Title: Deliver us to evil, for ours is the kingdom Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Harry Potter (mores the pity!)
Author: MelodyofChoas
Pairing: Harry/Tom Riddle,
Warnings: violence, child abuse (more warnings will be added as the story continues)
Summery: When the Dark Lord orders a death eater to save Harry Potter from his relatives, Harry suspects something is amiss. When Lucius turns up at Hogwarts, his suspicions deepen. When Draco Malfoy starts acting weird, Harry is convinced something is wrong, but can he stop it? In the end, will he want too?
Big thanks to my wonderful beta, Amanda Saitou
"Harry, my dear boy, I am afraid with the war escalating as it is, you will have to spend the entire summer with your aunt and uncle, we simply can not take any chances with you. I'm sure you understand, Harry" Professor Dumbledore spoke kindly, although he was betrayed by the slight shadow Harry had noticed of recent. It overshadowed the normally ever-present, thrice dammed twinkle in those wizened blue eyes. Harry gave a stiff, robotic nod to the Headmaster. He beamed at Harry. "Excellent, my dear boy!" Harry felt the conversation had reached its end, and so with a tight smile, took one of the constantly-offered lemon drops and left the Headmaster's office, his feet automatically heading to Gryffindor tower, trying to ignore the forest's alluring pull behind him.
As soon as he entered the common room, his friends came running to him. "What did he want, mate?" Ron asked, his blue eyes showing evident curiosity.
"He wants me to spend the summer with the Dursleys." Harry replied, allowing some of his anger at the situation creep into his tone. Ron winced, and Ginny and Hermione both began to offer words of comfort and outrage on his behalf. Harry already felt a little better, knowing that no matter what, he would always have his friends. They were more his family than the Dursleys could ever be. Harry offered another, more relaxed smile, and headed to his dorm, for a hot shower and early night, hoping he could have more than a couple of restless hours of sleep.
The end of summer term went far too quickly, and the train journey back to London went even quicker. Harry could hardly believe it had been almost a year since he had greeted his friends and headed home to Hogwarts. It was hard to believe he wouldn't see his friends for the next six weeks. He couldn't even write to Sirius for fear of a security leak! Still, he could hold his Godfather's threats over the Dursleys' heads, hoping it would get him left alone for the summer holidays.
Harry sighed as he wiped the sweat from his already damp brow. The hot midday sun beat down his over-sized white cotton t-shirt, already soaked through with sweat. Harry had been stuck gardening without a break or even a drink. And as such, his summer holiday began. Harry could already practically calculate how much weight of his already lithe frame would be lost due to his relatives' mistreatment, whether it be to the constant hard manual labour, or the lack of decent nourishment.
"Freak!" His aunt's shrill voice pierced the humid air. "Here. Don't expect anything else until you have finished your chores!"
"Yes, Aunt Petunia" Harry replied, in his usual monotone voice, used only when speaking to his relatives. His eyebrows shot up when he saw the larger than normal amount of food, and the tall glass of water, ice cubes chinking inside it. "Thanks, Aunt Petunia". He murmured, gratitude seeping into emotionless tone. The horse-faced woman merely sniffed and flounced off into the cool, clean- 'practically sterile really', thought Harry- house.
Harry groaned as he collapsed onto his bed. He was dirty, sweaty and bone-deep tired. He wanted more than nothing than to curl up and sleep. Harry groaned again as his spine clicked. He'd be very stiff tomorrow. "FREAK! YOU DARE TO DO THAT AFTER ALL WE HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" came his Uncle's roaring voice, jerking Harry out of where he had just fallen into a light doze. Harry was confused, he wasn't aware he had done anything that could be considered freakish or unnatural by his horribly prejudiced relatives. The next thing Harry knew, his uncle's meaty fist was slamming into his face. Vernon was so mad he was spitting, his normally red face now a hideous puce colour. He didn't speak but continued to beat Harry, who with a small whimper, rolled of his bed in an attempt to escape the rain of kicks and punches that continued to rain upon his tired, small frame. The last thing Harry knew was blissful unconsciousness.
The occupants of Privet Drive may have been rather surprised to see a tall, thin man dressed form head to toe in black. What was odd about him was that he appeared to be wearing a dress. However at closer look, it would have occurred to them that this was not someone to be fucked with. Severus gritted his teeth as the scarily pristine neighbourhood, on the lookout for unfriendly sets of eyes. He pulled his black robes closer around him. This neighbourhood really did give him the creeps. Severus stopped suddenly. He was almost certain he had felt a light presence in his mind, in so much pain its wormed it way through his own mental walls. It would seem the Dark Lord was correct and that Potter was indeed in trouble. Severus shuddered to think what the idiot boy had done to get himself balls deep in some shit or other already. He had only been home for a few days after all. But the urgency and the pain he had seen quickened his long-legged pace.
Dudley grumbled to himself, scratching at his massive behind and he waddled towards the door. He opened the door, only to have his small piggy eyes focus upon the tall, thin imposing figure with a wand pointed directly at his throat. "This is Mr. Potter's residence, is it not?" Severus asked, gritting his jaw slightly to keep his composure. It was difficult in the face of such obesity, not to mention the obscene thoughts just floating around the muggle's head. "DAD! It's one of them freaks!" Dudley yelled, his piggish eyes as wide as they could go. Severus raised one black silky eyebrow. He couldn't have heard the boy right. He admitted his illusions on Potter's supposed idyllic upbringing had long since been shattered, but still, he hadn't expected that! And he rather resented being labelled a freak, not that it would be the first time, he supposed, whilst advancing menacingly upon the terrified teenager.
There were some rather alarming banging and creaking noises, as the stairs groaned under the weight of the man who had reached whale-like proportions, unlike his son who had only achieved elephantine proportions. Severus was sure he'd reach his father's size soon. He shook himself mentally, and berated himself for procrastinating whilst Potter was in trouble. "Show me to Potter, you filthy mud bloods!" Severus ordered contemptuously. Father and son looked at each other, and judging by the looks exchanged, and unprotected thoughts floating around, Severus feared the worst. He ignored the two oafs, who moved as quickly as a pair as large as they were could move. He climbed the stairs, hurrying when he caught the metallic smell of blood. Severus thanked whatever Gods were listening that the smell of sex was not permeating the air, although Severus did not allow that to allay his fears.
Following his nose, lead him to a small room, but Severus barely took note of the bars on the window and the cat flap that had been installed along with several heavy locks on the door. His breath caught in his throat as he looked upon the small, broken body of Potter. Again he thanked whoever may be listening that it didn't seem that Potter had suffered any sexual abuse. He scooped the small boy into his arms trying not to aggravate the wounds. He concentrated for one moment and upon receiving his instructions, apparated as close to Hogwarts as possible. Severus practicality ran up the drive, calling for Poppy and Albus as he went. He soon reached the medical wing and Potter was soon off-loaded into the care of the medi-witch.
Severus found himself sitting in the Headmaster's office sipping tea and refusing sweets as he attempted to get the senile old man to listen to him. However, Dumbledore was a master of directing conversation exactly where he wanted. Severus began to get the feeling that Albus seemed to know more about Potter's abusive home-life than he let on. The senile old man would soon realize it was never a good idea to raise the suspicions of Severus Snape, although his steady onyx gaze gave away nothing of his thoughts.
Poppy Pomfrey sighed as she looked upon one of her favourite, and most frequent patients: Harry Potter. She frowned as she looked over her notes, so many injuries had been inflicted upon the poor boy it was amazing he still clung to life. She sighed as she gathered her notes and prepared to tell the Headmaster of her findings. She was in no doubt that he would be as horrified and shocked by the situation as she was. As the bustling medi-witch left her young charge, she missed the frown that passed over the other wise comatose boy lying prostate in his hospital bed.
Severus sighed, his mind going over what he had learned since dragging Potter's half-dead body back to the castle. He walked straight to his quarters, determined to get some rest before being called by the Dark Lord. He didn't see why the Dark Lord needed to see him, he surely already knew Harry was safe in the castle, and well on his way to being completely healed.
"Luciuss, I would like a favour from you", the Dark Lord hissed. The long haired blond man bowed low.
"Yes, my Lord, what can I do to be of service?" Lucius asked, his honeyed tone polite.
"You shall be appointed as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. I wish for you to keep an eye on everyone there, but I ask for Draco to attempt to befriend Harry Potter." Voldemort stated calmly. Lucius' head jerked up, shocked grey eyes meeting amused crimson ones.
"You heard me" Voldemort hissed, amused at his right-hand man's reaction.
"May I ask my Lord, but why?" Lucius asked, still reeling from his Lord's latest request.
"To which of your tasks are you confused about, Lucius?"
"Well, forgive my impudence, but why must Draco attempt to befriend Harry Potter?" Lucius asked. When no reply seemed to be forthcoming, Lucius tensed, preparing himself for the Dark Lord's wrath .
"Because Potter will need all the help he can get." The reply was strained, and so quiet Lucius found himself doubting whether such a statement had just slipped past his Lord's lips. Lucius nodded, and was dismissed from his Lord's presence. He had a feeling the following conversation with Draco would not be pleasant. He'd wait until after Draco had his tantrum before unveiling the Dark Lord's gift, although Lucius both hoped and dreaded that the Dark Lord knew his darkest and most lovely secret.