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Harry sat straight-backed at the table, counting down the minutes until he was able to leave, he found himself mentally snorting at the fact that he was eager to leave considering how he had started this day out.
A hand slipped into his on top of the table where it would not be seen by Harry's side of the wedding, the strong fingers closing around his hand and squeezing it gently. It confused him a little how much comfort that he was able to take from that gesture, but as soon as the warm hand enclosed his he felt something inside of him relaxing a little.
He made sure not to change his facial expressions, despite the fact that they were now married he was taking no chances until they were away from here. Erik thankfully seemed to realise this and did not push him, instead, he continued talking to the gentleman sitting at his side, someone that Harry had been told was his lead advisor.
The meal was dragging on, and though he had...whatever it was, forming with the King who was now holding his hand, he still felt nervous and unsure, he felt slightly sick and he knew that he was pale. He hadn't been able to eat more than a couple of mouthfuls of the amazing looking food that the table was groaning under. He wanted to talk to Erik again, he wanted more than the pointed exchanges of glances that they had been able to have during the wedding ceremony, he wanted...more than anything he wanted to comfort that he had felt in those short moments that they had had together.
He was trying to avoid looking over at his 'party' trying to ignore the smug looks, or the pitying looks, or the guilty looks that were being flashed at him from them. Ron and Hermione were looking correctly subdued in the few glances he had had of them, they had through the whole wedding, including Hermione crying softly during the wedding.
"It is time for us to leave," His...husband's strong voice announced loudly throughout the room as he stood, Harry was startled and looked up at him, the wide-eyed look in his green eyes not feigned as he realised that this was it. He was leaving with this man, and he had to trust, after everything that he had been through, that he had meant what he said. "Come, Harry,"
His husband reached out his hand, and taking a breath Harry slipped his hand into his and allowed him to draw him to his feet. He didn't hear a word of what Erik announced to the hall as the buzzing in his ears grew louder and louder, but Dumbledore was looking even more smug so he guessed that it was appeasing to what Dumbledore thought he was getting out of this.
Erik towed him out of the hall more than escorted him, leading him to a room off of the main hall. Harry was able to see a flash of concerned blue eyes before Erik apparated them away. He got a vague impression of the place they appeared in, massive walls of marble and towering pillars. He was led quickly into a no less grand room, but one that was clearly a bedroom.
"Do not look at me like that Sweetheart, you make me want to devour you," Erik leant down and kissed his forehead.
"I…" Harry licked his lips.
"Come on," Harry made a startled noise as he was lifted from his feet at those words. Instead of taking him to the bed as he was worried was about to happen, Erik placed him carefully on a sofa near the fire. He blinked up at the tall man as he unbuttoned the stiff and uncomfortable robes and peeled them off of him, throwing them over the nearby armchair before he settled at Harry's feet taking his hands.
He rubbed them gently, warming them up between them and making Harry feel grounded. He looked into those sea-blue eyes that were just watching him patiently and with a faint hint of concern to them.
"Ok?" Erik asked him gently.
"Yes, sorry," Harry said quickly.
"Please do not apologise, it has been a long day, and I imagine an even longer few months for you, never mind everything before that," Erik said firmly, reaching up to cup Harry's cheek gently with one hand, the other tangling their fingers together. "I am just concerned that you are ok,"
"I am…" Harry went to say fine, went to tell him he was ok as he normally would. But then the promise that he had made to Erik earlier came back to him, and those eyes were looking at him with what he hoped was an honest concern. "Overwhelmed I think would be the best word," Harry admitted.
"That I think is completely understandable," Erik snorted. "I am sorry that we had to stay there for that, if I could have whisked you away I would have, but we had to keep up the facade for a little longer. We have a little time off, we have some time to relax and just get to know each other, just us," Erik promised.
"What are you expecting from me now?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"We are not having sex tonight, we will need to within two weeks to ensure that Dumbledore can not annul the marriage, but we have time to get to know each other first," Erik said quickly, answering the unasked question.
Harry nodded, feeling a relief going through him...and perhaps a slight flash of disappointment, though the nerves at the fact it was something that was going to happen in the very near future made him feel a little overwhelmed again.
"We are going to be fine," Erik smiled.
"Thank you," Harry said looking down at their joined hands. "For making this easier,"
"You don't have to thank me for that," Erik said and then scowled at their joined hands. "I wish that it had been different, that our wedding isn't what it had to be,"
"One day doesn't matter, it is the rest of it that is all that matter," Harry said softly looking down at the blond head with another curl of that concern unwinding from around his chest, this had been the comfort that he had been longing for.
Erik leant forward and pressed a kiss to Harry's hands, resting his forehead on them for a moment. "You are right and very wise,"
"I wouldn't say that I just…"
"You are," Erik smiled.
"Will you tell me a little more about yourself?" Harry asked.
"Of course, if you will tell me some more about yourself, I would like to get to know you and not the rubbish that I have heard," Erik settled onto the sofa beside Harry, throwing his arm over the back of the sofa as he got comfortable.
"I am the oldest of three, myself, my sister Estrid, and our youngest brother Arne. I am very close to Estrid, I would not be able to have made it this far without her. Arne resents that he was not the heir, I speak to him and hear from him very little. He is living the life of luxury in his mansions and shows up for the things that he needs to. My father passed when I was eighteen and I had to land on my feet and learn the political game, and quickly. I can barely remember the first three years of my rule, I was rushing through in a cloud of exhaustion, stress and trying to learn everything," Erik snorted. He reached out and took Harry's hand, linking their fingers together. After a second of thought, Harry closed his fingers around them, getting a pleased smile on that handsome face in return. "It got a little easier after that, especially when Estrid married Bjorn,"
"Your lead advisor?!" Harry squeaked.
"Yes, he has taken that position over the years with the help that he has given me," Erik nodded slowly.
"But...I didn't know, it is bad enough that I didn't say a word to him through the meal if he was just your lead advisor, never mind your sister's husband!" Harry groaned.
"He understands completely Harry," Erik said with utter certainty that Harry could not find it in him to protest. "All he felt was sorry that you had to sit through that, he is not going to hold it against you, he is looking forward to meeting you properly. Though be warned with how pale you looked at that table my sister is probably going to fuss over you something terrible when she gets her hands on you,"
"I hope he understands. I am looking forward to meeting your sister," Harry smiled a little.
"She is very much looking forward to meeting you. From the flashes of you that she has seen in her visions she believes that you are going to be great friends. I don't think I would be where I am today without her, she is a great rock in my life and has supported me, even when I am being a cranky bastard," Erik grinned a little when he managed to startle a laugh out of Harry, his face looking even more handsome with it.
"Is that something I need to watch out for?" Harry chuckled a little.
"Mainly in the morning, just throw a cup of coffee at me - not literally - and it is fine," Erik smiled. "Estrid and Bjorn also have children, a girl and boy, Signe and Odger. Signe is the eldest, and until we produce children she is my heir," Erik said fondly, but he grimaced at the expression on Harry's face. "I am sorry Little One, I know that I am getting carried away, this is all very new to you and I am talking about children,"
"Children are something that I would like, something that I have wanted, though...not really something I thought I would get to have, it is hard enough keeping myself safe. It is just...a lot, even with you saying earlier...thinking about children and the fact that they will be your heirs right now," Harry admitted, a little bit hysterically.
"Our heirs. And I understand. I am sorry I did not mean to jump ahead so quickly. Besides we have plenty of time. I would like to focus on us first, getting to know each other, and I hope coming to fall in love with each other before we even think of children," Erik shook his head.
"Thank you, for being so understanding," Harry sighed.
"You don't have to thank me for understanding that this is all incredibly overwhelming," Erik shook his head, raising their hands to kiss the back of Harry's gently.
"Understanding isn't something that I have had a lot of," Harry sighed. "Tell me more about your country?" he asked. Erik clearly caught onto him trying to change the subject to lighter matters, but he allowed it.
Harry listened to him with increasingly rapt attention as Erik spoke about his country, clear pride going through his voice and in his face as he spoke about what would be Harry's home. Telling him about his people, their way of life. He described the castle that was going to be their home for the most part, and Harry could not help but think that it sounded like something from a fairy tale.
He told him about the different places that he had grown up in the country, and the different things that there were to see there. He told him about different animals that were there, and the different magic culture compared to Britain. The longer he talked, the more Harry relaxed, and the more he found himself wanting to see what Erik was describing, looking forward to exploring and learning about what was going to be his new country.
"Tell me something about yourself," Erik requested gently.
"I don't really know what to tell you," Harry sighed. "Everything is a mix of...a mess to be honest," he lowered his eyes.
"You might not be able to tell me much about yourself now because you have not had a chance to explore who you are, that is fine, we have time for you to figure that out. For now, what do you enjoy doing?" Erik smiled.
"I like flying," Harry started to say hesitantly.
"Really?" Erik smiled, turning more towards him looking interested and that encouraged Harry.
"I have been flying since I was eleven, playing Quidditch which I really enjoy, but it is the flying itself that I enjoy, the freedom of it, and just...it sounds a little cheesy but the magic of it," Harry smiled.
"I have never thought of it that way," Erik hummed. "But now you say it, there is something wonderful about it, especially the feeling of taking off and feeling and seeing the ground disappearing beneath your feet,"
"That is it exactly, and then it is just a light, free feeling of being able to fly," Harry smiled shyly.
"My country, your new one has some amazing scenery, and stunning lands, we will have to fly over them, I think that you will truly love it," Erik said.
"That sounds wonderful," Harry admitted.
"How are you feeling?" Erik asked gently, reaching out to tuck Harry's hair behind his ear.
"Better," Harry said looking up into those blue eyes and realising that it was true. Sitting here with Erik, just talking to him and sitting near him, had helped him relax from the stress of the day.
"What else would you like to know?" Erik asked softly curling his arm around Harry's shoulders gently, watching him cautiously to ensure that his young husband was not uncomfortable with the act, but thankfully Harry seemed to relax into the touch.
"What else are you interested in?" Harry asked softly.
"I like history, and reading," Erik smiled.
"I was interested in history and reading, I used to like fantasy books, I have not really had a chance to indulge in either for a good while," Harry hummed.
"Perhaps it is something that we could look into while on honeymoon then? This island we are on has an interesting history leading right back to the beginning of my people and the founding of our dynasty. There is also a simply wonderful bookstore in the town below us, it is a muggle store and looks as though it has had a spell cast on it there are so many books piled in it, and so many twists and turns and rooms that the books are stored in. We could go and pick up a mixture to see what you like, anything that you do not enjoy we can donate,"
"That sounds wonderful," Harry nodded. "What else do you have planned?"
"Honestly, I thought that we would just take it as we go. I have a feeling that you are tired, and more than exhausted from everything that has happened, rest and recuperation is the priority for you. If you wish to explore then we can do that, if you simply wish to stay on the grounds then we can do that as well. As long as I get to spend time with you, and get to know you better, I do not care what we do," Erik smiled.
"I…" Harry blinked at the other man, completely wrongfooted by the concern and thoughtfulness of this man.
"Is that ok?" Erik asked concerned.
"Mm hm," Harry nodded quickly. "I am just not used to people…" Harry glanced down at his hands.
"Being concerned for you and putting you first?" Erik sighed. He used his arm curled around Harry's shoulders and pulled him against his chest, carrying on hugging him through the stiffness that Harry could not prevent before he melted into the warm, comforting hold of the taller man who made him feel safe. He carefully pressed his face into Erik's shoulder, breathing in the fresh minty scent of the other man. He felt something within him relax in the same way that it had earlier.
He sat back eventually and looked up into the handsome face of his husband, his stunning blue eyes swept over Harry's face as though he was trying to memorise Harry, as though he was the lucky one and could not believe that Harry was here with him.
"May I kiss you, Harry?" Erik asked, brushing his fingers down Harry's face.
"Yes," Harry nodded, already leaning forward. He was curious to see if that spark that he had felt between the two of them when they had kissed in the waiting room was still there, curious to see if there was more between them.
Erik leant forward and gently pressed their lips together, cupping Harry's face in one hand as the other that was resting behind him on the sofa curled around his shoulders, drawing him gently into this body so that he was resting against his strong chest.
Unsure of what to do with his hands, in the end, Harry reached up and grasped hold of Erik's shirt and held onto it as he loft himself into the kiss.
Unlike their earlier kiss, this was slow, testing and tasting, learning each other, getting to know each other, testing the ground for what was between them, testing the passion that was between them.
A passion that was most definitely there between them. Even with the gentleness of the kiss, that spark of passion was still there, and Harry found himself leaning into it, found his eyelashes fluttering shut and leaning even more into Erik's warmth.
He gasped when Erik held him tighter, pulled him against his chest harder, and kissed him even more deeply, more like their kiss earlier, more like the kiss that he had not been able to forget all day. Erik held his face firmer, kissed him deeper, his tongue slicing into Harry's mouth to taste him, their breathing coming out in pants as their kiss became deeper and more passionate.
Harry groaned when he found himself in Erik's lap, rocking their hips together as their erections brushed, a pleasure going through him that he had not known before. He felt a power going through him as well at the sounds that Erik was making, at the noises that he was drawing out of his…his husband.
At that thought Harry drew back with a gasp, gazing down at Erik as he brought his fingers up to touch his kiss bruised lips, trying to catch his breath as he looked down into those deep blue eyes.
"Harry, I am sorry I did mean to push it so far," Erik panted.
"No, no, I liked it," Harry admitted softly. Cautiously he rocked his hips against Erik's and watched his husband's focus honing in on him. His heart was beating a little faster at the newness of this, he felt nervous about the heat and spark between them and how much he wanted this man, how fast he made his heart beat, and the fact that he wanted nothing more right now to lose himself in his arms, to forget about the hell the day had been with the arousal and passion that he was offering.
"Are you sure?" Erik asked a little breathlessly.
"Please," Harry heard himself say. Erik moved quickly, picking him up and hurrying towards the door that led to the bedroom.
"Don't want our first time to be on a sofa, you deserve better than that," Erik muttered almost absently, seemingly focused on getting them to the bed.
Harry felt a little nervous as they approached the bed, something that eased when Erik climbed a little awkwardly onto the bed before sitting down against the pillows and settling so that Harry was still sitting on his lap.
Smiling down at his husband he felt warmth going through him, a feeling of safety and the arousal washing over him, he leant down and cautiously kissed Erik again, still not fully sure in kissing someone but quickly losing himself into it, his hips moving against Erik's almost without thought, chasing that feeling of pleasure again and easily finding it, especially when Erik's large hands swept up his back, applying gentle pressure to his muscles before sweeping his hands around Harry's waist, cupping his hips and helping encourage the rhythm of his hips.
They moved together, their kiss becoming deeper, dirtier as the pleasure built within them until they came against each other, groaning into each other's mouths. Harry slumped forward into Erik's waiting arms, the tiredness of the events of the last few weeks catching up with him mixed with the pleasure that he had just felt. Erik gently moved them so that Harry was lying in the crook of his arm, pressed tightly against his chest. It could have felt restricting, but instead, it made Harry feel safe, it was silly to feel this way so quickly, but more than anything else it felt as though he finally had a moment to catch his breath, laying there safe and cared for.
Erik murmured a few spells and in a display of impressive wandless magic cleaned the two of them up before he transfigured both their clothing into comfortable pyjamas, summoning a blanket to drape over them, the heating charms activating and warming Harry's skin as the chill from the comedown of his pleasure and the night surrounding them set in.
"Thank you," Harry murmured tiredly into Erik's chest.
"What for?" Erik asked confused, looking down at his husband, his expression gentling even more as he took in the sleepy expression on Harry's face, his green eyes fluttering repeatedly as he fell asleep.
"For…being…decent," Harry sighed before sleep took him.
Sighing, Erik combed his fingers gently through Harry's hair, making sure to be gentle enough not to wake him, but hoping that the action would help soothe the young man in his arms to sweet dreams.
"You deserve so much more than just expecting decent, Harry. And I will make sure that you get that," he promised quietly before he waved the lights out in the room, snuggling down into the bed with Harry.
Harry came awake slowly, his memory catching up with him nearly as soon as he woke up, but he lay still and went through it, going over everything that had happened the day before, what had happened the night before. It had been a whirlwind and nothing at all for what he had expected to happen.
The connection that he was feeling to his husband was shocking, and it partly made him feel uncomfortable that he was feeling so attracted to someone else, that he was feeling a pull to him in a way that he had never felt before with anyone. With a touch of Erik's lips, he seemed to manage to turn off Harry's brain and turn him into something that was just feeling, something that managed to allow him to let go of everything and just feel in that moment.
That was a luxury that he had never had before.
He opened his eyes and sat up slowly feeling ready to face whatever was going to happen today, the unknown really was something it seemed that his husband was good at, or perhaps the unexpected was a better word.
Erik was not in bed with him but he could hear clanking plates coming from the living area which cut down his concern. He noted a lovely thick, warm dressing gown waiting for him on the end of the bed at his feet. Shrugging to himself, and curious to be in the presence of the other man again, Harry slipped from the bed and slipped the dressing gown on, smiling as the warmth surrounded him. He shifted through a few draws until he found a pair of socks to pull onto his cool feet, snorting at the size of them compared to his own feet.
Toes warming up he padded through to the living room to find servants laying out their breakfast at a small table by the window. It felt more than odd when they bowed or curtseyed to him before they left, but Erik was making his way over to him and Harry only had eyes for the handsome man who wrapped him in his arms and gently pressed their lips together.
"Good morning Harry," Erik rasped, his voice deeper with the early morning.
"Good morning," Harry licked his lips absently, looking into those deep blue eyes.
"I ordered breakfast for you, I was going to come and get you in a moment. Coffee? Tea?" Erik asked leading Harry over to the table.
"Coffee please, white, one sugar," Harry said absently as he looked out of the large window beside their table, the daylight allowing him to see where they were. "This is stunning," he breathed out as he looked at the gardens below them, a river running along the bottom of the gardens, glittering in the morning sun. White stone walls surrounded the gardens, but Harry could make out the sight of a village below them, brightly coloured houses looking like something from a drawing. The village was right on the sea, the white beach and glittering sea visible in front of their windows.
"I am glad that you like it, this is one of my favourite homes, myself, Estrid and Arne spent many summers here when we were children," Erik smiled seating Harry at the table. He poured coffee for Harry and waved his hand to uncover the plates of food that were laying on the table.
"Wow," Harry breathed, his stomach letting out an embarrassing rumble.
"You ate so little last night, and I am sure you ate as much during the day that I was certain you would be hungry. I also did not know what you liked," Erik admitted a little embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck as Harry's eyes swept over the food.
"Thank you," Harry said feeling a little overwhelmed.
"You are more than welcome," Erik seated himself opposite Harry. "What do you feel like doing today?" he asked as he helped himself to some food.
"I honestly don't know. It sounds ridiculous, but I have had very little choice in what I get to do," Harry sighed. "Sorry, a little dark for our breakfast,"
"I do not care, I want to know about you Harry, and more importantly I want to know how things make you feel so that I can support and help you," Erik smiled. "Now, how about I suggest a few things, and you can choose out of them what we do?"
"That sounds good," Harry nodded picking up his cup to cradle it and warm his hands.
"Wonderful, after all, we both need to recoup our energy after last night," Erik's eyes twinkled as Harry turned bright red, the teasing gentle and while it made Harry blush it also took his mind back to the night before.
He was saved from having to answer when there was a knock on their bedroom door. "Enter," Erik called, Harry flushing a little when his husband winked at him.
"Your majesties," the servant bowed before hurrying across the room to hand Erik a piece of paper, Harry felt a little uncomfortable when he bowed again before hurrying back out the room, though his eyes did linger on Harry for a second before turning and leaving.
"Ah, it seems as though my wedding present for you has arrived, in a manner of speaking," Erik smiled, the smile was smug and he was looking pleased with himself, but there was something a little boyish about it that made it endearing more than arrogant.
"Wedding present, but…" Harry started to protest, feeling a little awkward as ever when someone tried to give him a gift, not used to it at all. But Erik pressed the letter across the table into his hand.
Curiosity winning over Harry opened the folded piece of paper and read the words upon it. Short and succinct, it made Harry's breath catch in his throat, and he had to read it four more times before he looked up at Erik with wide yes.
It seemed that his husband had caught him wrong-footed again.
Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger have been safely moved to the castle. They are safe and comfortable in their rooms here. We will see you when you get back. I am looking forward to meeting my brother in law even more now.
Love
Your dearest sister
Harry looked up at his husband with wide eyes to find Erik watching him with a soft expression.
"I looked into you a little and heard how close you were to your friends, knowing what I do about Dumbledore I guessed that no matter how good at acting they might be, they risked not being 100% safe. I did not want you worrying about them when I could do something about it. My people 'kidnapped' them last night while Dumbledore is at his most comfortable at his supposed success. They have rooms ready for them in the family wing, and they will have the options of what they want to do,"
Harry stared at Erik as he took in what his husband was telling him, staring at him as his mind spun before his eyes flicked back down to the letter still in his hands and he read over the letter again.
"I did not mean to overstep the mark Harry if this isn't…if you are not happy about this I…I can…" Erik watched concerned as Harry stood from the table, placing the letter carefully down before making his way around to Erik's side.
Amusingly the older man who had been nothing but confident since they had met fumbled when Harry slipped onto his lap, his hands floundering around a little before settling on Harry's hips in time for the younger man to cup his face and press kisses to his face and then his lips trying to press all the happiness that he was feeling into the kiss.
Erik wrapped his arms around Harry's waist as he kissed back, relief going through him knowing that he had not messed up and that he had done something to make Harry so happy.
"Thank you," Harry said softly as he pulled back from the kiss.
"You are welcome. I want to do everything in my power to make you happy Harry, to make sure that you have a happy life," Erik admitted cupping Harry's face, he stroked his thumbs gently along Harry's cheeks as he looked at the younger man as though he were the most precious thing he had ever seen, and as though he were the lucky one, and not Harry.
"I am really starting to believe you when you say that," Harry smiled before dipping down for another kiss.
Harry chuckled as he held the bucket as still as he could, though considering the enthusiasm with which the horse was eating the grain inside the bucket it was a hard task. He was a beautiful horse, pure black and with a long black mane that was curled, he was huge and sturdy and absolutely friendly, and he had fallen in love with him the moment that Erik had introduced them.
Aside from a few flicks of his ears, Herleif showed no indication that he could feel Erik saddling him up, he just seemed quite happy to chomp away at the food in the bucket that Harry was holding for him.
"Ok we are ready," Erik said once Herleif had finished eating.
"Are you sure he will be ok with the two of us?" Harry asked concerned. "I don't want to hurt him,"
"Don't worry, he will be able to carry us both. Come on," Erik offered his hand to Harry, feeling content that his husband took his hand without a second thought. He allowed him to help him onto the back of Herleif who stayed perfectly still until Harry was settled into the saddle, then danced around while Erik tried to climb up. Harry's laughter was worth the indignity of hopping around on one leg. "I knew I should have sold him," Erik snorted, chuckling when his horse flicked an ear at him.
"He's so beautiful," Harry said in awe, reaching forward to stroke the horse's strong neck.
"And he knows it!" Erik said before clicking the horse into moving. He smiled contently to himself when Harry settled back against his chest as he clearly enjoyed the horse ride and took in the scenery around them. He gazed around with interest as Erik led them through the countryside, taking the walk slowly. He closed his eyes and absorbed the feeling of Harry resting against him, of feeling his husband in his arms.
Eventually, he guided them up a hillside and came to a stop near the top where there was one lone weeping willow growing next to a small pond.
"This is all incredibly coincidental for a romantic day," Harry said amused.
"I take offence to that!" Erik protested hopping down from Herleif and holding his hand out to assist Harry. "I worked very hard to plan this to be as cheesily romantic as possible!" He grinned.
Laughing Harry allowed him to help him down and watched as he stroked Herleif's neck as the horse nudged him for attention, as Erik took items from the bottomless bag and expanded them, setting out a blanket, some cushions for them to sit on, and then produced a basket from which he laid out the most amazing looking food.
"This is amazing, thank you," Harry complimented looking at the food, and then out at the scenery around them. It was truly stunning, with hills and cliffs, glens and peaks, rivers and endless green. It really was like something out of a film. He leant down and pressed a gentle kiss to Erik's lips before joining him on the blanket.
"I don't think I will ever get used to kissing you," Erik said happily.
"I don't think I will either," Harry said shyly settled onto the cushion beside Erik, leaning against him cautiously but relaxed when Erik wrapped his arm around him and they settled down to eat their lunch and look around the scenery in front of them, chatting and getting to know each other, at least until Herleif thought that he was being ignored and decided to chew a little on Erik's hair before stealing the sandwich he was eating.
Harry's uproarious laughter was nearly worth the loss of his sandwich.
Harry had felt a little awkward when they settled on the sofa at first for the night and Erik had wrapped his arms around him and gently pulled him to his chest, he had left his grip loose enough for Harry to pull away if he wanted to. Harry had not, getting used to the feeling of being within his husband's arms.
He relaxed into Erik's arms and enjoyed the warmth and comfort of Erik's arms relaxing into them and gazed into the fireplace and took a deep breath. It had been a whirlwind of a couple of days, marriage to a man who was making him feel safe and made him feel hopeful.
It truly was a feeling that he had thought was dead inside of him, he was something that he was sure that Dumbledore had stomped out of him. But here, with Erik, he found that it was still there inside of him.
Ron and Hermione were both safe, away from Dumbledore, waiting for him in what was to become his home, and he had something building here with Erik that his instincts told him had the potential to be something wonderful, something that could give him a life that was completely different to what he had thought it was going to be.
He started when he felt a touch to his hand, looking down wide-eyed to see Erik was sliding his wedding ring off, the ring that he had only just placed on there a couple of days ago. Heart thudding in his chest he turned around to look at Erik completely confused.
"Have I done something wrong?" Harry blurted out, closing his hand around Erik's just as he slipped the ring from his finger.
"Not at all, this ring however is not one that I want to sit on your finger for the rest of our lives. I don't want either of us to be reminded of that day, I don't want a ring that was from an unwanted wedding sitting on your finger, I thought instead that something more suitable should rest upon your finger," Erik said softly holding up a different ring.
Harry stared at the ring stunned, it was far more beautiful than the simple gold band that had been placed on his finger at their wedding. He gasped when Erik tilted the ring slightly and the light caught off of the ring and glinted beautifully.
"This is…" Harry stared at the ring stunned.
"I want you to look at this ring on your finger when we are old, and happy, and remember this moment, us sitting happily together after a good day placing this ring on your finger, not the one that I placed on your finger that day," Erik said sliding the ring onto Harry's finger, replacing the original one.
"Tha…thank you, for the ring and for the idea, thank you for taking that memory and replacing it with a far better one," Harry said closing his hand around Erik's gazing at the ring glittering in the firelight.
"I hoped that in a years time we could have a renewal of our vows, something personal, just us and our friends, hopefully, the ones that you will make over the next year, and we can do it properly, plan it as we would have wanted," Erik suggested, looking cautiously at Harry.
"That does sound nice," Harry smiled a little before his smile brightened a little more.
"What?" Erik asked.
"Wait here," Harry smiled, leaning up to kiss Erik sweetly before he hurried through to their bedroom where his things were sitting. He opened his trunk and dug around until he found what he was looking for. Clasping it in his hand he turned and made his way back to the living room and to Erik who was watching him curiously.
He settled down at his side on the sofa and took his hand, carefully working off the wedding ring that he himself had placed there only days ago with trembling fingers. Erik looked at him bemused now, at least until Harry opened his other hand and revealed a golden ring with a large central diamond sitting in the palm of his hand.
"It was my great-grandfather's, it is one of the things that I managed to take from my vault before it was emptied by Dumbledore," Harry said.
"Harry, your…this…are you sure that you want to give me this?" Erik asked hesitantly.
"I will be yours, wholly and completely. I said that to you, and that I would try and make this a real marriage. I have more hope for that now than I did in that room. I want this to be a sign of how serious I was about that," Harry said taking Erik's hand and sliding the ring onto his finger watching as it resized to fit Erik's finger.
"No gilded cage," Erik nodded.
"I want to reach that point of renewing our vows in a year's time, and to be in love with each other," Harry said, touching the ring on Erik's finger.
"To the next year, and how wonderful it is going to be," Erik pulled him forward and kissed him gently, Harry wrapped his arms around his shoulders and kissed back, running his fingers through Erik's blond hair.
"Will you take me to bed?" Harry asked quietly, kissing Erik again and then again.
"That you never have to ask me twice," Erik hummed standing with Harry in his arms and hurrying towards the bedroom again.
"This seems to be becoming a habit," Harry laughed.
"It is a habit I enjoy," Erik placed Harry gently on the bed and leant down to kiss him.
"Me too," Harry drew Erik down gently and pressed their lips together again, drawing his husband down to him, wrapping his arms and legs around him and pulling him into his embrace.
The next year was going to be more than interesting.