Harry Potter and the Four Guardians

Harry Potter and the Four Guardians

Chapter Fifteen: Nightmares and Interludes

By: Elf

"Something's bothering me," Forest stated.

Snape nodded as he carefully added lemon grass into the potion he was brewing. The thick, bubbling liquid popped, swirled, and turned as liquid as water and the color of a fresh lime. He continued stirring it thoughtfully, inhaling the fresh scent and enjoying himself.

"Hello, I said something's bothering me," Forest growled.

Snape looked up at the irate vampire, who was sitting on one of his tables and watching him. Her long legs were curled beneath her and her long, golden hair was piled in a careless pony tail. He looked down at the potion and continued to stir it.

He heard a soft thud on the ground and looked as something grabbed his collar. She growled, "I'm worried about something."

"Forest, I'm busy right now. If you disturb me, this potion will not brew correctly and all my work would be for nothing," he retorted as he slapped her pale hand away.

Forest sighed, "I'm worried about Duo."

Snape stiffened as he pointed his wand at the fire and stilled it. He looked up at her and asked, "What is it?"

"He's not sleeping. Period. At least I don't think so. He comes to me, looking half crazed and says that he needs to blow up something. I've had to remake eighteen targets in the past week because he literally blew the fuck out of them," Forest explained as she rocked back and forth on her heels.

Snape asked, "When did this start?"

"The night after the Quidditch match," Forest answered, scrunching up her Aristocratic nose.

He grabbed her wrist and said, "We're going out to the field. I need your eyes."

"Hey, this better not be some funky potion that you're planning," Forest warned, "Because wand or not, I could . . ."

He looked back at her and chided, "You talk needlessly." He started to drag her out of the room. She easily jerked her wrist out of his grasp.

She snapped, "I'm not one of your students to chide at."

"Could have fooled me, come on, Forest," Snape told her as he made his way out of the classroom.

******

The pair of dark-green eyes looked thoughtful as their owner leveled his Glock at the messy dark-brown hair of one stoic, antisocial pilot. Heero glared up and sneered, "Do it, Trowa."

Trowa Barton, a name not even belong to the older boy, frowned. He gently pulled the Safety back and murmured, "I'm sorry Heero."

"Just shut up and do it," Heero growled, his messy hair falling into his fathomless dark blue eyes. He looked up unflinchingly, almost welcoming his own death.

Trowa said, "You couldn't do this alone, Heero. Why did you even try?" He was garbed in the uniform of the fascist Barton group, his betrayal cutting deep.

Heero answered, "The one person I could count on is gone, Trowa."

"I can't believe that you actually trusted that idiot, practically getting captured at every turn," Trowa snorted.

Heero growled, "Are you going to shoot me or not? I'm growing tired of waiting."

"Show your loyalty, No-Name, kill him," Dekium Barton [1] stated, placing a hand on Trowa's slender shoulder.

Trowa spun around and pointed his gun at Barton. He stated, "Have all of your men drop their weapons and let Heero go and I'll let you live."

"You'll never get away with this," Barton hissed as Heero stood up and ran through the guards. He was going to get to the nearest mobile suit and use it to blow up Barton's forces. Or perhaps he would find this Mariemyia and kill her. Killing a child should be fairly easy, he reasoned as he disarmed a guard and stole his Glock.

He could save Relena if he killed Mariemyia, he reasoned as he ran. Relena. He would save her.

He opened the door to a room away from the forum. It was the master bedroom. Sitting at the desk was a little girl with a shock of red hair and pale blue eyes. Standing at the desk, watching him with wondering eyes was Relena.

"Heero?" she called out hopefully.

Heero looked at her and instructed, "Get ready to run, Relena."

Relena nodded and ran to his side. She desperately reached for his hand and he took hers. He pointed his gun at the girl and stated, "I can't let you live."

"Heero, no," Relena pleaded, "She's just a child."

"Yuy, you'll never learn," a familiar, arrogant voice taunted. Heero felt the cold, sharp blade poke his neck and he froze. He turned his head back to see Wufei Chang standing there, holding his scimitar at Heero's throat.

Heero gasped, "Wufei?"

The Chinese boy smiled and replied, "Good call, Heero. Making your escape with the girl."

Duo, where the hell have you been? I need you, Heero thought desperately.

Wufei ordered, "Drop the gun, Yuy."

It clattered to the floor and Heero attacked. He was using his typical Akeido movements, planning to disarm Wufei and knock him out. Except Wufei was trained in much more intense Chinese martial arts.

The dark boy gracefully swerved and drew up his blade.

Heero felt his eyes widen as he felt it slide roughly into his body. He felt his hot blood bubble and froth at his mouth. He heard Relena call out his name as he crumbled to the floor. He saw her beautiful face and wonderful blue eyes as she caught him. Her blond hair fell around her face as tears well up in her eyes.

"Relena," he whispered as he reached out and touched her face.

"Heero!" Duo screamed as he shot up from his bed. He was shaking and his body was covered in cold sweat. He wrapped his arms around himself as he looked around, remembering he was in the Gryffindor dorm.

Neville only whimpered and rolled back over. "Duo?" Harry asked in a groggy voice as he sat up, his raven hair in even more a disarray than normal. In the bed beside Harry, Ron snored quite loudly.

Duo tried to plaster a false smile on his face. He whispered, "Go back to sleep, Harry. I just need to go out. That's all."

Harry yawned as he asked, "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Naw, buddy. It's cool, go back to sleep," Duo replied with a huge grin, These demons are my own, Hero Boy. I have to fight them.

He walked over to the mirror and studied himself. He had been having these nightmares for the past four nights. The situations were always different, but the outcome was always the same. Heero always died. In some of the dreams Trowa and Wufei killed him, in others, like the first, it was in a hopeless battle.

They all had something in common, like that brat with the bright red hair (no offence to the lovely Ginny or her scary brothers) and the old tyrant named Dikeum Barton. Some of them involved a colony crashing into Earth, sending it into another Ice Age and wiping most of the human race out. Some involved both Trowa and Wufei betraying Heero and Quatre with Trowa turning back at the end to help Heero fruitlessly. Some of them included those monstrous Wanna-Be Heavyarms mobile suits that were armed to the teeth with missiles and Gatling rifles that over powered the Gundams in their sheer numbers, finally whittling them away to just Heero being able to fight.

And the last thing that they had in common was that, in his own way, Duo could have prevented the events from happening.

Duo sighed and walked out of the dorm, the Commons, and into the school. He wondered if there was anyway he could get back home, just for a little while at least, and save Heero. He was supposed to have all this power, but where was the evidence of it. He could brew mean potions, but that wasn't much.

Oh, and there was the whole Shadow Walking thing that he was doing now and being able to control ghosts.

He was a mess. Heero's eyes kept flashing in his mind, over and over again. The suicidal bastard. He snorted as he continued to walk to the castle's lower levels.

He reached Forest's dungeon and looked in. There was no music and it was empty. "Forest," he called out quietly as he peered around hopefully. All he saw was endless darkness.

He sighed and walked to the Potions Classroom. He noticed that Snape had placed a Time-Freezing Charm on a potion he was brewing. From the rich, citric smell of it, it had to either a Vitimous Potion or a nifty drink. Vitimous Potion was given to people with scurvy and helped boost people's immune systems up too. Like a quick dose of Vitamin C.

"Sev?" he called out, peering around hopefully, wishing he could tell Snape about his nightmares. He knew Snape would understand. Snape was just cool like that. There was nothing except quiet and the simmering potion.

Wrapping his arms around himself, he sighed and walked out of the room, wishing he could get these visions out of his head.

******

Harry looked over at Duo. He was staring into his porridge as if was going to tell him something very important. Harry recognized the Brooding Pose at once as Duo sighed and switched placing his chin into his other palm.

He knew that Heero was the name of Duo's best friend from where he was from. The name he had shouted out in anguish last night, waking him up. Harry had tried talking to Duo, but, Duo being Duo, brushed him off probably to go find Forest and go to the firing range again. Except Harry hadn't heard the tale tell shots being fired and when he had looked out his window this morning, all the targets still had their heads and stomachs in tact.

Duo tapped his spoon against his porridge, at least moving. Harry knew that hyper Duo couldn't stay still for long. Hermione peered at him and asked, "Are you all right, Duo?"

Duo jumped as if he had been shot. Harry was relieved that he didn't reach for his wand and try to curse Hermione. Duo grumbled, "Yeah, great."

"You look like a zombie," Ron bluntly told him with a mouth full of toast, "Or like someone killed your puppy or something."

Duo actually stirred his spoon in his bowl and tried to take a bite of the food. He grimaced and set the spoon back down, frowning. Harry said, "You had a nightmare last night. Do you wanna talk about it?"

"I have nightmares all the time, Harry. This one's no different than the others," Duo grumbled as he stood up. He started to walk away from the table when he ran smack into Hotaru Tomoe.

The girl's eyes widened as she looked up at Duo. Harry was surprised that Malfoy wasn't attached to her waist like always. She pushed her raven hair out of her face and asked, "Duo?"

"What?" Duo growled, looking down at her.

Harry blinked. In the months that he knew Duo, Duo was never mean or short tempered toward a girl. Except Forest, but that didn't really count. Duo was always the happiest when he had a group of girls around him pleading their affection for him. He lived for the attention and flirted with each of them, even the extremely ugly ones like Millicent Bulstrode. Duo Maxwell had this innate ability to make any female feel good about herself and blush, giggle, and titter like a young girl.

Apparently, Duo didn't want to use his ability today.

Hotaru peered at him as she gently laid her Potions and Arithmancy books on the table. She answered, "You look awful pale, Duo. Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, peachy keen," Duo barked as he started to move away from her.

She grabbed his wrist and then placed a pale hand on his forehead. Duo froze and stared down at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. She backed away and said, "You don't have a fever. Maybe you should see Madam Pomfrey though."

"I'm fine," Duo replied, a little more gently, "Just not being able to sleep that's all, Hotaru." He gently moved her hand from his face. He gave her his flashing grin and added, "Thanks for asking, though." With that, he strode away, his robes swinging around him.

Ron leaned over and whispered, "Maybe she's the reason that Duo's been acting so weird lately."

Hermione rolled her eyes and asked, "What makes you say that?"

"He likes her," Harry answered, "A lot." He remembered their fevered kiss before Duo was about to give himself up to the vampires. Luckily, Snape and the others had arrived in time before they could take him away.

Hermione paused thoughtfully before saying, "Duo's a flirt. He's a tease. We all know that."

"And who's the only girl that Duo hasn't really flirted with?" Harry asked, watching as Malfoy strode over to the table, looking a little confused. Hotaru gave him a small smile as the pale boy reached her. Trunks, who had paused feeding his face, watched both of them intensely.

Hermione paused and answered, "Hotaru and Ginny."

Harry froze at Ginny's name. Maybe Duo liked Ginny and not Hotaru or . . . Hell, this was becoming very confusing.

Ron asked, "Why is Duo heading toward the dungeons? We don't have Potions today."

******

"We are going to talk about dreams today," Professor Trelawney stated in her misty voice. She looked around the class, her eyes focusing on Duo and Harry. Duo was staring at his textbook and Harry was looking between the teacher and his friend. Ron looked rather confused. Trunks was helping Neville to keep from dropping his tea cup.

Lavender and Parvati looked over at them with wide eyes.

Trelawney studied Duo thoughtfully and said, "You've been having trouble sleeping, haven't you dear?"

Duo grumbled, "Geeze, what gave that away, the bags under my eyes or the crabbiness?"

Harry gave Duo a hard elbow to the side. Duo's eyes widened as he looked at Harry. Harry answered, "Yes, he has."

"Thanks," Duo growled, glaring at him with eyes that resembled violet ice.

Ron whispered, "Harry only wants to help. We all do."

Trunks asked, "What about dreams, Professor?"

"Well, dear, they can tell the future or give clues into past mysteries. Would anybody like to share their dreams?" Trelawney asked in her misty voice.

Neville lifted his hand and Trelawney asked, "Yes, dear?"

"I have dreams about Snape locking me up in the dungeons and making me brew potions forever," Neville squeaked in a shiver. Trunks patted him on the back and Neville beamed up at him. Trunks always had a habit of protecting weaker people, Harry noticed, and had Crabbe and Goyle completely terrified of him.

Trelawney sighed and answered, "That dream stems from your fear of the dear Professor Snape. You fear of failure, dear. Anyone else?"

Ron lifted his hand and answered, "I have this dream of my mum. She's really huge and plowing through Muggle London while shouting, 'Fred, George, what are you doing! Leave your brother and sister alone!' Then, Fred and George grow larger than her and give her a chocolate, which turns her into a pig."

Harry blinked in surprise and Duo asked, "What the hell are you smoking, pal?"

Trelawney's eyes widened as she looked at Ron thoughtfully. She answered, "Your brothers and mother have conflicted about where they want to direct their lives, correct?"

"Yeah, they want to form a joke shop but Mum doesn't want them to do that," Ron answered, nodding enthusiastically, trying to keep the smile from growing across his features.

Trelawney smiled and said, "Your dream means that they will succeed in their endeavors, therefore, proving your mother wrong, darling."

"Fred and George will be pleased to hear that," Ron replied with a happy grin.

She looked at Duo and asked, "And what do you dream, dear?"

"You don't want to know," Duo grumbled as he tapped his quill against his parchment, leaving a splotch of raven ink in its wake.

Harry studied Duo thoughtfully. Even his braid looked limp and brooding. Harry asked, "Are there any spells that could make a person have nightmares?" Duo glared at him again and Harry ignored it.

"That is something you would have to ask Professor Pluto, Harry. The Dark Arts are not my specialty," Trelawney answered thoughtfully.

Duo finally looked up and asked, "What does it mean when the nightmares a person is having are all different, but there are many similarities and the ending's the same?"

"How do they end, dear?" she pressed, peering at him.

Duo swallowed and answered, "In death."

"Your death?" Trelawney asked, studying him thoughtfully.

Duo fiercely shook his head and answered, "I'm pretty hard to kill, Professor. Besides, I didn't say that the dreams were mine. But for the theory, let's say a best friend slash brother type."

"What are the similarities in the dream other than the death of a loved one?" she asked, peering at him.

Harry watched, wanting to listen, wanting to help. Duo sighed and answered, "The people responsible for his death, I guess, and that if the person dreaming the dream could stop the events if they were there."

"The visions are a warning, dear. They're telling you that you can prevent these events from happening, Duo. That's a good thing. You can stop this tragedy from happening. Most people are not so fortunate," Trelawney explained with a smile. She looked up at the clock and said, "Oh, dear, I'm sorry, but class must end. I want you to write a Dream Journal and we will interpret the dreams in class as your homework."

Harry looked over at Duo, who was gathering his books with a grim determination. He, Ron, and Duo made their way to Hagrid's. Duo said, "I have to get back to my dimension."

"This is your dimension, Duo. Remember what Dumbledore told you, you were hidden there to keep Voldemort from finding you," Harry pointed out as Hermione joined them.

Hermione asked, "Why are you three so serious?"

"Duo wants to go back to that dimension that Professor G hid him in with the moving suits and Gaurdums," Ron answered in a rush.

"Mobile suits and Gundams," Duo hissed as he crossed his arms.

Hermione's eyes widened as she cried, "Duo, are you insane? The Dark Lord would be able to grab you within an instant there! You can't just endanger yourself like that."

"I can't sit back and watch as my best friend dies," Duo growled, slapping a tree trunk.

Harry asked, "Isn't this the friend that was practically unkillable?"

"Yeah, Heero," Duo answered fondly, grinning wryly.

Harry asked, "Why are you worried then? If Heero was as tough and dangerous as you said, then he can take care of himself."

"Yeah, but Heero can't think quickly. He can't think on his feet. It's either he does it his way or he dies. Luckily, I was there on several occasions to bail his ass out of danger," Duo answered grimly.

Hermione asked, "Besides, how would you get back there?"

"I'll figure something out, I always do," Duo answered darkly.

******

He couldn't do anything else. Quatre was held at a stalemate, Heavyarms had crumbled to the ground in an array of sparks, and Nataku was disarmed. Heero called out, "Trowa, you there?"

"Heero, this is it, we've lost," Trowa's grim voice answered, his dark-green eyes flashing.

Heero asked, "Quatre, report?"

"Heero, I can't get Sandrock to respond," Quatre grunted, his cherubic face flushed with concentration.

Finally, "Wufei?"

"Damn them. I will not lose like this," Wufei growled, shaking his fist angrily.

Heero grabbed the self-detonation device and held it in his hand. He licked his lips and looked at it thoughtfully. He closed his eyes and thought about Relena and Duo. Relena, who was trapped in that nightmare and Duo who was only God knew where.

"Good bye," he whispered before the world shattered into light.

Duo jerked awake, covered in the cold sweat. He was filled with purpose and he'd knock out Harry to get what he needed done. He rose up from his bed and dressed. He quietly grabbed his wand and made his way out of the dorm.

He was surprised to see a head of flame red hair bent over a book. Ginny was snoring softly before she jerked, moaned, and sat up. The pair of amber brown eyes looked up at him worriedly. "Duo?" she asked as she yawned.

Harry was an idiot to ignore this wonderful girl.

Duo walked over to her and sat down beside her. Ginny sat up and pushed her Care of Magical Creature's textbook away. She asked, "Duo, are you all right?"

"No, Red, I'm not," he confessed in a shaky voice, "I have to get home."

Ginny's eyes widened as she asked, "Your dimension?"

"Yeah," Duo croaked, scratching his head.

Ginny asked, "Why?"

"Because my best friend will die if I don't, Red. I don't want him to die, Gin. I've already lost too many people because of me. I'm cursed," he confessed with a sigh.

She reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. She replied, "Duo, you're not a curse."

"Yeah, Red, I am," he argued, not able to meet her face, "And I have to get back and become the God of Death again to save my friend."

Ginny smiled brightly and gently lifted Duo's face so he could look at all of those freckles, long, gorgeous red hair, and those big, honey brown eyes. She pushed his bangs from his face and said, "Duo, let me help then."

He gave a shaky laugh and wrapped his arms around her in a hug. He rubbed her back and stroked her hair, thinking, Harry, if I come back, I'm going to kick your ass for letting a girl like this go to waste. "Thanks, Red," he whispered as he hugged her.

******

"Duo's been having nightmares," Forest told Setsuna with a scowl. Snape was standing beside the blond vampire, making a very unusual pair, yet very fitting.

Setsuna sighed and asked, "Well, what do you want me to do about it?"

"It's been after that damned Quidditch match," Snape snorted in disgust.

Setsuna's eyes widened as she remembered Trunks seeing Malfoy plant something on the field. She went still as the vampire and the wizard watched her. Snape asked, "What is it, Setsuna?"

"Trunks saw Draco Malfoy plant something onto the field before the match. He found dungbombs and I thought it was only a prank," Setsuna answered with a dawning realization, "We need to go . . ."

Snape broke in, "We already have, Lady Pluto. Forest even assisted me and we found nothing out of the ordinary."

Setsuna frowned as she started to pace around her room. She fingered her transformation wand and wondered if she should turn back time. She could stop Malfoy from doing whatever he had did and prevent Duo's nightmares.

She asked, "Are there spells that cause nightmares?"

Snape nodded and answered, "Of course there are and there are potions that do the same thing, Pluto."

"Weren't they studying dreams today in the Quack's class?" Forest asked, pushing her hair out of her face.

Snape scowled and answered, "Yes, they were."

"And Malfoy . . . Hey, isn't that the name of one of Voldemort's Ass Lickers?" Forest asked, her indigo eyes widening.

Setsuna gasped and said, "We have to find Duo, now."

"Good, because he's looking for a way to get back to his home dimension," Harry Potter said as he appeared from no where.

*******

Harry slid out of his Invisibility Cloak as he said, "Good, because he's looking for a way to get back to his home dimension." He had woken up to use the loo and found Duo's bed empty with sweat stains. He had came to the dungeons and found Snape's classroom empty as well as Forest's room.

He had wandered to Setsuna's room when he had heard what Snape, Forest, and Setsuna were talking about. That's when he entered the room, hoping to help and stop Duo at the same time. Setsuna's brown eyes were wide as she looked at Harry and Forest whistled, "Damn, I want an Invisibility Cloak."

Snape glared and coldly asked, "What are you doing here, Potter?"

"Shut up, didn't you just hear him say that Duo's planning to make a break for it," Forest chided, placing her hands on her slim hips and glaring. She turned back to Harry and asked, "Okay, kiddo, why?"

Harry took a deep breath and told her about Trelawney's lesson, Duo's question, and Trelawney's answer. He ended by saying, "He's pretty determined to get back there, Forest. He believes that he can help his friends."

Snape frowned and sneered, "Voldemort has found that Duo has a weakness then."

"His loyalty and compassion," Setsuna sighed as she rubbed her temples. Harry could see why Trunks was so infatuated with her. She was quite striking with her long, swirling dark green hair and long, clean, supple limbs.

Forest sighed, "And his need to be the hero."

Harry fumbled with his Cloak for a moment before asking, "Shouldn't we go look for him?"

Snape looked over at Forest and asked, "Can you find him?"

Forest looked thoughtful as she answered, "Probably. Duo's got a very unusual life force that I'd recognize almost anywhere. Like Harry here. It's power, Severus, and I can probably sense it."

Harry asked, "You can do that?"

"I'm a vampire, kiddo. It's sort of the job to be able to sense life essences and others. It helps us hunt and warns us when someone's hunting us. Even though I can shield my presence," Forest explained as she closed her eyes.

Harry waited and looked at Setsuna, who had her arms crossed around her chest then to Snape who was watching the vampire intently. He asked, "What are we going to do when we find Duo?"

"Beat some sense into him," Forest answered as she opened her eyes, "He's in the Library with a girl."

Harry blinked and asked, "Do you know who?"

"Nope, but Duo's fond of her," Forest answered as she walked toward the door.

Setsuna asked, "Should we get Malfoy?"

"Not until we know what is causing Duo's nightmares," Snape answered stiffly as he swept to the door.

Harry thought about the angry, threatening looks that Trunks had been giving Malfoy lately. He said, "Let's get Trunks before we do."

As they walked to the Library, Snape asked, "Potter, do you think you can talk Duo out of this?"

"I've already tried. Hermione and Ron already tried. And Duo wasn't listening," Harry answered crossly as he tried to keep up with Forest's long stride.

Snape sighed and asked, "Do you know of someone that he'd listen to?"

"He likes Hotaru," Harry answered without realizing it, still wondering who Duo was with.

"The girl that Malfoy's seeing?" Snape asked, "One of the Guardians?"

Setsuna stiffened and turned around. She started jogging toward the Gryffindor Tower as she shouted, "I'm going to get her."

Harry nodded and answered, "Yes, that's her."

"Who's Malfoy anyway?" Forest asked as she took a glance back at teacher and student.

Harry bit his lip to keep his answer of, He's a giant prat, that's all. A wanker who's mean and thinks less of the people who are Muggle born. Snape answered, "A Slytherin boy who's father is one of Voldemort's Death Eaters, but I don't think that he's part of it."

"Then you haven't been paying too much attention to your house," Harry sneered icily as Snape whirled at him.

Snape stated, "You dare challenge me, Potter?"

"You don't know what Malfoy's said to Hermione, to us, what he said about Cedric," Harry replied as he crossed his arms and glared.

Snape said coldly, "Enlighten me, Mr. Potter."

"He said that the mudbloods and the Muggle lovers would be the first to die, after Cedric and that I should have chosen my friends more wisely," Harry answered, looking the glaring professor in the eyes.

Snape visibly stiffened at Harry's accusing of his favorite student. Harry watched as Snape took this in and tried to sort the information out. Harry went on, "Malfoy was one of the Death Eaters. Voldemort talked to him by name, Snape."

"He's telling the truth," Forest stated quietly as they finally reached the Library.

Snape's nostrils flared as his black eyes glittered. He replied, "I know he is, Forest."

"You hoped that you would save the boy, didn't you?" Forest asked kindly as her long hand rested on the door. Harry rolled his eyes. Malfoy wouldn't want to be saved . . . Then he remembered the sad, desperate look he was giving Hotaru.

Harry watched as Snape sighed and nodded. He answered, "Yes, I did. Draco Malfoy has a keen mind and I didn't want to see it go to waste."

"Do you want to see Duo in Voldemort's clutches as a living weapon?" Harry inquired as he crossed his arms defiantly, daring the professor to say other wise.

Snape looked weary. All of his spite and loathing had dropped from his body. He no longer looked cruel or evil, just tired and weary. Like Sirius did when Harry first met him. He realized that the two men were a lot more alike then they would admit and shuddered at the realization.

His godfather and Snape alike?

What was he thinking?

Forest opened the door and Harry pulled out his wand when he saw the dementor looming over Ginny and Duo's sleeping forms.

******

"Where are you going?" Trunks asked. He had sensed Setsuna in his sleep as she entered the Tower and woke up. He had felt her presence to to the girl's dorm and awake Hotaru. Hotaru looked a little groggy and Setsuna looked panicked.

Setsuna answered, "Duo's been having nightmares and is planning to go back home. We need to stop him."

"What do you think is causing the nightmares?" Trunks asked as he floated over to the two Scouts. He picked up Hotaru in one arm and Setsuna in the other. He was very aware of her lifeforce, smell, and body as she wrapped an arm around his neck.

She was very warm against him and she smelled like ginger and honey. Her almond shape brown eyes looked at him and Trunks controlled himself. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to do much more than that.

Setsuna swallowed before answering, "Draco Malfoy."

"You can't be serious, Draco wouldn't do something like that," Hotaru protested.

Trunks glared at her as he flew out the window. He knew where the library window was and knew that flying outside the castle would be the fastest way to get there. He replied, "Your Malfoy isn't as good as you'd believe, Hotaru."

"He's not perfect, but he's trying," Hotaru defended, her violet eyes blazing.

Setsuna sighed, "We think he may be an unknowing pawn in a larger game."

"So, he's still responsible," Trunks growled as he flew into the library. He was angry and was planning on different ways to kill one Draco Malfoy. Then he was going to go after this Voldemort guy personally.

Except he wasn't prepared for the tall, lanky, raven cloaked figure that turned toward him.

Trunks' eyes slowly opened. He sat up, trying to remember what had happened. He remembered arguing with Gohan about fighting the androids. Then Gohan had knocked him out.

The rain was pouring down and thunder was crashing in the distance. Trunks stood up and ran down the hillside, screaming, "Gohan! Gohan, where are you!"

The city was in ruins and still some of the fires from the battle raged despite the fact that it was pouring down rain. Trunks peered around the ruins, the rain pelting down his hair over his face. He blew it out of his eyes as he tried to link onto Gohan's ki.

******

"No!" Trunks shouted as he cupped his hands together, forming a massive ball of energy. Harry watched as Trunks tried to blast the dementor as he did the boggart. The thing only absorbed the energy and approached Trunks.

Trunks screamed, "I won't watch it happen again, damn you!" He fired at the dementor again. It kept coming at him, feeding off the energy.

Forest whispered, "Oh, my gosh . . ."

Harry and Snipe drew out their wands at the same time. Harry shouted, "Expecto Patronum!" Snape did the same. Harry watched as the silver stag formed from his wand and butted at the dementor. Strangely enough, what looked like a giant, silver lily attacked the dementor from Snape's wand.

The dementor gave a chilling sound and drifted away, dropping something on the floor. Harry walked over and picked it up. It was a round object, like a combination lock almost with tiny moons carved all around it. He turned the gold dial over to see a tiny dragon carved in the back.

Snape gasped, "Well, I'll be damned."

Duo and Ginny woke up at the same time. Ginny shouted, "Harry!" She then flung herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around him for just a moment before letting go. He strangely felt the loss and almost wished that she'd do it again.

He asked, "What happened?"

"It was horrible, Harry. It was Tom Riddle and he had me again and you didn't make it this time and . . ." she broke off, her brown eyes wide and frightened.

Duo asked, "What the hell was that and what the hell are you holding?"

"That was a dementor, Duo. A creature that lives off of negative emotions like fear and anguish. It also causes its victim to see their lives worst moments over and over again just to feed on the emotions," Snape answered as he looked at the object that Harry was holding.

Snape asked, "May I see that, Potter?"

Harry gave it to the other man and asked, "What is it?"

"It really doesn't have a name, probably the first of it's kind, but I recognize the symbols though," Snape answered thoughtfully.

Harry asked, "Aren't they the symbols for thoughts?"

"And manipulation," Forest added as she peered over at it.

Setsuna asked, "And what is the dragon on there for?"

"Probably Malfoy's," Trunks snorted.

Snape sighed, "Lucius Malfoy's symbol was always a dragon. It's his and his specialties in the Dark Arts were always thought manipulation."

Hotaru's eyes widened in shock as she leaned against the table. Duo snapped, "You mean the bastard was causing me to dream this?"

"He probably implanted something during the match, while you were in an excited state, that would read your fears and emotions and use them against you. The dementor, along with this device, are the course of your nightmares," Snape answered as he studied the object.

Trunks growled, "He's so dead." Then, in a flash of blue energy, he was gone.

Hotaru gave a startled cry and ran after him. Harry watched as Snape did the same and followed him. He heard Forest and Duo curse and three sets of matching footsteps behind him. Very soon, the blond head passed all of the people running toward the Slytherin commons.

******

Trunks flew into Malfoy's room, alone because he was a perfect, whatever that meant in British terms. Setsuna and Snape were right behind him. The silver haired boy awoke to see Trunks glaring down at him. Trunks grabbed Malfoy by the front of his green silk pajamas and hoisted him off the bed with ease.

"Trunks, don't hurt him," Setsuna warned, reaching out and touching his arm.

Malfoy, impressively enough, sneered, "What do you think you are doing?"

Trunks shook him and growled, "I want answers and I want them now."

Malfoy looked over to where Snape was standing and asked, "Professor, are you going to let him do that?"

"What did you put on the Quidditch field? And I know it was more than mere dungbombs," Snape inquired, crossing his arms.

Malfoy answered, "I'm not sure what it was. My father just told me to put this round object that looked rather like a watch. Anything else? Or would you be so kind to have this ape put me down?"

Trunks grinned savagely as he growled, "Don't call me an ape." He's lucky I wasn't raised by Sayans. I would have ripped his head off.

Snape said, "Put him down, Briefs."

Trunks simply let go. Malfoy crumbled to the ground in an ungraceful heap as he glared up at Trunks. Trunks replied, "Fine."

"If my father hears about this," Malfoy mumbled, glaring up at Trunks as he stood up.

Trunks sneered back down at him, "What, Malfoy? I'm very sure that my father is a thousand times worse than yours."

Snape stated, "Briefs, back off of him. Now."

"Are you going to make me?" Trunks asked almost flippantly as he gathered a ki ball in his left hand.

Suddenly, Setsuna was at his side, putting her hand on his arm. At the contact of her skin, the ki ball vanished as he turned to face her. Her sherry colored eyes were warning and pleading with him. She whispered, "Trunks, he doesn't know. He was merely acting as a pawn for his father's actions."

"Then maybe his father would try to save him when I blast him to Hell," Trunks growled, turning back to Malfoy.

Malfoy glared at him and asked, "Are you even human?"

"I'm very much human on my . . ." Setsuna shook her head with a frown. Trunks sighed and withdrew. He gave Malfoy one last glare as he walked out of the Slytherin dorm room.

******

Harry wanted to know what was going on there. Duo growled, "If Malfoy was the reason I was having those fucking nightmares then I should be the one who kills him."

Ginny's eyes widened as Hotaru looked down at her shoes. Harry wanted to shout at her or something. She should have paid more attention to Duo instead of holding Malfoy's hand as they walked down the hall.

And now Duo was very unstable.

Harry shivered inwardly; he didn't want to see Duo become the Scythe Barer. The thought terrified him. As much as Voldemort getting a hold of him.

Duo started to open the door but Forest pounced on him. She asked Harry, "Shouldn't we get Duo and Red up to Madam Pomfrey?"

"They could use some chocolate," Harry agreed as he looked over at Ginny who was still trembling, probably reliving the horrors of Tom Riddle.

Duo growled, "Screw the chocolate. I want Draco Malfoy's head. I'll show him that you don't fuck with the . . ."

Forest picked him up and slung his squirming body over her right shoulder. She started to walk away. Duo cursed, "Let me go you blood sucking bitch!"

"And for some bizarre reason you have all of the girls here a titter about you, Duo," Forest quipped fondly as she winked at Harry.

Ginny still looked terrified. He told her, "I'm right here, Gin. I'm fine. Tom Riddle's gone." He smiled reassuringly at her and she looked at him with her wide, amber eyes. He suddenly wondered when she suddenly became so pretty or that her freckles brought out the pertness of her nose. She looked so vulnerable then with her red hair falling around her face and wide eyes.

He held out her hand to her and she flung herself into his arms. He wrapped an arm around her as he led her to Madam Pomfrey As they walked, Duo cursed in several different languages, three of which Harry couldn't identify, and Harry noticed that Ginny smelled like vanilla.

******

Duo couldn't scowl due to the piece of chocolate that Forest had shoved into his mouth. Ginny was munching on a large chocolate bar herself, looking much better. Duo took it out and started to stand up. Forest pushed him back on the bed and warned, "Do that again and I'll give you reason to stay in that bed, Duo."

"The bastard gave me nightmares of my best friend dying, Forest, I want payback," Duo growled as he started chewing on the chocolate. His eyes lit up. It was good and warring with the thoughts of foreboding and fear in his system.

Harry sighed, "I wish I knew what was going on there."

"Trunks has probably blown him into oblivion, Harry," Duo grumbled, jealous of Trunks' good fortune.

Ginny stretched on her bed and yawned. Harry looked at her and asked, "Are you all right?"

"I'm feeling better, but who's she? She's not that vampire is she?" Ginny asked peering up at Forest.

Forest grinned and Duo watched in shock as her indigo eyes bled to crimson and her canines lengthened to razor-sharp fangs that ended below her lower lip. Duo gasped, "Holy shit!"

Ginny paled and Harry blinked and rubbed at his glasses. Forest returned back to her normal, beautiful self and answered, "Yeah, I am. I'm here to help protect Duo and Harry from Voldemort."

Harry protested, "I thought you were hired to keep the vampires out."

"Well, kid, you grow on a person," Forest replied with a smile as she reached out and tousled Harry's hair. Harry blushed slightly and looked down at his hands.

Duo laid back in the hospital bed, realizing just how tired he was. He concentrated on his anger at being controlled like that. The hot rush of adrenaline jolted through his body like a shot of lighting. He glared as he sat up in the bed, swinging his feet over the side.

Then, Trunks, Setsuna and Snape walked into the infirmary. Trunks looked angry as hell and he had an aura of blue energy cackling around his muscular form. Duo asked, "Is Malfoy dead?"

"No," Trunks growled, clinching his fists in anger.

Snape glared at the lavender haired warrior and said, "He's innocent. His father was using him."

"He didn't care. I should go back and . . ." Trunks hissed, turning back.

Snape drew his wand and leveled it at Trunks. Snape replied, "You're going to do no such thing. Check on your friend."

"Do you think you could stop me?" Trunks asked with an amused grin.

Snape only glared.

Duo stood up and Setsuna moved closer to Trunks, saying, "Trunks, don't."

"No. Duo's in danger, been manipulated, and tricked into thinking that his friends are dead. Malfoy's dead," Trunks growled.

Snape hissed, "We do not even know the details of that device, Briefs. Calm down."

Setsuna asked, "Do you know who could find out what that device can do?"

Trunks hissed, "Screw the device, Setsuna. I can find Voldemort and perform a Burning Attack and then it would be all over. You can go home and I can go home. Easy as that."

You can go home and I can go home. Easy as that.

Duo looked down at his hands. He didn't have a home. He never had a home. He guessed that this was meant to be his home, but his parents were dead. Where would he go when school was over and the Guardians gone?

He asked, "Then what would I do?"

They all turned to look at Duo as if he was something new. Duo looked at Trunks and said, "I don't have a home to go to. The place I thought as home is somewhere I can't go back to. I'm stuck here, Trunks with these nightmares and . . ." He sighed defeated.

Harry and Ginny reached out and each touched a shoulder. He looked at both of them, into Ginny's amber brown eyes and Harry's startlingly green ones. Harry's face was serious while Ginny was smiling kindly and fondly at him.

Ginny said, "You are my best friend Duo. You always have a home with me. I don't think mum would mind another boy to mother over. Especially as charming as you."

"And you're not alone, Duo. Voldemort wants me as badly as he does you. I use to think that I'm alone in this. I'm glad I'm not. You're an okay chap, mate, and if you do something stupid I'll sic Forest on you. It's good to be not the only person Voldemort's after, have someone else know what it's like. Besides, I need someone to help me with Potions," Harry replied with a wiry grin.

Duo suddenly recognized what Harry was. Harry was a hero. A true, honest to gosh Hero that needed a sword and a suit of armor. That's what Harry was.

Then Harry said, "And now you have a chance to get Hotaru to notice you."

"I'd put on those dragon skin pants of yours pretty soon if I were you," Ginny added with a wicked grin.

Duo grinned and hugged them both. Forest smirked and asked, "Aren't you the God of Death?"

Duo's grin turned wicked. He was the God of Death. The Shinigami. And he was back from Hell and wasn't going to go down without a fight.

He looked at Snape and asked, "Can you figure that thing out?"

"This is not my specialty, but I know who can," Snape answered as he studied the golden object.

Setsuna asked Trunks, "Can you not kill Malfoy? We need you."

"And Voldemort isn't forgiving. He'd use the Avada Kedavra curse on you in an instant," Snape warned, "You need us to protect him, so quit being so blasted headstrong and stupid."

Trunks looked visibly calmer. Duo quipped, "Come on, Trunks, group hug?"

Forest reached over and hugged Trunks. Trunks stiffened and turned bright crimson. Then, to make things worse, Forest leaned over and kissed his cheek. She said, "They're just paying me. I can bail. You can't."

Trunks stuttered something not known to man as he turned maroon. Duo looked up at her, feeling more like himself even though he was exhausted as hell, and quipped, "What about me, baby?"

"You need sleep. Madam Pomfrey will see to you in the morning, Duo. Everyone else, back to your dorms, now," Snape commanded, swirling away in a rush of black robes.

Harry winked at him before he followed Snape. Forest waved and followed him. Trunks gaped as Setsuna rolled her eyes and pulled him away. Ginny leaned over and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Duo." Then she left, leaving him alone.

Duo snuggled into the bed and sighed. Sleep claimed him quickly and soundly. And he didn't have a single nightmare to speak of.