22 Confrontation

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- Give me the one you call Harry Potter and no one gets hurt! - Albus Dumbledore's loud voice echoed throughout the manor.

- Almost word for word," I whispered under my breath. If Albus knew what he looked like now...

- Word for word what? - Fleur was sitting next to me, looking out of the window, watching the old man who was striding majestically along the gate, but not trying to get in yet.

- It's just something I remembered, don't mind me. - While I'd slept after training, Apolline and Gabrielle had gone to visit relatives, and I hadn't even been able to say goodbye to them. A small part of me was glad to have avoided an awkward conversation and another apology on my part. Sebastian assured me that she understood and wasn't angry, but I felt that I needed to talk to her personally about it, so that we wouldn't be misunderstood or alienated.

As a result, it was just me, my fiancée, her father, and the two housekeepers. Harry might not realise it at the moment, but I had seen what the greatest light wizard in the world could do, so I was sober about our chances.

- Threatening me in my own house? Not a very good stain on your reputation, Dumbledore. - Sebastian's voice was no less loud. Both wizards were very familiar with the Sonorus spell. - This isn't England, where everyone dances to your tune. You're in a foreign country and you're threatening a senior politician. Leave the area immediately and no one will get hurt.

It was nice to realise that not everyone was shy in front of a man with a list of titles longer than his beard.

- Monsieur Delacourt," Albus spread his hands apart and added some good-naturedness to his voice. - You misunderstand me. I am in no way trying to threaten you. I just need to talk to Harry. I'm sure you know that he has an important role to play in the events in Britain. And it's up to me, his mentor, to help him through whatever challenges lie in his path. Let me in and we'll sort this out.

- A mentor?! You miserable old man who took everything from me! - I couldn't help but intervene in the conversation. And yes, Sonorus came out right the first time. - You think I'm not Harry, and the last time we met, you cursed me! I'm not going anywhere with you.

Dumbledore didn't seem the least bit offended. In fact, he began to look pleased. Sebastian, standing nearby, on the other hand, looked at me with disapproval. When I saw Albus clutching something in his hand and heard the clapping of apparitions, I realised my mistake. Dumbledore wasn't sure I was here, and I had just confirmed it myself. Another bad move by stupid and impulsive Harry Potter.

Six people appeared around Dumbledore. They weren't wearing hoods, and I had time to get a good look at their faces. Even at this distance, it was clearly visible that the leader of the Order of the Phoenix had summoned his best men: Black, Lupin, Tonks, Brushover, and one of the Weasleys, most likely Bill. When I saw the last member of the unauthorised rally, I involuntarily cursed: Severus Snape was still in the Headmaster's good graces.

- This is no longer a threat, but a full-blown assault, Dumbledore. - Sebastian was still perfectly calm. - Think again, do you really want to start a war between our countries? I can arrange that.

- There's no need to worry, Mr Delacourt. It's just my support. I'm concerned that Harry may pose a serious threat and these men can protect you from him.

- Oh, that's it, so these men are here to protect me? That's so touching. It's nice that you're concerned about my health. Well, if you think Harry Potter is so dangerous, then I, as a good host, should be concerned for your safety in turn. - With those words, clapping resounded again in the square outside the manor fence, but this time there was noticeably more of it. People in red robes surrounded the members of the Order of the Phoenix, but they didn't pull out their wands just yet.

- French Aurorate," one of them said loudly. - You are on private property, please leave this place immediately.

The reaction to the appearance of the lawmen among Dumbledore's supporters was rather different: while Tonks, Kingsley, Weasley and Lupin acted defiantly calm, pulling empty hands from their pockets, Snape and Black, who had a much more tense relationship with the Aurors in their home country, on the contrary, bristled and raised their wands, ready to attack. Albus seemed to take no notice of this.

- 'Mr Delacourt,' he continued to shout in his voice to the entire neighbourhood. 'Vain son of a bitch. - I don't think it's necessary. We're not here to threaten you or conflict with the French aurorate. I just want to talk to Harry.

- Harry or what we call Harry? I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific in your own wording, Mr Head of the International Confederation of Wizards. - The arrival of the reinforcements seemed to have a bad effect on Sebastian. He had obviously expected it to solve all problems at once. Unfortunately, he didn't know Dumbledore that well.

- As you have rightly noticed, Mr Delacourt, I am the head of the international confederation of wizards, which gives me some undeniable privileges, including in this country. I ask you to recall the Aurors and hand Harry Potter over to me so that I can find out who exactly is hiding under his disguise.

- This young man is under my protection. Whoever you think he is, I assure you he poses no threat to us. - No one who heard that statement escaped the "to us" clause. No one except Albus, who didn't seem to care what people said at all.

- Mr Delacourt, I'm afraid I must insist. You have no idea what this man is capable of. He cursed his godfather. What's more, he was suspected of murdering a Hogwarts student.

- Suspected? I was executed for that! Man, you like to play down the facts, but even for you, that's a bit much. And I was executed because of you. - I couldn't control myself again.

- If you were executed, why are you here now? - He asked me a reasonable question. - Don't blame me, Harry.

- I'm here because not everything has to go according to your plan. Just because you fooled the people standing next to you doesn't mean I'm going to be the same. I want nothing to do with you, and I'm not going anywhere with you. - Before I could even finish, I realised how pathetic that sounded. No words could shake Albus Dumbledore's self-confidence, and no phrase could make his supporters doubt his ideals. However, despite this, I decided to continue:

- Bill, what are you doing here? You lost your father to this old man's will, and yet you continue to blindly follow him without asking any questions. Don't ask him any questions, because all you'll get in return is more bullshit. Ask them to yourself! - Turning to Weasley, I realised that there was another reason why he was here, and that reason was sitting next to me right now. - Fleur will never be with you, Bill, and you know it. Give up hope and move on, right now you should be with your family, not involved in dodgy operations dreamed up by Dumbledore.

Leaving Weasley alone with his thoughts, I switched on:

- Tonks, Kingsley, what are you doing here? You're Aurors, are you really ready to attack your foreign colleagues just because the Headmaster told you to? Do you really think you're willing to go to war and be court-martialled for a cause you don't even know about? Lupin, I'm not going to ask why you're here, you're just a tame wolf cub. You never once visited me as a child, you betrayed me at the first opportunity, and you continue to do everything you can to make sure my parents spit in your face on the other side of the world. That goes for you too, Black. Let me guess, you didn't even think about what I said to you the last time we met. You just, as usual, let it slide. Well, that's your choice. You're a big dog, and a big dog shouldn't be left without an owner, or he'll be put to sleep. Snape... don't forget to show me the memory of you killing Dumbledore later. I'd be curious to see it. - I hadn't expected myself to speak like that. Even without any amplification in my voice, I could hear my former potions professor gritting his teeth.

- That's enough, Mr Potter. - Dumbledore cast aside all good-naturedness as he saw the thoughtful expression appear on the faces of his subordinates. 'Unfortunately, it won't be for long. - I let you speak, and you have proven once again that you are not the Harry Potter we knew. Our Harry was a kind and loving boy, always willing to come to the aid of those closest to him. None of these qualities apply to you. Leave the estate immediately and come with me to England. Otherwise, I will have to use force.

The jokes are over. Dumbledore is so serious that neither Sebastian's position nor the Aurors around him can shake his confidence. Even if this is a declaration of war, I'm sure that the head of the Wizengamot has thought this through and will get away with it. The members of the Order of the Phoenix drew their wands, albeit with some delay, but they were in no hurry to point them at the Aurors. They, for their part, were not in the habit of hesitating, taking aim at all the guests from England. I couldn't help but respect these unknown mages. None of them trembled before the great light wizard, even though they realised that they had no chance in an open confrontation.

I realised that I couldn't stay on the sidelines any longer. People were about to fight over me, while I hid under the window like the last criminal, occasionally letting loose a comment. Rising to my feet, I grabbed my wand more comfortably and walked towards the exit. Fleur, who saw this, immediately jumped to her feet.

- Wait, Harry, you can't go in there. Don't you realise that's exactly what they want?

- I do, love. I understand perfectly well, but I don't have a choice. I won't let any Auror get hurt because of me.

- They're well-trained and they know what they're doing. - It was Sebastian, coming towards us but keeping his eyes on the events unfolding in front of the manor.

- They may be the best wizards in the French Aurorate, but you and I know perfectly well that they can't stand up to Dumbledore. Given that this is all happening because of me, I can't stay away.

- I thought we were doing everything here to keep you out of it, Harry. - Fleur's father said disapprovingly. - 'You just said you weren't going to act on Dumbledore's will, and five minutes later you're acting on his will. Is it that Gryffindor thing again?

I guess for him the name of my home faculty is already a swear word.

- No, it's not an impulsive and thoughtless act. It's the only way out of this situation that I can see. We can go on and on, but it won't change anything. I will try to dissuade the Order from taking aggressive action.

- But Harry! What if they don't stop, will you fight again? I'm coming with you! - Fleur was extremely determined.

- No, Fleur, absolutely not. It's bad enough that they already know I'm hiding in your house. There's no need to show how close we really are. I'm already risking you just by being here. The most important thing is that you're safe.

- He's right, Fleur. You really shouldn't show your face. Not only is Dumbledore and his Order there, but according to Harry, there's a Death Eaters who will tell his master about you in great detail. The Dark Lord won't bother with little things like standing at the gate and talking loudly. And I don't want to see if he can flatten our family estate.

- But they're going to take him away, Papa. I can't let that happen!

- Don't worry. The Aurors won't let them. Besides, as long as Harry stays within the grounds, he's protected by charms.

- See, Fleur, it'll be all right. - I came close to her and put my arm around her waist, whispering in her ear, "I promised I wouldn't leave you alone. Don't worry, everything will be fine.

At that moment I was more proud than ever of my future wife. No tears or silly words. She just squeezed me tighter in her arms and then stepped aside.

- We've got your back, Harry. But try not to be too heroic. - Sebastian's admonition was as succinct as possible.

I only nodded in response, then walked down the corridor towards the exit. The situation outside was heating up by the minute. I could literally feel how one wrong move on either side would lead to a brutal fight.

The part of Harry in me felt a kind of satisfaction, rushing towards the danger. But in this, he and I were alike: it was impossible to stand by when someone was in danger of getting hurt through your fault. In addition to mindless heroism, however, I tried to act more rationally. Suddenly I thought of a scene from the canon that would probably never be repeated in this world. Summoning Dobby, I clarified a point with him and, receiving a satisfactory answer, smiled. It was unlikely that Dumbledore could expect something like this.

As I stepped outside, I noted that the positions of everyone involved in the sides of the conflict had not changed one bit. The man in charge of the Auror unit continued to insist that the English leave the area. They, in turn, glanced at Dumbledore, waiting for further instructions. Only Albus kept his eyes on the manor, and he was the first to notice me.

- 'Glad you decided to join us, Harry. Come on. - Everyone seemed to relax after those words, but as soon as I shook my head, my wands were raised again.

- I told you I'm not going anywhere with you, Albus. You're insane. You need to be locked up in a clinic and Silencio put on so you can stop messing with people's heads. Look around you, what are you doing? You're willing to start an armed conflict just because of your erroneous conclusions unsupported by any facts.

- I think you've insulted me enough times already, boy. - Albus pulled out his wand for the first time and pointed it at me. - But everything has a limit. What I do is completely none of your business. You're coming with me right now. And don't think that fence is going to stop me.

Without dignifying him with an answer, I decided to use the trump card I'd just invented:

- Dobby, come on.

Standing slightly away from me, so as not to attract any stares, the houseboy snapped his fingers, and then Albus Dumbledore's wand flew out of his hands and into the hands of my brave assistant. Everyone was so taken aback by the situation that I managed to send the houseboy away, with a command not to give such a powerful weapon to anyone.

The faces of those present were worth looking at. While most of the Aurors stood back and paid no attention to what had happened, the members of the Order were torn between wanting to attack me immediately and rushing to find the elf. Albus' face, to my regret, remained completely impenetrable.

- Well, Harry, you've made your choice. Let's go! - As soon as the English began to apparate away, I decided that victory was mine. - Fawkes!

A bright flash over my shoulder came so fast I didn't have time to react. A sharp jerk carried me away from the manor, and most likely from France altogether. My last thought was that Dumbledore had a trump card, too. And one I could have guessed at.