"Do you think it wise to anger such a volatile nation?" was the gentle argument. "We do not wish to have a rebellion on our hands. It would be most devastating to the populace were such a thing to happen." The old man once again had disproval in his eyes as he looked over his glasses.
"I hardly think that one wizard refusing to use their bank would cause such a disruption," Hydrus all but snapped, folding his arms and narrowing his eyes.
"Perhaps," the old man said, stroking his beard in thought. "I have heard it said that you do not make your employees bank elsewhere, so it is probable that the goblins will eventually overlook your slight."
"They slighted me first," Hydrus snapped. "Besides, where I put my money is my own business. It's not illegal to bank outside of Britain, my lawyer checked." Though the goblins had tried to make it so, the Wizengamot refused to censor such activities. Perhaps a few of those old fogies also banked outside of Britain, or held secret accounts for their bribes. Hydrus wouldn't put it past them, nor begrudge them, since he did the same.
"Of course, my boy, I did not mean to infringe upon your privacy. As Chief Warlock it is my duty to make sure that no one stirs up trouble, and I see that is not your intention," the Headmaster placated, moving his empty hand in a calming gesture. "I do have one more inquiry. I was wondering if you could tell me where Sirius is living. I have attempted to contact him with questions about young Harry; however, I cannot seem to locate his abode."
"Don't you see him at the Ministry?" the younger man asked with a quirk of his head, letting the subject of his banking habit go. Sirius had told him he talked to Dumbledore many times over the years, so Hydrus had to wonder why the old man wanted his cousin's address.
"I do," the old man confirmed with a slow nod, "however, I sometimes have thoughts that I feel must be answered straightaway when I am doing my duties elsewhere."
"I'm afraid I can't tell you where he lives," Hydrus lied, making sure his Occlumency shields were up. "I only meet with him in public and we use the telephone to communicate. I will however tell him you wish to speak to him. If there is nothing else, Headmaster," he said firmly.
"No, nothing at the moment," Albus said a bit sorrowful at not getting the answers he wanted. Then he perked up and hoping to lighten the young man's sour demeanor, he added, "I do want to express how wonderful these enterprises you have brought to Diagon Alley are. They seem to be most useful to the society at large, especially the academic toys, most useful indeed. With the amazing things you and young Mr. Frostwell have invented, our students have flourished. Good show." He looked that the firm face in front of him and was resigned to the fact that he might have stepped on some toes. So he gave his good-byes. "Once again, it was good to see you, my boy," Dumbledore said brightly and turned back to the grabbing hag's hand he was admiring. He wondered if he should purchase a few, it would liven up his staff meetings and meals.
"Thank you, Headmaster, until we meet again." He turned and this time made his escape.
Hydrus finished out his morning at the store and went home. As he was making his way to the Apparation point he felt eyes on him. He looked around and noted there were a few people smiling at him, so he shrugged it off as nothing. When he made it to the house, he told Sirius that the Headmaster was trying to find out where he lived, leaving out the part about his banking preferences.
"I can't tell him I live here," Sirius sighed, flopping in his recliner. "I wonder what took him so long to ask, and why he didn't just ask me." That question went unanswered, since none of them understood the Headmaster's way of thinking.
"You could always use the flat in London. Have a ward set up to tell us when owls come," Remus suggested, after a minute's silence. "Just tell him, that you live in a non-magical area and that you had an owl ward up to stop inquiries about Harry."
"That's not a bad idea," Padfoot said. He then turned to his older cousin and asked, "Hey, Hydrus, speaking of owl wards, I was wondering where all of Harry's post is. Even if he is not the hero you were, there's always going to be diehard fans."
"I set up my own post ward, right after I took down Albus's, and had it redirected to Hellströms. They check it, put it in a vault and then send thank you notes. I'll tell Harry about it when he learns to read and write better. For right now, there's a form letter stating that his lawyer handles all post, which Mr. Jasper set up. There really isn't that much, thanks to those books never being published," he said with a grateful grin. He never did find out what happened to all his mail in his timeline.
"I am really glad you stopped those books, Sirius. Now, at least, he can go to Diagon Alley without being mobbed," Remus added, remembering some of the memories of Hydrus's time in the Alley.
"Yeah, that was never fun," Hydrus pouted. "Anyway, how did Neville's play date go?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.
"It went well. You were right, little Neville doesn't like brooms. There was a bit of a small argument over that, but they got over it pretty quick," Sirius said happily. It had been a good day. Harry brought his broom and they did teach Neville to fly, but the child was scared of heights, so that only lasted a few minutes. So they broke out some of Harry's more educational, yet fun, toys and started Neville on his spelling. Frank and Alice were very impressed and declared they would hit Fun For All Kids the next day.
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