See first chapter for disclaimers/warnings/summaries. Link to TBDH Forum is on my profile. This chapter was betaed by the wonderful and talented brissygirl to provide a smoother reading experience. All remaining mistakes are my own.
Also, I am now taking "Questions" that you would like answered for Harry, as he starts to find teachers and mentors in the upcoming chapters. Is there something specific you'd like to see him/me address? Comment in the forums or leave a review. I'll do my best to work in what I can. :D
TISSUE WARNING! There are a lot of 'feels' in this chapter. You have been warned.
RECAP: Harry and Co have split up with the respective members of the Deveraine Circle and are exploring the Hunt together in small groups. Harry has been with Ilsa's children and Dahlia's Gheyo friends from Quinn's clinic, Wikhn and Mimei. They end up having an early lunch where Harry has the chance to see and try several native Nevarean dishes, while getting to know some of the younger dragels. He also finally meets Quinn's favorite sister, Dyshoka(Beta), who proposes a formal bonding to Dahlia(Gheyo), after a public incident ruffles some noble feathers. To celebrate the formal recognition of their bonding, Dahlia takes everyone to an exclusive club in a high-rise tower in Gheyo-territory. Harry swears he can't dance, but Wikhn is more than happy to teach him...
Harry didn't even know if or when the music changed. He was only hyper-aware and hypersensitive to every move and flex of Wikhn's body pressed against his. They moved in slow synchronization, two steps forward, one step back, a half-step to the side. The dark fae's hands were warm, firm and sure as they held Harry close with the utmost of care.
Something that might have been a sigh, escaped his lips as Harry finally let his head tilt forward to rest his forehead on the cool breastplate of Wikhn's flexible dress armor. It was chilled and smooth, smelling faintly of another scent that Harry could not quite place. He mentally wrote it off as some organic matter that he'd never known as yet, as it seemed quite plausible given Nevarah and its dragel occupants. Only a few necessary parts of the chest were covered with the shell-like material, the rest was done in a strong, leather-like material, that vaguely reminded him of dragon hide.
His magic stretched out again, brushing ever so lightly over the steady glow that Harry could identify as Wikhn. He trembled in the gentle embrace when he felt the Gheyo's magic respond in a calming, soothing pulse that definitely was not rejection. A shaky breath huffed across the shiny piece of shell beneath his cheek and Harry couldn't help himself, he looked up.
Up close, Wikhn's pink eyes were an exotic wonder on their own. The irises were definitely quite pink, but with such rich vibrance, that it could not be mistaken for the blood-red hue of a vampire. It had lightened to a near coral shade now, as Harry stared into the colored depths and the round pupils seemed to stretch into something of an oval-shape. Fringed by thick, dark lashes, accented by sharp, angular features, Wikhn's scars were very faint, but they were there just the same. A small crescent shaped line of white along the left side of his cheek, to his ear and a few tiny starbursts along his right temple, as if sparks had lingered too long and left their kiss on the dark fae's impossibly pale skin.
Harry licked his lips even as his own gaze was drawn to Wikhn's thin, delicate mouth, for in spite of the very obvious strength the Gheyo displayed, there was simply something about the young man that screamed of fragility beneath that brooding intensity. Up close, Wikhn gave off of the air of a warrior expertly trained and so giving in his nature that he would sacrifice himself in a heartbeat if it were for a cause he truly championed, even if it should cost everything he had to offer and more.
Emerald eyes blinked once, twice, attempting to digest all of that and forcing himself to break that hypnotic pink-eyed stare as he tried to sort through the sudden rush of information. He belatedly realized that his empathy gifts had stretched a little further and deeper than he'd intended and perhaps, when their magics had brushed together, they'd shared something between themselves.
Sneaking an upward glance, Harry felt his cheeks heat when he realized that Wikhn was calmly staring back with the faintest hint of amusement visible, if the quirk of his lips were anything to judge by. Harry opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find any words worthy of breaking the moment.
Wikhn's faint smile did not waver as he continued to dance them around the room in slow, steady movements. Emboldened, Harry lifted his chin and returned the dancing stare with a look of his own. He watched those pink orbs darken from pale coral pink to something a little darker and brighter that made him want to squirm in ways that were entirely inappropriate for their given surroundings.
Something beside them drew his attention and Harry watched WIkhn turn away and say something a language so fluent and musical, his jaw dropped. He was distantly reminded of Alec and the Merrow's haughty manner, coupled with unbridled, ethereal beauty. Wikhn was every ounce of that loveliness to look at, without a fraction of the sharp sarcasm. Something clicked, gently, softly, inside of him and Harry found himself starting to really relax.
He wondered if this was what Ilsa had meant when she'd warned him that he would find someone for certain, on this first hunt. He found that he couldn't really mind, after all, he'd spent time with Wikhn in his different roles—at the clinic, at the beach with Bahn and now, here, the entire morning. Granted, it wasn't that much time, but Harry couldn't shake the feeling that there was something familiar and right about it all.
If he could hold Wikhn with the same possessiveness that Dahlia openly displayed for Dyshoka and listen to that velvet voice speaking in that lovely, musical language, he was fairly certain he could die happy. Content, at least, if not happy.
So when Wikhn turned back to him, Harry stood on tip-toe, stretching up to close the gap of inches between them and pressed his moistened lips against Wikhn's cool, thin ones.
For a moment, it seemed as if everything stilled and Harry felt his heart hammering in his chest as the lips beneath his did not move in anyway at all. They did not accept nor reciprocate and when he rocked back on his heels, Harry's hurt was tempered not by the carefully blank look on Wikhn's face, but the confusion in those brilliant pink eyes.
Wikhn's hands tightened for a fraction around Harry's slim figure, before he took a careful breath and bent his head to touch his lips to Harry's ear. "This is not a good idea," he murmured, voice as velvet-smooth as ever.
Harry felt his face burn. Before he could clarify or protest or something, Mimei's voice interrupted them both.
"Wikhn, catch!"
Both young men turned in time to see the blonde and Dahlia twirling towards them. Wikhn released Harry in time to catch Dahlia with an arm about the waist and his shoulders angled in a perfect mirror of her undulating form. Harry froze, watching as the dark fae expertly wove his way around the fairly accomplished Dahlia, their movements perfectly coordinated, the dance seeming too perfect to the naked eye.
"Dark Fae have an allure, you know." Mimei's bored voice captured Harry's attention and he whirled to face her, willing his red face to cool and calm. "It can twist the mind into a terrible thing. You should be careful of it. You would cut out your own heart, burn it and drink the ash, gifting your empty mortal shell to their feet. You don't seem very aware of your surroundings, so do forgive me if I've misread something, but I didn't think you knew. Sometimes Wik doesn't know when he has it on."
Harry felt his hands ball into fists and he was about to speak, when the Gheyo gave a short jerk of her head towards the dance floor.
"I just thought you should be aware."
Her words only made sense when Harry followed her line of sight to where Gheyo Ace and Gheyo King continued to dance with each other, obviously a lot more into it than any of the other couples on the floor. Dahlia said something that made him laugh and the expression transformed his entire face. Pale features lit up with mischief and vitality as Wikhn bent his head to whisper something in her ear—just as he'd done for Harry.
But when white fangs gleamed into the murky, blue-purple light of the dance floor, Harry couldn't breathe as he processed the fact that Wikhn wasn't actually whispering but biting. To which Dahlia giggled, shrugging her shoulders up to her ears, but turning still to give him better access. Dyshoka laughed with them, saying something that prompted another round of smiles.
Harry started, feeling cold, small hands slipping into his own. He was startled to see that Mimei was calmly guiding him along the edge of the dance floor, her eyes unreadable, her expression fixed. "Why-?" He began.
"Because," she said simply. And her head tipped again.
Against his better judgment, Harry turned. He felt his breath catch in his throat as his mind caught up to what his eyes were seeing. Pressed up against Dyshoka, with her arms twined around his waist from behind, Wikhn's eyes were closed as he was pleasantly sandwiched between the two young women, their fangs neatly notched in his neck. His hands gripped Dahlia's elbows as she did the same to him and his own fangs were buried in her neck. For that instant, they were the perfect, trio and Harry felt something twist inside of him.
Allure? No, it couldn't have been. Harry could have sworn that the moment they'd shared was true and innocent. He had felt no artifice or trickery beneath those smooth, dry lips. Then, perhaps it wasn't something that could be told from a kiss. Harry put his hand to his mouth, vaguely fighting back the urge to bite them bloody. A kiss was one thing, but blood-sharing that was an entirely different brand of intimacy and Harry felt as if he'd been hit with a barrage of spells. His empathy suggested that the moment was mutual between them, because he couldn't sense anything otherwise when they'd danced together, but somehow, he'd managed to read something wrong there and now, he had a sinking feeling that Wikhn probably wouldn't even look at him again.
Probably.
If he could be ever so lucky…
Harry shook his head, inwardly chastising himself for the morbid train of thought. If Wikhn was already taken, that was fine. It had to be. He'd simply have to—to do whatever it was he would have done in the first place. And he'd have to stop thinking about the pink-eyed, dark fae.
"…Harry? Harry!" Mimei grabbed his shoulders and gave him a sharp shake. Her icy blue eyes narrowed and suddenly her body began to twist and shudder, her feminine shape giving way to rather masculine lines, the ample bosom disappearing into a smooth, flat chest and an excess of fabric. "Oh by Airelle's-" The changeling broke off, abruptly. "Come with me. Now!" He dragged Harry off the dance floor and into a shadowed corner of the room. "I thought you were being rather dense, but I honestly thought you could tell—oh never mind."
For a moment, the sheer absurdity of everything made Harry's head spin. "You're a he?"
"I am me," Came the irritated reply. "Changelings such as myself do not bother with things as trivial as pronouns. It doesn't matter, though if it eases your mind, I answer to Mei when in this form." He huffed. "Why do you look like that? I, oh—I suppose a distraction is order. Oi! You there, the newbie with the pet." He pursed his lips enough to give a sharp whistle.
Someone turned in answer.
A rather familiar looking someone with dark hair, dark eyes and olive skin.
"Harry?" Blaise's voice was the very last thing Harry expected to hear.
He turned in time to receive a faceful of flying Nytura as Shadow attached itself to his face, warbling loudly in a series of clicks, hisses and little growls. He felt scaly paws scrabbling at his hair and cheeks for purchase and he reached up to pry the kitten-sized creature from his face. It had shrunk since he'd last seen it and he couldn't remember everything he'd read about it. In fact, he was really starting to dislike that pesky encyclopedia that really hadn't been much help to him at all.
"Shadow? Blaise?" He stared at the Slytherin and felt the twist in his stomach settle into a slow, agonizing burn. He licked his lips, hating the way his voice shook, ever so faintly. "He was with you?"
Blaise let him stare and returned the favor as well. He looked both different and the same, at a single glance. He wore what Harry was beginning to understand was standard Gheyo wear—simple black clothing and basic armor.
What surprised Harry was the fact that Blaise had a small, black whip coiled and tied to his waist, the handle overlaid with silver etching. He'd never expected to see the Slytherin with a weapon apart from his wand, perhaps, but it was unnerving just the same. Blaise himself, looked better than Harry could ever recall seeing him. His standard-wear included an armless tank top and slightly baggy pants worked into mid-calf length boots. It showed off smooth tanned arms and cut a rather impressive figure to any interested parties. A few, if the interested looks were to be believed, were taking notice.
The Slytherin had lost some of the stress from his face from the last time Harry had seen him. Instead, expansive indigo eyes were highlighted with a shimmer of silver and sultry black eyeliner, lending another hint of mystery to his exotic features. His hair was also thicker, curlier and longer as if the new growth had been spelled in. Overall, he was neat and clean, on the other hand, he was familiar and approachable in the way his lips held a familiar Slytherin-esque smirk.
"So it is yours. It talks a lot." Blaise threw a fond smile at the scrabbling Shadow that was now gnawing on the thick folded collar of Harry's dress robes. "Never ever shuts up or quiets down. Chews shoes. I guess you're—you're welcome to have it back." He faltered—just barely—but the smile remained. "It talks about you."
"It—he—Shadow." Harry finished, awkwardly.
"A simple yes would work." Blaise's smile wavered, once. "I figured it was yours. Didn't expect to see you here though. Aren't you a Submissive? You're looking a bit green around the edges, Potter."
"Nott." Harry heard himself say, faintly. "I prefer Nott." He could feel a sudden influx of new emotions and feelings that were most definitely not his and perhaps, maybe, even Mei's. It was hard to tell. Everything was all mushed up and tangled together and he could feel a headache coming on from trying to puzzle it out. Suddenly, all he wanted was fresh air and a moment to breathe.
Blaise blinked, then nodded, turning to scan the floor. "Theo here?"
"You two know each other?" Mei looked between them and then at the happy Nytura curled around Harry's neck. "That's yours? Wait, you have a Nytura?"
"Gryffindor." Blaise winked at Harry, then pointed to himself. "Slytherin."
Mei gave a quick shake of his head. "Never mind. I don't want to know." He'd hardly paid any attention to Lady Pai's newest recruit, mostly because it didn't require his notice, but he had heard some of the whispered talk and lately, several in the ranks had spoken of newcomers from the wizarding world. Blue eyes narrowed faintly. "Though I would like to know what you're doing here. You're not with any of the groups here and I know your rank isn't allowed anywhere near these floors, what's wrong?"
Blaise nearly shrugged, as it was, his shoulders twitched, faintly and his smile turned to a grimace. "I am supposed to tell your…Dahlia, that Lord Cunningham arrived and he brought an entourage. Lady Pai would like to know if Dahlia wants any sparring slots reserved."
Mei's jaw dropped. "For real? You saw him—them?" He corrected, excitement coloring his face.
There were rumors that the famous noble was the de facto royal for the unofficial Shadow ranks. Like the dragel Storm element, the dragel Shadow element was even less organized and less recognized. They operated in much the same way as their declared element, with significant mystery, mastery and subtlety.
Lord Cunningham had won the title after a series of bloody, brutal duels over a fifteen day period. His large Circle had then taken up the appropriate duties expected of an acting royal and clan chief. Together, he had single-handedly brought the Shadow Element into a respectful, if somewhat invisible, presence among the popular four elements. Rumor had it that he had taken on a masked bodyguard—a hired Gheyo—for his own protection during the hunt. The best rumors mentioned that the masked Gheyo answered to a stage name and held a blood title.
Blaise gave a careful nod. "Twelve in his Circle and three apprentice Gheyos and one sword for hire."
"Masked?" Mei had to know. "Tall, black, kind of brooding—with a mask? Shadow type?"
"Couldn't really tell about the shadow." Blaise frowned. "Yes to the rest of it. Why?"
"What kind of a mask?"
"…black. Gold scrolls. Scarlet border and plume on the right side. Why?"
Mei's entire face lit up. "Nothing for you to worry your little newbie head about, but it's the best news I've heard since this Hunt started. Stay and keep him company. I'll tell her."
Harry and Blaise watched him all but bounce off into the mass of moving, dancing bodies. They stood in silence, next to each other and then, finally, Harry shifted. He reached up with one hand to stroke Shadow's warm scales as the little thing rested its head in the crook of his neck. He frowned. There was one question that had bothered him literally every single time Shadow was mentioned. "Why is everyone always so impressed with Shadow? What's the big deal about a Nytura?"
Blaise turned to look at him and after a moment of silence, inclined his head. "Have you been to the library yet? Or the true archives in the library basement?"
"No. What does that have to do with anything?"
"Visit the library and you'll see."
"Why can't you just tell me? What is with all of the riddles and crazy customs and-"
"Whoa. Chill, Potter—I mean, Nott." Blaise scowled. "Whatever. I only meant that if you visit the library, you'll see some Nyturas and it'll put it in perspective for you. It's nothing to work yourself up over." He frowned. "They're just very smart creatures and they're much bigger than yours is, that's all." He paused. "Are you alright?"
Harry huffed a laugh. "It must be obvious, if you're asking." He muttered. "No, no, I'm not. You look—well." He stumbled over the word, not sure what else to say. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about himself and he barely knew Blaise well enough to keep a polite conversation between them.
"It's…fine." Blaise allowed. "I like it. Probably won't—return." He forced a quick smile. "Nothing to return to, anyway."
Harry jerked around to stare at him. "What do you mean?" A bitter taste began to settle in the back of his throat. "You came over the same as we did-"
"What? Oh. No. Nothing—new. Sort of. I don't have any reason to return," he held his hands out, palm up. "Mother is dead and if I stay here, where I am legal in the eyes of Nevarean law, I retain all of our possessions and the title of Zabini Heir. I am underage in the Wizarding World, so if I were to set foot outside once more, I would likely lose everything I own, at least, until I am able to completely secure it from this end of things."
"You'd stay here? For galleons?" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing.
The Slytherin smirked. "Is that so difficult to believe? Lady Pai's house has graciously taken me in. I've learned all sorts of useful things and even if I should try to deny myself, the fact remains that I belong here. I am comfortable here." He reached back with one hand to scratch at his shoulders. Black and deep purple scales rippled along the surface, before fading back to well-tanned skin. "Probably find myself a Circle in a little bit, if not this season, probably the next."
"W-what about Voldemort?" Harry had to ask.
Blaise finally did shrug. "What about him? He can't touch me here and I have no real intention of ever returning, so." Indigo eyes narrowed. "You look—off. What happened? You look even worse than that time with the tri-wizard-?"
"Don't you dare mention that!" Harry growled. "I'm fine. I'm just—I'm fine." He turned his shoulder to the brunet, feeling stifled. He couldn't understand how everything had gone from being wonderful to terrible in the same breath and suddenly, all he wanted to do, was be anywhere else but here, in this strange place, with strange people and their strange rules.
"Harry? Hey, Harry?" Blaise tried.
Something blurred at the corner of his face and Harry found himself staring straight into familiar pink eyes, framed by those gorgeous wisps of pitch-black hair. Wikhn. He swallowed, hard.
"Harry? You look like you're being tortured to death." Wikhn's dark drawl made Harry shiver. "Or worse." He frowned at Blaise. "Where's Mei and what are you doing here? You don't have clearance for this floor."
"She—he—went over there," Blaise tipped his head in the opposite direction. "I was sent to bring the message of Lord Cunningham's arrival to Dahlia."
Wikhn's pink eyes darkened within a matter of seconds. "Oh?" Interest colored his voice. "The Lord Cunningham?"
"Exactly why is this so important, I'd like to know." Blaise huffed. "Yes, whatever that means. I'm only to tell her, wait for an answer and then I'll be on my way—stop looking at me like that."
"Like how?" Wikhn drawled, but the dark pink-almost-red brought a vaguely unsettling aura with it as the dark fae turned back to the dance floor, eyes tracking the dancers to pick out Mei in the crowd. He smirked, a moment later, when he witnessed the exchange of information between Dahlia and Mei, and saw their Ace give a happy leap into the air. With a chuckle, Wikhn turned back towards Blaise and Harry, the smirk melting away when he took in Harry's expression. "You really don't look that well," calloused fingers caressed Harry's damp brow. "Did you drink anything? No. I was with you the whole—most of the time—stay here.I'd best fetch Theo for you," the Gheyo turned away abruptly. "Make sure no one approaches him!" The last sentence was directed to Blaise.
Harry opened his mouth and shut it, because Wikhn was already gone. He hadn't waited to see if Harry needed to agree to it, he'd simply vanished. The brunet scowled, unsurprised to find Blaise doing the same beside him. He didn't need to be running to Theo for every single little thing under the sun—and the crowd parted with Theo moving through the newly cleared space with Wikhn drifting a few paces behind him.
Harry blinked. That was fast. Wikhn must have known where his Alpha had been, either that or portals worked much faster than he'd witnessed. "Theo-" he started and was instantly pulled into a hug that practically squeezed all the air out of him.
"Theo?" Blaise exclaimed. "That was—wait, where did you-?"
"Not now, Blaise." Theo hugged Harry hard for a moment and then turned slightly to speak over his shoulder. "Thank you, Wikhn. I do appreciate the favor, but if you'd be so kind as to excuse us?"
"There's a private hallway ahead and to your right," came the dark fae's answer and then the deliberate tread of footsteps, before the music grew louder once more and then nothing could be heard.
"I-I'll see you around." Blaise's voice faded away as Theo guided them out from the soundproofed edges of the dance floor and out into the inner hallway off of the club.
The moment they were safely away from the dark room with pulsing rhythms, lights and magic, Theo studied Harry's face, his arm snug around his Submissive's shoulders. He understood what Wikhn meant when he discovered that the private hallway was a backstage entrance of sorts, to the club floor and there were a handful of alcoves build into the walls, quite obviously made for the purpose of a semi-private rendezvous.
Theo ignored the first three spaces that were occupied by snogging couples and immediately nudged Harry into the fourth small, empty space, taking up the guardian's stance outside with his back to the half-empty hallway. It was just big enough for Harry to be out of sight, with enough room to turn around and something of a ledge to brace on, if he wanted. Harry, however, was too agitated to notice such details, his hands were twisting together in a way that made Theo's brow furrow into a knot. He reached out and grabbed the snoozing Shadow from around Harry's neck and gave it a cursory pat, before lightly tossing it over his shoulder. "Keep watch," he instructed it, before turning back to face Harry. "Harry. Are you alright?" Golden eyes searched the pale face, before finally staring into those wide emerald eyes.
Harry gave his hands one final twist and then blew out a frustrated sigh. He'd wanted to have so much fun with this, but then everything was just starting to feel like too much, too soon. His empathy gifts were wreaking havoc with him, too many emotions, too many different kinds of magics and all kinds of creatures. He didn't want to interrupt anyone else's fun, because it seemed like everyone was having a jolly good time, except for him. He wasn't selfish enough to take that away from them, he really wasn't. He'd been on the sidelines, except for when Ariki and Wikhen had pulled him into things and then, then-!
Self-consciously, he hugged his arms to himself, trying to shove all the unfamiliar things out of his head so he could think clearly and give a proper answer. He hated feeling like he was falling apart at the seams—especially when Theo looked at him with such genuine concern and Harry knew it was alright to fall apart—because Theo would be there for him. Would always be there for him. Would never let him fall to pieces and pretend he didn't see it. Would always put him back together again. It made his heart hurt in a good kind of way. He'd never thought he would have something like this before.
"Hey, hey, shhh." Theo's voice was warm and soothing, the familiar chocolate-orange scent suddenly wafting through the air as the young Alpha stepped closer into the small space and reached for Harry, wrapping his arms tightly around the smaller male. "It's alright. Whatever it is, it is alright. Calm down." Theo muttered the words for a privacy bubble, tapping his wand hidden up his sleeve and relaxing minutely when he knew that it was fully formed. "Calm down, Harry. Please. It's alright. I promise you it is alright. Everything is alright, my treasure."
Harry resisted for all of a single minute, before he lost the hold on his tightly wound magic and felt the sparks explode inside of him. He shuddered, feeling it surge out of him in a wave of invisible energy that he could not even hope to control. His hands tangled in the front of Theo's robes and he braced himself, waiting for a backlash that somehow seemed inevitable. He was really starting to hate this.
To his complete surprise, he felt Theo's own magic rise up to meet him, gently pushing and nudging the destructive feelings away, soothing and caressing the raw edges in a way that only a magical soulmate could. One of Theo's long-fingered hands found their way up Harry's neck, to tangle in the short, brunet curls. They didn't stroke, but instead, pulled firmly, keeping an even pressure, just enough to be grounding and not to hurt.
Eventually, his breathing slowed from short, quick huffs to faintly wavering, calm breaths and Harry tilted his head forward enough to rest his cheek against Theo's chest. A panic attack or close enough to mimic one, was his best guess. "I don't know what happened," He said, miserably. "I was fine, it was fun and all of a sudden, it just—it—everything." He trailed off in a mixture of a whine-turned-growl. "What is wrong with me?"
"Nothing that cannot be fixed." Theo answered at once. "And I personally don't think there's anything wrong with you. If there was, I'm sure we'd know by now and Quinn would have said something. You probably had a reaction to something, I'd think. What are you doing in the Gheyo section of things? I thought you would be with Soula and Shayla and if they're in there, then what in Arielle's name are they doing there?"
"It—happened." Harry twisted the fabric of Theo's robes in his hand, focusing on the shift of the cloth in his hand and the way his clenched fingers made lines in the smoothness of it. "It-I." He tried and stopped. He didn't know what he wanted to say and perhaps it was best that he didn't say anything at all, at least, that way he couldn't muck it up.
"Shh." Theo soothed. "You don't have to explain anything that doesn't need to be explained. So as long as you're alright. You had me worried for a moment there. Was it your empathy, maybe? I could feel that you were slipping, but Wikhn arrived before I could 'port in." The Slytherin's lips quirked into something of a smile. "I think he likes you."
"Doesn't matter," Harry managed. "He wouldn't deny that he had liked the idea of the dark Fae keeping a personal lookout for him and perhaps more. There was something deliciously dangerous about the dark Fae that had appealed to him on more than merely an instinctual and magical level. Wikhn was perhaps more perceptive that he'd given him credit for—maybe. Harry swallowed. He didn't want to think of Wikhn right now. Not Wikhn that belonged to Dahlia, who already had Dyshoka. Even if Wikhn didn't belong to them in that way, the look on his face had said otherwise. He'd clearly cared for them. Harry clawed at the fabric, barely feeling Theo's hands closing over his wrists. "I hate this. Feeling so useless and—just. I hate it." He shuddered again. "We don't even know what's happening over there and I'm here having a—a good time." He choked. "Even Blaise. He's not—he won't return. He doesn't care. Voldemort's probably having a party with-"
Theo cut him off with a warm kiss, drawing it out until he felt Harry stop resisting the token of affection and accept the soothing gesture it was meant to be. "That is not your responsibility." He said, firmly. Golden eyes drilled straight into vivid green ones, even as Harry opened his mouth to protest. "No, Harry. Listen to me. He is not your responsibility and never mind about Blaise. He's entitled to do whatever he likes—just as you are."
Harry made a sound of disagreement. He was fairly certain the twisted little history he'd made since his entrance into Hogwarts spoke otherwise for the fate of the wizarding world. Yes, he might be having a wonderful time in Nevarah, but he wasn't about to condemn an entire population to Voldemort's reign if it was within his power to stop it.
Theo sighed. "You know, it does worry me that you worry so much for others and so very little for yourself, are you even aware of it?"
Harry blinked at him, incomprehensibly.
"Harry, you're sixteen—not even a legally aged wizard—there's an entire country and even," he grimaced. "Dumbledore, the famed defeater of Grindelwald. I should think that between them all and their special light-families-only group, that they could stand to hold off one mad dark lord for a few weeks while you put your head together."
"What if I can't put my head together?" Harry snapped. Theo perked a brow. Harry squirmed beneath his Alpha's sharp gaze. "Theo—Theodore, it's, I've always-"
"There. That." Theo interrupted. "That right there. You've always." He shook his head. "Always. Why? Why you? I mean, beyond what you've said, what you have actually…shared. I am serious, Harry. There are grown wizards and witches, some with fairly impressive powers, inheritances, connections both political and otherwise, yet it seems as if everything always falls back to your shoulders and you pick it up and carry it without a single thought. Why?"
"…I don't understand." Harry's brow furrowed. "It's always—I mean, no one else-"
Theo leaned forward, touching their foreheads together. "First year," he murmured. "There was some noise about a Cerberus, a stone and that ridiculous excuse of a professor. Squirrel, Quirrell, something like that, whatever his name was, I never bothered to remember because I was always too busy casting air freshening charms so I could breathe without dying from the stench of garlic. Rumors in the dungeon said that he tried to kill you—and was killed in turn for his efforts. What part of that sounds even vaguely alright, Harry?"
Harry sucked in a breath, feeling his heart begin to quicken. He had a sudden sinking feeling he knew where this conversation was headed and he did not like it one bit.
"Second year, was something to do with that cursed Chamber and that ridiculous excuse of a DADA professor, the whole mess with Slytherin's heir and your speaking parseltongue? A mysterious creature that came into the school petrifying students and yet, we all remain there, because there is no real cause for alarm?" Theo sighed. "And third year, I might count myself cursed if I were to end up in half of the adventures that have sought you before you were even of age." The hand that cradled the back of Harry's head, now slid down and forward, to cup Harry's cheek. "And then there was the tournament," and here, Theo shuddered. "That wretched tri-wizard tournament. What were they all thinking? So close to death, my treasure…and all by yourself. Why? I do not like the trend I am seeing here. I like it even less when you do not stop me to say that it is false."
Harry closed his eyes, unable to look into that steady, golden gaze that did not accuse, but instead held such warmth and strength that he could not bear it. "…stop." He whispered. "Please? Please—just—stop—I can't do this now, Theo."
"I am in no hurry to return you to a realm where others take advantage of you for what they deem as your birthright." Theo said, sternly. "I am in no position to judge anything that you have been through, especially when I do not know everything about it nor do I fully understand your reasons for doing so. However, I do reserve the right to protect you even from yourself." He sighed, softly. "You have been able to relax, just the tiniest bit since we have arrived here. Granted, it has been confusing, loud and frustrating, but no one has demanded that you risk your life alone nor have they actively tried to kill you." Something flashed a few shades darker in those golden eyes as Theo frowned. "Open your eyes, Harry. Look at me, I am serious."
Reluctantly, Harry did so. He was surprised and relieved to find nothing but care, concern and worry in those steadily darkening eyes as they shifted from golden to a hazel hue. "I-I," he faltered. Theo had rather quickly and efficiently squashed a good chunk of his present worries in a matter of minutes. Relief and pure want was left remaining, as he suppressed the urge to allow his body to betray him any further. He wanted to hold Theo and be held so tightly in turn that even if he fell apart, the pieces would have nowhere to scatter. "How did you-?" He tried, forcing himself to think logically and push the emotions aside. Really, he was acting like such a girl these days-!
"You were projecting." Theo said softly. He cupped one soft cheek, smoothing his thumb back and forth on the soft skin beneath Harry's eye. "Stop that. I can see you arguing with yourself and it'll only grant you a headache for your troubles. There's nothing wrong with having a moment every now and again. We all have them. No one is perfect. You're worried and I understand that. I respect and acknowledge that you have reason to be, but there is nothing so dire that we should rush to return to the wizarding world, before we are ready. Before you are ready."
Harry made a faint sound of distress, pushing himself forward so that he could touch more of Theo, drawing strength from the faint warmth of having his Alpha so close.
"I cannot begin to stress how important it is for us to be comfortable with and around each other before we leave here. You, myself and Charlie, this is important. This is more than just an auspicious time, Harry, this is when we reinforce whatever is between us, so that when we are apart or together in another realm, we know where we stand. It will not be easy to return to the Wizarding world and that has very little to do with whether a dark wizard decides to muck about while we're not there." Theo hummed, softly. "You do realize that even if we spent an entire month here, they would only miss us for a week? I hardly think that's anything to quibble over. Merlin and Arielle know you could use the time, to rest, if not study or train."
"But what if something happens?"
"Something like what?" Theo prompted, eyebrow arched.
Harry squirmed. Sometimes he really didn't like it when Theo had to make sense. "Something that only I could stop?"
The perked eyebrow said a mouthful more than Theo's calm, "and how would you know that?"
"…Dumbledore said-"
"Stop right there." Theo pressed a finger to those plump pink lips. "Any sentence beginning with 'Dumbledore said' ought to be revised, rethought and rephrased." The soft brown hue of his changing irises lightened a few shades, settling on a distinct honey-gold halfway color. He slipped a hand beneath the first folds of Harry's robe to pinch his side. "Think twice before you ever tell me that again, because it makes me want to do very terrible things."
Harry blinked. "Why?"
"I could start with a thousand and one reasons, the first being the way he favors you Gryffindors and the least being the way he has allowed us Slytherins to be considered the darkest of houses and little better than-" Theo coughed. "Never mind. I should not start on that."
"…You never said anything before." Harry said, softly.
"I have no desire to burden you and I have lived and witnessed it myself for some time. Do not worry about. We are talking about you, right now." He paused. "Harry, is this about the prophecy again?" He hesitated. "I was about to Ilsa about meeting with the Kadel family, I know she would see what she can do on our behalf, so as long as I ask her. Realistically though, the timing is wonderful and horrible."
Harry frowned, adorably. "How?"
"Hunting Season means you will have numerous opportunities to increase our Circle in a myriad of ways. It also means that you might find yourself at odd ends, because everything is out of sync for the Season." Theo twitched, faintly. "Remember how crowded the City Council was when I took you to register? Remember how frazzled the healers at the clinic were? Then think of the day we were out in the city—the morning in the park."
Harry, predictably, blushed. There had been quite a bit of things that happened in the park, some of them were more pleasurable than others.
Theo grinned, sharing the remembrance. "There were people of all kinds everywhere and we had just arrived running for our lives, not a day or so before that." He waited for Harry to return the smile and brightened when he did. "Now, why don't you tell me what's really bothering you? Contrary to what it may seem, I am not a telepath."
Harry nearly laughed. It was just the right touch of humor to help bring him back to where he wanted to be. Merlin, he was lucky to have Theo. "I just—it feels like I'm not doing anything," he admitted, at last, shoulders slumped. "I feel—guilty."
Theo's brow furrowed at once. "Guilty? Harry, whatever for? Meeting new people, making new friends, learning a little more about yourself and the talents you have? Learning about dragels? There's still a million and one things we haven't even thought of doing here yet. Experiences that I can't wait to show you and all the things we'll do in the decades that we'll have together—even after we're through with this."
"But I haven't learned about them," Harry countered. "I've just been surprised with them. Everyone gives me these roundabout answers and I never really know what's happening or why. Maybe there's years, Theo, but right now—I'm living here—I'm living now. Here. Standing next to you and it feels like that moment isn't coming. I've been told I'm an empath and I have a vague idea of what it is and what it means, but I have no real idea of who they are, what they are and what they do. How am I supposed to act, to train or handle any of it? I feel things, Theo. I feel things and I can't do anything about it and I'm pretty sure the feelings are—off."
Theo gave him the eyebrow again.
Harry sighed and half-shrugged. "Off like, it doesn't work right. I can't explain. I-I had a reading—sort of—and I acted on it and it wasn't—right. It's, you know, off."
Theo gave a slow nod, not yet speaking, waiting for Harry to finish.
"And the rest of this, I mean, I know I haven't been—able, to do much of anything since we arrived, it feels like all I've done is sleep—everywhere and for no reason. But everyone—just about everyone feels stronger and more powerful than me. Blaise, Theo—Blaise looks like he belongs here, like he was born here and he's training and he's—and I can't even—I can't even fly with these wings!" His shoulders gave a violent twitch and Harry stilled when Theo's hands immediately clamped down on him.
"Do not extend those in here," Theo scolded, lightly. "You might not mean to, but if you bring them out right now, this is far too small of a space and you might break something." He sighed. "Apologies, I did not meant to interrupt. Please finish."
There was a short, awkward moment and then Harry gave a jerky nod. "I want—I want to know more. I want to train. I don't want to be chased around like some girl so I can," his hands fluttered helplessly at his sides. He didn't know how to really explain any of this, it felt so strange to be able to speak up and not be shot down for it. "Everyone has a mentor and we still don't know what happened to mine. Where are they? Who are they? What was so wrong with me that they decided I wasn't worth the effort, huh?"
Theo made a strangled sound in his throat, but he did not stop Harry's torrent of words.
"And why can't I find a new one? Is there a list or something? I feel like—like—a prat for chasing around after—people—when I. You know, Quinn said something about family seals—I could have family here. Family, Theo and I don't even know how I would begin to contact them, to request an audience or whatever it is that I'm supposed to do—dragel etiquette is confusing—and I'm lost and it doesn't feel like it's easing up. I thought it was. I mean, sometimes, maybe? Kind of? I don't know. I feel—I don't know what I feel anymore!"
Theo's hands slipped from the top of Harry's shoulders and began to rub his arms in soothing motions. "You want space, training and answers," Theo summarized. "What else?"
"These seals," Harry hissed. "I want these bloody seals off and as nice as everything is here—I want to—Theo, I can't stay here. I can't stay. I don't care if you said it's a month and a week and whatever the time difference. I can't—I'm restless. I want to be useful. I want to help in any way that I can. What if something does happen? I still have friends over there. I know you have Blaise and Draco here and even Snap—Severus—but for me. I feel like—I'd feel like—it'd be worse than guilt. A lifetime of guilt. I'd never forgive myself if something happened and I never stepped forward to even try to stop it." He swallowed. "Then there's Hermione, we haven't even—we just left her. We left her, Theo, with the Snapes of all people, I mean, I know they are special to you or—it's your head of house and I guess Snape never really did try to kill me, he helped in his own twisted ways, but I—this. It's too much. Too soon and I don't know how to keep up with it." Harry blew out a breath in frustration. "I didn't even know until Bahn told me—that I had to worry about contraceptive spells!" He flushed a rosy red.
Theo's eyebrows arched upwards even higher. "You wouldn't really need them unless we were-" he stopped. "Unless we were serious, which neither of us know, because we haven't discussed it. Good point. Save that conversation for when Charlie is around, it'll be easier, believe me." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "What else?"
"There was—remember when I was with Quinn, that one time? The first time, the Blood Seal—the magic, the things he did, it made me remember things." Harry bit his lip. "Dumbledore—this," he gestured at himself. "This is the result of a spell. He wanted me or us or everyone, to be like this."
Theo's calm features shuttered at once, the expression growing cold. "What?"
"I-I remember it." Harry cleared his throat, squaring his shoulders. "I remember Dumbledore casting a spell. There's more students like me, even if they aren't dragel—he made their creature sides come out. Theo, I don't know why he did it and maybe I didn't even agree with my housemates, but no one deserves this." He thrust out a hand, showing his half-tattooed and dragel-scaled arm. "Maybe some of us need it or want it, but no one deserves to have it thrown at them like this. At least I had you, at least I have you now. I have you and Charlie and I'm lucky, so very lucky, but there's others, I'm sure of it—what if they have no one? Theo, the wizarding world—they aren't even accepting, really, of any magical creature apart from Veela and even so, that's just so they won't offend the French or something. They wouldn't be open to this sort of thing—would they?"
Theo's carefully blank look now wavered, showing one of grim realization. "They are not very publicly accepting of it," he allowed, at last. "Think of Werewolves and Vampires, for example, but those two halves have long since fallen under the jurisdiction of their own. There is a Vampire Lord and a Vampire Royal family, as well as a council. They are all full of Elders—the original vampires. The Weres have a High Alpha and an Alpha pack and I know you know how they treat them there. The Fae and the Elves keep to themselves and I don't believe there are any elves still living in the wizarding world, but the Fae tend to flit in and out, they answer to a Fairy Queen and her court, just as the Elves answer to a Royal Court and by type." He sighed and released Harry to rub his own forehead and then cast a cursory look over his shoulder to check to be sure there weren't any lingering persons in the hallway.
He could 'port them to a more private place, but then again, they were amidst people who knew nothing of them and were more likely to offer to help than to eavesdrop, as the Hunting Season brought out the friendliest portions of nearly everyone. As it was, no one even paid them any attention, a few others were huddled in their own corners down the hallway, in respective alcoves, some of the couples still snogging or speaking in soft whispers. Theo could guess from some of the gestures which ones were being rewarded and which were being scolded for some thing or the other. He returned his attention to his own Submissive when Harry fidgeted, his gaze wary, as if expecting to be taken to task for speaking his mind. Inwardly, Theo felt his stomach twist, wondering how long it would take for Harry to understand just how much he cared. "Whatever it is you want to ask, you may as well ask." He prompted, giving Harry's stomach a light pat of encouragement.
"…you stopped, I mean, we stopped," Harry corrected, quickly. "Training, sort of. You were showing me before, how to use your element, but since we've come here and then with everything with Charlie and," he shrugged. "You haven't."
Theo blinked. "We've been busy." He said, matter-of-factly. "We haven't had the—oh." He stopped, taking in Harry's expression and defensive stance. "I'm sorry, Harry. I should be paying better attention, closer attention, at least. I just thought that you could use some more rest, not vigorous training after all of the healings we've been through these past few days. I didn't mean to imply that we've stopped. I still have things I need to teach you, especially if you'll be using my earth element."
"I could always read or write or watch," Harry countered. "I don't always have to be spar to learn. What about Charlie? I'm sure he's a brilliant duelist or at least very quick with his hands, being a dragon tamer and all that, but we're facing this together, aren't we? I'd like to know how to use his fire and this is a Circle thing, isn't it? He should be learning too, he probably knows even less than I do about everything." He hesitated. "And what about my empathy? What does that mean for the rest of you? There's too much to do, I can't afford to waste time, Theo, even if it is moving faster or slower or whatever. Maybe it's not my responsibility and maybe I am the only one who is seeing things this way, but I can't stand by and watch everything I've ever known burn down to the ground and pretend that I'm alright with it."
"Harry-"
"No, wait," Harry lifted his chin. "Please," he added. "This is important to me, I mean, there were some of us in class, some of us that had to have known that the transformations were happening, because I know something changed, even if I couldn't remember what it was. I felt the shift. I couldn't have been the only one. Fellow classmates, Slytherin and Gryffindor and everything. We were lucky that Terius showed up and-" Theo had a rather odd expression on his face that made Harry trail off in mid-sentence. "What?"
"Harry, Terius wasn't there because if the inheritances—he, ah," Theo hesitated. "He simply refused to leave Draco alone with Severus in the wizarding world, because Draco is pregnant. Terius is a Pareya through and through. He's also a Councilman—and that translates into the fact that he is a Nevarean native. If it were up to him, he would have kept Severus and Draco in Nevarah until things were safer over there. He does hold residency over here, but Severus," he shrugged. "He is the Alpha and his word is law when the Submissive agrees. Terius showed up because he didn't have a choice and he wasn't about to leave his Bonded alone in a potentially dangerous situation."
Harry stared at him for a long moment, some pieces of his mental puzzle continuing to click into place, slowly showing a bigger picture. "Then why did he apply for—why was he teaching? I don't understand."
"He decided that since he was there, he should be useful." Theo said, carefully. "He didn't randomly appear." He scowled. "I should have-"
"No, you shouldn't and you won't." Harry interrupted, quickly. He could almost see the gears turning in Theo's head and he didn't want his Alpha's smoldering temper to rise to flame once more. "It wasn't his fault, it wasn't—anyone's fault." He amended quickly at the look on Theo's face. "It was just too many things happening all at the same time." He took a deep breath. "I want to return, as soon as we can." He held up a hand when Theo made a noise in the back of his throat. "Theo, my parents died trying to fight a madman that could probably be brought down if only a tenth of these people here thought to lend a hand. If they'd known what they were, I doubt that things would have turned out the way they did. They might still be alive. There are people out there that are dying, will die and have died, because of-"
"If you say because of you, I will bite you." Theo said, in perfect seriousness. "And it will hurt. Think very carefully before you finish that sentence. We can't control everything that happens, Harry, but if you feel this strongly about-"
"I do." Harry said, steadily. "I do. This, I do feel. I can't say that I haven't enjoyed it here, because I have and I—I don't know that there's anything really left for me, over there." He hesitated. "-in the Wizarding world, but there are people," His mind flickered back to the Weasleys and then to friends like Luna, Neville and Remus. "And I can't leave them there. It isn't fair and it isn't right. Maybe you're right and we shouldn't take prophecies as they come, but if it's right and I'm the one that will make a difference, then I don't want to be the one that stood back and watched-" his voice cracked.
Theo reached for him, relieved to feel Harry's arms actually curving around him this time, inviting the embrace. "Time passes differently here," he reminded him, for the third time, gently rubbing one hand up and down Harry's back. "We have some time. I suppose that's why it might seem like I haven't been in such a hurry to return. I think it would be wise to take some time to train here, to secure whatever allies we might have, before returning to-"
Harry made a muffled noise of disagreement. "No one wants to help us with-"
"You do not know that." Theo pressed a kiss to the top of that messy head of hair. "Nevarah has survived for many, many centuries, Harry. They only step into conflicts in outside worlds or realms when one of their own is significantly threatened. The wizarding world was not kind to them so many years ago. The Torvaks took over, after exposing the use of blood as a necessary and magical medium, they filed them in the same category as Vampires. There are dragel skeletons, scales and claws on display in museums. People think of them as monsters from fairy tales now. They've worked very hard to form and maintain that reputation, so that no one will ever look deeper into things." He sighed. "That doesn't mean that if they don't have a good reason, they won't do something."
Harry snorted. "For who? Me? I doubt it, Theo." He began to pull away.
Theo simply tightened his arms, holding him close. "You already have Ilsa on your side, which is quite a feat, my treasure."
"She didn't like me at first." Harry sniffed. And she…whacked me…. His cheeks heated against his will.
"She doesn't like anyone at first," Theo stifled a chuckle. "That's just how she is. But she likes you now and that's what counts. She doesn't change her mind about things like this."
"She's mad about my falling off the pier." Harry gave up trying to pull away and settled back against Theo's warmth. He liked it there, more than he cared to admit.
"I am still mad about your falling off the pier," Theo retorted. "I can hardly blame her."
"I didn't fall on purpose," came the expected protest. "I was trying to help sdlfkj from drowning!"
"Drowning?" Amusement colored Theo's changing tone. "Harry, Merrows don't drown. They could dry out, but they would most certainly never, ever drown. In fact, it is said that the more sadistically inclined Merrows take pleasure in drowning nosy landwalkers. I would be more worried for your own sake than the Merrow's."
"How was I supposed to know that?" Harry countered. "I've read our encyclopedia and it doesn't have a thing about Merrows in there and what?" He stopped. Theo stared down at him with an expression of warmth and fondness that suddenly spoke volumes. Harry twisted in those safe arms, waiting. Theo's gaze did not waver, simply drinking in whatever sight was presented. "Well?" Harry prompted, after a moment. "Stop staring and kiss me already."
The wicked smirk on Theo's face was all the warning Harry had, before his head thunked against the back of the alcove and his mouth was sweetly claimed.
"Perhaps you could spend some time in the library or the archives in the library." Theo suggested. He stood with his back to Harry, studiously angling his head upwards to count the curves in the vaulted ceiling as his charming Submissive continued to colorfully ream him out for the rather enjoyable past fifteen minutes. Shadow was curled up in the crook of his elbow, shivering with little sounds that could have been laughter, if he was inclined to see it as such, with the occasional happy chirp. "and really, Harry-love, you didn't mind-"
"I wasn't in a position to mind!" Harry's furious whisper ended in a near hiss as he manually tucked in his dress shirt and fumbled with the belt for his dress trousers beneath the fancy robes. "In. Public. Theo! Public. You are…shameless."
"Why thank you, love. I am Slytherin." Theo retorted, calmly. "And what exactly did you expect after you said something like that? And with that kind of expression, no less?"
"I was expecting a kiss!" Harry sputtered. "Not a, not a-" his red face flamed an even darker shade of red as he remembered exactly what had just happened and where Theo's hands had been, even now as they innocently played with Shadow's happy, chirping self. He was most certainly not about to say it aloud. A sound like a muffled growl-squeak echoed in the tiny cove. "And what expression?"
"Breathe," Theo advised. "And your robes are fine. I can spell them back to what they-"
"No. I don't want to hear it!" Harry hissed, mortified. He frantically smoothed his robes, trying and failing to see if they were properly replaced where they ought to be. He could still feel the fading tingle of the gently cast cleaning charm and bit his lip against sensitive nipples rubbing along the smooth fabric. In hindsight, perhaps he shouldn't have made such a—demand. Next time, he'd be more careful. Maybe. It had been rather—good. "I can't believe you just—and now you're—where are you taking me? The library?" He shoved ineffectually at Theo's strong shoulders, mildly disgruntled when his Alpha didn't so much as budge. "Insatiable twit! No library. Somewhere outside—where I can breathe!"
Theo's wicked smirk was accented by laughing, golden eyes. "But Harry, don't you like it when I'm a-?"
A furiously blushing Harry yanked Theo around to shut him up with a kiss.
"I did speak to one of the Kadel Pareyas, they were friendly enough, but a bit closed off. I'm afraid they are quite adamant on remaining neutral this Hunting Season, by not engaging in any verifications or readings. At the moment, we don't have anywhere near enough of anything to sway or bribe them with, so we may have to wait until the Hunt is over."
"Until the Hunt is over?" Harry exclaimed, dismayed. "Theo! That's far too long." He sifted through the information in his head, pulling out the snippet that reminded him that the Hunting Season was a full eight weeks long. This was barely the end of the first week.
"I know. I'm sorry, treasure. I did try, but perhaps there is some other way around it."
"Why can't they just—is it really always so complicated?"
"Hmm? What is?"
"This, that." Harry flapped a hand in mid-air. "You have to have connections and bribes and things." He made a face at the word, bribes. Just because he knew the ways of the world, did not mean that he had to like them. He had always despised the way that others blackmailed each other into submission through humiliation or manipulation. Perhaps it was necessary in dire times when there were no other options, but he didn't like it and probably never would.
Theo offered a wry smile. "It is, though generally there is always another way."
"So what way would you have to use now?" Harry's eyes narrowed, faintly. "Theo…"
"Bahn." Theo winked. "It is nothing to make you scowl so." He leaned over to rub at the furrow in Harry's brow. "I said I would take care of it. Trust me to do so?"
"Mmm." Harry leaned ever so slightly into the touch. "What will Bahn do?"
"He doesn't have to do anything." Theo half-shrugged. "Just be himself when they are formally introduced and people will remember that his Circle has significant say in certain things of importance."
"So basically a very blatant show of power?" Harry snorted.
"Bahn planned his Circle quite well," Theo said, quietly.
Harry jerked around to look at him. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it. Even merging with Bhindi's Circle only brought things together even better for both of them, politically, if nothing else, though Ilsa assures me there were soulmates involved."
The frown returned to Harry's face. "Explain."
"Well, think about it. Delani, his Alpha, is the second oldest child of a respected High Noble family from the Air Clans, Takar, their Beta, is from a respected Elven line. They both have dragel and elven heritage to speak of. Aracle is known for his time-bending spells, a skill that is rare and commands great respect and Bahn himself, of Elven royalty and dragel genes." Theo shrugged. "That would be just the operating triad, I'm sure you saw plenty of things last night that made you think twice."
"Ilsa." Harry supplied. He reached over to twine his hand in Theo's as they continued their walk. He'd asked for some time away from everything and perhaps an empty spot to just be alone with his thoughts. Theo had 'ported them just outside of the protective barriers, within the official Hunting grounds of the stadium, behind all of the outdoor booths, visiting dragels and playing children, to the quiet, calm greenery touching the edge of the Merrow waters. "Greta." He bit his lip, remembering. "She didn't give a name."
"She's allowed to hide it, if she wishes." Theo squeezed his hand, lightly. "Gheyos have different rules, which reminds me." He paused and drew Harry to his arms, placing a kiss on each cheek, just because he could. "What were you doing in the Gheyo section?"
Harry sucked in his lower lip, the nibbling no longer enough, as he looked away.
Theo perked a brow at that response and reached out to gently tease that tortured lip from between Harry's pearly white teeth and half-visible fangs. He kissed him tenderly.
"Dahlia and Dyshoka…" Harry hesitated. "They're together?"
"Officially or otherwise?" Theo locked his arms around him and began to sway ever so slightly.
"Both? I guess? I don't know?" Harry reached over to loop his arms around Theo's neck. "She gave her a bracelet. Dyshoka—she's Quinn's sister. They were celebrating—we went—dancing." Harry stopped. He pulled away from Theo's grasp and hugged his arms to himself. "What should I do about favors? You never said."
Theo looked at his empty arms and then at Harry standing just out of reach. A slight frown passed over his face, but he simply moved closer and slung an arm around Harry's stiff shoulders. "It slipped my mind. My apologies. Have you received one?"
"No." Harry shook his head. "But what am I supposed to do if I do?"
"If you are interested, you accept it. If not, then simply tell the messenger you do not want it. They will return it to the sender. If you accept it, then you are obligated to gift the messenger—usually one of the children running about—either coin or a candy. Tokens can accompany favors and they can be almost anything. The favor will always bear a name at the top. If there is no name, then it will not be delivered by hand and if that is the case, then test it for jinxes and hexes, just as you would a missive from an unknown owl. If it is clear, then you can read it and accept it. If you refuse, then you must burn it, that way the sender knows it has been refused."
Harry snorted. "Great. More complications."
"It's actually not that complicated." Theo started walking, gently pulling Harry along, keeping his steps short. "It helps to salvage a lot of egos and bolster shy personalities. You can send something to whoever you like and there are less hurt feelings when the rejection is not face to face. If it is accepted, then there is an air of mystery and romance to it." He rubbed Harry's shoulder. "I give you leave to accept or reject whatever you desire. If you encounter a suitor that is particularly rude or offensive, then you may reject it on my behalf with the disclaimer that I have strictly forbidden you from accepting it. At the present, since I do not have anything against your nonexistent suitors, I have no special instructions."
The slight frown on Harry's face began to settle in. "And if there was someone you didn't like?" He almost didn't want to ask, but he had to know.
"Then I would ask you to refuse it—within reason." Theo stopped and turned to face Harry. He gave his Submissive a minute, but when Harry stubbornly refused to meet his gaze, he reached over to tip up his chin. "I will not be unreasonable, I assure you there will be very good reason for requesting a refusal and you are welcome to ask me to revise my opinion at any time. I will gladly do so, if the situation warrants it. Are we clear?"
There was a long pause and then Harry gave a jerky nod. He could tell that Theo was sincere and even without his empathy, he just knew that Theo would never do anything to deliberately hurt him like that. Not Theo. He sighed and listed forward, allowing Theo to catch him and hold him for a minute. It was the closest he would come to asking outright for a hug.
Theo made no comment and simply held him tight and close, warm breath puffing over Harry's ear.
When fangs lightly nipped at the ear lobe, Harry didn't even flinch. He simply turned, touching his lips to Theo's neck.
"Are you hungry?" Theo stroked a hand up and down his back, subtly brushing his magic over his Submissive in calming waves. "You can feed, if you like."
Harry made a soft, keening sound in the hollow Theo's throat. He wasn't really hungry, at least not for blood, per se and he'd eaten at the café a few hours ago. But he was still seeing Wikhn in the club, surrounded by Dahlia and Dyshoka, and suddenly, all he wanted, was his own fangs in Theo's neck. His jaw ached and tingled as his fangs resurfaced and he lightly nipped what available skin was there.
Theo hummed in answer and reached up with one hand. A hastily murmured spell banished his robes and dress shirt to the grass at his feet, leaving the pale expanse of skin for Harry's perusal, still clad in his trousers and boots, as a privacy ward shimmered to life, along with scent wards and an additional notice-me-not charm.
Harry nosed at the familiarly scented skin of steel and oranges, before selecting a nice, smooth patch. He licked it once, twice and then sank his fangs into the offering with deliberate slowness. He felt Theo twitch faintly in his arms and slipped his own hands around the newly bared torso, fingers splaying out over the warm skin. He could feel the lean muscle beneath the pale skin and the thrum of concealed magic, Theo's earthen element.
One of Theo's hands stroked Harry's head, running through those brunet strands and offering a measure of comfort in the steady strokes. His other hand locked possessively around Harry's waist, while his Alpha senses were thrown out wide to take in the entire area and alert him the moment their private moment was no longer theirs.
A soft, melancholy chirr came from Harry and Theo frowned in turn. He rumbled back, a hint of a growl in his instinctive response, before shifting his hand from Harry's hair to rest at the back of his neck like he'd done before. His fingers flexed, minutely, as he settled on a firm grip that made his Submissive relax almost at once.
Theo's frown deepened and he tilted his head to the side, just enough to touch Harry. He wouldn't say anything, not now. If Harry needed anything from him, then he'd ask—just as he was doing now.
"Are you sure you'd rather just stay here?" Theo wanted to know, as they stood atop the grassy hill. They'd walked a little further after Harry's feeding had ended and now, they stood together with a clear view of the blue waters down at the bottom and no other stray dragels or familiar faces present.
Harry had asked for somewhere for Shadow to play and then to practice his wing extensions in preparation for flight lessons. This new space was perfect for that. Harry's hand slackened and fell from Theo's grip as he took a few steps forward, curiosity overtaking him as he crested the hill to see the full view.
"…Wow." Harry stopped dead in his tracks gaping downward at the beautiful landscape before him, that stretched out in vibrant colors, subtly inviting. Shadow let out a happy trill of sound and streaked out of his slack grip to fly in an expert circle in the air in front of them.
"It seems that Shadow approves," Theo commented. He smiled fondly at the little thing. It had brought a few half-smiles to Harry's face and he was glad to see it was back again.
Harry found himself thinking of Luna once more and how she loved to be outdoors in the fresh air, with her white-blonde hair and steady grey eyes that always seemed to see past Harry Potter, to just Harry. "Luna would love it," he said, after a moment. "You didn't say when we'd see Herimone again."
"I sent a message to the Snapes," Theo reminded. "We are waiting for a reply, remember?" He gently nudged Harry forward. "Not that it's terribly busy, but if we keep standing here, we might attract a crowd and I know you'd rather have this little spot for yourself." He could sense a few wandering dragels just outside of his awareness and didn't feel like moving, now that it seemed as if Harry had found a place he liked.
"It's beautiful." Harry mumbled, turning in a circle, trusting Theo to keep him from accidently waltzing into anything potentially dangerous, even though there really wasn't anything for him to bump into. Well, except for the giant trees closer down to the water's edge, but he wasn't about to count those. "Why haven't we come here before?"
"I would answer that, but you'd probably hit me again." Theo said, dryly. His lips twitched again as Harry threw a look at him and half-heartedly shoved at his shoulder, too curious to be really upset, Theo noted. "Will you be alright here?"
"I'll be more than alright." Harry murmured, throwing his head back to breathe in the scent of clean, fresh air. It seemed to supercharge him, running hot and cold through his veins and chasing away his lethargy from the recent feeding. "I'll be fine. I'll just practice the wing thing, like you were telling me. Go do whatever it is you Alphas have to do."
Theo snorted. "You'll thank me later." He snuck a quick kiss. "Once we have a full Circle, you'll be expected to make some of the same visits as I am. You can laugh then. Will you be alright with my 'porting you in?"
Harry hesitated. "Exactly how formal are the introductions? Like the registration at the gates?"
Theo stopped to consider that. "Well, no, actually it's a little more than that."
"More like how?"
"It's a chance to publicly show off to a specific audience." Theo paused. "You'll probably understand it better when you see it, but I'll put it this way. It's a circular coliseum and there are walkways stretching across it at various heights. The higher the walkway, the higher social rank of the Circle. Introductions last almost the entire Hunting Season, but the Royals will be introduced tonight, along with the heads for the Shadow and Storm elements. Basically, we'll walk across a very long walkway, a very long way from the ground, minimum of wings and claws present are required and depending on how Bahn wants to introduce you, we'll walk in formation or you'll walk with him and Bhindi. There will be applause, flying video—things—and giant screens, showing well, the basic information at registration as well as the mention that you are hunting."
Harry whirled to look at him in alarm. "I didn't tell her that!" He said, referring to the young Gheyo who had been friendly while measuring and registering his wings.
"You didn't tell her that you weren't." Theo corrected. "Which is then assumed that you are, because the only reason you wouldn't be, is if you explicitly stated otherwise."
Harry huffed. "I don't want—I-"
"You are hunting and that's the whole purpose of the Hunt." Theo reminded him. "It's nothing to be worried about. There'll be plenty of others there and in the same situation. You want to be noticed and believe me, when I say that you will. They won't be able to keep their eyes off of you."
A rich rosy blush spread across Harry's cheeks. He tried to ignore Shadow's whuffling along his left ear. "But-!"
"And that way, you can also see if there's anyone you like straightaway." Theo said, quickly.
Harry blinked. "Straightaway?"
"If there's anyone at all, someone that just—clicks. You can send a favor of your own. There's little stalls and shelves in the corners that have cards, trinkets and things to write with. Most spell their writing on. You can buy whatever you want and send whatever you like. There'll be competition, so now is not a time to really be shy, if you see someone you're interested in." He smiled at the look of dawning realization on Harry's face. "Enjoy yourself, then." Theo paused, remembering. "Oh, here, I almost forgot again."
"What?" Harry turned to look.
"Here." Theo handed over a corded leather bracelet with a wooden charm dangling from one end. "Give me your hand," he nodded at Harry's hand.
"What is it?" Harry eventually held out his wrist, watching as Theo carefully tied it on, snug but not tight.
"The equivalent of a Gringotts card." Theo said, wryly. "Or a muggle credit card, if you understand that better. This is the most efficient way of handling currency here. Just show it after you've ordered and the balance will be settled. Generally only you or I would have one, it will work anywhere for virtually anything. If you see something you like, feel free to indulge, at least for today."
"What about Charlie?"
"Charlie is fine." Theo looked puzzled.
"Does he have one?"
"He is with Takar and Okahn. I am sure they will look after him. Oh." Theo blinked. He'd completely forgotten about that. He hoped that neither of the other Betas had minded. He'd have to make it up to the redhead as soon as he could.
"Theo."
"At the moment, he does not, but if you wish for him to have one then I will see to it." Theo was already mentally calculating the available time from when Delani had left him to his own devices, to whether he could secure another payment card.
"I do." Harry said, firmly. "That's ridiculous for the-"
"Generally speaking, Charlie will rarely be anywhere without one of us nearby. It is not a purposeful exclusion of any sort. It's more tradition than anything else." Theo inwardly frowned. He hadn't meant to forget, but sometimes his mind was too busy with other things.
Harry snorted. "He's not a babysitter, Theo and I'm sure he'd appreciate it. Tradition or not, he's probably had more independence in his life than both of us put together." He frowned. "You aren't being-?" He waved a hand in the air. "Or anything, are you?"
Theo's smile nearly turned into a smirk. "No, I am not being an 'anything', Harry. I simply did not remember and as he didn't know, he couldn't remind me. Which, actually, does remind me, I wanted to purchase his ring sometime today or tomorrow, if today is too busy, then we can pick another…"
Harry brightened almost at once, his gaze dropping to his simple silver ring with the colored slashes in it. "Really? Will it be blue?" He asked, referring to the colorful marks carved onto the front, gold for Theo and green for him.
"Would you like that?"
"Yes." Harry twisted the ring on his finger. "Maybe I could come with you…?"
Theo's smile softened. "If you like." He tapped the inside of his wrist, casting wandless tempus. "Maybe after the introductions? It doesn't have to be a surprise, because I don't know his ring measurement. We could take him with us."
"That would work." Harry agreed. "Now go mingle." He gave Theo a starting push away from the nice, green hill and back towards the noise and fuss of the Hunt. He now wanted to enjoy some time alone—preferably with his wings out—and before all the fuss started.
There was a snort of disbelief. "Thank you, Harry." Theo said, dryly. "I appreciate your enthusiasm."
A/N: So um, all the Wikhn fans, please don't hate me? *ducks* My apologies for ruining the "big" moment with Harry and Wik, but neither of them are ready for each other at the moment, so yes...it couldn't happen. I really wanted to address some of Harry's issues about Nevarah, being away from the WW, the lack of training and explanations, etc. I hope that covered everything. Let me know if I missed a point somewhere...
on a RL note: Happy memorial weekend to my US readers. I hope you enjoy the holiday. I'm posting this chapter early, 'cause I'm going over with my folks to share it with the extended family(Aunty's). I've got Alec slated to come up in the next chapter and some Charlie moments. Next chapter is almost done, I'm just adding in some more, then I'll read over it for tweaks and whatnot, before I declare it done. It's practically finished. Almost. I didn't plan on writing through the weekend, but you are more than welcome to try and bribe me to finish it early. ;) I am literally posting these chapters as soon as they are complete.
I am almost finished with the last chapter's REVIEW RESPONSES. I should have them finished by tonight, maybe. Depending. Check back if you don't see your reply there. I answer them all, but sometimes I do get distracted. Replies are in the FORUM. Copy and paste to get there, click on the appropriate chapter number and scroll down to find your review and my reply. Replace the (heresadot) with actual dots as FF eats all urls, but the live link is on my profile.
forum(heresadot)fanfiction(heresadot)net/forum/The re_Be_Dragons_Harry_Forum/108964/
~Scion