Hidden Gray

CH.12
~GraY

Harry and Diegara arrived in a shadowy back room, the faint sounds of pulsing music coming from beyond the door on the opposite side of the room. From another door to the boys right a man of about thirty walked in with a hundred watt grin spread across his face. He wore tight black pants over well shaped legs, leather boots and a blood red button down shirt of expensive silk. The neck was left oped display a few inches of smooth, chiseled chest and a simple silver chain around his neck. A healthy tan graced his smooth skin and went well with coal black eyes and short, dark brown hair, spiked with bleached tips.

“Die! It’s been forever! Why don’t you ever come visit your old muggle friends any more?” The man said pouting at the Dragoon before hugging him.

“Well, Lylik, I was just a little busy with my little bro here. Speaking of which, we’re heading out on a shopping expedition, he needs a new look, your floo is going to be up for use until at least six right?” Diegara asked.

“Of course! It’ll be open until two tomorrow morning, and it is,” He glanced at a Rolex on his left wrist, “3:30 already so if you’d like to stay out longer...”

“No, no we gotta be back by six.” Diegara insisted.

“Whatever you say. Why don’t I escort you boys to the front then, hmm? I can speak to Thile at the door so you won’t have any trouble getting back in.” Lylik smiled at Diegara and Harry.

“That would be awesome!”

Lylik grinned, “Then come along my American friend, and who might this lovely creature be?” The man indicated Harry who blushed lightly.

“My little brother, Harry.” Diegara said proudly.

“Ah, yes I’ve heard about you from a few of the wizarding patrons of my club. Well, I hope you enjoy your shopping excursion.” Lylik said as he lead them through the surprisingly crowded club full of moving bodies, pulsing music, lasers and strobes. They got to the door and were met by a large black man with shoulder length dreds. He wore jeans and a black tank top that said SECURITY in clear, yellow, block letters. He nodded in recognition to Diegara and looked appreciatively at Harry before turning to Lylik.

“Thile, keep those pretty brown eyes of yours to yourself. Harry here is Diegara’s brother and they’re going shopping. I want you to make sure they get back in when they return. They will be using the floo to get home.” Lylik explained plainly.

“Yes sir.” Thile said with a nod to the trio. Lylik turned back to Diegara and Harry with a satisfied smile.

“There, now you two go have fun! And do make the boy look good Diegara!” Lylik said with a wink before disappearing into the club crowd before they could say anything more. Diegara smiled at Harry and lead the younger man away from the Crimson Wing.

“It’s a bit early for a place like that to be so busy isn’t it?” Harry asked as they turned down a street toward the shopping district.

Diegara shrugged. “That place is always full from the time it opens to closing and there are only a few hours between those two times. I honestly don’t know how Lylik does it.”

“Wow. Must be a really popular club.”

“It is. Crimson Wing has a larger variety of patrons than any other club in London. Everything from powerful wizards, and vampires to common muggles and squibs. They even have a few Dragoon patrons, but I’m their only Changeling regular.” Diegara said as he began scanning the windows of the shops that were becoming more prevalent as they delved deeper into the shopping district.

“How about we checkout that one.” Harry said pointing to the store just up ahead.

It was a simple red brick building with a few manikins in the display window. The headless, plastic figures were dressed in leather, mesh, silk, and jean. All of it was some shade of dark with a splash of blood red, blue, grey, silver, and a few neon colors as well here and there. They were also adorned in some silver jewelry mostly chains, pyramids, studs and spikes. Diegara grinned at one particular outfit worn by a male doll near the door to the left. It was impossibly lean like Harry and wore a sleeveless mesh top with tight black pants and a leather belt studded by silver pyramids. The gleam of polished pewter was what had drawn Diegara to this doll, to be even more specific the collar that hugged it’s solid plastic throat. The collar was of lovely make, a soft, black leather band with the blank, pewter tags, D-ring and a few ornate studs and pyramids polished to an almost silver shine. Diegara had always taken a liking to pewter and silver, they were the closest thing to the rare metals that his cousins, the Anital, were famous for not only molding into fine jewelry but magnificent and artful weaponry and armor.

The Dragoon, stepped up to the window, pressing a hand flat against the glass. “It’s beautiful.” He murmured before grabbing Harry’s hand and dragging the boy inside.

A gothic young woman sat behind the checkout counter on the right wall. A boom box sat behind her Diegara recognized the lyrics to be from one of the older Slipknot CDs. The young woman was in her early-mid twenties with short, silver-blond hair spiked, and tipped in green, ‘how strange that she wares Slytherin colors’, Diegara thought. She was perched on a stool next to the register and was bent over a sketch book. Se wore a tight, old Marilyn Manson shirt that at least use to have sleeves and hugged sizable breasts. A pair of tight black jeans covered long, shapely legs and a black belt decorated with silver pyramids was draped around her hip bones. A collar, similar to the one in the window, was stretched around her neck as she tilted her head to one side before reaching up and taking a drag on the cigarette that was held in her left hand, her right busy with a charcoal pencil on the pad in front of her. Her eyes glanced up at her new customers and she smirked. Setting down her pencil and placing the cigarette in a well crafted dragon ashtray the girl stood to great them.

“Welcome. So, what can I do for you boys?” She smiled at them, a set of dark, onyx eyes sparkled at them over the counter. An eyebrow ring caught Diegara’s sights, as did a gage in the young lady’s right ear.

“I was wondering how you came about the exquisite craftsmanship of the collar in the window and the one around your neck.” Diegara said with a smirk. The girl arched a curious, blond eyebrow.

“The leather and pewter one in the window?” She asked. Diegara nodded. “My boyfriend helped someone fund to get their own shop in the outskirts of the district, and as a thank you the guy gave him a few of his darker sets, thought I could turn a good profit off ‘em. Kept one for myself though,” She touched the leather band around her neck lightly with a fond smile, “Jonas thought it suited me.”

Diegara nodded, “Looks lovely. Now, I was curious about the one in the window...”

“Sure, I’ll go get it, let you take a good look at it then we can talk prices.” The youth smirked and went to the front of the shop.

“Your not buying that for yourself are you Die? You’ve got God knows how many collars and chokers already! You don’t need another one.” Harry said crossing his arms over his chest.

“Actually it’s for Severus....” Harry gave him a doubtful look, “Oh, fine! It’s for me too but I’m getting it because of Severus!” The Changeling insisted.

“Why?” Harry asked bluntly. Diegara sighed.

“Well.... Wouldn’t you agree it would look just perfect on my white tiger form? That supple, black leather and those pretty pewter studs and tags taunt against white fur and solid muscle?” Diegara asked dreamily.

“It would look ok, but I can think of better designs for Glacier.” Harry admitted.

Diegara sighed, “Yeah, but if I find out who made it I can go to him and maybe put in a special request.” He explained just before the goth got back.

“Here you are. I’m not so sure this is the one for you though. Green eyes over there maybe, but I think you need something heavier, more solid.” The young girl said flirtatiously to Diegara before getting back to business again. “Maybe check with Bounty. He’s the one who made it. I could give you the address of his shop if you’d like.”

“Wha? Umm, sure. That’d be great!” He glanced questioningly at Harry who just shrugged.

“Here, it’s a few streets down once you get to Henson. Not really that far but still a decent walk. Anything else you need?” The man smiled. Diegara looked around, then smiled back at him before tossing Harry a smirk.

“Why don’t we look around a bit?” Harry just grinned at his friend and sprinted off to look through the selection.

The two ended up with a pair of leather pants that clung to Harry’s slim legs and trim hips like a second skin, a similar pair of black jeans, a black leather belt with silver pyramid studs, a pair of leather boots that went up to mid calf with three silver buckles on each , and a black shirt with red short sleeves and a 69 on the front in the same color. This was accompanied by the collar that the goth had managed to convince the Griffendor to buy, and a few other pieces of jewelry. Diegara’s favorite was a serpent armband. It’s eyes were shining emeralds and it had Celtic symbols running don it’s back. The goth had said it was an antique she’d picked up at a pawn shop near Bounty’s place. She didn’t know what the markings meant but she thought they were cool and had been tempted to keep it for herself a few times.

“Will that be all?” The blond asked as she finished putting what they had bought into bags.

“It sure will!” Diegara said as he and Harry picked up the bags.

“Thanks a lot!” Harry said as the pair walked out. They continued down the street until they got to Henson Ave. “Do you want to go check out that Bounty guy’s shop?”

“Sure. I’d really like to get that collar.” Diegara said as the turned down the Avenue.

“Why do you want it so badly? Especially for Glacier, he’s got such a cold, independent personality not to mention that attitude problem of his. The beast is worse than Voldemort in that deparment! It’s one of the reasons we named him Glacier remember?” Harry said.

“I know, I just think it would be a nice surprise for Severus. I really think he might be my one and only. I haven’t felt like this in centuries, this complete and warm inside, not since Father died. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be truly alive, I just don’t want to blow this.” Diegara said in an oddly desperate voice.

“But why Glacier? What makes you think Severus would like Glacier, of all things, so much?” Harry was in a world of confusion.

Glacier was such a withdrawn creature, one of the many that lived within his bond brother. Compared to the other animals that Diegara could become, though, the white tiger was the least friendly. Even his ill tempered Komodo Dragon, Tempera, who’s name was Portuguese for temper had a better tolerance for others. Glacier had no respect for humans and little respect for the rest of the world. Aside from that Glacier was quiet and only gave so much affection to a select few people. He had a decent amount of hold on his temper but when he reached his breaking point he held nothing back, and was fiercely protective. Now that Harry thought about it, Severus Snape may very well like Glacier.

Diegara smirked at Harry knowing what the younger boy was thinking. “For your information, little brother, Severus’ favorite animal happens to be the white tiger.”

“Really? How in Merlin’s name do you know that?” Harry asked surprised.

“If you would have taken a better look at his suit you would have noticed that he has a good many pictures of them, both muggle and wizarding as well as a throw blanket with some of them on it over the back of the couch by the fire place. It’s actually a very nice blanket. It’s wam and soft, nicely broken in too!” Diegara said, taking obvious pride in this knowledge of his potential mate. Harry rolled his eyes.

“Fine then. So, any ideas on what you’d like this collar to look like?” Harry asked.

“Well, something elegant and not to flashy, but it can’t be plane either! I’d like to stick to the black leather and pewter, maybe with some silver or gems. Some dark rubies perhaps.” Diegara pondered out loud as they approached the corner of Henson Ave. and St. James street. Diegara checked the directions again and took a right, continuing down the side walk. “We’re looking for building 112.”

“I think that’s it over there.” Harry pointed to a two story brick building with two large display windows and a door between them. On the top floor was only one window with a small balcony covered in potted plants.

As Diegara opened the door two elderly women were walking out. He gave them a kind smile and they did a double take giving him a long look over. Harry cleared his throat and the women walked swiftly down the road after only a glance at the second punish teen. The boy-who-lived giggle as he walked into the store ahead of Diegara. The Changeling followed chuckling to himself but quieted sharply when his metallic blue eyes met familiar whiskey bronze framed by thinly rimmed, petite glasses. The man behind the counter smiled and walked up to the pair. He had short, coal black hair that contrasted with soft, pale skin and wore simple black slacks and a white button down shirt that was tucked loosely into his trousers.

“Welcome, I’m Nikolas Syphin[1].” The man introduced himself.

“Hi, I’m Diegara, and this is Harry.” Diegara shook the man’s hand politely as he looked him and his brother over critically.

“Ah, yes! Harry Potter, I’d know that messy black hair and those vibrant eyes anywhere. You look so much like your father, even with the glamors.” The man said to the confused teen. Diegara frowned.

“Hold it, how do you know Harry? You look so damn familiar, I just can’t place it though.” The Changeling leaned back stroking his chin in contemplation.

“Ah yes! I didn’t honestly expect you to remember me Diegara. I was a friend of your father’s a long time ago.” The man said, eyes flashing gold for an instant and realization dawned on the Changeling.

“Oh yeah! You were that representative sent by the Azelith. Wow it’s been forever!” Diegara grinned then looked over at the large display windows, “Magical tint?”

“Mmhmm. Bounty put it up just for Kristopher and I.” Nikolas said with a smirk noticing Harry’s confused look. “I’m a vampire.” He told the younger boy with a smile.

“Oh, how long have you known Diegara?” The boy surprised both of the older beings with his quick acceptance, though Diegara hadn’t really been all to worried after seeing the youth’s reaction to Haven’s citizens.

Nikolas chuckled. “A very long time. At least a few hundred years.” The vampire smiled down at the slightly shorter Harry. “Now, how can I help you two?”

“Well, Die was looking for a collar.” Harry said and Nikolas’ eyes lit up in both happiness and surprise.

“Really now?! What kind of collar?” He asked looking directly at Diegara who flushed lightly under the vampire’s scrutiny.

“Well, you see there’s this guy...” Diegara began hesitantly.

“I see! What kind of guy?” Nikolas smirked at Diegara.

“Well, I think he might be mate potential.” Diegara said a bit sharply in response to the older vampire’s teasing. Nikolas chuckled.

“I think I have the thing just for you. One of Bounty’s specials no less.” He went behind the nearby glass display counter and took out a blue velvet cushion setting it on top of the counter.

Placed neatly in the center of the lush cushion was a slick black collar of soft, supple leather. The D-ring was of a brightly polished pewter with a normal sterling silver tag. There were three separate tags displayed on the cushion as well. One was a star, another was a 69, and the last was a diamond shape. The sparkle of pewter, silver, and pale opal speckled with emerald and a dark crimson caught Diegara’s eye and he stepped closer to get a better look. About an inch of length on either side of the ring was decorated with the metals and precious gem. There was a single medium sized opal in the shape of a diamond with smaller opals and shards of pewter surrounded by another circle of small sliver slivers that looked like tear drops on either side of the D-ring and directly on either side of the ring was a thin diamond of the lovely opal. It was such an exquisite work of art Diegara could scarcely breath. If he presented himself to Severus with this around his neck the man would be just as breathless he was sure!

“Adjustments can be made if you’d like.” Nikolas said softly.

“I need it to fit a tiger. That is to say my tiger form, I want the collar for my white tiger form.” Diegara said a lilt of excitement in his voice. Nikolas smiled, a kind, happy smile unlike the smirk from before. The vampire seemed glad to see Diegara so happy, though he was not yet content. The key word being yet.

“I’ll put in the order. I could owl you when it’s ready.” Nikolas offered.

Diegara nodded. “That would be perfect.”

“Alright then. Are there any alterations you would like made?” The vampire asked pulling a form from under the part of the counter that was dark mahogany wood rather than glass and had the register sitting on top of it.

“Yes actually, I’d like the large opal separated into three opals, smaller than the original but still bigger than the other decorations. I would also like the second tag to be a Changeling’s Charm.[2]” Diegara instructed. Nikolas made note of the alterations on the form and handed it to the Changeling to sign.

“A simple signature and your all set my friend.” The vampire smiled at Diegara then turned his attention to Harry. “And how might I help the boy-who-lived? Perhaps a collar, or a neckless?”

Harry walked the length of the counter and examined the variety of jewelry from sparkling yellow and white gold to carefully cut and polished gems, it was all a beautiful sight. At last, his bright green eyes settled on a bracelet. It was a silver serpent with ruby eyes and black pearls lining it’s back. A single vibrant emerald was embedded directly behind it’s head and was in an arrow shape pointing down it’s back. Diegara moved up behind Harry and looked at the piece while Nikolas came to stand on the opposite side of the display counter.

“It’s beautiful little brother!! I bet it would go nicely with the band you picked up at the other shop.” Diegara said in delight.

“Yes, that is a very precious work of Bounty’s. My brother helped with him it. While Bounty isn’t very magic inclined Kristopher has a bit of a knack for it.” Nikolas began as he took the cushioned bracelet out and sat it before the young wizard. “If you stroke the emerald the snake will come to life and it will activate some very strong protection spells and charms. One of the reasons I work the counter is to dissuade muggles from our magical pieces such as the Obsidian Cobra here. After all being a rather old vampire makes me very influential with the weak minded, ‘normal’ types we tend to get with this location.”

Diegara chuckled, “You always were a sly bastard, Niko.”

“What kind of protection spells?” Harry asked, his face serious. He didn’t take protection or magic lightly at all. He had learned on several occasions in the hardest of ways to respect both in their entirety.

“Well, there is a foundation layer of basic spells and charms followed by some more advanced ones, something akin to what the aurors use I believe when having to protect crowds and such. After that are some more spells geared toward keeping dark magicks at bay and that is all followed by some ancient magic.” Nikolas smiled secretively.

Harry nodded but Digara spoke up, “What kind of ancient magic?”

“Mostly vampire lore, you know Kris, always having to leave a mark, though I suppose we’re both very much guilty of that.” The vampire smirked. “There’s also some dragoon artistry interwoven into the frame work to seal it and keep the magick from fading any with time, Bounty did that much.”

“Dragoon magic? How does this Bounty know Dragoon magic?” Diegara asked his suspicion rising quickly.

“Bounty’s one of the Anital. He was banished a long time ago for a tryst with a Black Ash that had been forbidden years before. The two were mated I believe. He still sends the boy gifts once in a while and they used to see each other ever thirty or so years but it’s been nearly a hundred years now though since their last meeting I think. Bounty’s been working his ass off to get up enough to present the ruler of the Black Ash so he can join their ranks and be with his boy.” Nikolas sighed. “It isn’t enough he’s the best metal worker on the planet, he says the Black Ash don’t need jewelers they need warriors and weapon crafters. I think if he showed him a few of his more prized pieces they would except him just for his obvious skill. He has an amazing eye for detail. He would make a good inspector of weapons and armor at the very least.” The vampire huffed a bit uncharacteristically and Diegara smiled sadly.

“The Black Ash are a strange lot. Just look at my aunt, Kalista and my cousin Rika-Jyn! I’m sure they would welcome him.” Diegara said.

“I tell him that over and over, as does Kristopher but he won’t listen,” Nikolas sighed. “Sadly there isn’t a thing we, or you two can do about that. Now, are you going to by this lovely little one or leave him here for another wizard?” The vampire asked Harry with a smile.

“I’ll buy him.” Harry said with a smile.

“Excallent!” Nikolas got everything rung up on the register and Harry paid in cash, muggle cash that is. The vampire wrote the price of the collar on the request form and gave Diegara the second copy. “It may be a few days before Bounty get’s to it. I’ll owl you at Hogwarts When it’s finished.”

“That’d be great! Thanks!” Diegara said as he and harry began to walk out.

“Your welcome! Stop by once in a while would you, the both of you would be an absolute delight!” Nikolas said with a wave. Harry and Diegara waved back before exiting and starting back down the street.

“We still have over two hours. How about we hit the clothing stores?” Diegara asked Harry.

“That sounds wonderful! Where to?” Harry asked eagerly.

“Well, I know this lovely store a few blocks down called the Raging Dragon. It’s classical gothish but has a bit of an oriental flare. I think you might like it.” the Changeling grinned.

Harry chuckled and smiled at his friend. “Lead on then.” Diegara picked up the past a bit then his eyes fixated on the small bag containing Harry’s new snake bracelet from Bounty’s shop.

“Why don’t you try on that bracelet you bought. It might be a huge challenge when pitted against old Voldy but a little more protection never hurt anyone.” Diegara said.

“That’s a brilliant idea.” Harry groped around in the bag until he had hold of the simple white box containing the Obsidian Cobra he’d bought. He opened the box and examined the piece more closely. It was to small to just slip over his hand since the head was wound at least half an inch past the tail. He turned it in his hand trying to figure out how to put the thing on.

“Try bringing it to life.” Diegara suggested as he too looked over the bracelet.

“Good idea.” Harry gently ran the tip of one finger over the bright emerald and the snake suddenly hissed happily at him.

“Ahh!! It has been a very long time since I last awoke. Are you my new master?” The serpent had a youthful hissing voice as she looked up at Harry and both the-boy-who-lived and Diegara smiled at her words.

“Yes I am. I was wonder how to put you on. Your to small to fit over my hand.” Harry said simply. The serpent chuckled.

“Why, like this young master!” The snake slithered herself around Harry’s wrist and settled in comfortably. “See, master?”

Harry chuckled as well. “Yes, I understand now.”

“Is it possible for Harry to put you back to sleep?” Diegara asked.

“No, not until my protection duties are no longer needed. I will, though, be quiet and still when it is needed of me.” She said with an air of pride.

“What is your name?” Harry asked.

“I am Ix Chel. Named for a Mayan goddess. A lovely name is it not?” The snake asked.

“Very beautiful.” Harry said.

“Why did Bounty name you for a human goddess?” There was an odd mixture of concern and confusion in Diegara’s voice. Harry felt similarly confused by the revelation but not to such an extent.

The boy knew that ever since the crusades against their kin the Dragoons had ceased even acknowledging human gods and goddesses both past and present because it was said to be for their god that the humans killed, when in truth it was only for themselves. Such and act of selfishness was punished highly in Dragoon society, even to this day. So, putting their pride and excepting nature aside, the Dragoons had purged themselves of nearly all things related to human religion. A few things, such as some choice Celtic, Egyptian, oriental and American symbols were kept. A few crosses were also allowed to remain, the Blood Cross, and the Cross of the Broken Hearted were two of the most prized, but later lost in the Century War. A set of half a dozen crosses known as the Tainted Crucifix were also saved from the purge but most of them were also lost to time and violence.

The serpent drew herself up to look at Diegara with it’s green jewel eyes and hissed, “I was named for the lost goddess of the family of my makers mate.” She said simply.

“Who is your maker’s mate?” Harry asked.

“His name is Dureck. Dureck of the Black Ash Clan.” Ix Chel replied simply.


TBC....

A/N: Well, that was fun. Who else love Nikolas(he was [1])?!...... Who else has read the book he’s in, Shattered Mirror?!...... Well if you have yet to read the book, do! It’s a quick read and it’s part of a good series, though you don’t have to read any of the books before it to understand what’s going on really, you just get a little more out of some of the smaller thing if you do that.

[1]Cont: Yes I tweaked how he looked And I know he’s very OOC, I didn’t want to completely steal the character’s form, mostly just the name.. Well, first name anyway.... *blush* What?! It’s a really neat name!
[2] The Changeling’s Charm is a special blend of metal in the shape of a birds wing with an ancient spell engraved on it. How to write the words is known by all Anital metal crafters and the last remaining Changelings but only the Changelings know what they mean. Unlike the rest of Dragoon kind the Changelings kept in light contact with the Anital, since they had little to do with the war and most of the Anital didn’t actually go out into the field. Instead they stayed behind and made armor and weapons as fast as possible. Only a few went along with the legions to help with any severe repairs

Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW!!!! And tell me if you’d like to see Nikolas again and meet his bro. Also if you’ve read the books you know that I, being myself, won’t be able to resisted the temptation of twincest, so they’re gonna be together. I’m also planning my first bought of sex in the up coming chapters so keep an eye out.
Also, I plan to start moving this along more quickly, it’s started to slow down a lot more than I had intended it to.... So yeah, it’ll start picking up in the next chapter or so. And I’m sure you all love meeting Glacier, the moody Siberian white tiger! I’m also curious as to what I should do about giving our favorite boy-who-lived his animagus form.... Any ideas? And nothing cliche or over used if you would, please! ^^

Now! On to deal with Dumbledoor! *dun dada dun!* Actually no... I’m gonna play with the Malfoys and dark Dragoons for a bit! YaY!!