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The Distance In Your Eyes	By : Pfeifenkraut Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Fenrir Views: 30085 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 8
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Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
6. Journey Back Home II

Harry was bored out of his mind. Sitting in the driver's cab with Bob had lost its charm after the first hours of travelling because neither of them seemed to know what to talk about right now. Besides, most of the time Harry had only listened and not talked. Then again, Bob didn't seem to mind because he knew that Harry was ill.

During the first few hours, the boy-who-lived had learned that Bob was divorced and had two children. Right now he was in a happy relationship living in a small apartment in York. He might not be home very often, but his partner was very understanding and had proposed to him recently. And then he had started telling Harry about his children.

At the moment, though, it seemed Bob was tired of talking. That had been some kind of entertainment and it had distracted him from his fuzziness and the pain. Moreover he enjoyed listening to the story of a "normal" person.

But now, with the missing stories being told, Harry had nothing to concentrate his aching mind on. His head felt as if it would split open if he touched it, throbbing at the slightest movement. He didn't even have to put a hand to his forehead to know that he was still running a fever. Feeling completely out of it and still very weak, Harry could do nothing else than stare out of the window, looking at the landscape flying by. Whilst doing so he unconsciously nuzzled the shirt he had previously been wearing, using it as a pillow pushed against the window.

The calm and peaceful landscape outside of the window soothed his erratic mind. It felt as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders as soon as they had left the forest some hours ago. Idyllic and green fields had moved into its place. The sun was shining down out of the blue sky onto red, yellow and white flowers that speckled the grassland. Every now and then he could see cattle and sheep calmly browsing. The picture was completed by some misty mountains in the far distance.

Smiling slightly, Harry pushed his head deeper into the shirt, making himself more comfortable. He was so sleepy. To fend of the invading exhaustion was becoming harder and harder each minute. The calming smell the shirt seemed to emanate didn't make things any easier. It turned his eyes to half mast and made his limbs hard to move. Snuggling deeper into the seat and the shirt at once, he made himself as cosy as possible. He yawned one last time and smacked sleepily while his eyes finally fluttered close. His mind was slowly drifting into unconsciousness when he suddenly realized what was happening.

He couldn't afford to fall asleep now. Not while he was still not with his family. The possibility of something happening while dreaming was impossibly high. Forcing himself to move away from his pillow, he shook himself awake. Rubbing at his eyes he settled back down and continued to stare out of the window, his eyes already half closed again.

Something moving at of the corner of his eyes caught his attention but the truck was moving too fast for his sleepy mind to make out anything distinctive. The sunlight got caught in the silhouette's fur and blinded him momentarily.

Bolting upright in his seat he gulped in lungfuls of air. His heart beat like crazy while his shoulders were tense. Staring straight ahead to calm down, he put his hand over his heaving chest.

It couldn't be! It simply couldn't be!

Harry had recognized the wolf immediately. He hadn't stayed that long with him, most of the days unconscious, anyway, but he would still recognize that silvery fur anywhere!

Afraid of what would await him, Harry looked out of the window again to confirm the dreadful fact, that he was indeed found by Greyback. He was met with nothing but the peaceful landscape, the monster nowhere to be seen.

For a moment he remained suspicious, but after several more moments Greyback hadn't appeared again and the tension in his body left him. The relief, however, was only short-lived as his head was flooded by disturbing questions.

What was going on? Was he losing his mind? Had he really imagined the Death Eater outside the truck? Was he becoming paranoid? Why the hell had he imagined Greyback outside? There had been no reason to do that!

His hands unconsciously tightened their hold on the shirt, searching for something to ease his mind until he realized what he was doing.

The shirt! That had to be the reason why! The scent! It must have been hypnotizing him. Why the hell had he taken it along? Why hadn't he left it at the petrol station? He could have put it in a bin and be rid of anything that reminded him of his horrible time spent together with Greyback! But no, for some stupid, inane reason he had kept it! Why? And the bigger problem was now he couldn't get rid of it! There was no way he would throw it out of the window because, first, Bob would surely question his sanity while screaming his head of and then he would kick him out of the lorry. Besides Greyback would probably find the shirt and know where he was, he just knew it!

So there was no reason he would just leave it somewhere! With his luck the beast would be at him only a few short moments after he had thrown it away!

Now where to put it? Looking around he looked for an appropriate place to put the shirt. There wasn't anywhere to put it, though, besides put it next to his socked feet and some of the used food containers.

He didn't know why it was so hard for him to let go of the shirt, but he had to really force his grip off of the shirt. Each single finger had to be willed off of the rough fabric. After some painful moments he managed to get rid of it and lay it down to his feet.

It didn't take long after that for him to fall asleep finally. There was no way he could hold out against the demanding blackness that had threatened him ever since he had started his escape from Greyback's cave.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Snapping out of his fever induced sleep, the throes of seducing darkness slowly leaving him, Harry was disorientated for a moment, and annoyed by an annoying ringing sound. The boy-who-lived rubbed at his eyes and yawned while taking in his surroundings.

He was still in the lorry's cab and his eyes caught Bob's frame. The driver's fingers were drumming on the wheel and he hummed to some slow going rock music.

Another ringing was heard.

Confused, Harry looked around.

"Get the phone, Harry. Probably your family." Bob said absent-mindedly. For a moment longer he looked a bit dazed at the driver, then he turned around to look for the mobile and spotted it vibrating between the food containers.

Picking it up, he pushed the green button and ruffled his hair.

Still half asleep, he mhmed into the phone.

Immediately his ears were assaulted by a jumble of voices.

"Does this even work?"

"I think you're holding it the wrong way around..."

"Like this?"

"No! The other way around!"

"But that just looks stupid! It's probably wrong..."

"Yeah, but I tell you it's an animal that needs to be able to reach the sky!"

"That, Mr. Weasley, is an utterly striking accessory, but I sincerely doubt that you have to put this contraption vertical onto your useless excuse of a head."

Suddenly Harry heard a loud smashing sound. Did they just let the mobile phone fall onto the floor?

"Tonks! You killed it!"

"I didn't do it on purpose! It moved on its own!"

"It's probably dead. It doesn't make those weird sounds anymore!"

"Erm... guys?" Harry asked, his headache intensifying because of the loud wizards.

"Amazing! I'll just have to know how this tale-phone is run by the bacteria! It even speaks with Harry's voice!"

"Harry!" Hermione screeched. It sounded as if someone was trying to pick up the phone while several voices exploded in hysterics. In the background chairs fell and glass shattered.

What were they doing? Were they getting in a fist fight over who was allowed to speak to him? And why wouldn't that surprise him?

Harry rubbed his temple, hoping to lessen the headache.

Really, this was almost too much to be worth it.

"Can you hear them, Harry", Hermione finally spoke to him. It appeared she had won the fight for the mobile. "I contacted the whole-"

"HARRY! ARE YOU IN THERE? WE'RE GOING TO RESCUE YOU!" Ron screamed directly into his ear, obviously having stolen the phone from Hermione.

Wincing, Harry held the phone several inches away while getting a strange look from Bob.

"Sorry, my cousin. The music he listens to is always too loud. Probably just one of his several hearing losses he sometimes gets..." Harry lied.

Into the phone, he said, "I'm not deaf, Ron."

"Give that to me, Ronald, "a bonk – most likely to the head – was heard," and help your mum in the kitchen." Hermione said rather harshly. "Sorry for that idiot. I didn't intend to lose the mobile. You know, almost the whole Order's here, gathered around me and looking at me like a litter of abandoned and kicked puppies. And they should! Just calling you like that!"

"It's ok, 'Mione, really."

For a moment, Harry could hear the wheels turning in her head, contemplating whether she should continue to rant about them and apologise for their behaviour, but in the end she allowed herself to be placated and instead asked, "How's your fever, Harry?"

"Better, I think. I've slept some."

"Good, but regardless, Poppy insists to have a look at you as soon as you're here. Tonks, Mr. Weasley and Charlie are going to get you."

"Why not Remus?" He asked, a bit disappointed.

"Remus is on a mission for the Order. He would have loved to come but he can't. So when and where?"

"Hang in there. I'm going to ask."

Turning around to face Bob, he asked, "When are we going to arrive in Carlisle? And where are you going to drop me off?"

"Can you get picked up there?"

"Yeah, my aunt and uncle live in some small village to the north."

"Okay, so they know Calisle?"

Harry nodded.

"Then I'm going to drop you off at the petrol station on the main street in one and a half hour. Is that ok?"

"Yes, of course. You've already done so much for me. They'll manage to be there on time. Did you hear that, Hermione?"

"Yeah, they'll be there. And I'll make sure they're dressed appropriately. Otherwise they would show up in mustard coloured parkas with green and pink striped trousers. You know how they are."

Harry snorted. "Thanks a lot, 'Mione. Could you bring a spare set of clothes?"

"Why ever that? What happened to yours?" Hermione asked, confused to no end.

"Long story. Do you really want to hear it?" Harry asked.

"Are you up to it?" Hermione enquired. "If so then yes."

He could almost see her curious glance she was throwing at him through the phone.

"Friends kicked me out of their car after a fight and I was still wearing my cross-dressing outfit. Luckily for me Bob got a spare set he could lent to me."

The incredulity in Hermione's silence was amusing, as far as Harry could muster up the strength to care.

"What is it, Hermione?"

"Has something happened?"

"Is Harry in danger?" Harry heard several voices in the background, concern dripping off of them.

Snapping out of her daze, Hermione said, not speaking into the phone but to the others, "Not now. Can't you see I'm busy?"

Then she said to Harry, "I'll make sure the take some clothes with them."

"Thanks, 'Mione. You're the best. See you soon."

Sighing, he leant back against the seat and closed his eyes. The pounding in his head receded some when the mobile tuuted, the voices stopped cutting into his muddled mind and the blinding light ceased from penetrating his aching eyes.

Finally. He was finally going home! In a few hours everything would be fine! Then he could finally succumb to the sweet darkness without having to worry about anything. Hermione, Mrs Weasley and everybody else would take care of him and see to his every need. They would protect him and make sure that no harm would befall him.

Having heard their voices – especially the sure one of Hermione – had given him some much needed security and strength. And he desperately needed the strength to survive the next few hours until he was in the safety of his family's grasp.

"How come your parents live in London and your aunt and uncle close to Carlisle?" Bob asked hesitantly.

Eyes still closed, Harry enjoyed the soft sounds of swooshing air outside and answered, "My dad got a job offer in London so we had to move. But my aunt and uncle enjoyed the countryside so they stayed there."

Opening one of his eyes to a slit, Harry watched Bob who nodded with his gaze fixed onto the road. It seemed he was satisfied with the answer and after he hadn't questioned the boy-who-lived further, Harry asked after several moments , "Is it okay if I sleep some more? I don't feel so well. Could you wake me up when we get there?"

"Sure can do." Bob answered.

Nodding to himself, Harry snuggled into his seat as best as possible and drifted off into unconsciousness.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Wake up, Harry, almost there." Bob said.

Immediately the tiredness in his limbs was forgotten and he looked straight ahead, spotting the petrol station at the far end of the street.

Nervousness shot through his body, almost paralysing him. What if they weren't there? What if something had happened while waiting for him? What if Greyback had got wind of their rescue plan? The order could have been ambushed and tortured to get the information the monster needed to find him. The whole thing could be a trap!

And if this was indeed a trap then it would be next to impossible for him to escape a second time. Greyback would make sure of that. This time he would probably chain him down to the cave floor or imprison him in said cave or something like that. Even if he somehow managed to make a get away there was no way he stood a chance against the beast. The fight with Greyback had shown as much – hell it didn't even count as such! The monster had just stood there and every curse sent his way somehow got deflected!

On the other hand he felt all tingly at the thought of finally being reunited with his family again and to be rescued from the traumatic experience. Another encounter with the beast would be too much to bear. The ten days he had survived in the cave could already be considered as one of the most terrible experiences in his life. The insecurity and constant fear had driven him to the brick of insanity and still - it wasn't over yet! He was not safely tucked away in the folds of home yet and even then it would probably take weeks until he would feel nearly as secure again as he had before this incident. Even now in the truck he was struck by paranoia. Leaving the lorry would cost quite an effort when they would finally reach their destination. So it was certainly no wonder that he was torn between outright fear and happiness – a mix that settled as dizzy anticipation in his gut while he scanned the approaching petrol station.

Still it was hard to sit still despite the gnawing paranoia. Everything screamed for him to jump out of the driver's cab and run towards it because the lorry was moving so painfully slow! And at the same time it was much too fast.

Damn it all! He just wanted to be home again and not have these contradicting feelings!

After what seemed to be hours the lorry was finally close enough for Harry to make out details. He could see four persons standing in front of the petrol station in more or less unsuspicious clothes.

Four? Hadn't Hermione said that it would only be three? Immediately he suspected that something was wrong. Had Greyback overwhelmed his friends and was now waiting for him with some of his pack, so as to make sure that Harry wouldn't run away again? If that was the case he was doomed! After all he hadn't been able to deal with one werewolf. How was he supposed to deal with four?

Suddenly he saw something red gleaming in the sunlight. Harry narrowed his eyes and sighed in relief as he recognised the familiar red mops of hair of the Weasleys.

As soon as the truck drove into the car park and came to a stop, Harry pulled the door open and leapt onto the ground. He had just about enough time to turn around before he was jumped by an hysteric bush of brown hair, squeezing the breath out of him

"Hermione! Can't breathe!" Harry wheezed.

Letting go of him she took a step back but was still holding his hands.

"Oh sorry", she whispered while looking him over worriedly, relieved that he was still alive. Her gaze narrowed at his sweaty and pale features and the dark circles under his eyes.

Something was amiss with him, aside from the obvious illness, but she couldn't put her finger onto it – yet. She was sure that she would be able to find out about it, she just needed some more time.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked confused.

"Making sure the others won't make complete fools out of themselves, of course." She said, smirking slightly and continued in a concerned voice, "You look dreadful, Harry. How are you?"

"To be honest, awful. But nothing Madam Pomfrey can't fix." He said, trembling slightly.

Then she realised what had been bugging her about Harry's appearance. She could look directly into Harry's startling green eyes, without any obstruction.

"Where are your glasses, Harry?" She asked surprised. How had he managed to come this far from who knows where without seriously hurting himself? After all he was almost blind without them. He could have run over by a car or bus because he hadn't seen it approaching! And how had he managed to hitch-hike if he couldn't see the approaching vehicle?

He was confused, that much Hermione could see, but why? It wasn't because he hadn't noticed the absence of his glasses, right? That would be a bit... odd, to say the least.

A searching hand crept over Harry's face, his eyes widening when he didn't encounter them on his nose.

"I... I don't know..." He finally said. "I don't know when I lost them..." His form trembled even more than before

"Shhh, it's okay, Harry. I don't blame you for anything." Hermione said, drawing soothing circles onto his back.

Still, it was a bit strange that he hadn't realised them missing earlier, Hermione thought, but pushed it to the back of his mind to contemplate about it later.

A hand came to rest on Harry's shoulder, surprising him for a moment. Turning around he looked into the smiling face of Mr. Weasley. Charlie and Tonks were standing next to him, delighted to see him.

"Welcome back, son." Mr. Weasley said, gently squeezing his shoulder. Tonks ruffled his hair affectionately and winked at him with a smile on her face.

"Uncle, Aunt, Charlie" Harry said, his voice breaking at the end. Tears came to his eyes at seeing that someone cared, that someone was there, that his family had come for him.

They were hugging him, patting his shoulder – he had never felt so protected and happy before in his life.

Finally Mr. Weasley let go of Harry and approached Bob, who stood next to the lorry, observing the happenings with a smile on his face.

Extending a hand, Mr. Weasley greeted the Muggle and said, "And you must be Bob! I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help. Thank you very much. I hope you didn't have to make a detour?"

"It was nothing. Driving alone can be boring at times." Bob answered, shaking hands with Mr. Weasley. "I really enjoyed his company."

Seeing the small talk his father made with Bob, Charlie approached Harry with a stack of clothes. "Lets go. You'll need to change before we can go." Harry nodded and thankfully took the clothes from Charlie.

Looking back at Mr. Weasley unsurely who was still talking to Bob, Charlie said, "I'll go with you. Hermione will make sure that he won't embarrass himself in front of the Muggle." A strong hand pushed him towards the facilities of the petrol station. "The clothes are from Ron, so they're probably a bit large but we didn't have anything else. Everything including your clothes was burnt."

Finally reaching the petrol station's bathroom, Charlie asked, "Are you alright on your own?" He didn't need to be a healer to see Harry's bad condition and if he could avoid the little one's passing out in one of the cubicles, he would help him changing.

"I'll manage." Harry said and vanished.

After a few minutes he reappeared in Ron's clothes, the one's of Bob neatly folded.

Taking the clothes from Harry's trembling hands, he guided the boy-who-lived back to his family.

When the rest of them saw them approaching, Bob looked down at his watch and said, "Oh, I have to go or I'll fall behind schedule. I'll go refuel now."

"Refuel? Wha-" Mr. Weasley asked, a fascinated gleam entering his eyes before Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.

"Dad, are we going now? Harry looks really bad." She said, interrupting his starting enquiry.

"Yes, yes, of course." He said absent-mindedly, probably still thinking about the meaning of 'refuel'.

"Thank you very much for picking me up and taking care of me." Harry said after giving a quizzical look into Mr. Weasley's direction.

"No problem, lad. Hope you get well soon and that you work out the problems with your friends." Bob said affectionately and ruffled Harry's hair.

"I'll just put these onto the seat, okay?" Harry asked who had taken back the clothes from Charlie. "That would be nice, Harry." Bob answered.

While Bob said his good byes to Harry's friends, the boy-who-lived went back to the lorry and put the clothes onto the seat. He was about to turn around when he noticed something out of the corner of his eyes. Looking closer, he noticed Greyback's shirt.

Somehow it drew him in and without noticing it he stretched out his hand towards it.

When he realized what he was doing he snatched his fingers back, holding them uncertainly against his chest.

What was he doing? He couldn't take this shirt with him. It wouldn't do him very good, he just knew it. Besides it belonged to GREYBACK! Why ever should he take it with him? That made absolutely no sense whatsoever!

"Harry, are you coming?" Tonks asked.

"Yeah!" He answered, and without realizing what he was doing he took the shirt and put it between his boxers and the waistband of Ron's jeans before he went back to the others to join them and say his good bye as well.

Bob waved one last time, then he left.

As soon as the lorry driver was out of sight, all strength left Harry and he stumbled slightly, his vision swimming and his body shivering.

"Are you okay, Harry?"Charlie asked while steadying him carefully.

Harry nodded, regretting the movement instantly.

"Can you walk?"

"Errr... just fine." Harry answered but at that moment his legs gave out. Strong arms caught his body before he could painfully fall to the ground.

"Gotcha!" Charlie said, smirking slightly.

Suddenly the world was spinning and he was drifting in the air.

A moment later he was put on someone's strong back, taking him piggyback.

The last thing he saw before he passed out was red hair.
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The Distance In Your Eyes