In the last chapter: Harry evolves into his true bird form and spends the summer with his beak in a book. He makes lots of great progress and decided he's ready to go seek out Tom-cat.
"Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?" Remus fluttered about nervously while wringing his fingers together. Harry gave the man a fondly exasperated smile and rubbed his hand up and down the man's arm soothingly.
"Thanks Remy, but it's probably best if I go on my own. Your guys' nerves are enough to send a whole room of aurors into hysterics!" The raven-haired wizard tutted and shook his head. "I'll just be heading there early, grabbing a bite to eat there, and then taking my test. No need to fret." Harry assured his dads confidently.
"If anything happens, you come straight home, alright? We can arrange for another test later if need be. Our priority is your wellbeing." Sirius dictated with all the authority and flare befitting the Lord of House Black. Harry nodded along and waved his hand dismissively as he turned towards the floo and scooped up a fist-full of shimmering powder.
"Seeya guys later. Love ya !" Harry stepped into the fireplace with practiced ease and pivoted to face his waving parents. "Ministry of Magic."
His world twisted and lit up in a plume of green flames. Harry bent his knees for his landing and was stepping out of the ministry floo before he had the chance to stumble. He stepped out of the way of any incoming travelers and with a wave of his hand, wandlessly wicked away any remaining floo powder or soot from his clothes. Harry looked himself over and straightened out his ensemble while admiring his choices in garments.
His usual tight black trousers and designer ankle boots, along with a gun-metal silver sleeveless top comprised of a silky material that felt like heaven against his skin in a cool whisper. It had a rather deep neckline that showed just the right amount of skin to make most men sweat at the collar. Harry also donned a deep wine-red velvet jacket that dropped to the backs of his knees and hugged his arms and shoulders in a rather flattering way.
And of course, Harry was dripping with simple silver and black jewelry, with the special addition of a piece that circled the base of his throat in a glittering silver choker that had another thin chain plunging down underneath his shirt where it connected to another dainty chain that wrapped around the small of his waist and from its center dangled a small black jewel charm right above his navel. No one would see more than the top half, but the suggestion of it and the cold caress of the chains around his torso left a zinging thrill in Harry's gut. It made him feel confident in himself, which he needed on such an important day.
However, he certainly hadn't dressed up for his St Mungo's testers. He had someone far more important to impress.
As always, the ministry atrium was a riot of noise as people rushed in all different directions to get somewhere else. A newspaper peddler shouted above the crowds the latest scandals and legislative updates. A few food stalls off to the side drew in desperate workers with barely a second to spare. Owls soared between the tall buildings with missives and documents tethered to their legs. The clatter of sharp heels and heavy soles on the glossy black stone floors was like a constant buzzing throughout the atrium.
He made quick work of checking in at the front desk to log in his wand, name, and purpose for being at the ministry. The desk lady may have spent a full minute peaking at him over the top of her clipboard as she mistakenly filled in his information— several times— before finally giving him a visitor's pass and releasing him. Was the outfit a bit too much?
Harry leisurely made his way over to the elevators and pressed the up button for one that didn't already have a crowd of people waiting for it. It took longer than the other elevators for his to arrive—likely why the regular workers had avoided it—but when it arrived, it came empty and Harry hopped in and pressed the button to close the doors before anyone else could think to join him. He tapped the little gold button marked 'F' and then on another panel, pressed '7' and off he went. The elevator shifted back, up, diagonally, down, and back up before it dinged and opened with a metallic groan.
Excitement coiled hot and tight in his gut as he stepped off onto the seventh floor of the finances building. Harry folded his hands behind his back and took his time strolling the comfortably lit, dark wood and cream plaster halls. There were a few workers that passed him during that time, each of them looking either uninterested in the stranger, or like they'd swallowed their tongues. Harry wasn't quite sure which one amused him more.
At the end of the hallway, Harry stopped before a set of doors with frosted glass windows. A proud golden plaque displayed the name, 'Revenue & Funding Management'. A pulse of apprehension and nervousness washed through him for a moment. He hadn't mentioned to Tom his plans to visit him. He knew that the man missed him, but what if Tom wasn't ready? What if he thought Harry wasn't ready? Would he be upset at him for just showing up at his work unannounced like this? Should I leave ?
"Don't be silly." That was all Death had to say for his inner turmoil, and honestly, it was all he needed to say. Right, don't be silly Harry. You're ready. He reassured himself, knowing he was just nervous to finally see his Tom again.
Harry pulled the door open silently and peaked inside. The space was mostly an open-floor plan with what appeared to be a few enclosed offices on the other side of the room. Desks stacked with files and miscellaneous clutter. The stagnant aroma of coffee and stress. The occasional trill of a memo notification charm over the din of calm professional voices. There were at least fifty witches and wizards moving around the place and sitting at their desks, so Harry went entirely unnoticed in the shadowed, alcove doorway and he was rather grateful for it.
Though, the doors seemed to be adjacent to the kitchen/leisure area of the office, so there were a few witches milling about to gossip over their brewed beverages. Harry felt little remorse over listening in when he caught a familiar name on their lips.
"I really thought poor Bridget was going to cry after Mr. Riddle scolded her earlier. Seriously, hasn't he ever made a mistake?" The woman tutted and sipped from her cup with a grimace.
"If he did, I think he'd self-destruct. The man is like a golem: emotionless and carrying out his job like it's do or die. I've never even seen the man crack a smile. His only mode is ' scary.'" The woman speaking shivered like she couldn't help it just from talking about the man.
"I don't know. I mean, sure he can be a bit intense, but you can't deny that he's absolutely gorgeous. He's young, but he has this way about him . . . he just exudes power." A third woman crooned and practically melted on the spot, while the others looked at her like she was insane. Harry, in his shadowed spot, felt a flicker of something unpleasant in his gut and his eyes narrowed on the one who'd swooned over Tom. He would be certain to remember her face and keep a close eye on her in the future.
"Have you gone mad? I'm not sure if that man is even capable of feeling anything other than contempt for another human being. Besides, he might actually fire you if you try to get close to him. I mean, look at him!"
Harry straightened up in his spot and let his eyes scan the room more thoroughly this time. There. Nearly on the opposite side of the large room, he spotted a familiar figure stood before an older employee with his arms crossed across his broad chest and a distinct pinch between his brows as he listened to whatever it was that the man was saying. Harry took his time admiring the man, from his gleaming black oxfords, to the unwrinkled dark blue material of his slacks stretched over his strong thighs, to the white button-down that was clearly just as finely tailored to fit him as everything else he wore, to the blue tie knotted around his throat, and finally the gleaming horn-rimmed glasses. Overall, he looked sophisticated and professional and downright devastating in his work attire. Harry felt a claw of desire curl behind his navel and his mouth watered ever so slightly.
His magic surged up, desperate to reunite with the man, but Harry held it back, not wanting to give himself away quite yet.
"Gerald is going to be torn apart!" Harry was brought out of his revelry and decided he'd had enough of an eyeful from a distance. He stepped out of the shadows, Harry straightened his posture and whipped up his most winning smile as he approached the trio of bickering office women.
"Pardon ladies, but do any of you happen to have a piece of parchment on you?" Harry placed a hand on the counter between them and leaned in slightly, watching with a thrum of amusement as all three stared wide-eyed and blushed a bright cherry red. And then the stillness broke and they practically scrambled around in search of what he'd asked for. In a matter of moments, he had a fresh sheet of parchment and a quill and ink pot in his hands.
"Thanks girls." Harry sent them a wink for good measure and scratched out a short note.
' Do you have time for lunch with an old friend?'
Harry didn't sign the note, wondering if Tom would catch on to who it was from even without it. With the wave of his hand, the note twisted and folded into the form of a small bird and immediately took to the air. The gentle fluttering of paper flying overhead caught the attention of several people as it passed and a few watched curiously as it flew straight towards the aggravated-looking Mr. Riddle. One of the women from before made an involuntary noise of distress in the back of her throat when the bird-note landed directly on Tom's shoulder—as if Harry's note had missed its target and the boy was about to be verbally thrashed by the severe man. The young man paid her no mind and watched avidly.
Tom frowned at the bird on his shoulder like it had offended him and the moment he wrapped his long fingers around its body, the paper unanimated and unfolded itself without a crease for him to read. In an instant, the man's whole demeanor changed and it was like Harry was looking at someone else entirely. Tom completely ignored the man still ducking his head shamefully before him, and straightened up to his full height to scan the room in search of someone. Harry waited with a gentle smile on his face and the moment that familiar dark gaze settled on him, Harry felt like he was finally coming home.
Any uncertainty that Tom might be upset at his sudden appearance that he'd felt earlier melted like candy floss on his tongue when the shock on the man's face shattered into a brilliant beaming smile. The rest of the world scattered like sand in the wind and all he could see was Tom, striding down an isle of desks without ever taking his eyes off of the younger man. The closer he got, the more emotion that swelled in Harry's chest until he felt like he might choke on it— or maybe cry, but he'd never admit to it.
And then Tom was there, hardly more than a foot and a half away and Harry could fully absorb his image down to the little mole on his cheek and the slightest crookedness of his tie. As always, Harry felt a little breathless in his presence and he realized that he would never be able to stand going so long without seeing Tom face to face again. Letters could not supplement the sheer comfort and rightness that he felt just being near Tom.
" Harry." Merlin! Why did his name have to sound like a spell all on its own when it came from his lips, bewitching Harry with its reverence?
"Tom." Harry replied, just to be a little cheeky and to see a flicker of amusement flash in those dark eyes. The taller wizard's smile curled at the edges until the barest indents of dimples kissed his cheeks. Harry's chest was flooded with sticky melted marshmallow and he wouldn't have it any other way.
"I would love to have lunch with you." Tom lifted his hand and suddenly there was a dark blue suit jacket to match his slacks in his hand and he shrugged it on smoothly.
"Good. Otherwise, I might have sent Phil to arrest you just to drag you away from your work for a moment to eat." Harry teased and as he turned to start heading out of the office, he caught the slow path Tom's eyes took down his prettily clothed body and he felt like absolutely preening.
"I promise, darling, you needn't go through such an effort to get me alone." The banter pinged back and forth between them so naturally, it was like no time had passed at all. Harry beat the other to the door and held it open for him with a smug tilt to his lips, which allowed Harry a look back into the room where he found that most of the occupants were staring after them in blank-faced awe. Though, from the sounds of how Tom behaved at work, he wasn't surprised that a glimpse at the Tom he knew left them slack-jawed and more than a little uneasy.
Harry let the door close behind him and quickly fell in step beside Tom in the now-empty hallway. However, barely a few paces away from his office, Tom stopped in his tracks and before Harry could ask why, the air whooshed from his lungs as he was hauled up into a near-painfully tight embrace. It took him a moment to recenter himself and process what was happening.
Harry's surprise morphed into something much warmer and older as he leaned fully into the other man's body. His arms wrapped around Tom's narrow waist and he rubbed his cheek against his neck and then burrowed down into the warmth of the juncture of his shoulder. Long fingers slid up into his hair at the back of his head, fingertips dragging over his scalp and sending sparks and shivers raining down his spine.
Finally, Harry felt his magic curling around Tom's like a cat's tail. Hot, rich, intoxicating magic dripped down Harry's throat and his mouth watered as he craved more. It settled low in his core and he felt the heat soaking into the rest of his body. Harry turned his face slightly and as he lifted his head, his lips dragged up the length of Tom's neck and the other man sucked in a surprised breath. Harry wanted to taste him, but he refrained with all his might and settled for licking his lips once they'd left Tom's throat. Reluctantly, the raven-haired wizard withdrew from Tom's embrace but didn't step away so they were still inches apart when he looked up into Tom's eyes.
"I should say this now, and this is the only warning I'll ever give you, Tom." Harry started. He hadn't planned to say any of this, but being with Tom changed things. He didn't have quite as much restraint as he thought he would in the presence of the other. "I've taken our time apart to reflect on myself and become more comfortable with who I am. Now I'm ready. I'm ready for this." Tom's expression turned serious as Harry spoke, having realized that what he said was incredibly important right then.
"We're standing at a threshold right now—we have been for quite a while—and once we cross, there's no going back. I need to know, are you ready? Because once I start, I won't let you go." Harry warned with all the gravity of the words that were hanging off his tongue. He wanted Tom, but the older man had been the one to put a stopper in things so that they could better themselves, Harry needed the green light so that he could fall into him without Tom pulling away again.
Tom took his time to answer, and Harry appreciated that the other was taking his concern seriously and really checking with himself to see if he was, in fact, ready. The last thing he wanted was to rush Tom and cause more harm than good in the long run.
Finally, Tom met Harry's gaze assuredly and he could tell that he'd come to some kind of conclusion. And then Harry saw a flash of straight white teeth and a peak of dimples.
"Yes. I am more than ready. Prepare yourself, little bird, for there are no lengths I will not go to in order to soften your heart to me." It sounded like a threat and a declaration of devotion at the same time and Harry's heart was already in mushy ruin in his chest for this man.
"You should prepare as well, love, because you have wet my appetite and I may just devour you." And before he could second guess himself, Harry pushed up onto the balls of his feet and pressed a chaste kiss into Tom's smooth cheek. Harry immediately dropped back down and turned to start walking towards the elevators so that the other didn't see his face turn absolutely crimson.
They had exchanged a few brief kisses in the past—to the forehead or the hand, not the lips of course—but this felt immensely different. The moment he'd done it, Harry felt explosions of butterflies inside him and his heart jackhammered against his ribs and his hands felt a little numb, but in a good way?
Tom laughed behind him after a moment of shock and jogged to catch up with Harry.
"Then I guess we'd better get something to eat before you gnaw off my wand-arm." Tom teased with a knowing grin overtaking his face. Harry's face grew even hotter and he jabbed his elbow into the laughing man's side.
"You know that's not what I meant." Harry hissed tersely, refusing to meet the man's gaze when Tom leaned forward to try to catch it. Harry jabbed the elevator button a bit more aggressively than was strictly necessary.
"I know." The doors opened with a slight scrape and they stepped in. "But you're especially cute when you're flustered."
Harry actually choked on air.
"Your food, sirs." The waitress steadily levitated the two plates and colorful juice drinks onto the table in front of them and quickly made herself scarce.
They were both a little limited on time, so Tom took them to a café off of the atrium that Harry hadn't known about. Harry tucked into his seafood dish with a surprised hum of appreciation and glanced around as he chewed. It was a nice restaurant and had pretty good food and service, all while being reasonably priced. Which made it all the more surprising that there were only a handful of occupied tables.
"It's about time for lunch, you'd think a place like this would be packed with workers." Harry spoke his thoughts aloud after a sip of the sweet, refreshing fruit juice Tom had suggested he order.
"It's not much of a surprise. The ministry has a canteen with decent food that comes in a variety of meals for different tastes. Also, and probably most importantly, ministry employees can eat for free there. It's where I usually spend my lunch break." Tom lifted a piece of grilled chicken to his mouth and Harry watched it disappear behind his lips.
"Then we could have eaten there, I wouldn't have minded." Harry said truthfully. He honestly didn't care where they went or what they ate, so long as it was with Tom.
"Maybe next time, their Asian cuisine is somewhat of a marvel if I'm being honest. But today I just wanted to eat somewhere quiet with you." Tom's smile conveyed something soft and adoring that sent his heart aflutter. "Besides, my coworkers waste too much time trying to wiggle into my good-graces, and not enough time on something worthwhile like eating or working." This he said with a hard-pressed sigh and what seemed like months' worth of pent-up irritation.
"Ah, yes, the coworkers. It seems that they are rather terrified of you." He mused. Tom tilted his head and shrugged a shoulder halfheartedly .
"I spent a few months as a regular employee just like them, and in that short time I worked my way right into a promotion as Team Leader. I'm nearly half their age and yet I'm their boss. I'd be terrified of me too. But I do my job well and I'm honest if there's a problem. Unlike my previous young adult life, I don't waste time and effort kissing up to those above me, and that can grate on some people's nerves. I was never looking to make friends." Tom said pragmatically as he wiped a bit of food from the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
"Whatever am I to do with you?" Harry groused, though there was no heat or bite to his words, just an endless well of fondness.
It felt so good to be back with Tom face to face. His heart was already aching with the thought that they would have to soon separate again—even if for a much shorter stretch of time—and Harry caught himself hanging onto every moment, every word, every expression like it would be the last. He took his time with his food and barely looked at his plate as he watched the other. And it seemed he wasn't the only one struggling to look away.
If Tom wasn't staring at his face with that little tilt to the corner of his mouth that he likely didn't even realize was there, he was watching Harry's hands delicately twirling his cutlery between his fingers, or staring at his mouth and swallowing around nothing like his own mouth was watering. Or his eyes caught on the glint of his choker and slowly followed the connecting chain down, down beneath the watery fabric of his shirt where it disappeared to places only Harry knew.
And then, entertainingly enough, the man seemed to catch himself and startled out of his trance and shaking his head slightly to clear whatever fog had descended on his mind. Then he'd clear his throat, or reach for his glass and gulp down more juice than was necessary, or subconsciously touch the back of his own reddening ears. The feeling that that caused to surge up within Harry could only be described as pleased . Everything was so easy around Tom, but at the same time, the tension was a live wire grazing his skin that set Harry's nerves alight.
Too bad the outside world had to interrupt their precious time together.
They couldn't drag out their meal any longer: Tom had to return to work, and Harry had an exam to take. At Harry's insistence, he paid for both of their lunches. Though Tom proclaimed that he would pay for their next meal together and the younger easily agreed. They made their way back to the elevators and were once again lucky enough to catch one alone. Tom had offered to walk him all the way to his examination room, but Harry had refused. He knew that the other was already late to getting back to work because of him and it would likely be a long trip all the way back to his office. So instead, he dropped Tom off like the gentleman he is.
"Thank you for treating me to lunch, and more importantly, your presence." Tom cupped his cheek and brushed his thumb under Harry's eye affectionately. "I'm sure my coworkers will thank you for turning their devilish Team Leader into a grinning school-boy." He teased with a dramatic roll of his eyes, eliciting a quiet snicker from the shorter man.
"Then, for their sake, I'll have to make sure to visit again before it wears off." Harry retorted playfully, stomach bursting with butterflies with each gentle touch.
" Mhm , for their sake." Tom repeated with a hum. And then suddenly Tom leaned in and the warm tickle of his breath against his ear caused Harry to gasp softly.
"By the way, you look absolutely divine, love." Tom's dulcet words dripped down his throat like honey. The hand on his cheek disappeared briefly, and then he felt fingertips graze the top of his chest and hook under the chain. Then he tugged . An involuntary noise of shock slipped from his throat when he felt the cool chain wrapped around his waist whisper up his skin an inch and grow tight. It was so small and simple—Tom wasn't even really touching him—but it had Harry breathless and wound taut in a way he'd never felt before.
"I like this." Tom pressed his lips to the sensitive skin just below his ear in a lurid imitation of the kiss on the cheek Harry had given him earlier. Harry felt like he might actually choke. But then the other pulled away and let go of his necklace with a downright devious grin. Harry glared, for all that he knew his cheeks were ablaze and he hadn't quite caught his breath, he glared at Tom's laughing, retreating figure with the promise of sweet retribution in the future.