Hajime
"Ah! Master Harry, sir! What are you doing here!"
Harry turned from his aunt to dodge the grasping hands of Agni.
"Hello Agni. I am here to make sure that our spices are not messed with."
"Your… spices…?" The poor Indian's face went from confused, to angry, to very concerned in a matter of seconds. "If Lord Ciel has ordered you to enter this competition on behalf of my prince, please withdraw now!"
"Our master?" Sebastian questioned bemusedly striding through the kitchen door. "Your concern is unfounded, for my lord puts his interests and those of his business before all else."
"I beg you," Agni groaned clutching at his shirt with one hand and his head with the other. "I do not wish to combat someone who has shown me every kindness."
"You have your reasons for participating in this fair as do I," the demon stated dismissively. "Now, just who is this new companion of yours, Hadrian?"
"This is my aunt that I told you about. And it's Harry."
Acirema gave a half-bow and said, "It is a pleasure to meet my nephew's… partner in the Phantomhive household. Please treat me kindly."
Harry frowned at her from the corner of his eye. She must be desperate to make a good impression with that kind of wording. Treat me kindly indeed…
"The pleasure is all mine," the Sebastian returned with a sharp smile. "It is an honor to meet his long lost family member."
Harry snorted. "Ignore him Aunt. He's being tetchy."
The wizard demon glanced back at Agni who was now muttering to himself about having to win. Then he looked back at Acirema, who was slightly hiding behind his form, and his mate, who looked as if he wanted to tear her to shreds. He sighed. Sebastian was not going to be happy with the news the other chimera had brought.
"Sebastian," he whispered, catching the attention of both of the demons. "I have some news for you later but for now focus on the competition."
The crow demon nodded slightly before giving a put upon sigh. "Are you sure you don't wish to be the cook? We all know your skills are better than mine in this area."
Acirema gave a bewildered glance to her nephew but the wizard only snorted in laughter. His hand slipped down to grab his aunt's thin wrist before tugging her out of the kitchen with a parting, "Little Lord ordered you to win so it's your responsibility~!"
"Now," he cleared his throat. "You get to meet Ciel. He'll be somewhere here in the crowd and I'll take you to him after Sebastian wins."
"Of course, Harry."
So the two demons settled in the back of the crowd on a bench not paying too much attention to the competition. Instead, Harry had a few questions that he wanted answered.
"So you mentioned testing demonic Abilities?"
"Yes. There's not much we can do here in the human world because our powers are slightly more restricted. Once you come to Hell," she paused and glanced at him to confirm he would be going, "I will help you when I am able."
"Good, good… So you say chimera, which is what we are, control Elements?"
"Yes. There are so few chimera left in Hell that it is difficult to find information on them but it is known everywhere that we have basic control over the elements. I have a mastery of water but only basic control over any of the other three."
"How do I tell…"
"Which one is most suited for you?"
Harry nodded and grimaced when he heard that the Viscount Druitt would be one of the judges. How in the world had that man gotten out…?
"Well," Acirema continued oblivious to his reaction, "usually your temperament deals a major part in that. I am calm and serene but anger me and you will find yourself drowned in my fury."
"I might be good for air then," he said thinking of how at home he felt flying.
"I wouldn't say so."
"Oh?"
"Air is courageous," she noted, "but it is more playful and carefree than you seem to be. You could be a hurricane, yes, but I think a flash fire suits you more. You feel passionate and restless."
Harry fidgeted thinking back on his temper in the wizarding world. And the most recent lapse of temper he'd had that ended up with him gone from his two favorites for almost two months. Okay, so fire might suit him.
"You burn brightly and attract those around you with your light but you are quite impulsive, leading to emotionally driven responses." Acirema paused as a crease formed upon her brow. "I suppose being half human does also lend you more emotions than full blooded demons feel."
Harry gaped. "How!?"
"How did I know?" She asked with a slightly smug smirk tugging at the corner of her lip. "Water has a slight seer ability. I cannot see into the future and I do not want to with its infinite possibilities but I can read demon personalities easily. Humans are more complex. A lot of what they feel I do not understand but I've some experience in figuring out what they mean."
"Then what about the other elements?"
"Hm. Let's see. Fire deals very much with change. If this element becomes your main one I'm assuming-"
"Assuming?" Harry cut in frowning.
"Yes. I told you before that chimera are rare. Other than you and Lilith I have never met another."
"Oh… What was mother then? Her element?"
"Ah, Lilith was Earth."
She had to pause again as the crowd grew excited once food started to be passed around. Both demons ignored the platters going around but Harry was glad to see his and Sebastian's inventions on one of them.
"I thought Mum would be more Fire," Harry prompted when Acirema didn't seem like she was going to say anymore.
The blonde's lips twitched slightly upwards. "It would seem like that, wouldn't it? She had a fair amount of fire in her but earth was definitely her main. Lilith was always set in her ways once she decided something. It was very hard to change her mind."
Harry couldn't help but be reminded of the fact that James had to pursue Lily for seven years before she finally agreed to go out with him. "Yea… I can definitely see that now that I think on it."
"Now," she waved away another person with a platter before continuing, "as I was saying. Your ability with Fire would have something to do with change but I'm not sure what it would be. Earth on the other hand is quite immovable. They were great Guardians. Lilith even more so because her fire allowed her to have flexible shields that she could change with a thought. It's one of the reasons why Lucifer took an interest in her."
"And Air?" Harry asked seeing the faraway look in his aunt's eyes.
"Air… well I'm not exactly sure. Air is supposed to be the element of insight which you think would lead to being a seer… but then what do I have? Well, like I said information is very hard to come by. The Wars made sure of that."
'Luna...'
"Hello again, Harry."
Harry turned and smiled brilliantly at the petite wisp of a blonde. "Hello Luna. How are you doing today?"
"Well, I'm looking for gargling humpjackers but I can't seem to find any. Daddy will be so disappointed…"
"Haha! Alright. I'm almost finished up here-"
"Oh no, don't do that Harry."
He paused in lifting his wand to repair the stone. The wizard gave a questioning glance as the younger witch glided over to the piece of Hogwarts' stone lying on the ground. She circled it twice before turning to him with a dreamy smile.
"You should find another piece to fill in. This one is too fragile. Nargles could easily invade the castle now without the wards up and with funny stones in the wrong places.
Harry blinked down at her in confusion but nodded in agreement.
"Luna," he questioned softly, "How do you always seem to know these things before they happen?" Even if it comes out in a funky way…
"The wind loves to whisper to me," she said happily, twirling in a circle.
"I see. Well, perhaps you could help me find the perfect stone and then we could go looking for you humper, er…"
"Humpjackers," she corrected with another dreamy smile.
"Of course."
"Perhaps Air actually is the seer and you are more of an empath."
"Empath?" Now there was a frown upon her lips and that crease was back. She tugged on a lock of hair before twirling it around her finger in thought. "To be an empath mustn't you be able to feel emotions? Demons should not be empathetic."
"Not necessarily I don't think," Harry said thoughtfully scratching the back of his neck and fidgeting into a better position on the bench. "I've never met an empath but wouldn't it be horrible to feel everyone's emotions and not be able to tell which were yours and which weren't? And from what I know of water it is very conductive. Emotions or information or whatever it is you get might come easier to you because of it."
"Perhaps you are correct," she said softly eyes glazed.
Harry went to reply before he was cut off by a whip snatching the trophy from the announcer. The white haired butler with goggles covering his eyes held the trophy aloft and stated flatly, "A moment if you please. This match-BFFT!"
Harry giggled alongside the other demon as they watched a white horse trample the man to the ground. Riding the gallant steed was an old woman in royal purple robes with a set of her own goggles.
He could clearly hear Bard ask, "Whozzat funky granny?"
Harry smiled. Really? Nobody even knew what the queen looked like enough to recognize her outside of the castle? Well, that information could easily be used by impersonators. Though, not many would try to impersonate a queen whether anyone knew what she looked like or not.
"Your Majesty what are you doing in a place like this," Ciel exclaimed rushing forward.
"Good day to you all."
"To get back to the point at hand… I believe her majesty has something to say," the butler said pushing himself upwards. Oh, he knew who that was. James Brown, the Queen's butler if history was still accurate to his own dimension. Hm, what was with the queen and having silver haired men working for her?
"This curry competition was capital," the queen replied climbing down off the horse with the help of her butler. "The aroma that filled this venue reminded me of the curry I once ate with dear Albert on the Isle of Wight." Suddenly the queen dropped to her knees and wailed pitifully about being with Albert.
Acirema twitched next to Harry and he glanced over to find her rubbing her temples.
"I did not know that humans could harbor emotions so deeply. Her grief is very poignant…Oh. I suppose that Empath theory might have some merit. How interesting," her voice was quietly surprised.
Harry chuckled, "I suppose being in Hell with unfeeling twats wouldn't help you figure it out, huh?"
She smiled in amusement.
Hearing a very wooden voice trying to console Queen Victoria garnered his attention and he was treated to the sight of the butler trying to cheer his mistress with a hand puppet. How strange.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she stood and pronounced Funtom the winner. West, of course, was not happy and demanded an explanation.
"See for yourself," the queen said pointing into the crowd.
The wizard demon grinned before standing and beckoning his aunt to follow.
He could see what she was talking about. The kids were happily munching on the curry bun but Agni's was messier and harder to eat. As they slowly got closer, Harry ignored the Queen's speech and instead focused on getting behind the little lord.
"I am merely a butler," Sebastian announced after being called a chef again.
"As if," Harry snorted making Ciel jump in place. The boy spun and glared at Harry before his eyes alighted on Acirema. There was confusion there but he held his tongue and instead turned back to the queen who was talking gently to Agni.
Off to the side, West was staggering as if about to faint and muttering about his royal warrant. An Indian woman made her way out of the crowd and that's when Soma perked up.
"Meena!"
"Oh dear," Harry muttered shifting a little further away.
He was still close enough to witness Soma embrace the woman that looked thoroughly shocked.
"This is not going to end well for that boy," Acirema pointed out flatly.
Harry snorted again. "You don't have to be a possible empath to see that."
Sure enough, once the shock wore off Meena was quite a vicious thing. "Are you an idiot? Here you are hunting me down all the way to England, making a fine nuisance of yourself. Who do you think you are!?"
"Eh…?"
"Let's go back together? Don't make me laugh," she snorted contemptuously. "Who in their right mind would want to go back to a place like that? I didn't want to live my entire life tied to the social station I was born into and then I finally got my ticket out of India!"
The wizard noticed Sebastian talking to Agni and looked over to see him crying blood. How interesting. The Indian Butler was so devoted to Soma that his entire body was rejecting itself in his despair and he was crying blood. He'd heard of such devotion before but never seen it in action. It was quite the sight.
Sebastian was talking to Agni, staving off any other immediate consequences though so Harry turned his attention back to the dramatic and one sided reunion.
"Life as a servant? Or a rich man's wife? Even a child knows which is better! And besides, I've more than enough of babysitting a selfish brat like you!"
Harry grinned. That was pretty nasty to yell in a common area. West and Meena would make the perfect complimentary snack for him. Too bad they'd be missed.
"I see. I'm sorry." That had even Agni looking up in disbelief. Acirema scoffed but didn't say anything. "We were together all that time and I didn't understand what you were feeling at all. Forgive me for chasing you to Great Britain without stopping to think about the trouble I would be causing you… I thank you for all you've done for me till now."
And then he walked right past her. Harry couldn't help but stare at the sheer maturity the royal was displaying.
Once the prince had reached Agni he started speaking ever so softly, "I've always passed the blame onto other people. My being alone in the palace was my parent's fault. Meena going away was West's. But the reality was different. I, who did nothing but complain whilst sponging off my parents, was truly the one at fault. However, you remained by this foolish prince's side. And you continued to do so even after you'd left me."
Soma leaned over and offered his hand to Agni who only looked at it uncomprehendingly. The bloody tears still running down the indian's face made the whole thing even more surreal to Harry. Just for a moment, he thought he wouldn't mind having this one as a cub.
A moment, though, was all that his magic needed to lash out and finish the bond. He stumbled backwards from surprise right into his aunt that steadied him gently.
Soma faltered for a second before a mulish expression passed through his features and he continued on, "Forgive me for making you shoulder such heavy burdens all this time. Won't you come back to my side and be my khansama again? Agni?"
Real tears washed away the blood and he accepted his prince's hand with an emotional 'Jo Aagyaa'.
Harry let out a few harsh breaths followed by a soft whine that immediately attracted Sebastian's attention. While Ciel chatted with the queen his mate made his way the short distance between them to figure out what was wrong.
"It's nothing to worry about, Harry. He matured quite a bit right now. His heart is shattered but he'll be fine. He's a very good combination of Air and Earth. He'd make a good pup."
Acirema's words were anything but comforting but they at least alerted the raven to the problem without Harry having to explain it himself.
"I see. So your bond completed itself then? Hm."
"Hm? What does 'hm' mean," the half demon snarled quietly.
"Nothing bad or good at this point in time. What is done is done, Hadrian. We shall just have to make the best of the situation. And alert the young master to this as well."
"It's Harry! And I bet Aadesh will get a kick out of this as well. Damn. Now I'm his official master for life. Why does the weird stuff always seem to happen to me?"
He had the fleeting thought of corrupting the prince and tossing him into Hell so he wouldn't have to deal with him.
"It is the life of a chimera. We seem to have the weirdest luck," his aunt grumbled.
"Fantastic." So Potter luck and chimera luck. Someone out there was getting a kick out of this.
Sebastian chuckled and steered the both of them in the direction of their group where Soma was having another mature conversation with Ciel. Harry groaned and dropped his head in his hands.
After a crying episode from Soma -hides his emotions rather well, said his aunt- Harry was finally able to introduce Aunt Acirema to the Phantomhive staff. Baldroy was instantly enamored with her looks and flushed a bright red in the face sputtering random comments. Meyrin was happy to meet her, and Finny was absolutely ecstatic, almost crushing her in a hug of death. Then Ciel came over and Harry could see the pain he tried to hide at the word 'aunt' but he only greeted her cooly.
"No need to hide from me, little cub. Harry calls me an empath," this earned oohs and aahs from the peanut gallery, a raised eyebrow from Sebastian, and a slight blush from Ciel. "Welcome to the family, young one. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Y-you as well," Ciel stuttered before fleeing the conversation as quickly as he could. Baldroy happily took the boy's place.
While the peanut gallery and his aunt were distracted Harry snagged Agni, Soma, Ciel, and his mate and pulled them a little ways away from the other group.
"Harry?"
"There is something I need to talk to the prince about and you all need to hear this as well." Taking a deep breath he started slowly, "Do you remember when the King said you were named after me?"
Soma blinked but nodded his head. "Yes! I thought it quite strange at the time. You had to have been a child when my grandfather met you. And then you had to have made quite the impression to make him name me after you!"
Harry released a strangled breath and looked pleading to the raven standing next him. The only response he got was a shake of the head and Ciel muttering impatiently.
"Right, fine. I'm older than I look. Anyway, you were named after me for the express purpose of being given into my custody. When your father told me to go with you he was passing his guardianship of you over to me."
Everyone's, except Sebastian who already knew this, jaws dropped.
"So that's what you meant when you said you wouldn't claim him," Ciel exclaimed triumphantly.
"Is-is this true," Soma practically whimpered.
"Yes. You may even write to your father about this if you wish. He will confirm it."
"I wish to know why you are telling us this now when, as Lord Ciel just mentioned, you have already denied your… claim on my prince."
The green eyed man ran his hand through his hair, cursing about forgetting the ribbon again, and let out an aggravated sigh.
"From the beginning I could never deny that you are mine. I could try to do so in words but eventually… Nevermind. Let's just say that after your display of maturity I decided that you should know of this. You are one of mine now but this also comes with its own dangers. We shall discuss those later in a private place but know that you are now forever under my... protection."
The Indians looked flabbergasted ( being under the guardianship of a servant probably had something to do with it, heh) so before they could say anything he walked away. He just did not want to deal with any of this right now. And he still had to tell Sebastian about his impending abduction by Lucifer's hand. Really. He just wanted to go home and pretend none of this had ever happened...
AN: Another pretty canony chapter but the ripples are coming XD Anyway tell me what you think?