Lance had just finished wrapping Harry's wound when the door slammed open and Charlie Weasley walked in. His face was stormy as his eyes jumped from George to Harry and finally to Lance. Charlie pointed at him.

"He should leave." Charlie barked out. Lance looked at Harry but the other man just shook his head.

"No Lance can stay," he replied in the same hard commanding tone Lance had only heard from him once before. It still gave him chills. Charlie scowled but when he answered it was with more of a whine.

"He's a muggle."

"Yes that's true but he's not going anywhere." Suddenly he hesitated and glanced over at Lance "I mean unless you want to. I know this is pretty crazy. . ." He trailed off and Lance quickly shook his head.

"No I don't want to leave." He assured and Harry sent him a grin before turning back to Charlie. The other man scowled but after a moment he shook his head.

"Whatever. I dealt with Justin and I went ahead and sent a notification to the ministry in Siberia to go check on the orphanage. They'll take care of the kids." Harry nodded and leaned back looking relieved.

"Good and Greyback?" he asked.

"Dead." George replied beside him. "You got him right in the heart."

Harry grinned.

"Wonderful."

"It's not fucking wonderful Harry!" Charlie exclaimed "Just because I made that prat Finch-Fletchley leave doesn't mean I don't want answers! What was that?"

Lance glanced at Harry who was looking decidedly uncomfortable. He shrugged. Beside him Lance saw George watching him with careful eyes.

"This isn't the first time this happened is it?" George's voice was soft and Lance noted the other man spoke with absolute certainty. Harry seemed to be very focussed on his ceiling in an attempt to avoid looking at the other men in the room. His lack of answer seemed to be enough for the other two because Charlie let out an angry huff and moved so that he was only inches from Harry, towering above him where he sat on the couch.

"How many times has it happened Harry?" He demanded sharply. Harry glanced down and shifted so he was pressing his side into Lance beside him. When he spoke his voice was barely a whisper.

"Five times."

"Merlin!" Charlie exclaimed. "Who else knows?"

"No one!" Harry exclaimed quickly.

"No one?" George asked and then Harry shrugged.

"Well Ron and Hermione obviously but no one else."

"Good," Charlie nodded "That's good. Listen Harry you can't tell anyone else about this. Not a soul we can't risk this getting out."

Harry nodded and Lance could only marvel at the intensity in Charlie's voice. Lance had thought the other man was fairly carefree but this was a much more intense side he hadn't seen before.

"I know that Charlie. I wouldn't have even let you two find out if it could have been avoided." Harry's voice was soft but it still garnered another scowl from the red headed man.

"It could have been avoided today. Why do you insist on being so reckless?" the question hung in the air for a moment before George Weasley began to guffaw loudly. Charlie glared at him.

"Sorry mate I agree with you really I do it's just. . .you of all people. .. giving a lecture about being too reckless." Beside him Lance saw Harry smirk but Charlie was not amused.

"Believe it or not lately I have been very careful. My mother can't lose another son Harry. Please be more careful."

Harry winced.

"I know that Charlie but you and George are fine you know I would never let anything happen to either of you." Beside him Lance saw George roll his eyes.

"We appreciate the sentiment Harry but Charlie is talking about you. It would kill mum to lose you." For a moment Harry just stared at George as if having trouble processing his words. Finally he spoke.

"Okay."

"Okay?" Charlie asked.

"I'll be more careful I'm sorry I scared you."

1. .. .2...3...4

George and Charlie lingered for another half hour before finally taking their leave. Harry had intended to cook dinner but when he moved to do so Lance had forced him back onto the couch and ordered pizza instead. Apparently Lance felt gaping wounds and cooking were not compatible with each other. The pizza had arrived and they were cuddled together on the couch content to spend the evening watching a movie when with the force of a hurricane. Hermione arrived.

Harry supposed he should be thankful she didn't apparate in. Normally she did and it made him wonder if she'd somehow gotten word from George or Charlie that Lance was there. The furious pounding on his front door caused them both to jump.

"Harry James Potter! YOU WILL OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT THIS MOMENT OR SO HELP ME I WILL BOMBARDA IT INTO NEXT WEEK." So maybe she didn't know Lance was there. Either way Harry moved to answer it only to be stopped by Lance.

"I'll get it, you're hurt." He told him Harry nodded but caught Lance's hand.

"Please don't tell Hermione about that. She's scary when she's angry." Lance's lips quirked into a smile but he still nodded in agreement before moving to open the door. Hermione had her mouth open obviously warming up for another shout when the door swung open. She blinked. Harry hadn't told her he'd been dating Lance, not wanting to give her false hope about something so new.

"Oh, hello Lance isn't it?" Lance smiled at her.

"That's right and you're Harry's friend Hermione."

"Yes and I really need to speak with him." She told him urgently so Lance stepped back and allowed her into the apartment. As soon as her eyes landed on him carelessly reclined on the sofa her confusion seemed to clear. Her lips formed a thin angry line.

"Do you have something you want to tell me Harry?" she asked in a dangerous tone. Harry swallowed and glanced at Lance who looked entirely too amused.

"Well. . .uhh I've been dating Lance. This is our second date or third if you count the night we almost had sex and you bullied us into research instead." Hermione looked at Harry in obvious surprise and for a moment he thought he'd successfully distracted her.

"We'll talk about that later, is there anything else you'd like to tell me about?" She asked. Harry quickly shook his head.

"Nope can't think of anything."

"Really? Nothing at all?" She asked in a tone that was far too sweet to be anything other than deadly. Harry shook his head again and tried not to look terrified.

"Nothing."

"Right, so you haven't been to Siberia lately?" Harry hesitated. It was possible Hermione was only suspicious. She sounded awfully certain however for a moment he considered honesty but discounted it after catching the dangerous twinkle in Hermione's eyes. As long as she didn't have any proof he'd be fine, she could just be trying to trick him into a confession.

"Siberia? Me?" Harry gave a jocular laugh "What would I do in Siberia Hermione?"

"I don't know Harry. What would you do in Siberia? Certainly not hunt down Greyback and put a dagger in his chest."

"Greyback is dead?" Harry replied feigning surprise. "Well I certainly don't know anything about that but you know I just have to say good riddance. Whoever did do that really ought to get a medal. Certainly not a lecture."

Hermione snorted.

"Honestly Harry, how stupid do you think I am? You left your dagger behind. The one Ron gave you last Christmas with your initials engraved into the blade." As Hermione spoke she removed the dagger from a bag at her side and handed it to Harry. Harry blushed before taking the knife from Hermione.

"Thanks Hermione."

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused? The Siberian Ministry is FURIOUS they revere their. . ." She paused suddenly and glanced at Lance seemingly remembering him for the first time. "Wolves."

"Hermione he was attacking orphans!" Harry exclaimed.

Hermione's face softened.

"I know it's hard Harry but you can't save everyone. You're supposed to be taking it easy. No more violence remember?" Harry sighed and nodded.

"I know I already promised George and Charlie to be more careful anyway."

"Charlie told you to be more careful? What the hell happened?" She exclaimed Harry flinched realizing he'd given himself away so rather than answering he just pulled up his shirt.

1. .. .2.. ..3...

By the time Hermione left it was nearing midnight but neither Harry nor Lance was prepared to give up on their date just yet. Harry picked a movie and snuggled up into Lance's side like he was meant to be there. Lance let his fingers tangle in Harry's hair teasing the silky locks as he thought over all the new things he'd learned about Harry that evening.

He could tell that there was something missing from the puzzle of Harry's life. Something that was bigger even than the other man being in a cult or being hunted by terrorists but he couldn't figure out what it was. He was pretty sure Harry had killed a man that night and had nearly died in the process. He didn't quite know how to feel about that.

Harry didn't seem the type to hurt innocent people and Lance fully believed the man he'd killed had done all the things Harry accused him of. Lance worked for the FBI and didn't approve of vigilante justice. The system exists to see justice served but there were obviously extenuating circumstances to this situation. Children in danger and a foreign government unwilling to act. After mulling it over for awhile he finally forced himself to break the comfortable silence to ask.

"Harry?" He asked softly. Beside him he felt Harry shift to look at him even as Lance remained facing forward.

"Hmmm?" He replied in a soft drowsy voice.

"The wolf you killed tonight was actually a man wasn't it?" He felt Harry stiffen beside him and Lance almost regretted asking but he needed to know if Harry would be honest. When Harry finally replied he no longer sounded sleepy.

"Once he may have been but. . ." He hesitated and Lance felt him straighten up and move away so Harry was no longer pressed to his side. Lance mourned the loss but turned to face him. "Have you ever met someone who had done so many terrible things, that their humanity was gone? All the kindness and mercy, every single shred of decency. Greyback may have been born a human being but the thing that died tonight was a monster."

"Before you told me you didn't want to kill him. Just capture what changed?" Lance asked hoping Harry wouldn't refuse to answer.

"There was a little boy. He shouldn't have even been able to get outside but Greyback's got a thing about kids and when he spotted him he just charged. I think he was hoping to get away while we tried to heal him maybe? I don't know but it didn't matter cause I got between them."

"That's when he cut you?" Lance asked.

"Yes but, you have to understand I didn't plan to kill Greyback. That doesn't mean I regret it. When the time came I didn't hesitate and if faced with the same situation I would do the same thing."

For awhile neither of them spoke instead Lance pulled Harry back into his side and they resumed watching the movie. It was very late by the time the movie ended and Lance didn't object to being gently tugged into Harry's room and then his bed. They kissed for a few minutes but Lance was all too aware of Harry's injury to try to take it further so soon both were dozing off in each others arms.

1...4...8...12

Lance had just arrived at the Jeffersonian and was headed to Harry's office when Hodgins cornered him. He hadn't been around much because Booth was still recovering from his coma. He had high hopes however that Booth would be fit for duty soon. Today he'd stopped in to visit Harry he hadn't seen him in over a week because Lance had been buried in work.

"Hey Sweets, Angela says you're dating that Dr. Black guy." Hodgins accused. Lance nodded.

"Not that it's really any of your business but yes we have been seeing each other for a few weeks now."

"You better be careful man. My detective is still digging but so far it's like this guy just ceased to exist before he showed up here. And I've been researching that school online. Every year they invite maybe a dozen students. The kids go off to school and come back different." Hodgins told him ominously. Unable to contain his curiosity Lance asked.

"Different how?"

"Strange and secretive, they refuse to tell their friends what they've been doing at school. Often times they drift away from anyone they were close with before then when they graduate they all but disappear. No records, no social visits just gone."

"That is odd." Lance agreed filing the information away for further contemplation later on.

"Not to mention the ones that reappear later." Hodgins paused to ensure he had Lance's full attention. "All the people who have P.S.T.E.G. listed in their paper work are wildly successful. It's some kind of secret society with major connections and your guy is one of them Sweets. It makes me wonder what's a guy like that doing working at a museum? He's up to something I guarantee it."

2. . ..4...6...8...

When Lance reached Harry's office it was tea time. He knew it was because Vincent Nigel-Murray and Harry were sitting in Harry's big red chairs sipping tea and nibbling on small cakes Harry had set out on a small tray. Harry grinned at him when Lance entered and invited him to sit.

"How do you take your tea Lance?" Harry asked.

"Oh err. . . .I don't know however you like it." he replied, Harry smirked but quickly went about adding milk and sugar to Lance's cup. Lance accepted the cup and taking a sip sat back to listen to Vincent and Harry interact.

"Did I tell you my cousin Claire will be coming for a visit soon?" Vincent asked.

"No you hadn't, when do you expect her?"

"Next week she and her friend Gabrielle Delacour, you know her I think? She mentioned wanting to visit with you specifically." Harry laughed.

"Oh yes I know Gabby her sister is married to my friend Bill Weasley." Turning to Lance "that's the oldest Weasley brother."

"I should warn you she's very smitten with you." Vincent told him.

"Claire or Gabby?" Harry asked curiously.

"Well both I guess but Gabrielle especially. Claire tells me she thinks she can convince you to marry her." Harry rolled his eyes.

"She'll find herself disappointed. Honestly pull a girl out of a lake and all of the sudden it's love."

"You pulled her out of a lake?" Lance asked cutting into the conversation. Harry flushed looking embarrassed.

"It's complicated, there was this contest and Fleur was supposed to save her but she got disqualified. I was only supposed to save Ron but when Fleur never showed up I took Gabby too."

"That sounds like a strange contest." Lance replied puzzled. Harry nodded.

"You know I've only heard the stories from Claire." Vincent said "Can you tell me what happened?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment before he nodded.

"A few details can't hurt I suppose. That was the second task you know. There were four of us champions: Gabby's sister Fleur from Beauxbatons, Viktor Krum from Durmstrang and then Cedric and I from Hogwarts."

"Why two from your school but not the others?" Lance asked pretending Not to notice that Harry had accidentally slipped the real name of his school.

"Oh there was an error I shouldn't have even been allowed to compete. I was only fourteen and the others were all seventeen. I was only there due to a technicality." Lance nodded his understanding so Harry continued. "They gave us this riddle which said they would take the thing we'd sorely miss and we had an hour to find it or it wouldn't come back. Obviously in hindsight they wouldn't have hurt them but at the time. . ." Harry paused before shaking his head and speaking again.

"Anyway the thing they took was a friend. Viktor and Hermione were dating at the time, so he had to save her. Cedric had to save Cho, Fleur had to save Gabby and I had to save Ron. They put them at the bottom of the lake."

"They what?!" Lance exclaimed in horror Harry nodded.

"They were never in any real danger but I was fourteen and well I just couldn't leave them there. Cedric and Viktor saved Cho and Hermione but Fleur got hurt and didn't make it. I waited as long as I could before I took them both."

"That's barbaric! How could they do that to a child?" he demanded but Harry just shrugged.

"I told you I shouldn't have been allowed to compete I was too young."

"So you said that was the second task? How many were there?" Lance asked, this was more forthcoming than Harry usually was and he wanted to take advantage.

"Three," Harry replied his voice suddenly very quiet. "The third task was the worst."

Lance almost didn't want to know. Harry was looking very intently into his tea ignoring them both. Suddenly he looked up.

"God I've just realized. It's been years since I've thought of Cedric. I had almost forgotten." his voice was soft and self deprecating.

"Cedric?" Vincent asked. "Wasn't he the other champion? Claire's never mentioned the last task she only told me about how you saved Gabrielle."

Harry nodded.

"Yeah, Cedric Diggory he was a Hufflepuff. He beat me once at Quidditch the only person who ever did." Lance noted the past tense and the glistening in Harry's eyes and already knew what Harry was about to tell them.

"He was the first person I ever saw die. God and I almost forgot him. I've seen so many people-" Harry choked and setting down his tea stood abruptly. Lance moved at once to his side putting an arm around him as Vincent slipped from the room.

"It's okay to put it behind you Harry," Lance told him. "Just because you don't carry it with you doesn't mean you've forgotten."

Harry turned and buried his face in Lance's shoulder. Lance pulled him close wrapping his arms around the smaller man. After a moment Harry lifted his face and Lance saw his eyes were red rimmed.

"He said 'kill the spare' that's all. Three words and just like that Cedric was dead. It was so fast I couldn't stop it but it was my fault Lance. Cedric shouldn't have even been there he only wanted me but I-I told him we could take it together and then we were there in that fucking graveyard-" Harry cut off again and even though Lance didn't know exactly what he was talking about he knew enough to know it wasn't time to press so instead he kissed him. Just a gentle peck on the lips to silence him.

Harry kissed him back and for several minutes they were entwined together. When they finally pulled apart Harry sent him a watery smile.

"Is that how you handle your hysterical patients?" He asked in a teasing tone. Lance shook his head.

"No usually I just hit them with a tranquilizer but I left them at the office."

Author's notes: So as I'm sure you noticed Harry is getting less careful around Lance which I think is a good thing. Lance is putting things together even if he's not quite there yet. I'm thinking about Lemon's. ..

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