Author's Note:
Thank you for all of the lovely reviews! I have been so excited to share this chapter with all of you since I wrote it back in June/July. Thank you to Sam for helping me get it just right and as a thank you, I threw in her favourite term for Harry. I hope you enjoy it as much I enjoyed writing it!
And you're guesses have been great but it's not about Crouch and Voldemort or the giant Squid and Hogwarts — all great guesses though!
Reviews and Comments: To CorbanD17: You were the first to comment and sorry it's not quite yet, but you'll see why as this chapter only covers two days. To briana_t: Ron is definitely the sweetest! I know waiting on Hinny is hard, but it is very soon, I promise (before 300). What a great Swift song! As to how much longer until Theo and Kane make out? Haha. We'll see. To marauders_mowopapr: It does mean dark things are coming, but there's still some good things to come as well. You think something really big will happen before Christmas? Oh, only one or two, I suppose. Yes, Ginny and Harry both needed that 'hold me' moment. To AQuickRead91: Haha, Myrtle should not get in on the Harry action. Haha, Theo and Kane are going to try to make such pretty babies — you're hilarious! I think Ginny would always call him Tom because that's what she knows him as and Ginny knows Voldemort better than anyone other than Harry. To HinnyForLife: Thank you! They do understand each other so well! I'm glad you liked the Theo and Kane bit. To TatiRena: Ha, I think you're right, that's not super peaceful for poor Harry.
To shuweet: Thank you! I love how quickly people jumped on the Theo and Kane ship! To Fanfisc01: They did kiss and yes, they are very close. To PurpleLotus: Thank you. To Sam: Theo and Kane are chatting more, but I wouldn't say they're besties. Haha, if I was Hermione I would also be dead and plotting Ginny's demise. Yes, yes, Demelza does know who has the best arse. KJ is definitely coming in strong. I like Bas Kane but yes, Auror Arsehole is good too, haha. To AnaGPotter: Smut for Hermione's bday is definitely deserved. And I'll take speechless. To edwards_zoe_32: Thank you! K is making you miss Finn less and less, I hope that's a good thing. Yes, Hinny being friends again is a good start. To BadWolfKris: Auror Arsehole does have a crush! Harry definitely doesn't know how to deal with people being so forward with him. To Mizfitz22: Ha, no not Christmas already, but happy to see you had three updates to read! Therapy can be a bitch, but Ginny needs it and she needed it to get herself to talk to Harry again. Pansy and Greg are definitely living on the edge of danger. Haha, I love that you ship Theo and K so hard. You think it felt like a first date? How cute! To Endinium: Thank you! I love your reviews to my chapters! Haha, unofficial first date indeed!
To ResaThee: That's so lovely to hear! I'm glad your surgery went well and I wish you the best! To Steel: They did and they are working their way back to more. Theo and K are still dancing around each other a bit. To MinnieRocks: Of course I see it! My favourite thing to do is to read reviews and hear people's thoughts on each chapter. It makes my whole day! I will add it to my to-read list, thanks for sharing. I'm always happy to inspire more fanfiction! To Anna1607: Thank you! To Guest: Ginny doesn't know that KJ hit on Harry. At least not yet… To Ellieoryan7447: Aww, I love that you take notes while reading! Tonks is totally cheeky and witty and she's not afraid to tell someone what she's thinking. She did train with Moody at the Academy after all. Haha, it was a little evil on Ron's part and Hermione was definitely feeling the whole 'I want to kill him, but also I just had an amazing orgasm' feeling lol. Of course Harry takes her into his arms without hesitation, there's no way he can't. They need each other. As to people fawning over Harry, it isn't right that they are touching him, but Harry just sees it as something that's supposed to happen. It will be dealt with. As to Neville calling Harry's cock 'that thing' and telling him to wank, he just meant deal with the erection, but I'm glad you found it so entertaining lol!
To Dianne: Yes, Romy really doesn't know how to get Harry and it annoys her that he doesn't seem to want her. Yes, Theo was affected by how attractive Bas was here. Yes, K just really kicked a chair, he was a little more affected by Theo than he's willing to admit. I love the idea of K and Tonks becoming closer friends. Ron is definitely intelligently sexy and a lot smarter than people give him credit for. Ginny is still having some nightmares and I think that she needed to accept in that moment that she needed Harry to help her make them go away. Yes, Ginny is worried about her soul blackening. Clueless Harry is a teenage boy lol. As to people staring at Kane, they went to a Muggle restaurant near the Ministry so no one knows who they are. Thank you for that very lengthy and amazing review!
To ITHersey: Aww, I'm glad you like nervous K! And yes, we're getting back to Hinny very soon! To Yusraa Ifthikar: Thank you! I love how many people are rooting for Theo and Kane, it really makes me smile. Atwell and Tonks definitely think that the Auror Arsehole bit is hilarious. I'm glad you said the Hinny scene reminded you of when Harry went to Ginny in fifth year for comfort after a nightmare, it was meant to be a throwback to that moment. You'll see some Nevannah in this chapter. Hinny will be very soon (before chapter 300), but not this chapter. To GodMisha: Thank you! Thank you for reading ASC for the third time! Ha, you could still have asked your question, the review wasn't that long lol (look at Dianne's). To shivani: Yes, Hinny kissed! They always find comfort in each other's arms. Harry is definitely so polite. Thank you for finding K adorable and flustered. To tryagain4me: Thank you! They both really do understand each other the best. To Undead Gothic Princess: Thank you for saying you're enjoying my development of Kane and his attraction to Theo. Don't kill Kane off and leave Theo in tatters… well, no promises. To Fenhryz: There are double standards in society and I wanted to address that.
To Chiku11: I do read all of them! I'm glad your friend suggested you read this one and I'm so glad you've enjoyed it mostly so far. As to updates, I update every week. To Just William: Thank you. To scrappy8: Thank you! Poor Harry indeed. To ANewRanger: I love the nickname Bas. I'm glad you think Theo/Bas and Harry's dilemma is your favourite storylines right now. To ValGrey02: Remus definitely dotes on his pregnant wife and Tonks knows exactly how perfect he is. Oh, you didn't find Kane subtle? LOL. To thequantumwitch: Yes, finally they talked. Ron and Hermione were definitely getting busy. Having that room to themselves means they are taking full advantage of it. Haha, I love that you think Cornfoot seems cool, but it's K that's the catch. As to Draco and Blaise… we'll see. To yunkol76: The first step is the hardest but Ginny and Harry have taken it. To Furburner: Harry definitely found it hard to resist and he definitely had to go have a few good wanks, but he's not interested in other girls.
To notthatchhavi: Yes, Kane is only twenty-one (as of August 1st) and yes, how DID he know Theo's eyes are brown lol. Demelza will definitely love Ron's arse in all universes haha (thanks Seriously Sam for that inspiration). There was a little flirting and yes, Ginny doesn't know what those girls were doing. To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Thank you. You still find K sketchy? We'll see. To Nuno Neves: Thank you! Romione is an amazing couple. The stuff between Theo and Kane is getting interesting, good to know. The world does need Hinny again and Harry's confession was something he not only needed to say but that Ginny really needed to hear. To LilyBlack18: The Aurors are totally the worst gossips for sure lol. As I like to say, the Doug Ross of the group! To alix33: Turkey is delicious, you should try it. Yes, Bas is definitely smoking hot!
To the Mandalorian terminator: Ron's gift was sweet. Harry having to deal with the witches hitting on him and following him around on top of the articles is a lot for him to deal with. Thank you! To JamesTKent: I'm glad that you're enjoying some Bas interaction lol. To pix25: Thank you! To Cookiepinkgirl6: I love that you're getting obsessed with Theo and Kane! Thank you so much for saying I blow you away every time! To Shouldna: Thank you! To saucyswimmer: Keep reviewing and I'll be happy to keep replying! K does have a different life and as to being a hookup guy as opposed to a relationship guy, we'll learn more about him soon-ish. Haha, he did notice his eyes and he did want to snoop his letters. They are in denial a little, but friends first is where Hinny needs to be. Remadora are definitely comfortable with each other and adventurous. Thank you! To A Voodoo Gyspy: Yes, I have an endgame. No, I think the story will be more than three million words and no, I don't go by word count. I have no idea. I'm like an energizer bunny and I just keep writing haha!
To Wolf's scream: Only a little defensive lol. Yes, Slughorn apologized to both Harry and Ginny. To CrazyWithABook: Thank you! I'm glad that you're enjoying the Theo and Kane interactions. To Laura: Thank you. And oh my god, I actually do have a drunk Ginny scene coming up, but sadly her brothers don't get to see it. But Harry does… wink, wink! To puttyman24: Thank you! As to what the Minister is up to, we'll see more of him and the Wizengamot soon. To mogens: I update once a week. To WinkingSkeever: I will update in my usual fashion of once a week. To Saz: So glad you're caught up again! She sure did say she loves him and ooh, you think Theo and Kane could get hot? Hmmm. To Smalanning: Wow SIYE, that brings me back haha. Thanks for reading and 16 days is insane, but happy to have you caught up! Lots of great fanfics out there I look forward to you to discovering them!
My posting schedule: Weekly.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIX:
The One With the Romantic Candlelit Dinner
The mirror vibrated in the back pocket of Harry's jeans and he struggled to pull it out as he finished chewing his sandwich. The sight of Zee's face made him grin. He excused himself from the table and headed out to the hall so that it would be quieter to chat.
"Zee, hi!"
"Hi, sweetie," Zee said, smiling from the mirror. "How are your classes going? You have Transfiguration all day, right?"
"No, that was yesterday. On Fridays I just have Charms in the morning."
"Right, it's Friday. Where is this week going?"
He chuckled. "Slowly from what I can see. I was just finishing up lunch before I try to get some homework done. I don't have any classes this afternoon. How are Mina and Leo?"
"Good. Still napping by some miracle, but I give them no more than twenty minutes, tops. Listen, I had that chat with Ted about the space issue in their home."
"Yeah, you said something about Grimmauld Place or even my house in Brighton, did you figure it out?"
"Maybe," she admitted. "Ted had another idea. He was planning on stopping by Hogwarts this afternoon to meet with Theo. Can you let him know that he's coming?"
"Sure," Harry said. "Why with Theo? Because he has the big manor or something?"
"Or something," Zee said. "Let Ted talk to him. There's no use in telling you the idea if it turns out to be a bust."
Harry nodded. "All right."
"And how are you otherwise? How's Ginny?"
Harry shrugged. "I'm fine. Ginny's fine."
Zee frowned. "I don't like that she's still shutting you out."
"It's not her fault," Harry said. "I mean, she's going through something and we talked a little and we're kind of friends again. She said that she loves me."
"You're back together?" Zee exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"Er, well, not exactly," he admitted. "We just talked and… we're taking it slow. Being friendly, you know?"
"Friends are good. It's what you started out as and maybe you need those baby steps, both of you."
He nodded. "I… I don't want to push her."
"And you won't, sweetie," Zee said. "One step at a time, but that's still great progress."
"Yeah," he agreed.
"Harry!"
Harry looked up from the mirror to see Ted Tonks and he waved. "Ted actually just arrived. I'll call you later, yeah?"
"Yes. Maybe you can come home on Sunday when Minerva comes over for tea?"
The thought of going home and seeing the twins and Zee made him smile. "Yeah, that sounds great. I'll talk to her. Bye Zee."
"Bye, love you!"
The mirror closed and Harry greeted Ted. "Hey, Ted, that was Zee telling me that you were coming."
Ted smiled. "Oh, good. I tried to catch Theo after the Wizengamot session today, but I missed him. I guess he was talking to one of the Aurors. Has he returned yet?"
"I didn't see him in the Great Hall, but he has Arithmancy this afternoon so I imagine that he'll be back soon," Harry told him. "Zee mentioned something about a new place?"
Ted nodded. "Hopefully. Zee's cousin Ian has been coming by to check on the girls and two of them have had their stomachs drop so he said that it will be soon for the babies to come. We need them somewhere safe when that happens."
"There's no way to stop the knowledge of the child's birth from being recorded?" Harry asked.
Ted shook his head. "No and I don't want to risk them being found before we can move them out. Andromeda and I think that the best plan is to move them first. Ah, here's Theo now."
Theo had just stepped into the Great Hall and headed towards them. "Hello, Mr Tonks, Harry."
"Theo, I was hoping that we could talk for a bit," Ted said.
Theo glanced at Harry and Harry figured whatever expression he'd given him, Theo saw the importance of it.
"I'll let Hermione know to tell Vector you might be late."
Theo nodded and steered Ted off to an empty classroom for them to chat. Harry met Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall, passed Hermione the message to give to Vector, and then he sat back down next to Ron.
"You reckon homework?"
Ron grimaced. "How can we have so much work already? The year just started and I feel like every day I have more to do than I did yesterday."
Harry agreed with him on that. "Tell me about it. McGonagall's assignment from yesterday alone is going to take me at least a day. Can we work in your common room?"
Ron's lips curved. "I love the sound of that… my common room."
"I'm just thinking that we'll have the place to ourselves, we can really concentrate."
"And listen to music," Ron said. "Let's go. Hermione's not done Arithmancy for an hour and a half anyway."
"Ah, so when Hermione's done class, you're kicking me out, is that it?" Harry said, grinning at his friend.
Ron shrugged. "Unless you want to watch me snog her brains out, but I rather got the impression you didn't."
Harry stuck his tongue out at him. "Git."
They gathered up their things and Harry ran up to his dorm to get his books before meeting Ron at the entrance to the Head dormitory to make himself comfortable. Despite their chatter, they actually did get a lot done and by the time Hermione returned, Harry grabbed his things and decided to finish up in the library. He needed the quiet and he still had a lot of work to do.
He caught sight of Ginny sitting close with Colin and Luna at a table on his way in. He said hello and she smiled brightly at him before returning to her work. He sighed as he made himself comfortable at a table in the back.
Friends first was a good idea, he did agree with that. But the taking of baby steps to get there again might just kill him. He opened his Transfiguration book and looked back down at his essay. He really wasn't looking forward to the weekend.
~ ASC ~
After speaking to Ted Tonks, Theo had hurried off to Advanced Arithmancy in time to make the last twenty minutes of class. He apologized to Professor Vector for being late and took the assignment with a smile before hurrying off again to find McGonagall when the class ended. Theo thought that Ted's idea had more than just promise, he thought it was brilliant. Not only would it mean he would get his best mates back in the same country, but he thought that it was the kind of thing Draco needed to help him get his life back on track. But if he was going to do it, it would have to be soon. According to Ted, they only had about a week before the babies started to arrive. It would be October in less than a week.
He found McGonagall finishing up her class and waited in the hall for her to dismiss them. She raised an eyebrow at him when he came in.
"What can I do for you, Mr Nott?"
"I need to take a little holiday."
McGonagall's lips twitched. "Well, don't we all, but a little holiday isn't part of the curriculum."
"But this one's extra important," he said, lowering his voice. "I need to talk to Draco and Blaise. In person."
McGonagall stared at him over her squared glasses. "Why?"
Theo quickly outlined his conversation with Ted Tonks. "It has to be now, Professor. We don't have a lot of time."
"Agreed," McGonagall said. "I can set up a private portkey for you tonight."
"Not needed," Theo told her. "I won't risk anyone finding out where I'm going in case they refuse to return with me. They're safe, Professor, and I won't risk that."
McGonagall pursed her lips. "Mr Nott, it's really not safe for anyone to be travelling alone at this time. I would feel much better if someone went with you at least. Perhaps an Auror?"
"I'm not going to convince Draco to come back if I show up with an Auror, Professor," Theo said. "And really, I'll be all right. I can get there on my own."
McGonagall leaned back against her desk. "I would still feel better if someone went with you."
"Harry will come with me then," Theo said, the idea coming to him right then.
"Harry?" McGonagall exclaimed.
"Yes," Theo said. "I want him to come with me. Then I'd have backup and you can stop worrying."
McGonagall didn't look convinced, but she agreed to it. After giving him the standard lecture on being back as soon as possible and it being his responsibility to keep up on his studies, she let him go.
The thought of going away for a few days with Harry sounded like the exact fun he needed. If he could get Draco and Blaise to return with him, it would be even better, but the pull of the hot Sicilian sun, lounging by the pool, and relaxing was even more appealing. He wondered if Harry had bathing trunks. He grinned as an idea formed and he called for Kiki. He ordered the elf to pick up a few things and have them ready in his room for when he returned and then he went off to find Harry. He found him sitting alone in the library, his Transfiguration book opened.
"Homework, Potter? How studious of you."
Harry looked up, his eyes slightly dazed. "Hi, Theo."
Theo slid into the seat next to him. "I have a surprise for you. Pack a bag for the weekend, we're going on a trip."
Harry's eyebrow rose. "What?"
Theo grinned. "You heard me."
"I did," Harry said slowly, "and yet, I still don't understand."
"You. Me. Weekend getaway."
Harry merely shook his head. "I'm completely lost."
"And adorable," Theo said. "But seriously, pack a bag. We're going away. McGonagall agreed that you could come with me to talk to Draco."
Harry's eyes widened. So that's what Ted's idea had been to ask Theo to convince Draco to return to England. Harry admitted he was rather intrigued by it.
"And you want me to come with you?"
"Sure," Theo said. "I've seen you naked now, we're besties."
Harry's cheeks flushed. He was still trying to forget waking up naked in the treehouse with his head pounding. "Why me? Why not Ginny or Colin or literally anyone else?"
"Because I trust you," Theo said simply. "And as much as I love Ginny and Colin, you're clearly the superior partner in this task. You're an incredible duellist. You're brave. You're smart. I could use the assist and worse comes to worse, you can annoy Draco into returning out of spite."
He snorted. "I'm the last person that Malfoy is going to want to see."
"Probably true," Theo agreed. "But you're still coming with me. You have thirty minutes to meet me in the entrance hall. Oh, and Harry? Pack for hot weather. Or not. I certainly wouldn't complain if you decided you'd rather be nude."
He winked at him saucily before he sauntered out of the library.
Harry looked down at his Transfiguration book before he closed it. He couldn't decide if this trip was a good or bad idea, but he had a feeling that either way it would take his mind off of Ginny and he really needed that.
~ ASC ~
Neville looked up, his hands buried in the dirt surrounding the Rex Begonia that he was planting. The unique flower didn't even look real, with it's cool blue swirl patterned leaves. It needed humidity to flourish and Neville was looking forward to watching it do so as he took the time to plant it in the pot. After getting the Pulvis Plant put away, he'd immediately switched over to the Rex Begonia, wanting to get it potted before dinner that night.
He looked up when the door opened and his smile widened at the sight of his girlfriend. Her Hufflepuff tie was loose around her neck and her cloak was open. Her long blonde hair waved over her shoulders, but his smile faded when he saw the expression on her face.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, grabbing a cloth to wipe his hands.
He'd barely tossed the cloth down before she was throwing herself into his arms. He pulled her close, holding her tightly. They just stood there hugging for almost a full minute before she finally moved away.
"Sorry. I know that you're busy out here."
"I'm never too busy for you," Neville said, urging her to take a seat on the bench. "What happened?"
Hannah passed him the crumpled letter in her hand.
He frowned as he took it, eyes moving down to the letter. It was from her mother and he'd barely read the words 'selfish, ignorant, and conceited' before he tossed it down.
"None of that is true."
Hannah nodded, tears in her eyes. "I… I should have told you my plan."
"No," Neville said, his thumb catching her tears. "I am so proud of you."
"What? You are?"
Neville kissed her, nipping at her lips in quick kisses that made her breath hitch. "I'm so proud of you. That was so brave, Hannah."
"But she's so upset," she whispered. "I mean I just…"
Neville shook his head. He had been truly surprised when Hannah had told him she'd packed all of her things to come back to Hogwarts.
"I took everything, Neville. The baking stuff that Nana left me, my clothes… everything. I had to use shrinking charms to get it to all fit in my trunk. I don't know where I'm going to keep it all. I even took my chair from my bedroom and the lamp that Nana bought me. But I'm not going back."
He had kissed her and told her that whatever she didn't have room for in her dorm, he would send to Cumbria to keep safe until she finished school. She wanted to get her own place and to his delight, was making serious plans to open a bakery. He wanted to help her with more. He wanted to whisk her off and promise her that she would never have to deal with her mother again, but he knew that he couldn't do that. This was something that Hannah had to do for herself.
"Ignore it," he told her.
"I can't just…" she let out frustrated breath. "She's my mum."
"Yes," Neville said. "And you've been at school a month and she only just noticed that you moved out."
Hannah's blue eyes met his. "But she didn't. She only noticed because I took all of the money out of the account."
His eyes widened. It was the last thing that he'd expected her to say. "Hannah, I'm so bloody proud of you right now."
"But wasn't it… mean? I moved all of it out, Neville. All of the Galleons I made this summer, I moved it all into my own account so that she can't access it and she wrote me this horrible letter and look, she said that if I didn't come back home at Christmas she'll kill herself!"
Neville frowned. "She threatened suicide?"
"She always says stuff like that to me," Hannah said, quietly. "Like how if I don't do something this way for her, she might as well kill herself because obviously she didn't do a good job at raising me. Or how when I got the job at the Leaky and confronted her about spending all of my tip money, how it would be better if she just killed herself because obviously it would make my life better…"
"Fuck, Hannah," Neville said, holding her in his arms. "That's not okay."
"But it…"
"No," he said when she trailed off. "Are you worried that she might actually take her own life?"
Hannah hesitated, her eyes on his. "I don't know. She says stuff like that all the time and it used to scare me. I used to come home, terrified that I'd find her dead or… but now… Neville, she loves life too much. She loves spending money and going out on the town and… Mandy says that she doesn't mean it. She says that she just uses it as a threat to guilt me into doing what she wants. Mandy said that if she was truly depressed and having those thoughts it would be different, but that it's all a lie to make me do what she wants."
"And what do you think?"
Hannah bit her bottom lip. "I think Mandy's right."
Neville kissed her forehead.
"I think that it's a lie and that makes me feel really horrible, Neville. What kind of mum would say something like that to their own daughter? In the same sentence she said how she was going to use that money to buy a new cloak for the winter and how I don't even care that she's going to freeze to death in the cold. How she has nothing now because I was so selfish to take away the income that I was supposed to share with her and how now she has —"
"—Her own bloody job," Neville interrupted. "You worked hard for that money, Hannah. She wasn't going to let you save it, you know that."
Tears were in her eyes again. "But she said that I was a horrible, conceited, selfish daughter who only thinks of myself and I don't want to be any of those things."
"You are none of those things," Neville assured her. "You are amazing and kind and brave."
She bit her bottom lip, her fingers clutching his shirt. "What if she's right though? What if without that money she goes desolate and loses the flat and has to live on the street and all because I was selfish and I — mmph!"
Neville kissed her. "Stop. None of that will happen."
Hannah bit her bottom lip again. "But what if —"
"Hannah, your mother is an adult. She has a job and I promise you, she will not be living on the street because you took what belongs to you."
She made to protest again and he put his finger over her lips.
"Hannah," he said softly. "You're a woman in charge of her own life. You can't let your mother drag you back down."
Hannah nodded. "Should I write back?"
"That's up to you," he said. "I can't tell you what to do, Hannah."
"Yes, you can," she said quickly. "I'll listen to you."
Neville rested his forehead against hers. "I'm sure you would, but that's not how this works, Hannah."
Hannah linked her arms around his neck. "I don't want to hurt her feelings."
"And that's what makes you different from Caroline Abbott," he said, kissing her.
Hannah sighed. "I just moved out and took all of my things and she didn't even notice, Neville. She didn't even notice until I blocked the money at the bank. What kind of mother doesn't notice her daughter moved out instead of just taking her trunk back to school?"
Neville held her close. "A toxic one. You can do anything you set your mind to and if you want her to be in your life, she can be, but only if she treats you with respect. I won't have her disrespecting you, Hannah. I won't have her not treating you the way you deserve to be treated. Okay?"
"You're so good to me," she said, resting her cheek against his shoulder.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you, too," Hannah said, reaching up to kiss him again. "I'm sorry I interrupted your work."
"You didn't," he assured her. "I'm just doing some planting."
"Can I help?"
Neville kissed her cheek. "How about instead I finish potting my begonia and we sneak into the kitchens for some ice cream?"
Her smile lit up her face. "I'd like that."
"Good," he said. "And Hannah? Whatever you decide, I'm here for you."
Hannah's lips met his for a long kiss that left him breathless. When she pulled away, his fingers locked at her waist and pulled her back, making her laugh. "Plant that begonia and then we'll see about that kiss again."
"Deal," he said, grinning.
~ ASC ~
Thirty minutes later, Harry had a bag over his shoulder and had changed out of his uniform into blue jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with a light jumper over top. Theo was in navy cotton shorts with a white tee shirt tucked in over a black and white check belt. He was also wearing sandals and Harry thought he was making no effort at all to look like he wasn't going on some elaborate holiday. He listened with half an ear as McGonagall told them to keep in touch. Harry had added her to his communication mirror and she'd been touched by the gesture, patting the mirror in her pocket.
"I don't know if we'll be back by Sunday," Theo told her. "It might take longer to convince him."
"Just keep in touch," McGonagall repeated. "Take as long as you need. The professors will be appraised and your homework will be waiting for you when you return. And Mr Nott, as long as you need does not include an extended holiday because you need to relax."
Theo winked at her. "Absolutely not, Professor."
McGonagall wished them luck and Harry and Theo headed down the bridge and into Hogsmeade.
"So, can you tell me where it is that we're going yet?"
"No," Theo told him. "But, now that I know for sure where they are, I don't have to take the long way there. Hold onto my arm, I'll Apparate us."
Harry did as Theo instructed and a moment later found himself standing outside of the gates of a huge manor. Theo led him through the gate and into the front hall where three house elves immediately greeted them.
"Kiki, Harry and I are just stopping in for supplies before we head to the Nott villa."
"Of course, Master Theo," Kiki said, bowing. "I is honoured to help in any way I can, Sir."
"This is your house?" Harry asked, looking around the grand hall.
Theo nodded. "Yup. I'll give you the grand tour another time. Show you the beautiful garden and the pool I put in, show you the master bedroom. You know, the highlights."
Harry's neck flushed and Theo elbowed him.
"I love making your neck flush. It's adorable. We'll head up to the master bedroom suite now, and for the record, the bed is more than big enough for two."
"I can never tell if you're joking or not," Harry said, his eyes on Theo.
Theo winked. "It's thirty-seventy, though now that I've seen what's under your belt, we might bump it up to forty-sixty."
Harry cleared his throat. "Erm…"
Theo grinned. "Teasing you is more fun than it should be, Harry. Come on. We need supplies and we won't be able to arrive there until tomorrow. You might want to change into something cooler. It's going to be hot."
Harry frowned as he followed Theo up the stairs and through a set of double doors leading into a large comfortable sitting room. Two steps led up to the bedroom and Harry thought it looked incredibly homey and comfortable while still being elegant.
"This is nice."
"Thanks," he said, leading Harry through the sitting room and up to the bed. There were a bunch of shopping bags spread out across the bed and Theo took Harry's bag from his shoulder and began to sift through his clothes.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
"Finding you something more suitable to wear," Theo said.
"I can dress myself," Harry said stubbornly.
"Of course you can," Theo said. "But I can do it better." A moment later, he pulled out the forest green tee shirt that read 'Longhorn for Captain.' "This will do and put these jeans instead."
"I can dress myself," Harry repeated. "And what's wrong with the jeans I'm wearing now?"
"Nothing," Theo replied. "But these ones make your arse look finer than fine and I'm just saying that if you were to wear them more, a certain beautiful redhead might find it hard to resist you."
Harry snatched the jeans from Theo's hands. "Fine. I'll… wear these more often. Not because you told me my arse looks good in them, but because I find them extremely comfy."
"Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night," Theo said, winking. "Put them on."
Harry moved into the bathroom Theo pointed to and changed his jeans. He came out a moment later shirtless, holding his hand out. "You didn't give me my shirt."
"How terribly accidental," Theo said, a smile on his lips. He passed Harry the tee shirt before his eyes widened. "Holy Salazar! You got a tattoo!"
Harry smiled down at the ink, the green tee shirt clutched in his hand. "Yeah. Zee took me on my birthday."
Theo reached out before he stopped himself. "Can I touch it?"
"Sure," Harry said.
Theo's fingers carefully traced the flowers on the antlers. "'All you need is love,' that's beautiful. And might I say, your abs are fabulous."
"Thanks," Harry said, pulling his shirt down. "Am I decent now?"
"Turn," Theo instructed and when Harry rolled his eyes, Theo gave him a look. Harry turned in a circle and Theo grinned. "Perfect. Your arse looks great."
Harry rolled his eyes again. "You're exasperating."
Theo grinned and began to rifle through the bags on the bed. "It's going to be hot. Warm sun and definitely a lot of poolside lounging. I got you some new sandals to wear, some jean shorts, three pairs of polo shorts, oh and a swimsuit!"
"Why are you buying me clothes? When did you buy me clothes?" Harry whined. "We're not going on a bloody holiday, Theo. We're trying to convince Malfoy and Zabini to come back to England and help protect pregnant witches from Death Eaters!"
"So, what, we can't have a little fun while we're out? And I had Kiki grab a few things while we packed. I gave her instructions on what to buy. Try this on."
Harry caught the swimsuit Theo tossed at him and held it up. It was sky blue with a thick white band at the top, a white drawstring, and the shortest shorts he'd ever seen.
"Theo, I'm not wearing these," Harry exclaimed in horror. "They don't even cover any of my legs!"
"These help you swim better. Faster and longer."
"Why do I need to swim faster? If I even move these will show… everything! And they're a size too small."
"And…?"
Harry shot him an annoyed look. "I'm not displaying myself."
"It's just us, Harry. It's not like you didn't whip your prick around for me to see before. There is nothing about you that I haven't seen."
"We were drunk," Harry said, throwing the swim shorts onto the bed. "And I'm not wearing those."
"I preserved the memory from that night as soon as I got home."
"You did not!" Harry said, his eyes wide in horror.
"Did so. Do you want to see the memory vial when we get back to Hogwarts? You were quite good whirling your cock around like a spinning top."
Harry stared at him. "Seriously, you're exasperating. How does Ginny put up with you?"
"I'm cute and lovable," Theo said, pulling out more pairs of shorts from the bag. "Those are for you. You should definitely choose the denim, they really cup your assets well."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Can we stop worrying about my wardrobe and can you start telling me where we're going?"
"Wardrobe is important," Theo said. "I want you to be comfortable. As to where we're going, I can't tell you because I'm not secret keeper. But we're heading to Cannes first."
"Cannes?"
"Yes," Theo said. "I have a villa there and we're going to stay over there tonight and then take an unregistered portkey from there."
"And where are you getting this unregistered portkey from?" Harry demanded.
Theo smiled. "Have faith, my friend. We're going to have a great time!"
Harry sighed as he quickly packed his bag again, reluctantly adding in the clothes Theo had bought him. He had a feeling this trip was going to be very different than he was expecting. When Theo passed him the short swim shorts, he stuffed them into his bag with a grimace. He was definitely not wearing those.
They used the fireplace in the entrance way to Floo to the Nott Villa in Cannes, France and Kiki immediately set out to spruce up their rooms for the night. Theo's stomach let out a loud grumble as he tossed his bag on the marble floor. Harry looked around in wonder. The entire front entrance way was made entirely of marble and he thought it might be the most posh thing he'd ever seen.
"Come on," Theo said. "No one's been here in well over a year so if we want food, we're going to have to go into town."
Harry frowned. "Is that wise? Shouldn't we be staying hidden?"
"Not if we go into the Muggle area," Theo told him. "There's a great restaurant there. We can eat and relax and maybe go for a swim in the pool when we get back. Hopefully by then I'll have heard from my friend about the portkey. Worse comes to worse, we can take a boat in the morning, but it will be a long trip."
Harry knew that Apparating was possible, but the amount of stops one would have to make along the way (depending on how far they were going) really took a toll on one's magic and he knew that neither he nor Theo were willing to risk arriving with weak magic. He put his sandals on and let Theo lead him into the town. Ten minutes later they were seated at a small bistro with candlelight in the setting sun.
"Excellent!" Theo said, looking over the menu. "I haven't eaten since lunch and I'm starved."
Harry was feeling quite hungry himself, so he looked over the menu. Once they'd ordered and each had a glass of red wine that Theo insisted was to die for, did Harry take a moment to look around. Candles were on every table, soft jazz music played on low, and with the setting sun behind them, it looked like this restaurant was built on romance.
"So… do you usually choose candlelight restaurants at sunset to take your friends?"
Theo's lips curved. "No, but this place has incredible food and Harry, I've seen you naked, we're more than just friends."
Harry shook his head. "I'm never living that night down."
Theo chuckled. "It was fun and you had fun and that's what you needed. I know the last few months have been rough on you. It was nice to see you let loose."
Harry nodded. "I spoke to Ginny last week. I mean, we really talked."
"Yeah?" Theo asked. "What did she say?"
"That she loves me," Harry said, his lips curving. "I mean, she didn't say we're back together or anything, but she loves me and that means something, right?"
Theo smiled. "Yeah, yeah it does. Trust me, that girl is beyond smitten for you. She just needs time to settle. She said something to me the other night about keeping a journal recording her whereabouts."
Harry frowned. "Recording her… I didn't know that was one of her worries. Shit. I should have."
"Is that a diary thing?" Theo asked.
He nodded. "When she was possessed and she forgot things and her memory… I… I didn't think that was something that she was concerned about with the potion. I should have."
"Harry, you can't beat yourself up for that. Ginny's not talking to you. You can't be expected to read her mind and to know what's going on."
"We did talk, though," Harry said. "A little. I mean… we're friends again, I hope."
Theo gave him a sympathetic look. "You'll get there again."
Harry nodded. He was sometimes afraid to hope for that. "So, what's your story?"
"My story?" Theo asked.
"Yeah," Harry said. "I don't really know that much about you, if I'm honest. I mean, I know you grew up around the Malfoys and your dad was shit. I know you decided not to be a Death Eater, dealt with the arsehole that was Macmillan, and well, Finn, but I don't really know anything about you."
Theo picked up his wine. "What do you want to know, Potter?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Just… something, I guess. Why do you call Ginny 'chick?'"
"Just said it one day and it stuck," Theo said. "Now I say it with affection."
"What about Cornfoot? Didn't you date him years ago?"
Theo nodded. "Not really date so much as snog… a lot. I went down on him more than once and practiced my excellent blow job skills. He rather adorably tried to convince me that he wasn't gay while vastly enjoying my mouth wrapped around him. It was nothing more than that. Now he's finally come to terms with the fact that surprise, he is gay, and asked me out."
"Do you like him?" Harry asked.
"I do," Theo said. "He's nice and he makes me smile. But he's not Finn."
Harry gave him a sad smile. "You deserve to be happy, Theo."
"I am," Theo told him. "It surprises me too, sometimes. But I am. I never thought I could be after I lost him. But two idiots got drunk with me and sent me to Bill Weasley who somehow helped knock some sense into me. I'm excited to finish school this year. I love working in the Wizengamot and I think that's what I want to do with my life. I don't need a job. I'm filthy rich and the little income I get from serving on the council is enough for now."
"And Cornfoot, is he part of that future?"
Theo sipped his wine. "For now. I like him, I do, but… being with him is just nice. We… there's just nothing incredible about it. Nothing that makes me… when I'm not with him, I don't really think about him. He's just someone I snog which when I say it out loud, makes me sound rather horrible, doesn't it?"
"No," Harry told him. "I get it. I felt that way before Ginny."
"I guess I just know that he's not my big love story. Maybe I'll never have one of those again, but he's not it. He makes me smile and he has a lovely mouth that I enjoy snogging. He has an even lovelier cock that I enjoy playing with. And this time around, he knows he's gay which means, he's not letting me do all the work. Letting him blow me is the right kind of release I need. But we don't have much in common. He wants to be an Unspeakable."
"Has anyone ever told you that you overshare?"
He grinned. "A few times. It's part of my charm. Besides, it's my oversharing that helped your girlfriend learn how to pleasure you so thoroughly, wasn't it?"
Harry blushed.
"And just think, Harry, if that's what I told her to do, imagine what my mouth can actually do?"
Harry choked on his wine. "Erm…"
Theo's lips curved. "Merlin, I love flirting with you! Your reactions are utterly adorable. I know you love, Ginny. I know how important she is to you and even if she wasn't, she sure as hell is important to me. I would never betray that friendship with anything past flirting, you know that, right?"
He nodded, catching his breath. "I do and yet you still manage to surprise me."
Theo chuckled as the waiter brought them their food. Theo had ordered bouillabaisse and Harry, steak and ratatouille. They both dug into their meals as Harry asked him more questions about his childhood.
"You travelled a lot?"
"Tons," Theo admitted. "I came here a lot as a kid. Draco's parents have a vineyard in Montpellier that I spent time at. I've been to Italy multiple times. Spent Christmas of first year in Switzerland learning to ski which was loads of fun. Muggles are quite ingenious. I've been to Thailand and Germany, Anguilla with Ginny, and of course, I spent time in Spain one summer. It was lovely."
"Your father took you to all of these places?"
Theo shrugged. "Sometimes. Sometimes I went by myself or with Kiki. That elf practically raised me and she'd take me wherever I needed to go, all I had to do was ask. I remember when I was nine or ten and I told her I wanted to go to Berlin, so we went. I did shopping and went to museums and had a great time. We were gone for four days and when we returned, my father didn't even know we'd been missing."
"And your mum passed when you were young?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I don't remember much about her. Father always said that she died in a potions accident, but the older I got, the more convinced I am that he killed her. I guess now I'll never know."
"I'm sorry, Theo."
Theo shook his head. "It was a long time ago. Auntie Cissa made up for her not being around. Finn let me see her once. It was this thing called a realm glass. I don't really understand how it worked, but it let me go back in time or into an alternate reality… I wasn't clear, but I got to talk to her. I told her that I was in love with Finn and she… it was nice, even if it wasn't real, to tell her that I was gay and have her accept me in a way that my father never did."
"What makes you think that it wasn't real?" Harry asked. "Don't the fae have magic in ways that we don't understand?"
"Maybe," he admitted. "But it doesn't matter to me if it was real or not, it felt real, and getting to see her… she was so beautiful. Her name was Aster."
Harry smiled. "That's a pretty name."
Theo nodded, shaking his head. "Can I try some of that?"
Harry pushed his plate forward to let Theo take a bite of his food.
"Ooh, that's good," Theo said, offering Harry his bouillabaisse.
Harry took a bite and smiled. "That's good, too. You picked a good place, despite the candlelight."
"But darling, your eyes look magnificent in this light."
Harry rolled his eyes and returned to his steak.
Theo sipped his wine. "So, tell me something naughty about yourself, Harry."
"I'm not telling you something naughty," Harry said.
"Come on," Theo teased. "I won't tell a soul."
"No," Harry said.
Theo leaned across the table, his eyes on Harry's. "Well, my biggest fantasy is for my man to want me so badly that he just has to have me. And not just at home in my bed, but like here, in this restaurant perhaps, where we could get caught. I think it's because one time, Finn fucked me so hard against the window in my study and Blaise saw us. It really turned me on."
Harry sipped his wine. "Remember what we said earlier about oversharing?"
Theo grinned. "Come on, Harry. Tell me one of yours. Maybe I'll tell it to Ginny and she'll make it come true."
He snorted. "We'd have to be together as more than friends for that to happen."
"And you will be," Theo told him. "I bought her some more lingerie from Pansy's shop for Christmas. You'll like it."
"I don't know how I feel about your buying my girlfriend lingerie," Harry said. "I mean my ex — you buying Ginny lingerie is weird."
"It's for you too, darling," Theo said, winking. "And I'm using it as an excuse to talk to Pansy. I think she knows more than she's saying."
"And how's that working for you?"
Theo shrugged. "It's a work in progress. But she did advertise in the Hogwarts Herald after Colin and I went to see her. Now come on, tell me something naughty."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine, but you have to promise you won't tell anyone."
"Promise," Theo said. "Wait, is Ginny included in that?" At Harry's look, he grinned. "Okay, promise."
Harry cleared his throat. "In the master bathroom at my home in Clevedon Court, the shower is quite large and there's this lovely bench thing…"
"Go on," Theo said, leaning across the table to hear Harry's low voice.
"And… I imagined what it would be like to have her sitting on it while I knelt before her and… eat her out."
Theo's shit eating grin had Harry blush. "Oh, Harry, you truly are an adorable little cabbage."
"What the fuck does that even mean?"
"Ginny's a very lucky witch, that's what," Theo said, waving the waiter over for more wine.
Harry still looked flummoxed as the waiter left. "Whatever, Theo."
Theo grinned before his eyes focused on something behind Harry. Harry turned to see a short man in a huge sun hat looking at them.
"Who's that?"
"Be right back," Theo said, jumping to his feet. "If the waiter comes back, order us some chocolate mousse, yeah? It's to die for."
Harry watched Theo hurry off and frowned. He wasn't sure if he liked the idea of Theo meeting some stranger here. They were supposed to be keeping things quiet after all. He turned when the waiter spoke.
"Monsieur, would you and your beau like some dessert?"
"Oh, he's not my boyfriend," Harry said quickly.
"Oui, Monsieur," the waiter said. "I apologize."
Harry cleared his throat. "Um, he wants a chocolate mousse thing?"
The waiter nodded. "Oui, un mousse au chocolat à venir. Deux cuillères, Monsieur?"
"Non," Harry said. "Aucun pour moi, merci."
The waiter nodded again and hurried off. Harry turned back to where Theo was talking to the man in the hat. He handed him an umbrella and Theo handed him a pouch in return. Theo retuned to the table, tucking the umbrella under his chair.
"We got it."
"An umbrella? It's only twenty-five and sunny."
"Well, we're English, old habits die hard," Theo said. "Besides, we needed something inconspicuous."
"And an umbrella in the middle of a sunny evening isn't?"
Theo rolled his eyes. "Either way it works. It's set to take off at seven fifty-eight AM."
"Why not any sooner?"
"It's the earliest departure time that he could make it under such short notice. Unauthorized portkeys have to be kept under the radar as it is. Beggars can't be choosers."
"How do you even know that bloke?"
"An old friend of my father's," Theo said. "He's not a Death Eater, but he's shady. Works out of the blackmarket."
"And you trust him?"
"I'm not a bloody idiot," Theo said. "But he'll do anything for money and I promised to pay him double when the portkey takes us to our destination."
"And you're not worried about him giving away that destination?" Harry asked.
"No," Theo said. "Because I'm going to change the coordinates on it before we use it."
Harry frowned. "You know how to do that?"
"Harry, I'm not just a pretty face, you know."
The waiter placed the mousse au chocolat down in front of him and Theo licked his lips.
"Merci." Theo took his first bite and moaned. "Oh Merlin, this is sinful. You didn't order dessert?"
"I'm stuffed," Harry said.
Theo took another bite and moaned softly. "Are you sure? This is literally sex on a plate." At Harry's look, he scooped up the mousse and held it out to him. "Go on, you know you want to? Who says no to chocolate mousse?"
Harry stared at him a minute before he reached for the spoon.
"Uh-huh, my spoon."
Harry sighed and leaned forward to take a bite.
"Delicious, right?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, yeah that's really good. We have to bring that back for Ginny. She loves chocolate."
"Definitely," Theo said, offering Harry another bite. When Harry accepted it and then reached for his wine, Theo's lips curved. "You know, I think this just took our relationship to the next level."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked as Theo let out another tiny moan when the dessert touched his tongue.
"Romantic candlelit dinner together and now here we are, sharing a dessert. Next thing you know, there will only be one bed…"
Harry finished his wine, coughing slightly. "We're not sharing a bed."
Theo grinned. "That's what you think."
They finished up their dessert and paid the bill before heading back to the Nott Villa. When they stepped inside the full marble entrance way again, Theo urged Harry to follow him out back to the large swimming pool.
"What do you say to a night time swim?"
"I didn't bring a suit and don't say it, I'm not wearing those tiny shorts you bought me."
Theo grinned. "Okay, swim starkers then. I won't mind."
After more bickering, Harry finally put on his new swim shorts, examining himself in the mirror. They were tight, but not uncomfortably so. He turned to examine his arse and thought they at least covered that, but when he turned to look in the mirror again, he flushed. But they certainly did nothing to hide the rest of him even with the little pouch, his cock was still clearly visible. He wrapped a towel around his waist and headed out to the pool. Theo was already swimming around, his face up to the night sky.
Harry dropped his towel and Theo whistled, causing Harry to make a rude hand gesture before he dove into the pool. The warmth of the water made him sigh. It was lovely and if he was honest with himself, this night was exactly what he needed.
After the swim, they lounged in the chairs and Kiki brought them more wine and Harry's eyes met Theo's.
"Can you tell me where we're going tomorrow now?"
"Sicily," Theo said. "But the portkey can only take us so far. We'll have to walk a bit in the morning."
"We should probably get to bed then," Harry told him. "A good night's sleep will be needed."
He stood up, stretching his arms over his head just as the camera flashed.
"Oi!"
Theo grinned mischievously. "Ginny will want to see you in those swim shorts."
"I hate you," Harry muttered.
Theo tucked the camera under his arm and grabbed his towel. "Come on. I'll show you to where you can sleep. Do you want to be the big spoon or the little spoon?"
"Theo…"
Theo smirked at him over his shoulder. "Don't get your knickers in a twist. You have your own room."
When Theo left him alone five minutes later, Harry looked around the large elaborate bedroom with a sigh. Maybe Theo was right, maybe this what they both needed.
He tugged his mirror out of his bag and said Ginny's name. Her hair was tousled and he wondered if she'd been sleeping.
"Hey, sorry, did I wake you?"
"No," she said. "I was reading my Muggle Studies book in my bed. One second." He heard some shuffling and her mutter a privacy charm around her bed before her face reappeared in the mirror. "Where are you?"
"Theo's villa in Cannes," Harry said. "We're going to talk to Malfoy and Zabini in the morning."
Ginny's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? What about?"
"Them returning to England. Ted and Andy want their help with the young Death Eaters they have staying with them, especially the pregnant ones. Ted asked Theo to talk to them and he told McGonagall that I was going with him."
"Wow. How long will you be gone?" she asked.
"Don't know for sure," Harry admitted. "At least a few days. Our portkey doesn't leave until the morning to even see Malfoy and Zabini. Theo's… a bit much."
Ginny chuckled. "Isn't he great?"
"He bought me clothes like we're going on some grand holiday and then took me to this candlelit restaurant for dinner."
"Aww, that's so cute! You two had a date!" At his look, she laughed. "It is a kind of a holiday. Enjoy yourself, Harry. Let Theo woo you. You deserve a little break."
"I'm not letting him woo me, he's… a bit much," he repeated.
Ginny smiled. "He could use you as a friend and I think you could use him as a friend, too."
He nodded, his eyes on hers in the mirror. "Gin? Theo told me about you recording your whereabouts."
Ginny's bottom lip trembled. "I know it's not the same, but so much of the summer is still kind of fuzzy."
"You're you and you're perfect."
Her eyes softened. "Show me the room you're in, it looks beautiful."
"It's pretty over the top," Harry admitted. "This whole villa is. The front entrance is made entirely of marble, wall to ceiling." He stood up, turning the mirror to show her the bedroom suite.
"It looks like a honeymoon suite," Ginny said. "That's the guest room?"
"One of them," Harry told her.
Ginny yawned, her jaw cracking. "Sorry, it's late."
"Yeah," he said, crawling back onto the bed, the mirror still in his hand. "I just wanted to tell you where I was and to see you."
"I'm glad you called," she said.
He smiled. "Me too. Goodnight, Ginny."
"Goodnight, Harry."
When he was only staring at his own reflection, he sighed and tossed the mirror onto his pillow in the large bed, wondering just what the morning was going to bring. With Ginny on his mind, he slid his hand into his pjs and gripped himself tightly. A good wank would definitely help him sleep.
~ ASC ~
The morning brought them using the portkey to arrive in Trapani, Sicily. The early morning sun was already hot and it made Harry sigh at the warmth of it on his skin. He'd slept like a baby after his pleasant wank, basking in the huge bed with the silk sheets, and found himself surprisingly looking forward to the day.
When he realized they were in Trapani, he looked around the landscape before turning to Theo.
"Are we heading to the dragon reserve?"
"No," Theo said. "Have you been there before?"
"Once," Harry told him. "Before Hogwarts. I recognize Trapani."
Theo nodded. "Come on, we'll have to walk the rest of the way. It's a bit of a hike."
Harry followed along as they headed away from the town towards Mount Erice.
"You mentioned that you have letters for Malfoy?" Harry asked.
Theo pat the bag resting against his hip. "I do. Did I tell you that I went to visit Lucius Malfoy in Azkaban on Wednesday?"
"No," Harry said. "How was that?"
Theo shrugged. "It was nice to see him. The crypt is… disturbing to say the least, but I think that's the underground bit. I assume it's much nicer than Azkaban was, plus the no Dementors bit definitely helped. Uncle Lucius had some letters for me and for Draco. I only just got them back yesterday."
Harry frowned. "Got them back?"
Theo nodded. "Auror Higgins, you know Professor Lupin's wife's partner? He was supposed to take me. We spoke about it after they questioned me about Goyle back in August. He contacted me two weeks ago to say that it was all worked out and apologized for it taking so long, but after the explosion at the Ministry, everything got pushed back. He told me that he'd pick me up last Wednesday after my classes and we'd go. Then his boss came instead."
"His boss?" Harry asked. "Kingsley?"
"No, this arse named Kane."
"Oh, right, the bloke from the MIA. Tonks likes him, but she said that Kingsley is skeptical."
Theo snorted. "I can see why. He's rather rude and abrasive to everyone, definitely to me and I keep ending up with him."
"What do you mean?"
Theo explained how he'd taken over for Proudfoot after the Ministry explosion to ask him questions and then how he'd been there again to take him to Azkaban. Then he'd shown up again to return the letters and took him for a sandwich.
"He's just… I don't know," Theo finished.
Harry shrugged. "I haven't met him, but Tonks says he's brilliant. Apparently he's amazing at his job and the rumour is that he's not only from the MIA, but from the CDS. You know, the Cloak and Dagger Service? Tonks said that King won't officially confirm it, but she heard that he's a Knight of the Auror."
Theo's eyebrow rose. "That's not real."
"Dunno," Harry said. "But that's the rumour anyway. Wait though, he took you for a sandwich? Why?"
"I don't know because he heard me say that I was famished. He said that he had more questions for me but then he… he didn't even ask me any."
"That is strange," Harry agreed.
"Right?" Theo exclaimed. "He just watched me eat with his impossibly blue eyes and his chiseled jaw."
Harry smirked. "Impossibly blue eyes and chiseled jaw?"
"So he's gorgeous, sue me. Doesn't make him any less of an arse," Theo insisted. "He just seems to go out of his way to bring me in for unknown reasons or to ask me questions. I mean, Neville was right there too, but he didn't ask Neville anything about the Wizengamot. And he noticed that I have three freckles here under my right eye! How random is that? You can barely even see them and he's all, brushing his thumb over my cheek because he thought I had dirt there, but it was my bloody freckles! Can you believe the nerve of him?"
"No," Harry said, not knowing how to respond to Theo's tangent.
Theo let out a deep breath. "He's infuriating."
"Definitely," Harry said.
"And he's stupid tall like Ron and Professor Lupin. Like why do people need to be that tall? It's dumb."
"Right, he's a tall arse with impossibly blue eyes and a chiseled jaw."
"Yes!" Theo exclaimed, gesturing wildly. "Exactly."
Harry only shook his head. He really didn't understand Theo's rant at all. He caught himself when Theo suddenly stopped, but Theo grabbed his arm anyway.
"We can't go any further together. Can you send a Patronus that way and say it's me and you out here and that they need to come talk to us?"
"Send yours," Harry said. "They aren't going to want to talk to me."
"I've never been able to make one," Theo admitted.
Harry stared at him a moment. "I'll fix that."
Then he turned and a huge silver-blue stag erupted from his wand. He gave it the instructions that Theo told him and they waited five minutes before Blaise appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He was dressed in a white g-string speedo and sun shades.
"Theo. What are you doing here? And why the hell would you bring Potter?"
Theo looped his arm through Harry's. "He's my lover now. I can't go anywhere without him."
Harry pulled his arm free. "I'm here so that he didn't have to travel alone."
"It's true, the lover part is sadly, false. It's a real shame as we had such a lovely date last night in the candlelight."
Blaise's dark eyes bored into his before he nodded. He held his hand out to Harry who took it, only mildly surprised when Blaise pulled him close and then his lips brushed his ear as he whispered.
"Lies beneath the mountain, in the cradle of the sun."
It only took a moment for the large villa to appear before him. The stone manor was covered in moss with beautiful massive gardens covering the front. Harry and Theo followed Blaise up the path to the front door.
"Still wearing next to nothing around here, I see? Aren't you worried you'll expose yourself?"
"I was starkers before Potter's Patronus arrived," Blaise said, turning to grin at them. "But I put this on just for you."
"How thoughtful," Harry muttered.
Blaise seemed not at all uncomfortable with the fact that his entire arse was exposed. All of him was exposed really except for the small white bit that barely covered the essentials. Harry thought if he moved took quickly, everything would just fall out. He led them out into the courtyard where Draco was lounging in regular swim trunks on a lounge chair, sunglasses over his swim tousled hair. He sat up when they came in.
"Potter."
Harry acknowledged him with a head nod.
"Have a seat," Blaise gestured to two lounge chairs. "Drink?"
"It's not even nine AM," Harry said.
Blaise handed him a glass of white sangria anyway before he took a seat.
"So, what the hell are you both doing here?" Blaise demanded. "Shouldn't you be off at Hogwarts learning shit?"
"Shouldn't you?" Theo shot back.
"We've been over this, Theo. You know that we can't go back."
"Well, actually, I think you can," Theo told him.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
Theo reached into his bag, unwrapping the stack of letters as he pulled them free. "I visited your dad in the crypt. He asked me to give these to you."
Draco's eyes fell to the letters. "How is he?"
"Good," Theo assured him. "He said that he gets three meals a day and they give him lots of books to read. He's doing well. He misses you."
Draco nodded, his fingers gently touching the parchment.
"But Harry and I are here about your aunt."
"Theo, we already told you all we could about them. My aunt is batshit and we all know Draco's aunt is even more insane," Blaise said. "We can't help."
"Wrong aunt," Theo corrected. "Andromeda."
Draco looked up in surprise. "Is she okay?"
Harry was surprised to hear a hint of concern in Draco's voice. Maybe he had misjudged him a bit on how he felt concerning Andromeda and Ted.
"Ted and Andy have been removing the Dark Mark from those they can. Mostly from those younger than us. Snape has been getting them out and sending them to Ted and Andy; they've been hiding them in their home," Harry told them.
Blaise's eyes widened. "They asked for the dagger and I… shit, they're really fucking doing it!"
"Yeah," Theo said. "And they've had great success. But the issue is that of the eight people they having hiding in their home, four of them are due to give birth within the next week and into October."
"And the births will alert the Dark Lord," Draco said in understanding. "What does that have to do with us?"
"Ted Tonks thought that Wiltshire Manor might be the ideal place to keep them," Theo said.
Draco blinked. "They can have it. Tell them to take it."
"Draco," Blaise said, his eyes on Theo. "You know that the manor is protected. No one can access it without a Malfoy present and if a Malfoy is not present in the estate, as in living on the premises, those who are there, are immediately evicted."
Draco frowned. "You want me to go back? To England? Are you mad?"
"I think it's brilliant," Harry spoke up. "You'd get to be back in your own home. You'd be safe there, still in hiding, and you'd be helping people who could really use your help."
"You're both insane," Draco said. "If the Dark Lord finds out that I'm alive, he will murder me himself!"
"Not if you stay hidden in Wiltshire Manor," Harry replied.
Blaise chuckled. "Hot sun. Warm pool. All the drinks we could want. A few birds to get us off when we need it… why would we trade any of this for gloomy, cloudy England? If I have to choose my prison, this is it."
Harry shrugged. "I thought maybe helping save lives might turn the tide."
"Do we look like bloody Gryffindors to you?" Blaise demanded. "I like my own skin, thanks, and I put it high above any of yours."
"Funny, because for someone who claims that, you sure went out of your way to save Malfoy."
"And this bloody git doesn't even appreciate it!" Blaise exclaimed. "I'm not going back."
Theo ignored Blaise, keeping his eyes on Draco. "You would be in charge of the wards, Draco. You're father's in prison and as the last Malfoy, no one else would have access to the house."
"What about your place?"
Theo bit his lip. "I considered it, but I'm in the Wizengamot and more or less have made myself known as Lord Norfolk and against the Dark — Voldemort. I think my place could be considered as a place to look while yours… everyone thinks your dead. No one would even think to look there."
"My grandmother wouldn't agree to it," Draco said. "If she found out I was there and that I was not only alive, but hiding others from the Dark Lord…"
"Isla Malfoy's dead, Draco. I… I thought you knew."
"I didn't," Draco said, his eyes wide in surprise. "When?"
"Lucius killed her while trying to escape with Narcissa," Theo said quietly.
Draco's eyes flashed hurt for a moment before he nodded. "I can't say that it's a great loss."
"And Druella Black thinks you're dead. Not to mention that no one has seen her since she took off at the start of the war."
"Draco, tell me that you're not actually considering this!" Blaise demanded. When Draco didn't answer him right away, he swore. "Un-fucking-believable!"
"We're here for the weekend," Theo said. "You don't have to decide right this minute, but it does have to be soon. We need someone to keep these pregnant young witches safe along with their babies."
Harry sipped his white sangria, his eyes on Draco. He could see that Malfoy was considering his options and he figured that had to count for something.
Harry stood up. "Look, I'll let you three hash this out. I just came so that Theo wasn't travelling alone. Perhaps you could show me to a room to stay in?"
Blaise nodded, his eyes furious. "Lia!"
An elf appeared behind Harry with a loud crack.
"Give Potter one of the guest rooms."
"Of course, Master Blaise. Come with me, Mr Potter."
Harry snuck one last look over at Theo before he followed the elf and hoped Theo was able to convince his friends to come home.
End Author's Notes:
(French) Aucun pour moi, merci = none for me, thank you
(French) Oui, un mousse au chocolat à venir. Deux cuillères, Monsieur = yes, one chocolate mousse coming up. Two spoons, Sir?
This chapter was so much fun to write! I have been wanting to find the perfect opportunity to put Harry and Theo together for some bonding and this was it! I really hope you all enjoyed it!
Thanks for reading and please review!