Chapter 2
Staying with Sanguini was such a wonderful experience. Teddy had made friends instantly with some of the other children in the castle and Harry had endless fun teasing and pranking the poor Julian. Who actually gave back just as much as he got. The morning Harry woke up with a deluge of ice cold water that smelled of fish he knew he had competition if the laughter in the hall was anything to follow. Luckily Sanguini found the interactions more amusing and let them have their fun, or did… up until he got hit with a sideways prank that turned his skin yellow. That was the end of the two day prank war. One did not piss off a master vampire.
Now though Harry was nervous as could be. It had been a long time since he had gone on a real date. Sure he had the short whatever it was with his previous roommate. But this was the first real date in so many years. Taking a deep breath he looked at his reflection in the mirror and tried his best to make his hair lay down properly. He had chosen a simple pair of black slacks and a forest green silk shirt. Dragon hide boots and a silver wristlet.
“Nervous?” A warm voice asked and slowly cool arms wrapped around him and brought him against the hard chest of the vampire. “It will be alright. I know this is a big step for you. If your not sure, there is no harm in telling him that. He will understand.”
Harry smiled and placed a hand over Sanguini’s, “I know. But I think I am ready. They wouldn’t have wanted me to mope around and be lonely. They would want me happy. I know it. I think they would have liked him to.”
“I can’t speak for them and I have not met him yet. However, I trust your decision and if you like him then that is enough for me. Don’t worry about Teddy, you just focus on yourself tonight.”
Emerald eyes closed and he leaned back into Sanguini’s arms and let the vampire hold him for a few moments longer before stepping from his arms, “How do I look?”
Red eyes dragged along his form slowly, “Handsome. A good color for your eyes and complexion. I would however feel better if you wore the clan pendant. Even if it is under your shirt.” He reached for the top of the dresser and removed the amulet and settled it around the others neck tucking it under the shirt. “There, much better. Has he given you any gift? It would be honorable to wear it.”
Harry nodded and picked up the silvery acorn on the chain, “He gave me this, said it would show his true form past the glamour.”
Sanguini looked it over, “That is a very beautiful piece of fae magic. To show oneself as a fae, is a very personal experience. It means he is trusting you with his very being.”
The wizard nodded, “I haven’t used it yet. I want to get to know him.”
“This is getting to know him. Fae are very tied to who they are.” He took the necklace gently and fixed it around his neck. “It’s alright. If he didn’t want you to see it, he would not have given this to you.”
Harry touched the acorn and smiled, “Your right.”
A soft knock and Julian stepped into the room, “Lord Sanguini, Young Lord Harry. The fae has arrived. Shall I let him in?”
Sanguini smiled, “Yes, lead him to the sitting room. He is early, but that is alright.” He turned and helped Harry readjust his hair and settled him down with another hug, “Come, let's see what this fae of yours has planned.”
Harry smiled and took his arm and the two of them walked down to sitting room. Harry paused at the door as he took in the sight of Rien without the glamour. His dark barky skin had tinges of green like moss along it. The long autumn green hair still dreadlocked and filled with the leaves and acorns of his season. The oddest change was the long horns that started from his temple curling back and down around his ears before curling back so that the tips touched the base of his chin. He was still just as beautiful as he was before with moss covered feet and his scent was stronger. When Rien noticed them he stood his peachy eyes swirling with gold and Harry caught sight of the long whip like tail behind him tipped in soft green fur like tuft.
The smile on his face was beautiful as he took a few steps forward, paused, looked to Sanguini and flushed before giving a low bow. Gesturing with his hands slowly.
The vampire lord bowed his head and spoke evenly, “It is good to meet you as well young fae. I hope you will treat my childe proper tonight.” The thinly veiled threat clear.
The fae’s eyes darkened a little but he nodded his smile not wavering. Slowly he removed a beautiful white lily from his pouch looking to Harry and gesturing to his wrist. Harry raised his hand and the fae took it gently in his and set the flower on his wrist. Thin beautiful vines curled from it and wrapped about his wrist and smaller white buds appeared along with soft leaves. Once it had wrapped about him it still and seemed to harden and Harry watched as it turned into soft silver and gems. Fae magic was so beautiful.
Harry flushed, “Thank you. It’s lovely,” was he supposed to get the other something… shoot he didn’t know how these things went. But even if he didn’t have anything to give, the other seemed just enchanted to be there.
Sanguini chuckled, “Ah fae magic and young affection. Alright you two. Be safe.”
The two nodded and carefully the fae took Harry’s hand and it was like a breeze fell over them and Harry’s vision swirled with colors of browns, golds, and soft yellows before clearing and taking in a whole new surroundings. That must of been how Rien got from place to place. He smiled as they were in an alley and he let himself be led into a slightly busy street. It looked mostly modern, with shops and bustling people but the largest difference was that the streets were lined with creatures. There was just so many new things to see. A tall elven woman selling what looked to be bright silver jewelry glittering in the soft lights, a dwarf haggling prices with a goblin over a chunk of rock of some kind.
Harry looked to him smiling, “This is amazing. Where are we?”
Rien brushed his hands along Harry’s taking one, “This is the Everglade Market. It is a hidden market in India and one of the few markets that has portals to the outer realms, where fae and a few other creatures live.”
The wizard smiled and stepped to the side as a couple kids went running past to a woman with a large basket of spices. She waved to them and Harry waved back before following Rien to a beautiful restaurant nestled between two cozy looking shops. Once inside it was easy to tell that it was much different than muggle ones. The tables were at different heights, there were tables designed for those that didn't or couldn't use chairs, and even a small pool area for water based creatures who still wanted a night out. They were led to a nice table for two in a lower lighting set. A tall woman with rich brown hair and pale pink skin stepped up, “Welcome, what can I do for you two today?”
Harry watched as his date tapped the menu in front of him and she smiled writing it down before looking to him. He flushed and looked over the drinks for a moment, “Oh I would like a water please, with lemon.”
She took it down and was off flashing a pair of pale transparent wings as she went. A pixie of some kind if Harry had to guess but he wasn’t all that good at guessing that sort of thing. He looked to his date and let his eyes traced along the beautiful lines of his face. It was easy to get lost in the peach colored eyes and comforting manner of the other. He jolted a little when a hand touched his and he snapped out of his staring and flushed brightly, “Sorry, I got lost in thought.”
The hand tightened on his, “I could tell. Where did it go?”
Harry flushed darker, “I was just thinking, how comforting it is. To be around you.”
The fae’s eyes widened and the soft peach brightened to gold as he flushed as well, “Your presence is a comfort to me as well. Tell me more about yourself. I wish to know everything.”
The wizard thought a moment on what to even talk about his life was filled with so many things that he didn’t even know where to begin. “It’s hard to decide. Nothing in my life was really exciting until school, and then after that it was pretty much so filled with things its hard to separate out.”
Rien smiled brightly, “Perhaps something you enjoyed?”
Harry blinked and smiled then, “I remember this time Luna and I snuck out to go feed the thestrals. We always loved spending time with the herd at our school. We even rode them from time to time. I remember this night more than most. One of the mares was in labor and having difficulty. I didn’t know what to do, but Luna did. She always seemed to know what to do.” He smiled fondly as the memory danced across his mind, “She just rushed over and didn’t even mind when the mother bit her. She just helped. She had me try to calm the mother and it sort of worked. The mother wasn't happy about having humans around while she was giving birth, and I know she was in a lot of pain. But soon their was just this adorable wobbly legged foal. Didn’t even know how to stand. It was so beautiful.”
The fae stared at him in amazement, “Thestrals are not known for such trust. It takes a long time to gain such companionship from them.”
Harry nodded, “Yeah. But Luna.... she could see them from day one at Hogwarts. I couldn’t see them until after.” he broke off a moment, “Until after I saw Cedric die”
“You have seen such hardship in your life. I hope I can ease them. Who is Luna?”
“Oh Luna is like a sister to me. She is a year younger but has always seemed so much older. She was in Ravenclaw while we were in school. Luna is one of those people that its hard to sum her up in a few words. That sort of personality that you can't put a finger on but draws you in. She is studying at the University of Merlin right now. I think in mind magics mostly.”
Rien nodded and looked up as their drinks were placed and the two orders their meal. From that point on, the conversation flowed more smoothly. The two sharing things about their lives and learning more about each other. Harry learned that the fae was raised in the wilderness, his parents having left him to them as a babe. But for a fae that was apparently common with crossbreds like him. They explored more about each others likes and dislikes. Even branching into a couple of harder topics. Though one large tops Harry still steered away from. He didn’t know if he was ready to tell Rien about how he had been mated before. He didn’t know about the fae’s views on that point and was scared to bring it up.
After dinner the two spent time just walking along the line of shops. Taking in the sights and enjoying the overall atmosphere. When they reached the center of town there was a large fountain of a selkie coming out of her skin and Rien took his hand leading him closer and together they sat on the lip of the fountain. Slowly the fae took his hands and kissed them gently before pressing their foreheads together intimately, “I know we are still getting to know each other, but I just want to say you fascinate me and I truly believe I am developing deeper feelings for you. Would you do me the honor of entering a formal courtship.”
Harry met his eyes and felt his cheeks heat, “I don’t really know what that really entails?”
Rien smiled, “It would mean I would court you. Formally. With gifts and dates. We would not be allowed any sexual contact during the interim. I promise it's mostly like dating. We just use the time to get to know one another. The process takes as long as we both need and ends by either dissolving the courtship or completing it.”
“Completing you mean mating.”
“Yes, however once we enter a formal courtship, no other may enter along side it without permission from all parties.”
Harry thought it over a moment before smiling, “Yes I would like to enter a formal courtship with you.”
The fae’s expression brightened and his eyes lit up like the petals of a daffodil as he hugged Harry to him and kissed him sweetly on the lips.
It was like tasting spring, it was the only thing he could think of. That fresh taste in the air after a spring shower sweet and crisp all at once. Warm fingers caressing his cheeks and the bubbling sensation of joy in his chest. Maybe there was hope after all of a second love.