If Paths Diverge

Chapter 11

The crack of Apparition brought Harry to his favourite gay pub in Muggle London, The Eagle. It was dinner time, but only Monday, so the place was pretty quiet.

Harry stumbled inside, still reeling, still lost, and collapsed into an empty seat at the bar.

"What can I get you, love?"

Harry didn't even look up.

"Martin. Is he working tonight?"

The man gave an apologetic groan.

"Nah, he's off today."

"Fuck."

The man laughed, but not unkindly.

"Hey, if you're lonely, I know there are a couple blokes in the booth at the back who'd mentioned being on the pull."

Harry nodded and gave his drink order, then the man retreated.

Harry didn't normally see the same person twice, but tonight, he was desperate to forget. Martin had been clean, he'd smelled nice, and had been open to casual encounters. He'd called Harry, Papi chulo, which Harry had liked the sound of, even if he hadn't known what it meant.

Harry turned to look in the direction the bartender had indicated and saw a group of four men, fairly attractive and stylish. Harry stood up and walked towards them before his drink had even been poured.

He wasn't here for the alcohol.

The first man to make eye contact smiled and Harry picked him. Harry crossed his arms and pressed his hip against the table.

"I want you to fuck me," Harry said boldly, to the outraged cries of the other men.

"Steady on! Buy the man a drink first, won't you?"

"Baxter! Lucky dog!"

"Have you seen Hopper, buddy? He's the one you should be asking!"

Harry ignored them all, his eyes locked onto the man he'd spoken to who had yet to react except to raise his eyebrows.

"Yeah sure, why not," the man said casually, with a roguish grin while his friends went mental.

"Follow me," Harry said, and walked to the back of the pub.

Harry heard the man, Baxter, trailing him, his friends still wolf-whistling, and he tried to control his panic.

Voldemort doesn't want me, he couldn't even bear touching me, I can do whatever I want, he doesn't want me anyway.

"What's your name?" the man asked, when they emerged outside and Harry began to walk towards the alleyway a few shops down.

"Harry."

"Are you okay?" the man asked with an incredulous chuckle, still following as Harry led them down the mouth of the path and into the shadows.

"I mean, this is pretty ballsy, just walking up and asking for sex. Do you do this a lot?"

Harry turned and pushed the taller man against the wall, kissing him. Baxter let out a surprised laugh and then wrapped his arms around Harry.

"Bite me," Harry growled, and let out a cry when the man obliged, sinking his teeth into Harry's shoulder.

"Did you bring a condom?" Baxter asked, twisting and pushing Harry's back against the wall.

His hands began to work at pulling down Harry's trousers and pants.

"Hey, what's this stick you're carrying?"

Baxter had pulled out Harry's wand, an amused expression on his face.