Luminescent
Part Sixteen
Unfogging the Future

Disclaimer: Since I had to get a real job, that cuts into my writing time, I still do not own Harry Potter. Go figure. However, the Lugovaloses, as little as I usually like to claim them, are mine.

Warnings: Slash. Of course. Sap. Squealing fangirls. Angst. That should cover it.

Author's Notes: I'm sorry it's been so long. I've been battling writer's blocks in the worst way, and my beta's been busy as hell. So. . . we all suffer in one way or another. As I said in the disclaimer, I do have a real job (since I have sucessfully graduated) and it really cuts into writing time. I need to start planning my life out again. My beta will be busy for awhile while she gets back in the swing of things, since she's still in school, and I'll be on and off the writing thing until I get myself straightened out for scheduling. I do have a lot I'm working on, which is not only what you see on but also some original ideas that need completed since I want to get a book out someday.

I also want to point out that the stone I put in Harry's ring is my absolute favorite. Google it or something because it's beautiful and when I get my own ring I want that stone attached. To bad I'm currently single. Lol. I will also admit that I didn't choose the stone because it's my favorite. I ran across it looking for a stone for Harry, and I thought it fit nicely. I just fell in love with it in the process.

To Chibi Trix: Well, it's not the rest of it, but it is more. . .

To momocolady: I wasn't offended. If last chapter had been any sweeter I would have been worried about cavities! Lol.

To Everyone: Thank you all for reviewing! It makes me so happy that everyone likes this so much! I am pleased to announce that I have started some revision on book three (though none of it is currently posted), and I've been working on that while I've been trying to kick the crap out of my writer's block. So far it's not been too bad. My plan is to finish this book by about September or October, finish revising by December, and have the first chapter of the next book up by January. This sounds sort of long, I know, but I have several buffer chapters so I won't be done posting this book for awhile even after I actually finish writing it.

So, happy reading and I'll do my best to keep everything move. As always, please remember to review and, also as always, I never hold my stories hostage for them. I just like to feel warm and fuzzy inside. But I do ask one more favor. . .

ENJOY!
oOooOo

Harry found himself the center of attention the next few days, hardly able to get peace and quiet long enough to order Phyrrus a ring of his own. Most couples both exchanged rings to show they were promised to be joined, mostly to show their equality in the relationship. Harry had only gotten his first because Phyrrus had done the asking. If the elder hadn't beaten him to it, Harry had been planning to ask on Valentine's day. A little sappy, but Harry hardly minded. He had the ring rushed, which had cost him extra, but since he no longer had to buy his books, he knew he would still have plenty of money. It was worth it, anyway, since Phyrrus had gotten it before they started back to Hogwarts.

Harry glanced at his ring and smiled. The slender band was made of tungsten, and was very dark, almost black, and contrasted perfectly with the stone. The main stone called a Zultanite. Harry had never heard of the stone before, but it shifted from pale green outside or under florescent lights, to a soft champaign color in candlelight to a pale yellow in regular muggle lighting. Two small diamonds sat on either side of the larger stone, though all three were inlaid into the band so they wouldn't snag on things. Neither of them could afford to have their rings snag, considering they were supposed to be fighting in a war. "Phyrrus?" Harry twisted his ring, sounding unsure of himself. "You like yours, right?"

Harry had found a ring in a vibrant fiery yellow, almost the same shade as Phyrrus' eyes. The stone scheme was similar, two diamonds on either side of a larger stone, but Harry had chosen a sapphire, though not one of the ordinary blue. The one Harry had found was a brilliant reddish-orange. He had been so proud of it, and Phyrrus' jaw had dropped in disbelief when he'd seen it. That alone had let Harry know he'd chosen well. He had also, like Phyrrus, engraved a message on the inside. Love, Honor, Eternity. What would, after they were joined, be their vows.

"I love my ring, Harry." Phyrrus' face lit up with his smile as he pressed a kiss to his bonded's lips. "It's amazing. You like yours, right?"

"It's perfect." Harry returned the kiss happily, knowing Phyrrus wouldn't lie about the ring. "I can't wait to show Ron and Hermione!" He settled back into his seat on the train, his green eyes bright. Phyrrus tugged him closer to cuddle with him, laughing a little. He knew the two would be surprised, since he hadn't told anyone about his plan to propose to Harry.

Hermione, once she arrived, cooed over the rings appropriately, and then admired the other jewelry the two were wearing. The key Phyrrus had given Harry earned him a hug, and the earrings made her go sappy with delight. "You two are so cute! Are you going to take them out at Hogwarts?"

"Hell no," Phyrrus snorted. "I doubt anyone but Umbitch will complain anyway, and I happen to like them. Besides, there's nothing in the handbook saying I can't wear them."

"I checked." Harry smirked. "Nowhere does it say anything about boys and jewelry. If someone wants to bitch about it . . . I really don't care."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Phyrrus is rubbing off on you," She commented as everyone else trickled in, admiring Harry and Phyrrus' rings and sharing their own tales of the holidays.

"I'm glad," Harry teased, hugging her tightly and settling back in his seat as the others entered. Talk and laughter abounded on the Hogwarts Express as they shared stories and food and company, playing a few games of exploding snap and watching Cyrrus and Ginny attempting to recount something funny they'd seen on a date. They also spent part of the ride greeting friends. Cyrrus and Pansy had really hit if off, to Ginny's annoyance, though she and Pansy were a lot alike too, and they were all having a great deal of fun.

The day seemed to fly by, and when it was all said and done, they made their way to their rooms, utterly exhausted, but happy. Falling into bed, they mentally prepared themselves for classes the next day and quickly fell fast asleep.
oOooOo

The school was bustling with activity as student arrived back from the holidays, meeting up with friends that had stayed and buzzing with news. Harry felt his eyes almost cross at the confusion, and wonder how he'd never noticed it before. But he'd always been looking forward to his friends' return, and when they hadn't gone home, he hadn't bothered to be out to meet them. Phyrrus quickly led the way to the tower, where the noise readily dropped several decibels, and sighed in relief. "Didn't they do enough of that on the train?" Phyrrus grumbled, sinking into a chair.

Angelina half turned to see him, and noticed something on his hand flash. Dark eyes glanced to Harry as well, and a sudden squeal overtook the common room as she turned to tell Katie, who told Lavender, who told Pavarti, who told the girl next to her, and the cycle went all the way around the room. Phyrrus' golden eyes grew wide as the girls circled them, and Harry winced, trying to back away and tumbling straight into Phyrrus' lap. "Ring! Ring! Ring!" The girls chanted, and the two quickly held out their hands.

In the subsequent admiring of said rings, Harry could have sworn he nearly lost his arm once or twice, and he knew both he and Phyrrus were nearly yanked from their chair.

"Damn vultures," Phyrrus muttered, not quite cringing because that would have been unmanly, though he was almost ready to admit defeat and watch his masculinity go fleeing the scene.

As soon as there was a break, the two raced to their dorm to get ready for bed and burrow fearfully under the covers and whimper to each other. Their dreams were filled with nightmares of squealing girls, and when the two went to breakfast the next morning, those nightmares were readily realized as most of the school had to go see their rings up close and coo over them like they'd never seen such a thing before. Both boys were quickly getting annoyed. That and Harry was in danger of getting trampled.

"Oi, oi!" Fred shouted, butting into the group. "Leave the lovebirds alone!"

"Hey!" George shouted, not wanting to be left out, "Yeah! In case you haven't noticed, it's time for class!"

Phyrrus, thankful for the intervention, let Fred and George bully their way through the crowd while he towed Harry along and raced toward their first class of the day. Potions.

Severus, in a good mood thanks to the break spent with Leon, actually winked at Harry as he entered, nearly giving Harry a heart attack because Harry could count on one hand the number of times he'd ever seen Severus wink. He'd have five fingers left before that period. Now he only had four. "Phy--Phyrrus, did. . . did he just . . . wink at me?" Harry stuttered out, not entirely sure he even believed it.

Phyrrus blinked, but shrugged. "I'm pretending I didn't see it, so I can't tell you."

Harry glanced at Severus again. "Good idea."

Harry sat at the table, joined shortly by Phyrrus, and watched Neville settle in next to Draco, Hermione and Ron set up a cauldron, and Pansy move to work with Cyrrus. Apparently she thought he was a good partner, even if he was the scum of the Earth for not being rich. Phyrrus snickered. Ginny would be beet colored if she could see Pansy. The girl was all over Cyrrus, and Cyrrus, in typical male fashion, had absolutely no idea.

Harry had to wonder if Phyrrus knew he was just as clueless. Harry had stepped in a couple of times when girls were hanging all over his boyfriend, and Phyrrus had no idea. He'd given Harry this funny, blank stare, and tilted his head. Cyrrus, currently, was doing something very similar. Harry sighed. Whatever the case, he wasn't going to point it out.

He didn't have a death wish.

Severus hid a snicker, then turned to the front and tapped a pointer he'd gotten from one of the Lugovaloses for Christmas against the board. The class fell silent at the effect, soft as it was, and Severus smirked. He'd have to thank her later. Pointing to the latest recipe, Severus quickly began class.
oOooOo

Following Potions, Harry and Phyrrus headed toward Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione rubbed her hands together, a little excited to see how Umbridge would react. "You're such a deviant," Phyrrus teased.

Hermione gave him an unreadable look before smirking. "Like you have room to talk."

Harry laughed outright, though Ron rolled his eyes. The four stepped into the room, and Umbridge practically pounced on Phyrrus and Harry. "No jewelry in the classroom!" She barked, and Harry blinked at her.

"That wasn't covered under classroom rules, and it's not against school rules," Harry pointed out. Umbridge scowled at him, but looked torn. Everyone in the class knew she was afraid of the retribution the Lugovaloses would deal out if they felt Harry or Phyrrus had been treated unfairly. She was also terrified of what Grandma Lugovalos would do to her if she thought Umbridge had hurt any of the children at Hogwarts. Umbridge finally glared and turned away, snapping at them to get in their seats.

Harry and Phyrrus exchanged looks and shrugged at each other, grinned, and took their seats. They were still across the room from each other, since Umbridge had decided the easiest was to keep them apart was to assign seats. Neither boy was sure what method she used, because it almost seemed she'd gone alphabetically, until she got to them. Harry sighed and sat down, pulling out his book and reading quietly, using the special breathing that Severus had taught him for occulmacy.

Before he could sink deeply into the pattern, pain seared across his scar, making both him and Phyrrus scream in pain. Harry collapsed to the floor, clutching his scar. Phyrrus managed to get to his side and lift him before the pain drove him to his knees, but even he could tell it was tempered by the bond they shared. Harry was feeling at least three times the pain. Phyrrus held Harry tightly, soothing him the only way he knew how. He held the smaller tightly and pressed kisses to his scar, trying to overpower whatever was being sent over the scar to cause Harry so much pain.

Harry arched again, screaming, and then both of them collapsed to the ground, limp.

Hermione screamed.
oOooOo

Harry groaned and shook his head, blinking stupidly. "What's going on?"

"I'd rather like to know that, too," Phyrrus rubbed his aching head. "Are you all right?"

"My head is killing me," Harry grunted, leaning forward. "Where are we?"

There were two paths, one glowing brightly. White and gold twined together to form the brilliant path. The other path branched from the main one, a ghostly blue. The two frowned, looking carefully at the paths. "What's this?" Phyrrus studied the path for a moment, frowning. Harry continued to look around. Everything around the paths was black; there was no sky or ground, other than the paths.

"I think . . . I think this is our bond," Harry bent closer to the bright path. "Look, you can still see cracks in it, where we haven't completed it yet."

"What's that ghostly one, then?" Phyrrus moved close to it, but didn't touch. After some of the things River and Rayne did, he knew better than to touch anything he didn't recognize. Harry leaned in next to his boyfriend, frowning at the second path.

"I think that's my connection to Voldemort." Harry rocked away from it, and would have fallen if Phyrrus hadn't moved to catch him. "Don't touch it."

"Why's it glowing?"

"What?" Harry shifted to look at the road. He groaned and sank into Phyrrus' embrace. "He's happy. So very happy."

"Can you tell why?" Phyrrus held him tighter. He wasn't sure what Harry would do under Voldemort's emotional influence and had no intention of finding out.

"Not from here. If we go down the path we can." Harry sighed deeply, regaining control of himself. "It's a two-way path, but it's safe. He can't hurt us in here. We can only watch each other."

"You're sure he can't jack our bodies and take them out for a trip?"

"Hasn't been able too yet," Harry shrugged. "But I don't think I've actually walked this path much."

Phyrrus gripped his hand, following Harry down the path. Harry had to lead, Phyrrus had no idea where they were going. Harry paused for a moment when the path split into half a dozen different directions. Most of the paths were glowing brightly, but one only started that way. The rest of it slowly petered off into nothing. "And what's this?"

"That I don't know." There was one path at the end of fork, where the others all joined. "I would think he split himself into six different pieces if I didn't know better. I don't even think that's possible."

"They have legends about it. Lenny--you know, my cousin?--he used to tell me and Cyrrus all kinds of ghost stories about it. People who split their souls, then died. They came back as ghosts because they couldn't move on while their souls were split." Phyrrus gave a theatric shudder. "Scared the crap out of us for years and years with those."

"Do you think they're true?" Harry examined the pathways again.

"I have no idea. I mean, legends and ghost stories have some basis in fact, but I'm not sure if this could happen. The stories only had them making one or two copies of their souls, but anything more, I don't know. Maybe Mom would know." Phyrrus frowned. "Should we keep going?"

Harry nodded, starting down the main pathway. "We'll remember to ask when we go back. Er . . . wake up? Er . . . whatever . . . "

Phyrrus shrugged at the confusion. "Get back is fine. Anyway, should we continue to follow this path?"

"I want to know what was making him so happy," Harry began to walk again, frowning when ghostly images of that wretched door began to drift over the landscape. "That's the door I saw when I got the vision of Mr. Weasely being attacked."

"I don't like it," Phyrrus admitted, gripping Harry's hand. "Not a bit. Can you figure out what's making him so happy yet?"

"An attack." Harry breathed deeply and closed his eyes. "I'm not sure what . . . there were some muggles and a squib . . . seems like it was just a standard attack. Uncle Sev wasn't there, fortunately."

"Good. Let's get back and tell Dumbledore. Hopefully he'll know what to do with the information." Phyrrus tugged at Harry's hand. "I don't care to wait for Voldemort to find us."

Harry nodded in agreement and followed Phyrrus back down the strange path. Ignoring the fork in the road, he instinctively followed the path back to his own soul. Reaching the main road that marked his and Phyrrus' bond, they split to return to their own bodies. What did all those other paths mean, anyway? Did Voldemort really create six other copies of himself? And did that make Harry another part of Voldemort's soul? He shivered a little at the thought and sighed softly, returning to his sleeping body. If it did . . . he was going to find a way to break that connection.
oOooOo

Harry was the first to wake, his head pounding, the bond thrumming with phoenix song. He groaned and rubbed his temples, coving his eyes with his other hand. "Harry?" Hermione's worried voice made him peek out between his fingers.

"What happened?" He tried to sit up, feeling the hard ground beneath his fingers.

"You collapsed to the ground in pain, and then Phyrrus raced over here and lifted you, but collapsed and passed out as well." Hermione wrung her hands. "You're laying on my knees, and he's laying on you."

Harry blinked, then became aware of the familiar weight on his stomach. "Phyrrus?"

"He's not awake yet." Ron had a hand on the larger boy's shoulder so Harry didn't dump him on the ground. "We're not sure why."

"It's the bond," Harry carefully sat up, moving Phyrrus' head and shoulders to his lap. He breathed out carefully, trying to find the pattern without stumbling onto his bond with Voldemort. "Phyrrus," He breathed, closing his eyes.

Phyrrus.

The red head in Harry's lap gave a shuddering gasp, golden eyes snapping open. He screamed, thrashing, and flipped off Harry's lap, slamming his head into the floor before anyone could stop him. "Phyrrus!" Harry grabbed his bonded, pulling him away from the floor.

What's happening? Phyrrus was gasping and panicked, making Harry wonder how he managed to get the words out.

"It's okay." Harry hugged him, nuzzling his neck. "We're safe. It was just in our minds."

Long arms wrapped around Harry's slender waist, and Phyrrus just paused for several seconds, to breathe in Harry's scent. "I don't know what happened. You came back and I was trapped there."

"We need to talk to your mother," Harry breathed, forehead on Phyrrus' shoulder.

"You need to get out of my room!" Professor Umbridge, who had been watching the entire thing with a sick kind of fascination, finally screeched. "Before I have you expelled!"

"It was our bond!" Harry protested. "Voldemort did something to it!"

"Do you want a detention?" Umbridge snarled. "Voldemort isn't back and if you insist on lying then I will take action!"

"If you're so afraid of him," Phyrrus glowered at her, "Why don't you go hide under a desk somewhere. Just because you don't want to believe something doesn't mean it isn't true. Why don't you ask Reikatsuken Byakko? He's probably seen Moldy Ass."

"Get out of my class," Umbridge hissed, and Harry tugged the stubborn American to his feet. It was certainly time to go, and he wanted to get Phyrrus looked at by Madame Pomfery anyway.

Phyrrus glared at the idiotic professor as they left, raising a hand to offer her a one fingered salute as they walked out. Umbridge's face twisted into a disgusting snarl, and Harry gave a mental sigh. Could Phyrrus rile her anymore?
oOooOo

Chara was absolutely livid when she heard about the entire fiasco. "She didn't even call Madame Pomfery?" Chara snarled, face set in a scowl. Harry knew that if she wasn't forced to be standing at the fireplace, she would have been pacing. "Are you two sure you're all right?"

"I've checked them out myself," Madame Pomfery told the other woman, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you trusted my expertise?"

"I do, I do," Chara sighed. "But that's my son and his boyfriend we're talking about, you know."

"I can understand." Pomfrey agreed. "I'll give you some time to speak alone."

Harry and Phyrrus watched her leave, then glanced at each other before Harry put up a ward to prevent eavesdroppers and turned back to the fire. Phyrrus was already filling her in on the strange road they'd seen when they'd fainted. Chara was curious about the bond, having that strange glow, though she was a little relieved when Harry told her about the cracks still in it. He didn't take it personally, he knew as well as he did that indicated the bond had yet to be consummated.

Then they explained about the second road; Voldemort's connection to Harry. The ghostly branches had disturbed both boys, and Chara shook her head, worrying her lip. She wasn't sure what it meant, and the further branching of the road worried her. "You're sure about how many there were?"

"We walked in on the seventh." Harry replied, raising an eyebrow. "Why? You look worried."

"I can't tell you now. It's unwise." Chara looked uncertain. "Even through the charms and wards. . . there might be people listening. But I want you to tell Leon. He'll know what I'm talking about, and Severus probably will too. Keep this quiet until you talk to them. Between you two only. After that, listen to his instructions."

"Mom, how bad can it be?" Phyrrus protested.

"Do it!" Chara ordered, face hard. Harry blinked. He'd never really heard such a forceful tone from the woman before. "Do you understand me, Phyrrus Connor Lugovalos? Do it!"

Phyrrus held up his hands, cowed by his mother's growl. He had heard that tone a few times and trusted her to know what she was talking about. "I promise."

"Harry? You promise too?" Her tone had gentled.

"Promise," Harry repeated dutifully.

Chara smiled at them both. "I'm sorry to do this to you, but you have to trust me."

"You know we do." Phyrrus and Harry exchanged looks.

"Go to Leon as soon as you can." Chara reminded them, them blew kisses. "I love you both."

"Bye, Mom," Phyrrus blew a kiss in reply. Harry hid a smile. Watching Phyrrus with his mother was always so amusing. "Love you."

"Love you, Mum," Harry blew a kiss to. Chara grinned.

"Love you both, too." The fire dimmed, turning back to its normal orange. Harry dropped the wards and charms he had place up and turned to the door.

"We need to talk to your uncle," Harry strode to the door. "Come on. Whatever is going on, this is serious."

Grim faced, Phyrrus followed. No matter how little they both wanted it, Harry was right. This was deadly serious.
oOooOo

"Mom told us to come here," Phyrrus whispered, hunching down under the invisibility cloak a little further. He and Harry had sneaked to the dungeons after curfew, trying to speak to Leon and Severus without everyone knowing.

Serverus glanced around the corridor, sighed and shook his head. "Just some tricksters, Leon," He called, stepping out further, but leaving the door open. Harry and Phyrrus slipped inside. "There's nothing here."

"Trickersters, even in Hogwarts?" Leon smirked and winked at the boys. "I thought only idiot muggle teeangers in America did stupid shit like that."

"Obviously not," Severus closed the door. "Clearly idiots participate the world over."

Leon nodded, pulling out his wand and starting to cast charms. Severus copied him, laying layer over layer of charms around Severus' quarters. The more charms, the harder they were to break, and laying them by using separate people meant they would be even harder to get through, especially when the people were as connected as Severus and Leon. Neither boy peeked out from under the cloak until Leon gave them the all-clear. Harry was the first to duck out, glancing around. "How did you know it was us?"

"Only Phyrrus would knock on a professor's door and expect us to think he'd run away," Severus snorted. "Even if it isn't the first time it's happened. Chara told us to be on the look out for you."

"Did she tell you why?"

"Only that it was important. Go sit down." Severus glanced at Leon. "And start talking."

"It's a little weird," Phyrrus warned them, taking a seat on the couch. Harry nodded, sitting on his boyfriend's lap, winding his arms around Phyrrus' waist as best he could. He was still worn and tired from earlier, but this was important enough that missing sleep was necessary. Harry snuggled into Phyrrus a little more, getting comfortable, and started telling the two adults everything that had been happening. Leon and Severus, sitting in separate armchairs, listened critically.

When the two boys were done, the spy and the interrogator exchanged looks. "That doesn't sound good," Leon murmured.

"I knew he had done it, just not so many," Severus agreed, chewing his lip.

"Did what?" Harry demanded, leaning forward in his chair.

"Separated his soul," Severus explained. "Using very dark magic, you can separate your soul into pieces and anchor them into objects. They're known as Horcruxes. While these pieces of your soul survive, you cannot die. Not from age, not from physical harm, not from a curse. Usually men would only divide their souls into two, maybe three pieces, though. Never have I heard of six."

"Not six," Phyrrus went white suddenly, looking ill. "Seven."

Harry, Leon, and Severus looked at him, brows furrowing. "What do you mean?"

"We went in on the seventh road." Phyrrus choked, hugging Harry tightly. "And we saw six more. There aren't six of these Horcrux things, there's seven. Whatever those other six were. . . and Harry."

"What?" Leon gasped and rose to his feet, striding across the small sitting room. "What do you mean?"

"We got there on a path that linked us to the rest of the Horcruxes," Harry felt his belly clench as he realized what Phyrrus meant. "That path had to come from somewhere. When the curse rebounded, he must have left part of his soul in me. That means I am the seventh Horcrux. He never meant to make so many. . . I was an accident."

"I have to loose you to save the world?" Phyrrus' golden eyes were filled with tears.

"I don't know." Harry teared up as well. "That's not fair! I don't want this! I never wanted this! Why did it have to happen to me?"

"Fucking prophecy," Severus growled, making their heads snap towards him. Leon's eyes narrowed.

"What are you talking about?"

Severus paled, but continued. "Harry has a prophecy. I heard part of it, once. Trelawney made it, in truth."

"You're sure its real?" Phyrrus snorted. "That crackpot couldn't prophesy anything."

"It's real enough. I wish I had a copy for you to hear, but the only one left is at the Ministry. They won't let anyone touch it. I can tell you what little I remember of it, but that's all I know."

"Tell me," Harry demanded. "I have a feeling it's important."

"The one that can destroy the Dark Lord approaches to those who have defied him as the seventh month dies. He will be marked as his equal. . . But that's really all I remember, and I can't vouch for its accuracy." Severus sighed.

"Where in the ministry is it?" Harry looked thoughtful.

"Department of Mysteries. It's deep underground, kind of damp and dingy, round halls, like a burrow." Leon shrugged. Severus glared at him. "They're never going to see it. Who cares if they know what it looks like?" He protested.

"But I have seen it. I saw it when Mr. Weasely was attacked. Voldemort's after the prophecy too!" Harry stiffened. "We have to stop him, and I need to hear it!"

"They don't let just anyone down there," Leon reminded him.

"You can get it, right?" Harry smirked. "Besides. We can use this to set a trap for Voldemort. Soon enough he's going to get me to try to go, I bet. He can make me get the prophecy since it'll be easier to steal from me. I bet that's why he keeps sending visions along the bond. To get me to go there. So maybe we can use this against him. Set a trap."

"We won't be able to do anything until we destroy those Horcruxes," Severus reminded him. "And we can't do that until we can get that one safely out of you."

Harry sighed. "There has to be something we can do until then. Capture him or something."

Leon and Severus exchanged looks. "We'll see what we can do. You two had better get to bed before someone notices you're gone. Especially if you left Weasely in charge of making sure no one noticed."

Phyrrus and Harry exchanged looks and smiles, then pulled the cloak back on. Leon helped them sneak back out, listening for a moment as Harry and Phyrrus padded down the hall. "I don't know what to do," Leon admitted in a whisper. "To save Harry."

Severus held him close, resting his head in the hollow of Leon's throat. "We'll figure out something."

"I just hope it isn't too late."

Both men stood there for several, long minutes, just holding each other. . . and worrying. Were they really seeking to do the impossible?
oOooOo