((Forgot I was posting this fic here, sorry guys! For faster updates you can find me on AO3 under the same name...))

Harry had lost track of time with everything that had been happening to him. And the fact that the Wizarding World time moved slower than Realm time, didn't help. But it still came as a bit of a shock to hear that the goblins were ready to present their collected evidence to the Wizengamot, if Harry was ready to deal with Molly and Ron. He still hadn't spoken to the other Weasleys, didn't know if Arthur, Ginny, or Percy had been in on stealing his money.

The thought made him feel cold inside, even though the sun was bright and warm. He wrapped his arms around himself, not really conscious of doing it as he wondered if he was ready to face them. He wandered through Ash's tiny garden area without really seeing it. He'd asked to be alone for a while to think, but his thoughts just kept going in circles. As he started to make yet another circuit, Laric stepped into his path and silently pulled him to rest against his chest. Harry was stiff with surprise for a few heartbeats, and then relaxed against the Warrior.

"What is wrong? Your feelings are all in knots." Laric spoke softly, running a hand through Harry's hair to soothe him. It reminded Harry of the way he so often soothed Fionn.

He chewed his lip a moment, indecisive. He needed to talk to someone about this, but would Laric think less of him once he knew? He knew it was a stupid thought as soon as it appeared, but it hurt. He had thought Ron was his best friend, and Molly had acted like the mother he couldn't remember. And all of it had been lies. Laric was starting to grow on him, but he was afraid of how much it would hurt if everything he was building was based on yet more lies.

A finger slid under Harry's chin and gently lifted it until he was staring into ice blue eyes. A single tear slid silently down his cheek, Harry hadn't even realized he was crying until that moment.

"I love you Harry. Else I would not have asked to Court you. Nothing you say will change that. Nothing."

Harry gasped softly. Laric loved him? HIM? Sure he knew the Warrior had to be interested in him, or he wouldn't be Courting. But love? How could they all fall in love so fast? First Fionn, and now Laric? He shook his head overwhelmed. He wasn't ready for this, not while he was still stressing over dealing with Molly and Ron. He had no idea what he was going to do about them, he just knew that he had to do something. They couldn't get away with it.

"Talk to me, please? I want to help you, but I cannot do that if you do not tell me what is wrong. The Courtship Bond only helps so much. It tells me you are upset, and that you hurt. But it does not tell me WHY." Laric released him as he backed away, but left one hand outstretched, black braids tumbling forward over his shoulder as he waited for Harry.

"The goblins contacted me today. They said they were ready to take Molly and Ron before the Wizard court. But I don't know if I can... I don't want them to get away with it, but I don't think I can take them to court. I HATE being the center of attention. All those eyes. Everyone wanting something from me. And what if they decide I deserved it? They had to really hate me, don't they? To have pretended to be my friend, to be another son." Harry's voice was only a whisper, his eyes squeezed closed. There was so much pain, he couldn't tell if it was just his own or Laric as well. And he couldn't figure out why Laric would be in pain, deciding it must all be him then.

"Does it have to be the Wizard court? You are a demon, why not try them as we would? You said the goblins have all the evidence, and knowing goblins they would have been very thorough. Correct?"

Harry sniffled, hating the sound of it, and rubbed his eyes harshly with one sleeve. "Y-yes. But I'd still have to go before a court, wouldn't I?"

"Not necessarily. If you allow it, as a potential bonded, I would be permitted to go in your stead. Ash as well as your Guide. It would be presented to the Lord of Fire as the injustice was done to one of his own. And I can assure you, the Lords and Ladies do not look kindly upon those who harm the demons under their care."

A small kernel of hope grew in Harry's chest. Not to have to face those he thought had cared for him. Not to have to stand before strangers while they told everyone how worthless he was. Because hadn't he heard every day since his parents died, how worthless and unworthy he was? That had to be why Molly and Ron had never really cared for him. But... Fionn cared. He didn't think Harry was worthless. And the twins, and Ash. And Laric? He was so confused. If he was worthless, then he deserved what had happened to him. But if he was worthless, then why did Fionn and Laric want him?

He was startled when Laric scooped him up, and sat down on a garden bench with Harry in his lap. He was cuddled against the Warrior's wide chest, with his head tucked under Laric's chin. As the Warrior gently rocked with him and ran soothing fingers along Harry's spine under his wings, Harry gradually relaxed against him. He had the passing thought that he ought to be feeling something, since Laric's fingers were grazing his wings as he rubbed Harry's spine, but all he felt was warm and safe.

"What else is bothering you? I do not like the feelings I am getting from our bond. If you are not careful, you will have Fionn out here with us as well. And as much as I do not begrudge his position in your mateship, YOU are the one who needs solace right now."

With his ear pressed to Laric's chest, he heard the words and felt the rumble of them at the same time. He had thought he would have a hard time letting someone else take care of him, instead of being the one who took care of others. But this... was actually really nice. Would Laric still want him after he knew though? A little voice in the back of his mind whispered that he would be dropped and sneered at, but another voice, one he had been hearing more from since coming to the Realm, pointed out that he couldn't remember a single time Laric had done or said anything that was less than kind. Except the pranks he pulled on the twins. And even then, he had always done only what they deserved, and not a step more.

The dark blue fabric under his cheek was soft. He realized he was holding onto it with his right hand as well. It was well-worn, but without holes. Softened in the way of a favorite clothing item that had been worn many times, and carefully washed so it would be able to be worn many more times. Realizing that he was putting off the inevitable conversation again, he took a shaky breath.

"D-don't interrupt. If I'm to speak, I need to get as much out at once, or..." He felt Laric nod and cuddle him closer. He hadn't realized he could get any closer until that moment.

"My parents died when I was a baby. Dumbledore sent me to live with my relatives, my mother's sister. I lived in the cupboard under the stairs until I was 11." He felt Laric tense, but when the Warrior did not speak, or make any other move, he continued. "I thought my name was 'boy', or 'freak' until I started kindergarten." There was an angry rumble beneath his ear, and the arms around him tightened. "I never had a birthday until I was 11, and Hagrid brought me a cake."

Lightning cracked! Harry jumped and looked quickly up into Laric's face. The Warrior was snarling at the sky, his ice blue eyes colder than Harry had ever thought they could be. The first trickle of fear worked its way through their bond, and Laric's eyes snapped down to meet Harry's green. Forcibly calming himself by closing his eyes and taking deep breaths, the ozone smell in the air gradually faded and Laric's arms loosened until Harry didn't feel as though he was about to be crushed anymore.

"These people too will pay for their crimes Harry. Does Ash know?" Laric barely paused before continuing. "Of course not, else they would already have been tried." He stood in one fluid motion, as if Harry's weight was less than nothing.

Harry squeaked in surprise and Laric kissed him on the forehead before striding towards the house. "I think you have talked enough for today. You need happier thoughts for a while. Shall we see what the others are up to? I do believe I heard Fred say something about singing mice..."