5 Chapter 4

Hu Yetao stood in the entrance hall, waiting for Zhou Keyu to show for their Hogsmeade excursion. He was looking forward to it but he also didn't know him that well and he hoped it wasn't going to be awkward; he'd never been very good at small talk.

Hu Yetao felt the hair on the back of his neck suddenly stand on end and he knew before he looked up who would be there. He met familiar brown eyes and immediately turned away, crossing his arms over his chest and looking out the open doorway at the pleasant autumn day beyond.

The clearing of a throat had him turning back around and staring as Wang stood before him; looking at him as though he wished to speak with him.

Hu Yetao quickly hardened his expression; it wasn't difficult with all the resentment still boiling close to the surface from Thursday night. "Yes?" he asked concisely.

Wang appeared a little uncomfortable but held Hu Yetao's gaze. "Zhou Keyu sent me to tell you that he can't make your… meeting today and that he sends his apologies," he finally replied stiffly.

Hu Yetao's heart dropped, but he lifted his chin, brown eyes defiant. "Fine," he snapped, then spun and marched out the doors into the muted sunshine.

Did Zhou Keyu have to send Wang to tell him that he was being stood up?

Hu Yetao stopped halfway down the wide stone steps when he suddenly realized that Wang was following him. "What are you doing?" he asked, too bewildered to keep up any hostility.

This time Wang's eyes were anywhere but meeting Hu Yetao's. "I am also visiting Hogsmeade today and thought… I could join you."

Hu Yetao frowned suspiciously. "Was this Keyu's idea? Because if it was, you don't have to. I'd rather you didn't."

Hu Yetao turned and jogged down the rest of the steps, continuing up the gravel drive without waiting for a response. He nearly groaned aloud in frustration when he noticed Oscar still walking along behind him. He turned to face him, beginning to feel irritated again.

Wang spoke before he could get started though.

"I wanted to apologize," he said. "My behavior Thursday night was… inexcusable."

Hu Yetao could only gape, too stunned to do otherwise. "Why are you so… odd?" he exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air. He turned and walked about five steps before reluctantly glancing back over his shoulder. Wang was still standing in the same place, watching him.

Hu Yetao sighed in exasperation and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well come on then," he said.

Wang nodded once and quickly fell into step beside him as they made their way towards the charming little town of Hogsmeade.

Hu Yetao's stomach was doing somersaults and he honestly thought he might be sick from the rollercoaster of emotions that this stupid Alpha was subjecting him to. He needed to say something - anything to distract himself from reading something further into this other than the fact that Keyu had most likely compelled Wang into taking his place. He knows how.

"So… what made you change your mind?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.

Wang was watching the ground pass beneath his feet, hands tucked warmly into his black cloak. "I gave what you said some thought, about moving on and not holding the past against each other." He glanced at Hu Yetao, strands of pale blond hair falling over one eye. "I know you would never have used that spell on me if you knew what it did, you're not that kind of person. You're too… virtuous."

Hu Yetao couldn't help but laugh as Wang said 'virtuous' as though it were a dirty word.

Oscar's lips twitched in amusement - causing Hu Yetao's Omega to purr in happiness - before returning his gaze to the ground. "Are you going to join the Auror program next year?"

"What? Oh…" Hu Yetao blinked at the sudden change in topic. "I dunno hadn't given it much thought lately. I used to, but now… I feel a bit tired and world-weary for that sort of career. What do you think?"

Oscar looked surprised at the question. "You want my opinion?"

Harry smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I do," he replied, thinking that he might as well do this right if they were going to try to get along.

A furrow appeared between Wang's brows as he seemed to consider the question in great depth. "I think you would be pushing your luck. I believe you would be better off doing something that makes a difference yet doesn't involve risking your own life."

Hu Yetao was surprised; most people didn't think like that, they mostly thought that he should be an Auror because he'd been fighting evil from such a young age and assumed he knew what he was doing.

"What should I be instead?" Hu Yetao asked with a smile, wanting to keep things light and not delve into the war or Chong Li.

"A cook?"

Harry laughed, delighted by Wang's wry humor and the fact that he felt comfortable enough to use it. "Nah, pants at Potions, remember?"

"Ah yes, of course." Malfoy nodded with a smirk, amusement clear in his eyes. "Healer?"

Hu Yetao scrunched up his face and shook his head. "No, too much study, I'm not the academic type. Unless it involves Defence or quidditch, there's probably no hope for me."

"Do you have to do anything at all?" Wang asked. "There's nothing wrong with focusing on getting married and starting a family."

Hu Yetao's breath caught in his throat when Oscar's words assaulted him with images of Oscar and tiny blond children in their little cottage by the sea. He shook his head to dispel such ridiculous, unobtainable ideas.

"I've never really been interested in that sort of thing," he said instead, his voice sounding hollow even to his ears.

Wang glanced at him, his brow drawing down in a frown. "Really?"

Hu Yetao shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets. "What do I know about raising children? I never had parental figures in my life. No decent ones anyway," he muttered.

"I don't think that matters, at least you know what not to do," Oscar replied.

Hu Yetao slanted a look at him, head tilted to one side as he regarded him curiously. "Is that how you feel?"

The corner of Wang's mouth lifted into a smirk as he met his gaze. "No Yetao, as much as you believe that my parents are the devil incarnate, they aren't."

Hu Yetao smiled and turned to look ahead as they approached the picturesque stone wall which surrounded Hogsmeade. "I may or may not believe that, but I do know that they care about you as proper parents should."

"They do," Wang agreed firmly as they passed through the open wrought-iron gates.

Hu Yetao stopped and looked up the high street. "Where to?"

"Wherever you want, this was your idea."

"Not with you it wasn't," Hu Yetao quipped but grinned to show that he was joking. "I need to visit the bookshop if you don't mind."

"Lead the way Yetao," Wang replied politely.

They walked at a leisurely pace towards the small shop, which may not have looked very impressive from the outside but was filled to bursting with every kind of book imaginable. Hu Yetao sincerely hoped they had something useful on male Omegas - or else he would be completely at sea with everything that was going to happen to him.

"I suppose if we're going to do this friendship thing properly we should be calling each other by our given names," Hu Yetao commented nonchalantly. He chuckled when he caught Wang pulling a face.

"I think that's taking things too far," the blond remarked, then added slyly, "Taotao."

Hu Yetao laughed and didn't even try to stop himself from enjoying the pleasant tingle that ran up and down his spine upon hearing his name from those lips.

They reached the Paper Hound and Oscar held the door open before they both walked inside. They immediately removed their cloaks and hung them over one arm when the warm air of the cozy shop surrounded them.

"I ah… have something in particular that I'm looking for," Hu Yetao said, "so did you just want to have a browse and I'll find you when I'm done?"

Oscar nodded in easy agreement and headed off into the rows of overfilled shelves.

Hu Yetao watched him walk off a moment before turning and disappearing into the History of Magical Beings section. He stopped before a loaded shelf on Alphas, Alpha Behaviours, Alpha physiology... He crouched down and ran his finger over the spines of the Omega books that were on the shelf below.

"Yes!" he cheered under his breath when he spied a thin blue book at the end of the row titled 'The Elusive Male Omega.' He withdrew it from the slightly dusty shelf and flipped it open to the table of contents. Hu Yetao smiled in relief; it looked like the book covered everything he needed to know, including a chapter on 'The Male Heat Cycle', 'Pregnancy' and something called 'Knotting.'

Hu Yetao carried the book to the front counter and quickly paid for it, relieved when the blue and silver book was slipped into a green cellophane bag and hidden from prying eyes. Hopefully, Oscar wouldn't ask what he bought.

Hu Yetao looked around for his traveling companion and spied him over near the window, idly flipping through a black and gold-covered book. He took a moment to observe the handsome Slytherin unimpeded. Hu Yetao's heart hammered in his chest as he stared at the Alpha whom his Omega longed for. It was easy to see why; the man was tall and lean, with grace to his movements that somehow seemed to belie the power within those muscled limbs. Hu Yetao knew his eyes only came level to the top of Oscar's shoulder and, while it still irked him that Oscar was now taller, he had to admit that it was the perfect height for him to neatly tuck in under Oscar's chin if he was ever to be held in his arms. The very thought almost made him weak in the knees.

Hu Yetao wanted to laugh out loud at how maudlin and sentimental his thoughts had become since his inheritance. He was beginning to learn to live with it though instead of fighting it at every turn. He knew he would never be a good little submissive mate like the vast majority of female Omegas, but he was coming to appreciate some of the more appealing aspects of having an Alpha as a partner. The general feeling of safety for one, the idea that there would be someone in his life who loved him unconditionally and looked out for him every day was such a comforting thought.

When he'd told Oscar that his upbringing had affected his outlook on life, he hadn't been lying, but it had caused him to crave stability and safety, and the urge to have his own family, instead of dissuading him from those things. He just hoped that he found another Alpha soon that he felt just as strongly for, one that he had a chance with.

Oscar looked up then and flashed him a quick smile when he saw that Hu Yetao was ready to leave.

Hu Yetao knew he was a lost cause when his breath hitched and his stomach flip-flopped at that tiny inconsequential display of friendliness.

They slipped back into their woolen cloaks and stepped outside.

"Do you want to get a hot drink before we go?" Hu Yetao asked.

Oscar nodded and glanced up the street. "Madam Shan Nian or the Three Broomsticks?" he asked.

Hu Yetao paused, neither location seemed fitting somehow. "How about a secret spot I know of? And it won't cost us a knut."

The Slytherin readily agreed and Hu Yetao led the way back to Hogwarts. They chatted aimlessly as they walked, not short on a conversation that seemed to flow a little easier now that their initial discomfort was out of the way.

Once back at the school, Hu Yetao led Oscar into the entrance hall and then down the stairs to the basement corridor. Oscar followed him with a puzzled frown as Hu Yetao walked up to a painting of a fruit bowl and tickled the pear.

Hu Yetao grinned knowingly at the surprised look on Oscar's face as the pear transformed into a large green handle. He pushed it open to reveal the vast Hogwarts kitchens beyond the secret entrance.

They walked inside and Oscar seemed to hesitate uncertainly when they were instantly swarmed by about a dozen cheerful house-elves, but he pushed onwards and stood beside Hu Yetao.

Hu Yetao spotted Xiào amongst the other elves and smiled at him. "Xiào, could Oscar and I please get some hot chocolates and perhaps some biscuits?"

Xiào bowed low at Hu Yetao's request. "Of course Master Tao, Xiào is indebted for the opportunity to serve Master Oscar from the honorable house of Wang."

Hu Yetao rolled his eyes as the withered little elf disappeared into the enormous pantry at the other end of the room. The other elves quickly cleaned a spot at one of the long tables for them, practically bouncing on the balls of their feet at being presented with the rare opportunity of serving visitors.

"How on earth did you discover this place?" Oscar asked as he took a seat, purposely withdrawing his hand from a little female elf who was examining his fingers with reverence.

Hu Yetao grinned at the amusing scene as he sat beside him, placing his bag from the bookshop on the bench next to him. "Jing Long," he replied simply. "It's been very useful whenever I happened to miss a meal or didn't want to eat in the Great Hall."

"And they'll bring you whatever you want?" Oscar asked, impressed despite himself.

Hu Yetao nodded.

"And do you think they would do the same for me if I came without you?"

"I would think so, especially Xiào, he seems to be quite fond of you," Hu Yetao replied teasingly.

Oscar smirked, looking a little more comfortable and not so out of his depth.

Hu Yetao smiled and leaned back, elbows resting lightly on the table behind him. "I'm glad you came today," he confessed, suddenly overwhelmed with the need to say so.

Oscar appeared slightly astonished by his admission but then one of his rare smiles graced his lips and Hu Yetao was immediately flooded with pleasure.

"As am I," Oscar replied in a tone that made it clear that he was as surprised as Hu Yetao by this acknowledgment.

Xiào approached them with their drinks and a large plate holding a vast array of tempting biscuits.

Hu Yetao pulled his full mug towards him and took a sip of the smooth hot chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream.

"Master Tao has chosen a fine mate," Xiào noted approvingly as he looked between the two boys.

Hu Yetao choked on his drink and hurriedly put his mug back on the table. "Xiào'er!" he spluttered, face turning red. "It's not like that; Oscar and I are just friends."

Xiào frowned, looking perplexed. "But the joining of the two would be a great"

"Thank you Xiào, that will be all," Hu Yetao interrupted in a commanding, slightly panicked, tone.

Xiào hesitated a moment before finally bowing and leaving the room.

Hu Yetao chanced a glance over at Oscar to see the blond staring intently into his hot chocolate, pale cheeks slightly pink. "Sorry," he quickly said in embarrassment. "He has some funny ideas that one."

Oscar looked up and shook his head a little, a forced smile of nonchalance on his face. "Don't worry about it," he said and turned back to his drink with a frown, fingers idly stroking the warm sides of the large mug. "You know I can't be with a Beta, right?" he added in a subdued voice.

Hu Yetao just wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. "Yeah I know," he put in quickly, almost stammering in his haste to reassure the blond, even as his Omega screeched in protest. "Please don't think that I had ulterior motives when I said that I was glad that you came along today, I didn't, I'm just happy that we can talk like normal people now," he babbled.

Oscar nodded and took a sip of his drink.

Hu Yetao returned to his drink and the easy camaraderie which they had shared for a good part of the day was instantly gone.

They finished their drinks in silence and, without even touching the biscuits, left the kitchen and ascended the stairs to the entrance hall.

"See you in class Taotao," Oscar said absently before parting ways.

Hu Yetao didn't even get the chance to say a word before the Slytherin was gone. With the heavyweight of disappointment pressing on him, Hu Yetao slowly made his way back to Gryffindor Tower.

The day had been going so well before bloody Xiào had stuck his big nose into things. He had felt as though a real friendship was possible between the two of them and that perhaps they had more in common than they knew. And a part of him couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if he'd told Oscar the truth about being an Omega?

Hu Yetao set his jaw and quickly discarded such thoughts with a firm shake of his head. He was standing by his decision to be with someone who was not choosing him simply for being an Omega. If an Alpha truly cared for him then nothing should stand in their way.