24Marvolo watched with interest as his Serpent walked through the Great Hall, ignoring the looks that he was being given and the mocking that he received from his brother at the Gryffindor table as he made his way across to the Slytherin table. Though it was a familiar sight after seven years, and by no means an infrequent scene for them to see. Beside him, Orion's hands clenched around his goblet and Marvolo knew that it was taking everything that he had for the man not to react to the mocking that was taking place against the young man.
The fact that his parents were a little further down the table from Marvolo and Orion and were doing nothing about the cruel mocking that they could also hear, as ever, just made it worse, and even though it made it easier for Marvolo to pull the powerhouse into his sphere, he did wish that it was a pain that the boy had not had to know.
He sat back in his chair and glanced down the table casually at Dumbledore who was smiling fondly at the little fool who was now laughing and guffawing with his friends, displaying quite clearly to everyone the utter lack of brains and emotion that he had. Again, it was something that helped Marvolo and pushed others to his side, this again was clear to his eyes with the disgusted looks that the clown was receiving for his behaviour towards his brother, especially when faced with the strong-backed dignity that Harrison displayed. Dumbledore, the Potters and Michael's sycophants however did not see that this behaviour was damaging them every time it was displayed for all to see.
They were truly foolish to believe that this arrogant, spoilt, uncaring little twat was someone that people would want to follow as the icon of the light side, the moron who barely had three brain cells to rub together. Marvolo would forever wonder at their stupidity that Dumbledore and the Order had chosen the brainless lion over his stunning serpent, but in the end, it had brought Harrison to him.
Marvolo stood and swept out of the hall thinking about his wonderful heir and the future that they would carve together. He was growing tired of what his son had to put up with, with the cruelty and dismissiveness of those that should love him. Yes, Harrison had him and their followers, and he was loved by all of them. Harrison had spent most of the summer with him, living in his home and Marvolo had loved him as much as he could to try and make up for what he had to put up with, but it could never fully take away the hurt that he felt from the rejection, from the hatred and from the prioritisation of his older twin brother over him.
They were so different, Michael had the flame-red hair of his mother short-cropped, whereas Harrison had the dark black hair of the Potter's which he wore long, Michael was tall and broad whereas Harrison was small and slender, Michael was loud and brash whereas Harrison was quiet and thoughtful. Their intelligence levels were completely different with Harrison seeming to have gotten all of the brains from the two of them.
But Michael was the one that the light side had chosen as their saviour, and Harrison had been shoved to the side and forgotten about until he was sorted into Slytherin and had come into Marvolo's influence. Marvolo had seen everything that the young boy was about and had immediately taken him under his wing. He had gotten more out of it than he had hoped for from it, he had not planned on Harrison becoming his heir, but he had realised a couple of years into mentoring Harrison that he had found the perfect person to follow on from him, and along the way he had come to love the young man as his son, and it had not been about power and influencing him anymore, it had become about caring for the young man as well. Wanting him to be happy, wanting to heal the hurt that he felt from how he had been treated for most of his life.
He hoped that the plans that he had for his heir would help relieve some of that hurt that he felt and be something that he would be happy with.
"Harrison," Marvolo smiled as his Little Serpent walked into his rooms, one of the few people that felt comfortable enough to do so without knocking.
"What are you plotting?" Harrison demanded even as he bent to hug the other man.
"Plotting? I have no idea what you mean," Marvolo smirked.
"Mm-hm," Harrison dropped onto the sofa and narrowed his eyes on his adoptive father.
"You must always jump the gun Harrison, I was going to talk to you about this on the weekend," Marvolo sighed in a truly put-upon manner, which got him nothing more than a snort of derision from his cheeky heir.
"Well I saved you the time and you can talk to me about it now," Harrison raised an eyebrow at him in a manner that was so much Marvolo that he felt the warmth of love for this cheeky little snake go through him.
"What do you think of Orion?" Marvolo asked and watched amused as Harrison's cheeks turned red.
"Why?" Harrison spluttered.
"Hmm, I wish to know what you think of him," Marvolo shrugged leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs as he watched his heir going a little redder.
"Well…well…he is…he is honourable, and…and powerful and loyal…and…" Marvolo took pity on his Serpent who looked as though he was about to explode.
"Orion has become very fond of you, and he is very protective of you," Marvolo said.
"Right," Harrison nodded.
"Orion is now of marrying age and it has been put to me to find him a spouse," Marvolo said. Had it been anyone else they would have missed the emotion that flashed across Harrison's face before it flattened out to his normal mask, but Marvolo was his father, and he saw it clearly.
"Yes wish for me to help you pick a political spouse for him?" Harrison asked tightly.
"In a manner of speaking, yes," Marvolo nodded and that caught Harrison's attention.
"In a manner of speaking?" Harrison repeated his phrasing.
"Would you be happy marrying him?" Marvolo asked, and watched amused as Harrison flushed and sat there opening and closing his mouth.
"I but he and we and he doesn't….Father, I do not think he feels that way for me," Harrison managed to say eventually.
"But you feel that way for him?" Marvolo asked.
"Yes," Harrison lowered his eyes and Marvolo could see that he truly believed that Orion did not feel that way for him. Which wasn't something that he could allow his son to suffer under.
"Orion is desperately and madly in love with you, and despite being terrified that I will castrate him and murder him before dumping his body in the deepest darkest hole, he can not hide his feelings for you," Marvolo said.
"What…really?" Harrison looked at him with those wide green eyes that were so full of hope that Marvolo could not stop himself from standing crossing to sit down on the sofa beside him, wrapping his arm around his son and tugging him into his side.
"Really, which by the way I will do that to him if he hurts you, but he loves you, truly loves you. I want you to be happy Harrison, I have seen the way that he looks at you, and the way you look at him," Marvolo said.
"I…" Harrison seemed not to know what else to say.
"If I were to arrange yours and his marriage, you would be happy with it then?" Marvolo asked.
"If he agrees, yes," Harrison managed to say even though his face was blushing an absolutely burning red. Marvolo kissed his temple and hugged him closer, a little saddened by the fact that his son was growing up already, but his happiness was more important than Marvolo's own happiness and he held onto that as he thought about the future.
"My Lord?" Orion walked in once he was granted entrance and bowed to Marvolo before taking the open seat in front of the fire. He accepted the glass of whisky from Marvolo and took a deep gulp from it.
"Your father has asked for me to choose a spouse for you," Marvolo announced and watched as Orion froze. His eyes flicked to the side, to where a picture of Harrison was sitting, before quickly settling back onto Marvolo.
"Ok," Orion nodded. "Do you have anyone in mind, my Lord?"
"Yes I do actually, one man, it would be a very clever political marriage that would shore up our side, and that would be exceedingly beneficial to your House, I have the agreement of the father and son for the marriage, so I plan on arranging it as soon as possible,"
"As much as I respect your opinion and am sure that the match is wonderful, my Lord I am afraid that I need to speak to my father and inform him that I will not be marrying and that my Heir will be my brother's children,"
"And why is that?" Marvolo asked, more impressed than he had thought he would be.
"I am in love with someone that can never be my husband, and so I can not marry another knowing that they will never have the chance of anything more than friendship with me, and the thought that I would have to force myself to lie with them,"
"Except that it is my son I am talking about, and due to the fact that he is in love with you as well I am going to allow this marriage to avoid having a broken-hearted son," Marvolo snorted.
"My Lord I…."
"I am going to make it clear that if you hurt or betray my son, I will carve you from the inside out," Marvolo huffed.
"My Lord…you are saying that you…you knew…"
"Please, you could not be more obvious, you practically have adoration all over your face when you see him," Marvolo huffed.
"And I…you…he…he loves me?" Orion perked up seeming to finally realise what Marvolo had said.
"Yes he does," Marvolo nodded, leaning forward he looked seriously at his follower. "Harrison is very much in love with you, and I am choosing you because I can see how much you love Harrison, I can see that you will protect him and be the support that he needs. I do not want a loveless political marriage for him, and while I can spin this as a political match, that is not what this is. Harrison has had so little love in his life, that a husband who would forgo marriage altogether for him, I can ask for nothing more," Marvolo said.
"I…I…if this is true then My Lord I swear I will love him utterly and protect him with everything that I have, I will adore him and make sure that he is as happy as I can make him," Orion said, pulling himself together to meet his Lord's eyes.
"Then you have reassured me that I have made the right choice. Harrison is in his bedroom, you may go to him while I talk to your father. He is no doubt going to be utterly baffled and delighted by my choice," Marvolo chuckled.
"My Lord, I will not let Harrison down, or you down with this choice," Orion stood quickly along with Marvolo.
"You got that in the right order. I have been thinking of this as losing a part of my son to an adult life, but I perhaps can see this as gaining another son and my family growing," Marvolo smiled when Orion's eyes went wide before a happy smile crossed his face.
Harrison looked up when there was a tap on his door, growing a little confused. It was his private room within his father's teaching rooms, and normally his father would call out before he knocked.
"Yes?" Harrison frowned before his eyes widened when Orion opened the door, standing there looking as handsome as ever, especially with the bright smile that he had on his face as he looked at Harrison who quickly sat upright on the bed.
The Black Heir was twenty-three and incredibly handsome, his chiselled face was traditionally handsome, with burning silver eyes that danced with mischief and power equally, his dark hair was curly and framed his face perfectly, but it was his character that Harrison had fallen in love with, able to be playful and lighthearted when he chose to be, and able to be terrifyingly dangerous and protective the next moment. He was a truly loyal man, and his dedication to his House and Harrison's father only made Harrison love him more.
Harrison watched stunned as the smiling man hurried into the room, shutting the door behind himself as he made his way to kneel at the side of Harrison's bed, taking his hand within both of his and looking into his glowing green eyes hopefully.
"Is it true? Is what your father said true?" Orion asked.
"Yes," Harrison said softly.
"I love you, Harrison, with all my heart, I adore you, and I have for a while now, I was ready to marry no one because I did not think that I would be allowed to be with you, getting to marry you is more than I ever could have hoped for," Orion said kissing the back of Harrison's hand.
"Does it have anything to do with me being my Father's Heir?" Harrison asked, and though Orion could have been offended by it, he knew Harrison too well and knew that those words were coming from the boy who had not been loved or cared for by those who should have loved him.
"I love you because you are stunning inside and out, you have been through so much already and yet you are strong enough to not only still be standing on your feet but to have gotten yourself into a position through power, intelligence and love that is equal to Michael's and yet you are still level headed and caring, I love you because you are the most sneaky person I have ever met, and I love you because of your mischief and I love you because of your heart. I love you for being able to bring love and light into My Lord's life. I love you with everything that I am, and none of it is to do with the position you hold, I would love you if you were the lowest of our Lord's followers, and I believe I would love you if you were on the light side with your blood family,"
Harrison stared down at him wide-eyed as Orion spoke, still holding tightly onto his hand, not having expected that outburst in answer to his question. But then everything caught up with him and he tugged his hand free from Orion's grip, but before the man could mistake his actions he threw himself forward, Orion catching him with a surprised sound to stop him from hurting himself. And then he pressed his lips firmly to Orion's.
The older man caught on quickly and he adjusted his grip so that it was around Harrison's waist and drew him against him, pressing his thumb under the younger man's chin to tilt his head up to change the angle of their kiss, leading his clearly inexperienced love into their kiss, and getting a delicious moan of pleasure in return.
"Break it up!" Marvolo shouted from the doorway, banging on the door.
The two of them pulled apart laughing, listening to him grumbling as he walked away from them, purposefully stomping his feet.
Orion swept Harrison's hair from his eyes as he helped him settle safely back on his bed, looking at him with an expression that told Harrison everything that the other man felt for him, and he knew that his own expression revealed everything that he had been hiding from the other.
"I can not wait to be your husband," Orion sighed, watching happily as a massive, purely happy grin swept over Harrison's beautiful face..
"I thought that you didn't see me that way," Harrison admitted, daring to reach out and curl one of Orion's dark curls around his finger.
"Really?" Orion blinked. "Harrison, I am fairly sure most people know that I am completely and utterly in love with you,"
"I thought…"
"I love you," Orion cupped his face, his aristocratic features completely relaxed for the first time since Harrison had met him, smiling at him warmly.
"I love you too," Harrison admitted with a soft blush.
"Then that is all that matters, my love," Orion leant forward and kissed Harrison again.
"Right part you two, and Orion will you go home and tell your father that I am not playing a joke on him, he has just fire called me back having expected me to call and tell him I was joking, he now thinks that I am making some ploy to punish him for something," Marvolo sighed walking into the room.
"Yes My Lord," Orion smiled standing. He leant down and risked pressing a quick kiss to Harrison's lips before pulling one of his rings off and transfiguring it into a shining silver rose.
"See you soon," Harrison smiled, feeling more than a little breathless as he took the rose from Orion, his fiance.
Orion bowed to Marvolo before leaving the room and made his way to the living room, the two of them could hear him activating the floo and disappearing through it. As soon as that sound reached them Harrison threw himself from the bed and at his father, Marvolo just managing to wrap his arms around Harrison in time.
"Thank you," Harrison beamed at him.
"Anything to make you happy," Marvolo said truthfully, sweeping Harrison's fringe from his stunning green eyes. "That is all that matters to me, and I have warned him of what I will do to him if he hurts you," he said pleased with himself.
"Father," Harrison laughed.
"I am handing my most precious jewel over to him, I will make sure that he looks after you," Marvolo grumbled.
"I love you father," Harrison said hugging Marvolo tightly.
"I love you too," Marvolo sighed hugging his son close.
"Orion, I am worried about Our Lord, I think that he has become upset about your affection for his son, he flooed to say that you are to be engaged to Lord Harrison, I think that this is his way of warning us that you need to hide your affections for the young Heir, that is the only thing that I can think of, that this is some sort of threat and you need to… why are you grinning like that?" Arcturus frowned confused as he turned to his son and truly took in his appearance.
"It is no joke, Our Lord has agreed that I will marry Harrison, Harrison feels for me the same way that I feel for him, and Our Lord wants him to be happy and has said that we are to marry, he allowed me time with Harrison, allowed me to kiss him, we are to be married!" Orion explained and watched as an utter riot of emotions crossed his father's features at the torrent of different things that he had just told him hit his father.
"Kiss…marry…he…you…" Arcturus spluttered.
"He said that he is going to spin it as a political marriage. But it is because Harrison loves me, and he knows how much I love Harrison,"
"I need to sit down!" his father gasped.
"What is happening?" His mother demanded, utterly confused when she walked in a few moments later and found her husband sitting with his head between his knees taking deep breaths while her son rubbed his back, but instead of looking concerned he had the biggest smile she had ever seen on his face.
"Our Lord has arranged my marriage, I am to marry Harrison!" Orion announced.
"WHAT!" She shrieked.