Chapter 9
Harry groaned softly as he finally stirred from his sleep. His head felt foggy and his tongue thick. He swore his limbs were made of lead as he tried to stir and move. His face rubbed into the warm hardness that was pressed against his cheek. The pillow was so nice, he didn’t want to get up. Till his pillow moved. He tensed as something flopped over him and carefully he sat up and looked around. The bed was large, it appeared to have been expanded and there was not one but 6 people. Some bare chested, others fully clothed and all snoring and draped haphazardly across each other. Adrian was basically on top of Terrence drooling onto the other's chest. Cassius was at the end of the bed his leg coming up to drape over Harry’s legs with Graham draped across Cas’s chest. The pillow under Harry rose and fell steadily and he flushed dark as he noticed he had been draped over Marcus, whose chest was bare and lightly furred with dark curls. There was a tattoo peeking from the band of his pants along his hip, the ink swirling in complicated runic designs.
Slowly the previous night came flooding back. The party that had come from him completing the second task. True to Graham’s word he had managed to get his father to send a bottle of Elderberry Wine. The thick wine had been sweet and tangy with the right amount of burn that had Harry drinking far more of it than he had planned. At one point he had danced with Marcus, their hips grinding together until they tumbled to the couch laughing. He now had a vivid image of Adrian and Terr making out in a way Harry had not known to be possible. How they had breathed he still didn’t know. At one point they had all just fallen into the bed and crashed. Now though he felt like his eyelids were being held by glue and his bladder was screaming. He crawled carefully over Marcus and went to the bathroom situated off to the side and went about relieving himself and then scrubbing at his face until he felt somewhat human.
He heard groaning and looked out to see Marcus was awake crawling out of the bed and towards the bathroom as well. Harry laughed softly and whispered, “You alright.”
The other nodded and grumbled, “I forget how strong they make their wine. Excuse me.” He slipped into the bathroom next and Harry just shook his head and went to the couch to flop down and relax for a few moments. It would be a bit before the others dragged themselves out of the bed.
Marcus flopped on the couch next to him and Harry tucked himself against the other’s side, “I was worried when I couldn’t find you yesterday.”
A soft kiss to his temple, “I couldn’t tell you or warn you. They came to me at like 4 in the morning and said I was chosen as the person you had to find. I was assured I would feel nothing and just be asleep. I trusted you to come get me. I knew you could. You did well saving that little girl too.”
Harry nodded, “I knew I had to get you to the surface but she was just floating there. You both were so cold but she looked so much worse. Her lips were blue and I couldn’t leave her there. I know I got back last but.”
“No, you did the right thing. Harry. That girl and Miss Delacour are part Veela. They don’t do well in water or freezing temperatures. They are creatures of fire. She could have really died down there if you hadn’t saved her.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. Are they going to be alright?”
“I don’t know.” Marcus turned to Harry and pulled him closer kissing along his neck and shoulder. “You are so strong. My chimera.”
Harry laughed at the sentiment, “My snake.” Then leaned into the kiss as they sought each other out. Tongues dancing in a heated jumble. A warm hand sliding from shoulder down the graceful line of Harry’s spine to carefully cup and pull him into the large lap. Legs falling to either side to straddle.
Marcus looked up into the bright green eyes and smiled softly, “You are a treasure worth worshiping.” Cupping the smooth jaw to pull him down for another deep kiss.
“Oh god my eyes.” The two broke apart cheeks red as Graham crawled out of the bed and towards the bathroom next, “Save it for your own privacy guys. I don't like watching Ter and Adrian and I certainly don’t want to watch you two. No offense of course.”
“None taken. In that case we shall be going. Give the other’s our goodbye.” Marcus stated and stood keeping Harry in his arms despite the yelp of surprise. “I am taking my courted to my dorms.”
Harry laughed a little and decided to go with it, wrapping his arms around Marcus’s neck and leaning into the hold. It was a little awkward to be carried down the dungeon halls but it was early enough that no one was around to really see, even as they snuck into the seventh year dorms and collapsed onto the smaller bed curling into each others’ arms.
“Marcus.. I want to tell you. About my scars.” Harry whispered.
Dark grey eyes closed before a few spells were made and the curtains closed around them sealing them into their own private sanctuary. “Alright.”
He took a few deep breaths before beginning his tale. Unable to look up from where he was pressed against Marcus’s chest. He told him everything. From the cupboard under the stairs to the bullying and abuse he got from his relatives. How he had never had a friend and everyone thought him a freak. Once he started he couldn’t stop. The words just fell from him like a tide of emotion. At one point he felt himself beginning to cry and nothing but the reassuring touches kept him going in his tale. Finally he just fell silent and hid his face against the other’s warm chest.
Marcus said nothing at first. Just taking the moment to hold him and run firm fingers along his back and scalp, “Harry. What they did to you. Is unforgivable. I need you to know that I am not a good person and I can’t let them get away with this. They will pay for what they have done to you. Do you understand?”
Harry felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest, “You're going to hurt them?”
“I am going to kill them.” He snarled darkly before tugging Harry’s chin enough to look him in the eye, “I am going to hunt them down and kill them and when it is done I am going to take you home with me. You will never spend another summer in that fucking place.”
“But Dumbledore said I have to be there. To protect me from Voldemort.”
“Fuck Dumbledore. Harry, He isn’t helping you. He has done nothing to truly help you. I am not saying you have to follow the Dark Lord but I think you should at least go neutral. Step out of the war completely. The Dark Lord won’t have a reason to come after you if you don’t stand in his way. Let the adults fight this battle.”
Harry fidgeted and looked down again, “You really think he won’t chase me if I step out of it?”
“Why would he? Unless there is something neither of us know. I won’t be able to join you as a neutral fighter. There are already whispers that he is coming back. I don’t know if it is true but my father already has his mark and I am my father’s son. There are some things I truly believe in with his cause. I will not lie to you. I will do things that may sicken you but know that I will never harm you or allow anyone else to either. Harry, over these past few months I have come to see one thing.”
Green eyes met gray and Marcus took a deep breath cupping the soft pale cheeks, “I love you Harry Potter. I love you with all my heart.”
Harry smiled, tears threatening to spill again, “I love you to Marcus.”
Their lips met and their hearts sang as they let themselves just sink into the love they held for the other. Harry wasn’t sure if he could stomach knowing what Marcus would do in the war but he trusted the other so deeply that there was no doubt in his mind. He would follow the other to death and back. He couldn’t take a life or torture anyone. He didn’t even want to fight but he would fight for Marcus. He would live for Marcus.
This was his life and he accepted it.