| INTIMACY | - HPxTMR

Chapter 3 [First Impressions]

This took much longer than I was expecting, and it was supposed to contain much more as well. However, once I got to 2k words and only had 3/8 planned scenes written, I knew I was going to have to split it. The word count still surpassed my usual goal, but that's fine.

Note: Roses, when presented in the number thirteen can either symbolise eternal friendship or a secret admirer. :)

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14th July 1997

After the selection was over, in which the Emperor chose six new concubines in total, Harry was ushered into yet another carriage. This one was far grander than the one he had ridden in with Dahlia to the palace and much larger on the inside too. Its decor clearly established the difference between the money the Malfoy's had obtained through centuries of deceit and the wealth the Emperor had acquired by conquering the world.

It was coloured black and silver, with the crest of the Imperial Slytherin family etched onto its sides. The black carpet was soft under his feet, and the seats even plusher, with small pillows dotted around for added comfort. Drawn by hippogriffs, it was no surprise that the whole journey included people gawking at the carriage, who he shied away from, drawing the curtains for privacy. Harry shared it with no one else, being the only Noble appointed that day.

And wasn't that a shock? Even Dahlia, whose family had such close connections with the Emperor himself, had only been appointed as a First-Class Attendant. She, along with the other four chosen, was riding in a singular carriage behind him that looked smaller, but he knew that outside looks were deceiving in the wizarding world.

'Noble' was a title that had only been bestowed to a new member a couple of times before, and Harry was grateful for the privilege, for a rank that made it easier to prove himself. His position would bring his family a certain amount of prestige, and he hoped that he'd only rise in the harem ranks from now on. For his family to regain its prior status in society, he'd have to be named at least a concubine, which would designate him as a legal spouse to the Emperor. He doubted that anyone would wish to go against a Concubine's family, who had the ears of the ruler of the world.

The carriage stopped after around an hour of journeying, having travelled from the City of Honour, through the Grand City of Everlasting Sovereignty, and into the Court of Beauty and Passion. The door opened after a sharp rap, flooding the space with light. A Eunuch stood at the bottom of the carriage's steps, bowed with a hand held out. "Your Lordship, Noble Potter-Black, we have arrived at the Hall of Worship." The Eunuch was older than one's he had seen previously, but the sharp glint in his eyes betrayed that he was not one to be underestimated. "Please, allow this one to escort you to your chambers for the evening." Harry took his outstretched arm gently, wary of placing so much strain on his seemingly delicate frame. His own maids were entering the Court by means of the servants' gate, so they weren't there to do this job as they usually would have.

"May I ask for your name?" Harry asked, as polite as he dared to someone who was now deemed much lesser than himself. He had to get used to it quickly- he supposed- if he was going to stand a chance in this deadly palace, but he wouldn't like it one bit. Facing the scorn of the other members, however, would be too detrimental to his family to try and go against such rules. Not until he was highly ranked and had garnered his Majesty's favour. It would be a few years yet until he could truly speak how he wanted. Hopefully.

The old man grinned, his smile kind and grandfatherly, a contrast to his stony eyes. "I am Elder Evern, your Lordship, a Eunuch who has been in his majesty's service for fifty years now." Meaning the Emperor had been collecting Eunuchs long before he officially became Emperor. It was whispered amongst the Noble houses that the Emperor believed his rule to have begun many years before Britain was taken, back when he still carried the title 'Lord'. He had planned his takeover thoroughly indeed if he was so prepared for an eventual harem.