le.allofthemseemedtobelosingthemselvestothebeatofdyhippolytasong,andharrywishedheouldjointhemandferefreeforjustamoment.hewantedtosurrenderhisheavyburdens,tolosehimselfintherhythmofasongandthefeelofanother,abekoningtouhtoleadhimtowardsomethinglikeweightlessness.

harryhadn’trealizedhiseyeswerelosedunthandsoftlyurledaroundhiswaistandthespaeinfrontofhimwarmedwiththepromiseofasoundbody.heopenedhiseyesandtookinthemaninfrontofhim,linesandedgessoftenedbythekissofdarkenedspae,greyeyesrevealingaraptureattheobjetoftheirfous.“harry,”draowhispered.

“merlin,”harrywhisperedandhiseyesfelltodrao’slips.“idon’tknowwherethesefeelingsliveinsideme,”heleanedforwardandpressedhismouthtodrao’sear.“butthey’rethere,they’vealwaysbeen.”harrypulledbaksoheouldseedrao’sfae,andhislipsskirtedtheotherman’sheekintheproess.whentheireyesfinallymet,harrynearlyfeltdrunkwithantiipation.hewatheddraowathhimashelikedhislips.

thenthepntrashedintothemanddraostumbledbakward.“what—”harrylookedaround.

“isit—”someonenearbystartedtoask.“itis!it’sharrypotter!”theviinitybrokeoutinmurmursasbodiesstartedflokingtohisside.harrylookedaroundfordraobuthe’ddisappeared.allhehadwasthedamnedpntfloatingtohim.

“harry!whatareyoudoinginedinburgh?”awomanshouted.ayoungmanutinfrontofher.“harry!isittrueyou’velefttheaurorstobeomeahootier?”someonegrabbedhisshoulderandturnedhimaround.“harry!whenisginevra’sbabydue?areyougettingbaktogether?”ahandslidintohisfrombehindandyankedharryoutfromtheenterofthemob.“harry!?”

draopulledharryawayfromtheefloorandrushedthemtothesideexitandintothealley,thepntfl