Chapter 47: Memories

July 5, 1944

Sunday Evening

Instinctively, Harry reached for his wand. It was the only thing that made sense to him at that moment in time, as everything else he'd learned and knew was pushed to the back of his mind. It didn't matter to him that she'd known all along, it didn't matter that her wand was kept at her side, and the woman across the room from them?

She didn't matter either.

All that mattered was that Harry had his wand trained on Elaine after those few words were whispered to him. For him, they may as well have been yelled. Such was the reaction he had to hearing his real name for the first time in nearly a year.

"Relax," Elaine said calmly despite the wand levelling at her chest. "I'm sure you're very curious about how I knew and much, much more."

"You've known since our first meeting when you looked into my mind," Harry said with a shake of his head. "That's why she's here, to help you with whatever it is that you've planned - don't deny it, you wouldn't have rushed me here unless you had a reason to finally reveal your knowledge."

Elaine tutted at him and slowly, carefully, placed her wand on the couch behind them. She was treating him as if he were a wild animal based on the level of caution she'd moved with, and that annoyed him further.

"Leave us," Elaine said to the woman who immediately did as she was bidden. "May we talk without your wand pressed into my chest?"

Her lax demeanour and polite question threw him off.

She spoke again, an annoyed undertone in her voice. "If I meant you harm, do you not think I would've done it in nearly the year we've known one another, Harry?"

Harry took a half dozen steps away from her and only then did he lower his wand to his side. He wouldn't put it away. "Your plans, say them," he said shortly, his nerves threatening to make his body quake.

Elaine took a seat atop the coffee table, putting her a good distance from her wand. "You were right, I knew of your identity along with your ability as a seer since first we met in Malfoy's home. Much was seen then, but thanks to your mind and the… different occlumency barriers within, a great deal of it was jumbled to the point of incoherence," Elaine sighed and started tapping on one of her thighs. "I know you see the future and I know that you're a Potter, what eludes me is your relation to the Peverells as well as visions of you wearing the colours of Gryffindor. Those within your visions escape my knowledge too, as many I have only seen relatives of them unless they are of a future where your physical appearance is much the same as it currently is… I suppose the Hallows could explain that."

When she finally seemed finished, Harry was left wondering if she'd connected every dot yet. Had she already concluded where he was from and what he had seen? Was there the chance that she knew of whom his Dark Lord was?

"You doubt me," Elaine said, her face looking searchingly at him. "Would it help if I allowed you to see the knowledge I possess of you first hand?"

"How would you do that?" Harry asked, his suspicion peaked.

"I would direct you to my memories and thoughts that pertain to you," Elaine replied, her small smile back on her face.

Harry shook his head. "Those can be faked," he said. "Memories, thoughts, they can be faked by somebody as talented as you."

"Are we at an impasse then? Is there nothing I could say or do for you to think I remain unopposed towards you?" Elaine stood up from her seat atop the coffee table and took a step towards him. "Our wands cannot decide a victor, and we both know neither of us is too experienced in wandless magic, Harry - that is, assuming either of us would fight in the first place. You forget that you've changed as you've been around me, and the same could be said for me. We aren't enemies or rivals, our minds are connected, our wands are connected, our very existences are connected. I saw it."

"Where'd you see it?" Harry asked challengingly as a memory hit him.

It was one that came from his fourth year when he'd duelled Voldemort in the graveyard; their wands forced them into a battle of wills or what felt like it, and when that was over, nothing happened to either of them. Elaine knew it too, likely from the moment she'd held his wand and he hers.

Elaine smiled toothily at him. "You're an advanced enough seer to speak with those beyond our reach, that cloaked woman who spoke words that were nearly all garbled in a space not of this earth but of the mind tells me as much. She mentioned me to you, is that not enough? What of your ambitions to throw down Grindelwald and make the wizarding world better? Together, we can accomplish all that you wish and quell any strife before even one death happens."

Harry knew of the cloaked figure she spoke of; it was the being that'd sent him back. Why the words would be garbled confused him as much as Elaine having seen them in the first place did - if he couldn't recall them, how had she seen them? Moreover, aside from the one occurrence early on in the year, why had the being told him nothing more?

Merlin, he had so many questions for that bird.

Elaine seemed to take his silence as something negative, her more erratic speaking and the way she wrung her hands conveyed that even to somebody as dense as him. "What would it take for you to trust me?" She asked, her eyes darting around as she began to lose her calm. "Have I not allowed you to take some of my closest followers to your side? What of our time in the Chamber or Walburga's book? I should think that my knowledge of you being kept to myself would be another point in my favour."

Trust her, Harry thought, Why should he trust her completely? Did she even trust him as much as she wanted him to trust her?

"The room," Harry said, disregarding every point she raised. "Tell me truly, what's in the room and why are you so secretive about it?"

"Should I show you it, I would need assurance from you that no words would be shared regarding its contents. Much of it has taken me years to obtain, and most recently over the summer, nearly a month for one key piece of it," Elaine said, speaking slowly and taking another few cautious steps towards him.

There were barely three feet between them now.

Harry didn't particularly like that, but coming down from that nervous high, he had to credit a few of her points; she could have acted against him over the course of the year if she so wished, not to mention he hadn't been all that subtle those first few months. Really, he wasn't cut out for intrigue - he had the mind and instincts of a field Auror, not a cut-throat politician.

"I won't say a word so long as you're not torturing muggles or doing something as bad as that," Harry said to her, his wand still at his side and hers still on that couch behind her. "You know, you never said what your plan was."

Elaine nodded initially at his words, but when he brought up her plan, she simply held out her arms. "My plan was to get you here and speak with you regarding your lineage as well as that figure. From what I've seen, you're as curious about the latter as I am and the former can come after I've regained a piece of your trust."

"You lead the way then," Harry said as he stepped aside for Elaine to go first; he would take her wand, the other woman's, and follow behind her. "What about your trust in me?" He tacked on as the two began their walk

"My trust in you remains high as it's been for months, for we each know much and more about one another that would see us ostracized from society," Elaine looked over her shoulder at him. "Do you think many would trust or hold you in good favour outside of Slytherin if word were to get out that you could speak Parseltongue? What about your true lineage or the fact that you know the location of the Chamber? I suppose your abilities as a seer would be much valued by those who put stock into them, though that wouldn't be without its own set of issues."

"What abou-" Harry was cut off by Elaine.

"I would be equally as hindered if you were to open up to the public with what you know of me. We'd go down together as Parselmouths and for knowing the location of the Chamber, I'm sure there'd be rumours of us doing rituals or dark magic therein too. Beyond that, my lineage of the Gaunts and my personality, my true personality as you've seen, would likely present issues too," Elaine shook her head with a smile, one that looked as sweet as it did insane. "Don't you see how that's but another host of reasons we're meant to be?"

Following that question, Elaine turned her head forward again and continued their small journey to her secret room in silence.

Her doing so left Harry to his thoughts, and chief amongst them was her current mental state. She didn't present too great a threat, he thought. Not with her wand in his possession in addition to his own and the other woman who'd buggered off to Merlin knows here. He didn't think she'd have a knife or something sharp to hurt him with either. Beyond that, she'd raised a good point about their wands, as well as their inexperience with wandless magic. Perhaps he was paranoid, especially considering she only had on a dress that showed off her lower thighs and upper arms, but he could never be too careful with Elaine, of all people.

Elaine didn't raise an issue with him making her lead when he'd said it, and the two of them were off back in the direction of that secret room of hers in silence after their short conversation. Harry would be lying if he said he wasn't curious about it, more than that, he had a sense of nervousness too. Elaine had shared much with him, nearly everything, so why had she tried keeping that room so off-limits from him?

Her plan still didn't make much sense to him either. Why reveal what she had if there was nought but a conversation as her end goal?

Ah well, he'd soon find out why the secretive girl had hidden it from him. Until then and even after, he would have to maintain his guard around her. She was good with words, very good, but he wouldn't be caught with his pants down should she try to strike at him.

"You've changed," Elaine said when the pair of them had come to a halt right outside her closed door. "When first we met, you were naive, but you're craftier now. Your caution was maddening too, at one point I thought you were playing hard to get in the hopes of having me at your beck and call should I cave into asking you out," She shook her head fondly then. "I realised eventually you were horribly innocent and naive, at least regarding confrontations or games of the mind. Do promise me you'll avoid the circles you went through last year in our upcoming one… I have it on good authority there'll be larger issues than worrying over me or others at Hogwarts in the coming days."

Harry didn't know what that was supposed to mean, and he didn't have the chance to question her words before the door was opened, revealing… another door. This one was heavier still and looked more akin to a vault door rather than something you'd find in a home. It wasn't only the door that matched that description either, as the wall that it had been attached to looked just as heavily fortified.

"This room must be awfully important to you if you have it behind two locked doors," Harry commented; he didn't feel the need to point out the concrete walls in addition to the doors.

"It's the second most important piece of my life," Elaine said back to him as she moved to the second door, leaving the first most important piece of her life to his imagination.

He was left wondering what it was for quite some time too, thanks to how long the door took to open. It was only until she whipped open the door and marched inside that he was shaken from his half-arsed thinking as he moved to follow her. He did so very quickly too, as the last thing he wanted was her out of his line of sight or locking him between the two doors through some trick.

Now finally inside the mysterious room, Harry took in its interior, and there was a myriad of things he could take note of; the cauldrons, potions, books, jarred ingredients and, a man.

Whoever the man was, he looked well fed and dressed and not the least bit tortured despite his captivity. Upon closer inspection, he even looked similar t-

"Elaine," The unknown man said excitedly, his arms outstretched from his seat and a childlike expression of joy on his face.

Elaine smiled and walked over to the man, granting him a short-lasting hug but one that had the same genuine look about her whenever she came across Harry. "Hello father," she said, "How're you faring today?"

"Wonderful now that my favourite daughter's home," He said with what seemed to be a sincere smile on his face… until he took notice of Harry, then it turned sour. "Would this be the boy you speak of in those weekly missives or meetings we have?"

Surprisingly, Elaine's cheeks took on a red hue as she nodded to her father - Harry was still in too much shock at what he was seeing to register anything more than her blush. Tom had spoken so poorly of his father when he'd had Harry on his bones, so to see Elaine speaking with the man was nothing short of jarring.

Harry had thought he'd seen nearly everything he could from Elaine, but her lack of stability had never been quite so clear as it was in that moment.

"It is. His name is Harry Peverell, he's the last of his family and a wonderful young man," Elaine turned to look at him, her eyes crazy and her face cutesie. "We'll be married before too long, father. Would you grant him your blessing for me?"

"Marriage for two so young?" Her father questioned, his gaze stoic and intimidating despite the fact that he remained sitting.

"Yes father, it's what I want, " Elaine said, her last word said with force enough that the man's attention went back to her, and as predicted, a smile came back to his face.

"Ah, well," He said with a happy look at his daughter, one that had him slowly swaying as if there were music playing. "I grant him my blessing for marriage if it makes you happy, my sweet. Anything for you."

With that, the two of them turned to look at Harry.

He was left thinking one thing.

Merlin… today was certainly a day of days.

July 12, 1944

Sunday Morning

One week, that's how long had passed since it came out that Elaine knew his real name; it's also how long had passed since he'd finally learned the truth of what was behind that secret door of hers too. He couldn't believe her father was on good terms with her unless magic was involved, and even when she'd denied it, he knew better.

There was simply no way that her father would be so fine, Muggle as he was, with staying holed up in a room all day. Not only that, but the man seemed too happy in every little thing he said or did too… nobody was like that. Magic was involved, how heavily, Harry didn't know, but that didn't matter to him. All that mattered was what her father represented, a warning. If she could do it to her own father, she could just as easily enchant Harry's mind.

Merlin, he still didn't know what the exact purpose the visit to her home served.

Sure, she revealed that she knew a bit more than she'd let on and at the same time, told him that she'd seen other thoughts too with persons unknown. Elaine hadn't recognised some of them, which was as good as it was bad, but more importantly, she hadn't deduced he was a time traveller through no fault of his own - he was surprised to hear that she'd seen the being, a woman apparently, that'd sent him back in his memories though.

Harry remembered nothing of her or the conversation they'd seemingly had. Why Elaine had been able to decipher her name and not anything else seemed a case of intervention, well, if she were telling the truth. He didn't mean about Elaine seeing the being either, else how would she know of it? What Harry meant was her name coming from the woman's mouth, which could very well be fabricated.

Harry sighed and rubbed at his head.

Elaine had her father, ancient-looking books, cauldrons, ritual ingredients and more hidden away in that room. She knew more about his life than he would've liked her too, and with all of that, she promised he could trust her.

He didn't- he couldn't. But short of mind-magic or murder, what could he do to ensure her silence? Harry wasn't foolish enough to think Dumbledore's warning about time travel wasn't warranted, he only hoped he didn't find out the hard way why that was.

"Laddey," Harry said, the small elf having been standing silently whilst waiting for an order. "Could you make sure everything important, too small or illegal is tucked away? There's a possibility of us having guests tonight and I'd rather not find myself on my back foot."

Laddey nodded, looking eager for the promised guests. "Yes Harry sir, Laddey can do that!"

With that, the small overly-energetic elf was off and Harry began his walk to the Floo.

His visit with Elaine had left him worried for nearly three days following his departure, but he'd seen nor heard anything incriminating from her. It helped, he thought, that he knew quite a bit about her that was illegal. He had the advantage when it came to his home too, considering nobody knew exactly where it was.

Again, he shook his head. There was no point worrying about what had already happened, and soon enough, his stress would be erased thanks to his destination for the day in tandem with his visit yesterday; Reinhard had made good on his promise to host Harry, and Harry would do the same in his promise to visit Sarah at her family's restaurant.

He hadn't told her that, of course, as he wanted to surprise his friend and catch her when he was finally - hopefully - unprepared, for a change. Corene was impossible to catch off-balance, Sarah had seemed that way too, but he figured he'd give it a shot.

"Diagon Alley," Harry said, and with the throw of some powder, he was whisked away from his home.

Familiar, but not, was the thought that raced through Harry's mind as he walked down the long centre-road of Diagon Alley.

Many of the shops, a great deal more than he would've thought now that he had the time to look around without a sense of urgency, were different than they were in his time. Few still existed fifty years in the future, and fewer still were occupied rather than empty outlets that had boards or bricks covering them.

He assumed at the time that there wasn't a high enough demand for goods and services, at least not in comparison to the Muggle world. When he saw how bustling the streets, shops and Hogsmeade was now, however? Well, it was very easy to see that the two wars had taken a toll on the wizarding world. If it hadn't been noticeable in Hogwarts with the dozens and dozens of more students, it was very noticeable in the sheer number of people he could see.

"Hey, you're Harry Peverell, aren't you?" Somebody asked, stopping mid-stride.

Foolishly, Harry had been standing outside a shop of unknown goods so that he could look around. He should've known better with how often he was recognised in the future, the sense of wonder had simply overtaken him.

"I am," Harry said, and with a smile, he began walking towards where he remembered Sarah's shop was. "Sorry mate, I'm going to be late for a meeting if I don't hurry."

It was a lame excuse, Harry knew, but he couldn't allow himself to be swarmed by people who wanted to speak with him. Already, with that one person speaking, the call had gone up that the sole Peverell was in Diagon Alley and very near those people passing by.

Hurriedly, Harry made his way through various side streets and alleys until he was right outside the familiar shop where he'd first bumped into Slughorn. That meant that Sarah's restaurant wasn't all that far away, and so he moved again until he was standing right outside of it.

Immediately, he recognised one of the girls that were working as a waitress, and she recognised him too.

"Look who it is," Sammi exclaimed as she floated a tray filled with empty dishes alongside herself. "How've you been, Harry? Are you here for Sarah?"

Harry took a few steps closer to Sarah's younger sister so as to get off the street, and then he hugged the girl with one arm when she made the motion for him to do so.

"I've been great," He said, only half meaning it - Elaine the stress-causer was still very prevalent in his mind. "How about you? Has everything been going well for you and your family?"

Belatedly realising he hadn't answered her second question, he spoke again. "And yeah, I'm here to see Sarah for a bit. She told me to drop by and visit her, so here I am."

"Aww, that's really nice of you," Sammi said, smiling at him with the same dimples that Sarah had. "She's inside at the Hostess table, tell her I'll come in and take her shift since we're not that busy. Our family's been great too, thanks for asking."

Harry wanted to converse for a bit longer with Sammi, but she wouldn't have it. Instead, she placed her free hand on his back and all but shoved him through the front doors until he was staring directly at Sarah and she back at him.

"Harry," Sarah said after a few seconds delay, "I thought I told you to warn me when you'd come?"

He shrugged and smiled lopsidedly at her. "Surprise?"

Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Surprise?" She shot back at him as she stepped out from behind her pedestal. "I was going to surprise you with something I baked, now you're here and all I've made today were bake-goods for the shelf! You… you… you good but horrible friend!" Sarah stomped her foot for emphasis, but all that did was make Harry snicker.

Sammi too, considering she was standing behind him after she'd floated the tray to the countertop where it was taken by a house-elf into a backroom.

"Go on, grab a seat in the back, I'll take your shift from here, Sarah," Sammi said after she regained her composure. "Nope, don't even try telling me otherwise. Harry visited and you'll just have to accept the fact you're not working six days straight this week," Sammi finished by sticking her tongue out at her older sister.

Sarah huffed and puffed, but she gave way when her younger sister muscled her and Harry both down the aisle.

"She's gotten pushy since Hogwarts, huh?" Harry commented as the two of them made their way to their seats.

"You don't know the half of it," Sarah said with a roll of her eyes before she delved into another topic, one that she was much more excited to speak about. "When're you gonna come over? Tomorrow, the day after?"

"Whenever works… after tomorrow. I'm meeting with Professor Slughorn, but the day after or anytime really, I'm free," Harry answered.

Sarah's smile grew. "The day after tomorrow then, I'll tell my parents and my uncle. They're all looking forward to seeing you again."

"Same here, your family was incredibly nice. They gave me an amazing room too, I still think of the view and the breeze it had from time to time, especially considering how high up it was - felt like I was a Gryffindor," Harry's last comment came from his heart unthinkingly, but Sarah laughed, brushing it off.

"I'm glad you liked it so much, I'll make sure you get it again," Sarah winked at him. "If you stay for a few nights with us."

Harry scrunched up his face in thought. They had promised him access to the Goldhorn library, and he would have Sarah's parents to ask for tips rather than studying alone. If she meant it, he very well could end up staying a few days… maybe even a week.

"You said I could use the library, right?" He asked her.

Sarah nodded. "Yup! You can use the library - there'll be a few books my father doesn't allow but you'll have access to almost all of the other ones. I can help too, I'm sure my mother would answer whatever questions you have if I'm unable to."

"Deal," Harry said, sticking his hand across the table. "I'll visit for a few nights so long as it's alright with your parents and you don't get bored of me too quickly."

"Pfft, as if I'll get bored of you. What's more likely to happen is you getting fed up with my family," Sarah grabbed his hand after saying that, and then she shook it. "Deal!"

With that out of the way, Harry's stomach chose then to finally make itself known with one large growl.

"Hungry?" Sarah asked with a knowing, teasing look at him.

"You did promise there'd be food," Harry reminded her.

"I did, I did," Sarah agreed; she then motioned for her sister to come over to them. "Could you get Harry a special treat from the kitchen? Maybe a few of the things I baked too? He's hungry and I want him to eat our very best dishes."

Sammi rolled her eyes at Sarah and turned her attention to Harry. "Getting the special treatment already? You'll have to tell me when you're over our house again how you've gotten Sarah to like you so much, maybe I'll get to eat what she bakes before she says anybody's allowed to touch it."

Sarah didn't get a chance to retort before her sister was off.

Harry had to admit as he spent more and more time with the Goldhorn girls, they were very, very fun.

July 13, 1944

Monday Afternoon

"Ah, Harry my boy, welcome, welcome," Slughorn greeted, the large man stepping away to offer Harry more room in the cluttered floo area.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry replied as he took a couple of steps. "How've you been sir? Relaxing now that there's no classes to teach?"

Slughorn laughed and shook his head. "No, none of that - not much of it anyhow. I've been meeting with the Minister weekly, we're good friends you see, and in my spare time, I meet with other past students or peers of mine. Most recently, I hosted a small get together with those who I taught who made it large in the Quidditch field, my picture with them is just behind you," Slughorn motioned above the Floo and sure enough, there was a picture of the man with half a dozen younger people. "I will admit to the occasional relaxing evening filled with wine and catching up, speaking of which, please," Slughorn motioned for Harry to follow him after that final word, and Harry did.

Together, they walked through the various halls that made up the Slughorn home and passed a fair few doors; Slughorn's home wasn't as large as Harry's, it seemed a touch smaller than even Elaine's, but where it lacked size it more than made up for in comfort. The feeling was indescribable, but Slughorn's home had that feeling of warmth to it that larger homes lacked. Harry could best compare it to the Weasleys home, though he'd always say the Weasleys was his favourite place he'd ever resided at.

There was no competition there.

"Did you know that my father wanted to speak with you nearly as bad as I did?" Slughorn asked Harry as the pair took one final turn, a set of doors coming in view at the far end of the short hallway.

"No, sir," Harry answered.

He knew the man wanted to speak with him, but he didn't think it was with any sort of eagerness. At least, the letters didn't really seem to portray it.

"Neither did I until he told me as such only a few days ago! You must've made quite the impression on him, let me tell you. I haven't seen him as interested in a student of mine as he is in you in over a decade," Slughorn shook his head and let out a small laugh. "Nevermind that, he'll be over before too long and then you can speak with him, I imagine I'll find out then. In the meantime… tea and snacks, and good conversation."

Slughorn opened the door to the final room as he said that, and inside of said room was a plethora of snacks that Harry was free to enjoy. There were drinks that ranged from tea and ales to wines and a few Muggle beverages that Slughorn had been given; the man didn't drink them, he didn't trust or know enough about how they were made to do that, so he opted for his guest to have them.

When Harry had made a small plate and Slughorn had done the same only with a larger one, Harry found himself reclined by the fireplace as the man had it lit by a house-elf. Normally, he wasn't fond of the added heat in the height of summer, but with the cold-front that'd moved in for the next few days and the horrible thunderstorm that raged on, he didn't mind it.

It gave a pretty cool ambience, really. Thunder and lightning illuminated the room as much as torchlight and the flickering of flames did.

"If only every meeting was as relaxing as this," Slughorn said as the man leant back in his chair with a contented sigh. "I dare say I'd like them far more than I currently do."

Harry was of a similar opinion, relaxing as the two of them were currently doing was very fulfilling. Not in the informational way, or any other way really, but in a lazy way. He couldn't do it often, but the times when he did were among his favourite - meeting Sarah and lounging in her place of work was similar, though the loudness of the crowd prevented him from being close to at ease as he currently was.

"I can see why, sir," Harry said after he took a long draw from a hot cup of tea.

After the two men enjoyed the peacefulness for a few minutes, Slughorn finally cleared his throat and got to the point of why he'd wanted to meet with Harry so badly; it was unsurprising to the latter that the reason for his visit wasn't academic or involving Hogwarts to any degree.

"Are you still curious about rituals and the like? My mind wasn't completely with me that evening, else I would've gone into more detail, you see, even if I'm not all-knowing on that subject," Slughorn paused and yawned, raising a large hand to cover his mouth as he did so. "I've gotten old, a few decades ago staying up this late was nothing to me. Ah, forgive an old man and his ramblings - I'll have more tea and then I'll be right as rain."

Harry laughed at Slughorn's old-man remark, and he dipped his head once to the man's final words about getting more tea. So long as the man stayed up and coherent, Harry didn't care much for what he did… well, he would like his questions answered too. Though with Slughorn and how easily distracted the man seemed at times thanks to his own ambitions, he wasn't sure how far he'd get in that regard.

"I am, sir. My family library had little in regards to rituals or the potions that accompany most of them and so I'd hoped that you could help me. I remember what you said of them having costs, especially how severe they could be. Is there more you can tell me?" Harry hoped he hadn't sounded like an idiot, but in regards to rituals, he was.

Hogwarts during his time had next to nothing on them, he couldn't recall ever hearing of them in the school. As for the Hogwarts of this time, it too had a severe lack of information, though he'd heard it whispered of in Elaine's group once in a blue moon. He supposed that was why he thought it had negative connotations; if Elaine's group practised it and all others were silent, whatever the subject is was likely illegal or frowned upon.

Slughorn nodded slowly, "Yes," he said. "Yes, I believe I can… this is purely academic too, isn't it lad? As I said before, so many of them have terrible results but even those that don't still aren't anything to scoff at."

"I want to know everything that I can sir, especially with the rumours about Grindelwald having done some himself," Harry hadn't manufactured that. There were many rumours that Grindelwald had dabbled in magics too dark for most witches and wizards just as there were rumours that he'd done rituals to gain the magical strength he currently possessed.

Harry wasn't fool enough to believe most of them, but having been privy to the ritual that returned Voldemort… he could sum it up by saying he put more stock into the powers rituals provided after witnessing a person rise from a cauldron. It hadn't looked difficult either, not with the few minutes of preparation that he'd seen. To Harry, if magic like that was so easy and had such dark consequences, he could see why it was banned as well as tabooed.

"Those rumours could very well be true with how powerful he's said to be, but the truth, I believe, will never be known lest he writes a tell-all," Slughorn chuckled at his own words, then, he went back to being serious. "I shall tell you all that I know and if that proves too little, then I'll point you towards a friend of mine who I believe would have more knowledge in this field."

"Thank you, sir. I don't need to know anything in too much depth, I'm simply curious as to how they work and what a few of the more popular ones are," Harry shook his head, that wasn't the right wording. "I don't mean popular in the usual sense, mo-"

"No need to explain yourself, I caught your meaning," Slughorn said, raising his hand for a pause and then taking a drink with the opposite one. "I should think those that relate to power, be it of the mind, body or magic, are the three that most who fall to such levels would do. As with most things magic-related, the exact effects are a tinge different based on who does it and how their body reacts. Think of it like you and I each casting an expelliarmus, our power is different, as is our wand, and as a result of that it'll look different to any who observe it."

Harry thought he understood the general concept and nodded his head a few times. "What's the cost of those three? You said the larger the gain the same could be said for the loss you suffer."

"Yes," Slughorn nodded as he turned his attention to the window; it was pelted by rain so badly that nothing could be seen through it, but it held his attention nonetheless. "Yes, that much is true. Power, in any form, comes at the cost of one's soul, Harry. It's like a Ho- another horrible form of magic, one that I haven't the will to put words to. Suffice to say, my boy, that you'll not be the same person after doing a ritual of that magnitude… others, more minor ones, they don't come at quite the same cost. Magic doesn't take more than it gives."

That final remark sent a chill through Harry that even the fire couldn't ward off. Slughorn's words, all of them, seemed as if they were spoken with more knowledge than somebody who'd simply studied the subject would have. He wanted to ask more, Merlin did he, but it wouldn't do to pry into his Professor's personal life.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said with a smile and raising of his teacup.

"No problem, my boy, no problem at all. It's nasty business, truly nasty business, but good to know like all things are," Slughorn refilled his cup, only it was with wine instead of tea this time. "Let's move on to something far more enjoyable as a topic, shall we?"

"Of course, sir," Harry said, happy that he'd learned a bit more than he'd already known; it wasn't much, what Slughorn had told him, but it was enough to warm him away from trying them himself.

He hoped Elaine hadn't done any yet, and if she had, he hoped it was nothing as serious as those that granted power. She didn't need it, he knew that and he guessed she did too, but it wouldn't stop her - nothing would, until her ambitions came to fruition. Elaine had a frightful drive in her, and as much as he admired it, he feared it.

Slughorn downed his whole glass and filled it again. Only after that did he speak. "You have met Auror McMacson, but have you met his occasional partner?"

"I thought his partner had been killed on his first real assignment, sir?" Harry asked, vaguely recalling the details of it.

"He was, though the man was more of a mentor than a partner. I was speaking of Senior Auror Maxis, he was another of my students that showed great promise - there's more currently in Hogwarts that you've not spent much time with either. Elaine doesn't seem to either, not that I've seen, which is surprising. All of them show a good deal of promise if they're invited to my meetings, as you very well know!" Slughorn grinned and motioned to the many wizarding pictures strewn about the room of past or current students.

Harry looked from one to the next before he went back to speaking with his Professor. They spoke at great length too, with much of it being a simple conversation with no real meaning. Well, none aside from the strengthening of their friendship, one that was certainly not entirely welcomed by the Hogwarts staff. Not with how the newer Professors seemed to speak out against fraternization or nepotism. In the past, Harry would've too, but having Professor Slughorn in his corner meant more to him than following any self-given rules that would hinder him in the long term.

Playing fair was something he'd done often, nearly always, in his time, and there were many times it hadn't worked out. So to Harry, it would be interesting if he were the one that didn't play by the rules… he could already see the benefits of it, especially with his Wizengamot progress from the Minister's aid and Slughorn's contacts. The fact that he'd agreed to non-interference with the Carrows and had begun to get closer with them over the summer was wonderful too.

Soon, very soon, he would be as ahead in politics and allies as he was in magic when compared to him of last year.

"Peverell, my lad, it is perfect to see you made good on your promise," Slughorn Senior said to him before turning his attention to his son. "Horace my boy, would you go keep your mother company? Don't let her get too deep in her cups either, we've got a late function to be getting to tonight, one that's with a few representatives of the magical creatures community,"

Horace grunted but pulled himself - with much effort - to his feet. "Harry lad, I'll see you in Hogwarts. Tell the lovely Elaine that I look forward to working with her as much as I do you when you next see one another, I'm sure it'll be before she sees me again, especially if her parting words ring true."

With that, Horace was off, leaving Harry alone with the man's father.

"Elaine Layla Gaunt," Slughorn Senior said when his son was finally well gone. "I'd be surprised if you didn't know her parentage, it took me years after meeting her to realise it though with how close the two of you are I'm sure it was shared early on."

"Sir?" Harry asked curiously.

"Her name and family," Slughorn Senior said. "Merope Gaunt was her mother, and her father is a man that I'm as of yet, unsure of. Perhaps you know, maybe not, though she keeps her true family name hidden - that's why, as you may have guessed, I'm not fond of her. We've had bad dealings with the Gaunts, they often bear ill tidings since the vanishing of their greater members. Her case is hindered by her own actions too, though I'm sure you know what I mean based on the closeness you have with her."

"You wanted a story, sir, didn't you?" Harry asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from Elaine and the issues it could have with it more towards something manageable.

Slughorn Senior gave a slight smile and nodded, satisfied that Harry had heard him. "I did, one that has a measure of truth in it, else the point of the story is ruined - remember, mine came from House Slughorn logs in the days of old."

Harry nodded. He hadn't forgotten that, nor had he forgotten to get a story that was sure to intrigue Slughorn's father.

"Alright sir, I have one for you," Harry said, catching the man's attention and earning an attentive stare. "Centuries ago, so many that the Romans were still on our Islands and our witches and wizards were painted with mud whilst staying in logs, there were descendants of the Peverells. Those descendants who were considered druids or woods witches fought alongside the Muggles of their time to preserve the country and drive back the Roman invaders, insomuch as anything can be called true from that amount of time passing, I'm sure that it truly happened. Where that story truly begins is with a missing Roman Legion that your son is fond of, sir, the twelfth I think it is."

There, Harry paused and was granted a few nods of assurance from the older man; without words, he showed that Harry was correct.

"In those old stories with English that's very different from ours and likely copied dozens of times, they make mention of a battle beyond Hadrian's wall. Roman magic users were present along with our own, the same could be said of Muggles too - it was a battle to end all battles, as far as I understood it," Harry paused and took a drink before he continued. "It was nearly lost, as no army of that time could stand up to the might of the Romans at their peak. That was until new magic was used, one that brought forth fire that took the shape of the fallen warriors and seemed as if it had a mind of its own. Water from the Romans couldn't quell it, and for all their warriors, no one knew how to stop it until nought but ashes remained of their once-proud army. Years later, they would leave the United Kingdom and never return."

Slughorn Senior smiled at Harry when it was clear that he'd finished.

"Thank you, Harry. 'Tis a great story to pass on to my family," Slughorn Senior then heaved himself up. "I do believe it's time for me to make myself scarce. I promised the wife a play before our meeting, a brief one out with friends in Latvia. We'll speak again… if I may, please, stay far from the beaches in the south. I'm unsure of what I hear, but I know it can't be good for us."

"Sir?" Harry asked, confused with the sudden change in course.

"I fear we'll repeat the Great War," Slughorn Senior said with a morose shake of his head. "Stay safe, young Peverell."

Nothing more was said but for an echoing of that sentiment from Harry, and then the man was off.

It wouldn't be their last meeting, Slughorn Senior said as much with an almost knowing glint in his eyes, but Harry was incredibly concerned with the man's warning. What was coming that he knew of and yet wouldn't speak of?

July 17, 1944

Monday Afternoon

"A few days late, aren't you, Harry?" Sarah asked as soon as he stepped through her Floo and into the very familiar parlour room of the Goldhorns home.

He rolled his eyes and held out his arms.

"Better late than never," He said. "A few snags held me back as I told you, but I'm here for the next few days, possibly a whole week. That's still fine, isn't it?"

Sarah's stern look cracked into something far more welcoming and happy as she nodded her head emphatically. "Of course it is! You know you're always welcome with my family, my mother said as much - oh, by the way, I know you promised her that you'd keep an eye on me the last time you were here," those words were followed up so quickly with a pinch to his cheek that he hadn't the chance to defend himself.

Her hug that followed said she wasn't overly bothered with it, the kiss on his cheek went further and said she might have been a touch happy with how caring she thought the action was.

"You're my friend, I'll have your back just like you've had mine," Harry said with a smile before he looked around. "No siblings? What about that Uncle or Grandpa figure you were talking about?"

Sarah grinned. "He's with the rest of my family right now," she grabbed his hand. "I'll take you to meet him, that's all he's been talking about aside from how much we've grown! I think you'll love him, he's one of the nicest, most courteous and charming people you'll ever meet!"

Harry was sold on the man if Sarah was, and so the pair of them ran through the Goldhorn mansion with eagerness towards the rest of her family.