Call of the Cailleach

Rambling and Dribbles: Another dribble that I had to get out of my head.

-oOo-

Post OoP.

Harry is met by a girl when he is forced to be dragged on a vacation by his relatives. She is not your normal type of girl, but Harry isn't your typical type of guy.

A cailleach is a divine hag and ancestor, associated with the creation of the landscape and with the weather, especially storms and winter.

Merrow (from Irish murĂșch, Middle Irish murdĂșchann or murdĂșchu) is a mermaid or merman in Irish folklore.

-oOo-

Chapter 1

July 29, 1996

Newquay, Cornwall

Harry kicked the sidewalk. Dudley had kicked him out of the room. Harry should be happy about that, having been stuck in the hotel for the last four days.

Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had decided to go on holidays to Fistral Beach. Dudley had said he was interested in surfing, and with him having to loose eight, Aunt Petunia thought it would be a good way for Dudley to start working out more. As if the boxing he had started at Smeltings this year wasn't enough... Harry's arm was still sore when he hadn't been able to dodge the brute when he was being tossed out of the room. Harry hopes his cousin caught clymedia or something. The girl he had with him looked a little skanky, and smelled of alcohol.

Following the sound of the ocean, Harry wandered down the road, away from the hotel and towards the dark headland. It was dark, but the moon gave him plenty of light as he got away from the hotel. The wind swept grass was still tonight. No one else was seemed to be around, but then again, it was close to midnight.

Breathing in the salty air, Harry tried to relax.

He had been forced to come here because Mrs. Figg couldn't take him.

That was one thing he was pleased with. He really didn't want to deal with the lady and all her cats. Not when he was waking many nights with night terrors.

As he walked towards the edge of the point, the moon shone off the long, rolling waves. They crashed into the rocks in a rythmic pattern he found comforting and hypnotic. The only other time he had been to the ocean was that time they had tried to run from his letters to go to Hogwarts, and it hadn't been nice like this.

A slight breeze came off the ocean in puffs and he wrapped his lined flannel shirt around him.

Walking to the edge of the grass and sand, he sat in a small knoll that hid him from any prying eyes. If he was out of his room, Harry decided he would take advantage of it, because he would need to be back before Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon woke, which usually meant his Aunt was up about six in the morning, and his uncle closer to ten. Dudley would sleep most of the day if he could.

He watched the moon light play off the waves as he found his thoughts drifting towards everything. He had been so upset, so distraught, so empty for weeks now.

Sirius had died trying to save him.

None of his friends had written to him.

He hadn't seen anyone that wasn't his relatives in over a month.

Harry thought it had been bad last summer when this happened. This summer was worse.

Harry understood that it was because of Voldemort and they way the Death Eaters could track Hedwig or other owls. No wizard would have a telephone. Hermione was away with her parents in Australia for another two weeks.

Harry knew that he wasn't being abandoned, but he couldn't help but feel like he had.

Lost in his thoughts, he almost missed the shimmery blue something in his peripheral vision. Turning his head so he could see what it was through his glasses, he caught sight of a girl. She was in a shimmering blue dress, almost like it was made of small sequence or fish scales. What caught his breath was how striking she was.

In the puffy breeze, her light blond hair fluttered in the air, like wisps of gauze. She had long legs, a modest bust, obviously athletics as he could see how the dress clung to her tight abs... and her chest... and her bottom... Merlin! she was beautiful, even before she turned to look up at him. She was maybe forty feet below him, but even at that distance he could make out her cute nose, dark eyes and facial features that he felt drawn too.

Harry knew he could resist and even through off the imperius curse. He could ignore the allure of veela. He could even throw off possession by the most dangerous wizard in the world. There was something about this girl that he felt he couldn't resist. It wasn't something that was trying to control him, but it was something that pulled at him.

Unsure what to do, Harry smiled back when she gave him a smile.

When he gave her a small wave, she mirrored his actions.

Just to be sure that she was looking at him, he turned around to see if anyone else was around. The only ones around were this girl and the waves. Off in the distance, he could the other hotels and the town. Here, it was just them.

After a moment, she started to make her way up the rocks. Harry didn't move, just watching the easy way she picked her way along the water sculpted rocks. His eyes followed her form as it twisted and moved, his eyes following how the dress pulled tight at some points. When she made it to the top, she gave him another smile before sitting next to him, pulling the dress under her as she sat.

She reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Ah, hi," he said stupidly, realizing to late he should have gotten up to help her.

"Hi," she repeated.

They sat there for a moment.

When she spoke again, Harry found he really liked her voice. "I'm Naila. Who are you?"

"Uhm, Harry. Harry Potter," he said, holding out his hand.

She looked looked at it for a moment before gently taking it. His breath caught to feel her soft skin and the way something tingled up his arm. When she let go, he found himself wishing she hadn't.

"You look sad," she told him.

He raised his eyebrows. "Maybe a little. Were you watching me long?"

She pulled her knees up and rested her arms on them, leaning over a little. "Not long. That is all I am supposed to do though. Just watch."

He found that an odd statement. "What do you mean just watch?"

She turned her dark eyes away from him. "That is all I am supposed to do. I'll probably get in trouble for talking to you later, but you look so sad. Why are you so sad?" She turned her back to him, her dark eyes locking on his.

He really didn't want to talk to anyone about his problems, especially not such a beautiful girl that had just seemed to come out nowhere. Instead he said, "I lost someone that meant alot to me."

Harry pulled up his knees and put his arms on them like her before resting is chin on his arms.

She leaned over copy him. "I lost my father a dozen moons back. I am still sad about that, but my village has helped."

Harry gave her a wan smile. "I'm sorry to hear that. My parents died when I was really young. I don't remember them."

"My mother says that they never truly die, not as long as someone remembers them," she replied.

He tried to nod, but wasn't that successful with how his head rested on his arms. "I suppose that is true."

"What do remember of the one you lost?"

Harry gave a more genuine smile. "He was my godfather. Someone that cared for me. He was the best friends of my parents and had lots of good stories about them." He snorted as a good memory came to him. "He once told me that my father and him where threatened to be expelled from school if they were caught outside of the grounds to many times. They used to sneak into town all the time."

She gave him a small smile. "I get in trouble for sneaking into town as well."

Harry laughed. "Are you sneaking now?"

"Most definitely," she told him, a bright smile coming to her face as she turned to meet his eyes.

"Should I escort you home?"

"No. I don't have to be back until the moon drops," she told him, looking at the nearly full moon. Last night had been the full moon. Looking at his watch, Harry realized it was past midnight now. It was actually close to one.

Harry shrugged. "This is nice."

She regarded him for a few. "This is nice," she agreed. "Will you be here again tomorrow night?"

"Maybe I'll sneak out again if you are around," he said, being far more forward that he was used to being.

She laughed. "Are you supposed to be sneaking out?"

"Definitely not," he replied with a cheeky grin. She giggled. It was a musical sound that lifted his heart.

"You are a trouble maker, aren't you, Harry Potter?"

He laughed. "Not of my own choosing," he told her, and he really didn't get into much trouble that wasn't caused by him... except Sirius... his mood deflated and the melancholy that had taken over the last week had come back. He didn't even feel angry anymore... unless he thought of Dumbledore.

"It makes you sad to be a troublemaker?" she queried.

He shook his head. "No. My godfather and father would probably love me to make some trouble. It makes me sad to think of them."

She nodded her head.

They sat for a few, the sounds of the waves the only think interrupting the night.

"Would you return here tomorrow night?" Naila asked him.

"If I can," he answered truthfully.

She cocked her head, the blond hair behind her ear coming loose. "You would not hold your word?"

"I never said that. I just can't guarantee my relatives will let me come," he told her.

"And if I was to be here waiting for you?"

There was something in her tone that pulled at his heart. "Then I would find anyway to be here," he said before he could think.

Her eyes bored into his, as though searching for something deep that Harry wasn't sure he knew how to give her. "Can you tell me more about your godfather?" she eventually asked.

Harry found himself spilling everything to her. About how Sirius had been wrongly accused. How he hated living in his mother's house. Most importantly, he found himself confessing about the little bit of fun they had had together and telling more stories about Sirius and his parents. As he talked, something in him felt lighter. She listened and asked more questions. He couldn't ever remember anyone ever just listening to him. She showed sympathy and laughed when he did.

The moon was getting low when he finally fell silent. In that time, she had moved closer and Harry had put his lined, flannel shirt around her. It was chill out, but he felt warm with her just about touching him now.

She held the shirt tight to her.

"Naila, what was your father like?"

She gave a sad smile. "He was a good man. A brave hunter and warrior. A great chief for our village. He taught my brothers and I all about the magic of the water and the creatures below it. I miss him," she said simply.

Harry blinked at her. In the perhaps two hours they had sat there, Harry had assumed she was a Muggle. "You're a witch?" he suddenly asked.

She gave a coy smile. "Not exactly."

He blinked. "What do you mean?"

"I can do have magic, but I am not allowed to possess a wand," she told him, looking a little nervous.

Harry just stared at her for a few. There would be only way that would make sense... "Oh, okay," he said, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. Harry had nothing against those that were not full human. People like Remus, Hagrid and Fleur were good people.

She still looked at him nervously. "You don't have a problem with this?"

"No. I really don't care," he told her honestly.

She blinked a few times, her body relaxing as she seemed to accept his words. "You are not a normal wizard, Harry Potter."

He chuckled. "So I have been told."

She gave him a smile.

Getting up a courage he didn't know he had, he asked her, "Can you go out tomorrow?"

Biting her lip, he thought her really cute. "I am not supposed to go into town. I can only watch."

"Oh," he said a little dejectedly.

"I can meet you back here, maybe the same time tomorrow night?" she told him.

Harry felt his spirits lift. "Sounds like a date," he said.

She smiled. "I would like to go on a date. I have heard people talking about them."

"Are you sure you can't come into town?" he asked.

She looked over his shoulder with a longing look. "I am not supposed too," she told him.

He wouldn't press her. "I'll meet you back here tomorrow night."

"Please be here," she sounded like she was almost pleading with him.

"I promise," he told her.

She nodded and moved to get up. Harry quickly got to his feet, wiping the sand off his bottom. She took his flannel off and handed it to him. Harry held out his hand. "You can keep it for hte night. I'll get it tomorrow."

She gave a shy smile. "It is better I do not take it. Thank you for tonight."

Harry had moved in closer to put the flannel shirt around her shoulders again when she darted closer, stepping on her toes and planting a kiss on his lips. Harry stood there stunned. When she pulled back, there was a mischeivious glint to her eyes. "Tomorrow night, Harry Potter."

Ducking his arms as he fully realized what had just happened, he turned. "NAILA, WAIT!"

She was already jumping down the rocks, nimbler than anyone he had ever seen. Her light blonde hair trailed behind her as her blue dress sparkled in the moonlight. He dumbly watched as she was almost at the water's edge now. Slipping behind a rock, she was out of sight and then didn't reappear.

He watched the spot for a few minutes before realizing she was gone.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he muttered, "Bloody hell, who was that?"

After a moment, he touched his lips. It was still tingling where she had kissed him. He shook his head. Looking back at where she had dissapeared, he was starting to wonder what she was. The only two things he knew that lived in the water were merfolk or selkies. He had seen merfolk before, and they didn't look anything like a human girl like that. The old tales of selkies had them turning into humans.

Could she be a selkie?

With all his books locked in the cupboard back in Privet Drive, he couldn't look it up.

Harry was sure of one thing, he would be back here tomorrow night.

As he walked back towards the hotel, Harry had a goofy grin come over his face.

It was close to four when he finally came back into the room this morning. Usually the girl would be gone by the time he would get back. Tonight, Harry got a good look at Dudley spooning with a girl and his hand over one of her large breasts. Shaking his head, he crawled into bed after changing. The smile on his face was as much as the tingly sensation from the kiss Naila had given him as the show he was going to get for his birthday in the morning...

-oOo-

July 30, 1996

Newquay, Cornwall

"Time to get up, Dudley," Aunt Petunia said as she came into the room. Harry was up immediately.

Harry made sure he was rolled over so that they wouldn't see him. The scream from his aunt just about matched that of the girl with Dudley. He tried hard not to laugh. Listening to his aunt yell at the hussy as the girl scrambled to find her clothes and Dudley fighting with him mother about it had him trying to hide his laughs.

"You are only sixteen," Aunt Petunia screached.

"Madison, wait," Dudley yelled after the girl.

"What the ruddy hell is going on in here... who are you?" Uncle Vernon questioned.

"Excuse me," the girl said.

"Madison, wait," Dudley called again.

"It's Mandy," she said yelled back as a parting shot.

"What are you doing with that floosy?" his aunt screeched.

"Mum, I'm old enough..."

"You are only sixteen," she shot back. It was actually really nice to hear Dudley being yelled at for once.

"Now, now, pet. Is this really a big deal," Uncle Vernon tried to calm his aunt, but there was a smugness to his voice.

"Don't you dare, Vernon," she yelled.

And alarm went off from his cousin's digital watch. "I need to get going mum. I have surfing lessons in a half hour.

"This isn't done. When you get back later, we are having a talk," Aunt Petunia said in an angry voice. Harry heard her storm out of the room.

Once she was gone, Uncle Vernon said, "Don't worry about your mum. I'll talk to her. Just make sure you are safe." Harry heard the pride in his uncles voice.

Harry pretended to still be sleeping while his cousin got ready. When he was going to walk out, Dudley said, "Harry, wake me before mum gets up tomorrow. If you do, I'll make sure Polkiss and them don't bug you for the rest of the summer."

Harry rolled over, looking at his cousin. Since he had saved him last summer from the Dementors, Dudley had treated him like he was a person when it was just them. "I am going to go out tonight. Will you tell Aunt Petunia?"

Dudley looked at Harry for a moment. "Just make sure you get me up on time and I'll keep up my side of the deal."

Harry nodded.

Then, to Harry's biggest surprise, Dudley said, "Harry Birthday. I'll see if I can keep mum and dad off you today."

He blinked as the big boy left the room.

Unsure what to think, Harry lay back down and fell back to sleep. He could eat lunch in the hotel restaurant later. He wasn't supposed to leave these walls. Luckily that was inside the walls of the hotel.

-oOo-

After dark...

As Dudley was taking a new girl in, about eleven, Harry slipped out of the room. He took his invisibility cloak out of a pocket that he had put an extension charm on, and slipped it over his shoulders. It didn't take long to find the same knoll on the edge of the water swept rocks. A smile came to his face to see Naila already sitting their. It was a little breezier tonight and the waves a little more active.

He took a moment to watch her hair flap in the breeze. Clouds were filtering the moonlight so he couldn't see her as clearly as he did last night, but he wasn't sure he needed too. There seemed to be a very slight light coming from her dress. It was the same one she had on last night.

Harry walked down, taking his cloak off and putting it into his trouser pocket. Without thinking about it, he took off his flannel and put it over her shoulders before he sat next to her. She reached up and took the long sleeve shirt, wrapping it tight around her. Her head move to look up and Harry felt his pulse heat up when her dark eyes met his. "Hello, Harry Potter," she said. The musical quality of her voice pulled at him.

How could he feel this when he could resist a Veela?

"Hi, Naila," he told her, taking a seat next to her. He sat close, and once he was down, she shifted so that her body was right against his.

"Have you ever looked at the stars?" she asked him.

Harry looked up. "We study them at Hogwarts."

"So you see the way they shift in the heavens, but always come back to the same spot. Except the strange ones. Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn. The old gods still move things here on earth," she told him.

Harry had no idea what she was on about, but followed her hand as she turned and pointed to points behind them. "The great water god, Neptune, stands between his brothers, Saturn and Jupiter. This is a sign of unity and prosperity. Mars is still below the horizon at this time and will stand separate, a sign that strife is on the horizon, but is not quite here yet. The fertility goddess Venus does not rise until closer to dawn, meaning she will bless new beginnings. Today is an important day for you, isn't it, Harry Potter?"

Harry watches as she pointed out the planets in the Eastern sky, and where the others would rise. He felt like he just had a mixture of his Astronomy and Divination class and for the first time realized that there could be an importance behind them. "It's my birthday in a few minutes," he told her.

"How old will you be?"

her dark orbs turned back to him and he Harry felt like his very soul was being examined. It wasn't uncomfortable though, as she seemed to be offering hers. He didn't get it, but he liked the warmth that passed between them.

"Sixteen," Harry replied.

She looked confused for a moment. "How many moons?"

Harry blinked. "I have to clue," he told her.

"I am almost two-hundred and fourteen moons. The great sea mother has gone around the great fire god almost sixteen times," she said, her hand sweeping across the sky.

Harry understood. She wasn't a human. She was selkie, or something like that. "We call one rotation around the sun... the great fire god," Harry told her as her confused look. "We call one of those rotations a year." He looked at his watch. "In just a moment, it will be sixteen years. Sixteen rotations."

Understanding lit in her eyes. "I am two days away," she told him.

Harry nodded.

"What is it like where you live?" Naila asked.

Harry didn't want to answer, so he tried to come up with the best answer he could. "Nothing like this. Things are so open here. Back... in Little Whinging..." Harry couldn't bring himself to say home. "Well, its lots of houses, really close together. The few green areas are just old farm land around the neighborhood. I like it in Scotland alot more."

She was still looking at him as he looked away. "What is nice about Scotland?"

Harry looked out at the sea. Naila shifted so that more of her body was pressing against his as a cool puff of air came over them. Harry really liked having her this close. "More like this. Around Hogwarts there are mountains, large lawns, a giant forest and a lake. I also get to fly my broom." He paused for a moment. "I think I like it the most because I feel free."

Naila moved a hand out of his flannel and Harry liked the warmth in it when her hand found his. There was something soothing about it.

"Naila, how it is living in the ocean?" Harry asked, for the first time putting words to his suspicions. Naila tensed for a moment. "Naila, I can tell you are selkie or something else. I really don't care. What is it like?"

She didn't say anything for a few. Harry was starting to get nervous that he had really screwed this up, except for the fact she had not let go of his hand yet, nor had she tried to separate from him. Harry looked back to her, not realizing she was staring so intently at him. Her dark eyes looked a little apprehensive, which had Harry take his free arm and wrap it around her shoulders, but protective nature kicking in. Or maybe he was just starved for attention or any type of affection and just found he didn't want her to go. Either way, Harry found himself doing things he normally wouldn't.

"You know?" she finally asked.

"I thought it a little obvious when you took off into the water last night," he said, trying to sound like he was teasing her.

"And you don't care? I know how wizards view us," she told him.

"I have a friend who is a werewolf, another that is part veela and my oldest friend is a half-giant. He was the first one to tell me about the wizarding world. I really don't care," Harry told her. Although, Harry was rethinking the friend thing with Hagrid, who hadn't heard from either. Remus and Fleur were not ones to often send him mail so he didn't think their silence this summer was off. "What is it like where you live?"

She didn't blink. "It is nice, at times. The waters are calm. We find many fish. My father and others used to hunt the seals and the fish with many teeth. Mother and the elders would not be happy to know I have come to the surface, but I heard a call."

Harry nodded before saying, "Aren't selkies seal-folk?"

For the first time she shifted uncomfortably. "I am of the merrow," she said a little lowly.

If Hagrid and Hermione had not gotten him those books this year about the Denizens of the Deep, Harry would have been clueless. Merrow were a type of mermaid that frequented these waters. There had been tales of them being able to take human form, but no one seemed to agree on that in the other books they had found. One think that Hermione found in the Restricted section had mentioned something about Merrows being able to come onto the land, but he couldn't remember why...

He did know that the merrow differed from other merfolk. They were the true half-human fish folk. their upper bodies were that of a human and the bottom was that of a fish. Not like the mermen in the Black Lake.

Harry shrugged his free shoulder. "Wicked," Harry said.

She looked at him puzzled. "I am not wicked," she said after a moment.

Harry laughed, and wish he hadn't when she looked hurt, for the first time trying to pull away. "No, that isn't what I meant. Its neat," he said. When she didn't seem to understand, Harry said, "When people say 'wicked' like that, it's a good thing."

It took her a moment before she nodded and moved back into his side. She lifted his arm to go back around her shoulders.

"The stars are past their zenith. Happy birthday, Harry Potter," she said to him.

Harry gave her a smile. He was about to thank her when she leaned towards him and when her mouth met his, this time he was ready. Harry had hoped he might find a way to kiss her again. He kissed back. Not in the way he had seen many at school when they were in a full on snog, but it wasn't quite innoscent either. When they broke apart, Harry put his forehead on hers. He had never felt this way before, and definitely not for someone so quickly.

Naila looked up into his eyes. "Tomorrow is my two-hundred and fourteenth moon birth. Today is yours. As rights of my people, it is traditional to celebrate such auspicious days."

Harry, his hormones feeling up, asked, "What do you mean?"

Her eyes look on a liquid quality that he found caused his body to respond. "It is tradition for a maiden to giver herself to the mating rights," she told him.

A lump formed in his throat and his eyes grew a little larger. "Mating?" he squeaked, before clearing his voice. Colour raced to his cheeks. "Mating?" he said in a little more of an even voice.

"The goddess Venus will rise a little before the dawn of this day. She wishes a celebration of life for the those that Mars will claim not long for now. My great father, Neptune, blesses any union. To stand between his brothers means he wished his kin to walk the land. I don't wish to mate to any of my kin. They are either too old or too young. They also to not walk the land," she told him. Harry could hear the importance behind her words. It was like magic herself was pushing him towards her. After everything that has happened to him, Harry's first instinct was to fight against this pull. On the other hand, Naila was very beautiful, she was asking for his help... was that the difference? She was asking. Naila was asking. Even with mother magic pushing him, it was Naila that was asking him.

Harry licked his lips. "I've never, ah, mated before," he told her.

Naila's intense gaze didn't lessen and she didn't make fun of him. Instead, she kissed him again. Harry met her and they kissed for a while before pulling away. "I have not mated either. I only ask for you not to hurt me more than is necessary."

Harry looked at her concerned. "I would never hurt you," Harry tried to assure her.

She nodded and then pushed the flannel shirt off her shoulders, having it bundle at her bottom. Harry felt his blood quicken. He looked around quickly, to make sure no one was looking. "The moon mother and water father watch over us. We will be protected," Naila told him, bringing his attention back to her. She stood up, her hands going to the top of the shimmery dress. Harry watched speechless as she pulled it down, exposing decent sized breasts with large nipples. As it slid further down her body, Harry forced himself to follow the material. Her stomach was tone and flat. Her skin was perfect, all the way down to the cleft between her legs. As she stepped out of the dress, he got a peek at the folds between her legs.

In reponse, he dick was rock hard in his pants. When the dress was kicked to the side, she looked down at him in all her glory. Where he felt a little self concious that he was going to have to be the same in just a moment, she looked confortable in her skin. As though taking it as a challenge, Harry got up and pulled the t-shirt over his head as quickly as possible, then fumbled with his belt buckle for a moment before dropping them. His shorts joined this pants and he stepped out.

Harry wasn't as small as he used to be, having actually put on some muscle last year, and kept it on as his relatives actually fed him this year. It was part of their deal that he would not cause any issues on this holiday.

Little Harry was anything but small or scrawny at the moment.

They both stood a little awkardly before each other, until Harry took some courage and moved closer. Out of instinct, he found himself putting a hand to her cheek. She nuzzled into his palm. "We don't have to do this, Naila."

"Do you not find me physically fit and of good child raring stock?" she asked, sounding a little hurt.

Harry was not ready for children. "I find you very beautiful," he told her. She really was.

Naila met his eyes. "You will mate with me?"

Harry answered by moving his hand into her hair and gently pulling her to him. She put her hands on his side as he initiated the kiss this time. To feel her breasts against his chest and to suddenly have her tongue in his mouth had him wrap his other arms around her waist. He pulled her in. His dick pressed hard into her, a wet spot causing him to groan as she moved up to stand as tall as he did.

After a moment, Naila pulled him down to the ground. She must have spread out his flannel when he was taking his clothes off. Harry kissed her as they went down, Naila moving so that her legs were spread and Harry was between them, his dick laying against her folds. Naila shivered.

"Are you cold?" he asked, pulling up.

She shook her head, her whole body seeming to quiver. "I am warm. I am ready," she told him, pulling him back down to kiss him. Her hips bucked, eliciting a groan from both of them. Harry propped himself up enough to position himself. She spread her legs wider and wrapped them around him.

Harry pushed in as she pulled him down with her legs. He slid in. She stopped kissing him, her eyes closed. When he pressed past a tight spot, she whimpered a little and he got up enough to see her face. She looked to be in a little pain. "Did I hurt you?"

Her eyes opened. "It will pass in a moment. You don't need to be as gentle."

Harry couldn't do that. If she was in pain, he didn't want to hurt her. With how her legs were holding him inside her, he couldn't move out. There was also that very small selfish part that rarely showed its head that said this was one of the greatest sensations of his life.

After a moment, Naila pulled him down to kiss. "Mate with me, Harry Potter."

At her urging, he started to move in and out. It was such a natural thing, his body just knew what to do. Harry had always been much better at the physical and practical side of this schooling, many times being a natural. Here, he let her movement and sounds of pleasure or pain, guide him.

It wasn't long before he suddenly found his release. In that moment, Naila pulled her legs forward, making sure Harry was as deep into her as he could be as his body shook with his orgasm. "I am yours, Harry Potter," she whispered into his ear. In that moment, Harry would have freely given himself to her.

As he thought that, it was like the universe had finally been benevolent enough to give him something good, something that was his. As he grunted one last time, a magic seemed to flow out of him. It shocked him at the sudden rush of power. Naila's eyed rolled back into her head and she bucked up, driving Harry's crotch against hers. Her body shook, tightening around him as she looked to be in the most intense pleasure.

Harry thought he was done, but as her insides clenched around his shaft, Harry found himself exploding inside her again. As he did, this time he felt her magic wash back into him. It was an intense few minutes before they both collapsed from the release of magic.

-oOo-

-oOo-

Chapter 2

July 31, 1996

Newquay, Cornwall

Harry woke up shivering. Naila was wrapped to his side, his flannel shirt only covering her top. They were both as bare as the day they were born. Feeling her form and breasts again him was the only thing keeping him warm int he cool fog that was around him.

It was so dark that Harry could barely see.

As he lay there, Harry was trying to figure out what had happened last night. Tonight? It was still night, right?

He managed to get his arm over Naila's head and used his other hand find his glasses. The enchantments on them to maginify light allowed him to see it was getting close to five.

"Shite!" he let out. Naila shifted next to him.

What was he going to do?

A merrow was half sleeping on him. He felt chilled and her legs didn't feel much better. They were both nude in the sandy knoll and MERLIN! his body betrayed him as her leg shifted and he felt her chest brush his.

"Shite! Shite! Shite! Shite! SHITE!" he muttered.

After a moment, he found himself regretting what he had to do. "Naila," he softly said, tapping her shoulder.

He had to repeat this a few times before she shifted. "Must sleep," she told him.

"Naila, we have to get up. It's getting close to dawn. You have to go back and I have to go back to room," he told her.

She took a moment to really stir. By now, the fog was starting to lighten up enough that he could see her. She looked a little concerned. "I am yours, Harry Potter. I don't go back," she told him. There was a hint of sadness to the way she said it, but a small smile came to her face.

Harry's heart pounded against his chest. "You don't mean... last night... when we mated... I am your mate?"

"The moon mother and ocean god has agreed to us. The woman of magic, Nimue, has given her blessing. I am yours," she told him.

BLOODY FUCK! he screamed in his head. "When you said mating... I didn't think..."

Her smile was soft. "It is not often that the gods of land and water bless such a union. I was not seeking my life mate last night," she told him, and Harry felt she was telling him the truth.

With understanding he said, "You just wanted control of something because you didn't think you had any?"

She nodded. "Mother may not be pleased until she knows this was a blessed union. You will not be required to pay tribute to the one that was to have me tomorrow," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. She touched her lips. "I feel the magic you gave me."

BLOODY FUCK! he screamed in his head again.

"So, this means what? You are my wife? Why can't you go back?" Harry asked her, sitting up and starting to look for his clothes. They had to leave here. It was getting brighter out and Harry had to get back to warn Dudley.

"I am your life-mate. I will be fertile for you. Share my magic and life with you," she told him.

Of course this would happen to him. "So, you are to stay with me?"

She nodded. Harry got his trousers on and looked around. "Where is your dress?"

There was that hint of sadness again. "I am a land walker now. That is the price to be a life-mate blessed by Nimue."

Harry ran his hands through his hair. FFUUUUUCCCCK! He was going to give himself a headache if he kept screaming like that without opening his mouth. "Naila, you can't go back to being a merrow?"

She shook he head. "I can still talk with the fish, and call the winds, but I will never swim with my kind again."

He let out a big breath. "Right," he said, trying to force the panick gripping him down. "Right. Put this on," he told her, handing her the large shirt. It would look like an overlarge night shirt on her. She put it on and Harry made sure she his flannel was over her before they started back to the hotel.

"You are not happy with me?" she asked into his agitation.

Harry let out a sigh. "I never said that."

"Your body says it," she told him, looking upset.

Harry stopped, pinched the bridge of his nose and forced his fear and anger at the world down. It would figure that the gods themselves would mess with is life. When he let go and looked to Naila, she was looking down, holding the flannel tight around her. After last year, Harry had learned the power of believing someone. He really didn't get the feeling she had been trying to trap him and his stupid hormones wanted what she was offering.

"Naila, I am not upset with you. If you say you didn't know this would happen, then I believe you," he told her. "I just have no idea how my relatives will take this. Gods, I don't know how everyone else will take this."

"You are still unhappy with me," Naila said.

Harry looked her in the eyes when she lifted her head. Harry had been rejected and put down all his life. He would not do that to this girl. "Naila, if magic has decided you are my wife, then I promise to you I will never be unhappy with you."

Her eyes lost most of the sad quality to them. "Then why are you so upset? A life-mate union that is blessed by Nimue and sanctioned by Jupiter is a blessing."

Harry took in a long breath. "Naila, my relatives don't really believe in all that. They go to church to look good. I don't think my aunt or uncle really believe what the Vicor says. I have seen stuff from both worlds, and the only higher power that ever seems to take interest in my is magic. If Jupiter and Nimeu bless us, I will take your word, but my relatives won't. I don't even know if most wzards would."

She looked horrified at what he said. "Wizards and your relatives don't believe in the heavens, the ocean and the lands?"

Harry wasn't sure to laugh or pull out his hair. "Not that I have really seen. I think most used too, but not any more."

"Harry Potter, that is sacrilege," she told him earnestly. "You are blessed by magic, the great goddess Nimeu. She had blessed all those able to use magic, but you are are one of her favored. A champion. She had gifted me to you after Jupiter has agreed."

All he could do is nod. "OH, Merlin. Naila, you have let me do the talking. If things don't go well, we will need to get out of here. Just stick close to me."

His watch started to chime. "Bloody hell," he exclaimed. Grabbing her hand, he ran towards the hotel, finding the road in the fog. They must have looked the sight to the fishermen getting out of their cars. A sixteen-year-old-boy only in shoes and his trousers, pulling along a blonde girl in an over sized shirt and flannel that was baring her bottom at times...

Harry pulled her into the hotel and up to his room. It wasn't quiet six yet so he held a finger to his lips. Naila got it, moving in closer and not saying a word. She pressed into his back. Unlocking the door, they snuck into the room. Dudley was on the bed. He was entangled in the bed with the same girl he had been with yesterday morning.

"Go sit on the bed." He indicated the one that had not been slept in.

Harry went over to his lightly snoring cousin. "Dudley. Dudley. You need to get up."

The girl with her head on Dudley's chest opened her eyes. They were unfocused and she looked barely awake. "Ten more minutes."

Harry rolled his eyes. He had a thought that having Dudley found with this girl again might ease what he has to deal with. As much as he hated his cousin, they had made a deal. "Dudley. Get up," Harry whispered, shaking his shoulder.

Harry didn't expect the fist that came from below him. After connecting with his chin, he was flung against the wall. Harry slumped to the floor before the screaming started. "HARRY POTTER!" Naila screeched.

"What the bloody hell was that for!" the girl, Mandy, yelled at Dudley.

Dudley was now up, blinking stupidly as his body came to life. Harry was able to look up just in time to see Naila launching herself at Dudley. The big boy was still out of it and didn't do anything to stop Naila from landing a solid punch to his face. To Dudley's credit, he just grunted as his head twisted to the side. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Mandy yelled.

Naila wasn't done though. She started to pummel Dudley, who retaliated after the first few. Harry rushed to his feet, seeing it coming, but he couldn't stop his gorrilla of a cousin. His fist connected with Naila's stomach and she doubled over. Dudley's other hand was coming up, probably out of reflex with his boxing training. Harry tackled Naila down before his fist connected with her head. Harry took it to his side, a pain ripping through him.

Naila and him landed in a lump on the floor. Mandy was screaming about something. Dudley was shaking his head, looking a little dazed. Harry groaned as he sat up. Out of instinct, his hand grabbed for his wand. He moved to put himself between Naila and the furious man in the door. "What the ruddy hell is going on!" Uncle Vernon roared.

Dudley rubbed his jaw. "Who the bloody hell hit me."

Mandy screamed again to see his uncle in the door. She grabbed for a sheet to cover her nude form. Uncle Vernon's eyes darted quickly between Dudley, Mandy and then him. Seeing Harry's wand, the man's red face turned a nice puce.

Bloody hell. There goes the nice way, a voice in Harry's head yelled.

"Vernon, we can't have another complaint," is aunt said, suddenly at the door.

Vernon took a few threatening steps in and Harry made sure his wand was pointed at his uncle's face. A sausage size finger came up as Aunt Petunia shut the door. "Put that away, boy, before I break you."

"You will not hurt Harry Potter," Naila said behind him. The air in the room started to stir. The anger immediately turned to fear in his uncle. There was a light blue light coming from behind him.

"You... you... not outside of that freaky school," Uncle Vernon said in a low, dangerous voice.

Harry turned to look at Naila. She had a red spot on her cheek and a ball of blue light in her left hand. Her right was across her stomach.

The last thing they needed was to alert the Ministry where he was. "Uncle Vernon, just stay there," Harry demanded. There was a power to his voice that had everyone hold very still. Catching Naila's eyes, Harry turned fully to her, lowering his wand to his side. Her eyes were darting from his cousin to this uncle. "Naila?"

Her hand shot up and pointed towards Dudley. As her hand hand curled up, she palmed the light in it. "He attacked you."

"I just surprised him," Harry told her. "There is not other danger, but if you do any magic around me, we may be in real danger."

Her eyes drifted to his. She looked rather fierce. He knew her father had been a warrior. He was thinking she was as well, or maybe her whole people were. After a moment, she huffed and the light went out in her hand. "What the ruddy hell is going on," his uncle said angrily.

Harry spun and raised his wand again. His uncle stopped. "Uncle Vernon, you dare threaten my wife or me I swear I don't care if the Ministry comes and has to obliviate you all until you are vegetables."

His uncles face pales some when his aunt squeaked.

"Magic is real?" Mandy asked. He chanced a look at her. Her eyes were wide as saucers.

Harry heaved a heavy sigh. "Bloody fuck," Harry muttered.

Dudley, finally looking fully away, got out of bed, stepping before Mandy. "You are not obviating Mandy."

"At least you got her name right this morning," Harry snarked. "And it's obliviate."

"I want you out," Uncle Vernon said. "I don't care where you go. I want you out of this hotel and I want you out of our house."

"Vernon, we can't," his aunt said.

"No, Petunia, I've had enough. His is threatening me for the last time and I don't even want that freaky trollop around..." his uncle stopped as sparks came out of Harry's wand.

"Don't call Naila a freak or a trollop, uncle," Harry threatened.

"You can't do magic," his aunt said, moving to shield herself behind her husband.

"I can if I need to defend myself," Harry told her. "Are you sure you want me gone?"

"Yes," Uncle Vernon told him.

Harry looked to Aunt Petunia. Before she could answer, a knock came a the door. Everyone looked apprehensive, except Naila, who still looked ready to take on both his cousin and uncle. "Everyone just stay quiet," Uncle Vernon told them.

Harry pushed Naila back to the far side of the room. His uncle opened the door and there was a few moments of whispered conversation. Harry's mind was whirling. He couldn't let Naila be around his relatives for too long. Making up his mind, Harry reached under his bed and took out the backpack he had been allowed to take. He opened it, fished out one of the few good shirts, an extra pair of boxer shorts and some regular shorts. Harry didn't have other trousers and they were the smallest things he had on him. He had and handed it to Naila. "Go into the bathroom and get changed, we are leaving," he told her.

Mandy was now looking for her own clothes and Dudley pulled on some boxers as Aunt Petunia had gone over to the door. Harry took out the only other good shirt he had and pulled hit over his head. "Harry, what the hell happened? Was that you that hit me?"

Harry looked up to his cousin, his anger flaring. "You are a complete moron, Dudley. Why did you hit me?"

Dudley rubbed his jaw. "I didn't know it was you. Sometimes at Smeltings they do bed raids and you have to make sure they don't get you."

Harry shook his head. His glasses shifted and he straightened them out. "It was Naila that hit you."

"That little thing?" Dudley said, motioning towards the bathroom. Mandy came up to him. "Dudley, I have to go. I'll see you tonight?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry about this morning," Dudley said, reaching over to wrap an arm around her and pull her in to give her a kiss.

Naila came out of the room in Harry's clothes. Harry moved over to her as his uncle closed the door to the room. The man glared at him. "Out. Now," he said, as though incapable of saying anything else.

"Vernon, you know we can't," his aunt said.

"I'll make it easy. We are leaving," Harry told her, taking Naila's hand.

"Good. Go." Uncle Vernon opened the door.

"I should just go too," Mandy said from behind them.

"No. I think you can stay and we can have a talk with my son. Harry, just wait for me in the restaurant," his aunt told him.

"Petunia, he had to go," his uncle demanded.

"Excuse me," Harry said, pushing past them, Naila not letting his hand go.

"Harry, wait for me," he aunt said before his uncle slammed the door.

Harry went to the front desk. "Can I help you, sir?" the woman behind it asked.

"Is there a train or bus station around here?" Harry asked her. He didn't want to try form of magical travel, sure that Voldemort or someone at the Ministry would be looking for him. Having been completely shut out from the magical world since the night Sirius died, he had no idea if he was still hated or not and couldn't take the risk.

"There are both. The train will be quicker," the woman said before looking at them. "Are you just going out for the day?"

"Yeah, something like that. Where is the train station?"

"Down in the center of town, off of Cliff Road. If you are just going out for the day, I can book tickets for you and your family once the counter opens at nine," she told him.

Harry shook his head. "My uncle just wanted to know. Thank you," Harry said, pulling Naila along as they walked out the hotel. he didn't stop until he found a bench next to a stair leading down to the beach. When they sat, Naila reached up and touched his jaw. It was tender.

"Does that hurt?" she asked, moving to put a small kiss on his chin. His side was sore, but nothing that he hadn't had worse before.

"I'm fine," he told her. "Are you hurt?"

"My stomach will feel better," she told him. Harry put a hand on her stomach and she put her left over it.

"I'm sorry," he told her.

"The big boy was hurting you," she told him. "I couldn't allow that."

Harry chuckled. "That was some punch. You must be stronger than you look."

She sat up tall. "I am the daughter of the former clan chief. If I had my spear, he would have been gutted."

Harry gave a nervous chuckle this time. "Right. Only do that if we are really threatened."

"As my life-mate wishes, but I will not allow others to hurt you if I can do something," she told him.

"Nor will I. Give me a moment to figure out what we are going to do," Harry told her, reaching into his bag. He pulled out a pouch and then reached for his wallet. Harry had everything he needed to last a few days to a week in case he had to run. Though, Harry expected he would have to run because of Death Eaters, not his cousin.

In his billfold he found a fiver and a twenty pound note, plus some change. The pouch in his hand clinked as he opened it. Sirius had told him to be prepared, so he had taken almost four times the coin from his vault last summer and had converted some of it to pound notes. There was well over five-hundred galleons in the expanded and magically lightened pouch. There was also just under a thousand pounds. Not having much of a chance to use it, he still had over nine-hundred. That would be enough to get to London, feed them, and he figured he would be able to find a safe house at Grimmauld Place. Sirius had told him that Harry was going to be left everything and he couldn't think of another option. From there, they could figure out the next step.

He took five twenty notes and handed them to Naila. "This is Muggle money. I want you to put this into your pocket. We need to find you shoes and something better to wear."

Naila took the notes and looked at them, holding them up to light of the fuddy morning. "What do I do with this?"

"You can buy things. I'll show you. I want to get to the train station and figure out when the next train is leaving, then we can get some breakfast," he told her, putting the pouch back into his bag. He checked to make sure he still had wand holdster, the pocket with his Firebolt and the knife Sirius had given him. He took out the holster and put it on his wand. It was still early enough that no one was really out and didn't see him slip his wand up his sleeve.

"Harry Potter, where are we going?"

"A safe place, but it might take a few hours. Naila, are you sure you can't go back?" Harry put to her, looking at her.

"I am your life-mate, Harry Potter," she told hims rather defiantly.

Harry had to try. Being around him was dangerous, as this morning already had shown. "Can you just call me Harry?"

She regarded him. "Your name is Harry Potter?"

"Yes."

"Then why just call you Harry?"

"Becuase that is name. Potter is my surname," he told her. "I like just Harry between my friends, and my life-mate."

She nodded.

"What is your full name?"

"I am Naila, daughter of Esemel and Iawa. Life-Mate of Harry Potter," she told him.

He nodded. That was a long name. One that would have them stick out almost anywhere, Muggle or Magical. Magic has blessed him. Naila was his magic blessed life-mate, his wife. There was a pit in his stomach to think he was married. He had no clue how he was going to explain this when he got back to Grimmauld Place. Of course that was if they let him in, though the Order should have no say. Sirius had told Harry that he had made him his heir last Christmas, meaning the house was his. Could they keep him out of his own house?

On the other hand, butterflies seemed to fly around the pit. Harry was married. He was married to a beautiful blonde merrow girl that had just about knocked out Dudley with a single punch. A smile slid onto his face at the thought. "Naila?"

She just held his eyes. Apparently she was still worked up and was not going to back down.

"Naila, we are married. Your name is very pretty and I love how you tell your heritage, but I think it better for now that you go around as Naila Potter. If we need to hide or anything, it will be a shorter name," he told her, hoping that it wouldb't paint as large a target on her as he feared it would.

She gave a single nod. "I will call myself Naila Potter if you want."

A car drove by, bringing Harry back to the immediate needs they had. "Right, lets find the train station and then get some breakfast."

When he got up, she took his hand. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I have been hit harder," she told him. The way she was walking now that the adrenaline had dropped told him she was feeling it.

"We'll find some paracetamol too," he told her.

They walked into town along the road by the cliff when Harry caught a sign with a train on it. The fog seemed to be getting denser and the light of the day was going to dull grey. It only took them a quarter hour to find the station and find that the train didn't leave until quarter after ten. Luckily, the ticket booth was open early since they sold bus tickets as well. The next bus would leave about the same time.

Harry looked at the schedules. After looking at Naila, who was looking all around the station, Harry decided thought the train would be better.

When the waitress came up, she gave them both a look. She was a kind looking woman who appeared to be in her fifties. "Up a little early, aren't you dearies?"

"I'm always up early. Thanks," Harry told her when they were handed menus.

"Tea?"

"The strongest you have," Harry requested. "Naila, do you want anything?"

She had taken the menu then just stared at it, a slight frown on her face. Harry caught that. It hadn't occured to him until he saw her face that she didn't know how to read... or maybe just not read English. "Can you bring some water and maybe some orange juice?"

"Sure, dear," the woman said, looking between them.

When she walked away, Harry leaned over, "Naila, can you read?"

She didn't meet his eyes. "I know my language, not this."

"Have you ever eaten, you know, normal land food?" he asked looking around. He had to be careful what he said and what they showed. In the hotel room had been one thing. Hopefully the obliviators didn't visit. He didn't want Mandy, or even Dudley, to be vegetables. His aunt and uncle on the other hand...

"I don't know what I like," she told him.

When the waitress came back over, Harry ordered them a relatively standard toasted muffins with eggs and bacon. Naila and him didn't talk much as they waited. Naila did find she like the orange juice, but not the tea he ordered. When the food came out, Naila looked a little dubious, but once she tried the egg and the muffin, she ate faster than him. She did not like the bacon, so Harry gave her the half of the second muffin he had left and stole her bacon.

"Do you know if any stores are open soon?" Harry asked as the bill was handed to him.

"What are you looking for?"

"My... girlfriend wanted to get some clothes and we are taking the bus at quarter past ten to go meet my parents in Plymouth," he told her. Mind as well leave a train that should put anyone following them off.

"There is a nice boutique just down the way, about a five minute walk. I think Madelyn's opens about nine," she told him.

Harry thanked her. Naila watched him. "You leave that paper? Why?"

"This is how we pay for things. We'll have enough to get us by for a little while, but not long. These are worth five pounds and these twenty pounds," Harry told her.

She looked confused. "Twenty pounds of what?"

"Ah," Harry told her, never thinking about it before. "I don't know. I just know that everyone here will accept them. I think one time it meant twenty pounds of silver."

She watched as he left the full twenty and a few coins. "What are the coins?"

"These are pence coins. One-hundred pence to a pound. This is five p, a twenty p and this is a pound coin."

"P?"

"Short for pence. It's eight-thirty. We can go find the boutique and then get back to the train station," he told her.

An hour later, Harry was paying for some clothes. She had gotten a skirt, a pair of trousers, a few shirts, a jumper and a light jacket. The lady insisted on them all and Harry had no clue if she did or not, but he liked the smile on Naila's face as she tried them on, and the way she looked in them. Luckily the shop also sold some trainers, so they walked out with her fully clothes and him a good hundred and fifty quid less. "Why do your clothes look so ragged compared to these?" she asked him, spinning a little to take in how her skirt twirled. Harry had a smile to see her long trim legs move like that.

"My relatives never really get me any," Harry told her.

Her eyes narrowed. Two stores down was a shop with clothes for boys. She insisted he get a few shirts, some trousers, a pair of shorts and new trainers. Another hundred and twenty-eight quid later and Harry was starting to get worried about their dwindling money reserves. He would have to find a way to make it to Diagon Alley... if it was safe enough. Why was Gringotts the only bank for wizards?

In the train station, Harry tried to point out important words like 'Exit', 'Platform', 'Ticket', 'Washroom', etc.

By the time the train left, Naila was sitting against the window, watching the town pass by. Her eyes were wide to see the train pick up speed. Harry looked up and down the train car. Now that he was away from his relatives, there was a possibility the Death Eaters could be looking for him.

He had just started to really wonder what he had gotten Naila into when she asked, "What is bothering you, Harry?"

"I'm just worried about what might be looking for me. Naila, if we are found, I want you to take my bag and this," he told her. "You are to find your way to 12 Grimmauld Place, in London," he told her. Harry didn't realize he was able to give her the secret.

She frowned. "I am not leaving your, Harry Potter."

"Just in case, Naila. Please," he pleaded.

It took her a moment before she spoke. "What is this?" she asked.

"An invisibility cloak. No one will be able to find you while you put it over yourself. Please, just, if we are found, I need to know you are safe," he told her, knowing he would defend her if it came down to it, but the Department of Mysteries had taught him was how quickly things went bad.

Naila didn't look pleased. "My folk do not run from danger, and I will not either."

"Naila, you don't understand who is after me. We are trying to make it to a safe house, but if certain people know I am moving across the country like this, they may try to capture me. While I was with my relatives, I was told I was safe. Now that we aren't, we need to make it to London," he told her.

Naila reached out for his hand. "I will not run," she told him.

Harry huffed. "Fine. Take this then," he told her. He had seen she was definitely magical earlier and that she would not back down, but he felt apprehensive. The Death Eaters would not hesitate to kill her, especially if they found out she was not a human.

He fished for his knife and gave it to her. She took it, open the sheath and regarded the knife. It wasn't big, perhaps four inches long, but most wouldn't suspect it. "This is too small," she told him.

Harry chuckled. "I'll get you a bigger one or what ever you need later."

Naila nodded, jammed the knife into the sheath and Harry helped her put the sheath onto her forearm below the jumper she had on. It was a cool day for the end of July. They passed through a heavy fog bank that was really dark. It got colder and Harry was immediately alert when it felt like there was no happiness. His head looked out of the window and the train quickly passed out of that particularly heavy fog bank.

Naila shivered. "What were those demons?" She was looking out the window too.

"Dementors," Harry told her. "My godfather said that Voldemort used them last time and they all abandoned Azkaban when he attacked it last year. I hope that wasn't an attack," Harry told her, looking back to the dense fog bank before the train took a curve.

"We heard rumors of a great strife," Naila told him.

Harry sat back down, letting her have the window again. The train stopped in the next town and more people got on. About an hour into the ride they had to transfer at Par. Then it was to be over four hours to get into London. About thirty minutes outside Par, Naila put her head on his shoulder. Harry put his arm up and soon her head was on his chest.

He watched the country slide by. About every ten to twenty minutes they pulled into another station, people getting on and off. Harry watched them all as her breath became more measured. After a few stops, he was positive she was asleep. It felt rather nice that she was against him like this. His head drifted down to rest on the top of her head as he looked out the window.

It was somewhere around it was somewhere around Newton Abbey, about two hour in, that his eyes drifted closed.