When Ru regained consciousness, she found herself inside Harry's cozy house. She lay in his bed and slowly propped herself up into a sitting position. She blinked a few times to fully come into focus, taking in her surroundings.
The room was illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby lamp, casting a warm light over comfortable furnishings. The sound of a gentle ticking clock added a sense of peacefulness to the cozy atmosphere, while a subtle fragrance of lavender lingered in the air.
As Ru's eyes wandered around the room, they were immediately captivated by the extensive collection of books that were meticulously arranged on the shelves. The diverse array of colors and sizes not only caught their attention but also combined to form a visually satisfying and aesthetically pleasing display that added character and warmth to the space.
In one corner of the room, she noticed a charming work desk. The surface was decorated with a collection of magical trinkets, suggesting Harry's likely passion for tinkering with them in his free time.
A large painting hung above the desk captured her attention, portraying an enchanted ocean scene where the water was constantly in motion. The ship riding the waves moved dynamically, with seagulls swirling around it.
It felt like she was gazing through a window at a real scene, not a painting. She had never encountered such a remarkable artifact, and Ru had no doubt it was worth more than a small village.
As she slowly rose from the comfort of the bed, feeling the softness of the carpet beneath her steps, she made her way over to the bookshelves that adorned the room. Among the collection of books neatly arranged on the shelves, her eyes settled on one particular book.
She reached out, gently picking it up, intrigued by its cover and eager to delve into its contents. Ru quickly came to disappointment when she realized that she couldn't understand the language the book was written in.
A wave of frustration washed over her as she flipped through the pages, searching for any familiar words or phrases. The beautiful illustrations and flowing text were all lost on her, leaving a sense of yearning for the wisdom held within. With a heavy sigh, she reluctantly returned the book to its place on the shelf, feeling a pang of regret at the missed opportunity for discovery.
She couldn't even recognize from which country the language originated, making Harry even more of a mystery to her than before. First was his farm in a place like this, then the seemingly dangerous inferno wolves that listened to him without question, and lastly, his blood, which was like nothing she had encountered before.
Harry was an unsolved riddle to her, one that Ru was determined to unravel. Books written in the unknown language only added to the mystery.
Hearing a sound coming from the other room, she chose to investigate it, slowly making her way towards its source, not making any sounds on the soft carpet beneath her feet. She stopped before the curtain that divided the rooms.
Ru slowly moved to the next room and discovered Harry in the kitchen, diligently preparing dinner with his back turned to her. The kitchen was located across from the bedroom, separated by a large living room.
She noticed an inferno wolf sitting on a pillow, gnawing at a large bone. As the wolf saw Ru, it paused mid-meal and turned to glance in her direction. The second wolf was lying near the entrance to the kitchen; this one she recognized as Padfoot.
But to her biggest shock was a demon spider that was standing next to the table and eating raw potatoes, seemingly happy.
And it came back to her: why exactly did she lose consciousness in the first place. Ru took a deep breath at the revelation that she somehow survived an encounter with an apex predator, which is this spider, with its unique ability that makes anyone who sees it for the first time faint.
However, from what she last heard, the demon spider that battled the previous Demon King was much larger than the one before her. Ru wondered if it was possible for it to have gotten smaller in the next evolution. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine at the thought of the next evolution of the 'Harbinger of Death,' as it was known.
The spider, upon noticing Ru watching, raised one of its arms in a greeting and waved. Despite its reputation for death and destruction, it seemed oddly cute.
"Did you sleep well?" The voice of Harry reached her from the kitchen.
Ru couldn't help but chuckle at the spider's friendly wave, visibly relaxing in its unexpected friendliness. "Well enough, thank you," she called back to Harry, a smile playing on her lips.
"Shelob is harmless, so you have nothing to worry about," said Harry, trying to ease her worry about the potato-eating spider.
"She does seem pretty friendly," Ru replied, still amused by Shelob's quirky behavior. The spider continued its slow movements, as if listening in on their conversation. "I guess I have nothing to fear," Ru said optimistically, feeling more at ease with the unusual animal.
"I did not know what vampires eat with the exception of blood, so for dinner we will have some rabbit stew," said Harry, turning in her direction. "That is, if you eat normal food as well?"
"I do eat normal food, thank you. Rabbit stew sounds delicious," Ru replied.
"If you need to freshen up a bit, the bathroom is right there." Harry pointed in the direction of the bathroom. "Feel free to make yourself at home," he offered, and he went back to preparing dinner.
Taking over, Ru made her way towards the bathroom to freshen up a bit, appreciating the inviting atmosphere Harry had created. She smiled warmly, grateful for his hospitality. As she walked towards the bathroom, she couldn't help but feel relaxed and at ease in his home. The pleasant aroma of dinner cooking wafted through the air, further comforting her as she prepared for the evening ahead.
—-xXx—-
Dinner was served promptly, filling the room with the savory aroma of the rabbit stew. Ru took a seat at the cozy dining table. The conversation flowed easily between them as they shared stories and laughter throughout the evening.
Ru found herself thoroughly enjoying both the food and the company, feeling more at home with each passing moment. The fine red wine that Harry had selected to accompany the meal complemented the flavors perfectly.
She had never tasted such delicious wine before—not even the finest wine from the elves, which she had the pleasure of trying, could compare to this one. Ru savored every sip, allowing the rich flavors to dance on her palate. The velvety texture of the wine brought an extra touch of elegance to the already delightful meal.
Nearby, the animals enjoyed their meals as well; wolves had rabbit stew, and Shelob, on the other hand, preferred munching on raw potatoes. The flickering candlelight added a warm glow to the scene, creating a sense of intimacy between them.
During their conversation, Ru and Harry began discussing Ru's passion for pharmacy.
"So you are known for creating all kinds of medicine?" asked Harry.
"Yes, I've spent years studying the art and science of creating healing potions and remedies," Ru explained with a smile. "The things that you could do with one good potion are truly astounding. From curing common ailments to mending broken bones, the possibilities are endless," Ru continued, her eyes gleaming with passion.
"I once had a bone regrow with Skele Gro potion," recalled Harry, "not the most pleasant experience." He grimaced at the memory.
"Regrow the bone?" asked Ru, eyes filled with wonder. "But that's incredible, Harry! You must tell me how this potion is made."
Harry chuckled. "Easy there; I don't know how to make this potion; quite frankly, I am pretty bad at it."
Ru looked at him with disappointment written on her face.
"I may not be an expert, but I can share some basic potion-making tips with you if you're interested," Harry offered, trying to lift Ru's spirits. "And I should have a good number of books about it," he added with a grin. Ru's disappointment faded, replaced by a glimmer of hope.
But then she remembered that she couldn't understand the language that Harry's books were written in. "I don't know if that will help," she began speaking. "I couldn't read the books in your bedroom. What is this language that they are written in?"
Harry blinked as if not expecting such a question."I should have expected that," he murmured under his breath. "No matter, give me a few days and I will have a translating spell for you."
"You know such a spell?" asked Ru, her love for any kind of magic shining in her eyes.
Harry nodded. "Yes, there is a basic translation spell that I read about a few years ago in school. At first, I thought it was a pretty useless spell for me, as a caster needs to know both languages to create a translated copy, but in this situation, it should work."
"I'll work on that for you," Harry said earnestly, determined to help Ru with her passion, "but we will need to take care of the fields as well."
Ru nodded her head with vigor at that, eager to learn more about the potion-making craft of Harry. Their conversation progressed, with Harry talking about a few potions that he knew of.
She hung onto every word, absorbing the details like a sponge, her eyes wide with curiosity. Ru at that moment thought that she truly was lucky to travel through this forest; her research, with the help of Harry, would progress quicker than in the last few decades, if not centuries, that she spent doing it alone.
—-xXx—-
Harry has just completed cleaning the dishes following a delightful dinner with his animal friends and Ru. Alice and Padfoot decided to relax in their dog bed, keeping a watchful eye on their visitor, whom they didn't fully trust yet. Meanwhile, Shelob had already departed for her branch.
Ru, however, remained seated at the table, examining some of the crops they had gathered earlier that day. She was studying them carefully, one by one, and making some notes on the magical tablet that was floating near her.
The young wizard didn't know how much he missed human interaction until today, and he was pleasantly surprised at how easily the conversation with the vampire went through the dinner.
Ru let out a contented sigh, clearly delighted at the new things that she discovered today. Harry couldn't help but marvel at the sight of her; she truly looked like a picture of beauty and intelligence combined.
The magical tablet hummed softly as Ru continued jotting down her observations, the symbols on the screen shimmering with otherworldly light. Harry joined her at the table and took a seat across from her.
At this moment, Ru's was carefully studying a cucumber in her hands as she began speaking. "When I heard of this forest, I thought coming here might help me escape my pursuer and my research as well, but this is more than I imagined."
She smiled and said, "I wonder how many days it'll take me to inspect everything here." Her sole focus was on the vegetable in her hand. "And then your offer with new potion practice. It's all very intriguing."
Harry allowed her to speak, relishing in the sight of her finding joy in something as mundane as studying a cucumber. In some way, she reminded him of Hermione, but without a fondness for authority figures.
Recalling his former best friend stirred up bitter feelings towards her; he was genuinely hurt by her decision to side with the headmaster over their friendship. Shaking his head, Harry chose not to dwell on his past and instead focus on enjoying a pleasant evening. After all, what was done was done.
Ru closed her notes by tapping a finger on them. "Well, I almost got killed earlier. This place really lives up to its savage reputation."
"Hmm, its reputation?" asked Harry, not knowing what she meant. Sure, wolves were pretty dangerous, but wasn't that normal in any forest?
Ru looked puzzled as much as Harry, but clearly for a different reason: "You don't know? But you live here."
"Not really…" sweatdropped Harry.
"And you tamed all those beasts… " said Ru.
"I'm not really sure what you are talking about," began Harry. "I know they are magical beasts if this is what you meant, but nothing more."
"Anyways, about that magic you're using," Ru changed the topic, not telling more about animals "I've never seen any techniques used to cast magic like you do. Without any chant or magic circle. Where did you learn such a thing?"
"Is it really important for you to know this?" asked Harry back, not wanting to disclose his circumstances.
For a few short moments, Ru was directly observing Harry with her sapphire eyes. Her face was deep in thought, as if trying to figure out a difficult riddle.
Finally letting out a deep sigh, she slumped on to the table and said, "Oh my, what a day it's been!" Ru leaned her head on her hand, looking directly back at Harry with a small smile on her face. "I've lived a long life, but I guess there are still a lot of things left for me to learn."
Harry started thinking deeply about what she said; it truly was an interesting day for both of them. He didn't expect to meet another person at all in here, and from what Ru said before, it shouldn't happen in the near future again.
If what she said is true and this forest is indeed more dangerous for people than Harry initially believed, then her decision to come here was a one-in-a-million chance. Ru, considered a powerful witch, even acknowledged the risks involved.
She was only able to find Harry's farm because he had not put up any wards to hide it, uncertain of the potential impact on the animals.
'For now, she agreed to live here temporarily.' He scratched the back of his head as he was thinking, 'Maybe I should ask her to move here permanently; after all, I may never get an opportunity like this again.'
"Hey, are you planning on continuing to live here?" She snapped him out of his thoughts. "I don't believe that a few weeks would be enough for me to research everything; if you are going to keep living here, would it be alright if I came to visit again some time?"
Harry, using all his Gryffindor courage, took a deep breath, chose to take a leap of faith, and stood up from his seat to move closer to her.
"I have a request," he began. Ru looked startled at his tone. "If... If it's alright with you, would it be okay to stay here with me permanently?"
"Well, I would be grateful if I could stay here to work on my research, not having to worry about any interruptions," said Ru, unsure.
"I want you to live here with me!" said Harry strongly. "I want you here forever!"
Internally, Harry cringed at his own words as he realized that his emotions and wine that he drank had led him to say something foolish. He was worried that Ru would now see him as somewhat odd.
"Huh? D-do you mean..." said Ru after a few moments of uncomfortable silence.
"Exactly," replied Harry, choosing to continue with his heartfelt plea that he would either succeed or not in making sure that she would stay here.
"W-wait, hold on!" Ru was waving her hands with a startled look on her face. "This is all so sudden!" The blush on her face deepened.
"I don't want to let this chance get away!" tried to explain Harry, not looking at Ru.
"But, as I told you before," said Ru quietly, "there are people who are after me."
"I don't care about them," said Harry with as much confidence as he could muster. "If necessary, I will fight them myself."
"I'm a vampire," Ru said, raising her voice.
"That's not a problem for me!" said Harry loudly,"It doesn't change anything for me if you are a vampire or not. My feelings will remain the same." Harry looked at her with determination in his eyes, silently hoping that she would accept his offer to live with him.
Ru hesitated, torn between her desire to stay and her fear of putting Harry in danger.
Seeing this, Harry decided to speak further, trying to ensure that she would accept. "I've never been good with people; it was one main reason why I started to live here alone, but after living here alone for some time..." he drifted off.
"And after spending today with you, I truly remembered how much I missed having someone to talk to and to share my time with..." Harry glanced at Ru, hoping she could see the sincerity in his eyes. "I'm willing to take the risk, Ru. Please consider staying with me. We can face whatever comes together," he said softly yet firmly.
Ru gazed at him, noticing the genuine kindness in his words and the warmth in his eyes. She herself felt a sense of longing for companionship, for a life beyond solitude and secrecy. Without the need to constantly change her home and run from others.
She thought that perhaps it was a bit too quick for him to reveal such vulnerability to her. Ru was touched by his sincerity but, at the same time, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. The vampire took a deep breath, her emotions in turmoil as she considered Harry's offer.
Understanding the risks and potential consequences of her decision, she didn't realize that she had misunderstood Harry's intentions. He simply wanted someone to live with him on his farm, but she interpreted it as a desire for a deeper connection.
Ru slumped in the chair she was sitting on, a small light that was swaying above her head, casting shadows on the walls of the dimly lit room. She closed her eyes and made a decision that would change her life.
"Okay, fine." She said quietly, looking at her hands, "I'm okay with it, but..." She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "It's just all so sudden."
Harry could feel a rush of relief as Ru agreed, though he noticed a hint of uncertainty in her voice. He understood her reservations, respecting the significance of her choice.
The young wizard knelt down and reached out to gently grasp Ru's hand, offering reassurance without pressuring her further. "I know it's a lot to take in," he said softly, his touch a comforting presence, "and I appreciate your willingness to give this a chance."
Ru felt a sense of gratitude or understanding and nodded slowly, her doubts still lingering despite her decision.
"It was such a sudden proposal," she began, not looking at Harry, her face red from the mix of emotions swirling in her mind.
"Proposal?" asked a confused Harry, not noticing the misunderstanding.
"You told me to stay and live here with you, right?" Her sapphire eyes looked back at him.
"Yes," nodded Harry, still holding her hand. "It's pretty lonely here, so I thought it would be nice if you were here with me more permanently than only a few weeks."
"When you asked me to be with you forever, that's what you meant, isn't it?" She stood up from her seat. "You are getting embarrassed now?"
"No, it's just..." began Harry, now noticing what he said and how it was interpreted by Ru. "So I just proposed to you," he said softly under his breath.
"Is that not what you meant?" Ru raised her voice slightly, her cheeks flushing.
"That is what I meant!" Harry quickly answered, not wanting to anger the vampire princess before him. Maybe it was the alcohol that they drank at dinner that gave him this courage.
She was extremely beautiful, and he enjoyed the time they spent together. It may have been quick to propose, but there was a connection between them that felt right.
Ru narrowed her eyes, trying to gauge his sincerity. Despite her initial shock at his accidental proposal, she couldn't deny the flutter of excitement in her undead heart. The air between them crackled with a mix of uncertainty and possibility as they stood there, locked in a moment pregnant with unspoken promises.
Harry found himself holding his breath, waiting for Ru's response, unsure of what the future held but willing to take that leap of faith with her by his side.
"Jeez… I told you that I agreed, didn't I?" said Ru, smiling at him, with her cheeks flushed in a light pin hue.
Harry let a nervous chuckle, feeling relief wash over him as he realized his bold move was met with enthusiasm. He gazed into Ru's eyes, captivated by the warmth of her smile and the genuine affection it held.
Surrounded by an aura of warmth and affection, Harry realized that this unintended proposal might be the most beautiful mistake he has ever made, and he will never regret it.
Response to reviews:
Frankieu, Sandwich-kun the 3rd, RookRaven, Lonty Arbalest, hrodwulf, Ronin Kenshin, Aion27, firelordeg, TwinstarDragon: Thank you for your positive reviews, and I hope that you will enjoy reading this new chapter too!
Lordlexx: I thought about Immobulus as well as Petrifucus Totalus, but after some thinking, I chose Arresto Momentum, mainly because Immobulus doesn't stop the momentum and Ru lunged at Harry so her body would still impact him (the scene with pixies in the second movie shows it as they still flew in the air), and Petrificus Totalus wouldn't allow her to speak. Arresto momentum, on the other hand, can slow down momentum so much that it is possible to stop movement all together if used correctly. Thanks for the review, and I hope you will enjoy this chapter!
knygia: I will propably make it so there will be as many partners as in the original, if not more (thinking about the Demon Lord's daughter and some HP characters, for example). Elves want to repopulate, so it is simply one of the reasons to include them. I will try to write more meaningful interactions between Harry and other villagers, as I hope I did in this chapter with Ru, adding some scenes with him bonding with the girls. Thank you for your kind work, and I hope that you will enjoy this chapter as well!
Jlargent: Dumbledore will get his due when I do the Britain subplot, but it will be later in the story, but he won't be some hidden dark lord and more like a misguided wizard who paved the road to hell with good intentions. Some other characters from his circle will also get some consequences, but it will be mainly done by Harry and the villagers and not Lady Magic and Death themselves.
