Chapter 16 - Memories
Harry found himself in Dumbledore's office summoned once again by the headmaster.
"How is our assistant doing, Harry?" asked Dumbledore. Harry felt like a huge disappointment.
"I … I don't know sir … he's hard to read," said Harry. Dumbledore turned towards him.
"He is indeed," responded Dumbledore, "What have you learned so far? What I mean is, how does he act? How does he behave?" Harry thought for a moment not sure how much information he should give away.
"He's … odd … sometimes he means well, but he causes … so much … " said Harry not finding the right words.
"Mischief? Chaos?" said Dumbledore finishing his sentence. Harry looked up at the headmaster.
"Yes … but it's not all bad … I think .. " said Harry.
"Or all good … Harry, I have summoned you here to give you a bit of help," said Dumbledore.
"Help sir?" asked Harry. Dumbledore walked over to the strange red device again, and fiddled with some of its controls. A memory projected itself in front of them.
A muscular man with long blond hair wearing a strange red cape armor stood waiting in a glorious room adorned in metals, gold, and large braziers of fire. He seemed to be waiting for something. Suddenly, another person entered the room. He wore similar armor, only it was gold, green and black with long dark cape. Atop his head was a golden horned headpiece. To Harry's surprise, he recognized his face. It was Mr. Laufeyson. He stood next to the blond haired man.
"Nervous, brother?" he said smugly.
"Brother?" mouthed Harry.
"Have you ever known me to be nervous?" said the blond man with a proud smile.
"There was the time in Nornheim…"
"That wasn't nerves, brother. It was the rage of battle. How else could I have fought my way through a hundred warriors and pulled us out alive?"
Another person will less armor and flowing robes approached with a goblet of wine.
"As I recall, I was the one who veiled us in smoke to ease our escape," said Mr. Laufeyson, continuing the conversation.
"Some do battle, others just do tricks." said the blond haired man in jest only it did not feel like a light joke.
The person with the wine stifled a laugh. Mr. Laufeyson noticed, clearly not liking the sound. He made a hand gesture towards the goblet in the person's hand. Snakes pour over the sides of the goblet, slithering out and across the terrified attendant's hand. He screamed, hurling the goblet to the ground. Mr. Laufeyson chuckled.
"Was that necessary?" said the blond man. Mr. Laufeyson waved his hand again to the snakes on the ground. They turned back to spilled wine, the illusion shattered.
"Now that was just a waste of good wine." said the Blond man.
"Just a bit of fun." said Mr. Laufeyson smiling the usual mischievous smile that Harry was familiar with, but it transitioned into something he had not seen before.
"I've looked forward to this day as long as you have. You're my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt that I love you." said Mr. Laufeyson
The Blond man searched his brother's face, seeing no trace of irony. He put an appreciative hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Thank you," said the Blond man. The two brothers took in the moment.
"Give us a kiss." said Mr. Laufeyson returning to his mischievous self and ruining the moment. The Blond brother smiled, breaking into a laugh, tapping the side of Mr. Laufeyson's helmet.
"Stop." he said smiling.
It was at this point that Dumbledore paused the device, returning them to their reality.
"Sir … what was that?" asked Harry. Dumbledore took a moment.
"An old memory. Harry, as you know, Mr. Laufeyson is a complicated man, which is why I am treating this task delicately. You must gain his trust, Harry, by any means necessary," said Dumbledore.