[HP] Dearest Enemy

The two of them flew directly to Palampion Manor through the fireplace in Harry's office.Alex was standing in front of the fireplace waiting for them.Tom hadn't dusted off his robes before he was hugged by Alex.

"Good afternoon, brat." Alex ruffled his hair happily. "I see you've grown a lot taller."

Tom stared at him very sadly, and pulled his claws off his head: "I don't want to say good afternoon to you!"

"Still uncute." Alex smiled and retracted his hand.Harry came out of the fireplace just then, and Tom stepped aside.

"Nice to meet you, Aaron." Harry smiled and held out his hand. Alex held it, and then pulled Harry closer to him, and the two embraced.

"Nice to meet you too, dear Harry," said Alex, and then let go of him and looked him up and down. "You look all right, much better than I thought."

Tom frowned.Harry smiled, but said nothing.

"Mr. Palampion isn't there?" Harry glanced around the living room.

"He's visiting some old friends and won't be back until dinner time," said Alex. "Come on, my grandpa is drinking tea on the second floor. Tom, you too."

The manor has been decorated for Christmas.There are four tall Christmas trees in the corner of the living room, with ribbons and golden cherubs floating on the walls; all the portraits in the corridor have been cleaned up, and the carpet has been changed to red; the statues are singing Christmas carols softly , the sound is beautiful and ethereal, but it doesn't feel noisy.

After dinner Alex picked a bottle of mead from the wine cellar, took two crystal glasses from the kitchen, and went upstairs and knocked on Harry's door.

"Have a drink together?"

"Okay." Harry let him in, and closed the door.

The two sat down at the small round table, and Harry watched as Alex uncorked the bottle and poured them separately.

"I wish you well, Harry."

"Thank you."

The two touched their glasses lightly and took a sip.The mellow and sweet taste spread on the tip of his tongue, and Harry raised his eyebrows.

"How does it taste?" Alex asked with a half-smile.

"Fantastic," Harry replied, flashing a small smile.

Alex took another sip, then put the glass down.

"What are you doing for Dumbledore?" The green-eyed man looked at his friend, "What is it in Germany that requires you to stay there for so long?"

"Dumbledore plans to have a showdown with Grindelwald." Alex said, gently shaking the clear liquid in the cup, "Harry, do you know why Grindelwald appeared in last year's World Cup?"

Harry shook his head: "We discussed it at the time, but we didn't come to any conclusion."

"He wanted to meet someone at the game," Alex said slowly.

"Who is it?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore," said Alex.

Harry's eyebrows twitched, but he said nothing.Alex looked at him with some surprise.

"I know," said Harry, "the two of them were good friends when they were teenagers. At that time, Dumbledore had just lost his mother, and Grindelwald had come to seek refuge in England because of being expelled from school. His aunt was that Mrs Bagshot, a renowned historian of magic."

"How do you know?" Alex asked in surprise.

"Dumbledore told me." Harry replied softly.

"Then you probably also know why Dumbledore's brother has a bad relationship with him, and why he has been single for so many years?" Alex said after a while.

Harry felt a little surprised, then shook his head honestly: "I don't know why Dumbledore is single."

"The problem is still with the Dark Lord," whispered Alex. "Dumbledore and he used to be lovers."

Harry opened his mouth involuntarily: "Is this true?"

Alex snorted softly: "Of course it's true. That's why Dumbledore didn't stop Grindelwald for so long."

"I thought they were just friends," Harry said. "The two initially became friends because they shared similar interests."

"I investigated a lot of Grindelwald's past affairs," Alex said, "and then made this speculation. I asked Dumbledore the truth, and he acquiesced."

"He's going to face that man?" Harry asked.

"Yes, he can't keep running away," Alex said. "He's picking a date to duel Grindelwald, and probably after Christmas he'll formally declare war on his old foe. He should have been at least five years ago." It did."

"It's not his fault," said Harry. "You know about his sister."

Alex nodded darkly: "But he didn't contradict my accusation."

Harry didn't know what to say, so he took a sip of his drink.

Alex whispered: "Muggle wars have not stopped, and dark wizards are still killing people without scruple. Grindelwald interfered with the leader of Muggles." He looked up at Harry, " I'm glad the Wizard's War didn't extend to Great Britain."

"Aaron, isn't that what you came back to talk about?" Harry decided to change the subject, "Dumbledore said you have something to say."

Alex drained the mead in his glass, poured another, and gulped it down, "Harry, has the curse on your back gotten any worse?"

Harry avoided his gaze, and it took a moment before he replied, "I don't feel it. I know the mark has darkened, but I don't want to look or think about it."

"Does Tom know?" Alex said, "Dumbledore said he took good care of you."

"No, I didn't tell him." Harry paused. "He only knew that I couldn't use magic much because of the accident."

"Why didn't you tell him?" Alex frowned.

Harry shook his head: "He's already busy enough. If I tell him, he'll search for a solution by himself. I don't want to burden him, and I don't want to argue with him anymore. Now That's good enough."

"But Tom will think you don't trust his ability." Alex refilled Harry's glass, "You have to be taken care of."

"I can do it alone," said Harry. "I'm not that fragile."

"So you're going to take him?" Alex asked. "He hasn't given up on you, I can see that. Did he do anything to you at school?"

"I didn't think about it that way," said Harry, the vague feeling coming back to him. "He didn't do anything superfluous. Tom thought of me very well."

Alex looked at him for a while: "So what about after Tom graduates? Are you going to continue living with him?"

Harry didn't answer.He would leave Hogwarts after Tom graduated and live like a Muggle, while Tom would go his way in the wizarding world.They could still see each other often, but Harry wasn't going to live with him.His existence will only hinder his development.

"I want to move to a Muggle village near Godric's Hollow," said Harry. "Tom should not be living with me anymore when he's grown up."

"Tom won't let it go," said Alex softly. "If you really want to leave him, you'd better marry someone."

"Alex, I don't want to get married," Harry said, "I just want to live in peace."

"But Harry, he's just biding his time," said Alex. "He's not going to follow you all the time."

Harry drank all the wine in his glass in silence.

"I just want to see what Tom becomes," said Harry lowly. "I don't want to think about anything else."

"But you need someone to take care of you," said Alex softly, taking his hand. "Whether it's a wizard or a Muggle, you need someone to be with you. You're supposed to have a life, and yours isn't Alone."

Looking into those gray eyes, Harry remembered what Alex had said to himself before he left.

"Thank you, Aaron." Harry pulled his hand away, "I'll be fine."

Harry saw the turmoil in those gray eyes, and looked away slightly.Alex opened his mouth, and finally his eyes dimmed.

"I'm still worried," Alex said, standing up.

"I'm not a child." Harry chuckled and stood up too.

"You always make people worry, which is exactly the same as that brat." Alex laughed dryly, "Good night, Harry."

"Good night, Aaron."

The gray-eyed man closed the door.Harry picked up the rest of the mead and poured himself a full glass.

It wasn't that Harry didn't know what Alex wanted to say, but he didn't dare to accept it.Harry was grateful that Alex didn't embarrass himself by speaking out, but it certainly put him in another debt.

Harry finally drank the bottle of wine that Alex had brought him, and spent the night smoking on the balcony.

It's a boisterous Christmas.Tom joked that as long as there was Alex, don't expect it to be deserted, and Harry kept smiling gently.

Tom seeks out Alex after the Christmas dinner, hoping to talk to him about Harry over the holidays.

"It's rare, Tom." Alex put his arm around Tom's shoulders, "How about just tonight?"

Tom didn't object, and the two came to the small living room on the second floor.Alex told the elves not to let anyone disturb them.

Alex handed Tom a glass of wine and sat down on the armchair.

"Harry won't tell me what's on his back," said Tom, "but I guess that's one of the things that hinders Harry's recovery."

"How do you know?" Alex asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Overheard," said Tom. "If I'm right, is it a curse that prevents Harry's magic from recovering?"

Alex nodded, "You guessed right."

"What the hell is that?" asked Tom.

"If Harry isn't going to tell you, then I won't say much," said Alex. "The curse has left a mark on Harry's back. The mark will be deepened by the frequency with which magic is used."

"What's the worst-case scenario?" Tom asked bluntly. "Harry will die?"

Alex looked at him without saying a word.

He acquiesced.Tom pursed his lips and clenched his fists.

"If Harry doesn't use magic, the curse won't work," said Alex, "but Harry wants to leave school with you, and he insists on teaching for another year."

"So he has to live like a Muggle from now on?" Tom gritted his teeth. "How much time does he have left?"

"Before that you answer my question," said Alex. "What do you think of Harry?"

Tom stared at him for a moment before saying, "He's the most important person to me."

"You still love him?"

"Yes, I love him." Tom took a deep breath, "but he won't take it. So I just want to stay with him."

"You want to be with him?"

"...Yes. I will respect his choice, and Harry will not give in because of coercion. But I have no intention of giving up."

Alex looked at him for a long time, then took a sip from his glass.

"If you don't use magic, Harry can at least live long enough to watch your son go to Hogwarts." Alex said softly. years."

Tom felt his heart ache like a whip.five years? !What a joke! ! !

"Damn it!" Tom cursed under his breath, which was worse than he guessed.

"Harry doesn't want you to know that," said Alex calmly, "but I think you need to."

"Of course I should know!" Tom tried not to swear, "but he kept it from me."

"Harry needs a whole new quiet life," Alex said. "He just doesn't want you to bother him."

"Excuse me?" The black-eyed boy narrowed his eyes and stared at the gray-eyed man, "I don't think you have the right to say that about me."

"No, I have." Alex put down his glass. "I'm just like you, dear Tom."

Tom's eyes widened involuntarily: "What did you say?"

"I love him as much as you do," Alex said quietly, "but I will be the last one by Harry's side. I will lift the curse on Harry and take good care of him."

Tom stood up abruptly: "This joke is not funny, Alex."

"I'm not kidding." Alex also stood up, "If you're not going to give up, then I won't either. I'm more suitable for him than you, and I know how to take better care of him. Harry has always looked at you Zuo is his child, he will not accept you."

"Shut up!" Tom stared at him angrily, his right hand clutching the wand in his pocket.

"Do you think Harry kept you by his side to give you a chance?" Alex said flatly, "You're wrong, he just did it because he knew he didn't have much time left. He's helping you grow , he doesn't want regrets, he doesn't want to make mistakes. It never occurs to you how much Harry cares about you, and your unnatural affection for him is just hurting him."

"Shut up!" Tom yelled, pointing his wand at Alex.

"I can give you what you can't give him." Alex glanced at his wand and chuckled, "Did Harry tell you about his plans after you graduate?"

"He's going to retire," growled Tom, "but it's none of your business!"

"It's not that simple, Tom." Alex said unhurriedly. "Sooner or later you will leave him and go your own way. Even if you don't, he will leave you. Harry just Wants a peaceful life, but you can't give it to him. You know that."

"Shut up!" Tom's face was bloodless, "I can't accept it, Harry has always regarded you as his best friend!"

"A lover is the closest friend, and I think I understand his thoughts better than you." Alex curled his lips, "I won't lose, dear Tom. Merry Christmas."

When Alex walked out the door, he heard the clear shattering of a crystal cup behind him.

The author has something to say:

It’s Harry’s birthday today, let’s go to a small theater to celebrate his birthday~~~

Tom: Good morning, Harry.

Harry: Good morning.

Alex: Yo, good morning, man.

Harry: Oh, good morning.

Tom: It's Harry's birthday today, of course I'm coming.

Tom (raising eyebrows): Harry's birthday has half a dime to do with you?

Harry (with a wry smile): I'm already this old, so it doesn't matter if I don't celebrate my birthday.

Tom & Alex: Yes!

Harry: ...

Dumbledore (smiling): Oh, I heard that Harry is celebrating his birthday today, and he's here for lunch~ Tom (suppressing his anger): Why are you all here?Get away!

Harry: Tom, don't say that.

Tom (pissed off): What does your birthday have to do with them?

Alex (touching Tom's head): That's not cute, Tom.

Tom (angry): Get your paws off!

Dumbledore (discovering the confectionary plate, and happily sitting aside with the plate): Harry, your craft has improved again.

Tom (rushing to snatch it): That's what I made for Harry! ! !

Harry: Tom, don't be so mean.

Tom (wanting to cry without tears): Harry, you did it on purpose, you definitely did it on purpose!

Dumbledore (returning the plate): Ha ha, ha ha ha

Alex: Albus, don't eat alone, share with me.

Tom (TAT): Hello...

Harry: All right, all right, Tom is listening

Tom (TAT): Harry, you want to kill me on purpose, don't you?

Harry: I swear to Merlin I never thought of it that way.

Tom (rolls eyes): You can't trust your oaths

Harry: ...

Alex: Harry, I'm hungry.

Harry: I'm going to get the cake right now.

Tom (glaring at Alex and smoking): Watch out, hedgehog!

Alex: Cut~ Cheapskate

Tom: Want to fight?

Alex: Can you beat me?

Tom (squinting his eyes and drawing his staff): Come and make gestures if you have the guts!

Dumbledore (passing by with a plate of sweets): Kindness makes money, kindness makes money ~ Alex (contemptuously): I don't know as much as a brat.

Tom (furious): What are you talking about! ! !

Harry (bringing the cake in): Hey hey, what's the fight?

Tom (glanced at Harry, retracted his wand): Huh: Huh?Why are you angry?

Alex (smirking): Kid is jealous.

Harry: Whoa, the kid (goes upstairs)

(Dumbledore laughs silently holding a plate of sweets)

Harry: Tom, let me in.

Tom: Go to your birthday dear Aaron and leave me alone.

Harry: why?

Harry: Angry over such a small thing?

Tom: Little man!He is the third party!

Harry: Heck, Tom...

Tom: The CP of this article is me and you, right?

Harry: Tom...

Tom: It’s okay if you always treat me coldly, you will toss me even for a side story!

Harry (urgent): This is arranged by the author, I can't help it

Mouxuan: Hey, isn’t that the case according to logic o(_<)o

(Harry & Tom squint, and kick the author aside calmly at the same time)

Tom: It's a nuisance to pop up all the time.

Harry: Ignore her.Good boy, stop being angry.

Tom: No, you have to make up.

Harry (囧): What compensation do you want?

Tom (cheeks slightly flushed): That's...

Harry: Exactly?

Tom: ... (suddenly pushes Harry down on the bed and kisses him)

Harry: Tom... well...

(Tom unbuttons him while kissing)

A certain Xuan: Keke, because of the river crab, some words are omitted here

A certain M: flip the table!Mouth!

Mouxuan: TAT, you think I don’t want to write... Isn’t it forbidden to write...

A certain M: Merlin asked you to write!

Mouxuan: But JJ won’t let you post

A certain M (smiling softly): Do you dare not write?

Mouxuan (saliva): I dare not post it after writing it.

A certain M (sweet smile): Then go die for 5 minutes before talking to me

Mouxuan: ...Okay, I'm going to die...

(Downstairs Alex glances towards the landing while eating sweets from Dumbledore's plate)

Alex: Harry is so slow, what are they doing?

Dumbledore (smiling): Don't look, it's not for you.

Alex (TT): Is this the tragedy of being a supporting role?

Dumbledore (patting shoulders): Hehehe, leave them alone, let's share the cake and leave.

Alphat: Keep me a copy.

ALEX (squinting): Harry's birthday has a dime to do with you?

Al Fate (TAT): I am also an important supporting role, okay?

Grindelwald (cheerful): Let me have a piece of the cake, too.

Alex & Alphat: Scary!Where did you come from.

Dumbledore (surprised): You're here, Gellert, that's great, great, just in time.

Grindelwald: Hehehe

(Dumbledore takes a knife to cut the cake)

Alfat (hesitating): This is not good, is it?

Dumbledore: Harry won't mind (cutting the cake)

Alex (glaring upstairs depressingly): Anyway, I have my share of the cake... (eating like revenge)

(Upstairs Tom is panting on Harry's chest)

Harry: Satisfied?

Tom: Satisfied... (rubbing back and forth)

Harry: Stop messing around, I don't have time to play with you anymore.

Tom (ignore, continue rubbing): I can play alone.

Harry (holds Tom's head): They're still waiting for me to blow out the candles.

Tom (moving Harry's hand away): Whatever, your birthday doesn't count against them.

Harry (helplessly): Don't bring such a domineering one?

Tom (raising his eyebrows): I'm so domineering, what's the matter?You nonviolent noncooperative guy.

Harry: hello...

Tom (continuing to raise his eyebrows): Why did I say something wrong?

Harry: ...well, I resign myself to it.

Tom (satisfied): That's about the same.

Harry: But I want cake too...

TOM (lazily): Save it, Alex won't keep it for you.

Harry (depressed): I can think of...

(Everyone downstairs starts to drink tea after eating cake, and chats after drinking tea)

Alex (impatient): Why aren't you coming down?

Dumbledore (smiling): Let's go, let's go, sorry to bother you for so long.

Alphat (whispered): I'm sorry you still cut other people's cakes.

Grindelwald (wiping his lips): I should go back, Albus, I'll be waiting for you.

Dumbledore: Let's go together. (the two leave side by side)

Alex:……

Arfart: Professor Palampion, let's go too

Alex (TAT): I don't want to!Stepmother, come out, it's not fair!

Mouxuan: Is it unfair to eat all the cakes?

Alex (TAT): Why am I a supporting role?

Alphat (TAT): Don't mention supporting roles, I still want to ask.

Mouxuan (sweat): You two, don't do this...

Alex (TAT, tugging at the collar): Anyway, I'm your half-son.

Alphat (TAT, pulling sleeve): And me.

Mouxuan (TT): My lady, come and save me...

A certain M (smiling softly): You can solve your son's problem by yourself (who told you not to write it out) ~ A certain Xuan: You are all bad guys... big bad guys! ! !