Chapter Twenty: Verbier Switzerland

The last few months sped by faster than Harry expected. He figured with his schooling and business interests, getting to know his godfather, coming across additional horcruxes, arranging the terms of the Weasley's life debt, and learning to snowboard so he didn't look like an idiot in front of his crush helped keep the days short.

In no time, it was the start of winter break. The international port key they received from Potter Corporation dropped, he, Sensei, Kingsley, and Neville off at a side alley in Verbier Switzerland Friday evening shortly after Harry's last class. Verbier felt like a scene from a storybook. Hundreds of beautiful, wooden homes or chalets with pointing, sloping roofs topped with snow greeted him upon arrival. Snowcapped mountains cluttered with skiers and snowboarders racing towards the bottom could be seen off in the distance. And, at the center of it all, a quaint village filled with shops selling everything from luxury goods, to budget friendly options. Even the air felt different, crisp, clean, and as fresh as laundry blowing on a line on a chilly evening. Harry fell in love at first sight.

Shivering a little under thick winter coats, they left the side street. A sleek, gray van with the Potter Resort logo and contact information embossed across the side in fancy silver lettering awaited them. Two humans and a house elf masquerading as humans bowed in welcome as they rushed forward to take their bags and hold open doors of the muggle vehicle. The female elf separated herself from the others and curtseyed before him.

"Master Harry," her high-pitched, squeaky voice belayed her elf status. "I am Ceru, the head elf of for the Switerzland branch of Potter Resorts. It's an honor to be able to meet and serve you. Please call on me if there is anything at all I can do for you during your stay."

Harry loved his house elves, he was sure he had the best employees in the world. He gave the elf a grin as he returned her curtsey with a bow.

"It's great to be here. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to greet me personally."

Ceru grinned widely and gestured to the waiting van. "If you'll follow me, you can begin your vacation. Your other guests have already arrived and are awaiting inside the chalet."

Ceru led them to the vehicle and soon they were on the way to one of the many private resorts he discovered he owned in the French and Swiss Alps. Originally, he planned to vacation in Takashi's home in Zermatt, but upon discovering he owned property in St. Moritz, Zermatt, and Verbier, he and Takashi decided to vacation at his home in Verbier instead, since Takashi was eager to compare the area with the slopes at Zermatt.

Only a few moments longer, Harry thought as he linked and unlinked fingers that sat in his lap. He and Takashi had never brought up their emotional goodbye during the many letters and notes they'd sent back and forth. Harry was eager to see if Takashi would mention it now that they were together, or hold true to Sensei's mandate to back off until they were older and wiser. Of course, he knew Sensei's words made sense, but he kinda hoped Takashi would throw caution to the wind and actually confess his feelings now rather than later.

Harry felt a little bad that he was so eager for Takashi to confess his feelings for him, when his friends back home had no clue Takashi existed. Well Luna had known, but Luna knew everything so she didn't count. And now, so did Neville. Unfortunately, Neville had heard him and Luna talking about Takashi after she had suddenly popped up in the Three Broomsticks as if she were a third year and had permission to be outside the castle.

Neville, once he had heard Harry had a romantic interest, had found his inner Gryffindor lion. His god brother insisted on meeting Takashi to make sure Harry wasn't being taken advantage of. Harry had seriously underestimated Neville's inner lion. After discovering Harry would see Takashi over winter break, Neville had went so far to get permission from his grandmother to leave Hogwarts most Saturdays so he could join Harry on his excursions to an indoor snowdome for the snowboarding lessons Harry had arranged.

Neville hadn't been keen on snowboarding, but he did fall in love with skiing, which Harry had also tried and found too constrictive. So, while Neville switched to skiing lessons Harry stuck to snowboarding, which they had practiced nearly every Saturday, with the exception of Hogsmeade weekends, for the past three months. At first, they stayed at the indoor centers, but when weather permitted and the snow was good, they went to one of the many resorts around Scotland. While Harry knew he wouldn't be near the same caliber of skill as Takashi who had been snowboarding all his life, he at least felt confident enough with his abilities that he wouldn't slow Takashi and his family down.

He and Neville-who had taken to skiing with natural skill and athletic ability, much to Harry's annoyance-were both excited to try out their skills on a proper course.

"We're approaching Verbier 1, now Master Harry," Ceru began interrupting Harry's thoughts. "Chalet 1, is the largest of the properties you own in this area. Number 1 has three suites and ten double rooms. Number 1, also has a spa, pool, steam room, and two outside hot tubs, on one the main floor and one off the master suite."

Harry gaped as the van pulled into the parking space in front of the four-story, golden toned wooden chalet. Ceru had said the chalet actually had five floors, as the lower ground floor held the spa area, pool, and media room. Balconies wrapped around the front of the chalet and floor to ceiling glass dominated the ground floor. They eagerly left the vehicle and walked around the curved path where they passed an outdoor terrace that had a large, circular cedar hot tub, with a large, outdoor seating area that could host a large party or get together, while still seeming intimate. Walking inside the chalet, Harry was blown away by the modern, rustic design. Everything from exposed wood, ceiling beams, and décor was done in a slate gray and white. The furniture was large and comfortable which encouraged guests to sit and relax in front of the fire. Harry spun around in a circle awed and was pleased to see similar expressions on Neville, Sensei, and Kingsley's faces.

"Wow."

Ceru smiled happily. "I'm glad you are pleased Master Harry. We renovated the resort two seasons ago and bookings have increased by sixty percent since. Your guests are downstairs in the pool and media room. Would you like to join them or would you like to take a tour of the chalet first?"

"I'd like to join them," Harry said. "We can take a tour a little later." He turned to Sensei with a smirk on his face. "Will you and Kingsley be sharing a room or are you still pretending that nothing is going on between you two?"

Kingsley chuckled while Sensei glared at him.

"I'm going to take a knife and murder you in your sleep tonight," Sensei deadpanned.

Harry stuck his tongue out at Sensei in response before making his way down the stairs. The man was so delusional, as if he thought all the late night meetings went over Harry's head. Maybe Sensei thought he couldn't feel the wards to the castle trigger when Kingsley stepped through the floo after Harry retired for the night. The only annoying thing about the whole Sensei/Kingsley not-so-secret love affair was he hadn't needed to bribe Chad and Kris as he found out the answer himself only a couple days after he had promised them access to his hotel in Paris.

Maybe he should dock Sensei's pay for Kris and Chad's vacation Harry thought as he entered the media room, but all thoughts were wiped from his brain as he saw who was inside.

Takashi sat on a custom, gray, chenille sectional sofa next to Satoshi, the Haninozuka brothers, Haruhisa-who joined as additional security, and Naoko. They were all dressed in swimwear as they watched Haruhisa play Dance Revolution. Harry burst out laughing seeing Haruhisa's dance moves.

Everyone stopped what they had been doing and stared at each other. Satoshi broke the silence and rushed over swinging him around in a hug. Harry was just glad that he put on some height over the last few months so Satoshi no longer towered over him.

"Harry-tono, you made it," Satoshi said in rapid, Japanese. "This is a great place, I'm glad we decided to come here instead. The pool is awesome; you're going to have to try it."

Although Satoshi spoke too fast, Harry was proud that he was able to catch the gist of what the younger boy said, so he grinned at him.

"I don't know how to swim," Harry replied haltingly in the same language. "Maybe you can teach me a little while we're here."

Satoshi gaped before he glomped him. "Look at Harry-tono, learning the best language in the world. Taka-ni, did you hear him?"

"Ah."

Harry pulled away from Satoshi and glanced at Takashi, whose lithe but muscular body looked amazing in a pair of swim trunks decorated with multicolored turtles.

"Hey," Harry murmured.

"Harry," Takashi intoned quietly.

The next thing Harry knew a small boy holding a pink, stuffed bunny used Takashi as a landing pad as he somersaulted in the air and landed in front of Harry in an effortless crouch. The shorter boy, who had dyed blond hair and large, brown eyes stood in front of him grinning madly.

"Harry-chan. It's nice to meet you in person," the boy said in heavily accented English. "Takashi always talks about you. Thank you for including me and Chika-chan. We've only been here a couple hours, but we've been having fun."

"Mitsukuni?"

The boy nodded happily before he ran up to Neville.

"Neville-chan. You take care of Harry like Takashi takes care of me, ne?"

"I try to," Neville answered amused. "Harry's a hard one to control."

Mitsukuni laughed at that, hooked his arm around Neville dragging the shyer boy in the room introducing him to everyone. Before Harry knew it, everyone talked and interacted with ease as they took turns playing Dance Revolution. Soon, it was getting close to dinner, the visitors from Tokyo went to change while Harry and the others received a tour of the chalet and were shown to their rooms.

Harry adored the master, which had its own private terrace with a hot tub and private bathroom suite. The room was a winter's retreat, a peace of calm inside a snowstorm. Harry could just imagine lying in bed warm and cozy as he watched a storm cover the city. Pleased with what he saw, and noticing that the house elves had already unpacked his bags and put everything away, Harry made his way back to the ground floor dining area.

He had tried to sit next to Takashi at dinner, who he hadn't really gotten a chance to talk to, but Neville and a laughing Mitsukuni out maneuvered him. Harry ended up sitting between Neville and Naoko at the long, wooden tables lined with chairs covered with gray chenille like most of the resort. He tried his best to not pout over the seating arrangements.

Despite not being able to sit next to Takashi, the four-course dinner turned into a lively affair with everyone getting to know each other and planning out the long weekend. It turned out that Naoko and Haruhisa like Neville preferred skiing to snowboarding so they had made plans to go out in a group the next day while the rest of them went snowboarding. Kingsley, who had never done either, decided to take skiing lessons. After dinner, his two guards and their significant others decided to go outside and try the hot tub, while the kids sat in the living area to play the board game Taboo. Once again, he and Takashi were separated. Harry could see Neville talking with Takashi and hoped Neville's interrogation wasn't too invasive for his extremely private friend.

"Takashi is great, ne?" Mitsukuni asked beside him.

Harry blushed. "He's a good friend."

"Yes he is. If you hurt him, I'll hurt you," Mitsukuni said cheerfully. "I'll probably start by beating you to a pulp and then when you're lying on the ground at my feet gasping for breath, I'd take a knife and gut you." He tilted his head and thought for a moment before a wide smile stretched across his face. "I'd probably start the cut at your stomach and slash up to your chest before reaching in and pulling out your heart and squeezing it because you would've destroyed Takashi's heart and turnabout is only fair play after all," he said in his strange high-pitched voice. "I'd smile while I'd be doing this and you'll probably stare at me with shocked eyes, knowing that despite all your magic and supposed power, my hands defeated you. You'd die knowing you were killed by me, little Mitsukuni Haninozuka, a mere squib who looks more like a young boy than the warrior that he is."

Harry looked at the boy who had just casually threatened his life. For once, he looked beyond the older boy's angelic appearance to realize his young prepubescent looks hid a deadly personality that would be foolish to underestimate. Harry nodded.

"Understood."

"Great," Mitsukuni beamed and thrust his pink bunny into Harry's arms. The face of a cold, calculating warrior smoothly morphed into happy, childlike innocence. "I hope we can be friends."

Harry chuckled despite himself. Harry was coming to realize that Mitsukuni Haninozuka was more psychotic than Riddle and Dumbledore sitting in a room at an Evil Overlord Convention exchanging recipe cards. And he liked him. What did that say about his own sanity?

"Being friends would be nice," Harry decided.

Mitsukuni smiled warmly, patted his arm, then rose to saunter across the room to join his brother and cousin.

After the game, everyone said goodnight and Harry made his way back to his room and jumped into the glass encased stone shower, enjoying the feeling of the soothing spray from the huge rainfall shower head. Harry took a super long shower and used the specialized spa products branded with the Potter resorts logo. Once finished, he stepped out, dried off, and dressed in a pair of sleep pants and wrapped the large fluffy robe provided by the resort around his body. Spying the telly hanging against the wall and a stack of DVD's in the nightstand, Harry riffled through the DVD's pleased to see they were all recent. Reading the cases, Harry decided on The Bourne Identity and slipped it into the DVD player. Just as he was about to climb in the bed, a soft knock sounded on the door. He went to answer it only to smile as he saw Takashi standing on the threshold in another pair cool looking swim trunks.

"Hey."

"Swimming?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm a little tired. I don't think I'm going to be awake enough to learn. Want to come in? I just put in a movie and I have snacks."

Takashi nodded and Harry moved back so that he could step into the room. With how the telly hung on the wall, the only place they could watch the movie comfortably was on the bed. Harry blushed a little as he and Takashi settled atop the covers with the tray of food consisting of cold ham, turkey, bread, fruit and cheese between them while Harry grabbed the remote and pressed play for the movie to begin.

"I saw Neville interrogating your earlier, was he being a pain?"

Takashi shrugged. "He's looking out for you. Mitsukuni?"

Harry grinned. "One sandwich short of a picnic."

They exchanged smiling glances before they both flushed and looked away from each other.

"Have you seen this before?" Harry stuttered out.

"Mostly watch Japanese films." Takashi stared at him for several moments.

"What?" Harry questioned.

"You have bags under your eyes."

Harry nodded and curled up on the bed, unconsciously moving closer to Takashi despite the tray between him. "It's been a long couple months, glad to get away actually."

"Tell me what you left out of your letters," Takashi demanded quietly.

Harry nodded wearily and felt rather than saw Takashi move the tray to the nightstand. The next thing Harry knew his head was in Takashi's lap and Takashi's fingers were running through his hair massaging his scalp. Harry flushed, because it was kinda hard not to miss Takashi's state of arousal, but when all Takashi did was play with his hair, Harry felt himself relax under the soothing massage. Before he knew what was happening Harry found himself confessing everything. He told Takashi about the prophecy and his hunt for horcruxes. Something he hadn't even shared with either Ron or Hermione.

"Found three so far," Harry told Takashi drowsily, "the last a couple days ago. The first was easy, in the shack where Riddle's maternal family lived. The last two were because of Sirius."

"How is he?" Takashi rumbled.

"Better, he still slips sometimes and calls me James, but like Sensei said he's never going to be completely sane after what he's been through. He's not a parental figure, he's more like the fun uncle who you go to when things get a little hectic, and you need to decompress. We have dinner together every Sunday with the rest of the Blacks. That's how we found the last two horcruxes."

"How?" Takashi's fingers increased the pressure on Harry's scalp causing him to sigh in pleasure.

"Sirius reinstated his cousin Andromeda back in the family once he claimed his lordship," Harry answered drowsily. "She was disowned for marrying a muggleborn. When he went to the bank to add her back to the family vaults he disowned his cousin Bellatrix who was a fanatical Death Eater who tortured Neville's parents into insanity," Takashi's hand stilled in his hair. "Yeah, it's awful. Don't mention it to Neville, naturally, he's very sensitive about it. Anyway, once he disowned her, he was able to annul her marriage because she violated her marriage contract. She was to produce two heirs within the first ten years of her marriage and had not. Because of that he claimed her Black vaults, kept the heirlooms and gave most of the money inside to the Longbottoms and the families of her other victims. We found a horcrux inside during the audit. The next horcrux we found last Sunday inside the Black townhome in London."

Takashi's fingers paused in Harry's hair. "You convinced him to keep the house, when you wrote you said he wanted to torch it?"

Harry opened his eyes, only then he realized that he had them closed. He had only briefly mentioned that in the letters.

"You remember that."

"I remember everything you say Harry."

Shuddering a little in response, Harry bit his lip. "Umm . . . good. That's good." Staring into Takashi's deep, brown eyes, it took Harry awhile to remember what he'd been speaking of. "Umm, yeah. I . . . I finally convinced Sirius to just remodel. He has many bad memories of the place and the townhouse is dreary. Sirius took the remolding idea to heart you should see the plans. He's turning his home into a rainbow colored psychedelic playhouse."

Takashi chuckled and gently pulled at his hair. "And this horcrux was inside the house."

How was a person supposed to think straight around the man?

"Umm, yeah. The house hasn't been lived in for years and was a mess. We were there sorting through what to keep, and what to toss when I found a locket that wouldn't open. Kreature, the Black house elf, tried to attack me when I pocketed the locket. It took a while but we got the story out of him. Sirius brother, who was a death eater, discovered Riddle made a horcrux, stole it, and attempted to destroy it. That's how he lost his life."

"He recovered his honor in the end. Did what was right."

Harry yawned. "Yeah. Tore Sirius up, knowing his brother died trying to fight Voldemort and do the right thing. But we got rid of three horcruxes, four if you include me. The Unspeakables think there are two more out there somewhere. Need . . . to . . . find them," he slurred

"Go to sleep Harry, we'll talk more in the morning."

"Okay," Harry said closing his eyes and snuggling deeper inside Takashi's lap. "Feel good. Missed you."

"I missed you too, Harry," Takashi replied softly, but Harry had already fallen asleep.

Harry yawned so widely his jaw cracked as he climbed out of bed the next morning. Quickly dressing in long sleeved accumulator underwear top and bottoms, Harry pulled on the rest of his clothes before sleepily trudging down two flights of stairs for breakfast. Takashi, his brilliant friend was waiting for him by the stairway when he reached the ground floor. If Mitsukuni and Neville were going to try to separate them again, they'd have a harder time with them walking into the room at the same time.

Harry grinned. "You're brilliant."

Takashi didn't answer but Harry saw his friend's mouth quirk slightly in response. But Harry hadn't counted on the determination of Mitsukuni Haninozuka and his Evil Overlord Powers of Doom.

"Takashi," Mitsukuni called the moment they walked into the room. "Come sit over here."

Harry felt Takashi stiffen slightly at Mitsukuni words but slowly make his way over to his cousin, though he grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him along as well. Harry wondered what type of vow Takashi was under with the Haninozuka family and made a mental note to ask later. Mitsukuni settled a reluctant Takashi at the end of the table and sat in the only seat next to him, while flashing wide, innocent eyes up at Harry.

"You can sit next to me Harry-chan, so we can get to know each other."

Harry rolled his eyes. It was too early in the morning for him to deal with this mess.

"Ceru," he called softly.

The house elf popped in the room and curtseyed. "How may I help you Master Harry."

Harry moved to stand at the head of the table, which was at Takashi's right side. "Can you please place a setting here and get me an Omelette Arnold Bennett with some fruit, pastry, and a strong pot of tea please."

"Of course, Master Harry."

A few moments later, Harry was sitting at the head of the table with his breakfast and a mild energy-boosting potion providing by an observant Ceru. Meanwhile Sensei and the other adults entered the room and took their seats their gazes swinging between him and Mitsukuni with thinly veiled amusement. Knowing Sensei and Haruhisa, they were taking bets.

"You don't want to sit next to me?" Mitsukuni said making his eyes water and his mouth quiver.

"Mitsukuni," Takashi said quietly before Harry could speak, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Enough. You are acting without honor."

Mitsukuni stared at his cousin, eyes blinking in shock before the faux cutesy expression fell from his face. He picked up his fork and ate his breakfast.

"Thank Merlin," Neville piped up from across the table. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you to man up and defend Harry mate. I was about to drag Harry off to the next port key back to England." Neville lifted his coffee mug and saluted Mitsukuni. "Good show though. It might've worked if you would've waited until after Harry had his breakfast or any meal really. You're only mistake is that you don't know Harry well enough. Never get between Harry and food, especially breakfast. He's a right prick before he gets his first meal of the day. The only one who can mess with him before he eats his breakfast and come out alive is his owl Hedwig. I'm surprised you're still breathing, but that just goes to show how much he really likes Takashi."

Satoshi and Yasuchika who were sitting next to Neville snickered and even Harry had a hard time holding back his smile. Neville Longbottom was just awesome, that was all there was to it.

"Granted, I don't get the weird mating dance Harry and Takashi are performing with each other," Neville continued, "but just because they're becoming friends doesn't mean that you're still not important to Takashi so stop acting like a spoiled brat, it's immature, even for someone with your looks."

Mitsukuni's exotic eyes skimmed Neville for several seconds before he bit his lip and nodded. "You're right." He leaned forward and looked at first Takashi then Harry. "Sorry Takashi. Sorry Harry."

Harry shrugged and Takashi reached up to fondly pat Mitsukuni's hair.

Their weekend was much calmer after that, even though they still had a hard time finding private moments to chat, but that was just because the weekend was so jammed packed.

They spent most of their days on the slopes, only gathering together to take a van from the resort to the village to lunch in one of the restaurants before going back. After spending the day on the slopes, they returned to the chalet where they changed and jumped in the spa. That is also where everyone spent time in the pool teaching Harry how to swim. With so many teachers, the instructions were confusing. Harry figured he learned enough to tread water and not drown. After dinner, tired from a long day, everyone lounged about the living room either watching telly, playing games, or just talking. Surprisingly, Neville and Mitsukuni hit it off and became great friends.

Harry also discovered that the four cousins were daredevils, extremely competitive and had death wishes against them. If Harry wanted to survive when they got into competition mode, it was just best to step back and stay out of the way.

Verbier it turned out was famous for its off-piste runs. Unlike most ski resorts where the trails were compacted, marked, and laid out, the majority in Verbier's weren't and the most challenging were backcountry ski runs. The challenging off-piste runs were what made Verbier a popular stop to the most diehard ski and snowboard enthusiasts around the world. While Harry had managed to keep up with the cousins on most of the runs, in fact, he had learned a lot just by watching and copying them, there was one run he didn't attempt.

The most extreme run began at the summit of Mount Fort, and traveled down several couloirs and peaks. Professional skiers and snowboarders jumped off the summit and cliff walls and go flying down steep and narrow couloirs like they were nothing. Some of the couloirs were so narrow a body shouldn't be able to pass through and led to cliffs where they somersaulted in the air and landed jumps more than forty feet in height. When Harry saw them, he desperately wanted to try, especially when he knew the cousins were going. When he made a move to join them in the lift, Sensei and Takashi refused to let him. Which Harry thought was completely uncalled for, because if worse came to worse, he could use his magic to survive. However, the words were barely out of his mouth before Takashi glared him to silence. It didn't help that on the last day, Neville made the trek and navigated the passageway as if he had been skiing since he could walk and was auditioning for a place on the Olympic ski team. Needless to say, Harry was green with envy and pouted the rest of the time they spent on the slope. It didn't help that Neville rubbed it in his face with his backhanded compliment by saying that he was just better at muggle sports while Harry excelled at wizarding ones. That so didn't help and Neville knew it.

Tuesday night, December 23rd was their last night at the chalet. After six nights of being together, it just got harder and harder for Harry to say goodbye to Takashi. Luckily, Takashi made it a point to visit him after everyone settled in for the night and their last night together they decided to try out the cedar hot tub outside his private terrace. It was embarrassing, especially as Harry only wore slim fitting swim trunks instead of the longer trunks Takashi favored. It was hard for them to look at each other's bodies without blushing. Because of all the tension, they found it hard to relax and Harry found himself struggling to find something to talk about like he had when they were first introduced to each other, before he remembered to ask Takashi about his relationship with the Haninozuka family.

"What type of vow does your family have with the Haninonzuka's? It seems different from what Neville's family has with the Potters, more restrictive."

Takashi eased back against the tub and spread his arms out on each side of him to rest on the rim of the hot tub. "Bloodline vow. We can't actively fight or go against a member of the Haninozuka family." Harry nodded familiar with the vow, but it still didn't seem right and his confusion must have shown on his face. "My vow to Mitsukuni is more personal." He shrugs. "We do it when sons are born close together. I made a vow to protect and serve Mitsukuni and be his vassal until he turned eighteen. Satoshi did the same with Yasuchika."

Harry nodded several things that happened over the weekend became clearer and Harry understood better why Takashi acted the way he had. "I just signed the Weasley's to a bloodline vow. It's not as intimate as what my ancestors arranged with the Longbottoms, but because of the life debt they owed me, I had to do something."

"Your friend Ron's family?"

"Yeah. I figure with the vow, I won't have to worry about his sister making calf eyes at me and plotting to make herself Lady Potter any longer."

Takashi's dark eyes softened as he looked at Harry. "I can understand the fascination."

Harry's face heated up. That was the most intimate statement Takashi had made all weekend and Harry's heart filled with hope.

"Will you kiss me Takashi?" Harry asked gathering his courage.

"No," he answered, which caused Harry's face to flush in embarrassment. "I won't be able to let go," he explained quickly before Harry could get worked up. "When I kiss you, I want to know that I can keep you. Can't keep you yet."

Harry frowned. "That sounds like an excuse. If, if you don't want to just say so."

Takashi shook his head and rose from the water walking over to where Harry sat and kneeled between his spread thighs. Harry gasped softly when Takashi cupped his face between his warm palms and stared deep in his eyes.

"You misunderstand."

"It was a yes or no question. Your no was pretty straight forward."

Takashi looked away and it appeared as if he were staring off in space. This lasted for several moments before his gaze traveled back to Harry and he nodded his gaze firm, stance resolved. Takashi's thumbs caressed his mouth and Harry nearly moaned at the look of longing he saw flash in Takashi's eyes before he dropped his hands from Harry's face and the familiar stoic expression appeared, much to Harry's regret.

"All my life I've been taught restraint, to control my emotions so I could have more discipline in life," Takashi begin softly. "I excelled at my studies, Harry especially after the accident that stunted Mitsukuni's maturity. With his emotions so out of whack, it is better for him to have a companion who is his total opposite. It's second nature for me to repress what I'm thinking and feeling. When I do lose control . . . it isn't pretty. It usually happens when I'm angry. Around you it's different, I'm not angry, but . . .." Here Takashi paused and shook his head as if to clear it. "Harry, I feel too much . . . these feelings. It's strong and we are too young . . .. To be truthful, we just aren't ready to explore all that I feel for you. I'm afraid Harry. I don't want to lose control. Don't want to rush things and ruin us. I know you're impatient, but please allow us to go slow."

Harry's racing heart calmed as he stared deep into Takashi's eyes and saw the truth in his words. Takashi was afraid. He also cared. Harry understood. He was afraid as well. It was scary to be so young and feel so much and he wanted Takashi forever, not just for a fling. Harry wondered if a person could be as disappointed and happy at the same time. Was it even possible?

"I'll wait for now," Harry decided then looked at Takashi curiously. "Have you ever been in a relationship? Have you ever kissed someone before?"

"No, need to learn before we—,"

"What?" Harry snapped pushing the taller boy away from him. "Learn from who?"

Takashi stumbled back falling off the step inside the steaming water. Laughing, at being dunked, Takashi rose to his feet, his eyes shining with mirth. It was a beautiful sound that made Harry realize he had never heard Takashi laugh before. The happy, carefree sound had Harry smiling in response, before he remembered he was furious with Takashi. Takashi swiped his hands over his wet face and hair as his eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You're like an angry kitten. Harry love, I meant reading up on it in books, magna."

"Oh," Harry flushed embarrassed at his emotional display. Then he flushed even deeply when he realized what Takashi had called him. Love. "That's acceptable, I suppose. You may proceed."

Takashi laughed again. The sound was beautiful and filled Harry with joy, even if the laughter was at his expense.

Author's Note:

*Happy Monday. My power is back on. I have major psychic abilities as my power went out two hours after I posted the last chapter and stayed off for several days. The fence in my backyard is destroyed and part of the tree in my front yard was cut off, luckily it didn't hit the house. The apartment building around the corner had it's roof ripped off and my neighbor across the street had a tree fall over a car. Unfortunately, it wasn't her car it was her friends car as they had happened to take hers to fix the brakes. Oops.

*Because I haven't did this in awhile, and I see I'm getting more questions about this. Japanese High School is three years unlike in America where it is four. Also, in Japan the school year runs from April to March, not August/September to May/June like in America. So while in America we have 9-12th grade, in Japan they have year 1-3, which is like 10th to 12th grade. In Hogwarts years, I would assume this is year 5 - 7. Right now, Harry would be in year 3 of Hogwarts (or 7th grade). Takashi (Mori) is in Year 3 of middle school (so in American terms he is in the 9th grade). He is not in High School. According to Ouran time line Tamaki is still in France and hasn't even came to Japan yet. If I remember correctly, Tamaki didn't come to Ouran until his Year 3 of Middle School, which would be next year as he is a year younger than Mori (Takashi) and Hunny (Mitsukuni). Also if I remember canon correctly (and correct me if I'm wrong because while I devour the anime -which I am happy to say turned up back on Netflix last week - I only read up to volume 9 of the magna), Mori and Hunny were well liked but loners in school before the Host Club. So while Harry will eventually get to Ouran (in the sequel) as you can see it'll be awhile. Also, I had warned that this would be more Harry Potter than Ouran Host Club, but I hoped I haven't skimped on the Ouran characters that would realistically show up in the story. So sorry, you won't be seeing Tamaki, Haruhi, Kyoya, and the twins until the sequel as they aren't even friends with Mori and Hunny yet.

*Also, as I stated many times, this story is a learning experience for me. To see if I can learn to edit my writing and make it coherent. I know I make mistakes and I don't mind them being pointed out to me because I am all for making myself a better writing, because eventually I would like to do this professionally. So I hope that the writing of the chapters have improved as the story goes on. Some of my favorite reviewers tell me where I screwed up and what I should do to be better. I don't mind that. I do mind people being derogatory and mean about it. And no offense, I still think my grammar and stuff while not perfect is a lot better than some of the stuff that I read and even enjoy in other stories.

*Rambling over. As always, if I owned Ouran High School Host Club or Harry Potter, I think I would actually go to Verbier Switzerland and learn how to snowboard instead of looking up luxury chalets and resorts on the internet and sighing with envy.

Peace.