Chapter 63

"You don't know Oscar as I do, and you won't give him a chance because you're still suspicious of him from the war. I understand because I didn't trust him either, but now that he is my mate," Hu Yetao emphasized severely, "you need to stop being instantly suspicious of everything he does or of anything that happens to me. I trust him so you should trust him too. He's done nothing wrong - unlike you, I might add." He paused and Jing Long's cheeks flushed pink and his eyes widened. He shook his head but Hu Yetao ignored him and turned back to the Headmistress. If Jing-Long wanted to play this game, then he would as well. "Jing-Long purposely got me drunk to interrogate me about my relationship with Oscar, hoping I would let something slip."

Mrs. Amber turned to Jing Long, brow raised and lips pursed. "Is this true Mr. Jing?"

Jing Long's expression crumpled a little as he nodded. "Yes," he replied. "I was just worried," he added, quietly defensive.

"And did you attempt to discuss your concerns with Mr. Yetao before resorting to such behavior?"

"Yes, but he wouldn't say anything!"

Hu Yetao frowned. "You mean I wouldn't say anything bad!"

"You're hiding something!" Jing Long exclaimed obstinately.

"I'm not hiding anything!"

"All right - enough," Mrs. Amber ordered, unclasping her hands and placing them palms down on the surface of her desk. "Mr. Yetao, I can see that Mr. Wang has now officially claimed you by the mark on your neck."

Hu Yetao heard the sharp intake of breath from beside him but ignored it as he stared back at Mrs. Amber. "Yes. I asked him to," he added so that Jing-Long couldn't twist his words again.

"And Mr. Wang treats you with the respect and care with which you deserve as his mate?"

Hu Yetao couldn't believe he had to reply to these ridiculous accusations, but he swallowed his irritation and replied as calmly and sincerely as he could, hoping that this would be the last time he would have to do so. "Yes, he loves me and considers me as not just his Omega but as a true mate, as an equal." He turned to Jing-Long with accusing eyes. "And yes we will have the odd disagreement, what couple doesn't? You and Zhang Xinyao are constantly at each other's throats but that doesn't mean you're not well-suited to be together."

"Yes, but he's not-"

"I think we have heard enough from you on the subject Mr. Jing," Mrs. Amber interrupted. "Mr. Yetao has given his word that Oscar Wang is a perfectly capable and suitable mate, and as I have had the chance to witness them together, I will take his word that that is the truth, as I have seen nothing to contradict it as such. As there is no actual evidence of mistreatment, I must ask that you do not approach me again with this matter and that you two work this out in private so as not to tarnish your last year at Hogwarts. You may leave Mr. Jing."

Jing Long opened his mouth and then thought better of it. With a huff, he rose from his chair and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Hu Yetao flopped back in his seat and rubbed his eyes with a sigh. He'd only been back in the castle for less than an hour and already he was exhausted.

Mrs. Amber opened one of his desk drawers with a wave of her hand and withdrew Hu Yetao's wand from within.

"Thanks," Hu Yetao accepted gratefully as he took his wand from her outstretched hand. Oscar had conjured him a new pair since his old ones had gone missing during the attack.

Mrs. Amber nodded. "And how are you feeling Hu Yetao?" she asked, her previously stern demeanor now replaced with her usual understated concern.

Hu Yetao sat back in his chair, rolling his wand between his hands with a frown. "I'm… all right. I wish the Aurors had caught the two men who attacked me; I don't like knowing that they're still out there. It seems unlikely that the Aurors will catch them now."

The Headmistress waved over a waiting tea service and poured a cup for herself and one for Hu Yetao.

"Believe me Mr. Yetao, they will not stop until they find them."

"Because of who I am?" Hu Yetao replied disparagingly.

"Does it matter?"

Hu Yetao had to smile as he took the white and blue teacup from her; she had a point.

Mrs. Amber sat back in her chair with her tea cupped in one hand. "Can you think of any reason why these men attacked you?"

Hu Yetao took a sip of the strong tea and tried not to grimace. "No," he finally said with a shake of his head. "I've been trying to come up with a reason and I can't. I dunno, maybe they're just trying to finish what Chong Li started."

The Headmistress nodded thoughtfully. "Unfortunately, that seems the likeliest motive."

"Either that or it was just utterly random and I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," Hu Yetao added with a shrug.

Mrs. Amber snorted through her narrow nose, brows raised. "Nothing is by chance where you are concerned Mr. Yetao."

Hu Yetao couldn't help but smile a little; that was a cynical statement but it was also the truth. He reached out and carefully spooned some sugar into his tea.

"I must admit, when I first heard that you and Mr. Wang were bonded, I had my doubts," she ruminated, tilting her head to one side and regarding him shrewdly. "But I can see how you balance each other. You've both had your struggles in life and have come out the better for it, and Mr. Wang has greatly impressed me with the way he has stood beside you, despite what the public, and even his parents, may have wanted."

Hu Yetao grinned at this assessment of his mate; he was proud of everything Oscar had become as well.

Mrs. Amber smirked. "And I can see from that pleasing smile that you are happy with him."

Hu Yetao could feel his cheeks flushing but the grin stuck. "Yeah, I… I'm happy. Even his parents are treating me well."

"Glad to hear it, I doubt I would've believed that if it hadn't come from your lips."