Hello again. I know I've let you sit on a cliffhanger for far too long. But I went back to school for a Master's degree and got sucked into a completely different fandom and I absolutely suck at writing action scenes. It's no excuse, but I apologize anyway for letting this unplanned hiatus drag on so long! I'm still not entirely happy with this last chapter; it's rather anticlimatic, in my opinion. But since it's been so long, I figured I'd better just get it out there and move on!

This chapter also (finally!) closes the arc of Harry's first S-class mission. This is NOT the end of the story, however. I have a lot written once Lucy enters the scene. I'm debating ending this story and starting the canon events as a separate fic, and filling in the gaps in between with a series of one-shots. That would probably mean faster updates for a while, since I have canon events (with changes due to Harry's presence) written all the way up through the Tenrou Island arc. If I keep it all together in one fic, though, there will be another pause as I write the stuff in between this chapter and Lucy joining. Let me know what you prefer in a review!

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, I've written another fic in a different fandom called Strays. So if you're tired of waiting for me on this one, feel free to check that out! It's nearly complete and fully written; I'm just spacing out the posting of the last few chapters.

Anyway, enough about me. Old readers, thanks for not giving up on me! New readers, welcome and I hope you've enjoyed! Now on to the story!

Chapter 31 Magic Matters

Hours of watching the cave entrance was possibly the most boring yet nerve-wracking thing Harry had ever done. His nerves were on high alert, which made him jump at the smallest sound. Beside him, Laxus was tense, almost completely unmoving. As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, Harry only grew more anxious. Any minute—any minute now, the mage would come back, somehow sense Harry's tampering with his wards and them hiding in the bushes. One quick spell, then they'd be dead.

Harry's ankle was locking up, too. It hurt less now, but it was also going stiff. That would make any kind of movement difficult, and painful.

Harry doubted he'd be going on another mission for at least a month after this. And Porlyusica, if she proved necessary, would be furious.

Involuntarily, Harry cringed, imagining her reaction. Comparing it to a certain mediwitch made Madame Pomphrey, who could frighten even Dumbledore, look tame.

"What?" Laxus hissed. "You flinched."

"Oh, nothing. I'm just imagining what Porlyusica is going to do to me when she finds out I continued a dangerous mission with a probably-broken ankle," Harry whispered back.

Laxus made a face that could have been interpreted as sympathetic. Or Laxus could have been trying not to laugh at him; Harry couldn't quite tell.

Soon, night fully fell. Wanting to avoid notice, Harry didn't summon any type of light, choosing instead to rely on his other senses. It was a new moon, so the only other light came from the stars overhead. A cold breeze blew in, and Harry abruptly realized his fingertips were going numb as the temperature dropped—it was still January, after all. Or maybe February by now; Harry had all but lost track of the days. It may have only been two weeks since their departure, but it felt so much longer.

Movement in the brush nearby made Harry freeze. He scarcely dared to breathe as he tuned his ears and strained his eyes for the source of the movement.

Beside him, Laxus went stiff, his nostrils flaring.

A heartbeat later, a humanoid figure emerged from the brush opposite their hiding place. It was too dark for Harry to make out any details, but the figure seemed too tall and slender to be an ordinary human.

Then Harry sensed the magic, and his stomach rolled. It was thick and cloying, like pitch or oil. If Harry had to put a smell to it, it would be a smell of rot and death, like the time in his first year of primary when Dudley forgot about his pet hamster. He'd begged and begged for it, because his new friend Piers had gotten one. But the cage had been small and ended up buried under dirty clothes. Over a month later, Dudley complained about a bad smell in his room, and Aunt Petunia had made Harry clean Dudley's room from top to bottom.

That was the last time Aunt Petunia allowed a pet into the house. (She couldn't argue against Hedwig, though, for fear of retaliation from other wizards if Harry suddenly stopped replying to letters.)

Harry snapped back to the present when Laxus elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

"Quit spacing out, idiot," Laxus hissed. "The thing's gone inside."

Harry took a deep breath, resetting his mind in the present. "Right. Let's go."

Stiffly at first, Harry led the way back into the cave with Laxus on his heels. Harry kept to the edges of the tunnels, keeping his breathing quiet and controlled (even as sharp pain shot up his leg from his stiff ankle). The magic permeating the air felt thicker than before, probably because the...thing had just passed through, renewing the enchantments.

But Harry could feel his own holding fast as well, the clause he'd written into the original rune ward to trap any creature besides himself and Laxus. His own magic was near indistinguishable from the cloying darkness of the creature—which hopefully meant it had no idea it had walked into a trap.

Soon enough, they came once again to the laboratory-like room—a large cavern lined with cages of all sizes. The room should have been nearly black, but an eerie grey light seemed to emanate from the stones, almost reminiscent of moonlight. So instead of pure darkness, the room was awash in shades of grey.

Harry and Laxus lingered near the hidden entrance, watching. Laxus was practically vibrating with tension. Harry knew he'd rather attack now and ask questions later. But Harry wanted to see absolute proof before acting, and hopefully get an idea of this thing's capabilities, too.

Then a mage light winked into existence above the platform Harry had deemed the operating table in his head.

The "creature" was human. One that looked like he'd been stretched on a torture rack and dressed in ragged bedclothes, but human nonetheless. Under the faintly blue tinge of the mage light, Harry could see the sunken and hollowed face, the bony limbs and fingers. The clothing was intact, but more than a bit worn, with patches sewn to the elbows and the hem redone unevenly in several different places.

He looked like a walking corpse, and that of someone who had starved to death at that.

With a mix of horror and pity, Harry watched as the...person? Creature? Thing? Harry didn't know. But he watched as they removed a small animal from one of the cages and restrained it on the table.

With a knife in one hand and a rod in the other, the...figure began chanting. Its voice was low, harsh, and rasping, cold in a way that viscerally reminded Harry of another voice, one that frequented his nightmares. As it chanted, it began to carve into the animal before him. Its cries of pain were horrible to hear. A spell circle formed around them, flashing red as the first blood hit the table. Then the figure waved the rod and one of the other caged animals disappeared. The one on the table began to thrash and writhe, its cries piercing and tortured as its form mutated.

"I've seen enough," Laxus growled. Before Harry could stop him, Laxus roared and sent a bolt of lightning directly at the figure.

The red spell circle shattered under Laxus's lightning, and the resulting magical backlash sent everything flying backward from the center with a crash, including Harry himself. He grunted as his back collided with the wall.

The figure, who was unaffected by the backlash, turned its attention to where Harry and Laxus were standing. Its eyes narrowed, then it flew across the chamber, faster than Harry's eyes could follow, and attacked Laxus with the knife and rod alike.

"Yes. Exactly what I've been missing," it rasped. "Mages. The last one…well, it was a valuable experiment, anyway."

Laxus fought back, snarling. Harry caught his eye and made a gesture, then he immediately cast a disillusionment spell on himself.

While Laxus and the figure exchanged blows—physical and magic—Harry laid out a dozen rune traps. He also, with a quiet prayer to anyone listening, quietly killed the poor creature on the operating table and the ones in the cages. There was no way to turn them back, and he'd rather not risk them joining the attack.

Just as Harry finished, the figure seemed to realize Laxus was a distraction. With a roar of fury, it shifted its attention to Harry. Then the battle began in earnest.

Spells flashed across the cavern, which shook with every one of Laxus's thunderbolts. The figure either was extremely lucky or had a sixth sense for magic, as it avoided every one of Harry's rune traps as the fight ranged across the entire cavern. Trying to get distance, Harry shot banishing charms at the discarded cages, but the figure just swiped its rod and the cage split in half to go around him. And most of Harry's spells were almost laughably ineffective. Like its constructs, the figure was most vulnerable to the darker magic in Harry's repertoire. His Solid Script worked, too, but Harry wasn't nearly as quick or proficient with it as he wanted to be, so he used it sparingly. It also didn't help that Laxus kept darting between close and long range, alternating between spells and his fists, in a way that kept Harry from getting an effective attack off.

After some minutes, it became clear they were losing ground. Despite the odds being two to one, the figure was both powerful and fast, able to evade most of their attacks and land its own almost before Harry and Laxus saw it coming. It didn't help that it attacked both with magic and physical means. The knife it wielded was long and sharp, as a new gash across Harry's shoulder testified. It was hard to balance the close-range and long-range attacks, as both Harry and Laxus were proficient at both.

"Laxus! Stay in close range; deal with the knife!" Harry finally called. "I'll take the long-range shots!"

"If you hit me, I'll kill you myself!" Laxus retorted. But he listened. He used his magic still, but at close range, and his powerful fists finally started to make an impact.

Harry stayed farther out, hugging the edges of the cavern as much as he could. He stayed on the move, because the thing could still cast spells. And despite being nearly invisible still, Harry couldn't afford to stay still. But staying back did make it easier to maneuver, especially with his throbbing ankle protesting every step. Not wanting to hit Laxus with any of his darker spells, Harry focused on physical attacks—banishing debris at the figure, or casting spells to affect its mobility and vision.

With a stroke of luck, Harry landed a blindfold hex and an immobilization charm. It would only last a moment; already he could feel the figure fighting off the magic.

"Laxus, move!" Harry shouted.

Laxus moved. Harry fired off a banishing charm with nearly all the power he had left, followed by a stunning spell.

The figure was blasted backward into the cavern wall with enough force to shake the cave. Its head crashed into the stone with a thud that made Harry cringe. Then it slumped to the floor, unconscious.

Ignoring a wave of dizziness that darkened his vision momentarily, Harry broke into a limping run across the cavern and immediately bound and gagged the figure with both conjured ropes and runic cuffs that would prevent it from using any sort of enhanced ability, magic or speed or whatever. Those would stay until Harry himself removed them.

"That...should hold it," Harry murmured. The adrenaline faded, leaving him shaky and weak and faintly nauseous. His vision was going hazy.

"Oy, don't pass out on me yet. I've got a hundred things I want to say to you!"

"Sorry, Lax…" Harry's voice trailed off as everything went dark.

Harry woke in their hotel room with a vicious headache and sunlight streaming across his face. He groaned aloud and moved to pull the covers over his head.

"Oy. Don't go back to sleep, you idiot. We've got unfinished business."

Harry groaned again, but made himself sit up. He grimaced as pain shot up his ankle and a dull throb spread across his shoulder. Wincing at the light and raising a hand to block it, Harry blinked, waiting for the room to come into focus.

It didn't.

"Oh."

Something flashed in the light as it flew across the room. Only reflexes honed by years of Quiddich practices let Harry catch it.

It was his glasses.

Squinting still in the light, Harry pushed them on. Now he could see more than a bunch of colored blobs. Lounging at the little table across the room was Laxus, his fur coat tossed over the chair next to him. His purple button-down was littered in scorch marks and minor tears.

"I dropped off that...thing at what passes for law enforcement and made them call the Rune Knights," Laxus reported. "But they need your statement before anything can happen. I'd rather get out of here sooner than later. So."

"Can I at least eat something first?" Harry grumbled. A cursory inspection revealed that, other than his ankle, shoulder, and a few miscellaneous cuts and bruises, he wasn't seriously injured. The headache was definitely a by-product of magical exhaustion, and Harry still felt like he could sleep for a week. But a good meal would help immensely.

"Your mission, kid. Just givin' you the facts."

"Ugh." The light was still stabbing his eyes. Harry waved his hand at the curtains to close them, and gasped at the pain that tore through him.

Yeah, he probably shouldn't be using magic for a good few days.

The sooner they finished, the sooner he could actually rest. Still grimacing, Harry pushed the covers down and shuffled into a sitting position. He hissed as his ankle throbbed at the change in position. "Get me something to use as a crutch. Then we can wrap this up and go home."

"I hope you're not plannin' to walk home on that ankle."

"…I'll figure something out."

Laxus rolled his eyes, but left the room. Harry took the few minutes he was gone to properly catalogue his injuries and try to figure out a plan to wrap up the mission. It was pretty obvious that the missing livestock and villagers had been victim to the…creature's experiments. What they didn't know was why. Hopefully, they could learn a few things before passing it off to the Rune Knights and then the Mage Council, who did not like to share, and especially not with Fairy Tail. With any luck, it was a one-time thing.

Moments later, Laxus returned carrying a simple wooden staff. Harry almost rolled his eyes at the cliché of himself, a wizard, carrying a staff. But he accepted it and hauled himself to his feet. "Let's eat, then we can deal with law enforcement. I have a feeling we're going to need the energy."

Laxus snorted and made a dramatic lead-the-way gesture. Harry did roll his eyes this time, then he limped out of the hotel room.

It was mid-morning, going by the temperature and the position of the sun. Whether it had been one day or two or more, Harry didn't know. But probably it had only been one, judging by how little his magic had recovered. It was chilly but still pleasant outside, and after about thirty feet the chill was welcome with the effort of limping with the staff. They stopped at the tavern that doubled as a restaurant a few buildings down the main road and ordered the lunch special. Already rumors were spreading, it seemed, and at least a dozen people came up to them either asking questions or congratulating them for defeating what the villagers were calling The Scientist. Apt, if nowhere near threatening enough.

After eating as much as Laxus—which was more than twice what was normal—Harry felt significantly better. His ankle still throbbed, but the headache was nearly gone and he didn't feel nauseous when reaching for his magic. He didn't try to use it, though.

They headed to the little building that served simultaneously as town hall, park ranger headquarters, and head of law enforcement. It was overflowing even with just the dozen Rune Knights present. The creature from before was locked up in a cell glowing with more runes, most of which were standard for imprisonment from what Harry could tell, though the runic language was different from what he was used to. It was also (thankfully) still unconscious.

Immediately they had the attention of the Rune Knights. One or two of them got a disapproving look when they recognized Laxus as a Fairy Tail mage, but they remained professional, at least. Laxus deferred to Harry, who presented his notes and curtly explained his logic that led them to the cave in the woods. He then described his and Laxus's encounters with both the experiments and the Scientist. Laxus gruffly added his own commentary where necessary. Harry then gave directions to the Scientist's base and handed over duplicates of all his notes—it hurt, like roughly stretching a sore muscle, but a duplication charm was simple enough, requiring little power.

Finally, the Rune Knights had all the same information Harry and Laxus did. They expressed gratitude and, upon seeing Harry's injury, offered a ride with the prisoner to the nearest train station.

Though Harry hated the idea of accepting charity or pity—and from Laxus's expression, so did he—realistically it was either that or spend at least another two weeks in this tiny mountain village recovering. And Laxus was clearly keen to leave; if Harry chose to decline, Laxus had no obligation to stay behind now that the mission was over. He'd probably lightning-teleport himself and leave Harry on his own.

Harry hated the idea of sticking around alone with a bum ankle more. Best have Porlyusica look over his ankle and get the lecture over with sooner rather than later, anyway.

So Harry bit back his pride and accepted the ride. They were given an hour to prepare, then the Rune Knights would be setting out with or without them. So Harry and Laxus got their things, reported back to Renfield for the official mission report and to accept their reward (and replenished their supplies at the general store while they were there) and met the Rune Knights on the road out of town with ten minutes to spare.

The ride to the nearest train station—which happened to be at a town named Cadvale, the last stop of a secondary line that went into the mountains—took about three hours. They rode in the back of a supply cart. Each bump in the rough mountain road sent pain shooting up Harry's leg, making him alternately hiss or grit his teeth as it was jostled. Harry could feel Laxus staring at him, saw him open and then close his mouth several times, but Harry wasn't much in the mood for talking. He was exhausted and in pain, and Laxus was bound to be gearing up for a massive lecture on how he should have done this or that.

The Rune Knights left them at the train station, then continued down the road themselves. Without speaking, Harry simply purchased a ticket for the next train toward Magnolia, then dropped onto a bench to wait. Laxus sat silently beside him.

The silence continued as they boarded the train, Harry still limping with the staff for support. They found a compartment and Harry dropped onto the bench by the window. He was exhausted, and they were in for at least a four-hour train ride. But Harry wasn't able to relax enough to sleep. Laxus's gaze had turned calculating. Evaluating.

After enduring it for nearly half an hour, Harry finally snapped. "What? You've clearly got something to say. So spit it out or quit staring, creep."

Laxus gave a startled laugh. "I was wondering where your attitude had gone."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Laxus raised his hands in surrender. "Easy, kid. Look, I'll say it, okay? It...wasn't a complete disaster, working with you. You're half-decent in a fight. You're not a complete idiot. And you're not as much of a whiny brat as certain others I could name. But you are still an idiot for fighting on that." Laxus nodded at his ankle.

Harry gaped. "Were those—did you just compliment me? For real?"

Laxus scoffed. "Not hardly. You're still an idiot. Your combat skills need work. You're nowhere near my level, or even Erza's. And I ain't bailin' you out again. Next time you pass out in a fight, I'm leavin' you there."

Harry colored slightly. "The battle was over," he grumbled. "At least I managed to stay conscious enough to cuff him."

"Like I said. You're not a complete idiot."

Harry snorted and turned back out the window. "Whatever."

Laxus made a sound that could have been a laugh, then it was quiet save the rattling of the train. And suddenly, Harry felt his eyelids drooping. He leaned his head against the cool glass, then warm darkness settled over him.

Harry woke with a start as the bench jolted under him with a loud thud.

"Magnolia, kid. Wake up or you'll be on your way to Hargeon, and I ain't comin' with you."

Harry grumbled and peeled his face off the window. He rubbed his face, dislodging his glasses in the process. Then he grabbed his pack and his staff and hauled himself after Laxus.

He limped his way down the familiar path to the guild hall, noting hazily that Laxus was keeping pace with him. It was early evening, as far as Harry could tell, which meant the guild hall would be packed. After the relative quiet of Osier Town and the mountains, it was going to be a jarring contrast.

And despite his nap on the train, Harry was still drained, mentally and physically. But there was nothing for it. Mira insisted on a direct return to the guild hall, no matter what. So to the guild hall it was.

When they arrived, Laxus was the one to shove open the doors and storm inside. Harry gratefully hid behind him, hoping everyone would keep their distance because of Laxus's reputation.

Harry had forgotten this was Fairy Tail he was dealing with. They ran headfirst into danger.

So it was with only Natsu's shouted, "Laxus! Fight me!" as a warning that Harry was able to dodge a pink-haired, flaming missile headed straight for them.

"Pipe down, pipsqueak," Laxus snarled, slamming Natsu back in the direction he'd come.

Natsu merely laughed as he crashed through three tables and onto the floor.

"Yo, Harry!" Gray waved. "You survived!"

Harry grimaced. "Somehow." To his chagrin, Gray's greeting attracted everyone else's attention. It was several minutes of fielding hello's and congratulations from what felt like everyone in the guild hall before he finally made it to the bar and Master Makarov.

Makarov gave him a critical once-over, then a sharp nod of approval, a grin hiding beneath his mustache.

Then Mira caught a good look at him and she gasped. "Harry, you're hurt!"

"Really? I didn't notice," Harry drawled. His head hurt, his ankle throbbed, his shoulder ached, and he was exhausted. Why was Fairy Tail like this?

Mira gave him an admonishing look. "You sit down right now. I'm contacting Porlyusica."

Harry sat at the bar, knocking Jet off the stool beside him with his crutch so he could prop up his ankle. Jet yelped as he hit the ground, somehow taking Droy down with him from the seat on his other side. They started bickering, then Droy threw a punch that missed and nearly hit Harry.

Harry caught Droy's fist, squeezing none-too-gently. His glower sent both boys scrambling away as fast as they could manage. Then Jet tripped over Vijiteer, who fell into Nab, who started a brawl that quickly spread throughout the entire guild hall.

Gray picked his way through the fight and dropped onto the stool on Harry's other side.

"Welcome home," he said with a smirk, jerking his thumb back at the chaos behind them.

Harry dropped his forehead onto the bar with a thunk and an audible groan.

Gray just laughed.