Chapter 16
Harry came back through the floo and gave a large sigh.
“What's wrong hatchling?”
“Nothing, Just being around him makes me feel strange and I don’t know why.”
The serpent coiled around his neck and nudged under his chin gently, “It is okay hatchling. I will protect you. The cobra seemed nice.”
“Cobra?”
“He is a snake with great venom. Good for hatchlings. Nagini say he has a strong bite and gives her many big meals.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Harry your back.”
He smiled looking up at Marcus, “Yeah, He wanted to make sure I got home in time for dinner.”
He stepped into the offered hug and curled into the stronger arms.
“How did it go? Or would you rather not talk about it?”
Harry shrugged, “It went alright. We talked about me possibly joining his side as his apprentice. He approved of you and I being together. Which was odd. Some other things.”
Marcus grinned, “Having My Lord’s permission does ease my worry. Well I have a surprise. Father had a wizengamot meeting so that leaves just the two of us and the house elves. I was hoping we could have a date?”
Green eyes brightened, “I would love that.”
“Excellent. Then we shall leave in thirty minutes. What you're wearing is fine but I need to get something a bit more formal. I will meet with you in the entrance hall shortly.” He kissed Harry’s cheek and walked briskly towards his room.
Harry couldn’t help the large smile that broke across his face so hard it hurt. He had never really been on a date. He could feel his heart beating faster and wondered where Marcus planned on taking them. Or were they going to have dinner here? He wasn’t sure but he didn’t care. He wondered if he should do anything else. He felt nervous and bit his lower lip when a soft wave of calm overtook him. He blinked in confusion but let himself embrace it. Curious on where it had come from. He closed his eyes and focussed on the emotion that wasn’t his but affected him. He felt grateful for it regardless.
“Harry?”
He jerked and looked up smiling. Marcus was dressed impeccably in a soft gray suit with a dark blue robe, his dragonhide boots the same dark blue. “You look amazing.”
The other just smiled and tucked Harry against his side, “As do you. I know it won't be pleasant but the easiest way to get there is apparition. Are you ready?”
He nodded and took his arm and closed his eyes hoping that would help with the nausea. The sweeping sucking feeling came over him and he gripped tighter to prevent himself from falling over. His stomach took a few moments to settle once he realized his feet were on solid ground and the room wasn’t spinning anymore. Once he opened them he swallowed heavily at the room they were in.
It was bright and done in an almost rococo fashion with heavy gold and pearl accents with little cherubs carvings along the pillars. The carpets were rich reds and golds bringing his attention to the swirls and dips of the patterns. Paintings and tapestries everything, it was overwhelming. It took him a moment to realize that Marcus was just smiling at him, letting him soak up the look of the place.
“It is a bit gaudy for my tastes but it certainly gives you an impression.” He whispered, “This is just the welcome area where you can floo or apparate into. Wait till you see the main dining area. The chandeliers are about ten to fifteen feet in some places.”
“People eat in places like this?”
“Of course, only the finest for the highest of society. Don’t be surprised if you see a few other faces here. The Malfoy’s have a permanent table here as does the Zabini family.”
He held onto Harry and led him to a door that opened as they approached it and they both stepped into a room that somehow had even more gold and pearl. The floors a bright white marble that shimmered like stars from the dangling chandeliers that dripped in crystals. It was opulent and insane. A tall man approached them in an impeccable three piece suit a cumberbun about his waist and a white cloth over one arm, “Heir Flint and guest, we are honored to have you at our establishment. Your table has been prepared, if you would follow me?” He bowed and not a single blonde hair moved as he did so.
“Ah yes, this is Heir Potter, my intended.” He introduced nodding to the man, “Please lead the way.”
The man didn’t so much as blink an eye or give a semblance of how the name affected him as he bowed again to Harry, “Apologies Heir Potter. Welcome to our humble establishment. I do hope you enjoy your stay. This way.” Then turned and led them to a table further away from a large dipped in floor where some couple were dancing to the small quartet that played on a raised dais.
Marcus pulled Harry’s chair out for him and he sat carefully and blinked at all the different types of silverware surrounding the crystal plate. Oh hell. He felt out of place. He tried to remember the gentle instructions that Lord Flint had given him but now faced with the situation he wasn’t sure he could handle this. He was going to make a fool of himself. Their water glasses were filled before the man bowed and left once more.
“Marcus, I know your father taught me but, uhm.”
Marcus just gave him a good natured look, “Start on the out and work your way in. Don’t worry. Noone will be watching that closely. I can walk you through it. The menu will also be in french so if you trust me, I can order for us. Or you can ask me to translate.”
He sighed with relief, “Thank you. How many languages do you know?”
“English, French, German, and Gaeilge. Though our family rarely speaks the latter. It is a family language.”
“So many. I think they tried to teach us French when I was in grade school before Hogwarts but I never really understood much of it. I could never read anything properly.”
“We should get your eyes checked. I wouldn’t be surprised if you need a new prescription.”
He smiled and looked at the menu, “I would like that. What kind of foods do they have?”
Marcus hummed gently, “I was thinking of getting us the sampler for the first course. So you could try a bit of everything there. The soups are good for the second course. I think the Butternut Squash soup or the gnocchi. Both are really good. For the main course, do you like a certain type of pasta?”
Harry thought about it a moment, “I am sure I would like anything. I have never really been picky. Except peaches. I had one this one time and I couldn’t get over the taste.”
“No peaches, got it. Then I think I know what to do. Did you want to try a wine?”
“Are we allowed?”
“Alcohol doesn’t affect us as much as muggles. A glass of wine for dinner won’t be bad. There is alcohol in Butterbeer and they let us drink it.”
Harry had no clue that there was alcohol in it. “Sure. I enjoyed that wine at the Yule party.”
“I think you're going to be more of a dry fruity wine lover but it doesn’t hurt to see. I think we should sample a red and a white and see which you like best?”
“Alright.” Harry had already noticed there were no prices on the menu, just simple meals under headings. A single sheet of protected paper with only two to four options per section. He wondered if all high society restaurants were like this.
They talked softly about their plans for the summer and Harry told him about him learning all types of magic. Asking what he thought on the matter. Marcus of course didn’t care if he learned the darkest spells known to wizard kind.
“Oh look who it is. The Minister. Want to bet he comes over here?” Marcus murmured.
“No, because I will lose. You know he will if he spots me.” Harry shuttered and took a sip of his water when a woman stepped up to the table.
She was dressed much like the others except her vest was a softer blue. She had a cart with her that had an assortment of wines and glasses on it, “Have we decided on a wine for this evening? May I suggest this ‘88 Chateau?” Raising a dark green bottle the seal unbroken.
Marcus gave a polite greeting, “May we try some of your 78 Chateau Lafite and your Domaine de la Vougeraie Le Clos Blanc?”
The woman gave a smile and tucked the bottle in her hand back before pulling out four glasses and set them on the table before expertly popping the cork on the new bottles and giving them a finger of each to try, “I enjoy the Le Clos Blanc it has such a sweet flowery scent that just sends you on a high of flavor.”
Harry took the blanc first and watched Marcus try his first before copying him, swirl test swirl. He felt dumb doing it but he was trying here. When he tasted it he smiled softly. It was light and airy he could taste lemon and honey. It was a little acidic and left an almost spicy aftertaste. Then he tried the second and was struck by the instant smokey chocolate, it was heavy in its taste and left him a bit wanting for the sweet citrus of the first wine. But he could taste chestnut and cherry in it. It was good but he preferred the Blanc.
Marcus smiled at him, “We will be having the Blanc this evening. Thank you.”
He blushed, “Sorry, it was unexpected.” He was sure he made a face.
The woman smiled, “It is alright. Wine is not for everyone. I am glad the blanc was to your liking.” She filled their glasses with the wine and then set the bottle in a pale with ice. “If you require anything else simply signal. Please enjoy your meal.”
With that she was gone and the waiter came by and took their orders. Leaving them alone after a few moments. Marcus finally gave a low chuckle, “your face was adorable. What did you not like about it?”
“It tasted like ash at first.”
“Ah, the tobacco. Yes it was a bit strong. I think the bottle will be better when it has had time to age. Relax, you're doing fine. I want you to have fun tonight Harry.”
Harry let his shoulder sink down a bit more and looked around at all the artwork, “I am just not used to such places. It is lovely though.”
Marcus nodded, “Perhaps I should have taken you to a more down home restaurant for our first date. I was trying to show off a bit tonight.”
“It’s perfect Marcus. I am just glad to be here with you.” He reached and took the large hand in his own squeezing gently. “I’ll adjust. I should get used to these kinds of places, think of all the dinners in the future.”
“That is true. Especially if you choose to go for a government position. Lots of sucking up, balls, dinners. Those sorts of things.”
Harry just shook his head and let the silence fall upon them as their hors d'oeuvres came. Enjoying the small spread of delicacies. He tried a bit of everything, enjoying each bite more than the next. Even some of the more questionable looking once were delicious and Harry enjoyed trying all the different foods.
“Now I know why the others are always feeding you things. You seem to light up when you taste something new.”
“I like trying new things. It’s the same way with spells. I just get excited, a rush almost.”
“I will have to make sure to help you find something new every day. There are so many fascinating things in this world and I just want to give them all to you.”
Harry flushed and avoided looking into Marcus’s eyes. The things the other said just made his heart flutter and he wanted to just melt into the others heart and soul and live there. A flash of jealousy had him gasping and shivering some.
“Are you alright?”
“Y..yes. I’m sorry. I just bit my tongue.” He didn’t know how to tell Marcus that he was feeling emotions that weren’t his.
When would it all end? Would it end? It didn’t matter. Tonight was about him and Marcus and he would enjoy every moment of it.