Chapter 1

Harry Potter flailed about in his bed. He was deep in sleep, but not the restful kind. He was fighting Lord Voldemort once again. It had been well over a year since their final confrontation and the ultimate destruction of the Dark Lord, but still the memory and the pain flooded through Harry when he closed his eyes or let his guard down. Harry had vanquished the evil wizard, but not without consequence to himself. These memories and nightmares were but a small part of those consequences.

Harry had spent many months recovering from his wounds both external and internal. He had been under the care of Madame Deborah Matawney all this time. She was a fine healer and had done her best for Harry. However, some things could not be healed by any kind of magic. From time to time Harry still returned to her for counseling and any medical assistance she could give him. After seeing her, his nightmares would recede for a while, but they always came back.

Flinging his arm up in a defensive posture, Harry used his wand to drive the Dark Lord to the ground. Harry writhed in his bed as Voldemort rose up in front of him and delivered his own powerful counter spell. The whimpers that now emanated from Harry's throat in his sleep had been stifled during their battle. Only now could he allow himself to succumb to the terrible pain that had ripped through him during their final encounter.

Raising his arm, Harry cast his most powerful spell, the one that he had searched for during the whole year he had taken off from Hogwarts. Harry felt the power course through him. And then it was over.

He sat up with a start, still moaning from the remembered agony of that battle. He looked around the room, wondering for a moment where he was. Then it all began to come back to him. He was in Rome, on his Grand European Tour, following his graduation from Hogwarts last June. He had managed to complete his last year at the wizarding school once he recovered from his injuries. He was supposed to be traveling through Europe, enjoying himself, before going back and starting work at the Ministry of Magic.

"Ow," Harry said suddenly. He had reached for a glass of water on the nightstand, but when he tried to open his mouth to take a drink, he found his mouth didn't want to do his bidding. He tried again and let out a little groan. What in Merlin's name was wrong?

Harry set the glass down and rubbed his cheek, feeling that it was puffy and swollen. It seemed hard, and stretched under pressure from his fingertips. Quickly Harry swung his feet out from under the covers. Sitting on the side of the bed, he took stock. His head swam in an unsettling manner. His jaw ached and was difficult to open. His tongue felt thick. His forehead felt hot. He was sick. The troubling dream had been bad enough, but he seemed now to be running a fever, and something was definitely wrong with his jaw.

He thought back to last week. He'd had this same dream several times. Each time he had awakened with his jaw clenched and his teeth aching from the strain. Maybe those incidents had something to do with the state of his jaw now. He wasn't sure what was wrong, but he knew he needed help.

Making a quick decision, Harry put on his clothes, gathered up his meager belongings and went down to the lobby of the Hotel Zabini. Dawn was just breaking on the horizon. An elderly man behind the front desk was reclining in an overstuffed chair, clearly asleep. Harry wondered which one of the Zabini family this might be, grandfather, great uncle. Who knew? Ever since Harry had mentioned that Rome was one of his stops on his European tour Blaise Zabini had insisted that he stay in the hotel owned by his relatives. He had discovered upon arrival that the Zabinis were a prolific lot. Every job in the hotel from bellboy to chef to maid was held by some member of the Zabini family.

Harry debated awakening the old man and then decided against it. He placed on the counter what he thought would be the proper payment for his stay and scribbled a note saying that he was leaving. The old man did not stir.

Walking through the lobby to a back room that housed a large fireplace, Harry set down his backpack containing his belongings. He noted the dish on the mantle that contained the floo powder. He would use it to take him to Madame Matawney, and help. She had told him to come to her any time that he needed help, and this seemed like one of those times, even though it was the crack of dawn.

Harry grabbed for his backpack. As he bent over to get it, another jab of pain shot through his jaw. "Thit," he muttered, and then wondered why it didn't sound like 'shit'. He rubbed his aching jaw and tried to make his mouth open farther. All to no avail.

He reached his fingers into the bowl on the mantle to get a pinch of the floo powder that would facilitate his travel to Madame Matawney's home. He stepped up to the fireplace and tossed the powder into the flames. The hearth glowed green as Harry stated, "Madame Deb…Deba…" Harry cleared his throat, trying to get his thick tongue and uncooperative jaw to work properly. "Debbie Na…Navawny," he managed to get out. He quickly stepped into the fireplace hoping that it would register his jumbled, indistinct command correctly.

The unsettling feeling of traveling through the floo engulfed him. It felt even worse with his feverish body and swirling head. He thought he might throw up. The ride seemed to take forever. He was about to give in to the urge to upchuck when he finally stepped out of the fireplace into … the wrong room.

Harry glanced around knowing this couldn't be right. It couldn't possibly be Madame Matawney's house or office. It was … very strange, garish even. It was also rather homey in a very unconventional way.

A groan caused Harry to glance over at the couch where two men were on top of each other. His breath caught in his throat at the sight. He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing would come out.

He watched with fascination as the dark haired man who was on top seemed to devour the face of the blond man who was underneath. They both moaned as the dark man humped against the smaller man beneath him. Harry felt himself grow hard. He felt his feverish face grow even warmer, as he studied what the two men were doing.

Brian Kinney was sprawled all over Justin Taylor. They had been at Debbie Novotny's for dinner with her and her boyfriend, Carl. Michael, Debbie's son, and Michael's boyfriend, Ben, had also been there. Dinner had ended a long time ago. Michael and Ben had gone home at some point, leaving Brian and Justin to neck on the sofa. Brian and Justin weren't sure what had happened to Debbie and Carl. It was their house after all. But it really didn't matter, since they were so far gone that they didn't care if there was an audience or not.

Justin wrapped his leg around Brian's back in an attempt to get Brian's hard cock to rub more effectively against his own straining member. He opened his mouth wider as Brian's tongue plundered his teeth and gums and throat, demanding more and more.

Harry watched mesmerized. He had often wanted to do something like that, especially when he was in close proximity to one Severus Snape. However, he had never dared act on those feelings. He had barely allowed himself to feel them. Harry's cock ached with want as the two men continued their gyrations. He pulled his backpack in front of his groin to cover what he thought of as his inappropriate reaction. He stood that way for a couple more minutes until finally he couldn't stand it any longer.

Harry cleared his throat once again. "Escooze me," he said hesitantly, struggling to get the words out.

Brian turned his head to look into the dark green eyes of the young man staring back at him. "Who the fuck are you and where the hell did you come from?" Brian demanded.

"Um … Brian," Justin said trying to push Brian off him as he witnessed the man, boy really, standing in front of them.

"M…my name's H…Harry."

"And how did you get in here?" Brian demanded.

"I … I… Where am I?" Harry wanted to know. He didn't think it prudent to say he had just come through the fireplace, at least not until he found out who these people were. His head ached terribly and he still felt ill.

"This is Debbie Novotny's house. She lives here with Carl Horvath," Justin said, as Brian glared at him.

"Debbie Navawny?" Harry asked. With his thick tongue the name sounded somewhat like Debbie Matawney which was where he had wanted to go. But it wasn't quite right. He glanced around knowing that he had made a big mistake. He felt the room tilt and start to spin. "I … I don't feel w…well."

Brian and Justin both leapt from the couch, grabbing Harry as he swayed back and forth, threatening to topple over.

"We need to get him help," Justin said. "Should I call Debbie? She must have gone to bed."

"Fuck!" Brian reacted. "He could be a Typhoid Mary or an ebola carrier. And we just fucking touched him."

Justin blanched. Brian could be right, but it was too late to worry about that now. "We should take him to emergency."

Brian shook his head in disbelief. "How the fuck do we get involved in this crap?"

"I don't know, but let's go."

Some time later the emergency doctor came out to tell them that Harry Potter was doing better. He had cracked a tooth and had an abscess that had developed from it. He was on antibiotics which should quickly make him feel much better. He seemed more coherent already, since some drugs had been given to him intravenously. He would need to get the tooth taken care of right away. Brian and Justin were told they could go in to see him. Harry would be released before long.

"Let's go home," Brian said wearily. It was almost four in the morning.

"But … we can't just leave him. He has nobody," Justin protested.

"Nobody that he wants to admit to. Including no health insurance," Brian added. He had agreed to pay for the emergency room visit to get Harry in faster.

"You're a good man, Brian Kinney," Justin said standing on tiptoes to kiss Brian's cheek.

Brian snarled, but let Justin kiss him. He took Justin's hand when it was offered to him. They made their way back to Harry's cubicle.

"How are you?" Justin asked as they entered.

"I'm feeling much better, thanks."

"You're English, aren't you?"

"How could you tell?" Harry chuckled.

"You must be feeling better," Brian said, noting the attempt at humor. "Care to explain how you got into Debbie's living room."

"Um…"

"Um is not an answer."

"Well…"

"Neither is well."

"Do either of you believe in witches and wizards?" Harry asked tentatively.

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"I wish I was," Harry sighed.

"It's all right, Harry," Justin said, patting his shoulder. "As soon as we get in touch with your family, they'll be able to take care of you."

"I have no family." Harry stared at the sheet that covered his lower body suddenly feeling more alone than he ever had.

"But there has to be someone who can come get you," Justin protested.

Harry shook his head. "I was traveling. Everyone I know is away on vacation or … too busy. There's no one. Look, thanks for bringing me here. I'll pay you back for everything. Why don't you go home? I'll be fine."

"Okay," Brian said brightening up. "Let's go, Sunshine."

"Brian, we can't just leave him here," Justin pleaded.

"Yes we can."

"Yes, you can," Harry repeated.

"No, we're not!" Justin told them both. "When they release you, you're coming home with us."

"I am?"

"He is?"

"You heard me," Justin declared.

"I guess you're coming home with us," Brian said.

"Okaaay," Harry said uncertainly.

"Just a final check and then you may go when you're ready, sir," the doctor said as he breezed into the cubicle, took Harry's temperature and blood pressure and then looked in his mouth. "See a dentist right away."

Harry sat up feeling much more like himself. The room no longer started to swim as soon as he moved. "I'll be fine," he tried to reassure the two men. "You don't have to look after me."

"I told you that you're coming to the loft with us," Justin reiterated.

Harry sighed and eventually let himself be led out to the Jeep that they had arrived in. He sat beside Brian while Justin climbed in the back. On the ride to the loft he answered the inevitable questions, giving as little information as possible. He didn't want to outright lie about who he was and where he had come from. Harry wasn't sure what position the United States' version of the Ministry of Magic held on letting Muggles know about wizards. He knew from his recent travels that Europe was very strict about it, although the Italian and Romanian Countries less so than Britain. Still, Harry wasn't too keen about his first meeting with the local wizards being with their version of Aurors, when he was detected breaking their rules regarding mixing magic and Muggles.

"So there's no one you can contact for help?" Brian asked as they rode up in the elevator.

"Well, maybe Severus," Harry said thoughtfully as he contemplated the fact that no one would be at Hogwarts for the new term yet. All his friends were on vacation much like he was. Severus would be at the school, working as he always did. He never went on vacation. Maybe it would be fun if he could get Severus to come after him. They could explore this new world together. Maybe they could…

"What the hell kind of name is Severus?" Brian repeated, much louder than the first time he had asked the question.

Harry shrugged. "It's just his name." He decided it would be better not to tell them what his last name was.

"So, call this … Severus," Justin said gently. He wanted someone to be there for Harry.

"Um … I don't think I can reach him by phone."

"Oh, why not?"

"Do … do you remember me asking if you believed in witches and wizards?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"I remember, but you were kind of … out of it when you asked that," Justin replied.

"Do you?"

"Do I what? You mean do I believe in witches? No, not really. Why are you asking that again?"

"Because I'm a wizard. So is Severus."

"You have fucking got to be shitting us," Brian reacted.

"I'm serious," Harry said solemnly. He had been afraid this might be the reaction he'd get, but had decided to answer Justin's questions truthfully. He knew it was forbidden to tell Muggles that he was a wizard, but he trusted Justin. He and Brian had helped him so much already. Harry sighed, realizing that he had probably made a big mistake. He would hate to have to obliviate them, removing their memory of him, after they had been so kind, but it looked like that might be necessary.

Brian and Justin stared at their new roommate.

"Prove it," Brian said.

That was not the reaction Harry had expected. "H…How?"

"How the fuck should I know? Make yourself disappear," Brian suggested, grasping at straws.

Harry debated what to do. He could say that he was just joking to see what they would say, or he could take the chance and admit the truth through some form of magic. He hesitated, trying to decide which way to go.

Brian snorted. "He's no wizard."

Harry felt anger boil up inside him. He had defeated the greatest evil in his world, and here was this … this Muggle, snorting in derision at him. He was tempted to whip out his wand and turn Brian Kinney into the ugliest toad the world had ever seen.

"Brian, don't be mean," Justin said softly. "Harry, you don't have to prove anything to me."

Harry smiled in spite of his anger. He would do this for Justin, because Justin had faith in him. Brian Kinney be damned! Harry grabbed his backpack and pulled out the Cloak of Invisibility. He quickly flung it over his head before the two men could say anything else. He heard them gasp as he disappeared from sight.

"What the fuck!" Brian blurted out.

"He's gone!" Justin said. "You told him to disappear … and he's gone." His voice was full of wonder.

Brian rubbed his eyes like he could make Harry reappear if he could get his vision to cooperate. "I don't fucking believe it."

"Well, he's gone," Justin reaffirmed.

"I know." Brian headed towards the spot where Harry had been. He held his arm out like a blind man feeling his way. Harry scampered to a different spot so Brian wouldn't run into him. "Where the fuck is he?" Brian asked, swinging his arm around him trying to make contact with the invisible.

"Harry, if you're here, please come back?" Justin pleaded. "Brian was being an asshole. I believe you."

Harry hesitated for a moment and then threw off the cloak. "I'm here," he said from behind the two men.

"Shit! You scared the crap out of me," Brian gasped. "How the fuck did you do that?"

"I … I shouldn't have done that," Harry said sadly. "We're not supposed to use magic in front of Muggles."

"What the hell is a Muggle?" Brian demanded.

"You're one," Harry stated. "Anyone without magic." Harry saw no need to get into a discussion of the difference between Muggles, non-Wizards, and Squibs, those poor unfortunates born to Wizards who had no magical ability. It was unlikely Brian and Justin would ever need to know the distinction.

"I have my own brand of magic!" Brian declared holding out his arms to the side.

Justin had an instant flashback to the first time Brian had brought him to the loft. His lover had stood naked in front of him using that same gesture. "He does," Justin said with a wide grin and hardening cock.

Harry felt his face turn hot as he remembered what he had seen when he had first appeared in this world. Brian was a beautiful man, and so was Justin. And so was his Severus. Harry's face grew hotter as he thought about Severus belonging to him.

"I do," Brian affirmed with his patented smirk. "But who the fuck are you?" he asked, unable to get his mind around what was happening with this young man.

"I already told you," Harry replied, clearing his throat and trying to refocus.

"Harry," Justin said softly, as Brian went to the bar cart to pour himself a long one. "Exactly how did you get here?"

Harry sighed then made a decision. "If I tell you, will you promise never to repeat any of this to anyone?"

"Who the fuck would we tell? They'd have us locked up," Brian said as he polished off his drink and poured himself another one.

"We won't tell anyone," Justin promised.

Harry sighed. "I shouldn't tell you, but I really feel like I owe you an explanation. Can I trust you, Justin?" Justin nodded. "Brian?"

"If I say I won't tell anyone, I won't," Brian declared.

"You can take that to the bank," Justin said.

Harry began his story of how he was traveling through Europe following his graduation from wizarding school. He told them that he had been staying at the Zabini Hotel which belonged to the family of a friend of his. He gave a brief explanation of how he was trying to get to his healer, Deborah Matawney, and had mispronounced the name because of his swollen jaw and tongue. He touched on the floo powder and told them he had come through the fireplace at Debbie Novotny's.

"So, let me get this straight," Brian asked. "You throw this powder in a fireplace and say where you want to go and poof you're there."

"Something like that."

"Why don't you just go back the same way?"

"I would if I could," Harry explained. "But I didn't see any floo powder at your Debbie's. I can't go back through the fireplace without it."

"So if I had this floo powder," Justin said thoughtfully, "and a fireplace, I could travel anywhere?"

Harry shook his head. "No, it doesn't work like that. Your fireplace would have to be part of the floo system."

"Why would Debbie's fireplace be part of this floo system?" Justin wanted to know.

Brian jumped in. "I can answer that, at least I think I can. Harry said he was staying at the Hotel Zabini, right? Well, Deb and Vic had a Nona Zabini. Made the world's best canneloni. Funny old lady though. She just disappeared one day...fuck, must have been about fifteen years ago or more. Said she had to head back home because there was trouble. No one ever heard from her again."

Harry frowned but didn't say anything more. That would have been during Voldemort's first uprising, before his parents were killed, he realized. The Zabini family were Slytherin but had fought for the Order of the Phoenix back then as well as in the most recent war.

"Maybe it never deactivated after she left," Harry suggested.

Brian shook his head. "This is … fucking incomprehensible."

"I understand your problem believing me," Harry said, "but you wanted the truth."

"I guess the big question is how do you get in touch with this Severus?" Justin asked. "You said you can't phone him."

"No, I can't, but I've sent out a message for Hedwig to help me."

"Hedwig? Who the fuck is that?" Brian asked. "Or maybe I don't want to know."

Harry laughed. "She's my messenger owl. She should be here soon."

"She should?" Justin asked with wonder in his voice. This was all so weird.

"Yeah, could we leave a window open for her?"

"Um, sure," Justin agreed, moving over to the windows and cracking one open.

"I need some fucking sleep," Brian griped. "It's almost dawn. I'm going to leave a message for Cynthia, saying I'll be in later in the morning. Come on, Sunshine, let's go to bed."

"What about Harry?"

"I don't think he wants to join us," Brian joked with a waggle of his eyebrows. He watched Harry blush and cover his crotch. "Or maybe he does." Brian's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Um, no thanks," Harry quickly told him. "I'll just leave." He started towards the loft door.

"No you won't," Justin said grabbing his arm. "The couch isn't very comfortable, but it's better than nothing."

"I'll get the futon out of the closet," Brian said grudgingly. Justin's smile made him feel more like doing it.

"The futon's pretty comfortable," Justin told Harry. "We've … um … slept on it a few times."

Harry knew immediately what they had done on the futon. It made him hard. He wondered that in the few hours since his arrival in Pittsburgh, as he had been told this city was called, that he had been hard a disproportionately large amount of that time. What was it about this place … or these men?

Brian threw down the futon while Justin showed Harry to the bathroom.

"Brian, do you know anybody who could look at Harry's tooth tomorrow … I mean today?" Justin inquired as they made up the futon.

"Anybody could look at it. He needs somebody to fix it."

"Right, so do you know someone that might do that?"

"I fucked a couple of dentists," Brian admitted. "Maybe I could get Richard to do it."

"You remember his name?" Justin asked feeling a wave of jealousy. Brian never remembered his trick's names.

"Yeah," Brian laughed. "Dick Chisel."

"You're not serious?"

"I am. How the fuck else would I be able to come up with the name of a dentist?"

"Could you call him?"

"It's five-thirty in the fucking morning."

"I know, but maybe you could leave him a message. Ask him to get back to us around noon." Justin batted his eyelashes at Brian.

"Fucking Christ!" Brian was not a happy camper. However, he grabbed the phone and flipped through some cards in his desk drawer. He left a message for Dr. Chisel and then one for Cynthia while Justin made sure that Harry had everything he wanted. He also got the young man to take another of his antibiotic pills that they had picked up from an all night pharmacy.

They all retired for the night. Harry, on his futon, composed a letter for Severus. Justin and Brian fucked in the shower and then climbed into bed to fall into exhausted sleep. Harry waited until all was quiet before falling into a fitful sleep of his own. He hoped Hedwig would be there when he woke up. He needed to get back to his own life. He needed Severus to come and get him.

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