Summer 1991

When they returned to Egypt, Harry, without a word to anyone, ran upstairs to his rooms. He locked his door then stood with his back against it for a few minutes. He felt breathless, but he was – he rolled his eyes – a runner, so the jog upstairs wasn't his problem. He couldn't pinpoint what was, though.

Eventually, he moved away from the door and into his study. It was decorated in deep green and true blue with spots and flecks of gold.

He moved to stand in front of a pair of bookcases. A number of them had been placed around the room through the years. Between Henry, Bartemius, and Bathilda, he had so many books. Each genre even had its own case. He stood in front of the bookcases mostly stocked by Bartemius: protection and defense books.

He stood there for a long time, though. Despite having looked through each book multiple times, he didn't know where to begin.

"Are you stuck?"

Harry jumped then spun around. Henry leaned against the doorframe.

He looked far healthier than he had five years ago. He was still far too thin, but he had, of course, added on a little weight. His hair was fuller and his skin was pink, both from good hygiene and sunlight.

"It would've been far too late, but get in the habit of raising your wand with a spell on your tongue when you're surprised."

Harry shook his head. "I don't know any spells."

"I expected to find you hard at work learning one. Instead you've been standing there for the entire five minutes I've been standing here. Why?"

Harry turned back to the bookcase. "I don't know where to start."

Henry came to stand beside him. With his arms crossed, and his eyes on Harry, he said, "You begin as you always have: with a broad topic. Which broad topic do you wish to begin with?"

"Protection and defense."

Henry tutted. "That's two broad topics. With such a score, I expected you to know that."

"It's my worst score, so I don't know why."

"You won't drag me into a foolish debate over whether or not someone who scored first in their year on their exam should know 'defense' and 'protection' are two separate sub-subjects of combat magic."

Harry smiled. "Alright. Protection."

"Excellent. The proper place to start." When Harry looked up, Henry said, "If you know how to adequately protect yourself, you'll eliminate a lot of need to know how to defend yourself. Not completely eradicate, however, for you cannot prevent the odd sneak or creature attack. Now back to the topic at hand." They turned back to the bookcase. "You begin with an in-depth study of the broad topic. You know what charms are and can differentiate – if only on paper – the differences between a protective charm, a defensive charm, a jinx, a hex, and a curse, correct?"

Harry nodded.

"So you narrow it down further ; zero in on a sub-branch. You've chosen protection, so now, to properly study magic as I have emphasized, you read a detailed book on 'protection.' What does 'protection' mean in magic? Does it begin and end with a wand – "

"No, sphinxes and griffins protect."

Henry nodded. "Correct, but what significance does that have beyond providing knowledge that wizards use these creatures as safe-keepers and guard dogs?"

"Potions, but wouldn't that mean there are protective potions?"

"It could mean that, but is every animal feathered and every flower plucked for a potion?" Henry glanced at the trophy case and his eyes lingered on the golden laurel wreaths inside it. "Or can parts be used on their own?"

Harry frowned. "You mean like a ritual?"

Henry summoned a book. "Read this and learn about protection yourself. When you finish, zero in on a specific word or phrase. 'Shield charm.' 'Protective enchantment.' A tree or shrub that catches your eye. Study protection until you grow bored or something else tickles your fancy then you begin all over again with that topic. You'll work your way back to everything you walked away from eventually."

"How do you know?"

"Because you're an inquisitive and nosy child I've managed to mold into a budding theoretician." He caressed Harry's ear then played with his earlobe. "Well done and congratulations. I knew you'd do well yet you still managed to exceed my wildest expectations." His hand dropped down to Harry's and he tugged on it. "Come."

He led Harry over to the sitting area where a small plate with two pieces of basbousa was on the coffee table. They sat down and Henry handed Harry the plate.

Harry grinned. "Thanks, Grandad."

Henry nodded then he placed his arm around Harry's shoulders. "I have it on excellent authority that you could've chosen any school you wanted. Yet you chose Durmstrang. Why?"

Harry chewed slowly then said, "I don't know how to answer that."

Henry hummed. "What do you believe you can achieve at Durmstrang?" When Harry didn't answer, he asked, "What does Durmstrang offer that no – or few – other school does?"

Harry still didn't answer.

"You will answer me, Harry. I will sit here all night until you give me a proper answer that explains your thinking and actions."

So Harry took his time answering. Henry, Harry knew, kept his eyes on him the entire time.

At last, he said, "I don't think anything…"

Henry leaned forward and tilted his head to look into Harry's face. "So what do you know?"

"That I'll never be left alone until something is done about it. I know that anyone who can stop it is either too old or too pathetic, so I'll have to do it myself."

"I'm the old and Albus is the pathetic? Don't answer that. Answer this: why hasn't it crossed your mind that you are too young?"

Harry shrugged. "Gellert Grindelwald doesn't care about anyone's age. Why should I?"

"Because you are a little boy who cannot yet produce a spell with your new tool. I had also believed you to be sensible enough for your age – "

"I think I'm being sensible. Logical and rational." Now he looked Henry in his eyes. "I think you're the one who can't accept there are only two ways out of this and you can't stop either."

Harry was impressed with the way Henry managed to keep his face impassive.

"What did he do that put you in this state of mind?"

Harry opened his mouth. "I…your authority is wrong."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You're wrong about the choice."

Henry nodded. "I understood that part. How were you denied a choice?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm not answering that."

"Yes, you will."

Harry huffed then waved his hand at the door. "He knows – "

"Of course, he does. And because Charlus chose you over Taurus and Cepheus, you will selflessly not deny him a woman in a world full of billions of them," Henry spat.

Harry set his jaw. "I made my choice and – "

"You will have your way?" Henry drawled. "Your choice was foolish."

Harry shrugged. "Probably. Maybe not. We'll see."

"I can't wrap my mind around what is at Durmstrang that will help you with the two choices I can't prevent."

Harry licked his lips. "You remember when you came home and you were in your sitting room and we watched my memories of the World Cup…"

"Vividly."

"Uncle Freddy said I'm going to have to make a choice. Even if he's the worst choice, I think he'll still be able to help me. And I'll get to know Durmstrang while I'm there."

Henry looked at Harry in confusion. "Who…Tom Riddle." He nodded. "I…can see the merits of such a plan. I see the childishness in it more. I'm not…I'm not completely irrational. I know the battle was always going to come to you; back to me, but I believe you have now sped up the process by placing yourself in the thick of it."

Harry shrugged. "I want this over with."

"You want to look Death in the eye sooner rather than later?" Again, Henry said, "Don't answer that." His mouth moved without sound. "You will place yourself in the palm of Tom Riddle in the hopes he will be as arrogant and foolish as Gellert because…why?"

"You aren't Cronus, but I am Zeus." Harry finished.

Henry closed his eyes. "I wish Dumbledore had never uttered such bullshit to you."

"Is it?"

Henry shook his head. "Another ridiculous argument you won't drag me in to."

Harry finished the piece of cake he'd been eating then he got to his feet. He walked over to the book Henry had placed in the table. It was a rather thick book called Defining Protection.

"Well…you might be too old to stop it, but you're not too old to help me. Will you?"

Henry sighed and opened his eyes. "Harry…you don't ever have to question if I'll help you. Just tell me what you want."

Harry picked up the book. "I'll read this and be through with it quickly. Can you teach me the Shield Charm after?"

"Yes."

So Harry's summer went almost as it had for the past four. The key difference was that he'd spent a lot of time practicing magic rather than just studying it. When school was officially over, he went to England for two weeks.

"Well where are they?" Sirius asked when there was a lull in the conversation.

They'd all gathered at James' place, which was a beautiful house out in Buckinghamshire. They – both sides of Albert's family plus Sirius and Quintinus' children – were in his living room.

It was a nice room Harry unexpectedly liked. The ceiling was high and jet black like the walls. The velvet carpet was turquoise while the sofas and armchairs they sat in were more powdery turquoise. Harry appreciated the color contrast.

Harry waved his wand. "Depulso."

The parchment fluttered over to Sirius, who rolled his eyes. Albert and Cepheus looked on with distaste. With a shake of his head, Sirius turned to the parchment.

"Astronomy, new rec…"

The rest of the word died in the air and Harry watched as Sirius' eyes went up and down the parchment. He then passed it to an amused looking James.

"What was that about astronomy?" James asked.

Sirius just shook his head.

James looked at the scores for himself. "Ahh…"

Harry snorted and Henry cleared his throat.

James, after looking the scores over, allowed the parchment to fall to his lap. He and Sirius both lost themselves in thought, staring into the distance at nothing in particular.

"I guess people who took the exams would feel differently," Charlus mused.

Stephanie rolled her eyes then summoned the parchment. After one quick glance, she sent it to Harry, who grinned at her as the parchment slapped his cheek.

Cepheus looked between Harry and his mother.

"How – " Stephanie shook her head. "I don't care."

"No," Sirius said. "Explain how. I do care if only for my sanity and peace of mind."

Charlus scoffed. "After you have so thoroughly destroyed the sanity and peace of others? Why do you feel you deserve to keep yours intact?"

Sirius gnashed his teeth.

"I guessed and my guesses are apparently very good," Harry said.

Henry sighed.

"You guessed?" Stephanie said. "You expect me to believe you guessed that well."

Albert looked around. "How did he do?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. Err – we don't really study theory at Alexandria. Well not in the normal way. We read fairytales and talk about the symbolism. Even if you read muggle tales and mythology, you'll see that magic in those books are a lot like – and sometimes exactly – how magic is in a school textbook."

"What?" James said.

"Err…okay. So in astronomy we went over some basic stuff. Like – err – the moon, right? How it affects the tides. How it has a bunch phases. How it affects some creatures and animals. That's knowledge, by the way."

James glared at him.

Henry cleared his throat. "He's not being cheeky. He's about to teach you something."

"I'm thirty-one and I know about the moon," James said.

Henry nodded. "Still young enough to learn the different ways to teach your future grandchildren." To Harry he said, "Go on."

Harry shrugged. "So you have that knowledge. So then in another class we'd read regular books. You ever read a book and a character is having a problem and they stand under the moon then the problem is solved or their life changes? Or something with water happens? Or someone dies while someone is born?"

"No, get to the point," Stephanie said.

Sirius leaned forward. "Yes, now, please, connect the dots."

"Ok, so in class we'd go over the symbolism and allegories and whatever else of the story. So the moon goes through phases and, in stories, people experience change under the moon, so you say the moon symbolizes change. That's knowledge, too, and a little understanding. True understanding is knowing the moon symbolizes change then guessing it's an important part of transformation potions and rituals. True understanding is also realizing that the light reflected through the moon causes the magic of it to shine on werewolves and that causes involuntary transformation," Harry said.

Sirius sat back. "Do that again, but with something else."

Harry shrugged. "Lavender is used to put people to sleep, calm people, and wash wounds and stuff, so I said it was put in sleeping potions and antiseptic balms. Valerian is used more often in sleeping potions, but I wasn't wrong."

James covered his forehead.

"Of course, you weren't," Stephanie snapped.

Harry laughed at her.

"This doesn't cover transfiguration and charms. History needs no explanation," Sirius said.

"Oh, well, those were easy 'cause everyone made me define a bunch of words."

"It's important to know the definition of a hex," Sirius said.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "You didn't have those moving picture questions where you had to guess what type of spell or potion was used?"

Sirius opened his mouth then exhaled in defeat. "And knowing the definition of a hex would help you identify it or eliminate it as an answer." He threw up his hands. "I can't believe this!"

"Now we know how Alexandria works," Charlus said.

Henry turned to Charlus.

"Sorry. I didn't know I was reading those fairytales for anything beyond enjoyment. You should've explained that," Charlus said.

"I. Did," Henry said.

Charlus shrugged then waved at Taurus. "Sorry. If it comforts you, Fleamont, obviously, didn't get it either, so your cousin is at least as dumb as you are."

"I imagine that makes you about as dumb as Fleamont," Henry mused.

"Thank you, Father. Your words are so touching," Fleamont said.

Charlus closed his eyes and Harry laughed.

They had dinner that evening then Henry and Charlus left Harry with James and Albert. The experience was never the worst thing in the world. Harry would describe it as pleasant even, but he'd never voluntarily choose to be there either.

His two week stay with James went smoothly. James, blessedly, assumed he was going to Hogwarts and Harry just went with it. Whatever happened at the start of September wouldn't be any of his problem. Charlus and Henry would deal with it.

After that, he went to Hertfordshire where Henry was.

"We're moving back here. Or, at least, I am. Charlus will likely remain in Alexandria, but that's beyond the point. You are to come here first for the summer and you need not feel obligated to live with James at all."

Harry nodded. "I don't and I won't."

He stayed there until Charlus came to take him to Costa Rica for a holiday. They then journeyed to Italy a couple weeks later. They enjoyed a nice holiday in Frederick's villa with him, Henry, Sterling, and Sterling's family. They stayed long enough to celebrate Harry's birthday.

His last summer adventure was camping and hunting in Australia with Bartemius.

"Dumbledore informed me first that you are to attend Durmstrang," Bartemius said while they fished.

Harry nodded.

"He's curious and concerned, but he intends to wait and see."

Harry rolled his eyes and stamped down all the insults that crossed his mind.

"There's nothing to be concerned about. I have enough books from you that I was able to walk through a door and learn counter and protective charms," Harry said. "I won't let a Lestrange kill me."

"Good, but you don't have to worry too much about that except for an ambush that'll come eventually," Bartemius said. "I don't need a diviner to tell me Egil will quickly tire of you." He pulled out a parchment from his pocket. "Here."

Harry tucked his rod under his arm then took the letter. In heavy, right slanted letters, the note read:

Crouch,

Once Riddle had informed us the boy had officially signed the dotted line, I began to anticipate a note from you. You care. How sweet. How is your son, by the by? Laugh, Crouch, you know this is all amusing.

The child will be fine. We've been expecting; anticipating his arrival and all of us are expecting a prize. Egil will ruin nothing. Riddle, for all his faults, began implementing rules six years ago after learning Kaiser and Potter had words at the Cup. As of today, students aren't allowed to duel outside of class and tournaments. If another student is injured or attacked, the attacker is duly punished. Egil may eventually suspect it, but won't be able to prove this is all for Potter.

I look forward to meeting my next mentee.

Frost

"Professor Frost. What's he teach?"

"Morozov comes from a Russian word meaning frost and he teaches Charms."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Greatest Frost? Ha. So there's Majestic Winter and Greatest Frost. I guess that fits Durmstrang."

Bartemius took a deep breath. "I have no idea why you chose Durmstrang and I'm not going to ask. You may tell me now as no one can intrude upon us here. If you don't tell me now, you may tell me later in private."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Why are you acting like it's some big secret? I actually just want to go."

Bartemius nodded. "I'll choose to believe that until you give me reason to believe otherwise." He took another deep breath. "I want you to keep your eyes and ears open. Accept nothing at face value and take everything you're told with a grain of salt."

"Ok."

"I would like it if you informed me of the things you see and hear. Nothing can be too small."

Harry turned to him. "Why?"

"At the moment, because you are a small child at the mercy of the Grindelwalds, Morozov, and maybe Riddle. In the future, because you will be a teenager or young adult in need of help."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Why will I need help?"

"What do you think Zoltan will do when his father dies?"

Harry nodded. "I'll choose to believe that's your real reason until you give me reason to believe otherwise."

Harry and Bartemius shared a long look. Then the latter nodded. "So we understand each other?"

"Of course, Minister."

Thanks for reading!