Incandescence
Part Twelve
Sorely Missed

Disclaimer: As always, Harry Potter and its affiliates aren't mind (Even if I wish they were) and the Lugovalos family uses me for a meduim and like to drive me insane on their off hours.

Warnings: This is (like the previous eleven chapters and prequal) SLASH! I've warned you, yet again. And at this point, if you have issues and are still reading, the issues probably do not stem from this.

Author's Note: Well, another chapter. Sorry for the wait, my poor beta was working her face off, and I didn't think I should post htis chapter until she'd looked it over. So, thank you PrincessXXMoonXX for beta-ing for me! I think I scared her with something else I asked her to read over because I hadn't even started cleaning it up yet. Yup, I have to edit things before I let someone else do it, or they're illegible. . . hm, sounds like my handwriting! So, many thanks to my amazing beta!

Shadow of a Shadow: Just checked it over, and Shacklebolt is black. Which is good because I might have really had issues if he wasn't. Thanks for keeping me on my toes, though! Always feel free to point out misinformation. My books are at school and I am at home, and there's a great distance between us, so I need all the help I can get!

Princess Felton: Chara's just mean. She's using her mommy-privelages of doom to make it so she doesn't have to tell them anything. You know how parents are. As long as it's not life threatening, it's your problem to solve! Well, at least mine did that.

To everyone: I'm glad you're enjoying the story and thank you for all the wonderful reviews. They make me so very happy! I love you all! I hope you like this next chapter and since I'm just babbling now, I'll shut up and let you enjoy!
oOooOo

An hour long you'll have to look. . . The melody haunted Harry's dream, making him clutch at Phyrrus more tightly. And to recover what we took, but past an hour the prospect's black, too late, it's gone, it won't come back. . .

"Phyrrus!" Harry screamed, sitting up in bed, clutching his racing heart. He was panting heavily, his sweat-soaked bangs sticking to his forehead, fear tinting his bright green eyes.

Phyrrus blinked sleepily at his boyfriend. "Harry, what's wrong?"

"I don't know," Harry panted, throwing his arms around the other. "Something about that poem, taking you away. . . something's going to happen. . ."

"Harry, I will fight to the death if they try to take me from you," Phyrrus soothed, holding Harry closer. "Don't worry so much. Hush, it's going to be okay." He lifted Harry onto his lap, rubbing the other's back and brushing Harry's bangs from his face with one, cool hand. Harry leaned into the touch for a moment, just wanting the reassurance of Phyrrus' touch, but knowing he had to remember what he had dreamed.

Harry shook his head, trying to remember what, exactly had happened in the dream. With the second task of the tournament drawing ever closer, Harry was growing worried. Something was going to happen. Something big. And it involved Phyrrus. He wasn't entirely sure how he knew it involved Phyrrus, but he knew all the same. And, to tell the truth, the thought terrified him. He had no idea what he'd do if something did happen to Phyrrus. Closing his eyes, he clung more tightly, breathing in Phyrrus' unique scent, reminding himself that Phyrrus wasn't going anywhere, not yet. "I love you so much," Harry choked, nuzzling Phyrrus' breastbone. "Please, don't leave me."

"Shh," Phyrrus continued to stroke the messy black hair before him, trying to calm him down. "You're just worried about the task in three days. Calm down. You know the charm to help you breath underwater perfectly, and I'll be in the stands, cheering you on. Don't worry, it's going to be all right."

Harry looked unconvinced, but allowed Phyrrus to lay them back down and pull him closer, still breathing words of comfort in his ear. Harry relaxed, resting his head on Phyrrus' chest, listening to his heartbeat. The steady thrum of Phyrrus' heart in his ear reminded Harry that Phyrrus was there, and there was nothing to worry about, and he slowly slipped back into sleep.

Phyrrus, however, was awake long into the night, wondering. . .
oOooOo

The night before the tournament Harry and his friends--including Phyrrus–were relaxing in the Great Hall, playing exploding snap and various other games, trying to keep Harry from getting too nervous. "Flame Lugovalos?" Professor McGonagall waved at the tall boy, waiting for him to turn to her. "The headmaster would like to see you."

"All right, Ms. McGonagall," Phyrrus cheerfully kissed his sisters good night and asked Ginny and Hermione to tuck them in since he'd be with the headmaster, then turned to Harry. "I'll be back before you know it," He told the other boy, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "Love you."

"Love you too," Harry replied, smiling. "Remember, you'll be cheering for me. Don't be too late."

"I won't," Phyrrus made his way to the transfigurations teacher, offering the new joke Chara had sent him by owl post and following her from the room. Harry watched him leave, feeling his heart sink. Something bad was going to happen, he just knew it. The others watched Harry for a moment, then realized how late it was and offered their good-byes. Ron and Harry were talking animatedly as they got ready for bed, and Harry restlessly waited for Phyrrus to return.

Around three in the morning, Harry fell into a light sleep, born of pure exhaustion. Phyrrus never came back. Harry woke to an empty bed, no trace of his boyfriend. Feeling panic overtaking him, he forced himself to get ready and make his way to the lake, terrified. Seeing one of the hair ties Phyrrus kept by the bed for his hair, Harry put it on his wrist, smiling at the small black band and smelling Phyrrus' shampoo. "Where are you, arudo?" He wondered, forcing himself to get to the lake.

Percy was judging in place of Mr. Crouch, and Anders waved at Harry from the stands next to Ron, Ginny, Cyrrus, Draco, and Neville. Hermione was missing too. Both sets of twins were behind them, also waving. "Now for the second task!" Ludo Bagman's magically enhanced voice made Harry jump. "If you managed to figure out the egg, you'll know something of great importance was taken from you last night--"

Realization hit Harry like a freight train. His face paled impossibly white, and several of the spectators wondered if he'd pass out. Despite the cool, brisk air, Harry's lips took on a blue tinge, and Cyrrus rose in his seat slightly, ready to run to his cousin's boyfriend if the need arose. He had no idea where Harry was, but Harry had, apparently, put the pieces together. "Phyrrus," Harry breathed, hardly hearing the announcements from Ludo Bagman.

"You have an hour to rescue the hostages," Ludo continued, either not noticing or ignoring Harry's pale face despite Percy's anxious looks in Harry's direction. Cyrrus poked the others and pointed, making Ginny frown.

"An hour long you'll have to look," Harry mouthed, almost like it was an incantation, trembling overtaking his thin form. "And to recover what we took, past an hour the prospect's black, too late, it's gone, it won't come back. . ." His breathing was heavy, almost like he was panting, and his chest was heaving. Ginny stared, concerned. It looked like he was about to be sick.

Ludo grinned at the mostly cheering crowd, and raised his hands. "On your marks! Get set! And. . . GO!"

The other three champions were in the water before the end of the word, leaving Harry alone on the platform in the lake, his face white and his eyes unseeing, body trembling so terribly that even Bagman noticed the tremors. The students in the stands began to whisper, wondering what was wrong with the youngest champion. Rita Skeeter smirked happily, pulling out her quill and starting to scribble. Cyrrus offered a low growl at the sight, but continued to watch Harry carefully. The boy was almost a Lugovalos, after all, and the Lugovaloses watch out for their own.

"I will always love you." Phyrrus' voice resounded in Harry's mind, a promise made so long ago, golden eyes serious but gentle, lit with the inner fire Harry had come to love so much. The tremors increased.

"I never want to hurt you, baby." Phyrrus soft hand, brushing Harry's cheek. Harry offered a thin whimper whisked away in the brisk winter air.

"I'll always protect you." Harry almost fell to his knees at the gentle promise. Phyrrus had promised it as they walked past the Dursley's home, an arm wrapped around Harry's waist. Petunia had seen them and snapped the curtains shut. Harry had been hurt by the simple exclusion by his once-family more than he had ever cared to admit.

"Don't leave me, Phyrrus."
"I will fight to the death before I do." Soft kisses and breathy promises. Harry didn't want to be abandoned again. His family's rejection had scared him deeply, wounds that were just beginning to heal thanks to Sirius, Remus, Phyrrus, and the other Lugovaloses.

"I love you, arudo."
"I love you too, baby."
"Forever?"
"Until the end of eternity." Harry shivered as he remember that admission, offered softly in the dead of night as the shadows seemed to overtake them in their bed, uncertainty and fear in every day as Chara laid in the hospital, near death. Without realizing it, tears began to drip silently down Harry's pale cheeks.

Everyone was watching Harry as he seemed to be frozen to the wooden platform. Ron frowned. "He isn't going to make it in time, he's been standing there for nearly twenty minutes." He knew the remark sounded callous, but he didn't want to make River and Rayne more scared than they were already. There was no reason to scare them even more.

"I'm worried," Ginny muttered, careful not to let the little twins overhear, leaning to one side for a better look. "Something is happening."

Harry threw his head back, and screamed, ignoring the wet drops his tears made as they hit the wooden platform. Fire seemed to build within his body, and pour out along their bond. The bond seemed to ignite and explode, blazing red in Harry's sight. The audience gasped as a single red thread of light disappeared into the water, burning hot. The water around it began to bubble, flash boiling from the heat of the bond. Harry screamed, snippets and memories still weaving through his mind.

"I never want to hurt you. . ."

Harry felt his magic pulse, the once pure white of his magic tinted with the gold of phoenix fire.

"I'll always protect you."

White light surged behind his eyes, his tears coming faster, glinting like diamonds in the early morning sun.

"Don't leave me."
"Never."

The bond began to thrum as phoenix song filled the stadium. The crowd gasped at the intesntity of the song, and Ron looked anxiously at his watch again. Another twenty minutes had passed, Harry's magic gradually building up with each pulse as it rolled off him, only to be called back. It wasn't strong enough, not yet. Harry didn't know what he was doing, but he knew he had to save Phyrrus.

"I will always love you--"

The world went white. Their bond was screaming, now, the phoenix song reaching a crescendo. Harry threw his head back and screamed. Magic exploded in a fiery burst of white light, streaming around him, washing over the lake, the platform, and the stands. The audience screamed as the lake appeared to catch fire, the water covering the visible bond exploding upward. White light raced along the bond, forcing the water away from it as it moved, clearing nearly half the lake. Harry was screaming, power overtaking his senses.

Everyone gasped when the statue the others were tied to became visible. Harry held out his hands, pure magic streaming from them. "Accio," He cried, reaching towards Phyrrus. The limp body shifted and began to move, the entire statue lifting from the lake bed and flying toward Harry, the other three hostages still attached. The students in the audience recognized Hermione and Cho Chang tied with Phyrrus, but the little blond girl, attached to the statue on Phyrrus' other side, was a mystery.

The statue followed Harry's hands from the lake to the shore where he dropped it. Harry raced towards it, reaching to Phyrrus as he ran, stumbling several times in his haste because of his magical exhaustion. Tugging at the ropes, Harry found he couldn't get Phyrrus out of them, and began to sob, tears streaking down his face as he buried his face in Phyrrus' chest, his voice a thin whimper. Cold skin made him sob harder as he realized that Phyrrus both looked and felt dead. "Don't leave me, don't leave me, don't leave me," Harry repeated over and over, like a mantra, clutching Phyrrus' cold, wet clothing.

The audience stared in silent awe, watching Harry cling to the one that mattered most to him, clutching the seemingly dead body to him, face buried in Phyrrus' chest, tears soaking the already wet robes. No one said a word, not laughing or mocking. Even those Harry didn't get along with well were silent, watching the distraught teen cling to his boyfriend, begging for the other not to leave him. No one had ever seen such a reaction over a person before.

Harry felt another flair of magic, but this time it wasn't his. Strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him away from the statue--and away from Phyrrus. "No!" Harry screamed, fighting to reach Phyrrus. "Let go!"

"Stop." Phyrrus' deep voice made Harry go limp with relief, and he would have collapsed if Phyrrus hadn't caught him, his knees giving out at the simple command. Regaining his composure for just a moment, Harry jumped up, grabbed Phyrrus around the neck, and kissed him soundly before the powerful magic bursts caught up to him and his world went blessedly dark with the oblivion of unconscienceness.
oOooOo

"Shit," Percy breathed, barely aware he'd cursed at the sight of the powerful magic Harry had used over the course of the past hour. The rest of the champions had been a little lost, still trying to find the hostages when Cedric discovered that they were all safe--courtesy of Harry and his powerful summoning charm--and taken the others back to shore.

"What the hell happened?" Leon breathed, appearing behind Percy, who jumped with a startled shout.

"Harry," Percy answered, still hardly able to believe his eyes. He had never seen anyone so powerful in his life, and Harry had managed to summon the statue and stay awake long enough to get hysterical over Phyrrus' seemingly dead body. "Shit." The curse was absent and said with an almost reverent tone, Percy's eyes wide in disbelief. Leon nearly chuckled. Clearly Percy had been around Anders far too much.

"No kidding," Leon answered dryly, looking at the awestruck judges. The rest of the audience was staring at the lake, open-mouthed, until Cyrrus started clapping. The lone beats sounded in the silence, before the crowd picked it up and, as one, began to cheer. Dumbledore motioned to the judges.

"Harry rescued the hostages well within time limit," He finally admitted, still staring at the rather messed up lake.

"He didn't get in the water," Karkaroff protested, frowning. "He was supposed to get in the water."

"That was never really stated," Bagman was clearly annoyed. Percy frowned, wondering why the ex-Death Eater was so taken with Harry. He'd have to speak to Anders about it later. . .

"I think he was well within the stated rules," Percy added. He had to agree with Bagman, at least on that point. They never said the contestant had to get into the water, just save their hostage. Of course, no one was supposed to be able to summon something that large at such a distance, but Harry had a tendency to surprise them all. "We only specified how long they had to get the hostages. The others made it to the statue within the time limit, but probably would not have made it out within it. I think we should go with who was the first one there and give points that way."

"It makes sense," Dumbledore agreed.

"I find that suitable," Madame Maxime smiled. "We shall award points that way. But Harry must be marked off at least a little for the stunt, leaving them no hostages to save."

"That is suitable," Karkaroff finally aquiesed, crossing his arms and scowling. Leon said nothing, just waved to Percy and disappeared into the milling crowd. Percy wished he could leave too, rather than listen to a bunch of arguing judges as they sought to determine points. He nearly sighed. Today would have been a good day to stay in bed, too, what with the way Anders had woken him up. . .
oOooOo

"Harry!" It seemed like half the school was standing in the hospital ward, scared stiff that Harry was seriously damaged. Phyrrus was in bed with Harry, holding him tightly, and looking rather content.

"Shut up," Phyrrus hissed. "I just got him to sleep--real sleep, not whatever he had last night."

"He was really restless," Ron agreed. Neville nodded, frowning.

"And worried," Neville added.

"So, what happened?" Phyrrus finally asked. "Seeing how I was asleep for it."

The group broke into an explanation, careful to keep their voices low, and had just finished the story when Leon walked in, dressed in uniform, mask hanging from one hand. "Phyrrus, what in the hell were you thinking?"

"It wasn't my idea, Uncle Leon," Phyrrus snapped, glaring. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? The headmaster asked to see us, and Hermione and I were chatting when the other judges came in. Mr. Crouch was here last night, and we had refreshments while they asked us what the champions would sorely miss, like a thing, and then. . . I woke up tied to that statue."

"When I figure out whose bright idea this was, I'm going to kill them," Leon threatened, stroking Phyrrus' and Harry's heads gently

"You should actually be thanking me," Dumbledore choose a rather inopportune moment to make an appearance, and held up a hand when Leon looked ready to spit a few explicitatives at him. "Crouch and Karkaroff were ready to make the challenge real."

"I should pay them a visit," Leon snarled, his eyes mere slits in his face. "Severus said to expect this sort of thing, but I'll be damned if they put my family in danger."

"Uncle Leon, why don't you go check on River and Rayne? Fred and George have them in the common room, and they'd probably be happy to know we're okay," Phyrrus asked, nervous that Leon really would loose his temper. That wouldn't be good for anyone involved, and would probably include at least a little bloodshed. Leon growled and Phyrrus looked him over for a moment.

"I'll check on them," Leon agreed, turning.

"Wait," Leon stiffened at the soft call, turning to face his one of his favorite nephews. "Uncle Leon. . . why are you in uniform?"

"With the Death Eater activity over the summer I was called back," Leon's voice was cool, and Phyrrus' face fell. "I was assigned here, to watch the Tournament and make sure nothing happened, but I'm to stay mostly hidden. Thus, the uniform."

"They called Reiketsukan Byakko back?" Phyrrus' voice was so small that Leon made his way to the boy's side. "Why?"

"I'm needed." Leon replied simply. "I know its frightening, Phyrrus, but you know as well as I do that I'm the best there has been in a long time. Since I was here, I was called back. Don't worry about it."

"But. . ." Phyrrus trailed off.

Leon smiled. "I know my limits, Phyrrus. Severus will ground me, and so will my family. Trust me."

"I'm scared," Phyrrus's voice was so soft that Leon almost missed the admission. Leon gathered him up in a hug.

"I know." Leon pressed a kiss to Phyrrus' forehead and then brushed Harry's black locks from his face and turned to the door. "I'm going to check on my nieces. Take care of Harry, all right?"

"Sir." Phyrrus agreed, holding the smaller teen tightly, not wanting to admit how scared seeing Leon in uniform made him. it wasn't so much the uniform, Leon wore it from time to time so that all his nieces and nephews would be used to it and wouldn't be scared to see Leon in it. What scared Phyrrus was that Leon had been ordered back into the uniform and called back into duty. Unlike the mundane military, magical beings were part of the military for life. If they were needed, they were called. And for Leon to be called back. . .

That thought terrified Phyrrus.
oOooOo

Percy made his way from the hospital wing, looking thoughtful. Harry was finally awake, three days after the tournament, his magical core replenished, and Percy wondered just how much power Harry had if he had the ability to take out nearly half the lake and then summon a three ton statue. "Hey, lover," Anders met Percy at the next corner, dipping him back in a kiss. "What are you thinking about?"

Percy shook his head. "I don't know. Nothing. . . everything. . . Harry's power, I guess. It boggles my mind."

"What's so bad about it?" Anders wrapped an arm around his lover. "It's not entirely Harry's power, though. He and Phyrrus have been sharing power through the bond. I won't lie, most of it does belong to Harry, but not all."

"He didn't use a lot of Phyrrus' power," Percy turned to frown at Anders, hands automatically moving to fix the American's collar. "Otherwise Phyrrus would have been out too. No, that was mostly Harry's doing. I just don't understand how anyone can have so much power. And. . . it worries me."

"That Harry will turn dark?" Anders frowned. "Is there. . . somewhere more private to talk about this?"

"Sure," Percy looked around for a moment to make sure no one was coming, then ducked behind a tapestry. "No one else knows this is here." He blushed slightly, but offered a proud smile.

"Now, you were saying?" Anders glanced around the sparsely furnished room, possessing only a couch and a table. Sitting on the couch and drawing Percy into his lap, he finally went back to the matter that was worrying Percy.

"What if Harry turns dark? Who will stop him? Who can?" Percy wrung his hands. "I mean, I know he hasn't shown any inclination, but what if he does?"

"Percy, if he turns dark, Phyrrus won't follow him," Anders bit his lip. "They're bonded. If Harry turned dark, Phyrrus would kill himself. And. . . Harry would probably follow. If he didn't, then we would all turn on him. And we might not be as powerful, but together. . . we could do it."

"You don't want to think about it either," Percy accused lightly.

"No," Anders agreed. "Because there's no reason to worry about it until it happens. Harry is better than that, and he has something that Voldemort doesn't. Love. He loves his family--the Weaselys, the Lugovaloses, Sirius, and Remus, and he loves Phyrrus as much as life itself. Didn't his display at the lake show you that?"

Percy shook his head, so Anders attempted to explain. "That much magical expenditure can seriously damage a person. He was lucky he had so much magic to throw around, he could have over-extended himself and seriously hurt his magical core. Draining oneself if very, very dangerous."

Percy nodded in agreement, then turned to straddle his lover. "You're right. I'm being ridiculous. But I know how to make it up to you," Percy leaned forward, pressing his lips to Anders', eyes alight with mischief. Anders purred low in his throat, deepening the kiss and drawing Percy closer, shifting as he did so to lay Percy back on the couch and shifting their bodies together.

Percy moaned into Anders' mouth, arching against him. Anders pulled away for air and grinned at Percy. "You do know how to make it up," He murmured into the red-head's ear, nibbling at it and pressing kisses down his jaw as his hands slid under the other's shirt and he pressed their bodies together again.

Percy, had he not been lost in a haze of pleasure, would have laughed. Distraction complete.
oOooOo

Leon made his way towards Severus' chambers, exhausted. For the past three days he had been traveling the country, trying to find at least some of the Death Eaters that had made an appearance over the summer. Severus knew he was tracking them down, he didn't know that Leon had been called back into service. In Leon's exhaustion, however, he had forgotten he was wearing his uniform.

"Hey, Sev," Leon collapsed on the couch, hair in disarray, covered in dirt and grime and sweat, and utterly exhausted.

"Leon, what happened?" Severus hurried to his lover, running his fingers through Leon's sweat-slicked hair. Absently noting the half undone ponytail, Severus looked more closely at exactly what Leon had on.

"I'm so tired," Leon managed, face still buried in the cushions.

"Leon," Severus' sharp voice made him pry his head up. "Why are you in uniform?"

Leon stiffened. Severus only grew sharp towards Leon when he was scared. It wasn't a surprise that Severus would hate Leon in uniform, the first time Severus had ever seen Reiketsuken Byakko was in interrogation. "Shit," Leon muttered, realizing that his mask was what was digging into his leg. "Sev, I'm sorry."

"Leon, I don't care about whatever you're sorry about, be it me seeing you in uniform or just forgetting to take it off before I saw you in it, I want to know why you're in it." Severus crossed his arms. His voice was frigid, and Leon knew he was scared. To see a uniform that had to haunt his dreams every night, with the terrifying porcelain fox mask with the jagged teeth and the black uniform would have made anyone cringe, but Leon had actually been forced to interrogate Severus, once.

"Please don't fear me," Leon pleaded, reaching out to Severus who allowed himself to be pulled closer. Long, strong arms wrapped around Severus' waist and Leon buried his face in the other's hip, tears wetting Severus' dark robe. "Everyone does, they find out who I am, and they're terrified. And then. . . they leave."

Severus turned to wrap Leon in his arms. Severus was a bit surprised. It had never really occurred to him that Leon was afraid of losing him over a uniform, but if everyone else left when they discovered who Leon was, exactly, then he would be afraid of abandonment. Severus shook his head. It also explained why Leon had not, up until that point, had any serious relationships. "I'm not going to leave you," Severus clutched Leon tighter. "This is part of you, and I understand that. Just like the dark mark is part of me."

Leon nodded, shifting his hold on Severus to be a little more comfortable. "What did I do to deserve you?" Leon asked, voice crackling from his tears. "You are amazing."

"Everyone else might disagree," Severus chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "But, according to your mum, we deserve each other."

"Mom's probably right," Leon agreed, pulling Severus down to sit with him. "She usually is."

"Yes," Severus agreed, not saying anything more, just allowing Leon to hold him and cuddle him and, in return, grounding one of the few people that he loved more than life itself. Severus was under no illusions. He would do anything for Leon, no matter what he asked, and he knew Leon would gladly return the gesture. "I love you."

Leon's soft sigh made Severus turn. "You are my heart," Leon breathed, making Severus stiffen. "My everything."

Black eyes searched blue-green, and Severus smiled. "And you, my love, are mine."

They sat with each other, not moving, not really doing much of anything, long into the night.
oOooOo