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"I'm sorry." They said at the same time. And they laughed shyly. Harry clutched his elbow, almost hugging himself "I'm sorry Poppy, especially by how Jerome's sorta dragged you into this, now you've gotta meet my father and-" Harry was suddenly kissing her, and for the first time in their kisses, she seemed more enthusiastic than him. Her fingers tangled into his curly brown hair and she straddled him as he sat on the chair by her desk. He didn't know what to do with his hands, so he kept them firmly planted on the arms of the chair, his neck craning up to keep the kiss going. He could feel her smiling against him, and it made him smile, his eyes fluttered close as he was brought to life by her essence.

"Aw! Harry man!" Came an annoyed groan, Poppy pulled back, and sighed

"Gerbil!" She cried "It's called knocking," She stood, sitting on the desk instead, and Jerome laughed, sitting on her bed. Mara walked in after him, and held Jerome's hands. Poppy laughed "Okay, so everyone's just coming into my room,"

"We've come to help," Jerome clarified, "You're meeting's Harry's father. It's gonna be tough. He's a harsh critic."

"But you're already at an advantage," Harry smiled, taking her hand "You're related to Jerome, and you are very good at science." Jerome shrugged with a smile and Mara slapped his hand. "The only problem would be-"

"The way you act and the way you dress," Mara said quickly, Harry mouthed her a thank you, and she had to stop herself from laughing. "I mean, Mr Osborne is very critical. You'll have to..." she sighed "You'll have to dress like me." Poppy's eyes widened slightly. Now, she loved Mara, but Mara was not exactly the mot fashionable girl out there. Of course, she was still beautiful, but that's because she was beautiful, and she didn't have to dress up for the world to see that. "And you're gonna have to be extra charming and wonderful like you are sometimes."

"Guys, it'll be fine."

"Oh Poppy," Jerome laughed "You don't know Harry's dad." His voice dropped into a whisper "He calls him Harold."

"Shut up Jerome," Harry groaned, his cheeks tinging pink. "Your mum calls you Jerry,"

"Shut up Harold!"

"Jerry!"

"Harold!"

Line Break

"You're calm," Harry whispered, Poppy nodded, and looked around in awe.

"This is...this is a huge mansion. It's...it's beautiful." And it was, designed by a modern architect, but it was very old fashioned. With fire places taller than the average man and huge golden chandeliers that poured light like water. White, cream walls, and room and room with oak doors and solid cold door knobs. Harry took her coat, and hung it into the closet, and shook his head.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered.

Poppy laughed, shaking her head, no other male would find this attractive, but to Harry, it was.

A white silk, collared shirt with flowing black skirt. A fine pearl necklace, with delicate gold spots on her ears. Her hair was in a high ponytail, a part brushed forward and curled, then clipped behind her ear, making her look like the star of some 1980's musical. But to Harry, she was beautiful. He tugged at his white V-necked jumper, adjusting the collar of the white shirt beneath, it make Poppy smile "We match," she laughed into his ear, he rolled his eyes teasingly at her, and held out his arm, and led her to the dining room. She was in awe at the whole house, how could anyone be this rich?

"Father," Harry's voice rang out, clear and smooth, as they stepped into the large dining room. His father was seated at the head of the table, and there were two chairs placed on either side of the table near him, it looked a bit odd. The dining table was so large and rouge, it looked as though it should have at least 50 guests, and she supposed that sometimes it did. "Allow me to introduce my girlfriend, Poppy Clarke,"

Mr Osborne took a long look at her, and he smiled. "Remarkable to meet you my dear," he whispered, kissing her hand and gesturing to their seats. "I'm Mr Osborne."

"I know," she laughed lightly "One of the most successful men in the city."

He laughed heartily and Harry looked down at the expensive food, and took a sip of the wine that had been laid out. He worried that Poppy would react badly to the wine, because in this house hold it was common to have wine with each evening meal. "So, you're brother tells me you're a science whiz?"

Poppy laughed, shooting a nervous glance at Harry "Well, I do plan on continuing with it,"

"How astounding..." he whispered, shaking his head "It must run in Clarke blood, brilliant at science. Who is your father? Perhaps I've heard of it."

"Oh..." Poppy looked down "My father's...he's in prison."

"Oh." Mr Osborne looked up, but his face was not concerned like Harry feared, it was curiosity "What happened?"

"Well..." Poppy set down her knife and fork and clasped her hands "He was a very good scientist, he wanted to find cures but..." she shook her head "Another scientist got it before him. And he was...he was so angry, he decided to...to come up with a new strain of the disease, that the other scientists cure, couldn't help. In doing so, he needed money, and he stole uh...this this, pink gem, but he was caught and sent to prison."

"Greed makes you do terrible things," he whispered, nodding. His eyes lit up again "So, how did you meet my son?"

Poppy couldn't stop her cheeks from staining pick and she wanted to kick Harry for the tiny little smirk he had as he drank from a wine glass. "Well, we met on my first day at Anubis High," she nodded "And uh, I got lost, and he...he was very charming, and very kindly offered to take me to the main reception," Mr Osborne turned to his son and nodded approvingly

"You've got my manners, Harold,"

Harry half smiled, and it was Poppy's turn to smirk. "And then I discovered," Harry continued with the story "That her locker was right beside mine, and it was like destiny." His father beamed

"Well I'm pleased Harold."

The rest of the dinner seemed to fly swimmingly, Mr Osborne liked Poppy, the same amount he liked Jerome. And Poppy acted perfectly. After Dinner, Mr Osborne insisted that Harry take her on a full tour of the house. Which Harry had agreed to easily, and now they were on the fourth floor, walking down a royal blue carpeted hallway. "You were amazing, Poppy," he whispered, holding her hand gently. She laughed, brushing her fringe back.

"He just wants the best for you. I'd rather have a father like that, than mine,"

"Here's the balcony," he stopped at two class doors, and opened them, the cold wind engulfed them, and Harry led her out under the stars. "Nice isn't it?" He smiled, his green eyes buzzing excitedly, he stuffed his hands in his pockets, and watched Poppy move across the marble, and look down and gasp. "It's pretty high," he smiled "I think my this was my mums design." He moved to lean on the white, flower patterned ridge, crossing his arms, his brown hair tousled out behind him.

"Jerome says you have a bad relationship with your dad," she whispered, turning to him, her blue eyes sparkled just as much as his green ones did, and she looked so beautiful. Harry sighed "Sorry, you should know, Jerome is quite poor at keeping secrets,"

"I know," he chuckled slightly. "We just...my dad really wants me to run his business when he retires. But I have no interest in supplying and creating new technology for the military. I like maths."

"You'd be good at it," she half shrugged "It would run in your blood, and it would make him proud," she shivered slightly "Sometimes it's easier to do just do what they want." She lifted her hand, sliding closer to Harry and traced down his jaw line, up to trace around his slightly parted lips. "Jerome found out...about us, from reading my diary," Harry's mouth upturned slightly, but he said nothing. Poppy groaned. "Aren't you gonna make fun of me? For keeping a diary?"

"No," he whispered, capturing her hand and pressing it against his cheek "But I might make fun of you for writing about me," she laughed "What did you write? That I stole your heart-"

"Shut up," she murmured, as he wrapped his arms around her. He pressed his lips to hers, and felt red rush to his cheeks when she parted her lips, and held the back of his neck, keeping him close to her.

Mr Osborne watched from a spire, in the top west wing of the mansion. "You see that girl, Bertrum?" he asked. The Butler nodded "I like her. I do not want Harry to ruin it. Do whatever you can. Keep her here, give her whatever she wishes. Don't let Harry be a fool."

"I-If I may sir," the old man said, bowing slightly "He seems to be doing very well on his own. In fact, he reminds me of you, when you were a young boy, and you were wooing Mrs Osborne." Mr Osborne looked ghostly for a few moments, sadness etched into each wrinkle on his face

"How long have you known me, Bertrum?"

"I've been a butler for your family from the day of your birth. I've been with you everyday of your life, Mr Osborne, Sir."

"And of Harold's too. Tell me," he motioned to the window again, where the young couple were laughing at some unheard joke "When you see Harold...does he look like he'll be fine? That he'll continue my business? Have a son and keep it going? I mean..." he sighed "He's not as good as science as I'd like, and I'd never tell him, but he's a smart boy. He can do maths, very well. Sometimes, better than myself. And if we can get Jerome and Poppy to work with him, I have no doubt that my business will rise. But what about you? What do you see?"

"He's just like you sir," came the reply of a very old man "He works hard, and he tries his best. He's very, very kind. But he does not seem to be the natural leader you like. More like his mother, Sir, if you ask me."

"Yes," Mr Osborne smiled slightly "But he can be in charge. He just needs something to push him over the edge. Like me...it took Susan's death, that pushed me over the edge. I became very controlling then, do you remember?" Betrum nodded "One day, Harry will experience death, everyone does, and he'll become more controlling, he'll be stronger for it. Because he has my blood, and I raised him."

"Of course Sir," Bertrum bowed "Should I arrange a limo to take Poppy home?"

Mr Osborne beamed "Brilliant idea Betrum." He waited a few seconds "Well spit spot about it!"

The old man smiled fondly, and headed slowly downstairs.

Review?

LORNA! You better not be dead girl, I love you way to much for stuff like that to be happening!

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