.--.
Harry sat looking at the busy streets of china town from the bench outside of D's shop. A warm mug of tea was in his hands, the steam rising in front of him. He frowned as his thoughts spun through his mind like a tornado. A god…. He could become a god…. An immortal powerful being. Immortal…. He hated that word. He didn't like the thought of being immortal. To never have it just end. To never have an ending. Life was supposed to consist of a birth and a death. Not just a birth.
He sipped at his tea. While he hated the idea of being immortal he did not mind the god part. Becoming a god would just prove he was above humanity. He would be something more then just a human and he'd always wanted to be something.
He let his magic rise around him. The soft powder snow on his bench swirled slightly and a rush of magic wrapped around Harry keeping him warm, safe, almost loved. His magic caressed against his skin in such a gentle loving manner that Harry found his grip tightening on his mug. The delicate china shattered beneath his fingers, and blood and china shards stained the once white snow. He closed his eyes as his magic wrapped around his hands and softly stitched up the wounds.
He had never loved anything in his life. But his magic, his beautiful magic, was so lovely. It was his and his alone. Like his fire. He looked up again and looked to the darkening sky. He felt his heart skip a beat and realized he'd felt love. It was a warm and beautiful feeling that made a small smile twitch to his lips. He loved his magic, and his fire, and his Hedwig, and his Ne. He paused. Nothing beyond that though. He could not feel love strongly enough to love a person, no matter who they were, but the things and creatures that belonged to him. He loved them.
He shook the foolish thoughts away and stood, snow falling from his clothes. He needed to talk more with D. He didn't know if he had accepted that he would be a god, but he as sure as hell would not flee from this. He would meet it like he did everything in life, with an apathetic look and the distant feeling he carried with him.
.--.
Harry eyed Ne almost curiously. He was tall as humans went and wore long black and maroon clothes that draped over him like robes, covering all of his body. A maroon veil covered the lower half of his dark face. Long black hair flared around his head. He was idly laying on a couch, stretched out and resting his head on a propped up hand.
A tall beautiful woman with pale skin and white hair sat next to him on the back of the couch. The woman wore loose draping robes of white, speckled with black. She had golden eyes and long sharp nails. Her skin was as pale as snow and freckles of black spotted across her nose which was elegantly pointed. Large white and black speckled wings folded neatly behind her.
The woman was just watching him lovingly while Ne eyed him with the same curiosity Harry was looking at him with.
"So you see us as human as D does?" The snake asked, the words perfect English in Harry's ear.
"Yes." Harry answered.
Slowly he stood and walked to stand in front of the couch. He reached out slowly and stroked Hedwig's human cheek. She nuzzled into his hand with a warm smile and made a cooing sound as she kissed his finger in affection.
"Hello Hedwig girl." He said softly.
She cooed again.
"She doesn't speak." Ne said from his seat. "Some creatures don't, even when humans see them in human form. I've personally never heard her say a word. She can communicate with owls perfectly fine, but only understands you because of your human-familiar bond."
"Hn." Harry said as he stroked Hedwig's long white hair as she leaned into him happily.
.--.
"You said I would become a god or Kami." Harry started. "But you did not tell me when or how, or even why."
D smiled at him oddly.
"I must have forgot."
Of course he had.
"When? That's a question I can not truly answer. If you have not noticed you have already gained some of the powers that come with being a god. Complete control over magic, no boundaries to how you use that magic. You have been using magic flawless since year one. Every year you age your power grows. How? That's not really a question that can be answered at all. It just happens. You will know when you have become a god, no worries. Why? Because the power of the universe, magic itself chose you. We gods don't even know why we were chosen to become gods. Fate maybe."
Harry idly wondered if there was a god of fate.
"What are the duties of a god?"
"Nothing really. All you need to do is watch over your subjects, but you don't even have to do that if you don't want to. I look after only the creatures of my pet store, the ones that sometimes become close to extinction, and the few others I come in contacts, not every single creature."
"Hn." Harry said absently, thoughtfully.
.--.
Harry allowed both Maen and Noir to circle him looking for any differences.
"Something has changed." Noir finally said. "But I cannot figure out what it is."
"Nor can I." Maen said with an odd look.
Harry shrugged.
"You will know someday." He responded vaguely. "Someday. For now you must open the gifts I have brought you."
.--.
Harry sat down at the Slytherin table as he walked into the great hall. Christmas holidays were now quite over and all the things that had happened over it where pushed aside for the moment. Harry gave a grinning Blaise a curt nod and picked up a plate of food. Hermione sat on his other side and gave him a fleeting hug.
"Good to see you two. How was you Christmas? I went to the alps with my parents to ski. It was absolutely lovely there." She babbled scooping out her own dish of food.
The rest of the Slytherins along the table didn't even glance at them, learning long ago it brought nothing but Harry's empty stare. Victor Krum did not follow their example though as he sat across from them and offered Hermione a smile, shooting Harry deep searching looks. She immediately started chatting at him. Blaise barely noticed as he was staring at another student at another table. Harry allowed his lips to twitch into his usual smile at the familiarity around him.
Harry caught Luna's smile from the Ravenclaw table and lifted his glass in a cheers gesture.
.--.
"Harry."
Harry looked up at his name and met Blaise's serious face. The teen stood proudly in front of him looking like a true pureblood aristocrat. But his eyes…they showed fear. Fear of rejection, fear of conflicting opinions.
"Yes Blaise?" Harry asked easily.
Hermione watched from her own chair a few feet away.
"I wanted to let you know I'm dating someone."
"Good for you." Harry said idly.
"Harry…." Blaise said again. "When a lord of a house names someone their ward it gives them certain protection as long as the person the name their ward is below them in status. When you called me and Hermione your wards you truly labelled us as your wards as Hermione has no 'status' in the wizarding world, and I am still just a possible heir to the Zabini family. Being a ward means if anyone harms, threatens, or moves against either of us, it's taken to you. You're our line of defence, almost like a second parent. It's the reason Hermione and I haven't been bothered by any of the other students for switching tables and the like. Your reputation also stops it though. But as your 'wards' no one will lift a finger against us unless they wish to threaten you."
Harry blinked slowly. He had not known this. Hmm. Perhaps another visit to the restricted section was needed. Blaise interrupted his thoughts to continue.
"And as your wards we have a certain duties towards you. We must inform you or our important decisions, problems, threats, and anything that will possibly affect you."
Hermione nodded behind him and Harry realized Blaise must have explained this to her long ago. Perhaps this is why they placed so much trust in him and informed him of all their tasks?
"And because of this." Blaise swallowed thickly. "I must inform you that I am dating someone."
Harry nodded.
"This isn't a fling though. We're serious about this. It could last a long period of time." Blaise said. "And that's why I'm going to come out and say bluntly that I'm dating a guy."
For a moment there was silence. Hermione blinked in shock and Harry accurately guessed she had not known this part. Blaise still stood proudly, but the fear in his eyes grew with each moment of silence.
"Ah." Harry said looking back to his book.
"You're gay Blaise?" Hermione asked.
"Bisexual." Blaise said softly. "I don't care what sex a person is. Are you okay with this Harry? If you aren't I will stop my meetings with my lover."
Harry could see how hard it was for the teen to say this. He actually would leave his lover if Harry asked, because in his eyes Harry's approval and opinion mattered more then his love and happiness.
"You may see who you wish. I do not care." Harry said easily.
He paused, thinking of what to say to reassure the boy. He was not used to having to comfort people.
"I am gay also." He finally said.
Blaise's mouth dropped open in surprise along with Hermione's.
"O-oh." He stuttered. "I did not think you liked…well…"
"The male flesh?" Harry asked with a raised brow.
Hermione blushed slightly at his bluntness and gave a small smile. Blaise nodded wordlessly.
"Who is it?" Hermione asked after a moment.
"Cedric Diggory." Blaise said softy.
"Ahhh." Hermione giggled happily.
Blaise blushed at the giggle and looked at Harry from his lashes, looking for approval.
"I already knew."
"What?!" Blaise and Hermione yelped at the same time.
"I saw you and Diggory slip from the Yule ball together. It is the reason Fleur is so incensed with Diggory."
The two stared at him wordlessly. Harry looked to Blaise.
"When are you going to make this public?"
"We were planning to once I got your approval." Blaise said more confidently, his embarrassment and fear vanishing.
"Hmm." Harry said turning back to his book and flipping a page. "I hope you are not afraid of water."
.--.
End of Chapter 37