Hay there everyone! Here is a gift for you. A chapter update! I forgot to post on that I am expecting a baby, and because of that ive been under the weather A LOT. I am 19 weeks along long, and having a few issues. But my Dr. is taking good care of me, I just sleep all the time LOL! Found out today that its a little boy, so its a celebration! Enjoy the chapter!
Saturday morning Harry woke up excited about the festival. Siles and he snuggled in bed for a little while, before it was time to get up for the day. Harry showered in the overly large bathroom, and then got dressed in some black slacks and a white short-sleeved shirt that flared a little at the bottom. He then made his way to the dining room to join his family for breakfast. Siles arrived not long after him, smiling softly at Harry as he seated himself next to the young kitsune.
"You are just glowing this morning, lovely."
Harry beamed at Siles. "I can't wait to go to the festival. I have never been to one or anything like one before, so I am excited! And I get to wear the new robes that Gunther got me."
"I will help you with your hair after breakfast, as well," Issy said; she too was glowing this morning.
"We also have some pocket money for you to take. There is always lots of goodies to buy," Bartok said.
"I could have got money from my vaults," Harry began.
"Nope, sorry champ, we get to pay for the fun stuff. It's our right as parents," Lyle said, interrupting Harry, causing him to giggle.
"All right, thanks."
"Siles will also be given potions for you to take while you are there. We can't have you missing them." Anna instructed.
After breakfast Issy sat down to do Harry's hair. She netted the top of it before putting the rest into a tight braid. Harry kept the same clothing on, and then slipped the silver robe over it. Last thing he decided on was a pair of dragonhide boots that would be comfortable to walk around in.
"That robe looks great on you! You will be turning heads all day," Issy said while pulling Harry into a hug.
"I love it! I couldn't believe that Gunther got me something so beautiful." Harry smoothed the sides of the robe down, caressing the silky fabric.
"All right! Well, your men should start arriving any time now. We should get you down to the Floo room." Issy offered her arm to Harry. They linked arms and walked side by side to the Floo room. Siles was already there, and dressed in a robe cut much like Harry's. It was black, with a red underside. The rest of his clothing was also black.
"You look stunning, Harry," Siles said, smiling at him.
Harry blushed. "Thank you. You look very nice too."
"All right, you lovebirds, have fun. I've got some school work I need to do." Issy gave Harry a peck on the cheek before leaving the two alone.
The Floo flared a minute later, and out stepped Gunther. Gunther was dressed in black slacks, a white undershirt, and a white robe that looked more like a waistcoat in the front. He smiled and approached them. "Good morning, I greet you both." Gunther placed a quick kiss on Harry's forehead before shaking hands with Siles.
"I am betting that Severus and Tom arrive together," Siles commented to the other two.
Harry smiled and bounced on his feet. "I hope they hurry; I can't wait to leave!"
"Your letter told me to be here before 10:00am, I showed twenty minutes early. So they have time," Gunther said reassuring Harry. Just as they spoke the fireplace flared again and out stepped Severus, followed by Tom. Severus was dressed in black robes with a silver trim, and Tom was dressed in royal blue robes with silver trim. Both of them looked very VERY attractive in their robes! Harry blushed at the thought.
"Harry, I must say you look gorgeous this morning," Severus said as he greeted Harry, who blushed brighter.
"Thanks, Gunther got me the robes for today."
"He has impeccable taste," Tom responded with an appreciative look that made Harry feel warm all over.
"That is all of us, then. Harry, do you have your money pouch? I have your potions," Siles asked, doing a last-minute check. Harry patted his side, where his money pouch hung, and declared himself all set.
"Come, I'll take you through the Floo," Severus offered to Harry, who stepped into his arms, so that they could floo.
Harry held tightly onto Severus's robe as the two of them emerged from the Floo. They both stepped aside and waited for the rest of their group to join them. Harry took this time to look around the entrance to the Courts. There were lots of ribbons and streamers of different colors hanging around the large room. There were quite a few stands selling tickets of some kind, and other stalls selling some sweets from the looks of it. He also spotted a stall selling moon charms. Harry could not wait to start exploring more.
"Harry, the festival has many different areas that we can go explore. There are the shops, which might have special sales, then there are different blessing areas, duelling areas, various games, lots of restaurants offering everything from samples to full meals. Where would you like to start?" Siles asked.
"Can we stop in first and see Gonzaku? Just to let him know that we are here?" Harry requested.
":Of course," Severus told him. "Markets first, then? I am sure you have seen the food area and the pet areas. Have you had a chance to look though the other stalls with the knicknacks and whatnot?" Harry shook his head no in response.
"So, looks like some light shopping first, then?" suggested Tom. Gunther explained to the others where to Apparate to before turning and offering his arm to Harry.. Harry gripped onto Gunther and clenched his eyes closed tight as they Apparated. Harry held on to Gunther once they landed, gods, did he hate wizarding travel. Gunther laughed a little, and pulled Harry into a tight hug while the others popped in beside them.
"Do you have your bearings now?" Siles teased from behind them.
"I don't know how you guys do it. I hate wizard travel!" Harry proclaimed, causing everyone around him to laugh.
"We were raised with it, so perhaps that is why it's easier on us," Severus suggested.
Harry rolled his eyes and slipped from Gunther's arms. "All right, Gonzaku's stall is this way. Follow me," he said leading them into the different shopping stalls of the produce section. The group weaved through the stalls to the outer parts of the markets where Missy's stall was. Gonzaku was easy to make out as he towered over everyone else, carting around some large baskets of fruit.
Harry glanced back to make sure everyone was still behind him as he approached the stall. "Hello, Harry," the soft voice of Missy called out.
Harry smiled and picked up his pace to close the small distance between him and the stall. "Good morning to you as well, Ms. Missy. Good morning, Gonzaku!" Harry called out to his mate. Gonzaku turned and smiled at Harry, then hurried off around the stall with the empty baskets in his hands.
"He will be right back, just you see. Here for the festival?" Missy asked.
"Yes, it's my first time attending one!" Harry said excitedly. He smiled at the others as they finally caught up to him.
"Good morning, Ms. Missy," Severus greeted, the other men following suit.
"Oh, out with your courters again? My, my, all handsome men you have here," she teased. Predictably, Harry blushed at her teasing.
Just then Gonzaku appeared from around the back of the stall, empty-handed. "Hello, flower."
Harry smiled up at him. "We wanted to stop in and let you know we were here." Gonzaku smiled at Harry before scooping him up into his arms for a warm hug. The hug made Harry melt into his embrace.
"Gonzaku missed you, it appears," Siles said, teasing. A few chuckles were heard from the others.
"I don't plan on keeping him too late; he just needs to unload what we brought with us today. Should only take another hour or so, then I won't need him again until late tonight to pack up," Ms. Missy explained.
"We have plans to explore the markets a little. How about we make our way back here in about an hour, then?" Severus suggested..
"Gonzaku will hurry," Gonzaku replied as he set Harry on his feet once more.
Harry beamed up at him. "After the shops we can start looking for a place for lunch!" he suggested. Gonzaku nodded and leant down to give Harry a quick kiss on the head.
"That sounds like a plan. Come on, I know a good area of the shops to start in. One I am sure you will love." Siles began ushering the group forward.
Harry followed after Siles, with a slight skip of excitement. The other three in his group tagged along behind the two. Siles led them across the markets until, true to his word, they ended up in a spot that Harry loved. For the next hour, the group made their way through the stalls looking at a multiples of different kinds of items. Harry got to see some of the strangest things, such as boxes to trap ghosts in, some shrunken heads like from a circus, to simple crystals that glowed. Tom ended up getting him a small magical focus crystal. It was green in color and when it lay in Harry's hand, and he focused his magic into it, it glowed blindingly bright, and warmed Harry to the core.
Among the strange stuff, there were also normal items. Harry couldn't believe how many different rug vendors there were. One of them even sold flying carpets! They were not very impressive, though, because the hover charm could only go about 10 feet in the air, and the charm wore off quickly, or so Siles told him. There was an artist that offered to paint the group, magically, that is. However Severus reminded Harry that they did not have quite enough time for that.
By the time their hour was up, Harry could honestly say he was having a great time. However, other than his crystal not much had caught his eye. He was happy to be heading back to the produce parts of the market to get Gonzaku. There were many other areas that he wanted to explore today. After lunch of course.
