At 35, Harry would be considered a spinster essentially if he still lived in England, but he didn't nor did he visit often. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn't go to England at all anymore. He'd made Neville the proxy for all his lordships as the two were very similar in how they saw what went through the Wizengamot, Neville gave him copies of everything anyway. After the dissolution of his relationship with Augustus, he didn't see the need to be in England anymore since the few friends he had generally visited him at the manor in France that he'd kept. Afterwards, he worked with the goblins and largely had any residence that he'd kept, cleaned and sold if necessary or set aside for someone. He just generally stayed away from England and immersed himself more heavily in the culture of the rest of the Wizarding World since he wasn't making trips back to England for one reason of another anymore. He floated through the circles more easily than he had in England as while their were some pockets, the rest of the world wasn't so focused on blood purity like England was which was a big part of the appeal of staying mostly out of England when he finally left all those years ago before leaving almost entirely. He hated when he did have to make an appearance now but largely stuck to Neville's side when he did which surprisingly kept most people at bay. He'd see Augustus from a distance and kept it at that even though his heart still hurt after nearly a decade. It'd taken almost 5 years after for Neville to finally shake him and tell him 'that it was clear there was going to be no one else after Rookwood so move on the best you can with living your life', and man had that been a painful conversation to realize. But he largely had with not asking after Augustus so he didn't know what happened apart from him also seemingly leaving England about a year or so after their breakup before only showing up for necessary Wizengamot meetings. However, with everything he'd learned since leaving England and then completely leaving, he should've known that sometimes you can't run from Lady Magic's will because he's positive that's what was currently happening.
At almost 65, Augustus was a man who would likely die alone and yet some people still seemed to think they could win their way to his heart and a marriage contract for his name and money even if it wasn't what it used to be. When his relationship to Harry was revealed to be over to the British Wizarding World, there were two different reactions. There were those who felt vindicated that the relationship didn't survive and had all sorts of theories to why and then the camp of those who saw an opportunity for themselves. It took almost a year afterwards for Augustus to get everything settled before he also left England, only returning when absolutely necessary for the Wizengamot as he'd also finally had enough of how the British were. Once he left he's honestly not sure why he'd stayed when while the relationship had soured, he'd known Harry disliked being there and so they'd largely gone on dates and vacations either in France where he'd moved or elsewhere. Augustus immersed himself more on the international side largely successfully since he'd accompanied Harry plenty of times and before Harry when Antonin would drag him along before everything had gone to shit. It made him wonder if him staying in England had contributed to him slowly seeing Antonin's face instead of Harry and was the downward spiral of their relationship. After leaving and reflecting on their relationship, he'd managed to begin to see where he saw Antonin and not Harry and the slow realization for Harry that ultimately lead to despair and the end of them. It broke his heart as he saw the light and warmth leave Harry's eyes in the memories to be replaced with pain and resignation while still laced with the love. That was the ultimate nail in the coffin so to speak that despite everything happening, Harry still loved him while he was oblivious to the suffering he was causing. Kreacher really had been correct in that sometimes the past comes to haunt us without us even realizing it. So he respectfully kept his distance and watched Harry from afar on the very rare occasions he came to the Wizengamot when Longbottom being his proxy wasn't enough for some. In the wider world, he kept himself appraised on what Harry did but also kept his distance because he knew if he didn't, he'd likely just hurt Harry all over again and that wasn't what he wanted, he knew he'd die alone because Harry was it and had made peace with it years ago. Now, however, he couldn't begin to comprehend what was going on other than something from the will of Lady Magic because he didn't see why else he'd be in this situation currently happening.
Harry Potter and Augustus Rookwood stared at each other as they were trapped inside a room that refused to let them out. Neither were really sure what had happened except that Lady Magic somehow had to be involved in this because they couldn't otherwise think of how this was happening. They both were attending a ball at someone's manor in Switzerland over some success that the ICW had accomplished that neither remembered as neither had been involved with it anyway. They'd both been mingling with other guests when they'd excused themselves for some fresh air at different points and had somehow instead ended up locked in a room together. No matter what either tried, the door and windows refused to budge for either man causing the current standstill with both men staring at each other from across the room lost.
Harry was holding onto his last ounce of self control. He was so close to tugging aggressively at his hair in frustration. He'd just wanted some fresh air before he ended up either dumping his drink on someone or punching them in the face. He absolutely regrets accepting the invitation to this ball especially as Neville at the last minute ditched him because something had come up with Luna which he very much doubted. He was really starting to think that Lady Magic had something to do with this but he for the life of himself couldn't figure out what or why. He's honestly thinking he should get Mort here because chances are he knew what was going on but there was also the chance that he was helping Lady Magic. Harry decided that was probably the case as Mort typically left him alone and very rarely called on him to preform his duties as 'Master of Death' which was kind of a joke honestly anyway as Death didn't plan on him doing much until he lived enough and decided to properly help Death. Honestly Harry still wasn't sure on everything as half the time Mort just talked in circles until Harry had enough and threw something at him to stop. He's brought out of his spiral by Augustus letting out a huff of amusement. Instantly he whirls around, when did he turn his back on Augustus, to face Augustus who was trying his very hardest to keep a straight face. Harry for a moment found himself distracted by the fact that apart from Wixen aging slower, Augustus very much did not look like he would be turning 65 soon. He was very much still the handsome man he'd been since puberty hit him as a teenager. He slightly shook his head and stared at the man who was making his heart pang with longing.
"What is so funny?" Harry demanded not even realizing his hands were on his hips amusing Augustus further.
"You're frustration never fails to be adorable it seems." Augustus says surprising Harry.
Harry just stares at Augustus because what. He remembers the first time Augustus said that to him, they weren't dating at the time, only friends, he'd thrown the book that had been in his hand at Augustus's head which made the man laugh as he'd caught it. The comment also makes Harry wonder because he's apparently still adorable to Augustus which his brain is refusing to compute properly. Harry also has to keep himself from refuting the claim having a feeling that it'll just dissolve into the same inane conversation it had the first time around.
"I don't know about you, but I have a feeling that Lady Magic is somehow involved with the fact that we seem unable to leave the room." Harry finally decides on after five minutes of silence knowing that they might as well talk or something if they're going to be stuck here.
Augustus watches as Harry stares back at him after his declaration. He'd just tried to leave for some fresh air after a comment had been made about him being a bachelor and the woman's niece or something. He'd been very close to dumping his drink on the woman on accident much like Harry had in the past on various occasions for a variety of reasons. It'd been the sixth conversation to that degree since he'd arrived and was regretting accepting the invitation. He'd excused himself and made his way through the halls outside only to find himself in a room that Harry apparently was already trying to leave but then they'd both ended up trapped. While trying everything they could think of to leave only to find it seemingly impossible to do so, he'd watched Harry and found that while he'd grown up more in the near decade, not much else seemed to have changed. His habits when frustrated were much the same bringing amusement to him and making the comment that reminded him of a time before they started dating. He's sure if Harry had something in his hand he'd have chucked it at him again.
"I think you're correct. Do you know of any reason why she might do this? I'm assuming since you haven't called for Mort, it's because there's a high chance that he's also involved somehow?" Augustus asks as he takes a seat since they can't leave.
Harry huffs in response as he collapses in a chair opposite Augustus. "That was one of my first thoughts when nothing seemed to work for us to leave. I have no idea what she's thinking though so I don't know what she's trying to accomplish. Even if Mort is involved, I'm still half tempted to call him anyway to yell at him."
Augustus hums in response as he leans back. After they'd started dating Harry had ended up telling him about how he'd become the Master of Death and that he thought it was a load of ballocks from the way that Death or as he called him Mort, didn't seem to call him for much of anything. If anything half the time Mort appeared it seemed to be just to talk or annoy Harry which is what he'd been doing the first time Augustus had seen the being and thus been told in any case because surprisingly Mort didn't seem to care if he knew or not. He'd never met Lady Magic but she'd been talked about a handful of times that whatever this was seemed to make sense for her doing even if neither man currently understood the why. Augustus watched as Harry leaned back and just started muttering about Mort under his breath causing a smile to appear at how familiar the action was.
"Well what do you propose we do while we wait to see how long this lasts? Eventually maybe others here will wonder where we've gone or either our house elves or the ones here will notice somethings up." Augustus asks as the death threats to Mort seemed to be getting more creative.
"UGH! I don't know. It'd be easier if we even understood why Lady Magic seemed to trap us because then we've have a time frame. Kreacher and Dipsy would probably end up burning the place to the ground trying to find me knowing those two. There's several people I wouldn't mind them doing something about here anyway." Harry says before mumbling the last sentence.
Augustus snorts, "I agree with that last one for sure. I'm sure Dara and Pip would love to do something about several people who've tried to proposition me or try to hype up their family members to me. The two have enjoyed when they've been able to burn all the marriage proposals after they've been declined."
Harry stares at Augustus stunned. He knew that even when they'd been together that the two would get annoyed when they'd be propositioned and even before they'd gotten together, but to realize that it was still happening and that they were still doing the same thing. Harry's surprised for a millisecond that Augustus declines everyone before remembering that even before they got together, he wasn't bothered with the fact that he'd likely die a bachelor and it seems that hasn't changed after they broke up. Harry would watch Augustus from a distance but never let himself know anything more because he knew he'd just spiral but he's coming to the conclusion that with their relationship falling apart, that was it, Augustus didn't seem to care for anyone else. Harry wasn't sure what to do with this realization especially knowing that he still loved Augustus because for him there was no one else. He blinks as he sits up wondering if maybe this was what Lady Magic had intended, for them to realize that it was them together or nothing for them because surely if Augustus was it for him, chances were very high then that he was it for Augustus as well.
Augustus watches him as sits there staring kind of losing it because he's now almost positive that this is what this whole being locked in a room together is about. Lady Magic wants them back together, for whatever reason, because they still love each other or at least Harry still loves Augustus, he's not sure but kind of has an inkling on whether Augustus still loves him.
"I take it you might've gotten an idea of something?" Augustus asks him.
Harry gulps as he tries to figure out how to have the conversation. He spends a couple minutes trying to figure it out before smacking himself in the face because he's a fucking idiot. Even when they were just friends, they'd always been rather blunt with each other which hadn't changed when they started dating apart for the whole issue of Augustus seeing Antonin instead of Harry cropped up. He didn't have to figure anything out in terms of telling Augustus his suspicion, he just had to tell him which did both thrill him and scare him. He breathes out before opening his eyes, when the fuck did he close them, to stare at Augustus.
"Is everything okay?" Augustus asks causing Harry's heart to clench in the care that Augustus still has for him.
"Yes. No. Maybe. Okay jesus why is this so difficult. So I think I've figured out why Lady Magic is doing this. I okay, I still love you. It's been almost a decade but you're it for me. About 5 years after Neville had to shake me and we had a painful conversation that I was clearly going to die alone because there was no one else, so I needed to more on the best I could and just live. But this, us both being trapped in this room together I think is because Lady Magic knows it's us together or nothing or something along those lines. I'm guessing you possibly still love me too and that's why we're here. We're both still in love with each other." Harry rushes out in a ramble as he fidgets while looking at Augustus without really looking at him.
Harry goes rigid when he hears Augustus's laugh as he's not sure what it means though he knows what he hopes it means.
Augustus laughs after Harry finishes his ramble. From the handful of times Lady Magic has been mentioned and how she is, this is absolutely something that makes sense. Two people she wanted together broke up but still love one another so she finds some way to go about trying to get them back together. He gets up from his chair and walks towards Harry as he can see the slight fear that Harry's displaying that he's possibly embarrassed himself and about to be rejected. He doesn't outwardly react, but internally winces when he kneels in front of Harry's chair and takes up the man's hands into his own.
"I still love you Harry. I never stopped. It is you or nothing. Once I left England I started reflecting and realized how my choosing to stay there was doing harm to our relationship and probably why I ended up eventually seeing Antonin instead of you when looking at you. I am so incredibly sorry about that. That is not something you should've had to deal with on top of all the issues you already had with England. The frequent visits you had to make not only for the Wizengamot but when he'd spend time together while already in England should've never happened. You moved to France and left England for a reason, I already had manors outside of England and it would've been so easy to simply move out of the country myself sooner. Our break up and the waves that came afterwards made me realize that I'd been holding onto nothing when it came to staying in England when I was already disillusioned with the British Wizarding World for years beforehand. If I'd left the country whether before we dated or some time after, I don't think our relationship would have soured the way it did. I can't say whether or not I would've still seen Antonin's face but if I did, I doubt it would've been something that caused such a rift between us. If you would have me again, I would be more than happy but I also would step back if you decide you don't want to put yourself through the possibility of heartbreak again. I've kept my distance once I left England but I've kept appraised of what you've been doing and I'm so incredibly proud of you. You have continued to grow into a beautiful man who deserves the world and not what the British tried to shackle you with."
Augustus carefully moved a hand up towards Harry's face to wipe away the tears that were trailing down his face. Augustus has always hated seeing Harry cry but he needed to get that off his chest and hope that they can rekindle their love with this opportunity that Lady Magic created for them. He smiles as he continues watching Harry who seems to break down crying but with a small smile and possibly hope shining in his eyes.
"I still love you and there is no other. It's been almost a decade but I've had to keep myself from knowing what you were up to otherwise I would've just ended up spiraling. I was surprised when about a year after our break up Neville told me you'd left and told the Wizengamot you'd show up for the necessary meetings but otherwise to leave you alone. I tried to avoid watching you from a distance when we'd be at balls or galas together because there was always the pang in my heart. I don't know if I could stand to try and push you away when I've been given the chance to have you again even if heartbreak were to happen though I doubt it. After my conversation with Neville, Kreacher told me about your conversation before you'd left through the floo after the break up. It seemed England was nothing but a cesspool for both of us but was more hidden in your case than mine. I love you and won't let you go again if I can help it." Harry says as he grabs Augustus's hand that's just resting on his cheek now.
Augustus leans forwards to Harry. The two look at each other deeply before slotting their mouths together. They share a gentle kiss before resting their foreheads together. They hear what sounds like the door unlocking and both huff in amusement realizing that Harry's theory was correct. Lady Magic wanted them back together and when she had the perfect chance locked them in a room together until they did come together again. They know that's it's not going to be a smooth road ahead but know that it'll be a lot easier since they're far from England and everything there that seemed to darken their relationship.