Chapter 12

'Family isn't whose blood you carry. It's who you love and who loves you back.'-Unknown

Huffing as he turned the wrench for a final time, Harry smiled in satisfaction at his handiwork. Having just been given the go-ahead to return to work by his mother, Kurt, and, surprisingly Burt, a full two weeks after the doctor had given him the all-clear, he was doing his best to make up for lost time. Over the three days he'd been in, he'd worked on more cars than average, which had some of the other mechanics jokingly asking if he'd been replaced by a machine. Before he could roll out from under the car he'd just finished with, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket.

Carefully maneuvering from under the vehicle, he signaled that he was finished to a fellow mechanic while fishing his phone out of his pocket. Seeing that it was his mom, he answered, confused as to why she'd call while he was working.

"Mom, is everything all right?" He asked immediately.

"Everything is fine, sweetie. I just wanted to call and give you a head's up." She replied evenly, giving him a hint that he wouldn't like the news he was about to receive.

"About what?"

"Your aunt and uncle are coming into town for a visit."

"WHAT?!" He near shouted, causing those nearest him to stare. Flushing a bit, he repeated, "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Petunia and Vernon are visiting this week from Dry Run. They'll be here tomorrow." She informed him. Harry scratched at his sweaty forehead, trying to wrap his head around the situation.

"They're just dropping by out of the blue? What do they want?" He questioned, more to himself than his mother.

"I don't know. Apparently Petunia's husband has business in Westerville this week and she didn't want to pass up the chance to see her 'darling sister and nephew.' She probably is just coming to rub it in my face that her husband is doing well or some other petty reason." Both snorted at this, knowing it was most likely the truth.

"Why didn't you tell her no? I know them visiting is about as pleasant for you as it is for me." He queried, lifting the hood of the car that had just rolled up to his station.

"I couldn't think of an excuse fast enough. She pretty much invited herself, and I don't actually have a reason at all why they can't visit." His mom reasoned, "We don't lie, Harry." He hung his head at this, knowing he'd broken this principle rule of his mother and late father quite a few times over the years.

"I can think of a few reasons." He muttered, bending over the engine and tightening the loose belt.

"Maybe they've gotten over that." Harry sighed at his mother's response, knowing she wanted that to be the truth. As much as Lily Potter detested her brother-in-law and what her sister had become, she would always love her as the person she had been while they were growing up and obviously hoped that she'd be that person again. Time and again she'd been let down, but she still held onto her hope. For her sake, he would grin and bear this visit, which he was sure would be as pleasant as pulling teeth.

"We can hope. Look, I have to finish up here, Mom, so I'll see you when I get home."

"Okay, well, I'll see when you get home."

"Alright, Mom, I love you."

"Love you too."

Hanging up the phone, Harry returns to his work with a bit more viscousness than necessary. Needless to say, the next few days would be unpleasant.

"What's got you so pissy?" Santana whispered, leaning onto Harry's desk as the math teacher handed out problems for the class to work on in groups. Kurt leaned over too, a frown tugging at his lips. Harry huffed and crossed his arms, annoyed as the sleeves of his thermal rolled up a bit. He tugged them back into place as he answered.

"My mother's sister and her husband are visiting for the next few days." This only seemed to perplex the two even more.

"I didn't know your mom had a sister," Kurt stated, "I thought that Ms. Pillsbury was her only relative."

"Why would a family visit get you in such a pissy mood, Muscles?" Santana queried, staring him down as the worksheets were passed to them. He waited a beat for the teacher to move out of earshot.

"Because they're fucking awful people, Santana! As for Aunt Emma… she may as well be our only relative. She's the only one who acts like it." He hissed, looking down at the worksheet as the two stared at him, wide-eyed at his vehemence. He gave in after a few seconds, feeling bad for snapping at them and leaving them hanging. "Look, they've always been rather snobbish people. Petunia's husband has a well-paying job and they've always liked to stuff our noses in it. They're also rather religious. When I came out… Let's just say they weren't the most pleased about it." He shoved the memory out of his head, trying to forget it. "Then when my father was killed, they came to the funeral and offered to help my mom out only if she sent me to conversion therapy." The other two gasped at this, "So needless to say that we haven't seen each other in a while."

"That's awful Harry. I'm… I'm really sorry that they're like that." Kurt whispered, taking his hand comfortingly.

"It's fine. Not like there's anything you or I could do about it." Harry whispered back, giving a small smile. "I'm just not looking forward to seeing them. At least Dudley's not coming- my cousin. He's a bigger bully than any of the jocks here."

"So I guess you're not coming over for dinner tonight?" Kurt asked, starting on his math problems. Harry palmed his face.

"I totally forgot about that once Mom told me they were visiting. I'm sorry Kurt. Raincheck for next week?" He pleaded, hands clasped in front of him in a begging motion. Kurt stifled a chuckle behind his hand while Santana laughed quietly.

"Of course. Evil relatives can be quite distracting, I imagine. Finn will probably spend most of dinner complaining about football, anyway, so you're not missing much. Though, I do expect a proper apology soon." Kurt quipped primly, reaching for his calculator. Harry's eyes darkened as he smirked, but before he could reply, Santana threw in her two cents.

"You two are steaming in sexual tension, aren't you? Have you even done the nasty yet?" Her smirk widened as both boys turned away, blushing furiously. "Not yet, huh? What's stopping you two from…" She was cut off as Harry threw his hand over her mouth, sending her a scathing look as he tried to make the heat disappear from his cheeks.

"Santana, I think we should start focusing on our work." Kurt nodded at this, his own cheeks still burning as he bent his head over the worksheet. There were a few seconds of blissful silence before it was broken.

"At least I'll know why one of you'll be walking funny one day." Kurt covered his face with his hands as Harry let his head fall into his arms on the desk, both groaning as Santana's laughter made their teacher give them the stink eye and instruct them to return to their work.

Harry wanted to turn his car around as soon as he pulled onto his block, already spotting the obviously pricey Mercedes Sedan parked in front of his house, outclassing every other car on the block. 'Probably the only reason they have it.' He seethed, bemoaning the waste of good machinery on people who wouldn't appreciate it for what it was.

After parking his car behind his mother's, he gathered his courage before pulling the key out of the ignition. He walked into the house and was greeted by Gibson jumping onto him, almost as if begging him to get him out of the house. As he pet his dog and took off his sneakers, he heard voices floating in from the kitchen. "I know, boy, I don't want to be here either." He whispered, holding back a laugh as the dog wagged his tail and licked his cheek. "Go to my room, Gibby." He said affectionately, not wanting his pet subjected to the ridicule of his aunt and uncle, as they were apt to do. Gibson, being the smart animal he was, followed his owner's advice.

Wishing he could do the same, Harry stood up and walked into the kitchen. He was greeted by the sight of his mother frowning hard at whatever it was Vernon had said. She brightened once she saw him, though.

"Harry! How was school today?" She asked, obviously changing the subject of the conversation. His aunt and uncle turned to face him, Vernon having a bit of trouble turning his massive torso. Little had changed about the pair, except his uncle looked larger and more walrus-like than ever, and his aunt seemed to have lost even more weight, drawing out her more horse-like features.

"It was fine, Mom. Hello, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon." He greeted stiffly, moving to his mother's side and pecking her on the cheek. "How're you doing?"

"Harold, good to see you boy." Vernon said, though it was obvious that he was lying through his teeth. Harry winced at the use of his full name. His father had named him after his own father, but that didn't mean that Harry liked being called 'Harold.' He didn't much like being called 'boy' either.

"Yes, Harold, Lily was just telling us how wonderfully you've been performing in school and your job." Petunia said, tittering at the end. "Of course, our Diddykins can't take up an after-school job, what with his busy schedule and football." 'There it is,' thought Harry, trying to suppress the sigh, 'the barely concealed jibes and praising lil Diddykins.'

"Yes, well, I do try to keep busy. I have classes, the garage I work in, and glee club. Mom and my friends really keep me balanced." He decided not to say the word 'boyfriend,' knowing that would only stir things up and help no one. He wished he could, though. His mother seemed to read his thoughts as she grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze of appreciation.

"Glee club? What the hell is that?" Vernon huffed, crossing his arms and eyeing Harry with distaste.

"It's a singing club, basically." No need to really explain much else. Vernon was unlikely to care either way.

"No sports?" Vernon questioned, his eyes glowing with the ever-present judgment. Harry bit back a spiteful retort.

"No, sir, I figured I have enough on my plate without adding to it." 'Not to mention trying to have time away from the jocks,' Harry crossed his own arms and stared right back at his uncle. Without looking away, he asked, "So where are you staying, if you don't mind my asking?"

"They'll be staying here, sweetheart. I bought an air mattress, I was hoping you could help me set it up." His mom answered. He tried not to react to the obvious disdain the Dursleys showed at such 'common' accommodations.

"Yes, we didn't want to miss the chance of catching up with you two. Vernon has business nearby, and Dudley's football team will be playing here soon." Petunia explained, smiling smugly at her husband. "Vernon's company is about to get some major contracts, all because of him." Harry felt nauseated at her simpering.

"That's… great. Listen, I'm really sorry, but I have some homework I need to get done before dinner. May I be excused?" He turned to his mother with the last request, trying to be polite to a fault in front of his relatives. She smiled at him in amusement, seeing his escape for what it was.

"Of course." She leaned over to whisper in his ear, "I can't wait to tell Kurt how you chickened out." He stifled a laugh as he walked out of the kitchen and towards his room, snickering once he had reached his destination.

"Hey, dude, we still on for a Star Wars marathon on Saturday?" Artie asked, rolling alongside Harry as they approached their lockers. "Sam said he can come, and he is bringing his mom's guac." Harry smiled at his friend's enthusiasm, spinning the dial on his locker and putting his bag away.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss Star Wars Night, rebel scum." He hi-fived his laughing friend when they both heard a stampede of footsteps. They both turned around to find the majority of the football team moving to surround them, every player holding a slushie in each hand. Azimio was the first to speak.

"So I was going through my bucket list and I noticed you two were the only Glee losers I haven't slushied yet!" The other players chuckled.

"Damn near broke his heart!" Carter Fuller, seemingly Azimio's Karofsky replacement, said. Artie rolled back until his chair hit the lockers behind him, Harry staying next to him the entire time.

"Well, what about the moral implications of abusing a kid in a wheelchair?" He stuttered, hands gripping his wheels tightly.

"I say 'equal opportunity for all.'" Azimio shrugged, his goons nodding along.

"Still miffed about me kicking almost all of your asses in the parking lot?" Harry taunted, knowing they were getting slushied either way. He didn't want to fight anymore, especially knowing that it'd only get him in trouble. Azimio just glared balefully at him before throwing one slushie in his face, the other at Artie. The other football players followed suit, drenching the two in the red, sticky, and cold substance. Once all the cups were emptied, the football players left, hi-fiving each other and laughing.

Both Harry and Artie were cringing in their spots, shivering from the cold and squinting, trying not to let it get in their eyes. Harry felt a burning sensation coming from his forearm, right where his burns were. He ignored it, instead focusing on Artie.

"Come on, let's try and get this crap off." He said, patting Artie's shoulder, wincing at the squishing sound the contact made.

"I hope these stains come out. I liked this sweater." Harry nodded his head, grabbing the handles on the back of the wheelchair, pushing his friend in the direction of the closest bathroom as Artie tried to clean his glasses.

After washing as much of the slushie as they could get off, they moved to the choir room. When they reached the room, everyone was in separate groups, all going over ideas for the next few weeks. Tina was the first to spot them entering the room.

"Oh my God, Artie, Harry!" The others' heads snapped up, Brittany and Kurt already moving to their respective boyfriends, shock on their faces.

"It was awful." Artie said, still shivering from the chilly air and his damp clothes. As Brittany gave him her jacket and Kurt fretted over Harry, Finn stood from his seat.

"That's it! Screw rehearsal! This ends here and now." He yelled, marching towards the door as Puck, Mike and Sam took up his flanks.

"We're gonna go all Thunderdome on those guys." Puck said, equally as upset. Before they could reach the door, however, the football players were marching in already, some still holding empty slushie cups. Everyone in the choir room stared at them as they looked around.

"So this is what the ladies' lounge looks like on the inside." Fuller said, looking around in mock wonder as he and the other football players came to a stop right in front of where Finn, Sam, Mike and Puck were standing.

"It's the choir room. Now, put up your fists because you and I are gonna do some dancing." Sam spoke through gritted teeth, glaring at the team.

"No, I got this Sam." Finn said, putting his arm in front of Sam. Sam moved it away, still glaring at the other football players.

"Coach Bieste told us to come. Where is she?" Fuller asked, ignoring the threatening looks he was receiving from the glee club members. The coach walked in as he spoke, maneuvering around her team.

"Everyone have a seat." She ordered, gesturing to the empty chairs next to where most of the glee club sat.

"You too, guys." Mr. Schuester said, gesturing for Finn, Puck, Mike and Sam to take their seats. When they all went to sit, Harry made sure he sat between where the team was and Kurt, exchanging glares with the football players. Kurt was still checking him over to make sure he was okay, worried that his shoulder might have seized up from the cold.

"All right. New Directions, let's give a warm welcome to the newest members of Glee Club." Schuester announced, gesturing to the seated football team. The room was immediately filled with outraged cries of 'what' and 'hell no'. Harry could distinctly hear Mercedes yelling 'Oh hell to the no, Mr. Schue'.

As soon as the room had quieted down a bit, Finn stood.

"Mr. Schue, are you serious? These guys are constantly ganging up on us. They just slushied Artie and Harry!" At his words, Mr. Schue looked over to where Artie and Harry were sitting, covered in red and purple stains, shivering from their wet clothes and winced in sympathy.

"And there is no way that I am sharing the choir room with a known homophobe." Rachel spat out, pointing at where Azimio was sitting.

"I don't disagree with you guys. But I talked to Coach Bieste about it and she and I both agree that the kind of bullying that Azimio does is born out of ignorance. Having him in here, as difficult as it may be, is an opportunity to show him and the rest of the guys that being in Glee Club is kind of cool. Find some common ground." Mr. Schuester explained, looking around at New Directions.

Harry tuned out the rest, vaguely aware of Puck and Rachel getting up to perform. A week of his Aunt and Uncle (who would soon be joined by his cousin), and now the football team in Glee as well. This was not a good week at all.

At the close of the lesson, Mr. Schuester announced, "New Directions, we're still on for the number tomorrow. You guys," he gestured to the 'newest' members, "We'll be meeting in the auditorium. And yes, your attendance is mandatory." At the groans of everyone, Harry and Kurt quickly made their exit from the room.

"I can't believe Mr. Schuester is doing this!" Kurt fumed, practically stomping on his way to the car. "Did he even think about how we would feel?" Harry sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Probably. Despite the shitty timing and all of our hatred for the team, I can see his point." Kurt whipped around, his eyes wide in surprise.

"You can? Please, enlighten me." He said, a bit snarky.

"He's trying to force us to work together and hopefully put the jocks in our shoes. You know, let them see what we do and some of the ridicule we receive."

"Most of which comes from them."

"True, but we also get it from the rest of the school as well. You think they're going to be quiet about this? The rumor mill is probably going wild right now." Kurt thought about it for a bit.

"I guess. Still, this is shaping up to be a not-so-great week."

"It sure is." Harry said, holding his hand out to Kurt. "Come on, let's get out of here."

AN: Hey….. How y'all doin? Lol. Sorry for the very extended hiatus. Life has been… insanity, not just with this pandemic, but everything. I went from being in a huge college to dropping out and becoming an Emergency Medical Technician, getting injured pretty badly and needing surgery, then going to community college and now a smaller university. Suffice to say, I have not been able to breathe, let alone write creatively until recently. Hopefully, this will signify my will to finish this story and the sequel I have had planned for ages, as well as other stories I have floating around my head I recently started to write. One will be uploaded soon after this chapter goes up, actually, so be on the lookout for it! I appreciate the reviews and all the love this story has received, and I am telling you that this is not going to be a story that gets left with no ending (glares at some of my favorite currently abandoned stories). I am not abandoning ship! Please leave a review if you have the chance, let me know if there is anything you want to see in this story ad I will see if I can incorporate it for you. I love reading all your reviews. Hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying a quiet and peaceful holiday.