Title: The Courting of Angau

Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling and associates own these characters. I am writing this story for fun and not profit.

Pairing: Harry/OC, Ron/Draco (side)

Rating: M

Warnings: Ignores Ron turning traitor in GoF, Dumbledore doesn't die in HBP, AU, EWE, language, slash, not necessarily a positive portrayal of most of the Light side, and other things that I can't give away because it would ruin the surprise.

Summary: When faced with the toughest decision of his life, Harry is given only one choice. Then again, he was never good at following the rules. Harry/OC slash.

The Courting of Angau

Day Four

Harry snuggled into the shroud that covered him almost completely. Spidersilk, he thought, rubbing it gently in between his fingers. He opened his eyes a bit, and squinted in the muted sunlight. Four more days, he reminded himself as he reached for his glasses and the new letter.

oOo

Perhaps you are not as misinformed as I had originally assumed.

I ask for pardon if this missive seems rather abrupt, but I know not what to say. You have left me breathless, a feat that I did not think possible.

You're beautiful; I know that. I see you in visions, in ravens' beaks, in dying flowers.

And yet, I find myself wondering who is powerful enough to receive a phoenix's blessing, but would still want to court me.

You are a mystery, cariad. One I look forward to unraveling. (1)

oOo

Ron and Malfoy found him in the same position two hours later, clutching a piece of parchment to his chest.

Ron moved forward slowly, and said hesitantly, "Harry?"

Harry didn't budge, but murmured, "He doesn't know who I am."

The blond and redhead looked worriedly at each other. Draco shrugged, and reached a hand out to put on Harry's shoulder. "That's not the worst thing in the world, Potter. You'll get through thi–"

Harry turned around. He beamed at both of them, and slowly stroked the letter.

"He doesn't know who I am. Yet he still wants me."

oOo

"Fornication is an interesting word, isn't it, Draco?"

Both Ron and Draco turned a bright red, and started muttering vaguely. Harry smiled encouragingly at them until Draco started to look affronted, and said indignantly, "Merlin's Beard, Potter! If you didn't want that kind of distraction, then you should have specified!"

Harry laughed, and turned away, pretending not to notice how Draco's hand sought out Ron's.

oOo

Somewhat calmer, Harry laid out the plan for the day. "I believe it's my turn for that tedious affair again. I would greatly appreciate if you both would take care of that again, because I really don't care to think about it. I'll be busy again, so just buy whatever you think appropriate."

Draco sneered. "Chocolates to show you care?"

Harry smiled. "Whatever you think best, lover boy."

oOo

Harry stared at the blank piece of parchment. He thought it was mocking him.

He thought caustically, what, someone calls you beautiful for the first time and you turn into a Pygmy Puff? Some Gryffindor you are.

Dipping his quill in the ink, he took a deep breath, and began to write.

oOo

I don't know what to get you anymore. I don't know what to say to you anymore. I'm feeling uncharacteristically shy, and I hate it.

Since I know almost nothing about you, I'm assuming that you know almost nothing about me. So, this is my gift to you. I'll tell you more about myself, and offer you the chance to back out of this once you know what I'm really like.

I'm eighteen, and up until this point, my most important thing in life was treacle tart. I have an owl– That is, I used to have an owl. Her name was Hedwig. My favourite colour is grey. I hate red and gold, but I'm proud to be a Gryffindor. I'm at Hogwarts for my Eighth Year, because my schooling got a bit disrupted with that Voldemort business. I have a best friend; his name is Ronald (I believe you know his brother, Fred). He's currently pretending that he doesn't like an acquaintance of mine, Draco Malfoy.

I've been told I'm suicidally brave, and suicidally stupid. You can form your own opinion of me. To uphold my manly reputation, I'm going to ignore the fact that I'm cuddling into your spidersilk. It's exquisite, by the way. I don't know how to thank you.

I'm expected to be everything I'm not, and am nothing I'm expected to be. I'll miss my friends dearly if you accept me, but I want this more than anything else I have ever wanted.

I fear that I am in great danger of falling in love with you.

oOo

He quietly opened the door to the Room, not at all surprised to see Draco nipping at Ron's collarbone. Without refocusing his concentration, Draco pointed at the table across from the sofa. Harry padded towards it, and quickly read the note.

Potter,

We sent your gift.

Now get the fuck out before you see whether your best mate's carpet matches his drapes.

Malfoy

oOo

Harry unlatched his dorm room window, and settled down on the ledge with a steaming cup of tea. He closed his eyes for a moment, and let the moonlight bathe over him. He wondered briefly whether the moon would be where he would be a week from now. If not, it wasn't that much of a sacrifice, in the scheme of things. He would simply enjoy it while he could.

The horde of ravens descended upon him, and he said apologetically, "I'm sorry for squandering your time, but not all of you needed to come. I only have a small offering tonight."

The head bird bit him gently, gathered the letter in a claw, and the flock flew away.

He glanced at his watch absently, and noticed they were a bit early. There were two hours until the fourth midnight.

oOo

A bell tolled in his mind, and he shot up in the darkness. Parchment fluttered into his lap, he swore, and grabbed for his glasses. Muttering a quick Lumos, he tore through the seal.

The bell tolled again, and he grasped the note tightly. The bell tolled again.

The fourth midnight had come.

The missive contained only a single word, but it was enough to make Harry feel like he could fly without a broom. Unable to slumber again, he gazed up at the moon, and smiled helplessly. For once, something in his life looked like it would work out in his favour.

oOo

Fall.

TO BE CONTINUED.

(1): Cariad- Welsh for "darling."

A/N: I'm truly sorry about the long wait, but it couldn't be helped.

If you don't get the "one word letter," look at the last line of the letter that Harry sent.

Also, I am a big, filthy liar, and all of those who I told that the next chapter of Scheherazade would be out in April can feel free to beat me. I should be able to get on a regular schedule sometime in June.

Beebee, I won't be posting underage smut for you for quite sometime. :[ I'm sorry! It's exam season.

Thank you to all of you who reviewed, Favorited, and Alerted!