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After Corene's statement of a 'to-do list' as she'd called it, the girl went off, headed up the stairs with the items he'd temporarily given her floating after her. Based on what she'd said, the night would be busy for her, especially with the focus being on finding Grindelwald's missing Horcruxe. If that were found, they'd be able to do more of those little delves into history.
That interested Harry something fierce, but his focus had to remain on destroying Grindelwald. They'd gone through that list, and that place they'd visited had somehow been the most likely… but it proved to be a deadend. There'd been some Muggle traps, but that'd been all. No sign of Grindelwald's errant piece of soul.
As Harry turned the corner, on the way to his and Elaine's bedroom, he had a thought. There were still those few followers of Grindelwald's in Azkaban. He knew how corrupt historically the place had been. They'd fixed that, he and Elaine — but who'd stop them if they took a private trip there together? It'd be above the board, technically and legally speaking so long as no permanent harm came to their charge or charges.
He pushed the door to their bedroom open, spotting his sweaty wife-to-be asleep atop the mattress, the soft cooing sound she made as she slept the biggest indicator. Her resting was something he seldom saw, and as he went over to the bed, sitting on the edge, he couldn't help but pull the covers up and tuck her in.
In her sleep she was finally relaxed, at peace; that was something she deserved far more than just when she was feeling ill.
Harry settled in the space beside her, grinning to himself when she seemed to shift even in the midst of her sleep, to be closer to him. Their link was truly something else, he thought, snickering as she threw a leg over his lower body and tucked her face under his chin.
Merlin, was her hair ticklish.
He wrapped his arms around her, enjoying the rare warmth she was giving off instead of sapping all the heat from him. He'd go and have a rest right alongside her, not one he'd sleep in — not while he was meant to be watching over her despite her assurances she was completely fine — but a little quiet time of rest with the birds chirping outside and the chilly air occasionally reminding him of the time of year.
Yes, that was something he'd quite enjoy.
Harry was thinking of what they'd next be doing when Elaine seemed to rouse from her slumber.
It started with a little twitch in her sleep, and then a little moan as she stretched, her arms and legs vibrating. For a moment, he'd been startled by the sudden explosiveness of movement and alertness, but then he saw her face; there was a wide, happy and rested look thereon. Evidently, she'd had a very restful sleep.
"G'morning," Harry said quietly, resting the back of his hand against her forehead.
It felt far cooler than it had earlier. That must mean whatever had come about as a result of her ritual was beginning to subside.
Elaine rolled over, now fully atop him with her face tucked further in the space under his chin. "Is it morning?"
Harry snickered and looked over at their wall, whereupon a nice charm had been cast some time ago. It was that which gave the time, only instead of needing to be cast time and time again, the spell had been made permanent on account of her runic work.
It read six in the morning. Far too early for his liking, and he imagined, based on the bags under her eyes, much the same could be said by her.
"Early morning — six," He waved his hand, the curtains closing, but the window remaining slightly ajar so as to allow the fresh hair to continue rolling in. "Corene stayed the night. Knowing her, she's only been asleep for an hour or two."
"And you?"
Elaine's voice was muffled thanks to her lips moving almost directly up against his neck whensoever she spoke, but it didn't help the matter any just how tired she seemed to sound. "I've caught a few minutes here and there," he brought a hand up to move hair that'd been obscuring her vision, and then he settled with resting it on her back. "Go back to sleep. I'll wake you in time for a late breakfast. We can find out together if Corene's come across anything."
"You sleep too," Elaine, even tired and muffled as she was, still somehow managed to convey that order-containing, stern tone of voice. Her grip around him tightened then too, as if assuring he'd not be able to run off and make some sort of great escape. "I feel what you feel."
Harry hadn't needed reminding. That was a fact he'd never forget so long as he was alive… and he was feeling rather tired. For one to stay awake as long as he had, with only the occasional few minutes every now and then where he'd dozed off, was no easy feat.
But he couldn't do that without first assuring himself that nothing would happen should he do so. "You're fine? Really fine, not 'fine' for the sake of getting me to agree?"
Elaine nodded, he felt as much as she did so flush against him. "Fine," she readjusted her position atop him, shifting around until she let out a content little sigh, the warm hair making his neck tingle. "Sleep."
Almost as if the word alone had been infused with magic, Harry's eyes closed. The assurance had been given, Elaine seemed more herself, and that exhaustion was finally catching up to him. He was barmy if he thought he'd be able to ignore it.
And a few seconds later, still barmy, he was pulled into the warm embrace of sleep.
Slowly, Harry came to, his eyes blurry as they blinked away the remnants of sleep. Elaine's weight was still atop him, her breathing even and temperature far cooler even when compared to their earlier conversation when she'd temporarily roused.
He couldn't help but smile at her sleeping form. It was about time she took a nice long rest, and he was more than happy to join her. Especially with how refreshed he himself now felt.
Harry made to slide out from under her, aiming to replace himself with a large pillow. That didn't work. Elaine, even in the midst of a deep slumber, didn't relent. Her grip around him was unrelenting; with her arms and legs all at least partially wrapped around him, it was all but impossible to move anywhere at all… he supposed that was why he'd gone to sleep straight as a board and woke up in the very same position.
Trapped, or rather, trapped so long as he didn't apparate out from under her, Harry allowed his head to fall back into the pillow. There wasn't any point in thrashing about.
Instead, Harry reckoned he was content enough to lay there as he'd previously done, until she rose again.
Fortunately, that took but five or so minutes, Elaine's eyes fluttering at the same time a soft squeak like noise came from her. Her limbs shuddered, her hands tightened around him, and finally, she spoke, noticing his gaze.
"You woke me," Elaine's voice was husky, the morning quality thick as she spoke.
"Did I?" Harry had only subtlety shifted once. He hadn't attempted to make her wake.
Elaine wiggled atop him, enough so until she could free her arms out from under his person. After achieving that, she sat up, sitting astride him with her long, dark hair flowing down her back until it came to rest on the silken sheets of their bed.
"You rose, and I saw myself through your eyes," Elaine leaned forward, her lips seeking a kiss that he was happy to give. It was as their lips connected when she jolted forwards, grabbing his hands that came up to hold her hips and clutching each with one of her own. Joined as they were, Elaine fell forward, 'pinning' his hands above him into their pillows. "The adoration you feel when looking at me makes me wish to do much and more to you."
Harry mimicked her quick action by shooting forward himself, his superior weight and the shock of his doing so earning a gasp from Elaine as he swapped their spots; the widened eyes and heaving chest of Elaine as she stared up at him was… Merlin, beyond lust enduring.
He couldn't help himself, he shot forth and stole a kiss. It wasn't one that lasted all that long, but Harry was happy enough with it, especially when considering Corene was still here.
Elaine, on the other hand, didn't seem pleased with how quick their little few second snog had lasted. As he'd pulled away, she arched herself upwards and craned her neck so as to follow after him, huffing and glaring when she failed to recapture his lips.
"I'll have my second kiss, be it here, whilst we wash or during breakfast," Elaine licked her lips and poured out her bottom one, a slight flush coming to her face. "Won't you just give it to me now? Or must I steal it from you?"
Harry's willpower was rapidly crumbling, her flushed cheeks and the pout she was giving him doing much to make him desire a second kiss… a third… more.
He was leaning down, closing the distance when he heard a knocking at their door. Rather than jolt away, he stilled, Elaine arching herself once more to take the kiss she so desired as the voice of their morning visitor greeted them.
"Breakfast?" Corene sounded quieter, tired even, and where he might expect more words after the initial, they were given none. She hadn't so much as knocked again.
Elaine all but growled at him when he made to separate from her again. At least until she swiped her tongue across his own, their kiss only ending a few seconds later when she pulled away, satisfied.
"Breakfast sounds wonderful, cousin," Elaine called back, her voice smug, pleased as she 'accidentally' rolled herself against him. "We'll be down in a few minutes."
There was no response from Corene save for silence. He reckoned she was already gone from their door, moving away as Elaine answered. The girl knew her way around their home well enough though — he'd even told her a few times before that she was more than welcome to help herself to whatever foodstuffs or the like she desired.
Perhaps he'd even take her to the Peverell library after their meal, assuming she wasn't otherwise occupied by Elaine.
Her thirst for knowledge likely hadn't shrunk, and there wasn't a reason he could think of to deny her greatest desire in the world; knowledge. No, as he and Elaine disentangled themselves from one another and headed to their washroom, he reckoned he'd do just that for her.
It was the least she deserved.
Harry and Elaine washed quickly, dressed quicker, and rather than walk down their staircase, they apparated to the vastness that was their dining room. Corene was seated to the left of the head of the table, her hands neatly folded in her lap and her eyes downcast, aimed at the tableware below. All save for the downcast eyes were normal behaviour from the girl.
"Corene?" Harry asked as he approached the chair to the right of the table, pulling it out for Elaine, who promptly slid into it as fluidly as ever before he gently pushed it in for her. "You feeling alright?"
Slowly, her head raised so as to look at Elaine, and then Harry as he slid into the seat at the head of the table. Her eyes were bloodshot, but sans that detail, she looked normal as ever… perhaps a touch paler. "Fine. I plan to rest once we've finished this meal and I've had the chance to speak with you both about my findings, few as they are thus far—" she held up a hand, summoning her satchel before withdrawing the shrunken cupboard once more "—I was able to spend more time on it an hour after my second check-in. The runes are modernised and recharged, and now, there's an activation word so as to disable the dangerous wards upon command."
Merlin… she's done a lot, huh? Harry blinked at her, impressed and pleased, but a touch concerned that she'd seemingly had no rest.
They were in a rush to be sure, but not one where a full night's sleep couldn't be had.
"Thank you." It was just a couple of words that didn't nearly do enough to thank her, but he could hope it at least conveyed a semblance of what he felt.
Elaine summoned forth the food with a flourish of her wand; something she'd insisted she was able to do after a conversation with the kitchen elves and Momsey. "You checked on us thrice in the night."
Harry furrowed his brow and looked at Elaine, and then back at Corene. He hadn't seen her whilst he'd been laying in the bed with his head resting atop one of their pillows… perhaps he'd been a bit more tired than he'd thought. Then again, Corene and Elaine were both notoriously stealthy. It couldn't be his fault and his fault alone if he proved unable to spot mistresses of the dark.
"I did," Corene dipped her head, unblinking as she looked at Elaine with an expression of concern… almost. "I wished to see how you were progressing, and if I would need to check the notes we have regarding this particular ritual you completed. No intervention was necessary, as you thought."
Elaine seemed to smile at having been right in the past. Clearly that was something that'd mattered to her even back then, though that begged the question of just when she'd completed these rituals. Fourth or fifth year, maybe?
"I was as confident in our work then as ever I've been. With Professor Slughorn's assistance and the note that gave us unlimited access to the restricted section, there was nothing to stop us from achieving our desires," Elaine let out a breath and rolled her neck. "Perhaps we'll have Harry join us one of these evenings, assuming you're still interested, lover?"
He nodded almost instantly. Then, he paused and turned to look at her. "You have more rituals you'd like to complete?"
"Naturally." Elaine's tone with which she answered would almost leave one wondering if Harry were the stupid one. "I paused for a time to further other interests, but once we've completed our annihilation of Grindelwald and finalise the establishment of our positions in the Ministry, much of our time can be devoted to other matters. Corene, Aster and others we trust will see to it that our desires are followed through with. Isn't that right, cousin?"
Corene dipped her head immediately. "Our interests are heavily aligned. I'll do what is needed of me to see them furthered."
Harry supposed the answer wasn't remotely surprising. Corene desired knowledge and power, and who else was there save for Elaine who possessed more? Dumbledore was gone, killed by Grindelwald after a long fight, the man's illness having weakened him before he ultimately was hit by a curse meant for Harry. Grindelwald wasn't an option for her. Harry, wish as he might on the contrary, simply didn't possess the level of knowledge Elaine had.
He'd closed the gap something fierce, to be certain, but Elaine was still more knowledgeable, and now that they lived together, the two would seldom do something alone.
As the trio ate their breakfast in relative peace and silence — the occasional chirp from birds the only interruption — Harry's mind was filled with the thought of studying. Hogwarts was long gone for him, but he had his personal library, and Corene as well as the Goldhorns had offered theirs to him… he was certain the Potters could too, given enough time for him to meet and speak with them.
There was a semblance of a connection between them already. He'd just have to spend more time with Marcus.
Maybe that was something he'd see through soon; Marcus, Daphne and Druella's relationships.
He was roused when Elaine turned his face with a gentle finger on the chin. The fork full of pancake that dripped with maple syrup and bits of strawberry told him a few letters and the like could wait.
For now.
Harry turned and sought out the closer meadow from his seat atop the master bedroom's balcony. Corene had told them that, whilst there were other potential locations, there was nothing solid thus far to venture out on. Perhaps they'd do so regardless for the sake of finding other items of interest, but Harry preferred not to.
Those places would still be there in the future, and even if they weren't, it was no true loss. Ancient spells and the like could only get them so far. It would take newly created spells to truly get ahead.
Another speciality Elaine seemed gifted enough to possess.
"She settled in?" Harry asked when he noticed the door to the balcony open to reveal a robe-covered Elaine, her hair wet and falling down the back of the soft, fur-like material.
"She is," Elaine answered with a nod. "I had Momsey infuse her drink with something to ensure her rest is of a good quality. Corene's insight will prove especially helpful, as will her connections."
He agreed.
"There's got to be a place we failed to find out about, yeah?" Harry wrapped his arms around her when she grew near enough, the strength therein allowing him to pull her into his lap.
Elaine burrowed into him. "I would imagine there's many a space he used that we've never so much as heard a whisper about. That only means there's more knowledge to be gained in the pursuit of his last soul fragment."
In a roundabout sort of way he reckoned that was true. Grindelwald had seemed to keep stashes placed there around, likely for the exact scenarios in which he was returned to life after having his body destroyed — even Elaine had emergency packs.
"Think we missed anybody?"
Elaine peered up at him, withdrawing just enough so as to make eye contact. "Missed anybody in what meaning?"
He shrugged. "The Ministry? Any of his followers after they were said to all be captured, killed or missing?" Harry huffed. "What if he returns sooner than we'd like? There's always a chance, isn't there?"
"If he returns, we'll kill him again. The soul piece that returns won't have the knowledge past the time of creation. It won't grow accustomed to us, there'll be no learning experiences. For him, it'd be his final mistake in a pitiful existence."
Pitiful was right. Had Grindelwald never lived, the amount of Magicals still present would have been astronomically higher; Muggles too, not that many of the former group cared about the latter.
"Let's hope that comes soon. I'd like some time without having to worry about where or when we'll see him next," Harry conjured a blanket, laying it atop their prone forms. "The number of quiet evenings we could finally have seems endless."
"They are."
He snickered and kissed the top of her head. Harry found her comments about spending all eternity together endearing, even if they weren't remotely possible.
Eventually, the second evening came to a close as all had to. Harry and Elaine had returned to their proper bed and spent much of their time therein; Corene having a restful, long sleep certainly allowed them more time than they'd usually have, even under normal circumstances.
The Ministry itself and the work therefrom certainly saw to that.
This time, when Harry rose to wash and dress, he didn't wake Elaine. He'd already seen fit via Laddey to distribute her work to his office and push back any meetings one more day. Nobody would question the pair, especially with all they'd done for the wizarding world and the connections the couple had.
Once he'd finished his morning ritual, Harry quilled a note and left it stuck to their bedroom door. Elaine would see it when she finally rose for the day.
Quietly, he tiptoed closer to her, pulling up the covers and returning an errant leg to the mattress. It couldn't have felt nice to have the thing sticking out from under the covers and hanging limply under the oppressiveness that was gravity. Satisfied she was tucked away nice and comfortable like, Harry kissed her forehead and started back off to the door. As he took the many steps necessary to do just that, he grinned.
Her forehead was as cold as usual. The rest had seen her returned to a typical, normal state of health. Merlin, did that make him happy.
He opened the door, slow and with one last lingering glance her way… and then he came face to face with Corene. Well, not literally. She was still a few steps away from him, a dozen maybe, but she was still in the very same hallway as he was.
That might not be surprising to most, but there were over a dozen halls in the main home where they lived. Corene's room wasn't near the one their bedroom occupied.
"Morning," Harry said, only just holding back a yawn, his eyes watering in the process.
Mornings sucked.
Corene dipped her head to him. "Good morning, Harry. I trust you and Elaine slept well?"
Slowly, he nodded. "We did — she still is. I figured it's good that she gets the rest where she can, the same as you. The pair of you work too much and rest too little."
He swore he saw a small smile form on her face at such words, but she sought out a tapestry betwixt them, stopping his view. Focused on the item as she seemed to be, Corene made her response.
"Your worry is appreciated, if not necessary. I could have managed another two days of productivity before needing so long a rest," Corene's voice seemed smaller than was typical, and like the smile, he swore he saw a hint of peek on her cheeks. "Clarify. Elaine is remaining in for the day?"
He nodded, still curious about her strange outward actions. "Yeah."
"Does she know that?"
Harry grinned. "She will when she wakes. I left a note on the door for her — I've also taken her workload for the day, or rather, my office did. Merlin knows she takes the lion's share anyhow."
Corene cocked her head to one side, likely on account of the adage he'd used. Perhaps it was a Muggle saying, or she'd thought it strange considering 'all' of them were Slytherins. At least so far as she knew. Even Elaine didn't know everything about his past.
That was still something he'd have to ratify soon.
Her head cocked to the other side, and then she sought out the stairs, her eyes flickering between him and the aforementioned staircase. "That's romantic of you. Elaine will be pleased," she held out an arm. "Question. Escort me to the Floo?"
He'd felt his cheeks heat a smidge when she'd called it romantic, but all the same, upon hearing her offer, he approached. His arm slid through hers, forming that little loop that seemed very familiar by now, and then the two were off, descending the stairs back in the direction whence she'd come.
They reached the Floo access in short order, and upon doing so, Harry stepped back and gestured for Corene to go first. She gave him a curtsey — another strange, playful behaviour he wasn't used to from her — and then she grabbed up a handful of the powder, and threw it at the ground.
And like that, she was gone.
Harry followed right behind her.
When next they appeared together, the two were in Harry's office, the place as messy and full of documents as he'd left it. Corene looked over at him, and then over at his desk, and without so much as saying a word, she slid into the seat. Her wand was immediately in her hand and the myriad of papers that were scattered all throughout his office, be it on a coffee table, shelf or the desk she was now seated at, began to fly about the space.
"You don't ha—"
"Assistance," Corene said, interrupting him; a rarity from the usually patient, very reserved girl. "It is only fair if I return the favour after the kindness you and Elaine showed previously, by allowing me two nights and personal quarters."
He huffed. Corene was just as stubborn as Elaine could be, he'd just forgotten that in their time apart. The two were more akin to one another in just looks, after all, the main difference was simply the introverted versus extroverted personalities they possessed. If you pushed that to the side, they shared almost every other trait… it was uncanny.
"Then I suppose we'll be able to hammer that out then, won't we?" Harry asked, pulling up a chair beside her and levitating over a stack of parchments before himself.
Corene dipped her head once, that small smile of hers present once more.
"I suppose so."
Harry returned home late that evening. Not as late as he'd thought he'd be on account of Corene's assistance, but late nonetheless; as for the day itself, it proved beyond productive. Much of Elaine's work was completed, some of it ahead of schedule. His own work was even further ahead, the mountains of documents they'd been going through finally caught up.
All it took was him, Corene and the staff of the Minister's personal wing. With everybody dedicated thereto, it almost flew by.
Unfortunately, that meant there was no progress on the Grindelwald front. Corene had reached a deadend in her personal efforts sans new leads that she was waiting for, and the rest of their staff seldom worked on the topic. Harry and Elaine each thought it best that only themselves and those they knew from Hogwarts — and trusted back then — be allowed to know more than the basic information. That had meant Aster, Corene and Reinhard, with Abraxas and Daphne potentially getting included later on.
Now? Daphne and Abraxas were much harder to get a hold of, and Reinhard… well, that needn't be said.
Still, Harry was confident they'd come across the man in time. Grindelwald's hidden soul fragment would eventually be run into by somebody, and when that happened, when so much as a whisper was made available, they would know.
Harry apparated into the hallway that led to his and Elaine's bedroom after taking a stroll through the first floor halls to clear his mind. The few birds still present made for a calming, cool walk. One that he thoroughly enjoyed as he found time to reflect and relax, and Merlin, after using a quill for as long as he had, something peaceful was just what he desired.
He paused for a moment, doing a double take until he snickered and shook his head. He'd been absolutely baffled as he saw something in the distance. A stone tower, old-looking and only partially built, and with a path cut through the woods so as to be visible from where he was. It was still so strange, seeing the thing even half-repaired as it was. He'd been so used to seeing nothing but trees in the distance, be they covered in snow or leaves. Merlin, as he sought out the stairs, he could only imagine what the landscape would one day look like.
Elaine had mentioned covering it in homes and giving one each to their children, and in time, should long enough pass and the pair were still here, to their grandchildren for their families. Such a time was decades away, easily, but Harry was no less thrilled at the prospect.
He pushed open the door to their bedroom and entered. In a few seconds' time, he was cleaned thanks to a charm and a few seconds further, dressed in a new set of clean, comfortable pyjamas. Elaine, he heard, was humming in their washroom. The sound of splashing and the scent of soaps and candles told him she was likely enjoying a nice, relaxing bath.
Harry would be lying if he said he wasn't tempted to join her.
But he couldn't. Not yet, at least. There was something else he wanted to do beforehand, and so he went back whence he'd come. A few dozen steps saw him push through an unused bedroom — one he'd converted into a workspace during his free time one evening. It wasn't completed, but it had much of the bare necessities that were necessary for an investigate type room.
Need to knick a pensive soon. If we had one of those, that'd certainly make things easier… I'll have to ask Elaine if we can store memories even without one. She's likely to know.
Harry pushed into the room and sought out the Floo. It was one that he'd had Laddey reactivate on account of it having gone dormant. The helpful house elf knew much of the manor's security; enough to fill in the blanks which Harry desired to have before doing much work on the property — the Peverells had been an ancient, strong, dangerous family. It wasn't smart to tamper with magic they'd made.
With his wand out, Harry very carefully went through those that would grant or disallow others access to the network. Everything seemed perfect so far as he could tell, and so it was then that he drew out two small vials filled with a red liquid; the blood of Corene and Aster, freely given.
Blood magic was something many despised, but Elaine had told him that it was the strongest, the most secure, the best. Now, their defences would be furthered and those that weren't included by way of blood, wouldn't be allowed in without the most dire of consequences.
He waved his hand and dumped out his satchel, turning his back on the room as it finalised itself; the papers of Grindelwald he'd accumulated, the notes from crimes, Newt's personal records of the man, Dumbledore's.
Everything they ever had from any Ministry, was in that room. It'd be an archive for the future, the only proof of the man's existence, and hopefully therein lay the clue to finding where he tucked away the last piece of himself. Corene and Aster would have access to the place whenever they'd like, and going forward, he and Elaine both would spend no small amount of time therein.
One could hope they'd find it soon. Very soon.
Elaine woke Harry by waking his shoulder, her slight, cold hand rousing him from a deep slumber.
"Good morning, lover," she leaned down to press a kiss against his forehead. "Corene is in the other room, adding additional documents. Today, I'll be seeing to the meetings you two delayed — will you be joining me at the Ministry, or working here alongside her?"
He yawned and stretched, his arms slowly pulling Elaine back down into the warmth that was their bed. "We could stay here a little longer."
"Oh?" Elaine allowed herself to be pulled into his embrace, the sheets covering the pair as they tucked in close.
There was never a time when she'd forego cuddling or any hint of physical affection. Every instance, from first they'd been together to now, she seemed almost rapturous when they hugged, moreso when they kissed, and beyond what he thought possible when they truly joined together.
"And here I was thinking I'd surprise you later this evening… but if you'd prefer to remain here, who am I to disagree?" Elaine did as she always did under the covers; she wrapped her legs around him after slithering atop his body. Her arms joined her legs a second later, and her head tucked into the crook of his neck.
He could feel her contentment through their link, stronger as it seemed to be in the morning hours. There were always the occasional shiver, though not from cold. No, it was like the ring she'd used to touch before they'd gotten as physical as they currently were… there was a semblance of pleasure on her face.
But she'd piqued his interest. "Surprise?"
"Mhmm, lover," Elaine said, her voice muffled. Her hands ventured up, weaving through his hair and massaging his head; it felt far better than it had any right to. "I had thought we might seek out a location in Germany wherein we might find a new friend or two."
Even freshly awake as he was, Harry could pick up the undercurrent her voice held within itself. That 'friend' she'd planned for them to meet likely didn't know of their meeting anymore than he had.
"In Germany?"
"Yes," she shifted, her softness pressing more firmly against him as her fingers began to take long, languid strokes atop his head. "But later, no? I'd be horribly sad if you disentangled yourself from me so soon after pulling me back into bed."
He grinned, not that she could see it; Elaine, he reckoned, always had a way of getting what she wanted. Almost every morning, he'd pull her back under the covers for a few minutes longer despite her insisting they not waste time — 'waste time', Merlin, he could feel how happy, how eager she grew whensoever he did so.
It was a little game of theirs he was happy to perpetuate.
"It's something Grindelwald related."
Elaine kissed his collarbone, the sensation making him squirm.
"Are we going to that prison aro—"
This time, she nipped at the same spot. He reckoned that was a no, then.
"We're hunting somebody."
Another kiss, as soft, but more wet than the last. Elaine knew how to drive him mad, Merlin, did she.
Harry grinned to himself, and then, he exploded into action. He rolled them over, using his speed to reverse their positions so that Elaine was below him now. Her eyes peered up into his; dark pools that could draw him in without so much as a word. The flushing of her cheeks made it even harder for him to think rationally.
She wiggled under him. "Any more questions lover?"
"Later."
With a smile still on his face, wide and dorkish as ever as he peered into the mirror before him, Harry adjusted his clothes. They were enchanted many times over to prevent any sort of harm from coming to him, be it elemental, mind-affecting, perhaps even Muggle, to a degree — there was only so much one could do to avoid the bullets they fired or the large explosions they'd caused if they so desired.
Elaine walked out of the loo with Corene by her side, the pair dressed in clothes that matched his own. The two eyed him for a few seconds, neither blinking nor looking away when he turned to see them staring at him.
"Gloves." Corene said aloud.
"Yes, he'll need those," Elaine agreed. "It looks like he's completely covered otherwise, save for his head. Our work is without issue, as always."
Corene dipped her head once, seemingly in agreement with Elaine's words. The two then peered at him silently.
He blinked… and then he saw where they were looking. The gloves. The pair was still atop the dresser. Harry slid them on, surprised with just how comfortable the durable, rough-looking material felt. He reckoned he understood then why the pair were so proud of their work. He'd have been too.
Now fully dressed in the suit they'd made for him, he turned towards the pair. "Good?"
Elaine strolled over to him, her hands pulling on his sleeves so that the material was tucked under his gloves. She said a word once she'd done so to both of his arms, and upon her doing so, he felt the material tighten around his wrists; a moment later, she did the same with his legs and the boots they'd produced.
"How long have you two been working on this?" he gestured to their outfits.
"No more than a month or two," Elaine said with a shrug, her hands picking incessantly at his outfit and hair. Especially his hair. That almost seemed her favourite, proper thing to do when the two were together. "After our first delve in Belarus. Progress was slow with the amount of magic required to be woven into the very material we used."
Corene dipped her head again. "Aggravating. Runes."
"Huh," That was a bit impressive, the fact they'd got it all put together so quickly atop all the other work they'd been doing. Suddenly, Corene's exhaustion made even more sense to him. "Well, thank you both — this'll be a whole lot safer now, these little trips of ours."
Elaine ran a hand down his arm as Corene moved towards the exit of their room, likely going to the Floo a few doors down. The trio would be using the Floo to go directly to the newly-created Ministry set to rule the Western half of Germany. That'd see them arrive legally this go around, and then, they'd continue elsewhere.
So far as Harry knew, the location they were ultimately seeking out was a bar in a very rough part of the country. One where wizards and witches of the unsavoury variety could always be found. Perhaps it could be likened to a bar-sized version of Knockturn Alley… just filled to the brim with people of a worse quality, and unlike Knockturn, there wasn't anybody therein that could be considered 'good.'
He'd seen the notes Corene had assembled in regards to the place, after word had reached them that it existed — Elaine had said they'd received an anonymous tip only late last night, after they'd all left the Ministry for home. The place seemed to be known only to those who had very good connections therein already.
"Elaine?"
"Hmmm?" She took a step back to look him over, and nodded to herself, pleased. "What is it, lover?"
"Are we going to try and blend in first, or are we going to go in with our wands raised?" Harry wanted clarification before they left. It was the only detail they'd not touched on thus far; the location, number of people to be expected, the building's details, everything else was had.
"Were I to go alone, I would speak with them. Offer redemption, perhaps, depending on what they've done were they to serve us, but I see no reason to do so. They're outcasts, known criminals," Elaine scoffed, a look of distaste flashing across her face. "I'd much rather continue the current course. Proper Purebloods and Halfbloods doing as we desire, our few friends more capable and competent than most others. In a decade, perhaps even less, we'll have the country reformed and rejuvenated, so much so that it's the pinnacle of Magical power in the world."
He hadn't needed the entirety of her answer, but a glimpse into her plans for the future was always excellent to receive. It meant, at the very least, she'd changed her tune from when first he'd met her, and she'd been so focused on Purebloods and lackey-gathering.
Merlin, now that he thought about it, Elaine had most of what she desired, and she'd had it not more than a year after they'd left Hogwarts. Corene and the rest of the Carrows alongside Harry formed her family, at least until they had children of their own. Next was power, and the position of Minister of Magic, well, there was nothing higher. Harry as her newly-created Deputy and Corene as well as Aster serving under them as well meant they'd done a splendid job thus far at consolidating themselves.
"Thinking, lover?" Elaine was staring up into his eyes on the tips of her toes, a mischievous sort of look on her face. "Or are you hoping for a quick tumble as Corene makes our final preparations?"
"A bit of everything," Harry answered, looping his arm through Elaine's and steering her away from the bed; they didn't need Corene walking in on them. "When do you reckon we do our ceremony for the public?"
He'd bring it up casual-like.
Elaine immediately ceased her walking and stopped altogether, her arm being wrapped around his as it was the only reason he mirrored her action. She spoke after a few seconds of peering at him in silence; it was a rare thing to stun her quiet. "Public ceremony?"
Harry nodded. "Reckon we should go and have it be something big, yeah? The Prophet talks about us often enough, and most of the public know who we are — why not invite the masses, feed 'em all, and show them we're all alike?"
Her eyes peered into his own with a deepness he hadn't expected. Elaine had oft spoken of their marriage, what their life would be like in the future and other such topics. He hadn't thought the casual mention of a public ceremony for their marriage to be something that'd catch her so off-guard or render her quiet as she was.
"You want to show the whole country you're mine?" Elaine had an almost feral grin, her grip around his arm tightening as she started them off again, all the whilst speaking and nodding to herself. "No witch would dare try anything after such a large festivity either. All would know we're together. It's a brilliant idea to show possession and seriousness… we'll do it next week."
"Next week?" Harry parroted, blinking.
Elaine smiled at his doing so and kissed his cheek. "Since you agree, next week it is. Wonderful. Shall we go and invite our first guest?"
Before Harry could so much as manage a response, Elaine had them off in a near-jog; no doubt she and Corene would have much to discuss.