SMOLDERING WITHIN

CHAPTER FIVE - Daring and Disbelief


Five o'clock in the morning comes very early to anyone only having had four hours of sleep. Harry hit the snooze button twice on his snitch clock which was hovering by his head before it beeped again. Harry groaned and rolled onto the side of the cot rubbing his face to try and wake. He slipped on his glasses and then changed clothing into his jogging pants, a white t-shirt and his sneakers. He kept repeating the word 'discipline' in his head. He left everyone sleeping and headed outdoors for his morning run. It was terribly foggy and a bit cooler than he expected. Harry took Ron's light jacket hanging by the door and slipped it on and put on the hood as he left the house. Opting to jog slowly at first he cut through the fog and in only minutes the house was nowhere to be seen. It was an odd sensation to be running through fog. Harry ran and ran and the fog wasn't letting up at all even though the light had come to the skies.

After almost five miles, Harry slowed to jogging as he was thinking of last night in the stall with Mark. He'd given his first blow job and had loved every minute of it. He had hoped Mark would have wanted him to use his fingers inside him as Mark had done to, bu, but Harry had no doubt that he would do that at some point with Mark. He couldn't wait to have that again. He stopped in the fog to rest for a minute and walk slowly in thought of all things sexual and the painful erection he now had from those thoughts. The thick fog surrounded him and Harry suddenly felt very amorous at being alone in the fog outdoors in the middle of miles of fields where no one could possibly see him.

When his hand moved over his erection through his jogging pants he knew he would do something to alleviate it. But what? Harry grinned that now he knew a bit, he had choices of what he might like to do to himself for pleasure. He felt suddenly very wicked and it was an exciting thought but he was also apprehensive and even a bit embarrassed at wanting to do the thing he wanted to try. He fought with himself for a few minutes but the beckoning of wanting to know what a cock felt like entering his body was just too much. No one would know anyway. He was totally alone at five thirty in the morning in thick fog in the middle of nowhere. He could conjure a duplicate of himself into a soft flexible form and try it. He swallowed in nervousness and then conjured a thick soft blanket on the ground.

With daring, he stripped totally naked and lay on the thick down comforter he'd made. It was soft and warm. Harry felt of his own cock and noted it's size and almost winced that something that size would hurt. But he'd never know if he didn't try. He wandlessly conjured lubricant and slid his finger down the crevice of his bum and began to circle his tight opening. He was eager and slid his finger into his body noting he was just a bit sore from the night before. He wandlessly removed any soreness and continued with pleasuring his body with his fingers until he had three inside of him easily. He was so close to coming that he slowed down a bit and let his fingers stay inside him for a bit. He conjured a penis duplicate of his own cock and held it. Harry looked it over closely and dared to suck it for a few moments before coating it with lubricant.

"Oh my god I am not believing I'm doing this," Harry said. "I have seriously lost my mind. What the hell is wrong with me?" Harry asked himself but his body beckoned. At first he used his fingers again and then rubbed just the head of the 'thing' he called it over his opening before trying his best to push it inside. "There is no way to get that in there."

With determination, he started over and with fingers had added a fourth finger slowly. After a long while and trying not to come while he was fingering himself, he had all four inside. With a deep breath and determined to feel this, Harry pushed the penile projection into him just a bit and winced at the slight burn at first. He allowed his body to adjust a moment before pushing in a bit farther. It didn't hurt much and he pushed half way inside and gasped with a whimper. He left it inside him stilled just to feel the stretched and filled feeling. His skin felt hot all over and his cock was throbbing mercilessly. He drew out the cock and then pushed it back in halfway several times. His eyes were closed and his mind was totally blank at feeling himself being fucked by an actual sized cock replica.

"Oh my god yes...oh god yes...oh god..." It was the most amazing feeling. After a bit longer he moved the cock further into his body and after several more strokes felt daring enough to push it all the way up into himself a y a yelp but a searing feeling of overwhelming fullness. He left it there for a moment before pulling it back and pushing all the way inside again and again and again...

"Oh god...Draco..." Harry didn't even try to stop his fantasy of having and being taken by his pureblood fantasy lover. Harry's mind was full of images of Draco taking him. That beautiful pureblood skin and tight body, lightly muscled from Quidditch, those hands all over him,se ese eyes watching Harry writhe underneath him. Harry's breathing was heavy as his fantasy continued on and on. He was being taken, touched, kissed, loved... Harry worked the cock into himself over and over. "Draco...oh god, Draco yes....fuck me, Draco..."

At hearing his lover's name over and over and the erotic sensations pounding his brain and body, Harry couldn't take anymore and with leaning over a bit more to reach his cock with the other hand, he stroked his cock as he was being fucked. The fantasy continued for several more moments and the fucking into himself became harder and as deep as possible making him whimper with need of mercy from his flesh. His hand went faster and the huge crash of an overpowering orgasm hit and Harry gasped with a yelp and almost a sob at the best thing he'd ever felt in his life. His anal muscles tightened as he came over and over gripping the fake cock tightly into him. When his body had given up all it would, Harry stilled and dared to move the fake but it was tight and hurt just a bit. He relaxed and pulled it from himself noting the crud on it.

"Oh gross," Harry said and was immediately embarrassed. He threw it and vanished it quickly before he fell back onto the thick blanket. "Oh my god I don't believe I did that. I'm sick. I'm perverted and mentally ill. What am I doing?" Harry lay with that thought for a few moments. "It's my body and I wanted to know what it felt like. I'm curious and there is nothing wrong with experimenting with myself. It's my body after all. I can do what I want with it. Right?" Harry talked himself into feeling a bit better but would never in his lifetime tell anyone this secret. He grinned to himself a bit in a sated way and relished the feel of having had such a great orgasm. It was just as good as the one the night before with Mark blowing him off and using fingers. But with Mark he'd been touched by another real person and that was all the difference.

After lying on the thick comforter for a while longer, Harry sat up and winced at his sore bottom before giving himself a healing spell to remove the soreness. He dressed and stood in the fog again. He looked at the blanket. Did he consciously conjure a black and green Alberina goose down crushed velvet duvet? Harry shook his head in wonder of why it was never Mark he imagined as his fantasy lover. The thought was nagging and almost too weird to think about, but it was his secret at who he always imagined in such a way when he was alone so no one would ever know. With a long look at the duvet he'd conjured and didn't even realize it, he snapped his fingers to vanish it. There were no tell tale signs of his self satisfied act.

"I can't believe I just did that," Harry shook his head in disbelief at his own daring as of late. "I'm one sick individual. I honestly think I have a problem with sex. Maybe I need to...have counseling or something." The thought was too embarrassing to ever share with anyone and Harry cringed at the thought of telling what he'd just done to anyone on the planet. "Or maybe not. I'm a teenager. I'm supposed to wonder and...experiment." But with a conjured fake dick in the middle of the fog at almost six in the morning on a black and green Alberina goose down crushed velvet duvet...? His mind screamed. Harry scolded himself for being such a slut even with himself and then he started jogging again in the direction of the Burrow.

He came indoors and hung up Ron's jacket. After washing his hands in the sink, Harry took the sausages and cooked them in the skillet until they were done while he mixed up eggs a bit of milk, shredded some cheese and threw together flour, butter, salt, curded milk and a dash of sugar for a crust. The two pans were lined with the dough, the sausages, the eggs and then sprinkled with cheese before being put into the oven to bake. Breakfast casserole was always one of Dudley's favorites and Harry had made it countless times in Surrey years ago. Harry diced some apples, peaches and strawberries into a bowl and added sugar and a squeeze of a lemon into it. He covered the fruit and put it on the table. The two breakfast casseroles were baking so Harry went up to his room where Ron and Michael were both snoring. Harry took his nicest crisp white slacks and the matching white with teal design shirt along with his toiletries to the bathroom to shower and dress. When he'd finished he came back and put on his socks and new white sneakers. He slipped downstairs and checked on the casseroles before sitting at the table.

Molly wouldn't be back until that afternoon, so Harry would have to prepare lunch also. No, he didn't. The others were perfectly capable of feeing themselves, Harrguergued to himself. But Harry knew Ron's version of cooking was grabbing anything and swaffing it down his gullet like a madman. And Michael was a guest. But so am I, so why should I do all the cooking? Harry sighed and looked over the kitchen and slowly ventured over to have a look in the cold box which was a wizarding refrigerator. There was only one slice of the chicken pies left and Harry had no doubt that Ron would eat that later. There was a bit of leftover cheese but not enough for them all grilled cheese sandwiches. There was a covered bowl and Harry smiled. It was the leftover beef slices and enough to make plenty of sandwiches. He left the bowl and then peeled potatoes which he sliced and left in a bowl of water to soak for later. He'd have the beef sandwiches with fried potatoes. He'd also make enough for Arthur, Molly and Albus.

"Morning," Ginny yawned in her gown and slippers.

"Good morning," Harry smiled drying his hands on the towel and putting it up.

"What smells so good? That casserole?" Ginny asked as she sat at the table sleepily.

"Yes. Sausages, eggs, cheese and bread crust," Harry talked as he was making her a cup of coffee with cream and sugar. He brought it to her and Ginny smiled.

"You are so good, Harry," Ginny said sweet taking her teacup. "You know I love you, don't know?"

"I know you love me when I'm serving you coffee in the morning," Harry smiled brightly. Ginny sipped her hot coffee and put the cup on the saucer still looking into it's creamy depths.

"No. I really do love you," Ginny said looking to him. "I was so in love with you for years and so hurt that you never noticed me at all." Harry put his hand on hers.

"I love you, Ginny, but like a very close sister," Harry said kindly. "There is no love stronger than that of family. I would have hated to have loved you like...well, that other way anyway. It would ruin what we have now because what you and I have is very special to me. We've shared a lot of not so good stuff before." Ginny nodded and held his hand with both of hers.

"I am genuinely happy that you have found someone," Ginny said honestly. "I really am. And if it's a guy then so be it. It makes no difference when you think about it. Two people who love each other are just that. I can't see where anyone would have a problem with two people loving even though they were the same gender." Ginny shrugged.

"But some do. Like Lanny and his thugs," Harry said. "I know better than anyone that there will always be those who don't like me for who I am or what I choose, so it doesn't bother me that much knowing that I'll have to face that. I don't particularly want to be ridiculed, but as long as some people are closed minded, then there will always be the pettiness of name calling and insults. It's their loss."

"You're right," Ginny said. "It is their loss that they'll never know how special you are."

"I'm not special at all," Harry said. "I'm just Harry." Harry shrugged in that way and Ginny looked over his innocent eyes and pleasing smile. She shook her head slightly.

"You will never know," Ginny said. "You just can't know what it's like, Harry."

"What what is like?" Harry asked as he stood and went to check the casserole again. Harry poured a bit of the hot water into his cup with the teabag and sugar in it. The bright sunlight through the window was making Harry who was dressed in the bright white practically glow. The morning sun spilling through the window was a halo around him making the edges of his silhouette fuzzy for the brightness as he stirred with the spoon. His firm stance but gentleness were his endearing way. He turned to Ginny with that radiant smile he possessed and never knew it. "What what is like, Ginny?" Harry tilted his head and Ginny was mesmerized by his vision.

"You are like an angel," Ginny said softly caught in his trance. "You glow all over with the sun on you like that. You're beautiful standing there. It takes my breath."

"Oh stop it," Harry said bringing his cup to the table and sitting with her. "The casserole is almost done. Ten minutes maybe." Harry stirred his hot tea and sipped it as Ginny watched him still. "Stop staring at me." Harry smiled with a laugh. "You're making me feel weird."

"I'm sorry," Ginny said. "It's just that sometimes you're...it's like you're too much to take. So good and perfect and I can't stand it."

"I'm not perfect. I'm far from it," Harry said.

"No," Ginny whispered. "You are. You're everything, Harry. Just everything."

"Ginny, geal,"al," Harry said seriously. "Look at me. Really look at me. I'm just one seventeen year old wizard. That's all. I'm just a nobody. I'm not everything. I'm not special in any way other than having been cursed as a baby. That's it."

"You don't even see it," Ginny said sadly looking at him oddly. "You never have. Harry, you will never know what we see when we look at you." Ginny put her hand on his cheek and held it for a moment before her hand slipped down his face. He ca her her hand and kissed it before putting their held hands on the table.

"Don't see what isn't there," Harry said softly pleading. "I'm not that Harry Potter person that wizards want to glorify. They've hyped up a version of a name that no one could possibly live up to. Some super hero image that can do no wrong. That image is my enemy and I fight to get away from that and just be me. Just me. Can't you see that?" Ginny shook her head slowly.

"No. Because what I see is both combined," Ginny said. "I can't see two parts of you. I only see one you." Harry sat with her and sighed sadly and looked down to their hands. Hermione and Michael came down the stairs just then to see Harry in all white holding Ginny's hand as she stared at him.

"What's going on?" Michael smiled as he sat at the bench in pajamas. Harry let Ginny's hand go and went to check on the casserole without a word. He took out both casseroles and placed them on the table on trivets. They were each given coffee or tea at their request with water from the boiling kettle from the stovetop. Each was sipping their beverages and Harry was getting the thickened sweet cream for their cut fruit when Ron came down in pajama bottoms only with hair standing up everywhere. He had stubble and looked a wreck.

"You look awful," Harry said.

"Well you look....," Ron looked in defense and then sighed with an eye roll. "You look great as always. I hate you." Harry served Ron coffee. "You're such a good guest around here. You're always serving me. I like it."

"Harry, you don't have to serve us," Hermione said. Harry shrugged.

"I live but to serve wizard kind," Harry said sarcastically sitting down and serving himself a slice of the casserole.

"Is that what you really think?" Michael said taking his own food on to his plate.

"Yes," Harry said simply adding sweetened cream to his fresh fruit and putting the napkin in his lap. "Isn't it true?"

"No," Ron said. "It's not true at all." Harry stood quickly and went to the door to open it. In a few moments Albus appeared and nodded to Harry who let him in and closed the door.

"That is just weird that you know when he arrives," Ginny said.

"How cool," Michael said.

"Good morning. Can I serve you some breakfast?" Harry asked.

"How loveYes,Yes, I'll join you," Albus said. Harry gave Albus his seat at the head of the table and Ginny and Michael slid down to make room for Harry next to Albus.

"I can sit down there," Harry said.

"But you always sit by Albus," Ginny said.

"Well, I...I don't have to," Harry said. "We're not Siamese twins. We can function separately on occasion." Albus chuckled and Harry went to give him a plate. Harry poured him coffee and handed him small creamer before sitting in his given seat beside the man. "We can function apart, right?" Harry teased.

"I'm not sure," Albus said. "Let's not risk it." Harry nodded to the teasing. "This is wonderful, Hermione."

"You know I didn't cook this, sir," Hermione said. Albus grinned to her and then turned to Harry and noticed the mark on him as he ate.

"Good heavens," Albus said. "I can't take you out with that on you. You'll have to remove that."

"What?" Harry asked in confusion. Albus craned his neck and looked at the spot. Harry put his fingers on it and grinned.

"No. I'm not taking this off," Harry said. "If you want me to go with you today it goes with me."

"It's vulgar," Albus said.

"It's endearing," Harry said.

"It's inappropriate," Albus said.

"It's staying," Harry said kindly begging giving the man a look. "I've never had one. I'd like to keep it. It will be gone by the first day of term anyway. Please?" Harry's lightly pleading look was too much and Albus sighed as he began to eat. Harry gave the triumphant grin to Ron before he ate a large bite of his fruit.

"You are such a smooth talking snake, did you know that?" Ron asked.

"No, I'm not," Harry said.

"How was the movie?" Albus asked Harry who grinned and pointed to his neck.

"It was the best movie I never saw," Harry said. The other students snickered as Harry's cheeks grew pink and he grinned. "I did see some of it. Just don't ask me the name of the movie or the plot or any of the characters or what was going on in any way because I couldn't tell you."

"You did watch some of it. I was right beside you and I saw you watching it," Hermione sa
"
"I didn't hear a single word of it," Harry said. "My mind was somewhere else."

"I bet I can guess where," Ron said. Harry gave Ron the look. "Since you're confessing why not tell about Lanny?" Harry cleared his throat.

"There was a slight altercation on the way to dinner after we'd left the theatre, sir," Harry said.

"How slight?" Albus asked in dread. Harry started to speak but was interrupted.

"There was three big morons who kept calling and Mark and Harry queers and fags," Michael said. "Harry beat the crap of them." Albus and Harry were looking to each other.

"Was that necessary?" Albus asked. Harry opened his mouth to speak again.

"These guys were awful, sir," Hermione said. "They were threatening Mark personally and we knew that if we walked away that they'd follow. They were looking for a fight."

"And they found one," Ron said eating. "The leader, Lanny, was a serious homophobe and wanted to break Harry. It was entertaining."

"What did you do exactly?" Albus asked Harry who opened his mouth to speak but was cut off.

"He broke all three of their noses, gave several of them black eyes, hurt one's arm pretty bad and broke Lanny's finger in two," Ginny said. Albus looked to Harry who shrugged a bit.

"Did you do all that?" Albus asked Harry. Harry never bothered to answer this time.

"Yeah, he did," Ron said. "It was great. They couldn't believe that someone Harry's size had beat up the three of them. All three of them were even bigger than me." Harry hadn't been able to answer a single question yet from Albus.

"I had scanned their minds and they were looking to harm. They had true intent to cause damage," Harry said. "I did ask them three times with three chances to go away before Lanny tried to punch me first. After that, I took the three down and made them apologize. Then we went to eat." Harry nodded and sipped his tea.

"I see," Albus said. "Were there any permanent injuries?"

"No," Harry said. "I didn't use any moves to cause any permanent damage. I wouldn't do that with simple defenses and such lackey opponents. They didn't have any fighting skills at all. Too easy, really."

"It was three against you," Ginny said. "That was easy?"

"I didn't even break a sweat," Harry said. "It's auror training. I took on seven at once and won in physical combat. I did try nine at once one time." Albus chuckled.

"Yes, you did," Albus grinned. "Harry was attempting to fight without magic at all, but when he was in need of it, he used it. Quite effectively, I may add. Even though it was without his knowledge." Harry laughed softly to himself.

"Without your knowledge? You cast spells and didn't know it?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Harry said. "I was on the ground with major damage which I asked for like an idiot, by the way, and I was so angry that I was losing, I sort of...popped."

"Popped?" Ron asked. "You popped? What does that mean?"

"It's a defense mechanism that some wizards can exhibit when feeling threatened," Albus said. "It's automatic and uncontrollable almost. When a wizard feels his life is in danger, a surge of magic can sometimes burst from him causing damage to his captors or those threatening him. It's somewhat common in situations of extreme distress."

"You felt your life was in danger in a simulation?" Ginny asked.

"No. Not at all," Harry said. "It just happened. I couldn't control it. But I nailed them. It was like a wind that rushed past me and knocked them all back about six feet."

"It was impressive," Albus said. "I was there to witness it."

"What day are we going to London to get my college supplies for this year?" Harry asked excitedly at just remembering it.

"And the reason you're asking me this has absolutely nothing to do with Mark does it?" Albus teased with a grin. Harry laughed softly with a mouthful before nodding. "How did I guess that? I must be wise. Do you think?"

"You and I were invited by Mark to his house for dinner any Saturday evening for a nice meal and to meet his family," Harry said chewing his fruit. "His mother, Carmen, is vnicenice. I spoke with her on the phone for a long time and Mark can't wait to meet you for some reason. I was asking about London because I'd like to have your permission to get my own cell phone."

"A telephone?" Albus asked.

"A cell phone," Harry said. "You know what that is."

"A portable telephone," Albus said. Harry nodded. "How will you power it? We have no electricity at Hogwarts." Harry sat with a scowl.

"I don't know," Harry said. "I just hate the wizarding world. It's just not right. No electricity, no television, no phones, no microwaves...why do we live like primitives? It's an insult to our intelligence and abilities. Magic cannot do everything. I need electricity to plug up a cell phone to recharge the battery and there isn't any way to do that. Mark can't call me and he can't use an owl and I can't call him or even write him a letter because we don't have postal mail. It's insane." Harry stabbed his food and ate it with a scowl. "It's just not fair. I need some way to contact the real world."

"This is the real world," Ginny said. "This is the world. The muggle world is the weird one."

"You have got to be kidding me," Harry said. "Wizards are strange, Ginny. Furniture here can bite you if you're not nice to it. Quidditch, even though I love it, is extremely stupid. Crazed teenagers on brooms that go over a hundred miles per hour a hundred feet off the ground sending bludgers toward eacher? er? Does that sound like something well thought out to you? And what is it with wizards and robes? Why? Robes are stupid. Why not wear just pants and a shirt? I will never understand it. In muggle society everyone operates independently and are successful due to their educational pursuits and their own drive. With wizards most everything is based much more on family name and generations of silly tradition that means nothing."

"I have had those same thoughts, Harry, but it's culture," Hermione said. "Wizards are immersed in their culture and it's their way of doing things. It's no less than muggles, it's just different."

"Well, I don't like it," Harry said. "Personally, I would prefer to live as muggle."

"Would you do so even without magical ability?" Albus asked.

"I prepared your breakfast without magic," Harry said. "I can do anything without magic because I was raised without it. In my opinion many wizards use magic because they're lazy or don't want to learn another way. Magic is a crutch sometimes. I'm not saying that magic isn't useful, because it is. For example, with Molly's injury I was able to assist and alleviate some of her pain. That's a good thing. But simply using magic for everything isn't good."

"You are so outspoken today," Albus said. "Why is that do you think?"

"Because I'm frustrated," Harry said.havehave enjoyed being in London recently and I miss living as a muggle. I miss having sodas and rock music. And more to the point, I'm normal in a muggle world and here I'm not. The more I'm in London, the less I like being in the wizarding world now. I can't help it."

"I'm sure the fact that Mark is a muggle and lives in London has nothing to do with it," Ron said sarcastically. "You neveid tid these things before he came along."

"No, I never said them, but I thought them," Harry said. "How could I not want to get away, Ron? It's a nightmare here for me. What about the festival? I just went to have a nice day and ended up having an official public appearance."

"It was in the Daily Prophet that you won the pole climbing and that you were there," Albus said. "I just thought I'd mention that."

"See? I can't do anything without having some type of that crap happen," Harry said. "It's been going on for six years and I'm just sick of it. I'm sick of hearing Voldemort's name every day, too. I can't live the rest of my life like this. It's frustrating for me and I'm ready to move on and get away from it."

"But Harry, you don't understand how important you are," Ginny said. "I know you hate to hear it, okay? But what you did was save us all. You did it. Thank you, by the way. But with wizards we like to have you here. It's part of our history, our culture and the way things have been for years."

"She's right," Michael said. "I wouldn't want you to go live with muggles. But if that's what you want, then I have no choice. But in a way I feel shameful that our kind have treated you so badly that you feel you have to leave."

"If there was something to be done that would make you want to stay, what would it be, Harry?" Hermione asked in some philosophical way. "What could wizards do to make you stay and be happy?" Harry picked at the last few pieces of fruit on his plate as he ate them in silence for a minute.

"I don't know," Harry said softly. "They could start by leaving me alone. Don't badger me when I simply want to walk down the street and shop in Diagon Alley. They could not write in the Daily Prophet every single thing I do like it's something wonderful or something horrible. They could never mention Voldemort's name ever again and they could see me for a person and not that BWL crap."

"BWL?" Michael asked.

"Boy who lived," Ron said softly with grin. "He won't let us say those words in his presence." Michael nodded and bit his lip to hold in a grin like everyone else was exhibiting.

"I see," Michael teased. "I'll keep that in mind." Harry snorted his irritation.

"Just shut up," Harry said softly in grief. "It's not that I don't want to be with wizards. I would love to. I really would. But I can't. And if I have to choose to either remain here with magic and be miserable, or give up magic and live normally as a muggle and be happy, then I will go. And I think those are the only two options for me."

"I think you made that choice long ago, Harry," Albus said. "You never applied to any wizarding colleges or universities. You only chose to apply to muggle universities."

"But at Oxford I'll have wizarding classes, too," Harry said. "There are nine wizard professors there who teach college level wizard courses that I'll take. Maybe. I haven't decided that for sure yet because those are third year level courses." The breakfast was finished and the others went to put on their clothing for the day. Albus and Harry were the only ones in the kitchen at the table.

"I know you are frustrated with the wizarding world. I knew you would be," Albus said. "And I find no fault with your feelings about the way you have been harassed for years. I've told you before that Harry Potter is a name associated with the goodness of our people. The name itself is one of the commoner who was chosen as a fighter to bring about peace."

"I cannot ever live up to that name," Harry said. "There are too many expectations of me as being some type of deity almost. I'm not that and I will never be that nor do I want to. I'm just me and that's all."

"No one has ever asked you to be something else or someone you're not," Albus said. "You don't realize that you are your name. You are every bit as much as what others believe you to be even though you can't see it, Harry."

"No. No, I'm not what they see," Harry said. "Albus, I'm miserable here. I want to go back. After this year, I want to go...I want to go home. I've never felt like I belonged here. I've lived a six year nightmare. I'm ready to wake up to a life of my own where I can determine for myself if I want to pursue fame and success as a lawyer or just have some menial job, a broken refrigerator and a fish tank in some tiny apartment where no one knows me or cares."

"I hate to lose you, Harry," Albus said. "I know that you are aware that I want you to take my place and remain among wizards. You have many rare magical gifts and the patience, empathy and demeanor of a great leader. And I say this not because of your name, but of the person you've become. It would be a great loss to our world if you left. But that is, as it always has been, ultimately your choice. Please don't rush into any hasty decisions."

"Hasty decisions? I've been wanting out of this continuous cycle of repeated misery since I arrived in the wizarding world," Harry said and then stilled for a sigh and looked down to his hands on the table. "I don't want to disappoint you, Albus. But I just don't know if I could be as content in the wizarding world as I could in muggle society. My plans are to go to Oxford and then come to Hogwarts with you for the summers. As of now, that is my plan and anything further after attending the university will wait."

"While you are at Oxford there will still be Wizarding Consortium gatherings, other functions for leaders and those in leadership apprenticeship as you are," Albus hinted.

"I will attend those functions at your side as I always have," Harry said. "And I will continue and complete my apprenticeship with you as that is my responsibility."

"Possibly while you are at the university the fad of your fame will diminish somewhat among wizards and you'll not be as harassed when you return for the summers," Albus encouraged and they shared a silence in the morning sitting in the Weasley kitchen. Albus became serious. "Harry, there will always be one seeking power with the assistance of the dark. You know that. And you have experience in knowing how evil functions and how the darkness uses others in trying to control those fighting for the good and the side of light. You and I are the same. Chosen to do a work which we have both done and fared pleasingly. I know you are young and want to be just a normal teen and that's fine. In fact I encourage you to do so. I had the luxury of time and maturity before I was apprenticed because my own mentor was much younger than I am when I came to be his apprentice. I want you to live your life as you wish, but I am also worried that you won't return to the wizarding world and I will have no replacement to serve as leader of the side of light. I don't want to pressure you further and I'm very grieved that I have done so, but I am old. Very old. I don't have time to train another with all that I've trained you. You must promise me that if you do decide to leave the wizarding world that you train and apprentice someone to take your place if I'm unable to do so."

The words were truth, but it stung Harry inside to think that Albus would replace him with another apprentice. But that's what Harry wanted, right? To live with muggles? Harry knew that the light would always need a leader and he was the choice not only of Albus, but of the light having his special abilities. It would be his responsibility and his duty to teach to his own replacement what he'd been taught. Harry nodded silently and Albus put his hand on Harry's comfortingly.

"Harry, of course you are my choice," Albus said. "You have always been and it's obvious to everyone. You are a leader. You were born a leader. But your life and your future are your own. I would never force you to do anything that would make you unhappy. But you know from being my apprentice for years that the sof lof light requires a wizard with strength abi abilities. There are no others of our kind like us. I knew you had the gift when you were a child."

"I didn't understand it," Harry said. "I do now, but I didn't know why I could see and do things like that. I've never told anyone. Not even Ron and Hermione."

"I would prefer that you did not tell them about the gift and all of your capabilities," Albus said. "All of these reasons are why you have been chosen as the next to lead. If you decided to decline the role of leadership, I will have to find another to take to apprentice. There are no other children or adults with the gift at this time besides you and I, so I would have to train a normal wizard and I'm not sure I have that kind of time because of my age. But it's my responsibility to make sure the next has been trained fully. That's why I asked you to promise me that if I were to die before the next could be trained and if you refuse to lead, if you would do that for me. You have almost completed your apprenticeship with me and for that I'm very grateful. You have done excellently and have bypassed even my expectations of you which were quite extreme." Albus sighed and patted Harry's hand. "I will support you in any decision you make regarding your life if it's a positive one and will satisfy you. I know this is a tremendous amount of responsibility at one your age and I'm sorry but I have to make sure these things are taken care of."

"I understand, sir," Harry said. "I will do as you ask as always. I give you my word as a wizard that if I choose to decline the role of leadership, that I will train the one you choose....to replace me." The words were a knife in Harry's gut and it felt wrong and Harry knew it.

"I felt it, too," Albus said of the gnawing feeling of knowing it was wrong to have another instead of the first chosen. "I can't promise you that I'll live another twenty years but you have some time before I die, I hope."

"Don't say that," Harry winced. "I can't bear to think it. It makes me physically sick when I think of you....not...being here." Harry swallowed back the gripping dread of it.

"You know I'll never be fully gone," Albus said. Harry nodded. "My portrait will hang in the Headmaster's office like the others to assist the next chosen."

"...yeah, but he knows that," Michael said. "And it would be over then." The four came back down the stairs and stopped when Albus and Harry both turned at the same time to look at them all.

"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to interrupt," Hermione said.

"No, that's alright," Albus said with a grin. Harry was looking as serious as he ever did.

"I'm not ready to do that, Ginny," Harry said pointedly looking almost through her. Ginny shrugged and Harry sighed.

"You knew what we were talking about?" Michael asked. Harry turned from them and put his head down slowly on his arms which were folded at the table. The pose was one of stress, indecision and almost misery. Albus patted Harry's head.

"Sometimes it's difficult to know too much, Harry," Albus said kindly. The others came slowly almost timidly to the table and sat.

"We were just talking, Harry," Hermione said. "We only want to try and find an answer for you."

"We were discussing that if everything were out in the open with Harry's sexuality and his preferences that it would most likely be in the Daily Prophet," Ginny told Albus who already knew but let her continue. "But after that then nobody would care. Same gender relationships are common with wizards anyway and it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe then the press would leave Harry alone and he'd be happier here. He could be free to date a wizard and even...I don't know. Stay here. Stay with us." Ginny was almost desperate to find a way to make Harry happy.

"I was considering buying you a fuel powered generator, Harry, so you could have electricity here," Hermione teased and Harry actually gave one tiny silent laugh. "I'd even buy you a microwave of your very own." Hermione grinned.

"Thanks," Harry said in sarcasm with his head still down. He raised his head and looked to Ron and Hermione closely.

"When you two marry, and I know you've discussed it already and it's no shock so don't deny it. What did you decide about where you'll remain, Hermione? Muggle convenience or wizarding world? Where do you want to stay, Ron? Home in the comfort of magic or in a muggle society where you'll only have use of your wand in your own home?" Harry asked them seriously. The two looked to each other.

"We haven't decided that," Ron said. Ginny grinned.

"You liar. I asked you if you and Hermione had talked about marriage and you said no," Ginny said.

"Ginny, please," Harry said. "I knew the minute they met on the train at school that this wamingming one day. It's been agony on me trying not to say anything for six years. Thank god it's finally come to pass so I can relax about not saying anything about it. But I don't know where they'll end up. I can't see that in my mind yet and I wonder."

"So do I," Albus said. "I can't sense it either. And you know what that means." Harry nodded to him.

"What does it mean?" Michael asked. "What does what mean?" Michael was confused.

"When I can't see it or sense what will happen it means that something else is going to happen first to make them choose," Harry said. "There will be a series of events unknown to me which will influence their decisions and I can't determine what yet but it will most likely involve me because I can't sense it." Albus nodded.

"Or me," Albus said. "I can't sense anything regarding them either so it will involve one of us." Harry nodded to the man.

"You two are like...," Ginny shrugged. "The same or something. You know stuff and...its weird. Harry are you going to end up eating too much candy and have a long white beard?" She teased. Harry grinned in embarrassment.

"A beard? I don't even have to shave but once a week," Harry complained. "Ron shaves every day. It makes me feel like a child." Ron laughed as he picked at the cookies on a tray on the table.

"You don't have chest hair either," Ron taunted.

"I hate you," Harry said to Ron as the others snickered.

"As it comes to mind, I don't believe your father had any either," Albus said to Harry. "But I do." Ron and Michael laughed hard and Harry scowled.

"Well that's just great," Harry said. "Thanks for that."

"You're most welcome," Albus teased. "But it's maturity and the reflection of the way he lives which makes a man. The physical self of the body is only functioning through the course of the battering of time and circumstances which age it. The mind is the true self."

"One could shat hat the mind also functions through that weathering of time and it ages as well," Harry said. "I believe that through those challenges which life hurls the mind also grows, expands and develops. How could there be the gain of wisdom but through an aged mind? Although the mind is matured, it can still become more mature with the addition of wisdom from experience." Albus sat in thought.

"Interesting," Albus said. "But wisdom can be achieved at any age. Think on children who learn from their experiences. They have gained wisdom on their own but their minds are young."

"But the accumulation of a host of various experiences is required for true wisdom," Harry explained. "Wisdom is the wealth of the wise and a great irony. For to obtain wisdom one must have experience and when wisdom is gained from those experiences it tells that those experiences shouldn't have occurred to begin with. Isn't that odd?" Harry grinned.

"You're confusing me," Ron said. "Stop doing that."

"But it's so easy," Hermione said to Ron and she giggled. "I'm teasing you, Ron."

"Are you staying with us today, Headmaster?" Michael asked.

"Harry and I are going to Lachney in the early afternoon," Albus said. "And I have thought of something which I need to concentrate on for awhile." Harry scowled.

"I know it involves me because you're keeping it from me in your mind," Harry said looking at him intently. "Good blocking."

"I know you can break that mind block I have, but I am asking you to not do that," Albus said. "I'm not mind fighting you today. I'm not up to it and I'm no challenge for you anymore. I simply ask that you leave the thought alone, please." Harry scowled with a grin.

"But I want to know it," Harry said. "I see the though but it's shielded through your blocking. It's almost irresistible not to take it from you." Harry grinned widely.

"Please don't," Albus said. Hanoddnodded and then withdrew himself from Albus' mind. "You didn't have to leave."

"I couldn't take the pressure," Harry said. "If I stay I your mind like that I get too involved in your thoughts and it's difficult for me to let go after awhile. And I would have broken your blocking if I hadn't withdrawn." Albus nodded. "But you are not to break that block I have either."

"I don't think I could break that anyway," Albus said. "Your mental conditioning is much better than my own. You're stronger than I am in that respect. But that's understandable since you've been blocking from such a young age." Harry nodded. "What is encased in those blocks?" Harry grinned and his cheeks flushed.

"I'm not saying a single word," Harry said. "I have some things that I will never, ever as long as I live speak to a solitary soul. I'm sure everyone has secrets."

"But this block is a personal block," Albus scowled still in Harry's mind. "It doesn't involve anyone but you. This is a secret of yourself that no one knows." Harry nodded.

"Yes," Harry said.

"Not even me?" Albus asked.

"Not even you," Harry said. The two were staring at each other speaking mentally. "No, I won't do that."

"I'd like to know," Albus said.

"No," Harry said as he moved to stand and take his and Albus' finished cups to the sink. "And get out of my head. That's none of your business."

"You didn't have it blocked, so I was assuming that I....," Albus stopped and Harry stood upright with a jerk. "You did not do that."

"I told you to get out of my head. That's personal," Harry said turning to him.

"You didn't have that blocked. And I can't believe you did that, Harry Potter," Albus said.

"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I had planned to tell you but I forgot when you were telling me about my apprenticeship."

"Apprenticeship?" Michael asked.

"You could be prosecuted for that," Albus said. "And with your signature on it?"

"The portkey," Harry told the others. "Arthur forgot to leave us the portkey. We discussed it among ourselves and decided that Arthur, as a Ministry official, could work it out if it were traced. And with the situation with Molly being injured we didn't want to bother him with such pettiness. And you'd just left and you couldn't have gotten Ministry permission for a portkey by the time we needed to leave. I took the chance, I made the portkey and we went. I stand by my decision to have made it, sir." Albus scowled a bit.

"If it were traced you'd have known by now," Albus said. "You were lucky this time. But no more illegal portkeys, please." Harry nodded. "I knew one day I'd regret teaching you to do that." Harry grinned as he ran water in the sink and began to wash the dishes.

"Of course you did," Harry said. "I'm a rebellious hellion. Genetically pre-disposed didn't you say?" The students snickered.

"Harry, let me wash those," Ginny said. "You did the cooking. And...what's that? Potatoes? Did you do that?" Harry nodded.

"I was planning to make beef sandwiches and fried potatoes for lunch," Harry said.

"You don't have to cook. I can cook for us," Ron said. All the students looked to him and grimaced. "Just shut up. I can cook okay."

"Ron I wouldn't touch anything you cooked with a ten foot pole," Ginny said rinsing the dishes as Harry washed them.

"You can't cook either," Ron said. "I've eat stuff you've made and it's awful. That egg salad? Whatever you did to those eggs should be illegal." Harry and the others laughed and Ginny grinned as she dried the plates and was putting them away.

"I like pickles with eggs," Ginny said.

"I like that also," Albus said.

"Weridos," Ron said. "Pickles and eggs don't go together all. It's unholy or something."

"Dudley liked tuna and peanut butter sandwiches," Harry said as he washed the glass and everyone groaned at the oddity. "I know he's a nut."

"He's your family," Hermione said and they snickered again.

"More of that genetic defect you have," Ginny said to Harry who dried his hands and cut a slice of the yellow cake and took it to Albus with a fork.

"There. Leave me alone," Harry teased as he went back to the sink and suds. Albus took the fork and began to eat the buttery cake with peach icing. "I shouldn't have bought you all those sweets. I'm an idiot. I tht yot you had control."

"I do have control," Albus said. "I just like sweets."

"You're going to gain weight and end up with some diabetic insulin problem if you don't watch it. I'm going to start limiting your amount of sugar," Harry said handing Ginny the soapy dishes and her rinsing them.

"You can't tell him that," Michael saide's e's a grown man and the Headmaster. He'll do what he wants."

"I can do it," Harry said. "I can tell Dobby to not serve him cookies and pie in the middle of tightight and the houselves would do what I say. I can also tell Marvin at Honeydukes not to send Albus packages of candy at his request without checking with me first. I do hold just a bit of authority and I'm not above using it in keeping Albus healthy."

"You are so mean to me," Albus said. "I could threaten to not allow you to go to London anymore, but I'm sort of afraid of you."

"You are not," Harry laughed. "But if you don't let me go to London, you know I'd go anyway and get in trouble for it. Some things are just worth the risk."

"So Mark is worth detention for a week?" Hermione asked in teasing. Harry washed the next plate and was silent for a few moments. "Is he?"

"I didn't say that at all," Harry said. "I didn't even mention his name."

"We all know why you want to go to London," Ron said. "It's written all over your neck." The students laughed and Harry grinned.

"Maybe it's more about myself than about Mark," Harry said. "Did you consider that?"

"I think I can safely say that you going to London has nothing to do with movies," Michael said.

"Maybe Harry misses Lanny," Ginny teased. Harry laughed a bit.

"Yeah. That's it," Harry said.

"Your terms of endearment to him were very flattering," Hermione said. "What was it you called him? A cheap piece of homophobic trash?" They laughed again.

"He deserved that after what he said," Harry said. "Whatever that was."

"You were taking up for Mark. How sweet," Ron mocked in that syrupy high voice.

"He also insulted me, Ginny and Hermione, Ron," Harry said. "He called me a skinny queer." Harry laughed. "I guess I am that, but that's beside the point."

"Does that insult you?" Hermione asked honestly. "If I called you a quwoulwould it insult you?"

"Not if you said it," Harry said. "Or any of you because you're my friends and I know you're teasing me. But if anyone else did and I knew that it was meant to be a derogatory comment based on my personal preferences or their opinions of gay relationships, then I may be offended. Does it insult you if I called you a mudblood?"

"No," Hermione said. "Not at all. You know I'd slap you silly if you meant it."

"I meant it," Harry teased.

"Liar," Hermione said. Harry dried his hands and came to the table and snatched Albus empty plate and the fork from his hand.

"You could have brought it to the sink," Harry said as he took the items and washed them. "You're lazy."

"I'm old," Albus said. "I can't run around like you can, Harry."

"It's five feet to the sink from where you're sitting," Harry said. "I should make you start running with me in the mornings to loosen you up a bit."

"I'd have a heat stroke," Albus said. "And I don't look good in short pants and sneakers anyway. My legs are wrinkled." They all laughed and Harry had to stop washing dishes to laugh for a moment before he began again.

"You're fine," Harry said. "Your middle is beginning to be poochy because you eat too many sweets. You're getting fat."

"I am not getting fat," Albus said. "Don't say that."

"You are," Harry said. "You need to diet."

"I eat healthy," Albus said in his defense. "I'm not a child, Harry. You're not my parent."

"I'm looking after your health," Harry said. "Someone has to do it."

"I am looking after my own health," Albus commented.

"You are not. You didn't even take your medication this morning," Harry said. "And don't deny it because I know it. I can tell if you don't take it. Your blood is thicker and I sense it very easily."

"I didn't take it this morning," Albus said. "But I will later.""You"You'd better," Harry said drying his hands on the towel as Ginny put up the last dish. Harry had cleaned the kitchen and had pulled the bowl of beef from the fridge as Michael and Ron were playing a game of checkers. Hermione was looking over her knitting which Molly was helping her with in trying to learn how to make a sweater. Ginny sat next to Michael and Albus pulled out his pipe from his robe and lit it. Harry turned and saw him. "See? And you're smoking. Good heavens, and you say you're looking after your health." Harry went to open the door and window. "You'll have it all smoky in here."

"You'll live," Albus said. "This is my only vice. I think I'm allowed. I'm an adult if you please."

"And as an adult you should be aware of the dangers of smoking," Harry said. "It dirties your lungs and makes your heart rate increase. I can't believe you." Harry insulted like a mother hen and went back to the kitchen.

"You are such a drag," Ron said of Harry. "Lighten up, Harry. Leave the man alone and let him enjoy his pipe."

"You sound like my mum, Harry," Michael said. "She's always getting onto my dad for smoking, too."

"You sound like an old woman," Ginny said to him.

"Fine. If you all want to be unhealthy and sick, then you can," Harry said. "But don't ask me for any healing spells when you get ill because I'm not giving you any."

"You would," Hermione said fumbling with the knitting needles and the strands of yarn. "I can't get this. I don't know which one is under and which is over."

"I can help you," Albus said as Hermione moved over next to him. "This one is the over yarn. See how this loops out ovhat hat one? Now you'll need to put this one through to make the completed loop." Hermione did as Albus said and it worked out. With a bit more of his guidance it was much easier.

"Thank you. I didn't know you knew how to knit," Albus said.

"My mother taught me when I was a lad," Albus said.

"He crochets," Harry said. "All the time in the summer he does it. I started calling him 'grandma' to tease him." Harry grinned. Harry was chopping up the beef into bits and putting it into a bowl.

"You crochet, too?" Hermione asked. Albus nodded.

"I like to crotchet," Albus said. "It appeals to my effeminate side. I also enjoy having a manicure and facials, cooking, sewing and poetry."

"Those aren't necessarily all feminine things," Hermione said.

"Very true," Albus said. "But in the stereotypical definition of masculinity those things would be considered effeminate to many." Hermione nodded. Harry turned to them.

"Am I effeminate?" Harry asked. "I'm gay so does that make me seem more effeminate?"

"Yeah, you are," Ron said. "Well, not rend waited outside as Harry and Hagrid said theirewelewells. Altair and Hagrid shook hands briefly after a short, formal dialogue, and Ginny wondered once again what Hagrid had done to earn his name…other that he was obviously as strong as twenty men.

But before Harry and Ginny got back to camp, Altair stopped them. “Virgin From Light, Harry Green Shield, Cetia wishes you to know something. She cannot say it to you personally, nor can she speak of it to others. Cetia says the panther rides at midnight. You won’t understand this for a while.”

Then as abruptly as he spoke, he stopped and began walking again. Harry and Ginny exchanged a glance leaving it unspoken that they would talk about it later.

Entering the clearing Ginny saw Cephiet and Odell talking. Cetia was tending to another Rowan silently, a small smile on her face. But as soon and Ginny stepped into the clearing, Cetia looked up, her sea-blue eyes twinkling.

“Virgin From Light, Harry Green Shield, welcome. Cephiet and Odell are happy you asked for our services Harry Green Shield. They would be grateful to fill in for Demetrios and Orion. Virgin From Light, take a walk with me, please.”

Ginny nodded and pecked Harry on the cheek before leaving him with the other two elves. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Harry and Cephiet shaking hands. Then Harry and Odell shook hands stiffly.

“They will be fine,” Cetia assured her.

“What did you want to talk about?” Ginny asked, looking at the forest.

“Harry Green Shield,” Cetia said calmly.

They walked in silence for a long time. Ginny noticed that this part of the forest was drastically different from other parts she’d seen. It was greener, more open and not so foreboding. It seemed the breeze was sweeter there, the sun a little brighter. Ginny wondered if it was the elves doing or Dumbledore’s.

“What about Harry?” Ginny asked once they were far out of ear shot.

Cetia stopped at a small stream and sat at the edge. Slightly confused, Ginny sat too. She supposed it was relaxing, the current of the river strangely steady despite the erratic echoings it produced twinkling on the shale.

“It’s peaceful,” Cetia said, straightening her pale dress around her feet. “Is it not? The water is so calm here. Not like ocean water, though I miss Ulannii greatly.”

“I guess,” Ginny said indifferently.

“My brother is the king of the ocean-elves, did you know? He did not want to leave Ulannii but he knew it was necessary. Sometimes we must do things we don’t want to do. I know –”

“What does this have to do with Harry?” Ginny asked abruptly.

Cetia fixed Ginny with a serious gaze. She didn’t look angry to Ginny, merely…upset. “Cephiet agrees, Harry needs intense training. Cephiet is the greatest warrior of our people, the greatest in history. He wishes to train Harry in the way he was trained. He would take Harry to Aphladendail, a secluded island of elves. The white-elves dwell there, the highest order of elf. My brothers and I are half white-elf, half sea-elf, that is why Cephiet is welcome on the island. The white-elves will train Harry if Cephiet asks them. But you would not be allowed to come.”

“Why tell me? Shouldn’t you tell Harry,” Ginny said.

“Cephiet – I, thought it would be wise if you convinced Harry to with us.”

Ginny nodded. “I see now. You think Harry will be unwilling to leave me because of his duty to protect me.”

Cetia closed her eyes. “We know he would not come. Cephiet and I think it is necessary thought, that he receives this training.”

Ginny reached forward and let her fingers skim the top of the cool stream. “He won’t like it. He’ll fight you the whole time. He’ll be stubborn and obstinate.”

“I know.”

“I could convince him though,” Ginny said thoughtfully. “He has less than three months. Will that be long enough?”

“Enough to help. I wish we had gotten here earlier, that we had realized it was so close.” Cetia stood. “Thank you, Virgin From Light.”

Ginny nodded and set back to the elfin camp with Cetia. on\'t know you,\" I added, suddenly realizing this might have been a bad idea. She looked at me calmly, my suspicious words hardly fazing her.

\"As I said, Tsukino-san, I have a job for you, if you\'d like it,\" the strange woman replied, tucking a wisp of hair behind an ear. I arched an eyebrow, silently asking for more detail. \"Your father, Tsukino Kenji, wasn\'t the everyday news photographer he appeared to be,\" she began and I could feel the air whoosh from my lungs in surprise. What could she possibly know about my father?

\"Nani? How do you know my father?\" I asked, completely bewildered. She sighed, crossing her legs and leaning back against the bench.

\"I can see this may be hard for you to believe at first, but it\'s true. Your father was one of the founders of our...hmm...organization. We\'re called the Preventors. We are the first line of defense, or I believe a better explanation would be that we are the ones who keep an eye on everything, and put down threats before they can become real problems,\" she explained, tapping her bottom lip in thought. I blinked, not really sure what to make of it.

\"You\'re saying my father was a part ois- is- organization?\" I asked, wrinkling my forehead in confusion. \"Why didn\'t my mother ever tell me this?\" I wasn\'t sure if I believed her or not, yet. She shook her head, looking into my eyes piercingly.

\"Your mother didn\'t know. For a long time, Kenji-sama was employed by the Japanese government to keep an eye on other countries and colonies, sort of a spy. But when the Earth began to threaten the colonies, he got out, and went freelance, starting his own task force and gathering the best to him. He had help, of course, others who disagreed with the Earth Alliance, and some non-affiliated groups. But someone found out about what they were doing, and had him and some other top officials killed. It was made to look like a random act of pre-war violence, but it was really an assassination.\"

Her words rang of truth, and carried with them an explanation I\'d searched for my whole life. Why me? Why kill him? Now I knew. It made sense. I had always known my father was special, but this- It was something great. Something to protect the world. Tears sprang to my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. My father was a hero, to these people anyway. He had always been my hero.

\"Why did you come to me?\" I asked, the hoarseness in my voice startling me. I gripped my emotions tightly, not wanting to lose control in front of this distant woman. She seemed not to notice my struggles.

\"We\'ve been keeping tabs on the only child of our co-creator. Now that you\'re of age, we want you with us.\" She reached over and grabbed my hands between her slender but strong ones. \"Please, join us. Be a Preventor. You have the talent, you could go far here- Just think about it, ne?\" she added, letting go and standing up, turning to leave. I knew then that I had already made up my mind. I had nothing else planned anyway.

\"Matte!\" She stopped and turned to look at me. \"What exactly does this job entail?\" Famous last words, I suppose.

There began my career as a Preventor. I started low, of course after I told my mother I was moving to Japan and that I\'d keep in touch. I can\'t say she was happy about it, but by then she and I were pretty much strangers and I didn\'t really care. I moved into my new apartment in Tokyo and submerged myself into the job. It was research, research, research, and then some more research. Studying past records, scanning the net for information on new organizations thatld mld mean trouble, or possible allies. I didn\'t meet any higher-ups for the first six months of working there. I didn\'t make friends with the other low-down people who worked on the same floor as me, or with those who lived in my building, either.

The high-rise we worked in was only forty stories high, a shrimp compared to the skyscrapers that towered all over the country. It was a nondescript building with gray walls and large windows on the top floor. Th in an "Uh. . ."groan. Blood from the nouth newly glittered
on the small robot's lips.
".
. .Hello? Miss?" Key hung her head. "Key is sorry. I should
have hellped. . .but. . .but I was. . .afraid. . .I appologize."
Death's
silence is Key's answer. She can not yell, cry, or even scream incohenrently
at Key with crazy, old lady Babble. Nor will she hear her grandchildren
laugh, stiffle a cry or giggle. Nor could she wite tears away, read
stories, or feed them. Now her organs were another mans treasure,
to some unknown pourpos to the little robot girl.
Slowly,
Key back stepped, foot falling from the crates, to the cluttered ground.
Her other foot soon joined the first, and she turned from the dead
body, marching back to her hole, and folding up inside it again.
Too soon
the air filled with the soft pita-pata of acid rain. On the ground,
a shiney mixture of water, blood and grim swirls and runs along the
creviscies, debris and cobble. A new scent of decay, battery fluid
and heavy chemicals filled the air.
The stinking
air fills the girl's nostrils and makes her stomach churn, and she
felt chilled. In an effort to warm her body, Key ran her tongue over
her lips. The wet muscle froze as it tasted blood. Key was taken by
a wave of light headedness and her vision blured, sparkles of light
dancing across the dingey walls of her cubbie. Her eyelids felt heavy,
and Key felt her body tip as vision left her compleately. She felt
her body hit the ground heavily.
Silence
* * *
The hot liquid burned as it went down the tight throat
Stupid. Stupid. . .Stupid!
Clunk. The cup hit the table hard, the surroudning crud jump but
did not dare make eye contact with the deadly vynal and buckle clad
cyborge girl.
She brushed the hair that fell in her face as she starred at the dule
image in the cup. Hollow black eyes, the dark ruby was swallowerd
by colour of her 'drink'. An urge to just be swallowed by the shadows
filled her, to hide away, like some sick thing.
But she had left her cloak with the Match Girl
The Cyborg
did not notice the drop of her drink which escaped her cup. It oozed
across the table, and upon reaching the edge, conceated to gravity,
and dripped onto the floor. A passing cyborg unknowingly stepped into
the puddle, leacing detailed footprints as he walked. Another gruff
man bumped into Mister Footprints. Shortly, a fight broke out between
the two. Bets were placed by inebriated patrons as they swarmed like
flies round the fighters.
Within seconds, lithem wiery Mr Footprints was lifted and thrown acess
the tavern, slamming into the wall next to the raven haired girl.
As he connected with the wall, a drop of drink dripped from his bootsole,
into her cup.
A lonely
sip, and then meloncholey thoughts that soon followed. Indused by
the alcohol droplet that experianced travle, and perhaps absorbed
some wisdom by it, we do not know. A body withoegs,egs, wheels, a
prosthetic, a substitute for now. Perfect arms, dancing with weaves
of engraving vines and flowers,
Daisuke left.
She blamed him for the new murders. but really he was the worlds savior.
Then she learned of her bloody talents of death. her mind decepted
her and her name and past life-

"DAMN IT!"
gn:justify;text-justify:inter-ideograph'>www.mediaminer.org/fanart/view.php/153490

 

 

 

Chapter
Four

 

 

 

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Kouga?”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He turned at the sound of Kagome’s voice, his
eyes hard as they swept over her.
Breathing deeply, she said, “Who is he?”
Inside, she felt a small tendril of fear form, a result of Kouga’s
atypical expression.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> He glanced back at Muraki, taking
note of the minor injuries Benitora and his clan had given the other wolf
demon. “He is one of the demon
lords. This,” Kouga said, gesturing at
Muraki, “is just his way of sending a greeting.
His rank and power are the same as Inuyasha’s full blooded brother, Sesshoumaru.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Kouga clenched his fist in anger, the muscles
in his jaw twitching rapidly.
“Dammit! Why the hell does he
have to bother me? I’m outclassed by
someone like him!”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Kagome frowned, unused to seeing
Kouga so frustrated and angry. She
reached for him, closing her small fingers around his forearm in an attempt to
calm him. “Kouga…can he really do this
to you? Do you not have any choice in
this? Isn’t there another demon lord
that rules over your lands?’

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Kouga dragged his free hand over his
face, closing his eyes briefly, before answering.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Yes.
Me.” He watched Kagome’s face
change expren asn as she realized what he had said.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “You did not know?”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I thought you were the prince of
your clan!” Kagome exclaimed.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I am.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> I’m also the lord of these lands,” he
answered simply. “However, Benitora is
far stronger than I. Titles mean little
amongst warring demons. It is strength
that I need.” Kouga turned from Kagome,
allowing her hand to drop from his arm and letting his gaze settle on his
wounded clan mate.
She turned reaching back brushing a few stray flames off the back before it had a chance to ruin the suit or even show a huge spot she gri grinned before speaking softly to herself, \"Bastard.\" She soon took her seat in the pilot seat of the plane making the pilot scoot the hell over, Cait Sith hopped aboard now shutting the door.

Elena took off in the airplane heading towards the large green aura in the air. The ride didn\'t take that long only about an hour and a half in which she soon landed outside the crash site. The doors opened up automatically almost she hopped out. Her Turks gave Tifa, Barret, and Nanaki a personal escort down to where she was. Cait Sith took up the rear hobbling along like usual.
Nanaki, \"I must add, Elena, your charm has grown since we last met years ago.\" The protector of Cosmo Canyon\'s comment was not meant as an insult but as a compliment actually.

Tifa looks around more following Cait Sith then caring what the Turks believed they were doing. She was there for Reeve, and her friends.

Elena stopped in her tracks her arm shook softly but wasn\'t able to be seen through the Turk Suit. The leader of the Turks wanted to backhand the beast so badly but she chose not too; it was odd because one side of her face blushed at his comment. Barret shook his head a slight laugh escaping from his mouth as his arm morphed into that gun arm once more. It seemed he was ready for all hell to break lose as Elena lead the way looking around at all the dead. It looked as if something had ripped them in half and some of them were melted others electrocuted to death and a few their heads lopped off their body still shivering even after death.

Nanaki wondered if she got complements often. He goes on alert and starts to investigate the area. Nanaki felt deeply sorry for whatever animal or creature attacked the men seeing as how they didn\'t die a good death. Their deaths were inhuman, cruel and sadistic. Nanaki, \"This is inhuman!\" Tail lashes abound as he looks around. Tifa is in shock at this.

Elena shook her fist tears streaking down her face. \"This isn\'t right. Nothing should be able to do this.\" She hung her head low she knew deep down what did it but wouldn\'t reveal it to the group instead she lead them on to wherter. Tali could sense no magic about it -- just the force of his personality and reputation.

Remus guided her into a dingy, poorly lit store and stood quietly as Albus stepped forward and rang a tiny silver bell. A face surrounded by wild white hair and with two pale watery eyes staring from the center of it appeared and she found herself gazing at the strange wizard with apprehension.

“Ah, yes, Professor Dumbledore.” The man ran a hand through his mass of hair, leaving it somehow even messier than before. “Remus Lupin, nine and a half inches, oak with a dragon heartstring.” The man nodded to Remus and Tali found herself being led forward.

“Miss Tali here has just come into her powers and needs a wand.” Professor Dumbledore said with a slight smile. Tali could see that the wizened old man didn’t believe a word Professor Dumbledore said and his sharp gaze made her feel like a mouse being stared at by an unfriendly owl.

“Yes, yes, I see. Hmm. A difficult match this will be.”

“Mr. Ollivander, I have no worries that you will be able to find something appropriate.” Professor Dumbledore murmured soothingly.

The strange little man began moving around the shop, peering myopically at the long narrow boxes stacked to the ceiling while muttering in an undertone. Tali ignored him and listened to the soft sounds of magic that filled the place. She could hear the voices of creatures and trees singing quietly, but one voice in particular called to her. She reached out a hand and a white box flew from the stacks and landed in her hands.

With deft fingers she opened the lid as the Headmaster sighed, Remus rolled his eyes, and Mr. Ollivander stared at her. Inside she could see a slender wand that hummed to her affectionately. She withdrew it and a shower of soft green sparks drifted from the tip.

“Willow, eleven inches, dryad hair core.” Mr. Ollivander muttered and rang up the purchase while giving Professor Dumbledore a meaningful look. Dumbledore simply smiled and ignored the look.

Once outside, Tali wanted to play with the wand but Remus gently explained that it wasn’t entirely safe and she relented. The soft music of the little stick was entrancing and she put it away with reluctance.

They went to a clothes shop next. Tali was fascinated by the idea of buying clothes from someone instead of making them yourself. She watched as Madam Malkin measured her and wondered what the notes were that she jotted down.

Professor Dumbledore handed round disks of gold and silver to Madam Malkin and Tali suddenly had more clothes. There were many colors, though Tali mentioned softly that she preferred green really. The woman just smiled and nodded and tossed a burgundy and a navy on the pile as well.

“Trust me; with your coloring you can wear anything.” Tali was confused by the statement. What did her coloring have to do with it? Clothing was chosen in colors that denoted status and breeding. She wore green because she was a servant. Of course, now she was free and wife to Remus; perhaps the woman knew something of her status that Tali did not. Burgundy was for ladies in waiting and navy was for wives of nobles, so perhaps that said something about Remus.

He turned and shook his head at her, following her thoughts with amusement.

“Color is personal preference only, love.” He chuckled.

“How do you know what everyone’s station is then?” she whispered.

“Elegance, style -- the differences are subtler but you will learn to pick it up.” He replied softly so that Madam Malkin wouldn’t hear. They had not yet become so close that words were not necessary. Though Tali could sense some of what he was saying, the cultural barrier was hindering her ability to understand. Human society was quite alien.

Remus took her arm and curled it around his and they left with their shrunken purchases in his pocket and the Headmaster before them.

They were drawn next to Florean Fortesque’s Ice Cream Parlor where the sprightly owner seated them with great deference. He darted away and upon his return loaded them do the first move and kissing me. He is so young, so eager, and it excites me.

I moan softly into his mouth as Orlando's hand reaches down to stroke my already hardening member. Finally I have to pull away, owing to lack of air and the fact that I’m on the brink of another orgasm. Not yet...

"Mmm, Orlando stop," I moan, arching into the touch. Orlando looks at me like I’m crazy, but obeys and lets go of my throbbing member.

"Let's go to my room," I murmur softly, climbing out of the tub, though reluctant to leave the erotic atmosphere. We have to talk, and I can't do it in the tub with a naked Orlando. I hand him a towel and get one for myself to dry off and then we head towards the bedroom.

Ҥ f5