Mutant Son

A.N. Thanks everyone again. And another update so fast. These scenes are just flying out because I've known exactly how this was going to play out. The next few chapters may be slower. While I know what comes next, I still have to figure out timing and add detail.

Chapter 25: Harry Potter, Teenager and Savior

This was nice, Harry decided. John and Harry were sitting in the living room going over the maps of Hogsmeade that Professor McGonagall had been able to supply. For once, they could do this leaning against each other, not worrying about whether they touched or appeared too close for friends. And if one of them looked at the other a little too long, so be it.

Before the meeting the other day, Harry had briefly debated whether to keep their relationship hidden from new members. He was still Harry Potter, after all. But the Order was small and they saw too much of each other for Harry and John to go unnoticed. Something like the other day could happen again. Best be honest. The rest of the wizarding world didn't need to know.

Besides there were more important things to worry about. Like saving Hogsmeade.

"This gives you free range," Harry said, pointing to a spot on the map.

John nodded. "But it's wide open. Not really a good place for me to be if I wanna live."

"You're mutation gives us an offensive edge. You'd be at your best long-range," Harry said, thinking it out. "Yeah, it's open but what if we get someone to guard your back? We can afford to take an Order member out of the fight if it means using your mutation to our advantage."

John eyed him. "Harry, do you really think I'd let some random person watch my back?"

Harry hadn't thought of that. He trusted the Order, some members more than others. They had been protecting him for just over two years now and he wasn't dead yet. Probably an accomplishment since it was not for lack of trying. But John wouldn't care about that. He wasn't going to trust anyone with his life, probably not even Harry.

John knocked his knee into Harry's a little harder than necessary, making a move to fold up the maps. Harry looked up. Draco Malfoy had just entered the room. He looked at them lounging comfortably on the couch.

"Recovered nicely I see, Potter," Malfoy said coolly. Harry glanced at John curiously. "Oh, your boyfriend failed to mention that it wasn't just your followers who saw your display."

There was that word again: boyfriend. Harry really wished that people would stop saying that.

John shrugged. "It didn't seem important. Really, how would you knowing anything be important. "

Malfoy looked at him skeptically. "Which is of course why you so discreetly folded up those papers," he said sarcastically.

Harry sat back to watch John and Malfoy battle it out for the title of either 'biggest asshole' or 'smartest mouth,' he hadn't quite decided which yet. It was nice to not have Malfoy's attention focused on him. At school, Malfoy used to go out of his way to bother Harry and, even when insulting Harry's friends, it was always Harry who Malfoy was messing with. And right now, he didn't want to deal with it. They had only a few days before Hogsmeade and the Order was in high gear. Even Harry's pseudo-lessons were put on hold.

John rested his hand on Harry's thigh and he tried not to jump. That was unexpected. "Actually I thought it was the perfect excuse to stop working," John said, eyes turning away from Malfoy to Harry. He moved to kiss Harry's neck. He pulled away and looked back at Malfoy. "You wouldn't mind would you? This morning just feels like such a long time ago."

Malfoy turned pink, sent them one more look and left. Was he really that bothered by allusions to sex?

"Clever," Harry said sarcastically. "You scared away Malfoy and got to cop a feel. Congratulations." He paused, reconsidering. "But it did make Malfoy leave. If I had known that would work so well, I would've used sex to keep Malfoy away years ago."

John smirked. "Somehow I don't think that would've worked."

Harry looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

But John didn't elaborate. Sometimes Harry wished he caught on to things quicker. How did someone as oblivious as him end up with someone who interchanged between subtle and confrontational so quick it was hard to keep track?

Harry didn't have much time to think about it because John had returned his attention to Harry's neck. "We're in the living room," Harry swallowed.

"Mm-hm," John responded, kissing along Harry's jawline.

"And the door isn't locked."

John's lips paused above Harry's mouth. "Don't worry. Shackelbolt is locked in his room. Remus and Hermione are in the library geeking out about that coin thing and, where Hermione goes, we all know Ron goes." John moved his hand under Harry's shirt. "The bitch Malfoy doesn't leave her room. And, well, I think we chased off the other Malfoy."

And this made sense to Harry, as much as anything could make sense as John pushed Harry down into the couch, capturing his mouth in a rough kiss. Harry squirmed. He didn't like being pinned down that much. John hissed.

"Careful, I might just keep you pinned there so you'll do that again," John breathed, nevertheless pulling away from Harry.

Harry sat up enough to catch John's lips again and pull him down so that they were mostly side by side.

"I see I've interrupted something," Harry practically jumped away from John. Great, Mrs. Malfoy. Was this some sort of Malfoy conspiracy?

John sighed, pulling out his lighter and a pack of cigarettes, returning to lie down on the couch much like when Ron interrupted them the other day. Apparently he had given up. He lit one and took a drag.

Mrs. Malfoy wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Would you mind putting that out?"

John looked over at her. "Actually I do mind." Another drag. Harry elbowed him in the ribs and John glared over at him. "What?"

"We already have enough things to worry about," Harry said annoyed. "Stop trying to make more."

"Aw, come on Harry. It's only a bit of fun," John said, pulling out his most charming smile. But it wasn't only a bit of fun, was it? It seemed like John had been being a bigger asshole than usual the last few weeks. And as much as Harry liked John, this was really starting to get to him. He could only ignore it for so long. How could people trust John if he kept giving them a reason not to? And his conversation with Ron was still bothering him. Even forgetting about the war, how could Harry stay with someone who he would always have to clean up after? If he stayed with John, that would be his job, not Bobby Drake's.

Harry ran his hand through his hair. "I'm going to attempt to get some fresh air," he told John, who gave him an odd look. It was clear that Harry didn't want John to follow him. And obviously, John didn't like it. But he was just going to have to deal with it. Harry couldn't actually remember the last time he had spent more than a half hour away from John. He was getting used to it. Harry couldn't afford to get used to it.

"Mrs. Malfoy," Harry nodded as he left the room.

Harry headed to the drawing room. As far as he knew, everyone in the house was accounted for. Well, except for Malfoy but Harry hoped that he had stormed off to his room or something. But Harry wasn't so lucky. In fact, he wondered why he thought things would even go his way anyway.

Malfoy was fiddling with his wand on the far end of the room. Harry paused. It was either here or his room where John was bound to go at one point. So Harry headed straight for a window, pulling a chair over in the process. He opened the window and breathed. He felt so cooped up. He hadn't been out of the house since they found the locket. He could hear the sounds on the street for once. Muggles arguing. Garbage trucks picking up the trash.

"Finally detached yourself from that freak?"

Harry closed his eyes. He was really hoping Malfoy would leave him be. But he knew that was asking too much. "If I ignore you will you go away?" Harry finally asked, eyes still closed.

"As I have had no one but my mother to speak to for weeks, I'd have to say no."

Harry sighed. Great. Malfoy was making him feel bad for him. They really had put the Malfoys in isolation but since all dislike was mutual, it felt like the right thing to do at the time. But that didn't mean Harry wanted to be the person to talk to Malfoy. He didn't think they were capable of talking.

"Fine," Harry turned to face Malfoy. "Throw your best insults. John's a freak. Hermione's a mudblood. Ron's a blood traitor, Remus is a werewolf. Did I miss anything?"

Malfoy had moved closer to him but still stayed near the couches, lounging on one of the chairs as if he belonged. "When you say it like that, it just proves that you have horrible taste in company," he said absentmindedly.

"Oh, so sorry Mister Malfoy," Harry said sarcastically. "Should I have shaken your hand on the train? Joined your lap dogs? Maybe I could have visited your house in the summer. Had tea with Voldemort."

"Don't call me that," Malfoy snapped.

"I didn't call you anything," Harry said.

"Mr. Malfoy," he continued. "I'm not my father."

"Congratulations," Harry said. "You have let go of your mother's apron strings. Or your father's as it is."

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Just don't call me that." He paused. "Tea with the Dark Lord? Really Potter?"

Harry shrugged but Malfoy's lack of animosity threw him off.

But Malfoy's next statement fixed all that. "Though I suppose that would be preferable to dealing with his son. At least the Dark Lord is evil. Your little boyfriend on the other hand is just scum."

Harry glared. "Don't call him that," he gritted out.

Malfoy put on an air of surprise. "Oh, did I hit a sore spot? Come on, Potter, you have to know that your boy is scum. He must be a good lay if you put up with him. Maybe I should have a go. What do you think, Potter? Would it be worth the humiliation?"

Harry had tried to keep himself calm, be the better person, but soon he found himself with his wand in his hand and standing toe to toe with Malfoy. This was familiar. This hate. It was nice to hate someone that you didn't actually plan on killing.

"He wouldn't even touch you," Harry snarled. "Wouldn't dirty his hands with a pathetic coward like you."

Malfoy smirked. "Don't worry Potter. I have no interest in your boyfriend."

But the idea of Malfoy and John was now in his head. Harry wasn't stepping down. "You're an asshole, Malfoy." It wasn't a great insult but Harry was almost too angry to think.

That smirk didn't leave Malfoy's face. "Like the great Pyro is any better. I do find it odd that you fight me, but fuck him. But you always were your father's son. Had to choose the biggest piece of trash you could find."

And that was it. Malfoy had gone beyond insulting John. Now he was insulting both Harry's mom and dad. He hit all three sore spots and Harry was practically blinded with rage.

He launched himself at Malfoy. They both struggled to get the upper hand, breaking a table and vase on the way down. Malfoy got a few good hits in. But Harry was angrier and he had always been the better fighter. Harry pinned him down and punched him. Hard on the face. He went to land another punch only to have someone grab him by the midsection and pull him off Malfoy.

Harry struggled, trying to launch himself back at Malfoy. Just a few more good hits. But the person who had tugged him off of Malfoy had him in a good grip.

"Harry." But Harry wasn't going to stop. "Harry, cool the fuck down."

And Harry only calmed down enough to stop struggling. He tore his eyes off of Malfoy as John slowly let him go. "What the fuck is going on in here?" he asked looking from Harry to Malfoy. Harry was too peeved at John for separating them to answer.

"What can I say Pyro," Malfoy said, wiping blood from his lip as he stood. "He just couldn't keep his hands off me."

Harry couldn't believe he missed Malfoy's nose and only got his mouth.

John went stiff. This time it was John who stood toe to toe with Malfoy. "I don't like people touching things that belong to me. You'll want to keep your hands to yourself," he said softly, but the tone was chilling. "Or you'll get more than a bloody lip."

Malfoy couldn't help but let fear briefly cross his face but soon he recovered and his smirk was back. "Threatened, Pyro?"

John went back to Harry, perhaps getting closer than necessary. "Please," he rolled his eyes but his face was still cold. Harry was lost. In fact, he had been lost since John asked what was going on. He had been a little too focused on whether he had at least caused more damage to Malfoy than a bloody lip. And Harry didn't like to be lost.

"Stay out of my way Malfoy," Harry glared. "I mean it." He turned to leave and John waited a moment before following.

John backed up towards the door. "As fun as this is, I expect that Harry has some anger he needs to work off. I guess I'll have to help him with that, huh?"

But Harry didn't look for John's help. He was angry at John too. So he went down to the basement which had been re-transfigured for training. Harry didn't let himself think about why it had to be re-transfigured.

A dummy stood at the far end of the room and Harry launched spell after spell. A curse, followed by a hex. Repeat. This really wasn't helping too much. It didn't relieve his anger. The dummy didn't fight back.

Harry breathed. He closed his eyes and bit down. He wanted to scream. No, he wanted to damage the dummy. Really damage it. He opened his eyes. A pole of some sort launched itself at the dummy. Whoa.

Harry tried to do it again, but nothing happened. That had to have been him, right? He tried again but again nothing happened. Frustrated he went to the dummy and started hitting it instead. Punching it. Again and again and again.

"You really have some rage issues," John said, walking over to him. Harry couldn't remember whether John had followed him down there. Or had he just gotten there? Soon John was standing next to Harry.

John looked at the dummy before returning to Harry. He studied Harry for a moment.

"How about you fight something that can fight back," John said.

Harry glared at him. "I was and then, as I recall, you pulled me off him."

John smirked before shrugging. "If anyone's going to be under you, it's going to be me." John paused. "And for once I didn't mean that to be sexual."

Harry hadn't stopped glaring at him. While annoyed with John, Harry couldn't tell whether his current anger was really about John or John was simply in the right place at the right time.

"Fine," Harry bit out. "How are we doing this?"

And the John made a move to twist Harry's arm behind his back. But Harry had always been quick. And he had always known that John was a dirty fighter. Harry spun out of the way.

John grinned and they just looked at each other. Harry sent a punch John's way and John blocked it, moving so that he was able to punch Harry in the ribs. Not hard. That was disappointing.

So they exchanged blows, going faster. Neither of them got many hits. Harry was angry and was letting that drive him. And John generally relied on his lighter. Sparring wasn't his thing. It wasn't Harry's thing either so he dove at John, attempting to semi-tackle him without losing his footing. But Harry wasn't completely successful.

Then Harry realized something. John was holding back. Sure John wasn't a great fighter, but he was better than this. So utterly frustrated, Harry overpowered John, pinning him to the wall.

"I win," Harry said, but John only smirked at Harry before going to kiss him, trying to move so that he could control the kiss. But Harry didn't let him. In fact, Harry pulled away.

"I'm angry with you," Harry told him.

John shrugged. "I know." John moved again. Fuck. "But that doesn't mean we both can't have a little fun."

And Harry supposed that was true though he wasn't in the state of mind to really suppose much. Sex didn't always have to be about feelings. And Harry wanted this. And though John tried again to reposition them, John was going to learn how it felt not to be in control. So John gave up and went with it.

Despite all their planning, Remus knew this was still a long shot. It was finally Wednesday, approaching 4 a.m. and the Order could only wait. Even with a few new members, they were going to be outnumbered. They had inducted a number of new members over the week, some from the DA and one or two of Tonks' friends. Tonks who had hated staying home. She even forgave him just before he had left. She knew it was a long shot as well.

Everyone was in position. They had created a perimeter around Hogsmeade. With how little people they had, it was important not be cornered. They had even evacuated as many Hogsmeade residents as they could without alerting Voldemort that they were there.

They had separated the Order into two teams, one led by Remus and the other by Kingsley. John was on Remus's team and Harry on Kingsley's. Kingsley had wanted them both but John refused to take orders from him. He was on the verge of refusing to take orders from Remus as well when he decided to count his losses. Harry, on the other hand, would benefit from being on Kingsley's team, to learn how to think and fight like an Auror, not the force of nature he tended to be.

Minerva remained at the school. With the battle so close to the grounds, the school had to be her first priority. She let Remus and Kingsley officially set the plans though she had one stipulation. Ron and Hermione were to be at Hogwarts. She said she'd feel more comfortable if they were there.

Remus sent a look over to where Harry stood. Harry tried not to look unsure. He was over thinking. Once the battle begun, Remus knew that Harry would be alright. He saw Harry's eyes travel to John's location though he couldn't be seen. John had decided to take the risk and put himself in a slightly open position, but he had insisted that he could take care of himself. Remus let it go after Harry had.

Perhaps to avoid his unease over the coming battle, Remus decided to mull over what appeared to be his new favorite topic: Harry and John. The last few days had been strange. The two didn't talk much except to strategize for the upcoming battle. But Remus had also never seen them disappear together as often as they had the last few days. Remus wondered if that had something to do with the split lip Draco had been sporting. He sighed. Harry was still a teenager. Unfortunately. Remus had heard these were the worst years. Add a war and everything just got even worse. Harry's boyfriend was Voldemort's son who probably hit Draco, a (ex-)Death Eater for looking at Harry the wrong way. A regular teenage soap opera, only these teenagers were fighting a war.

Kingsley signaled to Remus. A few minutes until four. He took a deep breath, bracing himself. Soon. Remus felt when the anti-apparation wards went up. This was it.

He didn't have time to think about anything else as the Death Eaters appeared. Not as many as he had expected. And soon the Order made its move. Remus shouted out orders as he went but had to focus on his own duels. Every once in a while, he would see a stream of fire fly past, one nearly hitting him. But Remus knew that John had impeccable aim so he kept going.

And then Kingsley went down. Killed or injured, Remus didn't know. And Remus couldn't get orders out to everyone and fight.

"Keep fighting!" It was Harry. And he led by example, fighting off the Death Eater that just took Kingsley out.

Remus fought and shouted orders.

"Fall back! Away from Honeydukes!" Harry shouted. But why? And then he saw John's fire hitting Death Eaters as the Order members got out of the line of fire. Literally.

He had sent a look up to John when it happened. John got hit by a curse. The Death Eater came from his blind side. It wasn't the Killing Curse but that didn't mean anything. Remus was too far to help.

Remus quickly took out a Death Eater who thought he had been distracted. And he looked up only to see a flaming body fall to its death.

John was okay.

Remus continued to fight and, soon, more Order members were standing than Death Eaters, even if just barely. This had been easy as compared to what could've been. Whatever Death Eaters that were left shot off a few dark spells as they ran. The Order did not give chase. They had won and there were wounded to be tended to. And that was where he was heading when he noticed a large group of students running from the direction of the Shrieking Shack. Remus's blood ran cold as he made out Hermione.

Harry ran to her and she threw herself into his arms, holding back her cries. "Hermione. Hermione," Harry put her at arm's length, looking at her. John, a decent amount of blood soaking his t-shirt stopped a few feet away.

"Hogwarts," she breathed. "They took Hogwarts. There weren't enough of us."

Harry went very still but he struggled with control, slowly winning. "How…how did you guys get out?" He looked at the assembled students. Remus only recognized a few.

"The Whomping Willow," she said. "It was the one tunnel to Hogsmeade that wasn't guarded."

"Where are the other students?" Remus asked, counting heads. Maybe fifty, if that.

"Still there," she began crying at this point. Ron was still in there. "Ron…and a few of the others, they started pushing muggle-borns through first. I wanted to stay but Ron told me I had to lead them out. I was leaving as the Death Eaters arrived. Ron caved the entrance in. That was the last I saw."

She was sobbing now. Harry went to hold her but his face had gone extremely pale.

"Harry," Remus said. "If this is true, we need to get out of here."

"But Hogwarts—" Harry started.

"A battle for another day," Remus said as gently as he could. He really didn't need Harry to go off now. "We can't win. Not with these small numbers. Not with so many of us wounded."

"The anti-apparation wards have broken," Arthur said, barely holding it together. He had two children still at Hogwarts.

"Collect the wounded," Remus ordered, not needing to shout. It was too quiet.

Remus himself went to check on Kingsley. His eyes stared blankly at the sky. "Good-bye my friend," Remus said as he closed Kingsley's eyes. But he would mourn another day.

Harry told the muggle-born students the location of headquarters. They didn't have any other choice. Where were the students going to go? This was going to have to do for now. So Remus had sent them to the drawing room and library which were at least on the same floor. The rooms were probably filled to capacity. He told Hermione to stay with them. She only nodded; she had run out of tears.

Remus turned to tend to the the wounded with the help of Tonks and Molly, the only two others sufficiently familiar with healing spells. He looked around. Most were fine, a few nasty hexes. It had been George and John who had been the most badly hurt. George had lost an ear and the blood had been frightening. Molly had bee-lined to him the moment she saw him, holding it together long enough to heal his ear. But once Arthur told Molly and Tonks about Hogwarts' fall, Molly couldn't hold it together anymore. She had begun to cry, staring into the corner. That left Tonks and Remus.

Meanwhile, John had been hit in the side by a cutting curse and had lost a lot of blood. But he was still standing. Though he hadn't lost enough blood to be fatal by a long shot, he had lost enough for most people pass out, or at least sit down.

At Remus's impressed look, John had given him a small smile, but it was very much forced. He was definitely in pain. Remus didn't know if it was the smile or the effort behind it that gave John away. "It's just like getting stabbed," John explained. And really? That didn't explain anything.

Unfortunately, they couldn't heal John with magic. He wasn't a wizard. When Remus had moved to find some Vicodin that Dumbledore had for some strange reason ensured that they had, John refused, telling Remus to leave him alone. In John-language that was as close to 'go help the others' that Remus was going to get.

Harry had stuck around long enough to make sure that John was okay. But as soon as Remus finished with John's bandages, Harry left and subsequently locked himself in the basement.

Despite whatever pain he might've been in, John sat by the basement door, knocking every so often.

"I'm not going away you know" he growled in frustration, wincing in pain.

Tonks and Remus quickly tended to the most injured first but it seemed as if everyone had been wounded in some way. They quickly became overwhelmed.

But they were in for a surprise. Narcissa walked in and surveyed the injured Order members sitting or lying on any surface in the dining room they could find. She had looked over at Remus. "Would you like my help?" she asked.

And Remus was floored, but he was so tired that all he said was: "Yes, please." Tonks stared at her aunt in shock.

But Narcissa moved quickly and efficiently. She even managed to push Molly aside long enough to cast some spells to make George more comfortable.

"Thank you," Arthur said tightly. Narcissa only nodded.

At some point, Draco came in. There was no confusing the look on his face, even if he disliked most of the people in the room.

Draco looked at Remus. "Where's Potter?" he asked. Curious.

"Basement," Remus answered as he finished up a spell. Draco nodded but no telling expression passed over his face. Remus didn't think further on it. Without Harry, after all, only Voldemort was left.

Narcissa spotted her son. "Draco," she called. He looked over at her, not wanting to get in anyone's way but still stunned. "I believe there are students in the library and drawing room. See to it that none are wounded."

Draco nodded and left. Remus found it funny (and maybe that was shock talking) that Draco was going up to check and/or heal the same kids he had verbally abused at school.

Remus was so tired that, when Narcissa slowly took control of things, he let her. This wasn't about the war right now but he still couldn't figure her motives.

Harry sat on the basement floor, head in his hands and staring at his feet. Hogwarts had fallen. They had been tricked. Harry wasn't sure what the trick was but he knew it had occurred. Had Voldemort meant for Harry to see that vision? If he had, then Harry was the idiot who fell for the same trick twice. Or did Voldemort only let Wormtail in on the one attack? Clearly, Hogsmeade had been a diversion. But had Voldemort expected the Order to be waiting for him or for them to simply show up to the wrong battle?

Harry clenched his hands, fist enclosing on his own hair.

So many people had been hurt, but as Harry and others went in expecting to lose they had viewed it as an easy victory. But, no. So many people had been hurt-at the wrong battle. And while the muggle-borns had escaped, so many students were left behind. Some only children. To make matters worse, Ron was there. Ginny, Luna, and Neville too.

This was his fault. He had led the Order into a trap. Harry had told them to get Pettigrew, to question him, even torture him. He gave the Order the information that led to this. He had helped the Order plan for it though he refused to lead during the actual battle. Not that that had lasted. Harry tightly shut his eyes. Kingsley was dead.

What had the prophecy said? Gryffindor's heir would either lead the wizarding world to its lightest days or leave it in darkness. Harry had failed. Did McGonagall and Remus still hope the prophecy referred to him? McGonagall who was still at Hogwarts.

"I'm not going away you know."

Harry finally took his head out of his hands, leaning it on the wall. Just go away, he thought. Harry had failed John too. He had agreed to let John put himself at risk. It was Harry's idea, even if his idea involved someone guarding John, and that made it even worse. He had gotten John seriously hurt. He could've died.

Every good thing in Harry's life came to an end. People he loved got hurt. Some died. The ones that mattered most. That wasn't going to be John. Harry had simply put John at risk by falling in love with him. Now that he was going over his most recent failings, it was easy to admit. Yeah, he loved John. And just by loving John, Harry put a bull's eye on him, whether Voldemort or his Death Eaters knew or not.

Harry wondered what the wizarding world thought of him now. The Boy-Who-Lived. The Chosen One. The one that allowed Dumbledore to die. The one who let the Ministry fall, Hogwarts too. The one who could only lead them to darkness.

He banged the back of his head against the wall. He wished he could stop thinking. John was sitting right outside that door. He could ask and injured or not John would come through and not because he was obsessed with sex (though that was still true). It was because, if Harry was being honest with his own feelings the least he could do was take the blinders off as well, John was in love with him, too.

Harry thought about being selfish. About taking comfort in John. Let John hold him. Hold John just to make sure that he still had something in his life that made him more than Harry Potter, the failure. But Harry couldn't do that. He couldn't do that to John who, despite his bravado and cocky attitude, was even more damaged than Harry. Probably more vulnerable too because John had never meant to love.

So Harry was going to do the right thing. Maybe it was the only thing he could still do right.