Chapter Text
Chapter One
"Rom," Claudia stepped up to his side, her tone and expression immediately having him on high alert. He had been relaxing a little, soaking in the atmosphere of the Circus around him, watching tourists and locals alike make their way around, all of them wondering at the various shows and acts that Jean-Claude, owner of the Circus and Vampire Master of the City, had on in the massive area.
But he was in charge of the security here; he was in charge of the safety of not only the Circus that could be seen above ground, but the Court underneath it, where the City was run from, where Jean-Claude and the majority of his vampires worked, lived and rested while they were vulnerable. Immediately reading the concern in one of his Wererats, seeing the concern in one of his guards, all his instincts immediately came alive.
"What is it?" He asked, moving closer to her.
"There is a young boy here with a man; he is a wolf, but the man is human," Claudia said quickly, and Rafael's eyes widened a little. It was incredibly rare that a child Were would be born, it was something that all their people struggled with, women struggled to carry to term, considering the trauma that the change placed on their bodies. Children were incredibly precious to them, and a Were child with a non-Were adult raised alarm bells.
"Where?" Rafael demanded, and Claudia pointed through the crowd.
"Near the Vampire Clown performance, you can't miss them, the kid has blue hair," she said.
Rafael made his way through the crowd, blending into it and flowing through it, not hurrying and attracting attention to himself, but eating up the distance between himself and the area that Claudia had indicated to him swiftly.
He found the boy easily enough, when Claudia had said blue hair, Rafael had been expecting maybe a young teenager, instead he found a six year old, with bright blue hair, gripping the hand of dark haired man and grinning a gap toothed smile as he watched the Clowns.
"They're so cool, Daddy!" The boy breathed to the man, an English accent clear to Rafael's ears.
"If you say so, Teddy, they're a little creepy to me." The man shuddered dramatically and lifted the boy onto his hip, squeezing him till the boy squeaked and laughed. "I may need you to be my Teddy Bear tonight and protect me!"
"I always will, Daddy!" The boy smacked a wet kiss to the man's cheek before flashing a small fang at him.
"Cheeky bear," The man laughed before shifting the little boy so that he was sitting on his shoulders and could see the act properly. With the little boy not able to see him, the man's face grimaced a little, letting Rafael know he was actually a little creeped out by the Vampire clowns who were in the middle of their act, Rafael absently noted.
He combed his eyes over the boy, his brown eyes were watching the show eagerly, unusually bright blue hair standing up in messy spikes, definitely around six, he looked healthy and happy enough, he had the chubby cheeks of a young age that said he was slowly losing his puppy fat, so to speak.
Rafael's eyes dropped to the man, and he found his eyes lingering as he scanned over him. He was a little on the smaller side, standing around 5 feet, much around Micah's height, Rafael mused, thinking of the Wereleopard King. He had long black hair that was currently side braided tightly, a braid that the young boy gripped hold of absently, where the man had placed it over his leg.
He was pale, milky pale, and he had the greenest eyes that Rafael had ever seen; they were greener than even Damian's eyes, and he had thought that the red-headed vampire had stunning green eyes. This man's though were like bright emeralds. He was slender, something that was emphasised with the black leggings and white loose jumper he was wearing.
Rafael sucked in a deep breath, filtering out the mass of scents that surrounded him and managed to find the scents of the two of them. Had he not been a Wererat, he may have struggled given the crowd that were around them watching the show, but Wererats had the strongest scenting ability of any of the Were species, even better than Wolves, and the scent of pine and honey drifted to him from the man, human as Claudia had said, but there was something else lying under his scent, something like electricity that washed through Rafael's senses.
The boy's scent, Teddy, reached him, and the predominant scent was wolf, unmistakable, though not as strong as the Werewolves that Rafael knew, but then he had never smelled a child wolf before. The scents of the man and the boy were mixed together, but they were not related. Rafael double checked that pulling in a couple more deep breaths, stepping a little closer, and then those bright green eyes were on him.
The man's eyes narrowed, and he gripped Teddy's legs tightly, clearly realising that Rafael's attention was fully on them and he had not just been glancing at them.
"He smells different, Daddy," Teddy had noticed the man's attention, and he leaned down after drawing in some little breaths.
"Different how, Teddy?" The man asked, his eyes narrowed further as he stepped back, and then again.
"He smells like me, but not like me," the boy tried to explain, clearly only confusing the man more, and he was starting to look quite alarmed now.
Rafael held his hands up in the universal peace signal and stepped closer, but not close enough to scare off the clearly concerned man.
"I am a Wererat, you can smell the animal on me," He explained.
The man scooped the boy down from his shoulders with a belied strength and hugged him close.
"What do you want?" He asked, eying the crowd and towards where the door was.
"I am sorry that I startled you; that was not my intention. One of my people caught the scent of your boy; it is unusual for there to be a child of our people, and we were concerned. We just wanted to make sure that there was nothing to be concerned about," Rafael said calmly, watching those bright green eyes scan over his face for any sign of a lie.
"Concerned as in?" The man frowned a little.
"We could tell you are not one of us, we wanted to make sure that he was safe, and there was not something wrong," Rafael admitted.
"You thought that I had kidnapped him and then brought him to a crowded place?" The man snorted, looking a little amused, his face easing a little.
"People do odd things," Rafael shrugged.
"Daddy wouldn't hurt me," Teddy frowned at the man.
"I apologise for insinuating that he would," Rafael nodded his head to the boy.
"Are we out of suspicion?" the man asked. "We just wanted to see the Circus," he added a little defensively.
"I am sorry if I have spoiled your night; it really wasn't my intention." Rafael stepped a little closer to them. "Children are precious to us. I just wanted to ensure that there was nothing wrong."
"I can understand that," the man stroked his fingers through Teddy's blue hair, and the love in his eyes was unmistakable. "I appreciate you checking on him. Had something been wrong, it is nice to know you would be concerned."
"I am Rafael," he held his hand out to the man, who considered for a second before taking it.
"Harry," the man said softly. Rafael couldn't help but notice how his hand was swallowed in Rafael's larger, darker one, and he squeezed it a little longer than he should have before releasing it.
"And I believe your name is Teddy? I heard your daddy calling you that." Rafael smiled at the boy, holding out his hand to the boy, who giggled and shook his hand.
"I am," The boy nodded.
"Are you on holiday here?" Rafael asked, finding himself reluctant to step away from the man and the boy.
"We have moved here recently. We heard about this place, and someone nagged me until I agreed to take him." Harry was still looking a little cautious, but he smiled as he bounced the boy a little, who grinned unrepentantly.
"The others in school are going to be so jealous!" Teddy beamed at Rafael.
"If I get called in by your teacher, you're paying for it, Teddy Bear," Harry snorted.
"No, Daddy!" Teddy's eyes widened in horror, and Rafael felt a small flash of concern before Harry let out a mock evil laugh and tickled the boy's sides.
"Yes, broccoli for a whole week!"
"Noooooo! Daddy!"
"I hope your creepy clowns are worth it," Harry grinned as the boy pouted at him.
"The creepy clowns may not be, but there is a show over here with two Werewolves and two Wereleopards that may be worth a week of broccoli," Rafael motioned.
"Can we see them, Daddy?" Teddy brightened, trying to peer through the crowd to see them.
"Will you allow me to show you?" Rafael offered, Harry's green eyes still uncertain.
"Thank you," Harry nodded and set Teddy down, but kept a tight hold on his hand as he walked with Rafael.
"How long have you been here for?" Rafael asked Harry as they walked.
"Five months now, we have been settling in, finding a school, all the fun stuff," Harry said softly, glancing up at Rafael.
"We have had lots of work on our house as well, and it has been so noisy! And then the men were mean!" Teddy joined in as he bounced beside Harry.
"Mean?" Rafael frowned, concerned.
"Teddy wolfed out, they were…biased, shall we say, I have been left with a half-built wall while I try and find someone else, not to mention the other things that they were meant to do," Harry sighed.
"I…" Rafael started to say, and then grimaced.
"What is it?" Harry asked, confused, blinking up at him.
"Here is the show, Teddy," Rafael stopped them, and Teddy stared wide eyed and open mouthed at the acrobatic act that Nathanial, Jason, Stephen and Gregory were already putting on for the crowd. Rafael turned back to Harry, those green eyes still looking at him, baffled. "I am aware that I have made you suspicious of me."
"I am…I am just very protective of Teddy," Harry blushed, realising that the other man had caught onto his suspicion.
"It is ok, I understand, you caught me staring at you, both of you," Rafael shook his head, running his fingers through his short hair.
"What were you going to say?" Harry asked curiously.
"I run a construction business. I only hire Weres to give them jobs, mainly rats. If you wanted, we could have a look at where things are for you and give you a price?" Rafael offered. "I understand if you aren't comfortable with that, and it sounds suspicious, but here is my card," he dug his wallet from his cut off shorts and passed the cards to Harry.
The younger man looked at the card and then up at Rafael, before to Rafael's bemusement started laughing.
"I am sorry, you are looking so guilty for trying not to look guilty," Harry chuckled.
"I know how suspicious it sounds," Rafael groaned.
"The fact that you have a card makes it much less suspicious. Were's only huh?" Harry twisted the card in his hand.
"Yes," Rafael nodded. "We have a strong community here, and have multiple businesses that support the Weres within our community. We try to create as many job opportunities as we can, a lot of it is nightlife, here and in clubs the Master of the City owns, but we also have other businesses as well."
"That sounds wonderful, to be honest," Harry smiled a little sadly at Teddy, clearly more than aware of the limitations that would face his son in life. "I would like for you to come and have a look at what I have been left with," he decided.
"Call when you are ready, and we can make an appointment," Rafael nodded to the card.
"Thank you," Harry smiled at him, and the smile made Rafael's heart thump a little in a way that startled him.
"Enjoy the Circus, both of you," Rafael backed away, feeling incredibly reluctant as he did so.
"Bye, Rafael!" Teddy waved to him before turning wide eyed back to the show.
"I will call soon," Harry smiled at him.
Rafael nodded and then turned and walked away quickly before he did something stupid like asking to stay with the two. He couldn't help glancing over his shoulder, though, and he found bright green eyes still on him.
Taking a deep breath, he disappeared into the crowd and fought to concentrate on his job and not on bright green eyes.
"Rafael," He said into his phone as he signed a form for the Coalition and moved on to the next.
"Hello, this is Harry." The English accent had him freezing right away, his eyes widening. "We met at the Circus."
"I remember, I…how are you?" Rafael asked and then grimaced to himself.
"I am fine, thank you," Harry chuckled, and Rafael wanted to start the conversation again. "I am sorry to disturb you, but I was hoping you would still be ok with coming to have a look at my house?"
"Yes, of course, when are you free?" Rafael really hoped he didn't sound too eager.
"To be honest, I am pretty available most of the time besides around school going in and letting out," Harry said.
"I could be around tomorrow, around 2?" Rafael asked.
"Oh, that quickly? That would be wonderful!" Harry brightened.
"I had a couple of cancellations," Rafael grunted.
"That sounds like a story," Harry said softly.
"I work for a Were Coalition. We were meant to have some meetings with people within the city, but they decided to cancel," Rafael sighed.
"I have heard of the Coalition, honestly, it is part of the reason that I moved here with Teddy," Harry admitted, and Rafael found himself smiling.
"We want to make the city somewhere safe for Weres, or as safe as we can," Rafael said.
"That is really something to aim for, I would love for Teddy to be able to live in a world that is safer for him," Harry said.
"That is the aim, we work to try and make a place for ourselves."
"It is something impressive," Harry said brightly. "Tomorrow would be absolutely perfect for me, thank you,"
"It is no problem at all," Rafael cleared his throat.
"Thank you, I will see you tomorrow," Harry said.
"Harry?" Rafael asked.
"Yes?"
"I need your address," Rafael said, and then chuckled lowly when Harry swore in embarrassment.
"You swore, Daddy!" Rafael heard Teddy's bright chirp in the background.
"Yes, thank you, bat ears! You don't repeat that word!" Harry scolded.
"I have wolf ears! Not bat ears!" Teddy cackled.
"Sorry, Rafael," Harry said before reeling off his address.
"I will see you tomorrow," Rafael chuckled.
"See you tomorrow," Harry said, and there was a small pause before he hung up.
Harry scrubbed down the side before drying his hands and then smoothed them down his jumper. He took a breath and glanced over the house before grimacing to himself. He had no clue why he was so nervous about Rafael coming here. He was coming in a professional sense to look at the mess Harry's house had been left in; he was going to quote him a price, send workmen, because Harry was going to put money into a business that hired and helped Weres, no matter how expensive it was, and that would be it.
He had no reason to be nervous about seeing the other man again.
Even if he was quite handsome, with his tall, broad shoulders frame and distinct muscles, his clearly Mexican descent giving him a lovely dark brown skin and pitch black hair, and those deep chocolate brown eyes that seemed to take everything in around him while holding a calmness that had impressed Harry even when he had been concerned for Teddy. There was a slight arrogance to his face, but Harry thought it was more pride than anything else, and his plump lips softened that arrogance and drew the eye to…
He spun quickly to head upstairs and tidy Teddy's ever messy room for something to do when there was a knock on his front door. He turned and frowned at the time, 13:45; Rafael was early. Groaning mentally at the thump of his heart, he hurried to the door and threw it open, sternly telling himself that he would not make a fool of himself this time.
The blow to his face was agony, and he felt himself blacking out for a second as he hit the floor, before he stubbornly fought off the blackness of unconsciousness, coming back to himself in time to roll out of the way of the crowbar that came at him again. He could taste blood and was aware it was pouring down his face.
"You and your little freak aren't welcome in this city!" The words were spat out with utter hatred, and Harry recognised the man that he had hired for the work on his house and some of his workers, five of them altogether, stepping into his house.
"He isn't the freak you should worry about!" Harry spat before drawing his wand and blasting one of them right back out of his front door. He bit back a shout of pain when a punch landed on his back. Instead, he danced out of the way of another swing and managed to fire another spell at one of them, snagging him by the ankle and hanging him upside down in the air.
"What the fuck are you!" One of them snarled, disgusted, and the remaining three came at him at the same time. He managed to land another spell, but then he was aware of the crowbar coming right at his head. He cried out and fell back, bringing up his wand, but knowing he wasn't going to make it in time.
A tanned hand came out of nowhere and caught the bar, snapping it clean in half before grabbing the shirt of the man, taking him off his feet, and slamming him into the ground, knocking him out right away, before with utterly controlled force he turned and punched the last man in the face, knocking him out and crumpling him to the floor.
Harry stared up at Rafael, who right now was looking utterly furious.
"Are you ok?" He asked Harry, reaching down and with surprisingly gentle hands lifted him to his feet before tilting his head back and looking at his face with a frown.
"It hurts a little, the one outside?" Harry turned towards the front door.
"Out of it," Rafael shook his head, before turning and punching the man who was still hanging upside down in the air, and shouting horrid things in the face, also knocking him out. "Where is your kitchen?" He asked, turning back to Harry as though he had not just knocked out a man who was floating in the air.
"That way," Harry blinked, pointing over his shoulder. Rafael nodded and then swept his arm around Harry's shoulders, leading him to the kitchen and settling him into a chair at Harry's table. He filled a bowl with warm water and grabbed the kitchen roll before settling into a chair in front of Harry.
He carefully took Harry's chin in his hand before he started dabbing as gently as he could at the blood on Harry's face, cleaning him up and then checking the damage.
"You're going to have a nasty bruise and cut, but it doesn't need stitches. Here, hold this to it for a little moment. I will be right back."
Harry just blinked as he watched Rafael stand and fill his kettle, snapping it on before disappearing back to Harry's living room. Harry could hear the sound of bodies being dragged around and a few thumps before Rafael walked back into the kitchen.
"Are you feeling ok?" he asked, concerned as he grabbed two cups from Harry's worktop and quickly started making coffee for them.
"My head is pounding, but I am alright," Harry said softly. "Oh, milk and one sugar, please," Harry said when Rafael pointed questioningly to one of the cups.
"Have you any painkillers?" Rafael asked, placing the cups on the table and looking ready to go get whatever Harry needed.
"I…" Harry hesitated and then sighed, standing and opening a cupboard, pulling out a potions vial and sitting back at the table. He uncorked it and knocked back the potion with a grimace, quickly taking a swig of his coffee.
"That is a little different to aspirin," Rafael admitted, sitting down.
"You have questions," Harry sighed.
"A couple, I will admit," Rafael chuckled. "The first though, are you ok?" He asked more seriously, peering into Harry's eyes.
"I…yeah…I am a little shocked and shaken, but I am alright," Harry nodded.
"Good," Rafael nodded. "When I heard what was happening as I pulled up your drive…" Rafael cut himself off, shaking his head.
"They definitely took me by surprise," Harry sighed, looking back to the living room.
"They call us animals," Rafael huffed.
"You want to know what I am?" Harry bit his lip, looking at Rafael.
"I do," Rafael said slowly, and Harry frowned a little, confused before grimacing and rubbing his sore head.
"But?" He asked.
"I am closely connected to the Master of the City and the politics that come with the Supernatural in this city. I work for the Coalition, yes, but I am also one of its founders. I act mostly within the Coalition and the City as a bodyguard and security. I am responsible for a large part of the safety of the Supernatural within this City. If you tell me what you are…there is a good chance I will have to inform the Master of the City," Rafael sighed.
"Would…would it put Teddy and me in danger?" Harry asked shakily.
"If you mean us no harm, which I believe you do not, no, it won't. The Master of the City may ask you to do things for him depending on what you can do, and though he is…a decent man, he is a politician, and he may try to manipulate you into helping him. But, we could also offer you and Teddy safety and help, you could become part of the community, and take part in it should you wish," Rafael tried to be as honest as possible.
"I have a child's safety to think of," Harry's voice trembled as his mind clearly spun.
"None of us would stand for Teddy's safety to be threatened by the Master of the City," Rafael carefully covered the other man's hand in comfort, seeing it trembling slightly. "I meant what I said when I told you that children are precious to us; none of us would stand by if he threatened Teddy, or tried to use him to trick you. The Master is…is a political man, yes, but he is different from most Vampires; there is something still human about him. What he is building here, the community that he is creating, and the ideas that he has for us, I respect, and I am proud to be part of."
Rafael watched Harry's mind spinning, clearly weighing up everything that Rafael had said to him and trying to decide the best thing to do.
"What are the Werewolves like?" Harry asked.
"Their leader is a good man, a little too moralistic and black and white for my tastes, but a good man and has good control over the Pack. His Lupa is also the Human Servant of the Master of the City, and she is a determined woman, powerful and clever, and she is a good friend of mine," Rafael said. "You are asking for Teddy?"
"He needs a pack, it is another reason that I chose to move here," Harry nodded.
"Even if you were not comfortable with the Werewolves, any of the other groups would be more than happy to take a child; my Rodere would be delighted," Rafael assured him.
"Your Rodere?" Harry's green eyes narrowed, and Rafael realised his slip up, but also how sharp Harry was. Those green eyes snapped down, and he watched Harry take in the crown that was branded into his forearm.
"I am the leader of the Wererats," Rafael admitted after a second.
"I wonder sometimes if the fates are laughing at me," Harry snorted before his green eyes settled on Rafael again, and he made a choice before Rafael could ask what he meant. "I am a Wizard,"
"So magic definitely then, the floating gave that away," Rafael motioned to the living room.
"Yes, I was born with magic. Wands and broomsticks and all that, I can cast spells," Harry said awkwardly before rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, making Rafael realise he was still holding Harry's other hand. He considered for a second letting go, but couldn't bring himself to, especially when Harry wasn't protesting.
"And potions?" Rafael motioned to the vial still sitting on the table.
"Yeah, though I am rubbish at making them, I have to buy my potions," Harry admitted.
"You have shops where you can buy them?" Rafael blinked.
"Sorry, I am not describing this very well. I have never had to before," Harry grimaced and then huffed when his head throbbed again.
"Are there a lot of you?" Rafael asked.
"There are a fair number of us, but we stay hidden, the way that Vampires and Thropes did before coming out. We use our magic to hide ourselves. We have areas all over the world that hold our shops, schools, and Wizarding areas that are hidden away from sight. There isn't a huge number of us compared to muggles, people without magic, but there is a decent number," Harry nodded.
"Huh, magic school," Rafael blinked. "Is Teddy like you?"
"Yes, he is. He is part wizard and part Werewolf," Harry nodded.
"I am sorry to invade your privacy, but I can smell that he is not your biological son…" Rafael said awkwardly, and then felt even more so at the incredibly sad smile that crossed Harry's face. "I am sorry for asking,"
"No, it is probably better to lay it all out in one go, and well…I may need help, helping him. Teddy's mum and dad died when he was a few days old. They named me his godfather, and I adopted him. His grandmother, his mum's mum, she couldn't accept what he was, that he was going to be a Werewolf like Remus. We shared custody until he was 2, and he wolfed out for the first time. She just…couldn't handle it. He knows all about Remus and Tonks, and I have explained it to him as best I can to a six year old," Harry said more to the table than to Rafael.
"How old were you when you took him in?" Rafael asked softly, looking over Harry's young face.
"Eighteen," Harry shrugged. "I moved here because where we lived, the Wizarding world, the laws around werewolves and other beings were becoming horrendous. Teddy wouldn't have had any sort of life there. He likely wouldn't have been able to attend school there. Here, though, the magic schools are more accepting of Weres because of how out and in the community in the Muggle world you are. Then I heard about the community here, and I hoped…"
"Hoped what?" Rafael asked gently.
"That we would get a little help," Harry sighed, slouching a little in his chair. "I try to help him and understand as best I can, but I can't fully understand, and I don't know if I am doing something wrong or if I am harming him by doing certain things."
"Hey," Rafael tugged Harry's hand gently and made him look at him. "Just accepting and loving him is the biggest thing that you could do for him. A lot of us can't even get that from our own flesh and blood, never mind adopting him. The rest are details that we can definitely help you with."
"Thank you," Harry closed his eyes, and Rafael could see the stress that had been on the younger man's shoulders for a long time.
"What type of spells can you do?" Rafael asked curiously.
"Want to see some?" Harry asked, opening his green eyes and then smiling a little when Rafael's intense brown eyes widened a little and took on a slightly boyish glint as he nodded.
Harry flicked his wand into his hand again and waved it at their cups, and Rafael watched wide eyed as they floated over to the sink, which snapped on, and a sponge started scrubbing them. Harry waved his wand again, and a cupboard door opened, allowing a cake to float down onto the kitchen table, but Harry banished the bloody tissues before it settled. He then waved his wand at the cabinets and changed the colour of them a few times before settling them back to their original shade.
"Obviously, you saw I can do defensive magic as well. We have spells that can do a varied thing, but like with anything, skills and abilities come into it. I am better at defence than offence, I am better at healing than I am with charms," Harry explained.
"Like your potions?" Rafael asked, trying to wrap his mind around what he had seen.
"Yes," Harry nodded. "Is…are you alright?"
"I have seen a lot of things working for the Master of the City, and being part of the community, but your magic is something completely different. Definitely nicer to watch than Anita's magic," Rafael chuckled.
"Anita?" Harry asked as he floated two plates over to them and started cutting the cake. "Oh, do you like salted caramel coffee cake?"
"I am a Wererat, we're pretty much omnivores for anything," Rafael chuckled deeply, "As it is, that sounds amazing,"
"Here," Harry slipped a huge chunk of cake in front of Rafael with a fork.
"Anita is the Master of the City's Human servant, the Lupa of the wolf pack. She is an Animator," Rafael said and then paused when Harry made a face.
"Sorry, we have it drilled into our head in Britain that playing with any type of Necromancy is wrong, and I have not had great experience with Death Magic," Harry flushed a little.
"Anita is a pretty good person; she can be absolutely lethal when she wants to be, and she protects the community here fiercely, but she is a good person. She has to use her magic as well; she doesn't have a choice but to do her animating," Rafael explained.
"I have never heard of that. It would be interesting to discuss it with her if she would talk to me about it," Harry tilted his head before lowering his eyes and poking at his cake with his fork. "You sound very close to her."
"We're good friends," Rafael nodded, mentally telling himself off for reading too much into that question. "If you have magic, can you not finish the house yourself?"
"No," Harry snorted. "Teddy and I would be under rubble in a week. You need to be trained in magical construction much the same way as doing it the Muggle way needs training. I can expand spaces to make them bigger, change colours, that type of thing. But actual construction," He shook his head.
"Can you create things? Like food, or a chair?" Rafael asked curiously. He placed a mouthful of cake in his mouth as the sweet smell invading his senses got to him, and then he hummed happily at the taste of the cake exploding over his tongue. "Did you make this with magic?" He asked.
"I will take that as a compliment," Harry laughed. "No, I made it by hand. You can cook with magic, but there is always a little something to the taste that I find isn't right. You can't create something from nothing; you have to have something in the first place. It is called transfiguration, where you can change something from one state to another. It is a more difficult magic," Harry explained before waving his wand at a salt shaker and muttering an incantation, the shaker spun and was replaced with a spoon, before Harry reverted it back.
"Amazing," Rafael said before taking another big forkful of cake.
"The magic or the cake?" Harry teased, but there was a pleased flush on his face.
"I am going to say both," Rafael grinned a little. "Do you like being a Wizard?" He asked, and then tensed a little when Harry stilled, the laughter falling from his face.
"I…"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to…" Rafael stopped, unsure if he had upset or offended Harry.
"No, no, it is ok, it is just, no one has really asked me that before, I wasn't expecting it," Harry shook his head.
"Sometimes I wish I were not what I am, that I was a normal human, and there are those Weres that really struggle with what they are; it is one of the things I dislike about Richard, the Ulfric of the werewolves, he doesn't fully accept what he is," Rafael explained softly.
"Remus hated what he was," Harry nodded.
"Teddy's father?" Rafael asked.
"Yes, he hated being a Werewolf, hated everything about it. He repressed the wolf. There is a potion that werewolves in our world are encouraged to drink. It allows them to have their human mind during the wolf, but it is poison to them; it ages them, slows their healing. He could only transform on the moon, and he was feral without the potion," Harry explained, and Rafael hissed between his teeth.
"That is barbaric,"
"It is, they started making noises at home about Teddy taking it, his grandmother wanted him on it right away. When there was talk about making it law that Weres had to take the potion, I pretty much took him and ran from it," Harry nodded. "Remus, he was bitten when he was a child. He was told from a young age that what he was was wrong, that it was uncontrollable, that it was monstrous. He believed it. I never want Teddy to think that about himself. What he is is part of him, the same as his magic,"
"He was bitten as a child?" Rafael felt as though Harry had slapped him.
"Yes, he was only seven, there was an Alpha, and Ulfric, who liked children too much. He bit Remus," Harry nodded.
"I can not even imagine…our community would ensure that he was put down right away," Rafael growled before looking concerned at Harry.
"I am not going to judge you for it," Harry said quietly, realising what the issue was.
"Thank you. A lot who are not a Were or a Vampire can find the way we deal with our own," Rafael nodded.
"Self policing has allowed you a lot more freedom because there aren't the issues that cause the alarm, the fear people like them feed off to 'prove' why others should be scared," Harry motioned to his living room before looking concerned.
"What is the matter?" Rafael asked.
"What am I going to do with them?" Harry bit his lip.
"I will take care of it," Rafael shook his head.
"Thank you," Harry said after a moment of thought, where he searched over Rafael's face for something that he seemed to find. "I am afraid that your quick visit to look at my half done house turned into something much more dramatic."
"I am glad that I came when I did," Rafael said firmly, leaning forward to look into Harry's green eyes, before he frowned a little and reached up to brush his fingers gently over Harry's bruising face. "Though I wish I had been a little quicker,"
"I am just incredibly grateful that you showed up," Harry said softly, and Rafael was suddenly aware of how close he was to him.
"I think this cake is quite a good payment for my time," Rafael smiled a little, looking at his mostly demolished cake.
"You have a sweet tooth?" Harry asked.
"Just a little," Rafael chuckled.
"Teddy is terrible for chocolate; he takes after his father," Harry laughed.
"Bad?" Rafael smiled.
"I am so glad that he has a Were metabolism and burns through all the sugar he eats, even if he does eat me out of house and home," Harry rolled his eyes.
"It is nice to see how much you love him," Rafael said softly, and Harry sobered up, flushing a little as he shrugged, but his words were honest.
"He is my world,"
Harry was blinking, confused at Rafael as the Rom measured things that Harry didn't even think needed measuring, and wrote down a whole stream of numbers, drawings and things that made no sense to Harry.
They had moved quickly onto discussing what Harry wanted to do with the house, and Rafael had looked over what he had been left with.
"Is it going to be safe for you, with those types rolling around not having this wall?" Rafael frowned, concerned at the chunk of wall that was missing and only covered with a blue tarp.
"I have layered it with spells; it would take a lot of effort to get through," Harry assured him as he handed Rafael a fresh cup of coffee.
"Are you sure?" Rafael frowned at the wall, clearly looking for some sign of Harry's magic. "I don't want you and Teddy in danger,"
"I am sure, even your Master of the City would have a problem getting through," Harry assured him. "I just need to make sure that I check who is at the door before I open it," he rolled his eyes.
"Daddy!" The shout had Harry smiling right away.
"In the kitchen, Teddy," Harry called, and Rafael smiled when a black haired boy raced into the room and threw himself at Harry before blinking and sniffing the air, turning to see Rafael standing there.
"Rafael!" Teddy beamed.
"Hello again," Rafael offered his hand, and Teddy giggled happily as he shook it.
"Are you looking at our house to help us build it?" Teddy asked.
"I am indeed," Rafael nodded. "I miss the blue hair,"
"Daddy let's me dye it," Teddy said quickly.
"Rafael knows what we are. Why don't you show him how special you are?" Harry picked Teddy up and settled him on his hip.
Rafael was curious as he watched Teddy gasp and look bright eyed at his dad, who nodded encouragingly. Then, Rafael was looking at a mini version of Harry, an exact match, and then a mini version of himself, his slightly arrogant expression, which he was aware he had, looking odd on the little boy's face. Then Teddy had blue hair and bright blue eyes, then pink hair and purple eyes.
"Amazing! Can you do that?" he asked Harry.
"With spells, but not the way Teddy can do it, and definitely not as well," Harry hugged Teddy a little tighter, who was beaming happily.
"That is absolutely amazing, Teddy!" Rafael told him.
"I am a metaformafus!" Teddy announced.
"Metamorphagus," Harry chuckled. "Teddy's mum was as well; they can completely change their form at will. Teddy has to have normal hair colour at school and keep to his favourite features, but at home and weekends he can pick what he likes."
"It is fun!" Teddy nodded.
"Did you have a good day in school?" Rafael asked.
"Yes, but it is confusing!" Teddy huffed.
"Why?" Rafael asked curiously.
"They call things different things!" Teddy pouted.
"He still hasn't forgiven you Americans for mixing up chips and crisps," Harry laughed brightly.
"I thought I was getting chips!" Teddy growled, and Rafael had to fight the urge to grin. The growl was utterly adorable, like a puppy growling, and he could feel his rat in his chest shifting at the young boy being near.
"What is the difference?" Rafael asked.
"Chips to us are your fries, your chips are crisps," Harry explained.
"My teacher keeps saying things to me and then telling me off when I don't understand. She said I am being obs…obst…obsti…"
"Obstinate?" Harry offered with a scowl.
"Yes!" Teddy nodded.
"I will have a word with your teacher," Harry huffed.
"Are you going to be Mamma Wolf?" Teddy grinned, and Rafael was immediately fighting down a smile at how bright red Harry turned.
"Teddy, I have told you not to call me that!" Harry groaned.
"But you do turn into a Mamma Wolf whenever someone upsets me," Teddy blinked at him.
"Why can't it be Papa Wolf?" Harry sighed in what was clearly an old argument, and one Rafael believed he wasn't really bothered about, even with the blush.
"Because you're like a Mamma Wolf," Teddy shook his head.
"On that note, I will leave you to your afternoon. I will get a price over to you for the work."
"Thank you, and for your help," Harry said softly as he sat Teddy at the table.
"No problem at all, you have my number, if you have any concerns or need any help, please ring me right away. Even if I can not come to you, I have people I can send."
"Thank you," Harry seemed to want to say something else, but he was clearly aware of Teddy blinking between them.
"I will speak to you soon," Rafael said firmly.
"Wait, here, take this," Harry waved his wand and wrapped up the cake that only had a couple of slices from them earlier missing from it, holding it out to Rafael with that blush on his face again.
"Are you sure?" Rafael asked.
"Yes," Harry nodded quickly and with a smile, Rafael took the cake from him.
"Thank you," Rafael desperately wanted to say something else, though he had no clue what, but he found his throat clamping up. "Bye, Teddy,"
"Bye, Rafael!" Teddy waved eagerly as the man walked out with Harry.
"I will let you know as soon as I put something together for the price," Rafael said to Harry again, standing at his door.
"Thank you, I really appreciate everything," Harry smiled at him.
"Teddy…he said nothing about," Rafael waved to Harry's bruising face.
"A spell," Harry said softly before motioning to his ears and back to the kitchen.
"I will see you soon," Rafael waved with a grin, heading to his truck.
"Bye, Rafael," Harry said softly as the Wererat slipped into his truck, and as he gripped the wheel, he had to force himself to drive away.
All the way to the Circus, he went round in his head the way to phrase what Harry was and what he had discovered to stop Jean-Claude from taking advantage of Harry, all the while ignoring the thumping coming from the covered bed of his truck.
"Rafael," Jean-Claude's thick French accent curled around the Wererat, and he turned to watch the gorgeous Vampire walking towards him. As normal, Jean-Claude was wearing skin tight black leather trousers, with slits up the sides were laced with white leather. He was wearing a black ruffled top that should make him look slightly feminine, but somehow he looked more masculine; his long curling black hair flowed around him, and his dark blue eyes were intent as he looked at Rafael.
"What do you want?" Rafael snorted.
"So suspicious!" Jean-Claude tutted before sprawling over the sofa that Rafael was sitting on. "How is the Magicien's house going?"
"Well, the work is coming along nicely," Rafael had expected this to happen, but he still had to fight from tensing.
"I would like to speak to him," Jean-Claude said.
"I will go and speak with him," Rafael sighed.
"You are worried?" Jean-Claude tilted his head.
"Bringing him into our world, asking him to be part of it, could place him and Teddy at risk," Rafael frowned.
"You like them?" Jean-Claude asked, even though he clearly knew the answer.
"Teddy is a lovely kid, and he is a child Were, rare amongst us. Even if he had been a nightmare, he would be precious; as it is, he is sweet. Harry, I like him, he doesn't see an animal where so many would, he loves Teddy, he took him in when he was only eighteen, he moved away from his home to bring Teddy somewhere that he would be safe," Rafael said.
"Is he making you think of your ex-wife and child?" Jean-Claude asked, concerned. "If it is bringing up bad memories, someone else can act as the go between,"
Rafael allowed himself to smile slightly. This was why he followed Jean-Claude; this was why he trusted the Vampire. Yes, he could be manipulative and use people to his own end, but he did care, and he did try his best for his people.
"I can not help but compare how she reacted to what I was, to how Harry is. To how my son sees me, to the way Harry sees Teddy. She married me knowing what I was, and then couldn't cope with it; she took my child away from me and made him think I am an animal. Harry loves Teddy because of who and what he is, not despite it. I do not mind, though, I enjoy his company," Rafael assured him.
"I promise, I will not try to take advantage of him. More than anything else, I am aware that this is a child and a father in my territory that could use my protection," Jean-Claude reassured him.
"I will go and speak with him tomorrow. I want to check on the work anyway," Rafael nodded.
Rafael pulled his truck into Harry's large drive and looked up at the slightly old fashioned stone building. It was three stories and a beautiful house, Harry had said he had bought it on a whim, not really realising how much work it had needed, but it reminded him slightly of home.
It did need a lot of TLC, but Rafael could see with pride that his team were making good ground with the work, and the house was starting to look less sad and more back into its glory.
"Rom," Bobby-Lee grinned as Rafael approached.
"Everything going well?" Rafael asked.
"Fine, everything has been pretty smooth since the last time you were here. Though I think Harry has caught onto the fact that I am here more for guarding than for actual construction," Bobby-Lee said in his thick southern drawl.
"That is because all you can do is carry stuff around for us," Jermome, one of his actual construction guys, snorted from where he was working on the casing around one of the windows.
"I walk around with a hammer every now and then so he thinks I am doing other things," Bobby-Lee shrugged.
"Is he inside?" Rafael rolled his eyes.
"Kitchen," Bobby-Lee nodded.
"Bobby-Lee, have you seen what Teddy did with my scales? I swear, if he has decided to use them for one of his science experiments, again, he's getting tomatoes for two weeks!" Harry ranted as Rafael walked down the hallway to the kitchen.
"Are tomatoes worse than broccoli?" Rafael asked as he leaned against the doorframe. Harry jumped and spun around wide eyed.
"Worse, he thinks that they are made by the devil," Harry said, and his eyes on Rafael felt like a touch the way they moved over his chest, the muscles clear with the white vest that Rafael was wearing, highlighting his deep tanned skin, the short sleeved open black shirt that he was wearing over the top showed off the muscles in his arms.
He may have carefully chosen what to wear before leaving to come here.
"Do you believe in the Devil?" Rafael asked, tilting his head and crossing his arms, watching Harry's eyes dancing over them.
"No, the closest we have is Merlin, Morgana and Circe," Harry answered absently before visibly shaking himself. "Are you here to check on the work? Everyone is wonderful, they're working really hard,"
"Partly, I wanted to make sure everything was progressing for you," Rafael smiled.
"Sit down," Harry waved to his table as he moved for the kettle.
"I am also here to ask you to stop feeding them so well. I have them fighting with each other over who is going to be working here," Rafael said dryly, and Harry started laughing.
"Sorry, I can't help myself, they're working so hard, and they're all so lovely," Harry chuckled, placing a cup in front of Rafael and then a plate of cookies.
"You remembered how I take it?" Rafael blinked.
"I…yes," Harry blushed darkly again.
"You're happy with how everything is proceeding, then?" Rafael asked.
"Yes, Teddy is so excited having them around as well, Bobby-Lee has to split his time between playing guard and playmate," Harry said it so casually that it took Rafael a second, and he looked up from his coffee to find Harry sitting there with a raised eyebrow.
"I am…I apologise for implementing it without talking to you, but I was concerned about you after what happened," Rafael admitted.
"I don't like people doing things without asking me," Harry said firmly, before his face gentled. "But I really appreciate that you were worried about us and wanted to make sure we were ok,"
"I am sorry, I just kept thinking about what would have happened if I had been five minutes later," Rafael sighed.
He started a little when Harry reached across the table, and his smaller hand covered Rafael's, raising his brown eyes to meet green eyes. Harry smiled warmly at him.
"It has just been me worrying about Teddy for a long time now, caring about him. It is nice to have others want to look after him as well."
"I was worried about you as well, not just Teddy," Rafael said, and that blush flooded Harry's cheeks again. "I will make sure, going forward, that I discuss with you before I do anything like that. As I explained, I am in charge of the security of the city. I am afraid I have gotten used to just putting people in place where I am worried about someone's safety."
"I like Bobby-Lee, and Teddy does as well, as long as he's not camping out in the yard during the night as well," Harry smiled, and then narrowed his eyes. "He's not, is he? Or any of the others?"
"No, they're not. I definitely wouldn't invade your privacy like that. A few of our team do circuits of the City, making sure that there are no issues. I have asked them to go past your house a couple of times to make sure everything is ok."
"My house is out of the way, though. They have to be driving a good distance to check," Harry frowned, concerned.
"They're Vampires, they fly over the city, coming out here is only a minute or two more for them," Rafael assured him.
"Oh…well, I guess that isn't too bad," Harry worried his lip, and Rafael squeezed the hand still in his.
"I just want to make sure that you and Teddy are safe. I am sorry if I have overstepped," Rafael said honestly.
"No, I…where I came from, a lot of people made choices for me for bad reasons, I am a little touchy about it, you did this because you were concerned about us and from a good place. Thank you for looking out for us, but please talk to me," Harry smiled.
"I will. Talking is actually part of the reason that I am here," Rafael grimaced a little, and watched concern wash over Harry's face. "The Master of the City, Jean-Claude, he wishes to speak with you."
"I…I guessed this was coming. I figured it would be a little sooner with your people being here, but…" Harry looked down at the table. "Did he say what it was that he wanted to talk about?"
"He wants to discuss your place amongst the community, he will want to talk about things that you could possibly do to help us, and what help we can offer you, how much or how little you want to be involved with us."
"I…I don't want him here at my house, but I don't want to take Teddy there. I don't have anyone to look after him," Harry blinked wide eyed at him.
"I could…if you would be comfortable?" Rafael offered and then mentally grimaced and kicked himself at Harry's panicked look.
"I am sorry but…" Harry started to say, and then drew off, making Rafael's heart squeeze. "I am sorry, I thought you would be with me for this talk!" Harry blurted out, and Rafael's heart stopped its plummet into his stomach, and he looked at Harry.
"Oh," Rafael said.
"I am so sorry for presuming your time and that you would and that…"
"Harry," Rafael tugged Harry's hand, stopping the impressive ramble that seemed to be building up. "I would be more than honoured to escort you to the meeting."
"Sorry, I just, I trust you and I would feel a lot better, you being there with me," Harry let out a breath.
"That means a lot to me," Rafael admitted. "And Teddy, if you would feel ok with it, Bobby-Lee or one of my other Rats would be more than happy to babysit,"
"They really wouldn't mind? I don't want to put them out," Harry worried his lip.
"Most people are terrified to let their kids near us. You trusting them to look after him would mean a lot to them," Rafael snorted.
"If you're sure," Harry nodded.
"Fairly sure that they will be fighting each other to be able to look after him, Harry," Rafael chuckled, and his eyes again locked on that blush on Harry's cheeks.
"Thank you, and thank you for coming with me," Harry breathed out.
"Would you be available tomorrow night, get it over and done with? Or would you rather have a few days to prepare yourself?" Rafael asked.
"Over and done with would be better, I can't get myself worked up then," Harry sighed.
"It will be fine, Harry," Rafael assured him. Jean-Claude and I have spoken, and he has promised he will do his best not to try and manipulate you."
"Try his best?" Harry raised his eyebrow.
"He is a vampire, it is like breathing," Rafael rolled his eyes, managing to pull a laugh from Harry. He huffed when his phone went off, reluctantly releasing Harry's hand to pull the mobile from his pocket. "What? What! Where? Shit, no, I am miles away, I am not going to be able to get there in time!"
"Rafael, what is it?" Harry waved his hands at him to get his attention.
"One of the Werelions has changed in the middle of a building and knocked through a wall. He can hear that someone has sent for security. He's going to get kicked out of college for this," Rafael sighed.
"I…you can search coordinates on your phone, right?" Harry asked, standing up,
"Yes," Rafael answered, confused.
"If you can get the coordinates, I can take you there right away, and because the damage is so recent, I can repair it," Harry told him.
"Micah, where is he?" Rafael demanded into the phone. He scribbled something down and then hung up before quickly googling the information. "Here?" Rafael held the coordinates out to Harry.
The younger man scanned over them and then nodded before taking Rafael's arm.
"This doesn't feel pleasant, by the way. Take a deep breath and hold it," Harry warned, and when Rafael did as he asked, he apparated them out.
"What the fuck!" The young man yelped as Harry and Rafael appeared in the room. Rafael wretched slightly, bending over to rest his hands on his knees as he battled to keep his coffee and his cookies in his stomach.
"You ok?" Harry asked Rafael, concerned, rubbing his back gently.
"Someone is…" Rafael managed to say before wretching again. "Coming,"
"Right," Harry stood and quickly located the wall where there was a rather large chunk missing from the brickwork.
"I am going to get kicked out, I got so angry with him, and he was winding me up on purpose, he has been for weeks now, I should have kept my temper! I should have held my temper," the boy cried, tears of frustration, Harry realised as his shift moved over his face, tawny fur covering part of his face and his arms, his eyes glowing orange.
"It is going to be absolutely fine," Harry couldn't help but pause and squeeze the Werelion in a hug the way he did with Teddy, before he flicked his wand into his hand and pointed it at the wall. "Reparo!" He said quickly, and Rafael and the Werelion watched with wide eyes as the chunks of rubble floated into the air and slotted themselves back into place, and then the smaller bits and even the dust spun in the air before slotting into place and sealing the wall back into perfect condition.
"How…"
"Can you pull your change back?" Harry asked gently, taking his hands and squeezing them.
"I am too panicked," The young man shook his head frantically.
Harry's breath caught when he felt an energy washing over him. A hot flow of energy that felt as though he were sliding into a perfectly scalding bath, the heat seemed to seep down into his bones, and he couldn't help but find himself relaxing.
"I am not your Alpha Noel, or a lion, but focus on my energy and calm yourself," Rafael said, his normally deep but soft voice even lower, calming.
"They're coming, I can't!" Noel shook his head frantically.
Harry acted on instinct as he generally did, reaching up and wrapping his arms around the clearly distressed young man, hugging him tightly to his body and combing his fingers through his hair, humming softly the way he did after Teddy had had a nightmare.
The Werelion's arms, Noel's arms, wrapped around his waist, and he felt the young man burying his face into Harry's shoulder. Rafael's energy flowed around them, and he could finally feel Noel relaxing into him.
"Everything is going to be fine, Noel, absolutely fine, I promise, it is ok," Harry crooned softly.
"Thank you," Noel sniffed.
"They're here," Rafael said softly. Harry pulled away from Noel, and they turned just as the door slammed open, two security guards walked in with an incredibly smug looking young man around Noel's age.
That smugness fell from his face as he pointed to the wall and stared in confusion at the lack of damage.
"Hello, is there something that we can do to help you?" Harry smiled brightly at the three of them, making Rafael have to fight back a laugh.
"We had a report that a shifter had caused damage to a wall," one of the guards said slowly, his eyes glancing over the room, confused.
"Near here? We haven't heard anything, I am afraid, though Noel has been quite excitedly telling us about his most recent work, so we may have missed it, but a wall breaking…I believe we would have heard that!" Harry smiled winningly at them, his green eyes bright and friendly, and Rafael watched, impressed as the two guards clearly started taking him at his word.
"No, he did it! He smashed the wall in here, he lost control, he shifted!" The other young man shouted, shaking his head.
"Noel did? We have been with him the last good while, and well," Harry tilted his eyes, and there was a flash of a hardness to his eyes before the look passed. Rafael was sure that he was the only one to see it. "Where is the damaged wall?"
"It was…in here," the young man drew off, his eyes confused as he looked over the wall.
"There is no damage," one of the guards frowned at the man.
"No, he did! He smashed the wall. These men weren't here with us five minutes ago! I came right to get you and tell you that a dangerous shifter was loose and…" The young man drew off.
"Noel, is this the young man who has been bullying you?" Harry curled his arm around Noel's.
"I…"
"If he is the one who has been bullying you, you need to be honest, and we will see what we can do about it. Discrimination is not meant to be expected in any decent schools and colleges anymore," Harry said gently.
"He is," Noel muttered, looking at the floor, embarrassed.
"Well, could the two of you lead us to one of Noel's tutors, then please? And would you be kind enough to inform them of what this young man told you, and what you found?" Harry smiled at the guards.
"Yeah, sure, some of the language that he used when he was 'reporting' this kid wasn't acceptable, and he definitely seemed more excited than anxious," one of the guards nodded before waving for them to follow.
Somehow, Rafael found himself following the guards and Harry and Noel, the Werelion now clinging to Harry's hand as they walked through the corridors with the other kid spluttering and protesting.
Then they were standing in front of a slightly baffled looking woman.
"Hello, I am a friend of Noel's, not his guardian, but someone who is responsible for his well being. My name is Harry. He has been telling me for a while about someone who has been bullying him for being a Were, and has been purposefully trying to provoke him into shifting, clearly trying to get him into trouble and kicked out of this college. Rafael and I were visiting, so Noel could tell us, and show us, what he had been working on when these guards burst into the room after this young man informed them that Noel had shifted and caused damage to the property. Noel has finally told us that this is the young man who has been bullying him because of his clear prejudice of what Noel is, and I would like to know what it is that you are going to do about it." Harry clasped Noel's hand between both of his and looked at the woman with an intent expression.
"I…we can't just take your word for it," The woman stammered.
"Of course you can't, the guards from your own college heard what this young man said about Noel, the insinuations that he made, and what they found when they came to the room," Harry smiled brightly.
"He used some pretty…derogatory language when he came to get us, and was trying to say that Noel had smashed a wall, but there was absolutely nothing when we walked into the room," one of the guards nodded.
"Why would he lie about something that would be easily proven to be wrong?" The teacher asked.
"Perhaps because he was frustrated at being unable to get a rise out of Noel for so long and came up with this idea, perhaps thinking that Noel would shift out of fear or frustration when he was confronted, and the damage in itself would be placed to the back of everything," Rafael said lowly.
"Marcus is a good student. I find it surprising that these things are being said about him," The teacher shook her head.
"I find it surprising that the word of four adults, two of whom are your own staff, and another one of your students, isn't evidence enough. Perhaps if you speak to others from Noel and Marcus' class, they will also be able to tell you of Marcus' goading," Harry raised an eyebrow.
"And as a member of the Coalition, I find it incredibly interesting," Rafael crossed his arms and looked at the woman intently, who flushed.
"No! I was merely stating…I…we will investigate this and deal with it, discrimination is not accepted within this college!" the woman said quickly.
"I will look forward to hearing how you will ensure that Noel is safe within these halls from discrimination," Harry nodded before pulling the Werelion, who was looking at him with hearts in his eyes, towards the door. "I will be in touch!"
"That was amazing! Thank you so much for doing that for me! You don't even know me!" Noel stammered as soon as Harry, he and Rafael stepped outside the school building.
"No one deserves to feel bullied or lesser. You have every right to be here, and you shouldn't need to deal with that crap!" Harry said fiercely.
"Noel!" The brunette Werelion turned quickly with a smile for a man around his age, who Harry and Rafael could see was a blond with curly hair racing towards them.
"Travis!" Noel reached out with one hand, and Rafael realised that Harry still had a fierce grip on the Werelion's other hand.
"I heard that you were in trouble?" Travis said, confused, looking over Harry and the Rafael before his eyes widened when he realised that the Rom of the Rodere was here.
"I was, but Harry did something to fix the wall I damaged, and he and Rafael managed to turn everything around on Marcus," Noel said, slightly awed, and Rafael had to stifle his amusement as he looked down at Harry; those were definitely love hearts in his eyes.
"Maybe we should go somewhere else to talk about it," Rafael said with slight warning, glancing around them as Travis clearly looked to start questioning them.
"Have you boys had some lunch?" Harry asked, looking them over.
"No," Noel shook his head, shuffling a little closer to Harry.
"How about we go back to mine? I need to take Rafael back to get his truck anyway, and we can have some lunch and talk?" Harry suggested.
"Are we travelling the same way?" Rafael fought to grimace.
"No, it will be a different mode," Harry grinned a little, his green eyes shining mischievously as he looked up at Rafael. Without really thinking, the Rom reached up and squeezed the back of Harry's neck in punishment, and watched those green eyes darken a little, the soft scent of cinnamon swimming into his nose, mixing with the pine and honey scent of Harry.
"Are we safe?" Travis muttered to Noel, looking uncertainly between them.
"I called Nicky, and he got Rafael here, and Harry has helped me," Noel nodded.
"Come on, we need to go somewhere we won't be seen," Harry said, and Rafael squeezed once more to get more of that scent that he knew was going to haunt him, and then led the way to where he could hear there were no people.
He watched a little baffled as Harry took off his belt and tapped it with his wand, muttering something. He did ignore Noel pouting at the lack of hand holding, and then Harry was holding the belt out to all of them.
"Hold onto the belt tight, make sure that you brace your knees, this won't feel pleasant," Harry warned.
"Better or worse than the disappearing thing?" Rafael huffed, stepping up next to Harry and taking the belt, pressing himself against the smaller man's side enough to feel his warmth against his side.
"It is called apparition," Harry chuckled, though he had a lovely blush on his cheeks. "It is similar in a different way," he added with a grin, making Rafael huff.
"Ready!" Noel chipped brightly, reaching out to also grab the belt. Travis looked a little more uncertain, glancing in concern at his friend, but he reached out and took the belt.
"Remember to brace your knees," Harry warned and gave them a moment before nodding. "Home," he said.
Rafael grunted when it felt as though he had been hooked behind his navel before the four of them were suddenly blasting through the air, the world spinning around them horrifically until the floor was suddenly under his feet.
He managed to keep his feet, but just about, though he was relieved to see that Harry staggered nearly as much, and he actually found himself reaching out to grab the Wizard to help him stay steady.
"I hate portkeying," Harry admitted. "Boys, are you ok?" He fussed a little, seeing that Noel and Travis were on their backs.
"That was so horrific, and so cool!" Travis grunted.
"Come on, let's settle at the table, and I will make you something to drink and eat," Harry helped pull them to their feet and then herded them over to the table.
"Boss?" Fredo popped his head into the kitchen, looking concerned. "You and Harry ok? We heard some weird noises,"
"We're fine, just getting to experience the convenient but less than fun side of Harry's magic," Rafael snorted.
"Where did they come from?" Fredo blinked at Travis and Noel, actually looking towards the front door, confused as though trying to work out how they had gotten in.
"Magic!" Noel grinned.
"I need to call Micah, let him and Nicky know that everything is ok." Rafael dug his phone out, and Harry nodded quickly in understanding.
"Who is Nicky?" He heard Harry asking as he walked to Harry's living room. Bobby-Lee was there and waiting for him with a raised eyebrow.
"Our Rex, he is pretty decent, especially compared to our last Rex," he heard Noel explaining.
"Let me call Micah first," Rafael said softly to Bobby-Lee.
Rafael paused in the doorway ten minutes later, having explained to Micah and Bobby-Lee what had happened and reassured his partner on the Coalition that everything had been dealt with, more so than he had been expecting, considering Harry had moved to get the bully dealt with.
When he walked back into the kitchen, he was fairly sure that Travis now also had hearts in his eyes as he looked at Harry, who was fussing around the young men; they had loads of plates sitting in front of them full of food.
"I can't believe that you have been surviving off of instant noodles, there are no real nutrients in them, you know, and definitely not for Weres, you need to be eating better than that!" Harry shook his head as he placed a plate full of sandwiches in front of the men, and then moved to tap his wand on the pan he had on the stove and then flicked his wand.
Rafael, Travis and Noel watched in awe as the pan floated into the air and soup started pouring into bowls that lined themselves up on the counter. Harry quickly had the majority of the bowls on a tray before he floated four of the bowls over to the table.
"Oh, you're back! Help yourself, and I will take this out to the others," Harry brightened when he saw Rafael leaning against the doorway.
"I am telling you, you need to stop feeding them. I am starting to get worried they will drag the job out just to keep getting fed by you." Rafael reached out and touched Harry's waist under the excuse of stepping out of his way, and that blush was getting to be something he was becoming more than addicted to seeing. "It smells amazing," he added.
"It was just something I knocked together," Harry shook his head. "I will be right back."
Rafael watched him hurrying down the hallway to the front door, and when he turned, Noel was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"Eat your lunch, cub," Rafael snorted, making his way over to the table. He piled some sandwiches onto a plate and pulled a bowl of soup towards himself as his mind spun while he listened to Harry handing out the bowls to his eager workers outside, all of them thanking him brightly and eagerly grabbing a bowl.
He looked at the Werelions who were stuffing their faces eagerly with the food in front of them, a ridiculous amount of food for Harry to have put together in such a short amount of time that Rafael had been gone, and he went through everything that had happened since Harry had realised an emergency was happening and someone needed help.
He realised that Harry was a carer and a nurturer it definitely matched the way he had been looking after Rafael's men, how protective and loving he clearly was of Teddy, and the way he had seen Noel in need of help and comfort and had immediately stepped in for him.
"How are you doing? Do you need anything else?" Harry asked, walking back into the kitchen.
"No, this is amazing, thank you so much, Harry. I haven't eaten this well in years!" Noel said brightly.
"Years? How long have you been in college?" Harry frowned, sitting at the table and pulling his own bowl towards himself.
"This is our second year," Noel smiled.
"You're the same age?" Harry asked Travis with a soft smile, who nodded. "What about what you eat at home?" he asked gently, and Rafael realised he had already guessed at the answer.
"Mum and dad kicked me out when I was infected," Noel said, lowering his eyes.
"Mine too," Travis shrugged as though he didn't care, but it was clear he did.
"What is it that you're both doing at college?" Harry asked.
"I am studying literature," Noel shrugged.
"That sounds amazing. I didn't really have a chance to read before Teddy, and the last few years haven't really allowed much time for it, but now Teddy is older, I can read a little more. Maybe you could recommend something for me to read!" Harry said brightly.
"Definitely," Noel blinked at him.
"Do you have a plan for what you want to do with your degree?" Harry asked.
"I want to teach at college," Noel said.
"That sounds like such a good plan, and a good career!" Harry smiled warmly. "And what about you, Travis?" he turned to the slightly shyer Werelion.
"I am studying to be a lawyer," Travis said before looking hesitantly between Rafael and Harry. "I want to work on the Coalition and help them."
"That is a wonderful goal, both careers are good careers, and sound like they're something you're passionate about, and helping people," Harry said as he nudged the plate of sandwiches closer to them.
"I would have ruined everything if you hadn't been able to fix my mistake," Noel sighed dejectedly.
"Weeks of being pushed and pushed and pushed will wear anyone down. Don't be too hard on yourself. And we did fix it, so there is nothing to panic about. I will make sure that Marcus is dealt with and not an issue to you if I have to hound that tutor of yours, and if there are any more problems like that, or Marcus carries on if they don't expel him, then you tell me right away before it builds up," Harry said firmly, and Rafael and the young men looked at him.
"But…you're going to…carry on?" Noel asked hesitantly.
"I told your tutor that I would be following up on it with her, and that I was involved in your life. If I don't show back up, then she will not take my threat seriously, and I am concerned that nothing will be done," Harry shrugged. "So I will definitely be carrying on, to make sure that she doesn't get suspicious or do nothing. If there are any things that you need or want a guardian to attend that your Rex can't, then you had better call me, and I will make sure that I am there. Same goes for you, Travis," Harry said nonchalantly, but the young men were staring at him wide eyed.
"But you…"
"Daddy!" The shout went through the house, and Rafael grinned as little feet stampeded to the kitchen. "Rafael!" Teddy gasped excitedly seeing him there as well, and he hurried over to his side.
"Hello, little wolf," Rafael smiled, turning in his chair to greet Teddy, and finding himself surprised when the little boy climbed into his lap and wrapped his arms around his shoulders. He hugged him back firmly, but flicked his eyes to Harry, concerned that he wouldn't be happy about the contact with his son, but Harry was just watching with a soft smile.
Then he turned sharp green eyes onto the Werelions.
"You're going to have to put up with my fussing, I am afraid, and if you don't touch base with me, then I will have to embarrass you a little by showing up at your college to make sure you're ok,"
"But…you only just met us!" Travis protested.
"And I can see you're good boys, and I like you," Harry said simply, and Rafael could see just how much those words meant to the lions.
"Daddy has that look on his face, he will fuss over you whether you like it or not," Teddy giggled with his little arms still around Rafael's neck. "I am Teddy,"
"We're Travis and Noel," Travis introduced, still looking baffled.
"Going to fuss over you boys, including making sure you aren't horrifying me by eating noodles all the time," Harry stroked over their necks in a way that was very Were, something that clearly wasn't instinct for him, but a habit that he had learned, no doubt to help Teddy.
"You're going to feed us?!" Noel sat up.
"You're growing Werelions! You can't survive on bad food!" Harry huffed.
"You're Werelions!" Teddy asked excitedly. He squealed excitedly when Travis partially shifted for him, Teddy sprouting a little grey fur and sharper fangs in his excitement. "So cool! I have Werewolf, Wererat and Werelion friends now!"
It was nearly two hours later that Rafael left with the other Wererats for the day, the two Werelions sitting in his truck for him to return to their dorms with a ton of food, their numbers exchanged with Harry, and a mixture of warnings and promises that Harry would see them soon.
Rafael was still feeling warm from where Teddy had sat on his knee happily for most of those two hours, Harry sitting close enough that his scent had filled Rafael's senses, and for the first time in a long time, a place had felt homey and warm to him in a way he had really forgotten about.
He had a small sense that he could potentially be getting himself into a lot of trouble here, especially with Harry's place in the City not settled at all, and the strength of the pull that Rafael felt towards him shocking the Rom a little.
After he dropped the Werelions off, he found himself almost automatically heading to Anita and Micah's Pard house, needing to speak to his friends about his riled thoughts.