lepidopterologist

It was the winter holiday, and Harry was taking legitimate time off. Away from the school. A holiday vacation with... the men he loved.

He'd let James plan it all, of course. Not only did he know Rome the best, but he also had money. Harry didn't have that particular brand of pride. He didn't need to be in charge all the time. Just when it was appropriate.

So now they were at Heathrow.

"It's not a long flight," he assured Q.

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From:

cuppa_q

"It doesn't have to be long to be unpleasant," Q assured them both, holding his tea in both hands with his suitcase beside him while they sat waiting to board.

From:

0_0_7

"I Took that into consideration," Bond said and produced a small vial filled with an opaque, yellowish liquid.

"Half for now, half for the flight home. Put it in your tea and sip it," Bond instructed.

From:

lepidopterologist

Harry arched an eyebrow. "What is it?" he asked Bond quietly.

From:

cuppa_q

Q seemed unsure, then poured half into his tea and tucked the rest away.

From:

0_0_7

"I'll explain the recipe to you later, old man," he assured Harry. "It will help with your anxiety, Q. Trust me, I don't want you to start your holiday in a panic."

From:

lepidopterologist

"One of these days I'll plan a trip that won't be nearly as exciting or luxurious but will be in driving distance," Harry said lightly.

From:

cuppa_q

"I would be thankful," Q chuckled, sipping his tea. "Though it is always fun to watch James spend his money."

From:

0_0_7

Bond rather liked spending money on the two of them. The more expensive, the better.

"I hope you'll both enjoy this. I made arrangements to visit the Vatican on Christmas Eve. It's quite the experience."

From:

lepidopterologist

"My inner catholic school boy is giddy," said Harry. "He's still in there somewhere."

From:

cuppa_q

"Does something exceptional happen?" Q asked, quite unfamiliar with religious practices.

From:

0_0_7

"It's something to behold, even for non-Catholics," he assured him. "It will be a Christmas to remember."

From:

lepidopterologist

"I believe that is inevitable," Harry said. "By virtue of the three of us being together."

From:

cuppa_q

"Yes. Time with you both is the only thing making this plane ride seem worth it," Q smiled.

From:

0_0_7

Bond turned to catch the stewardess's attention and caught a glimpse of the man behind them.

He froze. All the expression evaporated and Bond turned his neutral face to Harry.

"Jurgen Kjolinger is sitting behind us," he said softly to Harry.

Bond's own interest in dark magic aside, there were a few wizards in the world so dark, so wrong, so twisted, that even Bond couldn't stomach them. At the end, Rooks had been that way. But where he'd admired Rooks for many years before his downfall, Kjolinger had never been admirable. He was part of a Chaos faction, zealots, all.

He may not be Good, but Bond chose the side of Right. More often than not.

"I wonder what he's going to Rome for."

From:

lepidopterologist

A flicker of alarm crossed Harry's face. But he did not turn to look.

"Nothing good, I'm sure," he said, his lips tight.

He had his own experiences with Kjolinger that he was fairly certain Bond knew nothing of.

From:

cuppa_q

Q was not nearly so subtle, and he glanced back to look at the man the pair spoke of.

"Who is he?" he asked.

From:

0_0_7

"Think of the worst wizards you can, Q. Blomgren? Amateur. Rooks? Corrupted. The man behind you is evil in ways you don't want to imagine," he explained barely above a whisper.

From:

lepidopterologist

Harry was clearly tense. But he just said calmly, "I'm sure it is a simple coincidence that he is on our plane."

From:

cuppa_q

Q glanced back just once more- accedently catching the man's gaze and then quickly looking away.

From:

0_0_7

"Surely a coincidence," Bond agreed, but he didn't believe it. It was Christmas, after all. And Rome was a place where the holy rituals raised tremendous power. Harnessing that would be dangerous, but Bond was sure that was just the sort of thing someone like Jurgen would do.

When Q turned back, Bond smiled softly at him.

"Feeling less anxious, pet?"he asked.

From:

lepidopterologist

With a show of willpower, Harry did not look back at the wizard. Instead he had thoughts very similar to Bond's. He could also think of a reason or two why he would be there, now. None of them good.

From:

cuppa_q

Q was not, in fact, feeling less anxious. He had a terrible feeling, one he wasn't sure what to make of. Like a tingle in the back of his skull... If he'd paid more attention in divination he might have read it as a bad omen.

Not wanting to cause a fuss, he smiled. "Yes, thank you," he replied. "I might just rest my eyes until we land."

From:

0_0_7

Nothing would happen on the plane, he was sure, so Bond sipped his drink and looked out the window.

The airport was chaotic with all the holiday travelers, but Bond navigated them through, collecting their luggage and going to the desk to get their car. It was a pleasant drive to the hotel where the valet took the car and Bond lead them in.

And at the desk to the right stood the wizard, checking in to his room. Bond looked at Harry, then slid the glance to Q.

"Surely a coincidence," he attempted to assure them, but it had less teeth now than it had on the plane.

From:

lepidopterologist

"We will be vigilant," Harry said.

It was then that he looked across the room and met the wizard's gaze. Their eyes locked for a moment, and then Harry looked away, back at the other two. "Let's go to our room," he said.