Picking Up the Pieces

Duo's eyes snapped open and he sat up with a gasp. His heart was pounding. Sweat coated his skin in clammy coldness. He was in a dimly lit room, on what was immediately recognizable as a hospital bed, and his hair had been unbraided. The thick, wavy curtain spilled heavy and soft down his back, around his face, and over his chest to pool on the bed around his hips.

As if in a trance, he lifted his trembling left hand. He stared at his fingers, remembering through a nightmare haze of semi-conscious agony the crack-snick of each pale digit being severed. Duo gasped again and pulled the hand protectively to his chest. His fingers clenched on command. It was unmistakeably his hand. He was healed. Sobs of fear rose up in delayed horror at the maiming.

There was the soft sound of a shoe against tile, a shadow shifted in the darkness. Duo tensed, but he was already unconsciously aware of who was with him. A strong hand grasped his shoulder, slid along his back under his hair, and pulled him into a one-armed hug. Duo turned and pressed his face into Heero's chest, his hands and arms still curled close, sheltered between their bodies.

They remained like that for several long minutes until Duo's breathing evened out and his heart rate slowed. Heero backed a step to give his lover room. Duo's purple-colored eyes lost their vulnerability and hardened with deadly intent.

He examined his hand closely, testing the strength of his grip, the dexterity and flexibility. He had lost some of all three, but it was his hand and not a prosthetic. He'd have to strengthen and train his grip and fingers once more in order to pull off the pickpocketing and such he had been able to do before.

"Can you tell me?" Heero asked, voice low. With hawk-like intensity, he monitored Duo's movements, facial expressions, and breathing.

Duo looked over to the other bed in the room. It had always been in his awareness, but he had avoided facing it until he was over his emotional reactions. Harry lay pale and still. His expression was tense and his face was damp with sweat. The room stunk of pain. Some of it had been his own, but a lot of it was Harry's.

"Voldemort possessed Harry's body," Duo spoke softly, evenly. There was no emotion in his voice. "The Dark Lord is definitely psychotic. He literally called the war a game, and he laughed a lot." He closed his eyes and repeated verbatim what Voldemort had told him: " 'You know, I have other means of survival than the body you captured. Harry is a fun play-toy. Our connection amuses me. So does the belief of the ignorant that anything exists that can defeat me. But I'm about out of patience for this game. Tell them to release my body and our game can continue, or I will slaughter your precious Harry Potter right before your eyes!' "

Heero reached out to put a supporting hand on Duo's shoulder once more.

"And he's definitely sadistic," Duo continued. "He showed true joy and excitement at my pain. He had a good feel for different types of torture, too. He favored physical attacks, really got into it, although his first recourse was magical pain spells. He also knew how and when to apply mental torture. He craved dominance; he was enraged when I defied him. His only demanded was that I contact you to release his body." Duo cut his eyes to Heero's. "Good job on capturing him by the way. At least we know it can be done."

Heero said nothing, just listening, and Duo's eyes went back to Harry.

"Voldemort is unstable and doesn't have a good understanding of efficiency." Duo grimaced, feeling sick. "He tortured me with Crucio, then slashed me up, then stabbed my shoulder, then cut my fingers off, then beat me. So he had a good, logical pace there, but once he cut my fingers off, beating me was useless. It was less damaging and threatening than his previous acts of brutality."

"Duo. . ." Heero whispered his lover's name, knowing he needed to hear this, but unable to stand silent in the face Duo's distress.

Pale, trembling, Duo continued as if he hadn't heard Heero. "The blood and torture really gets to him and he loses control. By the time he started in on Harry, he was crazed. His very first act was to saw through Harry's wrist and cut off his whole hand. Then he slashed up Harry's arm, which after cutting off his hand is practically trivial. Then he stabbed himself in the chest, again causing a nearly fatal wound, before stabbing himself in the thigh. He showed no pain during all of this. It was as if he couldn't feel it at all. I'm not sure if it was because he was possessing Harry or if he had cast a spell."

Tears rolled unnoticed down Duo's face and Heero wrapped his arms around him. He stroked his lover's hair and hummed. Duo made no move to pull away. He huddled in Heero's embrace, which was very unusual for his normally fiercely independent and prideful partner. It was concerning, but Heero knew Duo would recover. Anything that didn't kill Duo, only made him stronger.

Trowa, Quatre, and Wufei could be pushed to the breaking point. Even Heero himself. It might take a lot, some of them would break faster, but they could all break. Duo, however, was different from them. Duo might get knocked down for a while, but he'd always get back up again. And Harry was just like Duo in that way. They were not capable of breaking completely. Their hearts were not able to stop loving. They'd always begin to care again, and that always got them back on their feet.

Just as Heero anticipated, Duo pulled from his arms. "Help me braid my hair and fill me in on what I've missed. Is Harry still possessed?"

"Voldemort performed a spell that breaks away pieces of his soul to be stored for resurrection should his mortal body be killed," Heero explained as he took his lover's heavy hair into his hands. "Dumbledore is convinced he created six soul vessels. One of which was used in Hogwarts a year ago. He is further convinced that Harry contains a seventh soul piece implanted in him during the attack on his home that orphaned him when he was an infant. I am uncertain if that soul is aware all the time or only allows Voldemort a path into Harry's body and mind."

Duo's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "Dumbledore told you that Harry has to die in the end, didn't he? That it was the only way to beat Voldemort."

"He did." Heero's fingers worked with practiced ease, Duo's braid falling halfway down his back and Heero still had a foot left to go.

"Wufei looking into this?" Duo guessed.

"Yes," Heero again confirmed. "Trowa has also contacted the Tamers. What they do is spiritual as much as magical from what I understand. They should have some knowledge on soul purification."

Duo nodded. "I have contacts in the church. I will request a meeting with their most experienced exorcist." His braid was finished. The tip hanging just past his ass as he slid out of bed and onto his feet. He immediately moved to Harry's bedside and took hold of the petite teenager's hand. "How is he?"

Heero stood at Duo's side, staring down at their boy. "Unwell. The healing is very painful. He had more damage to heal than you did. He should wake soon, but it was very hard on him. The healers said it is possible for him to be traumatized. I called for Dr. Bohren. I also collected the girls. Sally has been working with Wufei and the Commander for a while and of course Relena has been involved, but Catherine and Iria have been anxious to meet with us. Black invited them into the house and they have been staying there with Black and Lupin."

"How is Sirius?" Duo whispered, darting a worried look Heero's way.

"He is traumatized, but he's alive. He has not changed his mind about following this course." Heero instinctively reached out to put his hand on Harry's head as the teen tensed and made a sound of pain. The boy slowly relaxed again, but it was clear he was still suffering.

"How much longer will this go on?" Duo demanded. "Can't they do anything?"

Heero shook his head. "You know they can't or I would have made them do it by now."

Duo grimaced and reached for the bowl of water and towels sitting on the tray by the head of the bed. He silently began to bathe Harry's face and neck. Heero let him work and just watched over them as he had been doing for days.

x x x

Harry woke slowly. It was confusing. The nightmare wouldn't let go of his mind. He was hot, and he didn't know which way was up or down, real or dream. All he knew was that it hurt, but not as badly as before. Slowly, he became aware of someone touching him. He jerked away with a whine and the hands thankfully disappeared.

Crying. He was crying. That's why his vision swam. He brought up shaking hands to wipe at his face and very carefully sat up. His legs curled protectively towards his torso as he moved. The room wasn't bright. There were no windows. A shadow of a door was to the left. His tears wouldn't stop falling, but at least he could breathe easier sitting up.

Harry turned his head to see Duo and Heero watching him patiently, standing side-by-side. Tears fell faster; his breathing became short and rapid. Duo reached out to him and he flinched.

"Don't," Harry choked out, clawing panic squeezing down on his throat and gut. "I'm sorry. Please. Don't touch me."

Duo's hand fell back to his side. He said nothing. Heero said nothing. Harry curled around his legs and pressed his face against his knees. He wanted them to leave. Or rather . . . Harry wanted to leave. He wanted to disappear. From them, from the world. He wanted . . .

"What do you want, Harry?" Heero asked softly.

Harry's head jerked up, afraid he had spoken out loud. "What?" he rasped, sniffling.

Heero's dark, cobalt blue eyes bore into Harry. His messy hair was sticking up more than normal. He was tired and his clothes were wrinkled, but he was as strong and unmovable as ever. "I asked you what you wanted. Do you want to sit here and wait to feel better? Do you want to talk to us and try to feel better? Do you want us to talk to you and maybe something we say will make you feel better? Do you want one of your other brothers?"

Harry shook his head slowly back and forth, helpless and broken. "None of that. It won't work. Nothing will work."

"Do you remember what happened?" Duo asked. He hadn't moved except that he had tilted his head forward so that his long bangs shadowed his eyes from view.

Harry flinched again. His right hand instinctively grasped his left wrist where the Dark Lord had severed his limb.

"I remember, too," Duo voiced, and suddenly he was looking directly at Harry. "I warned you, Harry. To be careful getting involved in this war. That if you got hurt, I'd make sure whoever hurt you paid." His violet eyes seemed to shimmer. "I'm going to make sure Voldemort never hurts you like that again."

Harry's mouth fell open in shock as he watched his brother spin, his braid lashing the air, and storm from the room. Harry looked to Heero. He still stared solemnly at Harry. Maybe waiting for his answer still.

"I don't know what to do," Harry whispered, almost begging.

"You were hurt. You're unstable," Heero answered gently, his whole aura softening. He took a step closer to the bed. Harry tensed, but Heero didn't reach out to touch him. "Give yourself time to recover."

"What if I can't recover?" Harry wondered.

"Then you don't." Heero deliberately, slowly reached forward. Harry flinched, but Heero ignored that. Softly, he let his hand fall on Harry's trembling shoulder and brought his hand down Harry's arm in a slow pet. He repeated the stroking motion until Harry stopped shaking. "We will take care of you, Harry. Either way."

Harry's head hung. Sweat from stress and tears wet his face and dripped onto his lap. He was all jumbled. His mind was bouncing, flinching, flailing. His body was strung tight. He couldn't seem to catch his breath. All he could do was sit there and try not to scream or fling Heero away.

Duo had left. Duo was going to protect him? Why wouldn't Heero leave him alone? What was he going to do? Harry didn't want to see anyone. Not even his brothers. Would he still go to school? He didn't want to! But he didn't know what he wanted. Why had this happened? Was Duo okay? Was Harry okay? It had hurt so much. Oh, god, would it happen again? Where was he? Heero wasn't going to leave. Was that good or bad? Did he really want Heero to go? Being alone sounded both good and terrifying.

"Sleep," Heero's voice cut through the maelstrom.

Harry kind of crumpled in on himself. Obeying. He stared at the far wall, curled in a tight ball on his side. Heero softly stroked his back until Harry fell into a restless sleep.

x x x

Quatre knew Harry was sleeping. He had his empathy open and could feel the sluggish, dark stream of Harry's sleeping mind. He also knew Heero was not. Heero's mind was still and resting, but he was aware of every movement and sound in the room. It had been three days. Perfect Soldier or not, he needed to take a break soon or he'd collapse.

"Heero, you need to rest," he said softly as he entered.

"Duo?" Heero asked, not acknowledging Quatre's order.

"He's contacting the Vatican." Quatre came to stand at Heero's shoulder and took in Harry's curled and defensive position on the bed. His heart ached for the teen. "How was he?" he asked in spite of knowing the answer. Harry was very much not okay.

"He is rejecting all physical contact," Heero reported, voice emotionless and monotone. "I tried to acclimatise him to touch, but he never really relaxed. He is mentally disjointed. Shows confusion and distress. He cried the entire time he was conscious. I also confirmed he is highly susceptible to suggestion. One of us is to be with him at all times. Only healers have access. Under no circumstance is Dumbledore allowed near Harry until he stabilizes."

Quatre reached out and pulled Heero into a hug. Heero remained stiff in his arms for a moment before allowing himself to lean into Quatre's embrace and rest his forehead on his shoulder. A small smile touched Quatre's lips. In the last war, they were about equal in height. Now Quatre stood nearly a foot taller.

"We will pull through," he murmured.

Heero didn't reply.

Quatre pulled back enough to stare commandingly into Heero's eyes. "You will sleep for at least five hours. Don't make me sedate you."

Heero glared.

Quatre stood firm.

Heero sighed and turned away. "Understood." He marched from the room without further resistance. The faster he got the imposed resting period over with, the sooner he could be back with Harry.

x x x

Harry woke with a gasp. He stood in the center of the circus tent on L2. All their stuff was there, just as they had left it. But it was quiet. Too quiet.

"Potter."

Harry spun, his hair fanning behind him, and he realized he stood in a hospital smock and his hair unbound. His eyes widened – his glasses missing – to see Snape standing not ten feet from him.

"No!" Harry screamed and jerked away, but there was nowhere to hide. He lifted his shaking hands, trying to grasp his power, to protect himself, to stop this, but he grasped nothing, felt nothing. He was empty.

"Potter! Please!" Snape did the impossible. He knelt. It shocked Harry still and silent. "I don't have much time. We are in your mind. You are in the hospital after the Dark Lord's attack. I know this is very upsetting for you after being possessed, but it must be done."

Harry was hyperventalating, but the image of the terrifying man on his knees, hair limp and oily, eyes dark and pleading, held him frozen.

"Potter, I am enslaved to the Dark Lord." The man lifted his arm and pulled his sleeve back to reveal an ugly black tattoo. Harry literally whimpered. "Dumbledore knows this, but he believes I have turned sides and am spying for him. It is true, but the Dark Lord barely tolerates my position at Dumbledore's side. The only thing that has saved me is that it amuses him to think he is fooling Dumbledore. However, that has forced me into a very difficult position of acting just Dark enough to appease the Dark Lord, but Light enough that Dumbledore doesn't distrust me completely and I can still be of service to the Order."

Snape's arm dropped and his fists clenched at his side. His head bowed, his lank hair screening his face. "As time passes, my act has grown more and more convoluted. The Dark Lord invades my mind constantly. The only thing that has saved me is my ability to Occlude my mind. Occlumency can save you as well, Potter. But I do not have time to teach you. I will leave instructions in your mind. It's the only way. "

"What?" Harry took a small step forward. The legitamate pain in Snape's voice had finally cut through the fog of Harry's terror.

Snape looked up, his face pale and exhausted. "Listen, Potter. Thank Maxwell for me. He gave me an out so that I could focus my attention on them and have an excuse not to torment you. The Dark Lord would have expected nothing less, Dumbledore or no. Your mother..."

Tears welled in Harry's eyes, mirroring Snape's own.

"Lily... I swore to her that I'd always be her friend..." Snape wiped his face and suddenly stood, his face becoming blank and stern once more. "I failed, but I will not fail this. I do not have much longer to live, Potter. My mind has begun to unravel under the strain. So remember well what I'm going to tell you. I want the Dark Lord dead for good. I would spend my life gladly in the attempt, but do not let Dumbledore sacrifice you. You need to live. For you mother. Practice Occlumency constantly! Do not be lazy! It is the only way to save your mind and soul from the Dark Lord's reach."

"Wait..." Harry reached forward, but Snape was gone. The room swirled and dissolved, and he screamed as he was flung down into images and colors so vivid they cut into his mind.

x x x

Quatre blinked open his eyes in confusion. He gasped in horror and quickly scrambled to his feet off the floor. He was on watch, guarding Harry while Heero slept. Someone had entered and he'd turned only for a wave of black to pull him under.

"Harry!" Quatre cried and ran to the bed.

Blood snaked down Harry's face from his nose. His slender body jerked and spasmed, his eyes rolled beneath his lids.

"Doctor!" Quatre screamed desperately, trying in vain to hold Harry still.

Healers rushed in and immediately began shouting orders. Quatre backed off and reached for his neck and his com unit.

"Perimeter breech. Intruder alert," he reported grimly.

"Rabbit?" Heero's voice came back, a bark of command.

Quatre stared in horor at his little brother, once more suffering on the hospital bed as Healers fought to fix him. "I was compromised by magical attack. Rabbit was injured. Condition unknown. "

There was no response. Quatre stood weighed heavily by guilt as the hospital was shut down, much to the Healer's outrage and everyone checked. Trowa slipped into the room and stood at his side, and Quatre knew it was because they couldn't leave Harry in his care without back-up. It stung, but Quatre was grateful Harry would be better protected. Not for the first time, Quatre felt cold as he contemplated their failure. Contemplated the war lost and Harry dead. He was not certain it was even possible to win this one.

Chapter end.