Title: Crystal
Rating: PG-13/R
Genre: Romance/Angst/Humor
Summary: AU; "He's as… fragile as crystal…" To wear matching rings is believed to be the ultimate expression of love… complete detail inside
Pairing(s): Harry/Tom R.
Warnings: AU Yaoi, slash, Boy/Boy
Disclaimer: Don't own fandom. Concept behind story doesn't belong to me either. Story itself does. So does Moorinto… and various cameo characters. So don't sue me or have me erased because I'm not going to lose my very first-ever paycheck to people who don't know how to read a disclaimer.
Summary: The ultimate expression of love… In the small town of Moorinto, it is believed the ultimate expression of love is to wear a matching ring with the one you love. It could also be the deepest sign of friendship, depending on which finger you wear it on. When the semi-loner Harry Potter suddenly finds his matching ring with the person he least expects, it's an up and down coaster ride to discovering if this person could be his worst enemy… or his greatest love.
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AN: OKAY! I lied. This isn't the last chapter. But I felt so bad about promising an update and then two days later I get really sick again with an ear infection and a 102.5 fever that lasted three days that I decided to cut chapter fifteen in half and post it.
So consider this a filler until I get my mojo back and type up the rest of chapter fifteen.
Sorry!
BTW, do you realize how much trouble I had to go through to post this damn thing?! FF.N has some serious explaining to do! I've been trying for a week to post this the regular way, but since I can't, I had to export a chapter, copy and paste the new one in the doc edit, and post it that way. Sheesh!
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The beginning of summer vacation came with surprisingly little fanfare. For Harry, it felt like the end of an era; a very short one but an era nonetheless. A type of melancholy settled within him as he emptied his locker of books and loose papers, as all around him students yelled across the halls to each other in hurried, sometimes tearful, goodbyes. It was with a strange type of relief that he shouldered his pack, took a last look around him at the hall he would see again in only a few short months, and left.
He hardly remembered the walk home, mind focused solely on the summer work he had been laden with. It wasn't that he wanted to think of it, but he really didn't have much of a choice. It was either that or… no. He wouldn't think of, couldn't think of…. It hurt too much.
He squared his shoulders, shook his head free of thoughts, and opened the door to his home.
"Nadi? I'm home." Silence greeted him. Harry furrowed his brow and threw his book bag carelessly on the couch. "Nadia?" He walked past the partition that separated the living room from the kitchen and paused as a piece of paper caught his eye. It was tacked onto the wall and coloured a soft pink from Nadia's notebook.
Hey Harry!, the note read.
Cheryl, Krista and I decided to celebrate the last day of school so we went out for ice cream. I promise I won't be home too late and I'll give you a call if anything comes up. Don't worry about dinner. Papa Siri and Uncle Remi said they were going to bring something home.
I'll see you later, okay? Love you big brother!
Nadia
Harry sighed and put the note on the counter. He rummaged around in the fridge for a moment before going to his room with his newly pilfered soda. He sat listlessly on his bed for while, sipping slowly at his quickly warming pop.
In the last three weeks, he had successfully avoided Tom like the plague. It had taken a lot of will power, strange looks from Ron and hiding in storage closets, but it was done. It became easier to do with the end of term exams, and he threw himself into studying and research with a determination that surprised his teachers and earned him a grade level far surpassing anything he had ever shown before. His guidance councilor had remarked that if he had shown this workmanship the whole year, he could have easily become top of the class.
Harry refused to give him a reason why he hadn't before.
He spent the rest of that afternoon working on his summer assignments and going over the list of colleges his guidance councilor had given him. He hadn't even realized his family had come home until Remus had knocked on his door, calling him down for dinner. With a shocked look at the clock, Harry tidied up his desk and padded downstairs to join his uncles and sister at the table.
Sirius and Nadia were locked in a pizza eating battle, each trying to outdo each other in both speed and quantity. It was sickening to watch, in a way one can't seem to look away from a high-speed collision into a brick wall. Remus sighed in exasperation and cuffed his partner on the back of his head. Sirius gave him a wounded look which caused Nadi to choke on her pizza, laughing. Harry smiled softly, shaking his head in amusement.
"You were pretty quiet up there, Harry," Remus said, grabbing a few slices of his vegetarian pie and pushing the box towards Harry. "If it weren't for your shoes at the door, we would have thought you weren't home."
"I was working on my summer assignments, just to get them out of the way while the stuff is still fresh in my mind," Harry told him, sneaking a slice of Sirius's favorite pizza. Sirius looked at him in horror.
"What? Harry, summertime is for fun. Everyone knows you're supposed to leave that stuff until the last minute!" Remus gave him a disapproving glare.
"I think it's admirable that Harry wants to get a head start."
"But Remus, he's nearly seventeen. He's supposed to be having fun and taking advantage of the warm summer air!"
"Just because it's what you did every summer doesn't mean that it's what Harry's supposed to do."
"I was also looking at colleges," Harry said quickly to interrupt the impending argument. Remus smiled happily and ignored Sirius's spluttering.
"That's wonderful! I can't wait to see what colleges you've narrowed it down to."
"But Remus…."
"Sirius, I don't think…."
"I've already decided."
His sister and uncles looked at him.
"Really?" Nadi said, looking curious. "That was quick. What did you decide on?" Harry looked down at his plate, pushing his crust around absently.
"I was thinking of Peramin University, in Lessoute City. I actually decided last year, I just… didn't say anything." Remus smiled proudly.
"I think it's a fabulous choice. Peramin is the best medical university in the country. I couldn't be prouder of you."
"You're just happy he chose your alma mater," Sirius said teasingly. Remus shushed him. "Seriously, though, Harry. I think it's great that you want to be a doctor."
"What kind of doctor?" asked Nadi. Harry shrugged.
"I haven't decided yet."
"I have an idea," Remus said suddenly. "Why don't you come into work with me tomorrow? You could look around, see what interests you." Harry smiled.
"Sure, sounds like fun."
Sirius moaned in mock misery. "Fun, he said. That's his idea of fun. Remus, you've corrupted him."
"Oh, shut up and eat your pizza."
"Yes sir!"
"Sirius, for heavens sake, chew before you swallow!"
"Mfph muzzle fluh murph."
"Sirius!"
"Ory Emsus."
"Ew! Papa Siri, that's gross!"
Harry shook his head, wondered at how he had missed out on the insanity gene, and quietly finished his dinner.
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AN2: Yes, yes, I know, short. Tough. Deal. I shall try to post 15.2 as soon as possible. Considering that my birthday is on Monday the 16th and I have a lot of preparation to do for my party on the 22nd, I can't make any promises.
Until then, and until the AWT comes out, please enjoy my 100-part I Am Not Allowed To… drabble fic.
Too-da-loo!