Disclaimer: I have not, nor ever will, own the Potterverse. If anyone is silly enough to believe J.K. Rowling would get an account on FanFiction and write about slash pairings and AU situations, you've probably bumped your head more than normal, and need to be visiting a psychiatrist.
Summary:Sometimes even the best-laid plans aren't entirely foolproof. When a young Harry finds Riddle's diary and other valued possessions, what things will the boy discover? And how will his world be affected? Warnings: AU-ish, future slash main pairing (male/male), minors of het and slash. Will take place over several years, so time jumps/skips will occur.
A Treasure for Me
Lucius Malfoy and other members of Voldemort's Inner Circle cursed vehemently as the wards surrounding the meeting place fell. He scooped up the numerous artifacts, sweeping them into a charmed bag before heading towards the hidden panel set in the wall of the back parlor. Soon came the sound of the front door crashing into the ground, Aurors and low ranking Death Eaters alike shouting deadly spells at their enemy.
Members of the Inner Circle had spent months tracking down their Lord's Horcruxes; researching, bribing, killing to get what was necessary. Their effort and the Dark Lord's soul would not be wasted by a run-in with the Aurors. The remaining members covered for their temporary leader, giving him time to escape with the priceless possessions. With grim determination, the Dark wizards turned to face their adversaries, wands raised and glowing sickly greens and reds.
The Malfoy patriarch slipped down the dark alley unseen by the wizards engaged in battle, bag clutched tightly to his chest. Just as he left the anti-Apparition wards the Circle had erected, he felt another larger blanket ward snap into place. Now he would have to move quickly to get away in time, or risk losing his freedom and the key to his Lord's survival.
Lucius reached a small park near an elementary school, both dark at such a late hour in the night. With reinforcements for the Aurors pouring in, searching for him, the blond made a hasty decision and stashed the bag into a clump of bushes nearby. He would come back for it later, if he got away. After all, it was charmed so none of the muggles frequenting this park would find it. With a last glance in the direction of the oncoming danger, he escaped through the trees into the conforming suburbia of this miserable town.
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Doors banged apart as children flooded out of the school building, eager to escape the confines of their classrooms. A small boy hung back in hopes of avoiding the chaos as the other kids pushed past ruthlessly. Soon the gathering of students and their families started to thin and the boy crossed the street heading towards the park. The Dursleys wouldn't notice or care if he didn't come home right away- as long as he was back before they locked up for the night. Harry headed eagerly towards the swings with a small smile on his face.
"Hey, it's widdle Potty!" Before Harry had time to react to the snotty voice, he was roughly shoved into the prickly shrubbery around the base of a large tree. "What's the matter, freak, can't you even walk properly? You're pathetic!" Taunting insults and laughter only added salt to his wounded pride while the gang of bullies sauntered off happily.
"Jerks." Harry sneered at their backs and frowned as he brushed a bit of blood off his cheek from where the sharp branches had sliced into him. The child sought for a handhold amongst the brambles, and instead came across soft velvet. Looking down curiously, he saw a deep royal blue drawstring bag with black braided silken cords that kept its contents from spilling out. It was sitting in the brush at the base of the tree and was probably about the same size as his book bag. If someone had left it here, they must not have wanted it. Or maybe they lost it? Harry glanced around, but saw no one looking for anything lost in the park.
Curiously, he picked up the bag and looked inside. He let out a gasp at seeing the beautifully crafted pieces inside. He felt a slight tug; an urge to pick up the items and do… something with them but he wasn't really sure what that would be. Harry quickly pulled the strings shut again and stuffed it in his own bag. This was the first treasure he'd ever found, and he wasn't going to share it with Dudley. Ever. These were his treasures, just for Harry. Almost to excited to even think, the child hurried back to Privet Drive so he could explore his treasures in the safety of his cupboard.
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After dinner finished and Harry was excused, he practically fled to his 'room' anxious to further explore his new things. As he knew the telly would occupy his family for at least several hours, he pulled the velvet case out of his school bag and opened it. The odd tugging sensation returned, but Harry just passed it off as being happy he had something to himself. Reaching in, he pulled out an ornate golden cup, with detailed decorations on the handles. It was a lot better than any of the cups the Dursleys had.
The next item, to Harry, looked like one of the dress-up crown-like headbands the girls at school sometimes wore. It looked old and a bit dirty, but it was still nice. Digging again, his hand caught on a thin chain and pulled it out. Attached to the chain was a lovely gold locket, with a curled 'S' embossed onto the front. Harry quickly slid it over his head and around his neck, where it pulsed warmly before shrinking to fit more properly on the young child. He gasped in awe as he felt it settle, the odd pulling sensation dissipating from this object, replaced by a 'connected' feeling. Small fingers gently curved around the locket, and a soothing warmth flooded through him.
Grinning at the discovery, Harry dumped whatever else was in the bag onto his cot. A book flopped down, and giving the back one last tiny shake, a ring popped out and rolled towards him. As it bumped his leg, it shrunk down to a much smaller size and proceeded to lie there innocently. Interest gripped him, and he moved picked up the golden band to observe it more closely. The air seemed to almost hiss at him as his fingers neared, but then the locket gave a little glow and the ring sat docile once more. The ring also gave off warmth in his hand—unusual trait for previously unhandled metal—and he turned it to get a better look. There was a black stone set into the band, with something etched into the surface.
Squinting in the poor light, Harry could make out a triangle that had a line down the middle, with a circle set inside the triangle. The ebony-haired child slid the piece of jewelry onto his finger, noticing how it seemed to "settle" like the locket. He knew that these things weren't normal like the Dursleys obsessed about, but Harry found he couldn't be happier that they were special. At last his eyes roved over to the leather bound but sitting innocently on his bed. Upon further inspection, it seemed just a blank book- but Harry knew it felt like the things he wore. So why wasn't it doing anything?
Maybe it was only special if you used it, like when putting on the necklace and ring. Harry didn't have anything to write with in his cupboard, so he decided to bring the book to school tomorrow. He slid it under his pillow after hiding the bag and other items under a floorboard. Eyes heavy with sleep drifted shut, fingers gently playing with the locket. That night Harry dreamt of comforting whispers and red-swirled blue eyes.