Fleur De Lis

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Harry's steps through the snow were not as graceful as they usually were. The alcohol in his system was clearly passing slowly, but he could not wait to speak with Grindelwald after the night he'd had. It wasn't often the two would meet under pleasant tidings, but the fact that he would be able to do so on Yule for the first time in many years was a blessing.

Entering the tent Harry called out, "Master? I have arrived."

A lamp turned on in the corner by the older man's bedside, "My young apprentice. I foresaw your arrival. I take it you have news for me?"

Grindlewald's hair was not done as neatly as it usually was, and though he was in bed he was still wearing a cloak as if he had just returned from being out. Of course that was certainly possible. The man's ability with human transfiguration was matched by none, and he could wear any disguise as well as any metamorphmagus. Deciding to go forward with the conversation Harry spoke, "It has been a very pleasant Yule. I was granted the opportunity to curse Igor Karkaroff, and even had an excellent evening with my date."

Grindelwald frowned at his apprentice at first, "That idiot does not have the right to teach at my old school. If you are given the ability to take out the coward then I insist you take it. Anyone must be more competent than that buffoon." The older man then scrutinized the appearance of late arrival, "The evening with the Veela seems to have you in high spirits. Good. I see you may have partaken in other things that enhanced your evening as well. Of all the things I prepared you for, drinking the nectar of the gods was not one of them."

"A shame too. I can only imagine the kind of trouble we may have put ourselves in if we had." Harry said cheekily.

"Gods help us, you are cheery drunk." The man said, clearly entertained, before rising, walking over to a tall two person table, and kicking out a stool towards the young man, "Take a seat, and tell me more about your evening, and your plans for Yule. We have not had a chance to speak much in the past few weeks. My travel has been successful, and we have much to discuss in the coming days."

Harry eagerly took a seat, and Grindelwald snapped his fingers, summoning a bottle of Ogden's Finest from the corner, "You will stay here for the remainder of the evening, and return in the morning." As the man with multi-colored eyes finished his words he poured generous servings to his young friend with a look of satisfaction.

"You've never had more than a glass of wine in front of me before." Harry said pointedly.

"You were much too young to be exposed to such things. Now you come to me already on the verge of intoxication, however, I believe we can indulge together." Gellert said, raising his glass, "To another Yule together, and to one day being the most powerful Master and apprentice to ever walk the Earth."

Raising his own glass to meet the toast Harry laughed at the man, "You are much better at toasts than my friends and I are. We went in circles with the same few things just reworded."

"It comes with experience, my boy, I assure you." Gellert explained with a slight chuckle, "Now tell me about what has been happening, and start with your date."

Harry immediately delved into the night from start to finish. He excitedly told his mentor about the girl's ideas, inventions, and enchanted objects he discovered in her room, and told them about their compatibility on the dance floor. He led the man through the happy moments with his friends, and what he had learned about Karkaroff on the grounds. The young man was practically beaming when he talked about the toasts the friends had made, and looked giddy as he explained to the man that he had kissed Fleur before they parted ways.