The Protector

Harry Potter and Final Fantasy VIII Crossover.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything! Not HP or Final Fantasy VIII. if I did Ginny (scary-obsession) and Rinoa (Whinny-perky-princess) would have died a death before they existed.

Summary: Squall meets a strange boy while out training, forming a connection with him. It's a friendship that will turn the tide of war and a love that changes the world. HPxSL. Lion Pair!

Note: Harry is the GF Fallen Mage. A non-elemental based offensive attack and provides protection for the caster(s). Known to KO enemies, he also grants the use of 3rd level magics to his user with the said user not having to have the magic in stock. Eg. Use Firaga even if user doesn't have it in their magic stock.

Note 2: Looking for a Beta! To read over and correct my spelling and typos! You get the chapter before anyone else. And please, make sure you allow PMs so I can contact you.

Warnings: Rinoa bashing, slightQuistisbashing, Boys on boys, kissing, making out. Maybe even (gasp!) sex. Swearing. Power plays. My crazy ideas...

** RATING WILL BE GOING UP TO M IN THE NEAR FUTURE!**

Pairings: HarryxSquall, SelphiexIrvine, ZellxLibrary Girl, slight Irvine-being-a-manwhore-and-flirting-with-Harry...

SORRY! I apologise for the wait but my life has turned upside down with the Soccer World Cup and Indian weddings. I'm been somewhat of a soccer addict with going to games and the fanfests. I went to six games, including the finals!

Chapter 5

Look at me.

It was time. The group were assembled in Caraway's study and waiting for the man, yet again. Squall was leaning against the wall, appearing calm and collected. Selphie was on the couch, eyes closed as she leaned back but a small frown on her face. Quistis was pacing by the window and Zell was in the corner staring out the said window. Irvine was lounging in the chair behind the desk, not a worry in the world, but his eyes firmly on Harry who was leaning on the desk cleaning his katana with a cloth.

With each swipe, Harry could feel the calm set in him. the blades were still the dark emerald green with black handles but with some clever synthesis, he could junction two elements to his blade. A smirk stretched across his lips at the thought of the nasty surprise the Sorceress was going to get in their next encounter.

The door finally opened and Caraway walked in, dressed to the nines in a suit and tie. His greying brown hair was swept back and for a moment, Squall could see the man that charmed Julia Heartilly into marriage. Harry stopped his movements and Quistis stopped pacing. He nodded at them and said the one sentence that brought them all to the edge, "It's time."

Harry sighed and nodded, as he motioned for her team to join her. They would entered the gateway through the sewer system about two blocks away were army presence was thin. They were to make their way to the controls and at the strike of the clock, they would shut the gates. Harry would make his way to the surface door and wait for the sniper attempt. If it fails he would attack. Zell and Selphie walked over to the desk, by their team leader.

Harry turned to Squall and gave him a small smile, "Good luck," he said as he nodded. Squall swallowed and nodded back.

You promised.

Sheathing his katanas, Harry turned and nodded at Quistis before walking to the door. Zell nodded to Squall as he too left and Selphie gave a short wave. There wasn't really much to say.

Squall sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He turned to the lounging Irvine and glared still the man got the message and stood. Quistis, by that point, already walked over and stood waiting for their leader. Squall, in turn, looked at Caraway. The man gave nothing away as he nodded at Squall.

Caraway showed them out of the mansion, his last words ringing in their ears, "Good luck. The world is depending on you."

~0~0~0~

Rinoa eyed at the Zone as he fell asleep after dinner. She looked out the window and bit her lip. It was almost time for the parade and she knew the SeeD would be starting their operation now.

And that made her blood boil! They hid her away and wouldn't listen to a none violent way of subduing the Sorceress! 'Mercenaries!' she thought viciously as she fingered the bangle in her pocket, ' They only use war as a way to change the world.'

With determination, Rinoa turned and slipped out the room, down the corridor and into the main hallway. Just as she expected, there as a guard standing at the top of the staircase that would lead to the front door. Mentally, she snorted.

'So predictable,' she sneered as she raised her head at the guard. The man was shuffling slightly, nervous that she would try to bolt. Giving him an unimpressed look, Rinoa walked passed him calmly and entered the room at the far end. Rinoa quickly opened the door and entered, making sure to lock it behind her. Taking a deep break, she turned around and looked at the room that was once known as hers.

It was still done in pale yellow and baby pink. A large bed was against the wall and her cupboards were still the white she remembered. The carpet was soft beige and everything was clean but untouched. Nothing was different and that startled her a tad.

'I would have thought HE would have everything boxed and made it into one of the guest rooms he used for his political friends.'

But she pushed that out of her mind as she crossed the room and peered out of her windows. Below her was the garden, as her room faced the backyard, and there was not a guard in sight. Hoping, she turned and looked to her let and grinned. Her father had not moved the bamboo grid that was attacked to the wall with a jasmine plant growing on it.

'It worked last time and he didn't learn!' she thought with a laugh, 'but who am I to complain!'

~0~0~0~

Caraway stopped walking and motioned to Squall as his team, "You will wait here."

Squall nodded as he eyed their position; easy to remain in the shadows and to get to the sniping point. Caraway sighed and Squall paused before asking, "General, why has the sorceress decided to have such an extravagant parade?"

"She wants to establish her place in Galbadia Garden, since she has chosen it to serve as her base, " he replied, the bad lighting making him seem so much older than what he was. Squall nodded. It made sense that GG would act out to stop that.

The crowd that gathered in the streets let out a resounding roar of cheering and Caraway jerked at that. "It's starting. I'm returning to my residence. Good luck." And he slipped into the crowd.

Squall turned to Irvine and Quistis. Irvine looked cool and calm, though Squall could see the tension in his shoulders. Despite what the man said or did, he felt the pressure of their task. Vaguely, Squall wondered if he remembered the orphanage since Galbadia Garden didn't use GFs. But then, if Irvine did, Selphie should as well. Quistis was steady, belying her experience as a SeeD.

Nodding at them, he turned to watch the festivities begin and on the inside, he felt his heart pounding. His gut said something was going to happen; something big.

~0~0~0~

Rinoa panted as she climbed up to the Presidential Residence from the Back Alley. It seemed that luck was on her side when a stack of boxes were left in the alley. She could climb up it and jump onto the roof and eventually make her way to a balcony of the place.

Stumbling, she landed on the roof and sighed as she eyed the drop. She gritted her teeth and kept walking, willing herself to keep walking as the wind cut at her. The noise was rising from the streets of the place she once called home. She may not have liked her father and the politics of Galbadia but she as hell wasn't going to let a Sorceress destroy it.

"I'm not a SeeD but, I can do this!" she urged herself forward as she neared the edge of the roof and the beginning of the balcony, "This isn't some kind of game."

~0~0~0~

Harry took a deep breath as the noise levels rose as the clock ticked by. It was time for them to move. Harry turned to Selphie and Zell. He got weak smiles in return. They were as nervous and worried as he was.

They turned and walked through the busy streets, slightly apart but close enough to see each other. Moving quickly as possible, they slipped into a side street and down the allocated alley. At the end of the alley was a manhole that was slightly open already. Just as planned. Harry went first as was relieved to see the underground waterway was lit and quite clean. Selphie came down next as Harry stood ready for any monsters that were down there. Zell came down last and closed the lid properly so that no one could follow them.

They stood silent for a moment, getting their act together for what they had to do. And strangely enough, it was Zell who spoke first in a serious tone as he stared at Harry, "You better be careful when attacking her. Remember, Squall will follow shortly and we will right with him."

Harry paused at that as his green eyes widened slightly, "You don't think the Irvine will take her out?" he asked cautiously. Selphie and Zell shrugged as she said, "You've faced her and seem to know how her powers work. If you say it won't work it probably won't. I'm hoping it does but if you do have to attack I would rather you be safe."

Zell nodded, "Yeah. Squall was ice when you weren't there. If anything happened to you I would hate to see what he would do." he added thoughtfully followed by a shudder.

At that Harry dropped his gaze and shook his head. "I doubt that..." he murmured as he turned around to walk down the ledge. He had memorised the map Caraway had given him. They were already fairly close to the under waterway tunnel that was under the gate.

Squall was colder towards him than he had ever been and a part of Harry's heart died a little at that. 'If he reacted to me being a Sorcerer like this, what will he think when I tell him I'm a GF?' Harry thought morbidly.

Zell and Selphie traded looks behind their leader's back as he despondently walked ahead of them. They were worried but thought that the gap between the two had been repaired. Obviously, from the way Harry was reacting, it wasn't.

"Harry," Selphie said quietly as they turned the corner, "you should have a little faith in Squall. From what I've seen, he's loyal. Whatever caused this rift, I doubt it will break the close friendship you two have. I've only been at Balamb Garden for a short while but the two of you are famous for your friendship."

Harry said nothing at that as he kept walking. He knew that Squall needed time but he worried over how much. That, and the secrets he still harboured.

"Yo man," Zell said with a grin as he slung an arm around Harry as he walked next to him. Selphie also picked up her pace so she was on the other side of him. "He cares about you; a lot. Don't worry about it. Let's get passed this mission first and then take life one step at a time. You know?"

Selphie laughed at that, her voice resounding off the walls as they approached the door to the control under the gate. "Is that how you live?" she asked curiously. Zell shrugged at her as he grinned.

"What?" he replied, "It works."

~0~0~0~

Rinoa gulped as she slowly pushed the door open. From where she stood she could see the back of the Sorceress as she sat in a throne-like chair. She had black hair. Rinoa gathered her courage as she grasped the bangle behind her back.

Stepping forward, Rinoa said meekly, "Umm...Excuse me...I'm...the daughter of, um...Galbadian Army's, um...General Caraway. I...thought I'd...come pay my respects...You know...'cause of my father and all... So, I...um...brought you a small gift. Please..."

Receiving no response, Rinoa walked forward slowly to try again. as she got within six feet of the dark lady, she gasped as something stopped her in her path. Without warning, Rinoa felt something hit her and she was blasted into the back wall. In her left arm, she clutched the bangle.

There was still no response from Edea as Rinoa stared in shock as her left arm started vibrating and her nerves tingles as she was picked up and pinned against the wall. Another blast of what Rinoa assumed was magic knocked her out.

Edea smirked in her place on her throne as the girl crumpled to the floor. 'Foolish girl,' she thought as she stood. The hairs on her mask begin to retract. Her mask glowed and disappeared into itself. 'She thought she could trick me with Odin's bangle? How naive!'

With a wave of her hand, she commanded the girl to stand under her control. Edea paid her no attention as she was firmly under here control. It was time to address her minions but she would punish Caraway afterwards. The man was a fool to have such a reckless daughter. Thinking about it, Edea frowned. There were rumours that this girl was a rebel leader in Timber. It was her group that attacked the fake train in Timber. But they didn't have such resources unless the SeeD timber team was under her.

Edea almost laughed at her luck as she turned to her puppet, "Girl!" she commanded, "Are SeeD employed by you?"

Rinoa swayed as her mind floated in utter peace. She heard a question being asked and she knew she shouldn't answer it but she couldn't help but let the truth slip from her lips, "Yes. Three SeeD were sent to Timber to help with the rebellion."

"And the assassination attempt on me?" Edea asked with a vicious look in her eye. Rinoa shook her head as she swayed. "No. That was another mission given to Harry."

That caught Edea's interest as she contemplated the idea of Sorcerer Harry. "Tell me everything you know of Harry!" she ordered.

"Harry is one of the best SeeD from Balamb Garden despite being younger than the others. He's some sort of prodigy and best friends with Squall, the leader of the SeeD team sent to Timber. He has black hair and green eyes and is a qualified Healer. He was given the mission to track and kill you. He's part of the assassination team in Galbadia."

That caught Edea's attention as she hissed at the impudence of the foolish mortals. But the Sorcerer could prove to be a problem. She would need to convince him of her plan or kill him. But a small part of her mind whispered that he would kill her first if she fought him. And it was the only sane part of her.

~0~0~0~

Irvine shook his head in part dismay as the streets erupted into cheers as Edea stepped out onto the podium, "Here she comes."

Though it came as a shock as he saw the figure that walked after her in a daze as Rinoa swayed on her feet. Rinoa's face was blank and the soulless look in her eyes chilled the brunette to the core.

"H...Hey...That girl...!" he spluttered, causing Squall to turn his gaze from the crowd to the Sorceress and Rinoa that was standing just behind her. Grey eyes widened as he cursed under his breath. "Rinoa...? Damnit!"

But they couldn't act as Edea spoke into the mike as the crowd went wild. "...Lowlifes. Shameless filthy wretches. How you celebrate my ascension with such joy. Hailing the very one whom you have condemned for generations. Have you no shame? What happened to the evil, ruthless sorceress from your fantasies? The cold-blooded tyrant that slaughtered countless men and destroyed many nations? Where is she now? She stands before your very eyes to become your new ruler. HAHAHAHAHA."

Squall eyes widened in shock as he actually stepped back from hearing the icy words and the malicious intent that laced them. 'She's mad. And they want to follow her,' Squall thought bewildered as the streets erupted into cheers.

Edea's lips twisted into a smile as she announced, "A new era has just begun."

It was President Deling who stepped forward and murmured at her, slightly worried as he asked, "E-Edea...Are you alright...?"

Edea turned on him, her eyes flashing red as she grasped him by his neck. Squall started forward on instinct before he forced himself to stop. But he watched with wide eyes and a gasping Quistis behind him as the man become limp in Edea's grip and started to burn with purple smoke. And in a thoughtless act, she threw the body to the side as it stayed slumped.

Edea turned back to the cheering mass and said with a cold smile, "Rest assured, you fools. Your time will come. This is only the beginning. Let us start a new reign of terror. I will let you live a fantasy beyond your imagination."

Squall shuddered as he eyed the body. His mind whispered, 'And Harry has to stop that.' And that caused his heart to jump in fear.

Edea spun around and left the podium. But before she entered the Presidential Residence, she turned to stare at Rinoa. "Let's see if you mean anything to them, shall we?" she murmured to the dazed Rinoa. With a wave of her hand, two lizard gargoyles came to life and climbed towards the enchanted girl.

Irvine on the other hand was staring at the scene with wide eyes, "Hey, hey, hey, she's in trouble big-time! We've gotta go help Rinoa."

Squall let out a sigh as he eyed the crowd. The girl was not worth the trouble but she was his client and he had orders to protect her. "The gate's not open."

But he moved nonetheless with Quistis hot on his heels. The worry was evident in her eyes as they walked through the crowds and neared the gate. Irvine was confused at the reply but followed quickly once he followed Squall's reasoning.

They reached the gate as it opened for the dancers. Hiding in the mass of people, Squall was shocked when the Sorceress float came out. Seifer was standing triumphantly and with a sneer plastered onto his lips as he gazed at the crowd.

'He's alive? And with the sorceress,' Squall thought before Quistis's pushing pulled him from his thoughts. Quistis was hissing at him to move while the gate was open. Shocked, Squall moved in a daze to slipped past the gates as the sky lit up in fireworks.

Squall shook his head and focussed at the task at hand as they ran through the building, diverting from their original route as they reached the doors leading to the podium. Irvine had his gun clocked as he kicked open the doors. The urgency lead to Quistis not even rolling her eyes at his theatrics as they hurried through.

They stopped short as Irvine let off two shots at the monsters that were circling the still Rinoa. She still had the blank look on her face. The lizards jumped and hissed at the pain and Quistis let off two Thundaras at them.

Squall dashed forward, gunblade drawn as he used himself as a shield for Rinoa as he parried an attack from the one monster. He defended Rinoa as Quistis pounded the living gargoyles with magic and Irvine took pot-shots.

It was only after Ifrit was summoned and unleashed Hell Fire on the two lizards did they finally die and Squall could focus on healing Rinoa. Checking her vitals, it seemed that she was fine except for the fact she looked like a zombie. Squall mentally cursed his inability to heal her. Healing had always been Harry's job. Frustrated, he threw two Curagas and slapped her face lightly, trying to bring her out of the daze.

It worked.

Rinoa stirred as she blinked and finally came to her senses. Looking forward, she caught sight of Squall who held worry in his eyes. Acting on impulse she threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. The tears were coming to her eyes as she remembered the suffocating power and how powerless she had been at the Sorceress's mercy when she entered the room.

"I was so scared..." Rinoa muttered, her voice further muffled by her face being against the firm chest. Squall looked bewildered as he looked down at the girl clinging to him. "...Really scared."

Squall awkwardly patted her back as he said the most comforting thing that came to mind, "It's over now."

Rinoa shook her head as she kept muttering the words over and over again, "I was scared..."

Squall shook his head as he looked to Quistis for help. Harry he could comfort but a near-stranger was a problem. And the blond SeeD looked thoroughly amused by the scene as she offered no help. Squall glanced around helplessly until he gaze fell on the clock and he started.

"Quistis," Squall said seriously as he gently, well as gently possible, pushed Rinoa away. She looked at him with large tear-streak brown eyes, "take her. We have to move or we will miss our opportunity.

Quistis turned around and looked at the clock before nodding as she pulled Rinoa with her. Squall nodded as Irvine before running out of the room with Irvine hot on his heels.

They reached the clock tower and climbed the ladder. As planned, there was a sniper rifle waiting for them. Squall picked it up and turned to Irvine. Quistis was not with them as of yet as she was calming down the near hysterical Rinoa.

"Irvine Kinneas, it's in your hands now."

Irvine took the rifle with shaking hands as he gulped. He kept his head low as he slid down against the wall to sit on the floor. His hat was low to hide his gaze but it was the silence that really bothered Squall. He eyed the door mildly wondering what was taking Quistis so long.

'But it may be better,' Squall conceded, 'it looks like Irvine needs to concentrate. Loneliness of the sharpshooter...I guess he has a point.'

Silence descended on the pair still Irvine dropped the rifle on the metal floor. The noise clanged and echoed as Irvine gripped his head. "I...I can't do it," he choked out, he eyes staring at the ground, "I can't do it."

~0~0~0~

Harry reached the panel that held the switch to drop the gate. There was on button. Zell and Selphie stood behind him, waiting for instructions. Harry sighed and waited for a moment as he considered the noise that drifted down from the streets.

Finally he turned around, "Zell, you hit the switch when you hear the 20:00 chime. Selphie, you're on guard in case someone comes. I will head up to launch the follow up attack if the snipe fails. If it doesn't, I will come down and we escape. If it does, I will go ahead. The two of you will follow but only attack when Squall does."

Zell nodded as Selphie stayed silent. They were somewhat paler than normal, and Harry couldn't tell if it was the lighting or not. Eyeing his watch, Harry sighed as he said, "It's almost time."

Zell sighed as well as he ran a hand through his hair. He walked over to Harry and gave him a weak smile as he clapped a hand on his shoulder. Harry stumbled a bit under the strength. "Stay safe."

And in the next moment Selphie had tackled him in a hug, wishing him good luck in his ear. Harry hugged her back and smiled at Zell. Then he turned and climbed up the ladder that would lead to the only entrance to the inner part of the gate once it was closed.

~0~0~0~

Squall stared at the man, eyes wide as he thought, 'Shit! Now is not the time to have a breakdown!' All he could say was, "Irvine Kinneas!"

Irvine shook his head as he kept saying, "I...I can't...I'm sorry. I can't do it. I always freeze like this...I try to act cool, joke around, but I just can't handle the pressure...My bullet...The sorceress...I'll go down in history. I'd change the history of Galbadia...Of the world! It's all too much..."

Squall sighed as he walked over and sat next to the wannabe cowboy. Picking up the rifle, Squall eyed the time, noting he had almost two minutes to talk Irvine out of it.

"Irvine, calm down," Squall said calmly, forcing the other to look at him."I don't care if you miss. Whatever happens, just leave the rest to us. Just think of it as a signal. A sign for Harry to make his move. For me to follow. Nothing else. Just a signal."

~0~0~0~

The clock struck 20:00 and the carousel clock rouse. The float continued to go through the city and Edea smiled at the crowds. As the float entered the gateway, the front gate closed. Whirling around, Edea stared in anger, turning to only see the other gate close behind her.

'So this is what they were planning,' she thought with anger at her ruined parade. "Knight! Be on guard!" she ordered as the blond shouldered his gunblade.

~0~0~0~

Zell stared at the switch he just flipped. "Prove your worth, Kinseas!" he couldn't help but say to the empty room.

Selphie said nothing as she bit her lip as she climbed the ladder. She would be lookout. 'Come one Irvine!'

~0~0~0~

Irvine took aim, murmuring to himself, "Just a signal..."

Squall nodded but said nothing as the sharpshooter readied himself, though he did eye the door. 'Where the hell is Quistis and Rinoa?'

"...Just a sign."

And for a moment Irvine pauses, just before he fires. The shot was correctly aimed as he flew straight through the air and through the gate's grating. But it was stopped by a shield by Edea who stood proudly at her throne.

Irvine sighed and slumped down as he pulled his hat low, "...I'm sorry."

Squall shook his head as he watched the Sorceress. As soon as the bullet was stopped a inferno erupted around her. She was engulfed in flames as two figures battled it out with swords. "It's ok. The next part of the plan in already in motion."

But before he could move, Quistis burst through the door with Rinoa behind her. She looked around wildly before her gaze landed on Squall. Quistis was pale and she had a thin sheen on sweat on her face. Immediately, Squall drew his gunblade and stood ready. They looked like they had been chased.

Quistis shook her head but her eyes widened in fright as she looked at the Sorceress. Her mouth opened and her words almost caused Squall's heart to stop.

"Edea knows about the plan. Rinoa told her while under her spell. She knows that Harry will lead the attack after a sniping attempt!"

Squall cursed. "Quistis, you're with me. Irvine, take Rinoa and get out of here! Keep her safe!" he ordered as he turned and jumped from the second storey of the Presidential

Building.

Quistis nodded as Irvine as she followed his example, leaving a shocked Irvine with a shameful, crying Rinoa. No matter how much Quistis had tried to console her about her actions not being her own, Rinoa knew the truth. If she had not acted on her own then maybe the plan would have worked.

~0~0~0~

Harry stood behind the door as he watched the bullet be stopped. He prompt cast a chain of Firaga spells at Edea as he burst through the door. He did not expect to have he head almost be taken off by a smirking Seifer.

"Well, look who's here," he drawled as he swung his gunblade yet again. Harry seethed in anger as he linked another chain of magic to keep Edea busy as he drew his katanas and parried the blow.

"So you've become the sorceress' lap dog?" Harry taunted. They fought and Harry met him blow for blow. Seifer was visibly getting angry as he couldn't land a hit on the smaller male.

"I prefer to be called her knight," Seifer growled. Harry gave a dry chuckle at that as he stepped up the pace, giving his opponent two cuts as he blocked the attacks.

"Die Mage!" Seifer shouted in frustration as he wildly swung his blade. Harry cursed and had to duck the blows and dodge out of the way. he couldn't face Seifer off in pure strength. But before he could cast any magic at the man, the float shook as something crashed into it.

Looking up, Harry's eyes widened as he watched the blade flying at him and he cursed himself for dropping his guard. But a flash of silver and a familiar key ring caused him to look up at his saviour that stopped the blow. Grey eyes met green for a moment before Squall entered a one on one battle with Seifer.

"Go after the Sorceress!" Quistis yelled from behind him. Harry whirled around to see his ex-instructor fend off the guards that were flocking to save their 'ambassador'.

Harry noted that Selphie and Zell joined her in her battles before he turned to face off Edea. And just in time as she ripped past his linked spells. She smirked at him as she raised a hand, "You will have to do better than that, Sorcerer Harry of SeeD!"

Harry replied as he sent a volley of Holy magic. He had only recently gained that magic and mastered it. It was to be his secret weapon, just in case he ran into trouble. Edea was shocked for a split-second before she pulled up her shield. Harry followed it with a physical attack. Magic against magic, they were pretty equal. But Edea knew she couldn't face down the SeeD in weaponry.

Meanwhile, Squall was beating down on Seifer as comments were tossed between them. For most part, Squall refused to react and Seifer was getting frustrated as he couldn't land any blows on his opponent. It seemed that Squall was finally fighting seriously and it pissed Seifer off that he couldn't fight against a serious Squall.

It ended fairly quickly as Squall landed a blow that caused Seifer to wince and hesitate a moment in his next attack. That gave Squall the opportunity to disarm Seifer and quickly knock him out. Once the blond crumpled to the floor, Squall let out a sigh of relief.

"Fool!" Edea hissed as she summoned her Sorceress Powers. Harry stepped back as he called his own power to the forefront. "You deny yourself such power!"

And she lashed out viciously with pure power, it's only intent being his death. Harry gritted his teeth and he pushed back hard, easily overwhelming her magic with his. And for the first time, Edea stepped back, eyes wide in fear as she was being over powered.

The air was thick and the magic formed around them like a mist. Harry could hear the shouts of concern from Zell and Selphie. And Squall's orders to stay back. Too bad Edea heard it too.

Her lips twisted into a victorious smirk as her eyes gazed at a figure behind him, "So one of your comrades know of your power, Sorcerer. Tell me, is he your Knight?" she asked.

Harry refused to answer as he met her gaze and pushed more magic at her. The black dress she was wearing started to singe at the edges and Edea flinched backwards at the onslaught of power.

"It seems you do have a weakness, Sorcerer," Edea sneered as her body glowed with a blue light. But she kept her magic pushing against Harry, who could only watch in shock as she formed ice blades and sent them towards him.

Harry pooled his magic to form a shield in front of him but his eyes widened as the ice blades flew past him. His heart stopped as his mind comprehended what just happened. What Edea just did. Forgetting his battle with her, Harry turned and yelled, "Squall!"

Squall stood over the fallen form of Seifer and turned to Harry's yell. Grey eyes widened in shock as an ice blade struck his chest. But his gaze remained on Harry as he tried to choke out something as he fell backwards off the float.

But nothing makes sense to him anymore. Harry's world froze in the instant that Squall got hit as his mind caught up to what his eyes saw. But he couldn't react as something hit him from behind, causing a sharp pain. Looking down, his eyes widened as he stared at two thin ice blades coated in red protruded from his abdomen. And he slid to the ground as the pain overwhelmed him.

Quistis yelled as Squall went down and chased after him, trying to protect him from the guards that were swarming them from the gap in the gate they had created by driving the car into it. Selphie and Zell had yelled for Harry as he was struck seconds later. But neither could move as they were engaged in battle.

They didn't need to.

The black skies lit with lightening as Quezacotl struck Edea from the skies. But instead of disappearing, it dived down and transformed into a blond human with electric blue eyes and a furious expression on his face.

From the shadows, a black haired man with red eyes emerged next to Harry. Gently, he picked him up, murmuring soft word to the pained Mage, and handed him to the blond. The raven turned to Edea, who was weakened on the floor.

"You dare to strike our Harry?" he thundered as the pressure on the area increased. The other check Harry over and said in a worried voce, "Diablo, I need to get him back. Hopefully Shiva or Siren can heal him."

The raven, Diablo, nodded, "Go Quezacotl. I will handle things here." The blond nodded but before he could move, Harry protested weakly, "Wait! No! Squall is hurt too!"

Quezacotl shook his head at Harry and gripped him tighter. Despite the pain, Harry struggled. "We can't Harry. I can only help you!"

"No!" Harry shouted as he tried to get away. But Quezacotl transformed into a bolt of lightning and streaking upwards into the night sky, taking Harry with him.

Diablo turned to Edea, "You and those who are yours will never wield any of the greater powers of a Guardian Force; as I will it so shall it be. Touch him again and not even the laws that govern us will stop your death, Tainted. The Sorcerer is under our protection!"

He unleashed his power, bringing Edea to her knees as she was forced towards the ground. But then he stopped and glanced at the sky and he slipped away into the shadows without a word. Edea was left panting on the floor as she felt fear grip her for the first time in a long time.

~0~0~0~

Zell, Quistis and Selphie paced the prison cell they were locked in. they figured that they were in the Galbadian political prison and knew the vague layout due to Zell living as Ward in the Dreamworld. It seemed that after the mix up Laguna, Ward and Keros got into at Central, they split up. Ward was a janitor at the very prison they were stuck in.

But there were bigger problems on hand. Harry was missing, taken by people who seemed to be GFs. Logical deduction said that but common sense said that was not possible. Some people said that GFs had human forms but very few actually believed that.

Squall was injured and not with them. Worst case scenario was that he was dead and best case was that he was being treated somewhere else. They were hoping for the best case.

They were also trapped without any weapons or way out. Selphie sighed and sat down on the cold floor. They needed a plan.

~0~0~0~

Squall groaned as he sat up from the uncomfortable bed. Holding his head, his mind whirled as he took in the room.

'Where am I?' he wondered, thinking back. 'I...challenged Seifer...Harry fought Edea... My wound...? No wound...?'

Looking down, Squall touched his chest and felt no pain. Pulling up his shirt, he notice only faint scar were the ice blade had hit him. He frowned as he tried to remember what happen.

Ice hitting him... Green eyes staring in shock as they watched him... Ice hitting the raven haired Sorcerer...Falling... Voices... Someone taking Harry...

'Harry!' Squall jerked at the thought as he stared around the room to discover he was the only one. Squall groaned as he thought.

'Harry. He was hit!' and that lead to guilty thoughts, 'We distracted him. She attacked us to get him off guard and it worked!'

And Squall could only hope and pray he was okay. He could only vaguely remember voices talking about taking him away. That it was their job to protect Harry. And something in Squall snapped at that. It was his job to protect Harry! His! Sorcerer or not, Harry was his best friend. And Squall would always protect him.

But before the thought pattern could continue, Squall gripped the bed as he felt the whole room shift and move. Granted the room seemed like a prison cell and even Squall would admit it would be a logical place for him considering his actions.

Outside the cell, one would be able to see a huge crane pick up a metal box that was Squall's cell and move it from one level to another in the huge prison.

When it finally stopped, Squall looked at the door when it opened. He winced at the sight of the blond Seifer who was sneering at him, "Squall, you're pitiful."

Seifer grinned as he grabbed Squall by the head and threw him against the wall. Squall groaned as he pushed himself upwards. Fiercely, Squall met Seifer's gaze.

Seifer smirked as he ordered, "Take him away!"

And two guards entered and dragged Squall away. They were at the highest level in the prison as squall eyed his surroundings. He knew he needed to escape. He needed information. But he couldn't fight off the two guards and Seifer. Not in his condition.

He was strapped to the wall with metal bands and Squall felt his stomach drop when Seifer entered the room and ordered the other two away.

"Where is Harry?" Squall demanded in a hiss, "Where are the others?"

Seifer stood in front of him and smirked, "You should worry more about yourself. I'm sure you can figure out what happens now."

Squall bit back the retort on his tongue. It was obvious that he would be tortured, probably by electrocution, for information. Though for what, Squall was stumped. He wisely stayed silent, remembering Harry's advice, and kept a blank look on his face.

Seifer's smirk grew to be a grin as he stepped closer to Squall. Nose to nose, blue eyes stared into grey and there was something in the ocean blue that Squall could not figure out. But he couldn't look away.

"Always so cold," Seifer murmured as his gaze traced Squall's face. Seifer paused and looked thoughtful. Squall was also curious at the change in the temperamental blond, but was jerked out of his thoughts when a leather hand brushed his forehead.

"I marked you as mine," Seifer continued to murmured. "You were always mine."

Squall swallowed at that. Seifer was acting strange and he wondered what the Sorceress had done to him. He was trapped though; strapped down and unable to move away.

"I attained by dream, Squall," Seifer continued as he leaned to whisper in Squall's ear. "I'm her Knight. But my romantic dreams is always just outside me reach because of him."

Squall could only watch as Seifer drew back and gazed at him with a familiar angry gaze. Seifer's face was contorted in anger as he trapped Squall's head between his two arms, inches from the other's face. 'Romantic dream?...'

"HE came!" Seifer hissed, "And he stole you from me."

Squall looked at him, openly confused as to what the blond was saying. 'Who came? Harry? But I was still his rival...'

"But you're mine, Squall."

And Squall was left with no time to react as Seifer pushed his head forward and caught him in a harsh kiss. Squall was stunned as Seifer thrust his tongue passed his lips and into Squall's mouth. A bite at his lip caused Squall to snap back to reality and turn his head away from the attack. Even if his lips tingled from the contact.

Squall was panting slightly from the lack of air as Seifer smirked, his hand gripping Squall's chin painfully. 'What?' Squall's mind raced. Seifer licked his lips and Squall's blood was boiling for a reason he didn't know.

"I thought you were after Harry," Squall could only say as he tried to break his restraints. Seifer's smirk grew bigger at that as he shrugged and brought his face closer so that his breath drifted across Squall's face.

"It was the only way to get your attention from that whore!" Seifer replied and he moved his right hand to fist Squall's hair painfully. This forced eye contact. Squall hissed but said nothing as his mind whirled at the situation. 'Harry is not a whore,' Squall's mind roared in instinct.

"You are mine! Edea will forgive your delusions caused by the Sorcerer if you come to her side."

That wasn't even an option as Squall glared at the blond and merely raised an eyebrow in response.

"I would think carefully, Squall. Edea wants information. Come over to her side and give it freely or not even I can save you from the Galbadian... extraction methods."

"Maybe I don't want you to save me." and Squall's mind traitorously finished the thoughts, 'because there is someone else I want to save.'

"Squall, Squall, Squall," Seifer drawled as he pulled away but the anger was simmering in his eyes, "You know how I hate doing things the hard way. Either way, you are now mine."

And Squall could smile softly at that as he shook his head. The kiss had made things so much more clear. What Seifer was feeling shed a light on a dilemma that haunted Squall. Soft lips, shinning eyes and a companion. Closer to him. 'But he is already my world,' Squall thought as he stared down Seifer.

"Do your worst Seifer."

The blond sighed as flipped a switch sending a wave of electricity through Squall.

~0~0~0~

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Amira Devant