Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling. In this story, Harry Potter is very old, and is known as 'The Great Wizard.' His name is Bellamy.

Chapter 32:

A morning early in April, Valencio slipped on the yellow vest for breakfast. Tasha wasn't planning on joining him. She was taking less interest in their guests, and planned instead on a shopping trip. New clothes, first for the trip to New York, where they'd visit Dean, and his wife, Amanda, then Hollywood again. Their apartment already waited for them. The Marriage Mart had been good for Valencio, she thought. Sufficient challenge to keep him interested, and no problems whatsoever. Schuster had been very pleased indeed when she'd contacted him, and said that Vince would be interested in reading a script now. The Papacy Scandal. According to Schuster, he'd had it in mind for over a year.

Schuster estimated that the filming would take a good seven or eight months this time, and there were already several elaborate sets being built. One that would be the inner chambers of the Vatican, and another that would be the Sistine Chapel, although that would be supplemented with footage of the real thing. There was already a 'City Street' set, which, with a few modifications, would become the 'Streets of Rome.'

The open square of 'Vatican City' was updated from an old film, but money was spent ensuring more faithful and detailed reproductions of the famous buildings. Millions had been spent, even before filming began. Schuster planned that no-one would be able to tell that it had not been made on location, as had been the original intention, only prevented by an uncooperative Catholic beaurocracy.

Tasha had been Schuster's ally in getting Valencio back, and he used his influence to get her a place in one of the six month 'traineeships' for those interested in film-making. Few of the trainees made it far, but it meant there was at least an apparent avenue into the industry. He thought it would keep her interested and occupied, without having to give her a part. Her acting had been barely adequate, he felt, in Marriage Mart.

To his irritation, Tasha accepted with pleasure - for Inge Obwegeser.

Inge was overjoyed. She'd heard about those traineeships, but she also knew they were in very heavy demand, and booked out years ahead, in spite of the heavy fees. The expense was no problem for her, as Valencio said he would pay, and that she could stay with them as well. Inge accepted, but only to begin with. She had some savings, and Carol would assign her enough money to live on, even though it was an expensive place to live.

They had two male backpackers again at Loch Lomand, working in exchange for a small wage, plus keep. Extra labour was needed when Valencio was otherwise occupied.

Clarence was host, and made the rounds at breakfast, "Duich Highland Games on Saturday. Please put your names on the list, so we know how many buses we need, though you can take your own car if you want, of course. Films as on the notice-board. A gentle ride this morning, led by Connie, a faster one this afternoon, also with Connie, and a strenuous one with Gloria, starting at ten, but only for those she's given the nod to. That will be all day, and there will be a lunch. Big horses, not for children, obviously. She warns that there's likely to be heavy demand for the spa afterwards."

Someone asked, "Tennis lessons?"

Clarence nodded. "Every weekday, unless I say different. Morning swimming lessons the same."

"What about the excursion?"

"At eleven, give me names if you haven't already, and wait beside the yellow post." He smiled generally on them, said, "Ask Vince for further details," and went to the next table.

"So what are you doing today, Vince?"

"Going with Gloria. And she says that I'll be far too tired afterwards to do anything else."

"There's only a few visitors going, I heard."

"Three last count. But that's alright. We don't have that many big horses."

"What do you count big horses."

"Big horses? Well, there's three Anglo-Arabs, including my horse Caesar, two Percherons still young enough for a gruelling ride, and then there's Madigan, Kendrick, Kennedy, Heathcliffe..."

"Red Ruin?"

Valencio nodded. "He'll probably be going."

One of the men said, "She promised me Sirius."

"Sirius is an extremely good horse. He nearly always wins the Picnic Races, when we have them."

A little before ten, Valencio, two men and a woman in tow, smiled at Thierry, who was patting Kennedy. Thierry greeted the guests, and introduced herself. Thierry never acted as host, and seldom even wore the yellow vest, though she was that day. She said to Valencio, "Gloria said to saddle Sirius, Red Ruin, and Kendrick for the guests, and Tasha's to have Heathcliffe."

Caesar whinnied shrilly. "In a moment, Caesar," said Valencio. "Have a bit of patience."

But then there were a few more whinnies, and Madigan jumped his paddock fence and galloped down the drive. "John! It must be!" said Thierry.

They turned, smiling, as John cantered Madigan back towards them. He was in old jeans and a bright shirt, as they were accustomed to seeing him. His hair was long now, but tied back in a casual ponytail. He smiled at them as he saw the horses saddled. "Going for a ride?"

"A long ride," answered Valencio, smiling. "Want to come?"

Gloria arrived, striding fast, and called, "John!"

He slipped off his horse, and hugged her.

"We haven't seen you for ages!"

"Been busy. Zoe only let me go home for two days at Christmas."

He extended a hand, and said, "They tell me you've done another film, Vince."

Valencio said, "I had to learn to ride in a more disciplined manner. The riding instructor was tearing his hair out at me." He turned and said, "John, these are guests, Andrea, Claude, and Daniel."

Bellamy greeted them genially, until nudged so hard by Madigan, he nearly fell over, only grabbed at the last minute by Claude.

Gloria said, "I'll saddle Reya for myself, if you want to have Madigan."

"A long ride, Vince said."

"We have lunch at a Bed & Breakfast place, have a look at their museum, and we've told Vince he has to buy a McDonald kilt. They have them there. Then we come a different way home through private property, but it's all arranged. We'll be actually on horseback, I estimate, for about four hours."

Bellamy said, "I've barely ridden these past few years. I'd love to come."

Emma said shyly, "Hello, John."

He turned to her and greeted her, only hugging her when she came forward, and hugged him. He kissed her gently on the forehead, then. "Got everything you need?"

She nodded, and said, "I have everything I need. I think we all do."

Andrea hadn't been supposed to go anywhere near Bellamy if he appeared, considered making an excuse, such as pretending to twist an ankle, but looked at the quality horse saddled, ears pricked and waiting, and decided to take the risk. Anyway, there was not the slightest reason why he should become suspicious, any more than Vince had ever become suspicious.

Madigan was overjoyed to have the boss on his back again, and Bellamy indulged his desire to buck and play, only taking him away from the other horses, so as not to upset them, and laughing.

Gloria shook her head, and turned to the others, "Everyone set? Andrea? Daniel?" There were nods and smiles, and she started trotting Reya towards the drive that led off the property.

Andrea rode beside Valencio, and remarked, "We couldn't have had a lovelier day for the time of year."

Valencio said, "I love the spring here - a shame we'll miss most of it."

"The filming in London?"

"This one's in America."

A few minutes later, they were cantering along the bridle track that led to Bogridge, but after a while, Gloria slowed Reya, whistled shrilly to Valencio, whose horse was cantering fast past her, and he turned, ignoring the bad-tempered head shakings of Caesar.

"Through here, Vince," Gloria said sternly, opening a gate, "And no speeding!"

Valencio laughed. "At least Clem waited until I could afford it, before he fined me."

Claude asked, "Do you ever drive the bus, Vince?"

"I'm a very safe driver really, but Carol thinks I go too fast, and won't let me take passengers."

"Ever had an accident?"

"Not a car accident."

The horses started to string out, riding in pairs through dense forest. Valencio turned to see John and Andrea behind him, John talking genially, Andrea, for some reason, looking nervous.

As Gloria had promised, it was a strenuous ride. After lunch, Vince modelled the McDonald kilt for Tasha. Claude laughed at him, and said he didn't look much like a Scotsman.

Valencio blushed, "It's Carol's fault. She said I couldn't go to any more Highland Games unless I was properly dressed as a true McDonald."

"But you're not exactly Scottish are you, Vince?"

"Half breed. My mother was Greek, and I was raised partly in Athens, though we travelled a fair bit around Europe. My father was Scottish, though."

Andrea said, "I always thought you were Italian."

"I speak a bit of Italian, we were in Rome a few months once."

It would all go in her report. John Bellamy hadn't said anything to alarm her, and she didn't know about telepathy.

The kilt was wrapped for Valencio, and he paid. He had a lot of money now, but neither he nor Tasha seemed to find many things to buy. They were not accustomed to spending money.

Andrea sent an urgent report, but Narzu-Han had word even before the report arrived. John Bellamy walked into his office in Turkey, and waited for him to look up. He was abrupt, "Why are you watching Vince?"

Narzu-Han put down his pen and used a carefully casual voice, "While you're here, I'd appreciate it if you did some spell-breaking. We have several victims waiting." Bellamy waited, and Narzu-Han sighed. "Valencio is vulnerable. Partly because of his looks, partly because of the harm we did to him - the harm I did to him. I just want to make sure he's safe."

"You were thinking of interfering, weren't you?"

"I would have liked to interfere. But he seems safe enough as long as he only makes films in London. Compared to America, it seems healthy."

Bellamy sat down, and said, "Tell me exactly why you think he's at risk."

It was obvious that Narzu-Han's unwanted visitor had no intention of leaving. Reluctantly, he explained, "He hated what we did to him. Felt a shame, thought he was dirty. Very, very dirty. He tried to kill his first owner only a couple of months after he was taken, and nearly succeeded. He was just twelve. Tried to kill his second owner. That was Adil. When he became mine, he'd not long recovered from an illness of the mind. Too thin, still, because while he'd been ill, he didn't eat properly. Abensur pulled him back, by making him first accept, and then enjoy what was done to him. He's a very sexual young man, and during the next couple of years, that sexuality was fully woken. Yet he could never really accept it, and it was destroying him. I let him go at the age of seventeen, and as far as I know, there's been no man since."

"Hasn't he shown himself healthy now?"

"Men want him, and will always want him. Even men who always have women. All it will take is for a man to make the right moves. If he succumbs, it will start all over again."

Bellamy shook his head, "I can't understand anyone wanting a boy."

"Everyone wanted him, but it was not because he was a boy. Not even because of his beauty. More because of his spirit, that men wanted to somehow share. I understand it better myself now. I'd never wanted a boy. Seldom even used the slaves. But Valencio... How much did he tell you?"

"A little."

"Did he tell you that a man died while in bed with him? Of the pleasure of having him, it was said."

"He didn't tell me that."

Narzu-Han smiled. "I punished him once for something. He was about fifteen, and I had him hobbled. Legs and right hand. He hated being seen as undignified, and wouldn't do it in front of wizards - bloody wizards, he always called us. But he'd get around very speedily when he thought none of us were watching. And he'd swim. Lucky he didn't drown himself, really. But he learned to swim underwater, very fast. He learned to hit, with the restrained right fist, and knocked down a guard. It was a severe punishment, but he overcame it. He has a spirit, and I cared very deeply for him. Still do. He doesn't know I'm keeping a watch over him. He's happier when he thinks I've forgotten him. But I still want to protect him."

Bellamy frowned at him, "You'd put him in an enclosure again, if you could."

Narzu-Han shook his head, "Not in an enclosure. He was never happy as a prisoner, though he was safe. I just don't want him putting himself at risk."

Bellamy said, "He is free now, and needs to be free. Freedom brings risks. We must not interfere."

"When he was making the last film, there were thugs sent to give him a thorough beating. Punishment for hitting a man whose advances he'd refused. It was my vigilance that stopped that happening."

"I told him a long time ago that he could call me if I was needed. That I would hear, and whatever I was doing, I would come. I will remind him, but I still say that you must not interfere. Not you, not me. He must not be constrained."

Narzu-Han said, "If he stays at Loch Lomand, he's safe."

"I watched Son of Satan not long ago, though I haven't seen the others. He's a magnificent actor."

Narzu-Han smiled proudly. "He could always act. It must have been some very good acting to persuade a Khatabi Fighter to take off the paralysis spell, so he could kill him!"

Bellamy's anger re-awoke. An old scar on his forehead appeared to become very prominent. It was legendary - see that ancient scar blaze - prepare to die. Narzu-Han waited calmly.

Bellamy rose, and said, apparently calmly, "He has the intention of going to America to make another film. Do not interfere with him. He's a grown man, knows himself, and must take his own risks."

"Then please remind him that he can call you. Maybe you should show him that he can call you in a way that is not urgent, so that he won't be too reluctant to inconvenience you. Just that he needs help, but you don't have to leave in the middle of a meeting or something, as you did not so long ago."

"You heard that?"

Narzu-Han nodded.

"It was someone who grew up on my property. In big trouble, or he would not have called."

Bellamy looked as if he was about to leave. Narzu-Han asked, "How are my cousins, Najia and Zhor?"

Bellamy smiled fondly, and said, "Najia has everyone loving her, and Zoe is looking at Persia, next."

"Tell her, whatever I can do to help."

Bellamy said grudgingly, "You've done a good job in Turkey. Last thing I expected when I sent you here."

"Unfortunately, it's too soon to outlaw duelling. And we do need some spell-breaking done."

"Women and children, like the previous times I've been here?"

"Anyone abusing women and children are punished these days, even when it's the victim's husband or father."

"Arrange it with the British DMT. I'll do it when convenient."

He started to leave, but looked back at Narzu-Han, and said, "I told him a long time ago to call me if he saw you, and if he wanted, I would kill you for him. He may not want you killed, but if I think it's the best thing for him, I could do it."

The great wizard walked towards the door of the office, vanishing mid-stride, and silently. Narzu-Han shook his head. He'd never seen anyone apparate so utterly casually, and everyone else always made a noise.

Bellamy was very thoughtful afterwards. He remembered very clearly what Valencio had told him, also remembered the feel of his excitement as he spoke of the Brieke-tei, and his deep shame. Would he be tempted, and if he succumbed, would it destroy him? Narzu-Han obviously knew him very well, and cared for him.

Bellamy sighed. He had to be free, but maybe, as Narzu-Han suggested, he could remind him that he could call. No-one else could apparate beside him, merely because he made a mental cry for help. John Bellamy could.

For the next two days, Bellamy spent time at Loch Lomand, waiting for his opportunity. He wanted to talk to Valencio on his own, but he so seldom seemed to be on his own. He finally found him soon after breakfast, leaning on the fence of Bluey's Paddock, talking to a new horse, a yearling, from his own property. He joined him casually, and said, "One of Paul's employees named him. Pirate Captain, after your movie. She thinks you're dreamy!"

"He does look like he's got an eye patch."

"Just that bit of black. Aside from that, he's just a touch small for Line of Sheba, but really, too much white is his only real flaw, and I don't think it matters, myself." He glanced over at the units. The children were already looking for their Vince. He said, "Join me for a gallop? Just you and I?"

Valencio was a little surprised, a little wary even. He looked questioningly at Bellamy, and then asked, "Will I saddle Madigan for you?"

"I'll saddle Madigan. Why don't you get Sirius? They always used to race. They can race again."

"I've never actually ridden Sirius. Can he beat Madigan?"

"Used to be able to, barely, but not if the race goes on long enough. Madigan has more endurance, but he's about thirteen now, beginning to be middle-aged."

Valencio grinned. It was to be a real race then, and he could win. He whistled, and Sirius raised his head. Valencio had some of the same ability as Bellamy, to talk to the horses.

Five minutes later, both horses pranced to where the race would begin, the race with the jumps. Both had their ears pricked, and Bellamy laughed. "We were always racing, Margaret Barnes and I, when Sirius was her horse. The loser had to put them away."

"Margaret?"

"She was Peter Barnes' sister, Oliver's aunt, but was killed in an accident."

Valencio glanced at Bellamy, wondering for a moment at the sudden acute sadness he could feel, though the wizard's expression didn't show it. He didn't query, only said, "The red post marks the end of the race-track with the jumps. Take that one?"

"See who's in the lead then, and that's one winner, and then continue to the top."

"You think Madigan will be in front at the top?"

"Madigan's a very big, strong horse. But we'll rest them there."

Valencio gave him another slightly worried look, but then shrugged. It was John, and what if John wanted to talk to him? No reason to think it might be anything concerning. Only that sadness...

Bellamy said softly, "One, two, three," and Sirius leapt forward even before Valencio's signal, Madigan a bare instant behind. An audience was peering, hurrying to get closer, as the two black horses galloped, taking fences smoothly, easily. Sirius kept his lead, a nose in front at the red pole. For a while, Madigan surged ahead, as they took the sloping track upward to the top of Grey's Hill. Then Sirius, but he was beginning to tire, and it was Madigan again when they reached the small area bare of grass.

The two riders grinned at each other, and the horses snorted and danced a little. Bellamy said, laughing, "They still love it, just as much as I do."

Valencio dismounted, and patted Sirius. "You're a great horse. No wonder you always win the picnic races!"

Bellamy also dismounted, and said, "If we just put up the stirrups, they probably won't wander."

Valencio did as he said, and knotted the reins. "Don't go too far," he told Sirius, who snuffled at him, and then sniffed at the ground, almost bare up here.

Valencio went and sat on a park bench, from where they could see a long way. He remarked, "Five horses you've given us. It's very generous." Bellamy looked awkward, and Valencio glanced at him, and said, "You know I've got a lot of money now. I can pay if you want, John."

Bellamy shook his head. "The Andalusians were a gift from Helena Pickering, who is medj, and tore strips off Paul when she found out your history."

Valencio was surprised, "Paul Pickering had nothing to do with it."

"Helena blames us all. It pleased her to make the gift. And the others, the yearling, and the two piebalds, they're from me, and Dot says I'm rich enough to do as I please. Gloria could have chosen a dozen if she'd wanted."

Valencio asked directly, "Then what is it you want to talk to me about?"

Bellamy said slowly, "Do you remember telling me that you thought that in some places, you'd always be a target?"

Valencio's heart fell. He said, "You're quite right. I was stupid. I should not even consider going to Hollywood."

Bellamy said, "You do exactly what you want to do. I just wanted to remind you that you can call me. Urgently if you need me urgently, but you can think to me something like, Please drop in sometime in the next few days, or few hours."

"Are you that good you'll get the message?"

"With most people, probably not. But you have your own talent, and some of the effort comes from you."

Valencio said, "I shouldn't go. You only had to mention it, and I know I shouldn't go. But the contracts were signed weeks ago, there's been some filming already done, at the Vatican, and in Rome, and they'd sue me. But it's not just that. A professional doesn't quit on a film. And Tasha would be furious."

"Why is it so important to Tasha?"

"She needs to be valued. Because her family have rejected her. And in Hollywood, they make much of her."

"You've already done two films there."

"I have bodyguards. Not like yours, but just men who make sure I'm not alone. So I don't hit anyone if they make a pass. So they don't make a pass in the first place."

"So you're not really that vulnerable."

Valencio stared blindly at the view. They could see for miles here. If they went closer to the edge, they could look down on the castle. He was vulnerable. Of course he was vulnerable. Probably protected, but not from himself. But how could he admit even to John that he might be tempted? If the Cossack hadn't pulled him close, if he hadn't held him still, so that he felt his desire... He hadn't been tempted until that moment. He said, "This movie will have as much of an impact as Son of Satan. I'm the lead, but the pope is played by Romano Berlisconi."

"You can't wait, can you?"

Valencio sighed, and admitted, "I can't wait. It will take all my skills. The story is gripping. It would hurt to see someone else do it."

"I was very impressed with Son of Satan."

"Those last few weeks of doing Son of Satan - it was hard to think of anything else. I very much want to be the cardinal."

Bellamy said calmly, "I look forward to seeing it."

Valencio smiled, suddenly again confident. Of course it would be alright. He was going to make a great movie. And he would enjoy seeing ones he knew there. Nikole would be in it, and Dave. It was over a year since he'd been to Hollywood. And he thought that Schuster always tried to work with the same camera crew, and he'd know most of them, as well. He wondered where Jean-Pierre was working. He liked and trusted Jean-Pierre. Valencio put his doubts to the side. He was going to act, and he loved acting.

He remarked, "Gloria said one of the new horses was called Washing Machine."

Bellamy laughed, "It can't have been expected to be permanent. Because he's all black, except for one white leg. Helena said it was an odd sock, and washing machines are notorious for odd socks."

"How long do you think it'll take to break them in?"

"About three months. I'll start them off because I'm good at that, but then Victor and Melanie will take over."

"I suggested to Gloria she call them Jean-Pierre and Bobby, because they were friends, always together. And the men I know, Jean-Pierre and Bobby, they're always together."

Bellamy pointed, "We won't be alone much longer. Who's that coming?"

Valencio stood, and shaded his eyes. "Gloria, with a couple of the guests. I can't make out who." He glanced at Sirius, "I hope I'm not going to get into trouble for taking Sirius. I forgot to check the lists. He might have been wanted."

The following morning at breakfast, Clarence said, "Market day in Duich, if anyone's interested, just the normal bus run, but no extra fares needed for our visitors. Films, Indi in the afternoon, The Centurian in the evening. Saturday week, we're having a Regency Ball, and some women might like to join Emma this afternoon to start making themselves appropriate gowns."

Andrea asked, "Do we get to keep those?"

"Only if you pay for materials. Otherwise, they're kept for other guests in the future. We already have a selection that can be borrowed, but not enough for everyone. Not that you'll be thrown out if you're wearing ordinary dress, of course." He glanced down at his notes. "Nothing else special."

Claude asked, "What are you doing today, Vince?"

"Taking the gentle morning ride through the apple orchard."

"This afternoon?"

"Helping Waldo paint the bridge on the Heidi Track. Connie doesn't like it faded." He raised his voice. "Clarence, don't forget that Svetlana, Inge and I are doing dancing lessons."

Clarence looked at his notes, and said, "No-one told me about that."

"Two hours every evening, eight o'clock, until the Ball, except that Inge and I'll be gone Monday, and it'll only be Svetlana."

It was a typical day, and as Valencio led the gentle ride to the old chapel, and dismounted, he felt his pleasure. It was sunny, and the apple trees were just beginning to bloom, especially the ones he'd planted, which seemed to flower a little earlier than the old ones, and had slightly bigger flowers. He said, "You want to hop off and have a look, Betty?"

Betty accepted the helping hand, and Valencio patted Dragon Breath. Lucky they were strong ponies. Betty was stout, middle-aged, and limping slightly. There were only three riders, but the rides always went anyway, even if there was only one wanting to go with them. Part of the service, part of the holiday.

That evening, he bowed to Betty, who smiled her pleasure, and gave him the regulation curtsy. Practice for the Regency Ball. He knew the measured steps of the dances very well now, as he'd had to dance in Marriage Mart as well as Aegean Romance.

Saturday, he looked self conscious as he donned his kilt, and the shirt and jacket that went with it. But Gary, too, was in a kilt, as he was a McGregor, and Mary as well. Gary's brother, Clem, was off duty, and he and his wife would be in kilts, even Tiffany and Cramsie McGonnigal would be in kilts. It wasn't so bad when he was in company, and Tasha was pleased with him, as well as Carol. Carol used Valencio as part of the entertainment.

The regulation question, "Hey, Vince, what do you wear under your kilt."

Valencio grinned sheepishly, and replied, "The most concealing underpants I could find!"

Tuesday, at breakfast, Clarence said, "Now that Vince is out of the way, we'll show the Aegean Romance, and you can see just what a Regency Ball looks like."

"Why didn't you show it before?"

"He gets embarrassed, and if we ever show Son of Satan while he's close, he says he'll bury his yellow vest, and never look at a visitor again."

There was laughter. Vince was a general favourite.

xchapter endsx