Harry is possessed by Voldemort, gaining the personality of Tom Riddle, who finds endless entertainment within the walls of Hogwarts. Dark Harry. Sort of TR/GW. 6th Year. R, very violent (not explicit) in parts. Angst/Horror.
End of Summer
Harry's mind floated freely, as exhilarating as broomstick flight. With a little extra concentration, Harry could just barely smell the perfumed fields of wildflowers below the clouds. He sailed toward the firey orange and rose sunset, following an eagle to the horizon. Sunshine faded to dusk and he invisibly set down near an old crumbling brick house. Testing his bodiless senses, he clambered up the stairs onto the collapsing porch, not dangerous for one not really there. As he stepped through the door, he froze in fear. A woman was screaming in horrible pain as a man with a high-pitched laugh taunted her. He was torn between the desire to investigate or run when he felt a familiar evil sickness spread over him. He was now certain it was Voldemort in the other room. And as he felt the pain overtake him, he knew Voldemort recognized his presence as well.
Harry shot out of his bed at Black House, covered in sweat, forehead throbbing so badly he could hardly see. "He found me. He knew I was there. Leave me alone!" He ran to the bathroom and tried to force down his panic and nausea, raggedly breathing into the sink. Harry washed his face sloppily, spilling water on the floor. Soon he was irritatedly swearing at himself for his anxious response. Do you believe all of your stupid dreams? A small voice reminded him he'd been learning Astral Projection, that he could have really been there. No, that's ridiculous, and I don't give a damn what Voldemort is doing. Someone else can deal with it for once. I'm so sick of this. The pain receded as his anger grew, and his vision focused. Looking up, he jumped back from the mirror and smashed his hand against the wall, not recognizing himself. His eyes were shadowed, his face was lined. He slowly looked again, leaning so closely that he bumped his head against the glass. His reflection's darkened eyes were filled with rage, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a cruel grin.
* * * * * * *
Beginning of Summer
The summer had been dragging on at Privet Drive, and Harry hadn't even looked at his OWL scores. He just didn't care, and looking at them wouldn't improve them. Fortunately, the Dursleys were leaving him alone after Moody's threats, so Harry barely had to leave his room. They gave him more food than usual, but he gave much of the extra to Hedwig. It all tasted sawdusty and was hard to swallow, even the treats the Weasleys occasionally sent him. Finally, after three weeks, Remus Lupin had showed up unannounced at the door to take him to London.
Harry's hopes had risen, just a little, at the thought of seeing his friends again, so it was quite a surprise to him to enter with Lupin into an empty house at Grimmauld Place. "Where is everyone?" he asked a bit too quickly and caught a fleeting hurt expression in Remus's eyes.
"The Order can't meet here anymore because of Kreacher. They're setting up a diversion by meeting elsewhere to keep you safe. The Weasley family is at home, and they plan to visit later. I thought you might like some time alone." With me, was implied.
Harry didn't acknowledge his companion's feelings. "I think I've had enough time being alone. Maybe I shouldn't have come here. I... Sirius hated this place." His voice cracked a little. "I hate it too." Harry clenched his fists, fingernails digging a little into his hands, and forced down his emotions. Sirius is DEAD. Forget him.
"Harry, Sirius wanted you to have the Black House. Kreacher is gone, and much of what Sirius hated is gone as well. This is your home now, and I am its custodian until you come of age. So we'll be seeing a lot of each other." Remus's resolve strengthened. "There's something important we need to start this week. The Order has decided you need to protect yourself, and you need extra defensive lessons."
"Like Occlumency?" he groaned. "I've had enough of that. I'm a failure, so don't waste your time."
"I think you'll like this better. You're going to learn to Apparate."
Harry looked up, excited despite himself. With Apparation, no one could tell him where to go anymore.
* * * * * * *
So that was how he began to learn Astral Projection, mental traveling while leaving his body behind, the first step in Apparating. A wizard must see his destination and fully concentrate on it before arriving to avoid being splinched. Astral Projection seemed useful for other things too, Harry decided, as he discovered he had an exceptional aptitude for it. Before long, he could Apparate short distances throughout the house as the Weasley twins had, but longer distance skills would take some time.
The summer went by as normal once the Weasleys arrived, with the exception of Mrs. Weasley's constant bragging (and nagging to the other children) about Hermione's high OWL scores. The only bad times were when Harry had a few angry rows with Remus Lupin, who was too nosy about Harry's feelings regarding the loss of his godfather. Harry more than once bitterly asserted that Remus "didn't seem too broken up by it" himself, enjoying the pain that cracked through the other's calm, collected facade a little too much.