Warnings: homophobic comments, homophobia,

...

Letting out a sharp whistle Harrison caught the attention of his Hawks. The good natured argument died after a few moments. They looked at him curiosity in their eyes. Even Tom looked at him.

Harrison declared, "XIII, Stryker, Eon, Eden. You four will assist me with the project. Sorry Kavar but Jacob and Zach work better together and their skills are more complimentary. If we need an extra pair of eyes though I'll ensure you're paid."

Kavar let out a disappointed sigh but nodded his acceptance. Zach Eden looked like the cat who got the canary. Jacob Stryker gave him a look before disappearing from the table. He would likely spend all day in the library. Eon was right behind him. Their research would kick start the work that would need to be done.

Tom asked with interest clear in his eyes, "Are you going to need outside help? Or financial help?"

Harrison waved the other off, "All finances will be paid by the Ministry. On the off chance that they don't support us which has never happened before then I can go to the Nott Lord as he is my patron."

"How did you get a patron from Lord Nott?" Questioned Abraxas Malfoy.

This got the attention of his cousin Draco who sneered, "He probably sucked up to the Lord. Everyone knows Benjamin Nott doesn't become a patron for anyone ever. He must owe your "Master" a favor."

Harrison ignored both of the Malfoys standing up with plans to head to the library. He needed to start his own research for this project. The sooner they got started the sooner he could start on the fun stuff. Harrison loved working on the practical side of new spells. Though where they were going to practice it he didn't know. XIII stood ready to follow him to the library.

Only for a hand to grab his bicep before he could take more than a few steps away from the table. A frown crossed his face as he looked at Tom. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask what? There was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes then his shoulders squared.

Tom asked as the eyes of half of the Great Hall were on them, "Harrison would you go with me to Hogsmeade today?"

Harrison's brain chose that moment to short circuit. Excuse him what now? The other hadn't given up on his courting plans? Why?

At seeing his shocked face Tom continued, "I realize this can't be part of courtship but I thought we could get to know each other better. This would be the best chance as other students would be doing their own thing."

Harrison searched the older boy's face for a long moment. He was unsure of how he felt about this. They barely knew each other before he sent the courtship. Now he wanted to get to know Harrison better? What was he supposed to say about this?

XIII's wand was now twirling in his fingers ready to intervene if necessary. Harrison gave a miniscule shake of his head. Wait and watch. Then he turned his attention fully to Tom trying to decide. He seemed genuine about wanting to get to know Harrison. Keller, he knew would simply ask if he wanted the courting. If he knew nothing about the person the answer would of course be no. However this was a chance for him to get to know Tom outside of school.

After a moment he asked slowly, "Are you sure about this, Tom? People are going to talk especially since we haven't made the courtship request public."

Tom looked around at the Great Hall with a raised eyebrow. Everyone was watching them now. He could feel glares from many of the girls as everyone wanted to go out with Tom. Right he had a point. If Tom wasn't serious about this then he wouldn't have asked in the middle of the Great Hall.

What did he want to do? He wasn't against going out with Tom? Beside that first night he had been cordial with him and the other members of Nightingale. He showed interest in their dealings and was ready to stand with him at any given moment.

Finally he said, "Okay Tom. Sure I'll go with you to Hogsmeade."

Surprise flickered across the man's face as if he had expected Harrison to reject the idea. Then a bright smile spread across Tom's face. A smaller more hesitant smile crossed Harrison's.

...

Harrison had swiftly returned to his dorm and changed. He chose a black button down shirt with the Crest of Lupus on it, black slack with his shirt tucked in, and a dark green robe over it. For a moment he hesitated but threw on his CAD just in case. They were going outside of the castle. If the attack on Nightingale had shown him anything it was never to be complacent. If Grindelwald could attack his home, the Dark Lord could attack Hogsmeade. Dumbledore or no Dumbledore.

Tom was waiting for him outside of the Great Hall and together they walked down the path to Hogsmeade. The cool crisp air of Autumn greeted the two wizards. Refreshing given how stuffy the castle had begun to feel. It surprised him how easy the silence was between them.

They took the long path to Hogsmeade. Like the returning students he and the other members of Nightingale had taken carriages in. They were too old to take boats and the risk of ending up in the lake was too high. This path was longer than that one but equally as beautiful. The leaves on the trees were changing colors and beginning to fall.

As they left the wards he shuddered at the feeling. Being intune with the magic around him had its downsides. It always felt as if a part of him was being ripped away when he left wards. Heat begun to bubble in his core. Around them the air warmed a few degrees but not enough to be uncomfortable. Tom didn't react to it. Maybe he didn't notice.

When they neared the village Tom asked, "Is there anywhere that you would like to see first?"

Harrison shrugged, "Not particularly. I heard there is a bookstore there but other than seeing their selection I don't know much about the village."

Tom nodded and said, "We can look in there last. I have a few books that I want to see if they have as well."

Soon they entered the village. It was teaming with life as students were coming for the first visit of the year. Most were Third Years making their first trip ever. Those who were staring at the shops starry eyed, stared at Harrison and Tom. Harrison's fingers twitched with his irritation at the staring.

Tom led him towards Honeydukes. The candy shop was positively packed with people. Students were grabbing as many sweets as they could and taking them to the cashier. The poor cashier looked overwhelmed and as if they were regretting their life choices. Harrison was glad he had three masteries under his belt and a patron. He wouldn't need to work in a shop like this to make ends meet. Even if he was disowned by his father.

Sensing the turn of his thoughts Tom nudged him with his elbow. He blinked and pushed away the thoughts of the future. Instead he decided to enjoy the day. The two Slytherins had to shoulder their way over to the chocolates.

Harrison's eyes became bright as he looked over the selection. Remus had given him a chocolate addiction when he was young. Nightingale didn't give their students weekends like this. So it was a rarity that they got treats. Usually it was the occasional care package from home. Remus sent him occasional chocolate care packages but usually it was books from the Black Library. They agreed to keep it a secret from his godfather as the man did not approve of the Dark Arts. It was something Harrison didn't understand. Magic was magic. Labels just gave an excuse for prejudice.

He chose several large dark chocolate bars and a handful of other sweets. When they went to the front they had to wait ten minutes to pay. There Tom insisted on paying despite Harrison's reasoning he could easily pay for himself. To his annoyance the older boy wouldn't hear of it.

Once the candy was paid for they headed into the Zonko's shop. Despite being the son and godson of Marauders, he had no interest in pranking. He heard what James and his friends had done. They were little more than bullies. Something James never grew out of. In spite of his feelings towards pranks the two did spend some time in the shop. The prank items were very basic but he could see how they would be useful in Hogwarts.

From there the two decided to get lunch from the Three Broomsticks. It was a loud smokey pub that like everywhere else was full of students. It took them over half an hour to even get a table. They ordered a butterbeer to drink before looking over the food options. Tom ordered fish and chips and after a moment Harrison chose a burger. They stopped at their drinks while they waited. Harrison didn't find the drink the best thing in the world. He would rather have a muggle soda or fire whiskey. Either would be better but he knew the owner would not allow him to drink.

Tom leaning forward he asked a little louder than normal to be heard, "What is Nightingale like?"

Harrison hummed and his eyes went slightly unfocused as he answered, "Honestly it was home for so many students including myself. It was a castle. It is a newer build than Hogwarts is but that allows it to keep better with the time. The wards are powered by the students within the school both old and new. Our House tattoos keep us tied into the wards no matter who the Headmaster is. It works as a portkey should the worst come to the worst."

"Then how did Grindelwald attack the school?" Tom asked sounding honestly curious.

Harrison's eyes grew dark as he growled, "We had a traitor in our midst. I don't know who they are but if I ever find out there won't be anything left of them to bury."

Tom blinked at the murderous intent that was coming off of him. It wasn't something that he normally gave off. The hand not grasping the butterbeer unclenched and unclenched on the table. His agitation was clear to anyone who was watching him.

A little quieter Tom said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. It's still a touchy subject for you."

That brought Harrison back to himself. He blinked at the older boy surprised by his empathy.

After a moment he sighed, "It's okay, Tom. You didn't know how touchy that subject would be. What about you? What do you think about Hogwarts?"

Tom leaned back in his chair as he answered, "I grew up in an Orphanage in London. Hogwarts much like how Nightingale was for you was my first home."

Harrison hummed in response but they weren't given the chance to go further into the conversation. It was interrupted by a high pitched screech. He winced as he turned to see his sister storming over to them.

Rose screeched angrily, "Tom what are you doing here? Why are you with my cheating lying brother!"

"You actually acknowledge me as your brother," quipped back Harrison his hand mockingly grabbing at his chest, "Oh no what will I do, Tom?"

Tom actually laughed lightly. His eyes came alight with his own amusement.

Rose snarled at Harrison and poked a finger at him, "You shouldn't be here! You shouldn't be the one Tom asked for a date. This should be me!"

Tom said with a slight wince, "Miss Potter you should keep your voice down. There are other patrons here and you are disrupting everyone's meal."

A red haired boy who could only be a Weasley came out of the crowd and yelled, "You can't talk to her like that! You were supposed to date Rose. I can't believe you're a poof!"

Really? They were going to homophobic. He knew that Rose and her friends were bad but not this bad. Rose for her part look like she agreed with the Weasley. That didn't surprise him in the slightest.

There was no reason for homophobia in the Wizarding World. They had potions that would allow same sex couples to have children. It wasn't like lines would die without children. Most families would

Tom narrowed his eyes now. All of the amusement left his face and body language. Anger and disgust took its place and all of Harrison's instincts were screaming danger to him. The air temperature jumped up half a dozen degrees. Blue eyes trailed over to him for half a second before snapping back to Rose.

Tired of her homophobia Tom snapped, "Miss Potter, Mr. Weasley enough of this from both of you. I have no intention on ever dating or courting you, Rose. You are not my type. You never have been."

"And my brother is?" Her screeching raised in volume.

The entire restaurant was silent now. Every single eye was upon the four of them. Harrison ignored the audience for watching Tom. The older boy's magic was wanting to lash out just like Harrison's was. Unlike Harrison's magic his was tightly kept under control.

Tom answered her coldly, "I don't know if Harrison is yet. We are just getting to know each other right now. I do know that I will NEVER date you. I'm not interested in you and you need to get over your crush. It's embarrassing for you and your family."

Harsh thoughts Harrison. Harsh but accurate. If Rose kept on the path she was on then she would be a crazy stalker. Many purebloods thought that was just a muggle thing but he knew it wasn't. Witches and wizards could be stalkers and were infinitely more dangerous. Love potions could force someone to love another. Thankfully his Heir Ring would protect him from such a thing.

Rose stamped her feet like a petulant child as she demanded, "You weren't supposed to fall in love with the squib. You were supposed to fall in love with me! Why don't you love me?"

Did they have harpy blood in them? Or did they have banshee blood in them? There was no way her screeching could be anything but the byproduct of a creature inheritance.

Tom's eyes flashed and he cruelly sneered, "I was never going to fall in love with you. Even before Harrison came to Hogwarts I had no interest in you. You never spoke more than four words at a time to me. At the same time it should have been obvious. I'm gay. I was never straight and therefore you never had a chance."

Rose's eyes grew wet with crocodile tears. She screamed making everyone close to her wince, "That's not true! There is no way you can be a faggot!"

Tom and Harrison had their wands out faster than she could blink. They were pointed directly at her chest and murder was in their eyes. Rose looked around the room trying to find support from the crowd. Only to find most of the faces showing various degrees of disgust directed at her. Only the Weasley male and a bushy haired girl Granger he thought seemed to be agreeing with her.

"Don't you dare insult us like that again, Miss Potter," whispered Tom his voice like ice, "Even if I never met Harrison we would never be a thing. I would find another wizard. Wizard not witch."

"But Tom," she whined now looking like a kicked puppy, "We would be perfect together."

"No," denied Tom immediately and he turned his back on her.

Weasley snarled, "You smug bastard. Bomb..."

He didn't get any further as a shield appeared between them. A non verbal spell Harrison used effectively despite it not being taught at Hogwarts until after OWLs. Really it should be taught much earlier.

Madame Rosemerta shouted, "That's it! Weasley, Granger, and Miss Potter you are banned from the Three Broomsticks for the rest of the year. To think you would try to curse a fellow student while their back was turned. You better be glad I don't go to your Head of House. She would ban you from Hogsmeade altogether."

Harrison doubted it. The lioness was protective of her cubs. She would simply take points from them and let them be on their way.

The three Gryffindors were shoved out the door much to Harrison's amusement. At least he could now have some peace.