Chapter 13
It had been two days since Harry and Joseph talked about the war, and everything turned out so much better than either had hoped. Thanks to them getting that topic off their chests, talking to each other about things had become much easier. The day after, Harry and Joseph walked around Paris, visiting the taller raven's favourite places, talking about their lives.
The next day, Harry allowed himself to become a tourist and Joseph glady brought him to the usual tourist attractions, while Jess came along, bringing them to places that only people who lived their whole lives in Paris knew about. They visited the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, a cafe that they had to navigate several alleyways to get to, and they even dropped by the Avenue des Champs-Élysées where Harry bought some things for himself and his friends.
While they visited many amazing places, Harry's favorite part of the day was when they were on top of the Eiffel Tower. Cliche, yes, but Harry didn't care. Everything was just perfect when he was looking over the city, with Joseph having his arms wrapped around him from behind. Harry felt a little weird being all romantic with Jess around, but was glad she came. Harry got to hear more stories about Joseph when he was studying at Beauxbatons, and he was extremely grateful when she handed him a bunch of pictures of their day.
"Harry, time to wake up" He heard Joseph say as the taller raven gently nudged him. While he was all for spending more time with his boyfriend, he was still pretty tired.
"Five more minutes" Harry said, pulling the blanket over himself.
"Nope, we've got to go now" Joseph said as he tugged on the blanket. "Don't make me use my wand,"
Harry's half-asleep mind pondered on what Joseph meant by that. But he didn't need to strain himself since a few seconds later, he jumped out of the bed screaming when it felt as though a needle had poked one of his arse cheeks.
"What was that for?" Harry asked, glaring at the Slytherin who had his wand out. "It's not even six in the morning."
"You promised me last night you'd go with me this morning to the market" Joseph said before starting to make the bed.
"When people say they're going to the market in the morning, they usually mean after seven" Harry said still rubbing the place Joseph had cast the Stinging Hex on.
"Usually, those people don't get the best products" Joseph said. "Go and get ready."
Harry sighed, but nodded and headed into the bathroom to take a shower. While he did agree to it and he wanted to spend as much time as possible with the Slytherin, Joseph could've given Harry a heads up that they were leaving the flat before six. After a quickly showering and brushing his teeth, Harry put on a pair of jeans, a green shirt, and some sneakers.
"Can you tell me why we've woken up at an ungodly hour to go to the market?" Harry asked as they walked.
"Because I want to get some fresh ingredients to cook with for the dish we're bringing to dinner with my parents" Joseph replied, and Harry's mind was finally fully awake.
"We're having dinner with your parents? Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked.
"I told you last night" Joseph said before giving Harry a confused look. "Are you really that much of a lightweight? When I went to bed, you had only had three glasses of wine."
"I didn't wake up with a hangover" Harry said. "Jess did give me something else to drink. She said it was her specialty."
"Of course" Joseph said with a sigh while shaking his head. "Jess was able to create an alcoholic drink that, thanks to her slightly above average skill in potion making, won't give you a hangover the next morning."
"That sounds like a lot of people's dream drink" Harry stated, groaning as he recalled the massive hangover he had the morning after Dean and Seamus's stag party.
"The only problem with it is that the alcohol content is extremely high, nearly as high as that of absinthe" Joseph stated. "People do stupid things when they have that much alcohol in their bodies. And since you didn't have the hangover this morning to remind you any mistakes you made the night before, you just went through your day normally."
"I guess the downside is pretty bad" Harry said. "Imagine walking to work the next morning, but being arrested because you streaked through a park."
Joseph nodded and they switched topics. Harry was surprised to see so many people when they arrived at the market.
"Does everyone in Paris get up before five to go to the market?" Harry asked.
"Only those who want the best and freshest stuff" Joseph said. "And most of these people are chefs from the restaurants in the city."
"So, what are we looking for?" Harry asked.
"You shouldn't go to a market with a specific recipe in mind, Harry" Joseph replied. "You could, but what happens when they don't have what you're looking for? Or they have it, but it's not of the best quality? When you go to the market, you have to be open and allow yourself to be inspired."
"Did you go to culinary school while you were here?" Harry asked, but smiled at Joseph talking so passionately about something his friends back in England would never even consider doing.
"The first year we started living at our flat, I was either at work or in my room" Joseph said. "Jess suggested I take up a hobby, and suggested cooking. I really didn't want to at first, but decided to try it since it would get Jess off my back, and it was very similar to potion making."
"I wonder what Draco would say if he knew you cooked yourself" Harry said.
"He knows, and his exact words were 'was it your exile or the French that's driven you mad?'" Joseph said, making both of them laugh. "But I didn't care what he or anyone else thought. I liked to cook, and he quickly changed his tune when I sent him a box of homemade macarons."
"Will I be able to taste those macarons soon?" Harry asked.
"Just wait until dinner and you'll have something better" Joseph said with a smile, and Harry nodded.
The two spent the morning shopping for ingredients, before having breakfast back at the flat with Jess and Louis. The rest of the day was fairly uneventful; other than trying to recall what happened the night before after Joseph went to bed, Harry spent most of the time writing letters to Hermione and Ron. When Joseph went to start cooking, Harry began getting nervous. He was going to meet Joseph's parents for the first time. Him, the reason why they had to flee the country, and why their family's manor, a building that belonged to several generations of their family, was burned down by Death Eaters.
"You look pale, Harry" Jess pointed out. "Did you recall doing something terrible last night?"
"No, I'm just quite nervous about meeting Joseph's parents" Harry said with a sigh.
"You don't need to worry" Louis said. "They're both very nice."
"Well, you're not the reason they had to flee their country" Harry returned.
"Harry, I'm sure they don't hold that against you" Jess said. "It was Joseph's decision to help you, and he helped you because he loved you. I'm sure his parents think that that is a much better alternative to pretending to serve the Dark Lord, who could've tortured them or their son when he felt like it."
Harry nodded feeling slightly better, but still unsure.
"If you still have doubts, why don't you butter them up with presents?" Jess suggested.
"You think it'll work?" Harry asked.
"At the very least, it'll keep them from bringing up what happened back in England until the end of dessert" Jess said, and Harry nodded. "I'll come with you."
"Thanks, you'd be a big help" Harry said with a smile.
"Hey Joseph, Harry and I are going out for a while" Jess said as she gathered her stuff.
"Fine, but be back by five" Joseph returned. Harry and Jess agreed and went on their way.
"So, what should I get?" Harry asked. "I only know about Joseph's parents, I've never met them in person."
"Well, his mom will be the easier to shop for between the two" Jess said. "You'll be fine with a nice bouquet of flowers."
"Alright" Harry said with a nod. "Well from what I remember, Joseph and his dad a nearly similar. Maybe I can get him a book on healing magic."
"That's a great idea" Jess stated. "We can head to the Ville de Flamel and look for one."
"Where?" Harry asked.
"The Town of Flamel" Jess answered with a smile. "It's our version of Diagon Alley but instead of a long winding alleyway, it's an entire town."
Harry nodded and followed Jess into an empty alley. Once they were sure they were alone, Harry grabbed on tightly to Jess's arm and immediately felt the strong pulling sensation of Disapparition. Harry soon felt his feet touch solid ground again, and he stared in awe around him; he was standing in the middle of a huge park that was full of blooming flowers and topiaries, and a statue of Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel in the middle. Surrounding the park were several shops of different varieties, and Harry was sure that the cobblestone roads led to more.
"This place is amazing" Harry said.
"I would think so" Jess said as she took Harry's wrist and started leading him.
"How did this place come about?" Harry asked. "And why is it named after Nicolas Flamel? Was this where he was born?"
"Joseph was right, you are a curious one" Jess said, and smiled when Harry blushed. "No, this wasn't where Nicolas Flamel was born. He lived his whole life in Paris. This place came about and was named after Flamel because he was just a good person."
"Really?" Harry asked.
"He was able to create the Philosopher's Stone, which could turn any metal into gold" Jess reminded. "He and his wife could've hoarded that or just used it for themselves, but they donated to several charities. They even donated to churches, who were the ones advocating for the hunting wizards and witches at the time. One of his friends passed and left this land to him. Flamel didn't want to use the land for himself, and his wife Perenelle suggested that they create a place where witches and wizards could stay where muggles wouldn't bother them. Centuries later, it still stands, is bigger and continually growing, and it houses several wizarding families."
"Wow" Harry said with a smile.
"Yeah, you're boyfriend had the same reaction the first time we brought him here too" Jess said with a smile of her own.
"Well it is a magical place" Harry said with a smirk, making Jess roll her eyes. "I guess we should go buy the gifts for Joseph's parents."
"Don't worry, if you and Joseph don't have anything planned tomorrow, I'm sure he'll be glad to show you around" Jess said, and Harry nodded with a smile.
They walked around and headed into the bookshop. Jess did the talking, asking for a book on healing magic or potions. The shopkeeper suggested a book on potion ingredients found in North America, and Harry bought it. They then headed for the florist, where Harry got a bouquet of blue and white flowers.
"We still have some time left before Joseph expects us back" Jess said. "We can explore a bit if you want to."
"I'd like to, but I just have a feeling that I'm missing something" Harry said, his eyes widening in realisation when they passed a clothes shop. "What am I going to wear? I can't wear my normal, casual clothes."
"Why not?" Jess said. "I mean, yeah Joseph's family grew up in upper class society, but they don't really care about that stuff that much. As long as you don't show up naked, I'm sure you'll be fine."
"Still, I should look more than just ok" Harry said. "Joseph means a lot to me, and I wanna make a good impression on his parents."
"Well, then you've got just the right person to help you" The blonde witch said with a smile.
They headed for the park and apparated to Paris, walking a few blocks and into the clothing store Jess bought most of Louis's clothes.
"Alright, you just sit here while I pick out an outfit for you" Jess said, gesturing to the couches.
"Thanks, and sorry for this" Harry said. "My sense of style is extremely limited."
"It's no trouble, and I've had a lot of practice since I started dating Louis" Jess said. "I mean, I love him, but his closet would be filled with nothing but plaid shirts and three pairs of the same jeans if I didn't help him."
Harry sat on a couch and watched as Jess quickly and easily move around the store. A couple minutes later, she returned with her arms full of stuff, which she immediately handed to Harry and shooed him into a fitting room. She had gotten Harry a dark green dress shirt, a pair of light khakis, a dark brown belt, a pair of light brown loafers and a black sports coat. While Harry didn't think he was an extremely attractive person, even he admitted he looked good as he stared at the mirror.
"Looking good" Jess said with a smile when Harry exited the dressing room.
"Thanks, but you did all the work" Harry said. "Now if I can only fix this hair."
"Ah yes, the famous untamable hair of Harry Potter" Jess said with a smirk.
"You know about it?" Harry asked.
"Only when Joseph talked about you, which was constantly for the first year" Jess said with a smile and Harry blushed. "There are some hair products of mine that you can use. But for the record, Joseph said he likes your hair."
"He does?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Yup" Jess answered with a nod. "In fact, his exact words were 'I love Harry's hair. It gives him a look that says 'I just had the most amazing shag of my life.'"
"There's no way Joseph said that" Harry stated, and while he believed his boyfriend wouldn't use such crass language, the idea made him smile widely.
"That's what he said when I told him it happened" Jess said as Harry reentered the dressing room to change back into his own clothes. "He was drunk when he said it, but I'm sure he's remembered it now."
"You got my boyfriend drunk?" Harry asked when he got out of the dressing room again.
"It didn't take much. The love of your life is a lightweight" Jess replied with a chuckle.
"Did he spill any secrets?" Harry asked.
"We haven't gotten him to that stage of drunkenness" Jess said. "When Joseph drinks, he has several stages; Tipsy, he's chattier than normal. First stage is he's even chattier and he's constantly switching topics, and there are no limitations to what he'll talk about. One night, he started talking about the ban on some flowers because they can be used to make poisons and how being able to study them would allow people to make antidote and the next thing I know, he starts talking about bees. Not as an ingredient, just bees as a general topic. It went on for half an hour cause Louis and Anna were as smashed as he was."
"It may come as a shock to you, but I don't find that surprising at all" Harry said with a chuckle. "What are the next stages?"
"The second stage is when he becomes overly interested in our personal lives; asking about relationships, families, etc. It's quite a strange sight to be honest" Jess said, and Harry smiled. "Third stage is when he gets moody, and starts talking about missing you, or his friends, or English weather while complaining about how bright it is here."
"But since I'm here now, he'll mostly be talking about the latter two more" Harry said.
"Or he could replace it and start talking about wishing he lived in a cave" Jess returned with a smirk. "Anyway, the fourth stage is when he starts to get slightly crazy, doing things you'd imagine him doing only if he was being coerced or he made a very stupid bet."
"Meaning singing all Celina Warbeck songs?" Harry asked with a knowing smile. "What's the stage after that?"
"We don't know" Jess replied. "Since the Celina Warbeck incident, Joseph's been very careful about not getting too drunk. The farthest we've gotten him is stage three."
"Well, with me here we might get past stage four" Harry said.
"I knew there was someone mischievous under that serious auror" Jess said with a smile, conversing with the shopkeepers when they got to the check-out counter.
"How much is everything?" Harry asked, and he was about to bring out his wallet when Jess stopped him.
"Don't worry Harry, it's on me" Jess said with a smile, handing one of the shopkeepers a credit card.
"You don't have to do that" Harry said. "And we just met."
"I don't have to, but I want to" Jess simply replied as she signed her signature on the receipt. "And even though we just met, I feel like I've known you for years because Joseph has been talking about you for years."
"Still, it'd be rude of me to have you spend so much money on me" Harry said after he thanked the shopkeepers and followed Jess outside.
"Then don't think of it as me spending a lot of money on you" Jess said. "Think of it as a thank you gift."
"A thank you gift? For what?" Harry asked.
"While Joseph and I may lock horns at least once a day, we care for each other a lot, and while you've seen him smile in several pictures that I took over the past decade, he was never truly happy" Jess said. "He'd put on a smile for our friends and his parents as a courtesy or to not make them worry, but he was unhappy. A lot of things contributed to it; abandoning his home, not being able to leave the house under the Fidelius charm or the Beauxbatons school grounds, not knowing how his friends are doing, and a lot more other stuff. But the biggest reason was you.I'm sure you covered it at great length the first night you were here, but I'm sure Joseph neglected to tell you that there were so many time he had thought you moved on."
"He didn't" Harry said in shock. "I mean, I kinda had the same thoughts, but why did he?"
"He thought that you had found someone better suited for you and that he wouldn't be able to help you as much since he wasn't in the war" Jess replied. "So when Draco sent him that copy of the Daily Prophet with you talking about devoting the past decade of your life capturing Death Eaters just so he could be safe, he was beaming." Harry gave Jess a skeptical look. "Well, he wasn't beaming, but he whistled while he cooked. And he was happier in the first hour you two were together since he fled England than the past five years he was here. So the clothes are a gift to say thank you for not giving up on him, and thank you also for making him so happy."
Harry smiled and the two shared a tight hug. The two then continued talking about the drunken antics they've both gotten into until they arrived back at the flat. As Harry walked into the flat, Joseph walked out of his bedroom, and Harry felt so much happiness and love at seeing the taller raven, he walked up to him, wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him in for a deep kiss.
"What was that for?" Joseph asked when they parted slowly.
"Nothing" Harry said with a smile. "And Jess may have spilled the beans on what you've been saying about me when you've had a little too much to drink."
"She should be careful. I might tell Louis what she gets up to when she has too much to drink" Joseph said loudly so his friend could hear him. "And what did you buy while you were out?"
"Well, the flowers are for your mom, and the book is for your dad" Harry said as he showed Joseph. "And this is the outfit I'm going to wear tonight."
"They'll love these, but you didn't have to buy a whole new outfit" Joseph said. "They'll love you as long as you'll be yourself. That's all you had to do with me."
"I'll still be me, just in nicer clothes" Harry said, pecking his boyfriend's cheek.
Joseph nodded and moved to finish getting dressed while Harry went to take a shower. Minutes later, Harry stared at himself in the mirror in Joseph's room, in the outfit that Jess got him earlier, and having used some of the products the blonde witch recommended for his hair. Taking a deep breath, he walked out into the lounge, where Joseph, Jess and Louis were talking, nervous about what his boyfriend would say. When the Slytherin looked at him, he didn't say anything but it was a good thing, since the Slytherin mouth had dropped, his eyes widened, and he was shamelessly looking Harry up and down.
"Harry…" Joseph began as he approached the Gryffindor. "You look amazing."
"Thanks, but I can't take all the credit" Harry said. "Jess helped me pick out the outfit."
"I told you you looked great" Jess said. "I feel like a mom whose son is about to attend his first dance."
"Well, you guys have fun tonight" Louis said as he and Jess said goodbye before heading out to the cinema.
"You really do look great" Joseph said as he gently took Harry's hand. "I love the colour green on you."
"Because it helps you better imagine that I'm a Slytherin?" Harry asked with a smile as he looked up at Joseph.
"Well, there's that. But mostly because it makes your eyes pop" Joseph said, using his free hand to cup Harry's cheek gently. "You're absolutely gorgeous."
"You're gorgeous too" Harry said, his cheeks rapidly turning pink and his smile widening with each second.
The two shared a short, but sweet kiss before they slightly parted, pressing their foreheads against each other, green eyes staring into amber ones. They stayed like that for a few minutes until the sound of the clock in the lounge chiming six times brought them out of the trance they were in.
"Ready?" Joseph asked after he had retrieved the food from the kitchen, and Harry had gathered the gifts.
"Let's go have you introduce me to my future in-laws."