It was already sunset by the time Harry roused himself off the park bench. The park was empty now and the weather had become chilly. The raven haired boy wrapped his oversized jacket around himself and pulled the hood on, hiding his face, as he slowly ambled towards Privet Drive.
He pulled out another cigarette and smoked it as he scrolled down the phonebook in his mobile. His finger hovered over Nate's number. Blowing a stream of smoke out the side of his mouth, Harry pushed down on the call button and raised the mobile to his ear.
After a few rings a groggy voice answered.
Harry?
"Hey Nate, did I wake you?"
No, I'm just a little baked. What's up?
Harry paused and pulled on his cigarette. Drops of rain started to hit the pavement in front of him and he shivered, folding his free arm around his front.
"Did you want to hang out? I don't really feel like heading back home," he admitted.
Sure thing mate. Just pop round. I'm in the den.
Harry smiled. "Thanks Nate. I'll see you soon."
He hung up, shoving the mobile deep in his jean pocket, and he spun around, walking in another direction with purposeful strides. He was just glad he didn't have to spend another night in the Dursley household. The less time he spent there, the better it was for all of them.
Nate was Harry's first male lover, experienced and gentle. He was the one who introduced Harry to the rest of the gang, helping him up after Dudley and his friends beat him up in the park one afternoon. Bleeding and furious, Harry had startled the gentle boy, but after quickly realising Nate meant no harm, he lowered his guard and soon found a new friend.
It was pouring by the time Harry arrived at Nate's house, and he wished he was of legal age so that he could use a heating spell on his clothes. Nate answered the door, his grin lopsided and his eyes heavy lidded. The smell of pot overpowered Harry as he stepped inside, but he didn't mind - he liked the smell.
Dripping water on the carpet, Harry followed Nate to the basement, where the giant bongs and couches were set up. Denna was sprawled across one of the couches, her auburn hair splayed across the scratchy material like a silken fan. She smiled sleepily at Harry as he entered.
"Harry," she whispered.
Nate laughed quietly and sat next to her on the couch, pulling her legs onto his lap. He reached around the back of the couch with a gangly arm and threw a towel at Harry.
"You'll catch a cold," Nate drawled.
Harry rubbed the towel through his dripping hair and he wiped his glasses.
"Thanks," he grinned.
He sat down across the coffee table, facing the two lovers and reached for the bong. Despite the fact that Nate was Harry's first male lover, Denna became a firm friend. In fact, she was the type of girl to encourage experimental relations, being bi-curious herself.
"So where did you go last night? I thought you were staying here," Denna asked, her glazed eyes focusing on Harry with difficulty.
Harry packed the mix into the cone and ripped it quickly, feeling the heavy smoke burn his throat. He put the bong down and leaned back against the wall, making small smoke balls in the air. Denna and Nate stared at them, open mouthed.
"I don't remember last night," Harry finally replied. "I think Cassie might have slipped something in my drink."
Nate grinned. "Did she rape you?"
Harry rolled his eyes and lit a cigarette. "I don't think so. I think we just ran into the park and played on the playground."
"You think?"
"As I said, I don't remember. Just bits and pieces here and there," Harry squinted and pointed at his head.
"I woke up on the slide this morning. Drenched," he continued.
Nate snorted. "Well you're still drenched."
Harry shrugged and pulled at his wet clothes. "I'm used to it," he said shortly.
They stayed in the basement for the rest of the evening, becoming increasingly stoned and watching silly cartoon programmes on the television. Denna ended up falling into a stoned slumber on the couch, and Harry and Nate went up to the kitchen to make some munchy food.
The house was left to Nate after his grandfather passed away, prompting him to move out of his family home and begin an independent life. Ofcourse, the real reason for him to move out was so that he could have parties and do drugs more freely. At eighteen, Nate was a lot older than Harry, but mentally he was still a child. A wild one at that.
Harry gazed at Nate as he sat on top of the kitchen counter, swinging his legs. The blonde was staring at the microwave intently, struggling with the timer, his eyes narrowed and his teeth nibbling his lower lip. He had had sex with Nate yes, but the older boy was more like a brother if anything. He felt comfortable around Nate, though not comfortable enough to tell him about the magical world. It was the only thing he kept from the boy. Other than that though, he spilled everything to Nate. About the abuse at home, about his frustrations, his insecurities, his fears. His dreams. Nate would only listen with a serious expression on his face and let Harry rant and rave, not interrupting him until after. Without him, Harry thought he would have gone insane this summer.
In a way though, he already was.
"Okay," Nate straightened up, a victorious expression etched across his face. "In two minutes, we shall have piping hot pizza!"
Harry grinned. "We could have eaten it cold."
"Cold?" A horrified look. "A pizza must be eaten hot. With the cheese melting. That is the only way, Harry. Remember this."
Putting on a somber face, Harry nodded and jumped off the counter.
They ate the pizza outside on the porch behind the house. They watched the rain silently and the setting sun cast a bloody glow around the trees dripping water in the yard. Harry put down his pizza and lit a cigarette, craving a beer.
"You go back to school in a week, don't you?" Nate suddenly said, breaking the silence.
Harry nodded, blowing out smoke and running a hand through his hair.
"Why do you go to boarding school? You should ask your aunt and uncle if you can come to my school. Everyone goes there. Denna, Rache, Paul, Tee-man, Will. It'd be great!"
Harry stayed silent for a while, trying to imagine life in the muggle world when all his wizarding friends attended Hogwarts. It would be strange but peaceful. No magic would be a definite handicap though. Over the past five years, Harry had become so used to magic that when he was back in the muggle world he would forget that he would have to do some things manually. His mouth quirked at a distant memory.
"Well?" Nate asked, still waiting for an answer.
Harry sighed and shook his head. "I can't. I have to go to this one. It was the school my parents wanted me to go to. So, I have to carry out their final wishes." In a way, this was true.
Nate nodded and leant back in his chair, popping the last of the now cold pizza in his mouth.
Harry finished the rest of his cigarette in brooding silence.
When he returned to Hogwarts, everyone was in for an unpleasant surprise.
Too slow? Too fast? Not coherent/smooth enough? Lemme know.
Signing off. Yuki.