Titans

Harry scrambled to his feet. Quintinus had discussed the concept of dignity enough for him to understand it demanded he both get off the floor and do something about having been put there. As such, before anyone could think to do anything, Harry punched the boy in his stomach.

"Oh. Hell," he heard Mr. Crouch say.

Harry paid him no mind. "What did you do that for?" he spat.

"I imagine because someone told him your name. Potter as your given name would be unfamiliar to Mr. Malfoy and/or Mr. Lestrange."

Harry spun around. Albus Dumbledore stood behind him.

Mr. Crouch stepped forward to place himself almost in front of Harry. Dumbledore looked him up and down with obvious surprise while Harry stepped around him.

"So? Should I hit him when I learn his name?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "It's Grindelwald. Now how do you feel?"

"His name is Grindelwald?" Harry frowned down at the crying boy. "Oh. What happens if I hit him again?"

"Pace yourself. This is the first of many times you will tangle with Egil Grindelwald," Dumbledore said.

Harry looked him up and down. "Am I going to get in trouble?"

"That depends on what trouble means to you. You won't be punished. There will be no…physical pain." Dumbledore hummed. "Are you hungry, Harry?"

Harry scrunched up his face. "Excuse me?"

"I beg your pardon?" Mr. Crouch said.

"Hungry. Would you like to join me for lunch?"

Harry turned to Mr. Crouch. "Is he well?"

"In present company, I cannot answer in anything but the affirmative."

"If we were alone, what would you say?"

Mr. Crouch closed his eyes.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and Harry turned back to him.

"Oh, right. What would we eat?"

"Tacos."

Harry, who had never had a taco in his life, shrugged. "Alright."

"Ah, Zoltan," Dumbledore said. He stepped forward with a smile. As he did so, he sort of nudged Harry behind him and between himself and Mr. Crouch.

Zoltan was a taller version of Egil with a golden mustache. He stepped closer to Dumbledore when Dumbledore stopped. Almost directly into his face.

Harry felt Mr. Crouch move his arm. When he attempted to look at him, Mr. Crouch just latched onto his shoulder.

"Be still," Harry heard.

"What happened here?"

Dumbledore bounced in his feet. To Harry it seemed he was enjoying himself. "Egil, it seems, was encouraged to knock Harry – Potter, that is – down. Harry, as expected, rushed to his feet and retaliated."

Zoltan lowered his eyes to Harry.

"Oh, don't expect Harry to cower in the face of your anger. As you can see, he is meeting it with his jaw set; straight-back and proud as his eponym is famous for saying," Dumbledore said.

Zoltan turned back to Dumbledore. "What amuses you?"

"In general or at the moment?"

Harry looked up at Dumbledore. He was self-aware enough to recognize the question was something he would ask. That Dumbledore asked it left him in a state of equal amusement and confusion. Dumbledore was enjoying himself, buy why?

Zoltan took a deep breath then took another step forward. Harry took a step back when Zoltan stiffened, grimaced, and turned red. He, too, then took a step back and took another deep breath.

Egil grasped his father's hand.

Zoltan rolled his shoulders. "Hand me the boy."

Dumbledore hummed. "For what?"

"Putting his hands on Egil cannot go unpunished."

Dumbledore wagged his finger. "I made it clear that Egil put his hands on him first – "

Zoltan made up speak, but Dumbledore spoke over him.

"I'm an intelligent man and I knew that Harry Potter would stand here on this platform very close to me. I see your father as my equal therefore I feel safe in my assumption that he, too, knew Harry would be here. I say this to remind you your father made it clear to Egil this morning that he was to lay no finger on Harry this afternoon. Yet, he did. This scuffle won't go unpunished, but Harry won't be the recipient today," Dumbledore said.

Again, Zoltan made to speak. This time, Dumbledore just turned his back to him.

"I'm sure James and Albert will arrive soon if they aren't already here. Do make sure they survive the day," Dumbledore said to Mr. Crouch.

Mr. Crouch nodded. "Yes, sir. You are just taking him to lunch?"

"Why, of course, Bartemius." He turned back to Zoltan then cleared his throat. "You may challenge James Potter. His cousins will come to his aid even if they don't want to. You may receive help from the Acolytes, but many of them are no match for the enemies you've made and remnants of the friends Harry – Henry – and his cousins have in this room. Take care to also consider how the enemies of enemies may move. Good luck." He placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Come. Lunch awaits."

Dumbledore then ushered Harry forward. A path cleared before them.

As they walked Harry asked, "What are you doing?"

"Taking you to lunch."

Harry felt he didn't answer his question. Then again, maybe he hadn't asked it correctly.

A few minutes later, they stepped off an elevator and onto the highest floor of the hotel. Harry stood on his toes to see the ground, but couldn't make it out.

They walked past guards dressed in purple robes and gold masks and into a hotel room that was similar to the one the Potters had been in. This one was just more spacious and had a better view of the city below.

Dumbledore waved his wand. "The bathroom."

"Thanks."

After Harry gave himself a quick wipe down, he joined Dumbledore at a black, glass table. It was lined with juicy looking, steaming meat, sliced limes, red and green sauces, minced greens, red and yellow onions, a few different types of shredded cheese, and bread that reminded him of roti. There was also a pitcher of a brown looking liquid Harry eyed with uncertainty.

"Is this a cognac or whiskey?"

"I wouldn't waste such drinks on the fresh palate of a six year old," Dumbledore said. "Tepache. Something to whet your tongue in preparation for the future." He cleared his throat. "You haven't given up pork, have you?"

Harry shook his head. "The English won't let me. Obviously."

Dumbledore's beard twitched. "As lunch with you was only recently decided, I ask to be excused from the narrative for now."

Harry shrugged then watched Dumbledore make his plate.

Dumbledore hummed. "Are you showing me deference?"

"What's that mean?"

"Respect. Are you allowing me make my tacos first due to my ranking?"

Harry scoffed and Dumbledore's eyes went to the ceiling. "No, sir. I don't know what to do, so I'm watching you to learn."

"You could just ask."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Mr. Crouch and Uncle Charlie are always talking about horses, so I'd rather not."

Dumbledore lowered his eyes and Harry found that they twinkled. "Very well, Harry, you may watch and learn."

And he did. When Dumbledore finished, Harry made his own taco. He found he knew what the green was, too. He was familiar with cilantro and many of the spices on the pork. Just before he picked it up, the bread fried into a crispy shell.

"How do you find school, Harry," Dumbledore asked.

"It's alright. I just don't get the point of it."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.

"I'm a wizard, but I'm not learning magic."

"Ah, some things are more important than magic."

Harry felt affronted. "That's not true."

Dumbledore laughed softly. "I assure you, learning to be a good man is far more important than becoming a good wizard."

"I don't get it."

"The difference between the ability to make the world bend to your will with your wand and questioning whether or not you should," Dumbledore said.

Harry furrowed his brow. "Oh. Oh. Eudaimonia. Oh," he finished with an air of disappointment. "So all I'm gonna do at Alexandria is learn how to have a good spirit?"

"Not all. Mostly. You've already begun to study theory. You just don't know how yet. When you do figure it out, you will have the tools to become an excellent wizard," Dumbledore said. "I admit, I'm envious I had to figure it out on my own."

"You're envious that someone is going to teach me how to study theory," Harry mused.

Dumbledore's beard twitched. "How to understand theory. The method – and the understanding of the method – is why Alexandria maintains its reputation. The alumni – usually coming to understand during the entrance exams – go off to their various schools where they sit at the top of their year because of such understanding."

"You can tell me, you know."

"I could, but why ruin the fun for you?"

Harry sighed. "How did you figure it out?"

"Clever. I read a fictional story one day and I made the connection," Dumbledore said.

Harry sat back. "Oh. Can I ask a question? You should be able to answer it the best, I think."

"By all means."

"Err – did wizards ever clean their house with water? Like if they did something bad in it – Dark magic – did they ever just give the house a bath?"

Dumbledore's face lit up. "Before I answer that question, please, explain to me what brought it on."

"Err – Mr. Anwer made us bathe and write down how we felt about it. Zarina asked what was the point. What did it have to do with real magic. He didn't tell us, but he said it did have something to do with magic and I've been trying to figure it out."

Dumbledore nodded. "And what led you to your conclusion?"

"The stories we read in class. Polites would always clean his sword after killing, but the one time he didn't he had to get a new one 'cause 'something had settled in it.' Nasir Mashkour refused to go into a room because it was unclean. A witch had cast spells in it, but he was a muggle, so I don't know if that's right." He shrugged. "It's stupid."

Dumbledore smiled outright. "Do you know what dementors are?"

Harry shook his head.

"They're vile creatures who can rid the body of the soul. They came into existence in Europe in the Middle Ages, the most unsanitary and unclean time in European history." He nodded. "You've already begun to understand. Yes, Dark acts used to literally be cleansed from the home for it can settle into the walls, the land, the air. In a dwelling defiled by Dark magic you can feel the pain, the misery. And, yes, muggles can feel it, too."

Harry shook his head. "How can it settle?"

"There's magic in everything, Harry. Never forget that."

"I don't understand."

Dumbledore nodded. "I know, but I have faith that one day you will. Your ability to connect Mr. Anwer's words to the morals you read gives me hope."

"How did you become an excellent wizard? Did you just read?"

"Is that what you want?" Dumbledore asked. "To be an excellent wizard?"

Harry frowned. "Doesn't everyone?"

"No, some children want to be quidditch players. Some want to grow up to eat sweets with abandon. What do you want, Harry?"

Harry shrugged. "To learn magic."

"For the sake of learning? You have no reason for wanting to learn magic other than the want to learn it?"

Harry scrunched up his face. "I want a wand and I want to be an animagus. And I want to fly a big boy broom."

Dumbledore smiled. "I imagine you will learn to fly a Nimbus any day now." He hummed. "What else do you want, Harry?"

"That's my business, isn't it?"

Amused, Dumbledore said, "I have, and continue, to speak only on what you want to learn about magic and why you want to learn it. You should, however, tell Charlus you wish to speak to your mother."

Harry paused, but, ultimately, ignored the comment. "Oh. I want to learn transfiguration. That sounds fun. And curses. I want to learn how to duel."

"Why?"

"A Potter who cannot duel is a poor one indeed," he parroted.

Dumbledore hummed. "I can see that being a family philosophy. What about potions?"

Harry wrinkled his nose. "I don't have the time to watch water boil."

Dumbledore laughed then he nodded. "Very well, Harry, reading is an important part to excelling in magic. If you know the theory, you can be better than average. If you know and understand the theory, you can be better than most. By understand I mean the difference between…hmm, have you begun your study of symbolism?"

"You mean like water means purity and cleanliness?"

"Exactly that. So by understand I mean the difference between knowing water symbolizes purity and understanding that you should bathe things in water after committing a vile act." He hummed. "Using magic as it is intended per the text you read verse using it within the realms of possibility."

Harry furrowed his brow. "I think I get it."

"So if I said red, among other things, symbolizes activity how would you apply that to magic?"

Without much thought, Harry said, "I can flash red in someone's mind and annoy them to get to a memory."

Dumbledore peered at Harry over his glasses. "Fascinating answer."

Harry glanced at Dumbledore then shrugged. "It annoyed me when Mr. Parisi did it to me."

"Yes, of course, but that doesn't answer the memory part."

Again, Harry shrugged. "How hard is that stuff? Magic for mind stuff? Is it very hard?"

"Yes," Dumbledore said slowly. "What brought your curiosity there?"

"Meditation at school, so I asked Uncle Charlie about it and he told me a little about legilimency and occ-lu-mency."

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, you could use red with legilimency to influence the mind to conjure a specific memory. Harry Potter indeed."

"What's the mean?"

"Your eponym spent his career studying all aspects of the mind. Kaiser will never admit it, but he took Henry's model for education from conception to adulthood and applied it to his side of the world. Mine has adopted well by now, too."

Harry tilted his head. "Why do you think that's bad?"

"Perceptive, too. It isn't bad. At least not in theory. However, we've placed hierarchies on children's education. It's grown more and more exclusive and I am against it, but – "

"Hogwarts has to keep up? Oh, I get it now."

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes. He'll learn soon that he must speak a certain way around you."

"Who? Uncle Charlie?"

"Him, too, if he hasn't already."

Harry furrowed his brow. "Who are you talking about?"

For the first time, Dumbledore failed to answer his question, but it wasn't like he had slipped; that he didn't want to answer the question. No, he was amused and seemed to just refuse to answer him. It was as if he was teasing Harry with something.

"Are you well?"

Dumbledore laughed softly. "Quite for the time being."

Harry shook his head. "What else did you do to become a good wizard?"

Harry and Dumbledore continued that vein of conversation for awhile. It was mildly interesting to Harry and he stored a lot of information for later, particularly the clear mind part. The 'mind' seemed to be a big part of magic and Harry wanted to know all the ways it was important.

However, something bothered Harry. It had bothered him since Dumbledore had asked him to lunch.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"I would think by now you would be comfortable enough not to preface your question with a question. Go on."

Dumbledore's words made Harry sit up.

"There goes that perception again."

"Why do you want me to be comfortable asking you questions?"

Dumbledore hummed. "That wasn't the question you wanted to ask…"

"It's almost the same."

"Furthermore, your emphasis on 'you' suggests you wouldn't pose this question to anyone else," Dumbledore said.

Harry shook his head. "I'd ask Grin – err – Kaiser and Maynard."

Dumbledore laughed. "Such exclusive company. I feel honored, Harry."

"Don't…wait was that sarcasm? Grandmother says it's low brow."

Dumbledore's beard twitched. "It was, indeed, sarcasm. That your grandmother has told you that let's me know you are no stranger to the art. Now, to answer your question: I don't go out of my way to make a child uncomfortable. There would need to be a very, very good reason."

"Don't you have a good reason?" When Dumbledore just raised his eyebrows, Harry supplied, "I'm Harry Potter."

Dumbledore looked Harry up and down. "You look like him."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I've been told."

"You're learning to have the same pride as he does. When we meet again in three years, I imagine he'll have shaped and molded you to be his replica. Not intentionally, no, but he will look at his sons and he'll course correct," Dumbledore said.

Harry furrowed his brow. "Huh?"

"I see flashes of intelligence. Outside of potions, you have much of the same interests thus far. Because of family history, he'll demand you find something enjoyable about potions, too. You're perceptive; quick as he was. Too young to have put pieces together faster, but very good for your age. You lied about why you are aware of occlumency. It was a good lie and if I didn't know children I may have believed it," Dumbledore said. "To be clear: I still don't know the truth."

Harry sniffed.

"Yet, with all that, you remain Harry James Potter and he is still Henry Ralston Potter. Two different people and only the latter has earned discomfort in my presence. He will never be, though. Only once in forty years did I manage to make Henry shake," Dumbledore said.

Harry tilted his head. "What did you say?"

"I told him…" He exhaled. "That's between Henry and I."

Harry shrugged.

Silenced reigned until Dumbledore asked, "What was the question you initially wanted to ask?"

"Huh? I…oh. Why am I here? Why are you having lunch with Harry Potter?"

"Yes, not quite the same, but almost. Should I not have lunch with Harry Potter?"

Harry frowned. "You're doing something – "

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"If my name was Albert or Cepheus would you have asked me to lunch?"

Now Dumbledore smiled outright. "No, your brother and cousin don't pique my curiosity outside of how their existences affect you."

"Huh?"

"You've held my interest for a long time. You can say I've watched you from the shadows; kept myself abreast of your movements from your earliest days in Godric's Hollow."

Harry scrunched up his face. "Why?"

"I hear you are a fan of mythology, yes? Well, it's a bit like the story of Uranus, Cronus, and Zeus. Think of yourself as Zeus and me as Cronus. Thus far, we are also alike in many ways…"

Harry just stared at Dumbledore. The story of Uranus, Cronus, and Zeus? What was he on about? Dumbledore wasn't his father and who even was Dumbledore's father?

"I'll assume you're being too literal in your thinking," Dumbledore's said, cutting through his thoughts. "We discussed symbolism earlier…"

Harry scrunched up his face even more. "Symbolism?"

"Yes, symbolism, but, more importantly, what is the moral of the story?"

Harry waved his hand. "Civilization winning has nothing to do with this?"

Dumbledore hummed. "I think when you are older, wiser, and have a better understanding of history and current events, you'll be able to stretch your imagination to agree that it, in fact, does have to do with civilization winning. In this instance, however, you're correct."

Harry eyed Dumbledore. "You think we're alike?"

"Oh, yes. I believe you, like myself, are like two others as well. If you take elements of our stories and put them together, you may well come close to your own."

"Kaiser and…"

Dumbledore didn't answer.

Harry shrugged. "I don't get what you're trying to tell me, but if I'm Zeus and your Cronus then watch your days."

"Fascinating how you hit the mark after giving up," Dumbledore said. "Wouldn't it be an amusing fate for me for Harry Potter to be my ruin?"

"You just said I'm not him."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "Indeed, but amusing nonetheless. Cronus, Harry, lived in fear of his offspring after it was prophesized he should. No, we aren't related anymore than I am to your great-grandfather. However, I think we can say you are as much of a product of me as I am a product of Henry."

Harry furrowed his brow.

"I studied Henry and molded much of my…study after him. I like to believe that the way I do magic is a perfection of his techniques. You, more than any other child I've spoken to, are a direct product of the world I shaped and molded." Dumbledore sat back. "So I've taken care to watch you and when the opportunity to get to know you presented itself, I took it."

"What did you learn? Do you still think I'm Zeus?"

Dumbledore hummed. "I learned that you are an ordinary child with keen intelligence, a healthy curiosity, and a want to simply enjoy your existence."

"I have another question: how is Henry going to make me like him if he's in Nurmengard?"

"He is no longer there. By now he should be in his mother's home. I imagine you know where that is?"

Harry leaned forward. "Are. You. Well?"

"For the third time today, I can assure you that, despite the circumstances, I am perfectly fine. Again, Harry, symbolism. What happened after Egil pushed you?"

"After he pushed me?" Harry's eyes widened. "That symbolized a real chain?"

Dumbledore inclined his head. "On the day Henry dropped his wand, he and Kaiser made a deal. In his arrogance, he, knowing he wouldn't die that day, said he would surrender; wouldn't fight against us so long as we didn't touch another Potter."

"Uhh…"

"In his arrogance, Kaiser agreed. Henry underestimated my influence and, I must admit, in hindsight, I'm surprised at the duration. Kaiser overestimated his own influence," Dumbledore said. "Magic is in everything, Harry. Sometimes moments are so great, so impactful, so charged magic cannot help but act. Two powerful wizards surrounded by the remnants of powerful magic made an agreement that set much of the future in stone. Magic bound the agreement for forty years and Egil undid it all today."