I uploaded five chapters, so you might want to go back to chapter 17 if Harry at the Ministry party is the last thing you remember.

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See a Man About a Snake

Charlus entered his room a few days after his meeting with Dumbledore. A tray with a sandwich and a cup of juice floated in front of him.

"You're a big elf," Harry commented.

Charlus stopped then wagged his finger. "I'm neither an elf nor a fucking leprechaun. Understand?"

Harry laughed.

"Here."

He sent the juice and sandwich to Harry. He then eased onto the bed to sit facing Harry.

"No," Harry declared, "especially because you didn't bring me anything sweet."

Charlus smiled at him. "Eat."

Harry picked up his sandwich and took a bite.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," Charlus said. He held up a finger. "Shut up."

Harry laughed softly. "I didn't say anything."

"You were about to and that's all that matters. Or you thought it. Why are you so annoying?"

"What are you getting so worked up over? I didn't say anything."

Charlus pinched the bridge of his nose. "You won't get the best of me today."

Harry didn't bother opening his mouth. However, Charlus didn't appear placated. "Merlin, you're so irritable. Would you like a drink? Or a headache potion for thinking too much for too long?"

"You see? There it is."

Harry grinned at him. "How may I help you, sweet Uncle Charlie?"

"I'm not sweet."

Harry bit back his comment.

"I came in here to have a conversation about the future."

Harry snorted. "Merlin, please. I've had my full."

"What?"

Harry shook his head. "Tomorrow. Or soon…enough. Soon enough." He waved his hand. "Whatever,. What would you like to talk about?"

"Taurus, Quintinus, and Alexandra."

"Quintinus is dead, so you should accept there's no pleasing him. Only Harry Potter can. He's going to think you're a loser for all eternity." Harry patted his hand. "It's time to move on."

Charlus took a deep breath as Harry fought a smile.

"Thank you for your words of encouragement, but that's not what I'm here to discuss." He touched his forehead. "I think it's time for Quintinus' children to have a home inn our home country. We've largely always been welcomed in Hardwin's house, but we don't have that anymore. This house is Henry's – and yours – specifically."

"I have a comment, but it can wait."

Charlus nodded. "Thank you. I want one. Not to separate us, but define us."

Harry held up a finger. "Who is 'us?'"

Charlus exhaled. "Me and any future children I have."

"Ok, but what's wrong with Cepheus…in your opinion?"

"He doesn't want me. Us."

Harry frowned. "And if he just wanted you?"

"By 'us' I mean 'Potter.' The name itself."

Harry raised his face to the ceiling. "I think you answered my question…hold on. Alright. Ok. You want a big house? So what happens in twenty years when Cepheus sees me, Albert and… little Magnus – "

Charlus mouthed 'Magnus Potter.'

"Please. What happens when the three of us have multiple, large homes and a bunch of money and he has a nice sum from you and whatever he gets from Dorea?" Harry said. "Please, don't name that boy Magnus."

Charlus waved his hand. "Too late. It's on my list."

"Magnus Harredes Potter? Fine."

Charlus' eyes women's. "Har – what?"

"You heard me. Harrius, Harritius, and Harricus are also fine."

"They most certainly are not."

Harry scoffed. "But Charlus is an acceptable name?"

"No, it isn't, but that doesn't mean we should go further downhill," Charlus declared. "Merlin, be with your children."

Harry shrugged. "There's nothing wrong with Egbert, Athelstan, Catherine, and Emma."

Charlus laughed. "Egbert and Athelstan?" He shook his head as he laughed harder. "Merlin, help me."

"What's so funny?"

"You dug deep into family history for those names. Let me guess, let me guess, let me guess. Alfred is your third son and what Elysande is your third daughter?"

Harry sniffed. "Victoria, actually."

"She's gonna stick out like a sore thumb." He laughed some more with tears in his eyes. "Athelstan. Ha!" After a couple minutes, he wiped his face. "Whew. Merlin, that was funny."

Harry scowled at him. "I don't think so."

Charlus snorted. "Whew. Alright, you asked me a question." He sighed. "I have a lot of money, so the little money Cepheus will get from me will be a lot. He will also get a few of the homes and some muggle investments I have. He won't be poor in money or places to live. What he has just won't be as grand as what you, Albert, and…Darius have."

Harry frowned. "Not bad. Cadmus is also acceptable. Janus if you want to get symbolic."

Charlus paused then just waved his hand. "I've spoken to Cepheus. He's old enough to understand what I said to him. He's old enough to say he wants to spend time with me. He does not. There's nothing I can do. And Alexandra wants Thanos to continue as well."

"Is that an old family?"

"Yes, and wealthy. I've seen her homes and her vaults," Charlus said.

Harry tilted his head. "Thanos. What does that mean?"

"Why the hell would I know what the name means?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Where does Black come from?"

"Corvus the Black-Hearted." Charlus rolled his eyes. "Fair point." He exhaled. "You do not have little understanding of grace and mercy. At least for your age-mates."

Harry shrugged as he passively wondered why people thought he lacked grace and mercy. "I'm not giving those old men – Sterling included – grace."

Charlus raised his eyebrows. "Sterling? You hold Sterling in contempt?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I think so." Harry squared his jaw. "Yes. I'm not allowed in his house either, so he can go to hell, too."

Charlus sighed.

"So you plan to buy your own big house?"

Charlus nodded. "You're welcomed in it."

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "What if you could get Dawn Park back? Does that change your mind?"

Charlus hesitated. "If that was a possibility – "

"The key is in my bag. Dumbledore and I made a deal."

Charlus opened his mouth then closed it. After a shake of his head, he asked, "What would possess you to make a deal with Albus Dumbledore?"

"I think Riddle is a nut and I know Grindelwald is one."

"That…only partially answered my question."

Harry shrugged. "Riddle asked me to bring him the East and Barty's head. I said Dumbledore instead. With the help of the seer Barty – and everyone else – met years ago, I chose Dumbledore." He stretched. "I guess we're discussing the future today."

Charlus hesitated, but decided to go with, "You met a seer? All the tosh about your destinies being entwined wasn't a bunch of bullshit?"

Harry shook his head. "She spoke to my mother, Sirius, Mrs. Bagshot, and Miss Jones, too."

"Nothing for me?"

"Why would she talk to you?"

Charlus looked him up and down.

"The goal was to get me to meet Grindelwald and there were two ways to do it: at Bathilda's house or in a room full of government officials. You wouldn't have put me in Bathilda's house or stayed in Godric's Hollow long enough. You also weren't really speaking to Barty."

Charlus closed his eyes. "Why was that the goal?"

"Balance – oh! Hold on. I have a question – Dumbledore would avoid me always. Riddle wouldn't care about me unless I threatened his position or got close enough to Grindelwald. Err…what does 'Lord Voldemort' mean to you?"

Charlus opened his eyes. "I've heard that before…they used to call Riddle that. His cock suckers. Why do you know that?"

So Harry explained to him how he knew it.

"Why did Dumbledore think of it?"

"I forgot to ask." When Charlus raised his eyebrows, Harry said, "We were talking about a lot." He snapped his fingers. "I've had Sport go through everyone's homes, but I think you need to add human touch. Dumbledore thinks I met Riddle long before I got to Durmstrang."

Harry proceeded to tell him about the dreams, the red eyes, and Dumbledore's conclusion. He hadn't meant to do it that day, but it all came out.

Charlus rubbed his forehead. "That seer is a liability. You are a liability. We're about to be at war and an eleven year old will be leading us into battle." He looked at Harry. "Red. Eyes? And a snake face? What the hell does that mean?"

Harry shrugged. "He's good at transfiguration, right? I guess that's how he really looks."

"He's excellent at transfiguration. And everything else." Charlus took a deep breath. "Grindelwald verse Riddle verse Dumbledore and Potter. Merlin, help us. 'Potter' is eleven."

Harry sniffed. "You can have a go."

"No, thank you." Charlus touched his forehead. "I'm not supposed to say that. I'm supposed to say the opposite."

Harry nodded. "Terrible parenting. Besides, I'm about to be twelve."

Charlus gnashed his teeth.

"What?"

"We need to tell…you went to Dumbledore before you came to me and Henry."

Harry perked up. "I made a decision without my fathers." He deflated. "Dumbledore counts as a mentor, I guess." He snapped his fingers. "Oh well."

"What the hell are you rambling about?"

Harry shook his head. "Nothing. What's it matter that I went to Dumbledore first? He's…"

He trailed off as he considered the best way to phrase what needed to be said.

Charlus sighed. "The best person to help you. Bartemius is second. Henry and I will have to accept that." He took a deep breath. "I'll relay to Henry what you told me…anything else?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah."

He told him about Andrei Vulchanov and the Grindelwalds' reaction to all of it. He told him of his conversation with Morozov earlier in the year. He even mentioned what Dumbledore had said about Morozov and Erling.

"Marrying for victory," Charlus said. He took a deep breath. "You might have to do that, but…I need you to do me a favor."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Don't do what the rest of us did. Even Fleamont," Charlus said. "It took Euphemia well over a century to accept the family she married in to. Marry someone – and associate with people – who will respect your name."

Harry stretched his legs. "So what are you going to do?"

"I've been given the impression Alexandra respects the name."

Harry sighed. "I meant about the house. I don't know if I can furnish one huge house. Definitely not three."

"Three?"

Harry nodded. "I have the keys to three kingdoms. Four actually."

"The houses aren't destroyed," Charlus said. "At least, I don't believe so. They might need to be updated and redecorated, however. We might also need to check the foundations." He shook his head. "I'd been mulling over what to do for six months and you undid all my plans in a half hour."

Harry shrugged. "So you're not going to buy a house?"

"I think I will, but something smaller or in a different location to what I intended."

Harry tilted his head. "Why?"

"Because…I think it's important to finally carve out a lane for Quintinus. We're several centuries late, but it's never too late, I suppose."

"So why stay in England?"

Charlus looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know where I'm going with this." He shook his head. "Yes, I do. How old is Thanos? I mean the name."

Charlus shook his head. "It's very old is all I can tell you."

"Thanos. Thanos. Thanos. Did Morozov seek her out specifically? He went to the Greek games that year just to meet her?"

"I…yes. Where are you going with this?"

Harry tapped his leg. "He came to the Greek games for her. He planned for her to be someone different, but – what – Winter convinced her to be an Acolyte? I wonder what he had planned for her eventually. Was she supposed to be a daughter-in-law or…an ally in the Mediterranean? That would mean he's no friend of Vulchanov. But why her? Why would he care about an orphaned girl just because her last name is old? Thanos. What does it mean exactly?"

"Would you like me to call and ask? You're rather dogged about this."

"No. It would be better to ask and answer when we're face to face." Still he said, "Thanos is either from Thanatos, the personification of Death, or Athanosios, which means immortality. Either way, it's connected to Death, which would be clever for the descendants of Herpo the Foul, right? Still waiting on the explanation for what he did exactly to become immortal, by the way."

Charlus stared at him.

"I wonder if Grindelwald knows." Harry rubbed his jaw. "I think Quintinus should be in their own country if identity is what you're searching for. You already have something started in the Mediterranean. I have no one there also. Neither does Morozov. Go make some friends for us."

"We'd be alone down there, Harry, but…" Charlus touched his forehead. "I hate you, boy. Why did you do this?"

Harry laughed. "You can go down there and…buy a farm. Ooh, start a wine business. Or go into coffee." He perked up. "The beverage business. Call it 'Potter Drinks.' You know, Potter Drinks, but also Potter Drinks."

Charlus laughed in his face.

Harry got up early the next morning. He meditated then showered and ate all before the sun rose. As it did, he exited Birchley House and walked outside the gates. He then fingered a lavender bracelet.

"Phoenix."

A few second later, Harry landed on the doorstep of a cottage. He looked up to the see grassy mountains in front of him and other cottages behind him.

He raised a balled fist, but the door opened before he could knock.

"Good morning, Harry," Dumbledore greeted.

"Headmaster."

Dumbledore stepped aside and Harry entered a cozy living room. There were soft-looking purple chairs and lilac walls.

"Where is this?"

"Hogsmeade," Dumbledore informed him. "I'm in the process of fixing it up so that it may be some sort of safe house for you."

Harry looked around. "That sounds alright."

"It's secure and there are only two people in on the secret. I hope to keep it that way."

He raised his eyebrows at Harry, who nodded. "Fine. Not like I can tell."

"If I die – "

"If you're dead before the right time, I'm…out of luck anyway."

Dumbledore led Harry further into the living room as he said, "Have faith in yourself."

"No." When Dumbledore looked at him, Harry said, "I will not be delusional."

Dumbledore stopped then turned around completely. "Are you afraid?"

"I don't know. Are you?"

"Yes, I'm afraid for many reasons. You know there's nothing wrong with fear."

Amused, Harry said, "I guess I'll know when I actually feel it."

"You believe you've never been afraid before?"

"I know I haven't. Not anything that matters really. I mean there's the dreams, but I don't know…real fear, I guess. There's always been someone there to help me."'

Dumbledore placed his hands behind his back. "You weren't afraid the first time you found yourself alone with Gellert?"

"No," Harry said. "I knew I wasn't going to die. Now, though…"

"Death scares you?"

Harry shrugged. "You're asking a lot of hard questions I've never thought about."

"Now you know how others feel when they're subjected to your scrutiny."

Harry grinned.

Dumbledore waved his wand. The coffee table moved over to the corner then he took a seat on the floor.

Harry eyed him dubiously. "You want me to sit on the floor?"

"Have you never sat on the floor before?"

Harry raised his chin. "It's undignified to wallow on the ground."

"You're eleven. Not the old, wealthy woman who told you that."

Harry sniffed. "Raise a child right…"

"Can you sit down, please?"

Harry sighed. "Forgive me, Grandmother," he said as he sat down.

He was surprised to find the floor was comfortable. Soft like a cloud.

"Today, Harry, we will begin our study of the mind. You have heard of occlumency and legilimency, yes? What's the difference between them?"

"Occlumency is protecting your mind and legilimency is invading another."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "Excellent. For the moment you and I will focus on occlumency. It's most imperative for your survival. You will never be able to keep Tom, Gellert, and Henry should they wish to be in it. However, there are a number of ways to protect your mind from the average individual and prevent the most skilled from seeing what they want to see."

Harry furrowed his brow.

"Allow me to finish then we will see if your question is still unanswered."

Harry nodded.

"You cannot prevent anyone from entering your mind with your mind. By that I mean, you cannot a erect a shield within the depths of your mind to protect your thoughts. Henry, Gellert, Tom, and I are simply skilled enough to defeat you physically, so that we can enter your mind. What have you learned?"

"I can stop an occlumency attack with the Shield Charm, which duh, but I wouldn't know I was being under such an attack before I was under it."

Dumbledore nodded. "Correct, but consider other attacks on the mind. Can any of those be removed or defended against after the victim is under attack?"

"Yes, but the Imperius Curse isn't thrown off with a shield."

"No, indeed."

Harry frowned at Dumbledore. "What are you trying to get me to understand?"

"What you already know. How does one remove the Imperius Curse? Make your best guess."

Completely lost, Harry said, "By strength of mind; determination and all that good stuff, but what does that…oh. So you're saying – you remain fully aware while your under attack?"

"Yes. The average person may not understand why they're memories buried or long forgotten – and even the not so average may be slow on the uptake – but many learned individuals will understand."

"Oh! You see the memories, too. Ok. I understand. I'm fully aware of my surroundings; I wouldn't be dazed, confused, or knocked out, so if I realize what's happening, I can cast a Shield Charm and…the spell would rebound? Ok, so I get what you mean now by defeat me, too."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Excellent. We will practice that. Not for long as the only way you can get better at the Shield Charm is with time. Before we begin, however, we must be discuss one more thing. Now, you have a great understanding of what puts a mind at its best, yes? And a 'best' mind is difficult to navigate. How do you think I can make the mind a little worse?"

"Make it foggy? Would that make it harder for the attacker?"

Amused, Dumbledore said, "Yes. You don't want the victim to be dazed and confused as that would hinder your ability to find what you're looking for. "

"Ok, so…oh! Emotion. Err – I guess you'd use the emotion that would best fit the memory you're trying to find?"

Dumbledore looked pleased. "I'm looking forward to when we can discuss other topics. You are correct in your assessment. I would use emotion and that's what we will practice for the foreseeable future. Navigating your emotions and recognizing when the emotion isn't your own. Because while the Shield Charm is suitable against the average wand, your mind must withstand the very best.

"Hold on. Err – how would I do that?"

"That is what you'll figure out, isn't it?" Dumbledore then pulled out his wand. "Chop chop."

Harry sighed and reached for his wand.

Before he could do much more than that, Dumbledore said, "Legilimens."

Over the next two hours, Harry's mind was sort of beaten up. Dumbledore was, of course, a master of control, so he routinely alternated between subtle and aggressive. At times, he would sit in Harry's mind and do a rollercoaster of force. Harry had never felt so…small; underage; novice-like.

"Your mind is a wonderland," Dumbledore said when they finished.

Harry touched his forehead. He had just downed a Headache Cure Potion, but the pounding in his head had not yet subsided. "Thank you."

"Your thoughts are rapid and ever changing. Questions and comments just float in and out. They're difficult to latch on to, but the quick way you draw conclusions makes you a mark."

Harry nodded.

"You also have…a strong sense of character," Dumbledore continued. "I suppose that's the best way to phrase it. A mental toughness I didn't expect and wouldn't have believed had I not seen it for myself."

Harry looked at him at last. "What's that mean?"

"I suppose…I'm biased against a certain upbringing."

Harry snorted. "Wealthy or pureblood?"

"The combination actually."

Harry sat back and raised his eyebrows. "And what does this mean when we direct your thoughts to Grindelwald specifically?"

"It means that I understand he's easy to anger and that I've had to reckon with the fact that his anger has caused me problems for almost a century," Dumbledore said. "That I have had to deal with the consequences of that anger for almost a century and that his quickness to the emotion stems from childhood."

Harry licked his lips. "Being angry all the time isn't just a sign of being spoiled. Maybe that was the only way he could get his father's attention."

Dumbledore started and snapped his face towards Harry. Harry, himself, was surprised by the amount of surprise on Dumbledore's face.

"What?" Harry said.

"Henry has told you Gellert's life story."

Harry shook his head. "Only a little bit. He just mentioned his father. He was comparing and contrasting me to you. You as in the three of you."

"Why?"

"Err…oh. He was saying that Grindelwald didn't take time to see the differences. Fleamont doesn't want me, but he doesn't get that other people do, so denying me a choice was a mistake."

Dumbledore nodded. "You and I will begin our study Gellert – and Tom – in the coming days. You will see and analyze them for yourself."

"Alright."

"That's all for today."

Harry got to his feet. "See you tomorrow – wait! Why did you think of Lord Voldemort recently? Before I mentioned him."

"Ah, a strange thing happened over the Christmas holiday," Dumbledore said.

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Boris Sokolov was a former – or retired – Acolyte. He was a Ritter and served in Kaiser's original guard. We discovered he was dead over the holiday. What was peculiar was the note in his hand. There was nothing on the parchment save for a glowing, green skull with a serpent slithering from its mouth," Dumbledore said.

Harry frowned. "Why did that make you think of Lord Voldemort?"

"Because I once saw a drawing done by Miss Lucretia Black. It was a doodle of the words 'Lord Voldemort.' The letters were calligraphy and in a vibrant, emerald green. The O's were skulls and the L's curled at the bottom into a serpent. The connection is thin, but, in my mind, it's there."

Harry couldn't help but smile. "I understand."

"Yes, someone so dogged about Igor Karkaroff cannot help but to."

Now Harry grinned, but after a moment it slipped away. "How could Sokolov have helped Riddle?"

"Very few have intimate knowledge of Gellert's habits, associates, and locations. The Old Guard does. Riddle has access to one, but to question then kill Maxim would be to show his hand. Sokolov had become a hermit. I believe it took us months to know he was gone," Dumbledore said.

"So he's already on the move."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "Yes, and you will accelerate the movement."

"Is that an order?"

"Yes and no. It's an assessment of the situation, but, also, yes, your goal is to weaken the East."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "What are you doing?"

Now it was Dumbledore who smiled. "I'm using Tom to do my dirty work."

"Which one?"

"Zoltan is a wildcard and a fool, who, in his attempts to prove himself, will only hinder you."

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "What happens to Egil?"

"Amazing," Dumbledore said. "Every time I think I understand you, you prove me incorrect. I intend to make provisions for Egil to be saved and assisted if that's possible, but your life and success are my first and second priority."

Harry nodded. "Fine."

"And Harry?"

"Yes?"

Dumbledore looked him in his eye. "No Grindelwald appreciated the display during the dueling tournament. That, coupled with the behavior of Eastern statesmen and Acolytes, spurred Gellert to, at last, take Egil under his wing," Dumbledore said. "Maxim was correct. Egil will come back to Durmstrang more talented and more focused."

Harry nodded. "Fine. I have a few books on jinxes I need to get through anyway."

"Jinxes?"

"I'm taking each sub-branch step by step."

Dumbledore inclined his head. "Very well, Harry. Until tomorrow."

Harry stepped back outside. He touched the bracelet again. "Stag."

He landed just inside the gates of Birchley House. He made his way inside quickly. Having begged off any food at the cottage, he was starving.

As he walked upstairs, he called, "Sport!"

Henry called, "Harry."

He turned around as Sport appeared. "Can you bring me some lunch?" he asked the house-elf. To Henry, he said, "Yes?"

"Come in here."

Harry followed him into the living room. He found James, Charlus, Albert, and Alexandra inside.

"Interesting group," Harry said. "Good afternoon everyone." He plopped down on the sofa. "How is your day going?"

James leaned forward. "Where have you been all morning?"

"I needed to see a man about a snake," Harry said.

James huffed and looked to Henry for help. Henry just shook his head.

"I don't know what the hell he's talking about, James."

Harry ignored them as he sat up to point at Alexandra. "I need to ask you a question."

"The answer is yes," Charlus said.

Harry grinned. "We need to have a conversation then," he told her.

"Harry," Henry called.

Harry turned to him.

"Where did you go this morning?" Henry asked. "And why didn't you say anything before you left?"

Harry frowned. "Because I left just after dawn. Err – I went to…" He licked his lips and stared at Charlus. "I went to talk to the phoenix about the snake in my head."

After a moment, Charlus said, "Oh. Alright, when do you go back?"

"Every weekday morning until school starts."

"Ok. We can work with that. We'll just have to make use of the methods we used before."

James got to his feet. "Is there a reason you're speaking in code?"

"Yes," Charlus said. "You're here and we live in too dangerous times to speak plainly before open minds."

Henry and Alexandra stared at Charlus.

"Harry's mind isn't open?" James asked.

"No, and if I understand him correctly he'll have the second most protected mind in this room by the end of his holiday," Charlus said. "And he will only be outdone because of age."

Harry inclined his head. "Thank you for your faith." He stretched as a bacon burger with chips and a strawberry milkshake appeared in front of him. "Fantastic. So what's going on in here?"

"James came by to have a conversation and brought Albert with him. Charlus wanted to have a conversation with me and I wanted to know where the hell you've been all morning. And possibly all night," Henry said

Harry peered at Henry over his glasses. "That's a little dramatic."

The room fell into an awkward silence. Harry turned back to his food to eat while the adults sorted themselves out.

"So how was school, Harry?" Alexandra asked.

Harry grinned at her. "A neutral topic in theory, but a hot one in this house…at the moment."

Charlus curled his lip at Harry.

"It was fine. Fun actually. I enjoyed myself surprisingly."

"You didn't expect to enjoy yourself?" James asked. "Why did you lie and go at all them?"

Amused, Harry asked, "Do you know who this is?" he said with a thumb towards Alexandra.

"No."

"Do you understand what the armband means?" When James just blinked at him, Harry said, "Why do you think she's in here?"

Harry turned back to his food as James turned his attention to Alexandra.

After a moment, James said, "Ew."

Harry snorted then almost choked on his food.

"Fuck you," Charlus said. "That's the second person in two days."

Harry nodded then he slipped his wand into his hand. "Protego."

"Are you expecting an attack?" Henry asked.

As Harry pulled his mirror out of his pocket his said, "Yes."

He then dialed a number.

"Afternoon, Godson. How are you?" Sirius said.

"Harry, I swear – "

Harry grinned at Charlus.

"What's his problem?" Sirius said. "It's too early in the day to be bitchin'."

"You remember that teacher from Alexandria? The one you begged me to introduce you to? Alexandra Thanos? Well, she and Uncle Charlie – "

The mirror flew away from him.

"Are dating!" Harry shouted after it.

"What?!"

Charlus snatched the mirror out of the air then ended the call.

"That was rude," Harry informed him, "but I think he got the message."

"You're going to suffer for that," Charlus informed. "I don't know how or when, but I know that you will."

Harry stretched. "Fine."

"And why the hell was that so difficult to remove?" Charlus asked Henry.

Henry shrugged. "I imagine because Professor Morozov perfected what Harry and I started last summer. Or Harry did it on his own."

Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Charlus had some difficulty removing the Shield Charm," Henry explained.

Harry nodded. "Excellent." To Charlus, he said, "Can you – " He shook his head. "No, I burned that bridge." He looked at an unhappy Alexandra then, again, shook his head. Harry turned to Henry then looked back and forth between him and James. "I don't have any friends in this room. Shameful how you're treating a little boy."

Henry sighed. "What do you want?"

"Someone to teach me how to duel better," Harry said

Charlus leaned forward. "I'm available as well as willing and able to help you. Let me. Please."

"No," Harry said. "I won't be launched across a beach." He turned to an amused Henry. "I…I made – I embarrassed Egil in the school tourney and no one is happy about it. I was told Egil is now being taught by his grandfather personally."

Henry nodded. "You should've led with that."

Harry blew a raspberry at Charlus. "This is a serious matter."