Visit to the Notts

"But what was I thinking accepting?" Harry kept thinking.

At the time, it had seemed like a good idea to Harry, but now that he was about to leave Grimmauld Place to spend the Easter holidays at Nott's, he was terrified.

Not that he was going to miss the old dusty house. After what had happened the first night, he had categorically refused to go upstairs and continued to be terrified at night by the creaks he regularly heard. But he wasn't sure he would sleep better in the home of a serial killer. He sighed and, to calm himself, remembered that at any moment he would have Dobby to watch over him.

With one hand he grabbed his suitcase and with the other, the hand of the elf who on this occasion had abandoned his extravagant clothes for a new pillowcase with the Potter crest. If he wanted Nott senior to accept the presence of the Elf at his side without complaint, it was better to make it seem that he was his personal slave. He didn't want to unnecessarily antagonize him on the first day by showing off the only free elf in Great Britain.

Dobby snapped his fingers. Then he felt as if he were being squeezed into a pipe and his vision filled with psychedelic shapes that forced him to close his eyelids. A second later, the unpleasant sensation disappeared and he reopened his eyes. In front of him stood the beginning of a long staircase leading to a medieval fortress.

Mr. Potter. Welcome to the ancestral home of the Nott family.May I take your luggage? Pronounced an old house-elf with graying hues who stood before him, dressed only in a tea towel.

He nodded and entrusted his suitcase to him. He took a step towards the staircase and stopped immediately. Although it was warm for early April, he shivered. It was as if he had suddenly found himself under a cascade of icy water.

Master Potter need not worry. You are just feeling the protections of the Notts. Soon, you won't even notice them anymore. Well, as long as you don't plan to attack a holder of Nott blood. Dobby reassured him, having confided that he often accompanied Lucius Malfoy during his visits to his friend at Nott. But he had also told him that all visitors to the Nott castle were subjected to a spell that prevented them from revealing anything about what was there or its defense systems. Thus Harry had no idea what to expect. Nevertheless, he trusted the elf and moved forward. Each step was more difficult than the first. After a minute, he felt like he was moving through molasses. Then suddenly everything disappeared. He set foot on the long staircase, sighing in advance at the effort he would have to make to climb all those steps when he felt them move. He clung to the railing and was pleasantly surprised to find that the old stone staircase was moving on its own.

After a climb much faster than he expected, he arrived in front of a gigantic moat. While waiting for Dobby to arrive, he leaned over the moat and saw creatures as fascinating as they were frightening. There were immense sharks made entirely of water, two-headed eels, and... Were those human corpses? No, that wasn't it. They were moving.

stepped back and immediately heard a dull noise and an immense drawbridge lowered. Once he was joined by Dobby, he tightened his tie and advanced onto the bridge. As soon as he crossed the wall, he began to sweat. Upon entering the enclosure, he felt as if he had changed continents. Hewas now standing in front of a vast orangery bathed in a sun that only existed in travel agency ads for tropical destinations. He took off his jacket because he was so hot and moved forward until he reached the threshold of the castle where an old man awaited him in a noble and haughty posture. He was wearing what looked like an entirely black combat outfit, which, despite its simplicity, managed to look extremely luxurious and expensive. Beside him stood Theodore Nott Jr. in a custom-tailored evening gown set with emeralds. Next to them, in his Hogwarts uniform he looked like a beggar in rags.

Good day, Lord Black-Potter. Rest assured that I am honored by the distinction you bestow upon us, and our family will prove worthy of it. Nott senior addressed him with a smile that seemed menacing to Harry, but he didn't know if this impression came from the man or from what he knew of his past.

Harry was lost.

Good day to you too, Lord Nott. Please excuse in advance my future breaches of wizarding etiquette. Rest assured that I have no intention of disrespecting you, but my education in this matter has unfortunately proven to be more than insufficient. Harry declared in an obsequious voice that he imagined to be the norm in this kind of environment (and guess what? He was right).

At these words, Nott Sr. made a disdainful grimace and declared in a drawling voice that reminded him of Lucius Malfoy:

I did indeed understand that you had the misfortune of growing up among the rabble. But good blood cannot lie. I am happy that despite your past wanderings, you have finally understood that your place was among us, Lord Black-Potter.

Before he could hold back, he angrily blurted out:

I am pleased to hear you describe the entirety of my bloodline this way, Lords Nott. I was afraid that some old prejudices might tarnish the relations between our two houses.

Before Nott senior could respond, Dobby announced in a servile voice:

Master Potter did not have time to have lunch before leaving. Could you tell Dobby where he could find something to sustain his master?

I'm not hungry. Harry almost shouted. Then he pulled himself together. As predictable as it was, hearing Lord Nott insult his family and friends had infuriated him. He could no longer afford to be so sensitive. But maybe his difficulty in controlling himself was a sign that a Horcrux was not far away.

To calm himself, Harry watched Theodore Nott Jr., who had remained perfectly still and silent during this exchange. His face expressed no emotion, and he couldn't determine what he was thinking.

Please excuse my outburst. The last few days have exhausted me terribly. Declared Harry

You are completely excused, my dear. Sometimes it is necessary to reestablish certain boundaries. On that note, I congratulate you on the outcome of your trial. When I think that that half-blood Rita Skeeter dared to accuse you of killing Lord Black to seize his inheritance and then using his money to bribe the prominent members of the Wizengamot to exonerate you. But don't worry, my good friends and I don't give much credit to what this scribbler can say. For the moment. Nott commented in an even voice where not the slightest trace of annoyance could be detected. That did not make the threat any less real, however.

It was as if a stone fell into his stomach. He no longer had access to the gazette since his forced departure from Hogwarts and was unaware that Skeeter had decided to abandon her vendetta against Lockhart. Dumbledore had probably hidden this information from him so that he wouldn't be nervous during the trial. Which, as the old headmaster had promised him, had been a mere formality. The jurors had ostentatiously ignored the various pleadings, preferring to chat among themselves or read their newspapers. Even Dumbledore's magnificent plea had failed to capture their attention for more than a few seconds. Too bad, Harry had found it particularly moving. Hearing it, he had almost believed in his innocence. Then an official had read the prosecution's indictment without conviction, which was nothing more than a list of his charges, so that in the end the jury voted unanimously or almost unanimously for his innocence. Only a certain Amelia Bones seemed offended by this outcome and loudly abstained, shouting that it was a scandal (Harry agreed with her but refrained from making it known).

However, the most exciting moment had been when, on his way out, he had run into Lockhart who was going to the trial brought against him by a group of women for sexual assault after Rita Skeeter's articles had encouraged his various victims to speak out.

Of course. If I had to believe all the rumors circulating about our different families, I would never have had the exquisite pleasure of making your acquaintance. But let's leave the past behind us. My elf is right on one point: I am tired. May I excuse you so I can go rest in my room?

Of course. My son will accompany you.

Yes, father.

Straight as an I, Nott junior turned back towards the interior of the castle and Harry had to almost run to keep up with him through a maze of corridors and staircases adorned with artworks that must have been worth a fortune. He would never be able to find his way back alone in this place.

Then at one point Nott looked all around him, grabbed him by the arm, and violently dragged him into a large dark room made of thick walls without windows. He took out his wand and before Harry could get into a fighting position, he began to chant a litany in Latin. The walls suddenly started to sizzle and then nothing more.

What's gotten into you, Théo?

That's exactly the question I wanted to ask you. What are you doing here?

Well, as I indicated to you in my letters, I (...)

Enough of this nonsense. Even my father doesn't believe it. Speak, this place is secure. No one can hear us.

Nervously, Harry smoothed his belongings. He noticed at that moment that a beetle had clung to his jacket and shooed it away. For a moment he thought about giving him one of the lies he had prepared with Dumbledore but preferred to be honest with his friend. Well, almost friend. The coldness of his companion had prevented them from going that far.

I can't tell you anything for now. But I promise you that later I will explain everything to you.

I am disappointed. I thought you would at least make the effort to invent a reassuring lie.

Those ones I am saving for your father.

Without warning, he grabbed Harry by the collar and slammed him against the door.

Do you think it's a joke? What games are you playing? Why does the survivor take the risk of coming to one of Voldemort's lieutenants?

I thought he was innocent?

And I thought you had a brain.

Nott, I can't tell you anything. But I promise you that I have a good reason. I will tell you everything once it's over. If everything goes well, you and your father won't notice anything.

What if it fails? What if my father realizes what you are doing?

I am no more free to fail than I am free to attempt nothing. Believe me, I have tried.

You and Justin are really alike. You make grand speeches about my freedom to choose my destiny, but as soon as it comes to your choices, you find a whole bunch of excuses to claim that your path is imposed on you by others.

Me and who?

Suddenly he let go of him.

Nothing, I said nothing.

Before Harry could ask for further explanation, he repeated his litany in Latin and left. Harry followed him. During the rest of the day, they talked about mundane subjects and life at Hogwarts in his absence. Apparently, the other students had been extremely shocked by his fight against Snape, and he had to expect suspicion and sideways glances upon his return.

oOoOoOo

The first week of vacation passed without incident. During meals, Nott senior scrutinized all his movements, but afterward, he went far from the castle, and Nott junior and he had the place to themselves. His friend discreetly informed him that it was a trompe-l'œil and that, in fact, all their actions were constantly monitored. Nott senior was just as curious as his son about the reason for this visit.

But Harry didn't care. Whether at night with his invisibility cloak or during the day with Theodore Nott, who was the most boring guide Harry had ever known in his life, he hadn't felt the slightest threatening presence in the Nott castle. To be exact, he hadn't felt the slightest threatening presence coming from that guy. Otherwise, despite the long comments explaining how each room was a grandiloquent testament to his family's power, he couldn't help but find the house oppressive and gloomy. On the sixth day, he thought he was close to the goal when his friend seemed uneasy passing by a door he was forbidden to enter, but when he returned in the evening, he had to admit it was just a simple training room without any secret passage. If a Horcrux had been nearby, he would have felt it. He put on his cloak to go back to bed when Theodore Nott Jr. entered the room.

Harry, I know you are here.

Harry saw no reason to hide his presence and complied.

How did you know I was here?

There are many spells that allow the Notts to monitor comings and goings in their fortress. Your nightly walks have not gone unnoticed. Even Father has noticed them. If you told us directly what you are looking for, it would go faster, don't you think?

Nott, I can't tell you anything.

As you wish. But know that lord Black or not, if you behave like a thief then you will be treated like a thief.

I don't want to steal anything. I just want ... I can't tell you anything.

You just came to meddle in affairs that are none of your business. Let me guess. You're looking for a way to incriminate father. Is that it? You thought you could save me by sending him to Azkaban. Or maybe you even want to send us both there. The world would be better off without us, that's probably what you're saying!

Nott, no, that's not what I... But his friend interrupted him again. Since the beginning of his vacation, Harry no longer recognized Nott. He who was usually so indifferent to everything seemed passionate. The coldness was still there, but it looked like a mask.

I will make it easier for you. Last year, right here, I used a Doloris on the nanny until she died. There you have what you want. So now go away!

Sorry, but what are you talking about?

What, it's not horrible enough for you? Or did you imagine that I was on your side just because I told you where to find my half-blood cousin? Whether you like it or not, I am a Nott. And I am determined to be worthy of it. So now pack up your pity and get lost!

Nott. Calm down. I don't know what's happening to you, but I'm in no position to judge you. I've killed too.

Pardon?

Did you think that the one who challenged Voldemort three times was a cute little defenseless kitten? Last year, a little after we started hanging out together, I began studying dark magic. In retrospect, I don't really know what made me do that. I was in so much pain after Jenny and Lucas's death. I felt so powerless. I thought it would prevent me from feeling that way again. But it only made things worse. Since then, I've had episodes. Last year, I lost control and almost killed Lucius Malfoy with the Cruciatus Curse. Snape gave me lessons over the summer to try to solve the problem, but it wasn't enough. I don't remember it anymore, so I can't be sure, but I feel it deep inside me. It wasn't the Dementors who killed Sirius Black.

But Nott's reaction was not what he expected.

You congenital idiot. Do you think that's an excuse? Do you think you're the only one who's lost a loved one? Can you imagine if everyone who went through a little difficulty turned to black magic? Snape is right, you're just a spoiled brat so used to having everything handed to you that you can't overcome the slightest difficulty.

No, but that's the pot calling the kettle black! What was your excuse for torturing an innocent to death? At least I only went after scum who deserved it!

Trash like me, is that it? Just because we lost the war, you think you can do whatever you want.

At least now you know what it feels like not to have blood pure enough. By the way, how was your nanny's blood?

At that moment, Theodore did something Harry would never have expected, even in his wildest imagination. He collapsed to his knees and began to cry. Immediately, Harry rushed to him and hugged him. At that moment, he thought he saw a flash, but when he turned his head, he saw only emptiness andHe told himself that he had dreamed. He refocused on what Nott was saying to him between sobs.

Since my mother's death, she was the one who raised me. She was the one who comforted me when my tutors' comments failed to satisfy my father. She was the one who took care of me after each of my combat training sessions. But that summer, Draco and I were brought together by our respective fathers in this room for our...Our... Father told me I had to cast the Cruciatus Curse on her. It was tradition since time immemorial. She told me she understood and that I had to do it. But since I still wasn't moving, my father said... he said... Nanny begged me to cast the spell. So I focused on my father. On everything he had done to me since mom died and I cast the spell. I heard the screams but in front of me it was him I saw writhing. Then the screams stopped and she was dead. Draco vomited and said he would never do that to his old nanny. Lucius just said it didn't matter and left, taking Draco in his arms. Father just said well: "WELL," he shouted hysterically.

The rest of his words were an incomprehensible flood as he was drowned by tears. Harry was crying at the same time as him.

oOoOoOo

The next morning, Harry acted as if nothing had happened. He overplayed his interest in card games or homework. He no longer asked Theodore to show him around the castle. Now he didn't care about the Horcruxes at all. In any case, he was convinced that the house contained none. If it had, he would have felt it. From now on, he would be content to be there for Theodore. To show him that even if he knew, he wouldn't turn his back on him. That it wasn't his fault. That's about all he was capable of anyway. Dumbledore always knew what to say to reassure people. Snape to undermine them. But he felt completely powerless. All the words that spun in his head or that he had awkwardly recited to him last night seemed completely hollow. So he said nothing and hoped his presence would be enough. He had a hard time knowing, as Nott had been so withdrawn all day. He had become the cold and distant Nott he had always known.

The next day, however, was a day of great upheaval. Nott senior arrived furious in the great hall where breakfast was served and without a word threw in front of the two teenagers a copy of the Daily Prophet with a photo of Harry and Theo holding each other in the moonlight spread across the front page. Evidently, the photo had been taken that night.

Harry read the headline: "Nott seduces the survivor and converts him to dark magic exclusively by our reporter Rita Skeeter." The rest of the article was even worse. What had he done to upset that lousy gossipmonger? And how had she gotten hold of that photo? Obviously, someone was with them in the tower and had sold their story to Skeeter. His instinct was confirmed when, in the following days, Skeeter continued to publish increasingly sensational articles about the details of their relationship, gradually revealing the revelations they had made to each other that day. In one of them, there was an illustration of Nott holding him by the collar. Apparently, despite the Nott's security measures, a paparazzi had managed to spy on them from the first day. By the third day, he stopped reading the articles. It was always the same thing anyway. The tall, dark, and brooding Theodore Nott had seduced the young and pure Harry Potter and was slowly leading him into darkness.

The first day the revelations about their respective use of dark magic had worried Harry, but a sharp remark from Nott senior informed him that no sensible person believed the gossip written in those rags and that no judge would dare question the probity of their family.

"— At least if we stand together," Nott Senior took the time to insist.

His words were quickly contradicted by a letter from Amelia Bonnes informing him that she was reopening the investigation into Sirius's death and that he was expected in the Department of Justice's office as a witness next week. He merely wrote a long letter to Dumbledore asking for his help.In appearance, the Notts, for their part, seemed totally indifferent to the events. Nott senior seemed even angrier and more suspicious than usual towards him. Nott junior became quieter and more indifferent to his surroundings. But maybe it was just Harry's impression. Hard to know given the starting level. But that was without counting on a new morning routine that settled in despite the two teenagers' many attempts to avoid it: reading the mail.

They both received tons of hate mail and howlers. Harry noticed that most of the letters were from girls telling him he had made the wrong choice. These frankly embarrassing moments brought the two teenagers closer, and Theodore gradually regained the more open attitude he had at the beginning of the holidays. Whatever the cause of this change in the Slytherin, Harry definitely preferred him that way. He even thought he saw Theodore smile while reading a letter from Fred and George, pretending to be outraged that he was preferred over their younger sister while wishing them all the best for their future marriage. In short, classic Fred and George.

But one day Nott tried with obvious discomfort to hide one of the letters he had received from him. This greatly intrigued Harry. A little earlier he had exchanged the letters he had received respectively from Blaise and Ginny and had felt no embarrassment. Only a frank desire to laugh. (Yet they were by far the most explicit). Thanks to his invisibility cloak, he was able to see in the evening that it came from Justin Finch-Fletchley but did not dare to look at the content.

On the day of his departure, he thought he had seen everything Rita could do to him and had risen above it with humor, but before leaving for the director's office, he saw a new headline on the breakfast table. Apparently, the gazette was backpedaling. Suddenly, he was no longer the pure being drawn towards darkness but the savior who had sacrificed his virtue to redeem the soul of the Nott heir.

This turnaround pleased Harry until he learned that his supposed plan had worked so well that Nott was now secretly cheating on him with a Muggle-born named Justin Finch-Fletchley.

oOoOoOo

Harry arrived a few hours later, quite annoyed, in the professor's office. The latter greeted him jovially without paying attention to his bad mood.

I have excellent news, Harry.

Have you finally found a way to get Rita Skeeter fired? He replied sarcastically.

I have much better than an attack on press freedom.

He then took out from one of the drawers of his desk an administrative document of several pages with the Gringotts coat of arms. Harry looked at it without understanding. HeIt was essentially a list of objects with strange names whose purpose he was completely unaware of.

What is it?

Look at the 5th page. The one I dog-eared.

Harry complied and saw highlighted in red: "Goblin-made silverware in the form of a cup with the coat of arms of the Hufflepuff house of Hogwarts."

Harry forgot his concerns and became excited.

Did you find it? Where?

Exactly where we thought we would find it. In the Lestrange vault. This is a recent and comprehensive inventory of its contents.

How did you manage to do that? I thought only the owner of a safe could access it.

That is the case, Lord Black. But I remembered that our enemy was actually named Bellatrix Lestrange née Black. I used the power of attorney you signed for me to file a complaint in your name against Lestrange for inheritance usurpation. Basically, I accused Bellatrix of appropriating assets that rightfully belonged to you before her marriage. As a result, the goblins decided to internally verify the truth of the accusations in order to determine the response to my request. What is convenient with the goblins is their predictability.

I then convinced a wizard working with the goblins to provide me with a copy of this inventory.

The goblins will be furious if they find out.

Indeed. So I advised my contact to quickly return to Egypt. But if all goes well, they will never learn that he played a role in this story.

Things never go well.

There must always be an exception to prove the rule. But before I explain my plan to retrieve this cup, could you tell me what's on your mind?

It's nothing really. The Horcruxes are more important.

Let's go. I am so proud of my plan. I don't want anything to spoil the amazement you will undoubtedly feel when you hear it. Tell me how your stay with the Notts went.

Apart from Rita's ridiculous gossip, nothing happened. This trip was a complete waste of time. There isn't a trace of a Horcrux in this castle. It must be hidden elsewhere. Maybe in their vault.

Gossip really? What a shame. You would have made such a lovely couple.

You haven't read the latest news. I still couldn't accept that he was cheating on me with someone older.

No indeed. I am glad you take it so well. I was afraid it was the cause of your current torment.

Since my arrival at Hogwarts, worse things have been said about me. However, Theodore didn't really appreciate that Justin got involved in all this. I don't know what kind of relationship he has with the Hufflepuff golden boy, but he's afraid I put him in unnecessary danger by going to his place. And the worst part is, I think he's right. Once again. If his father, or even any other pureblood, starts taking seriously what Rita wrote...

I will repeat it until you remember it: It is not your fault. I will end up chaining you with Professor Snape until this truth sinks in. However, it is entirely your fault if you played with dark magic.

Did you know? Since when?

Since your fight with Snape. Upon waking up, he let it slip, believing that your crisis was related to dark magic poisoning.But I had to wait for this article to get the details.

He's talking nonsense. It didn't happen like that at all. It's true that I started seeing Theodore at the same time, but he didn't know anything. If he had, he would have stopped me.

Or he would have pushed you even further. If we manage to prevent a new war, I place great hopes on the heir of the Notts. But don't forget that he will readily side with the other camp at the first signs of trouble.

I know Theodore better than you. Said Harry defensively. He didn't want to admit that he thought like Dumbledore.

Harry, sometimes there are people we cannot save.

This is not yet the case with Théodore. If he appreciates that loser Justin, there is hope. You did something to protect him.

Yes. Professor Sprout takes the safety of her students very seriously.I would be more concerned about Theodore's safety. How did his father take it?

Harry became somber again.

I don't know. Théodore practically kicked me out before he came back. I asked Dobby to forcibly apparate him to platform 9-3/4.

It is indeed more prudent. Once at the castle, he will be safe. But that puts Justin in even more danger. I am fairly certain there is nothing romantic between the two of them, but nonetheless, I doubt he will forgive you.

I know. But I don't care about his forgiveness.

Which is unfortunate because in case of failure at the manor I was planning to ask you to take Nott to Diagon Alley. I had concocted an entire scenario for you to be forced to visit your respective vaults.

It's dead and buried. At least for a very long time. And what about your plan to seize the cup?

In fact, it's very simple. I will contact the heirs of Hepzibah Smith to file a theft complaint against the Lestrange family with the goblins. Of course, the goblins will refuse. I will then use the document here to prove that they knowingly lied. To protect a known Death Eater, no less. If I pay them an exorbitant deposit, I think I can convince them to entrust it to me for some time.

You are a genius. Who came up with this plan?

My contact who works with the goblins.

For me, you are still a genius.