Harry blinked as he looked around where they had landed. They were not in a city as he had expected, or a town. Indeed there was no sight of a restaurant anywhere in sight. Going by the rules of the Courting Blaise was supposed to try and impress him with this date, and he could not help the sinking feeling in his stomach, and the growing dread that this was a joke after all.
"The restaurant is a little further up the way. We do need to take a little walk, you are not able to apparate directly to it. Though I do not regret getting some more time with you in private, or getting to walk with you on this lovely night," Blaise explained. Harry turned and looked at him cautiously, still a little concerned that this was going to turn out to be a joke. "Trust me?" Blaise obviously read the concern in Harry's eyes, and he held out his hand patiently waiting for Harry.
Biting his lip Harry slipped his hand into Blaise's and held it tightly, gulping a little when the other teen's eyes flashed with something that he couldn't name as he looked at him. Nodding Blaise raised his hand to his mouth and brushed a gentle kiss over it, before placing it in the crook of his arm and rested his free hand over the top of Harry's.
"Where are we?" Harry asked as they started walking along the pathway he had missed in his initial look around. They were on a small hill with the sea underneath them from the sound of the waves reaching his ears. The hill was covered with long grass and flowers, though the path they were on was clearly made by people making the same trek often.
"We are in France, my sister's restaurant is where we are heading," Blaise explained. Harry glanced at him with a small smile and was met with a smirk. "I reckoned that impressing you would be a little different to the normal method of throwing money at the vapid attention seekers just looking to marry into a good name and a large bank vault,"
"Oh? How do you know I am not after your name and bank vault?" Harry asked and blinked when Blaise let out a deep chuckle. He had never really heard the other teen laugh before, but he found it was a very attractive sound.
"I have been watching you for long enough to know. Even back in first year, you chose Weasley over Malfoy. You don't like your fame," Blaise stated making Harry stare at him.
"You have been watching me huh?"
"That sounded a little creepy didn't it?" Blaise winced, and tightened his hold on Harry's hand slightly as though worried he was about to run off.
"A little," Harry chuckled. "But in a cute way,"
"Cute!" Blaise protested.
"Cute," Harry laughed nodding.
"That is just cruel, I work very hard on my image," Blaise huffed.
"Its a very good image," Harry smiled stepping a little closer to Blaise. "So your sister owns the restaurant?"
"Yes, she is fifteen years older than me, she loves cooking so she opened up her own restaurant out here. I know it is mixing up the first and second date according to the traditional steps of Courting, but I hoped you would not mind,"
"I don't mind, I like that you have brought me here. Does your sister know?" Harry asked curiously.
"That I have initiated a courting?" Blaise looked at him.
"Yes,"
"Yes she does, my whole family does. I told them right after you accepted the first gift," Blaise glanced to the side to see Harry looking at him curiously. "I didn't want to tell them before in case you turned me down,"
"You thought I would?" Harry raised his eyebrow.
"I wasn't sure that you knew I existed," Blaise huffed before looking slightly offended when Harry started laughing.
"I am sorry, but I thought the exact same thing. I mean I knew you knew I existed, it is an unfortunate part of being me that slipping below the radar doesn't exist. But I thought you just didn't really see me," Harry shrugged.
"How could I not see you," Blaise looked at Harry intently making the other teen blush darkly. "You are gorgeous, and kind and generous,"
"I am..." Harry didn't get to finish his sentence when Blaise stopped him and pressed their lips together for a lingering kiss. When they parted Blaise smiled slightly at him brushing the backs of his fingers over Harry's cheek.
"Don't do that, especially not in front of me, don't put yourself down,"
"Thank you," Harry smiled softly, still blushing darkly.
"Come on, supper awaits," Blaise carried on up the pathway.
"How many siblings do you have?" Harry asked.
"I am a little surrounded by women to be honest. I have three sisters and my mother. My sisters are half sisters," Blaise explained as he ran his thumb over Harry's hand reminding him he was holding it.
"Half sisters?" Harry enquired realising that Blaise was informing him about a personal family situation so Harry wouldn't make an accidental faux pas, but his heart rate rocketed as he realised that this was leading to a conversation about his own family.
"My father remarried, their mother died, there is ten years between myself and my youngest sister. I am the baby of the family," Blaise rolled his eyes a little letting Harry know what he thought about that.
"And your mother?"
"My mother broke their bond, my father managed to keep me, she is...to be honest she is not very much in my life. I see her for yule and my birthday and that is normally it. She is more interested in working the social scene," Blaise said a little uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry," Harry squeezed Blaise's arm.
"Its ok, my father and sisters more than make up for it. Between them, I get no peace!" Blaise chuckled. "I...I understand that your family situation is difficult?" He asked gently but Harry turned his face away to look out over the glass sheet of the sea.
"It is a little yes," Harry said tightly.
"Harry you do not have to tell me, but I do not want to cause you any upset. You know that by the rules of Courting anything that we discuss on an official date I am not able to discuss with anyone else, the magic binds us both," Blaise reminded him.
Harry remained silent as they walked, his mouth a thin line with worry as he clearly considered his options and what he was going to say.
"Hey, you don't have to tell me anything. But I don't want to make a mistake and upset you, or cause you distress," Blaise said earnestly.
"I was sent to live with my muggle aunt and uncle," Harry said quickly.
"I was aware of that, your mother's family?" Blaise said slowly.
"Yes. They did not like magic, or anything that came from it,"
"Harry!" Blaise put two and two together fairly quickly.
"Yes. I knew how unwelcome I was in that house from the moment I arrived. They thought their behaviour towards me would supress my magic and destroy it. When it became clear that hadn't worked they tried to keep Hogwarts from me,"
"Suppress you magic!? You could have...that...you could have become an obscurus!" Blaise growled. "Why did no one do something about it!?"
"Because no body came to check on me. I didn't know what I was until I was 11, I didn't know why I could do the things that I could, I was just the freak whose family couldn't love him," Harry shrugged.
"Don't call yourself that," Blaise shook his head.
"Even in the wizarding world I am a bit of a fre..." Harry's words were cut off as he was spun around and Blaise's lips were on his again. The kiss was gentle and sweet, but firm at the same time. The same as Blaise's hands cupping his face when he pulled away.
"Do not speak about yourself like that," Blaise said softly.
"For kisses like that, I may have to disagree," Harry smiled sweetly.
"I'm in trouble," Blaise groaned shaking his head and started back along the pathway tugging a laughing Harry behind him. He could not stay grumpy even as an act because the sound of Harry's laughter was much more preferable to the tight look on Harry's face when they were talking about his family.
"The Weasleys though," Harry started to say and paused until Blaise fell back into step with him and looked at him curiously.
"The Weasleys?" Blaise asked.
"They are my family, they are none negotiable, I know the feeling most purebloods have towards them," Harry met Blaise's eyes firmly and unmoving.
"I had guessed that. My family have nothing against the Weasleys, and I do not have anything against them. I figured that you came as a package deal. So you see them as family?" Blaise asked gently.
"Yes they are..." Harry paused as the restaurant came into view right ahead of them.
The building was beautiful, built to look rustic and quaint, it was built right on the cliff top and had light spilling out from it, along with the sound of laughter and chatting. The second thing that hit him was the amazing smells of the restaurant.
"Wow," Harry smiled brightly turning to Blaise who was watching with nervous eyes, though his expression did not waver.
"Can we pause our conversation?" Blaise requested formally offering Harry his arm again.
"I think I can manage that," Harry nodded taking the arm. They walked up onto the porch and into the beautiful traditional French restaurant. Harry could not stop looking around the beautiful place as Blaise led him passed the maître de with a nod and into the main part of the restaurant.
He only really paid attention when Blaise stopped. Turning to look at their table his eyes widened as he took it in. They were seated right in front of a window that looked out over the beautiful sea beneath them. The small round table was perfect for a private, romantic meal, and wine and a beautiful looking soup was steaming gently under a stasis charm.
"She picked the menu for us," Blaise groaned dropping his head.
"Of course she did, she said that you had no taste and needed all the help that you could get on this date," A voice said from behind them.
"Thank you so much," Blaise drawled. "Harry, this is my cousin Bella, Bella Harry,"
"Lovely to meet you Harry, we have heard a lot about you," Bella smiled sweetly holding out her hand. "Like a lot," She added with a smirk as Blaise let out a wounded noise.
"Its nice to meet you," Harry smiled. Bella was a more mischievous version of Blaise.
"Right I shall get going, the first date should not really include family, enjoy," Bella waved and disappeared as fast as she had arrived.
"I am so sorry," Blaise sighed.
"There is nothing to appoloise for," Harry chuckled allowed Blaise to seat him at the table. "It is so beautiful here,"
"This is my favourite table when I come here, I wanted to share it with you," Blaise admitted.
"Thank you,"
"I hope you don't mind that my sister seems to be choosing our menu," Blaise looked embarrassed enough that Harry had to smile and reached out to tough Blaise's hand.
"I don't mind," Harry smiled.
"So I believe we were discussing family?"
"Yes we were," Harry smiled taking a mouthful of soup and hummed appreciatively.
"The Weasleys to be exact, you were saying they were your family,"
"Yes they are. All of them. They took me in and loved me, they always made me feel welcome and offered me a place at their table and a bed under their roof even though they didn't have very much themselves," Harry smiled softly, his fingers unconsciously tightening a little around Blaise's hand.
"They are generous," Blaise hummed.
"More than you could imagine," Harry smiled and looked up at Blaise. "Our first year at Hogwarts, Christmas, Mrs Wealsey found out from Ron that I wasn't expecting to get any Christmas presents, so she stayed up all night knitting me one of the sweaters that she made for all her family, so that I would have something to open. And she has made me one every year since,"
"I don't know what I can say about that, besides I can see why you love them so much," Blaise admitted.
"Yes, they are always there for me, no matter what. Them and the rest of my family,"
"The rest?" Blaise asked. Harry bit his lip as he looked at Blaise and weighed up his options and the risk of admitting out loud to Blaise what he was thinking.
"Remus Lupin and Sirius Black,"
"Oh," Blaise sat back at stared at Harry with unreadable eyes and an expression Harry could not quite place.
"Yes, they erm...they are none negotiable, any of them, if you want to be part of my life in any way. You were right earlier, money, fame, your name, none of it matters to me, not really. Family and love they matter the most, they are the thing I hold most important in my life,"
"I would like to be counted among them one day soon, to be your family and to have one with you," Blaise reached out to take his hand again. "I have to ask though, Sirius Black?"
"He is innocent, he was set up and received a sham of a trial," Harry frowned.
"Ok, I believe you. I want to enjoy our night, lets talk about it another time," Blaise suggested.
"Confident that I am going to allow you another date?" Harry smiled.
"Hopeful," Blaise smirked.
"Good angle," He grinned.
"Did you enjoy the soup?" Blaise asked as their bowls disappeared and plates replaced them. Harry paused from breathing in the scent of the lamb, mash and fresh vegetables on the plate in front of him. He looked up sheepishly at Blaise but found the other man looking pleased at his reaction.
"It was amazing,"
"My sister will be pleased to hear, I have no doubt she is the one cooking our meals in the kitchen," He caught the questioning look Harry was giving him and answered it. "I know I am not sticking to the letter of the courting, but I want to keep to it as much as possible. Family is the third date, she promised me she would not come over after I explained about wanting to bring you here,"
"And Bella?" Harry asked.
"She is just bloody sneaky," Blaise shook his head makin Harry laugh. "So, your escort back in Hogwarts?"
Harry blushed and swallowed the mouthful of food before smiling sheepishly at Blaise.
"They are my tutors,"
"Tutors, you are doing well in all your lessons though," Blaise frowned confused.
"Ok, little bit creepy that you know that," Harry pointed out, hiding a smile when Blaise squirmed a little in his seat. "And they weren't tutoring me in anything in my lessons, it was courting. I am not really knowledgeable in Courting and the correct etiquette techniques, they have been giving me a crash course,"
"Harry," Blaise said softly, encouraging green eyes to look at him. "I am not going to judge you for not knowing,"
"A lot would, I am at constant risk of offending and doing something wrong," Harry sighed, admitting what had been a constant worry.
"You are trying, you are learning and you are doing your best. Harry you have had other things to worry about instead of learning the traditions," Blaise assured him.
"Thank you, and please, if do something wrong, or I offend you, please be patient,"
"I have all the patience in the world," Blaise nodded.
"So you obviously know that my friends are supporting me in this, what about yours?" Harry asked curiously.
"They think I am a little mad. They think that there is no way that you will really give me a chance," Blaise shrugged, but he could see some nerves in the taller teen's eyes.
"Because you are a Slytherin?" Harry asked before taking a sip of wine.
"You have a certain history with Slytherins," Blaise shrugged.
"I have a certain history with some Slytherins," Harry argued.
Blaise leant back and looked assessing at Harry. The dark haired teen grinned and carried on eating his meal, calmly looking back and allowing Blaise to think things through.
"So you don't have a problem with Slytherins?"
"As long as they don't have a problem with me," Harry nodded before standing. "Especially considering the Sorting Hat wanted me in Slytherin. Excuse me I am just popping to the toilet,"
He laughed as he made his way between the tables to the toilet, the expression Blaise's face was priceless.
"That was not a joke was it?!" Blaise asked as soon as Harry got back to the table. Their plates were gone, and their wine had been topped up.
"No it was not," Harry smiled slipping back into his seat.
"But what...why are you in Gryffindor?" Blaise stammered.
"I argued with the Sorting Hat," Harry admitted.
"Why?" Blaise frowned a little.
"Honestly? Because I was new to the world and new that Voldemort came from Slytherin...but mainly because I had had two run ins with Draco and did not really fancy spending seven years sharing a dorm with him,"
Blaise blinked for a moment before he burst out laughing.
"Yes I can see your point there. One of the things that I am looking forward to about leaving Hogwarts is not having to put up with his whining and posturing. Not to mention that well said phrase..."
"Wait, wait let me guess...Wait till my father hears about this?" Harry said with a grin.
"Exactly," Blaise smiled back.
"So, I have one big inside Slytherin secret I want to know," Harry leant forwards.
"Go on," Blaise didn't look sure whether Harry was serious or not.
"Does Draco take as long getting ready of a morning as I suspect?" Harry asked getting another laugh from Blaise.
"So does my confidence pay off?" Blaise asked as they walked down the hill to the apparition point. Harry's hand was back on Blaise's elbow, but they were walking a lot closer than they had coming up to the restaurant.
"Confidence for what?" Harry asked.
"A second date?"
"I had a really good night," Harry said softly.
"But?" Blaise asked a little nervously.
"No buts, I would really like a second date with you. I enjoyed tonight," Harry leant a little closer. "You chose well for the first date as well,"
"Thank you," Blaise grinned as they turned to face each other on the apparition spot.
"Just means more pressure to beat it on the second date," Harry teased.
"Thank you," Blaise groaned. "You are a terrible tease,"
"I know," Harry smiled impishly, but he leant up on his toes and pressed a sweet kiss to Blaise's lips to make up for it.