Just a warning, there's a rather large timeskip, since I feel that any more necessary background, I can provide by flashbacks. Now the story's going to actually start moving, Ara style of course, which implies a fairly wandering course, but I'm fairly sure it'll be fun. We are now somewhat in the middle of fourth year, where the tournament started in the book.

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~laughs nervously~ yeah, I thought I'd posted this one a long time ago, so my apologies for not doing so. I honestly can't remember why I didn't post it when I uploaded it, but it was probably a stupid reason whatever it was.

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Harry swung from the rigging, landing with a solid 'thump' on the deck, dropping into a crouch to absorb the impact. Several people winced at the distance he'd dropped, but he didn't notice, intent on getting to the galley and the spiced wine he could smell brewing there. A companionable arm draped itself around his shoulders, and he smiled up at Victor.

Victor had been assigned to help him get used to Durmstrang, and had taught him to play quidditch, at least as much as a blind boy could hope to. They played Seeker's Tag a lot, enchanting the snitch to 'glow' so that Harry could see it.

"Ve shall go get some vine, eh Harry?" Viktor laughed. Harry nodded, and let the older boy guide him to the galley, though he could have found it just fine on his own. It was nice to have someone that would take care of him, even when he didn't really need it. He just wished he'd had Viktor when he'd been living at the Dursleys. Things would have been so much different.

Harry grinned happily, fingers wrapped around a mug of the lightly spiced wine he preferred. Most of the crew preferred the more traditional heavily spiced wine, but so many spices made him choke. And of course, the best those who weren't the highmaster's favorites got was cider. There was always a pot of cider brewing, but you had to have special permission to get wine. Harry thought that it amused the highmaster to play favorites, but he wasn't complaining, seeing as how he was one of them. Him and the Five were all on the ship's crew, even though the rest of the crew was seventh and eighth years, and they were only fourth.

"Ve are almost there," Viktor commented. "I vish the six of you were old enough to enter, eh? They vouldn't know vhat hit them. Oh vell. I suppose you'll just have to help me vhen I am chosen." Harry laughed at Viktor's prideful assumption that he would be chosen as Durmstrang's champion, though honestly he was probably right. Harry couldn't think of anyone better than his big brother to represent their school.

"Of course we'd help you. Heaven knows, if you get chosen, we'll have to help you if we want to win." Viktor shoved Harry on the arm, sloshing his wine over the edge of his mug.

"Oh, thank you, little brother, for your faith in me."

"You're welcome!" Harry said brightly.

They walked in behind the eligible competitors, which rankled, but he had begged and pleaded to be allowed to come when he had found out that there would be a competition, so he really couldn't complain. It hadn't occurred to anybody to bring them, since they were only fourth years, but they were in a lot of the same classes as the sixth and seventh years who had come. Their elaborate staves, which they had graduated to last year, thumped in time with those of the seventh and eighth years who were competing. They looked very different from the Hogwarts students; in the brown wrapped pants and loose shirt the lower years wore instead of the formal uniform, and black combat boots that were mandatory. You couldn't even tell 'Lita was a girl, the way the shirt draped. Harry supposed that was the point. Anonymity.

'Greetings, great lady,' he sent to the castle, using the familiarity he had gained with her over the break to greet her without having to trance. She really was a remarkable piece of enchantment. He received the equivalent of a flattered giggle, and he wondered that there didn't seem to be anybody in Hogwarts skilled enough to properly greet her, much less have her assist them. It really was a pity, since she could be so much help. He should know. He would have been continually lost without her help.

"Igor, surely not all of these students are planning to enter," the headmaster of Hogwarts said, eyes fixed on Harry and the Five, and a few other students that were considered too young to compete, but who had enough classes with the seventh and eighth years that it hadn't made sense to leave them behind when Harry and the Five were allowed to accompany them.

"Of course not, Albus. Though I'm sure they would jump at the opportunity should you choose to give it to them."

"Then why are they here, Igor?"

"I didn't feel it would be fair to separate them from the majority of their teachers for as long as this will be. Anything they're taking that the teacher didn't accompany us, they will either study with me, or with your students, with your permission of course." The Hogwarts headmaster relaxed.

"Oh, of course, Igor. Of course. Just let me know what classes they need into, and I'll warn the instructors to watch for them." Harry smirked slightly when he found Mitch's 'feel' among the students seated. Since Beaubatons was still at the front with them, he had been right when he'd assumed that Mitch would be going to Hogwarts.

Finally they were allowed to be seated. Viktor subtly guided Harry to a table. Others of the crew did the same for the Five, knowing that they wouldn't know where the tables were. It would shame their school to have members running into things. They had been there before, but it had been over the break, and the house tables had been gone, leaving the huge room mostly empty.

Harry tilted his head, interestedly studying the only student in the room bright enough to 'glow' naturally. Mitch shimmered, but even that was an echo from Harry. There were several others who shimmered, but there was only one glow out of all the Hogwarts students. Harry turned to whisper in Viktor's ear, and Viktor grinned and shrugged, his shoulder bumping Harry's.

"Igor will demand an accounting," he said warningly. Harry shrugged.

"He'll understand." He gestured to the elf who had poured his and 'Lita's wine. "Offer some to the strong one there, at the table with us." He mentally marked the one he was talking about, knowing the boy had caught the gesture towards him. The elf popped to him, and he looked curiously at Harry, who pretended to ignore him, turning to face Viktor. He made Viktor describe what the boy was doing, though Viktor could barely keep the laughter out of his voice as he replied.

"The fourth champion, Mitchell Potter," Dumbledore said in a strange voice. Harry was shocked. The tourament was supposed to have three champions, one from each school. Mass whispering broke out as Mitch made his way up to the front, and disappeared behind the same door that Viktor, Miss Delacour, and Mr. Diggory had when they were chosen. The head teachers from each school huddled into a tight group to discuss what to do.

"Harry. Five. Come," The highmaster said peremptorily. Harry stood and made his way slowly to stand before his teacher, who's impatiently tapping foot gave him something to follow. He almost smiled. "It is obvious someone has sabotaged the cup. Can you correct this wrong, child?" Harry tilted his head.

"I will make the attempt- under one condition. The Five and I are allowed to enter. Mitchell is my twin, so obviously we would not be as outmatched as was feared when we were denied access." The highmaster smiled at him.

"I shall see what I can do for you." Harry bowed gravely.

"I shall start preparations." He turned to call Viktor back into the hall. "I need you and your year-group to shield us against interference. I don't trust this," he murmured into Viktor's ear. Viktor gave him a strange look, but nodded slowly, trotting across the hall to gather his friends among the crew that he trusted to assist him. One of the elves brought Harry his bag of effects from the ship without prompting, and he smiled warmly at the creature. Viktor came to stand beside Harry, watching the highmaster argue with the other two. Finally, he turned and nodded to Viktor, who elbowed Harry in the side. Harry elbowed him back, and then turned to pace the edge of the goblet's sphere of influence, which was actually just outside the age line, his staff marking his step as he walked. The Five and Victor and his four companions followed him, forming a ring around the goblet, alternating one of the Five with an older student. Once he had made a full circle, Harry slipped into the center, dropping to his knees and bowing, with his staff lying before him. As he raised his head and started the chant that would help him enter the proper state of mind to communicate with the enchanted goblet, the Five paced three steps forward, dropping to their knees with their staves balanced before them, eyes closed.

At Viktor's nod, the five still standing started the chant of a strong shielding spell, voices rumbling in baritone unison. Moments later, the Five joined them, an alto counterpoint. Slowly, Harry opened his mind to the cup, vaguely aware that the rest of the champions had come back to watch. He wormed his way past the protective threats with his obvious intent to restore what should be. He ignored the rest of the hall, watching in near silence, even as the hour grew far past when most of them would usually be in bed.

"Champions," the black-haired teen said in a strangely echoing voice. "Step into the circle." Mitch glanced around frantically as the deep voices shifted their pattern, but he could see no hesitation in the other champions, so he stepped forwards with Diggory, trying to still his heart, which was racing at being involved in unknown magic. "Durmstrang." Krum, the quidditch player, stepped from the shielding circle to stand directly behind the boy. "Beaubatons." The blonde girl –he couldn't remember her name- slid through the open space the Bulgarian boy left. "Hogwarts." Exchanging a glance, he and Diggory stepped through.

He felt a warm magic assessing him, and he shuddered slightly. The feel of the magic felt –strange. Ancient, and yet there was a layer to it he felt he should recognize, though he didn't know why. Glancing around, he saw an almost euphoric look on Krum's face, and even Diggory and the girl didn't look as apprehensive as he felt. He scowled slightly. A girl wouldn't show him up. He set his shoulders and stared challengingly at the back of the teen's head. He felt a vague amusement, then the magic around him collapsed, and so did the boy in front of him. Apparently anticipating this, Krum caught him, swinging him up into his arms.

"You did vell, little brother. Arani vould be proud of you." The boy snorted.

"Arani would verbally flay me for even attempting that, and you know it." His voice was tired, but the strange echo had faded, leaving the normal voice of a fourteen-year-old boy.

"True, but she vould be proud as vell."

"Is she convinced, child?" The Durmstrang headmaster asked softly, and the boy nodded, instantly wincing.

"She will choose second champions from Durmstrang and Beaubatons, but I did not have the energy left to start the process." He laid his head tiredly on Krum's shoulder, and the headmaster placed a gentle hand on his forehead for a moment.

"Albus, if you would," he said, gesturing grandly towards the cup. "I'm sure you want this to be as fair a competition as possible." There was an ironic undercurrent in the man's voice, but Mitch didn't catch it. Several of the other students did, however, and grinned, smirked, or scowled, depending on their nature. Dumbledore ignored it, stepping forwards to activate the goblet again, obviously not really expecting it to work.

He was, therefore, startled when it burst into blue flame within seconds of the completion of the incantation, especially since it had taken several minutes to activate last time. All of the Durmstrang and Beaubatons students stepped forwards and placed their name in the goblet once more, except for the champions, though Krum was still carrying the dark haired boy, who seemed quite comfortable, despite the glaring of a slight brunette boy who was watching the black haired one jealously. He moved to murmur angrily in the black haired boy's ear, and the boy rolled his eyes but kissed his cheek reassuringly. Krum raised an eyebrow, speaking quietly, and the boy backed down, kissing the tiny boy on the lips and running his hand through his hair. It was a sweet gesture, but it was also obviously claiming. Mitch noticed that several of the other Durmstrang students looked less than pleased with this, though it didn't seem to be the homosexuality that bothered them, as there was one pair who were obviously a couple that looked disturbed by the display.

A paper fluttered out of the fire, and the Durmstrang headmaster grabbed it out of the air. He nodded to Krum, who bent to whisper in the black haired boy's ear. Another scrap of paper was snatched out of the air. "Giselle Bonaparte." A fiery redhead broke from the group to stand by the blonde girl. "Now that we have all of our champions, shall we retire?"

"Yes, champions, if you would please, through that door into the antechamber, and we'll explain how we are going to do this." They filed inside, Krum still carrying the other boy, who looked exhausted.

"Well, this shall be interesting, do you not think, Viktor? The twins competing against each other?" The Durmstrang headmaster said genially to Krum, who shrugged.

"I haff what I wanted, which is Harry competing. That I get to compete beside him is a joy. And I know nothing of Mitchell to look forwards to a competition between them. He vill not speak of him."

"Yet, just the fact that it is Mitchell Potter, the boy-who-lived, competing against his own twin?" Krum turned slightly to navigate the narrow door.

"He can't be my twin," Mitch exclaimed as he crossed the threshold. The entire group turned to look at him.

"Why not?" asked the Durmstrang headmaster.

"Because Harry's blind."

"So what, Mitch? When has that ever stopped me before? I always could do more than you, even though the magical explosion the night our parents died took my sight. I could see before that, you know. I remember sight, even if I don't have it any more."

"Magical explosion?" Dumbledore questioned. Harry shrugged.

"Sure. Highmaster pulled out my memory so that we could view it."

"We?"

"The Highmaster, myself, Viktor, and the Five."

"But not Gemini, thank god," Viktor muttered. Harry rolled his eyes.

"No, not Gemini, though I can't understand what you guys have against him." Viktor just shook his head. It was obvious that they'd had this argument before, many times.

"I cannot believe that you would not have done the same with your student, Albus," the Durmstrang headmaster said archly.

"His magic is was not developed enough yet to allow foreign magic into his mind without damaging him."

"But our bond made our magic develop faster than normal," Harry protested, aghast at the implication that his teacher had risked harming him. "That's how we're in so many advanced classes. We looked at the memory years ago. Just before we left second year."

"But Mitchell had only the bond to you, Harry. You also had your bonds with the Five."

"Why do you call them that?" Mitch burst out curiously.

"It's a side effect of the way the bond twisted. Each of them formed a spontaneous bond with me, but because we were all in proximity, their bonds twisted together into one, tying them together as though they were one person. They're all in different classes because what one knows, they all do. It doesn't seem to have effected their personalities much though, or their inborn talents. But any learned talent is shared between the Five of them."

"How did you manage that?" the Beaubatons headmistress asked, entering the conversation for the first time.

"We haven't been able to figure that out," Harry replied, shrugging. "It's handy though."

"I do believe we have enough to do without gossiping about the students," a dark drawling voice broke into their musing. Mitch looked up to see the potions professor smirking at the Headmasters.

"Quite right, Severus. Harry needs to get some rest as soon as possible," Durmstrang's headmaster said briskly. Harry nodded, laying his head on Viktor's shoulder. Mitch tuned the man speaking out, knowing he would get what he needed to know from the headmaster if he needed it. Instead, he watched his brother.

"A moment sir," Krum interrupted suddenly. He placed one hand firmly over Harry's heart. "Ennervate." Harry sat up with a gasp, eyes wide. "Stay avake until ve return to the ship. Viki vill have everything ready for you." Harry nodded shakily.

"I'll try. I'm sorry for interrupting, goodsir."

"Not a problem, my dear boy. Not a problem at all. That was highly advanced magic you preformed earlier. It's not surprising that you are exhausted. You are a credit to your school." Harry nodded tiredly, forcing himself to sit up so he wouldn't fall asleep. Mitch recognized that tactic. When they were kids, he'd stand in the center of the room, so he couldn't lean on the wall and fall asleep.

Things wound down quickly after that, since everyone could see how hard Harry was fighting to stay awake. As soon as they were dismissed, Viktor lifted Harry like a child, sprinting towards the ship.

Viktor tucked Harry into the bed like he really was the little brother he called him, pressing a chaste kiss to his forehead before retreating to his side of the room. Harry smiled slightly as he remembered how pissed Gemini had been when he'd announced he was rooming with Viktor and not him.

Flashback

"But why, Harry?" Gemini asked plaintively, though he knew that didn't affect Harry the way it did most people. "Why won't you room with me?"

"Because if I room with you, you'll take that as permission to fuck me, which I haven't given you." Gemini sighed exaggeratedly, since he knew Harry couldn't see him roll his eyes.

"I really can restrain myself. I won't attack you. I haven't even tried to seduce you, have I? I'm being as patient as I know how, and believe me you're testing me. Monogamy isn't my strong point."

"And I appreciate it that you'd make the effort for me," Harry said flatly. Gemini sighed, knowing that he wouldn't be able to get Harry to change his mind if he hadn't by now. His failure grated, but he knew when it was time for a graceful retreat. He gently pulled Harry into his arms, making sure the younger boy could retreat if he wished. He could see several of Harry's friends watching them from across the room. They didn't trust him not to hurt Harry. Harry, sensing that Gemini had given up, curled up in his arms.

End Flashback

Gemini was sitting at the end of his bed when he woke up, holding a cup of tea that, by the way it was steaming, had been poured when he started to stir. As soon as he sat up, he pressed his fingers around the mug. Harry smiled gratefully at him before taking a long swallow. It was bitter and strong, redolent with several different herbs, but he knew that it would help the headache that had built up from overextending his magic. Gemini wrapped his arms around him as he sipped, moving to sit beside him so Viktor could place a lap tray of food in front of him. The brunette was silent while he ate, which could be a good thing or a bad thing. He was so unpredictable, Harry never knew what to expect. That was why he stayed with him, though he knew his friends thought the relationship would hurt him. He loved the unpredictability, the challenge of keeping the blonde content to do what he said, not what he wanted. He knew it probably wouldn't last much longer, but there was a certain satisfaction in having the older boy wrapped around his finger while it lasted. He was such a heartbreaker, he would have five or six seductions going at once, so he never had to go long without a good fuck, and he always dropped his partners after one or two times. But one of the things Harry had insisted on was that he was Gemini's one and only as long as they were going out, though he was slightly shocked that the older boy had actually complied. Still, it was going on three months, and he could tell that his boyfriend was dying for a good fuck, which Harry wasn't planning on giving him anytime soon.

"Why do you insist on doing these things alone, Harry?" Gemini asked finally. "You could have killed yourself." Across the room, Viktor snorted. He wasn't on the same level as Harry and Gemini were in enchanting, so he didn't realize how dangerous what Harry had done was. Had his concentration slipped, even a little, the magic would have consumed him, and if he hadn't had enough innate magic, his refusal to draw on the magic of his bondmates could have drained him dry.

"If I'd called on the bonds, I would have failed. She's a temperamental old lady, and won't work with anyone she considers weak," Harry said softly, concentrating on the last of his food. "And once I was out of link with her, I was too tired to tie into the bonds, though Mitch surely could have spared me some energy."

"And nobody thought to feed you energy," Gemini concluded angrily. He really did care about Harry in his own way. His way was just mostly self-centered.

"You didn't either."

"I couldn't!"

"Yes you could have. It would have taken more effort, since we aren't bonded, but you could have done it."

"No, I couldn't! I tried! Krum was shielding you so hard, a Hungarian Horntail wouldn't have gotten through! Only someone you're bonded to could have reached you." Harry blinked in shock.

"You tried to help me?"

"Yes," Gemini said sullenly, an unspoken 'of course, you idiot' echoing in his words. Wandlessly levitating the tray away, Harry turned in his arms to kiss him soundly. He softened, kissing Harry gently, but hungrily. His fingers picked at Harry's buttons, and Harry let him, but when he touched the hem of his jeans, he gently grasped his hands. "Just wondering how far you'd let me go," Gemini said breathily, trailing kisses down Harry's neck to his chest.

"Not that far. And Viktor's still in here."

"Like I care."

"You may not care, but I do. Stop that," Viktor protested.

"Go away," Gemini countered irritably. "Go spend some time with your boyfriend, and leave me alone with mine."

"Senta and I broke up." Viktor said flatly.

"You'll get back together soon. The two of you have been inseparable since you met." Viktor looked startled, then pensive, as though he couldn't believe Gemini said something positive to him, since they were constantly sniping at each other, or that what Gemini said made sense.

"Viktor, please," Harry said before he could respond. "I swear I won't let him push me." Slowly, Viktor nodded, and slipped through the door. Gemini turned back to him with a delighted smile before slipping his shirt off and pressing their chests together softly, gently pulling Harry to lie back on the bed.

The feelings Gemini was creating in him almost made him loose his determination not to let Gemini fuck him, but although he did finally allow the older boy to remove his confining jeans, he made him leave the boxers on. Gemini, of course, stripped bare, but that was ok with Harry. He loved the feel of Gemini's hard body against his; he just wasn't going to let the other boy take things faster than he wanted to. Gemini rubbed himself to completion against Harry's hip, kissing and worshiping his upper body, but mostly ignoring his cock.

"Gem, please," Harry cried out.

"Can I take your boxers off, Harry?" he whispered into Harry's ear. When Harry hesitated, he growled slightly. "I just came, and I might be good, but I don't have that much stamina. I just want to touch you without them in the way." After a long moment, Harry agreed, and Gemini slipped the cloth down his body. He didn't tease now, but set about rewarding Harry for complying with his wishes. He wouldn't punish the younger boy for denying him, even without the added impetus of his friends' wary eyes, because it made his surrenders all the sweeter that they were without the prompting that a punishment would bring. Harry gave him what he wanted to, no more and no less, and much as it frustrated him, he wouldn't change that.

He covered Harry's manhood with his mouth, and swallowed all he offered when he came. Sighing softly in contentment, he slid up and rested his head against Harry's chest, wrapping one arm over his waist.

"That was nice," Harry said after a moment, yawning slightly.

"Mmhmm," Gemini hummed, content to just lay there, holding him. Harry summoned a blanket, draping it over them just as the door bust open, and 'Lita and Luka tumbled in, giggling madly.

"Oops!" 'Lita exclaimed with a laugh. "Did we interrupt, or were you done?" Gemini rolled his eyes, though he knew she couldn't see it.

"We're done. Thank you," he said in a repressive voice. 'Lita shrugged and cast an air freshening charm before sitting down on Viktor's bed. Luka moved to sit behind her, and she leaned back against him as his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Well, good then. We were wondering if you'd like to go swimming with us."

"Not today 'Lita," Harry groaned. "Not with this headache. I think I've had enough physical activity today." And he curled up against Gemini and fell asleep. Luka and 'Lita remained curled together on the other bed, talking softly, their exuberance apparently dimmed by the fact that Harry was still feeling poorly. Peter wandered in, strumming softly on a guitar, sitting on the small desk at the head of Harry's bed. James bounced in, followed by Franklin, both listening to something on the mp3 player that had been a final project; someone had enchanted it to feed off of magic instead of electricity. Gemini shook his head at them silently, but he was smiling slightly. Despite what he might say, he was glad Harry had such faithful friends. He silently conjured clothes onto himself and Harry, soft silk sleep pants and a t-shirt, just in case someone who wasn't blind came in.

He was just in time, because someone tapped on the door. "Hey, Harry, your brother's here. He sounds kinda confused." Harry mumbled in his sleep.

"Bring him here," Gemini ordered sharply. "I think something's wrong." The kid trotted off, while the Five stiffened, grouping around the bed in worry. Checking Harry, he found his breathing was slightly harsher than usual, and his pulse was racing. "Someone go get Krum and the highmaster!" he sapped out before dropping into a trance where he could see magic. Sure enough, something was draining him faster than he could replace it, even with the bonds. He surfaced with a gasp.

"Vhat is going on?" Viktor asked, sounding frightened. Gemini looked up at him soberly.

"Something he didn't realize could. It only occurred to me because of a chance comment Arani made." He looked up into the highmaster's face solemnly. "He released his connection with the cup. She didn't release her hold on him. She's draining him too fast." Karkaroff bit off a curse.

"What does that mean?" Mitchell asked.

"It means that if ve cannot break the connection, your brother vill die," Viktor said quietly, as nobody else seemed to want to say it.

"Oh."`

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DUNDUNDUN! I'm feelin pretty good now. It's been so long since I was able to end a chapter on such a nice cliffy.