The morning sun washed over the young man's face and arms, lulling him into a gentle dose.  Beneath him, water lapped rhythmically and lazily against the old, weathered deck's pilings, driven by a gentle breeze that blew across the length of the lake's surface.  Sasha's legs dangled lazily over the end of the dock and into the lake and the cold from the ever moving water was the only thing keeping sleep from tugging him into a full nap.  But, for the first time in a very very long time, Sasha was utterly, perfectly and undeniably relaxed. 

He very much hoped this quiet pace and calm would be the pattern for the remainder of the week.  This was, quite possibly, the first time Sasha had found himself with no obligations, no expectations and no one to answer to.  This week-long stretch of real, honest vacation was what Sasha needed to charge his battery for the coming year. 

The last few days had been little less than hectic as plans were finalized to prepare for the coming school year.  During the middle of July, Katrine Waldgraf's nurses had finally moved Sasha's grandmother into an Alzheimer's unit in Munich, officially leaving the care of all three properties in Sasha's and Wilhelm's hands.  Having Wilhelm maintain both residences while Sasha was away at school made little sense.  Sasha didn't yet know where he'd decide to spend the school winter holidays but he knew he wouldn't be spending them in his parents' home in England.  So, after several long discussions, Wilhelm and Sasha both decided it made the most sense to have Wilhelm and the horses transfer down to Königsee and leave the English estate vacant for the year. 

The haulers had picked up the horses two days before.  Shortly after the truck and trailer had pulled out of the yard, Sasha had caught a train so as to reach the Waldraf residence with time to get things situated.  Wilhelm had stayed behind in England to finish getting everything in order and would arrive in Bavaria just before Sasha was due to catch a train back to school.   By this morning, all the horses had been settled in and, aside from regular barn chores, Sasha had every intentions of spending the rest of the week relaxing. 

Sasha's guest was due to arrive this morning, with a more than adequate grace period between hauler's scheduled departure and his arrival.  An exact time hadn't been arranged and Sasha didn't know if the man would be arriving directly at the house or coming to town and taking the boat.  In either case, Sasha had left a note up at the house notifying the man that he was down at the lake for a swim. 

Somewhere, mid-morning, a shadow passed overhead and drew the boy out of his half dose and he looked up with a grin.  "Allo," Sasha greeted, pushing himself upright, looking up at the man.  "You found it alright, then?  Did you come straight here?  Can I get you anything?"  After a summer spent with Sasha descending on the man's residences, it was exciting to be playing the host.

Residence

Polyvore

Kronos held his arms out and bent his elbows and knees, face crinkled and so oozing with fatherly love for the boy.  "Sasha!" he greeted with a beaming grin.  It was definitely an understatement to say he was radiating delectation; Kronos was quite assuredly happier than he had ever been in all of his life to date.  It had been a lovely Summer, and sad as he was to see it end, he had twelve days yet to spend with his dear and only Son - the boy who'd won his heart - Sasha the incredibly perfect Schlagenweit.  What was more!  They'd spend it in the way of his choosing, with no more lessons and certainly not with any boring chores, in the cradle of his homeland and, indeed, the very place of his birth.  It was a delightful day!

"Oho, what a beautiful home you have, Son!"  All his words seemed bent with a laughing joy.  "I'm quite impressed already," he admitted kindly.  He couldn't help but let his whole brilliant spirit shine with undying pride and affection, seeing Sasha lazing about in the sun and welcoming him to a serious palace of an estate.  They fit right in with each other, didn't they!

"I did," he said brightly, "I only came by a guarded port-key, and the rest of the way was simply scrumptious; I just love your mountains!" he added, clearly overjoyed to think of the entire nation as belonging to Sasha.  "I did take a bit of time with them.  I had to, after all, to steal a moment with their blinding majesty... but I was so excited I couldn't keep myself away terribly long.  You see, there's such fun to be had at the end of a Summer of such hard and laboriously boring work."  Again he grinned, his strong little Scottish teeth shining kindly and glad.

He was looking much more bohemian than was his usual today, as modest as one could be while dressed in a gold, embroidered suit made with silk floss and embellished with a fine floral weave.  His shoes and carrier bag were simple, worn brown leather; they probably cost as much as his hand-tailored Wizard's suit - an arm or a leg, perhaps - fashioned to exactitude and still brilliantly comfortable to walk in.  He had grown into his beard a bit, as well, and felt he was looking quite charming and wholesome to-day.  Of course there was a bit of his usual flair thrown in as well - in the form of little dangling dia de los muertos skull earrings in acid green.

"Please," he said happily, only guessing how much it must have meant for Sasha to be playing host to him after all of this time - and for a whole stretch of holiday!  "I'd just love a glass of cold milk," he said.

Sasha pushed himself upright as the man reached him and, with two, quiet splashes, pulled his feet up out of the water.  Taking care to place his feet gently but firmly in an effort to avoid any splinters from the weathered worn dock., Sasha got to his feet.  Once properly on his feet, he turned towards Kronos to offer his guest a proper greeting.  "It's good to see you, sir," he offered, interpreting the outstretched arms as an invitation and meeting it with a brief, small hug.  "I'm glad you could come." 

For the young Ravenclaw, this pre-school, purely casual visit was much needed.  And, not just because could Sasha not remember the last time he'd had the luxury of such a stretch of unrestricted leisure.  While that was a big factor, Sasha's uncertainty and trepidation about returning to school was probably a much stronger motivation.  He knew Kronos would understand and would be willing and able to offer Sasha both reassurance and advice - both of which Sasha needed. 

Sasha had never been a natural at accepting compliments and despite his comfort and familiarity with the source, he couldn't help but shrug awkwardly.  "Well, it's not quite mine, yet," Sasha felt compelled to explain even though part of him knew it wasn't necessary.  "It still belongs to my grandmother.  Really, until I'm eighteen, it will all belong to the lawyers handling the trust fund, anyway.  It really ... I ... I mean, thank you, sir.  I'm glad you're impressed."  Belatedly, Sasha realized that was all that was really needed.  He offered Kronos an apologetic grin before turning and leading the way up towards the main house. 

"The work wasn't that boring," Sasha countered, glancing at Kronos, his bare feet treading comfortably through the cool, soft grass.  Hard and laborious at times, yes, but Sasha had found little of what he'd done that summer to be boring.  He'd actually thoroughly enjoyed the international muggle summer school program he'd participated in at Cambridge.  It was the first time, since he'd left Queen Ethelburga, that he'd really been able to spend time in a science laboratory.  And, he was quite familiar with the people and the work he'd done at his internship in the DoIMC. 

And nothing about his lessons with Kronos could be described as boring.  Of course, given Kronos' tendency towards the flamboyant and extravagant, Sasha could see how those lessons might have been a bit more mundane for the older man.  "Not to me, at least.  I really appreciated it, sir.  Given where I was last year with wandwork."  With a mismatched wand and little confidence, Sasha had always struggled with wandwork.  He was infinitely more confident now than he had been before.  "I know I'm not that good, yet, but I feel like I've made some progress." Sasha was certain Kronos held back during their practices though he had no idea to what degree he did so and, therefore, had little to gauge his own progress on. 

"But, I do love these mountains.  They just, you know, feel like home.  There are miles of trails to hike or ride and some of the higher meadows are still in full bloom."  Sasha paused in their trek up to the house and turned and pointed up the ridge on the far side of the lakehead.  "We have a small cabin about fifteen kilometers up that way - a good day's ride.  But, it's right at the base of a waterfall.  One of my favorite places."  He turned and continued across the lower lawn, taking Kronos into the house through the front door. 

"Milk I can do," Sasha admitted with a slight grin, making his way to the kitchen.  With an apologetic grin, he clarified: "beyond that, I'm not very skillful in a kitchen.  I can heat things up; that's about it.  I usually just go find food someplace."  Or, heat microwave dinners.  However, Sasha had no intentions of serving Kronos anything microwavable.  "How have you been, sir?  How are the horses?" 

With warm acceptance of the given hug, Kronos patted Sasha on the back.  "I wouldn't miss this visit if Eric Campbell[1] himself crawled out of the grave for a one-night-only performance at West End!" he declared.  The reference may have been lost on Sasha, but it was saying quite a deal.  "I am very pleased to be your guest, Sasha," he said, feeling the need to reassure the boy of his meaning.  He plucked the hat off his head for a moment and set it back down to show his willingness to play equals.  He even matched it with a wink.

For Kronos, too, had looked forward to this visit a great deal.  After almost a year, he was becoming more and more invested in the idea of Sasha being his son, to the point that he had convinced himself most thoroughly of the inevitability of their continued relationship.  Sasha had, after all, agreed to be his heir.  He had spent all Summer training personally under Kronos's careful instruction.  After returning to the school at the end of their visit, he would have a personal tutor and access to the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts Library.  Everything was going splendidly!  And what a treat to see Sasha already had his own palace of sorts, even if he was - as ever - modest.  Kronos chuckled.

"With time, all of this and so much more will be yours," he reminded him.  "And it's as good as, already.  Nobody can deny that you are the prince and rightful inheritor of this estate!"  Other than a few left here and there, most of Sasha's extraneous relatives had been pushed along to the afterlife, after all.  Which did leave a very nice, clean slate for him to begin his own afterlife, of sorts.  His reign would begin much differently from Kronos's, though, in that he would have someone who cared for him, someone to show him the way.

Kronos looked to him from the corner of his eye, a small smile surfacing readily.  "I'm glad you found the Summer enjoyable," he said truthfully.  "I wouldn't want to give the impression that I find teaching you to be laborious, either.  You are the perfect pupil," he said proudly.  "And it is a joy to see you gaining confidence in your use of spells.  What am I saying - there couldn't be a Summer better spent!"  He laughed briefly, jolly in temperament.

"We'll have to go for hikes together," he said.  "I'd love for you to show me your favorite haunting grounds and my, if fields of flowers in the high meadow doesn't sound lovely!"  He looked blown away just imagining it; Kronos did love beautiful places in a wide-open nature, and a nice, rolling meadow was a personal favourite.  "Riding out to a waterfall," sighed Kronos.  "That would be markedly splendid, son."  Kronos continued following Sasha up toward the house, his own step light and careless alongside his young friend.  He fell behind slightly, allowing Sasha to take the lead as they entered and moved in toward the kitchens. 

He was touched to hear Sasha inquire into how he was personally fairing in life.  And of course, happy to hear his concern for their horses.  Kronos's collection of mares and stallions had only been growing exponentially since he'd met Sasha Schlagenweit, and he ensured that all of them had only the best of care.  Sasha's favourite stallions, such as his first choice, Aero, were treated as Kings.  "They're missing you already," he said.  "But I've ensured that their daily rituals will be upheld in our absence.  And as for me, I've never been happier in all of my life," he proclaimed sincerely.  "You've brought joy into the life of a very old and bitter Wizard, Sasha!"  Kronos thought this was adorably funny, and he gave another youthful laugh, his eyes brightening with temporary mirth.  In an instant it was gone and he had the air of someone who was about to say something very important.     

"I understand you there, Sasha, with the problem of preparing foods," Kronos held his index finger in the air importantly.  "There isn't a single reason why you should ever lift a finger for something as basic and lovely and vital as food," he said.  "You and I, Sasha, we have much more important things to do than cook."  Kronos snapped his fingers over his shoulder and a very young House Elf appeared wringing its hands, it's doe-like eyes larger than its ears.  Three more snaps of his fingers, and three more elves appeared beside them.  Kronos shared a meaningful look with Sasha, then pleaded humorously with the little Elves.  "We're so hungry!" he told them in an animated, exaggeratedly desperate voice, and all three scattered to get to work, tearing open the kitchen in a sudden frenzy of noise to make them delectable foods one way or the other. 

Turning aside to Sasha, Kronos commented, "And that's why I love the whole of House-Elf kind, my dear son.  But, my, it's simply gorgeous here!  You must tell me more about this beautiful Estate," he gushed. 

1.	Chaplin's Goliath, Eric Campbell

Wide-eyed, Sasha watched as the small gang of elves settled into his grandmother's kitchen like it was perfectly familiar territory.  This was so very weird.  Elves.  His grandmother's kitchen.  He'd worked so hard for so many years to keep his two lives completely separate that this image ... it was a gross violation of every single rule he'd every crafted to maintain that balance.  "This is so strange," he admitted, with a slight laugh.  "Sir.  You have no idea how surreal that is.  What- what are their names?" he asked, finally tearing his attention away from the kitchen scene and turning back to Kronos.  "Do you travel with them everywhere?" 

"Yes.  I can see."  One of the little elves rushed by, somehow (Sasha preferred to not question how) recognizing the small door off the side of the kitchen leading down to the cellar.  It disappeared down the stairs and reappeared a moment later, a large handful of potatoes and a bottle of red wine hovering just ahead of it.  "They do seem kind of useful.  I ... assume they'll be alright on their own?" 

Sasha's gaze followed the little creatures a moment more before finally turning and leaving them to their work, leading the way out of the kitchen.  The kitchen was hardly the highlight of the property and Kronos' human staff rarely dared cross him; the elves would probably be just fine. 

He led the way back through the house, providing Kronos with the ten cent grand tour.  "The current house isn't exceptionally old," Sasha explained.  Certainly, it was a far cry from any number of the actual castles that graced Kronos' list of properties.  "The property, though, has been in my mother's family since the 1200s.  It was gifted to her family by the Duke of Bavaria way back then.  My mother, you know, was technically a Countess - Waldgraf.  Graf is German for Count.  My father - or stepfather - was only a Baron; I think it always kind of bothered him that she outranked him.  Not that it mattered - they don't recognize titles here, anymore." 

Sasha stepped through the backdoor out into the back gardens.  Spring and summer tended to arrive late at this elevation and the beds of roses, violets and lilies were still in full bloom.  The lawn was lush though the length of the grass hinted that this property, like the previous, hadn't been receiving the full attention it was used to since the death of the majority of the family.   

Ignoring the length of the grass (there was only so much he and Wilhelm could keep up with at two separate residences), Sasha settled himself in one of the padded chaises and gestured for Kronos to do the same.  "You're hardly an unbiased teacher," Sasha pointed out with a slight grin, in reference to the older man's assertion that he was a perfect pupil.  "I don't really know how I'd hold up in a real duel, you know?  I mean, with someone who isn't, well, holding back." 

"Compared to where I was a year ago, though ... I feel like I know more," he admitted.  "Now, I just have to remember what I can't use at school.  I made that mistake once before.  I don't want to raise questions.  Though, I suppose, what's the worst they could do, anyway?  Expel me, I guess and that's not so bad."   A year ago, the idea of being expelled would have been (and had been) his biggest fear.  Now, with as many doubts as he had about returning to school, getting expelled was a mixed blessing. 

"I already miss them, too" Sasha admitted.  Perhaps it was a bit too unpredictable.  Or, dorky.  Or, whatever.  But, when it came to certain topics, Sasha was fairly predictable.  If Sasha wasn't actively practicing with Kronos, he could usually be found in the estate's stables - much, he suspected, to the annoyance of whatever staff he ran into there.  "I'd love to try showing some of them, soon."  Of course, such would be difficult with a long year away looming before him.  With luck, though, he'd be so busy the year would fly by.

Kronos chortled at Sasha's endearing bewilderment - he was just the cutest thing, in disarray over a helping of House Elves in his very Muggle-friendly family kitchen.  "These ones?" Kronos asked.  "Well I don't know, I don't imagine I've named them," he said.  "They all sort of look the same after a while.  Would you like some of your own?  They're all very young and these are only in my temporary care; I'm in the market for fresh help.  I have a man who breeds them for me, because I tend to use a lot of hands to manage my affairs.  I always have some a snap away.  They should listen to you, too, really.  Aside from the difference in name, we really are like a family, you and me."  Kronos grinned, his teeth shining kindly and white.

"Hahaha, oh yes, they'll be just fine on their own," he added.  "They're very useful, very keen, and also under strictest orders not to do any of their 'funny business,' lest they'd like to pay the last price!"  He mimed the universal signal for 'beheading' - sliding his pointing finger solidly across his neck in a horizontal line, then winked at Sasha.  House Elves were disposable help, as far as Kronos was concerned.  Every once in a while you found one with some amount of character, and then they could be fun to keep around.  Kronos had only one very old House Elf who he moved around to his different residences - Brumpeg was what his original owners had named him, and Kronos had 'inherited' the poor beast and kept him around for his own amusement.  But poor Brumpeg, better known as Pidge or Pigeon Feet, had bit the dust some months ago.  Alas.  Kronos wasn't about to cry about it, though.  He'd just snap his fingers and tell the next in line to pick up where the other left off.  It worked the same with nearly everything, in fact.  Probably the only indispensable creature in Kronos's life was standing just in front of him. 

Kronos followed through the house, hands locked politely behind his back and chin upturned as he appraised the fine craftsmanship and history that had gone into Sasha's inheritance.  He was being very modest for what it was.  Kronos may have grown accustomed to having exquisite demesne himself, but he had never had anything of this nature when he was as young as Sasha.  His own family home, now so far away, was bog standard to say the least.  He felt almost as if he was again very young and very poor, having his first exposure to something as clearly brilliant as the Hogwarts castle once was.  Their backgrounds were certainly very different and, while he knew there was some significance to this, he hadn't quite worked out what the meaning of it was yet. 

"My, this has been here for donkey's years, then!" said Kronos with delight.  "The Duke of Bavaria, Sasha, what an honour for you to carry that onwards!  And all of that, yours!"  He raised his eyebrows; despite the fact that he already knew some of this information, he so liked to hear the boy share his story in his own words.  "So what would that make you," he asked.  "If you're the son of a Countess and a Baron?"   

They had stepped out into a garden and Kronos followed Sasha's lead, setting his leather bag out of the way.  He settled into the offered chair and leaned back in leisure.  He smiled softly as he listened to Sasha talk.  The scent of flowers was heavy and dolorous on the warm, late Summer air. 

"They're yours to show any time that you'd like, of course," he said of the horses, his voice a bit more decadent now, given their surroundings.  "It would be my pleasure to assist you in any way - and you know that, I suppose.  If you were to be expelled by those awful nitwits, as I've told you before, you can always come to stay with me, or here, or wherever you would like, and I'll make sure that everything is taken care of for you, naturally.  But yes, you're right, it is best to avoid such a kerfuffle in the first place by minding your wandwork.  Your tutor, Professor Morgan, should be able to teach you some of the more suitable spells you can more safely use while you're still at the school.  Hmm - does Hogwarts still have a dueling club?" 

Sasha didn't come out and admit as much but he found it difficult to imagine sharing a space with any living creature and not giving it some sort of label or name or something.  Partly, yes, for sentimental value but primarily because ... well, you had to call them something.  Right?  Tell them apart somehow?  But, Kronos was right.  They all did look the same after a while.  "My own?"  Sasha looked over at Kronos.  "That's possible?  They'd really listen to me?  I mean, I know they ... they follow family lines but I always assumed it had to be official.  Like, blood.  Or..."  Or, something more than a mutual understood and respected dynamic.  "Even if it's not official, someway?" 

There was no denying the creature's usefulness, though.  Not thirty seconds after he'd gotten comfortably settled in his own seat than one of the short, wrinkly-eared creatures came bustling out of the side door off the kitchen onto the patio bearing refreshments: Kronos' requested glass of milk, a tall glass of wheat beer and a selection of cheese, fruit and a loaf of fresh bread.  "Wait!" less because he needed the elf to wait and more because he wanted to see if the creature would, indeed, listen to him. The elf, indeed, hesitated and then continued inside when instructed.  They really were useful creatures.  Especially if they really could be trusted to be self-sufficient.  "Could they be left to their own for extended periods of time?  I mean, for the school year?  And, can they - you know - take care of animals?  I mean, could I leave them here for the school year?"

"Well, it doesn't make me anything, really.  Germany abandoned the feudal system." Sasha admitted, blushing slightly but covering the reaction by taking a sip of beer.  "At least not legally.  But, socially ... I was always told I was supposed to claim Count.  Especially once my father ... stepfather died."  Which, represented the current situation - though Sasha hadn't expected it to happen so soon.  "So, I guess, officially - that's what I am.  A Uradel Graf." 

There was a certain, measurable degree of contentment in the moment and...well...already Sasha was looking forward to the next summer.  And, even then, dynamics then would be so vastly different - and for the better.  By wizarding terms, he'd legally be an adult.  Though his associations with Kronos could never be allowed full public disclosure, at least he wouldn't be legally obligated to account for his whereabouts.  He could spend a week ... the whole summer in the man's company, if he chose.  And, leave for shows or competitions.  And, Sasha was hardly looking to get expelled - he wanted to finish Hogwarts.  But, knowing he had this as a fallback plan made the prospects of getting expelled so much less terrifying than they had been a year ago.   

"What if it was official in the muggle world?" Sasha mused aloud.  "I mean.  You know.  What if ..."  Random strangers had been crawling out of the woodworks since his parent's passing.  The family's lawyers had been busy discrediting each claim in an effort to protect the inheritance.  "And, I was at my internship the other day and noticed ... they don't know what you look like, do they?"  He'd been delivering a translated document to its appropriate office and had passed by one of the central notice boards.  The various Auror office posters had been scattered amongst them and one had, undeniably, been lacking a picture and description. 

"There's a dueling club," Sasha confirmed.  "I've been hesitant to join; after what happened during class.  I used the wrong curse by mistake and I just ... I'm not certain about practicing with classmates.  But, there are going to be Durmstrang students there next year.  They say they learn some of the other stuff."