Intimacy

16th October 1998- Friday 

Hannah arrived later in the afternoon, just after Harry had sent Anya to get a healer. She arrived in a flurry of motion, brown, waist-length hair fluttering behind her madly as she raced into the entry hall, arms laden with bags. Her eyes lit up when they landed on his form, dropping her load to the floor. 

She greeted him with a short but low bow, and then launched herself into his arms with a breathless laugh, burying her face in her neck. "Harry, it's been so long!" 

"I'm glad to see that you're well." He fondly spoke, reaching up a hand to smooth down the stray curls that refused to lay flat. She squeezed him again, holding him in that firm, reassuring embrace of hers, before retreating with a happy sigh. 

"And you seem to be as well. You look as fresh as a daisy; royal life is treating you well." She observed with a sly smile. 

He smiled sardonically. "I suppose it is. I live in luxury." 

"I'd expect nothing less for the spouses of the Emperor. He is the wealthiest being in the world, after all. Can't have his Harem living in squalor. Although, I suppose sharing him isn't the best of situations... Now, what am I going to be doing here, and where am I staying?" 

He pointed to Kia. "Kia, please show Hannah where she'll be staying. It's probably best to wait for Anya to arrive back to see what you'll be doing." 

Anya arrived ten minutes later with a haggard-looking healer, who barely stopped to bow before directing him to lie down on the sofa. He followed her directions easily, eager for the results. 

"What seems to be amiss, Your Highness?" She asked briskly, swiping her silver hair out of her eyes with an aggravated huff. He got a look at her face then, noting that she was younger than he had expected, looking barely older than himself. 

"I was hoping you could test to see if I am pregnant." 

The healer seemed to freeze, looking him in the eyes for the first time. They were a strange mix of yellow and brown, startling against the pale pallor of her skin. "I see. And when did you copulate with His Majesty?" 

"The thirtieth of September was the first time, and yesterday as well." 

"And you waited this long to have a check-up?" She tutted disapprovingly. "I will have the answers in just a minute. Do I have Your Highness's permission to cast some spells?" 

"Of course, as long as they don't have any adverse effects." 

"Not to worry, Your Highness, His Majesty has all his Royal Healers under oath not to harm those in his Court." 

She waved her wand gently over his abdomen area, chanting Latin under her breath for a minute straight. His worry grew as she frowned, casting it once more. A little while later, she straightened up, looking him in the eyes with a sympathetic expression. 

"It is regretful that I must inform you that you have not conceived. My apologies, Concubine Slytherin-Potter-Black." 

"Please, just Potter-Black." He responded distractedly, feeling like he'd just been dunked underwater, his head feeling stuffy. He was admittedly upset at the news, and it must have shown clearly on his face, because the Healer reached forward to cup one of his hands in her own, bowing her head to rest in on his knuckles. 

"Your Highness, excuse me for saying this, but perhaps you conceived yesterday, and therefore, the pregnancy is too early to be detected. Please do not feel dejected. You are still young yet, and His Majesty appears to highly favour you. I am sure you will bear a child soon." 

He shifted at her words, reaching down almost instinctively to brush over his stomach, hope filling him. "Thank you for your kind words, Healer." 

Harry wouldn't be calling on any Healer again until he experienced a symptom of pregnancy. He felt too afraid of being told he hadn't conceived again to humour such a thing. 

20th October 1998- Tuesday 

A while after the other invites to meet with him had come, and just after they started tapering off a bit, another came, this time from Nobles Emma and Pippa, wanting to have lunch with him at his Palace. 

Harry accepted happily, his feelings towards the two amiable enough, sending off Hannah to sort out the details. She had been designated the role as his primary maid for communications, something he hadn't realised he'd need until he'd become a Concubine and, suddenly, everyone and their friends wanted to contact him. 

He quickly sent another maid, Lien, to go and invite Luna to his Palace as well, he and his friend having had little contact since his promotion. 

He also sent Aoife to invite Penelope. Luna and Clearwater had been growing closer ever since the woman had been promoted to First-Class Attendant, and Harry was happy that his friend was branching out more. She'd never had many people around her, especially not those with pleasant intentions, so he was glad Luna had found someone else with the Court to rely on. 

For something to do while he waited, he sought out Amari, and much to her pleasure, asked if she could place accessories that would match his pale green and grey robes in his hair. She tugged and pulled his head about as she twisted adornments into the messy strands, still as untameable as ever, but it looked neat and presentable when she presented a mirror to him with a flourish. 

Finally, Aoife entered the room and announced that his guests had arrived. 

"Please show them to the garden. I will be out in a minute." 

"Yes, Master." The woman left with a shallow bow, closing the door on her way out. 

"Is there anything wrong, your Highness?" Amari asked with a small frown. "I suppose I can add a little more into the back. Ooh, how about a chain that connects them together." 

He smiled assuringly. "Nothing's wrong, I just need a few moments. It's best to let them settle at the table before I arrive." 

"Fashionably late? Perfect! Then, can I add that chain?" 

"Of course." 

The chain brought the piece together perfectly, and Harry was afraid to even move, worried that he'd ruin the art piece adorning his hair. Amari had flushed hearing him call it that, fluttering her hands about. She'd then helped him down to the garden, where he could hear the others talking. 

"-bit underwhelming, isn't it?" Pippa's voice was muffled by the trees, but he could hear the derision in her tone, and it made his footsteps falter in his approach. "I would have expected something more from a Concubine's garden. Brother Felix's is much more put together."

"Brother Harry has only recently moved in, Sister. Please don't be so critical." Emma tutted, and then Harry was through the treeline and into the clearing. The four of them were sat at the table he'd had set up, Pippa and Emma to one side, Luna and Penelope to the other, with the seat at the head of the table empty. 

They had each dressed up for the occasion, Pippa and Emma's outfits bridging the line of too decorated and too plain respectively. Penelope had settled into her new role as a First-Class Attendant perfectly, it seemed, her accessories bolder but flattering. Luna, as usual, looked unconventional with her seemingly random accessories, intermingled with what looked to be bottle caps, but she still stuck to the neutral blue robes that her rank dictated. 

He made his presence known by clearing his throat, and smiling apologetically when they turned to face him, startled. "My apologies for keeping you waiting, Sisters." 

"Oh, not to worry at all! Thank you for arranging such a beautiful selection in the little time we forewarned you, Brother. My apologies for how suddenly we asked." Emma stood, bowing to him slightly. He nodded his head in response, smile warming. 

"It was no trouble, my maids are well trained, and with the new editions, preparations are even easier." 

Pippa piped up from where she was still sitting, despite both Luna and Penelope having stood in greeting as well. "Oh, well that's all well and great then, isn't it? See, Sister Emma, your worries were unfounded. Concubine Harry has proved himself an adequate host." She spoke flippantly, turning her body away from him in a clear breach of protocol. Harry tried not to let it grate him. He'd only been a Concubine for less than a month, most were still growing used to the new order. 

(No one had dared to turn away from Cordelia even days after she'd been promoted.) 

"Sister Pippa, it's good to see you." He blandly spoke, hinting at his dissatisfaction. She eyed him, he ignored her. "Sister Penelope, I hope you are well?" 

The lady in question straightened at his attention. She wore the neutral blue tone of the First Class, which suited her far more than the dark blue she had previously been assigned. The colour brought out her brown eyes, and he was just now realising that they also contained a hint of yellow that had been downplayed before. "Oh, yes! I've been having a wonderful time now that I've moved into the First-Class Palace. It's been wonderful having so many of my Sisters around!" 

"I'm glad you've been enjoying yourself. And how are you, Luna?" At last, Harry sought out the gaze of his friend, who met his gaze with a slow blink of white eyelashes. 

"Perfectly well, Harry." 

He grinned at her, taking his seat at the head of the table. He noted that some of the cakes and small sandwiches had already been taken, noting the crumbs on Pippa's and Penelope's plates. The latter had the humility to flush when she noticed Harry's gaze. "Shall we begin, then?" 

"I can't believe His Majesty promoted you so promptly. He must like you very much!" Penelope gushed enthusiastically, and he smiled indulgingly as she continued to pepper him with questions. 

Harry had been expecting an interrogation of sorts, it had happened at all of the gatherings he'd attended since he's been promoted, all along the same line of 'I can't believe you were promoted' and 'How did you do it?', usually followed by a tittered comment on how they 'should be expecting a promotion promptly, if that was all it took'. Harry ignored these comments as best he could, simply smiling in return and wishing them luck. He thought that many would be sorely disappointed when they received no such thing at the beginning of November. 

Pippa snorted derisively at his left, drawing him back to the present. "I wonder, how did you convince His Majesty to promote you? Was it that good?" Her tone was snide, and the words sent icy shivers down his spine. 

"Pardon me?" He glanced at the woman, gaze not straying from her face as she stared haughtily back, eyes frosty. Harry frowned internally. When had the woman begun to dislike him? 

"The sex, I mean. There's no other reason for him to have promoted you so promptly. Bet you begged for a promotion so sweetly, he couldn't resist." She casually reiterated, as if talking about the weather. 

Harry gaped at her audacity. "Excuse me?" He sharply asked, eyes seeking out the others to see if they had also heard what the woman had said, or if he was imagining the words. By their equally slack-jawed expressions, he wasn't alone in his bewilderment. 

She huffed. "You heard me." Emma sent her a cutting glance. "What, it's not as if it's untrue. The others have been saying it for weeks now, basically, everyone knows. You're young, you've got ambitions you wish to seek, and I'm sorry to have to burst your bubble like this Brother, but His Majesty does not genuinely like you. You're just a means to an end, like the rest of us, to repopulate his family name and ensure there are plenty of heirs to the throne. I've done my bit, delivered him a healthy and beautiful Princess, yet I am still a Noble? How am I a Noble with a child, yet you're a Concubine when you have only just deigned to do your duty?" By the end, it seemed she was more ranting than anything, hands clenching into the soft tablecloth. 

"Sister Pippa." Emma's voice was soft, barely a whisper in the wind, but it was cool and commanding enough to have Harry's legs give out beneath him, aborting his movement to stand and curse the woman out of the garden in a moment of rash anger. "You are far out of line." She berated, looking down her nose at the other woman. 

Pippa harrumphed, not taking the out for what it was. "I don't see how I'm out of line, I'm just simply stating the truth. Everyone knows it, it is clear to see, His Majesty is just using him-" 

"Sister, be quiet-" 

"No, I will not be quiet! I should have been promoted, why are you a Concubine instead of me?! Did you beg him, did you promise him you would bear him children galore? Well, I did too, and look what that's got me. Nothing! Nothing to show, except a few words of praise at a meeting where you stole the attention I deserved! He seems more interested in the brat than he does me, the woman who made her-" 

"Noble Macmillan!" It was the first time Harry had heard the usually demure woman raise her voice, and its strength shocked him. "How dare you spout such spiteful nonsense, and against His Majesty and a Concubine at that! You could be accused of treason!" Emma was standing now, glaring heatedly down at her friend, lip curled up in disgust. 

More than accused, it was treason to say such things. Harry watched on in shock as that seemed to burst her bubble, and she sank back fully into the chair. The woman looked thoroughly told off, but not ashamed if the haughty stare she was still sending him said anything. He glared back, crossing his arms over his chest. The anger that never seemed to leave him these days sat heavy in his chest, ready to explode at the slightest provocation. Emma sat down again, although her body was tense. 

"People seem to keep on forgetting that there are ranks within the Harem for a reason. Noble Macmillan, I will be talking to His Majesty about the way you have treated me today-" Her expression morphed into one of shock. "Unless you apologise to me now." Harry hissed, hands feeling hot with unreleased magic. He curled them into fists, hiding them in his sleeves. 

Her scowl deepened, lip curling. "I suppose I should. I apologise." 

His eyes twitched. "Say it like you mean it." 

Pippa scoffed, rolling her eyes. "What are you, a child? I said that I apologise, yet you're making me do it again? Unbelievable, I will be speaking to His Majesty about how you are unfit for the position of his Concubine, the immature little boy that you are!" 

Harry stood, temper finally getting the better of him. Her eyes widened as the chair under her shattered into a million little pieces, falling onto the ground with a shriek. Penelope and Emma stood, alarmed, Luna simply pushing her chair out of range. 

"Brother, please, I know she has wronged you, but-" Emma began. 

"I won't harm her." His gaze landed on Pippa. "But know that you, Noble Macmillan, are no longer welcome in or near my Palace. Get out." 

She sat on the ground, mouth gaping, her face an odd mixture of flushed at the cheeks but the rest sweaty and pale. "You can't- this is assault against a fellow-" 

"Get the fuck out while I'm still asking. Do I look like I care? Who will His Majesty believe more? Me, his Concubine, or you?" 

She got to her feet shakily, gripping the hems of her robes. She made a half-hearted grab for Emma's arm, but her grip was swiftly averted. Unbalanced, she scarpered, leaving behind a mess and a thoroughly irritated Concubine. 

He licked his lips absentmindedly as he watched her leave, tasting the faint tang of blood. He had bitten through his lip. 

Huh. 

Clearing his throat, he sat back in his chair, flicking his wrist and cleaning up the mess of splintered wood with a simple vanishing charm. The other seats were righted in their correct positions, and the plates were neatly replaced. He sighed as he closed his eyes, feeling his irritation seep from him. 

He had overreacted yet again. 

He'd been doing that more often ever since he had joined the Harem, irritation easier to feel, emotions such as sympathy and empathy hard to come by in such a cutthroat space. He winced as he remembered his crude words, so unlike what was tolerated by the Court, and regretted that they'd find their way back to the people who would use them against him. 

Harry also groaned at the remembrance that he'd used Thomas' name as a threat, wondering when he had begun relying on the man to fight his battles. He scowled at the thought, flexing his hand. 

"You may stay if you'd like, although I have no qualms if you decide to leave." 

Only Luna remained, her presence a steady hum of contentedness that lulled him into relaxation. Soon, he was asleep. 

He'd make sure to inform Thomas another day. 

26th October 1998- Monday 

As if they had been waiting for the last moment, still within the month he'd been promoted, Harry was invited to tea by the three Second-Class Attendants, Merula, Cassius and Adrian, and also First-Class Attendant Zacharias. 

He accepted the invitation without trouble, although a little hesitant. He'd already had a disagreement with Cassius and Adrian, back when they had insulted his blood and family, with him shutting them down before they could continue. He and Merula, while yet to have many interactions with one another, didn't exactly view each other in a positive light, and Harry made sure to keep out of her way as best he could. He and Zacharias's strange aversion to each other went way back, with the man feeling a certain animosity towards Harry despite him having no recollection of what caused it. 

So, he'd decided not to invite them into his private space and instead suggested that they take the tea in the Palace of Gathered Handsomeness, where the male Second-Class Attendant resided.  

He arrived in the communal garden a little before the allotted time, surprised to see the four of them already present. At his back, Anya watched on cautiously as they rose, bowing. Harry sighed a little, thankful that they were going to keep the meeting respectful and cordial. He nodded his head in recognition of their deference, and they were quick to resume their previous discussion. 

"We were talking about your fellow Concubines, Brother. They've been rather silent and inactive this past year, much less provocative than previous years." 

"Yes, especially Sister Patricia! I am surprised you have not come to blows with our Sister yet, she can be rather volatile." Merula snickered a little, hiding her grin behind her sleeve. Harry's lip quirked a little, enough to satisfy, but not enough to be accused of enjoying gossiping about the woman when they surely reported this interaction to her at a later date. 

"I'm surprised you would say as such. I've been welcomed wonderfully by the Harem; I can't imagine it being anything but this peaceful." Lies. It had been anything but an uneventful year, but Harry had also heard the stories of the previous years, especially the early days when there was no order and it was simply a race to bear the first child, and then the first son. Now, there was a bountiful number of children, and it was about attaching yourself to the Emperor himself, instead. 

Merula giggled. "Oh Brother, I wish to see your face when you see first-hand the ruthlessness of your fellow Concubines. They are an interesting bunch, and I'm sure that you will-" He noticed that her attention had been drawn away from the conversation, suddenly, words trailing off. "Ah," Merula's spine straightened, and she stood whilst still staring behind him. Harry blinked, eyebrows furrowing as he made to turn, curious. "I'm glad you could join us, Sisters Dahlia and Daphne, Brother Theodore." 

Harry froze, his breath catching in his throat. 

Ah, this was a set-up. 

"It's no trouble at all. I heard that Brother Harry had been invited," Harry turned his head at the sound of her voice, sweet and breathy as ever, and met Dahlia's cold, harsh eyes with a steadfast countenance. "I have yet to congratulate him for his promotion since he seems oh so busy recently. I thought to seize this opportunity whilst I could." She stared down at him for a few seconds, before turning back to speak to the gathered at large. "I hope you haven't been left waiting too long?" 

"Of course not, please, have a seat." The concubines stood as the three rounded the table, bowing their heads and seating themselves after they had sat. Harry didn't move. "Isn't it so wonderful that our Sisters and Brother could join us today, Concubine Potter, ah, I mean, Concubine Slytherin-Potter-Black? My, that's a mouthful, you don't mind If we just call you Concubine Potter, do you?" Merula continued on, staring at him. They were all staring, their eyes roving between him and Dahlia, who his eyes hadn't moved from yet. 

Harry stared at her, then at the rest of the group as they eyed him, eyes gleaming like a pack of wolves fixated on their last meal. Harry felt outnumbered, his only known ally being Anya at his back. He could pull rank on them all, but what would that do in a situation such as this? And most of all, he felt numb, his fingers tingling like they were frozen. 

As the group continued to titter and stare, he felt the first stirrings of an icy irritation creeping up his spine, settling into a harsh lump in his throat. His eyes burned, fingers twitching at his sides. 

"Concubine Potter, you are being rather rude by ignoring Sister Merula." Dahlia pouted then, batting her eyelashes at him when his gaze turned on her, still feeling as if his body wasn't his own. "You should apologise. That is, if you know how to. I'm not sure if you know how to apologise, you certainly didn't for harming Sister Pippa the other day." 

He licked his lips, trying to bring feeling back into them. "And why would I do such a thing? What even is this, some sort of interrogation?" His lip twitched up into a defensive snarl, the only thing keeping him even slightly grounded being Anya's reassuring hold on his shoulder. "What are you trying to gain?" 

She frowned innocently, tilting her head so that she could stare right into his eyes without looking up. "What do you mean, Concubine Potter-" 

"There it is again. My title is Concubine Slytherin-Potter-Black, and if that's too much of a mouthful, simply Brother will do, not just Potter. I have never been just 'Potter', never in the time that we've known each other. And where has the affectionate way you used to call me gone? Am I no longer your 'Brother Harry', Dahlia?" 

She sniffed. "Please do not presume to call me by my given name when I haven't given you permission. We are fellow Concubines now, not school friends." 

Harry stood, staring down at Dahlia with glowing eyes. "Excuse me? I have been your friend for years, and yet, for you to treat me as if I am beneath you? That our time together means nothing now that you've got another posse to hang off your every word like simpering lapdogs? When I am a Concubine to your position as an Attendant! For this, petty may it be, I expect you to carry out His Majesty's punishment before the month's end, or I will have no choice but to see it as a slight to mine, and His Majesty's, Imperial authority. I have had enough of everyone undermining my position. Good day, everyone." He snapped, turning on his heel to flee the situation as quickly as he could, despite the chatter that sparked as soon as he finished. 

Harry could feel the beginnings of tears gathering in his eyes, frustration and hurt fuelling them. They began to slip down his face gently, soon transforming into sobs that shook his body. It was only when he was some ways away that Harry collapsed into a corner, hidden from sight, Anya hovering anxiously at his shoulder as he slid down the wall and into the dirt. He curled into his robes, their sparkles filling his teary vision until he felt dizzy at the sight, so he closed his eyes, leaning back into the wall. 

"Master..." 

He squinted open one eye and rasped in a hoarse voice, raw from shouting and crying. "I love her, Annie...but I don't think I can tolerate this much longer." He licked his lips, tasting the saltiness left behind by his tears. "I need to see the Emperor." 

She looked down at him sympathetically. "His Majesty is busy preparing for the Samhain celebration, he is said to be too busy to-" 

"That is days away! Please," His voice shook. "Tell him it's important."