Part 5

Justin entered the loft quietly, not sure of what he would be walking into. He was still trying to process the information that Ben had given him in regards to Hogwarts, wizards and Voldemort, and the teen could honestly say that he had no idea what to do to help his lover. That is, if Brian would even let him help him in whatever it is that Harry came to Pittsburgh to get him to do.

Justin noticed a book bag laying on the floor by the couch, and one of the extra blankets laying over the edge. He walked over to the couch and saw Harry asleep on the cushions. He took a moment to look over the young boy that had brought quite a surprise into his life, trying to see what it was that made him so special that the wizarding community held him in such high regard, according to Ben. Justin noticed the jagged scar that was on Harry�s forehead and felt for the youngster who had lost so much at such a young age. Even with the way his father was treating him since he had come out, Justin still had the memories of the previous seventeen years to cherish, and that was more that Harry would ever have of his parents.

Justin looked around the darkened loft, finally spotting his lover lying on the bed that they shared. He went to join Brian, both men remaining silent. Justin spooned up behind the older man, wrapping his arms around Brian�s waist, willing to wait however long it would take until he was ready to talk about whatever it was that was bothering him. He didn�t have to wait long.

�The only time I was ever truly happy growing up was when I was at Hogwart�s,� Brian began, his voice soft and sounding younger than Justin had ever heard it. �I started there when I was eleven. I was so surprised when I got the letter saying that I had been accepted. I had no idea that wizards existed, let alone that I was one. Jack and Joanie weren�t exactly thrilled with the idea of me going there, especially considering Joanie was just getting back into her religion thing again, but I kept at them until they finally relented. I think in the long run they were just glad to see me gone.�

�I�m sure that�s not true, Brian,� Justin objected, although his heart wasn�t in it and Brian didn�t bother to correct him.

�I had no idea what to expect when I got there,� Brian continued. �I didn�t have any real experience with any witches or wizards other than for when I had gone to Diagon Alley to get my books.�

�Diagon Alley?�

�It�s where you can get anything you need if you�re a wizard. Wands, brooms, ingredients for spells, anything.�

�It sounds cool.�

�It is.� Justin could tell that Brian was losing himself in his memories and, if the expression on his face was anything to go by, for once they weren�t bad ones. �I was only eleven the first time I was there, and I was by myself, well at least my parents weren�t there. Jack and Joanie couldn�t even be bothered to make sure that their son made it to England okay. They had just put me on the plane and left me. Professor Dumbledore arranged to have a family whose first child was about to start Hogwart�s at the same time as me meet me there. It was about a week before school started and they had agreed to help me adjust to my new world. They took me in and for the first time in my life I actually felt as if I belonged to a real family. It didn�t matter that I wasn�t really theirs, or that I was an American, all they saw was a lost little boy and they gave me their love.�

�They sound like a very special family.�

�They were. Their son Bill and I became best friends over that week I was staying there and so by the time we got to Hogwart�s, we were both afraid that we would be put in different houses.�

�Different houses?�

�Hogwart�s divides its students into four houses that basically are your home while you�re there. Luckily Bill and I both got into Gryffindor, so we didn�t have anything to really worry about. Over the next three years, we became like brothers. I went to visit his family during the holidays and spent as much of the summer as possible together, although my folks did insist I come home sometimes.�

�Then what happened? Why did you stop going to the school?�

�Jack and Joanie decided that they didn�t want me going anymore. I�m not sure why, they never bothered letting me in on their reasoning. I think it had something to do with the fact that my mom had found religion again and Jack just couldn�t be bothered with dealing with the fact that his son was a wizard. They told Professor Dumbledore that I wouldn�t be returning for my fourth year, that I would be staying in Pittsburgh and going to school here. Dumbledore tried to convince them that I should be allowed to go back to school, but they refused. When he left the house, I followed him and begged him to take me with him, but he couldn�t. I knew that but I juts didn�t want to be left at home. The wizarding community had taken me in and I felt comfortable there for the first time in my life. I knew that Bill�s parents would be willing to take me in, even if they had three other mouths to feed with his younger brothers, but that was impossible.

�But, Professor Dumbledore knew how much my lessons meant to me so he secretly helped me keep them up and for the next three and a half years I was studying to be a wizard, as well as going to public school and putting on the pretense that I�m the same as everyone else, but eventually my parents found out and went ballistic. They told him that he was to have no contact with me. I thought Dumbledore would do what he did before, and just keep teaching me in secret, but this time he cut off all communication with me. Even Bill and his family stopped writing me and all of my letters to them were returned unopened, so what little contact I had been allowed to keep with my previous life was completely cut off and I immersed myself in getting rid of the pain the only way I knew how.� Brian didn�t bother to elaborate, knowing that Justin understood completely what he was saying.

�You never told anybody any of this, have you?� Brian shook his head. �Why not?�

�I�ve never told anybody about my past. Shit, the only reason Mikey and Lindsay know as much about me as they do is because they�ve known me for so long. Even Mikey doesn�t know about what my life was like before he met me and this just,� Brian didn�t continue and Justin didn�t press him. He was just glad that his lover had opened up as much as he had to him. Brian wasn�t one to talk about himself, and especially his feelings, and Justin was glad that the older man felt comfortable enough to let him in.

�Brian, what does this Dumbledore want with you now?�

�He says he needs my help,� Brian went on. �Says that, even though I never completed my training, that I still have the makings of being a powerful wizard and he wants me to go back to Hogwart�s.� Justin swallowed hard.

�Does this have to do with Voldemort?� Brian looked over at the artist, a silent question in his eyes. �Ben told us about him. Seems his family has wizarding blood in it.�

�That explains a lot about the Professor,� Brian observed. �And yes, it does have to do with Voldemort. It seems that he somehow came back and Dumbledore says he wants me to come back to Hogwart�s and help him out.�

�How?�

�I don�t know, but�.�

�But you want to go.� Brian looked in surprise at Justin. �It only makes sense. Hogwart�s was a big part of your life. It helped shape who you are and then you were suddenly taken away from it. If anything, I would think you would want to go just to get some closure. And I would like to see your old school.� Brian looked away from Justin. �Brian?�

�Justin, I�m not sure that you should��

�Don�t even think of finishing that sentence, Brian Andrew Kinney,� Justin admonished. �I�m going with you to Hogwart�s and there�s nothing you can say or do that will stop me.� Brian looked as if he was about to argue and then stopped. He knew his lover well and he knew that there was nothing that Justin was right.

�I�ll have Harry let Dumbledore know we�re coming.� Justin smiled and gave his lover a kiss. The two men were content with kissing and groping, not wanting to do too much more with the young boy in the other room, but needing the connection that only the other could give them. They both had a feeling that the upcoming months were not going to be easy.

Part 6

Brian awoke the next morning feeling much calmer then he had the night before when he had gone to bed. He credited his young lover for his mood and reached over to Justin�s side of the bed, only to find it empty. Brian only had a moment to wonder where Justin was before said blonde exited the bathroom.

�Hey,� Brian greeted the teen, who came over and lay back on the bed, on top of the covers. The two men kissed tenderly, a smile on both of their lips when they parted.

�Morning.� They kissed again, this time the kiss becoming more passionate. Much too quickly, though, they separated. �As much as I would like to continue this, and boy would I love to continue this, I better go make something for our young guest to eat.� Justin stood up and grinned down at his lover. �So, what exactly to up and coming wizards like to eat?� Justin laughed as he ran; avoiding the pillow that Brian tossed at him.

�Twat,� Brian shouted.

�But you love me anyway,� Justin retorted, heading towards the kitchen area. He wasn�t sure what their young guest likes to eat, but he figured that he couldn�t go wrong with blueberry pancakes. Brian had always told him how much he liked his pancakes and he wanted to treat his lover to something special, knowing that whatever was about to happen with Harry�s entrance into their lives wasn�t going to be easy on Brian.

�I�ve never seen two men together,� a shy voice said from the direction of the couch, causing Justin to jump.

�Shit,� Justin turned to face the teen. �I didn�t think you were up yet.�

�Sorry,� Harry said, sheepishly, standing and stretching.

�Don�t worry about it,� Justin brushed it off. Justin turned back to the counter. �How did you sleep? I know the couch isn�t the exactly all that comfortable.�

�It was okay. I�ve slept in worse. Actually until I was eleven, my aunt and uncle made me sleep in a closet under the stairs.�

�Are you serious?� Justin asked, horrified that anyone would do that to a child. �Why did they do that?�

�They didn�t like me,� Harry replied, matter of fatedly. He had long grown out of needing his blood family�s approval. He was happy with the extended family that he had found during his time at Hogwart�s. �My Aunt Petunia is my mum�s sister. Her and my Uncle Vernon didn�t want me with them. They hate the fact that I�m a wizard. Actually when I first found out about the whole thing, my uncle said that they had vowed they would rid me of the whole thing. How they intended on doing that, though, I have no idea.�

�With a family like that, no wonder you were sent here. You fit in perfectly.�

�What do you mean?�

�What Justin is trying to say is that, with the exception of Mikey, none of our little group has the ideal family life,� Brian commented, coming out of the bedroom and joining the other two men. He grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit that was sitting on the counter separating the kitchen from the rest of the loft. Justin grabbed it out of his hand before Brian had been able to so much as take a bite out of it.

�I�m making pancakes and I expect you to eat some,� Justin admonished.

�Whatever,� Brian rolled his eyes. He accepted the glass of juice that Justin handed him. �Now, Sunshine, don�t forget to offer our guest anything.�

�Can I get you something, Harry? Orange juice, milk, water?�

�I�ll take some juice, please,� Harry answered. Justin poured the juice and handed it to him. �So how long have the two of you been together?�

�Two damn long,� Brian muttered, earning himself a smack from his lover. �Watch it.�

�Yeah, yeah, yeah. We�ve been together off and on for three years.�

�Cool.� Just then the phone rang and Brian went to get it, leaving Justin and Harry to talk. He had a feeling that Harry would be asking questions about the couple that he would just as soon as have Justin answer.

�Hi Mikey,� Brian said, already knowing it would be his best friend on the other end. Justin had told him about what Ben had said to everyone, so he had been expecting the phone call.

�Brian, how are you?�

�I�m fine, Mikey. Why wouldn�t I be?�

�What do you mean? Some strange kid comes looking for you. Telling you that some guy named Dumbledore sent him to you because another guy named Voldemort was back. And Ben told us about that guy. About Hogwarts. Why didn�t you tell me you were a wizard?�

�I�m not a wizard, Mikey,� Brian said patiently. He knew that his friend was only worried about him, and he did appreciate it, but he also didn�t really want to get into his past over the phone. Especially with Michael. It was going to be hard enough to tell him that he was leaving because he knew Michael wouldn�t understand why.

�But Ben said that Hogwart�s was a school for witches and wizards.�

�Right.�

�And you went to Hogwarts, right.�

�Right,� Brian drawled out.

�Well then why wouldn�t you be a wizard? You were always a good student so there�s no way you didn�t learn anything while you were there,� Michael reasoned.

�Mikey, Mikey, Mikey, have you ever seen me do anything even remotely magical?�

�You mean other than at the baths or in the backroom?�

�I said magical, not legendary,� Brian rolled his eyes, his attention drawn towards the kitchen where Justin and Harry were now eating the pancakes that his lover had made for breakfast. The two boys were laughing at something that Justin had said and Brian wanted nothing more than to go over to them and join them. �Look, Mikey, the reason I didn�t tell you about my going to Hogwarts was because you didn�t need to know.�

�What do you mean, I didn�t need to know? Of course I needed to know. I�m your best friend.�

�I know that, but this didn�t have anything to do with that. I had to keep it a secret from everyone in case Jack and Joanie found out I was still taking my lessons. And then, after they did find out, I didn�t want anyone to know what had happened. All I wanted was to graduate and get the hell out of the Pitts.�

�Brian,� Michael continued to whine but Brian had had enough.

�Not another word, Mikey. Look, I�m sure we�ll talk more about this at Linds and Mel�s tonight. Right now, I�ve got things to do.�

�But Brian,� Michael tried to talk more but Brian hung up the phone, not wanting to listen to it anymore. The ad exec knew there was no way his friend would let him get away with what little he had told him, but Brian also knew that he wasn�t in the mood to get into anything over the phone. He went over to Justin, wrapping his arms around the younger man and kissing him.

�Everything okay?�

�It will be.� Brian grabbed a piece of bacon off of Justin�s plate and turned to face Harry.

�So, Harry, what does Dumbledore want from us?� Part 7

The gang was gathered at the home of Melanie and Lindsay, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Brian, Justin and Harry. The guys had told Mel and Lindsay what had gone on the night before at the diner, and Michael had relayed what little he had gotten out of Brian earlier in the day when he had spoken to Brian. Other than that, no one had been able to talk to the other man, Brian having not bothered to pick up the phone when any of them had called to talk to him. The gang had once again turned to Ben for answers to questions they had about Hogwarts, witches, and wizards. Unfortunately Ben couldn�t give them answers to their most important questions. How could Brian have been a wizard and not tell them, and what was it that Harry Potter wanted Brian for.

�I�m sorry, but you can�t tell me I�m the only one that is having a problem with the idea that Brian is a wizard,� Melanie said, her dislike of anything having to do with Brian Kinney evident in her voice. �I�m not saying you�re lying Ben, but there are no such things as witches or wizards.�

�Mel, be nice,� Lindsay admonished the brunette.

�It�s alright, Lindsay,� Ben told her. �I can understand Melanie�s point of view. If it wasn�t for my family, I would probably feel the same way. If it wasn�t for the fact of who it was that had sent young Harry to Brian, or who Harry is, I would have trouble believing that Brian is a wizard also. But Albus Dumbledore is one of the most powerful wizards right now. And Harry Potter has been known since he was born. If he�s here saying Dumbledore needs Brian�s help, then I have to think that something very serious is happening.�

�What did your grandmother say when you talked to her?� Debbie asked him, knowing from an earlier discussion with Michael that Ben was going to ask his family if they had heard anything about why Harry might be coming to Pittsburgh.

�I didn�t talk to my grandmother but I did manage to get in touch with my aunt.� At a look from Michael, he clarified. �A different one.�

�What did she say?� Michael questioned. �Does she have any idea of what�s going on?�

�She said some strange things have been going on over there. And when I say strange, I don�t mean a good kind. At the Quidditch World Cup last year, the mark of Voldemort showed up, and the Death Eaters ended up harassing the Muggles that lived on the land.�

�Quidditch?�

�Death Eaters?�

�Oh, sorry. Quidditch is the big sport in the wizarding world. Think of it as full contact basketball on broomsticks. They had their big game in England last year. And Death Eaters are followers of Voldemort and extremely hateful towards Muggles and those wizards that they felt were inferior, especially those that come from Muggle families.�

�Ahhh, prejudice. It knows no bounds,� Ted commented softly.

�True. And in this case it led to the deaths of a lot of good people.� Ben was quiet for a moment thinking of the family members that he had lost during Voldemort�s rise to power. �Anyway, for the past 12 years or so, ever since Voldemort was thought killed, the Death Eaters were quiet. A lot of Voldemort�s followers either turned on each other or claimed to have been brainwashed into following him and since then, they�ve been quiet, trying their best to not have any attention focused on them.�

�And now that�s changed?� Ben nodded his head in answer to Lindsay�s question.

�Well, she said that for the past couple of years, there have been some strange rumors going around. Rumors about strange disappearances, deaths, that kind of thing. And a lot of them, she says, focus around Hogwarts. Coinciding with the admittance of Harry. My cousin went to school with him.�

�That little kid?� Debbie exclaimed, still not able to believe that the young boy that had come into the diner looking for Brian the day before could have anything to do with the things that Ben was describing.

�That kid has been through a lot more than most,� Ben continued. �His parents were killed in front of him. One of the most powerful wizards, not to mention on of the most evil, tried to kill him. Numerous times from what my aunt tells me.�

�But I thought you said that Voldemort was killed when Harry was one,� Melanie said, sounding like the lawyer that she was.

�That�s what a lot of people thought, but my aunt says that only his body was killed, not the essence that made him up. She says that he was only biding his time until he was powerful enough to come back.�

�And this kid Harry is saying that�s happened now?�

�Exactly. No one�s really sure of the hows or whys, but there are rumblings that he�s come back.�

�He has,� came a small voice near the door. Everyone turned to see Brian, Justin and Harry standing there. The group that was there before noticed the serious expressions that were own the newcomers faces and knew that whatever was going on, it wasn�t just going to go away quietly.

�You must be Harry,� Lindsay said, trying to break the tension that had suddenly engulfed the room. She went over to the young man, holding out her hand. �I�m Lindsay and I�m glad to meet you.�

�Pleasure to meet you,� Harry replied, shaking the offered hand. �Thank you for welcoming me to your home.�

�Nice to know some people have manners,� Melanie shot, looking over at Brian who only smirked at her. She joined Lindsay. �I�m Melanie. Won�t you please come in?�

�Thank you.� Harry walked into the living room and noticed the same group of people that had been in the diner the day before.

�Everyone, this is Harry Potter,� Justin stated, going to introduce everyone. �That�s Debbie. Next to her is her son, Michael and then his boyfriend Ben. And over there is Emmett and Ted.�

�Hello,� Harry said quietly, unsure of how to act. He wasn�t used to being around a lot of strangers, his own Aunt and Uncle never really giving him the kind of freedom he needed to meet people. And he had never met any gay people before. He didn�t even think they existed in the wizarding community. Or at least, not to the point where it was discussed openly. Silence threatened to descend upon the household until Ben broke spoke up. He stood and went over to Harry, shaking the young boy�s hand.

�It�s a pleasure to meet you, Harry Potter. My aunt has told me a lot about you. You�ve made quite an impression on her. It doesn�t hurt that my cousin says you�re the best Seeker the school has seen in a century.�

�Your aunt and cousin?�

�My Aunt Winnie and my cousin Oliver.�

�Oliver Wood?�

�You know him, Harry?�

�Yeah, he was team Captain for Gryffindor before he graduated. He was our keeper. He taught me how to play Quidditch. He�s pretty cool.�

�He said the same thing about you.�

�I didn�t realize that Oliver knew about what had happened at the tournament,� Harry said confused. He still couldn�t believe that it had only been a little over a week and a half since the Tri-Wizards Tournament that had taken a school mate�s life and gave Voldemort back his. �I didn�t see him at any of the competitions.�

�Some of your fellow Gryffindors told him what happened,� Ben explained.

�Hey, guys, while this is all really interesting,� Melanie finally interrupted impatiently, �it still doesn�t explain what this kid is doing here and why Brian never bothered to inform any of us that he was a wizard. Well supposedly a wizard.� There was no mistaking how she felt towards Brian. Even Harry, who didn�t know her, could tell that she harbored no good feelings toward the man he had been sent for. Brian went over to Gus, picking his son up, before turning to face everyone.

�Harry came here for me. Professor Dumbledore has asked for my help,� Brian explained, �and I�ve agreed.�

�Agreed to do what?�

�To go back to Hogwarts.� And with that announcement, Brian sat down and waited for the inevitable explosion.

Part 8

�What do you mean, go back to Hogwart�s?�

�Are you crazy?�

�This has to be a joke, right?�

�Brian, do you have any idea of what you�re saying?� Came from all sides of the man in question after Brian�s announcement of returning to his old school. And they hadn�t even heard that Justin would be going with him. He was sure that would set off another round of exclamations.

�In order, yes I�m going back to Hogwart�s, no I�m not crazy, although I know you believe that is debatable, no this isn�t a joke, and of course I know what I�m saying,� Brian said, patience in his voice, but Justin could tell that it was wavering. The young blonde wanted nothing more than to take his lover away from everything. Away from whatever it was that Harry was trying to get him to do. Away from the people that insisted that Brian was nothing more than a sucking and fucking machine. Away from the friends that swore they wanted what was best for Brian, but never were willing to see that he had changed. That never supported him.

�Brian, honey, what exactly do you mean when you say you�re going to Hogwart�s?� Debbie asked, talking to Brian almost like he was a skittish colt and she was afraid that he was going to hurt himself, or someone else. Justin winced when he saw Brian�s features darken in anger.

�It means exactly that, Deb,� Brian said. �Justin and I talked about it and, we both agreed that we need to go to England and help Harry and Professor Dumbledore.�

�Wait a minute,� Lindsay interrupted. �You and Justin?� She turned to the young artist. �Justin, you aren�t seriously considering going with Brian are you?�

�Of course I�m going with Brian,� Justin answered as if it was the most obvious answer. He couldn�t believe there was any doubt that he would be joining Brian during his trip. �Why wouldn�t I?�

�What about school?� Melanie stated. �The new semester starts soon.�

�And don�t you have to work on the next issue of Rage?� This came from Debbie.

�And the art show at the GLC,� Lindsay chimed in. �I know how much you were looking forward to that. I�ve seen some of the drawings you have for it. You deserve to be in it.�

�So, I can still be in it, whether I�m there or not,� Justin pointed out. �I can just leave the drawings with you and you can put them up for me, couldn�t you? As for school, Brian and I have already talked about it and, while he isn�t exactly happy about it,� Justin ignored the snort that came from his lover, �and we agreed that this was more important. I want to be there for him. Actually, I need to be there for him.�

�So once again, Brian Kinney�s fucked up life screws up someone else�s,� Melanie sneered. Lindsay walked over to the blonde.

�Justin, you�ve got your whole life ahead of you,� Lindsay added, going over to him. �You have so much potential. It�s just that we don�t want to see you waste it.�

�Which you think I�ll be doing if I go to England with Brian and Harry,� Justin stated.

�You have to admit that you would be putting your life on hold for something that has nothing to do with you,� Melanie continued, oblivious to the anger emanating from Justin. �Just because Brian says he�s a wizard, and let me tell you I have some serious reservations about that and am beginning to question his sanity after hearing that statement, whatever is going on at his old school has nothing to do with you.�

�Why, because Voldemort�s a wizard, same as Brian and Harry, and I�m not?� Justin almost shouted. He hated the way everyone always told he and Brian how to work their relationship. If anything, the advice Brian and Justin were constantly being giving hurt them more than helped them because none of their friends understood what went on between the two men. �Do you have any idea of what could happen if this guy isn�t stopped? Do you even care?�

�Justin, sweetie,� Debbie tried to placate him, �of course we care. All we�re trying to say is that we don�t think it would its fair that you put your life on hold, your art on hold, just because Brian asked you to.�

�Christ, don�t any of you people ever listen?� Justin broke in. �Brian didn�t ask me to go with him. He isn�t making me do anything that I don�t want to do. I told him I was going with him. I didn�t give him a choice.�

�I�m sure he made you think that,� Melanie continued her tirade. �Brian�s great at making people believe he actually cares for them, but its all bullshit. Come on, we�re talking about a man who is trying to convince us all that he is a wizard.�

�Felinucus transfomigaration,� Brian ordered his voice strong. Suddenly there was a flash and when it was gone, there was a black cat standing where Melanie had been only a moment before.

�What the hell was that?�

�Where did that cat come from?�

�What happened to Melanie?�

�Meow.� Justin looked over at a smirking Brian, then down at the cat.

�Brian, you didn�t.�

�Wicked,� exclaimed Harry. �I�ve only seen people turn themselves into animals, not someone else. My friends would be so psyched to see that. I bet you could even rival Professor McGonnigal.�

�Professor McGonnigal said I was her best student,� Brian said proudly. �I never had a problem in her class. It was one of the main reasons she was so willing to help Professor Dumbledore teach me after my parents took me out of school.�

�Wait a minute,� Ted interrupted, �are you trying to tell us that that�.that cat is supposed to be Melanie.� A loud meow answered Ted�s question. Lindsay bent down and picked up the animal.

�Mel?� She quietly asked, earning herself a gentle lick and purr from the cat. �Brian, what have you done?�

�Just gave you a different kind of pussy to play with,� Brian said, tongue in cheek, earning him a multitude of groans.

�Wow, Brian, what else can you do?� Michael asked, going over and investigating the cat in Lindsay�s arms. He was quickly joined by the rest of the group, all petting the animal.

�Don�t know,� Brian shrugged. �Surprised I could do that really. Been a long time since I�ve really thought about magic, let alone actually doing it. Although I have to admit, it is a lot like riding a bike.�

�That�s all well and good, Brian, but can you please turn Melanie back to normal,� Lindsay cried.

�Oh, I don�t know,� Brian said. �I think I like her better this way. She�s a lot quieter and actually kind of cute.�

�Fuck you Brian.�

�Brian, turn Melanie back to normal,� Debbie ordered.

�Fine,� he acquiesced. �You might want to put her back on the ground, Linds.� Lindsay did as she was told. �Returnas Felinucus.�

�You fucking asshole,� Melanie screamed from where she sat on the floor.

�So Melanie, still think I�m insane for thinking I�m a wizard?�

�I think you�re a fucking prick who needs someone to kick his ass.�

�Language, language,� Brian continued to taunt. He looked around the group. �Now that I think I�ve proven that I am a wizard, can we please continue with this conversation, and that does not mean you get to continue hassling Justin about his decision to come with me. If this had happened to any of you, there would be no question if your partner decided to go with you.� All at once, the room filled with noise again.

�Quiet,� Brian shouted and waited for the noise to die down. �Thank you. And I don�t know why you are bothering to deny it because you know it�s true. Mel, if Lindsay came to you and told you that she was a witch, or whatever, and said that she had to go help out, tell me that you wouldn�t be more than willing to set aside everything and help her.�

�I can�t,� she answered quietly.

�Right and neither can the rest of you. But when it�s Justin who says he�s going with me, suddenly he�s in the wrong and I�m a bastard because I want my lover to be with me. What the fuck kind of double standard is that?�

�Brian, it�s just that Justin is so young, we don�t want him to do anything that might screw up his future,� Debbie said. �It�s nothing against you.�

�Bullshit,� Brian swore. �It�s got everything to do with me. Have I ever given you people a reason to think I�m stupid?� Everyone shook their heads. �And yet you all think I am. Don�t you think I know that, no matter what you say, the whole lot of you would rather see Justin with anyone but me? Did you think I wouldn�t find out about your little matchmaking scheme Linds?�

�I don�t know what you�re talking about Brian?�

�I�m talking about Ethan "he�s so wonderful" Gold.� Lindsay and Melanie�s indrawn breath was enough to prove that Brian was correct. �That�s the real reason you took Justin to that concert on his birthday, right? You were hoping the Justin would see this young, aspiring musician and fall instantly in love.�

�Brian, you don�t understand,� Melanie tried to explain. �It had nothing to do with you. We just thought that Justin needed to meet some boys his own age.�

�Is that why you gave him our phone number,� Justin questioned, joining Brian and taking a hold of his hand. �I never even told him my last name.�

�Justin.�

�No, Lindsay,� Justin shook his head. �I don�t know why you did that, and I was willing to forgive and forget, but after this I can�t. Why can�t any of you just accept that I love Brian?�

�Fuck this,� Brian said, signaling to Harry to head towards the front door. Brian and Justin followed him. �You know, I�ve known you all for a lot of years. I�ve forgiven a lot of shit. Shit that you wouldn�t have dared pull on anyone else. I had hoped that you would have been supportive of us doing this. Hell maybe even proud, especially you Linds considering the fact that wizardry is hereditary and there�s a good chance that Gus is a wizard too, so this will affect him too.�

�Brian, let�s go,� Justin pulled Brian towards the door, wanting nothing more than to get his lover home and help him forget the way his friends had treated him. He hated the way that everyone was so willing to only see the Brian Kinney that they had known, instead of the man that he had become. Brian allowed himself to be led out of the house, leaving behind a stunned group of friends who began to question the way that they had been treating one of their own.