Ash dragged them all over the Festival, it didn't matter if they had already seen most things with Laric, she was making them do it all again with her. It was like hanging out with a whirlwind, the moment they stopped to look at something with her, or catch their breaths, she was dragging them off again. It only stopped when she pulled them into a crowd, and wove her way to the front. They were standing along a wide street, Harry wasn't sure where as he hadn't really had time to get his bearings. There were people lined up along both sides of the street as far as he could see in both directions, all of them were chattering to themselves and looking off along the street to Harry's right.

"Er, Ash? What are we doing here?"

"The parade is due to start soon! Had to be sure we got a good spot. You haven't seen any of the parades yet have you? This is one of the best ones, they saved it til nearly the end on purpose, I think they do it so no one leaves early." Ash laughed and winked at Harry before bouncing on her toes to see if anything was happening yet.

Fionn leaned against Harry's side, his white-blonde hair tickling Harry's neck. He looked at him fondly a moment, he had no idea how the Fae did it, Fionn was technically taller than Harry was by about two inches, but he always managed to seem smaller somehow. Fred and George were slumped together on Harry's left, the two were for once too tired to get into any mischief. Ash had really run all of them ragged trying to make up for having lost 5 days of dragging them around the Festival.

As Harry glanced down the street again, he noticed a movement in the distance, and a faint noise. Gradually it got louder and clearer and he could see the beginning of the parade coming towards them. A group of 15 Warriors led the parade, they were a mixed group of Demons from all 6 elements. Their uniforms were a solid light grey with silver edging, and each one held an unsheathed sword that rested on their right shoulders. They marched in step and saluted the crowd with the swords as they came by, which caused cheers to arise.

"City guard." Ash said, her voice just reaching Harry's ears.

The air grew warmer, almost unbearably so, and smoke curled upwards in small spirals. The group of 16 who approached were all wearing red and black uniforms, no weapons were in their hands, but they were all dripping with Fire. The Fire merged and blended making a solid ring of protection surrounding a stocky Fire Demon with short black hair. He was powerfully built with a wide chest, narrow waist and defined muscles in his arms and legs. A gold-colored metal circlet rested on his head, with a red and black stone centered on his forehead. As they passed, animals made of Fire sprouted from his hands. A dragon and a firebird cavorted in the air briefly before the flames were consumed, a salamander crawled across the Demon's arms and vanished, a phoenix sprang to life and sang a silent song. Harry stared amazed at the control the Fire Demon was demonstrating.

"Lord Kyden, Lord of the Flame. And his Guards." Ash's voice cut through Harry's thoughts. "One day you may be able to do similar things, you're powerful enough. You just need the control."

A strong breeze blew, shifting the hot air currents left by the Fire Demons. This next group of 16 wasn't walking, they were flying. The aerial show Harry had seen with Laric earlier in the Festival was made up of amateur children compared to this group. They flew over, under and through each other as the other group had done, but they also dived straight down and skimmed the stone of the street. Came within inches of hitting the crowd, tossed what looked like small glass marbles to each other in a strangely graceful game of catch. And the most delicate looking Demon of any Harry had ever seen, also seemed to be the most daring. As she skimmed through the air, one of the marbles fell straight down, folding her wings and shooting down like a stooping hawk, she caught it just as it brushed the stones in the street. She had blonde hair, and very pale almost white skin. Her wings were an ice blue and white, and on her head rested a gold-colored metal circlet similar to Lord Kyden's. Only hers had a blue and white stone.

"Lady Annalise, Lady of the Air. And her Guards. I was not sure if she would join the Parade due to the threat to her daughter."

Behind the Air Guard, came 16 Water Demons. Water spouted up between their fingers like spray from a fountain, rising and falling. And then it merged, swirling to make a waterspout which exploded showering the crowd with water. A few of the Water Demons made what appeared to be balls of Water form in their palms, and then they played a quick game of catch, throwing the balls from one to another before allowing the balls to dissipate. The center most Water Demon was old-looking, he had lines on his face around his eyes and mouth. For beings who were immortal, Harry wondered just how old this Demon was to look so old. Laric was over 700, and he appeared to be in his early 30's. This man looked like he was in his mid-50's. He had auburn hair, and was of average build. Neither slender nor muscled, not fat or thin, totally ordinary looking.

"Lord Aenon, Lord of the Water and his Guards."

Earth Demons followed the Lord of Water. The ground trembled beneath their feet, as though a small earthquake was happening. Their powers weren't as flashy as the others, but perhaps that was because it was more dangerous to show off? Harry wasn't sure. The one in the middle had curly brown hair, and was short and stocky. He wasn't heavily muscled, but he looked sturdy and strong. By his side walked one of those black cat-like creatures that Harry had only seen with Djinn so far. This one walked calmly beside the Earth Demon, no collar or leash in sight, just a hand resting on its neck as it paced beside him.

"Lord Lyndon, Lord of the Earth and his Guards."

Dark clouds gathered overhead, a light breeze blew through the crowd, and the heavy feeling of a thunderstorm grew. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled, and out stepped the Storm Demons. More lightning crackled between their wings, arcing from one to another almost like a dangerous game of tag. The one in the middle was an older woman with curling brown hair that had a white streak running from her left temple. She was slender, though not delicate as the Lady of the Air had been. She appeared to have a wiry kind of strength to her, and as she lifted her hands, lightning shot from the clouds above her to strike her palms. As she looked out at the crowd, Harry could just see that her eyes appeared to have storm clouds in them. He couldn't tell what color they should be, her power was being channeled too strongly.

"Lady Dumisa, Lady of the Storm and her Guards."

As the Storm Demons passed, Harry looked around, he was guessing the Shadow Demons would be next as they were the only Demons left, but he didn't see them. In the distance he could see movement, but it was too far off for it to be the Shadow Demons. He was about to ask Ash what was going on, when the group of 16 appeared from nowhere. Stepping out from what appeared to be thin air, the moment all were assembled the shadows grew around them. Winding their way up each Demon like an inky black cloak, they drifted around them until all that was visible was the eyes. And then there was only a pool of blackness to be seen, a shadow so thick you could not see into or through it. Just as quickly the shadow thinned out again, leaving the Demons free to walk, but with wisps still clinging to them here and there. In the center was Lord Damien, with Gideon slightly behind and to his right. Gideon had a blank face with no emotion showing, but Harry somehow got the feeling that he was less than happy to be there. To Lord Damien's left, walked Nikolas, the Captain of the Shadow Guard had the same easy smile on his face as the last time Harry had seen him. He walked near enough to Gideon that their arms would occasionally brush, and while his eyes scanned the crowd for threats to his Lord, he spent almost as much time looking at Gideon.

After the Demons, walked a group of 4 Fae. They walked all together, with another cluster trailing them. These did not bother with the extensive displays, nor with circling themselves with Guards. Harry wondered if they were the Fae rulers or just other nobles? Behind them came a pair of tall men, as they grew closer he recognized Djuran and Rialyn. Djuran had a long-suffering look on his face as though it was taking all his patience not to smack his companion, while Rialyn looked smug about something. They did make a striking pair, Djuran's black skin and long black hair a sharp contrast to Rialyn's caramel skin and blood red braids, the amber beads catching in the light.

After they had passed, Ash grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him off through the crowd again.

"Ash! There was still more of the parade to see, where are you dragging us off to this time?"

"The rest isn't important, all the good stuff was the Lords and Ladies. Anyone else in the parade are nobles or other important city folk that were able to finagle their way into the parade. Nothing interesting left to see there." Ash gave an airy wave of the hand not still holding onto Harry, and ignored the question about where they were going.

Harry still had an arm wrapped around Fionn's waist, and he chanced a quick look back to be sure Fred and George were still with them. They were, but didn't look any happier about being dragged off again than Harry was. When Ash finally stopped once more, Harry frowned in confusion. They weren't anywhere he would have imagined Ash would have an interest in. Everywhere he looked were... children. And their parents he supposed, but mostly this area seemed to be the children's activities area. He could see face painters, a few small rides for kids, games like bobbing for apples and what looked like a strange twist on hopscotch, some children were flying kites and others were racing around playing tag or some other high energy game. But, as far as he knew, Ash didn't have any friends with children. So why were they here?

As he turned to ask Ash, a small body collided with his legs and fell onto the ground with a soft oof! The little girl looked up at him with wide blue eyes. She had rich brown hair that fell down her back in ringlets, and a pointed chin, a light scattering of freckles was across her nose. She was a Water Demon, her wings were a dark blue and light spring green. Harry was reminded slightly of someone, but he couldn't think who or why.

"I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going. Daddy says I have to pay attention, but I keep forgetting." She hung her head as though expecting to get scolded.

"Kayla! How many times do I have to tell you to watch where you're going?" Herne jogged up, his voice and expression slightly exasperated, though with an indulgent undertone. Scooping Kayla up off the ground, he tossed her over his shoulder as she shrieked with laughter.

"I see you've met my youngest, this is Kayla. Her older brothers are running around here somewhere as well. Kayla, say hello to Harry, Fionn, Ash, Fred and George."

"Hello!" The little girl tried to squirm upright, but Herne kept a hand in the middle of her back, so she just waved at them, grinning broadly.

"She's the troublemaker of the bunch, I'm sure it's because she's the only girl. Airany swears it's because I spoil her, but I spoil all the children." He grinned and winked at them before hurrying off again as a shouted 'Dad!' got his attention.

"I love watching the kids, not really into having my own, but borrowing other people's children for a while can be fun." Ash laughed and skipped off to check out the face painting.

Fred and George had already gone over to the kite flying area. Harry glanced at Fionn, and then sat down on the ground, more than ready for a rest. The Fae settled beside him, leaning against Harry's shoulder as was his wont. They watched the children playing for a while in silence before Harry cleared his throat.

"Fi? I was just wondering... What do you think of Laric? I mean, you gave him that set of beads and he gave you a teddy bear... Is that just something people do during the Festival? Friends I mean?" He had no idea why he was bringing it up now, watching the children was strangely peaceful, and the whole situation with Laric had been preying on his brain.

Fionn hummed softly in thought, golden eyes watching Herne and Kayla splash each other near the apple bobbing. "Friends do usually give each other gifts during the Festival. But I also saw how he watches you when you aren't paying attention." He licked his lips and glanced up at Harry from the corner of his eyes. "He's interested in you, and me as well I think. Though I don't know why he'd be interested in me... He's a good dominant, he's protective without being controlling. He can handle Fred and George, and he's kind. We could do a lot worse."

Harry moved a bit to see Fionn's face better. "You wish to Court him?"

Fionn fidgeted a bit, playing with the grass under his fingers. "We need a dominant. I love you, you're perfect. But we need someone who can take care of both of us. Ash will eventually want us to move out, and I don't think we'd make it on our own. Laric makes me feel safe, like you do. And he's attracted to you, I could tell. He'd probably take me to get you." The last was said softly as Fionn ducked his head, letting his white-blonde hair fall into his eyes.

Harry put a finger under the Fae's chin and lifted his face gently until he could see the golden eyes again. They swam with emotion, the easiest to read was pain. "You are not a consolation prize Fi. If you think we should Court Laric, then we will. But only if he wants us both equally. I'll not have anyone in our mateship who doesn't love you as much as I do. Everyone has issues, it could be just as likely that he will love you and think I'm the 'extra' he has to take to get you. We won't know until we're Courting, if he even agrees to it. It's not like we have to add anyone right now, I have more than enough money to take care of us. But either way, I love you. No one and nothing will change that, and I refuse to take anyone else as mate who doesn't see how special you are."

The golden eyes filled with tears as Fionn listened to Harry speak, a few finally trickling over and trailing down the pale golden skin. Harry leaned forwards and kissed Fionn gently, wiping away the tears with his thumbs as he did so. "No crying. You may still be getting over what that Djinn did to you, but you are perfect in my eyes. And anyone who doesn't see that is an idiot."

AN:

For those who are curious:

Kyden means "little flame"
Dumisa means "causes thunder" in Zulu
Aenon means "water spring" or "fountain" in Greek
Lyndon is a kind of tree (alternate spelling)

As always, thanks go to my wonderful beta Nicky Noodle.

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