Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Just Another Perfect Soldier ❯ Coping ( Chapter 12 )

A/N: Yes, this is a short update but I'm making up for it by posting two chapters. Also, these two...scenes? Chapters? Moment?...whatever, couldn't really go together without making the chapter seem too scattered.

 

Thanks for the reviews everyone! They really help me get stuff rolling for the next chapters!

 

Just Another Perfect Soldier

 

Chapter Twelve: Coping

 

Harry figured it was lucky he had been in the room he shared with Heero alone when the owl had come for him. The slight tap against the glass had the Gryffindor on his feet, wand in one hand while the other reached for the spot Harry knew Heero hid his spare gun.

The owl blinked at him, unimpressed with the display and tapped again.

Zero took a step back from the confrontation- it didn't really like the idea of owl post. So inefficient the very idea; give a letter that held important information to a bloody animal who could be killed or intercepted easily? Especially when one had magic at one's disposal……. Harry just didn't let it get started. Damn program could rant- which usually meant listing and explaining various alternative solutions- for hours on the illogical malpractices of everything.

Putting the search for his missing eagle feather quill on hold, Harry cautiously opened the window and let the dark, grey spotted owl enter. The animal hooted in what had to be an annoyed fashion and dropped the letter curled up in its claws to Harry feet.

The messy scrawl on the outside of the parchment told him it was from Hagrid.

Heart pounding in his chest, the Gryffindor scooped the letter up and slid the ribbon off the end. The note was hurried and brief:

 

Harry,

Hercules isgettin' worse. You should come quickly.

Hagrid.

 

 

An ache formed in his throat at the words. He had known, of course, that the tortured owl wouldn't survive but it was another thing for that moment to finally come. Harry had begun, after nearly two weeks, to let himself hope…..

Cloak and scarf forgotten, the Gryffindor dashed out into the Common Room, startling the other three occupants.

Quatre and Trowa had taken a trip down to Hogsmeade to report to Commander Une of the Preventers. Heero had taken the first report, at the end of September while Duo and Wufei had taken October.

It was Sunday afternoon, which meant most of Hogwarts were spending their last few weekend hours completing homework. Duo and Wufei were no different, although Harry supposed reading all the books on the extra-curricular list wasn't necessarily homework…..

Heero was- predictably- on his laptop.

The Japanese wizard had been given the assignment of finding out the identity of the mysterious Phoenix. The name had been leaked to the press after Harry's second attack on Voldemort's bases. Opinions on the apparent turnabout of the Gundam and its pilot were varied but most of the Wizarding World was relieved to have another striking force against the Dark Lord and his followers. Especially someone who seemed to know exactly where to strike.

The Ministry hadn't been performing in the internal defense department, prompting the politicians to lash out at the dangerous vigilante roaming the streets. Only the Daily Prophet seemed to report on this side of the argument, other newspapers posting letters from supporting readers.

The five ex-pilots had shared an almost incredulous look at some of the letters, Harry joining them. To be honest, he'd never been so popular.

The three remaining bodyguards looked up sharply at the appearance of a flustered Harry, tense and on alert.

Jade eyes by-passed the couple at the table quickly, focusing on Heero's dark blue gaze before he spoke. “I need to go to Hagrid's. Now.”

Heero didn't even question his charge, closing down the laptop with a click and rising to his feet. Duo frowned. “Do you need any back-up? I've only got….twenty-six more Arithmancy equations to complete.”

Wufei snorted at the attempt to get out of doing homework, gently nudging the boy at his side.” Duo….”

Harry shook his head anyway. It just didn't feel right, taking anyone else but Heero down to see Hercules. As much as he loved Duo's company, the braided wizard would try to diffuse the intense emotions with humor. Harry didn't want to be happy about losing a friend.

He'd have to be strong and silent and just bear the burden if he took the others- with Heero, Harry didn't always have to be so strong.

“It's okay. You finish your work and we will be back within the hour.”

Heero gathered both of their cloaks and made Harry don his red and gold striped scarf before they left.

The corridors were nearly void of students, the few who were about totted books of all shapes and sizes. Heero let them walk right up to the Great Hall before speaking.

“What is at Hagrid's?”

Harry pushed the door open easily, pulling his cloak tighter around his shoulders.

“Hercules. He's…..fading.”

Heero didn't offer any sappy, clichéd sentences but sped up his pace. Harry was grateful- he was feeling oddly open today. Raw was the word. He felt raw.

`Stupid.' Zero said sharply. `You expected this outcome, why are you so unstable?'

Harry frowned. `You said you don't understand emotions- just leave this to me, someone who understands.'

Zero beeped warningly. `Do not get sloppy. Mourn your adopted stray if you must but keep yourself in check.'

Harry ignored the program as the hut came into view.

Hagrid's face was pale and tear-streaked as he opened the door. The larger than life professor had sworn to do whatever he could to save the bird for Harry, even through the Gryffindor had told him it was hopeless.

“Yer got my message den? Good, good.” His deep black eyes were shiny with guilt and remorse. “I'm sorry Harry. I tried me best, I did. He was jus' too far gone…”

Harry took a moment to pat the half-giant's arm before his gaze slid towards the dying owl on the table. It was obvious to see that Hercules would live up to his name- the little bird was valiantly trying to breath but his battered lungs were just too tired.

The breaths of air rattled and wheezed as they escaped the little owl's beak and Harry gently reached out to stroke his feather.

A soft coo of recognition let Harry know his presence wasn't unknown.

“Brave one. Hercules. You can rest now.” He whispered as he watched the owl relax back onto the table and just….. stop breathing.

Hagrid let out a howl of grief, but Harry had been expecting it. Heero had jerked at the sound, reaching for his gun automatically. Without really thinking, the scraps of cloth that had made up Hercules' bed were wrapped around his little body as Harry's eyes scanned the room. A small packing crate box had been thrown onto the counter top, a bit too large to be a coffin but acceptable under the circumstances.

Gently, even though Zero told him the owl couldn't feel pain anymore, Harry placed Hercules into his box and slid the lid shut. The noise sounded very…..final to the Gryffindor.

Hagrid was still sobbing when he turned around, the box in his hand. The scene prompted him to direct the half-giant towards his rough wooden table and put the kettle on to boil.

“Watch the water, Hagrid. We'll be back to make sure you're alright.”

Hagrid nodded absently, his great beard damp with tears.

Harry turned back towards the door and was…..pleasantly surprised to see that Japanese wizard had already found a small shovel for the grave.

His jade eyes showed surprise, the expression lighting them up briefly and the fire in Heero's eyes answered the flash. Something warm kept Harry grounded as he walked out the door behind his bodyguard, even though the occasion was solemn.

It had more than surprised him that Heero had known- could tell without words from Harry- that Hercules was to be buried without magic. The poor owl had suffered greatly at the hands of a wizard- to ease his passage into the next life; his burial had to be proper. Physical. Real.

“Where?” Heero's voice was low but clear in the cold November air. Harry looked over the grounds of Hogwarts, his mind searching for the perfect place from his memory files.

The box still secure, tucked close to his chest, the Gryffindor pointed to a grove of trees just North of Gryffindor Tower. He knew that it looked barren right now but come spring the tangled, leafless bushes would hold roses and the grass was plentiful all around.

“There, please.”

Heero nodded and set his pace, something close to a respectful march but efficient and steady. Heero was always so steady.

Zero couldn't help but comment on Harry's choice.

`Cypress? Oddly poetic of you.'

Harry gave what he hoped was a mental shrug. `Sadness and mourning are the appropriate emotions for a time like this. That much I am sure of.'

Zero backed off from Harry's somewhat confrontational tone. `Of course. This is your area of expertise.'

Harry resisted the urge to bite back `And don't you forget it.'

Zero probably heard it anyway.

The trees gave them cover as Heero, without prompting from Harry, quickly dug the shallow grave in the middle of the grove. It would be just deep enough that no scavengers would catch the scent and dig up the brave, little owl. Harry was grateful for the help as he laid the box in the hole.

His dark eyes looked around the cold, frost covered plants with a sigh. “No flowers.” He explained at Heero's questioning tilt of his head. The tilt righted itself into a surprised, abet confused line as Harry sat down on the ground and worked off his boot.

One dark blue sock, obviously new, was laid gently on top of the crate. Harry didn't explain until his boot was secure on his foot, and even then his answer was directed to the strange pair in the hole.

“To set you free.”

Heero didn't ask, simply accepted this to be another one of Harry's quirks as he began to cover the sock and crate with the misplaced dirt. As he worked, Harry made a quick run around the trees, bending to pick at the ground every few seconds.

One last pat was the sign to return as Harry walked quietly over to the grave with his hands cupped. Rocks, each roughly the same size, were dropped onto the disturbed earth before Harry knelt to arrange them around the burial site in a circle.

“It needs a marker. Something that wouldn't fade away completely by next year.”

Heero watched his charge intently as Harry stood and just looked down at their combined effort. No magic, just Harry, Heero and what had been left of an innocent little owl.

Zero beeped warningly. `Be careful. Do not lose control of yourself now or I will be forced to upload a momentary over-ride.'

The Gryffindor blinked and swiftly pushed his swirling emotions back into the dark abyss that kept him stable.

Heero shifted. “Are you alright Potter?”

Harry shrugged. “It's just an owl. I'll be fine.”

The Japanese wizard didn't let the other teen's apparent nonchalance faze him.

“Is it?”

The Gryffindor shot him an almost irritated glance. “Are you going to employ some sort of strange psychology and point out how I could be needlessly seeing the owl as a possible outcome of myself and what I had endured? Because if you are, I can spare you the trouble and say no, I am not.”

Heero seemed to be fighting down a touch of amusement. “Okay.”

The easy acceptance of his words made Harry blinked in surprise again- just what was Heero's problem with needing to invoke such emotion from him today? His fingers twitched with the need to run his hand through his hair; it had been a nervous habit his training had easily overcome.

His eyes drifted back to the simple grave. “It never gets easier.”

It wasn't even a question, but Heero nodded his agreement. “No, but the hurt fades. After time, it fades.”

Harry turned away from the sight quickly, his mind back on track. “We need to check on Hagrid before returning to our rooms.”

The other wizard didn't hesitate to end their brief ceremony as he drew level with his charge. They were slow and quiet for a long time before Harry decided on a course of action.

“Thank you.”

Heero said nothing, dipping his head just enough to let Harry know the words had been heard. It wasn't necessary anyway- he knew that Heero would always help him through these types of things. It was a given, not a gift.

 

 

 

 

Hagrid had cried himself to sleep before they reached the hut. The half-giant had fallen asleep on his large cot, his kettle moved into the sink.

Harry had shook his head fondly and left a note for his friend before they headed back to the castle. Students were already at Sunday supper, making the hallways deserted as they arrived unseen back at their rooms.

Trowa and Quatre had returned from Hogsmeade and had brought food with them as well.

Harry hung up his cloak and scarf, leaving Heero to explain their absence while he returned to their shared for a change of socks.

Duo was the first to notice the missing piece of clothing.

He blinked. “Hey……what happened to Harry's other sock?”

 

 

 

A/N: Yes, the owl died, but you knew that would happen anyway. Plus, this has some Heero/Harry moments….good right?

 

Please review- remember, for every review not written a Harry/Rufus plot bunny is born. I'm just adding these things for the `eww' factor now. And people seem to be oddly interested in them.

 

S.Tangerine