Yes, yes. I know it has been a while. I could give you a whole load of reasons, but I'll just stick with real life. Busy, busy. But here it is, the long awaited chapter. A lot happens in here and it is really long. Almost 9,000 words! I had a lot to say to move the story along. Anyway, get to reading. I'll see you down below!

EDITED: 8/5/17

Edit: 1/1/22 - More charm fixes.


Meant To Be

Chapter 28

The rest of the month passed quickly and with nowhere to be, nothing really happened. Harry continued to receive letters from Ron and Hermione, who continued to ask him to come over. He did ask Tom and like he thought, he said no, he didn't push it, but he did ask periodically in case Tom changed his mind or if he wore him down he would give in; not that he did, Tom was remarkably resilient. Harry also got letters from Remus and Mrs. Weasley and occasionally Dumbledore; now that they knew Ron and Hermione were in contact with him, asking if he was okay, reassuring him that they didn't think any less of him with what happened and wanted to meet Wynter. It made him feel a lot better seeing it in their handwriting, he was glad that his daughter was accepted.

Towards the end of June, Tom kept his promise and showed him what went on during a magical solstice ritual: the summer solstice. On the morning of, at dawn, Tom took Harry outside to the backyard where they made a little altar decorated with flowers, said a brief little sermon, and then went about their day. It wasn't until later that the real magic happened. After they put Wynter to bed when the sun went down, they went back outside to the altar where the flowers were glowing softly in the dark, it was beautiful. They set a bowl of water and milk in front of the altar and long with an empty one in the middle and lit and a few candles and some incense. They pricked their fingers to let a few drops of blood into each of the bowls and Tom had Harry repeat an ancient chant after him; a brief eulogy to Mother Magic. While chanting, Harry could feel it- magic- around him, going through him, inside him; singing in joy, his own magic, and Tom's dancing together, absorbing everything. It was enchanting, exhilarating and oh so liberating. He could feel everything; the wards around the house, the magic that was in the air and he could feel Tom; strong, powerful and dark. Harry could understand then why Tom was so addicted to dark magic, it was intoxicating. It swirled around Tom like a cloak, dancing along his skin; it was so strong that Harry could feel it caressing him while his own magic tentatively reached out for the other, and from the way Tom was looking at him, he could feel him too.

It was hard to describe exactly what he felt and saw, only that magic filled him and made everything so much brighter, so rich and beautiful... it also made him really horny. The longer it went on, the more he wanted to jump Tom right there, but he didn't. The ritual went on, and as they continued chanting they each grabbed a bowl and poured it into the bigger bowl in the center so that the water, milk and their blood was now combined. It swirled together on its own and Harry shivered as the magic in the bowls joined together; it was hard to breathe with all the magic swirling around them that it almost felt like he was going to pass out, then it was over. The candles went out on their own and the magic around them gradually dissipated into the air. The liquid in the bowl was now a silvery color, reminding Harry of unicorn's blood, and it still gave off that intense feeling from before.

Tom took the bowl and poured the contents over the now dully glowing flowers on the altar and they flared briefly before going out, leaving a glowy residue. After that was done, Tom stood there with his back to Harry; they didn't say anything, just stood there in silence until finally, Tom turned around. Harry took one look at Tom's blue eyes, flecked with red and felt his heart leap into his throat. The horniness that he had pushed aside earlier came back to him full force as Tom stared at him. The look was dark with magic and lust, and his cock, already hard, tightened even more as Tom stared at him with such need. They stared at each other for a second, then reached for each other at the same time; meeting with a clash of lips, teeth, and tongue in a deep bruising kiss.

They tore at each other's clothes in eagerness, wanting to touch skin. Harry pulled open Tom's shirt, losing some buttons in the process and ran his hands over Tom's chest; his fingers tingled as they came in contact with Tom's skin- magic was still very much around them. Tom got a hold of his jumper and pulled it over his head and let his own fingers splay over his back and down his spine; making Harry moan. He then threw Harry over his shoulder and up the stairs to their bed where they made love, no, it was more than that, they fucked. They fucked long, hard, deep and rough; like they were dogs in heat, pausing only long enough to put the contraception charm in place. It was amazing and went on for hours; neither of them able to get enough of the other, not with the magic high they were on. Eventually, they collapsed in exhaustion and didn't wake up until late in the morning to Wynter wailing in hunger.

The high had subsided somewhat by then, but he could still feel it just under the surface of his skin, running through his veins. Tom had been right, it was very intoxicating. Later, when Harry had Wynter situated and calmed down from being ignored, Tom had explained to him that the intensity that had happened between them had never happened before; the high yes, but not the intense horniness. Then again, he had never done the ritual with someone he was intimate with, not that he had anything against it and Harry had to agree. It had been...wow...Harry would definitely participate again. But now it was over and things went back to the way they were. Well, not exactly the same.

Harry couldn't really spot the change only that he could feel there was. Some sort of shift that had nothing to do with the ritual or maybe the result of the ritual. It was almost that they were...closer? Which was weird because nothing had changed really. Their magic had intertwined with each other during the ritual and that was sort of intimate on its own, but it had worn off by now. But it seemed that Harry was more...aware of Tom, especially the little things. The way his eyes brightened when he saw Wynter, the soft curve of his mouth when he found something amusing, the slight wrinkling of his nose when Harry told him to do something- he did it though- and the small brief glances that Tom seemed to be giving him more often. Besides that, there were also the little touches that happened, either Tom or he would "accidentally" brush up against each the other, even when there was more than enough room for them in the kitchen or in the bedroom...And every time it happened, Harry would feel his heart jump and start to race. He didn't try not to look too much into it as he didn't want to even to even begin to guess what it meant and what it would lead to. So he put it off as a side effect of the ritual and was done with it.

As June melded into July, Harry became more insistent with Tom in wanting to go see his friends. It bewildered Tom that he was suddenly so interested. He had just casually asked him before and now... it was every day, in the morning when he woke up, when he got home and when they were going to bed. Yet he wouldn't let him go. It was too dangerous. He didn't know if his followers would do something to them again. And what if he let him go and he didn't come back? He would never get to see Harry or his daughter again. That was what Tom was most afraid of, not that he admitted that to him. Not that he would truly be able to stop Harry if chose to go... unless he locked him up, but he couldn't do that. Harry was a free spirit and would not appreciate it.

Tom got up from the table where Harry was feeding Wynter, or was trying to; she was being fussy and went to the kitchen sipping the last of his coffee to put his plate in the sink. "I won't take you swimming," he heard Harry say and he turned to look at Wynter with a pout on her lips, then obediently opened her mouth to allow Harry to feed her. Tom smiled softly then let his eyes wander over the dirty dishes on the stove, the fridge that had magnets of locations that Harry made. They had words like 'went to town' or 'down at the beach' or 'at work' for him so that they could keep track of each other's whereabouts. It was rather convenient.

He turned over his magnet on the board, then looked over at the hideous calendar on the wall that Harry had put up. The current month has a big dog's face on it with big googly eyes and its tongue hanging out; the phrase "It's Woofin Summer!" written across the top. It was absolutely ridiculous, but Harry had loved it. Looking at it Tom saw that there were two boxes outlined in red at the end of the month, indicating a special day. One box had the name 'Neville,' obviously, Harry's friend Longbottom and the next day was also highlighted and he realized with a start that it was the 31st; Harry's Birthday. His name was written in the box with the number 24 in parenthesis. Harry was going to be 24? Seriously? Tom could hardly believe it.

He had been trying to kill Harry for most of his life. It had only been a few months that their relationship had changed… Should he get him something? What did he even get his enemy turned mother of his child and lover who he now lived with? Should he even bother? Who knew if Harry would even welcome a gift from him? What would he even say? 'Sorry I screwed up your life and tried to kill you multiple times. Happy Birthday'? That sounded ridiculous, even to him. Tom shook his head and put it in the back of his mind to deal with later and idly flipped the pages up to the next months.

Here and there were other days outlined in red; clearly other friends of Harry's. Getting to December, he saw Wynter's birthday on the 13th outlined with '1st Birthday!' right under her name. Tom could hardly believe it; a year already. It was just like yesterday that he was meeting her for the first time; so small with bright green eyes just staring at him with open curiosity. She had grown so much since then, but she was still so tiny to him. He guessed that was just what it was like to be a father; she would always be his little princess…but that was still some months away. Looking further down the calendar he saw another date outlined in red, the 31st. At first, he assumed it was because it was the last day of the year, New Years until he saw a name in the little box, his name. Tom just stared at it in incomprehension until he realized that was his birthday. He had just said it off handedly once and Harry had remembered and included him on the calendar. It was such an insignificant gesture and yet...

Tom abruptly dropped the pages and turned away opting to look out at the kitchen, glancing at Harry, who was finishing up feeding Wynter, but that only made the ache in his chest hurt more and he didn't know why. He was starting to feel these type of emotions a lot more now and he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not.

Pushing that aside too, Tom finished his coffee, said goodbye to Harry and Wynter and left for work.

xxx

After Tom left, Harry continued to finish feeding Wynter who was being really fussy. The day had just started and already the summer heat was coming in making the air muggy and humid, at least there was a breeze coming in from the beach. He had already decided that he would make use of the pool today, it just seemed like a good day to use it. He already had an inflatable tube for Wynter, the kind that had a net underneath to hold her in place. He would put spells on it just in case; he didn't want anything to happen to her even if he would be right there.

Wynter was really excited to go in he could tell. So far all he had done was put her feet in the water and she would shriek with joy. This time, however, she was going all the way in. But that wouldn't be until later. For now, he just needed to have Wynter finish the last of her breakfast. When she was done, he cleaned her up and placed her in her play pen with some toys to keep her busy while he did some chores around the house. Harry did laundry and had the dishes cleaning with his magic as he folded towels, Wynter watching in fascination. She always got endless joy watching the dishes clean themselves, the laundry sort and her toys match into a toy box by the fireplace; she would laugh and point and clap her hands in joy. Eventually, she got sleepy and laid down for her nap, allowing Harry to continue working without her screaming at him for something or other. After all that was done, he was able to relax, at least until she woke up.

Harry actually took a nap himself. He didn't mean to, but it was welcome all the same. He was watching TV one minute and the next he was waking up to Wynter's insistent babble.

"Mma! Mma!"

Harry turned his head to her, "What?" She babbled unintelligible words as she peered at him through the netting of her play pen; pushing her face against it to see him. He glanced at the clock above the fireplace and saw that it was lunch time. "Hungry?" he asked her and she nodded and lifted her arms as he came over to her. He picked her up and went into the kitchen to get their lunch together. They ate their lunch, Wynter completely hyped up as going into the pool got closer; at least she ate without any trouble this time and when they were done he took her upstairs to get changed into her bathing suit.

It was the same one that she had worn last time, light pink with purple polka-dots and a little skirt to hide her diaper underneath. He also put her hair in small pigtails high on her head. Once she was ready, he took her to his room and placed her on the bed while he got changed himself.

"You ready?" he asked her as he summoned some towels for them to use.

"Ye!" Wynter exclaimed and reached her arms out for him to pick her up.

"Okay. Off we go!" Harry said picking her up and made his way downstairs and outside. He put her down in a chair and told her to stay. She complained and gestured to the water. "Hold your hippogriffs. I have to blow this up," he said taking out the inflatable tube he got just for her. Luckily he had magic and didn't have to waste his breath and put air into it until it was nice and round and placed some safety spells, then he tossed it into the pool. "Ready?" he exclaimed, taking off his shirt and plucking her up from where she sat and swinging her up in the air. She giggled and pointed at the water. "Yes, yes. We're going in the water."

He walked around the side of the pool to the steps and carefully waded into the water until he was waist deep and Wynter's legs were submerged. She screeched into his ear and started splashing the water with her hand, sloshing the water this way and that. "I swear you are going to make me deaf," he muttered as he pulled the inflatable tube to him and placed her inside. He gave her a little spin and let go and watched her twirl around and giggle her head off. They spent the next few hours swimming around, Wynter having the time of her life as she kicked her legs and floated around. Harry would splash her and she would shriek with delight and splash him back. He let her float around and play with a ball and chase after it, yet watched her like a hawk, but she did not have any problems. She was so active, Harry knew that she would sleep like a log that night.

At some point, Tom came home to find Harry floating on his back with Wynter beside him playing with a fish toy that squirted water, giggling when it hit his face. She spotted him first and squealed, "De! De!"

Harry looked over and smiled at Tom as he tilted his head to see him straight, "Hi."

"Hey," Tom replied. "Having fun?"

"Totally," Harry said and held up a hand, "I'm all pruney."

"I can see that."

"De!" Wynter exclaimed squeezing the water out of her fish.

"I see you, princess."

"Switch with me," Harry said, turning himself upright.

"What?"

"Switch. I have to start dinner and I can't leave her by herself."

"Take her out," Tom said simply.

"She's not ready to come out, are you sweet pea?" he asked her.

"O!" Wynter exclaimed, kicking her legs to turn herself around and swimming away.

"See?" Harry said turning to Tom. He looked skeptical still and just stared at him. "...you can swim, can't you?"

"Yes, I can swim!" Tom snapped and turned around to go back inside.

"Don't forget a towel!" Harry called after him. He could almost hear Tom's grumbling through the closed door. He turned to Wynter, "Daddy's going to come into the water, doesn't that sound like fun?"

"De?" Wynter questioned and handed him the fish to fill with water again.

"Yes, Daddy. He's going to play with you," he said as he filled the toy and handed it back to her. "Would you like that?"

"Ye!" she exclaimed and squeezed the fish and sprayed water at him and he splashed her back.

"Oh! There he is!" Harry said.

Wynter looked up as the sliding door opened and her face brightened. "De!" She splashed the water and kicked her legs to get herself to move over to the side of the pool; looking up at him and waiting for him to come to her.

"Hurry Daddy, hurry!" Harry exclaimed, swimming up beside Wynter as she bobbed in the water.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Tom said dropping a towel on the chair.

"Ooh, showing some skin. Nice!" Harry teased folding his arms on the side and gazing at him. He was wearing black trunks with white strings that tied in the front and pockets on the sides. It was actually very flattering as it hung low on his hips. Tom only gave him a look that just said 'Really? That is what you went with?' and stepped into the water.

"De! De" Wynter kept exclaiming and kicking her way over to him. She may not know how to walk yet or even crawl, but she was pretty quick at swimming and made it over to Tom, arms raised, in no time.

"Hi sweetheart," Tom said holding her still as she bobbed in the water.

"Mmah! Mmah!" she said and Tom leaned down to exchange kisses with her.

"Okay, keep an eye on her, she moves fast. I'm going to start dinner," Harry said swimming up to him and giving him a kiss of his own and getting out of the pool.

"Okay," Tom said then looked around when Wynter was not there, but kicking her way across the pool.

"Tom!"

"On it," Tom said and caught up to her where she gave him her fish to show it to him.

While they played in the water, Harry got busy making dinner. He decided on using the barbeque so that he would be nearby and watch Tom and Wynter play. He would duck into the water and Wynter would look around for him and he would pop up and she would scream in delight. Tom did it until she got bored and then they splashed water at each other. But as the food started cooking, the smell of baked potato and steak filled the air and drew Tom and Wynter out of the water.

"Ma!" Wynter exclaimed from under a fluffy towel.

"All dry? Ready to eat?"

"Uh," she said and rubbed her tired eyes.

"She is going to be out soon," Harry commented.

"Yeah. But after we eat, right?" Tom asked her, giving her a little bounce.

"Ye," she said nodding her head and then placing it on Tom's shoulder.

"Do you want to eat inside or out here?"

Tom looked out at the rolling waves in the distance with the sun setting low in the sky behind some clouds making it look like an orange ball of cotton candy. The breeze was also nice and warm. "Out here is good."

Harry nodded and Tom headed inside to clean up. The food finished cooking and the table was set, Wynter's high chair was placed outside so she could join them at the table and then they sat down to eat. When they were done, they cleaned up their dishes and put the leftovers in the fridge. Harry left Tom cleaning the barbeque and took Wynter upstairs to give her a bath. She was already falling asleep in his arms, no, even before that, at the table she had been leaning into her food, she had pieces of cracker stuck on her face. So Harry gave her a warm bath and got the crumbs off her face and washed her hair to get out the chlorine; by the time he was done her head was rolling on the side of the chair in the tub he used to keep her upright. She was out cold when he put her down in her crib; all clean and warm from her bath she just knocked right out and would sleep until morning.

After putting Wynter to bed, Harry made his way back outside and found Tom relaxing in the Jacuzzi with his eyes closed. "She is out," Harry said approaching him.

"Mm." Tom opened his eyes as the water moved and Harry got inside next to him.

Harry groaned and stretched his arms above his head and settled back in the seat, "Ah, this feels good."

"Wynter tire you out?"

"Yeah, she's quick if you don't keep an eye on her. Once she got the hang of kicking her legs to move, she was everywhere."

"I noticed."

"I can only imagine what it will be like when she starts crawling..." The simultaneously let out a deep sigh at that thought. "She's getting so big."

"She is," Tom murmured.

"Before we know it, she'll be walking and talking...I don't want Ron and Hermione to miss out."

Tom sighed, "Are you still going on about that?"

"Yes," Harry said turning to him, "they are her godparents. They deserve to see her and she misses them."

"She probably won't even remember them."

"I don't want that to happen!" Harry exclaimed, "They are family and family is important. You know that now, don't you?"

Tom grit his teeth and looked away, he couldn't argue with that. But that was why he didn't want Harry to go, so he could protect his family. It was safer here. Tom stood up and made to get out, but Harry wrapped his arms around his middle and turned pleading green eyes up at him.

"Please, Tom, what's the harm?"

Tom ran his fingers through his semi-dry hair and blew out a breath, "Everything," he replied flatly and sat down on the edge of the Jacuzzi.

Harry placed his chin on Tom's leg, dropping his arms back into the water and stared up at him. "We can just go."

"I wish you wouldn't."

"You can't keep us locked up here."

"Yes, I can."

"That won't keep me happy." To that, Tom said nothing and they lapsed into silence. Harry turned his head to lay his cheek against Tom's leg and suddenly a thought entered his head and he felt his face heat up. "...what if I can convince you?" he asked softly.

Tom looked down at Harry and saw the slight pink tint to his cheeks yet determined look and his eyes widened slightly; then he smirked. "Oh? And how do you propose you can do that?"

Harry flushed and also felt a sting of anger; Tom was teasing him. He might feel embarrassed but he was not about to back down from a challenge. "I can think of something..." he said trailing off seductively, or what he hoped was seductive. He moved a hand out of the water and ran it up Tom's leg until it was close to his crotch.

"Oh do you?" Tom asked.

"Mm hmm," Harry hummed and stealing himself, tugged at the strings of Tom's trunks and pulled the material down until his cock was free. He stared at it, big and thick and wondered briefly what he was doing. Sure, it wasn't the first time he had seen Tom's cock before or touched it, but he had never given him a blowjob. But hearing the way Tom's breathing changed as he grasped him gave him courage.

"Harry..." Tom said breathlessly, "You don't have to." No matter of Tom's teasing, he didn't want Harry to do something he was uncomfortable with. But Harry just looked up at him with those glowing green eyes and licked the head of his cock. He tilted his head to the side as if considering the taste, then gave it another experimental lick.

Harry heard the hitch of Tom's breath and felt the twitch of his cock in his hand and felt empowered by it. He wrapped his lips around the head and sucked lightly; he continued sucking to get the hang of it, then licked from the base to the head and sucked it back into his mouth. Taking a deep breath through his nose and letting it out slowly, he gently eased Tom deeper into his mouth...only to gag when it reached the back of his throat.

"Easy love," Tom said breathlessly, sliding his fingers into his hair to hold it back.

Harry eased back and took in as much as he could and used his hands to wrap around the rest and play with the sack beneath. As he bobbed his head up and down Tom's cock, he could feel Tom's fingers tightening and releasing in his hair. It hurt somewhat but it also felt good. He wasn't sure how that made sense, or if he was even doing this right but when he chanced a glance up at Tom's face, he thought he was at least doing okay.

Tom had settled back with one arm behind him to support himself while the other held back Harry's messy locks and felt the motion of Harry's head, bobbing up and down his cock. It took all his effort to hold still and not just move his hips and fuck Harry's mouth that was so lovingly taking care of him. He could hardly believe that this was the first time Harry had done such a thing because it certainly didn't feel like it. He had learned how to use his tongue to lick around him and across the head of his cock, taking the pre-cum that beaded at the top in and savoring it with a half lidded gaze. He also made this slurping sound as he sucked that went straight to his cock that he wasn't sure was intentional or not. Harry was so enthusiastic about it too; bobbing his head and sucking him down as far as he could, his fingers lightly caressing him. He would gag occasionally, but Tom could tell he was doing his best and it was driving him insane. He could feel the heat pooling in the pit of his stomach and the tightening of his balls and knew that he was going to come soon, but he didn't want to. Not yet.

"Enough," Tom said hoarsely, tugging at Harry's hair to pull him away.

Harry released Tom with a pop, a string of saliva and cum was all that connected his mouth from Tom's hardened cock. He gazed up at him and licked his lips, swiping at the string and it fell away. "Was it that bad?"

Tom's gazed narrowed and he pulled at Harry's hair to pull his head back as he leaned down and kissed him hard. The taste of his cock was in Harry's mouth as he explored the sinful cavern, and started to stand up, bringing Harry with him. Harry released a moan deep in his throat as the hand in his hair tightened and pulled upward. He followed the movement so his hair wouldn't rip out of his scalp and found himself standing on the seat of the Jacuzzi where Tom was. Harry opened his eyes as Tom pulled away and looked at him questionably. He opened his mouth to ask why he had made him stop, but never got the question out as Tom moved.

Harry couldn't help the squeak from escaping his mouth as Tom swept him off his feet and threw him over his shoulder. "Tom!?" he exclaimed as Tom stepped out of the water and started toward the door. "Where are we going?"

"Inside," Tom answered shortly.

"Wh-ah!" Harry cried out in surprise as he felt his trunks pull down and a finger start to probe him. He knew where they were going now and what they would be doing. "You are dripping water all over the floor," Harry said panting as the slick finger was joined by another and started scissoring him.

"Don't care," Tom replied, as he made his way across the room and up the stairs.

As Tom made his way up the stairs the movement jostled him and suddenly sparks flew in front of his eyes and his fingers scrambled over Tom's back. "Fuck! Right there!" Harry cried out and twisted his hips to get the fingers to touch that spot again.

"Here?" Tom asked, and let his fingers slide across that spot again.

Harry couldn't answer as his eyes rolled back in pleasure, but the shuddering of Harry's body was all the answer Tom needed. They made it to their bedroom and Tom closed the door with his foot and tossed Harry onto the bed.

Harry bounced on the mattress and flopped onto his back and moaned at the loss of the probing fingers. Once he got his senses somewhat under control he sat up and the first thing he noticed was that Tom's cock was still jutting out from the hem of his shorts; swollen and waiting for him.

He licked his lips and saw Tom track the movement with his gaze. Feeling liberated and bold, he kicked off the soaking shorts and let them fall to the floor with a plop. He spread his legs and fixed Tom with a seductive, needy look. He let his eyes lower to Tom's cock, then back up at his face and placed a hand near his mouth, letting a finger slide in; and the other hand slid down his chest over his own hard cock to his slickened hole. "Here or here?" he asked breathlessly.

Tom's eyes widened in disbelief, but the pupils were blown in desire. He moved forward, shedding his trunks and climbed on the bed, pushed Harry down, flicked his fingers to put the contraception charm in place, opened his legs wider and didn't waste any time before thrusting deep inside.

"Fuck!" Harry gasped as he was filled so suddenly.

"Does it hurt?" Tom asked.

"No," Harry groaned, shaking his head.

"Good," Tom said against his lips and kissed him deeply again.

Harry opened his mouth invitingly and Tom slipped his tongue in and stroked Harry's to play, which he complied. He wrapped his arms around Tom's neck to hold him in place while they kissed and Tom continued to thrust into him. The pace was hard and fast, much like the when they were on that high from the solstice ritual, but this time it was purely them, Harry had gotten Tom all riled up. The thought made him smile.

Tom pulled away and kissed down his jaw to his ear, "What are you smiling about?"

"N-Nothing, ah..." Harry panted, arching into him, "I was just, mmm, thinking that y-you are slipping a little."

"I could never hold my emotions around you," Tom said, "how could I after you did that."

"Then it wasn't bad?"

"Fuck no, the exact opposite," Tom hissed into his ear and thrust harder to make Harry gasp. He took the opening and kissed Harry again, murmuring against his mouth. "What are you doing to me?"

Harry couldn't answer, his tongue tangled with Tom's, but he thought the same thing. Staring up at Tom as he became undone, he felt his heart race and he didn't think it was just the physical exertion. He was a sight to see with his normally immaculate hair in disarray, still damp from their swim earlier and his skin glistened in the moonlight that shone through the window behind him whether, from water or sweat, he didn't know. Harry was sure that he was not picture perfect either, but he didn't care and could only stare at him and think about what this man, this man who not long ago had been trying to kill him, now meant to him. How good of a father he was to Wynter, how surprising it was when Tom made him laugh, or when he taught him something new. How it felt just being near him, and oh god, how it felt being beneath him. It felt amazing and he felt happy and complete. Staring up at Tom in the moonlight as they were connected, he couldn't help but feel himself falling in l-

Harry suddenly gasped, his eyes rolling up as Tom shifted his hips upward and plunged down deeper inside him. "Oh God!" he groaned, every thought wiping from his mind, there was only the mind numbing pleasure as Tom hit his prostate dead on. He whimpered and clung on to him as he kept hitting that sweet spot inside him. "Harder!" Harry pleaded, "Fuck me harder!"

Tom obeyed and moved faster, making sure to hit that spot that made Harry make those keening noises. With the pace they were going and the blowjob that Harry had given Tom earlier, they didn't last much longer and came within seconds of each other. Harry blindly reached for Tom with his eyes closed and felt him come closer until their lips met in a sweet, post coital kiss. He opened his eyes when Tom pulled away and rolled over to lie next to him and looked over at him. He was just as wrecked as he felt, and completely out of breath. But that was what he liked about sex with Tom, it was always amazing and sometimes unexpected. Harry hadn't been planning on giving Tom his first blowjob or even sleep with him; Wynter had tired him out, he was surprised he even had the energy for it, but there you go. Hell, they had been so eager that they hadn't even landed on the bed right; they were laying there with their legs hanging off the side. But there had been a reason...

"Sooo...can I go?" Harry asked watching him carefully.

Tom stared up at the ceiling as if in thought, then said, "No."

Harry huffed, "Fine. I give up." He sat up and turned himself around to pull down the covers and climb inside. His feet hit an obstacle that was Tom and he kicked. "You're in the way."

Tom only got up and went to the bathroom allowing Harry to get comfortable. When Tom got into bed, Harry was asleep. But Tom lay there awake for a while after. Thinking.

xxx

The days passed quickly and Harry and Wynter, as well as Tom, spent more time in the pool. They even took a trip down to the beach and watched as Wynter proceeded to cover herself with sand. True to his word, Harry didn't ask again about going, but as July came to a close, he seemed a little put-down, yet he said nothing and continued on like normal. Tom went to work like usual and seemed a little distracted and distant, but Harry assumed it had to do with the war and they didn't talk about stuff like that. So he left it alone. He had stuff around the house to keep him busy anyway.

The day of his birthday came and was uneventful. Tom said nothing and went about preparing for his day and Harry went downstairs to make breakfast. He thought maybe Tom had forgotten his birthday since he had yet to say anything, but when Tom left he said a simple "Happy Birthday" and then left. It left Harry feeling a bit put off and hurt, but could he expect anything less? Tom obviously wasn't one for birthdays and there was a ton of history between them...but it still left a pain in his heart when the door closed behind him. He was at least expecting...he didn't know, at least something. He carried around this hollow feeling in his chest the best he could and made the best of the morning. Watching TV with Wynter, entertaining her with her toys and generally lazing about.

His mood did pick up sometime before lunch when Hedwig arrived. He had let her out a few days prior to hunt and she hadn't come back. Harry could guess where she went; it wasn't the first time she had gone out before his birthday and he was right. Hedwig had come through the open kitchen window carrying gifts from his friends. He took them to the living room and set himself on the floor and opened them with Wynter, who took a liking to the brightly colored wrapping paper. It was the first time since he was twelve that he wouldn't celebrate his birthday with Ron and Hermione. It was basically his childhood all over again and it made him a little depressed. At least he got some cool stuff though. Hermione, of course, gave him some books, one on curses and jinxes and another on parenting. Ron gave him some candy along with a book on Quidditch, the most recent one. Remus gave him a book on household charms and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave him his customary birthday cake. He got a few other treats from various people, like Fred & George and Neville. All in all a good haul this year.

Other than that, Harry just went about his day, picked up all the shredded paper Wynter had thrown about, took a nap when she took hers and played with her until dinner time. Despite his rather abysmal morning, he wanted to end this day on a happy note, so he went about making a good dinner. So he plopped Wynter down in her highchair and brought her over to the island where he was working, he also out on the radio to fill in the silence. When he got into the tempo of the music he started to move about the kitchen in time with the beat, chopping vegetables for his casserole in time to the drums of the song and it escalated to him twirling around the kitchen as he worked. Wynter loved it and shrieked in joy and bobbed her head in time to the beat as well. He sang to her and danced around and generally was making a fool of himself, but Wynter loved it. She was swaying to the music with him as he stirred the pot on the stove and clapped her hands and babbled away in what Harry thought might be singing. So he swayed with her and sang along and enjoyed himself.

Harry was so absorbed in what he was doing that he didn't even hear the door. One moment he was dancing on his own and the next a hand took his and spun him around until he was in Tom's arms. He was startled but was immediately confronted with Tom's amused grin and he blushed and looked away.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just entertaining her," he said gesturing to Wynter.

"Oh I see," Tom said sliding his arm around his waist loosely and started to lead him in a simple two-step. "So is this what you do when I am gone?"

"Not usually," Harry said following his footsteps around the kitchen, "but we really got into it and well...it was fun."

They lapsed into silence and focused on each other as they danced around the kitchen island. Wynter had fallen silent and watched them happily and all there was, was the music and the two of them. It was surprising really; he didn't think of Tom as much of a dancer, but here they were dancing around completely out of step with the music, but he didn't care, it was perfect. They continued to move around, Tom giving him an occasional spin. He laughed at the ridiculousness of it all, but Tom was smiling and enjoying himself and it turned out to be a pretty good birthday.

Tom gave him one last twirl that ended with his back against Tom's chest with Harry's arms crossed in front of him and they stopped as the song ended and started a new one.

Tom pressed close to Harry's back and gave him a light kiss on the side of his head. "I have something for you," he whispered near his ear.

"Do you?" Harry asked leaning back against him, reveling in his warmth. He pulled away when Tom let him go and turned around to Tom holding out a box. Harry looked up at Tom in surprise but his face gave away nothing, so he took it cautiously and opened it up.

Inside was the most beautiful looking pendant he had ever seen. It was a lion and snake intertwined in gold and silver respectively. It was small, but so intricately detailed in all the right places. In the place of the eyes of the lion were two small green emeralds and in the snake two rubies. It suit the two of them perfectly. "Oh Tom," he breathed and took it out of its enclosure, "it's...it's beautiful."

"Do you like it?" Tom asked uncertainly.

"Yes. I love it," he gave a laugh, "And I thought you didn't care."

"How can I not?" Tom asked with a slight smile. "Sorry I was a bit rude to you this morning."

"Is this why? You were planning this?" Harry asked holding up the pendant so it caught the light.

"Yes."

"Then you are forgiven." He handed it to Tom, "Here, put it on me."

Tom took it and Harry turned around to have it placed around his neck. "It has taken a while to have done. For the past week, I have been placing enchantments on it. It was very difficult and complicated, but I got it done so that it has different kinds protection spells to keep you safe. It has various kinds of shield charms, has the ability to break out of any entrapment spells like anti-apparition spells and wards, and will take you here with the password -Take me home-" Tom explained.

"Take me home?" Harry asked turning around and holding the pendant in his hand.

"No. -Take me home-" Tom hissed with emphasis.

-Take me home- Harry hissed back taking the hint and he felt the pendant warm in his hand. "What was that?"

"The spells activating. It will only respond to your touch and cannot be removed unless you take it off."

"And the password is in Parseltongue so no one else can use it," Harry added, "but why go to so much trouble?" he asked puzzled.

"You are going to need it when you go."

"Go where?"

Tom hesitated for a second, "When you go visit your friends."

Harry felt like his heart stopped, then it sped up as he processed what Tom had said. "I can go?" Harry whispered in awe, searching Tom's face for a lie, but Tom only nodded. "B-But why?"

"You were right. I can't keep you locked up here like some trophy. You won't be happy that way...and I want you to be happy."

Harry stared at Tom for a second before jumping him and hugging him tightly. "Thank you, thank you!" He felt tears prickle his eyes and he burrowed his face into Tom's shoulder and held onto him tighter when he felt Tom's arms encircle him. He was so surprised, no matter how much he had pleaded Tom hadn't budged, but now… "What made you change your mind?" he asked pulling away and wiping at his eyes.

"Well, when you so carefully took care of me…" Tom said with a teasing smile and Harry blushed at the reminder, "and as your birthday got closer, you were…sad and I didn't like it. And I know how important they are to you."

Harry nodded, "They're my family."

"I know. Which is why I changed my mind. I just…" Tom trailed off and gently ran his hands up and down Harry's arms.

"Just what? Talk to me, Tom."

"I'm just…afraid…that you won't come back," Tom finally said.

"I'll come back."

"I know you will, but they might not let you," Tom said, revealing his fear.

"They can't do that. Ron and Hermione know I can't stay," Harry told him, "It's not 'safe'" he said using air quotes.

"That's true," Tom said thoughtfully.

"It is, so don't worry about it. We will come back. We belong here," Harry said determinedly.

Tom gave a hint of a smile and felt himself relax, then moved on. "I have another surprise for you."

"Another one? Geez, how many do you have?" he asked, following Tom out of the kitchen to the sitting area in the middle of the house.

"Just this last one."

"Ma!" Wynter cried out as she saw them leaving.

"I'm right here, sweetie," Harry told her. "What is it?" he asked as they stepped down into the sitting area. Tom waved his hand over the side table and the spell that Harry didn't even know was there shimmered and revealed a cordless phone sitting innocently like it had been there all the time. "A phone?"

"Mma!" Wynter said in the background.

"Yes. A phone," Tom answered.

"Ma!"

Harry stared at it incomprehensively, until it clicked into place. "I can call people. I can call Hermione. I can talk to her!"

"Yes you can," Tom said smiling when Harry's face split in another dazzling smile.

"Mma, ma!"

"Oh! I can't believe it. I can talk to Ron and Hermione. Do I have their number? I think I do, somewhere. Oh, I can't wait to call her!" He gave Tom another hug, then pulled away abruptly as a thought occurred to him, "Oh! I can tell her I can come over!"

Tom laughed, "Excited much? I take it you like it."

"Ma! Ma! Ma!"

"I see you," Harry called to Wynter, "Of course I'm excited and I love it. The phone and the necklace."

"Good. I assumed, since your friend is Muggleborn, that she had a phone."

"Mam!"

"She does so she can call her parents," Harry shook his head in disbelief, "When did you do this?"

"Ma! Ma!"

"Two days ago actually. It was simple to do, keeping it from you on the other hand…"

"Well you did, you completely caught me off guard I was so surpr-"

"Mama!"

They both froze and turned to Wynter and saw her kicking her legs against the island and holding out her hands for them. "D-did she just? Did I hear?" Harry gasped and hurried to her, Tom right behind him. She held out her arms to him and Harry picked her up. "Hey sweet pea, did you call me? Huh, did you say my name? Can you do it again? Say, Mama?"

"Ma!" Wynter said happily, now that she had their attention.

"No. Mama," Harry said again.

"Mma," she said and held out a hand to Tom, "De."

Tom took her offered hand and shook it and gave it a kiss on the back, "Come on princess, can you say Mama?"

"Mma, ma."

"Mama," they both said.

"Ma," Wynter said again and pulled her hand away from Tom so she could shift in Harry's arms.

"Come on you can do it, Mama," Harry said. Wynter looked up at him and put her hand on Harry's mouth. "Ma-ma"

She opened and closed her mouth as if mouthing the words, then "Mama."

"Ah!" Harry cried out in excitement," She said it! She said her first word!" He gave her kisses on her cheek and looked up at Tom. He looked so proud and he had the brightest smile on his face that Harry had ever seen. Harry hugged Wynter close and kissed her again, then moved away for Tom to give her a kiss of his own.

Wynter giggled and clapped her hands, then said, "Mama!" again. She knew she had done something right when the both of them exclaimed again and gave her more kisses. Her father wrapped his arms around them both and squeezing tight. She felt safe and warm between them. "Ma! Mama!"

Harry looked up at Tom with tears of happiness in his eyes as they held Wynter between them. "This is the best birthday ever!"


So there you have it. I really hope it was worth the wait. I had a lot of trouble with the beginning of the chapter, I just didn't like it, still don't but I had to move on. It was just so wordy and I have no idea if it made any sense. I made up the whole ritual thing too, but it was supposed to make them closer, I hope that was clear.

I had fun writing the lemon part (do people still call it this?) gave you some action as a treat for you guys. I turn myself on, ha ha. And of course Harry's birthday. It wasn't originally a part of the story, but I had some questions regarding Harry's age (24) and it made for a perfect transition for his visit to Ron and Hermione, which will be in the next chapter. Also, as an added bonus, Wynter said her first word! She's growing up so fast! Just so you know because some of you will ask; Wynter is now 8 months old.

Okay, now I have said too much. I am going to shut up now. Don't forget to leave a comment/review!

Love you all! ~phoenix