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The meeting with the Clan when about as well as Harry feared. Goliath had brought him to the clock tower after he made sure that he was decent. He arrived and merely waited patiently as Goliath introduced him to everyone. Don't get him wrong they were friendly enough. Hudson was very warm; Broadway and Lexington had endless questions for him. It took Brooklyn awhile to talk but when he saw Bronx fearlessly licking away at Harry he decided that he couldn't be that bad. No…They weren't the problem.
It was Elisa.
It seemed that he was perpetually doomed to get on the wrong side of authority. He often wondered if it was because they could sense somehow that he was once one of them. Hot headed, noble, full of useless ethics and ideals. They could sense that he had jumped ship and resented him for it he was sure. She had stood off to the side and watched him with a slightly curled lip and suspicious dark eyes as he smoked on his cigarette. He wondered if it could be possible she might just keep her opinions to herself. No such luck.
"Goliath…" Her tone of voice indicated that whatever she wants to say is private and the arm on Goliath's dark stone colored skin spoke of assured intimacy. She had no idea. He shook his head and continued to smoke.
Hudson had joined him once the younger gargoyles went out to get their last hours of freedom in before dawn. He liked Hudson and he could tell by the way the old gargoyle was eyeing his cigarette that he was not unfamiliar with the habit. Harry smirked and offered kindly "If you want I could bring you some cigars…I know a place that sells only the best."
A new light of interest entered Hudson's good eye and he could tell that his interest was piqued. "Aye that's a lad. Helpin' an old man out with his comforts."
The accent brought Harry back in time for a moment. Harry smiled and nodded, he would be sure to bring the gargoyle plenty. They settled in as Harry idly watched the shadows of Goliath and Elisa. The cop was gesturing wildly with her arms up in the air and a stance that spoke of authoritative defiance. Whatever she was saying apparently wasn't having much effect on Goliath; he remained staring down at her impassive with his arms crossed.
Hudson noticed his interested and commented "Ach dun't worry about it lad. Elisa's protected us for a long time. It will take her awhile to get used to the idea. The other humans who know of us dun't always have good intentions." He laughed somewhat darkly to himself.
Harry arched a brow and shrugged as he said causally "Then she should be glad that I'm not a human. I have no interest in rousing outside attention. It would only bring more trouble for me."
That definitely caught the older one's attention but Hudson let it go. Smart one. He could probably tell that Harry was itching for a fight and wasn't in the mood to give it to him. Harry knew that he should be relieved that whatever Elisa was saying never swayed Goliath's stance a fraction. Still he was irritated. If what she was saying didn't change anything why was he still listening to her? The way she acted around him seemed almost…territorial…as if she had a bloody right to Goliath. Eyeing the sky Harry realized that dawn was approaching and that would mean if he didn't leave now he ran the risk of being left alone with Elisa. Time to go. He smiled honestly at Hudson "I'll be sure to bring you the cigars next time…Tell Goliath that something came up will you?"
The older gargoyle seemed to understand and nodded his head "See tha' you do lad. I'll be lookin' forward to a good smoke."
And with that, Harry proved to Hudson that he was not a human as he closed his eyes and vanished. Apparition was so useful.
Unable to listen to any more of Elisa's words Goliath held up a hand "Elisa….I understand your concern but I have known Harry for some time. I have introduced him to the clan because it is my choice. If you speak to him you will see."
Elisa still looked doubtful but she could tell that she wasn't going to win this argument "I know big guy. I just don't want him to turn out to be another Xanatos. So let me worry okay? I'll get to know him and I'm sure it'll all work out." Her usually quite voice was slightly strained and Goliath knew that this was hard on her. The more people that knew about them the larger the threat pool was.
He smiled and bowed his head "I am sure it will. Now there are only a few more hours left until sunrise. We can pass the time putting your fears to rest." Goliath tried not to look too eager as he went outside to see Harry.
To his surprise Hudson was alone, staring off at the moon with an almost…wistful expression on his face. Goliath looked around but Harry was nowhere to be seen. A deep breath told him that Harry had been smoking here not too long ago. Why had he left? Turning to Hudson he voiced the question out loud "Where did Harry go?"
The older gargoyle seemed startled out of whatever thoughts were occupying him and he stared at Goliath for a moment as he stroked his beard "The lad said he had to go… No use tryin' to stop someone when they want to leave." With that he returned to staring at the moon unaware of the importance in the advice he had just given Goliath.
Goliath growled lowly. Harry wouldn't try to leave again, he had wanted to meet the Clan and so he had brought him. He would find Harry tomorrow night and see what he had done to upset him. He turned to Elisa and was surprised to find that she had a very thoughtful look on her face. She looked up at him and narrowed her eyes "Goliath…you would tell me if you had something serious going on wouldn't you big guy?"
Startled Goliath wondered how she could possibly know. It must be a woman's knowledge. He did his best to give her a reassuring smile. "You are important to me Elisa. Never doubt that." He hoped that would be enough for now. He was still uncertain exactly how things stood between Harry and himself at the moment.
On the other side of the city Harry leaned back in an alley. A glance at his watch told him that it was long past time for any hope of catching a train. Any train. He had gone back and reclaimed his bag that Goliath had caused him to drop. The weight of it felt more like a burden than ever before. He should have left. He had thought things could change. That the doubts inside of him could go away at last. At first it was because he was Goliath's dirty little secret. Then it was that Goliath hadn't introduced him to his clan. Now it was that Goliath would listen to someone who obviously didn't trust him even if it didn't change his opinion. Really weren't true lovers supposed to defend their beloveds?
He should have known that he wasn't cut out for this romantic crap. It was just so obvious with all his other failed relationships that he and people in general weren't meant to stay in contact for long. He itched for another cigarette and remembered that he had to get Hudson his cigars. Damnit. Now he would have to find a way to give Hudson his gift and leave without being caught by Goliath. It appeared that no matter how reasonable he tried to be when he was around Goliath his logic didn't work properly.
He was walking down the street when he realized he was being followed. The hair on the back of his neck stiffened and all his senses were on alert. He felt his fingers instinctively twitch for his wand, even though he would not need it. He could tell that whoever was following him was magical…but there didn't seem to be any feelings of threat. Interesting…
Pausing at a corner he looked down to the figure. They had kept moving, good so they hadn't been trying to avoid detection. He watched them warily until he realized the form that was taking shape. His eye brow rose in interest as he dearly wished for a cigarette to deal with this meeting. "Draco?"
The blonde came into the light from the street lamp and smirked "Of course Potter, who else would follow your arse across the pond?"
The Malfoy Heir was looking good as usual; His impeccable blonde hair was effortlessly styled in the casual way American muggles seemed to favor. He wore a black leather coat over a dress shirt, slacks, and shoes. No matter what world or country it seemed that Malfoy would never settle for being less than the best.
Harry shook his head how did Draco manage to sound concerned and condescending at the same time? It must be a gift. He smiled and shrugged "Apparently no one else…I didn't really make it a secret that I was leaving England and had no intention of returning."
The blond continued to look at him impassively as he handed him a cigarette without even asking. Strangely he was reminding Harry of another blond he had met over here. Maybe that's what had drawn him to Owen in the first place. "Of course you didn't Potter you're incapable of doing anything with any amount of subtlety. I came after you because I was worried you bloody idiot. One does not finish a war, become Master of Death, be hailed a Hero and then just leave."
It was Harry's turn to look impassive "No I suppose most people wouldn't…but then when I have I ever followed the standard?" He gave Draco a smirk as he lit the cigarette; he had to admit it was good to see him again.
Draco continued to stare for a moment before relaxing and smiling back "Well I suppose there are worse places to spend a holiday…" He looked disdainfully around the alleyways as he finished "Though I'm hard pressed to think of any at the moment."
Shaking his head Harry closed his eyes and inhaled for a moment. This was nice. It was familiar and things suddenly felt simpler. He wasn't planning on going back to England or the Wizarding World over there. But talking with Draco was easy, there was no tension, no secrets. The knowing look in the blonde's eyes told him that he was having similar thoughts.
"So Potter…have you found anyone here worth shagging?" Judging by the tone of Draco's voice he had already formed his opinion on that. But the walk was pleasant as they moved away from the alley and Harry smiled softly to himself.
Draco knew that look. It was a strange mixture of amusement and sadness. So Harry had met someone. He had to admit he was relieved. They might have their flings together but they didn't have what it took to go the distance. He would be interested in someone who was keeping Harry company. But from the sadness…almost weariness it wasn't going well. So he'd have to meet him and then kick the man's arse for putting that look on Harry's face.
Deciding to evade for now Harry looked up at the brightening sky. "Let's go back to my place, I bet we can both use some rest." Draco looked as though he would push for a minute but then seemed to think better of it. It was a good call. Harry pretended to ignore the sound of wings fading into the distance.
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