| INTIMACY | - HPxTMR

Chapter 27- [Australia: 2]

At 3.1k, this chapter isn't as long as I suspected it would be with all it reveals

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20th December 1998- Sunday

"Gold or Silver, Your Highness?"

Harry met the eyes of Amari through the mirror, barely visible behind the ornate hairpins she was holding up. He reached up to take the gold one in his hands, tracing his fingertips gently over the flowery details, especially on the snake motifs with emerald-encrusted eyes and twisting vines of pure gold. It was a gift from the Emperor, the other as well, for his promotion to the rank of Concubine. There had not yet been a reason for Harry to wear one, as ostentatious as they were, but the man had ordered that they dress well.

"The gold, it'll go well with my robes."

His hair was longer than when he had first arrived, just enough so that a hairpin could be weaved into it, with other pins and silken ribbons that blended in to strengthen that hold. It wasn't overly long, however, just enough to cover his ears and brush annoyingly at his neck. Perhaps, when he was older, he'd be more inclined to grow it out, as was the fashion in the Court. As of the moment, he was still too attached to keeping it short like his dads'.

Harry shrugged on his robes, wincing as the nail guards Anya had convinced him to wear scraped along the silk noisily. He was getting all dressed up for the ball the Australian Ministry had put together in the few days since their arrival, and felt incredibly anxious about every detail of his outfit. The accessories; bracelets, earrings, hairpins. The shoes, his hairstyle, the robes.

The robes he wore were incredibly intricate, lovingly crafted items. Anya, who had ordered for them to be created, had obviously used up quite a chunk of his stipend to have them made so finely, and with such soft materials. They were Concubine green with golden embroidery, pictures of deers and fauna twirling about the hems of the robes. The sleeves were equally as decorated, sweeping things that would cover his hands in an abundance of material, emphasising and exaggerating every sweep he made.

He smoothed down the robes, eyeing himself critically in the mirror. Whether a trick of the light, or perhaps wishful thinking, Harry thought he could perhaps see the beginnings of a bump growing. Or, perhaps that was just lunch, as he was only just over nine weeks along as of a few days ago. He sighed, tying the sash so it fell over his stomach, hiding whatever it could be.

"Master, we must be leaving. The floo connection to the Ministry will be closed soon, and His Majesty's other concubines have already left." Anya sounded worried, but they were still on time. He told her as such, but Amari was looking equally stressed, so he relented and peeled himself reluctantly away from the mirror and his self-deprecating stare.

"I'm ready, we can go."

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Harry arrived in the almost-empty Ministry atrium, sighing as he clung a little tighter to his Head Maid, his stomach unsettled but not as bad as it had been. Anya checked him over thoroughly but inconspicuously, settling once there were no crinkles in his robes, and his hair was as tame as it could be.

"The ball is being held in the Hall. We are slightly behind, but not late just yet, Your Highness." Anya hurried him through the corridors, seeming to know where she was headed. After a few minutes of twists and turns, a pair of large, oaken doors came into view, and she released his arm. "This is the Hall, Your Highness. I will be waiting with the other maids to receive you once the ball is over."

He smiled at her gratefully, knowing full well he'd never have made it here, even with directions. "Thank you." Standing straighter, he stepped forward and closer to the doors. Guarding them were wizards dressed in black gear, wands in their hands but lowered to the floor. They bowed as he stopped before them. Before he could introduce himself, they snapped to attention and pulled the doors open, light spilling out into the darkened hallway.