Jul 31
When the
Roses Bloom
Again -
Contractual
Dispute He watched the steady rising and falling of her chest, his
own filled with warmth despite the manner in which he had
woken. Still, in the peace of his own home, sleep eluded
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him, the quiet only serving to leave him in a state of
alertness where rest was not possible.
For the past week since he had returned home with
Minerva and Rosa, they had been inundated with visitors,
the only people not doing so thus far being Nicholas and
Perenelle, who would be visiting in the coming days.
Tiberius had come along with his wife, as had Frank and
Augusta.
Poppy had been four times by Harry's last count, and not a
day passed that Robert and Isobel hadn't arrived at the
house.
The man was besotted with his granddaughter, almost on
the brink of tears whenever he laid eyes on her.
Harry understood that feeling. He found it hard to believe
that he had a daughter at all until he looked upon her, the
visage staring back at him almost identical to the pictures
he had seen of Lily Potter.
It wasn't this, however, that elicited such a strong feeling of
uninhibited love within him, but the knowledge that Rosa
was the coming together of him and Minerva.
He turned to look at the woman who had brought the babe
into the world as she slept peacefully, still recovering from
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her ordeal, and that same love spread throughout him;
doubtless and pure as it was.
This was what he was fighting for, what awaited him when
the war was over.
Still, he knew he must go back.
As tempting as it was to just shut the world outside away
and live in ignorant bliss, Harry could not do that.
He could not abandon his men, not when they too had
fought as hard as he, had bled with him, some even giving
their lives.
No, he couldn't and wouldn't even consider such a thing.
"Struggling to sleep again?" Minerva whispered, shifting to
wrap her arms around his neck.
"I don't think I will ever sleep peacefully," he murmured.
"Especially when I have such the perfect distraction," he
added, nodding towards the sleeping babe.
"She is perfect," Minerva agreed, "as quiet as you are."
"Let's just hope she doesn't have the same knack for landing
herself in trouble as me," Harry snorted.
Minerva smiled against his neck.
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"She might be just like me," she pointed out.
"I bloody hope so," Harry huffed gently.
They fell silent for several moments, both simply watching
their daughter.
"You left early yesterday morning," Minerva broke the
silence.
Harry nodded.
"I needed to meet with my solicitor to make some
adjustments to my will. If anything happens to me, you and
Rosa will be taken care of."
Minerva shook her head.
"I would rather you came home, Harry."
Harry swallowed deeply.
"So would I," he agreed, "but it is best to leave no doubts if
the worst was to happen."
Minerva released a deep breath, her grip tightening around
him possessively.
She said nothing further on the matter, but Harry felt a tear
roll down his shoulder.
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"I have to go back."
"When?" Minerva choked.
"I have arranged with Petr to stay another two weeks to
make sure you're healed," he explained.
Minerva nodded her understanding.
"I love you," he blurted, taking her by the hand. "Both of
you."
It took a moment for the realisation to settle in for her,
unsure if the words had truly been spoken.
When she had been silent for what she believed to be too
long, Minerva slid into Harry's lap.
"I love you," she said sincerely, her heart welling with what
it was she felt for the man.
They had been little more than children when they had met
some six years prior, had grown together to the people they
were now, the journey they had shared having been full of
both heartache and utter joy in abundance.
Now, it felt somehow complete, that everything they had
endured, the triumphs and losses had led them here, and
though there were things Minerva wished had never come
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to pass, if it led her to this moment, she would not change a
single thing.
(Break)
Arcturus read and re-read the missive that had been
forwarded to him by Lord Parkinson, unable to believe
what it was he had been sent. Either Lord Selwyn was had
taken complete leave of his senses or the man had grown
tired of life.
The Lord Black was silently fuming, his teeth gritted and
his hands trembling in rage.
What was Selwyn playing at.
"I'll murder that bastard," he growled as he took his leave of
his room to seek out Charlus.
Dorea would marry one of Selwyn's impotent offspring over
his dead body, but it would not be him that would die.
That honour would be reserved for Selwyn, and his entire
family if necessary to keep Dorea out of their clutches.
He stomped his way through the streets of Bucharest, his
anger on becoming more palpable the more he pondered
just what Selwyn had done.
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The late Lord Black had signed the contract, but he had
not been in his right mind for years.
Not only had Selwyn taken advantage of his father, but he
now had the audacity to believe that the transgression
would go unpunished, that he would truly emerge from this
utter foolishness with his life and house intact.
No, Arcturus would not allow that, even if the man saw the
error of his ways before this farce of a contract could be
further acted upon.
It was not only the manipulation of his father that
infuriated Arcturus, but the unmitigated gall for the man to
activate the contract in the first place.
Lord Selwyn would suffer the wrath of the Lord Black, and
undoubtedly Charlus who Arcturus spotted leaving his own
rooms.
"That look doesn't bode well for someone," the Potter lord
snorted.
"Read it," Arcturus urged, handing the man the letter and
copy of the contract he'd received.
Charlus's expression darkened, his nostrils flaring.
In all the years that Arcturus had known him, he'd never
truly seen Charlus lose his composure, not like he did in
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this moment.
Still, he read the contract in its entirety before chuckling,
though it was not one of amusement.
"He is a stupid bastard," he declared, indicating a small
section of text under the 'terms' heading.
Arcturus's own eyes lit up as he read it too, a sinister grin
tugging at his lips.
"He couldn't have read this and activated the contract, not
unless he is a halfwit."
"This is Selwyn we are discussing," Charlus pointed out.
Arcturus conceded the point with a nod.
"Well, I suppose the only thing to decide is if we are going
to pay him off, or fight," he sighed dramatically.
"I choose option two," Charlus declared. "I'll tear his
fucking throat out."
Arcturus raised an eyebrow in his direction.
"What if I decide I want to do it?"
Charlus shook his head.
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"You have a wife and a child on the way. Let me handle this
one."
Arcturus admired the man's spirit, but he didn't want to
shirk his responsibility.
"I insist," Charlus added with a smile.
Even to Arcturus, it was an unsettling sight, but if Charlus
was so readily willing to fight for his sister's hand, who was
he to stand in his way?
It mattered not who dealt with Selwyn regarding the
contract.
Arcturus would ensure he carved his own pound of flesh
from the man, one way or the other.
"He is all yours, for the time being," he replied. "I'll send
our reply to Parkinson. I'm sure he will not neglect to tell as
many others as he can."
(Break)
"That should just about do it," Gilbert declared as he
finished attaching the final door to a cupboard in the
kitchen.
"It looks wonderful," Sorina praised gratefully.
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Gilbert smiled as he admired his own work.
He never knew he had quite the proclivity towards home
improvements, and the satisfaction from having completed
the work was incomparable to almost anything else he'd
ever done.
The house Sorina had found had not been in the best
condition upon purchase, but Gilbert had been here from
the very start, ensuring that it was liveable for the woman
and her daughter.
He had haggled the price down, and even helped move in
what meagre possessions they had left.
Ever since, he had spent the past weeks here, going from
room to room to carry out repairs and install new
furnishings where needed.
The house itself was only a short walk from the magical
district, and were he not here helping the woman, he would
have simply been waiting with the other men for
instructions on what they would be doing next.
They wouldn't remain in Romania, after all.
Helping Sorina had given him a sense of purpose, but now
the work was done.
There was nothing else that required his attention.
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"I can't promise my work will last forever," he chuckled,
"but it should see you through for now."
"Nonsense," Sorina said dismissively. "Your workmanship is
very good."
Gilbert blushed at the praise, something that didn't come to
him often.
"Anyway, you have a home now and that's what matters," he
replied with a smile. "If there is anything else you need, you
know where to find me for the time being."
"For the time being?" Sorina asked with a frown.
Gilbert nodded.
"I don't think we will stay much longer," he sighed. "When
Harry is back, he will push to take Bulgaria, and then we
will likely head west," he added with a shrug.
"But you are not leaving yet, no?"
"He'll be back in a couple of weeks."
Sorina raised an eyebrow at him.
"Then why are speaking as though you are saying goodbye
to me?" she asked.
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"Everything is finished," Gilbert pointed out, gesturing
around the room.
Sorina shook her head.
"Then the very least I can do is make you dinner, for
everything you have done, but it is late now," she sighed
dramatically. "I suppose that means you must come back
tomorrow."
Gilbert was confused, but he did not miss the smirk that
tugged at her lips.
He released a deep breath.
"I'm not a good man to have around," he murmured sadly.
"I have spent most of my adult life in one prison or other.
I've been a career criminal for as long as I can remember."
"But you are here fighting in a war for the freedom of
others," Sorina returned.
"I didn't volunteer for it, not at first."
"At first?"
Gilbert nodded.
"I was given a choice of prison for eighteen months or
coming to fight on the continent. I'm tired of prison, so I
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chose this. I received a letter from the British Ministry
three months ago informing me that my penance had been
paid and that I could return home."
"But you didn't?"
"I didn't," Gilbert snorted. "I spend most of my days
terrified that I'm going to die out here, but I cannot leave.
The men here have become my brothers."
Sorina rolled her eyes at him.
"And you cannot see that you are a good man?" she
questioned irritably. "Would a rotten one have stayed?"
Gilbert shrugged.
"Why did you? Other than the others you fight with, for
what is it you fight?"
Gilbert snorted as he pondered the question.
"The people that are suffering," he answered honestly. "I see
too many people like you and Iulia that have had their lives
torn apart by Grindelwald."
"That makes you a good man, Derek," Sorina said softly.
"Maybe," Gilbert murmured.
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They fell silent for a moment and Sorina shot him a teasing
grin.
"And how many people like me have you met, Derek?"
"None," Gilbert answered immediately.
Sorina's teasing expression softened.
"I am grateful for everything you have done," she said
sincerely, "even more so for what you have done for Iulia. In
the two years since her father was killed, I have not been
able to make her smile. Neither of us have had much to
smile about. Iulia smiles when you are around, Derek, and
so do I. Don't you think it should be me who decides if you
are a good man?"
Gilbert did not even put a half-hearted attempt into
arguing with the woman. He didn't want to, nor did he
believe he would win.
Sorina was as stubborn as anyone he had ever met, and he
conceded the point she had made with a nod.
"What time should I be here tomorrow?" he asked with
sigh, unable to prevent the smile that formed.
(Break)
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Dorea's heart sunk as she read the missive she'd received
from her brother containing the contract her father had
signed with Lord Selwyn. Despite Arcturus's assurances
that he and Charlus were handling the situation, it felt as
though her world was crashing down around her.
Why would her father sign such an agreement with the
man?
He had never spoken highly of Lord Selwyn, nor any other
that carried the name.
It made no sense to Dorea, and the part of the contract that
Arcturus had highlighted for her benefit did little to
assuage her concerns.
Her brother wouldn't even dream of paying Lord Selwyn
off.
No, he would without doubt choose the second option, and
though she didn't doubt his ability to emerge victorious
from any duel, Selwyn could prove to be cunning or simply
cheat.
Judging by his behaviour in having her father sign the
contract in his vulnerable state, she would put nothing past
him.
Worry not, myself and Charlus will deal with the matter.
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They had been the final words written by her brother's
hand, and as much faith as she had in them both, Dorea
would not relax until to contract had been voided.
She sunk into a chair by the fire.
Just when, for the first time in many years, things seemed to
be coming together favourably, something else had come
along to intrude upon her happiness.
If she saw Selwyn before, or even after the matter had been
resolved, Dorea could not promise herself that she would
keep her temper in check.
How dare he attempt such a thing?
She was in no doubt that it had been done purposely when
he had learned of the contract between herself and Charlus,
a thought that only provoked her anger further.
(Break)
"Oh, she is so beautiful," Perenelle cooed, rocking Rosa in
her arms. "You must be so proud."
"We are." Minerva replied with a smile. "She's wonderful."
"She reminds me a little of our Elaine," Perenelle mused
aloud. "She was a redhead too."
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"You had children?" Harry asked.
"Four," Nicholas answered fondly. "The last of them passed
on some four centuries ago. If it weren't for the vivid
memories that we revisit often, I would not remember what
they looked like."
"They didn't want to live off the elixir?"
The alchemist shook his head.
"Elaine did for some time, but she missed her husband
dearly after he died," he explained. "Our two sons and other
daughter did not wish to follow in our footsteps."
Harry released a deep breath.
"Sorry, Nic."
The Frenchman waved him off.
"It was all so long ago now," he sighed. "Living forever isn't
for everyone. Perhaps it isn't really for anyone," he added
with a frown.
"Look, she's smiling," Perenelle giggled.
"No, she's not smiling," Minerva pointed out as she took
the babe from the woman. "That just means that…"
Perenelle wrinkled her nose.
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"You never forget the smell," Nicholas chuckled amusedly.
"I'll take her," Harry offered, relieving Minerva of their
soiled daughter.
"I will come with you," Nicholas declared. "There are
things we must discuss."
Harry nodded and led the man from the parlour, up the
stairs and towards the nursery.
"You've created a wonderful home, Harry."
Harry shook his head.
"This is all Minerva's work. I've barely been here."
Nicholas nodded his understanding.
"But you will be," he offered encouragingly.
"I will be," Harry agreed.
They spoke little whilst Harry attended to Rosa, Nicholas
watching amusedly as he fumbled through the process of
changing her nappy and Harry scowling at the man.
It was all still so new to him, but he was getting better.
At least now he was able to do so without putting his hands
in anything unpleasant.
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"There, that's better," he declared, vanishing the dirty
garment, and cradling his daughter.
"Fatherhood suits you," Nicholas chuckled. "When will you
be going back?"
Harry released a deep breath.
"Too soon as far as I'm concerned."
Nicholas gave him a sympathetic smile.
"I don't suppose my news will bring you much joy then," he
replied irritably. "My investigation into who this Weber is
has led to nothing. According to some of my contacts who
have heard of him, the man is a ghost, whispered about but
never seen."
"I figured as much," Harry snorted. "We have managed to
trace his finances to the Swiss branch of Gringotts and have
someone watching it, but until he shows up, we can only
wait and hope he does."
"A slippery man indeed," Nicholas grumbled. "I don't
believe Albus had better luck?"
Harry shook his head.
"Only rumours and speculation," Harry explained. "For
now, my attention is in Bulgaria. It's Grindelwald's final
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stronghold in the east and we should be able to take it soon.
I have someone on the inside keeping me updated to
developments there."
"And then you will circle back west?"
"That is the plan, but we both know that they can change."
Nicholas nodded and placed a comforting hand on his
shoulder.
"Have faith, Harry," he urged. "Now, I think we should get
this little one back to Perenelle. She does love babies, and I
suspect little Rosa has already wormed her way into my
wife's heart, just as you did."
Harry chuckled as they left the nursery.
"I think I've already moved down the list of Perenelle's
favourite people. It took less than a minute in this one's
company for that."
Nicholas laughed heartily as he held out his arms, his
patience to get a better look at the babe having finally worn
out.
"Being a father is the most special feeling," he murmured.
"It changes you in many ways."
"How did it change you?" Harry asked curiously.
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"It made me realise that despite being immortal, time is
precious. For me, a decade can vanish in the blink of an eye,
and in only a handful of them, my children had grown and
passed on. A harsh lesson, but one I have not forgotten."
It was not often that Nicholas succumbed to bouts of
sadness, but he felt it now, though the sight of Harry's
daughter in his arms brought back those long-forgotten
paternal feelings.
He felt them for Harry, and for Albus also, but neither had
been babes when he had met them.
In a sense, Rosa was his grandchild, and for the first time in
several centuries, he felt the warmth that only a child one
held dear could bring.
(Break)
The response he had been dreading had come much quicker
than anticipated, and Lord Selwyn could not help but
believe that his plan had already backfired quite
spectacularly.
He had thought that Gellert would have been pleased with
his ingenuity, proud that he had taken the initiative, but the
man had been dismissive, and even irritated by his actions.
So much for loyalty.
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Lord Selwyn had been a loyal man, keeping the Dark Lord
abreast of all the happenings within the Wizengamot, and
any other developments he felt were poignant, but it
appeared that his efforts were not as greatly received as they
should be, that his efforts warranted no loyalty in return.
Black had, seemingly without hesitation, chosen the option
to fight, and now the Lord Selwyn needed to find himself a
champion.
He certainly would not be the one to stand before either the
notorious lord or Potter for that matter.
Lord Selwyn had no intention of dying.
Why couldn't Black just accept the marriage contract, or
attempt to buy his way out of it?
No, the man would appear to be weak if he had opted for
the latter, something he could ill-afford.
Still, there was one beacon of hope to cling to, and that was
what brought Lord Selwyn to Bulgaria, into the type of
establishment he would never deign to visit back home.
It was here that he spotted the man he sought, seated at a
table with a cigar hanging from his mouth and a hand of
cards as he gambled.
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He seemed to pay no mind to the scantily clad women
dancing for the amusement of the men, something Lord
Selwyn was pleased with.
It would not do for the man to be distracted.
"Gaulitier," he greeted the man as he took an empty seat
next to him.
The large German merely grunted in response, shooting
Selwyn a look of irritation.
"Fuck off," he growled.
Selwyn swallowed deeply, but he wouldn't be deterred.
"I have something to discuss with you, something I think
you would be quite interested in."
Gaulitier said nothing as he laid his cards, slamming his fist
on the table in anger when one of his companions produced
a better hand.
"What do you want?" he snapped.
Selwyn swallowed deeply.
"A word, in private."
Gaulitier's nostrils flared.
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"Well, there's no point sticking around here," he grumbled,
draining a glass of whiskey before throwing it at one of the
dancing women who screamed.
Gaulitier laughed as he slapped Selwyn on the back.
"Come on then, I could do with the fresh air."
Selwyn relaxed considerably as Hans led the way out of the
bar and into the streets.
"Well, you didn't come here to drink or find a whore," the
German growled.
"I didn't," Selwyn agreed. "I came to make a proposition."
Hans looked at him interestedly and gestured for him to
continue.
"I have found myself in a spot of bother with the Blacks,
and likely the Potters," Selwyn explained. "I find myself in
need of a champion to represent me in a duel against one of
them."
Gaulitier's eyes lit up.
"Black you say?"
"Or Potter."
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Hans chuckled, though he said nothing for a few moments
and Selwyn could almost see his mind working.
"What's in it for me?"
"What would you like?"
Hans hummed whilst he scratched his chin.
"I choose the venue, and you will pay me one hundred
galleons."
"Done," Selwyn agreed immediately offering his hand.
"Oh, this will be fun," Hans declared as he accepted the
proffered limb, his eyes alight with excitement. "Not a word
to Gellert," he added firmly.
Selwyn smiled.
"I was going to suggest the same thing," he replied. "He
will not like that I came to you."
Hans shook his head.
"He will not," he agreed, "but this war has become very
boring. It could certainly use some livening up. Schedule it
for a couple of weeks' time. I will be ready then," he added
as he walked back towards the bar.
"What about the venue?" Selwyn questioned.
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Hans paused, offering what many would deem to be a
sickening smile.
"On the border between here and Romania, of course. Why
travel any further than necessary? We will have all the
witnesses we could ever want. Who knows, maybe it will
prove to be exactly what this war needs?"
With that, Gaulitier was gone, and Selwyn swallowed
deeply, the final words of the man unsettling him.
Hans was planning something, and Lord Selwyn, though
initially relieved, now questioned if he had done the right
thing in approaching him.
Still, it was too late now, and all the man could do was hope
that the situation was resolved favourably.
Neither Black nor Potter would give him a moment's peace,
and the thought of the two Lords hounding him for the
remainder of his days was a most unwelcome one.
The thought alone sent quite the shiver down his spine.
(Break)
Eleanor pondered what she had heard whilst clinging to
Gaulitier, a particularly dangerous place to be, but one that
had seemingly paid dividends, though she was missing
some vital information.
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Gaulitier had agreed to duel either Black or Potter on
behalf of Selwyn and had chosen the border between
Bulgaria and Romania to do so.
She couldn't be certain why, but him doing so could not be
coincidental.
Often, Gaulitier could be heard bemoaning that the war
had become stale, that it needed some zest injected into it,
but what was he planning?
Something was not right, and it made the woman feel
uneasy.
Anything involving the German elicited that feeling and
hearing him so pensive and then gleeful during his
conversation with Selwyn was unsettling.
No, she could not simply sit on this information.
If it involved Charlus Potter in any way, Harry would want
to know about it, and though Eleanor did not wish to
disturb him whilst he was home with his new-born
daughter, this seemed to be of the utmost importance.
Scuttling her way out of the bar, she took refuge behind
some discarded kegs before transforming and apparating
home to send her missive.
When she was done, she poured herself a glass of wine.
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The revelation that Harry was expecting a baby had been
unexpected, and when she had learned of it, Eleanor had
been a little envious, she still was if she was being honest
with herself, but ultimately, she was happy for Harry.
Perhaps in another life something more than friendship
would have formed between them, but it was not meant to
be this time around.
Still, Eleanor was happy to have met him, despite the
turbulent life she had endured since.
In truth, he brought her the excitement she had always
sought, and though there had been times she had been
terrified and wanted nothing more than to return home, she
wouldn't change a thing.
For once, she was getting the adventure she wanted whilst
doing something worthwhile.
Eleanor had Harry to thank for that, and she knew he
appreciated her efforts, though it was unlikely he would feel
the same about Gaulitier and whatever his latest ploy may
be.
(Break)
Once more Tom found himself residing in the orphanage
for the summer months though he did not find himself
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within the walls often. During the day, he would leave,
wandering the streets of London, reading wherever he
could find a quiet spot to do so, and doing his utmost to
ignore the devastation the German bombs had wrought.
Much to his relief, none had been dropped for some time,
but the destruction served as a reminder that if they did, he
was vulnerable.
Even the great Harry Evans had almost been killed by
muggle artillery. That had been well-documented.
No, Tom was not Harry Evans, he would never be killed in
such a crude manner.
Still, he couldn't ignore the vulnerability he felt, how mortal
danger could befall him here, and how defenceless he was
against such things.
The thought made him shudder, and as much as he tried to
reassure himself that it would not happen, he could not
shake the feeling.
He despised it, more than he despised Dumbledore and
even Evans.
It plagued him, ever-present on the edge of his
consciousness, and it instilled a sense of paranoia within the
teen.
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How could he combat such a thing? How could he ensure
that were his body to be destroyed, he could somehow live
on?
The human vessel was weak, too fallible for Tom's liking,
too prone to injury and disease.
There were steps that could be taken to strengthen it, but
his body would one day fail him.
Even with all the incredible magic at his disposal, it was
inevitable, the ravages of time and wear an insurmountable
foe.
Creating a Philosopher's Stone would solve the issue of
illness and natural deterioration, but he could still be killed
in a duel, or even by being hit by a bus were he to be so
careless.
No, such a thing would be too time consuming to create for
himself.
Tom did not wish to spend decades replicating the feat of
Nicholas Flamel. He needed a more accessible option, one
that made the human body but a commodity to his
existence.
It was something he would need to ponder, though he
vaguely remembered reading something in one of the
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library books he had borrowed that may be worth exploring.
He had merely glanced at the text in question in passing,
but he was certain it had mentioned something about the
soul being the essence of life and how it could be used to
preserve it even if the body failed.
Horcruxes?
He believed that was the term he had come across, but he
would need to find the book when he returned to
Hogwarts.
Tom shook his head as he reached Charing Cross and made
his way through The Leaky Cauldron, breathing a sigh of
relief as he entered the wizarding world once more.
Here, he did not feel so vulnerable, and it was with good
reason he had visited.
With his homework already completed and his reading
material almost exhausted, he needed to find something to
occupy his time for the rest of the summer.
Without preamble, he turned into Knockturn Alley,
ignoring the various unsavoury characters that dwelled here
in favour of entering his favourite shop.
There was always something of interest in Borgin and
Burke's, the latter of the named owners having taken quite
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the shine to him during his last visit when Tom had
purchased the diary.
"Mr Burke!" he greeted the man enthusiastically.
The man smiled warmly.
"Young Tom," he replied. "To what do I owe the pleasure?
Perhaps you have your eye on another of our trinkets?"
"If only I could afford such luxuries," Tom sighed. "I was
hoping that you may have some odd jobs for me to do over
the summer?"
His own expression sickened him.
Tom was not one to pander to others or simper, but Burke
relished it, so Tom played along.
The man hummed thoughtfully.
"Have you finished all of your schoolwork?" he asked
pointedly.
"I have," Tom assured him. "I've even begun reading for
next year."
Burke nodded approvingly.
Tom was considerably beyond his fifth-year material, but he
wasn't going to tell Burke that. He needed to play the part
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of the needy, clueless, but bright orphan.
"Well, our storeroom could use organising," Burke mused
aloud. "Neither of us have kept up with that for some
years."
"How is Mr Borgin?" Tom asked interestedly.
"As pleasant as ever," Burke snorted.
Tom did not like the other owner, and the feeling was
evidently mutual. When he had been last, the man had
made some rather scathing remarks about Tom's heritage
when he'd asked him to inscribe the diary.
"The shop wouldn't be what it is without Mr Borgin's
charm."
Burke unleashed a wheeze of laughter.
"You're not wrong, Tom," he replied. "Yes, if you would like
to earn a few sickles a week, your help would be much
appreciated. Mind, you must promise to be careful and not
touch anything you're unsure of," he warned. "Most of the
items should be labelled, and anything immediately
dangerous will be boxed."
Tom nodded his understanding.
"When would you like me to start?"
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Burke offered him a smile.
"There is no time like the present."
Tom returned the gesture and rolled up his sleeves.
If the fool and his partner were so foolish that they hadn't
kept an accurate account of what they held, perhaps he may
find a few items to liberate for himself.
At the very least, he wouldn't be going back to Hogwarts
penniless.
(Break)
On its own, the message he'd received from Charlus
explaining what had transpired with Lord Selwyn was of
little consequence. Harry was aware that disputes with
contracts were often settled with a duel or through financial
compensation, so he hadn't really thought much of it.
He had merely sent a reply urging the man to tread
carefully.
However, this coupled with the latest report from Eleanor
was troubling.
With Gaulitier having agreed to serve as Selwyn's
champion, the stakes had become higher, and the fight
itself a much more dangerous prospect.
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Harry had no doubt that Charlus could defeat the man, but
Hans Gaulitier had not remained as one of the ICW's most
wanted men for as long as he had without reason.
Gaulitier was a dangerous man who had killed several hit-
wizards over the years and should not be taken lightly.
Nor could he be trusted to not adopt underhanded means
to emerge victorious.
That itself depended on his intent to fight honourably, and
why would he?
It would not be his contract he was breaching, so the
consequences would not be his to bear.
No, this didn't sit right with Harry, and he would need to
plan his own course of action accordingly to counter any
possible unpleasantness that may result.
He released a deep sigh.
He would first need to discuss it with Charlus as a matter
of urgency.
From there, he would decide his own approach to the
problem, and should he be able to turn the situation to his
favour, perhaps a desirable outcome could come from this
mess.
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Until he had pondered it, however, he intended to enjoy a
few more days with his daughter.
Entering the bedroom he shared with Minerva, he smiled
at the sight of the woman dozing lightly with the babe
resting on her chest.
Rosa was awake, her eyes shifting to him as he came into
her field of vision.
"Come here then," he whispered as he picked the girl up,
cradling her in his arms and simply staring at her.
She yawned as she settled, and Harry smiled.
Rosa was a content child, only fussing if she was hungry or
needed to be changed.
That would likely change as she got older, but that was not
something Harry could bring himself to think about.
He had missed her birth, and he knew he would miss many
more things in the coming months and maybe years.
It broke his heart knowing this, but he did not wish to
dwell on it in this moment, not whilst he was here.
"I could get used to seeing that," Minerva's voice broke into
his thoughts.
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"Me too," Harry agreed. "This parenting thing isn't so
hard."
Minerva rolled her eyes at him as she grinned.
"She's not a teenager yet, Harry," she pointed out. "Just
remember how I was when we first met."
Harry grinned amusedly.
"Half naked and practicing transfiguration?"
Minerva didn't blush at the memory anymore, but she
quirked an eyebrow in his direction.
"Maybe she will be inspired the same way I am."
Harry chuckled.
"I've not seen you practice like that since."
"I was smart enough to find a locked room," Minerva
explained. "You had to make do with helping me with my
transformations."
"Make do," Harry muttered. "You were quite insistent. I
didn't have much choice."
"You didn't complain," Minerva pointed out.
Harry snorted.
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"That's true," he conceded. "I wouldn't have dared."
Minerva tutted.
"You act as though you were never given a choice. Am I so
bad?"
Harry shook his head and sat on the bed next to her.
"No," he replied sincerely. "We wouldn't be here now if you
weren't the way you are. I wouldn't change any of it."
"You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that,"
Minerva replied. "It's not always been easy, especially for
you."
"What do you mean?"
"You knew me as an old woman before you came here,"
Minerva reminded him.
"I did, but I don't really remember her anymore. You're not
the same. There are similarities, but I don't see that woman.
To me, you're Minerva, the woman I fell in love with."
Minerva hummed as she shuffled towards him and kissed
him on the cheek.
"And the mother of your daughter."
"That too," Harry agreed, "and my wife if you'd like to be."
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Comments (13)
Another immensely fun chapter, thank you very much.
Minerva froze for a moment before she buried her face into
his neck.
It was something Harry had been pondering for some time
now, but he hadn't wanted Minerva to think he was doing it
only because she had been pregnant.
He needed her to know that he'd wanted this with or
without their daughter.
"I would like that more than anything," she whispered.
Newest First
Preview Post Comment…
AvidReader2425 2 weeks ago · 0 Likes
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Oh good. Marriage contract drama. Couldn't have a baron
story without that.
yay now weddings, looking forward to more
Well, there goes my dream of Selwyn being turned into
pulp...
This was a great window into the world that your plot and
scenes have made. Much of this was very vivid. I could hear
the voices.
Please write the next chapter already. Thank you very
much. I really appreciated it and liked it a lot. I am sorry if
Ugh 2 months ago · 0 Likes
Elaine Rose 2 months ago · 0 Likes
A name? I don't know... 3 months ago · 0 Likes
Village Mystic 3 months ago · 0 Likes
Justin 3 months ago · 0 Likes
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I am being rude with my review; I don't mean to be rude or
annoy you with my review; I just really like your story a lot.
It's already been written and even published/released.
Only s get to read it though, those of us unable (or
unwilling) to spare the monthly fee must wait
I'm also surprised it took him so long. Seems a bit silly just
to prove a point he could've done with his actions. Dude let
her go through her pregnancy and even after giving birth
without broaching the idea of him wanting to marry her.
Like... It's as if he decided to blindfold himself whenever he
was near her to prove his interest in her wasn't just physical
attraction. Sure it works for that, but you don't have to go
that far to prove your thoughts to the other person lol. You
can talk and they can learn what kind of person you are over
time. Why are you inconveniencing and making the other
person doubtful just to prove that?
The main character was being an idiot again.
D 3 months ago · 0 Likes
StoneTheLoner 3 months ago · 0 Likes
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Well, Harry is an idiot in canon as well, when it comes to
romance.
Nice chapter. I'm surprised it took him so long to ask.
Selwyn has to be a dim bulb. Otherwise, he'd be trying to
get out of the contract, not hiring champions, etc…. If
Potter and Black are both against you, that means Harry
and his army is against you. Any short term gains would be
wiped out the second the war is over. It would be like
calling out Audie Murphy post WW2. Even if you win
(which is possible, he's tiny, but you'd be crazy to face him
with a gun in hand), you lose in the court of public opinion,
with not possibility of appeal or clemency, and an army of
highly experienced killers looking to even the score.
Well to be fair, Selwyn is on the other side of the war and
believes Grindelwald to win. "After the war" would
therefore be in his favour.
A name? I don't know... 3 months ago · 0
Likes
Steve Moss 3 months ago · 0 Likes
Julian Barnett 3 months ago · 0 Likes
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When the Roses Bloom Again - A Move so Brazen
When the Roses Bloom
Again - My Family
True, what is short sighted is that as things stand
gridrlwald is no where near establishing an active presence
in Britain where most of the population is against him and
many have family on the front, that would happily get
behind black potter and Evans to strike back at Selwyn if
for no other reason than he risks compromising senior
British officials and the war effort with this move
I hope the fight its in next chapter
D 3 months ago · 0 Likes
Gabriel Juárez 3 months ago · 0 Likes
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Author/Site Owner: Lee : TheBlack'sResurgence
Email: (For all enquiries)
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