A Large Buildup of Soft Thread

When Harry finally made it to Hertfordshire on Christmas eve, he found the house empty.

"Henry said to meet him at your father's house on Christmas Eve for dinner," Hardwin told him.

Harry looked at his watch. "Oh…oops. Alright then. I'll see you lot later."

With that, he reentered the floo and took off. About a minute later, he exited a fireplace in James' house and stepped directly into the living room to find the usual suspects there.

"Good evening…" he said. He looked at Henry. "Family." With a glance at Maynard, he said, "Friends. Associates," he finished with a long look at Fleamont. He then sniffed at Taurus. "I'm so happy to see everyone. I can't imagine if I didn't have to – err – if I couldn't see everyone for six months or more. What would that be like? I shudder with anticipation – err – devastation to think it's possible – err – at the possibility of it ever happening."

Henry took a deep breath.

Charlus smirked at him. "Your last visit was in June, so, unless you mean me and Henry, it has been six months or more."

"Ahh," Harry said with an air of disappointment. "I guess it's been too long then." As Charlus stuck his knuckle in his mouth, Harry asked, "How is everyone?"

Sirius stretched. "I'm exhausted."

Harry nodded as he moved to stand beside Charlus' chair. "You look it."

Charlus snorted and Stephanie bit her bottom lip.

"You've aged and terribly, too," Harry insisted. "It's been a long six months for you, hasn't it?"

Sirius shook his head. "Harry…what?"

"And you've gone senile," Harry mused. He leaned forward with both hands on his knees. "Try to tell me what happened. Take your time and speak slowly if you have to."

"Alright, that's enough!" Sirius said as sounds of amusement and stifled laughter went around the room. He flicked his chin at Harry. "You aren't to speak to me for the rest of evening."

Henry cleared his throat. "What made you come in here and target Sirius?"

"I met the Blacks over the weekend," Harry said. "The Acolytes you tried to murder were a more enjoyable bunch."

Henry started.

Sirius made a noise. "And I'm paying for it? Why not make Cygnus and Pollux pay for it?"

"Tristan and Damien – a cousin from South Africa – did that for me. Annette Lestrange made Dorea leave me alone." He met Taurus' eye. "And Lucretia Prewett will never ever say a word to me again."

Charlus looked between Harry and Taurus in suspicion.

Sirius leaned forward. "Tell me about the other Lestranges and the Malfoys."

"Everyone except Bellatrix was oddly polite. Kind even. Ulrich Lestrange pulled out a seat for me to chat and Mrs. Malfoy invited me to Malfoy Manor to enjoy a day with Draco and his friends. It's disturbing. My name is Harry Potter and I wish they'd act like it."

"What was that about Narcissa?" Stephanie said.

Harry batted his eyelashes at her.

Maynard cleared his throat. "How was school…Harry."

Harry snorted then pointed at him. "See?" He turned to Maynard. Maybe he could give Harry an idea as to what was going on. "Fantastic. I only had to punch Egil in his face once."

Maynard raised his eyebrows. "I was under the impression Egil did as he pleased…"

Who gave him that impression?

"I'm more powerful than Egil. Unfortunately for him, that means he has to fight me or leave me alone."

"You aren't more powerful than a literal prince," Cordelia said.

Corban tutted. "He has Maxim Morozov's attention, Grindelwald spoke directly to his professors about him, and Dumbledore left Hogwarts during the school year for the first time in fifteen years. He is…something."

And who told him that?

Cordelia looked at her father in surprise.

"How goes your lessons with Morozov?" Corban asked.

Fascinating. Harry wondered if Corban had permission to say what he liked or if he was an idiot.

"Fine. We decided to take a break from offensive magic and focus on protection again," Harry said.

Corban nodded. "Do you have anyone else's attention?"

"Yeah. Riddle after I was published told me I had given him a reason to give me his attention," Harry said.

"How do you like him?" Maynard asked.

Harry shrugged. "He's alright. Do you know him?"

Maynard made a so-so motion with his hand. "In passing."

Harry stored that for later. He doubted that was true, but how could he prove it?

"How has Riddle decided to give you his attention?" Maynard asked.

Harry rubbed the smile off his lips. "Emotions are what we've been covering. Things like the Cheering Charm and the Drink of Hate."

"That sounds boring," Cepheus said.

"Not to someone with Harry's particular interests," Henry said.

Harry smirked at Henry, who looked irritated in response.

"You were invited to his Christmas get-together?" Corban asked.

"Yes," Harry said. "I met Professor Slughorn there."

Sirius leaned forward. "Riddle has his own little Slug Club?"

"He was a favorite," Charlus said softly. "Slughorn had high hopes for him."

Corban stretched. "How have Riddle and Dumbledore been getting along?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't think they speak much. Dumbledore generally sticks to Grindelwald or Maxime. Riddle sticks to Karkaroff. Who is that, by the way?"

"No one of any significance," Corban drawled.

Harry licked his lips. Corban gave something away, but he wasn't certain what to assume about it. If Karkaroff was of no significance, a wizard in England with no ties to Durmstrang shouldn't know about him. Right?

Riddle had to be the answer, but…

"Enough about Durmstrang," James interjected. "How do you enjoy chasing, Cepheus?"

As the conversation turned to the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup, Harry lost himself in thought. There was something going on, but what was it and why?

Harry jumped when the front door slammed shut.

"What the hell?" Sirius said.

Sirius got to his feet and even fingered his wand as heavy boots stomped through the house. These were followed by lighter footsteps. The second and third persons appeared to be running.

A few moments later, Taurus stepped into the living room. "What the fuck is your problem?"

Harry, knowing exactly who he was talking to, answered immediately. "You and your wife, you soft, ass pig."

It was two days after Christmas Eve and Taurus had gone to the Blacks that morning. Obviously, he knew what Harry had said to Lucretia.

"Again: what the hell?" Sirius said as Cepheus and Stephanie stepped into the doorway

Taurus took another stepped forward. "Who the fuck are you talking to? I'm not your peer, boy. You're to show me some respect."

Harry yawned. "I'll show you some respect when you become something respectable, you overgrown bitch."

Taurus took some more steps. Harry jumped to his feet and Sirius slid in-between them.

For the third time, Sirius said, "What. The. Hell? Am I dreaming?"

"Yeah, you'll come over here to me only 'cause I'm eleven. You'll never be brave enough to talk back to a Black or to your father!" Harry

"CHARLUS!" Sirius called.

James entered the room from another door. "What's going on?"

"Taurus and Stephanie don't want me in Charlus' house, but they don't have jobs and no one besides you wants them in their house, so they can't say anything to their leprechaun," Harry answered.

Sirius snorted then cackled.

Stephanie turned red.

Charlus eased past Stephanie. He took in the scene and his eyes went to the ceiling.

"You're one big, bloody leprechaun, Charlus," Sirius said.

Charlus lowered his face and searched for clarity, but Sirius only grinned at him.

Henry and Fleamont stepped into the room a few moments after.

"Alright," Sirius said. "What did you say to Lucretia? I've been dying to know."

Harry set his jaw. "I asked Lucretia – "

"Mrs. Prewett," Taurus corrected.

"Shut. Up," Harry commanded.

Henry and Charlus turned to Harry with raised eyebrows.

"I told that stupid woman to ask Taurus why he has no job."

Sirius looked at the ceiling.

"I asked her how it feels to be the only daughter of Black," he spat with derision, "unable to continue a line. I also mentioned that it was pitiful she had to kidnap a child from a squib."

This was met with silence until Sirius said, "Uhh…Harry? Why? Why would you say that?"

"Because Cotton has no job and it's high time he found one."

Charlus sighed. "Harry…"

"Cotton and Cashmere here also don't want me in Charlus' house and instead of saying that to him they've gone to the rest of their family to whine about it!"

Sirius nodded. "Ahh…and Lucretia and Dorea decided to stick up for their baby boy. Annette Lestrange stopped Dorea. No one was there to stop Lucretia. What did she manage to say?"

"She said I was in the way. That it's inappropriate I'm still in Charlus' house. She said I have a wealthy father and grandfathers and it was time for me to get them to like me. That Charlus shouldn't bear the burden of caring for me when they likely have more money than him and he has children of his own to take care of. She said that if I didn't make efforts with my actual fathers I would be left out in the cold 'cause Taurus…" Harry paused to scoff. " – Was a lot less caring than him."

"This is familiar and with Harry Potter still in the mix," Charlus said. "But this time I'm the old man and my son is the fifty year old jealous of a child."

Fleamont walked away. Henry watched him go.

Sirius turned to Taurus. "You are a soft, overgrown, jobless bitch. A stupid one, too. A smarter person would've made sure that stupid woman didn't deserve those questions."

Taurus twitched.

Sirius actually took a step closer. "Come on. I dare you. I'd love to replace Bella in your nightmares."

Taurus didn't move.

"Harry's right about that, too, huh? Never will be brave enough to get in a Black's face," Sirius cooed.

"Sirius," Charlus said. "Take him." He pointed to James. "Stay. He doesn't give a fuck, but you've been on my nerves for two days."

James straightened his back. "This is my house – "

"Oh shut the fuck up," Charlus said. "And Sirius?"

Sirius stopped with his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Don't leave this house without me."

Sirius nodded. "Fine." As they walked away, to Harry, he said, "You have a mouth on you. I didn't know that."

"You also have authority in your tone. I suppose that was learned from Barty," Henry said from behind them.

Cepheus looked on petulantly.

"Go find Albert or Fleamont," Sirius told him.

Cepheus huffed then stomped upstairs.

"I'm never having kids. You're all brats," Sirius told Harry. "I thought I'd had you made, though. You proved me wrong just now."

"I'm not sorry to Taurus or Lucretia."

Sirius nodded. "I can see that and this ain't bravado. You're just not scared. You probably would've launched yourself at Taurus had I let you."

"I was alone in a house with people who would gladly kill me at any other time in history twice last week and I've looked Grindelwald in his eye since I was six," Harry said. "After all that, you realize a giant, cotton ball is just a large buildup of soft thread."

Sirius' lips twitched. He then closed his eyes and bowed his head before giving it a shake. "Ha-Harry, that might be poetry." He shook his head again. "Cotton and Cashmere."

"Yes, Sirius, it's a good thing you've decided against children. You're an awful disciplinarian," Henry said.

Sirius cracked up.

Henry turned to Harry. "I don't like the way you walk nor the arrogant way you set your mouth."

Harry grinned.

"I'm not telling a joke. You swagger and it's grating."

Harry laughed. "I know. You're the third person to mention my walk. The first to say something about the way my mouth settles, though. I think the problem is everyone was expecting me to come home one way and I came home a completely different way."

"Right." Sirius wiped his face as Henry looked on at nothing in particular. "No one expected Harry Potter to return from Durmstrang full of himself. It's a nice surprise."

The door banged open and James stormed out of the living room. Red in the face, he didn't stop to speak to the three of them either as he proceeded to storm down the hall.

Sirius sighed.

Taurus and Stephanie entered the hall.

"Cepheus!" Taurus yelled.

Charlus walked past them and stopped next to Sirius. "Let's go." He pointed to Harry. "I'll be back in less than an hour."

"Harry and I will be in Hertfordshire," Henry said. "We'll take your things, too.

He left with a nod and Sirius at his side.

Henry tugged on Harry's sleeve. They walked past Taurus and Stephanie without a word. Henry did give his regards to Cepheus, who didn't respond.

When they entered the bedroom Harry and Charlus had occupied, Harry turned to Henry with a question on his lips. He did wait for Henry to close the door, though.

"Wait…why did Uncle Charlie yell at Dad?"

Henry looked amused. "James gave his best efforts, but you haven't given him the slightest bit of the attention he's wanted in almost forty-eight hours."

Harry frowned.

"Your father is still angry you went to Durmstrang. Unfortunately for him, you've embraced the environment there, you don't lack in attention, so you haven't missed what he usually gives you, and, most importantly, you have very adult concerns to deal with," Henry explained.

Harry furrowed his brow.

"When you first arrived? You were politer to Maynard and Corban – and they to you – than you have ever been to each other. You realized that. I realized that. So did a few others. You gave them a lot info to glean why," Henry said. "You were in the midst of working it out when your father interjected with comments on Quidditch and Gryffindor House."

Harry grinned then moved to get his things.

"You didn't notice how every time someone brought the attention to you, your father would work to bring it to someone else," Henry said. "I don't care to send you to him to soothe his feelings. We do, in fact, have greater problems to solve than the hurt feelings of Fleamont and James or Taurus' absurd jealousy."

With that, he packed their things and they were all set in less than a minute. Harry shoved Charlus' bag into his backpack then led the way out of the bedroom.

A half-hour later, Henry raised his face from his stone basin. Harry, who'd been antsy, had requested a bowl of lemon curd ice cream from Sport.

"Why did you pick up the book?"

"Because one day I'll learn what's in it," Harry replied.

He and Henry looked at each other.

At last, Henry said, "Yes, you will because Gellert will grow tired of the game soon enough. You'll have your orders then."

He sat down then took in the large bowl of ice cream and the even larger goblet of butterbeer. Henry glared at Harry, who grinned back.

Harry licked the spoon. "So Corban shouldn't know anything about Karkaroff, right?"

"No," Henry said. "When you return to school I want you to ask Morozov what he knows of Yaxley. Also ask if any other British wizards have been in the vicinity of the school or the mountains. Make certain to ask if any were seen before and during Dumbledore's time there. Get him to be clear if they were there for Riddle, Regulus, or both."

Harry frowned. "They wouldn't since Dumbledore is there."

"Yes, Harry," Henry said patiently, "but if we know that for certain they were there before and not during, we can be certain they don't want to be seen by Dumbledore. If we are certain in that knowledge, we can be certain we need to discover why."

Harry nodded. "Ok, I get it. What do you think of Morozov?"

"I think he's scorned," Henry said, "and I think he sees you as a vehicle of retribution."

Harry stuck his spoon in his ice cream. "I think they all do."

"What do you mean by that?"

Harry didn't answer. He didn't speak for a long moment while he absent-mindedly ate his ice cream. He had something on his mind, but he couldn't quite put it into a proper thought or theory. It was like a lightbulb was flickering and he couldn't figure out how to make it stop.

"How old is Tristan?"

"I'm uncertain of the exact number. He has about ten or eleven years on Charlus," Henry answered.

Harry nodded. "So he has about five or six on Riddle, I think. Err – how much younger is Corban to Charlus?"

"They're about the same age. Why does this matter to you?"

"And Orion and Walburga are about the same age as Charlus, too," Harry said. He scratched his head. "They all met Riddle at school." He raised his head. "Did you see how Karkaroff, Tristan, and Cygnus looked to Riddle for approval?"

Henry leaned forward. "Yes."

"Older and/or richer, but it's like he's leading them. They're being nice to me because of him. He met them at Hogwarts," Harry reiterated. "He met them at Hogwarts and they brought him home to their parents."

"So?"

Harry scratched his head. "Did…did Grindelwald place Ulrich – and Cantankerous – in high positions during your war and after? Like were they used to like get info out of Grandmother, Mrs. Lestrange, and Mrs. Rosier?"

"I can say that the majority of Rosier, Nott, and Lestrange sided with Gellert. I cannot say why or tell you much of what they did. That's a question he or Albus will have to answer for you."

"Err…what if they're like Morozov? They're all very old, right?"

Henry sighed. "That's one way to put it."

"Old enough to still remember and believe in the old pureblood stuff," Harry said. He snapped his fingers. "Diomedes called me 'half-blood' while he was standing with Corvus and Egil. Egil wouldn't care about that stuff. Corvus would, though, right?"

Henry didn't answer.

"I've never seen Ulrich around Grindelwald and he didn't give Abraxas attention at the World Cup. I doubt Dumbledore ever wanted them around," Harry said, "but people act like they're important. Francis made his kids get along with the Lestranges, Malfoys, and Blacks, but…they're not running Britain or France. I was just in a room with acolytes and statesmen and women. They weren't there. None of the people in Tristan's house were."

"Harry…"

Henry didn't continue, though.

"Grindelwald dropped them. Zoltan doesn't care about them. Dumbledore didn't automatically make them viceroys, governors, or ministers. They didn't get land, they didn't get any gold. They were used then dropped," Harry said. "They were dropped, but muggleborns, the poor, and blood-traitors have been getting high positions ever since, though." Harry snapped his fingers. "Oh, I get it! There's a third side and it's the side Grindelwald, Dumbledore, and you hate. Riddle is leading that side."

"That's certainly an idea," Charlus said.

Harry jumped and dropped his spoon. It was then he noticed how pale Henry was. He watched him as he summoned another spoon.

Charlus threw himself onto the sofa. "A sound one, too. I never thought about that." He pointed behind him with his thumb. "I was listening at the door obviously. Restoration of tradition. Merlin, please, let the child be wrong, but it's plausible."

Henry got up and walked to the window.

"The war was never about blood purity. It was just a point Grindelwald and Dumbledore had; that muggleborns would be equal at the end," Charlus said. "They weren't fighting against that – "

"What were you fighting for?"

Henry turned his head. "Not to be ruled by Gellert Grindelwald and the fool who placated him. I had my concerns for muggles, but I'd be lying if I said they were my highest priority."

"What was your highest priority?" Harry asked.

Henry didn't answer.

"Alright then," Harry said.

Henry did clear his throat. "Gellert introduced Harry to the Tales of Beedle the Bard via a Compulsion Charm."

"Ah," Charlus said. "Did he read it?"

"No," both Harrys said.

Charlus nodded. "Well…we're at the start of something. Corban and Maynard know it or did I miss that point in the conversation?"

"Not really," Harry said. "I wanted to know who met Riddle at Hogwarts and Grandad told me to ask Morozov if he'd seen any Brits around the school."

Charlus summoned a goblet and a bottle cognac. "Kreios Malfoy: Abraxas' younger brother, but he keeps to himself in France now. Ranulph Lestrange, Ulrich's son. Francis Rosier – shit," he said. After a very loud groan, he said, "William Mulciber, David Avery. Corban was sort of a mentee. Orion was a tag-along. Lucretia," he snapped, "Freja Rowle, and other girls fancied Riddle and he often got them to do…things. Look out for those names. Given and family as well as their children."

Harry nodded. "Alright."

Charlus sighed. "Alright, finish your…" He leaned forward. "What the hell?" He looked at Henry. "I hope that bowl wasn't full."

Harry laughed.

"I don't know, Charlus. He got it while I was looking at his memories."

"You'll pay for that," Charlus told Harry.

Harry shoved his fist into his mouth.

Charlus got to his feet. "Let's go, brat. We need to talk."

They went to Harry's room and Harry plopped down on his bed.

"Home. Finally," Harry said.

"Yeah, so that's over," Charlus said. "You'll go back to your father's for two weeks every summer until you can legally tell us to go to hell, but I'm not doing this Christmas shit anymore. Everyone is irritating."

Harry licked his spoon. "The Yaxleys were pleasant this year."

Charlus sneered and Harry laughed. "They were pleasant to you and I'm going to have a chat with Sport. Harry, is there more ice cream in the bowl?" Charlus' eyes widened. "You little shit!"

Harry laughed harder.

Charlus vanished the ice cream and the bowl. "You enlarged the bowl and increased the amount of ice cream in it." He inhaled. "You did it to the goblet, too." He touched his head and closed his eyes. "You've been doing it the past two fucking days. That's why Albert was complaining that your piece of cake was larger than his."

Harry laughed until he cried.

"Harry – I swear – I'll take the wand this summer and cut off both your hands!"

Harry sat up and wiped his face. "Uncle Charlie…I won't do it again. Ok?"

Charlus glared at him. "Where was I? Oh, right. Your father. I tried, but I can only take so much childishness. The Yaxleys were running their fucking mouths and that petty jackass started talking about quidditch."

Harry grinned. "That irritated you and Grandad more than it did me."

"That's because you have answers we don't and you could figure things out in your little head." He rubbed his forehead. "Taurus." When Harry rolled his eyes, Charlus said, "Your irritation."

Harry shrugged.

"You were right – and I intend to tell Henry this – but when Taurus was a boy, the Blacks, Lestranges, and Rosiers were supposed to be on the up and up. The Potters weren't and that's why – in my mind – our marriages are – were – acceptable," Charlus said. "Not only did Pollux and Arcturus not get what they wanted, but decades later you are sitting with the people Ulrich, Francis, Abraxas, Pollux, and Arcturus wanted to sit with."

Harry frowned.

"I was man enough not to have those men in my house. I did not stop Dorea from forcing Taurus on people who didn't want or like him in the same way Taurus and Stephanie force Cepheus on their nieces, nephews, and young cousins." Charlus took a deep breath. "It's difficult for both Stephanie and Taurus to admit they suffered for nothing. There's also no way to make Cepheus and you get along. That time was when Sterling admitted he was wrong and brought Reginald here. That time is long gone."

Harry brought his knees to his chest. "I think you could've, but – "

"Lucretia put the last nail in and screwed the coffin shut. Yes."

Hay shrugged at him.

"No matter what Riddle has planned, you'll never have a positive relationship with the Blacks," Charlus said. "But that's alright. Uncle Tristan can't stand them either," he drawled.

Harry scrunched his face as he tried not to smile.

"A true child of Nott and Potter." When Harry puffed out his chest, Charlus said, "Don't do that."

This time Harry laughed.

"You're still a kid. And a happy one," Charlus said. "That's nice to see."

Harry tilted his head. "What's that mean?"

"It just means…you're still a little boy," Charlus said. He took a deep breath. "You remember every last word Lucretia said to you."

Harry nodded. "I have a good memory."

"Is that all? You haven't been going over those words in your mind?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope. I have too much going on up here."

"Did her words bother you?"

"Not really."

Charlus nodded. "Alright, Harry. The house in Egypt is yours. Like you can live in it – you can live all my houses, so long as I'm alive – but that one is already yours. The one in Greece will pass to you when I die. You don't need any money, but I – and Quintinus – want you to have this."

He took out a long, thin, blue box. It was held together by a gold ribbon. He passed it to Harry, who immediately united the ribbon, but he didn't open the box.

"Happy belated Christmas," Charlus said. "I didn't want to ruin Christmas by giving you that in front of Taurus. I'm not completely blind nor an idiot, but it doesn't matter anymore anyway."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"He's not going to listen to me if your theory proves correct."

"Cepheus. If he's a brown noser like Diomedes was, you're going to have a problem if I'm right," Harry said.

Charlus ran a hand through his hair. "You aren't Henry."

"Huh?"

"If you had to save Cepheus, would you? If Cepheus got it in his mind to kill you, would you just defend and subdue him?"

Harry licked his lips. "You're asking for a lot, but since you're asking…" He took a deep breath. "Fine. Fine."

"Thank you." Charlus exhaled. "Alexandra."

Harry shook his head. "You have a lot of bullet points."

"You didn't have to go to Durmstrang, Harry. We could've figured something out."

Harry furrowed his brow. "I didn't think he'd told you."

"Oh, he told us," Charlus said, "and he waited to be rude about it. I waited because I didn't think it wise to talk about it over the mirrors. You could've said something."

Harry stretched. "I'm glad I went to Durmstrang – "

"Why? Because you get to satiate your curiosity? Or because your embroiled in a battle between Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Riddle?"

"And Potter," Harry said.

Charlus shook his head. "Unless you mean Henry – "

"Last August, Barty asked me what I thought Zoltan would do on that day his father died. Uncle Freddy also told me I'd do some choosing and I think that's what all three of them are trying to get me to do," Harry mused. He perked up. "Uncle Freddy was a little wrong. Grindelwald hasn't really forced my hand. He gave me attention and let me in and I think – "

"Riddle wants to use you because of that," Charlus said. "And Dumbledore will let him in hopes that you are as you appear. Yes, that's what's going on here. Harry, why did you return home with nothing but bad tidings? Where is the good news?"

Harry puffed out his chest. "I'm very good at magic."

Charlus answered with a soft smile. "Still a little boy."

"I don't like that word," Harry told him.

Charlus laughed. "Alright, brat. Go wash up as you do. Dinner is an hour." He paused when he reached the door. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too, Uncle Charlie."

"Don't lie to me," Charlus said as he left the door.

Harry laughed. "I did. Sometimes…a couple days."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

When the door was closed, Harry fell back onto his pillows. As he did so, the box Charlus had given him slid off his lap. With a frown, he looked down then tossed the top off the box.

His eyes went wide.

Inside was Quintinus' quillon dagger.

"Ah," he breathed.