Disclaimer; see in Part One.

Hidden Bridges

Ryoko Porter

Part Twelve

'I want to do away with everything behind man, so that there is nothing to see when he looks back. I want to take him by the scruff of his neck and turn his face toward the future!'

Leonid Andreyev

'Do you want to keep this?'

Harry and Draco were suddenly woken up by voice. They had been sleeping so wonderfully together. It was a strange realization that they were happy together, yet they found that they could not fight it. And with their unhappy lives, they didn't want to fight it.

'I would like to keep my sleep!' Draco growled as he pulled Harry back down into his arms.

'Do you want to keep him in your arms like that forever?' their future self asked Draco.

Harry looked deeply into the eyes of the boy whose arms he was in. They were so close that he did not need his glasses to see the thoughtful expression within the gray eyes. They registered surprise at the idea, but a loving acceptance at the same time. It was the perfect answer for Harry, who felt the same. And it seemed that was all the answer that Julian needed as well.

'I never expected that my presence would make you realize your love so fast. Though I must say that I'm glad it did. Falling in love over time is not all that it's cracked up to be, but an undeniable love is magic. Besides, the more time you have together, the better. When I am gone, there is no guarantee that the spell of Hidden Bridges will be found again. At least, not while it would be of any use to you.' Julian took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, only then did Harry see that it was a muggle brand called Death. 'Don't get me wrong, you still need to learn to like each other, I have no doubt.' He grinned as he lit his cigarette with his finger. 'But the sex will accomplish that. Anyone giving you sex that great, you'll like quickly.'

It was then that it dawned on the two boys that the man knew everything. The feeling of their sweaty flesh together. The smell of their sex. The taste of each other's lips…

'Yes I know. I feel it when you are together, and I must say it's quite good.' The two boys blushed red; Harry even hid his face in Draco's shoulder.

'Why are you here?' Draco asked while clutching Harry closer to him.

'I am here to save you, both of you. Living this way is a hell, which I will work to keep you from. The two egos that are Harry and Draco no longer exist in my mind and soul, but have become one in a way I had hoped would've never happened,' Julian took a moment to mourn his sorrows. 'At first, Harry and Draco were still two separate egos, living within me. The two egos shared thoughts, but that was all. It was like having a huge wall in between the two. And as time went on, the wall disappeared, and the two joined into one being for good. I can only pray that there is enough of "Harry" within me still to kill Voldemort.'

'You wish to kill Voldemort for me?' Harry questioned hopefully.

'I wish to make him suffer on your behalf,' Julian grinned evilly, momentarily loosing himself to his bloodlust. 'He will beg for death when I am through,' the strange man growled as his eyes began to glow an eerie green light.

'JULIAN!' a woman barked while still out of view, though the boys recognized it as the future Luna's voice. The shock was enough to break Julian from his malevolent tangent, turning his eyes back to their normal colors.

Coming into view the woman firmly stood her ground against her husband. 'What in the hell was that?' she demanded.

'It's complicated,' Julian answered cryptically. Then with no more said, he left the three confused witnesses.

♦♦♦

Somewhere deep within the Forbidden Forest the air started to churn and shift. The animals quieted, and some even fled to other parts. And the trees bellowed with their secret voices, announcing the new magic that would soon appear.

Then with no more ceremony, a man appeared out of nowhere. He was a bit scraggly, and looked as though he'd been traveling for many years. A wild madness seemed to shine in his eyes. But his sickly grin was hard to see through his long and dirty facial hair.

'I can sense you Julian, you are here in this time,' he growled. 'You had better watch your back "Lord of the Snakes"!'

End Part 12.

Oh! "Lord of the Snakes"! What does that mean? Find out in the next rousing chapter of "Hidden Bridges"!

Ryoko Porter