Chapter 8

Remus returned home an hour later to find Harry still on the floor with tear stained cheeks. He hurried over to Harry and pulled him into his arms. Harry snuggled into Remus' chest and smiled. Harry pulled away after a few minutes and looked Remus in the eye.

"I'm okay, Remus."

"You were on the floor crying."

Harry shrugged, "yeah, but I feel better now. I needed to unload to someone and have a good cry. It's okay, I'm fine."

Remus looked skeptical, "are you sure you're okay?"

"Well, I'm not okay, yet, but I am getting there. I just needed someone to knock some sense into me. I know you and Sirius have tried, but I needed someone who wouldn't use kid gloves."

"I don't know, Harry, this is just so sudden. I don't understand."

Harry suddenly felt a burst of anger, but forced himself to quell the fire burning inside himself, "look, I'm trying. I don't know why you're so skeptical. Just accept things as they are, Remus."

Remus pulled back as if he had been slapped, "fine, Harry. Go do homework or something, dinner's in an hour. Be at the table on time or not at all."

Harry got to his feet and stormed out of the room. Remus just didn't understand, he never did. Harry climbed up the several staircases to his room. He turned his radio on and blasted his Senses Fail CD, one he knew Remus hated. Harry could almost hear Remus cursing his choice of music. Harry grinned coldly and readjusted the volume, raising it further. He wanted to ensure that he got under Remus' skin. Harry tapped out the beat of his favorite song on his thighs and began to sing along.

"Half smoked cigarettes and you're the trash that infests my sheets."

Harry could faintly hear Remus shouting at him to turn the music down. Harry merely grinned.

"Can't make a wife out of a whore, don't want your skin on me."

Sirius was now banging on his door.

"And you're, you're addicted to the drug of lust."

"Harry! Turn that shit off!"

"Leave me alone, Siri!"

"Harry, open the door. What happened between you and Remus?"

Harry sighed, "I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone."

Harry shut the music off, "come on, Harry. Talk to me."

"I don't feel like it. I'm going out," Harry said as he pulled open his bedroom door.

He pulled a black hoodie on over his head. Harry strode down the stairs and into the kitchen. He didn't pause as he grabbed his keys off the counter and continued out the door. Harry got into his car and drove away. He needed out of this town, he needed to clear his mind. He turned on a CD and continued to drive along the roads to a familiar town. Harry needed to be somewhere he knew would take his pain away in the only way he knew possible; by forcing him to forget and move on.

Harry pulled into the parking lot of one of his favorite parks. The sun had long since set and he was greeted with a welcomed darkness. Harry sat on one of the swings and gently rocked himself forward and back. He breathed in the cool night air and let his mind wander. Lost in his thoughts, Harry didn't notice the approach of another person until they were standing directly in front on him. Harry nearly jumped out of his skin until recognition washed over him.

"Gabe."

"Harry, baby, what are you doing here? I thought you up and left."

Harry was thankful for the darkness as he felt his face flush, "yeah, I did. I only moved like an hour and a half away, though. I didn't fall off the face of the earth."

"You could have fooled me. I leave for a two week workshop, and when I get back you aren't here."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen that way. I tried calling, but your phone was out of service. I wanted to say good-bye."

Gabe just looked at him, "good-bye? You're acting like it was over between us when you left. If I remember correctly we were still very much an item. Do you know what it's like to go away and not have the person you care deeply for not there anymore? It hurt, Harry."

"Gabe, I'm sorry. So, so sorry. You know how hard it's been for me. I'd lost so much, I didn't think, I just needed out. It was so hard being around the very town my parents grew up in. Hell, some of my teachers were their best friends. I just couldn't deal. The last thing I wanted was to slip into oblivion again."

"Harry, we were together for almost three years. I know you inside and out. I would have been there for you. I am here for you. It just sucks that you had to get away from me. I've missed you."

Harry let a silent tear run down his face, "I've missed you, too. I need you, Gabe, you make me feel like everything is perfect."

Gabe closed the distance between their bodies and crashed his lips onto Harry's. The smaller boy moaned and eagerly responded. Their kissed was a passionate reunion that left both boys breathless. When they pulled apart Harry stared into the bright blue eyes of his first and only lover. Gabe was a year older, much taller, built like an athlete thanks to his football career, and had the softest brown hair Harry had ever felt. Harry hungrily gulped in air as his chest heaved. Gabe ran a hand lovingly through Harry's tangled black locks. Harry leaned into the familiar touch. He whimpered when Gabe put distance between their bodies. Gabe held out his hand and waited for Harry to take it and pull himself into a standing position. Together they walked hand in hand to Harry's car.

"Take me to see this new town of yours, babe," Gabe said softly as they climbed into the car.

Harry nodded before starting the car and retracing his route back to his house. Gabe whistled in appreciation as they pulled into the driveway. He smiled at Harry, love obvious in his gaze. Harry took a deep breath for courage and climbed out of his car and headed into the house with Gabe following only a step behind. Sirius and Remus were having a heated debate in the kitchen about Harry's behavior. It was only when Harry heard a familiar voice did he stop.

"No, Sirius, he was alone when I left him. He said he needed time, which I promised to give to him."

"I found him on the floor crying, Draco. And then he said he was fine and got all defensive when I questioned him."

"Remus, I think Harry is hurting more than he lets on. I know he must miss Lily and James, but he insists on hiding his feelings."

"I know, Siri. I've tried, you know I have. I just don't know what to do anymore."

Harry felt Gabe's arm encircle his waist and urge him forward. Holding in his tears Harry walked into the kitchen with his head held high. He leaned on Gabe for support as three heads swiveled in his direction. Three pairs of eyes pinned him with accusatory stares, Draco's especially. Harry wanted to scream as Draco snorted disgustedly before walking out the back door, letting it slam behind him. He pulled himself out of Gabe's embrace and followed Draco outside.

"Draco, I'm sorry."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Potter. I get it, alright. Just leave me alone and go back to your boyfriend."

The tears started to flow freely as Draco jumped on his bike and sped out of the driveway. Harry collapsed to his knees as his only true friend, aside from Gabe, drove away. He started to fight the person picking him up off the ground. Harry kicked and screamed incoherently, he struggled wildly. He paid no mind to the soothing whispers, he just wanted to get away. When the arms wrapped around him, holding him tight to a strong chest, Harry lost it. He screamed and sobbed even louder. Harry struggled more and tried to throw the person off of him.

"Get the fuck away from me! Let me go!"

"Harry," came Gabe's harsh voice, "Harry stop it! Stop it! Harry!"

Harry continued to fight. He felt a sharp pain in his right arm and his movements became sluggish. His thoughts felt like mush as the drug forced him into calm. Harry's legs gave out under him and he was lifted into Gabe's arms. Gabe carried him all the way up to his room and laid him down on his bed. He brushed the hair out of Harry's face in a loving gesture. His eyes were a stormy blue and filled with concern.

"Harry, baby, I know you don't want to hear this, but I think it's time you got help. This isn't healthy and it's slowly killing you. I won't let that happen again. I was foolish the first time, I won't be that way again. I love you too much to let this sickness consume you. You are stronger than this, Harry. Fight it."

And with that Gabe left the room, allowing Harry to drift off into sleep.