To Live is the Rarest Thing

Chapter 16

Sighing, Harry sipped more coffee.

“Actually,” Tom said, after having spent a few minutes thinking it all over, “the law says we aren’t allowed to enchant Muggle items in ways they aren’t meant to be used. For example, we’re not allowed to take a Muggle motorcycle and charm it to fly.” Tom gave Sirius a very pointed look, which Sirius replied to with a shit-eating grin.

“You can prove nothing,” Sirius said while flipping Tom off. “I have no motorcycle in my possession.”

“Hagrid still has it,” Harry couldn’t help but point out, because he was physically incapable of not causing trouble wherever he could. “He’d probably give it back to you if you asked him.”

Sirius offered Harry two thumbs up while conveniently ignoring Tom’s smug look.

“You do make a good point,” Regulus pointed out, ignoring his brother’s antics. “If you install electricity in a wizarding home, and you then buy a television to use, you’re not breaking the misuse of Muggle artifacts laws.”

“Exactly,” Tom said with a short bow of his head. “So we can safely proceed with our business.”

“And you were looking for people to partner with?” Regulus asked carefully, having just sat through Tom’s lecture on franchises. “I do find this kind of magic fascinating.”

“We’d be happy to have you aboard,” Tom said with a smile that showed far too many teeth, like a true salesman. Harry barely refrained from rolling his eyes.

“I’ll consider it,” Regulus said and that was thankfully the last that was said about Tom’s plans.

“I thought you were on board with this new business?” Tom asked Harry after their guests had left and they were getting ready for bed, both slipping into their pyjamas.

“I am,” Harry said and then couldn’t help but shake his head. “It’s just, I’m pretty sure you’ve got ADHD and it can be a little daunting to keep up with you sometimes.”

Tom, who’d just pulled on his pyjama pants, straightened with a disbelieving look on his face. “You really think…?” Tom narrowed his eyes and Harry could practically see his mind going a mile a minute as he analysed his own inner workings with his own expert knowledge on the subject of mental disorders.

“Ha,” Tom finally said with a firm nod. “I do believe you’re right. It explains so much.”

“Yep,” Harry agreed as he slipped under the duvet and gave Tom an incredibly fond look. “Like your inability to sit still for a few months, enjoying some quiet time, before we start our Hogwarts takeover plan.”

“I’m sorry, darling,” Tom whispered as he also got into bed.

“Oh no, babe,” Harry said immediately, turning on his side to look at his soulmate. “I don’t mind, you know that.” And Harry didn’t. They’d both lived so many lives while having all manner of mental disorders that it truly didn’t bother Harry. It just took a little adjusting once in a while.

“I might see about getting some Muggle medications,” Tom mused while he turned on his back and stared up at the ceiling. Izzy lay snuggled between them and Tom placed a hand on her back to stroke her short fur. “Then again, considering the time we’re living in, not much is on the market yet. I might develop a potion instead.”