Titanium

Author's notes: I'm so happy that you all reacted so well to seeing Neville! It completely made my month, which hasn't been so grand. I'm so sorry it has taken me so very long to update this story! Between moving, the holidays (Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Blessed Yule by the way), and updating my other story Iridescent I haven't had a lick of time to myself. I will be getting in more of a swing with these next few chapters though. So our quest starts, our chess pieces are set, and our mates are to meet very soon….well one set of them at least. Anyway, thanks to SophyWaldwho just so happens to have posted our 200th review! Thank you so much for reading! Sorry I've been away from this story for so darn long! –CJG

Warning: Homosexual relationships, dark themes, violence, language, and angst. If you don't like, please don't read.

Chapter Twenty-two: That Bit about Dark Lords

Characters: Harrison Potter and Sirius Black. Location: The Shire

"Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping?!"

That loud question was the one thing that rang through Bag End as everyone packed and collected important things to take with them, Harrison and Sirius had already had bags prepared for this moment, but they had made quick work on helping Frodo pack. They had thundered back into the room once they heard Gandalf's loud explanation. The sight they found was highly entertaining, on the table was Samwise, groveling and rambling about what he had heard. What was going on, Sirius, Harry, and Frodo knew that Sam was only worried for his friends, but the poor thing always got pulled into such horrible situations.

""N-n-n-nothing important. That is I heard a good deal about a Ring and a Dark Lord and something about the end of the world but… Please, Mister Gandalf sir, don't hurt me. Don't turn me into anythin' -unnatural."

If the atmosphere hadn't been so tense at the moment they all likely would have been laughing, but everyone was simply too worried. The group shared smiles, but stayed quiet as Gandalf laid into the male Hobbit. It was easier to stay out of the way at times like this, the older wizard needed this, and Sam just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or perhaps it was the right place at the right time.

"Gandalf, go easy on poor Sam." Harry said with a small smile, slowly moving from where he stood to gently push the wizard away after he felt the Wizard had gotten it out of his system. "We're should be thanking our luck that it was Sam who was eavesdropping, and not someone else." His voice held no room for argument as he helped Samwise stand from where he had been pinned, "We have a much better punishment for you Samwise, no need to fear. The old fool likes getting a rise out of you." Though Harrison had been counseling Sam, he had also been sending a nasty warning to Gandalf, who stepped back quickly when he noticed the malice towards him.

Truth be told Gandalf knew he was often too strict with the hobbits, but most of the time it was with good reason. Or at least he thought so. He knew Harrison couldn't disagree more, and more than once Gandalf had been caught in an argument with Sirius over their treatment. To Gandalf they were children, but Harrison and Sirius had known better, they had lived year round with the peaceful creatures, and they knew that they were far more than children. They were fierce when they needed to be, they were gentle, they were caring, and they were kind. They were helpful when need be, and they always watched out for those in need. In some ways they were perfect, they were loyal, and most of all they were true. That much could be certain.

"Your punishment is to come with us," Harry said carefully, "we're going on a bit of an adventure, and I know for a fact there is no finer cook in the Shire than you. It'll be amazing Samwise, will you come?" He questioned with a welcoming smile. As soon as Samwise realized that he wouldn't be eaten, changed into some form of animal, or beaten to a bloody pulp he nodded.

"Ain't no where Mr. Frodo will be goin' without me, Harrison! You 'an bet your braids on that." Samwise said, his chest puffed slightly in pride that he wasn't hurt, but invited to join.

"Good, I've already readied a pack for you." Sirius said as he tossed a pack at Sam before the Hobbit understood fully what was going on. The pack collided with Sam causing the poor Hobbit to topple over into a heap on the ground. There was an indignant squeal (which he would later deny) that erupted from the Hobbit, but not before a snort escaped Gandalf.

Harrison didn't really understand why Gandalf treated the Hobbit kind the way he did. Really Harry didn't understand anything that the older wizard did. He spoke in riddles, and he did the exact thing he told most people not to. He was cruel at times, but gentler than one could imagine at others. It was like watching two sides war within, a saint, and a demon. Even though Gandalf was viewed as an extremely powerful, and extremely wise wizard, Harry couldn't help but look at him simply as an older, darker version of himself.

Harry played carefully with his long hair as he watched Sam and Siri bicker, he couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the sight. Tall and scraggly Sirius Black, ex-convict with a four foot something Hobbit. Sam had a kick too him when he wanted to, and even Siri wouldn't push his buttons too hard. Sam may have been a pansy when it came to Rosie, but he could hold his own for the most part. Even for being one of the more calm and laid back Hobbits.

The company walked in the presence of Gandalf for about an hour before he headed east to consult someone of high importance; apparently, no matter how great everyone thought Gandalf was, he still needed answers from someone else. Sirius personally had bad feelings about separating with Gandalf, but the older wizard insisted it had to be done. With their minds made up the parted ways, Hobbits headed towards Bree, and Gandalf headed to a place where he would find betrayal, and sadness.

They walked quickly, making use of the last shadows of early dawn. Trying to gain as much ground as they could before the sun stretched into the sky, bringing with it light, and at times extreme heat. It wasn't known for it to get overly warm during the months where the leaves drifted from their perches to grace the ground, and protect the land from the harsh snows that sometimes fell. There wasn't much snow in the Shire, to be honest there wasn't much of fall either. Normally the leaves changed on the tree, some falling to feed the ground, but the weather never got overly cold. Sure it got chilled, but it was nothing a jacket and a cloak couldn't fix.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, it was one of those cold mornings. With their cloaks, jackets, vests and long sleeved shirts, underneath their packs one couldn't tell thankfully. Harrison was in fact dreading the heat of the day.

Harry had the hobbits well cared for, keeping them close, yet seeming to walk in a rather carefree manner. They talked and smiled, trying to keep the impending feeling of dread and fear from washing over them all. They walked through fields, over pastures of cattle and horse. They moved through meadows bright with the light of the sun, along golden crops of wheat. Their pace was quick, but relaxed (much to the human and the elf's relief) and honestly they were in fact making good time.

At one point, Samwise slowly came to a stop, looking at the land mark of a scarecrow in amazement, before looking up at Harrison, whom had stopped when he noticed Sam's gait slow.

"Sam?" Harry questioned gently, slightly hesitant to break the odd sort of eye contact they held.

"This is it."

"This is what?" It was Frodo this time who spoke up, turning to see the two had stopped. The hobbit gently reached to tug on Sirius' cloak sleeve so he too would slow.

"If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been." Sam said, quite fearfully. Harry could tell why he was afraid; it was like in this one instance the world crashed down on the Hobbit. This was real, and it was happening. It was their adventure, the adventure Frodo had always wanted. While Sam would have wanted to stay home in his normal world, trying to woo the woman he loved, gardening, farming, and playing with Grace and the others. Sam wasn't sure if he wanted to take that next step.

Frodo smiled, a bright beaming smile, and slowly moved forward to Sam. They stayed quiet for a moment before the dark haired hobbit carefully took Sam's hand in his. "Come on Sam." He said as he started to turn, taking the first step into their adventure together, "Remember what Bilbo used to say: 'It's a dangerous business Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.'"

With that they were moving again. Smiles spread on all of their faces as they moved.

It was sunset when they stopped again; they had been walking for well over 13 hours, with very few breaks. For the hobbits, that was an extremely long time to go without food. When they stopped Harry made sure to set up a rather modest camp site, a small fire with a few stands with food cooking over it. All of the bed rolls were unrolled and circled close enough to the fire to knock the chill of the air off, but not close enough for them to worry about rolling in.

They ate a rather handsome dinner that consisted of hare stew, with some wild mushrooms and potatoes that they had come across in the woods. They chatted quietly for a rather long time before Harrison bedded down on his godfather's chest. He found himself falling asleep quietly to the beat of the man's heart. Hoping that tomorrow wouldn't hold too much excitement.

When would Harrison learn that it was always exciting when it came to the Marauders?