A World to belong to

A/N; Like I said in the first chapter, this is Slash and it's Harry/Squall. The first scene in fact is to prove the levels of their current relationship. It isn't graphic but I'll mark it regardless.

Chapter 2; Somebody to be proud of

Balamb Garden - Dormitories

(M-rated scene)

Squall's day had been long and tiring and it was a great relief when he stumbled into one of his floor's bathrooms. He locked the door and stripped down as he hung his towel on the peg. He ran the shower while it warmed up and he stretched out his limbs. He stepped under the hot spray and braced himself against the wall, enjoying the heat as it soaked into his muscles. He ducked his head under the water and took his weight onto his left arm as his right slid down his chest rubbing at his skin to ease the pain. He knew where this was going and he didn't particularly have any concerns about that.

His hand reached down and gently stroked down his hardened length and touched his balls gently before bringing his fingers back around his cock pulling his foreskin back and forth slowly. His head came down in the downpour of hot water to watch his fingers at work. "I think I owe it to you to tell you that I'm here."

Squall jerked and nearly slipped in the shower before he got control of himself and chuckled. His hand went back to his cock but he looked up at the wall. "There's a name for people like you, Harry. Peeping Tom."

"I don't plan it you know." Harry laughed in his head. "Beside's you've never cared before."

"I don't much care now." Squall laughed before looking back down his body to his still hard cock. "Want to help?"

(End of scene)

Harry laughed. He couldn't actually touch Squall but it was surprising what words could drive somebody to do. They'd spent the last four years experimenting together, or rather they'd started experimenting separately at thirteen and then Squall had given up trying to hide his own experiments and the two had lost all embarrassment over it until the thought of Harry in Squall's mind only added to the experience. It was a strange start for their growing relationship but one they didn't regret.

Their bond was unbreakable even though Squall new perfectly well that over the years one thing was bugging Harry but no matter what Squall did to try to trick an explanation from Harry it failed.

"How are you?" Squall asked after he had collapsed on his bed with a grunt.

"After that scene?" Harry laughed.

"I'm glad you liked it." Squall grinned even though Harry didn't know it.

"Tomorrow the resistance group is moving." Harry told him in way of answering his first question. "Apart from that it's all rather normal around here. Nobody bothers me and they don't expect much from me. I think some of them think I'm rather lacking in thought."

"That's what you get for sitting around staring off into space." Squall laughed.

"So, I won't be able to be there for a while tomorrow." Harry dropped the bombshell.

"But you said you'd do the test with me!" Squall felt rather cheated.

"Yeah, that's before Sirius announced the move." Harry countered. "Please don't be angry with me, I want to be there and as soon as I can get away with it I will be. I promise."

Squall deflated. "I'm sorry, I'm not angry at you."

"I know." Harry sighed. "I'll join you as soon as I can, probably not until the afternoon."

"Alright Harry." Squall sighed and turned over onto his side.

"You know I love you, Squall. I always have and I always will." Harry assured him.

 "Now you're just being a sap." Squall grinned again. "But you're my sap and I love you too."

Harry laughed and settled in for a long chat as the night passed on.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next day

Harry slid into Squall's mind without a sound and he kept his thoughts locked up tight knowing that this was the time that Squall's SeeD evaluation test was due to happen and he didn't want to surprise Squall and distract him from a fight. As it happened they were standing in the middle of what seemed to be a street junction in a town that Harry didn't recognise. From the way Squall was looking Harry couldn't work out if he was alone or not since all he could see what the view down an empty street.

"Hello, Squall." Harry greeted.

"Harry. Oh thank god." Squall cried almost out loud. "I thought something might have happened."

"Something did." Harry told him truthfully. "We moved in small groups and one of the groups didn't show up. Four adults and a few children."

Squall winced before he could stop himself. There was no point in wondering what had happened to them. "So do you have to move again?" Squall asked.

"It seems not." Harry grumbled. "Sirius and the others think we're still safe."

"You don't agree?" Squall guessed.

"Whether they think we are safe or not we should still move on but if I go out on my own I won't be able to spend as much time talking to you." Harry explained.

"You should go, I'd rather you were safe."

"That's the thing. I wouldn't necessarily be any safer. Just on my own without you." Harry complained.

"But if there's a chance..."

"I know Squall. I've spend a few days trying to convince Sirius to move everybody. If that doesn't work I'll go." Harry sighed. "So, who did you get teamed up with?"

Squall turned around with a groan and Harry almost started laughing. In front of them was Zell Dincht and Seifer Almasy. Zell was looking anxious and he was doing his normal round of fidgeting while Seifer was leaning against a wall with his own Gunblade on his shoulder. "I don't know which is worse."

"Seifer." Harry told him. "You can rely on Zell to help you."

"You always sound so sure." Squall mused. Harry knew it with his heart though. Squall had never reacted to the presence of the others from the Orphanage, not to his own Instructor, Quistis and not to Seifer or Zell. It depressed Harry beyond belief especially since none of them seemed to recognise Harry either. Now his only hope lay with either Selphie, Irvine or Ellone. Seifer though had fallen into the bad half of his character, the half that had enjoyed bullying Zell rather than the half that loved his brothers and sisters. Every time Squall saw Seifer it tore at Harry's heart.

Quistis had become just what Harry expected her to, she might not be a brilliant leader but she was a good teacher who at Harry's prompting Squall had learnt to listen to. Zell of course hadn't changed one bit, he played around, he had more energy than he needed and he was always ready to laugh. If Harry ever found a way home one of the first things he planned to do was tackle Zell with a hug. After kissing Squall senseless that was.

"What the hell happened to Seifer?" Harry asked in shock as Seifer turned slightly and the light caught against his face, illuminating a long scar that crossed over his left eye.

Squall winced though Harry only knew it because of the jerk of his head that altered their vision slightly. "We had a fight this morning and it got out of hand."

"You got in a fight the morning of the SeeD evaluation exam?" Harry asked.

"You keep saying I shouldn't argue with Seifer. When he asked if I'd spar with him I agreed." Squall sighed. "He cheated and used magic."

"And you're surprised?" Harry scoffed.

"It's you who hates it when Seifer and I argue." Squall accused. Harry knew he was caught so he didn't comment, he hated watching Seifer and Squall argue and Squall knew it had something to do with what Harry never told him. "I've got a new scar to match."

"Squall." Harry sighed. There was nothing else to be said.

Squall was suddenly moving and Harry stayed silent since he'd just heard the sound of running footsteps. Squall ducked down into a doorway and Zell ducked down with him without comment just as they watched a Galbadian Soldier run into the street junction and look around. A moment later four more soldiers followed him out before they all turned and headed down another street.

"It's the enemy." Squall told Harry.

"Where the hell they going?" Zell replied.

"Did I say that out loud?" Squall wondered. It wasn't uncommon for Squall to forget that Harry was in his head and not by his side.

"Yes you did. Pay attention." Harry ordered.

"Yes Sir." Harry could even hear the smirk in his boyfriend's voice.

"Hey!" Zell asked as he stood and stared down the street the soldiers had disappeared down. "What's that up there?"

Squall looked up at the tall cliffs that surrounded the town they were in and Harry saw a tower sitting at the top of the cliff with an array of smaller devices over it. Harry recognised it but didn't say anything as Seifer started talking. "Our next destination." Seifer announced.

"But that's against orders." Zell complained.

"Our orders are to hold this position." Squall told Harry silently. "But Seifer is the team Captain."

"You were just complaining about being bored." Seifer argued with Zell.

"Squall!" Zell rounded on Squall for help.

"What do you think, Harry?" Squall asked him while he feigned looking down a side street.

"Seifer's the team Captain." Harry reminded him. "You can't go against his orders. But Seifer shouldn't break his orders either."

"I stand by the Captain's decision." Squall told him. "Seifer will just have to take the fall for it."

"I suppose." Harry told him demurely.

"You just want to wreak some havoc too, don't you?" Seifer teased. Squall turned to him with a glare.

"It's a good opportunity to test out my training." Squall shrugged. "Thanks to you I feel that I can take on anyone. Even if they fight dirty like you."

"You'll thank me when the time comes." Seifer promised him.

"I'm telling you," Zell complained. "We have to stick to orders."

"Then you stay here." Seifer shrugged before turning to follow the soldiers. "I don't need any boy scouts."

"What was that?" Zell growled, clenching the heavy studded leather gloves he fought with.

"Don't take him seriously." Squall placated him gently. "Seifer, if we're going to go, let's hurry."

"The enemy is headed for the facility. We, Squad B, are to secure the summit. Move out!" Seifer ordered.

"Alright." Squall agreed.

"Fine." Zell sighed.

Squall followed Seifer off down the street towards the outskirts of the town and Zell quickly fell in at Squall's side. "So what is the mission?" Harry asked.

"The Galbadian Army has invaded Dollet. The Candidates were to clear the town while the SeeDs dealt with the army surrounding the town." Squall told him.

"Why are the Galbadians here?" Harry asked.

"No clue." Squall shrugged. "Maybe it has something to do with that tower?"

Harry was silent as they moved towards the edge of town until they reached a stone bridge that connected the edge of town to the cliff face that led up to the tower. Squall glanced over the bridge taking in the two Galbadian soldiers guarding it. Seifer barely paused before running out onto the bridge with a yell. "He's an idiot." Squall thought before running out after him. Seifer's target fell as his Gunblade slashed through him. Squall's target fell a moment later and Squall stood to glare at Seifer only to watch him run across the bridge.

"It's a communications tower by the way." Harry told Squall as he and Zell ran to catch up with their Captain. "I recognised the small dishes on the top. They pick up a signal and then broadcast it via a larger dish. Looks like it comes out of the top."

"How do you know that?" Squall asked.

"I've seen things like that on this world." Harry sighed. "Relicts of when the non-wizards ruled with technology. Voldemort doesn't use them."

"So this is like your world's technology?" Squall asked.

"It's not my world." Harry almost snapped. "Sorry."

"It's okay, Harry." Squall shook his head but was distracted from answering as he heard Seifer fighting further along the path.

"Just concentrate on the exam." Harry told him and shut down any thought from his mind so as not to distract Squall from the sporadic fights they fell into. When they finally found the tower Squall darted off into the building before Squall or Zell could stop him.

"Damn him." Zell growled.

"There you are!" A voice made Squall turn around and look back along the path. Coming towards them was a diminutive girl in a SeeD trainee's uniform with shoulder length brown hair and nunchaku attached to her waist. Harry almost couldn't stop himself from gasping out her name. As it was his hurtling thoughts made Squall stumble slightly as he stood.

"Harry?" Squall gasped. "What's the matter?"

Harry felt it was better simply not to answer so simply lingered in the back of Squall's mind as he stared at the approaching girl. Squall would simply think that Harry had left. Harry used Squall's eyes to stare at his only younger sister as she ran towards them.

"You're squad B, right?" Selphie asked, "Thanks for showing me around earlier, my name's Selphie." Harry felt another stab at his heart as he realised that Squall hadn't recognised her yet again. Not earlier at this tour and definitely not now. Which meant Harry's options were closing rapidly. "I'm a messenger from squad A. Where's the Captain?"

Squall waved at the entrance to the tower where Seifer had vanished. "What are we waiting for? Come on!" Selphie yelled and ran after the wayward Captain.

"She hasn't changed." Harry thought and then regretted it instantly.

"What do you mean she hasn't changed?" Harry knew that Squall was frowning as he spoke. "How can you know her?"

"Forget it, Squall. I didn't mean anything by it. She just seems the type." Harry fudged.

"No, Harry, you..."

"Come on, Squall!" Zell yelled from next to the open door to the tower. Squall looked at him and sighed.

"Just forget about it Squall and concentrate on the mission." Harry told him. Squall grumbled slightly but ran in after his team mate. Something told Squall that he'd never understand Harry properly and that arguing with him about this would only cause trouble between the two of them and sometimes the circumstances of their relationship caused trouble enough as it was.

Inside they found the tower deserted but at Selphie's insistence they boarded a lift that ran up through the ceiling of the tower. They followed it up through several levels but decided that Seifer would probably have gone to the top so went straight up. When they emerged from the top level they found themselves on a suspended platform that hung out around the sides of the tower.

A Galbadian soldier dressed in commander's colours was half inside an open wall console muttering to himself and Squall, Zell and Selphie crouched down to listen. It was just as his words reached them that Harry felt a surge go through him and swore rather colourfully in his mind.

"Harry?"

"Somebody just slapped me I think." Harry told him. It happened again.

"I thought you couldn't feel pain." Squall frowned.

"I can't but my body can tell me things. It's hard to explain." Harry told him. "Either way I have to go, somebody's obviously trying to get my attention."

"Will you be back later?" Squall asked.

"I'll try." Harry promised. "Squall, be careful. I have faith in your abilities and you'll pass this."

"Thank you, Harry."

"I love you, Squall." Harry told him. Squall responded in kind but for all he knew he was talking to himself.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That evening

Harry reappeared in Squall's mind at the earliest opportunity and found himself watching out across a party of formally dressed people. There was dancing in the middle of the room and about a hundred people milling about. They were clearly not in Balamb Garden anymore. Probably somewhere in Balamb town. Before Harry greeted Squall his vision was blurred as Squall lifted a glass to his mouth to drink on what looked like wine though Harry couldn't taste it.

Squall turned slightly as Zell approached and Harry almost laughed to see the other boy dressed up so formally. Normally he wore three-quarter length trousers and a black leather jacket that cut off just below his elbows and he did look a bit out of place with a full length uniform on. Harry preferred the same baggy clothing as Zell even if he'd taken to wearing baggy jeans in recent years since they hid his Katar better and also sleeveless t-shirts that allowed him to move faster.

"Hey Squall!" Zell greeted after only a moment. "I guess we're both SeeDs now! Put it there, man!"

Harry almost suggested he did shake his hand but Squall always got suspicious of him when he did that and they were both too old now to let things like that slide. Squall said nothing but it was obvious he didn't care enough right now to give Zell what he wanted. Harry regretted the pained look that flashed across Zell's eyes and rethought his decision. He was about to tell Squall to stop being an arse when Zell sighed and nervously retracted his hand. "Even as a SeeD you're the same. Well that's typical of you, see ya!" Zell retreated out of Harry's vision.

"You really hurt him when you do that, you know?" Harry sighed.

"He's too hyperactive." Squall retorted.

"So am I sometimes." Harry told him.

"Wanna join the Garden Festival Committee?" Selphie was suddenly in front of them. She looked better in her SeeD uniform than Zell had but Harry was glad that the three of them were clearly SeeD. "You can help out whenever you have time! Please?"

Squall refused to comment and she gave up with a huff and ran off. "I suppose you're going to moan at me for ignoring her too?"

"Actually I would have ignored that offer too." Harry chuckled. "Why are you in such a bad mood?"

"You know, it's not like I even care about dancing but watching this lot for an hour makes me miss you." Squall sighed. "Which is stupid because we haven't even met."

"Don't worry, I know the feeling." Harry promised. "So you all passed then?"

"Not all of us, just me, Zell, Selphie and Nida." Squall told him.

"Not Seifer?" Harry asked though he knew Squall wouldn't care. Seifer had been a different person once and Harry mourned the loss.

"He's being disciplined for disobeying orders." Squall explained. "What happened to you?"

"It was Remus." Harry started. "The group that went missing? The children were found dead this morning but the adults are still missing."

"You need to move on." Squall told him.

"I know, I know." Harry sighed. "But this is an important time for you and I want to be here for you."

"Harry..." Squall trailed off as a girl appeared before him. She wore a very short white dress which had absolutely no effect on Harry or Squall though she clearly wanted it to.

"You're the best looking guy here." She told Squall and Harry knew his eyebrows had risen to the statement. "Dance with me? Let me guess, you only dance with people you like? Okay then, look me in the eyes."

She then began to chant an order for him to like her. "Sod off." Harry told her even though only Squall heard him. "This one's mine."

Squall snorted in amusement but covered it quickly when the girl suddenly looked hopeful. "I can't dance."

"You'll be fine. Come on." She grabbed Squall's hand roughly and tugged him away from the pillar he'd been leaning on. "I'm looking for someone and I can't be on the dance floor alone."

Before Squall could mount a defensive he was thrust out into the middle of the dance floor and she was attempting to guide him in where to place his hands. Harry was howling in laughter as he tried a few stumbling steps and Squall was muttering curses all the time. It wasn't until Squall tumbled into another dancing pair who glared at him that Harry took pity on him. "Alright Squall, close your eyes."

"What?"

"Just do it." Harry's vision vanished. "Now it's just me and you on the dance floor. Nobody around us, just us two. Just relax and feel the music, connect with it like you do against an enemy in battle. Move in time with it."

Squall took the girl firmly in his arms and moved with the music forgetting where he was and any trace of thought that suggested the person in his arms was anybody other than Harry. Harry guided him through it with gently words and Squall felt a smile spread across his lips as he danced to the music with Harry. When the music ended the crackle of fireworks rippled above them and Squall looked up even as he held onto his dance partner rather closer than necessary.

The sky above the glass roof of the ball room exploded with colour and Harry and Squall watched it until his dance partner moved and Squall looked down, half expecting to see Harry. He was shocked by the girl though and let go of her hastily. She was about to say something to him when she noticed something over his shoulder and waved to him distractedly before running away.

"I'm not that short." Harry told Squall in amusement. "Thanks for the dance though."

"Urgh." Squall grunted before turning on his heels and heading out of the hall and out onto the balcony. "Thanks for that."

"Not that I'm a fan of dancing or anything but even the worse situation can be made easier to bare when you have somebody you love with you." Harry incited regally. Squall laughed and leant on the railings giving Harry a view out over the harbour of Balamb and the ocean beyond. "Squall? Well done on passing. I'm really proud of you." Squall said nothing and they simply looked out at the ocean and glistening sky. "You should spend more time looking at the stars you know?"

"And I'm sure you do?" Squall asked sarcastically.

"Sure, sometimes I lay there all night long staring up at them." Harry told him quietly.

"Why?" Squall asked. "What's the point without somebody to share it with?"

"Never knew you were a romantic, Squall." Harry laughed.

"You know I am when I want to be." Squall argued.

"Oh alright." Harry conceded. "And I do it because it reminds me of somebody I knew when I was still on your world... my proper world. Before they took me."

"Who?" Squall asked a tad jealously.

"You don't have to worry about him, Squall." Harry laughed. "We were five when I left. He and I were like brothers. We used to sit staring at the sky at night imagining what life had in store for us. We used to imagine where we'd one day be."

"Harry?" Squall asked in concern hearing the pain and sorrow in his boyfriend's voice. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Harry promised him. "I just miss them is all."

"Can't you talk to them like this?"

"I've tried to search them out in the mind-scape. Every time you're too busy to talk or sleeping I go searching for them but it's too big and there is no way to search for them." Harry sighed depressed.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Squall asked.

"You're doing it." Harry told him. "You're travelling the world with me in your head. I can search with you."

"Is that the only reason you connected with me in the first place?" Squall asked defensively.

"No!" Harry gasped in shock. "Don't ever even think that. Please Squall just trust me on that one."

"But you can't explain?" Squall guessed.

"You wouldn't be able to understand it right now." Harry assured him.

"Well, how about giving me the name of this guy so I can look for him?" Squall suggested.

Harry stopped to think about that. Squall knew the names of the others and it didn't bring up hidden memories so would it really hurt? Harry was still wondering whether to do it when Quistis' voice spoke from behind them drawing Squall around to look at her. "You really are an excellent student." She complimented. "Even that dance was perfect."

"Thank you." Squall nodded before continuing when she didn't offer anything. "Yes?"

"So you'll dance with someone you don't know but you can't even stand to be around me?" Quistis asked.

"Whatever. I'm a student and you're my instructor." Squall reminded her. "It's kind of awkward when you don't say anything."

"That's true I suppose." Quistis sighed. "I've come to give you an order. You and I are to go to the secret area. It's an area where students go after curfew. It's inside the training area."

"What do you want to do there?" Squall scoffed. "Are we going to tell everyone they're violating curfew? Because if we are you can forget it, leave that to the disciplinary committee."

"Go get changed and meet me in the entrance to the training area." Quistis told him simply. "This will be my last order."

"That was strange." Harry told him. "Best do what she asked though."

"Wait? Are you leaving?"

"With things as they are I don't really want to leave for more than half an hour at a time in case something happens." Harry explained. "I'll come back tonight once everyone turns in."

"Alright Harry." Squall sighed.

"Oh, Squall?" Harry decided. "His name was Irvine Kinneas. I don't know if he changed his name after he was adopted though."

"I promise that if he's out there we'll find him one day." Squall assured him.

"Let's hope that he remembers me." Harry told him barely loud enough for Squall to here.

"What?" Squall asked but all he got back were his own thoughts.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Earth

"Don't you think we should move?" Harry was following Remus around the underground complex hidden beneath Glastonbury. It was a hidden network of tunnels that eventually met up with the city sewer network.

"Harry, we've been over this." Remus sighed before hefting a couple of boxes of food. Harry hefted another couple of boxes and had to haphazardly jog to catch up with the werewolf as he walked away from him.

"Oh, so since we've talked about it, we must be safe." Harry rolled his eyes. He'd become a friend to all in the resistance group, all eighty adults and twenty-five children. As one of the oldest children he had the task of guarding the resistance headquarters on a daily basis but his action station was the other children. It was his responsibility to get the children out of the headquarters.

"Harry! That's enough!" Remus snapped as he turned to look at him. "We don't even know they caved under torture."

Harry narrowed his eyes at Remus. "You're just like them. You assume things and stubbornly refuse to listen to anybody that contradicts you."

"Who are you talking about?" Remus asked.

"The Potters." Harry snapped. "They assumed I'd happily fall into their life without any thought about my old life."

Remus looked at him carefully. "You should move on Harry." Remus told him. "There's no point mourning about your old life Harry."

"For somebody preaching about moving on you and Sirius don't seem to be very good at it." Harry argued. Remus blanched. "When are you going to start listening to me as Harry Leonhart rather than the supposed son of the Potters?"

"That's enough, Harry!" Remus snapped loudly. Harry glared at him and then around at the crowd watching them. They'd walked straight into the middle of the main tunnel of the hidden base.

"Sod off, Remus." Harry dropped the boxes on the ground. "It's late and I'm going to bed. When you wise up and realise we're not safe here let me know."

"Harry!" Remus shouted at his back as Harry walked across the room and down into the back tunnels where the children slept. There was only one exit from there and it was hidden and guarded from the inside. "Harry!"

Harry paused before he reached the door and turned to look back over the silent group at Remus and then noticed Sirius and his patrol at the entrance staring at the argument in shock. "Oh, by the way. If we don't move I'm leaving. You've got a week."

"Harry!" Sirius yelled at his back.

Harry slipped into the shadows of the tunnels and pushed his way through a group of the children, attracted by their shouting. "Harry, what's wrong?" Terrance asked and jogged at his side to keep up.

"Nothing, Terr." Harry reassured the kid, bringing his arm to rest around the ten year old's shoulders.

"You were shouting." Abbi frowned. Harry glanced at the thirteen year old and shook his head.

"Just forget about it." Harry pushed through the blankets in front of his own alcove but Terrance followed him. Harry shucked off his boots and sat back in his bed. He planned to get ready for bed and then slip off to see Squall again but Terrance looked like he planned to stay.

"I had a nightmare last night." Terrance told Harry as Harry pulled off his shirt and put it neatly to the side. He always set his things around him in a certain way so he could always find them in a rush. Harry stopped and watched the small boy with a gentle expression. Most of the children suffered from nightmares of one kind or another and they tended to gravitate at night to the older children for comfort. "Michael said he was busy tonight and to come to you."

Harry sighed and shucked off his jeans and put them neatly with his shirt before laying back on his bed. He moved away from the wall and patted the bed between him and wall in invitation. Terrance smiled at him, quickly striped down to his underwear and climbed over Harry. Harry pulled a blanket over them both before settling an arm over the young boy. "I'll be a bit out of it for a while, Terr." Harry warned even though most of the kids knew about his little trances. "I'll be out of it before long but if you need me really hit me hard. Alright?"

"You won't be angry?" Terrance asked.

Harry tickled his side briefly with his hands and Terrance rolled into his sides and hugged him around the stomach. "I won't mind. Promise."

Terrance grinned up at him before snuggling into Harry's chest. Harry pulled the blanket up over Terrance's head knowing exactly how cold the tunnels were regardless of the time of day or year. The children were warm enough when active but they got rather cold at night. It wasn't a good life for them but at least they were alive.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Training Area

Harry opened his mental eyes to see a shocking sight. He almost recoiled back into his own body but managed to control himself as Squall ducked under something that flew at them. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Hi, Harry." Squall told him with a mental laugh. "Good timing."

"I nearly just lost my head!" Harry gasped.

"Don't be so melodramatic." Squall told him blandly. "I've got everything under control. And Quistis' whip is rather useful against flying bugs it seems."

"Duck!" Harry yelled just as a huge boulder hurtled out of the trees just as the flying monster of a bug flew over them. The boulder rolled over Squall who shored himself up under a hastily cast Protect spell which clanged as the boulder rolled over it. The boulder stopped rolling as Squall turned to stare at it before he unrolled to show a head and four feet. It lunged at Squall and curled into a ball just as it hit and bounced off of the Protect, shattering it in the process. Squall leapt after it and cut straight into it with his Gunblade, firing the pistol section as it came central sending a bullet straight into the living boulder.

It flew backwards and died before it hit the ground. A sharp crack echoed through Harry's ear and Squall turned in time to see Quistis' whip slice through one of the massive bug's wings. It crashed to the ground and Squall slit it open within a second. He pulled back as the carcass went limp and quickly reloaded the Gunblade from his belt pocket.

Squall eventually turned firstly to Quistis and then to a girl sat on the floor against one of the fences of the training area. "You know Squall, you seem to get in far too much..." Harry trailed off as the girl looked up, "...trouble."

"Harry?" Squall frowned before jerking backwards as two men vaulted over the fence. One knelt at the girl's side and helped her stand bringing her face into better view. Harry gasped in shock and there was no way Squall could miss it. "Harry? Are you okay?"

"It can't be..." Harry said almost too quietly to hear. For a moment there was silence and Squall thought that Harry had gone. "It's nothing, Squall. I just thought I recognised her." This time his voice was as clear as it ever was.

"It's not safe here." One of the men said to the girl. "Please, let's go."

"Alright." The girl sighed and Squall could have sworn Harry sobbed in the depths of his mind.

Squall stared after the girl as she walked away with the two men. "Who was that?" Quistis asked.

"She knew our names." Squall frowned. "Harry?"

"Forget it, Squall." Harry was almost crying in his mind. "Sorry Squall, but I have to go. I think the kid I'm looking after is in a nightmare. I'll be back tomorrow."

Before Squall could comment Harry was gone from his mind leaving a faint feeling of sorrow behind him to the point that Squall wanted to curl up in bed and cry.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Resistance Headquarters

Harry jerked awake and knew he was already crying. His arms tightened around Terrance unconsciously. He'd lied to Squall about Terrance having a nightmare but he'd been desperate to get clear of Squall's mind before he lost control. Here though he could do that freely. He rolled over onto his side to face the wall and cradled Terrance to his chest even though the boy didn't wake.

It had been Ellone, Harry's big sister. All of them had looked up to her. She'd kept arguments from getting out of hand. Harry might have been the glue that helped them stay together but Ellone had been the box they all stayed within. She'd kept them from getting hurt, she'd kept them sane in their loneliness and pain. She'd been the one to comfort them all when they were hurt or scared, whether it was day or night.

What really changed Harry's tears into full sobs was what Squall had said to Quistis at the end. Ellone knew their names. She remembered.

"You are not alone." Sabre's voice, normally so silent, was like a breeze in Harry's mind, calming him and sending him into peaceful sleep. The thought that Harry still was alone, cut off from his world didn't manage to gain purchase in his mind that night, but it was there the next morning.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next morning

Harry slipped briefly into Squall's mind early in the morning after being woken by a panicking Terrance in the middle of a nightmare. Harry had woken him and soothed him with gently hugs and soft words until the boy was deep asleep again but Harry's mind was whirling with the introduction of Ellone into his life. He knew she had been at Balamb garden so after making sure that Squall wasn't doing anything reckless he slipped back into the mind-scape and started searching again.

He'd spent countless hours doing this to no avail. There were perhaps a billion or so people in Terra and there was no correlation between their body's position on Terra and their minds in this vast place. Harry had tried to find Seifer, Quistis and Zell for years whenever he could but even if Squall was staring at them or touching them their minds were nowhere near each other.

Instead Harry simply floated endlessly in the mind-scape hoping to run into somebody and apart from finding Squall after six months of constant searching he'd never had any more luck. That didn't mean he'd given up but after seeing that Squall, Quistis, Seifer, Zell and now Selphie didn't remember him he hadn't felt it worth the time away from Squall. Ellone had known Squall and Quistis though, she'd recognised them and called them by name. She'd called Quistis by her shortened name, the name they'd all called her; Quisty. Which meant she remembered them. She hadn't used Guardian Forces and had her memories.

Harry felt hope for himself for the first time in years when confronted with that. With Squall keeping an eye open for Irvine and Ellone with her memories Harry wanted to believe he had a chance. Then there was the stalling point that Sabre had kept from him the night before. Harry was stuck in this world with only a mental link to Terra. Even if he could find Irvine or Ellone in the mind-scape he couldn't do anything but talk to them. But he'd try all the same.

It had to be nearly five hours before he finally gave up. He came back to reality to find Terrance gone. He washed up, got dressed and went out in search of food. He found out Sirius and Remus had gone out with a large group of the resistance to recon a nearby Death Eater headquarters but when he found out nothing else was happening he slipped back into his alcove and knowing that things were less safe than normal he summoned Sabre to protect him.

The huge cat was a common sight around the resistance headquarters no matter the size he took and the children loved to play with him. Sabre would watch and protect him and if he was knocked out Harry would know it even in the mind-scape. Sabre licked his face lovingly before settling down in the tunnel and Harry sent his mind into the mind-scape in search of Squall.

"You know, I really need to stop arriving in the middle of fights." Harry told Squall dryly. "What the hell is that?"

 Before them in the strangely darkened plains around Balamb Garden was a floating demon with large red and black wings. It looked perfectly like a devil, with its arching wings and vicious looking claws. It's eyes held a fearsome intelligence that marked it as only one thing; a Guardian Force. "It's a GF the headmaster gave us before our first mission. Where have you been?"

"Do you really have time to be interrogating me?" Harry asked.

"Well right now this thing is playing with us." Squall gasped out and Harry's world spun as Squall rolled under a vicious swipe. He slashed with his sword but the Gunblade was deflected by the wings which were tougher than they looked. Zell leapt under the wing but was sent flying by a heavy blow from one of the GF's claws.

Selphie jumped forwards and knocked aside a swipe with her nunchaku before pulling up her GF. Lightning danced around her before rocketing up into the sky and as Squall threw a cure at Zell lightning rippled through the sky as a huge Thunderbird emerged from the dark clouds and shot at the GF.

The devil didn't even flinch as Quezacotl lashed out at it with lightning that flowed around it like a halo. Dark energy rippled around it before exploding outwards at the lightning GF. The darkness of the Gravity weapon engulfed Quezacotl and it was sent falling to earth. "Yup, you're in trouble." Harry told Squall as Selphie was sent flying with another swipe of the devil's claws. She cast a cure on herself even as she was forced to release Quezacotl.

"I have Siren." Squall told him even as he began summoning her. A song reached even Harry's ears but Harry stopped him.

"Wait, don't block its magic. Use it against him." Harry told him. "That was a Demi it used, the bigger they are the harder they fall!"

"I knew there was a reason I loved you." Squall grinned before reaching out with his magic, it linked with the devil for only a moment but that was enough for Squall to draw a bit of magic from it and turn the Demi against it. Darkness enveloped the devil and it cried out as it's health was ripped away from it.

Its wings twitched and it collapsed into a heap on the floor before forcing itself up onto its legs. It growled at Squall but nodded with respect. "My respect has been earned. You are ingenious. I will fight for you and your friends of this world or any other. I am among the eldest of Forces. I am Diablos."

Squall relaxed and nodded just as Diablos burst into energy and settled into Squall. "He knew I was here." Harry frowned.

"So do Siren and Ifrit." Squall told him talking about his other Guardian Forces.

"So, where are we going?" Harry asked as Squall was healing Zell and Selphie who were jabbering on about what a good plan that had been.

"We've got a mission with a resistance group in Timber." Squall told him with a mental sigh. "We're on our way to the train station in Balamb."

"Sounds fun." Harry told him blandly.

"So where have you been?" Squall asked for the second time.

"I was searching in the mind-scape." Harry told him coming to a decision. Since Ellone seemed to remember him he could take the risk of giving Squall some information.

"For who?"

"Anybody really." Harry told him. "More specifically though? Ellone."

"Ellone?" Squall asked. "Does she have a surname?"

"Not one we knew, we just called her Sis." Harry answered bluntly.

"You mean she was at the orphanage with you?" Squall asked.

"Yup." Harry told him bluntly not feeling as bad this time as when he'd talked about Irvine to Squall. Squall's blatant dismissal of his own involvement was still frightening for Harry though. Even with information about his own youth being handed to him he was ignoring it. He'd need somebody standing right in front of him, or maybe everyone, before he'd remember his past, if that was even possible.

"So why now?" Squall asked. "Why tell me about her now?"

"Because you met her last night. The girl in the training area." Harry told him sadly. "That was Ellone."

"Oh, Harry." Squall sighed and stopped following the path just as they came into view of Balamb. He ignored Zell and Selphie as they stopped walking and turned to look at him with confused expressions on their faces. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have asked her for you."

"And told everyone that you have a strange voice in your head?" Harry asked. "They'd lock you up in the infirmary. There's nothing we can do unless I find their minds in the mind-scape and talk to them myself."

"I'm sorry, love." Squall told him sincerely. "I wish there was something I could do. This must be so painful for you."

"You have no idea." Harry sighed.

"Hey, Squall!" Zell yelled. "Are you alright? We've got a deadline you know!"

"I'll be here." Harry told him. "Don't forget to stock up in town before you get on the train."

"Yes mum." Squall grinned and Zell and Selphie jerked in shock before watching Squall as he walked passed them and into the town.

It didn't take long to do their shopping in the town. They already had a few days worth of food in the packs from the Garden and topped up with healing items and bought a few magazines to read on the train journey. Zell bought a martial arts magazine, Squall a weapon refining one and Selphie, claiming to be doing research for their mission bought a Timber Maniacs magazine much to Zell's amusement.

They bought tickets from the train station and boarded the coach designated for SeeD members and Squall sighed wearily as Selphie hopped around in excitement. "She acts like a child."

"She's sixteen, Squall. She's supposed to act like a child." Harry laughed. "Beside's I'm only seventeen and a month and you're still shy of eighteen so stop acting like an elder and enjoy life a bit."

"Wow..." Squall glanced in the window with a grin. "That was mean."

Harry studied the reflection for a moment being the first time he'd had the chance to study Squall since his fight with Seifer. "Strangely enough, I like the scar." Harry told him after a moment. "It's a bit on the vicious side but it'll make people take you seriously."

"It doesn't seem to have an effect on you though." Squall groaned.

"Oi, Squall!" Zell slapped him lightly on the back. "You'd better let Selphie through."

Squall turned and looked at his team with a confused expression before moving to the door and swiping their ticket to unlock their cabin. Selphie darted through. Zell paused though with a worried look. "Are you alright, man?" He asked. "You've been acting odd since the fight with Diablos."

"I'm fine." Was Squall's rather characteristic respond.

"Say thank you." Harry prompted.

"What?"

"Say thank you." Harry ordered.

"Thank you." Squall told Zell as the other young man headed down into the cabin. Zell turned and gave Squall a startled look before hurrying into the cabin. "Now he thinks I'm insane.

"I know, that's why I made you say it." Harry laughed. "Plus you need to rely on them now that they're your team and it wouldn't hurt them to know that you care."

"Who says I care?" Squall asked as he headed for the cabin just as the train pulled out from the station.

"I say you care." Harry told him gently. "And one day you'll know why you care."

"Oh, how cryptic." Squall scoffed before taking in the cabin. There was a set of bunk beds against one wall, a window to the outside world and a bank of sofas around a table. Selphie was sitting on the sofa reading her magazine and Zell was slouched at the other end testing out the seats.

"You know anything about Timber?" Zell asked him.

"Let him talk." Harry quickly butted in when Squall went to say he didn't care.

"Go for it." Squall groaned and let Harry listen as Zell told him about the many resistance factions and the Galbadian occupation.

"I'm not feeling well." Selphie groaned suddenly and lifted a hand to her head. Zell groaned next and clutched his chest uncomfortably.

"Squall!" Harry jerked in their mind, something had slid into Squall's mind while he'd looked at the others. "There's something in here."

Harry fought against it, throwing up barriers and trying to force it out but whatever it was had power behind it. Magic. Harry's attempts forced pain to lance through Squall's head and Squall collapsed to his knees and clutched his head before falling limp onto the floor. "Squall!" Harry yelled in panic but he was suddenly evicted from Squall's mind and back into the mind-scape, he automatically tried to find Squall again but the normal ease was gone. Squall wasn't in the mind-scape anymore.

There was another mind in its place though. Harry surged into the mind and enveloped it before pummelling into it. He found his eyes opening into what he recognised as a single dorm in Balamb Garden. "Who are you?" A mental voice asked.

The person's eyes didn't shift and in fact they were seriously out of focus. "What are you doing to Squall?" Harry countered without really pausing to think through the situation. "I swear if you hurt him I'll hunt you down."

"Your mind isn't on this world." She told him. "You're linking from somewhere else."

Harry swirled out of the mind slightly to ebb around it. He'd recognised the voice from the night before and he wanted to confirm it. He pushed and pulled at the mind bringing memories to the surface that came easily. They flashed before him but she was forced to see them as well. Watching as Zell and Harry tumbled through the small waves on the beach. Holding and soothing a crying Squall after Harry had disappeared. He pulled up every emotional memory of the last few months at the Orphanage, learning things about what had happened to them after he'd gone. He found out about the big fire that had heralded his departure. He learned that Seifer had withdrawn away from the others further and further as each day went on. He watched as Matron told them that Harry must had died and the way they all cried around a small fire on the beach that Irvine had started.

He watched then as Zell walked around in a daze without a play mate, as she watched Irvine stare up at the stars with tears in his eyes, how Selphie didn't bounce anymore, how Quistis tried to become the glue Harry had been.

"Stop it!" She screamed into Harry's mind. Her pain and sorrow ebbing through both of their minds. "Just stop it! Who are you!? Why are you torturing me?"

"Ellone." Harry gasped out eventually. "Sis?"

"Who are you?" Ellone asked in shock.

"It's me," Harry was almost sobbing with happiness. He hadn't needed to find Ellone, his big sister had found him, just like a big sister should. "It's Harry."

"Harry?" Ellone gasped. "That's not possible. Harry died."

"No." Harry denied. "They took me away with magic. I'm not in your world but I found a way into the mind-scape."

"Harry?" This time it was really a sob. "You're alive."

"I'm alive." Harry reassured her. "Oh god, it's good to know you remember. I've been with Squall for six years but I thought you'd all forgotten me!"

"Not all of us." Ellone told him softly. "Oh, Harry, I can't stay here."

"I've spent years looking through the mind-scape and I could only find Squall but now you've found me I can find you whenever I want." Harry told her. "I can come back. Please, can I?" Harry sounded every bit like the child he'd been when he used to look up to Ellone for comfort and permission for everything he did.

"Please, Harry." Ellone granted her permission. "My little brother. The glue for us all. One day they'll all remember and we'll see each other again."

"No." Harry sighed. "That's not possible. I'm trapped here now. I'm sorry, Ellone."

"Never be sorry." Ellone mentally grinned at him saying the phrase she'd used to use with him. "Just be Harry."

Harry laughed gently and stared in shock as Ellone's mind faded away from the mind-scape without a trace. She and Squall were simply not there anymore. Harry fell back into his own body but a huge smile greeted Sabre before Harry launched himself forwards to hug the huge golden Tiger around the neck as he told him what had happened.

Maybe things weren't so hopeless after all for Harry. Even if he couldn't get there himself at least he now had his boyfriend and his big sister to comfort him and Sis had given him hope, she'd said that one day they'd all remember him. She'd promised that and Harry had never not trusted anything she'd ever said to him. His big sister was never wrong.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

End Chapter