Chapter Text
There was something going on. Harry could feel it in the tension filling the house. Sure everyone was acting normal to an extent but every now and then he’d catch side-eye glances as if there were silent conversations going on. The worst offenders were the main triad. Darius would look at him contemplatively, so intensely; Brayden would give him worried glances, hands always wringing the bottom of his shirt as his fidget tell; Sera was looking like she’d have to throw herself in to intermediate between the two of them at any moment.
Like any build up of pressure, it had to come to a head at some point and finally, finally, Harry was asked into Darius’ office.
Harry took his typical seat, a seat that used to have only bad memories with it but Darius had begun to invite him in for tea to talk, usually going over and teaching him about his many, many finances. After the kerfuffle from third year both of them needed something to discuss that didn’t remind them of it - finances were a good start and it was nice to hear about things his parents left him.
“Thank you for joining me, Harry. I have something I need to bring up with you that I’m not sure how you’ll react to. I would like to let you know that Felix knows what I’m about to bring up and has offered to talk it through with you should you need it.”
Darius was somber in his words and Harry didn’t like it. He gripped the arm rests until his knuckles turned white while he looked into Darius’ dark eyes.
“The gheyos have-”
The door opened sharply, not quite hitting the wall but with enough force that Harry felt like he could hear the bang that never happened. Brayden stood there glowering at the alpha who looked just as unhappy that the submissive was there. Harry shifted uneasily in his seat, he had seen the two argue once or twice, but it had never felt as heightened as it did now.
“Darius, I told you to wait for me.”
“Brayden, you don’t need to coddle him-”
“He’s mine! You can’t just throw this-”
There was a loud bang as Darius’ hand slapped on the desk, “He’s ours! My mark is on him just as deeply as yours. Do not interrupt me again.”
Harry ducked his head, watching the scene play out through the fringe of his hair. Darius was half out of his chair with a growl in his throat while Brayden stared him down with his head held high. It felt like it lasted minutes but couldn’t have been more than seconds till Brayden averted his eyes and tilted his head down, showing off the alpha’s claim mark on his neck. Darius slowly sat back down, still watching Brayden carefully.
“Lock the door and sit down. I don’t want any more interruptions during this conversation.”
Brayden was quick to do as he was told, offering Harry a tight smile when Harry looked at him worryingly. The submissive took one of his hands and let Harry grip his hand instead of the armchair. Harry gave a light squeeze of the hand, the interruption having actually distracted him from his own trepidation.
“Now, Harry, the gheyos have collected your relatives from Earth and brought them to Nevarah. We filed a claim of mistreatment and the trial starts the day after tomorrow.”
“Darius!” Brayden hissed, receiving only a warning glare in return. A rather effective one as the alpha let his scales and ridges come forth, always a sign that Darius was losing his temper despite the fact that even when he did he was usually calm and collected about it. Not that Harry really noticed that, it was more of an after thought. A hazy collection of knowledge of his surroundings as his thoughts were stuck on ‘...brought them to Nevarah’ on repeat. All color drained from his face and his eyes were stuck on Darius’ finger tips at the desk.
“Harry?” That soft and worried tone could only belong to Brayden. Apparently he had been silent for too long.
“... You brought them here? To Nevarah?” His voice sounded as small as he felt. He was almost fourteen. He felt three. It felt like when his Aunt had ripped away his favorite blanket, telling him that bad children didn’t get warm blankets anymore and had stuffed him in his cupboard with a ratty old towel. It was surprising how much safety that blanket had provided him with, and then it was gone, just like that. Now his safety in Nevarah had been compromised as well.
There was a pause before Darius answered, “Yes, Harry. We had to in order for them to stand trial for their conduct against you.”
There was an angry burn in his eyes and he pulled his hand free of Brayden’s in order to clench them into fists that dug his nails into his palms painfully. Still, his eyes didn’t leave Darius’ fingertips, not ready to look the alpha in the eye.
“Why do they need to stand trial? I’m away from them. You said I’d never have to go back. Why couldn’t you just leave them alone?!” He didn’t quite raise his voice, but it was gaining strength as fear turned to anger.
“They need to be held accountable for what they did, Harry. This could also bring you closure.”
“Closure?! I don’t need closure!” Now his voice was definitely rising, his gaze lifting to meet the dark grey and worried (Worried? Why was he worried?) eyes of Darius. “Nevarah was safe! Now, now you’ve brought them here and.. And! You had no right to do this!”
That worried gaze turned hard and narrow, if there was one way to rile Darius up it was to tell him what he could and couldn’t do. “Be careful with your words, Harry. As your alpha I do have certain rights to take justice into my own claws and see to it you are given your dues. Whether you like it or not things are already in motion and you will need to sit at trial and give your testimony.”
“No! I don’t- I won’t do it! I won’t see them again! You said I wouldn’t have to go back!” Harry could feel his breath quicken, the last time he saw his Aunt and Uncle was when Leon and Ezra helped him gather his things. The time before that… He swallowed as his memory went back to that night and the crack of the belt as it landed on him.
“Shh, shh, Harry, Harry look at me.” Hands that smelled faintly of herbs went to his head, one cupping his cheek and turning him to face Brayden while the other went to his hair and gently stroked it. “There you go. Harry, you aren’t going back. This isn’t a trial to determine that. There is no question that you are ours and you will stay with our circle. This is solely about justice for the treatment you received at their hands.”
He heard the words, but couldn’t quite comprehend them just yet. A tear fell from each eye, gentle thumbs brushing them away. They sat there like that for a moment, cloudy green meeting deep brown eyes. Eventually Harry tried to blink away the remaining water in his eyes, another tear falling as he pulled away to sit upright in his chair again, using his arm to smear the tear away.
“Harry, you won’t have to see or hear them either. In Nevarah you give your testimony and your presence. You may have to take a brief look at them to identify them but anything else you can ask to be blocked. We would never want to subject a victim to their torturer.”
Quiet descended on the office, the only interruptions were a few quiet sniffles from Harry. Harry who sat there with his head bowed, looking at the nail marks on his palms.
“I’d like to go back to the coven now, please.”
“Are, are you sure, Harry? We still have several hours before-” Brayden sounded almost stricken by the request. Harry usually fought to stay with the circle, never had he requested to go to the coven.
“Please. I’d like to go back to the coven.”
“I’ll take you.” That was Darius, not someone who usually took him to and from but Harry liked walking the shadows so that wasn’t an issue.
Brayden stood with them, looking like he wanted to grab Harry and refuse to let him go but he stood aside and let Harry pass him without a word. Harry didn’t even want to say goodbye to anyone, just took Darius’ hand there in the office and soon they were on their way.
Once at the coven he didn’t necessarily take off, but he did leave Darius behind as he walked briskly from the transportation room and towards his room. Rhiana passed him in the hallway with a soft, “Harry?” Before Darius grabbed her attention.
“We talked about the trial. If I may, I’d like to talk to Felix…” Darius’ voice faded off as Harry closed the door to his room, if Darius was going to talk to Felix then Harry would be asked to talk to Felix.
There was a blanket from home on top of the covers. He grabbed it and went to the wardrobe, his movements almost mechanical as he stepped inside and covered himself with the blanket, shutting the door as he curled up into a ball as small as he could possibly be, hugging himself tight as he shook apart.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harry felt both exhausted and wired at the same time. He hadn't slept the last two nights since he'd been told about the trial and now he was being guided into a stadium like room to the front row of seats before what appeared to be a large stage. Everything felt like it was coming through a foggy tunnel. He couldn't focus and he was flinching away from even the slightest of touches. Ian had to use spells for his robes instead of straightening anything by hand with as much as Harry was refusing anyone to touch him. Still, he had been dressed in brand new nice robes bright and early that morning before they had made their way to the current court room.
When he finally had a mind to look around the stage he noticed some extra seating to the side and two young adults sitting at it. At least he thought they were young, it was hard to tell at times with dragels. A woman with hair so red it looked black, the only reason he knew it was red because it shone bright where the light hit it. She was dressed in all shades of red and a circlet rested on her brow. Next to her was a man in browns and golds, somehow matching his skin and eye color without making him look monochromatic. He too had a circlet on his brow.
That's when Harry started noticing everyone else filing into the room. There was, of course, his circle, then some he knew from the coven, Rhiana and Felix were there, but the rest were strangers. There weren't many, but enough that had Harry ducking his head. He wished he could hide and yet they were expecting him to be in the spotlight.
“You're okay, my sweetling. My dear one, nothing can get to you here.”
He flinched at the hand that brushed through his hair but the pulse of comfort and love through his bonds had him giving a shaky breath. He gave tentative tugs on his bonds, unsure if he could ask for more and received so much in return. Almost too much.
Then it felt like his head would explode, the pressure in the room was going to cause him to pop like a balloon! The screeching in his ears had him clasping his hands over his ears, fingers digging into his scalp. Warm, almost too warm, hands covered his, pressing firmly for a brief moment before they tugged gently and Harry tentatively withdrew his hands as he recognized that everything stopped. He opened his eyes and stared at the figure that stood there draped in grey. The woman on the high bench called them ‘The Shrouded One’. Harry couldn't tell you how he knew they were looking at him but he almost felt relief flow through him as they did. Like he wouldn't be called a liar or making up excuses or dismissed as a child. Maybe, just maybe someone would believe his side of things. Maybe this time something would actually be done. Maybe Darius had been right that he needed this.
The red woman (he really needed to figure out who they were) began to talk only to be interrupted by the gathering of shadows near the Shrouded One. There was a surprised murmur through the room before silence descended as the shadows grew and grew before dripping to the ground and leaving behind a tall lady dressed in robes of ratty shadows with a hood that covered all but her skeletal mouth. A throne appeared behind her and she sat gracefully. Harry couldn't help but look at her curiously. He knew her. Somehow it was like seeing a friend that had changed to the point of almost being unrecognizable but that didn't change that you knew them in your heart.
“I wasn't sure you would join us, but I should have known you would, after all this does involve your-” For once Harry was focused enough to hear the Shrouded One speak.
“I may witness if I choose, as is my right.
“Of course, Death. As is your right.”
Death. Was that why she was so familiar? He had been at Death’s door a few times now. That didn't explain what made him so special. He felt pinpricks on his hand and shoulder. Brayden had kept hold of his hand and at some point Darius had wrapped an arm around his shoulders but now both had their claws out and they dug bluntly into his robes. When he looked at them both looked pale and quite uncomfortable.
“Darius, why is she here?” Brayden whispered over his head to their alpha. As a shadow element he did work closer with Death’s Court than other dragel, called out when reapings occurred, but still, he could only shake his head.
“I don't know, she does have the right as she said though.”
“And my rights? I, too, would like to join this procession over this dragel.” A dark skinned man stepped out of nothing, dressed in warm colors.
“Of course Fate. You are welcome.” The Shrouded One sounded amused by the ones who had come forth.
Harry took a moment to just stare. Fate and Death had come to see his trial? Why? What was so special about him? He looked into Death’s hood as she turned to him, only the slightest glow of red able to be seen. He was not scared. Instead he felt… comfort? Oh. He thinks he understands now.
“My seals. I think I know who put my seals on me.” At least two of them. After all, who better to place a prophetic and death seal than Fate and Death themselves?
He heard a sharp intake of breath from Brayden and Darius’ hand squeezing his shoulder once more and this time it was him who pushed a bit of comfort through their bonds. He was okay with this. He didn't know much about Fate, didn't have the same comfortable feelings with him, but Death… He knew her. He trusted her.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately the calm he obtained from Death’s presence only lasted until he was called up to the stage. He screamed mentally, wanting to rip off the fancy robe and hide in Ezra's arms. He felt numb as he walked up the the stage, an elaborate chair appearing by magic and he took his seat.
“Your name, please.” The pretty woman said, her voice kind.
“Um, Harry. Harry James Potter.” He stumbled over his words. “Um, who are…?” He stopped himself before he finished, unsure if he should even be asking questions.
The kind woman looked surprised before faint amusement shined from her eyes. “That's right. You're not a Nevarean native. Apologies Harry. I am Princess Ebony of the Fire element and beside me is Prince Raspen of the Earth element. We are proceeding over your case as your circle falls under our jurisdictions. The immortals here today hold us accountable for judging fairly and justly.”
Harry nodded his thanks as he rubbed his hands together in a nervous gesture.
“Harry, you were called here today to shed some light on some serious allegations that have been placed against your blood relatives. In Nevarah, mistreatment of a child is a heinous crime. When it is the actions of their own blood it makes it monstrous. To confirm these allegations we ask only that you give us your truth. Do you understand?”
That was Prince Raspen this time. A verbal answer was probably needed. “Yes. I understand.” What allegations did they have exactly?
“Are you ready to begin?”
He looked at the immortals that surrounded him and then out across the way where his entire circle sat, waiting there for him. Darius, Brayden, Sera, Ian, Sia, Caleb, Clara, Leon and Ezra. All of the people that were all his. That was so many. All of them wanting him to do this for justice and closure. He didn't much feel like he was getting any, he would have preferred it to all just be left alone, but they were here now. Now everyone would hear of his life. Maybe, just maybe, this time he'd be heard.
He nodded his head. “Yes.”
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
It started easy enough.
“My bedroom was the cupboard under the stairs until I turned eleven. I slept with the cleaning supplies and the spiders.”
“If I burned breakfast Aunt Petunia would swing the skillet at me. I got good at getting out of her way and I got good at cooking.”
Some small blurbs about life in general.
“They didn't like wasting hot water on me.”
“Dudley hated when I got food. He often stole what was on my plate and then get seconds. …I never got seconds.”
“I’d get punished if I didn't complete my chores on time. I remember once I was locked outside in the snow for the night…”
He just had to think about it like a story. It wasn't his life, it was a movie he was watching go by in his head. He could feel himself detaching from himself. He tried so hard to keep emotions from his telling. He had his truth, didn't mean he wanted to tell it. Didn't mean he wanted to feel it.
“Aunt Petunia shaved my head once. My hair was grown back by the next morning. She slapped me…”
“Uncle Vernon would get angry at me just existing. It was worse when he indulged in alcohol.”
“I don't want to talk about Uncle Vernon.”
Harry could feel himself curling into himself even though he was still seated on the chair. His shoulders hunched, his knees bent, fingers gripping the edge of his seat tightly. Could they be done?
“Harry, when you were pulled in by the soul scream. Your healer noted that you had sustained a sprained ankle, broken arm, fractured cheek bone and abrasions along your back. Can you tell us how you got those?”
Harry didn't want to. He glanced up at the royals. The Princess's voice had been gentle but as he looked he could see the barest flames beginning in her hair. Next to her the Prince looked pained but steady.
“I blew up Aunt Marge. Like a balloon. It was an accident! But that didn't matter, it never mattered…” He took a shaky breath in trying to roll his shoulders back for some sort of posture correction. His eyes found a chip in the table they were at and he focused on that so he wouldn't have to look anyone in the eyes.
“I was angry and tried to grab my stuff to run and get away. I was tired of dealing with them that summer… Uncle Vernon was angry too. Very angry. I don't… I don't remember much of what happened. I just remember that it hurt and I tried to get away which just made him angrier. I should have remembered not to struggle. It always made him angrier.”
Harry let out a deep breath before he looked up at the royals again. “I don't want to do this anymore.” Boundaries. Even in court he could set boundaries, right?
“Just one more question, Harry. Then you can go back to your circle.” Prince Raspen looked at him with striking golden eyes that seemed to weigh him down, not in a bad way, more like a weighted blanket type way. “If you could have any punishment be weighed upon those who have wronged you, what would it be?”
Anything? That was easy. “I want them out of Nevarah and never come back. I want to never see them again. I want them to leave me alone.”
There were two royal nods. “Thank you Harry. You may return to your circle.”
It was when he was partially over there that he turned back to the royals. “I was told that I wouldn't have to see them.”
A nod from the Earth Prince. “That is true. You also won't be able to see the rest of the proceedings if you choose that.”
“I’d rather not if I don't have to…”
“The pareya will see to it.”
With that he was ushered back to his seat. “Any who would like to stay close will also be caught in the viewing spell. Make sure you space yourselves appropriately if you wish to view the remainder of the proceedings.” Was warned by the pareya. With that there was some shuffling before Harry was being tightly bracketed by Sia and Brayden, soft magic flowing over his senses and quiet from the outside world as a specific privacy ward was placed around them limiting what could make it into their bubble. Where as before sitting up there he could barely stand a light touch now he was soaking up the affection, leaning onto Brayden and resting his head upon the submissive’s shoulder. Brayden's fingers stroked through his hair, as he purred comfortingly while Sia stroked his back with her bubbly magic tickling him.
He kind of… disconnected at that point. He could see his circle if he looked to the side, they were hazy but he could see the scales bursting over their skin and Ezra’s fangs as he snarled at whatever was on stage. Otherwise it was quiet, so, so quiet that Brayden’s purr sounded like it was echoing in a concert hall. Despite how long it must have been, Brayden never stopped his purr and Sia’s hand never left him, moving from his back to entwine their hands together, until finally a pareya was caught in the corner of his eye coming towards them. The bubble popped and an empty stage was left before him, he could see the slightest hint of the royals procession leaving out the door before it was closed. He could hear people getting up from their chairs and leaving the room but it still felt so far away.
“Harry, it’s time for us to go. Darius will tell us more about the trial once we’re home.”
Brayden gently nudged him up so he could slowly leave the benched area. It felt like he was moving through sludge. Not even the bright bonds within him could reach him at this point.
Going home was a blur, the prickling of Portgas barely a sensation as they arrived. Everyone filed down the hall and into the living room, no one leaving as Darius stepped up to Harry and gently brushed away his fringe from his eyes - oh so gently and out of character for the usually stern alpha. “My Harry, I’m so sorry.” He was pulled close and arms wrapped around his shoulders, a hand cradling the back of his head to firm chest, and then he was safe.
Harry stood there frozen for a moment before his arms wrapped shakily around Darius in return, clutching tightly as he began to feel tears fall from his eyes and soak up in Darius’ shirt. The shaking seemed to extend through his whole body as sobs wracked through him. The sobs and tears wouldn’t stop no matter how much Harry willed them to, his emotions bubbling over uncontrollably. It reached a tipping point where he just screamed into Darius, the arms holding him tighter as he screamed and screamed, only breaking for a breath and sob.
When it was over, when he had no more to give, his legs felt like they could no longer carry him. Darius must have felt him losing that battle because he was bundled up and carried the short distance to the couch, cradled on the alpha’s lap and arms never losing their embrace of him. Once again he felt just a little off center, a little to the left of everything. A hesitant hand gently touched his head, running through his hair but all he did was close his eyes and hide his face into Darius, not caring about his glasses that pushed into his skin.
There were murmurs around him, the sound of movement and then quiet the only sound breaking it was his occasional hiccuped sob and sniffle. Harry didn’t dare move, no matter how much the tension in his shoulders began to hurt or his arms got tired from clutching tight, he refused to move from the tight embrace of safety. This was his alpha, this was why no matter how much they clashed he would return to him and apologize, this feeling right now.
Time passed. Hands slowly loosened but didn’t let go. At least not until other hands came forth and took them, gently tugging them free. He whined but the hands merely shifted him around to let him grab onto new shoulders, these ones broader with muscles.
“Come here, bright eyes. Let’s give Darius a break.”
Ezra’s voice pierced the quietness. In fact the more he came back the more he could hear. It wasn’t much, but it was like a bubble had popped. A privacy ward possibly? He let himself be transferred over, settling in the gheyo’s lap and nestled against the flexisuit he wore - armor gone from his body. He felt a hand stroke his hair before the brief wind of someone passing by, he barely heard the footsteps but he could hear shuffling in the kitchen - Sia must be making something.
“Dinner should be ready soon. Are you going to eat?”
A shake of his head. Food was not even on his mind as something necessary to do.
“Are you going to say anything anytime soon?”
Another shake of his head. Not only did he not want to talk, his throat was so sore it felt like he’d croak.
“Okay, nonverbal. That’s okay.” He felt a press of lips to his brow. “You did so well today. I’m so proud of you.”
Harry didn’t think he had much to be proud about. He told people the ugly truth of what happened to him growing up and then completely lost it. He shook his head.
“No? I shouldn’t be proud of you? Ah, well. You can’t control how I feel, so too bad. I am extremely proud of you. You did something very hard. Now just let us take care of you.” He was rocked a little bit and as much as he wanted to protest that he wasn’t a baby, he couldn’t help but think that it felt nice. “How about some tea? Some hydration will go a long way to keep you feeling better physically.”
Harry hesitated, not answering for a little bit before nodding. A hand came up and gently cupped around his ear, pressing his head down so his other ear was muffled by Ezra’s body. Harry could practically hear the thump of blood pulsing through Ezra and it made him salivate just a little.
“Sia! Some tea for Harry, if you please.”
The voice sounded like it was coming from a tunnel, at least until his ear was uncovered and sound returned to normal. He gave a weak whine when Ezra nudged him around until he sat a little more upright and with his face no longer hidden. And just like that Sia was there with a mug of hot tea, setting it down on the coffee table in front of the couch. She gave a sad croon when she took in Harry.
“Oh, baby…” She sounded like her heart was breaking. Sia shouldn’t sound like that. Hands cupped his face and thumbs just wiped over his cheekbones. The feeling of soft bubbles blew gently over him and the itchiness of dried tears vanished and the fog on his glasses cleared up. He gave another sniffle as he looked into her purple eyes, earning a small smile. “I made it just how you like it. A little bit of tea with your sugar. And a little blood as well. It’ll be good for you. The cup is set to refill a couple of times for you.”
It was Ezra who nodded with a quick, “Thanks, Sia.” Waiting until the pareya had left before reaching for the cup. He nestled it in between Harry’s hands and Harry just held it, letting the near burning heat soak in his hands just to feel something other than the grief and pain that currently stabbed at his heart. He took a drink when encouraged and they were right. The tea did seem to help, just a little, but it seemed to pull him back little by little to the real world. Not that he wanted to be there, but it was better than where he was.
It wasn’t till he was half way done with his cup that Ezra spoke again. “Darius is waiting for you to go to him for the results of the trial. Whenever you’re ready.”
Harry didn’t think he’d ever be ready, but he still nodded and continued to sip his tea without another act of recognition to what Ezra said.
Soon the cup was put to the side, despite having refilled itself, and Harry was back to being cradled in a half laying position as Ezra shifted them to more lounge across the couch instead of sitting up on it. At some point there was a shuffle of many footsteps and then soft discussion coming from the dining room. Dinner must have started. But still they laid there. No pressure to talk. No pressure to eat. No one was pressuring Harry to do anything at all really.
“Ezra, you should go eat.”
“Does that mean you’re hungry?”
Harry shook his head, definitely not hungry.
“Then I’ll wait. I’m not leaving you alone right now and I don’t think you want to be in the dining room either.”
That was true. He did not want to be under their scrutiny at this moment. “...Am I going back to the coven tonight?”
Arms tightened around him in a brief squeeze. “Do you want to go back to the coven tonight?”
“...No.”
“Then no. You won’t be going back. It does mean you’ll be in the resting room tonight. You’re not going to be left alone after such a big day.”
Part of him wanted to be alone, let him break and shatter and crumble on his own, but his circle had already proven that they could hold him together if he broke in front of them so maybe this would be okay. “Okay. Can I go to bed then?”
“Of course, bright eyes.” And with that Ezra shifted them and then stood, Harry kept in his arms as he left the living room and took them to the resting room.
“Do you remember the switching spell? I’m no good at it when it comes to doing it on others. Otherwise we’ll need to head to your room to get you changed.”
Harry shook his head at that. He got it. It was very convenient in getting dressed in the morning to have a spell that would literally replace his pajamas with his day clothes. He sent the dress robes to his room, creased and wrinkled as they were, and then he already felt a little better being in loose sweats that were soft against his body. And with that he crawled into the bed, burying himself under the covers to feel the comfort of their weight on him and the softness of the pillow beneath his head. It was so different from any sleeping arrangement he had at the Dursleys, it felt nice to rest his aching head against the cool sheets and blink tired and fuzzy eyes at the blurry image of Ezra as the gheyo stretched out beside him on top of the covers.
Then that was it. He fell into the blackness of sleep and let the nightmares take hold of him.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------
No one got good sleep that night. The gheyos were high strung without an outlet and everyone else had piled in the resting room to surround one of their own in their time of need. Thus everyone woke up to the cries and restlessness of Harry as nightmares plagued him. It was an early morning for everyone that day.
It was closer to the afternoon when Darius approached him. The alpha sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch where Harry had laid for most of the day, dozing on and off under a mound of blankets and with someone always in the room with him.
“Harry. Do you want to know what happened to your relatives?”
That was the question wasn’t it? He hesitated before slowly nodding his head. He did want to know, even if it made him anxious.
“Here or in my office?”
Harry swallowed as he was given the choice. Did he want to do it here? Not really. He preferred to make Darius’ office the sole place in the house that hard words and decisions were made. But he didn’t want to move either. “Your office.” He struggled a little with the blankets as he sat up, getting to his feet. He gave a small gasp as he was lifted and hands cradled him close to the alpha and he went nearly boneless. He arms looping around the other’s neck and resting his head on them for the short walk to the office.
Once there he wasn’t deposited into the chair, instead he was taken to the small loveseat and put there while Darius once more sat on the coffee table and hunched a little so he could be nearly eye level with Harry. They sat there in silence for a few moments before a soft knock came from the door then it opened and Brayden came through. Harry wasn’t sure he wanted Brayden here this time, but he didn’t say anything.
“Oh, is it time for this conversation? Okay. Harry, may I touch you?”
Brayden’s voice made it sound like he would very much like to touch him as the submissive sat down beside him, careful to not touch until given permission. However, even just being that close to the heat the fire dragel let off relaxed something in him. He associated that heat with love and care and healing. All things he could really use right then. (And if he was honest with himself, he was receiving more than he deserved.) So he nodded to Brayden and relaxed when the other scooted close so their sides were touching from knee to shoulder and Brayden’s hand was around his shoulders.
“Harry. The Dursleys, your relatives, were found guilty of mistreatment of a child.” Darius began, already Harry could feel the burn in his eyes - he thought he had cried everything out last night. “Usually such sentence would mean death.” He shot up, a gasp of air to cry out no - he didn’t want anyone to die because of him! Not even the Dursleys! He stopped himself at the hand that was held up. “Your wants were taken into consideration. Your Aunt and Uncle were returned to Earth. They will live every injury and instance of neglect that you faced in their dreams for the rest of their lives. Their luck will have soured and they will live out the rest of their lives miserable and in ruin. Your Aunt had suppressions on her dragel inheritance. Those were adjusted to seal it properly and she will never be able to access her dragel side or inheritance.”
Here is where Darius hesitated, an unusual action for the usually composed alpha. “Your cousin Dudley. I know you wanted them off Nevarah, but the courts decided that your cousin would be kept on Nevarah and placed with a pareyic coven till his inheritance at which point he will be able to choose to give it up and return to Earth or become a dragel and stay on Nevarah.”
“He’ll be here? On Nevarah?” Harry felt one of his hands taken by another. Looking down he saw Brayden unclenching his fingers and entwining their fingers to keep his nails from digging into his skin. His other hand was gently rubbing his upper arm on the other side. “In my coven?”
“No. No, Harry. He’ll be at a different coven far from you. He is to have no contact with you unless you initiate it. Magic demands it.”
Harry was silent for a moment as he mulled it over in his mind. “...It doesn’t seem like enough.” There was no response to that, no excuses given. “I know I didn’t want them hurt or dead, but even if, even if they had been sentenced to jail for the rest of their lives it doesn’t feel like it’d be enough. They hurt me. I just… I just wanted to be loved.” He wiped aggressively at his eyes with his free hand, smearing the tears that built up in the corners.
His hand was caught in a larger one with few callouses. It was squeezed lightly before Darius’ other hand lifted and cupped Harry’s face gently. “We can’t fix the past. It is a limitation of magic that we can’t just go back and give you all the love you deserve, but we’re here now. This entire circle loves you so very much. You are so, so loved, Harry.”
And that broke him again, because he was. He could feel it deep in his soul where bright bands connected him to these wonderful people. All he ever had to do was ask and his heart would be bombarded with love. So he let himself shake apart once more, letting himself be vulnerable in the hands of his alpha and submissive and letting them hold his pieces together as he picked them up one by one.