The Last of the Starks

Chapter VII

Birds chirped merrily in the early morning. Fresh dew clung to the grass and trees just as the flowers released their intoxicating perfume. It wafted in the air, rising high before entering the Master Bedroom. It mingled in the air, condensing as it tickled the nose of the young man still lying in bed. He slowly opened his eyes, a small smile on his face. Before he got up with a look of confusion.

His dream last night was no dream, but a memory. It was one of the ones that were obliviated from his mind. He thought back to the memory for any more detail, only remembering the room and nothing else. It was in a similar style to the Slytherin common room, something he noted from his Second Year excursion into said room. Now that he thought about it, the memory was from his second year.

He remembers quite well that back then, he never let people touch him. It unnerved him beyond belief and was one of the few times he had lied to his friends in some way. So why would he allow someone to touch him, let alone caress him in such a... explicit way. Nothing sexual had happened, but it wasn't something friends would do, he knew that for certain. Yet, instead, of feeling appalled, he felt loved, content, and... good. So good.

The memory sent a pleasant shiver down his spine and another smile laid on his lips. Hopefully, as more memories are revealed, he will know who this enticing stranger is, and whether or not he could trust him. That thought caused a slight pain in his chest, which confused him. He would need to ask Aunt Stas and Uncle Phil what it meant when he was done.

He finally got out of bed and found that the doors to the private balcony were open. When he walked out, he saw the vast gardens that laid below. They were completely renewed, and the House had never looked better in the entirety of the times he had been here. All the cracks were gone, a new roof rested on it, and a fresh layer of paint could be seen.

He thought about what he wanted to do and then decided to continue his previous routine from last summer. He walked to the closet and changed into a payer of black, a grey tank top, and black running shoes. He knew there was a shower house next to the pool, so he grabbed some clothes for after his workout as well. He went down the steps, noting how everything is all clean and new. Not a trace of dust could be found, and he was more than happy with Kreacher.

When he got outside, he headed over to the showers and dropped his clothes off. He then called out, "Kreacher." Kreacher popped in front of him, and bowed slightly, causing Harry to gasp slightly. Even Kreacher seemed renewed. He looked years younger and had what was slicked-back grey hair. He wore a uniform of smoking, with both the Potter and Black Crests on them.

And then Kreacher spoke in a wisened yet smooth tone, "Master Lord called for Kreacher. What shall Kreacher do for him?" Harry stared for a bit and then said, "I wished to thank you for your continued work on the estate. It is the best I have ever seen it. Also, I will be doing a few morning workouts, and would like to eat breakfast out here when I am done." Kreacher bowed, "Thank you, Master Lord. Kreacher will get breakfast ready when it is appropriate." He then popped out of existence, leaving behind a slightly impressed and amused Harry behind.

Harry finally looked out over the path in the garden and started running. He ran all around the garden, stopping halfway through by a lake that sat in the middle of the garden. There he did his stretches, along with pushups, situps, crunches, and pullups on a nearby tree. He had a max of 50 when he had finished the previous summer, and chose to start back out at that. It had hurt, but Harry knew it would be more than worth it. He already had a decent amount of muscle on him, making him look healthy, but he was not where he wanted to be. He decided he would look into investing in a training room here at the state. When he finished, he ran back to the locker rooms by the pull.

As he stepped into the shower, allowing the warm water to fall over him, his mind seemed t sink. Another grey picture seemed to gain colour, and he was seeing another memory. This one was in a bathroom. More specifically, a bathtub filled to the brim with hot water and soap. He was laying against a chest in pair of swim trunks, soaking up both sources of heat. The man underneath him spoke, "I'll have to be sent away little one. You know I do. If Dumbledore finds me, he will kill me. And I have no desire in dying now that I have found you Mi Amour."