The Luck of Little Hangleton by Pipenerd (2006)
Written for the 2006 Dark Lord WishFest.
Prompt: "...a romantic situation where Tom/Harry make love in a forest on Midsummer's Eve, then afterwards Tom softly recites Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare to Harry. I do not mind what the rating is as long as the love between Tom and Harry is evident..."
Thanks to: Sabrina Numair, most patient of Betas, and Mr. Pipenerd, who played Kit Marlowe to my Will Shakespeare during the writing of this fic.
Pairs: Harry/Tom (Lord Voldemort), Hermione/Ron.
Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling created and owns Harry Potter. looks in mirror Nope, not her. Rights are held by JKR, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic. Warner Brothers and goodness knows who else. If the fans had copyright, the series would be much more interesting! Not profiting, just enjoying.
Cassidy York was driving back home from school. A History student at University, he'd accepted a teaching fellowship for the summer and was glad to have a break to visit his mother for a few days. The Midsummer Festival was on and he looked forward to seeing all his friends at the Hanged Man.
As he drove past the old Riddle mansion, he noticed a young girl walking alongside the road. She was wearing an outfit made up of what seemed to be several skirts of different colours and lengths layered over each other and a white gathered blouse. She wore a great deal of gold jewellery, earrings and necklaces and bracelets. He assumed she was headed into town for the parade.
Impulsively, Cassidy slowed the car and lowered his window. She looked at him with suspicion as he pulled alongside. "Hi," he said with a friendly smile. "I'm the Mayor's son. Can I give you a lift into town?"
She considered his offer for so long, he was about to repeat himself when she asked, "The Mayor?"
"That's right," said Cassidy. "My mother is Daphne York. She's in charge of the village. I'm Cassidy."
"You may take me to the village, Cassidy," she said with a regal smile. She walked gracefully around the car and got in, gently pulling the door shut. "I am Oriana," she said. She had long red hair and her skin was pale and clear.
"I'm happy to meet you," he said, admiring her smile. "I think we might still be in time for the parade. Do you live around here? Have you been to the Midsummer festival before?"
"I'm visiting my father," she said. "His lands are over there." She waved her hand vaguely. "I have not been to your festival. Will there be games and horse races?"
"Well, after the parade, the Oak King and Holly King will fight in the village square."
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I would like to see the kings in combat!"
"There's an arts and crafts show and rides and food, of course. Tonight, there will be a play." Cassidy looked at her closely and tried to guess her age. "If you're old enough, I'll buy you a pint after the parade," he offered. "The local pub brews some wicked ale."
"Old enough?" asked Oriana. "I've been drinking ale forever! Has your mother always been the head of your village?"
"Just for the past few years," answered Cassidy. "Politics sort of became her hobby after my father died."
"I am sorry your father is dead," she said. "Was he a brave and good man?"
"I think he was," Cassidy said, thinking it was a kind way for a stranger to ask about an awkward subject. "You said you're visiting. Do you live very far away?"
"I'm living in the capital, where I'm studying politics." said Oriana pensively. "My father is a wealthy man and hopes I will marry the son of his old friends. But I want be more than an ornament to a rich man's estate. I want to learn to govern, like your mother."
"She'd be glad to talk to you about that," Cassidy offered. "She's the most outspoken feminist I've ever known."
"She must be a fine woman to have a son so kind," she said, smiling once more.
Cassidy was embarrassed at her compliment. "So, what does your mother think about all this?" he asked to change the subject.
"She said she'll support me in whatever I decide to do," Oriana said. "But she also told me I should at least meet the man my father has picked for me. She says love is sometimes found in unexpected places."
Cassidy glanced at her briefly. The breeze was stirring her hair and she looked wild and beautiful. "Yeah," he said. "Sometimes it is." He shifted gears as they entered the village limits.
A/N: I'm becoming educated about beer, too, and will happily take up that subject as well with anyone who cares to comment about it.
