Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Just Another Perfect Soldier ❯ Suspicious Thoughts ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N: So sorry this took so long to get up but I've had so many assignments to of and then, just last night, as I pull up my word program, I get one of the worst 24 hours bugs you can get. I'm feeling much better now though, thank gods!

Thanks for the reviews! I've become hooked on Gundam Wing fanfics though... I need a hobby!

Chapter Three: Suspicious Thoughts

His nerves tingled and possibilities slid over his mind, like rain drops down a window, as he starred at the chess board. The outcome all depended on Ron's next move. If Weasley moved his knight to the left, Harry would win in three moves, but if he took the right it would be over in two. Either way this would be over soon. The Boy-Who-Lived let no emotions show on his face as the freckled boy studied the board.

They were sitting in the drawing room of Number 12, waiting for Dumbledore. Of course, only Harry knew they were waiting for Dumbledore, how he wasn't sure, but that was nothing new these days. Harry had chosen the seats, his front facing both the door and the fireplace, alert for any signs of danger. His magic was tracking the other auras in and around the house for intruders. His mind hesitated to say enemies, mostly because, if he was honest with himself, he now saw everyone as an enemy, potentially or not.

The boy across from him was taking an extra long time at making his move. Ronald Weasley. Sixth Weasley. Average Wizard. Strategist. Betrayal Possibility stands at 30.

Thoughts like these had appeared ever since Harry had suddenly come back to the Order Headquarters, relatively unharmed from his capture by Voldemort. Everyone he knew had been assessed in his mind like a complex computer program, weighing their probability of danger and betrayal like a high stakes game of poker. It was like he was stuck in some sort of mental limbo of soldier versus civilian ideals.

To his right, Hermione flipped another page. Immediately he assessed her. Hermione Granger. Muggle-born witch. Powerful. Intelligent. Betrayal Possibility stands at 10. Amazingly hers was the lowest in the whole household. Lupin was next to her at 15, the extra five for his lycanthropy.

Ginny was on the floor, playing with what appeared to be a bright purple mass of cotton, her Pigmy Puff named Arnold. Ginerva Weasley. Seventh Weasley. Somewhat Powerful Witch. Secretive. Betrayal Possibility stands at 25.

Ron tapped his chin with a freckled index finger as Harry blinked and looked back at the board. A part of his mind rebelled, loudly, against thinking like this, like his friends were enemies but it appeared his dormant Slytherin character traits had come out and slaughtered his Gryffindor ones. Or at least taken them captive and began poking them with sharp pointy stick.Arnold squealed and Harry suddenly found himself struggling against the mad urge to shoot the damn thing. Or curse it. That thought appalled Gryffindor Harry very much.

Ron had moved to the right. Again the tingling showed Harry the many possible outcomes but success was the only option. Harry quickly set up his win. Just as Weasley was about to put himself in check, another more urgent sensation flared up and Harry's eyes snapped toward the fireplace as he stood. His magic was flowing down to his fingertips as Albus Dumbledore stepped out of the green flames looking mildly happy.

Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Extremely Powerful. Manipulative leader. Betrayal Possibility stands at 23.

Dumbledore looked at him and something in his tired blue gaze set Harry's instincts on high alert. The possibilities of why he was here were endless but logic told Harry he was going to Hogwarts a bit earlier than anyone else expected. It was a good thing the Boy-Who-Lived had packed his trunk late that night.

Hermione put her book down and looked between of the two most powerful wizards she'd ever meet. Something was up. Ron and Ginny and every other well meaning Weasley could try and ignore it but there was a heavy cloud of tension in whatever room Harry entered these days. It was like he was always ready for an attack or just for something to happen. Her friend had looked so suspiciously at everyone and that hard gaze had made Hermione shiver.

“Harry.” Dumbledore greeted, the twinkle slowly returning back into those ageless blue eyes. “Can you pack for Hogwarts in, say, fifteen minutes? We need to talk about many things this year.”

Harry nodded and made to move but Ron protested.

“Can Harry stay until we finish our game? He's barely been here a week!”

Harry swiftly moved his piece. “Checkmate.”

Ginny giggled as her brother gapped at the board in awe and confusion. Harry just focused on the old wizard before him.

“I've already packed. When do we depart?”

It was an odd phrasing of words from Harry and the awkward silence that followed was almost unbearable for four of the room's occupants, until Dumbledore told Harry to retrieve his trunk while he talked to Molly Weasley.

Moments later they left in a flash of emerald flame.

The four Preventers had taken a portkey to Hogwarts, that in itself was a journey worth mentioning, arriving just outside the gates to a majestic looking castle. Duo had taken a moment (or a few) to ask odd questions about the castle's appearance while the other's soaked up the beauty of the landscape.

Heero acknowledged the lush green hills and bright blue sky long enough to see that there were potential threats everywhere. The part of his mind that had been spending too much time around Duo groaned in dismay at having to be at alert twenty four seven while the conditioned part of his mind practically grinned in glee at the challenge.

Instead of leading them toward the school, the group was mildly surprised to be lead to a quaint looking town that seems to be built around a train station. What were obviously witches and wizards bustled about talking about things that confused the newly discovered wizards who had found themselves listening in for danger.

Dumbledore had stopped at their first shop, asking with a quiet kind of respect for the independent young men to let him 'do all the talking' and for 'Mr. Chang to please use a firm hand on Mr. Maxwell when necessary'.

Over the next couple of hours they were outfitted for robes and bought school supplies, books, cauldrons, potions ingredients and most importantly wands. It appeared as though Mr. Ollivander had stopped by his Hogsmeade branch just in time to outfit the five teenage bodyguards with the perfect wands.

Duo made a comment as they left about having had his share of freaky old men asking for his assistance and shuddered after thinking about his comment.

A tour of the school followed the shopping trip, Dumbledore explaining a bit about each subject and that each student was separated into a different house based on their personality before bringing them to their rooms hidden behind a portrait of four medieval looking people; two male, two female. A password (“Protection”) made the painted people pulled out their wands and shoot multi-colored sparks into the air before swinging open.

"There are three rooms connected to a shared common room. Each has their own bathroom but you will need to bunk up, two to a room. One of you will need to share with Mr. Potter. He shall be arriving today and will most likely be able to answer any remaining questions you have. I shall send someone to show you the way to my office when he arrives. Let me know your room selections then."

The twinkle in the old man's eye told them he already knew exactly who was rooming with who and he had no problem with it.

Duo grinned and waited until their new boss had left before giving Heero a teasing look.

"Looks like you're going to be stuck with our little charge. I hope he doesn't jump on the bed to wake you up. You'll shoot first and ask questions later and we'll lose our job."

Heero allowed himself to glare at the braided brunette before selecting the middle room of the three for himself and this Harry Potter person.

“Do you really think that he will be so young?” Trowa asked in his calm, quiet voice as they all crowded into a large cream and beige colored room. The furniture was black and squishy looking in the cheery firelight that radiated from the huge fireplace in the middle of the room.

Duo shrugged. “This place has seven class level according to Father Christmas back there and the children here start at eleven. We have six years of studying to do to catch up to our age group. Chances of our kid being our age seems small.”

Wufei nodded as he dropped his duffels. “That picture as well. He's either a very short seventeen year old or younger than ourselves.”

Quatre sighed and sat on one of the couches. “Either way we have to do our best to protect him. I get the feeling this was not the first time he has been taken. This will be just as worrisome as watching out for those mysterious 'new Gundam' sightings this summer.”

Heero, who had unpacked in the span of those five minutes, returned with his laptop in hand to hear the blond's comment.

“We have all been captured by the enemy beforeand those sightings were neither confirmed or have theycontinued.” The perfect solider stated as he flipped the screen up and frowned. A message scrolled across his screen in a flashy bright yellow script.

Mr. Yuy, your computer will not work here in Hogwarts without the right charm. Professor Flitwick, my Charms expert, will arrive tomorrow and should be able to assist you in your dilemma. - Headmaster Dumbledore.

Heero scowled at the screen.

“My computer does not work.” He stated into the silence of the other boys thinking to themselves.

Duo nearly choked. “It's not working? At all? Is it broken?”

In a flash he was over reading the message.

Trowa gave them a somewhat questioning look from his one green eye.

“It needs a charm.” Heero replied and the other three nodded in confused understanding.

A sudden CRACK into the room made five guns appear almost instantly into five different hands and five shots rang out. Something squealed before diving under a chair and screaming.

“Don't hurt Dobby! Dobby is good! Dobby is a good elf! Dobby is bringing a message!”

All five had shot up at the sudden noise but Dobby's shaking voice tugged at Quatre's heart. Swiftly the empath dropped down on his knees and looked under the chair. He missed Trowa's hand making a grabbing motion for himas he did so.

Under the chair was a trembling creature of some sort with large bat like ears, dressed in what appeared to be a very clean pillow case and a wool hat.

Quatre's voice was soft and kind as he tried to draw the creature out from its hiding place.

“Hey there, little guy. Will you come out? I promise not to hurt you, we were just startled.”

Huge golf-ball sized eyes opened up to look at the blond. There was fear and hope in those eyes as Quatre smiled and slowly stuck out his pale hand. The thing uncurled but didn't take hold of the offered appendage.

“Will others not hurt Dobby?”

Quatre had no idea what a 'dobby' was but nodded just the same. Suddenly the creature popped out from under the chair and jumped onto the seat.

“Dobby is bringing Dumbley-door's new friends a message! Is yous ready for Dobby's message?”

The group looked at each other as Wufei and Duo shrugged in unison. It was a bit freaky how much the long haired ex-pilot rubbed off on everyone. Duo nodded at the...thing.

“Sure dude, what's the message?”

It seemed the creature was just waiting for that as it suddenly started jumping around the room in excitement.

“Mister Harry Potter is coming back to Hogwarts. He is coming here early! I must take you to see Mister Harry Potter.” It stopped and peered at them with curious eyes. “Is yous friends of Mister Harry Potter?”

Quatre bit his lip. “Sort of. Do you know him?”

Dobby started his excited jumping again but stayed in one place and nodded.

“Mister Harry Potter saved me from my old master. He was a bad wizard.” The thing stopped and seemed to resist doing something before continuing. “Mister Harry Potter is kind and good and brave. He treat everyone his equal. Even Dobby the House-Elf!” The last bit was said with a finger pointing to his own chest.

There was a puzzled silence after that outburst but Dobby seemed to not understand or notice before he bounced toward the door.

“Dobby must show you the way to Dumbley-door's office! Follow Dobby please!”

Dumbledore arrived back in his office first, stepping out of the flames in a swirl of colors. Harry stepped out right behind him, tense and alert but still upright. That surprised the old man; he knew that before his kidnapping, Harry had had trouble with portkeys and Floo-ings. Now he was a natural.

The Headmaster sat behind his desk and watched as Harry's intense gaze swept over the room before focusing back on the Headmaster. That's when Albus realized that Harry Potter was wearing a mask of indifference.

It shook the old man down to his bones.

“Please have a seat Harry. I have some guests that will be here soon and I wish to leave you in their capable hands. I must go to France this evening before Term begins.”

Harry nodded and sat. A bit of curiosity filled those dark eyes and some of the worry and pain clenching Albus' heart lessened. Somewhere in there, was Harry.

Throat cleared, Albus began. “You still remember nothing of your imprisonment?”

His voice was gentle but he saw a flash of worry and pain in those eyes. It was odd, almost as if a bit of the old Harry was fighting to be shown.

Harry shook his head. “Nothing yet. I know I've been acting...oddly but once I know anything I will come to you, sir.”

The Headmaster looked intently in Harry's eyes and was surprised to find a mental block on not just the forgotten memories but all memories. The revelation stored away for later study, Dumbledore steepled his fingers together and looked at the young man before him.

“I'm sure that even with you're return to us this summer, your capture has made me see a flaw in how things have been going for the past sixteen years.”

Harry cocked his head to the side. “I suppose it has shown you that Voldemort is much more powerful than we all believed him to become in the last few years.”

The wizened wizard nodded. “That is true in and upon itself, but that was not what I was hinting at. I have failed you in many ways, Harry.”

The boy avoided his gaze as silence filled the room. Albus continued.

“I have failed to pass on information you most of all should be privy to and that cost someone special their life. I will not be so arrogant to say I take full responsibility but a hefty amount does rest on my shoulders.”

Harry had finally looked up. “Then I should be brave enough to say that the same goes for myself. Sirius thought I wasn't as reckless as my father. I wonder what he'd say now.”

The question wasn't meant to be answered and Dumbledore wondered again just what Tom had done to Harry these last few weeks.

“I have failed to protect you as well, my boy.” Albus said to the brooding teen, whose eyes flashed at the last statement. “That is why I have hired these five young men to keep you safe.”

Harry had also felt the approach of five wizards and what felt like a house-elf. Two possibilities there; either Dobby or Winky. Dumbledore has a tendency to want to make Harry feel as comfortable as possible with things that were familiar.

Even with the knowledge that these guys were supposed to be his- bodyguards?- Harry was alert and ready for action when they knocked on the door.

Dumbledore called out and Dobby bound in, making Harry's left hand twitch for a gun that wasn't there. Still, a genuine smile graced the raven haired teen's lips at Dobby's reaction to him while another part of Harry curled up into a ball and cried at his obvious corruption. He would have shot the House Elf mere minutes ago, given the chance.

Dumbledore smiled at the scene before turning his thoughts to the ex-pilots. They seemed...puzzled at Harry's appearance. A wrinkled hand gestured to the Boy-Who-Lived as Harry calmed the excited house elf down and promised to visit later on with his Hermy and his Weasel.

Again, the stiffness returned to Harry's body as he looked over at the five boys.

Warning bells seemed to go off rather loudly in Harry's mind as he assessed the five before him. Everything was inconclusive before suddenly, Gryffindor Harry was back. The Harry that had put fake spiders in Ron's bed last April Fool's and changed the grade on Hermione's Transfiguration Essay, nearly giving the girl an aneurysm. Slytherin Harry and Gryffindor Harry had been in a constant battle for the last week, making his behavior appear different, almost as if he were in a sort of limbo. Slytherin Harry still rumbled just below the surface, never completely leaving as Gryffindor Harry relaxed and actual emotions crowded his mind.. The possibilities never left but increased as fear, worry and shame crowded his mind and the pain made Harry cover his eyes and groan. Something told him he needed to be Gryffindor Harry now.

Immediately Dumbledore's aura floated over beside him, along with one from the five others. Harry mind warned him to be cautious but that future alliances were going to be made here today.

“Harry? Can you answer me? What's wrong my boy?” That was Dumbledore's voice. Harry took a deep breath and nodded but held up a hand to show he needed a minute.

An image flashed in Harry's mind and he knew the pale boy who was also kneeling before him was going to touch his head before it happened. All systems go his mind reluctantly agreed but his magic was ready to defend him.

“He's just had some sort of emotional breakthrough. Like something has fixed itself, or slid into place. It's odd.” That voice was calm and sure of its assessment. The emotions were evening out now as Harry calmed.

The stranger's voice continued. “You've probably kept him around familiar faces and places since he's returned, no?” An answer . “Yes, seeing new, strange faces makes the emotions shift and replace themselves. He's calming now.”

Harry looked up into two teal colored eyes and blinked. “You're an empath.”

It was not a question, Harry was very sure of himself for some reason, but the blond boy before him nodded anyways and grinned at him cheerfully.

“I'm Quatre Rabarba Winner.”

Harry nodded and managed a small grin back. These emotions felt so powerful after that monotoned, cautious..mode he seemed to have been in before.

“I'm Harry. Harry Potter.”

The blond's grin widened as he stuck out a hand and Harry shook it.

“I know. I'm guessing Mr. Dumbledore here has already told you why my comrades andyou are present?”

Harry nodded and looked at the four over Quatre's shoulder. Three of the four were looking as emotionless as Harry had felt but one, with a rather long cinnamon colored braid stepped forward a bit and gave the Gryffindor a mysterious grin.

“Feeling better, kid?”

Harry straightened up at the word 'kid' just to show that he wasn't and nodded.

“Better. Thanks for asking.”

Dumbledore made a questioning noise.

“Any memories return to you?”

Harry stopped and thought about it. He knew something had happened but what that was, and if it was good or bad was yet to be determined. The ache in his head was lessening at an alarming rate as Harry cocked his head slightly to the side and sighed.

Don't reveal anything to him!

That thought came from no where, making Harry's eyes flash open.

“No, nothing, just a...waterfall of emotions. A bit overwhelming. Sorry.”

Dumbledore smiled at the familiar behavior of Harry apologizing for the things he could not control and rose to his feet again. Quatre did the same, only this time taking the seat next to Harry with a bright smile on his face.

Dumbledore conjured up four more squishy chairs with his wand before returning back to his seat behind his desk. The braided boy flopped into his chair with a relaxed sigh and quickly flipped his legs over the right arm. Harry grinned and raised a questioning eyebrow when their eyes met. His expression quickly turned to shock as Harry found himself looking into a pair of purple eyes.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and six heads snapped back to him. Their reflexes were a bit scary, Albus thought to himself as everyone got comfortable. Even Harry.

“As I was explaining to Harry prior to your entrance, he will be staying with you all and will need to be followed as well. I will let you sort that out.” Harry rolled his eyes as those twinkling blue ones focused back on him. “Harry seems to have a rather disconcerting habit of getting into trouble.”

There were three nods from The Silent Ones, as Harry's mind had already dubbed them and two curious looks from the others. Gryffindor Harry scoffed.

“It's not like I try to get into those kind of situations. They just happen.”

Slytherin Harry chuckled darkly in the background whispering about Harry's need to prove himself having an impact on his entrance into 'those kind of situations'.

A clock chimed at the back of the office suddenly, making everyone jump impressively as it chimed a familiar song instead of the common 'cuckoo' the six teens were used to. The Headmaster gave a heartfelt sigh.

“I must be going now or risk being late.” He turned to the Gryffindor. “Please answer any questions these young men have, I daresay they are a bit confused about meeting you.”

Harry nodded, looking confused himself as the group began to leave the room. Dumbledore held him back for a moment.

“I know you resent having yourself...restricted like this but I must ask you to trust them. You may find they understand your situation more than anyone else. I shall be back before the Welcoming Feast tomorrow.”

Harry nodded and let the feelings of anger and frustration fade away. He felt as though Dumbledore believed him to be...incompetent...even after everything Harry had done to stop Voldemort. For some reason, Harry knew that those five boys were here for more than just protecting Harry.

It was a bit unnerving to see all of them together, waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. The familiar feeling of being guarded, like some sacred jewel or special weapon, returned but was masked as even Gryffindor Harry could control what he felt now. Slytherin Harry chuckled again and Harry figured that he'd probably justgone mad.

An awkward silence stretched out as Harry tried to figure himself out and the others just starred at him. Trowa had always been the tallest of the group, Heero in second just by having a few more inches over Wufei, Duo and Quatre. Harry was taller than the last three but just an inch below Heero, not at all like the picture they had been shown.

The tension was building until Duo finally snapped.

“How old are you?”

Harry blinked, startled out of his thoughts before frowning in concentration.

“Seventeen. I turned seventeen just last month.That's the last day I remember before...”

The violet eyed boy nodded before sticking out a hand.

“The name's Duo Maxwell. I may run and hide, but I'll never tell a lie. That's me in a nutshell.”

Harry shook the hand with an amused grin on his lips.

“You already know I'm Harry. Sorry I don't have any note worthy quirks about myself.”

“Not everyone is as..open as Duo is at first sight.” Quatre explained and Harry nodded.

Duo looked behind him before suddenly grabbing the Chinese's boy's arm and dragging him forward. The boy yelped and struggled for a bit before Duo released his arm.

“This is Wuffles. Or Wu-Wu, Wu-man, Wuffie and any other variations of Wufei you can think of. He may turn red and threaten to kill you with a sword, but we all know that on the inside, he loves the nicknames.”

There was a look of extreme anger on Wufei's face and Harry was pretty sure he'd never call the other teen anything other than his given name if that look was the result. The sword in question was the one Harry had been eying on Wufei's back since he'd first laid eyes on the group.

“Maxwell, must you INSIST on calling me those God-awful names every time we meet someone new?"

Duo rolled his eyes at Wufei's anger before giving him a push toward Quatre and pulling Trowa up. Harry felt as if he were being assessed and subconsciously seemed to put off his best 'are you threatening me?' vibes. That one green eyes widened a bit as he allowed himself to be pulled up to face the British wizard. Harry noticed, while standing his ground, that Duo let go the other's arm much more quickly than he had Wufei's.

“And Mr. Tall and Silent here is actually called-”

To allthe ex-Gundam pilots surprise, Trowa cut their talkative friend off and extended his hand.

“Trowa Barton.”

Slytherin Harry celebrated athis great ability to win people over as Harry took the hand with a nod. Things like that must be a rare occurrence since Duo had stopped talking to give the last member of the group a look.

He looked a lot like Harry; similar height and build although it was obvious the stranger had more muscle than Harry could ever get. They both had messy hair, black and dark brown respectively while Harry was pale, the other's Japanese ancestors gave him a healthy glow though not as much as Wufei. The last noticeable difference were the eyes. While this guy's were an amazing dark blue color, Harry's were startling and jade.

They stood and starred at each other in contemplative silence as the others looked on. Underneath all of the emotional wreck that Gryffindor Harry was in and the dark commanding thoughts of Slytherin Harry, the Boy-Who-Lived noticed that this guy was very attractive. All of his...bodyguards were but only the stranger before him really appealed to Harry.

Finally the guy took a step forward and without extending his hand just gave Harry a nod.

“Heero Yuy.”

That deep voice made both Harrys perk up as a very slight, almost internal shiver spread across Harry's skin. Confusion followed, a part of his mind screaming for him to get a hold of himself and stay alert, the other part begging him to just feel again. Instead, Harry pushed them both away and nodded back at the boy.

Something flashed across his mind and without another thought Harry took a step to the side as Duo, who was just about to latch on to Harry's arm to drag him back to their rooms fro a friendly bit of interrogation, ended up hopping at thin air and nearly falling on his face. Harry registered a surprised look in those violet eyes as he caught himself and turned to stare at Harry.

“Man, you are either really quick or really jumpy to have dodged that. I've been perfecting it for years!”

Harry felt a trendil of shame unfurl in his stomach. What was wrong with him? This wasn't Harry! Whoever he was now was different and scary and to Harry's horror, in total control. Looking down, Harry rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

“I'm sorry, I just- It's only been a week since I've been back and I, I know something happened, something horrible and it's changed me and I just can't remember.”

Harry stopped suddenly with Slytherin Harry screaming at him to shut up and stop being so weak. Duo and Quatre looked worried, which surprised Harry. He barely knew these guys and already he was getting the patented Harry's In Trouble: Worry Lookâ„¢ that Mrs. Weasley was famous for. Wufei looked curious, much like Hermione who Harry had left at Number Twelve reading books on Memory Charms and Potions. He looked like he wanted to study Harry, like some scientist in a lab, which in turn terrifiedthe Gryffindorfor no particular reason.

Trowa 'Silent' Barton's one eyed gaze held a flash of sympathy that Harry had no clue in understanding but it was Heero's eyes who made him hold his shaky breath. His dark blue gaze was blank and Harry shielded away form their stare. He'd seen eyes like those enough times to last him a lifetime. They were the ones he looked at in his mirror every morning.

Quatre took pity on Harry and cautiously approached him before laying a comforting hand on the wizard's arm.

“Maybe you'd feel better if you go lie down until dinner. Emotional breakthroughs are tiring and anything we need to discuss can be dealt with later tonight.” He shot Heero and Duo two very different looks. The one for Heero obviously said be nice! while Duo's was more don't be nosy!

Harry knew he wasn't tired, nor did he need the rest but some time to regroup seemed beneficial to Harry's survival right now.

With a small smile and another nod Harry felt himself be lead to his new home for the next year, feeling, if possible, less like himself than ever before.

A/N: Virtual cookies and milkshakes to anyone who knows what's the matter with Harry's mind. Be warned, it's pretty complicated but there are enough hints in here for you to figure it out! I'm not sure when the next update will be. Totally busy for the next few WEEKS with the presentation part of my ISUs. School sucks right now.

Please Review: Remember, for every review not written a Heero/Relena fanfic is. Think about it.

S.Tangerine