Disclaimer: I am not J K Rowling or Robert Jordan and their worlds of Harry Potter and the Wheel of Time. These two created the fun little worlds I have decided to play in with no thought of profit to myself. So I promise that if I did own these I wouldn't have had Hermione with Ron, though I would have been happy to see her be married to Rand al'Thor if ever the two worlds should meet.
$= Parseltongue
Chapter Twenty Four: She Moved Through the Fair
Awakening in the early morning, Harry felt tenderly at his scar. Lighting a lamp he dressed silently as he could. Of late he'd been having trouble from his scar keeping him from sleeping properly, leaving him tired like too little butter scraped across too much toast. Fighting it off and the constant worry that some over zealous Aes Sedai would discover he was a male channelor in their delving the blasted mark, Harry made ready for the day. Today he would be facing off with both Galad and Gawyn to test a theory that they could not best him and that once that was clear, the rest of the trainees would realize they had to work harder too. He knew the pair were extraordinarily gifted bladesmen, but that did not give their mates a free pass to not work as hard.
Plus Gawyn was unnaturally attracted to spending too much time with Elaida's known cabal of Red Sisters. An unhealthy alliance for a supposed Warder trainee to fall under. More if the boy thought to win that remarkable, if once more missing, witch Egwene that the boy's sister Elayne had taken up with. Both of whom were like as not going Blue by how that Ajah treated the pair, which would make them political enemies of Elaida.
Harry hated idiots, no matter how talented they were.
It was well past time he knocked those two flat on their precious royal backsides. However once he deposited them there they would not be willing to let well enough alone. Galad was still out of sorts at being thrashed by that fellow with the quarterstaff, more so when the Hogwarts five cleaned up on betting for the stranger. A day Harry marked down as a very fine one as it put the pair of lordlings into the spot that any other trainee should start at, the need to prove themselves. Thus they had to accept this days festivities to save face. He knew he could best them and thus far only outside forces have saved the duo, as if the Wheel itself was intervening on their be halves. This wasn't a wishful delusion on his part. He'd already brought them to nearly collapsing often enough by not yielding what ever the physical cost to himself. An ongoing battle that resulted in having not a one of their blithering lazy sycophants challenge him any more. Today was the day he'd finish the foppish pair so that everyone would stop with the fawning and simpering to actually train like they all signed up for.
"I love you Harry." his neatly trimmed lamp's flame tinkled with Ginny's voice. "We need to talk."
Smiling with an amused shake of his head, he leaned in close to it and whispered, "I love you too Gin. Have I supposedly done something again? And can it wait, I'm getting ready to be rather busy today?" He remembered when him and the other boys learned of Gin's Talent. She was a bit in a snit over some misunderstanding that he was supposedly meeting Seandra on the sly. Nothing near the truth as it was a rumor started by a Novice upset with his trouncing her crush on the Training Yard.
One night having his shaving lamp sobbing inconsolably in Gin's tearful voice as he tried to keep his beard with in Tower regulations was startling. This had been only a few scant days after his love's testing for the banded dress. Then his lamp, speaking in her voice as if talking to some one, who turned out to be Daphne, Hermione, and Parvati began to discuss him in tearful wails. What his beloved were all deciding on was if he truly loved them or if they were deluding themselves. He didn't know if he was experiencing Taint madness or not, but his squawked rebuttal had Ginny yelping in fright. He only learned later of what had taken place when some Novices kept flinching when they looked his way as if he was getting ready to thrash them.
"No. Just meet us in the High Market this morning, and plan on making a day of it. Everyone sends their love and kisses." Ginny's tiny voice gigglingly commanded.
"Fine, " he sighed in response, "though I was planning on giving our resident royals a right drubbing they've been over due for." He tried to get her, and probably the others, to listen and let him do what he's been working towards for close to a year.
"Please... we'll make it well worth your giving up a bit of play time." Ginny wheedled, crushing his will to resist. It wasn't fair how they knew it was neigh impossible to deny them anything. "We promise you won't regret it."
Taking a deep breath he yielded to the inevitable as they held his heart so reverently on the whole, "I know you lot will, and I know that spending some time snogging the lot of you will make more than my day. I will make myself at your full disposals."
His reply seemed to cause his lamp's tiny yellow flame turn a blushing pink.
"Well hold you to it." she giggled after a second or two. Then it returned to its normal glowing voiceless hue.
Thinking on what the girls could possibly want of him could take longer than just going and seeing first hand. Why they would risk them being discovered by going as a group meant something big was in the works. Avoiding his getting sidetracked by worry, he began concentrating on finding a way out of training for the day to do as they wished. It was a right rotten mess as he did not wish to look weak or afraid of the two fops. As long as they feared him, they would not be able to stand up against him long. Otherwise he'd have to start his campaign from near scratch to beat them back down. It had taken months to wear down their wills to face him like this.
Straightening up his uniform to a crisp sharpness, he entered the Void to calm himself down. Beating the two lordlings was secondary to his love and devotion to the five witches he could not see himself living without. They mattered more to him than his own life. He would see them safely home, then he'd ride hard for the Blight and let the Shadow feel the rage of a defiant Englishman. His loves wouldn't understand this about him, but he could feel the evil in his scar grow more twisted and malignant. Signs that he was clearly a danger to those back home. If it took him over, then he would be a hundred times worse than Lord Voldemort ever imagined being.
Somewhat satisfied with his appearance and how his twisting inner turmoil was put aside, he left the barracks. These days he lived in the Void and that strange throbbing untamed roaring seductive maelstrom it held tauntingly just out of reach on most days. Like the desire he had for the five witches that owned his heart, denial of his need for that power took a large dose of concentration. Giving in to its siren call was to accept death.
He was positive that mighty madness and its oily sheen of evil was Saidin and the Taint now. He'd let slip often enough, or actively sought it out now and again, to succeed in grasping hold of it. Once in his control it was sublime and terrifying in glorious insanity. Not even the Taint and the doom of that curse's touch would banish the burning urge to never let go. He'd not only held it when butchering those blighted Whitecloaks, but in too numerous instances to count now. Fearing for Parvati's precious life as she threw herself over him to guard him, to his shame as her would be Warder. Once he'd grown furious at a wanker for a sparring partner that took it in his head to target Harjit's scar. Grabbing the tosser's practice sword in a mailed fist. Harjit shattered the bloody thing. He'd done the same with the idiot if not for Neville's stern intervention. Then there was the time he'd grown to despair ever seeing his loves in the winter. He was on guard duty and a bit loopy from it all, thinking of them with worry as a gusting blizzard blew in, then he had Saidin in his grip. His sight shot off in five different directions, showing them all go about their days. A pleasant if initially confusing discovery that he managed a few more times till he realized how dangerously stupid he was being. After every time he was in that majestic chaos, he grew sick to varied degrees.
He knew his mates too were slowly succumbing to the call of Saidin by this sickness as a marker. Just recently Fred spent a day a touch delicate as if he'd drank to much, except he also kept seeing a cat that wasn't there as well. Blaise once heard voices in the shadows under his cot and had trouble following simple conversations. All of them were fighting a losing battle. They were wizards and using magic, or Saidin, was a part of their very being.
Out in the early morning light, Harjit struck off for the city and its High Market where the girls claimed they would be. If he got this done early, and convinced them to let him go, there was a chance he'd still get to give Galad and Gawyn what they deserved. He could hold out hope they'd see reason, right?
Thinking of his loves sent his scar wild once more. Pain from its feral writhing made him grit his teeth in a wince, but it was only a momentary discomfort compared to most other times. In the cold vast emptiness of the Void he'd found a respite from the pains of his life like his bloody scar, though he'd heard often as not that he came off as a cold hearted rotter for it. If only he could be free of the thrice cursed mark completely he could live like a decent, normal bloke. He'd be able to feel natural again. But then if wishes were fishes.
Strolling about this early let him see the city come alive. One place he saw had open up was a jeweler, and seeing the heavily reinforced shutters swing out toward him gave him thoughts that it called to him. If anything here was a place that he very well might find a gift for his witches. A gift to remember him by if things turned out bad like he suspected they were bound for soon. Not rings however, those would give the wrong idea and probably worsen this whole mess he'd let get away from him. His beloved witches would never wear widow's blacks for his sorry hide. He'd do his best to see they could live free lives as the vibrant free spirits they all were. Small gifts though may allow them to feel they still had his love and wouldn't go amiss by inconvenient misunderstandings.
Entering the small shop with the front stonework resembling a mountainside ironically enough as he fully planned on mining it for its worth. Once the door closed behind him, he was struck by one of those disconnected ethereal times in a person's life, sort of like entering Ollivander's so long ago. This was a place he had been destined and needed to visit sooner rather than later. As it were he felt he was coming in dangerously late.
A stiff necked older woman met him at the front. Long greying blonde hair framed a face that still held a hint of beauty, but also had endured hardships that he could only imagine. Cool hazel eyes weighed him judiciously before she spoke, her voice was coarser than he'd expected it would've been, but it was still not unpleasant.
"We don't give credit." she stated without preamble.
"There won't be a need for it. I've coin enough to make you fairly richer for my visit." he stated in equal flatness, "I seek special gifts for some young maidens that have set their heart on me, but I'm likely to be unable to give them what they want."
"You get the silly things in the family way?" the woman glared at him coldly, her hands balling into tight fists.
"No, I've not gave into that. They are one and all as innocent as the wind driven snow." he answered, resisting the need to claw at his scar by slipping in his control of the Void from her accusations. "I love them all, but know that I'm probably to be called to war if the future gets any darker."
Snorting, the woman eyed him with a wave towards a nearby display, "Young men are too eager to fling themselves on other men's big knives. You should consider giving that cat gutter and melon masher of your's up to marry one of these slips you claim to love. Love and life are too precious to let get carved up in the name of nobility. A good strapping lad such as yourself will do well with a fine little lass to keep you straight."
"Most likely true." he replied as that old dodger Thom had lectured him with the same argument, "But they deserve better than a sheepherder like me. There are much better than me but they won't accept that. I cherish them all and would give them the whole world. Sadly that doesn't turn out to include me specifically. All I'd do is hurt them."
"Then let them go." she suggested as if she thought him a Light cursed liar.
"Might as well give up breathing. They give me hope and a wish to be a better man. I find when I'm near them, I never want to leave. When I'm away, I need them more than the air I breath. I've wanted to walk away and let them live free, but I... I'm too weak to pull it off." he didn't know why it helped to talk with this complete stranger, but it did. A great weight was lifting from him as his words poured out. "This war coming will solve that soon enough I guess."
"Bah! You're a bloody jackdaw fool if you believe that. War will solve your troubles, but not those of your lovely ladies' troubles. Just build them is all if I don't miss my guess. If you do love them so deeply as you claim, let them have you. I'm not saying to go bed the ninnies, just to let them love you." she suggested with a snort of long suffering disgust, "Give them what they deserve and want. But may I suggest you need to choose one alone out of them. Stringing a girl on is plain cruel and meanspirited."
"I- Bugger that is what I know should be. I'm unable to though." he sighed in defeat, "Easier said than done I've found."
"Well consider it more than running off to impale yourself on some other jackdaw's pike." the woman wagged her finger in his face, "Now you want some trinket to amuse them?"
"Amuse? No. Tell them how deeply I love them, which is with my whole being? Yes. No cost is too much. But please no rings. Those would cause a strain on our balance." he confessed with his eyes taking note of her wide variety of these. "In our culture, those are a sign of our intention to marry. I won't widow them."
Frowning at his proclamation, the jeweler sniffed, "How about you buy a few anyway. Then when one of the dears truly catches you, one or more will be handy to have about." Though she was clearly disapproving of his life choices, her voice jingled with the sounds of his full coin purses. Merchants were always ready for a chin wag if there is a few large purchases involved.
Ignoring how she continued to scold him, he found her suggestion held merit nonetheless. Browsing through her selections in bewilderment, he was realizing that he was well out of his depths here. One case, on the wall behind her caught his attention though in its catching the morning light perfectly. It wasn't simply full of golden baubles or gem encrusted show pieces, but in that it was home to a collection of elegant sets that twinkled in subtle beauty. A veritable constellation of thirteen very distinct creations in sets of necklaces, earrings, bracelet, and ring that held an allure to his eyes. Each set was unique and would fit the girls rather well, but choosing the set or sets for which girl would have to wait as the morning bells were rung signaling he'd be running late.
"Blimey! Listen I want all those sets and," he was caught by a large boxed display of simple necklaces with simple onyx stone pendants, "those! For now they will get one of them till I've decided better. I've got to be going soon, if I'm to meet them in time in the High Market. I'd hate to be late for them." He sounded a right rotter, but he couldn't explain the truth in full to this woman, nor should he. Even as she mistakenly put in a delicate small chest, thirteen of these last minute additions. How the black stones flashed though pricked his mind with a personal desire of his own for some proper finery. "Do you have any ravens in a pin, or stags? I would like one for myself."
"Ravens?" the woman eyed him in stern curiosity, "Those are the Shadow's Eyes."
"They also happen to be part of my crest thank you very much." He cut back in frustration. He's supposed to be a lord of some sort and thus he must look the part. Blaise endlessly has drilled into them that they had to be aware how they look to the world. Lords in a world like this are respected more than a simple peasant ever could dream of.
"Odd choice for a signet lad." she was judging him again.
"It comes from my inheriting these weapons you've taken a dislike for. My father was a stag, my mother was a lily, others were lions and snakes. But I'm the one that was chosen to carry these by the Wheel, so I'm the Raven." he tried not to let his irritation best him.
"Well I can see why it fits you. You're as cold as the grave for a young buck." she sniffed in thought, "I guess I can make you one on commission, and it won't be without cost. I never work on credit or promises. Payment is expected up front."
He weighed that then drew off the heavy signet ring on his finger, "Do it. One like this, and add a rampant lion and snake if you will." He pulled out one of his smaller near depleted public shopping purses, "Will this cover things?"
She studied his ring and weighed his purse. "It might, and I'll be sure to list my expenses for you milord. Or would you prefer I send the order on to you?"
"Send it onto Harjit Truhart in the White Tower. I'm training to be a Warder." he decided, taking his ring, available purchases, and leaving as quick as he could swearing violently at his pushing his luck with meeting his loves.
At a speedier clip than most in the market districts, he wove a course through the early crowds. Realizing he was making himself a target by carting about openly his treasures from the jeweler, he found a quiet empty side ally to shove it into one of his travel bags.
"Harjit!" a man called out to him from the main boulevard. Looking out with a jump he sees one of the Warders that him and his mates were friends with. "I thought you would be making ready to thrash it out with the Andoran princes today."
"My betrothed has to meet me early in High Market for some reason. Her message left no room to back out." Harry laughed sheepishly, "Just an Accepted a few months and already acting the Aes Sedai. As she holds my heart, I follow."
Smirking the man joined him in the ally, "I'll tell Hammar. Seeing you here brings up something you and I need to talk about. Me and the other bonded Warders have decided its well past time to let you know of a few things. Girls that come to the Tower with bucks like you and some of your friends don't often remember those lads when they've finally attained their Shawls. I know you and Frank have that pair of twins, but they may one day leave you lot for younger lads when all is said and done. We see you lot out there on the yard setting yourselves apart from the rest out there as if you were one of us bonded. Those other lads are in need of shaping up but you lot of boys need to remember that the world is much wider than those slips you wait for. Aes Sedai don't often join us in battle on the butcher's yard, but all us blade brothers most likely will be riding at your side."
Harry listened to the man with a sigh, "Are you saying that me and my mates are lording things over the rest? We're just dedicated to seeing our loves and friends protected and safe."
"Laudable but never forget we're a brotherhood," his friend smirked, "even with the two princes you hate so dearly. Don't worry, Hammar is sitting that pair down as well as they've missed learning the same truth."
"Brilliant." Harry grumbled, wishing he could explain that it wasn't so much that he hated the pair, but wished everyone would be as dedicated as he felt they should be. They were there to learn how to protect an Aes Sedai's life not be some pretty boys to be ogled, though that seems to occur nonetheless.
"Listen lad, you young bucks are joining a brotherhood that was created to fight the shadow and see that our bonded Sisters are safe, but never forget it is a brotherhood. We are all here to do those things, as that is all the Wheel has left us men as a way to defy the Shadow, but a solitary Warder is not an army unto themselves. Without your fellow Brothers of the Blade at your side, no man can long fight the whole Endless War against the Shadow we are all soldiers in. Don't ever forget that." his friend offered with a wry smile.
Harjit Truhart was dutifully listening to this and trying to absorb it, but Harry Potter's raising was resisting vehemently. Harry Potter, forgotten boy wizard, had learned he had to stand alone against all the world because there was no one else at his side for most of his life. The boy either stood alone or he was crushed under heel by nearly everyone he knew. Harry Potter was raised in the harsh war of himself against the formidable foes of Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, Cousin Dudley, Aunt Marge, and seemingly the entire rest of the world. Friendship and comradery were alien concepts to the boy till Hagrid burst into his life followed by Hogwarts, but even then it was only a few that would stand with him. Mostly this was solely Hermione as he discovered from facing disaster year in and year out at his former school and life. Proof of this came glaringly to light by how seemingly the rest of the world abandoned him as a lying tiny scrap of paper was spit out of the Goblet of Fire, leaving him alone to face a murderous tournament save for Hermione's stalwart aid. Only after he bested the First Task did the world act like they returned to his side.
Coming to this world with his close band of friends expanded his sense of those he knew he could trust, but in a way it was not that large an increase in his world view. So instead of one or two, he was now up to fourteen to sixteen but that is still far from an army.
Hesitantly he nodded his nascent comprehension of this Brotherhood of the Blade. "I'll try to adjust myself to this. I've never really thought of being one of many before."
Chuckling the fellow clapped him on the shoulder, "Neither did I. No Warder ever does I think. We grow up hearing all the glorious tales of the mighty lone Warder riding the Blight and setting the world to rights, but the truth is that we are never going to be strong enough to face all that alone. Any fool that tries ends up leaving an empty saddle and a broken hearted Aes Sedai to face life and the hordes of the Dark One alone. It's a hard lesson to come to grips with, but nevertheless true. I volunteered to tell you all this out of friendship, and out of my own duty to my own Chesarin."
Harry felt his guard go up at that last bit, but he was determined to be the best unbonded Warder to his five loves that he could be so he listened on. "Uhh... How is that?"
"Me and Chesarin have rode many miles and years alone since Belrig's loss in the Aiel War, but we never felt comfortable with the idea of bringing in another Warder till now. Harjit, you've got the heart of steel that could do well for my Ches, I think. For her part, she has watched you and sees a lad that she thinks has the fortitude to stand at my side. Plus she may not say it, but she and I both see the same fire Belrig carried for life. We've come to the same conclusion that you may possibly be the only man we could trust to ride with us in this life. I know you and that little slip of an Accepted are close. May even be in love at this moment, but lad, hardly ever does it turn out that a girl in the Tower stays in love with her young bucks. Just consider our offer as a possible home for you. A stalwart lad like you shouldn't be wasted by a broken heart that some slip carelessly forgets." His friend offered with a concerned grin, "Ches will care for you like a son she never had, and to me you'll be my little brother that I lost in Belrig's death."
Harry was floored by the offer. Most of the like were made by a Sister in some half flippant command, or occasionally by other Accepted that are to be raised very soon with hints of rolls in the sheets. This was a man offering him a family of sorts. Hardly anyone in Harry's life gave such an invitation to him. However Harjit knew that he had a family already, though he was afraid he'd be forced to abandon it in order to save it in the end.
Slapping him on the back, his friend chuckled, "Just think on it, lad. Ches isn't some silly newly raised Sister that only sees you as a toy to play with. We'd hate to see you wind up with one like that as much as we fear your betrothed possibly tossing you aside."
The fellow left with a grinning, "I'll tell Hammar where you are. It will give him more time to set your royal brothers straight as well. All of you boys are too young and talented to lose to petty squabbling."
Bowing and hurrying away Harry had to shiver at the thought of being bonded by the type of Sisters that his friend spoke of. This is not to say that he was ever going to let anyone bond him because of his being a Taint ridden soul, but the thought of just living as a pet or toy gave him the creeps. Dodging being bonded was getting to be trickier by the day. He'd even taken to avoiding any Healing by any Aes Sedai of the Green or of another Ajah that had not taken a Gaiden yet. It was just best to avoid any sticky mistakes, than to be taken unawares with no way out.
Stopped by a flower girl's inviting wide hopeful eyes, he saw and smelled a delicate treasure that banished his fears of Warder hunting Sisters. In the wooden crate she wore, was a garden's worth of flowers filling his eyes with a rainbow of colors as profuse as their scent wafting in the air. Her long brown hair reminded him of his Hermione in a way, as did her eyes blue depths gave him visions of Luna. Her hopeful quiet smile had the faint traces of Ginny's enthusiastic approach to life, while her carriage was almost as regal as Daphne's.
Startlingly her musical voice floated into his ears nearly as easily as Parvati's as she asked, "Would you care for a flower, Sir?"
It took him a second or two to refocus his mind as the Void was slipping from his grasp under the onslaught of how greedily he stowed away memories and images of his five loves. They truly did own his heart, and he was unsure how he could part with them. It was impossible to stay, but he wanted to so deeply it hurt.
"Sir?" the flower girl questioned carefully.
Cursing himself for being an idiotic cad, he replied while digging out five fat Andoran Gold Crowns for the pretty girl, "Have a bit of fun on me. I'll take the lot."
She could do well with those, and it would be nice to see someone have a slice of joy from something he did for once. Judging how she shyly glanced at the brooding blond boy that sat not too far away with his massive sword strapped to his back, she saw the potential of the five coins. Though the boy's startling blue eyes were weighing if Harjit was a threat to their long term health.
Smirking at the bloke Harry simply responded by digging into the box of flowers to set up five individual bouquets for his five angels. Catching the unsure tenderness in the boy as the girl was taken into the lad's arms distracted Harry from his own anxiety in the strange journey of love. The pair were a fine couple that could burn brightly across the Ages and mirror Earths.
"At least I'm not the only poor blighter with wild hair." he noted to himself as he parted from the pair and the now empty box.
Five was a scary number for him, but even one terrified him in his condition. However his mind just shut down every time he'd try to contemplate choosing one of his loves. It was not for some twisted wish to live like this or string the lot on. Having a single girl he could devote all his love to was what he craved, but he loved these five with all his heart. He couldn't help snorting at the thought that this was what he needed, or was it deserved for being such an indecisive twit.
Oh but how he felt alive in the warmth of the love shining in their eyes.
Woolgathering on this to an extent, he nearly ran over a woman. One he vaguely knew and felt a disconnected sense that she was important to him. A ghostly touch of a lost hunger and passion that boiled in the shadowy depths of his soul. Hazy as if not to ever have been, but there were glimpses and feathery remembered touches of a fiery love that could rival the best of Shakespear or Hollywood's fairytales. He had felt this growing before in the presence of Elayne till she disappeared again. The pair's friend Egwene almost had a touch of this for him and then not as he had moments that he truly found himself fascinated by her. Which was aggravating as she was clearly Gawyn's witch, if the knotheaded looby would ever wake up to this.
Wading through the churning flood of images of how fine this woman here looked in a pair of breeches that snugly highlighted her enticing legs, he tried to banish thoughts of all three girls from his already overfull head. Though she may be wearing a long incongruous dress, her swaying steps could enchant a man into thinking untoward thoughts. Then again her long billowy dress only drew him deeper into the certainty that they were truly a pair.
Impossible but it was there like a condemning truth as evidence of his rightfully earned official status as a right rotten cad.
"Gawyn! I swear I- ohh, wait sorry. Bloody man is going to be the death of me. Sorry for- hold up, your that Harjit. The too pretty sheepherder with ice for veins. You," her eyes met his with some recognition, bringing a light slow blush to her cheeks. Neither of them could find words for a moment as they stood like an island in the bustling street. His mind replaying cloudy memories or images of her delicate face closing in for kisses or to a private forgotten conversation. It was shattering his direly needed grip on the Void.
"You're the one Gawyn says hates him, but he's never understood why. The only other sheepherder on the training yard to give Galad a run for his coin for the coldest heart. I don't see... You're not are you. A heart is in there, hidden. Maybe that's why... never mind me. I'm a bit distracted..." her eyes were searching his as if she was caught by the same illusive sensations he felt about her.
"Uh... well I don't specifically hate Gawyn. I just... I can't explain it. Well please pardon me for being an idiot for running you over. I'm sorry as I'm a bit distracted myself." he tried to extricate them both from this unreal collision.
Her hand half lifted as if to brush the hair from his face like how all his loves adored doing, her eyes were studying the space above his head with frighteningly intense focus, "Thirteen beloved lights to guard and be guarded by the Once Fallen Raven. Two souls are cut free in the shining White Fire sealed by the Lost First and Final. One in the fire of love, for the shared Fallen Love, so that the Serpentine Thief of Life can be banished by the Unified Fires. May the bleak blood darkened Tower of the Ebon Winged forever stand."
There was a pair of arguing housewives bustling by bumping them in the offing. This jarring intrusion pushes them a step apart and back into the here and now. With a shaken glance at her hand, she mumbled, "Oh sorry, I have funny moments now and again. I really don't know... Pardon me this time I guess, my name is El-."
"It's okay Min." he blurted out unsure where he heard her name before. "I... uh..."
"Need to be going?" she supplies with out meeting his eyes as she stares in disbelief at her hand, "I have the same... feeling."
He didn't know where any of this came from but felt he had to add softly, "Tell Elayne and... all of you please take care." he finished lamely, but she merely nodded and wandered away. Her departure had his soul cursing himself and the bloody minded Pattern.
It was unquestionable that Min was more than special to him, but he was baffled as to why. That was hammered home by how painful it was to watch her vanishing into the crowd. The sway of her hips and the one last glance back his way had his chest clinch tight while his throat stifled his breath from the sense of unbearable loss.
"Where is this bloody well all coming from?" he let out while trembling still from the anguish, "I don't even know her."
"How can I say that? How can I say that I don't know the love of my life?" a voice in his head questioned in confusion. "Light if the Women's Circle learn of this I'll be hung by my ears. How can I be in love with three women? It's wrong but I love them all. Will they forgive me when I die?"
"Who are you and what are you doing in my head?" Harry snapped in horror.
"I... I'm me, who else would I be? Who are you? And why are you in my head?" another older voice filled the silence of his mind, "I demand you leave. There are things I absolutely must be about. Illyena... where are you hiding my love? I must speak with you, this can not wait till I return."
"Bugger I am slipping!" Harjit blurted out in English, feeling the rumbling urgency to unburden his stomach. The Taint truly did have him fully, "Oh Merlin, I've done it now."
Biting his knuckle he staggers drunkenly to some shade in the side gate to a bakery in order to catch some cooling breaths. Inhaling deeply through his mouth to prevent his humiliation, he was awash in the dread he was now a walking dead man. Shaking like a leaf he began to lose control of the Void even while remaining in custody of his breakfast. Having people in his dreams was nothing like this. He'd seen plenty of invaders to his slumbers, but this was in the daylight and while he was supposedly in full mastery of himself.
Taming his fractured hold on reality took a good half hour or so of deep calming breaths. With time he found his center and was slowly regaining his desire that had fled in the aftermath of his mental break to face the girls he treasured so dearly. They must not hear of his affliction. All five would like as not try to Heal him, though there was no way to do so.
Wandering the High Market in search of his loves did temporarily take his mind off the grim fact that his days were limited. If he thought too long on it, he was likely to run off and face the Blight right then. He was just too dangerous to be around.
The Wheel must have felt otherwise as hands clapped over his eyes from behind, a musical voice that never got old for him to hear cheered, "Guess who?"
Quick as silk he spun with a laugh, "Parvati!" His reward was a playful pout that he vanquished with a snogging that had his dusky angel swooning in a wave of tiny giggles.
Gazing into her twinkling dark eyes, he forgets his floral burden as well as his certified insanity, he hoists her up into his arms with a spin of joy. Laughter bubbles up from his belly as she too lets out a squealing laugh of joy with her arms balancing her so they never break eye contact. Each of them were swimming in the seas of the other's love filled gazes, till she captures his lips with hers in a hungry kiss that sends joy to the heavens.
"Light I've missed that." he shares a smile with her as they press their foreheads together to steady the still spinning world for them. Seeking and receiving another but softer kiss he sighs in renewed hope, "I've missed you even more Parvati, my love."
"So have I, my Truhart." she whispers while nuzzling their noses together.
Setting her down, he saw a determination put steel in her carriage. Hope tempered her serious tone as she petted his shoulders with longing, "We have to catch up to the others. There are things we have to discuss today. My love, you need to have some protection only we can give you. Besides we have invested too much in you to let others get in the way. Harjit, I love you and you belong to me, or us more to the point." Her eyes were pleading with him to hear what she has to say, but then she seen something over his shoulder and let out a second laughter of delight, "There's Gin, come on!" She went to drag him off except he remembered the dropped flowers.
Letting go of her hand to retrieve them all with care she slipped away from him. Fear that he may have damaged them leaves him to stumble along behind her as she shoots off to catch the flame tressed witch. Confusion at what she was beginning to tell him dulls the shocking horror of the buzzing rumor of a new False Dragon. It was just one of those days all manner of insanity was possible. Including his own it appeared, he thought at the sight of how breath taking Par's slender body moved deftly through the growing crowds. Following his love he was struck by the confusion of his encounter with Min by the similarities of the feelings evoked in his heart.
Min was nothing like his beloved Par, as the woman was not only older but also had the body Seamus would have been crowing ecstatically over. In fact Fleur Delacour was out shown by the strange slacks wearing Third Ager, whereas Par was willowy and moved with a grace that Min lacked. And yet he had the eerie feeling that the moments were mirrors of one another. This is not including how differently his desire and love for the two were. Par was a burning torch in his heart and soul, while Min left him with the feeling some would call deja vu if emotions could be such. What existed for Min was inexplicably real but still only a shadowy memory he held tucked away forgotten.
But memories could be dangerous, all he had to do to remember that lesson was to think of Tom Riddle's diary. Those came within a butterfly's breath of costing the lives of so many he knew. That year of his life was full of images of people he may have seen the last of if Riddle's mere memories had won the day. Daft blokes like that Colin Creevy and Justin Finch-Fletchley come to mind. Then there was that Penny Clearwater whom Percy fancied but Harry felt deserved someone better. However it was the possible losses of his Hermione and Ginny that chills him even now.
Parvati's catching Ginny has the red head turn and give him a smile that reaffirms the knowledge that even if he'd died as he defeated Voldemort that night, it was a cost well worth it. More as she slams into him with a cry of joy.
Her lips and his seek each other out in a long denied yearning that drives out the nagging fear of mad memories coming alive. Her arms entwine themselves about his neck while she sets fire to his world with her lips and moans of pleasure. Dim memories of a different red head seek to overlay the moment with a blanket of deep loss, but Gin's slight body pressing into his exorcizes Elayne's ghostly invasion. These two girls were his real loves, not what most likely the Taint was implanting in his mind of those two Third Age women.
"Light your beautiful." Ginny tittered with a bite of her bottom lip when they finally part, her eyes examine him as if he were a great work of art. She sighs into his gentle brushing kiss, "I love you Harry. I love you Harjit. I even love you milord Raven." that last was added with a kiss to the tip of his nose. "I love you."
He chuckled as Par leans into him as he replied, "I love you too Ginny." Meeting Par's eyes he breaks out with a wider smile, "Both of you are intoxicating to me."
Blushing the two take an arm apiece to lead him off in search of the others. Glimmering desire in Gin's eyes followed her finally seeing the five sets of flowers he bore. "Whose flowers?" The longing in her tone was light and expectant.
"There's one for each of you." he stopped their search to tell them, hesitant he was wrong in getting them these. "I know it's probably cheesy to bring flowers for a date, but I'm a bit new to the dating scene." He confessed with a blush heating his cheeks while handing them a set apiece.
Both of them were blushing furiously, but were inhaling deeply of the fragrant floral gifts. Relief split a smile across his face as he saw their faces glaze over in ecstacy, a sign he was taking for his doing right for once. They deserved only the best in life in his view of things. Strangely they all counted him as just such a thing, to his never ending incredulous surprise.
"They're wonderful. Living for so long in the initiates quarters has me missing walking through gardens and all the scents of flowers filling the air." his Parvati tittered after another sighing inhale of her bouquet, "I love them Harjit." She rewarded him by pulling him in for a light tender kiss that had her giggle, "Oh and your beard is coming in rather nicely, much less patchy I think." as her hand combed his freshly trimmed mane.
Ginny was not to be left out as she kissed him as well before he could frame an answer, "She's right, you're looking like a young lion. Though your mane tickles me terribly."
Amused at the moment as he was drifting in a sea of good cheer from their love for him he quips, "Well I guess I could shave and let Elaida have my guts for garters. I'd hate to let any one know I'm a Gryffindor to the core." Though a bit morbid, he was grinning at his own grim wit that him and the other Hogwarts wizards have been developing since coming to this Age and Earth. Going by how his pair of loves looked just then, he was the only one there to find it the least bit funny.
"Don't even think it. Par, we have to get him to the others quickly. It's past time if he thinks that was witty." Ginny grew a bit fierce, "Ange and Al said they thought Fred and George were turning grim. Tracey says the same of Blaise, so..." The two were sharing a determined grimace as they gave him a no options open directive, "Harjit, come with us. You're ours and no one or thing is going to take you from us. So no arguing or being noble, at least for the now."
Parvati's eyes bored into him as she stated softly, "We will fight to keep you, no matter what it costs us."
In even more confusion than he felt before, he let them take the lead. Maybe it was time for him to slip away. Tonight so that they would not have to face his insanity. Let them think he was still himself, and they would be spared having to watch the Red gleefully drag him down like a rabid dog. Duty demanded he do it that way, but his love and theirs had him chained securely in place, leashed to them as surely as if he were bonded to the lot.
High Market was beginning to team with life as they went. Shoppers, sellers, sneak thieves, and countless others filled its riotous world of commerce. Capitalism was alive and well here as what ever could be sold legally in Tar Valon, was in a dizzying variety. So too were many things that couldn't if the price was right, Harry wagered by how some in the mercantile mob bore shifty eyed stares for the multitudes about. With so many people here now, he feared it would be a miracle to locate the other three witches.
Along the way they did stop now and again to shop for a few needed things. Which they bought with minimal haggling in order to hurriedly pack it all away in their charmed travel bags. All from a larger tent, to a set of camp ready cookware were located and stowed for later use. Surreptitiously, he'd find things for all his friends but kept a sharper eye out for what would delight his loves the most. Buying and not letting them catch wind of these little splurges took exceptional guile and wit as they were watching him like a pair of hawks as if he'd vanish before their very eyes if they blinked. When he was slyly slipping a blue silk scarf away for Ginny, they caught sight of Luna gazing into a dress makers with a sad tilt to her head. Seemingly oblivious to them and the packed crowds, she stood as a tiny gold capped island in this chaotic capitalistic ocean surging about her.
"There you are." she spoke without glancing their way, "When we get back home, I'm going to buy a silver spangled dress. I've always wanted one, and now I have a few someones that I love dearly, to wear it for."
Gliding delicately over, she gave him a pointed look, "We all will be going home Harjit." She giggled and then threw herself into his arms to snog him into a smiling bliss, "Daddy will be pleased I've found a good husband, that or he'll make you into a pie." Her wide gentle eyes studied him while letting her hands roam over his shoulders and chest, "Now Harry its imperative we go find the others. We have much you must hear and I hope that you will listen to us. We all love you very much."
"We whole heartedly concur Luna." Par took Ginny's hand, whom was nodding with a sad smile that spread to the other two.
"Am I missing something?" he asked, feeling a bit alarmed at Luna's seeming guess of his plans and the three acting as if a terrible decision has been reached. Their words said one thing, but this sadness said another. The many warnings he had received from the Warders about girls losing interest in their boys flirted with his anxious mind. Yes, it meant he could freely ride for the Blight, but to lose their love would tear the heart from his chest too.
"Yes." the three replied in English with Ginny adding in Common, "But then you're a man. All of you are daft buggers."
That had them all chuckle fondly. He was hoping they still... But wouldn't it be best if they let him go? Isn't it what he wished? They would be able to go on living and not be mourning for his loss when he has to finally leave them to burn the Blight to the ground?
Parvati reached out and gingerly let her hand drift over his arm as if memorizing its feel. "It's up to us to fix things and we're working together to do just that."
"Don't worry, we love you. We all do." Luna airily purred while petting his other arm as well. They were frightening him in a way but he ached to trust them implicitly.
He should be running to the Blight. None of them deserved to be tortured by the sight of his being a mad monster. Besides they were likely letting him go... never mind their words.
Luna gently touched his face, "You are staying, or we'll all be going with you. Please don't abandon us..."
Her coyness and sincerity had his heart racing, and it nailed his feet to the street. He just could not break their hearts like that. That jeweler had made it fairly clear that is what his flight from them would do. But to stay would be just as cruel would it not? However thoughts of the jeweler brought up the memory of that florist and her brooding buck just paces away. Though the blond boy clearly looked ready to run off and do battle on the crimson fields, she was just as adamantly wishing to keep him home by her side.
That reminded him of his bouquets for the lot of his loves. "Luna, I hope you're not allergic to these." They had found out to the tiny blond's chagrin that Andoran, or more specifically Caemlyn Red Roses gave her dreadful fits during their winter in that far off city. An unfortunate turn as those bloomed out occasionally during even the coldest of winters.
Hesitantly, Luna smelled of her gift then laughed, "They smell of innocence and love. Oh Harry they're wonderful. I love them, and you even more." She proceeded to twirl with her face buried in her bouquet, humming a silly tune.
"Well that was by far better than the roses." Daphne laughed as she hustled to join them, "Do I get some?" Her eyes glowed with longing.
Meanwhile Luna must have dizzied herself as she staggered into Parvati giggling as both stumbled about till they were caught by him.
"He's a bit stingy. Only gives them out with a good snogging." Ginny teased, causing him to splutter and blush as him and Par had finally managed to stabilize the beaming Luna to where she could stand with Par's aid.
"That's a price that I'll gladly pay." his Slytherin goddess turned him about for a tender blushing kiss. At first it was soft and gentle, but they both deepened it quick as a flash. When they broke, they were both on the lightheaded side. "Merlin that was good. Though I can pay a bit more if you need it. I think you gave me a bit too much change mister mine, though I'm not complaining." She leaned into him smiling, "And I do so want those flowers."
"They were yours to begin with. That's the reason for the change, but I'm not adverse to another transaction or two." He laughed as the Void had long ago fled his grip in the flooding storm of all their love and attention. Though oddly the scar seemed to cower from this onslaught of emotions as well. "These sorts of negotiations can go on for lifetimes."
The girls all smugly encircled him with Parvati fondly caressing his face, "Good to know, but we want to make certain of it. Very certain my love."
"And that can't happen properly without Hermione." Daphne stated mysteriously.
Harry knew they were up to something but thinking clearly in the middle of them was not going to happen. Right then he could only revel in the love he felt for and from them. Among them he was more than just the freak in the cupboard, or even the lonely Gryffindor Golden Boy wizard. With them he was a king or better, and he dreaded the day he'd have to leave them for it. Though his desire to hold and love them was making his sense and reason skip town for a holiday to someplace in the tropics.
Thinking of them and him in such a local had him uncomfortably aware of how he wished he did have a future beyond...
"Harry," Luna lightly cut away his anxiety, "you don't have to hide from us. It's alright to be human, we don't need a statue or picture on the wall. Holding you is much nicer on the whole." Her wide eyes must be able to see into his very mind, but why could she not see the horrible truth that he was a condemned man?
Her and the others took to leading him away in search of Hermione, effectively pulling him out of his gloomy turn of thoughts. Drilled in training had him working to keep them safe. A defensive response to all the turmoil in his heart from all this they were trying to get him to understand. It was a miracle he could manage this even as each of these four kept touching him now and again. Every brushing contact was accompanied by a look of forlorn longing. It made him feel like they thought he was a priceless treasure they might lose in the next breath.
A shuddering tremor hit him at this becoming a reality in a way if his bout of schizophrenia was any indicator. Sane men might have nightmares, but they never heard voices arguing with them in their own heads. So he cautiously stowed up the memory of their faces for the day he'd see them all safely home so that he could Ride the Blight.
Luna caught his hand with a steely grip, "You belong to us Harry, we won't let you go." Then her grip loosened as her fingers entwined with his, "Don't give up on us. We'll never give up on you."
That left him speechless as Daphne slid her arm around his waist, hissing tenderly, $Just accept it Harry. We'll never let you or each other be alone ever again.$
Nervous at how easily they could decode his secrete thoughts made searching for Hermione an agitating torment. Could they not see that if he left, they would be the better for it? Plus the swelling ocean of humanity around them now was making hopes of finding his missing love harder and harder a task. Tar Valon may not be mighty modern London, but several hundred thousand souls jammed in winding half sized streets is a lot of people to wade through. Worry was edging its way into his thoughts, amplified by his scar's renewed burning defiance. Needles in haystacks are easier to locate he wagered as they searched.
To settle his nerves, even if it were risking his doom coming sooner, he tried to grab hold of Saidin to make use of that eye trick again. Sadly, and probably fortunately, today the One Power eluded him by acting like he was grasping onto a raging river running over a rapids.
"There she is by a book sellers cart!" Ginny cheered with a finger pointing the way, "Figures." That had the girls chuckle, but he was in a tail spin so he missed the humor. All he felt was relief that his love was in sight.
Charging through the hectic crowd, Harjit plows a hole for the rest to follow behind in. Looking up from a book she sees him and brightens into a smile that lifts away the veil of fear blanketing his eyes. Taking a moment she points to the Tower and indicates the whole cart. This has the seller's eyes near pop out of her head and indicates a jingling purse. His book loving friend turned lover pulls out a purse and hands it to the book dealer. Wearing an incredulous grimace the woman opens this only to gasp and near drop it. Catching it back before a single coin is lost, the saleswoman starts packing and organizing the lot. With that done, and Harry's finally breaking through the current of shopping humanity, his lovely ravenous reader demurely meets him with a passionate kiss that has them both moaning the other's name.
Staring into his eyes, she reaches up to trace the line of his jaw, "I hope you don't mind me sending these to you at the Tower. Not a one is anything I've seen on sale before except a couple nice copies of Jain Farstrider. Consider one a gift." She laid her head on his chest with a sigh of contentment, "Harry, do you know how much I love you?"
"I hope as much as I feel the same for you." he tilted her head up to kiss her nose.
"Your whiskers tickle something dreadful." she giggled with a reserved grin.
"I've been told that by some." he let out a laugh while capturing her lips again for a nuzzling kiss, deliberately brushing her face with his beard.
"Prat! Stop it! Well maybe not totally, but just for the now." she swatted his arm affectionately, "We've things to discuss first, and Harry please hear us out."
Here it was. He didn't know if he should set them straight or what not. If he wasn't so baffled by this all, as well as drowning in his chaotic emotions he'd have a chance to avoid trouble and hurting them. The warnings of his Warder friends about being chucked aside was savaging his heart even if he knew that was for the best. Then there was its cruel pack mate shredding into his soul that they may have decided to try and flee the Tower now to take him home. Since the Taint well and truly had him that may be even worse than staying and letting them see his dark end. But also snapping at his heels was another lesser but no doubt still terrifying fear. To heed the old proverb about troubles and evils, he chose to hope it was this one and prepared to speak.
"Let me guess. You all want me to decide finally. Hermione, I-." she cut him off with a look. Then with the other girls' support, led him into a nice side passage. Once in there they all took turns kissing him lovingly. Feeling intoxicated on their love, he knew they were planning something and was powerless to stop it.
"Are these for me?" Hermione caressed the remaining bouquet with a sigh of longing. "They're gorgeous."
"He only sells them for the price of a solid toe curler of a snogging." Daphne saucily winked from her leaning into his side.
"Oh well then, it's a good thing I have plenty of those laying around." Hermione replied with a blushing look of desire for him and the flowers. He didn't object to her laying claim to his lips, or how she was melting his mind. What flaming idiot would?
Taking her bouquet she looked lost in a dream as she inhaled her purchase, seeing that look made him wonder again why he'd not truly seen how incredible a witch she was back home. He must have been a bigger idiot than even Ron could be.
Daphne's reclaiming his side and Ginny staking claim to his other, they had him dead to rights now. The time to retreat and regroup had long since past when he'd agreed to come here for them, and the lot knew it.
Holding hands, forming a siege chain of tenderness, they encircle him. His declared betrothed Parvati was the one to speak, "Truhart, we don't want you to choose. Ever. We've come to an agreement, and it is unanimous. We want to share you."
Gobsmacked as this was completely outside of what he'd been expecting, he leans back into the wall for support, "You...? But how?"
"Let us worry about that." Ginny stated in soft assurance, then sheepishly asked, "Please Harry, can you try this and not run off on us? We know all you boys are planning it in some way. We know what you all fear... But Harry, we love you and refuse to let go. Life without you would be colorless, if we could even manage to forgive ourselves for... Just please stay and let us love and find a way to save you."
Thoughts of that jeweler and her cutting words cut their way through his incomprehension, "Is this what all of you want? I won't accept if you're only doing this because I'm an idiotic git." He put it bluntly out there expecting to see hesitation. What he saw was anything but. "You're all barking!"
"No, worse Harry. We're in love." Daphne's twinkling amusement played in her eyes.
"We're in total agreement. We want and need to share." Luna chimed in authoritatively with a stunning smile she shared with Parvati, then the rest, then as one they leveled him with it. A telling blow to the gates of his heart's defenses. "Plus we want to bond you to all of us. We may have to wait till we've studied all the variables, but you are our Warder. If... If you want us at least."
Five pairs of eyes were pleading with him to yield to this. They were placing their lives and trust in him. This was not just a family they offered him like his friend had earlier, but a home for his and their hearts. That jeweler had sharply cut at his avoidance to choose and was even more critical of his plans to ride off for war. That flower girl's devotion to that wild haired beau of hers haunted him as he saw the same in these five gazing on him. This was not an offer of a newly raised Sister looking for a man to protect her by day and service her at night. They were gifting him with hope, home, and undying love.
"Okay if this is what you want, I'm yours." he gave in. Live and love. He's chosen to live and love, "I hope I don't bollox this up right and proper."
"We can live with that, as we all might hurt each other now and again." Daphne purred before kissing him softly, "But as long as we all work at it and remember that we love each other, we'll make it." She then took to snogging him into a semi giggling mess.
All of them took a turn and did the same every time. This was going to be a lot to get used to he decided. Yet he now had a path opening towards some sort of heaven through the madness of his life. It was distant and a treacherous battle through the forests of despair he'd grown up in, but it was still there in their five pairs of tender eyes.
He didn't have it in him to tell them of the voices.