Harry Potter and the Power of the White Phoenix

by DZ2

A nightmare comes true; a mysterious power is awoken; a friendship becomes something more; in the midst of all this, a hero rises from the ashes with a war he aims to win. However, he will do it on his own terms. Grey Superpowerful Harry/Neville

3. Two Halves, One Whole

Harry Potter and the Power of the White Phoenix

Disclaimer/Plot/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Recommended Reads: The Focus of a Healer by OfficeSloth, The Potter Alliance by SpitKill, The Legacy by storytellerSpW, Saviour of Magic by Colt01, When Harry Met Neville by SlutPuppy, The Journey Begins by JayColin and Harry Potter and the Rune Stone Path by Temporal Knight

Key Pairing: Harry/Neville

Other Pairings: To be determined

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

'Mental Speech'

/Parseltongue/

Review Answers:

Winged Seer Wolf: While I can guarantee some comforting scenes and interesting developments, my friend…well…let's just say something is coming that might just turn quite a lot of people off of this story, but…oh well;

Seeing the phoenix, Algernon smiled as he said, "Something tells me you won't have to look far, but if you wish to be prepared for what is to come, dear nephew, you will need to start training immediately…both you and your life-mate!"

While Neville's eyes widened again, Algernon's smile widened while a knowing glint appeared in his eyes as he indicated the phoenix before, to Neville's shock, his Uncle filled in the blank as he addressed his protégé once more.

"So, if I were you, I think we should see what Lord Potter wants to share with you."

Chapter 3: Two Halves, One Whole

Even after he'd sent the letter to Neville, inquiring about seeking the other boy's help with everything that was coming, not to mention being able to have someone to talk to about what he'd learned about himself and his destiny, Harry still felt a bit sick inside.

On the one hand, he felt sick with worry because he didn't know what Neville might say about the request for help, but, on the other hand, he also felt sick with rage, disbelief and a feeling he knew all too well…

Betrayal!

He'd been betrayed by those he thought he could trust and, as a result, he'd become a prisoner in his own home while he'd also been blacklisted from his friends and allies just because a senile old coot decided he had to be alone: why?

Was it because he was a White Mage? Why did his legacy mean that he needed to be kept out of the loop and ignorant of his power?

'Well,' thought Harry, sitting on his bed, staring dead ahead at the far wall, while he waited for Polaris to return, hopefully with the answer Harry really wanted to hear. 'I'm done with all of that. From now on, I won't let anyone keep me from this or any of my powers: I've always gone into these things half-cocked…never again.'

Unbeknownst to Harry, as he came to the revelation on the next step of his future, fuelling his thoughts with naught, but sheer determination and a will to succeed, his emerald-green eyes shone ghostly-white in their sockets, making Harry look like a spectre of the ether while he vowed, 'I will never be weak again, I swear it! And, if that means going against the ones who think they know what's best for me, so be it!'

Suddenly, Harry's train of thought was derailed when a flash of white light announced Polaris' return, but, to Harry's delight, his friend-turned-familiar wasn't alone. With her was the surprised, but also curious-looking Neville Longbottom and an elder gentleman Harry hadn't seen before, his eyes looking to Harry with a mixture of respect and relief as he saw Harry sitting there, looking somewhat healthy and content.

"Hi Neville," said Harry, letting his friendship – small though it was – for the other boy put a smile on his face as he said, "Thanks for replying, but you didn't have to come to my home to do that."

"Actually, Lord Potter, we do," argued the older man, earning a curious, if not surprised look from Harry before, inclining his head in a curt nod, the man went on, "Forgive me, I forgot you and I have not met before today: my name is Algernon Longbottom and I am Neville's Great Uncle…"

"As in the one that dangled him out of the window like a nutcase because he hoped to frighten the magic into Neville?" asked Harry, earning a slow nod from Algernon while Neville lowered his eyes as he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Answering your missive, for one," said Algernon, holding up a piece of parchment that Harry recognised as the one that he'd given Polaris, who flew from where she'd been transporting the two wizards to her human's shoulder where she then proceeded to preen his hair as she used to, much to Harry's amusement and Neville's awe.

Algernon, meanwhile, looked to said parchment before he cleared his throat as he went on, "You asked for help regarding what you call a delicate matter that I can only trust my friends with and, although I agree that you and my great-nephew have not spent much time together, you ought to know that your decision to call on him for aid was, perhaps, the best decision you could have made."

With curiosity in his eyes, Harry looked from Algernon to Neville before he asked, "What's he talking about, Neville? And don't look so embarrassed about this place: I mean, it's not the Ritz, but it's okay…for what it is. Mind you, a part of me is partially hoping I won't have to stay here much longer because, between you two and me, if I had my way, I'd never see these walls again."

"A wish that may yet be granted, Lord Potter," said Algernon, indicating Neville before he added, "But Neville is not embarrassed by the look and state of your life outside Hogwarts' walls: he looks the way he does because of something I have told him concerning the strength that binds him to the power of your White Magic and the hand that fate has dealt you both."

Now it was Harry's turn to look a little more than confused while, as he looked again to Neville, he saw the other boy smile weakly before he cleared his throat as he explained, "I…I'm glad that you…you thought you could trust me with your secret, Harry; I don't…I don't know much, if anything at all about White Magic, but from what Uncle says, it…it's something that both of us are a part of…really a part of, if you get my drift."

For a moment, Harry did look confused, but as he tried to figure out what he meant, the White Mage's eyes widened as Polaris' voice addressed him. 'He is yours, my Harry: he is to be your destined mate. Your equal in all things. It is a bond deeper than love and greater than all magic, but it is one that puts you together on the road to your future, however similar or diverse they may be.'

As Harry stared in shock, looking from Polaris to Neville and back again, he also heard Algernon chuckle before he asked, "Perhaps it might be ideal for us to be included in your conversation so we can help your ally understand the role that he has to play in the future, dear one?"

'I agree,' said Polaris, her voice now echoing through the minds of the Longbottom men, much to Neville's abject surprise and awe, as well as Harry's mind as she asked, 'But how is it you know of his power when the only one who knew outside of this room was the old one?'

"I know more about the White Mages' strengths than you may believe, my lady," said Algernon, looking to Harry before he added, "It is not common knowledge, for obvious reasons, but outside of my role as patriarch of the Longbottom Household, I work with the Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries: this is how I know of White Magic, including when one is born and comes into their power as you have, Lord Potter."

Again, Harry's eyes widened while Algernon cleared his throat as he went on as though he hadn't noticed the reaction, "In fact, it is my role as Head of the Unspeakables that brings me here, but I think it would be better for Neville to explain everything while I go and have a few choice words with Mr and Mrs Dursley about what is going to happen next."

"How do you…" Harry began, but he cut himself off before he could finish as he scoffed, "Actually, never mind: lately, nothing seems to surprise me much anymore…well, except for the truth about me and Neville apparently being mates in…in more ways than just friends."

This time, Neville smiled before he looked to Harry, "I had the same reaction when he told me the truth about us, but…but if it's not too much saying it, Harry, I…I've been feeling a weird sort of…of angst and concern when I think of what you're going through."

"Like a sickness inside of you that you never asked to be there in the first place?" asked Harry, though not before he caught sight of a knowing smile on Algernon's face as he left the room to go and have a few choice words with the Dursleys while Neville nodded in response.

As Harry looked up at his friend, Neville moved to sit next to Harry before he swallowed hard, "I…I don't want to force you into this, Harry, whatever this thing is that we have, I'm willing to take it slow if you are. But, from what Uncle's told me, the other part of our joined fate is…it isn't something we can overlook, especially not after what happened with you and…and Voldemort in the graveyard."

Harry couldn't resist smirking as he asked, "So, you believe me?"

"Of course," replied Neville, his gaze flicking to the scar on Harry's forehead as he explained, "It's like…like I told myself: for Merlin's sake, the guy murdered your family, tried to kill you and left you with a curse mark on your brow for years: how anyone thinks you'd lie about something like that is beyond me."

"Thanks," whispered Harry, before he smiled as he looked to Neville while he asked him, "Really, mate…thanks."

Neville nodded once, before Harry cleared his throat as he added, "But, getting back to this…the other thing, the connection we have: I never would have pegged you as being into guys, Neville. I mean, what about you and Ginny?"

"She was a friend who I asked to accompany me to a dance because I didn't think anyone else would ask," answered Neville, blushing lightly as he admitted, "To be honest with you, Harry, the thought of having to ask anyone frightened me more than anything else. Plus, I kind of liked the idea of dancing and being a free spirit rather than just being the boy that everyone looks down their noses at."

"Well, to be honest with you, Neville, I think you certainly have a gift for the ballroom," laughed Harry, earning a smirk from Neville before, leaning in close, Harry whispered, "Me too, by the way."

"Huh?" asked Neville.

"I was worried about asking people, which is why it took me so long, and then I was trying to make sure that Ron got the right date and…and unlike you and most others, Neville, I…"

Now, it was Harry's turn to blush like a ripe tomato as he mumbled, "I didn't know how to dance: personally, I'm surprised Parvati didn't wind up with bruised toes and crushed feet with my clumsiness."

"I thought you took Padma?"

"Maybe, but let's both be honest here: can you tell the difference?" asked Harry, earning a blanched look from Neville before the other boy laughed while Harry added, "It's like trying to tell the difference between Fred and George, although I have to admit, and I'm speaking from experience, but those two are pretty hot, especially after a Quidditch Match when we're all washing up and showering and their sweaty bodies are glistening with sweat as they rub cloths over one another and pay special attention to…"

"Harry!" laughed Neville, earning a snigger from Harry before he looked to the raven-haired boy as he asked curiously, "So you knew because of that, did you? You knew you were into guys because of those damn Demons in Disguise?"

"Yup," said Harry, popping the p cheekily, whilst stretching his arms up high while he licked his lips amusingly as he added, "And like any teen, I had my fantasies too, but not as mad as Ron and Krum, I'll confess it, but I never really came out because I was worried about what people would think: I mean, they can't even accept those of different bloodlines, let alone different preferences, sexually speaking."

"I see your point," muttered Neville, shrugging ruefully as he added, "I never really thought about coming out myself…you know, because it's me?"

"You've got enough on your plate being the butt of their jokes and the target of a certain greasy git when he's having a bad day, which only really happens on the days ending in the letter Y," drawled Harry, earning a nod from Neville as he asked, "So why are you so willing to accept this even if it means taking it slow?"

"Because…" replied Neville, rubbing the back of his neck while he looked at Harry as he added, "You're my friend, Harry and, if what I feel is real and what we have to look forwards to is what brings us both out of our shells, among other things, then…then I can't think of anyone I'd rather trust with my heart and…and my secrets than you."

Harry smiled, but it was a weak smile and, as he looked to his friend, he swallowed hard before he asked, "So…I guess it's wrong of me to be so close to you that I keep getting the image of kissing you, then?"

While Neville blushed, as though he was thinking the same thing, Harry smiled again as he added, "I'll wait for you if you want me to, Neville, but ever since you sat down next to me, it's like my magic, specifically my White Magical side, wants to be with you: is…is that weird?"

"No," replied Neville, his blush rising up his cheeks as he glanced to Harry before he added, "Uncle…he said that our…what we have…it longs to be together, you to me and vice-versa. He said I was the purity to your light, whatever that means, and that what we have longs to feel complete so that we can stand together as equals."

"Which sounds weird, but then again, it is me," argued Harry, earning a snigger from Neville before he frowned as he asked, "So what else did he say? What's he come here with you about and how does our destiny tie into the whole thing anyway?"

Here, Neville smiled before he took a deep breath as he laughed, "You're probably not going to believe me if I tell you, but I guess it'll help…"

White

Even after everything he'd learned from Neville about their shared destiny, Harry was still surprised by the truth of his own potential, as well as the fact there was not only someone out there who wanted him to be strong, but someone who wanted him to be happy.

For the sake of his and Neville's inevitable future, as the leaders of the Unspeakables Allied Forces – as Algernon called the units that he and, one day, the two boys would lead into the battlefield – Harry not only accepted he was finally getting the help he'd craved for so long to be better, be more than just Harry and be everything he could be, but he also accepted what he had with Neville.

Although nothing happened yet between the boys, Neville stayed close to Harry, giving him help and advice in some of the lessons they shared with Algernon as their mentor, but also, Neville was there to listen if and when Harry needed it or vice-versa – and, unlike some friends, the only thing he did was listen without interrupting or offering his own opinion – and offer words of comfort and support when needed.

In return, being around Harry – even if only to be someone he could use to vent his emotions on – really helped Neville put the past behind him and, slowly but surely, he started to become more of the Gryffindor that he was inside.

A warrior with a strength to him that would be shown to anyone and everyone that got in his way.

White

As part of their training together, Harry asked Algernon if he could take Neville to Diagon Alley when, after learning he was using his Father's wand, the White Mage decided that it was about time that his future mate felt the true strength of the purity within him.

Although they had a pretty busy schedule with the training, the research and their time together, Algernon allowed it, which was how Neville found himself working with a new wand that was made from beech with a very rare core.

A feather from Polaris' true form, which she gave to her Harry's mate as thanks for everything that he was doing for her human.

As for Harry, he not only found himself needing a new wand as well – yew, which he found ironic, also with a feather from Polaris in its core – but he also grew as a wizard and a boy with Algernon training him and Neville being a friend and more to him.

Although he was still angry with the way people were doing things behind his back or without his knowledge – such as Dumbledore talking with the Dursleys and trying to keep him out of the loop – Harry got a chance to unleash that anger in his lessons, which, slowly but surely, turned him into someone who was less of a boy who depended on sheer, dumb luck and more of a warrior like his predecessors.

White

Soon, Harry and Neville both noticed the day of their fifteenth birthdays were coming around.

Because of this surprising turn of events, it also surprised Harry to learn that both him and his mate were born on the same day, but, according to the information Algernon and Polaris shared with them, it wasn't uncommon for White Mages to share birthdays with their mates.

What was ironic, however – at least, Harry thought so – was when Neville revealed that he had been born at one minute past midnight on July 31st, whereas Harry had been born almost 24 full hours later at one minute to midnight, just as July 31st was going to become August 1st.

Still, as a reward for all their hard work, Algernon let the boys have the day off and even arranged a Portkey to take them anywhere they wanted to go to spend the day together as only boyfriends could.

Together.

This meant no chaperones and no-one watching where they went; be that guarding/supervising them or, as Harry suspected Dumbledore might have been about to do, stalking them or making them feel less than they were and no-one and nothing but time on their side.

It was a gift Harry accepted wholeheartedly, especially since there was one place he'd never been thanks to the Dursleys.

Somewhere that every child deserved to go.

And so it was that Harry and Neville found themselves spending their birthday at the beach, which was meant to be a day they wouldn't forget.

However, as is the case with Harry, Fate chose that day to be a real bitch for him again.

White

Thanks to Algernon's pre-set Portkey, Harry and Neville found themselves deposited in the shadows of an abandoned bus shelter on the edge of the famed Golden Mile in Blackpool, where, almost immediately, the sight of the world-famous tower as well as the arcades, shops, stalls and beachside attractions made Harry feel like the kid he'd missed out on being.

As if that wasn't enough, thanks to some unnatural weather patterns and inexplicable changes in the atmosphere, the majority of the UK was caught in a heatwave that had the sun shining down on towns, cities and countryside for days on end.

Dressed in a sleeveless red shirt with a pair of black knee-length shorts and green slip-on shoes for walking on the sandy beaches, Harry looked like he was ready for the heat and the day of fun. Over one shoulder, he carried a backpack filled with essential supplies for their trip together such as towels, swimming costumes, a small wallet containing a wad of Muggle money – which, again, the big kid he'd missed out on being, which lived inside of Harry, had been delighted to learn they'd been given permission to waste as they wished – and, of course, plenty of food and water to keep them going.

Next to Harry, dressed in a green-and-black ensemble of his own beachgoing design, Neville lifted a hand to his eyes, shielding them from the sun as he looked down the long stretch of road and pavement, the sight of the trams, buses and cars moving around so carefree making him smile as, lowering his hand, he said, "This was a good idea, Harry: I'd say the suspicious weather helps, but we both know why the weather is the way it is."

"Yeah…it's the magic of nature compensating for the defiance of the Natural Order thanks to that snake-faced son of a bitch, Riddle," whispered Harry, earning a smirk from Neville as he looked to his boyfriend before he asked, "Have you ever been here, Neville?"

"A couple of times, including the one where Uncle nearly drowned me," drawled Neville, earning a scoff from Harry before, as though the thought had just struck him, Neville sighed deeply as he added, "You know something, H? I get why he did it, but even though we're working with him, building ourselves up in preparation for the future when we face the trials of the Sentinel Protocol, I don't know…"

"If you can ever forgive him for what he did," finished Harry, setting off along the pavement, Neville keeping pace with him, both of them keeping their voices as low as possible as they walked while he continued speaking with his boyfriend, "Tell me about it: I mean, Aunt Petunia told me the truth about her and Dumbledore's communications and she's also been generous enough to keep them out of the loop while I've been with you."

He didn't say it aloud, of course, but he had a feeling whatever Algernon had said to them had something to do with that.

Even so, Harry kept his voice low as he told Neville, "But, despite what they're doing now, the fact of the matter is this: they willingly locked me in a cupboard for years when I was bad, not to mention the bars on the window from my pre-second-year summer, made me look like a dishevelled orphan of a tramp and lied to me for so long about who I really am, so despite the changes recently, I doubt I could ever forgive them either."

"Would you protect them?" asked Neville, earning a curious look from Harry as he went on, "If…if He came after them or if the threat was there, do you think you'd let them rot or…"

"I don't know," admitted Harry, stopping by a metallic railing that ran parallel to the beach and the sands.

Leaning against the heated metal, the heat of the sun on the metal stinging the skin on his arms in the process, Harry drew in a sharp hiss at the feel of the heat on his naked skin before he sighed deeply as he added, "They're my family, whether I like it or not, and I want to be able to think I'd be able to put their lives above my own feelings towards how they treated me, but, at the same time, given how bad they took it…especially after I started school, I just don't know."

Wiping sweat from his brow, Harry sighed again, a look of sorrow and confusion on his face as he asked, "Does that make me a bad person, Nev?"

"It makes you Harry, Harry," replied Neville, leaning next to his boyfriend before he added, "The fact that you can't say yes, but you also can't say no, it speaks volumes for how much you've matured lately: I mean, given what they did, and not just the bars thing, but after everything they did, anyone else might say no and choose not to care, but you do and that is what makes you the boy I'm glad to share my life with."

As Harry smiled in response, Neville nudged him before he added, "Now, why don't I show you the sights? We're supposed to be here to celebrate our birthday, remember?"

Laughing in response, Harry let his friend lead him through the memorable sights and sounds that Blackpool had to offer.

White

Thanks to their supplies, they didn't have to spend money on sweets, treats or drinks to keep them going, but they did spend a fair bit of time in the arcades as well as the museums, water park, the famous Pleasure Beach theme park and the Tower, the view from which was one Harry thought looked more spectacular than Hogwarts' view from the Astronomy Tower or even when he was flying.

By the time they reached the Tower, both of them were turning brown from the summer sun, sweat caking their heads and their torsos, which were exposed to the elements after they'd agreed that the heat was too much for almost any part of their bodies to remain undercover.

Harry's eyes were still shining with delight, excitement and awe like a big kid in a young man's body while Neville just smiled, happy that his dear friend…no…his boyfriend looked so happy after everything that he'd gone through.

As they stood together on the Observation Platform of the Tower, Harry took a deep breath before he sniffed as he whispered, "This has been the best day of my life, hands down."

"I still can't believe you've never been to the beach," said Neville, handing Harry a bottle of fresh, still-ice-cold water while he added, "I know they didn't like you, but…well, I mean they couldn't have actually gone on holiday or anything like that without you, did they?"

"Do you know something, Neville?" asked Harry, taking several gulps from his bottle, some of the water spilling over the edge of his lips as it trailed down his bronzed chest, which made him look even more attractive than he already did, at least to Neville, it did.

Unseen by Harry, Neville actually shifted awkwardly as he felt his shorts tenting at the image of his boyfriend's newly-restored handsomeness being put on display thanks to the weather – as well as the arousing thought of how Harry might look in the showers back at Hogwarts, or even at home.

Harry, meanwhile, let out a sigh of refreshed relief as he lowered the bottle before he added, "What was I saying? Oh yeah. Do you know what? I honestly couldn't care about what they didn't give me anymore because, in the space of a few weeks, I feel like I've gotten everything I need to feel like I can really keep going."

"Harry…" whispered Neville, earning another smile from his boyfriend before, to his surprise, Harry turned and moved so that he was standing close to Neville, his green eyes filling Neville's blue ones with light while the raven-haired hero of the masses took his boyfriend's hand in his.

"And most of all, the one thing I need…I like having is you, Nev," added Harry, earning a gasp of awe from Neville as he leaned in and brushed his lips against the former underdog of Gryffindor's lips, their touch almost sparking a magical rush that ignited in both of them as Harry shared his first kiss with the boy, the man and the spirit of light and purity with whom he now shared his destiny.

This also allowed Neville to realise he wasn't the only one who was hard from the closeness or the feel of Harry's warm lips against his, their touch brief, but passionate; he could even feel a quaver in Harry's breath in the split-second before Harry kissed him, as though he feared they might be taking this too far, too fast, too soon.

Fortunately for Harry's nerves, Neville gladly let his boyfriend claim his mouth, showing Harry that he was not going too fast and that Neville welcomed his love and his emotions gladly.

Parting from the kiss, Harry's cheeks burned despite the browning from the sun as he asked, "So…how was that?"

"It was…" Neville began, letting out a shuddering breath.

As he did so, however, Neville's eyes widened as he saw Harry's eyes darkening, but when he went to ask what was going on, Neville saw it too.

His breath was visible in the once-hot air of the late afternoon!

At the same time, lights within the tower started to flicker while the glass of the observation platform started to gloss over with a frosty sheen that, as Harry saw it, made him wary as he looked from the glass to his boyfriend and then to the view around them.

"It…it can't be…" whispered Harry, edging away from the platform as he asked, "What…what would they be doing here? In Blackpool? There aren't any criminals here…and so many Muggles to not see them…"

"What do we do?" asked Neville, rubbing his hands together while he added, "Uncle told us to leave our wands at home and Polaris isn't here."

"Just get inside before the glass cracks," whispered Harry, edging towards the door of the entrance.

As he did so, however, Harry's eyes widened while Neville let out a cry of alarm and disbelief as a very familiar black shroud-like cloak flew straight past Harry, moving into the Tower while another billowed past them, drawing out the familiar good feelings of the day. As Harry and Neville cried out in alarm, the two Dementors returned to attack the two teens, both of whom cried out as, like when Harry had been on the edge of the lake, their very presence drew out a serious amount of strength and goodness from within Harry.

At the same time, the screams from the two boys seemed to have alerted the Muggles, some of whom cried out in alarm and fear as they raced for the exits while the Tower security rushed onto the scene, their expressions filled with curiosity and bewilderment as they saw nothing more than the two boys there, both of them looking weak and frail.

"No…" cried Harry, gesturing as he insisted, "Keep…keep back; it…it's not safe…"

"What are you talking about, son?" asked one of the guards, indicating towards himself as he said, "Come with us and we'll…"

Whatever else he might have said was suddenly taken away by a powerful burst of cold while darkness flooded the guard's vision: the next thing he knew, there was nothing but the abyss.

To Harry and Neville, however, they had seen one of the Dementors go after the guard and, without mercy or restraint, the vile creature had Kissed the guard, swallowing his soul and leaving him a brittle, empty shell of a man on the floor of the corridor in the Tower.

"No!" cried Harry, clenching his fist as he asked, "Why…why are they here?"

"They must be here for you," answered Neville, earning an outraged glare from Harry as he asked, "Don't you remember the Prophet's new smear campaign towards you? The headlines about you and what they're saying about you just because Dumbledore is trying to do everything he can to make them believe Voldemort's back?"

"So what? Someone's taking it further?" asked Harry, earning a gasping shrug from Neville before the other boy cried out as the two Dementors went for him, both of them drawing Neville further into the darkness and closer to the point that the Muggle guard had reached.

Seeing his mate in pain, however, Harry also saw red.

White

As he saw it, he clenched his fists even tighter, his jaw clenched so tightly, he wouldn't have been surprised to hear his teeth break with the strain.

Someone was trying to silence him… and they were willing to have Muggles kissed and…and his mate…his boyfriend…taken from him!

And all because of that senile old fool?

Suddenly, the redness in Harry flared up; as it did so, it turned a brilliant shade of white while, before Harry knew what was happening, he watched as the white within him flew outwards, creating a shockwave of what could only be described as purified magic.

When it struck the Dementors, their dark cloaks and disfigured visages seemed to crack and splinter, while more shafts of white light started emanating their radiant glow from deep within the bodies of the Dementors before, with an ear-splitting, bone-jarring scream, the dark creatures disintegrated into nothing more than ashes.

As for Neville, he gasped as he felt the energy from Harry's assault wrap around him, flooding his mind, his heart and his soul with pure strength that returned everything the Dementors had done to him while, at the same time, the whiteness of the magic filled his heart with one pure emotion.

Love.

From that love came protection and from that protection came an all-consuming desire that made Neville feel like he knew he'd be safe.

However, right now, someone else needed that.

White

As he turned to his boyfriend, seeing Harry's eyes shine pure-white instead of green, indicating what he remembered Algernon explaining was a sign of the White Mage that Harry had become, Neville walked over to the boy and, taking Harry's hand, he pulled him close, hugging him for all he was worth, while he whispered, "Harry, don't let it control you…I'm okay now…we both are. You can let go…they're gone…you did it…please, H; please…please come back to me…"

Suddenly, as though his words had been enough, Neville saw the whiteness started to fade away while, as he held onto Harry, he was aware of someone or something else taking hold of them before the white flared up again; this time, however, when it faded, Neville felt Harry sag against him while a familiar song filled the ears of the Longbottom Heir.

Looking to the source of the song, Neville saw his Great Uncle as well as Polaris, who was the source of the song, the elder Longbottom looking troubled, angry, but also relieved and yet, to look at him, Neville knew that the anger that Algernon felt was not directed at him or his boyfriend.

And yet, he still had to ask it, "What happened?"

"That, dear nephew, is exactly what I'd like to know," said Algernon, looking from his nephew to the boy in Neville's embrace, his expression still filled with a hint of troubled emotion as he asked, "Is he…"

"He's alive," said Neville, earning a sigh of relief from Algernon as he asked, "Uncle, how did he do that? He didn't have a wand and…and from what you told me about it, that…it didn't look like a Patronus."

"It wasn't," argued Algernon, a worried look crossing his face as he explained, "What you saw, Neville, was real White Magic, the sort I had hoped to hold off on teaching you both about until you had progressed enough in your training."

"And he used it? Naturally? He can do that?" asked Neville, but before Algernon could answer, they were cut off by a hooting noise that announced the arrival of an owl. As the owl set down its burden, which Neville recognised as a Howler, he saw Algernon's eyes flash with rage as the Howler opened, revealing two things with its amplified voice.

First, it revealed that Harry was expelled from Hogwarts for the use of magic in the presence of Muggles.

However, the other thing it revealed was the thing that made Algernon's expression turn thunderous:

Apparently, Harry had used a Patronus Charm in the presence of a Muggle.

As the Howler finished its recitation, Algernon's voice hissed through clenched teeth as he hissed, "What do they think they're playing at?"

"Harry never used a Patronus," argued Neville, earning a nod from Algernon before he asked, "Why would they say he did?"

"I don't know," admitted Algernon, looking again to Harry's near-unconscious form, the face of the emerald-eyed teen caked with sweat while he also looked suspicious and angry by the turn of events, but due to his lack of strength, he couldn't say anything that might be useful.

Algernon, on the other hand, could and did as he told Harry, "Don't worry, dear one: I will deal with this; whoever is responsible for the attack on you and Neville, they have made two mistakes: the first is going after you with a false claim and an unprovoked assault with the aid of Class S creatures on the Lord of a Most Ancient and Noble Household."

"What…what…what's the second…" gasped Harry, earning a smirk from Algernon as he drew himself to his full height.

"Making an enemy of the leader of the Unspeakables for going after a member of his family with such allegations."

As Harry stared at the man in surprise and a hint of grateful emotion, he laughed when Algernon went on with some memorable words of his own;

"I don't know who's behind this, I don't know who they are, I don't know what they want and I don't know why they did it, but I can…I do promise you both this much: if they think they're safe, they're sadly mistaken. You see, being me, I have a very particular set of skills; skills I've acquired over a long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like them: if they'd had a just reason, I'd have let them go and that would be the end of it. However, because this is a cruel, unprovoked and merciless assault, then rest assured, boys, if it's the last thing I do, I will track them down, I will find them and, if necessary, for what they've done, I will kill them."

Then, without another word, Algernon turned and left the two boys to their recovery while he left to take care of the business of helping his young charge and his boyfriend defy the Powers That Be.

After only a moment, Harry couldn't resist laughing as he looked to Neville with an awestruck, but also intimidated air.

One that Neville seemed to reflect back to Harry as he nodded in unspoken agreement;

"Yeah…he's always like that…"

Chapter 3 and, oh boy, talk about tickling the sleeping dragon: now it looks like our heroes have found an old or possibly new enemy wanting them out of the way, how will they face it?

Also, will Harry be able to find his way back from this humiliating moment of Fate being a bitch?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Neville bears witness to a side of his boyfriend he's never seen before: one that only grows more-ferocious when a certain band of vigilantes decide to do what they do best…namely turn up once the shit's hit the fan and been cleaned away;

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AN: Taken

So, I know it probably seemed inappropriate to use the quote, reworded, from the film, but I wanted to show what the Unspeakables, especially the Allied Forces under 'Zero' are capable of when one of their own is targeted: as their leader, I felt that Algernon suited it just perfectly and, given the situation and the fact that his family – both real and future in-law – were targeted, the whole thing seemed cheesy, but it worked;

So, before anyone asks, it's not just because I used Liam Neeson for the portrayal of Algernon, but that certainly helped me come up with an ideal response for the guy;