Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, come to die,” Voldemort hissed. 

The leaves beneath Harry’s feet crunched as he approached the clearing. Death Eaters surrounded the area, jeering and laughing at him. Voldemort stood at the center, his dark robes hanging around him, blending with the shadows of the forest. 

Harry gripped his wand tighter. His hands shook. He could hear his heart beating in his head. This was it. The Final Duel. 

Voldemort raised his wand. Harry closed his eyes, bracing himself. “Avada Kedavra!” The green light shot towards him, hitting him in the chest, and he knew no more. 

Harry watched the Horcrux shrivel up in the corner. Dumbledore was still speaking, but he tuned him out. The old man was crazy anyways. 

“Send me back,” Harry said stiffly. 

“Are you sure, my boy?” Dumbledore asked, that infernal twinkle in his eye. 

Harry nodded. “I have to finish this.” 

“As you wish,” Dumbledore said. 

White filled Harry’s vision. 

“Is he dead?” Harry heard Voldemort’s voice demand. 

He felt someone lean over him, checking his pulse. He opened his eyes, meeting the piercing gray gaze of Narcissa Malfoy. She nearly stumbled back, her mouth opening, but he gripped her arm, his nails digging in. She paused. 

“Draco?” She mouthed in question. 

“In the castle,” Harry mouthed back. 

She gave him an imperceptible nod and then turned back to the Death Eaters. “Dead.” 

Cheers followed. People laughed and shrieked, celebrating the death of the Dark Lord’s enemy; Voldemort’s voice was among them. 

Harry hoped someone had taken care of Nagini. He hoped Ron and Hermione had done what they needed to. He just wanted this over with.

As the cheers continued, Harry lifted himself slowly, swallowing his groan of pain. 

No one seemed to notice at first. 

Someone gasped. 

Silence. 

“How?” Voldemort moved to stand in front of everyone, pointing his wand at Harry, his face contorted with rage. 

Harry shrugged. “Luck, I guess.” 

Someone snorted quietly. 

“I will kill you,” Voldemort growled. 

“What, you think the third time’s the charm?” Harry asked sarcastically. 

His eyes tracked Voldemort’s movements. The second he started casting, Harry had his wand out, spell on the tip of his tongue. 

“Avada Kedavra!” 

“Expelliarmus!” 

The green spell from Voldemort’s wand met the bright blue from Harry’s. The impact reverberated through Harry’s arm. He grit his teeth. He could do this. He had to do this. 

He pushed everything into his spell, all of his magic, his strength, everything he had left. He watched the blue inching further past the middle. 

Harry couldn’t hear anything around him. His heart pounded in his ears. His body was shaking. He forced himself to keep standing. Everything hurt. His body, his heart, his very soul, burned as he fought his exhaustion. He couldn’t give up. Not now. 

Slowly, he watched blue engulf green; he was so close.

His arm shook, but he kept it raised, pushing more and more magic into his spell. 

He heard a panicked shout, and the green disappeared, the blue hitting Voldemort. He fell to the ground with a thump, dying, in the end, just like any other man. 

Harry slumped to the ground even as screams filled the clearing. It was over. Voldemort was dead. His job was done. So many had died for this. His parents. Sirius. Remus. Hedwig. Dobby. Tonks. Moody. And now it was finally over. Harry took a shuddering breath. 

Red filled his vision as he was struck with a spell. Excruciating pain filled his body, setting his nerves aflame. He arched off the ground, screaming. 

The spell stopped. 

“How dare you!?” Someone shrieked. 

Harry shoved himself to his feet, lifting his wand again. He didn’t know why. He was so tired. So, so tired.

Death Eaters swarmed in front of him, spells shooting from every direction. 

He deflected what he could, casting shield after shield. If he was going to die, he was going to take as many Death Eaters down as he could. 

A cutting curse sliced across his arm. 

Harry turned on the Death Eater who’d cast it, sending a stunner at him. 

He felt someone grab him from behind, their hands gripping his hair. 

Harry kicked at his attacker. He felt his wand fall from his hand. 

This was it, he thought. He couldn’t do anything. He had nothing left. No help was coming. He was alone. All alone. With no one to help him. Just like he’d always been. 

And he hated it. Why did it always have to be him? 

He didn’t want to do it anymore. 

A scream ripped from his throat, echoing through the clearing. 

He felt something in his chest flare and shatter in answer. 

Pain burned through him, pulling, and tearing, and ripping him apart. Magic seemed to ripple over his skin. He arched backwards as something tore across his back. 

The hand that had been holding his hair had let go. Harry fell to his knees, still screaming, as a bright light erupted around him, shoving anyone surrounding him away. Golden tendrils streamed from him, heading off into different directions, as though searching for something. Harry didn’t care. All he could do was scream and scream and scream. 

Finally, his voice broke and he collapsed, breathing hard. 

He heard footsteps approaching him, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. A hand gripped his hair again, forcing him to look up. He met the eyes of a Death Eater he didn’t know. Hatred and disgust and shock filled the man’s eyes as he shoved Harry back down to the ground. He lifted his wand. Red once again filled Harry’s vision. A broken scream shot from him. 

Golden light flared and figures began appearing in the clearing. Some of them had wings, bright and gleaming, sprouting from their backs. He must be hallucinating, Harry thought. Despite the pain, a warmth filled his chest as he saw them. He didn’t know why. 

His pain stopped. Maybe he was finally dead. 

His vision swam, but he swore he saw a face looking down at him. Warm brown eyes looked into his, full of concern. He thought he saw them mouth his name. Harry just closed his eyes. He was so tired.

Chapter Text

Theodore Nott: Off-World on Nevarah

Theo had been on Nevarah for months, since the official outbreak of the war in Britain. Isla, his mentor, had insisted he come home to wait it out. He hadn’t been happy about it, but he knew better than to argue with her. 

“I know you’re worried for your friends, Theodore,” Isla said, wrapping an arm around him. “But it will be alright. They will be alright.” 

He stood up from the porch steps, throwing off her arm. “You don’t know that.” 

“I don’t,” she agreed with a sigh. “But you don’t know that they will not be either.” 

Theo ran his hands through his hair. “I wish I could do something.” 

“I know.” Isla took his arm and pulled him back down to sit beside her on the porch. 

He let her, leaning into her side. 

Suddenly an ache filled his chest. “Isla,” he gasped out. 

A golden light flared around him, pulling him somewhere. 

“Soulscream,” Isla said, her voice urgent. “Go. We will follow.” 

He met Isla’s gaze one more time and nodded, and then closed his eyes and let the light carry him to his Submissive.

Charlie Weasley: Hogwarts Castle

Charlie was keeping an eye out for his brothers. He’d already had to shield Fred from a deadly curse, and he’d barely made it in time. He didn’t dare think what would have happened if he hadn’t been there. 

Since then he’d kept his brothers close to him, keeping Fred, George, and Percy in his line of sight. He didn’t know where Ron was. Probably off with Harry and Hermione. He hoped he was alive. 

He was dueling a Death Eater when he gasped at a sudden ache in his chest. Golden light flared around him, and he thought he saw more of it from the corner of his eye. It pulled at him. He let it carry him away.

Fred Weasley: Hogwarts Castle

Fred was exhausted. But he couldn’t falter. He’d already nearly lost his life. He shuddered at the reminder. It was only Charlie’s quick spellwork that had saved him. 

He whirled around to make sure Charlie was still okay, only to see golden light envelop his brother. Before he could shout in alarm, that same light flared around him, pulling him off somewhere.

George Weasley: Hogwarts Castle

George didn’t think he could keep going for much longer. He just hoped the battle would be over soon. He knew he wasn’t the only one who was exhausted. Students and teachers and Order members around him were all starting to waver. Even the Death Eaters they fought looked ragged. 

He watched Fred sway for a moment and moved to steady him, but a golden light flared around him. Something pulled at his chest and he let it take him.

Ethan Hartwood: Off-World on Nevarah

Ethan stared at the book in front of him, trying to read the page for about the hundredth time. Everything kept getting jumbled. Maybe he had been in the Archives for too long. 

He shut the book roughly, sending off a cloud of dust. 

“I should scold you for treating a book like that,” his father’s laughing voice said from behind him. 

“I was just closing it,” Ethan said. 

“Of course you were,” his father said with an indulgent smile. “Come, your mother says you’ve been holed up here for too long.” 

“Mera thinks any time down here is too long,” Ethan argued. 

“That might be true, but in this instance I completely agree with her,” his father said. “You didn’t even come up for lunch.” 

“I forgot,” Ethan said. 

His father gave him an unimpressed look. 

Ethan sighed and stood up. 

“Oh, don’t look so put out, your mother made your favorite for dinner,” his father said. 

Ethan’s eyes lit up at the words. His father laughed, placing a hand on his shoulder to lead him out of the Archives. 

Before they could even make it past the table, an ache filled Ethan’s chest and golden light flared around him. 

His father gasped in awe. 

“I–” Ethan looked at his father, not knowing what to do. 

“Find your Bonded, son,” his father said. 

Ethan nodded and closed his eyes, surrendering to the pull of the light.

Hadrian Maruke: Off-World on Nevarah

Hadrian groaned in annoyance as another Alpha approached him in the fighting ring. This was why he never trained in public. 

“Are you courting this Hunt?” The Alpha asked, a coy smile on their face. 

“No,” Hadrian replied gruffly.

The Alpha tilted their head to the side. “And why not?” 

“I don’t believe that is any of your business,” Hadrian said. 

“Don’t tell me you’re holding out for a soul bond,” the Alpha said. “An Ace like yourself should know better. You shouldn’t deprive others of your talents.” 

Hadrian resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “I am simply not in the mood to court.” 

“Perhaps I could change your mind?” The Alpha was nearly purring. 

Hadrian opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off by a sudden ache in his chest. As golden light filled the training hall, he grinned smugly at the Alpha in front of him. “Looks like I was right to hold out,” he said, giving them a salute as the light carried him away.

Devrim Ekene: Off-World on Nevarah

Devrim ran a lap around the training hall. His mentor had decided that he needed extra training before the Hunt. As though someone would want to court him. 

Devrim shook his head, coming to a halt in front of Selyr. 

“Warmed up?” his mentor asked. 

Devrim nodded. 

“Good, head to the sparring ring, Edar is already there,” Selyr said. 

Devrim went to nod again but an ache in his chest made him pause. 

“I think–” Devrim was cut off by a golden light surrounding him. 

Selyr’s eyes widened. 

And Devrim was pulled away.

Quinn Kalzik: Off-World on Nevarah

Quinn had been having a shit day. 

First, he’d been late to work. 

Then, his boss had decided to over schedule him, so he was constantly playing catch-up. 

And now, there was a pissy Alpha trying to pretend she wasn’t injured. 

Please tell her that it’s no use trying to lie to me, I can literally see her broken ribs right now. Quinn said to Kyle. 

“Healer Quinn’s scan has shown that you have multiple broken ribs,” Kyle told her. 

Not what I said . 

Close enough . Kyle shot back. 

“I’m fine,” the Alpha said, crossing her arms. “It was nothing. He literally just tapped me.” 

He literally just broke your ribs . Quinn could only just stop himself from rolling his eyes. It had been twenty minutes of this, back and forth, back and forth. 

“I’m sure you are fine,” Kyle said. “But if you allow Healer Quinn to heal your broken ribs, you will be even more fine.” 

“I don’t need him to heal me.” 

“Miss–” 

Kyle cut off as Quinn gasped. His chest ached. 

“Quinn?” Kyle asked. 

I’m fine . Quinn said, rubbing over his heart. 

Golden light lit up the room. 

“Holy shit,” Kyle breathed. “Quinn!” 

The room vanished from Quinn’s sight as he was pulled to his Submissive’s side.

Wikhn: Off-World on Nevarah

Wikhn was leaning against a wall, keeping an eye on the waiting room, only half-listening to Dahlia. She was talking his ear off, telling him all of the gossip from the clinic. He didn’t really care for gossip, but it made her happy to tell him, so he listened. 

“–swore it was her brother,” Dahlia was saying. “But it turned out her Beta decided to prank her. So–” 

“Holy shit. Quinn!” Kyle’s voice rang out from the exam rooms. 

Dahlia froze, turning to see Kyle coming up to them. 

“Quinn was just called by a Soulscream,” Kyle said. 

Wikhn frowned, moving to check the room they were in, when an ache filled his chest. 

“What happened?” Dahlia asked. 

“There was this golden light,” Kyle said. “It– well, it kinda looked just like that.” 

Kyle looked at Wikhn with wide eyes. 

Dahlia jerked her head towards him. 

Wikhn looked down at himself. There really was a golden light surrounding him. He lifted his head to look at Dahlia just as he was pulled away.

Idan Kaelior and Minh Shiae: Off-World on Nevarah

“I swear your sister is trying to kill me,” Minh groaned, flopping onto the couch in their apartment. 

“You’re the one who lets her keep feeding you,” Idan said. He sat down beside Minh, managing a little more grace than his Bonded. 

Minh grumbled incoherently. 

Idan chuckled, reaching out to play with Minh’s hair. 

Minh gasped, shooting up and clutching his chest. 

Idan was confused for all of a moment before an ache appeared in his chest as well. Golden light filled the room around them. Minh took his hand and they disappeared together.

Oliver Wood: Hogwarts Castle

Oliver couldn’t believe that just a year ago he’d been happily signed to a Quidditch Team, thinking his future was all set and that nothing could go wrong. And now he was fighting off Death Eaters in the courtyard. 

He hissed as a cutting curse hit his leg, whirling around to jinx the caster in retaliation. 

As he lifted his wand, golden light flared around him and before he could do anything, he was pulled away from the fight, with no clue where he was going.

Alec: Off-World on Nevarah

“You’re going to be the death of me,” Alec said to his sister as she fussed over his outfit. 

“Well, you can’t go meeting your Submissive looking all bedraggled,” Grace said, swatting his hand away as he tried to loosen his shirt. 

“I look ridiculous,” he said. 

“You look dashing,” she countered. 

Alec rolled his eyes. “This is all going to be destroyed anyways,” he pointed out. “Your vision showed a fight.” 

“That’s why it has to be absolutely perfect now, so when you do fight, it’ll look artfully ruffled,” she said. 

“I hate you,” Alec said. 

“You love me,” she said. 

Grace gave him one more look over, and nodded in satisfaction before glancing at the clock hanging on the wall behind him. “Any second now.” 

Just as she finished speaking, golden light filled the room. 

Grace grinned, pecking his cheek and stepping away. “Have fun, don’t die.” 

“You already know I won’t,” Alec said. 

Grace stuck her tongue out at him. 

Alec shook his head and closed his eyes, the light pulling him to his soul bonded.

Raspen: Off-World on Nevarah

Raspen signed another document and handed it off to his aide, before turning back to the pile of paperwork in front of him. As much as he loved being Prince, the paperwork was the absolute worst. And becoming King when his father stepped down would just give him more. 

“Do these have to be done tonight?” He asked his other aide. 

“Yes, Your Highness,” they replied. 

Raspen sighed. “I guess I won’t be making it to family dinner then.” 

The aide chuckled quietly. 

A sudden ache filled his chest and Raspen looked down to see golden light flaring around him. “I guess I won’t be finishing this paperwork either, then,” he said dryly. 

“We’ll inform your family, Prince Raspen,” the aide said, already ordering a couple of guards out of the room with the message. “A guard unit will follow.” 

Raspen nodded and felt himself be whisked away. Paperwork didn’t matter. He had a Submissive to meet.

Perryton: Off-World on Nevarah

Perryton knocked on his father’s office door. 

“Come in,” his father called from inside. 

Perry opened the door to find his mother and father curled together on the couch with their Ace, talking quietly. 

“You wanted to see me?” Perry asked, dropping into his usual armchair. 

“Your mother needed to know what colors you were planning to wear to Dawne and Coran’s Bonding Celebration,” his father said. 

“I don’t know,” Perry said. “Is this really that urgent?” 

“Yes,” his mother huffed. “I need to see if we match or if I need to send Salam out for new robes.” 

Perry rolled his eyes. “Do you just want to choose my robes for me?” 

His mother grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.” 

“I hope you’re prepared to get a whole new wardrobe,” his parents’ Ace laughed. 

His mother elbowed his side. 

Perry’s chuckle suddenly turned into a groan of pain as an ache burned in his chest. 

“Perry?” His father asked. 

Golden light flared around him. 

“A soulscream,” his mother said, jumping from the couch. 

Perry looked up at his parents. 

“We’ll send a guard unit,” his father said. 

Perry nodded and let the light take him where he needed to go.

Riven Cairothe: Off-World in Unknown Location

Riven glared at the runes he was unraveling. They had been written by the most idiotic caster. Firstly, they’d carved the runes into a weak stone that couldn’t hold the magic needed to support the grounding spell. And secondly, they’d carved the actual runes wrong. They’d misspelled multiple vital sections of the spell. 

“Morons,” Riven muttered as he worked to untangle another thread of magic. 

Just as he came to the last few mistakes, an ache began to form in his chest. Well, this was unexpected, he thought. He stabilized his work before the golden light could take him away.

Bran Kadel: Off-World on Nevarah

“Mera,” Bran whined as his mother ruffled his hair. 

“Am I not allowed to brag about how grown up my child is going to be,” his mother said, kissing his cheek. 

“No,” Bran pouted. 

His mother just chuckled. 

“Are you sure it’s today?” Bran asked for about the hundredth time. 

“Yes, loveling,” his mother said. “I’m sure.” 

As if on cue, golden light began to radiate from him and an ache filled his chest. 

“Good luck, darling,” his mother said. 

Bran nodded and surrendered to the magic.

Chapter Text

Theodore Nott: Forbidden Forest

Theo landed in a forest clearing, immediately drawing his wand and scanning the area.

It was swarmed with Death Eaters. He was glad Isla would be following him. He didn’t think he and the rest of his Circle, no matter how many there were, would be able to handle this many Death Eaters. And especially if, Merlin forbid, Voldemort was here too. 

“Crucio!” He heard someone shout. 

The broken scream that followed shattered Theo’s heart. He growled, his wings flaring out behind him, whirling towards the sound. He sent a curse at the Death Eater attacking his Submissive. 

Lights flashed around him as the rest of the Circle was pulled in, but he didn’t pay them any mind. As the Death Eater fell, he revealed the crumpled form of Harry Potter breathing raggedly on the ground, his wings laying limply over him. Theo’s shock only lasted a second and then he was moving, pulling Harry towards him to make sure he was alright. 

“Harry,” Theo said. “Harry, open your eyes, love, please.” 

The boy in his arms blinked his eyes open. 

“Harry, tell me what’s wrong,” Theo pleaded. He could tell Harry was in pain and he hated it. He needed to help him. 

Harry’s eyes closed again and his body slumped against Theo’s. 

“Harry? Harry?” Theo couldn’t keep the panic from his voice. He couldn’t be dead. His Submissive couldn’t be dead. He’d only just met him. 

“He’s alive,” someone said in front of him and Theo growled, pulling Harry closer to his chest. The person raised their hands in surrender, tilting their head downwards in a show of submission. “My name is Quinn, I’m a Healer.” 

Theo narrowed his eyes. The man in front of him was pale, with scars covering his throat. His voice was raspy and strained. “Why are you here?” Theo hissed. 

“Our Submissive called me,” Quinn said, a soft look on his face as he looked down at the boy between them. 

Theo studied him for a moment before nodding. “You’re the Healer, then?” 

“Yes,” Quinn said. 

“Can you help him?” 

“Set him on the ground so I can cast a Diagnostic,” Quinn said, his voice taking on an authoritative tone. Theo followed his instructions, though he kept Harry’s hand in his, not willing to let his Submissive go, not for a second. 

Quinn waved his hand over Harry, muttering under his breath. A sheet of parchment appeared, floating in the air beside them. Theo could see words being written on it, but he couldn’t make them out. 

Quinn frowned. That wasn’t good. 

“What is it?” Theo demanded. 

“It shouldn’t be taking this long,” Quinn said. “It usually takes a few seconds.” 

“What is it?” Theo asked. 

“A Medical History Scan,” Quinn said. 

“Is that really necessary right now?” Theo glared at Quinn. 

“Yes,” Quinn snapped. “I don’t know enough about him to heal him without his history. I don’t know his allergies or if he has any pre-existing medical conditions.” 

Theo growled at him. 

Quinn growled back. 

The scan finished. 

Quinn sighed in relief and snatched the parchment out of the air. His face paled as he read. Theo’s breath caught in his throat. 

Before he could ask what was wrong with their Submissive, Quinn started summoning potions out of his bag, spelling them into Harry’s stomach. Theo watched the grimace on Harry’s face relax slightly. He sighed in relief. 

“Theodore,” Isla’s familiar voice called as she came up to his side. “We’ve cleared the area. Though most of the wizards surrendered as soon as we arrived.” 

“Thank you,” he said. 

She squeezed his shoulder and then looked down at Harry, a small smile pulling on her lips. “He’ll be alright,” she said to Theo. 

Theo nodded silently. 

Isla frowned as she looked around. “Has a Mentor showed up?” 

“No,” Theo said, looking around as well. 

“That’s strange,” Isla said. “Maybe they’ve been held up.” 

Theo nodded again. Isla pulled him up. 

“Come,” she said. “Gather your Circle. Your Healer can handle the rest.” 

Theo opened his mouth to protest, but Isla squeezed his shoulder again. “Your Submissive will be alright with Quinn. He’s a Kalzik. He knows what he’s doing. You need to gather everyone else.” 

He glanced at Quinn quickly, who nodded without even looking at him, coaxing Harry’s wings into his back. “I’ve got him.” 

Theo gave Harry one more look, leaning down to brush a hand over his hair, before rising and turning to face the others who had come for his Submissive. 

The Death Eaters who had filled the clearing were now bound or dead and were being carried off by people Theo assumed had come to assist his Circle. He was surprised to see one of the bodies was none other than Voldemort himself. Harry had managed to defeat him after all. He couldn’t help the swell of pride at the thought. 

The members of his Circle stood in front of him, glancing concernedly at the boy behind him. “Harry will be alright,” Theo said. “Quinn is taking care of him.” 

One of the red-headed twins (Merlin help his sanity, Harry had summoned both of them) opened his mouth to say something, presumably about a stranger being trusted with Harry. 

“Harry called Quinn to him,” Theo said. “Just as he called all of you.” 

The twin bit their lip, still looking uncertain. 

“Harry?” One of the others asked, a Gheyo by the looks of his dark armor and wings. 

“Harry Potter, our Submissive,” Theo said. “I am Theodore Gorgens-Nott, though you may call me Theo. I’m an Earth Alpha.” 

He nodded to the others, inviting them to introduce themselves. 

“I’m Charlie Weasley,” a red-headed man said. “I’m a Fire Beta.” 

“I’m Fred,” one of the twins said. 

“And I’m George,” the other said. 

“We’re also Weasleys,” Fred said. 

“And we’re Fire Pareyas,” George continued. 

“I’m Ethan Hartwood, an Earth Pareya,” said a handsome, dark-skinned man. 

“I’m Bran,” said a boy standing as close as he could to Ethan without touching him. “I’m Nameless, but I haven’t inherited yet.” 

“I’m Hadrian Maruke, Shadow Ace,” the Gheyo in dark armor said. 

“Oliver Wood, I’m an Air Pareya,” said the one next to him. Theo recognized him from Hogwarts, though he was sure he graduated a couple years back. 

“I’m Alec, a Merrow,” said the next person.

“Riven Cairothe. I’m a Storm Mage.” The man seemed to be glowing with magic, a purple light pulsing around him and the staff he was holding. 

“I am Crown Prince Raspen of the Earth Court,” said a man dressed in royal robes. 

“I’m Prince Perryton of the Air Court,” said the one standing beside him. 

“I’m Idan,” said a pale-looking man. He nudged the man nearly hanging across his shoulders. “And this is Minh. We’re Air Gheyos.” 

“Wikhn, Dark Fae and Shadow Gheyo,” said a man standing on the outskirts of the group, keeping an eye on the people moving around the clearing. 

“Devrim, Were, and also Gheyo,” said the man standing beside Wikhn. 

“Nice to meet you all,” Theo said. “Behind me is Quinn Kalzik, our Healer.” 

He turned to Isla to ask for a status report on the Death Eaters when a soft groan sounded from the ground. He hurried back to Harry’s side just as he started to wake up.

Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest

Harry could hear voices talking around him. They all felt familiar to him, though he was sure he’d never even heard most of them. 

And where were all the Death Eaters? Hadn’t there been a battle?

He groaned, trying to move, but pain lanced through his body. So, that meant he wasn’t dead. If he were dead, he wouldn’t be in pain. He didn’t know whether to be happy or not. 

“Harry, love, it’s okay,” a voice spoke softly in his ear as a hand petted his hair. “You’re safe, you’re alright.”   

He felt strangely comforted by the voice speaking to him. He leaned into the touch against his hair. He didn’t know who it was, or why they were touching him, but it felt right. 

“Harry,” said another voice beside him. This voice didn’t sound right. It sounded like the speaker was in pain. Harry didn’t want them to be in pain. “Can you open your eyes for me?” 

He tried. He really did. But his eyes were too heavy. A sound similar to a whine escaped his throat. 

“Shh, shh, it’s alright, love,” said the first voice. “All you need to do is open your eyes for us. Can you do that?” 

Harry really wanted to do as the voice said. Another whine sounded. He forced his eyes open, blinking at the faces above him. 

“Good job, love,” the first voice rumbled soothingly, hand still running through his hair. 

Harry felt his face heat slightly at the praise. 

“Harry,” spoke the second voice. “How do you feel? Does anything hurt?” 

Harry turned his head to look at the person speaking, ignoring the pain twinging in his neck. “Who are you?” He asked, his voice hoarse. 

The blonde met his gaze. “I’m your Healer, Quinn. Does anything hurt?” 

“What– what are you doing here?” Harry asked, ignoring Quinn’s question again. 

Quinn huffed, though his expression looked more fond than anything. Weird. Why was this strange person fond of him? “Answer the question, Harry: does anything hurt?” 

Harry swallowed. “I’m fine.” 

Someone flicked his nose lightly and he turned to face another person, this one with brown hair and warm brown eyes. He thought they looked familiar but he couldn’t place them. “Liar,” the person teased. 

“I’m fine,” Harry repeated. 

“If you’re so fine, then stand up,” they said sarcastically. 

Harry moved to do just that. 

There was a scrambling around him as people made noises of protest. The person with brown eyes placed a hand on his shoulder. “That’s not what I meant,” they said. 

“I’m fine,” Harry said for a third time. 

“I can literally see all of your injuries, Harry,” Quinn said. “You’re not fine.” 

Harry glared at him. 

“Now, I’ll ask you again, does anything hurt?” 

“Yes,” Harry gritted out. 

“Thank you,” Quinn said. “What hurts?” 

“Everything.” Harry was still glaring at him. 

Quinn waved his hand, summoning a bottle, and held it to Harry’s lips. “Drink.” 

Harry drank. A cooling sensation spread through his body as he swallowed, smoothing the stabbing pains to a dull ache. Still there, but he could deal with it. He sat up, waving off the hand that tried to stop him. He looked around, finding the clearing still full of people, but not Death Eaters. They were people he didn’t recognize. Some were in full armor, with swords and bows. Some had wings and scales. Harry shook his head, wondering if he was seeing things again. There was a group of people standing closer to him than anyone else, forming an almost protective wall between him and the rest of the clearing. Red hair caught his eye. “Fred? George?” He paused, furrowing his brows. “Charlie? What are you doing here?” 

He got up, moving towards them. Fred caught him as he swayed on his feet. 

“We’re here for you , Harrikins,” Fred said. 

Harry frowned at him. “What?” 

“You should sit back down,” George said. 

“I’m fine,” Harry said, though he leaned into Fred’s side. “How did you get here?” 

He looked at the others in the group in front of him. They all felt familiar; safe. But he didn’t recognize many of them. There was that person with the warm brown eyes who he’d definitely seen at Hogwarts before but he couldn’t remember their name. And then there was– 

“Oliver?” Harry asked. “How– What– You were with Puddlemere.” 

“The war was more important,” Oliver said, shrugging. 

“I don’t–” Harry shook his head again. “Can someone explain what’s going on?” 

“Harry,” said the person with brown eyes, coming up beside him. “Why don’t you sit down, and we’ll explain.” 

Harry frowned. “I can stand.” 

Brown Eyes sighed. “But it would make me, and everyone else, feel better if you sat.” 

Harry opened his mouth to protest again. 

“Please?” Brown Eyes looked at him pleadingly and Harry nearly whined at their expression. He sat down. 

“Thank you,” Brown Eyes said, also sitting down beside Harry. They gestured for everyone else around them to sit as well. 

“What happened?” Harry asked impatiently. 

“What do you remember?” Brown Eyes asked, eyes searching. 

“I–” Harry wrung his hands in his lap. He felt Fred squeeze his shoulder. “I came to face–” Harry stopped, looking around wildly. “Oh god! Voldemort! Is he dead? Did you find the body? Tell me he didn’t–” 

“Harry! Harry!” Brown Eyes called, reaching out to take Harry’s hands. Harry glanced down at their joined hands and then back up at Brown Eyes. “He’s dead. It’s okay. Breathe.” 

Harry took a breath. “Okay, good,” he said. He swallowed. “Okay, um, so I came here and we dueled. He died.”

Brown Eyes looked as if they could tell Harry wasn’t saying everything but they didn’t stop him. So Harry continued: “The Death Eaters weren’t happy, so they attacked. I was outnumbered and was panicked and then…” 

Harry furrowed his brows trying to remember. “There was this light? I think? It was golden? And then I passed out.” 

Brown Eyes nodded. “That was your magic calling for help.” 

“Okay…” Harry said slowly, confused. 

“Do you know anything about Dragels?” Brown Eyes asked. 

“No?” Harry said. “Like Dragons?” 

“Not exactly,” Brown Eyes said. “Not all wixen are just wixen, some are members of another race, like Dragels, or Fae, or Merrow.” 

Harry stared at them in confusion.

“And you are a Dragel.” 

Harry kept staring at them. He opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. “I don’t– how is that possible?” 

Brown Eyes exchanged a look with some of the other men sitting around them. “I’m not exactly sure. The Potters weren’t an official Dragel family, I never heard anything about them.” 

“Neither did we,” Charlie said. “And Mum was close with both James and Lily. If they had been Dragel, Mum would’ve known.” 

“Did your family not say anything to you?” Brown Eyes asked, turning back to Harry.

“No,” Harry said, looking back and forth between Charlie and Brown Eyes. 

“Nothing at all?” Brown Eyes looked confused. 

“They’re muggles,” Harry said. 

“Are you sure? Because if the Potters aren’t Dragel, then it has to have been your mother’s side,” Brown Eyes said. 

Harry shrugged looking away. He didn’t want to talk about this. Not right now. “They don’t like magic much.” 

Fred squeezed his shoulder again. 

“Okay, we’ll have to deal with that later,” Brown Eyes said. “There’s too much to really explain right now, but basically the stress of the attack forced you into your inheritance, which should have happened on your sixteenth birthday, but that’s something for later as well. The danger you were in caused you to produce a soulscream.” 

Harry looked back at him blankly. “What does that mean?” 

“You are a Submissive Dragel,” Brown Eyes said. “That means that your magic is able to call out to others to form a Circle of your soul bonded.” 

“Soul bonded? Like soulmates?” Harry had no clue if he was hearing him right. 

Brown Eyes nodded. “In essence, yes. We are your soulmates and we were called here to help you by your magic.” 

“But I don’t even know most of you,” Harry said. 

“I know,” Brown Eyes said. “And we’ll figure all of that out, I promise. You will get to know us, and we will get to know you.” 

Harry shook his head, feeling overwhelmed. He was some sort of dragon-wizard-thing. He had over a dozen soulmates. And he’d called them here. Because he’d been in trouble. What if they’d been doing something? They surely had families, friends, homes. And now they were here. Brought into the middle of a war, by him. “Oh god, I’m so sorry,” he burst out. “I swear I didn’t try to bring you all here. I don’t even know what happened. Oh my god, I’m sorry, I–” 

“Harry, you don’t need to apologize,” Brown Eyes said, cutting him off. They looked almost bewildered as they studied Harry. “You did nothing wrong.” 

“But you all have families and lives and I took you from that,” Harry said. 

“Harry, it’s fine–” Brown Eyes tried to say. 

“No!” Harry stood up, shaking off Fred’s arm. “I stole you all from your lives because, what, I was scared? And I brought you into a battle. You all could have died. I could have killed you. Oh my god. You could have died.” The thought alone made Harry want to cry. Why was he so attached to people he’d just met? 

“We didn’t,” Brown Eyes said, standing up as well. “We’re all fine.” 

“Why did you come?” Harry asked. “Why? You didn’t know where you would end up. I could have killed you ! How– why– how could you come without knowing it was safe?!” 

“Because you needed us,” Brown Eyes said. 

“No. No. That’s not good enough,” Harry said, shaking his head. “You could have died !” 

“But you’re more important,” Brown Eyes said. 

“No, I’m not,” Harry said, backing away. “I’m not. You should have just left me.” 

“Harry,” Brown Eyes said, sorrow filling their voice. “You are more important. You’re more important to us.” 

“Why?” 

“You’re our soul bonded,” Brown Eyes said. “You’re everything to us.” 

“I’m not,” Harry said quietly, looking down at his feet. 

“You are,” Brown Eyes said. 

Harry looked up to find Brown Eyes standing in front of him. He hadn’t noticed them getting closer. Brown Eyes slowly reached a hand out toward Harry’s face, ignoring when Harry flinched. They cupped Harry’s cheek gently. “You’re ours, Harry,” Brown Eyes said softly. 

Harry closed his eyes, leaning into the hand. He could feel tears slipping down his cheeks. “I’m so tired,” Harry whispered. He didn’t know why he said it. But he felt like he could trust Brown Eyes. There was something in him that was reaching out to the person in front of him, pulling Harry towards them. 

“Oh, Harry,” Brown Eyes said, and suddenly Harry found himself being hugged. He tensed for a moment, preparing for pain, before he relaxed into the embrace, burying his head in Brown Eyes’ shoulder. “It’s okay, I’ve got you now. We’ve got you, Harry.” 

A kiss was pressed to the top of Harry’s head with such gentleness that Harry shuddered. Hands smoothed down his back and Harry just let himself be held. 

Harry ended up basically in Brown Eyes’ lap. In the back of his mind, some part of him might have been embarrassed by his actions, but he couldn’t make himself care. Not when it was so warm and comfortable and safe. 

“I think we’re ready to do introductions now, hm?” Brown Eyes said quietly, their voice gentle and soothing. 

Harry nodded silently against Brown Eyes’ chest. A hand rubbed against his back. 

“As I mentioned earlier, a Submissive Dragel like yourself is able to gather a Circle. Usually this is done slowly, over months, or even years, of courting. But, when a Submissive is in extreme danger or distress, they can let out a scream and call all of their soul bonded to them,” Brown Eyes explained. “A Circle is made up of different Ranks. First there is, obviously, a Submissive. Without you, there wouldn’t be a Circle. You are the most important part, the soul of the Circle.” 

Harry whined in protest. He couldn’t be the most important.

The arms around him tightened slightly. “You are,” Brown Eyes said softly. “We are all here for you. To love you and protect you.” 

Harry remained silent. 

“The next rank in the Circle is the Alpha,” Brown Eyes continued. “We are the leaders of the Circle. We keep everyone in line.” 

Brown Eyes had said ‘we’. Harry gave a questioning trill. If the noise felt strange to him, he was too tired to care. 

“I am your Alpha, Harry,” Brown Eyes said. “My name is Theodore Nott or Gorgens-Nott. You can call me Theo, and it is very nice to meet you properly.” 

Theo. Theodore Nott. Harry had heard that name before. 

“I was a Slytherin in your year,” Theo said. His voice sounded tense and uncertain.

Harry looked up to see Theo studying him carefully. 

“Are you okay with that?” Theo asked. 

Harry nodded silently, returning his head to rest against Theo’s chest. 

Theo’s arms squeezed him lightly before motioning for the next person to introduce themselves. 

“I’m Charlie,” said the red-head sitting beside them, a soft smile on his face. “Though you already know that. I’m your Beta, Harry. I run interference between you and Theo.”

Harry returned his smile without hesitation. 

“George and I are your Pareyas, Harrikins,” Fred said, placing a hand on Harry’s and squeezing. “We take care of all of the Circle’s physical needs, like comfort and wellbeing.” 

“I’m also a Pareya.” Oliver was next. 

“I’m Ethan Hartwood.” Harry turned toward the voice to find warm golden eyes looking back at him. The man exuded so much warmth and comfort that Harry relaxed even more against Theo. “I am another one of your Pareyas.” 

“I’m Bran,” said a boy who looked to be younger than Harry himself. “Since I haven’t come into my Inheritance, I’ll be a Companion, which is pretty much exactly as it sounds.” 

“I am Hadrian Maruke,” said a man dressed in all black, with dark, silvery wings behind him. Harry thought they were gorgeous. “I am your Gheyo Ace. Gheyos protect the circle and keep everyone safe. An Ace leads the Gheyo Suite.” 

“I’m Wikhn,” said a man from next to Hadrian. “I am your Gheyo King. I’m second-in-command to Hadrian.” 

“Devrim Ekene,” was the next introduction. “I’m a Gheyo as well.” 

“I’m Idan Kaelior,” said a lithe, pale man, leaning against another. “I’m your Gheyo Queen.” 

“I’m Minh Shiae,” said the one that Idan was leaning against. “I’m also Gheyo.” 

A blue-skinned man was next, which gave Harry pause, but if half-dragon people were real, why not blue ones? “I’m Alec. Merrow.” 

Harry tilted his head at him in question. 

“Water Dragel,” Alec said dryly, as though that answered the question perfectly.

Harry waited for more. When Alec didn’t say anything else, he huffed and turned to the next men. There were three of them sitting together. 

“I am Crown Prince Raspen, little one,” said the one on the right. “I will be claiming the Royal Rank, meaning I will help with relations between our Circle and the other Royals.”

“I’m Prince Perryton, but you can call me Perry,” said another one. “I will be claiming the Advisor Rank, I can help with any political navigation.” 

“I’m Riven Cairothe,” said the last of the three. “I’m a Mage. Mages deal with the Circle’s magical needs and protection. We can also help with Healing if needed.” 

Harry smiled at the three of them and turned to the last person, the blond who had been treating him earlier– Quinn, his name was. 

Quinn held his hand out to Charlie, who took it with a look of confusion on his face. A moment later, Charlie’s face lit up with understanding. He nodded and turned to Harry. 

“Quinn has an injury that makes him mute, so he is unable to speak normally. He can speak into your mind through a temporary connection until he gets communication cuffs from his family Circle, or if you get a permanent connection,” Charlie said. 

Harry frowned. “But you spoke earlier.” 

Quinn nodded and came over to where Harry was and kneeled in front of him, holding his hand out. 

Harry took it. 

He felt something brushing up against his mind and flinched back, but didn’t let go of Quinn’s hand. Voldemort was dead, he reminded himself. And he wasn’t in Snape’s office. 

Hello Harry . 

A soft voice spoke into his mind and Harry looked up at Quinn’s bright blue eyes. 

I used a spell earlier that allows me to speak for short periods of time. It can cause more damage so I don’t use it often. I needed to communicate with Theo and there wasn’t another way.

Harry nodded. “That makes sense. Are you okay?” 

Quinn smiled at him. I am. Thank you for asking. 

“You said you were the Healer?” Harry asked. 

Yes. I work as a Healer back home as well. Quinn said. Now, how are you feeling, Harry?

“I’m fine,” Harry said. 

Quinn lifted an elegant brow, lips quirking in amusement. I very much doubt that, considering what I saw on my scan. 

“Your scan?” Harry asked, breath hitching. 

Quinn seemed to sense the direction that Harry’s thoughts were going. It was a full history scan cataloging all of the injuries you’ve had. 

“I–” Harry started but fell silent when Quinn squeezed his hand and continued. 

There’s a lot I would like to address with you, but I promise I will not reveal any of the results without your express permission. At Harry’s grateful nod, he continued. There is, however, one thing that I need to bring up with the rest of the Circle, which is the matter of your seals. 

“Seals?” Harry asked. 

“What about seals?” Theo asked sharply.

Can I speak to Theo about this? He will be able to explain it to you and everyone else. 

Harry bit his lip. “This doesn’t have anything to do with…?” 

Quinn shook his head gently, squeezing his hand again. It has nothing to do with your past injuries, Harry. It has more to do with your magic and your inheritance. 

“Okay, you can tell him,” Harry said. 

Thank you. 

With that, Quinn turned to look at Theo and offered him his hand as he had done with Harry and Charlie. Harry burrowed his head into Theo’s chest. He could feel the tension in the air. 

“Thirteen?!” Theo shouted and Harry flinched. He would have jumped out of his arms had Theo not kept a tight hold on him. Harry whined softly, hating the anger rolling off of Theo. Theo gave a soothing rumble, running his hand down Harry’s back. “Sorry, Harry-love, I was just a bit shocked.” 

“Would you like to explain?” Alec said, frowning at Quinn and Theo. 

Quinn moved to sit beside Theo, where Charlie had been a moment ago. He must have moved, Harry thought, though he didn’t like that he couldn’t see him. He scanned the others around them, trying to find the red-head. He whimpered slightly. 

A hand carded through his hair, prompting him to look up. 

“I’m right here, sweetheart,” Charlie said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.” 

Harry whimpered again and Charlie rumbled, making Harry relax and lean into the hand in his hair, closing his eyes. Charlie chuckled, but obliged Harry’s silent request, continuing to run his fingers through his hair. 

“From what Quinn told me, Harry has a total of thirteen seals on him, though two were shattered by the soulscream he gave,” Theo paused, seemingly anticipating the cries and growls that came from those around them. 

“Who would put thirteen seals on someone, especially a Submissive?” Hadrian growled. 

“That is one of the many questions we have,” Theo said. “You’re likely going to have a number of Hunts, Ace.” 

Hadrian inclined his head towards Theo. 

“What kinds of seals are they?” Raspen asked. 

Theo glanced at Quinn, who took his hand again, likely relaying the types of seals he had found. Theo hissed in anger, making Harry flinch again. 

“The two that shattered were a Soul Seal, meant to suppress any soul bonds, and a Binding Seal, meant to suppress his inheritance. That is why he didn’t inherit on his sixteenth birthday as he should have,” Theo explained, this time ignoring the growls around them. “He also has a general Binding Seal for his magic, a Blood Seal, four Familial Seals, a Mentor Seal, which is likely why a Mentor hasn’t shown up, a second Soul Seal–” 

“A second Soul Seal?!” Minh shouted. 

Theo glared at him before continuing, “A second Soul Seal that is entwined with a Prophetic Seal and a Death Seal–” there was a sharp intake of breath from everyone around them. “–though those three are a bit frayed, and Quinn doesn’t know why, and the last is a seal meant to counteract the Death Seal but it didn’t work. Instead it created another Death Seal.” 

When Theo finished it was silent. Even Charlie’s hand had stilled in Harry’s hair. Then Alec spoke with a dry voice: 

“Well, aren’t you a bundle of fun.” 

Harry furrowed his brows. “I don’t get it. What’s the big deal about these seals?” 

“What’s the big deal?” Alec parroted. “You’ve got two Death Seals!” 

Harry whined, burrowing his head into Theo’s chest. 

Theo gave a soothing rumble that was echoed by both Charlie and Quinn. “Do you understand what a seal is, darling?” 

Harry shook his head. “I don’t know what anyone is talking about.” 

Theo took a deep breath. “Right,” he said, running his hand over Harry’s back. “We can start with the Blood Seal. It’s caused by blood magic, usually in the form of a cursed object of some kind. It binds the magic in your blood, stopping it from circulating through your body. It causes fatigue, headaches, and weakness.”

“Oh,” Harry breathed, clenching his left hand. 

“Can you think of anything that might have caused the seal?” Theo asked.

Harry bit his lip. “Do Fred and George have one?” 

Theo frowned down at him. “What do you mean?” 

“Can you check, please?” Harry said quietly, looking at Quinn. 

Quinn nodded and went over to the twins. A few moments later he came back, giving Theo a grim nod. 

“They also have Blood Seals then,” Theo confirmed. “How did you know they would?” 

Harry scratched the back of his left hand. “I think I know where it came from.” 

“Are you going to tell us?” Theo glanced down at Harry. 

“You think it’s from Umbridge?” George asked. 

Harry nodded. “What else could it be?” 

“Umbridge?” Theo looked over at the twins. 

“Yeah,” Fred said. “She used a blood quill during detention.” 

“Who is this Umbridge?” Hadrian cut in, a dark look in his eyes. 

“She was a professor in Harry’s fifth year,” George said. 

“Less a professor and more of a toad,” Fred said. 

“A bright pink toad,” George continued. 

“Obsessed with cats,” Fred said. 

“And being a complete bitch,” George said. 

Harry snorted. “They’re not wrong.” 

“They aren’t,” Theo sighed. “She was absolutely horrid. Even if she did give the Slytherins special treatment, we were all happy when she was gone.” 

“Will this be a Hunt, Alpha?” Hadrian asked. 

“Yes,” Theo said. “Though she will likely also be facing the wizarding courts for the crimes she committed during the war.” 

Quinn touched Harry’s arm. Can I see your hand, Harry? 

“Why?” Harry asked, moving his left hand out of view. 

Quinn gave him a pointed look for the action. 

“It’s fine,” Harry said. “It’s just a scar.” 

“What scar?” Theo asked, frowning down at Harry. 

“It’s nothing,” Harry said. 

Please, Harry, I just want to check that there’s no dark residue in the wound itself. 

Harry reluctantly extended his hand. 

Thank you . Quinn took it gently and began examining it. His eyes darkened as he read the words. How many detentions did you have with this woman? 

“I’m not sure,” Harry said, studying Quinn’s reactions warily. He could almost feel his anger in the air. “I lost count.” 

“What is it?” Theo asked. 

Quinn tilted Harry’s hand to Theo. 

Theo hissed, taking it from Quinn’s grasp. “How many detentions did you have with her?” 

Quinn snorted quietly. 

“That’s exactly what Quinn just asked,” Harry said, sharing an amused look with the Healer. 

“And you said you lost count?” Theo clarified. 

Harry nodded. 

“Harry did spend more time in detention than any of us,” Fred said. 

“Do you two have a scar?” Theo asked.

Fred and George shook their heads. “The words faded after a bit,” George said. 

Theo pursed his lips. 

“It’s fine, it’s just a scar,” Harry said. “It doesn’t matter.” 

Quinn flicked his nose lightly. It does matter. It’s a constant reminder of the torture she put you through. 

“I wouldn’t call it torture…” Harry said. 

“What else would you call–” George said. 

“Carving words into your hand–” Fred continued. 

“For hours on end?” The twins leveled him with unimpressed looks. 

“A cruel punishment?” Harry said. 

“That is not a punishment,” Minh said darkly. “Forcing a student to use a Blood Quill can’t possibly be called a punishment.” 

“It’s fine,” Harry said again. “It was two years ago, I’m over it.” 

“Your definition of fine is extremely flawed,” Alec said. 

“This is not fine, Harry,” Theo said. “Please tell me you know it’s not fine.” 

“I survived, I’m here, it’s fine,” Harry said firmly. “Can we just move on, please? You still haven’t explained the other seals.” 

“Alright,” Theo sighed. “But we’ll come back to this later.” 

Harry let out a soft whine. 

“Harry–” Theo started, but he was interrupted by someone calling his name. 

“Theo,” a woman said, coming up to their group. She was in full armor and had twin swords strapped to her back. Dark wings were folded behind her. “We’ve moved all of the prisoners. We should find a more secure location, now that your Submissive has woken up.”

Theo scanned the clearing they were in. “You’re right. We can ‘port to Hogwarts. The battle should be over by now and it will be safer there. And I’m sure some of us have people to check on.” 

“I’ll let everyone know. We’ll meet you there,” the woman said. 

“Thank you, Oretta,” Theo said. 

The woman gave him a nod, turning to survey the rest of their group. Her eyes seemed to light with surprise. “Blood Raven,” she said, inclining her head towards Hadrian. 

“Blood Wraith,” Hadrian said, inclining his head as well. 

Harry’s brows furrowed in confusion. 

“‘Port to the courtyard,” Theo said. 

The woman nodded again and walked off, already giving orders to the people around her. Movement started up again and soon cracks of apparition began echoing through the clearing. 

“Circle up everyone,” Theo said, standing up, but keeping Harry wrapped in his arms, even as he set him on the ground. “We’ll be ‘porting to the school grounds, where the main battle took place. It’ll be more secure than staying out here. We can continue our conversation there.” 

Harry watched as everyone crowded together, taking hold of one another as though preparing for side-along apparition. “What’s–” Harry started to ask. 

“It’s like apparition,” Theo explained quietly. “But it draws on a different kind of magic. I’ll explain it better later. For now, just hold onto me until we get to Hogwarts. It can be dangerous if you let go.” 

Harry gave a small nod, moving closer to the Slytherin. 

“Everyone ready?” Theo asked. Once everyone had nodded, he waved a hand over the ground. “Temptrificus Ergen, Hogwarts Courtyard!”

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Courtyard

A glowing green circle appeared on the ground beneath their feet and Harry felt the distinct feeling of being pulled across space, as though being shoved through a tube. The next thing he knew, he was standing in the Hogwarts Courtyard, surrounded by more noise and movement and people. 

As Theo’s arms relaxed around him, though he didn’t let Harry go, Harry was able to look around. Bodies littered the ground– Death Eaters, students, professors. Harry hoped he wouldn’t see any familiar faces. 

“Harry!” 

Harry’s head jerked towards the direction of the voice. He could see people running towards him. A cry of relief left his mouth as he recognized Ron’s voice and Hermione’s bushy brown hair. He tore out of Theo’s arms, ignoring the shouts of protest, and raced towards the pair, meeting them halfway in a bruising embrace. 

“Mate, you’re okay,” Ron breathed, his voice muffled by Harry’s hair. 

“Did you do it?” Harry asked as he pulled back from his best friends. 

Ron rolled his eyes fondly. “Of course we did,” he said, ruffling Harry’s hair. “We got the cup and the fucking snake. Though that was all Nev. You should’ve seen him, mate. He decapitated it with a bloody sword. It was epic.” 

Harry grinned at Neville, who stood a little ways behind them. The boy grinned back, giving him a mock salute. 

“Thank you,” Harry said. 

“Anytime, mate,” Neville said. “Though hopefully not anytime soon, I’m knackered.” 

Harry snorted. “Yeah, we all deserve a lifetime of rest after this,” he said. “Are you all okay, though? Anyone injured?” 

“We’re all fine–” Neville began, only to be interrupted by Hermione’s furious shriek. 

“Are we all okay?! Are you fucking kidding me?!” Hermione screamed. 

Harry flinched away from her in surprise. “Hermione–” 

“Don’t you ‘Hermione’ me, Harry James Potter, I have a bloody bone to pick with you!” 

Harry opened his mouth and closed it. 

“How dare you?! How could you do that to us?!” Hermione yelled, smacking his chest. 

“Mione–” Ron said, reaching out for her. 

“No!” She glared at him, before rounding back on Harry. “You told us you weren’t going to do anything stupid! You promised!” 

“I didn’t–” Harry ducked as she started smacking him again. 

“You didn’t what?! Do anything stupid?!” Hermione laughed in disbelief. “What do you call walking into a fucking forbidden forest full of fucking Death Eaters who want to kill you, including the fucking Dark Lord?! Because I call that monumentally and absolutely fucking idiotic!” 

“I had to–” 

“You had to?! You had to?!” Hermione kept yelling, ignoring Ron as he tried to get her to calm down, still smacking any part of Harry she could reach. “You didn’t have to do anything but trust us! We were supposed to do this together! You promised you would stay safe! You promised no ledges!” 

Even Ron stopped at that. 

Harry swallowed. “This wasn’t–” 

“You promised !” Hermione was breathing raggedly, tears streaming down her face. “You promised no ledges! You promised you would let us help! You promised!” 

“Hermione, I swear, this wasn’t that,” Harry said quickly. “I wasn’t trying to–” 

“Then what were you trying to do?! What other possible outcome could you have foreseen?!” 

“I needed to end this,” Harry said. “I had to kill him. It had to be me.” 

“It doesn’t always have to be just you, Harry! I’m fucking furious with you right now! I should be glad you didn’t die given how absolutely moronic you were!” 

“Well…” Harry said. Hermione would find out anyway. It was better just to get all of her yelling out of the way at once. He wouldn’t be able to keep it from her. 

Hermione looked at him sharply, taking a deep breath. “HARRY JAMES POTTER, ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME THAT YOU ACTUALLY FUCKING DIED?!” 

Silence fell over the courtyard. Jesus, Harry forgot how loud Hermione could be. 

“No?” Harry said sheepishly. 

Hermione looked furious. She seemed to have lost her ability to form words because her mouth just opened and closed as she stared at him in disbelief. 

“Haz, please tell me you’re making a really terrible joke right now,” Ron said, staring at him as well. 

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. “Wish I could, mate.” 

“You died? Like legitimately died? Heart stopped and everything?” Ron asked. 

“For like a second, yeah,” Harry said. “I came right back, though. Killed Voldy, fought some Death Eaters, became a fucking dragon apparently, but I came back. I had a choice, and I came back. Hermione, I chose to come back.” Harry stared at her, trying to get her to understand. He had chosen to live. He chose to come back. Sure it was only to kill Riddle, but it was still something. 

“You– I–” Hermione kept staring. She shook her head, frowning. “Sorry, wait, go back a second, we’ll come back to the whole dying part in a moment, did you say you became a dragon?” 

“Yeah?” Harry said uncertainly. “Not really sure why or how, but yeah. Technically it’s called a Dragel, I think. Theo was just explaining it to me.” 

“You’re a Dragel?” Hermione asked, glancing at Ron. 

“Buggering fuck,” Ron said. “I owe Percy so much money.” 

Harry and Hermione both turned to Ron. “What?” Harry asked. 

“Percy bloody called it. I swear he’s taking seer lessons from Luna or some shit,” Ron grumbled. 

“How did you not know?” Hermione asked. “We spent so much time with him, surely your dragony senses would’ve picked something up?” 

“There was never anything,” Ron said. “Percy reckoned he was under a suppression of some sort. He blamed Dumbledore. Said that’s why he wouldn’t let Harry stay with us for too long over the summers, to keep us from finding out.” 

“I’m so confused right now,” Harry said, looking from Ron to Hermione and back. 

“What about now?” Hermione asked, seemingly not having heard Harry. “Can you smell him now?” 

Ron stepped closer to Harry, taking a cursory sniff. His eyes widened. “Holy shit. It’s so different,” he breathed. “It’s still Harry, but it’s more somehow. It’s right.” 

Harry stared at Ron. “Are you…?” 

“A Dragel?” Ron said. “Yeah. The whole family is.” 

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?” Harry asked. 

“We did,” Ron said. “You just always seemed to forget.” 

“Forget?” Harry asked. 

“Yeah, everytime we brought it up, you would get this glazed look in your eyes and then you wouldn’t remember the conversation at all,” Ron said. 

Harry frowned. Could it have been some built in part of his seals? It seemed likely. It seemed even likelier that it was Dumbledore who did it. 

“How did Percy find out first?” Hermione asked. 

Ron shrugged. “You know him. His mind just works different.” 

“When did he figure it out?” 

“I think during second year?” Ron said, rubbing his chin in thought. “He brought it up the summer after the Chamber.” 

“Could it have been that summer before second year?” Hermione said. “When you lot rescued Harry? He spent a lot of time at the Burrow then, more than our other years.” 

“Could be actually,” Ron hummed. “Harry was really different that year too. Like his defenses were down.” 

“You know I’m right here, right,” Harry huffed. “You could include me in the conversation.” 

“Like you included us in your plan to die?” Hermione asked in a deceptively sweet voice. 

“It wasn’t a plan to die,” Harry protested. “It was what I had to do.” 

“What would you call a plan where you know you’re going to die and yet you do it anyways?” Hermione said. 

“Dying was not the desired end result,” Harry said. “Thus, it was not a plan to die .” 

“What was it then?” 

“A plan to defeat Riddle,” Harry said. 

“By dying,” Hermione added. 

“And then coming back,” Harry countered. 

“Only to defeat Tom and not because you actually wanted to live, though, right?” Hermione said. “Because if you knew that someone else could have killed Voldemort, you wouldn’t have come back.” 

“Hermione–”

“If Voldemort was already dead, and you were killed, would you still choose to come back?” 

“I– it’s– you can’t– it’s not that simple.” Harry struggled to find the right words. 

“But it is Harry,” Hermione said. “If you didn’t have some misguided savior complex, you wouldn’t have chosen to come back.” 

“I– you don’t know that,” Harry whispered. 

“I do,” Hermione said. “I know you Harry.” 

“I wanted to come back,” Harry said feebly. 

“Wanted to, or needed to?” Hermione asked. 

Harry didn’t have an answer. At least not one Hermione would have liked. Why did she need to do this right now, in any case? He had to do it. And he came back. Why couldn’t she understand that? He heard himself let out a whine. 

Several soothing rumbles sounded, making him jump slightly. Both Ron and, surprisingly, Neville had let out the noise, but so had a few people behind him who Harry hadn’t noticed before now. He glanced back to see his Circle watching the group, some wearily, some looking amused, but most were concerned. Harry winced. Great. Just what he needed, for all of his new bonded to hear that conversation. 

“Who the fuck are you?” Ron growled, grabbing Harry’s arm and shoving him behind him to face Harry’s Circle.  

Neville moved forward, joining Ron in front of Harry. 

“Ron,” Harry said. “It’s fine, they’re with me.” 

Ron gave him a bewildered look. “Harry, that’s Nott. A Slytherin. Son of a Death Eater. His father literally tortured you.” 

Growls came from his Circle. Harry saw Theo’s eyes darken. 

“He’s not his father,” Harry said. “If we were our parents, I’d be dead.” 

“You were, apparently,” Ron said dryly. 

Harry rolled his eyes. “You know what I meant.” 

“Not really,” Ron said. “He’s Theodore Nott.” 

“He’s never actually done anything to us though,” Harry said. 

“He’s never done anything to help us either,” Ron pointed out. 

“Fourth year,” Harry said, crossing his arms. 

Ron huffed. “We’ve already dealt with that. I said I was sorry. I admitted to being a jealous prat. You forgave me.” 

“I forgave you with the express condition that I could bring it up whenever you were being a prat again,” Harry said. 

“I wouldn’t call wanting to protect you to be ‘prattish,’” Ron argued. 

“You’re threatening Theo,” Harry said. 

“It’s Theo, then?” Ron asked, raising a brow. “Since when?” 

Harry nearly groaned in frustration. He was too fucking tired for all of this right now. “Please, Ron, just trust me, it’s fine.” 

“Harry, you and I both know your definition of fine is extremely fucking off,” Ron said. 

“Weasley,” Theo interrupted. 

Ron whipped around to face him again, growling. 

“Harry let out a soulscream,” Theo said. “We were called.” 

That made Ron pause. 

Neville whistled. “Never one for boring, are you, Harry?” 

Harry stuck his tongue out at him. 

Ron stared at Theo for another moment before turning back to Harry. He studied Harry’s face before pinching his nose and closing his eyes. “A Slytherin, Harry, really?” 

Harry opened his mouth, but Ron cut him off. 

“And not one, not even two, but three of my brothers?” Ron shook his head. “First Ginny–” 

“Oi,” Harry protested. “You know I don’t swing that way. And neither does she.” 

“I still had to witness you two snogging in front of the whole common room,” Ron said. 

“I was the one who had to explain to your parents that Ginny and I weren’t dating anymore because we both figured out we were gay,” Harry said. “I think I had it worse.” 

“You certainly have it worse now,” Ron said. “I don’t know how you’re going to deal with Fred and George. We should be planning your funeral now.” 

Neville covered up his bark of laughter with a cough. 

It took Ron a moment to realize what he’d said. He winced. 

“Well,” Hermione said. “I, for one, saw this coming.” 

Ron and Harry turned to her, identical looks of confusion on their faces. 

“Oh, come on,” she said. “We all had to listen to Harry moaning about Malfoy and Zabini and Nott and Higgs for years. Don’t tell me you thought it was purely heterosexual enemy moaning.” 

“Now that I think about it,” Ron said thoughtfully. “I can’t believe that I didn’t notice that earlier.” 

“I did not talk about them that much,” Harry said. 

Neville, Hermione, and Ron all looked at him. 

“You’re joking, right?” Ron said. 

“It was all you talked about,” Neville said. 

“You were like obsessed,” Ron added. 

“No,” Harry protested, his face hot with embarrassment. He glanced at Theo to see him watching their interaction with amusement. 

“Obsessed?” Theo teased. 

“Shut up,” Harry muttered. Chuckles came from the people around them. 

“Anyways,” Harry said, trying to change the subject. “Where is everyone else?” 

“McGonagall is gathering people in the Great Hall,” Ron said, nodding his head towards the castle. “She’s trying to organize volunteer clean up groups and Healers. She’s letting students stay in the dorms until they find somewhere to go.” 

Harry nodded. “Have you found your parents yet?” 

Ron shook his head. “I was just heading that way when we ran into you.” 

“Do we want to go to the Great Hall?” Harry glanced at Theo, who nodded in agreement. 

“I’ll come with you,” Theo said. He turned to address the rest of their Circle. “Everyone else can reconnect with your families and the people that followed you. Meet us in the Great Hall afterwards.” 

Everyone nodded. As they walked past Harry to find their people, many of them squeezed his shoulder, or ruffled his hair, or simply patted his arm, as though they needed the physical contact before they could leave. 

Only Charlie and the twins stayed with Theo and Harry. 

“Mum is going to blow a gasket,” Ron said, shaking his head. 

“At least she can’t blame us, we did nothing wrong,” Fred said with a grin. 

“I still can’t believe you’re bonded to both of them,” Ron said to Harry. “I pity your sanity and your Circle.” 

“Oi,” George exclaimed. 

“We can be–” Fred said. 

“Perfectly behaved–” George continued. 

“If we so–” 

“Wish to be.” 

“And do you wish to be well-behaved?” Ron asked, lifting a brow at them. 

“Not at the moment,” Fred said. 

Ron sighed. “Let’s just go find Mum and Dad, they can deal with all of this.” 

“Aw, Ronniekins, do we tire you out?” George teased. 

“Yes,” Ron said. He threw an arm around Harry’s shoulders, leading him towards the castle. “Come on, mate.”

As they walked through the courtyard, Ron seemed to study Harry intently. 

“What?” Harry asked. 

“I just don’t see any claim marks,” Ron said. “I was curious how yours would look. They’re different for everyone.” 

“Claim marks?” Harry glanced at Theo. 

“You don’t know?” Ron said. He turned back to frown at Theo. “You haven’t told him yet, Nott?” 

“There wasn’t a good moment, Weasley,” Theo replied with a sigh. 

“Told me what?” Harry looked from Ron to Theo and back. 

“He’s going to freak out,” Ron said to Theo. 

“That’s why I’m waiting until everything has calmed down,” Theo said. 

Ron snorted. “With Harry, it’s never calm.” 

Harry elbowed Ron in the side before turning back to Theo. “What are you two talking about? Why am I going to freak out?” 

“It’s a Dragel thing,” Fred said. “It’s kind of weird to people who haven’t grown up with it, so you’ll freak out.” 

Harry frowned. “Can’t you just tell me now?” 

“I’ll explain everything once we’re all back together, so we can continue our conversation,” Theo said, stepping closer to Harry and taking his hand. “I would like to try to cover everything at once, rather than in pieces.” 

“But you will explain it to me?” Harry checked. 

“I promise,” Theo said, squeezing Harry’s hand. 

Harry sighed and let the matter drop, for now.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Great Hall

Harry sat curled up against George’s side, listening to Ron’s explanation of how he and Hermione destroyed the cup. Mrs. Weasley was circling around their group, tucking blankets around people’s shoulders and casting cleaning charms. Even Harry’s new Circle wasn’t exempt from her fussing. Everyone who had come back had been subjected to the same treatment: an introduction, a long hug, and an array of charms, only to be unceremoniously shoved into a chair or onto the ground with a blanket and a mug of tea that Mrs. Weasley had conjured out of nowhere. Some of them grumbled at her actions, but no one dared to protest, especially after she had expertly manhandled Theo into a chair, ignoring his growling. 

“You’re telling me the Chamber is flooded?” Ginny said. She was sitting on the ground in front of Harry’s seat, her back leaning against his legs. 

“Yup,” Ron said. “Completely covered in water. Hermione and I were soaked.” 

“Ha–” Fred started to say but Hermione cut him off with a glare. 

“Don’t you dare make that joke right now,” she hissed. 

Fred stuck his tongue out at her. 

Mrs. Weasley cuffed the back of his head, making him pout at her. 

“Where is Bill?” Harry asked. 

“He’s with Fleur in the Hospital Wing,” Mr. Weasley said. At Harry’s panicked look, he raised a consoling hand. “They’re both fine. Fleur just got struck by a nasty curse and is recovering.” 

Harry let out a breath. “Good, I’m glad they’re okay.” 

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley exchanged a wary look. 

Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry. “Harry… there’s something you should know,” she started carefully. 

Harry felt everyone around him stiffen. 

“Is it about Remus and Tonks?” Harry asked. “That they’re dead?”
“How did you know?” Mrs. Weasley asked gently. 

“I saw Moony earlier,” Harry said, shrugging. “The Resurrection Stone, you know?” 

Mrs. Weasley frowned. “You didn’t…” 

“No,” Harry said. “I didn’t try to bring them back. They just talked to me.” 

“Who’s they?” George asked. His hand was rubbing Harry’s side soothingly. 

“My parents, Padfoot, Moony,” Harry said. “They sort of escorted me to the clearing.” 

“You mean escorted you to your death?” Hermione said, scoffing. “I can’t believe Remus would support your ridiculous plan.”
Harry glared at her. “I had to do it Hermione, we’ve covered this.” 

“You could’ve done something else,” she said. 

Harry took a sharp breath. 

“Let’s not do this right now,” Ron said, placing a hand on Hermione’s arm. 

She huffed. “Fine. But we’re not done talking about this.” 

Harry rolled his eyes. 

Someone cleared their throat. Harry turned to look at Ethan who was sitting with Bran on one side and Quinn on the other. “Quinn wanted to know what she meant by ‘your death,’” he said carefully. 

“It’s fine,” Harry said quickly. “It doesn’t matter.” 

“Harry,” Hermione started. 

“Not now,” Harry hissed. 

“Quinn said, ‘it does matter, especially if she meant your death literally,’” Ethan said. 

Harry groaned, hiding his head against George’s shoulder. “Can we do this later? I’m alive, I’m here, let’s just drop it.” 

“We’re not going to just ‘drop it,’” Hermione said, crossing her arms. “We’re literally talking about your death, Harry.” 

“It’s not like it was permanent,” Harry said. 

Hermione gave him an unimpressed look. 

“Could you at least explain what happened?” Theo asked. He was sitting on Harry’s other side, still wrapped in Mrs. Weasley’s blanket. 

Harry went to protest but Theo reached out and took his hand. “Please?” 

Harry swallowed a whine. “Fine,” he said. “I’ll tell you what happened, but then we’re going to leave it, okay?” 

“I make no promises,” Hermione said. 

Harry rolled his eyes. “It really isn’t that big of a deal.” 

“How about you just tell us what happened and we can discuss how big or small of a deal it was after,” Theo said gently. He still hadn’t let go of Harry’s hand, and Harry, strangely, didn’t want him to. 

“After Tom made his big announcement about meeting him in the Forbidden Forest,” Harry began, turning Theo’s hand over in his own, studying the boy’s palm. “I knew I needed to end this. I trusted Ron and Hermione to destroy the cup and kill Nagini, and I had already taken care of the diadem–” 

“What’s so special about the cup and the diadem?” Mr. Weasley cut in. 

“You see,” Harry said, not looking up from Theo’s hand. “Tom had split his soul in his effort to become immortal, and he had knowingly created six Horcruxes–” 

Growls and hisses sounded around him. 

“Wait,” Ginny said. “You said ‘knowingly.’ What do you mean?” 

“I was getting to that,” Harry said. “These six Horcruxes included a diary–” Ginny cursed loudly. “–a ring, a locket, a cup, a diadem, and a snake, Nagini. That’s what Ron and Hermione and I had been doing: we’d been hunting down the Horcruxes and destroying them, finishing Dumbledore’s work.” Harry spit out the name. The man didn’t deserve all of the respect he got. 

“Did anyone else know?” Mr. Weasley asked. 

Harry shook his head. “Only I did and I brought in Ron and Hermione when they refused to let me do it alone.” 

“Damn right we did,” Ron said. “You would’ve died two minutes in.” 

Harry flashed Ron a middle finger. 

Ron responded in kind. 

“Why did you not ask for help?” Mr. Weasley was frowning at Harry. 

“Dumbledore said it was top secret,” Harry said with a shrug. “I still trusted him back then. He said to not tell anyone.” 

Mr. Weasley shook his head. “He sent children to destroy Horcruxes?” 

“Technically he sent one child,” Hermione said. “We weren’t part of the original plan.” 

“Was he trying to get Harry killed?” Oliver asked. He was watching the conversation with wide eyes. 

Harry winced. “If I’m being honest, maybe a little bit?” 

Everyone stared at him. 

Harry sighed. “I said Tom created six Horcruxes knowingly , and Ginny asked what I meant,” he said, inclining his head towards her. “There were actually seven Horcruxes. One of them was an accident.” 

There was silence. 

“No,” Hermione breathed. 

Harry looked up at her. 

She was staring at him in horror. “Please tell me it’s not what I think it is.” 

“It probably is,” Harry grimaced. 

Hermione shook her head. 

“Want to clue the rest of us in?” Ron wrapped an arm around Hermione’s shoulders. 

“Horcruxes are created when a heinous act is committed,” Harry said. “There’s some blood magic involved and some more ritual things, but the trigger is that act. Usually, it’s murder. And, well, there was this one relatively recent murder monumental enough to have been able to create an accidental Horcrux.” 

No one said anything for a second. Then Ron said, “You’re a Horcrux.” 

“ Was a Horcrux,” Harry corrected. “To destroy a Horcrux, you have to destroy the vessel, completely. That’s why I had to die. If I hadn’t, a part of Tom’s soul would have still been alive and he could have come back.” 

“And Dumbledore knew this?” Mr. Weasley asked after another moment of silence. 

Harry nodded. 

“He knew you were a Horcrux,” Mr. Weasley said. “He knew you had to die.” 

Harry nodded again. 

“Motherfucker,” Mr. Weasley breathed. 

“Arthur,” Mrs. Weasley admonished, though it was half-hearted. 

“I think he deserves it, Molly,” Mr. Weasley said. “He knew Harry was going to die, and he sent him on a suicide mission. He raised him like a lamb for slaughter.” 

Harry gritted his teeth. He’d come to the same realization a few weeks ago. Safe to say his faith in his old Headmaster had completely fallen apart then. 

Theo cleared his throat. “Can you finish telling us what happened in the forest, Harry?” 

Harry nodded. “As I was saying, I knew I was the last Horcrux. I knew I had to die. But I also knew that I would have to come back. The prophecy said that we had to die at the hand of the other. He had to kill me, and I had to kill him. Dumbledore wouldn’t have left anything to chance. I would die, and then I would come back and kill him.” 

Harry took a breath, wringing his hands in his lap. “Before I got to the clearing, I had to hide the Resurrection Stone. I couldn’t let the Death Eaters get their hands on it. So I stopped to hide it in the forest. That’s when my parents and Sirius and Remus came out. They spoke to me. Told me what I had to do. Told me to be brave. And then I dropped the stone and they were gone.” His voice had grown quieter and quieter as he spoke. He could barely hear it over the sound of his heart beating in his chest. 

“I walked up to Voldemort and he sent the Killing Curse at me,” Harry said. He felt George inhale sharply against him, tightening his arm around Harry. “I ended up in a white room. Dumbledore was there. He was saying something but all I could see was the soul piece dying in the corner. I told Dumbledore to send me back. I woke up to Narcissa Malfoy checking if I was dead. She lied for me. She told Voldemort I was. The Death Eaters celebrated.” 

Harry paused to breathe. Once he had started talking, the story came tumbling out. He couldn't believe how little time had passed since the Final Duel. It felt years away now. 

“Then I stood up. Voldemort tried to kill me again, but I sent an Expelliarmus at him. Our spells met. I pushed against him and my magic overtook his, rebounding his Killing Curse to him. He died. The Death Eaters attacked me and here we are.” 

Harry looked up to see everyone looking at him with a mixture of concern, confusion, and awe. He didn’t know how to feel about the last one. He wasn’t anything special. He was just Harry. He’d done what anyone would have. 

“Hold on,” Hermione said. “Let me get this straight: you realized you were a Horcrux and had to die. You didn’t tell anyone. You went to confront Voldemort, with no plan but to die and hope for the best, and you still insist it was the only thing you could do?” 

“Yes?” Harry said uncertainly. 

Hermione stared at him. For a moment she didn’t say anything, and then she launched herself at Harry, ignoring Ron, who tried to reach for her. “YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!” 

“Hey!” George tried to get her to back off but Hermione paid him no heed, digging her fingers into Harry’s shoulders as she shook him. 

“WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!” She shouted. “WE COULD HAVE HELPED!” 

“There wasn’t anything you could do,” Harry said quietly, curving in on himself. 

“WE COULD HAVE FIGURED SOMETHING ELSE OUT! BUT YOU DIDN’T TRUST US!” 

Harry flinched at her volume. “I–” His voice got stuck in his throat. 

“Okay!” Theo cut in before she could start shouting again. “We’re going to back off of Harry, and sit down, and talk about this like adults.” 

Hermioned growled at him as he tried to pull her back. 

Theo growled back. 

Finally, Hermione scoffed and shoved Harry away from her, going back to her seat with Ron. Harry wrapped his arms around himself. 

“That was uncalled for,” George said coldly, pulling Harry closer to himself. 

Before Hermione could reply, Ron cut her off. “He’s right, ‘Mione. Look, I’m upset too, but yelling isn’t going to fix anything.” 

“I’m not ‘upset,’ Ron,” Hermione seethed. “I’m fucking livid.” 

Harry flinched again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. 

Hermione turned to him, wincing apologetically as she took in his posture. “Oh, Harry,” she said softly. “I’m not angry at you.” 

“You’re not?” Harry’s voice shook. 

Hermione lowered onto the floor in front of him, taking his hands. “Of course not,” she said. “I’m worried about you, and absolutely livid at Dumbledore for making you think you had to do this alone. I also have some choice words for your parents and Sirius and Remus for letting you go through with it.” 

“It was the best option at the time,” Harry tried to defend. 

Hermione shook her head. “Anything that involves you literally dying, is never the best option. There is always another way, Dumbledore just didn’t care enough to look.” 

“But–”

“He doesn’t deserve your loyalty, Harry,” Hermione said. “Don’t defend him, not about this.” 

“What about everything else, though?” Harry teased quietly. 

Hermione chuckled. “Don’t defend him, period.” 

“Okay.” 

Hermione squeezed his hands before releasing them and standing up with a groan.

Harry looked up at Ron with a questioning look. 

Ron shook his head with a small smile. “I’m not upset with you either, mate,” he said. “I love you, and I think you just took a couple hundred decades off my life, but I’m not upset with you.” 

Harry let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” 

“No one is upset with you , Harry,” Theo said. “We’re upset for you.” 

Harry glanced around to see everyone nodding. He slumped back against George, tension leaving his body. “Okay,” he said again.

He stifled a yawn as he cuddled into George’s side. Someone’s hand started running down his side, someone else’s playing with his hair. He closed his eyes. 

Harry felt George chuckle lightly. “Sleep, Haz,” George said in his ear. 

Harry grumbled something incomprehensible, and let his exhaustion drag him under.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Gryffindor Common Room

Harry woke up still in George’s arms. He could hear voices talking quietly. Something inside him settled at their sound, it recognized them, and knew they were safe. He couldn’t tell if they were still in the Great Hall, but he didn’t really care. He was comfortable and warm. 

He nuzzled George’s neck. There was something so nice about the smell of it. Weird. Harry thought. Why was he smelling George? It was a nice smell. Warm, comforting, like crackling flames and fireworks and cinnamon. 

Harry whined when his gums started to ache. He pushed his face further against George’s neck, but the ache didn’t leave. He whined again. He couldn’t seem to find the words for what he wanted at the moment. 

The voices around him quieted. 

Another whine escaped Harry. 

Someone rumbled soothingly. Theo, he thought. 

A hand ran down his back. It felt nice. But it wasn’t what he needed. He whined again, nosing the neck in front of him. 

“Ah,” Theo said, sounding amused. “I wondered when we would get to that.” 

Harry made a questioning noise, still unable to form words. 

“Do your gums hurt?” Theo asked. 

Harry nodded, refusing to move away from George. 

Theo hummed. “Your instincts are telling you to bond,” he said. “Your gums hurt because your fangs are trying to come out.” 

Fangs?! Harry gave a panicked warble. 

Theo rumbled. “It’s okay,” he soothed. “It’s all totally natural. This is that thing I told you I would explain later, do you remember?” 

Harry nodded again. 

“We talked about it being a little strange, remember?” 

Well, fangs were plenty strange. Harry grumbled, wanting Theo to just move on so he could– well do whatever it was he really needed to do. 

Theo laughed lightly. “I’m getting there, darling,” he said, shushing Harry’s annoyed sounds. “Dragels, when they form a Circle, bond with their soul bonded. They do this by biting them and drinking their blood.” 

Harry squeaked. 

“I know it sounds strange,” Theo said. “But it isn’t, not for Dragels. Blood sharing is a common practice among families and Circles. Our blood is full of magic and energy and can help soothe and heal.” 

Harry tried to express how weird he thought it all was, but all that came out was another squeak. Theo gave a rumble. 

“Your instincts are currently urging you to bite your soul bonded, in order to claim them. You’re not going to be able to bond fully with everyone because that requires something more… intimate,” Theo explained. 

It sounded right, but Harry squirmed, still thinking it was weird. 

“Just let it happen, love,” Theo said, still rubbing a hand down his back. “It’s perfectly normal. No one is going to judge you.” 

Harry whined again. More rumbles came from the others around them. He squirmed again, feeling the ache in his gums become greater as something shifted in his mouth. He ran his tongue across his teeth, finding fangs where there hadn’t been any. 

He sniffed against George’s neck, almost feeling the thrumming of his blood. He whimpered. This was weird. 

“Go on, Harry,” George said quietly. “Wherever you want.” 

Harry took a deep breath. Weird. Weird. Weird. 

George rumbled against him. 

Harry lowered his mouth to the junction between George’s neck and shoulder. He felt George tense under him. He gave a questioning chirp, receiving a rumble in return. Harry gave a cursory lick before opening his mouth and biting down. 

George inhaled in pain as Harry’s fangs broke his skin. 

Harry whined. 

“Sh sh,” George shushed him gently. “It’s okay.” 

Harry whined again but swallowed a mouthful of blood and– oh, that wasn’t weird at all. It was so full. Full of magic and energy and everything. It felt so right and perfect and wonderful. Harry felt himself start to purr, but he didn’t have the space of mind to find that weird as well. He was drinking blood right now, and he was enjoying it. And it was George. That made him purr louder. 

A hand laced through his hair, giving him a slight tug. “Okay, Haz, that’s enough,” George said. Harry whined, not wanting to let go. The hand pulled a little harder. “You’ve got plenty of others to claim, love, we don’t want you buzzing from overindulging on blood.” 

Harry gave an unhappy noise but removed his fangs from George’s shoulder, licking the wound he had made and watching in fascination as it healed over, a light running across the skin, forming a triangle with a circle inside it and a line running through the center. The symbol was just a bit darker than George’s skin. Harry tilted his head, studying the mark. Why was it the Deathly Hallows? 

Harry looked up at George, meaning to ask him what the symbol meant, but the only sound he could make was a trill. He huffed. Why couldn’t he speak? 

George cooed at him, running his hand over his hair. “Your instincts are too close to the surface, that’s why you can’t talk,” he explained. “You’ll settle in a bit.” 

Harry gave a grateful chirp, before poking at the symbol and tilting his head at George. 

“That’s our Circle’s mark,” Theo said from behind him. 

Harry turned to him and felt the urge to bite something again. He wiggled in George’s lap, trying to get free. 

Theo chuckled and held his hand out for Harry, who promptly climbed into his lap and nuzzled his neck. “Go on, darling,” Theo rumbled, holding Harry close with a hand on the back of his head. 

Harry sank his fangs into Theo’s neck. He felt Theo lower his head to Harry’s neck, placing gentle kisses on his skin. Harry’s purr grew louder. Theo paused on a spot just under Harry’s ear, licking it in warning before biting down. There was a momentary pinch of pain and then it abated, leaving behind just the feeling of Theo. 

After a few moments, Theo pulled away, healing the wound with a murmur of a spell. He gave Harry’s hair a light pull to prompt him to stop. Harry wanted to protest, but he already knew Theo wouldn’t listen, so he pulled away, placing his own kisses on Theo’s neck. As he settled against Theo, he felt a sort of emptiness inside of him, like something wasn’t finished. He raised his head, looking around until his gaze landed on George. There it was. He gave a whine and held his arm out to the twin. He needed him to do something. 

George smiled and scooted closer. “Where do you want it, Harry?” He asked. 

Harry pulled his sleeve up, baring his bicep to George. He closed his eyes as he felt George’s mouth against his skin. When George was done, Harry wanted nothing more than to keep cuddling with Theo, but his fangs were still out and that feeling of needing something was back. Harry grumbled. 

Theo gently nudged Harry to his feet. “Go bond with everyone, love,” he said. “We can cuddle afterwards.”

Harry pouted, but looked around. They had apparently moved to the Gryffindor Common Room while he had slept, and were now surrounded by all of the Weasleys and a couple of students from Harry’s year. He would have to say hello to them later, but right now there was only one thing on his mind. His gaze snagged on a specific head of red hair and he made his way over to Charlie and Fred, who were conveniently sitting together not too far away. Fred smiled at Harry and pulled him into his lap. 

A little while later, Harry was sitting on a couch, leaning back against Raspen’s chest, trying to figure out who he had left to bond with. He’d found the Pareyas and Gheyos the fastest, as they tended to stay close to everyone. Alec’s blood had felt like pure energy coursing through him and Harry had even started buzzing. The Merrow had rolled his eyes and pushed Harry towards the Royals, claiming they would help ground him. The two Royals, the fact that they were literal royalty still freaked him out a little, had been sitting with Riven. He bonded with Riven first, after which he’d had sparks flying off his skin and couldn’t seem to sit still. Bonding with Raspen and Perry had, in fact, helped to settle him, and now he was relaxing against his bonded. 

“I believe you just have Quinn and Bran left, little one,” Raspen murmured in his ear. 

Harry’s face flushed at the feeling. He focused on looking for them instead. 

“Would you like me to find them for you?” Perry asked, softly. 

Harry nodded gratefully. He really didn’t want to get up. 

Perry smiled. He stood up in one fluid motion, bending to press a kiss to the top of Harry’s head, before heading off to find them. The flush on Harry’s face did not lessen. 

Someone chuckled and Harry turned to see Riven looking at him amusedly. “You’re too easy to fluster,” he said. 

Harry shot a glare at him, which only served to make him chuckle again. 

“It’s cute,” Riven said, leaning forward to ruffle Harry’s hair. 

Harry huffed. He wanted to complain about being called cute, but he still couldn’t get any words out. His bonded had all assured him that it would fade when he claimed everyone, but it was getting quite annoying. 

“Harry,” Perry said as he came back, followed by Quinn and Bran. “Quinn said he wanted to talk with you before you bond, so I would suggest claiming Bran first so he doesn’t have to wait.” 

“I’m okay with waiting,” Bran said quietly. 

Harry got up from the couch, with Raspen’s help, and held his hand out to Bran with a smile. Bran hesitated slightly, biting his lip. At Harry’s confused trill, Bran explained: 

“I have a touch-based ability,” he said, wringing his hands together. “Hindsight. I can see everything that’s happened in a person’s life with one touch. It takes a while to sort through it all, more recent things are easier to see.” 

Harry let out a whine, he didn’t want Bran to have to see everything. 

Raspen rumbled soothingly, wrapping an arm around Harry’s waist. 

Bran smiled at Harry, seemingly understanding his worry. “It’s okay. I’m used to it. Don’t worry about me, I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.” 

Harry shook his head, whining again, and reaching a hand out to Bran. 

Bran took his hand carefully, flinching slightly at the first contact. His eyes glazed over for a moment before they cleared. He looked down at Harry– everyone seemed to be taller than him for some reason, even Bran, who looked younger than everyone else– his eyes sad, and pulled Harry into a tight hug. 

“Oh, Harry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.” 

Harry relaxed against him. 

Bran pulled away a moment later, but didn’t let go of Harry’s hand. “There’s something else I need to tell you,” he said. “I’m a Changeling, which means I have two forms– a male and a female form. I prefer my male one, but you might need to bite both forms if the mark doesn’t take. And I need to mark you in both as well.” 

Harry nodded, pulling Bran back against him and nuzzling his neck. He gave a questioning trill and at Bran’s affirmative hum, Harry bit down. When he was done, he lifted his mouth and watched as Bran’s skin rippled and shifted. 

“I go by Brynn in this form,” Brynn said, her voice a bit higher than before. “Did the mark take?” 

Harry looked down at her neck and nodded. 

Brynn smiled. “Where do you want me to mark you?” 

Harry held out his wrist. 

Once Bran had shifted back and marked Harry as well, the two of them lowered onto the couch, curling up together. Harry felt something in his magic start to pull and twist. He frowned and looked to Bran, hoping he could explain, but was stopped when a resounding click echoed through him. He gasped, feeling around his magic to see a bright tether connecting him to Bran. Where his other bonds were still dull and only just tangible, this one was bright and full. 

“Because I’m not inherited yet, all it takes to finalize the bond is a hug,” Bran explained. 

Harry gave him a grateful trill and cuddled closer into his side. 

Bran ended up falling asleep against Harry and Ethan had had to disentangle Bran from him so Harry could bond with Quinn. 

Once Bran was settled with the Pareya, Harry turned to Quinn, who sat on the couch next to him. Quinn held his hand out to Harry and he took it. 

I wanted to talk to you about something before we bonded, Quinn said . But first, how are you doing? 

I’m okay . Harry said, surprising himself when he could actually express his thoughts. 

I’m glad you can speak through the link . Quinn laughed at Harry’s amazed face. I know it must be annoying to be unable to express yourself. 

You have no idea. 

Quinn chuckled again. But you’re okay? No pain or anything? 

I’m fine, good actually . Harry said. 

Quinn nodded. 

What did you want to talk about? Harry asked. 

Quinn bit his lip, looking a bit nervous. I just wanted to let you know something before you decided to go through with the bonding. Quinn said. I’m asexual. 

Okay. Harry said. He wondered what else Quinn was going to say. 

Okay? Quinn repeated, looking bewildered. You’re okay with that? 

Why wouldn’t I be? Harry frowned. It’s your sexuality. 

Some people wouldn’t want a bonded who’s asexual. 

Why not? Sex doesn’t make a relationship. 

Quinn gave Harry’s hand a squeeze. Not everyone sees it that way. 

Then they’re morons. 

You’re sure you still want to bond with me? 

Of course! 

Do you have any questions? Quinn asked. 

You said you’re asexual, Harry said and Quinn nodded. Are you okay with other types of intimacy, like hugs and kissing? 

Quinn nodded. I’m not sex-repulsed. I don’t enjoy sex like other people do. I might participate in sexual acts for intimacy and connection, but it’s not something I need or seek out. I do like hugging and cuddling and kissing, though. 

Good . Harry said, with a grin. Now, where do you want your mark? 

Wherever you want, loveling , Quinn said. Though I won’t be able to mark you the traditional way because Healers are on a very restricted diet to keep our blood clean so we can use it in potions. I have a spell to do it for me. 

Harry nodded and found himself being pulled into Quinn’s lap. He straddled the man and nuzzled his neck, licking a spot in the juncture between his neck and shoulder before biting down. Quinn ran a hand down Harry’s back as he drank. When he pulled back, Quinn pushed Harry’s shirt down to reveal his shoulder and, after checking with Harry about the spot, ran his hand over Harry’s skin, muttering a spell. There was a slight burn and Harry hissed. Quinn placed a soft kiss onto the spot and the burn abated. Inside, Harry felt a sense of completion in his magic. He slumped against Quinn, purring at the pleasure of feeling all of his bonds, even if they weren’t yet complete. 

Quinn chuckled. It’ll feel even better once they’re all finalized. 

Harry’s face burned at the implication and he buried his head in Quinn’s shoulder. “Shut up,” he muttered. 

Oh, good, you can talk. Quinn said, nipping at Harry’s ear. 

“Finally,” Harry said, propping his head on Quinn’s chest so he could watch the rest of the people milling about the room. “That was horrible.” 

“I thought it was rather nice,” Ron said dryly, looking over at them. “You get sick of your voice after a while.” 

Harry stuck his tongue out at him. 

Quinn chuckled again. 

Harry poked him in the side. “You’re supposed to be on my side.” 

Quinn pressed a kiss to Harry’s temple in apology. 

Harry scanned the room around them, frowning. “Where’s Theo?” 

Ron snorted. “Your Theo is trying to keep the new Minister of Magic from interrogating you about what happened.” 

Harry sat up sharply. “What?” 

“Kingsley was appointed interim Minister until an election could be held,” Ron said. “He’s been trying to convince your wall of bonded to let him through to talk to you.” 

Ron inclined his head to where a group of Harry’s Gheyos had collected, standing in front of the entrance in a way that blocked the rest of the Common Room from view. Harry couldn’t hear anything, but he could feel waves of anger and annoyance rolling off of the group. He shivered as a particularly strong wave hit him. Quinn made a questioning noise but Harry waved him off, pushing himself up from the couch. 

Where are you going? Quinn asked, getting up after Harry. 

“To talk to Kingsley,” Harry said. 

Ron rolled his eyes. “Of course you are,” he sighed. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”  

Harry poked his shoulder. “You should have told me sooner, I would have dealt with it.” 

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you,” Ron said. “You needed time to settle your bonds. You deserve a break.” 

“I’m not the only one who needs a break, Ron,” Harry said, crossing his arms. “I don’t see any of the Healers taking a break, or the Aurors.” 

“They didn’t just kill the Dark Lord,” Ron pointed out. 

“They were still part of the Battle,” Harry countered. “And I’m sure most of them had been fighting for much longer than I was.” 

“They’re also full grown adults,” Ron said. “Who haven’t been on the run and starving for the better part of a year.” 

Harry huffed. “It doesn’t matter, you still should have told me.” 

Instead of listening to any more of Ron’s arguments, Harry pushed past the Gheyo wall, ignoring their attempts to pull him back, and came up to where Theo and Kingsley were arguing. They had to have put up a silencing charm, because as soon as Harry stepped closer, the sound of the argument hit him in full force. 

“–I don’t care about your politics, Minister, he needs to rest,” Theo was saying. 

“This isn’t about politics, Nott,” Kingsley growled. “This is about the War.” 

“You can deal with it on your own,” Theo said. 

“I need to know what happened,” Kingsley said. 

“You can find out when he’s ready,” Theo said firmly. “I’m sure it’s not that urgent.” 

Kingsley seemed to swallow a groan of frustration. “Nott–” 

“What do you need, Kings?” Harry cut in before either of them could continue. 

Theo glanced back at Harry and rolled his eyes. “You really don’t know how to sit still, do you?” 

Harry glowered at him but allowed Theo to pull him into his side. Theo nuzzled the top of his head, pressing a kiss to his hair before turning back to the Minister. 

“I need your account of what happened in the Forest,” Kingsley said, narrowing his eyes as he looked between Theo and Harry. 

“Would a memory suffice?” Harry asked. “I really don’t want to go through it all again right now.” 

Kingsley’s eyes softened a fraction as he took in Harry’s state. He nodded. 

Harry went to grab his wand but found his pocket empty. “Fuck,” he muttered. “Did anyone find a wand back in the clearing?” 

Theo frowned down at him. “Did you lose yours?” 

“I wasn’t really in a state to be worried about my wand,” Harry said.

“I’ll ask around,” Theo said. 

“I need it to extract my memory,” Harry said, biting his lip. 

“I can do it, if you’d like,” Theo said. “Then we can see about hunting down your wand.” 

Harry nodded gratefully and a few moments later he was passing Kingsley a vial with his memories. “Let me know if there’s anything else you need from me,” Harry said. 

“I’m sure the Minister can handle everything else without you,” Theo said, glaring at Kingsley pointedly. 

Kingsley gave a slightly awkward cough. “We’ll send an owl if there’s anything urgent, but you should rest, Harry,” he said. “You’ve done enough.”

Harry wanted to protest but Kingsley left without another word. Harry tilted his head to look at Theo. “Why didn’t you get me when he came? This could’ve gone much faster.” 

“You were claiming everyone,” Theo said. “And I wanted you to rest. They’re adults, they should be able to handle things without you.” 

“I’ve long since learned that adults are utterly useless at handling things without me,” Harry said, rolling his eyes. 

Theo growled at his words and nuzzled Harry’s neck. “You have us now,” he said. “You don’t have to handle things on your own.” 

Harry swallowed, not wanting to think about the pure relief that went through him at the thought. “What’s the plan?” He asked instead, letting Theo lead him back to the couch they had claimed. 

Theo glanced at the others around him. “We’re not sure yet,” he said, settling Harry in his lap when he sat. “I know most of us would like to head back to Nevarah some time soon.” 

“Nevarah?” Harry asked, relaxing in Theo’s arms. 

“The Dragel Realm,” Theo said. “The world where we come from. It’s also a sanctuary realm so anyone can come there, to stay or to visit.” 

“Are we going to stay there?” Harry asked quietly, not noticing how most of their Circle had paused what they were doing to listen to their conversation. 

Theo, of course, noticed everything. “That’s up to you, love,” he said. “Would you prefer to stay here?” 

Harry opened his mouth to say he would but promptly cut himself off. What did he really have here? The Weasleys? Hermione? His friends? They could all visit. Hell, some of them may even be moving to Nevarah anyway. It wasn’t like he had any family to go home to. At least not any he ever wanted to see again. 

“We can go,” Harry whispered. “I don’t think I want to stay.” 

“Are you sure?” Theo asked. “We can stay there for a bit, to recuperate, but we can always come back. I’m sure you’d like to see your family.” 

Harry shook his head. “No,” he said. “I want to go.” 

Theo frowned, his look of concern echoed by many of the Circle. Before he could ask, though, Ron cut into the conversation: 

“We’re also coming to Nevarah,” he said. “Mum and Dad were planning on moving back after the War anyways, and Hermione is coming with us.” 

“What about her parents?” Harry asked, turning to Ron, grateful he’d changed the subject. 

“Coming with her, most likely,” Ron said. “After she reverses her spellwork, of course.” 

Harry nodded. “Good, I’m glad,” he said. 

“We couldn’t leave you alone, mate,” Ron said with a smirk. “You’d miss us too much.” 

Harry snorted. “More like you two would miss me.” 

“We would finally have peace and quiet without you,” Ron said. 

“You’d be bored after a day,” Harry said. 

Ron chuckled but didn’t contradict him. 

“Are you and yours going to stay the night, dear?” Mrs. Weasley asked. “Headmistress McGonagall has already set you up in the dorms. And I’m sure we can find extra space at the Burrow if you’re staying longer.” 

Harry glanced at Theo. 

Theo nodded. “We’ll be staying just the one night, so the bonds can settle, but thank you for the offer Mrs. Weasley,” he said. “We’ll be heading to Nevarah as soon as we can tomorrow.” 

“Alright,” Mrs. Weasley said. “Do you have a place to stay while you’re there? I could offer our family home for the time being, before you find your own accommodations.” 

“That is generous, but my Oretta has already found us somewhere to stay,” Theo said. 

“I’m glad you’re all set then,” Mrs. Weasley said. “Do reach out if you need anything at all from us. Harry is family after all.” 

Harry blushed at the bright smile she gave him, and couldn’t help but give one back. 

“I mean, you are bonded to three of my brothers,” Ron said teasingly. 

“Ronald,” Mrs. Weasley scolded. “You know that has nothing to do with it. Harry was family long before he bonded with your brothers.” 

Harry tucked his head under Theo’s chin, letting out a pleased hum when Theo started running his hand through Harry’s hair.

Chapter Text

Hadrian Maruke: Gryffindor Common Room

Hadrian smiled softly as Harry fell asleep in Theo’s arms. He had looked exhausted, even after the short nap he had gotten. At least he’d finished claiming everyone, so now they could safely ‘port back to Nevarah– inter-realm travel was dangerous with an unsealed Circle. 

As much as he was glad to be finally heading home, the fact that Harry had so readily agreed to leave Earth was worrying. Especially since that was the second time he had avoided answering questions about his family. Hadrian found himself studying the Weasleys as they had a heated conversation away from the sleeping Harry. He couldn’t make out what they were saying, likely due to a silencing charm, but he could tell it was about Harry; they kept casting concerned looks at the sleeping Submissive. Hadrian wanted to know what they knew; wanted to know if he could take his new Suite on a Hunt to test out their dynamics. It could be a good bonding exercise. 

“What do you think that’s about?” Wikhn murmured to him, inclining his head to the Weasleys. He’d noticed it too, then. 

“Something about Harry, I think,” Hadrian said. “I can’t tell though.” 

“There was something not right about his decision,” Wikhn said. 

Hadrian nodded. 

“Has anyone said anything about his family?” 

“He seems to avoid the topic,” Hadrian said. “Though the Weasleys seem to know something. And likely that other girl too, who was yelling at him.” 

Wikhn growled at the reminder. “Do you think we’ll get to Hunt, Ace?” 

“Hopefully,” Hadrian muttered. “Where’s the rest of the Suite?”

“Settling ranks,” Wikhn said, rolling his shoulders. “Idan is Queen, but Minh and Devrim are still settling Prince and Princess.” 

“Good,” Hadrian said. “We want that done before we leave.” 

Wikhn nodded. 

Hadrian turned back to the Weasleys. Maybe he should ask the twins. They seemed to know what was going on and he was sure he could get them to talk.

Chapter Text

Oliver Wood: Gryffindor Common Room

Oliver pulled Fred and George aside as soon as they stepped away from the rest of their family. He noticed Hadrian and Wikhn hovering close by. They’d likely had the same idea. 

“What do you know?” He demanded, crossing his arms. 

“What do you–” George started. 

“Mean, Captain?” Fred finished. 

Oliver raised an unimpressed brow. 

The twins slumped slightly. 

“He wouldn’t want us to say anything,” Fred said. “It’s his story to tell.” 

“But there is something else?” Oliver asked. He only knew what he had suspected after sharing a locker room with Harry for years. And that already didn’t paint a pretty picture. 

Fred and George nodded reluctantly. 

“His aunt and uncle?” Oliver asked. 

George grimaced. That was answer enough. Oliver sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. 

“McGonagall never followed up on our concerns, did she?” Oliver felt slightly disappointed in the woman, no matter how much he respected her. 

Fred and George exchanged a look. “Not that we know of,” Fred said. 

“She could’ve talked to Harry,” George said. “But–” 

“We all know he wouldn’t have said anything,” Oliver finished. “She should’ve done more, though.” 

“Everyone should’ve done more,” George said. 

“Mum and Dad tried every year,” Fred said, his face dark. “But Dumbledore always assured them everything was fine.” 

Oliver growled. “Of course he did.” 

“We won’t know for sure unless Harry says something,” George said. 

Oliver sighed again. None of this was going to go well.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Gryffindor Common Room

When Harry woke up the next time, it was because of the sharp feelings of rage, despair, and worry, that were definitely not coming from him. 

“What’s wrong?” He murmured against Theo’s chest. 

“Nothing,” Theo said, pulling Harry closer. “Why do you think something is wrong?” 

“Someone’s angry,” Harry said. 

“How do you know?” Theo asked. Harry could practically hear the frown in his voice. 

“I can feel it,” Harry said, waving a noncommittal hand in the air. “Can’t you? It’s really sharp right now.” 

“No, love, I can’t,” Theo said, now sounding less concerned and more amused. 

Harry hummed, still not awake enough to try to deal with the anger, though it was really starting to grate against his nerves. 

“Quinn,” Theo called. “Did you ever figure out what Harry’s Element was?” 

Harry didn’t hear what happened next, but he felt the cool wash of one of Quinn’s spells a moment later. 

“Ah,” Theo said. “That makes sense.” 

“What?” Harry asked. 

“Quinn says you’re Nameless and an Empath,” Theo explained. “That’s why you’re feeling the anger.” 

Harry grumbled. He tried to fall back asleep but the rage wouldn’t abate and the worry was starting to make him anxious. He grumbled louder and wiggled against Theo’s hold. 

“Getting up?” Theo asked. 

“Not voluntarily,” Harry muttered. 

“Well, I was going to wake you up soon anyway,” Theo said, helping him up. “The elves sent up dinner for everyone.” 

Harry nodded, his stomach growled quietly as the smell of dinner reached his nose. 

As he stood up, he noticed that the Common Room had gotten significantly more crowded. There were now a lot more students, not only from Gryffindor, but from all of the Houses, and as well as a few of the professors. Harry could see McGonagall and Flitwick talking. Sitting beside them was Snape, who was speaking to Narcissa and Draco Malfoy. He didn’t know how to feel about the fact that the three of them were in the room. 

Theo placed a hand on the small of Harry’s back and guided him to where a table with food had been set up. He handed Harry a plate before grabbing his own and starting to fill it with food. Harry surveyed all of the rich food that had been laid out and felt his stomach protest at the thought of eating any of it. He swallowed against the nausea and filled his plate with the simplest foods he could find. 

When Theo directed him to where the Weasleys and his Circle had gathered to eat, Harry found that Ron and Hermione’s plates looked similar to his. 

Mrs. Weasley frowned at the three of them. 

Before she could say anything, Hermione interrupted. “We’ve been on the run for nearly a year, Mrs. Weasley,” she said. “We’d get sick if we ate anything more than this.” 

Mrs. Weasley pursed her lips. 

“So,” Percy started. Harry hadn’t noticed him earlier, but both him and Bill, along with Fleur, had joined the Weasleys now. “I’ve been told I’ve won a rather large amount of money.” 

He grinned at Harry. 

Ron grumbled something into his plate. 

“I guess,” Harry said, giving Percy a smile. “Though how you even knew, I have no idea. I’m honestly kind of curious.” 

“I have my ways,” Percy said. 

“I bet it was just a lucky guess,” Ron said.

“It was an educated inference, Ronald,” Percy said. 

Ron snorted. “Then prove it.” 

Percy set down his plate and sat up a little straighter. “Okay, I will,” he said. 

Ron gave Harry a wink. If there was one way to get Percy to explain how he did something, it was to challenge his conclusion. 

“My first clue was Harry’s arrival in the summer before his second year,” Percy began. “I thought it was rather strange that Ron and Fred and George were so worried about Harry. They’d only just met him.” 

“We hadn’t heard from him all summer,” Ron pointed out. 

“But you didn’t know if that was normal or not,” Percy countered. “This was your first summer as friends. How were you to know that he was going to keep in touch?” 

“Because he said he would?” Ron raised a brow at his brother. 

“He could have simply forgotten,” Percy said. “But either way, even if it was worrying that he wasn’t replying, you shouldn’t have been as worried as you were. You didn’t act that way when Hermione didn’t send a letter back for a week, or when Neville forgot to send a reply.”

Ron inclined his head in acknowledgement. 

“All three of you were rather frantic, if you remember,” Percy continued. “You’d bring Harry up at every meal and you’d beg Mum and Dad to talk to Professor Dumbledore about visiting Harry every day.”

“You actually did that?” Harry glanced between Ron and the twins in bewilderment. None of them looked even remotely embarrassed. 

“Of course we did,” Fred said. 

“We were worried,” George added. “And you weren’t answering.” 

“Why wasn’t Harry replying to letters?” Raspen asked. 

“I’m sure Percy will explain in a moment,” Ron said, glancing at Harry quickly. 

“I actually never found out why he wasn’t replying,” Percy said, frowning. “You’ll have to explain once I’m done.” 

“We don’t have to–” Harry started to protest. 

“The fact that you’re protesting, Harry, says that we do,” Theo said. 

Harry pouted at him. 

Theo just nudged him to keep eating.

“Anyways,” Percy said. “I could have brushed it off as just an exaggeration, but you three seemed convinced that Harry was in danger, as though you could feel it somehow. That was strange. So when you stole dad’s car and flew it to rescue Harry, I decided to look into it.” 

“Cars don’t fly,” Oliver said. 

“They do when Dad plays around with them,” Bill said. 

“And he’s never doing it again,” Mrs. Weasley said, giving her husband a pointed look. 

“Of course not, Molly-dear,” Mr. Weasley said, smiling innocently. 

“What did you mean when you said they rescued Harry?” Theo asked. “Rescued from what?” 

Ron turned to Harry. “You want to take this one, mate?” 

Harry sighed. “There was a lot going on that summer, but to make a long story short, a misguided house elf trying to save me accidentally got me in trouble with my relatives and they locked me in my room.” 

“That is so glossing over the important details,” Ron said. 

“They’re not important,” Harry said. 

Ron gave him a flat look. “You made it sound as though you were just sent to your room and grounded. If you’d just been locked in your room, we wouldn’t have had to rescue you. You had bars on your window.” 

“Bars?” Theo growled. 

Anger spiked in the air and Harry flinched. “It’s fine, they’re gone now,” he said quickly. “Literally torn out of the wall.” 

“That doesn’t make it better,” Ron said. 

Harry gave him a betrayed look and then turned to Percy. “Can you just keep going?” 

Percy nodded. “I started keeping a closer eye on Harry and his interactions with our family. He was very physically affectionate that summer. You would rarely see him without one of the twins or Ron attached to his side.” 

“That could have been due to anything,” Bill said. 

“Sure,” Percy said. “But in combination with what happened during the school year, I was convinced he was a Dragel. When Harry was having a hard time eating, only Fred and George and Oliver could get him to eat. He would seek them out in the Common Room just to be near them. He reacted positively when they made comforting sounds.” 

“Huh,” Fred said. “Now that you lay it all out, it does make sense, but that’s only knowing that Harry is a Dragel. I don’t know how you came to that conclusion on your own.” 

“Well,” Percy said, rubbing his neck sheepishly. “I may have tricked him into taking blood-laced potions to see if they worked.” 

Harry stared at Percy. “You mean, the headache potions you were slipping me had blood in them?” 

Percy nodded. “Mum always sent blood with us while we were at school, so I just added some of it to the potions. If you were just wixen, it wouldn’t have affected you, but because you were a Dragel, it increased the potions’ strength.” 

“So that’s why the potions Pomfrey gave me were never as good,” Harry said. “Weird.” 

“So, that’s how I knew,” Percy said. “Though I’m still not sure how you didn’t go through your inheritance in the Chamber, given what Ginny and Ron told us afterwards. That’s what convinced me that you were under suppressions. Dumbledore kept the whole ordeal really hush-hush, especially what you had done.” 

“What did you do?” Oliver asked. “We never heard the whole story, just rumors.” 

“Uh,” Harry said, glancing at Ginny. She was the one who was mostly affected by the events of that year. She should be the one to decide whether to tell the story or not. 

Ginny rolled her eyes. “I swear to Merlin Harry, if you’re thinking that I was the only one traumatized by the Chamber, I will shove you off the Astronomy Tower. We were all there. And I wasn’t the one who fought the basilisk.” 

“What?” Hadrian forced out, his growl echoed by everyone around them. 

“I was being possessed by Tommy,” Ginny said. “Through the journal-Horcrux thingy. He made me set the basilisk loose in the school. Then he kidnapped me to drain my magic and become corporeal, but Harry and Ron came to rescue me and Harry killed the basilisk.” 

“You did this at twelve?” Oliver gaped at him. 

“Fawkes helped,” Harry said. “He pecked out its eyes and brought me the sword and healed the bite afterwards.” 

“The bite?” Theo hissed. 

Harry winced. “I may have been bitten by the basilisk,” he said. “But Fawkes cried and it healed completely, so I’m all good.” 

“Fawkes is a phoenix by the way,” Ron added. 

“Quinn is asking if you got examined afterwards to check if all of the venom was out of your system,” Ethan said. 

“I don’t think so?” Harry said, trying to recall what had happened that day. “There was so much going on, I don’t remember exactly.” 

“You didn’t,” Ron said. “You were sent straight to Dumbledore while Ginny, Lockhart, and I went to the Hospital Wing. You never came back to join us.” 

“Right, because I got distracted by freeing Dobby and Malfoy trying to kill me,” Harry said. “So, no I didn’t, but I felt fine after, so I think it was all gone.” 

Quinn huffed in frustration and Harry felt a wave of sharp anger coming from him. 

“He says that that was incredibly negligent and could have cost you your life if the phoenix had been less powerful,” Ethan relayed. 

“I don’t think Dumbledore would have let that happen,” Harry said, attempting to soothe Quinn’s worries. He really didn’t like the feeling of Quinn’s anger against his skin. 

“He says that doesn’t make him feel better,” Ethan said. 

“I don’t know what to say then,” Harry said, chewing the inside of his cheek. “I felt fine and I didn’t know that the venom could’ve stayed.” 

“You don’t have to say anything,” Theo said. “Quinn’s not angry at you. You were twelve, you literally couldn’t have known. It’s not your fault.” 

Harry glanced at Quinn who nodded in agreement. Harry let out a sigh of relief. At least he hadn’t already fucked everything up. Though there was still time, said a small voice in the back of his head. He swallowed and set down his half-full plate, unable to eat anymore. He ignored everyone’s concerned looks as he looked around to see if anyone new had come in. 

Neville was sitting not too far from them, talking with Luna, Dean and Seamus, and, strangely, Blaise Zabini, whom Harry had not expected to see. As though noticing Harry looking at him, Zabini looked up and Harry’s eyes met his, the dark purple sparkling in the warm firelight. Harry felt something in his chest tighten. 

“Oh, yeah, Luna was asking about you,” Ron said, cutting into Harry’s thoughts. 

“Huh?” Harry tore himself away from Zabini’s eyes to look at Ron. 

“Luna,” he said, shoving another forkful into his mouth. “She was asking about you.” 

“That’s disgusting Ron,” Hermione said, grimacing. “Finish chewing before you speak.” 

Ron threw up a middle finger in her direction. 

Hermione rolled her eyes. 

“Why was she asking about me?” Harry asked. 

“Who knows,” Ron said, shrugging. “It’s Luna.” 

“I guess I gotta go talk to her,” he said, standing up. He glanced at Theo, who gave him an encouraging nod before turning to speak with Raspen.

“Hello Harry,” Luna said as he came up to them. “Do you want to join us?” 

“That would be great, yes,” Harry said, sitting on the ground next to Neville. 

“I see you’ve been going through some changes, mate,” Seamus said with a grin. 

“Yeah,” Harry said. “I guess vanquishing a Dark Lord will do that to you.” 

Seamus chuckled. 

“How is your Circle Harry?” Luna asked. 

“Good, I think,” Harry said, giving Luna a calculating look. Is this what she wanted to talk to him about? 

Luna hummed. “They will make you very happy.” 

Harry’s face heated. “Thank you?” 

“And don’t worry about finding the rest,” Luna said. “They will come when they’re meant to.” 

“The rest?” Harry asked. Surely she didn’t mean he would have more bonded? 

“The rest of your soul bonded,” she said. “Your soul is still incomplete.” 

“Uh… how many more?” Harry tried not to panic at the thought of tying more people to his mess of a life. 

“Enough,” Luna mused. 

“Can you tell me a number?” 

“No,” she said. 

Harry groaned. “You know, Lu, that’s really not helpful.” 

Neville snorted. 

“I know,” she said cheerfully. 

“You’re a menace to society,” Harry grumbled. 

“I like to think I exist outside of the confines of society,” she said. 

Harry chuckled and the group lapsed into silence. 

“So…” Dean said. “How’s everyone doing?” 

“We just fought in a war, Dean,” Neville said. “How do you think we’re doing?” 

Dean shrugged. “I don’t know about you, but I’m doing pretty fucking good. My parents are in a safe house, I’m alive, my boyfriend’s alive, my friends are alive, and the Dark Lord is dead. I’ve got nothing to complain about.” 

“Don’t be disappointed, I’m sure you’ll find something to complain about,” Harry said. 

Dean stuck his tongue out at him. 

Harry stuck his tongue out at Dean. 

“Where were you two during the Battle?” Neville asked. “I don’t think I saw you in the courtyard.” 

“We were helping younger students get into the RoR,” Seamus said. “There were still a lot who were at school when the fighting broke out.” 

Neville nodded. 

“Oh, I meant to ask, Harry,” Dean said. “Where the fuck did you, Ron, and Hermione go? You three were gone like all year.” 

Harry felt everyone’s eyes on him. “We had a mission from Dumbledore.” 

“But he died,” Dean said. 

“Yeah,” Harry said. “He left us the information in his will.” 

Seamus whistled. “That’s all kinds of fucked up.” 

Harry nodded. “Yup.” 

“The Headmaster really sent the three of you on a secret mission?” Zabini asked. 

Harry turned to him again. “He technically just planned to send me,” he said. “But Ron and Hermione wouldn’t let me go alone.” 

Zabini gaped at him. “But you were sixteen,” he said. 

“Seventeen by then,” Harry said. “But it doesn’t really matter. He’s still an arse for doing that.” 

“Damn right he is,” Seamus said. “What the fuck was he thinking, sending teenagers on dangerous missions during a war?” 

Harry shrugged. “Beats me.” 

“It’s always you, isn’t it Potter?” Zabini said, shaking his head. 

“Yup,” Harry said. 

Zabini stared at him, his eyes narrowed calculatingly. 

“What?” Harry asked. 

“I’m just trying to figure out if this means that all of the rumors we’ve heard over the years are true,” he said. “I mean, if this is what the Headmaster was encouraging you to do, what were you doing on your own?” 

“You can ask if you want,” Harry said. 

“I don’t think I want to know,” Zabini said. 

Neville cleared his throat, saying amusedly, “Yeah, you really don’t.” 

Zabini looked between them, frowning. “Was the dragon thing true?” 

“Which one?” Harry asked. “There’s been several. Are you asking about smuggling a baby dragon out of the school during first year? Or about having outfly a full grown mother dragon during the Tournament? Or, maybe, you’re asking about breaking into Gringotts and then escaping on a rescued dragon’s back? Because, I can tell you now, all of those are true.” 

Dean, Seamus, and Neville cackled at Zabini’s horrified expression. 

Zabini opened his mouth and closed it and opened it again. “I don’t know what to say.” 

Harry shrugged. “In all likelihood, most of the things you’ve heard about me are true, unless they came from Skeeter, because then they’re absolute lies.” 

“That woman was horrible,” Zabini said with a grimace. 

Harry nodded. 

As they lapsed into silence again, Zabini kept studying him, his gaze indecipherable. Harry could feel pulses of anger, confusion, and, most of all, curiosity, coming from him. Harry met his gaze once more. He felt something tighten in his chest again. There was a sudden pulse of surprise. Zabini opened his mouth. 

“Mr. Potter,” McGonagall said from behind him, making Harry flinch. She frowned. “I apologize for startling you.” 

“It’s alright, Headmistress,” Harry said, standing up. “Did you need something?” 

“Call me Minerva, Mr. Potter, you’ve more than earned it,” she said. 

“Then you should call me Harry,” Harry said. 

She smiled at him. “Very well, Harry,” she said. “I just wanted to speak with you for a moment if you have the time.” 

“I always have time for you Head– Minerva,” Harry said. 

“If you could come with me, it shouldn’t take too long,” she said, gesturing to where she had been sitting with Flitwick and Snape. 

Harry swallowed against the panic that flared in his chest at the thought of being near the Potion’s Professor again. But, McGona– Minerva wanted to speak to him. And he could take the chance to thank Narcissa Malfoy properly for basically saving his life. 

He nodded. 

“Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Finnegan, Mr. Zabini, Miss Lovegood,” Minerva said, nodding at each of them before making her way back to her seat. 

Harry stepped over Neville’s legs to follow her. 

Neville gently caught his hand. “Will you be okay?” He mouthed, sending a pointed look at Snape. 

Harry nodded and squeezed Neville’s hand in thanks. 

Neville squeezed back and let go. 

Harry followed the Headmistress. 

“Mr. Potter,” Flitwick said as Harry sat in the seat that Minerva had left empty for him. “It is wonderful to see you looking so well.” 

“Thank you, Professor,” Harry said. “I am glad to see you unharmed as well.” 

Flitwick smiled warmly at him. 

Harry heard Snape scoff quietly. He ignored him and turned to Narcissa Malfoy. “Mrs. Malfoy,” he said. “I wanted to thank you for your actions in the clearing. I would probably be dead right now had you not bought me that minute. Thank you. I owe you a debt.” 

Mrs. Malfoy shook her head. “You do not need to thank me Mr. Potter,” she said. “You have done what no one else dared to do. You do not owe me anything.” 

“I do,” Harry said. “If you hadn’t told Riddle that I was dead, I wouldn’t have gotten the time to rally my magic. You saved me and by extension the Wizarding World.” 

Mrs. Malfoy inclined her head, smiling slightly. “I only did what I should have done a long time ago. I regret that my husband pulled my family so far into this mess.” 

“It couldn’t have been easy for you,” Harry said. “I’m sure you made the best decisions you could for your and your family’s safety at the time.” 

Harry turned to Draco next. “Malfoy, I never got to thank you for what you did in the Manor.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Draco said tightly. 

“I think you do,” Harry said. “It was a last minute disguise and a terrible one at that. You risked your life to help me.” 

Draco didn’t say anything. 

“Thank you,” Harry said. “I owe you a debt as well. If either of you ever need anything, let me know and I will do anything I can to help.” 

With that, he turned back to Minerva, waiting for her to speak.

“Are you finally finished with your dramatics, Potter?” Snape sneered, crossing his arms. 

Harry tried not to look in his direction. 

“Severus,” Minerva admonished. “I would have thought you were finished with this childish behavior.” 

Snape scoffed again. 

“It’s fine, Minerva,” Harry said. 

“Minerva?” Snape repeated. “Do you think yourself better than the other students? I should have expected this kind of disrespect from you.” 

Harry grit his teeth. 

“I asked him to call me by my first name, Severus,” Minerva said, frowning at her colleague. “Now, Harry, I wanted to ask you about your future plans.” 

“My plans?” Harry asked. 

“Yes,” Minerva said. “Are you going to be staying here to complete your final year of school? I know many from your year are coming back to finish out their education.” 

“I hadn’t thought about that,” Harry said honestly. 

“Of course you hadn’t,” Snape said. 

Minerva glared at him. 

“I wasn’t sure I would survive the war, Professor ,” Harry said sharply. “That’s why I didn’t think about my education. I didn’t have the time.” 

“Don’t use that tone with me,” Snape said. 

Harry took a deep breath to calm himself. He could do this. He just needed to focus on Minerva. “As I was saying, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I know my Circle and I are planning on going to Nevarah first. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“I didn’t know you were a Dragel, Harry,” Minerva said, raising a brow. 

“Neither did I,” Harry said with a shrug. “Killing Riddle was enlightening in many ways.” 

Minerva chuckled quietly. “I see that it was,” she said. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order.” 

Harry inclined his head toward her. “Thank you.”

“Well, if you do decide to come back to Hogwarts, know there will be a spot waiting for you,” she said. “You are always welcome here.” 

“Thank you,” Harry said again. “Hogwarts has always been a home to me and I have enjoyed my years here. I will let you know once I decide what to do, though I am likely not going to come back for my last year. I don’t think I could handle being a student here again. Not after everything. I might just take my NEWTs and leave it at that.” 

“Of course you would find no value in your education,” Snape said. “You’re simply using the war as an excuse to skip out on your studies. I doubt you would even attempt to take your NEWTs, much less pass them.” 

“Severus–” Minerva started but Harry cut her off. 

“Professor Snape, I understand that you do not like me, and that is perfectly alright, I do not expect everyone to like me,” Harry said. “But I will not let you cheapen the sacrifices of this war by accusing me of using it as an excuse. I do care about my studies. I may not have excelled in school, but I did the best I could in the circumstances I was in.” 

“You don’t know anything about sacrifice, Potter,” Snape hissed. “You’re just a spoiled brat taking credit for the work of real heroes who were sent to clean up your messes.” 

Harry tried not to let the words sting. They did. 

“Severus, that is–” Minerva was cut off once more, but this time by Snape. 

“You know nothing about what real war is like. You sit there, whining about sacrifices and debts when all you’ve done is cause problems,” Snape said, standing up, his voice getting louder with every word. “You’ve done nothing deserving of the praise you’ve been given. So what you dueled the Dark Lord, he never lived in your house, he never branded you, he never tortured you simply for being in the way. You know nothing of pain. So quit your whining and go back to your pampered little life while everyone else cleans up after you.” 

You could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed. 

Harry stared at Snape, who had somehow moved so close that he was now towering over him. Harry clenched his jaw, dug his fingers into his thighs, and tried not to start hyperventilating in the middle of the Common Room. He couldn’t stop the voice in his head that whispered that Snape was right. That Harry had done nothing. That he was taking credit from others. That he was nothing but a problem. 

“Severus,” Minerva said coldly. “I think you should leave.” 

Snape whipped around to say something to her but froze when he noticed that everyone’s eyes were on him. His face darkened. He turned back to Harry, glaring at him. Harry felt a sharp spike of pain in his mind. You should have died with your parents, Potter . Snape’s voice slithered into his head. Harry flinched back. Snape smirked smugly and stormed from the room, his cape billowing behind him. 

Harry swallowed. 

“Harry,” Minerva said softly. “I apologize for Severus’s words. They were completely unacceptable, and completely untrue.” 

Harry took a deep breath and looked up, forcing a smile. “It’s alright,” he said. “I’m sure he’s just dealing with everything in his own way. I won’t hold it against him.” 

Minerva frowned. “Even if he was having a difficult time, he should not have taken it out on you.” 

Harry shrugged. “I’m an easy target for Snape,” he said. “I’m used to it.” 

“That does not change the fact that Severus should not have said what he did,” she said. 

“It’s fine,” Harry insisted. He stood up, thankful that his legs were steady enough to hold him. “I’m going to get a breath of fresh air.”

He made his way towards the portrait hole, hoping that Snape wouldn’t still be in the hallway.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Astronomy Tower

Thankfully, Snape wasn’t in the hallway and Harry was able to make it to the Astronomy Tower without any issues. He had thought about going out onto the grounds at first, but then the image of bodies left lying in the courtyard flashed in his mind, and he chose to go to the Tower instead. 

Harry sat against the railing, one leg pulled into his chest, the other swinging from the edge. The sun was setting slowly, casting a bloody orange shadow across the landscape. Harry thought it was rather fitting. He could see the last of the Ministry officials milling about, helping clear the grounds. They would be going home soon, coming back in the morning to continue their work. The castle wouldn’t be the only place in need of repairs– much of the Wizarding World was in ruins after the events of the war. The Ministry would need to be rebuilt, Diagon Alley was basically a ghost town, and many homes were left empty and abandoned in the hurry to flee the conflict. 

As much as he was going to miss Hogwarts– it had been the first place he had ever felt at home, after all– Harry couldn’t help the feeling of relief at the thought of leaving. He couldn’t help the feeling of guilt that followed either. He wanted to leave. He wanted to get away and just rest. But he felt like he should have done more. Snape was right. He had kind of just killed Voldemort. He wouldn’t be around to help with the clean up, to help with rebuilding. He would just leave. Maybe he should insist that they stay for longer. 

He groaned, banging his head against the railing. He didn’t know what to do. For the past seven years he’d been operating with one goal in mind: kill Voldemort. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that he’d done it. The war he had been fighting since he was eleven, and arguably even before that, was over. There were no more Dark Lords to kill. No more Horcruxes to hunt down. No more Snatchers to outrun. It really was over. 

And Harry honestly didn’t know what he was going to do with himself now. 

The breeze ruffled his hair and he shivered, wrapping his arms tighter around himself. This was the first time he had been properly alone since waking up in the Forbidden Forest. Harry didn’t know how he felt about it. On the one hand, he was glad to have the time to process the shit show that had gone down, but on the other hand, he found himself missing the constant affection he got from his bonded. It was too quiet on his own. And his thoughts were too loud. 

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He tried to make sense of what had happened: He killed Voldemort, he became a Dragel, he called a Circle, he bonded with a bunch of people who he didn’t know but also felt like he did know, he was moving to a new realm, and he also found out he had a bunch of seal things blocking his magic. So, really, nothing too bad… right? It wasn’t like he found out that everything he had ever known about himself was a lie… oh, wait, that’s exactly what happened. How the hell he hadn’t known he was another fucking species , he had no idea. But here he was. And he had to figure all of this shit out before he went insane. 

Maybe he should start with the fact that he had a Circle of soul bonded. He’d only just figured out he was gay and now he had seventeen soulmates. Who were all absolutely gorgeous and kind and warm and Harry could definitely see himself falling in love with them, but he felt so out of his depth. What did they expect from him? What if he wasn’t good enough? The only person he’d ever kissed was Ginny (Cho too he supposed, but he didn’t really count that one) and he’d certainly never done more than that. It wasn’t like he had the time to be a normal teenager, much less explore his sexuality. 

He didn’t know how to do this. He didn’t know what was expected of him; he didn’t know the rules. Theo had said he was the Submissive of the Circle, but what did that mean? Was it going to be like the Dursleys? Would he have to cook and clean and take care of everyone? Would he be punished for doing something wrong? He wanted to ask Theo but he didn’t want to say something wrong. What if he offended him? What if he did something and Theo left? What if they all left? 

His breath was coming in ragged gasps now. His chest was tight. He couldn’t breathe. 

Harry didn’t know how much time had passed when he felt a slight tug at one of his bonds. He had somehow managed to move away from the edge and sit against one of the columns. He dug his nails into his thighs, trying to get his lungs to fucking work. 

The bond was tugged again. 

“Harry?” Theo’s voice called gently from the hall. “Are you alright?” 

Harry opened his mouth to say he was fine but a panicked warble came out instead. 

“Harry?” Theo said again. He sounded concerned. Harry didn’t want him to be concerned. He was already so much trouble, he didn’t need to worry his bonded more. 

“I–” Harry tried to say, but the words got stuck in throat. 

“Can I come join you, Harry?” Theo asked. Harry couldn’t see him so he guessed he was waiting by the entrance from the hall. “You can say no. I’m just worried about you.” 

Harry didn’t want him to see him like this. But he also couldn’t help but want to have Theo here. Theo felt safe and comforting and warm. He didn’t know what to do. He buried his head in knees and whined. 

“If you don’t say anything, I’m going to come in just to check on you,” Theo said. 

Harry shook his head, his breathing speeding up. He wanted to tell Theo he was fine, but he couldn’t force the words out. 

“I’m going to come in now,” Theo warned and a moment later Harry heard his footsteps coming closer. 

He whined again as he felt the care and concern and love radiating off of Theo. 

“Oh, darling,” Theo breathed, coming to kneel in front of Harry. “What do you need?” 

Harry shook his head again. “I– I can’t–” His words came out in gasps. 

He felt a hand gently touch his arm. He couldn’t stop the flinch at the contact, though that didn’t deter the hand. 

“I need you to breathe with me, love,” Theo said softly. “Take a deep breath in… and let it out… good, you’re doing so good. Breathe in… and let it out…” 

Theo kept his hand on Harry’s arm as he talked him through the breathing exercise, murmuring praises in between each breath. 

When Harry finally got his breathing under control, he looked up to see Theo’s warm, brown eyes looking down at him in concern. Theo’s hand came up, slowly, making sure Harry could see it, to brush his hair back from his face. Harry leant into the contact. 

Theo gently guided Harry’s chin up to meet his eyes again. “Do you want to stay here a little longer, or do you want to move to another room?” 

“Stay here,” Harry whispered. 

Theo hummed, pressing a kiss to Harry’s forehead. He lowered beside him against the column, pulling Harry into his side. Once they were settled, Theo waved his wand and summoned a pair of mugs, handing one of them to Harry. 

The steam from the mug fogged up Harry’s glasses as he raised it to his lips. A rich chocolate taste filled his mouth and a comforting warmth spread through his body. 

Theo waited for Harry to finish half of his drink before speaking: “How are you feeling?” 

“Better,” Harry rasped. 

“Good, I’m glad,” Theo said. “Could you tell me what happened?” 

Harry didn’t say anything, staring down at the mug perched on his knees. As he twisted it in his hands, the hot chocolate lapped up the sides, rippling smoothly. 

Theo stayed quiet. 

“I…” Harry started. “I– I don’t know. It was just… a lot.” 

“What was a lot?” 

“Everything,” Harry mumbled. 

“It has been a really long day,” Theo said. “And a lot has happened. It makes sense that you’d be having trouble processing all of it.” 

Harry bit his lip. “I just… feel so weak.” 

“You’re not,” Theo said. “Your whole life was just turned upside down. I think you’re entitled to a panic attack or two.” 

Harry snorted. 

“Is there anything I can help with right now?” Theo asked. 

Harry glanced up to see Theo studying him intently. “I don’t–” Harry chewed the inside of his cheek. “What am I supposed to do?” 

“What do you mean?” Encouragement pulsed in the air between them. 

“What do I need to do? In– in all of this?” 

“Ah,” Theo said. 

Harry swallowed, his mouth dry. 

“Drink your chocolate,” Theo said, nodding at Harry’s mug. 

Harry drank his chocolate. Theo watched him curiously, lost in deep thought. 

When Harry finished, Theo banished their mugs and shifted to sit in front of Harry. “I’m going to say what I think you are talking about and I need you to tell me if I’m right, okay?” 

Harry nodded. 

“You’re asking about your role in the Circle,” Theo said, pulling one of Harry’s hands away from where it was digging into his leg and rubbing soothingly over his knuckles. “You want to know what we expect from you. Am I right?” 

Harry nodded again. 

Theo squeezed his hand. “Then I’ll tell you exactly what we need from you.” 

Harry held his breath. 

“We need you to rest,” Theo said gently. “We need you to heal. We need you to relax and to let us take care of you.” 

Harry’s brows furrowed. He opened his mouth to ask a question but Theo kept going: 

“We need you to tell us your needs. We need you to tell us if anything is bothering you or if anything is wrong. And if you can’t, that’s alright because all we need you to do is try .” 

Harry stared at Theo, unsure of what to say. He could feel that he was being genuine, but he didn’t know what to do with any of it. “But– but what do I need to do?” 

“Just that, Harry,” Theo said. 

“But– that’s nothing,” Harry said, confused. “You– I haven’t done anything– I–” Harry cut himself off, not knowing what else to say. 

“You don’t need to do anything for us to take care of you,” Theo said. “You don’t owe us anything.” 

“I don’t understand,” Harry said. Nothing came for free. There was always a catch. 

“I know,” Theo said, his eyes softening. “You will, I promise, but for now, all you need to know is that nothing, nothing , is expected of you.” 

Harry shook his head. He looked down at where his hand was still in Theo’s grip. He could see the edge of Bran’s mark peeking out from the sleeve of his shirt. “What about– what about bonding and…” Harry trailed off. 

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Theo said firmly. 

“But we’re not bonded all the way,” Harry whispered. He could sense the tethers between him and his other bonded and they all, with the exception of Bran, felt dull. “I can feel it and it doesn’t feel right.” 

“There are many ways to fully seal a bond,” Theo said. “It’s not just sex.” 

Harry’s face heated at Theo’s words. 

Theo chuckled lightly, squeezing Harry’s hand. “It can be another act of intimacy,” he explained. “Most choose to do so through sex, but others do so with preening, or taking care of injuries, or simply talking. The most important part of it is trusting one another. Sex isn’t required for that.” 

“Oh.” 

“Like I said, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Theo said. 

“Okay,” Harry breathed.

“Does that help?” Theo asked. 

Harry nodded. 

“Do you want to ask anything else?” 

“What–” Harry swallowed. “What if I do something wrong?” 

“You won’t,” Theo said immediately. “There’s no rules you need to follow.” 

“But… but what if I make you mad?” Harry said it quietly, avoiding looking at Theo. 

Theo’s fingers touched his chin, lifting his head to look at him. “Then we talk about it,” Theo said. “I’m sure we’ll fight. I’ll make you mad and you’ll make me mad, but that’s just what people do. But Harry, darling, none of us will ever hurt you, not intentionally.” 

Harry’s eyes burned and he tried to turn away, but Theo held him still. 

“I promise you, none of us will hurt you,” Theo repeated. “Not with hits, not with words, not with actions. If anyone does, I will deal with them.” 

Harry shuddered at his words, closing his eyes as tears began to spill down his face. He could feel Theo’s hand moving to cup his cheek, his thumb gently brushing Harry’s tears away. Harry leaned into Theo’s warmth, letting out a whine when Theo’s hand pulled away. 

“Shh, I’m just moving us a little,” Theo said quietly, sitting back against the column and pulling Harry between his legs, leaning him back against his chest. 

Harry whined again, nuzzling Theo’s neck. Chocolate and citrus and strength filled his senses. His gums started to ache. He whined a third time. 

Theo’s hand smoothed over his back as he rumbled soothingly. “You can bite, Harry.” 

Harry shook his head. It was weird. No matter how much he wanted to, it was still weird. 

“It’s normal,” Theo said. “It’s called a comfort feed. It’ll help you feel more grounded.” 

Harry whimpered. 

Theo placed a hand on the back of Harry’s head and pulled him closer to himself. “Bite,” he ordered gently. 

This time Harry didn’t refuse and when the blood landed on his tongue he wondered why he’d ever wanted to refuse. As he drank, he slumped against Theo, the last of his tension melting away. When he felt more grounded, he pulled away, licking the wound closed and relaxing back against Theo’s chest. 

“Thank you,” he murmured. 

Theo’s arms tightened around him. “You don’t ever have to thank me, Harry. Not for taking care of you.” 

“I do,” Harry whispered. “You’ve done so much for me and you barely know me.” 

“I might not know everything about you, but I know enough to want to care for you,” Theo said. “And even if I knew nothing about you, I would still help you.” 

“But why?” 

“Because you’re mine, Harry,” Theo said, looking down at him. “You’re mine and I’m yours. You’re my soul, my everything, my treasure.” 

“‘M not,” Harry protested. 

“You are,” Theo said. “You’re my treasure, darling, and I’m so glad to have found you.” 

Theo had leaned forward until his forehead was resting against Harry’s, their breaths mingling together. 

There were so many feelings hanging in the air between them and Harry couldn’t decipher any of them. All he knew was that Theo’s eyes were staring at him almost in amazement, sparkling with love, and all Harry wanted to do was kiss him. Harry glanced down to Theo’s mouth, swallowing. Theo’s breath hitched. 

“You can, you know,” Theo rasped. “If you want to.” 

“Do you?” Harry breathed. 

“You have no idea, treasure.” Theo nudged Harry’s nose with his own. He leaned in closer, his lips a hairsbreadth from Harry’s. “Do you want to?” 

Harry swallowed again, looking down to Theo’s lips and back up at his eyes. A whine left his mouth. Theo rumbled in answer, lifting his hand to cup Harry’s face. 

“Do you want to kiss me?” Theo asked again. 

Harry whined again, thinking it was fairly obvious at this point. 

Theo let out a breathy chuckle. “Words, treasure.” 

“Yes,” Harry forced out, feeling slightly lightheaded. 

“Thank you,” Theo said and then his lips slanted over Harry’s. 

Harry’s eyes slid closed as he leaned in further, letting out a pleased sound when Theo’s other hand wound around his waist, maneuvering him to straddle Theo’s lap. He deepened the kiss in answer, lifting his hands to tangle in Theo’s hair. Everywhere they touched, Harry felt warmth and safety and rightness. He didn’t know why he had waited so long to do this. Theo was his and he was Theo’s and nothing had ever been so right. 

They were both breathing heavily when they finally broke apart. Theo’s eyes were a dark golden color and completely fixed on Harry.

“You’re absolutely perfect,” Theo whispered, kissing Harry again. 

“So are you,” Harry said against Theo’s lips. 

Theo growled playfully and captured Harry’s lips again. Harry moaned when Theo’s tongue swiped against his bottom lip, and he opened his mouth in answer. As Theo’s tongue swept into his mouth, Harry lost all awareness of anything going on around him, his mind blissfully blank and fuzzy. All he knew was that he was being kissed by his Theo and nothing else mattered. 

Harry whined when Theo pulled away. 

Theo chuckled and pressed another chaste kiss to Harry’s lips. “It’s getting late, treasure,” Theo said. “We should head back to the dorms to get some sleep.” 

Harry glanced at the sky. It was completely dark now, with the only light coming from the stars and the moon. 

“Are you ready to go back?” Theo asked, running a hand down Harry’s back. 

Harry swallowed. “Is everyone still… there?”

“When I left, a lot of people had gone to bed. It’s mostly just us and the Weasleys left,” Theo said. “He didn’t come back either. I’m sure if he did, our Gheyos would take care of him.” 

Harry huffed a laugh. “They should see him when he really gets going.”

Theo frowned. Harry felt a spike of concern and anger from him. 

“It’s fine though,” Harry hurried to say. “It’s just Snape. It’s how he is. I’m used to it.” 

“That doesn’t make it okay,” Theo said. “Everything Snape said was wrong and it's horrible that you’ve had to get used to this kind of treatment, you shouldn’t have had to.”

Harry shrugged. 

Theo sighed. “I knew he was bad, but I didn’t think he would stoop so low, especially not after the war,” he said. “I’d always thought it was just a part of his cover.” 

“I think it was,” Harry said. “But after so many years of acting like he hated me, I think he actually started to hate me. And, well, he’s been through a lot.” 

“So have you,” Theo said. 

Harry didn’t say anything. 

“Harry–” Theo started. 

“You said we should head back, right?” Harry cut Theo off before he could continue the conversation. He really didn’t want to get into all of the Snape stuff right now. He pushed himself up from the floor. 

Theo frowned again but stood up as well. “Are you sure you’re ready to go?” 

Harry nodded. “Yep, totally.” 

Theo narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t contradict him, instead holding out a hand for Harry to take and leading him into the hall.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Gryffindor Common Room

Harry was grateful to Theo for keeping everyone from swarming him with questions when they got back. Most people had gone to bed, leaving only Harry’s Circle and the Weasleys in the Common Room, and even the Weasleys, who had seemingly been waiting for Harry to return, went to bed soon after, sans the twins and Charlie, who stayed with the Circle. 

“You alright?” Fred asked as he pulled Harry down to join him on the couch. 

“I’m fine,” Harry said. 

“Snape’s a tosser,” George said, sitting on Harry’s other side. 

Harry snorted, leaning his head on Fred’s shoulder. 

“How is everyone feeling?” Theo asked. “Do we want to continue our conversation from the forest, or would we rather wait until we get to Nevarah?” 

“I think we can continue now,” Raspen said, glancing at everyone to make sure that no one was protesting. 

Theo nodded, turning to Harry. “Are you alright with continuing?” 

“Is it about the seals and things?” Harry asked. 

“Yes,” Theo said. “As well as figuring out our next steps once we get to Nevarah.” 

“Okay,” Harry said. 

Theo studied him for a moment before nodding his head towards Quinn. “We covered the Blood Seal in the forest. We should explain the shattered seals next.” 

Quinn held a hand out to Ethan. 

“Quinn says he agrees,” Ethan said. “Making sure that the shards of the Soul and Binding Seals are fading properly and haven’t damaged Harry’s magic and soul will be one of the first things we’ll need to do when we get back.” 

“Would you like Quinn to explain what a Soul Seal is?” George asked Harry. 

“Yes, please,” Harry said. 

Quinn smiled at him. 

“Soul Seals can do different things, depending on the caster’s intent and the magic of the person they are placed upon. Quinn says that your Soul Seal was meant to block any soul bonds and to prevent you from releasing either a soulscream or a soulcry,” Ethan relayed. “The shattered Binding Seal worked together with it to bind your Dragel heritage, stopping you from inheriting as well as keeping you from recognizing other Dragels or your soul bonded.” 

“How long did he have them?” Riven asked. 

“They were placed on Harry when he was one and haven’t been altered since,” Ethan said, looking at Quinn in surprise. “Seriously? That’s insanely dangerous.” 

Harry frowned. “Why is it dangerous?” 

“Both of those seals have been on you for well over a decade,” Riven said. “Usually, seals are taken off, or at least altered, every seven years, otherwise your magic and your body aren’t allowed to grow. Basically, your magic has been forcibly tied down for your entire life. It’s a miracle you’re even functioning, much less practicing advanced magic.” 

“Especially given the fact that you also have a general Binding Seal that binds your Wizarding magic,” Ethan said. “Quinn says that one has been on for the same amount of time and hasn’t been altered either.” 

“How is he practicing magic?” Hadrian asked. 

“It wasn’t a complete binding,” Ethan relayed from Quinn. “It only sealed off part of Harry’s magic, leaving the rest for him to use. While allowing him to have magic, it would have drained him to do large bursts of magic and made it difficult to practice subconscious magic.” 

“Taking this one off will make magic so much easier,” Fred added to Harry. “It’ll be like putting on glasses and suddenly seeing everything clearly.” 

“So it’s always been harder for me to perform magic?” Harry asked. 

Fred tilted his hand from side to side. “Kind of. It depends on the specific intentions of the caster and the kind of magic they wanted you to have access to. But, in essence, yes. It would have been harder for you to do most magic.” 

Harry rubbed a hand over his face. “Great,” he grumbled. 

“We’ll get it taken off as soon as we can,” Theo promised. “We’ll make the arrangements when we get to Nevarah.” 

Harry nodded silently. 

“What other seals were there?” Raspen asked. “I believe you mentioned Familial Seals?” 

Quinn nodded. 

“There are four Familial Seals,” Ethan said. “Quinn can’t tell what family they’re from from the preliminary scans he did, but he’ll be able to do a deeper scan on Nevarah so we can contact the families to get them taken off. They’re just the standard Familial Seals placed on underage Dragels to help control their magic. They should have been taken off when Harry came into his inheritance, but, well, that didn’t happen.” 

“Wait,” Harry said, a sudden thought occurring to him. “Does that mean that I have family that’s alive?” 

Ethan glanced at Quinn. “Yes. Quinn explained that because the seals are still active and haven’t faded, that means that there are still descendants of that blood living.” 

“Holy shit,” Harry breathed. 

Fred squeezed Harry’s shoulders. 

“Quinn says that actually brings him to the next seal,” Ethan said. “The next seal is a Mentor Seal, meant to block Harry’s Mentor from finding him. This seal would have faded if Harry’s Mentor was dead, but since it is also still active…” 

“His Mentor is alive,” Theo finished. 

Quinn nodded. 

“My Mentor?” Harry asked quietly. 

“They’re an older Dragel who is assigned to you,” Perry explained. “Everyone has one. They help newly inherited Dragels transition and learn about their new powers and rank. Usually, they can sense when their assigned student inherits through the Mentor-Student bond, but since you have a seal, your Mentor couldn’t feel you.” 

“Oh,” Harry said. “Can we find them?” 

“Yes,” Perry said. “We’ll submit an inquiry as soon as we get back.” 

“The next seals are a bit more complicated,” Ethan said. “There’s the second Soul Seal that’s entwined with a Prophetic Seal and a Death Seal, and then there’s the second Death Seal.” 

The atmosphere in the room tensed and Harry could feel the anger in the air. 

Ethan was quiet for a moment, as though listening to Quinn. His eyebrows rose in surprise. “Are you sure?” He asked. At Quinn’s nod, he turned to the others. “Quinn said that the group of three seals was fraying at the edges when he first scanned Harry and they were even more faded the next time he checked. Whatever that prophecy was, it was completed.” 

“Right,” Harry said. 

“Do you know what the prophecy was?” Theo asked. 

Harry nodded. “It’s most likely the prophecy I spoke of earlier, about me and Voldemort,” he said. “I killed him, so it was fulfilled.” 

Theo hummed in thought. “I suppose then the Soul Seal was the Horcrux that was in you and the Death Seal was to make sure you fulfilled the prophecy.” 

He turned to Quinn to check and the Healer nodded. 

“He says that would make sense,” Ethan relayed. “The second Death Seal, though, hasn’t faded. It seemed to have been created in an attempt to cancel the first Death Seal but it didn’t work. We’ll have to contact Death’s Court in order to get it taken off.” 

“I can help with that,” Hadrian said. 

Theo inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Then we’ll send those inquiries as soon as we get back to Nevarah. Hopefully, even with the Hunt coming next month, we’ll get answers.” 

Theo said something else but Harry didn’t listen. He stared at the floor, his leg bouncing against the carpet. He had family out there. Actual, real, alive , family. He wondered if they even knew he existed. He hoped they didn’t. If they did… well, then, why didn’t they come looking for him? Did they not care? He didn’t think he could handle that. 

Unbidden, his thoughts turned to the Dursleys. Regardless of how much he hated them, he hoped they were safe. He didn’t ever want to see them again, but he didn’t wish them any harm. He wondered if they had even thought about him while in hiding. Dudley, at least, had actually apologized when they were saying goodbye. Maybe he’d grown up. Though Harry didn’t think an apology could ever be enough. 

He flinched when someone’s hand landed on his arm.

“Sorry,” Fred said as Harry blinked up at him. “I was just going to ask if you were ready for bed.” 

Harry nodded. 

“You can either go to your old dorm, I think Neville and Ron and everyone is there, or you can stay down here,” Fred said. 

Harry nodded again, getting up to head to his dorm. Some of his bonded were settling in on the couches while others seemed to take up watch around the room. He caught Theo’s eye and nodded towards the stairs, indicating where he was going. Theo gave him an encouraging smile. He was still discussing something with Raspen and Perry, probably about Harry’s seals. He hoped they would get some sleep soon. He didn’t want anyone to lose sleep because of him. 

Harry waved off Fred’s offer to help him up the stairs, deciding he didn’t want to bother any of them with anything else. He was already so much trouble for them.

Harry Potter: Gryffindor Dorms 

The dorm room was dark when he crept in. 

The curtains were pulled closed around Neville’s, Dean’s, and Ron’s beds. Harry guessed that Seamus had joined Dean, as his bed, along with Harry’s, was left empty. 

Harry made his way over to his bed, picking up clothes and shoes that had been tossed haphazardly onto the floor. He folded the clothes, placing them onto the corresponding trunks, and put the shoes in front of the right beds. 

He thought about changing or taking a shower, but he was too exhausted. Mrs. Weasley had cast a couple cleaning charms on him earlier, so he was at least somewhat clean. He toed his sneakers off, lining them up carefully against his trunk. As he looked at his bed, though, he felt a sense of dread at the thought of sleeping alone. He glanced at the curtains around Ron’s bed, chewing his lip. Harry sighed. 

“You owe me a galleon, Ron,” Hermione muttered when Harry pulled the curtains open. 

“I thought you’d want to stay with your Circle tonight,” Ron said, his voice rough with sleep. Hermione and him were tangled together in the center of the bed, still wearing their own clothes, and their wands gripped in their hands. 

Harry shrugged, wrapping his arms around himself, not knowing what to say. 

Hermione nudged Ron. “Shove over.” 

Ron grumbled but moved to make room. 

“Get in, Harry,” Hermione said, reaching over Ron to pat the spot on his other side. 

After a moment’s hesitation, Harry climbed in. 

Ron was already snoring again when Harry settled in. Hermione snorted quietly, pulling the blanket up over the three of them. They’d spent so many nights while on the run curled together in their shabby tent, it felt only natural to relax into their warmth and close his eyes. Harry was asleep in seconds. 

Harry was in the Astronomy Tower. 

It was cold. The wind howled as it twisted around the castle, rattling the windows. 

“Harry,” said a familiar voice. “My dear boy, I am so very sorry.” 

Harry turned around. 

Dumbledore stood at the railing, his hands folded behind his back, looking out at the grounds. Harry thought the scene looked rather familiar, but he couldn’t place it. 

“Sorry?” another voice asked and Harry froze. “For what?” 

He watched as another Harry walked towards Dumbledore, coming to stand beside him at the railing. He looked down at his body to find it wispy and incorporeal, as though he were viewing a memory in a pensieve. 

“For what I must make you do,” Dumbledore said. “For what I must deprive you of.” 

“I don’t understand,” said the other Harry. 

Dumbledore sighed forlornly. “No, you do not, and for that I am sorry as well.” 

“What are you talking about, Professor?” The other Harry asked.

“I have hidden much too much from you, but there is no other way. You must be willing to face Voldemort, no matter the cost to you,” Dumbledore said. “It’s for the greater good.” 

Of course that was how Dumbledore justified his actions, Harry thought, rolling his eyes. It was all for the “greater good”. 

“I am willing to face him,” the other Harry said. 

Dumbledore turned to look at him. He smiled. “I know you are,” he said. 

Harry watched as Dumbledore placed a hand on the other Harry’s shoulder. He watched as Dumbledore raised his wand. 

“Celare,” Dumbledore whispered. 

The other Harry’s eyes glazed over. Dumbledore waved his wand again and the other Harry fell asleep. Dumbledore levitated him to the floor and then stepped back to the railing. Then, he turned and looked straight at Harry. 

Harry flinched back as he met the man’s twinkling gaze. 

“I am glad you were able to rid the world of Voldemort once and for all,” Dumbledore said, walking closer to Harry. “But how did you break the seals?” 

“I– I don’t know,” Harry stammered. 

Dumbledore hummed. He studied Harry intently, circling around him. “Seventeen bonded, that’s impressive,” he said. “I can feel that there are more who haven’t reached you. I wonder why. Perhaps they did not want to come. Perhaps they heard your call and simply did not care to answer.” 

Harry’s chest tightened. He reminded himself that it was because of the seal. They didn’t hear him calling. That’s why they didn’t come. 

“I certainly hope those that did come are prepared to deal with everything that comes with you,” Dumbledore continued. “Trouble does seem to find you.” 

Harry bit the inside of his cheek. He tried not to listen, but somehow the words kept finding a way into his mind. 

“I do hope you’re not planning on taking off my other seals.” 

“Your other seals?” Harry asked, his voice hoarse. 

“Yes,” Dumbledore said. “My other seals. The magic Binding Seal and the seal blocking your Mentor. You shouldn’t tamper with them.” 

“Why not?” 

“They’re for your own protection, and, more importantly, the protection of those around you. You wouldn’t want to let your magic get out of control, would you? You could hurt the people close to you.”

“But–” 

“You really shouldn’t tamper with that which you don’t understand, Harry,” Dumbledore tutted. “You still don’t know much about magic, and I doubt you will ever be able to understand the intricacies of the art. Some people just can’t comprehend it.”

Harry’s face heated. Somehow speaking to Dumbledore always made him feel stupid and out of his depth. Maybe he really should just leave things alone.

“Do not be rash about this, my boy. You know better than anyone what rash decisions can cost. Look at your godfather or Cedric or even Dobby.” 

Harry’s stomach dropped. Dumbledore was right. He’d killed so many people because he hadn’t stopped to think. He was being selfish. He should just leave things alone and let the smart people handle things. He didn’t want to hurt anyone else. 

Dumbledore patted his cheek. “That’s my boy,” he said. “Now, just to make sure you understand…” 

Suddenly Dumbledore was no longer standing in front of him, but being thrown off the side of the tower as a spell hit his chest. 

His falling body suddenly became Cedric’s and then Sirius’ and then Dobby’s and then his mother’s and then his father’s and their screams began to blend with Harry’s own as he reached toward them, trying and failing to stop them from falling.

Harry jolted up with a shout. 

“Whazzit?” Ron said, still half asleep, scrambling up with his wand already in his hand. 

“Nothing,” Harry said, closing his eyes and trying to get his breath under control. “Just a dream.” 

Ron looked Harry over and nodded, slumping back against his pillows. 

“Do you want to talk about it?” Hermione asked quietly, propping herself up on her elbows and rubbing her eyes. 

Harry shook his head. “I’m fine.” 

Hermione frowned. 

“Go back to sleep,” Harry said, already climbing out of bed.

“Harry,” Hermione started, but Harry waved her off. 

“It’s just the usual, I’ll be fine, I just need some fresh air.” 

Hermione didn’t look convinced but didn’t say anything else. 

After using the restroom and some wandless cleaning charms (he really needed to ask Theo if anyone had found his wand), Harry went down to the Common Room. Most of the couches were occupied by his sleeping bonded and Harry tried not to disturb them as he made his way to the portrait hole. Before he could step out, a hand caught his arm and he flinched back, raising his arms to protect himself. 

“It’s just me,” someone rumbled softly. It soothed something in him and he felt himself relax in the person’s presence.

Harry lowered his arms. 

Idan was standing a few steps away, his hands raised in front of him. 

Harry let out a breath. “Sorry,” he mouthed. 

“You don’t need to apologize,” Idan said. “Where are you going?” 

“For some fresh air,” Harry said. 

“Would you like some company?” Idan asked. 

Harry could feel his eagerness to join.

“I wouldn’t mind some,” Harry said. And he found that he really didn’t mind. 

Idan’s face lit up with a smile. Harry couldn’t help but think it made him look absolutely gorgeous. He felt his stomach flutter. He turned toward the portrait before Idan could see how red his face was getting, but, given the amusement now hanging in the air, he hadn’t succeeded.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Halls

“So,” Harry said, feeling awkward just walking in silence. “What do you do back on Nevarah?” 

“I’m a patrol Gheyo,” Idan said. “Minh and I both work as border patrol guards.” 

“Do you keep people from coming into Nevarah?” 

“Not exactly,” Idan said. “Since Nevarah is a sanctuary realm, everyone is welcome. We mostly make sure everyone stays safe and that no Fabrine break through.” 

“Fabrine?” 

“They’re creatures made from dark magic that are constantly trying to break through the wards. No one really knows why, but some theorize that it’s to feed on our magic.” 

“Is it dangerous? Your job?” 

“Sometimes,” Idan said with a shrug. “But I love doing it.” 

“What do you love about it?” Harry asked. 

“I’m helping people, and I’m keeping them safe.”

Harry hummed. “And you said you work with Minh?” 

Idan nodded. “That’s actually how we met,” he said, smiling softly. “We ended up on the same shift and got paired together because we’re both Air Dragels.” 

“What does being an Air Dragel mean? I know everyone mentioned their Elements, but I’m still not sure how any of it works,” Harry said, tucking his hands into his pockets. 

“It just determines what kind of magic we use,” Idan said. “Air Dragels use air magic and also feel more comfortable in the air. Earth Dragels use earth magic and need to be connected to the ground to feel comfortable, and so on.” 

“Theo said something about me being Nameless,” Harry said. “What does that mean?” 

“That’s another type of magic that doesn’t necessarily fall under the six elemental magics,” Idan explained. 

“Six elemental magics? I thought there were four elements?” 

“There are four main elemental courts as well as the Death Court, but there are six main types of magic: Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Shadow, and Storm. Shadow falls under the Death Court and Storm falls under the Air Court.” 

“Why don’t they have their own courts?” 

Idan shrugged. “I’m not exactly sure, it’s just how it is. Raspen or Perry might be able to explain it better though.” 

“Raspen is Crown Prince of the Earth Court, but Perry is just Prince of the Air Court. What’s the difference?” 

“Raspen is going to inherit the Crown from his father while Perry isn’t. His younger sister is the Crown Princess.” 

“But if she’s younger, shouldn’t he be the Crown Prince?” 

“It doesn’t work like that on Nevarah,” Idan said. “You don’t inherit based on age, but rather who the magic chooses, and the magic takes your preference into account as well. I don’t think Perry would have liked to be Crown Prince even if the magic wanted him. And Princess Dawne is well suited to the Crown.” 

“Have you met her?” Harry asked. 

“Once,” Idan said. “But I’m sure I’ll meet her again soon, as Perry’s bonded.” 

“Oh god,” Harry groaned. “I’m going to have to meet all of your families.” 

Idan grinned at him. “You absolutely are.” 

“This is going to be horrible.” 

“I’m sure they’ll all love you,” Idan said. 

Harry groaned louder. 

Idan chuckled. “My sister will definitely adore you.” 

“You have a sister?” 

“A twin, Alys,” Idan said. “She’s a Gheyic Pareya, so she fusses… a lot. She’s going to love spoiling you.” 

“Are you two close?” 

Idan nodded. “I’m closest with her out of my family. We see our family Circle a few times a year, but we’ve never gone a week without seeing each other.” 

“That’s nice,” Harry said. 

Idan smiled. 

After a few minutes of companionable silence, Idan said, “We should head back soon. Everyone is going to be getting up and we still need to figure out what to do for breakfast.” 

“We can stop by the kitchens,” Harry offered. 

“You know where they are? Quinn tried asking around last night and no one could tell him,” Idan said. 

“Fred and George know where they are,” Harry said, raising a brow at Idan. 

“Well, they weren’t offering that information yesterday,” Idan grumbled. 

Harry snorted. 

“So, the kitchens?”

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Kitchens 

Idan gave Harry a skeptical look as he raised a hand to tickle the pear. 

“Are you sure this is how to open the door?” 

“Yes,” Harry said. “I know it seems ridiculous, but I swear it works.” 

Before Idan could say anything else, the portrait swung inwards, revealing a bustling kitchen full of house elves. Harry stepped past Idan, who seemed to have frozen on the threshold, and into the kitchen. A gust of warm air hit him immediately, making his stomach grumble from the smell of fresh bread and bacon. 

“Master Harry!” One of the elves called, running up to greet him. Harry had been down to the kitchens enough that he could tell it was one of the cooks, Pinky. “We was worried about you!” 

“I’m alright,” Harry said, crouching down to Pinky’s level. “Did all of you make it out okay? I heard you joined the Battle.” 

“Master Harry is too nice,” Pinky said, patting Harry’s cheek. “We is all healthy.” 

“I’m glad,” Harry said. 

“Is you needing something?” 

“Yes, actually,” Harry said. “We were wondering if you could send breakfast up to the Gryffindor Common Room for everyone staying there?”

“Of course!” Pinky exclaimed. “Is you needing special Dragon foods?” 

“Special Dragon foods?” Harry asked, glancing back at Idan for help but finding him still standing in the threshold, watching the scene with a pale face.

“For Dragon wizards,” Pinky said. “You is going through change and you is needing special foods.” 

“I’m not really sure, Pinky,” Harry said. “Do whatever you think is best. I trust you.” 

Pinky beamed at him. “Is you needing anything else?” 

“Do you happen to know if Kreacher is here?” Harry asked. 

“Yes! I is going to get him,” Pinky said, scurrying deeper into the kitchen. 

Harry stood up with a slight groan, his knees cracking. He turned back to Idan. “Is everything okay?” 

Idan looked at him and swallowed. “Yeah, um, who is Kreacher?” 

“My godfather’s house elf,” Harry said. “Though he’s technically mine now.” 

“You have a house elf?” Idan’s voice was strained. 

“Only technically,” Harry said. “I’m planning on freeing him as soon as I can.” 

“Why?” 

Harry gave Idan a careful look. He wasn’t sure where this was going. “I don’t need a house elf. And I want him to be able to choose what he wants to do.” 

Idan stared at him. 

“Master Harry,” Kreacher croaked as he hobbled up to them. “Pinky said you be asking for Kreacher?” 

“Yes,” Harry said, crouching down again. “I wanted to check on you. It was incredibly brave of you to lead the other house elves into the Battle.” 

Kreacher ducked his head. “Kreacher only did what Master Regulus would have been wanting.” 

“It was still very brave,” Harry said. 

Harry swore he saw a small smile on Kreacher’s face. 

“Did any of you get injured?” Harry asked. 

“A few,” Kreacher said. “But we be healing our own.” 

“Do you need any help?” 

“No, Master Harry,” Kreacher said, shaking his head. 

“As long as you’re sure,” he said. “Though Madame Pomfrey, I’m certain, would not turn you away if you asked her.” 

Kreacher nodded. “Is Master Harry be needing anything else from Kreacher?” 

Harry bit his lip. “I know I couldn’t free you before the War was over, but now that it is, I wanted to ask if you wanted to be freed?” 

“Master Harry isn’t wanting Kreacher?” Kreacher’s eyes seemed to well up with tears. 

“No, no, of course I want you!” Harry hurried to say. “I just didn’t think you wanted to stay with me. I know you didn’t like being bonded to Sirius and you definitely didn’t like me at first. I just want to give you a choice.” 

“Master Harry be giving Kreacher a choice?” 

“Yes,” Harry said. “If you want to be free, I’ll give you clothes, but if you want to stay, you can. Though, you should know that I’m going to Nevarah with my Circle soon and I don’t know when I’ll be back.” 

“Master Harry has Circle?” Kreacher asked. 

“Since yesterday,” Harry said, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s rather new.” 

“Is Circle bonded good to Master Harry?” Kreacher asked, narrowing his eyes. “If they is not, Kreacher can be getting his frying pan. Kreacher will make sure bodies are never found.” 

Harry chuckled, feeling strangely touched by Kreacher’s willingness to murder for him. “They are very good to me, Kreacher, better than I deserve probably, you don’t have to worry.” 

Kreacher stared at him for a moment longer before giving him a sharp nod. “Okay. But Kreacher always being just a call away.” 

“Thank you,” Harry said. “So, what do you want to do?” 

“Kreacher be wanting to be free, but Kreacher still being loyal to Master Harry.” 

“I will free you then,” Harry said. “But you don’t have to do anything for me anymore.” 

“Kreacher be doing anything Master Harry needs,” Kreacher said firmly. 

Harry shook his head. “You don’t need to.” 

“Master Harry be giving Kreacher a choice. Kreacher be choosing to do what Master Harry needs,” Kreacher said. 

“You’re going to be free Kreacher. I don’t want you to do anything I need. I just want you do what you want, to live your life,” Harry said. 

“Is Master Harry not wanting Kreacher and him to be friends?” 

“Of course I want to be friends with you,” Harry said. 

“Friends be helping each other,” Kreacher said, crossing his arms. “So Kreacher be helping Master Harry. If Master Harry not wanting that, then he not wanting Kreacher to be friend.” 

Harry sighed. “Fine, Kreacher, you can help me, but just know you can say no to me, okay? You don’t have to do anything.” 

Kreacher nodded. “Kreacher not have to do anything, but Kreacher can.” 

“Yes, Kreacher can,” Harry said. He stood up, reaching into the small bag still tied around his chest and pulling out a single sock. He held it out to Kreacher. 

Kreacher stared at him and carefully reached out to take the sock, gasping as it touched his skin. There was a flare of light and both of them felt the bond between them dissolve. 

“Kreacher is being free?” Kreacher asked quietly. 

“Yes, Kreacher is free,” Harry said. 

Kreacher’s eyes began to fill with tears once more and he launched himself at Harry, wrapping his arms around his legs. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you…” 

Harry placed a hand on the top of Kreacher’s head, not really knowing what to do with the sobbing elf. He looked back at Idan, but he was just watching him again. 

When Kreacher finally calmed himself, he pulled back from Harry, poking him in the side. “Master Harry be calling Kreacher if he be needing help.” 

Harry nodded. “And you can call me if you need help too.” 

As Kreacher went to protest, Harry held a hand up. “Friends help each other, right?”

Kreacher pouted, but nodded in agreement. 

“I need to get back to my Circle, but I am very glad to be your friend, Kreacher,” Harry said, moving towards Idan. 

“Kreacher is being glad to be Master Harry’s friend as well,” Kreacher said. 

Harry smiled at him and pulled Idan from the kitchens. 

“Are you alright?” Harry asked Idan as they walked back up to the dorms. 

Idan nodded silently. 

Harry reached out carefully and took Idan’s hand. 

Idan looked at their joined hands in surprise and then looked back up at Harry. 

“You can tell me if something is wrong, you know,” Harry said. 

Idan swallowed. “It was… strange, to see the elves down there.” 

Harry squeezed his hand, not saying anything, hoping that Idan would continue. 

“I don’t know if you could tell,” Idan said. “But I’m half-Elf.” 

“You are?” 

Idan nodded, using his other hand to move back his white-blond hair, exposing his pointed ears. While Harry had noticed that his other bonded also had pointed ears, Idan’s were slightly longer and didn’t have scales. 

“It’s uncomfortable to see others of my kind bound to servitude like that,” Idan explained quietly. 

“I’m sorry,” Harry said.

“It’s not your fault,” Idan said. “You didn’t treat them like servants. They’re people to you– friends.” 

“Of course they are.” 

Idan gave him a sad smile. “Not everyone believes that.” 

Harry could feel Idan’s resigned devastation hanging heavy around them and he barely held back his whine. Instead, he leaned into Idan’s side, letting the Gheyo wrap his arm around his shoulders.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Gryffindor Common Room

By the time Idan and Harry made it back to the Common Room, most people had woken up. Breakfast had already been sent up and Harry wondered if the elves had already had it ready when he came to the kitchens and had just been waiting for someone to ask. 

As soon as Harry saw Theo, he felt something tugging him in his direction. He ducked out from under Idan’s arm and slipped onto the couch next to him. 

“Good morning, treasure,” Theo purred. “Did you sleep well?” 

“Mm-hm,” Harry hummed contentedly, feeling completely settled now that he was tucked against Theo. 

A muffin hit him in the face. “Liar,” Ron said. “You never sleep well.” 

Harry stuck his tongue out at Ron. “In comparison with how I’ve been sleeping, I would call last night ‘sleeping well’.” 

“Sleeping well requires sleeping through the night,” Ron argued. “Not waking up in a panic multiple times.” 

Harry felt his face heat. “You know, you really don’t need to air out all of my dirty laundry in the middle of breakfast.” 

“It’s not the middle of breakfast,” Ron said. “We’ve only just started eating.” 

Harry rolled his eyes. “I really did sleep fine,” he said to Theo, who was watching him with concern. “I only woke up like three times.” 

Theo sighed, kissing Harry’s temple. “You should eat something.” 

Harry bit into the muffin Ron had thrown at him. 

“Something more nutritious than a muffin,” Theo said. 

“But a muffin has all of the necessary food groups: carbs, sugar and chocolate,” Harry pointed out. 

Theo turned to his left. “George, could you make Harry a plate?” 

Harry pouted at him. 

Theo flicked his nose. 

“Where were you this morning?” George asked, dropping onto the couch next to Harry and holding a loaded plate out to him. 

“I just went for a walk,” Harry said. He took the plate and started picking at the food. “Idan came with me and we stopped by the kitchens to ask for breakfast and talk to Kreacher.” 

“And how is my favorite grumpy elf?” George was watching Harry carefully as he ate, as though he was counting his bites. 

“He’s okay,” Harry said. “And so are all of the other elves who fought in the Battle.” 

“Oh thank god,” Hermione breathed from beside Ron. “I was so worried about them.” 

“Kreacher said they’re managing with healing,” Harry said. 

“Are you taking him with you?” Ron asked. 

Harry shook his head. “I freed him,” he said. 

“Finally,” Ron groaned. 

Hermione swatted the back of his head. “Ron, that’s not nice.” 

“Well, Kreacher’s not nice either,” Ron said. 

“He was actually really sweet about it,” Harry said. “He said he would help me if I asked him to and offered to beat up my Circle with a frying pan if they weren’t nice to me.” 

Theo choked. 

“Kreacher’s a legend,” George laughed. “I love that guy.” 

“You call offering to murder people, sweet?” Ron asked. 

“From Kreacher? Yes,” Harry said. 

“Kreacher just has issues,” Hermione said. “All he knows is violence, it’s no wonder that’s how he shows his care.” 

“He enjoys that violence and you know it,” Ron said. 

As the two of them continued to bicker back and forth, Harry returned to his food, nibbling at the toast. 

He watched as people milled about the Common Room, enjoying what must be the first peaceful morning they’d had in ages. Mrs. Weasley stopped by the couch he was sharing with Theo and George to tuck a mug of tea into his hands and to drape a blanket over his and Theo’s shoulders. She was gone before he could even say thank you, already moving onto her next victims. 

“Did Mrs. Weasley get to you too?” Neville asked as he came over, shoving himself between George and Harry, ignoring the twin’s outraged squawk. 

Harry lifted his mug in a salute. “Yep.” 

Neville clinked it with his own and relaxed against the couch. “Are you doing alright after last night?” 

“Last night?” Harry asked. He vaguely heard George mumble something about disrespecting his rights to cuddle with his bonded. He lost sight of the twin as he slinked off somewhere. 

“With the dungeon bat and his dungeon bat bullshit,” Neville clarified. 

Harry felt Theo stiffen beside him. “Yeah, I’m fine.” 

Neville narrowed his eyes at him. 

“I am!” Harry protested. 

Neville raised an eyebrow. 

Harry huffed. “I’m working on it. I will be fine, just at a later date.” 

Neville studied him for a moment longer before giving a satisfied nod and readjusting his own blanket (likely courtesy of Mrs. Weasley) to cover Harry as well. Even though he already had a blanket, Harry found he didn’t mind the extra warmth, especially when it came with that feeling of safety that he felt around his Circle. 

“Eat your food, Harry,” Neville said, nudging him with an elbow. 

“I am!” Harry protested. 

“You’re not a bird, you don’t need to take bird-sized bites,” Neville teased. 

Harry rolled his eyes, shoving the rest of the toast he was holding into his mouth. “Happy?” He mumbled through a mouth full of bread. 

“Ecstatic,” Neville replied dryly. “Now, if only you could learn table manners…” 

“I’m not the one who brought a toad to the table,” Harry said. 

“I couldn’t leave Trevor alone! He could’ve gotten lost again!” Neville argued. 

“And you couldn’t put him in a cage or something?” 

Neville gasped dramatically. “I could never! Trevor would get lonely.” 

Harry snorted. “Where is he, anyways?” 

“He’s with my Gran, back home,” Neville said. “I didn’t want to risk bringing him to school with me.” 

“And your Gran is safe too?” Harry asked. 

Neville nodded. “She warded the manor really well. She kept it open for people who needed a safe place to stay. I think she’s keeping it open until the restorations are complete.” 

“That’s really kind of her,” Harry said. “Does she need any help? I could make some donations or something, or–” 

“Harry, the Longbottoms are an old pureblood Wizarding family, we have enough money,” Neville said, taking Harry’s hand. “You don’t need to do anything else. You’ve already done more than enough to help.” 

“But–” 

Neville cut him off by squeezing his hand. “You don’t need to do anything else,” he repeated. “Just relax and heal and be with your Circle.” 

“I don’t know if I even know how to relax,” Harry said quietly. 

“You’ll learn,” Neville said simply. “And if you need help, you ask for it. You’ve got your Circle and your friends. We’re all here if you need anything.” 

Harry sighed. “I know, it’s just a lot right now.” 

Neville squeezed his hand again. “You’ll be alright, Harry.” 

Harry gave him a small smile. 

Neville smiled back, his golden-brown eyes full of warmth. Harry could feel himself relax further into Theo’s side. There was something so safe about Neville’s gaze. 

“I hear you and yours are planning on going to Nevarah,” Neville said. 

Harry nodded.

“I’ll have to show you the Longbottom Manor then,” Neville said. “I’ve only been there a few times. My grandmother stopped visiting regularly when my grandfather died.” 

“How did I never know that you were Dragel too?” Harry asked. 

Neville shrugged, still not letting go of Harry’s hand. “I don’t think you ever knew to ask and you were never around when I was talking about it with Ron. A lot of the old Wizarding families are creatures. Our family moved here from Nevarah a long time ago. We’re originally from the Earth Court. I inherited as a Pareya in our sixth year.” 

Harry hummed. Neville being a Pareya made sense, especially with how similar Neville felt to Ethan. “Are you coming to Nevarah?” 

“Probably,” Neville said. “My Gran hasn’t said anything to me yet, but that was the original plan for after the war. She said she needed a break from Wizarding politics.” 

Harry chuckled. “I understand how she feels.” 

“Ron! Is this yours? I found it under my bed,” Dean said, coming down the stairs, brandishing a chessboard. 

Harry looked over to see Ron gasp and race over to Dean, nearly dropping his plate in his haste. “Thank Merlin! I thought I’d lost it! I guess past Ron was smart enough to hide it before everything went to shit.” 

“Why’d you have to hide it under my bed?” Dean said, passing over the board with a scowl. “You could’ve just hidden it in yours.” 

“That’s the first place they would’ve looked, duh,” Ron said. 

“The first place ‘they’ would have looked for a chessboard?” Dean asked incredulously. “Why in the hell are people looking for your chessboard?” 

“Oi! Don’t disrespect my pieces! This is a top of the line chess set.” Ron cradled the board to his chest as though protecting it from Dean’s words. 

“You’re a nutter, Ron,” Dean said, rolling his eyes and patting Ron’s shoulder as he passed. 

“Don’t listen to him,” Ron whispered to his board. “You’re the best pieces I’ve ever had.” 

“Are you talking to your chessboard?” Ginny asked as she came up to them, followed by Luna. Both of them settled on the floor next to the couch Harry was occupying. 

“No…” Ron said. 

“Uh-huh,” Ginny said, doubtfully. 

“A good chess set is hard to find,” Ron said with a pout. “I don’t want my pieces to hate me.” 

“So you decided to talk to them,” Ginny said, trying and failing to hide her amusement. 

“Shut it,” Ron said, going back to his seat next to Hermione. 

Ginny snorted. 

“Anyone care for a game?” Ron asked, already setting up his pieces. “I want to make sure they still like me.” 

“Merlin, you’re just asking for me to make fun of you,” Ginny said, rolling her eyes but waving him over to set up the game on the floor between them.

Ron glared at her as he lowered onto the ground. 

“You know,” Luna said wistfully. “A true chess master knows that every move has already been played.” 

They all turned to look at Luna in confusion. 

Luna either didn’t notice their stares or didn’t care and kept eating her food. 

Harry shook his head and turned back to Theo who was watching their interactions with a smile on his face. 

“When are we leaving?” Harry asked him. 

“As soon as everyone is ready,” Theo said. “Do you have everything you need?” 

“Yup,” Harry said, patting the small bag tied around his chest. “Everything I need is in here. It’s got an extension charm.” His books, his clothes, his cloak, his photo album. The only thing not in there was–

“Did you ever find my wand?” 

“Yes, one of Isla’s Gheyos brought it last night,” Theo said, shifting slightly to pull not one, but two wands from his back pocket, along with a familiar black stone. “These two were lying together with the stone and Isla said they couldn’t separate them.” 

Harry frowned, taking the wands and stone from Theo. “Weird.” 

The Holly wand flared with warmth as soon as Theo let go of it, as happy to be returned to Harry as he was to have it back. The other wand, however, turned out to be the very wand Harry never wanted to see again: the Elder Wand. Harry shivered as he felt it pulse in his grip.

“Why’d they have to come back to me?” He groaned, closing his eyes and dropping his head back against the couch. 

“Care to explain?” Theo looked at Harry expectantly. 

“I was rather hoping the stone would stay lost and that someone had stepped on this wand in the clearing,” Harry said. “They’ve done enough harm to the Wizarding World.” 

Theo furrowed his brows. 

“Maybe I should just snap it in half,” Harry mused, twirling it between his fingers. 

“Harry, mate, is that what I think it is?” Ron asked, looking up from where he had been lovingly ordering his knight to take Ginny’s rook. The pieces battled as he spoke, Ginny’s rook flying off of the board in pieces. 

“Yup,” Harry said, waving the wand. “The super special Deathstick and the super special Ghost stone.” 

Hermione frowned. She’d also migrated to the ground to watch Ron and Ginny’s game. “Wait,” she said. “That means you have all of the Hallows.” 

“Yeah,” Harry said with a shrug. “I guess we’ll find out if the Master of Death thing is actually real or not.” 

“What?” Hadrian’s voice was tense as he appeared beside them, seemingly emerging from a shadowed corner. Harry was surprised that he didn’t even flinch at Hadrian’s appearance.

The room around them seemed to quiet. Harry suddenly felt a lot more gazes on him than before. He suppressed a shudder at the sensation. 

“What?” Harry echoed, looking at him in confusion. 

“What did you just say?” Hadrian demanded. 

“That I guess we’ll find out if the Master of Death thing is real?” Harry had no clue why Hadrian, and the others for that matter, were looking at him so seriously. 

“Are you saying that you possess the three Deathly Hallows?” Hadrian asked. 

“Yeah,” Harry said slowly. “How do you know about those?” 

“I’m part of Death’s Court,” Hadrian explained shortly. “The Deathly Hallows have been lost for centuries.” 

“Well, they’re found now,” Harry said. “You can give ‘em back if you want.” 

Harry held out the wand and stone to Hadrian. 

Beside him, Theo shook his head, half in amusement, half in exasperation. “Only you, Harry, only you.” 

Harry frowned. “Am I missing something here?” 

“Probably,” Ron said. “You’re always missing something.” 

“Not helpful.” Harry glared at Ron. 

“Wasn’t trying to be.” 

Harry showed him his middle finger. 

Hadrian looked down at Harry’s hand, then up at his face, then back to his hand before shaking his head and gently pushing Harry’s hand back to his chest. “Keep them,” he said, gruffly. “You can give them back yourself if you wish to.” 

“I really, really do,” Harry said, tucking them into the bag around his neck with a grimace, glad to be rid of their presence, if only for the moment. 

Hadrian kept staring at him as he did so. 

Theo cleared his throat. “Finish your food, love.” 

Harry moved his plate, still mostly untouched, to the side table next to Theo. “I’m full.” 

“Are you sure?” Theo frowned at his plate. 

Harry nodded. 

Theo and Hadrian glanced at each other, sharing a significant look. 

Instead of wondering what that look meant, Harry looked down at Ron and Hermione. “You guys are coming to Nevarah too, right?” 

“In a couple of days, yeah,” Ron said, eyes still focused on his chessboard, wincing as one of his pawns was shattered and swept off the board by Ginny’s bishop. 

“Once I find Mum and Dad,” Hermione added. “We’ll send a message before we leave.” 

“Can letters even reach another realm?” Harry asked. 

“There are other ways of sending messages,” Theo said, making Harry look back at him. “I’ll teach you when we get to Nevarah.” 

Harry hummed in gratitude, bumping his head against Theo’s shoulder. 

“Luna, what about you?” Harry asked. “Are you coming to Nevarah?” 

“Maybe,” Luna said. “Daddy and I need to make sure the Quibbler is taken care of. It became more popular during the war and Daddy wouldn’t want to lose our readers because he took a break. And he wanted to track down the Crumple-Horned Snorkack now that he can go outside without being attacked by Death Eaters and nargles. I promised to help him search.” 

“Right,” Harry said, frowning in confusion. 

“But, then again,” Luna continued. “Daddy did tell me that he’d read that Nevarah has all kinds of creatures he could study. And, of course, the news is read everywhere, so he could just take the Quibbler with him. He just doesn’t want to go alone, so maybe he’ll have us join the Weasleys or the Longbottoms. After all Harry, flying is easier with four and violets can keep you safe from falling.” 

“Luna, I am so confused right now,” Harry said. 

“That’s okay,” she said with a smile. “It’ll make sense.” 

With that, Luna shoved an entire strawberry into her mouth, stem and all, and rolled onto her back, dropping her head into Ginny’s lap. Ginny didn’t even look away from her game with Ron, and just threaded her hands into Luna’s hair. 

Harry shook his head. Luna was an enigma. One he loved having around, but still infuriatingly confusing. 

“Lovegood is an… interesting character,” Theo mused. 

“That’s vastly underselling her,” Neville said. “She makes ‘interesting’ look boring.”

Harry chuckled. “I think she exaggerates to make people underestimate her.” 

“I wouldn’t put it past her,” Neville said. “She was one of the top students in her and Ginny’s year, well, until the whole take-over happened.” 

“How do you know?” 

“During the bat’s reign, we broke into the Headmaster’s office to charm all of the furniture to the ceiling,” Neville said with a grin. “While we were there, we stole some files.” 

Harry gripped Neville’s forearm with a dramatic gasp. “You have to tell me the rest of this story, I have to hear it.” 

“Of course, I’ll even tell you about how we dyed the Slytherins’ robes red and gold.” Neville’s eyes shone with mirth. 

“Oh my god,” Harry said with a laugh. “You really channeled the twins last year.” 

“We tried,” Neville said. “Their genius is, of course, unparalleled, but we had to try.” 

“Checkmate!” Ron shouted, interrupting Harry’s reply. Ron threw his arms into the air in celebration, pumping his fists. “Take that, Gin!” 

“I only lost ‘cause your pieces are biased,” Ginny said, crossing her arms. 

“You’re just a sore loser,” Ron huffed. “My pieces would never stoop so low.” 

His chess pieces paused in their work of repairing their fallen comrades and began to gather themselves in front of him, glaring at Ginny. 

Ginny squawked, gesturing to Ron’s troop. “Look at them! They obviously have something against me!” 

Ron looked down and nearly cooed. “Aw, ‘Mione, look! They do love me!” 

“I’m going to spend the rest of my life second to chess pieces,” Hermione sighed. 

Harry grinned and watched his friends bicker. 

A couple hours later, Harry and his Circle were gathered in the center of the Common Room. After breakfast had been cleared away, people started clearing out, looking lighter than they had the day before. Many of them were heading to see what was left of their homes, while others were only going down to the courtyard to help the Ministry cleaning crews with the wreckage. 

Harry had been hugged by all of the Weasleys who were remaining on Earth, as well as all of his friends. Luna had tucked a violet into his hair. Where she’d gotten in, he had no clue, but he wasn’t about to refuse a gift from Luna– you never knew if her gifts were simply decoration or if they were some sort of protection charm; it was better to be safe and keep it. Minerva had also come by to say her goodbyes and, surprisingly, Mrs. Malfoy had pulled Harry into a hug too. Harry was exceedingly glad that Draco had simply inclined his head. 

Another surprise was the fact that Zabini had made the effort to say goodbye. He was, apparently, coming to Nevarah soon and had offered to meet up with them while he was there. Harry found himself easily agreeing to the offer. 

With one last glance at his friends, Harry turned back to his Circle just in time to hear Raspen cast the portal.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Nevarah Gates 

Harry stared in wonder as he waited for his turn to register. 

Nevarah was beautiful. And so peaceful. There was no screaming, no terror, no sounds or flashes of spells. There was just the light breeze, the sound of a nearby river, and the sound of birds singing. He almost laughed at the thought. Birds singing. How cliche was that. 

Someone nudged him forward gently and Harry turned behind him to see Charlie smiling down at him. “What do you think, sweetheart?” Charlie asked. 

“It’s beautiful,” Harry said. “And it’s so quiet.” 

Charlie laughed. “Just wait until we get inside the gates, the main city is never quiet, especially not now, since it’s so close to the Hunt.” 

“What’s the Hunt?” Harry asked. He remembered Theo saying something about it last night, but he couldn’t recall him saying what it was.

“It’s one of the biggest events on Nevarah,” Charlie said. “People come from all over to participate. It’s kind of like a giant festival for the whole Realm. There’s food and markets and performances. But the main goal of the Hunt is to find a Circle.” 

“So it’s just a huge mating market?” Harry said dryly. 

Charlie flicked his nose. “It’s an important part of Nevaran culture.” 

Harry stuck his tongue out at him. 

That earned him another nose flick. 

“How long does it last?” Harry asked. 

“A month,” Charlie replied, pushing Harry forward as Ethan pulled Bran up to the registration booth. “And we came just in time for it to start. It’s starting in a few weeks I believe.” 

“Sounds fun,” Harry said. 

“It is,” Charlie said. “I’ve only been to one, about five years ago. The Hunt only happens every ten years.” 

Harry frowned. “But then how were you at one five years ago?” 

“Time passes differently on Nevarah,” Charlie explained. “One day on Earth is two days on Nevarah, so five years on Earth is ten years here.” 

“Oh,” Harry said. “That’s weird.” 

“You get used to it,” Charlie shrugged. 

“Do you come to Nevarah a lot?” 

“We used to,” Charlie said. “Before the War really started.” 

Harry hummed in acknowledgement. 

“Harry-love,” Theo called. “It’s your turn.” 

Harry took Theo’s proffered hand and followed him to the registration booth. “What do I need to do?” Harry asked. 

“Tell them your name, rank, and element, as well as your Circle name,” Theo said. Before Harry could ask, Theo continued: “We’re going by the Nott Circle for now, we can talk about a more permanent name later on. Then you’re going to need to stand still for the scan of your magic and you’ll be all set.” 

Harry nodded and stepped up to the window. 

The woman in the window gave him a bright smile. “Hello! Welcome to Nevarah!” 

“Thank you,” Harry said a tad awkwardly. “Um… I’m Harry Potter, a Nameless Submissive of the Nott Circle.” 

He glanced back at Theo, who inclined his head approvingly. 

“Perfect!” The woman said, writing something down. “Are you applying for a visitor’s visa or for permanent citizenship?” 

Harry glanced at Theo again. 

“He’s applying for permanent citizenship,” Theo said smoothly. 

The woman nodded, noting that down as well. “Now all that’s left is the scan,” she said. “All you have to do is stand super still until I tell you you can move.” 

She waited for Harry to nod and then began waving her hand and muttering a spell. A tingling sensation spread down Harry’s body and he barely suppressed a shiver. A moment later she told him he could move. 

“Thank you,” Harry said again. 

“You’re welcome,” she said. “I hope you enjoy your stay!” 

With that, she waved for the next person to come up to the booth. Theo stayed to help with Charlie while Harry made his way over to where the rest of his Circle was waiting. 

“All good?” Oliver asked, reaching out a hand to pull Harry into his side. 

Harry nodded. He wasn’t quite used to this amount of physical contact, but he wasn’t going to complain. It was nice. 

“I think we’re headed to the Beach House next,” Oliver said. “Theo’s Oretta said it should be ready for us whenever we make it there.” 

“I’ve never been to a beach,” Harry mused, leaning back against Oliver, missing the concerned frowns his comment garnered. 

“Never?” Oliver echoed. 

“Wasn’t any time,” Harry said. The Dursley’s had never taken him when they went and then he had started Hogwarts and well, it’s not like there were any opportunities to take a vacation to the beach. 

“You have all the time in the world now,” Oliver said, squeezing Harry. 

Harry smiled up at him. 

“Is everything in order?” Raspen asked as Theo and Charlie came up to the group. 

“Yes,” Theo said. “The Circle is registered and those of us who needed to apply for permanent citizenship have done so. I am going to take Harry to the Beach House Isla left for us. Everyone else can either come with us or reconnect with their families or training Circles and make all the necessary arrangements.” 

“Do you need us to get anything while we’re out?” Ethan asked. 

“Not that I can think of right now,” Theo said. “Though some food would be appreciated. I’m not sure if Isla stocked the kitchen or not. I also want everyone back before dinner. We still have some things to discuss and I would like to start sending out inquiries as soon as possible.” 

Everyone nodded in agreement. 

“Now, is anyone coming with Harry and me?” Theo asked.

Harry Potter: Deveraine Beach House 

In the end, it was only Theo and Harry who ‘ported to the Beach House. Harry had expected most of the Circle to have people to visit but the Weasleys and Oliver had surprised him– he hadn’t known they had family here. Charlie and the twins went to warn the Prewitts of the Weasleys’ move to Nevarah, and Oliver’s parents had apparently fled to Nevarah during the war. 

Theo and Harry landed on the porch of a large vacation home, one that looked like it was made for a big family. Though Harry didn’t give it much more thought than that because he was distracted by the view from the porch. The steps from it led right into the sand and the water was barely ten meters from the house. There was a gentle breeze and as Harry breathed in, he could smell the salt from the sea. The water itself was a brilliant blue and looked almost completely clear; the sun sparkled against the waves. 

“This is amazing,” Harry breathed, rushing to lean against the porch railing. 

Theo came up next to him. “It’s one of my favorite places.” 

“I can see why,” Harry said. 

“Come on, let’s go inside so I can give you a tour,” Theo said after a moment. “We can come back outside later.” 

“Okay,” Harry said, taking Theo’s hand and letting himself be pulled into the house. 

“What would you like to see first?” Theo asked. 

“The bathroom?” Harry said. “I really need to take a shower.” 

Theo chuckled. “I mean, I wasn’t going to say anything…” 

Harry glared at him. “Like you’re doing much better.” 

“I guess we could all do with a shower,” he said, leading Harry up the stairs. He glanced back at Harry, raising an eyebrow. “And a change of clothes.” 

“They’re not that bad,” Harry tried, though he knew just how bad of a shape his clothes were in. The shirt was torn in multiple places and the jeans were stained with mud and dust and other things Harry really didn’t want to think about and that even Mrs. Weasley’s cleaning charms couldn’t get out.

Theo gave him a blank look and Harry grimaced. 

“I didn’t exactly have anything else to wear,” Harry said. 

Theo squeezed his hand but didn’t say anything. 

When they came up to the bathroom, Theo let go of him, nudging him inside. “There should be soap and towels under the sink,” he said. “Take as much time as you need. I’ll leave a change of clothes outside the door for you.” 

“Thank you,” Harry said. 

“You don’t need to thank me.” 

Harry looked at him for a moment before pressing a kiss to Theo’s cheek. “Thanks anyways,” he said, his voice a little hoarse. He closed the bathroom door before Theo could say anything else. 

Harry moved further into the bathroom, wincing when he caught sight of himself in the large mirror above the sink. He looked horrible. His hair was a mess. His clothes were torn. His eyes were dull and there were dark circles under them, ones he was sure had been a permanent staple for the past few years. His skin, though not covered in bruises and mud as he had expected it to be, still felt as though it was. Cleaning charms could only do so much; they didn’t remove the itchy feeling of dirt. 

He lifted a hand to pull the violet Luna had given him out of his hair. He placed it carefully on the sink and began peeling his clothes off, leaving his wand and bag on the sink. As he took off his shirt, he took notice of the marks from his Circle. None of them seemed to look like bite marks anymore. Instead, they had turned into shifting tattoos, just slightly darker than his skin tone, with a bit of a red tinge, some of the same symbol as Harry had seen on George, others of symbols Harry didn’t recognize. They rippled across his skin, flowing from one mark to the other, all of them seemingly connected by the twisting vines that now covered his body. Harry couldn’t help but think they were beautiful. 

After spending a good few minutes studying his torso, Harry turned back to his task. He found soap and shampoo and a towel under the sink, as Theo had indicated. The shower itself was thankfully easy to figure out and the water didn’t take long to heat up. 

Harry let out a sigh of relief when he stepped under the spray. God, he hadn’t had a warm shower in so long. Ron, Hermione, and he had relied mostly on cleaning charms and the occasional river for washing. Taking the time to shower was a luxury they often couldn’t afford. Now, though, Harry let himself simply enjoy the water for a while, closing his eyes and just relaxing. He finally felt like he could breathe. 

A while later, he was dressed in the clothes Theo had left him and was looking over the sea from the balcony Theo had taken him to. As the sea breeze ruffled his hair, Harry found himself extremely grateful for the warm sweater Theo had gotten him. He wasn’t sure what time it was– given the sun’s position it was probably around midday– but it was already getting cold. He wondered if the seasons on Nevarah worked the same as they did on Earth. 

Harry wrapped his arms around himself, turning back to where Theo was relaxing on the balcony armchair. Theo smiled at him, holding out a hand in invitation. Harry took it without hesitation. 

“Is it usually this cold here?” Harry asked when he’d settled in Theo’s arms. 

“Not during this time of year, no,” Theo said. “I’m sure it’ll be warmer tomorrow.” 

Harry hummed in thought. He traced patterns against Theo’s chest, listening to the waves lapping against the beach.

“So, what’s your favorite color?” Theo asked suddenly. 

“What?” Harry looked up at him, furrowing his brows. 

“Your favorite color,” Theo repeated. “I want to get to know you, treasure, so tell me, what’s your favorite color?” 

“Green,” Harry said. 

“Not red?” Theo raised an amused brow. 

“Is your favorite color Slytherin green, then?” Harry rolled his eyes. 

“It is, actually,” Theo said. 

“Well, not everyone wants to be a walking Hogwarts stereotype,” Harry said. 

Theo hummed. “I just assumed, given you’re so Gryffindorish.” 

“I was actually supposed to be in Slytherin,” Harry said, smugly. “I convinced the Hat to put me in Gryffindor.” 

“Why would you do that?” Theo looked down at Harry in surprise. 

“Malfoy was a prat,” Harry shrugged. 

Theo laughed. “He was rather a spoiled snob those first few years,” he said. “And you two were constantly at each other’s throats, Merlin knows why.” 

“Well,” Harry said. “It really all started with me getting my Hogwarts letter…” 

For the next few hours, Theo and Harry spoke about anything and everything, taking breaks to trade some exploratory kisses, basking in the time they had with just the two of them. Theo told Harry about growing up with Isla after he came into his inheritance, and about the memories he had from this very beach house. Harry told Theo about his Hogwarts adventures, some of which Theo had heard about but had doubted, until Harry confirmed that yes, he had in fact fought off a Voldemort parasite that was inside their DADA Professor at eleven years old, and, yes, he had helped Hermione lure Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest leading to her being captured by centaurs. Theo had been equally impressed and concerned. 

Harry, of course, avoided all of Theo’s careful questions about his relatives. He didn’t want to think about them ever again. The Ministry could deal with bringing them out of hiding. 

They had ended up moving to the bedroom that led to the balcony, and lay cuddled together, Harry’s head resting on Theo’s chest as Theo ran his hand over Harry’s back. 

“When are the others coming back?” Harry asked. 

“Soon, I would think,” Theo said. 

Harry hummed in acknowledgement. “How will we know when everyone gets here?” 

“I’m sure we’ll hear them,” Theo said. “The twins, I think, are practically incapable of being quiet.” 

Just as he finished speaking, the sound of voices began to filter in from downstairs. 

“We have returned!” Harry identified the shout as George’s voice.

Theo snorted. “Speak of the devils and they shall appear.” 

“Harrikins! Theodore! Where are you?” Fred’s voice sing-songed. 

“You’d best be decent when we find you,” George said. Their voices were getting closer as they moved through the house. 

“Or don’t be,” Fred said. “That works too.” 

“Might be even better, right Forge?” 

“Absolutely, Gred.” 

Harry rolled his eyes. He groaned in protest when Theo moved out from under him.

“Come on, love, we need to get up,” Theo said, climbing out of the bed and holding a hand out for Harry.  

Harry pouted at him. 

“There’ll be food,” Theo coaxed. 

“Food?” Harry's stomach growled rather loudly at the thought. He took Theo’s hand.

Theo chuckled. “Yes, treasure, food,” he said, hoisting Harry up. 

Harry grinned up at him. “What’re we waiting for then?” 

Theo huffed and kissed him lightly before leading him from the room. 

They ran into the twins on their way downstairs and Fred and George immediately pulled Harry out of Theo’s arms, fussing over him and babbling excitedly. Harry sent Theo a wide-eyed look, mouthing help me . Theo just laughed unhelpfully and followed after them. 

“Harry!” Came the collective shout when they entered the kitchen. 

“Wow,” Theo said dryly. “I’m really feeling the love.” 

Harry stuck his tongue out at him. 

He yelped as arms suddenly came around his waist and lifted him onto the island in the center of the kitchen. “Oliver!” 

Oliver just smirked and held out something that looked like an egg roll to Harry. “Eat.” 

Harry crossed his arms. “You can’t ju–” He was cut off when the roll was unceremoniously shoved into his mouth. He glared at Oliver. 

“That was beautiful,” Fred said, high-fiving Oliver. “Absolutely perfect.” 

Harry kicked Fred’s side, still chewing the, admittedly, delicious roll. 

Fred grinned and jumped up onto the counter next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Harry kept glaring at him, though he did lean into his side slightly. It was nice to have them all back. 

Harry opened his mouth to say something to Fred, but another roll was shoved between his lips, though this time the offender was Quinn. Harry cast a betrayed look at his Healer. 

“I can feed myself well eno–” Yet another roll found itself into his mouth. 

Feeding himself was, apparently, off the table. Harry huffed but surrendered to his bonded’s ministrations. 

As the rest of their Circle kept trickling in, Harry realized that they were definitely not going to be short on food. Everyone seemed to have been sent back with mountains of food, all of which Quinn was expertly storing in the kitchen. 

“How are we going to finish all of this?” Harry asked Fred when Idan and Minh returned, with multiple bags, and with still more being sent over in a few days. 

“There’s 18 of us,” Fred shrugged. “And the cabinets have really good Stasis Charms.” 

“This is enough to feed a couple of large armies,” Harry said. 

Fred chuckled. 

“Harry,” Theo called. “Are you ready to continue our discussion now that everyone is back, or do you want to eat first?” 

Harry jumped down from the counter. “I ate already, so I’m good to go.” 

Oliver poked his side, frowning. “You snacked . That wasn’t a meal.” 

“I wasn’t that hungry anyways,” Harry said. 

Oliver looked like he wanted to say something else, but Theo interrupted before he could. “Alright, treasure, if you say so. Let’s move to the living room.” 

The living room, as it turned out, was just a large room filled with couches and loveseats and cushions. Harry found himself being pulled into Charlie’s lap before he could even try to find a seat for himself. His protests were swallowed at the feeling of Charlie’s warmth around him. He let out a contented hum and leaned back against his Beta. 

“Did everyone make the needed arrangements?” Theo asked, sitting beside Charlie. 

Everyone nodded. 

“Good,” Theo said. “Is anyone not able to take time off?” 

“I can only take a week,” Raspen said, grimacing. “With the Hunt coming up, the Royals are swamped with work. I can’t be away for long.” 

Theo inclined his head in acknowledgement. “Perry, what about you?” 

“I can take as long as I need,” Perry said with a teasing grin at Raspen. “Dawne gets to handle most of the administrative work.” 

“I also can’t be here for long,” Hadrian said. “I’ve been put on reduced hours, but with so many Portals coming in, and so many people being here, there’s been higher security.” 

“Are they worried about breaches?” Riven asked, frowning. 

“Yes,” Hadrian said. “So most patrol Gheyos are getting very little free time.” 

“Minh and I are in the same boat,” Idan said with a sigh. “We can take a few days off, but we have to be back to work as soon as possible.” 

“Our boss wants us back Monday at the latest,” Minh added. 

Harry frowned, trying to figure out that day it was. He hadn’t exactly been keeping track of the dates for the past year. “What day is it anyway?” 

“It’s Thursday now,” Charlie said. “August 5th on Earth.” 

Harry butted his head against Charlie’s chin in gratitude. 

“Then we’ll try to get everything done this weekend,” Theo said. “At least everything we need everyone for.” 

“Quinn says his family Circle is Healer heavy, and they’re willing to see all of us so we don’t have to wait for appointments,” Ethan said. 

“Are they sure?” Theo asked. “There’s a lot of us.” 

Quinn nodded firmly. 

“He says he asked them today,” Ethan relayed. “They’re able to come by as early as tomorrow if that works for us.” 

“Anyone have any objections?” Theo asked. 

Everyone shook their heads. 

“Can you send them a message to let them know they can come tomorrow morning?” Theo turned to Quinn. 

Quinn nodded again. 

“Now, we also need to make an appointment to visit the Death Court, as well as the Earth and Air Courts to meet the Royal families,” Theo said. He turned to Harry to add, “Meeting Raspen and Perry’s families has to be more official because they’re Royals. We can’t just invite them over for dinner.” 

“Oh.” Harry bit his lip. He was going to have to meet two Royal families. He just knew he was going to find a way to fuck this up.

“The Kalziks can help with organizing Harry’s seal removals and identifying his Familial Seals,” Theo continued. “We’ll visit the Archives for family trees once we know, so we can get the necessary documents to request they be removed.” 

“I work in the Archives, so I’ll be able to get us in without any problems,” Ethan said.

“We should also get the Prophetic Seal examined, even if it has faded,” Riven said. 

“My mera will be able to do that,” Bran said. 

“You said your last name is Kadel?” Raspen asked. 

Bran nodded. “Maya Kadel is my mother.” 

“That’s certainly helpful,” Riven said, giving Bran an appraising look. 

“I can have my sister look at it as well,” Alec added. “She’s a Seer.” 

Raspen furrowed his brows. “I haven’t heard of a Seer in the Merrow Courts.” 

“We don’t like to advertise our Seers,” Alec said. “But Grace has the Gift, I assure you.” 

Raspen shook his head. “I’m not doubting your sister, I was just curious why she hadn’t been registered.” 

“The Aqua-kin’e don’t like to do things by the book,” Alec said, with a grin. 

“They certainly don’t,” Raspen sighed. 

Harry was completely lost. He felt like everyone was just saying words and he had no clue how to make sense of them. He felt stupid. 

“–feel about that?” 

Harry looked up at Theo, realizing he was waiting for Harry to reply. 

“What?” Harry asked. 

“You okay, love?” Theo frowned. 

Harry nodded. “Yeah, I just didn’t hear you. I zoned out for a second.” 

“I was asking how you felt about visiting the Kadels and Grace during the week?” 

“I’m fine with whenever is easier for everyone,” Harry said. 

“Alright, we’ll reach out to them,” Theo said. “Another order of business is finding a permanent residence and deciding on a Circle name.” 

“Since there’s so many different Elements among us, we might have to build a custom home,” Ethan said. “It’s difficult to find homes with groundings for all Elements.” 

Theo nodded. “That’s what I was thinking as well. We’ll need to find land to build on first then.” 

“I might be able to help with that,” Alec said. “My family has an island that hasn’t been used in centuries. I’ll speak with my uncle about purchasing it for us.” 

“Let me know if you need any assistance with that,” Theo said. “I’m going to visit the bank sometime this week to set up an account for the Circle. I’m not going to ask you to add your money to it, I inherited more than enough from my family, but I do ask that you use that account for any necessities, like food, clothes, and medicine.” 

“Now, about the Circle name,” Theo continued. “I registered us as the Nott Circle for now. Does anyone have any other suggestions?” 

“I like the Nott Circle,” Harry said. 

“You sure you don’t want it to be the Potter Circle?” Fred teased. 

Harry glared at him. “Absolutely not.” 

“We can keep the Nott Circle, if no one has any objections?” Theo said. 

No one said anything, and the Circle name was decided. 

“Perry, Raspen, I’ll need your help to file an inquiry to find out who Harry’s Mentor is,” Theo said. 

The two of them nodded.

“We also need to decide if we’re Hunting or not,” Theo said, glancing at Harry. 

“What would us Hunting mean?” Harry asked. 

“Well, we would need to walk at the start of the Hunt, to introduce our Circle to everyone,” Theo said. “And we would be officially registered as a Hunting Circle, so others would know that we were open to courting. You don’t have to decide right away, we just need to know before the Hunt starts.” 

“Can I think about it?” 

“Of course, treasure,” Theo said. 

“Is that everything?” Ethan asked. “Quinn wants to know if he can get started on dinner.”

“I believe it is,” Theo said. 

Theo looked around the room to make sure no one had anything to add. 

“Do you need any help?” Harry asked Quinn, getting up from Charlie’s lap. 

Quinn shook his head, smiling at Harry. 

“Are you sure? I know there’s a lot of us, and I don’t want you to have to do it all alone.” 

Quinn took Harry’s hand. Most of the food is already prepared, I just need to heat it up. And the twins already offered to help. 

“Okay,” Harry said.

Quinn gave him another smile and retreated back to the kitchen, Fred and George following him. 

Harry wrung his hands together, unsure of what to do now. Theo and Charlie were talking to Raspen and Perry, Bran was asleep against Oliver, Ethan had disappeared into the house, the Gheyos were nowhere to be seen either, and Riven was engrossed in a book in a language Harry didn’t recognize. 

Harry sighed, leaving the living room to look around the rest of the house. Maybe he could make himself useful and clean a little; the house had looked a bit dusty. He grabbed his old shirt from his bag, deciding it was worn out enough to be a rag, and got to cleaning.

Dinner was uneventful. 

It was loud and chaotic and honestly one of the best meals Harry had ever had, but it was uneventful. Harry felt uneasy as he helped the twins clean up after dinner; it had been so normal . He wondered if this is what his life would be like now– normal. It was something he never thought he would have. He couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect. 

“You know we could have cleaned up without your help,” George said as he spelled the rest of the plates back into the cabinets. 

“I wanted to help,” Harry said, shrugging. “It was faster with the three of us.” 

“Ollie could have helped,” Fred said. 

Harry shrugged again. 

Fred sighed, pushing off from the counter and coming up to Harry. “You don’t have to clean up after everyone,” he said, reaching out to brush a lock of Harry’s hair from his forehead. “It’s not all on you anymore.” 

Harry closed his eyes, dropping his head against Fred’s chest. “I know,” he said quietly. 

Fred’s arms came up around him, one wrapping around his waist, the other playing with his hair. “Are you sure you do?” He asked. “Because you were rather busy when we came to get you for dinner.” 

“It just– it doesn’t feel right,” Harry murmured. “Not to do anything.” 

“That’s because you’ve been conditioned to think your worth is dependent upon your usefulness,” Fred said. 

Harry let out a whine. “I don’t want to think about it.” 

“You can’t just ignore your trauma, Harry,” Fred said, pulling him closer. 

“Who says I have trauma,” Harry huffed. 

Fred gave Harry’s hair a slight tug. “You can’t ignore it,” he said firmly. “And we are going to talk about it. Not right now, because there’s a lot going on, but whenever you’re ready.” 

“Why do we have to talk about it?” Harry asked. “It’s not like I’m going back.” 

“It’ll help,” Fred said. “And maybe our Gheyos can find a suitable punishment.” 

“No,” Harry said, pulling back from Fred. “No punishments.” 

“You can’t just let them off scot free, Harry,” George said. He came closer to the pair, frowning at Harry. 

“No punishments,” Harry repeated. 

“They’re horrible people,” George said. “They should be arrested.” 

“They don’t deserve that,” Harry said. “They haven’t done anything to anyone else.” 

Fred raised a brow. “What about what they did to you?” 

Harry shook his head. “It doesn’t matter–” 

“Harry–” Fred tried to interrupt but Harry shook his head again. 

“It doesn’t matter,” he repeated. “I’m not going back and I never have to see them again.” 

“But they hurt you,” George said. 

“They didn’t hurt anyone else,” Harry pointed out. “And now that I left, the problem is gone. It’s fine.” 

The twins exchanged a look. 

“Harry, love, please tell me you did not just imply that you’re to blame for their actions?” George looked devastated. 

“Of course not,” Harry said quickly. Perhaps too quickly given the second look exchanged between the twins. 

“Then what were you trying to say?” Fred asked. “Because it certainly sounded like you were calling yourself a problem.” 

“And you’re not a problem,” George continued. “They are.” 

“Who’s ‘they’?” 

All three of them jumped as they turned to the new voice. Ethan was standing in the doorway with an expectant look on his face. 

“No one,” Harry said. 

Ethan narrowed his eyes at him. 

“I’m going to go to bed,” Harry said, changing the subject. “I’m kind of tired.” 

Harry slipped out of the kitchen before Ethan or the twins could say anything else.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Deveraine Beach House

Someone was upset. 

Harry grumbled and pulled the blankets over his head. The unhappy feeling pulsed against his head, becoming an incessant presence that he couldn’t get rid of. Why were people feeling things this early in the morning? Rude.

Harry pushed the blankets off of himself and sat up in bed, rubbing a hand over his face. He had ended up occupying the room him and Theo were in yesterday. He thought he remembered someone coming in to check on him last night but otherwise he had been left alone, though he was sure he was going to find someone outside his door when he left. Casting a quick Tempus Charm, he assured himself that he wasn’t running late for the Kalziks’ arrival; it was only six, so he definitely still had time before they came. 

He changed into the clothes from yesterday and, after washing up in the attached bathroom, ventured into the rest of the house. As he’d been expecting, Devrim was “casually” leaning against the wall outside his room. Harry raised a brow at the Gheyo. 

“Good morning,” Harry said. 

“Good morning,” Devrim replied. “Did you sleep well?” 

Harry nodded. “I did,” he said. And he wasn’t necessarily lying. He’d had a few nightmares but that wasn’t anything new. He’d at least gotten a few hours of rest. “What about you? Did you sleep at all?” 

“I did,” Devrim said, the corner of his lip tugging up. “I switched with Minh just a few hours ago.” 

“Do you have like a guard schedule going? Because you know I don’t need guarding, right?” Harry started walking down the hallway to the stairs, Devrim falling into step beside him. 

“It’s natural,” Devrim said with a shrug. “Especially before the Circle is fully sealed. Everyone is still a bit unsettled.” 

Harry’s face heated. “Sorry.” 

“Don’t apologize,” Devrim said with a shake of his head. “You’re new to all of this. You’re allowed to take your time.” 

“But still… It’s making you all uncomfortable,” Harry said. 

“We’ll deal with it,” Devrim replied. 

Harry bit his lip. He didn’t say anything else. He wasn’t really sure what he should say. He glanced at Devrim. “So,” Harry said. “Do you have a job or…?” 

“I don’t,” Devrim said. “I’m still training.” 

Harry hummed, not really sure what that meant but not wanting to ask. 

The feeling of upset pulsed again. Harry sucked in a breath. 

“You alright?” Devrim asked. 

Harry nodded. “Yeah, just not used to… you know, feeling feelings.” 

Devrim snorted quietly. “Yeah, I don’t envy you.”

“I don’t know what someone could be so upset about this early,” Harry grumbled. 

“That’ll be Riven,” Hadrian said as they entered the kitchen. He was leaning against the counter, nursing a cup of what appeared to be coffee but Harry couldn’t be completely sure.  

Quinn was also in the kitchen, cooking something on the stove. He turned when he heard Hadrian speak. Quinn smiled widely at Harry and gestured for him to sit at the kitchen table. 

“Did something happen?” Harry asked, sitting down. 

“Being a Realmwalker is apparently a frustrating job,” Hadrian said in explanation. 

Harry frowned in confusion. 

Quinn rolled his eyes and came up to Harry, holding his hand out. Riven found out he’s only going to be able to stay on-Realm for the rest of the week before he has to go back to his job. He doesn’t want to rush you but he’s also in a bind because Realm travel with an unsealed soul bond is dangerous, especially alone. 

“Oh.” Harry chewed the inside of his cheek. “How can I help?” 

Quinn smiled gently at him. You can’t really do much besides seal your bonds and you shouldn’t do that until you’re ready. No one wants you to rush things. 

“But if he has to leave,” Harry started. 

We’ll figure it out. I promise. Quinn squeezed Harry’s hand. Now, what would you like for breakfast?

“I’m not really hungry,” Harry said. 

Quinn gave him a disapproving look. Breakfast is important. You have to at least eat something. You really can’t afford to miss a meal, loveling. 

Harry sighed. “Maybe just something small? If you tell me where the food is, I can make it myself. I don’t want to trouble you.” 

I’ll bring you food . Quinn said. It’s no trouble . 

A few moments later, Harry was staring at a plate filled with toast, eggs, sausages, and a huge assortment of fruit. “I’m not going to be able to eat all of this.” 

Eat as much as you can . 

“But–” 

You don’t have to eat all of it. Just eat what you can. One of the others will eat the rest. It  won’t go to waste, I promise. Quinn squeezed Harry’s shoulder and went back to whatever he had been doing when Harry had come in. 

Hadrian and Devrim were conversing quietly in the kitchen, so Harry was alone at the table. He didn’t like it. It didn’t feel right to be eating on his own. He sighed and picked up a piece of toast, nibbling it as he looked out of the window. 

The kitchen was on the other side of the house so it didn’t look out onto the water. Instead, the window had a view of the forest behind the house. It was still a bit dark outside, as the sun had only just risen, but, somehow, everything was still so much brighter on Nevarah. It seemed to Harry that even the greens and browns of the forest were more vivid. As much as he was sick of forests after living in the Forest of Dean for months, he didn’t think he would mind going into this one. There was just something inviting about it. He wondered if he would have time to take a walk before the Kalziks came. 

Footsteps sounded from the hallway and the upset feeling grew stronger in the back of Harry’s mind. He turned to see Riven and Raspen coming into the kitchen. Raspen slumped into a seat at the table, seemingly not even noticing Harry’s presence. He looked like he had barely slept. Riven accepted two cups from Hadrian and slid into the seat next to Raspen, giving Harry a nod in greeting. 

“Good morning,” Harry said, trying to ignore the constant upset coming from him. 

Raspen jerked upright at the sound of Harry’s voice. “Harry? Why are you awake this early in the morning? The Kalziks aren’t coming until nine.” 

“I’m just an early riser,” Harry said with a shrug. 

“And Riven’s mood was bothering him,” Devrim added. 

Harry glared at him. “It wasn’t too bad.” 

Riven frowned. “You felt that from inside the house? Raspen and I were on the porch.” 

“Just a bit,” Harry said. “But it’s fine, really.” 

Riven kept frowning. “We really need to find some dampening spells to use, so you don’t wake up anytime someone has a strong emotion.” 

“It’s fine, I can manage,” Harry insisted. 

“You should really stop saying that ‘it’s fine,’” Riven said. “It’s okay if it’s not.” 

“It’s–” 

“Fine, I know,” Riven finished before Harry could. “But it’ll be even better if we can find a way to dampen your magic.” 

Harry sighed. He didn’t think he was going to win this argument. He got up, pushing his barely touched plate away from himself. “I’m going to go for a walk.” 

“Do you want one of us to come with you?” Hadrian asked. 

Harry shook his head. “I’ll be fine alone.” 

“You know, there are words other than ‘fine’ in the English language,” Riven pointed out, his eyes sparing with amusement. 

Harry stuck his tongue out at him. 

“Okay,” Hadrian said. “Just don’t go too far. We don’t want you to get lost.” 

Harry nodded. “I won’t.” 

The forest behind the house turned out to be the perfect place to take a walk. Harry immediately felt more settled when he entered it. He wondered if there was some kind of magic to it. Given everything he’d learned about Nevarah so far, there probably was. It seemed that everything on the realm was a bit magical.

He ended up finding a small clearing covered in wildflowers. He lay down in the center of it, closing his eyes and basking in the sunlight streaming in through the gap in the tree canopy and in the sound of birds chirping in the trees. He felt his sweater dampen with the morning dew, but he didn’t mind. The sharpness of the cold reminded him that he was alive; that he was here. He wasn’t going to wake up and find himself back in the cupboard, alone and in pain, realizing that everything had been a dream. He’d had many nightmares start off the same way. Petunia’s screeching voice would wake him up, followed by a sharp rap against the door and a thumping from above him. 

Harry sat up with a sigh. He ran his hand through the grass below him, letting the sensation distract him from his thoughts. He was here now. This was real. He kept repeating that to himself as he sat, listening to the light breeze blowing through the trees.

Theodore Nott: Deveraine Beach House

Theo hadn’t slept well. 

Firstly, because he was worried about Harry. And secondly, because he was worried about everything else. Charlie, who was still snoring beside him, had knocked out the second his head hit the pillow after they’d exchanged marks. Theo had lain awake, going through everything he needed to do. 

He groaned, pressing his palms into his eyes, hoping the pressure would help stave off the headache that was already forming. 

“It’s way too early for spiraling, Theo,” Charlie rasped, his voice slurred with sleep. 

“Tell that to my brain,” Theo said. 

Charlie wrapped an arm around Theo’s waist and pulled him closer into his warmth. “We have everything in hand. There’s nothing to worry about.” 

“But there’s still so much to do,” Theo argued. 

“We just have to go one day at a time,” Charlie said. “Today we’re doing health checks and making appointments. Everything else will come in time.” 

“But–” 

Charlie placed a dull bite against Theo’s shoulder, ignoring Theo’s answering growl. “You’re just going to make yourself crazy.” 

“That’s assuming I’m not already crazy,” Theo grumbled, but found himself relaxing in Charlie’s arms. 

“With Harry as our Submissive, we’ll all be crazy before long,” Charlie said. 

Theo snorted. He wasn’t wrong. Things did just seem to go wrong around Harry. It wasn’t his fault, not at all, but it was like the universe had something against him. 

“I’m worried about him,” Theo mumbled. 

“So am I.” Charlie nuzzled the top of Theo’s head. 

“What do you know about his family?” Theo asked. He felt Charlie still against him. 

“Not much,” Charlie said slowly. “I know they’re not… great.” 

Theo hummed. “I thought so,” he said. “We would hear things, you know, at Hogwarts. I could never tell what was true or not.” 

“Given what he’s told us so far, it’s probably worse,” Charlie said darkly. “If he’s willing to admit that they locked him in his room, what is not willing to tell us?” 

They were quiet for a moment. 

“He was afraid we’d hurt him,” Theo whispered. 

“What?” 

“When I went to find him after the whole Snape thing,” Theo explained quietly. “We talked and he was afraid that we would hurt him if he did something wrong or if we were mad at him.” 

Charlie’s arms tightened around him. “We always suspected they hurt him, but we could never know for sure.” 

“Do you think Quinn could tell us? If they did?” Theo asked. “A full Diagnostic Scan would show any past injuries.” 

“He wouldn’t tell us without Harry’s permission,” Charlie said with a sigh. “And I don’t think Harry’s ready for that conversation yet.” 

“I know,” Theo said. “I know he’s not. It doesn’t stop me from wanting to know.” 

Charlie didn’t say anything, but Theo knew he understood. As much as he hoped Harry would come to them, he was terrified of having his suspicions confirmed. Some part of him hoped he was reading too much into it, but another part knew he wasn’t.

Harry Potter: Deveraine Beach House

Harry didn’t know what to make of the Kalziks. They all felt like Quinn– safe, warm, bright. But it was also a lot . Not only were there even more people in the beach house now, so many that Harry had trouble keeping track of them, but all of the new energies and moods and feelings were too much for him to sort through. From the moment he’d come back from his walk in the forest, the oppressive itch of emotions had been the first thing to greet him. And then he’d been introduced to the Kalziks. 

Harry spent the next moments being hugged and fussed over to the point that any thought of physical contact was making his skin crawl. Of course, he didn’t say anything; he didn’t want to accidentally insult anyone, much less the people that were essentially his in-laws. He couldn’t help but feel grateful when Surajini, Quinn’s mother, dragged him off to a private room for his appointment. 

“You know,” Surajini said, motioning for Harry to sit on the bed. “Quinn could not stop talking about you when he came to visit. He was so excited.” 

“He was?” 

“Mm hm,” she hummed. “He was absolutely gushing about his perfect green-eyed Submissive.” 

Harry’s cheeks heated. 

Surajini gave him a soft smile before taking on a more professional tone. “I’m going to cast a Medical History Scan. It shouldn’t take long, but try not to move too much.” 

Harry nodded. 

He felt a wash of magic similar to Quinn’s but this was somehow warmer and lighter. He watched as a sheet of parchment floated in the air between them, filling with words he couldn’t read. Surajini’s face tightened as she read over the words. Harry swallowed. 

After several minutes, the scan finished and Surajini snatched it from the air, going through it more closely. 

“I’m going to cast a few more scans to check your magic levels, your nutritional balance, and your bone health,” Surajini said, waiting for Harry’s nod before waving her hand once more. 

Three more sheets appeared and were filled quite a bit faster than the previous scan. Surajini gathered all of the papers and sat down at the desk in the room to look through them. Harry chewed his lip, tucking his hands under his thighs to stop their fidgeting. 

“Alright,” Surajini said finally, walking back over to Harry. “I find myself quite unsatisfied with your levels in practically everything. Your magic being sealed for so long has made it go a little haywire, so hopefully as time goes on your levels will stabilize. If it doesn’t, I would recommend asking your Mage about seeing a magical specialist. Your bone health and nutritional balance leave much to be desired. You will need to start taking daily vitamin potions, as well as following a modified diet plan that I will talk to Quinn about.” 

“Okay,” Harry said quietly. 

“For your bones,” she continued. “Some of them never healed correctly and as a result are rather fragile and have caused some grinding against your joints. This has likely caused soreness throughout your body.” 

“Oh,” Harry breathed. “I hadn’t noticed.” 

Surajini pursed her lips. “I guess you would have gotten used to the pain after all this time,” she said, shaking her head. “You will need to have some of them rebroken and healed again to reduce the negative consequences.” 

Harry nodded silently. 

“I would also like to call Quinn in to have him help me perform a soul cast, to check on the status of your seals in more detail.” 

Harry nodded again. 

Surajini went quiet, looking between him and the papers on the desk with furrowed brows. She seemed to be thinking something over. 

“Have you spoken to your Circle?” She folded her hands, watching him carefully. 

“About what?” Harry asked innocently. 

Surajini gave him an unimpressed look. 

Harry sighed. “No, I haven’t.” 

“Why not?” 

He shrugged, looking away from her. 

The bed dipped as she sat next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “It could help.” 

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” 

“It’s affecting your physical health, and I would wager it’s affecting your mental health as well,” Surajini said. “It does matter.” 

“I don’t want to talk about it. And it’s not like they can do anything.” 

“I can name quite a few things they could do, starting with sending your Gheyos on a Hunt,” she said, her voice darkening. Harry could feel a pulse of anger. 

He shook his head. “I don’t want that.” 

“Then it doesn’t need to happen,” she said simply. “But you should still tell them.” 

“Why? It’ll just make them upset.” 

“They’d want to know.” 

“They think they want to know,” Harry said bitterly. “No one actually wants to hear my sob story, not really.” 

Surajini squeezed his shoulder. “It wouldn’t change anything, you know. They’d still love you.” 

“They barely know me.” 

“That doesn’t matter,” Surajini said. “They’re your soul bonded, your Circle, they have loved you for as long as they have been in this world, whether they knew it or not.” 

“I still don’t want to tell them,” Harry said quietly. 

“Then that is your choice,” she said. “But I would recommend speaking to them. Secrets don’t do well in Circles. Some of them already know and some have likely guessed certain things. Not telling them the truth will just make them speculate.” 

Harry didn’t say anything. 

Surajini squeezed his shoulder again. “Just think about it,” she said. At his nod, she stood up, heading to the door. “I’m going to call Quinn in to do your soul cast.” 

“What is a soul cast?” He asked, biting his lip. 

“It’s a projection of your soul,” she said. “That’s the best way to put it really.” 

Harry hesitated a second before asking quietly, “Does it hurt?”

“Not at all,” Surajini said with a smile. “We’ll put you to sleep– it’s dangerous for people to see their own soul casts or know what is shown in them. You won’t feel a thing.” 

“Okay,” Harry said. 

Surajini smiled again and left the room. 

A few minutes later she returned with Quinn and Theo. “Theo asked if he could observe the procedure,” Surajini explained. “You can absolutely say no. A soul cast is a very personal thing. So if you are uncomfortable, Theo doesn’t have to be here.” 

Harry glanced at Theo. He had a hopeful look on his face and Harry didn’t want to disappoint him. And, well, if he saw Harry’s soul at least he would know what he was truly getting into. “It’s fine,” Harry said. 

“Are you sure?” Surajini checked. 

Harry nodded. 

Theo smiled. “Thank you for trusting me Treasure.” 

Harry felt himself blush at the nickname. 

Quinn and Surajini chuckled. 

“Alright,” Surajini said. “Why don’t you lay back and relax. We’ll spell you to sleep and wake you up once we’re done. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.” 

Harry nodded again, lying back against the bed. He felt Surajini’s magic wash over him again and his eyes slid closed. 

When Harry woke up, Surajini was speaking quietly with Theo, presumably about her earlier exam, and Quinn was sitting on the bed next to him. 

Hello, Quinn said into his mind, taking his hand. How are you feeling? 

“Fine,” Harry said. “Did you do the soul cast thing?” 

Quinn nodded. Mera and I have some things to talk to you about, but nothing too major.

He sat up with Quinn’s help just as Surajini and Theo turned back to the bed. 

“Oh!” Surajini exclaimed. “I completely forgot to offer to create a permanent connection between you and Quinn, if you would like. We brought communication cuffs for your Circle, so you can speak with Quinn without needing to touch him, but I could also link your minds.” 

Would you like a permanent connection? Quinn asked, looking into Harry’s eyes. You don’t have to. It would just make it possible for us to speak over greater distances. And it doesn’t give me access to any of your thoughts, just makes it possible for us to communicate. 

“I think I would like the permanent connection,” Harry said. 

Are you sure? 

Harry nodded. “It will just be easier. And I wouldn’t have to remember to put on a cuff to speak with you.” 

Quinn smiled.

A nearly identical smile appeared on Surajini’s face. It made it all the more obvious that the two were related. “Then I will do that as soon as we’re done with this,” she said. 

“The soul cast?” Harry asked. 

She nodded. “There were a couple of things that came up. I can’t give you too many details, but, while I was able to remove the leftover shards from your broken Seals, they still did quite a bit of damage.” 

“What does that mean?” Harry asked 

“I can’t go into specifics,” Surajini said with an apologetic wince. “It’s nothing to worry about, as long as you work on healing the damage.” 

“And how do I do that?” 

“Sealing your Bonds,” Surajini said simply. 

“But I’ve already done that,” Harry said with a frown, looking at Theo. 

Theo coughed awkwardly. There was a slight blush on his face. 

Surajini grinned. “ Fully sealing your Bonds.” 

His face heated. “Oh,” Harry breathed. “Right.” 

Quinn chuckled. 

Harry glared at him. 

“A fully sealed Circle will allow you to have your resting period and will go a long way in healing your soul,” Surajini continued. “Talking about certain things will also help.” 

She gave Harry a pointed look he chose to ignore. She sighed. “There was one other thing I should bring up. The soul cast also revealed that you have more soul bonded out there. Because your soulscream happened while you still had a seal, it wasn’t able to call all of your bonded.” 

“Yeah,” Harry said. “Luna mentioned that.” 

“Lovegood?” Theo asked, frowning. 

Harry nodded. “Before we came here, I spoke with her and she said I would have more bonded. She didn’t say how many, only that they would come when they were meant to or something like that.” 

Theo rolled his eyes. “That’s certainly helpful.” 

“That’s what I said,” Harry said. “She can be annoyingly vague sometimes.” 

Who is this Luna? Quinn asked. 

“She’s a friend of mine,” Harry explained. “She’s a Seer.” 

“Your Seer friend was correct then,” Surajini said. “There are more bonded out there.” 

“Do I have to find them right now?” 

“No,” Surajini said. “You should find them when it feels right.” 

“What does that mean?” Harry asked. 

“You’ll know,” Surajini said, rather unhelpfully. “You’ll feel it. Just follow your instincts, Harry.” 

Harry huffed. That didn’t make any sense. 

“There is also a matter of your other seals,” Surajini continued, either not noticing his annoyance or choosing to ignore it. “I will be able to take the Blood Seal and the Magic Binding Seal off today, but the others require a more intricate ritual. We did identify the Familial Seals so your Circle will be able to send them a request to take those off.” 

“Identified them?” Harry’s breath hitched. He still couldn’t believe he had family that was alive and didn’t necessarily hate him… hopefully. 

“Two of the seals are from the Evanson Family and the other two are from the Peverell Family,” she said. 

Harry frowned. “Peverell? Like the Story of the Three Brothers?” 

“Huh,” Theo said, tilting his head. “I never noticed that they had the same name.” 

“The Peverells are a rather well-known family on Nevarah,” Surajini explained. “They’re part of the Air Court.” 

There was no way that was a coincidence, Harry thought. He was supposedly related to the Three Brothers from the story about the Deathly Hallows and he now held all three of them? 

“What about Evanson? Does it mean anything to you?” Theo asked. 

“I don’t think so,” Harry said, shrugging. “I mean, my mother’s maiden name was Evans, if that changes anything.” 

“It could be something,” Theo said thoughtfully. “Evans is similar to Evanson.” 

“You can figure all of that out later,” Surajini said, ushering Quinn and Theo out of the room. “I still need to take off his seals and finish up our appointment.” 

Once they were alone again, Surajini turned to Harry, her hands on her hips. “So, what about sealing your bonds made you so uncomfortable?” 

Harry’s face heated again. He avoided meeting her gaze.

Surajini rolled her eyes. “It’s all perfectly natural.” 

“I barely know any of them,” Harry said quietly. 

“So? Your soul knows them. That’s enough.” 

Harry stayed quiet. 

“Do you not feel attracted to any of them? Is that the problem?” 

“No…” 

“Then what is it?” 

“Isn’t it– won’t people think– it’s all happening so fast,” Harry said. 

Surajini eyed him for a moment. “For us, it’s not,” she said. “This is normal for dragels. While we take a while to find a full Circle, our individual relationships and bonds move quickly a lot of the time. There’s nothing improper about going fast. Especially with a soul screamed Circle. Most dragels in your place would have already fully sealed their bonds.” 

Harry didn’t think his face could go any redder. 

Surajini rolled her eyes fondly. “No one is going to judge you, Harry. Just do what feels right and it will all work out.” 

“Follow my instincts, you mean?” Harry said dryly. 

“Yes,” Surajini said. “Your instincts are very important. Trust them.” 

Harry sighed. Everyone kept talking about following his instincts and doing what feels right but he wanted to understand why. It all felt too abstract and random and it didn’t make sense. Why was there never an explanation? 

“Now, I’m going to start with taking off the Blood Seal, as it is the most simple, though it can be rather painful,” Surajini warned. 

Harry shrugged. “That’s fine.” 

“I really don’t like how blasé you are about pain, loveling,” Surajini said, amusedly. 

“It makes your job easier,” Harry pointed out. 

“Maybe,” she said. “But I still don’t like it.” 

“How much time is this going to take?” Harry asked. 

“The Blood Seal will be quick,” Surajini said. “Just a couple of minutes. The Magic Binding Seal will take a little more time since it’s woven into your core, but it shouldn’t take too long either. And then I’ll create your connection to Quinn which will only take a couple seconds.” 

Harry nodded. “Do you need me to do anything or…?” 

Surajini shook her head. “Just sit there and try not to move.” 

Harry nodded again and braced himself as Surajini raised her hands and began casting. He closed his eyes, feeling a pressure in the center of his chest. It kept pulling and pulling, making it difficult to breathe. His left hand started tingling; the sensation quickly turned into a sharp burn as the pressure increased. He couldn’t help the gasp that left his mouth. Surajini kept speaking, chanting something in a language he didn’t recognize and Harry could feel her magic swirling around him. Suddenly, everything paused– the air itself seemed to stand still. But before Harry could react, something inside him snapped. His breath was knocked out of him as pain burned through his body. It was only once it began to recede, moments later, that Harry felt like he could breathe again. He took a deep breath, taking stock of his body, before opening his eyes. 

“Are you alright?” Surajini asked, passing him a glass of water. 

“Fine,” Harry rasped. He gulped the water down, thanking Surajini when he finished. 

“Are you ready to continue, or do you need another moment?” Surajini filled the glass again before passing it back. 

“We can continue,” he said, finishing the second glass and handing it back. 

Surajini looked at him carefully, scanning his face for any hesitation. She nodded. “For the next seal I need you to lie down. It will make it easier to remain still while I work on removing it.” 

Harry tried to hide his relief at her words. He didn’t think his muscles could hold him up for much longer. He felt exhausted. 

“We can take a break if you need it,” Surajini reminded him. He must not have hidden his relief very well. 

Harry shook his head. “I just want to get this done.” 

“Alright,” she said. “Just lay back and close your eyes.” 

Surajini’s chanting filled the room once more, her magic washing over him. He felt pinpricks ripple across his skin, like little strings being pulled at, one after another. It was nothing compared to earlier, but it still felt strange. Harry fought not to squirm as the pricking continued. 

A thought niggled at the back of his mind: was it really a good idea to take off the Magic Binding? Would it cause some sort of explosion of magic? Would he hurt someone? Would his magic be out of control now? 

Neither Surajini nor Quinn had been concerned about something like that happening, so he tried to ignore the thought but he still felt guilty at not even bringing it up. How could he not have considered the danger he posed to others? It seemed selfish to not say anything. 

He didn’t know how much time had passed when the pinpricks began to fade and as they disappeared completely he let out a sigh of relief. His whole body felt lighter somehow. 

“I’m all done, Harry,” Surajini said softly. 

Harry opened his eyes, sitting up. 

Surajini smiled at him. “Still feeling alright?” 

“Yes,” Harry said. 

“Good,” she said. “We just have the connection left now.” 

Harry nodded. 

Surajini came closer to him, lifting her hands towards his temples. “May I?” 

Harry hesitated. Was she going to enter his mind? He opened his mouth to ask what she was going to do. 

“I won’t be able to see any of your thoughts or memories,” Surajini assured him before he could say something. “I just need to touch the surface of your mind to create the connection.” 

Harry swallowed, nodding his agreement. 

He closed his eyes again as Surajini’s cool fingers touched his head. A light presence entered his mind. It was soothing and warm and didn’t push or demand. He could feel it crafting something, pulsing gently along the surface of his barriers. It disappeared a moment later. 

“That’s it?” He asked as she pulled away. 

“That’s it,” Surajini confirmed. “I want you to make an appointment with an Osteo Specialist to get your bones healed and I would also recommend finding a Mind Healer to speak to.” 

Harry nodded despite knowing there was no way he was going to a shrink. He wasn’t going to dump all of his problems on someone. And, anyways, there was nothing to talk about. 

Surajini looked like she could tell what he was thinking but she didn’t say anything, continuing, instead, to explain what he needed to do in the coming weeks: “I’ll give Quinn your nutritional needs and he can work on supplementing your diet and getting the needed vitamin potions from the pharmacy. I’m going to contact a couple of Mages specializing in seals to see about scheduling the more complicated rituals,” she said. “I would also recommend speaking to a Seer about the faded Prophetic Seal and visiting the Death Court in regards to your Death Seals.” 

“We already have plans to do that next week,” Harry said and Surajini nodded in approval. 

“My last recommendation for you is to finish sealing your Circle,” she said. 

Harry ignored her chuckle at the redness that bloomed on his cheeks. 

“I also want to remind you that communication is the best way to a healthy Circle,” Surajini said. “Your Bonded want to listen to you and to help you. Talk to them.” 

Harry hummed noncommittally, steadily avoiding her pointed gaze. 

Surajini sighed. “I can’t force you to do anything, Harry, but I do hope you think about what I said earlier.” 

Harry didn’t say anything and Surajini didn’t mention it again. 

After handing Harry some papers summarizing his appointment, as well as some pamphlets about dragel biology and Circle dynamics that had Harry blushing again, Surajini let him go. 

Thankfully, most of his bonded were still occupied with their own appointments, so Harry could slip away unnoticed. He walked out onto the porch, searching out the hammocks he had noticed when they’d first arrived. He settled into one of them, tucking his knees into his chest and staring out at the beach. 

Harry listened to the sound of the waves beating against the sand, following a rhythm they seemed to know by heart. The singing sand and rustling leaves completed the harmony. He let out a sigh. Why couldn’t he just enjoy the peaceful scenery? This would have been the perfect place for a holiday, to relax and unwind, but Harry didn’t think he knew the meaning of those words. He couldn’t help the feeling that something was going to go wrong.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Deveraine Beach House

When Harry returned to the house, the Kalziks were already gone. While he knew he should have said goodbye to them, and he definitely should have thanked them for their help, Harry was relieved that no one had called him inside for their departure. Even just being in the house felt so much easier without their presence. Though he could still feel all of his bonded, they weren’t as overwhelming as the Kalzik Circle had been. Maybe it was because he hadn’t known the Kalziks yet. But then again, he didn’t really know his bonded either. 

He could hear them talking inside the house. He couldn’t be sure exactly where they all were but he felt a sense of contentment settled in the air. No one seemed upset or angry; the sharpness he’d felt that morning was gone. There was a bit of an anxious buzz, Harry didn’t know from who, but it wasn’t enough to bother him. Before he could make the decision to go find out where his bonded were, Quinn appeared, presumably coming from the kitchen given the apron tied around his waist. 

Come eat, Harry, he said into Harry’s mind. It’s lunchtime. 

Harry opened his mouth to say he wasn’t hungry, but the unimpressed look on Quinn’s face stopped him. 

He sighed, following his Healer into the kitchen, where he was immediately ushered into a seat. Everyone else was already at the table, talking and laughing and, in the case of Fred and George, flicking food at each other. Quinn bustled around him, filling a plate with more food than Harry could ever eat. 

“I’m really not that hungry,” Harry protested. 

“Don’t bother arguing with him,” Bran said from beside him, a similar plate on the table in front of him. “He won’t listen, trust me.” 

Quinn flicked Bran’s forehead. Both of you need to eat.

“What about everyone else?” Harry asked, gesturing at the others at the table and their much humbler servings. 

“Hey! Don’t draw attention, he might come for us next,” Devrim said dramatically, wrapping a protective arm around his plate. 

Quinn rolled his eyes. Everyone else had normal nutritional levels. But I’m still making everyone take supplemental potions. 

Devrim and Minh groaned in unison. Harry didn’t see anyone wearing the communication cuffs Surajini had mentioned, so, given the fact that no one was confused about Quinn’s words, everyone must have opted for the permanent connection.

“Those taste horrible,” Minh whined. “I’m perfectly healthy, I don’t need potions.” 

Idan cuffed the back of Minh’s head. “If Quinn says we need them, we’re taking them.” 

Thank you, Idan . Quinn said, ignoring Minh’s continued grumbles. He turned back to Harry. Just eat what you can, Harry. 

Harry sighed and picked up the chopsticks beside his plate. He’d learned at dinner last night that most of the food on Nevarah was eaten with chopsticks. He was still a bit rusty, having only learned to use them a few years ago when Hermione introduced him and Ron to Chinese takeaway, but at least he wasn’t a complete embarrassment. 

“How was the rest of your appointment?” Theo asked, serving himself from a bowl of noodles before passing it to the next person. “Did taking off the seals go okay?” 

Harry nodded. “It was fi–” 

Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Harry felt a sharp sting on his arm. 

He glared at Riven, recognizing the feeling of the magic. 

“I’m just encouraging you to expand your vocabulary beyond the word ‘fine’,” Riven said calmly, taking a sip of his drink. 

Harry turned back to Theo, choosing to ignore the mage. “It was fi– hey!” 

He whipped his head back to Riven, rubbing his stinging arm. 

Riven shrugged. 

“What else am I supposed to say?” Harry crossed his arms. 

“There are over a hundred thousand words in the English language,” Riven said. “Take your pick.” 

Harry rolled his eyes. “It was alright ,” he said. “Is that better?” 

“Acceptable,” Riven said with a nod. 

Harry huffed, turning back to Theo, who was watching their exchange with an amused expression. 

“So,” Theo said. “It went ‘alright’?” 

“Yes,” Harry said, throwing one more glare at Riven. “Surajini took the two seals off and said she would contact someone about the more complicated ones.” 

“Which two did she take off?” Perry asked. 

“The Blood Seal and the Magic Binding Seal,” Harry said. 

“Did she say anything else?” Theo asked. 

“She told me to make an appointment to see an Osteo Specialist,” Harry answered. He wasn’t going to say anything about her other suggestions. He didn’t need to talk to anyone. 

Theo frowned. “An Osteo Specialist? Why?” 

“Something about my bones not having healed correctly,” Harry said with a shrug. He turned his attention back to his food, not noticing the dark looks on the faces of his bonded. 

“Alright,” Theo said after a moment. “We can find someone and try to make an appointment before the Hunt starts.” 

“Perry and I sent out the requests to the Courts this morning as well as the inquiry about your Mentor, Harry,” Raspen said. “I also sent an official consult request to the Kadel Circle.” 

“You didn’t need to do that,” Bran said, frowning. “I could have just messaged my mera.” 

“I know,” Raspen said, giving Bran a soft smile. “I just prefer to have all of the official paperwork done.” 

“You hate paperwork,” Riven pointed out. 

Raspen inclined his head. “I do, but not doing it right the first time just gives you even more paperwork to do later.” 

“That is why I’m glad the magic chose Dawne,” Perry said.

“Because you’re too lazy to do paperwork?” Minh asked with a grin. 

“Because I’m too lazy to do paperwork,” Perry said. 

Harry chuckled. 

“Have you thought any more about Hunting?” Theo asked. 

“We only talked about it yesterday,” Harry said slowly. 

“I know,” Theo said. “I was just wondering, especially considering…” 

Theo trailed off, giving Harry a meaningful look; he was leaving the decision of talking about the remaining soulbonds to Harry. Harry could see the curious looks on the others’ faces, but he could somehow tell they wouldn’t ask, not if he didn’t bring it up. He felt a surge of gratitude for them. 

“I don’t know yet,” Harry said. “I know I have more soulbonded out there, but this is already so much to get used to. It’s not that I don’t want to find them… I just– I don’t know.” 

“It is a lot to process, and I’m sorry you’ve had everything thrown at you all at once,” Theo said. “There’s still nearly a month until the Hunt starts, so you have a couple of weeks to think about it. There’s no wrong answer here, treasure. It’s your decision.” 

Harry gave Theo a small smile. Theo returned it immediately. 

“I feel as though I should ask the obvious question here,” Alec said. “You have more bonded?” 

Harry nodded. “That’s what the soul cast showed. And what Luna said.” 

“Luna said that?” Fred asked. 

“Yeah, she said they would find me,” Harry said with a shrug. “She wouldn't say how many there were.” 

“Of course she wouldn’t,” Fred said, rolling his eyes. 

“That girl loves to be mysterious,” George said. 

“And unhelpful,” Fred said. 

“But in the most helpful way,” George continued. 

“You know,” Wikhn said. “I think that’s going to get annoying at some point.” 

“What?” Fred gasped, clutching his heart. 

“How can you say that?” George gasped as well, mirroring Fred’s pose. 

“We could,” Fred said. 

“Never,” George continued. 

“Be,” Fred said. 

“Annoying,” George finished. 

“You get used to it,” Charlie said. “They’ll just do it more if you point it out.” 

“We,” Fred started. 

“Would,” George continued. 

“Never–” 

“Ever–” 

“Use–” 

“This–” 

“Magical–”

“Wonderful–”

“Amazing–”

“Ability–” 

“Of–” 

“Ours–” 

“In–” 

“Such–” 

“A–” 

“Shallow–” 

“Petty–”

“Manner.” 

Everyone was silent for a moment. 

“See?” Charlie said with a long suffering sigh. “Just pretend they’re one person with two heads. It makes it easier to deal with.” 

Fred and George looked at their brother with identical offended looks. 

“Honestly,” Minh said. “That was impressive. It’s like they could read each other’s minds.” 

“Did you think we can’t?” Fred asked, turning his attention to the Gheyo. 

“Because we absolutely can,” George said. 

“Watch this,” Fred said. “Gred, say a fruit.” 

“Kumquat,” both Fred and George said at the same time. 

“Forge, give me a number,” George said. 

“257,” came their collective answer. 

“Gred, tell me a sentence that has never been said before.” 

“The bananas are taking over the government, call the candy floss police,” they said at the same time. 

“You could have rehearsed that,” Minh said. 

“But, we couldn’t have rehearsed this,” Fred and George said simultaneously, tilting their heads as they stared straight at Minh. “Because we are answering your question and continuing a conversation we couldn’t have possibly known we would have at this exact moment.” 

Minh blinked. “Okay… that was creepy,” he said. “But also kind of hot.” 

Harry snorted. Idan choked on his water. And Charlie let out a groan. 

Fred and George smirked. 

Before they could open their mouths, Ethan cleared his throat and turned to Harry. “Why didn’t the soulscream call all of your bonded?” 

“Oh, um,” Harry looked away from the slightly disappointed look on the twins’ faces. “I think it was because I still had a Soul Seal, so it blocked it from calling everyone.” 

“That makes sense,” Ethan said with a nod. “No one could have resisted a soulscream.” 

Harry frowned. “That doesn’t seem fair. Do you not get a choice at all?” 

“Do you believe in Fate, Harry?” Ethan asked. 

Harry raised a brow at the question. 

“Just humor me,” Ethan said. 

“Well…” Harry said. “I mean, I’ve seen two prophecies fulfilled, one of them about me, so that kind of proves that something like Fate exists. But I also don’t want to think that my choices don’t matter, or that someone designed the path I’m on. I’ve seen so much hurt and death that I don’t want to think that there is a force cruel enough to design that.” 

Ethan hummed thoughtfully. “I think of Fate as less of a force creating a single path and as more of a flow of energy. It’s like a river that already exists, that goes from one point to another, but along the way there are a lot of ways that your experience could change. You can choose to swim closer to the left and get caught in a rough current. Or you can choose to stay closer to the right and instead end up in a stream that branches off of the river. The water will still take you to the ocean, no matter what part of the river or its streams you’re traveling in. But it’s your decision how you make that journey.” 

“Okay,” Harry said slowly. 

“There are certain moments that are meant to happen,” Ethan continued. “And certain people that you’re meant to meet. When those moments happen is a result of your choices along the journey, but you’ll still get wet in a river, no matter what part you’re in, and you’ll still get caught in a current or encounter a fish. Your soul bonded are meant to be with you and you’re meant to be with them. They are a constant in your journey.” 

“But doesn’t that feel like you’re being forced to love someone?” Harry asked. “If there’s no choice in the matter, aren’t you getting trapped in a relationship? What if it doesn’t work out? What if you didn’t fit or get along?” 

“It doesn’t feel like that to me at all,” Ethan said. “It never has. Finding your soulbonded is like coming home. It’s like finding a piece of you that you were always looking for. We grow up knowing that we have soulbonded out there. Everyone has at least one. It’s normal. We know it will be someone we feel like we know immediately. Someone we feel safe with. Someone who is everything to us. We don’t see it as not having a choice in who we love, but as a gift– a love that was literally created for us.” 

“Oh.” Harry looked down at his lap. What Ethan said made sense. His Circle felt like home . It felt right and perfect and safe. But nothing was ever that good, right? 

“There is an old legend that explains why we have soulbonded,” Raspen said, folding his hands on the table in front of him. Everyone turned to look at him, setting down their utensils to listen. “It is said that the Dragel race was created when a wizard and his lover came upon a cursed dragon. The dragon had been attacking a nearby village and a witch who lived there had cast a curse to turn him into a human for 100 years. The dragon had never had a human brain and had never thought about the morality of his actions, but the curse gave him the awareness to do so. And so he repented and helped the village rebuild and recover. He had lived with them for 95 years when the wizard and witch came to the village. They were traveling, collecting stories from the local villages, and the dragon was more than happy to tell them all the tales he had heard. The couple stayed in the village for a while, and they fell in love with the dragon. The three of them settled down, living together happily until the dragon reached the end of his 99th year. The witch’s curse was coming to an end, and he would soon return to his original form. He didn’t want to leave his lovers, so he begged Magic to let him stay. Magic told him that the only way he could stay is if he had a wixen soul, which he did not have. To keep their lover with them, the wizard and the witch split their souls and each gave the dragon half of their own, leaving him with a full wixen soul. In turn, he gave them each half of his dragon one, so that none of them would be left unfinished. But when Magic found out how they had defied her, she grew angry and destroyed the dragon, shattering his new soul. His soul shards were scattered across the world, unable to find their way back home. The wizard and the witch could feel the shards pulling at their souls, but there was nothing they could do to find them. They grieved and grieved for their lost lover, never forgetting him, even as they had a family and grew old together. They died still yearning for him to come back. Watching their grief, Magic regretted her actions and awarded their offspring a gift of apology– a way for the dragon’s soul to find its way home. Each of us has a piece of our soul out there, looking for us. And each of us has a piece of another’s, also looking for a way home.” 

There was a moment of silence after Raspen finished speaking, the words of the story hanging in the air around them.  

“Nobody knows if the legend is true or not,” Raspen said with a shrug, breaking the quiet. “But every Dragel child grew up listening to it.” 

“It was definitely disappointing to learn that our ancestors didn’t fuck a dragon,” Fred said, his mouth still full of food.

Harry rolled his eyes. Of course that would be what Fred took away from it. 

“I mean… they kind of did,” George said. 

“But not like in full dragon form,” Fred pointed out. His eyes suddenly lit up. “I wonder if we could–” 

“Nope,” Charlie cut in before he could finish. “We are not talking about that right now… Or ever.” 

“But theoretically,” Fred started. 

“No,” Charlie said again. 

“It’s for scientific purposes!” Fred protested. 

“It is an interesting question,” Ethan said, furrowing his brows. “I’ve never read anything about Dragels in dragon form…” 

“Dragon form?” Harry asked, looking between the three of them. “Do you mean you can turn into an actual dragon?” 

“Yes,” Theo said. “It differs for some Dragel, like the Merrow, or those who are part Were or fae. But generally we can summon some of our features separately, like our wings, claws, and fangs. Then we have a halfling form that includes all of those features at the same time. And we have a full form, which is just a dragon, or, in some cases, another animal.” 

“So, does that mean that I…” Harry trailed off. 

“Yes, it does,” Theo said. “Your wings were out when we found you, but Quinn helped put them away. We can teach you to change your form.” 

Harry nodded. It was strange to think that he could have wings. Does that mean that he had a tail too? Or horns? Suddenly, a thought occurred to him: “Can you fly with your wings?” 

Idan grinned. “Yes, we can. It’s the best thing about them.” 

Harry couldn’t stop the matching grin from stretching across his face even if he wanted to. He would be able to fly. Without a broom. He turned to Theo. 

“Yes,” Theo said with an indulgent look on his face. “We’ll teach you to fly too.” 

Harry’s grin widened. 

“You like flying?” Idan asked. 

“I love it,” Harry said. “It was the best thing about discovering that I was a wizard.” 

“Oi! What about meeting our beautiful faces?” Fred asked, gaping dramatically at him. 

“That was nice too,” Harry said dismissively, ignoring the twins’ offended gasps. “But flying… that was everything. I don’t think I’d ever experienced anything like it. I felt so… free. My first time in the sky, it was like everything clicked. It felt so right, like I was meant to be there.” 

“That’s what it feels like for me too,” Idan said. “I love it. It’s the whole reason I joined the patrol, so I could fly all day long.” 

“And yet you complain about it everyday,” Minh pointed out. 

“I do not,” Idan said. 

“Yes, you do.” Minh crossed his arms. 

Idan rolled his eyes. “If I had anything to complain about, it would be getting stuck with you for eternity.” 

Minh stuck his tongue out at him. 

“God, I miss Quidditch,” Harry said. “I haven’t been able to play since sixth year.” 

“Why not?” Bran asked. 

“Well, it’s not like there was much opportunity to get on a broom while I was on the run.” 

“Right,” Bran said, wincing apologetically. 

“I mean, I did get to fly a bit,” Harry said. “I even got to fly on a dragon, which now feels weird to think about considering I’m technically related to it.” 

“You flew on a dragon?” Charlie asked, his brows raised. “When?” 

“When Ron, Hermione and I broke into Gringotts,” Harry said. 

“You broke into Gringotts? The bank that literally no one has ever broken into?” Oliver stared at Harry with wide eyes. 

“We taught him well, didn’t we Gred?” Fred said, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. 

“That we did Forge, that we did,” George said, patting his twin on the back. 

“Why in Merlin’s name was there a dragon at Gringotts?” Charlie asked. 

“It was guarding the vaults,” Harry said. “But the goblins weren’t treating it well at all, so on our way out, we set it free and it gave us a ride out of the bank.” 

Charlie blinked a few times. “It wouldn’t happen to be a Ukrainian Ironbelly, would it?” 

“Is a Ukrainian Ironbelly giant, white, with spikes all the way down its back?” 

“Yep,” Charlie said. 

“Then it was,” Harry said. “Why do you ask?” 

“Because the Dragon Sanctuary got word of a new wild dragon in the English countryside,” Charlie said. “All of us have orders not to try to bring it in alone given that it’s extremely dangerous and slightly feral.” 

“I would say it was more than slightly feral,” Harry said. 

Charlie dropped his head into his hands, muttering something under his breath. 

“We were okay in the end,” Harry said. “It even got us to Hogwarts. We just had to jump off its back into the lake.” 

“The same lake that’s full of dangerous creatures and a giant squid?” Oliver asked. 

Harry nodded. “It turned out fine though.” 

“Yes,” Alec said dryly. “You survived a feral dragon and a dangerous squid just to head straight into battle. I’d call that just fine.” 

“I mean, it was obviously not ideal,” Harry said. “But I didn’t have another choice.”

“Right, because you were on the run.” Alec shook his head, his lips curled in displeasure. 

Harry felt his chest tighten at the thought of Alec being mad at him. It wasn’t his fault he’d been on the run. It was an impossible situation. 

A part of him, though, whispered that he’d put Ron and Hermione in danger by taking them with him. He should have just gone alone. Instead, his actions had nearly killed the three of them countless times. While the situation might not have been Harry’s fault, that part of it was. 

Before he could say anything, Hadrian cleared his throat. “Why were you on the run? I understand that you were hunting Horcruxes, but why couldn’t you have done so from a safe location?” 

“I was the Snatchers’ number one enemy: Undesirable Number One,” Harry said. “If I’d stayed in school, I’d be captured and taken to Voldemort. If I’d stayed with the Weasleys, they would have been attacked again. And I wasn’t willing to risk any more of my friends, even if it meant living in a tent for the better part of a year.” 

“And there was nowhere else you could have been safe?” Hadrian asked. 

“Nope,” Harry shrugged. “The protection at the Dursleys’ ran out when I turned seventeen, so I couldn’t stay with them, not that I would have wanted to. And the Order was scrambling after Dumbledore’s death so they couldn’t help much. They also had the responsibility of trying to keep the Ministry together. Keeping one person safe wasn’t that important.”

“But you were part of the Prophecy,” Oliver said. “How could they have just left you to fend for yourself?” 

“I don’t know,” Harry said, his voice coming out sharper than he intended. “It’s not like I was in charge of my protection. That was all up to Dumbledore and the Order.” 

“And we all know how helpful Dumbledore was,” George grumbled under his breath. 

Harry tamped down the instinctual urge to defend Dumbledore. Before, he would have immediately chimed in saying that the man had more important things to do than to worry about Harry. He would have justified all of his actions, even if doing so meant manipulating the truth and twisting his words. He knew better now, even if he still felt bad about it. 

Ignoring the guilt sitting heavy in his stomach, Harry said, “The Snatchers were also tracking people using the Trace, so even if the Order had found me a safe place to stay, they would have found us at some point. Moving around so much also allowed us to hunt for the Horcruxes without necessarily giving away what we were doing.” 

“It still put you in a lot of unnecessary danger,” Hadrian said, frowning. 

“I’ve been in danger for the majority of my life,” Harry said. “I’m used to it.” 

That made Hadrian’s frown deepen. “I don’t understand how the Wizarding World could have left one of its citizens, and a young one at that, in such conditions. Are there no protections for Wizarding children?” 

“I wouldn’t know,” Harry said, glancing at Theo. “I wasn’t really told a lot about the Wizarding World. I just knew about Hogwarts and what they taught there.” 

Theo sighed. “The Hogwarts curriculum is greatly lacking in terms of real world applications. Sure, it teaches you Potions and Charms and Defense, but it covers nothing about the contemporary Wizarding World and its politics. A lot of Pureblood, or even Half-blood families supplement their childrens’ education during the summer.”

Harry had definitely noticed the lack of classes about politics and such, but he had never really had the time or the need to think about it. Back then, he’d just trusted Dumbledore to teach him what he needed to know. By the time he realized that Dumbledore wasn’t the best source of information, it didn’t matter anymore. He was in the middle of a war and learning about how the Wizarding World worked wasn’t as important as staying alive.

“But what about Muggleborns?” Harry asked. “Are they just supposed to figure it out on their own?” 

“The education system is designed to put Muggleborns at a disadvantage, and to discourage them from pursuing careers in politics and in the Ministry in general,” Theo explained, leaning back in his chair. “Because Wizarding schools were established before government organizations like the Ministry were, they didn’t have a need for classes about contemporary society. Schools were just for educating young witches and wizards about how to use their magic. Since the Ministry was formed, there have been many petitions to institute such classes into the curriculum, but they are usually shut down by the conservative party and by Dumbledore. The one reform that did pass was the institution of the History of Magic, which is only allowed to cover up to the first defeat of Voldemort.” 

“Huh. No wonder I always felt like I was missing something,” Harry mused. 

“Why didn’t our parents ever say anything?” Charlie asked, looking at Fred and George. “Mum and Dad always spent part of the summer on politics and customs.” 

“I think I remember Mum saying something about Dumbledore,” George said. 

“Yeah,” Fred said. “Sirius asked her if Harry learned about the Potter Traditions and she said that Dumbledore was teaching him.” 

The three Weasleys turned to Harry. 

He shook his head. “He never taught me anything.”  

Harry looked down at his plate, which was somehow still completely full despite the fact that he had been picking at it since he sat down. Sure, he might not have eaten that much, but he’d still eaten something . His bonded had probably been filling it as he ate. He pushed some food around, separating the meat from the brightly colored vegetables. 

What would Sirius have taught him? How did Sirius even know the Potter Traditions? He wished they’d gotten more time together. Sirius could have been able to heal and recover, and Harry could have gotten to spend time with his godfather. He tried to blink away the burning in his eyes. It was so unfair. Sirius had been innocent and yet he had spent 12 years in Azkaban. And no one had looked into it. No one had even tried to figure out the truth. Sirius had suffered and for what? For him to die after two years of being stuck in hiding? Had no one questioned Sirius? Had no one thought to use Veritaserum or Legilimency to figure out the truth? 

“You have access to the Potter Vaults,” Theo said, interrupting Harry’s thoughts. “I’m sure there are some books packed away somewhere.” 

“The Potter Vaults?” Harry asked. “I only know about the Vault Hagrid took me to. Is there more than one?”  

Theo blinked. 

Harry opened his mouth to apologize but his words were cut off as Theo spoke again.

“Merlin, they didn’t even tell you about that?” Theo shook his head. “The Potter Family is old and rich, Harry. You have at least three more vaults, but likely more than even that. The one Hagrid took you to is your school vault. You would be able to access it whilst you’re at Hogwarts. You should also have an inheritance vault, which would open to you when you turn seventeen, as well as your parents’ personal vault and the Potter Family vault, both of which would also open to you at seventeen.” 

“Oh.” Harry sat back in his chair. He was rich. Like, rich- rich . 

“Yeah, oh ,” Theo said teasingly. “You would also have access to the Potter Manor and Potter House in London. I’m not sure if there are any other properties, but there probably are.” 

Harry stared at Theo. “How the hell did I not know about this?” 

“Did you ever read the Potter Will?” Theo asked. 

Harry shook his head. 

“That would be why,” Theo said. “Everything would have been outlined in there.” 

“Dumbledore probably kept you from reading it to keep you dependent on him,” George said with a frown. 

“That does seem in character for him,” Charlie said. “If you want, I could reach out to Bill and see what information Gringotts can send over. They’ve got a branch here on Nevarah.” 

Harry nodded. “Please.” 

Seeming to recognize that Harry had reached his limit, his bonded started chatting amongst themselves, giving him the space to process. Everything Harry had known was either wrong or just barely touching the surface. He hated feeling so out of his depth. He felt stupid and lost and helpless. It was unfair. That was his conclusion– everything was so fucking unfair. Why did he have to be the Chosen One? Why did Voldemort have to choose him ? But then what was the alternative? For Neville to be the Chosen One? Harry wouldn’t wish that on his friend, no matter how much he hated that it had to be him. 

After finishing lunch, Harry stayed to help Ethan and Oliver clear the table and put away the leftovers. Ethan had wanted to protest, but Oliver had just told Harry to start gathering the dirty dishes. Oliver had had a lot of experience with Harry’s stubborn need to help and had learned it was futile to turn him away. Harry was often the last player on the Quidditch field, helping Oliver gather the fallen quaffles and errant bludgers. 

“Would you not rather use magic to clean the dishes?” Ethan asked, spelling leftovers into the cupboards. 

“I prefer doing it by hand,” Harry said, rinsing off a dish and passing it to Oliver to dry. “That way I can be sure it's clean.”

“Magic does that too,” Ethan said. 

“But I’m in control of it when I do it by hand,” Harry explained. “I can see what I’m doing and I can make sure I get the dishes fully clean. And it's more rewarding this way.” 

“He wouldn’t even use Charms to gather quaffles after Quidditch,” Oliver said. 

“You can’t tell if you’ve gotten everything if you don’t go over there to check,” Harry argued. He rinsed off another plate, handing it to Oliver. 

“Do you use magic for anything?” Ethan asked. 

“For things that I can’t do on my own, I do,” Harry said with a shrug. “I lived most of my life without it and when I did learn about magic, my life got exponentially more dangerous. So after a bit, magic lost its, well, magic.” 

“How did you not know you had magic at all?” Oliver asked. “Did you not do any accidental magic when you were growing up?” 

Harry tensed. He’d definitely been doing accidental magic, but the Dursleys never called it that. He just thought there was something horribly wrong with him. He shook the thought of cupboards and yelling from his head. “Not that I remember,” Harry said slowly. “I didn’t grow up in a magical family.” 

“I don’t even know what life would look like without magic,” Ethan said, coming over to help them with the dishes. “I’ve always been surrounded by it.” 

“It’s not as different as you might think,” Harry said. “People need the same things, they just find different ways to do them.” 

“Like what?” Ethan asked. 

“Like communication,” Harry said. “Wizards use the owl post to send letters, but they also use Patronus messages and the Floo network. Muggles have their own post, using cars and ships and planes. They also have telephones and electronic mail. They use electricity to transmit messages. And I’m sure Dragels have their own methods.” 

“We have different spells for that,” Ethan said. “Some are specifically for Circle members, others are for extended family. There’s a couple of different ones for official matters, depending on what the message is about. And of course, the Hunt has its own parameters for messages.” 

“How do you remember all of the differences?” Harry asked. 

“We grow up learning them,” Ethan said. 

“Are there a lot of traditions like that? And customs?” Harry’s chest tightened at the thought of having to memorize a whole new set of societal rules. He was already completely clueless about Wizarding ones, and now he had more to learn. 

“There are,” Ethan said, giving Harry an apologetic glance. 

“Most you learn from your family Circle,” Oliver said. “But there are a lot you’re supposed to learn from your Mentor.” 

“Great,” Harry muttered, aggressively scrubbing at the dish in his hands.

“We’ll teach you what we can,” Oliver said, setting aside the plate he was drying to wrap an arm around Harry’s shoulders. “I know it seems overwhelming right now, but it’ll get easier, I promise.” 

Harry nodded mutely. 

“There’s a way to say that your mentor hasn’t taught you something yet,” Ethan said. “That way you don’t offend anyone while you’re still learning. No one expects you to be perfect, Harry. You’re allowed to make mistakes.” 

“Nevarah isn’t like Britain in that sense,” Oliver said. He squeezed Harry one more time before letting go to start putting away the dry dishes. “Dragels are community centered. We uphold each other and help each other learn. Young, newly inherited Dragels are given a lot of grace, even in official capacities. If you do something wrong, it won’t be your fault, but your Circle’s or your Mentor’s.” 

“But I’m an adult,” Harry said. “I should have inherited two years ago.” 

 “Yes,” Ethan said. “But Dragels are considered ‘newly inherited’ until they’re 21, or until they’re 5 years past their inheritance.” 

Harry frowned in confusion. “How does that work? Are you not considered an adult when you inherit?” 

“You are,” Ethan said. “Dragels are ‘adults’ at 16, when the average Dragel inherits. That means they are allowed to start their own Circles, speak for themselves in official settings, apply for jobs and move away from their Family Circle. But they’re not necessarily encouraged to do so. It’s normal for someone to live with their Family Circle until they’re well past 21. Because we live for such a long time, age and adulthood is looked at differently.” 

“How long is your lifespan?” Harry asked. 

“ Our lifespan can be centuries long,” Ethan explained. “The average is about 500-700 years, but some make it to 1000.” 

The plate in Harry’s hand dropped into the sink, clanging against the metal and splashing soap onto his shirt. “1000?!” 

“Yeah…” Ethan said slowly. “I gather we haven't covered that yet.” 

“No. No you hadn’t,” Harry said, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. 

“Witches and wizards have longer lifespans too,” Oliver said. “The average is 200-300.” 

“That was also something I didn’t know,” Harry said after a moment. He picked the plate back up and, after looking it over for any chips or cracks, continued washing it. “So what were you saying about aging?” 

“Well,” Ethan said, exchanging a look with Oliver. “Generally, Dragels are considered children until the age of 16. This means they live with their Family Circle and attend school or are given private tutoring. Children are cherished, and to hurt one is a capital offence. They are, however, expected to show proper respect towards their elders.” 

Harry handed Oliver the last plate and rinsed his hands, drying them on the hand towel hanging beside the sink. He leaned back against the counter, watching as Ethan and Oliver put away the last of the dishes. 

“From 16 to 21,” Ethan continued, hopping up to sit on the counter. “Dragels are younglings. While they are technically adults, they are still young compared to everyone else. They are still learning how to use their new magic and are still growing accustomed to their new form. Younglings are just as cherished as children but have more expectations and responsibilities. They are still protected and cared for, but they’re allowed, and even encouraged, to fight their own battles.” 

Oliver dried his own hands and came to stand beside Harry, pulling him into his side. Harry leaned into the embrace, enjoying the warmth and comfort Oliver was exuding. 

“A Dragel’s 21st birthday is almost as big of a deal as their 16th,” Ethan said. “It’s usually a big family affair, meant to celebrate the beginning of one’s independent life. At that age you’re considered fully matured and are responsible for your own actions. You’re meant to know all of the proper procedures and customs. However, 21 is still quite young for Dragels. Until their first century, Dragels are considered young adults. You still get a certain level of grace. You’re allowed to make mistakes, as long as you properly apologize and accept the consequences. You won’t be called for any civil service and you won’t be a Mentor.” 

“How old are all of you?” Harry asked. He knew Theo was his age and that the twins and Charlie were two years and seven years older than him respectively. 

“I’m 22,” Oliver said. 

Harry poked Oliver’s arm. “I knew that already,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I meant everyone else.” 

“I’m 21,” Ethan said. “I’m not completely sure about the others though. I think Riven’s the oldest and he’s 26.” 

“Him, Raspen, and Perry were in the same graduating class, weren’t they?” Oliver said. “The Air Court had a celebration when Perry graduated three years ago. I remember seeing a picture of the three of them in the university yearbook.” 

Ethan furrowed his brows. “Maybe? I think I might remember something like that happening, but I was too occupied with my studies back then.” 

“Your studies?” Harry asked. 

“I was learning how to work in the Archives,” Ethan replied. “They have their own college on the upper levels of the building.” 

“They need a whole school for that?” Harry couldn’t imagine needing an entire separate school to teach people how to take care of old books. 

“It’s not just about taking care of the books and whatnot,” Ethan said, as though he was reading Harry’s mind. “The Archives house basically every text ever made on Nevarah, as well as some from other realms. We have to not only make sure they’re in good condition, but be able to contextualize them, understand what’s written in them, which is often in another language, and determine authenticity.” 

“How many languages do you know?” Harry asked. 

“I can speak about 6 fluently, but I can hold a conversation in 10 and can read 16,” Ethan said, blushing slightly when Harry widened his eyes in amazement. 

“I can barely speak English,” Harry said. 

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. “A lot of them are really similar to each other.” 

“Still impressive,” Harry said. 

Ethan blushed even more. 

“So are the Archives just a giant library?” Harry asked. 

“Part of it is,” Ethan said. “The Archives have ten floors in all, six underground and four above ground. The top three hold the college and training rooms. The library is on the next four floors. One floor is above ground, which holds the public section of the library. The three underground floors are only for workers. The last three floors hold workrooms, labs, and historical artifacts.” 

“Hermione would love it there,” Harry said. 

Oliver snorted. “She would never leave.” 

“We’d have to drag her out kicking and screaming,” Harry added with a grin. 

“Hermione is the girl who was yelling at you, right?” Ethan asked, pursing his lips.

Harry winced. “Yeah,” Harry said. “But I swear that’s not all she does.” 

“Are you sure?” Oliver teased. 

Harry elbowed him. “She yells because she cares. And she doesn’t do it all the time, just when Ron and I deserve it. Which we do… a lot.” 

“You deserve to be yelled at?” Ethan frowned. 

“When we’re being stupid, yeah,” Harry said. “And we’re stupid a lot.” 

“He’s not exaggerating,” Oliver said to Ethan. “The two of them are often insanely daft. They were nearly caught sneaking out after curfew to fight a duel in their first year.” 

“In our defense, we didn’t want Malfoy to think we were cowards,” Harry said. 

“Anyone with a brain could have told you he was setting you up,” Oliver pointed out. 

Harry stuck his tongue out at him. 

Oliver flicked his nose in retaliation. “You know I’m right.” 

Harry pouted. 

“Quit it,” Oliver said, poking Harry’s bottom lip. “Pouting’s not allowed in the kitchen.” 

“What kind of a rule is that?” Harry said, swatting at Oliver’s hand. 

“It’s my rule, is what it is,” Oliver said. 

“That’s a horrible comeback, Ollie,” Harry said, raising an unimpressed brow. 

“You’re a horrible comeback,” Oliver said, poking Harry’s side. 

“What does that even mean?” Harry asked, jumping to the side to avoid Oliver’s next poke. Oliver narrowed his eyes playfully and raised his hands. Harry tensed, ready to dodge, a grin on his face. Ethan watched from his perch on the counter, his own smile wide. 

A second later Oliver attacked and Harry’s shrieks of laughter filled the kitchen as he dove out of the way. Ethan only just managed to pull his feet up onto the counter before Harry dashed past him, grabbing the hand towel to whack Oliver with it. The two of them chased each other around the room, the towel flying between them. Harry turned to taunt Oliver but instead found himself crashing into someone, arms flailing to keep his balance. Warm hands grabbed his shoulders to steady him before he could fall. 

“What’s going on?” Wikhn asked, looking around the room, brow raised and an amused smile on his lips. 

Harry opened his mouth to answer but saw Oliver lunge toward him from the corner of his eye. Harry jumped behind Wikhn, blocking Oliver from reaching him. 

“That’s cheating!” Oliver protested. 

“I’m just using my surroundings,” Harry countered. “Didn’t you always say that’s what a good Quidditch player does?” 

“Damn you for using my own lessons against me,” Oliver said dramatically. “You win Harold James, you win.” 

“My name is not Harold ,” Harry said, scrunching his nose. He stepped out from behind Wikhn and picked up the towel he’d dropped a few moments ago. 

“Then what’s Harry short for?” Oliver asked, leaning back against the wall to catch his breath. Ethan slid off of the counter and held his hand out for the towel, hanging it back next to the sink. 

“Nothing,” Harry said. “I’m just Harry.” 

“So your full name is Harry James Potter?” Ethan asked. 

Harry nodded. “Yep.” 

Wikhn was still standing in the doorway, watching the three of them. 

“Did you come here for something?” Oliver asked him. 

“Theo suggested going to the Archives after lunch,” Wikhn said. 

Harry glanced at Ethan. 

“I’m ready to go whenever,” Ethan said with a shrug. “It’s up to you, Harry.” 

“We can go today,” Harry said. “Who would come with us?” 

“Me and Perry will join you and Ethan,” Wikhn said. “Perry wants to be able to send the requests as soon as we get the names of who to send them to.” 

Harry nodded. “Alright.” 

“I’ll go inform Perry and Theo,” Wikhn said, moving to leave the kitchen. “We’ll meet you at the front door.”

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Nevaran Archives

Ethan’s arm around his waist was the only thing that kept Harry standing when Perry’s portal dropped the four of them into the entrance hall of the Archives. 

“Woah,” Harry breathed as he stepped away from Ethan, tilting his head to look at the glittering ceiling. A detailed mosaic radiated from the chandelier hanging in the center, the intricate geometric designs forming concentric circles and creating the illusion of movement.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Ethan said, his voice echoing through the room. 

Harry nodded. 

“In the winter it’s even better,” Ethan said. “It gets decorated for the Yule Festival, so the hall is covered in wreaths and candles.” 

Harry grinned, turning back to Ethan. “That sounds amazing. I’ve always loved Hogwarts during Christmas. It’s the only time the castle has ever been quiet.” 

Ethan returned Harry’s smile and stretched out a hand. “Shall we?” 

Harry tucked his hand into Ethan’s and let himself be pulled through the hall toward the double doors at the other side of the room. Above them was a large golden plaque with a word written in a language Harry didn’t recognize. 

“It says ‘Library’ in Nevaran,” Perry said, noticing Harry’s confused look.

Ethan dropped Harry’s hand to pull open the doors. A waft of air rushed past the doors and Harry inhaled the scent of old parchment and ink. There was a walkway before them, lined with rows and rows of bookshelves on either side. It seemed to lead toward the center of the room, if the round shape of the ceiling was anything to go by. 

It was nearly silent as they walked down the pathway, following Ethan, the only one of them who seemed to know where he was going. The only sounds were of their footsteps and of the occasional rustling of pages. A quiet cough was the only sign that the four of them weren’t the only people here, though just by looking at it, Harry would have thought the place was empty. He scanned the titles of the books he could see as they walked by, curious if there were any he would recognize. Most of the spines were empty, making Harry wonder how anyone found anything in a place where nothing was labeled, but the ones that had titles were in that same language that the plaque had been in– Nevaran, Perry had said. 

“Nevaran?” Harry whispered, glancing at Perry. He was walking just behind Harry, followed closely by Wikhn, who’s eyes kept darting around them, hand resting on what seemed to be a sword hanging at his hip. “Dragels have their own language?” 

“We have many languages,” Perry said quietly. “Nevaran is just the official language of the realm.”

“But you all speak English,” Harry said. 

Perry nodded. “Most Dragels speak English, and it’s become the most commonly used language, especially in the capital, largely due to the large number of immigrants coming from Earth. Nevaran has become mostly a written language, spoken only in official rituals or ceremonies.” 

“So it’s like Latin?” Harry asked. 

“I suppose so,” Perry said, tilting his head. “Though it’s certainly not a ‘dead language’. There are those who speak only Nevaran, especially in the Death Court.” 

“Huh,” Harry said. “Do all Dragels know it?” 

“Nevaran natives do,” Ethan said, looking back to join the conversation. “It’s a requirement to learn it in school.” 

“Is it hard to learn?” Harry asked. 

“If you’re learning from scratch, yes,” Perry said. “But there are many resources for new Nevarans to learn it. I’m sure we can find you some if you’re interested.” 

“Maybe,” Harry said. “I’ve never been the best student.” 

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Perry said. 

Harry shrugged. “It’s just not my strong suit. I don’t do well sitting in a classroom and taking notes.” 

“That doesn’t make you a bad student,” Perry pointed out. “You simply learn in a more hands-on way.” 

Harry hummed, not wanting to argue the point. He really wasn’t a good student. He hated reading textbooks, unless they were about Defense or Quidditch, and he couldn’t stand having to listen to his professors drone on and on about the material. His notes from lectures were always useless, full of often unintelligible scribbles and inane doodles. He would much rather just do the thing he was learning instead of discussing the theory. 

“Alright,” Ethan said and Harry blinked, barely stopping himself from crashing into him. They’d come to a stop in front of the last bookshelf before the walkway turned into a large round opening full of tables and chairs. In the center was a round counter with a person sitting inside, their chin propped on their hand as they languidly flipped through what looked like a magazine. Harry shouldn’t have been surprised to see a large pair of wings behind them, carefully folded against their back. “What were the family names we were looking for? Peverell and…” 

“Evanson,” Perry said, starting to scan through the titles.

“Okay, Evanson, that’s ‘e’… e… e,” Ethan muttered, his fingers dancing in front of him as he looked through the books. 

Harry felt a bit awkward standing by the bookshelf, watching Ethan and Perry without being able to help. 

“Aha, I got it,” Ethan said victoriously, pulling out a small volume. 

“And I’ve got the Peverell one,” Perry said a moment later, pulling out a significantly larger volume. 

Ethan smiled, taking the book from Perry and leading them over to a table. 

The person at the counter looked up when the chair Ethan pulled out made a loud screech as it dragged against the floor, their wings flaring at the sudden noise. They frowned at Ethan, who gave them an apologetic wince. They rolled their eyes and went back to their magazine, ignoring the four of them completely. Harry decided to stand, not wanting to risk the noise a chair would make. Perry and Wikhn seemed to have the same idea, remaining standing behind Ethan’s chair. 

After sitting down, Ethan reached for the Peverell book first, opening it to the table of contents. “What year was your father born?” He asked, not looking up at Harry and instead scanning the pages, his finger dragging down the list of years. 

“Uh,” Harry said. “I’m not sure. I think sometime in the sixties?” 

That made Ethan look up, a slight frown on his face.

Before he could ask anything else, Harry shrugged, saying, “My father didn’t have any relatives left in England so there wasn’t anyone to tell me.” 

Ethan pursed his lips and turned back to the book. He continued down the list of years, muttering the numbers under his breath until he reached 1960, tapping it with his finger and flipping to the correct page. The page held another list, this one of names, each of which was followed by a date. Ethan scanned through them as well, stopping when he found James Charlus Potter. He placed two fingers on the name and chanted something under his breath. The name began to glow and the golden light followed Ethan’s fingers as he lifted them, flicking his wrist toward the table in front of him. 

Harry’s father’s name landed in the center of the table, the golden light seeming to burn into the wooden grain. Circles began appearing around it, overlapping with one another, some holding two names, others up to twenty. James’ Circle included only Lily and Harry. Harry could see the names of his bonded appearing on the table as well, circling around his own. He looked back up to his father’s name, following it to what he supposed were his grandparents– Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. Harry followed Fleamont’s name into a larger Circle. It seemed that the Peverell blood followed the male line as it would only show the relatives of a single male Circle member. Though Harry was still a bit confused as to why he hadn’t encountered the name Peverell yet; so far he’d only seen Potter. 

Ethan pointed to a Circle near the top of the table. “That’s why you don’t have the Peverell name,” he said, looking at Harry. “Your father’s great grand-uncle took the Peverell name for his Circle. Your father’s great grandfather was likely the younger brother and had to change his name for his own Circle.” 

“Why did he have to change it?” Harry asked. 

“There can’t be two Circles of the same name,” Perry said. “It creates too much confusion in official settings.” 

“But wouldn’t the Circle before my dad’s great grand-uncle have been Peverell too?” 

“Yes,” Perry said. “But when their heir, your great great grand-uncle, came of age, he inherited the title and the responsibilities. The name goes to the Circle currently representing that family in all official court proceedings.”

“Do the older Circles have to change their name then?” Harry asked. 

“No, they now get addressed as the Late Peverell Circle,” Perry said. “It’s still confusing, but Dragels love to stick to tradition, no matter how pointless.” 

Ethan snorted. “You’re not wrong,” he said, tracking the Peverell name to its current Circle. “We do love our traditions– aha! Here they are!” 

Harry glanced down to the Circle Ethan’s finger was resting on. The name Lewis Peverell stood out at the top of the Circle, flanked by the names Malia and Arashi Peverell. It was strange to see the names of who might be his only living relatives on his dad’s side. Harry never thought he would have that. 

“Do you want me to make a copy of this for you?” Ethan asked once Perry finished noting down the names of the Peverells. “You’d have more time to study it later.” 

Harry nodded, his throat dry. 

Ethan smiled, squeezing Harry’s shoulder before holding his hand over the chart and muttering something. It glowed for a moment, the golden light almost blinding, and then a coin-like object appeared and flew into Ethan’s hand. He tucked it into his pocket and closed the book, the chart on the table disappearing with it. 

“I’m guessing you don’t know your mother’s birthday either,” Ethan said as he reached for the Evanson book. Though his tone was nothing but kind, Harry still felt his face heat with shame. He was a horrible son. What kind of person didn’t know his own parents’ birthdays? 

“No,” he muttered, keeping his focus on the table below him. 

“Were your parents the same age?” Perry asked.

“I think so,” Harry said. He felt something brush against his shoulder and he looked up from the table to see Wikhn’s wing resting against his side. Wikhn gave him a soft smile and turned back to where Ethan was flipping through the book. Harry let himself lean into the warmth coming from the leathery wing. It might have looked delicate, but he could feel the strength in the way it pushed back against him. 

Harry looked back down, seeing that Ethan had already found his mother’s name and the Evanson family tree was glowing on the table. Just as his father’s had been, Lily’s name was in the center, surrounded by James’ and Harry’s. 

When he saw the names of his mother’s parents, Harry couldn’t help but remember the times he would hear Aunt Petunia telling Dudley about them. He would sit as close as he could to the crack between the door of his cupboard and the floor, listening to Aunt Petunia speaking in a voice softer than he had ever heard from her, telling Dudley stories about Grandma Ann and Grandpa Richard. None of these stories ever included Lily by name– Harry hadn’t known his own mother’s name until Hagrid had come to deliver his letter– but sometimes they mentioned, in the most derisive tone, her younger sister. No matter how hateful Aunt Petunia sounded when she told those stories, they were always Harry’s favorites. But then Uncle Vernon had caught him listening and they started shoving a towel into the crack to keep him from hearing. Harry still found ways to listen, sometimes doing his chores extra slowly, and risking the punishment that would doubtlessly follow, so that he could catch a glimpse of what his mother had been like. 

“Are those your aunt and uncle?” Perry asked, drawing Harry out of his thoughts. 

Harry looked at what Perry was pointing at and frowned. “What does that mean?” 

Unlike the rest of the names on the chart, Petunia and Vernon’s were dull and connected to one another by a line instead of a Circle. The Circle that had connected Petunia to her parents and Lily also darkened as it neared her name. Dudley’s name, however, still glowed, even if it did so faintly. 

“That means they’re non-magical,” Ethan said, though he was also frowning. “But I don’t understand how your aunt could be non-magical when both your grandparents had magical heritage. Magic should be the dominant gene.” 

“The current Evanson Circle might have more information,” Perry said. “I haven’t seen anything like that before.” 

Ethan nodded, quickly scanning through the names to find the ones they needed. Once Perry wrote down the names he stepped away, heading to the counter in the center of the room, presumably to send the messages he needed to. 

“So your aunt and uncle really never told you your mother’s birthday?” Ethan asked as he finished making a copy of the Evanson tree just as he had the Peverell one. 

“No,” Harry said. “My aunt didn’t like her sister that much. I didn’t even know my mum’s name until I was 11.” 

Harry felt a sharp spike of anger in the air around him. He opened his mouth to backtrack but Wikhn spoke first: 

“Did you know anything about her?” His wing twitched against Harry’s shoulder. 

“Uh…” Harry tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t anger his bonded again. “I mean… I knew that she had red hair and green eyes… I think?” 

The air sharpened once more. 

“You weren’t shown any pictures?” Ethan asked, sadness leaking into the air around him, adding a heaviness to the already present anger. 

“Well… the Dursleys’ didn’t have many pictures of my mum,” Harry said slowly. 

“Did they have pictures of your aunt?” Ethan asked. 

“Yes…”

“And none of them had your mother in them?” 

“Not the ones they displayed,” Harry said. “They might have had some old albums stored away that they showed my cousin, but I never got to see them.” 

“Why not?” Wikhn asked. 

Harry shrugged. 

Wikhn and Ethan exchanged a glance. 

“The messages have been sen–” Perry cut himself off as he returned to the table. “I feel as though I have interrupted something. These are much more serious faces than before.”

“It’s nothing,” Harry said quickly. “We weren’t talking about anything.” 

“Okay…” Perry said, stretching the word out, his eyes flicking between the three of them. “Well, if there is nothing else we need to find, are we ready to head back?” 

Ethan glanced at Harry before saying, “Sure, we just need to return the books.” 

Harry didn’t acknowledge the disappointment twisting through the air.

Chapter Text

Harry Potter: Deveraine Beach House

Returning to the beach house was uneventful, with the four of them landing on the beach in front of the house. Harry could feel the heat of the sand through his shoes. The sun was bright even in the late afternoon and he could tell that the pleasant warmth would soon become an oppressive heat if they stayed outside for too long. 

Ethan placed a hand on Harry’s lower back, nudging him in the direction of the porch. Just as they were about to start climbing the steps, the door slammed open and Fred and George raced out of the house, followed by a very angry, and very red, Alec. 

“Harrikins!” Fred shouted, leaping behind Harry and gripping his right arm. 

“Save us!” George shouted, mirroring Fred’s position on Harry’s left. 

“What did you do?” Harry asked. 

“I’ll wager it has something to do with… that,” Ethan said, attempting to hide the amusement in his voice as he gestured to Alec, whose hair was now standing straight up and sending red sparks in every direction. 

“Those monsters made me RED!” Alec fumed.

Wikhn snorted. 

“We’ve been here one day,” Harry huffed. “Did you have to start pranking already?”

“How could you even ask that?” Fred shook his head in mock disappointment. 

“Do you even know us?” George continued. 

“We must prank,” Fred said. 

“We would be nothing without pranks,” George said. 

“But it’s been one day,” Harry said. 

“Well, he said red was a ghastly color,” Fred pouted. “It was a warranted prank.” 

Harry raised a brow. “So you had to dye him red?” 

“Naturally,” George said. 

“What else would we do?” Fred let go of Harry to cross his arms. 

Harry sighed. “I hate to say it, but they do have a point,” he said. “Insulting their favorite color is an affront on their very being.” 

“I was simply telling them that they should include more variety in their wardrobe,” Alec said. “They were shopping for clothes for the Hunt and were exclusively looking at red clothes.” 

“That’s not a battle you want to fight, Alec,” Harry said. “They’ll double down on the red just to spite you.” 

Alec let out a frustrated growl. “We are a new Circle and I will not be reprimanded for worrying about our appearances.” 

“You should be worrying about your own appearance right now,” George said, shrieking when Alec sent a blast of water into his face in retaliation. 

“Tell me how to reverse this before someone else sees me!” Alec demanded. 

“Where’s our apology?” Fred asked. 

A moment later, he too was soaked in water. 

Harry just shook his head and headed toward the house. “Try not to kill them, Alec.”

“Very well, though I do not know why you would not want to be rid of them,” Alec said, raising a hand to send an advancing Fred backwards with a jet of water. 

Perry and Wikhn followed Harry inside, Ethan staying back under the guise of making sure the twins wouldn’t be permanently maimed. 

“Are they still at it?” Charlie asked as Harry walked into the living room. He was lounging on one of the couches. Theo sat beside him, his feet in Charlie’s lap and his back leaning against Raspen’s side. 

“The twins and Alec? Absolutely,” Harry said. “The twins were losing when I last saw them.” 

“I don’t think they even have a chance to win at this point,” Charlie said, reaching out a hand to pull Harry onto his lap, Theo’s feet lifting just in time for Harry to sit. 

“How were the Archives, treasure?” Theo asked. 

“Good,” Harry said. “We got the names we needed.” 

“I’ve already sent out the messages,” Perry added, unceremoniously dropping himself into Riven’s lap and paying no attention to the book he’d nearly sat on. 

“I was reading,” Riven grumbled, pulling out his book from under Perry. Though the Mage looked annoyed, he didn’t push Perry off of him. Instead, Riven adjusted his position, wrapping one arm around Perry’s waist and using the other to hold his book. 

“And now you’re still reading,” Perry said, poking Riven’s cheek and looking smug. 

Riven growled and whipped his head to bite Perry’s finger but he moved it out of range just in time. Perry stuck his tongue out at the Mage, who simply rolled his eyes and went back to reading. 

“See,” Raspen said. “He does love you more than me. He would have pushed me to the ground if I’d done that.” 

“You’re from the Earth Court,” Riven said, not looking up as he languidly flipped the page. “You love the ground.” 

“Not when I’m being dropped onto it,” Raspen huffed. 

“How long have you three known each other?” Harry asked, watching the interaction between them in amusement. 

“Raspen and I grew up together,” Perry said. “And Riven was just kind of there.” 

“We went to university together,” Raspen said. “After our inheritances we all attended the Nevaran Royal University.” 

Harry frowned. He didn’t remember Riven saying he was a royal. 

“It’s not just for the royal families,” Charlie explained, noticing Harry’s confusion. “It’s for anyone heading into positions in the Courts.” 

“Mages have to study all of the official proceedings of Nevarah and other realms,” Riven said. “Realmwalkers especially have to know all of the procedures so we can do our jobs without breaking any interrealm laws.” 

“What is your job?” Harry asked. 

“I cast large ritual spells and remove ancient spells that are no longer pertinent,” Riven replied. “I am also often fixing mistakes other, unqualified, Mages have made.” 

“Huh,” Harry said. 

“We met Riven in a really boring history class,” Perry said. “He refused to let us use his notes, so we decided to steal them and, well, stealing from a talented Mage is rather impossible.” 

“He found us frozen in his dorm room and took pity on us,” Raspen said. 

“You tried to break into his room, for notes ?” Oliver asked. He was settled on the floor with Bran snuggled into his side, snoring softly in his sleep. 

“We were 16 and we thought it would be easy,” Perry said. 

“And now I’m stuck with them,” Riven said. “10 years and it never gets easier.” 

“10 years?” Harry thought Oliver had said they graduated three years ago. Did their university last seven years? “How long were you in school?” 

“Just four years,” Raspen said. “But we wouldn’t let Riven go so easily after that.” 

Harry glanced at Oliver, frowning. “I thought you said they graduated three years ago?” 

“It’s the time difference,” Oliver said. “It was three years ago for me, on Earth, but six years ago for them here.” 

“Okay…” Harry said, trying to wrap his mind around the timeline.

“It takes a while to get used to the time difference,” Theo said. “I still get confused about the time and I’ve been traveling between Earth and Nevarah for nine years.” 

Harry nodded silently. The time difference was yet another thing to get used to. He didn’t know how he was ever going to catch up to everyone. Maybe he was just doomed to be completely lost for the rest of his, apparently, very long life. 

“I have survived!” George’s voice interrupted the peace of the living room. 

“As have I!” Fred announced. 

Harry turned to see the two of them triumphantly marching into the room, still drenched in water and dripping all over the floors, but with matching grins on their faces. Harry covered his laugh with a cough when his gaze landed on their heads. Their bright red hair was now a deep ocean blue and seemed to be getting wetter by the second. 

“Nope,” Theo said, pointing to the doorway behind the twins. “Get out before you flood the house.” 

“But Theodore,” Fred whined. “We’ve just returned from a battle for our lives. Can you not see we are wounded soldiers in need of comfort and love?” 

“You can get your comfort and love once you’re dry,” Theo said. 

“But–” 

Theo cut George off before he could say anything, “Out.” 

The twins dropped their heads in sync and trudged out of the room, hopefully to a bathroom to get changed. 

A few seconds later, Alec appeared in the doorway. 

“I see the twin horrors have been here,” Alec said, sniffing disapprovingly at the trail of water as he sauntered into the room. 

“I take it that’s your handiwork?” Theo asked, raising a brow at the Merrow.

“They deserved it,” Alec said, primly settling into an armchair. Though he was back to his original blue color, red sparks still flew from his hair when he moved. Each time he saw one, Alec would grumble and douse it with a stream of water. 

Harry started to get up from Charlie’s lap, planning to get a rag to clean up the puddles, but Charlie’s arms tightened around him. 

“Where are you going?” He asked. 

“To clean up the water?” Harry said incredulously. “Someone’s going to slip.” 

He expected Charlie to let him go, but instead the Beta’s arms tightened further. 

“We’ll make the twins do it when they come back,” Charlie said. “It’s not your job to clean up after them.” 

“But…” Harry didn’t understand why Charlie wasn’t letting him clean it up. It was a hazard and he had the ability to do it, so why not? 

“It’s the natural consequences to their actions,” Theo said. “It makes sense for the twins to do it. They’ll probably just spell it away and it’ll take no longer than a minute. Don’t worry about it, Harry.” 

Harry worried about it. 

He stared at the puddles on the floor as his Circle chatted around him. The water glistened, reflecting the sunlight coming in from the floor to ceiling windows facing the forest behind the house. Harry was barely even aware of Charlie starting to run his hand through his hair; he was so focused on the water. He needed to clean it up. He’s not supposed to leave messes. Messes got him in trouble. Someone could come in and slip on the water. Or someone could drop something and it would get wet. Or someone could see it and think that the rest of the house was also a mess. It would be embarrassing. People would think badly of them and it would be his fault. 

“There you are,” Oliver said with a sigh of relief as the twins finally appeared in the doorway again, dry and with their hair no longer dripping, though it was still the same deep blue. “Clean up your water trail before Harry has a heart attack.” 

A second later the water was gone and Harry had to jerk his eyes away from the floor. 

“You alright?” Charlie asked, his hand still running though Harry’s hair. 

“Yeah, sorry,” Harry said. “I just zoned out.” 

“Okay,” Charlie said, pressing a gentle kiss to Harry’s temple and dutifully ignoring the flush that burned across Harry’s cheeks at the gesture.

“I declare that Idan is an evil mastermind and I will be divorcing him as soon as I can stand,” Minh said as he came in, flopping face down into a pile of cushions. Devrim followed right behind him, giving a grunt of agreement before dropping himself directly on top of Minh. 

“It was just a few rounds of sparring,” Idan said, shaking his head and lowering himself next to the dejected pair. “You’re just weak.” 

“You weren’t calling me weak last night when I– ouch!” Minh lifted his head from under Devrim to glare at Idan. “Don’t pinch me!” 

Idan pinched Minh’s calf again. “Don’t be crude, Minh.” 

“I’ll show you crude, you–” The rest of Minh’s words were garbled by Devrim’s hand covering his mouth. 

“Shh,” Devrim said. “It’s rest time.” 

“What’d you do to them?” Wikhn asked. He was leaning against the wall next to the doorway, his eyes flicking between scanning the living room and watching the hallway. 

“We ran a few miles and then sparred a few times,” Idan said. “They’re just being dramatic because I knocked both of them on their ass. Multiple times.” 

“You did not, you little–” 

Minh’s rant was once again cut off by Devrim’s hand. “Shh. Sleeping,” Devrim muttered, patting Minh’s head, his eyes closed. 

Wikhn seemed to be holding back his laughter as he looked at them. “Did Hadrian join?” 

“No,” Idan said. “He wanted to check the perimeter before you got back.” 

Wikhn nodded, going back to watching the hallway. 

“So, Harrikins,” Fred said. “How went the name searching?” 

Him and George had found a spot on the ground, seemingly as close as they could get to Alec’s armchair without the Merrow drenching them again.

“Yes, how was the searching for the names?” George asked. 

“The quest for the titles?” Fred said. 

“The journey for the monikers?” George said. 

“The–” 

“It was good,” Harry said, cutting Fred off before he could say something even more ridiculous. “We found what we needed.” 

Fred and George kept looking at him expectantly. Harry raised a brow in question. 

“And won’t you grace us with the names of your relatives?” Fred asked. 

“Yes, we would like more information than just ‘good’,” George added. 

“On my dad’s side is Lewis Peverell,” Harry said, glancing at Perry, who nodded. “And on my mum’s side is…” 

Harry trailed off. He realized he hadn’t actually looked at the current Evanson Circle. He’d been too preoccupied with his aunt and uncle. 

“Violet Evanson,” Perry said.

Harry gave him a smile in thanks, but his mind was now focused, once again, on those dulled names. Perry and Ethan had both said they hadn’t seen anything like it before. God, Harry really hated always being the special case. Why couldn’t he just be normal ? 

When neither of them continued, the twins frowned, looking between Harry and Perry– Harry, who was lost in thought and Perry, who was watching him with concerned eyes. 

“So…” Fred said slowly. “Did something happen or are you guys just simultaneously having a midlife crisis?” 

“Midlife?” Perry sputtered. “How old do you think I am?” 

“Hey, midlife crises are not confined to one’s age,” George said. “I’ve been having one every year since I was six.” 

“What happened when you were six?” Idan asked. 

“We don’t talk about that,” Fred said in a dramatically serious tone. 

“It was a dark time for us all,” George said, shaking his head. 

Charlie rolled his eyes. “They accidentally set Ron’s teddy bear on fire and had to get our parents who’d been having some alone time .” 

Fred and George shuddered in sync. 

“Mr. Fuzzypants was never the same,” George said. 

“Everything changed after that,” Fred continued. “Everything.” 

“Ron had a bear named Mr. Fuzzypants?” Harry chuckled. Oh, he was so going to tease Ron about that detail when he saw him again. 

As though a switch had been flipped, the dark looks on the twins’ faces disappeared, replaced by matching mischievous grins. 

“He also had a doll named Mrs. Ron Weasley,” Fred said. 

“They got married when he was four,” George said. “He had a wedding ceremony and everything. Percy officiated.” 

Harry laughed. 

“Ron’s going to kill you for telling Harry,” Charlie said, trying to make himself sound disapproving, but Harry could tell he was holding back his own laughter. 

“As amusing as learning about Weasley antics is,” Theo said. “I would like to get an answer to Fred’s question.” 

Fred gasped. “He knows I’m me!” 

George’s eyes widened as he looked at Fred. “That means he knows I’m me!” 

“This is terrible,” Fred said. 

“Horrible,” George continued. 

“Boys! Stop derailing the conversation,” Theo said, pinching his nose. “It was a lucky guess. Don’t worry, you’re still absolutely impossible to tell apart.” 

Fred and George sighed in relief. 

“We’re okay, Gred,” Fred said. 

“We’re okay, Forge,” George echoed. 

“And we’re wondering what happened with the Evanson names,” Theo said, attempting to steer the conversation back to something productive. 

“It was nothing,” Harry said. 

Theo gave him an unimpressed look. 

“It’s really not that big of a deal,” Harry insisted. He really didn’t want everyone to start asking questions about his aunt and uncle because of this. “There was just something a little strange with some of the names, that’s it.” 

Theo sighed and turned to Perry. 

Harry groaned inwardly. Great. Now they were all going to talk about the Dursleys. 

“Harry’s aunt and uncle’s names were dulled,” Perry explained, giving Harry a quick, apologetic look. “And while that’s not strange on its own, it was strange that his aunt was marked non-magical when both of her parents are magical.” 

Riven closed his book, balancing it on the armrest of his seat. “Did you bring a copy of the charts? I’d like to take a look.” 

“Ethan has them,” Perry said. “We’re hoping the Evansons will have more information.” 

“What could have caused it?” Theo asked. 

Riven ran a hand over his chin, scratching at the stubble on his jaw. “There are multiple possibilities,” he said. “Since both parents are magical, it’s unlikely that she simply didn’t get the gene. So the other alternatives are adoption, but that would be marked on the chart, or a seal. She also could have been cut off from her magic, but that practice has been outlawed for over a millenia. It’s cruel and leaves the soul damaged.” 

*

Harry tensed. What would that mean for Aunt Petunia? If she had a seal, it would need to be taken off and then what? She hated magic. Vernon hated magic. Harry didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if they found out about this. They would find some way to blame it on him, of that he was sure. 

“What about your cousin?” Fred asked. “Was he dull too?” 

Harry shook his head, not trusting his voice. 

“He wasn’t as bright as the rest of the names, but he was still glowing,” Perry said. 

“Has he ever exhibited any magic?” Riven asked, looking at Harry. 

Harry shook his head again, clenching his fists in his lap. 

“He’s had magic done to him,” George said. 

“Like the time Hagrid gave him a tail,” Fred said. 

“Or when we made his tongue swell,” George said. 

The two looked at each other and grinned. 

Harry swallowed, staring resolutely at the wall. He’d certainly found those events amusing in the moment, but the consequences when he had returned to the Dursleys… well, those definitely took any amusement out of it.

“Didn’t he also have a run-in with a dementor?” Fred asked. 

Harry nodded. Now that was not amusing even in the moment. He only remembered flashes of it. Dudley and his friends. The sudden coldness. Dudley’s blank face. His Patronus. Dudley’s shaking body as he carried him home. Petunia’s screams. Vernon’s shouts. The letter. The silence. Petunia taking Dudley upstairs. The gleam in Vernon’s eyes. 

“Harry?” 

Harry flinched at Charlie’s voice. 

“You’re shaking, love,” Charlie said softly. “Are you alright?” 

Harry looked down at his hands. They were still clenched in his lap but were indeed shaking. No. Not just his hands. His whole body was shaking, held in place only by Charlie’s arms. He flinched again as he felt something touch his cheek. Harry looked up to meet Charlie’s concerned gaze, his hand frozen a few centimeters from Harry’s face. 

Everyone was quiet as Charlie slowly put his hand back down, placing it instead on Harry’s hands. Harry followed the movement with his eyes watching as he started rubbing his thumb over Harry’s knuckles. Harry watched the motion– back and forth, back and forth. The air around him pulsated, sharp spikes mixing with an oppressive buzz of worry and concern. 

“Shit,” he heard Fred say. A wave of guilt rolled off of him, echoed by another wave from George. 

“Harry, treasure, can you tell us what’s wrong?” Theo asked. His voice seemed to be closer than it was before, but Harry didn’t look up. He just kept watching Charlie’s thumb– back and forth, back and forth. 

“I’ll get Quinn,” Wikhn said, his footsteps echoing in the quiet. 

“When did the dementor thing happen?” Oliver’s voice asked. “I don’t remember hearing about anything like that.” 

“It was after you left,” George answered. “The dementor’s came back during the toad’s reign. Harry’s fifth year.” 

“But why would a dementor be near his cousin? Didn’t they live in a Muggle neighborhood?” Oliver’s voice was getting closer as well. Harry kept staring down– back and forth, back and forth. 

“The Ministry was being infiltrated,” Fred said. “Someone, likely the toad herself, sent a dementor after Harry and it happened to catch his cousin instead.” 

“And his cousin survived?” Theo said. 

“Harry cast a Patronus before it could do any permanent damage,” Fred said. 

“He still had to be taken to a hospital,” George added. 

What’s going on? Harry nearly jumped at the appearance of Quinn’s voice in his head. There was a brush of air beside him and the couch sunk as someone sat next to Charlie. 

“He’s been unresponsive for a few minutes,” Charlie said. Harry felt the warmth of his breath against his face. Charlie must have been holding him really close. Harry kept watching his thumb– back and forth, back and forth. 

“What happened?” Ethan’s voice joined the others. The buzz of concern intensified, filling Harry’s ears and his head and his body. 

There was a wash of cool magic over him and Harry shivered. Somewhere in the back of his mind he recognized it as Quinn’s. 

He seems to be dissociating . Quinn’s voice said. There’s not much we can do besides try to ground him and wait for him to come around .  

Harry watched the thumb– back and forth, back and forth. 

“Harry, you’re safe, you’re okay.” Theo’s voice spoke softly from somewhere below Harry. He felt a hand land on his knee. He didn’t look at it. He kept his eyes on the thumb– back and forth, back and forth. 

“You’re on Nevarah, in the Deveraine’s beach house,” Theo’s voice continued. “You’re with your Circle. We’re all here for you, treasure. You’re safe.” 

Circle meant safety. Harry’s mind knew that. But everything was still too far away. The thumb kept moving– back and forth, back and forth. 

“Can you try to feel our bonds, Harry?” Theo’s voice asked. “Reach into your core and find your soulbonds. We’re all here.” 

Harry didn’t really know what Theo meant by that, but he did what he’d asked. He found a bundle of threads, pulling him in different directions. Most were close, here in this room with him, but a couple were farther away. Why were they so far away from him? That wasn’t right. Everyone needed to be here , with him. He tried to pull on one of those threads, wanting to bring his bonded to him. When no answer came, he tried another and another and another until he was left only with the ones who were already here. Why wouldn’t they come? Frustration tightened in his chest and a whine slipped through his teeth. 

“You’re okay, love, you’re okay,” Theo’s voice said. “We’re here. We’re not going anywhere. You’re safe.” 

Another frustrated whine slipped out. He didn’t get it. Yes, they were here, but the others weren’t and he needed them. His breathing picked up, chest tightening even more. 

“Harry, you need to breathe, treasure,” Theo said. “Come on, match my rhythm.” 

Harry’s hand was placed on someone’s chest, rising and falling with their exaggerated breaths. He tried to follow them, he really did, but each time he breathed he could feel the missing threads and it hurt . 

“In and out, sweetheart,” Charlie’s voice said, his breath fanning across Harry’s ear. “There you go, in and out. Just keep breathing.” 

Harry whined again, shaking his head, digging his nails into his thigh. 

“What’s wrong, Harry?” Theo asked. “We want to help you but we can’t if you don’t tell us what’s wrong.” 

Harry kept shaking his head. “Hurts,” he whispered finally. 

Where does it hurt, Harry? Quinn asked. 

Harry pulled his hand away from Theo’s chest, bringing it up to his own. He rubbed his hand over his heart. “Hurts,” he repeated. 

“Your chest hurts?” Theo asked, his voice tense and concerned. 

Harry nodded. 

Is it a sharp pain or a dull one?

Harry shook his head again. “Hurts.” He couldn’t seem to find the right words to describe what he was feeling. There were too many things happening at once. It felt like he was being pulled in multiple different directions, about to float away. It felt like someone was sitting on his chest, squeezing his heart. And it felt empty– achingly empty. 

“Is he having a heart attack?” Theo’s voice was panicked and it sounded like he was holding back tears. Harry hated that he’d caused that. His Alpha didn’t deserve to panic. 

No . Quinn said. There’s nothing physical that I can sense. It could just be a panic attack. 

“Then how do we stop it?” Theo asked. 

Alec, can you splash Harry with water?  

“You want me to splash our panicking Submissive with water?” Alec’s voice was tight. “Are you insane?” 

Water, especially cold water, will be a shock to his system . Quinn explained. It will help him reset and will get him to stop panicking. 

“If this goes badly, I am blaming you,” Alec said. 

A moment later Harry was wiping water off of his face, the cold droplets landing not only on him, but on Charlie and Theo, the latter of whom was kneeled on the floor in front of Harry. 

You back with us, loveling? 

Harry nodded. “Yeah,” he said hoarsely, his throat dry. 

Quinn waved his hand and a mug of steaming tea appeared before him. He swiped it from the air and held it out to Harry. Drink . 

Harry reached for the mug with shaking hands. 

“Here, let me help, sweetheart,” Charlie said, wrapping his own hands around Harry’s and the mug and bringing it up to Harry’s mouth. 

Harry murmured his thanks and took a cautious sip, closing his eyes as he breathed in the soothing herbal scent of the tea. The more he breathed, the calmer he got and soon the mug was empty and Charlie was passing it off to someone behind them. 

Are you feeling better? Quinn asked. 

“Mm-hm,” Harry hummed, sinking back into Charlie’s chest. Charlie’s hand found its way into Harry’s hair again, tucking his head beneath Charlie’s chin as it played with the dark, messy strands. Harry closed his eyes, feeling warm and safe and relaxed. 

“Can you tell us what happened, Harry?” Theo asked gently. Harry opened his eyes slightly, squinting down at Theo. “What set you off? Why were you in pain?” 

As if remembering the earlier awareness of his missing bonded, Harry’s hand drifted to his chest. “I could feel them,” Harry said quietly. “The ones that weren’t here.” 

“Your other soulbonded?” Theo took Harry’s other hand and squeezed. 

Harry nodded against Charlie’s chest, eyes fluttering closed once more. 

Theo squeezed his hand again. “I know you’re tired, treasure, that must have taken a lot out of you, but stay with us for a moment longer,” he said, waiting for Harry to open his eyes before continuing. “Do you remember why you were panicking earlier? You were unresponsive for a while there.” 

Harry curled in on himself, whining under his breath. Theo’s hand squeezed. 

“Okay, okay,” Theo said, a soothing rumble coming from his chest. “You don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to. Just answer a few questions for me, okay?” 

Harry hummed in agreement. 

“Was it talking about your relatives that made you panic?” 

Harry avoided meeting Theo’s eyes. He nodded. Theo squeezed his hand in thanks. 

“You don’t like talking about them, do you?” 

Harry shook his head. “No,” he whispered. 

“Okay, thank you, darling. Just one last question,” Theo said. “Did your relatives hurt you? Is that why you don’t want to talk about them?” 

Harry’s breath hitched and he shrunk back against Charlie, pulling his hand from Theo’s grasp. Theo let him, still looking at Harry, his eyes soft and warm, waiting for his answer. 

Harry swallowed. “Only when I did something wrong,” he said, his voice shaking. 

The room stilled. Harry recoiled from the sudden sharpness around him. He squeezed his eyes shut and whined at the rage spiking through the air, feeling as though it was cutting across his skin and stabbing into his head. 

“Calm the fuck down,” Hadrian hissed from somewhere behind Harry. He hadn’t even noticed the Ace returning to the house. “He’s an empath.” 

Everyone seemed to take a deep breath and the anger receded a little, though he could still feel its presence, like being stung by a bee over and over again.

Have you found a dampening spell we could use yet? Quinn asked. 

Riven was the one who answered: “Not yet. Empaths aren’t common enough for dampening spells to be mentioned in regular spell books, but there used to be a community of them on the Ilys Islands. A colleague of mine lives there and is looking into it right now.” 

Well, that’s not ideal , Quinn said. Who’s most in control of their emotions right now? 

“Me and twins should be,” Oliver said. “We had our angry breakdowns years ago.” 

“Destroyed a couple walls,” Fred said. 

“Smashed a few vases,” George added. 

Alright , Quinn said. You three take him upstairs and ward the doors to keep him from sensing us. We’ll call you when you can come back. 

“Aye, aye, captain,” Fred said. 

Harry found himself being lifted out of Charlie’s arms, his growl of protest silenced by Oliver’s voice. “Just me, darling,” he said. 

Harry grumbled, trying to communicate his displeasure at being moved, but still nuzzled into Oliver’s warmth, trying to focus on the Pareya’s calmness to drown out the lingering anger. 

With Oliver’s arms around him, Harry was barely aware of the two of them walking through the house and up the stairs. He just kept his eyes closed, wanting to forget everything that had happened today, not even noticing when they entered a room he hadn’t been in before. He didn’t notice as he was lowered onto a soft mattress and tucked into Oliver’s side. He didn’t notice George draping a blanket over his shaking form. He didn’t notice Fred settling in behind him, wrapping another set of warm, comforting arms around him. 

The last thing he did notice was a soft press of lips to his forehead and Oliver’s soft whisper of, “Rest, darling.”

*

Charlie Weasley: Deveraine Beach House 

“Fuck,” Charlie breathed as he buried his head in his hands. As much as he thought Harry wasn’t ready for this conversation, neither, apparently, was he. 

“Fuck, indeed,” Riven said. 

“He doesn’t actually believe it’s his fault, does he?” Devrim asked. 

“Given what he said,” Theo said darkly. “He obviously does.” 

“That was just confirming what we all already knew, right?” Alec said. “We knew there was something wrong there.” 

Charlie nodded. It wasn’t that hard to figure out. Not when you knew Harry. No one who had a good relationship with his relatives spoke about them like he did. No one who had a good childhood cleaned as thoroughly as he did. No one who hadn’t been hurt flinched like Harry did. 

“As soon as the Circle is fully sealed, I’m sending you on a Hunt, Ace,” Theo said, standing up from where he’d been kneeling on the ground. 

Hadrian’s face twisted into a wicked grin. “It will be my pleasure, Alpha.” 

“You’ll have to keep them alive though,” Theo continued. “They deserve to face the Nevaran Courts.” 

“I’ll start on the paperwork,” Raspen said. “I prepared several Hunt sanction forms for this very reason.” 

Theo sighed. “What are we supposed to do now? How do we help him?” 

We listen , Quinn said. Listen to him and believe what he says. He deserves to be heard. 

“Do you think he ever told anyone?” Ethan asked. He’d replaced Oliver as Bran’s pillow, the teen seemingly still sleeping soundly. 

“When he was younger, maybe,” Charlie said. “But he’s been with them for 17 years, meaning no one helped. At some point he must have stopped trying.” 

“I just don’t understand how people can be so cruel,” Minh said, shaking his head. “And to their family too. Does shared blood mean nothing?” 

“People are cruel,” Theo said, rubbing his forearm over the scar Charlie knew was hidden beneath his sleeve. “Family can be crueler.” 

“You inherited early, didn’t you?” Raspen said, studying Theo’s posture. 

Theo nodded. “My father tried to kill me when I was nine.” 

Charlie’s growl mixed with everyone else’s. 

“Isla saved me,” Theo said, shrugging. “I inherited and nearly brought the house down on top of everyone, but Isla pulled me out and took me to Nevarah. I grew up in her Circle.” 

“Your father sounds like a dick,” Idan said. 

Theo snorted. “He certainly was.” 

“I’m glad you had Isla,” Raspen said. “You didn’t deserve that.” 

“I know,” Theo said, smiling softly at Raspen. “I didn’t for a long time, but I know now.” 

“Harry doesn’t know,” Ethan said. 

“We’ll teach him,” Theo said. 

Everyone was quiet. Anger and devastation still sat heavy in the air, but hope and determination began to swirl along with them.