Have a Little Feith: I'm not going to lie, although Vanguard was always gonna have a part in the story, I didn't consider having her in the harem until you mentioned it. Considering the way she is with Harry (as you all will see) it makes more sense that she lives with him instead of just appearing later on. So thanks x
blazingphoenix123: (I actually blushed whilst reading this, thanks x) I really enjoy doing Centorea and Harry's interactions, though I find writing Centorea's character fairly difficult, and I look forward to writing the lemon for those two, which is coming VERY soon. But, to answer your questions, the next girl will be Suu and Mero, followed quickly by Rachnera. I wanna work a little bit more on the MON girls and Smith to set up some later stuff, too. Also, although they will be a close part of the story, only two (maybe three) of the five of them will actually join the harem.
GodSwampThing: Yeah, you're right. But although I'm technically going to be bashing Harry's family (like I said to TheUnholySmirk) there is a little more to it than that. Can't really say without spoiling it so you'll have to wait and see.
marlastiano: You excited ;)
Hikari Nova & LordXeenTheGreat: Thank you x
vesperon: What's up? Not to be rude, but it's very hard to glean what the problem is if you only give me that to work with. If you've got a complaint, don't take this in a bad way, can you just say what the problem is please?
Let's continue.
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A Wizards Life with Monster Girls:
Chapter 21
For everyone around Harry as he grew up, marriage had been something so far from their mind that it wasn't even considered. Granger was focussed on her ascension to Minister of Magic, Ronald and even Ginny (though only after her first year at Hogwarts) were both focussed on their 'inevitable' Quidditch careers, the Twins on their pranks then (eventually) their joke shop, Fleur on her career as a curse breaker (ironically stumbling into her marriage with Bill Weasley shortly afterwards). It left Harry rather put out and embarrassed in those nights in the Gryffindor dorm or whilst in his barracks or chambers when the others were talking about sex and scores, Harry was fantasising about marriage and having a family.
Someone sweet, someone kind and, most of all, someone who accepted and loved him for who he was. He was tired of pretending or hiding himself, and although he still found it difficult (despite Miia's patience, despite Centorea's loving acceptance and Papi's desire to help) to actually let himself go around them. He wanted to, but could not just yet. But he felt that they were the kind of people he could let in and allow himself to be true to, which lead him (extremely awkwardly) imagining him spending the rest of his life with them. Kissing, hugging, having little ones of theirs to scurry after and love. The idea made him blush furiously and to violently curse his overactive imagination that presented him with such an idealistic view of married life.
So, when Smith asked him,
"How do you feel about marrying one of those three?" He refrained from being honest and stating that he would love to make any of them his wife.
"What are you going on about now?" Harry sighed, expertly hiding his embarrassment at imagining Miia, Cerea and Papi in snow white bridal gowns behind a tired tone, "That's a rather tame joke for you."
"You didn't answer the question."
"Neither did you." She declared with a smirk,
"You've just broken into my house. I am both a victim and a host, so spare ME the Spanish Inquisition and tell us whatever you came here to tell us."
Papi and Miia were lost at Harry's words whilst Centorea smirked over the rim of her tea cup as she drank. Herself hiding ideas of her lord becoming her husband, as she was amused at his ever-sharp tongue.
"How about you loosen my tongue with some coffee?" She sighed jokingly,
"I thought Smith-san said she was busy?" Papi asked confused and brightened up when Harry affectionately ruffled her hair,
"That's right, Papi! Freeloader-chan should just hurry up and get on with her important business." Harry said cheerfully and Miia smirked,
"So I think you should make it quick, Smith-san." Miia chipped in and Smith felt rather uncomfortable at being outnumbered.
She cleared her throat and even went so far as to take her glasses off as she pulled up a chair and gently placed a plastic wallet bulging with papers on the kitchen island,
"I'll keep it brief, as it's first thing in the morning and you likely don't want lengthy speeches this early." Smith sat up, once again addressing them in a professional, all business tone that garnered their undivided attention, "Due to the overwhelming success of integration for monsters, liminals and demi-humans into human society. Alongside this success, and the rise in private elopements worldwide, the United Nations have proposed a rescission of a few of the conditions pertaining to interspecies and human relations."
Curiosity and apprehension ran rampant through the kitchen at her words as she took a breath, the other four holding their own as they waited for her to continue.
"One of the laws that are to be repealed, is the law that prohibits marriage and intercourse." She said matter of factly, no teasing in her tone as the room was silent. Almost immediately she was faced with four blushing faces and it truly was a mark of her hidden professionalism that she didn't make a comment, "As this a rather personal and likely controversial decision, before the changes can be put forth and ratified, each country is required to pick suitable or compatible participants in the programme to showcase the marriages of humans and monsters."
Harry felt three sets of eyes turn to him that he didn't dare meet as the pieces clicked in his head,
"Why us?" He asked, trying to keep his voice neutral despite his racing heart and whirring mind,
"In a record, short period of time you have had three homestays and integrated them into your life. Something I reported to my superiors. As such, you were chosen by the higher ups as a potential candidate." Smith said almost apologetically, aware now that the head of the house did not like things happening that were outside of his knowledge or control. His eyes narrowed, but only in thought as he crossed his arms and bowed his head.
"So, your superiors want to use a bunch of the well adapted hosts and monsters as examples to the people on the benefits of allowing cross species marriage. We're basically becoming propaganda tools?" Harry asked slowly. Not confrontational but seeking answers to his thoughts. Smith seemed pensive for a moment before nodding.
"I guess so." She said uncommitted, shrugging and planting her elbows on the table so she could rest her head in her hands. Her overly serious tone now gone, "You in, Darling-kun? I'm sure it's been TORTURE having a house full of pretty ladies and having to remain responsible."
Miia choked on her eggs and descended into a coughing fit, whilst Harry attempted to school his scarlet face,
"You're making me out to be some sort of deviant." Harry muttered before his attention was drawn to Papi, who had now hugged herself up against his arm,
"Does this mean Papi can make husband her husband?"
"If you'd like to, Papi-chan." Smith said warmly and was rewarded with a 'Yay!" from the harpy and two scandalised looks,
"If anyone is marrying Darling, it's me." Miia snarled, her tone murderous and her hand clawed. Papi reacted to the hostility by flinging a wing over Harry's shoulders and glaring back at Miia,
"Mine!" She declared, missing Miia's tail fly up as it flicked her in the chest. Flinging her from her chair and off of Harry, who then had that same tail curl around his chest and haul him over the table and into her arms,
"MINE!" she hissed before turning in surprise at a golden glint in the corner of her eye,
"Release my lord immediately, Miia." Centorea ordered, with her golden blade a mere inch from the lamia's eyes. All the while wondering how someone as large as Centorea could sneak up on her as she carefully released her Darling, glaring as Centorea laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and lead him away, "Have respect. My lord is the head of the house and does not belong to anyone."
Harry noticed the possessiveness in Centorea's touch and a study of her face gave Harry the impression that she was simply stating what she knew he wanted to hear. As the animosity ramped up in the kitchen (Miia and Papi silently telling Centorea to let him go whilst she dared them to take him from her) Harry turned to Smith,
"This may be a bit of a problem." He sighed, the trio causing the 'problem' not hearing him,
"My superiors are awaiting your decision."
"If I refuse?"
"I don't think that's an option."
"What's the worst they can ACTUALLY do?"
"What, do you not want to marry one of them?"
They heard that though. Three pairs of eyes now focussed unblinkingly on him, their gazes pressure crushing him.
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"I'm... not ready to make that kind of decision." Harry muttered, not meeting anyone's eyes, "You kind of can't just drop this on me."
"There is no way of easing you into it either. You could do a lot worse for wife material than these three." Smith declared, her gaze pointed when Harry didn't give the correct answer. Her face further disappointed at his lack of response.
"I'll… be upstairs." Harry said softly, gently pulling free of Centorea's grasp and leaving to his room. The girls almost speechless as they watched him go,
"Husband."
"Darling!"
"Let him be." Centorea decided for them as Papi and Miia made to follow. Her tone expressed some hurt but remained otherwise neutral, "As welcoming and accommodating as my lord has been, he is still a clearly private person. He is evidently overwhelmed at this news and requires time to process it."
Miia sighed in understanding and, although she didn't quite get it, Papi decided not to follow either.
"Isn't saying 'my lord' a little much, Cerea-chan?" Smith asked suddenly and curiously, "Adding the –sama or –dono suffixes to his name would do the trick just fine."
"I considered it, but to call my lord by his full name, with a suffix seemed far too much." Centorea declared, "And to have abbreviated it to Potter-dono felt rather rude."
"Then just call him Harry-dono." Smith shrugged and was both amused and confused at the blush that dominated her cheeks,
"It would be improper to call my lord by his given name." She squeaked,
"Why?" Miia asked, dumbfounded at Cenotrea's reaction, "He practically begged you to when you moved in. He asked all of us to."
"T-then, why don't you call my lord by his name?" Centorea asked hotly,
"Because Darling is my darling." She declared sweetly, hands over her heart and a smile dominating her face,
"And Husband is my husband!" Papi added cheerfully,
"No he isn't!" Miia roared, hands like claws out again, before retracting as Smith laughed.
"Aren't you all precious!" She declared, voice full of mirth, as she flicked her shades back on, "Or for now at least…"
Their eyebrows furrowed at the comment,
"To what are you insinuating, Smith-san?" Centorea asked carefully as she finally sheathed her blade. Made even more cautious as Smith's mischievous grin grew,
"I assume you have all felt the different effects of the ever-changing lunar cycle in your lives." Smith stated rather than inquired, an arched eyebrow sending cold shivers down the centaur's spine as she flicked her gaze to the other occupants of the room (who did not seem to know what she was talking about),
"You can't mean… I had not realised that the full moon was tonight…" Centroea muttered, well aware of the effects the full moon had on monsters and once again worriedly glancing over at her still clueless housemates,
"Yup. I was gonna tell Darling-kun myself, but I'm sure you are more than capable of passing along the message." Smith said as she got to her feet and made for the door. Stopping before leaving and turning to address them one last time, "Oh, Cerea-chan was right by the way. Darling-kun is a very private and reserved person. So if you really want something in the romance department, I recommend a bit of persistence."
It seemed that Papi and Miia understood that, and that made Centorea's blood run cold. Two persistent liminals trying to get their human host to marry them whilst the full moon shone in the sky.
"Tis a nightmare." Centorea muttered.
.
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Mermaid princesses were beautiful, often born with voluptuous figures, long flowing hair and beautiful vibrant tails. Meroune Lorelei Du Neptune, obviously, was no exception to this rule.
She was meeting the mermaids crown princess and their queen for the first time, alongside her father, this evening. The venue of choice being a popular seaside hotel/resort in one of its more intimate conference rooms. The room gave the occupants the impression of being in a glass box, as the walls and ceiling were looking into a beautiful full aquarium showcasing a myriad of marine life. The light came in from beyond the glass giving the room a dim lighting accompanied by various shifting shadows.
The table was long with curved corners and odd hexagonal lanterns allowed their parents and their aides (at one end) to pour over the contract and other paperwork. With the 'children' (and their guards and chaperones) left to their own devices at the end nearest to the door. Leaving Vanguard with little else to do but take in Meroune and desperately think of topics for small talk.
Her hair long, luscious and a bright shade of pink, her skin (as she sat out of water and under the light) had a soft glow to it that gave her a nigh ethereal look, her eyes were a soft blue and her ears were reminiscent of fins. But the thing that truly drew Vanguard's attention, besides the way that the mermaids ample breast seemed to strain against the material of her midnight blue (seemingly Victorian-esque) dress, was the long pink fish tail that identified her as a mermaid. It had twitched and swished just above the ground as she was wheeled towards her by a suited human and gave the impression of holding a hidden strength besides the woman's petite size.
Vanguard didn't understand how such a dainty, regal thing could be a good match for her brother. She knew her brothers type. He liked women with a fire in their hearts, something she detected none of from the woman before her. This woman shrieked royalty. She sat in her wheelchair (as they had met on land and thus she could not make her way around any other way) as if it were a throne. Back straight with her hands folded carefully in her lap, chin up with a polite and almost patient look on her face.
Also, she was still unsure about this whole procedure. A marriage contract, as ironic as it was, was a very uncommon practice amongst goblin nobility. Granted, most goblin children were 'promised' at birth, but the likes of contracts or dowry's (and the punishments that wizarding families liked to throw around) were absent in the marriage of goblin children. Vanguard understood why her brother hadn't been promised, as he had been twelve when her father had adopted him. And, as he was to be married to royalty outside of their species, Vanguard understood that a marriage contract MAY have been necessary.
As Vanguard really thought about it, she wasn't unsure of it because it actually made perfect sense. Rather, she simply disliked the idea at its very core.
"Princess Vanguard?" Came a soft and polite voice that the goblin princess recognised as Meroune's,
"How can I assist you, Princess Meroune?" Vanguard asked as cordially as she could manage. Knowing that her very tone could cause a political incident if she did not take care,
"Would you kindly describe your brother to me?" She asked with an insufferably soft smile, her eyes polite and patient as she awaited an answer, "What is his character?"
Vanguard paused and held her tongue for a moment to think of what to say,
"My brother is kind. He is very accepting of everyone he meets, so he'll have no problem with the difference in species." Vanguard said thoughtfully. Then, after a rather mischievous thought, a mischievous smirk graced her features for the shortest of seconds before she continued, "But he has a bit of a temper. He hides it well but if you rile him up there is no force on earth that can stop him."
Vanguard felt smug. A dangerous plan forming in her mind to ensure that this courtship ends in failure. A dainty, fragile creature was no good for her brother. Maybe mention of his (granted well hidden and well under control) infamous temper and her brothers more dangerous deeds might make the Princess think twice about going through with the proceedings.
At first she was pleased,
"Oh my!" Meroune said with a gasp, a pale, perfectly manicured hand brought to her chest as her face was morphed into surprise, so far so good in Vanguard's book. Until,
"How interesting." She said with an almost lustful smirk, "This has the makings of a most interesting courtship. I DO hope it does not end in tragedy..."
The way she spoke, contrary to Vanguard's expectations, actually made it seem like she was hoping it would not end well. Alarm bells and irritation rocking through her mind,
'Is that some veiled threat to Harry? Or does she simply not want to marry him?' Vanguard thought, not liking the implications of either answer but knowing she did not have the information to come to a conclusion, nor did she have the right nor reason to demand answers.
So instead,
"Are you aware of my brothers... living arrangements?" seemingly ignoring the 'tragedy' comment,
"I assume you are referring to the liminals already in his care. Of which I am aware of." She said, tone soft, polite and patient once again, no sign of ulterior motives or dissatisfaction of any kind. Either this woman was a mistress of her emotions and was only showing Vanguard what she was willing to show. Or, she had no problem with sharing her husband-to-be's home with a trio of other women, "I actually made sure to do my research on my future husband as soon as I was made aware of the contract. I hired a few private investigators to, none invasively of course, have a look around and see how he and his housemates interacted."
Vanguard's eyes narrowed at the prospect of people snooping around behind her brothers back.
"What are your thoughts?" Vanguard asked carefully, not quite liking the idea of Harry being spied on but keeping that to herself,
"There is a lot of love for the Prince in that household." She sighed wistfully, before the ghost of her previous lustful smirk returned to her lips, "I do worry that my marriage to Prince Harry may be hindered by it..."
Vanguard, again, got the idea that Meroune was not exactly worried about the marriage not working out. But didn't get the impression that she disliked the prospect of marrying her brother. She pondered it for a moment before a thought appeared in her head.
"Do you-"
"Meroune." Calm a crisp and cold voice that sliced through the room. The voice of Lemrina Alussia De Neptune, the Queen and Sovereign of the mermaid people, addressed her daughter from across the room, "Do come here, child."
When referring to the Queen of Mermaids, Vanguard would liken her to an ice sculpture. Cold and unchanging, yet beautiful. She sat dignified and unperturbed in her own wheelchair as she awaited her daughter, who she shared many facial similarities and differences with. Her hair and tail were a deeper shade of salmon than her daughters, her hair wound into six tight curls that fell heavily upon her, falling to her waist, descending from under an elaborate head piece. Her skin was as pale as paper and much was on show, unlike her daughters more conservative attire, the Queen had chosen some kind of strapless bikini top to cover her breasts. Accompanied by a pair of long fingerless gloves that consumed her forearms with naught else on her torso. Then, a long frilly skirt and trail that left much of her tail exposed. Despite her attire, which Vanguard had quietly likened to that of a slut, she radiated regality and poise. Meaning despite being scantily clad, she very much felt like a ruler of millions and force to be reckoned with.
Meroune swiftly wheeled over to her mother with Vanguard strolling behind at an almost leisurely pace.
"So, as agreed, you will be moving in with Prince Harry during your mutual courtship period." The Queen addressed her daughter in a tone that reeked of boredom, "Additionally, dear Princess Vanguard has agreed to act as a chaperone in lieu of your current one."
Vanguard turned her head slightly to her father and raised a careful eyebrow. His face remained impassive and she let it go, it wasn't too horrible of a task. She would be babysitting her brother anyway, may as well ensure the Princess didn't make any uncouth moves on him in the process.
"Now. You will be sharing the house with four other women. Women I have been ASSURED are well behaved and wonderful company. They have already brokered a close bond with your husband and it seems they will accept you warmly." The Queen spoke again. There was a sort of spark in her eyes now and the corners of her mouth had lifted ever so slightly, "I expect you to behave as expected."
A shiver ran the length of Vanguard's spine for some reason. The lustful smirk had returned to Meroune's face as she responded to her mother. Bowing her head slightly,
"I will not disappoint, my mother." She said in her polite, regal tone, before it became coy as she feigned distress, "Yet, I wonder what kind of relationship I, an outsider, can cultivate with Prince Harry who is beloved by so many and already dearly loves his select group himself."
A coy smirk curled the lips of the mermaid queen as she matched her daughters tone with a hint of amusement.
"Alas my daughter, I wish good fortune upon you." She sighed, one hand even going so far as rising to her chest in mock worry before she continued, "Yet, I fear this scenario and you're endeavour may unfortunately end... in tragedy."
The bright look of hope, the increased breathing, the way Meroune's pale hands gripped her skirts tightly in response to her mothers words and her cheeks took on a soft pink hue. All those factors, rather than setting off alarm bells in her skull, allowed for the pieces to click in her mind as she finally came to the true conclusion behind the mermaids behaviour.
So, she found herself slightly distracted as her convoy bid their farewells to the mermaid royalty and their entourage before exiting the conference room and heading to the main lobby of the hotel. A single question ringing around between her ears,
'Why on earth did Father think the most appropriate choice of woman for Harry was a blatant cuckold?'
.
"Father. A word before you depart." She called as her father made to enter the lobby and leave for his palace. Leaving her here to await Princess Meroune (whose behaviour she really wanted to bring up but decided not to) so that the duo could move into Harry's house together.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, dear daughter?" Emperor Stormguard responded in practiced curiousity,
"A wager. Should you be willing to accept."
Her father perked up in glee and mischievousness, betting a long adored past time he very rarely had the pleasure of indulging.
"My, you must be fairly confident to be betting against me, my daughter." The Goblin Emperor flashing razor teeth in a curled half smile
"Indeed I am. Are you prepared?"
"I am intrigued and amused, at the very least." Her father said through a bout of chuckles before levelling her with an expectant gaze, "The stakes?"
"I can guarantee that the Princess will capture Harry's heart. She will be more than welcome in his home but not in his heart." She declared with passion, interested in her fathers arced eyebrow, "So, should I win, I wish for the dissolution of the marriage contract."
"Interesting. But nay."
"W-What? Are you THAT desperate to join our nations." Vanguard spat out incredulous,
"It is not that. I responded in the negative for the contract is already bound to Harry. It cannot be dissolved, he must marry someone."
Her father smirked. Vanguard scowled. Cheeks warming under his gaze,
"Fine then. Have the contract transferred to me instead." She said in a voice that radiated reluctance and disinterest. Fooling no one.
"That is agreeable." He said smugly, taking a step closer to his daughter his tone a mix between smug satisfaction and deep professionalism, "But I can tell you have not thought about what I gain if I win. Are you truly that confident in your gambit, my child?"
"Indeed. I shan't lose." Vanguard declared proudly, missing a look of disappointment on his face as she declared, "Love will not blossom between them, ask for whatever you want."
"Be careful not to mistake confidence with arrogance, my daughter." Stormguard sighed, before turning away from his daughter to look up at the ceiling. Like the conference room an aquarium lay above them. Sharks and even a few sea based liminals swimming through the dimly lit depths. He was silent and pensive as he registered his daughters words.
"Your excellency." One of his grovelling entourage implored, approaching him from the group of identically dressed advisors in his long, hooded black cloak, "Your portkey is time sensitive, perhaps it would be for the best to postpone-"
"No need Stonechief. I have decided what I desire." Stormguard turned to his daughter his face morphing from grim to satisfied, "Should you win, you will gain my youngest sons hand in marriage."
Vanguard nodded. Taking a moment to flick her hair black over her shoulder after her ponytail shifted,
"And if you lose," Stormguard began, his face losing all humour and mirth and settling into a stony mask, "You, my eldest, shall renounce your claim to the throne. If you lose this little bet of yours, you lose any chance of becoming Empress."
A cold feeling settled on all those present at the Emperors words.
"Your excellency!" His advisors roared in unison, but any further disagreement was halted by the raised hand of their sovereign,
"This is not a decision you may interfere with." Stormguard's voice bartering no further comment,
"F-Father. I-If I don't take the throne after you die, then-"
"Aye. There will be a Throne War."
Vanguard's blood became ice. Her black eyes wide and her breathing becoming shallow, any confident pretences lost in the face of her fathers overly serious response to her wager. If she won, she had Harry. If she lost, chaos upon her kingdom as her brothers tore into one another in an attempt to seize the throne.
"Why would you make me agree to such a thing?" Vanguard nearly choked out, raising her chin in a show of confidence even as her heart jack hammered in her chest,
"If you are to rule our people, you must understand the weight and power behind words." Stormguard decreed gravely, "To hurl such statements as you have, you must be willing to see them through to their bitter end."
Vanguard gulped as her father drew himself to his full height. The weight of his words and the enormity of his presence making Vanguard feel towered above by the man.
"Choose." He roared, his voice echoing loudly off the panes and causing all present to flinch, "Shall you stand by your words and hold me to task. Or shall you abandon them as well as your pride."
Vanguard was almost cowed by her fathers words. Almost willing to weather the loss of face that would be carried with her should she back down now. She had challenged her father, publicly, twice now. Perhaps she could have weathered her previous attack on her father as it had been somewhat honourable and quickly dealt with. Vanguard could have even weathered this shame, of openly defying her father and arrogantly stating he was wrong in front of his advisors.
But both of them? The shame she would endure, both as an heir and a ruler. She could not sustain. All she could rely on now was the confidence she felt in her belief, a belief she had to place on the line now,
"I shall stand by my words, father." She stated as resolutely as was possible. Going as far as to stare her father in the eyes as she spoke, "The two will not fall in love."
"You have blathered on about young Harry's 'type' for some time now. But I only recall one lover in his past." Stormguard chuckled as he spoke, but his eyes lost their mirth as he looked upon her, "Are you really basing all of this on that woman alone."
"Harry has had several in the way of lovers. But only one who lasted longer than a few nights. She was the only woman to capture his heart, and Princess Meroune is her exact opposite." Vanguard stated as objectively as she could muster, her minds eye returning to the image of leathery wings and sharp teeth before she returned to reality and continued, "I have done my research. It is impossible for the two to share mutual love."
Stormguard held out his hand for his daughter to shake, his face impassive as he held her gaze,
"And should they, you renounce your claim to the throne and doom our empire to chaos." Stormguard decreed. His daughter not hesitating to take his hand and shake. Sealing their deal in an age old, verbal contract. Magic itself chiming in recognition of this accord, apathetic to the potential chaos of its potential outcome.
Fate did not chime, though it was equally apathetic. It shifted. Accepting this new course as the way the world would now be.
.
.
Harry's room was dark, the curtains drawn and his lights off as he sit back against his door. His mind drifted, his eyes were closed and he went over the information he had received that morning.
The girls had been, uncharacteristically, quiet all day after Smith's impromptu visit. Absent as he snuck downstairs to make lunch and dinner (yet quietly eating and cleaning up after themselves thereafter),
"Never seen, never heard. Not a whisper not a word." Harry spat out in lazy amusement to the empty room. The rhyme Harry absently remembered from the Tales of Beedle the Bard, a story of a gnome that stole dinner making him chuckle for a short time.
Harry sighed again. Beating himself up for running off and brooding instead of facing his problems once again. He wondered how they felt about his complete abandonment of them for the day, hissing in aggravation at his own stupidity.
His mind was alive in indecision, his head on fire as he felt his very thoughts go to war.
On one hand, a part of him told him to just call up Smith and say he would take Miia's hand. It seemed the right and logical thing to do.
Which made him sick, because he felt almost an obligation for that course of action. A way of thinking that Miia did not deserve. He knew, due to her words and actions since the day that they met, that Miia was quite taken with him. He was not sure if her love would hold if he was honest about how he was to her, but he trusted that should he marry her, they would both be happy.
But they had not known each other for more than a few months. He cared deeply for her (perhaps loved may be correct) and the speed and intensity of his feelings frightened him. He wanted to make love to her again, he wanted to hear her enjoy his cooking, he wanted her goofy, love-struck smile to never leave her face. He wanted to be with Miia.
But that same feeling of fear was magnified tenfold with Centorea. She had been with them for little over a few weeks and immediately made it into his heart. She had a comforting presence and he felt rather than knew that no matter what happened, he could rely on Centorea. The kinship he felt with her over the trickery her herd had levied against her allowed him to relate to her and her unwavering devotion to his protection and care (something he accepted without truly understanding) touched his heart. What made matters (in this situation alone) worse was that he was aware of her jealousy towards Miia and the closeness he shared with her. Adding onto this morning and he was fairly certain Centorea loved him also. And he cared for her just as dearly as he did Miia.
And then there was sweet Papi, who wears her emotions at all times, despite sometimes forgetting why she is feeling them. He cared for her also, again in an intensity that pained him, but he knew with certainty that it was different to the way he viewed Miia and Centorea. She is a fully grown woman amongst other harpies and takes great offence to be treated as a junior, but that was all he saw her as. Papi was the baby sister he had desperately craved. Someone to protect and guide and nurture. It almost hurt him more knowing that regardless of her feelings for him (ones she had earnestly displayed that morning) he likely would never return them.
Leading to him hiding away in his room, utterly unable to face the trio the government demanded he pick a bride from.
A rapping on the door breached his pity party and he answered without hesitation. Hoping that if he sped through this before be could talk himself out of it, he'd make it through this evening with his mind intact.
The bright light of the corridor burnt his eyes and he rubbed them harshly as he stood in the now opened doorway. His quick glimpse giving him the knowledge that Miia had, once again, knocked on his door once in the middle of the night,
"Darling, are you well?" she asked in concern. As soon as his vision cleared, Harry was able to notice her concerned stance. Dressed in her loose-fitting t-shirt and shorts that made up her sleepwear. Her golden eyes boring into his emotively as he mustered an embarrassed smile and responded,
"I'm fine, Miia. Sorry if I worried you." He said sheepishly, scratching his head awkwardly and blushing, "And sorry for about abandoning you girls today. I should have just talked it out with you three."
Miia surprised him by shaking her head swiftly and fixing a loving smile onto her face that caused his heart to thump harder in his chest,
"It's ok, Darling. You needed time today to better understand your feelings. I get it, Darling."
"You seem to know me a little too well now. Are you psychic?" Harry laughed softly. Harry sighed in relief, seeing the forgiveness in her words and smiling properly in return.
.
Then it happened.
The pleasant atmosphere evaporated as a pressure settled onto him that screamed for him to escape. Reeking of danger and... desire?
He looked to its epicentre, Miia. Gone was the loving smile, replaced instead by a smirk of lust. Her eyes were glassy and her lips parted as she took fast, shallow breaths. Heavy breasts heaving as she licked her rosy lips,
"I wouldn't be too great of a lover if I didn't know what you needed." She breathed out, sultry and low. Approaching predatorily and forcing Harry to back away out of sheer instinct,
"M-Miia! What's gotten into you?" He gasped out as she chuckled darkly,
"It's more what's NOT gotten into me. Wink, wink, Darling." She grinned with gleaming white teeth as her hands shot up and shoved him down onto his bed, as he backed up to it. Immediately slithering down to pin him in place, "As much as I love Papi and Centorea and hate to see their hearts broken. I was not only here first, but I've also staked my claim already."
Harry gulped and Miia's abnormally long tongue passed her smooth lips to take a delicate taste of her prey. Licking from the crook of his shoulder, up along the soft skin of his throat, up his slightly stubbly chin and cheeks to end at his quivering lips where a low moan exited. The satisfied lamia stealing a quick kiss as she began to slowly grind against his growing hardness,
"You taste so good, Darling. It's sinful that I did not try this last time." She chuckled darkly before her eyes purposefully dragged down his body to the region she was furiously grinding herself against. Rocking both of them closer and closer to nirvana with every thrust, "How about I taste something else, huh Darling? I'll show you what I, your wife to be, can do that the prude and the child could never even comprehend."
Harry gulped, almost fearful of Miia's new attitude. The idea of pulling his wand (the one on his wrist rather than the one she seemed intent on) becoming all the more tempting. Something wasn't right with Miia, and as much as he would just love to give into to her touch, he needed to find out what.
Then the window behind them exploded. The dark curtains fell and glass rained down on the two as a blue haired, blue winged intruder broke in through Harry's window and landed on his bed, just above his head. He noticed her in denim short shorts and a black tube top that covered her petite breasts and nothing else.
"Husband!" Papi breathed out in a similarly breathy, sultry manner to Miia (though still holding the same breathless excitement that made her her), "I spent all day making a nest, come with me so we can make lots of eggs."
Harry noted her eyes immediately, glassed over with lust and a thin line of drool carving a path down her chin as she too panted heavily. Harry's mind immediately jumped to mind control of the two before his eyes settled on the new light that had entered his room.
The light of the full moon, a bright white disk dominating the black nights sky.
Harry had a quiet 'ooh!' moment as the pieces clicked together. The full moon was the night of the month where primal magic was at it's mot powerful. Primal magic like the magic that allowed creatures like harpies and lamia's to exist in the first place, alight in liminals and monsters and often having effects on their instincts and thoughts. Harry blanched as he realised his situation. Two liminals ('Possibly three!' Harry thought as he became aware of Centorea's absence), whose instincts had taken them over. Those instincts being directed by Smith's talk about marriage earlier in the day, no doubt, so they stood before him all desire and mating instincts.
"Back off Papi." Miia growled, low and dangerous as she aggressively leaned forward and stared down the harpy, "I won't play nice if you try to steal my Darling."
Instincts of his own and internal self preservation had Harry drag his legs up in a blink of an eye, avoiding the vicious coils of Miia's tail. Hearing and seeing the force that Miia clamped down with made Harry thankful he had moved (as she'd have likely crushed his bones should he have stayed).
Harry's hands planted onto Miia's shoulders and, as Miia had before, he quickly pushed her up and off of him. His manoeuvre pushed him backwards towards Papi and he quickly rolled to the side to avoid her sweeping grasp.
A hiss of irritation warned him of Miia's impending lunge, giving him time to roll onto his feet and lunge himself before she did. Stunning both girls as he vaulted over the lamia and she instead collided with Papi and they landed on a heap in his bed.
Softly landing on the floor of his room, he looked worriedly at the two girls who both groaned in pain before his attention was drawn to a silhouette in the door,
"My lord, this way!"
"Centorea!" Miia growled in loathing. Hands planted on Papi's stomach as she pushed herself upright,
"This way, my lord! We must make haste and bring you to safety." Centorea almost yelled in panic. Still dressed in her blouse and long, black skirt with her sword firmly on her hip and an expectant hand held out towards him.
Harry ran to her and took it, surprised when Centorea dragged him up and onto her back and ordered him to hold on tight.
"Come back here, Centorea!" Miia roared as Harry's arms encircled her waist and she moved off. Powerful legs eating up the stairs and barrelling towards the front door, "Wait!"
Miia got to the banister as Centorea drew back on her powerful hind legs, Harry gripping on tighter as her body shifted, and levelled the door with a vicious kick of her front legs. The crisp, cold air of the evening buffeting them immediately before Centorea rode out into it.
A scream of "Darling!" followed them into the dark, suburban street as Centorea and Harry galloped off into the night.
.
Real talk. If anyone knows where Harry's little rhyme ACTUALLY comes from (without looking it up) one, you rock. And two, that has to be one of the most underrated book series of all time.
And, additionally, question time. Harry is due a few visits from Britiain in the near future, one of those being from his family. During that visit I'll be dropping the bulk of Harry's alternate backstory as well as addressing his complicated relationship with them. Question is, do you want Rachnera introduced before or after that?
It changes very little to the story (as Rachnera's not going to treat them any differently either way) but I have a mini-story arc that enfolds as soon as Rachnera arrives so it'll just take a little longer before we get to it if she come first.
To make a long story short, what do you want first:
A) Harry's backstory
or,
B) Rachnera
Review what you want (along with any complaints or comments) and I'll make my final decision regarding it, and Tara, in the next few days before informing you. See ya! x