Chapter 2: The Magical Desk
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A radiant sun lit up the morning sky.
"Gabrielle?"
"Over here Mama."
Gabrielle reached down and, with a last pat to the soil, she stood to admire the new row of petunias. With a deep, contented breath, she took a step back. The sky was clear and birds called to each other in the distance.
"Sweet heart, come here."
She dash to her mother. "It's all so pretty, mama."
"My little chickadee." Apolline Delacour stood tall, with a warm smile on her face. "You've come so far and make me very proud. We have a new task for you."
"R-really?"
"This way."
Her eyes lit up at the unfamiliar sight in front of her. "A greenhouse? For me?"
"We could think of no one more suited for the task, my child."
The greenhouse's size dwarfed Gabrielle's small body. Multicolored plants of all shapes and sizes covered the entrance and a glass dome lofted above. The glass reflected the sunlight, as if it was shimmering water.
"Is it safe Mama?"
"Absolutely. I would never let anything harm you. Go on. Have a look inside."
The wonder of the domed room excited her as the sun warmed her through the glass. She bent down and picked a blue peddled flower.
Suddenly, a chill washed through the room. Gabrielle wrapped both arms over her chest.
"I think I'm ready to leave now…"
She glanced left and right, but there was no door.
"Mama?"
Green foliage turned angry and a dull purple as the dome overhead began to melt. It dripped down around her, suffocating her lungs, crushing her body. She tried to flee. Great green vines sprung up and wrapped around her arms, holding her in place. No, not vines, seaweed."
"Mama! Help me!"
"No one can hurt you, dear."
The room spun, and the seaweed pulled her downward. Sinking ever deeper into the abyss until the sun disappeared. Creatures with red eyes and green oozing teeth surrounded her, staring with hungry eyes. Voices sang from the walls.
"But past an hour, the prospect's black, Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."
"Please. Mother. Don't do this to me. I'll be a good girl. A good girl. Please…"
"I would never let anyone harm you…it's for the best…my Gabby must do as she's told."
She tried to scream. But no sound left her mouth.
"…Gabby…"
Her body wouldn't move. The teeth closed in.
"…Gabby!"
Gabrielle bolted up, her body covered in sweet. She scanned the room wildly and found Fluer perched next to her.
"Was it the nightmare again? The lake, mon petit oiseau?"
Gabby only shivered.
"Fluer wrapped her in a tight embrace. "Zis is all my fault. I never zould have entered that stupid tournament."
"Nonsense. You were not the one to picked me for your 'ostage."
"Gabby, it's not mama's fault that—"
"I don't want to talk about mother." Gabrielle spat. She jumped up and rummaged through the dresser. "I must ready for the day."
"Gabby…mama would never 'ave agreed if she 'ad known—"
"Can I borrow one of your dresses? You always 'ave the most beautiful clothes."
"Perhaps you zould 'ead back 'ome. I can take ze—"
"No! I — I must go. Daddy picked me. I'm not going to let him down."
"Alright." Fluer smiled, finally relenting, "Ze entrance to Diagon Ally is The Leaky Cauldron, take the floo downstairs. The place is renowned for its English breakfast. I can barely stand ze food here, but I know you and your love of foreign food."
"Thank you, sis."
"You zould wear ze striped shirt and black skirt, in case you were to run into any cute boys."
"Fluer!"
"I'm just saying." She rested on a chair and combed Gabrielle's hair. "A girl must always be prepared to impress."
"He didn't show any interest last night."
"'Arry's a boy. Zey can be dense. And without your allure, you must rely on other assets."
Gabrielle sat quietly under Fluer's ministrations.
"Ze owner's name is Tom. Why don't you stop for breakfast on your way?"
"
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"Morning Harry."
"Morning Tom." Harry answered.
"Your usually eggs and bangers today?"
"Can't, I have a client arriving early from France today I have to prepare for."
Harry squinted against the rising sun while whistling a tune. This early in the morning the path was deserted.
Harry reminisced to himself about yesterday. No more parties…not that he disliked spending time with people. But his friends always included him…for his own good.
His destination was a slim, red-brick building. It had one door and one faded window. An afterthought wedged between the Magical Ointment Mangieri and Watson's Top Hats for Special Occasions. The hand crafted sign on the front door read Black's Bright Books.
The store was a small one, at least the front of the store was. Bookcases filled with old and odd shaped tomes lined the left and right walls. The back wall held a door and several work benches. All behind a solid oak counter top with a gap to allow movement around the room.
And standing in front of that counter top, waiting for him…
"Harry Potter!"
"Good morning to you too, Hermione. I should have expected to find you here before your day at the Ministry."
"Don't you good morning Hermione me. I have half a mind too—"
"Please don't berate me about last night. I was there. I put in the time. What more do you want?"
Hermione tightened her posture. If she had been a bird, her feathers would be bristling. "Not me, Gabrielle. You brought her along only to ignore her and then leave her there."
"I didn't leave her. I offered to walk her home. She stayed."
"O…Harry," Hermione deflated, "I forget your still rubbish with women, despite your experiences. Gabrielle likes you, Harry, and she'll be good for you. Only…well last night, you came across as uninterested and annoyed."
Hermione drifted behind the long engraved counter, playing at the books laid out from yesterday. Harry's brain was trying to catchup with the conversation.
"I know you weren't uninterested in her. Possibly only a little dense."
"Me? Dense?"
"Just send her a letter." Hermione continued, loosely paging through a large red tome. "Let her know it wasn't about her and that you're not upset."
Harry shook his head. "But I'm not upset."
Hermione's eyes bored into his. "Ok. Ok, I'll write her a letter this afternoon."
He reached out and closed the tome. "But…I need you to go to work. I'm expecting a client soon, and I need time to get ready."
Hermione's face scrunched up. "For your next DADA book? Honestly Harry, I still don't know how you—"
"No, this is different. A private client. About countering a cursed object." Harry glanced at Hermione's face. "Don't tell me. You're still put out about the book?"
"I'm not."
Harry chuckled, "You are. You're still jealous that I published a book before you did." He started organizing the front entryway.
"Writing a book of a revised print from the Black library, then convincing McGonagall to add it to the seventh year list, is hardly what I would call successful."
"Mmm hmm. Sure is. But don't worry. When you've finished your draft on repressed magical creatures of the twenty-first century, I know a publisher."
"Arrg. You're impossible." She relented with a smile. "Alright, you promise to write Gabrielle, and I'll promise to stop being jealous."
"Deal."
Hermione paused at the door. "Harry, Gabrielle is not some random fan girl. She's Fluer's sister, and she likes you. I — I know your past, but you should apologize for leaving abruptly last night. Please?"
"I'll get to it."
Hermione opened her mouth, shook her head, and left.
Harry retreated into the back room.
While at Hogwarts, becoming Aurors seemed a sure thing for the trio. So it was a bit of a shock when Harry opened a bookstore and only Hermione entered the ministry. Ron, after one failed attempt at pro Quidditch, joined George's booming joke shop as a new business partner.
For Harry, it was Snape's potion book. He saw books as people with personalities. A library a collection of long dead people.
Also, books didn't stare at you in the street only to mob you every afternoon. Mister Potter, could you sign my copy of Hogwarts, a History? Harry, could you name my firstborn son? My savior, could you take mine and my sister's virginities? Ok, that last one had only happened once, but still.
"Might as well get some more work done before the Frenchman arrives."
Harry pulled down ArchMage Stephenrot's Dark Arts Defences and opened to his placeholder. Back in the day, Harry had wondered why everyone hated DADA and OWL scores so low. Sure, the teachers had been bad, but still. It wasn't until after graduation that he realized all seven years of DADA books at Hogwarts were horrible. Rarely teaching anything of value. So, with his newly acquired Black Library, he wrote his own seventh year book.
Thinking nothing of it, Harry sent a draft to McGonagall. The fervor it caused came as a complete shock. McGonagall even offered him the DADA teaching role the next day. Which he turned down. Instead, he left with a forward to write six more Hogwarts DADA books.
Harry sat at the nearest desk to read. The old mahogany desk bounced, trying to get his attention. It was a tall and slim and desk, long enough for two. It continued to rattle back and forth until he retrieved the book.
Susan had bought him this desk. Why was it acting up now? A little over two years ago she had shone up on his birthday, desk floating behind. He could still hear her cries of 'Happy Birthday' and 'guess what I brought the birthday boy' as he'd glanced up from his main work bench.
"It's a desk."
"Not just any desk, love." Susan beamed at him. "Here, try it out."
She faced him and placed her hands on the middle of the odd desk. "Put your wand to it and say activate."
Pushing magic into the desk with his open hand, he was surprised to see bindings materialize out of the desk and wrap around her arms from elbow to wrist. Within seconds, the desk pulled her arms apart, each to one end of the desk, until she lay bent over, breasts and belly resting on the smooth surface. Her chin hung over the side.
"Umm Susan?"
"Neat, isn't it? It's German. I'm not sure how to get the leg restraints to work yet."
"What exactly am I supposed to do now?"
"O, come off it Harry." She glared up at him. "Do I need to write an invitation? Your girlfriend brings over a sex table on your birthday, wearing heals, a short skirt and no panties. What do you think you're supposed to do?"
He shook his head and moved to stand in front of her. They'd only been dating for two months, but if there was one thing he'd learned, was Susan enjoyed sex, often.
"Closer Harry, please?" Susan craned her neck, trying to pull against the desk to rub her face on his growing bulge.
Giving into her request, he thrust his hips against her, trapping her face. Muffled moans encouraged him to put one hand on the back of her head. He enjoyed her trying to worship his clothed cock. His other hand reached over the desk.
SMACK!
Her skirt pulled up so much that his hand fully connected with her bare ass. Holding her head against his groin, his hand rained blows over and over on her defenseless bottom.
He leaned back to admire his handiwork. "Very nice."
"Why don't you get a closer view?"
Harry swung around the table and dropped to his knees. He gripped Susan's red butt and pulled her cheeks apart; the moisture clung to her swollen lips and dripped down her legs. He leaned in close and breathed in the sweet smell of her arousal. His cock hardened even more.
"Oh god, please..." her voice was barely a whisper.
He lapped in small circles around her clit, enjoying her mewls of pleasure. Unable to hold himself back anymore, he buried his face between her legs, urgently pushing his tongue past her lips and into her waiting pussy.
"Ooh! Merlin. Cuming!"
When her shaking abated, he moved back and began tracing his fingers along her slit. He loved it when she turned wet and desperate. Harry fantasized what she would feel like around his cock.
Susan obviously thought along the same lines. "Harry, fuck me already."
His only answer was to spank her bare ass again before sliding two fingers smoothly into her pussy. Curling them forward to press against the small mound inside.
"Ohhhh!" He moved his fingers in and out. Her breathing quickened as she strained against her binds.
Still moving and curling his fingers, he flicked his tongue on the skin around her asshole, using his free hand to spread her cheeks for better access. Flicks became longer licks, and finally he placed his lips firmly around her tight entrance and pushed his tongue directly into her hole. That really got her motor humming.
He pulled his head away, then dropped his pants and, standing up, he sheathed his cock into her pussy in one smooth motion.
"Yes!" Her head snapped back, her whole body arching against the restraints.
He pounded away at her.
'Oh fuck, oh fuck!'
Her next orgasm approaching, Harry slowed his pace to a lazy thrust. Enjoying the feel of every inch sliding in and out of her tight pussy.
'No...' Susan wiggled in frustration. Trying to push back at him. He held her in place, taking his time.
"Harry, put it in my ass."
He didn't hesitate with an offer like that on the table. His cock was thoroughly wet from her last orgasm. He placed his tip on her hole and pushed. The head popped in and Susan let out a hiss of pleasure and pain.
After letting her adjust, he guided the rest of his cock into her ready ass. He watched all seven inches disappear until his hips rested against her bottom.
His plan was to start slowly, but the tightness was too enticing to take his time.
Gripping her hips tighter, Harry thrust forcefully, chasing his orgasm. The slapping of his hips on hers echoed through the room over Susan's cries.
"Oo, Yes! Fuck that ass! Pound me Harry!
He pushed in deep, pulled almost all the way out, and pushed back in one more time as his own orgasm hit him. Letting it go, he dumped a week's worth of cum as her ass squeeze his cock.
When their breathing had slowed, he unwillingly pulled out, stroking his hands over her back and ass cheeks as he bent down and released her arms. Legs trembling, she stood up and turned around to face him. Susan pressed into his chest and took his hand.
"Come on Harry, let's go take a shower."
They'd shagged twice more in the shower. Over the weeks, they would use the table a few more times before their breakup. As he reflected on Susan, he realized their relationship had only been about sex and not much else.
Distracted in his thoughts, Harry only finished marking notes on two more pages before the bell announced a visitor.
"Just a minute," he called. Harry pulled up his pants and hurriedly entered the front room only to freeze in surprise at his latest visitor.
"Gabrielle?"
"'arry?" She studied the room before facing Harry standing behind the desk. "You're ze store owner?"
"Wait. You're the Frenchman? The Egyptian hieroglyph expert?"
She floated the large engraved chest out from behind her and onto an open bench.
"Oui, well, I'm not a Frenchman, you should know zat from last night. But yes, I'm ze expert."
"But — but you told me you're here visiting your sister."
"I am, but I'm also traveling on business. Daddy works for ze Minister in Paris. Zey 'ave an issue with — a private issue — with ze item in zis chest. To be delt with outside of the public eye. You come 'ighly recommended."
Gabrielle flashed Harry an uncertain smile. "So, 'ere I am."
Harry sat, shaking his head.
"Forgive me. I did not know ze name of the contact, only ze location. If zis situation makes you uncomfortable, I can still return to Paris and 'ave Daddy find an alternate —"
"Gabrielle. Wait."
He sighed, refusing to raise his head as he focused on his words. "It's…the parties and larger crowds. I hate being a celebrity and being stared at. I didn't mean to ditch you last night. I was…informed this morning that I acted the boar and didn't pay you the proper attention. If you were expecting something from me, I didn't know. I'm still confused. I thought you truly wanted to stay and I'm sorry if I upset you."
He finally glanced up, only for his eyes to widen. Gabrielle had moved closer while he was apologizing. His view was now full of her perky breasts a few inches from his face. For a moment, he marveled at their perfect round shape and small hard nipples outlined by the striped mariniere she wore. A chuckle jerked his eyes upward.
She grinned down at him. "I also 'ave some experience with being stared at in public." Turning, she sat sideways in his lap, putting both arms around his neck. "But I don't mind when its you doing ze staring."
"Gabby—"
"Apology accepted." She stood up and winked over her shoulder, hips swaying as she went back for the chest. "Zould we start over?"
Harry smile, "Yes…thank you. Welcome to Blacks Bright Books. I'm excited to help you solve your curse problem."
Gabrielle shook her head with a smile. Harry caught her whisper "dense" before heading into the backroom.
"My goodness 'arry. This room is truly magnificent."
Open in the middle, the room extended upward, four stories at least. Each level lined with bookshelves. Sprouting from the walls, wooden walkways lined each level with ornate railings. A spiral stair case in one corner offered access higher. On the back wall, sweeping windows on each level filled the room with sunlight. Harry could see a garden lined with fruit trees beyond. Someones secret alley behind the Diagon Alley.
Gabrielle approached his still shaking mahogany desk. "Zis is an interesting desk you 'ave 'arry."
"Um, yes. It was a gift from…a friend. Although it's been acting up recently."
"A very special friend, non."
Harry fidgeted under her gaze. "You — you know what the desk does?"
"Oui, though I have never seen one." She lightly traced the edge of the desk with her finger. It settled under her touch. Almost purring.
"O, ze poor thing. 'asn't been used in years."
"Used? How?" Gabrielle was now petting the desk as if it was a puppy.
"Magical desks are like wizards. If neglected, they may start acting up."
"How would you use this desk?"
"'Arry. That is not ze type of question you ask a lady."
"O. Um, I didn't mean to imply—"
"Maybe you zould." She pouted at Harry. "You're full of surprises 'arry."
She found another desk in the room. "I'll work over 'ere. I don't want you taking advantage of an innocent young maiden."
Harry grinned at her teasing. He was slowly catching on to Gabrielle's playful nature. It was infectious. "Well, if we come across any innocent maidens, I'll keep that in mind."
Gabrielle actually blushed. "O, monsieur!"
They started with the book and her translations. Harry marveled at Gabrielle's ability to keep up with his analysis. She really was an expert in reading hieroglyphs, something he was not.
They spent the better part of the whole day working on the text. Once Harry understood the magic involved, he moved on to examining the bracelet.
"And you said the behavior started only days after she wore the bracelet the first time?"
"Oui. And removing it did little to 'alt they insanity."
Harry waved his wand over the artifact again. Shaking his head at the results. "Its dark magic, but I'm not detecting any discernible patterns. Nothing to go on."
Gabrielle sighed in resignation. "Is zere nothing to be done zen?"
"I didn't say that." Harry scribbled a few notes in his journal. "I'll devise a new scanning spell. It will require a rune and a potion. The rune should counter its natural resistance and the potion act as a cure, but it will take close to seven days to brew. I have the necessary ingredients and instructions in back to get started today but—"
"A week?"
"At least. Is it time sensitive? You mentioned there might be a victim…"
"Ze is in a magical stasis but I do not know 'ow much time we 'ave…a few weeks sure, maybe at least a month.
Harry grimaced. "Well then, we best get to work immediately. The rune part is a different matter. I've been studying something like it for a while but, to do it right, will require info I know is in the Hogwarts restricted section."
"And zis is closed to us?"
"No, I believe I can convince McGonagall to let us have access. I'll have to sit through another of her recruitment speeches, though."
Gabrielle's eyes twinkled. "You? A 'ogwarts professor?"
"I know, ridiculous, right?"
Gabrielle twirled her blond hair and flashed him a wicked smile. "I don't know about zat. Professor Potter sounds kind of sexy, if you ask me."
Swaying up to him and holding eye contact, she trailed a finger down his chest. "Can I…stay after class, Professor Potter? I require a 'and with this week's assignment."
He inhaled her fresh lavender scent. Her trailing finger scent shivers up his spine. Fine, if she wanted to flirt, he could play that game.
"Tisk, tisk. Miss Delecour." He reached up and took hold of her arm before it could stray any further. "Did you not pay attention in class? This type of behavior will earn you a detention. And you should know, my punishments can be…quite intense."
Gabrielle visibly gulp as her checks flushed ruby red. Undeterred, she leaned forward and rubbed her whole body against his.
"O but monsieur, your assignment, it's so hard. To take it on, all at once…"
Harry pulled her into him with his other arm. She was the perfect height, a few inches lower than him without heals. In his head he fantasized about how her legs would look in high heals.
"You'll take all of your assignments and complete them on time," Harry felt Gabrielle twist in his grasp. Somehow she turned her struggles into innocently rubbing against his groin. "Failure to follow instructions, and I'm afraid I'll have to use the desk."
"You wouldn't dare!" Gabrielle's pupils, set inside her brilliant eyes, dilated at his statement, betraying her mock protest.
Harry walked them back toward the window. She went willingly. They step together until her butt rested against the desk, trapping her between it and Harry.
Maintaining eye contact, Gabrielle raised her eyebrows suggestively. At his stare, she leaned back and gracefully placed her hands on the desk. The heated look she gave him a challenge to take the next step.
His hands traced down her arms. Standing this close, he saw blue eyes bordered with thick dark lashes, a small freckle next to her cute nose, and plump ruby lips. He wondered how her lips would taste. Glancing from her mouth to her eyes, he leaned closer, her head tilt back, eyes slowly closing.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
They jerked apart at the announcement of a visitor. Harry breathed heavily despite no actual physical exertion.
"Customer? I'll…go see what they want."
Gabrielle straightened her posture, still in a daze, hands working to smooth ruffled clothing.
"It's getting late. I should go." She announced, "I promised Fluer I would be 'ome zis evening to 'elp with Victoria."
She collected her things and quietly stepped toward the front of the shop. "I'll return on Monday to continue our work?"
"Gabby, wait." She paused in her retreat.
"Yes, 'arry?"
"How about dinner? Tomorrow night? A Date? Only I would…"
Gabrielle's smile lit up the room. "I'd love to. Meet me at Fluer's 'ouse at eight?"
Harry only nodded. In a rush, Gabrielle kissed him on the cheek before racing out the door.
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