Luminescent
Part Eight
Halloween

Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter. Which is a shame because I'm in the uni and the money would be good. I do, however, own the Lugovlaoses (well, I'm their medium, at any rate. Owning them is like owning a cat. Doesn't happen. They own you).

Warnings: There is SLASH. Like every other chapter. But, like I've said in the past, you know the only chapter I didn't metion it would be the one I get ragged on for. I think that's all. . . unless you count Mass Mayhem (all caps here are on purpose) from River and Rayne. But then, that's with anything they do, right?

Author's Note: Whew, another chapter down. I hope everyone's glad to see it, because I'm glad to get it up! This chapter is now beta'd! Thank you PrincessXXMoonXX!

To TheSlytherinMuggle: About the phoenix song, it actually symbolizes their bond. It is actually referenced in Pyrotechnics. And you really aren't reading too deep into it. The phoenix song, and the element of the phoenix itself has a lot of symbolizism within the series.

To Everyone: I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, and here's another one to keep you company. This is, I suppose, my holiday gift to you. So, Happy Holidays and, please, enjoy chapter eight!
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There was still a few days left in October when Dumbledore announced the Halloween feast and dance would continue on as usual. The uproar was almost too much to bear and several students with more sensitive ears raced from the hall, still cheering themselves. River and Rayne traded looks again, which never boded well, and grinned at each other. Phyrrus had time for a nervous glance when the two took off like little missiles, chattering in twinspeak like chipmunks on crack.

"That can't be healthy," Harry muttered, watching them leave.

Phyrrus raised an eyebrow. "They're third years this year."

"So?"

"They can technically stay for the entire dance. They're 'old enough.'" Usually the first and second years could stay for about an hour before they were sent to bed, while the older students partied at least half the night away, grateful for the stress relief.

"They will still not be allowed to remain the entire time." McGonagall's voice made Phyrrus jump. He had heard her approach, though Harry had seen her and was forced to hide his laughter at Phyrrus' expression. "They are still a bit young."

"Oh, good." Phyrrus breathed, relaxing slightly. "They'd be nothing but trouble."

"They are already trouble, Mr. Lugvalos," McGonagall told him, eyes glittering with amusement. "But the headmaster felt I should let you know."

"Thank you, Ms. McGonagall," Phyrrus offered a grin. "It's a relief."

"I thought you might agree. Good day, Mr. Lugovalos. And do not be late to class." Professor McGonagall offered, slipping away.

"Don't be late--? What's that supposed to mean--? Aw, shit, time to go!" Phyrrus jumped to his feet, dashing toward their first class of the day. Harry allowed himself to be towed along, still laughing hysterically at the look on Phyrrus' face. Priceless. He wished desperately for a camera.
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Phyrrus actually did something he had never done before for Halloween and wore a bastardized version of his karate uniform. His normal gi--uniform--was actually white, but the one he wore for Halloween was deep, bloody crimson. It was also, unlike his real one, sleeveless. He did wear his real belt, which he was incredibly proud of. Ever since making black belt at fourteen, Phyrrus did have the right. Harry didn't let him brag about it, but it didn't change the pride in what he'd accomplished. He also wore red bandages around his hands that went mid-way up his arms, and his regular fingerless, black leather gloves as well as a black band around his right biceps, decorated with the kanji for "fire" and a swirling red design. His hair was in its regular topknot, though he also wore a black headband with the fire kanji on it in red. The back of his uniform had a black phoenix stitched in, and a small patch on the front proclaimed his name and his teacher's name. Unlike usual, however, Phyrrus had decided to wear his earrings for the first time in awhile. He would never wear the hoops in a real fight, though they were small and not easily grabbed, but with three to an ear, Phyrrus didn't generally care to risk it. The gold hoops glinted in the dim light, and Harry grinned.

He hadn't seen Phyrrus in earrings for some time, and they always looked so hot on him. Part of the reason was because the school didn't allow them on the boys, and part of the reason was because Phyrrus had simply gotten out of the habit since he'd moved to England. Of course, most of the students at Hogwarts had wanted to know what kind of woman Chara was for letting him get three holes in each ear--or even just one would have started a rumor mill of Phyrrus being a bad boy--but Chara had pointed out she'd much rather his ears than a few other places she would rather not name.

Harry had, in a fit of amusement crossed with some kind of insanity, decided to dress up as Reikatsuken Byakko. Leon had taken it all in good humor and shrunk down an old uniform--complete with all the decorations he was supposed to have--and helped him make a mask that was appropriate. The black on black ensemble fit Harry like a second skin, with leather gauntlets running from wrist to elbow for protection and the perfect place to hide his wand, as well as black gloves that would prevent any sort of mark to be left behind. Leon's signature crossed belts fit his slender waist perfectly, and even the frightening porcelain mask was perfect with the costume.

Harry preened in front of the mirror a bit, glad that he'd had so much help from Leon. Phyrrus was certainly drooling. Not to say Harry hadn't drooled over his boyfriend, but he was less affected because he had seen Phyrrus in his gi before, and he looked even hotter after he'd been practicing and was--Harry cut off that train of thought. He'd already had to force himself not to jump Phyrrus once, why tempt fate for a second go?

Heading down the stairs to meet Phyrrus in the common room, his jaw dropped when he saw River and Rayne.

They were dressed as him, their hair magically shortened for the night courtesy of either each other or Professor McGonagall, bright green contacts to match his eye color, and lightning bolt scar.

"You've got to be kidding me," Harry moaned. The twins had never before repeated a costume, but they hadn't been able to show off much the year before with Harry and company stealing the glory with their elemental costumes, so they had opted to do it again. River smirked at him, twiddling her fingers as they headed for the door with half of Gryffindor complimenting them as they moved toward the Great Hall.

"I guess they thought last year didn't do them justice," Phyrrus commented, patting Harry on the head and following the little twins from the tower. "Come on, don't get so worked up."

"They aren't dressed up like you," Harry informed him flatly, glaring at his boyfriend.

"So what? You're a hero in this world, I'm surprised no one else has done it." Phyrrus laughed merrily. "Come on, it's not like it matters. It's just for one night, let them have their fun."

"Easy for you so say," Harry grumbled, but followed Phyrrus to the Great Hall where half the student population were gathered around River and Rayne to compliment their costumes. Half the room gasped as they entered, mostly over Harry's costume, and the real Reikatsuken Byakko appeared next to him. Even through the mask, Harry could see Leon's exaggerated wink.

"Nice look, kid," Leon teased, ruffling the black hair that stuck out from under the mask. "I like it."

"You'd better," Harry teased right back. "Otherwise you'd look awful stupid, wouldn't you."

Leon humphed and returned to Severus and the feast. Trick-or-treating had been cancelled that year, thanks to Deloris Umbridge. She was already concentrating her power and had said there was no need for the teachers to join in the madness and pass out candy. Only when she attempted to get rid of the dance did nearly everyone put their foot down. The release was good for the students and the teachers, and Dumbledore pointed out that every last student would retaliate if the dance was canceled. And he made sure she understood the students would know exactly whose fault it was, too.

So there stood Umbridge, in all her pink, fuzzy glory, glaring out at the crowd. "There was an old woman who swallowed a fly--!" River and Rayne could be heard shouting over the loud murmurs of the students. Harry and Phyrrus groaned, relieved when Leon went to take care of it. They didn't want to be anywhere near the little twins when they tormented Umbridge.

"I bet Umbitch is really annoyed she made such trouble for us now," Phyrrus commented idly as Ron and Parvarti Patil claimed the other seats at the table. Phyrrus raised an eyebrow. He could have sworn Parvarti had said she'd never go anywhere with Ron again. Apparently, however, she was Ron's flavor of the week. Harry just rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Ron. Hey, Parvarti. Enjoying the party?"

"Very much," Parvarti winked. "I'm glad Snape's boyfriend is here. Keep him off our backs."

Phyrrus and Harry exchanged looks. "Not to be. . . offensive or anything," Harry finally ventured, "but I don't think I want to know."

"That's all right, love. I understand that you're gay." Parvarti winked again, leaving Phyrrus and Harry to roll their eyes and offer longsuffering sighs as they looked around for everyone else. Draco and Neville were on the dance floor, as were Ginny and Cyrrus, though they couldn't find Hermione anywhere.

"Where on earth is she?" Harry muttered, then blinked as a pretty girl with straight brown hair turned. She was dressed like a Native American, helping Harry recognize Phyrrus' influence immediately, and was dancing with a tall, dark haired cowboy. "Is that. . . Hermione?"

"Got it in one," Phyrrus eyed the costume. "She did a good job. Who's she with?"

"Some Ravenclaw. Not one of our attackers," Harry scolded at Phyrrus' half glare when he heard the boy was in Ravenclaw. "Hermione wouldn't do that. I think his name's Anthony something-or-other anyway. Not someone we know. She probably met him in the library."

"What a way to meet a guy," Phyrrus muttered.

"Because the new neighbor isn't cliche," Harry ribbed back as Phyrrus turned bright red.

"Worked out for me."

"Seems to be working for her, too," Harry pointed out as Anthony something-or-other swooped in to give her a short peck on the lips.

Phyrrus made a face, crossing his eyes at his boyfriend and made Harry burst into laughter as they ordered their food. Dinner was good, the house elves outdoing themselves, and Phyrrus ate enough to look fit to burst before dragging Harry onto the dance floor. Harry, of course, wasn't complaining too loudly, especially not when Phyrrus held him close as they danced. Since they were bonded, the teachers generally gave them a little more lee-way than most students, especially with how they danced, but Harry wasn't exactly an exhibitionist and refused to grind anyway. Phyrrus didn't blame him, he would have been just as uncomfortable. That, however, didn't stop half the school from practically having sex on the dance floor. Both kept an eye on most of their friends, relieved they weren't part of the group, though they'd long since lost sight of Ron and couldn't be entirely sure.

"Phyrrus, has that girl there been sitting alone all night?" Harry finally asked after seeing her for the sixth time, always alone and looking slightly longingly at the dance floor. She was pretty enough, Phyrrus supposed, with long pale blonde hair, pale brows, and wide blue eyes. Her wide eyes made her look constantly surprised, and she looked around the room with. . . almost longing. Her wand was tucked behind one ear, and she was dressed as something neither Harry nor Phyrrus could identify.

"She doesn't seem to have any friends," Phyrrus slowly agreed, looking her over. "You know her?"

"Loony Lovegood–well, Luna, really," Ginny told them, since she and Cyrrus had moved closer to them while they'd been studying the lonely girl. "She's my year, Ravenclaw. Bit of an odd duck, she is. Harmless, though. Hasn't got any friends, really. She's just. . . really weird." Ginny shrugged.

Harry got a look on his face, and Phyrrus already knew it'd mean trouble. "She shouldn't have to be alone all night," Harry decided. "Phyrrus, go dance with her."

"What? Why me?"

"Because I'll look stupid," Harry informed him. "Now go dance with her."

Phyrrus huffed in annoyance, but went over to the girl and smiled. "Hey. May I. . . have this dance?" He wasn't really sure how that went, since he'd never danced with anyone but Harry, really.

Luna looked up, shocked that someone had asked her to dance, then frowned at him. "You're Phyrrus Lugovalos."

"Flame," Phyrrus automatically corrected.

"You're dating Harry Potter. Why are you asking me to dance?"

"Harry asked me to." Phyrrus didn't see any reason to pull punches; he doubted Luna would appreciate it, and he wasn't any good at it anyway.

Luna looked him over, then shrugged. "I don't like to dance."

"You looked lonely."

"I have friends."

"The voices in your head don't count." Phyrrus' reply made her purse her lips and glare at him.

"You're quite rude."

"My mother taught me well."

Luna laughed at that, but accepted the dance anyway. Phyrrus nearly sighed, but took her out on the dance floor, mindful not to step on her toes. She wasn't any smaller than Harry, but she didn't feel nearly as solid as his boyfriend. She was lighter and more fragile to him, looking like a single good wind would blow her away while Harry was lean with muscle. Yet another reason Phyrrus didn't like girls, they always felt so light and wispy.

The moment the song was over, Phyrrus was leading her back towards their little group to dance with Harry again. Luna watched them, blue eyes seeming to bore through them. If Harry wasn't so used to similar scrutiny from River and Rayne, he might have been creeped out. Phyrrus didn't even seem to notice. "Didn't your parents teach you manners? Staring isn't polite."

"Neither is hitting your sister." Luna retorted, seemingly unaware of the line she just crossed.

"River deserved it." Gold eyes regarded her closely. "Watch your mouth."

"You going to hit me too?"

"No. You're not my sister. I might severely hurt you."

"You're not that strong. River didn't even bruise." Luna snapped, watching him. "And I'm not that weak."

"Harry?" Phyrrus looked at Harry for permission, making the other teen nod. Ginny winced, waiting for Luna to start screaming in pain. When so shout came, she looked to Phyrrus to see him lifting Harry easily off the ground. Phyrrus' powerful muscles moved smoothly with the gesture, and Ginny suddenly understood why Harry always went weak in the knees when someone mentioned how powerful Phyrrus was. Cyrrus was the same, and Ginny knew he could lift her, she had just never thought about it in relation to Phyrrus before.

Luna was staring at Phyrrus with wide eyes. "You held back."

"I don't aim to hurt my sisters." Phyrrus easily let Harry down. "Thank you, baby."

"Don't kill anyone," Harry muttered. Louder, for Luna's benefit, he added, "And I know you don't try to hurt your sisters."

"Would you have really hit me?" Luna's blue eyes were larger than they had been. "I'm a girl, after all."

"That doesn't generally stop me. I know a lot of tough girls." Phyrrus shrugged. "Been beaten up by one or two."

"You actually admit that?" Ginny gaped.

"So has Cyrrus."

"He admits that?"

"If you could see them, you'd admit it too," Cyrrus agreed. "They're scary as hell."

Harry shook his head, relieved that Phyrrus and Luna seemed to have come to some kind of truce with each other. He hadn't realized the two of them would automatically get under each other's skin like that, though there were a select few people able to tick off Phyrrus almost automatically. Harry had met one while they were in the States. Apparently, Luna was added to the list. Even so, Phyrrus and Luna seemed to be getting along all right, and not out to kill each other, so Harry let them have their fun. "Phyrrus, can you get me a drink?" Harry used the puppy eyes to his full advantage. "I'm really thirsty."

"Be right back," Phyrrus agreed, pressing a kiss to Harry's lips and moving towards the snack bar. There was pumpkin juice, butterbeer, punch, and water, and Phyrrus went straight to the water. Harry was thankful for that, since he was dreadfully thirsty. Smiling at his bonded from across the room, Harry didn't notice it at first. The edges of the room blurred and fuzzed, Harry's brain seeming to do a brief spin in his skull. He gasped as pain seared across his scar and went to his knees, hands covering his forehead automatically as a scream forced itself from his lips.

He could hear Ginny and Cyrrus saying something in the background, but it was fuzzy and indistinct and evil laughter flitted through his mind and some kind of meeting with men in long, dark robes and white masks filled his vision for a moment. Harry's eyes widened. Death Eaters? What were Death Eaters doing at Hogwarts? Hands lifted him from the ground and Harry shouted, struggling until soft words caught his ears. "Calm down, baby. It's okay. I've got you. It's okay."

Harry gasped, the vision breaking, and he was suddenly in the middle of a now silent Great Hall in Phyrrus' arms. "I'm fine," Harry shoved several people away. "Phyrrus, put me down. I'm fine."

Harry wasn't, but he knew he had to walk out of the room, if nothing more. Phyrrus obediently dropped him lightly to his feet, wrapping a strong arm around his waist and leading him to the hospital wing. Harry crawled into one of the beds with Phyrrus, curling around the larger and breathing a sigh of relief as a sense of safety filled his heart, allowing him to relax as Madame Pomfery checked him over.

"There's nothing wrong with him," She sounded mystified. "And he nearly collapsed?"

"I felt pain and fear through the bond and he went to his knees, screaming, and it took me five minutes to get him to recognize my voice. What could have caused that?" Phyrrus sounded as shaky as Harry felt.

Madame Pomfery shook her head. "That, I cannot say." She sighed. "But there's nothing more to do now. Why don't you two go back to the dorm and sleep. I think a familiar place would be more comfortable."

"You mean he hasn't spent most of his school year in here?" Phyrrus teased, lifting a dozing Harry and situating the smaller on his back before trotting from the room as Madame Pomfery laughed.

Phyrrus was almost disturbed that Harry didn't move while Phyrrus carried him back to the dorm, face pressed into the crook of Phyrrus' shoulder, where his neck and shoulder met. He wasn't hot, and his breathing was normal, maybe even a little slow, and he seemed to only be asleep. But the worry and fear that had swamped their bond had been so intense that it had made Phyrrus think Harry was in grave danger. It had been ever worse to see him on the ground, looking so vulnerable and small, hands clasped to his forehead. "What happened to you, Harry?" Phyrrus murmured, stripping Harry and dressing him in sleep pants and changing himself before tucking Harry into bed.

"Phyrrus. . ." Harry's soft sigh made Phyrrus curl closer to his boyfriend.

"Please be all right," Phyrrus murmured as the darkness closed in on the bed.
oOooOo

Harry seemed much better the next day, though half the school was in an uproar over Harry's collapse. Phyrrus and Cyrrus were performing crowd control for Harry, just telling anyone that asked that Harry's little fainting spell had been because he'd overheated. Neither cared that it was a flat out lie, but since they weren't entirely sure what it really was, they couldn't tell. Not that they wanted to anyway. The only people that knew the truth were people they could trust explicitly. Not even Dumbledore knew the full story of what Harry had seen and heard.

Sirius, worried for his godson, had wanted to storm the castle, but Remus had managed to talk him out of it. Harry wasn't sure he'd ever been so relieved, even though Sirius had insisted that he call Harry over the floo anyway.

"This isn't exactly a. . . public call." Sirius confessed when Harry knelt by the fire with Phyrrus, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny Friday night while the rest of Gryffindor slept. "I didn't want it to be monitored."

"You're so paranoid," Ginny muttered, rolling her eyes.

"It kept me alive for a long time," Sirius pointed out, making her fall silent. "Are you really all right, Harry?"

"I'm fine," Harry leaned against his boyfriend heavily. "I really am. I've had fuzzy dreams off and on, but they don't seem to mean anything, and that. . . vision or whatever didn't either. I'm just worried because the only other time I remember my scar hurting like that was with Voldemort around."

Remus, standing next to his mate, clicked softly and shook his head. "Your meditation and Occolumancy lessons should help that. I wonder if your bond with Phyrrus has been controlling it until now. . ."

"That's hard to say," Phyrrus shrugged. "The best you can do is ask my mother. She knows the most about our bond outside of us, but she has medical jargon to back it up with."

"And it's really hard to argue with medical jargon," Remus agreed, laughing. "I'll ask her, but I'm not sure if she'll know. Harry's scar isn't exactly common, and your bond really isn't a normal case either."

"Why can't I be normal for once?" Harry rubbed his face with his hands. "Why can't I just be a regular, magical fifteen year old? Why do I have to have megalomaniac running around my brain?"

"Because then we never would have met?" Phyrrus raised one fire-red brow.

"Good point." Harry made a face, too tired to think properly. "But is it too much to ask for one normal year?"

"Yeah, well, word around the office says its about to get weirder." Sirius commented off-handedly, glancing to Remus. "We've been hearing all kinds of things about what Umbitch's going to do around Hogwarts."

"She gets worse? Great. Just great. I get visions and nightmares, my bond keeps flaring, and now Umbridge is out to make my life hell. Does this year get any worse?" Harry threw his hands up in defeat.

"She's making herself 'High Inquisitor of Hogwarts,' whatever the hell that is," Remus' frown made exactly what he thought of the matter quite plain. "I think she's going to attempt to fire as many people as possible and replace them with ministry lackeys. But she can only do that if they fail to teach well. And most of the teachers are excellent at what they do."

"Trelawny's full of bullshit," Phyrrus reminded them. "That's one down. And she's out to get Uncle Sev, so you might want to give him the heads up."

"Leon knows already. Trust me." Sirius and Remus exchanged mischievous grins. "How do you think the office found out?"

"Should have known." Phyrrus snorted, nodding. "All right. Anything else?"

"As far as we can tell, it's just Umbridge on a power trip. You lot better be careful. Don't do anything stupid, no matter what happens, and don't let her touch you with those blood quills again. Leon mentioned it, and I want to thank you for watching out for Harry, Phyrrus, but it was damn stupid to do what you did. You could have died from blood loss." Sirius narrowed his eyes. "You should have told someone."

"I did." Phyrrus pointed out. "Now we have proof. Granted it's not actually on my hands since they were almost melted off, but Uncle Leon and Uncle Sev have pictures."

"Effective scar treatment," Remus managed to joke before he and Sirius blew Harry kisses through the fire and disappeared.

Harry and Phyrrus exchanged looks. Next week was going to be hell.

The next week, Umbridge announced herself "High Inquisitor of Hogwarts," and nearly annoyed every single student in the school to the point of insanity. Harry was already cranky, thanks to the visions and bad dreams that continued to plague him, though none as terrible as those that had found him on Halloween, but his lack of sleep was apparent to all of his friends. Phyrrus was constantly watching his back, because the last time Harry had been so cranky was after a study session over the summer and Harry, to relieve his tension, had pulled a prank to rival both sets of twins.

Fortunately for Phyrrus, he hadn't been arrested for the stunt.

Even so, when Umbridge's announcement came Monday morning, Harry actually growled. "How dare she looked smug about this," He hissed, cracking his knuckles.

"And I will be monitoring each of the classes to ensure that someone. . . capable to teaching teenagers is over each of them. If I find anyone unsatisfactory, then they shall be sent from the school immediately! I won't have under qualified teachers teaching the students." Umbridge's announcement, probably meant to sound inspiring, fell incredibly flat. The students happened to like their current teachers, and if Umbridge attempted to replace any of them, she was in for it.

Even Trelawny was under the school's protection, though none of them ever thought they'd live long enough to see the day. Phyrrus idly wondered if Umbridge would live long enough to rue it. Seeing the unholy smirk on Severus' face and the mischievous look on Leon's, Phyrrus finally decided that it wasn't his business and he wasn't going to mess with it. Then he glanced over at River and Rayne who were exchanging Looks with the Weasely twins and were smiling with a few too many teeth for his comfort.

"Harry," Phyrrus squeaked as his boyfriend continued to twitch slightly.

"What?" Harry demanded, even as his eyes raked past Phyrrus and noticed the little twins. "Ah, shit."

River and Rayne had now shifted to twinspeak.

"I don't want to get arrested," Phyrrus whimpered, burying his face in Harry's shoulder.

No one dared laugh, especially not after they saw the looks on River's and Rayne's faces. Fear practically engulfed the table, and Umbridge glanced over, curious to see what had the Gryffindors so quiet. River and Rayne offered her their most angelic smiles and glanced at the Weasely twins, who twiddled their fingers at the woman. The rest of the school looked ready to duck and cover, then relieved when nothing in the immediate vicinity exploded.

"You'd think they were expecting something terrible to happen," Umbridge commented sweetly as she sat next to a pale and sweating Minerva and relieved looking Flitwick. "You--you were too?"

Flitwick eyed her like she was a moron, then turned to McGonagall. "You don't suppose they've blown something up elsewhere, do you?"

McGonagall quietly put down her silverware and eyed her half-empty plate. "I sincerely hope not, Fillius." Sighing as she folded her napkin and placed it on the table, McGonagall added, "I don't think I'm all that hungry anymore."

Flitwick looked over his plate as well. "I must agree, Minerva." He dropped his napkin to the table and rose. "Shall we?"

The two professors exited the hall quickly, looking incredibly nervous. Severus smirked and leaned over. "You might want to check your classroom for traps before entering, Professor Umbridge," He told her, giving her a toothy smile before he and Leon also exited.

It was only then that Umbridge realized that the professors really were afraid the four of them had pulled a prank together. Then she imagined the mass chaos all four of them--who had not previously joined forces for a real prank--could cause.

It was then that Umbridge herself paled and left the room as quickly as was polite. The rest of the school watched in somewhat stupefied horror as Dumbledore only smiled. Harry glanced at the old headmaster, wondering what he was thinking, and began to curse to himself.

Damn that twinkle!
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