Dark Potter

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Harry Potter 'verse. I am making no money in writing or in posting this.

Chapter 1

"You'll be in command of him when we take Hogwarts." Voldemort stated handing a ring to Draco Malfoy.

"It is my honor to serve you, my Lord." Draco replied, placing the ring on a finger that it fit on. It rested on Draco's left ring finger.

"Shall we try his paces, to familiarize the two of you?" Voldemort suggested.

"Are we attacking so soon, my lord?" Draco asked, careful to stay only curious.

"No, I have a closer to home tryout." Voldemort gestured to the next holding cell, where Mcnair was huddled.

Draco sneered. "Serves him right for failing you, master."

Voldemort smiled, "Indeed. Have the two meet, Draco?"

Draco turned back to Voldemort's pet. Curiously, Harry had been awake, listening to them talking from the moment they stepped in. "Up, Potter."

Hary remained still in the far corner of his cell.

"Refrain from using his name, Draco. He only responds to Pet." Voldemort guided.

Draco felt a burst of annoyance, but it wasn't his own. "Up, Pet."

Harry gracefully stood. His clothes were a tattered mess. They barely covered him and couldn't be that warm.

"Turn around, pet." Draco commanded.

Harry turned around slowly, a bit of unsureness coming through the ring.

"My Lord? The ring, is it a…"

"Empathic link, yes. What better away to control, then to know directly how they feel. Careful to only punish actions, Draco. His feelings of anger and rage are easily redirected to better suited targets."

"Of course, my lord. He's in better condition then I thought he would be, my lord." Draco carefully commented.

"He has served me well once he successfully completed his training. I take care of servants that serve me well, don't I, Draco?"

"Yes, my lord. I did not realize that included your enemies." Draco explained.

Voldemort smiled, "He is no longer an enemy, he is my pet. Direct my pet to the next cell and see for yourself."

"Pet, step out of the cell." Draco commanded. Voldemort opened the cell door to Potter's and Mcnair's cell.

Potter stepped out of the cell and stopped. Anticipation came through the ring.

Draco stepped back a few steps. He did not want to be in reach of Potter.

"Draco, show no fear. You are in control, are you not?" Voldemort challenged.

"Pet, step to Draco's side. Heel." Voldemort commanded.

Potter obeyed and found the heel position two steps behind to the right of Draco.

Draco tensed. He had seen a couple of the training sessions and demonstrations Voldemort performed using his pet. That did not comfort Draco. The fact that they were enemies before Potter's capture did not soothe Draco either. Draco couldn't even explain his plans to Potter, to obtain Potter's cooperation.

"Follow, pet." Draco commanded and led them to Mcnair's door. Potter stood at the open door waiting for further commands. It never paid to act before the commands were given.

Mcnair was standing ready. Voldemort's policy on failure was clear. Voldemort would eventually give the failure a fight. If they survived, they rejoined. If they didn't, they died.

Mcnair launched a hex at the still Potter. Potter didn't flinch as the hex impacted the shield that crossed the threshold.

Voldemort laughed. "I see Mcnair is ready to start. Very good, pet. Draco, when you are ready, send Pet in."

"Pet, in." Draco commanded.

"Punish or death?" Potter asked monotone, without making a move into Macnair's cell.

"Death, dear one. I've suffered his incompetence too long." Voldemot confirmed.

Mcnair paled. Potter stepped into the cell.

Mcnair launched a hex. It was same one as before. It would be his last action.

This time, Potter did not remain still. He dodged the hex with a snake's swiftness. Then, he leaped the distance between Mcnair and himself.

Mcnair fell back onto the floor, Potter on top of him.

Potter swiftly disarmed the death eater, throwing the wand to the side. Mcnair struggled fruitlessly against his opponent.

Potter struck again, snake fast biting Mcnair's neck and then nursing on the blood.

Mcnair was dead, in less than a minute.

Draco marveled at the display. "He's a vampire?"

Voldemort sneered. "A little more unique than that. After all, vampires have such obvious… weaknesses."

"So Potter isn't harmed by sunlight, wood or holy water?" Draco asked.

"He's affected." Voldemort admitted. "Still useful tools for training. Let us finish here, and I'll explain more, in a more comfortable setting."

"Potter." Again a burst of annoyance, through the ring. Voldemort backhanded Draco. Draco fell back into a wall of bars. Potter ignored this, draining his victim as much as he could before commanded to step away from the body.

"Do Not Refer to Him by that Name! I will not tell you again, Draco." Voldemort threatened.

"Yes, my lord. Our past…"

"Is the reason you are given this task. Don't fail due to foolish sentimentality. I've tamed him, all he knows is his existence as my pet. Understand?" Voldemort explained.

"Pet. Fetch Mcnair's wand." Voldemort commanded.

Potter released Mcnair's body. He was done. Malfoy's distraction gave him the time to eat the entire feast. He swiftly located the wand and crouched at Voldemort's feet. He offered the wand like an honored sword, head bowed.

Voldemort took the wand and gestured to Draco. "Direct him back to his cell."

"Pet, up. Go back to your cell." Potter stood and walked back into his cell.

Voldemort and Draco left. Potter returned the corner of the cell, warmed by his meal.