---The blessing is important in the sequel I'm about a third of the way to convinced of doing. You know, where he destroys the Wicked Witch of the West.

---The book Alternative Medicine (1994) mentioned in this chapter is real. It is a huge book and well researched. Its editorial board is littered with hundreds of MDs, ODs, NDs, and other types of Ds. It is not for the faint of heart, I assure you.

Chapter 12 – Interlude – Harry's Outing

Harry finished his porridge and watched as Draco finished his own breakfast. Harry could feel Draco's pleasure at the lightly spiced dish; the bond between them was strong and easy to feel. Truthfully, Harry hadn't expected the bond to strengthen as much as it had in response to their intercourse last night, even if it had been the last evening of the transition week. Perhaps it was because they had gone both ways? Or maybe it was because they had both derived equal pleasure from both giving and receiving, no matter the role they'd been in at the time. Or maybe it was just his weird luck. Whatever the reason, the bond was very strong and very solid; he was pleased and knew Draco was as well.

Draco eyed Harry as he ate the last of his breakfast. "I can tell you want to ask me something. So, ask," he said, curious as to why Harry was worried about whatever it was.

Harry smiled in amusement. "I see I'll never be able to get anything past you again." Turning serious, he asked, "Will you be all right if I leave for a couple hours to pick up a few things?"

Draco was somewhat confused as to why Harry was so worried about the question when he remembered he had nearly panicked the last time Harry had asked it. Surprised at the dramatically different reactions, Draco closed his eyes and felt the bond for a few moments. Opening his eyes, he smiled and said, "Yes. I'll be fine. The bond seems to have settled enough for a few hours absence."

"Good," Harry sighed in relief. He could feel the truth of Draco's words through the bond. "I was really starting to worry that I wouldn't be able to get everything in time."

"Where are you going?" Draco asked curiously.

"Tut, tut. I'm not telling you or it'll ruin the surprise. You'll find out in a couple hours," Harry answered, wagging his finger playfully in front of Draco.

Draco slapped the hand away equally playfully. "Fine, fine. I'll wait. I can figure out some of the things at any rate. It is Saturday, after all, and I've yet to see my robes" he said with a sniff.

"I don't doubt it," Harry replied dryly. After he dealt with the breakfast dishes, Harry went to the walk-in closet, grabbed some everyday robes, and got dressed. He watched as Draco went back to the settee and his most recent book: Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide by the Burton Goldberg Group. It was a couple years old but was quite comprehensive. And thick. It was over a thousand pages. Draco had been reading it since Thursday night and delighted in telling Harry about all the different theories about how to fix different problems. Harry just looked at the huge silver book in horror, completely incapable of imagining sticking his own nose into it. But he was glad that Draco liked it; seems the bookstore had chosen well when he had told them "varied and comprehensive." He'd have to remember them in the future if he wanted some muggle books.

Harry put on his boots and walked over to Draco and ran his hand over the white hair. The two shared a smile and Harry left the room, intent on talking to Salazar. He figured the painting already knew what he was going to ask. Harry walked through the hallway and the double doors, coming to stand a few feet in front of the painting.

"Good morning, Harry. Things went well, yes?" Salazar asked with a small smirk.

"As if you don't already know," Harry snorted wryly. "But, yes, things did go well. I've not been able to get out, however, to acquire appropriate attire nor a suitable gift. I'd like to go back a week; I've got an idea of what I want to do but it will take quite some time to complete. May I have your permission to use the time-turner?"

"What do you want to do?" Salazar asked his student curiously. He knew already that he would give permission – he'd spoken to the time-turned Harry last week – but robes and a gift should not be that complicated. What was the boy up to?

"Well," Harry stalled, ruffling his hair. Maybe Salazar wouldn't like the idea? His teacher did tell him that his ideas got a bit grandiose at times.

"Harry?"

Harry chewed his lip a moment, then answered honestly, "I want to use unicorn hair in the embroidery on Draco's robes. I know that white thread would be fine, but I wanted something a little more…distinctive…for Draco. It'll take quite a lot, what with the runes and image, so I thought I would go into the forest and ask the unicorns if they'd be willing to give me enough. Plus, I want to do the embroidery and spellwork myself. That'll take days."

Salazar raised an eyebrow at his student's ambitious project. No wonder he'd given permission. "So it will. Make sure you use your time wisely, Harry," Salazar said as a small piece of his frame popped open.

"Yes, sir. I will," Harry said as he reached over to take the small device from its hiding place. "Thank you."

Salazar nodded as Harry set the time-turner then disappeared with a pop.


Harry blinked away the slight distortion in his vision caused by the time travel and looked up to Salazar's surprised portrait. Grinning mischievously, Harry chirped, "Good morning, sir! How are you this fine day?"

Chuckling at his student's behavior, Salazar replied, "Quite well, thank you, Harry. And why have you come back in time?"

Grinning, Harry answered, "Why, places to go and people to see, of course!"

"Of course," Salazar chuckled. "I'm sure I'll get the reason out of you later. This has something to do with Mister Malfoy's transition today, yes? Did it go well?"

"It went spectacularly," Harry replied enthusiastically. "Our bond is very strong. He was Gifted as a Healer! There's not been a Healer for over fifty years! He'll be swimming in offers before a month is up, I'd bet."

"A Healer? That is indeed remarkable." Salazar turned serious and said firmly, "Harry."

Harry stepped back and looked at his mentor in surprise. "Yes, sir?" he asked, uncertain as to the reason behind Salazar's suddenly stern demeanor.

"Harry," Salazar began again, just as firmly, "you agreed to be that young man's transition partner. You took the risk of him being Gifted. There is a reason why a Gifted wizard's transition partner is properly titled Guardian. This is a lifelong bond you have forged. Your Guardianship does not end when the week is up. I imagine that he will indeed be swimming in offers as you put it. A Gifted wizard is often hounded to use his Gift, a Healer doubly so. It will be your duty to see that he does not get overwhelmed, that he has peace from those vying for his attentions, that he does not overtax himself trying to please everyone. You must be prepared to handle these things. You are his Guardian."

Harry's eyes widened in realization of just what it was Salazar was telling him. Nodding slowly, Harry replied, "Yes, sir. I hadn't thought of that. Thank you for the warning. I will do as you say; Draco will not be overburdened as long as I can help it."

Salazar nodded in pleased satisfaction at the determination apparent in his student's eyes and stance. "Good."

"Of course, he's not going to like that," Harry said with a small laugh. "He's very independent."

Salazar raised an eyebrow. "Likely he will not be as dissatisfied as you fear. It is quite probable that he has realized for some time that he would likely be Gifted and would therefore have a Guardian who would watch over that part of his life."

"Maybe," Harry agreed doubtfully.

Salazar studied his student a moment. "If you are that concerned, perhaps you can offer him your own Guardianship?"

Harry opened his mouth to respond then shut it and thought for a moment. Eventually, he nodded slowly and replied, "That might be a good idea. I'll think about it."

Salazar smiled slightly. "Go on, now. See to your errands."

Harry grinned again. "Yes, sir! See you later!" And Harry was out the door with a wave leaving behind a chuckling painting.


"First stop – Corinne's and Adrien's," Harry thought to himself as he exited the tunnel into the Forbidden Forest. "Then – Gringott's. Then…," Harry stopped and thought for a moment. Where would he go after Gringott's? He didn't need to go anywhere but the clothing store, the bank, the forest, and back to the Quarters to rest. And he needed to go to the forest at night not during the bright of the day. Unicorn hair was more potent when harvested by moonlight.

Continuing to the tree that would hide his magic use, keeping the entrance secret, Harry thought idly, "Maybe I'll pick up some food while in Paris. Why, in all the things we talked about, did Draco and I never talk about what foods we liked?" Stopping moments later under the appropriately charmed tree, Harry grasped his wand, adjusted his glamour to not-Potter, put on a French style wizard's hat, thanked Salazar once again for teaching him how to apparate, and disappeared.

Orienting himself quickly in his new surroundings, Harry took off down the street to see a couple friends he hadn't yet told Draco about. He had met Adrien, a tanner and leatherworker of dragonhide, when he had been searching for someone who was knowledgeable and trustworthy enough to work the yards of basilisk hide he had found himself in possession of after Salazar had insisted he harvest the useable components of the ugly beast. Of course, Salazar hadn't bothered to tell him that the entire beast was useable. He'd stopped complaining, though, the moment he'd found out how much those components were worth and that he could establish a vault that wasn't watched.

He and Adrien had immediately taken to each other. It had been an odd experience; almost like instant friendship. Then he had met Adrien's wife Corinne and the same connection had happened! He had been wary, then, but eventually calmed when nothing seemed amiss after nearly an entire day in their company. He'd spent his entire time-turned summer between third and fourth year with the couple, incidentally learning French, including some words that Salazar hadn't been impressed with. He'd learned a great deal about everyday practical wizarding life from them, too, and they were very dear to him. He'd considered them as transition partners but had quickly discarded the idea. Corinne was brilliant but was physically tiny. Even with the standard strength potion available to transition partners she wouldn't have been able to restrain him physically; he would simply have used his greater leverage against her. He had refused to take the risk that he would have harmed her, maybe even raped her in his desperate delirium. As for Adrien, the tanner had made it plain at one point that he wanted no bonds other than the one to his wife.

Stepping into the store, Harry looked around at all the expensive fabrics and the one-of-a-kind robes that were found here. Corinne was a brilliant designer and her robes clothed some of the wealthiest witches and wizards in Europe. Corinne often pestered him to allow her to make him a new wardrobe but he constantly declined. What was the point, he would ask, of making a wardrobe for a boy who would grow out of it before being able to wear it all? He'd not been able to get away without a few outfits, however, something he was grateful for the summer of his transition when he'd spent three months away from everyone and was therefore able to dress as he wished instead of how he must.

(("May I help you, sir,")) a saleslady asked him politely in French.

(("Yes, thank you,")) Harry replied, smiling. (("Would you please tell your mistress that Harry is here for a special request and to finally grant her wish?"))

(("Of course, sir. I'll be back in a moment, please feel free to look around. We just received a new shipment of velvets,")) the saleslady responded, pointing out the aforementioned material before leaving through the back door.

Harry eyed the velvets doubtfully. They looked nice, he supposed. He was hopeless at fashion, though, and knew it. Accordingly, he kept the ensembles that Corinne had made for him hanging in the same way in which she had provided them in the first place so he wouldn't mess up. Merlin forbid he mix the wrong shade of green with the wrong shade of charcoal! He had patiently listened to everything Corinne told him about colors and textures and styles and accessories, nodding when appropriate but not really understanding, and had come to the conclusion that he was going to have to address his ineptitude in some other, more practical, fashion. Corinne had laughed at him and promised never to make him anything but a full ensemble. He had been insanely grateful.

Harry was suddenly accosted by a bundle of blue silk with blond hair and squeezed enthusiastically. (("Harry! It's so good to see you!")) Corinne pulled back and looked up her young friend, her delight apparent but tinged with confusion. (("But what are you doing here? Did you really come just to let me dress you?"))

Harry laughed. (("Not just to dress me, no. I have a very special request. Could we talk privately? With Adrien?")) Harry asked, smiling widely at his exuberant friend.

(("Yes, of course. Come, come, let's go have tea,")) Corinne said, practically dragging a laughing Harry behind her small frame and telling the bemused saleslady that she would be indisposed for the morning.

In short order, Corinne had seated Harry, fetched her husband, and distributed tea. (("How did you get off school grounds, Harry?")) Adrien asked, then blushed when Harry simply gave him a pointed look. (("Oh. Right."))

(("Harry is going to less me dress him!")) Corinne exclaimed to her husband.

Adrien furrowed his brows, understanding immediately the implications beyond his wife's entertainment. (("It is time?")) he asked seriously.

(("Yes.")) Harry nodded.

(("Why so early?")) Adrien asked in concern.

(("Something has come up. Not bad, but it will definitely make it impossible for me to continue to hide.")) Harry replied reassuringly.

(("Does it have to do with your special request?")) Corinne asked, finally realizing that there was more involved here than her satisfaction.

(("Yes. I need you to make a set of Gifted robes.")) Harry answered, not surprised at the subsequent reactions of his friends.

Corinne immediately exclaimed (("Finally!")) while Adrien looked at him a moment, then set down his teacup and said quietly, (("Not for you."))

Harry gave a small smile and set down his own teacup. Corinne looked at them both in shock. (("No, not for me.")) Harry agreed.

Corinne picked up her previously ignored teacup and took a small sip. (("Speak,")) she said softly. And Harry did.

The next half hour saw Harry telling his friends everything that had happened, everything he planned for this time-turned week, and everything he thought might happen as a result of his involvement with a Gifted Draco Malfoy. The next hour was spent thinking of responses and contingency plans. The several hours were purely social.

(("Come back at four o'clock and I will have his robes ready. Yours will be ready by the time Adrien finishes his pieces,")) Corinne told Harry as she escorted him back to the store.

(("All right. I'll see you later,")) Harry replied, kissing Corinne on the cheek before leaving to go back to London and the Gringott's branch there.


A figure concealed by a dark brown cloak approached a fierce looking goblin guard. The figure opened his brown-gloved hand long enough for the guard to see a black key emblazoned with a stylized "T" before pulling the hand back inside the cloak. The guard turned without a word and led the figure to a well-apportioned room that lay down a hallway beyond the sight of the tellers. Minutes later another goblin entered the room, closing and locking the door behind him.

"Good afternoon. How may I help you today?" the goblin asked politely.

The figure pulled down the hood of the cloak. "Good afternoon, Thornbelt. Are you well?"

A twitching nose was the only sign of the goblin's surprise. "Mister Potter. You always come on such unusual days. I am well, yes. And yourself?"

Harry smiled brightly, "I am well." He was always pleased to see Thornbelt; a practical, no-nonsense, efficient, informative, and amazingly personable goblin. It had been Thornbelt who had helped him set up his account so it was away from prying eyes and explained that goblins didn't care about age; if you came in with money then you were old enough to make a transaction. The black-key account he now held was pricey, but the discretion offered was beyond dispute; only he and Thornbelt knew who owned the account.

Thornbelt smiled back, exposing a great many sharp teeth. He was always pleased to see Harry Potter; a sensible, intelligent, and respectful wizard. "And how may I help you today?" he asked again.

Harry ruffled his hair and said slowly, "I want to petition the wards around one of my family vaults to let me take something out."

Thornbelt's nose twitched again. "Do you remember what I told you that involved?"

Harry grimaced and nodded. "Blood and invasion by a foreign magic," he answered.

Thornbelt nodded. "Very well. Which vault?" he asked, knowing the young man wouldn't have asked unless he was quite serious.

"Two hundred seventeen," Harry replied.

Ten minutes later Harry was on his knees before large double-doors adorned with the Potter crest, waiting patiently while Thornbelt chanted in old goblin to awaken the semi-sentient wards around the vault. Thornbelt finished and held out a hand to the young man next to him. Harry offered up his hands to the goblin, wincing and hissing in pain, but not pulling away, as goblin runes were cut into both palms.

"Place your hands on the doors and think of what it is you want and why," the goblin instructed, wondering if this young man would succeed in convincing the wards. It hadn't been done in so long that he would have to look up the last successful petition.

Harry did as he was told and tried to relax as much as possible as the magic of the wards invaded him, searched him, judged him. A final surge of magic and the doors clicked open. Harry grinned at Thornbelt and rose, checking his hands. "Nice," he commented as he noted they were healed and clean.

Thornbelt showed more sharp goblin teeth than usual and gestured him into the vault.

Harry stepped into the vault and stopped short in dismay. "Merlin. Did my ancestors not believe in organization?" he queried softly to himself as he looked around at haphazardly placed and dangerously stacked vault contents. Sighing, he started looking.

Luck seemed to be at least partly on Harry's side as he relatively quickly discovered a cabinet stuffed with an indiscernible number of smallish boxes. He only had to go through about fifty before finding what he was after. Approaching the exit, Harry was advised, "Walk through slowly, Mister Potter."

Harry did. Stepping through the wards felt like walking through water as they slowed him down and checked that he had taken only what he had asked for. Once the vault was resealed, Harry and Thornbelt traveled back to the meeting room.

"May I be so bold as to ask what you retrieved, Mister Potter?" Thornbelt asked, very curious as to what the young man could have wanted that the wards would agree to.

In response, Harry simply held out the smallish box and opened the lid. Harry grinned as the goblin's ears fluttered in appreciation at what he saw. "This is exquisite workmanship. Why would you want to retrieve it at this time?" Thornbelt asked, still completely at a loss as to the young man's motives.

Still saying nothing, Harry pulled out the folded papers secured in the lid and handed them to the goblin. Several nose twitches later, the goblin handed back the papers and Harry replaced them and closed the box.

"Make sure to take a look at Thursday's paper," Harry said cryptically and pulled up the hood of the brown cloak.

Thornbelt nodded thoughtfully and escorted the indeterminate brown-cloaked figure back to the lobby.


((What did they say?)) Harry asked the snake that had agreed to act as an intermediary between him and the unicorn herd in the Forbidden Forest.

((The herd stallion is intrigued by your request. He will allow you to approach and make your plea,)) the snake replied.

((Great,)) Harry said in relief. ((Can you lead me to him?))

((Of course.))

An hour later Harry was grumbling to the snake, ((It didn't take you this long to get there and back. How much farther?))

((Well, I did not have to deal with any obstacles more than a few centimeters above the ground. It is not my fault you are so large.)) Harry could swear the snake was laughing at him.

Moments later Harry forgot anything he might have said in response as he broke through into a clearing filled with unicorns. The sight was amazing, to be sure, but it was the herd stallion that held Harry immobile and awe-struck. The stallion was by far the largest of the unicorns present and stood proud and tall in a protective stance off to the side of the others. The stallion was looking him in the eye and Harry couldn't even think to breath, much less move.

Harry gasped for breath when he was released from his paralysis when the stallion shook his head and pawed the ground.

((You may approach,)) the snake encouraged.

((Uh, I should have asked before, but is there any etiquette for this situation that I should observe?)) Harry asked, still a bit breathless.

((Stop five feet away and do not lie,)) the snake answered, amused by the human's reaction.

((Right. Thank you,)) Harry said, now somewhat nervous.

Harry slowly walked towards the stallion, careful not to make any sudden movements. Stopping five feet away he opened his mouth to start talking then closed it without uttering a sound. This wasn't right. Harry kneeled and imagined he saw a spark of approval in the stallion's eyes.

"Well, you see, it's like this…" Harry began softly

Harry thought he would feel relieved if the unicorns were to agree to his request. Maybe even happy and honored. The only thing he was feeling, though, was incredibly humbled.

He'd been with the stallion eight hours now. He had worked for two hours, rested for one, worked and rested again, then worked again and was now finished for the night. Morning. Whatever. He was very tired; it was four o'clock Sunday morning and except for a couple hour nap he had been awake and active for twenty-two hours. And he'd be back tonight. It was a good thing he didn't have any more errands until Wednesday. He was going to sleep this whole day.

Harry carefully packed away Draco's robe and bowed to the herd stallion from his place on the ground, where he was once again kneeling. "Thank you, sir. I shall follow Sanna again tonight as you instructed."

The stallion snorted and stomped the ground. Harry kept his head bowed as the stallion whinnied to his herd members and led them from the clearing. Once he was sure the unicorns were gone, he lifted his head and looked for his snake guide. ((Sanna?))

((Here.))

Harry looked to the sound and watched the snake uncoil and approach him. ((Would it be acceptable if I apparated back the entrance? Would it be considered rude at all?)) Merlin, Harry hoped not. He was exhausted and definitely did not fancy an hour walk back to the tunnel entrance.

((You are tired. Can you do this magic without harming yourself?)) the snake said in response.

((I am tired but I have enough concentration for this. It is a familiar place to me and easy to visualize,)) Harry answered.

((Then it will not be rude,)) Sanna assured him. ((I will meet you there again tonight as the sun sets.))

((Thank you,)) Harry said, relieved. He picked up the box with Draco's robe, stood, and apparated back to the tunnel entrance. Giving the entrance a weary stare, he began trudging back to Salazar's Quarters.


It was now Thursday night. This morning he had finished embroidering the runes; all one hundred eighty of them. The only thing left was the traditional image to embroider on the back: a unicorn. He knew exactly what image he wanted to place there; he couldn't get his initial sight of the herd stallion out of his mind. He figured it was only right that the stallion be immortalized since it was his hair that was being used. However, he was worried about logistics. Harry started at Sanna's soft hiss just to his left.

((What troubles you?))

((I am concerned that every time I open my eyes to get a new hair that I will not be able to go back to exactly where I left off with the previous hair, disrupting the image I wish to create,)) Harry confessed sheepishly. Really, he was probably being much too over-anxious about the process. Nobody would notice if the image wasn't absolutely perfect. Probably not even him. Shaking his head at himself, he listened to the snake's response.

((Cast your spell and keep the image in your mind. The herd stallion will ensure that a new hair is supplied whenever necessary,)) the snake told him.

Startled at the idea, Harry simply nodded and obeyed. He closed his eyes, called up the image, and cast his spell.

Harry maintained the image for hours, unconsciously falling into a deep meditative state. Slowly he became aware of a sense of completion and Sanna talking to him softly. ((You are finished now, young wizard. The image is very beautiful. You must come back and look at your work,)) Sanna was saying hypnotically.

Harry listened to the compelling words of the snake as she continued on in this vein, cajoling him back to conscious awareness. Eventually he opened his eyes and sought out the helpful snake.

((Thank you, Sanna. I think I am back now,)) Harry said softly, then groaned when he attempted to move from his kneeling position. ((How long has it been?))

((Many hours. Not as many as the previous nights. Perhaps half?)) Sanna answered, providing the information she could with a snake's time-sense.

"Midnight, then," Harry thought to himself. He should be able to get back to a relatively normal sleep schedule, then.

Harry lifted his eyes to his work and sucked in a surprised breath. ((It is indeed beautiful, Sanna. It is just like I pictured it.))

((Imagine that,)) Sanna replied with some amusement. Really, what had he expected it to look like?

Harry laughed at the snake's comment and lifted his gaze to the herd stallion. "Thank you very much," he said sincerely and bowed low. Harry maintained his position, waiting for the stallion to lead his herd members away as he had the previous nights. He was surprised when instead the stallion approached him and he could see the gleaming hooves not half a meter away. He was confused but didn't dare move.

Moments later Harry couldn't move as a warmth suffused him from head to toe. His body felt revitalized, his magics rejuvenated, his mind…his mind felt healed. In dazed amazement, he realized what was happening. He couldn't help but sob his gratitude as he felt the unicorn's blessing wash away the shame he felt from his life with the Dursley's.

By the time Harry sufficiently recovered his composure, the herd was long gone. He gathered the now finished robe, thanked Sanna one last time, and apparated back to the tunnel entrance intent on going immediately to bed. He was still somewhat dazed at the stallion's blessing and figured his best route of action was to sleep. Surely his mind would be functioning normally tomorrow…


Friday morning found Harry grinning joyfully at the miserable weather as he made his way back to Corinne and Adrien's. Likely he looked like an idiot but he absolutely did not care. With an excellent night's sleep combined with the newness of the unicorn's blessing, he felt he would be in a good mood for the rest of his life.

Stepping into the store Harry didn't have time to even dispel the shield that had been keeping him dry before he was accosted and hugged by Corinne. (("It's good to see you! Come to the back; that's where we have your things."))

A laughing Harry was once again dragged out past a bemused saleslady. (("The boots and pants and shirt are spelled the same as yours. Adrien says he had a hard time making the cloak the right color. He got it in the end, though, so don't worry. Your robes are just lovely; I can't wait to see you in them. I know you didn't ask for them but I included some under…"))

(("Corinne,")) Harry said firmly, stopping the anxiously babbling designer and giving her a little shake. (("Why are you so nervous? What's wrong?")) he asked in concern.

The woman simply looked up at him, wringing her hands, unable to control her partly panicked expression.

Harry said gently, (("You don't have to do this if you don't want. It's all right. And you're welcome to still come. If not, though, I need to know now so I can make other arrangements."))

(("No. I do. It's just that I've been like this over half my life. The prospect of…it's a bit frightening. It's silly, I know. I should be excited and looking forward to it. But I just…")) the woman said helplessly.

Harry had come Wednesday and asked if Corinne and Adrien would consent to Corinne being the subject of Draco's Proving. His friends had been flabbergasted at his request, then highly emotional; never had they contemplated that Corinne might one day be healed of her injuries. They had gratefully agreed to his request and he had left them with an invitation, sending an owl to Dumbledore a little later to add them to the guest list.

Harry hugged his friend tightly and said, (("I understand. While my scars aren't as highly visible it was still somewhat disconcerting when they were suddenly gone. Draco is quite adamant about getting rid of all of them before long.")) Harry laughed then, unable to contain his joy at life any longer, and lifted his friend up and twirled her around. Corinne's squeals brought Adrien into the back room

(("Should I be jealous?")) Adrien asked with a grin, already knowing the answer he would get.

Harry set down Corinne and assumed a stance and air of mock affront. (("Of course not! Given my preferences, Corinne would have the greater cause to be jealous!"))

Adrien's grin widened. (("I know,")) he said lightly then added, (("You're in a good mood today."))

The couple looked on bemusedly as Harry practically sparkled with joy. Laughing again, Harry shared the cause of his mood, (("I was blessed.")) Moments later Harry was covered with two overjoyed friends babbling and crying their wonder and happiness. Maybe he would stay here today. He didn't have anything else he needed to do. And today was such a wonderful day to spend with friends…