"Potter!" Exclaimed Hodgins at the same moment Harry went "Dammit Malfoy!"

Malfoy smirked no doubt enjoying the knowledge that he was causing problems for Harry. It didn't affect him if these people found out too much. At worst he'd pay a fine but Harry would have to obliviate them. Something he hated to do or allow to have done whenever possible. He'd never forgotten Lockheart's room in St. Mungo's and never wanted to risk doing that to another human being.

"Oh yes I know all about your little game. I was listening in." Draco told them his smile was wide and mocking. Harry growled but Hodgins who had been holding Malfoy had started to let him go.

"You lied. You said you changed your name because you're famous!" He exclaimed glaring at Harry clearly having decided to get on Malfoy's good side in hopes of getting more details. Malfoy glanced at him dismissively as he stepped away before speaking again.

"Oh Potter is quite famous. In some circles he is even revered. Worshipped almost too great to even speak his name. What is they called you Potter? Oh yes The-Boy-Who-Lived" he said it in a mocking tone as if he was announcing a king before his voice dropped to a poisonous whisper

"I seem to remember someone else whose name was too great to speak." Harry flinched back before realizing what he'd done and straightened his shoulders to pin Draco with a dangerous glare. Behind him Vincent and Wendell still held his arms but only Wendell was actually trying to hold him there. He seemed to recognize the rage in Harry when even his friend had missed it.

"You don't seem to have any problem speaking my name Malfoy." He replied after pulling himself under control. So far Malfoy had said nothing that linked definitively to magic. He just had to stay calm until Malfoy left. For a moment they just stared each other down before Draco spoke again as if Harry had never replied.

"I wonder what your public would think of you if they could see you know. Though I'll admit following the last few days has been enlightening. Does the little Weasley know her precious Potter is out shagging any cheap bit of ass that will have him? Is she waiting for you? Perhaps I should go break the news to her. Perhaps in her grief I can" Malfoy smirked maliciously "comfort her."

Harry didn't think, he just lunged. Vaguely he was aware of wrenching his arm from Wendell's grasp, pulling him forward in the process but he was too focussed on the almost blinding need to cause Malfoy pain. He ran into him so hard they both tumbled to the ground but before Harry could actually swing to hit him Malfoy took advantage of his rage and rolled him over. Once on top he began to rain blows down on Harry's face, splitting Harry's lip and giving him a few black eyes in the process. It didn't take long for Harry to refocus, despite the audience he focussed his thoughts on forcing Malfoy off and with a hard shove of his magic and hands simultaneously and wandlessly Draco was thrown back.

Draco hit the wall of the alley and stayed put while Harry climbed to his feet. Trying to act as nonchalant as possible despite the other people gaping at him, he dusted off his clothes and wiped the blood from his face. He turned back to Draco who'd clearly felt and been impressed by Harry's bit of wandless magic because he hadn't moved and was now watching him with wide eyes.

"For your information," he told him trying to sound smug despite the fact that his face was aching painfully from all the bruises. "Ginny and I broke up almost three years ago and she's engaged to a very friendly fellow named Chad Arbunkle. If you ever speak of her or any other member of my family again." Harry paused for dramatic effect "I will call in your debt to me."

Draco's eyes widened. Harry knew he'd chosen to try and repay the debt partly from fear of what Harry might one day ask of him. Undoubtedly he knew how Pettigrew had died and the way magic tended to try to even the scales when a life debt got called in rather than repaid willingly. He pushed himself up to his feet keeping his back pressed against the wall. He didn't speak again but turned and walked away his back straight.

Harry was left with a group of gaping coworkers. He tried to think of something to say to explain what had just happened. The only one who didn't look confused was Vincent, he mostly looked tense. Harry knew he probably didn't understand the ramifications of a life debt having only a basic overview of magic from his cousin but he'd clearly recognized the threat.

"I'm sure you all have loads of questions but I think I'm going to head home." He moved to take a step but swayed slightly and paused putting a hand to his temple.

"Hey! Not so fast!" Hodgins exclaimed and Lance who had been watching from the sidelines the entire time stepped forward putting his hand on Harry's arm.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Dr. Hodgins. You took quite a beating and before that you were drinking. I have a first aid kit in my car. Let me drive you home."

Harry sighed his head throbbing and the idea of apparition didn't sound appealing so instead he nodded gratefully and followed Lance to his car.

3...2...6...8...

Once at the car Lance told Harry to sit down on the hood while he dug through his trunk to find the first aid kit he kept there. He also grabbed a bottle of water and a T-shirt that had been left in his car to use as a rag before approaching Harry. Once he set everything next to Harry, who had leaned back to lay against the hood with his eyes closed, he tore the t-shirt into a couple of rags and doused one with the water. Harry seeing what he was doing sat up to watch and once Lance had a damp rag he stepped forward to begin wiping the blood from Harry's face.

At first he kept a pretty good distance but slowly he moved closer until his own face was inches from Harry's as he carefully tended to the various cuts and scratches on Harry's face. He looked up from sticking a bandage across a particularly nasty scratch and was caught in Harry's intense green eyes. They were standing so close and suddenly he was aware of Harry's breath against his cheeks. Of the heat from his skin where Lance's leg pressed against his thigh. They stayed like that frozen on the edge for what seemed like forever before the sound of a car door slamming and someone shouting caused them both to jump and move apart.

Lance cleared his throat.

"Sorry I should get you home." He told Harry who merely nodded and moved to the passenger side to climb in.

At first they drove in silence but Lance felt the tension and was compelled to break it. Harry sat across from him his eyes on trained on his window seemingly fascinated by the dark looming shapes of buildings and lights as they sped along.

"So I never got to ask you my last question." He made sure his tone was light and teasing not wanting Harry to feel pressured into discussing something he wasn't comfortable with. The other man turned and caught his eye briefly before Lance had to turn back to the road.

"Do you have something you'd like to ask me now?" his tone was teasing probably because he was well aware of how many questions their encounters had left him with.

"Well sort of. . . I have a theory and I'd like to know how accurate it is." Lance glanced over to see how Harry reacted. He'd been going over all he knew about Harry Black for quite some time and the things he'd seen tonight had an idea forming in his mind. He knew it wasn't his business but he was desperate to understand Harry. The other man seemed at odds with himself and Lance wanted to know everything about him. Harry was looking at him with open curiosity.

"A theory about me you mean?" he asked a smile playing on his lips. "Tell me I'm dying to see if you get it right."

"I believe your parents belonged to a cult but when they were killed you were still very small. Probably only an infant because you don't talk about them as people you remember. After that you went to live with a close family member I'm willing to bet you actually do have an Aunt Petunia who took you in." Lance glanced at him and saw that so far Harry didn't look upset nor had he jumped in to contradict him. "You don't feel the same loyalty to your aunt that you do to your parents. Even though she was the one who raised you. That makes me think she probably did so unwillingly and was possibly even abusive.

At some point though things changed for you. I would guess you were probably preteen right? Eleven or twelve." Lance noted the way Harry's jaw had tightened and paused but Harry still didn't stop him so he took a risk and plunged forward. "I would guess that it was at this time that the people your parents had been involved with reentered your life. For whatever reason you were very important to this group of people. I suspect it has to do with the body from the Jeffersonian, they told us he was a terrorist.

I suspect that from the time these people reentered your life it has been fraught with danger. For some reason you specifically, were targeted. There's a clear occult connection so maybe it was something from a psychic," Harry made a faint choking noise and Lance turned to see he was openly gaping at him.

"You weren't killed though even though when you spoke about your parents it was clear you were the target of the attack that killed them. The name your friend said The-Boy-Who-Lived is very telling and you kept on living clearly after the terrorist was killed. It's clear whoever your people are they have good connections but you don't want to be part of it any more.

I think you're trying to distance yourself from that life but you can't because it's following you. The body, the people investigating the body and now this guy Malfoy tonight. I think you attacked him out of frustration at being unable to simply live independently."

Suddenly Harry laughed and Lance stopped to look at him, having pulled the car to a stop in front of Harry's building a few moments before he could turn his focus completely onto the other man. Harry laughed but waved his hand.

"Sorry but you were doing so good I was starting to freak out. It was a relief to find you'd got something wrong." Harry gave him a lazy grin having moved to lean his back against the door with his head resting against the window to tilt his head up and look at Lance. Lance blinked.

"What part, specifically did I get wrong?"

"Two parts, first off I didn't hit Malfoy because my past is following me or anything. I hit Malfoy cause. . .it's what we do. He's a horrid nasty person and sometimes he just needs to get punched in the face. The other thing is it's not that I don't want any part. It wasn't all bad the way you made it sound." Harry paused thinking "There are people who I would never walk away from. Not completely"

Lance started at him. Harry had essentially confirmed his whole theory which Lance had felt was pretty far fetched but the only thing that accounted for all the variables. Now he wasn't sure what to say so he just watched Harry. His bruises were quickly becoming darker and he had several bandages on his face. He seemed lost in thought for a moment before he smiled slyly up at Lance.

"You're very good. So tell me have you given all this thought because you want to be my doctor?" He paused biting his lip then wincing with pain, clearly having forgotten it was swollen "Or do you want to come up for a nightcap?"

Lance caught his breath sharply. The offer was clear and as he took in Harry's messy black hair and wide green eyes that somehow seemed even more magnificent when peering out from darkened bruises. He knew he wouldn't say no.

"I don't want to be your doctor." Lance told him leaning closer. Harry smirked and leaned forward as well. When he spoke his lips were less than an inch from Lance's own and his breath danced across them.

"Does that mean you want to come upstairs?"

Lance swallowed heavily and managed a shaking nod. He moved forward and pressed his lips gently against Harry's and for a moment Harry kissed him back. It was gentle but passionate and sent chills through Lance's frame much too quickly Harry pulled away. Lance could keep his frustrated sigh inside but Harry just laughed.

"I promise my flat is much more comfortable than your car." He said and before Lance would do more than stare blankly at him he slipped out of the car and started towards his building. Lance hurried to follow. He caught up with him on the stairs and Harry leaned forward to place another teasing kiss on his lips before shifting out of his grasp and further up the stairs. They continued like this both laughing and breathless by the time they reached Harry's apartment on the third floor.

"Come on I'll get you a drink and then you can tell me more about me." Harry said teasing as he swung open the door. Suddenly he stopped dead as he took in his front room.

It was buried in books. Stacks of them on all the furniture the sofa and chairs had all been pushed against the wall and at the center of the room was a large table with chairs piled high with books. Seated facing the door as if waiting for them to arrive was an attractive woman with brown hair tied in loose knot at the nape of her neck. She was pouring over a large book on the table but looked up when they entered.

Beside him Harry's body seemed to slump as he took in the room. His eyes darting from the woman who was staring him down, to the books piled high on every surface.

"Fuck," He said softly "We're doing a research party?"

From behind a stack of books a red headed man appeared.

"Research party." He said nodding apologetically and handing Harry a mug of coffee. Lance watched as Harry scowled at him but still accepted the coffee.

"Harry! What happened to your face? Were you attacked?" the woman cried standing to examine Harry's injuries. Lance looked over at Harry who blushed and ran a hand through his hair.

"It's fine Hermione, it was only Malfoy." he told her soothingly.

"The ferret? Tell me he looks worse than you do mate," the redhead told him eagerly. Lance recognized both of their voices as Ron, from a few days before and his wife Hermione from the phone call. He hung back curious to see how Harry interacted with friends.

"Draco Malfoy? What on earth is he doing here?" Hermione exclaimed. Lance looked over at Harry because he'd been wondering the same thing.

"It's the weirdest thing he's been stalking me," Ron laughed and Hermione giggled Harry glared at them each in turn before continuing to speak. "Anyway I saw him tonight while I was out with some people from work so I decided to talk to him."

"Did you actually find out why he's here before you started hitting each other?" Hermione sounded exasperated but Harry nodded quickly.

"Oh yeah he reckons he owes me a life debt so he's going to hang around until he can repay it."

"How does he plan on doing that?" Hermione asked but Harry just shrugged.

"I don't know he said that before he decided to pick a fight. He could have left for all I know."

"Well he's not really much of a concern either way. I mean its only Malfoy, I've got a guide written up for you Harry so just finish your coffee and we'll get to work." Harry sighed and turned to look at Lance.

"Look I'm really sorry but you'll have to take a raincheck on that drink." He told Lance.

"I could help you research," Lance said quickly not wanting to leave just yet. "You don't get this many degrees by 21 without being pretty good at researching."

"What kind of degree?" This question came from Harry's friend Hermione who was eyeing him thoughtfully. Harry answered for him. .

"Lance is a psychologist, he's really good too. He told me my whole life story almost. It was very impressive." Hermione eyed Lance thoughtfully making him shift anxiously under her gaze. Harry spoke up again "He knows I specialize in the occult so the subject matter won't be too confusing for him."

"Do you speak Latin?" Hermione asked. Lance nodded.

"Yes and also greek."

"I reckon we could use the extra help love, You know I'm crap at research." Ron piped up. Finally Hermione nodded.

"Alright. I'll give you a list of keywords and phrases. You just skim whatever books I give you and mark down the page numbers where the keywords are used. I'm Hermione Weasley and this is Ron my husband. We went to school with Harry."

As she spoke she shuffled around and pulled a blank notebook in front of her and began writing down keywords. After a few minutes of silence she pushed the page to him and handed him a book.

"As I said if you see any of those words, just write down the title of the book and the page you saw it on. Later I'm going to go through and compile what we know." Lance nodded accepting the list and sitting down at the table. Ron handed him a cup of coffee and Harry patted him on the back sliding into the chair next to him with a grin and accepting his own guide.

"How come I don't get a word list?" Ron demanded sourly. Hermione sighed.

"Because Ron you already know what we're researching. You just find the books I've marked in your guide and read the chapters I've marked for you."Lance smiled and turned his eyes to the list he'd been given.

Master of Death (or any variation such as Death's Master, Ruler of Death ect)

The Deathly Hallows

Any references to gifts from death especially in groups of three

resurrection magic

Soul destruction or manipulation

Horcrux(any book with this word should be handed directly to Harry)

It was a strange list but Lance knew from what he'd already overheard and learned about Harry that they were clearly investigating the body from the Jeffersonian. He set to work on the book Hermione had given him. Scanning for any mentions of the words in question.

Author's notes: I hope you liked it! I can't wait for your reviews and I love the ones I've been getting so far. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!