Chapter Six: In The Face of Love, We Crumble
The Epilogue, Ten Years On
This is the end, goodbye my sweeties. Goodbye Nathanael, Orpheus and Elliot, I love you little people inside my head. –Breaks down sobbing-
Joking, I might write odd bits for this world. Like how Orrie and Elliot met or perhaps some Harry and his apprentices. Whatever it might be they will be posted later.
Warnings and disclaimer: I own nothing and please do be aware of the fluff. So much fluff in this chapter. It's almost a waterfall of fluff and sweetness.
Ages in this chapter are as follows- Harry: 39 Orrie: 36 Elliot: 47 Nathanael: 19
}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{
Ten Years Later (2019):
A lot more had happen in the nineteen years since Nathanael's birth than Harry could ever have expected. He'd fallen in love with two amazing wizards, kissed and fought with them over silliest things, meanwhile his clinic had grown and he had taught three incredible apprentices but best of all he had watched his son grow into a better man than himself.
Harry had indeed fulfilled the vow he'd made in the hospital all those years ago: his son had had everything Harry had lost living most of his childhood at the Dursleys and Harry doubted that anyone could have been prouder of their child than he was of Nathanael.
Nathanael was now nineteen years old and after doing fantastically at Hogwarts had gone on and followed his father's footsteps in the hope that he'd get to join his father at the clinic. It made Harry hope, somewhat childishly, that it would be the family business for years to come. Nathanael had done better at school than his father had, he'd worked hard to get the best marks he could and after he had passed his OWLS he had started to study long distance for his college degree in animal care and husbandry while still at Hogwarts readying for his NEWTS so than when he'd passed both with flying colours he'd been able to go straight to university.
The pride in Harry for his son was reflected in the eyes of Harry's lovers and Nathanael's step-fathers. Both Orpheus and Elliot had been there for the young man every step of the way, they'd laughed at his birthday parties, cried at his graduation and they had been so good to Nathanael that Harry never, ever regretted falling in love with the both of them.
Sure there had been times were Harry had tried to work through night to get away from home because he didn't want to fight but those nights had always ended with either of his lovers storming into the clinic to drag him home for a rather passionate apology.
Elliot had quit his job as a lawyer and had joined the clinic to take over the administration and business side of things about a year after Harry had joined the relationship. At first Harry had felt guilty and it had taken a good long chat to set him straight enough for him to see the benefits of Elliot taking over duties that he himself had never been very good at.
After that they'd all had more time together and the business had grown under Elliot's careful management; in fact they would be opening a second clinic to be run by Harry's first apprentice, muggleborn Sophia Dellenwood, who had studied at university and with him at the clinic. She had impressed Harry with her passion for animals during her interview and he had had guided her through college and university to the point she was ready to stand on her own two feet. He had taken her on about two years after opening the clinic, just after Nathanael had gone to Hogwarts and she had been working will him full time for around a year.
Harry would be opening the new Clinic in Wizarding Glasgow in a few months and while he would head the practice for the first few months after that it would up to Sophia to keep the place together. Harry wasn't worried, she was amazing at what she did and if she needed help he'd be only a floo call away.
Sophia would also be joined by Harry's second apprentice, who Harry had taken on only a year after Sophia, after a few more months of work experience at the main London clinic. Levi Newton-Holt didn't have a gender; Levi had been hit by a curse that had been aimed at his mother during the war that was supposed to stop a witch ever getting pregnant but as Levi had been a little boy it had simply, yet painfully, ripped away all physical signs of gender and so Levi had been home schooled. Levi hadn't had a natural puberty, potions had caused a child body to grow to adult size and strength but Levi would never grow real body hair, the voice would always stay childlike and no hormones meant that would never feel any sexual or romantic desire.
Harry and Orrie had at first been horrified and had pitied Levi but the inner strength and the determination to be the best Levi possibly could be had led to Orrie taking the orphan under his wing.
Harry hadn't been the only one in the clinic to take on an apprentice, both Charlie and Draco had taken on one each: in fact they were twins from Ireland, Tristan and Aisling Murphy. Tristan and Aisling had studied at an Irish private wizarding school for wizarding Catholics (Harry wasn't sure how that worked but there was much he didn't know about the wizarding world still after all these years) and Tristan had a knack for potions and their development while Aisling was the adventurous one, she had moved to Wales from Ireland for their Dragon reserve but joined the clinic to be with her brother a few months later.
They would be moving up to the new Clinic with Sophia and Harry was so proud of all his little business had achieved in only a few years of being open.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
One thing Harry had gotten used to during the last ten years with his lovers was their need to wine and dine for every celebration. It didn't matter if it was a birthday, anniversary or just to spend time with friends and family eating good food and enjoying the moment.
There hadn't been much of a reason for their most recently planned dinner until Nathanael had asked if a couple of friends could join them at the restaurant. It was February so he didn't have any exams and Harry was happy to meet his son's friends. His letter had also said they he had something to tell his father and step-fathers how he'd he would rather do it in person.
Now the last time he'd wanted to have a sit down talk with any of them had been on his thirteenth birthday where he'd nervously blurred out that he didn't think he was gay. Harry, Orrie and Elliot had stared at the blushing teen for a moment before they'd all burst out in laughter.
Nathanael had become redder and more upset till the point Harry thought it would be best to explain that they had known that their son hadn't followed his father's footsteps when it came to his sexuality and that not only did they not care but they were also happy that he felt he could talk to them about the important teenage things.
Harry wondered if the friend Nathanael was bringing could be a girlfriend instead. His poor baby had had trouble dating at Hogwarts, the girls had either wanted him because he was Harry's son or he felt that they hadn't been right for him. Nat had even tried dating Hermione's daughter, Rose, but they quickly found that they were both too relaxed for a fire to burn.
Harry knew that when his son was ready to date that the young woman would have to be smart, fiery and she would have to push and challenge Nathanael till he'd break and fall at her feet. Nat may be the type to do anything for others but Harry knew that his son wasn't a leader and he was secretly glad for that.
Dressing for the dinner out Harry felt all of his thirty-nine years; he'd even started to grey at his temples from stress and his once slimly toned body had become slightly chubby in places. His skin winkled with laugh-lines and his eye-sight had worsened after years of long nights working on sick animals with very little light.
But Harry had to admit that his sex life was still fantastic, even after ten years of being together. He had found that he enjoyed it when it was the three of them, when it was just him and Elliot or him and Orrie and he had found that he partially enjoyed watching his lovers enjoy each-others bodies. In fact he was sure that there had been many a time that they had set it up so he'd come home to find them entwined in cardinal bliss.
Harry shook the memory of their most recent act of lovemaking out of his mind, knowing that getting distracted now wouldn't be the best idea when they had to leave in less than 30 minutes.
"Harry, are you ready yet love? It's coming out to twenty to the hour and the table is booked for seven…" Harry turned to see Elliot, dressed in his favourite red robes, leaning against the door frame, looking far too handsome than he had the right to.
Harry nodded and without speaking he crossed the room to wrap his arms round the older wizards and pressed his lips gently against Elliot's before pulling back and cuddling into the broad chest.
"I love you and I love Orrie… I'm so lucky." He mumbled into solid muscle.
Elliot chuckled, "We know you do love, you tell us every day and don't you dare think you are the only lucky one in this relationship."
Harry laughed in return, "Never!" He kissed Elliot's clothed chest and walked away, knowing he would follow.
Orrie was waiting for them in the kitchen of what had once been only Harry and Nathanael's home but now was complete. Harry had built a small add on the ground floor to be Elliot's office and had done what he'd promised and turned the attic space into a three room suite for his son to have his own space.
In fact they all had a room for themselves: Elliot his office, Nathanael his attic rooms and Orrie and Harry had taken over the two smaller bedrooms. Orrie had turned his into an art studio and Harry had his own office come library in Nathanael's old bedroom. Of course they had the master bedroom left for the three of them to sleep in.
Harry laid a kiss against Orrie's lips and he ran his hands over the wizard dressed in a fetching light blue robe. Harry's own robes were black and Harry knew that his lovers loved him in black. Black silks and laces, He thought for a moment before remembering that they did indeed have somewhere to be.
"Love you." He purred anyway.
Orrie rolled his eyes, "Save it for after dinner lover boy, we have somewhere to be."
Harry was tempted to pout but knew it would get him nowhere and make him look like a five year old who didn't get their own way. Pouting only every worked in the bedroom and then only if they were already worked up with lust and desire.
Orrie smiled at him, knowing what Harry was thinking as always. "Come on Harry, Nat will already be there by now and you know how annoyed he gets when he thinks we are late because we have been messing around…" he chuckled and Harry laughed along with him, knowing it was very true.
"Alright I give in! Let's get a move on and we might just be on time for once."
Elliot was waiting for them by the floo; they'd floo from home to the local apparation point where they would Apparate to the muggle restaurant as they always did.
It didn't take long to get to the restaurant, a small family run Greek place, called Achilles Heel. The name was very true; the food was amazing and had the three of them returning again and again. It would be Nathanael's first time at the restaurant but Nathanael was a little piggy when it came to food and he ate almost anything.
Speaking of his son Harry spotted the young man waiting outside the restaurant with two beautiful young women, one short and beautifully curvy with waves of blonde hair and the other taller than his quite tall son with a stunning androgynous body and the hair was a shock of short purple.
From the moment Harry turned the corner and saw his son Harry come tell that Nathanael was in love and while the young man hadn't followed his father's sexually, had did seem to have found multiple lovers like Harry had.
His son waved and when they were close enough they embraced tightly. Both Elliot and Orrie gave Nat hugs before Harry turned to look at the awkwardly waiting young women. "Well Nat are you going to introduce us or are we supposed to guess their names?" Harry laughed as his son flushed red.
"Sorry dad, anyway this is Eleanor Leyland," He said pointing at the curvy blonde, "She's a muggleborn who was in Ravenclaw and is now studying at the same university as me and this is River Jernigan, a Welsh pureblood whose family run the creature shelter I volunteer at." They both waved and smiled at the introduction.
"Ladies this is my dad, Harry Potter, his partners and my kinda step-fathers, Elliot Bode and Orpheus Lovegood but call him Orrie please!"
River stepped forward to shake Harry's hand first, "Pleasure to meet you Mr Potter. I must say that you are a true inspiration to those who care for animals in the magical community." Her voice was soft and very Welsh, the words slow and careful.
Harry smiled at her as Eleanor stepped forward to take her place, "Thank you Miss Jernigan, Miss Leyland, it's a pleasure to meet my son's friends." Harry caught the blush on Eleanor's face and he smiled slyly, he knew they were trying to hide something from him.
"Thank you Mr Potter, Nathanael talks about you all the time and we've, I've, been waiting to meet you for a while." Eleanor said, grinning at River and for a moment Harry saw the fire in their eyes and he knew why his son had fallen for these beautiful women.
Just as Harry was about to mention that his son had yet to tell Harry anything about them but he found himself being pushed through the doors by one of his lovers and soon they found themselves sitting at their table chatting about Greek food and the restaurant itself as they looked over the menus.
When it came time to order Harry found it surprising how well the two girls had melted into the conversation and how much they had in common with Harry's son and lovers and Harry himself. Orrie and River even order the same meal, Vegetarian Moussaka while Harry order the beef Moussaka and Elliot also ordered beef in the form of Stifado. Eleanor went for the Feta and Lentil salad and after taking the longest to decide Nat asked the politely waiting waitress if he could have the Lamb Kleftiko.
Once their food arrived there was almost silence as they enjoyed the delicious food but no words were needed to see the growing relationship between Nathanael, River and Eleanor. The way Nathanael's eyes glanced towards them every so often to make sure they were alright and Harry saw both girls rub Nathanael's shoulders whenever he seemed to tense-up.
It made Harry both delighted and sad to see his son interact like that: Delighted because it meant his son had found people that understood him and that he could relax with but it also made him sad, sad because his son was worried to tell him that he'd found these amazing women.
Harry couldn't understand why his would worry about telling him anything; Harry had always thought that he'd raised his son with an open mind and an open heart. He'd set clear boundaries but had never stopped Nathanael following his dreams.
But then again his son had, for some reason, been worried about telling his father that he didn't find other boys attractive. Maybe it was just a part of being someone's child, a part of having parents that you have to make proud, to be worried about what they think.
Harry knew that he would simply have to dig in and get the truth out of his son before he could reassure Nat that it was all alright and that he should stop being silly.
The question was how to get his son alone?
/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\
The answer came to Harry just after he'd paid for the dinner after a sharp word to his protesting son and after they had walked out of the door Harry turned to the group with a bright smile on his face.
"So there is a lovely park just round the corner and I suggest we walk off that lovely food while we look at the roses and fountains." He smiled brightly as his lovers gave him questioning looks, knowing that they'd started something before they'd left and that Harry had been keen to finish it.
Harry just winked at them and smiled as his son watched in horror. His father had done this before when he wanted to question him and Nat had to hope that this time his father would take notice of his pleading looks.
No such luck as Harry grabbed Nathanael's arm and lead his nervous son towards the park, grinning all the way. Behind them Harry heard his lovers politely offer to show the women the way and Harry heard a faint giggle but was too far forward to turn and see why.
Harry hoped his lovers had understood his plans to talk to Nathanael on his own because even though during their relationship Harry had tried his hardest to include them in everything to do with raising Nathanael, Harry knew that his son would react better to questioning if it was only him.
As Harry had been in this park before he knew that behind one of the larger fountains was a small covered bench that he and his lovers had spent more than a few hours snogging on. Now Harry wasn't going to tell his son that and freak him out before they'd even started talking.
They took a seat and for a moment they just sat and stared into the flowing water. The night was almost silent and from the corner of his eye Harry watched his son take deep breaths.
"So I'm guessing they aren't just your 'friends'?" Harry said bluntly.
His son sighed, "I should have known you'd see it dad, you see everything."
Harry laughed, "Nah, I don't see everything. I didn't see what was right in front of my eyes of so long I'm surprised Orrie and Elliot stuck with me. But what I do see is everything to do with you, like you not liking guys and like I knew you were hiding something… And then when I turned that corner this evening I knew you had found love." He wrapped an arm around Nathanael's shoulders; his son was taller than him and it made the hug slightly difficult but Harry was used to it. "But I don't understand why you didn't tell me?"
Nat shuddered and Harry tightened the hug, "I'm sorry dad, I don't really understand why myself. I guess I didn't want you to think that I was too young to fall in love or that I've got too much going on to think about relationships as well." He paused for a moment, "I guess I also didn't want you thinking I was using them. You taught me to respect everyone and that women and men are human first and I should be a gentleman but not treat women like they are going to break. I love them dad but I know others will see me as greedy and a pig for dating two women."
Harry understood what his son was saying completely, Harry dating two men had caused a media storm even after all those years. It had soon died but if it had been two women then there would have be talk than he was using them and that they were under his control because even in the wizarding world women still face doubts on their ability to control their own sexuality, which is of course nonsense.
"I understand but it doesn't mean I'm happy you felt the need to hide it from me" he laughed, "But now I'm curious, how did you end up dating two such beautiful but different women?" he asked and his son chuckled.
"It's a funny story," Nathanael started, "Now I know everyone says that but it really is."
"Trust me love, with us Potter's we can only fall in love under odd circumstances. Just look at Grandfather James and Grandmother Lily, she hated him for so long and then they fell in love." He felt a flash of sadness at the thought of his parents.
Nathanael nodded, "Yeah and you and my papas." Papa was what he had taken to calling Orrie and Elliot when he was feeling upset and so Harry turned and patted his sons arm.
"Why don't you tell me a little bit of your own Potter love story?" Harry asked and his son nodded.
"It started with a couple of normal dates and a couple of cunning tricksters …"
Flashback (September) in Nathanael's point of view-
Nathanael had seen her in his basics class which the university ran for all wizarding students and he'd seen her in the university café a few times and he thought she was beautiful. Her long, ringlet blonde hair and soft plump body made him hot more than any girl at Hogwarts ever had. He liked her cute glasses and he could tell she was smart.
But he didn't have the nerve to ask her out or even speak to her so it took weeks of watching for them to exchange their first words.
It was a warm Sunday afternoon in the library and Nathanael had just flooed back from his dad's house to finish a paper due to for his animal osteology class. He'd taken a seat at an empty table and had started listening to music; it was half way through Hurricane by 30 Seconds to Mars when he felt the tap on his shoulder.
He turned to find light blue eyes smiling at him through glasses and he stared at his crush.
"So I'm guessing you didn't hear me," she chuckled softly as he shook his head, "I asked if I could take a seat."
He couldn't speak so he only nodded and she smiled again as she took a seat across from him. "I'm Eleanor Leyland and I'm studying architecture and engineering. What about you?" she held out her hand to shake.
He gulped, "I'm Nathanael Potter but please call me Nat and I'm studying Veterinary science and medicine." Her skin was soft and warm and Nat didn't want to let go.
"We were in the same year at Hogwarts I believe, I was a Ravenclaw and you a Gryffindor right?" he nodded, "and your dad runs that animal clinic right? I guess that would why you are studying to be a vet too."
"Yeah, I've grown up with animals and I love helping them." He smiled slightly, "but architecture and engineering sound far more impressive. I'm guessing you have big plans for yourself after you graduate?" he asked softly, as if he was going to scare her away if he spoke too loudly or too harshly.
"Yes, I want to apply muggle understanding to magical buildings to see if I can improve them. You know that wizarding architecture hasn't evolved since about 1700 hundred or so. I want to use glass and metal to make buildings that looks as magical as they are." Nat knew that he should think more about what she was saying but all he could think about was how beautiful she looked when she got lost talking about something she loved.
"You must be pretty smart but I guess once a Ravenclaw…" he said amused.
"Always a Ravenclaw!" she finished with a laugh which he joined.
They talked for another hour before parting ways and after that they met at least once every few days in the library until Nathanael got the courage to ask her out three weeks after they had first met.
"So I've been thinking," he said slowly and Eleanor looked up from her design for whatever magical building she'd thought up this time and she looked at him, head tilted in mild concern.
"Yes?" the blonde woman prompted when he didn't continue.
Nat flushed but manged to stutter out, "Well I know we haven't known each other long but would you like to go on a date?" he said almost too fast for her to keep up with.
She looked at him blankly, "Finally you asked! I was going to give it another week and then I was going to ask you. My answer is yes but I don't like spicy food so we'd have to go somewhere they serve a bit of everything. Maybe a Thai place?"
"Muggle or magical?" he asked in shock.
Eleanor thought for a moment, "Either is good."
Nathanael nodded, "Well I know a great muggle Thai restaurant not far from the train station on Barking Road… How does that sound? We could meet at the station and walk to the restaurant in only a few minutes?" He smiled shyly.
She grinned and nodded excitedly, "Sounds great, when? I'm free most evenings after I hand this paper in on Friday…"
"Is this Saturday any good then? Sixish?"
"Yeah I reckon I can do that." The blonde stood and gathered her things before walking round the table to stand over him. "See you at the station at six pm on Saturday then." She kisses his cheek and walked away.
Nathanael was glad she didn't turn back or she would have seen him holding his hand to where she had kissed like so love sick puppy.
Four days later and it was the night of the date. A date that Nathanael was very nervous for, he was worried he'd say something to make him look a fool or than Eleanor would be disgusted by how deep his crush for her went.
The apparation point wasn't far from the station and when Nathanael caught sight of Eleanor he lost his breath at how beautiful she was. Her green dress hugged her generous figure and Nat had to think calm thoughts as his eyes glanced down at the tempting hint of her breasts that peeked out of the top of her dress.
"Hiya Nat! How are you? Sorry I wasn't in the library yesterday, I was with a friend but the good news is I might have found a place for you to volunteer like you were looking for. Come on I'll tell you as we eat." She linked her arms with his and dragged him towards the Thai Silver Palace.
The evening was amazing, the food was great and the conversation was enchanting, Nathanael wondered if this is how his father had felt when he'd first met Orrie and Elliot.
It wasn't love yet but Nathanael felt it could be soon.
"So yeah I was talking to a Hogwarts friend of mine, there's a magical creature shelter looking for volunteers in North London. I have their address if you want it?" Eleanor said as they finished the dessert.
He nodded, "That would be great, thanks. I had wanted to volunteer somewhere magical but doubted I'd find somewhere so I really am very grateful." He smiled and took her hand. "I've had a great evening, I was wondering if I could have your number and maybe we could do this again?" he blushed.
She smiled brightly and her eyes shined, "Oh sure, I'll write my number on the back of the shelter address and I've really enjoyed myself too so I'd love to see you again, on another date I mean." She got out a piece of paper and she added a long number on the back of the scrap of paper and passed it to him. "That's my mobile number, text me when you want to meet again."
They both stood and hugged gently. Feeling brave Nat kissed Eleanor on the cheek and blushed as she kissed him on the corner on his mouth causing him to lose his breath.
They had shared payment and then walked towards the door together. Outside they turned and hugged again.
"I'll catch a taxi by the station so I'll see you later." Eleanor smiled almost slyly and it made Nathanael slightly nervous.
"Yeah, see you." He said and watched her walk away, sure than this was the beginning of the rest of his life.
{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}
But the number she had given him failed to ring and she didn't turn up in the library, or at least not the same time as him again. Nathanael was at first upset and then angry and then annoyed; if she hadn't enjoyed the date they she should have just said and they could have stayed friends.
It made him depressed but at least he had found a place to volunteer. Last Charm Animal Shelter was a large building that had once been a muggle pub; it was run by a branch of a Welsh pureblood's the Jernigan family. The father Rocky was tall and calm and the oldest son, Matthew, was smart and great with the more exotic creatures. But it was the daughter that held Nathanael's attention the most.
She was called River and she was older than Nat by about three years and she was beautiful but the opposite of Eleanor. Where Eleanor had been blond and full figured, River was blue haired and androgynous in body and face, her lines sharp and spicy.
It made Nathanael very confused.
He had thought that Eleanor was everything he had wanted but here was an equally amazing and beautiful woman that he could chat to about animals and magic and anything.
He didn't want to forget Eleanor but if she wanted to forget him then what was he expected to do when River asked him on a date a few weeks after he'd joined the shelter? Tell her he was pining after someone who didn't want him back?
No, he couldn't so he had said yes but then he had to groan when River offered the same Thai place he had taken Eleanor. He had gritted his teeth and smiled before agreeing.
On the date night they had met outside the restaurant and River had looked glorious in smart trousers and a strappy red top that barely covered her thin shoulders and the left the whole of her back open to the air.
They had sat down for their meal and oddly enough River ordered the same as Eleanor had. Nathanael was sure he had seen her smirk at him but he dismissed it as him being slightly paranoid after the disastrous end to his last date.
They chatted nicely and Nat found himself forgetting the slight break in his heart. Maybe he hadn't found the one in Eleanor but perhaps River would be it and as he watched River laugh at his cheesy joke he felt his heart warm.
A shadow fell over the table and Nat glanced up expecting the waiter but his eyes locked on the boiling blue eyes of Eleanor's.
He watched in horror as River too looked up and stared at the other woman.
"So this is why you didn't call me back." Eleanor said coolly as she glared at Nathanael.
"What? No! Of course not, the number you gave me didn't work and I waited for you at the library for days after classes but you didn't turn up." He begged.
"Oh sure." She huffed.
At that moment River leaned forward, "Do you know this woman Nat?" she asked softly and he nodded, "and you've been on a date with her not long ago." He nodded again and she sighed.
"Yeah we went on a date in this very restaurant a month ago but I never heard from him after the date." Eleanor added, glaring at him.
"But I did try! Please you have to believe me, I didn't mean for us not to talk. I really like you." He froze at his use of present tense and he looked down into his lap in the hope that if he couldn't see it then it wasn't happening.
"So you still like her?" River asked slowly and Nathanael shrugged. "I asked if you still like this woman Nathanael." she asked again but harder.
"Yeah." He whispered.
"And do you like this woman too?" Eleanor inquired into the silence.
He nodded and more silence followed but after a few moments he heard giggling coming from the two women.
He looked up to find them both sitting across from him smiling and holding hands as he watched them in shock.
"What is going on?" Nat stuttered in shock at they watched him with grinning mouths.
They giggled again, "Well I reckon we should take this to somewhere so on the private side don't you?" River said and they both agreed. "Well our flat is a few streets along so let's head there alright?" Nathanael nodded again.
The journey to the small block of flats didn't take long and as their flat was on the ground floor there wasn't any stairs to climb. The flat was simple and small but full of ginger cats, in fact Nathanael saw at least four in the first few minutes. They reminded him of his own ageing cats back at his dad's house.
They sat and drank tea and Nathanael could barely contain the confusion that ran freely in his mind. Eleanor looked so comfortable that there was little doubt that she'd been there before but Nat just couldn't figure out what was happening.
"So you have questions I expect." River stated after she drained the last of her tea and placed it away from watching cat eyes.
Nat nodded and put his own half drank cup of tea down. "Yeah I guess I do." He felt silence for a moment, "But I don't know what to ask… I mean how on earth do you two know each other and what was up with that in the restaurant?"
Eleanor chuckled, "Shall we just start from the beginning Nat sweetie?" she asked and smiled at him.
He breathed out in relief, "Yes please."
They nodded at each-other, "So" River began, "Eleanor is my girlfriend, we're not lesbians but I'm bi and Eleanor is pan-sexual. I met her when she came to find her baby sister an owl to go to Hogwarts with and we've been dating ever since." Nathanael could do nothing but listen on in shock.
"But we've never needed a man in our lives, even if we are still attracted to them, so when I met you I was shocked at how much I liked you in such a short space of time. You were so lovely and smart that I couldn't help but fall a little in love right then. I told River all about it and soon we agreed that we'd just had to have you." Eleanor rubbed her girlfriend's hands as she spoke and Nat watched on in envy.
River nodded at the other woman's words, "I didn't need to meet you to know we'd get along great but we didn't know how you'd feel about going on a date with someone already in a relationship so we hid that little fact from you and planned from both of us to have a date with you before making up our minds." She laughed throatily and Nat's body couldn't help reacting at the enchanting sound. "That's why I took so long in the toilet; I called Eleanor to say I was sure that I wanted you to."
Nathanael had no words to say, he could only stare at them in disbelief as they smiled at him hopefully. It took a while but he finally managed to speak, "So you are telling me that I've been on two dates with two beautiful women who are not only dating each other but want to date me too? Date both of you, at the same time?" He was so bewildered at the idea that when they nodded yes he couldn't help but laugh.
The gave him his moment but after thirty seconds of slightly crazed laughter River leant forward and rubbed Nat's shaking shoulder. "I'm sorry we played a trick on you like that but we really like you and we thought that if we approached you together we'd either scare you off or you'd get all high and honourable over dating two women at once. Forgive us?" She grinned at him while her girlfriend crossed the room to cuddle into his side.
Knowing they were right he cuddled back into her, wrapping his long arm round her soft shoulders. "Of course, I just can't believe you both want me. I was so confused when I found myself interested in you, River, after such a short time after thinking Eleanor was the one for me. You are both so different that the idea of finding happiness seemed to be far away…I never thought I'd find contentment and the chance of love with two people like my father did." He mumbled into blonde hair and River sat on his other side and her thin body nestled in too.
Nathanael found himself enjoying the difference between them, one soft and strong and the other lines and angles. It was like hugging a big teddy bear with one arm and a work of modern art, like glass but more like diamond, with the other and he found that he quite liked it.
None of them spoke for a few minutes as there was simply no need, they were warm and comfortable and they didn't want to ruin the moment.
After a while Eleanor sat up and looked deep into his eyes, her own blue ones burning bright with joy. "So you'll stay with us? For as long as we are all happy, as long as we can kiss and hug every day and for as long as we'll love each other? You promise?" the blonde witch sounded so childlike at that moment that he could only stare and nod as River leant in and kissed Eleanor.
It was a thing of beauty to watch, they melted together and their fires burnt so radiantly for each other that Nathanael could do nothing but sit and watch as they took it in turns to taste and tease the other.
The kiss ended far too soon for the young wizard's liking but when they turned on him and he could do nothing as he soon found plump red lips against his own. Eleanor took control of his lips, demanding his soul, his heart, his everything and he lost the last of his breath as River's lips and teeth attacked his vulnerable neck and throat.
Nathanael couldn't help but moan at the dual sensations and he let his hands wonder down their bodies until he had a hand on the small of their backs where he used his strength and position to pull them towards him. He grinned as they moaned and wriggled against him. This is amazing, he thought as they continued to press him farther into the sofa and farther into his heart, forever.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
After Nathanael had finished talking his father stared at his son for a moment before bursting out in laughter as he was watched by worried eyes.
After he had calmed down he turned to his son and smiled, "I'm not going to embarrass you with details but you will never know how close that is to how I finally fell into your papas' arms." He chuckled again at the memory.
Nathanael looked at his father in hope, "So does that mean you accept them? You don't care that there are two of them?" he pleaded with the puppy eyes he had long since out grown.
Harry knew that there was only one way to get through to his son so he pulled the nineteen year old against his chest like he had done when he was a child. "Of course I do love, I love you and I love that you have found happiness. It's another Potter curse I reckon, like our hair… It's like in the face of love, we crumble." He kissed his sons forehead and sighed in relief as the taller boy relaxed.
They sat like that for a few more minutes, enjoying their father-son bond. It was only when Harry felt his son shiver in the cold that he realised that they had been sitting and talking for almost an hour and he hoped that his lovers and his son's girlfriends were okay waiting for them.
"Alright love, why don't you head on back to your girls now?" Harry said quietly.
Nathanael looked at him confused, "Aren't you coming too?" He asked.
Harry shook his head, "Not yet Nat, I'm just going to have a moment but let the others know I won't be more than ten minutes."
Will that his son stood up from his father's warmth and he kissed Harry's forehead like Harry had done to him not long before.
"Alright dad… Thank you dad, for listening and I love you." He smiled.
Harry chuckled, "Its okay son, I've never minded listening to you natter on before so why would I be bothered now?"
Nathanael gave him an injured look and walked away to Harry's childish laughter.
It was times like these when Harry realised how lucky he had become; it didn't matter about his past with Ginny or the stress of his vet training and it didn't matter how long it had taken him to recognise that Orrie and Elliot were the ones for him.
Harry knew that at that moment in time he had everything a man, no a human, could ask for. He had an amazingly smart and caring son who had found happiness, he had the job of his dreams and he worked with some of the most inspirational people and of course he had lovers that he could hold and be with forever but never want to live without.
Sounds drew his attention to his left and he turned to find them watching him softly so he patted the bench next to him for them to take a seat, which they did and the both grabbed a hand each.
"You okay love?" Orrie asked a minute or so later.
Harry nodded and smiled, "I don't think I've ever been better."
Elliot rubbed Harry's hand, "You sure?"
"Mmmhm, yeah I'm really sure. I have everything I need and I love you two you know." He mumbled into the dark of the night.
"Yeah Harry, we know" Elliot whispered back.
"And you know we love you too." Orrie added.
"Oh believe me I know, and believe me I could never be happier. But that's enough lovey-dovey stuff; we have a son and a couple of in-laws to get home." He stood, dragged the bigger men with him and together they walked away, hands gripped tightly and hearts light and full of joy.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I warned you of fluff. I told you it would be sickly sweet and slightly over the top.
Now this is the last official chapter but I want to add a few mini extras, like how Orrie and Elliot met, Nat's wedding and how Eleanor and River got together. They will take me a while so this will be marked as complete.
Levi is there as a reminder of the power of magic and the Greek food was google.
Please review. I like reviews. I love reviews. Please!
Now don't forget to vote in my poll! One week till I close it and start working on the winning story.
Till then I'm writing a short story (5,000-8,000 words) called Kiss Thy Red Rose Lips about Harry falling in love with a cross-dresser who I have yet to name so ideas for that are welcome. He's Rose when dressed in ladies clothing but he need a real name as he's only really a part time cross dresser.
Now I thank you deeply for reading my fanfiction (First multi chapter I've posted and finished aha)! Please keep an eye out for new work.
Also I'll be working on Ambassador's Journal too.
Bye for now!