Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
The Color Red
Prologue
It was midnight and James Potter was not a happy man. The pounding at the door echoed through Godric's Hallow and the pitter patter of the butler rushing to the door could be heard.
Good, let the butler get it, I need to get back to sleep.
As it seems though, sleep was not on the menu for James tonight as the knocks on his bedroom door indicate.
James sat up and blinked to get used to the dark, Harold, the head butler shuffled in nervously.
Odd, I've never seen Harold so out of sorts.
"What is it?" James asked, annoyed by the intrusion.
"Milord, there is a boy at the door requesting your presence."
"It's late, tell him to call in the morning. That's when decent people are up."
"Milord, it's urgent. You might want to see this."
Huffing, James ran his hand through his hair and got out of bed. Putting on a robe, he headed towards the person causing this commotion.
Stomping down the stairs, James could see from afar that the boy, with his back towards James was scrawny and filthy.
"What is the meaning of this?" James was only steps away from the boy.
The boy turned around, and James stopped in shock.
"The resemblance is uncanny. Hello old man."
Harry sat crossed legged on a sofa, looking around the study. Every piece of furniture and art screamed wealth. Harry gritted his teeth in annoyance.
"So, Harry, is it?"
Harry turned to the voice, paying attention to the man he now called father.
"Yes, I do believe that's my name. Unless, of course, you find it unpleasing? You are my father, I'll answer any name you address me with." Harry's smirked.
"No, no. Harry is perfectly alright."
You should damn well know I'm perfect.
"It's just that this is all a bit of a surprise, you see. I didn't know that Lily was in a delicate situation. When we parted ways, she wasn't showing and I didn't know."
"I see." Harry nodded. "Well, as you can clearly see, we are definitely related."
"Yes, yes, the resemblance, as you said is uncanny."
"Am I staying or not? I don't know about you, but I have heard that some of you high and mighty lords aren't very fond of bastard children."
"Of course you're staying. No son of mine is going to lay about in the streets."
"I see."
As Harry thought over James words, a soft knocking interrupted. Both father and son looked towards the door.
The door opened slowing and a woman stepped in. Not just any woman, a scantily clad woman in only a sheer robe. James faired to notice to woman's state of dress, his mind still all over the place, but Harry noticed.
How could he not? Harry, though still considered a boy in London society, was 19, and fully aware of the opposite sex. Especially when the opposite sex was practically naked. The v of the robe hinted at two rather abundant mounds of flesh and the tie holding the robe in place on emphasized a narrow waist followed by slightly rounded hips. A body made for sin. After the thorough assessment of the mystery woman's body, Harry's eyes made there way up. Large exotic eyes, a delicate nose, and full red lips. The overall effect was delicious. That and also the long black slightly messed up hair. It made Harry think of how she just got out of bed. That thought kept ringing through his mind, until he was interrupted by the sound of his father's voice.
"Harry, I'd like for you to meet my wife, Lady Cho."
His wife! She can't be more than a few years older than me.
"It's a pleasure." Harry stood up and bowed.
"The pleasure is all mine." Cho's lips curled, obviously mocking him, but Harry just desired her even more.
"Harry will be joining us here from now on." James announced, nervously glancing at his wife.
Cho simply smiled once again. "That's fabulous."
She turned towards Harry. "It's the middle of the night and I'm exhausted. You don't mine if I got back to bed, do you?"
The mention of bed made Harry all to aware of his arousal. Thankfully, James was still to befuddled, and did not notice.
"No, I don't mind. You get your sleep." Harry rambled.
"I'll turn in then." Cho turned towards the door. "We can learn more about each other in the morning." Cho threw in before heading to the door.
Harry watched the delicate curve of Cho's derriere through her robe as she slowly made her way out of his sight.
Daily Prophet
Dear Readers,
Today is a day of tragedy. Although the infamous Harry Evans Potter has only reunited with his father two years ago, it seems that fate has it in for this father son duo. His Grace, James Potter passed recently overseas when the notorious Captain Riddle and his band of pirates raided the passenger ship he was on. In their 7 years of marriage, Lord James and Lady Cho failed to produce any heirs, leaving Harry as the receiver of the Potter fortune and title. Can the new Duke live up to his father's memory? Furthermore, what will happen to Lady Cho, now that she has to rely on her late husband's new heir? Everyone knows that Lady Cho has expensive tastes.
Your faithful seeker of truth, Miss Rita Skeeter
Harry looked around at the room that once belonged to his father and is now his. If someone told him 2 years ago that his father died and he was the heir to the large fortune, he would be ecstatic. Now though, it brought a bitter taste to his mouth. In the two years since Harry revealed himself to his father, he's had some time to get to know him. Although Harry didn't have a close relationship to his father, he was still grateful for those two years.
Albus came in to get him ready for sleep.
"Do you miss him?" Harry asked as Albus sorted through the closet.
"Yes, Your Grace." Albus smiled. "I've been in the Potter household since before Lord James was even bored. I watched him grow from an arrogant child to an arrogant lord."
Harry chuckled. "I think you are the only one who can say that about my father."
"I'd like to think that I was more than a valet, but also a friend to your father."
"Will you be my friend too?"
"I thought I already was."
Harry laughed.
"A tip from an old bugger. You will need friends in the days to come. High society is cruel and unforgiving. Make some honest friends and you'll become an honest man." Albus left and Harry pondered over his advice.
He made his way to bed and settled in, not used to the massive frame and satin sheets.
A knock came from the door and Harry looked towards the entrance.
None other than Lady Cho came swaying in.
This is unexpected. What is she doing here?
Cho was in a sheer red muslin nightgown.
Red, the color of sin. Harry instantly thought of the night he first saw Cho and her deep red lips.
"Is something the matter?"
"Yes." Cho whispered while continuing to make her way over, slowly.
What is she up to? During the two years Harry's been here, Cho's only ever looked towards Harry with disgust and anger. Only in front of his father does Cho ever treat Harry decently.
"Do you need something?" Harry asked, confused by Cho's actions.
"Well, I don't need anything, but I do want something." Cho stood only steps away from the bed.
"My father's been only gone for a week. Do you feel no shame?" Harry finally understood. Now that he inherited a fortune, of course Cho would treat him differently. He was now in charge of everything, including her spending.
"Does this look like shame to you?" Cho slid the straps of her nightgown off her shoulder and it drop to the floor in a pool around her feet. She kneeled on top of the bed and inched closer.
Harry had no words. Cho's breasts were presented in front of him like a meal to a staving man.
Harry was frozen, both in awe at the woman in front of him and in horror of what's happening.
When Cho's delicate hand made its way up his thigh to the source of his arousal, he could only gasp at her touch.
"Let's learn more about each other." Cho lips curled, reminding Harry of the first night he met her. Still, two years later, Cho was still mocking Harry
Some things never change.