Luminescent
Part Two
Happy Returns
Disclaimer: As I said in both the prequels and previous chapters, I don't own Harry Potter or the affilated characters. The Lugovalos family are supposedly mine, but I still say I'm just a medium for their insanity. This is really all Phyrrus fault.
Warnings: This does contain slash. And some violence. After all, this is Harry Potter, and the Lugovalos family. River and Rayne. 'Nough said.
Author's Notes: Wow, you're all really excited about this! I'm kind of amazed at the response! I already have 23 reviews, and it just awes me that an orginal character could be so popular. Thank you for all your support! The current fanbase I have is amazing! I love you all!
Yay for PrincessXXMoonXX! This chapter is now beta'd! So, now that I have the fixed version, so do you! Have fun!
To Shinigami's Shadow and SilverPantsSven: Odin is not actually paired with anyone. I just thought you might like to meet Chara's brother, so he makes a couple of small apparences here and there in this book. He's really not an important character, although you'll probably see what he's like and think it actually explains a lot about Chara.
Lady Prince: I'm glad you like my titles. And yes, you're right, I do love choosing my titles.
To Random Person Reading (Ashley): I'm glad you like Grandma Lugovalos and Grandma Carlisle! I did base them some on my own grandmothers, and other grandparents I've observed around their grandchildren. Grandparents just seem to know everything sometimes, don't they? I just hope they don't seem like Dumbledore, because I was really trying to avoid that! All though, I have a feeling that if either of the two went after the headmaster, they'd land on him with both feet even though they're more frail.
jasmine13princess: Wow. . . I feel so loved. Thank you!
gemlou137: I'm not sure the bonds are fully explained in any one place; for the most part, you learn information as Harry and Phyrrus do. There should be at least a mostly complete explaination in year three when they first learn of the bond, though.
Fae Child19: I have no idea where Sev and Leon went. Making out, probably. Don't worry, they'll be back (and probably spoting hickies. . . but you didn't hear that from me).
Shadow of a Shadow: I'm sorry Molly's being a bitch, but I can just see her over-reacting like that. She's just so. . . over-protective, and I don't think she'd like Anders much anyway. More-so since Percy is a momma's boy. She should shape up at least a little now that she and Percy are on speaking terms again, though.
To everyone that reviewed and read: Thank you so much! Your support means so much to me, especially with all the original characters I have running around. I hope you continued to enjoy my work!
Okay, I think my notes are long enough, hopefully there won't be need for such long notes in the future, but who knows? So, I suppose I'll leave you to the next chapter. Please enjoy.
oOooOo
Harry had enjoyed summer vacation as much as he ever did, first at home in England, then at home on the Lugovalos family farm, then back at home in England. He spent a lot of time with Sirius and Remus, as well as with his boyfriend and Phyrrus' family. It was a nice change, especially after the Triwizard tournament and Cedric's death earlier in the year. He needed to be away from school.
"Phyrrus!" Harry called a week after his fifteenth birthday, and a very pleasant two year anniversary. "Are you coming to the store with me for your mum? Remus gave me a list!" Remus was the neatest person in the house, really. Harry stared up the front steps at the Lugovalos household and nearly snorted as Phyrrus tumbled down them, one sneaker on, then other clutched in his teeth as he fought to tie the first. The red-head nodded vigorously and nearly fell over when Harry pulled the shoe out of his mouth.
"He's such a klutz," Cyrrus commented, grinning at his brother. Harry made a face and helped Phyrrus with his other shoe before tugging him out the door.
"We'll be back in a while!" Harry called, eyeing the darkening sky. It was late and none of the adults were back from work. Sirius and Remus worked as Aurors while Chara was a mediwitch. All three had called for suspected lateness, and River and Rayne were already fed and were playing quietly upstairs, waiting for their mother to return home. "Influx at the hospital?"
"I hope not. Because that means it's a death eater attack." Phyrrus sighed. The papers had been adamant that Voldemort had not yet returned, but the hospitals and aurors knew better. Only Voldemort would be responsible for such attacks.
"I'm surprised your mum didn't whisk you all back to America," Harry pointed out, picking his way through their front yard.
"I think she, Remus, and Sirius all talked about it. But it would have been bad for England. Uncle Leon's here, so he'll take care of us," Phyrrus shrugged. "And I'd hate to think what would happen to River and Rayne if someone tried to kidnap them."
"They'd get returned," Harry agreed. "They'd get bored and then. . . BOOM!"
"It would be a mushroom cloud," Phyrrus agreed, sighing. "A large one. Probably strangely colored, too."
"Now that's comforting." Harry intertwined his fingers with Phyrrus', then paused. "What's that?"
"What's what?" Phyrrus glanced around, blinking. Harry halted, forcing Phyrrus to stop, and tilted his head. Only after Harry paused did Phyrrus hear the frightened shouts coming from one of the side alleys between the shops. Both boys glanced at each other before running towards the noise. Phyrrus nearly sighed at the sight. Dudley and his gang had a little ten year old held against a wall and were beating him up.
"Pathetic," Harry grumbled, glaring at the group. "Leave him alone!" Harry recognized the child from the next street over. Mousey boy with limp brown hair and large, liquid brown eyes. His name might have been Mark Evans, but Harry wasn't entirely sure.
Dudley glanced over, his eyes widening at the sight of Harry and Phyrrus. "Oh, great. It's the fairies." Dudley sneered, though he glanced around as though to check for Cyrrus. Phyrrus smirked. Harry and Phyrrus could do enough damage without Cyrrus' help.
"You're a moron," Phyrrus sighed. "It takes five of you to beat up a ten year old?" Phyrrus had at least a head on Dudley and all his friends, and quite a bit of muscle. Dudley had taken up boxing, from what Harry heard, but Phyrrus had years of experience over all the boys. And Phyrrus was no school yard bully.
"What do you care?" Dudley sneered. Phyrrus scowled, stepping forward and punching Piers in the face, sending him to the ground with a split lip bleeding heavily. Piers dropped the boy, sending Mark scurrying behind Harry.
"I got him," Harry called, watching Phyrrus take the others out with ease. One of the scrawnier ones got past, but Harry managed to drop him with a little work. He smiled proudly, then turned to look at Mark. "You okay, kid?"
Mark gulped, looking at Phyrrus and Harry, stepping back. "I--I'm f-fine."
"Good," Phyrrus grinned, wiping off his fists. "They did a number on you, didn't they."
Mark nodded timidly, smiling at them. "I--I'm not supposed to talk to Harry," He confided, looking up at the other. Mark, at ten, was only a hand shorter than Harry. He was terribly shy, Harry knew, and the wide eyed stare was frightened. Harry's former family had been telling the neighborhood that he had been at St. Brutus' Center for Incurably Criminal Boys. It hadn't been good for Harry, since it caused many of the neighborhood children to become frightened of him.
"You aren't?" Phyrrus sounded shocked. "Why not?"
"Because he's a criminal," Mark sighed. "He's been at that bad school."
"What bad school?" Phyrrus already knew what school, but he also knew Mark was dying to tell him. With all his cousins, Phyrrus could read children with relative ease.
Mark told him, looking nervously at Harry, but then he admitted, "But he doesn't act like a criminal."
"That's good, isn't it?" Phyrrus smiled, patting his shoulder. "You know what else?"
Mark shook his head, and Phyrrus winked at his boyfriend. "Harry doesn't attend St. Brutus'. He goes to the same school as I do, Hogwarts School for the Gifted. The Dursleys lied."
"Really? So he's not bad?" Mark's eyes widened.
"Nope," Harry grinned, ruffling the boy's hair. "But you'd better get home before they come looking for you."
"All right!" Mark grinned, waving, and raced off, a little awkwardly from his injuries, but much happier. Phyrrus turned to see the other boys scrabbling away and dove forward to catch Dudley's ear between his thumb and forefinger.
"No you don't, asswipe," Phyrrus growled. "You're coming with us."
Harry smirked, laughing slightly, and followed Phyrrus down the alley. Dudley was whining about the pain of his ear being pinched in Phyrrus' hand, but Phyrrus refused to relent his grasp on the boy's ear. It wasn't much further to their street when both halted, breath misting in the summer air. "Fuck," Harry muttered, making Phyrrus drop Dudley's ear. "Dementors."
"Shit," Phyrrus agreed, knocking Dudley down. He whined for a moment, shivering, and twitched, eyes rolling in their sockets. The cold grew, and Harry covered his ears from the screams, wiping out his wand. and shouting the patronus charm. A silver stag pranced from the tip, racing towards the approaching dementor. Phyrrus wrapped his arms around Harry, feeding the smaller his own magical power to make the stag stronger and ignite silver flames to surround the three of them.
The dementor stopped as the stag approached, getting thrown back by the stags horns. The animal followed, driving off the creature. Harry sighed in relief, collapsing into Phyrrus' arms. Phyrrus lifted him easily, pulling the smaller onto his back, then kicking Dudley. "Get up you bastard," Phyrrus ordered. "I refuse to drag you further."
"Its cold. . ." Dudley whined. Phyrrus growled, kicking him again.
"Do I look like I care?" Phyrrus snorted, continuing to kick him. "Now get up." Dudley finally started to move when Aurors started to apparate in. Phyrrus cursed, racing down the alley and out the other end, ignoring their shouts to halt until he reached Harry's home. Hopefully the two men would be home soon, and the problem would be resolved. Harry groaned.
"What the hell is happening, and why does it always happen to me?" He sighed, making Phyrrus laugh. Sirius and Remus flooed in, stopping for a moment when they saw the boys in the living room.
Remus saw them and buried his face in his hands. "What did you blow up this time?"
"I didn't do anything!" Phyrrus protested. "Why is it always me?"
"Because Harry's a good kid." Remus ribbed, sitting them down. Phyrrus huffed, but dropped Harry onto the couch before following and pulling him into his lap. The dementors still wrecked havoc on Harry's senses, depressing him and exhausting him. Telling Remus and Sirius what happened, Phyrrus wrapped his arms around Harry and leaned back into the couch. Dementors were tiring.
oOooOo
When the ministry wizards showed up at his house that Saturday, they met a rather irate Chara. Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was one of the arurors, had the grace to blush when she answered the door, obviously fuming. "Let me guess," Chara's voice was pure acid. "You're here to tell me that my son is going to be arrested for underage and misuse of magic to drive off a dementor that wasn't supposed to exist."
"The story is far-fetched. . ." Kingsley's partner, a younger man with dark hair and blue eyes crossed his arms. "So, where is your son?"
"With his uncle, already at the ministry," Chara smiled sweetly. Kingsley shivered. He could remember Chara's smile, and this one had mischief written all over it. "Now, you may come on in and wait for them to return, but I can assure that it will all be taken care of, then."
"Van, why don't you go check that her story checks out and I'll stay here and make sure she doesn't. . . run away or something." Kingsley offered. The look on Chara's face said she wouldn't be running away--she'd much rather storm the ministry for going after one of her babies. He had seen that look on his wife's face a few times a long time ago.
"Yes, sir!" Van saluted. Chara raised an eyebrow as he disapperated on her doorstep.
"No manners at all," She sneered, stepping back to invite Kingsley inside. "Tell me, are they really that desperate for recruits?"
Kingsley shrugged. "I do wonder, sometimes," He chuckled lightly, stepping through the door. Chara led him to the living room and returned moments later with a coffee service. He sighed in pure bliss as she set down the liquid. "You're amazing."
"I remembered you saying how much you liked it at Christmas. Hang on. . . River! Rayne! Get out of the dryer! And no, you can't use it as a rocket launcher!"
Kingsley stared at her, wide eyed, and Chara grinned. "I'm a mom. We have eyes in the backs of our heads. So tell me how much trouble the two of them are really in? Seeing how Harry, Sirius, and Remus are all there with Phyrrus and Leon."
"Leon?" Kingsley choked. "He's going to scare the shit out of Van."
"He's in uniform. He was reporting in today anyway, so I asked him to go ahead and take Phyrrus by." Chara's voice was just a little too sweet for Kingsley's tastes. "But how much trouble are they in?"
"They were lucky to know the patronus charm, if there really was a dementor. But we can't find any evidence, and that Dursley kid's a muggle. He couldn't see the thing, even if it was there. Not to mentioned that the two of them both used magic when one would have sufficed--"
"Ah, now that we may resolve," Chara smirked. "Phyrrus did not use his magic. Harry did."
"But we found traces of Flame's magic at the scene--"
"I didn't say it wasn't used, I said he didn't use it. Harry did."
"Now, Chara, you know that's impossible unless--you mean to tell me they're bonded?"
"Have been since third year," Chara sighed. "They have never consummated it, of course, but with the rate its growing. . . I don't think it matters. They'll probably have to consummate sometime within the next year or so to prevent it from growing out of control, but they haven't done anything, as of yet."
"And you think they would tell you?"
"If I asked. Neither keep things from me. Granted I do not pry into their sex life. That's not fair. But they also know about the bond and would come to me for advice. Also a mother's job. And since I already know, then it's not an issue." Chara shrugged. "But only Harry used magic, even if he tapped Phyrrus to do it. So, now how much trouble are they in?"
"Violating the statute of secrecy, for one," Kingsley sighed. "And if Harry starts claiming Voldemort is back--"
"I trust Leon to keep them all in line." Chara chuckled. "And Severus is with him, so there will, likely, be at least one responsible adult there at all times."
"Why didn't you go?"
"Because Cyrrus is spending the day at the farm to see his father and step-mother, and therefore not here. I didn't want River and Rayne to have to be there, and Leon would have insisted, so Severus would have insisted, and River and Rayne cannot be left at home with no supervision--"
A deafening explosion drifted down stairs and Chara sighed. "That would be why, by the way."
"Sorry, Mom!" One called. "We'll fix the hole!"
"Properly!" Chara replied, groaning. Kingsley smiled sadly. Times like this made him miss his family all the more.
oOooOo
Leon glanced at Severus, then looked warily at the muggle telephone booth. "You're kidding, right?"
Severus shook his head, glancing over the group. "We might as well go in threes. Us and Phyrrus, then Sirius, Remus, and Harry. You know where we're going, I assume?"
"I can take a guess. I've been there before." Leon smirked. "Testifying is more fun with a mask on, since I tend to scare the attorneys. Do you think there will be any problems?"
"With you there? I think they'll be lucky not to wet their pants." Sirius snickered, stepping out of the way to let Leon and his group head into the ministry. Severus showed Phyrrus how to get a badge for his robes and affix the thing. Phyrrus glared at the sunshine yellow badge and sighed. He clearly didn't have a choice. Leon did not take a badge, however, since he was dressed in uniform. The patch on his flak jacket proclaimed the name he wore in the interrogation room--Reikatsukan Byakko--and he slipped the porcelain fox mask over his head. The bone colored mask grinned maliciously in the dim lights, the twisted smile looking more frightening than ever because of the deep shadows.
It was only moments after they stepped from the booth that the others arrived, Harry stumbling from the booth. He was clearly not the most graceful person in the world, and probably wouldn't be until his growth spurt ended. Phyrrus grinned and gripped Harry's hand as they headed towards the court room. They were lucky that Leon was able to pull some strings and get them in early, before most people found out about their adventure.
The room was large, made mostly from wood. Harry winced at the chain covered chair in the middle and moved a little closer to Phyrrus. "Ah, good," The woman presiding smiled. "I'm glad you've arrived on time. I am Amelia Bones. Shall we begin?"
"With pleasure," Leon offered, gesturing for the two to sit in the chair. Phyrrus sat first, pulling Harry onto his lap and making several of the witches in the audience coo at the cuteness of the display. Harry blushed, staring at the ground.
"Now, you two have been accused to violating the statue of secrecy and the underage use of magic." Amelia Bones informed them. "How do you plead?"
"Not guilty for reason of self defense," Phyrrus replied coolly.
"I would also like to add that Faeroes didn't cast any spells," Leon added, smirking.
"Oh, come," Amelia sighed. "We found traces of his magic all over."
"I didn't cast any magic, Harry did," Phyrrus told them.
"I told you, we found your magic--"
"I didn't cast it, Harry did." Phyrrus broke in, rolling his eyes. "I don't care if it was my magic, Harry still cast it."
"Now, boy, unless you two are bonded--which I highly doubt--you can't use each other's magic."
"Whatever," Phyrrus sighed. "We still plead self defense."
"Because of the dementor? Would you be willing to testify to this under veristarserum?" Amelia Bones asked, holding up a vial. Phyrrus and Harry rolled their eyes, but didn't have a chance to reply.
"You dare?" Leon roared, rising to his feet, anger radiating off him in waves. The witches and wizards in the assembly cringed back at the sight of the evil fox mask and known interrogator. "They are but children! You dare to threaten them to be dosed with Truth Serum? You know that no one under the age of seventeen is allowed it, and you know one of them is not an English citizen!"
"I was told no such thing," Bones huffed, straightening. "I was told they were both citizens of England and that they were fully under my jurisdiction."
"Sorry, but no." Phyrrus blinked at her. "I'm American."
"The minister said nothing of this," Bones offered a thoughtful frown. "The laws about under age magic and the statute of secrecy are quite different in your home, are they not?"
"Quite," Leon told her dryly, crossing his arms.
"Did you even know about our laws on the matter?" Bones glared at Leon, her gaze clearly threatening. Leon growled in reply, making her sink back in her seat, blanching slightly.
"Vaguely. I knew we weren't supposed to use magic around Mundanes, but I didn't think it was such a big deal. It's not like they pay us any mind anyway. Just think we're a bit weird. And Mom wasn't there, sure, but it was an emergency and we couldn't wait for her." Phyrrus shrugged.
Amelia Bones heaved a sigh. In America, the law was that wizards under the age of sixteen could not used unsupervised magic except in emergency circumstances, and that using magic around mundanes was highly frowned upon, but not entirely forbidden. Some spells were, of course, but the American Wizarding Government had deemed that things like the Patronus charm, used only for protection, was perfectly legal. Phyrrus probably had no idea he'd just broken a law. Besides, most muggles would think he was crazy and go on with their daily lives, forgetting all about the weird child that claimed to do magic.
"Harry? What do you know about the laws?"
"We're not to use magic around muggles or before the age of seventeen unless in dire circumstances," Harry told her calmly. "I wouldn't have used it but for the dementor. Phyrrus and I both saw it, and Dudley couldn't move. We couldn't just leave him there, and he's too big for us to lift, and I think it would have been worse to use a levitation spell because the dementor would have just followed us."
"I cannot argue that point. But you cannot prove there was a dementor without taking the Veristarserum." Bones told them.
"That's not. . . entirely true." Phyrrus glanced at Harry. "I can take the serum. I'm large enough. Harry's still too small. But Uncle Leon can. . . check his story."
"Uncle Leon?" The Judge frowned. "We cannot wait forever for your relatives to get here, boy. And you're still underage."
"You don't have to wait for me." Leon pulled the mask off, shaking out his hair and straightening his uniform, clipping his mask to his belt. "I will allow you to use the veristarserum on my nephew, and I will take Harry's statement, using several of the truth spells I have become known for. I also swear that Harry will come to no harm while I interrogate him."
The judge considered the offer, then nodded. "That is acceptable. Harry will be interrogated first, if the guards will please escort Mr. Lugovalos to the holding cell to wait his turn."
Phyrrusrose to his feet, placing Harry gently in the chair. "Phyrrus?" Harry's eyes were wide.
"I'll be fine," Phyrrus promised, following the guards from the room. "I promise."
Harry turned back to the courtroom, feeling small and alone without Phyrrus at his side. Leon smiled at him, and Harry clentched his fists. He needed Phyrrus.
oOooOo