By the time Lena's prepared a space for the ritual and laid down the needed runes, diagrams, plants, earthly things and crystals, the Horcruxes and stone safely in the middle of it all its well into the night
(and she really hoped she wouldn't get any noise complaints. She's laid down silencing charms and runes and about everything she can to avoid detection but this is Necromancy and Crystalic magic meeting runes and alchemy. She'd be surprised if her windows didn't break but still hoped they wouldn't, making small runes in their corner to improve their durability.)
Voldemort was on the couch where she left him, barely a breath in his lungs but his eyes are alert and watching her as she moved around, gathering what she needed. a few animal skulls form a chest under the TV that she doesn't technically need since she is a creature of death but its safety away. Large chunks of quartz that she normally keeps for decoration, some Hematite and Turquoise that she kept on hand in small doses and diamonds from Tsune's growing are retrieved from another chest, this time under her radio.
Moving Voldemort to the centre of her ritual space is easy, and she left him there as she went to change. Sure you don't need the proper clothes for rituals all the time but she was getting the blessings of magic and death for this. Even as a creature of death she needs to be respectful and do things properly.
She slipped out of her everyday wear and put her hair up, tieing half of it into a tight bun and letting the rest fall down her back, her skirt was long and dragged on the ground, the white material opening in an upside down V around the front, a simple line of cloth down the middle, she secured it with a gold and bronze belt, decorated with shiny metals, gold-woven sting, feathers and blue tassels. The top is somewhat elvish in style and only covers her bust, with thin chains hanging around her upper arms.
Two bands of bronze, both with two large bells, are set around her ankles gold-chain palmless glove to cover her right hand. She set a long sheer scarf around her neck and made sure the lily flower attached won't get in her way. Finally, she covered her eyes with a slightly sheer veil attached to a golden headdress with two chains hanging low down her front, over the veil a rune designed for sealing souls.
The ritual she was to use was made to take the soul or souls within an area and bind them together before forming a body. Without the rune in question keeping her own soul, and her stowaway fragment, she would find herself just as much a part of Voldemort as the rest of, well, Voldemort.
Picking up her wand she left her room to find Quirrell slumped even further on the ground. They were really pushing this. "You should have sent the letter sooner." she scolded as she approached the runes, each step echoed by the bells
"I did not know... if you could be trusted... you don't even seem to exist" Voldemort rasped as Lena moved to open the windows and lit the incense
"Harry's vows are my vows." Lena replied shortly "if I didn't mean to help you I would not have given you the ritual notes." she muttered, blowing out the match, looking into Voldemort's eyes "this will hurt. Lay down" she warned
Voldemort did as he was told "nothing worth doing is ever pain-free." he rasped, closing his eyes.
Lena smirked "too true." she said before holding her wand out to her left, lifting her chin she began to draw on both her magic and the magic around her, chanting softly under her breathe is the language of the dead.
Slowly sweeping her foot out to the right she moved her wand in the same direction, lowering herself almost into a bow before standing again and taking a step back, slowly turning in a circle so slowly danced around the ritual space in slow and careful movements, gathering magic and letting it flow into the crystals, which flowed into the chalk and condensed until the room was alight in an array of colour, the magic slowly centring under Quirrell's body. Voldemort screamed.
Lena focused on the man she wanted to see come out of this ritual- intact and healthy. Looking like her Tom but oh so different. A little nobler. Tanner, with lighter hair. healthy.
"Mother, Father, fate.
Life, Death, Magic.
Time, space, energy.
Death of the follower
Life of the earth
Magic of the ally
Gifts of three
I give to thee
Return to me
What I wish to see
Mother, Father, Fate.
Life, Death, Magic.
Time, Space, Energy.
Death of the follower
Life of the earth
Magic of the ally
Gifts of three
I give to thee
Return to me
What I wish to see"
Lena closed her eyes as the light got too bright to her to stand but continued to dance, she continued to chant and draw on her magic until she couldn't stand the heat and the weight and the pressing in her throat.
Dropping her wand she collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath.
With the flow of magic stopped the light began to fade as the last of it settled into Voldemort. The night air from the window had Lena gasping in relief as she opened her eyes to see a naked man lying unconscious in the centre of the runic circle
Well, at least he's not a snake. Lena thought to herself, crawling forward to check him over. Maybe a little to handsome. She thought, checking for a pulse and finding it steady and strong. His hair was short and silver, a good colouring to his skin and a healthy tone to his cheeks.
A single diagnostics spell revealed him to be in perfect health and Lena sighed, falling down and turning so she was on her back.
A nap, she deserved a nap.
Idly calling a blanket over she covered the naked man beside her and blew out the candles. To exhausted to move to the couch or bed.
Morning her would probably be a bitch. But exhausted her really didn't give a flying fuck.
Lena woke up to a cold room and sunlight in her face and possibly one of the worst hangover's she'd ever had, worse than the first night after the war when Harry, Ron and Hermione had gone nuts on firewhiskey to try and forget for just a few hours.
Groaning she rolled over to see Voldemort still out like a light. She didn't pity him, while she was suffering a severe case of magical whiplash he was suffering from 'i was just reborn and my soul was pieced together form almost scratch'.
He would not wake up to a good morning. She knew that much. Unless he slept for a week. She hoped he would. She didn't need to deal with a grumpy Dark Lord.
But, for now, he was still asleep and she had needs that needed to be met.
Like coffee
And chocolate
And a jumper.
And painkillers
The first thing Voldemort noticed was that he was warm and comfortable, which was a welcome change from cold and aching or burning and screaming.
The second thing was there were fingers in his hair, just gently repeated motions that made the muscles in his back relax and the smallest of sighs escape him.
The third thing was that there should definitely, absolutely, never, ever, be fingers gently carding through his hair, this realization sent him shooting upright, the blanket falling from his shoulders, wide eyes looking at- Lena? Harry? Female, so... Lena? Who was calmly tucked into the corner of her couch reading a book "good morning." she greeted, marking the page and putting the book down
"What- how long has it been?"
"Almost a week now." Lena said, standing and moving around the couch, Voldemort's watched her move "I wouldn't get up if I were you. You're body is figuring out how to human, though your magic has settled, thankfully. And from what I can tell you're fairly stable. It's just a lack of strength and a chemical imbalance that you're dealing with now. So you shouldn't be feeling much if any pain." she said, moving around her kitchen
Voldemort watched quietly as she pulled out a container, a muttered spell he didn't catch and she was returning with a fork and container in hand "rice and creamy chicken. I'm not sure how it'll be on your stomach but I've just been giving you potions for the last few days. Your body needs something solid." she said, handing them to him before taking her seat again, tucking her feet under herself. He noticed the point of wand peaking out of her sleeve a fought to the urge to huff. A year around teenagers did not help his mannerism.
"Once you eat you can go take a shot at the shower. There are clothes in there for you." she said, picking up her book again "oh, by the way, I'm not letting you out of my space until I'm sure you won't fall over of a heart attack. Once you've showered we'll see about shopping. I need more food and you need exercise."
Voldemort looked from the woman in front of him to the food in his hand, his first bite was slow and cautious as Lena ignored him in favour of her book. But as soon as he'd swallowed once he was eating like a starved man.
Putting the container aside Voldemort lent back, pressing his neck into the soft cushions. Creamy chicken and rice might just be his new favourite meal. "I can taste again," he muttered, running his tongue across his teeth. He could feel.
"You have most of your soul back." Lena said absently, flipping a page "you'll find there are a lot of things you can do now that you couldn't before. Your magic will be more stable as well."
Voldemort was standing on unsteady legs, looking at himself in the mirror. Lena had given him a crutch for stability but that was it- saying she didn't want to spoil him but she wasn't going to let him fall flat on his face either. Honestly, he wasn't entirely sure what to make of the woman, Like Harry, she was an unknown factor. She'd helped him get a new body and at cost to herself, he was sure, there was still a slight sway in her step that he'd noticed when she was getting him food.
But she didn't seem to want to favour him or get in his good graces. She was just... there, a point of notice. She played by her own terms, much like Harry did.
Voldemort ran a hand through his silver hair- Lena had done a good job on his body, he wasn't sure how but he looked somewhat similar to his previous self, to Tom Riddle, maybe with a bit more muscle tone and a little tanner but, Riddle. Without a doubt. He had blue eyes once more but the red sheen was still there. He didn't doubt that if he ended up emotional he would find himself with red eyes once more.
The hair was new, it stood out more than his dark brown and dare he say it looked... decent. He'd have to ask Lena about it. Silver hair wasn't common even in the magical world- it was either a natural colour or white. Never silver. Or, rarely silver, as it was rumoured that Salazar actually had silver hair. The sign of an extremely powerful mage
Leaving the crutch by the sink Voldemort made his way over to the shower.
When he emerged from the shower crutch under his arm he was feeling better, it was almost intoxicating to be able to feel the water again, he hadn't wanted to leave. Everything was so... sharp. He was forced to question if Immortality was really worth living as a dull husk. If he really wanted to be immortal. Sure he didn't want to die- he never wanted to die. But was he really living this past years?
He didn't see Lena in the main room, but he did find the diamond fox, Tsune- if he remembered correctly, curled up by the window.
Kneeling down by the animal he traced a line across her crystals with one finger, she was getting larger. When before she could safely curl around an 11-year-olds shoulders he doubted the fox would be able to do the same now. Tsune looked up at him confused- giving a small yip "do you not miss your Master waiting here?" he questioned- that was something else. Where was Harry? The boy knew this Lena enough to leave his familiar here but where was the boy?
"If you're ready shall we head out?" Voldemort turned to see Lena, pale and with the slight tremor to her, leaning her hip against the couch
Voldemort frowned and stood, moving closer to the woman "it seems to be that you're in worse shape than I."
Lena pursed her lips and said nothing, leaning over the couch to grab a bag and slinging it over her shoulder "come." was all she said, turning to her heel and leading the way out of the apartment.
Voldemort could do little but follow.
Voldemort waited until well into the night before leaving the guest room he'd been given. Silencing his footsteps he made his way to Lena's room. Peeking inside to see the woman in question sweating and shaking in her sleep.
On the bedside were potion vials, quietly making his way over he picked one up, opening it to see a potion meant to help heal magical exhaustion.
But the ritual had been a week ago. There was no possible reason Lena would still need this unless she bleed herself dry.
The question was. Why would a witch I don't know bleed herself dry just to help me? Harry's vow offered assistance. This was far beyond assistance. He wouldn't be surprised if she'd nearly killed herself that night. The signs were all there.
Sealing the potion and returning it Voldemort made his way out of the room, finding the area where the ritual took place now covered in a large plush carpet.
Throwing over the corner Voldemort found deep burn marks where the chalk had been, around the marks were drops of blood. And a larger dried pool near the centre.
It had been burning for him like he was turning to ash and back again much like a phoenix. He'd experienced years in a matter of seconds- he thought the pain, the heat, was just him. Just the magic reacting like that of a potion.
But no, the heat had been the room, the sheer amount of magic being brought in and condensed into lines- by one woman.
Lena is too powerful. Was the first thing he thought, tracing along the burn marks. Pulling the carpet back further to see the full picture- this was so much. The crystalic magic, the necromancy. The runes, the alchemy. The language she spoke and her dress. The amount of magic and how easily she controlled it into what she needed.
The woman was impossible. Just like Harry was.
But was she?
She knew all these things, could conduct magic better then he'd seen and could withstand the same amount of magical pressure that would crush 20 of the worlds strongest wizards.
But looking towards her door he knew, she was clearly facing the consequences of these actions. She employed magic beyond her strength to return him to life- to piece together his soul. She'd pushed the very limits of magic, its laws and its base nature. And was now facing the after effects. Alone and shaking on her bed.
How many times had that been him?
The first Horcrux, the rituals he used to strengthen his body, his mind, his senses, every ritual he knew he shouldn't do but did anyway. Because he needed to? Because he wanted to? Because he could?
How many times had he wished he had someone that would help him through the magical drain afterwards?
Not only that but what he could gather on her... Lena Le Fay Slytherin. She was the distant child of the first Son of Salazar. Whereas he came from the second. A curious detail but an important one too. For so long he was the heir of Slytherin. As the first son's line had never been revealed as no one but the family knew who they were. For one to appear, and be in contact with Harry Potter, heir of Merlin. And to help him. And be a Le Fay on top of it all...
It made his head spin.
Looking back at her room Voldemort returned the carpet to its original place, slowly making his way back to his room. He needed to think.
The next morning Voldemort woke up to Lena coming through the door "ah, you're awake." she greeted, "breakfast is in the fridge. I'm going to go shower."
Voldemort watched her go with no small amount of confusion- wasn't this woman dying inside? She looked like she just got out of one of his own Cruciatus vents last night yet, nothing showed on her face. The only hint that she wasn't wholly well was the slight tensing to her body as she moved.
Just who was this woman?
He was halfway through his breakfast when Lena came back out " I need you to do me a favour." she said, making up her own breakfast "Harry's Hogwarts letter came during the week you were out so I couldn't go with him to get his school supplies. In fact, he hasn't gone himself. I'd like you to go and keep him company. He's going to meet up with his friends and at the very least Lady Longbottom might throw a pitch if Harry's there alone." she explained, sitting down across from him with some tea and toast "that's not even going near what will happen if he's caught wandering alone."
"Why can't you go?"
"I would. I'd even do his shopping for him. But, I need to go deal with Ministry stuff, along with research for my own projects I've been putting off. I doubt I'll be home much during the rest of the summer. And Harry's stayed with the Dursley's too long. There's a limit to what my money will do."
"Your money?"
Lena hummed "I share custody with Harry. I pay the Dursley's to pretend to care for him and to house and feed him when Dumbledore comes to call. But there's a limit to how much those muggles are willing to stand and Harry's going to need to return here today if we don't want murder on our hands." she explained through her meal, though Voldemort had to wonder if the murder would be of the muggles or Harry "not only that, you also need a watcher and Harry will know if anything's going wrong with your body."
"I hardly need a babysitter."
"Oh I'm sorry, do you know the ins and outs of Necromancy and Crystalic magic? The effects unknown rituals can have on magic? How the human body is even put together?" Lena asked sarcastically, brow raised as she drank some tea "no? That shut up darling, you're a big bad dark lord yes but you aren't the only one at the top of the food chain. Buck up and let us make sure you live to see your ideal future."
"...that's right, young Potter isn't young."
"Indeed." Lena said, putting her cup down "Harry can more than look after himself. And you. But while he's stuck as a 12-year-old he does need an 'adult' to watch over him. Normally I fill that role- I silent shadow. But as I need to go out myself to the Ministry at large. And being in two places at once is awfully suspicious."
"There needs to be another adult that knows his secret." Voldemort finished, rubbing his forehead- the last thing he wanted to do was pretend to babysit someone actually older than him.
But he'd told himself last night he'd do what he could, for both Lena and Harry, until his side of things kicked off. If that meant shadowing him while he did his shopping so be it. "Very well, I'll watch over him. But no more than that."
"That's all I need," Lena said with a smile. Voldemort got the distinct feeling like she was hiding something from him. Both her and Harry.
Lena dropped him off at the Leaky Cauldron an hour later. Moments, after she'd left, Harry had entered, the boy glaring at the door he entered and made his way over to him "honestly, I'd give anything to not have to go back to the Dursley's next year." the kid greeted, idly swinging a cloak over his shoulders to hide his more muggle clothes the boy looked at Voldemort "you're looking good. Lena did a good job." Harry said
"You're looking well yourself. If a bit under the weather." Voldemort returned- and he was telling the truth, Harry was somewhat pale. A slight sheen of sweat to his neck
Harry hummed, making his way to the back alley with Voldemort following "not even I can be in perfect health all the time." Harry returned, easily tapping the pattern to open the path into Diagon "we're meant to be meeting with the others at Gringotts."
Voldemort nodded, falling into step with Harry as they made their way to the large marble building "I broke into Gringotts." Harry said in conversation "in my first life- in and out. It was fun. We freed a dragon. Caved the whole building in pretty much."
Voldemort made a face "you couldn't get out without being noticed?"
Harry rolled his eyes "I was 17." Harry muttered, slipping his hands into his pockets "we got in easily enough. But getting out was a bitch and the Goblins were onto us to, we sorta just, got on the dragon and broke out. Returning afterwards was how I found out about my extended family tree. I paid a lot to get them to forgive me."
Voldemort hummed "I can only imagine what it was you were stealing."
"Don't play coy, you know what it was we were after." Harry said as they moved up the steps, already the three other Purebloods were there "Draco! Blaise, Nev. gods it feels like I haven't seen you guys in weeks!"
"It's been one week and it's your fault" Draco deadpanned "we had tea planned and you cancelled on us. What's the big idea Potter?"
"Would you believe it? I was down with the flu." Harry said with a pout " I was so looking forward to meeting your peacocks too."
Voldemort rose a brow "you were going to go to Malfoy Manor? Do you have a death wish?"
"Depending on the day." Harry chirped "but overall- no, Lucius wouldn't kill me." Harry grinned, eyeing the Malfoy Lord "isn't that right?"
Lucius lowered his head just a little "one wouldn't dream of it heir Emry's."
Harry pouted, turning to Voldemort "no matter what I say he won't call me Harry, can you believe that? Even Madam Zabini calls me Harry!"
Voldemort rose a brow " I believe it is the Malfoy nature to bare their necks to those more powerful. It's hardly surprising."
Lucius pulled a face, glaring at Voldemort "and who are you to-"
"Well then, thank Merlin Draco takes after his mother!" Harry cut off, clapping his hands "Narcissa, a pleasure to meet with you again, you as well Madam Zabini... Lady Longbottom." Harry greeted politely before turning a dark look to Lucius "be careful who you move to insult, Lord Malfoy. My friend here is not one you wish to cross."
"I would hardly call us friends Potter."
"Yes but you're also as emotionally adapt as a fish in space, darling." Harry chirped as Hermione ran up the stairs, Voldemort twitched at the familiar endearment, eying his 'young' charge "Mione!" Harry grinned, latching herself to his friend's arm "have you seen Madam Zabini's dress? Isn't it stunning? I think I'm in love, but none of these useless males are any help."
Hermione blinked at Harry in alarm "how long have you been holding that in?" she questioned, giving a polite greeting to the adults and a less polite but still kind greeting to her friends
"Since I first meet her and Blaise shrugged it off. I mean, its a different dress today. I try not to hang onto technicalities" Harry said with a wave of his hand "but just, look! She's stunning. Beautiful. She makes that dress equal to starlight."
Hermione looked over Madam Zabini "it is a beautiful dress. And I doubt it could look any better on someone else..."
"Right?! It's perfect, Madam Zabini, I platonically love you. Please marry me if you can find a new husband." Harry grinned
Madam Zabini smiled "you flatter me Harry, but surely you know the fate of males that fall into my web..."
Harry waved his hand "I'll become female for you Madam, in a heartbeat. We can be gay and happy and stunning together."
Madam Zabini laughed "very well, should I ever fail to find myself a husband i shall call on you."
Harry could tell she wasn't honest- but Harry didn't mind. Physically he was 12 after all. It'd be weird if she was honest. "Shall we go- oh, Mione do you need Galleons?"
Hermione shook her head "no, we still have some from last year."
"Shall we head off then? I was to get to flourish and bolts before the fan-guys and gals block it off." Harry said,
"You want to avoid Lockhart?" Neville questioned as they set off, Adults falling into step behind the group of children
"Yup." Harry chirped "his stories are rubbish, I would say complete fiction but they are doable. But not by someone of Lockhart's level. Nor to such extreme- honestly, a spell to turn a werewolf back into a human? That takes at least a wizard of Dumbledore's level." Harry said "not to mention that if you put the timeline in order it's completely impossible for him to have done those things. The only thing he has going for him is his smile and even then he's still not my type. I don't know why people like him so much."
"You've researched him?" Draco asked with an almost disgusted look on his face
"He's been a noteworthy wizard in terms of who's the most popular. It was worth looking into" Harry said offhandedly as they entered the bookstore "and I was completely let down by what I found. He's accomplished and definitely a Ravenclaw. But he's not the kind of person you want to aspire to be."
Harry wasted no time picking out a basket, easily picking out the books not from defence "shall we buy two sets of Lockhart's series to save money?" Harry questioned the group "there's no point in buying them multiple times."
Draco picked out one- break with a banshee and flicked through it quickly "it looks like complete fiction." Draco muttered halfway through "similar to the stories they have about you, Harry. You know, things they publish to teach kids lessons but are completely useless otherwise."
"Exactly." Harry said with a nod "while some of the spells he supposedly uses are useful in the real world. He either uses them incorrectly or they're overpowered. None of his scenarios would play out like the book."
A hand plucked the book out of Draco's hands and Harry watched Voldemort thumb through it, the other adults hanging back as to not crowd the shelves "this is worse than those novels Lena keeps." he said with a sneer putting it back "simply buy one set and duplicate the books."
"One, not cool. Those books are the best. Don't dis them. Two I agree" Harry said, taking out a set and putting them in the basket "slightly illegal but who the fuck cares in this group?"
Hermione and Neville raised their hands
"Mione, Nev, darlings, I love you. I do, I care for you more than I care for myself." Harry said, gently grabbing Hermione's hand and lowering it "but my love. If you buy this series. I will disown you."
Hermione frowned "but its not right. This is stealing."
Before Harry could reply a burst of noise, he hadn't even noticed the store filling up. "Oh no," he whispered, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. "No one say my name. No one." he hissed, moulding himself into the back of the group as they call got pushed further into the shop with the flood of people
In the background, he could hear Lockhart talking and answering questions from the crowd.
Harry cursed as a body separates him from the group. It was always the Potter luck- always. He was cursed. He just prayed none of his friends tries to call out to him.
As the crowd settled down he spotted Draco leading Hermione and Neville up the stairs to the second floor with Blaise following the group and the adults behind him- well, at least they wouldn't get crushed.
He caught Voldemort's eye and shrugged- there was no way he could get back up to them. The crowd was to thick. All he had to do was pray no one noticed him
...
That plan cleanly flies out the window, turning the glass to dust on its way, when Ginny recognises him, even though the hood and shadows and mild use of make-up.
He really shouldn't expect less from Ginny Weasley, leader for the Harry Potter fan club in her first year (until she was cleanly broken out of it and 80% of her hero worship thanks to Tom Riddle). He should have changed his features when he got separated from the group! Of all the times to forget his very convenient shapeshifting abilities!
Harry yelped and growled when his arms were pulled and he found himself tucked under Lockhart's arm. Vaguely he could feel Voldemort's magic spark and move closer but nothing else. And Harry's own magic is still to drained to do more than simple spells a few hours apart.
"Harry Potter! When this young fan came into today to have his books be signed little did he know that he would be leaving-" the camera flashes hurt his eyes and Harry decided then and there to do what he did best.
Make a scene.
"PERVERT!" he called, fighting tooth and nail to get away from Lockhart- was he destroying a good chunk of this mans life? Yes. had he done it to at least 6 others that totally deserved it? Also yes. This fate was better than the obliviation at the end of the year anyway. Instantly he saw Voldemort pushing his way down the stairs with the rest of the group, reacting in the proper way for a 'guardian'.
Harry expertly launched himself at Voldemort, kicking off Lockhart's stomach and hiding behind the dark lord "the man touched me in the no-no-swear-place!"
Voldemort's brows rose- he highly doubted Lockhart did anything in front of so many cameras. But he also knew it would be hard to tell exactly. Harry's cloak blocked out a lot of his arm and definitely hid the man's hand from view. And there was little to sway the population when their precious boy who lived was staring teary-eyed at the man looking like he just killed a puppy in front of a 4-year-old.
Playing the part of guardian Voldemort turned on the man "how dare you?" he growled, "not only to a child but to the boy-who-lived!"
Instantly there was a riot in the store. Lockhart trying to say he didn't do it but parents- mothers especially- leading the charge against him after taking one look at the teary Potter.
In the background, the Mafloy's brought the books while the rest of the group left the store. Voldemort leading Harry out while Lockhart fleed through the back.
The group got ice cream, parents asked if Harry was okay, his friends held him close. Harry allowed them and played the part.
Voldemort watched in the background and wondered if this would bite him later.
Hermione and Neville left first after getting the rest of their things, while the Malfoy's invited both the Zabini's and the two of them to dinner. Harry smiled and accepted after checking with him- which was a nice thought. And they made their way to a local high-level restaurant.
"Dumbledore is asking for the public to riot." Harry said, reading through the article that covered Albus Dumbleodre's hiring of 'Accused Pedophile Gilderoy Lockhart.' "The auror's put my claim on official file- the number of mothers in that store the Ministry would have been attacked had they done anything less. But Dumbledore is still hiring him. If this was a muggle school the man wouldn't be allowed with 10 city blocks of a school."
"Alas, Dumbledore has long since made it a habit of hiring unsavoury individuals to out them to the public. It's hardly surprising." Voldemort said softly, drinking his coffee and trying to keep Tsune from aforementioned coffee (Harry didn't know when Tsune grew fond of the drink and he didn't want to know)- he'd already read through the paper before Harry woke up
Harry made a sound in the back of his throat "even if he didn't actually touch me I wouldn't be surprised if he is, in fact, a piece of shit masquerading as a human. I'll be keeping an eye on him. I know he's fond of the obliviate spell. I'll keep an eye on the medi-wing and the students. Make sure no one ends up walking funny."
"You think he'd actually attack a student?"
"He didn't, as far as I know, in my first life. But I was focused on the chamber that year and a lot got passed my attention." Harry sighed, closing the paper and setting it aside "I think, however, that the Potter luck means I won't have an easy year. I think this year is going to be a shit storm for the legal division. Lena is coming out as Duchess Le-Fay Slytherin. Lockhart is a mess all on its own and you are probably going to start plotting your new rein as Dark Lord. it's going to be a mess."
"You have such little faith in my ability to keep things under the table."
"I trust you to behave. Somewhat, at the very least I know I can expect no mysterious deaths. But your followers? They, I do not trust."
Voldemort rose a brow "you don't seem all that hung up on death, for that matter. Would you not throw a fit if I went and killed people?"
Harry sighed "I would pout, and sulk, and be annoyed- if you went on a murder spree without reason. However, if you randomly decided to kill... oh, I don't know, Dolores Jane Umbridge. I wouldn't blink an eye. Not only does the bitch deserve it. I'm the master of death. I've been a creature of death since I was 17. I know what comes after and... I do not think it is a bad thing. The Afterlife is good. For all that I have not experienced it." Harry answered honestly "death gives life meaning. Without that time limit... there is so much, so much, the living would miss out on."
"Lena is causing chaos in the Ministry," Voldemort said a few days later, Tsune was curled up on his lap as he read through the daily prophet and Harry in on his stomach on the carpet carving runes into a wooden block. Harry secretly took no small amount of glee for the fact that Voldemort adopted so quickly to be a pillow for his familiar.
"Oh?" Harry asked in disinterest. Voldemort rolled his eyes- the 'boy' barely cared what Lena was doing in the Ministry. He was starting to think there was something more going on with the two of them then he was aware of.
"Lena Le-Fay Slytherin, newly titled Duchess of both olde bloodlines, admits to being a practitioner of many rare and dark magic. Including Crystalic Magic, Blood Magic, Necromantic study. As well as the study of Alchemy (which, readers should note, can only be practised by licenced individuals). Questions are rising all over as to what else this woman can do. And why the Ministry is still allowing her to move about freely!" Voldemort read out "there is more, but it just goes into what move's she's made so far on the Political field. Who she's been seen talking with and a brief explanation to crystal, blood and necro magic."
Harry rolled over, leaving the block of wood where it was as he looked at him "they won't be able to touch her. She's an old bloodline. Older than many. Much like myself. Even if they wanted to throw her in Azkaban for it they'd have to get through all those pureblood lords first. And she's quickly worming her way into favour. Coming out as a user of said magic will only work for her.
"Since it proves she is A, not afraid of the Ministry which we should note is something that drew them to you. And B, not afraid to dabble in 'forbidden' arts. Like many of the others that try to lay claim to the olde blood." Harry said "just goes to prove how corrupt our government is- by all rights she is breaking the law. But no one can do anything about it because the people in power also break the law. To rat her out would be to say on some level that they are in the wrong as well. And the purebloods are too proud for that. Unless Lena proves to be a threat to them. They'll let her get away with murder."
Voldemort rolled his eyes "you hardly have to explain that to me." he replied, Harry shrugged, rolling back over and returning to his cube, the two falling into a quiet peace once more.
I'm be real, I'm not sure how many times I've redone this chapter. I'm gonna end it before I start it again. Ugh, end meeee. Moving on! Hope you all like it. Not sure where Harry/Lena and Voldemort are going at this rate. Not sure what I'm going to do with second-year either. Haha... yay. Stress.
If you haven't noticed, a lot of Harry/Lena's songs and media loves are the same as mine, cause I'm a lazy bitch. So if I'm watching anime so are they, if I'm listening to a song, so are they. Fun.
Moving on!