When Alduin first headed for the meeting with Dumbledore in the designated safe house, he wasn't sure exactly what to expect. He'd seen the man when they'd dealt with the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, but he hadn't got any details there, except for the invitation itself, so he was kept in suspense.
He certainly knew that he hadn't expected seeing both Kingsley and Snape at the safe house as well, already settled in the shabby living room, staring at each other in silence.
He blinked at them in mild confusion, and Kingsley smiled: "You didn't expect me? I certainly expected you."
Alduin waved his hand at him as he seated himself on the sofa next to Kingsley. "I did expect you, actually. I'm much more surprised by Professor Snape here. What is this exactly?"
Kingsley shrugged. "Dumbledore says we all have our networks of allies which we organize and where we carefully distribute information...this should be to exchange information between groups and to," he grinned, "be completely open with each other."
Alduin rolled his eyes. Nice try, Dumbledore. "Of course," he said smoothly. "He hinted something similar to me. I assumed you would be here for the Ministry, meaning that Professor Snape…?"
"The Dark Lord is...different this time than he was in the war," Snape replied, providing an explanation. "Many are...unhappy with the change, but unwilling to be on, specifically, Dumbledore's side in any way."
"Ah," Alduin said eloquently. He wondered how it was arranged that Riddle couldn't read their minds, since he doubted that all of them happened to be skilled Occlumens, certainly not skilled enough to fool Riddle. He was sure Snape had managed it to full satisfaction, but he was curious. "Is his change perhaps contributing to a slight...weakening of his mental powers?"
"Yes," Snape confirmed. "He still has the power, but mostly lacks subtlety now, so he has more trouble noticing...small things."
Alduin nodded, thoughtful. "I suppose we should make sure we don't unnecessarily overlap," he said then. "I have my own dealings with at least one of the people I strongly suspect form part of your allies..."
Snape waved his hand. "I have gathered as much from some hints from his wife, yes. Keep them. They seem wholly unrelated to my concerns."
It was at this moment that Dumbledore arrived, and, settling down in the last remaining armchair, commented: "I, however, would be most interested in those dealings."
Alduin shrugged. "The man owed me a debt, back from the war. As a way to repay it, he swore an oath to me. Given the recent development, we have had to...adjust it a bit."
"Take Harry out of any agreement between you," Dumbledore realized immediately.
"Yes, though it was a bit more complicated than that."
Dumbledore waited for a moment, and when it became apparent nothing more was forthcoming, gave a small sigh. "I have hoped we could use this for free exchange of information."
"I rather doubt the man in question would appreciate it," Alduin replied.
"Is there a point to these meetings then, though?"
"I should say that willingly sharing what information we decide is safe for the others to know should be worthwhile enough," Kingsley replied for Alduin.
"Do you have something for us, then?" Dumbledore enquired politely, and Kingsley launched into a description of what useful things he could remember from Auror work lately.
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Harry felt that, really, after someone was kidnapped by Riddle he should be excused from exams.
In theory, he still believed that most of the things he was learning – especially thanks to Hermione's amazing system – were going to come in extremely useful in the war, but the reality of spending weeks cramming information into his head made it rather hard to maintain his enthusiasm.
The exams were hellish every year, of course, but he'd never been this caught off guard before, thanks to Alduin.
He met Hermione and Su in the corridor after the Astronomy exam and, at their curious questions, gave a resigned sigh. "If I passed this," he said, "I'm going to be very, very surprised."
Hermione frowned at him. "It wasn't a hard exam, Harry-" she began.
"Hermione, don't," Su interrupted her. "Just don't."
Harry gave her a grateful look.
They walked together to the main part of the castle and, in a corridor just off the Entrance Hall, Harry was stunned to see Bill Weasley walking in the opposite direction. He stared.
"Bill," He said. "Hello?"
"Oh, hello, Harry."
"What are you doing here?"
Bill flicked his eyes to Hermione and Su for a moment. "I'm here to see Dumbledore about something," he said.
"But aren't you supposed to be in Egypt?"
Bill shook his head. "I'm returning to Britain," he said. "That's related to why I'm coming to see him."
His eyes, however, left Harry and were intently watching something behind him.
Harry turned and noticed Fleur Delacour standing there with a few other people from Beauxbatons, giving Bill a very appreciative look in turn.
Harry sniggered. "You're like your brother," he said.
Bill returned his eyes to him. "He likes Miss Dleacour, does he?"
"Yeah, though I don't think she ever looked back at him in this way," Harry admitted. He didn't want to insult Ron, but, well. It was true.
"Is it serious?"
Harry blinked. "What?"
"Is Ron seriously interested in her."
"No...I mean, he was dating someone else until recently, and it's not like he's mooning after her all the time or something...why?"
"Because I'm about to go talk to her, and I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt Ron's feelings."
Harry shook his head. "You're fine," he assured, and with a nod, Bill strode over, a confident smile on his face, and started to talk to Fleur in fluent French.
For the first time in his life – well, outside of the trip to Paris – Harry was grateful to Alduin for his continued insistence on French lessons, because it meant he understood something at least. And he was very interested in watching what seemed to him to be a master at work. Ron had never told him that his brother was a consummate charmer!
Hermione seemed rather impatient with the performance, but Su caught her hand when she wanted to leave. "You understand them, don't you?" She asked quietly.
"I do," Hermione admitted rather reluctantly.
"Then stay and listen, I want you to translate it for me afterwards. You don't get a learning chance like this every day..."
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Alduin had truly not meant to contact Melania Doge again, for all that he had his official blessing from Alexandra for any relationship he would wish to enter into.
He was extremely busy, and though he did think of the woman sometimes, there was still the question of security. Not just Melania's – it would no doubt put her in danger, but he would simply inform her of that and she could make that choice for herself – but his.
Did he trust Melania not to work for Riddle?
The truth was, he barely knew her, but on the other hand he did realize that he still interacted with random shopkeepers and others who could easily slip him a portkey had they wanted to, so it seemed a little silly to try to keep Melania out of his life simply out of fear. Of course, if he slept with her he would be a little more vulnerable than when just passing people on the street, but...he did have his precautions. In whatever manner it was achieved, he could well be kidnapped at any point, and if that happened, there were safeguards in place to prevent him saying anything he should not have, including a false tooth filled with poison in the back of his mouth – something he had very much not enjoyed getting installed, but that he knew was essential.
Still, he would much rather not use it, and certainly not when Harry was still a child, so those musings mostly ran through his head when he tossed and turned in bed before falling asleep.
But then Melania wrote to him of her own initiative.
It was a professional letter, asking for his expertise when it came to how the opinions section of the Prophet should address the controversy around Riddle's return, and if there was some speculation Harry, as an underage wizard, did not wish to see in the press concerning him.
Alduin turned the letter in his hands for a long while before he decided to ask Melania to the Manor. It was a location where they could talk safely, both about the topic she was asking him about and about anything else he might decide to do.
She arrived exactly on time, and after she settled down for tea with him, said: "I admit the invitation took me by surprise."
"Did it?" Alduin asked non-committally.
"After you have kept your distance for a few months? I'd say so, yes. I believed I would be lucky if I got a response by letter."
Alduin gave an internal wince. She'd kept her tone professional, but he could see some hurt behind those words all the same. It was true that they'd been friendly, while dealing with the whole matter of Hagrid and articles about giants and half-giants, and if it hadn't been for his attraction, he would have stayed in touch.
She was giving him one of her intent looks now. He'd forgotten how intense they could be.
"The situation has...changed, somewhat," he said.
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "I'd have thought any recent developments would rather make you more inclined towards...self-isolation, shall we say, than towards seeking company. Or do you happen to need another article written?" She added sardonically.
Alduin gave another, stronger wince. "No," he said with emphasis. "I am seeking merely the pleasure of your company."
"That seems unusually straightforward for you," she pointed out.
"Perhaps I am tired of all the intrigue I have to deal with in the other areas of my life."
"Let us be even plainer, then: what do you want from me?"
He sighed. "I was being entirely honest just now when I said 'the pleasure of your company'. We can talk more openly here than in your office about the matter your wished to consult me on, yes, but I also simply wished to talk to you in an informal setting, if you were amenable."
Her look became even more intent.
"All right," she said after a moment. "I'll leave it be for now, but I expect people to treat me better if they want an informal relationship, Mr. Travers."
"Alduin, please, if you will. And of course. You have my apologies. May I call for tea?"
She inclined her head. "Melania, then. And please."
They drank and ate their scones and talked of little polite nothings until the meal was finished, and only then did Alduin say: "About your question."
"Yes?"
"First, regarding Harry. I would naturally prefer to avoid any speculation that he is maliciously lying or trying to draw attention, something I have seen hints of in the public discourse. It is fair to say he might be mistaken – we both admit as much – but to devalue a victims traumatic experience in such a way can compound the trauma, as every mind healer will tell you, and health and well-being on my ward is my primary concern. I would also appreciate if no one tried to get his commentary on things outside of approved interviews, once he comes back from Hogwarts for the summer."
"Those are reasonable requests. I have no influence over what gets done outside of the Opinions section, of course, but for our department I can promise you that we will respect your wishes."
Alduin raised an eyebrow. "You are certainly more accommodating than you were the last time."
She raised her own eyebrow in turn. "There is a difference between children an adults in these matters. Rubeus Hagrid is an adult. Children, on the other hand, have a right to a degree of protection in thse matters, and you are still Mr. Potter's guardian."
Alduin inclined his head. "That is fair, I suppose. Now, regarding suggestions for your coverage, I am not certain I know how far you wish me to go, considering your emphasis on journalistic independence..."
She sighed, and became less formal as she said: "I admit openly that I am asking for a scoop, sort of. I mean...I understand there is limited amount of what you are willing to say to the papers. I am asking for your personal opinion, off the record, that I could then use to direct what sort of commentaries I pursue."
"I see." Alduin shrugged. "Well, the basis is simple: You-Know-Who is back."
She gave a deep exhale, leaning back in the armchair, and rubbed her face. "I suspected, but..."
"I know," Alduin said with understanding. He'd been preparing for it for years, and it had still been a shock.
After a moment, she straightened and said: "Very well, then I have some ideas I wished to get your opinion on..."
At the end of the meeting, Alduin still had no idea what he wished to do about Melania, but he certainly remembered with refreshed intensity why she'd caught his attention in the first place.
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AN: My AU would mean Fleur would probably never meet Bill, but I love the pairing too much to let that happen, so this is the only non-plot essential thing I've gone out of my way to arrange for.