Roses Under Cypresses

Chapter 9

Harry was able to get his stubborn brother to drink the potion. He was also able to stop him trying to hunt out the only bottle of firewhisky in the house. Will was that out of it – even now – that he hadn't noticed the changes in the property at all. Harry might not have made a whole lot of changes to the property, but he'd done enough for it to be more than noticeable. He'd made the bed sturdier, but it was still where it was, and Will was tired. The relief that was entirely Will's own from being freed from that place, along with all other emotions…he was bound to be highly strung yet exhausted.

He couldn't even pretend to understand it at all, he hadn't been born with the gift of empathy. For that he was truly grateful, it sucked because with magic, Will could have been moderately protected by outer influences. Occlumency walls, without magic the best Will could do was meditate and it didn't have the tangible wards magic could erect around ones mind. The fact he was a squib empath, meant he felt everything. When he first met Will, he hadn't the experience under his belt to help him, but when he realized how he felt? The book had come, so he'd left that for Will and gone on his way.

Harry had to refrain from smacking Will on the forehead for that, the idiot honestly. Instead of making his life easier, he'd continued on as he had been. Becoming immersed in emotions not his own, becoming someone that fundamentally not him. He'd instead become a hodgepodge of different personalities, with the most stubborn becoming the more prevalent of them all.

"Come on, let's get you to bed," Harry said, he was just about to lean down and literally carry Will, before he remembered magic. "Wingardium Leviosa," and as if Will had been made featherlight, he floated on over, a simple click of Kreacher's fingers, the covers were pulled back, then another click had Will dressed in his nightwear, soft white cotton t-shirt and a pair of boxers. "Thanks, Kreacher." Grateful for the House-elves presence, Merlin, the poor dogs would have been beyond frightened.

Merlin only knows how he'd be living without him, without Kreacher to keep his home clean, and everything orderly. To make sure he had food to eat, cooking for him, yeah, Kreacher was a godsend.

"Master should sleep," Kreacher declared, well aware of how much it took out of Harry when he 'died' and how long the recovery actually was. It would take at least two more days before Master Harry was truly at full strength. "Kreacher will keep the doggies cared for." he told Harry as he lurched back a bit as he was slobbered all over.

Harry had to suppress his amusement, but despite the fact the dogs were bigger than him, they had been well trained. In other words, despite their enthusiasm, they we careful. It might have something to do with the fact Kreacher was the one that had been feeding them in the past few days. Not to mention, he reckoned Kreacher had spoiled them beyond what they were usually spoiled by Will.

"I doubt I'd be able to sleep," Harry commented, grabbing the covers and throwing them over Will so he was covered. He rather hoped that the majority of the side effects didn't appear. They sounded downright awful, he expected at least one or two, but hopefully Will wouldn't be unlucky enough to experience them all.

Then again, they shared the same blood, well, half the same blood…what's the chances of them both being exceedingly bloody unlucky? If it were the case, then it definitely wasn't the Potter genes that were unlucky, it would be the Evans blood in them.

Giving Kreacher a rueful grin, he sighed softly, before reluctantly moving towards the front door, out into the driveway and grabbing the food they'd brought home. Giving the area a once over, knowing things weren't going to remain quiet for long. He closed the car door again, and locked it.

Seafood wasn't his thing, and Will loved the stuff, he wondered if Will still had the freezer out the back filled with frozen fish. Not all of them were for the dogs either. Stretching out, he wandered in, closing the front door, "We need food Kreacher, do you know any magical areas here?" he preferred food from the magical sector, you get exactly what you asked for, too easy was it to cast a spell to find out if it was or not. While the Muggle world added too much preservatives and shit to their food.

"Kreacher knows," the House-elf commented, an indignant look upon his face, he was a House-elf it was his job to know. The moment he knew his Master was moving somewhere new, he'd began looking into everything he might need. Although, this house was far from the usual places his Master stayed in, he'd make do. He would admit he loved the pets here, and the space, he had walked the dogs four times, all around the property. Master Harry mostly stayed in flats, small spaces with hardly a garden to plant a flower pot in never mind such a vast amount of land. "Will Kreacher go now?"

"Yes, please, I'm starving," Harry said, opening the cupboard doors, grabbing the packet of crackers with a grimace. It would need to do, at least until Kreacher brought something home. He probably should have got something for himself while they were out. Instead, he'd been the idiot that helped Will get what he wanted and disregarded himself as always.

Not that he cared, he'd put those he cared about before all else.

"My key is in my bag," Harry called out, attached to a chain, and Kreacher had used it a dozen times in a hurry. Kreacher was the only one who actually had access to his accounts except for him. He never thought he'd see the day where he trusted Kreacher fully, not after what happened to Sirius.

Unfortunately, they all had their parts in the blame of Sirius' death, including Sirius himself. If Sirius had just treated Kreacher with a modicum of respect, Kreacher would never have done anything to hurt him. If he had just thought to use the mirror, if he hadn't gone charging to the Ministry…if Bellatrix hadn't gotten his mitts into the House-elf, if Dumbledore hadn't made him feel trapped in Grimmauld Place…well, there was no need for that now. Sirius was at peace, he was with his best friends again, a peace that Sirius hadn't known. No longer tortured over his stay in Azkaban, he was free of complicated emotions that made Sirius human. They lost a part of themselves when they died, they didn't get emotional about it, they spoke but their words were empty, as if they were just recalling how they felt about a person.

It just got worse the longer they were pulled back from the veil, it's why he'd dropped it when he had in the forest. It had been recollected of course, but Harry would never touch it again. Sirius, Remus, James and Lily had all proclaimed it was like 'going to sleep' as if it was enticing him to do the same. They might not have said 'come with us' but it had sort of been implied.

"Kreacher will be back soon," the House-elf declared before he was gone, the key around his neck ready to do a big shop so that his Master Harry didn't starve. He knew his Master ate a lot when he was recovering, and he knew all his favourites. Master Will needed a new fridge and a new freezer to go along with the new sink and kitchen appliances.

Harry couldn't help but hope that Kreacher brought a lot of sweet foods back with him. Normally, he could take it or leave it, but right now? He could eat an entire four-person trifle in one sitting, he was that hungry, and he most definitely needed the energy. Right now, anything would do, well, not anything, he thought, the crackers were like eating cardboard.

Then again who knows how long they'd been in there. Will definitely acted like a typical bachelor, and it again, made him more grateful for Kreacher…for fear that this would be him too. Grumbling inwardly as he continued to munch on the crackers, as he shuffled back over nearer Will, levitating the comfortable recliner over, contentment flowing over him.

It had been a long time since he felt this happy, content, he'd missed Will more than he'd fathom, even with his abilities. He'd had to do it though, not that it had changed much, just made his feelings more prevalent. He slumped down on the recliner, stretching out groaning appreciatively.

Oh, he ached like blazes, he was exhausted but not the sleep kind either, much to his consternation.

Oh, he wanted to sleep, he was just too hyped up to finally have his brother back where he belonged.

Meditation however, did help ease Harry somewhat, lulled him into a good state of mind. All the time in the world may well have went by, Harry would have been largely unaware of it. He could literally feel himself beginning to drift off, while meditating, when he was abruptly jarred out of his rest when music blared irritatingly. What the bloody hell? Sitting up, heart pounding at the fright, looking around rather confused.

It was not his ring tone.

Then he noticed that Will's stuff had been put on the kitchen worktop, it was all – except the phone – still in the bag that his things had been confiscated from. For someone – he did not consider Kreacher a 'thing' after all he had thoughts, feelings and could feel pain – so utterly immersed in the Magical world detesting the Muggle world he was very good at blending in. Maybe 'blending in' was the wrong word to use here, but he had adapted very well, then again, he'd had a mobile phone for years. It wouldn't be the first time Kreacher had seen him charging his, or Kreacher doing it for him when he forgot. Which had happened a lot in the beginning, the charges only lasted for a few days! Less longer the older the device got.

He was surprised there was enough power in the damn thing already for it to ring. Groaning dramatically, he dropped the crackers on the seat before ambling over to the phone. A huffled laugh left his lips, of course, who else would it be? Sliding his finger along the phone, answering it, he clicked speakerphone.

With his other hand, he removed his wand and moved it in a circular manner, silencing the area so that he didn't wake Will. Not that there was any danger of that, that potion would keep Will out of it for a long time. A good, few days at least anyway.

"Hello," Harry called out, waiting to see what would happen. Glancing around the room, specially at Will, as if he was actually worried, he'd wake up regardless of the measures he'd taken to ensure his peace and quiet. Even the dogs were napping peacefully, as close as they could get to Will, without being on top of him. Although some were as close as they could get to the fireplace, the warmth having them curling up in enjoyment after a long walk. He'd noticed their fur had been a bit damp when they returned, Kreacher must have taken them out.

"Will?"

"Well, I've never been accused of sounding like Will before," Harry said sarcastically, "Accent sort of gives that way."

"Potter," Jack sounded bitter.

"Agent Potter, if you please," Harry said, sneering at the phone, as if he could jump through the line and kill the bastard where he was. Which was no doubt still working, which he found disgusting.

"I demand to speak to Will," Jack declared in his usual roughshod manner. As if he hadn't learned anything when dealing with Harry, but he was so used to getting his own way that he didn't pause to think.

"I'm afraid he's not available right now," Harry said bluntly, "He won't be available for the next few days, I'm afraid he's come down with the flu." Shrugging, it would just have to do. People with the flu sweated and slept a lot so if any of them had the audacity of 'demanding proof' or worse still, had the unmitigated gall to show up here. Not that they'd get anywhere near Will when he's being purged of all the damn people, he'd absorbed. Especially not Jack Crawford, of all people, screw that. In fact, nobody was going to get in the same room as him, and Will couldn't absorb any of his emotions, the rune pendant made sure of that.

He was being purged entirely, only Will Graham would be left behind. Nothing, not even he was going to get to interfere with that. No, for the first time in who knows how long…Will's personality was going to be his and his alone…and Harry could wait to see what emerged from the chrysalis.

"Then he can tell me that himself," Jack argued, sounding irritated.

"I'll inform him when he wakes up," Harry agreed, "Until then…"

"I need him!" Jack retorted, "Get him on the phone, immediately!" he bellowed.

It was a good job he had silenced the area, otherwise Jack Crawford's bellowing would have surely woken him by now. Which would be some feat, considering the potion was meant to keep him under as he was cleansed. Hell, it might be longer, Harry just didn't know how many personalities that potion had to purge from him. He was assuming it was just a couple of days…but he couldn't verify it.

Harry sighed, any amusement – which wasn't much – he had disappeared fast when dealing with Crawford. He was tiring to the ninth degree, Merlin, how the hell did Will put up with his shit? Inhaling in sheer annoyance, rolling his eyes that much he nearly blinded himself. "Listen to me, Crawford, he isn't your servant nor is he your slave. Your time of treating him like shit is over. You cannot use and abuse someone and then expect them to do what you ask of them for the rest of their goddamned life however short you make it. I've noticed that it seems to be a prevalent trend of anyone working for you seems to die." He spat fury thrumming through him.

Harry arched a brow when the phone call dropped, either he'd struck a chord…of Crawford broke the phone.

He vindictively hoped it was that he'd broken the phone.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the last time Harry was almost asleep to be woken by the phone going off. Crawford had called a dozen times, then someone called Alana after that. It was then Harry had put it on silent, it was clear they weren't going to stop calling despite the lateness of the hour.

At this rate, the phone wasn't going to get a chance to charge up.

It would seem that at nine thirty the phone finally stopped vibrating, and Will's sleep seemed very calm. Harry was very pleased with that, it looked as if Will wouldn't experience any of the side effects. He wondered if it meant he'd wake up sooner or if it would take longer.

Harry felt like he'd just closed his eyes, when, yet again, he was interrupted, but this time, by Kreacher.

"Master Harry must wake up!" Kreacher insisted.

Harry swatted the hand that was shaking him incessantly, irritating thing, he wanted to sleep.

"Master Harry…Muggles are coming," Kreacher continued relentlessly, shaking his Master. "Fast!" they must be in that Muggle contraption they called cars.

"Lemmie sleep," Harry slurred out, turning over, not even awake enough to comprehend what Kreacher was saying to him.

"Master Harry must wake up! Muggles are coming, they're nearly here!" Kreacher insisted, actually poking Harry instead of shaking him again.

"What…what did you just say?" Harry asked, bolting upright, did he just hear what he thought he just heard?

"Muggles are coming," Kreacher said, before he disappeared entirely, knowing better than to let himself be seen by a Muggle. Plus, he detested Muggles, and would rather be as far away from them as humanly possible.

The dogs evidently could hear whoever it was since their tails were wagging furiously, as they all headed for the front door.

Harry narrowed his eyes in displeasure, if that was Jack Crawford…he wasn't going to be responsible for his own actions. He wished he could say it couldn't be him, he wouldn't come after all that had already happened, but that would be bullshit. Crawford was relentless, given everything Will had told him…and what Harry had observed from the tenacious Muggle.

Then again, what had Will said earlier? That his next move would be to visit Hannibal…could it be? He'd like to think a predator like Hannibal would be significantly quieter. So much so that not even the dogs would realize he was there. No, he'd be disappointed if it was Hannibal here.

A/N – I've missed writing this, I'm not very good at jumping time along, at least I don't feel like I am lol so, who will it be? Hannibal? Alana? Jack Crawford? Or will it be Katz? will Miriam point her finger in Chilton's direction? Will everyone actually end up convinced he was the Chesapeake ripper and Harry, Will and Hannibal remain in Baltimore (Wolf trap) for the duration of the story? Or would you rather them already in a different place and settled by the end of the story? And Oooo what will Harry do to Lounds? Will she receive the 'end' she got in the books? Oh, I've always wanted to do that when I read Hannibal stories :D hehe somehow though she always gets out of her bleeding situations with her life intact :P or will Harry and Hannibal work together on that part? R&R please

And sorry it's so short, I did a bit of gardening today, and my hands are ripped to shreds, ouch! I'm stopping early and heading for a bath hopefully it will help my hands feel better by tomorrow so I can give you a longer chapter :D enjoy!