Title: Harry Potter and the Lost Son
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRAO
Summary: Speed’s past is hidden
Series: Harry Potter Returns Home
***
Horatio leaned up against the wall and watched his lover sit out on the deck and watch the ocean waves go back and forth. Something was bothering him; that much was obvious. The redhead had let Speed brood for a few days, but he had enough and was determined to get the man to talk.
He stepped out onto the patio and sat down next to Speed, touching shoulder, hip and knee. “Want to talk about it?”
Speed sipped his beer and watched the waves roll back and forth.
“Speed, I’m not going to let you keep doing this…” Horatio shifted and took his hands. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.” Dark eyes blinked away tears. “I’ll lose you.”
“Nothing will make me leave you.” He leaned forward and cupped the scruffy cheek. “Nothing.”
“You can’t say that.” Speed looked away from the piercing blue eyes.
“Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?” Horatio cupped his chin and made him look back again.
Speed sighed and looked down. “I love you so much. You’ve put up with me for all these years and how do I repay you…I’m not worth it.”
H inwardly sighed; one day he would seek revenge for those that had hurt Speed through out his life. “Timothy.”
“I love you,” he repeated. “I don’t know what happened, honestly. I was over at Eric’s watching the game…”
Horatio suddenly understood what the problem was. He wasn’t surprised, not one bit; actually he had been expecting it since the moment Eric walked into the lab. Speed had grown up with so little love, that when he gave his heart, he gave it fully. He had seen it in his eyes when he looked at Eric. The young Russian Cuban had triggered something within Tim, and it seemed it was finally coming out.
He pulled the younger man into his arms and kissed him slow and deep. “It’s okay.”
Speed jumped up. “How can it be okay? I kissed another man!”
Horatio grabbed his hand and pulled Speed back into his arms. “Because I know you love me, as I know you love Eric.”
“But… it’s not right; you’ve been there for me and I’m betraying you.” He fell against the firm chest.
“What if I tell you, that I not only don’t mind you loving Eric, I’m encouraging it?”
Speed pulled back and looked at his lover. “H?”
“I’m older than you, by a good amount of years…Knowing someone is there after I’m gone, loving and taking care of you.” It’s the one fear Horatio had the most. Speed left alone. He knew without a doubt what Speed would do if something suddenly happened to him.
“Horatio, you’re not that older than me, and …”
The redhead laid a finger over his lips. “Let me finish.” Speed nodded. “I can see Eric loves you, it’s not hard to do. You’re so easy to love and you need someone to watch over you.”
“I can take care of myself.” Tim pulled back slightly, eyes narrowing. “I’m not a child.”
“No you are not, but you’ve had a hell of a life, Speed. You wake with nightmares even now…”
Speed closed his eyes, old feelings coming up; he took a deep breath and looked directly at Horatio. “What are you suggesting?”
“I’m suggesting we invite Eric over for dinner.” He smiled at the shocked expression.
“We?” Tim clarified. “As in we?”
“Yes, as in we.” Horatio grinned. “I might encourage you with Eric, but doesn’t mean you can keep him to yourself.”
The dark eyes danced in mischief. “Oh I see… you have the hots for him, too, and you’re using me as an excuse.”
Horatio pulled Speed into his arms and kissed him deeply, his tongue sweeping through the warm mouth, eliciting a groan from the other man. “Love you so much.” He pushed Speed onto the deck, his hands slipping under the soft cotton shirt. Speed arched into the touch moaning his lover’s name. “So beautiful…”
“Please H, make love to me.” Tim moaned, writhing under the redhead’s touch.
“My pleasure.” Horatio attacked his lips with a vengeance as his hands traveled down the slender body. He took his time, slowly enticing his lover with soft touches and sweet kisses. With Speed begging beautifully, Horatio slipped into the warm heat, joining their bodies and soul. In didn’t take long for either man to scream out their passions to the heavens.
Saturday Night
Eric was a bit shocked to see Horatio open the door, but covered quickly. “H, what are you doing here?”
“Fixing dinner, cause Speed can’t cook to save his life.” Horatio bit back a laugh at Eric’s confused expression. “Dinner is almost ready; Speed is in the den, reading.”
He nodded and moved down the hall finding the den easily. Eric couldn’t help but smile at the sight before him. Speed was asleep in the chair, a book open in his lap. He looked like a little lost boy. The younger man eased into the room and quietly pulled the book out of his lap. He yelped and dropped the book when he noticed the pictures were moving.
Speed jerked awake, moving out the chair and pulling a wand. The two men blinked at each other, breathing heavily. Horatio showed up at the door gun in hand, when hearing Eric’s yelp and subsequent crash.
“What happened?” Horatio demanded.
“I don’t know.” Speed lowered his wand and stared at Eric. “I was asleep…”
“I moved the book off of him and noticed the pictures were moving; it startled me, which I think startled him… and…” He paused and looked at the two men. “Speed’s a wizard?”
Both man’s eyebrows went up. “And I thought that was going to the awkward part of the conversation tonight.” Horatio put the gun into the waist of his pants. “Let’s eat.”
Eric and Speed just watched him leave the room, and then looked back at each other.
“Speed, what’s going on? I thought we were going to discuss what happened?” Eric asked, slightly confused.
“We are.” Speed smiled at him.
“With Horatio?” He looked at his friend and hopefully to be lover. “A bit odd, if you ask me.”
Tim sighed. “Eric I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Eric’s grin widened. “That’s good because…”
“Before you say that, there a few things you need to know.” Speed ran a hand through his hair.
“Got the wizard thing…”
“Okay, we’ll move on from that.” He shook his head. “I’m also in love with Horatio. We’ve been together since I came to Miami…”
Eric swallowed, trying to control his emotions. “I see, so you brought me here to turn me down? Shove Horatio into my face?” His voice rising in anger.
“No…” Speed walked up to the younger man and pulled him into a hard kiss.
Eric struggled against him, and then succumbed to the kiss, pulling Speed closer, deepening it. Eric pulled back slightly dazed, then looked over Speed’s shoulder to see Horatio casually leaning against the door jam. “Couldn’t wait till after dinner?”
Tim turned and smiled at him. “I wanted to taste dessert.”
“Will someone explain to me what’s going on?” Eric looked between the two men.
Horatio gave him a wicked smile. “Easy. We. Want. You.” He slipped a hand behind Eric’s head and pulled him into a hard kiss.
After Dinner
Eric stared at the two men curled up on the couch. They were so different than they represented at work. Speed was a lot more content cuddling next to Horatio, who seemed very relaxed. He leaned back in his own chair and sipped his beer, contemplating what had transpired in the past few hours.
“So let me get this straight.” He glared at Speed’s snicker. “You two have been together for over seven years.” They both nodded. “Both of you are wizards.” Both nodded again. “And you want me to join in your relationship” A third nod. “Why does this seem so out there?”
“Because you’re thinking like a Muggle Catholic,” Tim grinned at him. “We may be wizards but we’re not really in the world.”
“Okay, I know very little about the whole thing,” Eric admitted. “I mean mom’s aunt or cousin I think was a witch, but I only heard things, never met her.”
“Family didn’t accept it?” Horatio asked a bit concerned.
“Her immediate family did, but the rest of the family didn’t,” he sighed. “So I know that wizards and witches exist and recognize a few things from it, but how the society works or anything like that, not a clue. Though I have to ask…”
“No,” both men answered. “The books aren’t accurate.”
“So no Harry Potter?” Eric gave them a pout.
“Actually yes.” Speed shook his head. “The only thing accurate in the books is that there is a wizarding world, Hogwarts exists, so does Harry and he did fight against Voldemort and defeated him.”
“When did it happen?” Eric asked, his curious mind coming up with a million questions. He paused at Speed’s sudden pained expression. “I’m sorry…”
“Over ten years ago.” Speed sat up from Horatio. “Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty and move on from it.”
“Neither Speed or I associate with that world. I was a Muggleborn and not really accepted; add in the situation with my family and Ray, I left school and never went back.” Horatio ran a hand through Speed’s hair. “Speed is pureblood, but he fought on the side of good… and lost everything.”
Eric moved out from his chair and onto the couch. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Speed got up off the couch moving away from both men. Horatio followed him and pulled him into his arms. “Let it go, don’t dwell on it.”
“I should go.” Eric moved towards the door.
Horatio reached out towards him. “Eric, don’t.”
“This isn’t a good idea,” he said, looking at the two of them. “You two belong together; it’s painfully obvious.”
Speed looked over towards him. “You belong with us. Please, Eric…”
Horatio held out his hand towards Eric. “It’s simple.”
His eyebrow went up. “Simple? Three men in a relationship, who happen to be cops?”
“Three men who love each other.” Speed turned in Horatio arms, his own hand held out. “Take a chance.”
For the first time in his life Eric decided to do what he wanted. He took both their hands and let them pull him into their arms. Once settled between them, he knew he would never want to part from them. Horatio kissed his temple, while Speed kissed the side of his neck. He turned his head and captured Speed’s lips into a sweet kiss. Strong hands slipped under shirt, caressing the soft skin; moaning, Eric let go of Speed and turned and took Horatio’s mouth in a deep kiss. Speed smiled at his lover and soon to be lover.
“Shall we take this some place a bit more comfortable?” Tim teased the two men.
Horatio looked over at Speed a grin on his face. “I can’t wait to see him sprawled out on our silk sheets.”
Eric groaned, his jeans suddenly become very tight. “Who knew the two of you liked to tease?”
Both gave him an evil grin.
Six Months Later
Eric hummed as he drove towards home. The past six months had been perfect. Okay maybe not perfect, three men adjusting to each other took some adjustments. They had their spats but at the end of the day they were stronger. He had no idea how they worked, but they did. It had taken Eric months to come to terms with his feelings for his best friend. That first kiss had made all his doubts go away. He knew Speed was the one for him; little did he know with Speed came Horatio and it was the two of them that made his life complete.
He sighed as he pulled up to the beach house the only problem was his family. They were starting to wonder why he wasn’t coming over as much, and his parents were pressuring him about settling down with a wife and kids. Eric looked at the tucked away home; he had settled down, and they were a family, but he knew the moment his parents found out all hell would break loose. They wouldn’t accept their youngest and only son loving a man, let alone two.
Easing out of the car, he grabbed his bag and headed inside. He wanted to surprise the two of them by having a dinner prepared. Today was their sixth month anniversary and he wanted it to be special. Eric walked into the house and paused; something was off. He pulled his gun and moved down the hallway. Gun raised, he slowly pushed open the den door and froze at the sight.
“What the fuck!” He stared at the white snowy owl sitting on Speed’s reading chair.
The owl just looked at him and Eric looked back. The owl then hooted and shook his leg at him. “What do you want?” It hooted again sounding terribly impatient. Eric slipped his gun into the holster and reached and grabbed the letter pulling on it, getting an indigent hoot from the offended owl. “Excuse me its not like I know what to do, I’ve never had an owl show up with the mail.”
It just hooted again.
He got the letter off and looked at it curiously. It was address to Horatio. Eric looked up at the owl, which looked back at him. “Now what do you want?”
It huffed at him and flapped its wings and settled onto the chair. “Ahh bird you can’t stay here.” Eric poked at it, and then jumped back when it snapped at him. “Great I’m fighting with a bird and it’s winning.”
Deciding that the best course of action would be to ignore the bird and call Horatio. Eric stepped out of the den and back towards the kitchen. Grabbing his cell he dialed while examining the envelope.
‘Caine.’ Horatio sounded agitated.
“It’s Eric, you okay?” He asked holding the letter up to the light. So he was curious. He was a CSI; of course, he was curious. Especially considering Horatio stated he left the wizarding world. And there was no doubt in his mind that this was from that world. He had heard of carrier pigeons not owls.
‘One word; Stetler.’
“I’ll make sure the massage oils are out and warming.” Eric cringed. He knew how much those two fought. “You got a letter.”
‘You called me to tell me I got mail at my own home?’ He could hear the laughter in H’s voice.
“It was delivered by owl, so I figured it was special.” He set the letter down on the table. The sudden silence on the other end startled him. “H? You there?”
‘Owl?’
“Yeah, a white one; don’t see many of those in Florida.” Suddenly suspicious something was going on, he turned back and looked down the hall. “I think its still here.”
‘Where’s Speed?’
“Not here. I haven’t seen him all day, he was out with Calleigh.” Eric became even more concerned. “H, what’s going on?”
‘If he shows up, don’t let him see the owl, trust me on this.’ He could hear Horatio moving through the halls in the lab.
“H?”
‘Eric, I know you are curious and concerned, but please trust me. Do not let Speed into the den.’
Eric looked up to see Speed walking into the house. “Speed’s home; see you soon.”
“Was that Horatio?” he asked as he set his helmet and bag down.
“He’s on his way home,” Eric said. “And here I was going to surprise the two of you with dinner.”
“Really?” Speed asked, smiling. “Some good Cuban food?”
“What else would I make?” He acted hurt and wounded that Speed would suggest anything else.
Speed kissed him, before turning towards the hall. “I’ll get out of your way.”
Eric moved quickly getting in front of Speed and pushing him against the wall taking his mouth into a deep kiss. Speed gasped in shock then returned the kiss, his hands slipping under the tight t-shirt Eric was wearing. He moaned when Eric pressed his thigh between his legs and forced them apart. Speed rubbed his growing erection into the strong thigh, his mouth attaching itself to Eric’s lean neck, making a path down to his shoulder where he nipped at the skin.
A loud hoot made him pull back and look towards the den. Eric directed his attention back towards him, taking his lips into another kiss, their tongues tangling, when another hoot interrupted them.
“What the hell is in the den?” Speed demanded.
“Nothing,” Eric muttered as his lover moved away from him and opened the door.
“Eric, there’s an owl on my chair.”
Eric turned and froze; the look on Speed’s face was something he had never seen. A mix of fear and wistfulness. He watched as Speed stepped up to the owl and held out his hand. The owl hooted happily and moved onto his arm. The human and owl just stared at each other, as if trying to figure some complex puzzle out.
Eric looked up as the front door opened; he gave a helpless shrug to Horatio. The redhead moved down the hallway to see the two creatures staring at each other. He quickly moved into the room and walked over to the desk, pulling out a small container. He slipped an arm around Speed and handed the owl a treat. The owl looked between the treat and the dark haired man. With a couple hoots it took the treat, and with one last look flew out the window.
Horatio turned Speed in his arms, and held him close. “Why don’t we go wash up while Eric makes us dinner?”
“I know that owl,” Speed said as he was pulled out of the den. “Horatio, why was there an owl here?”
“I don’t know,” the redhead sighed. “You still have ties to the wizarding world, maybe the Ministry wanted to invite you to some dinner to honor those who fought.”
Speed looked back towards the window. “But it seemed so familiar. I don’t recall the Ministry using Snowy Owls for correspondence; it reminded me of…”
Eric tilted his head, “I remember reading in the books…” The look Horatio sent shut him up quickly.
Speed shook his head. “It’s another life.” He looked at the older man. “Now did you mention hot steamy shower sex while Eric cooks?”
Horatio laughed and pulled the young man towards the bedroom. “When will dinner be ready?”
“I hate you two, I really do!” Eric moaned as thoughts of a soaped up Speed, and Horatio’s hard cock sliding into the warm and willing body.
Midnight
Horatio woke up when he felt Speed move restless against him. He eased up to see Eric waking up; he blinked and looked over at Horatio. The younger man hadn’t experienced one of Speed’s nightmares. The redhead eased his arms around the smaller man and pulled him close whispering soft words into his ear. Eric scooted closer rubbing soothing circles on his lover’s backs, letting Horatio trying to break him out of the night terrors that held their lover. Slowly Speed’s whimpers eased and his eyes blinked open.
“Hey there,” Horatio whispered, relaxing his grip slightly.
He looked around slightly confused. “H?”
“You’re safe, we’ve got you.” The redhead looked up at Eric.
Speed glanced behind him at Eric and blushed slightly. “I’m sorry.”
“Want to talk about it?” Eric asked not seeing Horatio shake his head.
“I don’t remember any of it really, just darkness and a flash of light.” He laid his head on Horatio’s shoulder and yawned.
“Go back to sleep.” Horatio kissed the top of his head and waited till Speed slipped back into slumber. He looked over to see Eric staring at him. “We’ll talk in the den.”
The two men eased out of the bed, making sure not to wake the sleeping man. Horatio grabbed his robe, while Eric pulled on some sweat pants. The moment the door closed Eric turned and looked at the redhead. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Do you trust me?” Horatio asked.
“Yes, but something is going on and I feel like you don’t trust me.” Eric crossed his arms. “Something’s going on with Speed, and this whole Wizard thing.”
Horatio’s blue eyes bore into Eric’s brown. “Please Eric, for him, trust me on this. Trust that I won’t let anything happen to you or him.”
The younger man sat down on the small couch. “But it does stem from the wizard thing.”
“Yes.” Horatio nodded as he sat down. “He wasn’t kidding about the war. It was horrible, the books were written to entertain Muggle kids, and it’s not the true history of what happened.”
“What was it about?” Eric asked. “The war, I mean.”
“Purity of race,” Horatio sighed. “Older families didn’t want wizards born into Muggle parts of their society.”
“Speed’s from an older family?”
“Yes.” The redhead nodded. “Speed wouldn’t stand by for those types of injustices so he joined the fight.”
“So this Harry Potter really was a powerful wizard?” Eric rubbed his hands over his face. “I mean, even if the books are written for children, he was just a kid who fought against all odds right.”
“A kid who grew up too fast and was faced with the impossible task of saving the world.” Horatio stared out the window lost in thought.
“You weren’t in the war?” Eric watched his lover’s expression, knowing there was a lot he was hiding.
“I had already left it mostly, but it did spill over into my life. I had friends still, and they kept me informed of what was going on.” Horatio turned back towards him. “I had helped Speed get a job in the lab, according to his records he was excellent at potions, which is not far off from Trace, so I got him hired…and the rest is history.”
Eric moved off the couch and slipped into Horatio’s lap. “I trust you.”
He cupped the younger man’s cheeks and pulled him down into a soft kiss. “Thank you.”
“It’s cold in here, let’s go back and curl up against our personal heater.” Eric stood up and pulled the redhead up. “Maybe this weekend we should go for a ride or something.”
“I know the perfect spot.” Horatio started planning out a small getaway. The two men eased into the bed, careful not to wake their sleeping lover; curled around each other, they followed him into a content sleep.
Month Later
Eric was becoming more and more concerned as each day passed. They had taken Speed away for a three-day weekend. Just the three of them alone on a secluded beach. Eric had tried to convince Speed to go scuba diving but he flatly refused and mumbled something about not liking going underwater and things that lurk in the deep. Through the whole weekend, Horatio watched Speed while Eric watched Horatio watch Speed. He couldn’t help but feel something was coming. Something big.
He stepped into the Trace lab and sighed as he took a good look at Speed. The case had been a rough one, a family slaughtered. Speed and Calleigh had been working it with Horatio. He hadn’t seen either of his lovers in over two days. Yelina had somehow got Horatio to crash in his office, Alexx sent Calleigh home, but it seemed Speed slipped through the mother hens fingers and was still working.
“That’s it, you’re going home.” Eric grabbed the paper from Speed’s hand and set it on the table. “Paul can work out the formulas for you and it will be here when you get back after at least eight hours of sleep.”
Speed glared at his lover. “I have work to do.”
“I can take of it, Tim.” Paul the night shift Trace tech smiled at him. “Eric’s right, you need some sleep.”
“I’m fine,” Speed grumbled as he was pulled out.
“Do not make me call Alexx.” Eric pushed him towards the locker room.
Speed didn’t have the energy to glare; he slipped off his lab coat and looked at his helmet in the locker. Eric shook his head and pulled Speed back up. “You are not driving that machine half asleep. Let’s go.”
“Where are you taking me?” Speed blinked at the setting sun.
“Home with me.” He ushered him into the car and buckled him up. Speed was asleep before they left the parking lot.
Eric’s House
He got his exhausted lover into the small apartment and helped him down the hall into the bedroom. Speed was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Eric removed his shoes, belt and pants, before tucking him into bed. He kissed him on the forehead and left the room, closing the door slightly so he can keep an ear out for any disturbances. Though the nightmares were receding, he had no doubt that the case would bring some of them back up. Speed never talked about them, so Eric just held him while he went back to sleep.
A quick call to Horatio explaining where Speed was and for him not to worry, Eric then settled down in the living room enjoying a cup of coffee and a good book. He had gotten lost into the story when a knock at his door startled him. He glanced over at the clock to see that a few hours had passed. He set the book down and headed for the front door. It couldn’t be Horatio, because Eric had given both men a key a while back.
Eric looked through the peephole and cringed. He opened the door and smiled. “Mom, dad…” He paused and looked behind them “And siblings, with their significant others. Okay what are you all doing here?”
“We’re worried about you,” Clorinda said as she walked in. “You rarely come over and you’re so secretive.”
“Work has kept me very busy.” Eric closed the door and moved toward the living room. He glanced down the hall and hoped Speed didn’t wake up. Speed didn’t need the aggravation, and well, neither did he.
“So busy you can’t attend Mass?” Pavel demanded.
“I’ve been to Mass,” Eric countered. “I was there on Sunday, just at a different time.”
“You avoiding us?” his oldest sister Maria asked. “Or hiding?”
“Before you answer that.” Henry, Maria’s husband, looked over at him. “We know about your ‘boyfriend’.”
Eric’s eyes narrowed at the tone Henry took. “Then why are you here? If you know about him.” He wasn’t going to apologize for loving either of his lovers.
“We’re worried and want you to come home…” Marisol stood up and moved towards him.
“Excuse me?” Eric’s voice dropped. “Come home. For what? So you can ‘save me’ or ‘retrain me’.”
“This isn’t like you.” Pavel stood up. “We raised you to be a good Catholic boy.”
“You raised me to be my own person, to love with my heart, and that’s just what I have done.” He heard the door open and saw Speed standing in the doorway blinking tiredly. Eric smiled at the sight. Speed and Horatio were his life; he had only felt such contentment or happiness with them. “I’m sorry if you don’t accept my choice, but it’s mine to make and if you don’t like it, you can leave.”
Speed frowned; he could feel the tension coming off his lover. “Eric?”
“He’s here!” Henry growled.
“He’s my boyfriend and this is my house; of course he’s here.” Eric snapped before moving down the hallway.
“What’s going on?” Speed asked, slightly confused.
“I just came out to my family.” He soothed the messy hair back. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
Speed stepped into the living room and studied the family. He had to be a sight, rumpled shirt, three days growth of beard; at least he put on his jeans before walking out.
It happened suddenly. Henry snarled and pulled a wand from his belt and aimed it at Speed. Eric moved quickly pulling his lover behind him shielding him from any harm. Then he heard two pops and stumbled back when Horatio appeared in front of him a wand drawn and aiming it back at Henry.
A click by his ear made Henry turn slightly.
“If I hear one syllable out of your mouth, I’ll put a bullet through your head.” Eric stared in shock at the sight of a cold, calculating Calleigh.
***
“Speed, you okay?” Horatio asked, concerned.
“I’m fine, H.” He stepped from behind Eric and stared at Henry, who was practically frothing at the mouth. “I don’t understand? Why?”
“I can’t believe you’ve been hiding here all this time,” Henry spat out. “And fucking a Muggle at that.”
“You’re one to speak.” Calleigh pushed him back with her gun.
“You think I would lower myself to do a Muggle?” Henry laughed.
“Where’s Henry?” Horatio demanded, wand raised.
“Alive is about all I can tell you,” he sneered.
“I don’t get it.” Eric looked at his brother-in-law, confused. “Henry is right there.”
“He’s using a polyjuice potion,” Speed answered. “He just looks like Henry, but he really isn’t.”
Maria turned towards her husband, eyes narrowing. “What is going on? Henry, you were the one who told us Eric was sleeping with his co-worker.”
He rolled his eyes, “The moment I saw HIM!” He glared at Speed. “I had to find a way in, and you pathetic muggles were perfect.”
Calleigh glanced over at a worried Horatio. “Why would you want Speed?” she demanded.
“Don’t even try to deny it, you did a great job hiding him, but you should have changed his looks.” Henry stared at Speed. “The moment I saw him I knew who he was, and don’t think for a moment killing me will make it go away. I’ve already contacted others and they are on their way.”
“Who is he talking about?” Eric asked, looking between Calleigh and Horatio.
“Me,” Speed answered simply
“Why does he want you?” He glanced over at his lover.
“Because I’m Harry Potter.”
***
The room went silent.
Eric turned towards Speed and stared. “What?”
“My master will be avenged!” He lunged for Speed, Eric jumped in front of him and pushed him back.
Calleigh knocked him to the floor, her foot slamming into his chest, gun aimed between his eyes. “Now be good and stay put.”
“Mudblood.”
“Ooh I’m scared.” The blonde dug her heel down.
“You will all die.” He struggled.
“Jeeze, you would think after a decade they would come up with better lines than that.” The blonde looked over at the others. “What do you want to do with him, Horatio? For that matter, them?” She pointed at the still stunned Delko family.
“Aurors should be arriving soon.” Horatio glanced over at a shell-shocked family. “Meantime bind him with a spell and there really is only one option.”
Eric felt Speed move away from them; he turned to see him leaning up against the wall, his head in his hands. “You lied to me?”
“I didn’t know, remember.” He ran a hand through his hair as he slid against the wall to the floor. All of Eric’s anger melted away; Speed needed him. He sat down next to him and pulled him into his arms, rocking him gently.
Eric didn’t know how much time passed; Speed had fallen asleep in his arms. He looked up as Horatio squatted down in front of them. “Let’s get him home and into bed, then we can talk.”
“Damn right we’re talking,” Eric growled slightly. “Everything you told me was a lie.”
“Everything said and done was to protect him.” He pulled Speed up and into his arms, careful not to disturb him. If Speed had broken the memory shield, he was being inundated with memories from his life. Add on the massive amount of over time he put in over the past few days, it was no wonder he finally succumbed and fell into a deep sleep. At the moment it would take a lot to wake him up, which Horatio had no intention of doing; he needed the rest, physically and mentally.
“Alexx is already at the house.” Calleigh stepped up towards them. “I just talked with our friends back home. It’s out.”
“Let’s go home and figure what we’ll do next.”
Horatio’s Home
Alexx checked over her baby, talking softly to soothe him when he got agitated. Once she determined he was just physically and emotionally exhausted, she let him sleep and joined the rest in the living room.
“He’s sleeping peacefully.” Alexx set her bags down. “I did a full scan; the memory shields are gone.”
“How did he break through them?” Calleigh asked, sitting down.
“Hedwig,” Horatio said simply as he stared out the window.
“She was here?” Alexx asked, shocked.
“So the owl was …” Eric looked at the three. “That’s it, explain to me what’s going on. You’re all wizards?”
“Actually a witch.” Calleigh smiled at him. “It’s not like we kept you in the dark on purpose, Eric; the main goal was to protect Speed.”
“Who’s Harry Potter.”
“Yes.” Horatio turned towards him. “But he didn’t know it. We had memory blocks on him. He was simply living the life of Timothy Speedle, a wizard who left the wizarding world.”
“Why?” Eric sat back taking it all in. “And how do you all fit into it?”
“You read the books.” Alexx leaned over and patted his arms.
“But you said they weren’t accurate,” he pointed out.
“They aren’t.” Calleigh shook her head. “And when I get a hold of him…” She growled lightly.
Horatio turned towards the girls. “Eric, Alexx is Poppy and Calleigh is Hermione.”
Eric’s jaw dropped.
“Horatio, we’re going to leave you two to talk.” Alexx cupped Eric’s cheek and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Let H explain, sugar.”
“We’ll talk tomorrow.” Horatio nodded towards them.
“I’m going to see about getting us home.” Calleigh smiled at the two of them. “Take care of both of them.”
Horatio waved as both women apparated out of the room. Eric just looked over at Horatio, his mouth opening and closing. Horatio leaned over and with a finger closed the mouth then kissed the soft lips. His tongue swiped over them seeking entrance. Eric moaned slightly, opening up as the kiss deepened. He pulled the redhead into his lap, his hands slipping under the soft silk dress shirt. Horatio pulled back, panting softly; he cupped Eric’s cheeks and gave him another sweet kiss.
“I love you.”
Eric looked up into the clear blue eyes, seeing the truth that was in them. Horatio had never said those words to him; he knew the older man cared for him, but didn’t know if the feelings went any deeper.
“I didn’t initially lie to you to keep you in the dark.” He stood back up and held a hand out to Eric. “Speed’s protection was my top priority; the fewer people who knew the full truth, the safer he was.”
The younger man took the offered hand and slipped into his lover’s arms. “Was the war that terrible?”
“Yes.” Horatio shuddered. “He had lost everything by the age of twenty. He gave up his childhood, innocence, lover and almost his life. It took Alexx everything she had to save him. There was no doubt in our mind that the wizarding world would end up killing him. Just keep taking and taking until there was nothing left. So we shielded his memory of everything Harry Potter, just giving him glimpse of the war and that he was a wizard, and gave him a life as Timothy Speedle.”
“And all this time you’ve been protecting him?” Eric asked.
“We all have, Calleigh, Alexx, and me.” He pulled back and kissed him on the forehead. “Let’s go lay down with Speed.”
“So the books are a diversion, because Speed doesn’t have green eyes or wear glasses. And the description of Hermione is a bit off from Calleigh…”
“Don’t get her started.” Horatio laughed lightly. “The books were written as a way of dealing with the situation. The myth instead of the truth. The hero’s tale.”
“He’s in danger now.” Eric looked over at their sleeping lover. “I’m taking ‘Henry’ was a Death Eater.”
“Yes, and that note I got was warning us that someone had spotted him.” Horatio looked over at Eric.
Eric sat down on the bed. “Now what?”
“Tonight we rest and tomorrow we take him home.” Horatio slipped out of his clothes and into the bed pulling Speed into his arms.
London, England
Eric and Horatio had woken up to find Speed missing. After a frantic search they found him sitting on the beach, watching the waves. He hadn’t responded to either of them; Eric sat down next to him giving comfort by his presence. Speed just laid his head on Eric’s shoulder and didn’t say a word. Eric held him close then held up his hand to the still standing redhead. Horatio took the offered hand and sat down next to his lovers, knowing the moment they stepped on that plane nothing would be the same.
Soon after, the three had finished packing their bags and headed for the airport. Speed still hadn’t said anything, just kept to himself and looked out the window. Eric sat next to him through the long flight and held his hand, giving quiet support. Horatio watched with concern. He was worried about how quiet Speed was, how was he dealing with the memories coming back, worried he would hate him for deceiving him.
There was a car waiting to take them to Kings Cross Station. Speed leaned up against Horatio and slipped his hand into the red hair, whispering softly into his ear, “I love you.”
Horatio closed his eyes and released the feeling of love in those three words. He turned and looked into the soft brown eyes. “I love you, too.”
“Come on, let’s go; it will be good to see Hogwarts again.” Speed smiled as he stepped into the car and sat next to Eric, taking his hand. “I can’t wait to show you around. Wonder if Dobby is still there…” His face broke out into a huge grin. “I can go flying…”
Horatio groaned. “Can we avoid any Quidditch accidents in the first few weeks at least.”
“None of those accidents were my fault,” he pouted.
Eric was happy to see Speed smiling again. “Okay, so if you’re Harry Potter, why Speed?”
“Speed was actually his nickname,” Calleigh said, “for his Quidditch playing.”
“Someone needs to sit down with me and tell me what’s real and what’s fiction.” He looked over at his lovers. “Where does H fit into this? With the red hair and all…” He frowned at Speed’s sudden dark expression. “See, this is why I need to know these things; I just make things worse.”
Speed took his hand and kissed it. “It’s okay. No, Horatio is not a Weasley; you just brought up memories of Ron.”
“So he is real…” Eric felt the mood shift. “He died?”
“Voldemort killed him to get to me,” Speed growled lightly. “Thought if he killed my lover it would break me.”
“Instead he destroyed Voldemort.” Calleigh sighed; she still missed her friend.
Horatio leaned over and kissed Speed on the forehead. He turned and looked at him. “I want to visit his grave. I never got the chance.”
“We will I promise.” The redhead ran his hand through the dark locks as the car pulled up to the cub.
“We’re here.” Alexx looked over at her baby. “Are you ready?”
Harry looked out of the car to the entrance to King’s Cross Station. “Yes.”