Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Just Another Perfect Soldier ❯ A Not-So-Secret Conversation ( Chapter 5 )

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

A/N: Um, yeah. Reasons for no update-y in my world-y is um, real life. It's like tooth decay for fanfics! -brandishes tooth brush at shadows- Be gone evil, evil life! Grr.

-grins- Lateness aside, I'm updating on my birthday so that has to give me brownie points in the 'Universal Guide to Readers Not Killing The Late Updating Authors' Handbook. -checks handbook- Yup, I am forgiven!

Right?

GWHPGWHPGWHP

Chapter Five: A Not So Secret Conversation

“Heero, you may be super human but us mortals need food every few hours to run smoothly!” Duo Maxwell's voice echoed in the spacious library in what Slytherin Harry would call a screechy whine. Gryffindor Harry, of course, would argue the point quite viciously and claim that his braided bodyguard was simply loud and frustrated. Slytherin Harry sniffed disdainfully as the raven-haired wizard took pity on Duo and put down his paper with a small smile on his face.

“It is around the time we have supper during the school year. Perhaps we could get something quick to eat in the kitchens?”

Duo shot Harry a grin as the wizard rubbed his eyes tiredly. He had a horrible headache, what with suddenly dealing with this new impulse to maim everything that twitched in his line of sight. And Slytherin Harry was one insistent little bugger who needed constant supervision.

“Are you alright?”

Quatre's soft spoken question nearly made Harry sock him, his shoulders tensing quickly as his jade eyes flashed over to look at the blond. He seemed to be rubbing the spot just above his heart rather firmly.

Harry raised an eyebrow and nodded at the hand.

“Shouldn't that be my question? If you don't mind me asking, but do you have a heart condition of some kind? You're going to rub a hole in your shirt.”

The blond bodyguard's hand stopped as he blushed slightly and looked at the others quickly.

“No, I'm in perfect health.” His sudden grin was blinding. “Thank you for asking.”

Harry nodded and let the lie slide as everyone rose from the table to leave. Some house elves would be around later to pick up the scattered books.

Already the five young men had breezed through to Fifth Year material in a short afternoon session. The potions helped, Slytherin Harry commented, as well as the Boy-Who-Lived's own expertise, something Harry had certainly never had before his capture, helped them in the practical parts of their crash course learning.

They're uncommonly fast learners, Slytherin Harry pointed out with a savage smirk. Very much like us, don't you think?

There is no us! Harry thought back to himself before taking a subtle calming breath. It wouldn't do him any good to get worked up over a voice in his head. Merlin, that only made him sound barking mad if anything. He's gotten enough bad press over the years without Rita Skeeter writing that Harry Potter talks to the voices in his head. He's end up in St Mungo's right next to Umbridge and Lockhart.

Duo's voice woke him from his rather depressing thoughts.

“You know, you're awfully quiet for teenager. Trowa and Heero are the only ones I've ever met as quiet as you.”

Harry bit his lip and avoided looking anyone in the eye.

“Sorry. I'm just not myself today. Prolly worried about tomorrow.”

Slytherin Harry clapped at his ability to act innocently upset, not allowing his presence to disappear completely for a moment.

“Understandable.” commented Trowa, his voice void of emotion. He was a very threatening figure to Harry's complex mind, making Slytherin Harry not only stand up and notice him but give the silent guy a bit of grudging respect. Just a bit though.

“What are our plans after we've eaten?” Wufei asked, his tone still a bit cool and formal in Harry's presence. Harry had figured this one the type to hold grudges a long time. Like years. He had the type of vibe that said he would be very happy to hold something against you for generations, much like the Weasleys and the Malfoys.

“I'm going to sleep.” Harry said quietly, rubbing his forehead again. “I have a wicked headache right now.”

Heero turned his ultramarine gaze on his charge, his face handsome although still blank.

“We need to inspect the castle and the perimeter before tomorrow.”

Harry met his look with his own, letting his dark stare show a bit of faked weakness before sighing.

“A tour it is then.”

Duo kicked Heero's leg slightly as they continued walking.

“We can check the place out early tomorrow morning, Heero. If Harry's tired, he can sleep.”

The Japanese teen gave Duo a glare.

“Our mission is to protect the subject to the best of our abilities.”

Duo didn't falter at the look thrown his way, but his smile became a lot more dark.

“Maybe. It's still considered a failure if the subject drops down dead from exhaustion while we're on duty, ya know.”

Both Heero and Harry twitched at the word 'failure' and distant whispers skimmed over Harry's memory as Heero stared ahead for a moment before nodding sharply.

“Agreed. Tomorrow begins at 0600 hours. Everyone be ready by 0700.”

There was some kind of affirmation between the group and Harry nodded before taking the lead and showing everyone the way to the kitchens.

He looked back at the five behind him. They were conversing in low tones, or at least trying to. Was it odd that he could hear every word as if they were talking in his ear?

“Man, I can't believe we thought he was just a kid!” Duo said, his violet eyes darting to Harry's form a few yards in front of them. “He's taller than me and Quat.”

“Dumbledore had warned us that he'd changed.” Quatre pointed out, sounding a bit sheepish. “We only assumed he would be younger than ourselves.”

“There is an apt saying about those who assume...” Trowa trailed off as Wufei snorted.

“Yes, and it ends up with the five of us looking like asses.” There was the sound of a palm smacking fabric, and Harry resisted the urge to turn around and stun the five of them at Wufei's outraged shout.

“Duo Maxwell! What was that?”

Brows raised in amusement, Harry did stop and slowly turned around to see the Chinese teen with one sun-kissed hand slapped over his right buttock, his cheeks red as he glared at his lover. Duo was conveniently on the other side of Heero at the moment, pretending to be completely besotted with Wufei as he battled his long sooty eyelashes.

“You know what the word 'ass' does to me Fei. I couldn't help it.”

Only Trowa and Heero seemed to notice Harry's interest in the discussion as Quatre decided it was his job to play the unofficial peace maker.

“Wufei please calm down. You know how Duo can get. And Duo please stop antagonizing Wufei. He owns a sword.”

Duo smiled cheekily at the blond and Wufei, who Harry was one hundred and ten percent sure, was his boyfriend. “Aw, Kat. Fei would never hurt me! Would ya, Fei?”

Chang narrowed his eyes in slight anger, looking a bit like a child who'd not gotten his way. Everyone could hear the mumbled response of “Don't be so sure about that.”

“Are you two finished having your lover's quarrel?” Harry asked, his face curious as he cocked his head to the side and put one hand on his hip. “Because I am rather hungry, you know. If you could please, just kiss and make up, we'd be on our way.”

Gryffindor Harry gapped at the tone of voice in which the statement was said. If any Hogwarts student had been blindly roaming the hallways, they would have bet their life on the fact that it was Draco Malfoy, frostily witty Malfoy not flamingly gay Malfoy, telling the two bodyguard that he knew they were lovers instead of sweet, courageous Harry Potter.

Trowa and Heero snuck each other a look they thought Harry would miss. You'd think, after realizing the wizard could figure out Duo's and Wufei's relationship, he could catch a glance.

The wonders of being underestimated. Slytherin Harry pointed out with a smirk.

Duo scratched the back of his head, making that long braid twitch like a cat's tail as he grinned at Harry.

“We weren't that subtle were we?” His tone was rueful.

Harry shrugged. “I'm not sure. Maybe it's just me but I did notice you couldn't seem to keep your hands off of each other.”

Wufei was swiftly turning red at Harry's nonchalant re-accounting of his observations.

“Let's not forget the frigid attitude he gave off,” That messy head tilted in Wufei's direction. “particularly at myself, after I accidentally hurt Duo.” The green eyed wizard's face was the perfect mix of guilt, shame and sorrow as he turned his expressive eyes towards Duo. “I am truly sorry about that.”

The violet-eyed bodyguard waved a dismissive hand in Harry's direction. “No sweat, man. It's all water behind that unlocked door.”

Quatre rubbed his ear and gave his friend a curious look.

“Don't you mean water under the bridge?”

Duo thought about it for a split second before shaking his head.

“Nope. Someone once told me that the past is simply a door you forgot to lock. Plus, I'm not really a fan of bridges. Shifty little things.” At the uncomprehending expressions, Duo rolled his eyes. “Well, it makes sense to me. Ouch! “

Heero, it seemed, had taken to pulling on Duo's long braid when the American got chatty. Slytherin Harry wondered if that action was more than it appeared, a code or signal for something. Gryffindor Harry told him he was a paranoid nut case with blood ties to Mad Eye Moody.

Wufei's blush had not completely resided as they set off up the corridor, this time as a group of six. Harry nodded or waved at some of the paintings who had taken a liking to him. He'd have to find the time to visit the Fat Lady during the year or risk her wraith. She had quite the opera voice.

My, my you're getting back into your routine quiet nicely, aren't you. Slytherin Harry quipped, his voice mocking. Have you forgotten what you are now?

Harry kept his face blank as he battled with himself, not noticing Quatre's hand briskly rubbing his chest and glancing at their silent guide. I'm Harry. I'm not this Black Emerald person! I'm not a killer. How can I be both of them, right now?

Still trying to fit a square piece into a round opening? Have you forgotten so quickly that a killer is what you were meant to be?

The words of the prophecy drifted up into Harry's mind. Kill or be killed; that was his destiny. He was right.

But like this? Gryffindor Harry swallowed at the thought. This thing, that's trying to control you, its not human. It's cold and calculating and evil. It's like a machine. If you let it take control again, could you stop it?

Harry didn't know. If that memory was anything to go by, one command and Harry would become a lethal killing machine, unable-unwilling?- to stop himself. With just. One. Command.

The tingling nerves let him know he was about to pass the entrance to the kitchen and without a conscious thought, Harry's body stopped. This was insane. He'd barely known the kitchens were even there for three years, never mind the fact that he'd visited them less than ten times in those three years.

Banishing the thoughts until he had a quiet place to stop and think about things, Harry turned towards the picture.

“You've already met Dobby.” he said, his voice emotionless, making even Heero's eyebrows dip in confusion. “Just be prepared for even more creatures like him. And be exact with what you'd like to eat.” A ghost of a smile crept up on that beautiful face. “Tell them you'd like a salad and the House Elves will give you a garden.”

Then, without waiting for a response, Harry swiftly tickled the pear and walking into the opening portrait hole.

GWHPGWHPGWHP

“Get out, you bad bad wizards!” Even Trowa stumbled as they were pushed out of the kitchens by the group of irate House-Elves. Bits and pieces, and in some cases, smears of food decorated the six Seventh Years as they stood in the corridor and watched the portrait slam shut again. Harry was calmly picking what appeared to be the remains of a whole can of green peas out of his inky hair as Trowa began picking the spaghetti noodles out of Quatre's now strawberry blond locks, ignoring the ketchup stains on his light pair of jeans.

Wufei's tight ponytail was ruined as he pulled the elastic out, pulling clumps of mashed potatoes and gravy out with it. Only Duo's hair seemed to be untouched, the rest of him adorned with what appeared to be in insides of a peanut butter and jam sandwich.

Heero finished brushing the white rice off his shoulders and dark green tank top, his dark blue jeans splotchy the remains of coffee stains on them.

Harry's eyebrows frowned as his had traveled to the back of his head and neck. The hair there felt heavier, and sticky, he realized, pulling the hand back and taking a tiny lick at the stuck on his hand.

“Who in the bloody hell was throwing caramel around in there?”

Duo turned to Harry, a few of his jam covered fingers lodged in his mouth. Pulling them out with a wet popping noise, the quirky boy blinked at him.

“Um, I think it was that one House-Elf that was having all the fun in there.” Harry was gifted with a quick grin. “The demented one that really likes you.”

Harry's shoulders slumped. “Dobby it is.” With a grimace, the green-eyed wizard wiped his hand in his dirty jeans. He'd obviously gotten hit with the caramel when he'd dodged that flying glass. The lesser of two evils but still a big mess.

“I need a shower before this stuff starts to harden.” Heero looked at the sticky mess that was Harry's hair and nodded.

“Affirmative.”

Quatre and Wufei were in the same boat as Harry as the group left the entrance to the kitchens, leaving a slight trail of food stains on the walls and floor. Duo was still licking his hands clean, something Wufei was straining to keep from watching.

Quatre suddenly spoke, sounding contrite with himself.

“Why do we not just use cleaning charms to get rid of the mess?”

Duo grabbed his wand with a grin as he finished cleaning off his hands. “Great idea Quat.”

Harry's eyes widened slightly. “No!”

The wands that had been swiftly taken out stopped at Harry's tone of voice.

“You can't use the Cleaning Charms onpeople.” Harry began to explain, his voice going into an almost Heero-like mode as he spoke. “Technically the Cleaning Charms are scouring ones. If Quatre had to use the Cleaning Charm on his hair, he'd end up painfully bald.”

Duo's eyes widened as he looked at his blond friend. “Bald. Not your look Q-man. Not your look.”

Heero looked slightly contemplative. Harry doubted anyone other than those present would even be able to tell the stoic boy's expression had changed but he could.

“To scour is to clean, polish or wash by scrubbing vigorously.” That intense gaze fell on Quatre before Heero turned away.

“Hn.”

“Why isn't this mentioned in any of the books we've covered?” Wufei asked, sounding angry, surprise surprise, and grouchy. “Surely someone would think to mention a fact as important as this?”

Harry frowned, agreeing with the Chinese teen but knowing the unfortunate answer to his question.

“Most witches and wizard do not possess an ounce of logic. In fact, they're some of the most illogical people I've ever known. They most likely expected the students to make the connection between the incantation and the meaning of the word scour.”

Quatre huffed. “The only way for that to be possible is by word of mouth.” He looked at Harry's blank face and shivered a bit. It was so odd that Harry could act exactly like Heero only a bit more...open? Actually it was like Harry forced himself to be more friendly with the five of them. Strange. “I take it this is one of the smaller reasons for this war in the magical community?”

Harry gave the blond his own version of a 'hn' and quickly forced himself to explain it more. Quatre stored that away for later. Something was wrong here.

“A pureblood would already be taught the dangers of using a scouring charm on the body while numerous half-bloods and muggle-borns would have to learn these simple rules. The purebloods believe letting muggle-borns into the Wizarding World will be the end of the magical traditions, customs and culture. The fanatics thing they're superior to anyone not of pure blood.”

No one was pleased with the explanation. Wufei shook his head in disgust, looking murderous as they reached their portrait and Harry stopped, studying the picture with interest.

A woman with soft golden brown locks, dressed in an old style yellow gown as sitting calmly on a wooden swing that hung from the only large tree in the picture; a weeping willow. Softly, she sang a sweet song with a vaguely familiar tune to it.

Nearer the base of the tree sat another woman, her hair as black as Harry's. Her gown was one of the deepest blue as she sat reading a thick book next to a man with white blond hair, reminiscent of the Malfoys. His clothes were emerald green as he made what appeared to be a Blood Burning potion under the willow's draping vines.

The last man wore completely red. Even his hair and somewhat scruffy beard were a deep scarlet color as he practiced fencing with his rapier.

“Hm.” Harry began, cocking his head a bit to the side, looking politely interested. “A painting of the Four Founders of Hogwarts. I've never seen one before.”

Four pairs of eyes darted to Harry's form.

“A student!” The woman who was obviously mean to be Helga Hufflepuff said, her face shining with happiness.

“Indeed,” Gryffindor said, putting away his weapon. “One who knows who we are.”

Slytherin took one quick look over Harry's clothes and Hogwarts robe before snorting in disgust. “A Gryffindor. I should be so shocked as to find one with the brain capacity to recognize us.”

The red Godric Gryffindor growled at his blond companion and opened his mouth to response when the only founder left, obviously Rowena Ravenclaw spoke, her eyes never leaving her book.

“I do find it immensely amusing that the only difference between a Gryffindor's courage and a Slytherin's Calculated Risk is the number of letter it takes to spell each.” Sharp violet eyes flashed over the book's top, darting over to Slytherin's form. “Gryffindor is not synonymous with stupid, Salazar, just as Slytherin does not mean evil.”

“Just arrogant, prejudiced and narrow-minded.” Gryffindor muttered, glaring at the blond. Helga Hufflepuff giggled as she whispered over to Gryffindor.

“Don't forget mean. Sally is a mean wizard.”

Slytherin shot up, shaking a fist at the yellow dressed girl. “Don't call me Sally, you dunderhead ed buttercup!”

Helga sniffled at the insult as Gryffindor pulled out his weapon again, ready to defend his friend's honor.

“Protection.” Harry said suddenly, his voice sharp and cold. The three founders stopped arguing to stare at Harry as Ravenclaw gestured with her right hand and let them in. Harry strode in, undoing the front of his robes to reveal a simple black tank top and dark blue jeans underneath. Harry blinked at the discovery. 'I don't even remember putting this on. I never wear clothes like this.'

Slytherin Harry commented on its flexibility as Harry scowled to himself.

“We have to change that password before tomorrow.” Harry observed as the portrait hole swung shut. “Even if you really are studying here at Hogwarts, it will be obvious to those who matter what you're really doing and Dumbledore has a habit of trying to surround me with familiar things.”

“Still a damn lucky guess with that password.” Duo muttered to himself before shooting Harry a smirk. “Happy hair washing, man. Caramel is a real bitch to get out.” The curious looks from Trowa, Quatre and Heero made the braided wizard grin awkwardly.

“Not that I would know anything about it. Weren't you going to have a shower too, Q-man?”

Harry shook his head silently before heading to his new room. His trunk had been dropped at the foot of a four poster bed almost exactly like the one Harry used in his old Gryffindor dorm room. The only difference was the color of the drapes and comforter; these were a dark midnight blue.

Heero was the only one Harry could see being his room mate as he glanced over at the other bed . Two regular black duffel bags sat innocently on a bed whose colors were a blue only a bit lighter than Harry's. On the desk between the two beds sat a sleek silver laptop, out of the bright sunlight streaming through the only decent sized window in the room.

The temptation to flip the computer's top and see if there was any information on his mysterious bodyguards was almost too hard to resist. Only Slytherin Harry's warning of being caught kept Harry's now itching fingers to his side.

It was ridiculous, really. The only computer Harry had ever seen, forget actually used, had been his cousin's Apple PC back in Surrey and that had been ages ago. Even then, a younger Harry could barely blow up aliens, never mind break into secure files.

Grabbing a change of clothes, Harry entered the bathroom he'd be sharing with Heero, next to the bedroom's door. His five bodyguards had yet to leave their shared common room, instead sitting around saying nothing.

'They're waiting for you to start up the shower so they can talk about you.' Slytherin Harry quipped snidely, sending Harry's paranoia up a few notches. Turning on the water, Harry looked at himself in the mirror as he waited for it to warm up.

“I'll prove you wrong, right now.” He whispered to himself and suddenly, in a blink, his stance changed from depressed and on guard to light and cat-like as he crept towards the door. The shower made just the right amount of inference between the sound of water hitting the porcelain and the thick wooden door, only letting the wizard hear the faint murmurings of five voices. Eyebrows dipped as Harry twitched his fingers and suddenly it was like he was a fly on the wall in the room.

Trowa and Quatre were sitting on one of the love seats, perched on the edge together as they listened to Duo, Heero and Wufei talk. Harry's room mate was resting against the wall, close to their bedroom door as Wufei stood by the fire and Duo paced the length between Wufei and the edge of the love seat.

“This sure isn't your typical, everyday body guard duty huh, guys? Not that I'd ever except to call my life normal but this one really takes the cake!” Duo stopped his pacing to throw himself down in a comfy armchair.

“And Harry's no Relena, that's for sure. I don't think you have to worry about crazy stalker obsessions from that guy.”

Wufei and Heero snorted, amused before Duo's lover frowned. “There's something weird about him. Potter acts like he's two different people at times.”

“More like he's stuck between being two different people.” Quatre said quietly, rubbing his chest. “He's so confused and worried. A couple of times today... he's been terrified.”

“Of us?” Trowa asked, rubbing the blond's shoulders slowly.

Quatre shook his head. “No, that's what's so sad. He's afraid of himself. I felt it after he grabbed Duo. Anger, shock, shame, guilt and pure terror.”

Heero straightened up. “Did you read him while he grabbed Duo?”

Quatre blushed and nodded but didn't speak.

“Q-bean, it's okay to use your gift to help people, you know.” Duo said, massaging his wrist. “If we're gonna do this bodyguard thing right, we'll need someone who understands what he's going through. Who better than us and Quat?”

The smile the blond gave Duo was big and bright, making Trowa toss the braided wizard one himself. Slytherin Harry noted that Barton's good mood seemed to be directly proportionate to Winner's happiness.

“You all know I don't usually try to read a person's inner emotions all the time. I like to respect their privacy.” Quatre hedged, his teal eyes looking earnestly into his friends'. “But for a moment, when Harry was out of it, I swear he felt exactly like Heero did when we first met him. Only it was more intense.”

The others frowned. Heero looked thoughtful, or about as thoughtful as Harry thought Heero could look, as he stared at Quatre.

“What do you mean?”

The Arab sighed. “I've thought about this before but I didn't want to upset you.” The blue-eyed teen gave him a look that clearly said not much upset him and that he really should just get to the point. “Your training, it was supposed to be used to suppress your emotions; to make you work more... efficiently, correct?”

Heero nodded before Quatre continued. “Well I could always feel them, distantly... but they are there, no matter what we all thought at one point or another.”

Wufei and Duo squirmed guiltily.

Quatre's eyes became distant as he remembered the incident that afternoon. “Harry was a bit different. I could feel that same distant emotional pull with him, only his emotions were almost not there at all. They were barely shadows of emotions, like someone had told him what guilt felt like but he'd never really experienced it himself. Only when 'Harry' came back did I feel true emotion again.”

Slytherin Harry was impressed with this bit of knowledge. The little blond was clearly empathic and a lot more dangerous than he'd first thought. Harry stored that thought away for later as Quatre put his head in his hands and groaned.

“That's not all. There's something...wrong about him. It's not just the familiarity with Heero but there's something else there.” Raising his head, Quatre looked troubled. “Something I've felt before, I just can't figure out what exactly it is.”

“Don't worry so much. It will come in time.” Trowa said, his words starting a blanket of silence over the room. Duo shifted restlessly.

“Do we tell him? Do we tell anyone about this?” Wufei demanded after a moment's contemplation. “Our knowledge of magic is limited to what we can take from these school books, not anything of much use or help in this situation.”

“I dunno, man.” Duo hedged, looking weary. “This is a lot of private emotional baggage here. Harry might not feel so forgiving knowing Quat read him and all.”

“Potter has a lot of enemies.” Heero pointed out from his spot by the door. “This could be dangerous in the wrong hands.”

“What about the Headmaster?” Wufei said suddenly. “He seems to care for the boy and his intentions are good.”

Duo shook his head. “This is were I remind you just what the road to hell is paved with.”

“Good intentions.” Quatre said with a grim smile.

Duo stared at the flickering fire, his trademark grin gone from his face. “Things were much more easier when it was just me and Deathscythe. And you guys. Although I reserve the right to revoke that last part at any time.”

Harry pulled back from his spot near the door sharply at that. Deathscythe. The name tugged at his mind as that dreaded tingling returned and, for the second time that day, a memory washed over Harry's mind.

Memory

“What will you name her, Emerald? She needs a name.”

The man's voice was slick, like oil, as he addressed him. He gave the impressive creation a once over with dark jade eyes before returning to sharpening his knife.

“Does she really? I thought you were told to put aside your foolish muggle ideals and make a weapon. A weapon hardly needs a name.”

The slight whizzing of the man's mechanical arm filled the air as he turned sharply, his white lab coat flaring out in anger.

“She is a weapon. A weapon so grand, she needs a name that can be whispered in fear throughout the ages. Something to fill our enemies' nightmares and jump from our allies' lips! Somethin-”

“Phoenix.”

The man- a doctor it seemed- paused at the interruption before turning to look at him.

“Phoenix you say.” His eyes darted over at him, Emerald his mind supplied his name was Emerald, in suspicion. “Why?”

Those emotionless dark green eyes rolled over to look at the giant in quiet consideration.

“Can't you see it? You've built it to resemble a phoenix.” A cruel smile drifted up onto his pale lips. “Besides, isn't the symbolism delicious?”

The sharpened knife was put away as he took a step forward, looking at the new weapon completely. “A phoenix, the bird of death and resurrection, of hope and peace, the mascot for the Light now suddenly the weapon of the Dark.”

One pale hand reached out to touch a cold metal shin before a dark chuckle sounded from him. “A lot like their Precious Saviour.” A messy-haired head turned to look at his companion suddenly confused. “What ever happened to him?”

“He's been taken care of, Emerald.” The doctor said hastily. “Phoenix. Do you think Master will approve?”

“I shall ask him.” Emerald said, turning away from his future weapon with a smirk. “Although I think he'll enjoy the thought of a phoenix being the last thing his opposers see before they die.”

As he left, Emerald heard the doctor chuckle. “And G thought Deathscythe was morbid.”

Present Time

Harry blinked at the throb of pain in his head, making his eyes water. Closing his eyes, a series of numbers flashed over and over behind his eyelids. A sense of urgency, that those numbers were important, filled Harry's mind. He needed to write them down. However the bathroom was not the place to find a spare quill and parchment lying around.

The mirror. Slytherin Harry hissed, making green eyes dart over to the sink. The steam from the shower had fogged up the mirror's reflective surface. Using a shaky finger, Harry quickly wrote down the numbers down before staring up at them.

“51º30'25''N, 0°07'39''W”(1) Harry whispered to himself wondering at their significance before realizing they were coordinates. But to what? Slytherin Harry asked. The only way to find out is to check.

Harry worried his lip, his eyes darting up to the only window in the bathroom, large enough fro him to crawl out of, if he wanted to. Stepping gently up onto the toilet seat, Harry lifted the hook keeping the glass pane drawn shut and gave an experimental push. The window slid open quietly, letting the escaping wizard judge the distance from the ledge to the ground below.

It seemed as though had chosen rooms on the east side of the castle, the exact opposite side of the Forbidden Forest, overlooking the lake. The drop was only a bit above two stories.

With one quick glance at the bathroom door, Harry hefted himself up onto the window ledge and out the window.

GWHPGWHPGWHPGW

A/N: Phew! -wipes forehead- Harry's being a bad wizard again. -shakes finger at Harry- You've got bodyguards for a reason! Five hunky dudes to guard your body and you run away! Shame on you!

1. Actually these are the longitudinal and latitudinal degrees of London, England but for this story they're 'Somewhere Else'.

Anyways, thanks for being so patient and please review! For every review not written Heero and Une realize they're soul mates and elope.

S.Tangerine