Interlude

A Grey Family Dinner

[TPP]

William returned home just before dinner. He apprated in front of the cold wooden door of the Grey manor just outside the ward boundary, as he stepped forward he could feel the manor's security wards and enchantments washing over himself, searching for his intent towards the master of the place. He did not give it much thought as he had grown used to it. As he approached the door, the runes on its handle pulsed with a golden sheen.

He entered the manor and took of his overcoat and formal shoes. He then took of his gloves and proceeded to put them on a table. William then walked into the dining room where he expected his family to be.

William entered the room, the smell of cooked meals hitting his hungry self like a battering ram. William saw his beautiful wife gazing at him with a knowing smirk. Then Veronica frowned remembering where her husband had returned from. And as she was about to begin asking for details.

"So, the wizengamot session is over and you are back, huh? So what happened?" asked the youngest member of House Grey as he entered the dining room.

"You are too young to know of the wizengamot's affairs." answered William neutrally.

"Says the man who gave me, Horrors Of Magic." Veronica gasped and William immediately cringed internally. He freely admitted that it was not one of his best moments.

"You did not, William."

"I did."

"And did you consult Nate's parents? He might be your grandson but he is their son."

"I did not consult either of them"

"How can you be so calm about this? You gave a child a book that most adults find disturbing."

"Because he is a genius!"

"Him being smart doesn't mean he is mature!"

"I know but he wanted to learn Magic and if you want to learn something you need to understand the inherent danger associated with it."

"Or he could have constant surveillance when performing magic, which I am sure you promised you would see to when everyone else decided you would be responsible for his education."

"I am Lord Grey, I can do whatever I want with tiny little snitch here."

Veronica scoffed,"And I am Lady Veronica Grey, and this manor follows what I say. So will you."

"See reason."

"No you will be not be giving books like that to a seven year old."

Here Nate interjected,"Grandma, The book wasn't that bad, it was just that he compared me to the dark lord." and added a sniffle for dramatic effect.

And then he enjoyed watching William getting berated by his

grandmother and was deeply amused at William's stink eye.

Alexander and Irene entered the room and immediately asked

William,"Father, you are back. How did the trial go?"

"Whose trial?" interjected Nate his face displaying curiosity.

"The Lestrange family and Barty Crouch Jr." answered Alexander as the women in the dining room gave him scandalized looks.

"Alexander!!!"*2

"Well, it went bad. They were sentenced to Azkaban for life. Sadly no executions for death eaters, I had hoped for a precedent of executing terrorists and murderers, would have worked as a great deterrent. Dumbledore really played his hand well." Nate perked up at William's last statement.

Nate questioned,"What do mean by Dumbledore playing his hand well?"

William was about to answer when Veronica interrupted him,"I do think this an intelligent course of action."

William spoke,"And I think he is smart enough to be fine with knowing. Tell them rude-boy."

Nate looked at Veronica,"I can handle it, it just feels sad that grandfather treats me like a rune about to go of."

"You still are too young."

"Age does not equal wisdom, I assure you, look at grandfather." Nate added smirking at William.

"Ok, I will trust your word for it Nate, but remember you can come to me anytime if he is forcing you to do anything, you think you are not ready to."

"I will see to it that, I do not disappoint you or your confidence in me."

Alexander asked,"What are you both talking about?"

An Explanation Later*

Alexander looked at Irene before looking at William and simply stated,"We know Nate is smart for his age, and we both aren't that great in magic 'and' we know you are good at magic, so we will trust you."

Irene looked at Nate and stated,"We love you Nate and want what is best for you, and so will dad so I hope you and him can work with each other and become the best person you can." then she moved toward her young seven year old to give him a hug.

Nate hugged her back,"Thanks for the vote of confidence mom. You do know that I will most probably be a dark lord anyway." while giving a look to William.

Everyone started laughing thinking it was an attempt at a joke while William just shrugged like he did not care.

Little did anybody know how serious Nate was being there.

'Well, they will understand.' Nate shrugged.