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The Fate Changed Now What?	By : Krysania Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Tom Views: 8638 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I'm not JKR , not own Harry Potter, and consequently earn no money whatsoever.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Harry’s pov (continuation)

The rigorous training among the aurors continued, even more intensely, until five thirty when their shift finally came to a stop. Harry was both pleased by ending for the day and a bit wary. The last part was owned to the fact that he knew that Tom wasn’t going to simply accept constantly losing today and were heading for a rematch the moment they reached home. (Weirdly how fast he sort of started regarding it as home!)
Normally such a thing would have been the last probability to bother him, but due to the aurors’ exciting talk; it had downed to him that, thanks to his severe preoccupation, he had totally missed the days and Christmas Eve was frigid tomorrow. Harry had no gift for any of his friends, never mind Tom. . .although the aurors had unknowingly given him a lovely idea about his present. . .How the hell was he going to avoid total embarrassment?
He was washing his face and hands, considering an excuse to get away, when Tom approached him, freshly showered. His mouth was lightly pinched and Harry barely held himself to not tease him about his aversion in communal showers but a closer look showed it wasn’t the main problem of his partner.
“Ready to head home?”
Harry decided what the hell.

“Not really, I have a little job before.” he played it natural.
Tom’s eyes narrowed but it wasn’t to tease him for avoiding the duel.

“You better not plan visiting Moody.”
Harry bristled inwardly but unfortunately it wasn’t like he could use it as an excuse.

“Regrettably no, I asked the Undersecretary and he is still at the hospital, there were complications.” his tone was casual but Tom really knows him, inside out.
“Harry!” his voice was sharp.

“Don’t you dare start angsting about it. . . it was the best move you could do.”
Was it? Harry wasn’t so sure but it wasn’t something he wanted to think about right now.

“Why do you ask anyway?” he turned the point.
Tom didn’t look bothered even if he was.

“I’m heading over to Nadia. Those fools aren’t completely useless but nearly so; we’ll need any possible help.”
Harry was conflicted between laughing and scolding him, he ended doing both.

“You are incorrigible! They are nowhere near that bad and you know it.” Tom remained stubborn, Harry sighed.

“At least you must admit they are a vast improvement over those of my time. . .”
That made Tom sneer.

“I wouldn’t even call human the specific bunch.”

Harry smiled without saying a word, this was concession enough. His partner changed the subject.

“Where exactly are you heading then?”
Harry was getting very uncomfortable. He didn’t like that tone one bit and the last thing he needed was Tom trying to control his movements.

“Since when you need to know that anyway?” he tried for airy.
He could read the other’s retort in his eyes: ‘Since you are insisting on hiding.’ but strangely enough Tom held back and answered with a just as airy, if slightly sarcastic:

“Oh, I don’t know, only since the current official Dark Lord made us his primary targets.”
That made Harry pause. There was manipulation there, no doubt about it, but Tom had some right too.

“Shish, I’m just heading over in Diagon, will you calm down a bit.”
Tom’s eyes flashed with the insinuation but he held his anger yet again. Harry was screwed. . .later. . .ten times over. . .

“You will take the others with you of course.”
Harry was getting beyond pissed and wanted very much to hit Tom with something.

“I don’t need nursemaids.” he really should have seen that one coming but he had literally walked right on. . . It shouldn’t be such a bother but it was going to make his plans unnecessarily difficult. . .
Tom’s lips twitched.

“I didn’t mean it that way, but now that you mentioned it. . .”
“TOM. . .” it was a growl.
His partner sent him an icy stare.

“Have you forgotten your word that fast?”
Crap. . . crap. . . crap. . .

“Alright,” Harry gave up with a bit of ill will but he wasn’t going to totally surrender.

“But, you will be exposed to danger too. . . you should take at least a back up. . .” his complain wasn’t only about getting even though.
But Tom wasn’t in a mind to compromise.

“No need, I’m not the one regularly risking his n. . .” Harry’s turn to an icy glare made him momentarily pause.

“I will go via floo, for Salazar’s sake, I don’t need a bodyguard or an attaché waiting for me outside.” then a thought crossed his mind and he smiled.

“But, perhaps, I’ll need help afterwards. . . so maybe I’ll call Abraxas in a couple hours. . .I will have an entire library of rare tomes, way too delicate to shrink, possibly too delicate for other kind of magics too. . . so maybe the others as well.” his eyes were sparkling with devilment.
Harry couldn’t help a smile himself. Tom didn’t necessarily need to compromise in this, his given word was entirely binding, but he had done it and Harry was happy. The fact that he was going to pay a price later, and probably a heavy one, as it was unmentioned was only part of the game.

In addition, the knowledge that Tom continued Brax’s and the others’ punishment in his idea of things and not something horrible added to his lifted spirits.
There was also a small Harry’s part that found the idea of his nosey friends carrying heavy and heavy tomes on foot rather hilarious. . . he had a feeling that Tom was going to add on said weight. . .
“Alright, we will be there.”
Tom smiled arrogantly.

“I will call in a couple hours.”
Harry’s smile was full of teeth too.

“If I’m ready at your call, else I will just sent the others.”
“Tom’s smile dimmed.

“I can wait, but only a little.”
Harry held a laugh, he was probably going to end carrying books too but it was worth it.

“See you later then.” he turned to leave.
“Wait,” Tom stopped him.

“You never told me where exactly in Diagon you are heading?” the displeasure was obvious.
Harry sent him a teasing smile.

“Indeed, I didn’t.” he continued on his way.
He was going to pay for this, but it was already on the line so why not have some fun with this? Tom could track him down if really needed to (or try freezing him somewhere if he could get away with it) but that didn’t mean that he was going to give it to him on a silver platter, Hell, even with the mark on his back he could make things difficult, Marvolo had taught him a trick or two before agreeing dispersing the original.

Harry and the others left the bank in utter silence. His friends had no clue whatsoever on what was troubling him but they could read his agitation and didn’t ask about it, even Herm, to his total relief. His head was still turning after the surprise he got at Gringotts; he really had no idea where the hell had Tom gathered the not so dismissible wealth he found there, but it definitely didn’t come from their Hogwarts stipend, or his wages as a waiter, never mind Tom’s, from the bookstore.
He truly needed to find out the fortune’s origin but no matter from where it had come from he was flooded with the other’s trust, (even if he failed to inform him!) Tom’s insistence for a shared account for safety’s reasons was taking a new meaning.

The utter bastard!
Still, for all the newfound funds, Harry remained spare with what he took, although it was a bit easier to raise his entire meagre savings from his work after this, to cover the gifts he intended for his friends, Tom’s planned one was already fairly expensive. . .
But as they reached the shop his friends started sending curious looks to one another and finally Herm burst out asking.

“I thought that you were heading for a gift for Tom?”
Harry was amused.

“I do.”
Leonard looked a bit nonplussed with this.

“Wow, you two are really good as married, I’m engaged to Mel, but if I dared to bring her something more personal than a scarf my mother would have been pissed and Mel’s father and brother would have beaten me up.”
Alphard smiled, kind of wistfully.

“That’s the good thing with Tom and Harry; they don’t own anything to anyone.”
Harry wondered about that slight bitterness and if he was regretting that he was crossing his family but he wasn’t going to publicly ask him.

“Guys?” he raised his voice, just a tiny bit, to get their attention.

“If you prefer, you can wait for me at Fortescue’s.”
“Good!” Minerva beamed at him, although she was a bit red, and grabbed Hermione’s arm.

“If you plan to buy undergarments, Mione and I at least, will head there immediately.”

Hermione just looked uncomfortable and nodded.
Harry blushed. He definitely hadn’t thought to buy such a thing. . .

“No undergarments, but it’s alright.”
“I think that we should all get inside.” Brax smoothly interfered.
Alphard thought it for a moment then agreed.

“Seconded.”
Zev was the only one looking to have reservations. He looked both highly embarrassed as the girls but also at least mildly irritated with Brax.

“I don’t think it’s the best of ideas.”
Harry had started getting irritated with the whole matter too.

“It’s not compulsory, come on guys, I don’t need bodyguards, especially on a shop.”
That changed Zev’s opinion fast.

“Let’s go.”
That alteration pissed Harry off but he wasn’t going to fight about it. . .
Inside the shop Harry took his most indifferent visage, it wouldn’t do to show trepidation now, what he was doing was approaching scandalous anyway. With his most calm voice he ordered a scarlet, acromantula silk, dress shirt and gave Tom’s measurements. The others sent him weirded looks upon hearing the colour but they had the good grace to not say anything at all.
A thirty-sh Madam Malkin certainly didn’t seem to find his order that peculiar, she wrote everything down, acting far more professional than he remembered, although she still flirted a bit. Harry flirted back almost mechanically, trying to not speculate if it was just as mechanical for the lady and how often she had men on her shop ordering things for other men. . .
He wondered once again if he should have gone into a muggle tailor, to avoid entirely a trail, but he knew his partner all too well. Anything less than acromantula silk and he wouldn’t have touched it with that colour on pain of death; it was a risk as it was. But Harry wanted to make that point; he had grown tired of Tom berating him for his recklessness when he repeatedly did the same thing. . . There were times he had been proven more Gryffindor than Gryffindors. . .

Well, if he also wished to see him in one of his favourite colours no matter his years in Slytherin that was a completely private matter too. . .
Back outside, after Madam Malkin told them to return in an hour, his friends started the interrogation.

“Wow! You are really going to dock Riddle with Gryffindor red! Talk about balls!” Leonard was almost trembling in his exuberance, barely remembering to not shout, Minerva slapped his nape promptly. Alphard nodded too, looking at least as enthusiastic, but didn’t speak.
“Thanks guys, I think.” he deadpanned. He should have never brought them inside the shop. . . Minerva didn’t notice or paid attention to the sarcasm she just checked him for fever.
“Watch it!” he grumbled.
Minerva remained undisturbed.

“I don’t see any elevation on your temperature but are you sure that you are alright? Tom has a bit of an allergy to Gryffindor and its colours for as far as I know him. . .” it wasn’t entirely a joke.
Hermione snickered.

“Oh, I doubt that it’s such a severe condition.”
Harry barely managed to not blush and just grin back.

Herm leaving innuendos of all people! There were some more snickers with this, although Minerva and Leonard remained puzzled, and the others relaxed. He relaxed too; glad that the matter was ending there.

They started moving.
But then Alphard took it from there. . .
“Nah, it’s just that our Harry gets off bringing Tom on a tizzy!” he was promptly tipped with a slap upside the head too and with a muttered:

“Boys!”
But Harry didn’t find it that funny, there was innuendo and there was this. . .

“Alphard enough.”
The snickers were cut like with a knife.

Alphard looked apologetic and he felt bad too. He really didn’t like to have power over his friends. . . .
. . .Then Brax lifted an eyebrow. . .

“Oh, I don’t know,” he smirked, “That was inelegantly put but dead centred. Every since I knew you, your life long ambition is to drive Tom crazy, intentionally or not.” the others nodded.
Harry wanted to face palm.

“Cute very cute. . . You definitely need a life guys.”
On one part he was very grateful that his friends weren’t afraid to tease him, or tell their opinions. On the other. . . there was a very good reason he avoided even thinking about dating his best friend, for years, their baggage notwithstanding.

. . . Told you so was a bitch!
Everyone laughed and they finally started heading for the ice cream parlour.
But his troubles weren’t over yet. Leonard’s almost conspiratorial whisper at Alphard made him groan.

“Do you know what Harry’s deal with Gryffindor is? Did he got almost sorted or something?” he hurried away playing it like he didn’t hear.
But as he passed Zev he noticed that his levity was slightly forced. Actually, now that he thought about it, Zev was tense every since they got into the shop. He approached slowly, while the others were busy, and nodded him to walk a bit forward.
“Are you alright?” he whispered.
Zev’s smile was the tiniest bit strained.

“Why shouldn’t I be?”
Harry smiled ruefully. Zevi was mistaken if he believed that he was going to back off in this, he could do subtle but he could do and very blunt too.

“I don’t know, maybe because you are kind of upset ever since we set for the shop. There is your usual fretting and there is brooding, so what’s wrong?”
Zev’s expression lightened some, it wasn’t an act.

“I wasn’t brooding. I was just planning the reply home for this, just in case.”
Harry was momentarily puzzled.

“Why would you need a reply for this?” then it hit him.

“Salazar! Hermione was my alibi. Will you guys get in deep trouble for this?”
Zev considered it.

“No, not really, I was with her so there is no scandal even if Madam Malkin talks about it. But there is a possibility that mother will start pestering me to consider and other options.”
Harry felt like a heel.

“I’m really sorry.” it wasn’t only about the current transgression.
Zevi smiled.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s my choice I can handle it.”
Harry wasn’t reassured, it was still his fault and Mione may pay for the whole mess in time. But Zev was way observant to miss where his thoughts were heading.

“Harry, I’m not going to desert her for this, I knew where things were heading from the start, I know you both.” another smile.

“If she can support you she will and I feel the same.”
Harry could only thank him profusely from the heart, to the other’s utter mortification. He was relieved beyond measure and didn’t need anything more. Zev’s word was better than gold. . .
. . . The only remaining problem now was to find gifts for the guys too. . .

But as his eyes fell on Manthos Aggelakis, a specific ex-working associate of his, getting into the apothecary he had a brilliant idea, one that could mean life or death for his friends in the current circumstances.

. . .if the other wanted to cooperate of course. . .
But Harry had stopped rushing into things without much of a plan these days, or at least he tried to, even if they could be considered flimsy by some. So he forced himself to stay where he was and recall everything he know about the man in an effort to calculate at how best to approach him.
He had first met Manthos the previous summer when he started working as waiter for Mrs Heistings at the Leaky Cauldron where the other was already working there as a cook for some months. It was in the shared workspace that he had come to know him and learn his story, more or less; there were parts he had guessed or had been added by Mrs Heistings.

(He had cross checked too.)
Mr Aggelakis had been a fighter of the Greek resistance but had ended a refuge in England, saved by British soldiers, when the Germans became too insisting for his head. The first months he had fitted right in and even started working as a very successful Auror (his original profession). But everything changed when he got information that his elderly mother, wife, teen son, little daughters and most of their village had been executed by the Germans as retaliation, (one of their last war cruelties.)
That was it: the man snapped. Although he didn’t went completely barfing mad to be locked at St Mungo, or openly psychotic to be thrown in Azkaban, Manthos Aggelakis went from a pleasant, well travelled, man with a biting sense of humour to a cantankerous, irritable alcoholic with a tongue of acid, that held no respect for almost no living soul and absolutely no hope. His life held only a solitary purpose: to see Grindelwald dead.
Naturally the Auror command couldn’t keep him after this. Ragging alcoholism was one thing, even if it was excused to people with connections, but his total disregard to authority and solo missions, not to mention open use of dark arts, (although Harry could bet it was more due to desperation than actual inclination) was enough to sent him on his way.
The Ministry was of course savvy enough to not press charges, with people freshly grateful to him for their lives, but they definitely hoped that he could die from an attack, or simply chose to return to his ravaged country. They definitely didn’t count on Mrs Heistings, one of those saved, to take him under her wing.
Those facts were shared to Harry from the kind-hearted lady herself to help him understand his co-worker. Harry sort of understood and he pitied him for all his dislike, and maybe something even darker, but he was nowhere near masochistic enough to be more than strictly polite to someone that his bitterness could rival and shame Snape’s.
In the months that he worked on the Cauldron he got from grudgingly respecting the Greek at first, after he noticed how very protective he was for the handful of people he still cared about, namely Mrs Heistings and her son, to even almost liking him after he accepted and even laughed at a paid answer. But it was only after Mr Aggelakis beat him, responding to an attack in Diagon Alley, armed by a frigging kitchen knife except his wand, (Tom had been a very close seething third,) that made him start seeing Manthos even remotely as a friend. (He could bet that it was the same date that his partner moved from simple contempt to actual hate towards the wizard.)
However it was also that specific event that made Harry face and understand his acute first dislike and subconscious terror he felt for the wizard. If he had been initially scared after he realized that he understood where Tom was getting from, he was beyond terrified now to recognise a stark portrait at how exactly he would have ended if he had lost Tom, Herm and the rest of his remaining friends among the others.
It was a very sobering experience, the expression dark mirror wasn’t even covering it, and he hated himself for this and his dark relief that came with it. (Too bad the feeling had faded during the school year; it could have stopped him from doing some stupid things.)
But it was exactly that self hate that urged him to start taking care of Manthos night after night, (who was repeatedly trying to drown his sorrows to the point of being unable to stand on his own feet,) as some kind of repentance, or maybe his sick curiosity that led him to really talk with the man, or it was just his luck and patience. . .
. . .and probably the fact that he shared a first name with the man’s dead son, (a detail he learned rather accidentally at such a night,) and even that he allowed Mr Aggelakis to deluge himself from time to time that it was said son the one that took care of him, that eventually got him access to some of the other’s amazing magical secrets if not the key to unlock them. . .
. . .Yet that was what had gotten him to today, Mr Aggelakis wasn’t going to share his family heritage and secrets just because and Harry wasn’t a total scum to just steal them. The only chance he could see at getting the secret, no matter how much he worked his mind on it, was to tell the other clearly what he wanted, but most importantly the why. . .
Harry still didn’t see much chance at success, even with total honesty, but he couldn’t allow himself to never try.

Luckily his thinking progress hadn’t taken too far long, the other was just leaving the shop; it was time to act.
“Wait for me here.” he told Zevi, it was almost an order.
“Harry. . .” Zev sounded unhappy and tried to hold him.
But Harry had no time for nursemaids, or even a close watch.

“Keep the others away too, when they’ll caught on.” this time it was an actual order, spoken while he reserved most of his attention to his target and he took after him, barely a step before sprinting.
He almost lost him into the evening crowd but mercifully the long unkempt salt and pepper hair were hard to miss.
“Mr Aggelakis?” no reaction, he kind of expected that.

The cook kept on walking, looking like he held the weight of the world to his shoulders like usual, hardly paying attention to anything at all and yet the people hurried to get out of his way, he barely noticed even that.

“Mr Manthos?” he tried again.
This time he had more response. The Greek wizard turned to glare at him but the expression softened somewhat as he recognised him. He sent him a cursory glance, examining his wellbeing.

“Evening Harry, palikari mou, I’m glad to see that the paper was wrong and you didn’t sustained very grievous injuries. Any chance that it was wrong regarding the tyrant too?” he asked with a deadly eagerness.
Harry couldn’t help a small grin; this was a positively fond greeting from the misanthrope. Even better he was still sober.

“Good evening, Mr Manthos, unfortunately no, but you will be glad to hear that Grindelwald wasn’t left unscathed either.”
The Greek practically hummed with this.

“Excellent! I should have known. . . neither you, nor that arrogant friend of yours, are for half arsed business. Don’t worry, palikari mou, someday the bastard will get his due. Now, do you need something specific or just bothering me? As much as I want to hear the details I must return to the Cauldron.” his accent deepened at his enthusiasm but it was nowhere near heavy like Victor’s.
Harry’s grin deepened with the other’s pleasure. He should have known that Aggelakis’ hate for Germans in general and Grindelwald in particular would have been the reason for him to be so social with him. . .
Also for the Greek to go that far as to be praising Tom he must have been beyond impressed with them, except ecstatic with the whole affair. . .
. . .Still, for him to not ask any details something wasn’t exactly right too. . .
“I’m counting on this sir, and yes actually I do.” there was definitely no reason for subterfuge with him.
Black beady eyes peered down at him, examining his sincerity, after a moment the wizard nodded his approval of the directness.

“And I suppose that I’m the only one that could help you with whatever is it?” he questioned grouchily.
Harry crossed discreetly his fingers.

“That’s right.” that was definitely true.
The other man muttered something that Harry had a feeling it wasn’t flattering at all but seemed to take his decision.

“Speak up then, palikari mou. I own you one for the bastard!” his eyes glittered maliciously but then he looked suddenly down.

“I own you a bloody lot for the previous summer too.” he concluded somewhat embarrassed.
It was Harry’s turn to be uncomfortable and a bit guilty. . .

This was the first time the other openly acknowledged his help like that, (sober at least,) and the use of the term ‘palikari’ didn’t help matters. He had got to knew it meant ‘brave, honourable, lad’.

Definitely didn’t help matters!
“It is a very important matter for me to be discussed on the street. Can I buy you a coffee or something?”
Never the less, no matter how heavy the knowledge of what he had come to ask was into his mind, if it came down to this, he was going to use any and all things available if he had to. . .
The Greek cackled unpleasantly, his good mood evaporating.

“Are you out of your mind boy? We don’t share a work anymore for you to be obliged associating with me. I could ruin your reputation, I’m considered the lunatic of Diagon, a drunk, and without Mrs Heistings’ mercy nothing more than a tramp, a bum of the street.” he admitted self-consciously but without any pity.

“I thought that you wanted to get somewhere in life. . .That high-strung, haughty, stavraderfos of yours is going to have a conniption.” the last part though was full of malicious humour.
Harry rolled his eyes with the other’s dramatics and the weird Greek term he constantly used for him and Tom. Although he liked that one, ‘brother by choice’, but he wasn’t completely sure it was appropriate anymore. . .
But if Mr Manthos thought that some insults directed towards Tom were going to make him back off then he could go smoke. . . not that his partner ever bothered to hide his own disdain for the cook. . . and kept on insisting that he encouraged his most reckless traits. . .yet he refrained from throwing curses, as it was supposedly beneath him. . .
Still, for all he knew, Tom could have tried cursing him repeatedly with the other always deflecting. . . but then again that was the true reason he was bothering the old man now. . .

“I don’t doubt the lunatic part, but when did that stopped me?” he put it dryly.

“Or when did I let Tom’s opinion sway me on anything? So shall we go sir?”
Not that Harry disagreed with the accuracy on some of the terms no matter their source, but he doubted that brunt of public disapproval was simply due to Mr Aggelakis being drunk most of the time; many in Diagon shared that trait.

He had a feeling that the general apprehension and sometimes downright fear that some members of Diagon’s populace usually shared for the Greek wasn’t because he was foreigner or even supposedly dark. . . his attitude could be terrifying most of all. . .
Another look under heavy, feathery, brows.

“You keep on sir-ing me brat; you really need something big. . . so come on we’d better head for the Cauldron. . .” Harry had nothing to complain with this.
On the way to their destination people kept making them way, Aggelakis sent him a faint bitter smirk like he was proved right and maybe he was but Harry doubted it was that simple. . .
His openly acerbic manner, towards literally everyone no matter their position, (a trait he suspected Tom was jealous about) held people at bay and his rapidly deteriorating appearance, (a too gaunt face almost lost into his coarse looking greying hair and unkempt beard added by an intimidating towering height.

Frankly looking like a cross between an adult Hagrid and Snape,) didn’t help matters.
But there was also and a lot of respect that was expressed just as much with that action, Harry could see it clearly too. . . (He would have panicked and/or be still freaked out about it if it was a matter wholly about fear when he finally noticed it was happening to him at Hogwarts. . .)
On the pub they headed directly to the kitchen and Aggelakis set to make his strongest Greek coffee for the both of them. Harry accepted it knowing that he was going to need it later on, and put up privacy wards.

. . .not a moment too soon that one. . .

His friends had obviously discarded going at Fortescue’s and instead decided to came here as well but supposedly respected his wishes by sitting at the far corner and a distant table.
Following his directions his arse!
Still it was time for him to open his cards.

“I really need you to teach me that incantation.” he put it without preamble.
Mr Aggelakis made a mess of his coffee but when he regained his breath he tried to play it casual.

“And what kind of incantation will that be?”
Guilt assaulted Harry once more, stronger than before, for he know what sacrilege he was going to ask, even more so since this morning, and what kind of tragic memories he was going to invoke.

Still, he didn’t back off, not even hesitated, he kept looking the wizard to his eyes.

. . .This could be the key for his friends’ safety. . .
“We both know what this is about. . .” he put it steely.

“I need the curse deflecting incantation. The one you used on the eye amulet that you created for Mrs Heistings, the same magic you kept telling me about, and even teaching me. . .night after night. . .”
. . .The same nights he had ended sharing the other’s mourning for his loved ones (wanting it or not) long hours after the Cauldron’s closing. . .

. . .Really Tom wasn’t totally insane in his detestation for the wizard. . .
Manthos looked at him at a loss, like he was seeing him for the first time. Harry had never acted, (or even thought) like he was doing something special, not even mentioned it, and now he was seeking payment. The very act must have looked like a betrayal, and totally unlike him.

“Palikari mou?”
But Harry wasn’t allowing himself to feel guilty now. He understood what he was doing but it wasn’t enough to sway him, more like the total opposite.

He had come to respect and sympathise with Manthos but it came very second to what he felt for Tom, Herm and the rest of their friends.
There was nothing he would stop at to protect them.

“Come on Mr Manthos,” he pleaded.

“You know I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t necessarily for the safety of my friends, I wouldn’t have done that to you.”
Manthos let out a long string of Greek, presumably expletives. But he was also the first to drop his eyes; he summoned his cigarettes, lit up and started pacing. Long moments later he spoke. . .
“I don’t suppose you only need it for that conceited stavraderfos of yours and your bookish girl?” it was almost an acquiesce but it sounded like desperation.
He couldn’t even laugh with the other’s prickly insults for Tom, or his sly hints that he should have gone after Hermione.
“No sir,” he admitted, looking furtively at his friends from the glass door to the main shop, the other understood. The only thing keeping Harry’s conscience from rebelling was the fact that what he shared with Aggelakis was a dept of honour, not a life one, he couldn’t force him.
“You lot are going after Grindelwald.” it wasn’t a question.
Harry nodded again, it was supposed to be kept secret for safety’s sake but he just couldn’t see Aggelakis compromised, he hated Grindelwald too much and no matter his circumstances he didn’t lack the willpower to fight the imperious, he owned him at least this much. The fact that it was the certain thing to tip the other to his favour was just a bonus.
But to his total surprise Manthos was still not swayed. He looked torn and smoked some more but he still didn’t give in.

“I want to help you Harry I really do but I can’t. I thought that I was completely alone after the loss of my family but it’s not the case. I just discovered a distant cousin. My dept; my duty as you Englishmen puts it, is with her.”
Harry didn’t know what to think with this.

“I don’t understand,” he finally bursted out.

“It’s just this one incantation for Salazar’s sake, I didn’t ask for your complete family heritage or. . . .” he stopped sort, understanding he sounded a total brat, and feeling ashamed.

“I’m really sorry, but I’m really glad that you aren’t totally alone anymore.” he kind of babbled.
Mr Aggelakis didn’t look happy but he didn’t look ready to throw him out by his ear either.

“If you had paid the attention you implied to my drunken babblings you would have known that it’s not a simple incantation but a full ritual, but apology accepted.”
Harry smiled in relief for all that he couldn’t help but wonder at his fondness for people insisting to lecture him, but this was beyond justified.

“I’m truly sorry you know.” he confessed, the other nodded.

“So how is she?” he couldn’t help but ask.
Aggelakis smiled and for the first time since Harry met him he looked happy.

“Sybil is nothing more than a silly, superfluous, young girl with a skewered idea for our family and barely knows any Greek but she is family. I will protect her with my life.”
Harry was glad for his older friend but the name alone set ice upon his spine, he had a very bad feeling about this.

“Sybil?” he asked as delicate as he could.
The Greek wizard merely smiled nodding towards the glass doors and just like that Harry’s fears were realised.

He hadn’t paid any but a cursory attention to the current waitress outside, the long braid and an apron had at first thrown him off, but there she was: (rail thin with a too narrow face barely holding her too big myopic glasses, reminding him as ever of a large incest.) The very person he avoided like the plague ever since he returned to the past.
For a moment he was sure that he was hallucinating and heard the other’s voice as in a dream.
“I worry about her though, she insist she wants to follow the family tradition while she has almost nothing of my mother’s gift. Thankfully Mrs Heistings offered her your old work for her vacations and after her finish with school. Even if anything happens to me she won’t end hungry.”
The mentioning of his mother from Manthos, unheard so far, plush the real concern to the other’s tone brought Harry chillingly to the present.

No, this was no dream or apparition!

“Sybil Trelawney!” he managed to utter.
“I see that you know her.” something in Manthos’ tone creeped the hell out of Harry.
Something like instinct had him retreating, fast.

“Barely, I’ve met her at school, in passing.”
The other’s expression didn’t get any less creepy though.

“Still, it must have been a very strong impression.” at Harry’s blank look Aggelakis continued.

“I will be frank with you, Harry; Sybil is too much of a dreamer, living in her own little world, should I go missing I doubt that she will have the fortitude to take the reins of her own life, even with a steady job. She will need a protector and I will be more than happy to initiate you in the family secrets and even accept you as my heir, magical and worldly, should you choose to take that role.”
The surrealistic horror of the moment overcame Harry, like a heavy black bag thrown to his head, and he couldn’t believe in his ears.

This was the most insane thing he had heard in his entire life!

It took him everything he had to not run away screaming and instead answer calmly and even politely.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t think it's such a good idea, I appreciate the offer though.” he got up to leave.
There was a part of him that was beyond grateful for his entanglement with Tom, just for this, emotional ties aside. The spell was important enough that he should have to seriously consider it.
The other wizard studied him intensely.

“Are you sure that you won’t reconsider Harry?” his voice was devoid of all emotion.
Harry nodded firmly. Absolutely wasn’t even coming close to how certain he felt for this.

“I wish her the best but I’m sure.” he couldn’t even consider the possibility without a shudder of revulsion.
It was probably weak of him and maybe shallow but he could never think of Trelawney without flashing in grisly, almost weekly, predicaments of his death and much, much, worse her true prophecies. It was definitely unfair of him and even hypocritical, (especially considering what kind of issues he had gotten past with Tom,) but even with their past aside he couldn’t even stand her close presence, as he was terrified that she was going to spit another prophecy and destroy his life from its roots once again.
Another intense study while Harry feverishly hoped that his face was as blank to the Greek as it could be to everyone except Tom and maybe Herm. The other smiled; it looked like he was in luck.

“Came up to my room!” or maybe not. . .
“Excuse me?” his weird o matter was shot up to the roof but thankfully it wasn’t a ‘is he hitting on me?’ kind of weird. . .
The other smirked almost teasingly.

“You passed. It’s a common failing for you Slytherins to never know where to stop to reach your ambitions, but at least you do that much. I think we can come to an accord for the ritual.”
Harry let out a relieved sigh.

It looked like things were going to get right after all. He was both grateful and a bit humiliated by having fallen for his own kind of tricks. . . but couldn’t help but feel guilty once again though. . .

“Thank you, really thank you! But everything you said about Sybil were true, no?” he couldn’t help the question that wasn’t really a question.
The Greek’s expression turned to something kind and maybe a bit surprised for his concern.

“Indeed, every last word. And if it was possible for you to care for her in that way even a bit I would have pressured. As things are it would have made both of you miserable even if you accepted it. . . Grindelwald needs to die too and I have a feeling that you and Riddle are going to play a key role to the very last. . .” he was dead serious.
Harry was getting more alarmed with almost every interpolation of said statement he could make but his guilt persisted.

“What about your homeland? Won’t you two be safer there? The war with the Germans is over.” he asked as they started for the two staircases.
He got a fierce glare for his bother.

“There is a civil war in Greece, idiot child! Brother kills brother for stupid politics, I’m not going to bring her in that mess! Not that’s much safer around here but she was raised British she can handle it better. Why do you think I haven’t left yet. . .?”
Harry felt like a right shit; he could have done without throwing salt to the other’s wounds - he also took notice to keep a closer eye to international politics, not only wizarding ones. . .

“I thought that you were here for Grindelwald?” rage was better than depression.
He got only partial successes. Aggelakis’ eyes flashed like lit charcoal but it died out too fast.

“I won’t rest until I see him dead. The executions to my village may have been retaliation for my bombings but Grindelwald’s involvement in this was because he wanted my family, or specifically my mother, to his mercy.” a savage breath and he forced a lighter tone.

“I’m definitely not staying for the miserable weather and the snobbish people. . .”
Harry couldn’t help but snort with that. He knew exactly what the other was attempting and wanted to help.

“Hey, we are not that bad, you have talked about your people’s imperfections too: nosey to a fault and argumentative as far as it gets.”
Even as he teased back he tried to remember what he had heard about Trelawney’s great aunt, he know there was a connection here. . .
The Greek smiled.

“You would have fitted right in.”
He knew it was a compliment.

“Thanks, I think.” he couldn’t help a small quip.
Not that the other let it unpunished.

“You don’t have to worry about Sybil anyway;” he deadpanned.

“It wasn’t in you she is sweet about, more like it with your partner. . .”
Harry almost lost his footing to the stairs. . .
“Too much information!” he tried to joke but he doubted that his glare was fully controlled.

The other’s gaze was almost inscrutable but he was almost certain that he read a certain sadistic amusement in the curving to his lips. He relaxed.
. . .Well that expression definitely reminded him of Trelawney and her own hidden sadistic glee during his death’s predictions; he wondered why he had doubted of their relation. . .
Even if it was nothing but the truth, which he didn’t have any reservations to believe but would definitely rather didn’t know about it, it wasn’t like Manthos would have allowed any girl from his family to date Tom, not willingly, and definitely not calmly. . .
(Not that he knew, or even suspected, that Tom was a rising Dark Lord, if it was the case Harry was almost certain that he would have reacted to the knowledge with an attempted Avada, he was that inflexible to that subject. It was probably the reason he wasn’t considering him a close friend, not the age difference. . .)
Also he hadn’t missed that the other had used the term partner, which was rather telling and disturbing. . .but not completely alarming. . . if he was to create him problems about it he would had done it already. . .or so he hoped. . .
But as they reached Mr Aggelakis their destination he let those thoughts and anything not related to the task go. He always felt uncomfortable into that place and it went doubly so now that he wasn’t distracted by carrying him inside. Tragedy may not had directly touched the specific place but the stark room adorned only with a wooden picture of Virgin Mary and sepia photos of Aggelakis’ loved and lost ones and permanently lighten by a lone vigil light was clearly a place of mourning. This was Mr Manthos’ Godric Hollow.
Aggelakis had the courtesy to not mention his discomfort or maybe he didn’t even notice it as he was busy arranging white candles and transfiguring his bed into a small tall table, but Harry’s budding eager curiosity became shock and trepidation when he realised what exactly he arranged on top of said table.
“No, this is too much.” he found the voice to object.
(This was an almost round, blue pebble, about the size of a man’s palm, made of glass, and smoothed out by centuries of contact with the sea. Harry could sense the gentle alluring magical waves that constantly emanated from it and so he could never dream discounting it as a simple object. But he also recalled Aggelakis’ stories regarding it and how it had passed from generation to generation to his family. He wasn’t just going to take away something so precious. . .especially considering how the other fought it. . .)
Aggelakis didn’t seem much impressed with his reaction.

“And how are you supposing we’ll do this, palikari mou?”
Harry hated to be spoken down so his reaction was almost predictable.

“Hell if I know, but there must be a way that I won’t take your last family heirloom. There must be something else to cast at!” he exclaimed.
Strangely enough Mr Manthos took his outburst relatively well.

“Appreciated, but it can’t be helped. You recall what I have told you about the peculiarities of magic and geography in Greece?”
Harry’s brows furrowed but he made himself to remember.

“Yes, your ley lines are especially concentrated at the sea, although they still exist in the land and the so called ‘Holly places’, like the rest of the world.” Aggelakis nodded that he had gotten it right but Harry wasn’t ready to admit defeat yet.

“But surely not all Greek spells and rituals need augmentation by the sea?”
The other sighed and tied to explain.

“No, they don’t, but unfortunately this one does, that and the magical build over the centuries. The ritual you ask of me needs both the utmost sensitivity and concentration and demands the most magical strength, the true giving of one’s self to have even the minimal result. Even if you had brought me Cycladic obsidian as a focus and matrix it wouldn’t have been enough to cover your specifications.”
Harry had to look down at this. It sounded more complicated by the second and he wouldn’t have dared to ask such a thing even from Leonard, or Tom, if he had known. . .
“The more I hear the less I understand why you’ll even consider it?” it was only a half question.
The Greek looked amused.

“It’s quite simple really. One, I’m not quite certain that Sybil, dearest girl that she is, has the magical strength to pass our heritage to her future children, nor I believe that I will live that long. Secondly I have some demands/wishes that I’m almost certain that you can fulfil.” his smile was all teeth.
Harry relaxed, he understood better now. He also knew that the demands were going to be a bitch from such an unexpected front and build but it was the kind of thing he could deal with it.

“I can hear them.” he offered noncommittally.
The other’s smile brightened even more, looking both relieved and kind of predatory. Harry braced himself; but it was no use. . .

“You already know that my dearest Sybil will need protection.” it was only the start Harry found himself unconsciously stepping back.
“But..?” he managed to utter.
Aggelakis laughed at his face.

“Oh palikari mou, the look to your face, It really went green!” Harry’s embarrassment worsened even more but the other wasn’t finished yet.

“I believe that we’ll already established that you have neither suitability nor the inclination to become her husband.” his tone was half mocking half snarky.
Harry was still embarrassed but he would rather suffer the other’s ribbing if he believed that it was wholly a matter of sexual preference than an insult to his family. He nodded.
The other hmmped his displeasure.

“Cut that quiet crap, its not you, I trust you more when you are up front with me. Now do you want to hear my exact requirements or not?”
Harry couldn’t help a laugh with this. At that moment he truly regretted not trying more to cut the hostilities between Aggelakis and Tom, if not actually making them to get along. He had a feeling that he lost both a good stream of amusement but mostly a damn useful and strong ally. Still if he managed to get this it was going to be more than enough. . .
“I do.” still it was plain he meant this.
“Excellent!” Mr Manthos grinned warmly at him and curved both hands outward and to the side, palms down. Harry could feel his power surging and held his breath, while definitely not at Lord level he was far stronger that he expected.
“For starts I want your solemn oath that one of the created amulets is going to belong at Sybil, no matter what, and maybe two more to the Heistings if you’ll have enough for you friends. That you will definitely pass Everything that I will teach you tonight at Tom Heistings when he reaches his majority and the same at Sybil’s children. Will you do it?” it was a weird mix between Unbreakable Oath and Wizarding Vow, definitely Other.
Harry couldn’t find any hidden meanings to the Greek’s words, in fact it sounded like something he should have insisted himself, his conscience would have tolerated no less. . .

he mirrored the other’s stance.

“I’ll do it.” his voice was strong and his power rose to meet the other’s.
Aggelakis accepted this with a nod and his intonation changed, becoming less rigid but no less gravely.
“If anything happens to me will you look after my Sybil? Protect her life if needs to be but also act as if you were her brother. Making sure she is alright and has someone to reach for shelter if needs to be, maybe even finding her a good boy to settle, or ensuring that the one she chooses is not out to use her. Will you do it?”
Harry had to blink in this, it sounded beyond farfetched. Still if Aggelakis died under any circumstances he would have done some of them anyway, if he knew about Sybil. It wasn’t totally unbearable.
“I will do it.” still no hesitation.
Aggelakis took a step forward.

“Will you do everything in your power, even your life if needs to be, to stop and/or destroy the Dark Lord Grindelwald?” concluding it with the formal:

“Will you do it?”
Harry nodded once again, he knew that Tom was going to take his ears off with his tirade about the life part of the oath but he considered it fair.

“I will do it.” he wondered how many more oaths he was going to take, three was the traditional number but Mr Manthos didn’t look in a hurry to stop his demands.
Yet, at the same moment Manthos’ power surged once more, they were almost to the end.
“Do you swear by everything you are to never become a Dark Lord yourself?” Aggelakis’ voice was total steel.
Harry had a feeling that this was the crucial matter of the whole affair, everything else was more or less a given. Still he was confident with his answer; he had no intention whatsoever to follow a path comparable to Voldemort’s or Grindelwald’s and even if he took it technically his magic was grey not dark.

“I swear with everything that I am.” he reached for the other’s hands to seal the oath.
But Manthos didn’t allow their hands to touch, he had one last demand.
“Do you swear, Harry, to never allow the rising of another Lord like Grindelwald? To stop him or her with every means at your disposal for as long as you are a part of this world?”
Harry faltered.
He had no idea if he could even realistically consider taking such an oath. Even if Tom chose the most peaceful political solutions he was still a Dark Lord, his core wasn’t going to change. More so, he was honest enough with himself to know that his lover should go pretty damn far before he, himself, even considered taking him out by deadly means, they were too intertwined to be anything but this way . . .
Aggelakis saw his dilemma and decided to help him out.

“I’m not asking you to go face every wizard or witch born with such a gift. Its one thing to be enhanced in magical ability by nature and/or to draw other wizards to follow your leadership, yet quite another to use said abilities terrorizing and oppress your people, or whole nations, to do as you command.”
Harry just looked at him in total disbelief. On one part it was a relief, he could definitely vow that. . . .He was never going to allow Tom to go near that far. . . On the other it was too well tailored to them to be a coincidence. There were only three possibilities regarding it and the third was just silly.
One: Aggelakis had been approached by Dumbledore to evaluate and spy on them. It wasn’t completely ridiculous. The professor was already beyond wary of Tom, but even in the original timeline he hadn’t openly attacked him until he resurfaced as Voldemort, he doubted that he was going to rapidly change said behaviour.

The two wizards had that Grindelwald bone in common so it wasn’t impossible to use said common ground to make a deal. Aggelakis was maybe fiercely independent but Dumbledore never had a problem offering the illusion of it, or with what language you used against him, as long as he took what he wanted.

That was the basest scenario.
Two: Aggelakis had observed them the previous summer and had gotten a pretty good idea on what’s was what. That was the most alarming scenario. Mr Manthos was intelligent, no doubt on this, but they had been careful. There was no hint of plans for world domination in Tom’s public behaviour, never mind in his. . . so how on earth they got betrayed? Even worse, how did they miss it?

Even Dumbledore had got interested and suspicious at that first meeting because Tom got so excited and happy that he had blurted out that he was a parselmouth. . .
Third: there was and the extreme hypothesis, of course. . .

Aggelakis came from a Sheer’s family, Salazar only knew how much he could sense. . . It was well beyond insane but Trelawney while bat-shit crazy had spoken two fulfilled prophesies so it was impossible for him to disregard this completely. . .
The only good thing he could find in this mess, regardless which possibility, was that Manthos had a pretty good wind on what Tom was and still hadn’t tried to harm him by principle alone, Harry had underestimated him.
However all probabilities led to the same thing. No matter which assumption was closer to the truth, or how uneasy he was, Harry felt that he had to comply. The reasons went far further than the ritual, precious though it was.
Not only was it going to get Dumbledore out their backs, if he really was behind this, but far more importantly it was going to work as a safety valve for him and a pressure point to Tom, keeping him on a relatively straight path. . .

. . .After he calmed down from his incoming nuclear explosion that’s it. . . Harry had to sigh in resignation with the specific thought. . .
But really, all those valid reasons aside, he doubted that he would have agreed if Manthos had tried to completely tie his hands in this oath too. Maybe the thought of Tom descending to madness and going into killing sprees was his worst nightmare, second only by happening to himself, but he couldn’t stand to set them with another Damocles’ sword above their heads. Enough was enough.
. . . Not that this wasn’t cutting it awfully close anyway. . .
“I will never allow in any magical Lord to reign in violence and terror not for as long as I’m a part of this world. That I, Harry James Evans Potter, hereby swear.” Harry forced out the agreement and grabbed the other’s hands before he could change his mind.
The magical backslash left them both staggering with its power, Harry had to wonder at the consequences on breaking said oaths could be. . . he had a feeling that the losing of magic, or even life, was going to be almost pleasant in comparison. . .
Aggelakis had a strange look to his face, shock mixed with respect, like he didn’t expected that he would swear in the end, and his words when he spoke made things even worse.

“Harry, palikari mou, I can’t believe you would chose such a burden for yourself, just to protect your friends, but we can’t go further before you understand something. The ritual it’s not as all encompassing as you think, it won’t deflect the more powerful curses, never mind Unforgivables:” he had started steadily enough but his face betrayed all his anguish with the subject.

“My mother created fragments for my children when she passed it to me. She said that she had seen my death otherwise, but how could she miss theirs, how? It wasn’t enough to protect them; my Harry, Danae, even little Rinio are dead, summarily executed like the rest. I would rather died on their place. . .” his voice broke.
Harry wished that he was anywhere but here. It wasn’t like anything he could say would help matters in any way, there was no cure, or even solace, from such a pain. His severe irritation that Manthos choose to mention this after the oath was dispatched to the wind. He stayed silent and supporting until the other gained his composure.
“I understand this but I still believe it’s worth it.” he really did but he also counted in his magical strength to boost what was already there, that was his starting plan to the very least. Also he was glad that he managed to not ask why not the wife. . .
“If you re certain palikari mou.” Aggelakis consented
His voice sounded lacklustre and very older than his middle aged years and Harry ached to help and decided to risk it. The other was mentally present now and hopefully it was going to do some good.

“It wasn’t your fault you couldn’t have known and definitely not your mother’s. The entirely fault belongs to Grindelwald and his Germans.” he almost shouted.
Something flashed in the Greek’s eyes with this, now was it hate, or maybe hope, Harry wasn’t certain.

“You have no idea what I did or who my mother was.” it sounded like rage.
Harry told himself to not take offence. This wasn’t about him.

“It doesn’t matter whoever she was, she was a Grandmother. Her grandchildren came before everything, even her children.” he was utterly convinced about this.
The wild look in Aggelakis’ eyes was definitely hate.

“My mother was the most venerated Sheer of this time, they called her the modern Oracle. How could she not?”
Bingo!

Harry allowed his immature brain only a bare moment to recognize that he was right; but he had far more important things to do. . .

“There is no way she would have known, prediction doesn’t work like that, I know, I took divination.” . . .like to ease a friend.

Honestly, he wasn’t completely sure about this, he had only Trelawney as example, but it so didn’t mattered, the end result did . . .
Manthos gulped involuntary and looked down.

“Then it’s my fault.” he sounded broken.
That pissed Harry right off.

“We already talked about this, multiple times. It’s the Germans’ fault; those were the barbarians killing children, no matter what you did on them.” of that he was completely certain.

Hell, his feelings aside, Tom, a psychopath and the less sensitive person that he knew in his life, agreed that killing children was the lowest one could reach. He wasn’t going to back off on this.
The other tried to dismiss him.

“You know nothing of this boy.” he spat, not even using his adjective for Harry.
Harry told himself to not be hurt, the other was currently in much worse emotional pain than his own. . . it wasn’t easy. . .

“On the contrary I know more than enough.” . . .but his voice betrayed his emotions, Mr Manthos may not know his real story but he certainly knew of his losses.

“The Germans already paid and I will deal with Grindelwald.” he promised once again.

“Now, I’ve made my part will you do yours?”
That seemed to work.

Aggelakis looked ashamed with this, then met his eyes and nodded, acknowledging Harry’s right and burdens.

“Let’s start, palikari mou.” he straightened his body.
A couple flicks of his wand had some more candles at the four corners and lit all of them, another one and the window was opened.

“Good! The sun is not completely out but the moon’s already risen, its time. Ready?”
Harry steadied himself.

“Yes.”
A flash of teeth.

“Excellent! Come here.
Harry obeyed without comment, approaching the table with the Pebble, but then Aggelakis dropped his bomb.

“Kneel.”
He couldn’t help a heated glare.

“What on earth?”
Aggelakis had the nerve to laugh.

“I’m not asking you to swore your allegiance, kid, please trust me.”
Harry swore up a blue streak, only half of it inside, but decided to abide by it. He had agreed on too many things to back off now. . .

. . .but just to make things worse Tom chose the exact moment to mentally seek him out. . .
‘Ready to come and get me, darling?’ his mental voice sounded like teasing but Harry could easily recognise both success and boredom.
‘Can’t it wait for half an hour or something?’ he tried for casual and to keep Tom unaware of his surroundings. The distinct lack of bitching convinced him that he had managed.
‘Carry on, but you better hurry.’ was the imperious answer and the words you owe me weren’t even needed to be said.

Harry muttered an annoyed expletive.
Aggelakis smirked.

“Back around, palikari mou?”
Harry glared, but he wasn’t going to explain himself, the other could deal.
Thankfully the other did exactly that and just repeated the gesture for him to kneel. This time Harry obeyed, getting an excellent view. The table’s surface was just few inches under his eyes and the Pebble glimmered otherworldly but peacefully in the dusk.
“That’s it Harry,” came Aggelakis voice, gentle for once.

“Concentrate on the Stone.”
Harry did just that and for a second there were no worries or conflict in his soul, he was in peace. But the tranquil moment didn’t last for long. A scarlet drop of blood fell on the stone and was absorbed, activating it. The whole room came alive with magic and Harry’s heart became full of instinctive anticipation.
When the intensity became unbearable Aggelakis lowered his left hand and started drawing with the bloodied digit, explaining softly as he did so.

“Alpha and Omega, as the start and the end of the Universe. . .” and so forth. . .
Harry sponged up everything, both for his own turn and to memorise them for the distant time he was to pass the ritual himself. Not that was completely ignorant, as he had studied Arithmancy and Ancient Runes both by himself and together with Tom and Herm as well.
When that part ended Aggelakis’ voice rose again.

“Είμαι ο Μάνθος Αγγελάκης γιος της Κασσάνδρας Κουζουλού και εγγονός της Μαρίας Χανιωτάκη.” his right hand rested on Harry’s brow.

“Αυτός είναι το ψυχοπαίδι μου ο Χάρης, παιδί της καρδίας και της ψυχής μου αν και όχι της σάρκας μου. Έχε την ευλογία μου παιδί μου.” again he translated everything for Harry’s favour.

“I’m Manthos Aggelakis, son of Cassandra Kouzoulou and grandson of Maria Xaniotaki. This is Harry, my godchild, a child of my heart and spirit if not of my flesh. You have my blessing Child.”
Harry would have been taken completely aback by his words if he wasn’t affected by something much stronger, he could literally feel Aggelakis spirit and power engulfing both him and the stone, but it wasn’t only that, he was overwhelmed by a feeling of familiarity. Somehow, someway, he had felt something like that before, although he couldn’t for the life of him recall when or why.
He looked at Aggelakis with almost bulged eyes, seeking answers, but the Greek shook his head, conveying later, and indicated that he should progress with his part. Harry for once did as he was told and after cutting his finger processed to scribe all those delicate symbols in Linear B as well the numbers.
He could feel the power rising in his fingertips, becoming more malleable, He could also hear Aggelakis into his mind at that point, coaching him on how to proceed.

‘Introduce yourself, palikari mou, language doesn’t matter much at this point and then concentrate on your loved ones, how much you care about them, how much you want to protect them. You will know what to do.’
Harry rose on his feet to whether the storm he felt that was coming and offered himself by his name.

“I’m Harrison James Evans Potter son of Lily and James.” for that was his identify, the name given to him by his parents together with the adjustments he choose by himself.
He concentrated fully on his friends, bringing each face and his feelings to the foremost of his mind, Tom, Hermione, the guys, Minerva, Leonard, somehow losing control and adding his parents, Sirius and Remus. When the tugging to his magic came Harry didn’t hesitate, he opened himself completely, giving everything that he had.
His vision had started to dim and he could hear Aggelakis shouting his name and something that sounded like “Panagia mou!” but he couldn’t pay attention or respond. But exactly as he was about ready to collapse there was another magical reserve added to his own and he managed to finish the ritual.
Both he and Aggelakis watched totally captivated as the Pebble melted and was transformed in numerous beads, still shining like stars with the acquired magic. But the power drain was too much as things ended and Manthos collapsed to the floor. Harry had to bodily draw him on an armchair as it was only slightly less taxing than using his magic.
“Are you alright?” he croaked.
Manthos tried to wizen out something undoubtedly unflattering in Greek but he didn’t have the breath, he took many deep breaths until he was ready to continue.
“T-twenty one? Are you insane, palikari mou?” he was still unable to shout about it.
Harry looked sheepishly down.

“I certainly didn’t intend to go that far, I only have two palm-full of close ones, but I really wanted it to work.” he admitted.

Manthos looked ready to kill him.

“Idiot child!” he gritted out, “not even Lord-level wizards can give that much in one go and survive, I’m surprised that you are still alive, never mind standing, and even more that you didn’t take me with you.”
Harry’s cheeks tinged with shame.
“I’m really truly sorry for risking you too and nothing is ever going to contain my gratitude.” the last part had the other glaring but Harry had another thought that had him literally beaming.

“Yet, it worked and I can bet that the amulets are going to withstand the serious curses to very least. But what am I going to do with so many?” he couldn’t help the question.
Aggelakis glowered.

“Idiot child! I don’t care what you are going to do with them. Take your share and leave my sight, I’m too tired to deal with you.”
Harry knew that courtesy demanded that he’ll obey and he came as far as opening the door before turning back, but the question was too important.
“Why did I recognise the ritual?”
Aggelakis sighed.

“You were probably blessed as a child and your parents must be very powerful by managing it without a focus crystal.” Harry paled.

“Definitely powerful if I judge by your scar.”
Harry didn’t know how he managed to stay upright. He had thought that he wasn’t affected by this anymore. . . .

“How?”
Mr Manthos looked the kinder he had seen him in his life.

“We were linked by the ritual. . .I couldn’t not see. . . I’m sorry.”
Harry forced himself to gain his composure. This could be too sensitive to let it at the other’s knowledge.

“What did you see?”
Aggelakis expression was totally open; it was disconnecting, but not false.

“I saw your Mother’s blessing, protecting you even now that you are an adult, but it wasn’t the only one, I also saw a mark of hate erased by one from love. You should probably be called trice-marked.” it didn’t hold the slightest teasing.
All the same it got Harry to the gut. These few words encompassed his entire life but it was the last explanation that hit him the most. He was well aware that Tom’s feelings went deeper than fancy; for all that he wasn’t going to tell him even on their deathbeds. But this went somehow more and it got him under all the protective layers, all the way to the heart.
He both wanted to hug it to himself and to hide under the earth by the embarrassment of both source and merely having it uncovered.

. . .Especially considering that Manthos probably know exactly where it came from. . .

On top of that, Tom was tugging on their link, which he had painstakingly closed for the ritual. . .

“. . .Look, thanks, but I’ve got to go. . .”
Aggelakis didn’t pay him the tiniest attention. He had stood on his feet, looking totally unaffected by his ordeal, his eyes were dilated, making him seem totally lost to himself, his voice was harsh too. . .

“You are also half marked by a human, not destiny, as sacrifice. But he didn’t really know his lore. . . a human sacrifice must be aware of it from start to finish, else it’s meaningless. Remember that Child if it comes to this. . .” his eyes rolled back and he stumbled back to his armchair half unconscious.
Harry was chilled to the bone; he had no doubt whatsoever that he had witnessed again a true prophesy. He stayed in his place only until Manthos looked like he was regaining his senses.

“L-look, I’ve got to go.” he stammered.
Aggelakis looked totally ignorant on what happened and undisturbed.

“It was time.” he grumbled.
Harry fled to the stairs barely hearing one last order/request.
“Just. . .please. . .send me Sibyl. . .”
The only thing that was keeping him calm was that the phrasing was about If, not When it will come to this.
. . .How he had come to love semantics..!
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The Fate Changed Now What?