Harrys head had barely lifted from the now, sweat covered wood, before he heard Kingsleys voice thundering through his fireplace. He let out a low groan as he adjusted himself and wiped the fresh sleep from his puffy eyes. "Yes Minister?" he answered as he mosied over towards the warmth. "Meet me in my office in two minutes, i have a case of interest for you."
'Case of interest,' that seemed to be an overstatement. Harry thought to himself as he left the Ministers office. It was only an unregistered aura, nothing deserving too much attention certainly. It wasnt negative either. Kingsley must think he needs a break of sorts. Hed only been pestering him about it for months now. Harry blew a curl out of his eyes as his frustration simmered further under his skin. There wasnt much that he could do, other than go of course. Hell, it could be worse. Rome was actually rather beautiful.
The early morning sun peaked through the colosseum walls shining into his eyes. Hed spent the last 8 hours scouring its concaves and ruins, tracking for any type of magical signature, yet he found none. His agitation climbed just as furiously as the sun. He tried, to no avail, to calm himself. Kingsley surely wouldnt send him on a pointless hunt, even if it was because he needed a vacation from all the overtime hed been putting in. He wiped away at his half lidded eyes, letting out a harsh sigh when he heard the angry growl of his abdomen. Surprised he still had an apetite he figured he might as well pack up and eat.
A sunrise on the city of Rome was much like a pastel painting. One where warm colors melted into the earthy tones of the rubbled buildings. The cold blues danced behind the silk like morning fog that was quickly fading. He had forgotten the hidden beauties around the world, it made him miss his art.
As he made his way through the streets he saw the Campo De `Fiori sign overtop a street market like festival. As he came closer he saw children in rag like clothes and bare feet wearing dim faces as they gazed up to the market people. The shop owners standing behind fresh fruit and foods stands were eagerly conversing with customers as others tried desperately to gather their children behind the stands. They all wore tired and worn out faces, dim and sweat soaked even in the bright morning sun. He approached a stand selling pomegranates and other fruits and kindly pointed to the large red fruit to purchase. The markets woman smiled and bagged up three pomegranates as he collected the money to pay her.
Suddenly all of the surrounding children ran towards the fountain at the back of the market place where a guitar strum sounded off. Harrys head turned towards the beautiful noise and was greeted with a voice. "Lui ha un cuore cosà puro-" flustered by the sound he grabbed a handful of money from his wallet pouch, trading it for the fruit. The woman tried eagerly to give him his change but he was already making his way to the crowd.
"Scomettoche ha fiori crescente tra le-" the voice continued and he could feel something crashing into him. Not physically, but emotionally. A wave washing over him and cleansing him. He eyed around the square and noticed all the people. Some dancing, swaying, and some just standing. But they all wore smiles now. Rose painted cheeks and grin lines shown from each persons face. "Oro liquido nelle vene" the voice crashed through him again. His auror instincts went into over drive. He had to know what this was, what was happening. "Loquimini ad cor" he spoke out softly.
He listened to the guitars rhythm as he waited for the next lymric, still trying desperately to make his way towards the melody. "I bet his lips taste like the suns warmth and his hands feel like home" came the soothing voice and Harry froze. At this point he could only see the tip of the man, it was a straw like hat. "Hes a god in human form but ive got a corrupted soul this dark heart would fade away in his light" Harrys heart raced as he felt the song ending. He needed to see his face. He needed to know that voice. He began zig zagging through the crowd as politely as he could. "And a god.." the voice broke through again. Harry could see his shoulders, the hat covering his face. He quickened his pace. "Shouldnt fall with a devil" the last lyric echoed in his head as the guitars last stroke echoed through the dispersing crowd.
Harry tried furiously to fight through the crowd, dropping his bag of fruit and all. As he finally found himself at the end of the crowd he fell to he knees of exhaustion and desperation. Because there before him stood only a fountain and the ghost of the song that was sung.