A/N: Rated M for Mature. The section in Italics has details about wartime situations. It can be skipped if you wish.
A/N2: Sujulove asked the name of the song I envisioned when Wufei sings his lullaby to Harry. I didn't know the name, but related that I had heard the song in a movie starring Jackie Chan. They looked it up and apparently Jackie Chan wrote it himself. The song is titled Bao Beiand is quite beautiful. Thanks, Sujulove!
A/N3: This chapter has been beta-ed. Chapter 16 has been edited, as well. No major changes, just smoothed it over a bit if you want to re-read.
Facing The Impossible
Harry looked up from the school book he was reading as the door opened without even a token knock. His frown morphed into a dangerous glare as the hated black-haired man stepped into the room bearing a lunch tray. Did they think he was stupid? No way was he touching any of that food! He came out of his chair and stood, arms-crossed before the enemy.
The wizard's eyes reminded Harry a bit of Wufei's. Like his brother, there was a quick intelligence flashing through them, but unlike his brother, the wizard's eyes were cold and cruel. And it wasn't just the man's threatening look that made Harry think so. The wizard had shown no hesitation or remorse when he'd altered the minds of other human beings.
Looking back, when he'd been attacked in the forest, the flash of red had to have been a spell of some sort to render him unconscious. The wizard hadn't been calling him stupid, he'd been attacking, and the expression on his face had been nothing short of predatory, despite Harry being a young teen weakened by exposure and exhaustion.
The threatening wizard shut the door behind him and moved deliberately into Harry's space, setting the tray on the bed. He crossed his arms, mirroring Harry's pose, and towered over him. "My name is Severus Snape," he said lowly. "You may call me Professor. And you will eat everything on this tray, Potter."
Harry didn't give ground. He tilted his head back minimally, not wanting to expose his throat, and looked up though his lashes, shading his expression with disdain. "No, I won't, Snape. And you can call me Mr. Potter-Yuy."
Snape's eyes glittered with malicious intent. "What would your family think of deliberately weakening yourself by denying nourishment, Potter?"
"Do you honestly think I'll be that easy to manipulate?" Harry stared defiantly into those obsidian eyes.
"I know what you are. There's no hiding the truth from me." Snape leaned closer. Sweat began to dampen Harry's palms and neck, but he refused to flinch. "I saw your records. The abuse you suffered. What your uncle did to you. It would break anyone, especially a child so young."
Reflexively, Harry's hand flew in a backhanded slap that Snape barely dodged in time. "I am not broken."
A closed-mouth smirk flashed across Snape's features. He reached into his robes and Harry tensed, his arms coming apart and held ready to attack or defend. Instead of a weapon, Snape pulled out a scroll. Harry continued to watch the man's hands warily.
"I convinced the Headmaster that you are mature enough to handle the truth of your situation. After all, such comprehensive ignorance can benefit no one," he nearly whispered, placing the scroll on the bed next to the food tray and giving a mocking bow. "To help you more intelligently weigh the risks of scorning our protection."
With that said, the wizard turned and strode from the room in a swirl of black robes. His footsteps made no sound as he left; neither did the door at it closed behind him.
Harry's hands began to tremble in reaction as adrenaline drained out of his system. He felt sick knowing that Snape knew about the abuse. Who else knew? Dumbledore? Remus? He bit his lips as the old familiar feeling of shame washed over him. Twirling around on his heel, he turned his back to the door and covered his face with his hands.
"It wasn't my fault. I did nothing wrong. There's nothing wrong with me," he whispered and resolutely pushed those tainted thoughts far away. He knew better now. After all these years in Dr. Bohren's care and living with his loving family, he really did know better.
Taking a deep breath, Harry dropped his hands and faced the room once more. He resolutely ignored the food, but he couldn't disregard the scroll as easily. Evil or not, Snape had a point. He couldn't afford ignorance. If the scroll held information on the supposed enemy, then he had to read it. But like hell would he touch the paper with his bare hands! He wasn't unfamiliar with contact dugs. There were several that could leave him susceptible to suggestion, render him unconscious, or even poison him.
Scowling, Harry carefully wrapped his hands in the bed sheet before pressing the long scroll flat. His eyes widened. It was a copy of official transcripts. Victim reports of those who had suffered attacks by Death Eaters. Accountings that dated from just before his birth to a few months afterward. He felt his shoulders tensing as the gruesome stories unfolded before his eyes.
Emily Rose, age 13: They tied me down. Spread my arms and legs as if I were to be quartered. A potion was poured down my throat. I don't know what happened after that. All I knew was pain. The whole world was pain…
Geoffrey McCloud, age 25: They broke into my house. It was just after dinner. I came down after hearing a crash. I saw a cloaked figure before I was knocked out. When I came to, they had Sarah. There were five of them. They were all masked. They accused her of dirtying magic. That they had proof that she had had relations with Muggleborns. They called her a perverted whore and raped her right in front of me. They took turns. A neighbor came calling, and they covered her mouth to muffle her cries, but they didn't stop raping her. I couldn't call out, Silenced. She was crying so hard, her nose - It was blocked. When they covered her mouth - She couldn't breathe. She died. Then they - They made me have sex with her corpse. Said it would teach me to have better taste in partners. I can still see her eyes…
Carl Santana, age 54: They came into my shop. They wanted the secrets to how we manufacture our racing brooms. I threatened to call the Aurors and they started setting everything on fire. I screamed at them to stop, but they only laughed. They wouldn't stop laughing. My daughter - She ran into the room. They pushed her into the fire. She ran around – screaming, burning. They put her out, only to throw her back in, making her run around screaming again. They thought it a great joke. What I wouldn't have given to have been able to strike them all dead in that moment…
Vivian Merchwood, age 78: I saw the Dark Mark above my neighbor's house. I called the Aurors and then I went over. To see if there was anything I could do. They were all dead. All five of them. There was no blood or anything, but their bodies were twisted. Like bugs. You know? I can't get that image out of my head. A bug's corpse after being poisoned, the legs all curled up and rigid. They were like that…
So this was a Death Eater…
Tears burned Harry's eyes and he fought valiantly not to be sick. His brothers had sometimes recounted their experiences during the wars. Harry had always had a very good imagination. Despite them giving few details, he'd been able to envision the horror. This… This went so far beyond even his worse imaginings…
It dawned on him that this wasn't a game. This was serious. He had real enemies. His life was in danger… Fire flashed up and Harry cried out, throwing his arms across his face protectively. As fast as it had appeared, it was gone. The bedding was left unmarked, except with the ash from the scroll.
His breath rushed in and out of his lungs, bordering on hyperventilation. What did it mean? Had the scroll been some sadistic piece of fiction just to scare him? No, it was too detailed, and too easily checked with other sources. It was most likely all true. But what was the point of telling him such horrific things? To make him comply with any demand placed on him? To make him want Dumbledore's protection from these Death Eaters?
Well, too bad for Snape, the scroll hadn't made him more afraid, just more determined to get free… All right, maybe he was a little afraid, but it didn't change his mind in the slightest. It made him want to get to his brothers worse than ever. Because he couldn't trust anyone else to protect him like they would. Because everyone else would fall short. He'd only ever feel safe with them.
Harry pushed himself away from the bed and sat in the middle of the floor. The walls pushed in around him and his head began to spin as his heart thundered crazily in his chest. Recognizing the signs of an impending panic attack, Harry crossed his legs and tightly closed his eyes. He wouldn't let that bastard win. He wouldn't let Snape have influence over him.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to focus on his safety image. Sage slowly appeared in his mind's eye. The colors in the vision slowly became more vivid and the textures became tangible. His chaotic thoughts - the heightened anxiety - the claustrophobia - it loosened their hold and faded away as he sunk deep into meditation. Peace saturated his mind as he breathed deeply, calmly. Harry let himself drift, in no hurry to leave his safe place.
xXxXxXx
Severus' cold mask fell away and became more neutral as he rode the staircase up to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore was waiting anxiously for him at the top. He wore unusually subdued robes: white with pinstripes of blue and green. The ancient wizard was pacing around the large office, blindly fiddling with some of his instruments. Severus cleared his throat to announce his presence, and Dumbledore spun to face him.
"Come in, my boy. What did you discover?" he asked, leading him over to the corner with his desk.
Severus refused the seat, so they ended up standing next to it. "His mind is guarded with rudimentary Occlumency shields."
"Occlumency!" Dumbledore's eyes widened then narrowed. "Who could have taught him such a skill?"
"We've observed him performing a type of Muggle meditation in the scrying bowl. Occlumency begins with such exercises so I am not surprised."
Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I see. Yes. That's a possibility."
"He's sincerely devoted to his 'family'. He sees us as the enemy. There is no wavering in these beliefs. The foundations of these ideas are strong," Severus reported regretfully.
Dumbledore sighed and finally sat in his chair behind his desk. "Go on."
"You're aware he's been abused, but I also found significant signs of healing. His positive thoughts have been bolstered. He's clearly spent a significant amount of time trying to recover from his ordeal."
The old wizard smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It appears Remus was correct."
"It does," Severus agreed with a bitter twist to his mouth. "In any case, Potter is arrogant and stubborn. He will not bend and see things from another point of view. He's a flight risk, and I don't foresee him cooperating anytime soon."
"This is not good, Severus. Harry is in danger, whether his situation with the Muggles is positive or negative." Dumbledore rested his elbows on his desk and steepled his fingers before his mouth.
Severus bowed slightly. "I was prepared for such. I had a frank discussion with the boy about the dangers the Death Eaters present."
Dumbledore stared at Severus over his half-moon glasses. "You did not frighten the boy, did you?"
Severus tilted his head with a sneer. "Better frightened than dead. I fully believe it was necessary for his continued survival. The boy will now think twice before leaving our protection."
Dumbledore stared at him for a very long moment. "Very well. You have a class to teach. I will visit the boy during dinner."
Severus nodded and swept from the room, his robes billowing out behind him.
xXxXxXx
Sirius appeared in the dark alley with a sharp crack. His passenger cussed loudly and staggered until he came to rest against the filthy brick wall. Sirius couldn't help feeling a bit vindicated after the hell these men had put him through. Sure, he could have used magic to escape his bonds or attack the pilots, but that would have defeated the purpose of contacting them in the first place. He wanted these men on his side. They were his access to Harry.
Besides, he understood that they felt uneasy around him. Sirius was a stranger to them, a stranger who had a criminal record that labeled him a mass murderer. It was only logical for Yuy and the others to be cautious. The fact that magic was involved only made things worse, which was another good reason Sirius hadn't fought back using it.
These soldiers had been attacked with magic once already. Sirius didn't want them to think magic was all bad, or they would take off with Harry once they got him back. In the end, that would lead to grief for everyone involved. Harry couldn't run from magic indefinitely. It was in his blood and bones. Not to mention the Dark Lord wasn't about to let him go.
The sound of dry heaving finally came to a stop, drawing Sirius' attention. A smile broke out across his face. "You all right?"
"What the hell was that?" Duo snarled, still looking queasy.
Sirius donned an innocent expression. "Apparation. It's the most common way of travelling for any witch or wizard."
"We just… just… teleported! You almost killed me!"
Demonic violet eyes focused on him, nearly glowing through the thick shadows of the alley. Sirius' amused grin slipped right off his face and he shifted nervously. "I didn't almost kill you. You're perfectly fine, just a bit disorientated."
"Where are we?" Duo demanded in a low growl that was uncomfortably similar to Yuy's.
"We're still in Central London. Above the west end of the Strand, to the south of Covent Garden." Sirius rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
Duo's glare became less demonic and more irritated. His bangs clung to his forehead and temples, damp from his bout of sickness. "I suppose that's what I get for agreeing to the 'special' way of getting here. We're taking the underground back."
"It'll take us about an hour to reach Tufnell Park Station from here, and then we'll need to walk a few blocks, but okay," Sirius agreed with a shrug.
Duo's attention had shifted to the street beyond their alley, eyes scanning the Muggle crowds and shops. "What exactly are we looking for? I don't see anything unusual."
Sirius' good humor came racing back. "The telephone booth. It's the street entrance to the Ministry. Most people just floo."
Duo made a circular, come-hither motion with his fingers, indicating for Sirius to keep talking. His eyes never left the street.
"Flooing is the second most popular means of magical travel. You have a special powder and throw it into a fireplace that is connected to the floo network. The fire turns green and you call out a destination. Step inside the hearth and then you'll travel through what feels like a curly straw at extreme speeds. Within minutes, you'll arrive at the destination fireplace and step out none the worse for wear, except possibly by having some soot or ashes on your clothes. The Ministry lobby has massive fireplaces lining a large entrance chamber. People floo in and out at all hours."
Duo was staring at him with a severe frown. "Why can't you guys at least try to be normal?"
Sirius shrugged again, grinning.
Duo sighed. "So what happens with the phone booth?"
"It's like a crazy elevator. You get scanned to make sure you're not Muggle, and then you descend several miles underground where the Ministry is."
Duo nodded. "So how do we get down there?"
Sirius' smile became a thoughtful frown. "I'm a wanted fugitive. I can't be caught. And you're a Muggle. It's not going to be easy, but if all you want to do is check out the entrance chamber and observe the traffic and stuff, I think I can get us that far. We'll need a better plan to get down to the Hall of Records."
"That's fine. So what's the plan?" Duo turned and faced him. He didn't seem to mind following Sirius' lead, despite his experience with Apparation.
"Well…" Sirius smiled slyly. "It's not going to taste good, but it should work."
Duo lifted an eyebrow. "Come again?"
Sirius pulled a flask from his robe pocket. "This is called Polyjuice potion. I always have a dose on me. Just in case. I really can't be caught." He firmly shook the memory of Dementors from his mind. "Anyway, it changes you into another person for one hour. And I'm not talking mere physical appearance. I mean an exact copy of the other person."
Duo looked doubtful.
Sirius chuckled. "Just wait and see."
He followed his own advice and waited for someone leaving/entering the Ministry to appear. Not ten minutes later, he spotted a woman in her thirties. Her Notice-Me-Not charm was a bit weak, and Sirius had a talent – inherited from the Black line – to see through minor spells. She appeared harried, which was all to the good. She never noticed Sirius stepping out into her shadow and Stupefying her from behind. Catching her, he quickly dragged her into the alley.
"Strip her down, will you? I'll need her clothes," he ordered absently as he plucked a hair from her head and shoved it into the flask.
Duo still looked extremely skeptical, but he obeyed, efficiently stripping the woman from her robes. "Undergarments, too?"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at the young man's detachment. The woman wasn't exactly ugly and had a nice set of knockers. Duo didn't even blush, and his eyes never lingered. His whole demeanor was completely clinical. "Yeah. Those, too." Sirius took a deep breath and downed the disgusting potion.
Gagging and sputtering, he forced it down his throat. The change started instantly. He felt himself shrinking, his weight shifting, his center of gravity dropping. He cursed, his voice rising dramatically higher. In less than a minute, Sirius completed the transformation. He was a woman. Duo's shocked expression made it completely worthwhile.
Sirius stripped out of his now ill-fitting clothes. "Dress her. We'll switch back when we're done."
Duo dumbly handed the woman's clothes to him.
Sirius couldn't help admiring his new chest a little bit. He was a healthy male, after all! He shivered as the woman's shirt moved across his now sensitive nipples. However, he wasn't pleased with the dull, pervading ache in his groin area. Just his luck he gets a menstruating woman! Thank Merlin she was a witch and had taken a potion to mute the pain somewhat and to evaporate the blood within her body. Because gross! Very, majorly gross!
"Let's go. I'll spell you invisible."
Duo had yet to stop staring.
"Are you going to ask me out?" Sirius asked, amused.
Duo blinked and then laughed. "Not hardly. Okay. Let's get this done. You said we have an hour?"
"That's right." Sirius brought his wand up and tapped Duo's head, muttering the Disillusionment Charm. "Now mind you're not really invisible. You bump into anyone and they'll feel you, and people can still hear you. Anyone with heightened magical senses or charmed eyes can see through this spell. It's not really that powerful, but anything stronger might set off the Ministry's alarms."
"Got it." Duo nodded firmly, completely focused on the instructions.
Sirius shook his head and strode out onto the street, merging with traffic. Despite what he'd learned about Harry's guardians, it was something else all together seeing them in action. It was such a juxtaposition: their young faces – They were only in their early twenties! – and their battle-honed mannerisms. It made goosebumps lift along his arms.
The phone booth door shut behind them. He could feel Duo pressed up against his back, and he flared his magic a bit, hoping to cover Duo's presence. Lifting the phone receiver and hanging it up, Sirius waited patiently to be scanned.
"State your name and business," a cool female voice instructed from nowhere and everywhere at once.
"Cynthia Clearwater. Petitioner," Sirius answered with his borrowed voice. The alias was completely fictitious. He had no idea who the woman was or what she wanted at the Ministry. He wasn't a Legilimens. He could only hope no one recognized her and tried to strike up a conversation.
There was a whirling sound and then a badge landed in the coin dispenser. Sirius scooped it up carelessly and pinned it to the collar of his robes. The booth gave a lurch and then they dropped quickly. A second lurch and they were flung sideways before being dropped once more.
"Now this is my kind of travel," Duo whispered.
Sirius could just make out Duo's see-through smile in the reflection of the glass. He grinned back, enjoying the way his stomach sank and rose during the wild ride. All too soon, they landed firmly in a corner of the entrance chamber of the Ministry. Sirius slipped his arm around Duo's invisible form and shoved the door open. Duo immediately slipped out, and even Sirius' eyes couldn't find him as his wavering image joined the milling crowds.
The Ministry had changed a lot in the ten years Sirius had been imprisoned and in the two additional years of his self-exile. Not even during the first war with Voldemort had there been this many blatant defensive measures. There was a watchman at every floo, and there was a viewing platform along the ceiling that functioned as a watch tower. Sirius could see at least half a dozen serious-faced Aurors looking down at the crowds. It gave the place the feeling of a prison instead of a government building.
As Sirius moved casually around the room, he observed the three lifts that traveled further down into the Ministry. A single wand-check counter used to be sufficient for all of them, but now there was a security desk set just in front of each. An Auror pair worked each counter. While one Auror registered the wands, the other ran detection spells over the witch or wizard seeking entrance.
Sirius moved away from the lines and drifted toward the center of the chamber. At least that had remained the same. The massive statue representing the approved magical races stood pretentious as always. There was a centaur, goblin, unicorn, elf, merman, and Veela posed around a proud wizarding couple. Sirius couldn't help but notice there were no creatures that had ever named wizard-kind their enemies, such as vampires and werewolves.
"Come and get em, hot off the press! Ministry has created a Muggleborn Registry!"
Sirius made his way closer. Fortunately, he found "Cynthia's" money purse and fished out two sickles for the paper. He folded it and tucked it away to read later. He knew the basics just from the headline. The Ministry had passed another new edict. You could pave Diagon Alley with all the new laws, edicts, and regulations the Ministry had approved since Voldemort's return. The Wizarding world was a hair's breadth from martial law, and Harry's Muggle family wanted to break into the Hall of Records! Madness!
He chuckled to himself as he moved toward one of the phone booths that sat waiting to carry passengers to the surface. Soon even this service would be cancelled. Floo would be the only way into the Ministry, and then it would be only select floos. Things were bad, but they would get much worse before things were through.
A soft touch at his side had Sirius stepping into the booth, a lithe body pressing firmly against him. He really hoped this trip had made Duo think twice about breaking in… But if not… Sirius was actually looking forward to stirring the pot. Hatred simmered in his stomach for the government who had locked him up without even a trial. Yes, Sirius would be completely okay with causing some damage.
xXxXxXx
Duo observed Black obliquely from the corner of his eye as his thoughts spun in circles. He'd seen some pretty incredible things during their outing, and the more he saw of magic, the more overwhelmed he felt. It was fascinating, of course. If they had found the magical world under any other circumstances, it would have been fun to mess around with it, but that wasn't the case. Harry's life and freedom were on the line.
How could they possible stand against such a force? How could they defeat it when their enemy could literally become anyone they wanted? When they could manipulate reality in any way they could imagine? The only advantage Duo and the others had was surprise. Their guns and bullets could kill wizards, but the only way it was effective was if they struck first, before the wizard had time to react or defend.
Black stepped out of the underground, a man once more. The wizard had returned to his tall, skinny body exactly one hour after his miraculous transformation just as he'd promised. The woman's long brown hair had shrunk into the wavy, black tresses of Black's. Her brown eyes had returned to his pale blue. All in the blink of an eye. Duo shivered and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
12 Grimmauld Place stood where it should. Black had explained that now that they knew its location and had been "invited" into its secret, they would always be able to see the building. Watching the house shoulder its way between eleven and thirteen was a one time show apparently. Black opened the front door with Duo following at his heels. The muffled sound of a gun going off had him ducking and rolling, coming up with his gun in hand, his back to the wall, and a good view of the stairs. Black stood dumbly in the entrance way, mouth hanging open.
"Get down!" Duo hissed furiously at the idiotic man.
A second shot went off and Duo ran, keeping his body low to the ground. He ascended the stairs quickly. They creaked a little under his feet but not too terribly. He moved carefully to keep his weight distributed evenly and stepped lightly. The upstairs hallway was dark. He heard another crack of gunfire. The bullet went straight through one of the bedroom doors and embedded into the hallway wall a foot to the right of his position.
"Coming in!" he called loudly. He rolled past the door, his foot lashing out and flinging it open. He did not enter. He had no way of knowing the position of his ally or the enemy. Going in would be monumentally stupid. Instead, he put his back to the wall next to the door and looked in.
The room was trashed. The dresser was tipped over, the bedding had been pulled half off the bed, and broken glass littered the floor. More disturbingly, lamps and books were floating around the room, and they jerked toward Heero threateningly. Heero stood with his back to the wall, next to the now open door. There was no visible sign of injury. Duo's eyes flashed to the enemy. A creature stood on the messed up bed, arms raised and hissing like a demented cat.
"Kreacher! I order you to stop!"
Duo whipped his head around to stare at the moronic wizard who stood framed in the doorway, a perfect target. The creature froze. Its bulbous eyes were pinned to Black, and Duo crouched, readying himself to spring at the madman and tackle him clear.
"Yes, master," the creature murmured sullenly, dropping its arms.
Duo's mouth dropped open in surprise. Master? It can talk?
"Go to your cupboard and don't come out unless I specifically call you!" Black snarled, eyes glittering hatefully.
There was a loud pop and the creature disappeared into thin air. The floating objects clamored to the floor. Duo rose smoothly to his feet and immediately went to Heero's side. His lover was disheveled. His unruly dark hair was even more mussed than usual and stuck up in all directions. His shirt had a stretched-out look as if he'd been tugged and pulled by the thin fabric.
"Status?" Duo asked quietly.
"Uninjured," Heero answered stiffly. His cobalt blue eyes locked on Black. "What was that creature?"
Duo studied Heero's expression. It was tight with strain, his complexion was pale. These were signs he was stressed and rapidly approaching his breaking point.
"My house-elf," Black explained. "They're like slaves, I guess, although they derive great pleasure from serving. Usually, anyway. They have to obey their Master or they'll basically self-destruct."
Something in the wizard's tone had Duo looking over his shoulder. Black's pale eyes were fastened on Heero as if he were something amazing. Duo shifted, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his lover and narrowed his eyes. "What?" he snapped.
"You could see Kreacher? Both of you?" Black looked back and forth between them, obviously shocked.
"How could you miss him?" Duo muttered. The creature had been highly disturbing with long floppy ears, the skin of a human, and bulging frog-like eyes.
"Muggles can't see house-elves. They're creatures born from magic who feed off magic, created and bred by wizards." A slow grin broke out across his face. "Oh, this is perfect! Just perfect! I can't believe it!"
Duo lifted an eyebrow as Black began to laugh wildly. The madman threw his head back and wrapped his arms around his stomach, leaning helplessly against the door jamb as he continued to howl. Duo shot Heero a worried look, concerned for the wizard's sanity. Heero didn't look back. His eyes were still locked on the wizard's form, something cold and dark shimmering in the dark blue depths.
Duo bit his lip and returned his attention to Black. "Oy! Shut up, you maniac!" he called loudly. "What the hell's so funny?"
Black gasped and sputtered but obediently tried to pull himself together. "You… don't get it…" he panted, still grinning wildly. "Taking a kid… from Muggles is one thing… Taking him from magical guardians… is a whole 'nother broomstick!"
Duo's eyes widened. "You're saying… we're magical?"
"At least a bit. You saw Kreacher. Normal, non-magical humans can't see him," Black repeated with a wide, toothy grin.
Duo saw that the dark look had lifted from Heero's face and had turned thoughtful. Duo smiled at him. "Well, what'da know, Hee-chan. We might be magical."
"Quatre and Wufei were locked in the library by that thing," Heero informed them suddenly. "Release them."
Black nodded. "Shoulda thought of that. Kreacher is bound to protect the house and the things within. The library especially is to be guarded. I should have told him you had permission to use the house as you liked."
The wizard pushed off the wall and moved down to the library. He flicked his wand and said a few words that made no sense to Duo. It took less than five seconds, then Black reached for the knob and the door swung open easily. Quatre and Wufei were inside, expressions closed off.
"Did you see that weird thing? Black says it's a house-elf," Duo asked curiously as Quatre and Wufei marched free of the room.
"Yes," Wufei snapped.
Quatre answered more neutrally. "We saw it."
It couldn't have been easy for them to be locked in there while they listened to Heero's battle with the elf. Duo shot them a sympathetic look that made Wufei glare harder.
"Interesting," Black said, still smiling wildly. "Where's that other guy?"
"Trowa went to get food," Heero answered blankly.
"Ah." Black rubbed the back of his head. "Usually Kreacher is in charge of the meals around here."
Duo and the others stared at him incredulously. They were definitely not eating anything that evil creature made. Sirius just laughed.
"So looks like you guys have some magic. A Tuner Rod will show us how much. They're pretty rare now, since no one remembers how to make them. Fortunately my family is ancient. I think I remember one up in the attic somewhere. Be right back. Don't worry about Kreacher. He won't come out again unless I call him."
Duo watched him go and then caught Heero's eyes once Black was out of sight. "Come on. I'll tell you about the Ministry."
Wufei was still scowling, muttering in Chinese under his breath. Quatre patted his arm as they all made their way back down to the kitchen. Once they were settled around the table, one eye on the doors in case of Black's return, Duo slumped and put his head in his hands, elbows resting on the table.
"The fact that we might be magical is the best news I've had in days. Cause I've got to tell you guys, we're so screwed."
He went on to quickly detail the mission. He especially emphasized the way Black had turned into another person and the serious security detail he'd seen in the lobby. Trowa returned halfway through his report. He set the bags of food on the counter and crossed his arms as he listened. Heero then briefly sketched his conflict with the house-elf. It was a grim retelling. Heero had been unable to land a hit on the creature as it continued to pop in and out of view. It had used the flying furniture as a scare tactic, but had it really wanted to it could have incapacitated him easily.
Just then the door swung open and Black strode in, still smiling a shit-eating grin. His hair was even more disheveled than usual and his shirt and slacks were coated with a fine layer of dust. He held a long wooden stick in his hand that was about half the length of a broom handle. The end branched off in two directions like a large wishbone.
Duo pulled on a carefree mask and jumped to his feet. "Oh! Me first!"
"Hold your hands out in front of you," Black ordered.
"Like this?" Duo asked, offering his wrists as if to be handcuffed.
"Good enough," Black answered with a grin.
He pointed the divided end of the stick at Duo's feet and slowly drew it up his legs about an inch away from his body. Duo kept the careless grin in place even as his eyes narrowed. He saw Heero catch the tiny movement and tense in his chair. The stick was now at his arms and traced down the underside. Duo's fingers began to tingle. When the stick reached his fingertips, pale blue lightning formed between the wood and his skin. He gasped.
Heero jumped to his feet with a ferocious glare.
"It tickles," Duo quickly explained.
"You're a Squib," Black announced, unaware of just how close he was to being attacked.
"And what is that, Mr. Black?" Quatre asked politely.
"Well…" Black rubbed the back of his head again, looking thoughtful. "Sometimes normal people have a magical child. That's called a Muggleborn. Squibs are born to magical parents. They can't access magic like a normal witch or wizard, but they are magical. They just can't use a wand or cast spells. They can see magical places, though. And magical healing usually works on them. Some Squibs even have a single magical talent. Most though just have above average strength, speed, health, intelligence… That sort of thing."
Duo caught Heero's eyes. "No way…" he breathed.
"My turn," Heero said darkly and moved Duo out of the way.
Duo went passively, mind swirling. No way, he thought again. What were the odds? First their boy's psychic ability was really magic, then there was a whole secret world of magic users, and now they might be part of it, too? He was seriously getting creeped out.
Heero got the same pale blue light as Duo.
"Squib," Black confirmed, his smile getting bigger.
Trowa stepped up next. He got the same result. Wufei, as well. Then Quatre stood before Black. He looked a little nervous, and Duo's attention sharpened on him. Suddenly, everyone in the room held their breath. When Black drew the rod up under Quatre's arms and pulled it toward his fingers, the lightning wasn't blue. It was a bright gold, almost white.
Black's mouth dropped open. "You're a wizard. You'll be able to use a wand."
"Not surprising," Wufei grumbled. "If Harry's telekinesis is really magic, then Quatre's ability could be magic, also."
Duo plastered on a wide smile and practically threw his arms around his best friend. "Congrats, Cat! You're gonna kick major ass!"
"This is unbelievable," Trowa spoke up. He was shaking his head. "What are the odds that we all have some magic?"
"Actually, it makes sense…" Quatre answered, pulling out of Duo's embrace.
Duo went to Heero's side and wrapped his arms around his shoulders from behind. He needed reassurance right now.
"It would be highly unlikely that we all are magical coincidentally," Heero spoke up, obviously on the same wave length as Quatre. "It had to have been done on purpose."
Duo caught on and his grin became more sincere. "I get it! The doctors picked us specifically to pilot the Gundams. We always wondered why, right? We were just kids. At least I wondered. Why me? I'm just a nobody street rat."
"They picked us because of this power," Trowa agreed. "Not many people could handle the physical stress of piloting or possess the mental acuity needed to control the Gundam. However, we are all capable."
Black nodded. "Makes sense to me. Except for the whole space thing. I mean, most witches and wizards won't go to the colonies. The Earth gives us our power. It's in the energy, the life of the planet, that gives us our magic. I don't see how you guys could be Squibs, and I definitely don't know how a wizard managed to keep his power in space." He frowned thoughtfully at Quatre.
The blond moved over to Trowa, his brow crinkled with thought. "My father was Arabian. My mother was French. I spent a lot of time going between our homes on Earth and the colony. Perhaps I was here enough to allow my magic to grow."
Trowa took his husband's hand. "I was born on Earth. I didn't come to space until I was ten."
"I travelled to and from Earth throughout my childhood on missions," Heero added.
Duo shrugged, still draped around his lover's shoulders. "Not me. I grew up on L2. First time I saw Earth was from the Gundam when I was fourteen."
Wufei stared sullenly at the table. "I was born on colony, but I went to a boarding school in China from the ages of five to fourteen. The year after that I accepted the mission with the Gundam and joined the war on Earth."
Black frowned. "Well, that makes sense, I guess." He turned to look at Duo. "Except for you. I don't know how you could be a Squib unless… If you didn't get your magical core from connecting to the Earth, both your parents had to have been magical. Pretty strong with magic, too. You would have probably been a full-fledged wizard, but your core became stunted by growing up in space, rendering you a Squib."
Duo shrugged again. "I never knew my parents. I'm an orphan."
"Hmmm…" Black hummed thoughtfully.
"So what does this mean?" Quatre pressed, nervously squeezing Trowa's hand. "If they're magical, why can't they use a wand as I will?"
Black moved across the kitchen. Wufei quickly stepped out of his way. Sighing, Black put the rod on the kitchen table and took a seat. "I'll explain the best I can. Imagine a body with a pumping heart." He lifted his hands before him as if he were holding a ball. "That heart is the magical core. It connects to an energy, a force, and it pumps into the body."
His hands make a pumping motion and then he spread his fingers. The long digits bent and moved deliberately, making patterns in the air. "Now, in wizards, the force is pumped into veins that channel that power and in turn allow the wizard to control and direct its flow. A Squib has no veins in their body. They have a pumping heart, but without veins, the magic spills over and saturates the body like rain soaking the soil."
"How will being Squibs affect our operative capability in the magical world?" Heero questioned, arms crossed. He still made no move to dislodge Duo, which made Duo smile.
Black drummed his fingers on the table. "You will be able to see through anti-Muggle charms. You won't be affected by anti-Muggle wards. More importantly, you will be recognized by a Wizarding court as having rights mostly equal to a wizard. Dumbledore can't keep Harry from you now. He was on thin ice as it was, but since Harry is a target for Death Eaters, he could conceivably be able to keep him in custody. Now, he has no ground to stand on. Harry already has magical guardians."
"Is there any way we can defend against magic?" Wufei demanded.
Black shrugged. "Most wizards don't like thinking about Squibs. It's like bad luck or something, so I don't know much about Squib ways of life. I know there is an organization to protect Squib rights and to facilitate Squibs living in the magical world. They're a pretty secretive, tight-knit group. They'll be able to tell you more than I can about how a Squib can defend against magical attacks and what not."
Duo sighed loudly and leaned his head against Heero's, letting his bangs shade his eyes from Black. "We have our work cut out for us. Getting Harry back, researching this Voldie dude, and learning about Squibs and magic…"
"We'll get you a wand," Black decided. He was staring at Quatre in excitement. "Once you have that, it'll prove you're a wizard. Then you can floo straight to Hogwarts and demand Harry back. If you threaten Dumbledore with a lawsuit, I'm sure he'll release Harry. Dumbledore can't afford any bad press right now. Not with the tension already between him and the Ministry. The Ministry is only a breath away from instating Martial Law as it is."
"Will Harry be safe here?" Trowa questioned worriedly.
Black waved him off. "I told you. This place is secret. Only people I tell know where the house even is, and it can't be found magically. The only people who can see it or get in are standing in this kitchen right now. Harry will be safe, and we'll have time to come up with a plan. Maybe Quatre can even get a look at Hogwarts records while he's there. Then we won't have to try and break in to the Ministry's Hall of Records."
Black was getting more and more excited with each sentence. He was practically bouncing in his chair. Heero finally shrugged Duo off his shoulders and pulled out a seat. He sat, facing Black.
"I want to know everything you know about this Dumbledore character and what is likely to happen when Quatre goes to this school."
Duo sighed and shared a glance with the others. This was going to take a while. Heero wasn't the type to just run in head-long, despite how it sometimes looked. He always had a plan, and his plans were always meticulously thought out in addition to a long string of contingency plans. It was going to be a long night, but Duo couldn't help feeling optimistic. They were magical, and Cat could actually use a wand. The mission suddenly didn't seem so impossible any more. Still difficult as hell, but maybe not quite impossible.
Trowa released Quatre and turned to the bags of food, intent on fixing a meal. Wufei and Quatre sat at the table with Heero, listening intently. Duo didn't have the patience for that and stepped up to Trowa to help with dinner. They were all hungry. They hadn't eaten in nearly twenty-four hours. Duo sighed again and leaned against Trowa's side. The brunet lifted an eyebrow, his only visible eye dark with worry.
"I just want Harry back," Duo admitted in a bare whisper. He bit his lip against the tears that burned his eyes. It had only been four days, but it felt like a lifetime.
Trowa leaned into him, comforting him with his presence. "We'll get him back."
Duo nodded and took a deep breath before straightening. "So what do you think? Sandwiches?"
Trowa nodded. "Easy and filling."
"Sandwiches it is, then." Duo gave a weak grin and got to work.
xXxXxXx
Harry bolted awake, his back slamming into the headboard as he brought his arms up to protect his face. Cold laughter drifted through his mind, literally making him shiver. The evil red eyes wouldn't leave him alone. Horrific images of torture flared across his mind's eye. Agonized screams echoed through his mind, the laughter chasing after until his whole head rang. Harry could almost feel the monster breathing down his neck.
Stomach roiling, he flew from the bed on wobbly legs. His shoulder hit the wall hard and he practically fell into the bathroom. He dropped to his knees and heaved into the toilet. His whole body contracted painfully as tears streaked his face. His head throbbed terribly, and he wiped at his mouth with a shaking hand. He gasped when his hand came back covered in blood.
Pulling himself to his feet with a desperate grip on the bathroom counter, Harry lifted himself up to see in the mirror. Blood streaked his face. He looked like a murdered corpse, he was so pale. His pupils were huge and he couldn't stop shaking. Almost frantically he turned the water on and splashed his face. His blood stained the water before it disappeared down the drain.
It took him almost an hour to clean up. His heart still thundered in his chest, anxiety sizzling down his veins, but he forced himself to calm when he heard a knock at his door. He stood in the center of the room, ignoring the bedding that had been stuffed in a corner. His still shaking hands had been shoved into his pockets. His unbound hair had been left free to fall messily around his face and over his shoulders to help obscure his pale features and wide eyes.
Dumbledore stepped into the room, easily crossing the glowing line. He shut the door behind him and gave Harry a friendly smile. He didn't mention the stripped bed, though Harry was certain his faded blue eyes had widened a bit at the sight. "Good morning, Harry! How are you feeling today? I came by last night with your dinner, but you were asleep."
Hot, blinding rage burned his empty belly for a split second before he ruthlessly pushed it down. It hurt. Like swallowing a bowl of Duo's ultra-spicy chilly. "What do you want?" he rasped in little more than a whisper.
Dumbledore's smile disappeared instantly and he adapted a deeply concerned expression. "My boy, are you well? I can fetch the nurse."
"What do you want, Dumbledore?" Harry demanded, louder this time.
There was silence for a long minute before Dumbledore sighed. When he spoke, his voice was low and regretful. "One day I hope you come to realize that I am not the enemy. I came here today to see if we can reach a better accord. It seems I have misunderstood the situation somewhat." He paused to gesture at the desk chair. "Please, may we sit, this might take a while to explain and I would wish for us to be comfortable."
Harry only acquiesced because he wasn't sure how much longer his legs would hold his weight. He turned the desk chair around to face the old man and sat. Dumbledore had already conjured a chair for himself. The old man had his hands folded in his lap, his silvery robes shimmering where they caught the light.
"Harry, I want you to understand I mean you no harm. When your family moved from Surrey, we lost track of you for a period. By the time we became aware of your situation, your uncle had already been arrested and you had disappeared beyond our reach."
"What are you saying?" Harry's stomach was tight. "You knew where I was? You were keeping tabs on me when I was with… with the Dursleys?"
"We had no idea how you were being treated," Dumbledore whispered sadly. "Honestly, my boy, I never knew. Had I known…"
Harry laughed, the sound harsh. "You would have saved me?"
"I would have done something," Dumbledore insisted firmly, staring into Harry's eyes. "I am deeply sorry for failing you, Harry, and that is why I refuse to fail you again."
"Oh please!" Harry leapt to his feet, hugging his torso. The desk rattled behind him, the air thrumming with his angry energy. "What a load of crap! You think the Dursleys only started hurting me when we moved? You think I hadn't been beaten or shoved in the cupboard to be kept out of sight before then? I was starved and neglected since the day I was placed on their doorstep!"
"Harry…" Dumbledore said worriedly.
There was a sharp crack as the desk broke, but Harry ignored it, too focused on the bastard in front of him. "Well, you didn't save me, Dumbledore, my family did! They saved me from that hell! They healed me and gave me a home, and YOU TOOK ME FROM THEM!"
Dumbledore slashed his wand forward, dispelling the force that lashed out at him. It knocked over his chair and he had to step to the side to keep on his feet. "Calm down, my boy. Please…"
Harry shuddered. He didn't want to. He really didn't. He was tired of this. He wanted to go home… But losing control wasn't the answer. Only the thought of Quatre's disappointed face gave him the strength to reign in his emotions. He stood there, his hair a tangled mess from being whipped around his head, and glowered darkly at the old man.
"Thank you." Dumbledore said quietly. "Harry, I have wronged you. I deserve your anger. I see that now, but can you not see things from my perspective? When I heard what you had suffered… and then to finally find you again in the presence of the military… The Muggles are an incredible people, but we must be careful of them. They can sometimes be a danger to us, especially when it comes to their leaders and soldiers. There is a long history between our peoples of subjugation and murder. I feared you had been ensnared in that. I merely wished to free you and keep you safe."
Harry's green eyes glinted behind his wire-framed glasses. "You were wrong. Let me go."
Dumbledore tugged on his beard. "It's not that simple, Harry. You are the target of the Dark Lord. As soon as you walk outside these walls, they will come for you. Did not Professor Snape talk with you and explain the danger you are in?"
"Oh, we talked," Harry muttered darkly, tensing.
Dumbledore hesitated for a second before pressing on. "Then you understand what's at stake."
"I understand that I will be safer with my family. We'll return to the colonies and never set foot on Earth again."
"Do you honestly think that's possible? You'll never get that far," Dumbledore returned gravely.
"My brothers can protect me!" Harry snapped, furious.
"No. They can't. They couldn't protect you from being taken by us. They won't be able to stop the Death Eaters, either. And unlike us, the Death Eaters will kill them. They will kill them, Harry! So what would you have me do to atone for the grievous wrongs I've committed against you? Let you walk to your death? Let your family die for you?"
"Then bring them here! I want them! I want my brothers!" Harry couldn't catch his breath. He spun around, turning his back to the enemy and buried his face in his hands as his sobs broke free at last.
"Oh, Harry. I'm so sorry, my boy," Dumbledore murmured quietly.
Harry didn't answer. He clawed at his self-control, but it slipped through his fingers. He was at the end of his rope. Harry made a break for it, running toward the bathroom and out of the old man's sight. It was the best he could do. "I'll come back when you're feeling better," he heard over his muffled cries, and then the sound of the front door opening and closing.
He slid down the wall and sat on the cold tile floor. Pressed his face against his knees, he hid in the darkness, feeling utterly lost and alone.
Chapter end. Please review!
A/N2: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I promise that soon things will start looking up.