AN: - A prank before school breaks for Christmas and Harry and Blaise being naughty!
- A big thank you to my sounding board Csenge, and my beta LeapingWithFaith (all remaining errors are mine)
Having finished his correspondence to Viktor and Fleur, as well as exchanging more letters with Myrick and John. Harry was now curled up in an armchair by the fire, reading from one of the many books Daphne had given him. His blonde cousin had been pestering him to read various books and scrolls on duties and rights pertaining to his Lordship, now that exams were over and things had calmed somewhat due to the Dragon Pox being eradicated from the school and the lifting of the quarantine, that now allowed for people to come and go from the castle once more.
They had held the wake for Dennis and Katie just a few days earlier down by the lake, with the majority of the school attending. Myrick had then written a moving piece that had been published in both 'The Daily Prophet' and 'The Quibbler' with no mention of anyone barring the two students being honoured. Even Vicki, who had delivered the eulogy, was simply referred to as, 'one of the deceased's best friends'. Harry felt this was as it should be.
The students had been surprised to see the merpeople in attendance, and once everything had been said that needed to, they sang. Their combined melody loud enough to be heard from above the gentle waves and the squid had created a fountain of water that sparkled with colour against the sunlight.
Harry's most recent letters to John had been ones of potential acquisition and then confirmation to purchase a place to produce potions within. His latest letter was one of thanks due to the fact he was now the owner of a property located within Beetleflight Boulevard, Edinburgh's equivalent of Diagon Alley.
Harry had yet to lay eyes on the building itself, but he, along with his friends had poured over the many pictures and diagrams of the building John had sent him. It looked near enough perfect for what Harry intended to do with it. His intention was turn it into Astoria's dream as well as using it for his own uses. The downstairs would be renovated into a small shop front and a large potions room for mass brewing as well as a warehouse for storage and bulk despatch. The upstairs would later be turned into a potions lab built and kitted out solely for research purposes.
Myrick had placed a generic advertisement asking for potions brewers and staff in both wizarding press publications and John had already gotten in contact with and arranged interviews with the ones that survived the initial screening process. Harry was eager to get a start on mass producing the Dragon Pox Elixir, Penicillin Draught and All-Bark. He had worked closely with Horace to design the necessary articles that were about to be published in 'Potioneer's Monthly'.
Going through the Potter vaults had shown he had more than enough money to buy the building and employ half a dozen brewers, two assistants and an administrative person for at least two years without hassle. Though, after many drawn up projections and with Fred and George's help with figuring out production costs and what they should charge, they were all certain he would be recouping that investment in a much shorter amount of time.
John and his firm had been busy drawing up the needed parchment work to create a new company, as well as the contracts that would bind the employee's to confidentiality surrounding the potions themselves. Harry later planned on making Astoria the Head Researcher, knowing she didn't want anything to do with the administrative side once he told her of the plans he had set in motion. He had grown very fond of the young girl in a short period of time and he really did want to see her dreams come true.
Harry sighed as his mind tried to settle all of these thoughts as he was trying to concentrate on Daphne's task. But it was hard as some of the texts were quite dry. Just as he prepared to throw the book down and give up for the afternoon, he looked up excitedly when he heard the door open. A smile splitting his face as Blaise walked in from his last class for the term.
He quickly marked his place and stood up, crossing the room to greet him. The Slytherin smiled in return and bent his head to brush his lips against Harry's as they said hello.
"How was your day?" Blaise asked.
Harry shrugged, "pretty good, Poppy and I went over every inch of the Wing to make sure it was up to scratch. I have a list of potions and some books from her to read over the holidays." Blaise drew his bag over his head and loosened his tie as they made their way to sit on the couch.
"I spoke to Dobby as well, he said that Olympic View has plenty of room for us and Sirius and Remus too. Dobby even seems to think there is enough room that your mum could stay with us as well. Though I don't think I want to ask her before we find out for sure. The place might be too small, I don't want people to be uncomfortable." Harry told Blaise, chewing his lip slightly in worry.
Blaise grinned and tugged Harry's lip from between his teeth, "I'm sure it will be fine, don't worry so much." Blaise was fairly certain that the place was a manor of some sort, if the way Dobby had spoken of cleaning it the other day was any indication. He knew though, that Harry wasn't expecting that, besides, it would be fun to see his look of surprise.
They sat and chatted for a while about the plans for the day of their departure from Hogwarts. Blaise needed to find a way to inform Theo that Dobby would be picking him from the platform. The elf was going to glamour himself to look like Theo's father and they'd agreed on a code-phrase.
"How does Dobby know what Theo's father looks like?" Blaise wondered aloud.
"He used to be a Malfoy elf remember?" Harry said, "he saw him enough when he would visit Malfoy's dad."
"Ah, of course."
Soon their time together came to a close. Harry needed to meet some of the others in the library, he had been trying to be 'seen' around the castle lately. He didn't want anyone to start getting suspicious of what he was upto by being absent all the time. At least when the Dragon Pox had been prevalent, he'd had an excuse.
But now, trying to hide his extracurricular studies, especially his animagus forms -one of which he almost had down- as well as keep up with quidditch and his normal studies, Harry still had very little time on his hands. It didn't help that Dumbledore was still giving him 'lessons' on Voldemort, despite Harry's anger at the old man. It had only been a week since Harry had seen the Bell's and he wondered how they were getting on with Tracey's dad.
Securing his egg in his pocket and stitching it closed with a spell so it wouldn't accidently fall out. He said a reluctant goodbye to Blaise and then waved to Daphne and Tracey as they walked in.
Harry, Ron, Neville, and Luna had been studying quite hard and were about to pack up for the afternoon. Harry was walking the stacks of the library one last time before they left for the holidays to see if there was anything he might need when he overheard a conversation between two third year Ravenclaw students, the mention of a muggle song pricking his ears.
"I swear!" came the strident tone again, "it's been stuck in my head for weeks! I can't stop thinking about it! And then last night, I had this dream that we were in the Great Hall having a feast, when suddenly, they were everywhere!"
Harry bit his lip as he grinned and he hurried back to his friends, suddenly glad that Saturday was the last Hogsmeade visit of the year, and the train would take them all back to London on Sunday instead.
Harry hadn't gone to Hogsmeade, he already had everything he needed for the holidays, he had instead decided to stay back and work on his idea for a little pre-holiday fun. He had consulted with Sirius and the animagus had agreed wholeheartedly with the idea, as well as given Harry a few tips on how to implement said prank.
Now bent over a box of sand, Harry was muttering spells under his breath and frowning.
Blaise had returned early from Hogsmeade, dropping Daphne and Tracy at the Slytherin common room before making his way up to the Room of Requirement. He leant over the back of the couch, watching Harry as he muttered something again before scowling heavily at the large box in front of him.
"Everything alright?" Blaise asked intrigued, he knew Harry was up to some prank, he had come back from the library with his eyes sparkling in merriment and a broad, mischievous grin. He had refused to tell anyone what he was up to though, claiming that he wanted it to be a surprise for them as much as everyone else.
Harry yelped and jumped, "shit, Blaise! I didn't hear you come in!" Harry cried out, pressing a hand over his galloping heart.
Blaise smirked, "sorry," he replied, pressing a quick kiss to Harry's forehead in apology.
Harry snorted, "well, maybe next time you can cough or something."
Blaise made a humming sound, "so, you didn't answer my question. Everything going alright?"
Harry nodded as he looked back at the box, "yeah mostly, I just, I can't get the time delay down. I've done everything else, but I'm having trouble with this part."
"I'm sorry I can't help you. Charms are not exactly my thing," Blaise said, wrinkling his nose slightly at the thought.
Harry chuckled, "No they aren't," he agreed tilting his head back to look at Blaise more directly, "But you're perfect anyway."
"Perfect huh?" Blaise smirked, angling his head to drag his lips over Harry's.
Harry made a noise of agreement as Blaise pressed down for a proper kiss. Breaking away after a moment, Harry blinked up at him and said, "George."
Blaise arched an eyebrow at him, "should I be worried that you're thinking about another man when kissing me?"
Harry flushed and pushed at Blaise lightly, "no, you prat, George is brilliant at charms, and the twins do time delay stuff all the time." He glanced at the clock, "Dobby, could you ask Fred & George if they have time for a quick visit? Tell them it's prank related," he said as the elf popped up.
"Yes sir!" Dobby said with a salute before popping away.
Harry turned on the couch to face Blaise, kneeling up so he could place his own lingering kiss on dark lips, softly moving against Blaise, letting his tongue drag slowly over his bottom lip before pushing it in to tangle with the Rukar's. "You want to come with me? See the twins shop?" he asked softly when they pulled apart.
Blaise took a moment to open his eyes, but when he looked at Harry, the Gryffindor could see the lust and deep emotion in them.
"You could ask me anything with a kiss like that and I'd agree," Blaise told him truthfully.
Harry flushed and was glad he didn't have to answer when Dobby popped up beside them again. "The mirror twins be saying it is okay for Master Harry to be visiting! They is saying to come through now." Dobby told them.
"Thanks Dobby," Harry said with a smile. Gathering up his things, Blaise took possession of the box of sand as they walked through the cabinet to Fred and George's apartment.
"Harry!" came a chorus of sound and Blaise watched as Harry was pulled into one hug and then another by the identical Weasleys. He still hadn't figured out which was which, though he was getting better at tracking them each time once he figured it out.
Harry laughed as he was finally let go, "so what brings,"
"You here, little bro?" they asked, nodding to Blaise in welcome, a gesture he returned as he moved to Harry's side.
"Well, I need George's help on a prank, I'm having trouble with some time delay spells."
"Say no more!" cried the twin on the left, "let us be off to the Room of Mischief!"
Harry snorted and took the box from Blaise, but before Harry could say anything further, the twin Blaise assumed to be Fred said, "well, Zabini, while those two tinker with time, what say you and I get to know each other a little?"
Harry glanced between Fred and Blaise, a worried look crossing his face. Not wanting Harry to worry, and knowing he would need to submit to the twins tests sooner or later. Blaise cupped his mate's cheek, "go on, Fred and I will entertain ourselves perfectly fine while you finalise your prank." He gave Harry a reassuring look as he spoke.
Harry frowned for a second before leaning up to press a light kiss to his lips and whispered in his ear, "don't eat or drink anything they give you."
Blaise nodded and reciprocated by pressing his own kiss to Harry's forehead.
Harry narrowed his eyes at Fred, "just remember I like him, and if anything happens I'll know where to go."
Fred was the picture of innocence as he drew a cross over his heart and batted his eyelashes at Harry, while George dragged him out the door. Once said door had closed, however, Fred's expression grew decidedly devilish.
"So, what'll it be? Butterbeer? Gillywater? Firewhiskey?" The twin before him asked as he rubbed his hands together, a malicious grin on his face.
"Butterbeer, thank you," Blaise replied as they moved into the kitchen.
Fred nodded and startled scampering about the kitchen, pulling glasses from the cabinet and bottles from the fridge. Blaise leant against the opposite counter as Fred's broad back hid his exact movements as he poured the frothing beverage into a large glass stein. The redhead turned around and handed one foaming concoction to Blaise as he took a pull from the glass in his other hand.
"So, you and Harry?" he asked.
Blaise nodded and didn't hesitate to take a long sip from his drink before he answered. He knew that the beverage was a test of some sort and he held Fred's gaze as he drank. He put the glass down on the counter and simply said, "Harry and I."
Fred's eyebrow rose slightly, "him first, huh?"
Blaise rose one in return, "are implying he shouldn't be?"
Fred started cackling, "oh, I think I might like you. Why did you drink that?" he asked pointing at Blaise's half empty Butterbeer, "surely Harry warned you off accepting food or drink from us?"
Blaise lifted a shoulder, "I assumed your love for Harry superseded your desire to pull a joke on me."
Fred whistled lowly, as close as he would come to saying Blaise had impressed him, "testing the tester, very devious of you."
"I am in Slytherin for a reason," Blaise replied nonchalantly.
Fred hummed as he surveyed Blaise anew. Blaise lifted his glass once more and took another sip, recognising the brand as it flowed over his tongue a second time. "1707, your shop does rather well, even in times like these."
Fred shrugged even as his eyes glinted, "we like to treat ourselves from time to time. Now, you know that your pranking exemption only holds-"
"So long as Harry is happy? Yes, I'm aware. I hope it does something to alleviate any concerns on your behalf when I say that Harry's happiness and wellbeing are my primary concerns."
They stood in silence for a few minutes, Fred thoughtfully watching Blaise as he tried not to shift nervously under the weighted stare. Their attention was drawn to the main room when they heard Harry and George re-entered the apartment.
Harry followed George through the apartment and into the workshop. He noticed a few changes to the place since they had been there last, it seemed Fergero had really organised their workspace.
"So what have you got in the box?" George asked as he cleared a space for Harry to set down what he was carrying. Harry explained the prank to George and watched as his eyes lit up in glee.
"Oh, this is genius!" He cried in excitement, "if you're ever looking for something to do, Fred and I will always take you on as our Deputy Prankmaster."
Harry laughed and they quickly got to work, George showing Harry just where he had gone wrong when trying to get the grains of sand to do what he wanted.
They were cleaning up when George turned to Harry, a more serious look on his face than Harry could remember seeing on either of the pair before. "Harry," he started, seeming to search for the right way to say what he wanted to, "you're happy right? With him I mean? He's not, hiding behind your cloak or anything?"
Harry stopped mid-cast, lowering his wand to his side so that he could give George his full attention. "No, George it's not like that at all, if anything, he'd be the first to get between me and trouble. Makes him twitchy when he can't." Harry said with a small grin, trying to lighten up the contemplative twin.
George's lips twisted into a smile, "well that's something at least." he replied.
Harry chewed his lip casting his mind about for the words to put his friend's worries to rest, "he's, he's my good, George." he ended up saying quietly, repeating the words George had said him during the summer. A time that had felt so long ago now.
George's face softened and his shoulders seemed to sag before he wrapped Harry up in another hug. Harry tensed for only a moment before letting himself relax into the unexpected hold. "Good, that's good, I'm glad." George whispered into Harry's hair before he pulled away with a glint in his eye and a grin on his face. "Fred owes me the naming of our next product now."
Harry laughed and shook his head, following George back into the apartment they shared with Angelina and Alicia.
Harry stopped in the doorway, hands tightening slightly on the box of sand, a little unsure at the silent atmosphere in the kitchen. George's head appeared over his shoulder and the twins exchanged glances. Blaise smiled reassuringly at Harry, the Gryffindor returning the warm expression with one of his own.
When Fred nodded at George, he understood what his twin was saying to him with his eyes. He leant in to whisper in Harry's ear, "We approve."
Harry looked at him startled for a second before throwing a beaming grin at Fred as he made his way over to stand next to Blaise. His taller boyfriend wrapping an arm around his waist to draw him closer. Harry snagged the stein from Blaise's hand and after giving the twins a narrowed glance and the glass a cursory sniff, he finished it off.
"We should probably get back to Hogwarts," he said a little regretfully to the Weasley brothers, "but will you visit during the holidays?"
"Just try and keep us away," they said together, warm smiles on their faces.
"Besides," started Fred,
"Got something we need to show Snuffles," winked George.
Harry snorted, "right, well, we'll see you soon I 'spose."
There was a chorus of goodbye's by all and Harry and Blaise were quickly stepping back through the door.
That evening before dinner saw Harry and his friends surreptitiously spilling sand throughout the castle. The fine grains finding their way into cracks and crevices in almost every room on every floor. No House was safe. No dorm was safe. Hell, even the Professors weren't safe. Neville even managed to get some into Snape's personal quarters when he 'tripped' inside his office -having gone in to ask a question about the holiday assignment- spilling the grains underneath the door to his private rooms as he did so.
They had all cheered when he told them what had transpired and Luna had snogged him full on the mouth in front of them all, entreating more cheers and some catcalls from Seamus, Dean and, surprisingly, Hannah. The blonde Hufflepuff whooping as Neville blushed.
But now it was the last meal for the term. The vast majority of Hogwarts students would be getting on the train tomorrow morning to head home, joining their families for the holidays. Harry and Blaise, along with Theo and Greg, would be heading to Harry's as yet unseen property. Neville would be meeting his Uncle Algie at the station and the others would be heading home to see their own families.
Harry glanced around the Great Hall to see the quiet lull between the main course and dessert had taken over. People were gently joking with their friends and talking excitedly about their plans for the holidays and what they hoped to get for Yule or Christmas. Harry heard Anthony Goldstein at the Ravenclaw telling his friends about how his family celebrated Hanukkah instead of Christmas and how he was glad that the school term finished early enough for once that he would be able to spend the entire holiday at home, as he normally missed at least the first few days, sometimes nearly all.
Harry brought his attention back to the Gryffindor table when Ron tugged on his sleeve, the redhead raised an enquiring eyebrow as he popped the last bit of a gravy-drenched bread roll in his mouth. Harry smirked and leant forwards to mutter only loud enough for Ron to hear.
"I solemnly swear that I let the dogs out."
Later, Seamus would swear that a silence came over the hall when Harry said the words, but what happened was an audible crackling came over the school-wide speaker stones, the same crackle one would hear as a gramophone started up. Students and staff all looked to the source as a very important question was asked. And as the sound of drums and music backed the vocals and the sounds of three men barking, the grains of sand that Harry and the others had spilt throughout the castle and the grounds transformed into dogs and canines of all breeds and sizes.
Chaos was imminent as students squealed in delight and yelled in shock according to their nature. The third year Harry had overheard in the library had a death grip on his friend's arm as he shook him and yelled, "Pinch me! Is this really happening?"
Harry looked up to the staff table and had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from bursting with laughter. McGonagall had risen halfway from her seat and was looking for all the world like her hackles were raised, as terriers tore under tables and hunting dogs howled. Snape was disgusted and trying to push a particularly randy bulldog off his leg and Dumbledore sat there with a completely bemused expression on his face. Trelawny had picked up a Chihuahua off the ground and was peering at it avidly as Hooch entered a staring contest with a German Pincer.
Dean's loud guffaw as he spotted Snape and his 'lover' returned Harry's gaze back to his friends and seeing the joy on their faces, and on the faces of the students all over the Great Hall, his own face split into a grin. Laughing loudly he turned on his seat to ruffle the neck of a Dalmatian that was trying to sneak food from the table between him and Ron. Harry caught Blaise's eye and the wink his boyfriend sent his way, and he felt himself grow warm and buoyant. Basking in the happiness of those around him, he took a moment to capture and savour the feeling before the song ended, it was over much to soon and seemingly to the disappoint of many students if the groans let loose when the dogs turned back into sand were anything to go by.
The house-elves kept people from feeling too sad though, as the savoury dishes were quickly replaced with pudding. The general hubbub and feeling of the Hall much louder and more cheerful than Harry could remember for a long time. Harry went to bed, Blaise wrapped snugly around him, with a smile on his face and joy in his heart.
The Hogwarts Expressed pulled out of Hogsmeade and Harry let loose a sigh of relief. He was sitting in a compartment with Ron, Neville, Luna, Seamus and Dean. Ginny was with some of her yearmates and Blaise, Theo, Greg, Daphne and Tracey were with the other Slytherins in their year. Hedwig was in her cage and sleeping on the top rack of their compartment and Harry's egg was in his lap. A jumper beside him ready to cover it up should anyone suddenly open their compartment.
"So have you figured out to hatch it yet, Harry?" asked Neville, his soft voice drawing Harry from one of Salazar's books.
"Not yet. All I've found so far is that most magical snake eggs need 'ideal conditions' to hatch. Some of them need gentle warmth, some need it to be boiling hot and there are still others that require icy conditions. Until I can figure out exactly what breed it is, it's like taking shots in the dark."
"Ah, that's gotta suck." Came Seamus' lilting voice, "you reckon it's alright for now though?"
Harry noted the concerned and anxious expressions adorning his friends faces and hurried to reassure them. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's okay. I found a spell in one of the books that shows you the overall health and stuff like that. I've been casting it pretty regularly and seems to be fine."
"That's good mate," Ron said as he shoved a wriggling chocolate frog in his mouth. "'Opefully you figure it out soon."
Harry threw his best friend a grin, "yeah, me too. I just hope Sirius and Remus will be okay with it."
"They'll be okay, Harry," Luna said soothingly as she adjusted herself to lean more comfortably in Neville, "It will take some getting used to, as it will for all of us, but they will be okay with it. I'm sure."
"Thanks, Luna." Harry said, and from there, the conversation became more casual and turned to less important things. They were just friends, hanging out and enjoying their time together. But soon, King's Cross came into view and Harry was calling for Dobby to take him away. Giving his friends a hug, he pocketed his egg and grabbed a hold of his trunk and Hedwig, the train slowed to a stop and as the whistle blew, Dobby popped away with him.
Harry blinked in one second and opened his eyes the next, elf apparition was much, much, nicer than wizard apparition. Dobby cast a glamour and left again to fetch the others as Harry looked around at his surroundings. His jaw dropped as he took in the large white stone building and he felt his knees buckle slightly at the sheer size and understated opulence.
He was standing in what was clearly an entrance hall. Large pillars rose to support the second story and twin staircases rose in opposite directions to lead there. Harry's eyes roved quickly, taking in every detail. From the wizarding portraits and art on the walls to the glittering blue ocean that could be seen out of the large clear windows. He felt a breeze blowing gently and saw the sheer curtains billow softly.
"Well, this place is nice Potter. Your family has good taste," came Nott's voice from behind him.
Harry spun to see that Dobby had arrived with Theo, Greg and Blaise. The darker Slytherin teen was smiling at Harry, but Harry could see the concern in his eyes as he cocked his head.
Harry started forward weakly and grabbed Blaise by the wrist, "excuse us for a minute." He said to Theo and Greg and dragged Blaise through an adjoining door.
"Harry? What's wrong?"
Harry quickly threw up a silencing spell on the door and turned fully towards Blaise. "This! What is this? This place, it's, it's,"Harry's eyes widened as caught sight of something behind Blaise, "there's a bloody indoor-outdoor pool!"
Blaise looked over his shoulder and saw that there was indeed a pool in the room with them that also led outside. Beyond that, he could see a spectacular view of what he guessed was the Mediterranean ocean.
"And?" Blaise asked, turning his attention back to Harry. Seeing that Harry's breathing was starting to get heavier, Blaise stepped forward. Lightly grasping Harry's wrists he brought them up his chest and leant in until their foreheads touched. "Tesoro, it's alright, what is it that has you so upset?"
"I'm not upset," Harry automatically said. "I'm-"
"Discombobulated?"
Harry looked up and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth at the odd sounding word. "It's just, this is, this place is HUGE! and, and lavish." The word coming out sounding as if Harry hardly believed it was real.
"Well, you've seen your families finances. Surely you were expecting something like this?"
Harry snorted, "I was expecting a big house, not, not some, some, mythological, Greek god's palace!"
Blaise looked around again, noting the mermaids and underwater creatures that were carved into the frescoes and mouldings of the room they currently occupied.
"It is very Poseidon-y in here isn't it?" Blaise commented mildly.
Harry just gaped at Blaise. Then he started to laugh, it was a little hysterical sounding to Blaise's ears, but it was a laugh nonetheless.
"You did that on purpose didn't you?" Harry accused him with a smile.
Blaise shrugged and ran a hand through Harry's hair tugging him up into a kiss when he reached the back of his head.
"I understand it's not what you're used too," Blaise began and Harry made a derisive sound in the back of his throat, "but it is yours, it was your family's, don't feel as though you don't belong here."
Harry sighed and leant into Blaise for a moment, "how is it that you always know just what to say?" he muttered against the soft cloth of Blaise's jumper.
Blaise hummed and tightened his arms around Harry, "because I'm perfect?" he posited.
Harry huffed a laugh as Blaise intended and when he pulled back, his eyes were sparkling lightly. "Come on then, Mr Perfect, come and help me settle these guys in. Then we can explore this place some more."
Blaise entangled their fingers together and let Harry lead him from the room.
Harry and the three Slytherins were currently lounging in one the parlour rooms on the second floor. This room, in particular, had been modelled with the Goddess Artemis and a highly detailed depiction of Artemis on a hunt covered the walls. Blaise was sitting on one end of a lounge conversing with Greg about some of the aims he had in mind once it became known he was the Lord Goyle.
Harry was reclined against Blaise, his head in his Rukar's lap as dark fingers threaded absently through his hair. Harry had his egg in his lap and was still trying to match it to the descriptions that the book gave. Theo was curled in an armchair by himself, closest to the fireplace and carving a figurine of some sort into a block of wood. Occasionally spelling wood shavings and the like into the fire.
Harry turned a page and his eyes lit up for a moment before he sighed and muttered under his breath.
"Still no luck?" Theo asked him, his eyes lifting briefly from the detailing tool he was currently using.
Harry let out a sigh, "not yet." He felt Blaise's hand tighten soothingly in his hair and he tilted his head back to smile up at him.
They were interrupted from speaking though by the arrival of a one Remus Lupin in the middle of the drawing room.
"Thank you, Dobby," Remus said kindly as he looked down at the small bubbly elf.
"It is being Dobby's pleasure Mister Moony, sir!" he squeaked as he grabbed the two tattered cases by their feet and he turned to Harry, "Dobby is putting away Mister Moony's things in his room! Then Dobby be coming back with refreshments for Master Harry and his friends!" The elf nodded decisively and popped away again.
Harry stood, marking his page and putting both the book and the egg down on the wrought iron, gold inlaid side table before he swept Remus up in a crushing hug.
"Hullo, Remus," Harry said as he let him go. "It's good to see you."
Remus kept a hand on Harry's shoulder and a warm smile lit his face as he looked at him. "It's good to see you too, Harry. To see for myself that you are well. I confess I was still quite worried about you after the Dragon Pox incident."
"I'm alright," Harry reassured him.
"I can see that now," Remus said squeezing his hand and then letting Harry go. A quick glance around the room and he looked back to Harry with arching eyebrows.
"Oh, er, right, Remus. I'm pretty sure you know my friends, Gregory Goyle, and Theodore Nott." Theo gave Harry a pointed look, "erm, they are also vassals of House Potter." Harry rattled off quickly.
The ex-professor gave them both a nod and a greeting before turning back to Harry with a mild look of surprise, "I think there are some things you have been leaving out of your letters."
"It wasn't exactly safe to write about that," Harry replied a bit put out.
"I understand, Harry, I do," Remus told him.
Harry nodded and then stepped out of the line of sight between the werewolf and rukar. "You know my boyfriend Blaise," he said, the pride evident in his voice.
Blaise threw Harry a warm smile as he stood and suddenly Harry was acutely aware of just how tall he was. Perhaps it was seeing him next to someone that Harry looked up to, instead of just around his peers. But Blaise had a few inches on Remus.
Blaise held his hand out to Remus and they shook quickly before they all sat down. Harry and Blaise back to their lounge and Remus taking the other end of the one Greg occupied.
"So, tell me what has been going on," Remus said as Dobby appeared with a tray of drinks and biscuits for everyone.
Harry woke the next day and stretched lazily in the stupidly large bed of the master suite. He rolled over and spied Blaise through the open door to the bathroom.
The rukar was standing at the sink with only a towel around his waist and was applying a thick cream to his face with a little round brush. He watched as Blaise rinsed off the brush and then picked up a long straight razor from the bench. He flicked it open with a graceful, practised snap of his wrist and Harry bunched a pillow under his chin to watch in comfort as Blaise gently scraped away the little bit of stubble that had popped up overnight.
Once done with the razor, Blaise rinsed that too and cast a few charms on it, what they were for though, Harry wasn't sure. He then leant over the sink and ran the water, cupping it in his hands to wash the last of the sudsy foam from his face. Patting it dry with a towel he reached next for a pot of cream and Harry watched with an amused grin as he rubbed it into his skin.
Blaise picked another jar off the counter and poured a measure of liquid into his palm, rubbing it between both hands he then drew his fingers through his hair before he dried his hands on another small towel. He put his things away and then must have seen something in the mirror that told him Harry was awake as he turned around.
"Oh, don't stop primping on my account," Harry teased.
Blaise shook his head as he walked towards Harry, "it's not primping, it's called taking care of oneself."
"Uhuh," Harry said distractedly as he watched a stray drop of water roll down Blaise's chest, over his toned stomach and down, down, down, only to be stopped and then absorbed by the towel.
"See something you like?" smirked Blaise.
Harry's eyes rose to meet Blaise's, "dunno yet, there's a towel in the way."
Blaise sucked in a breath at Harry's sudden forwardness and Harry could see the front of Blaise's towel twitch out the corner of his eye. Taking a steadying breath Harry rose up onto his hands and knees and crawled in front of Blaise. Slowly he rose into a kneeling position and he reached for the towel that hid Blaise's complete nakedness from him.
Emerald was still locked with lust darkened amethyst as the towel slipped easily from Blaise's waist. Harry slowly dropped his gaze down Blaise's body until it came to rest on the steadily hardening erection between them.
His bottom lip catching between his teeth, Harry let the towel drop unnoticed to the floor and placed his hand over the hot flesh.
Blaise's strangled groan made him look up and Harry raised his other hand to rest on Blaise's bare shoulder, gripping it tightly to steady himself. That second touch was all Blaise needed to snap out of his frozen state and he reached for Harry. Dragging the kneeling teen closer to press him against his body he captured Harry's lips in a drugging kiss and groaned again as Harry's hand tightened and then began to move, sliding up and down his length.
He moved his own hands, one to grasp the back of Harry's head, the other to cup his bum. His hips rolled and jerked under Harry's ministrations and he could feel Harry's own arousal against his body. Though Blaise would like to say he lasted longer, it was only minutes before he was coming, his moans swallowed by Harry's tongue as his mate kissed him through his orgasm.
Blaise panted softly into Harry's neck as he came down from the overwhelming high of Harry touching him like that for the first time. He began pressing kisses into the column of Harry's neck and stifled a laugh as he felt Harry wipe his hand off on his pyjama pants.
He pulled back with a grin and said, "now look what you've done, you've gotten your trousers dirty. I think we need to get you out of them," and with that he quickly tipped Harry back on the bed before divesting him of the garment in question.
Blaise smirked inwardly as Harry gasped and tangled his fingers in his hair as Blaise used his mouth to set about bringing Harry to the same heights he had been at previously.
Once Harry and Blaise had finally gotten up for the day they headed down for breakfast. Harry detouring to Artemis' parlour to fetch his egg and book which he had left there after their late talk into the night, almost falling asleep on Blaise before his lover had all but carried him to bed.
He entered the room and drew up short as he took in the strange sight before him. "What the-?"
AN: Just want to say a big, BIG thank you to all you lovely readers and to all of you who leave comments, they truly, truly mean a lot to me, THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH! :D
(oh, and please, never worry about this being abandoned, I WILL finish this story, just might take a bit between updates)