Title: Finding Solace
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Warner Bros, Bloomsbury. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Summary: Slytherin!Harry, disenchanted with the Light by the end of first year, joins the Dark as soon as he has the chance. It is finally time for the secrets he has kept from everyone, even his housemates, to come into the open. The Second Blood War is starting, and Harry is in the thick of things. AU Sixth Year fic. HP/TMR
Warnings: Slash, swearing, mentions of child abuse (only what's in the actual books), some graphic (magical) torture
Prologue
"SYLYTHERIN"
Harry walked to the Slytherin table slowly, his steps ringing out in the silent hall. He sat with the other first years, but they all shifted subtly away from him and Draco Malfoy sneered.
"Should have chosen better on the train, Potter. I doubt the Weasley will want to be your friend now."
Harry stared steadfastly across the hall, ignoring Malfoy and the other Slytherins like he had the Dursley's for years.
"Harry Potter. Our newest… celebrity."
"Here, sir"
Harry had been looking forward to potions. It seemed to be a bit like cooking, and he had been cooking for years.
Snape sneered down at him."Where would I find a bezoar?"
"I don't know, sir."
"Clearly fame isn't everything."
Professor Snape had fired a series of questions at Harry that he had no idea how to answer. None of the answers were in the first half of his potions text book or even in his herbology book, which was a far as he had read over the holidays.
Harry had heard that Snape always favoured his Slytherins. Apparently Harry was a special case. He clearly wouldn't be getting any support or help from his head of house. He would have to rely on himself like he always had.
"Ron! Ron! Wait up." Harry called across the hallway to the red haired boy as he left transfiguration.
Ron drew to a stop, telling the black boy and the sandy haired boy he was with to go ahead. "Hey, Harry."
Harry smiled at the Gryffindor, his first ever friend. "Do you want to, maybe, play chess sometime?"
Ron looked sheepish and slightly awkward. "I can't be seen hanging out with a Slytherin, Harry. Even if he is the Boy-Who-Lived. It's just not how things work around here"
Harry had expected it, but his only friend rejecting him still hurt. He still tried to placate the other boy. "That's ok, Ron. Maybe we can talk if we are paired up in class or something?"
"Yeah. Maybe. See ya." Ron turned away and didn't look back.
Harry hadn't had friends during primary school. He could deal with the other Slytherins on his own.
"Harry, my boy. Do you know why you are here?"
Harry looked around Dumbledore's office with curiosity, before returning his attention to the Headmaster. He hadn't had any attention from the man before, so wondered where this was coming from. He presented his most innocent face, and made sure not to look Dumbledore in the eye. "No, Professor." Harry bit his lip, and looked at the headmaster hopefully. "Is it something to do with my relatives?"
Dumbledore looked at Harry over his half-moon glasses. "No, Harry. I have to talk to you about something of a much more serious nature. Unfortunately, last night Voldemort managed to steal the Philosopher's stone from Hogwarts. He will be able to make himself a new body using it. I am sorry to tell you that he is likely to try and find you over the summer so that he can kill you."
Harry was distinctly unimpressed with this fact, after living in the snake pit for a year, but made sure to show no hint of that on his face, instead focussing on the first thing Dumbledore had said. "How did he manage to steal it, sir? Hagrid told me when he took me to Diagon Alley that Hogwarts was the safest place in the world."
"Ah, Harry. He used magics far darker than you or I could comprehend. He was possessing Professor Quirrell. I imagine you know all about that though." Dumbledore chuckled slightly.
Harry was very confused by that statement, and chose to show it this time. "No, Professor, I don't. Why would I?" He asked hesitantly, as if afraid that his lack of knowledge was a bad thing.
"I would expect the curiosity of youth to lead you to work it out." Dumbledore frowned as he said this, obviously not happy with Harry's ignorance on the subject.
Harry widened his eyes, looking at the headmaster apologetically. "I'm sorry, sir. I just didn't have any time for curiosity. I had to spend every minute this year making sure that my housemates don't come after me!" Harry let his lower lip wobble for a moment. "I spent almost all my time in the library or the Great Hall. I only ever saw Professor Quirrell in class and the Great Hall, and he never showed any signs of being possessed." Harry frowned slightly. "Not that I know what being possessed looks like."
"Surely you exaggerate, Harry. I know that they seem scary, but your housemates don't truly mean you any harm." Dumbledore spoke to Harry in a placating but undeniably condescending tone.
"They do, sir, I swear." Harry implored. "They all hate me because it's my fault the Dark Lord is dead."
Harry was looking down at his hands, and so didn't see the slightly scared expression that swept over Professor Dumbledore's face, when said 'Dark Lord" before he smoothed his features again. "Call him Voldemort, Harry. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."
"Yes, sir."
"You have no need to fear your housemates Harry. Professor Snape has been entrusted with your care, and will look after you if you ask him for help."
Harry knew when to drop a subject, and so moved on to something he considered much more important. "Yes, sir. I.. Um…" He hesitated. "Do I need to go back to my relatives sir? I mean, they hate me. Surely you have some where else I could stay."
"No Harry." Dumbledore looked truly apologetic. "There are wards around you house that will protect you from all harm which rely on you residing somewhere your mothers blood runs. As long as you live with your aunt you will be safe. You need this protection now that Voldemort has risen again."
As Harry walked out of Professor Dumbledore's office he realised he had no support in the wizarding world. He would have to work out how to survive on his own. Harry was swiftly becoming disillusioned with the magical world. He only hoped that he discovered something that would convince him to stay.
AN: I've had this story sitting on my computer for a while, and I just wanted to get it posted to have an incentive to keep writing. Next chapter is written, so expect it up tonight, but the rest of the updates will be sporadic. I'm mainly going to be working on my other fic, for now, but that doesn't mean this one is going to be left abandoned or on hiatus, I'll keep writing and posting until I finish or run out of ideas, and if that happens then I'll let you know.
Anyway, hoped you enjoyed the chapter. Tell me what you think.
Whitsie