Damn man, I think I've written enough of this story to make a small novel out of it. Xx;
I've also cleared 160 pages on word
Hikaru - shit eating grin Yeah, I love Parallel too.
Okay…. I don't know if anyone's noticed (I'm sure someone would have pointed it out, but…) I said in the first chapter that this takes place before EW. Screw that. EW happened, because I'm sure I've alluded to it many times already. ;; They're all 16, though, because it's my understanding that they were 14 at the start of the war (roughly), 15 by the end, and around 16 by the end of EW. So. coughs Sorry about the slip.
Also… sorry about the squished together no-seperations layout of the last chapter. ate my asterisks Oo;;
Okay, so it ate the asterisks of this one. And the double spaces I added. Heed the periods, then, unless the shitheads eat that too.
Chapter 35They made it back to their dorm room in record time – they had the routes memorized by now. They breezed through the common room, with Duo waving and greeting Neville when the boy called his name. The five disappeared down the stairs and into their room. Then they pulled out the book.
"Make a list of ingredients," Quatre said aloud, leaving it up to the others to decide who would do such a thing. Wufei moved first, taking out a scroll and stealing one of Quatre's pens. Quatre pushed the book in front of the Chinese boy, and he dutifully copied out the list.
"That's a lengthy list," Trowa commented.
"Who'll get them, and when?" Quatre asked the group. Duo grunted.
"I can get them. Stealth is my specialty, after all," the braided pilot said with a grin and an exaggerated wink. Quatre arched an eyebrow, but nodded with a smirk on his face.
"Okay, Duo gets ingredients. Any help?"
"I can," Trowa volunteered. "I doubt he'll be able to carry everything plus utensils."
"This is happening tonight, then?" Duo sought confirmation, looking fairly excited.
"Might as well," Quatre breathed, looking at the list once more. "Okay, so, Sirius. Harry has to go."
"Go with him," Heero suggested. Quatre shook his head.
"No, I need to be here to distract Hermione and Ron. Either you or Wufei will have to go."
Duo snorted. "I'd say Wufei is more of a people person." Heero glared at him, and Duo frowned. "Well it's true. You're not exactly mister personality, Heero."
Quatre looked amused. "All right. After supper and detentions we'll do this. We should let Harry in on it soon."
"Especially since he'll be spilling the beans," Duo muttered.
The next few minutes were spent ironing out the plans, but without Harry and his cooperation they were a mere tentative at best. Supper came soon enough, and with it their opportunity to speak with the young wizard came too.
Duo and Quatre were the first to flank Harry on the bench, getting surprised looks from others around them. When the other three pilots sat down in front of them, effectively blocking Harry off from everyone, the Gryffindors around them basically shrugged and went back to eating.
Duo looked at the three solemn boys before them. "You guys gotta work on subtlety, you know?" When all he got were blank stares, he shook his head and sighed.
"Tonight," Quatre said to Harry, whose eyes widened. Before he could reply, the blond continued. "You have to tell the dog." Harry's brow furrowed before his eyes widened once more and he began shaking his head.
"No, there's no way-."
"You're right, there is no way," Duo interrupted. "No way we can do it without him. So you will."
"You can't tell me that-"
"You want him back," Duo shot out in a no-nonsense tone. "We'll get him back. But we need him. It's going down tonight, Harry, so will you be ready? Are you capable of laying down everything for him?"
Duo's voice had been very low, and he'd leaned towards Harry as he spoke. On his other side sat Ron, who hadn't been trying to eavesdrop, and as such hadn't heard anything. Across from him, though, Hermione looked annoyed and suspicious. She couldn't hear what was being spoken but knew it involved something Harry didn't need conflicting with his life.
Harry, meanwhile, had a pained expression on his face. "Yes," he rasped. "I will."
Duo nodded. "Good."
…
Supper came and went soon enough, with the boys eating enough to sustain them for their evening activities. Harry, after being coaxed by Quatre and Wufei, ate as well. He still held a bit of a pained expression, although around him conversation flew among the five boys and the group around them. To anyone who didn't know, it was a normal supper. Nobody was planning on doing magic tonight, nobody was planning on laying siege on a Voldemort hideout to find the son of a traitor, and nobody was being forced to tell the biggest secret of his or her life to the only real family they had left.
But then supper was over, and the eight students that had been outside after curfew had to go to McGonagall's classroom to detention – and for six of the eight, the only detention they planned on actually serving.
They'd arrived armed to the teeth with textbooks, parchments, laptops, and utensils. They sat quietly and had worked on, or read, whatever they'd brought with them to avoid any undue attention.
McGonagall had eyed the new students suspiciously, especially when Heero and Duo had hooked up their laptops, but closer inspection saw that they were doing a joint Potions assignment.
Or so she thought, but no one saw fit to correct her.
The hour and a half went by without incident, if one discounted the suspicious glances cast by Hermione. They had been noticed, of course, and every time she cast one it was met by either Quatre, Trowa, or Wufei. Once she was caught she'd return to whatever she'd brought with her – Defense Against the Dark Arts? Had they even been assigned homework in that class? – and would wait before glaring over once more.
Ron, for his part, was oblivious. It seemed to be a regular thing for him, to either not notice what was going on or not care about it. If he noticed Hermione looking up and staring then looking down again hurriedly, he did nothing. If he noticed Harry's downcast face and the way he chewed his nails nervously, he did nothing. And if he noticed the correspondence going on between Duo and Heero through their laptops, he did nothing.
He seemed to be working on some Divination homework, no doubt assigned to him by Hermione. One couldn't fault him for trying.
Soon enough, the detention was over.
"Thank you," McGonagall said as she stood. "That will be all for today. I expect to see you promptly tomorrow evening, is that clear?" The group nodded, not wanting to suffer her for any longer. "You are dismissed." As the group collected their things, McGonagall called out again, "Oh, and Miss Granger? Stay behind for a moment, would you?"
Hermione nodded. "I'll meet up with you?" she asked Ron, who nodded. She looked to see if Harry had nodded as well, but he wasn't paying attention. She frowned, but went to the front of the room to see McGonagall. The group of boys had left the room by the time they began talking.
"Oi, Har, I'm gonna wait for Hermione. Stickin' around?" Ron asked, leaning against the wall. His raven-haired friend looked back and shook his head, smiling regretfully.
"Sorry, Ron, I promised to help Trowa with some Defense spells." Behind Harry, Trowa merely nodded. The abrupt excuse fazed none of the makers, and Ron bought it easily.
"Okay, yeah, sure." He nodded. "I'll catch up with you guys later, okay?"
Harry smiled again. "Later, Ron," he replied, turning and following the other four as they made their way down the hall, Trowa walking beside him. Behind them, none noticed the frown come over Ron's face, or the way he watched them until they'd disappeared with narrowed eyes.
…
"Drop of the stuff, then go see the dog," Quatre told them all quietly. The fact that they had taken to calling Sirius "the dog" was obvious: Sirius Black was a criminal's name, and they didn't need anyone knowing what they were doing anyway.
Had they known Sirius' nickname, Harry doubted they would use it anyway. He couldn't picture Wufei or Heero saying "Snuffles" with a straight face. The thought caused a flicker of amusement, and Harry was glad for it – he was about to do something that would be very painful, and hoped to whatever God there was that Sirius was understanding and wouldn't shun him after finding out the truth.
While Harry thought about all the horrible things Sirius could do in reaction to finding out, Quatre was running over the plans in his head. Duo and Trowa, Snape's. Heero and Harry, Sirius. Wufei and himself, distraction. Quatre found himself wishing that he had Duo to help him distract, but Duo was correct: he was the stealthiest, and could be unnoticeable if he chose to be.
Which reminded Quatre of the cloak. "Harry, we can borrow your cloak, right? Duo and Trowa need it."
The wizard nodded. "Of course. Don't want you to get in any more trouble."
Duo snorted. "You say that like we'll get caught."
"It's a possibility, isn't it?"
Duo opened his mouth to retort, but Trowa beat him to it. "Don't even say you don't get caught, Duo. As I recall you've needed to be bailed out a couple of times." Duo glared and snorted, looking away.
"Hey, not like other people didn't."
"I didn't," Quatre offered helpfully. Duo turned and shook his finger at the blond.
"Don't even go there, Quatre Winner." Quatre laughed, and Harry looked at them, confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing," Wufei replied. "You wouldn't understand and we aren't at liberty to inform you."
"You're talking about what you did before you came here, aren't you?" Harry asked again. "Were you really soldiers? Is that why you-"
"Are so goddamn loveable? Aw, thanks, Har," Duo cut in, loudly. Harry's mouth snapped shut.
"Don't talk about it," Trowa advised. "At least not in the hallway. Ask us when we're not pulling off a stealth operation." Harry nodded, pulling off his glasses and wiping them on his robe as if to ward off the unease he felt within the group. Nobody spoke again until Heero opened the portrait hole and they were walking across the common room floor. Neville shouted out Duo's name once again, but Duo only waved and greeted him as he had done before.
"You seem to have a fan," Trowa commented to Duo, who waved it off.
"Nah, he's just glad I saved him from Snape's wrath," Duo replied with a grin. Ahead of him, Heero opened the door to their room and halted, causing the braided boy to smack into him. "Uh!" Duo grunted. He frowned and peered over the Asian boy's shoulder. "What's up?"
Heero was snarling. "There's a cat in our room."
"A cat?" Duo repeated. "Why?" Heero started forward, and Duo caught himself before following. "Oh. Isn't that the girl's cat?"
"Crookshanks," Harry offered, looking in. Sure enough, seated on Trowa's bed was Hermione's cat. "Wonder how it got in?"
Heero stalked towards it. "I don't care how it got in," he grumbled, "but I want it out."
"Don't hurt it," Trowa told him, watching. Heero seemed to heed him – somewhat – and grabbed the cat by the scruff of the neck, dragging it off the bed and carrying it like that towards the door. The cat seemed to protest, and began flailing its legs, trying to scratch Heero's wrist. Before it could get purchase Heero tossed the cat out the door and closed it.
Once the small distraction was done, Quatre – with help from the others – explained the plan to Harry, including the spell and rough details about how they planned to do it. Once he was finished, Harry's eyes were wide.
"Yes… I could see why you'd think you need Sirius." Harry cleared his throat. "So, Heero is coming with me?"
"Think of him as your own, personal bodyguard!" Duo offered cheerfully. "He'll keep everyone away. Except pink terrors, but you don't seem to have those around here."
"Duo," Heero said, exasperated. "She is not a terror. She is merely persistent."
Duo muttered something, but Harry didn't catch it. "Anyways," Duo said aloud. "Let's get this party started, shall we? Synchronize our watches and all that crap?" Before anyone could reply he waved his hand to stall them. "Nobody say 'but Duo, we don't have watches', okay? Let's just go."
…
Harry stared at the little hut as though it were hell itself, beckoning to him to walk unto his doom.
"And I really mean don't worry," Duo had said to him before he'd left with Trowa. "Sirius will be cool with it, and if he's not, then we'll figure out a way to do it without him, all right? And Heero will protect you from any nasties out there," he'd said again, with a wink. Harry would have retorted, saying it was more likely Duo that wanted Heero to protect him from any 'nasties', but Duo had already taken off.
Soon after, he and Heero had left as well, out the window. They'd used the brooms Quatre and Trowa had purchased – after Quatre convinced Heero that no, jumping out the window was not an alternative – to land on the grass below, and were on their way out to the Hagrid's lonely little hut.
"I hope he won't hate me," Harry muttered to himself. Heero didn't reply, but Harry hadn't expected nor wanted him to. Heero was probably the best companion to have with him, Harry thought. He was unlikely to try and 'help' Harry explain about Draco, and Harry was glad for it. It was his responsibility to tell Sirius.
It seemed as though Harry blinked and they were there, and Heero was knocking on the hut. Footsteps ambled to the door and it opened to reveal Hagrid, who beamed.
"'ello there, 'arry an' 'eero," Hagrid greeted.
"We need to see the dog," Heero told him flatly. Hagrid's features grew puzzled.
"Not Fang," Harry added. "The other one." Realization dawned on Hagrid's face.
"Ah. Right then. C'mon in."
Within minutes Harry and Heero were seated and in front of them sat Sirius, no longer in dog form. He was watching his godson carefully, as they all listened to the sounds of Hagrid in the background. The giant seemed to be baking something, and as such was out of hearing range.
"What can I do for you, Harry?" Sirius asked, trying to get his godson to state his reasoning for being at the cabin. Sirius honestly couldn't blame him for coming to see him, even though it could blow his cover. He'd missed Harry, and honestly, he loved the danger.
Harry stared at his godfather, trying to find the right words to say. Beside him, Heero provided a coldly reassuring presence, and Harry understood what Duo had said about him being a bodyguard. Harry barely knew him yet somehow Heero helped assure him that whatever he did now, he would be safe. Safe from what didn't matter, as long as he was safe, and it encouraged Harry to speak.
But how to word it?
Harry raised a hand to his head and scratched at his hair. A few times now he'd opened his mouth as if to speak, only to close it again. Sirius was watching him, but didn't seem to be all that patient about waiting. Heero was simply breathing. Harry decided breathing steadily would be a start. Maybe explaining some background to show where he was coming from? Maybe the story he'd told Heero and Duo? Maybe he could…
"I'm gay and in love with Draco Malfoy."
Silence descended on the group. Harry could feel his face burning, even as his eyes were wide and staring at his godfather for a reaction. Harry's mind went racing – had he really just said it, just blurted it out like that? Really? Honestly? Beside him, Heero was still watching Sirius for a reaction.
Harry's godfather had frozen. One moment he'd been breathing and blinking, but now he didn't move. The eight words run through his head and he examined them until he was positive he hadn't misinterpreted. Harry was gay. Okay, Sirius could deal with that. Harry was in love. That was great. Good for Harry. Harry loved a Malfoy.
And the thoughts came screeching to a halt.
"I… What?" Sirius demanded. "A Malfoy, Harry? How in God's name-"
"Sh!" Harry shushed, looking into Hagrid's direction. It seemed the giant hadn't heard, but one couldn't be too certain…
"My God, how in the…. How… How the hell did that happen?" Sirius' dark eyes were wide, looking at the spitting image of his best friend desperately. Harry quite calmly – he was surprised at how calm he was, really – repeated the story they'd told to Duo and Heero – omitting the sex parts, because Sirius didn't need to know that too - and explained everything from their slow realization to each other to their newfound relationship.
After he was finished, Sirius was gaping at him. "My God," he said again. "If I didn't know you were telling the truth I'd think that story was complete bollocks. You managed to fall in love with your rival?" Harry's face fell and he nodded. "And you've decided to come clean to me now?" Harry nodded again, because that was basically true. "…Okay. So… what do you want me to say now?"
Harry's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Do you want me to give you my blessing? To meet this kid and see for myself how great he is? I mean, I appreciate you telling me something this important, but what am I supposed to do with this information, Harry?"
Harry blanked, mouth moving without sounds, and Heero made his presence known.
"We need your help." The wizard's eyes moved from his godson to his godson's Asian companion. "Draco Malfoy has been captured by Voldemort. We intend to retrieve him. We need your help to find him."
Sirius stared at Heero until the urge to laugh hysterically subsided. "To help find him."
Heero nodded. "We are inadequate when it comes to performing magic. You are a wizard, and Harry tells us you are a very good one. Harry will have a spell performed on him that we cannot have done incorrectly. We need your help to do this spell."
"So…" Sirius looked at his godson again. Lily's green eyes stared back at him. "You want me to do a spell on my godson to get back the kid he's in love with. From the evilest bastard wizard alive."
"And his father," Heero added. "Lucius."
"I'd say Lucius is dead," the elder wizard began to reply, "but I know how easy it is to fake a death."
"Will you help?" Harry asked. "We need your help."
Sirius regarded his godson for a long moment, thinking over the conversation. Harry had grown. He was a mature young man, and an excellent wizard. He also had a horrible life, and was probably going through hell without the person he loved, regardless who that person was.
"How the hell can I say no?" Sirius asked rhetorically. He gave a short laugh. "Who the bloody hell am I to deny you anything?"
A grateful smile broke out over Harry's face. "Thank you." His godfather sighed laboriously, shaking his head.
"So, when did you want to do this?"
…
And. Yes. There it is.
A couple weeks late.
But hey. There it is! ; I hope it was somewhat realistic… I tried for a "what would I do if someone told me a story this unbelievable?" reaction.
Hope I didn't fail you, my loyal and much loved reviewers!
