Somewhere Safe - Chapter 40

AN: This chapter did not want to be written. It took a lot more creative energy to get the words done.

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Katie was a hellion on a broom. She was good in the other world but not like this. Her flying was more aggressive, her handling was tighter, and she led the trio of chasers rather than being a support. He could still see the influence that Angie and Alicia had on her but had to stand on her own when the other two moved to the other bracket. The trio worked well even though the two other Chasers were from different houses. There were some rough edges that came with a new squad which these games were meant to smooth out. Harry definitely wanted to try out being a Chaser. Seekers had bursts of excitement between stretches of just scanning the sky. Chasers were in the thick of it. The action was constant and required a lot more activity.

Watching the two Seekers this game was a passing fancy. He recognized Rory Summerby as the Hufflepuff Seeker but the player from the School team wasn't someone he recognized. The teams weren't introduced before the game like they did for professional level, and he wasn't invested enough to find out.

The extra couple of years of practice and Quidditch games showed as the School Team were already working better together after the first half. They weren't exactly a well-oiled machine at the end of the game but were showing progress. He was pretty sure that the team would be impressive by the time the other schools arrived. That train of thought made him wonder when the Dueling Team would start practices. He wasn't sure what they would entail. It was something he was looking forward to.

Once the game was done they didn't have to wait long before Katie came rushing out to find them. The coven had barely made it to the bottom of the stands before she appeared. She swept Harry into a kiss, dipping him in like an old-fashioned movie. They both laughed as they righted themselves.

"Had some fun?" Harry asked with a smile.

"You have no idea." Katie practically glowed.

Harry raised an eyebrow at her when she didn't elaborate. Iris giggled. She slid up beside him to keep her voice low.

"Do you ever notice how your broom feels between your legs?" Iris whispered in his ear.

Harry nodded.

"The turbulence can get pretty intense, right?" Iris prompted.

Harry nodded again, slower this time.

"Bucking. Vibrating. Grinding deeper." Iris' voice took on a slight husky tone.

"Oh." Harry blushed. "Got it."

"I love flying on windy days." Katie shot him a wink.

"He's so cute when he blushes." Lavender teased.

"Are we going to watch the next game?" Harry asked.

"You two go on ahead." Rose offered. "I'd like to see the Twins in action but it's getting late. Have you figured out what you're going to do for your date?"

Harry blew out a breath of air. He shook his head.

"I'll think of something in the shower." Harry said confidently.

"I like this idea." Lavender tried to move closer.

"Down, girl." Rose teased. "Tonight is date night for Delphi. You wouldn't want her stepping in on your time would you?"

Lavender pouted. Harry leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her lips. The witch gasped then preened at the attention.

"I'll meet you in our common room." Harry turned his attention to Delphi.

Delphi nodded. Her usual confident mask was a bit shaky. He held his hand out to her. She gratefully took it and let him lead her back toward the castle.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked her once they were out of range of the others.

Delphi nodded but didn't speak. They walked in silence for a little while.

"It's fine if you're nervous." Harry rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand.

"I'm not nervous." She replied too quickly.

Harry inclined his head.

"Ok." She took a breath and let it out. "I'm nervous."

"Is this your first date?" Harry asked.

"No." Delphi shook her head.

"The dinner with your parents doesn't count." Harry added.

"I know." Delphi rolled her eyes. "Still, no."

Harry waited for her to say more.

"My dad is the last of the Gaunt family, which has ties to Slytherin bloodline. My mother is a member of House Black." Delphi explained. "I've been on a few dates arranged for potential contracts. Formal dress, fine dining, and at least one chaperone per person."

"Sounds fun." Harry stated flatly.

"None were worthy of my time before you." She gave him a dazzling smile.

Harry laughed. Delphi scrunched her brow as she waited for him to stop.

"Why are you laughing?" She asked.

"It's kind of hard to explain." Harry shook his head. "What did you want to do tonight?"

"Please, tell me." Delphi's voice came out strained.

"I'm not laughing at you." Harry soothed. "It was just… where I'm from, I don't think anyone had spoken so passionately about me like that. You are just so sure of it."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Delphi asked.

"I'm just me." Harry shrugged.

"And you are amazing." Delphi snuggled against him.

"Delphi." Harry spoke softly. "That is very sweet of you."

The two walked in silence until they got back inside the castle. Harry had the urge to grab her and pull her into a broom closet. It took a lot of willpower to fight against it. Their first time together wouldn't be in a dark, cramped closet.

He let his mind wonder as they made their way up to the coven's quarters. The room expansion had added another bathroom to accommodate the increased numbers. Technically, the staff didn't approve of intimate acts between students, regardless of being part of a coven. In reality, no one cared if something happened in private. Given that witches outnumbered wizards and the Magical Population needed to grow, consensual intimate encounters were encouraged. Harry thought it was funny that Magical Britain was one of the smallest populations even though the student body was nearly four-times where he had come from. It made him wonder at the size of the other countries. Maybe they could travel the world to find out.

"Do you have any ideas on what you want to do for our date?" Harry asked.

"Well." Delphi thought for a moment. "We both need showers. You could ravish me under the hot water."

"Tempting." Harry gave her a wolfish grin that made her shiver. "But I want to give you an actual date."

 "That's sweet of you." Delphi whispered.

"Go take a shower." Harry motioned for her to head to the other one. "I'll think of something while we get ready. Don't wear anything too fancy. Stick to something you can move around in."

"It sounds like you already have a plan." Delphi put a little extra motion in her hips as she walked away.

"I might." He teased.

The two separated to get ready. He slipped out of his clothes and into the shower without preamble. His mind wondered, trying to figure out what to do for Delphi. They hadn't spoken much about their hobbies more than dueling. He could take her to the practice room so they could have a casual duel. Harry put that idea aside for a later date. She would probably like that, but he wanted to get to know her more than just tossing spells at each other.

He thought that sneaking into her shower to join her would work as well. Still, he wanted to get to know her more, which meant giving them time to talk. Shower sex didn't sound like it would allow for conversation. Plus, it felt a little too close to what she had tried to get when she had ambushed him in the hallway between classes. He couldn't throw away the progress he had made with her simply because he got horny. Though it was hard to turn down now that he had actually had sex.

Something nice and romantic. A picnic would work, but with the Quidditch games going on there wasn't much hope for privacy. There had to be somewhere in the castle that he could set something up. An empty classroom with some time to prep would work.

That sounded like a good plan. He would need to locate an empty classroom, clean it up to look nice, set up the picnic, and ask the House Elves to provide some food. If he had more time he would have made the food himself but today had been a bit busier than he had expected.

First, he needed to figure out how to call a House Elf. He didn't think Dobby would answer him here. The only other Elf he knew by name was Winky. She had been freed due to being found with a wand that had cast the Dark Mark at the World Cup. There was zero chance that had happened here.

Harry stepped out of the shower and dried himself off with a towel. He didn't like the way using magic to do it made his skin feel. The spell was a little too efficient and dried his skin to the point where it started to itch.

He made sure the towel was secure around his waist as he cleared his throat.

"Excuse me." Harry spoke loud and clear. "Is there an Elf available?"

A soft pop announced the arrival of an Elf. The Elf was a little smaller than he had expected. He took that to mean the creature was younger than the others he had seen. The Elf was also dressed in a simple, yet well-made pillowcase with the Hogwarts crest. It clearly had been altered to work better as clothing. That observation made him wonder if the Elf had done it, or someone had given it to him claiming it wasn't actually clothes. There was so much about the creatures that he didn't know.

"Mister Student calls?" The Elf asked.

"Yes." Harry smiled. "I would like to set a picnic up for a date. Would you be able to help me find somewhere to do it and get some food?"

"Irv be happy to help, Mister Student." The Elf smiled brightly and nodded. "Come and Go Room is perfect for picnics. It can be outside inside."

"I don't know that room." Harry scrunched his brow in thought.

"Mister Student does." Irv argued. "Mister Student arrived there."

"The room on the seventh floor?" Harry asked.

The Elf nodded. Harry thought about it for a moment. Lady Hogwarts had said the way was closed. There shouldn't have been any problem if he went inside the room. Plus, it wasn't like he was going to step through any mirrors this time.

"Thank you, Irv." Harry nodded. "Would you be able to take us there once we're ready?"

"Yes." The Elf gave a single nod.

"I'll call for you when we're prepared." Harry said.

The Elf popped away without another word. Harry stared at the space were the creature had been. A room that could be the outside while inside. That sounded useful. He wondered what else it could do.