Chapter 2 – Foreign Relations

"Oh, bugger."

"That kind of language is not appropriate in a place such as this, my young friend."

Harry ignored the comment as he turned to the speaker. "Albus, do you know much about…" He stopped his comment to ask, "Albus, are you okay?"

Dumbledore smiled, "Just a bit tired, Harry. The end of the school year is always a most busy time for me. Not only are OWLS and NEWTS being held, but we also have all the planning for next year."

The Headmaster gave Harry a speculative look. "Speaking of which, my Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has announced his plan to travel to Africa next fall to study nundu." At Harry's raised eyebrow, he added, "I can give you your old office back."

Harry waved that off. "We'll talk about that later." He glanced over to where Tom was trying to placate the French and Bulgarian Ministers. Standing behind his minister, Alajos Sardonnes was giving his cousin's husband a Snape-like sneer for his efforts.

"What do you know about the Bulgarian Minister?"

"Alan Krum?" Dumbledore asked in surprise as he followed Harry's gaze. "He is the hand-picked successor to the previous Minister. His son is a national hero as the Seeker for their Quidditch World Cup team. They lost in the last World Cup Final, but he still caught the Snitch. The younger Krum was also the Durmstrang champion for the Triwizard Tournament. Mr. Krum was their head of magical law enforcement before his election.

"Why are you interested in the Minister, Harry?"

Harry frowned, "Does he look familiar to you?"

"I have had some occasional dealings with him in the last four years. Why? Is something bothering you?"

Harry ignored the question for a moment. Instead, he asked, "How does he get along with the French Minister?"

"They seem to know one another. I'd say a bit of a friendly rivalry."

Harry filed that information away. "Look at Mr. Krum. Doesn't he look like Claude?"

Dumbledore looked a bit uncertain. "It has been fifty years, but I think I can see it. Do you think it is possible?"

"Maria told me Calude's wife arranged for her to take refuge in the main Veela colony in Bulgaria. So it is possible…"

Jonas had been keeping quiet as he listened to the conversation unfold, but now he spoke up. "Grandfather…er, Harry, do you really think that is possible? Father told me of your friend's death when Grindelwald fell. Is that why you reacted so strongly?"

Harry grinned at his grandson. "Well, Fate loves to mess with me. So, yes, I do think it is possible. Probable even. But what really surprised me was seeing him with the French Minister.

"You see, my friend Claude's last name was Delacour. So I think the Ministers may be half-brothers."

The two wizards at Harry's side looked at each other in surprise. Then Jonas muttered, "Oh bugger is right!"

Harry smirked, "Oh, but it gets better."

--BD--

Dinner had been an enjoyable affair with Dumbledore joining the Potters' table. A variety of humorous and embarrassing stories were shared during dinner. Harry noted that Michele seemed to be taking notes on the pranks she heard.

Albus had them all laughing telling an amusing story from earlier in the week when a certain Jimmy Potter was caught with his girlfriend in a broomcloset by Professor Flitwick. Rather than deduct points, the Charms Professor made them mildly allergic to one another for a week. Every time they tried to snog or even got too close, they started sneezing and having runny noses.

"It didn't help when the Weasley twins got involved," Dumbledore added.

Tom grinned, "I would have thought they'd have loved such a prank."

"Indeed they did." Albus's eyes were twinkling at maximum power. "They sent a howler during dinner to Professor Flitwick thanking them for protecting their 'ickle sister's virtue from the nasty teenager' and begging him to teach them the charm. Poor Filius broke his arm when he fell out of his chair laughing."

"Poor James and Ginny," Andrea commented with a small smile. "How did they handle it?"

"I believe they have sworn revenge on twins and declared a prank war on them. Ron's twins have offered their services as judges."

Harry and Jonas laughed as Tom winced.

"Will the school survive that?" Harry asked with a snort.

"Young Al and Thomas have promised me the school will still be standing when they are done. I did note they never promised it would be habitable."

--BD--

It was later in the evening when Harry knocked on the door to the Bulgarian Minister's suite. An aide answered the door. He was a bit reluctant but after a moment invited Harry inside.

After a short wait, the Bulgarian Minister entered the room.

"Hello, my aide said you wished to speak with me?"

Harry smiled. Up close, the Minister was the spitting image of an older Claude. He also noted the Minister had only a very slight accent.

"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Minister. My name is Harry Potter. I am something of a historian on the war against Grindelwald."

Mr. Krum nodded, "I am not sure how I can help you. My country was not a primary player in that war. But please, be seated." The Minister gestured at the couch as he sat in a chair.

Harry took the offered seat. "I am attempting to track down an operative from the Magical Resistance who worked with one of our Unspeakables. I have a good reason to believe she took refuge in one of your Veela colonies after the war."

Mr. Krum looked interested. "That is possible. We received many magical German refugees in those days." He looked at Harry and asked curiously, "Why do you bring this to me?"

Harry watched carefully as he said the next part. "I am not sure what name she may have taken after the war. I know her real name was Maria Raven. I have some information to give her."

Alan Krum had flinched slightly when he heard the name. He was too much of an experienced politician to react more, but it was enough confirmation for Harry.

"What news could be so important after fifty years?"

"A family matter, sir. I think you will understand if I don't just share the information with you."

"Of course, Mr. Potter. Well, I don't know if I can help you, but I will send your request back to my people. I am sure we will be able to have an answer back to you before the end of the conference."

Harry stood up. "Thank you for your time, Minister." The Minister rose, shook Harry's hand and escorted him to the door.

As Harry was about to open the door, he turned back to the Minister. "One last thing, sir. If you do find Ms. Raven and she is concerned about my authenticity, please tell her I bring word from her son's godfather."

Harry could see that one went home as he opened the door and left.

--BD--

14 March 1998

Harry spent the next day sitting in a chair behind Tom and next to Percy Weasley. The opening day's debate dealt with the impact of Muggles on the natural preserves of magical creatures.

Harry found the topic ironic. It seemed that the Muggle environmental efforts were attempting to restore areas that appeared to have been destroyed by foresting, strip mining and other commercial endeavors. The Muggles were pushing for the areas to 'recovered'.

The problem was many of those areas were in fact preserved habitats for magical flora and fauna. Protected by wards similar to the ones that made Hogwarts and other magical buildings seem to be abandoned ruins, the preserves appeared barren. Huge magical preserves could also be found in northern Africa inside what Muggles saw as the Sahara Dessert.

The debate did not capture much of Harry's interest. Instead, he observed the French and Bulgarian delegations. Mr. Krum stared at Harry several times during the day's sessions but never attempted to talk to Harry directly. The Minister also received several messages that he dashed off replies to before returning his attention to the meeting.

In comparison, the French delegation never looked in Harry's direction once. Harry assumed that meant Alan Krum did not share any information with Laurent Delacour. And aside from a single note that he absently read, the Minister paid the ICW session his full attention.

Harry decided that international politics were not the field for him. It was all polite conversation, subtle innuendo and deals, with very little of any apparent substance getting accomplished. Like the Muggle United Nations, the much older International Confederation of Wizards lacked any real ability to enforce its decisions. It really depended on the peer pressure of the other nations to affect any changes.

Percy proved to be an excellent tutor on the events going on in front of Harry. The ICW never affected either of the two previous phases of Harry's life. Each member nation received a number of votes based on the MEI (Magical Efficiency Index) divided by the magical population of the country.

Harry had never heard of the MEI before. Percy explained each OWL was worth 1 MEI point and each NEWT was worth two. Therefore, a wizard with four OWLS and 2 NEWTS was worth 8 MEI points where an untrained wizard received no points. This forced the magical governments to ensure that all of its population received at least one OWL. The nations with the highest average magical training multiplied by the total number of wizards and witches wielded the largest amount of influence in the ICW.

As the home of Merlin, the ICW founder, the position of Supreme Mugwump was traditionally given to the Head Warlock of the British MoM. Although purely a non-voting role, the Supreme Mugwump wielded significant moral authority and helped set the conference agendas. Harry snorted when he realized Albus was truly in his element here working with the various delegations. He obviously enjoyed the debate and small compromises going on all around him.

By the lunch break, Harry was ready to start a duel just to break up the monotony. Even his time undercover as a 'guest' laborer in Germany was much more enjoyable than this one morning.

Relief came half way through lunch when a recognizable figure approached Harry. It was Victor Krum. The Quiddich World Cup star and Triwizard Champion walked confidently up to Harry.

"Du are Harry Potter?" Harry nodded whilst noting that Victor's accent was a bit better then he remembered from his first timeline. "Pleaze come with me."

"Mr. Potter, this is most irregular," Percy started to protest.

Harry motioned him back down. "It is okay. Please let the Minister know I may be a bit delayed for the start of the afternoon session."

'Even with the influence of the Potters, Percy is still an uptight bureaucrat,' Harry thought as he followed Victor out of the dining room.

Victor was an interesting study as they walked through the hotel and towards the elevators. He was obviously recognized but he ignored the whispers and the stares. As the former Boy-Who-Lived, Harry was impressed with the way Victor ignored them completely.

Neither spoke as the elevator took them up to the sixth floor. Victor led Harry to a door Harry recognized as being directly across the hall from the Bulgarian Minister's suite. Victor opened the door and led Harry inside.

Harry was two paces inside when he felt a paralysis curse hit him. A variation from the standard Perfectus Totalus taught at Hogwarts, this one locked all voluntary muscle movement from the neck down, allowing the victim to be questioned by his captors.

Victor turned around and stepped up to Harry. Without a word, he reached into Harry's formal robe and removed his wand. Then he stepped back several feet. During this, Harry noted the two wizards coming into the room from the Minister's suite. They moved to either side of Harry and shut the door.

"Who are you and what do you really want with Maria Raven?"

Harry smiled. In his best 'I am an English snob' voice, he said, "This is most improper! May I ask why you are doing this? You could have just asked. This is most rude."

That earned him a cuff to the head form one of the wizards at his side.

"Shut up and answer the question!"

"Can I do both? Isn't that contradictory?"

The cuff was coming again when Harry started to move. A quick bit of wandless magic released the paralysis curse. A wand dropped out of his sleeve even as he ducked under the wizard's slap.

The surprise of their 'helpless' captive suddenly moving and bearing a wand froze the three wizards for a moment. A Banisher caught the closest wizard to Harry while a well-placed kick to the knee incapacitated the other. The wizard howled when his knee snapped and he fell to the floor. It was a mercy when a follow-up Stunner hit him. The Banished wizard had a short flight through the air until he smashed face first with the wall. He slumped bonelessly to the floor.

Harry looked up to see Victor pointing a familiar looking Holly wand he took at him. Harry smiled. "Now, was all that necessary?"

Victor looked a bit stunned at the swift demolition of his two 'assistants'. He tightened his grip on the wand. "I vill ask du once more! What du you vant vith Maria Raven?!"

"That is between Ms. Raven and myself."

As the Bulgarian Seeker scowled, Harry noted that Victor still had a temper in this timeline. "Kristos!"

Harry recognized the compression hex as he dodged to the side. If it hit, the spell would feel as if a giant boa constrictor was wrapped around the victim's chest squeezing the breath out of them.

Before Victor could react, Harry stepped next to him and placed his wand against the other wizard's throat. "Now, are you going to stop playing the silly bugger or do I have to knock you out too?"

Harry could see the mix of fear and anger in Krum's eyes as Krum dropped the wand to the floor.

"Very good." Harry backed off a bit and wandlessly summoned his second wand to his free hand. "Please tell Ms. Raven that I would like to talk to her now if she has a moment."

One of the bedroom doors opened and an attractive older witch in her eighties walked into the room. Her hair was now completely white, but she still had the same blue eyes. Harry noticed her wand held against her side as she walked in.

"Victor, please leave us."

"But, Grandmutter!" he protested.

Maria smiled gently at her grandson. "It is okay, Victor. I will be safe with Mr. Potter." She gave Harry a quick glance. "Won't I?"

Harry smiled a bit. "I did promise Claude…"

The young Bulgarian wizard looked resigned as he walked out of the room. He threw one last, mistrustful glance at Harry that promised retribution if anything happened to Maria before leaving. A quick levitating charm by Harry had the two unconscious wizards floating out behind him.

Maria cast a privacy charm once the door was shut. Then she turned and studied Harry. After a moment, she started to speak.

"When my son contacted me by Floo last night about a strange British wizard asking about Maria Raven I was very curious. My grandson insisted on coming to protect me. I allowed it because I wanted to see how you handled the situation. My eyes tell me one thing, but my head tells me another."

Harry grinned. "The first night we met was in your pub. You were sitting in Claude's lap and flirting with all the men. Later, you took me upstairs to 'seduce' me. Normally you stunned the men you took upstairs and then gave them memories of a night of wild sex. We played chess instead. After that Claude became your steady boyfriend."

Maria's face was pale as she gasped, "Alan?"

"I go by Harry now," Harry smiled.

Maria dropped into a nearby chair. "How? You haven't aged in fifty years! Where have you been?"

"Let's just say I had a little misadventure with a Time Turner," Harry hedged. "I missed the last fifty years."

"Why are you here now?"

Harry snorted, "You do remember that Tom Evans-Potter is my son? He wanted me to come here to meet my grandson and great-granddaughter. At dinner the other night I noticed how much your son looks like Claude."

Maria looked a bit shocked again. "The British Minister of Magic is the same Tom we rescued?" She frowned in thought. "I can't believe I never put it together. I guess because I never paid much attention to politics."

"The Thomas Potter with us at Durmstrang was your brother then?"

"Something like that," Harry evaded in a casual tone. "Speaking of family members, I ran across one of yours recently. Christina."

"Christina's alive!" Maria yelled. "Are we in any danger? Does she know I am alive?!"

Harry moved over to her and knelt by Maria's side. He took he hand and tried to calm her. "It's okay. Christina is not looking for you. She has lived in England for the last forty-five years as a Muggle. She married a British Army officer and lived as a housewife for years. You're safe."

"Are-, are you sure?"

Harry nodded. "Tom has kept an eye on her. Tom had as much reason to watch her as you did." Maria nodded as she remembered Tom's kidnapping and training at Dumstrang.

"This is too much! You come back from the dead and bring my sister with you! I don't know what to say."

Harry conjured a chair next to her. He sat down with a impish grin. "So, tell me, does your son know his half-brother is Laurent Delacour?"

Maria's eyes narrowed at his tone. "I remember that look, Alan. You'd get the same one when you were planning some fool stunt to annoy the Nazis or Dark Army. What are you up to this time?"

"Harry, please. And I have no idea what you mean. I am just looking forward to the family reunion," Harry protested with a look of innocence. "Christina thought you died when the pub blew up. She took the name Mary to remember you," he added.

The comment about her sister distracted Maria as Harry intended. Maria looked thoughtful for a moment. "The boys grew up knowing of their connection. We raised them separately, but they spent time together during the summers. Claude's wife, Amie wanted it that way. Laurent is five years older, but he was always good with Alan.

"We kept their connection secret. Now I think they enjoy tweaking one another diplomatically for their own amusement. Unfortunately, both of them have Claude's twisted sense of humour," she added dryly.

"You know that when Victor competed in the Triwizard Tournament, one of his opponents was his cousin, Fleur? I would have thought he should have known."

"They know now. They were told after the Tournament. Neither one seemed very happy that the secret was kept from them."

A polite knock on the door interrupted further conversation. At Harry's nod, Maria dropped the privacy charms and called out something in Bulgarian.

A moment later, the door opened. A large, well-built wizard whose attitude called out bodyguard, opened the door and glanced around the room. After a moment he stepped to the side and stood at the side of the door. Harry noticed the man's wand never left his hand.

Alan Krum walked into the room with anger and frustration pouring off in waves. He glared at Harry for a moment before turning his glare at his mother.

"Mutter, what do you think you are doing? Why would you allow yourself to be isolated in here with a stranger with no protection?!"

Maria smiled sweetly at her son. "Hello, Alan. How has is the conference going?"

Without waiting for an answer, she gestured at Harry. "You've met Mr. Potter? Such a nice young man. He reminds me of his grandfather. He is hardly a stranger. His grandfather was your godfather. Why, he is practically family!"

Harry laughed at the variety of expressions battling on the poor man's face. He was obviously still upset with his mother, but the curiosity about his godfather was also apparent.

Maria's face became a bit more serious. "He also wanted to tell me my sister Christina is still alive and living in England."

Alan looked surprised. "I thought she died with Grindelwald! Is she a danger to us?"

"Until recently, she never knew your mother survived the war," Harry explained. "She married a muggle British Army officer named Robert Granger. Her son, Dan, is a Squib that works as a dentist. Her granddaughter is the Headgirl at Hogwarts this year."

"Her-mi-o-knee is my cousin?" a new voice asked in a sick tone.

Harry snickered inwardly. Only one person mangled Hermione's name like that. In an innocent voice, he answered, "Yes, Mr. Krum. She is your second cousin. Or is it first cousin once removed? I can never remember the difference. I assume you know Hermione?"

After their Fourth year, Hermione always protested that the most she had allowed Victor to do was kiss her on the cheek. Harry could remember several entertaining rows about it that he and Ginny instigated.

Now judging by the expression on Victor's face, if her statement was true, then Victor definitely thought about doing more. Harry always thought it was weird that an almost eighteen year-old asked a just turned fifteen year-old to the Yule Ball.

Maria shot Harry a dirty look as she walked over to comfort her grandson. Harry smiled back innocently. The old Victor was a good bloke, but this was just too funny.

--BD--

"You are a menace to diplomacy."

"Hello Albus. You are looking better."

Dumbledore took the seat next to Harry. "Would you care to explain why the Bulgarian Minister suddenly left this afternoon's session. And thirty minutes later the French and British Ministers followed?"

"Um… we're preparing to invade the Virgin Islands? We want to capture all of those paper drink umbrellas."

The Supreme Mugwump sighed. "Why is it I can control a room full of diplomats with their egos, and I can't keep you under the same control?"

A cheeky grin answered him. "Because they see Albus Dumbledore, Vanquisher of Grindelwald, Head Warlock of the Wizengamot, blah, blah, blah. I see Albus, the guy who still owes me a hundred and twelve Galleons from a losing hand of poker fifty-two years ago."

Albus's eyes twinkled with amusement at the retort. "It is good to see you back to your old self."

"The girls were right. The year away was a good thing for me. It helped me put things into perspective. Not just losing Sarah, but also the war. It felt really good to not have to face that for a while."

"So, can you tell me now what trouble you were causing today?"

"Nosy aren't you?"

"Harry."

Harry grinned at Dumbledore's pained tone. "I met with Maria after lunch. You do realize that Hermione is Maria's grandniece don't you? And that Laurent and Alan are half-brothers."

Dumbledore looked gobsmacked. "I knew about the brothers but I must admit the connection to Ms.Granger escaped me over the last year."

"Victor Krum was a bit surprised to hear it too."

"Oh dear. I heard they were rather close friends. Well, I am sure Mr. Weasley will be most relieved."

Harry snickered at the thought of Ron's reaction. "That happened here too? Sometimes I swear I wanted to lock'em in a broomcloset until they kissed or got over it."

"I believe the Ms. Weasley and your brother were of much a mind as you. Somehow, Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger became locked inside their compartment on the Express. A note informed them the magic would not release the door until they truthfully told their feelings to the other.

"The train was at King's Cross for over an hour before the doors opened, I believe."

Harry laughed at the image. "When did this happen?"

"Just after their Fifth year. Lily and Molly threatened to punish them if they didn't release the door, but I suspect they were just as tired of the situation as their children."

Harry laughed so hard tears formed in his eyes. "I'll have to ask Jimmy to show me the memory."

--BD--

15 March 1998

Formal dinners have never been a favorite way of spending an evening for Harry. Memories of the Dursley's dinner parties seen through the gaps in the door to his childhood 'room' stuck with him. Memories of the formal dinners endured as James Evans for the Phoenix Foundation did little to reduce his loathing of the affairs.

"Do I really have to do this?" he asked plaintively.

"You have five children, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; don't you think it's time you grew up?"

Harry turned to glare at the speaker.

The glare did no good as the speaker added, "This is your fault after all."

"My fault? How can you possibly reach that conclusion?" Harry growled as he adjusted his robe for the fifth time in five minutes.

"You're the one who thought it would be funny to tell Maria that I was still alive in the middle of a diplomatic conference," Christina pointed out with a smirk.

Harry gave it up as a bad job and grinned at Christina. "It was funny. I just didn't think Tom would suggest this little family reunion."

The seventy-five year-old grandmother and former Dark Witch chuckled in an evil fashion. "Just be glad Hermione refused to leave Hogwarts this close to NEWTS! She was asking me all kinds of questions about how you knew so much about my sisters and I."

Harry groaned, "She will not let this rest. Hermione is like a pit bull when she gets her hands on something she doesn't understand."

Christina laughed, "She does rather remind me of Serena with a good bit of Maria's stubbornness to boot. Now, shall we go in?"

"After you."

Christina grabbed Harry's arm and linked her arm through his. "Not likely, Count. You are walking in with me."

Harry guided Christina to the round table that already had several people seated at it. Tom smiled as they approached. The Magical Ministers with their wives and Maria were seated at one table whilst the younger members of the family sat at a nearby table.

"Remember, only you, Maria, Tom and Andrea know who I really am. Please keep it that way."

"Does that mean you will not be joining us at the main table?"

Harry snickered, "I have been relegated to the youngsters' table. I will be sitting with my great-granddaughter, Michele."

"I wouldn't be too comfortable, Harry," Christina smiled and whispered as they approached the table. "Hermione may not have joined us, but it looks like you may not be free from questions yourself."

Harry looked to see Victor Krum glaring at him from 'the youngsters' table'. Joining him were Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour. Fleur was glaring at Harry also, but Gabrielle was happily chatting with Michele.

'Oh, this will be fun,' Harry thought to himself as they reached Christina's table.

"Good evening, everyone." Harry greeted them. "May I present Christina Raven?"

Maria stood up carefully with a blank look on her face. "Christina, is it really you?"

Christina smiled nervously, "It's really me, Mia. It's so good to see you again."

Maria walked carefully around the table to stand in front of her sister. They starred at each other for a moment before breaking down and crying on one another.

Harry stood there for a moment feeling rather uncomfortable. Then he quietly said, "I will leave you alone to get reacquainted."

Christina and Maria shot matching looks at Harry through their tear-streaked faces.

"Coward," Christina muttered.

Maria smiled, "How could he ever be a great wizard?"

The sisters laughed as Christina made a little shooing motion towards the other table. Ignoring the look of amusement on Tom and Andrea's faces, Harry walked the short distance over to the second table.

Michele looked up as Harry sat down. "Harry! You came! This is Gabrielle! She is starting school this year too!" The two little Veela girls looked up at Harry with matching adorable expressions. The two girls looked nothing alike but they somehow it worked.

Harry smiled at the hyperactive eleven-year-olds. "Hello, girls. Are you going to Beauxbatons, Gabrielle?"

"Yes, Mama said I must go to Beauxbatons , but she said if I do well I can go to the summer program at Phoenix!" Gabrielle answered.

"Isn't that great, Harry? She can be with Aunt Tia and me!"

Michele's excitement made Harry smile for a moment. Then he turned to greet the table's other occupants as the girls went back to their conversation. Victor was silently glaring at Harry. Fleur was looking at Harry like he was an offensive peasant that wandered in out of the fields.

"Who are you to come here and disrupt my family this way?" Fleur demanded.

'Well, her accent has improved,' Harry thought. 'She is not mispronouncing words but just a trace of a French accent.' Unobtrusively, Harry cast a wandless silence spell to prevent the conversation from reaching the other table.

The French witch continued her tirade. "You try to bring out into the open what is private! You are a stupid little boy sticking his nose where it does not belong!"

'Why does she always call me a little boy?' Harry mused to himself. A less mature Harry Potter once bristled at the veela's comments. From his older perspective, Harry could just dismiss it with a glance.

Outwardly Fleur, Harry turned to Victor. "Hello Victor. How are your friends? I hope I didn't hurt them too badly?"

The glaring Seeker answered, "They are my teammates. Malcov is great keeper. You break his knee with a single kick. Healers say he is out for the season. Dulchuv is fine once Healers done."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't mean to hurt them."

Some of the animosity left Victor's face. "How did du break the binding hex? I have never heard of that."

Harry smiled. "Just a little trick I learned. But to more important things, how is the World Cup shaking up? I saw you play at the last one in England and you were brilliant. I used to play Seeker too."

Harry started to happily talk about the intricacies of playing Seeker. His obvious knowledge of the strategies and skills of the position seemed to thaw Victor out a bit. Slowly, he started to join the conversation when Harry started talking about a modification idea he had for his Firebolt.

Victor liked the idea of putting a propulsion spell on the sides of the broom. This would allow the broom to move sideways and give greater control on turns. Victor's eyes shone with excitement, his earlier anger forgotten.

His anger was forgotten, but not Fleur's.

"How can you just accept this stranger coming here and stirring all this up? Grandfather is NOT someone to be proud of! 'e cheated on my grandmother! With 'er!" she screamed and pointed at Maria. Victor looked ready to start in on Fleur for attacking his grandmother.

Harry was shocked at the hatred he heard in Fleur's voice at the mention of Claude. 'I wonder if this is why she moved to England before?' Harry also noticed Gabrielle looked close to tears at her sister's statements.

"Stop it!" Harry demanded. "Both of you," he added when Victor opened his mouth.

Harry waited a moment and said, "Calmly now, why do you hate your grandfather, Fleur?"

"He left my grandmother for 'nother woman! 'e is like all men! A lying, cheating pig! I am glad 'e's dead!"

Although more than fifty years had passed for the rest of the world, only two years had passed for Harry since Claude's death. It was still a raw point for Harry, he could never forget the sacrifice that man had made to assist in the rescue of his son Tom Fleur's unthinking comment was like salt in the wound.

Harry leaned forward towards the young witch. "What do you know of what your grandfather went through, you stupid little girl?" he hissed. The rest of the table drew back at the quiet words filled with venom.

"Claude Delacour did a very difficult job at a horrible personal sacrifice. He and Maria lived for years undercover in the heart of Nazi Germany. Their relationship was their cover. It was necessity, not desire that drove them to it.

"The Dark Army and Gestapo frequently had them under observation, muggle and magical. They couldn't act as husband and wife in public and then change when the bedroom door shut. Yes, he and Maria were very fond of one another. Yes, he loved both of his sons. Claude did the best job he could and was a key part in bringing down Grindelwald. Without him, the attack on Grindelwald could have had a much different outcome!"

Fleur's eyes grew bigger throughout Harry's comments. When he finally stopped, the young woman rose from the table to flee in tears. Harry started mentally kicking himself for losing his temper like that. He watched as Fleur's mother followed her daughter out of the room.

"Don't worry about my sister, Monsieur Potter. She is just being stupid. She grew up idolizing Grandfather Claude. Finding out he was not perfect hurt her."

Harry looked at Gabrielle in amazement. That was a surprisingly mature response from an eleven-year-old. Then she leaned over and whispered something to Michele that set the two of them to giggling. The brief moment of maturity completely forgotten.

"How can du know all this?" Victor asked in a quiet voice.

"The British Unspeakable that worked with them, he was a Potter," Harry offered as an explanation. "Let's just say I've seen his memories of the war."

'I've been around Albus too much. That sounds like one of his answers,' Harry thought. 'It answered the question without telling the truth.'

Harry started telling his three listeners stories about Claude and the final battle with Grindelwald. Harry found it rather freeing to tell the stories. Victor and Gabrielle were fascinated to hear about their grandfather whilst Michele was interested to hear about Thomas Potter and the Count.

A much quieter Fleur returned in the middle of the stories. She didn't speak but just sat and listened to Harry's tales. After a bit she started to relax and smiled at some of the more amusing tales.

--BD--

After dinner, Maria and Christina pulled Harry from his table.

"Thank you for bringing me my sister back," Maria said in German as she wrapped Harry in a hug. "And thank you for talking to the children."

"You heard that?" Harry asked in surprise.

Christina smiled, "After you made the young woman run, Tom used a spell to pierce your silencing spell. I didn't think that was possible."

"Tom knows the harmonic frequency I set my shield at. He figured out in his Fifth year that by matching it, he can listen in on conversations."

Christina looked impressed. "He was a brilliant student. Too bad he had to waste his brain by becoming a politician."

Maria affected an offended look, "My son is a politician." Then she smiled, "I admit I preferred it when he ran DMLE."

"Fleur's mother, Apolline Delacour, was not happy with her daughter's outburst," Christina commented. "She said the girl was under pressure from her Healer studies." The tough former Dark Army witch shared no sympathy with someone that couldn't stand up to pressure.

"I think Gabrielle's answer was more accurate," Harry replied. He told that two what had been said. The two witches nodded in understanding.

"Maria will be coming to Hogwarts for Hermione's graduation. She wants to see the Serena clone that my son had."

Harry laughed, "Hermione is the brightest students Hogwarts has seen since Tom. If they had been as school at the same time the competition would have been amazing."

--BD--

18 March 1998

The knocking on the door to his suite pulled Harry out of a pleasant dream. After the last two days of boring diplomatic talks, Harry felt he deserved the nice dreams. He vaguely remembered something about a flying dog but it was quickly fading away. A glance at the clock showed it was two-thirty in the morning.

Harry pulled on a dressing robe as he walked towards the door. An odd sense of foreboding caused him to absently drop his wand into his hand.

A quick revealing charm showed Jonas standing outside. Harry put his wand back into the holster as he opened the door for his grandson. He noticed Jonas looked to be in shock.

"Jonas, what's the problem?"

A pale Jonas answered, "It's Professor Dumbledore. They said he had a heart attack. Fawkes brought Aunt Katie. She doesn't know if he will live through the night. Dad told me to get you right away."

Harry stood in shock for a moment before wordlessly summoning a set of casual clothes. With only a brief moment to get dressed, the two men left for Dumbledore's suite.

The room was just down the hall from Harry's suite. A pair of Aurors stood guard outside. Jonas walked past them without a glance. The pair walked directly into Albus's bedroom.

Albus lay propped up in the bed with a mound of pillows behind him. Fawkes perched on the headboard crooning softly. Katie was sitting in a nearby chair with a small table with potions next to her. Tom was standing silently on her other side.

"Ah, Harry. Sorry to get you up so early." Albus reached out with a small bowl. "Would you care for a lemon drop?"

"What is this trouble you are causing that gets poor Katie here this early in the morning. Fawkes looks like he still needs his beauty rest."

Dumbledore chuckled weakly as the phoenix squawked a protest. "Ah, old friend, I fear my old body is telling me it is time for the next great adventure."

Harry conjured a chair and sat down next to the bed. "What are you talking about? You sound fine to me."

"Madam Prewitt's potions have proven their normal efficacy. I feel quite fine. But how I feel and what is happening are two different things."

Harry looked over at Katie.

"He's right, Dad." She said quietly. "The potions are making him comfortable, but the attack did too much damage to his heart. With a younger patient, I could freeze his body processes and fix it, but he won't survive the shock of the revival process. All I can do is make him comfortable."

"There has to be something we can do!" Harry insisted.

"Harry, you have done enough," Dumbledore answered with a smile. "For the last fifty years I have been able to watch generations of new witches and wizards grow up safe at Hogwarts. You stopped Voldemort once and then risked it all to go back to prevent his rise from ever occurring. Instead, I got a pupil to mentor and a friend. You forgave an old man his mistakes he would have made. Harry, you have done more than enough.

"I would have loved to see you teach again next year. Ms. Weasley, Ms. Lovegood, and Mr. Potter will be Seventh years. Those would have been most amusing to watch," Dumbledore chuckled. "Especially Ms. Lovegood."

Harry felt his eyes filling with emotion. "Ya, Luna's always good for a laugh."

Dumbledore reached over and patted Harry's hand. Then he motioned to Tom and Katie to join them.

"Tom, it was my great wish that I would live long enough to one day see you become the Headmaster of Hogwarts, but your path called you in a different direction. I am ever so proud of you, my boy."

"Thank you, Albus," Tom said simply. The emotion on his face said it all.

Albus's eyes settled on Katie. "Katie, please take care of these two and the rest of your family. Merlin knows what kind of trouble they will get into without me here to keep an eye on them."

"I will, Uncle Albus," Katie promised with a sad smile. "But I make no promises about your godsons."

Albus started to laugh but it turned into a deep cough. Katie moved to hold him up but the Headmaster waved her away.

"Yes, young Albus and Thomas will need a full-time minder to keep them out of trouble. Fortunately their new project with the Weasley Twins will be your problem and not mine," Dumbledore commented with a beneficent smile.

"Albus, what did you do?" Tom asked.

Dumbldore just winked and continued to smile with a twinkle in his eye.

"Will you at least tell me if we will lose the Alley?" No answer came but the twinkle was reaching blinding proportions. Harry laughed at the classic Dumbledore moment.

The room fell into a companionable silence. No one wanted to talk. Albus closed his eyes.

After fifteen or twenty minutes, Albus opened his eyes and looked at Harry. "It is time. Say good-bye for me. Be well." Dumbledore glanced up at the crying phoenix perched above him. "Good-bye, my oldest friend."

With one last smile, the great wizard closed his eyes for a final time.

Fawkes let out a soulful wail of mourning. The phoenix leapt from the headboard and disappeared in a flash of fire, his final sad note hanging in the air.

The three remaining humans sat there in their grief until the sun rose. Then they would have to tell the world that the man hailed as the greatest wizard of the modern age had passed in the night.