Everything is J.K. Rowlings. I only claim the plot. Everything else is hers, all the characters and the magic, all of it. Please let me know what you think. I encourage feedback of all kinds; just be nice about it!

Sorry for the delay, though honestly, it's not even the longest delay between chapters you've had to suffer from. I can promise that the next wait won't be long. I'm hoping it will be this weekend. This chapter and the next have been interchanged frequently in the past month or so because I wrote the different scenes individually and then worked on how they best flowed together. Essentially, there are four scenes that were written and shifted around. So, the next chapter includes a Death chat, which is what I actually wrote first. It was originally first in this chapter, but it got pushed to later. Then, there is a snippet from when Harry visits Hogwarts that I wrote after the Death chat before I wrote anything in this chapter. So, really, I'm just hoping the flow of everything still feels genuine and not jerky or something, considering how out of order everything was done.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I hope you enjoy watching Marvolo's jealousy and rage and Harry trying to keep the peace and all of that. You guys really are the absolute best, and I can't say enough how often I read your comments to keep my motivation high for continuing this story because it has been years in the making. The number of you who have asked to do translations of my work and have it posted on various locations, both Wattpad and here. It's incredible and mind-boggling.

All this to say, I appreciate you all and expect the next chapter relatively soon, and I hope you enjoy this one!

It's Not Torture

"Are you certain you wish to have a Quidditch Pitch installed?"

Harry looked up from loading his plate with more eggs, he had a big day planned at Potter Manor with the goblins and cursebreakers and he wasn't sure if he'd get time for lunch. He was hopeful that if the meeting went quick enough, he'd still have time to meet with the twins and his guards for a pickup Quidditch match they had planned at Graham's house.

"Yes, Marvolo, children need outlets outside of class. Clubs are all good, but they need a space outside to have fun. It won't have to be Quidditch specifically, but it will be a wide-open outdoor space where we can do activities, exercises, and things like that. Kids need that kind of stuff. Plus, it won't just be children; the teenagers who remain there and aren't accepted to Hogwarts will want to play sports."

Marvolo twisted his lips in a sour grimace before sipping his second cup of morning tea. He reclined in his seat, his empty plate in front of him with the Daily Prophet folded up and resting next to his elbow. "The library should be a primary focus; it's the hallmark of a noteworthy school. A field can be built and cultivated after the school–" Marvolo cut off when a Patronus doe bound into the dining room. Harry stared at the doe from his seat on the sofa, a forkful of eggs hovering halfway to his mouth.

"My Lord, forgive this interruption," Severus's voice said, filling the dining room. "I'm afraid I must ask that you allow me to deliver a letter from Mr. Longbottom. He insists that it is most urgent and crucial that you and Lord Potter are made aware of what transpired during yesterday's session with Dumbledore."

Harry and Marvolo looked at each other as the Patronus faded, the message delivered. Anxiety flared in Harry's stomach, his chest growing tight. Marvolo didn't look as stressed as Harry, but that wasn't surprising given how well he masked his emotions. Instead, Marvolo sat stiffly, holding his cup of tea, but he didn't drink from it, fingertips white against the porcelain cup.

Fists clenching anxiously on the table as he eyed Marvolo. "Well? Are you going to respond? We need to know what Neville learned."

"You may reply, Mr. Longbottom belongs to you, not me."

Harry frowned at that because Neville was his friend; he didn't own him. But Harry held off on that commentary in favor of getting the information sooner. Harry summoned his Patronus, Reaper. "Go to Severus Snape in Hogwarts. Let him know that he can come here to deliver the letter." The ghostly thestral tossed its head and disappeared in a blur of white mist.

"Mimsy," the small elf popped in at Marvolo's elbow, staring up adoringly, "you will escort Severus Snape here when he arrives." Mimsy dipped a curtsy and disappeared again.

Silence settled in the dining room, and Harry shifted uneasily. He looked at Marvolo, who sat with tense shoulders and pursed lips, the only indication that he was concerned about what Neville had learned. He looked at his plate, his second helping of eggs and buttered toast, his stomach knotting itself so tightly that he dropped his fork and leaned back in his seat.

His appetite was gone, and he was eager for something to occupy his mind while they waited for Snape. "Do your minions do that often? I don't think I've ever seen them request to meet with you like that."

"Severus is currently the only one of my followers who can cast the Patronus, so he is the only one who utilizes that method by default, though it is infrequent. There was a time when he was not singular in this feat; Barty and Regulus were also capable."

Harry hummed in response, looking down at his plate. Sighing, he reached for his cup and filled it with tea, taking a page out of Marvolo's book. He didn't drink it, though; he just held it and let the warmth calm his growing nerves. He couldn't help but feel his plans were about to be severely derailed once again. "I hope this news isn't too big…."

"Do not fret."

Harry wasn't mollified but didn't press the matter more. He'd find out soon anyway. He glanced at Marvolo, who sipped his tea, looking unbothered by the whole affair. Harry almost let the whole matter drop, but he saw the way Marvolo's red eyes lingered on where both the doe and Reaper had stood, lingered with a tightness around his gaze. Harry hesitated before finally just asking, even though he was ninety-nine percent sure he knew the answer. "Marvolo, do you have a Patronus?"

"There was never a need to learn it."

Harry didn't believe that—at least, he didn't believe that was the only reason. Dumbledore had always insisted that Dark Wizards couldn't cast a Patronus because it was pure light and that taking the Dark Mark further tainted them. But if Snape could cast one, and if Regulus and Barty could, too…then that obviously wasn't true.

"I could teach you," he offered hesitantly, staring at the teacup he held in his hands rather than the man across the table. "You've taught me a lot, with dueling and defense, and…you don't want me to teach you how to fly a broom." Marvolo's lips twisted in distaste at the very mention of broom riding, and Harry smiled. "It's only fair that I get to teach you something."

Marvolo was quiet, and Harry wondered if he would simply not respond. Would they just ignore the offer and continue their day? "The same issue of need is just as present, more so than ever before, considering you've resworn your Dementors, and they can no longer harm people."

Harry shrugged. "Bragging rights? Conquering another aspect of complex magic? Plus, imagine Dumbledore's face if you cast one in front of him. I mean, he's always said that Dark Wizards can't, but if you do it, then that's just shoving it in his face, isn't it?"

"Harry," Marvolo said sharply, putting his cup down hard on the saucer, "there is more involved with casting a Patronus than pride, spite, and magical strength. You certainly know this, so stop with this fallacy of thinking to instruct me."

Harry sighed. Marvolo sat so stiff and still in his seat that before he realized it, Harry was on his feet, teacup on the table, moving around the table to stand next to the Dark Lord, putting a hand on his shoulder. Marvolo looked at him through narrowed, calculating, hard eyes. Harry was struck by how young Marvolo looked at this angle, his dark hair coiffed and perfect but providing a barrier to his penetrating red eyes, ghostly pale skin, smooth and cold. "Just because you're a Dark Lord doesn't mean you can't also have a powerful, happy memory. It might take more searching and not be possible until you have all of your Horcruxes back, but it's possible."

Marvolo avoided Harry's look, but he didn't shake off the hand on his shoulder. "Harry –" Whatever he was going to say was cut off because the door opened, and Mimsy led Severus into the dining room. Severus immediately dropped to a knee, and Harry took the opportunity to retreat back to his seat.

"Rise, Severus," Marvolo said, dragging out the 's's in the man's name. Harry smirked when the pale man became even whiter. He didn't know what it said about him that he'd started gaining so much amusement from Marvolo's petty, harmless moments of terrorization; picking up his toast and taking a bite, mainly for something to do and occupy his hands, Harry decided not to think about it. "I never expected you to run errands for students."

Severus's lips thinned and twisted down. "No, My Lord. However, Mr. Longbottom insisted that this letter be delivered immediately to Lord Potter. The pounding on my door this morning only enhanced that belief." Severus pulled out a thick envelope and held it out. Harry flicked his wrist and summoned the letter from the man's hand. Severus glanced at Harry before facing Marvolo fully, but Marvolo didn't comment on Harry taking the envelope, although he did give Harry a brief, annoyed look. Harry ignored the look, his fingers trembling as he broke the seal, pulled out the many parchment pages, and began to read.

"Since you are here, provide an update on the altered truth serum."

"It is going well, My Lord. In fact," Severus began, but Harry tuned him out as he focused on the letter.

His nerves hardened, growing cold in his gut as he read. Fuck, fuck, fuck, Harry thought desperately as he read Neville's hastily penned message. "Marvolo," Harry hissed, interrupting and not caring. "Marvolo, we need to talk."

The conversation fell silent, and Marvolo glanced at Harry only briefly. Harry wasn't sure what his face was saying, but whatever Marvolo saw had him turning back to Severus. "You have done well, Severus, for promptly delivering this message to us. Now, it is best if you return before arousing suspicion."

"My Lord," Severus said with a deep bow before turning on his heel and disappearing through the doors.

Marvolo waited a few moments before turning his attention back to Harry. "What did Mr. Longbottom report?"

Harry licked his lips, trying to decide how to sort the information and deliver it most efficiently. And decided there really wasn't a great way, and so ripped off the first band-aid. "Dumbledore has a bunch of memories of both of us, of moments in our lives. He showed them to Neville."

Marvolo's rage was tangible in its intensity, and Harry flinched. "What!"

"Neville says that when we next meet, he's willing to give me his memories of the day so that we can see exactly what Dumbledore has shown, but he has also said that he'll swear an oath that he won't speak of what he saw to anyone but us, is even willing to let us obliviate him of the day entirely after Dumbledore is dealt with."

Marvolo didn't seem soothed, but his magic was at least not such a palpable force. "Why? What was the purpose?"

"Dumbledore knows about your Horcruxes." Harry winced at the pain shooting through him at Marvolo's next magical flare—splintered cracks shot through the table, and the teapot shattered, tea spraying out and soaking the basket of toast next to it. "Marvolo, breathe. We will get through this together. We suspected that Dumbledore probably knew. This is just confirming it."

Marvolo gritted his teeth, his hands fisted against the tabletop, his jaw clenched so tightly that Harry wondered if his teeth would break next. "Does your….friend…mention anything specific about the memories he witnessed?"

Instead of answering, Harry just gave him the letter, giving his magic an outlet and sending it to the Dark Lord. Harry clutched his fork and knife in his hands, twisting them between his fingers as he would with his wand, as he watched Marvolo read, watching the anger and rage shimmer in his red eyes. How were they going to combat this? Marvolo snarled and tossed the letter away, the pages separating and fluttering to the floor in a hurricane of reflected wrath.

Marvolo stood so abruptly his chair slammed to the ground. Harry watched him pace the length of the dining room. It was ten minutes of bearing the brunt of Marvolo's flaring magic, stinging electricity hitting Harry in periodic waves, his own rioting magic rising to meet the flares, fizzing and sparking.

Eventually, Marvolo slowed his pace. Hands clasped behind his back, he stopped in the middle of the room. The dining room was unrecognizable. The only area that remained untouched was the small sphere of space where Harry still sat, his chair, and the portion of the table immediately in front of him. The rest of the table and chairs were in splinters, food stained the room, and broken dish shards were stabbed into the walls, floor, and ceiling.

"This is a benefit," Marvolo said, words clipped and voice calm despite the underlying strain. "We are ahead of him. We know what Dumbledore knows, and we can prepare plans to counteract his maneuvers."

Harry nodded, staring at his own plate, which resembled a crime scene with the eggs mutilated and bleeding against the porcelain, his toast a pile of crumbs eviscerated by his own magic that had flared out. He sucked in a breath and nodded again, looking up. "Plus, it won't matter in about a month because you'll be whole again. So really, Dumbledore will be hunting down false trails."

Marvolo hummed softly, tilting his head slightly as he considered that. "We need to act soon, throw him off. He is behaving too confidently. He thinks he holds too many cards. We need to off-foot him."

"How? I'm talking to the papers, and I fight him in the Wizengamot, but what else is there? You could start making more appearances; I mean, people already know about you, at least one version of you."

Marvolo gave a dismissive shake of his head. "We invade his home base."

"What, Hogwarts?"

"You've mentioned wanting to meet with your support base there. I need to recover one of my Horcruxes, and visiting will destabilize him. There are no downsides."

"There are a lot of fucking downsides! For one, we get caught, and you get discovered – specifically, discovered with me. It would throw my whole public image into turmoil that we can't afford right now. I'm already on rocky ground."

"Oh, little lion, we simply don't get caught." Marvolo's smile was dangerous – tempting and alluring – with a mischievous edge dancing in the curl of his lips. Harry swallowed, his throat dry and his stomach twisting pleasantly, heat flushing his cheeks at the look.

"How? I mean… I have my Cloak, but we don't know for certain if it can hide us from the wards. Even if it does, my Cloak isn't big enough to hide both of us." His Cloak could barely cover him, Ron, and Hermione last year. And the situation was already tenuous enough that it would just be stacking the risks against them.

"We plan, we strategize. There will be plans in place for every scenario. I'm hardly postulating we sweep into Hogwarts tomorrow or this week, but it should be soon; press our advantage."

Harry considered that. He'd been planning a visit already. It was why he asked Neville to look into detection wards, which he'd provided the answer to, which was great. But for him and Marvolo to go together... that was a hefty risk, one with consequences too high for his comfort. There was potential, though; with both of them there, they could divide and conquer and accomplish more. He tapped his finger as he thought, his fingernail catching the rim of his plate, a physical sensation his mind could cling to as it spiraled with possibilities. "It would have to be after I meet with Death next weekend."

Marvolo's victorious smirk shouldn't have sent his heart racing, but it did. Harry averted his eyes to grab his teacup, still pleasantly warm and unaffected. He couldn't look at Marvolo with him being all smug without getting distracted, and this plan could not afford distractions. Harry paused, his head tilting… distractions. There was something there…

"What are your thoughts, little lion?" Marvolo asked, striding closer, ignoring the destruction carpeting the floor. His hand stretched out as if to touch Harry, but instead, Harry watched Marvolo's hand hover in the space between them for the beat of a few breaths before going behind his back once again.

Harry glanced at Marvolo, hovering so close to him – eyes glimmering with anticipation, ghostly pale face flushed with the anger of the letter and the eagerness of pulling one over on Dumbledore. Harry's head felt fuzzy by the proximity. He pushed away from his seat and the table; the rushed movement sent the remaining piece of the table falling to the floor; the few pieces that had remained from Marvolo's rampage joined the destruction. He moved to the opposite side of the ruined dining room, needing to put some distance to keep his focus.

Running a hand through his hair, pulling at the roots to center himself, acutely aware of Marvolo's gaze tracking him. "We both need to get to Hogwarts. We can't be caught, especially not you, and especially not together."

"Yes, and we have time to plan for this —"

"No, no, but what if, what if there was a distraction? You can't be seen, but…but I can…I have valid reasons for seeing Dumbledore, after all. What if we play it up?"

Marvolo stared at him, and Harry held his eyes, hoping to convey the half-formed thoughts and impressions his mind was struggling to grasp and form into a proper thought. "A red herring, distract him with what he expects," Marvolo said slowly, his eyes growing distant as he fell victim to his own racing thoughts.

"Master Death Master," Mimsy said, popping into the room. Harry was ashamed to say he jumped at the sound and was annoyed that Marvolo barely twitched.

"What?" Marvolo snapped.

Mimsy shrank into herself at the irritated glare. "Master Death Master is being needing to leave for his school, Great Master."

Harry groaned and scrubbed his face with his hands. "Right, okay, we need a break anyway. Tonight, we will start properly figuring this out. We'll make plans and backup plans."

Marvolo nodded, looking irritated and annoyed, the crease between his brows and his pursed lips.

"Together, Marvolo, don't start planning without me. You're not going to hole up here while I'm gone plotting without me."

Marvolo looked at Harry with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, and how can you guarantee this decree?"

Harry grinned. "Because I know what I want."

"Simply wanting something does not ensure its inevitability."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know, but I know what I want in compensation for the headache you caused me at the Wizengamot."

"And that is?"

"You're not allowed to plot our trip to Hogwarts until tonight when I'm able to help. And to ensure that, you're coming with me to Potter Manor."

Marvolo stared at him, stunned. Harry was a bit stunned, too. He hadn't planned on voicing that desire, but now that he said it, he wouldn't back down. "Allow me to clarify for the ease of my understanding," Marvolo began, taking a few steps closer, "your compensation for the headache my presence at your side caused you at the Wizengamot is to have me at your side in public once again."

Harry felt his face burn. "I…yeah…I guess… well when you put it that way…but…" he cleared his throat. "Look, the goblins aren't going to talk, and so long as you keep your cover as Lord Tomás, then the curse breakers won't know. Besides, I think you should be there…" I want you to be there, remained stuck in his throat.

"Very well, if that is your wish…you're fortunate that my schedule today is so flexible."

Elation swelling in his chest, Harry turned to leave the dining room, unable to hide his giddy smile. "Well, great. Meet you in the lobby in ten minutes."

"It's a foyer!"

The manor grounds were quiet. The building itself was half destroyed. A hole encompassing most of the left wing's second floor was gone. The grounds were overgrown with grass reaching his waist. Harry stood on what would have been the pathway to the door. It was lined with bushes, no longer neatly trimmed, and stared at his family home. The house where his father was raised, where his grandparents and his great-grandparents lived and died. Where he should have lived or at least visited during his summers.

A great wave of sadness for a loss he'd never known he'd suffered swept through him.

"The goblins and curse breakers have arrived," Marvolo said quietly, standing beside him. He was the reason Harry could even see the grounds at all. When they first arrived, Marvolo cast some spell in a foreign language that evaporated the many feet of snow covering most of the devastation, allowing the manor and the land surrounding it to be clear and the grounds decay to be easily visible.

Harry glanced at him. It had been a rash decision to invite Marvolo, but now he thought it strangely appropriate, a cathartic irony. The reason the manor was destroyed, the reason he was the last living Potter, stood right next to him. Marvolo had caused the ruin of the Potter family, decimated it to a single living soul, but now he had returned; returned to the grounds that spelled his own demise, the grounds that birthed his prophesied downfall, escorted by the last Potter, accompanied by his only equal.

Shaking his head, Harry turned away from the manor to face the group of goblins and curse breakers gathering down the pathway. He was growing maudlin. Harry blamed it on the revelation of Neville's letter, knowing that memories of his life were being tossed about and viewed by Dumbledore and whoever else he'd shown, paired with seeing his family manor for the first time. He should have visited sooner, he'd known that, but he'd been too cowardly to face his ancestral grounds, but now he had no choice.

Would that always be his life? People called him brave, but upon reflection, he didn't act bravely until he was backed into a corner. Rarely did he charge ahead, embracing the unwanted. He'd always been forced into situations and responded accordingly, reacted with the goal of survival, and benefited from the actions.

Even now, he hid his cowardice under the manufactured burdens of responsibility and duty. He ignored the stress of Neville's letter, delayed trying to understand the full extent of Dumbledore's knowledge, and postponed the plotting, planning, and strategizing. He pushed it off to deal with the building of his school.

Harry swallowed down the sour bitterness that sat in the base of his throat. He was a coward masquerading as a hero, a hypocrite of the highest order.

"Harry?" Marvolo's quiet voice pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. "All will be well; I will ensure it. Do not stress about what will come; focus on the present."

Allowing Marvolo's words to soothe his distressed mind, Harry nodded and rolled his shoulders back, pasting on a smile to greet the goblins and curse breakers. There were four goblins and three cursebreakers. Harry sucked in a breath when he saw one of the cursebreakers…. red-haired and fanged earring…Bill!

Bill caught his eye and grinned broadly, giving a swift wink. Grinning naturally now, feeling suddenly more relaxed, Harry faced the lead goblin, standing a few paces in front of the group. "Welcome, all. Thank you for agreeing to work with me on this project, and I look forward to working with you all in the coming months. As you know, I am Lord Potter, and this is my friend, Lord Tomás."

"Lord Potter, Lord Tomás," the lead goblin said, "I am Shortsnout, lead builder." The goblin was straight-backed, standing taller than most goblins Harry had met. He looked younger than the ones that sat in Gringottst, too.

"Shortsnout, may your vaults never grow empty, and your swords remain sharp," Marvolo said.

Shortsnout looked at Marvolo, dark eyes narrow and squinty before widening suddenly and giving a deep bow. "Yes, Lord Tomás, may your enemies fall painfully and your victories be swift."

Harry eyed Marvolo. There were special greeting phrases! Why hadn't anyone told him? Marvolo glanced at Harry, his glamoured blue eyes shining in the sun and looking pleased. Harry glared at the Dark Lord, who tilted his head in blatant confusion. Annoyed and agitated, Harry looked back at Shortsnout, whose dark eyes darted between them.

"I'm surprised to see you brought such an honored guest with you, Lord Potter."

"It was unplanned. I'm sorry for not providing a heads-up. But Lord Tomás has assisted me with this project from the beginning, and I felt it right for him to continue."

Shortsnout grunted. "Of course, the joint efforts and invested interest of your…friend…will be noted among the goblins; you know this?"

"Lord Potter and I have been well acquainted for many months now," Marvolo said, "there is no need for secrecy. Many of our future plans are aligned and entwined. Going forward, it would be best for the goblins to be cognizant of this."

"Does this non-secrecy stretch to the wixen? Our curse-breakers can be sworn to silence," Shortsnout asked cautiously, his voice so low that only Harry and Marvolo could have heard. Harry glanced at the cursebreakers. Bill looked more curious as he glanced between Harry and Marvolo, but the other two looked confused, looking at Marvolo as if trying to understand why the goblins would need to talk about him at all.

"Lord Tomás is a known friend of mine. I said as much during the Wizengamot session not too long ago," Harry said before Marvolo could insist on an oath of silence. It would make things easier, but Harry was tired of hiding things. He was tired of denying things. This school was meant to be a plan for the future, and he didn't want today's secrecy to cloud the future. It wouldn't matter in a few months anyway, and this would probably only further discredit Dumbledore. No one would believe that Harry brought Voldemort to Potter Manor to discuss the plans for a future primary school.

Shortsnout gave a short nod, still looking pale – a look that didn't pair well with the goblin's complexion at all. Harry decided to steer the conversation back onto the topic of the day. The news this morning had already derailed and occupied his thoughts enough. He wouldn't allow more disruptions today. "I have some sketches and possible ideas to shape the rebuilding of the manor. Perhaps you'd like to look them over?"

"You have sketches?" Harry nodded. "Show me."

Harry pulled the papers out. He tried to hand them to Shortsnout, but the goblin ignored the papers and turned to the group behind him. Barking out orders in gobbledegook, the goblins and cursebreakers nodded before dispersing. Bill sent Harry a questioning look, glancing once more at Marvolo. Harry rolled his eyes and ignored Bill, purposefully turning his heated face away. Bill snickered as he walked past.

"Where would you like to look over the ideas?" Harry asked.

"Here will work. Best not to risk entering the premise until the detections are complete." Shortsnout raised the earth in front of them to form a small table with his clawed hands. Harry laid out the plans he and Marvolo had thought up, with additions and commentary from those who'd helped him draft the legislation. The sketches resembled bizarre ink marks more than actual pictures, but the ideas marked out on the sides he hoped made up for his lack of artistic talent. Shortsnout brought out his own blueprint pages, blank and unmarked and didn't bother with words as he took the parchment pages that Harry placed down and began reading through them.

Uncertain of what to do, Harry looked at Marvolo, hovering near his elbow. Marvolo caught his eye and sent him a tilted look, probably trying to ask why Harry had been annoyed. Harry sighed and gave a short shake of his head. "You didn't say there were special greetings to use," he hissed quietly, ignoring Shortsnout's surprised jerk. No one else was within earshot, and Shortsnout knew who Marvolo was. There was no need to hide the Parseltongue. "And now, since I didn't use them, I look rude or something."

"Hardly special greetings, old greetings perhaps is the better term," Marvolo hissed back. "It is quite fine, and you aren't looked upon negatively. The greetings are ancient. Most likely, none outside of goblin society even use them."

"You still could have told me about them!"

"Who was that man?"

Harry blinked in surprise at the subject change. "What?"

"The cursebreaker, the redhead. Are you previously acquainted with him?"

"Bill?" Harry looked back at the group working around the manor, easily finding Bill by his red hair highlighted by the early afternoon sun. He and one of the goblins were discussing something, gesturing to a corner of the manor. "I know him, yeah. Bill Weasley he's Ron's oldest brother. He and Fleur are getting married this summer. Remember I told you about it? The invitation came in last week."

Marvolo didn't speak for a moment, and Harry tried not to stare at him too obviously. Tried not to imagine what his red eyes would look like, highlighted by the daylight, instead of the glamoured blue ones. "Yes, of course, I recall."

Harry narrowed his eyes. He was about to call Marvolo out on the possible lie, but Shortsnout spoke instead, drawing his attention. "Most of this is doable, Lord Potter." Harry stepped closer, content to ignore Marvolo for now and focus on the construction of his school.

"Which parts aren't?"

What followed consisted of an hour-long conversation…well, more lecture-turned semi-heated debate between Marvolo and Shortsnout on physical limitations versus reliance on magical possibilities and theory. Shortsnout seemed to lose his innate fear of Marvolo in favor of the debate. It was fascinating to watch, but Harry quickly lost interest in the details.

During that time, the other goblins and curse breakers returned and injected the blueprint papers with magic, bringing forth the manor dimensions in sketched lines and written dimension numbers with the ward lines indicated around the property lines. It was strange looking at the blueprints of the manor compared to the actual, butchered, physical version.

Harry watched in awe as Shortsnout overlaid Harry's ideas onto the actual blueprints, altering the rooms to fit what would be needed. The entire time commenting to himself and the others in his group about what changes would need to be made. "Remove this wall… strengthen the beams here…expand the ceiling…"

Ten minutes later, Shortsnout stepped aside, and Harry and Marvolo stepped closer to the raised earthen table. Harry looked over the blueprints. It took him a moment to properly read the small markings but he finally deciphered it and swept his gaze over it. "What if…" he said slowly, fingertip dragging over the corner of the manor where currently the roof was ruined, glancing up at the manor itself and then back down at the blueprints. "What if we flipped the layout a bit…not by a lot…but…okay, so the roof is already ruined and going to need repairing, so why don't we put the library in that corner instead and make it a two-story library and alter the roof there to be more domed."

"Yes, the roof is to be fully repaired anyway," Marvolo agreed, his glamorized eyes roving the blueprints. "It is the most logical solution. The classrooms that would be there will simply be placed where the library was originally intended."

Shortsnout leaned closer to the blueprints. He and the other goblins spoke gobbledegook to each other quickly before Shortsnout nodded. "It can be done."

"Would it be possible to install a basement?" Marvolo asked suddenly. Everyone looked at him, but Marvolo glanced at Harry. "You've mentioned the children playing outside several times, but that won't always be feasible. An indoor space would be an acceptable compromise."

"But it will need light…despite being in a basement, it shouldn't feel like it. It should be a welcoming space," Harry agreed, eager to have more spaces where children could go to have fun and be kids.

Shortsnout grunted again but nodded. He flicked his clawed hands, and the blueprints changed, reflecting a basement and the library change.

"Now, regarding the wards, what are the plans for strengthening them?" Marvolo asked.

"Most of them are, surprisingly, still intact," Bill said, stepping towards the table. Marvolo focused on Bill, who flinched back a step before swallowing and stepping up again. "As you see here, these are the ones still strong, they will only need Harry's magic embedded to regain full strength." Bill traced a list of wards with his wand, color-coded to reflect the lines encircling the property. "These here are severely damaged," he circled a grouping of the wards, "and we'll need to dismantle them before reinstating them."

Marvolo read the list of wards before frowning at Bill. "So you are content to settle for what has already been done?"

"Wha…um…no, sir. Not at all, you're question was regarding the wards to strengthen. We can't strengthen what's not there." Bill gave a small, forced chuckle, but Harry could see how uneasy he felt by how he leaned back onto his heels. Ron did the same thing when presented with a situation he didn't want to be in.

"Perhaps you could explain what the wards already in place are for, and we can discuss what can be added," Harry chimed in. "Personally, I'm still in the beginning stages of learning runes, so most of this is gibberish to me."

"Sure, Harry," Bill said with a grin, some tension easing from his shoulders. "So these here, the blue ones are defensive, and the red ones are offensive." Harry looked between the red and blue wards list and where the lines were indicated around the property lines. "Most are simply barriers preventing entry, but a surprising number will attack those that are unwelcome."

"It is an unknown, mostly forgotten, understanding that the Potters could be particularly vicious in defense of what they consider theirs," Marvolo commented. Harry looked at him and grinned toothily. "What wards would you intend to lay? What recommendations would you make?"

Bill paused, glancing at Harry, before looking back at Marvolo. "Um…well, most of these wards are of Old English origin. Most ward runes won't coexist with that. But of the ones that do, I'd recommend to Harry to layer on some ancient Greek and some Norse defensive and offensive wards, to help strengthen what is already there and bolster it. Most likely the elder futhark–"

"It is difficult to layer non-compatible origin wards, but not impossible. Are you suggesting that you would negate possible security measures to simply adhere to what is easiest?"

Harry stared at Marvolo in shock; he looked gleefully vicious. His mouth curved into a mimicry of a condescending smile that did nothing to conceal his snarl. "No, that's not what I–" Bill tried to protest.

"Are you certain you are the most capable cursebreaker to lead this project?" Marvolo turned to Shortsnout. "Perhaps another would not be so quick to disregard hard work and effort–"

"Marvolo!" Harry interjected quickly, horrified and embarrassed at Bill's verbal abuse. "I want Bill to lead this project. I trust his judgment. I'm sure he wasn't trying to say he wouldn't do his job at all. If you'd let him speak," Harry said with a pointed glare before he turned back to Bill with an apologetic smile. The rest of the group had backed away a few paces, leaving Bill to suffer the full brunt and focus of Marvolo's hostile attention.

"Yes," Bill cleared his throat before pressing on. "If the intention is to open the school at the start of the fall, then it would be best to get the most compatible wards set now, with the understanding that the other wards would be placed with time. There is actually a set of wards around the property that look like they are of Hindu origin. I'm sorry to say, Harry, that no one outside of India is instructed in these runes. However, if you'd give me permission to study them properly, I could –"

"I shall be handling the Hindu wards," Marvolo interrupted.

"Hindi Rune Masters have taught you?" Bill asked, not bothering to hide his doubt.

"You would do well not to doubt my abilities in the future. However, I will allow this blatant skepticism pass only once out of kindness to Harry."

"Oh? This is Harry's school, it's his choice. Who the bloody hell are you anyway?"

Marvolo released a torrent of magic that had Bill falling to his knees in seconds. The rest of the group collapsed under the onslaught. Furious, Harry grabbed Marvolo's arm and yanked it back, breaking the Dark Lord's concentration and turning the man's focus to himself. Marvolo's magic was still unleashed but wasn't at such a battering strength.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" Harry hissed. He didn't bother with a silencing ward. There was no mystery about who Marvolo was now, anyway.

"He dared to mock and question my –"

"You are not the Dark Lord right now! No one is supposed to be able to match you with Voldemort, and because you can't calm the fuck down, you've blown your cover."

"I'll just obliviate them."

"It doesn't matter! Okay? You are my guest and friend, invited to visit my family estate. You do not get to torture my friends and family, not ever! Our oath prevents you from doing so." Harry paused for a second, his stomach dropping. Did Marvolo just….he wouldn't…not in a random fit of temper… "Did you just break–"

"Our oath remains. It's not torture. It's merely a release of my magic. If he is too weak to bear–"

"Don't you dare try to justify this! You knew exactly what would happen. Now, stop it. Or I'm never letting you come here again."

Marvolo bitterly looked away and yanked his arm from Harry's grip. The force of his magic dissipated completely, and shakily, the rest of the group got to their feet.

"I am very sorry," Harry said to the others. "However, it seems that a lot of discussion is still to be had regarding the wards. We all want the school to benefit, after all. Perhaps at another time, we could reconvene and go over the wards again. The manor must be rebuilt before the wards can be placed. Yes?"

Shortsnout nodded with a grunt. His shoulders were hunched now, no longer standing as tall.

"Great. Well then, I suppose we should wrap things up today. When do you plan on coming out to start breaking ground?"

"We can start at the end of the week," Shortsnout said, his words sounding strained.

"Wonderful. Send me an owl, and I'll be here. Alone," he added, looking at Marvolo, who scowled back.

The goblins nodded and gave low bows to Harry and Marvolo before they left. Marvolo froze the two cursebreakers in the back as they tried running for the property line. Harry sighed when he saw Marvolo begin casting the wand movements for obliviation.

Standing a few feet away, Bill stood beside him as they both watched Marvolo obliviate the two cursebreakers.

"It's really him, isn't it? You Know Who?"

Harry just nodded with a sigh. "I know your family knows the truth of my alliance, but I'll still have to ask for your secrecy regarding today. It's best if people don't know that Lord Tomás is Voldemort."

"Of course, I'll not speak of it," Bill promised. They stood silently for a few moments. Harry's anger simmered, but seeing Marvolo highlighted by the midday sun slightly tempered his anger. He'd dropped the glamor by now, and his red eyes were highlighted beautifully by the sunlight. "He is…"

"Terrifyingly brilliant?" Harry asked, thinking about how Marvolo had countered and debated with Shortsnout and Bill on such differing subjects.

"More like just terrifying. But I was going to say intense."

"Oh. Yeah, I guess."

Bill cast him a sidelong look before shaking his head with a snort. "Only you, Harry."

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing. But does this mean I can tell Fleur to mark you as needing a plus one for the wedding?"

His face turned red so quickly that Harry thought he verged on fainting. "I don't know what you mean. Anyway, it doesn't matter." Marvolo would never feel the same.

"Doesn't matter? Harry, do you realize–"

"Are you ready to return home, Harry?" Marvolo asked, rejoining the conversation. He didn't look at Harry but instead stared icily at Bill.

Bill looked at Harry with an expression that Harry couldn't interpret. Bill sighed and shook his head. "It was nice seeing you again, Harry. Expect an invite from Mum to visit for dinner soon. Fleur too, probably." Bill glanced at Marvolo before taking a breath and giving Harry the quickest hug he'd ever experienced from a Weasley and disapparating.

Marvolo looked at Harry. He opened his mouth, but Harry just held his hand up. "Nope, I don't even want to hear it. Let's just go home."

"Harry-"

"Maybe later you can explain what got into you."

Harry stared at Marvolo, who looked uncomfortable. His ghostly pale skin was shining under the sun, and it made him look ethereal. "I'm uncertain I could even put words to it…however, the meeting was productive, was it not?"

"Until the end." Harry wasn't willing to let Marvolo off the hook that easily, but he was too tired now to push it. "Let's just go. We've still got to plan for our Hogwarts visit."