Don't Miss Your Chance – Chapter 4 (Quaffle House)
What the Gryffindor wasn't expecting was to crash land right on top of Graham, who apparently landed where he fell.
A snicker made the pair of them look up; a smirk was on his lips.
Amusement was shown on Marcus Flint's face as he crossed his arms
"You two are quite a pair aren't you." The buff former Slytherin laughed
He had a scar across his face, it ran from his brow, across an eye, to his lip.
It reminded Harry eerily of Mad-Eye Moody. Because there was not a real eye in that socket. It wasn't the only scar that could be seen, but it was the most obvious.
The burns on his large hands thankfully seemed old and well cared for, but still looked extremely painful.
"Marcus!" Graham choked as Harry rolled off him.
Marcus' smile turned grim, "nice to know that you're still alive. Not all of us were that lucky... Potter... good to see you, taking care of this lump, I hope."
"As well as I can," Harry replied. "Just as stubborn as you though, if not more. I like the benefits though."
Marcus laughed, though it looked painful, but the former Slytherin didn't show it. But that didn't mean a thing.
Graham looked at a loss, he didn't know what to say. But he couldn't help but want to know what the hell happened. He almost felt lucky somehow.
"He was really worried about you," Harry revealed, rolling his eyes when Graham blushed and shot him a betrayed glare.
Marcus just chuckled standing up to envelop Graham in a hug.
"We've been worried too," Marcus admitted.
"We?" Graham asked choked up as he pulled back.
"Terence lives here too, he should be home from physical therapy soon." Marcus grimaced, sitting back on the couch. "Sit down." He waved his arm at the other couches calling for an elf called Mippy to bring them some tea.
"What happened?" Graham asked numbly, Terence in physical therapy? Marcus' appearance? Clearly, none of them got out unscathed.
Marcus reached up to graze the scar that ran across his face.
"My father... is what happened..." Marcus' voice was tight. "I... we... were unprepared. He didn't intend to kill me just yet. He wanted me to pay... for everything. I didn't think that Terence was going to make it. We thought you were dead..."
Marcus' voice broke off, unable to say what he had thought.
"Hey, I'm okay" Graham whispered, grabbing Marcus' hand. Harry just sitting quietly, letting the friends reassure each other.
"My father tried to kill Terence in front of me," Marcus finally continued. "He severed Terence's spine with an old family favourite. He may never walk alone again."
"That isn't your fault," Graham was quick to respond. "Terence's family are just as dark as ours and would've punished him for not taking the Dark Mark anyway."
"That's what Terry said," Marcus chuckled softly. "We've been living with Oliver and Percy since."
Graham nodded; his lips felt dry all of a sudden.
"They tried to kill me as well... might have succeeded too... if not for Harry. I figured it was better to die at Hogwarts than that Manor."
"You were his pet cat, weren't you?" Marcus snorted, piecing together what Graham wasn't saying pretty quickly.
Graham's cheeks flushed bright as Harry started snickering in the background.
"Of course, you were." Marcus smirked. "So what? Now you're together?"
Graham ran a hand through his hair, "something like that. What can I say, Harry can be a bit persuasive."
Harry snorted, "more like the other way around..."
Marcus smirked; it was a good look on his friend to have a Gryffindor attached.
"Marcus! We're home!" Oliver's voice came from the front door.
"In here with guests!" Marcus hollered back. Graham's eyes went wide as Oliver entered the living room. Terence sweating and looking tired in the wheelchair Oliver was pushing.
"Terry!" He cried with a grin, standing up and in two strides meeting his friend. Leaning down for a hug.
"Still hate that nickname," Terence grumbled as he latched onto Graham.
"I thought you hadn't made it out," Terence whispered with a tear. "Thought Alaric had gotten you."
"He almost did," Graham admitted. "Harry here saved my life."
Oliver's head snapped over to the single couch. "Haz!" He greeted cheerfully.
"Wasn't expecting to see you till summer!"
"Though it wouldn't have been because of him... it would have been because of Threa," Graham's words were slow, as if remembering back to that night.
His mother had always been the more inventive and crueler with her curses. No doubt his father would have done the killing blow. And probably would have tortured him slowly if the wizard had his way. He hadn't given them that chance.
Harry moved, pulling Graham with him, pushing him on the couch and sitting in his lap. Harry's arms wrapped around his shoulder. "It's okay. You are safe and with your friends," Harry whispered.
Graham nodded, breathing slowly.
"He's good for you," Terence noted from his wheelchair, leaning over to grab some tea. Oliver taking the couch next to him.
Graham's arms circled around Harry's waist, loving the feel of him in his arms.
His eyes glanced over to Marcus and then back to Terence. He was almost scared to ask but did it anyways.
"What—what about Adrian?"
It hadn't escaped his notice that Marcus hadn't mentioned him and neither had Terence.
The atmosphere dropped suddenly. Oliver looked startled and quickly grabbed Terence's hand as the boy lost all his colour and started shaking.
Graham's voice shook, as if begging for an answer. Not even paying attention on how hysterical his voice probably sounded, "what don't I know!?"
He could feel his arm start to spasm. But ignored it like he always did. It was slight, nothing major to worry about. He knew it was the aftereffects of being under the Cruciatus Curse for so long. He had hoped it might fade within time or have better grasp over it. Though he knew that Marcus had seen his limp earlier, he hadn't mentioned it yet. He hadn't noticed it until a few minutes ago.
He wondered if Harry had noticed it and that was why he had him sit down.
"He, uh, he didn't make it out." Marcus finally grunted. "Me and Terry, after we got hurt, I apparated us out. To Adrian's. Terry was bleeding out in my arms."
Graham gulped, "something happened..."
"Yeah" Marcus nodded.
"Fucking Kieran took the Dark Mark," Terence spat, eyes hard and watering.
"What?!" Graham gasped. Adrian's older brother had always been off. The only Ravenclaw in the family ever, quiet, never talking much or making many friends.
"Adrian was trying to heal Terence and had given me some potions he had brewed in case his parents tried anything," Marcus explained.
"I was in agony, but they couldn't risk giving me a sleeping potion," Terence rasped.
"Then Keiran came in screaming about how we were all traitors and he had Floo called mine and Terry's fathers," Marcus hesitated.
"Then he cast Fiendfyre into the room we were in."
"Adrian managed to get Terry to the Floo on the other side of the room and the only place I could think of was here," Marcus continued as Graham let out a wordless cry and Harry flinched.
"They came through, all three smoking and burning," Oliver whispered hauntedly. "Percy Floo called Charlie and he bought two healers from the reserve that he trusted."
"Adrian got the worst of it, getting us through the Floo first," Terence sobbed.
"The fire got my arm and back, Terry only had his foot burnt, but Adrian. He barely had anything that wasn't burnt. His chest got the worst, and we could see his black bones." Marcus grunted looking sick at the memory.
"Adrian didn't make it to morning." He sniffed. "We buried him by the garden if you want to say goodbye."
"It was the least we could do." Oliver nodded.
Graham had to make sure his fists didn't clench, no matter how much he wanted to. He could feel that his emotions were all over the place.
He placed a kiss on Harry's neck, feeling the flinch he had given.
"I'm so sorry." Harry whispered, tears leaking from eyes.
Graham didn't reply to Harry's words, just nodding. Letting himself absorb the smell and feel of Harry. It was the only thing that was grounding him at that moment. Otherwise, he would have already lost it. He refused to cry; Purebloods didn't shed tears.
He wanted to see it... no... he needed to. But he wasn't sure if he could do it on his own.
Harry's hand threaded with his own, "go with Marcus, I'll be here if you need me. You need this."
Thank Merlin for Harry. Already he seemed to understand him, and he could feel himself falling.
Harry gave him a gentle smile; he didn't plan on intruding. He didn't know Adrian Pucey. But he knew that he meant a lot to the Slytherins around him, especially Graham. This was for Graham and Marcus. He could talk to Oliver if needed. Percy was probably still at work or asleep.
He was serious when he said if Graham needed him, he wouldn't hesitate. And wasn't that a scary reminder how deep he was in. But for now, this was something Graham needed to do.
He watched sadly as Graham followed Marcus who was pushing Terence outside one of the doors.
"Hopefully this will help them heal and move on." Oliver's spoke softly. "Not knowing Graham's fate has been weighing on them. Who knew he was with you this entire time."
Harry chuckled softly.
"Yeah, he was hiding in his Animagus form, injured by the Black Lake when I found him. Only discovered who he was and that he wasn't a real cat last night." Harry laughed. "I had no idea what had happened to the others though. I only bought Graham here in the hopes that because you and Marcus are on the Puddlemere team together you might know where we could find him."
"Fuck." Oliver shook his head. "It was bad, Haz. For a moment we thought we would lose all three of them."
"You did good Ollie." Harry smiled. "You saved them."
"They want to join us, hunting down Death Eaters and fighting. The only reason they haven't yet is that they are still healing."
"Can you blame them?" Harry muttered. "Seeing and feeling all that from the hands of their families." He shook his head.
"We don't trust Dumbledore much, but Sirius and Remus would open their arms to them, and they can help the Order with simple things to start with, just so they feel useful."
Oliver nodded, "because of some of the information they knew from listening in on their families, Percy was able to get a message to Remus and they saved Madam Bones from the Carrow twins."
"I'm glad," Harry whispered. "I know I won't be able to convince Graham to not help me. He is too stubborn for that and I'm not about to tell him he's not allowed to have the revenge for what's been done. Just like I won't say the same to Marcus or Terence. Merlin… I can't imagine what that was like for him. Well… maybe I can, a little bit at least. Did… did they ever talk about it, before Graham asked?"
"Not really," Oliver shook his head. "One of Charlie's doctors from the Romanian reserve that helped healed them. He was also trained in mind healing, so he talks to them twice a week when he Floo's over to get up on them. But they don't like it and put up a fight."
"I would be surprised if Marcus didn't put up a fight," Harry snorted. He didn't know much about the Slytherin, but he knew that he was prideful and stubborn.
"I get where they are coming from," Harry admitted, "I hate talking about all the shit that has happened to me, Sirius is the same. But Remus made us do it, and it did help. Maybe in the beginning, I didn't see much of a point of it. But I eventually agreed with him that it did do some good."
"What are you going to do about the war and all?" Oliver asked. "I doubt that Hogwarts is going to be safe next year."
"Are you kidding." Harry snorted. "Sirius didn't want to send me back this year after Umbridge and the fight at the Ministry. He won't let me go back after he hears what these guys went through trying to leave. Dumbledore is getting weaker and Voldy knows this. He will try something between now and the new school year."
"Your godfather does have a point, though. And you already know what they would say about Professor Dumbledore," Oliver said, grimacing as he recalled each rant.
"Remus agreed to home school any of the children of the Order next year if needed. That way when this shit is over if we want to still get our N.E.W.T.S., we can." Harry nodded. "Sirius went onto a rant about how that isn't something we should be worried about considering the state of the Wizarding World. But Remus just rolled his eyes and said how is learning Defense Against the Dark Arts at the NEWT level not a good idea in a Wizarding War. Padfoot sulked for an hour after that."
"It's always funny when those two argue constantly, but then if Dumbledore questions either of them, the other jumps in and is like no. Only I can doubt them. You shut up and listen." Oliver nodded with a smirk. The always made him laugh in Order meetings and it was frustrating when Molly and Dumbledore didn't listen to them and degraded them. But the two always had a comeback and sassed anyone who looked down on them.
Harry's eyes flickered towards the door once it was opened back.
The first one he saw was Graham.
He looked a little tense yet somehow not as rigid as he had been sitting down. He was limping as he walked, his arm twitching every other step.
Marcus was behind him, wheeling Terence back into the room.
Graham's lips twitched as he met Harry's eyes.
"What are you talking about?" the words weren't suspicious, just curious.
"How big your cock is," Harry grinned.
Oliver, who was taking a drink of water, suddenly spit it out across the floor.
Terence and Marcus immediately burst into laughter as Graham went bright red and stuttering.
"It's not, I mean, oh Merlin just let this end..." Graham groaned as his friends started teasing him.
"Oh, so it's not big then?" Marcus snickered.
"So, what, you stuffed your Quidditch pants then?" Terence cackled. Oliver found himself grinning happily, it was the most he had heard Marcus and Terence laugh and enjoy themselves since they got to his house.
"He could have shrunk," Marcus snickered.
"Guys!" Graham cried, "Come on! Enough about my junk."
"Technically Harry was the one that brought it up," Oliver commented, sending a playful glare over to the small Gryffindor.
"I enjoy it," Harry shrugged, "It's good junk." he added with a wink.
Graham sat down, pulling Harry into his lap and placing his hand over the pouty lips he loved so much. "That's enough out of you." He growled playfully as Terence wiped tears from his eyes and Marcus tried to get ahold of his breathing again.
Marcus turned to Terence, "you know, he never did say if he shrunk or not?"
"mhfj" Harry's response was muffled but the suggestive waggle of his eyebrows was enough for all three of the Slytherin to laugh and Oliver to pretend to gag.
"Okay" Oliver cried, "I don't need to hear this shit about my baby brother."
Graham slowly lowered his hand, having a feeling that Harry was doing this just to tease him.
"It wasn't like I was going to share the details..."
Oliver just rolled his eyes, knowing full well Harry was very much like Sirius, Fred and George, he would share those details if it got the reaction he wanted.
"Now, unfortunately, we do have something serious to discuss," Oliver continued with a sigh, he didn't want to be the one to bring down the mood. But he had a meeting with a small section of the Order who don't fully trust Dumbledore but still fought for the Light.
"What's going on?" Marcus asked as he sat back down, making sure Terence's wheelchair was rolled in close enough for the light-haired brunette to reach the fresh tea, scones, and finger sandwiches that Mippy popped back into the room
"Now, why does that sound like it's not good," Graham remarked
Harry didn't say a word, he had a feeling he knew what Oliver was about to say. Given their conversation before Graham walked back in.
"I've got a meeting tonight," Oliver spoke, "With some of the only ones I trust to fight alongside in this war," Oliver paused looking over at Marcus, Terence, and Graham.
"Me and Harry have agreed, we won't try and stop you from fighting with us. It would be futile to try, and you deserve your revenge and the choice in this war." He held up a hand when Marcus opened his mouth. "That being said, you have to heal to the best that Healer Boxx says you can recover to, and he signs you off before you join us in the physical fights. I will not lose you guys because you weren't healed enough and weren't able to dodge when you could have two weeks later."
"Oliver," Harry hissed. He didn't like the idea that Oliver practically implied for them to try to sacrifice themselves for a war. He wouldn't be in this damn war if it weren't for that blasted prophecy. But beggars couldn't be choosers.
"Haz, they want to fight, and unfortunately they do know the Dark side better than any of most of us, except maybe Sirius." Oliver sighed, "You didn't want me, Percy, Fred and George fighting when we left Hogwarts either."
"I wouldn't be fighting if I could," Harry pointed out. "And it's not like I could convince you otherwise."
"We want to fight." Marcus nodded, "I know too much, it's why my father tried to kill us."
"I can help with everything besides the physical side," Terence nodded, "I was taught some of the Darkest Arts to exist and I want to make them pay for what they did to us. To Adrian."
"I wouldn't be fighting if I could," Harry pointed out. "And it's not like I could convince you otherwise."
"This isn't just any one person's fight," Graham agreed with Oliver, "We want to help you, so you aren't alone. And snake face has to die."
"We want to fight." Marcus nodded, "I know too much, it's why my father …
Harry looked hesitant on that. He may not know exactly what happened to Graham, he didn't want to take away his right for revenge. But he didn't want for him to die either.
"I'm not saying that you shouldn't fight, I just don't want you losing your lives and force you into a fight..."
"You aren't forcing anyone to fight," Oliver sighed as if he had tried to explain this a lot.
"This is all because of me!" Harry cried, "My parents died because Voldemort wanted me. Sirius went to prison because Dumbledore wanted me to grow up malleable. Cedric died as a spare because Voldemort needed my blood to return. Sirius lost a hand and has a rasping whisper because he took a cutting curse to his throat that was meant for me last year." Harry sobbed as Oliver took his hand into his and Graham wrapped his arms around the petite Gryffindor in his lap tightly, as he whispered soothingly into his ear.
"The last thing I wanted was my chosen family to all stand up and want to fight my fight. I'm the one who has to finish this, I might not make it out, but I need to know everyone else is safe and can live their lives the way they deserve."
"What do you mean you have to be the one to finish this war?" Graham demanded, he felt his heart sink and his gut screaming at him at the words, there was a sadness and resignedness to his tone.
"Wait... you don't know? Any of you?!" Harry asked, surprised.
"I know!" Oliver grinned sardonically. "But I agree with Sirius that its fake and bullshit."
"Didn't stop Him from believing in it," Harry reminded the former Captain. "And you don't count!"
"Are you going to fucking explain already!?" Marcus grumbled not liking being left out of something obviously so important.
"Voldemort came after me and my parents because of a blasted prophecy," Harry explained, though it ended in a grumble.
"A prophecy?" Terence repeated, "from who? True prophecies are extremely rare."
"They are if you believe in them and make them happen," Harry muttered darkly. "And Dumbledore neglected to tell me who it was and the Unspeakables won't say a thing..."
"I've heard Sirius and Remus' guesses and if they are right, the entire thing was faked" Oliver scoffed.
"You really think that will make a difference. He still believes it and wants me dead!" Harry scowled.
"Yes, but maybe you will finally let go of this bullshit about going alone." Oliver cried exasperated.
"I would joke that both of you are arguing like you're bonded, but Ollie kind of has a point," Terence pointed out.
Graham glared at Terence, "don't even."
Terence just gave him a cheeky grin from his wheelchair.
"Fine, whatever. Won't go alone. Happy," Harry grumbled.
"Ecstatic..." Oliver commented dryly.
"So, who are you meeting and what can we do?" Marcus asked seriously leaning forward eagerly.
"I am only meeting with a small group tonight." Oliver nodded, "There was an Order meeting last night that some of us couldn't make it too, so we need a rundown of what happened there and our next moves."
"So, you know that he's planning an Azkaban breakout," Marcus drawled
"What?" Oliver gasped, swinging his head so quick Graham swore he could have snapped it.
"I didn't fucking stutter, " Marcus grumbled.
"He's been planning it for months. Maybe a year," he shrugged.
"Shit." Oliver groaned, "why didn't you mentioned anything earlier?" He asked, not accusingly but still confused.
"With everything going on and how long we been bed rested, I had assumed it had happened already and then forgot about it." Marcus shrugged. "Graham mentioned outside that least only Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan had gotten out last year, the rest of them still suck out there for now."
"Besides, it's not like any of the precious Order of chickens would take the word of a slimy Slytherin," Marcus replied. "So, why bother. Most of them just stare up Dumbledore's arse anyway."
"Hey," Oliver scowled, "You know I would. Not all of them are Dumbledore's dummies."
"I obviously know that since I just told you something that'll get me killed. But that's nothing new," Marcus snarked.
"Though, if you are feeling up to it, you can come with me to the meeting tonight?" Oliver asked biting his lip nervously as he thought about the pros and cons.
He shrugged, "better than sitting around and doing nothing. But if they raise a wand, I'm cursing their arse."
"Merlin, it's like we are back on the pitch in Hogwarts," Terence laughed as he watched Oliver and Marcus snark back and forth.
"Piss off, Higgs," Marcus growled without bite.
Terence just stuck his tongue out maturely.
"So, whose there tonight?" Harry asked curiously, leaning back into Graham's chest with a soft smile.
"I know Sirius will be there, Remus is usually there to try and control him." Oliver laughed as Harry snorted with a nod of agreement. "Andromeda or Tonks will come, I think first name Zabini is coming tonight as well. Bill is coming but Charlie and Percy can't make it both on missions at the moment."
"That's not many," Harry bit his lip.
"We have to be careful." Oliver said looking disgruntled. "Molly 'I know better than everyone' Weasley has been following some of us when we leave for meetings or missions.
"Nosy ass witch," Graham muttered.
"Oh, the word she is rhymes with witch," Harry sneered.
Marcus snorted at that.
"So, who's coming tonight then?" Oliver asked.
"I want to, but I don't think my body is up for it," Terence grunted, he was annoyed, but he was relearning his bodies limits and he still wasn't at a good strength, and he had already gone out for physical therapy, which took a huge toll on him.
"I am," Marcus nodded. "You can watch the memory afterwards and anything you want passed on I will." He offered Terence with an understanding smile.
"I doubt you need another snarky Slytherin to tag along," Graham commented. "Besides, Marcus will make sure his presence is known."
"You are welcome to come," Oliver said at the same time as Marcus said, "Oh fuck off."
Graham grinned at him, "my point exactly."
"Bollocks! And it has nothing to do with that you want to shag Potter?" Marcus shot back.
"Have you seen him?" Graham smirked, Harry blushing bright red. "I would be crazy to miss out on this."
"And you are also welcome to stay here if you need it." Oliver offered, ignoring what Marcus and Graham said. "Percy might complain about being overrun with Quidditch players, but let's be honest, he is outnumbered already."
Despite the blush, Harry still tried to make sure his voice didn't shake. Last thing Graham needed was an ego booster. And he definitely didn't want to pop an erection, especially in front of Graham's friends and Oliver. He would never be able to live it down.
"You can stay here; you should catch up with your friends. Both of you thought each of you were dead. It's going to take more than a few hours of talking."
"Are you sure?" Graham asked unsurely. He would love to be able to stay with Terence and Marcus for a bit longer, maybe go to the meeting and help out. But at the same time, he didn't want to leave Harry to go back to Hogwarts alone.
Harry leaned forward to seal their lips together, "I think a poor Gryffindor like me can survive just fine without a Slytherin protector that wants to growl at anyone who looks at me. And it's not like I don't know where you're at."
Marcus snorted a laugh earning himself a flip of the finger from Graham. Which only made him laugh even harder.
"You can always come back whenever you are ready."
Harry had a grin on his lips, "Besides, I think you'll find this place will offer enough protection. It's not Hogwarts, but it's not a bad second best."
"Thank you." Graham whispered, pulling him in for a deep and loving kiss.
Harry looked confused after the kiss broke, "for what?"
"Being an idiotic Gryffindor that this clobberhead needed," Terence chimed in.
"For being you," Graham said softly, completely ignoring his friend.
Harry was stunned by the answer as a smile creeped on his face.
"I'm glad, because I wouldn't be surprised if your friends decided to curse you if you didn't stay longer. And so would I."
"We would also curse him if he stayed too long." Terence piped up.
"He's fucking annoying." Marcus added with a smirk
"Well, I should head back if I want to make sure Dumbledore doesn't miss me and go looking." Harry groaned letting his head fall on Graham's shoulder.
Marcus gave a heavy scowl but didn't say a word.
"Going to miss you tonight." Harry whispered as he kissed him.
"We are still here!" Terence cried as Graham pulled Harry in further for a deeper kiss, his hands gripped Harry's waist.
Graham flipped Terence off while he was still preoccupied with Harry's lips.
How someone could feel and taste like home after a night together was a wonder to him. But he truly found it here, with Harry. Someone he could have a future with, and he would do anything to make sure they had that, even if it meant taking down the evil mastermind and leader of the dark himself. He wouldn't let Harry taint his soul with a murder. He had already cast the killing curse at fourteen, being taught on animals to avoid being Crucioed by his father. That didn't mean the bastard didn't do it anyways.
"Don't tell Siri tonight, yeah?" Harry asked, "I want him to hear it from me."
Oliver snorted, "I don't feel like being interrogated. So, if they find out, it's not from me."
"We can tell them together when we go back to yours for summer." Graham nodded.
"Oh, you made plans to stay with him already?" Terence winked.
"He offered; I wasn't going to turn those green eyes down."
Marcus let out a loud laugh, "I bet you just couldn't."
"Alright, well you guys can come up for a game plan," Harry laughed, "And I will head back, and I should make it back in time or lunch. Thank Merlin it's Saturday."
"If you dawdle any longer, you're going to wind up staying too," Marcus grinned. "And I rather not be next door for that."
"He's a loud one too," Graham smirked, dodging the pillow thrown by a gagging Oliver.
Harry's face tinted pink, "you're terrible..."
"No, I take that back. You're all terrible."
"You love it," Graham teased, walking him over to the fireplace. "Be careful around Dumbledore and I will see you tomorrow." He promised kissing him sweetly on the cheek.
"Maybe find a way to take you on a real date." Graham thought aloud, smiling at Harry's bashful smile.
"I would like that."