A/N: Here's the next chapter. Hope you guys enjoy it. Please read and review! It makes me smile. Also check out the poll on my profile to vote for additional pairings.
Disclaimer: Sadly I don't own either Harry Potter or X-Men. If I did Gambit would be locked in my closet and I wouldn't share him.
"speech": character's talking
Speech: character's thoughts
Too Good to Be True
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For the first time during the summertime with the Dursleys Harry woke up feeling warm, safe and without being yelled at. He had his head pillowed on Gambit's chest with Gambit's arms wrapped tightly around him. Hmmm…I wonder what Gambit would like for breakfast? Breakfast??!! The Dursleys! Shit! With that terrifying thought Harry wiggled out from Gambit's arms and rushed around the room trying to put on all his clothes at once.
"Cher? What's the hurry?" Gambit asked worriedly as he propped himself up on his elbows.
"I have to get back to the apartment or my uncle's going to kill me!" Harry exclaimed finally getting all his clothes on. "I'll try and come see you tonight." He said as he pressed a quick kiss to Gambit's lips before racing out the door.
Gambit just sat in bed slightly confused at what just happened. I wonder…
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Harry finally paused in his headlong rush just outside the apartment door. Please Merlin let them still be sleeping. As quietly as possible Harry unlocked the door and tried to sneak inside without anyone the wiser.
Thanks to Harry's infamous luck, however, this was not to be.
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Gambit ducked around the corner of the hallway when he heard what sounded like a herd of elephants coming out of the apartment Harry was staying in. No wonder 'Arry was buying so much food if this is what his uncle and cousin look like!
"I can't believe the nerve of that freak! After all we do for him and he can't even do a few chores to earn his keep!" Vernon raged as they walked down the hall. "Petunia darling I really wish you would have let me drown the little freak when he first appeared on our doorstep!"
"I know dear. But this is the last year we'll ever have to put up with him again. I won't stand for him ruining our perfect life with his freakishness anymore! That headmaster of his can deal with the boy from now on." Petunia said viciously as they passed Gambit.
They better not be talkin' 'bout my 'Arry. Gambit thought with narrowed eyes as he watched the Dursleys head downstairs.
Once he was sure they were gone Gambit slipped down the hallway towards Harry's apartment. He knocked twice and upon receiving no answer he quickly picked the lock. Piece o' cake.
"'Arry,'re ya in 'ere?" Gambit called out softly. He stiffened when he felt Harry's pain coming in waves from the behind locked bedroom door. He quickly picked the lock and stopped short at what he saw.
For the first time Gambit felt like he wanted to kill someone. Harry was curled up in a fetal position on the small twin bed. His shirt had been removed but only because someone had used a belt to whip his back. His arms were sliced and bleeding heavily from where someone had slashed him with a knife. Not only that but his breath was coming in short, shallow pants as though he couldn't breathe properly.
Gambit hurried over to the bed and lightly touched his shoulder feeling sad when Harry flinched back and tried to curl tighter into a ball. ""Arry? It's me, Gambit." He was slightly surprised when upon hearing his voice Harry uncurled himself and reached for Gambit.
"Gambit…my head hurts." Harry moaned.
"Hold on 'Arry. I'm gonna get ya out of 'ere. I'm gonna pick ya up now. Hold ya breath 'cuz its gonna hurt, cher." Gambit said placing his arm under the back of Harry's knees and the other behind his shoulders. "Ready?"
Harry nodded once and closed his eyes. He nearly screamed as Gambit picked him up jostling his injured body and headed out of the apartment.
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Harry slowly opened his eyes and tried to remember where he was. Oh that's right Gambit took me out of the apartment after Vernon beat the shit out of me. Harry shifted around trying to catalogue his injuries. He was lying on his stomach, which was good since his back hurt the most. On the other hand his ribs ached making it hurt every time he took a deep breath and his head gave off a dull ache.
"'Arry 'ow 're ya feelin'?" Gambit asked quietly as he entered the room.
"It could be worse." Harry said flippantly, but not meeting Gambit's eyes.
Gambit frowned slightly before setting the tray down that he was carrying. "Alright lets get ya sittin' up so ya can eat breakfast." Gambit said helping Harry into a sitting position with his back cushioned with a mountain of pillows. Then he placed the tray containing breakfast on Harry's lap before settling down next to him on the bed.
Harry's eyes widened when he saw that Gambit brought him breakfast in bed. He quickly pressed a kiss to Gambit's cheek as a thank you before devouring the delicious breakfast prepared for him. Gambit watched his lover with sad eyes when Harry seemed so excited about a little thing like breakfast in bed.
Harry sighed with pleasure once he finished breakfast and leaned back slightly so he could look at Gambit without putting pressure on his back. "Thanks for breakfast, Gambit." Harry said smiling shyly at his older lover.
Gambit paused for a second like he wanted to say something but changed his mind. "Come on cher lets get ya cleaned up." He said with a playful leer on his face.
Harry blushed a bright tomato red before holding out his arms so Gambit could pick him up.
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After their very pleasant shared bath and with Harry's ribs, back and arms freshly bandaged the two men settled on the couch for what Harry just knew was going to be a very uncomfortable but entirely necessary interrogation.
Gambit lightly massaged Harry's shoulders before taking a deep breath. "'Arry why did ya uncle beat ya?"
Harry sighed and snuggled closer to Gambit. No one has ever known every little detail about my life with the Dursleys. Do I really want to tell him all of the sordid details? But in the end there really was only one option. "Its been like this ever since I came to live with the Dursleys after my parents were murdered…." Harry told Gambit about the huge amount of daily chores, the daily beatings and the extra ones that came when he didn't finish his chores, the cupboard under the stairs, Dudley's hand-me-downs, the insults and his despair that maybe they were right that he was nothing but a worthless freak. By the time he finished retelling everything that had happened at the Dursleys household Harry shivered lightly in fear. Afraid that Gambit was going to dump him on the curb for being a worthless freak.
Gambit could feel the fear of rejection in Harry so he gathered up his lover and carried him back to the bed before making sure that Harry was tightly tucked to his side while he placed tiny kisses on his face. "Wha' made ya relatives call ya a freak fo'? 'Re ya a mutant too?" Gambit asked thinking that would be the only thing that would scare the Dursleys into beating their only nephew senseless.
"A mutant? Are you a mutant Gambit?" Harry asked looking surprised at his red eyed man.
Gambit paused before nodding. His lover might feel more comfortable admitting it if he knew that Gambit was one and wouldn't judge him. "Watch 'Arry." Gambit pulled out one of his trademark cards and made it glow with kinetic energy before letting it explode at a safe distance from the two lovers.
Harry stared in amazement at Gambit. "That was bloody amazing!" Harry exclaimed.
"So wha's ya power cher?" Gambit asked.
Harry ducked his head and considered Gambit's question. Did mutants count as muggles? No one ever mentioned whether telling a mutant is considered a breach of the Statue of Secrecy or not. "I'm not exactly a mutant, Gambit. I'm a wizard." There I said it and now I just need to wait for Gambit to start laughing his head off.
"Is tha' like voodoo magic, black magic?" Gambit asked slightly surprised at Harry's revelation.
Harry shook his head emphatically. "No it's more along the line of waving a wand and saying an incantation to do something. We even have wands, robes and pointy hats." Harry said brightly trying to hide his fear that Gambit would abandon him for being a freak.
My poor cher. He's so 'fraid tha' I'm gonna leave him jus' 'cause he isn't "normal" o' a mutant. Gambit pulled Harry closer to his body. "I believe ya cher. Could I see ya do some magic cher. I always wanted ta see some real magic." Gambit questioned softly.
Harry looked ecstatic that Gambit believed him and then crestfallen when he realized he wasn't allowed to do magic until his seventeenth birthday which was still a week away. "I can't perform magic outside of school until I turn seventeen in a week. But if I get my stuff from the Dursleys I can show you my school books and potions ingredients." Harry suggested brightly, desperately trying to prove to Gambit that he wasn't just crazy or lying.
"Shhhh cher Remy understand. Wha' do ya need from ya apartment? Plane ticket, suitcase, clothes?" Gambit asked planning on going back to the Dursleys and paying a little visit to Harry's whale-like relatives.
"Ummm…mostly just my trunk which is in the bedroom I was in, Hedwig's cage and I think that's it. My uncle has the return tickets which Grunnings bought in advance. I think he keeps them in his top dresser drawer." Harry said.
"Good. Gambit go an' get ya things 'n ya plane ticket 'cause ya 're stayin' wit' me the rest o' the summer." Gambit replied climbing out of bed.
"Gambit you don't have to let me stay here out of pity." Harry said picking at the covers.
Gambit sighed and vowed he was going to get his revenge on those pathetic excuses for human beings when he got the chance. "Remy don' wan' ya stayin' 'ere out o' pity. Remy wan' ya 'ere 'cause ya my beautiful cher 'n I can' 'ave my lover livin' wit' those disgustin' relatives o' yours." Gambit replied tucking Harry in tightly under the covers. "Now ya get some sleep 'n then we go out ta eat later, alright?"
Harry nodded sleepily and leaned up to kiss Gambit before he lay back down on the bed.
Gambit smiled at the adorable picture Harry made in his bed before turning around and heading out the apartment.
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Gambit looked around the small bedroom checking to make sure that he hadn't forgotten anything that belonged to Harry. He had placed the book entitled 1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi and Where to Find Them in the trunk and added some of the clothes he found lying around. The cage that held a beautiful snowy white owl, whom Gambit assumed was Hedwig, on top of the trunk after he told the owl to find Harry. Gambit was slightly surprised before the owl (nodded?!!) at him before taking off through the open window. Maybe magical owls 're smarter tha' normal owls? He dragged the two things into the living room before heading into the master bedroom. He quickly found Harry's passport, return plane ticket and what was probably meant to be an emergency fund. Hmmm…70 bucks. Tha' be 'nough ta treat my 'Arry out ta a lovely dinner 'n some wonderful birthday presents. After all it's the least these pigs ca' do fo' my 'Arry. Gambit pocketed all three things before sauntering out to the living room to await the return of Harry's "beloved" relatives.
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Vernon Dursley smiled to himself. It had been a good day today. First he got to really beat that freakish nephew of his and then he made several advantageous sales for Grunnings earning a nice commission for himself. He had bought a new dress for Petunia that she had been looking at and a brand new video game system for his precious Dudders. Then he was going to go home, beat the boy some more before taking out his nice and normal family to dinner. The boy could starve for all he cared. The other freaks probably didn't even know they had left the country. It would serve them right if he left the freak here….Vernon paused mid-stride before a very evil grin spread across his face. Why not leave the boy here? He would be 17 before the end of summer and he thought he vaguely remembered something about freaks being considered adults at 17. He could always say that the boy ran away on his birthday and they hadn't seen him since even though they called the police and everything. It was a perfect idea for getting rid of the little freak and serves him right! Vernon continued back towards the apartment with a spring in his step and whistling a merry tune as he indulged himself in fantasies about what life would be like now that they wouldn't have to worry about anyone discovering their freak of a nephew.
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Vernon had met Petunia as she was entering the apartment lobby from a shopping trip with her friends and on the way up to their apartment he told her about his plans for the boy. She too could hardly contain her glee at the prospect of a freak-less life and because of this unanticipated joy the two Dursleys didn't notice their guest until they were in the living room with the door shut behind them. Petunia turned around screamed at the sight of a brown haired demonic eyed man lounging on her couch. "Who the hell are you?" She screeched drawing Vernon's attention to the man as well.
"What the fuck are you doing in my apartment? Get out before I call the police and have them arrest you for breaking and entering!" Vernon shouted his pudgy face turning an angry shade of purple.
"That would no' be a good idea mon amis. 'Cause if ya did tha' then Gambit be forced ta tell 'em 'bout the abuse ya did ta ya nephew." Gambit lazily replied from his sprawled out position.
Vernon and Petunia paled before running to check the smallest bedroom. To their surprise the little freak wasn't there.
"Ya won't find 'Arry in there 'cause I took 'im away from ya disgusting pigs." Gambit growled out.
Vernon whipped around, enraged at the audacity of this freak. "Now see here. You can't just break into respectable people's homes and threaten them without paying the consequences!" Vernon bellowed.
Gambit was off of the couch in a flash and had Vernon slammed up against the wall of the apartment. "Now listen 'ere real well the two o' ya." Gambit growled glaring at Petunia as well. "This is 'ow it's gonna be. "Arry is stayin' wit' me the rest o' the summer. When it's time fo' ya ta go back 'ome I'll bring 'Arry ta the airport so he can catch the flight. Then the two o' ya 're gonna take him ta a nice 'otel until he has ta go back ta school. Do ya understand me? 'Cause if I 'ear tha' ya didn't listen ta me there is gonna be a shit load of trouble fo' ya fools." Gambit snarled out.
Vernon trying to reassert his authority in the face of this demonic man that broke into their home asked, "And how do you think you can enforce what we do or don't do with our freak of a nephew?"
Gambit smirked; he had been waiting for the man shaped walrus to ask that. With his left forearm against Vernon's throat his right hand held up five glowing poker cards. "See these cards mon ami?" Vernon nodded slightly. Gambit tossed the cards at the couch and the two Dursleys screamed when it blew up. "Now then. Ya agree ta Gambit's terms?" The Dursleys stared in fear at this aggressive red eyed freak before quickly nodding; anything to get rid of this psycho that had broken into their apartment. "Good see ya in a month o' so." Gambit whistled as he sauntered out of the apartment leaving behind two stunned and frightened adults.
Gambit grinned as he retrieved Harry's things from where he stashed them before heading back to his apartment and his beautiful lover.
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Gambit stared at the sight of Harry sprawled out asleep in his bed. Remy think dis be one o' the few times Remy been happy in his life. Quickly stripping down to his boxers Gambit climbed into bed and pulled Harry close to him without waking him. We gonna 'ave a late dinner I think.
Several hours later Harry slowly woke up, the second time he felt warm, safe and loved that summer. He lifted his head up from Gambit's chest and just watched his lover sleep for a while. Thank you Merlin for bringing me to New Orleans and meeting Gambit. I know this is the first summer since I started Hogwarts that I have felt deliriously happy.
Grinning he felt he ought to show Gambit how grateful he was for making him so happy. He reached over and grabbed the bottle of lube that was still sitting on the nightstand and carefully scooted down the bed until he was positioned between Gambit's legs. He carefully tugged down his boxers just enough so that Gambit's cock and balls were exposed, without waking up Gambit and shimmied out of his own. He coated the fingers of his right hand and brought them around to his entrance as he carefully inserted one finger in his ass. He bit his lip so as not to wake Gambit up while he stretched himself until he had three fingers up his ass. Then with his fingers still in his ass, Harry leaned forward so he could gently suck on Gambit's fat cock. Harry looked up when Gambit moaned and spread his legs a little bit but didn't fully wake. Harry grinned slightly before pulling off with a pop and slicked up Gambit's cock with lube and removed his fingers from where they were fucking his ass. Then he carefully straddled the older man and positioned the head of Gambit's cock at his entrance. Holding himself in place he then said, "Remy love wake up."
Gambit lazily opened his eyes and it took him a second to realize what was going on before Harry let his body drop onto Gambit's erection. Harry shrieked in a combination of pain and pleasure while Gambit groaned at the feeling of being encased in tight heat and he reached up to grip Harry's hips. Slowly, so as not to hurt his ribs too much, Harry bounced up and down on the thick cock filling him and brushing against that spot that drove him wild. Gambit just watched his little lover take pleasure from his cock and helped him to move without hurting his ribs.
"Ya feel so good 'round my cock baby." Gambit moaned thrusting up sharply into Harry.
Harry screamed as Gambit hit his prostate before stiffening as his orgasm hit him shooting his cum over his chest and abs.
Gambit quickly moved to his knees while cradling Harry so the whip marks on his back didn't get pressed down into the mattress and then he thrust harshly into Harry's ass several times before he released his load into his lover.
Gambit gently pulled Harry off his cock and laid them back down on the bed before kissing Harry hard. "That was a wonderful way to wake up cher."
Harry just smiled at the older man and dragged Gambit towards the bathroom so they could clean up.
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Gambit smiled slightly as he slipped out of bed and into the kitchen. It was July 31st and he was going to make this the best birthday ever for his cher. He headed into the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee before slipping out the door.
Ten minutes later Gambit came back in the apartment carrying a beautifully decorated and iced chocolate cake from the amazing bakery down the street. Gambit had no idea how to bake a cake but he figured Harry wouldn't mind. He set the cake on the table and placed seventeen candles on it before grabbing another cup of coffee. He put on bacon to fry and scrambled eggs before filling a glass with orange juice and popping two slices of bread in the toaster. He placed the juice and the orange marmalade Harry was so fond of on the tray before filling a plate with bacon, eggs and toast. Once the breakfast tray was all ready he ran to the closet and pulled out the brightly wrapped presents from their hiding place and set them on the table with the cake. Satisfied that everything was prepared he picked up the tray and carried it into the bedroom where his lover was sound asleep. He placed the tray on the nightstand and carefully removed the sheet covering a naked Harry. Gambit grinned. Only one way to wake up a sleeping birthday boy.
Harry was having an amazing dream. His cock was surrounded by moist heat and that sinful mouth was doing incredibly wicked things to him. Moaning he encouraged his dream lover until he felt a finger slip into him and press down on his prostate. "Remy!" he screamed as Remy swallowed his cum.
Grinning Remy moved over Harry and kissed him hard. "Happy Birthday love." Gambit said as he placed the tray on Harry's lap.
Harry graced Gambit with a blinding smile and dug into his breakfast with gusto. Once he was done he kissed Gambit before saying, "That was the best birthday wake up call ever."
Gambit smirked and said, "Of course cher. Now come on 'n get dressed. It's time fo' cake 'n presents."
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After Harry's birthday the two men had grown closer together. They had discussed their past histories, Harry told Gambit about the magical world, his friends and enemies, the war and his place in it. Gambit told him about growing up on the streets, being adopted by Jean Luc, earning the title of Master Thief and his subsequent discovery of his mutant powers which of course led to his being disowned by the Thieves Guild and how he travelled before finally settling down on the opposite side of town from his former family. The two had spent the summer exploring the city and they even took a quick trip to Baton Rouge. Harry finished all of his schoolwork without prodding from Hermione which led to a bout of depression when he realized that he hadn't heard from either of them this summer. Not that he really expected them to what with the way they had treated him during the school year. The only thing Gambit could do for him was to make long and slow love to Harry to take his mind off of his so-called friends.
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Sadly the vacation from the real world was over for the two lovers as they lay in bed the night of the 24th of August. Gambit hadn't let either of them go anywhere that day. He alternated between simply holding Harry and whispering words of love and comfort to him as they lay in bed and taking Harry long and hard. Harry certainly had no objections and soaked up all the comfort he could get from Remy.
Finally Gambit rolled over so that he was covering Harry with his body. "Stay wit' me cher. I don' want ya ta go back 'n fight in a war tha' ya ne'er should 'ave been involved in." Gambit pleaded staring down at Harry.
Harry sighed pulling Gambit down on top of him so that they were tightly pressed together. You don't know how amazing that sounds right now. To never leave your side and be loved without any strings attached.
"I can't Gambit. No matter how much I want to stay with you, I have to go back. Even if I decide not to have any part in the war, Voldemort is still going to be convinced that I am the only one that can defeat him and he's going to hunt me down. I'd never be able to live in peace knowing that he's looking for me."
"I understand cher. Plus I don' think I can see ya running away from something like this." Gambit said tightening his arms further around Harry.
"Remy, I….I love you and I want to be with you when this is all over. Will…will you wait for me? The moment the war is over I plan on leaving and never looking back." Harry admitted shyly looking up into Gambit's eyes.
"Oh, cher. Remy loves you and I will wait fo' ya. But in return…" Gambit trailed off before climbing out of bed and pulling something out of his trench coat pocket. "In return, Remy want ya ta wear this and remember tha' ya 're his. Understand?" Gambit finished, climbing back in bed and handing the small box to Harry.
Harry opened the box and then threw himself at Gambit. "It's beautiful Remy and I love it." He cried kissing Gambit passionately.
Gambit chuckled and took the box from Harry. He pulled out the gold chain and fastened it around Harry's neck. The gold pendant attached was a pair of gold ace of spades. One of the spades was made of emerald and the other was made of rubies. "So they match our eyes 'n this way ya won' ever forget Gambit."
"I won't ever forget you Gambit. And when the war is over I'll track you down so we can be together." Harry exclaimed.
"I'll be lookin' forward to it cher." Gambit replied moving over Harry.
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Harry sighed leaning his head against the window of the Dursleys car. Gambit had taken him to the airport and helped him check his luggage through. Gambit even snuck through security so he could wait with him until it was time for him to board the flight. The corners of Harry's mouth lifted slightly as he remembered the confrontation, or rather lack of one, between Remy and the Dursleys. It was nice of Gambit to make sure that they dropped me off in front of the Leaky Cauldron so I could stay there until I have to go to Kings Cross.
Finally, the Dursleys reached the street where the Leaky Cauldron was located and Harry got out of the car carrying Hedwig's empty cage. He was surprised when his uncle got out of the car as well and even helped him take his trunk out of the car.
"Well boy this is it. I don't want you ever coming back to our house, do you understand me? I don't care what your freaky friends want I won't have you stepping one foot into our house again." Vernon growled out glaring at Harry.
"Don't worry uncle Vernon; I don't plan on going back there anyways." Harry replied and then without another word grabbed his trunk and headed towards the Leaky Cauldron.
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Harry consulted the parchment that listed his books for the new school year and then went back to examining the shelf at Flourish and Blotts. He was trying to find a copy of The Meaning of Ancient Runes when another book caught his eye almost hidden by two others. He pulled it out, curious, when he saw there was no title. He flipped it open to a random page and stared at the squiggles that lined the page. Before he could question it they shifted into words that he could actually understand. Of course Parseltongue! Harry quickly added it to his basket with the other schoolbooks and then stopped blankly staring at another book title that caught his eye. Are the Dark Arts Evil? : A Guide to Understanding the Three Branches of Magic. Harry paused trying to decide if it was worth buying another book. I'm going to have to know a lot more spells than what I know now if I'm going to be able to duel Voldemort and have a chance to win. I might as well enlist some outside help since it doesn't seem that Dumbledore is going to help me out. With that new found determination Harry went back through the shelves selecting books that looked like they might contain need to know information. I can always practice in the Room of Requirement or even in some of the empty classrooms if I ward them first. Determined more than ever to start training to fight Voldemort Harry marched up to the desk with his selections to pay for them.
Harry finished his shopping, picking up additional items that weren't on the required list for Hogwarts and then headed back to his room to start studying. I think this year I'm going to have to put my priorities in order.
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Harry ran through the barrier at Platform 9 ¾ pushing his trolley in front of him. Once safely inside the barrier, he paused for a moment looking nostalgically at the scarlet steam engine that would carry him for the final time to Hogwarts. I can't believe I've been here for 6 years already. Time has gone by so fast since I was that scared little eleven year old boy.
"Harry! Harry! Over here!"
Harry looked up surprised to see Neville and Luna waving at him from one of the compartments on the train. He grinned in spite of himself and boarded the train heading towards his future.
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A/n: Phew! *Collapses on the ground* Sorry about the long wait this was the last week of classes so I was pretty busy. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. Well hope you guys enjoyed it. Please, please, please review! Next chapter will detail what happens to Harry and Gambit while they are apart. Hopefully that will be up soon. Don't forget to vote on the poll that's on my profile page.