Protector

by Amira Devant

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!

9. The Interrupted Truth

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 magic to his user with the said user not having to have the magic in stock. (I.e.: Use Firaga even if user doesn't have it in their magic stock.)

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

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

FINALLY! Harry and Squall kissing! (yes, they were irritating even me...)

An apology: I'm really sorry for the wait! I was quite ill (ended up in hospital) and my workload in RL was getting a bit too much. Something had to give and in the end it was my writing. I'm still trying to find my stride again because this chapter took forever to finish. So thank you to all the faithful readers, for the review, encouragement and pm's/e-mails to update!

Oh, and Ryder Ballamiren, I'm not out of my mind. Opposites can attract, after all... Yay for SeiferxSquall! :P Actually, I've read a few fics with that pairing that are quite good!

Chapter 8

The (Interrupted) Truth.

~0~0~0~

The Garden was moving swiftly as the plans were finalized. The defense of the Garden was left to Xu's plan: with them only pulling a few SeeDs from each area to make an assault team to face Galbadia's Army.

Squall and Harry had agreed that the defense wouldn't move from their posts, while the assault teams would move from Balamb Garden into Galbadia Garden to take down as many of the enemy units as possible. Trabia Garden would operate the same way, but would leave the main assault team to Squall and Harry.

"Commander!" Nida called as he directed the Garden towards the Centra continent, "Take a look."

Squall took the offered binoculars and looked at the object in the far distance. Squall cursed as he handed the binoculars to Harry who followed him up to the bridge.

"Galbadia Garden," Harry murmured, "If we can see them, then they can see us."

Squall nodded as he sighed, "The battle is inevitable. But it would be better for us to make the first move. I would rather us not being in a defensive position."

"So what are the orders?" Cid asked. Squall and Harry turned around to see Cid, Quistis, and Xu waiting patiently.

Squall nodded, "Xu, implement the Garden's defense orders and ready the assault team. Quistis, Harry, Selphie, Irvine and I will lead the attack against the Sorceress. Everyone else is to take care of the army. Nida, drop the speed to fifty percent and act accordingly to attacks. Take evasive maneuvers. We also need to stay in full contact with Trabia. We can't afford to lose a Garden."

Xu nodded before she and Quistis descended to Cid's office where they proceeded to iron out and relay the orders via intercom. Cid smiled slightly, "I wish you the best of luck, and I pray you bring back my wife."

Harry nodded, "If we can weaken her, then binding her would not be a problem." With that, both he and Squall descended to the office below—only to be met with a furious Rinoa.

"What about me? You can't leave me behind!" Rinoa shouted at them. Harry sighed and stepped forward to handle her. Squall laid his hand lightly on the mage's arm, silently telling him that he didn't have to handle her. Harry shook his head and turned towards the princess.

"You were helping in the Infirmary, right?" Harry asked calmly. Rinoa looked confused but nodded. "Then that's where you are needed. I'm guessing that the doctor already gave you the basic training. As a fighter, you lack the SeeD training. All those in the Assault team are considered the best of the best. You are needed in helping the injured and defending the medics."

"But—" Rinoa tried to protest, but Harry shot her a glare.

"We must all do what is best for everyone, even if that means doing something we don't like. Your skills are needed there, so that is where you will go!"

"But," Rinoa said softly, "I don't want to be left behind."

Squall sighed, "You'll have Zone with you. We all have to do things we don't want to do. You have your orders. Follow them. And how can you be left behind when this is where we will be returning to?"

Rinoa dropped her gaze and her shoulders slumped but she nodded in consent. Slowly she turned around and walked out of the office.

At the same time, Selphie, Zell and Irvine walked in.

"So, what are our orders?" Zell asked seriously. He was pale and not as energetic as usual. It was Harry who spoke, glancing at Squall to check if he was okay with the orders.

"Quistis and Zell, you're with Assault team A in the Quad. Selphie and Irvine, you have Assault team B at the Main Gates. Squall and I will support Assault team C on the second floor emergency exit. Objective is to break through enemy lines and enter Galbadia Garden. We regroup in its foyer and face the sorceress together. Do not engage in battle against the Sorceress alone."

Squall nodded as he mentally checked that they had covered all of the Garden's entrances.

The atmosphere was tense as the attack approached.

Nida was at the helm, with Squall, Harry and Xu at his side. Cid was in his office, guarded by two SeeDs. The rest of the team was at their positions, readying the defense.

No one said anything. All eyes were on the Galbadia Garden as it grew closer and closer. Its propellers sliced through the dense forest as it descended in altitude for the attack. Harry swallowed as he eyed Squall. The older man's gaze was locked on the approaching Garden, and the words died in his throat.

"Seifer," Xu murmured as she spotted the tall figure atop the Galbadian Garden through the binoculars. Squall flinched, but said nothing.

"Seifer is in charge over there," Nida noted. "They're heading right for us!"

"Just keep going," Squall replied, "we can't be forced into a corner."

Nida nodded grimly as he pushed the steering mechanism forward. Balamb Garden's speed increased as the Garden lurched forward in attack. Trabia Garden was to the left of Balamb Garden, following Balamb's lead.

Xu cursed as she dropped her binoculars and reached for the intercom, "Attention all stations! Be prepared for attack on motorcycles from Galbadia Garden! I repeat, prepared for a motorized assault for the first wave!"

Sighing quietly, unknowingly gaining Squall's attention, Harry murmured with eyes closed, "Here we go again."

Galbadian soldiers revved up their motorcycles and launched off of ramps on the Galbadian Garden. Airborne, they left a large trail of exhaust only to land on Balamb Garden and into the fray of spells. The defense had been ready, wiping out at least a quarter of assault. The SeeDs and cadets scattered, but recovered quickly; ready to defend their home.

"Shit!" Nida swore, "We're gonna crash!"

Squall's head whipped away from the battle in the quad, to the Galbadian Garden. Frantically, he ordered, "Go right! Trabia go left!"

Nida nodded and quickly moved the controls. "It's no use! We are going to crash!"

Xu, who was giving orders frantically, called out for everyone to brace themselves.

Galbadia Garden was going to crash into the left side of Balamb Garden and the right side of Trabia. The damage was going to be extensive.

Harry swore. Eyes glowing green with power, Harry turned to Squall.

"Do you trust me?"

Squall paused as he processed just what his best friend said. Feeling slightly insulted, he answered seriously, "With my life."

Harry nodded, a slight smile on his lips, "Hold me and ground me."

"What?" Squall asked, confused as even Nida and Xu looked at Harry in confusion. Wasting no time, Harry grabbed Squall's hands and wrapped them around his waist with his back to the Commander. Almost instinctively, Harry's magic latched onto the innate magic in Squall, wrapping itself in it and grounding himself. Squall gasped at the sensation, but had no time to linger on it as Harry's hands shot forward, and magic literally rose from the mage's skin.

Harry panted slightly as he called his magic to the surface—in a quantity larger than ever before—and channeled it. He cast his magic, weaving it around both Gardens and strengthening it, as Galbadia Garden collided with the large structures. The shield withheld the assault and Galbadia Garden crumpled under the force of the crash against the shield. With a flick of a hand, Harry reached for the engines of Galbadia Garden and crushed them—forcing Galbadia Garden to stop. With that, Harry dropped the shield and slumped against Squall, panting hard as he felt his magical pathways burn with the use of so much magic at once.

With wide eyes, everyone could only stare in amazement as neither Balamb nor Trabia Garden had a scratch from the collision and that Galbadia Garden couldn't even move.

"I told you," Harry panted, "I told you I still had some tricks up my sleeve."

Unconsciously, Squall had tightened his grip on the petite mage, he added, "And more secrets, no doubt."

Harry gave him a tired grin, "But not by my choice."

Squall rolled his eyes and turned his attention to the gaping Xu and Nida. "How are we holding up? The Galbadian Army will be on us any second now."

Xu nodded jerkily as she eyed Harry with fear and suspicion, "We are holding. They know the layout of our Garden. They are attacking all the entrances, but they haven't breached yet."

"And the best place for our entrance to Galbadia Garden?" Harry asked, enjoying the comfort of Squall's arms.

Xu flinched and Nida's gaze was firmly ahead of him. "The emergency entrance of the 2nd floor and the quad. Maybe the front gate if you can get past their waves of attack."

"Give the assault team the orders to infiltrate. Xu, you have Command." Squall ordered before turning to Harry. "Can you...?"

Harry's expression turned stony, as he stood up straighter. "Of course. We need to head out to the assault point."

Squall said nothing as he followed Harry from the bridge and towards the elevator. The doors closed quietly.

"Squall," Harry murmured as he stared into gray eyes.

Something told Squall that this was going to be an important conversation, his gut told him it would be the last, and he refused to believe that. Licking his lips, staring into vibrant green eyes, he could only asked, "What's wrong Harry?"

"I…I wish I could tell you everything," Harry whispered, but the words were loud and clear in the silence. "If we had more time, maybe. But..." Harry paused and bit his lip. Squall sighed as he stepped forward and gently pulled the abused lower lip from between Harry's teeth.

"It's okay. We can talk later and I promise not to get too mad."

Harry grinned weakly but shook his head, "Just remember... Remember that you promised to meet me at the flower field if anything happens."

"Harry?"

"I don't know. But something tells me I'm going to disappear for a while. It may not be now, but soon, I think..."

Squall froze, hand still touching Harry's face gently. Gray eyes stormed—daring Harry to repeat himself, despite his own gut telling him that something bad was going to happen.

The elevator 'binged' as it stopped on their floor, but Squall didn't move. He could hear the sounds of battle but he couldn't bring himself to move at the moment. Harry closed his eyes, leaning into his touch.

"I promise," Squall finally murmured as he removed his hand, wishing his wasn't wearing the leather gloves so he could feel the soft skin under his fingertips. "Only if you promise to return to me."

~0~0~0~

Harry and Squall easily made it out of Balamb Garden. They only ran into a few troopers once they got out of the emergency exit, and those were dealt with easily. The students had been helping the SeeDs by running interference, transporting supplies, and guarding the younger years.

But Squall knew that a drawn out battle would not be in their favor. Galbadia Garden had more soldiers and resources. Balamb Garden and Trabia Garden were not equipped to be a battle station in a war. They were schools—first and foremost. With that in mind, he and Harry made their way to the meeting point in a short time. They had cleared the area of any enemy soldiers and had to wait for the others to come.

The foyer was almost silent, with only the faint echoes of the battle happening outside. Both teens were on high alert for any patrols while they waited, but the silence of suffocating.

"Why does the Sorceress act like this?" Squall asked, breaking the silence. "I know she's possessed, but by what or who, and why?"

"I would guess another Sorceress. One that wants to stay in the shadows or has a big plan; or both," Harry replied with a quick smile. "Most go mad with power due to the taint in their magic."

"Mad with power?" Squall asked, eyes turning to Harry in concern. There was the silent question.

Harry chuckled and shook his head, "Sorceresses need Knights, not only for protections but to act as an anchor. They have to be magically compatible to ground the Sorceress's power. This helps to keep their sanity—mostly."

Squall raised an eyebrow. Harry sighed.

"I'm not in danger because I don't have the taint, and the GFs keep me grounded mostly."

"Mostly?"

"Yeah. They have also sealed about half of my power. At least, until I find a compatible Knight of my own."

Squall turned around and properly looked at Harry with wide eyes. "Half?" he said faintly as he tried to comprehend just on powerful his friend truly was—especially considering his little display with the Gardens.

Harry shrugged and gave him a half smile, "I'm not in danger when I use my magic, but they didn't want to take any chances."

Squall said nothing as he shook his head with a slight smile. They fell back into silence and returned to 'lookout duty'. Only a few minutes passed when Squall spoke, saying something that had been nagging him from earlier.

"You didn't promise to return," Squall said quietly, eyes scanning the area.

Harry was silent for a moment before he replied just as quietly, "I promise I will do my best to get back as soon as possible."

Squall swallowed but he had to add as he faced Harry, "To me. Promise to come back to me, Harry. I don't care if you leave the Garden or SeeD as long as you come back to me."

Harry whipped around and stared at Squall. His mind was trying to process why returning specifically to Squall would matter as his heart vainly tried to deny the hope that was growing. This wasn't the time or place!

Harry's silence was killing Squall slowly. The thought of Harry disappearing was like ice in his veins. One hand firmly cupped Harry's cheek while he wrapped his other arm around Harry's waist, pulling him close. Harry's hands automatically latched onto the leather jacket.

"Promise me, Harry. I can't ever lose you."

Harry's heart skipped a beat. Squall took a leap of faith, praying he read the situation right.

"I can't..." But his eyes said every word that couldn't pass his lips.

Harry's heart stopped. Fuck, for Harry, the world stopped. It didn't even need a thought as he threw caution into the wind. Pulling out the old Gryffindor courage, he whispered as he leaned in, "I promise."

Then, the soft press of lips against lips took over Squall's world. Eyes still wide open while Harry's were closed—the kiss lasted less than one second but had changed their world. Everything was finally right. Harry pulled back, biting his lip slightly as the reality of his actions caught up with him. "Um...mpf!"

Squall slipped his hand into the curtain of black and red (finally!) and pulled Harry's lips to his, for a proper kiss (with his eyes closed). Harry's eyes fluttered close, lips curling into a smile as his left hand drifted into the brown mess. Lips moved against lips, parted and tasted again. Soft touches that grew more daring with each contact, until Harry felt the gentle swipe of a velvet tongue, shyly begging entrance.

Pink lips parted slightly and Squall dove in—relishing in the shiver that traveled through the lithe body he held. Harry's right hand grew adventurous as it slipped beneath the white shirt at Squall's waist and a small moan escaped his lips as they parted for a small gasp of breath.

The sound of someone clearing their throat forced the pair to stop their activities. Turning around, Squall pulled Harry behind him instinctively, as he faced the threat, which turned out to be a grinning Selphie and Irvine. Harry blushed red, and even Squall had a faint pink blush dusted across his cheeks.

"Well," Selphie said with a grin, hands on her hips, "about damn time! It was painful to watch you two dance around each other, and I've only been at Balamb for a couple of weeks!"

Irvine just tipped his hat as he mock-sighed. "Guess that blows my chances with Beauty over there. With Squall finally growing a pair and making a move, there's no way I can win." He looked at Selphie before grinning and pulling her into his arms. He dips her, "Guess it's me and you, babe."

Selphie rolled her eyes and blushed lightly, "Yeah right. I don't date flirts, cowboy, no matter how cute." With that, she righted herself and stepped away from him, ignoring the "So I'm cute?" that came from the cowboy.

Squall sighed at their antics before turning to Harry. The mage was staring at the floor, cheeks still red but his emerald eyes flicked upwards and caught stormy gray. Squall smiled and offered a hand to the younger boy. Harry didn't hesitate as he grabbed it and allowed himself to be pulled closer to the brunette. Though, Harry did smile as a bubble of happiness rose in him as Squall tucked him into a half embrace.

Ignoring the looks, Squall asked, nonchalantly, "Where are Quistis and Zell?" Though the fact that he didn't let Harry go told Harry everything he needed to know.

This was real. Squall wanted this.

"Right here," a voice came from behind Selphie as the two blondes walked into the room, followed by a familiar girl in blue. Squall sighed as Harry frowned. Quistis got a proper look at their leader and stopped in mid-stride as she took in the sight. Shaking her head, she tried to recall who would win the pot as it seemed that the two had finally figured out their feelings for the other, and acted on them. Zell was oblivious as he grumbled under his breath and Rinoa trailed after them like a lost puppy.

"Rinoa!" Selphie exclaimed with a slight frown, "What are you doing here?"

Quistis answered the question, "She was in the quad during the third wave and we rescued her while we broke through the lines. We couldn't waste time heading back to leave her, so we brought her along."

Squall tried really hard not to sigh or punch something—or both. Harry just gently squeezed the hand he held captive. He didn't even bother asking why she was in the quad. "Never mind. Just stay out of the battle," he said to Rinoa. The girl pouted but knew better than to argue. Squall turned to his team.

"There's no turning back now. We have to fight, so forget about the past. Don't think twice, just attack with everything you've got. We just got to weaken and distract her." Gray eyes turned to evergreen ones. Harry nodded, and added, "Leave the sealing of her powers to me."

"Wait!" Rinoa broke into the conversation, "How are you going to do that? I tried using Odine's Bangle and that failed!"

Harry paused. 'I know I should tell them. At least then they won't get in my way...' He glanced at Squall. Squall shrugged in his nonverbal way of saying, 'It's your call. I got your back either way.'

"If you haven't realized by now, I'm not a normal magic user," Harry said slowly as he eyed the group, Quistis and Selphie nodded slightly while the rest looked curious recalling the last assassination attempt. "I wasn't raised in a Mage village. I was protected because of what I am."

There was silence, like a withheld breath.

"I'm a Sorcerer."

There he dropped the bomb.

Silence.

"Er..." Zell blurted out first, "You're not going to go crazy, are you?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "No. My power is not tainted like the Sorceress's. I was put into the Garden for my own protection. If anything, all Sorceresses want me dead."

Zell nodded as he thought it over, Quistis sighed, "So you can subdue the Sorceress's power if we distract her long enough?"

Harry nodded, "The weaker she is the easier it will be for me."

"So what are we waiting for? We all trust Harry. It's not like this changes anything. It just makes our job easier!" Selphie said with a smile.

"Always knew there was something special about you, Beauty," Irvine threw in as he tipped his hat.

"You've saved the Garden, and our hides more than once. Like Selphie said, you're still Harry," Zell threw his two cents in.

Quistis was silent. "Well, it does explain how you are able to use magic the way you do. And what you did at the Missile Base. Just know that if you pose a threat, the Gardens will take you out."

Harry smiled nervously at his ex-instructor. "No worries there! There are others who would take me out at the slightest chance I was going mad. And they are more powerful than anyone in the Gardens."

"Let's go save Matron then!" Selphie burst out, not ready to comment on how Rinoa had stayed silent during the whole conversation. The raven was looking at the floor with clenched hands. Selphie knew she would have to talk to her later, but now was the time for battle.

Harry was still Harry—and Squall was never more grateful. He would have protected the younger male from anything—even their friends and teammates.

~0~0~0~

They found and fought Seifer in the Headmaster's office. The Sorceress descended through the floor, leaving the team to regroup. Seifer had been just another pawn, albeit a willing one. The Sorceress had played on his dreams of being a Knight. Squall sighed as he pitied his old rival. He threw everything away for a dream without realizing he was just a puppet.

"The Auditorium is right below us. She's there," Squall said with a level tone. Quistis nodded solemnly as she turned and led the way. Zell followed, with Selphie and Irvine walking side by side. Rinoa reluctantly followed as they left the two commanders to bring up the tail.

Squall and Harry fell into step unconsciously, fingers threading together like it was the most natural thing in the world. Harry risked a glance at Squall, a smile playing on his lips.

"You do realize we have to talk about this," he said nonchalantly as he raised their entwined hands.

Stormy gray eyes grin at him, though pale lips did not move as he murmured in a slightly husky voice, "All the more reason for you to stay with me until this madness ends."

"It won't end until we stop the Sorceress who is possessing Edea," Harry pointed out dryly, eyes laughing.

"Cutting off a cell just creates another in its place. We have to take out the Head," Squall said solemnly as he nodded.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Don't quote our class work to me!"

Squall nothing as they rejoined the rest of the team. The doors to the Auditorium were closed.

Quistis was frowning while Zell was grinning like a maniac. Squall raised an eyebrow.

"The door's locked," Quistis explained, while noting how Rinoa shifted away from the pair, her eyes darting to Harry and then away.

"It's reinforced," Zell jumped in with transparent glee, "but I can blow the thing off its hinges easily. Like I say, enough C4 and nothing is an obstacle."

Squall suppressed a groan as the blond grinned wickedly as he rummaged in his pouch. Harry sighed as he shook his head, even with a smile on his lips.

"Everyone ready?" The group nodded as Zell stopped his search with a slight frown. Harry slipped his hand out of Squall's grip and turned towards the door. He waved his hand, indicating that they should all move behind him.

"Who needs C4 when you have a Sorcerer?" Harry threw at Squall as he flicked his fingers at the wooden door.

"Bombarda!"

The doors were blasted off its hinges and clear across the room. The group stared at the now empty doorway.

Harry grin grew bigger at the silence, his fingers tingling at the feeling of using the old spell. "Sorry to steal your thunder Zell, but my way is faster."

"Damn!" Zell exclaimed, "Can I learn how to do that?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. Not commenting, he walked into the large room, noting that it was empty.

"That's weird," Quistis muttered as she stepped next to him. "This is directly below the office."

The group looked around the room guardedly.

Suddenly, the score board at the end of the Auditorium shattered, followed by the screech, "SORCERER!"

Edea descended through the rain of glass, eyes wild with a possessed look.

"SEED!"

"Shit!" Zell swore as he shoved Rinoa behind him, taking up guard. Quickly, the team spread out with close to twenty feet between them and the Sorceress.

She landed lightly and stared at them. "So the time has come. You're the legendary SeeD destined to face me?"

Squall frowned. 'What is she talking about? Destined?'

"No matter," she continued. With a flick of her hand, a figure appeared between them. Seifer stood tall, eyes slightly glazed and wounds healed. Harry's eyes narrowed as he recognized the look. It reminded him strongly of the Imperious Curse. 'But Seifer joined her of his own free will!'

"Come on!" Selphie shouted in frustration, "How many times do we need to fight him?"

"Quistis, Zell! Take out Seifer!" Squall shouted, "Everyone else, we have to take out Matron!"

Quistis slashed out her whip, causing Seifer to move to avoid getting hit. Zell used that moment to move closer to the older blond, ready with a punch. "You're mine!"

Seifer dodged and swung his sword in retaliation. Zell smirked as he kicked Seifer's feet from under him. Then the renegade blond faced his ex-instructor's whip as she slashed at him, forced to back and away from the Sorceress. Zell, in the meantime, charged up a Fira spell and let it loose with a sadistic grin, "Oh payback's gonna be a bitch!"

Meanwhile, Squall led the strike against the Sorceress. Irvine dodged around the Quistis-Zell-Seifer fight and took a pot shot at Edea. Selphie started on her Ifrit summons while Squall brought his gunblade to swipe at the woman. Harry fell back behind Selphie as he weaved protection spells around his comrades. He cursed himself mentally for not doing this earlier. It would have been so much easier to cast a 'Protego' on each of them and ground the spell on their clothing. 'Then again,' Harry conceded with a slight grin as his eyes fell on Squall as he tried to break Edea's defense, 'I was distracted by my hot boyfriend.'

Edea snarled as she caught the gunblade with her magic-enforced hand and stared down at the SeeD that dared to oppose her. She got a good look at the man; more of a boy, really. Familiar gray eyes laced with pain stared back and, for a moment, she felt something screaming within her to stop. Not to hurt him.

In that moment, Squall yanked his weapon from her and quickly moved away. She summoned her magic to stop the sniper attack against her and unleashed a barrage of ice spells at the gunman. It was then, she realized, that she had been distracted as Ifrit's Hellfire was cast on her.

Irvine cursed as he tried to dodge the ice combo cast at him. He rolled and dodged the spikes rising from the floor only to stare in horror at the pike of ice that was a split second from hitting him in the chest. He froze, in the moment of pure fear, and mentally prepared for the pain. Before it could touch his skin, it was stopped in midair and shattered. Spluttering in shock, he checked his chest for a wound and found none. Almost on instinct, his eyes drifted to Harry as the mage was waving his hand as he muttered. Making a mental note to thank the gorgeous green-eyed boy, Irvine raised his rifle and used the opportunity to ready a snipe shot at Seifer as he dodged Zell's ruthless assault and guarded against Quistis's whip with his gunblade. The blond was good; anyone who could hold off two SeeDs at the same time was good.

With a grin, Irvine took the shot, 'Let's see if he can handle three!'

Hellfire finished and Harry didn't give anyone a chance to move. Not Squall, not Selphie, and especially not Edea. He was behind her, slashing with the reverse side of his sword. The sword cut her back, and Edea screamed out in pain. She turned on instinct to face the attacker but Harry was already moving away and bringing down a thundaga on her. He grinned as her magic rose to her defense. Her element was ice, and ice was weak against thunder.

"She's weaker against thunder!" Harry called out as he brought his twin swords in a defensive stance as Edea's glare settled on him. Selphie immediately started on her summons of Quezacotl, the Thunder Bird. Squall, seeing the face-off between the two magic users, and Irvine's distraction with the battle against Seifer, jumped into the battle. His slash caught the side of Edea, damaging her but not lethally. His run left him at Harry's side.

"How much more?" he grunted out as he raised his gunblade for the next strike.

Harry threw a barrage of Thundagas as he replied, "I would like her unconscious or close to it!"

Squall nodded as he engaged in battle with Edea. Harry, in the meanwhile, decided to get creative. Hoping to heaven that the he remembered how to do the spells, he cast a "Stupefy!" right as Edea knocked Squall off his feet. Edea moved but it clipped her and sent her flying.

Irvine got Seifer in the leg and he whooped in joy as he watched the blond hit the ground, hard. Zell, using the moment of distraction, round-housed the guy as Quistis disarmed him and cast a firaga to finally knock him out. The trio turned to the main battle, waiting for a moment to jump in.

"Selphie!" Harry yelled, "NOW!"

Selphie nodded as she released the summon and watched at the air cackle with energy as it heralded the coming of Quezacotl. Lightning bolts targeted the Sorceress as she became the eyes of Quezacotl's storm. And then, it was over as Edea stumbled backwards as she tried to find her balance through her injuries. Harry took the opportunity to stand in front of her and grab her face with his left hand, right hand still holding his weapon.

Locking his eyes on hers, he forced himself through her weak mental barriers with a simple whisper of "Legilimens!"

Harry found himself standing on an ocean, in the middle of a storm. There was a clashing of Magenta and Black magic as the sea rolled under his feet. Harry gritted his teeth as he gathered his power and searched for the true Edea in the chaos of her mind. The foreign magic, the Black, finally sensed him and charged in a desperate attempt to stop him. As Harry's own magic battled, he found the caged presence of Edea.

Her confusion was eminent as he called out to her, barely a whisper through the storm. "Matron! Matron Edea! You must listen to me!"

"...Who are you?" came the faintest question, "Please help me!"

"I'm here to help. I am a SeeD! This is your mind! You have the power here! Push whoever is holding you captive out!"

"I can't!" she wailed, "I'm not strong enough! She's too powerful!"

"She is not!" Harry screamed in frustration, "Does your husband mean so little to you? Or those children who you raised and now are SeeD? Or the innocent people who are getting hurt? Fight, damn it! Don't you care?"

"I DO care!" she screamed back in response, anger tinted her voice which had become cleared. Harry grinned, 'Make them angry enough to fight for something, even if it is just a chance to get at you. Always works.' "But her magic is holding me and I CAN'T get out!"

"Then use my magic!" Harry called out as he channeled magic into her. In Edea's mind, only Edea could cast magic. Whoever was possessing Edea was using her own magic against her while her will was weak and broken.

The black prison pulsed before it shattered and Harry turned to see Edea the Matron standing next to him as she eyed the chaos around her.

"You are not one of my children," she said softly, "but, thank you."

Harry smiled lightly as he shook his head, "I'm one of your husband's SeeD and I'm pretty sure I'm in love with one of your orphans."

"Love?" she asked faintly as she eyed him. "Sorcerer."

Harry nodded as his eyes hardened, "We need to stop the possession. Find the foreign presence and magic that has linked to yours and force it out. Force it away but don't destroy it."

"Why not?" Edea asked in confusion.

"It's your magic she turned against you. Destroying it would harm you and I promised Cid I would bring you back."

Edea nodded as she raised her arms, joining Harry in the task of ridding herself. Black, Blue-Green and Magenta clashed, pushing, fighting against one another. But slowly, so terrifyingly slowly, the Black was forced out.

Edea gasped in shock at the feeling. "Thank you...?"

"Harry."

Edea nodded as the storm calmed and the ocean of power beneath their feet stopped churning. But she gasped again as black rose from beneath them.

"She's corrupted your powers!" Harry said in shock. 'How long has she been possessed for it to be this deep? Who is strong enough to do this without the help of something like a Horcrux?'

"Go!" Edea called out to him, eyes steeled with determination, "I can handle this. Go! You can't be caught in here! She must not get her hands on your power, Sorcerer Harry!"

Harry paused before he nodded and pulled himself out of her mind. Gasping for breath, Harry stumbled backwards as he felt the drain on his magic from helping her. Sweat dripped down the side of his face as he fought to stay on his feet. Whoever was possessing Edea had been strong and getting rid of the connection had not been easy, especially after his display of power earlier. To put it simply, he was not used to using so much power.

Edea crumpled to the floor in a heap, emitting a magenta laced with black light. A light that tried to enter him. 'She sacrificed part of her magic!'

She was passing on her power, or at least, the possessed portion.

'Shit!' Harry swore as his magic rose again against the magenta light, trying to destroy it. The blue-green magic swirled around him, denying the foreign magic access.

"Harry!" Squall called in fear as he watched the strange light try to engulf his love before it exploded.

The light abruptly split. The darker half was extinguished by Harry and the other half made a bee line for Rinoa, who was emitting a soft pink light.

Harry fell to his knees as he stared in horror at the scene before him. Rinoa, bathed in a small sheen of pink light was engulfed by the darker magenta. Her face became blank as she walked in a trance-like state. She made her way to Seifer and touched his forehead.

The blond disappeared in a flash.

"Rinoa? Are you all right?" Quistis called as the raven girl collapsed.

"Well, shit," was all Harry could say as he finally blacked out as well.

~0~0~0~

Harry awoke to white and he immediately knew where he was. He groaned as he tried to sit up, only to have firm hands stop him. Regaining some clarity from his sleep ridden state, he looked up to be met with concerned gray eyes.

"I'm okay, really," Harry said with a half smile, green eyes checking the older man for injuries, "I was just magically drained. I haven't used that much power in a long time."

Squall said nothing as he swallowed hard, and helped Harry sit up. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around the younger boy and just held him. Harry sighed, partly in relief and partly in exasperation, carding his fingers in Squall's hair. His fingers stroked the brunette's scalp as he quietly murmured reassurances.

Squall had tucked his head in crook of Harry's neck and was not planning to move. "It's been three days."

Harry paused in his ministrations, "I'm fine, really. I've been knocked out longer because of magical exhaustion."

Squall said nothing in response, but Harry didn't move. They both needed this, the reassurance that they were fine.

That they were alive.

~0~0~0~

Harry had been discharged on the grounds that he took it easy on the magic for a while. Harry would have promised almost anything to get out of there. He was fine being a medic but he was the worst type of patient.

And that's how he found himself curled up in Squall's room, cuddling his (new) boyfriend. The two had been napping on and off, for once free from any duties. The Gardens were being repaired and Galbadia Garden was under their control. Most of the Galbadian Army had been destroyed, but they had a few prisoners. They were only going to move out in three days, after they made plans.

"Rinoa's unconscious," Squall stated in the silence as he threaded his fingers through red and black satin-like hair. He played with the ends unconsciously.

Harry hummed as he enjoyed the warmth. He was lying comfortably in Squall's arms: his head resting on the brunette's chest so that he could hear the steady heartbeat and his hands fiddling with the brunette's sleeping shirt.

"She came into her own sorceress powers. Edea tried to give me her powers, but I wasn't compatible. Rinoa was the next closest as she has latent abilities that probably would never have awoken with the kick start," Harry murmured in his half-sleep haze. Though he needed to keep an eye on both of them. "Someone is possessing sorceresses through their powers. Edea's still a target and Rinoa is now one too."

"How long will she be unconscious?"

"Depends..."

Squall nudged his boyfriend, earning a glare for his troubles.

"Depends on her power, how her body handles it and on her mental state. She's pretty much out until she can accept her new magic—mentally and physically. Edea will be fine, too. She just needs to regain her mental stability. Now can we please sleep?" Harry pleaded, widening his eyes in a way he knew Squall could not resist.

Squall raised an eyebrow in response, drinking in the sight, "You've been asleep for most of the afternoon. Now I know you're just being lazy..."

Harry pouted, "Fine. But you know that as soon as we leave we will be ambushed by Quistis or Xu, or both!"

"Who said anything about leaving?"

The smirk on Squall's lips hinted at his 'evil' plans. Harry swallowed, 'That look should be illegal!'

In one swift movement, Squall flipped their positions, trapping Harry's smaller body under his larger one, one hand still buried in black hair. Now words passed as their gazes locked. It was like something snapped—a damn finally burst free.

It was giving in to temptation.

Lips descended on pink lips, a slow press, and a small taste. A hand slowly wound into thick brown tresses, pulling the head down for more. The kiss changed in an instant as Squall pressed down harder, and Harry responded in kind. Harry's tongue begged entrance, begging silently for more.

Lips parted and the kiss intensified tenfold. Squall groaned as he felt Harry's tongue stroke his and explore his mouth. Vaguely, he wondered where Harry learnt to kiss like that, before the green-eyed minx bit his lip and Squall growled lightly. Copying Harry, Squall kissed his little lover hard. His tongue plundered the velvet cavern and he was rewarded with a moan and a tug on his hair. Smirking lightly as he pulled away, Squall decided he liked that sound. He liked it a lot.

Harry moaned at the loss of lips but was hyperaware of the fact that his body was trapped between Squall's toned body and the mattress. In fact, both the mattress and Squall's body were moulded against him. He bit his lower lip as his eyes closed, 'How long have I wanted this?'

Squall paused as Harry closed his eyes and leaned back into the mattress. The pillow somehow ended up on the floor. Gently pulling the lip from between the mage's teeth, Squall smiled slightly as he murmured, "Harry?"

Harry shook his head as he opened his eyes again—green eyes that smiled at Squall and simply shone with love. 'How did I not see it?' Squall mentally questioned himself.

"Just..." Harry started and paused. He chuckled nervously before continuing, "I've wanted this for awhile and I can't believe..."

"I know the feeling," Squall murmured as he gave into temptation and lowered his lips towards the pale neck that was screaming his name. "It doesn't feel real. Like another dream..."

Harry gasped lightly as Squall trailed kisses down his neck, sometimes lightly nipping at it. "Another dream?" he managed to ask teasingly.

In response, Squall bit down and sucked a spot on Harry's neck. Pulling away slightly, he was happy to see a dark spot. He hummed in answer and raised his lips to Harry's ear. His warmth breath caused Harry to shudder.

"Like you haven't," Squall mocked back. Smirking, Squall pulled back so he could see Harry's expression. The young man blinked away his daze and promptly hit Squall lightly on the chest. His face had turned a lovely shade of red and Squall vaguely wondered how far the blush went. That almost caused his brain to shut down.

But Harry said nothing. Anything he could say would just incriminate him more, so he merely shrugged and pulled his lover down for a proper make-out session. Squall soon found himself lost in the feeling of soft kisses, warm skin under his fingertips and a firm body under his.

'Hyne!' he cursed mentally minutes, hours, days... who knows how much later. 'Why didn't I just give in sooner?'

Every dream, every thought or hope, was nothing like the reality. Neither boy could get enough of the other. Shirts were slowly removed; both scared about going too fast and messing everything up. But damn it, they were teenagers who had just found out their feelings for one another were returned, and they were alone in a room.

A room that was getting hotter by the minute as trembling hands touched smooth skin, tracing unknown patterns across the vast expanse of skin. Sure, they had seen each other without shirts, but never have they touched another in such an intimate manner. Lips followed hands and soon everything was lost in the world of just feeling. Of loving and being loved.

In the silence that was only broken by the moan and gasps of pleasure, they were lost in their own world—a world where Squall and Harry existed and nothing else mattered.

"Commander Leonhart, Vice-Commander Mage, your presence is required ASAP at the bridge. Repeat: Commander Leonhart, Vice-Commander Mage, your presence is required ASAP at the bridge."

Harry groaned as the announcement broke through the haze and Squall's lips moved from his chest. He already missed the new found sensation.

"Ignore it?" he half begged, pouting slightly. In retaliation, Squall nipped his love's (bruised) lower lip.

"No.…"

Harry grinned at Squall's tone, "But?" he prompted.

The devious look on Squall's face said it all as he stood up and faced the bed, "Let's make it quick." He got a heated look for his efforts and that just made him grin slightly.

~0~0~0~

Squall and Harry strolled onto the bridge with matching stormy expressions. Quistis sighed as she traded looks with Xu. Apart from the Assault team, no one knew exactly what had occurred on Galbadia Garden—before or during the final battle. That left Quistis in charge of dealing with the two hormonal male Commanders.

"Sorceress Edea... Matron, woke up," she said before either of the males could open their mouths. "She wishes to speak to us. She and Headmaster Cid are at the Orphanage."

Squall and Harry traded looks before nodding. "Get the team here," Squall commanded, "We'll head down immediately. We need to plan what to do next and she has the most information at the moment."

Quistis nodded and headed to the intercom unit. Xu kept glancing at the pair warily, the atmosphere tense and awkward.

Harry sighed before he bit out, "If you have something to say, say it!"

Squall stood silently amused at the shorter boy glaring down his, technically, senior officer.

Xu was quiet for a while before answering, obviously choosing her words carefully, "We have not released an official report about the initial assault on Galbadia Garden, especially concerning the shield that rose to protect both Trabia and Balamb Garden from colliding with Galbadia Garden."

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming. 'All I want is to go back to the dorms with Squall!'

"We tell the truth," Squall said in a firm voice, "Harry used his magic to protect the schools. We say nothing more. Let them come to their own conclusions how he did it." And he made a valiant attempt not to pull Harry into his arms.

Wrapping Harry into an embrace, the mage leaned into him, borrowing strength and comfort. Xu said nothing as she stared at the interaction for a moment before her professionalism snapped her out of her daze. It also stopped her from asking the question on the tip of her tongue: how did he do it.

That, and she was mentally cursing as she realised the bet she had placed was that they would start dating next year.

~0~0~0~

"..."

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly," Harry replied to the silence as he and Squall entered Squall's dorm room.

"... Ultimercia is from the future that possessed Matron and she's after Ellone."

"Yep," Harry replied almost cheerfully as his fell onto Squall's bed. "Oh, and Ellone has that special power to send people into the past that she has been using on you."

"How the hell are we going to find Ellone? She's being hidden by SeeDs!"

"Guess we'll have to be thorough. Oh, and don't forget that Ultimercia will be after Adel now..." Harry added as he sat up and moved towards the head of the bed.

"..." Squall heaved a giant sigh as he massaged his head, feeling the ghosts of a headache of epic proportions. He joined Harry on the bed, sitting next to him. Harry smiled slightly at his best friend and shuffled closer, facing the larger man. Gently, he removed Squall's larger hands and proceeded to massage the pressure points.

"Stop stressing over what you can't control, Squall. Ultimercia wants Ellone's powers so she can go further into the past. She wants to initiate the Time Magic and create a Time Compression. Then, there is no past, present or future. Personally, I think she's bat shit crazy. But we can't control that," Harry said gently.

Squall's eyes never moved from the glowing green orbs. The power that lingered there was now obvious, and he had to wonder. If Harry could have anyone, why choose him? Shaking his head free of those thoughts, he forced himself to concentrate at the situation at hand. He could handle… personal issues, once they decided a course of action.

"So," he said after a deep breath and removing Harry's hands. Though, he kept hold of one, silently marvelling at the difference in size. "We have to find Ellone and keep her safe. We need to find Adel and find a way to stop Ultimercia from possessing her, and, finally, we need to stop Ultimercia. She's the cause and the root of the problem."

"Don't forget, find a way to stop Edea from being possessed again. And Rinoa, since she's also a Sorceress now," Harry added absentmindedly, as most of his attention was on the warmth of Squall's hand. It was terrifying how much a simple touch, one that he felt before but never in this context, could send the pulses of emotions through him. The love he thought that could never increase, exploded in size after that kiss. Squall had been the centre of his world—no, Squall was his world. And his touches stole his breath.

Squall bit back a groan and merely wrapped his arms around Harry, pulling him onto his lap. He promptly buried his head in the crook of Harry's neck. Harry, in turn, threaded his fingers in Squall's hair, stroking his head soothingly. He could feel the tension in Squall. The room was quiet, but comfortable.

"You know," Harry murmured as he dropped a kiss onto Squall's head, "it's not a burden you have to carry alone. I'm here; so are Cid, Xu, Quistis, Zell, Selphie and Irvine. You also have the support of Trabia and Galbadia Garden. We'll handle the situation together, so please stop trying to carry this by yourself."

Squall froze. Those words he knew were true but he wasn't used to relying on others. The closest he came was trusting Harry to watch his back. But even then… 'I would do anything to protect him,' Squall conceded mentally. 'But, I'm not used to 'sharing the burden'.'

Harry sighed but said nothing.

Squall broke the imposed silence as he said, with a sigh; "There's no point in worrying about it now. The meeting tomorrow is when we will sort this mess out."

Harry hummed in agreement. Feeling the need to lighten the mood, he added with a grin, "So are you going to stop acting like a grouchy, old general now?"

Squall could hear the smirk in his teasing tone and he lifted his head to glare at emeralds. "Who are you calling old?"

Harry laughed lightly before he found himself flipped over and pinned to the bed. Squall mock-glared at him.

"What are you going to do now?"

"This."

And Harry looped his arms around Squall's neck, tugging the brunette down to steal a kiss. Pulling away from the light peck, Harry raised an eyebrow at Squall's expressionless face. This caused Squall to shake his head before he crushed their lips together in a bruising kiss.

Harry's breath caught in his throat as one hand entwined itself in his hair, demanding control of the kiss. Wanting more, stealing more and more. The weight of Squall's body was pressing against him, moulding itself, imprinting itself. Unconsciously, Harry's legs parted to allow Squall to lie on him comfortably.

Squall groaned lightly at the heat radiating off the body he was pressed against. He couldn't resist slipping on hand underneath the loose shirt Harry wore and trail his gloveless fingers across the smooth skin. He could feel the muscle tremble under his touch and it sent a thrill through him. He left the bruised lips to nip at the pale neck.

Harry gasped at the small bite and the feeling of Squall's fingers. The clever fingers that were slowly pushing his shirt upwards. And off.

Squall's lips quirked against soft skin as a smaller hand tugged earnestly at his own shirt. Pulling away, partly to take off his white shirt and partly to look at the sight of Harry, Squall drank in the sight. His heart sped up from its already accelerated pace at the delectable sight. Harry, blushing and panting. Under him. For him.

Squall bit back a groan before he let his body lie gently, chest to chest, against Harry. Harry couldn't bite back the groan at the skin contact.

It was... breathless. Something... lust-desperation-want-love-temptation... poured through their veins. It was finally giving in. Being everything—meaning everything to the one person they each trusted the most.

It was... liberating.

Fingers, hands, mouths, breaths lingered over skin. Tracing areas, touching, feeling. Sometimes daring to go beyond the unspoken limits they had set. Limits that were falling away.

Harry moaned, unable to stop himself from pressing his rock hard erection against the leather clothed one above him. He couldn't stop himself from grinding against Squall as the sensations electrified his nerves.

Squall paused at the movement, shocked into being still at the sensation that ripped through him. His mind froze and promptly shut down at the thought of taking off those last few layers.

"Squall," came the breathless moan from Harry. Begging, egging Squall on. Trembling hands found themselves at the top Harry's pants, undoing one button slowly. Green eyes, hazy in passion, locked on his own, trusting him...

Then there was a loud knock on their door.

Both men froze as they stared into the other's eyes.

Ignore it?

Hell yes.

Squall smirked as he leant down to kiss Harry again, trying to get back to the suffocating passion.

The knocking continued, louder and faster now.

Harry ripped his lips away from Squall's as he pushed his lover off him as he sat up. Green eyes were narrow as they glared at the door.

Harry was pissed. Squall opened his mouth but promptly closed it as he recognised that look. He had been on the receiving end of the black haired boy's anger on more than one occasion, and it hadn't been pleasant.

The sadistic part of the brunette was willing to let the person who dared to interrupt that deal with a pissed-off Harry.

Harry stalked to the door and slammed his hand on the 'open' button. The door swished open to reveal a slightly stunned Quistis. The blond was hiding her shock well as her eyes took in the naked chest, marked with red bites, and the tousled hair. And the unbuttoned pants.

"What?" Harry spat out, eyes spitting fire.

"Um," Quistis stumbled and swore she would make Xu be the messenger next time. "Alliance meeting tomorrow morning. 0530 hours. Breakfast will be served."

Harry stared at her, unimpressed with his arms crossed over his chest. Daring to look past him, Quistis could make out a figure on the bed in the dark room.

"Cid's orders," she added with a 'please don't shoot the messenger' look on her face,

"That's it?" Harry bit out, still angry at the inconvenient timing. 'Couldn't they have told this earlier?'

Quistis nodded, saluted and high-tailed out of there. She did not want to see an angry Sorcerer.

Harry closed the door and turned around with a sigh. He ran a hand through his knotted hair and winced. Slumped on the bed, he groaned as strong arms wrapped themselves around him.

"We're cursed," Harry complained.

Squall chuckled slightly, "It's called responsibility."

Harry pouted but it changed into a grin as Squall dropped light kisses onto his shoulder.

"We'll need to sleep now if we have to be at the blasted meeting at the crack of dawn," Harry grumbled as a hand entwined itself with his.

Squall hummed in agreement but didn't let Harry go. He merely pulled the younger man down to lie on the bed with him and pulled the thin sheet over them. Then, they got comfortable with Harry using Squall's chest as a pillow.

In the dark, as Squall smiled at the familiar yet foreign sensation of falling asleep in Harry's arms (and vice versa), Harry whispered, "And I'll need to tell you the last bit of secrets..."

All Harry got in response was the tightening of the arm around him waist and a kiss dropped into his hair.

~0~0~0~

It was at the crack of dawn when the 'all important meeting' began, and Harry was not happy. He was usually grumpy in the mornings, but the lack of sleep just made him down right mean. If it wasn't for Squall's presence, he was sure he would have thrown everyone in the room into an alternate dimension already.

Huffing, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes as he listened to the arguments at the conference table. They were arguing over what the next course of action should be. It was turning into an hour-long argument...

Squall sat at the head of the table with Harry on his right. On his left, Quistis and Xu sat in attention. Cid sat next to Harry while Pres and his head of SeeD sat next to Xu. There were two extra seats at the head and next to Cid.

Sighing, Squall tapped his knuckle on the table to get the attention of Cid and the Trabia SeeD, Fern. "This is getting us nowhere. We need to decide now so we can act. We don't have much time!"

Quistis nodded as she massaged the bridge of her nose, She could feel the headache beginning. Xu was shuffling through a folder of reports while Pres was watching Cid in amusement.

"Give up old man," Pres said jokingly, "I've learnt when to give up arguing with these youngsters and when to hold my ground."

Cid chuckled slightly as he scratched the back of his head. "Guess that's a lesson I've yet to learn..."

"Can we make a decision already?" Harry finally cut in. It was the first time he gave his input that morning and all eyes turned to him. Squall's gaze was questioning.

"We need to find Ellone, right?" Harry said as he sat up in his seat. Not waiting for a response, he continued, "Then Balamb Garden will go, starting with the southern continent. It's the closest and it's got plenty of small bays that a ship could hide. Trabia Garden will remain behind and repair itself and ensure our hold on Galbadia Garden. Some SeeD from Balamb will stay behind to assist."

Quistis nodded, "Logical as always."

Xu shuffled around some more, "We can spare our engineers that the men from Fisherman's Horizon trained. Trabia should be ready to go after we retrieve Ellone."

"Then we just need to ensure her safety, " Cid added, "we can draw up a battle plan for that. We cannot endanger the students."

Pres nodded, "Trabia took some damage. It seems that our engines are down. Any help would be appreciated. We should hold off on repairing Galbadia Garden until Balamb Garden returns. But what ever you guys did to the engine, it's pretty much fried. We may have to build a new one from scratch."

Harry nudged Squall lightly under the table to get his attention.

"Leave that engine to me," he said silently. Squall nodded slightly.

"What about Edea?" Fern asked, "I know that she's not possessed anymore but can we trust her to stop the possession a second time?"

All the Balamb Garden residence turned their eyes to their resident Sorcerer and waited. Harry sighed again as he shook his head, "She will be more susceptible to a possession after the last one. The only way to protect her would be to repress her powers until the threat is dealt with. We would also need to repress Rinoa's powers once she awakens."

There was silence.

"How do we do that?" Squall asked, as it seemed no one else was going to.

Harry was silent as he pondered. There were rumours about that Doctor Odine from Esther, but after the debacle with the Bangle he wasn't sure he could trust the information. The only other...people... who would know would be the GFs and Magic herself. That would mean going back Home. Going Home would mean...

He sighed again, choosing his words carefully.

"There's a Doctor Odine in Esther that is said to have developed a way to suppress a Sorceress's power. I'm not sure how accurate the information is though," Harry admitted slowly.

"But?" Squall prompted.

"But," Harry continued slowly, "I can go and check with my sources for more information and relay it back. If I went there, it's unlikely I would be able to return immediately."

Squall swallowed. "Then... Then you'll have to catch up with us. Either we will be here, by the Orphanage or in Esther with Odine."

Harry nodded as he averted his eyes from Squall's piercing gaze. No matter how much he wanted to promise Squall he would be coming back, Harry knew he couldn't. He didn't know how Magic would react or if she would even answer. She's screwed him over once so what's one more time?

"Until then, I should stay near her. Just in case," Harry continued, ignoring the look Squall was throwing at him.

Cid nodded and smiled gratefully, "Maybe we can move both Edea and Rinoa to the Orphanage while we search. That would reduce the risk."

"And have someone stay with the vice-commander," Fern added. "I realise he is one the best Balamb has to offer, but facing down a Sorceress alone, let alone two, is risky."

"Perhaps," Pres continued, "the sniper from the main attack group?"

Squall shook his head, "Irvine is too close to Edea to pull the trigger. It's why the initial assassination failed. It has to be someone magically trained."

"Guess that means someone from Trabia," Xu said with a sigh, "if you don't mind, Headmaster Pres."

Harry looked confused. "Trabia?"

Quistis nodded, "Balamb specialises in the usage of Guardian Forces. Galbadia is a weapons specialist Garden and Trabia are the magic specialists. It's not widely known but we transfer students based on their talent."

"Really?" Harry asked, stunned, "I never knew that!"

"Well," Cid said, "it was weird that you attended Balamb when your talent was in magic. But your used GF's so well and your parents insisted you attend Balamb, so we let you stay."

"Pity though," Pres sighed, "You could have been one of my SeeD..."

Squall felt like his blood freeze a little at the thought of Harry not being there over the years. Shaking his head, he pushed the thought away. "Is that everything?" he asked, "We do need to get a move on if we plan on catching Ellone."

The group nodded and the meeting officially ended.

"I guess," Harry said as he stood up, "I'll go and arrange for Rinoa to be moved to the Orphanage. Headmaster Pres, if you could send your SeeD there?"

Pres nodded, "Trabia will start on repairs."

Cid sighed. "I'll go and inform Edea of the decision. Xu, Quistis, please plan our course."

~0~0~0~

Squall stood on the bridge as the Garden sailed away from the Orphanage. They had left Harry with Edea and a slumbering Rinoa in the decrepit building and headed towards the inlets off the coast of Centra. Edea had commented that the White SeeDs favoured Centra's landscapes, often using the inlets to hide.

'At least it's somewhere to start looking,' Squall mentally grumbled. It was yet another incident that was pushing Harry and him apart.

And the conversation from the night before niggled at the back of his mind.

"And I'll need to tell you the last bit of secrets..."

'I'll hold you to that, Harry. I'm still waiting...'

~0~0~0~

"Commander!" Xu saluted as she stepped towards the desk Squall had commandeered. Apparently, as Commander he had paperwork, the new evil. And, seeing that his vice-commander was indisposed, it all fell towards him. All the 'informal' alliances had to be 'formalised'. Hence, the evil paperwork that fell to him.

Squall looked up from the wordy contract he was trying to read through, and raised an eyebrow. It had already been a day since they started their search.

"We found the ship and hailed communications. They are awaiting for you to board," Xu continued, not fazed by her commanding officer's disposition.

Squall sighed and nodded as he stood up. "Gather the Strike Team. We will board. We meet at the entrance gates in five minutes."

Xu saluted and left.

Squall and the team boarded the ship eight minutes later and were disappointed to find that Ellone was already taken elsewhere.

The White SeeD leader sighed as he reread the letter Squall had passed to him. It was the one Edea gave him.

"We were attacked by Galbadian forces shortly after we picked her up from Balamb Garden. We tried to lose the majority the enemy forces in the escape, but we could not. We were losing when an Esther fleet joined the fight. They commanded us to hand Ellone over for safety..." The White SeeD admitted reluctantly.

Squall raised an eyebrow but stayed silent.

"We didn't hand her over. As the ship pulled up next to ours, Ellone yelled at one of the men and jumped across. They messaged us saying that they will protect her and fled the scene. The rest if the fleet stayed till the end of the battle before leaving."

"So Ellone's probably in Esther?" Squall summarised.

The White SeeD nodded. "We are finishing our repairs and we will be joining our main forces."

"Main forces?" Squall questioned.

"Our base is in a small village that even Edea isn't aware of," the man admitted. "Is Matron really okay?"

Squall smiled slightly, "We had her power subdued by one of our rarer magic users. She's resting now. We are trying to find a way to bind her powers so she can't be possessed again."

The White SeeD sighed in relief. "...We had feared the worst when she started to lose herself in the power..."

"She's our Matron too," Squall admitted, "I grew up in her orphanage. With Ellone."

"Ellone did mention you, Squall Leonhart. May I ask what are the Gardens' plans?"

"Stop Ultimercia, any way possible."

"Our base is located in Winhill. If you ever required the assistance, the White SeeD are eager to help repay their debt to Balamb Garden and SeeD."

~0~0~0~

"You are quite strange," Edea commented as she looked out at the ocean from the Orphanage. The wall had collapsed, allowing her to view the blue wonder without leaving Harry's side. The other SeeD was restless but silent as he shifted outside.

Harry shifted his attention to her, and away from Rinoa. "Strange?" he asked before shrugging, "I've been called worse."

"Your magic," Edea clarified as a smile touched her lips. "It's... different. I thought it would be like mine, without the taint."

Harry smiled and shook his head, "Even for a Sorcerer, I'm slightly different."

Edea took the unsaid advice and dropped the line of questioning. She stood silently and merely basked in the sounds of the ocean. To be in control and to be able to just enjoy living in the moment... It had been too long.

''You made quite a few contingency plans," Harry mused softly.

"I never wished to harm anyone," Edea admitted softly, "I knew when I took on the power it would be inevitable..."

"Then why take them?"

"The Sorceress appeared here, at the orphanage," Edea admitted, "I couldn't risk one of the children receiving the power. Especially not so soon after the War."

Harry was quiet as he recalled faded memories.

"...A mother's love..." he murmured to himself a little sarcastically. "It all comes down to a mother's love. Again..."

Edea smiled but said nothing.

"My mother died protecting me..."

Edea quietly replied, "She must have loved you very much."

Harry smiled sadly but nodded. "As you loved your children."

Matron conceded the point with the tilt of her head before letting her eyes slide over him.

"And it seems that one of my children loves you..."

Harry blushed lightly and looked away. "Squall and I have been friends for years. We've only just started dating!"

"I know that look in your eyes. I've seen the way he cares for you. He was so cold after Ellone left and has always been slightly anti-social."

Harry smiled at that. "He just needed someone to hit him over the head now and then."

"And he's grown into a fine young man—very attractive if I do say so myself."

Harry grinned at the sorceress, "You'll find no complaints here."

Edea chuckled before she went silent. "He'll make a fine knight."

Harry said nothing as he stepped forward to stand next to her. His gaze was on the ocean but his mind was on the task at hand.

"Watch out for him," Harry murmured. "When I'm not here, please look out for him."

Edea's gaze snapped to the boy—no—young man standing next to her. He seemed ancient that instant. Like he's lived far too long and seen far too much. He stood like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and still stood proud. The words of protest died on her lips as she felt a subtle shift in the innate magic that ruled the world.

And Harry Mage was the epicentre.

~0~0~0~

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Amira Devant