So… when I say the deal was back on for that chapter I figured I'd have plenty of time to have this betaed, clearly I forgot 2 important factors.

1. You guys are fast (and awesome, and kind, and omg, thank you all for that amazing show of support! I can't believe there' so many people interested in my work out there.)

2. My beta has a life…

This chapter hasn't been betaed, so sorry for that! My beta is the best, she's super-fast and efficient but she does have a life and college, so I'll change it for the updated version as soon as she finishes with the chapter. All mistakes are mine.

IIIII

Chapter 23

Joyful War and Cheerful Misery

He woke up to a pounding headache. It was dark outside and it took him a moment to realise where he was. It was the closest thing he had to a home and a family since Sirius died. Remus was great and all, but he had enough shit on his plate without adding a teenager to the mix.

"Harry?" asked a voice kindly.

"Yes Mrs. Weasley?" he asked with a wince, dreading her reaction now that he was awake.

"Here dear, drink this" she passed him a bottle of water and some aspirins, after he had drank half of the bottle and the pills she sat down next to him. "How are you?"

"Not good" he responded honestly, because it was clear he wouldn't fool anybody by pretending otherwise.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I found my boyfriend kissing another guy" he confessed. He needed to talk to someone, anybody at this point, just get it out of his chest and forget. "That was before the fencing tournament and when I came back they both told me they were in love with me and each other."

To Mrs. Weasley credit, she reacted to the news surprisingly well. She blinked and absorbed the fact that Harry, her daughter's ex-boyfriend, had been dating a guy. Ron had told her about Harry's preferences, but she had always hoped that Harry would forgive Ginny. He looked so lost right now that she didn't allow herself to dwell on the matter, at least not now.

"And how do you feel about them?" she asked carefully.

"I love Kurt" said Harry immediately, sure of that much at least. "And I kissed Blaine, after they told me yesterday and it felt right. I think I might love him too, or I am close enough at least, but I really shouldn't have kissed him because now I am angry at myself and..." he sighed. "Yesterday they told me they wanted to try the three of us, in a relationship or something. I didn't bother to get that many details on their plan. I told them I couldn't do it, because it hurts to be around them. I trusted them and they didn't care... they didn't trust me enough to talk to me... they just... God, this is really ridiculous. I can't even think properly."

"Oh honey" she whispered heartbroken and grabbed his shoulder. "Love is blind and dumb Harry, and the thing is, we not only have to deal with love, but with jealousy, insecurities, possessiveness and a long list of emotions that mess with us. I know it hurts Harry, but do you love these two boys enough to let the hurt go? Are you willing to let them in again, willing to risk getting hurt again to be with them? Because it's hard to be with one person and two, that doesn't sound like a good plan, especially when you are confused and unsure about how you feel… and you're a teenager, I know it feels like the world is going to end, but you are young."

Harry pressed the palm of his hands against his eyes. "What is wrong with me? Why do they do this to me? I try! I tried to be a good boyfriend and make them happy. I went to all of Ginny's recitals, I let her teach me how to dance, I honestly tried... and Kurt! I saw musicals with him, and I went shopping and I met his friends and family, and I tried so hard, because it made me happy seeing him happy, but I am never enough, I am never..."

"You are honey, anybody would be lucky to have you Harry! You deserve so much Harry, so much" he rested against her, soaking the comfort she offered.

Harry didn't say anything else for the rest of the day. He stayed on the safety of the Weasley's home for another night. Mr. Weasley didn't ask why he was having dinner with them. He didn't say anything when the next day he dropped him off at the club early to pick up his car. Mr. Weasley was not a man of many words.

"Harry"

"Yes Mr. Weasley?" he asked, barely able to keep eye contact. He was still ashamed of what happened last Christmas.

"We hope to see you around more often son. Molly and I miss you terribly" he prepared to drive away and stared at Harry surprised face. "Chin up."

Mr. Weasley was not a man of many words, but he usually said a lot with the few he used.

Harry didn't found the courage to go back that day, if only because he shared a class with Kurt. He spent the day catching up with his homework at Ann's apartment; luckily he still had a bag with all his clothes in the car. He got drunk again at night, but retired early. He passed out in the couch and woke up with enough time to drive back to Dalton.

He didn't remember the last time he did a walk of 'shame' or as the twins called it, the in your faces walk. He was perfectly aware how crappy he looked. His shirt was wrinkled, with the first few buttons opened, tie undone around his neck, hair in a mess he hadn't bother to try to tame, which by everybody else standards that meant he looked like a crazy person, he stank of alcohol and cigarettes, his faithful aviator glasses were on and he was dragging his blazer around.

In his other hand he was clutching a thermo full of Sirius hangover cure. It tasted awful, it always did, but it stopped the tap dancing elephants on his head.

"Well, look who finally decided to appear" said Ron when Harry dropped on the chair next to his and let his head fall against the desk.

"Fuck you" Harry growled.

Ron leaned closer and whispered. "Seriously Harry, we are worried about you. You are acting like you did when Ginny and you broke up. I heard you left with a blond chick after the tournament, please tell me you didn't sleep with..."

"The blond chick was an old friend you dumbass" Harry spat. "She hasn't been competing since she graduated. She was at the tournament; she and Bill were making eyes at each other, so I took them both to lunch and ditched them. Bill gave me a very grateful phone call after."

Ron mouth opened in surprise "Oh..."

"I broke up with Kurt for real as soon as I got back" muttered Harry. "If I start sleeping around that's my business, but I do have the common decency to have a clean slate first."

"Alright... come on, ditch with me, we need to talk."

"Not today" said Harry with a shake of his head. "I am tired of talking and thinking. I am going to sit here, pretend to pay attention, ignore my fucked up life and be normal for a few hours."

Ron sighed, but didn't argue further.

Harry, truthful to his word, didn't look at Kurt during the two classes they had together and ignored Blaine if they happened to cross him in the hallways. He stuck to Ron and his teammates. Tom had surprisingly rallied the fencing team into running interference between Harry and the two Warblers. It didn't take long for the football team to pick up what was going on and do the same. Harry kind of loved them all for that show of support.

He caught up with his homework, happy that he didn't have time for anything else. Fencing was thankfully 'on vacation' for another month, while Oliver maintained a relative normal dose of enthusiasm. The Warblers had taken the habit of staring after him, as did most of the student body.

It wasn't a surprise since he had regressed into old habits. He had yet to spend a night at Dalton since he arrived and he kept wearing the same clothes as the night before during the morning, he only changed at lunch time, which had permanently become nap time. Upon request, Ron had retrieved Layla and his guitars, plus a few other essential things from his old room. He was planning on dropping by to collect the rest at some point, when he knew they wouldn't be around.

On Thursday Tyler approached him with a glint on his eyes.

"If we move practice so it doesn't clashes with anything, would you join the band? Just for this weekend, more if you like it"

"Why?" asked Harry, wincing at the loud noises. He hadn't had the time to make Sirius hangover cure and he was paying the price for the extra hour of sleep.

"We are playing in Columbus this weekend. We need a guitarist, ours is the law abiding type so we are screwed on that front; we leave tomorrow and come back on Sunday. Think you can make it?"

Harry shrugged, he had didn't had any commitments. "Count me in."

"Meet you at 5 for practice. Bring Layla!"

"Sometimes I think you only want me for my guitar!" said Harry with a roll of his eyes, smiling for the first time in ages when Tyler winked suggestively at him.

"And you magic fingers" he said making Harry laugh.

IIIII

He walked out of Dalton after changing clothes, Layla proudly hanging from one shoulder, and an overnight bag in the other. Hermione had been less than pleased when he told her about his plans, but had relented when Ron had taken his side, saying this was the healthiest thing he had done in a while.

He didn't rush, but walked leisurely instead, enjoying the sunshine combined with the cold weather. The moment he crossed the gates, his hand moved to his pocket and with a flourish he got a single cigarette out of the box, placing it on his mouth immediately afterwards. He used his left hand to cover the flame as he lighted it with his right. He took a long drag and let it out upwards.

"I never thought I see the day" said Tyler mockingly, appearing next to him. "Drinking, sleeping around, disregard of authority, occasional pranks and vandalism sure! But smoking? I almost don't recognize you. What happen to cancer and lungs and all that?"

Harry shrugged and offered one. Tyler took it pleased. "Life's a bitch and then you die, I'm trying to beat the surprise factor."

"Write a song" said Tyler patting him on the back. "You'll make a fortune out of your misery."

"That's the tragedy" responded Harry with a mocking smile. "I already have a fortune, so I have no motivation to share my misery."

Tyler hummed in agreement. "Drop dead then, it'll give others inspiration for tragic songs."

"Hence the cigarettes" said Harry with a smirk, making Tyler laugh. The van was already loaded and Seth waved to them, a pretty girl in tight clothes stood next to him.

"Pretend to be happy man!" called Seth with a grin. "With this dark, broody and mysterious vibe, we are going to have to beat the girls away from you with a stick!"

"Not to mention my accent" said Harry while putting the last part of the cigarette out with his foot.

"We are fucked dude" said Seth with a comically crest fallen expression. "Please tell me you don't say philosophical stuff or poems or crap like that."

The girl snorted next to him. "Please, I doubt anybody here knows what poetry is!"

"Your words wound me soul deep my darling" said Harry with a charming smile. He walked towards her and grabbed her hand.

"If questioning would make us wise / no eyes would ever gaze in eyes; / If all our tale were told in speech / No mouths would wander each to each."

Harry placed a kiss on her hand, staring into her eyes.

"Were spirits free from mortal mesh / And love not bound in hearts of flesh / No aching breasts would yearn to meet / And find their ecstasy complete."

She took her hand back and crossed her arms, but smiled urging him on.

"For who is there that lives and knows / The secret powers by which he grows? / Were knowledge all, what were our need / To thrill and faint and sweetly bleed?"

Harry put one hand over his heart.

"Then seek not, sweet, the "If" and "Why" / I love you now until I die. / For I must love because I live / And life in me is what you give."

"Christopher Brennan" she said applauding. "I am suitably impressed."

Harry didn't bother to hide his smugness. "I am impressed back at you for knowing him."

"I plan to study English Literature" she responded while he opened the door for her. She offered her hand again. "Sophie, recent lesbian, but I might throw you a bone if you play your cards right."

"Harry, always bisexual, I might take you up on that challenge" they entered the van, starting a discussion about poetry of all things.

"Dude, I honestly hope he either finds somebody straight away or sticks to Sophie, because that move made me want to let him inside my pants" said Seth with a serious voice.

"TMI Seth, TMI" said Tyler with a long suffering sigh.

IIIII

He and Sophie were clearly not going to hook up decided Harry from the start. The idea let a bittersweet taste on his mouth. They bonded at the back of the band and even roomed together on the motel they rented. She was smart, funny and had a sarcastic vein that Harry adored from the start.

They waited for the band to do a sound check, while they drank a few beers at the bar.

"So, lesbian you say?"

She smiled proudly. "Officially out for a month. Bisexual, how does that work?"

"You never get out; you just opened the door and make people aware you'll be moving in and out… so, dating life?"

"It sucks; Ohio is not exactly the best place to find a girlfriend. I'm sure you are aware."

Harry stared at his beer, peeling the label off. "Actually, until very recently I had a boyfriend."

"What happened?"

He shrugged and told her. He had to move on and maybe telling it like it hadn't hurt or didn't matter would help.

It didn't.

Their gig was a success in more ways than one. He had charmed the audience with some witty comments and blatant use of his accent, which also got him a few numbers and more importantly a blowjob in the bathroom from a pretty girl with issues bigger than his. That turned into him ditching the band after they were done for the day and following her to a friend of a friend party.

At some point he lost her and hooked up with a random guy that was clearly still in the closet instead, judging by the way he kept looking over his shoulder when they sneaked into a bedroom or how he was asked to leave straight away. The encounter suited Harry just fine. He had needed the release and by the way the guy had practically passed out afterwards, he still had it.

He was officially back in the game. There was a sickening feeling at the bottom of his stomach that he was certain hadn't been there before.

The next day, Saturday, they opened for a semi-famous local band, which meant the club had been even busier than the night before. It also meant that Harry was able to once again find a random girl that found his accent sexy. They did it in the parking lot, inside her car and laughing slightly when one of them bumped into something in the small space. It had been a while since he had been in a position where he could notice how attractive girls could be. He had a great time with the nameless girl, who gave him her number, making him promise to call if he ever came back to the city.

Tyler had been over the moon about the whole weekend. Seth had simply been relieved that the manager hadn't found out they were still minors. They both had begged Harry to join permanently and to accept part of the pay. He refused both offers. He had gotten what he wanted from this weekend, a new start.

"Tuesday, what are you doing?" asked Harry to Sophie while grabbing Layla, his bag and getting out of the ban.

"No plans so far" she replied with a raised eyebrow from the drivers sit. "Why?"

His eyes shined. "Are you up for a date?"

"I'm a lesbian" she said with bored tone. Harry smirked.

IIIII

Monday was fairly normal. He continued to ignore the Warblers, nursed a hangover, went to class aimlessly and ignored his friends' concerned looks. For the first time he spent the night at the dorm, deciding he didn't have the energy to go out get drunk and find a random person for the night.

On Tuesday, some people gave him surprised looks for watching him come out with a clean look and a fresh uniform. He was feeling positively normal today. He was looking forwards to leaving everything behind and starting over. He picked up Sophie in the evening and they made small talk, humming along to the radio. They arrived to the mall earlier than expected and sat down in one of the benches. Harry munching happily on a pretzel, laughing as Sophie told him a story about one of her roommates.

"…and then she picks up her pencil and I remember thinking. 'That is the most uncomfortable thong I've ever seen. I wonder if that counts as some form of rape.' Then of course I went ahead and bought one in…"

"Harry" he turned and his face blanked. Kurt was standing there, looking furious. Blaine was shifting awkwardly in the background. "I see you are on a date."

"Hummel" he greeted coldly in return. "It's none of your business, as yours is none of mine" he went back to Sophie, who was staring at them appreciatively.

"Are they… well you know" asked Sophie awkwardly.

"The backstabbing ungrateful friend and the cheating slut ex-boyfriend?" asked a dreamy voice from behind them.

"Luna, please" said Harry exasperated, she hadn't taken well the news of what happened, probably because she had been the closest to Kurt. "I asked you to stop."

"So you did" she replied moving her hair in such a way that it hit Blaine on the face, she walked forwards, pushing Kurt slightly out of the way. "Then again, it doesn't make it any less true or makes the Nargles any less vicious."

"Luna" said Harry in a resigned tone of voice, but was ignored as the girls stared at each other. He rolled his eyes. "Luna, Sophie. Sophie, Luna."

Sophie blushed and stood up. "Hi" she said with a smile.

Luna eyes were alert, taking a few seconds to appreciate her. "Hello…"

There was a short moment were all that happened was that the two girls stared at each other, making everybody else feel slightly out of place. Luna grabbed a strand of hair out of Sophie's perfect pony tail and let it fall naturally.

"There, perfect…"

Sophie blushed and Luna smiled pleased with herself. Harry rolled his eyes, picking up his jacket.

"I'll take that as my cue to leave" he said Harry. "You two kids have fun, and Luna be nice, she's squeaky new."

"Hey!" said Sophie blushing and hitting him on the chest. "Thanks for picking me up, despite the fact that you're an ass."

"You'll drop her?" asked Harry to Luna who smirked.

"I think I might keep her instead."

"I don't wanna know" he said and gave them both a salute walking away. He threw the rest of his pretzel on the trash and heard hurried steps after him.

"Harry I…"

"Had no right to come over" he replied acidly, glaring at Kurt and making him step back in surprise. "If I had been in a date with Sophie, it would have had nothing to do with either of you."

Kurt seemed to remember his anger and crossed his arms. "You cut us off completely! You act as if we have the plague! We've been trying to talk to you all week and…"

"I have nothing to say to you and I heard everything you had to say" replied Harry. "You might not have the plague Kurt, but just looking at either of you hurts, and I learnt a long time ago to stay away from people that have no regards towards my feelings."

"That's the thing Harry, I know we did something wrong, but you don't let us make it up for it!"

"Maybe you can't" spat Harry. "I need space Kurt, if you can't give me even that…"

"Space!? For what? So you can fuck with every druken girl in your…"

"Don't you dare Anderson!" growled Harry. "You two have no right to come and accuse me of anything. I will sleep with whomever I want and it is none of your bloody business." He was about to walk away, but stopped and glared at them. "And just so you know, yes I have slept with some people since we broke up, and for some moronic reason, I feel guilty" he snorted. "Not that either of you know what that feels like… I am sure it would pass soon enough."

"Can you please stop being angry?" begged Kurt in a small voice.

"I am not angry!" half screamed Harry in frustration, he massaged his temples. He looked at them with sad eyes and as if he had just realized it, he said in a defeated voice. "I'm heartbroken…"

This time they couldn't stop him from walking away. They didn't have a response to that.

Harry started the car and wondered what to do. The pleasant feeling of the morning was gone and he was back to where he started…

IIIII

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

Harry breath came in pants as he pushed himself to his limits. His muscles ached in a pleasant way, his legs carrying him faster and faster. He let himself get lost in the feeling of the world rushing past him. The music blared trough his earphones, giving him a beat to synch to.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

At this time of the day everything was a mixture of grays. It was chilly enough for it to be comforting against his damped clothes. He reached his self-assigned point of return, touched the tree and turned around.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

It had started to drizzle and he cursed mentally. It didn't take long before the drizzle became rain. He considered stopping somewhere for shelter, but decided against it. He hurried up instead.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

Dalton was finally in view. Some of the students with extracurricular activities in the morning were already starting to arrive. He slowed down, letting his body cool down for the last part. He was covered in mud, sweat and soaked to the bone. He went straight to the locker rooms, taking his shoes off before entering.

Harry rested his head against the tiles of the shower and wondered what he was running away from. He sighed, Hermione had something planned for them today and he just knew it spelled trouble.

He was still breathing heavily. He frowned. His time had been awful and he was more tired than usual. It was probably time to stop smoking.

Somehow it still wasn't enough motivation to kick the habit.

IIIII

"What the hell happen to you three?" asked George suddenly.

Slowly, with complete synchrony, Harry, Ron and Hermione raised their heads from where they had been resting against the table. Fred opened his mouth to make a comment, but flinched. George paled at the glares of pure hatred they received. They let their heads bang against the table again and stayed there.

Harry was clutching a towel against a bleeding elbow, Hermione had a bag of ice over her head and Ron was putting ice over his broken lip. They were all full of dirt, leaves and scratches, their clothes torn and in a complete mess.

"We are never talking about this" said Hermione. Ron and Harry grunted in agreement. She raised her head and glared at Ron. "But for the record, this is your entire fault, I told you: Don't let go!"

Ron head snapped up. "MY fault!? If anything it's Harry's fault!"

"Whoa!" said Harry offended. "This wasn't even my idea! I am the victim here! You two only got a little scratched I…"

"A LITTLE SCRATCHED!?" screamed Hermione standing up, catching the attention of everybody in the cafeteria. "You… you… I can't believe… I… what… and then… I never…"

"I think you broke her" muttered Ron, making Hermione glare at him.

"And you" she hissed viciously. "I told you not to let go!"

"You didn't!" said Ron standing up too. "I asked! Do I let go? And you say LET GO!"

"I did not! I said DON'T LET GO!"

"Let it go" said Harry with a roll of his eyes.

Their heads turned to him. "You couldn't stay upright could you?" asked Ron. Harry glared.

"It was a stupid idea in the first place!" yelled Harry standing up, at the same time Ron did.

"It was not!" said Hermione. For one second they all stayed in silence, breathing heavily, before exploiting into a three way argument. George and Fred, accustomed to this phenomenon, simply sat down and enjoyed the show, occasionally adding more heat by throwing in a comment or two.

The few Dalton boys in the cafeteria stared at them in bewilderment. Uncaring of who was looking, the trio continue to argue at the top of their lungs. Hermione gestured widely, Ron kept making exasperated noises and Harry cursed in a mixture of another language and English, the last consisting of a blend of British and American expressions.

Finally they all fell silent, once again breathing heavily and glaring at each other. Hermione view was obscured by a strand of hair she angrily put behind her ear. Ron mouth twitched, Harry bit his lips and she huffed at them.

It was like if somebody had pinched a balloon all the anger disappeared and they were suddenly laughing; deep, hysterical laughter. Hermione growled and started to hit Ron chest, finally sagging against him and starting to tremble.

All the boys in the room, except Harry and Ron, who were still laughing, suddenly threw panicked looks at the entrance. Crying girls was not something any boy wanted to deal with. Hermione separated, trying to get enough air to breathe. She was laughing too, in the same uncontrollable fashion.

"I… can't… breath…" said Ron in between laugh attacks, attempting to sit on the chair only to fall over to the side.

Harry laughed even harder, following to the floor, unable to stand. Hermione used the table to support herself. The twins rolled their eyes and marched towards the exit of the cafeteria. They knew better than to try to get something out of those three.

Kurt saw the twins approaching, for one second he thought they might great him, but their eyes never wandered towards him. He listened to their conversation.

"…hate when they do that"

"I know, makes you feel like an outsider"

"Wonder what set them off this time"

"Who cares? Harry was laughing"

"At least there's that…"

He entered the cafeteria and went to their usual table, ignoring the pain in his chest. His head turned around without him realizing why, until he saw him. Harry was laughing freely, his eyes bright and alive, relaxed and… happy. He drank the sight, how long had it been since he had seen the real him? Longer than three weeks he thought absently. He and Blaine had kissed close to a month ago.

He averted his eyes and took a sit next to Blaine, who was giving his back to them, staring at the table hollowly. It hurt. He felt like his insides were being twisted. He threw that away. He pushed Harry away. They did that. They hurt Harry and now that he was healing, Kurt felt worse, because he was afraid healing would lead to moving on. Moving on without them…

The laugher stopped and Kurt turned unable to stop himself. They were talking in hushed whispers, close together and with an air of secrecy. Hermione said something and Harry rolled his eyes with a smile, letting her grab his arm and twist it.

There was a red line on his arm, a second later, when it became ticker, he realized it was blood. Kurt almost stood up and demanded to know what happen. Harry covered it again and with a nod they move towards the exit. A relaxed air around themselves despite the state they were in. For one precious second Harry's eyes connected with his. He wanted to call him, say something, anything…

Instead Harry's expression hardened and he quickened his pace. Kurt fought not to cry, in New Directions nobody broke up like this. They still interacted with each other, they still pinned after one another. They didn't simply shut the other person out of their lives completely. Then again… in ND they were forced to interact with each other, Harry and Kurt didn't have anything together except for two classes. He sighed and joined Blaine in staring at the table. Wes and David exchanged a worried look over their hunched figures.

IIIII

"OH MY GOD!" screamed Ron suddenly pointing at something behind Harry. "Luna is making out with another chick! Luna is making out with a chick!"

Everybody turned around and gaped, even Hermione, while Harry simply cast a quick look over his shoulder, fishing his wallet and paying for his order. "Yeah, that's Sophie, I set them up. They've been dating for close to a week now. No sugar please…"

The attention moved back to Harry and they now gaped at him. "You… but… but she… you knew she was a lesbian? But I… it's…" stammered Angelina.

"What?" asked Harry frowning at them.

"Why didn't you tell us you were gay?" asked Hermione with a frown.

"I had to?" asked Luna sitting at the table after her girlfriend left and twirling a strand of hair. People looked both hurt and offended. "Why come out? Why don't straight people come in instead? Is it because you are afraid of theWrackspurts inside? Are you all straight?"

She received a chorus of affirmative answers.

Luna blinked in surprise and Harry gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart in surprise. "And you never told us?" they said in unison.

"Ghastly behavior!" said Harry with a thick accent.

"I thought you were my friends!" added Luna her lower lip trembling and her eyes shining with tears.

"Appealing the lot of you!" he made a sound of disapproval.

"Ok, ok, we get it, no need for melodramatics" said Ron with a sigh.

And that was all that was say on the subject of Luna's sexuality, because really, what could they say? Harry didn't bother to explain to them how futile putting labels on Luna was, it would be easier for them if they found out slowly on their own. More entertaining too.

IIIII

Harry's grin was hidden by his helmet. His baby purred as they drove down the highway and he felt completely an utterly at peace. He wondered if there really was any point in going back when the highway opened up so beautifully ahead. What did he have to return to anyways? A stuck up school that drove him crazy, heartache that has now clouded all his memories of Dalton, the constant worry that Remus might get worse, teachers he didn't really respect…

It's not like he needed to graduate and go to college and shit. He had more than enough money already to survive the rest of his life comfortably. He could travel, never stop in the same place twice, just go and never come back.

He sighed, as tempting as that sounded, he did have something to come back to. He had his friends and dammit, those idiots would never let him get away. He also had pride… he didn't want to run away again. He didn't want that to be the way he fixed things. It just wasn't him.

With one long lingering look, he turned around and drove to Dalton.

Maybe it was time to find a way to make things fun and interesting again.

IIIII

Hermione entered the cafeteria and walked swiftly towards Ron. Ignoring the boys questioning looks, who should be used to seeing her around by now, but boys would be boys she guessed.

"Did you see it?" she asked crossing her arms.

"See what... no... Common, he can't be serious about it!" replied Ron. "I am telling you, this gotta be one of his worst ideas..."

Hermione shrugged. "Top 30 at the most, I'll check later."

Ron grimaced. "Is it sad that I miss the time when the twins were my major preoccupation?"

"Understandable. Either way, come with me" she said steering him to the window and pointing to the outside.

"Bloody hell, he was serious about the boat" said Ron in awe.

"He was serious about the boat" repeated Hermione with a sigh. "Let's go, we might as well see what crazy task we have to full fill this week."

Ron head dropped in defeat. "Fine, but I am NOT driving to another state to pick up anything..."

"And I am not going faint as a distraction" declared Hermione strongly.

"That boat is going to be a freaking pain, I can feel it" muttered Ron while they excited the cafeteria.

"We need to come up with a plan to distract Harry" said Hermione with a frown. "If he keeps coming with ways to entertain himself he is going to end up driving us crazy."

Ron smiled. "Oh, I know exactly what we need to do..."

The boys closer to the window heard part of the exchange and curiously approached to see what the big deal was. Their jaws dropped, when a big, sort of pirate looking boat was making its way out of the parking lot, directed by the twins.

"You bought a boat!" yelled Hermione to Harry as soon as he came into sight, popping his head out of the trailer pulling the boat.

"Relax will you?" he said. "I rented it for to celebrate Luna's birthday"

"Oh..." said Hermione taken aback.

"She said she wanted to celebrate her birthday on a boat, so we'll put this one on the lake that is between her property and the Weasley and have the party there" explained Harry grinning.

Hermione massaged her temples. "Why is the boat here then?"

"Sophie is taking Luna out of her house. I'm waiting for the all clear. Now here" said Harry passing her a clipboard. "That's your list of things for tonight, Ron's is the next page, he only needs to pick up the cake and not eat it. Me and the twins will decorate this thing and put it in place, I need you to buy the food and make sure the girls are there on time… and that none of them wear blue."

"You know, when you said reserve the date, I thought we'd go for dinner at Vienna's or something simple!" yelled Hermione when Harry started to close the window. "Why must you do things over the top every time!?"

"Does that mean you don't want me to plan your party?" asked Harry popping his head out with a raised eyebrow. Hermione glared but turned and grabbed Ron, marching towards her car, while the twins hopped into the boat.

IIIII

"I think we outdid ourselves with this one" said Fred nodding in approval at the boat. Every inch had been carefully decorated with battery-powered fairy lights.

"I can't believe you actually got Luna a boat to celebrate her party" said George shaking his head.

"Too much?" asked Harry turning to them.

The twins looked at each other and shrugged.

Needless to say Luna's brilliant and happy expression was more than enough to make Harry pleased for renting the boat. She couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the evening, neither could the rest of his friends. It was fairly hilarious, the boat being almost too big for the lake. Harry found himself smiling too, feeling good and content. Things were finally looking up.

IIIII

Fred, George and Ron barged into the study room, dripping wet and barricaded the door with a sofa. The boys in the study room stared at them in bewilderment. Harry sighed and turned the page over, while the three brothers rushed to him.

"The girls... / Balloons! / You have to help us! / War / They are mad Harry, mad!" they spoke over each other and made wild gesture with their hands in desperation. Somebody's book dropped to their floor and they dived behind a table.

"Seriously?" asked Harry with a raised eyebrow. "I'm busy, I don't have time to deal with whatever this" he said while gesturing to them in a vague motion "...is, so put the sofa back into place, go change before you catch a cold and stop distracting everybody." Harry's phone started up. "What?" he answered with little patience. He stood up. "What do you mean to look out of the window?"

"NO!" screamed the Weasley but it was too late. Harry was already at the window and in quick succession three water balloons exploded on his face and chest.

He calmly grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket and dried his face. He closed the window just in time for two more water balloons to smash against it. He returned to the table, got everything on his bag and turned to the expecting trio. "Gentlemen, we are at war."

"Yes!" said the twin's high fiving each other.

IIIII

"Ok, your smile is creepy, what did you do?" asked Ron.

"You'll see soon" said Harry while eating a spoonful of pudding. "I recommend you eat fast, 'cause I'm not the only one getting blamed for this."

"Blame for what?" asked Fred suddenly worried, George stopping his own spoon midway.

"You son of a bitch" whispered a voice filled with pure rage. It still managed to go across the loud cafeteria. Everybody fell silent, staring with their mouths hanging open. Harry finished his pudding and swallowed, turning around as Hermione and the girls made their way to him. He laughed.

"Oh, wow, wow..." He laughed again, standing up and starting to move away.

"I am going to kill you" said Hermione glaring at him. Harry bit his lips, while the twins and Ron moved behind him snickering as quietly as they could.

"Oh, we haven't forgotten about you three" hissed Katie crossing her arms. Angelina imitated her, while Luna simply glared.

In what was probably the stupidest thing he had ever done, but Harry pulled out his phone. After all, he had put a lot of effort into turning the girl's uniforms, hair and skin blue. They looked like Avatar rejects or Smurfs, it was hilarious, but their murderous expressions kept everybody from laughing.

"Could you open your mouths to show that your tongues are the same colour?" The girls gaped at him and the flash went off. "That is definitely my new screen saver... RUN!"

In between laugher the guys dispersed. Ron took a dive under a table, while Harry used an empty chair to fly over it, carefully pulling his legs up as to not hit the people sitting there. He landed on a roll and was back on his feet; grabbing the hand Ron had trust forwards and hoisting him up in a smooth, perfectly synchronized, movement. The twins were already a step ahead of them.

With calculating eyes, Harry kicked a chair, making it spin and stop exactly in front Katie, who had been the first to reach, making her stop and jump backwards startled. They slipped away. Harry unable to help himself got his head back inside and with an apologetic smile said.

"FYI, not 100% sure that the dye will wash away, so you might be stuck like that for a while. Good seeing you!" he was quick to exit and catch up with the guys.

What followed that incident was one of the most ruthless prank wars anybody in Dalton had ever seen. Pretty soon people learned to stay away from the four of them out of self-preservation.

One day all of the boys stuff had mysteriously appeared in the parking lot. The same day, Angelina's shoes were shipped to New Zeeland, or at least that's what they made her think. They weren't that stupid. Things continued on that pattern for a week, each group growing increasingly bolder.

On the eight day Ron was the first to bail out when he found his bed covered with spiders. Katie followed soon after she found a family of racoons living on her car and had to explain to animal rescue that she wasn't trying to start an illegal breeding business to sell them as pets. Angelina finally tired of not having any shoes to wear broke down, blackmailed Fred and George to go with her, threatening to convince Molly to come visit them at school every day.

"Where are they?" asked Hermione glaring at Harry, who smiled innocently at her from behind his book.

"Who Hermione?"

"My books" she hissed. "And my notebooks, and my laptop, and my journals, everything Harry, where is it?"

Harry shrugged and went back to his book. "If you want them back, you know what you would have to do..."

Everybody in the room remained tense, watching as Hermione left eye developed a tick. She clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to resist.

"Fine!" she said exasperated. "You win, I forfeit. It's up to you and Luna now..."

Without looking up, Harry grabbed a card from his pocket and offered it to her. "If I were you I'd hurry, I donated all the stuff to this charity shop..."

Hermione didn't even bother to yell at him.

"For real?" asked Ron slightly afraid.

"Of course not, everything is on the back of her car..." said Harry dismissively. "She'll call full of anger when she finds out she did a two hour trip for nothing, but she'll also be relieved to get everything back. Besides, it would be too late for her to come to kill me today. We know how she is with curfew."

"Today being the keyword" mumbled Ron. "How about Luna?"

Harry smirked and went back to his book.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER EVANS BLACK YOU ASSHOLE WHERE ARE YOU?"

Ron looked up in surprise, having never heard Luna screaming before, Harry chuckled and stood up.

"Taken care of" he said while putting his book down and moving towards the window. He opened it and swung one leg out, making the few people in the common room stare at him nervously. In a quick manoeuvre he grabbed the pipe next to it and slid down, at the same time the door swung open.

"Where is he?" hissed Luna hair flying in disarray and a wild dangerous look in her eyes. "I am going to do unspeakable things to him."

Ron pointed to the window with a shocked face.

Harry whistled happily. He was sure that Luna's father would eventually understand that Luna didn't really want to have a sex change and would stop showering her with pamphlets, guides and appointments with psychologists. Also, her clothes would be returned to her as soon as she admitted he had won. He was sure she would forgive him for only putting Jersey Shore inspired clothes in her wardrobe as replacement.

IIIII

Hermione, Ginny and Luna walked with purpose, boys moving out of their way and staring after them. Hermione made a sharp turn and opened the doors. Ignoring all the stares and whispers, the three girls approached their target. The prank war was fresh in everybody's mind and nobody was sure what to expect from them anymore.

"Aren't you going to give us your sits?" asked Hermione to the twins and Ron, who scrambled to do so, pulling their trades of food with them. Hermione took a sit in front of Harry, Luna and Ginny at her sides.

"Ladies" said Harry with an amused tone and a raised eyebrow.

"We need your help" said Hermione in a serious voice.

"And I need a nap, but I am bound for disappointment too" said Harry, thinking back to last night and how little sleep he had.

"We found out with whom we will be competition in Regionals, one of the groups comes from a school for the deaf, however the other one is... Vocal Adrenaline" she stared at him pointedly.

"Oh my God! Not Vocal Adrenaline!" said Harry with a fake gasp. Fred pretended to faint, and George caught him.

"You have no idea who they are" stated Hermione with a sigh.

"Not a freaking clue" replied Harry massaging his temples.

"They have won nationals four years in a row, they are amazing, they play dirty and have a ridiculous budget, if we want to make it, we are going to need to empty our bag of trick and I'm sorry to say, that's you." Hermione stared at him without blinking. "Please, as your friend, I am asking, please help us."

"No" said Harry immediately. "You have already overused the..."

"I have" conceded Hermione, cutting him and smirked, signalling to the two girls next to her.

"I haven't" said Luna with a malicious smirk. Harry frowned displeased; Ginny remained quiet in the background, nervously fiddling with her phone.

"Look Harry, we really need your help, and honestly? You no longer have the excuse of 'conflict of interest' to get out of helping us with the competition. Plus, you painted us blue and convinced Luna's father she wanted to have a sex change" said Hermione slightly bitter. Ginny bit his lips not to laugh, having been the only one spared, since she technically hadn't been part of the war.

Harry glared slightly and crossed his arms. "Fine, but I have a couple of conditions. One, you will do what I say and don't complain. Two, this will be the last time you get me involved with your glee club and three" he stared at Hermione and leaned forwards. "You will stop nagging me about my life"

Hermione and Harry stared at each other, neither blinking nor relenting. She had been far from pleased with how he had been acting and had taken every second she could to let him know. She kept tried to control what she had dubbed as a 'self-destructive phase' and Harry was slowly losing his patience.

"Fine" snapped Hermione extending her hand, she knew she couldn't keep doing what she was doing without pushing Harry further away, so she needed a new plan anyways.

"You will also not nag others to nag me" added Harry, she huffed but agreed. "Pleasure doing business with you, now scram, I'll meet you all tomorrow after class."

Harry decided not to go out that night. He had a feeling he would need all the energy he could get to deal with the Robins. Ron volunteered to go with him, probably as an excuse to be able to see Hermione dancing.

"I am in misery..."

Harry carry on, moving against the students' rushing to catch a glance of the Warbler's performance.

"They sure found a way to make misery cheerful" commented Ron next to him.

"Shouldn't we all?" Harry smiled unable to help himself.

"Question, are they planning to put tables on stage?"

Harry shrugged. "Let's go, we have a shit load of work to do if we want the girls to win..."

IIIII

"Ok" said Harry as soon as he entered the Robin's choir room, only Hermione and Luna were there. "We have two weeks before the competition and we need to start working now if you want to be ready. So, what you got so far?"

"We have around 10 minutes to perform" said Hermione passing him a list with all the regulation for the competition. "And the closing song has to be an anthem."

"Do you have your songs selected?"

"We have a list" said Hermione also passing it to him.

"Boring, boring, boring" said Harry as he read the names. "Predictable, too simple, too blah, boring, will be hard to make a transition for this, not enough vocals... ok none of the above. What else you got?"

Hermione gripped her pen tighter and remained herself that she asked for his help and that Harry was the biggest musical snob she knew. If he selected their set list, they would be bound to be amazing.

Harry didn't go easy on the girls, not one bit, especially after seeing videos Vocal Adrenaline previous competitions. He made them all take swimming lessons with Ron to improve their lung capacity. He made the twins 'security consultants' to ensure Vocal Adrenaline wouldn't find out about rehearsals. He made it clear to Luna that the outfits needed to be comfortable and practical while being aesthetically pleasant and eye catching.

As much as he thought Ginny was amazing at creating choreographies, they needed something more to beat the sheer complexity of the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' number their competition did last year. Ginny had been more than happy not to have the responsibility on her shoulders this time around. With a little digging he found that VA's choreographer was some guy name Dakota Stanley, who apparently was a pain and had made many enemies with his terrible attitude.

One of them happened to be Allison Brook, a teacher at Ginny's dancing academy.

"So Weasley's glee club is going to face the glee club that Dakota choreographs?" asked Allison after Harry explained the gist of everything.

"Yes" said Harry mentally crossing his fingers.

"That backstabbing, presumptuous midget?" she hissed. Harry nodded.

"Count me in" she said sharply.

He smirked, sometimes people just dug their own grave and it was a matter of finding the people that wanted nothing more than to give them a helpful push.

IIIII

"Dammit Jeff!" snapped Kurt when he saw Harry exit, his path blocked by the blond Warbler.

"I'm sorry, was I in your way?" asked Jeff raising an eyebrow. He moved to the side, extending an arm gallantly for Kurt to pass by. Kurt made a frustrated noise and glared at him. Jeff straightened and looked at him in the eyes. "It's very hard to find a balance between being Harry's friends and yours, but I am trying Kurt. I haven't said anything, I haven't stop talking to you or said what I think, but don't expect me to let you undue the little progress I've seen Harry do."

"How am I supposed to fix this if everybody keeps pulling stunts like this one?" asked Kurt annoyed.

It had been subtle at first, somebody making conversation with the two of them just as Harry passed them by, a clumsy person dropping their books, a group of friends walking in a tight bunch blocking their path and then it stopped being subtle when Tom purposely walked backwards so they would have to stop on their tracks or risk bumping into him.

Kurt knew that there were a lot of rumours about what happened, some more accurate than others, but Harry and his group had been tight lipped about it, Wes and David too. Kurt didn't want to imagine what it would be like if people knew the truth.

"That's the think Kurt, it's not up to you or Blaine anymore" said Jeff with a shrug. "We can all see that he wants space, why can't you?"

"What if the space becomes permanent?" he asked in a whisper and Jeff looked at him sympathetically.

"That's not up to you to decide…" said Jeff. Kurt wished it was that simple for him and Blaine, but it was hard. It was unbearable to only catch glimpses of Harry from afar, especially when those glimpses were far from comforting.

- End Chapter 23 -

Hope this chapter is a good balance for the angst fest last chapter was. It was heavy on Harry, as most of the break up will be.

I know a lot of you won't be happy with me for how Harry is dealing, but he's a teenager. Remember how you all complained he was too perfect at the beginning? Well, he isn't and now you're going to be hit in the face with how screw up he really is.

See you in a week!

SweetCaroline91

(I miss the deal already ;_;)