Little Thief
Chapter 2
Reposted: July 24, 2010
Disclaimer: I do not own HP or GW. If I did own GW, then Duo would have gotten with Heero and Trowa with Quatre, Treize would have never died, and Une would be with him. If I owned HP, Sirius would be alive, Harry would be with Draco, people would be making fun of Voldemort's name, and Harry would have just blown Moldy's head off with a bazooka.
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"Heya Harry! Ready to eat?" Duo grinned at the small boy in Wufei's arms, snickering silently at the picture they made. "So, we have a bit of a wide selection. We have a rule for meals when this happens. Everyone is free to eat what he wants and how much he wants. You just have to ask people to pass it." Harry smiled at him, and started when Wufei set him down at a chair. "Now then, since you're new to the table, you get to be served first. What do you want?"
"Could, could I have some of those noodles, please?" he asked shyly, looking longingly at the different objects on the table. "And, and some carrots?" Duo grinned, and handed him two bowls, one filled with the noodles and broth he had been looking at, the other filled with baby carrots. "Thank you." Duo nodded at him, handing the dark-haired boy a fork as well.
"Those noodles are Ramen noodles, an Asian food. We'll teach you how to use chopsticks soon, and then you can eat them the way they were meant to be eaten." Heero smiled softly at Harry when the boy looked at him in wonder, holding up his own chopsticks. The pale blue color amazed Harry, who looked at them in awe. "These are died ivory. You'll have your own pair, once you can use them reliably. As they'll be yours and yours alone, you can pick the color out." Harry couldn't help but find that to be, nice. People were willing to give him something of his own, something he could use, and they would teach him how to use it.
"Now then. Everyone, eat!" Immediately everyone dug in, and Duo frowned as he watched Harry curl one arm protectively around the plate, just as he did. He had picked up that habit from the streets, where you had to protect your food to not loose it. That this child, who had had a house to live in, would have to do this angered him to no end. Yes, this child would be protected here. He could only hope he could teach Harry that fact. After dinner, Wufei carried Harry back upstairs, tucking him in. The boy didn't even protest, more than happy to get the sleep his body so desperately craved yet often lacked. Once the boy was asleep, they retreated back to Quatre's study to talk about what they had learned.
"Oh yes, I am going to kill that, that, pig! Harry's a child, and one who had a house. He shouldn't be curling an arm around his plate to protect his food as if it's going to be snatched away. I do that, but I grew up on the streets! The GOD DAMN STREETS!" Duo was angry, and on the verge of allowing Shinigami out to play. "He's a child," Duo repeated, his voice cracking slightly. "A kid. Someone to be loved and protected, someone to cherish." He leaned into the gentle arm around his waist, turning to hide his head in his lover's shoulder. "How could anyone do that to a kid?" His friends watched silently as tears began to roll down his face as he held tightly to Heero's shoulder, the Japanese agent holding him tightly, murmuring quietly into his ears, nonsense words meant only to calm in Japanese.
"He thinks he's worthless, and a freak. That, creature, made him believe that. We need to teach him that he is priceless, and that he deserves those who care about him." The others nodded at Heero's words as he held him American lover, trying to calm the upset pilot. "Chang, you need to learn what exactly is going on with his Uncle Sirius. Trying a find matches for an Uncle Sev and an Uncle Remus. Even if we end up with having custody, which I'm sure you can get, Winner, I don't want to take those he cares for completely out of his life."
"Of course. Une wants me in tomorrow, and I'll get that done immediately. Winner, you might want to apply for custody as soon as possible. Throw the Winner name behind your appeal, and it should go through with limited opposition." The others nodded, before they retired for bed themselves.
It was a few days later before they finally managed to get out to go shopping, or that Wufei had the time to check on Sirius Black. Of course, it was also Duo's turn to wake up Harry. "Rise and shine, the sun's up and so are we! Come on, come on! It's time to get moving Harry!" The loud noise startled Harry and he rolled out of bed, hitting the floor painfully. He looked up at the excited agent in slight fear, unsure how to react. "Oops. Come on then. You need to shower, get breakfast, and then we're going shopping!" Harry managed to stand, looking at the American in shock. "Now, Q-ball managed to get his sisters to send some clothes to fit a boy your size, so you can wear those until we get done. They're on the sink, so go ahead and get ready." Harry quickly scurried into the bathroom, still slightly afraid of the hyper teenager.
Duo had retreated down to the kitchen once Harry was in the shower, and that was where he met his friends. "Kid's coming. So, who exactly is going?"
"Arianna and Iria are going to meet us there. Wufei and Heero have to work today, and Cathy and the circus are in town, so Trowa needs to help them prepare for their show this weekend. It's going to be the two of us and my sisters." Duo nodded as Quatre talked, before sighing. "I just hope he's ready to brave the crowds."
"I'm sure he'll do fine. The deskwork Lady Une assigned me is finished, and so I now have time to research Harry and his family. Hopefully, I can find some leads, baring any emergencies," Wufei said as he entered the kitchen, already dressed in his Preventer's uniform. Heero walked in behind him, dressed similarly. Each of the Asian teenagers put their breakfast together, sitting down to eat.
"Good morning." Everyone turned to look at Harry as he walked in, looking at the group shyly. The clothes he was wearing were slightly too big, understandable as he was too small for his age. "Wufei, are you coming with us?" The boy moved to sit next to the Chinese pilot, who was quickly becoming his favorite. The dark haired teen was quiet, but patient. Heero was quiet too, but Harry was afraid of him, and preferred the Chinese teen, as he went out of his way to read to him and to explain things to him.
"Unfortunately, xiao Harry, I have to work again. However, I will be looking for information on your Uncle Padfoot, all right?" Wufei pulled the small boy onto his lap, knowing the child wouldn't dare to do so himself, even if he wanted to cuddle against the older teen. "I have time off this weekend, though." Harry grinned at that, wrapping his arms tightly around the older male's middle, curling up in his lap. He felt safe there, and absolutely adored the owner of said lap. "We'll spend time together then."
"Come on, Harry. Let's get moving. The sooner we start shopping, the sooner we'll be home." Harry smiled at Quatre shyly, and nodded. Eating his own food quickly, he slipped off of Wufei's lap, after hugging him tightly. "Do you want me to carry you?" The boy nodded, and the blonde CEO lifted him, and the boy relaxed in his arms.
"Little brother!" Quatre smiled at the shout, putting Harry down only seconds before being embraced himself, his two sisters nearly lifting him off the ground. "It's been must too long, Quatre."
"Iria, Arianna, I've missed you as well," he replied, hugging each of his blonde sisters. "This is Harry, the sweetheart we're shopping for today," he added, gesturing to the small boy. "Harry, these are two of my sisters, Iria and Arianna." Harry smiled shyly at them, small hands wound tightly in Quatre's trousers, drawing a small amount of strength from the contact. Both women smiled at him, moving over to crouch beside him.
"Hello there Harry. I'm Iria, Quatre's oldest sister, and this is my younger sister, the closest to me in age, Arianna. It's a pleasure to meet you." The two couldn't help but find the small boy completely adorable. His bright greens eyes watched them carefully, a small spark of trust hidden by fear. He did want to trust these beautiful women, who were related to Quatre, who he had come to trust in the past few days. "Well, let's get shopping, then!" The group of five headed into the first shop, where Harry was subjected to the torment of becoming a doll for the pair of women. Quatre and Duo had to interfere with their work, making sure that the boy would get clothes suited to a little boy who would be on the go often, as well as a mix of clothing so that, no matter where they ended up on the Sphere or on the colonies. They moved often, and they weren't sure how long they would remain here in London before they moved again.
"All right Harry, lunch time!" They had been shopping for hours, and they were now able to stop and take a break to eat lunch at one of the larger restaurants in the area. When they learned that the Quatre Raberba Winner wanted to eat at their restaurant, they quickly ushered him in and to a private room. Harry held tightly to his leg, looking around him in confusion and wonder. "What do you want, then?"
"What do they have?" was his soft reply, and Quatre smiled at him, pointing out the child's portion of the menu. "Could, could I have some pizza, please? And a fizzy?" Quatre smiled, nodding. Harry smiled shyly, before looking at Duo. "What are you having?"
"Same thing as you. Haven't had a decent pizza in ages," he replied, causing the boy to giggle. Once the order was in, Duo proceeding to regale Harry with different stories of adventures he had gotten into at work, and during the war. "So, there we were. I had just rescued Heero from the Alliance hospital, and had busted us out through the wall. I gave him a parachute, having my own way to safely escape. However, he didn't bother to activate it, not until Relena yelled at him. By then it was nearly too late, and he ended up rolling all the way down the cliff side. Ended up breaking his leg because of it. I helped him get away, and he set his own leg. His own leg! It was disgusting!" Harry laughed, and the three blonds smiled to see the boy enjoying himself. He deserved this, as all children did.
Talk continued as they ate, and Quatre paid the bill once they were done. "Now then, it's time to finish shopping." Harry expected to find himself dragged into more clothing stores, and ended up freezing as they entered a toy store. "All right Harry, choose what you want."
"Wha, what?" He looked at the blonde in shock, and began to shake. No, this wasn't right. They'd already given him so much. "I, I don't deserve this," he whispered, and Duo frowned.
"Yes you do, Green Eyes. You're a sweet little boy, and deserve to have toys of your own." Harry shook his head, and Duo gently grasped his chin. "Harry. You do deserve these. You've been so good at home. You deserve a reward." Duo took his hand, dragging him over to the stuffed animal section of the store. "Chose what you want, all right?" Harry looked at him in confusion, before he approached the animals. Grabbing the stuffed animals his parents and uncles had associated themselves with, he cradled the dog and fox to his chest. Placing the others in the cart Quatre had somehow procured out of thin air, He continued to hold them tight as they walked over to other aisles. He picked out a number of sketchpads and more colored pencils and markers, in addition to normal pencils and charcoal. Even when he went to put things back, Duo would take them and place them in the cart. Duo got Harry to choose some electronic toys as well, and the boy picked out a number of electronic cars, before he reached cautiously for a set of K'nex.
"We already have some of those, Harry," Duo told him, and the boy stopped, nodding at the words. Moving towards the books, he was quickly lost in the written word. Quatre couldn't help but snicker softly at that, and Duo smiled. He was glad that the boy was comfortable enough to drop his guard to look at these books without paying attention to what's around him. Duo took note of the titles as Harry placed them away, and followed behind them, slipping them into the cart. A few hours later, Duo rested a gentle hand on the boy's arm, who started violently. "Sorry, Green Eyes. Didn't mean to scare ya. Q-ball's going to go through check out, and we're going to head to the car, all right?" The boy nodded, closing the book, which Duo took and placed in the cart, before lifting the boy easily. He's still too light. He needs to gain more weight. Harry cuddled against his chest, as Quatre quickly paid and brought the bags to the car. Bringing the two stuffed animals Harry had fallen in love with into the car, he put the rest into the extra car that Rashid had sent to take care of all the bags that they had for their purchases. Climbing in beside Harry, Duo, and his sisters, he handed the items to Harry who pulled them against his chest happily. During the drive home, the agents and two girls talked happily, while Harry fell into a comfortable doze against Duo's side.
"Wufei Chang, what are you doing?" The Chinese agent didn't even look up from his laptop as his superior stood over him. "Chang!" He glanced up briefly, and only smirked at the annoyed look on her face. When the woman reached to snag the laptop, he quickly pulled it out of the way, before standing. "Explain now, agent."
"Harry Potter is to become Winner's ward. He was able to give us a name of a close family friend of his, who he considered his uncle. As I'm on desk duty, and finished the work you had set out for me already, I was researching a Sirius Black," he replied, looking her in the eyes daringly. He was just waiting for her to argue against his investigation. "I will show you anything I find."
"Look under James Potter and Lily Potter nee Evans, as those were his parents. I worked with both of them briefly, years ago," she replied, before leaving. "And you're ordered to do research on Harry and his relatives until further notice, Chang." The Chinese man smiled, returning to his work. As he searched deeper, he began to frown. He kept hitting roadblocks, and grew frustrated. Standing with a snarl on his lips, he picked up the laptop, stalking to where Yuy was working one office down.
"What is it, Chang?" The Japanese agent looked up briefly, returning to his own work. "The firewalls blocking you?" Wufei paused, narrowed his eyes, but sighed. "Lady Une gave me the same assignment."
"Of course." Collapsing in the chair across from Heero, Wufei opened his own laptop, and started looking for what he could find without having to hack. Pulling up files on the Potters and their family, he grew angry as he continued to read. "Yuy. His parents' will was never read." His colleague froze, before staring at him. "I can find no record of it being executed, but plenty of record on it being made, and of the exact details. Apparently, Harry was never to go to the Dursleys. He was supposed to go to Sirius Black, followed by an Andromeda Tonks and her family, followed by a Remus Lupin, then a Severus Snape. Hell, there's a very long list on who is and isn't supposed to have him." The Chinese pilot continued looking down the list, before snorting. "I think we've found Uncles Remus and Sev." Heero nodded, before he smirked.
"Severus Snape, I recognize that name. He's a close friend of Lucius Malfoy, one of Zechs' relatives. I believe they are first cousins." The two looked at each other, pleased. "I will go talk to him about getting in touch with his cousin." The pilot stood, closing his laptop and carrying it with him. As Heero left, Wufei continued to dig deeper. When he found the information on Sirius Black, he snarled. Comparing it to what he had seen in the Potters' will, he quickly stood, holding his laptop as he ran up to Lady Une's office. Pushing his way in, the commander looked up at him.
"Sirius Black is in prison for the betrayal of Lily and James Potter to the man who killed him, as well as the murders of Peter Pettigrew and twelve others. However, the Potters' will specifically states that Pettigrew was the one to be keeping their secret for them. Digging deeper, I learned that Black was never given a trial, but was instead thrown directly into jail on a life sentence. One of the men who signed as a witness for the will is the head of the court that condemned Black. With more digging, I learned that this man, Albus Dumbledore, also happens to have named himself as the guardian of the child, has been withdrawing copious amounts of money from Harry's bank accounts, and using it to supplement his own accounts as well as pay a number of families. The Weasleys, the Grangers, and the Dursleys, among others. From what I can find, Harry never even knew about these funds; he seems to think of himself as a burden, and has said that he had to pickpocket to help his uncle with expenses. The money the man was receiving on a semi-annually basis is nearly equal to a Preventer Agent's annual income. However, after researching his finances, Vernon Dursley seems to have wasted it on alcohol." The teenager looked up at his superior, who seemed to be furious. "I believe that Sirius Black was framed, and that Dumbledore allowed him to have no trial in order to gain control of Harry."
"I'll get to work on forcing Sirius Black to be given a trial immediately. Did you find any other links to those who might take him in?" Commander Une was angry beyond words, but was controlling her temper in order to focus clearly. "And how is he dealing with living with you?"
"I found his 'Uncle Sev' and his 'Uncle Remus'. His Uncle Sev is Severus Snape, a close friend of Marquise's cousin Lucius Malfoy, and Yuy is currently talking with him to get in contact with the cousin. His Uncle Remus is a Remus Lupin, who seems to be unemployed but is receiving a sum that was delegated in the Potter's will on a weekly basis. This account was apparently set up before their deaths, and it seems their bankers knew that they wished to keep the funds going. As such, there is no discrepancy there." Lady Une nodded, listening to his report. "I will be working on finding Remus Lupin, and trying to get in touch with him. Unfortunately, no address is listed."
"Get in touch with Snape first, as he's more accessible. We can see if he is able to get in touch with Lupin later." Wufei acknowledged the words, before moving to leave. "Go see how Heero is doing, then head home. See about getting Harry a pet of some sort. A cat, perhaps, or maybe a dog. Something that could protect him." Wufei nodded silently, walking out. He moved to the elevator, stepping off a few floors down.
"Ah, hello there. Do you be any chance know where Agent Marquise's office is?" Wufei turned, taking in the form of a tall blonde man with slate-grey eyes in front of him. His business suit was old fashioned but well maintained, and the walking cane in his right hand seemed more for show than anything. He looked a great deal like Zechs, and he held himself erect with stiff posture.
"I was headed there myself. Agent Chang." Wufei held out his hand, and the man transferred the cane to his other hand to reciprocate the action. "May I ask what you need with him?"
"He invited me here today, but neglected to tell me where to find his office. I'm his cousin, Lucius Malfoy." Wufei smirked, looking up at the man. "It is a pleasure to meet you, agent."
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AN: Done! Ha! Sorry for taking so long, but I'm a junior in high school and this is final's week, and as such, my time is limited. My boyfriend of over two years just graduated (he asked me to marry him once we're done with college!), and he's headed overseas to attend a university in the Netherlands. I'm gonna miss him. :( Yes, I know long-distance rarely works, but NYAAAAAA-AH! I wuv him dearly.
Some have mentioned I messed up with the Chinese. Just saying in my own defense, I speak only English fluently, with a bit of Spanish and with only a fan fiction artist's ability with French and Japanese. Seriously. I am crap at foreign languages. If someone wants to help me out, PM me. Please.
I have also had a number of comments about how Wufei acts towards Harry. Well, as I said to someone in a Review Reply, I see him as a bit uptight, yes, seeing as he was the heir (and is the current Head) of his clan, and never actually got a childhood. He was married at 14, and his wife, who he didn't exactly get along with, died not long after that. I just figure that he would be willing to drop his guard around a child, especially one who hasn't exactly been treated the best. So, thank you to all my lovely reviewers, I love you all!
Some have both guessed correctly in Gambit being our beloved dour Potions Master. Yes, it is Sev. At the same time, some have expressed curiosity in the nickname "Gambit." So, here's the definition of the word "Gambit" from the Encarta World English Dictionary: "a maneuver or stratagem used to secure an advantage; in chess, an opening move in which a player sacrifices a pawn or other minor piece in order to gain a strategic advantage." It fits the fox, a known trickster, and it fits a spy. Voila, the nickname Gambit.
Another question that has come up is if Alanna: The First Adventure is an appropriate book for Harry to be reading. Remember, this is Harry J. Potter we're talking about. He's never really had a childhood, and is therefore more mature than most his age. Also, this book is actually among the children's selection at my local library, and ten, which is his current age in this story, is about when I personally discovered this series. Therefore, I think it is appropriate for him.
EDIT July 24, 2010: So, did some more proofreading, added a few details here and there. Corrected some continuity errors, clarified some points.