Chapter 2. Decisions, Decisions
Sorry for the long wait in between the update I've had other things on my mind for a while. Now some may say I'm rushing and in a way I am, I'm impatient and don't have the patience for detail and all that which make stories better, sorry =(. To the diary/journal I plan on having it as a sort of mentor in a way. I'm hoping to portray it as what gave Riddle his inspiration to do the things he did, and now in essence Harry to an extent. Enjoy reading, but like I said it may seem like I'm rushing into it, mainly how fast I made him side with Riddle but that's just cause I want to get to the school year somewhat quickly, it will be OOTP to an extent but it will be different. Also has anyone ever noticed how evil Dumbledore really is? I was reading OOTP not to long ago and he comes off as a real douche bag right after Sirius dies, I belive the exact wording is
Five years ago you arrived at Hogwarts, Harry, safe and whole, as I had planned and intended. Well - not quite whole. You had suffered. I knew you would when I left you on your aunt and uncle's doorstep. I knew I was condemning you to ten dark and difficult years."
Can you say major asshole? Honestly why Harry didn't just off himself is beyond me. if you hate Dumble's as much as I do feel free to review and post badly you despise the blimy old codger.
A sixteen year old Tom Riddle stood outside of the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. He looked extremely handsome for a boy his age, a little pale and malnourished looking but handsome none the less. His robes didn't look the newest either.
"Devil's Snare" he spoke confidently to the gargoyle which stepped to the side allowing him to enter the staircase. He rode it for a moment before standing in front of the large wooden door leading into the office.
"Enter" A voice spoke from the other side of the door.
Tom entered and was greeted by the smiling face of Armondo Dippet
"Good evening Tom. Ah! I see you scored highest in the O.W.L scoring, very well my boy, don't go telling anybody that, your not supposed to know your scores for a few months, but I figured with brains like yours why wait. Now what can I do for you?"
"Well sir, I was just wondering if I could possibly stay at the castle this summer."
"Now Tom, I thought we talked about this. Professor Dumbledore doesn't think it a good idea for a student to be unsupervised in a large castle like this." Riddle just nodded, his insides burning with hatred for that twinkly eye moron, always budding in where he isn't wanted. Seeing it was a lost cause he got up to leave, he had just closed the door when he heard talking.
"Happy, Dumbledore, you know what the boys life is at that dreadful orphanage. For the love of Merlin there haven't been O.W.L scores his high since you and you don't trust him in the school. I know we have a lot on our plate with Grindlewald but allowing one child in a school with hundreds of house elves shouldn't be that bad!" Dippet exclaimed
"We simply can't pool the resources right now. And as to Gellert, it seems I will have to be the one to bring him down."
"You know how I feel about that, you've waited far too long."
"Yes I know but this is what the Wizarding world needs, a hero. A leader of the light, once I have defeated my old friend you and I will usher the new magical world. We could start it small, after I have defeated Gellert you will become Minister and I shall take over the position of Headmaster, all goes well of course."
"Yes, yes. Whatever you say Albus, I still think you're a little cruel to the boy. He has done nothing wrong."
"Yet. The boy is the last remaining heir to Salazar Slytherin. Think of the power he would have if people found out. That is why we must mold him. Someone with his ancestry will be a crowd attractor, exactly what we need."
Tom was shocked, he had always wanted to know his heritage and now he finally knew it. He was related to Salazar Slytherin, no wonder the hat barely touched his head before shouting "Slytherin!"
Harry awoke with a start feeling rested and rejuvenated, immediately he remembered the day before and everything that had happened, along with the very strange and certainly not his dream. Part of him was worried, he had given Voldemort the prophecy but part of him knew that he would have never stopped trying to kill him so what is the big deal if he knew one of them had to kill the other? The only possible implication was Neville, but he was now protected under the oath.
He lay there thinking about the dream he had just had. Clearly it belonged to Voldemort and from what he saw and heard, it was before he became the 'man' he is today, before the chamber, before the diary. Who knows, he may have never became what he had if he hadn't over heard what Dumbledore, the master manipulator had said. Clearly Riddle had opened the chamber in his next year, thus ruining Dippet's chances of becoming Minister. Dumbledore still defeated Grindlewald but the stain that was the chamber was forever linked to Dippet causing him to get sacked, and Dumbledore to get his way. No one really heard of Dippet after that, clearly Albus dumped him having used him for his reasons and with having no more needs cast him aside.
Getting out of bed and looking around for his trunk he noticed it was gone, that rat Wormtail took all of his belongings. He groaned out loud, but suddenly he felt the urge to check his pocket. Reaching into his right jean pocket he pulled out something that looked oddly like his firebolt and his trunk. Staring at it for a few seconds he was interrupted from his staring contest with the two miniature objects by Kreacher the elf, he had found the elf good company and quite hilarious.
"Master Harry, from the looks of it you must UN shrink those objects. Kreacher would do it for you if you'd like." The elf said bowing. Harry nodded and handed the two things to the elf, a second later his trunk and firebolt stood there fully sized. Harry thanked the elf, who bowed again and went off to get Harry breakfast.
Opening his trunk Harry wanted to laugh but it wouldn't come, not only was it magically enlarged but the contents had drastically changed, all of his rags from his cousin were gone and replaced with clothes that looked much nicer and expensive. They all seemed to have a dark feel to them though Harry thought, not just because he knew who put them there but the colors and looks of them. There were several pairs of black muggle jeans and dark colored t shirts, there were two dress robes one forest green and the other was jet black, both of the softest velvet Harry had ever felt. There was even underwear and several more proper shirts for Harry to wear, his books and other things were there as well. He noticed a large book on Occlumency and Legilimency, there was also several books on the Dark Arts, Harry was weary at first thinking about the dark arts, he had heard things about them. Then it hit him everything he had heard or at least most of it was a lie or half truth, it was about time he started making his own decisions.
When he got done sorting all the things he noticed a package with a note tied to it, he took the note and read it.
Harry I hope you liked my gift to you, I have seen the clothes the muggles have given you and it is despicable, I figured I should give a parting gift. The package is also something you might want to look at, do so in private. Only you can open this package. There is also a potion, do not worry about what the potion will do, just take it and enjoy the effect. There is also a galleon in the package, it is a portkey. If you ever feel threatened just say the password and it will whisk you away in an instant
-Freedom-
Harry opened the package and nearly fainted. There was a uniform, the uniform of a Death Eater, it consisted of what Harry figured was Dragon Hide, he knew it could repel magic and everything he touched felt rough and durable but light. There were boots, pants, a cloak and a long sleeve shirt all in the darkest black he had ever seen. Then there was the mask, not the normal bone white mask he had seen at the ritual the other death eater's wore, this was, special. Harry traced his fingers over it and felt a shiver run though his body at the feel of it. He picked up the gold mask, so unlike the rest of the outfit, such a contrast. The blackest black against the seemingly brightest gold he had ever seen, he turned it over in his hands several times he noticed the insides felt soft and found himself imagining what it would feel like if he was wearing it, he noticed there were no straps so it must come with a sticking charm. Running his fingers along the inside he felt something and looked to see his initials etched in the fabric where his forehead would rest HJP. Turning it over to get a closer look he noticed what looked like runes and designs on the front of the mask in black which probably served different purposes Harry thought.
"Ah, I see the Dark Lord is calling you" Kreacher asked, Harry didn't hear him enter and was carrying a tray of food for Harry. Harry nearly jumped before he nodded. "Master Regulus joined the Dark Lord, he was a proper son unlike that brat Sirius." Harry wanted to feel angry at the elf for calling Sirius a brat but from the stories he heard he knew it was probably true and didn't bother.
"Can you not tell anyone about this? I'm not sure how they would take it if they saw me wearing a black cloak and mask." Harry chuckled at the looks he would get if he walked down their wearing his Death Eater apparel. He would have to play it safe for now, he was currently in enemy territory.
"Of course Master Harry, I must be going now." And with that the elf left Harry to eat and think. Harry ate the huge breakfast the elf gave him which consisted of bacon, eggs, sausages, pancakes, and pumpkin juice. He and Hedwig ate everything. Getting dressed he put on a black pair of the jeans and a maroon colored t shirt, they fit him perfectly, then he thought of course they fit the man is in my bloody head and knows my sizes. Deciding to stay in his room for now he went to his new stack of books. He looked at them there were 3 new books he had never seen before.
Occlumency & Legilimency Protecting and Probing. Harry wanted to chuckle at the title but moved on to the next book
Secrets of the Darkest Arts
The last book wasn't a book at all, it was a journal. Harry looked at it trying to figure out a way to open it but couldn't figure out a way for the life of him, then he noticed it had a large S on it that looked oddly like the Slytherin crest. Deciding to give parseltongue a try he hissed at the journal and to his shock it grew in size and words appeared on the cover. Salazar Slytherin, Harry gasped this belonged to one of the four founders, and Voldemort entrusted him with it. Harry carefully opened the cover and read the first few lines.
If you are reading this you must be a descendant of mine, we Slytherin's speak the noble language of the snakes. If you were able to open this through serpent tongue I congratulate you, ancient blood flows through your veins, be proud of your heritage and do not settle for less, we Slytherin are cunning and get what we want!
After reading the 'introduction' Harry wanted to break down laughing, here he was reading a diary of Salazar Slytherin and the man had no clue Harry wasn't a descendant of his, of course if someone was reading it they most likely would have been he thought because the only way to open it was through parseltongue. It's even funnier he was a Gryffindor and the one who killed his Basilisk, talk about fraternizing with the enemy. Harry decided to read a bit more before going downstairs so speak with Sirius.
I have just been exiled by the rest of the founders, do not fear ancestors I have released my great beast in the bowels of the school. One day my heir will return and unleash it upon the mud bloods and blood traitors. They were fools especially Helga, she thinks that anyone should be allowed into the school and blood purity. At least Godric is powerful and courageous, Rowena was intelligent but Helga she is simply a mud blood lover, which is all her house will ever accommodate. The noble house of Slytherin will only accept the noblest and purest of blood lines, if I had done a few great things among my times there it was helping make that sorting hat, at least he won't let any mud bloods in to slytherin.
Harry read the rest of the first entry, to sum it up he had been exiled for not agreeing with their take on blood purity, and they didn't take kindly to him always referring to students as mud bloods. It caused a rift and the three other founders decided to exile him from Hogwarts it was cruel really, they kicked out one of the founders because they didn't agree with him, so what! They all had their own houses so what if Slytherin didn't want any mud bloods in his house, that was completely up to him just like Hufflepuff accepting for lack of a better term 'leftovers'. Although the Basilisk was a little over the top. This was clearly more prejudice then someone like Malfoy calling Hermoine a mud blood, Salazar was exiled for his own beliefs and frankly he was right for the most part, most muggle-borns are morons who simply don't have what it takes to be in the wizarding world i.e. Colin Creevy.
Before he went downstairs he downed the purple potion, he hoped beyond anything that it wasn't poison, he had literally put his life in the hands of the dark lord. The potion tasted like milk. Plain. It may not have tasted like anything but the potion had an immediate effect he could feel his bones itch slightly and his muscles tighten, he had no clue what exactly it meant but it was irritating, he would ask Sirius. Pocketing the galleon and his shrunken trunk and broom he went downstairs.
Entering the kitchen he noticed not many were awake, apparently Kreacher refused to serve the rest of the house and they didn't mind, well at least Molly didn't. Being the constant mother she was already used to cooking and cleaning and didn't mind. Sirius was already downstairs as well as Lupin, it seems Lupin was staying here to keep him company.
"Good morning, Harry. Breakfast will be ready soon." Molly smiled at him, Harry could tell she wasn't pleased with his treatment of the Headmaster but he honestly didn't give a shit. She was in his pocket and nothing was changing that, if Harry walked outside and struck down Lord Voldemort she would give all the credit to Dumbledore and his planning ahead. It was funny but in a sad sort of way, the Weasley's were a good family and what did the wizarding world give them? Shit. They lost several family members in the last war and Dumbledore didn't even see fit to look out for them, they gave up family members to fight for the right cause and what they got was poverty. Sure he may have thrown them a bone every once in a while but that was how the Headmaster clearly operated, toss the dog a bone every once in and while and manipulate a way pushing their limits. It used to work on Harry but not anymore.
"I already ate, Kreacher brought me up a plate. I like that little elf, he's hilarious." All three people gaped at him. Mrs. Weasley was busy with breakfast and quickly got back to it, Remus was reading the paper and after a quick glance at Harry went back to his paper, Sirius though had the look of a man who was trying to solve a very difficult arithmancy problem.
"Harry, are you feeling alight?" Sirius asked suspiciously.
"I'm fine, do you think we can go speak in private though. We have some things to discuss." Harry waited for Sirius to nod before standing up and making his way back towards his bedroom. Once they entered the room Harry quickly cast his strongest locking charm and privacy ward. "Sirius whatever we speak about in here, it doesn't leave this room. Okay?" Sirius nodded, Harry sat down on his bed and motioned for him.
"I heard the prophecy. Do you know what it says?" Sirius simply shook his head, slightly confused that not only had he heard the prophecy but found out about with no knowledge of it. "Well it says I have to kill Voldemort, nobody else. Not Dumbledore, not you, not the Auror's but me. I'm the only person who can besides Neville Longbottom, although I'm not sure if his part in the prophecy is over yet." Harry got a far off look in his eye.
"Well Harry I don't know what to say besides we should inform Dumbledore you know and get you training." Harry now looked more nervous then when he got ready to tackle the Horntail.
"I talked with Voldemort yesterday," he blurted out, Sirius paled dramatically. "he was…nice" Harry didn't know whether Sirius wanted to yell at him for being so stupid or yell at him for calling Voldemort nice. "He offered me things." Harry didn't get to finish his statement.
"Harry, please don't tell me-" Harry cut off Sirius, not entirely wanting to here all he had to say.
"Look! I'm not going to lie to you like you people have been lying to me. I respect people who tell me the truth, and he told me the truth! He told me about the prophecy, he told me about a lot of things that would curl Snape's greasy hair. And the best of all, you're going to be a free man. Like I said he wants me to join, I told him I have to think about it, he got me free from expulsion and letting you become a free man, for nothing but a couple of words, which he already knew." Harry glared at his godfather, he was trying to read him. He had a look of fear, happiness, excitement, worry and betrayal. "I know what you're thinking, you're thinking about becoming like Wormtail aren't you?" Sirius didn't speak, he simply nodded gloomily "He's nothing more than a servant to Voldemort; I bet if we join up he will give us free reign to put the rat down. He told me I don't even how to bow and all that rubbish like the rest of them, I'm his equal just like the prophecy said. I'm not asking you to join Voldemort. Well I guess I am, I'm not siding with the Order. I'm sorry but I can't do it, after all that Dumbledore did to me I can't trust the man anymore, I made an oath with Voldemort, me or my friends can't be harmed by the Death Eaters, but if you stay in the Order you're going to wind up getting hurt."
Harry looked into Sirius' face, he looked heartbroken like his favorite puppy had just been run over and honestly in some ways it had. His Harry had died yesterday, the Harry he knew was gone. "But..your parents he killed them." He stated, Harry knew what he was playing at. He was trying to guilt Harry back into the light side.
"Do you know what I hear every time a dementor gets close?" Harry asked the rhetorical question, he had never told Sirius and so he knew Sirius would shake his defeated. "My parents death, that's what I hear." Harry wanted to laugh, at the look of triumph that crossed Sirius' face. "I hear Voldemort telling my mother to stand aside. He didn't want to kill them, he told me so. You might say well he's a liar but if that's the case then so are my own memories." Sirius looked distraught, Harry had to go in for the kill. "Where was he when you were in Azkaban? Where was he all those horrible years I was forced to live in a cupboard and work like a house elf? He was sitting on his arse sucking on lemon drops like the old sack of shit that he is!" Harry's voice was now rise dangerously.
"What about the others?" Sirius asked dejectedly, Harry knew he was a caring man and the truth had always been an important thing to him.
"What about them?" Harry asked his voice dripping with venom. "Do you know how many times I hoped someone would come and get me this summer? Or how many times I begged in letters for information and got shit? Do you know how many nights I had nightmares?" Harry was breathing hard now, yes Voldemort technically had a part in Cedric's death but from what Harry known of him he respected power and blood purity, Cedric being a pure-blood , powerful with an influential father clearly didn't make him a target, he was a unfortunate casualty.
"But Harry, this is wrong. They torture and kill people for fun." Sirius declared as if that settled the argument.
Harry just cocked an eyebrow. "Are you talking about the wizards who oppose them or the filthy muggles who aren't worth protecting?" Harry practically spat the word muggles. Sirius gaped at him, he had never heard nor thought Harry would talk about muggles this way.
"Harry are you alright? What's a matter with you?" Sirius was getting concerned now, clearly there was something wrong here.
"I'm perfectly fine for the first time in a long time." Harry said grinning wickedly.
"Harry who will fight for the helpless wizards and muggles-" Harry cut him off after he said muggles with a dangerous look in his eyes.
"Protect the muggles!" Harry shouted, seeing Sirius' startled face Harry lowered his voice " I seriously don't think you want to ever say that in front of me again. Let me give you my life story after you decided to be a hero and get yourself tossed in Azkaban." Harry knew it was a low blow but he really wanted him to know exactly what he cost Harry by acting rash like he always did. "I had no one. Nobody at all. I was treated worse than a house elf, I did the cooking, cleaning, gardening and what did I get in return, you ask? Beatings, neglect, abuse, starvation. My relatives went out of their way to let anybody know I was a delinquent so I never had any friends. A thief, criminal all because they were jealous of me being magical. It was bloody obvious, they wouldn't let me say the word magic or anything 'different' and the day Hagrid told me about my parents you should of her Petunia go on about how their parents loved Lily and hated her. She was jealous of not being magical and took it out on me. I was told my mother was a whore and my father a drunk who wound up getting them both killed and me a scar, nice right. To top it all of I lived in a cupboard till I got my letter, and the only reason I had my own room was because the letter was addressed to Harry Potter the cupboard under the stairs, oh yes the esteemed Headmaster knew how I was being treated and did nothing. I hate him." Harry said the last bit with so much malice it seemed as if the Headmaster was there he would be in for a dose of the Cruciatius Curse.
By the end Sirius had tears welling up in his eyes, he may not support Voldemort or his views but he honestly owed it the boy, not the Headmaster but he owed to his godson, son of Lily and James Potter. By deciding to get revenge instead of doing right by his friends he literally condemned Harry to ten years of servitude. One of the worst parts in all of this was that it all led back to Dumbledore, he had a hand in all of this. Harry was right he knew and didn't once try and help Harry. He clearly had Arabella Figg watching the boy for the past ten years as she did this past summer, obviously she must have reported the boy wore rags and looked at the point of starvation, yet he chose not to act. Not even bothering to mention the fact that he didn't lift a hand to try and get Sirius out of prison, clearly that would have only loosened the binds he hand on the child of prophecy. Finally succumbing to a few tears after realizing the horrible truth Sirius nodded.
"Come around have you. Voldemort may have cast the Avada Kedavra but all these years Dumbledore has been casting Crucio after Crucio on me and you for the past decade meanwhile he has the rest of the wizarding world Imperiused to do whatever he see fits, it's disgusting."
Sirius felt like he was just struck by a bludger, it was all true to a degree. Dumbledore had prodded and picked at Harry's life wherever he saw fit to mold him into nothing more than a weapon to destroy Voldemort. Harry sensing his godfather was on the verge of a mental breakdown hugged his godfather as tightly as he could.
"Were all each other's got Padfoot. We got to look out for each other." They broke after a few seconds both regaining there composure
"What about Moony?" Sirius asked with genuine concern for his most long lasting friend he had left.
"As much as I like Remus, he's in Dumbledore's pocket. He's twisted him to his will like he did us." Sirius raised an eyebrow "Oh come off it. He feeds us shit for years, then he throws us a bone. He lets Remus go from job to job living in poverty then out of the blue he gives him the defense job. For me hes been doing it all my life and for you I mean come on. Your in jail for twelve years then the second I tell him your innocent he believes me, curious. Its like he knew you were innocent the whole time." Harry watched as Sirius' eyes grew as wide as saucers once more hit by another blow cracking his resolve that was the light side. "I mean shit Sirius, the man speaks on the behalf of Snape a death eater to get him out of Azkaban. And Voldemort vouched for him yesterday, he's playing Dumbledore like a fucking fool. But he can't even get you a trial? Bollocks! I swear if he so much as speaks out of line to me I'm going to curse his old arse." Harry was fuming now. "He stole my childhood from me, I'm taking the rest of my life before he can snatch that away as well."
"O.k we play it safe for now, we start practicing occlumency as soon as possible, I already know it, but you don't and from what were planning you need to learn quick." Sirius gave Harry an honest smile, they may be making a major decision now but at least they were going through it together.
"Sure thing. First thing occlumency then we get you your freedom you so rightfully deserve. Oh and another thing, what potion is this?" he took out the now empty potion bottled and handed it to his godfather, Sirius sniffed it before getting a curios looking expression across his face.
"Nourishment potion, extremely potent." Harry raised a curios eyebrow. "Most potions like this are to be taken over the course of a few months or weeks. A potion this potent is to be taken in one setting like you did. The affects are more prolonged with the other potions that aren't as strong, the effects of this potion will last maybe a week, it will be irritating and annoying but you will enjoy the after effects. As well the rest of the Hogwart's female population" said Sirius waggling one of his eyebrows. Harry just punched him the arm playfully.
"You should get one of these things then, you look like shit." Said Harry trying to turn the tables on his godfather, it was true he looked bad. Sirius just shook his head getting ready to explain.
"That potion you had there was for malnourished teenagers like your scrawny self. If I took that potion I would probably keel over." Harry gave his most shocked face which caused Sirius to grin widely. "I need a couple weeks of good food and some restorative potions for my body. If I took that potion my body would try and force itself nutrients trying to grow in height which my body has already grew into and induce puberty which I'm pretty sure my body has already gone through." Harry had to laugh at his godfather's attempt to lighten the mood. "Oh, by the way you're going to be extremely moody."
"So this potion is a mixture of nutrients and liquid puberty?" Harry asked seriously and obviously Sirius had to chuckle at his question, thankfully he nodded his head so Harry wouldn't have to beat the answer out of him.
"It's not that simple. This potion, while it may cause you to enter puberty physically or non magically so to speak, it will be for lack of a better word mending your magical core as well. When wizards hit puberty their magical cores begin to change as well, to adapt to the new body so to speak. You will undoubtedly have more energy magically." Here Sirius made a face "Your problem is your physical body. It's painfully obvious you don't look much healthier than I do, if you had waited much longer to take a potion like that you may have died. Your physical body wouldn't have been able to handle the changes to your magical core, it would have been the muggle equivalent of a heart attack. As I said before your lucky you took that potion so soon, I can see you've grow a few inches already since the end of the year, anything else strange happen?"
Harry once again felt pent up anger at Dumbledore for not bothering to tell him any of this, he could almost hear the conversation now.
Harry my boy! This doesn't really concern you at the moment, weal cross that bridge when it comes.
Harry must have been glaring at some unseen object because Sirius cautiously touched his arm.
"Harry, you there? Don't worry about it too much, in a week's time you'll probably have packed on twenty pounds and be in top shape. Only problem will be the growing part, your bones may ache while you grow a little. You'll probably grow a good four inches."
Harry was ecstatic! He was currently only 5'6 but with this new growth spurt he would be almost six foot, he was a little put out at the fact that Ron was already 6'1 a fact that he constantly gloated about. Thinking about the weight part, he wasn't begging for pounds to be put on, he simply wanted to fill out and not be as scrawny looking as he had been, he was starting to feel self conscious after being around bony Petunia all this time.
"Well, um yeah. I dropped when wand when I was being attacked and said "Lumos". The wand tip ignited and wasn't in my hand. Also my patronus was huge, bigger than when I saved you." Sirius simply nodded his head like he was some sort of all knowing wizard who had all the answers. "And that's pretty much all the magic I've done this summer."
"As sad as it may sound but you probably owe Voldemort your life. I wouldn't go as far to say life devt owing, like Wormtail." Here Sirius grinned menacingly like he had some sort of twisted plan in the workings and Harry could only grin back "But had he not given you that potion I doubt you would have made it to September 1st."
The wheels were churning in his head over and over. Playing the same memories over and over. Voldemort had told him what he knew about Dumbledore and he had been right, he seemed to always be right, it was slightly disturbing. He could tell Dumble's would attempt a mind probe and he was giving Harry things Dumbledore either couldn't, wouldn't or didn't want to give or get for Harry, like his own freedom or choice and for the matter of Sirius it seemed to be the same concept. It brought a nasty taste to his mouth just thinking about all the things he did that just seemed to go unnoticed by everyone else because he defeated someone over fifty years ago.
Snapping out of his stupor Harry and Sirius made a game plan for the next few weeks, praying everything would go well. Sirius even managed to convince Harry that Lupin could be trustworthy and he would try and feed him little details about how Dumbledore treated people and possibly get his to choose the right side. Harry was reluctant but if he was honest with himself he would be one of the hardest people to face when he was on the other side, he had never intentionally wronged or hurt Harry, not to mention he was his father's and Sirius' best mate.
"Just wait and see what I got in store for the esteemed Headmaster. Voldemort is supposed to only know a few words of the prophecy so I'm going to confront him with those words and say I'm dreaming about it, and other things trying to make him look bad." Sirius was always one for a prank and couldn't help but laugh harder than Harry had ever seen him laugh, when asked he said the Marauder's never had the gall to prank the headmaster.
Making their way back into the kitchen Harry noticed everybody in the house was currently in the kitchen, looking up at the clock he noticed it was 10am and that they had been talking for almost two hours. Sitting down Harry was introduced to everyone he didn't know.
The pink haired witch turned out to be Sirius' cousin Nymphadora Tonks, who would get her knickers in a major twist when anybody said her first name, she also happened to be an Auror. Harry would have been impressed except for the fact that she acted like she was twelve. This was demonstrated by a hair color changing jinx directed at Sirius for using her first name. The tall bald black guy was another Auror named Kingsley Shackelbolt, he was in the first order and managed to survive without any grizzly injuries unlike Moody.
After introductions Mrs. Weasley served a late breakfast for everyone, Harry wanted to laugh when he looked at his plate and it had less food then everybody else. He knew he shouldn't care because he already ate but it was clearly obvious she wasn't happy with him, and it annoyed him to no end. He made it his job to annoy her even more telling rude jokes and cursing with Sirius, mostly everyone else found it funny except for Molly and of course the mud- Hermoine.
"So he draws his wand on me and tries to curse me, and I him. Mine missed and hit Goyle in the face, he had boils all over it was bloody hilarious," the whole table was roaring with laughter "and Malfoy's curse hit Granger here right in the mouth, her teeth starting growing and growing." By the end Sirius had tears of laughter in his eyes and Ron was struggling to hold it in, the twins were snickering and Hermoine was as red as Ron's hair. Ginny of course was staring at Harry with a hungry look in her eyes, it was funny how she just got done telling the table she was dating Michael Corner, it was even more curious she seemed to be staring at Harry while admitting this, it almost seemed as if she was gauging Harry's reaction.
Just the man of the hour walked in, his eyes not seeming to twinkle one bit. Harry put on his best apologetic face and got ready to get the game rolling so to speak. The headmaster stopped in the doorway and began to survey the room, his eye's lingering to Harry for an extra moment before he was satisfied and stepped into the room. Harry stood.
"Sir. I would like to apologize for my actions last night. I'm sorry, I just hope you can forgive me. I had a really hard summer and I've been having the strangest dreams, I'm just so angry all the time and my temper seems to have a short fuse." Harry said looking intently at the headmaster, trying his hardest not to crack up on the spot and ruin everything, to his amazement it worked and seemed to be exactly what Dumbledore wanted to hear. The twinkle returned in full force, almost making Harry want to barf his breakfast right then and there.
"Thank you, Harry, I accept your apology. Now you were saying something about dreams?" Dumbledore responded finishing in his most grandfatherly and caring voice.
"Yes sir, they all start the same. I think it's Voldemort speaking to me, he says the same words every night 'The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches, born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies'…" Harry trailed off solemnly and tried to give his most confused face. The entire room went silent except adding to the effect he was hoping to get. Dumbledore looked pale of course, but he had the look of someone who just lost their ace in the hole, and Harry could see why. He was literally praying inside of his head that he would tell him it didn't mean anything so his suspicions would be confirmed. Deciding to go for the kill, seeing as nobody had spoken yet. "And almost every night I seem to be wandering through halls of white orbs on shelves in like a dark corridor, it's very strange." Harry shuddered a little for added affect, he didn't want to seem to brave and raise eyebrows. Dumbledore had a serious look on his face now as if contemplating a very serious decision, was he going to tell me of the prophecy? No, it was against his nature to divulge important information like that, secrets and lies. He finally spoke after a long moment.
"I believe that it is time for you learn the art of occlumency. It seems the Dark Lord is putting false memories or visions per say. We must keep your mind protected, I was hoping it wouldn't be necessary but clearly it is. Severus will begin at once, after our meeting is over he will cover the basics with you."
And with that Dumbledore made a quick retreat obviously wanting to have to answer anymore questions. I'll give him credit he was able to cover that up quickly. The meeting wasn't for later tonight but Snape sent me a knowing look and nodded his head towards the door. Harry winked at Sirius slightly before following Snape out of the kitchen before I was hounded with questions. Entering the room Snape quickly rounded of Harry.
"Potter, you insolent, arrogant, pompous, know it all.." Snape ranted for another minute or so before calming himself. "The Dark Lord wanted you to stay under the radar, and what do you do? You practically tell Dumbledore you know of the prophecy."
"I don't think you understand where I am coming from. I don't trust anybody, well not one hundred percent that is. I trust Voldemort more than I do Dumbledore right now but not by much, he still did murder my parents. So I tested Dumbledore and I was right, he can't be trusted." Harry finished defiantly glaring back at his scowling potions master.
"Well it seems I need to teach you. Not from the Dark Lord I'll have you know, that scar of yours undoubtedly will not be affected by Occlumency. We are going to have to protect your mind from the Headmaster." Here for some odd reason Snape cracked a very, very rare smile. Harry raised an eyebrow questioning him. "The headmaster was to have me repeatedly weaken your mental defenses during these lessons, as a way for you to have more visions, thus helping the light side. As much as I would like to abuse your mind I fear the wrath of the Dark Lord." Here Snape shuddered as if remembering a very bad memory. Harry simply nodded his thanks. "The Dark Lord told me he already has given you a book on Occlumency. You are to read it and practice the techniques on your own. I will 'teach' you after the meeting, which will consist of me testing your barriers. Had you not been given the book these lessons would of consisted of the same thing, minus you knowing how to protect yourself." And with that Snape left the room.
Harry immediately called Sirius into his room and began reading up on the book with Sirius' help. The first step was clearing your mind through deep meditation. Harry sat with Sirius in the room in complete silence for several minutes before Harry opened his eyes with a content smile on his face, almost immediately he started thinking and ruined it. Reading the next step before starting his meditation again turned out to be simple, it was somewhat like casting a patronus, instead of a happy memory you had to think of a comfortable place, which would take the place of your 'entrance' to where your memories would stored.
Settling in Harry slowly began his calming breaths, he kept drifting further and further until he found himself in what looked like the Gryffindor common room, except there weren't the Gryffindor colors, there were blues and silvers and blacks, his favorite colors. Taking a closer look there was only one door. He also noticed he was sitting on a sofa in front of a roaring fire that just seemed to calm him.
Getting up slowly and reluctantly he made his way towards the door and opened it. It lead him into a long corridor with a door at the end, walking quickly towards the door and throwing it open he gasped. Picture walking into a library, a rather disheveled and not well taken care of library but a library none the less, and every book was dedicated to your life. There were too many books to count, separated into years, months, days, people, specific events, places and the likes. As if his mind was telling him, he felt the need to put the memories in order, they seemed to be out of order and all over the place, sort of like his head felt most of the time.
He also noticed the library had another door, that wasn't supposed to be there, this caught his attention more than some boring memories he already saw.
Mustering that Gryffindor courage he made his way towards the door it didn't look like his door, for starters it had a rather formidable looking lock on it and seemed to telling him to go away. Stepping closer he touched the door knob which in turn shocked him! The pain was almost as bad as the Cruciatus and nearly flung him back into the present world, feeling even more curious he muttered the only spell he could think "Alohamora". The effect was instantaneous the lock slipped off the door which opened, entering the corridor like the one he had entered, he was surprised to not see another library, as if on cue a dozen snakes appeared out of thin air hissing madly at him.
"Leave Now!""Intruder!""Exit our mind or prepare to die"
Harry had no clue what was going on and did the only thing he could think of and hissed back at the snakes before they struck. "Stop!". The snakes looked surprised before disappearing, slowly another door materialized in front of him. He walked towards it, trying the unlocking charm again which failed like he thought it would. The moment he saw the Slytherin crest on the door he knew what must be done and hissed in parseltongue "Alohamora!" the locked clicked and he entered feeling like he just passed a major exam, what he found was surprising to say the least.
"Welcome, Harry" There before him sat Lord Voldemort in a plush looked green armchair, surrounding him was what Harry guessed was Voldermort's 'library'. It looked much more organized and better taken care of then his.
"Where are we?" Harry asked the first question that came to his mind.
"We are currently in my mind, just a moment ago you were in yours." Harry opened his mouth to speak. "How?" Harry nodded. "Severus explained to you the connection we have if you are here so I will skip that part. Normally you would have to be performing Legillimency to see someone else's door so to speak. But us, we are special. Here is where I will train you." Harry opened his mouth to tell him he was being ridiculous, how could someone train in their head? As if Riddle heard him he answered the unasked question. "We are in a library aren't we Harry? Go ahead and open this book." Riddle summoned a book off the shelf with his hand and tossed it to Harry. It was a real book, 'Handy Dandy Wandless Magic'. It wasn't a memory like Harry's were or a place but a real book. "Occlumency has many advantages, through it you can master your mind. Things you forget with time will stay with you for as long as you wish, with a little practice and assistance we will have your library in top shape."
"So that was your defense system, those snakes. That's all?"
"I am one the world's best Ligilliems. Due to the fact that I have no need for the mind protecting part of Occlumency, like you. Harry we are wizards we can create things normal people cant, and by that I meant wizards and muggles, for magical standards you and I are not normal. The last two Parselmouths alive." Harry put his brain into overdrive thinking about what he was just told, when the proverbial light bulb went on.
"So you set up a password system, in parseltongue." He said it as a statement and was rewarded with a nod. "And seeing as nobody knows the language…" he trailed off not needing to really know much more.
"There are others who know languages few have learnt, I daresay Dumbledore has the same protection. He is quite fluent in Mermish, that is a learnable language but I wouldn't waste my time. Somebody as paranoid as him probably has defenses on top of defenses. Now I shall show you around."
For what Harry guessed was the next few hours he walked with Voldemort through his library, it was slightly confusing seeing the same things in different sections but it just made more sense, his mind was so well cared for and put together it was, art. Memories with Snape and Malfoy, memories with Snape Malfoy and Bellatrix. The memoires often crossed over each other in different categories but that was just an testament to how organized it was.
Even more surprising was what Harry could only describe as the 'cinema', Voldemort led Harry into a large room with many seats, and as if waiting to play a duel began between Voldemort and Dumbledore. It was the likes of something Harry had never seen it went on for a solid twenty minutes, the Death Eaters and Order members mixed with Aurors stopped there mini war around five minutes in to watch in awe as the two most powerful wizards in the world battled. While Dumbledore had finesse and was more gifted in transfiguration and charms, it was clear Voldemort had the raw power to simply blast his way through Dumbledore's shields the likes Dumbledore would never be capable of doing. The battle ended with Voldemort landing a dark cutter, drawing blood on the leader of the light and forcing the Order and Aurors to retreat in defeat, surprisingly the Death Eaters left soon after. Watching the memory from the start it was clear the Death Eaters only showed up in the town to recruit a master potions maker and were interrupted by Dumbledore and his Order, needless to say the Aurors were a little antsy and began firing upon apparition turning it into an all out battle.
"Wow." Was all Harry could say after that performance of magic.
"So you see Harry, hear we can train and gain knowledge for as long as we like."
"But it isn't real." Harry exclaimed.
"Isn't it? Sure it isn't the same but you can surely cat the theory and written parts of the magic down. I have never let anyone inside of my mind willingly like this, this is a privilege Harry. I trust you to use your time here to best yourself. I'm going to leave now, I will leave my knowledge with you, maybe some other time we will watch more of my interesting battles and chat, Goodbye." With that Voldemort and most of his library disappeared, leaving only the section Harry knew to be where the books he had read. What the mudblood wouldn't give to be in here.
Harry was about to open that book on wandless magic he had been caring around when he felt something sharp jab him in the ribs. His eyes flew open and he found himself on the floor back in Grimmauld place.
"What the fuck Sirius!" he shouted at his godfather who was smiling, clearly he found breaking people out of there trances amusing.
"It usually takes people one minute or so to set up a simple defense them come back to brag about it."
"Yea well, I found something even better and I doubt you'll be able to get through my defenses once I'm done. How long was I out of it by the way?" it felt like at 4 hours to Harry, between watching the battle and going through the intricate library that was Voldemort's mind.
Sirius glanced at his watch before speaking. "Around four minutes."
Harry nodded, the time confirmed his thoughts. Each minute in the real world was an hour in his 'head'. This was brilliant he thought excitedly, most people had their thoughts and theirs alone, he was lucky he supposed to having the most powerful wizard in the worlds memoires literally waiting to be watched, read, and studied. He now knew why Voldemort seemed so excited to training him inside using Occlumency like this. While it may not be real he would get the feel and it would be undoubtedly easier when returning to the outside world. He could go through Voldemort's school books rather than his own which would take much less time and save him the boredom of learning things as trivial as a water charm when he could be learning powerful curses and hexes. Harry just had to hope Voldemort's library was up to date.
"Well pup, are you going to let me test your shields?" Sirius asked excitedly wanting a challenge.
Harry motioned for Sirius to wait before drifting back into his 'common room'. Much like Voldemort minus the pain part he put a simple locking charm on his door to his after walking into his corridor, searching his mind he found the spell he wanted. Whipping out his wand he thought the python he saw at the zoo before he shouted "Serpensortia!" the giant snake erupted out of his wand looking around menacingly, after turning towards Harry it looked ready to strike.
"Stop! I command you."
"Yesss"
"When anybody enters this I want you to strike. Squeeze them, make them leave"
"Yesss. Bite, squeeze, kill." The snake hissed menacingly. Now all Harry had to do was figure out how to add a locking charm in parseltongue. Trying the first that came to his mind he walked towards the door and tapped it with his wand hissing the incantation "Colloportusss!"
With that he left his wind and waited for Sirius to make his attempt. The moment Harry's eyes refocused Sirius struck whispering the mind reading spell "Legillimens" they both found themselves inside their common room. Harry seemed to be invisible to Sirius, Harry watched in hilarity as Sirius unlocked the door easily with a smug smile on his face. He faltered slightly when he was attacked by the huge snake, sadly the snake faired slightly longer than the door. The best part was when Sirius attempted for the next five minutes password after password, he had no clue all he needed was to say Alohamora, sure it was in parseltongue but that's beside the point. After a few more minutes Harry forcibly ejected Sirius, he had no clue how but he did.
"Ow." Was all Sirius got to say before Harry burst out laughing at the expense of his now growling godfather. If Harry didn't know better he would have said Sirius didn't like being pranked. "Very funny, now want to tell me why I couldn't unlock the second door?"
"Yesss." Harry hissed in parseltongue, it startled Sirius enough to realize why it worked but Harry kept going. "Sssomething wrong Siriusss" he hissed again in a mixture of parseltongue and English.
"Alright I get it pup, can you stop that now you're creeping me out." Sirius shivered again while Harry chuckled.
"You're not going to believe this…" Sirius spent the next hour explaining going inside Voldemort's mind and finding all the information he could even need. It was like the restricted section, but better. Harry knew he should have been worried about having a Dark Lord in his head, but it was better than have the so called Leader of the Light rummaging around in there.
Both Sirius and Harry knew one thing for certain, stuff was going to start getting interesting real soon.
…xXx…
Sorry for the really long wait, I had a lot on my mind and haven't been writing or brainstorming lately. Someone posted why Voldemort was being nice, well I want to portray him has a sort of father figure towards Harry, he's a Death Eater but with more perks. This Voldemort is also going to tell jokes and such, hes going to be mean and evil so to speak, but around Harry he will be sort of like Sirius, telling crude jokes. He's going to give Harry his own choices, of course he will have his own two cents to add but he is letting Harry pick. I sort of got the idea from GoF when Barty Crouch JR is going on about being closer than a son to Voldemort.
A few more things I want to talk about, I don't think my occlumency idea was that bad, some people might complain but it certainly wasn't as bad as clear your fucking mind… that was something I felt I needed to point out, I mean come on, really JKR? I also got the idea from training and viewing Voldemort's memories and Harry's from DH, after they get attacked at Godrics Hollow and he sees his parents murder. I think that's the only time he sees a vision that isn't currently taking place, so I figured why not be able to do it on call for training and such.
I'm still working on who will possibly be coming over the dark side with Harry, next chapter will be Gringotts, the ministry and training most likely. I'll try and have an update sooner than this one took but if it isn't then my bad.
Also I think I corrected my third person/ first person problem. If not my bad. My rants at the beginning and ending of this are just that my rants, feel free to post your own opinions of how the series looks from your pov (I mean the real HP series, not fanfic) there are holes that a lot of people have pointed out and I'm pointing out a few I see in this chapter.
