Shifting Weave

"Sit straighter," Andromeda said. She watched Harry as he adjusted his stance. "Try not to be so stiff."

"This is insane," Harry said. "Were they expecting children to adapt to this?"

"Sometimes," Andromeda said.

"No wonder it felt like Malfoy had a stick up his arse," Harry said.

"I really hope his mother didn't treat him the way our parents treated us," Andromeda said. She had considered reaching out to her sister, but she never had. She wasn't sure what to say to her. Narcissa had done as their parents wanted. She had married a lord and provided an heir. She didn't know much more than that about her little sister. Maybe Narcissa hadn't wanted to end up where she did.

"I don't think she did," Harry said. "She helped me against Riddle. She did it for Draco, so I would hope she hasn't treated him the way your parents treated you guys."

Andromeda sighed. If she hadn't lost her daughter, maybe she would have had the presence to reach out. As it was now, she would rather focus on Harry and Teddy while also figuring out a job she could do. Anything else would have to come later. She focused back on Harry and noted how he moved his hands and his general demeanour. With the base rules, he would hopefully just develop as time passed on into a more natural version of what she was teaching him. They had been at this for almost four months now. He had improved a lot in that time. Harry wanted to make her proud, that much was certain.

"Master and I are leaving," Harry said. "He has been invited to a dig, and he isn't willing to leave me for as long as he thinks we will be there."

"Please write," Andromeda said as she considered the implications. "At least he approves of your warding technique. You are still working on how to get it to do what you want it to?"

"I can ward the model just fine," Harry said. "It is a bit messy still, and I'm working on that, but it does not transfer to an entire room. I might need to rune lay differently, so that is what I'm kind of working on now. Still, Master wants me along for this, partially because I see ward weave differently from the way he does."

"He wants to use your unique perspective on older wards," Andromeda said. "That is wise of him. Just promise me one thing… make it back alive."

Harry nodded. "I will do everything I can to make that happen," he said. He wanted to make it back. He wanted to see Teddy grow up.

"Okay, enough of that, you are making a mess of everything," Andromeda said. "Up with you." She started music, and he placed his hand on her waist. They danced through the first song, and she corrected him before the second one started playing. Frankly, Harry didn't mind this. Not now that he knew how to dance.

…

Two days later, Harry followed Ragnok and Glint as they headed towards the travel hall. Before they left, his Master had given him a whole lecture on how his actions reflected on his Master so he better behave. Harry didn't want to disappoint him. He would do his best to not do anything foolish.

"Heading for Tipon now, Master Ragnok?"

"Yes, send us through," Ragnok said. He led the way and stepped through a portal, taking them across the Atlantic.

The wind pulled at Harry's hair as he looked around at the grass clad hills. They headed for a rather large tent and Ragnok walked inside.

"You brought an apprentice, Ragnok? You are aware of the fact that this is a very delicate project, and we advised against apprentices."

Ragnok straightened, and Harry knew he was irate with this goblin already. "My apprentice is here to observe nothing else, Norgu," he said. "I have every right to bring him."

Norgu huffed. "We did not count on him for your accommodations," he said. "I guess you will have to put him with the other humans."

Glint's eyes narrowed. Her cousin was pushing it. If Harry was not treated well, she would personally make his life difficult. She looked up at Harry. Nothing in his demeanour spoke of his feelings on the matter. His time with Andromeda was having interesting results.

"I came in here to let people know we have arrived," Ragnok said. "We will put our things in order, and I shall return here later this evening." He walked them back out. He would probably have to speak to the human warders himself to get a space for Harry after they had deposited their things. They headed over to an unoccupied tent and walked inside.

"You did inform them we were bringing Harry," Glint said as she placed her medic's bag down.

"I did. Norgu must have decided not to care," Ragnok said. He looked at Harry as his apprentice ordered his things for him. "You will bring your own things and ward them," he said. "Remember the rules."

Harry nodded. "I will Master," he said.

"I remind you because there could be humans here who do have a complete shield," Ragnok said. "They will show you if they are willing to speak with you." He sighed. "Norgu will be difficult. You will stay close to me and do as I say. No one else has a right to order you around. It doesn't matter that they are Masters and you are not. If anyone does something towards you that is harmful, you will tell me or Glint."

Harry nodded. "I promise, Master," he said. He looked towards the tent flap as it opened up.

"Would you like for me to show your apprentice over to the human tents?" the goblin asked.

"Duncan, it is good to see you," Ragnok said. He looked at Harry. "Harry, please go with Duncan. I need to see who else is here. It will matter, unfortunately." It was good to see a friendly place, and Duncan was a reliable sort of fellow.

"As you wish, Master," Harry said. He headed outside with Duncan. He didn't mind speaking to another friendly Master.

"I assume Ragnok is following tradition with you," Duncan said.

"Is there any other way to do it?" Harry asked.

Duncan chuckled. "Yes, but it doesn't earn you the filled shield," he said. "The difference is noticeable if you ever come across such a person."

They got closer to the tents and Duncan avoided further conversation since Harry was no longer allowed to answer. They walked into the biggest tent. It looked almost like a small version of the great hall at Hogwarts.

"Hey Duncan, who is this?"

"This is Harry, he arrived with Master Ragnok," Duncan said. "He needs accommodations." He looked around at the humans gathered. "Kahmu will you take the youngling under your wing?" he asked.

A tall man with piercing brown eyes so dark they looked black looked up from what he was doing. He rose from the table he had been sitting at slowly before walking up to them. He placed his hand over his heart and bowed to Harry.

Harry mimicked the gesture and bowed back.

Kahmu tilted his head. "He is not placed with his Master?" he asked.

"Norgu is being difficult," Duncan said.

Kahmu shook his head and sighed. "Should have known he would be," he said. He looked at Harry. Bright green eyes looked up at him. "Come with me, little one," he said. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and led him out of the room. His hand was warm, and Harry had to fight himself not to move away from him. Not everyone who touched him wanted to cause harm. He really needed to work through that, and the only way to do it was to allow contact.

They walked through wards into a room. It was orderly, but it was in no way large. Kahmu made space for Harry quickly. "You may wonder why Duncan asked me specifically to watch over you."

Harry placed his things down, but he didn't say anything. He really hoped that wouldn't be a problem. He placed his hand on the box where he kept his warding research and warded it against outside interference. His eyes were still glowing as he rose and turned towards Kahmu again. He wasn't sure what to do now.

"Come here, sit," Kahmu said.

Harry contemplated the suggestion. While, he knew he didn't have to listen to this Master, it would serve him no good to make enemies with someone who was willing to help him. He walked forward and sat down next to Kahmu on the couch.

Meanwhile, Kahmu was watching the young man. He acted uncertain in a way that Kahmu would normally associate with an abusive Master, but Ragnok was not one known to act in such a way, meaning the abuse might be older. Still, he held himself in a way reminiscent of pure-bloods like he had been born in such a family and escaped it or like he was learning how to act that way, he couldn't be certain which. "You need to be careful with certain masters here, young one," he said. "Some of them are not suited for apprentices, and they might act in a way that simply proves that fact, even towards one belonging to another. They will be less likely to do so with me around." He had to give it to this human. He was not responding at all to his words.

Harry did his best not to move or react. He knew some people were very good at reading body language, and he wasn't supposed to give anything away that way either. Most goblins had problems with that, so it wouldn't be a problem if he slipped. He was just doing it for practice.

"Bring your notebook out and show me you can map my wards," Kahmu said after a while. He was actually surprised an apprentice could use magesight already. Most learnt how to place basic wards. Then they learnt how to look for their own magic, and then they learnt true magesight. Though, Ragnok was known to do things out of order.

Harry got up and opened his box so he could get his things. He activated magesight and looked around the room. He paused. Kahmu didn't use a single focal rune. That was different. Maybe he needed to think that way too? He drew the weave slowly as he studied how it had been made. It didn't look the same as anything Ragnok did, which made sense if every warder did things differently. He sat back down and looked over his matrix. The wards weren't big, so it hadn't taken that long to note them down. Kahmu moved closer to him as he sat down, and he froze. The warmth wafting of the taller man pressed through his shirt. He felt surrounded, even though he could have easily stood up and left.

Kahmu looked down at the matrix. He wasn't sure he had ever seen anyone draw a matrix like it before, but he had worked with people who would never show their matrixes, and he had seen weaves similar to what the young man had drawn. He noticed how still Harry was and heard his breathing, which was forced in a way that worried him. He moved back and watched as Harry slowly calmed and unclenched his hands from the pad. "You have a unique look on wards. That is quite interesting," he said. "I would assume that is one of the reasons your Master wanted you to join us."

Harry rose and put the notebook away again. He felt uncomfortable. He wasn't sure what to do. He grabbed a book and walked back to the couch. It was strange to invade on someone else's personal space and just hang out, but not be able to speak to them. He wasn't sure for how long he sat there reading with Kahmu watching him. He could feel the other man's eyes on him and did his best to ignore it. When Kahmu finally rose and walked over to the door, Harry felt tense.

"Let's head back to the Hall and grab some food," Kahmu said.

Harry stood up and placed his book on the table before following Kahmu. People sat gathered around the tables. It seemed the Hall was bigger than it needed to be, judging by the amount of people in there. Harry doubted all of them were warders. They were more likely Masters of many different things needed for the excavations.

Kahmu made sure he still had Harry with him as he filled his plate. At least food didn't seem to be a problem. They sat down with a bunch of other people, though Kahmu kept Harry as far away from the group as he could manage without it looking strange.

"Who do you have with you, Kahmu?"

"Apprentice, Harry," Kahmu said. "He belongs to Ragnok, but for some reason space hadn't been made for him with his Master, so Duncan asked me to look after him."

"So, cutie, what's it like to work under a goblin Master?"

Harry didn't respond. He didn't even acknowledge that anyone had spoken. He ate his food slowly and didn't look up.

"Something wrong with the newbie?"

Kahmu shrugged. "He is doing as his Master demands," he said.

"What, he isn't allowed to speak. Hey kiddo, none of those stuffy goblins will know if you bend the rules a little around us."

Kahmu shook his head. "Leave him be," he said. "He won't answer you."

"Doesn't talk to you either, then?"

"No, as a matter of fact he does not," Kahmu said. "That is irrelevant, however. I will do as I have been asked regardless." His eyes narrowed as he looked at some of the guys around the table. He hadn't been wrong with his warning earlier. Thankfully, Harry didn't leave until he was done and could go with him. They wandered around the ruins for a bit, with Kahmu telling the young warder about the excavation, before returning to their room so they could go to sleep for the night.

…

Kahmu woke up suddenly. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the ceiling. Why had he woken? He sat up in bed and looked over at the couch where Harry slept. At first, he figured nothing was wrong. Then he heard it. It started as a soft, scared murmur before turning into a terrified shriek. Kahmu was out of the bed and over to Harry in seconds. He moved down next to the young man and placed a hand against his side. "Wake up," he said softly.

Harry shuddered as his eyes opened and darted around. He focused his gaze on Kahmu. Unlike earlier, when his expression had been blank, Kahmu could see a plethora of emotions in those green depths now. He pulled Harry up so he was sitting next to him. "Your master knows you have these nightmares?" he asked. He sighed as he received no response, and Harry guarded his expression once more. "I'm going to turn the light on," he said before doing just that. "Now look at me," he said as he turned around slightly to show his left shoulder. A smile spread over his lips as he felt tentative fingers run over the branded shield, residing there. "I'm the first human you meet who has a shield?" he asked.

"Yes," Harry said. He realised what he was doing and pulled his hand back. "Duncan knows, doesn't he? That's why he asked for you specifically to step in."

Kahmu nodded. "Correct," he said. "I have worked with Duncan before. My own Master is here as well. We end up working together fairly often because of how few Curse-breakers of my calibre there are."

"I'm sorry I woke you up," Harry said. "I usually have wards between me and other people."

"But your Master knows?" Kahmu asked. That was crucial to him. If Ragnok did not know about his apprentice's nightmares, he needed to be made aware.

"Yes, Master is aware and has provided aid," Harry said. "It's been less than a year since I met him, though, and well… the rest is a lot longer than that." He did not want to talk about his trauma with some random Master, even if he was one of the few humans he was allowed to speak with.

"Are you going to be okay going back to sleep?" Kahmu asked. He was going to take what Harry said at face value. Hopefully he wasn't lying.

Harry nodded. "I should be able to," he said.

Kahmu rose and squeezed Harry's shoulder. "Don't worry about waking me. I promise I'll live," he said as he headed back to bed.

Harry lay back down as Kahmu turned the light back off. He stared up at the ceiling for a while before slowly falling back asleep. He had a feeling things wouldn't necessarily get any better for a while, but at least Kahmu would be easier to be around now that he knew he was allowed to speak with him.

…

The following few days, Harry spent mostly in either Ragnok's tent or in Kahmu's room, doing things an apprentice tended to do when their Master was busy. He spoke with Glint or with Ragnok depending on who was around. He talked about the excavation with Kahmu since he seemed to have fewer problems telling him things. Maybe because he didn't have to care as much about what Norgu had to say.

It took almost two weeks before he was allowed to accompany Ragnok down to the chamber they were currency working on. He looked around slowly and made sure that he wasn't in the way.

"What do you think?" Kahmu asked as they settled down in his room that evening.

"What is the current problem?" Harry asked. "We can't proceed right. Why is that?"

"The door won't open. It is locked by the wards somehow because we activated the alarms in the room before it," Kahmu said. "It will slow things down, but we'll manage eventually."

"If let's say someone could point out where the clusters of the wards were, could you do something about them?" Harry asked.

Kahmu rubbed his face. "You can see something past the weave?" he asked.

Harry held his matrix of the room up and pointed to six different clusters of runes all layered on top of each other, but he had drawn them out in order too. He wasn't sure if it would help, but he certainly hoped it would.

"I want you next to me tomorrow. I'll have to ask Ragnok if I can steal you," Kahmu said before going to bed.

Harry put his notes away while smiling softly. Maybe bringing had been a good idea no matter what Norgu thought about it.

…

Kahmu stood with Harry beside him the following morning. He had entered the goblin main tent to speak with Ragnok. Harry's Master hadn't been an issue. He had easily approved his apprentice working with Kahmu. It was after that the problem had arisen.

"The boy has no reason to go back down there," Norgu said. "He has seen the wards. That is all he should be allowed to do. This excavation was not meant for apprentices. You should not have brought yours." He glared at Ragnok.

"Enough, Norgu." Another goblin joined them. "If Kahmu wants Harry with him and Ragnok agrees, you have no right to stop them. Unless you have forgotten who is actually in charge of this location."

Kahmu bowed his head. "Master Sokka," he said. That was good. His Master wasn't likely to listen to Norgu. She didn't like him very much, all things considered. She would like him even less if Harry could provide a solution to their problem.

"Take the boy with you and get to work, Kahmu," Sokka said. "We have some things to discus. Don't expect any goblins down there until after lunch."

"As you say, Master," Kahmu said, showing respect to his Master. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and turned him around before walking outside again. "That will be interesting," he said. "Seems like Norgu is stepping on toes. He had a tendency to do that, but this is different."

"Makes me wonder if he is a Nationalist," Harry said softly.

Kahmu stopped walking. "The Nationalists want to harm you?" he asked.

Harry could neither confirm nor deny that statement. He wasn't supposed to have said anything in the first place. Hopefully, it wouldn't matter too much.

Kahmu sighed as he started walking again. "Bloody secrets," he muttered.

They headed down to the chamber they had been working in the past week or so.

"No goblins?"

"They have some issues they need to deal with," Kahmu answered.

"So we're just stuck sitting here?"

Kahmu tilted his head and looked at Harry. "We shall see," he said. "Show me the clusters, Harry."

Harry walked past the other humans and headed up to a wall. He entered magesight before he reached for the weave slowly. He looked up at Kahmu who placed his hands against his waist and leaned down so he could whisper in his ear. "Can you see?" he whispered softly.

Kahmu looked at the weave as he stood back up. His eyes glowed. Some curse-breakers learnt magesight for similar reasons to warders. It wasn't all of them, though. Some went of feel rather than sight, something that might have worked better here. "I do see," he said after a while. Harry moving the weave for him was surprising. He hadn't expected him to be able to do something so intricate. He reached out and deactivated the runes slowly until it was just two left. "We will need to move on. If I take the last two we will destabilize the whole place, and we don't want that," he said.

Harry nodded carefully so he would notice, but no one else could.

"So you are talking to the newbie, Kahmu. I thought he wasn't allowed to talk."

Kahmu rolled his eyes. "There are exception to every rule, Stefan," he said. "Harry is allowed to speak with me." He focused back on what they were doing as Harry pulled the weave apart. They had moved across the room in an attempt to keep things as stable as possible.

They headed up once they had finished the preparations and ate lunch with most of the other humans. Harry was ignoring the conversation around him until someone other than Kahmu touched his arm.

"So, has Kahmu sampled you yet?"

Harry didn't react to the question at first. When the other guy didn't seem inclined to let go of him, as if his continued presence would somehow make Harry talk, he reached out and placed a hand against Kahmu's arm. Kahmu turned towards him, his eyes narrowed, and he reached over Harry to remove the hand touching him. "Get lost, Erys," he said.

"So you haven't had your fun with him yet?" Erys said. "Maybe he is still worth a taste, then."

Harry was looking at Kahmu. He poked at him to get his attention. 'Let's go,' he mouthed before standing up. Kahmu joined him and the two of them headed out of the tent. "What the hell was that?" Harry hissed as soon as he was sure they were out of earshot. "I'm not a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. Sampling… really. Is it possible to be creepier than that."

Kahmu snorted. "I love how that is what is bothering you and not what he actually meant by what he said," he pointed out.

Harry pressed his palms against his eyes. Sure, he had heard the words; he wasn't that innocent. He understood what they meant. He wasn't sure what to do with that information. He had no experience to speak off. With the way his life was going, it would be years until he would have any kind of chance of having a relationship. He looked beyond Kahmu. Several goblins were approaching them. "Can we talk more about that later?" he asked.

Kahmu followed his gaze. "We can do that," he said. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder as Harry walked up in front of him.

"Any results?" Sokka asked.

"We have results, but we will need six of us to do this," Kahmu said.

"Then we get six people," Sokka said. "Can you, Duncan?" she asked.

"Absolutely," Duncan said.

"In the meantime, you will show me what you have done," Sokka said. She led the way down to the chamber, and Harry walked with her up to a wall as Kahmu explained what they had done.

"Beautiful," Sokka said. "Quite extraordinary. You have an interesting apprentice there, Ragnok. I should have specified what kind of people we needed when sending Duncan. I don't think all the humans can help."

"I can help instead of one of them," Ragnok said. "I understand what needs to be done."

"So can I," Harry said. "I've been watching Kahmu do all the rest of the runes. I know what I must do."

Sokka looked at Ragnok. "That is your call," she said.

"He can do it," Ragnok said. "I want him closest to the path out, though."

"Kahmu and Master Sokka should take the core ones," Harry said. "They are the most likely to cause problems."

Sokka looked at the runes. "I do believe you are right about that," she said. She looked back as Duncan appeared with the humans. She walked among them and talked to them until she had the amount of curse breakers she needed. She spread them out and turned to Harry. "Start with me," she said.

Harry walked up to her and opened the weave for her. He waited until she had connected to the runes before moving on. Kahmu placed his hands on his hips as he walked up to him. He opened the weave and felt how warm hands ghosted over his body as Kahmu reached out to connect to the runes. He moved through the room and helped the rest of the Master's connect to the runes.

"We need to talk," Ragnok told him.

Harry nodded slowly as he opened the weave for his Master. He walked back towards the exit and connected to the last runes. He twisted his magic around them slowly. Sokka counted them down, and they dispelled the runes as one. The wards faded slowly as they stepped back.

"That was surprisingly easy."

Ragnok shook his head slowly. "That is a matter of perspective," he said. He looked over at Harry. He really wanted to see his apprentice succeed because he could do so well. He motioned for Harry to accompany him back to his tent and headed out. They walked quickly across the grounds until they reached the tent. He turned around once they had entered. "The relationship between you and Master Kahmu, what is it like?" he asked.

Harry shrugged. "He is nice," he said. "He is keeping some creepy guys away from me."

"He is also touching you in a way that speaks of intimacy," Ragnok said.

"Is that a problem, Master?" Harry asked. He would cut off whatever the heck was going on between him and Kahmu immediately if Ragnok did not agree with it. He wasn't even sure what he wanted. All he knew was that he felt butterflies in the pit of his stomach when Kahmu had pulled him close earlier. He enjoyed the closeness. He wasn't sure what to make of that. He understood that Erys comment most likely meant Kahmu got around. That in itself didn't bother him. It wasn't like he was looking for a relationship, especially not right now.

"Only if he hurts you," Ragnok said. "You will let me or Glint know if he hurts you or does something without your consent. Am I clear?"

Harry nodded. "I will, I promise, Master," he said. It was heart-warming to know that his Master wanted him safe, even if he didn't need the protection.

Glint watched Harry as he headed back out again. "I'm glad you aren't stopping him," she said. "Harry needs a chance to find himself, and this is important for that. Knowing what kind of life partner he would prefer is something he needs a chance to figure out, and he shouldn't have to wait until he has received his Mastery for that."

Ragnok shrugged. "As long as my apprentice doesn't come to harm," he said. "He has been through enough." Truly, his only concern was for Harry's safety.

Harry walked back into his and Kahmu's room. He had figured Kahmu was either down in the dig or back there. The room was empty, so he sat down in the couch while picking his book back up. The sun went down outside, and Harry lay dozing on the couch as he tried to stay awake enough to understand what was written on the yellowing pages when the door opened.

"Harry, have you eaten?" Kahmu asked.

"Hmmm," Harry blinked and sat up properly. "No, I haven't," he said. "I got the impression it wasn't a good idea, and I don't really want to know how fast Erys would be a wet smudge on a wall if he tries anything."

Kahmu looked Harry in the eyes. The younger man was not joking. "Well, I guess it is a good idea you didn't head out then," he said. "Would you like to go down into Cusco and find a place to eat?" he asked.

Harry got up. "Sure," he said. "You do realise I can't talk with other people around, though."

"And we have magic that will make sure they can't hear you," Kahmu countered. "Besides, I'd like to find something and then go find a park or something." He held his hand out to Harry, who only seemed to hesitate for a moment before reaching out to take it.

This was different. Harry knew he was stepping into unchartered territory with this, and he had no idea how he would feel about it. He was curious, though, and he wasn't a scarred school boy any more. He wanted to know more about himself. He leaned into the apparition as they left the tent behind.

They wandered the narrow streets for a while as they discussed what to eat. In the end, they found themselves in a cosy little pizzeria run by some very nice people. They ordered a pizza and sat down together. They were catching looks, and it was hard to say if it was because they were both men or if it was because they were non-native with mismatching skin colours. No one said anything, though, so they ate their pizza, speaking about nothing in particular for a while. They headed out again once they had eaten and went east along the river before heading over it.

"I'll assume you understood what Erys meant by his rather inappropriate comments earlier," Kahmu said bluntly. He didn't like beating around the bush, and he had done it more thanhe was happy with already, mostly because he didn't want to have discussions like this around other people.

"You're telling me he didn't mean you are a vampire, and you want to consume me," Harry said jokingly.

Kahmu snorted while shaking his head. "Oh, it could be taken that way," he said. "Not what he meant and not what I'm talking about."

"I haven't lived under a rock," Harry said. "I get the concept, I've just never had the time or opportunity to explore."

They reached a park and Kahmu sat down before pulling Harry with him. "That sounds an awful lot like you have no experience," he said.

Harry shrugged. Most people didn't have a madman after them as teens. He was not going to be embarrassed by his lack of experience. "I've kissed a couple of girls. My experience kind of ends there. I have been busy doing things like surviving the past couple of years."

Kahmu watched Harry. He liked how the reality of his inexperience didn't bother the younger man. He wasn't too thrilled hearing that Harry had been living that rough a life. He could see the signs, of course, but he still didn't like it. "Can I match that?" he asked.

Harry blinked. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Kahmu chuckled. "Can I kiss you?" he asked. He pulled Harry closer to him, but he stopped moving once he had Harry facing him. He wasn't going to force him. He reached out and moved a lock of hair back behind his ear.

"Yes," Harry said. Kahmu's hand was warm against his cheek. He felt the fluttering in his stomach as he moved closer. He was guided into position as Kahmu pressed their lips together. It didn't compare to his memories of kisses shared between him and Ginny. He didn't even compare it for long because Kahmu licked his lips asking for entrance into his mouth and he complied. As the kiss deepened, Kahmu moved him onto his lap. He whimpered in response to the sensations going through him. Reaching out, he grabbed onto Kahmu's shoulders. A moan escaped him as Kahmu rubbed against him. He felt amazing. He didn't want it to stop, but breathing was starting to become a problem. He pulled back, and warm kisses were trailed down his neck as he braced against the ground so he could move against Kahmu's body.

Someone called out behind Kahmu and they broke apart.

"I get the feeling the locals don't appreciate the display," Harry said, slightly out of breath from what they had been doing.

"Better get back to our room then," Kahmu said. "Let's shake them and leave." He got up and pulled Harry with him.

They rushed down the hill into the darkness and dissappatated landing back in Kahmu's room. Kahmu reached out and touched the hem of Harry's shirt. "May I?" he asked.

Harry met his black gaze for a slow minute. As he tried to figure out what he wanted. "If no means no and stop means you'll stop," he said.

Kahmu smiled. "Absolutely," he said as he tugged at Harry's shirt, pulling it off and throwing it on the couch. His warm hands trailed along Harry's chest and up his back as he leaned down for another kiss. He was slowly pushing Harry back towards the bed until he smiled against his lips and pushed him onto it gently.

Harry huffed as he landed; he felt how Kahmu grabbed his pants ready to pull them off, but he was waiting for confirmation that it was alright. Harry propped himself up and smiled encouragingly at him. Cool air hit his skin as Kahmu dropped not only his pants, but his underwear on the floor. He watched in fascination as Kahmu pulled his own clothes off. If anyone had asked him just a few weeks ago if he was interested in men, he would probably have said no out of reflex.

As Kahmu moved up over him, though, all he felt was excitement. He reached up and ran his pale hand over chocolaty skin. He opened his mouth and welcomed another kiss with a soft hum. Kahmu pressed their bodies together, and he felt their cocks rub against each other. Instinctively, he reached up and grabbed a hold of Kahmu's shoulders instead of propping himself up. Kahmu pushed him down against the sheets as he ended the kiss, and Harry bucked against him as he started trailing kisses down his chest. "Gorgeous," he said warmly.

"I have no idea what to do," Harry said.

"Don't worry about that," Kahmu responded. "I'll show you." He rubbed against Harry and smiled at the response he got. He leaned down and nibbled along Harry's neck while gently burying his fingers in his soft black locks. "I think we can quite clearly discern that you like men, though," he said with laughter in his voice as Harry pressed up against him.

Harry laughed. "Yeah, that was obvious in the park," he said.

"I want to test something. Tell me right away if you don't like it," Kahmu said. He went back for his wand and cast a spell at Harry, causing the younger man to squirm under him. He leaned down and kissed Harry to bring his mind away from what was happening. He kissed a trail down Harry's chest lazily. As he ran his fingers up Harry's smooth leg, he noticed that he must be shaving. It didn't really matter right now, but it was an interesting observation.

Harry moaned as heat engulfed him. He reached for Kahmu and cried out as something moved into him. Trapped between the two sensations, he couldn't think straight. All he could do was feel and breathe. Moans and whimpers escaped him until Kahmu moved away from him to kiss him once more. Their bodies pressed together and moved until all he felt was bliss.

Kahmu cleaned them up and lay down next to Harry. "How do you feel?" he mumbled.

"Like my brain turned to mush," Harry responded after a while.

"Everything felt good?" Kahmu asked.

Harry nodded tiredly. "Yes." He turned towards Kahmu and blinked slowly as he tried to keep himself awake.

Kahmu chuckled. "We can't talk more in the morning," he said.

Harry hummed happily and moved closer to him before falling asleep.

…

A soft groan escaped Harry as he sat up. He blinked slowly while rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Kahmu was still asleep next to him. He pushed himself up and stood. His head spun, and he went to sit back down, only to miss the bed and end up on the floor. He groaned loudly, followed by whispered curses.

Kahmu opened his eyes and scanned the bed. "Are you okay?" he asked as he saw Harry. He moved over to the edge of the bed and helped Harry up.

"I'm okay, it was just low blood pressure," Harry said.

"No pain?" Kahmu asked as his hands spread over Harry's lower back. They had been together for a little over two months and Harry had wanted it, but he was still worried he had hurt him.

Harry smiled. The worry was sweet if misplaced. "You gave me a potion last night. I'm fine," he said. He kisses Kahmu softly. They had agreed to stay together for as long as they were both working this dig. Even after Ragnok had finally arranged for space in his tent for Harry, he had stayed most nights with Kahmu.

"So you won't say no to a repeat performance then," Kahmu asked with a pleased smile.

"Only if I'm allowed to return the favour," Harry said. That they had agreed on before this, and Kahmu had yet to go back on anything he had promised.

"Of course, but you'll have to give me a few more days," Kahmu said as he rose slowly while holding Harry tightly pressed against his body.

Harry laughed as he looped his arms around Kahmu. "I'll give you as long as you need, provided you can make me feel like you did last night."

Kahmu chuckled. "Oh, that is a clear deal," he said. They headed into the bathroom and cleaned up so they could get ready for the day. They walked into the mess hall so they could grab some breakfast.

Erys watched them as they sat down by the table. "So you have finally tainted the poor boy, Kahmu," he said.

Harry didn't look up. Didn't act as if he had heard as he tapped runes into the floor under Erys. He twisted his hand and activated the runes. Suddenly, the man's mouth was moving, but no sound could be heard from him.

"Thank you," Kahmu said.

"Regardless of what the two of you are up to, his comments are really starting to get on my nerves," Eve said. She was one of the other warders working the dig, and she was less than thrilled to be anywhere near Erys.

Kahmu smiled at her. "Erys has always been like that," he said. "I should know. I've known him since we were children. He tried to convince me I was dirt then. Now we have the same standing. A street kid and a rich man's son. Sometimes skill weighs as much or more than money."

Some of the others shook their heads, while Erys seemingly hadn't realised that no one could hear him any more and just kept talking.

Kahmu and Harry headed over to the excavation once they had finished eating. Most people respected Harry's abilities enough not to question his presence down there. He took notes and studied the way these people had laid their runes. He found the different methods fascinating. In the past two months alone, he had seen five different ways of laying runes and weaving wards. He loved it. Each new way showed him how he might be able to adapt his own weaving, and he couldn't wait to try it out.

Ragnok waved him over towards the end of the day. "We are leaving two weeks from now. We have done what we came here to do, and I want to get back to advancing your skills," he said. After some stern advice from his wife, he hadn't just pulled them right away. She had told him to give Harry a bit of time to let the knowledge settle. "You don't know how he feels about Kahmu. Please just give them some time to handle things between them, don't just rip Harry away." As he watched Harry walk up to Kahmu and whisper in his ear, he was glad he had decided to listen to his wife.

Kahmu was smiling gently at Harry, and it seemed as if they would be fine. Two weeks was plenty of time for them to have fun, and Harry was more confident now than he had been before they arrived. He would miss Kahmu, but he was an apprentice under a Master, and he had to go where his Master told him to. That was just the way it was.

Time passed by after their return to Britain, and suddenly it was April once more and Teddy was turning three. Harry headed over with a light heart and plans for the future. He had so much he wanted to try.