198Chapter Five
"Potter, erm…is there something you needed me for?"
Harry turned blinking to see Juston standing in the doorway to the living room Harry was sitting waiting, looking very confused, and then Harry realised that he thought Harry was here for him, and that it was about to get a lot more awkward when he admitted that he was good friends with his dad, and that was who he was here for.
"Erm…no, sorry Justin, I'm having lunch with Nathaniel…your dad," Harry said awkwardly.
"What?" Justin frowned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Harry! I swear she has a locator spell on my bladder when I am planning on going anywhere. Ah Justin, still going out with Hannah?" Nathaniel smiled as he hurried into the room.
"You're going out with Potter?" Justin said confused.
"Harry and I are friends, we're going out to have lunch together," Nathaniel nodded.
"You're friends?" Justin looked between them even more confusedly.
"I sit by your dads on the Wizengamot, we have gotten to know each other," Harry explained. He figured there would be no harm in telling Justin considering he would be taking over Samuel's seat at some point.
"Oh," Justin blinked.
"And I trust that you know that this information is not for gossip dear," Nathaniel smiled.
"Of course," Justin frowned turning from Harry to his father.
"There is a good boy, now we're going to miss our slot because your sister decided to hit my bladder like a beater hitting a bludger. If you have any questions I will of course answer them tonight," Nathaniel gripped Justin's face and smacked a kiss onto his cheek, laughing when his son grumbled loudly but hugged him tightly anyway before releasing him.
"Have a nice lunch…together," Justin laughed shaking his head.
"Say hello to Hannah for me," Nathaniel grinned when his son blushed brightly and hurried away. He slipped his arm through Harry's when he offered it to him and allowed Harry to apparate the two of them away considering he was having to ease up on the magic that he was using as he was close to birth.
They were quickly seated at their table, and as they sat down and looked at each other they both started laughing.
"I didn't even think that it was such a weird situation until then," Harry said through his laughter.
"Honestly, you're so mature for your age that I completely and utterly forget that you are Justin's age. His face," Nathaniel laughed. "Thank you for coming with me today though,"
"I have been looking forward to it, honestly there are only so many walls I can paint before I go mad," Harry smiled.
"Samuel is happy that we get on so well, when he couldn't come today and I told him I had asked you instead he was really happy that we had a good friendship to do things like that," Nathaniel smiled as they tucked into their lunch.
"I have wanted to come here since Draco mentioned it, I am so happy you asked me, and that we are good friends. You have made being part of the Wizengamot easier," Harry admitted.
"What is it?" Nathaniel paused eating when he caught Harry squirming in his seat.
"Dante is courting me," Harry blurted out.
"WHAT!" Nathaniel shrieked before the two of them blushed at the looks that were sent their way, the two of them hunching down a little in their seats. "What?! Dante, our Dante?" Nathaniel questioned once people had turned away from them, he actually leaned further over the table to get closer to Harry.
"Yes, our Dante, he sent me a gift of a new familiar, a cat, and asked if I would allow him to court me on Friday, I accepted and we have had a date and spent some time together," Harry said through his blush.
"A new familiar, were you ok with that?" Nathaniel asked concerned.
"Yes, I was thinking only of an owl, I don't think I could have another owl right now, but having a different type of familiar has helped me," Harry smiled.
"And you are happy with it?" Nathaniel smiled softly.
"Yes, I…I feel really hopeful for this, I like him and have enjoyed the time that we have spent together, I want to spend more time with him and see where this goes," Harry admitted.
"I bet he feels an absolute idiot for that first meal now," Nathaniel laughed.
"Nathaniel!" Harry scolded through his own laughter.
"Perhaps though it was partially because he was already attracted to you that he acted that way, because of…" Nathaniel cut himself off.
"He told me about Edgar," Harry said.
"He did?" Nathaniel looked at him shocked before he nodded, "he is taking this very seriously then, even though it is well known it is not something that he talks about or shares very often,"
"He wanted me to know and understand, especially when it comes to Dumbledore," Harry sighed.
"Hmm, you both have very complicated issues with that man,"
"Putting it mildly," Harry snorted.
"I take it that this isn't public knowledge yet?" Nathaniel asked.
"No, I don't want our relationship to affect the friendships that I am building with the others," Harry nodded.
"But you told me?" Nathaniel said with a growing smile.
"Yes, I feel as though our friendship is just fine and won't be influenced by my relationship with Dante," Harry blushed.
"I'm really honoured Harry, and happy that you think our friendship is secure," Nathaniel beamed at him across the table.
"I feel as though I am going to need your advice in this going forward if you wouldn't mind," Harry blushed even darker.
"I would be absolutely thrilled to help, and I will give you all the advice on how to put up with a Slytherin and how to control one," Nathaniel winked.
"I am telling Samuel that you control him," Harry laughed.
"Then I shall not share my secrets," Nathaniel stuck his tongue out. "Seriously though Harry, I am happy for you, for both of you. I think the two of you will be good for each other, from how well I know Dante, and how well I have gotten to know you, I think you will go very well together,"
"You're such a Hufflepuff," Harry shook his head.
"Tell me, how romantic is he being? Slytherins hide it, but they are super romantic," Nathaniel asked and then grinned at the flush that swept over Harry's cheeks, his mind going to the collection of roses that were forming in his house that Dante had been sending every day.
Harry tugged on his robes a little as he stood waiting, cursing himself for being ready early when it meant that he had to wait to see Dante. It seemed to have been a long few days since he had seen Dante, and yet barely any time at all, and it was time for their date to the ballet.
Dante had sent a letter to him with a time that he would pick him up and had told him that he had plans for their meal as well. Though Harry had been avoiding any really public places except for where he was guaranteed a little privacy, such as his meals with his Wizengamot group or lunch with Nathaniel, he trusted that Dante would ensure privacy for them.
His fireplace pinged in warning that Dante was coming through, a little early thankfully. Harry tugged at his hair a little more before the fire flared and Dante was finally stepping through the fireplace. Harry found his breath catching as he met those dark eyes that seemed to flare as bright as the fire had as he took in Harry. Dante's olive colouring was highlighted by his light grey robes with his black shirt. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and once again his tall, strong frame seemed to fill Harry's living room as soon as he stepped inside.
"You look stunning," Dante said making Harry laugh breathlessly.
"I was about to say you look incredibly handsome," He explained before Dante could take his laughter the wrong way. The older man looked incredibly pleased with the comment and stepped closer to take Harry's hand and kiss it lingeringly.
"Thank you, that is not something I hear very often," Dante admitted.
"Really?!" Harry said shocked staring up at the incredibly handsome man.
"You are incredibly good for my ego," Dante laughed kissing Harry's hand again before pulling a stunning aqua blue rose from behind his back and tucked it into Harry's hair. "I have missed you if it is not too silly to say,"
"I have missed you too," Harry smiled happily.
"I was expecting to see your friends, and get the interrogation," Dante said looking around the living room cautiously as though Harry's friends were going to jump out.
"Draco and Ron have a mandate tonight which they had planned before we set our date, and Hermione, Ginny, Daphne, Luna and Astoria planned a girly night as well," Harry explained.
"Mandate?" Dante blinked before hurrying to take Harry's cloak for him to help him into it.
"They have been getting on really well since being stuck in a tent together and with Draco helping me with the Wizengamot, they started going out and doing different things together and we have been teasing them saying that it is a mandate," Harry explained with a laugh. "Ron has actually taken Draco to a muggle Japanese restaurant that Hermione introduced him to,"
"I think my brain just stopped at the idea of a Malfoy sitting in a muggle restaurant," Dante blinked.
"I have asked Ron for the memory of it," Harry grinned.
"I will want to see that," Dante chuckled.
"I may be convinced," Harry smirked.
"May be?"
"Hmm, may be," Harry nodded.
"And the price?" Dante stepped a little closer.
"I am sure that you can come up with a good price," Harry said a little breathlessly, licking his lips as his eyes flicked down to Dante's.
Carefully Dante cupped Harry's face with a large, warm hand, his touch making Harry feel delicate and desired at the same time. He tilted his head up with Dante's gentle urge and found hismelf locked in Dante's dark eyes before the other man leant down and pressed their lips together, making Harry's breath catch in his chest at the feeling. It was everything that he had hoped for, and that spark that he had felt between himself and Dante flared even brighter between them as Dante pressed their lips together firmer and Harry lost himself in the kiss, leaning closer to the warm, strong body of his partner.
"I think that was a fair payment," Harry said more than a little breathlessly.
"Hmm…oh good," Dante seemed a little flustered himself, and Harry found his confidence flaring considering his inexperience in this area of his life. He found himself leaning up on his toes and pressing their lips together again, not having gotten enough of the other from that one kiss. "That definitely makes all the stress of the last few days disappear," Dante smiled down at him when they parted.
"I agree," Harry smiled shyly at him.
"I did not want to rush you," Dante said brushing his fingers through Harry's hair.
"You're not," Harry assured him.
"Good. Now, our date," Dante offered Harry his arm.
"I have been looking forward to this," Harry admitted linking his arm through Dante's and waiting for the feeling of apparation.
He blinked as he looked around where they had apparated into having expected a restaurant, cafe or the like, but instead, he realised Dante's intentions with a flutter of his heart as he took in the private theatre box that they were in, the beautiful crimson reds and gold leaf exactly as he had always imagined theatres to be like, the ornate decoration and stunning area exactly what he had dreamt of getting to see growing up.
In the private boxes, there was the shimmer of privacy spells, and in their box, there were two comfortable looking red velvet seats and a table that was filled with delicious-looking food.
"I have been here often enough that I was able to call in a favour with the theatre manager for us to have our meal here. I thought that it would be something a little more special while being private as well, especially when you said that you had wanted to see something in the theatre since you were a young boy in our letters,"
"This is amazing, thank you, Dante!" Harry beamed at the other man, his face lit up even more by the stunning diamond chandelier hanging high above their heads.
"Good, shall we?" Dante held out a chair for Harry who seated himself happily, his heart fluttering at the thought that had gone into this.
"How did you find Kingsley?" Harry asked as they started eating.
"As you said, quite fair, I was pleasantly surprised to be honest. He reacted very well to your advice to be upfront and honest with him. It was amusing watching Dumbeldore become more and more annoyed when Shacklebolt was clearly not automatically taking his side, the first time that he asked Dumbledore to present the evidence for a fact that he was making instead of taking his word for it was wonderful," Dante smirked.
"I'm glad it went well for you. I think Kingsley will be a good Minister and will do a lot of good for our world as long as he doesn't lose the honesty and desire to help that he has," Harry hummed.
"You think that might happen?" Dante asked curiously.
"Power corrupts even the people that we do not expect it to. Kingsley is not weak-willed or greedy and grasping the way that Fudge was, and he does not have the obsession with his own reputation and arrogancy that Scrimgeour had. But you never know, I hope that he will not be corrupted by it, and the fact that he did not really want the position makes me hopeful, we will see," Harry shrugged.
"You are very mature for your age," Dante said softly.
"That actually reminds me. I told Nathaniel about you and I, I hope you do not mind," Harry said a little nervously.
"May I ask why that reminded you?" Dante said looking so baffled that Harry could not help but laugh. He explained to Dante his meeting with Justin and the confusion of the other and Nathaniel's words. "That makes sense then. And no I don't mind, honestly, it is wonderful that you are getting on so well, Nathaniel is a very friendly man but he does not seem to have a lot of friends that he is close to because he is so busy between work and the Wizengamot and his family, I am glad you are getting on so well. May I ask what made you tell him?"
"I didn't feel right keeping it from him, and I do not believe that it will have any influence on our friendship as we are definitely making a good friendship of our own. Plus he has promised to teach me how to control a Slytherin," Harry said with his eyes twinkling.
Dante paused for a second before he tilted his head back and let out a deep booming laugh that Harry absolutely fell in love with right away and wanted to draw out of the slightly serious man as much as he could.
They chattered throughout the rest of their meal, getting to know each other better. The theatre started to fill with others as they were finishing up, the privacy spell on their box allowing just a little of the sound to filter into them, definitely not enough to interrupt their dessert. Once they were done a neatly dressed House Elf popped in and clicked his fingers to make their table disappear, and Harry smiled when Dante slightly awkwardly shifted his seat closer to Harry's as they moved so that they were now facing the stage.
Feeling confident and contently warm with their pleasant talk and how well they were getting on, Harry reached out and took Dante's hand as music welled up and reached them in warning that the show was about to start, the privacy spell allowing the full sound in. Dante's hand froze in his for a second, before his larger hand closed around Harry's, squeezing for a second before easing his grip.
It was simple, but it was nice, warming and comforting, and Harry linked their fingers together as the lights went down in the theatre and the orchestra started properly. He was utterly enthralled with the ballet, his eyes glued to the stage as he watched the performance, lost in the magic of the moment, the intricacies of the dance and the way that the dancers used their bodies to display the emotions of the moment and tell the storyline. Through it all he was aware of the warm presence of Dante next to him, their hands still linked together.
"What do you think?" Dante asked turning to him as the lights came on for the interval.
"It is even better than I thought it would be," Harry smiled brightly at Dante, unable to dim his smile even slightly.
"I am glad you're enjoying it. They really are a talented group," Dante agreed. One-handed he brought his wand out and tapped it against the small table their drinks were resting on in front of them and two bowls of ice cream appeared.
"Thank you," Harry smiled when Dante handed him one of the bowls. "For all of tonight, I am having a really good time,"
"I am glad, I admit I was a little nervous about tonight, it has been a while since I have been on a date," Dante admitted with a small smile to Harry.
"Well, I have had one real date and it was absolutely horrendous, including her getting jealous of the fact that I am close to Hermione, so it is a low bar," Harry laughed.
"Well, that makes me worry less," Dante chuckled. "I have to admit I am jealous of the relationship that you have with Miss Granger and Mr Weasley,"
Harry turned to look at him a little concerned with that comment but found those dark eyes watching him closely. "I am very close to Marcus and Amelia, but you have a wonderful relationship it seems that you have with them,"
"We have been through a lot together, I am really lucky to have them," Harry smiled.
"I am looking forward to meeting them if we get to that point," Dante said.
I think they are chomping at the bit to meet you to be honest if you are brave enough to meet them,"
"Are you challenging me to how brave I am?" Dante raised his eyebrow.
"I am, I am not sure that you would be able to handle it," Harry grinned.
"Oh, that is a challenge!" Dante mock glared.
"Well, you didn't say yes," Harry grinned wider.
"We will have to arrange for a meeting then," Dante huffed. "Send a date and time and I will be there…probably," Harry laughed at the end addition.
"I will sort that out then," Harry said through his laughter.
"Thank you for tonight, I had a really good time," Harry smiled as they stood in front of the fire in his living room.
"I am glad, I really had a good time as well, thank you for coming with me. It has been a while since I have had such a good night," Dante shuffled a little.
Before Harry could second guess himself he stood on his toes and pressed a kiss to Dante's lips, pulling back just a little to try and see his reaction. Dante was looking down at him with wide black eyes making Harry's heart flutter worried that he had misread the moment, but then Dante wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and leant down to press their lips together again, a little firmer this time, and a Harry sank into the kiss and into Dante.
"I should go, thank you for tonight," Dante said softly when they parted.
"I had a good time, thank you," Harry smiled happily.
"I will see you soon?" Dante asked.
"Yes, definitely," Harry nodded.
"Goodnight Harry," Dante leant down and stole another kiss from him before he stepped into the floo, leaving Harry standing in front of the fireplace grinning happily.
He tidied up in the living room waiting for his heart to stop fluttering in his chest before heading upstairs, he hoped that Afke was on his bed, she had been snuggling with him of a nighttime and he was loving having her in his life, it helped with the ache that came from missing Hedwig. He decided that he was going to read a couple of pages of one of the books that Dante had lent him on the Wizengamot.
"Merlin's hairy balls!" Harry shrieked as he opened his door, feeling as though he had jumped a mile as he covered his chest to try and calm his thumping heart for a whole different reason this time.
"Well, how did it go?" Draco demanded straightening his silk pyjamas.
"You are late, that is a good sign," Hermione nodded.
"And that grin says everything," Ron laughed.
"You three are on my bed," Harry huffed.
"There is space for you," Draco waved to the gap between Hermione and Ron where Afke was curled up on the pillow, and Draco was laying across the foot of the bed.
"Ah, he is finally back!" Daphne swept passed him into his bedroom dressed in the fanciest silk nightgown that he had ever seen. She climbed easily onto the bed and settled down on the foot of the bed next to Draco.
Harry blinked at them before he started laughing happily. He was incredibly lucky to have these people in his life that cared for him, and helped him through everything that he had faced, and was facing ahead of him.
He quickly got changed into his pyjamas and climbed onto the bed with them, eagerly taking the hot chocolate that Hermione handed to him and got settled between them to let them know about the night.
"Harry!" Marcus waved and hurried over to the younger man.
"Marcus, hello!" Harry smiled at the other man, feeling a little surprised but reacting quickly when the other leant down to kiss both his cheeks.
"What are you doing here?" Marcus asked pleasantly.
"I am just getting a few things for the house, I need to get some things for the kitchen," Harry explained holding up his bag where everything was shrunk down into it.
"Would you like to get something to eat?" Marcus asked.
"Definitely, I could do with something to eat," Harry nodded.
"I know a wonderful place to eat," Marcus offered Harry his arm and the two of them made their way to the cafe chattering. "I hear that you and Nathaniel met up for something to eat last week?" Marcus asked as their lunch was placed in front of them and they started eating.
"Hmm yes," Harry nodded.
"You seem to be getting on well?" Marcus asked.
"We are, I like Nathaniel, and we have very similar interests, especially when it comes to children," Harry nodded.
"I am glad that you are settling into the group so well, I think as a group we could do some very important things for our world," Marcus said.
Harry paused in eating his meal and looked at the other man cautiously, worried that this was some sort of manipulation or trick on the other's side to try and get his name behind something that he wanted.
"I am sorry I did not mean for it to come over that intense," Marcus held his hand up clearly seeing the expression on Harry's face. "I just mean that I hope that we can do a lot more against the ridiculousness of Dumbledore and his group to do things that are actually right for the world. You are incredibly impressive when you make your arguments, and I hope that this is a sign that the right thing will be done from now on,"
"I hope so too. I am glad that I am seated with you and the rest of the group, it is refreshing being in a group that has different opinions on things but can get on, and every time I talk to one of you it is interesting to get a different opinion and understanding of things," Harry smiled before he grimaced a little, "sorry about…"
"There is no need to apologise Harry, at all, I understand why you would jump to that conclusion," Marcus held up his hand before Harry could carry on. "I worded it terribly!" He added with a laugh.
"Thank you," Harry smiled.
"Are you ready for the next meeting?" Marcus asked.
"Yes and no, I am…well enjoying would be the wrong word, but I like being on the Wizengamot and feeling as though I am able to make a difference in the right ways, being involved in our world in this way is something that I did not expect to get something out of but I am. I am just dreading being in the same room as Dumbledore again," Harry sighed.
"That man is beyond out of order, especially after everything he has done to you. Dante was furious after the last meeting when he was grabbing at you," Marcus shook his head, a scowl forming on his normally smiling face.
Despite the topic of conversation, Harry felt his heart speeding up at the mention of Dante and felt as though his face was heating up at the mention of the other man.
"We will escort you out of the meeting next time, and meet you there for that matter! I think this whole situation is making Dante dislike the man even more," Marcus huffed, before his face changed into a more thoughtful one, "though he has seemed a lot happier recently,"
"Really?" Harry's heart was thumping through his chest now, but he also felt himself brightening, hoping that the comment had something to do with him considering the way Dante had brightened his life just in the last few weeks.
"Yes, he seems lighter and happier, I don't know what is going on with him, but whatever it is I hope that it continues, he deserves happiness in his life," Marcus smiled a little. Harry wasn't sure what his face was doing as he tried not to grin, but Marcus' next words told him it was a little baffling, "I know that you two got off on the wrong foot, but he really is a good man Harry,"
"Oh I know, we have spoken since and sorted things out," Harry hurried to assure him.
"Good, he has been through a lot at that man's hands and he is very protective of those that he cares about,"
Harry's mind went to Dante's face as he told him about Edgar and what had happened between them and Dumbledore, the hurt in his voice. He couldn't help but agree with Marcus and he truly hoped that he could help in some way with the hurt that Dante had been through.
"As I said, something good seems to have happened in his life," Marcus smiled happily. "So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"Mainly finishing up shopping and then heading back to the house to do some more work," Harry smiled, though his head was still spinning.
"How are the renovations going?" Marcus asked.
"Really well, I am happy with how it is finally changing, it is becoming a much nicer place to live," Harry said and then found himself adding, "you will have to come around to have supper and see it if you would like,"
"That would be wonderful!" Marcus smiled brightly at him.
"Harry?" Astoria shuffled in place as she looked at him with puppy dog eyes that made him mentally groan, the younger girl had become important to him, as had her sister, their relationship growing closer and closer as time went on. The sisters were spending more time at Grimmauld Place, Daphne had admitted that they did not like spending time at their manor as it reminded them of their parents and what they had been through at their hands.
The look on their faces when he had set aside bedrooms that were just for them as the others had in the house-made him beyond happy and sad for the sisters, and he was determined that they would know that they had a place here with him and the others whenever they wanted it. It seemed however that Astoria had realised that he had very little resistance in saying no to her, especially the more protective he became of her.
"What?" He groaned and watched as her bright blue eyes twinkled even as they remained in their pleading expression.
"Can I come with you?" She asked and Harry hesitated.
"I am not going to insult your intelligence by pointing out that it is likely not going to be a pleasant experience and is going to be difficult to have to see. Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes," She nodded firmly.
"Ok, but you stay with me and do as I ask please," He sighed.
"I will I promise Harry!" Astoria clapped her hands.
"Come on trouble," He shook his head amused handing her a couple of baskets, picking up the rest himself and then holding his arm out for her to link. Once they both had a good grip on the baskets and each other Harry apparated them out.
They arrived in front of a large house that was an absolute hive of activity. Astoria looked around a little wide eyed at the sheer amount of people before following Harry's urging they hurried to make their way up the stairs of the mansion, Harry nodding to a lot of the people there, greeting others by name when he knew them.
Harry led her through the mansion hallways until they reached a room that was clearly going to be an office, with desks and cabinets already in place and a whole load of paperwork all over the place.
"Harry," Molly Weasley beamed as he walked in. "And this has to be Astoria," she smiled warmly at the young teen who smiled shyly back.
"Astoria wanted to come and help," Harry explained placing his baskets down and motioning for Astoria to do the same.
"Wonderful, the more the merrier, and the faster that we can get ready for the children," Molly clapped.
"How is it going?" Harry asked looking around.
"Well, we are moving quickly, we will hopefully be ready within the next couple of days," Molly beamed.
"I will go and help with the bedrooms, Astoria, are you ok staying with Molly to help her?" Harry asked Astoria softly.
"Oh, yes!" Astoria nodded.
"How are you at paperwork dear, I need help in organising these as quickly as possible and the right paperwork filed in the right places," Molly smiled reasurringly at her.
"I can do that!" Astoria nodded.
"If you need me and come and find me, ok?" Harry told her.
"I will be fine," Astoria huffed rolling her eyes.
"Cheeky bugger," Harry snorted.
"Get going you, go put these renovation skills to use here as well as at Grimmauld," Molly waved him off with a laugh.
Hurrying down the hallway chuckling to himself Harry hurried to the wing of the mansion that was going to become dormitories for the children that they were getting ready to provide a home for here. Molly was the perfect person to help run the home, and she had nearly started crying during the conversation that they had had when he had asked if she would help him with the Marauder's House, explaining that these children would need to have the care, understanding and love that she had given him when he had been a child and met her, and he couldn't think of anyone better to help provide the care and love that these children needed.
They had argued a little over the salary that Harry was insisting on paying her, but he had managed to get her to understand that it wasn't pity or charity, and that she was investing so much of her time into this place and the children that he couldn't not pay her, and that it also offered the professionalism that he needed for the Minsitry to allow them to home the children that were victims of the war here.
He stepped into the dormitory area that was already full of people working away and felt a sense of satisfaction at seeing his plans coming together.
He felt as though he was finding the right direction to go in, and he felt even more determined about where he was heading and that he was going to make sure that it would succeed.