Chapter 3: Rude Awakenings

Harry opened his eyes with a yawn and stretched fully along his bed, feeling his bones pop with a satisfying crack. He felt Eros shift beside him and heard the lion's angered growl of annoyance. Chuckling softly, Harry ran his fingers through the full mane. "I'm sorry, Eros. Did I wake you?" The great cat opened one, silver eye and seemed to convey all of his aggravation from it. Harry smiled cheekily and vaulted from his bed. He stood in the middle of his new room and stretched once more. Without glancing at the lazy cat in his large bed, he went exploring.

Last night, Jean-Claude had showed him his new home, but not his roommates because they would not be back to later that day. Harry had been too tired to listen to any of the Vampire's words and had instead asked immediately where his room was. Instead of being disgruntled, Jean-Claude had given Harry another one of his 'Erection Inducing Laughs', as Harry had kindly nicknamed it after hearing more than five of them. He showed Harry to his room where sleep seemed to elude him, if only for a second. His room was gigantic. Hardwood floors, heavy drapes over the enormous window that looked out over a dense forest, and then the bed. The bed took up half the room and Harry had not even spared a thought about why he needed a bed that large and, mercifully, Jean-Claude had not said anything about it. Four wooden posts rose high, almost touching the ceiling, and there were heavy drapes about them, just like the window. The headboard was plain and that pleased Harry even more than the majestic room. It meant that Harry was not being spoiled with a grand bed. Jean-Claude, of course, had another secretive smile on his face, as he asked, "Does it meet your standards, Harry?" Harry had not even deigned him an answer and had immediately fallen asleep after changing into pajamas, dead to the world.

Harry shook his head and padded silently down the stairs and into the kitchen, where he could hear a light murmuring. He peeked his head around and looked taken aback by the young woman sitting at the table. Her aura was menacing and it clashed with her demure appearance. Her black hair was almost like Jean-Claude's, with the curls and colours. She could have been his sister or child, except for the large black eyes rolling at whatever the man beside her said. The man took Harry's attention away from the woman and his eyes roamed over the small figure. He appeared to be about the same height as the woman, but his hair was a brownish golden colour and his eyes were a green that Harry had only seen on one Minerva McGonagall in her cat form. Both were dressed in faded, grey sweatpants and large white t-shirts and they looked like siblings, but their actions had Harry frowning. He had assumed that Jean-Claude was involved with the owner of this house, but the woman seemed to be involved with the man sitting beside her. He would have thought it over longer, if Eros had not chosen that moment to butt him in the back of the legs with his furred head. Harry tumbled to the ground and glared at the smug cat. "You're an arse, Eros. Haven't you ever heard of sneaking around?" Eros rolled his eyes and padded back up the stairs. Harry growled angrily and turned his head to the two at the table. They were watching him in confusion and amusement. "Hi. My name's Harry, what's yours?" The man started to laugh and the woman frowned, hard.

"I'm Anita Blake and this is Micah Callahan. I take it you're the one Jean-Claude said that'd be staying here?" Harry grimaced at the blatant hostility coming from Anita. Even Micah seemed to be surprised at her anger.

"Anita…" Micah had just started to speak, when she snarled.

"I don't see why I have to babysit some runaway kid! He's Jean-Claude's problem, not mine! I have a life and there are things that this…boy doesn't understand! Dammit why did I agree to this, Micah?" Harry stood from his spot, startling Anita and Micah. His emerald green eyes went cold and his face closed up.

"It's not like I chose to impede your life. But I have to thank you for spelling it out for me. I'll make reservations at a hotel, as soon as possible, since I'm such a damn burden." He moved to the door and stopped, glancing back over his shoulder with a dark glare. "I know exactly how much of a burden I am to everyone. So excuse me. You'll get your payment for your troubles." Harry left the kitchen and moved quickly to the room. Eros's head lifted from the bed and he watched Harry enter the room. The door shut with a bang and the lion could feel a strong locking spell settle over the wood. He glanced back at Harry, only to see the young wizard shaking uncontrollably with his arms wrapped around his middle. Harry was muttering to himself and tears of shame fell down his cheeks as he tried and failed to keep them back. "Stupid! Did you really think that you could start anew? No one will take you!" Harry collapsed to his knees and started to rock. Eros leapt from the bed and bumped his head against Harry, but was pushed away by his magic. His magic was swirling around him and Eros felt Haydee slither past him to try and reach her Master. She was unable to make it past his shields and her frantic hissing grew alarmingly as she realized this. Hedwig fluffed her wings, also at a loss. Harry continued to shake and Eros paced back and forth in front of him, growling angrily. Even barging in of a large catman and Anita went unnoticed by the young wizard.

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Micah stared silently at Anita, who was surprised at her own hostility. She glanced at him and managed, "I…I didn't mean…I don't know what came over me, Micah. Oh God," she let her head fall into her palms and choked, "I was horrible. I was angry at Jean-Claude, but why did I take it out on that kid?" Micah stared sadly at her.

"He was vulnerable, Anita." Her eyes widened in horror and her mouth fell open.

"What?" Micah nodded softly.

"He's been hurt and you know that Jean-Claude would twist your words around, so you took the easy way out. Harry was just an innocent in our twisted world. If you go up there and apologize, then you might be able to salvage any friendship that you could have." Anita nodded and was about to speak when the house shook. Her shocked eyes met Micah's and they bounded out of their seats and upstairs. There was an odd glow on Harry's door and Anita moved towards it. She let out a pained gasp as something pushed her away harshly. Micah frowned and put a hand on the door. Immediately, he jerked it back and glanced down at the furred paw in shock. "Anita. What?" Anita only shook her head.

"We need to break this door down before he decides to total the entire neighborhood." When Micah made no move, Anita growled, "Dammit, Micah! I can't get anywhere near that door and you can! Bang on it or something, but don't just stand there! The kid's powerful enough to harm someone!" Micah nodded and threw himself at the warded door. Anita watched as he shifted into his catman form. He did not stop and pushed his bulk against the wood. Anita could feel the change in the magic as it tried to fight back. Micah growled and rammed his entire weight against the door. It creaked and broke underneath him. Anita was quick and she entered the room. The sight that met her had her stumbling back into Micah's furred arms. Harry was curled tightly around himself, his once messy, black hair now long black curls that were coiling around him as if there was an invisible wind. Anita knew better than that, though. The magic that permeated the room was suffocating and she stepped forward to try and stop Harry, when Eros blocked her path. The lion shook his mane angrily and growled warningly. She nodded and stepped back to watch what would happen.

Harry let out a muffled scream, which almost had her moving, but the sight before her had her stopping once more. The magic was winding down to a dull breeze and what was left disturbed her. Harry's black hair fell to mid-thigh in soft, loose curls and his skin had a golden glow to it. His ears were slightly pointed and his fingernails had grown to a sharp point. Anita moved carefully towards the young teen and knelt beside him. She felt Micah, unfurry, stand behind her and she glanced up. "He's just sleeping, but can you leave a message for Jean-Claude? He has to explain about this. Something's not right."