Author's Note: Okay my lovely darlin's , how have you all been? Do you hate me? Yes, yes, I am well aware that I have left you all hanging for an inexcusable amount of time, but it couldn't be helped. Real life is a bitch.

I have excuses by the bucket load, reasons that I haven't been writing that run rampant, but in the end, all I really have to say is—

Let's continue…

A few notes about this chapter: I have faith in you all that you know I sort of combine true and false information when I describe different countries. Please don't get offended by any falsified information. Things like the names of things and places, while real, may be describe incorrectly or may be geographically wrong. If you wish to impart some knowledge on me, by all means, go right ahead, I love to learn, but please note that it's not my intention to have all my research be 100 percent, it's fanfiction and besides, if I did a recommended amount of research for…anything, this chapter would have never made it off my desktop. Okay? Okay.

Not, mind you, that there's actually much here. I'm very good at saying a lot and absolutely nothing. I'm actually quite bother by how much is here. This needs editing...

"Goodbye Harry!"

"See you, Harry!"

"Have a good trip, Harry!"

Harry waved shyly back at all his classmates as Remus lead him away from the school. He knew he was blushing and while he didn't usually much care for so much attention he was secretly pleased. He didn't interact with the kids in muggle school as much as his Papa would have liked but it was good to know that he had made friends, as distant as they were, and that would miss him just a little while he was gone.

However, he was also completely ecstatic about the process of going.

"Quite popular, aren't you?" Remus teased when they were a bit of a ways away from the school grounds and Harry pouted the slightest bit.

"Am not," he protested. "They won't even miss me after a few days," he replied even as he hoped otherwise.

"I doubt that, cub. I think your friends will miss you a lot," Remus said with a smile as they walked down the nearly deserted road, it was still the middle of the day after all. Harry couldn't help but smile at the term 'friends'.

"Yes, well, I suppose I'll miss them too," he relented. "But not as much as I've missed Skylar," he added and Remus chuckled because a beaming look had crossed Harry's face at the thought of his friend and what today was.

Today was the day they were finally, finally going to Egypt. Harry felt as if he had been waiting on this trip forever. He'd wanted so badly to go for so long that even the prospect of leaving his new friends behind at school, or being so far away from Gran and the rest of his family couldn't dampen his mood. He was beyond excited. "I know you do, cub. It will be only a while longer now," Remus grinned and Harry immediately returned it. A while longer indeed. They'd spent the last week or so packing more intensely than they'd ever had for any other trip. Remus had bought a few new clothes for the trip and Harry had spent painstaking hours over his trunk and suite cases trying to decide all of what to bring with him. It hadn't been decided yet how long they were staying (or if it had, Remus hadn't given the information up to Harry) but there was one rule, set by Miranda, that they had to abide by: no magic.

Harry had been very confused when the woman had laid down this rule as he was so very certain it would have been the other way around. When Skylar had first mentioned traveling to Egypt, he had mention how they were isolating themselves from muggles and muggle devices, but it seemed that plans had changed. After arriving Miranda had learned the hard way that the latent magic that spread across Egypt was wild and not very user friendly when it came to experimental runes. Miranda had been devastated, or so Remus had told him after speaking at length with the woman over the phone the week before, and had had to change up her plans a little bit. Instead of living in a magically dominant area so that she could have easy access to the things needed for her experiments, Miranda was forced to move herself and Skylar to a muggle dominated area so that not too much residue magic would affect said experiments.

(Or, at least that's how Miranda described it. Skylar had confessed to Harry that they were pretty much living in isolation again, an hour away from the nearest city, at least.)

Muggle or magical, however, nothing could dampen Harry's spirits about the thought of getting to see Skylar and Miranda. He would miss England, as he had missed France when he and Remus first moved back to England on a more permanent basis but the prospect of being out in the world again…that was priceless.

(O)

Harry, Remus noticed, was thrilled, and the man really couldn't blame him.

He knew that no matter how much Harry seemed to like muggle school, he was becoming a bit restless. Over the past few years he'd become so used to the freedom that traveling allowed them that staying in one place for so long was, in itself, trying. Their life currently lacked any 'adventures' other than the occasional outings to dinner or the odd few days spent at Hogwarts during the full moon nor had there been any stimulating learning experiences.

Harry hadn't hidden the fact that he hadn't made any lasting friends in his class and that worried Remus, even if Harry didn't seem bothered. There had been no mention of bullying or anything of the like, but considering how comfortable Harry had begun to become around other children, foreign children, it was disconcerting. That was why this trip was being looked forward to, by both of them, with such excitement. Miranda and Skylar were a spectacular duo and spending time with them would surely prove entertaining and just the sort of adventure they'd recently been missing out on.

Harry could relate to the slightly older boy like he could with no one else. Maxie would always be his first friend, Fleur his sweetest one, and Keyoshia his own personal bad influence, but Remus had a feeling that Sky was his favorite. Skylar shared his passion for learning, his yearning to travel the world and the feeling of having only one parent who was both loving and, in their own way, damaged. Harry had been in a state of elation in the last few days as their trip drew nearer and Remus, by extension, was feeling a more and more anxious himself.

He had never been to Africa before; despite maman's best attempts to provide her children with various cultural teachings through friends and acquaintances. This would be something new for him as well and the thought of what they would be experiencing and learning in less than a day had him vibrating with happiness, much like his son.

Today, in an attempt to hurry things along, he had picked Harry early up from school. They would spend a quick hour or so going over their luggage to insure that nothing important would be left behind, and then they would head off to the airport where they would take a plane straight to El Nouzha Airport, or, the Alexandria International where they would transfer onto another plane that would ship them off to Aswan. The trip itself would take several long hours, but the jet lag wouldn't be the worse he, nor Harry, had experienced and when they got off, a warm greeting was sure to be waiting for them.

(O)

Arriving home, Harry immediately dumped his school bag in the front hall and took off towards the sitting room where their luggage was sitting in wait for them. Remus followed him at a more sedated pace and when he entered after the little boy he found Harry carefully examining all their belongings, circling the pile of things slowly, as if trying to decipher a mystery hidden within. Remus left him to it and went towards the kitchen to fix them a quick but filling lunch. He hadn't heard spectacular things about plane food and it wouldn't do to leave his son to starve, would it?

When Harry finally entered the kitchen ten minutes later he sent Remus a beaming smile. "We have everything," he said seriously and Remus smiled.

"Good to know," he appeased handing Harry his plate. "Eat up, we have two hours to get to the airport and then another hour before our flight takes off. It isn't a very long trip but you should probably bring something to do on the plane."

Harry tapped his fork energetically against the side of his plate. "I was going to use my school satchel as my carry-on. Is that okay? I have homework in there and I was going to put in a book and Maurice."

"You're taking Maurice with you?" Remus asked curiously, it'd been a while since he'd thought about the old bear. Harry blushed, just a tad bit embarrassed.

"Yeah," he admitted. "It's just…he's gone everywhere else with me and I thought he might like to see Egypt too…" Harry paused looking down at his meal. "It's silly," he mumbled but Remus was already shaking his head.

"It's not. You and Maurice have been through a lot together. I bet he's glad not to be left behind."

"He's just a teddy bear, papa," Harry tutted though he was smiling and the shared a soft look before digging in to their meals.

(O)

Harry looked curiously around at his surroundings. He had never been in a muggle airport before and it was quite the curious place. It was loud for one thing and everyone and everything was moving about in what seemed to be chaos. He had to wonder just how it was that everyone knew where they were going. All the signs had random letters, numbers and arrows on them and they made no sense to Harry whatsoever. Then again, maybe it was just an adult thing; Papa seemed to know where he was going.

When they'd first entered the building, terribly large and imposing, Harry had automatically pressed himself into Remus' side and the man had gently taken his hand, as loving and understanding as always. They wandered from counter to counter and to line after line. One that gave them tickets, another that took all of their luggage outside of their carry-ons and then went upstairs through lines that, two separate times, required them to show identification and pass through large bulking archways that sometimes beeped at people. It was all rather pointless to Harry and a number of people seemed to agree with him as they complained loudly to the people they were with or to a random passersby to express their dissatisfaction.

When they'd made it through all the checkpoints, Remus ushered him through seemingly endless halls until they'd reached a lounge like area where he directed Harry to a seat across from some rambunctious children who were shouting over and playing around a sleeping woman who was likely their mother. "I'd forgotten how much trouble it is to travel internationally the muggle way," Remus sighed as he dropped in the seat next to Harry. The boy turned curiously to his father.

"Is it always like this?" he asked. It didn't seem like much was getting done despite all the bossy uniformed people directing people around.

"Yes," Remus smiled wryly. "It's why we never traveled by aeroplane when you were younger, you were still to weary around other people t be able to handle all this," he said gesturing with one hand to the noisy room around him. Harry glanced around once and shuddered sinking a bit lower in his seat. He still wasn't entirely comfortable with it.

"What now?" he asked instead of broaching the uncomfortable topic of his still sometimes apparent aversion to people.

"We wait until they call our flight number and our row in seating," Remus said handing him a thick piece of paper with hastily printed information on it. It was confusing but Harry could make out the words indicating their flight and seating arrangements.

"We're sitting together, right papa?" he asked anxiously and peaked over Remus' arm to see his ticket and the man chuckled, running his fingers through Harry thick hair.

"Of course, cub. I won't let you out of my sight." Harry relaxed and handed his ticket back to Remus for safe keeping and settled down to wait.

Sooner than Harry was entirely comfortable with, their flight number was being called and Remus urged him up and towards the quell of people approaching the uniformed man and woman that stood by an odd looking doorway. Harry gripped Remus pants leg since the man's hands were full as they waited to hand over their tickets. When they reached the front of the line the woman checked their passports and their tickets before handing them back and the man politely directed them through the doorway.

Harry's heart thumped in his chest as the stepped into the curved, tunnel like hallway. They were supposed to be getting on the plane, weren't they? But, since Remus didn't seem concerned Harry buried his nervousness and followed his father until they reached another doorway where they were greeted by another woman who told them and the people getting on before and after them to watch their steps. She glanced at their tickets as well and directed Remus to where they were supposed to sit and as the passed through a heavy purple curtain Harry finally had his first look inside the aeroplane.

It was a lot bigger than he had imagined. Wide and spacious and filled with as many seats as possible. It wasn't bad at all, compared to the rickety thing he'd come up with in his mind. Remus guided him towards the far left side of the, for lack of a better word, room and had him sit on the odd feeling blue seat, right next to a small, curtain cover square Harry guessed there was a window behind.

"Let me put your bag in the overhead," Remus said and Harry looked up where sure enough, a little cubby like hole was and all over the plane people were stuffing in their personal items. Thinking quickly, Harry opened his bag and tugged out Maurice before handing the rest of his possessions over to his father. Remus gave him an amused little look but took his actions in stride and pushed everything else in the cramped little space over them. When he was done that he helped Harry with his seat belt, making sure it was snug across his stomach and they sat back and waited for the rest of the plane to board.

It took a bit, but finally they were ready for departure, or at least that was what the voice over the intercom said. The 'flight-attendants' Remus had called them were scattered around the room ('cabin' Remus told him after he'd asked) and were demonstrating how the seatbelts came on and off as a disembodied voice instructed them about what to do in case of emergencies. "Emergency?" Harry asked quietly, wearily.

"Nothing will happen," Remus soothed. "It's just in case." Not entirely convinced but trusting his papa more than anything, Harry paid attention silently until the flight attendants left and the plane shuddered under their feet and then, obviously, started moving.

He gripped Maurice with one hand and Remus' own hand with the other, closing his eyes tight with a little gasp as with a uncomfortable bumps they picked up speed down what had to have been the run-way and then suddenly, like a leap, they were airborne and Harry was forced back in his seat by the sheer pressure of ascending.

"Okay?" Remus questioned, his voice worried and Harry nodded even though he kept his eyes shut. It felt like he's left his stomach on the ground and his ears had already popped twice but a light sort of feeling was coming over him as, after a few minutes the plane leveled out. He let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding and cautiously opened his eyes. His papa was watching him closely and so Harry offered a smile.

"We're in the air," he smiled and suddenly that fact seemed more brilliant that frightening.

"Yes we are," Remus grinned and reached a bit over Harry to pull up the shade that covered the window and Harry's face was immediately pressed against it, watching in fascination as white fluff of clouds and the beautiful blue of the afternoon sky pressed around them. A voice came over the sound system again but Harry was well beyond listening by now and was now, instead wondering about what would be like to fly this high on a broom.

(O)

The first step off the plane was like stepping into a different world for Harry. He'd been to new and different and exotic places before, he was no stranger to them, but it was something about the sounds and crowds and the humidity that made him feel like this was different, more special in a way. This airport was smaller, much smaller than the one in Alexandria, which was their first stop before getting on another, tinier plane that brought them here to the Aswan Airport. It was night time now, though sun hadn't completely finished setting and Harry was pleasantly exhausted. They were finally here.

"I should find a phone," Remus muttered more to himself than Harry. He looked a little flustered at the signs that had intricately drawn characters that were obviously not English words. "I told Miranda when I flight came in, but they may be running late."

"No they're not!" Harry said, all exhaustion gone from body, his face lighting up in a grin as he spotted blond hair attached to a pale, child sized body, a sharp contrasted to all the tall, dark haired and tanned skinned bodies around them. Just behind the little blond bob was a willowy figure, with darker hair, and a sharp look as she scanned the crowds. Harry waved, bouncing on his heels and he caught the blonde's attention almost immediately.

"Harry!" Skylar exclaimed the moment they were spotted and Remus laughed aloud when his son let out an excited yell and ran headlong towards the other boy, dodging through people.

"Sky!" he laughed as he was swept up by the blond. Remus noted absently that the boy had shot up in the last couple of years. Lean and surprisingly toned he toward over Harry by more than a head. He spotted Miranda a foot or two behind the two embracing boys and she smiled brightly at him.

"Remus," she greeted and when he was close enough she hugged him tightly.

"It's been too long," he told her as he hugged back and when they released each other Miranda was nodding sagely.

"It has." She knelt next to the boys as the broke their own embraced and pulled Harry towards her. The boy went willingly, giggling, and Miranda pressed several kisses to his disheveled hair. "You've gotten so big!" she exclaimed and squeezed him tightly before letting him stumble back.

"Not as big as Sky," Harry pointed out, sending hid friend an exasperated look though Skylar just grinned. Miranda laughed.

"No, not as big as Sky. But he's always been a strange kid."

"Hey!" Skylar protested and Miranda ruffled his hair with a placating smile. "I mean that in the nicest possible way, sweetheart," she told him, her tone insincere but her eyes glittering amusedly. Harry and Remus traded grins, already looking forward to the next few weeks. "Shall we head out?" Miranda asked, readily removing her hand when Skylar shook his head to dialogue it with a scowl. The father and son pair being addressed nodded and quickly she ushered them through the crowed and towards the exit.

"We have a bit of a ways to go," she told them as the stepped out into the quickly cooling night. "I had to buy a car when we got here, it was awful. All our plans ruined because of some unfortunately placed magical lay lines," she huffed dramatically and Skylar rolled his eyes behind her back.

"They've been here forever, mom. You should have researched better."

"Hush you," Miranda frowned though there was no heat in her words. "You see what I put up with?" she bemoaned to Remus who grinned and Skylar huffed.

"She's been complaining since we got here," he stage whispered to Harry, meaning Miranda heard and scowled. "You'd think she'd be over it by now." Harry laughed at the offended look Miranda sported and Remus patted her shoulder sympathetically.

"How badly has it affected your experiments?" he asked with both humor and concern in his voice.

"Not at all," Skylar butted in before his mother could answer. "She's just a tiny bit inconvenienced, that's all." Miranda sighed as they reached her car and she and Skylar helped Remus and Harry load their things into the trunk.

"He's right, actually," she admitted. "It hasn't been horrible, just terribly inconvenient." She slipped into the front driver's seat, Remus next to her and Skylar and Harry in the back. "You see, I have to stay away from large amounts of latent magic, it screws up my results when I'm trying to activate new runes, and unfortunately, this country, the entire continent in fact, is just overflowing with wells of untapped magic. It would be fascinating if it wasn't so frustrating," she gripped, starting the car.

"I had to find a place that wasn't so magically saturated and we ended up in the middle of nowhere without quick access to anything. This, Aswan, is the closest place where magic has developed culturally and so I have to drive up here whenever I need more supplies—"

"Or to see other human beings," Skylar muttered causing Harry to snort quietly.

"And the drive is about forty minutes, not terrible, but certainly not helpful." Miranda sighed. "The only bright side about it is that the directors in Alexandria understand and we've been granted permission to have a reusable portkey that will take from here to Alexandria and back whenever we like. The only downside to that is that we still have to drive here to Aswan to activate it. Regulation, you know? They have to keep an eye on departure points in such to make sure we don't scare the locals. Which is understandable, fine, I guess, but the off-road mileage I get on this thing, outrageous! And I'm sure all the sand is not doing it any favors…"

(O)

"I'm so happy you're here!" Skylar said to him the moment they were inside the elder boy's room when they arrived back at the little home he and his mother were staying at. It was quint, Harry would have to say, not nearly as large as the house they'd stayed in back in Canada, but not a shack either. Not that Harry thought neither Miranda nor Sky cared; they were the type that would live in a tent if it meant higher learning.

Miranda had chatted the whole way there about this and that to do with her research and it wasn't until the lengthy ride was nearly over that she started asking them about their trip and what had been going on in their lives since they'd last seen each other face to face. Both Harry and Remus had had several stories to tell that had never came up over the phone or in a letter and their late dinner was filled with laughter and the full family atmosphere Harry hadn't even realized he'd been missing so much. It made the ache for his Gran and his aunts and uncle grow, but he was happy here and now and so was Remus and that was what mattered.

"So am I," Harry smiled as he took a cursory look around. This room and Skylar's old room were unsurprisingly similar. He still had his maps and his books, though everything seemed much more scattered now, much like his mother's work space. The only real difference was that the walls were a sandy gold color, like much of the rest of the house.

"Sorry, I haven't cleaned up in a while," Skylar confessed embarrassedly but Harry shrugged it off as he dropped his backpack out of the way in a corner.

"You've been busy," he stated more than asked and he started walking around the room, looking at the various books on Skylar's shelves. He recognized some from when they'd first met, but a lot of them were new, or at least didn't look as worn as the others.

"Yeah," Skylar said excitedly and he bounded over to his bed and started to pull something out from under it. Harry turned to watch curiously but Sky kept on talking. "It's been amazing," he told Harry. "I know I mention it in my letters but those just don't do this place justice. I love it here, I never want to leave. There's just so much history and culture and with mom's research she gets a free pass to The Library and we go almost every day. I'm not allowed to take anything out of course, but mom can so if she's doesn't reach her own limit in the what she's allowed to take out at a time, she'll take out something I want to read. Oh, and of course I read her research books too," he added sheepishly as he straightened and Harry noticed that it had been a cot that Skylar had pulled from under his bed.

"Mom says you get my bed and I'll sleep here," he explained at Harry's curious look.

"That's alright," Harry immediately frowned. "I'll take the cot."

"Trust me," Skylar grinned. "You want the bed."

Harry rolled his eyes, knowing he wouldn't win this argument and too tired to really try. It had been a very, very long day. "It's late," Skylar pointed out have caught Harry sleepy glance towards the bed. "Put on your pajamas then we can go say goodnight."

Harry obeyed without really thinking about it, he grasped his school bag and dug out the set of sleeping clothes Remus had stuffed in there. "In case of an emergency," he'd said though Harry still didn't understand. What sort of emergency would cause him to need and extra set of pajamas?

"Oh! It's Maurice!" Skylar laughed and Harry looked up, startled, not realizing he'd taken the old bear out and placed him to the side as he started getting undressed. "You still have him," Skylar said, picking him up and running his fingers over the soft and worn synthetic fur.

"Yeah," Harry said. He wanted to sound defensive but couldn't bring up the energy to care if Skylar started to tease him.

"You're so cute," Sky grinned, placing Maurice gently back down. "Keeping him from so long."

"He was my first toy," Harry shrugged into his nightshirt. "He's special."

"You're like a little country bumpkin," Skylar said, his voice teasing but his eyes were understanding. "So sentimental." He paused.

"I don't have any old toys from my dad," he confessed and poked Maurice tenderly. Harry blinked at him, a bit surprised by the words. "But I still have the first Atlas my mom gave me."

Harry snorted, the almost sad moment gone. "You would," he said and Skylar pouted before grinning.

"Come on, bumpkin. Let's go say goodnight to the old people."

"What's a bumpkin?" Harry asked following the boy out of the room and back down the hallway towards the sitting room, as this house only had one floor.

"The popular definition is an uncultured, unsophisticated person. Someone who's sheltered and often awkward in relation to other people." Skylar spouted, and then grinned over his shoulder at Harry's offended face. "Take it as a term of endearment."

"No," Harry deadpanned and Skylar laughed. They found their parents in the living room talking over tea and Harry, without hesitation, climbed into Remus' lap and hugged him tightly.

"Goodnight, papa," he muttered and felt the man press a kiss to his head.

"Goodnight, cub, sleep well." Harry smiled tiredly up at him before wandering over to Miranda who'd just finished saying her goodnights to Skylar.

"Night-night, sweetie," she smiled and kissed him as well.

"Goodnight, Miranda," he said and waved as he, and Skylar after hugging Remus goodnight as well, disappeared back down the hall to Skylar's room. They climbed under the covers of their respective beds after Skylar turned off the light.

"I'm glad I'm here. I missed you," Harry whispered into the darkness.

"Me too," Skylar agreed instantly.

(O)

The following weeks were some of the best of Harry's life, which was saying something considering the life he had already lived. It was always fun with Skylar around and Miranda was a fountain of spontaneous knowledge and Harry suspected she had to share anything she found exciting about her research or spells with the people around her or she would spontaneously combust.

She obviously enjoyed having another adult to talk to and Remus was the same. They found humor in the oddest things together and talked about things so technical that they even went over Skylar's head.

"Grown-ups," he'd mutter, unconcerned, and Harry too tried not to be so curious.

Harry's first visit to the Library of Alexandria was everything he'd thought it would be and more. Skylar was right, his letters didn't do it justice, but what could? It was too wonderful to describe in words. So as not cause trouble, they follow the adults around quietly while Remus and Miranda talked in hushed voices about the wonders around them, from the literary aspects to the very building structure. Both the muggle and magical sections held a bounty of information and Miranda and Skylar tried to describe each section and point out each not so little corner they themselves found fascination. Through their excitement it sounded like a bunch of nonsense, but Harry couldn't have been happier to be so confused.

Though Miranda had cut back on her work while they were visiting, she hadn't stopped completely and so both Remus and Harry had to find something to do with their spare time when not with their host and mostly that consisted of reading. Though, with Skylar's prompting that Libraries weren't proper tourist stops, they'd managed to visit some other wonderful sights, local and non. Easily Harry's favorite stop had been the Pyramids of Giza, followed quickly by the Egyptian Museum. They'd also visited tombs and temples, valleys and mausoleums from Cairo to Alexandria and from Aswan to Luxor.

Everything was brilliant and golden and beautiful and Harry could appreciate Skylar's sentiment of never wanting to leave.

(O)

It wasn't until several weeks into their stay that Skylar managed to convince Miranda that he was responsible enough to take Harry out on his own. He'd bring it up at random points throughout the day, hinted at it over meals and outright bugged her during their travel time to and from Aswan for portkey trips. Finally, either worn down or fed up, she agreed.

"Just for a few hours," she stressed. "You're not to go too far or stay out late or do anything—stupid."

"Okay, mom," Skylar huffed. "I'm not stupid you know."

Miranda's lips twitched like she wanted to say something to that but she valiantly held her tongue. "Don't you have anything to say about this?" she asked Remus who was lounging at the kitchen table sipping water and watching the scene amusedly.

"Have fun," he told the boys with an easy smile. "Be safe."

"Unbelievable," Miranda muttered. She sighed.

"Be safe," she stressed and leant down to hug them both to her.

"Mom, we're only going as far as the sycamore try," Skylar said, his words muffled by her shoulder. "We'll play a little and be back before sundown."

"You'd better be," Miranda said, releasing them. "Don't make me come find you."

"Love you too mom, bye Remus!" Skylar said brightly and grabbed Harry hand, dragging the grinning boy away before his mother changed her mind.

"I don't know when she got so over protective," Skylar said as they made it outside, the heat hitting them in the face, sharply contrasting the cool air inside the house. "I think it's your fault."

"My fault?" Harry said doubtfully.

"Yeah, you. You're very posture screams 'love me, protect me' and its driving mom's maternal instincts crazy." Harry huffed a laugh.

"I'm sure." Skylar shook his head.

"Fine, don't believe me. Come on."

How long they walked and talked and joked around, Harry didn't know, occasionally taking sips from the canteens they both had with them which, other than being safe, was the Miranda's other major rule. Harry had no trouble following it; he didn't imagine being dehydrated was fun.

Spending time with just Skylar was a lot of fun for Harry in itself though. He loved Miranda but her enthusiasm was, at times, frightening in its intensity. Skylar could be the same but as another child, he could be easily swayed to go outside for a bit of play just as soon as he'd be to read one of his mother's books.

They'd been out under sun for nearly an hour (Harry was sure he was going to be golden brown by the time this trip was over) when he finally saw it. "That's the tree," Skylar said unnecessarily. Other than the grass, it was the only thing around as far as the eye could see.

"You bought me out here to see a tree," Harry inquired on slightly incredulous. It was Skylar after all.

"Yup," Sky said happily. "Isn't it wonderful?" And Harry had to admit, it was. It was a brilliant oddity of nature. Harry had seen trees before, plenty of them, but never one quite as tall, imposing or robust as this one. It's twisted roots broke the ground around it, no doubt reaching deep for nutrients, and it towards impressively, throwing it's shadow obnoxiously over the ground around it.

"Beautiful," Skylar beamed in its direction and then snatched Harry's canteen and took off running. "Last one there is a rotten ashwinder egg!"

Harry laughed delightedly as he gave chase. Skylar speed ahead of him, sending teasing jeers over his shoulder but still encouraging the younger boy to catch up. "Come on, Harry. You're moving like molasses!"

"I—I am—n-not!" Harry puffed as he tried to speed up. He could feel the tell-tale tingling in his legs that told him he should slow it down but he wasn't willing to give Skylar the satisfaction, even if it was just a game.

"Are to!" Skylar shouted indignantly and suddenly he was at the tree and took a fantastic running leap and was grasping the lowest branch with both hands and hauling himself up. Harry reached the spot where his feet had left the ground a moment later but Skylar was already climbing, monkey like, up the tree.

"That's not fair!" he called up at the blond with a scowl but his twinkling eyes betrayed his humor.

"All is fair in the Race to the Death!" Skylar crowed from about ten feet up.

"Is that what that was?" Harry asked leaning against the trunk of the old tree to rest, he knew he wouldn't be able to join his friend in the climb, there was no way he could even reach the first branch.

"Yes," Skylar said and Harry tilted his face up, squinting against the sun to see Skylar's grinning face between the branches. "Or at least it would have been, if we had run any further and weren't so well hydrated." Harry sidestepped the canteen of water that landed at his feet a moment later and picked it up with a smile and took a grateful drink, frowning absently when he ended up draining it.

"What now?" he asked wiping his mouth with the back of his hand when he was done .

"Now? Now we work on getting you up here, the view is amazing, Harry!"

"We're in the middle of nowhere," Harry deadpanned but sat the canteen down anyway. "How am I going to get up? I'm not as tall as you so I can't jump and grab the branch." But Skylar had already shimmied his way down to that first low branch however and was straddling it while he leaned over and offered his dirty palms to Harry.

"Come on," he instructed and Harry hesitantly obeyed and jumped up with his hands outstretched. Skylar caught him and he dangled for a moment before with a grunt his friend started to pull him up. It took a long minute and much straining but Harry had obviously underestimated the \ strength of his friend as Skylar pulled until Harry was up on the branch with him, grasping the back of the smaller boy's shorts tightly in case he tipped over.

"Wow," Harry breathed.

"I know," Skylar said rubbing his arms with a grimace. "You're heavier than you look, bumpkin," he grinned poking Harry's side. Harry slapped the hand away with a pout.

"Don't call me that," he protested but Sky just grinned and stood precariously on the branch they were sitting on and grasp the one just above them.

"Up you get," he instructed and easily pulled his own body up on the limb. Harry moved slowly as he mimicked Skylar's action of standing, grabbing and pulling. He struggled a bit, not used to this activity, but Skylar was by his side the whole way and helped when Harry didn't seem able to complete one of the chin up motions. "Almost there," Skylar encouraged, as he had been doing the whole time.

"Where?" Harry mumbled.

"Here," Skylar snickered standing and grasping the next branch cut not climbing up any further, he just stood there. "Turn around."

Although looking dubious, Harry obeyed the command, slowly, and twisted on their shared branch, only to gasp when he got a good look at the sight that had been behind him. In the time they'd been out, the sun had lowered in the sky and was just barely touching the horizon. The sky was painted a glorious mixture of blues, pinks and oranges and met the golden colored expand of land in a straight line, the only thing disturbing it the occasional tree or brush bush.

"Beautiful," Harry breathed and felt Skylar ruffle his hair.

"Isn't it?"

They sat there for a long time, just watching the horizon and sharing Skylar's water, unhooked from his belt and hung on a small branch between them. It was peaceful and quiet and Harry thought he might have drifted off at some point because in what seemed like no time at all, Skylar was groaning as he checked his watch.

"It's getting late," he sighed. "Mom will send out a search party if we don't start heading back." Harry nodded, a little blurry eyed but followed Skylar's lead in carefully making their way out of the tree, following the same path of branches and footholds they used to get up.

Harry noticed it first.

As they were climbing down his foot hesitated before it hit the branch below him and when it finally fell, he hesitated again. Maybe he felt a tremble, maybe he heard a creek, but whatever it was it made him call out to Skylar a few feet below him. "Are you okay?" Skylar asked immediately hearing something unsure in Harry's voice.

"I'm alright," Harry assured. "I just—" He didn't know how to describe it but as it turned out, he wouldn't need to. A tingle went up his spine and a feeling of dread flooded his senses. With a sharp crack, like that of a belt on bare skin, a sound Harry was familiar with from his youngest years, the branch Harry was already standing precariously on snapped.

Harry experienced a sudden sensation of floating breathlessness before he was falling. He didn't scream, didn't cry out, even though he was terrified. The only thing he could do was open his mouth wide in a panicked gasp even as his body tensed for the imminent impact. His leg caught and twisted agonizingly on a branch and he noted absently in split second it happened that it happened that it was probably fractured—like the rest of his body was about to be. But just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. His right armed burned at the shoulder, less than his leg but still quite painfully and he found himself with lungs full of humid air as he dangled in midair.

"Harry!" he heard through the blood rushing in his ears. "Harry!"

Harry looked up, a bit stunned not to find himself splattered all over the ground to Skylar on his stomach on a branch, clinging with his legs and one arm while he held Harry up with the other. Skylar had caught him. "Sky," Harry mumbled a bit dully though his eyes shinned with relief.

"You're okay," Skylar said. "You're going to be okay," he tried to sooth, but there wasn't a need, Harry was already soothed. Skylar had caught him.

"I'm going to pull you up," Skylar told him as he carefully, very carefully removed his other arm from where it was wrapped around the tree limb, clenching harder with his thighs, and grabbed Harry's right hand with both of his. Harry bit his lip as his arm was pulled but held as still as possible so that Skylar's grip on him wouldn't falter. Skylar pulled until he could grab hold of Harry under his arms and then he heaved, the tendons in his arms pulled taut as he struggled to be both quick about it and cautious. With a grunt Skylar managed to bring Harry far enough up so that he could wrap an arm around the younger boy's waist and carefully sit him across the branch.

"What hurts?" he asked when Harry was settled though he still kept a hand hovering near his hip in case he wavered.

"Leg," Harry gasped out and winced as he reached with his left hand towards his right shoulder. "My arm, too." Skylar frowned and prodded both gently but the slight touch still caused Harry to whimper pathetically. Skylar tisk-ed.

"You'll be okay, bumpkin," Skylar said softly. "Stop crying."

Harry hadn't realized it but after hearing Skylar's whispered words he did notice how wet his cheeks were. "I can't help it," he said and was distressed to hear it sounded more like a sob, and that he actually couldn't. It hurt, very badly. He wanted to go home and he wanted his papa.

"I know it hurts, your leg and arm might be broken, but we need to get down and back home so you have to calm down so I can get us to the ground. I can't fix it, but I'll take care of you until mom or Remus can." Harry took a shuddering breath, knowing that Skylar was right, and tried to stop crying. He only managed to hold in his painful sobs.

Skylar seemed to think that was good enough because the next moment he was moving. If Harry thought before that his friend belonged in trees by how comfortable he was in them, that was proven ten-fold now. Skylar maneuvered with a grace that Harry couldn't help but admire even through his pain as he slipped off the branch they were sharing and landed nimbly on one below them, he twisted around and under until he was behind Harry and his hand clamped onto the boy's waist again. "I know it hurts," he repeated. "But I need you to move. Get closer to the trunk, it's sturdier and will be easier to find your footing. I'm right behind you, I won't let you fall back and I'll help you move."

Harry, very slowly, obeyed. Steadying and lifting himself a little with his left arm, scooted sideways along the thick limb of the tree. He could feel the rough bark rubbing harshly along his short bottoms, but ignored it in favor of hurrying. The work, lifting himself and inching towards the safer part of the tree was made easier by Skylar who from behind was helping taking on a lot of his weight. The worse part of it was when his leg and arm were jostled by the jerky movements and though the hurt was searing he sucked it up, blinked the fresh tears from his eyes and kept moving.

After what seemed like forever, he was there, touching the thickened bark at the center of the tree. Tired though he was he held firmly as Skylar told him to as the boy swung back to a spot in front of him. "Come on," Skylar said and opened his arms as if he were planning to give Harry a hug. Confused for a moment Harry paused before he understood and he leaned forward, trusting Skylar knew what he was doing. Skinny but firm arms wrapped around him, lifted him off the branch he was sitting on and lowered him as gently as Skylar's strength would allow on to a lower branch. Skylar, once he was sure Harry wouldn't teeter, allowed himself to drop to a slightly lower branch, positioned himself in front of Harry once more and opened his arms again.

They continued this pattern over and over, Harry getting more and more sore and knowing that Skylar had to be tiring from handling his weight again and again but they both kept it up, desperate to be down. The sun was sinking quickly over the horizon and just as they reached the branch closest to the ground, the one Skylar had jumped up to grab hold of at the beginning of this increasingly long tree adventure, the light of day began to fade.

Skylar jumped to the ground and landed in a crouch before pulling himself slowly back to his feet. His face was red from exertion and sweaty, but frowned up in determination. "Last one, Harry," he encouraged and opened his arms but Harry didn't think he could do it this time. This drop was a lot larger than the others. His shoulder had gone numb and his leg protested even the slightest twitch and he knew that despite his best efforts that Skylar may not be able to manage his weight as he came crashing down. He was scared and couldn't see a way around this. He didn't want to wait up here while Skylar went and got his papa and Miranda. It was getting dark and much cooler now that the sun was leaving the sky and they were much too far away for Skylar to make it there and back with the adults quickly.

He didn't have a choice, really, he had to jump.

Taking one deep, bracing breath and wishing himself lighter, Harry let himself drop. Skylar 'oomhp-ed' as he was impacted by the slighter body of the 8-year-old, and he staggered before he fell. Harry let out a wounded whine but he was safe and on the ground and that was all that mattered.

"Okay?" Skylar gasped and Harry sat up slowly, one arm fairly useless and the other tired beyond belief.

"Yeah," he muttered and Skylar laughed, gently detangling himself from Harry, trying not to move him more than necessary.

"Wonderful," he smiled and stood wiping the hair that had plastered itself to his forehead away with the back of him hand. "Rest for a moment, then we'll see about getting home," he instructed as he turned to squint over the horizon, the sun was nothing but quickly fading pink shadows now. "Then again, mom might be out looking for us by now. We are so late for dinner."

Harry laughed a tiny bit hysterically and Skylar shot him a tender smile. "Ready?" he asked when they'd both had a few minutes to catch their breath and Harry nodded readily, he was more than.

Skylar stooped down to wrap his arm around Harry again and hauled him up on his uninjured left leg, the right one Harry held up stiffly and shuddered as a wave on nausea swept over him at the throbbing. "I'm going to be sick," he choked and doubled over and dry heaved. Skylar supported him until he finished gasping and his stomach stopped lurching.

"Careful," the elder muttered. "Do you need something to drink?"

Harry nodded weakly and slowly, with Skylar's help, he was sat on the ground. His canteen from earlier was still there and like he'd left it earlier it was bone dry. Skylar frowned and gazed up through the tree limbs above them. "I left mine up there," he said and before Harry could think any more about that statement he had jumped, caught on once more to that low hanging branch and was back in the tree.

"Skylar!" Harry snapped. The last thing he wanted was Skylar back in the stupid tree, beautiful or not.

"I'll be right back," Skylar dismissed without looking back down. Agilely he climbed, his tiredness apparently not hindering him in anyway. Vaguely Harry wondered at his stamina. Then again, Skylar had always been rather energetic. He was up and climbing back down in maddeningly short amount of time and he stopped a bit above Harry to gaze down at him considering. "I might have to piggy-back you," Skylar muttered more to himself as he watched the younger boy with concern. Harry was pass the point of tiredness and moving quickly into exhaustion and was sweaty and in a small amount of agony, it was a wonder he hadn't dropped yet in the face of at least that.

Harry was about to protest the idea of being carted around like a baby, he was tired but surely so was Skylar, when he felt it again, the tingle in his spine and the feeling of dread. Skylar must have felt it too this time because he shuddered and looked up.

They both watched was as another large bough snapped in half, likely splintered by Harry's falling branch and then loosened more by their individual, and in Skylar's case, multiple, descents. It cracked ominously over other limbs as it fell and Harry's eyes widened as he noted the area it was likely to land. This time his scream managed to escape him and formed a word.

"Sky!" But it came too late and the heavy obstruction was already smashing into the blond hair, wide blue eyed form and they both, boy and branch, hit the ground a second later.

"SKYLAR!"

A/N: I know what you're all thinking. After that long of a wait for an update, this b***h does this to us? Well…I'm not sorry. You wanted more excitement.

Fun Fact 1: This was one of the original ideas for this story.

Fun Fact 2: How this turns out is different from said original idea.