Vines of ivy covered the Gaunt Shack, running up the outer walls, across the dirt path, and would have been growing on the cobblestone road if not for the ‘proper’ people having it removed. Harry and Tom stood on the cobblestone, right where the dirt began, their hands entwined like the ivy was with the shack. Neither knew who was squeezing tighter, just that they were both doing so for support from the other.
“So, this is the Gaunt home?” Harry asked, “It’s…”
“Horrid?” Tom finished, “Although it’s more of a shack than a house, darling.”
“I was going to say breathtaking, but I guess I can see where you got horrid from,” Harry said, taking a step forward, only to be stopped by Tom. Harry sent him a questioning glance.
“Careful, dearest, the path’s covered in ivy. Poison ivy.” Tom pointed out.
“How are we supposed to get to the shack then?” Harry questioned
“Darling, we simply fly.” As Tom said the word fly, they both rose several feet into the air.
“Wow,” Harry breathed out, “you’ll have to teach me that, it’s brilliant!”
“I shall, my own. Mayhaps when we return to the manor.” They floated along the path, taking in the shack. “Did you know, my Harry, that in the language of plants, ivy means fidelity or attachment?”
“Really?” Harry said, “So that's why you brought me here?”
Tom pressed a chaste kiss to Harry’s lips, “Yes,” Tom murmured, delighting in the light flush that rises to Harry’s cheeks. He leaned away just enough to see Harry’s face properly, pulling out a box, and opening it to reveal a gold bracelet with a singular ivy charm on it. Harry stared at the bracelet. “A courting gift, the first one,” Tom explained.
“Ah,” Harry stuttered out, still gaping.
Remembering Harry’s nonexistent knowledge of wizarding courting rituals, he chuckled, “Did you think I was proposing, my Harry?”
Harry’s blush deepened, “No,” he lied, dragging out the o.
“Of course you didn’t, darling,” Tom said, grinning, “Hold out your arm, dearest.” Harry held out his arm and watched as Tom removed the bracelet from the box and gently wrapped it around his wrist. Embarrassment forgotten, he lifted his arm, rotating his wrist, watching the bracelet glimmering in the sunlight.
Harry beamed up at Tom, and for a moment he couldn’t tell which was brighter, Harry, or the sun. “Thank you, Tom, I love it!”
“More than you love me?” Tom teased, leaning in.
“Of course not, I’ll always love you the most!” Harry said, taking the bait, kissing him, and Tom felt his heart melt and pitied those who couldn’t see how perfect Harry was.