Disclaimer: not mine

So Harry's passing himself off as an eighteen year old and looks believable enough for people to accept it. I am leaning towards two possible pairings for him, Harry/Cor or Harry/Prompto with Prompto currently in the lead. Comments on that idea are welcome.

Chapter 7

Nyx looked up, spotting the kid he'd met the other day and turned to Caius, another of the new arrivals. "Why doesn't he wear braids?"

Caius winced slightly. "He has no known male relatives. With Bellona choosing such an obviously non-Galahdan name for the boy…no one was willing to step up. She raised him on her own but she was stubborn and well, you know how the smaller villages can be about outsiders." He hadn't really known her but word had spread of her and her son to his own village.

Nyx grimaced but nodded, well able to imagine what it had been like for young Harry with only his mother. While they tended to be matriarchal, some things only a father could do, such as teaching their son how to braid their hair and what each type meant along with the beads. "He's earnt them?"

"Several times over just on the journey, he's good with a sword, agile and fast."

Nyx nodded and then stood, wandering over to Harry who was browsing the small open market they put on once a week. The teen looked up and smiled at him so Nyx nodded. "Settling in alright?"

"It's…different, too noisy but I guess I'll get used to it eventually."

Nyx snorted. "Yeah, we all had that problem at first. You give joining the Glaive any more thought?"

"Subtle," the teen smirked but then nodded. "Yeah, I think I'll sign up. Not sure what else I could really do. Gotta pay the bills somehow I guess."

"Yeah," he'd only get a month of rent covered before being expected to pay his way, they were lucky to get that much government help with the anti-refugee attitudes in the city. Thankfully, the King had insisted they get that much to give them time to find work. "Come on, I'll introduce you to the Matriarch," he motioned for Harry to follow him and the teen did, eyeing him warily. "She's the oldest grandmother in Little Galahd, great-great-grandmother probably. Keeps an eye on everyone and everything."

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Harry nodded, he'd spent the last week getting settled into a dingy little apartment, more a room really, and reading as many people as he could. He needed to be able to pass as one of them after all. It was such a rich culture and there was a lot to learn but his keeping his first name had actually worked in his favour, the implanted memories spinning off into a tale of a foreign father which left him growing up rather isolated due to a lack of relatives. He couldn't have planned it better if he had tried. Still, meeting someone so important to the community was very nerve wracking and he was relieved to get through it without messing up.

Nyx clasped his shoulder as they left, having accepted a small package from the ancient woman. Harry himself was laden down with food and warm, handmade blankets, gifts to welcome him. He had the feeling her acceptance of him is very important to his place in the tight knit community and was glad he hadn't messed it up. Nyx helped him get it home and then sat down with him, putting the small package on the table and then opening it to reveal three beads.

"It should have been your Father giving you these," Nyx whispered. "In his stead, I offer my knowledge and aid," the words were formal and Harry swallowed. He should say no, admit to the truth but…he couldn't tell the truth. Who would believe him?

"Thank you," was all he could say in the end and Nyx smiled solemnly. He carefully parted Harry's hair, teaching him the correct braids and how to secure the beads. One for becoming a man, one for his first hunt, and one for his first battle. He could gain more as time went on, though most didn't bother with more than the four most important ones, the fourth being for marriage. He would never be accepted by their people already in the Glaive if he came with his hair un-braided, he would be seen as nothing more than a child, or worse.

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Cor checked the list and nodded when he saw the name he'd been looking for.

"You're rather focused on the possible Glaive recruits," Clarus commented.

"Harry Peverell, came in with the new refugees," Cor answered. "While most of the others were resting, he was checking over injuries and using herbs to treat them. I mentioned the Glaive to him and was curious if he'd decide to try out." He set the list aside and ignored Clarus' raised eyebrow.

"Must have made quite the impression on you," he smirked and Cor sighed but brought up the teens file that was now in the system, tossing it to Clarus, knowing the photo would be the first thing he saw. "Ah, yes, well. I suppose we'll be facing the same rumours Ulric caused if the kids any good with magic."

Cor snorted, that had been fun, Nyx was technically young enough to be Regis' son after all, if he'd had a child at eighteen. He hadn't even been married at that age which just helped fuel the rumours of a forbidden romance in Galahd…not that Regis had been outside the city then. This boy looked even more like a Lucis Caelum than Ulric did, though once again the dates were impossible. Regis had been happily married to Aulea when this Harry was conceived, and hadn't left the city in two years. Still…he did wonder if other members of the family hadn't enjoyed time on the islands. It would explain a lot about how easily many of them took to the magic. "We can always publish just that part of his medical file with his permission if it gets too wild."

"You think he'll make it in then?"

Cor nodded; he had no doubt the teen had what it would take. "I'd guess as a healer or mage, though he does carry a sword."

"Thinking of stealing him for the Guard?" Clarus teased and he snorted.

"No," he'd had enough trouble at first thanks to his Mother's family, he wouldn't put Harry through it, well he'd likely have it even worse.

There'd been some comments and snide remarks aimed at young Prompto, though being the Prince's best friend did offer some protection there, especially with Gladio keeping an eye on things. And he wasn't even officially a recruit, yet. They all knew it would happen, Noctis had turned down every suggestion for his final Guard member, obviously waiting for Prompto to finish school and join up. Technically he didn't have to finish high school first but it would be harder to do both at one time. Cor planned to help with his training himself, due to anxiety issues and…well, every exam had said he was a normal child by the time he was adopted, but if anything was going to crop up it'd be during training. There was no sign he even remembered his life before Insomnia and Cor really hoped that was true.

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Harry lined up with the others, all of them looking worse for wear after three days of being put through their paces. They were still dressed in the clothing that they had been given, similar to the Glaive uniforms but with no decoration or armour. There were thirty of them but he didn't think they'd all be accepted. The Captain of the Kingsglaive walked up and down the line and Harry spotted Nyx standing with another man and a woman, the Glaive spotting him and nodding in greeting.

"Congratulations on surviving the physical portion of the assessment. Next up is the medical exams starting tomorrow. When that's through you will be contacted to tell you whether or not you have been accepted into the Kingsglaive and if you are then further information will be given then. Good luck," he told them before dismissing them.

Harry went to the locker room and showered before changing back into his own clothes, shoving his hair back in a fresh ponytail, braids hanging free. He grabbed his bag and headed out.

"Harry!" Nyx called and he made his way over to him.

"Hey," he greeted tiredly.

"Harry Peverell, this is Libertus Ostium and Crowe Altius."

"Nice to meet you," Harry offered a smile.

"You too kid," Crowe grinned at him. "You look beat."

"I am," he admitted, stretching slightly.

"I was going to invite you for a drink but…" Nyx looked him over.

"Sorry, my bed is calling," Harry shrugged and they laughed.

"Well you can at least walk with us," Libertus told him so they walked from the Glaive's headquarters together. It was fun to listen to their stories of missions and life in the city. They parted once back in their sector and Harry went to collapse into bed, very glad he'd spent three months with Gil or else he'd be feeling a million times worse. At least he was sure he'd be accepted, his combat skills had been in the top ten and he'd pass a medical exam, all that was left after that was the linking to the King's magic.

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Titus read over the files for the possible new recruits, thirty had applied but he could only take on eighteen. There were some clear candidates to accept and some to reject but overall it was not easy. One candidates file got tossed due to an undiagnosed health condition which took the applicant numbers down to twenty nine.

He paused on one, Harry Peverell, eighteen, orphaned with no known family at all left alive. Signs of possible malnutrition as a child that was corrected as he grew as well as some interesting scars and signs of old breaks that weren't properly seen to, neglect? Something worse? Or just growing up in a war zone? He wasn't the youngest applicant in the group, but the other two had at least some family. He pulled up the medical exam and stared in surprise before smirking, he could be a very good candidate.

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"Regis," Cor greeted his King, taking his normal seat in his study, Clarus collapsed in the other, the brandy already open on the desk. "Clarus."

"Cor," Regis poured him a glass and pushed it over. "Clarus has been telling me about your interest in one of the Glaive hopefuls," he teased and Cor rolled his eyes.

"He's a kid who looks scarily like you and seems to know his stuff when it comes to healing. Why?"

"Well, I pulled up his medical report," Regis admitted, passing the tablet over and Cor picked it up.

Most of it was pretty standard, though the indications of his early years wasn't nice but hardly unexpected considering what news they'd had out of Galahd over the years, so long as it was caused by the Imperial occupation and not something closer to home. Thankfully he was healthy and there was nothing to keep him from joining the Glaive…he froze as he stared at the small note. He re-read it and then glanced up at Regis who nodded. "He really is related?"

"Very, very distantly. Since the family was magical even before being chosen by Bahamut to guard the Crystal, he could be related back to before the Founder King. There's no way to pin it down after about ten generations and its definitely further back than that," Regis explained. "It does mean he'll be able to use magic, perhaps even better than any of the other Glaives. He may even have magic of his own and either doesn't know or keeps it quiet since it would be dangerous if the Empire learnt of it. There's no paternal records unfortunately so we have no way to track the family link back."

"This marker shows up in every relative?"

"Yes, and the Oracle's line has one as well," Regis sighed. "Not even Titus has seen that part of his file, it's not common knowledge."

"Might be best to keep this to ourselves," Clarus pointed out. "The kid will be safer without that kind of attention. Do you want to meet him, tell him? He has no family, learning something about his family line could be a powerful way to bind him to the Crown."

Regis flinched slightly and Cor knew he'd hate the idea of using an ancient family connection to help ensure loyalty.

"Does this mean in a worst case scenario, he could inherit?" Cor asked.

"Theoretically, the Ring could accept him," Regis admitted. "I think I need to meet him before the ceremony, if he has magic of his own then the standard oath and gifting of magic may not go like others. Better to know in advance and work something out."

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Harry hung up and collapsed back on his bed, he'd done it, he'd been accepted into the Kingsglaive. He pulled out his notebook and finished writing the long letter he'd been working on before pulling the pages free and sending them into the Armiger for Gilgamesh, along with a history book he thought he'd enjoy.

He'd been working hard to learn as much about modern Eos and the last two thousand years of history as possible. Of course, history is written by the victors, he'd seen that clearly in every wizarding history book and the 'goblin rebellions', even back in primary school. The idea that the Empire was following in Solheim's footsteps did not feel right at all and it seemed that they really were the 'bad guys' in conquering other nations. So fighting against them wouldn't bother him. after six years of war, he wasn't scared of fighting and killing, despite Dumbledore's disappointment in him for it but as he'd told the man if he'd had the guts to do it the first time then they wouldn't have had such horrible odds in the second war, it may not have happened at all.

He nearly jumped when someone knocked. "Coming!" he called, assuming it was Nyx or one of the others so finding the man from the camp was a surprise. He never actually had heard his name that day. "Hello?"

"Mr Peverell," he greeted formally.

"I uh, never actually got your name that day," Harry admitted and his visitor blinked but stepped inside the tiny apartment.

"Marshal Cor Leonis," he introduced and Harry's eyes went wide.

"Oh. Right, nice to meet you. What can I do for you Marshal?"

"Congratulations on making the Glaive."

"You visit all new recruits to the Glaive when you're in charge of the Guard?" Harry asked even as he went to the tiny kitchenette to put away the dry dishes. "Can I get you something?"

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"No, thank you," Cor answered, glancing around. This was considered an apartment? It was a tiny room that barely fit a bed and built in desk, with a 'kitchen' that consisted of a small fridge, a hotplate and sink. There was a doorway hung with a curtain that he assumed, hoped, led to a bathroom. It was smaller than any barrack…any cell, he'd ever stayed in. He knew the refugee situation was far from ideal but he hadn't realised it was quite this bad.

"So why are you here Marshal?"

"To deliver an invitation, the King wishes to see you," Cor answered, watching green eyes go wide with shock.

"What?" that squawk was kind of amusing and reminded him of some other teens he knew. "I…I mean, why me, Sir?"

Cor smothered a laugh at his reaction. "Does the King need a reason to summon one of his men?"

That got a blink and then cheeks going red. "Umm, no? Okay, now? Or when?"

Cor pulled a bag out and tossed it to him and Harry caught it without hesitation, showing off the good eye hand coordination that had gotten a mention in his assessment, if the glaive used firearms they'd be pushing him towards them. "Get changed Glaive," he smirked and Harry opened the bag to reveal a Kingsglaive uniform.

"Right, back in a few minutes." He slipped behind the curtain and Cor heard the sound of water running as he obviously washed up quickly. He heard a bang and a muttered curse.

Cor looked around a little more from where he was leaning against the wall, seeing some handmade blankets on the bed, some books now piled on the tiny desk, history from what he could see. The room was already gaining personality which was a good sign he was settling in. He looked up as Harry came back out, hopping on one foot as he tried to get the boots on.

"I think I got it right?" He held his arms out and turned slowly.

"Looks good, let's go."

"Right," he grabbed his key and wallet and followed Cor from the apartment and then building to where a car was waiting. It was good to find he didn't fidget at all during the drive, watching the city around them. He parked in the garage and got out, Harry following him. "Hood up," he ordered and Harry obeyed, taking a second to fix it comfortably, hiding his face. Cor led him up through the Citadel, no one looking twice at them. He knocked on the door to Regis' study and entered, Harry following him and he nodded so Harry put his hood back down, standing at pretty good attention for someone without military training.

"Your Majesty, Harry Peverell," Cor announced.

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Harry was confused and a little concerned to being called in by the King but all he could do was follow Cor. He lowered his hood and stood at attention, copying how he'd seen the other Glaive stand before the Captain. He then got his first look at Uncle Somnus' descendant, King Regis. He looked, older than the age given by the books but apparently all of the rulers aged before their time. The Crystal, the Wall, something to do with the magic? He'd seen the looks he'd gotten, seen pictures of Regis, but seeing it in person was a surprise. They really did look a lot alike, he looked more like Regis than he did either of his own parents individually which was kind of amusing.

"Please, take a seat Glaive Peverell," Regis told him, pointing at one of the chairs before his desk so Harry sat down, hands folded in his lap. "I apologise for the somewhat cloak and dagger method of getting you here but I needed to speak with you before your swearing in ceremony." The King offered him a tablet and Harry took it, finding his own file there, with a section highlighted.

He read it and blinked, reading it again before going white. "Oh," he whispered…there went staying under the radar.

TBC…