The Safe Wizards

29: Confidences

Since their first trip there a month earlier, the hot springs had become Harry's favorite outing and he demanded that Jasper take him there at least one time out of two. It was incredibly difficult for the two of them to resist the attraction they felt, but they were especially comfortable and serene in each other's arms, immersed in the warm waters under the Alaskan stars. They discussed their past lives, but in addition, Harry had begun to open up about the situation in England, sharing some of the news Charlie had given him.

Of course, Harry only talked about the political news given by his dragon rider, he didn't talk to Jasper about the sweet words exchanged or their feelings, taking advantage of being skin to skin with the vampire so that the vampire wouldn't pick up on his feelings. Jasper wasn't fooled though, his nature allowing him to analyze the wizard's micro-expressions, but at least he wasn't taking them directly to the heart and it was harder for him to know what exactly was causing those expressions. He chose to believe that it was what was happening in his wizard's home country and the news about his friends that created and painted sadness on his face rather than the absence of the redhead. Jasper readily admitted that he was certainly burying his head in the sand a bit by doing this, but it was the only acceptable way he could find to give Harry the time he needed without going crazy with grief on his end. The bond was crying out to be completed, the vampire felt it in the worst way, he felt like his heart was permanently attached to Harry by a rubber band and every time he moved away from his black-haired man the tension was stronger, ready to rip his heart out so as not to destroy the bond. Of course, he hadn't told the wizard about it, not wanting to make him feel guilty, he had increased the number of his hunts, moved away from his soulmate's house as little as possible and had managed to get them to spend more time together, slightly easing their bond. He now came twice a week and always stayed until the next morning, welcoming his lover into his arms to sleep peacefully.

Harry's revelations had also nurtured their bond. He had explained to him who he really was, as well as Teddy, and why they had to flee. He had told him that now all magical creatures were registered and banned from the Ministry, Hogwarts School and Quiddich teams. Anyone suspected of knowing magical creatures or a creature's descendant was followed and arrested, then interrogated for hours and sent home with the promise of being stripped of their wand if they hid a creature. The vampires were accused of killing the previous Minister of Magic and kidnapping Harry, as well as being responsible for any unexplained disappearances.

Harry had also told him of his fears for his friends who had all been arrested several times and questioned about where Bill and his family or Harry were hiding. He had told him about his ties to them, their relationships, his memories of them, allowing Jasper to understand why they were so important to him and why it was even harder for him to leave Charlie, it was also giving up those he considered family. He was afraid of their rejection. Jasper hadn't let Harry know that his family had already adopted him because he knew it was irrelevant, so he'd taken the news in silence, just tightening his arms around the dark-haired man's body and kissing his neck, a gesture he allowed himself now.

Christmas would be here in a few days and the Weasley family had to beg their eldest not to come to England for at least three weeks before he came up with an intermediate solution. The young father had arranged with Fleur's family for them all to meet at the French girl's grandparents' house in Normandy, France for the New Year. Harry had not spread out too much on the subject with Jasper, that concerned Charlie of too much close to his taste, but he was clearly worried for them and sad not to join them for the holidays. The Survivor knew that it was far too dangerous for his cover to join his heart family or contact them, but he missed them terribly. Charlie had confessed to him that Ron was having a hard time accepting his silence and was secretly looking for him, behind Hermione's back trying to reason with him without success. Molly and Arthur were worried about him, but hoped that he had disappeared for a better life.