Title: Darkest Hour
Pairings: Tom Riddle/Harry Potter
Rating: R for now, it will go up later
Disclaimer: Not mine now, wasn't mine then, will never be mine in the future.
Summary: Young Harry Potter was your average normal young boy living your average normal childish life. He was unfortunately too average and too normal. Struggling to prove his worth under the shameful cloud of being a squib, Harry forges a dark, dangerous friendship with the only person who seems to understand him.
--------- -- page break/scene change
::meow:: -- Parselmouth
meow -- thoughts
Darkest Hour
It had been days since Tom first contacted Harry, and the small boy was getting a little worried. At first, he thought that the days of silence was a test to see if Harry would honor his promise of keeping things a secret. He had kept his word, not breathing a thing to his parents. But as the days past, it grew harder and harder not to be anxious, expecially when, at the end of a week, a tall elderly wizard came over to the house.
Harry wrinkled his nose as his parents rushed forward to greet the stranger. Lily and James were treating the wizard with the utmost respect, but Harry couldn't understand why. He looked grandfatherly with waist length silver grey hair and beard that was equally as long. Harry could even see little charms and trinkets tied to the wiry strands of facial hair! And the wizard wore the strangest of clothes. Deep maroon, with gold stars that actually whizzed across the fabric, leaving trails of sparkling stardust.
Barmy, was Harry's first thought when he saw the man step into his house. He's loonier then Uncle Padfoot after drinking too much butterbeer. But the one thing that made Harry pause was the man's eyes. His ice blue eyes, the pale color of glaciers, twinkled. Not just twinkled, but utterly and completely gleamed with an unholy light that really just meant the man was up to no good. No good at all. At least as far as Harry was concerned.
"Harry, I want you to meet Albus Dumbledore," Lily introduced, giving her shy son a nudge from behind.
Harry shuffled forward, chin firmly tucked to his chest, eyes staring at the tips of the man's shoes that peaked out from beneath his outrageous robes. Shoes . . . that curled at the ends with tiny gold bells.
Definately barmy, Harry reinforced.
Dumbledore crouched down to Harry's height. He placed a hand under Harry's chin and tilted his head up. "It's a honor to meet you, young Harry Potter," Albus greeted.
Immediately, Harry felt a soft pressure against his brain. It was uncomfortable or painful, it was just odd. He didn't like it. He didn't like it at all and he wanted the feeling gone.
And just like that, it was.
Something danced across Dumbledore's eyes before he patted Harry's head and stood up. "Let's get down to business shall we?" he directed the statement to Lily and James. Harry was ushered up to his room, where he had a perfect view of the backyard and what was happening. He frowned as he saw Albus Dumbledore withdraw a wand from his robes and wave it about. Silvery sparks of magic shot out from the slender piece of wood, spreading out like fireworks.
Harry felt a pang of envy in his heart at the sight. "Just wait," he whispered in his silent room. "I'll be able to do that too, and I'll do it better. Just wait, momma. I'll make you proud."
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Another couple days passed without any contact from Tom. Depressed, Harry jumped at the chance of visiting Neville Longbottom, a friend of his family. Neville was supposed to be really important too, but Harry didn't know why. Maybe it was because they were born on the same day? But wouldn't that make Harry special too?
"Harry!" the young boy called out from the middle of the living room.
Harry dashed out of the fireplace, flecks of ash falling from his shoulders from the floo powder, and enveloped Neville in a warm hug. The boy still hadn't lost a good portion of his baby fat, so he was what Harry teasingly, without any malice, called, 'pleasantly plump.'
"Good to see you too, Nev!" he replied. "How're you doing?"
"Great! Had a little scare a few days ago, but everything is fine now."
Harry frowned. "Scare?"
"Yeah! I was playing in the backyard when Gran saw something in the bushes. She said it looked like a man dressed all in black. Dumbledore had to come over to do something with the wards."
"He came to your house too?" Harry gasped. "He came to mine a few days ago too and went into the backyard. I didn't hear what he said and mum and dad didn't say anything after he left."
"He most likely strengthed the wards around your house like he did mine," Neville declared. He glanced around before grabbing Harry's hand. "Gran!" he called out. "I'm going to show Harry something in the backyard, is that all right?"
"Just stay in sight, Neville darling," Augusta Longbottom returned. "Harry's parents and I will have a spot of tea in the dining room."
Neville nodded and tugged Harry along. His backyard wasn't as large as Harry's at home, and of course, it wasn't filled with beautiful blossoms either, but it was still quite lovely.
"I heard a secret," Neville whispered after pulling Harry into a far corner of the yard. "It was about You-Know-Who."
"Huh?" Harry replied. "Who's You-Know-Who?"
Neville rolled his eyes. "The Dark Lord," he muttered. "He's a really really bad wizard that wants to kill anyone who gets in his way. That's why Dumbledore had to come to my house. I'm supposed to be protected."
"But why? What have you done?"
"It's what I'm supposed to do, Harry. That's the secret. I heard Gran and Dumbledore talking about it just before he left. There's this pro...propane...promiscu-"
"Prophesy?" Harry injected.
"Yes, that!" Nevilled gushed. "There's this prophesy that says I'm the only one who can defeat the Dark Lord. So until I'm all grown up, I have to be really careful."
"Wow, that's amazing, Neville," Harry whispered. "Would it be awful to say congratulations?"
Neville giggled. "Harry!" he exclaimed. "You're silly."
Harry grinned at his friend. "I'm going to sneak some cookies out of the kitchen," Neville conspired. "Want some?"
"Sure, but I won't be sneaking into the kitchen with you, if that's what you were about to ask next," Harry joked. Neville rolled his eyes again before darting off. Alone, Harry wandered around the backyard, admiring the various potted plants and flowers. Just as he neared an open window, he heard voices he easily recognized.
"Albus had to reinforce and add to our wards as well," Lily's voice stated. "After Harry told me he saw his snake in our backyard . . . we didn't dare take the chance of leaving them be for that thing to return."
"They say he's gathering even more to join his dark army," Neville's grandmother Augusta said. "I may be old, but I know what I saw. It was a Death Eater! Stalking my sweet Neville. I can only be glad when Neville gets his Hogwarts letter and leaves for the . . . oh dear, I'm sorry."
There was a brief silence. Harry felt his breath hitch at the mention of Hogwarts. He knew it was a highly prestigious wizarding school. His own parents attended when they were young.
"It's quite all right, Augusta," James declared. "It was a shock but we're coping."
"Such a shame though," Augusta murmured. "Harry's such a darling boy, so sweet and caring. To not be able to do magic . . . "
"Believe me Augusta, I know!" James snapped.
"James!" Lily cried out. "Please!"
"No Lily. I'll have my say today." There was tense pause before James began speaking again. "Do you have any idea, Augusta, how hard it is for me to watch our son grow up with no magic? Do you have any idea how hard it is to explain to our child that the things we can do, he cannot? I've never taken out my broom from the closet, Augusta. I can't. I can't look into my son's eyes and see the disappointment, the depression, the utter desolation reflected in his eyes. I won't let him see his father fly in the air so effortlessly only for him to realize he's forever grounded to the earth. Do you have any idea, Augusta, the torment we have to go through each and every day?!"
"James, I never meant-"
"Of course not," James interrupted. "No one ever meant for anything like this to happen. The great James and Lily Potter, Gryffindor Golden Couple, cursed with a squib child. Quite shocking, wouldn't you say! Well it did happen and now in a few years, I'll once again have to sit my son down and explain to him that he won't be able to attend the same school Lily and I did. That he won't be able to visit Neville when he leaves for his school year. That he'll be attending a school where it's taught magic doesn't exist and that he'll never share in the same joy and discovery his parents had at Hogwarts!"
"That is enough!" Lily exclaimed. The sharp grating of a hastily shoved chair screeched through the air. "Augusta, please accept my apologies, but I believe it's best if we go. It was nice visiting you and Neville."
Harry hastily ran away from the window, plopping down on his knees by a few blooming flowers. He glanced up when he heard the back door open and saw Lily, her eyes bright with unshed tears, beckoning.
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but we have to go now," she said softly, a strained smile on her face. "Come say goodbye to Neville."
"Leaving so soon?" Neville asked, stepping forward with hands cradling assorted cookies. "But Harry never got a cookie, and Gran always bakes the best!"
"Maybe later, Neville," spoke the soft hearted child. "You better hide those though, before your Gran catches you."
Neville's eyes grew wide before he disappeared back into the house. With a sad smile of his own, Harry hestitantly reached up and grasped the folds of his mother's robes.
Lily stared down at her child for a moment, and Harry was almost sure battle to stop the tears threatening to spill down her ivory face would result in a loss. With a toss of her head, Lily reined in her feelings.
"Let's go, Harry," she whispered. "My son . . . "
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Harry grimaced as he clutched his mother's hand. A sea of bodies swept to and fro, some brushing Harry as they walked by. Lily wanted to pick up a few things from Diagon Alley and with James busy at work, she took Harry with her. She thought was it was a great way to spend time with her son.
Harry thought how bitterly-sweet it reminded him how he would never truly be a part of this world. But he couldn't fault his mother. She was perfect and if she wanted to go to Diagon Alley with her son, then he'd be right there by her side.
Just as they passed Flourish and Blotts quill and parchment store, a voice called out Lily's name. The Potters both stopped and glanced over their shoulders.
"Lily, it's so good to see you!" a plump woman exclaimed as she rushed forward, her red hair, although not as vibrant as Lily's, bouncing with each step.
"Molly Weasely, why it's been ages since we've seen each other!" Lily beamed. "Harry, meet Mrs. Weasely, an old family friend. Molly, this is my son, Harry."
"And a Potter he is!" Molly grinned. "Why, he's the spitting image of James, but with your beautiful eyes, Lily dear."
Harry blushed brightly, ducking his head down as he often did in an embarrassing situation. Soon the two ladies were lost in their conversation, and Harry, the ever curious and precocious child he was, grew bored with just standing about. He glanced up and down Diagon Alley. It was busy today and the air was filled with happy chatter and the shuffle of feet.
Suddenly, there was a soft hiss that sounded just a little behind Harry and to the right. Turning, he glanced down the dark crevice situated between two buildings. It was just narrow enough for a body to walk through and the ground was littered with garbage. Just as he was about to look away, the hiss came back.
::Serpent-speaker.::
Harry gasped. It was Nagini! Nagini was there, in that dark alleyway! Oh how he missed his friend and wanted to talk to her! He glanced at his mother, seeing she was deeply involved with her conversation with Mrs. Weasely. As gently as he could, Harry slipped his hand out of Lily's hold and gingerly stepped backwards and into the dark alley. A shadow shifted, then broke off from the deeper recesses.
::Nagini, what are you doing here?:: Harry hissed as he crouched to peer down on the snake. ::You might get in trouble. You might get hurt. I missed you!:: Harry leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the King Cobra as she reared up to his height.
::I missed you as well, Harry,:: Nagini crooned. ::But I could not return to you. A very powerful wizard placed spells around your den that would hurt me if I came near.::
::Oh, you mean Albus Dimple . . . Dumpling . . . Dumbledore! He came to my house and waved a stick around, but I couldn't hear what he said.::
::Yes, young one. It was he who added those hurtful spells. But no worries, my Master has a plan.::
::Tom? He's all right?:: Harry brightened. Maybe I wasn't forgotten after all.
::Yes, Master Tom is fine and he has spelled it so that I can shrink and grow to any size to be with you, serpent-speaker. I shall hide in your pocket and when we return to your den, you must invite me in. After that, the spells won't hurt me and I can visit as often as I please.::
:Oh, yes please! I'd like that very much,:: Harry pleaded. He watched with wide eyes as the massive snake began to glow, her bulk slowly shrinking until she was the size and length of a pencil. Nagini immediately crawled into Harry's outstretched hand and he gently slipped her into an inside pocket in his robe. He immediately darted back out onto Diagon Alley, just in time to see his mother waving goodbye to Mrs. Weasely.
"One more stop and we'll go home, Harry luv," Lily declared as she strode away. They stopped before a large bay window. On the other side, Harry could see animals of all kinds! Some quite normal, like the barn owls that perched on wooden stands just outside, to more exotic creatures, like the gulon that was currently devouring its meal, its sharp claws making it an easy feat to tear off pieces.
"Wait here, sweetie, I'll be just a moment," Lily instructed before making her way to the counter. Harry glanced about, he had never been in this store before. It had a slight smell to it, but Harry figured it was normal. How could a place not smell when it was packed with animals? He wandered around the store, weaving around cages and boxes that held each animal, until he found himself at the back, in a dimly lit portion. A door loomed before him, very inviting to a curious five year old.
Harry cautiously stepped through. Pushed against the walls of the smaller room were cages with metal wire lids on top. Harry soon discovered what were in the boxes.
::Another man-child,:: a voice hissed. ::Go away, you vile smelly thing!::
::Be silent!:: a different voice hissed. ::He might be wanting to purchase one of us. Look here, man-child, at my pretty scales. See how they shimmer?::
Another voice rang out in its laughter. ::Fools, all of you. Can't you smell it? He's already spoken for and by someone of great power.::
::How nice, a wise serpent,:: Nagini drawled as her head poked out from Harry's pocket.
Startled cries erupted in the small room. The snakes knew without having to see that Nagini was a King Cobra. A deadly serpent, cunning and near the top of the hierarchy. Oh, there were other serpents far more deadly and dangerous, but they were few and far between. Even more rare were ones captured and tamed.
::Silence, you fools!:: the voice that had spoken last shouted as only a snake could shout. ::Show some decorum! Forgive these babbling idiots.::
Hissing laughter spilled from Nagini. ::It is not often one such as I visits such dens as these. I am Nagini, and you, serpent, are correct in your statement. This man-child is spoken for by my Master.::
::Spoken for?:: Harry finally said. ::What do you mean, Nagini?::
::Rampaging Ravenclaws, the man-child is a serpent-speaker!!!:: a nearby snake squawked. Excited hisses filled the air.
::It's been so long, so long!:: another serpent wailed. ::An honor it is, serpent-speaker, for you to come to visit.::
::Erm . . . you're welcome?:: Harry stammered. ::I didn't mean to cause such a ruckus, I'm sorry.::
::No need to apologize, Harry,:: Nagini stated. ::Come, we must be off. I can feel your mother walking this way, and the smell in this den is atrocious.::
Harry giggled as he stepped out of the room and came face to face with his mother.
"Harry!" she said breathlessly. "What are you doing back here?"
"Sorry, momma, I didn't mean to worry you. I was just exploring when I saw this room. It's filled with snakes."
Lily visibly shivered as she clutched Harry's shoulder. "Come away, luv. It's time to go home," she declared, steering Harry away. He smiled wistfully, wishing he could tell his mother the interesting conversation he just had with the serpents, but knew he couldn't break his promise to Tom. Not now, not ever.
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Harry walked side by side with Lily, one hand carrying a light bag from Diagon Alley, the other holding his mother's hand. Lily quickly transfigured their robes back into muggle clothes so that they could safely walk down the street without drawing attention. Harry and Lily both enjoyed the little jaunt, a peaceful comfortable silence between the two.
Suddenly, Harry's knees locked up. He was just outside his house, little gasps of breaths emitting from his mouth. He could feel the wards surrounding his house pulsating. He could feel them push him back, push him away with anger and violence. He shivered from the vehement onslaught. He understood now why Nagini hadn't come to visit.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Lily asked.
"Nothing, momma, there's just a rock in my shoe," Harry replied, thinking fast. He let go of his mother's hand and crouched down, untying the laces to his right boot. "Go on without me. I'll be right behind you."
Lily frowned, but it quickly disappeared. She ruffled his hair fondly before turning away. "I'll see you inside, luv. You'll help me put all this away, won't you?"
"Yes, momma. I'll be there in just a second."
Harry didn't draw a breath until he saw Lily disappear into the house. He sighed deeply.
::Well done, Harry,:: Nagini hissed, head reappearing from a breastpocket.
::Is this where I invite you in, Nagini?:: Harry asked curiously. ::Do I have to say special words or wave a stick?::
::None is needed, man-child. You simply invite me in as you would any other.::
::Oh, well then, please come in, Nagini and make yourself at home!::
Immediately, the force pushing Harry back disappeared. He relaxed his tense muscles and grinned down at the miniature King Cobra.
::Well done, indeed,:: the serpent crooned, rearing up to kiss the tip of Harry's nose. ::Marvelous, Harry. Simply marvelous . . . ::
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Author's Notes:
Wow. Wow wow wow wow. I am so very humbled right now. Thank you all for the reviews and encouragement! I really was expecting like five reviews tops. To answer some questions posted:
It really did pain me to paint James a little heartless. Don't despair, he truly does love Harry but we all have felt the crushing disappointment from a parent at least once in our lives, no? James had such high hopes and expectations for his son to perform magic, when Harry showed that he didn't have the ability, it really crushed James. Hopefully this chapter cleared that up a little bit.
Someone asked why Nagini and Harry don't talk with triple 's' during Parseltongue. It's just how I write, I guess. Sometimes, too many 's' in a word or sentence drives me senile and crazy. Can you imagine reading sentences like this without going batty?
'Sssay, sssomeone ssshouldn't be ssspeaking sssuch sssordid ssstatementsss to a ssserpent sssuch asss myssself.'
Yeah. Senile. Oh and I really don't know if Nagini truly is a King Cobra. I remember reading how Tom survived on Nagini's poison somewhere, and well, King Cobras to me are very intimidating. They are one of two (maybe?) snakes that can rear up to a third of their total length and actually still slither forward to attack. Pair that up with a flared black hood (much like one on a death eater, eh eh?), a sinister snarly 'hiss', inch long fangs, and you have instant terror. (f',')f
I was also asked why I titled this the way it is. I really was thinking of making this story into an angsty one-shot. The summary was originarily going to be:
In Harry's darkest hour, he forged an everlasting bond with a dangerous man. In Voldemort's darkest hour, he found salvation in a shattered child. In the wizarding world's darkest hour, an heir stood by the side of a deadly man.
Cheesy, huh?
Speaking of Tom and Harry, I'm not all too sure about the pairing. (Please don't shoot me.) I've read a few good Tom Riddle/Harry Potter fanfics where they are in a relationship with each other. I've also read a few where Tom is merely a mentor with a paternal side directed towards Harry. We'll just have to wait and see what the plot bunny demands. ph34r ;