Brooms and Cocks ch.27 (Patreon)

Harry Potter led the group downstairs, into the garage and onto the track. The test flyer shot out onto the track, steel-gray and magnificent. Its aerodynamics gave it a menacing look, sleek without the clutter of stickers and advertisements covering the handle.

"What's that fool up to?" Emul coughed, waving a half-empty champagne flute toward the sky where a Muggle helicopter was approaching to land near the broom.

Not knowing what his mother and Eleonora had prepared, Harry felt a small wave of unease, but he had already decided to trust the women, and it wouldn't hesitate at the last minute.

"If everyone looks that way," Harry said, drawing all the owners' and their wives' gaze toward him. "I know some of you are aware that Potter Industries has a partner in racing, and I'd like to introduce her now.

"This is Eleonora. Of course," muttered one of the owners with a sour grin as the wind kicked up dust in his eyes from the helicopter's propellers.

As the helicopter landed, Eleonora extended one perfect leg out through the side door before the rest followed. Harry's mouth went dry as he looked at her stunning dress. The blue ensemble matched Eleonora's heavenly curves, and the front slit revealed her long, tanned legs.

The other owners politely applauded as Eleonora Zabini walked forward, but when she turned and raised her hand to the helicopter, they furrowed their brows in surprise. Then, the first slender leg emerged, followed by the second. Then the mother freed herself, her eyes searching for Harry in the crowd as she stood with the poise of a model.

The only sound was the whirring engine of the helicopter, and besides that, there was a stunned silence as everyone looked at Harry's stepmother. She wore exactly the same bikini as on the magazine cover, right down to how her hair was styled. Harry saw the owners blink and lick their lips as they recognized her. In that moment, they were all boys and young men again, staring at the model who once captivated them.

"Kate," sighed one of the men, earning an annoyed look from his wife, which vanished as the woman turned back to Harry's mother.She, like the rest of the women, watched Kate with a mixture of admiration, envy, and admiration. Harry's stepmother was a world-class beauty, there was no denying it, as she walked confidently towards their group. Few wives or mistresses of other team owners could match his mom in terms of sheer, undeniable sex appeal, let alone beauty.

The observing men were even more enthralled than their wives. Harry's mom's bikini evoked memories from their teenage and younger years, when silver-haired men blushed like schoolboys as mom smiled at each of them. She shocked them and Harry, approaching him and slipping her hand under his jacket, pulling him into a fierce kiss. The embrace was filled with such passion and hunger that Harry almost forgot where they were as he pulled her into his arms, letting his hands roam down her back. Then, as quickly as she had grabbed him, mom stepped back, smiling at the group of owners, making room for Eleonora.

Harry Potter watched Eleonora's face closely as she approached. The playful amusement his mother had stirred in him turned into plain hunger as he looked at the stunning Italian. She lightly kissed his cheek, her hair fluttering around her head, and the helicopter blades whirred into flight.

Something about the icy beauty of the woman, surrounded by pomp and circumstance, struck Harry as something he never wanted to forget. She was a strong woman, untouched by the moment, like himself, and he held her with strong hands as the truth dawned on him. His mother was right. This woman was perfect for him. With that dominating thought in his mind, he threw caution to the wind and took a half-step forward. Eleonora lost her balance and fell into his arm, her black hair framing her shocked face as she looked at him.

"Today can go to hell, and I won't regret a thing, because thanks to it, I got closer to you, Eleonora."

Her breath caught as she heard his words, unable to reach far beyond the sound of the helicopter engine. With one hand, she held her sunglasses to her face, while the other grasped his arm to keep them from slipping off, and with a laugh that made his heart swell, she tossed the glasses behind her and let go of his hand. The woman's slender arms wrapped around his neck as he leaned in. He could tell she savored this moment, but as their lips met, so did her composure. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach as she trembled in his arms. Her lips were thick and soft like pillows, and the slightest tip of her tongue reached out to brush his.

When they parted, the place where her tongue touched burned, and he had to force himself to breathe and let her go. Turning on slightly shaky legs, he looked at the observing crowd, unable to stop working, analyzing their faces to see how his little feat had gone.

"They think I'm a pawn."

Not all men had such expressions, but enough did for him to feel a wave of relief. There was always the possibility that they would think the younger, less experienced Briton would be controlled and manipulated by Zabini. However, he didn't want to base his offer on such a weakness.

If these people thought he was a pawn in another one of Eleonora's games, they would be more willing to let Potter Industries onto the paddock. As Zabini's pawn, he was someone they understood and knew how to deal with. He wanted them to see him as their equal, but it would take many more years to earn their respect. If they could pass this first challenge."Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me off the track. Our driver has been patient enough." Frederick found him as Eleonora and led everyone off the track. He noticed his mom, who was being detained by several older team owners. She rebuffed their advances, remaining as charming as ever. He was sure that by the end of the evening, these men would be deeply intrigued by her, and therefore, by him too.

"I don't understand the requirement for the connection in your engine," he grumbled, ignoring others vying for his attention. "Doesn't it make it more susceptible to damage, not less?"

"It has the opposite effect," Harry said. "Due to internal pressure, the runes wear out less than in open space. In simulations, we found that engine longevity is extended thanks to the connector."

"Impossible," the man said, but he sounded more like he was trying to convince himself. "But what about the fuel curve? That should be reasonable..."

"There are some things we can't disclose because they're proprietary technologies, but if you'd like to get the full details on everything non-exclusive, Hermione would be happy to provide you with detailed information."

The frugal German raised an eyebrow at Harry's brilliant assistant, apparently not believing that a beautiful young woman would be able to provide the technical details he was after. He thought Harry was handing him over to a brainless beauty, but Harry noticed him furrowing his brow when the witty woman started speaking, and his lips even cracked a smile once or twice.

The driver emerged from the garage after the last meeting with the sisters and approached them with a cheeky grin. Eleonora assured the young Australian and promised that she could handle everything, even a Muggle broomstick. The sisters and Harry had spent a sleepless night before the departure, watching YouTube clips of the kid on the junior track, where he began to make a name for himself.

He walked with a self-assurance that reassured Harry, which he needed at the moment. Everything he had been working towards since his father's funeral was at risk. A big part of him still wanted to fly on the broomstick, but he knew, especially after the last hour spent with these men, that if he got on that broomstick, he would never gain their respect. He would be a novelty they would want to crush above all else.

"Harry, I presume?" the driver asked, stopping in front of Harry and extending his hand. "I want to thank you for giving me the chance to ride such a sweet broom, mate. It's gonna be sweet."

"Put it on the edge," Harry said with a wink, grabbing his hand.

The driver grinned like a million dollars and returned the wink. With one last hungry glance at Eleonora, the kid put on his helmet and got on the broomstick. Harry felt a presence at his side and turned to see Hermione standing there, followed by Amelia. The buxom Italian laid her hand on Harry's shoulder, offering him her support.

Harry's mother grabbed his right hand. She smiled at him, and he saw that pride shone brighter than ever before. She took a deep breath, working wonders with the internal curves of her breasts, and slipped her other hand around his. Standing on tiptoes, she planted a light kiss on his lips, then let go of his hand and slipped next to Hermione, making room for Eleonora.

It was a strange realization when Eleonora stood next to him on tiptoes, and he looked down at her. When they first met, he felt like he was looking up at a magnificent woman. So, sparkling in her chic clothes and jewelry, this boy from Godric's Hollow didn't think he stood a chance.

Now he looked at her as an equal and saw recognition in her eyes. For a woman who had never found a man worthy of herself, he wanted nothing more than to be worthy of her. To achieve that, he just had to pursue his dreams. As the drill spun and the engine roared to life, his body was flooded with a surge of adrenaline, passion, and more than a healthy dose of desire.Eleonora's hand grasped his, taking the place of his mother's hand and dispelling the anxiety that threatened to intrude and scatter his thoughts. He had to focus all his attention on the mechanics and the driver finalizing work on the broom, as well as on the team owners who were scrutinizing him. These people knew brooms, and their impressions mattered. Their reluctant approval of the gentle hum of the engine was fine, but they had to seal the deal.

The driver was finally ready and gave a thumbs-up before revving the engine. The sisters stood with two engineers at the monitor, and the savvy owners watched them, while those who had no clue watched as the broom took flight.

"You've done everything you promised," Eleonora noticed, turning Harry's attention away. "I didn't believe it was possible, but you're an extraordinary young man, Harry Potter."

"Thanks," Harry said, trying to read the sisters' lips as they focused on readings. He thought he caught something about the engine temperature, and his mind filled with dreadful images of the engine exploding.

"It all comes down to this moment... this crucial moment when nothing can distract your attention from the prize... right? Nothing?

Something in the woman's tone made Harry turn his head, and he felt his world teeter on the edge as her long fingers of her free hand gathered in loose folds of her dress.

"Now, woman?!" Harry snapped, and the light in her eyes made it clear what she wanted.

"If you desire me, prove it," passion was a fire that could sear skin as quickly as it could consume desire.

There was no threat in her facial expression. Harry knew it was fear of rejection; it was vulnerability. This woman never asked the world, let alone a man, for anything, and he wasn't going to deny her.

"Amelia, you're in charge until I get back."

"Roger that!" Amelia didn't sound confident, but Harry knew she would handle it in his absence, with his mom and Hermione to assist.