...
"Harry," yelled James happily causing the man in question to cringe, "Why didn't you tell me you were returning to England? I would've made sure the entire family was here to greet you."
That's why he didn't tell his father that he was coming. He hoped that he could come and go without James Potter ever finding out that he was there. Reapers showing up at his door had changed that plan. If he ever got his hands on Grindelwald he would make the man pay.
Quietly Harrison replied with a wave of his hand, "My original plan was only to be here for a few hours. Just long enough to set up Portal Stones before heading back to the Guild."
Though he did need to speak to his patron at some point. Lord Nott would have his head on a stick if Harrison left England without talking with him again. There weren't many humans that Harrison feared but Benjamin Nott was one of them.
"What happened to you, Harry?" Questioned James in a whine, "Are you okay? Tell me who did this so I can put them in Azkaban."
Harrison wanted to groan. The man was putting on a front for Minister Riddle. The way his Vitalle was fluctuating was a clear indication. Harrison had to bite back a grimace at the thought of how naive he had been when he was young.
For as long as Harrison could remember he could sense the Vitalle, the life energy of every living thing in the world. Watching the flames had been fascinating for the young child. It wouldn't be until he was 12 when he met a portrait in a forgotten part of the Lupus corridors did he learn that he was a Keeper. More specifically he was the newest Keeper to be born.
Keepers were a forgotten piece of history. In legends they held the secrets of the world in the palms of their hands. That there was never more than a single Keeper alive at any given time. That of course was false. Keepers were born to the major countries of power. No more than two at any given time. Unlike most witches and wizards a Keeper does not need a wand to access magic. Most didn't use the magic within their bodies instead preferring to use the Vitalle of the world around them.
"You think you can put Grindelwald in Azkaban?" Questioned Riddle with clear amusement in his tone, "I didn't know you were so skilled, Head Auror Potter."
"It was just his Reapers," commented Harrison drily.
"Grindelwald?" Squawked James, "Why would Grindelwald attack Harrison?"
"That's the question, Head Auror Potter," drawled Riddle with a significant look at Harrison.
Damn it.
Harrison reiterated, "I don't know why he wants me. And again I don't plan on staying any longer than absolutely necessary."
The Minister gave him a long look that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. What was this man's problem? Before now they had never met.
"Don't act like that Harry," chimed in James, "As soon as you're discharged we can go meet with your siblings. Rose and Jacob will be excited to see you. Lily was wondering if you would be visiting during the holidays."
"No," denied Harrison immediately, "I have plans already."
Which was true. Every holiday he purposely made himself busy so that he had an excuse not to visit his so-called family. Lily wanted to see him? More likely she wanted him to come so she could convince him to give up being the Family Heir.
"Harry," whined his father but Harrison had enough.
He moved over to the side of the bed and then stood. There was no weakness but Corbin was still at his elbow. A hand placed light on his arm ready to catch him if he suddenly collapsed. He gave his uncle a small smile but it turned cold when he looked back at his father.
"I'll get to my work," declared Harrison with his own look to Riddle daring the man to challenge him.
Both men stared at each other in a silent battle of wills. They both ignored James who was sputtering.
Finally Riddle turned away from Harrison fully and said, "Do as you wish, Heir Potter-Yaxley. Just don't cause trouble while you're here."
Just like that he was gone. Harrison wasn't sure what to make of the Minister. The man was a strange one and instinct told him not to underestimate Riddle.
...
In his office as he leaned on his desk Tom allowed himself to relax slightly. His hands shook almost unnoticeable to anyone who hadn't spent a significant amount of time with him. That wizard, Potter was interesting. His magic though tightly controlled was more powerful than anything he had ever felt before. Even Dumbledore and Grindelwald didn't compare. It wasn't just that Potter was a Technomage. Tom had met several Technomages at different conferences. There were always two or three at the Yule balls that he attended as well. None of them had given him this uneasy feeling. The feeling that someone was hiding a big secret.
A knock on his office door had him calling out, "If it's not important we will reschedule."
Tom wanted to find out as much as he could about Corban's nephew. This would take time and he didn't have much time to spare. Potter had been the inventor of Portal Stones. It wouldn't take him long to make them to his standards.
"My apologies, my lord but you called for me," came Benjamin Nott's tenor voice, "I can leave if you want me to."
"No," sighed Tom as he turned around to face the door, "Come in Benjamin."
Maybe his friend would be able to shed some light on the conundrum. The door opened revealing a tall broad shouldered man with light brown hair and brown eyes. His features were aristocratic of his blood. On his right hand he wore two Master Level Spacial Rings and the Nott Lordship ring. He wore plain black robes that were made of the finest materials. Intelligence shone in his brown eyes as he checked the room with a sweep of his eyes. As always he was ensuring they were alone.
Benjamin commented with a smile, "I heard you had an interesting encounter with, Heir Potter-Yaxley. He's an interesting man."
"You know him?" Questioned Tom curious.
"I had better," waved off the man, "I'm his patron."
Oh now wasn't that interesting.