Arcane Academy

Chapter 12

As soon as Harry finished eating, Hermione and Ron promptly grabbed their friend and practically carried him out of the room. They dragged him to his room and locked the door, casting a Silencing Charm for good measure. With that done, they commenced with the interrogation.

“How did you become a fox demon?” asked Hermione excitedly.

“When did you start liking guys?” asked Ron curiously.

“What’s Arcane Academy like?” asked Hermione quickly.

“You had a crush on Cho for two years, and you’ve never shown any interest in guys that I’ve seen,” Ron continued.

“What kind of subjects do they teach at your school?” asked Hermione.

“That redhead kind of reminds of Malfoy,” said Ron.

“What classes are you taking?” asked Hermione.

“And that shadow demon looks dangerous,” said Ron.

“Why aren’t you answering me, Harry?” snapped Hermione.

Harry raised a brow at the girl. “When have I had the opportunity to answer? Between you and Ron yapping, I haven’t been able to get a word in edgewise.” Hermione and Ron blushed sheepishly. Harry smirked and continued. “First of all, I am not a fox demon. I’m a Kitiara. There’s a difference. Second of all, have you seen those three? It’s hard not to notice them, especially when they want to be noticed. As for Arcane Academy, it’s awesome. It only caters to magical creatures and beings, and the classes are arranged to suit each student. Since I am a Kitata, I have Healing, Elemental magic, Magi Arts, Potions, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Warding, and Blood Rites. My friend, Grey, is a were-tiger, so he takes Lunar and Shamanic magic to help with his animal form. My friend, Zane, is an Incubus, so he takes Sex Magic.”

“Fascinating,” breathed Hermione. “Oh, I wish I could attend that school with you. Compared with that kind of curriculum, Hogwarts is very lacking.”

“Hogwarts isn’t even on the top ten list of good schools in the world,” said Harry wryly. “In fact, because of the numerous bans and restrictions, it is considered one of the worst schools to attend.”

Hermione looked positively horrified that she was attending such an inferior school. “Perhaps I should ask my parents to apply for a transfer to Beauxbatons.”

Harry winced slightly. “Yeah, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang aren’t much better than Hogwarts if you’re judging by their curriculum. Grey told me that Hitomi School of Magic in Japan, Apokryfos in Greece, Stregoneria Accademia in Italy, and Merlin’s School of Sorcery in the States were the best wizarding schools besides Arcane Academy.”

“I’ve never even heard of those schools. Hogwarts doesn’t have any information on them in the library,” said Hermione indignantly. “There is an entire section devoted to international schools, and not a single one of those is listed in any of the books.”

“Well, maybe it’s because those schools provide a curriculum Britain doesn’t agree with, so they make sure to keep that information away from the public,” said Ron softly.

“But that’s just terrible,” cried Hermione. “The British Ministry is putting us at a distinct disadvantage with the rest of the Wizarding World.”

“Yes, they are,” said Harry, nodding in agreement. “However, you’re forgetting one thing.” At Hermione’s blank look, Harry grinned. “We’re in Egypt, Hermione, and the Egyptian wizards don’t agree with that nonsense. I’m sure we can find some books with the information you want when we visit the bazaar.”

Hermione brightened up immediately. “Oh, I can’t wait to see the Egyptian bazaar. I’ve heard that it’s one of the largest wizarding markets in the world.”

“It’s amazing,” said Harry. “Remus and I went there to shop for school supplies.”

With those worries out of the way, Hermione decided to turn her attention back to the original topic she wanted to discuss. “So tell us about your suitors, Harry. They certainly look interesting.”

“Well, I met Zenith first. I ran into him my first day of school, and I mean that literally. It was like walking into a brick wall. Like me, he’s the only one of his kind at Arcane Academy, and we became fast friends. He’s eighteen and apprenticing in Blood Rites this year,” said Harry with a fond smile.

“He seems to really care about you, too,” sighed Hermione wistfully. She just wished the one she liked would finally get his act together and ask her out.

“I still say the redhead acts like Malfoy,” said Ron insistently.

Harry snickered softly. “You have no idea. Apparently, Tristan managed to drive all of his other roommates away within the first six months of school. The first night together, I, uh, sorta set his feet on fire.”

“Harry!” cried Hermione sternly.

“He was threatening to hurt Shadow,” said Harry defensively. “And I healed him after the fact.”

“That’s no excuse, Harry,” said Hermione primly.

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, he almost froze me to death,” offered Harry.

Hermione and Ron just could only at Harry in shock. Harry just shrugged. “He’s a weather faerie. He got angry about something I had said, and the room got colder and colder until I was freezing.”

“Bloody hell, he is just like Malfoy,” said Ron incredulously.

“What about Octavius? What’s he like?” asked Hermione curiously, rolling her eyes at Ron’s dumbfounded muttering.

“He’s a cocky bastard is what he is,” said Harry promptly. “He’s sneaky, a tad manipulative, and arrogant as hell, too.”

Ron looked dumbfounded at the reply. “Why the hell are you letting someone like that court you?”

“Because the whole purpose of the courtship is getting to know your suitor,” said Harry patiently. “And I think once you get past the exterior, Octavius isn’t so bad.”

“Whatever, mate. I think you’re cracked in the head, but that’s just my opinion,” said Ron.

“Shut up, Ron. I think the courtship is a good idea,” said Hermione. “It gives Harry time to really get to know his suitors, especially since sex is strictly prohibited. Besides, each suitor will be trying their best to get Harry to choose them, so there’s also lots of gifts involved. And you know, gifts tell a lot about a person’s personality.”

“I didn’t know that,” said Harry softly. “Zenith told me the basics of a courtship, but he didn’t mention anything about gifts.”

“Well, it’s not a requirement, but if they are truly serious about courting you, you should expect them,” said Hermione.

Two sharp cracks sounded in his bedroom before Harry could respond to that, and he found a set of grinning twins standing directly in front of him. Fred and George sat down on each side of him with an arm draped over each shoulder. Fred tugged lightly on one of Harry’s furry ears while George did the same to his silky tail.

“These are new,” said Fred.

“But they suit you,” added George.

“You always were a foxy lad,” they said together.

Harry snickered softly at their antics. He’d really missed the twins humor this year. “Thanks,” he said dryly.

“So what’s this we hear about you entering into a formal courtship?” asked Fred curiously.

“And with three guys no less. If we had known you swung that way, we’d have nabbed you for ourselves,” said George with a playful leer.

Harry just rolled his eyes at the twins. He knew perfectly well they weren’t serious. They both thought of him as their littlest brother. “Only if you’re into incest.” He looked at them speculatively. “Of course, with the way you two act around each other, that could be the case.”

“Harry!” the shouted indignantly. “We do not!”

Harry and Hermione laughed at the twins while Ron looked a little green in the face. “So why weren’t you at breakfast this morning? Everyone else has already met my suitors,” asked Harry.

The twins looked at each before turning toward Harry with a wide grin. “We were working on our latest project.” Fred reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of lemon drops.

“Lemon drops?” asked Harry, a slow wicked grin crossing his face. “Please tell me these are going to do something deliciously evil to Dumbledore.”

George smirked smugly. “With one tiny taste of these bad babies, Dumbledore will have every animal on the castle grounds trying to jump his bones.”

Harry burst out laughing. He could picture it already. The mail owls would flock around Dumbledore, cooing for attention. And if Harry was really lucky, the old coot would trip over an adoring feline twining around his legs and break his neck from a tumble down the stairs. It was highly doubtful, but he could still dream about it.

“How do you plan to sneak them into his stash of candy?” asked Harry curiously.

“Dobby has become an invaluable ally in the war against Dumbledore,” said Fred.

“He’s managed to humiliate the old coot far more effectively than we have,” said George in agreement.

“You should be ashamed of yourselves for making that poor house-elf do your dirty work,” Hermione berated.

Fred and George held up their hands defensively. “We didn’t make Dobby do anything. He started this all on his own when he found out what Dumbledore had done to his precious Harry Potter Sir.”

Harry smiled fondly at that. Despite his penchant for putting Harry’s life at risk while trying to save him, Dobby really was a wonderful friend. “I have a Christmas present for Dobby that I need you to give him when you get back to Hogwarts.” However, as soon as he said the house-elf’s name, Dobby popped into the room with an excited grin.

“Harry Potter Sir called Dobby?” Dobby gasped in surprise and wonder when he saw Harry’s new appearance. “Harry Potter Sir is an exalted Kitiara. How wonderful!”

Harry blinked dumbly when Dobby bowed formally to him. “Why are you bowing, Dobby? You’re my friend, so you shouldn’t feel the need to do that.”

“But Harry Potter Sir is a Kitiara,” Dobby protested vehemently.

“What’s so special about that?” asked Ron dismissively.

Dobby glared at Ron. “Kitiara is the most powerful magical beings in the world.”

“If that’s true, why haven’t I ever heard of one?” asked Ron.

Dobby’s ears drooped sadly. “Because wizards is evil. They kill Kitiara before they reach puberty and reach full magical potential. Now only a handful remains, and they be hidden from the world.”

“How awful,” gasped Hermione. “Why would they do that?”

“Because wizards is scared of beings more powerful than them,” said Dobby bluntly. “Kitiara powerful enough to rule the world, but they used power to help people. Wizards just not care.”

“B-But they’re acting just like the muggles did during the witch trials,” said Hermione weakly.

“Wizards are just as human as mortals without magic, and therefore prone to the same fears and prejudices.”

Harry blinked in surprise at Zenith’s voice and turned to see the Dracken leaning casually against the doorframe. “When did you get here?”

“I heard your friends’ arrival and decided to investigate,” said Zenith.

Harry smiled and walked toward the Dracken, pulling him away from the door and further into the room. “Zenith, I want you to meet my friend, Dobby.” He turned to Dobby and said, “Dobby, this is Zenith. He is one of my suitors from Arcane Academy.”

Dobby gasped, ears quivering excitedly. “Harry Potter Sir has Dracken suitor.” He suddenly glared sternly at Zenith. “If Dracken hurts Harry Potter Sir, Dobby will hurt you.”

Zenith nodded solemnly. “I’m very glad that Harry has such wonderful and loyal friends.”

Fred and George stood up and circled Zenith like sharks on the prowl. “So you’re one of the three men after our littlest brother.”

“And you are the mischievous twins Harry speaks so fondly about,” said Zenith. “Love the pictures, by the way. For what he allowed to happen, he deserved that and much more.”

Fred and George looked at each other and then turned to Harry. “We approve.”

“Why am I not surprised?” asked Hermione wryly.

Fred and George just grinned unrepentantly. “Harry, we’ll have to meet your other two suitors at a later time. We have some exploring to do.” With that said, they apparated out of the room.

“That actually sounds like a good idea,” mused Harry. “I didn’t really get to see much the last time I was here. The only places we went were to the bazaar and to Gringotts.”

Hermione and Ron shared a sad look, knowing that the reason Harry hadn’t been able to explore was because he was recovering from his injuries.

Zenith smiled and tugged lightly at Harry’s ear. “Then let’s go explore. I’ve never been to
Egypt, but I’ve always wanted to visit.”

“Maybe we can convince Bill to show us some of the tombs they’ve excavated,” said Harry excitedly. “Come on. I’ll go ask.” Harry dragged Zenith out of the room in his search for Bill. He found the redheaded curse breaker in the library with Remus, snogging the werewolf heatedly. “I see you two finally got together.”

Remus pulled away quickly with a bright blush colouring his cheeks. “Harry!”

Harry rolled his eyes at the werewolf’s embarrassment. “Oh, please, Remus. You can lecture me for an hour about sex with a straight face, but you blush because you were caught snogging someone.” He shook his head and turned to Bill with a cajoling grin. “Bill, can you give us a tour of some of the tombs? We want to go exploring.”

Bill smirked at a flustered Remus before returning Harry’s smile. “Sure, Harry. Just give me an hour to get ready.”

Harry raised an eyebrow and stared at the redhead speculatively. “That’s a little ambitious, don’t you think? I give it fifteen minutes tops.”

“Harry!” shouted Remus with a scandalised look while Bill burst out laughing.

“Where did my innocent little brother go?” Bill mock lamented.

“He became friends with an Incubus and a perpetually horny were-tiger,” Harry promptly replied. “I’ve heard more about sex in the last four months than I ever did at Hogwarts.”

“Well, at least we are spared from having to give him ‘The Talk,’” said Bill cheerfully. He ushered Harry and Zenith out of the library. “I’m suddenly feeling a little ambitious. Make it two hours, Harry.” With a flirty wink, Bill shut the door in their faces.

“That was enlightening,” said Zenith dryly. “Just what has Zane and Grey been telling you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” said Harry coyly.

XxX

Harry woke to the sound of Ron screaming at someone, He wriggled out of Octavius’ arms and crawled out of bed. He opened the door with a sleepy yawn only for his jaw to drop when he saw his redheaded friend running down the hall completely naked.

“Did you forget something this morning, Ron?” asked Harry with a snicker. “I never really took you for an exhibitionist.”

Ron scowled at Harry, hands vainly trying to cover his groin and arse simultaneously. “Very funny, Harry. The twins stole my clothes and towel while I was in the shower, and now they’ve locked me out of our room.”

Harry snickered again and pulled Ron into his bedroom. He walked over to the wardrobe and pulled a pair of pyjama bottoms out, tossing them to Ron. “They’ll be a little small, but they’ll suffice for now.”

Ron gratefully pulled them on, thankful that the material was stretchy enough to fit over his larger frame. However, the sleep pants looked more like long sleep shorts on him. The hems came up to the middle of his calves and barely covered his groin.

“You consider this a little small?” asked Ron incredulously.

“Well, what did you expect?” asked Harry, trying to keep a straight face. “You’re almost a foot taller than I am.”

“What the hell are you wearing?” asked Octavius, blinking blearily at Ron. “And why are you in our room?” He saw Harry standing a few feet away from the ridiculously dressed redhead and beckoned him over. “Come back to bed, Harry. It’s too early for this.”

“Too early,” Ron repeated in disbelief. “It’s ten in the morning.”

Octavius just scowled darkly at Ron, making the redhead flinch slightly and stammer out, “I, uh, think I’ll just go now… see if I can get into my room or something.” With that said, Ron fled from the room

“Jeez, I thought he would never leave,” muttered Tristan from his bed.

Harry just sighed and shook his head. “Well, since we’re all awake, we may as well get up and get some breakfast.”

Tristan and Octavius groaned disgruntledly and reluctantly crawled out of bed. Harry looked at Zenith’s bed to see if he was awake and was surprised to see the bed empty. He hadn’t even heard the Dracken leave this morning.

They all got dressed and headed to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Harry’s appetite plummeted, though, when he saw Zenith and Charlie sitting close together, heads bent close together as the talked softly. His stomach clenched painfully when the dragon tamer lifted a hand to stroke Zenith’s wing almost reverently, making Zenith shiver slightly at the touch.

Harry silently sat down, smiling half-heartedly when Mrs. Weasley immediately set a plate of food in front of him. He forced himself to take a few bites, but his roiling stomach protested the action. He finally just put his fork down and pushed his plate away. He would only make himself sick if he tried to eat anymore.

“Is something wrong, dear? You’ve hardly eaten a thing,” said Molly in concern.

“I’m just not all that hungry,” sighed Harry. He pushed away from the table and climbed to his feet. “Do you know if the kits have had anything to eat this morning?”

“Yes, dear. I gave them some bacon and sausage earlier this morning,” said Molly.

Harry smiled wanly. “Thanks, Mrs. Weasley.” He turned and headed toward the door, but a hand wrapped around his arm, keeping him in place. He looked down to see Octavius staring up at him with worried eyes. Harry reached out and brushed the demon’s black hair away from his face, smiling more warmly at the other teen. “I’m fine, Octavius. I was just going to let the kits outside for the morning. Stay and finish your breakfast.”

Octavius reached up with his other hand and grabbed Harry’s free hand, bringing it to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to the back of his hand. He slowly released his grip on both of Harry’s arms and sat back, watching the brunet leave with a pensive stare. He growled softly under his breath and turned to glare at Zenith only to find the Dracken already heading out of the room after Harry, so he turned his glare on Charlie.

Charlie flinched slightly at the glare. “Why are you glaring at me like that? What did I do?”

“You shouldn’t act so familiarly toward another’s intended,” said Octavius curtly.

“What?” asked Charlie, staring at the demon in bemusement. “What are you talking about?”

“He’s talking about the way you had your hands all over Zenith,” snapped Tristan impatiently. “How would you feel if you walked into the room and saw another man caressing your intended’s back or wings?”

“Whoa, wait a minute,” Charlie protested. “I wasn’t caressing his wings. I was examining them to see just how similar they are to a real dragon’s wings. There was no caressing involved.”

Octavius just sneered at the dragon tamer and pushed away from the table. “I’m afraid I’ve lost my appetite.” Without a backward glance, he stalked from the room to find Harry… or perhaps Zenith. The Dracken obviously needed his arse beat for allowing the man such liberties in the first place.

Tristan pushed his plate away, as well. “Thank you for the food, Mrs. Weasley.”

Once Tristan left the room, Mrs. Weasley turned toward Charlie with a reproving sigh. “I always knew your obsession with dragons was going to get you in trouble one day.”

Charlie could only stare dumbfounded at her.

XxX

Harry stood outside, watching his kits frolic in the sand playfully. However, a familiar shadow suddenly loomed over him, and he looked up to see Zenith staring down at him. He was startled when Zenith reached out and pulled him into his arms, rubbing his cheek against the top of his head.

“Your friend Charlie really is as obsessed with dragons as you said he was. From the time he sat down at the table until the time you arrived, he did nothing but ask questions. I don’t even think he saw me as a person at all,” said Zenith softly. “I didn’t want to be rude to him because he is part of your family, but his questions grew tiresome very quickly. And I have to say, it took all my control not to hit him when he touched my wings. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted to touch my wings.”

Harry smiled softly and buried his face against Zenith’s chest, the clenching in his chest and stomach finally easing. “Serves you right for getting up so early. You should have lazed about like the rest of us did because you missed quite the show this morning. The twins stole Ron’s clothes and locked him out of his bedroom, so he was streaking around the house bare-arsed.”

Zenith snickered softly. “As amusing as that sounds, I’m kind of glad I missed it. I have no interest in pale, freckled redheads. My tastes are much more refined.”

“Yeah, how so?” asked Harry teasingly.

“I seem to have a fondness for cute little kits with black hair and green eyes,” said Zenith, brushing his fingers along one of Harry’s ears.

“I don’t think Shadow or Eclipse will ever like you that way, Zenith, but I’m sure they appreciate the thought,” said Harry, laughing at the grimace that crossed Zenith’s face.

Zenith leaned down and gently pressed his lips to Harry’s. “You’re the only kit for me, Harry.”

Harry smiled and pulled Zenith back toward the house. “Let’s go back inside. I’m feeling a bit hungry now.”

They didn’t make it the kitchen, though. As soon as they stepped back into the house, the twins ran up to them and hid behind Zenith. “Save us, Harry. Hermione’s on a warpath.”

“I don’t even think so. You’re on your own with her. You probably deserve it anyway,” said Harry bluntly.

“You’re so mean, Harry,” cried Fred.

“I thought you loved us,” cried George.

“I like living more. I know how vicious Hermione can be when she’s angry,” said Harry.

Hermione ran in the room, wearing nothing but a bathrobe. She caught sight of the twins and screamed, “I”LL KILL YOU!”

Harry and Zenith wisely moved out of the warpath, leaving the twins to face her wrath alone. Fred and George squeaked in terror and apparated away with a loud crack. Hermione hissed in fury and turned to glare at Harry.

“Don’t give me that look. I didn’t do anything,” said Harry defensively.

Hermione just growled angrily and stormed out of the room.

“Now I really want to know what they did to her,” Harry mused thoughtfully. “I haven’t seen her this angry since third year when she decked Malfoy in his pointy little face.”

Zenith could only nod in agreement. One thing was for sure. He didn’t ever want to be the source of that girl’s fury. For a human girl, Hermione could be downright scary when she was angry.

Before they could attempt to go to the kitchen again, Ron ran into the room. “There you are! Come quick! Octavius is about to kill Ginny.”

Harry cursed softly and chased after Ron, gasping when he saw what was going on. Octavius had a scantily clad Ginny pinned against the wall with his shadows. Tristan sat on his bed, watching the two with a vindictive smirk.

“What the hell is going on here?” Harry demanded.

“We caught her trying to slip this potion into your trunk,” hissed Octavius, holding up a clear potion’s phial.

Harry frowned curiously and took the phial from Octavius, uncapping it and taking a tentative sniff. It didn’t smell like any potion he recognised, though. “What exactly is this, Ginny?”

Ginny scowled. “I have no idea. Bill asked me to give it to you. Since you weren’t here, I was just going to put it in your trunk and tell you I’d left it for you during lunch. And then these two morons showed up and attacked me.”

Zenith took the phial and examined the substance inside only to start snickering. “Let her go, Octavius. She’s telling the truth.”

“So what is it?” asked Harry curiously.

“Lubricant,” said Zenith, smirking at the bright blush that flooded Harry’s cheeks.

Ginny choked slightly at the answer. She was going to kick Bill’s arse when she finally got out of here. She couldn’t believe her bastard brother had sent her here with something to facilitate Harry’s relationship with three men after her heart was broken by him.

Octavius smirked at the infuriated look on Ginny’s face and released her. “Run along now, little girl. Oh, and thank your brother for us.”

Ginny hissed at the shadow demon and stormed from the room.

“There was no need for that, Octavius,” sighed Harry. Although he didn’t feel the same for Ginny, he wasn’t trying to rub his new relationships in her face, either.

“It sure made me feel better,” said Tristan promptly. “The bint still has hopes that you’ll change your mind about her. Obviously, Bill realised this, too. Why else would he send her specifically to give you a phial of lubricant?”

Harry scowled at that before a devious grin crossed his face. “And I’m sure Remus will love to hear that, too. In fact, I think I’m going to tell him right now.” With that said, Harry cheerfully sauntered out of the room to find his werewolf guardian.