(Song of Inspiration for the Chapter: The Moon Over Mount Gorgon; from the Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, Blood and Wine Soundtrack)
In the days that followed the horrible incident where Tom had learned that his mate had tried to take his life and that it could possibly become a re-occurrence if nothing was done to help Harry heal; the Dark Lord took a much more active approach and he was seen more and more in the company of the Shadow Assassin to his Inner Circle.
They watched as he often took long walks in the gardens of the Chateau; where the younger man of the two was often seen smiling a little more each time. The first few times; they had seen the body-wrap bandages about him and wondered what had happened to cause him such harsh injuries. But soon the physical injuries healed up and left Harry with no scarring this time due to Sahale's excellent care alongside of Maharet.
The assassin's green eyes regaining a bit of their vibrancy from the dulled shade it had been for weeks after he emerged from the incident around others. The Dark Lord spoke to him often and softly; with a gentle expression to him, but would resume his cold and indifferent mask if anyone else came to them to ask anything.
It was clear that the Dark Lord; he had some level of...care for the assassin. And it hadn't been missed by those who watched nor those who didn't like what they were seeing happening before them between the two.
A few of them worried this was some manner of plot; to get close to him and try to assassinate him...and none of them aware of the fact that if it had been...the assassin in question would be the only one with a chance of success for the attempt.
They saw as their Master had treated the young assassin to picnics when he wanted them in the gardens. He more often of late; he ate breakfast with the Circle, lunch was mixed, and then he ate his dinner alone with the younger male.
They all noticed the Master was seen smiling a little more often after his encounters with him. Tom's eyes showed a happiness to himself when with the younger male that he had never showed towards any one of his followers or their gatherings.
Something that had...now been noticed by the Death Eaters within the most trusted; and had caused tensions among the Inner Circle due to several others who were not happy by this change. The Dark Lord himself; he had said nothing to them of noticing the tensions, but they all knew that he likely was aware of it, which was why no one had acted out yet.
Tom spoke to Maharet often enough; to ensure that Harry's healing seemed to be going well. And, he apologized for accidentally lying to her; he had forgotten that Lucius knew who the Shadow Assassin was...he had been there with him in Egypt to meet for the contract he wanted done.
But he assured her; that Lucius knew better than to reveal Harry if he or Tom did not wish for it yet.
Maharet prayed that he was right...She didn't believe that Lucius would betray them, but she'd seen how Lucius's son was eyeing Harry; like he was a puzzle to figure out and one that he would enjoy after he had. It was clear that he was conflicted despite his obvious attraction; he felt as if he knew the Shadow Assassin...which was true in a way.
They'd attended Hogwarts together, of course. She had come to learn that they were even in the same House and had played Quidditch together. Had been tentative friends in that time. But Draco didn't recognize Harry without his glamours as Harry Potter. Didn't realize the Harry Potter he knew and the Shadow Assassin the real Harry was; they were one in the same.
And Maharet would narrow her eyes; when she'd seen the jealousy flash in Draco's mercurial gaze to Harry and Tom when they walked together in the gardens. How his face would darken and scowl when Harry laughed or smiled to something Tom had said or did. The way his hands curled in tension when Tom was allowed to be affectionate to Harry; holding his hands and such.
Lucius might not betray Tom or Harry for himself; but she knew well enough that parents would go to the ends of the Earth to save their children when they'd done something dangerously stupid and there was a price needing paid. And, she'd seen the way both Lucius and Narcissa eyed their son at times when he would watch Harry with Tom; how pale they'd get when Draco reacted and somewhat showed his emotions and feelings towards it.
Narcissa looked extremely worried for her son; not knowing what he was getting into. Lucius; he was harder to read, but Maharet had the suspicions that he knew Tom and Harry were bonded mates and tried not to overreact.
His son was of age now; if he did something stupid...there was little he could do to spare him the wrath from the Dark Lord that he may incur.
~~
Harry's injuries had faded now and he began to feel more himself; more whole and his mindset was better than it had been for several years, and so Maharet had given him the all clear to begin training again. Harry had expressed his intentions; to begin trying a new method of training out with himself first. One that would, hopefully, not allow his relapses to occur as often if at all.
If the method worked as he hoped; he would be integrating it into the new recruits program and overhaul what was there. Substitute things as needed and as cleanly accurate as possible, but still keep the lessons all assassins needed to learn to survive and to be successful.
It was October now and Samhain was just around the corner; and the gardens were looking lovely for the colors of the flowers that the elves had planted seasonally amidst the ever-changing trees to their reds, oranges, and yellows.
(The Autumn Gardens at Slytherin Chateau; not the Family Gardens, but the ones for everyone to use and to enjoy)
Harry loved to train outside on the nice days where the sun was out and there was a brisk, cool breeze. The weather had been unseasonably warm this year; so the now chilly breezes were a welcome thing. He loved it when Tom would join him outside and simply watch him train or bring his research materials to study as he did so.
Harry smiled softly to himself in thought; this change of how he was training...it seemed to be working. It focused on keeping his outlook positive without the constant reminders of his career; of the importance of his contracts. Tom had told Harry that he wasn't voiding the contract he asked for; but until Harry was healed and ready to continue it...he would have to put it on pause.
Harry had, graciously, accepted that notion. Though he was sort-of upset by it; it felt like Tom didn't think he could handle the contract anymore. Of which he knew was preposterous; Tom had told him multiple times that he knew Harry would finish it.
He tensed slightly as he felt another approach; one who did not feel like Tom, and so he resumed his sword practice. Harry momentarily eyed them; it appeared Draco was taking advantage of the fact that Tom was not here today. His mate had some issues to deal with and had apologized for not being able to be there as usual.
Tom's presence beside of him; it normally kept the others away and from prying or doing something idiotic that they knew better than to try.
He continued on as if he hadn't been bothered by it; but Harry was unsettled. He had noticed Draco's increasing attraction to him and his jealousy over him. He didn't want to need to hurt him; if possible.
But Harry internally knew; there was no way either of them were going to walk away from this without hurting some.
Draco sat on the bench; the place where Tom usually sat and Harry's eyes flared in agitation to this. It was like Draco did that on purpose. Their postures both so similar and so different; Harry's hands curled tighter over the hilts of his swords.
Then Draco gazed to him; his eyes sad and upset somewhat.
"I knew that I felt I had met you before; I just didn't at first understand why. But..." He spoke softly as his gaze eyed the trees beyond him, "It is you, isn't it Harry?" He asked with a very quiet tone
Harry's internal emotions froze and he suddenly stopped his practice; he turned to him and his green eyes shined as he gave a sad smile, "It is, Draco. You didn't recognize me because of the release of the glamours I wore at Hogwarts."
Harry eyed the lawn, "Necessary glamours to keep Albus and his Order off of my case; to not cause suspicions that things were not meant to be as they seemed to them. I had my role and my part to play."
Draco swallowed thickly to this as he looked down and inclined, "Did I ever know you, then?" He asked sadly as his silvery eyes looked to Harry then, "Or was our friendship just a...smokescreen for you?" His fingers curled, "And...why have you been leading me on?"
Silver eyes closed with pain, "I've been attracted to you; as Harry Potter for years and now as your real self that I have watched here. I've waited for the moment that you promised might happen; pining for it and wished for your attention...
But, I've also seen how you interact with him, you know? The Dark Lord, I mean. You always look so...content and so happy." He questioned quietly
Harry sighed as he tried to explain, "It's complicated. My friendship with you was genuine, Draco. The only things that I kept from you was the fact that I was an assassin. The Shadow Assassin, in fact. And..." He hesitated, "And that I have a bonded mate for life; one that I have known about for some time. But...I couldn't go to them nor to act on the sealing of the bond.
I have used others in this time; to satiate myself when I needed...but, that was all at the risk of me burning my core and my magic inside of me out and losing my mind. I still have to use others for the time being if I get to that point where I need relief; as my bonded and I are not in a place of safety where I feel comfortable not being in the field as the Shadow Assassin."
He hesitated as his green eyes were sad to Draco, "Right now; I am just now fully healed from severe wounds and a mental breakdown that led me to try to end my life again. That is why I haven't left the Chateau a lot lately."
Draco stared harshly now at him, "You tried to kill yourself?" He whispered
Harry sadly smiled as his eyes looked away to the trees and he inclined, "For the twenty-sixth time, in fact." He spoke soft and honest
Draco stared and Harry resumed his sword practice, "The life of an assassin is grueling and harsh on their body as much as their minds. We eventually become fragile; some earlier than others. We begin to break and cannot see why we're continuing this path. But it is a path that we chose and its for life; I cannot break out of this. I chose to be an assassin at six years old; I willingly entered the training.
The former guild-master; he was the father to me that I didn't have. He showed me what real parental love was like. He cared for me when my own blood-relatives would have abused me and hurt me if left to their care. I wanted to make Runihura proud; I believe I succeeded, since I became the youngest Master Assassin known of in written history.
If I went rogue, I would be hunted down and killed if I ever tried." He told him then made a face, "But it is unlikely that they'd ever be able to defeat me; I am the only master of our guild left for now.
And even if others trained and became Masters; I would have the advantage of years of experience to them all."
Harry eyed the swings he made and then frowned as he adjusted his footing and redid them; humming in acceptance that time.
"As for the Dark Lord... and as you may suspect now" Harry told him softly, "Yes. He is my other half; always has been." Harry breathed, "I've known about that for years and I told Tom that the prophecy he fought to find was not even real. Not anymore; as I cannot act on it due to being an assassin.
Though to be fair; it was voided before I became one.
Fate has a very screwed sense of humor; always throwing us at the other. I suppose that's why I have been happier of late. He has realized that he cannot push for the sealing to be done yet so harshly; we have to trust the other to finish what we need and to acknowledge when the other is ready for the bond."
Harry smiled softer now, "He's been taking more time for himself to get to know the real me; allowing me the same courtesy with him. Of course, he does talk to me of his plans some...I am hunting his traitors."
Harry then saddened, "But, I apologize that you felt as if I was leading you on; it was not my intention for that to happen. When I first arrived here; I did genuinely mean to accept you if you wanted it."
Draco eyed him warily, "But?" He asked softly
Harry sighed, "But you know how Tom is, Draco. He is a possessive, jealous, and controlling jerk that can be an outright asshat about things when he is angry. You should have seen him when he found out you propositioned me."
Draco paled as Harry's lips quirked before smiling brightly, "He was so nooooottttt happy." Harry sing-songed at him. Harry then breathed, "And he wasn't pleased when Sahale showed up either; Sahale is one of the men who acts as the prostitutes that attend to the assassins for our guild."
Harry smirked a bit now as Draco rose his brow in a smirking curiosity, "We have a whole business included to the guild that functions as a brothel; which has our large selection of men and women who act as prostitutes for the guild. It's kind-of a needed asset for it; seeing as most of us do enjoy the benefits of it. Not saying that all assassins use them as stress-relief; because they don't, but a lot of us do.
And, most of the prostitutes in our employ will attend to either gender, but there are few males that only cater to males or females that cater only to other females.
Sahale in particular; he only prefers men as I do and he has been employed as my personal prostitute for...quite some time. He is the one who has been taking care of my needs and seeing to my relief after missions from the guild for a few years now."
He sobered, "I had...had a few others before him; they tried to coerce me to do things I couldn't do. A few of them even tried to enchant me to control me to stay. Sahale stepped in to force them to stop.
Sahale knew about me and the sensitive topics that surrounded me; he was told of them after the last prostitute had tried to enchant me, and so he knew of my bond to Tom as my mate. He accepted it as it was. He knew that my patronage to him would be generous and luxurious while it lasted, but that it was only to be temporary.
Last for as long as it could before I bonded to Tom as my partner for life. He knew that me using him to relieve myself was hurting me internally because my mana would boil and burn inside me.
But then Sahale also knew that my emotions I showed to him; they were for his benefit." Harry spoke softly with sadness to him, "That I didn't actually feel the same way to him as to what he felt for me during our times together; I couldn't...not really. Not while my body and mind were always wandering to Tom even as he wasn't present."
Harry eyed him sadly, "And to be fair to us both; I probably would have been acting the same way if I had indulged you. Which is not something I wanted to hurt you with; I wasn't looking for a new long-term partner to spend my life with...just a momentary one that would make me feel good and to relieve me.
So, it's probably for the best that we never actually saw the other as more than friends; never were romantically entangled and got too attached to the other." Harry told him and then made a face, "Not to displace or to dismiss the feelings you obviously had for me, of course. But in the long-term; this was the better outcome."
Draco turned his gaze a moment; Harry saw the almost heartbreaking prickling of tears that threatened to ghost the edges of the silvery irises. As Draco controlled his reactions and then looked to him with a sad smile and inclined respectfully to him. He stood and walked gently to Harry; who tensed at the close proximity of Draco now.
He watched as the blonde warily rose his hand and gently touched his face; his eyes like mirrors to his soul for Harry, who saw the deep sadness, loneliness, and more to him. Harry wanted to do something or to say something to make him feel better...but, he didn't know what to even say to him.
"What the Hell is going on here?" Tom's voice broke the silence
Draco paled and Harry's face whitened as a sickly look appeared; Tom's eyes narrowed on them and eyed his mate warily.
"Harry." He spoke as calmly as he could, "I assume that Draconis here has figured out that you were the Shadow Assassin. But, why is he touching you?" He bit with a tone that showed he was not pleased by it
Harry gently laid his blades to the ground and went to Tom; who opened his arms for him as he leaned there a moment.
"We made peace with the situation that we've found ourselves in together." He told him, "Draco understands that I will not be...spending time intimately in his company. He was about to leave when you arrived; I apologize if his actions have upset you, Tom. It...wasn't intentional."
Red eyes saw and heard the truth in Harry's words; he breathed to calm himself. He narrowed his gaze on Draco, "You should be grateful that I am merciful and that my mate is vouching for you, Heir Malfoy. I would loathe to explain to your parents why I suddenly felt like I had to detain you and to torture you."
Draco swallowed and bowed his head down, "I understand, my lord."
He quickly left the garden area they were in and Harry watched as the blonde's retreating form was somewhat bowed and subdued. As if he was trying not to emotionally crack underneath the weight of his hurt from Harry's rejection because of how much Draco had wanted a chance with him.
"He's really hurt, Tom. He'll need time to adjust and to heal his heart from this spurn." Harry told him quietly as his mate's red gaze looked to him, "Draco admitted to me earlier; that he's been attracted to me as the version of Harry Potter I showed in Hogwarts for years now, and then again as he saw me as the Shadow Assassin.
He really; really wanted a chance to try to be with me." He spoke quietly
Tom curled him tighter to him and hissed in upset, "Even so; I am glad that he didn't try anything more than what I saw when I walked into the gardens. I nearly had drawn my wand and was ready to curse him."
Tom breathed and relaxed as Harry hummed and leaned into him; letting Tom place a small kiss to his neck before eyeing him over.
"And, how're you feeling today, Harry?" He asked softly
Harry smiled a bit, "A bit more sad now that I have had to reject Draco in this way; so he knows not to attempt anything. Time will heal that sense of sadness. But otherwise I am feeling alright, why?" He asked
Tom then let him go and Harry watched as he fidgeted and hesitated; his lips nearly quirking in an amused way. Tom was nervous...
"I was...wondering if..." He restlessly bounced on his heels a moment, "If you would possibly like to go out to dinner with me tonight?"
Tom then eyed the gardens, "I apologize...I am not the best at...asking like this; I am used to others leaving me be if desired. Used to ordering people about and expecting them to come when I call for them. This...is new to me."
Harry suddenly smiled more brightly and his eyes somewhat lit up as he embraced Tom about his middle and placed a gentle kiss to his cheek. Tom stared to his mate; was that a yes...or, what was that for?
Harry smiled, "I would love to go out to dinner tonight with you, Tom. Do I need to dress up fancy or anything?" He asked
Tom smiled now as Harry stared; it was always startling to see his real and genuine smiles.
"You don't have to dress fancy for it; just wear something nice. Not casual, but also not too formal." He told him.
Harry nodded then leaned to him momentarily as his eyes closed softly; taking in the feeling of Tom and letting it soothe him. Tom relaxed more as he then eased himself down to the bench with Harry and let him just lie there.
It was a few more moments before Harry hummed in soft agreement, "Alright." He breathed in acquiescence, "Is it early dinner, then?"
Tom nodded as he smiled, "Yes."
Harry inclined and leaned off of him as he stood to walk back to his blades then turned to smile at Tom, "Then let me finish my practice for the day. After that, I will go and to clean myself up."
Tom smirked, "Go right ahead, Harry. Did you think I was leaving? I love watching you practice your blades. Perhaps one day soon..." He lilted in a suggestive tone, "You'll honor me with a duel; seeing as we both prefer using dual-blades..."
Harry paused again; a shudder running through him in excitement now, and only silently inclined to the possibility before returning to his practice and not saying anything more. Tom smirked in satisfaction to the silent possible agreement before he leaned and stretched out on the bench and his scarlet eyes were shining happily as he made himself comfortable to watch his mate.
Taking in his form, his stances, and the way he swung the blades; learning his style of fighting some by observing it first-hand.
But it was clear to Harry that Tom was enjoying his observations as much as he was trying to learn more of him and his fighting style. The way his eyes slanted at times, or the way his body shifted with subtlety. The clear and defined outline of his arousal that showed as Harry got to the more intense parts; sweating, breathing harshly, and more agilely moving his body about while deftly making his motions and his swings.
And Harry; he could not help but to be turned on too. By the fact that Tom was so intensely staring at him with such desire, lust, respect, admiration and appreciation. To the point Tom smirked very sharply with smugness when he saw Harry's erection become outlined to his clothes as much as his own.
Finally, Harry tossed the blades down and breathed to take a moment. Then walked to Tom and slowly slid to his lap and smirked as he leaned his face to his. Green eyes dilated and lustful as his fingers ghosted about his neck and then his lips moved, "Touch me, Tom."
Scarlet eyes heated, "Here? In the garden where anyone else could see us?" He asked him with a roughened tone, "Are you sure?"
Harry only kissed him and then made sure he saw his face, "I am sure. I want them to know that Harry Potter is the Shadow Assassin. And I sense others coming this way, so if you want to touch; now's the time."
Tom growled as he held him to him; his lips locking to Harry's in a very possessive kiss as he reached for the rim of his training pants. Sliding a hand into them as he heard Harry moan to his kiss when he gripped his arousal. Making small moans, whines, and whimpers of need.
Tom was really enjoying the feeling of his mate and being able to touch him like this; it had been a while since Harry had last allowed it. But neither were prepared for the very fast and very silent Blood-Boiling curse sent directly at Harry from Bellatrix. Tom was not surprised, however, for the silent and large shield that shimmered into view just before it hit him; nor for Harry to darkly smirk as he suddenly thrusted into Tom's hand and leaned over to his neck to bite him.
Groaning as Tom tightened his fingers to his cock when his teeth sank to the flesh of his neck, and enjoying the loud grunt he made as it caused him a lot of pleasure even as it hurt a bit while Harry stayed attached there.
"Harry..." Tom groaned as his eyes turned nearly black in his lust
Harry's bite was a bit harsh and his grip on Tom's body was just as possessive of him as Tom's was to his hips by the one hand on them. The other clearly inside of the younger male's pants and very clearly enjoying it.
Bellatrix slowly lowered her wand as her arm went slack; her dark and crazed eyes unable to believe what she was seeing.
Harry hissed then as Tom's sharp fingernails suddenly bit and pinched down into his erection and green eyes glared at him as red ones were glowing with arousal while a smug smirk quirked to the edges of his mouth.
"Behave, Harry." Tom voiced in a semi-slur of desire, "They're in shock."
Harry then narrowed his eyes before Tom; who pinched harder and Harry went slack as his eyes closed; moaning loudly for the intense pressure the grip of Tom had on him. Tom let them stand there and to stare; notably and probably not surprising, was that Lucius was suspiciously not present for this scene nor was Draco.
"M-Master..." Bellatrix tried as she found her voice, "W-What is this?" Her tone was hesitant and almost heartbroken
Tom's red eyes shifted momentarily to them, "What does it look like to you, Bellatrix? In any case, I will explain in a little while. Have the Inner Circle gather to the audience hall. For now; I need to be here." His voice gave no room for argument or protest
Bellatrix's hands curled as Rodulphus gently steered his wife away and allowed their Master to be alone with his...paramour. Rabastan's blue eyes lingering with pain as he watched the assassin allow their master to be the one to please his desires; the assassin was very beautiful and he had hoped for a chance to entice them.
Narcissa hadn't really wanted to come; she'd been dragged along by her sister. Though now she couldn't say whether or not she was glad for it. On one hand, she was glad their master was finally allowing himself to try to find someone else to pair off with...But, on the other; she felt deeply for her sister. Who was only married to Rodulphus because she was forced into the marriage by their father, and had yearned for years for Tom to want her back and ask for a dissolution of their contract.
Finding him here and entangled with another male; had been an unpleasant surprise and shock for Bella. Tom hadn't really ever been seen by them before as one who...indulged such things, so they hadn't known of his preferences...or if he even had them.
Narcissa had not been aware that their master had been interested in men; no, probably none of the current Inner Circle had until now and this news spread. Tom's original Knights might have known at one time, but the vast majority of the Knights were dead and only one remained alive now.
That singular Knight also lived now in isolation and seclusion; refused to allow anyone to visit, even his Master. But Tom respected that wish of them and did not try to go to see them; even when he might have a need of their skill or expertise.
Others removed their eyes and turned to leave as Tom returned his attention to the younger male; smirked as his eyes shined with desire towards them and they heard the gurgling moan ripple from his throat as he enjoyed whatever the master was doing to him.
Bella's fists tightened as her eyes narrowed and shined with anger; she didn't like this situation. That new male coming here to help them weed the traitors out; only to be using their master for his selfish bodily needs.
She growled low under her breath as her eyes flashed; she would show that upstart where he really belonged, and she'd enjoy it immensely.
Harry grinned with satisfaction and smugness as he heard Bella growl to herself; hearing her thoughts as much as Tom did, and neither of them pleased by it but Harry was also looking forward of her reaction to exactly who he was now.
Green eyes lit with mana and emotion as he pressed himself to Tom; his lips attached to his neck as he suckled, nipped, and made a large red mark there. His fingers rubbing and pressing harshly to his torso and flicking the nubs of his nipples every so often.
Tom groaned loudly after they'd all gone; enjoying his mate and enjoying touching him.
Harry was definitely enjoying Tom's touches; his very heavy cock was proof. It was hot to the touch; loaded with his semen, and near to bursting as Tom continued to fondle and to tug him. To stroke and tease it.
Green eyes then looked to him as he let go and silently smiled while Tom understood and gripped him harder; pulled on him roughly and then smiled as Harry arched his back. Tom felt the warm, sticky mess enter his mate's underthings and he pleasurably used his fingers to dip into it some as it then touched Harry back.
Harry's eyes heated and he moaned while leaning towards Tom; his body already getting hot and bothered. Harry's fingers then slid lower and gently went into Tom's pants as he faintly rubbed him and then eyed him, "Would you like me to relieve you now, or to wait until later?" He asked softly
Tom smirked as he leaned to kiss his forehead, "Later." He told him tenderly before his smirk showed, "Can't keep them waiting for too long, and better for them to see me like this and to understand that I chose it."
Harry nodded before his eyes glinted and he rubbed the hardened length as Tom seized and his eyes flared at him as he hissed, "You did not just--
Harry smirked, "Oh. But I did." He purred, "You will not release without me. I won't let you."
Harry purred and sensually leaned onto Tom with leering green eyes that showed Tom all his fantasies in one go, "Be good for me until later tonight.." He lightly kissed his chin and jaw, "And maybe...just maybe I'll let you finger into my ass."
Tom's eyes heated even more before he made the most pitiful whine sound Harry had ever heard and smirked, "You really like the idea, hmm?" He hummed
Tom nodded and his gaze dilated, "Or maybe I like the idea of feeling your fingers inside of me too." He whispered softly and in a lilt
Harry's frame shuddered with delight to the sudden and very fast on-coming image that was brought to his mind. Tom saw how his hips trembled and his body loved the notion of it.
"Yesssss." Harry slurred as his eyes slanted, "That is a nice thought, mate."
~~
The whole of the Inner Circle stood about in the audience chamber; minus a few people, and all of them were wary, tense, and agitated over what this would mean. All except for Lucius; who had known before now of Tom's...special interest in finding the Potter boy. Though he did not have all the details as to why; he had heavily suspected more than a few different reasons as to why.
Draco stood next to his father and his mother with a tension and a sadness to his tall frame; his heart hurting for needing to see this meeting and to watch as the one he pined for would be standing beside another. Knowing his gaze and his affection displayed to Harry...it would not be returned; not anymore.
The audience chamber doors opened a little more than twenty minutes later; Tom striding in with confidence to his form; red eyes glowing with satisfaction to the room for the situation they found themselves all in and smirking about the room now in his elegant black and silver embroidered robes.
His arm wrapped tenderly about a slender but fit waist; a very attractive form of a younger male with lively green eyes, dark black hair, and now; an infamous scar showing from his forehead. The room; or most of it, held its breath as the reality began to sink in for exactly who this male was. Tom and Harry continued forward as Bellatrix made a shriek noise; Harry quirking his lips up to that with amusement.
Yet, he wasn't really like anything they'd been told or had heard of; he was different. Some were not yet sure if that was a good thing for them or a bad thing.
He was nearly as tall as the Master was; only a couple inches shorter than him. He was trim, lean, and fit with an easily defined set of muscles that all there could see plainly despite his clothes. It was in how he walked; this version of Harry Potter moved fluidly in elegance with the posture that most purebloods learned early on. He held it with grace and confidence; the stride of a warrior and apex hunter combined.
His clothes were made of fine materials; which to them meant that Harry had been very successful as an Assassin and was not living off of the Potter vaults. They all surmised that as the Shadow Assassin; Harry was probably wealthier than all of them in the room now. If rumor alone of his kills were true...
And the clothes were contrasting against their Lord's outfit; but not in a bad way. The large belt buckle with the emblem of the Sanguine Dragons on it giving away that this was real.
The green gaze contrasting to the colors of his clothes nicely; all as he seemed comfortable wrapped in their Lord's arm and not at all perturbed by their staring at him. He smirked and his eyes shined with amusement to them, in fact, for it.
As they reached the front of the room; Tom conjured another throne-like chair for his partner, but Harry smirked and merely sat himself down to Tom's lap in a somewhat provocative display of his power by being there to them. Tom's red eyes gleamed with happiness to the gesture before his expression cleared and eyed them all.
"I believe I owe the Inner Circle some answers; though do keep in mind, I wasn't keeping this a secret on purpose. We were eventually; going to tell the Circles about this. Realistically; my life and that of any partner I chose; our lives are ours. We do not owe it to you to tell you about us or anything.
Just as I do not demand all my followers to tell me who they're involved with; whether they're married or not. That knowledge is a privilege; to know and to be included to the knowledge that we wish to freely share." He warned them
Tom then shifted some as Harry readjusted and the red gaze made sure he was comfortable before returning to them, "As some of you have already surmised; yes, this is Harry Potter." He told them and Harry smirked to them from Tom's lap, "But he is still the Shadow Assassin."
Tom paused, "At first, I did not know the two were the same person; though ever since my rebirth ritual and regaining my own sanity, I had become aware that something between us was not right. Then, towards the end of Harry's seventh year; I had changed my plans some for the war and wanted to try to convince him to side with us.
Again; for the third or fourth time..." He added idly, "I had tried before this; but neither of us were really ready to accept an alliance from the other, so Harry had always refused."
Tom darkly scowled, "But that conversation never happened or ever would; as Harry had seemingly vanished off the map so to speak. As months passed; panic grew that he had been captured or killed somehow...and our side of this was rather unjustly labeled as his would-be murderers, though that is not surprising. I, however, I was not immune to that sensation of desperation or panic; the need and the desire for truth and to find him...even as we shared a mental connection from that fated night years ago.
Harry had learned well; of how to close the connection and to keep me from sensing it or him."
Tom sighed and Harry leaned to him while Tom's lips slightly turned upwards for the gesture and he held him close to soothe his anxiety.
"My desperation became enlarged after I learned more of why I felt something was off; however, to prove it...I had to actually find Harry. To speak to him. And he was nowhere to be found." Tom told them, "So I took a risk; I contacted the headquarters to all of the Assassins Guilds and they re-directed my letter to the former Guildmaster of the Sanguine Dragons.
I imagine that the former guildmaster read my letter; considered his options, but decided to allow a meeting."
Tom paused, "It was merely days later that Lucius and I made a trip to Cairo in Egypt; we met with Guildmaster Runihura to discuss the contract I wanted done to find my traitors and a second task in helping me to find Potter."
Tom scowled as Harry smirked with amusement, "Runihura acted as if he was confused by my wanting of this; knowing the guilds were neutral to outside wars and completely playing with me when he had Harry standing right behind him as his choice of accompaniment for a guard.
I did not recognize Harry then; his face was obscured and his mana was hidden from me."
"Runihura agreed to allow the Shadow Assassin be the one to hunt my traitors as I had desired, but then smirked. He told me that I could stop looking for Harry Potter. I got riled; thinking that meant someone had hunted him, but I asked why."
"He told I could stop because Harry had been in the room with us the whole time. Then gestured to who I knew was the Shadow Assassin, and watched in disbelief then as Harry's face and his magic revealed themselves to me."
Harry then slowly sat up and leaned himself against Tom as he held a slightly somber and serious look, "I have been an assassin since I was nine years old. I was taken from the place that Albus Dumbledore left me in the aftermath of the attack that left me orphaned. Runihura basically kidnapped me; though the people who were supposed to raise me never even knew I was left there, so maybe not."
"I began assassin training at six years old; the training is no matter what guild takes you in...it is harsh, brutal, and very few children make it out of it alive. The training starts young; so all you know is how to hold a weapon and how to think strategically for getting to your target, how to take a life efficiently without leaving traces behind, and how to survive the aftermath of it but not how to live.
That training is also a learning experience for the recruits that few live to talk of. If they do; it's an individual battle for each of us to remain sane as we make our life as one. Every assassin handles their emotions similarly from training, but also differently as a person. There are those who simply wake up one day; their hands covered in the blood from their contracts, and they cannot see a reason to keep doing it and to keep going." Harry told them quietly
"Some of the assassins go rogue; forcing their guild members to hunt them to put them down. To preserve our way of life and our secrets. From the outside world as much as rival guilds that want more power and would steal our knowledge or techniques for their own. Others try to take their own lives once the blood has piled too high and becomes too much; some of them succeed and others are salvaged before it happens."
Harry eyed the room vacantly, "I am not an exception; given the vast amount of contracts and lives I have already taken since I was nine. I have tried to kill myself twenty-six different times now. From the time I was thirteen to my eighteen currently. Though I also had extenuating circumstances that propelled my emotions."
Harry breathed, "The Prophecy that foretold of me to be able to defeat Tom; it is completed and also fake. Or rather, the prediction made has been fake ever since I was nine and took my oaths as an Assassin of the Sanguine Dragons. But, the prophecy itself has been finished since the night Tom attacked me and we both survived; then my oaths...they later voided the Prophecy into becoming something more.
Something more powerful than a prediction that would force us to hunt the other to our deaths.
All while my magic and Tom's adapted; it...reverted to what should have been there if not for the pseudo-fake prediction. In all honesty; if I had grown up differently and not been what I am; the prophecy might have become one that was more real and self-fulfilling."
Harry then shook a bit as Tom's arms tightened about him in comfort, "When I took my oaths and the prophecy was finally fully voided; my mana and Tom's reverted back to an entanglement of souls. We were fated by Mother Magic to be tied for forever to the other; and for years, I was hurting because Tom did not recognize the bond and my magic was eating itself and burning itself alive.
I was also hurting myself as well; I didn't want to accept the bond at first, because I didn't think your Lord would ever recognize it back for what it was. I hated that I was tied this way to him, and due to the exact nature of what type of soul-bond we had...I gambled a large risk to my own life.
Harry eyed the room without really looking to any of them, "I began to seek others out; for intimacy to relieve the stress of my career and to take my mind off of the bond that we both did and did not acknowledge. But for me...that taking of others and sharing that level of...passions without my bond-mate...
It burned my mana more fiercely than anything else I tried; yet it also relieved my stresses. I became addicted to the sensations, the adrenaline, and the risk I took."
He then seemed to focus more clearly, "And I still do partake of others slightly; even while your Lord and I both are consciously aware of the bond. Your lord acknowledges my reasons for this; accepts them for what they are, and knows that this is needed for the time being. This is because I cannot fully bond to him until I finish this war with our rival guild and I feel comfortable enough to step out of the field as a Master assassin to remain more at base or at home as the new guildmaster.
The bond I would seal; it would limit my ability to take certain types of contracts, and right now...I may need that ability to take them. I am the only Master Assassin left of our Guild at present.
But that doesn't mean the rest are weak or not lethal; do not let that fool you." Harry hardened his voice
Harry eyed them, "You've all likely seen Sahale around here by now?"
The room murmured and Harry smirked, "Sahale is a prostitute that has been retained to the Sanguine Dragons as one of the pleasure-people. However..." Harry lightened his tone to an airily amused one, "Sahale also is currently contracted to me personally; seeing as others of his...career, they tried numerous times to force me to want them or tried to enchant me to keep them.
It never worked, of course." He smirked, "I am not the Shadow Assassin for nothing; I sensed their intentions long before they managed to do anything. However, my being there was ever a point of contention between the males that serviced the guild."
Harry smirked and then picked at his nails as his eyes glowed in mirth, "I am a highly sought commodity, after all." He drawled in amusement, "Both of things of a deathly sort and then those of more softer nature.
An expensive commodity too; I make sure to take my share for the contracts I accept, and usually that can become a point of anger to clients." He added lightly, "In terms of softer pleasures; I am not a commodity that shares itself to just anyone; not anymore. I would have gone insane by now if not for Sahale; who is generously rewarded with money and luxuriously gifted with fine things for his time and his services to me while this contract of his lasts."
Harry eyed them, "Sahale is very aware of my bond to your Lord; knows that my patronage to him will not last for forever."
Harry went silent as Tom eyed his Inner Circle, "For the time being; no major changes to the Circle are going to take place. Harry has his own war to fight against a rival guild; one that we could help with if we have spare men and women or resources at any one time. I will state plainly, however, that after Harry and I do seal our bond; Harry will be the Guild-Master of the Sanguine Dragons as well as my Right-Hand; my second in all my plans and decisions."
Red eyes watched them now warily, "I chose this. I chose to try to accept this, and as your Lord; it is your sworn duty to accept this choice as my own and to protect Harry whenever needed. The cost of harming him now; that would be to your own graves." He told them cold and succinct
Tom watched as they all inclined and silently bow to his words; some taking them more seriously than others. He saw as Bellatrix curled her hands to fists; before silently stalking out of the hall after he had dismissed them. He internally knew; with a silent scowl, the woman was not going to just let this lie no matter that he told them to because he chose this.
~~
After the impromptu small discussion with the Inner Circle; Tom went to his study to read something that had arrived, and to possibly deal with it as Harry went to his rooms to shower and to re-dress for their early dinner. Tom smirked to himself; what Harry didn't know was that dinner wasn't all he had planned for the evening.
But to his consternation; the letter had taken a bit of time to read through, and then a bit more to deal with the contents of it. Tom sensed Harry walking about idly in his rooms and seeming nervous about this; like if Tom had changed his mind.
Tom growled to himself; forget it. His mate was more important and he could finish this tomorrow. He stood and left for his rooms to quickly freshen up and change also before walking down the hall to Harry's door; where he knocked.
He heard the soft allowance of entry and Tom eased himself inside; before his breath caught somewhat. Such a simple and yet polished outfit for dinner. His lips quirked though; the colors did not go well with the aesthetic of Harry's rooms.
(Only the top here matters in Harry's outfit)
The young man was dressed in some very nice and very form-fit black skinny jeans with no belt to them while he had a long-sleeved and green zip-up collared polo-shirt; one that Tom equated to golf or such, and knowing his mate...who had now been all-over the world for contracts; Harry may have spent time golfing when free.
Though Tom internally was enjoying the very nice way all of his mate's muscles and fit body looked in the clothes; wherever they went tonight...there would be no doubts as to the fact that both of them were men.
And that pleased Tom greatly.
But anyways, Harry had risen quickly to Master level in his assassin career, so his mate had more leeway with contracts and free-time than most of those left according to the guild's rules and by-laws. Harry was also the singular figure that was for now...mostly financially supporting the Sanguine Dragons.
Seeing as the Headquarters of all the Assassin Guilds was now holding back the money and pay from them that is given to manage the guilds themselves; at least until the new vendetta war between the Sanguine Dragons and Black Miasma was over with. After the reparations to the winner had been decided and doled out.
It helped that his mate literally made triple or quadruple what most of his guild-mates did; which would now increase from being the guild-master on top of a Master Assassin. Plus, his vast inheritance, and the not-so small sum that Tom also now bequeathed to Harry's guild monthly to show support of his mate and his career.
When they bonded and their vaults merged together; they'd have to be careful in how they set things up to keep the wealth from depleting too fast.
Tom internally sighed to himself and returned his observations to his mate as Harry was looking at him with some hesitance and concern now. His long and dark hair was healthy, fully, and sleek from the brushing Harry did. Clean from the recent shower and now dried while pulled into a high-ponytail. Cinched with a simple black band of some manner; nothing too elaborate.
Tom started as he then noted the elaborate earring he wore; it was one that simply coiled about the whole ear and it was shaped in the shape of a dragon. What startled him was how elaborate it was; since it was not simply pewter or sterling silver. Instead, it was almost entirely made of black diamonds for the body and had emeralds for its eyes.
The thing screamed expensive.
Never-mind the immense number of protective spells, enchantments, and other arrays of spells that Tom sensed on it but could not discern what they were all for. When Harry turned a moment; he spotted several small runic symbols to the back of the dragon wing, but not clearly enough to tell what they were either.
(The Dragon Earring; you'll have to use your imagination for the description above for this)
Harry smirked, "Like my earring much, do you?" He asked with a drawl
Tom shook his head and smiled to him, "Yes; on you rather than me, though I do wonder about all the spells on it. However, I wanted to say that you look good for our dinner date, Harry." He told him
Harry smiled then as his eyes seemed to convey happiness for that, "And where are we going to eat?"
Tom smirked, "That depends on you; I have selected several places for you to choose from, but it's dependent on what you feel like eating tonight. Chicken, Pork, or Seafood?" He asked
Harry hummed in thought; he had become quite hungry since he finished training and had not had a snack in-between the discussion and getting ready. He already knew that he didn't feel like chicken-based meals right now. Though he suspected wherever they went had select meals of all three.
Tom was giving choices based on the places specialties; not the overall menu.
"Pork, I think, for tonight." He told him, "I don't feel like chicken and I had seafood not that long ago. Plus, I am rather hungry from training and need something a bit substantial."
Tom inclined as he smiled and then held his arm to Harry; who graciously took it and they left his chambers. Walked down to the main level and allowed the others to spot them leaving for the evening. To which they stared at them somewhat; since neither of them were wearing robes; so they figured the two were heading to the muggle side for some reason.
Once they had walked just past the edges of the wards; Tom smiled to him as Harry inclined his head, and Tom apparated them away.
~~
When they re-appeared; Harry was surprised to sense the magic in the area. Knowing now this place was visited mostly by their own kind. His eyes also softened and lightened as he realized they were in what appeared a small but upscale plaza and shopping district somewhere along the Thames River; which meant they were still in England, and likely closer to or even somewhere directly in London among one of the many districts now given the sights of the buildings nearby.
Harry smiled and then sadly eyed the place, "Being back in England; it brings moments of...nostalgia to me. I barely remember much of it; I didn't grow up here like I probably was supposed to. But even so; when I enter a place with such mana...I get this sensation or feeling if you will; of the mana cradling me."
"Like...it knows me and who I am." He said softly, "It was that way at Hogwarts too; I always felt more protected by the castle even as I was endangered by Albus and his lackeys or you and your Death Eaters before all of this. I found ways to evade trouble easier because I felt the castle was trying to consciously protect me."
Tom was quiet a moment as he gently held his arm to him and Harry took it gently with acceptance. Then his scarlet eyes shined in the fast fading sunlight but had a almost sad feeling to them, "I am not surprised by that, Harry." He told him quietly as they walked the streets towards their dinner place
"You are the High Mother's chosen champion through her son as your family's patron; the one born here in England that is. It is only...right; that in some manner that she would try to help you feel her here in the land of your birth. As for Hogwarts..."
Tom smiled a bit more now as his eyes gazed towards the sparkles on the top of the river as Harry did so, "You are of the castle's very own life-blood; just as I am. The castle can feel this and likely knew; it wanted to protect you. Just as it tried to protect me too; years ago. But the castle is only able to do so much."
Harry was silent to this as he tensed a little and then eyed the water hesitantly, "Are you...upset at me? For leaving here and not wanting to return unless I had to?" He asked, "I can sense your disquiet."
Tom paused as Harry stopped and eyed him now; the red gaze was tender and soft. Unlike any way he had seen before now. The older wizard slowly and very hesitantly raised one hand to touch Harry's cheek.
Gently caressing his thumb over the soft skin there as green eyes sparkled against the sunset and the reflection of the river water.
"No. I am not upset at you for leaving here; though I am saddened that it had to be this way in some manner." He told him, "You didn't have a conscious choice initially; Runihura took you away from what he knew would become a very nasty and bad home life for you. I cannot be angry for that; he saved you those abuses.
Though, on the opposite side of that analysis; you also experienced many other traumas that I don't particularly like from being raised as an assassin."
He then quieted as tension filled the air, "I admit that I am...upset and disquiet to the fact that you did not wish to seek me. Though, I now realize and understand much better about why you didn't; I would not have reacted better than when I tried to convince you more fully to stay with me, if I had acted sooner.
My nature as a dominant was not taking all of the situation we found ourselves in well. My end of the bond screamed at me to claim you...it still does; and my possessiveness is still waiting under my skin to try to overpower me and make me act. I have to consciously force myself not to act or to react.
Which is actually more difficult for me than it sounds; even for my renowned sense of control."
Harry was silent as he heard this and Tom clasped his hand to his, "I want this bond between us. I want it more than I have ever wanted anything else in my life now. And because of that, my own jealousy reared up nastily and got the better of me. I hurt you enough to want you to leave me behind."
Tom's eyes showed immense sorrow, "For that, I am sincerely sorry. I do not make apologies often; but in this instance, I owe it to you."
Harry smiled then as his eyes shimmered before he moved closer to Tom and the man allowed him to lean to his chest. Feeling as Harry silently cried a little for the emotional strain the past situation between the two had caused them.
When he finally calmed; Tom's smile was slightly wider and more content. His hand had come to rub his back, and Harry leaned away and smiled to him more fully now. He then was about to speak, but suddenly grimaced.
"We need to move." He said quietly, "I haven't been seen by the British public for some time, and I think someone recognized me and alerted others. I sense the press trying to get close; if they find us here...it will be all over the media.
And your identity to them will be revealed easily." He told him
Tom cinched his arm about his waist as he gripped it a bit tighter; nodding to him silently that he understood, and guided them away from the river walkway. Tom moved them more inwards towards the shopping area and the food places; to hopefully force the stalkers to lose them in the crowds.
However, it didn't work; not exactly. Harry always seemed to sense whenever they were getting close. They had to make a stop briefly; so Tom could glamour charm his eyes to look like the deep blue ones he used outside of the circles. Along with a few other small modifications to his features.
Harry and he then slowed down and prepared for the onslaught
Harry internally snarled as they came upon them; his life was not a story for their entertainment. But, he breathed and tried to focus on not letting the press get to him; he did not need to cause a bloodbath here.
Harry's face was coldly indifferent as several photographers appeared and two journalists approached; Tom clenched his hand to reassure him that he was here. Harry breathed and carefully did not let his expression falter.
"Lord Potter, it is good to see you again!" One of the reporters smiled towards him as her face then made a serious look, "We hadn't seen you or heard anything of you in some time; the people were afraid that the war had finally caught up to you."
Harry paused and stood there in a casual regality as his expression was blank; not too cold but not too warm, and he did not smile to this nor frown.
"My life is my own, miss. I do not owe it to everyone to let them all know where I am at all times. There's such a thing as respecting personal boundaries; of which you all are crossing now." He spoke softly with a hard edge to his tone
"Be glad that I am in a gracious mood tonight; for if I wasn't, I'd be handing all of you over to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for illegally taking photos of me that I did not consent to. For stalking a Lord of the country, and a few other offenses to name a few. You'd all be facing my lawyer in a courtroom after my solicitor went through all the photos and notes you made.
Because I know all of you have been following me this whole evening, and I did not agree to allow you all to interview me nor to photograph me at all." He hissed slightly as his eyes brightened with mana as his anger and indignation to this rose
The group paled, "But, Lord Potter...please." One tried, "Please understand that we only wanted to ensure that the public knew you were alright. Still alive..."
Harry snorted in disgust to his feeble attempt, "Had I died; the goblins of Gringotts would have already frozen my assets and issued a death certificate to the Ministry. Which would have been leaked and been all over the media by now."
His eyes flared, "You want gossip for the rag you write for. My life is not here for your amusement or entertainment. I have a right to privacy; just as anyone else. I will let it go this time; but should this happen again...you can be sure that the perpetrator will never be a journalist anywhere ever again. That their place of employment loses all the shares in them from the Potter vaults."
Harry smirked, "Which for more than a few of the publications around; it means going under because the Ministry won't be able to fund you and keep you afloat. And forget about having another family endorse you; if I pull out, none of the others will see any worth in dragging the bones of your business out of a grave it dug for itself."
Harry smiled vindictively now, "Considering that the Potter family holds over 70 percent of the shares in most of the British news mediums. It's pathetic how they've treated their sponsor over the years, isn't it? It won't be a terrible loss for me to cut them all loose either."
The reporters and their photographers paled more to this information; it seemed they had been lied to over their years working there. Just so the office could get their hands on stories about Harry Potter.
The female reporter swallowed and eyed him, "I am sorry we've offended you, Lord Potter. It appears most of the journalism industry for wizarding Britain has been fed lies about to whom our shareholders are. Just so the higher ups in the offices could get stories of Harry Potter or anything related to him.
They all inclined their heads low to him in apologies; to which Harry sneered at, before sighing and made them raise their heads.
"I'll let it go this time; however, be warned that none of the photos take this evening better grace a single paper. Or, I will make good on my threats. I will ensure that the news cannot try to exploit me anymore. You all are responsible for warning them."
Harry then smirked, "You all also chose a horrible time to be...abusing your career. Seeing as if you had been honest from the start; my paramour and I...we would have allowed you to follow us and take photos or to ask questions."
The reporters started to this before they stared to the two men; paramour...he said. They eyed the other person holding his hand and watched as he smirked at them with glinting blue eyes while raising Lord Potter's hand to his lips and kissed the top of it. The younger wizard allowing the actions easily and with grace.
Proving the claim to be true.
Harry then allowed his mystery paramour to grab his waist as they turned, but not before Harry cocked his head backwards and smirked, "It seems you have a hard decision before you; to believe me and my threats and warn the other businesses, or to ignore them and publish the photos while praying to the High Mother that I don't follow through with the threats.
Keep in mind; that those who have proven loyal to me over the years...they have been richly rewarded for it. If some of those who most thought I trusted haven't been rewarded; you can imply that perhaps they were not as loyal as thought to be."
Harry turned his head forwards, "I don't deign to grant my protection to traitors and disloyal rats, after all."
He and the tall stranger then walked silently away from the small and quiet park; an aura of immense power radiating between them both. They saw how others paused and turned their heads to look to them. Some smiling, others wary.
But most relaxed as the power washed over them as they kept walking. The group expected that from Lord Potter; he had been seen as a magical prodigy in Hogwarts and one that was not afraid to show he had power.
But whoever the mystery paramour was; he was the surprise. And they all wanted to know who he was, so they had to choose a path soon.