Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Gravitation. I am simply twisting them to suit my needs.

Chapter 12

Nervousness never suited him, and tonight was no different. Before, he always had the rest of his band backing him up, but not tonight. Tonight he would be alone on stage with everyone's eyes focused solely on him. He felt like his heart would leap up through his throat at any second. Not only that, but he kept fearing his glamour charms would fail and expose his new additions. 'Wouldn't that be lovely' he thought sarcastically.

Harry stiffened when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind. Glancing behind him, he smiled a forced, strained smile at his husband. "I didn't think you'd make it on time." he commented shyly.

"And miss your debut as a solo artist?" he asked in disbelief. "Never…" Hiro nuzzled his face in his husband's dark curls. "Relax, Harry," he said, feeling the small shudders coursing through Harry. "What songs are you singing tonight?"

Harry scrunched his face in concentration. "I only know of three that I'm singing for sure. I'm winging it from there." Harry laughed at the look on his husband's face. "Well, I have an idea of which ones I want to sing, but I can't make up my mind." Hiro made an 'ah' noise and preceded to place wet kisses all over the singer's face making him laugh.

"You know, Ritsu-kun and Fujisaki will be here tonight." Hiro said, snaking his hand up the back of Harry's shirt.

"I still don't like the fact their dating. Ritsuka's only fourteen, for crying out loud!"

"I know, Harry. I know." Hiro really did not feel like arguing about this, again. "Can't you just be happy for them? They seem happy together."

"I'm sorry, Hiro. I should not be worrying about this right now. I have a concert to spaz about." Harry laughed and rested his head against his husband's chest. Hiro wrapped his arms tighter around the singer's waist and sighed contently. They stood in each other's embrace until the stage manager called for Harry to take his place.

… … …

The audience went wild as soon as Harry stepped onto the stage. Their cheers and applause helped sooth his jittery senses. It made him realize just how many people loved his music. It flooded him with a sense of warmth.

"Thanks for coming here tonight!" he called out, making the audience clap and scream louder. Harry raised his hand to silence the crowd. "Believe it or not, I was really nervous backstage." The audience 'awed' and Harry fought back a grin. "But my loving husband told me how stupid I was being. Not so bluntly, of course," Harry snickered at the crowd's gasps. Harry sent Hiro, who was standing side stage, a cheeky grin while Hiro glared good-naturedly at the singer, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. Harry waited until the audience calmed down before speaking again. "I hope you all enjoy this evening's show!"

The singer placed the microphone back on its stand and made his way to the piano in the middle of the stage. He truly was nervous before but not so much now. Talking with Hiro backstage and the crowd just now had helped.

The singer's fingers stilled just on top of the keys and he drew in a deep breath. He knew which song he singing first, even if it was a bit depressing. Harry remembered the day he actually finished the song and the words his husband had said to him.

Flashback

"Harry?" Hiro had rushed through the apartment searching for his husband when he heard his loud sobs. "Baby, what's wrong?" he asked again, gathering the shaking singer in his arms.

"Why? Why can't I forget?" Harry asked brokenly.

"Forget about what?"

Harry lifted his head and stared at Hiro with puffy, swollen eyes. "He didn't deserve to die. Why couldn't I protect him?"

Hiro tightened his arms around the smaller man. He did not have to ask to know what Harry meant. When he learned of the magical world, Harry finally told him about his first love, Cedric. Even now, Harry still blamed himself for his death. The guitarist reached behind the singer and picked up the lyrics his husband was working on. 'No wonder he broke down' he thought as he read.

"Harry, look at me." Hiro commanded and the singer glanced up. "I know you still love Cedric and blame yourself for what happened. But he wouldn't have wanted you to mourn for him this long."

"But…"

"And before you ask, no, it doesn't bother me that you still have feelings for him. He was, is special to you, and always will be. Nothing I say or do will ever change that, and I wouldn't want to." Harry looked into husband's eyes, searching for any sign of deceit but only found tenderness and truth. Harry buried his face in Hiro's chest and cried for hours after that.

End Flashback

Harry's fingers pressed into the keys, forging a slow, melancholy melody. It still hurt whenever he thought about him, but his breakdown the other day had helped tremendously. He no longer felt as if he had a black rain cloud hanging overhead.

Couldn't save you from the start
Love you so it hurts my soul
Can you forgive me for trying again?
Your silence makes me hold my breath
All the time has passed you by

For so long, I've tried to shield you from the world
You couldn't face the freedom on your own
Here I am
Left in silence

You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that stands forgiven
You'll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that stands forgiven

Watched the clouds drifting away
Still the sun can't warm my face
I know it was destined to go wrong
You were looking for the great escape
To chase your demons away

For so long, I've tried to shield you from the world
You couldn't face the freedom on your own
Here I am
Left in silence

You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that stands forgiven
You'll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that stands forgiven

I've been so lost since you've gone
Why not me before you?
Why did fate deceive me?
Everything turned out so wrong
Why did you leave me in silence?

You gave up the fight
You left me behind
All that stands forgiven
You'll always be mine
I know deep inside
All that stands forgiven

He couldn't help the tear that slid down his cheek as he finished. The crowd's applause was deafening, though. That brought a small smile to his face. He was glad his fans liked the song, even with its depressing overtones. 'Hmm…maybe being a solo artist isn't that bad' he thought.

Only time would tell, though.

The End…For Now

Author's Note: Please don't kill me. Before any asks, yes, I am going to write a sequel to this story. Did you think I would leave it like this forever? Shame... shame on all of you that did! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the thus far and will keep your eyes peeled for the sequel. The song used in this chapter is 'Forgiven' by Within Temptation. It's from their new album 'The Heart of Everything'. Well, cheers!