Author's Note: Okay, we're back to Harry now, Bosch
Also: Yes, I am well aware of the fact that Voldemort definitely killed James Potter -- This is why I said that the chapter broke cannon -- It's supposed to be dramatic, not completely accurate
Chapter Fourteen -- Growing Up
A week had passed.
Harry sat in his bed, victim to the sticky heat of a bizarrely warm March night. He picked up the glass of ice water that he kept on the bedside table and took a long sip, relishing in the feeling of cool wetness against his rough, parched tongue.
A week had passed.
Sirius Black had recovered for the most part and was beginning to accept the situation. Tom had apologized and, thanks to Harry's coaxing, had eventually begged Sirius for his forgiveness. Sirius had decided that it was better not to pick a fight with the former Dark Lord and Harry's lover. It was time for Sirius Black to grow up.
A week had passed.
Glamouries were back in place, much to Harry's relief, although Tom looked somewhat older than he had before. He still maintained his attractive sixteen-year-old build but he appeared more mature and more sophisticated now. Light, feathery creases were beginning to appear at the corners of his eyes -- Barely noticeable unless you really looked for them. His posture had improved and he carried himself with an air of old-fashioned dignity. And flecks of gray had finally begun to streak through his hair making it known that Tom Riddle was about to turn seventy-years-old.
Tom Riddle had grown up as well.
A week had passed.
Severus Snape, on the other hand, had taken to blatantly ignoring Harry -- Not bothering to scold him for mistakes or to take points away from Gryffindor for his insolence. Harry had decided that Severus was suffering from the "elephant in the living room" syndrome -- He had a problem sitting right in front of him, as clear as day, but, by refusing to acknowledge it, the Potions Master assumed that the problem would just disappear. Despite the fact that Severus had murdered his father that night, Harry couldn't help feeling a little twinge of pity for Severus. He was a pathetic man.
A week had passed.
Harry looked at the calendar. Tom's seventieth birthday was in two days and he still hadn't picked out a present. The young Gryffindor slid out of bed -- His shirt sticking to his back with sweat. He quickly shed his clothing and began shifting through the closet, looking for something to wear on a trip to Hogsmeade. While he was glancing at a green cotton shirt, a glint of gold caught his eye. His binding ring -- "Wedding band," Harry thought to himself with a smirk. It was a thin gold band -- Very plain and very simple. Engraved on the outside were the words, "Ingressio amor. Prodigus amor. Obligatus amor." Dumbledore had said those words during the ceremony. God, the binding ceremony seemed like it happened an eternity in the past. Harry used his sparse Latin skills to come up with a rough translation: "Begin love. Abound in love. Bind love."
"I hardly ever get to see you looking like that."
Harry whisked around to see Tom Riddle watching him appraisingly. Harry blushed brightly.
"You don't often stand naked in the middle of our bedroom floor," Tom continued. "May I ask what invoked this sudden change in routine?"
"I'm getting dressed," Harry mumbled, pulling down the green shirt and a pair of lightweight khaki pants.
"Don't," Tom smiled, walking up behind Harry and wrapping an arm around his waist. He gently kissed up and down the boy's neck and Harry giggled.
"Stop! That tickles!"
"Children," Tom sighed, rolling his eyes and pushing Harry over to the bed.
"Come on," Harry laughed, falling onto the covers. "Isn't it a bit too warm for this?"
Tom sank down onto the bed, covering Harry's lithe form with his own.
"I don't think so," he murmured, biting gently at Harry's lower lip. "You are so . . ." Tom's lips moved down to suckle the side of Harry's throat. "Wonderful . . . and talented . . . and enchanting . . ."
"Shut up, Tom."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
"Where's Harry?" Hermione whispered to Ron. Ron shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. It was Saturday but Professor Trelawney was offering a supplementary course -- "Astrology and You" -- and most of the sixth year Gryffindors had decided to take it along with some Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Professor Trelawney was sitting at her desk, staring into a mass of tea leaves, lips pursed together.
"Sit, children, I would like to get started with this . . . Oh, I'm sorry, my dear," Professor Trelawney said, looking at Ron with a sad glint in her eye. "I see the Grim standing behind an old tree."
"Let me guess," Ron said, trying to appear as if he were concentrating on the symbols. "Death -- Of the most bizarre and painful sort."
"Oh yes, my boy! I am quite sorry for you! Luckily, your powers of Divination have informed you of this tragic event."
"How lucky," Hermione said through gritted teeth. Professor Trelawney did not hide her animosity towards the girl.
The sound of footsteps running towards the room and Harry bolted in through the door. Hermione almost laughed out loud. Harry looked completely tousled and severely fucked. His hair was flying in a million different directions. His lips were bruised from avid kissing. His skin still shone with a thin layer of sweat. He sat down in the seat next to Ron, trying not to create any more of a commotion.
"Hm," Ron smiled. "I wonder what you were doing before class."
"Shut up, Ron," Harry said, blushing deeply.
"My children," Professor Trelawney said, rising to her feet. "I would like to begin this class with some examples demonstrating the awesome mystic powers of astrology!"
"The awesome mystic powers of astrology can be yours for only twenty-nine pounds, six pence," Ron said, in the style of an infomercial. Harry restrained his laughter.
"I am currently broadening the sightline of my Inner Eye," Professor Trelawney said. "Someone give me a date of birth."
"September 18th," Lavender Brown said. The entire class burst out into laughter. It was Justin Finch-Fletchley's birthday.
"Ah, my dear, a Virgo! The Virgin sign," Professor Trelawney exclaimed, clutching her hands together joyously. The peals of laughter increased. Harry was very glad the Justin had decided not to attend this class.
"He is an earth sign with his ruling house being the sixth," Professor Trelawney said, seeming deeply introspective at the moment. "His ruling planet is Mercury . . . He's very organized. He works with diligence and dedication. He has a set routine and no sense of spontaneity. He's a little messy and sometimes he shows up for an engagement a few hours too late."
"That's Justin, Professor Trelawney!" Lavender smiled and everyone nodded their head in agreement.
"Oh happy day," Hermione said under her breath. "Professor Trelawney finally got something right."
"Another!" Professor Trelawney insisted. "My Inner Eye feels open to the other world."
"Wait a second!" Ron exclaimed, digging a sheet of paper out of his backpack. Harry recognized the sheet. It was a list that Fred and George had made up, containing the birthdays of all the Hogwarts staff. They had started a tradition last year -- Every faculty member was to have a prank pulled on his or her birthday.
They now had detention for six weeks thanks to McGonagall.
"Ooh! What about April 24th?" Ron asked inquisitively.
"Taurus," Professor Trelawney said knowingly. "Stubborn and grounded -- Very down-to-earth. They're reliable and responsible but they are somewhat inflexible."
"McGonagall," Ron smiled and the entire class laughed. "What about December 23rd?"
"Two days before Christmas?" one of the Hufflepuff girls asked. "Who has a birthday two days before Christmas?"
Ron smiled knowingly. Harry had a feeling that he knew.
"A cuspling," Professor Trelawney said with a smile. "On the brink between two signs -- Capricorn and Sagittarius. I seem to sense that he is more of a Capricorn though. He's motivated and practical. Determination is one of his strong points. He thrives on advancement -- Making his career and his social status one of the most important things in his life. Success is his greatest reward. He demands respect. He has no tolerance for miscalculation."
Ron was gaping, wide-eyed.
"But he's also a Sagittarian. He doesn't deal well with commitment -- Personal commitment I'm going to guess. He doesn't like to be fenced in. He definitely needs his space . . . Very interesting sign. May I ask who this is, my dear?"
"Professor Snape!" Ron exclaimed. "And that is completely him!"
"You have no idea," Harry thought to himself.
"One more," Professor Trelawney said. "And I think that you have a date for me, my dear." She was looking straight at Harry.
"Um, March 21st?" Harry asked, naming off the first birthday that came to mind.
"Oh, how fascinating!" Professor Trelawney smiled. "I know exactly whose birthday this would be, too."
"How do you know, Professor?" Harry asked, curious.
"Because the implications of this sign match his personality beautifully," Professor Trelawney said, her voice filled with glee. "This is Tom Riddle's birthday, is it not, my dear?"
Harry nodded. A hush fell over the room.
"March 21st is the most powerful day of the year. It is on the cusp of Pisces and Aries -- The houses of death and rebirth. Aries thrive for new beginnings. They initiate new projects, enjoying the thrill and power of being the leader. Aries are born to lead, of course. They tend to take action quickly -- They're impulsive and bold. They also happen to be very impatient and, above all things, Aries hate sharing." Harry nodded in understanding. "Aries will not, under any condition, share power, share prestige, share credit, or share lovers. Remember this, my dear. You are a Leo?"
"Yes," Harry confirmed.
"Leo and Aries work well together -- Both fire signs. You might clash at some point but I feel that this will be a very rewarding relationship." She paused for a moment and then added. "Just make sure to allow him to be the initiator -- You know what I mean." She winked knowingly at him.
"I understand," Harry smiled.
Also: Yes, I am well aware of the fact that Voldemort definitely killed James Potter -- This is why I said that the chapter broke cannon -- It's supposed to be dramatic, not completely accurate
Chapter Fourteen -- Growing Up
A week had passed.
Harry sat in his bed, victim to the sticky heat of a bizarrely warm March night. He picked up the glass of ice water that he kept on the bedside table and took a long sip, relishing in the feeling of cool wetness against his rough, parched tongue.
A week had passed.
Sirius Black had recovered for the most part and was beginning to accept the situation. Tom had apologized and, thanks to Harry's coaxing, had eventually begged Sirius for his forgiveness. Sirius had decided that it was better not to pick a fight with the former Dark Lord and Harry's lover. It was time for Sirius Black to grow up.
A week had passed.
Glamouries were back in place, much to Harry's relief, although Tom looked somewhat older than he had before. He still maintained his attractive sixteen-year-old build but he appeared more mature and more sophisticated now. Light, feathery creases were beginning to appear at the corners of his eyes -- Barely noticeable unless you really looked for them. His posture had improved and he carried himself with an air of old-fashioned dignity. And flecks of gray had finally begun to streak through his hair making it known that Tom Riddle was about to turn seventy-years-old.
Tom Riddle had grown up as well.
A week had passed.
Severus Snape, on the other hand, had taken to blatantly ignoring Harry -- Not bothering to scold him for mistakes or to take points away from Gryffindor for his insolence. Harry had decided that Severus was suffering from the "elephant in the living room" syndrome -- He had a problem sitting right in front of him, as clear as day, but, by refusing to acknowledge it, the Potions Master assumed that the problem would just disappear. Despite the fact that Severus had murdered his father that night, Harry couldn't help feeling a little twinge of pity for Severus. He was a pathetic man.
A week had passed.
Harry looked at the calendar. Tom's seventieth birthday was in two days and he still hadn't picked out a present. The young Gryffindor slid out of bed -- His shirt sticking to his back with sweat. He quickly shed his clothing and began shifting through the closet, looking for something to wear on a trip to Hogsmeade. While he was glancing at a green cotton shirt, a glint of gold caught his eye. His binding ring -- "Wedding band," Harry thought to himself with a smirk. It was a thin gold band -- Very plain and very simple. Engraved on the outside were the words, "Ingressio amor. Prodigus amor. Obligatus amor." Dumbledore had said those words during the ceremony. God, the binding ceremony seemed like it happened an eternity in the past. Harry used his sparse Latin skills to come up with a rough translation: "Begin love. Abound in love. Bind love."
"I hardly ever get to see you looking like that."
Harry whisked around to see Tom Riddle watching him appraisingly. Harry blushed brightly.
"You don't often stand naked in the middle of our bedroom floor," Tom continued. "May I ask what invoked this sudden change in routine?"
"I'm getting dressed," Harry mumbled, pulling down the green shirt and a pair of lightweight khaki pants.
"Don't," Tom smiled, walking up behind Harry and wrapping an arm around his waist. He gently kissed up and down the boy's neck and Harry giggled.
"Stop! That tickles!"
"Children," Tom sighed, rolling his eyes and pushing Harry over to the bed.
"Come on," Harry laughed, falling onto the covers. "Isn't it a bit too warm for this?"
Tom sank down onto the bed, covering Harry's lithe form with his own.
"I don't think so," he murmured, biting gently at Harry's lower lip. "You are so . . ." Tom's lips moved down to suckle the side of Harry's throat. "Wonderful . . . and talented . . . and enchanting . . ."
"Shut up, Tom."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
"Where's Harry?" Hermione whispered to Ron. Ron shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. It was Saturday but Professor Trelawney was offering a supplementary course -- "Astrology and You" -- and most of the sixth year Gryffindors had decided to take it along with some Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Professor Trelawney was sitting at her desk, staring into a mass of tea leaves, lips pursed together.
"Sit, children, I would like to get started with this . . . Oh, I'm sorry, my dear," Professor Trelawney said, looking at Ron with a sad glint in her eye. "I see the Grim standing behind an old tree."
"Let me guess," Ron said, trying to appear as if he were concentrating on the symbols. "Death -- Of the most bizarre and painful sort."
"Oh yes, my boy! I am quite sorry for you! Luckily, your powers of Divination have informed you of this tragic event."
"How lucky," Hermione said through gritted teeth. Professor Trelawney did not hide her animosity towards the girl.
The sound of footsteps running towards the room and Harry bolted in through the door. Hermione almost laughed out loud. Harry looked completely tousled and severely fucked. His hair was flying in a million different directions. His lips were bruised from avid kissing. His skin still shone with a thin layer of sweat. He sat down in the seat next to Ron, trying not to create any more of a commotion.
"Hm," Ron smiled. "I wonder what you were doing before class."
"Shut up, Ron," Harry said, blushing deeply.
"My children," Professor Trelawney said, rising to her feet. "I would like to begin this class with some examples demonstrating the awesome mystic powers of astrology!"
"The awesome mystic powers of astrology can be yours for only twenty-nine pounds, six pence," Ron said, in the style of an infomercial. Harry restrained his laughter.
"I am currently broadening the sightline of my Inner Eye," Professor Trelawney said. "Someone give me a date of birth."
"September 18th," Lavender Brown said. The entire class burst out into laughter. It was Justin Finch-Fletchley's birthday.
"Ah, my dear, a Virgo! The Virgin sign," Professor Trelawney exclaimed, clutching her hands together joyously. The peals of laughter increased. Harry was very glad the Justin had decided not to attend this class.
"He is an earth sign with his ruling house being the sixth," Professor Trelawney said, seeming deeply introspective at the moment. "His ruling planet is Mercury . . . He's very organized. He works with diligence and dedication. He has a set routine and no sense of spontaneity. He's a little messy and sometimes he shows up for an engagement a few hours too late."
"That's Justin, Professor Trelawney!" Lavender smiled and everyone nodded their head in agreement.
"Oh happy day," Hermione said under her breath. "Professor Trelawney finally got something right."
"Another!" Professor Trelawney insisted. "My Inner Eye feels open to the other world."
"Wait a second!" Ron exclaimed, digging a sheet of paper out of his backpack. Harry recognized the sheet. It was a list that Fred and George had made up, containing the birthdays of all the Hogwarts staff. They had started a tradition last year -- Every faculty member was to have a prank pulled on his or her birthday.
They now had detention for six weeks thanks to McGonagall.
"Ooh! What about April 24th?" Ron asked inquisitively.
"Taurus," Professor Trelawney said knowingly. "Stubborn and grounded -- Very down-to-earth. They're reliable and responsible but they are somewhat inflexible."
"McGonagall," Ron smiled and the entire class laughed. "What about December 23rd?"
"Two days before Christmas?" one of the Hufflepuff girls asked. "Who has a birthday two days before Christmas?"
Ron smiled knowingly. Harry had a feeling that he knew.
"A cuspling," Professor Trelawney said with a smile. "On the brink between two signs -- Capricorn and Sagittarius. I seem to sense that he is more of a Capricorn though. He's motivated and practical. Determination is one of his strong points. He thrives on advancement -- Making his career and his social status one of the most important things in his life. Success is his greatest reward. He demands respect. He has no tolerance for miscalculation."
Ron was gaping, wide-eyed.
"But he's also a Sagittarian. He doesn't deal well with commitment -- Personal commitment I'm going to guess. He doesn't like to be fenced in. He definitely needs his space . . . Very interesting sign. May I ask who this is, my dear?"
"Professor Snape!" Ron exclaimed. "And that is completely him!"
"You have no idea," Harry thought to himself.
"One more," Professor Trelawney said. "And I think that you have a date for me, my dear." She was looking straight at Harry.
"Um, March 21st?" Harry asked, naming off the first birthday that came to mind.
"Oh, how fascinating!" Professor Trelawney smiled. "I know exactly whose birthday this would be, too."
"How do you know, Professor?" Harry asked, curious.
"Because the implications of this sign match his personality beautifully," Professor Trelawney said, her voice filled with glee. "This is Tom Riddle's birthday, is it not, my dear?"
Harry nodded. A hush fell over the room.
"March 21st is the most powerful day of the year. It is on the cusp of Pisces and Aries -- The houses of death and rebirth. Aries thrive for new beginnings. They initiate new projects, enjoying the thrill and power of being the leader. Aries are born to lead, of course. They tend to take action quickly -- They're impulsive and bold. They also happen to be very impatient and, above all things, Aries hate sharing." Harry nodded in understanding. "Aries will not, under any condition, share power, share prestige, share credit, or share lovers. Remember this, my dear. You are a Leo?"
"Yes," Harry confirmed.
"Leo and Aries work well together -- Both fire signs. You might clash at some point but I feel that this will be a very rewarding relationship." She paused for a moment and then added. "Just make sure to allow him to be the initiator -- You know what I mean." She winked knowingly at him.
"I understand," Harry smiled.