Chapter 11 is here; I hope you enjoy! I've been trying to stick with a story for a few chapters lately, so you should get this chapter and a few more after it (eventually) before I move on to working on another story. Anyway enjoy
Chapter 11
Even though Harry felt awkward he wrote Fleamont like he'd promised Charlus. He told him the news about possibly being on the Slytherin quidditch team and asked for a new broom, making it clear that Fleamont didn't have to if he didn't want to and that he was quite happy to use the school brooms. He also mentioned the ring that Charlus had told him about and his need for his mind to be shielded. He cast a spell over the letter so that only himself or Fleamont could read it, then sat it on his bedside table to post in the morning.
Around the dorm the other boys were all sitting at their own desks, either doing homework or writing to loved ones. The only one who was not there, was Abraxas, who apparently had a date. Harry had been doing his best all night not to think about that fact.
Apparently, his betrothed was in the year above them and they met every so often to help the pair build a relationship for when they eventually wed. The whole thing was so archaic, and he had to remind himself that there were plenty of betrothals and wedding contracts between the older wizarding families, even in his time.
The whole thing made his gut churn. He'd shut up about it though, not wanting to draw any attention to his views after his misstep with Orion when he'd first arrived.
He laid on his bed, his thoughts quite melancholy, only glancing up when Abraxas arrived back to their dorm. His blonde hair was slightly ruffled, causing Orion to leer.
"Good catch up was it, Abraxas?" Orion laughed as he moved away from his homework, giving all of his focus to the Malfoy heir.
A smirked touched Abraxas' lips. "It was satisfactory."
Harry glanced away.
"She has agreed to go with me to Hogsmeade next weekend" Abraxas continued.
"Walburga is meeting me there as well" Orion said and was it his imagination or did the Black heir glance over at him. "Perhaps we can double date?"
Abraxas nodded as he moved to his bed to start changing. "Perhaps."
Orion snorted, "anyone else going to Hogsmeade?"
Harry jolted as he remembered that Fleamont offered to meet up with him during the next Hogsmeade weekend, he sat up and tapped his sealed letter with his wand and quickly added a few lines about Hogsmeade and if he wanted to meet. A warm feeling rushed through him at the thought that he had actual family that he could owl to meet him at Hogsmeade now.
He'd stopped paying attention as he had been writing, so was surprised when he heard his name being called.
"Harry, what about you? Are you going to Hogsmeade?"
He glanced up to find everyone watching him, blushing slightly at the attention.
He shrugged, "probably, it would be good to have a walk around and see what its like." He was actually interested to see how much had changed between his time and now. He mentally shook himself, he really needed to start remembering that this was his time now.
"Fleamont said he may come and visit me at the next Hogsmeade visit, so that'll be nice" Harry said smiling softly.
Theo spoke up, "that sounds great Harry. A lot of the older years take dates to Hogsmeade but if Fleamont can't make it to see you, you are welcome to join me and my date. Violet is a very sweet girl, who is more friend than anything, and would enjoy the extra company, I'm sure."
Harry's face lit up. "Oh, thank you Theo" he said happily. "You sure I wouldn't be imposing?"
Theo shook his head, "not at all. Like I said we are mostly just friends, you would be very welcome."
Harry gave him a pleased nod, before flicking his wand to draw his curtains closed and settling down to sleep. He pushed all thoughts of Orion, Abraxas and their betrotheds out of his head, instead concentrating on the fun he would have with Fleamont and Theo.
To his utter surprise, over the next few days he was inundated with offers for him to join people at Hogsmeade. He'd barely made it out of their dorm the following morning, heading for the exit so he could head down for breakfast when he was approached by a sixth-year girl he didn't know. She asked him quite blatantly if he wanted to go to Hogsmeade with her. He'd been so shocked he'd just stood their gaping for a moment before replying weakly, "no, thank you."
He'd just been thankful that none of his friends had been around to witness the event. Unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky at breakfast, where he was approached by a fifth year Slytherin and two seventh year Ravenclaws all of whom asked him quite formally if he would go to Hogsmeade with them.
Harry had flushed crimson at the attention, shaking his head no each time it happened.
He kept his eyes glued to his plate after that, hoping to discourage any more would be askers.
Alphard chuckled from the seat beside him, "your shyness is probably the most adorable thing I've ever seen."
Harry elbowed him harshly.
"You have just been asked out by three of the most eligible females in Hogwarts and instead of jumping at the opportunity to further yourself you sit here blushing and saying no."
"The hide of them even coming to ask you" Orion grumbled, "they have never even spoke to you before this moment."
"Very improper" Abraxas agreed.
"Everyone is just interested in the newest Potter. They are a very old wealthy family and the opportunity to get in with them isn't to be missed by many" Tom said wisely, from his place next to Orion.
"I've only really been on one date before and it didn't go well" Harry admitted quietly, remembering his failed date with Cho.
"Did she kiss you?" Orion asked, gaze intent upon Harry.
"Well, yes. But I didn't really like it. I think I prefer males over females" he glanced up through his lashes, trying to gauge his friend's reactions to this news. He figured since he was going to be staying here now, he may as well be upfront with his preferences. He purposefully kept his gaze away from Orion and Abraxas.
"Well, that will limit interest from heir's" Theo said thoughtfully.
"That doesn't really matter to me" Harry said honestly, breathing a little bit easier when no one had a problem with his announcement. He knew it was quite common in wizarding society, but still.
"What, you don't want some rich heir fawning over you?" Abraxas said, a touch of scorn in his voice.
"Whether someone is an heir has zero impact on whether I'm interested in them" Harry said with a frown as he looked at the tall blonde.
"Well, you'd be the only one" Abraxas muttered, and Harry felt his heart break a little. He reached out and gripped the others larger hand.
"Hey," he said quietly. "There are a lot of reasons someone would be interested in you, the least of them that you're the Malfoy heir."
Abraxas stared at him, and Harry kept his face open, letting the sincerity shine through. Abraxas moved, gripping Harry's hand tightly for a moment before shifting back. Harry let him go, giving him a warm smile that caused the usually stoic heir's lip to twitch up slightly.
"Well," Alphard said, breaking the moment. "We will be sure to spread the word that you are only interested in males. That'll at least give you something to think about."
Harry blushed again, "oh no, that's OK really."
"It's a little too late for that" Tom smirked, nodding his head down the Slytherin table where their conversation has obviously been overheard and the gossip was already spreading.
Harry groaned loudly, he grabbed his bag and hurried out of the hall before anyone else could ask him a damn thing. He headed for the owlery, determined to post his letter to Fleamont before heading to his first lesson of the day. Thankfully charms weren't too far from the owlery, and he made it to class with time to spare. He'd even managed to beat most of his friends, aside from Tom, who was sitting in his usual place at the front of the room.
"Mind if I sit here?" Harry asked quietly, as he slid into the seat to Tom's right.
"Not at all" Tom replied with a calculating look that instantly had Harry on alert. "I thought you might have been avoiding me?" Tom continued speaking.
Harry shook his head, trying not to grimace. "Not at all, just been a lot trying to settle in and get used to everything."
Tom hummed non-committaly.
Harry started pulling out his things and they both sat in silence as they waited for the rest of their classmates to appear.
"Have you been settling in, OK?" Tom eventually asked and Harry was startled out of his reverie.
"Everyone has been very kind, but it's still been… difficult leaving everything I've always known behind and starting new."
Tom nodded in understanding, and Harry supposed that he could understand the feeling perfectly.
Before Harry could think of anything else to say the Professor walked in, she was a middle-aged witch with curly brown hair that reached almost to her bottom. She began writing on the board as the rest of the class entered.
"Take a good look at the person next to you" she said with a smile and Harry felt a shudder run down his back. "That is your partner for the next month."
It turns out that they would be spending the next few weeks working on a charms project for homework. After winter break everyone would present their projects to the class. They had to research a well-known charm and then come up with a way to modify and improve it. It actually sounded quite fun, if Harry's partner hadn't been Tom Riddle. Hopefully Fleamont got back to him soon about the ring.
"We should organise a time to start working on this" Tom said as they walked out of the classroom at the end of the lesson.
"Sure" Harry said affably.
"Perhaps tomorrow evening, after dinner?"
Harry's heart pounded in his chest; it was unlikely he would have the ring by then. He would just have to be extra careful then.
"Sure, that sounds great" he said, plastering a not quite so bright smile on his face. Tom stared at him, looking as though he was learning every one of Harry's secrets even if Harry was purposefully avoiding his eyes.
"Very well" Tom said with a nod, striding off down the hall to transfiguration. The rest of their dorm mates hurrying to keep pace.
"Great score getting Tom as a partner" Theo said quietly as they walked after the others.
Harry nodded in agreement, whatever else could be said about Tom Riddle, there was no doubt that he was an excellent student.
They trailed behind their classmates into transfiguration, Harry made to sit next to Theo, but a voice called out from the front of the room.
"Please stay standing."
Harry fought back a grimace as Dumbledore walked in.
"You are to sit with a student from a different house today, it is time to start forming friendships outside of your own house" Dumbledore said, blue eyes twinkling behind his spectacles.
The Slytherins and Ravenclaws that they were sharing the class with all groaned.
"Move, now."
Harry grabbed his bag, patted Theo on the shoulder as he made his way toward the Ravenclaw side of the room. He hovered awkwardly, not really sure where to sit before a dark-haired boy waved him over.
He shot the other teen a relieved smile. "Thank you."
The other teen smiled at him, "it was entirely my pleasure. Harry, right?" He asked, sticking his hand out to Harry to shake.
"Right" Harry said awkwardly, shaking the outstretched hand. "I'm sorry, but I don't know your name."
"It's Cygnus."
"Well, thank you for inviting me to sit with you, Cygnus" Harry said quietly, turning to face the front as Dumbledore began to talk.
It turned out that Harry had made a good choice sitting with Cygnus. The teen had a snarky sense of humour and kept up a running commentary throughout the lesson.
"If he has the power to transfigure anything, why doesn't he do anything about those ghastly robes" the Ravenclaw whispered, and Harry had to bite his lip to keep from chuckling. His eyes ran over today's robes that Dumbledore was wearing, a lemon concoction covered in small suns, he couldn't help but agree with Cygnus.
He leaned in closer to the other, shuffling his chair so he wouldn't be heard.
"Perhaps they were a gift, and he feels obligated to wear them" Harry reasoned, unable to come up with another reason.
Cygnus snorted, "honestly, who would give a gift so horrible?"
"…Me" Harry said, keeping his face straight. "They were a Christmas present I gave to him last year."
Cygnus reared back looking startled, staring at Harry until the green-eyed teen couldn't hold it back any longer and a small smile broke out on his face. Cygnus stared at him for a moment longer before he threw his head back and laughed. Loudly. Right in the middle of transfiguration. Harry couldn't help the warm glow that went through him, that he'd made his new friend happy.
"Something funny, boys?" Dumbledore asked from the front of the room, pausing in his lecture to stare at the pair.
Harry looked around and found the rest of the class openly staring at them as well.
"Sorry, sir" Cygnus said, wiping a tear from his eye and attempting to look contrite.
Harry just smiled back blandly.
"Ten points each from Slytherin and Ravenclaw for disrupting my lesson. Now do try to pay attention."
Both boys nodded, dutifully taking notes for the rest of the lesson.
As soon as class finished Cygnus turned and clapped Harry on the back.
"You almost had me then, Harry" Cygnus laughed.
"What, you didn't like my choice in gifts?" Harry asked innocently, causing Cygnus to start laughing again.
They talked as they walked towards the great hall for lunch, trailing behind the other Slytherin and Ravenclaw sixth years, who kept shooting furtive glances back at them.
As they were walking towards their tables Alphard appeared and clapped Cygnus on the back.
"Brother, what has you in such a good mood?" Alphard asked.
Harry blinked in surprise. "Brother?" he squeaked.
Alphard looked confused for a moment.
"Yes, of course. This dashing young Ravenclaw is my little brother Cygnus."
Harry stared dumbstruck for a moment; he'd never really thought about how all the Blacks were intertwined.
"So, you're Orion's cousin?"
"Yep" Cygnus said. "Just like our sister Walburga."
Now Harry was truly flawed, Alphard, Cygnus and Walburga were siblings. Walburga is Orion's future wife. He shook his head to clear it.
"You really didn't know I was a Black?" Cygnus asked curiously.
"What? No, of course not. You just seemed like a nice person to sit next to."
Alphard and Cygnus shared a look that Harry couldn't quite interpret, now he was looking he could see the definite similarities between Alphard and Cygnus and even Orion. He felt like a fool.
"Looking at you now, it seems quite obvious you're a Black" he said sheepishly, a blush lighting his cheeks.
Cygnus and Alphard share another look.
"You know, Harry" Cygnus started slowly, running his hand through his dark hair, much shorter than Alphard or Orion kept theirs. "I've yet to ask anyone to Hogsmeade for this weekend, would you perhaps like to go with me?"
Harry blushed.
"Of course, as friends" the latest Black hurried to reassure. "I would just like the opportunity to get to know you better."
Harry smiled, "I'd like that as well."
"Wonderful" Cygnus said with a smile of his own. "Well, I shall meet you in the entrance hall 10am Saturday morning, though I do hope I get to speak to you again before then."
"Of course," Harry said honestly. "You can come speak to me any time you like."
Alphard gripped Harrys arm gently and with a nod at his brother, started to lead him over to the Slytherin table.
Harry felt…happy. He'd managed to make a new friend in a different house. Sure, it was another Black, seriously how many of them are running around Hogwarts, he thought to himself with a shake of his head as he took his seat with his friends at the Slytherin table.
"I see you met cousin Cygnus" Orion said with a dark scowl.
"Yeah, how many cousins do you have at this place?" Harry joked.
"A few too many" Orion said darkly.
Harry laughed softly, his voice turning wistful. "You are so lucky, to grow up with so much family around you."
"Well, my dearest brother has succeeded where many others have failed." Alphard spoke up, obviously trying to change the topic. "He has secured a date with Harry to Hogsmeade on the weekend" Alphard finished smugly, causing Harry to choke on his pumpkin juice.
"It's not a date, he said just as friends" Harry spluttered as Alphard rubbed his back soothingly.
"Ah, that's right, as friends" Alphard said with a significant look at Orion. "My mistake."
"'You two were certainly looking very chummy in charms" Abraxas said with a sneer and Harry paused in taking a bite of his sandwich to look at the blonde.
"Is something the matter?"
Abraxas swallowed thickly, with the look of someone tasting something disgusting, "no."
"Cygnus is really nice and funny; it'll be fun exploring Hogsmeade with him. Especially since it will be my first time there."
"I'm sure you will have a lovely time" Alphard said, patting Harry's arm gently as they went back to their meals.
It took two days for Fleamont to write back. He nearly jumped out of his seat when he spotted the familiar owl flying in during breakfast time. He'd already had to struggle through a study session with Tom, luckily, they had been doing nothing more then scouring through charms books trying to find the right one for them to work on. They had marked down any of interest and were going to compare and discuss over the weekend.
The owl landed in front of him, with a letter and small package tied to his leg. His heart leapt into his throat as he untied both, feeding the owl a little toast before it flew off again.
He opened the letter and began to read, scanning the contents slowly and savouring the happiness a letter from his brother brings. He'd sent a ring! And was going to meet him for lunch on Saturday at Hogsmeade and then take him shopping to pick a broom. It was more then Harry could've hoped for. He pushed the ring on his finger, marveling as it adjusted to fit his finger automatically. It was a beautiful designed, a navy-blue stone with flecks of gold and according to Fleamont there was no way for the ring to be removed, except by his own hand. He felt safer already.
Without thinking he jumped up from his seat and hurried over to where Cygnus was sitting and enjoying his own breakfast at the Ravenclaw table.
The Black smiled as Harry drew close.
Good morning, Harry" Cygnus said with a smile, ignoring the leers from his friends sitting around him.
"Morning Cygnus. I just received word from my brother that he will be in Hogsmeade on Saturday, is it ok if we have lunch with him while we're there?"
Cygnus' eyebrows rose, "you want me to have lunch with your brother? Fleamont isn't it? The head of the Potter family."
Harry nodded, "yep, that's him. Charlus might join us as well, I'll have to check. Is that OK, though? I'm not sure what you had planned for lunch."
"Of course, lunch with your brothers sounds wonderful" Cygnus said, and Harry smiled happily, leaning forward and hugging Cygnus, squeezing a little tighter when warm arms wrapped around his back. He pulled back after a moment, "thank you, you'll love them, I swear."
"I'm sure I will" Cygnus said softly, watching as Harry wandered back to his own table, green eyes sparkling.
"How did you manage to get a date with Harry Potter?" his best friend Abe asked to his left, as he swung back around to concentrate on his own breakfast.
"Just the natural Black charm," he smirked "and it's not a date we're just spending time together as friends. He's very… sweet, besides, it could be very advantageous to my future to have a Potter in my corner."
Abe hummed beside him. "Well either way, you're the envy of half the school at the moment."
"When am I not" Cygnus laughed and a few of his friends laughed as well.
"Oh, sod off, you wanker" Abe joked, shoving Cygnus playfully before they all returned to their breakfast.
News spread rapidly that Harry was attending Hogsmeade with Cygnus. A few people still tried to ask him out through the week, but he declined, stating quite simply that he already had plans.
When he walked into the great hall on Friday morning, it almost felt like he was back at the Hogwarts of his own time. All talking ceased and every head in the hall turned and stared at him. Mutterings broke out as he walked towards his table, casting a glance at Theo, who looked just as confused as he felt.
He sat in his usual spot, but no one greeted him. Everyone just sat staring at him. Corvus and Abraxas both had newspapers open in front of them and Harry started to get a very bad feeling about this.
Theo leaned over and snatched the paper out of Abraxas' hand as the mutterings around the hall started to grow louder.
Harry leaned over and they flicked through the paper urgently, finding nothing until they closed the paper to start again. There on the front page was a photo of himself, he's not sure when the thing was taken though. Underneath the photo was a large black headline that read, Harry Potter a Carrier!
He gasped, hands clenching around the paper, how on earth did they find this out!? Only the school nurse, his brothers and the headmaster knew, and he didn't think any of them were likely to leak it to the papers.
He looked up at the staff table, but found it empty aside from Dumbledore and a few other staff members he wasn't familiar with. He jumped up, grabbing his bag and the paper and raced from the hall, missing the eyes that watched him flee, he needed to talk to Headmaster Dippet right now.