HP:The Chronicles of Black.

Harry snorted. "That doesn't give him any excuse to act like that! What is wrong with the man?!"

"He plays up his werewolf attributes to terrify others. As a result, he works incredibly well as a scare tactic and a deterrent. He's invaluable to us." Xerxes explained. "One mention of his name in a conversation would have people rushing to do as you want them to do or stop them from doing something that you don't want them to do."

Harry turned and considered that for a moment. He could definitely see how just the mere mention of his name would strike fear into people, especially if they knew what he was like and what he was capable of, but enough to have them do what you want? He filed that little piece of information away for a later date. Lucius had said that he was a family friend and Greyback knew the Lestranges too, his future family.

"Are you sure you're alright? You still look pale." Rabastan said concernedly.

Harry nodded. "I'm okay. I just wanted to be with you to see in the New Year."

Rodolphus groaned and flicked the back of his head, making Rabastan growl at his brother.

"What? That's so sickening I want to vomit. Why don't you just get married now and save the rest of us the revolting shows of affection? Once you can fuck one another freely you can keep your disturbing sentiments confined to your bedchambers."

"That's never going to happen." Harry said firmly. "I am always going to want to touch and kiss Rabastan, in our bedroom and out of it. Get used to it, Rodolphus, or just don't fucking look!"

"You watch your language, Harry. Your father would have my hide if he heard I'd let you speak in such a way." Xerxes chastised.

Harry huffed and accepted the chastisement and moved on, turning back to Rabastan and shifting off of his lap before his weight could become too much for his legs and he cuddled into his side instead.

The conversation was light and they stayed well away from the topic of Rowle and Greyback, for which Harry was thankful as he sunk into the settee and waited for midnight. He almost obsessively watched the clock as it started to get closer to the New Year, though he answered questions that were asked of him and he contributed to the conversation without being prompted, as well.

At five to midnight he turned to Rabastan and held his hands, waiting. Rabastan chuckled and mirrored him, before bending forward to peck at his lips. Rodolphus scoffed loudly and pointedly looked away when Harry turned to glare at him.

"Something to say?" Harry asked coldly.

"No." Rodolphus grunted.

"Good, keep it that way. I'm excited to be sharing my first New Year together with Rabastan, the man that I love, what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing." Rabastan told him. "Ignore him."

Harry turned back to Rabastan and when Xerxes announced that it was exactly midnight Harry kissed Rabastan.

"Happy New Year, boys." Xerxes said happily.

"Happy New Year, Grandfather." Rodolphus answered.

Rabastan broke away from him to say the same, before turning back to him.

"Happy New Year, love."

Harry grinned. "Happy New Year."

"The start of a new year, the start of a new journey." Xerxes said. "This year we welcome Harry into the Lestrange home and our family. May you boys be happy and have a fulfilling life together."

"Thank you." Harry said with a grin. "I can't wait to graduate now. I have another year to go, but hopefully, it goes quickly now, so that I can start my life properly with Rabastan."

"I can't wait either." Rabastan whispered in his ear and Harry chuckled. "For the most part, I can't wait until I can see you every day, talk to you every day and hold you in my arms every night."

Harry blushed at that last and buried himself in Rabastan's chest with a groan. "You had to add that last one." He moaned.

"I can't wait." Rabastan breathed into his ear. "I'd hold you close to me through the night, place my face into the back of your head and sleep with your scent wrapped around me, as thoroughly as my body will be wrapped around yours."

Harry went a bright red and his breathing picked up slightly with arousal.

"Please." He whispered. "I want that too."

Rabastan smirked at him and wrapped his arms around him, holding him tightly. Harry ignored when the one arm jerked and tensed against him, he was too happy to care as he used both hands to cup Rabastan's chin and kissed him lingeringly. "I have asked your father for his permission to take you out tomorrow evening…well, later today actually and he has agreed. Now it's up to you, do you want to come and have a meal with me?"

"How can we?" Harry asked. "Won't you be spotted?"

Rabastan grinned. "I've set it all up, you don't need to worry about such things, I promise."

Harry bit his lip nervously before he nodded. "Okay, but only if it doesn't put you at risk."

"I like you more and more." Rodolphus said from behind him. "I wouldn't let Rabastan risk his freedom for you, don't fear."

Harry actually smiled at that. "Thank you. I wouldn't want him to risk himself for me, so I'm glad he has you to curb him and look after him when he refuses to do so himself."

Harry felt a hand in his hair, yet again, as Rodolphus petted him with what he was rapidly coming to realise was Rodolphus' way of showing him affection. His smile widened.

"Lucius expects you back at your home." Xerxes told him. "He will most definitely not allow you to stay here tonight. He's too suspicious and too protective of you, especially after you were attacked this evening."

Harry sighed and he cuddled into Rabastan and kissed him.

"Thank you for coming to see the New Year in with me. I'm sorry the Ministry ruined our first New Year together."

"They didn't." Harry said with a smile.

"Alright, wrap it up before I have to forcibly separate you both."

Harry sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Definitely. I want to take you out for our New Year's meal."

Harry grinned. "Okay, tomorrow, but be careful."

I

can

wait

until Harry kissed Rabastan one last time and then allowed Xerxes to grab him and Apparate him around a bit, not as often as the journey to the Lestrange Manor before they stopped just inside the Malfoy Manor. Xerxes steered him right into the family parlour and there was Lucius, sat up waiting for him like an overprotective father waiting to see if his child came home safe.

"No problems I hope." He said, standing up as soon as he saw them and he came to place a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently, and Lucius looked him over. It gave Harry that warm, pleasant feeling that he was addicted to. The one that made him feel loved and cared for, that made him feel like he was actually part of a family.

"None at all. Rhadamanthus never even knew that he was there. We stayed in the front room the entire time, though as you knew, Basti invited Harry to dine with him tomorrow evening and Harry has accepted."

"I expect the rules to be followed to the letter." Lucius insisted sternly. "Harry, you will go with Rabastan, dine with him, and then you will come home. You will not be alone with him for any other reason, do you understand me?"

"Yes, Father." Harry replied promptly. "I understand fully and I will not disobey you."

"Good boy, now go and get changed for bed. I believe Draco is waiting in your room to ambush you, do not stay up too late or you'll be overly tired for your dinner tomorrow evening."

Harry nodded firmly. "I won't. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Harry." Xerxes told him, touching his back for a moment as Harry passed him on his way out of the door.

It was already gone midnight and Harry was tired from the events of that day, but he had promised to tell Draco everything that had happened and exactly why he'd changed his dress robes an hour into the party. It was too much to ask for that Draco would have accepted his general answer of spilling water on himself. He sighed, he didn't much relish the thought of being grilled for details by Draco, but he supposed he could share such a thing with his brother, adopted or not.

He found Draco sat unhappily in his sitting room, waiting impatiently, and grumpily, for him to return.

"There you are!" He said as soon as Harry walked through the door. "Tell me why you changed your robes."

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