This is more of a filler chapter. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with this story.
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Harry lost himself in the thrill of fighting as he dodged yet another knight. Harry spun around and then dropped into a crouch, yanking out a dagger as he moved, and slashed down at the knight's ankle. A foot slammed into his side, knocking him of course and the dagger struck the ground uselessly. Harry gasped in pain as he rolled, trying to focus enough to throw his dagger at his opponent. A pained cry informed him that he had hit his target and he smirked victoriously before launching himself at his original target, knocking the knight to the ground.
The knight attempted to punch him in the face and Harry deflected the blow, retaliating with one of his own. The knight's head snapped to the side and Harry pulled another dagger from inside his boot, aiming for the knight's neck. The knight blocked with a dagger of his own and Harry narrowed his eyes in concentration as he twisted his knife over the knights, nicking his wrist so he let it go. Harry caught the knight's dagger in his free hand and held both against his opponent's neck. They looked at each other, both of them panting heavily, before Harry grinned and sat back, so that he was straddling the knight.
"Well done, Harry!" Sirius applauded as he walked over to help the prince up. Once Harry was on his feet he reached down to help the other man. "You as well, McCormac." McCormac grinned and nodded at Harry.
"You are getting better every day, sire. Soon we will no longer be able to teach you for you will be far more advanced than any of us." McCormac complimented. Harry flushed with pleasure at the praise and bowed slightly.
"If that day ever comes I will make sure not to gloat about my obviously superior skills." Harry smirked cheekily and they laughed. Harry took a moment to watch the other knights training with their partners before turning to Sirius.
"I'm going to ride Dexter." Harry told him. Sirius looked at him for a second before nodding.
"Take someone with you." Sirius said before Harry could walk away.
"I'm not a child, Sirius. I can ride a horse without adult supervision." Harry sighed. Sirius glared at him.
"You are only seventeen. Until you are nineteen it is my job to make sure you are protected at all times," he said calmly. "You will take one of the knights with you or you won't be going." Harry narrowed his eyes.
"No. I don't need a babysitter. Sirius you just saw how well I can fight off an attack. I just need some time to myself to think about everything that happened today. Please?" Harry pleaded with wide emerald eyes. Sirius groaned and waved dismissively.
"Fine, fine! Just stop looking at me like that!" Sirius grumbled. Harry whooped and hugged Sirius before dashing off to the stables. Harry walked leisurely, enjoying the sun until he came to the stables. Harry headed toward that stall holding his horse and grinned as he opened the gate door and walked in.
"Hey, big guy. How are you doing?" Harry asked as he pet Dexter's neck, smoothing down a few wayward hairs. Dexter huffed at him and nudged his shoulder hard.
"I know!" Harry laughed. "I haven't been to see you in a while. How about we go riding and
I'll tell you all about what you missed?" Dexter tossed his head and Harry grinned again as he rubbed Dexter down and grabbed his saddle. Harry quickly put everything on before leading Dexter out of the stables.
Harry swung himself into the saddle, settling in comfortingly. He turned Dexter to face the wide open riding field just outside of the castle walls and nudged him slightly in the side.
"Come on, Dex. Fast as you can." Harry murmured and Dexter set of, the wind racing past them as Dexter began to gallop. Harry laughed happily as he pulled lightly on the reigns, turning Dexter to the left. "Let's go to the lake!" Harry shouted. Dexter whinnied and Harry pat his neck once. After a few minutes of the fast pace Harry pulled on the reigns, slowing them down to a nice trot.
"Let's slow down a bit. We're not in any hurry." Harry said. They passed under a few apple trees and Harry stretched to pluck one off of a low hanging branch and put it in a side bag to give to Dexter later. They were about to pass the last apple tree when someone dropped down and tackled Harry out of his saddle. Dexter whinnied in surprise and ran off. Harry grunted as he hit the ground hard, his attacker landing on top of him. They rolled, each trying to get the upper hand. His attacker reached for his hands in an attempt to pin them down and Harry grabbed on to his their left wrist, throwing a leg over their back and pushing against the ground with his left arm. He slid out from under his attacker, twisting their arm behind their back and pulled out one of his daggers, pressing it into their neck as he settled onto their back.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Harry snapped coolly. His attacker turned their head so Harry could see the side of his face and Harry gasped.
"Bloody hell, Viktor!" Harry snapped, annoyed. "You can't just jump out of a tree and attack me like that! I could have killed you and then your father would have declared war on us!" Viktor, a prince from a neighboring kingdom, chuckled as Harry sheathed his dagger and let go of his arm. Harry slid off of Viktor's back, settling in the grass beside him and whistled sharply to call Dexter back to him.
"I just wanted to scare you. Did it work?" Viktor asked as he sat up. Harry rolled his eyes.
"Course not, idiot. It takes more than a bulky warrior falling out of a tree to scare me." Harry sniffed trying, and failing to hide his smile. Viktor stood and reached down to help Harry up when an arrow slammed into the tree behind Viktor, just above his shoulder. Harry twisted around, pulling out two daggers as he crouched in front of Viktor. Viktor pulled out his sword and both scanned the area, looking for the archer. Harry caught a flash of silver from a tree and he pointed it out to Viktor.
"Viktor, third tree down, halfway up. See anyone?" Harry whispered. Viktor's gaze sharpened as he searched and he snorted before relaxing his position. Harry looked at him questioningly, his daggers still in his hands.
"I was not the only one with this idea. Fleur was hiding in tree." Viktor explained as he sheathed his sword. Harry stood up and looked to where Viktor was pointing. Fleur, a princess from an adjacent kingdom to Viktor's, was laughing and waving at them from a branch halfway up the tree. The boys rolled their eyes at each other but waved back. Fleur jumped down, landing in a crouch before making her way over, bow and quiver slung over her shoulder.
" Hello, Harry. Viktor." She greeted them once she was close enough, wrapping them both in a warm hug.
"Hello, Fleur." They returned.
"What are you guys doing here?" Harry asked, looking up at his two friends. He was a foot and half shorter than Viktor and only a few inches shorter than Fleur.
"Your birthday is in two days, is it not?" Fleur asked. Harry nodded.
"We come down early to spend time and celebrate with much partying and drinking!" Viktor exclaimed happily. Harry laughed at his taller friends enthusiasm.
"Thanks," Harry chuckled. "I'm sure we'll have fun. Where are your horses?" Harry asked once he saw Dexter trotting towards him. Dexter glared at Viktor and nudged Harry gently, big eyes looking at him in concern. "I'm alright Dexter." Harry stroked Dexter's nose as Viktor and Fleur called their horses to them.
They spent hours catching up and planning Harry's party. Harry was just happy to relax and forget about the embarrassing events of the morning. It wasn't until Fleur asked if he had received any early presents that he recalled his harem and blushed deeply.
"Well, well, well! What's made you blush so, dear Harry?" She teased him, bumping him gently with her shoulder.
"Nothing at all," Harry mumbled, "Who do you think we should invite? No way am I inviting Pansy. She'd just point put all things that she would have done better." Harry quickly changed the topic.
"You aren't getting off that easy, Harry. Tell us what it is or we'll just have to ask Sirius. You know he would tell us all the gory details." Viktor teased. Harry groaned, realizing that he would have to tell them if he didn't want the knight to exaggerate what had actually happened.
"Fine! You know that I told my parents that I preferred the company of men, right?" He waited for them to nod before taking a deep breath. "Well, my parents decided to show their support by…giftingmewithaharemofsevenmen." Harry rushed the rest out and waited for their comments.
"I'm sorry, Harry. I don't speak hyperactive two-year old. Mind slowing that down a bit?" Fleur asked sweetly.
"They gifted me with a harem of seven men and I don't know what to do." Harry groaned into his hands. "What do you think?" There was a moment of silence before Fleur and Viktor burst into peals of laughter. Harry glared at them.
"Stop it! It's not funny!" He snapped. His friends continued to laugh at him and Harry stood angrily, storming over to Dexter. He swung himself into the saddle and turned Dexter in the direction of his castle. Fleur and Viktor jumped up and ran to his side.
"Wait! Harry we're sorry!" Viktor shouted.
"Harry, don't leave!" Fleur pleaded.
"No! I will not sit here and let you ridicule and embarrass me! I have more important things to do than listen to my friends laugh at me for telling them my problems and asking them for help." Harry snapped at them. He kicked Dexter in the sides and set off at a gallop towards Godrics Hollow, his friends pleading shouts fading in the distance.
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Molly Weasley looked at the group of seven men, now dressed in brand new clothes, and smirked. She gestured for them to turn in a circle and her smirk widened as they complied.
"Yes, yes. This will do quite nicely. I am assuming you all want more of the same styles in different colors?" She asked the males. They all nodded, absentmindedly wandering off to look at themselves in mirrors.
"I look bloody fantastic!" Draco exclaimed as he stared at the form fitting, long-sleeved, dark grey shirt and tight black jeans. Blaise snorted at the blond as he checked his outfit in the mirror. Blaise had requested an emerald green shirt, the color of his prince's eyes, and blue jeans. Severus was standing next to Blaise in a black turtleneck and dark blue jeans.
Neville was in a gold and red checkered flannel shirt, his sleeves rolled up to the elbows and loose blue jeans. Fred and George were in matching outfits, both of them wearing blue shirts and tan shorts that ended just below their knees. Tom was in a dark red button down shirt tucked into black slacks. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his first three buttons were undone, showing just a hint of skin.
"Harry won't be able to keep his eyes off of you." Molly giggled excitedly. Tom smirked at her.
"That is the idea, Mrs. Weasley." Tom drawled.
"Call me, Molly, dear." She said and Tom nodded at her. "Well, then. I'll need to know how many more outfits you want, what color and what designs, if any, that you want on them. Just write it down on some paper and leave your name on them." Molly ordered as she directed them to some pens and paper. The seven males had just finished writing their lists when the door was pushed open and Harry stormed in.
"Harry? What's the matter, dear?" Molly asked him. Harry turned towards her and shook his head.
"Nothing, Mum Weasley." Harry sighed. He jumped slightly when a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind. Harry turned his head and stared into red eyes. "Tom." He breathed, relaxing against the strong chest.
"You should not hold onto your anger. You will make more mistakes if you do. Share and perhaps we can find a way to resolve the problem." Tom murmured into his ear. Harry sighed and shook his head.
"It's really nothing. I'm just over-reacting." Harry admitted.
"Over-reacting about what?" Tom persisted.
"You," Harry admitted. "All of you." Harry said. Tom stiffened and slowly removed his arms from Harry's waist.
"What do you mean all of us?" Severus sneered as he stepped up beside Riddle.
"I just-" Harry cut himself off when he remembered that they weren't alone. "This is something we should talk about in private." Harry said with a blush. Severus narrowed his eyes at him and Harry shifted in place before shooting Tom a look and straightening his shoulders. Neville glared at Severus and Tom and stepped towards Harry. He wrapped an arm around Harry's waist and turned him towards the door.
"Would you like to go to your room and talk then?" Neville asked him as he held the door open. Harry hesitated and Neville smiled reassuringly. "Just talking, nothing else until you are ready. I promise."
"Speak for yourself, Longbottom." Draco smirked, winking at Harry. Neville turned sharply and glared threateningly at Draco.
"I spoke for all of us when I made that promise. We will wait until he is more comfortable with us. You will not rush his decision. You will not force yourself on him. You will not guilt or trick him into anything. Is that understood?" Neville snapped.
"And how do you propose to stop us should we disregard your warnings?" Snape asked.
"Do not forget, Snape. I am an expert herbologist. I know which plants can close your airways, I know which plants can blind you and which can cause you the most agony before killing you. I also happen to have a fair bit of each of those plants at hand. So if any of you abuse his trust in you I will happily slip a bit into your food or drink and watch you suffer." Neville snarled, standing protectively in front of Harry.
Harry watched Neville threaten the others in surprise and awe. No one had ever stood up for him like that and he couldn't deny that he liked it. Neville turned back around and found himself with an arm full of Harry. Harry captured Neville's lips in a passionate kiss, his hands tugging at Neville's hair in an attempt to get closer. Neville slid his arms around Harry's waist as he coaxed Harry's mouth open. Their tongues slid against each other as they eagerly explored the others mouth. Harry moaned loudly and Neville chuckled as he slowly pushed Harry back.
"That," Neville panted, "was unfair for the others. After I just gave that whole threatening speech you go and kiss me. Not that I'm complaining because you have a very beautiful mouth. Quite addicting." Neville licked his lips. Harry blushed and shrugged.
"It's your own fault. You shouldn't have been so ridiculously charming just now," Harry sniffed. "Come on. My rooms are this way." Harry led them down several corridors before stopping in front of wide double doors.
"Welcome to my humble abode!" He joked as he threw the doors open and led his harem inside. He watched them look around as he closed the doors softly behind them. Harry gestured for everyone to take a seat at the table set in the middle of his room.
"Tell us what you meant." Severus demanded. Harry narrowed his eyes in warning at the older male.
"I am your Prince and you will show me respect when you address me," he snapped. He saw Tom smirk in approval from the corner of his eye and felt a thrill of accomplishment.
"Tell us what you meant, sire." Severus demanded. Harry snorted and rolled his eyes.
"It's just that no one in the royal family has had a harem for over a century and it's a bit odd for me. I don't know how to act around you all and I don't know what to do and I certainly am not experienced enough to handle all of you and what if I-"
"Calm down, sire!" Fred said. Harry took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair.
"I don't think that anyone-" Fred began.
"Is expecting you to immediately take us all to your bed." George finished. "As for what you do, well-"
"You get to know us." Fred suggested.
"Spend time with us." George clarified.
"A little snog every once in a while." Fred added
"We'll teach you everything you need to know." They both finished with a wink. Harry blushed brightly and turned to Blaise when the man placed a firm hand on his arm.
"We'll take things as slow as you need and you don't have to have sex with us if you don't want to." Blaise told him.
"Although we wouldn't be complaining if you did want to have sex with us." Draco reassured quickly.
"I definitely won't be complaining," Tom purred and Harry shivered at the low silky voice.
"A-Alright. And you, Severus?" Harry asked the older male. Severus smirked and stood from his place at the table. He knelt down in front of Harry, turning his chair around so they were face to face. Severus took his face gently in his hands and pressed a searing kiss to Harry's lips. Harry curled his hand into Severus' sweater, tugging him closer to kneel between his legs. Severus kissed him skillfully, turning Harry into a gooey pool of pleasure.
"Whatever you desire of me I will freely give if it is within my ability to do so." Severus said softly. Harry smiled dazedly at him and leaned in for another toe-curling kiss.