A/N: This is for all you magic and Simba lovers out there! (laughs)

Conspiracies and Magic

Quatre's birthday party was being held in the most expensive hotel on L3. His sisters had rented out the biggest ballroom, and Duo looked around the decked out room with wide eyes. The center of the floor was left open for dancing, while dozens of cloth-covered tables ringed the room for those who wanted to sit or eat. A large buffet along the back held every dish known to man, it seemed. There was enough food there to feed an entire orphanage for a week! On the other side of the room was a small stage where a live band was playing. Their instruments gleamed under the bright lights and filled the room with upbeat music.

It had been a while since Duo had seen Quatre in his natural setting, and he turned curiously to his friend.

When they'd first met, Quatre had looked like a classical rendition of a cherub: thick golden hair, big blue eyes, round cheeks, fair skin, and cupid bow mouth. The wars and time had pared off his baby fat and hardened his features. Quatre still looked angelic, but now he more resembled an archangel. Authority and confidence lay in every line of his perfect posture, and he moved with an elegant grace that was right at home among all this glittery splendor.

Duo tore his attention back to the hall before he was caught eyeing his friend. He gave a long low whistle. "Damn, Cat. They went all out!"

Quatre gave a polite smile and winked. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'm going to say hello to my sisters."

"Are they all here?" Trowa asked curiously. He saw several familiar faces, but it was too crowded to be sure.

"Yes, all two dozen of them," Quatre answered, tone wry. He delivered a kiss goodbye and moved into the crowd.

Duo noted that Quatre had to lean up slightly to kiss his lover's cheek. Trowa was still the tallest of their group, but Quatre wasn't far behind him. Heero was in the middle, just a little shorter than the blond, while Wufei and Duo were the shortest, standing at five feet six inches.

Trowa ducked his head, clearly uncomfortable with the public display.

Duo elbowed him. "What's with that?"

Trowa shrugged.

"None of your business," Heero answered for their friend and grabbed Duo by the braid, leading him off toward a table.

"Come on, you saw! Cat's disappointed," Duo complained. "Tro should lighten up."

"It's not our business," Heero repeated with a warning glare.

Duo huffed. "Fine. Let's go get some grub."

Heero pulled out a chair and sat with his back to the wall, eyes scanning the crowd. "I'll save the table."

"Sure." Duo rolled his eyes. "Fine. Be that way." He stuck out his tongue and sauntered off, determined to have fun and get Heero to loosen up some, too. He grinned. This was going to be interesting.

xXxXxXx

Harry looked up from his picture. It was the third draft. The first two he'd deemed not good enough.

"Ready for dinner?" Cathy asked with a smile. She had sandwiches on a plate with chips and a glass of milk. "I know you had a big lunch, but I'm sure you have room for a little snack."

He shook his head. He really wanted to get this done.

She sighed and ate alone, watching him silently.

Harry hunched his shoulders and ignored her as best he could.

xXxXxXx

Heero's lips twitched as he watched a tipsy Duo try to cajole Wufei onto the dance floor. Earlier, the brunet had challenged Heero to a drinking contest, hoping to get him to 'loosen up' as Duo called it. Of course with Heero's altered biology, Duo hadn't stood a chance. It amused him that as soon as Duo grew tipsy, he'd forgotten about his objective in favor of a new one: getting Wufei to dance. He was not having any success there either.

Trowa approached the table and took the seat next to him, also putting his back to the wall. Heero shifted his eyes in his direction, noticing the slight tension in his features. He lifted an eyebrow in inquiry.

"I hope Harry's okay," Trowa murmured, not meeting Heero's eyes.

Heero looked out over the crowd. To be honest, he was equally uneasy. Harry hadn't warmed up to Cathy, but Duo had insisted this would be good for the boy. It was a good way to prove to Harry that they would always come back to him. Still…

Quatre suddenly appeared out of the crowd. His eyes were brighter than they had been in a while. Heero couldn't deny the fact that coming had definitely had a good effect on him and Duo, at least. "I'll dance with you, Duo!"

Duo gave a bright, happy smile. "Thanks, Kitty-Cat. Let's burn up the dance floor!"

"Is it just me or do his analogies tend to point to pyromania?" Wufei asked with an arched eyebrow.

Heero stared at him in surprise. "You're just noticing this?"

"He can't go a week without catching something on fire," Trowa pointed out, a rueful smile tilting the corners of his mouth.

Wufei grimaced. "I just assumed it was stupidity not compulsion."

Heero actually laughed.

xXxXxXx

Harry stared at the entrance to the tent, chest growing tighter and tighter with every hour that passed. It was nearing midnight. Why hadn't they come back yet?

… Oh, who was he fooling? They weren't coming back. Why would they? Harry felt tears burn his eyes and hugged Sage desperately.

"Harry, sweetie, it's way past your bedtime," Cathy almost cooed. "Come on. They'll be here when you wake up in the morning, I promise."

Harry ignored her, hunching down into a small ball.

"If you go to sleep, time will go by faster. You'll see them again lickity split!"

He shook his head. He wasn't moving. If he fell asleep, then… then he'd wake up and find this was all a dream. He'd wake up so hungry it hollowed him out. He'd wake up to his family's hatred and the endless chores and punishments. He'd wake up to the camera and Uncle's games. No! No, he wouldn't go! He was going to sit here and wait for his brothers! They were the only things keeping this dream alive, that made this new world real. He couldn't go to sleep without them near.

Please… Please, come back… he begged.

Harry cringed remembering throwing down the test. What if they were mad about that? What if they'd realized how bad he really was? They'd taken him in. They'd fed him such good food. They'd never once hit him. He had Sage and a room all to himself with pillows and warm blankets. How could he be so ungrateful? Uncle was right. There was something wrong with him, and now his brothers had seen it. They wouldn't want him now. They'd left and weren't ever coming back for a useless freak like him.

"Harry!"

His head jerked up at the sharp call of his name. Cathy was crouched in front of him, a frown etched on her features. He flinched back, but then held himself still, bracing for a slap. He knew better than to try and escape a punishment.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly. Her hands stayed close to her body and didn't reach for him.

He nodded slowly, confused.

Cathy eyed him for a moment before smiling. "Good. Stay here." She stood and hurried away.

Harry cringed. Was she mad he hadn't obeyed when she'd told him to go to bed? Or mad that he hadn't paid attention, making her call his name several times? Either way, he was in deep trouble. But she couldn't be worse than Uncle. Aunt Petunia only ever yelled at him and flung him into his closet. Sometimes she'd slap him, but that wasn't so bad. He had to be a good boy. He deserved this for being so horrible and ungrateful.

But that all fled in a wave of utter terror when Cathy returned smiling a wide smile, a large butcher knife in her hand.

The knife cutting into his skin, peeling it off, making him slide on the floor now slick with his blood. Uncle pinning him down. Can't get away, hurts so bad. Uncle grinning so big. "I'll cut you open, freak. You ever think of running away again, so help me God, I'll cut you open and let the rats crawl in. They'll eat you alive, boy! You think it's bad when they nibble on your fingers and toes? Think what they'd do to your insides!" Harry screamed as his uncle's meaty finger slipped inside the cut. It wiggled and squirmed, sending shocks of agony through his torso. He could feel Uncle's finger catch on his rib bone. Could feel the bone shift and give. He couldn't breathe! Each sob made his chest heave and the finger dug in further. Agony made his vision blacken. Get it out, GET IT OUT! The rats would eat him! They'd crawl inside!

"NOOOO!"

Panting, terrified, he snapped back to reality as Cathy screamed. In slow motion, Harry watched as she flew violently through the air. She hit the dividing curtain between the sitting room and the kitchen. It tore with a loud rip, and then there was a loud crash and clatter as her body collided with the stove and bounced. She let out another cry, one of pain, as she fell in an awkward sprawl of limbs. The dividing curtain fluttered down around her. A stain formed on the blue cloth. Dark purple.

Red and blue make purple.

Red… Blood…

He'd killed her…

He began to shake, eyes wide and unblinking. He'd killed her!

All thought cut out. Instinct took over. Harry jumped to his feet and ran.

xXxXxXx

Duo rested his arms around Quatre's neck. They were both sweaty from dancing like loons. Fortunately, this song was slow and they swayed together, getting their breath back. Quatre couldn't remember a time he'd felt so free. He was always conscious of people watching him, of his image as a Winner and a Gundam pilot, always so careful about the feelings of others, but Duo made it so easy to throw all that to the wind and just let go.

The emotions of the braided teen were uncomplicated and lighthearted. It always amazed Quatre because he knew Duo had gone through hell growing up living on the streets. He was like Harry in that way, though it pained him to think about Duo ever being as scared and abused as Harry. So where had his friend found the strength to be so happy and unburdened?

"Gotta live in the moment, Kitty," Duo answered when Quatre actually voiced this last thought. His head listed to the side and his pupils were dilated. He was clearly drunk and happy with it. Quatre enjoyed a second-hand buzz, the closest he could come since he didn't drink. "Learn quick not guaranteed to 'ave tomorrow, so what the hell? Might as well 'ave fun. Why be miserable if you ain't gotta? I've got lots of good things, Cat. You're one've 'em."

"You know, you're a very wise man, Duo Maxwell. That Father of yours and Sister Helen would be really proud," Quatre told him honestly, staring into wide violet eyes.

Duo's emotions flushed with embarrassment and disbelief, so like Harry in that way. They were both so quick to disregard praise. They both believed so little in themselves. Quatre wished there was a way to show them both how wrong they were.

Suddenly Duo leaned forward and pressed their lips together. He practically devoured Quatre's mouth. Electricity shot through his every nerve. The kiss was hungry, fierce. Quatre nearly swooned, his hips bucking of their own accord. Duo stabbed his tongue forward, pressing hard on his own, pinning it and taking what he needed.

Quatre submitted, pleasure saturating his senses as Duo's arms tightened around him, yanking their bodies flush. His hands sank into the thick braided hair. The silky texture slid between his fingers as Duo bit his lip hard. Quatre arched in reaction, gasping as lust practically seared him raw.

He was shoved away hard, and Quatre felt painfully bereft. He stared at his friend in shock, looking at him as if for the first time. His empathy was wide open. The unexpected intimacy had him delving deep into Duo's aura as he stared into the smoldering violet eyes.

Duo was more intricate and complex than anyone else he'd ever known. He was wild and untamable, fragile and vulnerable. He was a contradiction of willful destruction and unending creativity. There were secrets and layers to Duo that even he and the other pilots had never touched. Quatre gasped as he became aware of the powerful loneliness deep within his friend. It was a gaping hole in Duo's spirit, a need all but screaming to be filled.

Duo broke their eye contact, looking a bit panicked. "Cat… man… I…"

"Duo…" Quatre could still feel the weight of Duo's hair against his palms and his fingers twitched. His lips and groin throbbed in time with every heartbeat. He had no idea what exactly had happened, but something had. It felt like the whole world had suddenly tilted on its axis.

Duo took a step back, and Quatre reached out, heart thudding.

"Duo… don't…"

Duo shook his head sharply. Quatre could feel the teen's genuine fear and confusion. Now wasn't the time. Not when Duo wasn't sober. Not here in a ballroom surrounded by a hundred people. He let his arm drop and made no move to stop him when Duo turned and ran.

He about jumped out of his skin when a hand fell on his shoulder. Guilt dug claws into his chest, and he spun, eyes wide. It wasn't Trowa; it was Heero. The intense expression focused Quatre instantly.

"Cathy called. There was an incident. We need to go," Heero reported, fast and clipped.

"Trowa? Wufei?"

"Trowa's en route. Wufei will inform Duo," Heero answered impatiently. He was already turning and striding for the door.

Quatre followed quick on his heels. "What happened?"

"Unknown," Heero snapped.

Everything else fell away. All that mattered now was Harry. Quatre nodded and sent up a prayer to Allah that the boy was all right.

xXxXxXx

Fifteen minutes later, Heero stepped into the pavilion and instantly took in every detail. The center curtain was down. It looked as if something tore it outward from the direction of the table. Cathy was sitting on the couch, disheveled and injured. Trowa was next to her holding a pressure bandage to her back. A first aid kit sat open at their feet. Heero couldn't scent gunpowder and there were no holes in the surrounding material.

"Report?" he barked as Quatre moved to help attend to Cathy.

"Harry was sitting at the table," Trowa began. "She approached with the cake and a knife to cut it. He panicked, possibly thinking he was being attacked."

Quatre gasped in horror while Cathy began to cry softly, lifting her hands to cover her face. They'd warned her to never hold a knife around Harry. Clearly she'd forgotten.

"Cathy told me he screamed and then something shoved her backward with extreme force." Trowa hesitated, his eyes catching Heero's. "She said Harry did it."

"How is that possible?" Wufei demanded; he and Duo having arrived seconds before.

"That doesn't matter right now! Where is he?" Duo snapped, fists clenched and swaying slightly. Adrenaline was sobering him up fast, but Heero noted he wouldn't be up to one hundred percent for a few more hours.

Trowa shook his head. "He took off."

Heero instantly pushed past the others and examined the ground. The circus was set up in the park, so he could use the soil to track which direction the child had run. Wufei knelt at his side while Duo lifted a flashlight and covered it with his hand so they didn't ruin their night sight. Their boot prints had nearly obliterated all evidence, but ten feet out from the entrance, Heero found a small foot impression.

He took off, moving quickly and keeping low to the ground. The other four followed closely. They stood on guard, scanning the darkness for any threats, allowing Heero to direct his full attention toward finding Harry. The prints were moving toward the back of the main tent before they veered a little more south. Harry's stride had shortened, the increased depth within the soil indicating the little boy was slowing, stumbling with fear or exhaustion.

The footprints led him straight to the animal tent. Heero ran inside. It was dark until Duo released his hand from over the light. He titled it upward to illuminate the general area instead of one specific spot. Trowa pushed to the front, going unerringly toward the lion cage. Heero followed, eyes widening at what he saw.

A single bar in the large square cage was missing. Its absence left a gap just big enough for a small eight-year-old boy to slip through. The lion was awake, its head up and alert, and against its side Harry was curled in a shivering heap, arms covering his head. A second quick glance at the lion showed the beast wasn't at all disturbed by the child's presence. In fact, it seemed to be on guard. Its unfathomable golden eyes glinted back at them as it lifted its lips to bare its fangs.

"Hush, Simba…" Trowa murmured, calmly. He extended his arm out from his side, keeping it low, to gesture them back with a sharp flick of his hand.

The others obeyed and drifted to the edges of the tent, but Heero refused to move. That was his boy; he wasn't going anywhere.

Heero's gun was firmly in his hand, down by his thigh. He'd kill the animal if it so much as looked like it was going to hurt Harry. However, he knew better than to antagonize the beast, so he turned his attention to the cage itself, hoping to set both Harry and the lion at ease. He eyed the missing space and looked closely at the frame, keeping the animal and child in his peripheral vision at all times. It didn't look sawed or melted, and the bar wasn't in the immediate area. It was just gone, like it had vanished.

Heero watched through the corner of his eye as Harry slowly tilted his head so he could peek out from behind sheltering arms and tangled hair.

Trowa was crouched at the hole, hands hanging loosely between his knees, body language utterly relaxed. "Hello, little one," he said, "I missed you."

Harry's sobs became audible, the sound utterly broken and afraid. Heero clenched his teeth, heart speeding up. He wanted something to kill, needed to destroy whatever had made Harry so upset. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm. He had a mission. He had to be ready to move at a moment's notice if the cat became agitated in anyway.

"Hush. It's okay, baby. It's all right," Trowa crooned. Harry's head came up further, his body uncurling a bit. "Heero's here with me. You're okay now. We're here."

The boy whimpered as his arms fell away. The cat shifted, its head swinging toward the child. Heero tensed, gun lifting a few inches, but Trowa tilted his head sharply, indicating for him to hold his position. Heero managed, but only just, as the enormous cat snuffled at the boy's hair. Harry pressed his body more firmly against the animal, still crying softly.

Heero crouched, careful not to hamper his gun arm but using his legs to hide the weapon from view. "Look at me, Harry," he said, forcing his voice low and even in a poor mimicry of Trowa's gentle tone. "I won't let anything hurt you. You are safe."

Terrorized green eyes turned to him. They pinned him in place for a long moment before the boy relaxed, his cries quieting.

Very slowly, Trowa lifted a hand palm up. "I need you to come out of that cage, little one. Sage and the others are waiting for us."

Harry stared at that hand, tears spilling over his raw cheeks. Heero held completely still, afraid to scare the boy off.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you," Trowa promised, utterly patient and undemanding.

Harry shifted his weight away from the lion. His quick breaths rasped audibly through his swollen, parted lips. His eyes were wide with fear and longing as he stared up at them. Heero wished he could help, but Harry had to take this step on his own.

Slowly, the child crawled forward, his whole body trembling. He reached the bars and sat there, huddled around himself, his slender shoulders hunched defensively.

"Come on, baby. Let's go home," Trowa murmured gently, still holding his hand out unmoving.

Suddenly, without warning, Harry wiggled through the open space in the bars and practically ran to Trowa. He flung himself at the teen, his cries becoming wails. The lion jumped to its feet, growling. Heero stepped forward quickly, shielding Harry from the animal despite knowing the cage would hold it in.

Harry turned his face to him, reaching out with the arm he didn't have hooked around Trowa's neck.

Heero captured the small hand gently and placed it on his cheek, tilting his head into the touch. "It's okay. I'm here," he told the child, holding that intense green gaze with his own.

Harry smiled weakly before pulling away and burrowing into Trowa's chest, still shaking and crying.

Heero met Trowa's gaze and gave a sharp nod. Together they moved to the entrance. The others fell into step around them, alert and on the defensive, but nothing disturbed them as they made their way back. Heero caught Duo's eyes and gestured at the pavilion before tilting his head sharply back. The braided teen understood the ambiguous order without trouble. He ran ahead and not a minute later helped Cathy from the tent, taking her to her trailer.

Harry was sound asleep as Trowa laid him down on his nest of pillows, Sage tucked up against his side. However, the boy whimpered when Trowa tried to pull away. The teen didn't hesitate to settle down next to him, draping an arm protectively over the tiny body and pulling the boy close to his chest. Heero said nothing to this, just gave another nod before returning to the others.

Quatre was hovering in the sitting room, eyes wide and distressed, hand clutching at his shirt over his heart while Wufei intently examined the wreckage. Heero began to pace, thoughts racing. No one spoke until Duo returned. The braided pilot's expression was unusually grim as he reported Cathy's condition.

"She has some massive bruising on her back and a cut four inches long that needed seven stitches."

Heero took that in, calculating the force required to do such damage. Clearly it exceeded what was humanly possible.

"She insists Harry didn't touch her physically. Some invisible force shoved her away," Duo continued, voice tense. He looked a little pale, most likely due to the alcohol and adrenaline flooding his system.

"It's not impossible," Quatre spoke up, looking at them all through his bangs.

"Are we talking about telekinesis?" Wufei demanded harshly, eyes narrowed.

"If empathy exists, then logically other things could as well," the blond pointed out.

Wufei couldn't deny that, but he began to mutter unhappily under his breath.

"I was about his age when my empathy became active." Quatre looked toward Harry's room, concern creasing his features. "I was seven. I'd always been sensitive, but it was like someone had turned the volume up on a radio station only I could hear. It was overwhelming. I hid away in my room and grew hysterical whenever people came near me. Father took me to many doctors in an attempt to cure me. They tried so many drugs that did nothing to help. It was Iria who figured out what was happening. She brought home a Spiritualist who taught me to meditate and build barriers to keep others out. I had only just begun to truly master my gift a year or so before the wars started."

"Can you get in contact with this Spiritualist?" Heero asked.

"No." Quatre shook his head sadly. "He died of old age during the war."

"I can teach him to meditate," Wufei offered. "But I have no experience with such… fantastical things."

Heero tilted his head in approval. Most likely, he'd been about to say 'unnatural', but they were all aware of Harry's belief that he was a freak. They would have to be careful with their word choices or they'd only reinforce that damaging self image. In fact, that particular insult his uncle had wielded against Harry could now be seen in a new light.

"This might not be his first display of… power," he said carefully.

"But how is it even possible?" Duo ran his hands through his bangs in agitation. "I mean, was he born with this ability like Cat or is it something else?"

The blond's eyes shot over to Heero in surprise as he felt Heero's sudden spike of anxiety. Realization dawned in those clear blue eyes. "You think he was experimented on?" Quatre asked, hushed.

Of the other pilots, only Heero had been altered by the doctors who'd given them their Gundams. He'd been with Doctor J for years before the start of the wars. During that time, Heero had lived in a protective daze of apathy and indifference as he underwent constant operations and treatments. Was that what he'd sensed in Harry that was so familiar? Had he been through that hell as well?

"I'll dig deeper into his records," he informed them, moving quickly toward his room and the waiting laptop there. He would find answers.

xXxXxXx

Dawn was lighting the sky. Duo stood just outside their pavilion, arms crossed as he watched the panels slowly light up. It wasn't anything as spectacular as a dawn on Earth, but it was comforting and beautiful nonetheless. This was the sky he'd grown up under.

He turned at the soft sound of footsteps to see Quatre with two mugs of coffee. Duo took one without speaking. He knew they needed to talk, but he really didn't want to. He was really good at running away. It was part of his motto, after all. 'I may run and hide, but I never tell a lie.' Duo smiled, thinking it had been a long time since he'd actually told someone those words.

"We should have punished him," he remarked, smile falling from his face.

"What?" Quatre looked over at him, startled.

"Harry. I told you guys. He's going to push us. He wants to know his boundaries and what will happen if he does something wrong. He has no idea what kind of punishments we're capable of and that uncertainty is too much for him. He just wants to know where he stands, but we didn't get mad and we didn't punish him. It made the mental battle he'd gone through in order to act out pointless."

Quatre sighed, long and low.

Duo watched from the corner of his eyes as the blond cradled his warm mug in both hands. His chin was lowered toward his chest, making his hair curtain his face. However, Duo didn't need to see his expression to know how upset he was. Duo sighed, regretting his part in adding to that stress. He had no idea what'd come over him last night. Why had he kissed Cat like that?

Quatre was attractive as hell, but he was taken. He and Trowa made a sweet, obviously loving couple. Duo had absolutely no desire to break that up. It was something Duo admired and wanted to protect, not ruin. He'd never had a relationship like that, and he wanted one badly. Especially with a certain stoic, mission-minded, gorgeous brunet who was still working feverishly on his laptop in search for answers.

"Duo…"

"I'm kinda hung up on Heero," he announced, tilting his head up to look at the artificial sky. He hoped his friend understood what he was trying to say. That he wouldn't go chasing after Quatre and make trouble for him. Last night had been a moment of drunken insanity.

A hand settled warmly on his arm, forcing him to look over and meet Quatre's imploring gaze. "Duo, I feel strongly for you. I hope you know that."

Duo smiled in utter relief, glad Quatre was letting this go. "Yeah. Me, too, Kitty-Cat."

Quatre smiled back and pulled away as Wufei stepped out of the pavilion.

"Heero wants to talk to us," he informed them briefly before returning inside.

"Aye, master. Coming, master," Duo teased.

He and Quatre ducked into the tent to find Heero frowning deeply, a crease between his brows.

"I searched every known database and was unable to fill in the large gaps in Harry's history. We have his birth certificate and the death certificate of his parents, but no medical, school, or guardianship records regarding Harry Potter exist."

"What about his parents? Maybe there are answers there," Duo questioned as he settled on the couch. Quatre sat next to him while Wufei remained on his feet, arms crossed. Trowa was likely still sleeping with Harry.

Heero's expression darkened. "Lily Victoria Evans was born to Rose Elisabeth Conway and Charles Stephen Evans. She has one elder sister, Petunia Stephanie Evans. Her records are normal up until she reaches eleven years of age where she seemingly disappears. There are no records of education, medical, or employment after that age. The only other things on record are her marriage certificate to James Potter at the age of eighteen and her death certificate two and a half years later, COD unknown. Both her parents died in a car crash when she was nineteen. She had no other family besides her sister, which explains why Harry would go to her."

Duo scowled. "This is bogus! How can Harry and his mother have swiss cheese for records?"

"James Edwin Potter, the name registered as Harry's father, is even worse," Heero continued, expression grim. "He doesn't even exist. No birth certificate, medical records, or education files in any Earth country or on any of the colonies. The only evidence of his existence is his body, which was brought in with Lily's and registered under the name found on Lily's marriage certificate. His COD was also unknown. There was no physical damage done to either of their bodies. No organ failure or poisons detected. They just dropped dead."

"What about the aunt and uncle?" Wufei demanded hotly, fists clenched.

Heero shook his head. "Perfectly normal and accounted for. Petunia attended elementary, middle, and high school in England. Vernon Walter Dursley continued on to business school, after which he got a job at Grunnings Drilling. All their records are intact, same for their son Dudley Charles Dursley."

"And Lily's parents?" Quatre asked curiously.

"Also normal and accounted for."

"What the hell? What does that mean?" Duo stood abruptly, wringing his braid in agitation. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew it wasn't anything good. There was a bleak look in Heero's eyes. The same one when Heero had realized that he'd killed innocents after having been told they were enemies.

Heero crossed his arms and looked out at them through his messy bangs. "I can think of only one explanation."

"Just say it!" Duo snapped, hating the suspense.

"Lily had to have been taken at eleven. The marriage certificate could easily have been fabricated, as well as Harry's birth certificate. Likely she was used for experimentation, and Harry is the result. Genetically, he is a match for Petunia, so if Lily did not give birth to him naturally, at least her genetic material was used. Whoever did this returned Harry to Petunia, perhaps for observation or as another experiment."

Duo's mouth fell open in utter shock. This couldn't be real!

"Is there any evidence of genetic manipulation in Harry's DNA?" Quatre demanded.

Heero shook his head. "There were no intensive tests run exceeding a general scan."

"This is all speculation," Wufei insisted with a glare.

"How else can you explain all this?" Heero demanded, staring him down.

"Great. Just great." Duo flung up his hands. He had a migraine coming on. "Petunia and Dursley are both dead, so it's not like we can ask them what the hell happened with Lily. Was there even a missing persons report filed for her?"

"Not that I could find, but that could have been erased."

Wufei rubbed at his forehead. "Perhaps the son knows something. Who is his current guardian?"

"Dursley's only sister, one Marge Caroline Dursley. Single woman, never married, no children, no living family besides her nephew."

Wufei nodded and straightened his shoulders. "I will question her myself and go through the Dursley house to look for further clues."

"Does it even matter?" Duo demanded. "I mean, we can't change what happened. We have to deal with this power he has regardless of how he got it."

"Yes. It matters a great deal," Quatre corrected him, eyes dark with distress. "Because if he is a subject of human experimentation, the scientists could still be watching from afar and might try to take him back."

"No way!" Duo exclaimed hotly. He hadn't thought of that, but it looked like the others had. Heero and Wufei looked fiercely determined to keep that from ever becoming a reality. "No," he repeated in a dark whisper. "We won't let that happen. He's ours now."

"We'll have to be extremely careful. We have no idea who the enemy is, and no real way of finding out at this present time," Quatre said slowly, holding each of their gazes. "At least two of us need to be with him at all times from now on, and we'll need to be extremely careful with his records. If someone is watching and they feel we are a threat to them with our investigation, they may take action."

"I'll do whatever it takes to keep Harry safe," Duo swore.

It didn't even have anything to do with Heero anymore. Those big green eyes and shy smiles, the bravery Harry demonstrated again and again, it had captured his heart. He loved that little boy, just as the others did, and no one was going to take him away. Duo was the pilot of a Gundam war machine. He was the Maxwell Demon, an entity that stuck terror into the hearts of those on L2 even to this day. If someone wanted Harry, they'd have to go through him first!

xXxXxXx

Harry came flailing awake from a nightmare. Arms tried to hold him still, and he thrashed, screaming, until they let him go. He scrambled into a corner, looking around wildly. He recognized Trowa after a moment, and Quatre as the blond ran into the room. Quatre dropped to his knees, saying something, but Harry couldn't hear past the screaming chaos in his head.

Cathy… a knife… punishment… Then she was flying back, crying out in pain… blood…

He collapsed to his hands and knees, vision spinning to black. He'd done more freaky things! He was a freak. A goddamned filthy freak! It was his fault. He was cursed, a monster. He should be dead just like Uncle said! Aunt had been about to kill him… She… and Uncle… Harry shook his head hard and fast, but the images wouldn't stop swirling. He grabbed his head, screaming for it all to stop.

… Suddenly, a light broke through the darkness. Harry gasped, arching.

Warmth. It cradled him, cocooned him like a soft thick blanket. All the bad thoughts and feelings broke apart, allowing him to draw a full breath of air. He knew without a doubt that he was truly safe at last. Harry blinked dry eyes as he lifted his head.

Quatre was on his knees, both arms reaching for him. His pale skin was glowing, his large blue eyes reflecting the warmth that was holding Harry safe.

Harry sucked in one shocked breath after another. He lifted an arm hesitantly and saw he was glowing, too. Not as bright, but it was there. He stared at his hand dumbly before looking up at the blond. His brother gave him a beautiful smile, still reaching for him and filling him with that warm feeling.

"You're not a freak, Harry. If you are, then I am, too."

"No!" he denied, tears spilling down his cheeks. He'd never think that of his brothers, any of them!

"No," Quatre agreed. "We're not. We're special, Harry. Everyone is special, but we're a little different from all the rest."

The glow intensified becoming a golden light as Quatre's head tilted back. Harry closed his eyes as feelings flooded into him … Kindness and acceptance and loyalty, his brother hung them around his shoulders like an unwinding scarf. The warm silky texture brushed over his face and chest, curled around his arms. It was safety and love, and it burned inside him like a sun. Harry was no longer alone.

He pushed himself forward, stumbling, and flung his arms around his brother's neck. Immediately Quatre's arms closed around him in a hug. Harry clung to him desperately as the glow faded into nothing. The warmth slowly dissipated, leaving only the faintest trace under his skin, but that was okay. Quatre was there, and all the others, he realized for the first time. Trowa's long fingers carded through his hair and he melted under the soft touch.

"Love you so much," Harry rasped, new tears spilling down his face.

"We love you, too," Quatre whispered, pressing kisses to his temple.

"So much," Trowa agreed, his deep voice calm and soothing.

Harry felt fingertips touch his cheek and turned toward Heero who was crouched next to him. "I will always keep you safe. You can depend on me."

Duo wrapped an arm around Heero's shoulders for balance. "You're our little bro, and nothing will ever change that," he promised with a familiar grin.

Harry smiled tearfully at them and leaned into Heero's caress until a touch on his back had him turning his head to Wufei.

"Please do not doubt us, Harry. We are family now."

He nodded, tears filling his eyes. "Yes, sir."

"Harry…" He turned his head back to Duo. The braided teen smiled at him reassuringly. "Harry, Cathy is okay. She's not mad at you and neither are we."

Harry tensed, his eyes widening. He didn't want to think about his freakiness. He didn't want to bring the darkness back.

"Shhh. You're not alone," Quatre whispered into his ear. "We're going to help you control your gift. Just like I control mine."

"You can help me bake her a get well cake later if you want," Duo offered.

Harry nodded. He hadn't meant to hurt her.

Duo ruffled his hair. "Good. Sounds like a plan."

Harry smiled tentatively before breaking out into a large yawn.

"Rest, Harry," Quatre said gently. "We'll be here when you wake."

Looking around at all his brothers one more time, he laid his head on Quatre's shoulder and allowed his eyes to close. A wavering sigh escaped him as he pressed himself more firmly into his brother's warm chest. For the first time in his life, he felt free.

Chapter end. Please review!

A/N: And so magic makes its appearance! (grins manically) What do you think about the Gundam boys' theory regarding Harry's power? Hey, it could happen! Lol!

A/N2: If anyone knows the canon birthdays for the GW boys and the names/occupations of Quatre's sisters, could you please contact me with that information?