Part 12
Xander tumbled exhaustedly into bed and closed himself off from the rest of the room, leaving open only the drapery that separated him from Harry. Seeing the other boy do the same, he smiled contentedly.
"It's odd, ya know? That someone knew we'd exist and that we'd be together so long before we were even born."
Harry turned onto his side to look at Xander. "It's all a bit surreal to me. I mean, what I thought was an accidental floo mishap, turned out to be fate correcting a mistake made fifteen years ago." He smiled brightly before continuing, "I can't say that I'm upset about it though. I stopped letting myself think about having someone of my own at the end of fourth year. I had decided that it would be too dangerous to let anyone get that close. Who would have thought that the person destined for me would also be the one to help end this bloody war?"
"So much has happened, hasn't it? I met you only yesterday and now I've reunited with my father and found that I have a soulmate. And that we are going to fight some evil wizard. Not mention the fact that I can do magic. If I didn't know better, I'd think I've fallen into some crazy fictional story written by a truly demented mind!"
The Boy Who Lived laughed at that idea. "That's exactly how I felt when I was visited by a half-giant telling me I was a wizard on my eleventh birthday!" Harry frowned slightly. "How do you suppose you are going to learn everything so fast? I've been here five years now and I still have loads to learn."
"I don't know," Xander shrugged, "but my dad didn't seem too thrilled with the 'non-traditional' learning Professor Dumbledore talked about. I just wish we didn't have to wait until after breakfast to find out."
Harry pulled his covers up. "Guess we ought to try to sleep a bit. No faster way to get to morning, is there?"
Xander smiled after barely managing to stifle a yawn. "Mmm. yeah. That sounds like a good idea. Goodnight, Harry."
"G'night, Xander." And with a whispered 'nox' both boys were bathed in darkness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At breakfast the next morning, Xander was again seated between his father and Harry. He still had no idea how he was supposed to learn everything but he hoped the Headmaster would answer that question soon.
Moments later, as the emptied plates disappeared from the table, Dumbledore tapped the side of his goblet to gain everyone's attention.
"It was brought to my attention last night, by way of Mr. Potter, that our inside contact with the Death Eaters has been found out."
As he paused, several pairs of eyes sought out the Potions Master.
"Luckily," Albus continued, "this did not occur while Severus was in the midst of the enemy. We have also learned that Voldemort intends to wage a full scale attack around Christmas."
At that news, questions and exclamations came from all sides.
Not allowing the impromptu meeting to get out of hand, Dumbledore called for order.
"This is not as grave as it may seem. We have recently met the one that will join forces with Harry Potter to bring down the Dark Lord once and for all."
This time it was Xander who bore the piercing gazes of his new professors.
Clearly concerned for her newest pupil, McGonagall spoke up. "Surely you are mistaken, Albus. I mean no offence to you or young Mr. Snape, but the boy is not even trained for the simplest spells yet. How will he be prepared to fight You Know Who?"
"Minerva, how long will you refuse to say the name?" Albus smiled kindly as his Deputy ducked her head at the mild rebuke. "And as for his training. . . Alexander will undergo rapidamente impari to learn the five years of schooling he has missed. After that, he and Mr. Potter will share in intensive Defense courses to prepare them for the battle."
Seeing the hocked expressions on the professors' faces did not instill a lot of confidence in Xander and Harry's minds.
"Um, sir," Xander glanced at Harry and received a nod of encouragement. "What exactly is that? Rap-rapida-"
"Rapidamente impari, my boy, translates to 'quick learn'. You will be put into a deep sleep and, through the spell, you will learn everything your professors would have taught you over the past five years. Your brain will function constantly to absorb all the necessary information while you are asleep. The rest of your body, however, will remain in a sort of stasis during the process. Once you have completed the training, you will wake up."
The young American narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "There's got to be a catch. If it was that easy, why wasn't this suggested yesterday-before the news of this impending battle. And why all the shocked and worried looks? Is this dangerous?"
Albus chuckled, "I see your father's Slytherin nature in you already, Alexander! No, it is not dangerous. It is, however, quite unorthodox and will be very trying on your mind and body."
"Why my body? I thought you said it would be in stasis. That means I won't starve or become dehydrated, right?
"Quite right! But, as your mind will be working non-stop, it will be exhausted when you awake. That is when the. . . trials will arise. You will need to have natural sleep for the same length of time you are under the impari spell. During that time, your body will be functioning normally. Unfortunately, as you will be asleep, you will not be able to eat, drink, dispose waste or exercise as you normally would. We will need to keep you nourished and clean by magical means."
"Exactly how long will all this take?"
At that question, it almost appeared to those watching, that Albus Dumbledore actually began to fidget before he caught himself and answered Xander. "It will take approximately two days for each year of learning."
"Wait! You mean, I'll actually be asleep for ten days and then wake up only to sleep for another ten?! That's twenty days!" Xander turned wide pleading eyes on Harry, "Are you sure he didn't mean next Christmas? Like a year and a half from now? I could learn everything by then!"
"Xander, try to calm down."
The brunette turned toward his father's voice. "But. . . that's almost a month that I won't know what's going on around me! It'll be almost time for school to start by then."
Severus put an arm around his son's shoulders. "You will be fine, Xander. I, too, wish this were not necessary. Unfortunately, the Headmaster is right. I would rather that you go through this now than to not be prepared to face Voldemort when the time comes. This will serve to save your life. As well as Mr. Potter's and countless others."
Hearing that, Xander looked around at all the teachers at the table and then at Harry. Seeing the concern in Harry's eyes, concern for only him, the newest Snape turned back to Dumbledore.
"Alright. I'll do it."
"Excellent!" Albus beamed at the young wizard. "Now, we should probably prepare you right away-"
"Wait! Um-please! Can I have a few hours? I'd like to write a couple of letters to my friends back home first. If I'm going to be asleep for twenty days, I need to at least let them know that I'm okay."
"Of course! Why don't we meet back here this afternoon? That should give you plenty of time to write your letters and send them off. You'll need to use the post owls in Hogsmeade since the school owls are not appropriate for overseas travel. Perhaps you can even have lunch with your father while in the village."
Xander smiled at the old wizard and looked up at Severus. "Can we do that? Could we maybe take Harry to? I mean, if he wants to go?"
Snape cast a glance over his son's head to Harry. "Would you care to join us for lunch Mr. Potter?"
Eyes wide with surprise, Harry nodded. "Yes, sir. I'd like that very much. Thank you."
"Very well. Why don't the two of you head up to your dorms to get your letters written? Meet me in the entrance hall at noon."
With that, both boys got up and headed for the door. As they left, they heard the Headmaster speak once more.
"You see Severus. . . Harry Potter will not make for a bad son-in-law at all!"
Xander and Harry looked back just in time to see Minerva McGonagall spray the pumpkin juice she'd been drinking across the table.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It took the boys as long to stop laughing over the scene in the Great Hall as it did for Xander to write letters to Willow, Buffy and Giles.
Once Harry had helped the other boy learn to use the quill on parchment (he'd learned at eleven that it was harder than it looked), he wrote his own letters to Ron and Hermione. He'd gotten permission, while Xander had been at Diagon Alley with Snape, to invite his two best friends and the Weasley clan to Hogwarts for a few days. He'd wanted them to meet Xander before the new term began but realized that would be out of the question once Xander was under the Rapidamente Impari. With that new development, he almost decided no to invite them at all but then figured they'd at least be there to keep the boredom at bay.
"All done!" Xander folded the last letter and tucked into an envelope. "How long do we have 'til noon?"
Harry looked at his watch. "We still have more than an hour. Anything you want to do before turning into Sleeping Beauty?"
The brunette blushed and tossed a pillow at Harry's head. "Not really. Can we-can we just sit and talk for a while? I'm gonna have to wait almost a month to know you better. I guess maybe that's what upset me the most earlier."
The black-haired wizard smiled shyly at Xander and moved to sit on the other boy's bed. It took them a few minutes to get comfortable, neither really knowing if physical contact would be acceptable. Finally, they both lay on their backs with knees bent and heads together pointed in opposite directions in the center of the bed. No contact but the could turn their heads and look each other in the eye (albeit upside down) if they wanted to.
For the moment, they contented themselves with staring at the canopy above Xander's bed.
"So. . . what's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you."
Xander had to laugh at the question. "Ya know, before Buffy came to Sunnydale, I'd have said my life was devoid of all weirdness. But thanks to her I actually have an answer for you. It was definitely the Biology teacher Miss French. She was actually a substitute since the regular guy went missing."
"How could a teacher be so weird? And did the other guy ever turn up?"
"Oh, yeah. . . Cordelia Chase found him in the school's deep freeze a few days later."
"Was he. . ."
"Frozen solid. And beheaded." He shuddered at the memory. "I saw him right after she screamed."
"Where was his head? Was it in there too?"
"Nope. That's where the weirdness started. We got this sub. Beautiful, young, friendly. She was what every young boy's wet dreams are made of." Xander turned and smiled at Harry. "Until certain a boy met his match, anyway."
Harry smiled back and raised his hand to trace patterns on Xander's thigh. "So, then what happened?"
"Well, she had us doing this project for class making huge paper eggs. All the while teaching about the praying mantis. She asked for volunteers to help after class and every guy in there raised his hand. Me included. The day I went in to help, she said she'd left her supplies at home and asked if I'd come over to her house after school. And, of course, being the gullible stud that I am, I went. Buffy even tried to warn me that something was up.
"Anyway, when I got there she was dressed all sexy and had the lights turned down low. She offered me a drink. Of course, there I was thinking this hot older woman wanted me so I drank it thinking I was all suave. Turned out the drink was laced. When I came to, I was in a cell in her basement. The guy that was signed up to help her the day before was in a cell next to mine."
"What. . . what did she want you for?"
"That's the peak of the weirdness. She was a giant praying mantis and was collecting virgins to fertilize her eggs. Once done, she intended to bite our heads off like she did with the teacher we found in the freezer."
"Merlin! How did you get away?"
"Buffy came in and saved the day. Just in the nick of time too. She had recorded the sound of bat sonar to drive it crazy and then chopped it into little pieces. It was kinda funny after. The guy I was with down there vowed to sue anyone who told that he was a virgin. His whole reputation was based on his supposed sexual prowess."
Harry laughed at the thought. Then ducked his chin and blushed darkly as he said, "I guess after an experience like that, you went out and made sure no more praying mantis women would come after you, huh?"
Xander looked at Harry for a moment before answering. "Actually, I didn't." Then it was his turn to blush. "I mean. . . I still haven't-"
Harry sat up abruptly. "I'm sorry. That's really none of my business. I can't believe I even asked that!"
"No!" Xander shot up and scooted back so he was now facing the other boy. "Don't be sorry. Really! It's not a big deal. So I haven't had sex yet. I bet there's lots of sixteen year old guys who can say that." He nervously ran a hand through his hair. "At least I hope there are."
"I can." At the brunette's questioning glance, Harry explained, "I can say that, I mean. I haven't either. Like I said earlier, over a year ago I decided it wasn't safe to get involved with anyone. And until now there was only one person I ever even had a crush on and that was when I was fourteen and couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why my palms got sweaty whenever she was around."
Xander smiled shyly. "Until now? So that kiss and this whole soulmate thing? You're really okay with it? Even though I'm a guy and we just met?"
The Boy Who Lived raised a hand and gently ran in over the other boy's cheek and smiled. "I am very okay with it, Xander. I didn't understand why I was drawn to you so much before that talk with Dumbledore last night but it I knew I already liked you and wanted to be with you. Now, just think about it! We were actually created to be together!" Harry wrinkled his nose and laughed. "Was that a bit too sappy?"
The new Gryffindor grinned and said, "Nah. Sounded just about right, to me."
As both boys smiled at each other, the space between them closed slowly. Finally their lips touched for the second time. Carefully, almost scared, Harry allowed his tongue to slip through and taste his soulmate for the first time.
Xander gladly parted his own lips to accommodate Harry's tongue and brought his own out to play. Not able to contain his moan, and hearing Harry's in answer, Xander wrapped his arms around the green-eyed wizard and shifted him until he was seated comfortably in Xander's lap.
Both boys remained blissfully unaware of everything around them, merely sharing their first experience in a truly intimate kiss.
And that was precisely how Severus Snape, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black found them at ten minutes past noon.
"What the BLOODY HELL do you think you're doing?!"
TBC
Xander tumbled exhaustedly into bed and closed himself off from the rest of the room, leaving open only the drapery that separated him from Harry. Seeing the other boy do the same, he smiled contentedly.
"It's odd, ya know? That someone knew we'd exist and that we'd be together so long before we were even born."
Harry turned onto his side to look at Xander. "It's all a bit surreal to me. I mean, what I thought was an accidental floo mishap, turned out to be fate correcting a mistake made fifteen years ago." He smiled brightly before continuing, "I can't say that I'm upset about it though. I stopped letting myself think about having someone of my own at the end of fourth year. I had decided that it would be too dangerous to let anyone get that close. Who would have thought that the person destined for me would also be the one to help end this bloody war?"
"So much has happened, hasn't it? I met you only yesterday and now I've reunited with my father and found that I have a soulmate. And that we are going to fight some evil wizard. Not mention the fact that I can do magic. If I didn't know better, I'd think I've fallen into some crazy fictional story written by a truly demented mind!"
The Boy Who Lived laughed at that idea. "That's exactly how I felt when I was visited by a half-giant telling me I was a wizard on my eleventh birthday!" Harry frowned slightly. "How do you suppose you are going to learn everything so fast? I've been here five years now and I still have loads to learn."
"I don't know," Xander shrugged, "but my dad didn't seem too thrilled with the 'non-traditional' learning Professor Dumbledore talked about. I just wish we didn't have to wait until after breakfast to find out."
Harry pulled his covers up. "Guess we ought to try to sleep a bit. No faster way to get to morning, is there?"
Xander smiled after barely managing to stifle a yawn. "Mmm. yeah. That sounds like a good idea. Goodnight, Harry."
"G'night, Xander." And with a whispered 'nox' both boys were bathed in darkness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At breakfast the next morning, Xander was again seated between his father and Harry. He still had no idea how he was supposed to learn everything but he hoped the Headmaster would answer that question soon.
Moments later, as the emptied plates disappeared from the table, Dumbledore tapped the side of his goblet to gain everyone's attention.
"It was brought to my attention last night, by way of Mr. Potter, that our inside contact with the Death Eaters has been found out."
As he paused, several pairs of eyes sought out the Potions Master.
"Luckily," Albus continued, "this did not occur while Severus was in the midst of the enemy. We have also learned that Voldemort intends to wage a full scale attack around Christmas."
At that news, questions and exclamations came from all sides.
Not allowing the impromptu meeting to get out of hand, Dumbledore called for order.
"This is not as grave as it may seem. We have recently met the one that will join forces with Harry Potter to bring down the Dark Lord once and for all."
This time it was Xander who bore the piercing gazes of his new professors.
Clearly concerned for her newest pupil, McGonagall spoke up. "Surely you are mistaken, Albus. I mean no offence to you or young Mr. Snape, but the boy is not even trained for the simplest spells yet. How will he be prepared to fight You Know Who?"
"Minerva, how long will you refuse to say the name?" Albus smiled kindly as his Deputy ducked her head at the mild rebuke. "And as for his training. . . Alexander will undergo rapidamente impari to learn the five years of schooling he has missed. After that, he and Mr. Potter will share in intensive Defense courses to prepare them for the battle."
Seeing the hocked expressions on the professors' faces did not instill a lot of confidence in Xander and Harry's minds.
"Um, sir," Xander glanced at Harry and received a nod of encouragement. "What exactly is that? Rap-rapida-"
"Rapidamente impari, my boy, translates to 'quick learn'. You will be put into a deep sleep and, through the spell, you will learn everything your professors would have taught you over the past five years. Your brain will function constantly to absorb all the necessary information while you are asleep. The rest of your body, however, will remain in a sort of stasis during the process. Once you have completed the training, you will wake up."
The young American narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "There's got to be a catch. If it was that easy, why wasn't this suggested yesterday-before the news of this impending battle. And why all the shocked and worried looks? Is this dangerous?"
Albus chuckled, "I see your father's Slytherin nature in you already, Alexander! No, it is not dangerous. It is, however, quite unorthodox and will be very trying on your mind and body."
"Why my body? I thought you said it would be in stasis. That means I won't starve or become dehydrated, right?
"Quite right! But, as your mind will be working non-stop, it will be exhausted when you awake. That is when the. . . trials will arise. You will need to have natural sleep for the same length of time you are under the impari spell. During that time, your body will be functioning normally. Unfortunately, as you will be asleep, you will not be able to eat, drink, dispose waste or exercise as you normally would. We will need to keep you nourished and clean by magical means."
"Exactly how long will all this take?"
At that question, it almost appeared to those watching, that Albus Dumbledore actually began to fidget before he caught himself and answered Xander. "It will take approximately two days for each year of learning."
"Wait! You mean, I'll actually be asleep for ten days and then wake up only to sleep for another ten?! That's twenty days!" Xander turned wide pleading eyes on Harry, "Are you sure he didn't mean next Christmas? Like a year and a half from now? I could learn everything by then!"
"Xander, try to calm down."
The brunette turned toward his father's voice. "But. . . that's almost a month that I won't know what's going on around me! It'll be almost time for school to start by then."
Severus put an arm around his son's shoulders. "You will be fine, Xander. I, too, wish this were not necessary. Unfortunately, the Headmaster is right. I would rather that you go through this now than to not be prepared to face Voldemort when the time comes. This will serve to save your life. As well as Mr. Potter's and countless others."
Hearing that, Xander looked around at all the teachers at the table and then at Harry. Seeing the concern in Harry's eyes, concern for only him, the newest Snape turned back to Dumbledore.
"Alright. I'll do it."
"Excellent!" Albus beamed at the young wizard. "Now, we should probably prepare you right away-"
"Wait! Um-please! Can I have a few hours? I'd like to write a couple of letters to my friends back home first. If I'm going to be asleep for twenty days, I need to at least let them know that I'm okay."
"Of course! Why don't we meet back here this afternoon? That should give you plenty of time to write your letters and send them off. You'll need to use the post owls in Hogsmeade since the school owls are not appropriate for overseas travel. Perhaps you can even have lunch with your father while in the village."
Xander smiled at the old wizard and looked up at Severus. "Can we do that? Could we maybe take Harry to? I mean, if he wants to go?"
Snape cast a glance over his son's head to Harry. "Would you care to join us for lunch Mr. Potter?"
Eyes wide with surprise, Harry nodded. "Yes, sir. I'd like that very much. Thank you."
"Very well. Why don't the two of you head up to your dorms to get your letters written? Meet me in the entrance hall at noon."
With that, both boys got up and headed for the door. As they left, they heard the Headmaster speak once more.
"You see Severus. . . Harry Potter will not make for a bad son-in-law at all!"
Xander and Harry looked back just in time to see Minerva McGonagall spray the pumpkin juice she'd been drinking across the table.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It took the boys as long to stop laughing over the scene in the Great Hall as it did for Xander to write letters to Willow, Buffy and Giles.
Once Harry had helped the other boy learn to use the quill on parchment (he'd learned at eleven that it was harder than it looked), he wrote his own letters to Ron and Hermione. He'd gotten permission, while Xander had been at Diagon Alley with Snape, to invite his two best friends and the Weasley clan to Hogwarts for a few days. He'd wanted them to meet Xander before the new term began but realized that would be out of the question once Xander was under the Rapidamente Impari. With that new development, he almost decided no to invite them at all but then figured they'd at least be there to keep the boredom at bay.
"All done!" Xander folded the last letter and tucked into an envelope. "How long do we have 'til noon?"
Harry looked at his watch. "We still have more than an hour. Anything you want to do before turning into Sleeping Beauty?"
The brunette blushed and tossed a pillow at Harry's head. "Not really. Can we-can we just sit and talk for a while? I'm gonna have to wait almost a month to know you better. I guess maybe that's what upset me the most earlier."
The black-haired wizard smiled shyly at Xander and moved to sit on the other boy's bed. It took them a few minutes to get comfortable, neither really knowing if physical contact would be acceptable. Finally, they both lay on their backs with knees bent and heads together pointed in opposite directions in the center of the bed. No contact but the could turn their heads and look each other in the eye (albeit upside down) if they wanted to.
For the moment, they contented themselves with staring at the canopy above Xander's bed.
"So. . . what's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you."
Xander had to laugh at the question. "Ya know, before Buffy came to Sunnydale, I'd have said my life was devoid of all weirdness. But thanks to her I actually have an answer for you. It was definitely the Biology teacher Miss French. She was actually a substitute since the regular guy went missing."
"How could a teacher be so weird? And did the other guy ever turn up?"
"Oh, yeah. . . Cordelia Chase found him in the school's deep freeze a few days later."
"Was he. . ."
"Frozen solid. And beheaded." He shuddered at the memory. "I saw him right after she screamed."
"Where was his head? Was it in there too?"
"Nope. That's where the weirdness started. We got this sub. Beautiful, young, friendly. She was what every young boy's wet dreams are made of." Xander turned and smiled at Harry. "Until certain a boy met his match, anyway."
Harry smiled back and raised his hand to trace patterns on Xander's thigh. "So, then what happened?"
"Well, she had us doing this project for class making huge paper eggs. All the while teaching about the praying mantis. She asked for volunteers to help after class and every guy in there raised his hand. Me included. The day I went in to help, she said she'd left her supplies at home and asked if I'd come over to her house after school. And, of course, being the gullible stud that I am, I went. Buffy even tried to warn me that something was up.
"Anyway, when I got there she was dressed all sexy and had the lights turned down low. She offered me a drink. Of course, there I was thinking this hot older woman wanted me so I drank it thinking I was all suave. Turned out the drink was laced. When I came to, I was in a cell in her basement. The guy that was signed up to help her the day before was in a cell next to mine."
"What. . . what did she want you for?"
"That's the peak of the weirdness. She was a giant praying mantis and was collecting virgins to fertilize her eggs. Once done, she intended to bite our heads off like she did with the teacher we found in the freezer."
"Merlin! How did you get away?"
"Buffy came in and saved the day. Just in the nick of time too. She had recorded the sound of bat sonar to drive it crazy and then chopped it into little pieces. It was kinda funny after. The guy I was with down there vowed to sue anyone who told that he was a virgin. His whole reputation was based on his supposed sexual prowess."
Harry laughed at the thought. Then ducked his chin and blushed darkly as he said, "I guess after an experience like that, you went out and made sure no more praying mantis women would come after you, huh?"
Xander looked at Harry for a moment before answering. "Actually, I didn't." Then it was his turn to blush. "I mean. . . I still haven't-"
Harry sat up abruptly. "I'm sorry. That's really none of my business. I can't believe I even asked that!"
"No!" Xander shot up and scooted back so he was now facing the other boy. "Don't be sorry. Really! It's not a big deal. So I haven't had sex yet. I bet there's lots of sixteen year old guys who can say that." He nervously ran a hand through his hair. "At least I hope there are."
"I can." At the brunette's questioning glance, Harry explained, "I can say that, I mean. I haven't either. Like I said earlier, over a year ago I decided it wasn't safe to get involved with anyone. And until now there was only one person I ever even had a crush on and that was when I was fourteen and couldn't, for the life of me, figure out why my palms got sweaty whenever she was around."
Xander smiled shyly. "Until now? So that kiss and this whole soulmate thing? You're really okay with it? Even though I'm a guy and we just met?"
The Boy Who Lived raised a hand and gently ran in over the other boy's cheek and smiled. "I am very okay with it, Xander. I didn't understand why I was drawn to you so much before that talk with Dumbledore last night but it I knew I already liked you and wanted to be with you. Now, just think about it! We were actually created to be together!" Harry wrinkled his nose and laughed. "Was that a bit too sappy?"
The new Gryffindor grinned and said, "Nah. Sounded just about right, to me."
As both boys smiled at each other, the space between them closed slowly. Finally their lips touched for the second time. Carefully, almost scared, Harry allowed his tongue to slip through and taste his soulmate for the first time.
Xander gladly parted his own lips to accommodate Harry's tongue and brought his own out to play. Not able to contain his moan, and hearing Harry's in answer, Xander wrapped his arms around the green-eyed wizard and shifted him until he was seated comfortably in Xander's lap.
Both boys remained blissfully unaware of everything around them, merely sharing their first experience in a truly intimate kiss.
And that was precisely how Severus Snape, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black found them at ten minutes past noon.
"What the BLOODY HELL do you think you're doing?!"
TBC