"We're going to figure this out Harry, I promise."
He nodded, but the gesture looked uncertain. "I just… sometimes I wonder, you know? Whether I'm going to end up hurting them. My own parents died because of me, my previous friends were constantly hurt, constantly in danger because of their connection to me. When I arrived here it seemed like all these terrible, dangerous, things started happening. James and Lily said nothing like this happened before, there were no break-ins, no trolls at Hogwarts, no Basilisks or evil teachers, no Werewolves trying to hurt children. Then I showed up and…"
"Harry, none of this is your fault." Grace protested, earning his full attention at the unshakable certainty in her voice. "None of these people were after you. First year was Dumbledore, second year was me, and this was adults trying to do their jobs and making their kids a target as a result. It isn't because of you though."
"Just bad timing then?" He questioned, voice cold enough to earn a slight flinch. "The stone only when I arrived, Nagini waited until I was at Hogwarts rather than five years earlier? And I dare you to try and tell me this was the first corruption investigation that involved those with children."
She sighed, dipping her head slightly before choosing her next approach, "There is some validity in what you are saying Harry, but I think if you truly take a moment to look at the last few years from every angle you will find that none of your friends or family would trade the fear and panic away to lose you."
****
It was strange, being so comfortable at the home of someone who went by the last name "Riddle", and yet he was. Her small residence was like a third home to him, behind Hogwarts and the Potter residence of course, and despite having only had one previous Holiday break which split his time it felt so natural being in the same living space as his professor.
They talked, they laughed, they went over schoolwork, both what he was involved with at the time and the advanced material he was given by all the professors. Then there was the exchange of gifts, again something his previous self would have been beyond shocked by.
Harry didn't have the same amount of time as last year for private tutoring and lessons, therefore what he has been able to purchase for everyone is less impressive. His parents, naturally, are still a bit peeved, he bought them anything with his own money, and while his sisters had both thanked him for their own gifts, he had that same feeling of 'you shouldn't be buying us things'.
For Grace it is similar, though she seems more accepting of the wrapped object, a pair of warm gloves for the winter. It is all worth it to see the genuine smile on her lips, the way her eyes light up as she eyes the object. "They're wonderful, thank you Harry. Please, open yours."
His own was a bracelet, though it wasn't as fancy or intricate as he would have expected from the woman.
"It's not a normal bracelet or necklace." She spoke up to whatever unasked question there might be. "Think of it as more functional than glamorous. Most people aren't going to see it."
Harry glanced up from examining it, curiosity obvious in his expression. "I've heard about the kind which go around ankles, is this…"
Riddle smirked, "Think a bit higher up."
He frowned before looking back at the object, obviously still confused, something which did instill a bit of concern in the woman. What if he didn't like the object? She had assumed he would understand what it was but if roles were so reversed in his world, he might be a bit turned off by the idea. Still, couldn't hurt to try, so she continued with her explanation.
"It goes around you."
At the last word it seemed to click in his mind what she meant, and he flushed red, something she never grew tired of. "O-oh…"
"If you don't like it though..."
"No, no its fine, sorry. It's nice really, it is I'm just not used to the whole sex toy thing."
For a few moments she contemplated whether to push the subject or not, "Just think about it for a second, sitting in one of those stuffy parties, bored out of your mind, listening to some rich arse going on and on about their family's fortune but knowing something is wrapped around your youthfulness." She stood and walked around him, slow and predatorial.
"Your heart races, your cheeks flush and while the moron continues talking, thinking they are somehow impressing you they don't know just how good it feels, how tightit is. The more you think about it the more obvious it becomes and that almost has you moaning." Leaning in she whispers into his ear, noticing the shivers upon doing so, the slight tremors she is causing. "But you can't, not there, not then , because people would notice. So, you have to play along, pretend like you aren't thinking about me molesting and groping you pretend like everything is just fine… or maybe just maybe your mind goes to someone else."
She can see the bite of his lips, the flush of his skin, the trickle of sweat and smell of arousal. It's more than just enticing, it's almost overwhelming just to stand so close and tease him.
"Something you might be… interested in?"
He nodded before clearing his throat and putting the object to the side, "I uhm… got a gift from Pandora Malfoy, for Christmas I mean."
"Oh?" He didn't always talk about his little stalker, and while Grace had kept an eye on the girl for any signs of risky behavior there was not much she could do in terms of punishment.
Again, a nod, "She uhm… got me a warm cloak and asked if I would uh wear it during the holiday party… and only it."
"I see," and she did because the images it put into her mind were beyond erotic. Harry walking around with those snobby rich assholes in nothing but a secured cloak, or maybe arriving but stripping out of everything else halfway through the party and continuing as if nothing were different? Knowing more than a few would likely put two and two together, knowing Pandora would try and do something.
Fuck it was arousing, and played into so many fantasies and fetishes she could barely count them.
But, and this was enough to give her hesitation, he didn't seem entirely sure about it. While her own libido practically cheered at the thought of him being groped and used by strangers the rational part of her worried it wouldn't be consensual, that he might not want such things. "How do you feel about that?"
"I… don't know? It gives me these weird anxious jitters and I don't know if that's good or bad."
"Bit of both probably," she mused before walking around to the front side of the couch and sitting down, close enough to feel his warmth but not pushing into contact with him if he didn't want it.
He turned to look up at her, uncertainty in his eyes, "What do you think I should do?"
Now it was her turn to chew on her lip. What indeed? It was such a complicated question, such a complicated scenario. "I can't answer for you Harry because my experiences, my situation is different. I find the idea incredibly sexy, both if it was me or if it was you. But I'm not a young wizard and I imagine it might be a bit frightening both due to your age and gender. If you want to try something along those lines, I will support you one hundred percent. If you don't feel comfortable going through with it, then I don't think you should."
He stared off towards the wall for a moment before nodding slowly, "I… think I'll try something different at least. Maybe just uhm…" he glanced down at her gift and she forced herself not to grin. "I'd prefer a new broom instead..."
The laugh took him off guard, and he quickly joined the woman in the contagious act.
_________________
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