Phew, exams are next week, so Things might be a little quite from me. Ive been studying nonstop. Please enjoy the chapter. Thanks my Great Beta BAfan! Shes demanding more chapters from me LOL...
Harry woke up Saturday morning and didn't feel like getting out of bed. He turned over and stayed there for another hour or so, before a soft knock on his door pushed him to sit up, and try to wipe the sleep from his eyes. "Come in," Harry called out, yawning. The door opened and Issy came into the room.
"Hey there, you feeling ok?" she asked, looking concerned as she sat on the edge of his bed.
"Just don't feel like getting out of bed this morning," Harry replied, his voice light and tired as well.
"Hmm, how about you get dressed and come down for breakfast? You can spend the rest of the day relaxing if you want, but you need to eat," Issy told him, as she got off the bed. She went over to his closet, grabbed some sweats and a jumper and placed them on the bed. "Lazy clothing for a lazy day," she said, smiling. "Get dressed. I'll wait in the hall for you, and we can go to breakfast together."
Harry slid out of bed and got dressed; he didn't bother with his hair or anything, and went to meet his mum out in the hall. Together the two of them made their way down to the dining room. Issy opened the door for Harry, and he shuffled, still half-asleep, over to an open chair at the table.
"Good morning, champ," Lyle greeted him. Harry looked up to greet everyone, only to freeze in place. Across the table from him sat Siles, who smiled at him.
"Good morning, Harry, it's a pleasure to see you once more," Siles said, giving him a nod.
"Ahh, good morning?" Harry replied, suddenly wide awake and feeling out of place. He also suddenly realized that not only was he wearing lazy clothing, but he also had not done his hair. He looked a mess this morning, and when the realization hit him he turned bright red and stiffened in his seat. "When did you get here?"
"About an hour ago. I had informed Lyle that I was coming. He should have gotten my letter yesterday. Did he not inform you that I was coming?" Siles inquired. All eyes at the table turned to Lyle, who flushed..
"Lyle? Did you forget something?" Bartok asked, raising one brow.
"It was… ah, a busy day yesterday. It just slipped my mind." Lyle's face was now so bright it resembled a tomato.
"I suspect this had something to do with that letter. The one that had you squeaking like a little girl, and running from the room," Anna teased.
"Yes, that would have been my letter. My dear brother, I do hope that the lovely garden room has not been defiled, as requested," Siles said teasingly to his brother. Issy, who had been taking a drink, suddenly spewed out her tea, and she coughed loudly, only to have Anna pat her on the back. "I see from lovely Issy's reaction, you ignored my letter. How frustrating; I gave more than enough advance warming."
"Hey! Just because you have the Eye of Foresight, that does NOT give you the right to peep into my clan's life like that!" Lyle scolded, scowling at his younger brother.
"You know my gifts don't always work the way I wish. This vision was not purposeful, pardon the intrusion," Siles said.
Lyle grunted and slumped in his seat. "Of all the gifts you could get, it had to be Seeing the future."
"What do you mean by Eye of Foresight?" Harry asked, bringing the attention back to him.
"Many Tengus are gifted with an ability to See different things," Lyle explained. "Some, like Siles, have the ability to Foresee the future. Some can See the past. Some can See death omens. I personally have the ability to See magic; I can read wards, and See different enchantments. There are hundreds of other Sight gifts found in different Tengus."
"That's why you work as a curse breaker, then? Because of your ability?" Harry probed.
"My Sight gift allows me to excel in my career field," Lyle told him, "but I also enjoy it a great deal. I feel it's very important to enjoy what you do for a living."
Harry nodded and turned back to Siles. "Did you See me before we met?"
Siles smiled at him. "I have Seen glimpses of you all my life, of us together, but the day we met I had no foreknowledge of you being there. I must admit I was thrilled to finally meet you. My visions did not do your beauty justice. I am very excited to have your presence finally in my life, in places other than my dreams and visions." Harry blushed brightly at the flattery.
"All right, you two can flirt more later. Harry, please eat some breakfast and take your potions," Anna instructed. Harry turned his focus back to the breakfast table. He made himself a plate and dug in, finding himself suddenly famished. His appetite had slowly been increasing with the care provided by his family. After over a month in their care he was able to feel hungry once more.
Harry was halfway though his breakfast, when David joined the table. He poured coffee, and sipped it, staring into the middle distance and responding only with nods to everyone's greetings. Harry knew how he felt; he still wished he was in bed right now.
Once breakfast was finished, Harry excused himself and made his way back up to his bedroom. He flopped down on his bed and burrowed under his pillows, attempting to hide from the world. He did not hear the knock on the door, nor did he hear it opening.
"Harry?" Issy called out, startling Harry, causing him to move a pillow that had blocked her from his view.
"Yeah, Mum?" he asked tiredly.
He watched her close the door softly behind her; she then came over to sit on the edge of his bed. "Siles wishes for some of your time. He is settling into a guest room in the family wing at this moment. I know you were not feeling all that great, so I wanted to see if you were up for him visiting?"
Harry sighed and sat up, "Yeah, I wouldn't mind spending some time with him."
Issy smiled and reached out to tug on a lock of his hair. "Should I do your hair first? I did not do it this morning."
"I don't feel like having it up, would you just brush it for me?" Harry requested. Issy sat down on the couch with his brush in hand.
"Anything you want, love, come sit down for me," Issy prompted. Harry smiled and plopped down in front of her, relaxing as she softly ran the brush though his hair. They sat like this for a few minutes, Harry enjoying the strokes from the brush, which relaxed him greatly. It was calming, and made him feel a lot better. A soft knock on his door brought him out of his peaceful trance. "That would be Siles," Issy said, setting the brush down. "Go enjoy the gardens with him, I will be on the balcony doing some homework."
Harry stood up from his seat, and followed behind Issy as she went to open the door. "Hello, Siles, you may spend some time with Harry in the gardens," she instructed as she moved past him. Siles stood there with a smile on his face.
"You know, my mother had the Gift of Future Sight as well. She always knew when one of us kids was in trouble, or when we wanted something. Issy for a minute there reminded me of her. I didn't even have to ask for some time with you," Siles said, chuckling.
"Your mum has a lot of kids doesn't she? Lyle said you have 24 siblings?" Harry asked, as the two of them walked towards the gardens. They followed the same path that Harry had taken two days before with Severus.
Siles chuckled. "Yes; we come from the Montgomery clan, our parents' clan, which has two doms and two subs. Our mother is Olivia, a Tengu; she gave birth to twelve of us. She's mated with Robert, our Father; he is a Wood Elf, and Mum birthed one child to him, our sister Sarah. Then she mated with Reginald, our Papa, he is a Werebear. Then Jacobie, our Daddy, is another Tengu sub. He's given birth to thirteen other children. Mum and Daddy have been best friends since they were very young children, and have loved each other that long. Daddy was ill when he was younger and cannot sire children, only bear them. So Mum and Daddy share dominants.
"It's a large family, and most of us still live at home with our parents. Our family's manor is back on earth in America, but we have one here as well. A few of us go to school here in Teradore; I attend business school here. A lot of our siblings attend the courts, quite a few are young subs. I believe you also got to hear the story of our older sister Tela; she is a Werebear who is quite well endowed. She and Issy do not get along, not since Issy told her she need to get a reduction." Siles gave him a humorous look as they made their way through the garden, making Harry laugh.
"I would have loved to grow up in a family with so many children," Harry then said, a small smile on his face at the idea.
"I would have liked to have a few less siblings at times." Siles rolled his eyes, then smiled fondly. "However, I would give the world for any one of them." Harry chuckled.
The two of them found themselves in the center of the garden, where there was a circular fountain with a bench around it. Harry glanced around. "This looks like a good place to sit, if you don't mind?" he suggested as he seated himself on the bench.
"Yes, I agree; this will make a great spot to sit and talk for a little. Your house elf takes very good care of the gardens. They are very pleasant to relax in," Siles remarked taking a seat next to Harry.
Harry was able to glance up at the balcony and see Issy sitting at the same table as last time, overlooking the gardens so that she could keep an eye on them. He closed his eyes and relaxed as the wind blew his hair around. Some of it got in his face and tickled his nose, annoying him. He frowned slightly. Maybe he should have let Issy plait it as usual.
"So, are you going to start school soon?" Siles asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes, Bartok and I were able to spend time at Teradore School of Magi yesterday to finalize my enrollment. I tested very high in a lot of my classes, and my career choice requires a little organization before the start of the term."
"Have you decided what you wish to do career-wise?" Siles questioned.
"Yes, I am going to be a Veterinarian. The Headmistress is going to have me study Healing as well as Care of Creatures. She also talked about having me job-shadow another Vet. She's working on setting it up for me. I'm very excited!" Harry said, his voice echoing his statement. The wind gusted once more, harder this time, causing Harry's hair to blow into his face again. Harry grunted in irritation and clawed it out of his mouth and eyes.
"Having hair issues?" Siles asked, causing Harry to glance at him. Siles was grinning.
Harry smiled sheepishly. "Just a little. I'm not used to it being so long yet. Mum normally styles it for me, but I didn't feel like it this morning. Now that I am outside, I am regretting that decision." Annoyance laced his voice, as he had to once more brush some of the hair off of his face.
"If you like, I could bind it for you. I have quite a few younger sisters whom I help with their hair. I am quite skilled at it," Siles offered.
"I would love the assistance." Harry turned, swinging one leg over the bench so that his back was facing Siles. He tilted his head back when prompted, allowing Siles full access to his hair. Like all the other times someone played with his hair, Harry allowed his eyes to drift closed and he relaxed under the other's ministrations. All too soon in Harry's opinion, Siles had tied off the end of his hair.
"There, I believe my sisters call this a French plait. It suits you."
Harry returned to his previous position with a contented sigh. "Thank you."
"It was my pleasure; I also brought a gift for you. I noticed, when we first met, that you had a black teddy bear. It appeared that you hold it dear to you. So I got it this companion." Siles held out a white bear, the same size as Fluffy, Harry's black bear. It had light blue eyes, and a silver bow on its neck. The paws were heart shaped and red, just like Fluffy's. Harry accepted the bear and snuggled it close; it was just as soft as his other, and he instantly loved it.
"Thank you, this is a lovely gift; it's so soft," Harry said, smiling shyly. He was pleased at the thoughtful gift. Siles smiled at Harry, and moved off the bench to kneel down in front of him. He held out his hand, requesting Harry's.
Harry smiled back, and didn't hesitate for a second as he placed his ribbon hand in Siles's, and accepted his proposal. Siles kissed Harry's hand, and the white ribbon glowed, and Siles's name was added in light blue, to the ribbon. "Thank you for accepting my courting offer. I will do all I can to make you happy, and I will show you how precious and loved you are meant to be," Siles vowed. The look in his mis-matched eyes caused Harry's stomach to flutter pleasantly.
"I will hold you to that vow, Siles," Harry promised.
Normally I would do a teaser here but I don't remember what the next chapter was about LOL... sorry... I think its a school chapter... Hmm...