I'm as always amazed by the support I receive from all of you and I'm so grateful to have your attention! Special thanks to; YewBranch, GentryGreen, StValentineSt, guardian of durins line, Kai19, Naphtalla1904, Melikalilly, RedBear5, shadewatcher, NewBlueTrue, Zaidee, the ever wonderful Silvermane1, SeraphimSera, my two Guests, and Solo16 for taking the time to leave me a review! I've received a lot of fantastic comments which always motivate me to continue writing. This chapter was made from the wonderful support I've had from Of Stories Told and RavenShira who I owe a lot of thanks!

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`Knock. Knock. Knock.´

It took but a moment for Harry to realise that somebody was knocking on his front door. And that the knocking wasn't just a product of his boredom.

His head shot up from the warm covers so quickly that he was hit by a wave of dizziness; yet another sign, that he had laid unmoving for far too long.

Jumping from the bed towards the closet to make himself presentable, he pulled on the first clean shirt and pair of leather trouser he could find.

When Harry was almost fully clothed, with the exception of his bare feet, the visitor made himself known yet again with a set of knocks.

"I will be there in a moment," Harry called back as he looked around for his boots.

Remembering that he had left them by the front door he exited the bedroom and hastily grabbed the soft leather boots Thorsten had made.

Bofur, Bifur, Bombur, and Karga, who often visited him, didn't knock persistently until he came and opened the door like this so it couldn't be either of them. They would only knock once and call out in a light greeting to announce their presences before walking over the threshold. He didn't mind their intrusion in the least. They were his only family in this world and so his home was also theirs.

"Harry, what are you doing in there?" came the muffled question from the other side of the door.

It was Ralec. Why had he come now?

Dropping the leather straps for the left boot, leaving the boot untied, Harry looked silently at the door. He didn't understand why Ralec had decided to visit now and why he hadn't heard from him in the days after his incident with the king.

He had spent more than a few minutes thinking about Ralec's whereabouts, about why he hadn't heard from him. He had been surprisingly saddened by Ralec's unexpected disappearance. He wondered if his shortened hair made the difference between Ralec's affection and his indifference, if it somehow made Harry unworthy in Ralec's eyes.

The problem was that he couldn't tell. For him, hair was just hair and held no higher meaning, but he couldn't with certainty speak for Ralec. He would like to think that Ralec saw more in Harry than his long hair but with his sudden disappearance, he didn't know what to think.

Apart from sorrow, he also felt anger. He was angry at Ralec for leaving him so abruptly. He wanted to vent his anger, to open the door and shout to show his displeasure. He felt like a teenage once more, controlled by nagging hormones, but he would be rational and let Ralec speak. He could hardly call himself a young man and he wouldn't let this new body get the better of him.

"Harry?" Ralec called out again, obviously confused about the long wait since he knew the layout of his small apartment.

But Harry didn't answer. Instead, he continued to stare persistently at the door as if it somehow could unravel this mystery. Whatever the reason Ralec had to turn up now, Harry was almost tempted to let it remain undiscovered.

But it was too late to pretend that he wasn't home. He had already made his presence known and as a former Gryffindor it wasn't in his nature to stray from unavoidable conflicts.

The moment Harry opened the door, Ralec stepped into his personal space and took hold of both his shoulders. His forehead came to rest on his, in a gesture Harry had often seen between two male dwarfs, and Ralec breathe out a great relieved sigh.

"I'm so sorry I could not be here for you sooner Harry. Forgive me." Ralec leaned away to gaze into beautiful green eyes and in turn Harry could look into sorrowful red. Every ounce of doubt and anger in Harry's mind waved. The feelings in Ralec's eyes spoke for themselves.

"Where were you, Ralec? I thought that you had broken off our friendship." Ralec's hand came up to crown of his head with the intention to let his hand glide through Harry's hair, but he hesitated. His hand froze halfway through the motion and Harry suddenly became aware of the commotion outside his door. It looked like they had gathered quite the audience.

With one share glance between them they closed the door and stepped further into his home.

"I had hoped that you would have been alright while I was away but it seems that you are incapable of not attracting attention."

If it hadn't been for Ralec's teasing tone Harry would have been tempted to deliver a punch to Ralec's all too attractive face. He couldn't find anything funny about his situation and with arms crossed he replied dryly, "I hope you don't mean to imply that I'm actively seeking out attention, for I very much detest that theory!"

Ralec gave out a smooth laugh. "Not at all."

With his dark leather pants, black shirt with silver outlines, and a pale, almost white, thick, long leather vest that reached his knees, Ralec looked every inch of a wealthy dwarf lord. His fingers were as always enclosed in lots of bejewelled rings. His hair was pulled up in a high ponytail filled with hundreds of small braids and white stones, and his beard hung loose and straight down. Ralec's constantly apparent arrogance made him an imposing figure but after several days in Ralec's company Harry knew that there were much more beneath the arrogant surface.

"I take it that you did not get my message?" Ralec mused, almost like he had expected such an outcome.

"No, I never received any word from you Ralec, but you don't sound particularly surprised by this?"

"That because I'm not," Ralec replied with a wry smile.

"Well, would you care to explain what you mean, for I'm terrible confused." Harry did not know what to think about Ralec's silence, he seemed completely lost in his own thoughts.

"Abnâmul, I'm afraid that not everyone in this mountain is thrilled about my friendship with you."

Disbelief crossed his face automatically. "Why would anyone care to sabotage your friendship with me? That makes no sense Ralec."

"On the contrary, Harry, that makes perfect sense."

"I'm still not getting what you're trying to say," Harry said, taking just a brief pause in his rant to see if Ralec intended to clarify his earlier statement. When that didn't happen Harry continued. "Well, since you aren't going to explain yourself further, why don't we sit down and you can tell me what you have been up to, hmm?"

Making a half-turn, he headed towards the open kitchen. "I'll make us something to drink. Is there anything in particular you want?" he asked as he reached the kitchen counter.

Taking the kettle in one hand, to boil some water for tea, he stopped to look around the corner when Ralec once again didn't answer him. Ralec was still standing by the door, with disbelief and sorrow distinctly on his face.

"Harry, Your hair…"

Subconsciously Harry's hand reached back to touch the shortened strands by his neck. "It's not that bad. I don't feel any different and you hardly notice that it's gone when my hair is hanging loose like this."

"But Harry it's.." Ralec was unmistakably about to ramble the same tirade which Bofur, Bifur, Sanix, Nori and Karga had given him days before.

"Please stop," he said, as he held up his hand to halt Ralec's speech. "I know what you want to say but I'm tired of talking about this subject."

Filling the kettle with warm water and setting it over the gas stove to heat, Harry took a seat in the sofa. "I would much rather that we could forget all about it. Please Ralec, could we talk about something else?"

For a moment it looked like Ralec wanted to argue but to Harry's great relief he didn't push further on the matter. Instead, Ralec moved over to the couch Harry currently occupied and took a seat beside him.

"If it means so much to you, I will let it slide," Ralec said, as he took hold of Harry's hand.

Squeezing Ralec's slightly bigger hand around his, Harry gave Ralec a bright smile in gratitude.

"Thank you. Can I know where you were these past few days?"

"I had to leave on urgent business to the Iron hills. Some of my mines there are almost empty and I had to decide if we could risk digging deeper or if they should be closed down. It's not very exciting work but it has to be done by me, standard procedure, I'm afraid."

The sound of boiling water had him moving once more and he regrettably slipped his hand out of Ralec's warmer one.

"Do you want a cup of tea?" he asked as he poured himself a cup. "Or perhaps some dark beer?"

"I'm quite alright without at the moment. I'm not feeling thirsty at all, I just want to sit here in your company."

Moving back around the dark wooden table with a steaming cup of tea in hand, he sat back down beside Ralec in the light brown sofa.

"I don't have anything planned today, so you are welcome to stay as long as you like." Blowing down into the cup's steaming depths, he looked over the rim of the teacup into warm wine red eyes.

"You are truly something different abnâmul. I don't ever believe that I have seen a dwarf drink tea before now."

Faking a shocked, hurt expression, Harry's free hand came to rest over his heart as he mocked. "And here I thought that you would give me a real compliment, how you wound me Ralec. Wait a minute… Have you never had a cup of tea before? "

"It is not a part of our culture or traditions. I suppose that you could say that I never been given the opportunity before."

Thrusting his cup forward in an eager motion that almost made the warm contents fly out of the cup, Harry edged towards Ralec. "Then you'll have to try. I guess, this explains why you don't have any tea booths in the market and I had to mix the herbs myself. Anyway, it was good that I recognized some of the herbs, I couldn't do without a warm cup of tea every morning."

When Ralec still hesitated to take the cup from Harry's hand, he urged one more time. "Please try."

Harry didn't really think that Ralec would do it. But he tried the tea, and then grimaced, before placing the cup back in his hands. Harry had often heard that nothing could match the stubbornness of dwarves but so far he would say that dealing with Teddy, as a grumpy ten year old, proved the harder task.

"I can't see how you can draw any enjoyment from this drink, it tastes like medicine if you ask me. You're sure that you aren't trying to poison me? Have you grown tired of me already dear Harry?"

"Not at all," he replied with a smile, before taking several sips of the hot tea.

Ralec really was a handsome man, ehh dwarf. He was tall, with wide shoulders but still slightly smaller than Thorin. Ralec's hair hung strait as if it had been ironed where Thorin's curled and waved and while Ralec's face looked soft and even, the mountain king's had had laugh lines and a furrowed brow.

If it wasn't for Ralec's company Harry would have smacked himself. Here he was thinking about the mountain king, once again. He wasn't completely sure why the dark haired dwarf occupied his thoughts throughout the day. So far, he blamed his hormonal teenager body. But surely that couldn't be the reason.

Ralec, who sat right before him, was also a very handsome specimen. Not only that, but Harry also knew that Ralec was a kind, funny, clever, and generous dwarf whereas he knew nothing about Thorin.

He deeply regretted their first meeting which had ruined any chance of friendship between them.

But it was no use crying over spilt butterbeer. He would move on, and he certainly couldn't ponder about the blue eyed king when red eyes looked so tenderly at him.

"Harry," Ralec said, as he once more took hold of his hand and held it up between them. "I found something for you in one of the mines, in Iron Hill, something that I hope that you will accept."

With his unoccupied hand, Ralec searched through his right vest pocket and drew forth a hazelnut-sized emerald-coloured diamond.

"If you want it, I could make you a ring or a bracelet with it. Anything you would want, I can make."

Harry had never been interested in riches nor wealth. Before he reached the age of eleven, he had had nothing but a few broken stolen toys of Dudley's, hand-me-down clothes that were far too big for him, and his three relatives. After his first trip to Gringotts he had discovered that his trust vault held more money than he knew what to do with and that it could see him fed and housed into his adult years. Then, when he came of age on his seventeenth birthday he had not only gained access to the rest of the Potter's wealth but also the rights to all of the ancient house of Black's possessions. At the age of seventeen he had been one of the wealthiest wizards alive. But that didn't make him a happier person nor did it help him defeat Voldemort at the time.

But that didn't mean that he wasn't touched by the gesture. Every bone in his body sang with happiness; his fingers tingled and his toes curled. This wasn't a half-hearted, spur of the moment act, like when they had first met and Ralec offered his silver pen.

"I have thought about this a great deal, Harry, and I would be honoured if you would enter into a courtship with me. I know that there is a connection between us and with time, care, and love this connection would be stronger than any forged alliance."

Ralec's eyes burned with passion and his hand held hot and firm against Harry's skin. He wanted to, sweet Salazar, how he wanted to kiss Ralec and accept his proposal. The connection between them was clear and he knew that they in time would grow to love and care for each other. But. But he couldn't with a light heart enter a courtship with Ralec when he, only moments ago, thought about Thorin.

He knew that the courting period could go on for years before the actual marriage found place. But he wouldn't be unfair to Ralec nor fool himself when he knew, deep down, that he wasn't ready for this kind of relationship with the dwarf lord.

He wasn't ready to enter a courtship with Ralec.

In all the conversations he had with Karga, Bifur, Bofur and Bombur, never had any of them mentioned the correct way of rejecting a courtship offer. He didn't know if it had to be executed in a certain way; in a string of ceremonial words or through different body movements.

He had to follow his gut and be honest. Placing the cup of tea on the dark wooden table, he laid his hand atop Ralec's; embracing it between his own.

"I can't accept Ralec."

Ralec's proud, upright posture fell down in a slight slouch and the hope left his eyes. He didn't enjoy watching Ralec's sorrow, the emotion was very misplaced on Ralec's handsome face and Harry couldn't help but want to tell one of his horrible jokes just to see Ralec smile again. It's was maddening to see this proud being brought down in defeat and the rest of his explanation fell out in a hurried speech; in the hope of making Ralec understand.

"I don't want you to think that I don't feel the connection between us, for I do, but I'm not ready to take this big step. I still have insecurities about my new life here in Erebor and I want to settle into this mountain right. I want to have a job and understand the basics of dwarven culture and customs. I want to learn more about the world I live in, the history, the people, animals, and the lands. I know that you would love to teach me and show me all of these things. But if we are to enter a courtship, I want it to be about us, not about me by making our courtship into a teaching lesson. I know that I'm not good at being a dwarf and that I'm not very good at explaining myself to you right now… I hope that this won't change anything between us."

After the last words left his lips, he felt a pressing urge to duck his face down beneath his chin and hide. It wasn't easy keeping eye contact but his Gryffindor heart refused to hide and scramble away from a difficult task.

His heart beat fast with the high from the adrenaline. Nervous and uncomfortable, he waited anxiously for Ralec to gather himself and voice his decision.

The green diamond in Ralec's left hand, which rested on his thigh, was enclosed around fingers and pushed together into a tight fist. But the grip slackened and the hand was brought up to rest atop the others; with the palm of Ralec's hand above the back of Harry's with the diamond in between.

"I understand," Ralec spoke finally and gave Harry's hands a light, comforting squeeze to ease his worries. Their hands broke apart but Ralec still held the diamond out to him.

"I want you to take it Harry," he requested again.

"Please Ralec, I can't take it."

Even with the second refusal the diamond was still held out in an offering.

"Please, hear me out before you refuse me again, Harry?" When Harry gave a small nod of consent, Ralec continued.

"I cannot say or guess when you will be ready to take this step with me but I want you to have this diamond in your possession. My wish to be with you will not change and if you one day should want the same then all you will have to do is come to me, holding this."

Here he took hold of Harry's right hand and laid the green diamond in his palm.

Shaking his head in disbelief Harry relented. "I can't take something so valuable without giving you anything in return"

"You would not need to. It would make me happy if you would keep it," answered Ralec softly. But Harry was still unsatisfied by the bargain which was, in his eyes, very unfairly divided.

Even if Harry felt out of bounds with the deal, it didn't seem that Ralec felt cheated or unsatisfied. He was smiling once more and that fact alone eased Harry into accepting the diamond.

"If you really feel bad about the deal you could always give me a kiss to even the odds," Ralec said in a humorous tone while he tilted his cheek to the side expectantly, waiting for a kiss to arrive.

Not even having thought his actions through before acting, Harry had already gasped each side of Ralec's face with his hands and leaned in to kiss him. The kiss was soft and innocent, only a brief meeting between their warm lips. It was just a peck. But the taste of Ralec's air and the closeness to his person had him breathless when he pulled away.

From the look of Ralec's open, gaping mouth, he had not been expecting to be kissed at all and Harry felt his mouth break apart in surprised laughter by the dwarf lord's surprised look.

Ralec was shocked out of his trance by the sound of Harry's laugh and his mouth fell close in a silly smile. Switching the diamond with his tea cup Harry leaned back in the sofa and watched Ralec, who in turn did the same.

After some time Ralec asked. "Would I be too obvious if I said that it would be a fair deal if I could have one more kiss?"

"Don't tell me that you wasn't satisfied by the one I just gave you," he replied good-naturedly before drinking the last mouthfuls of tea.

"I can't go against my baser nature and I realise now that I'm greedy when it comes to your kisses."

Whatever Harry had intended to say then got interrupted by a new string of knocks on his door. Sharing a brief glance with Ralec, who looked quite unhappy by the disturbance, Harry went to open his front door.

On his doorstep stood a round, young, male dwarf with blond hair and whiskers that weren't yet grown into a full beard. The young dwarf was clearly as surprised by Harry as Harry was surprised by this unfamiliar face. When the blond dwarf didn't speak and simply stood awestruck and red-faced by his doorstep, Harry lost a bit of his patience.

"Can I help you?"

"Oh, I come on behalf of the department for citizens' employment and housing, who would like to tell you that your application for a job in the Hall of Healing has been accepted."

Having finished the practiced speech, the plump dwarf held out a letter, staring once more wide-eyed at Harry.

"Thank you," Harry said as he took the letter and closed the door behind him. Somehow, he couldn't help but feel like he had just meet Colin Creevey's reincarnation. The dwarf version.

"I believe congratulations are in order," Ralec spoke from the couch, as Harry walked back to his seat.

Sitting back down with the envelope held between his fingers, he looked from the white folded piece of paper to Ralec and then back again.

"I can't help but suspect that you are somehow involved in this." After all, Ralec would benefit from Harry's sudden change in work status; it would be one less obstacle between him and Harry.

"But I also find it hard to believe that you could work this out so fast from a spot on my couch. So for now, let us say that you are innocent."

Ralec, thoroughly amused by his suspicion, shook his head from side to side; smiling all the while. "It's highly coincidental but I rather believe that this is a clear sign from the great Maker." Ralec took hold of his right hand to deliver a light kiss on his knuckles before he come to a stand.

"Harry, thank you for having me, it has been wonderful to see you again."

"Are you leaving again?" Harry asked, confused, but followed after Ralec back to the door.

"I won't be leaving this mountain for some time, I dare not leave you here alone," he replied back with a teasing tone. "I will be back again soon. I want to hear about your new job when you get started but for now I have much to think about concerning our conversation."

Harry reached for Ralec's hand before he could open the door; he still had words that he wanted to say in the privacy of his home. "It was wonderful to see you as well. Thank you for being so understanding, it means a lot to me."

"Abnâmul, I told you when we first met that you may ask of anything you want from me. My word still stands."

He watched Ralec leave down the hall, completely ignoring all the stares from the passers-by'.

At the opposite side of the hall stood Harry's fierce redheaded and bearded neighbour once more sweeping the floor.

Harry still hadn't gotten the chance to talk, and maybe apologize for the whole sock incident, to the redhead. Every time he would approach the redheaded male, the dwarf would run inside his door and hide away.

It had been a total mystery for him as to why the redheaded dwarf swept the clean floor regularly. At first, it had looked completely pointless to sweep an already clean surface. But after Harry's first week, in his new house, it didn't appear to be a stupid pastime at all.

Stretching, all around his front door in a large semi-circle which almost reached the opposite side of the wall, in the big hall, lay heaps of socks.

At first, this confusing custom had bothered him to no end but he had grown use to it. Now though, he was afraid that it bothered anyone else. It must be extremely irritating for the mountain's other occupants to pass over a path of dirty smelling socks, to and fro.

Somehow, Harry didn't doubt that his redheaded neighbour had foreseen this outcome and had sought to improve his broom sweeping skills while he could. It had been a really good idea to practice for now the poor dwarf had to sweep dirty socks away around his own door.

Harry had felt guilty about it plenty of times. He was reminded every time he opened his door but so far none had complained. He had once tried to ask his silent red headed neighbour if he needed assistance without luck.

Maybe he should acquire a broom the next time he went to the markets.

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AN
Disappointed? I hope not! I know that you miss Thorin but he won't be gone forever, I promised. As a small consolation, I gave you all plenty of drama and a kiss. Okay, so it's with the wrong guy but it won't always be ;) Thank you for reading, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter!

Also, please check out my new story! It's another crossover story, this time featuring the Avatar(2009) and Thor movies. Our, lovely, blue Loki will fit perfectly on Pandora!