Once the room was back in order, Harry drew the other bottles of blood and the library books to them.
"Have you read them?" he asked, taking the books in hand.
''Ten times each," replied Jasper with a wry smile that warmed the wizard's heart.
''Ah, maybe I'll go back to the library tomorrow."
The pout he made drew a genuine smile from the vampire.
''Thank you," he said.
''Still history books?"
Jasper nodded as he drank. Harry realized he'd already gotten a lot out of the vampire and was glad to have seen him smile. However, and even though he feared provoking a backlash, he decided to push his luck by telling him about the lead brought up at the last meeting with Percy.
"Do you know that several people are trying to figure out which curse you're under?"
The immortal opined again and stopped drinking, attentive. Harry tried to control the apprehension rising within him, aware that it would be sensed.
"We'd like to bring in a legilimens.''
''What's a legilimens?''
''A sorcerer who has mastered legilimency, the art of reading another's mind."
His stress soared, aware that if he were Jasper, he wouldn't like this solution.
"Like Edward?''
''No, Edward reads thoughts the moment the person formulates them. A legilimens targets thoughts or memories and can influence them.''
''How's that?''
''I'm no expert, but I know he can make you see his memories, he can block your memories, look for a particular piece of information..."
He realized Jasper was closing in. Harry took his hand in his.
"You can refuse, but we'd like to ask a master. If you don't want to relive your memories, we'll ask him to make sure you don't feel his intrusion.''
''Why?"
Harry knew he was asking a lot and playing with his control; he could see the vampire's shadow closing in on the surface, but he wished Jasper had made sentences longer than three words. He squeezed the hand in his and hoped he'd interpreted the question correctly.
"We can't get our hands on Voldemort's archives, and the manifestations of the curse aren't enough to identify it."
Jasper clenched his hand over his mate's and took another sip of blood before breathing out his agreement. He rose and went to stand in front of the window, his arms wrapped around himself. Harry followed him and ran his hand down his back.
"Do you want me to stay?''
''No, I'm dangerous."
This statement hurt the wizard, who didn't want to see the menacing aura of this man he found so handsome, even after the incident of their previous meeting.
"I don't think so."
Only a pained silence answered him.
"Would you like me to try and find a book on legilimency?"
Jasper nodded, but kept his gaze fixed on the outside, his face grim. Distressed, Harry took it upon himself to leave the room after placing a kiss on the blond's neck. He grabbed the books from the library and left.
"Harry?" called Jasper back just before he stepped through the door.
The young man turned back to him, curious, and waited.
"The redhead, who is she?''
''My ex, we've been separated for a year, but she's still mad at me."
The vampire nodded and turned his attention back outside.
Harry went outside and ignored Edward, who seemed to want to talk to him. He wasn't ready to talk about what had just happened with Jasper, be it their kisses or their discussion of legilimency. He walked past the telepath and his father, deposited the books in his room and headed for the square's library. He spent several hours there alone before finding a book that spoke only of legilimency and occlumency and hesitated to bring it to Jasper straight away, but his thoughts were interrupted by Carlisle.
The doctor looked worried.
"Harry, how are you?''
''I'm well.''
''Your fractures?''
''I can't feel them anymore, no pain.''
''Great news, what you're able to do with magic is wonderful.''
''It really is."
There was silence for a few seconds before Carlisle resumed.
"Do you realize what just happened between you and Jasper?"
The wizard felt the red creep up his cheeks, he had no shame or regret for kissing Jasper, but he had no desire to discuss it with Jasper's family.
"Harry, you're his soulmate; by kissing him, you're beginning to concretize that bond with him. If you keep getting closer, there will come a time when he won't be able to take any other path. If the bond becomes concrete enough, it will be indelible for him and you'll be the only one he loved for eternity.''
''Even if I decide to leave him," concludes the sorcerer, who had understood the man's fear. ''I'm attached to him, that's for sure, but I can't say I'm sure I want to spend eternity with him. I'll, I'll think about it."
Carlisle nodded, his gaze gentle and compassionate. He wasn't judging the young man, aware of the pressure he was putting on himself. Then, after a few seconds of silence, his gaze deviated to the book Harry was holding.
"Could I read it before you give it to Jasper?''
''Of course."
The young man studied his opposite number as he flipped through the pages of the book, which was at least as old as he was.
"You're worried.''
''About Jasper? Yes, I can see that he's suffering, and I'd like to be sure to find back the man who, though tested by life, had a good heart and was able to appreciate simple pleasures. Seeing him so defensive, not being able to approach him or talk to him, it pains me."
Harry thought to himself that the situation must really be hell for the whole family, and hoped that legilimens would allow them to see a solution in the offing. He decided to try and get a few hours' sleep, even though he already knew his mind would be on Jasper, before he could make his way to the library and back to his vampire. He wished the doctor a good read, but the doctor called him back.
"You should speak with Edward about the lady who came."
This sentence was enough to make him fear the worst; Ginny's resentment could drive her to irrational actions and she was a powerful witch. Harry thanked Carlisle and went in search of the telepath, worried.
He found him in the living room, playing video games with Emmett. He wondered how they'd managed to get the Muggle device to work in this magical environment, but it was a good thing for them who never slept. They couldn't get the TV channels, and cell phones didn't work, but they could play the console or watch DVDs.
No sooner had he entered the living room than Edward paused the game and turned to him.
"Hey, Harry! Well recovered from your encounter with Jasper's talents?" taunted Emmett.
The wizard regretted that Rosalie wasn't there to smack him in the back of the head, and Edward exploded with laughter.
"Recovered," he simply replied. ''Edward, what happened with Ginny?''
''She wanted to talk to you about your relationship and she went crazy with rage when she saw Jasper against you, told herself that it was true that you were already taken and started to tell herself that it wasn't fair, that it should be her in your arms. She barely blinked at Jasper's loss of control and promised herself she'd find a way to get you back."
Harry was stunned by this statement. He'd suspected that his ex couldn't move on, but to want to do anything to get him back was very worrying. He promised himself he'd talk to Arthur or Molly about it, but thought it would be more sensible to forbid Ginny from entering the square. She'd be furious if she found out, but he feared she'd hurt Jasper more than make her angry. He didn't owe her anything anymore.
"Do you want to play?" asked Emmett, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Harry realized that he wouldn't be able to sleep if he went to bed now. He settled down between the two vampires, who were winning every time, but Emmett's humor relaxed the wizard, who ended up preferring to watch them play and fell asleep between them.