If you say so."

"Thanks Clark." He looked around the Talon that was now reasonably tidy. Harry didn't feel all that guilty about letting Clark do most of it. They had been trusted with closing the place down for the night. There hadn't been any talk about tidying it but both being the Good Samaritan's they were, they helped out. "So what do we do with sleeping beauty in the corner there?" Harry asked with a nod in Lois' direction.

"I'll put her in the truck and take her to her bed."

"Still sleeping on the coach?" Harry asked.

"I'd sleep in the barn, but it's too cold for that. It doesn't bother me, but Lois would notice something was odd."

"How about I let her stay at mine tonight?" Harry asked. Having two spare bed rooms it was something he should have done at the start of the holiday but the idea of Lois snooping around his house and finding something she shouldn't worried him. In her current state he'd be impressed if she even remembered her own name so one night was safe. "Let you have a bed for the night."

"You sure?"

Harry nodded, "Should have offered when she first turned up. We've both known her about the same time and I've probably spent more time with her. It seems fair."

"You'll be able to get her home alright?"

"Teleporting home will be fine," Harry told him, remembering not to use the word 'Apparate.'

"Alright, but that just means it's you that'll have to deal with a hung-over Lois in the morning."

"Gives me a chance to see what she remembers before seeing you," Harry told Clark with a pointed look. "I get to mock her for her hang-over as well." He pushed himself off the counter, "You're ok with closing up without me?"

"I'll be fine." He glanced over at Lois, "Just take her to a bed."

"See you tomorrow Clark," Harry said. He walked over to Lois, slipping one arm under her knees and one arm behind her shoulders and lifting her up. Concentrating very carefully he Disapparated from the Talon taking extra care to be silent and try and make the uncomfortable transport method as comfortable as he could. He suspected that Lois wouldn't wake up even if he splinched her in half.

He Apparated into his upstairs bedroom and gently laid her on his bed. Having no use for the other bedrooms so far, the beds hadn't had any of the comforting charms placed on them, so for tonight, he'd let Lois use his bed. Her hang-over in the morning was likely going to be pretty bad and sleeping on a magically enhanced bed would help. He sat on the end of the bed and pulled off her shoes after struggling to work out how the straps worked. He levitated them to the corner of the room. He thought of what he needed to do next before stopping cold, realising something he hadn't considered before; getting Lois out of her dress.

He knew she'd spent a lot of money on it, overhearing her talk to Chloe about it when trying not to listen. He knew she'd be especially annoyed if she slept in her dress and discovered it ruined in the morning. There was obviously the magic solution to doing this, involving another pair of clothes and a switching charm. The problem with this approached was telling this to Lois in the morning, especially considering she wasn't wearing a bra.

She'd kill him if she woke up and realised that for Harry to have gotten her out of her dress he had seen her practically naked. He'd just have to hope Lois didn't remember enough about the previous night to think she changed herself. Plan in mind he summoned a clean t-shirt to hand. Hoping Lois wouldn't kill him in the morning he cast the switching charm on her dress and the t-shirt and found himself holding her black dress in hand.

He hung up the dress and moved over to Lois, pulling back the covers on the bed and sliding her under them. Casting a charm on her to alert him when she woke, he turned off the bedroom light and closed the door. He walked down stairs and sat on his couch. With a flick of his wrist the fireplace lit up. "Well," Harry muttered to himself. "You had an odd night."

Whilst it wasn't odd in his usual manner, he still found himself thinking hard about what had happened. The small kiss Lana gave him jumped to mind first. It had felt good; too good. He needed to stop thinking about Lana like that. She was unavailable and the object of her affection was already waiting in reserve in case of the boyfriend screwing up. If she started to date Clark, it was over then.

He had to stop thinking about her like that. That couldn't be too hard, could it?

Lois' kiss was brought to mind. Whilst she had tasted strongly of champagne and vodka along with a small amount of whatever lip-gloss she was wearing, he hadn't exactly been opposed to that kiss, despite it coming out of nowhere. He would have enjoyed it more had she been sober and not tasting so strongly of alcohol, but it was still something.

Chloe had told him not that long ago that she thought Lois might be starting to have feelings for him and that had been a difficult thought to remove from his head. Lois was gorgeous, she smart and could, mostly, handle herself in a tough situation. She was also strong, both physically and mentally. Any guy would be lucky to have her. Since Chloe had told him about perhaps being the focus of Lois' affection he'd considered whether or not dating her would be fair to her. In his mind, as he couldn't have his first choice, he'd settle for second choice.

Then again, his entire life had been like that, so why should this be different?

Put shortly, he was incredibly confused. The added thought that Lois did look cute in his t-shirt on his bed didn't help matters.

The reason he hadn't wanted Clark to tell Lois anything should she not remember was not because he didn't want her to know, or didn't want her teased, but because, on the off-chance that she did have feelings for him, she would probably be mortified of what she had done. There was already enough tension in their relationship just now with him having blurted out that he had been tortured; he didn't need to add her drunkenly kissing him to that list.

Feeling tired Harry relaxed back in the chair, running through his occlumency exercises and he allowed himself two hours of rest.

OoOoOoOoO

Ten hours later the spell he had cast to alert him when Lois woke up activated. He stood up from his seat in the lounge and moved through to the kitchen, picking up a few things for Lois. He made his way up to his room and knocked twice on the door before opening it.

"Harry?" Lois asked, her throat sounding painful. Considering how dehydrated she would obviously be and how loud she had been talking last night, Harry was surprised she could even speak. He had several potions that could help her, but getting her to drink one without explaining what it was would be down right impossible. Muggle methods would have to instead, no matter how primitive.

"I would ask if you were decent," Harry said to Lois as he stepped into the room, making sure she was in fact decent. "But you've never been before." He caught sight of Lois doing her best to sit up in his bed, squinting at the sunlight coming through a gap in his curtains.

He placed the glass of water and the headaches tablets on his bedside table before moved over the bedroom window, pulling open the blinds quickly. Lois moaned in pain, ducking her head as the light reached her eyes, "How's your head?" Harry asked innocently.

Whilst he didn't want Clark bringing up her kissing him and embarrassing her, he had no qualms about being nice to her this morning.

She glared at him, "If I was sure I could stand up you'd be in a world of pain."

Harry ignored her, "Drink your water and take the headache tablets."

She mumbled something under her breath but obeyed none the less. She swallowed the pills, her eyes still half closed. She finished the water and looked cautiously around the room, "This is your room, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Harry told her. His legilimancy had already picked up where her thoughts were heading but he'd let her squirm for a while.

She looked underneath the covers, checking what she wearing. She looked back up at him, clearly uncomfortable and dreading to ask her question, "We didn't…" she trailed off, glancing from the bed to Harry.

He knew what she meant but he put his best 'confused' face on, "What?"

"You know…" She still couldn't get the words out. Harry just raised his eyebrows questioningly. She took a deep breath, "We didn't sleep together did we?"

Harry smiled patronisingly at Lois. If they had that was not a good question to ask the other person, "No Lois, we did not." Lois looked quite relieved to hear that but whether it was because they hadn't or because if they had, that meant she had forgotten, he didn't know.

"Do you remember anything that happened last night?" Harry asked, testing to see if she remembered kissing him.

Lois frowned, trying to piece her night together. His legilimancy picked up scattered memories, barely anything complete. "I remember champagne and then very little after that." Harry nodded, relieved that she didn't remember much. Things would be less complicated that way. She groaned, "I didn't do anything embarrassing did I?"

Harry shook his head; other than drinking enough for four people and the kiss, there was nothing else news worthy. "You were pretty loud but more or less behaved yourself."

"More or less?" Lois asked, still not looking forward to the answer.

"You were fine Lois," Harry assured her. He hoped Clark wouldn't say anything. "How's your head?"

"How do you think?" she asked him with as much of a glare as she could manage.

"What I think would just get me into trouble when you're feeling better," Harry told, moving towards the door. "Just shower or whatever and I'll get you something to eat." Lois nodded, wincing at the pain movement caused. Harry hid a smile as he left the room.

He dropped back on his coach and picked up his book again. From what Clark told him about how long Lois took to shower he had a good half hour before she came back downstairs.

OoOoOoOoO

Forty five minutes later Lois entered his kitchen where breakfast was almost done. Whilst it was now technically afternoon, Harry had found a good old fashioned English breakfast was the best way to get over a hang-over. Considering he'd been making this breakfast since he was five he now had it down to a fine art.

"You're looking better," Harry told Lois, sparing her a quick glance. She was wearing one of his new t-shirts, one from Chloe if he remembered correctly, and a pair of his jeans. She looked quite small wearing his clothes in comparison with the Lois Lane that had a fondness for tight clothing.

"Feeling better as well. Smells goods," she said and catching sight of the food. "Need a hand?"

"Nope," Harry told her, concentrating on the eggs.

Lois sat down at his kitchen table, pouring herself a glass of orange, "So how'd I end up here last night then?"

Finished with the breakfast Harry divided it into two portions and past Lois hers, "Clark and I closed up the Talon after everyone was left. He offered to take you back but I volunteered; gave Clark a chance to sleep in a bed for a change."

Lois looked in no way guilty about robbing Clark of his bed. Instead she dug into her food. "This is good," Lois told him after a moment's silence. They ate in silence but the food disappeared quickly. After just avoiding disaster by cleaning the plates with a Scourgify charm Harry began to clean and tidy the kitchen.

"How did I get out of my dress?" Lois asked causing Harry to nearly drop the plates he was about to put back into their correct cupboard.

Harry made sure his face was relaxed before he turned back round, "You don't remember undressing yourself?" Harry asked.

"I don't think I remember anything past midnight."

Harry smiled slightly, making up a story he hoped Lois believed, "You undressed yourself. Took you a very long time if I remember correctly."

Lois frowned, trying to remember. Nothing came to her mind about it, "Right," Lois told him, clearing trying to prove she remembered. "Yeah, I remember now."

Harry just nodded, barely suppressing a smile. Someone knocked on the front door saving him the trouble of trying keep his smile hid. He moved towards the door, opening it to reveal Clark holding a bag. "Come in Clark," Harry said, moving away from the door.

"How's Lois this morning?" Clark asked as he came into the house.

"Only been up an hour but she's fine. Doesn't remember much though," Harry added with a pointed glance at Clark.

Clark just gave him a small grin.

"Smallville?" came Lois' voice from the far side of the room. "What are you doing here?"

Clark shot a small glare at the brunette for a less than welcoming greeting, "Mom wanted me to make sure you survived the night."

"You must be disappointed," Lois shot back, slipping easily into bantering with Clark.

Clark ignored her comment, "Mom gave me some of your clothes if you wanted to change into them." He handed the bag to Lois getting a small smile from her.

"Thanks Smallville." She turned to Harry, "I'm going to change."

She disappeared upstairs.

"She doesn't remember what happened last night?" Clark asked as she vanished from sight.

"She might later," Harry told him. "But as of now, all she remembers is the champagne."

"Where did you get that from? You never said."

"Same person who hosted the other party I was at last night," Harry truthfully told Clark. He had hosted the party as it was his company and he had bought a few bottles of champagne from Metropolis on the 30th."

"The same party that you won't tell me about?" Clark asked with a hint of reproach.

"It was nothing, Clark."

"You're not doing anything illegal are you?" Clark asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

"Ignoring multiple accounts of underage drinking and distributing alcohol to minors? No, to my knowledge I've not done anything illegal."

Clark took his word for it, something he was grateful for. He'd had Dumbledore complain about his methods several times before he died and he didn't need it from Clark now.

Lois chose then to come back down the stairs, no longer dressed in Harry's clothes. She dropped onto his couch and put her feet up on the table. He was amazed at her ability to throw off a hangover.

"So how much do you remember from last night?" Clark asked.

Lois shrugged, "Not much really. You do anything you're hoping I forgot?" Lois asked, not hiding the fact that she wanted some dirt on Clark. She looked over at Harry to see if he was giving any indication that Clark had done something she should know.

"I don't know if I did anything you would be disappointed to forget," Clark told her. The temptation to cast a silencing charm on Clark was overwhelming but he managed to hold back. Clark caught the look Harry was shooting him though.

"Oh? Who did something then?" Lois asked, looking for gossip.

"No one did anything," Clark told her after a moment silence. "Everyone behaved."

"Hmm," Lois mumbled.

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AN: Not my best chapter, but neither was it my worst. Let me know what you thought.

Next Chapter: Immobulus