Luminescent
Part Fifteen
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Disclaimer: As I've said (about a million times) before, I don't own Harry Potter. I do own the Lugovaloses. Not that I usually want to claim them, since they're all insane, but they are mine.
Warnings: Sap, Lots and lots of sap. Slash. Het (What the hell? I warn for slash, I'll warn for het, too! Hahaha!). General Harry cuteness and a very, very hanny end-of-chapter. But no peeking!
Author's Note: You should all kiss my beta. She got this to me (Thank you PrincessXXMoonXX!!) and I'm posting it just before I send my comp in for repairs. I'll be checking my e-mail and everything, but all my work will be on hold until I get it back. Unfortunately, it will be at least two weeks. On the bright side, you have this chapter to keep you busy.
Othere than that, I don't have much to say. There weren't any questions to answer in the reviews, and I'm still working away at the rest of the story. So, all I can say is review for me, and do me one more favor!
ENJOY!
oOooOo
Two days after holiday began, Arthur Weasely woke up and immediately asked for his family. Chara's bright smile relieved every last person. Until that point, despite all the magic, it had been entirely touch and go. But when Arthur woke, Chara knew the worst was over. Relief showed on every last face, especially when, after overnight observation of his now-mostly healed wounds, he was allowed to go home. "I'm so glad he's all right," Harry breathed, throwing his arms around Remus and grinning like a lunatic as Phyrrus led his mother to the couch where she curled up and fell asleep almost immediately. He frowned.
"I'll take her," Sirius told him, lifting her from the couch and taking her toward the bed room. It was the work of a simple spell to get her changed into comfortable sleep clothes and tucked in. The Lugovalos children all went in to give good-night kisses and then left Chara to sleep, exhaustedly, until nearly two the next afternoon.
"When you lot wake up tomorrow, come on over so you don't disturb your mother," Remus ordered, crossing his arms. Phyrrus and Cyrrus gave hurried nods and smiled at the werewolf.
"Promise," The two chorused, then laughed at each other. "We need to go Christmas shopping tomorrow," Cyrrus added. Harry nodded in agreement. It was already the twenty second and he had a lot left to buy. Normally he wouldn't have left it so late, but with everything happening, he really hadn't had much choice in the matter. River and Rayne had already fallen asleep, leaving Phyrrus and Cyrrus to put them to bed, and Harry followed Phyrrus, weaving on his feet, and fell into bed next to his boyfriend. Phyrrus only had the energy to grunt, didn't even shift to drape an arm over Harry like he usually did, but Harry couldn't find the energy to care.
They woke up all curled together and cuddled up, but couldn't remember when they'd gotten that way or if it had even been intentional. Harry finally shrugged and rolled out of bed to claim the bathroom as Phyrrus yawned and fell back asleep as soon as he'd let go of Harry. "Wake up." Harry was dressed for the day, but his hair was still dripping wet. Phyrrus blinked one molten gold eye.
"The hell you want?" Phyrrus slurred, curling back around his pillow.
"River and Rayne are awake, it's time to get up."
"F'ck." Phyrrus grunted, dragging himself out of bed. "Don' wanna."
"Don't care." Harry pulled the covers off. "Go shower."
Phyrrus sighed but moved slowly to the bathroom, showered slowly, and finally returned, dressed in a pair of track pants and a sweatshirt. "So tired," He yawned, waiting for River and Rayne to appear. Harry smiled and pressed a kiss to his lips. Phyrrus grinned, a little more awake.
"We're heading to my house," Harry explained, collecting River and Rayne and leaving a note for Cyrrus before the four left, heading down the street. Petunia sneered at them and snapped the curtains shut, making River stick her tongue out, but she couldn't do anything as Harry was carrying her rather than letting her walk.
Phyrrus smiled, kicking up snow. "This is so pretty. I love the snow. It's always so much fun."
"Snow?" Harry raised a skeptical eyebrow. He'd always hated snow, because he had to shovel the driveway in the freezing weather, with threadbare clothes and old, leaky tennis shoes. He spent half the winter sick because of his relatives' ill care, and only now realized he hadn't been ill in the winter since going to Hogwarts, where he'd been properly cared for.
"Uh huh," Phyrrus nodded, scooping some up and giving a delighted smile when he realized it was perfect packing snow. "My cousins and siblings and I always went out to play in it. Snowball fights, snowmen, snow angels, sledding, everything. It was so much fun, to spend time together. And then, when we went back in, someone had hot chocolate ready and we'd sit around the fireplace and tell stories. Grandma is the best at it. Or we'd listen to music, or watch TV. Sometimes we'd have a slumber party in the main room and make forts and tents inside and sleep in them."
"It sounds. . . amazing." Harry gave a wistful smile. "My relatives. . . you know."
"I know we can't erase the bad things," Phyrrus admitted, kicking at the ground again, "But. . . maybe we can make better memories. I don't want your relatives to rule you. I don't want things to be like that."
"It was all I knew." Harry shrugged. "It's not so bad when you don't know anything else. I don't think I could go back to it, though."
"You don't have too. You'd never have to. You have all of us, now." Phyrrus' conviction made Harry smile, warmth spreading through his limbs. Pulling the door to Sirius' and Remus' house open, the four trooped inside, shaking off snow and slush, practically drooling at the delicious smells that wafted through the main room. Remus was making chocolate chip pancakes, and Sirius was still asleep.
"I figured the girls would be up," Remus explained, and Harry stood there for a moment, staring. Remus blinked, catching Harry in a gentle hug and pressing a soft kiss to the teen's forehead. "What's wrong?"
Harry shook his head, wiping at his eyes with his forearm. "Nothing," Harry whispered, hugging Remus back. "For once. . . everything's right." Remus blinked at the whispered proclamation, but hugged his godson tightly. Harry refused to let go for several long moments, then dashed towards the kitchen. "I want to help!"
Phyrrus watched his boyfriend go, shaking his head. Harry was happy, and that meant everything was going to be all right. Remus watched with amused amber eyes, then turned to leave as well, sending Phyrrus a knowing look. "Go watch the girls," Remus ordered. "Harry and I are making breakfast."
Phyrrus smiled.
oOooOo
Once everyone--including Cyrrus--was awake and well fed, Harry, Phyrrus, and Cyrrus left the girls to head toward the mall to do some Christmas shopping. Harry still didn't know who all would be at Phyrrus' house for Christmas, but he knew part of his boyfriend's family always dropped by. He knew Leon and Severus would be there, spending Christmas with Chara and the family but would spend New Year's eve and day with only each other. Other than those two, however, Harry was clueless.
"Who do you have left to buy for?" Phyrrus pulled out a list that looked more like a novel, and held it out to his cousin. "And what about you, Harry?"
"Depends. Who's coming for Christmas this year?"
"Well, Grandma Carlisle will come, and she said she's dragging Uncle Odin along, but Grandma Lugovalos isn't coming until New Year's eve, but she said that Uncle Alvin was coming by."
"Is he bringing Serpa?" Harry wrinkled his nose. He'd met Serpa once, at Thanksgiving, and she was incredibly unpleasant.
"No idea. I mean, they are married--Cyrrus?"
The third teen had gone completely white, smacking his forehead. "I forgot. With everything going on, I forgot. . ."
"Cyrrus?" Harry grew worried. It was very out of character for Cyrrus to start acting so strangely.
"I. . . Dad and Serpa are separated. Dad says they're getting a divorce." Cyrrus chewed his lip. "He found out that Serpa was cheating on him. I don't know the details, but I asked Grandma and she said that he walked in on Serpa with. . . well. . . in a threesome with two other men in their bed."
Phyrrus choked. "Is he all right?"
"He moved back in with Grandma," Cyrrus admitted, scuffing at the sidewalk. "He says he hasn't been drinking or anything and Grandma hasn't said anything about it, so I'm assuming he's not lying. And his letters aren't. . . wobbly or anything, like when's he drunk. They look normal. I asked how long, and Dad said it was from even before Thanksgiving. Since summer, I think."
Harry gaped. "Your poor dad. We'll have to make sure he has a good Christmas. And he'll get to spend it with you, right? Not like last year."
Cyrrus grinned and nodded, laughing a little in happiness. "I'm not glad Serpa was cheating on him or anything, but I am glad he's leaving her. She was terrible for both of us."
"Maybe he'll make peach cake with you again." Phyrrus interjected, and all three laughed.
"You just want cake," Harry teased, shoving lightly at his boyfriend.
"Well. . . yeah. And, Cye? Why the hell did you not tell me?"
"I found out two days after the snake attack," Cyrrus admitted. "I told Ginny, but we were all so worried about Mr. Weasley that. . . I guess I just forget I didn't tell you. Besides, he was still settling in and I only just wrote him last night. Most of my letters were to Grandma."
"It's still good news," Phyrrus told his cousin firmly. "Don't forget next time, got it?"
Harry chuckled and followed the two to the mall. Maybe Cyrrus would have his family put back together again, too.
oOooOo
Christmas arrived far faster than Harry had planned, his days almost rushing past as he helped everyone get ready for the sure-to-come crowd. Uncle Alvin was the first to arrive, and Cyrrus threw himself at his father, clutching the man tightly. As Alvin had promised, he was still sober and drug-free, and was holding down a steady job aside from helping out at the farm. He had moved back into the farmhouse, and was hoping that Cyrrus might return to him following the school year.
Harry smiled. It was good to see things going well for Cyrrus, especially since, in some ways, it almost seemed as though Cyrrus' life had been more difficult than his own. At least it hadn't been his parents to hurt him, though having Petunia and Vernon emotionally, verbally, and--on rare occasions--physically abuse him wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Phyrrus smiled at his boyfriend, laughing slightly. "Come on, we'll leave those two to talk. Uncle Odin and Grandma Carlisle are supposed to come next."
It was not, unlike Phyrrus thought, the Americans to appear next. Rather, Severus and Leon apperated in, windswept and chilly. They grinned at everyone and held up a keg of butterbeer. Chara gave a delighted laugh and shooed them into the house, kissing cheeks and pinching their noses. The two laughed and rushed into the warmth, Leon pausing long enough to help River hang some garland and scold Alvin for putting up mistletoe.
By the time Grandma Carlise and Odin arrived, the party was almost in full swing, and everyone was having a good time. A timid knock at the door made Phyrrus turn, eyebrow raising, to pull the door open to reveal the tall, black auror. Kingsley Shacklebolt gave a weak smile. "Chara invited me?"
Phyrrus shrugged and let him in. "Come on in. Harry, get him some hot cider, would you? Mom, when were you going to tell me you had a new boyfriend?"
"Phyrrus!" Chara slapped him upside the head, making the others laugh, and Kingsley turned bright red. "We are not dating."
"Right, whatever," Phyrrus waved a hand, grinning and giving Kingsley a wink. "So, you're here for Christmas?"
"I don't mean to intrude. . ."
"I tried that one too," Severus gave a longsuffering sigh. "The only thing it got me was a boyfriend."
Kingsley choked as the door swung shut behind him to keep in the heat and the festivities started again, two merry little girls livening up the atmosphere and the other children laughing and running around the house. Chara, finally annoyed with it all, told everyone to bundle up and dragged the entire lot of them out caroling. Kingsley sighed. He'd only just been thawed. Chara just laughed at him as her children ran wild, and everyone huddled together for warmth as they sang to the neighborhood.
They were received with more warmth at some houses than others.
The lime jelly Petunia tossed at them was proof of that.
But it didn't matter, either. Because Harry had long ago decided that his Aunt's opinion didn't matter anymore. Even if her scorn hurt, he couldn't let her rule his life. Hiding his face in Phyrrus' warm coat for a moment, Harry gathered his self control, and wished her a merry Christmas.
Chara joined in, but added a few hexes for good measure.
Okay, so Harry wasn't going to let her hurt him, but after that reception, watching those hexes hit had been nice. Not to mention that the Christmas tree suddenly sprouting from her nose was such a nice touch. Chara blew the woman a kiss and a wink, making Phyrrus roll his eyes at his mother, but followed them on without adding anything of his own. He wrapped his arms around Harry, smiling. "I love you." He murmured, and nuzzled Harry's neck.
Harry shivered a little thanks to the other's cold nose, but smiled back. "I love you, too."
And even though it was freezing out, he didn't feel so cold anymore.
oOooOo
The next morning, River and Rayne were the first awake, screaming at the top of their little lungs about Santa and dragging everyone to the living room of the Lugovalos house. Those sleeping at Sirius' and Remus' wouldn't have shown up, but the little twins had spent twenty minutes constantly calling them until they had no choice but to head over just to shut the girls up. Cyrrus smiled at his father, curling up at the man's feet, and Harry and Phyrrus staked out the floor in front of the couch. Chara was curled up behind them, running her fingers through Harry's dark locks absently, smiling when Phyrrus snuggled up to his boyfriend.
Odin had claimed the armchair, sitting stiffly and looking far too serious for the occasion, and Grandma Carlisle was in the rocker, watching the group with a smile on her wrinkled face. Sirius and Remus was huddled together on the loveseat, leaving a spot on the floor for Leon and Severus who were fetching coffee and hot chocolate for everyone. Once they'd floated the mugs to people and taken their seats, River and Rayne jumped at the tree to hand out gifts.
Remus and Sirius looked proud when Harry opened his gifts from them and discovered and set of books. "Practical Defense Magic and Its Use Against the Dark Arts?" Harry flipped one open, then grinned. "These are great!"
"Oh, that looks like fun," Phyrrus leaned over his shoulder and Cyrrus joined in after a few moments, nodding in agreement.
"Stop gawking," River ordered, hands on her hips. "We've presents to open!"
Chara was next, blushing when she opened a beautiful jewelry set from Sirius and Remus, then nearly cried at the card. "A lovely lady deserves to be spoiled, and I'm sure Connor would like you to have something nice, so we thought we'd help out." Her eyes watered, and it was a spectacular battle she finally won, but she did offer a few sniffles.
When Odin was given a present, he poked at it for a moment, then opened it carefully, to the amusement of everyone in the room. Chara ribbed at him lightly, but it was all good-natured so Odin didn't complain. He as pretty used to it anyway. After opening it as neatly as he could and after folding the wrapping paper ("Does he honestly think we'll let him use it again?" Phyrrus cracked) he revealed a slender book from Chara. "Thank you, sister."
"He really is stiff," Harry gaped, and Odin quirked a smile at him.
"I wasn't kidding when I called him stiff," Chara joked, winking at her younger brother. Odin ignored her.
"Grandma!" Rayne held out a present from Phyrrus and Harry, watching the woman smile delightedly at the delicate coffee service.
Other gifts were passed around, and Harry finally paused to hold one up. "Hagrid's sent me a wallet with teeth," He announced, watching in horrified amusement when it went after Phyrrus nose.
"Watch where you toss that!" Phyrrus ordered, leaning away from the furry thing. "The fuck is it?"
"A wallet. With teeth. Anti-theft, I suppose."
"And you get money in it. . . how?" Leon finally ventured, making Harry shrug and set it aside. He'd deal with it later if it survived the day. Or give it to River and Rayne for experimentation. They'd like that. And he could just tell Hagrid he'd lost it. It wasn't his fault if the twins "found" it and were too curious to resist.
Other presents surfaced. Hermione sent a diary-like book that spouted advice about why he should do his homework, Ron gave him a huge box of Every Flavor Beans, the Weaselys (meaning Molly) had sent him a sweater and some mince pies, and there was some sort of hideous picture from Dobby. Odin raised an eyebrow on it. "Your name is on the back," he commented, and Harry gaped at it for several moments before putting it away. Chara had given him a heavy silver and black necklace with a pendent on it shaped like fire. Chara smiled and glanced to her son, making Harry chuckle and put it on. It fit perfectly, and since it was something that represented Phyrrus, he loved it.
"I wasn't sure what to get you," Phyrrus admitted, embarrassed, as Harry eagerly tore at the paper to his present. "I'm sorry if you don't like it. . ."
"I'll love anything you get me," Harry urged, pulling open the box and staring at the contents to throw himself at his boyfriend. "I love it."
Made from black and silver metal and bent to form a bracelet, Phyrrus had bought Harry the only thing he had thought would fit.
A key.
Harry nearly went into a crying fit, though had a much easier time than Chara battling it back, and admired everyone else's gifts. Hesitantly, he stared at the one in Phyrrus' hands for a moment, cheeks pinking. "I didn't know what to get you, either, but. . ."
Phyrrus smiled at opened it, not bothering to throw Harry's word back in the boy's face, then breaking out into a grin. When everyone else say it, they laughed as well. His package contained three pairs of earrings, all a brilliant fiery gold. A set of hoops, a set of "love knots" and. . . a set of tiny keys. Phyrrus laughed, carefully threading the hoops through the first holes in his ears, the keys through the second, and the tiny love knots through the third. Harry smiled and chuckled, leaning up to kiss the other, and Phyrrus gave a small laugh.
"They say great minds think alike," Harry joked.
Cyrrus opened his mouth, obviously with some sort of retort, but before he could spoil the moment, Alvin kicked him lightly in the head. He grunted and muttered something, making Alvin and Grandma Carlisle, who were closest, laugh but refuse to repeat it to the crowd.
River and Rayne rolled their eyes, then disappeared back into the mound of presents as everyone else grinned.
oOooOo
Once the Christmas rush died down and everyone made their ways back to their own little corners of the universe, Harry found himself much more relaxed. Now that the stress was well and gone, it was nice to spend some time alone with Phyrrus. Cyrrus had gone with his father for the remainder of the holidays and would port-key directly back to platform nine and three quarters on the second of January, Odin was more than happy to run away from his crazy sister, Grandma Carlisle had decided to go visit Grandma Lugovalos, and Sirius and Remus had taken off for some "quality time" to let Harry and Phyrrus have some space.
Leon and Severus had also left, and Kingsley had only been to the house for Christmas eve, though Chara wanted to make him stay since she didn't believe in people being alone for Christmas, but Kingsley had adamantly refused. River and Rayne had been banned from Sirius' and Remus', and all this led to the romantic dinner Phyrrus and Harry had made together to eat by candlelight in the house they currently had all to themselves. "This is nice," Harry admitted, leaning forward to let Phyrrus eat something off his fork.
"I can't wait until we're joined if it means peace and quiet," Phyrrus teased, pressing a kiss to Harry's palm before sipping some sparkling grape juice. They probably could have had wine, but neither cared to get drunk when no one was around to make sure they didn't so anything stupid. And it was New Year's Eve, so they really didn't want to get drunk before they could ring in the New Year together.
"Let's ring in New Year's under the stars tonight," Phyrrus murmured to Harry, kissing him lightly and giving him a smile. Harry stared for a moment, transfixed at the scene, breath caught in his throat. The candlelight was making Phyrrus red hair deepen to a dark, blood color, and his golden eyes shimmered, almost as though the candles were reflecting his eyes rather than his eyes reflecting the candles. His lips were tilted in a soft smile, and Harry felt himself fall.
"All right," Harry whispered, leaning forward to catch those smiling lips with his own, flicking his tongue across them and kissing Phyrrus deeply. Phyrrus hummed lowly, pressing closer to Harry and twining his fingers in the other's hair. Harry pulled away, a smile brightening his features, and Phyrrus nuzzled him softly.
"What can I do to make you look at me like that always?" Phyrrus whispered, caressing Harry's cheek.
Harry looked at him, almost startle. "Love me. And what can I do to make you smile at me like that?"
The gentle smile crossed Phyrrus' face again as he leaned in, hot breath washing over Harry's ear. "Love me."
"Too late," Harry answered, and smiled before their mouths met for a second time.
The two playfully flirted over the rest of their meal, feeding each and sipping out of each others glasses and trying to be as sappy as possible since no one was around to tease them. They shared several more kisses, though none as serious as the first few, and even teased each other about the garlic breath left by their food. It was nice to be alone, for a rare occasion, and not have people constantly pestering them about something. It was nice to be able to spend some time with just each other, time they had to struggle to find while at the school.
After dinner, Harry and Phyrrus basked in front of the fire, curled in each others arms, and watching some random television show. The popcorn, like their dinner, was being used to feed each other, occasionally passed mouth-to-mouth, and both got a good laugh when they tried the same technique with the soda and ended up with carbonation burning their noses. Phyrrus had sputtered for awhile before recovering and tickling Harry senseless for laughing the entire time. They play wrestled on the floor for a few heated moments before Phyrrus pinned Harry and decided that making out with his boyfriend was a better use of their time and did so enthusiastically. Not that Harry put up much protest.
A short time later found them separated and panting, but still laughing breathlessly at each other every now and then, sharing stories of their lives and pasts, Phyrrus' mostly funny since his entire family was insane and they always seemed to have a lot of fun. Harry had precious few stories he actually cared to tell, preferring to listen to Phyrrus' instead in the warm glow of the fire. Phyrrus was more than happy to oblige for some time before tilting his head and glancing at the clock.
"It's late," The taller offered, helping Harry to his feet and leading him towards their room so they could bundle up warmly. "The portkey will activate in a few minutes."
"Portkey?"
"Its hard to see the stars from here," Phyrrus explained. "So I thought we'd go away from the city."
Harry nodded, reaching for the old pen in Phyrrus' hand waiting for the portkey to activate, wondering where Phyrrus was taking him. He didn't notice the taller slip a small, wooden box into his pocket just moments before the portkey whirled them away.
oOooOo
Harry almost regretted letting Phyrrus talk him into spending the night outside under the stars as his breath misted in the freezing air, but it was so breath-taking that he couldn't find true regret in him. The moon, while not full, was growing very close, bathing the earth in its ethereal light, the white snow glowing the darkness. A light wind kicked up some of the snow, sending the sparkling flakes around them. Dozens upon dozens of stars swept over the landscape where the portkey Phyrrus had produced took them. They were standing at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a beautiful, snow-covered forest.
They had been out there for nearly thirty minutes, huddled against each other and enjoying the fragile-seeming world around them, stealing kisses and tender moments. Phyrrus wrapped his arms around Harry tightly and even led him in a waltz as the snow swirled around their graceful forms in the silver moonlight. Phyrrus smiled down at his boyfriend, and their eyes met. The warmth of love and devotion in Harry's green eyes nearly took Phyrrus' breath away.
It was nearing midnight.
"Harry?" Molten gold eyes regarded his bonded seriously.
The word alone made Harry turn to his boyfriend, heart pounding in his chest. "Hm?"
"You mean everything to me." Phyrrus reached for his pocket. "You're always there for me, and time and again you've shown that I hold your heart as you hold me. I was hoping. . . on this stroke of the New Year, we could also begin a new chapter in our lives."
Harry stared at him, lost in those golden eyes, unknowing how bright his own were in the darkness. To Phyrrus, the green stood out like a beacon, catching him with in it, drawing him to it, and reaching out to cradle him close. "Phyrrus. . . ?"
The teen held out an ornate wooden box, opening it to reveal a delicate ring inside. "Harry. . . will you begin a new chapter of our lives tonight? Will you. . . be Joined with me?"
Harry stared at him for a long moment as, in the distance, bells began to chime.
One.
Harry felt himself tremble violently.
Two.
Tears formed in his eyes.
Three.
The tears began to fall.
Four.
Phyrrus stared at him, almost expectant.
Five.
He held the box before him, the wood gleaming in the moonlight.
Six.
Harry reached towards him, hands shaking.
Seven.
Small hands closed over the box.
Eight.
They tightened, then, almost in disbelief.
Nine.
Harry felt himself finally regain the ability to breathe.
Ten.
His knees gave out, sending him to the snow.
Eleven.
The smaller threw himself at Phyrrus, mouth resting by his ear.
Twelve.
"Yes."
oOooOo