How entirely fascinating that to all the other people in the world, this was a day like any other day.  Kronos knew that they were lesser beings.  There were no others.  There were no others.  Only one other who matched him in strength and in potential.  Only one other to feed and to cause to grow.  That was what had made today special.  Sasha Schlagenweit was to arrive.  Sasha Schlagenweit was to arrive and enjoy his banquet, to join him of his own free will, to listen to his promptings and to grow from his seed-state as he made his return to the beautiful Hogwarts Castle in the coming days.

Kronos had wanted him to feel at home, and so the man arranged to have the conference at his sequestered castle on the Isle of Skye[1].  The Black Cuillin had been designated in his mind as Sasha's childhood villa.  It was a place of power for him as he came into his own and, of course, was home to his well-groomed stallion Aero.  Once more in the future he could permit Sasha to go riding in the open fields down below the hills or on the mountain paths alone if he so chose.  The fond memories of galloping alongside his rightful patron would do the boy well.  He could stop and overlook the sea from Loch Brittle, viewing the strength of his solitude through his own eyes, feeling attracted to the raw power of the earth as he scoped his future in the distance.

The castle had been fitted with only vegetarian cuisine, decorated in the Ravenclaw colours, befitted with German folk music[2] that reverberated throughout the commons, a fine blue carpet made of silk laid out to line the path all the way up to their conference room, so that Sasha would only walk upon it and nowhere else, like the regal king he was made out to be.  The carving out of destiny was as planned as it was convincing, and Sasha would be made to feel at home. 

The time was 3:23 in the afternoon as Kronos stood by the front entry, hands clasped behind his back in his fine white suit.  He had been entirely clear about the exactitude of the time he'd wanted Sasha to arrive at his villa, and he was poised and ready at the instant to welcome his boy home.  The music was emphasized, the rug set, the dinner ready to be spelled into creation, his own words of advice and enchantment well-memorized for the proper moments of execution.  Not a thing could be unhinged.  Sasha Schlagenweit was much too important an investment to see it otherwise spelled out.  And so as he awaited his guest right by the entry, Kronos wore a smile as bright as his garments, completely convinced of his fatherly status in the young boy's heart of hearts.  Today was well-planned and would be well-executed without a fragment of a doubt, for their connection was beyond blood and their future designed by fates majestic.  Today was, entirely, a special event.  And Kronos Hoppus Malvivicus was well-prepared for the proceedings, doubt him not.

1.	Polyvore Set
2.	Click for music

The world that had dissolved into a spinning mass of disorienting chaos came to a screeching halt, forcing the Ravenclaw to take a few staggered steps to compensate for the drastic change in momentum.  He took deep, long breaths of misty, salt-filled air to help ease his stomach.  It was only after he'd stowed the golden galleon back in his pocket that he felt level-headed enough to take stock of his surroundings. 

Late Saturday evening, an entirely nondescript owl lighted on the balcony outside Sasha's bedroom.  It dropped the letter in Sasha's hand and lifted soundlessly back into the night.  The owl, the only component of this event intended for public consumption was also bound to be the only component that could be described as 'mundane'.  In elegant writing, the letter presented the invitation, complete with a precise date and time and instructions for the enclosed portkey.  No RSVP had been requested; Kronos had probably assumed Sasha would oblige without question. 

As Sasha looked around him, there was no question as to what was the point of destination.  The only building - if it could be called that - in the vicinity was an elaborate castle whose round spires stretched high into the sky.  The castle held an unmistakable and uncanny familiarity and Sasha couldn't help but grin slightly.  It wouldn't be an afternoon with Kronos Malvivicus if every opportunity for the eccentric and unexpected hadn't been capitalized upon to the fullest extent.  Sasha brushed his hands over the lapels of his double-breasted coat and double checked the time on his pocket watch and started up the pathway to the castle's front door. 

The door opened and Sasha was first greeted by a familiar though unexpected tune drifted through the door.  The German tune, though entirely unexpected, was strangely befitting of the architecture of the castle even if it wasn't what he'd expected. 

He spotted Kronos standing by the door almost immediately.  He offered his host a shy grin and a nod in greeting.  "Allo," he offered.  "I almost don't quite feel like I'm in ..."  It occurred to Sasha he didn't actually know where he was.  That was the peculiar thing about portkeys.  "We aren't actually in Ludwig's castle, are we?"  The surroundings, though appropriately mountainous, didn't seem quite right.  And, he'd never actually seen Neuschwanstein when it wasn't filled with tourist and school groups. 

But, where were his manners?  He blushed slightly and dipped his head apologetically.  "Thank you, sir.  For the invitation." 

The large, arched door shut unguided from behind Sasha, as though it were moved by a sudden wind.  Kronos laughed from his belly till there was nothing left of the laugh but a tickle on his bared, grinning teeth.  "No, no, though your comparison is the highest form of flattery," he twittered, assuming Mad King Ludwig's castle to be one of the main attractions in all of Europe.  It of course tickled him that the architecture and the resemblance of the hills in this area reminded him of Bavaria; the music as well could only help in settling the boy in quickly.  Then, inclining his head benignly, Kronos deeply bowed.  "Please," he said.  "You are a most honoured guest today."  He gave a kind smile, gesturing Sasha along the bright blue carpet that led through the entrance hall and up some stairs.

He fell into step beside and a bit before the boy, and as he went forwards he held his hands behind his back, walked unaided and without a limp; he had a certain potionress to thank for that.

"Actually we are still in Scotland," he offered.  "Further North than where you spent your Winter vacation, but not by much.  Remember those mountains we viewed from our boat a few months ago?"  The tall, tiered castle was in fact situated East of Glenbrittle on the Isle of Skye, another key entry-point into the Black Cuillin Hills.  Whereas they'd approached the Southern end of the mountain range near the small town of Elgol from Straithaird Palace before[1], the day they'd gone romping round on horseback through the hills and to the sea for seafood and a boat tour, now they were on the other end of the black mountains that sat in the heart of Skye, the castle nested near Coire na Banachdich in the rocky hills.[2]

"What a fine day that was.  I dare say once you're in the mountains they're a world's worth more enchanting.  How have you been, son?"  It was clear from the path of the silk rug that they walked upon that their destination was straight ahead.

As they walked, the grandeur of the castle gradually revealed itself.  It certainly wasn't as big as Ludwig's castle, but it made up for its girth with its sheer height.  Once past the entrance hall, the ceiling stretched unimaginably high, housing blue orbs of light, variously sized, that floated in the air of their own accord.  The interior had been fancifully decorated.  On either side of the walkway along the walls were rows of doors, out of which Wizards not infrequently came, going into another elsewhere, busily like workers in an office.  Some were carrying armloads of material with them. 

1.	In the thread Spider Web
2.	Click Here for a reference map.

Sasha grinned, clearly amused by the man's reaction to his question though his own humor was markedly quiet and much more reserved.  "Oh?"  Sasha ventured to ask.  With any other person, Sasha would have withheld the following question on the assumption it was rude or inappropriate. But, Kronos was so far outside Sasha's typical definition of the 'normal' that his standard rules simply didn't apply to the man.  "Comparison to the architecture is flattering, I presume?  Ludwig the second was a bit of a nutter.  And, he went several million marks in debt for his castles."  Sasha's attentions had slowly drifted to the castle's interior. 

"Have you been?" Sasha asked.  "To Hohenschwangau?  It's a spectacular place, if you can stand the crowds."  Maybe Kronos didn't bother with crowds.  Somehow, Sasha couldn't see the man milling through slowly, his speed dictated by a heavily-accented tour guide that balanced both making herself understandable to the tourists and keeping tabs on the camera-clicking-obsessed Japanese and American tourists.  "Have you ever been to the Wieskirche[1]?  Near Oberammergau?  It's one of few places more magnificent than Neuschwanstein.  And, much less crowded."  Though, again, probably not a concern for the man. 

But, of course, that's not where they were.  As he followed a half pace behind his host, he continued to survey his surroundings with a curiosity he didn't remember having the first few times he was in this man's company.  "It's quite elegant," he concluded.  How exactly did wizards come by castles, Sasha wondered as he looked around.  He felt awkward asking that question directly so he opted for an indirect approach.  "Is it ... original?"  Scotland certainly didn't have a shortage of castles.  Maybe they were being sold off like the castles along the Rhein?  "Or was it made out of magic?"  Was that possible? 

"I love the mountains," Sasha admitted, nodding.  He did remember the mountains Kronos was referring to.  That day had been towards the end of his - had it really been a winter vacation?  Well, not really.  It had been a suspension.  His winter holidays - they hadn't been much of a holiday, either.  But, that day had had that carefree, holiday feel to it.  "There's a quiet you find when you're up high.  That was a fun day, though I'm sure summer's a much better time to go exploring up here.  Unless they ski?"  Sasha glanced curiously at Kronos.  He couldn't remember wizards speaking much of skiing but, given the lack of trees on the hills and slopes around them, this seemed like it could be ideal.  And, if one could apparate, one could ski anywhere.  Even without lifts. 

"I've been alright, sir," Sasha answered.  He wasn't sure if that was entirely true.  Perhaps, I've been as good as can be expected would have been a more appropriate response.  "I'm almost packed, though it's strange.  I really didn't want to leave when they sent me home but, now, I'm not really sure I want to go back." 

1.	Die Wieskirche

Kronos listened attentively to everything that Sasha was saying, head held high in consideration of the tone and content of his voice.  Both were most satisfying, there was a certain easiness there and amusement, as though they were partners in something, wealthy men laughing away the unfortunate placement of funds in another man's follies.  Kronos did chuckle at Sasha's assessment of Ludwig, pleased that the boy was smart on his sense of history and attentive to a very important fact:  this man was not so smart about his finances, and that was certainly something that Sasha would need to learn and master.

"Oh yes," said Kronos.  "Very good taste, he had; but not so clever.  I trust you'll do much better than he and not be fooled by pretty promises of early glory.  There is an art to staying rich and prosperous which I just know you will do so well with."  He tipped his head to the side to look at Sasha out of the corner of his eyes as he advanced his curiosity about castles in Germany that he might have visited.  To the first he only nodded and to the second he elaborated his stance.

"I have been many places like this but never during the day when they give tours.  To merely see a place is not my cup of tea, but to do business in a place of this nature... the Muggles and the precautions can be difficult.  They have to be moved out of the way you see, which is much easier to accomplish in the night when there are few of them.  The Wieskirche, however, I have not visited; perhaps one day you and I will go together." 

Kronos enjoyed Sasha's curiosities for behind every question was an opportunity to educate.  Educating was exactly what he aimed to do with Sasha, education with the intent to guide him to the very best place in life to be had:  being heir to a very marvellous man, himself of course.  He smiled heartily and often, chuckling here and there.  "Yes, by magic!  There was nothing here before," he said of his own castle.  "I had it made for me here under the instruction of a famous architect who is quite fond of the Bavarian style.  I knew I wanted something for business in the mountains here because it's only Muggle climbers you get and they really are easy to circumvent.  Otherwise the beauty is completely my own and, one day, yours."

His eyes crinkled with pleasure hearing of his love for the mountains.  He did truly do well in choosing their meeting place for the day; he'd been slightly unsure of it since the room that was their destination was a place that would affirm Sasha's maturity and adulthood.  Was he growing up too fast?  No, Sasha was right on schedule, wasn't he.  "We don't ski these hills, no," said Kronos.  "The slopes are very steep and rocky here.  Do you like to ski?  It is easy of course to go anywhere in the world for folks like you and me.  Ah, here we are." 

They had happened upon a door straight ahead of them, a large, arched door of heavy wood.  Kronos pulled its iron handle on the right and held it open for Sasha.  On the other side of the door was a very small circular room, or rather a sort of small, hollow tower without a ceiling, and the only ground to step on was a large, circular slab of rock that hovered in the centre of this hollow pillar.  Everything was illuminated by a softly glowing white light that came from everywhere at once.  Kronos stepped onto the rock and encouraged Sasha to do the same.  The door closed behind them.

"To the Master Suite!" said Kronos with flourish, and the flat circle of rock in the centre of the glowing tower began to move upward like an elevator past the stationary wall surrounding them on all sides.  "I don't think it's terrible that you're feeling strange about going back to school... it will be different now.  You, unlike any of your peers, know what it is to be a free man!  Untethered from the binds of bumbling Professors and teenage catastrophes.  Oh, yes.  Well, perhaps some of the news I give you today will brighten your mood in that regard.  Doors are opening for you, Sasha.  And never forget that Hogwarts is your school!" 

"You know, I'm distantly related to him."  Sasha nodded his head, politely, to a busy-looking wizard they passed but had turned back to Kronos before noticing the brief flicker of annoyance on the man's face.  He wasn't usually so quick to admit such details about his family's history - especially not outside the muggle world.  "Germany doesn't recognize nobility anymore but my mother's a - was a Graf.  A ... countess, I guess is the English equivalent."  Somewhere back there, some great uncle twice removed was related.  But, much like purebloods, the noble class had a certain degree of inter-relatedness. 

Sasha nodded, chewing his lip slightly.  The security of his own financial future was a thought that had crossed his mind on a few occasions but no one had really broached the topic with him before.  He was quite aware of how his stepfather maintained their family's money - as one of the top executives dealing with the international business accounts at DeuscheBank London, his salary had only fortified what inheritance he had acquired.  But, Sasha obviously had no real income right now.  Aside from his stepfather's life insurance and the benefits from his pension plan.  And, whatever would come from his grandmother's inheritance when he turned 18.  "I guess it depends on the type of employment you find?  I don't actually know what direction I want to go but I guess I'm supposed to figure out with OWLs coming up.  Are they as bad as they say?  Are there NEWTs I should take that will help with that?" 

Sasha just couldn't picture Kronos milling around in a touristy fashion.  Somehow, anything normal that might be done by the majority of people just didn't seem to be the way Kronos would go about things.  But, Sasha liked the idea of visiting Germany with the man.  Of showing him his other home.  "I hope so.  I hope to spend some time in Germany, again, this summer.  You should come and visit.  Though -"  Explaining the random visitor could be a bit problematic.  Though his grandmother was largely senile, it would be just his luck that she'd have enough lucidity when his sister was around to start going on about some old man.  "I don't know how much my grandmother would actually remember." 

Building a castle out of magic.  What a strange, foreign idea.  One that sounded a whole lot like cheating, if he was being honest.  At least a little.  But, he supposed the end result was just the same. Wait-  "One day, mine?"  Sasha repeated, clearly confused.  "But, I have a house.  It's already bigger than I can keep up with.  What I need is a house elf but I've never seen them in Diagon Alley."  And, how exactly would he explain that expense to the lawyers handling the estate until he was of age?  "You're not serious?"

Sasha nodded, confirming he liked to ski as he followed Kronos into the tower.  Distracted as he was by the novelty of the rather Star Wars-esque lift, he didn't elaborate further on that topic.  Luckily, heights had never bothered him much otherwise he could imagine the trip to the top would have been very unnerving.  He was glad (and relieved) that Kronos seemed to think his trepidation about returning to school was justified. 

"News?  About school?"  Sasha glanced uneasily at Kronos.  Kronos was involved with his returning to school?  Wasn't that risky?  "They know?"  Sasha asked.  "I thought it was best they didn't know.  I think they're having me stay with the Healer when I get back - rumor has it she used to be an auror.  She's weird.  Not quite right." 

Kronos hardly made notice of Sasha's claim to a distant relation, holding no stock in lineage or ancestry and having not a drop of interest in families.  To be done with them, that was a good thing.  He'd let the boy have his whimsies, however; he'd need them now but not in the long run of his life.  Kronos merely made as if he hadn't heard the comment at all.

"Employment?"  Kronos laughed as though he'd been tickled.  There was so much he had yet to learn!  "You'll find your way easy enough, after all you are learning from the best," he said.  Sometimes it was best to be vague about what exactly one meant.  "Defence is doubtlessly one of the most important subjects, though you might be helped by Arithmancy and History.  Even more crucial will be your ability to read others, Sasha, to know how to get things beyond the reach of an ordinary man."

He looked out of the corner of his eyes at Sasha with interest as the boy invited him to spend time in Germany over the Summer holidays; good, good!  The grandma wouldn't remember anything with a few waves of his wand.  "Not to worry," he said, his joy at the thought evident in his voice.  "Grand Mama can be saved the expense of remembering me, we'll find a way.  I do say it would be quite the time, son."

Sasha seemed utterly perturbed at the promise of inheritance.  He gave the boy a curious glance.  "Well of course it will be yours, Sasha, when I am dead and gone; I don't expect that to happen any time soon, but it is only fools who would wish to live forever.  Who else could I leave my estates to?  Surely not my employees, they'd soon enough forget me!  Sell it all off in parts for profit!  No it's my wish that I should be remembered, Sasha.  And you will not have to lift a finger to keep it all in operation if that's your wish.  It is, if I may say so myself, not a bad life to lead."

Inside the tower the rock slab climbed higher and higher without a sound. 

"Oh no, of course it is still best if the others don't know about your spending time with me," appended Kronos.  "Wouldn't want you to be put in any sort of bad spot, now would we?  No, what I meant is simply that I have made some... arrangements, which should make your remaining time in school much more prosperous.  You'll like this news, Sasha, it's got to do with learning." 

A huge door of ornate design[1] appeared before them and the lift came to a slow halt.  Kronos held his palm to it's centrepiece and it opened inward, its slow movement belying the heavy weight of the solid mahogany it was fashioned from.  Kronos ordered the lift to wait and moved beyond the entryway into a short room bearing three doors of a more simple design and several lit candelabras.  He led the way to the door on the right.

"Please, Sasha, after you," he said.  The room they were entering was a very special room, indeed.  He had it fashioned after the Room of Requirement except that it was always a conference room, and bore itself as such.  The curious thing was that whoever opened the door and stepped inside would create the décor and other details out of what would most please them, including any extra frivolities like grand dishes filled with Jelly Beans or pleasurable plush carpeting.  It was where Kronos often held important conversations, as it did make it just so much easier to keep his guests well-appeased.

1.	Click to see

Sasha glanced curiously towards Kronos as the older man laughed.  Though the man's response had been entirely vague, his confident and casual demeanor was strangely reassuring in its contrast to Sasha's own uncertainty and anxiety about his own future.  Both the ease and vagueness with which Kronos approached the topic only further accentuated the differences between the man and so many others.  Sasha's stepfather always presented a succinctly outlined path and had never left any details open to interpretation. 

But, Sasha couldn't resist a deep sigh when Kronos elaborated on his list of recommended subjects.  If he was, indeed, required to drop a class, defense had, actually, been one of the classes on the chopping block, purely for its lack of academic value.  History, likewise, had been one of the considerations.  Once again, Sasha's list of classes past OWL level now officially contained every one of his classes.  Especially if the enigmatic suggestion to learn to read people meant what Sasha assumed it meant.  "So, divination?"  Sasha asked, picturing palm reading and the other mentally invasive activities the class usually engaged in.  "Or - Runes?  Or, is that not really a class?" 

"You could probably convince her you're my father or uncle or something."  The statement had been meant as an offhanded bit of humor and a not entirely outlandish one, at that.  His grandmother was very much at that state of dementia where the line between reality and her own jumbled memories was extremely hazy.  "And, there are a couple residences on the property.  It would be easy enough to get by unnoticed."

Kronos' curious glance continued to be met by Sasha's own.  He knew that, for whatever reason, Kronos had taken an interest in him and his education.  And, the man had become a source of advice and support.  But, it hadn't ever crossed his mind that Kronos would place Sasha in the roll usually reserved for a man's true son.  So, naturally, he hadn't made assumptions.  Somewhere in the back his mind, some small voice was trying to sound an alarm, trying to tell him that there was something not at all right about this.  But, he quickly convinced himself he was very likely being paranoid - that the man's questions were valid.  Kronos had no son and, given his lifestyle, was unlikely to have one.  Who did he have to leave his legacy to?  The proposal the man was making was an exceedingly generous one; to question its motives could easily come across as ungrateful.  "I'm honored, sir," Sasha said, with full truthfulness once that voice had been settled.  For a man with as exacting of expectations as Kronos had, Sasha truly believed it was an honor to be kept in such high regards. 

Despite his full trust in the man, Sasha was fully aware that others wouldn't see things the same way.  Kronos was different - a breed apart and, as Kronos said, there were few who'd understand that.  Sasha knew there were others who cared for him: his sister, Dreogan, Professor Trishna and he knew most of them would overreact to his continued associations with Malvivicus.  It was better, in the long run, just to avoid the matter.  So, he was curious about these 'arrangements.'  And, yes, that they pertained to his education only further piqued his curiosity.  He turned towards Kronos to ask but was gestured towards a door. 

The room[1] that awaited him on the other side was not what he had been expecting but it succeeded in surpassing all expectations.  It wasn't all that dissimilar from a couple of the fancier ski chalets he'd visited in Switzerland.  Thick, warm, woolen area rugs were stretched out over the rich earthenware-hued tiled floor.  The walls were painted in a rich off-white with thick warm wooden beams trimming the walls and stretched across the ceiling.  A wide stone fireplace was the major focal point on one wall, opposite a large bank of ceiling-floor windows that looked out over the expanse of rolling Scottish hills and the sea beyond.  A narrow deck lined the windows on the outside - just wide enough to accommodate several deep, comfortable chairs. 

The room was simply but elegantly furnished.  A polished cross section of a tree stood in the center of the room as the conference table[2], and deep, comfortable seats lined the table.  Several large, leather couches lined the perimeter of the room, concentrated around the fireplace.  A familiar large, framed, stationary muggle photograph[3] hung from the wall opposite the door.  A side table stood along the wall near the photograph, baring a bowl of candied almonds and a platter of white-, milk- and dark-chocolate-covered fruits. 

"This is ... unexpected," Sasha said, simply, scanning the room, not quite sure what to make of it.  It really didn't seem to fit with the rest of the castle.  "This has to be magic," he concluded, giving the photograph another glance.  He remembered taking that photo at a show just this past summer and certainly had never had it enlarged.  He assumed, the only way it could have been recreated was from the image in his own mind.  But, from what he understood, this type of magic was immensely difficult and required immeasurable skill.  "But, I ... did you do this?"

1.	Inspiration for general layout of the room
2.	Table only
3.	Photo

"Divination will certainly be an asset," said Kronos, albeit a tad hesitant in admitting so -- not that he was any sort of skeptic or realist, but he wasn't so sure Sasha would be ready for that conversation yet.  "I wouldn't worry about studying it while in school, however, as there are some subjects best explored in solitude."

Kronos inclined his head in subtle gratitude; playing the part of an Uncle or Father to Sasha Schlagenweit was a subject he of course took kindly to, and he was pleased to hear a certain lack of concern for pulling one over on the blood kin.  Hopefully there wouldn't be very many of those left any more.  "Ahh, yes," he said, sounding truly delighted.  "I should be looking forward to it, then!"

And the boy was humble, and the boy was resolute -- honoured to be his heir.  Fantastic.  Kronos could not detect an iota of betrayal in Sasha, and he had grand hopes for their future.

He stepped aside as the boy opened the door and led the way into the Conference Room.  He had to have a look around as well, since to be technical about it he had never seen this room before.  He held a light, toothy smile as he took in the pleasing qualities of the warm, mountainous retreat which rather felt like a spacious cabin held aloft in the alps.  He was admiring the portrait of a beautiful horse when Sasha's surprise reached him.

"Hmm?" said Kronos, seeming very innocent of the whole thing.  "To be more correct, it is you who has brought everything in this room into creation!  Brilliant, isn't it.  I quite like your taste.  Shall we sit?  I should like to hear what has been on your mind as you consider your return to the school, Sasha.  And how have your Defence lessons with Terry been treating you?  You simply must tell me everything," he said with a flamboyancy missing in much of his previous speech.   

"I'm kind of rubbish at Divination though," Sasha admitted, his own skepticism showing through, though for entirely different (and pride-based) reasons.  "I haven't gotten much above an Acceptable, even with a professor.  I don't know.  Dreogan thinks I worry too much about getting the right answer.  Or, I'm not good at isolating myself."  But, Dreogan had been optimistic that, somewhere in there, Sasha had the makings to do well with the subject.  Once he figured it out. 

"I know," Sasha admitted, nodding as he glanced away from the view outside the expansive windows.  What Kronos informed him of was no more or less than Sasha had deduced on his own.  The photo had been the giveaway, with the sheer 'muggleness' of the image, alone, even if he hadn't recognized it as his own photographic work.  But, that hadn't been the question.  He hadn't been curious about who'd provided the mental inspiration for the room but rather who'd crafted the magic that made the room possible.  "I ... but,..."  Sasha had, by now, gathered that Kronos did like to distort the obvious for the benefit of theatrics.  Perhaps, then, that was the key to getting the answer he was hoping for; maybe using a more theatric analogy would work better than a straightforward one. 

"I guessed that I was, you know, like the interior designer."  Sasha turned, pointedly, towards the portrait.  "I remember taking that last summer.  I just ... were you the architect?" 

Taking a seat provided a brief, convenient distraction - just long enough for Sasha to consider Kronos' question.  In two day's time, he was returning to Hogwarts and it'd be a lie to say he was full of enthusiastic anticipation.  "I don't know."  Sasha shrugged, seeing no reason to hide his uncertainty and conflict from the man.  "I'm nervous about going back.  I know I shouldn't care but I don't know what people are going to think.  Or say.  I know they're all probably angry about my accusing Fauna of being a werewolf.  And, everyone knows about me and Fergie.  I know it's my place," Sasha quickly added.  Kronos had stated that on a number of occasions in the past.  And, Sasha knew he had to be right.  But, "I just ... I just want to focus on exams and get it done." 

"They have me staying in the hospital at first."  Sasha shrugged.  "I get to bring my dog but ... I don't know.  The Healer is weird ... like, not normal.  She's ... she smokes pipes and wears cowboy boots." 

However much Sasha was conflicted about returning to schools, he was even more so about his lessons with Terry.  Terry still unnerved him.  A lot.  Regardless of the fact that it was Kronos who'd arranged the lessons.  He assumed Terry gave Kronos reports - he could only assume that the reports Terry provided actually depicted reality.  "I think they're going alright.  I don't think he's really impressed-" But, then, Terry seemed like a difficult man to impress in general.  "But, he hasn't declared me hopeless.  I think I'd rather be learning from you, though.  But, I understand that you're busy."

He did have such a curiosity behind him, always needing to know the story beneath the surface; it was a good trait for a son of his to have, as he couldn't have found a more bright Wizard to fill his shoes.  He nodded gently, admitting to his part in their current facade.  He loved tricks and illusions, especially where it put him in a position of insightful reverie - it was quite like stepping into the other's mind to see what it was they wanted in life.  When you had that, it gave you a distinct advantage in the way of knowing the mood and temperament that would be of most use.  Consciously he didn't consider this an act of moulding Sasha's will, but rather of finding the right means to allow his true Self to blossom.

"I have made it so that it puts my guests into their natural element," he said, simplifying the purpose to the room.  "If you've an interest in this sort of magic, I could teach you of its application.  But such a lesson, Sasha, should be for another day."

Once Sasha had seated himself and begun answering his prompt about returning to school, it became clearly evident that his preoccupation was with the minds of others - only not in quite the right way.  He was quite vulnerable to their judgements, concerning himself with how he might be perceived instead of how he might use their fear of him to his advantage.  It was not troubling, nor was it very unexpected, but he filed his impressions away and listened attentively to Sasha, the very image of empathic consolation.  He could in fact identify with that standpoint - of the anxiety that others could bring to bear with their assumptions.  It had been a very long time, indeed, but he had felt the effect of that once upon a time in his childhood.  It had taken the knowledge that it would never naturally end, that he would have to force an end to the influence of others on his mind and heart, for Kronos to fully be done with the old and to propel himself into his own impending future.  He assumed that it would be much the same for Sasha.

He was, really, touched to hear that Sasha lamented he couldn't learn directly from him; there arose his weakness for the boy - a weakness not found in over seventy years in his hairy, hairy heart.  He could hardly contain himself from fully and instantly agreeing to teach him all he knew himself, right then and there - but Kronos had had too much practice in controlling his own mind that what slipped from his tongue was a much more watered-down version of what he truly felt.

"I'll consider your proposition, Sasha," he said.  "Perhaps it would be better to have a bonded figure to learn the ropes of those magics.  Though I must say that the reason I'm having you meet with Terry, rest assured, is that he is the greatest wielder of grand magic I think I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and finding under my employ.  But, for the time being, of course, we won't be able to continue the trainings until you are free again of the school.  In that time, I'll consider taking you on as a student myself."  He looked down at where his hands were folded on the table, or rather the slice of a table-like tree.  His plentiful rings sparkled and gleamed at him before he turned again toward Sasha, this time curiosity dawning on his features.

"They have you staying at the Hospital?" he asked, critically.  "What do they think, that you're sick or something?  And are you to be under surveillance?  It's curious."

So, Sasha's assumptions had been right.  He surveyed the room once more, this time focusing more on any details that might offer insight into the structure of the room.  He dipped his head, slightly, confirming this was very much a branch of magic he would love to learn.  It had to be like the magic behind the room of requirement.  It had to be bloody complex but immensely practical.  He'd seen plenty of episodes of Star Trek to know how useful a holodeck-type rooms could be.  Sasha would be looking forward to that lesson when it came on another day. 

"But, certainly no better than you."  Yes, Sasha had seen the breadth and capabilities of Terry's magic.  Or rather, Sasha had seen the depth of the magic that Terry had shown him.  He certainly didn't delude himself into thinking he'd seen anything close to the extent of it.  But, Sasha had always assumed Kronos' abilities outstripped Terry's.  After all, it was Kronos who called the shots, wasn't it?  "I mean, otherwise ..."  He supposed he assumed Kronos' business was much like a wolf pack.  Kronos was able to control- well, delegate to his men because they knew he'd prevail if challenged.  But, he had no idea how to phrase the question and not make it sound as offensive as it was sounding in his own head.  "You employ him.  Obviously, doesn't that mean...why wouldn't he do his own thing?  I just - I don't trust him." 

Color rose in Sasha's cheeks, not entirely sure what Kronos would make of the admission.  Terry was Kronos' right hand man, from what Sasha could gather.  He knew better than to openly speak ill of the man so he'd always been careful to keep his reservations to himself.  But, the prospects of being taught by Kronos - of not having to spend time alone around Terry anymore - was just too tempting to let slip by.  Terry might be loyal to Kronos but Sasha wasn't foolish enough to believe that meant anything to him.

"I don't know," Sasha admitted.  Were they going to be surveilling him?  That thought hadn't actually occurred to him.  "I think they want to make sure I'm not nutter.  That I'm not unbalanced.  That I can deal with going back to school after everything.  And, they have to make sure no one in Ravenclaw objects to the dog before I can go up there.  I guess they want to make sure I'm not going to go cursing any other students.  I don't know if they're also surveilling me.  It's ... it's possible.  They say the Healer used to be an Auror.  For a long time.  I know some of the staff are concerned.  I don't know.  I hope not." 

Kronos had to smile; it was warming to hear Sasha speak as if he was very much at home here.  His admission and straight-forwardness was a sparkling gift to Kronos, satiating the man's desire to be fatherly towards the boy.  His line of questioning also teetered on the edge of a dark crevasse, hinting at Kronos's assumed authority and military exacting of justice under the law of His own home.  Death, in other words, the ability to Prevail.  He was glad that Sasha was in some way acknowledging this.

"Yes," he stated simply, looking to his son with more than a bit of the lion's pride in his countenance.  "Of course, there could be no better than me," said Kronos vainly.  He paused, then continued with the tone of an appeasing elder relative.  "That is, not until I teach you, starting with the next time we meet.  How does that sound?  I trust your intuition, Sasha, and so I'll kindly take your words into account.  It never does hurt to be cautious with those we allow into our... inner circle.  As far as I am concerned, you are my equal and we alone are above everyone else in existence!  Quite a cross to bear at times, though certainly worth the experience in the end.  We are a kin apart, Sasha dear, and we should really take it upon us to celebrate our time together.  Let it be done."

Kronos extracted his wand easily from his pocket and with one fluid motion summoned the tray of chocolate-covered dainties.  They settled themselves upon the table beside Sasha and with another wave of his wand there was a saucer of hot chocolate alongside it, and then a dollop of whipped cream appeared atop that.  It was just so lovely to spoil his bairn.

"Atrocious accommodations they're giving you.  Unfortunately it wouldn't be in your favour now to speak or act openly against it.  The best path for you at the moment is subversive rebellion of a sort, Sasha.  This is why I've set you up with a tutor inside of Hogwarts.  He'll be allowing you access to books in the restricted section of the Library and providing you with private lessons of a more pressing sort to prepare you for the times to come.  Do you know of Mister Morgan, Head of Slytherin House and Master Librarian?"

Sasha couldn't help but grin slightly to himself as he looked out the large-paned windows at the lazy rolling Scottish hills and the sea beyond.  He settled more deeply into the couch, well aware of the unspoken shift - or decision - on Kronos' part.  Kronos was no longer pondering whether he'd provide Sasha with private teachings - he'd decided he would.  And, even more so, planned on doing so, starting with their next meeting.  Sasha knew this was unlikely to be an exclusive arrangement - Sasha required far more tutoring than he was sure Kronos had the time for.  But, even if his tutoring was still being delegated at times to untrustworthy figures like Terry, hopefully whatever he learned from Kronos would help him hold his own if anything happened. 

"That sounds excellent, sir," Sasha confirmed, in all honesty.  "I'll look forward to that.  I'll have free time this summer."  And, minimal supervision.  Wilhelm would be around, certainly.  But, the barnhand-turned-legal-guarding had his hands full seeing to both estates.  Wilhelm still saw Sasha as the independent, quiet, well-mannered boy he'd watched grow up.  Before Gerhard's death, around the barn, Wilhelm had been more Sasha's work partner than any authority figure and that dynamic still persisted.  He certainly didn't hover over Sasha the way others in the wizarding world did and he was perfectly content to leave Sasha to his own devices. 

And, by now, Sasha's house back in London was just that - a house.  Even before his parents' deaths, it hadn't ever felt much like a home.  Now - it just felt empty.  Cavernous.  Even Wilhelm tended to gravitate more towards his flat above the barn.  Sasha returned to the house in Rickmansworth because the horses were there - and he had no real alternatives.  He'd probably accept just about any alternative that presented itself.  "I'd be happy to spend as much time here - or ... with you ... or wherever - as I can." 

"Subversive rebellion?"  Sasha was a little too inexperienced with the notion of rebellions in general to be able to differentiate between subversive rebellions and ... whatever the alternative was.  "I'm not sure what you mean by that." 

Kronos' elaboration didn't offer much in the way of clarification and the bridge of his nose wrinkled, betraying his confusion.  Sasha was, by no means, an expert on rebellions but even he could see that being tutored by a librarian wasn't exactly rebellious.  At least, not superficially.  "Ja," Sasha confirmed, nodding his head slightly.  He knew of Mister Morgan.  He'd figured out early on that he wasn't exactly Mister Morgan's favorite student - though he could never pinpoint why.  "Mister Morgan agreed to tutor me?"  That statement made about as much sense as declaring a male unicorn had just laid an egg.  "I - What will he be tutoring me in?  I presume it's not OWL preparation.  Do you know him?  He knows about me- us?  Is he ... trustworthy?"