30-Nov-2002
Parallel
A Harry Potter/Gundam Wing fanfic by Stormy
Rating: R
Pairings: 1x2 (more to be announced)
Summary: Heero Yuy and Harry Potter. Transcending time and space, the mystery of what became of Harry Potter is about to unfold.
Warnings: Shonen ai (1x2), possible SBxRL (haven't decided yet ^^)
Spoilers: TPS, CoS, PoA, GoF, (HP), Endless Waltz (GW)
Additional Notes: Well, the GW boys look like they're going back with Dumbledore and company - and who knows what awaits them?
As always, check out my home page for pics and even more fics (though if you want to read my GW fics, I suggest you check out Gundam Wing Addiction: www.gwaddiction.com under "Stormy" - I don't keep even half of my GW fics on my homepage. ^^).
Spoilers: TPS, CoS, PoA, GoF, (HP), Endless Waltz (GW)
Additional Notes: *shakes head in exasperation* Did I not mention that there would be spoilers in "Duo and the Sorting Hat" for upcoming chapters of Parallel? I could have sworn I wrote it in the notes, and in the summary. *goes to check* Yep, uh-huh – possible spoilers for Parallel. Plain as day. So if you didn’t want spoilers – YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE READ IT.
*looks tired* Honestly – if you can’t be bothered to read the summary at the very least, then it’s not my problem if it ruined a few things for you. And frankly, I don’t give a flying fuck. Spoilers don’t bother me in the slightest and I refuse to withhold fics simply because a few people can’t be bothered to read the warnings. Get over it. And actually open your eyes and READ THE GODDAMN WARNINGS this time around. The same thing goes for the pictures and illustrations I’ve done. Don’t look if you’re going to be offended. Lordy, you people would all hate Divination – you’d all protest on the ground that reading a crystal ball would spoil the bloody future. *snorts*
To everyone who enjoyed the side-fic, thank you for the reviews. Let me know if you’d like additional side-fics to illustrate or show in greater detail scenes that may or may not make the cut in Parallel. Sorry to take my frustration out on you guys – the ones who DON’T deserve it, but I was getting fed up. My apologies.
"It’s good to be home again!"
Heero heard Dumbledore’s words as though they were coming from a distance, and under about six feet of water. As the gloopy substance disappeared, he took in the familiar-not familiar sight of Dumbledore’s spacious office.
He heard Duo say something about Kansas and Toto and fought back a snicker. Sirius, seeing the dazed expression on his godson’s face, reached out a hand and pulled him to his feet.
"All right there Heero?" he asked quietly, looking the boy up and down. Heero blinked, feeling his memories realign – again – and met his worried eyes.
"I’m fine."
Sirius snorted. "Sure you are," he said resignedly. "But who am I to argue?" He smiled wearily, resting a hand on Heero’s shoulder for a brief moment, squeezing it gently. "I’m just glad to have you home."
Home. Heero savoured the taste of that word. With Duo he had made a comfortable place for himself, a job that he found interesting, and a place that offered all the comforts of home. But as he stood there in that eclectically decorated room, he realized that there was no other real home for him in the universe. He offered a small smile at his godfather, his Heero-mentality still adjusting to being so free with his emotions. "Me too."
"Heero, there is a very big, very red and very much on-fire bird staring at me."
Heero blinked and turned around. Duo was hiding behind Wufei and peering over the Chinese boy’s shoulder at a very familiar creature.
"Fawkes!" he exclaimed.
The phoenix trilled happily and flew across the room, pulling up short in front of Heero who obligingly held out his arm for the bird to perch on. He vaguely remembered Fawkes seeming heavier in his memory. Then again, as Heero, he had a bit more muscle then he had as Harry. Fawkes crooned softly, nuzzling the side of his face. His tail feathers dripped little bits of flame that disappeared before they could hit the ground. Quatre stepped forwards, his eyes shining.
"Is that a phoenix?" he asked quietly, in awe. Heero nodded. Quatre clasped his hands. "Oh Allah, he’s beautiful!"
"Indeed," came an even softer voice. Trowa came up behind Quatre and held out his hand to the firebird. Fawkes positively preened, basking in the attention much to the amusement of the others.
"Fawkes is fine form this evening," Dumbledore chuckled. "I dare say he had a Burning Day while we were gone."
McGonagall cleared her throat. "Headmaster, it is rather late and I’m sure the boys are tired. So many revelations in one day after all." She stifled a yawn of her own. "Perhaps we should continue this in the morning?"
"Excellent idea, Minerva." Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "This is rather a unique event indeed; this is the first time Hogwarts will have had summer students in a very long time."
"We’re staying here?" Heero blurted out automatically. Snape shot the boy a glare.
"Where else?" He nodded at the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress. "If you have no further need of me tonight, I will be in my quarters in the castle." He swept out of the room in a flurry of black robes. Duo stuck his tongue out. Ron grinned.
"Are we staying too, Professor McGonagall?" he asked hopefully.
Minerva sighed resignedly. "It is rather late to send you home by Floo. It would be best if you all remained here for the evening."
Sirius frowned at Heero. "Where did you think you were going to stay?"
The Dursely’s was Heero’s first automatic response, but his eyes widened as he glanced at Duo who was gingerly poking Fawke’s tail feathers to see if the fire would burn him. It was better if Duo was not given too much information about the ones who had mistreated him for most of his first life. Shinigami would end up paying them a little visit, and Heero feared the consequences. The Dursely’s well-deserved fate notwithstanding, he and the other pilots didn’t have the immunity from public recourse here that they had enjoyed with the Preventers. If Duo did anything fatal to Vernon and his family, he might well end up in Azkaban himself. "The Burrow?"
"Maybe," Dumbledore said thoughtfully. "After all, there’s still a few weeks left until the term starts, and I’m sure you don’t want to stay here the entire time, with no one but Argus Filch here to entertain you."
"What about Snape?" Hermione questioned, her brow furrowed.
"None of the Professors stay at Hogwarts during the summer, child," McGonagall admonished the teen gently. "Goodness – we may love our jobs, but not enough to live here permanently."
Hermione smiled.
Remus yawned. "I’m starting to agree with Minerva," he smiled. "But I believe I’ll Floo myself home." Walking over, he reached out to shake Heero’s hand, gave up and pulled the teen into a hug. "It’s wonderful to have you back Harry," he whispered, the old name slipping in instinctively, squeezing the boy tightly.
Heero returned the hug albeit a bit timidly. "Thank you Moony."
Hermione shook her head. "Professor…"
Remus laughed. "It’s all right Hermione. After all, I’m not your teacher anymore."
"Why not?" Wufei glanced at him, eyes narrowed slightly. Remus shrugged.
"I’m sure Heero will tell you all about it." He patted Sirius on the shoulder as he turned to leave. "I’ll see you soon, Padfoot. Try and behave?"
Sirius looked astonished. "Me?"
"I guess it is too much to ask for." Remus gave the group one last wave and slipped out the door. Minerva looked over at Hermione and Ron.
"I trust the two of you – and Heero of course, can show the others to Gryffindor Tower? You may stay in the fifth year dormitory for now. The password is Rosetta."
Hermione and Ron nodded. Heero gently tossed his arm, letting Fawkes fly back to his ornamental perch. Dumbledore held up a hand, stopping them before they could leave.
"I’ll have the house elves prepare some refreshments for you all. I’m sure Dobby will be pleased to see you’ve returned unharmed, Heero."
Heero nodded. "Goodnight sir."
Hermione and Ron echoed his words and led the others down the stairs past the Gargoyle. Duo paused to glare at the stone creature suspiciously, and yelped when the Gargoyle snapped its teeth in his direction. Sirius laughed and transformed into Padfoot, sneaking past the braided boy and bounding down the hall.
Trowa waited for Quatre who smiled at the brown-haired youth before taking his hand. Wufei fell in behind, years of being watchful refusing to go away. One hand rested on his sword, a comforting gesture. The sword, one of the last few reminders of Treize Kushrenada, whom Wufei had come to admire and respect greatly before meeting his death at Wufei’s hands. Lady Une had given the sword to Wufei one day, not long after she had been placed in charge of the Preventers.
"He respected you Wufei," she had said quietly. "I know of no one else who would care for it as he did. Treize-sama always said it was for protecting. Use it well."
Wufei watched his friends, both old and new, walk in front of him, and knew that regardless of what the future held in store for them, he would be there. His eyes fell on Heero walking with Hermione and Ron, Duo dashing back and forth from one side of the corridor to the other, happily greeting each and every painting. He remembered the story they had been told, and wondered if his presence would even make a difference if it came down to it, if that Voldemort character was still alive. He gave a mental shrug and quickened his pace, pulling even with Quatre. The Arabian flashed him a brilliant smile, nearly as excited as Duo at the wondrous things they passed, and he smiled back.
It didn’t matter. He would do whatever it took.
Sirius watched the American pilot flirt with the Fat Lady and felt that he was watching a younger version of himself. He snuffled Heero’s hand, unable to stray too far from his godson. It almost seemed like a miracle, like it was too good to be true. Harry was back. Well, sort of.
Giggling like a schoolgirl, the Fat Lady finally swung open and Sirius pushed through the hole in the wall, knocking Duo over.
"Watch it furball!" he complained, but the grin on his face gave him away. "Why don’t you go chase a cat or something?"
"The only cat here would be Miss. Norris," Ron grinned. "Filch’s cat."
"And she’d probably box his ears first," Hermione added, smiling. Sirius transformed and glowered at them.
"Beaten by Miss Norris? I don’t think so." His stomach growled loudly and Heero chuckled.
"If that wasn’t a hint, I don’t know what was." Before he could say anything else though, a high-pitched squeal sounded from behind him. Duo leaped into an amused Trowa’s arms in shock as a two-foot tall greenish brown thing with bat-like ears, and wearing a ragged ‘Surfing USA’ t-shirt and mismatched socks materialized in front of them.
"They have gremlins at Hogwarts," Duo breathed, his eyes wide. "Cool." Trowa dropped him on the ground and he immediately flopped down, cross-legged, staring at the creature avidly.
"They’re house elves, Duo. Hello Dobby," Hermione said pleasantly. "How are you enjoying your summer?"
"Dobby is having a very good summer," Dobby squeaked, his head bobbing up and down. "Dobby is having a better summer now that Harry Potter is back." His eyes widened even further, an act Heero would have thought impossible, and the little creature gestured behind him. "The great Dumbly said Harry Potter and friends are hungry!" Snapping his fingers, several more house elves appeared carrying plates of sandwiches and jugs of juice with accompanying goblets.
"Okay, gremlins bearing food." Duo pointed at Duo. "I want one of you to come live in Deathscythe."
Heero snorted and grabbed a sandwich, shoving at Duo before taking one for himself. "Ignore him Dobby."
Dobby nodded seriously. "Dobby is ignoring, sir. Dobby does not know where Deathscythe Manor is."
Ron grinned. "Something tells me it’s not a house. Right?"
Duo nodded, stuffing half of the sandwich in his mouth. "It’s a huge machine, a mobile suit. We all have one, but mine’s the coolest by far."
"Excuse me?" Quatre shot him a mock-glare. "You wish."
"Sandrock had twin blades, but I had a thermal scythe." Duo sniffed. "And my suit worked underwater."
"We know, Duo," Trowa said dryly. "You never let us forget that."
"At least ‘Scythe doesn’t keep running out of ammo."
"I’m afraid you’re wrong Maxwell," Wufei couldn’t resist adding his own two cents. "My Nataku’s Dragon Fang beats your scythe any day."
"Them’s fighting words, Wuffers!" Duo grinned, his eyes glinting. Heero cleared his throat.
"As the only one of us with a mobile suit that had wings with both versions, I think it goes without saying that ‘Wing was the best."
Duo and Wufei glared at him. Trowa raised an eyebrow. "I think that’s the first time you’ve ever bragged about ‘Wing, Heero."
"More Harry-ness," Quatre laughed. Heero shrugged, finally eating part of his sandwich and passing the plate around.
"Do you have any idea of what they’re talking about?" Ron asked Hermione. She shook her head.
"What’s a mobile suit?" she asked curiously. "When we were at the Preventers, I saw that name mentioned a couple of times but I couldn’t find much information about it."
The five pilots fell silent; each casting looks at the other. Finally Heero looked back at Hermione with a blank expression.
"They’re battle suits, "he said at last. "We used them to fight in the war."
Ron looked as though he wanted to ask something else, but a quick elbow in the gut from Hermione stopped him cold. Sirius looked at them all, remembering the pictures he’d seen in Heero and Duo’s apartment. He didn’t say anything either.
In an effort to change the mood of the room, Heero turned to look at Dobby. He cracked a small grin. "So Dobby – where’d you get that shirt?"
Dobby smiled proudly, his small chest puffing with pride. "The great Dumbly gave to Dobby after he is coming back from vacation last year."
Ron laughed heartily. "That’s the first we’ve seen of it."
Dobby nodded seriously. "Is present from the great Dumbly. Dobby is only wearing it on special days. Harry Potter is back. That is a special day."
A choke came from Sirius’ direction and everyone turned to look at the ex-convict. Sirius finished coughing up the last of the pumpkin juice that had gotten caught in his throat at Dobby’s words, and nodded.
"I couldn’t agree more," he said hoarsely, and Heero was taken aback at the sheer emotion radiating off his godfather.
The last few days caught up to him in a heartbeat, and he realized just how much he had been truly missed. A quick glance at his friends showed Ron manfully blinking back tears, and Hermione dabbing at her eyes, agreeing with Sirius and the little elf. It was only the fact that the Heero part of him was unwilling to slip any further out of character that his own tears didn’t fall. Instead, he squeezed Duo’s hand that had magically appeared in his own as the mood in the room changed once again. "I missed this," he said softly.
There was really nothing more to be said after that.
Sirius had shooed them off to bed after everyone had finished eating. The plates and goblets disappeared, whisked off by the eager little elves despite Hermione’s protests that they could help with the cleanup, and Sirius transfigured a few stones and loose threads from the tapestries into assorted toiletries for everyone to use in preparation for bed.
It was decided that Hermione wasn’t going to be subjected to staying by herself in the girls dorm that night at least. Sirius declared that despite what Minerva and Remus might have said, he was a competent chaperone, and so Hermione was given a bed of her own in the boys dorm. Trowa and Quatre automatically claimed one for themselves, and Wufei took the bed facing the door. Sirius changed back into Padfoot, stating he was still unused to staying in human form while sleeping even though there was little chance of someone unknown walking in on them. Until his name was cleared, he couldn’t risk being vulnerable. Only Ron and Hermione put up a token protest at this; the Gundam pilots knew all too well the dangers of vulnerability, and Heero only nodded at his godfather’s decision.
As for Heero himself, he and Duo took the bed in the center, curling up against each other. Duo’s arm snuggled its way across Heero’s waist, and Heero rested his chin on the top of the American’s head, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent that almost always guaranteed him a good night’s sleep. He met his godfather’s amused gaze from across the room, and smiled tiredly, sleep erasing the last of his stoic-ness.
"Good night, Sirius," he said quietly. The human-turned-dog chuffed a reply before settling down, and Heero followed his example, falling asleep almost instantly.
End chapter 13
I wrote this in one sitting and now that I’m done this chapter, I feel much better. ^^ All my earlier anger is now gone. See? Writing is therapeutic. Therefore, it stands to reason that writing a review would be equally therapeutic.
So release your stress! Review and not only make my day, but yours too!
Feedback please?
Stormy
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