Beyond The Breaking Point

CHAPTER 5

NOTES: Enter fumbled ore...

WORD COUNT: 5993

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Harrison was in his workshop fiddling with some improvements to his new personal security amulets - which generally contained shields, alert wards, and emergency portkeys, among other things - when Aly popped in almost silently. The elves knew to not make a ruckus coming into his shop as he was sometimes working on delicate things. Aly was the best at popping about quietly, so she was generally the one to come to him when he was working.

"Yes?" he inquired quietly without looking up.

"There are being visitors at the gate, Master Harrison," Aly announced happily. She'd grown up in a home that entertained often, and she seemed to miss it. "They be Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Professor Severus Snape, Master, sir."

Harrison's brow rose. He'd been expecting Dumbledore, but not Snape. Well, the old coot probably brought him as backup in case Harrison tried to flee with Henry or something of the sort. From what he'd gathered from Sirius and Remus during their three visits thus far, they weren't on speaking terms with Dumbledore and Harrison suspected they hadn't even told him that they'd found Henry. "Thank you, Aly. Please show them into the Blue Parlor and serve tea for four."

Aly bowed and vanished.

Harrison sighed as he got to his feet and stretched his back, which was sore from leaning over that table for the last two or three hours. He'd been expecting this. He knew that he couldn't raise the Boy-Who-Lived and not have to deal with that old meddler. That didn't mean that he had to like it, but it did mean that he had to at least be civil with the man. Well, at least he had to be civil until he was sufficiently provoked, and even then he really couldn't kill the man - however much he may wish otherwise.

First, he reached out to the wards and gave temporary access to Dumbledore and Snape - they would be permitted once and it would last until they left - then he searched along the wards until he located Henry in the library. The boy was supposed to be working on his wandless magic in the training room right now. No doubt he'd gotten distracted with some theory he'd come upon and ended up running to the library to research it. With a silent sigh, Harrison apparated to the library. He didn't usually apparate around his own house - it wasn't that big - but he didn't want to leave the professors waiting too long.

Henry started slightly as Harrison appeared in front of him. His eyes widened and he glanced down at his book guiltily. "I can explain," he said immediately.

Harrison gave him an exasperated smile. Henry was not a greatly spoiled child in most respects. Had he been shirking his studies to go flying, he'd have seriously regretted it. Harrison always found it somewhat difficult to be too stern when Henry neglected one study in favor of another, however. He'd get a lecture later, and an extra hour of wandless practice, but that was all. "Later, Henry. Dumbledore is here."

Henry's face instantly blanked. That reaction to surprise or stress had been easier to teach a child than Harrison had expected. In the end, it had been more difficult to teach himself. Henry hadn't had that hard a time emulating him.

"You remember what we discussed?"

"Of course, Uncle," he nodded dutifully.

"Good. Wait ten minutes, and then join us." He was just about to disapparate when the boy's hands caught his attention. "And Henry," he added.

"Yes?"

"Do make sure you don't arrive covered in ink."

Henry blushed faintly - being covered in ink would be a pretty much constant state for the boy if Harrison didn't consistently remind him.