Harry smiled as he stepped into the kitchen from the living room after doing his meditation, and found Nathaniel cooking their breakfast. He leant against the doorway and watched his wereleopard as he moved around the kitchen humming to himself putting together enough breakfast for all of them. He was wearing only a pair of sweatpants, his auburn hair was in a high ponytail that swung around merrily as Nathaniel danced to the music that he had put on while he worked.
His bond with Nathaniel was humming happily, and Harry basked in the feeling, glad to know that he was making the wereleopard happy, that Nathaniel was happy with the situation that he had found himself in and that he wasn't regretting the choice that he had made in a difficult situation.
"Harry!" Nathaniel gasped when he turned to grab the bread and spotted Harry standing there, "I didn't hear you coming in!"
"Habit, sorry," Harry grinned walking into the kitchen and straight over to Nathaniel. The wereleopard hummed into Harry's mouth as the wizard wrapped him in his arms and pulled him against him, carefully cupping the back of Nathaniel's neck and tipping him back a little further so that he could taste his wereleopard.
The wizard pulled back slowly, placing a few scattering kisses on those full lips before he pulled back to look down at the stunning man that he had been lucky enough to get into his life.
"What was that for?" Nathaniel asked a little breathlessly, blinking those unusual lavender eyes at him that meant he could do nothing more than kiss the wereleopard again.
"Because I can't believe how lucky I am," Harry answered his question and watched happily as a delightful blush spread across Nathaniel's cheeks as well as a happy expression.
Harry wrapped his arms around the wereleopard as he spun around to turn the sausages when they spat loudly reminding him of what he was doing, and simply rested his chin on Nathaniel's shoulder, ensuring that he had enough room to move around but keeping close to his mate, just watching as he moved around and soaked up being in his presence.
"I was hoping to cook a nice meal for this weekend with you feeling better and the full moon coming up," Nathaniel said softly as he rested back against Harry cautiously, sinking into him a little more when Harry hugged him closer and pressed a kiss to his neck.
"That sounds perfect, we can invite Damian around and discuss what we are going to want our flat to look like, I am nearly strong enough to transform the house for us," Harry smiled.
"You really don't mind Damian moving in with us?" Nathaniel asked hesitantly.
"Not at all, I like Damian, I think the two of us are going to be very good friends, especially when we have you to care for as common ground," Harry smiled.
"I don't want to put you o…" Nathaniel's words were cut off by Harry tilting his head back and pressing a kiss to his lips.
"You're not putting me out Nathaniel, I want you to be happy, even if I didn't like Damian I would be fine with him being here because he is important to you and you are bound to him. As it is I really do like Damian, I think as well that he will benefit from being here and having people around him that will care for him," Harry shook his head.
Nathaniel looked at him so hesitantly and unsurely that Harry couldn't help holding him close and kissing him gently before pressing his wereleopard's face into his neck in a show of trust and care that had Nathaniel sinking into him even more into him.
"I want you to be happy Nathaniel, all three of you and I will do everything I can to give you what will make you happy," Harry promised rubbing Nathaniel's back gently.
"It is just…it is hard to believe and trust," Nathaniel admitted into Harry's throat, his hands clenching Harry's t-shirt tightly in his hands showing his fear at the admission, and his nerves at Harry's reaction.
He was clearly not expecting Harry to cup the back of his neck, digging his thumbs just right into the wereleopard's neck to have him melt against him, he kissed the top of his head and allowed Nathaniel to relax again before he spoke.
"I know, and after what I think you have been through I am not surprised, and I am worried that what I am imagining isn't close to what you have been through. We will work it out together, all of us, and I will prove to you that I mean what I am saying," Harry said gently.
"You don't mind that you have to prove it? That I don't just believe you?" Nathaniel asked.
"No," Harry smiled when Nathaniel pulled back to look up at him. "That isn't how life works, you have history, Stephen has history, Jason has history, I have history. I am damaged and broken in a lot of ways, and I have my moments. There are worries that I have about our relationship and whether I am going to be right for you, but we will work through that together," Harry stroked his thumb over Nathaniel's cheek. "We have the rest of our lives, Nathaniel, we have plenty of time to work this out, and find our way,"
"Thank you," Nathaniel sighed, sinking willingly into Harry's arms again, pressing his face into Harry's chest and breathing in his scent. "Can you go and make sure that the others are up for breakfast?" Nathaniel asked once they stepped apart and he went back to making their breakfast. He wrapped his arms around Nathaniel from behind and placed a kiss on the back of his neck and then his cheek.
"Not a problem at all, this smells amazing thankyou Nathaniel," Harry said softly, kissing Nathaniel gently when he turned to look at him. He turned and made his way upstairs to the others. Jason was still fast asleep on the bed but Harry could hear Stephen moving around in the bathroom.
He tapped on the door and when Stephen opened it and looked out he blushed at seeing Harry standing there, clearly remembering the night before. "Hey, mind some company?" Harry asked.
"Oh…sure," Stephen nodded quickly, stepping back to allow Harry in. He shut the door behind himself before wrapping Stephen in his arms and pressing light kisses to his lips before he stepped back and touched the bottom of Stephen's sleep shirt, waiting until Stephen nodded to lift it over his head, slowly stroking over the tanned skin of his werewolf as he lifted the shirt up. He pressed a kiss to Stephen's shoulder and then his cheek before reaching down to undo the ties of his sleep pants.
He slid them slowly down his legs, again stroking his hands over Stephen's porcelain skin as he slid down to kneel at his feet, again Stephen rested his hands on Harry's shoulders to step out of his pants as he had during the preparation for the ritual. When he stood he cupped Stephen's cheek and pressed gentle kisses over his face before stepping back and quickly stripping off himself.
Stephen watched with intent blue eyes as Harry threw his clothes into the hamper in the bathroom and then stepped into the shower, holding his hand out to draw his werewolf in with him.
Stephen was watching him intently as Harry poured shower gel into his hand and lathered it up before taking his time running his hands over Stephen, taking the chance to memorise the beautiful Were that he was tied to. He learned that there was a mole on the inside of Stephen's thigh and one of his right hip, he stroked his hands over the defined muscles of his mate, over his flat stomach, his chest and his round and peachy arse that Harry was quickly becoming obsessed with.
Within the steam of the shower, Harry walked Stephen backward under the spray of the shower to rinse him off of the soap and then eased his head under the shower so that he could wet his blond hair, running his fingers through it he mentally thought about the difference between his and Jason's shades of hair, feeling a little silly but unable to prevent the thought that the different shades of blond seemed to suit their different personalities.
Stephen watched him as he lathered up his hands with the shampoo that Stephen used and started rubbing it into his hair, massaging his fingers into the werewolf's scalp until he was melting under his touch and resting against Harry's body, allowing Harry to dig his fingers a little deeper into the massage with a happy smile.
He carefully rinsed the suds out of Stephen's hair, making sure not to get it in his eyes before drawing him in to kiss him gently a few more times. He quickly washed himself down before turning the shower off and led Stephen out of the cubicle by the hand, grabbing a large bath sheet and wrapping his delicate mate in it.
He didn't bother with a towel for himself instead reaching out to gently towel Stephen off, patting his pale skin with the soft towel as he slowly and thoroughly made sure that this werewolf was dry. He paused when Stephen reached out and carefully touched the scar on his stomach, running his finger along the deep length of it when Harry did not protest the touch.
Harry wrapped the towel over Stephen's shoulders and then held his arms out slightly in a clear offering for his mate to search over his body if he wanted. Stephen stepped a little closer, and he slid his finger from the scar on Harry's stomach to the scar on his hip, carefully tracing the length of that one, and then he moved to the thinner but deeper scar on Harry's side.
"You have so many scars," Stephen shook his head.
"I lived through a war," Harry nodded.
"You're still so young though," Stephen frowned as he touched his finger lightly to the burn mark on Harry's pec.
"I have been fighting since I was eleven years old, I never got the chance to be a child," Harry admitted, taking Stephen's smaller, delicate hand in his and kissing the tips of his fingers before touching them to the round scar on the inside of his forearm. "I got this when I was twelve, I stabbed a thirty-foot basilisk through the mouth with a sword, the fang went through my arm…I was lucky to survive, Basilisks are incredibly poisonous, my headmaster's phoenix came and saved me, phoenix tears can heal pretty much any injury,"
"You say it like it is so simple," Stephen shook his head.
"Not simple no…simply what my life has had to be for a long time," Harry frowned a little.
"And now?" Stephen asked softly.
"Hmm?" Harry tilted his head.
"If that was your life, what do you want it to be now?" Stephen asked, stepping into the warmth of Harry's body, reaching up with a small frown to trace the scar over his throat.
"I just want it to be…happy I guess though it sounds stupid to say. I want it to be a more peaceful one, though I do not think that I can live a completely peaceful life after everything that I have been through and I have done. But I want a home and a happy life that I can enjoy. I have not really had a home since I was a baby before my mum and dad were killed," Harry admitted.
"It isn't much to want," Stephen said softly.
"But that is all I want. You three have given me a real hope that I can have that along with Richard and Rafael and the others," Harry smiled.
"You are odd," Stephen said with a small cheeky grin. Harry tilted his head back in laughter. Stephen wrapped his arms around Harry's shoulders and pulled him down to press their lips together. "You have given me the hope of being able to be happy as well," Stephen admitted quietly against Harry's lips, his blue eyes staring into Harry's, the wizards' heart fluttering at the admission but mostly at the trust it showed.
Harry finished towelling Stephen off gently and they walked into their bedroom to get dressed, Stephen pulled on a pair of shorts and a vest top before kissing Harry's cheek and making his way down the stairs to put the kettle on for them just as Jason stirred in their bed.
Harry settled on the edge of the bed and combed his fingers through Jason's hair, feeling content as a smile crossed the blond's face even as he was still waking. When his blue eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Harry he smiled a little brighter.
"Good morning," Harry leant down and kissed him.
"Can you freshen me up?" Jason whined covering his mouth with a little flush. Harry tapped Jason on the forehead with his wand, using freshening charms on him. He considered his magic level as soon as the spell was done, a little disgruntled that it had taken more out of him than he liked, and his levels were still lower than he had been hoping for. "Give it time," Jason said softly kissing Harry's thigh, reading his expression and the feelings coming down the bond accurately.
"It is just starting to frustrate me now," Harry sighed turning and laying down on the bed with Jason, tugging his werewolf against him and hugging him close.
"Let's have breakfast, have a nice day together, and tomorrow you will be even stronger. You did a lot Harry, and you are healing well, don't get frustrated," Jason assured him.
"Thank you," Harry sighed again, but this time he allowed the annoyance to wash away and just focus on the feeling of Jason in his arms.
"I haven't really said it but thank you," Jason said softly.
"What for?" Harry blinked down surprised at him.
"For taking on my bond and the others' bond, for taking a chance on me and trusting me with what I said about them,"
"You never have to thank me for that, and I should be the one thanking you," Harry shook his head. "I am so thankful that I came here and met you, that you came into my life and we grew close, that you understand me so well, you have helped me start the life that I didn't even realise I wanted,"
"I think that we can be truly happy," Jason rolled a little further onto Harry, snuggling closer to him.
He yanked the duvet up and over the two of them, enclosing them in the space as though hiding them from the rest of the world. With a grin he leaned up and scattered kisses over Harry's face and lips until laughing Harry wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into a deeper kiss.
"I am happy Harry, happier than I thought I would get to be in my personal life. You accept me for who I am, for what I want and you care for me in a way I never realised I wanted before but now I already can't imagine living without," Jason admitted softly.
Harry combed his fingers through Jason's blond hair, cupping the back of his head and tugging him closer to kiss him with as much feeling as he could, trying to say everything that he wanted to say but couldn't find the words for in the ball of emotion filling his chest, he pressed as much of it down the bond between them as he could, wrapping his emotions around his bond with Jason.
"Breakfast!" Stephen called up the stairs breaking the two of them apart with a laugh. They got up, Jason lazily tugging on a pair of boxers before they made their way down together, they were greeted with the lovely smell of their breakfast which Nathaniel was just placing on the table.
"This looks amazing," Harry smiled kissing Nathaniel's lips, "thank you,"
"You don't have to thank me, I enjoy doing it," Nathaniel blushed starting to walk away to get their drinks, Harry caught him around the waist however and tugged him back for another kiss.
"I do need to thank you, you make wonderful meals for us," Harry smiled before kissing him again. Nathaniel blushed darker but hurried back to get their drinks with a pleased expression on his face. Jason claimed his lap as soon as Harry sat down, getting comfortable and claiming the cup of coffee Nathaniel held out to him with a thankful and worshipful groan that had the rest of them laughing as he breathed in the scent of the coffee with delight.
"Thank you, Nathaniel," Stephen said pointedly at Jason when Nathaniel handed him his coffee, the others laughing again as Jason gurgled into his coffee what was obviously meant to be a thank you.
"Hi Nagini," Stephen smiled at the snake as she slithered into the room and aimed right for the sun patch in the corner. Nagini hissed back her welcome and Stephen smiled happily. It had taken him and Nathaniel a little time to get used to having the giant snake around, as it had Richard, Rafael and Jason, but they were adjusting, and every time they treated the snake with respect Harry's bond with them warmed happily, letting them know how important the snake was to him.
"What are your plans for today?" Harry asked as they were halfway through their breakfast.
"I want to go and get a little shopping in," Nathaniel hummed, "especially for the meal,"
"What meal?" Jason asked curiously settling back comfortably against Harry's chest.
"Nathaniel wants to cook a special meal for this weekend with our first moon all together coming up, I thought we could have Damian over as well and plan what we want the apartment to look like," Harry explained.
"That sounds good," Stephen smiled. "I am meeting up with Gregory, he wants to chat and make sure that I am ok,"
Harry longed to know what had happened between his mate and his twin, but he wouldn't invade Stephen's privacy by trying to get the information elsewhere, and he wouldn't dream of pushing Stephen to tell him. But there was a love and a sadness when Stephen spoke of his twin that Harry longed to protect Stephen from.
"I am going to head to the club and arrange my work nights around our new situation," Jason said. His eyes slid to the side to look at Harry, the wizard blinking back at him.
"Are you expecting me to protest?" Harry asked after a moment.
"No," Jason said slowly.
"You said upstairs that you knew I accepted you, are you expecting me to tell you that you can't strip?"
"Aren't you jealous?" Jason frowned a little, the turn taking Harry a little by surprise. But he answered anyway.
"Not really," He said and watched Jason hunch in a little on himself, quickly carrying on before Jason misunderstood, "it is something that you enjoy doing and it is your body, I trust that it is only looking, and I trust that you will be coming home to us, there is nothing to be jealous about,"
"Really?" Jason perked up.
"I trust you, Jason, I told you, whatever you want to do I will support you," Harry tugged him into a gentle kiss.
"What are your plans?" Nathaniel asked after a moment of quiet. "Are you going to be resting?" He asked hopefully.
"Sorry Nathaniel," Harry laughed twining part of Nathaniel's ponytail around his finger to tug him forward into a kiss. "I am going to be heading out to look into a few things for the British Ministry about some of the escaped Death Eaters, I also want to talk to some people I know about Blake,"
"You will be safe?" Nathaniel asked concerned.
"Yes, they're all people that I know and trust," Harry promised his mates.
An hour later he jogged down the stairs ready to go and quickly searched the house to find his mates, they were all in the kitchen getting ready to go out themselves.
"Here," Harry tapped the bags in Nathaniel's hands with a wand to place lightning spells on the bags.
"You know I have were strength right?" Nathaniel grinned.
"Of course, but if I can make your life a little easier I want to," He smiled pressing a warm kiss to the leopard's lips. "Have a good shop, pick up anything that you want," he added pressing a card into Nathaniel's hand.
"But…what…" Nathaniel blinked at the card in his hand.
"And you two, treat yourself while you are out, on your way to the club or back," Harry said to Jason, kissing him sweetly. "And buy lunch for you and Gregory, and anything else you want, you all deserve to treat yourselves after the last few weeks. These are your cards, they have just arrived from my bank,"
"But…" Jason blinked at the card and then up at Harry.
"Whatever you want, I just want you all to treat yourselves,"
"What limit though…" Stephen asked.
"No limit, whatever you want," Harry shook his head pulling Stephen into a kiss. He turned and kissed Nathaniel, then Jason and then Stephen again. "That should see me through the day. I will see you all later on, if you need anything just call me and I will come to you,"
"Harry, thank you," Jason said and the others nodded.
"No problem, see you later," Harry said before apparating away.
"I feel like I should be buying you a massive thank you basket," Stephen said to Jason as he looked down at the card in his hand that had been given to him with complete trust and care in mind.
"He is…" Nathaniel said and then stopped.
"Yes," Jason snorted nodding.
"Harry?" Richard called as the front door opened.
"Yeah it's me," Harry yawned closing the door and making his way into the living room. He dropped down onto the sofa when Nathaniel stood to make space for him, settling between Stephen and Jason, gently tugging Nathaniel onto his lap. He kissed each of his mates in greeting.
"Good day?" Richard smiled.
"Long but good, I got more than I wanted done," Harry hummed.
"Ani…Blake?" Rafael asked.
"Hmm, I have people looking into how I can trace her magical signature, she isn't a witch so it is a different method, I should hopefully hear back soon," Harry yawned. "I also got some information that I need on Death Eaters,"
"How are you feeling?" Richard asked concerned.
"A bit tired, but better than I thought I would," Harry smiled. "Did you have a good day?"
"The student were hell, I swear every time we got close to the full moon they're awful," Richard whined.
They spent the rest of the night chatting and watching the tv, the atmosphere relaxed and comfortable. They all went to bed at the same time and Harry and his three mates got comfortable in what was becoming their positions on the bed and all dozed off fairly quickly.
Four hours later Harry sat up with a huff when he felt someone passing through his wards, immediately waking him up. He soothed Jason who stirred at his movement before getting out of the bed and heading downstairs, having a good idea as to who he would find in the living room.
"Why are you here at stupid o'clock in the morning Jean-Claude?" Harry asked as he walked into the living room to find the vampire wearing ridiculously tight clothing that looked as though it had been painted onto the vampire.
"This is my morning," Jean-Claude waved his hand.
"It is my night, and I was in bed, asleep, with my lovely mates," Harry sighed. "What do you want Jean-Claude?"
"You gave Asher some advice?" Jean-Claude said turning to look out the window.
"About talking to each other?" Harry asked, having a horrible feeling that he was going to become some sort of relationship councillor for the two vampires, which was ironic considering he hadn't had a really successful relationship before and was trying to make his way successfully through his own one this time.
"Yes," Jean- Claude pursed his lips. "I said the wrong thing,"
"Sit down," Harry sighed motioning to the sofa. "What happened?"
"I suggested that we take another lover to make things easier between us, because that is what we have always had, Asher said about us talking about things and I said…I said 'what is there to talk about,'" Jean-Claude huffed when Harry grimaced at hearing those words. "I know!" He snapped turning to look out the window.
"Where is Asher now?" Harry asked concerned.
"He is locked in his room at the Circus, he went to storm off but I begged for him to stay inside because Anita is still out there, but…I do not know how to fix it, I thought about buying him a diamond necklace or car but, that does not feel right," Jean-Claude sighed looking back to Harry with surprisingly vulnerable blue eyes.
"Buying him something like that is definitely not the way to do it. Do something personal for him Jean-Claude, have a favourite meal of his in a room that you have decorated with fairy lights and his favourite flower, and talk about whatever it is you are struggling with," Harry said.
"I am worried that I am not enough for him, he was more attached to Anita than he was to me, she was the only reason that our relationship started to heal, and the human servant that we lost, I always felt that he loved her more," Jean-Claude said, and Harry really couldn't believe that he had become the vampire couples sounding board.
"So tell him that," Harry said.
"You say it like it is easy!" Jean-Claude scowled.
"It isn't easy, but then to have a relationship together, a real one that will last isn't meant to be easy. It is ripping yourself open slightly and trusting your partner not to take advantage of it. Asher needs to understand how you feel Jean-Claude, I got the feeling when we spoke that he feels as though he is lesser in your life, and though he knows you love him, I think his scars worry him about how you will desire him. You suggesting another partner will just carry on that thought. You two need to be secure in your relationship with each other before you start introducing others I think, otherwise, you are going to carry on going around in this circle. Being honest with a partner isn't meant to be easy, because you are trusting them, but the benefit that you can get from it is massive,"
"Thank you," Jean-Claude nodded his head. "Asher always wanted a dog, would…do you think a puppy would be right?"
"Yes, it would, it shows you know him and have listened," Harry smiled and the vampire nodded happily to himself.
"Richard mentioned that you had been going out to look into Anita and a way to track her today?" Jean-Claude asked, crossing his legs and settling more comfortably into the sofa. Resigning himself to the fact that he was not going to be getting to bed again soon Harry got more comfortable himself and summoned some tea for the two of them.
"Yes, I am not wholly familiar with her type of magic I have to admit, it is rare and I wanted to familiarise myself with what it is she can do and the way that I can trace her, as well as get people I know to keep their ears to the ground for anything that could indicate her," Harry explained.
"Familiarise? She is a necromancer, she can temporarily raise the dead and control vampires to an extent," Jean-Claude leant forward concerned.
"I think that she can do more, especially with the control that she had over the bonds, that wasn't simple Animator magic, that was something else, I am worried that she has developed her magics further with the powers that she has been taking off of you all through the bonds and what she can now do. I may be overthinking it, but I am worried that something big is coming and that we need to be ready,"
"I agree with Harry, I do not think that it is going to be just what we thought we knew about her that she is going to throw at us," Richard said from the doorway, standing there in his pyjama pants and his ponytail in a bit of mess but looking very awake and serious.
"I did not mean to wake you, Mon Loup," Jean-Claude said softly.
"I know, I heard voices," Richard shook his head with a small smile, walking over to drop next to Harry on the sofa. "I am worried about what she is going to throw at us,"
"We have caught her by surprise, but from what I have heard she is very adaptable and intelligent," Harry nodded.
"What do you suggest?" Jean-Claude said.
"We need to find her before she has time to regroup properly and react against us first," Harry rubbed his nose. "I dislike that she is running around free right now, and is a threat to those I care about," He gritted his teeth.
"I think we can all agree on that," Jean-Claude huffed.
"Definitely," Richard nodded.
"I am nearly well enough to start trying to track her once my people come back to me with the information we need,"
"We will be ready to react," Jean-Claude nodded standing. "I will let you both go back to bed. Thank you for your help Mon Emerald,"
"Help?" Richard asked once Jean-Claude was out of his hearing and so they were out of the vampires.
"I somehow seem to have become counsellor and adviser to him and Asher for their relationship," Harry snorted. "Do you mind that I am becoming friends with him?"
"No, I…we have a difficult relationship, and I am not sure that I will ever really be able to trust him completely, but he is a massive part of my life, he is a reason that I am the man I am today. He helped me accept myself. I think in different circumstances I could have loved him the way that he wanted me to, without Anita in our lives, but that won't happen. What we are I am happy with, and we will be tied together even without Anita for the rest of my life," Richard said thoughtfully.
"How are you feeling with everything with Anita, I haven't really asked," Harry asked concerned, aware of the plans that he had for the Death Dealer.
"I have not loved Anita for a long time, not since Rafael and realising how love should be and how your partner should treat you, seeing what she had done to us, to the people I cared about, the danger that you had to go through to erase the things that she had done to us killed any lingering feelings that I had for her. She had not been the woman that I loved for a very long time, and this is all just evidence of it. I am aware that we are probably going to have to kill her, and while I will mourn for the person that she was, I won't for the person that she had become, and I definitely won't be choosing her over the people that I care about,"
"If possible I will be the one to do it, I do not want any of you having to deal with her blood on your hands," Harry said.
"Harry, no you…"
"I have more than enough blood on my hands Richard, I won't second guess this, sometimes the wrong act is the right one to take, and that is something that I can deal with don't worry. Especially after everything that she has done. What she had done to you, what she has done to all of you, the things that she has done to my mates…if I doubt myself all I need to think about is the fact Nathanial and Stephen thought I would punch them for being playful because that is what she has done, and I will feel no guilt," Harry scowled.
"She punched them for…" Richard grit his teeth and looked away. "I can understand why you would feel no guilt," he nodded.
"What happens will happen, I have no intention of allowing her to threaten the life I am building here," Harry shook his head.
"Are you happy?" Richard asked.
"I am, more so than I thought I would be. When I came here I was a little lost and just looking for something different, I really didn't think that I would find everything that I have. Thank you, Richard," Harry smiled at his cousin.
"You don't have to thank me, you have completed my life in a way that I wasn't expecting either, something that I didn't realise was missing has been filled. I am so happy that you came here Harry, and I am more than happy that you feel like this is home and you want to stay," Richard tugged his younger cousin against him and hugged him tightly.
"Richard, I love you," Harry said into his cousin's chest, the arms around him tightening even more.
"I love you too Kiddo," Richard whispered.
Damian nodded to Harry as he stepped into the living room before moving into the kitchen where Nathaniel was cooking up the feast for their special meal. Stephen and Jason were curled around him on the sofa where they were sitting watching TV with Rafael and Richard, some quiz show that the others were teasing him for how terrible his pop culture was, Jason was scribbling a list of things that they needed to get him to watch, Stephen adding to the list as much as Jason, Richard and Rafael joining in now and then.
"Nathaniel they're picking on me!" Harry wailed as Stephen and Jason teased him about not knowing anything about Percy Jackson.
"Are they being mean?" Nathaniel grinned as he walked in, Damian trailing behind him like a silent shadow. Harry leapt up from between Stephen and Jason who were laughing at Harry's reaction, the wizard threw himself over Nathaniel, hugging his mate close pouting at him.
"They are, you wouldn't mock me would you!" Harry sniffed dramatically, Richard and Rafael were laughing on their sofa at Harry's reaction.
"I would never mock that you quite clearly have lived in the desert," Nathaniel said seriously.
"Not you as well!" Harry wailed before turning and throwing himself on Damian who looked as though he wasn't sure whether to run for the hills or not. "You won't mock me will you!"
"Harry!" Nathaniel was laughing so hard that as he tried to tug Harry off of Damian by his arm he was barely able to tug at him.
"I may have changed my mind about living with you," Damian huffed unlatching Harry from him and draping him back over Nathaniel.
"I thought you would be on my side," Harry pouted at Nathaniel, rubbing the stubble that he had been growing out over the last few days over Nathaniel's neck getting more laughter from his wereleopard. Nathaniel tried to bend over to escape the ticklish feeling but Harry wrapped his arms around his waist and bent with him carrying on.
"I need…to…go finish…supper," Nathaniel wheezed.
"Fine," Harry sighed letting him go, before throwing himself down on top of Jason and started rubbing his stubble against his neck as his wolf shrieked at the sudden attack.
"Oh Merlin Nathaniel, that was just absolutely amazing!" Harry groaned dropping back onto the sofa holding onto his stomach.
"So good," Richard sighed nodding as he and Rafael dropped onto their sofa. Stephen curled up between Harry's legs, wrapping his arms around his legs and rested his head on Harry's thigh. He blinked and smiled up at Harry lazily when a luxuriously soft cushion appeared under him as Harry wove his fingers through his blond hair. Jason flopped down next to Harry on the sofa with a content groan of his own, carefully placing his legs over Harry's legs making sure not to kick Stephen, and threw his feet into Nathaniel's lap where he was sitting on Damian's knee next to Harry.
"I'm glad you liked it," Nathaniel flushed.
"I loved it, it was amazing, thank you for putting so much work into it," Harry took his hand and kissed the back of it and then his wrist making the wereleopard blush bright red.
"So let's get planning our home," Jason grinned excitedly grabbing the pad and pen that he had set aside for this.
"How are you going to create a flat in one room?" Rafael asked curiously throwing his arm around Richard as they got comfortable. "You have spoken about it a couple of times but…how?"
"It is simple and incredibly complicated at the same time," Harry said and then laughed at the face Rafael pulled at him. "It is basically using magic to make the inside of the room larger than the outside while still maintaining structural strength, you can do it on something like a bag, a tent, and a house, it takes a good bit of magic to do which is why not all wizards have tiny houses on the outside that are huge on the inside,"
"It sounds like something that would give me a headache," Jason whined.
"Honestly they don't really teach you the theory behind things like that while we are in school, just this is the spell, this is what it does, perform it and see how good you are at it," Harry shrugged.
"So, what were you thinking?" Jason asked tapping the pen against the paper impatiently, Stephen snorted from where he was settled quite comfortably against Harry's still.
"I was thinking a living room, bedroom for us, bedroom for Damian, en suite bathroom for each bedroom, and a room each for us all to use?" Harry suggested.
"You can do all that?" Richard blinked.
"I will have to extend the house out a tiny bit I think, your neighbours won't notice," Harry promised.
"Your magic is so cool!" Richard enthused. Harry grinned at his cousin happily, completely aware of how the Durselys had looked at his magic and how Richard did were miles apart. He felt a swell of affection for his cousin, though they obviously weren't sure why they were feeling the happiness fromHarry down their bond, his mates smiled at him happily for the feeling.
"How about…" Jason stuck his tongue between his teeth as he hurried the pen across the page of the pad concentrating on the drawing before turning it around.
"I like that," Harry smiled.
"Looks good," Damian nodded brushing Nathaniel's hair from his face when it stuck to him as he leaned forward.
"What are you guys thinking for the living room?" Harry asked.
"We saw this," Jason placed the pad down and dug out his phone and opened up a webpage to show Harry a sofa while Nathaniel and Stephen shifted looking a little uncomfortable.
"You all like this?" Harry asked curiously looking at them. He tugged gently on Stephen's hair when the werewolf lowered his eyes, "words," he gently encouraged.
"I really like it," Stephen nodded.
"I like it," Nathaniel nodded quickly when Harry looked at him.
"Right we will get that then," Harry nodded.
"There is an Antique store that the three of us like going to, could we go there to look for a few other things?" Jason asked.
"Of course," Harry nodded right away.
"We don't have to, it is a lot, and it is expensive and…" Nathaniel stopped talking when Damian nudged him gently.
"He would have said if he didn't want to take you or couldn't afford it," Damian said.
"But…" Nathaniel blinked his large lavender eyes at his friend.
"Damien is right Sweetheart, I would say if it wasn't ok, or we couldn't afford it," Harry smiled. "We could go tomorrow?"
"I would like that," Stephen pressed his face into Harry's thigh as Jason clapped his hands excitedly.
"Right, what was one of those films that you lot were insisting that I had to watch?" Harry sighed, those around him laughing at the put upon tone he had put on.
"Harry, stop huffing and go to sleep!" Jason partially said exasperatedly and partially laughed.
"But…but…vampires don't sparkle! It is just ridiculous!" Harry protested. Nathaniel started laughing uncontrollably where he was curled up between Harry's legs, resting his head on his stomach, breaking down at the repeated protest, Stephen snickering on Harry's other side as Jason groaned and pressed his face into the pillow.
Harry smiled to himself as his mates chattered around him, he wasn't sure that he had smiled so much in years, but here he was. They were walking down the street to the Antique shop that his mates it seemed were in love with, Jason was holding his hand on his right-hand side, their fingers linked together, and Nathaniel was on his other side with their hands also linked together. Stephen was walking on Nathaniel's other side and they were chattering away about some of the things that they had seen in the shop the last time they were here.
"What is our limit?" Jason asked concerned as they neared the store.
"There isn't one, whatever it is that you want, we will get," Harry said.
"But…" Jason frowned.
"Whatever you guys want, we have more than enough money," Harry shook his head.
"You keep saying things like that," Stephen said, sounding a little baffled.
"Like what?" Harry asked confused.
"Things like 'we have' yesterday you said something about if 'we couldn't afford it',"
"We are mated, what is mine is yours," Harry shrugged.
"But, you have already given us the cards," Jason partly protested in his confusion.
"That isn't limited, my money is your money," Harry chuckled shaking his head, "now, let us not discuss this on the street, we're here to shop, whatever it is that you want we will get, and we can talk about this more at home," he motioned them into the shop, and with hesitant looks, the three of them entered ahead of him.
They relaxed and somewhat forgot their discussion outside as they made their way around the massive store that was crammed full of varying items, Harry himself was immediately interested in the wonderful items in the store and could see their homecoming together.
"What do you all think of this?" Harry called motioning to the dresser that he was standing in front of.
"Oh," Jason gasped when he saw it, sliding his arm through Harry's as he reached out with his other hand to touch the ornately carved dresser.
"Oh that is lovely," Stephen said appreciatively.
"I really like it," Nathaniel smiled.
"Hello boys," The shopkeeper approached them with a welcoming smile. "Welcome back, and with someone else,"
"This is Harry, our mate," Jason introduced the two of them.
"Mate, wonderful wonderful!" The shopkeeper held his hand out.
"I am Harry," Harry introduced himself while trying to ignore the buzz going through him realising that this was the first time that he had been introduced as the mate of the others.
"It is wonderful to meet you, they are all good lads," The old man said shaking Harry's hand.
"They are," Harry smiled at his flushing mates.
"Are you boys here to have a look through the new small items that have arrived? I am afraid you are a little early for that," The shopkeeper smiled.
"We're actually here to shop for our home, we would like to start with this please," Harry said motioning to the dresser.
"Oh, wonderful, of course," The shopkeeper blinked but hurried to take the tag off of the dresser.
"Harry, it is really expensive," Nathaniel hissed catching sight of the price on the tag.
"Please stop worrying about the price, we can afford it, and we are here to get things for our first home together," Harry kissed the wereleopard's hand.
"I can show you some of their favourite things that they have been drooling over for years if you would like?" The shopkeeper said over the protests of Harry's three mates. "What, you deserve to be spoilt, and if your mate here wants to spoil you then why not?" He smirked at the three young men.
"Wily old fox," Harry grinned.
"How did you…" The man blinked in shock.
"Harry has a lot of skill," Jason said proudly, even though he was still shooting dirty looks between Harry and the shopkeeper.
"I am indeed a werefox," The shopkeeper chuckled.
"Well, let's see the things that they like," Harry grinned.
"Right this way,"
"Harry!" His mates protested.
The three of them finally relaxed and started enjoying themselves to Harry's happiness, and the next thing he knew he found himself dragged around the shop by the three of them to show him different things, the shopkeeper stepping in and pointing out a couple of other little things here and there when the three of them missed something. He was delighted as he collected more and more tags from items, looking more thrilled as they made their way through his inventory.
"I think that is enough," Jason laughed realising how much they had bought.
"Thank you," Stephen pressed his lips to Harry's, the smile on his face would have made Harry buy the whole shop to keep that smile on his face for a little longer.
"Thank you," Nathaniel was there right after him, throwing his arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to his lips.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Jason wrapped himself around Harry, throwing his legs around his waist and leaning down to kiss him as he held his face between his hands, Harry laughing against his lips.
"You're all welcome," Harry smiled.
"I don't know where we are going to fit everything," Stephen wrapped his arms around Harry and Jason where he was still attached onto Harry.
"We will make it fit," Harry assured them.
"Come on let's get home," Stephen smiled. "See you soon," he waved to the shopkeeper.
"See you soon lads! I will get all this delivered to you safely!" he said brightly handing Harry's card back to him.
"Come on you three," Harry walked forwards with Jason still attacked to him, leading Stephen and Nathaniel through the shop so that they could head home. His three mates were chattering happily between themselves about the new items and where they could go within the planned space that they had created the evening before.
Harry slowed his walking as something washed over his senses, that gut instinct that he had relied on so many times, the smile rapidly fell from his face and he tugged Jason off him and placed him on his feet, pressing his three mates together as he scanned the area around them. They sobered up quickly themselves as they scanned around as well for the threat that Harry was clearly feeling, but all of them were taken by surprise when the blast came from the side aimed right at Harry's three mates, clearly not caring which one of them it hit, just wanting to hit one of them.
"Harry!" Nathaniel cried out as Harry stepped in front of the spell, taking the blast of dark power across his back, the smell of burning flesh hitting them all right away as the dark power seemed to start eating into his skin right away. With a shrug he pushed off the dark magic, stripping off his burning shirt to prevent it from sinking into the wound as he turned to meet the dark eyes of the necromancer.
"Ms Blake, I have been looking forward to meeting you," Harry hissed waving his hand behind him to create a glittering blue shield between his mates and himself and the woman who seemed to recover herself and raised her gun to shoot him.
Harry quickly waved his hand at the bullet and flicked away the flower he had turned it into was an annoyed hand.
"You're the one that undid my bonds!" She snarled at him.
"And you are the one that has assaulted and hurt my mates and those that I care for!" Harry snarled waving his hand and watched with satisfaction as the woman tried to dodge his spell but it hit her face and opened a deep wound. "I have a lot that I wish to do with you, Ms Blake!"
"You will regret interfering!" Harry grit his teeth as he tried to block the spell she threw at him but the end of it broke through the shield that he threw up and hit his stomach.
"Fuck!" he snarled as he looked up from extinguishing the spell a second later and found the woman gone.
"Harry!" Jason pressed against the shield.
"Stay there!" Harry barked scanning around the area to make sure that she was really gone. "Damn it!" He growled when it was clear that she was gone. He turned and saw his mates all looking strained as they stood back from the shield as he had ordered, but clearly terrified. He broke down his shield and hurried over to them, cupping each of their faces.
"Harry, you're hurt," Nathaniel whined.
"I am ok," Harry sighed, glazing over his back. It was a bit of a mess but he had had worse.
"Harry," Stephen gripped his hand.
"Hold onto me all of you, I will portkey us back," Harry said softly. Stephen gazed up at him with terrified blue eyes as he touched Harry's waist, Jason and Nathaniel holding onto his arms as he activated the portkey he wore attached to his belt and took them home.
"Harry!" Richard burst into the kitchen seconds after they landed, the smell of his cousin's blood hitting him. "What happened?!" He demanded as he hurried to his cousin's side, growling when he saw his back.
"Anita attacked us," Jason said quickly.
"She got away, my magic still wasn't strong enough!" Harry snarled.
"Your stomach!" Rafael gasped.
"It is fine, I will heal," Harry waved them off.
"Harry we need to look at them and you need to put potions or something on them!" Richard shook his head.
"It is fine!" Harry growled.
"Harry, please," Stephen said softly. Harry paused in trying to push off Richard's hands and looked down at his mate, his worried blue eyes showing all his concern, Jason and Nathaniel were watching him with equal worry in their eyes, and seeing the panic on their faces allowed for him to take a breath and calm down.
"I really am ok, I will heal," He cupped each other their faces again to try and reassure them. "Can one of you go and get the bag from my bedside cabinet please, it has my potions in," He smiled.
"I can!" Nathaniel nodded, his instinct to need to be doing something to help getting him moving first and he hurried away to their bedroom. Jason and Stephen took the chance to get Harry to sit down on a kitchen chair so that they were able to reach his stomach and his back, Richard and Rafael hurrying after them.
"You should let the others know, she is going to be pissed," Harry sighed.
"Harry cut her face open with a spell," Jason said to Richard.
"Are you two ok?" Harry asked looking at his pale mates with concern.
"Harry, you were the one that was injured!" Jason protested, his hand hovering over the burned flesh of his stomach with a grimace.
"Here!" Nathaniel ran back into the room clutching the pouch in his hands, quickly holding it out to Harry.
"Thank you," Harry smiled taking the pouch and fishing out the potions he needed, knocking them back and then opening the salve to put on his wounds.
"I will!" Stephen took the salve from Harry's hands, he dipped his fingers into it and took a liberal amount before handing it over to Jason and moved to carefully rub the salve into Harry's wounded back. Jason scooped out some himself and moved to rub it into Harry's stomach. The Wizard took Nathaniel's hand and kissed the back of it as he sat back and allowed his other mates to tend to him, the worry that they were feeling humming down their bonds to him.
"I am ok, honestly, mainly just pissed that she got away," Harry promised Richard and Rafael, seeing the concern on their faces as well. "Please, let the others know,"
"Fine, but I am cancelling going out tonight and staying in with you," Richard huffed.
"Ok," Harry smiled softly.
"Harry…" Nathaniel's lip wobbled as soon as Richard and Rafael stepped out of the room.
"Hey, I am ok, I promise," Harry tugged Nathaniel against his front as he quickly stood, pulling the other two in as well and holding them tightly so that he could hug them all.
"Harry, your stomach!" Jason protested.
"I need to hold you all," Harry shook his head. "I am sorry I shouted at you all,"
"Harry you were protecting us," Stephen laughed incredulously.
"I still shouldn't have shouted," Harry protested.
"You protected us, we weren't scared of you, we were scared for you," Nathaniel said softly as they hugged him back as tightly as they dared with his injuries.
"Are you ok?" Damien demanded as he walked into the living room looking concerned as he scanned around to find Harry. He walked over when he found him sitting on the sofa, his stomach and back taped up with his three mates around him.
"I am fine, I will be healed by the end of the night, I am annoyed more than anything else," Harry huffed.
"That is good to hear, we were worried when word reached us," Jean-Claude drawled as he and Asher walked in.
"How are you all doing?" Asher asked concerned looking them over.
"We're fine, Harry protected us behind a shield," Jason smiled hopping to his feet and going to hug the two of them before hurrying back to Harry.
"How is it that I am not joined to you anymore but see more of you?" Richard snorted.
"I can go if you want?" Jean-Claude raised an eyebrow at the Ulfric.
"Sit down, wine?" Richard snorted standing up.
"Yes please," Jean-Claude dropped gracefully down onto the sofa. "I here you slashed her face up fairly well?"
"He did!" Jason nodded quickly.
"Right across her face!" Nathaniel added.
"It is going to be really nasty for her," Stephen agreed.
"Good!" Asher huffed dropping down next to Jean-Claude. Harry smiled at the blond vampire when Jean-Claude reached out to twine their fingers together.
"It looks as though you are being held hostage," Jean-Claude snickered at Harry.
"They won't let me move around," Harry huffed.
"You might be healed by tonight, but you are still healing," Stephen said mutinously.
"With those faces no wonder you aren't moving," Asher laughed as the three of them turned worried eyes onto Harry.
"They indeed seem to have you twisted around their fingers," A voice joined in the conversation making them all turn to the two newcomers standing in the doorway.
"Who are you?" Rafael snarled standing along with Jean-Claude and Asher.
"Friends," the other smiled softly.
"You smell of Harry," Richard said hesitantly from where he was behind them, partially crouched ready to attach if needed, looking between them and Harry.
"Severus, Remus, what are you doing here?" Harry grinned.
"We heard you were hurt, we wanted to make sure that you were not moronic enough to get permanently injured," Severus sniffed.
"I told you it was just a light wound," Harry snorted.
"You do have a bit of a habit of underselling," Remus said softly. "Besides we wanted to come and meet your lovely mates, and help where we can with this woman,"
"I am happy to see you," Harry stood and hurried over to them, throwing his arms around the two of them and hugging them tightly.
"Watch your back, you imbecile! You are hurt!" Severus snapped.
"I am fine," Harry rolled his eyes.
"Let me see!" Severus spun him around and peeled off the bandages covering his back with a flick of his wand. "This is not satisfactory!" he huffed before he started to murmur his spell to heal the younger man.
"It is wonderful to see you, Harry, we have missed you," Remus grinned as he peeled off the bandage from Harry's stomach and started to heal it.
"This is Richard and Rafael," Harry introduced the two wizards as soon as they were done.
"Lovely to meet you," Remus beamed at Richard and his partner holding out his hand. "We are sorry for dropping in so suddenly but we were worried,"
"Oh no we understand, it is lovely to meet you as well, Harry has told us a lot about you," Richard quickly took his hand.
"This is Jean-Claude the Master of the City and his second Asher," Harry introduced.
"A pleasure," Severus bowed correctly to the Master and his Second.
"The pleasure is ours," Asher nodded back.
"This is Damian, he is my mate's bond-mate," Harry motioned to the redhead who stood and shook their hands, looking to two of them over with interest.
"Lovely to meet you," Remus smiled.
"And these are my mates," Harry said proudly holding his hands out to his mates who shyly made their way over. "This is Nathaniel, Jason and Stephen, guys this is Remus and Severus,"
"It is lovely to meet the three of you, we have heard a lot about you," Remus beamed at the three of them. "Thank you for making him so happy,"
"He has been much less grumpy and angst-ridden since bonding with you, though he was unconscious for some hours of that time as well," Severus snorted.
"Dear Merlin Sev you are so grouchy! Compliment someone normally!" the bright voice had everyone but the Wizards in the room turning quickly to the newcomer in the room.
"You are annoying and I wish that we had left you at home," Severus huffed.
"You love me really!" the newcomer laughed wrapping his arms around Harry and hugging him carefully, before hugging Harry's surprised mates. "It is wonderful to meet you all, welcome to the family!"
"And this is Sirius," Harry laughed.
