Warning: Rated M for a reason. Will contain slash, incest, violence and mature themes.
Main Pairing is Tom Riddle / Harry Potter
Criticism is welcome. If I misspelled words or butchered any sentences let me know.
Trail of Ashes
Chapter 8
Aethonan was bored. Bored of Walburga's droning, bored of Marius' fawning, bored of Orion's glares. Really it was all so droll in comparison to his usual gatherings. Of course usually he had both Abraxas and Lucretia there to help mitigate his annoyance with the other children. Unfortunately Father had taken 'Brax with him on an important trip, to help teach him more about the family business and Lucretia was visiting her fiance.
Putting his 'I'm completely enraptured' look on, Aethonan carefully tuned out his younger families boring chit chat and focused a small amount of magic into his eardrums. It wasn't easily done, but the newest trick the Black heir had been taught by Cygnus was too useful not to abuse. The adults were hushed up in a corner of the large lounge whispering over their tea cups and Aethonan wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to find out what had them all in such a tizzy.
It took a bit before he got the right amount of magic to actually understand clearly what was being said but soon it became clear that he was missing some important context anyway. His mother was talking about some muggle.
"I've heard that he's behind his current rise, though why he cares about some Muggle Chancellor is any witch's guess."
"You can't be serious Carina, he's a blood purist, why would he even associate with Muggles much less help them gain political power!?"
"Sssh, not so loud. I've already told you, I don't understand it myself but why would Clemence lie? She knows we don't support him, so she has no reason to undermine his standing to me."
"Clemence Dubois is a light witch, she would have reason to disparage him."
"Truly, Beatrice, I do not think that was her intention. She seemed genuinely worried about his following. Not as a Light witch but as a French one. No one wants a foreigner to control their countrymen, and the French are just as proud as us."
"Carina, you take this too seriously, no German wizard is going to…"
The rest of Beatrice Lestranges' sentence cut off as Aethonan became aware of his cousin Walburga twining her arm around his and whining loudly into his sensitive ears, "Cousin, why don't you ever come on our family trips! We would have some much fun in Peru, together!"
Sighing and looking pointedly put upon to both Walburga and Marius, who had obviously been egging her on when he had noticed Aethonan's attention elsewhere, he responded simply. "You are perfectly aware that the trip to Peru conflicts with my already busy schedule this summer, Walburga."
His blonde cousin pouted looking put out but not surprised at his answer. Marius, being older and the one who had pointed the conversation towards the trip, did not give up quite as easily. "No nine year old could possibly be that busy Aethonan, surely your parents would give you a break from your tutors for an educational family trip."
"Unlike you cousin, I take all of my studies seriously, not just the ones that will help me in whatever career I decide upon. I don't want to disrupt my schedule when I'm already so far behind anyhow. If you have forgotten, I was in a coma a couple years ago that set me back in my education quite a bit." Aethonan's voice didn't waver despite the obvious lie that his cousins should recognize. He had not been behind in his studies in a long time, in some areas he had even overtaken his brother. Abraxas wasn't the jealous type but his competitive side did occasionally rear its head when he realized his little brother was beating him at something.
While Walburga saw through the lie easily, Marius had been distracted by the insult to his own studies. Marius had been doing a lot of self studying separate from his apprenticeship and took pride in his abilities and knowledge. Aethonan had starting using his pride and arrogance against him when he started questioning things the Malfoy would rather he didn't or when he was just being too annoying to deal with.
Marius opened his mouth to defend himself, but Orion beat him to it.
"You are still behind 'Brax? I'd have thought with how much you claim to be studying you'd be at least comparable to your brother." Orion's voice was snide and a bit too venomous. "You are either not studying as much as you claim cousin, or you are truly hopeless."
Aethonan had wondered if he'd take the bait, as his younger cousin's hate of him too often made him easily manipulated. Orion Black was always looking for ways in which Aethonan was flawed or worthless no matter if it backfired on him. Of course it did, not a moment later.
Walburga came screeching to his defense with Marius but a decibel behind her. Aethonan merely sat back and watched his cousins fighting, now much more amused at the situation he found himself in and a lot less bored.
Besides, whatever the adults had been speaking about the conversation was long over, as his cousins screeching had drawn the attention of the entire room.
-0-0-0-
He was grinning from ear to ear, laughter echoed behind him but it was muffled by the wind blowing past his ears. The Cleansweep Two he was racing was one of the best presents he'd ever received; Aethonan despite being a serious child most of the time had found that he felt the most free when he was flying. His brother Abraxas, on his own Cleansweep was trying and failing to beat him in a race, but despite their many similarities Abraxas was simply not as good on a broom as his younger twin.
Lucretia was on the sidelines next to her fiance Ignatius Prewett cheering rather unlady like while Ignatius laughed.
For a moment Aethonan felt as if he'd never been anyone other than the boy on the broom, there was nothing other than the air rushing past, the chill on his face, and the adrenaline racing in his veins as he dived down towards that large marker Ignatius had spelled to be the finish line. He didn't slow down even when he heard his brother's calls behind him or Lucretia's cheers turn to shouts, he only pulled up in time to avoid crashing into the ground before rolling right off his broom onto his feet as if he'd never been flying at breakneck speeds at all.
He turned around the see the pale faces of his family but still the smile only grew wider.
"Wicked!"
-0-0-0-
"Your defenses are improving."
Aethonan practically glared at his grandfather Cygnus for the comment. The ten year old wizard lay panting on the floor of Cygnus' study, his head felt as if a bludger had beat against his temple several times over.
They had been practicing Occlumency quite extensively in the recent weeks as the date in with the boys would finally attend Hogwarts drew closer.
Cygnus smirked,"Truly Aethonan, you were able to hold me off for twenty minutes and I was barely holding back."
Standing Aethonan wiped his expression and stood at attention as if he hadn't just collapsed a minute prior. Purebloods did not show weakness and the young Malfoy found himself often using his mask to hide both mental and physical pain in the presence of his grandfather. His training had been both extensive and unpleasant but both Aethonan and Cygnus agreed that it had been worth it. Was still worth it.
The young Malfoy stood before his grandfather a very different person than he'd been the day
Cygnus had informed him of his decision.
"Thank you Grandfather." Thank you, for the compliment, the training, for picking him. Many things went unsaid between the two but Aethonan had learned to say and read between the lines.
Cygnus' face transformed when a soft and genuine smile stretched across it, "You are welcome, Grandson. Come let us retire to the library for the rest of your lessons; pushing your defenses would only be damaging at this point."
The relief he felt didn't show, but Aethonan gladly followed the Lord out of his study through the dark hallways of the Black Mansion. The Black library was one of Aethonan's favorite places and he often spent extra time in it when he was able. The Malfoy library like all things was meant to be a statement to their wealth and family history, full of ostentatious books with even more pretentious authors. In comparison the Black library was full of both dark and light magic, history pertaining to many magical races, the genealogy of multiple houses associated with the Black family name, and a bit of every piece of knowledge the Blacks had been able to get their little greedy hands on. Somehow despite the attempt to be impressive the Malfoy library just didn't compare.
The dark stacks that made up the library were confusing for any that didn't understand the library and the Black family magics, but to the two it was a simple matter of collecting the books they wished to read and making their way to the large set of couches that sat next to the small fireplace (which had lit on its own the moment that Cygnus walked into the room.)
There had been a time when Aethonan had found the library a rather perilous place, what with books that would bite your hand off or curse you into a coma (and that last one was especially terrifying to a seven year old boy who had been in a magical coma before) but once Cygnus had taught him how the library worked the boy now found the magic too easy. Aethonan didn't have to walk more that a couple feet to whichever section of shelves he wished to peruse and the library would present a shelf of books with whatever it was he researching or reading. (Of course, Cygnus had explained certain books were immune to this magic and he showed him a section in the back of the library where those books too dark to be spelled were hidden.)
The silence that had followed them from the study was a comfortable one but soon Aethonan lost interest in the book he'd been reading (Politics, Persuasion, and Potions by Graham Wells).
Closing the book and setting it aside he studied Cygnus Black's face for a moment before he finally broached a topic that had been on his mind for awhile now.
"Grandfather, what do you think of Grindelwald?"
Cygnus actually startled, surprise clearly showing on his face as he turned to study his favorite grandson. "Where have you heard that name?" They had discussed politics many times, but never had he mentioned that name.
"Mother was discussing him with Father the other day, she seems worried about his rise in Germany though Father seems to be unconcerned."
"Carina is a smart witch and it is wise to be cautious of radicals in power, but Grindelwald is very much a dark wizard. His interests align with Black and Malfoy family politics very closely. If Grindelwald continues to gain influence it will mean the expansion of power for both dark wizards and purebloods even here in Britain. However, I have been watching his rise a bit more closely since it appears he has begun to meddle in muggle affairs in an attempt to disrupt the German Ministries ability to interfere with his power grab. It has been quite effective to be honest, and I find myself reluctantly impressed." Cygnus watched the slight shift in Aethonan's posture at the mention of muggles.
"Why would a pureblood wizard associate with muggles? It seems contradictory to any pureblood agenda, which promotes separation and wizard supremacy so strongly." Harry's fear of his muggle relatives and desperation for normality had slowly been replaced by Aethonan's disgust and hatred for the family that he remembered. Aethonan didn't outright hate all muggles, but he certainly didn't want wizard society to associate with them, supporting his Grandfather's ideas that muggleborn families knowing about wizard society only endangered wizards and witches.
"Yes, I would normally agree however Grindelwald still most certainly supports those ideals. His use of the German muggle is interesting but Grindelwald certainly doesn't see them as equals, he is using the man to imprison his political opponents and to sow fear into those who believe muggles may become too powerful." Cygnus' voice clearly reflected his respect, but Aethonan still found himself confused. How was a wizard able to claim pureblood and wizard supremacy while using muggles to help his own rise.
"I'm afraid I still don't fully understand grandfather."
Cygnus nodded, "I know it seems a small distinction, but there are many wizards who believe we shouldn't have to hide from the muggles, but instead that they should worship us or work for wizarding kind in some manner. Slavery essentially. Many see Grindelwald's manipulations as such." Cygnus shifted, picking his book back up from the side table he'd set it upon at the start of the conversation and changed the subject. "Now, I do believe I asked you to finish that book before our next political lesson, perhaps I shall integrate some current German events into our next lesson, but for now let us simply enjoy the fire and our reading material."
Aethonan did as he was told, but his grandfather's commentary on Grindelwald's current political machinations stayed on his mind for a long time afterwards.
-0-0-0-
Grindelwald is a continuously growing power, he goes from radical terrorist to one of the most powerful wizarding politicians in all of Europe. Cygnus and Aethonan discuss his political moves more often as his power grows, the Lord Black seemingly both impressed and worried by his rise.
-0-0-0-
Aethonan snuggled deeper into his twin's side and muttered, "Wha'dja say 'Brax?"
The younger twin could feel his twin's laughter even if he couldn't hear it.
"I asked if you were planning on getting up anytime soon, Father and Mother are going to wonder where we are if we don't head to breakfast sometime soon."
Abraxas looked over at the ruffled blonde head that was tucked against his side and fondly ran his fingers in the hair that matched his own.
Aethonan had been particularly clingy lately, Abraxas theorizing it was because their approaching birthday. This year they'd be attending Hogwarts and the older of the twins knew that it was going to be life changing for both of them. Aethonan wasn't a lost little boy anymore but he still appreciated and loved the life they had now. Change meant leaving a routine that the young boy was used too.
"Come on brother, let's go eat." Abraxas began prodding and poking his brother in an attempt to motivate him.
Aethonan's angry green eyes flashed up at him and he pushed him away so he could escape his twin's fingers. "Stop 'Brax, or I'll kick you off the bed."
His lips twitched however when Abraxas managed to poke him in side again, giving away that he was more amused than angry over his brother's playing. "This is my bed! You can't kick me off of it!" Abraxas exclaimed in amusement.
In a flash the younger twin decided he'd had enough and Abraxas found himself trapped underneath his twins weight as Aethonan began to tickle him.
It was the scene of Aethonan sitting on a hysterically laughing Abraxas that Carina found when she opened the door to her son's room. She smiled at the sight of both her boys acting like the children they were. It was more rare these days than she liked, so she didn't immediately announce her presence to the room; hoping she could enjoy the moment just a bit longer.
Aethonan having sensed his mother's magic rolled off his brother before turning to his mother the picture of innocence, "Good morning Mother!"
Abraxas having not realized his mother had come in sat up, red in the face and echoed his brother. "Good morning Mother! We were just headed down to breakfast!"
Laughing Carina smiled, "I can see that you both very busy getting ready for the day. I'll leave you to finish getting ready, come down soon though. Your father has an announcement he'd like to make."
Once the door was closed, Abraxas turned to now glare at his brother. "How is it that you always manage to make me look bad when you were the one being ridiculous not a moment before."
Aethonan smiled at his twin, "I have my ways. Come we better hurry, if Mother came to fetch us personally it must be important." With that the younger twin hopped off the bed and hurried into his own room.
"I was the one trying to get you up! And don't forget to change your eyes back to blue, they turned green again!" Abraxas called after his brother before he too hurried to get ready.
It took less than ten minutes before the boys found themselves seated at the dining table patiently watching their father as he set the newspaper aside and assessed his sons. Seemingly satisfied with whatever he'd concluded he cleared his throat and told them why they'd been summoned by their mother.
"Your eleventh birthday is in two weeks and it's time I think that it would be beneficial for both of you if we expanded the usual invitations. Obviously we will invite family, as we always have but I know that we've avoided inviting other families to the estate in the past. However, with your
Hogwarts year beginning, I thought it best that you both do some networking with your peers." Aurelius watched his son, Aethonan especially. Abraxas was excited, Aethonan however merely calmly smiled and voiced his agreement that it was a good idea.
Breakfast continued on normally from there but once Abraxas was out of sight of his father his excitement seemed to explode.
"This is great! We haven't had a proper gala in forever!" Realizing of course the moment the statement left his mouth that the reason they hadn't had a proper gala was because of Aethonan. Opening his mouth to apologize, Aethonan simply shook his head and interrupted.
"It's fine brother, I understood what you meant."
-0-0-0-
The Malfoy ballroom looked grand to say the least, the hovering fairy lights and sparkling sheer curtains that covered the room made it seem as if they had walked into another home instead of their own. The twins had been busy all night, talking with their cousins and the many other children that were attending. Aethonan was no longer chatting it up with children however, he'd slipped away the first chance he got so that he could speak with his Grandfather and the men he was standing with. His ability to stand children, even children his own age or a little older seemed to grow smaller with each passing year. (It worried him that Hogwarts might in fact drive the eleven year old crazy if he couldn't bear to surround himself with his peers for one night much less an entire school year.)
Cygnus was tall and cut quite the figure in his dark formal robes, making him appear elegant in comparison to Pollux, whose gold and white robes were garish next to his father. Pollux looking like a shorter, younger version of his father. The man across from Cygnus was not nearly as handsome with his straw colored hair, rather large nose and heavy eye-bags, but from the look of his clothes and the way that Cygnus spoke to him it was obvious that he was someone important. The younger man next to him remained quiet, apparently not a part of the conversation or perhaps just preferring to listen to the older men. Unlike his companions the young man was pretty. He looked dainty in the company of the taller, broader men beside him, his eyes were large, wide, and a very piercing blue surrounded by thick black lashes. His lips were full and his jaw distinct in comparison to his companions weak chin. He looked out of place even next to Cygnus.
Cygnus was the first to note his incoming presence, the young man the next. Neither Pollux or the other man seemed to notice Aethonan until he was beside Cygnus, greeting him.
"Grandfather, Uncle, it is a pleasure."
Pollux looked immediately irritated to see him, he'd picked up on Cygnus' favoritism and despite the fact that as far as he knew Aethonan had no chance at being heir, he was very much threatened by the attention his father bestowed upon the young man.
Cygnus smiled, a fake polite smile, but Aethonan could see the warmth in his eyes. He was pleased with his presence. "Lord Selwyn, Mr. Davis, this is my grandson Aethonan Malfoy."
Lord Selwyn's dark eyes seemed to spark at the introduction, his rather large nose even twitched. "Mr. Malfoy happy birthday young man and let me congratulate you on receiving your Hogwarts letter! I imagine you'll be quite an impressive wizard in a few years time!"
It was obviously meant to be a compliment and Aethonan supposed it would benefit the Selwyn family to be on good terms with a Malfoy, but the young boy found from the moment Selwyn had opened his mouth and started talking that he would not like this man. His 'compliment' irritated him as well, as if he wasn't anything worth noting now. (Perhaps not, he was only eleven after all.) However, it was mostly the man's body language that gave away that the Malfoy wouldn't like the man. He was a man hiding behind his name, the Selwyns were an important family and Cygnus had spoken of Lord Selwyn's voting habits in the Wizengamot and the laws he generally supported but not much else had been said.
Aethonan supposed that was because there wasn't much else to the man. Cygnus had taught him to read the magic of a person using his own and now that he was close enough to do so (range varying with experience and power and Aethonan still being new at it, could only use it in close quarters) could read that this man's magic was mediocre at best. His shoulders were slightly hunched in on each other and the way the man's nose had twitched along with his magic suggested it was a tell for when he lied. He was simply a man who used his name and connections to get by in life with little else to show for it.
Aethonan smiled pleasantly, his mask not having slipped for a second as he studied the man in front of him. "Thank you Lord Selwyn, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope to serve the Ministry as well as you have once I've graduated, my grandfather has told me good things about you in the Wizengamot."
Lord Selwyn looked pleased (as did Cygnus though for different reasons) and immediately began talking about his current voting records. Knowing it would be acceptable for him to not understand the conversation (though he did) he tuned it out and focused his attention on the young man introduced as Mr. Davis. The dark haired young man was already studying the Malfoy.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Malfoy, I'm Archer Davis, I teach Arithmancy at Hogwarts. I hope to have you in my class in a few years time." His voice was quiet, obviously not wanting to disrupt Lord Selwyns ramblings, and soft. It surprised Aethonan to discover the man was a teacher, his magic was strong but his pretty face and soft voice made the boy question how effective a Professor the young man would make. Despite his surprise he only pleasantly responded that he wasn't sure of what classes he'd be taking by his third year but that he would certainly consider it.
"Are you related to Warden Davis at St. Mungo's? He was my healer while I stayed there." The wizarding community was a small community, and very rarely was someone with the same name not related. (Rarely was anyone not at least distantly related, muggleborns excluded.)
"Yes, he is my uncle. He has spoken of you a couple times, you made quite the impression on him." Archer's tone was pleasant but a bit distant; as if he was only being polite. Aethonan wondered if they did not get along. "Your recovery was quite the story a few years back, the Malfoy boy miraculously awakens after a two year coma. Quite the tale."
Aethonan hated being known as the boy who awoke from a coma, but he didn't let his dislike of it show on his face. Nor the uncomfortable feeling of having three sets of eyes on him suddenly. He simply smiled and agreed, "Quite the tale indeed."
It wouldn't be until later that Aethonan noted that Archer Davis' tone and magic had been odd when he'd brought up the coma.
-0-0-0-
"We're running late! I want to get to Diagon Alley before the entire supply of chocolate ice cream is eaten!"
"Florean Fortescue's never runs out of ice cream, what are you on about?"
"Just because it's never happened doesn't mean it won't happen!"
Abraxas rolled his eyes, sometimes he wondered how it was his twin could act twice his age one moment and half the next.
"You are the reason we are even running late dear brother, I was ready to depart nearly thirty minutes ago before you insisted we wear matching robes." Abraxas finally finished fixing his hair walked out of the bathroom and came face to face with himself. Quite literally, Aethonan had morphed himself into a perfect match of his twin. His skin was now a little less pale and his blonde hair that he kept short and tidy was long to match Abraxas own locks. His face was a bit different as well, and it wasn't til that moment that Abraxas truly noted the differences in their faces. Aethonan had made his top lip a little bigger and his eyes were now held a bit more gray in them, his nose was also just a tad longer. It was an odd thing to know that you were identical but still not quite.
"Well that's just blood terrifying. You can't actually be planning to go to Diagon Alley as me Ceph. Mother and Father wouldn't allow it."
Aethonan rolled his eyes and smirked a bit, which considering he looked like him, was just strange. "Of course not 'Brax, I was just having some fun. In a second his paler, shorter haired twin stood before him again. Except his eyes, which should be blue had turned green again.
Frowning Abraxas informed him of it, only for Ceph to shake his head and smile. "I've asked Mother if it was acceptable for me to change my eyes, since most people don't pay attention to them it'll make it easier for me to hide my abilities since they turn green all on their own whenever I get emotional."
"What about the family? They'll notice if your eyes suddenly change colors, you've had blue eyes since they've known you."
Aethonan smiled slyly, "I've asked Mother to teach me a color changing charm, specifically for eyes and hair color. It'll help me explain away any accidents if I can perform them."
Abraxas blinked and then immediately exploded, "That's not fair! I don't know the color changing charm! I want to learn!"
His twin laughed but nodded, "I'll teach it to you once we get to Hogwarts. Are you excited to get a wand today!? I know I am!"
It was Abraxas' turn to roll his eyes now, "Of course, I'm excited Ceph!"
Grinning at each other the twins finally deciding they were ready headed downstairs so they could Floo to Diagon Alley.
The twins had been to the Alley many times before so it was no great adventure but the boys enjoyed the outing nonetheless. This time they were gathering the last of their school supplies and finally getting their wands.
It wasn't their first stop but it probably should have been, despite both boys being pureblood heirs who'd had manners and etiquette crammed into their skulls for as long as both could remember they were so excitable that neither could keep up a pureblood mask for more than a few minutes at a time. They laughed a little too loud and smiled a bit too widely and yet Aurelius and Carina only smiled indulgently. The day was too happy to ruin.
Ollivanders was a dingy shop that neither boys had ever entered, and honestly both were rather thrown by the dustiness of the supposed number one wandmaker in all of Europe.
"Mr. Potter, I do believe you are quite a bit early for your wand." The voice startled the boys, not having seen the shopkeeper appear from behind the stacks of wands.
Mr. Ollivander was an old man, the wrinkles on his face seemed to have wrinkles, his wiry white hair stuck up in all directions, or at least what was left of it. His skin looked more like paper than actual skin, his blue veins and age spots visible as he brought his hands up to adjust the silver wired glasses on his hooked nose. His blue eyes were on Aethonan, not having looked at anyone else in the shop since his abrupt entrance.
Aurelius frowned, obviously confused by the name Potter, "My sons are here for their wands Mr. Ollivander, there are no Potters in your shop."
"Ignore my father, he's getting a bit senile in his old age!" A much younger man appeared from behind the same stacks that Mr. Ollivander had only moments prior. His piercing gaze silvery and his skin less pale, his light brown hair tied back at the base of his neck and and the look on his face rather urgent. "Father I will attend to the Malfoys, why don't you go finish that business that we were just attending to." His tone urgent and his hands grabbing at his father's grey robes in an attempt to get him to leave quicker.
The older Ollivander looked like he might deny the claim but instead only glared briefly at his son and gave Aethonan one more look before muttering to himself and shuffling back to wherever the stacks lead.
"I apologize about that, he gets confused sometimes, just a simple mistake. I'm Garrick Ollivander, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy it's a pleasure to meet you." The young Ollivander bowed shallowly to the Malfoys before turning his attention to the twins. "Now, Misters Malfoy, let us find your wands. The older twin first, please." Motioning Abraxas forward, the twins glanced at each other briefly confused at how he knew which twin was older, Ollivander simply seemed to roll over any attempts at asking about his father's strange behavior and immediately started sorting through wands for Abraxas to try.
It took only five minutes before Abraxas was holding an eighteen inch Elm dragon heartstring wand.
Aethonan's wand took quite a bit longer, by the end of it the Malfoys seemed quite exasperated and Garrick Ollivander seemed quite happy. It was over an hour before Ollivander handed him an eleven inch Holly wand with phoenix feather core. Aethonan felt the moment it touched his hand that this was the one. The rush of power he felt was unlike anything he'd felt, the wand felt right in his hand as if it was a part of him.
A light wave and the wand sent out a brief spurt of gold sparks, before settling. Relieved and happy the Malfoys seemed to rush through payment and departure but Aethonan had still seen the curious look on Ollivander's face at the end and the glance he had made at the wand stacks his father had disappeared into.
It wasn't until the young Malfoy was home tucked away in Abraxas' side that he remembered why the name Mr. Potter was so familiar.
"My name is Harry, Harry Potter, ma'am."
AN - So it's been a really long time since I've worked on this story... A really long time. I'm attempting to insert bits with Grindelwald but I've realized of course none of this is going to be canon because the movies coming out are about Grindelwald's rise and I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen or why the hell Grindelwald felt the need to go to America. I also am not British or European so I apologize for the any grammatical inconsistencies or that everyone probably sounds American.
I've not given up this story despite the two and half year gap between updates.