Chapter 18

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Chapter 18

Harry's steps through the snow were not as graceful as they usually were. The alcohol in his system was clearly passing slowly, but he could not wait to speak with Grindelwald after the night he'd had. It wasn't often the two would meet under pleasant tidings, but the fact that he would be able to do so on Yule for the first time in many years was a blessing.

Entering the tent Harry called out, "Master? I have arrived."

A lamp turned on in the corner by the older man's bedside, "My young apprentice. I foresaw your arrival. I take it you have news for me?"

Grindlewald's hair was not done as neatly as it usually was, and though he was in bed he was still wearing a cloak as if he had just returned from being out. Of course that was certainly possible. The man's ability with human transfiguration was matched by none, and he could wear any disguise as well as any metamorphmagus. Deciding to go forward with the conversation Harry spoke, "It has been a very pleasant Yule. I was granted the opportunity to curse Igor Karkaroff, and even had an excellent evening with my date."

Grindelwald frowned at his apprentice at first, "That idiot does not have the right to teach at my old school. If you are given the ability to take out the coward then I insist you take it. Anyone must be more competent than that buffoon." The older man then scrutinized the appearance of late arrival, "The evening with the Veela seems to have you in high spirits. Good. I see you may have partaken in other things that enhanced your evening as well. Of all the things I prepared you for, drinking the nectar of the gods was not one of them."

"A shame too. I can only imagine the kind of trouble we may have put ourselves in if we had." Harry said cheekily.

"Gods help us, you are cheery drunk." The man said, clearly entertained, before rising, walking over to a tall two person table, and kicking out a stool towards the young man, "Take a seat, and tell me more about your evening, and your plans for Yule. We have not had a chance to speak much in the past few weeks. My travel has been successful, and we have much to discuss in the coming days."

Harry eagerly took a seat, and Grindelwald snapped his fingers, summoning a bottle of Ogden's Finest from the corner, "You will stay here for the remainder of the evening, and return in the morning." As the man with multi-colored eyes finished his words he poured generous servings to his young friend with a look of satisfaction.

"You've never had more than a glass of wine in front of me before." Harry said pointedly.

"You were much too young to be exposed to such things. Now you come to me already on the verge of intoxication, however, I believe we can indulge together." Gellert said, raising his glass, "To another Yule together, and to one day being the most powerful Master and apprentice to ever walk the Earth."

Raising his own glass to meet the toast Harry laughed at the man, "You are much better at toasts than my friends and I are. We went in circles with the same few things just reworded."

"It comes with experience, my boy, I assure you." Gellert explained with a slight chuckle, "Now tell me about what has been happening, and start with your date."

Harry immediately delved into the night from start to finish. He excitedly told his mentor about the girl's ideas, inventions, and enchanted objects he discovered in her room, and told them about their compatibility on the dance floor. He led the man through the happy moments with his friends, and what he had learned about Karkaroff on the grounds. The young man was practically beaming when he talked about the toasts the friends had made, and looked giddy as he explained to the man that he had kissed Fleur before they parted ways.

When he finished the man shook his head, a smile hidden in his eyes, "If I could have told the boy I met seven years ago about the smile he would one day hold on his face I don't think he would have believed me. Oftentimes I looked into your future, and all I saw was the incredible things you would do with your magic. You never quite looked happy, just incredibly focused. I had to ponder many times if even the Greater Good could be worth what I put you through to get you here, and as you reap the rewards of your hard work I find myself grateful that you found the strength to persevere."

"Master, I wouldn't have believed you two years ago if you would tell me how happy I would be today. My life is not without problems because as you have seen we are attracting problems at every turn, and the tournament is coming to a head, but, wow, we have almost done it." Harry said with a grin.

"You have but one enemy left to conquer. When you do that you may tell the world what it is you have endured to become who you are." Gellert said, leaning back into his chair in contentment.

Harry froze at his words. He knew he spoke of Voldemort, and he knew his master knew more, "What is it you learned in your travels?"

"Tonight is not the night for that young one. Soon. Before the New Year even, but not on the happiest Yule you will have had since you were a very small boy. Just know I have things under control, and trust me as you have over the last several years. Just a bit longer my boy." The man pleaded.

Relenting to the man Harry sighed, "Very well, Master. There are a few things I wish to discuss with you however." Gellert said nothing, but nodded his head for Harry to continue, "The sign of the Deathly Hallows, the sign of your followers, ending up on Marcus Flint's head. What do you think it means?"

The man scoffed, "Someone has clearly figured out our secret, and they wish to frame you. When the news of who you received your training from comes to life, and the murder of your enemy continues in an unsolvable fashion then the Wizarding World will turn its finger to you."

"How could we have been discovered?" Harry inquired incredulously.

"This year you have not been as careful as you could have. Had certain people overheard the right things at the wrong time then the puzzle would not be too difficult to unravel for those who know their history. I once told you no one alive in Wizarding Britain would recognize the cursed flames ward I taught you, but that does not mean when word spread across the continent to France, per se, that someone did not recognize the spell. Subtle inquiries there may have led to disturbing truths. This is how I believe it is happening. The best thing I can suggest to you is find this killer, and bring him to justice before he incriminates you in such a way that will be irrefutable." The master explained carefully to the now very alert young man.

Harry considered the man's words for a long moment before realizing how callous he had been this year. He was on top of his game, and he knew that no one could match him. His own arrogance had blinded him to the realization that the game would soon be up, and the world would know what he had done. Shaking his head the young man took a long swig of his drink before saying, "I think it is time for you to meet my family. We will make them all swear a vow not to reveal your identity, and once they agree I will come clean with my secret. It is my hope we don't blindside them with this news so badly that they turn on me when it comes out."

"Are you prepared for that eventuality? Prepared to lose everything you have worked so hard for, and earned a relationship that you merely dreamed of as a boy?" Grindelwald asked.

"What choice do we really have?" Harry asked, wary of the direction of the conversation.

"Choice, my boy? I will give you every option in the world as is my duty as your master."

"I don't understand." Harry admitted.

"Then listen well, Harry. You have not passed a point of no return. You could forsake the magic I have taught you. You could forsake every tie to me, and I will watch from the sideline as you rise to be the greatest wizard to walk the Earth. The whole world could be left less wiser for all I care. I am an old man, Harry, and when we first met I craved the forgiveness of the world. The World that I plunged into near desolation for the Greater Good, but now I have seen the good you could do. With your normal magic and spell arsenal I still believe you could be the greatest wizard of the generation, and I think I could be content with that as you go forth and change the world. Ignore the stigma that will follow when they learn of who your master is, and strike forward."

Harry thought for a long moment on what the man was saying. His master's words did have a certain appeal to them. To drop it and never face the world when it was told the truth, but the longer he considered it the more he knew he couldn't do it. He had told his master since he was a boy that he would help the man to redemption through his own actions, and he couldn't very well do that if he went forth with regular magic.

"No. I don't concern myself with the thoughts of sheep. I am a Potter, a Peverell, and to a point, a son of Gellert Grindelwald. I will not balk at my legacy to avoid rocking the boat. If my family and friends spurn me because of who raised me into the man that I have become then it will be for the Greater Good." Harry spat in defiance.

A long pregnant silence, and then a wide smile from Gellert, "Good. It is only now that I know I have trained you well in all forms of being a wizard. Some things magic can't fix, and it seems you have learned this lesson well. I will come meet your parents tonight if that is acceptable. Get your vow, and then send for me. I will be ready."

Harry swallowed hard. He hadn't realized the man would request a meeting so soon, but nodded in acquiescence, "Very well, my master."

The man nodded, "Good. Now as for your Veela. I believe if you are to pursue a relationship with her, and you intend to be happy in this romance you must tell her as well. Do not let her learn from secondary sources, my young friend. It will only end poorly."

"I plan to see her before the New Year. Perhaps I will begin planting the seeds in her mind that I wish for us to have no secrets in a possible relationship, and that my master is quite the controversial individual." Harry accepted.

This made the man laugh, "Good, then that is enough of the serious talk. Let us have one more drink, and go off to bed."

The man flicked his wrist and the couch turned to a bed as the glass lifted the Ogden's Finest into two final pours. The two sipped their drinks in silence for a moment before Grindelwald nonchalantly challenged the boy, "I wish to test your abilities soon, so be prepared for my summons when things die down. I must know if you are truly ready to meet Voldemort in combat. We have had many discussions, and I must be sure."

Harry was honestly drunk at the point he finished his final drink, and slurred through his words, "I-I-I look forward to your t-te-test master."

The young man stood and gave a bow as he stumbled, but the older man was on his feet catching the boy before he could fall, "I raised a bloody lightweight. Come on, son, let's get you to bed."

"S-s-son. You were like a f-f-father to me in everyw-w-way that counted. Thank you." Harry stuttered as the man laid him down on the transfigured bed.

"Think nothing of it, young one. Get some rest." Grindelwald said with a wandless sleep charm gently pressed into the boy's chest. With one final look at his apprentice who was now sleeping peacefully the man returned to his own bed, and thanked every deity that would listen that he had found his redemption.

Awaking on Christmas morning, Harry felt like he had been run over by a bus. The sun had barely broken the horizon as he stirred, and the pounding in the young man's head was immense. It took him several moments to collect his bearings before he realized he was in the tent he had spent so much time in over the years. Rising out of his transfigured bed, he reversed the magic, and turned it back into a couch as quietly as he could. He could see that his master was sound asleep in his own bed facing the other way, and decided the man had earned his rest as he slipped out quietly.

More snow had fallen the night before. It was nearly up to his knees now as he crossed to the apparition point. He felt the cold grip him as he tried to hurry to the ward line, and when he disapparated he landed in the forbidden forest in his normal area. He tredged his way up to the castle attempting to get his magic to cooperate with him by warming himself up. When he arrived in the courtyard he was stopped by a voice from a round alcove, "I didn't realize Hogwarts students were allowed to leave the grounds as they pleased."

The Wizard from the ICW that had questioned them about Marcus Flint was there in a long black cloak, his wand at his side casually. Perseus Chase spoke again, "Where were you last night, Harry?"

Harry frowned at the man feeling as if he was being threatened, "That is none of your concern. I am also the heir to a Noble and Most Ancient house in this country, and I did not give you permission to address me so informally. Perseus."

"A lot of weird things have been happening around the school this year." The man said casually as he moved to stand in Harry's way of entering the castle, "First your brother's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire, and you of course deny your own entry. Then there was the mishap of the first task where you ended up killing a dragon causing all sorts of international noise as concessions and apologies had to be made."

Harry gritted his teeth, "So I should have just let those three dragon handlers get burnt to a crisp?"

"A lot of things have been allowed for the Greater Good wouldn't you say?" The ICW investigator asked.

Harry's wand jumped to his hand, "What did you just say?"

The man laughed at the move, "You must think yourself very clever. You use magic that the world hasn't seen in over five decades, and you think no one would notice. My colleagues from France report back disturbing things about the origins of the magics you have been using, as well as the symbol that appeared on the Flint boy found in the Astronomy Tower."

"If you are planning on arresting me, Investigator Chase, you should've brought a lot more people." Harry spat furiously.

"Oh, I am not going to arrest you. I would've gone for a much stealthier approach had then been the case. You have proven to be quite formidable with a wand, and I dare not challenge you alone." The man threatened subtly.

Harry looked around the courtyard carefully before saying, "Yet here you are. Confronting me alone with no witnesses. You claim to know things about me that could be quite dangerous if they were true, yet here we are. Wands drawn, and prepared to fight."

"Just because you see no one else does not mean we are alone. You would think a practitioner of magic such as yourself would be aware of that." The man goaded.

Harry frowned, stretching his senses, and realized that the man was right. At least two other wizards under invisibility cloaks were in the courtyard. The young man's magic flared threateningly, feeling like a caged animal, "If we are going to do this then by all means. Come get me. Otherwise get out of my way."

The Investigator merely grinned as his wand slipped back into his cloak, "I have allies in places you wouldn't expect, Mr. Potter. Be wary, and trust no one."

With that the man slipped back into an exit that would take him to the grounds, and turned his back on Harry who was still fuming at being called out in such a way.

Making his way through the castle he was not interrupted any further, and when he made it to the Ravenclaw dorms he immediately began casting magic detectors around his room to see if his wards had been tampered with in any way. No fruits were borne from his labors as he frowned in frustration. Grindelwald had been right. In his carelessness someone had discovered his secret, but the murder was what brought Detective Chase to Hogwarts. How could he have known about it before then? He was missing such a crucial piece to the puzzle that infuriated the young man.

He took some time thinking over things, and before he knew it the sun was well into the sky, and he knew his house mates would be waking up to finally head home for the holidays. A large bird is what broke his thoughts when it began tapping at his window. Harry was surprised to see an eagle that seemed similar to the Ravenclaw mascot knocking at the window, and when he opened it the majestic creature hopped in and dropped the letter it was holding in its talons. It was a magnificent creature, and Harry wanted to study it, but it took off before he could consider the thought.

It was not uncommon to receive Christmas correspondence from the Marauders in years passed. It was odd however seeing that he would be with them that evening. After seeing the unfamiliar handwriting though he knew this was going to be something different. It was addressed to Heir Potter, and when he sliced it open he began reading carefully:

Dear Mr. Potter

The Delacour family would like to formally invite you to an evening at their home in France to celebrate the New Year. Many guests will be in attendance, and we hope to see you there as well.

Signed

Sebastian Delacour

Harry grinned at the letter realizing he would indeed get a chance to see Fleur before the New Year, and pocketed the letter as he began moving his hand around lazily allowing magic to do his packing in a matter of seconds. Once his trunk was packed he made his way down to the common room where what was left of Ravenclaw house seemed to have gathered, and was preparing to make their way towards the Great Hall, and then on to the train. Harry saw Penny's beaming face at the last moment as she embraced the boy wishing him a Merry Christmas. Most of the house watched in surprise. Most had never likely ever seen Harry Potter give a hug unless they were around late enough to see him give his brother one last night. Two in twenty four hours seemed crazy at this point.

Harry returned the Christmas greetings and asked, "My, Penelope you seem to be in a very good mood. Happy ending last night?"

The girl nodded immediately with a smile before blushing realizing the insinuation in his question, "Not that happy, you prat!"

"But a little happy?" He asked innocently.

The blush on the girl's cheek gave her away as he chuckled, "As much fun as it would be to sit here and make you blush, we should get our house moving towards the train or all the good compartments will be full."

Not trusting herself to say anything, she merely followed the head boy out the door, and most of the house began to follow as they made their way towards the train.

The departure process was a smooth transition, and Harry was happy to be in his compartment some time later amongst his friends that had partaken in alcohol last night. The conversation was light, with some discussion about upcoming plans for the remainder of the holiday, but what Harry was really waiting for was the arrival of his younger brother, which didn't occur till almost the end of the train ride.

Justin came in looking tired, but he smiled happily at the greetings he got from his senior students, but before he could sit down and join them Harry told him that they should speak in private before they arrive at Kings Cross.

The two boys crossed a few cars before getting outside, and Harry began putting up protective magic. When he was done Justin's eyebrows

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