A/N: Look at that! An ultra-high-speed update! Better you don't get used to it... I try but there's no way I could keep up with it on a regular basis. So enjoy while it lasts! :P
As always, thanks for all your kind reviews, I really appreciate everything you throw at me! (Except stinking socks; please keep them where they are)
ENJOY! :)
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Chapter 6
The first time Remus and Sirius found Harry unconscious on the floor, they thought he was dying.
His breath was shallow, his body cold and his heartbeat too slow for a sleeping person.
They tried everything to wake him. Yelling, water, slapping...nothing helped.
They wrapped him in the warmest blanket they could find and waited for his heart to stop. But it didn't. They waited for almost ten hours for something to happen, but Harry's condition neither got worse, nor was it getting any better. They examined him for any wounds but there was nothing. They looked through the house but nothing indicated what could have possibly caused it.
After almost twenty hours they lost to exhaustion and fell asleep. When the two awoke in the next morning, Harry was eating breakfast as if nothing had happened, assuring them that he felt completely normal.
His body temperature had recovered and his heartbeat was as strong as it should be. Everything was normal again, except his appetite. He ate a lot. Remus tried to ask him about it, but Harry claimed he was just a little bit more hungry than usual.
Glad that their friend was alright, Remus and Sirius gave him some of their food and left him alone.
The second time it happened, Sirius was visiting Harry alone. Even after recognising the same symptoms, Sirius still tried every imaginable thing to wake Harry, but without avail. This time Harry woke up only several hours after Sirius found him, but no one knew how long Harry had lied there alone. When Harry finally woke up, he told Sirius he was feeling fine, but very hungry.
It happened again. And again. And again.
When his friends became members of group phoenix, they talked their group physician into taking a good look at Harry. Madame Pomfrey was a former hospital nurse and a very kind women. She examined Harry as best as she could with the little equipment she had and with all her massive knowledge.
She declared she was actually astounded at how healthy Harry seemed, given the circumstances of his upbringing.
It took them a long, long time to figure out what was causing Harry's blackout. Surprisingly it wasn't Harry who finally made the connection. It was Remus.
And it was also Remus who found him this afternoon, unconscious in the middle of his partly exploded workshop.
It hadn't happened for several months, which was unusual long. Remus tucked his younger friend into bed and looked at his peaceful sleeping face. He didn't bother anymore to try and wake him, he knew it was pointless. Harry's lips were blue, his hands cold as ice.
Remus smiled sadly. He couldn't decide whether he should be happy for Harry or concerned. All he knew was what he had to do to ensure Harry would be okay in the future.
Remus knew Harry wouldn't stay much longer in London. He had heard rumours about the new lord in town and his recent challenge against lord Fudge. A scouting party against a whole group. Completely crazy – and so very perfect for one peacefully sleeping young man in front of him. Perfect, but dangerous.
With one last look at Harry, Remus turned and left the half-ruined shop. It wasn't the first time the shop was almost destroyed. With all his ingenuity, Harry couldn't possibly prevent every accident. The destruction was not an unfamiliar sight - the havoc outside was. Trees and bushes had been blasted away. There were footprints of at least three dozen men in Harry's front yard and Remus even saw some blood on the adjacent houses.
Over the past few months, Remus had felt a strange tension rising in town. When he had found Harry unconscious again after the unusual long absence of his blackouts, Remus had known that whatever was bound to happen, it had begun.
He met a few phoenix members on his way, but only greeted them half-heartedly. His attention was focused on his goal.
Several minutes later he reached the local inn. Remus paused. He knew what he was about to do violated almost every feeble law the new group-based society had established so far. Not to mention Harry would throw a fit if he found out. What he certainly would, being the little genius he was. And if the rumours about lord Voldemort were true, it was also not really the safest thing to do.
Remus took a deep breath and entered.
"Remus!" Old Tom smiled when he saw him. "What brings you here so early?"
The bartender and Remus got along well. Sirius often dragged him away from work in the evenings and went to the inn with a group of their friends. After a few hours, Remus remained the only person sober enough to keep up with a decent conversation. In the middle of drunk men from different groups, old Tom always appreciated the company.
"Some personal business."
"Business?" Tom frowned and lowered his voice. "You know a foreign scouting party is currently residing here, right? Have you heard about the challenge? They are crazy I tell you. A lone phoenix member shouldn't be doing business here Remus. As long as they are here, I can't guarantee a neutral zone, you knew that."
Remus' eyes fell on the foreign members across the room. A little group sat among a table, discussing loudly and insulting each other in every second sentence. In the corner sat a man completely clothed in black robes, quietly reading a book while a blonde women seemed to sew tattered clothes a few tables next to him.
They were a random bunch of people. Usually members of the same group could be put into a certain category, but these simply didn't seem to belong together. To restrain such different personalities from clashing with another, their lord had to be exceptional. But Remus already knew that.
"It's fine Tom. I told you; it's personal. Actually, I was hoping to meet this new lord here. Is he around?"
"What could you possibly want with lord Voldemort on a personal basis?"
Remus smiled. "Do you really want to know?"
Tom scratched his head. "No, better not, you're right of course. He should be upstairs in his room, the one where the rain doesn't leak in… Just be careful, he has a bit of a temper I heard. I think young Harry got in trouble the other night, I wouldn't want to be in the room if these two got together." Tom shuddered.
Interested, Remus leaned forward. He hadn't had the chance to speak with Harry about that night. Although he'd heard quite the stories from a friend who was also invited.
"Why'd you think so?"
Tom glanced around the room. "Just a feeling old friend. I could swear it's in their eyes. This lord Voldemort fellow? There's a fire in him that isn't healthy. And I'm afraid our dear Harry has the spark that could ignite said fire into a burning hell."
Tom shuddered again. "Just be careful 'kay?"
Remus nodded and headed for the stairs. Tom's description assured him even more that he was right. After years of trying, Sirius and Remus finally had found a lord that suited Harry. Whether it was a match made in heaven or hell was something only the future would show.
Old Tom had managed to rebuild about half of the rooms of the inn. But the roof was old and rotten, so that the rain found small cracks to get in almost every room. There was only one room that was completely intact. Tom called it 'the suite', even though it was a rather small room.
Remus knocked.
"Enter," came the muffled command from behind the door.
Remus took another deep breath and went inside.
The lord was alone, sitting comfortably in an armchair with a pile of books on the small table in front of him.
The first thing Remus noticed were his eyes.
'I could swear it's in their eyes.'
He had the same look as Harry. Maybe a bit more arrogant, fiercer and ambitious, but the same nonetheless. Intelligent, assessing, sharp, awake. Remus wondered if going through the chaos alone as child was what gave them the look.
Lord Voldemort seemed genuinely surprised to see him. "And what brings phoenix' ambassador to me? Remus Lupin, was it?"
"Your information is remarkable, if you can identify me that fast."
Voldemort only smiled sweetly. Remus almost believed it was a true smile. Almost.
"Lord Dumbledore doesn't know I'm here," he began.
Voldemort raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt. Remus decided to come straight to the point. Lord Voldemort didn't seem to have much patience for beating around the bush.
"There's something you should know about Harry."
Voldemort kept his face blank and faked ignorance. "Harry..?"
"...Potter. I'm sure you've met. Small, young, brilliant mind, covered in grease, always gets in trouble and blasts himself up on a daily basis?"
The lord chuckled. "Ah that Harry, yes. Caught him running around with one of my children..." Voldemort glanced mischievously up to Remus. "Among other things."
Remus noticed not without relief that lord Voldemort seemed to be in a good mood.
He sighed exasperated. "He's a handful isn't he?"
He knew he got on the lord's good side when Voldemort laughed out loud. "You have no idea."
He gestured for him to sit and Remus complied.
"You're close to him then? Even though you are in phoenix?"
Remus narrowed his eyes. "We've been friends since before I joined group phoenix. There's nothing that could change my feelings."
"A man of loyalty, I see. Admirable but…it doesn't quite match with your current location does it?"
"Let that be my concern lord Voldemort. I believe it's in both our interest to see Harry safe and sound, that's why I'm here. I'll deal with my group later."
Voldemort leaned back and regarded him with an unreadable look.
"I can understand your feelings toward your friends Mr Lupin. But you are talking to the wrong man. I'm afraid Harry has made it quite clear that he has no intention to join me."
Lupin snorted. "And we both know he'll change his mind, even if we arrived for different reason to the same conclusion."
The lord tilted his head. "Oh? I'm intrigued, what is your reason?"
"He blacked out," responded Remus and was rewarded with a confused look on the otherwise so smug face.
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When Harry woke up he felt like shit. His head hurt, his heart was racing and his stomach seemed to be trying to eat itself. The hunger was overpowering and Harry moaned in pain.
So it had happened yet again. After all this months he had almost been sure he could just live his life peacefully and stay away from his blackouts.
The fact that he was lying comfortably in bed and not on the cold stone floor meant that one of his friends had found him. Since Sirius and Remus were the only ones that knew about his blackouts, it could have only been one of them. What ran through their heads when they had found him unconscious after all this time?
Despite his pain, Harry didn't waste any time and stood up. He grabbed as much food as he could carry and left his home, to visit Remus and Sirius and thank them for looking out for him once again.
The last thing Harry thought before storming out of the busted door was that it was all Riddle's fault.
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"Pardon?" asked Voldemort, as if he hadn't heard right.
"He blacked out," repeated Remus. The lord just looked at him perplexed. Remus sighed.
"He has this…condition," he began a bit unsure. Harry would kill him for this.
"He seemed to be in perfect health two days ago."
"He's not sick. It's…difficult to explain. I have never seen or heard anything like it. Since I met Harry, he would eventually have these episodes where he would pass out for several hours or even several days. At first we thought he had amnesia or something alike. We had him examined but physically he is perfectly fit. It's his brain. You have met him, but I don't think he would show you what he can do on your first meeting. He is brilliant you know. It's not just a rumour. Actually the rumour doesn't even cut it. I know it doesn't seem so when you speak to him. He's downright awkward in most human interactions. He's not interested in anything social at all, and certainly not in politics. But I've seen him do things with his mind that I wouldn't have thought possible."
Voldemort looked at him oddly. "You do realise I'm most certainly not backing off after you praise him so much?"
"I don't want you to back off. God knows how long I've been trying to find someone who could handle him."
The lord grinned approvingly and nodded for Remus to continue.
"His ingenuity comes with a price. His mind can focus on a problem so completely that he forgets everything else. Everything. I've seen him once in that state, I didn't yet know it was the reason for his blackouts but it scared me nonetheless. It was as if he was in a trance. He blocked out everything else and was scribbling notes and calculations on everything he could find like a madman. But this intense focus isn't the real problem. Honestly I can't explain what the exact cause is either but…it's like his brain uses up all his energy. As if every ounce of stored sugar and fat is used to provide enough energy for his brain to go into overdrive. Even his body heat drops dangerously. And even when his whole body screams for sleep and food to restore his reserves, he doesn't even realise it and keeps on thinking about the problem. He only stops when he finds the solution…And by then his body is so worn out that he simply blacks out. "
Voldemort folded his hands under his chin and considered his words.
"Are we talking about problems concerning a mathematical formula or maybe a particular complex construction? Or do you mean problems in general, like a decision in life and everyday worries?"
"Both. If something catches his interest, his brain will start working faster and longer than humanly possible."
"So, to solve problems no one else could, his brain exhausts his whole body and he passes out for several hours. I can see it is quite an extraordinary condition and I can understand your general concern, but without wanting to be rude…it's not such a big problem isn't it? I mean, it's nothing food and sleep couldn't cure."
Remus vividly shook his head. "No, you don't understand. He can't stop thinking, no matter how long it will take. He doesn't pass out because he overworks himself like normal people might. He will stay focused until the second his problem is solved. He has to find the solution before he collapses from exhaustion."
Voldemort frowned in thought. "But at one point the body simply won't be able to sustain-…"
Realisation dawned on his face as he looked up into Remus' eyes.
"If he is confronted with a problem that can't be solved…If I order him to invent something that simply isn't possible…If I ask for too much…"
"He'll die."
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"Remus! Sirius! Anyone at home?"
Harry had arrived at his friend's home and was banging at their front door. He heard muffled footsteps and moments later, Sirius opened the door. His face lit up at the sight of Harry.
"Hey Harry! You-…look awful."
"Thanks."
"No seriously, you look like a ghost! Hurry, come in and sit down, it happened again didn't it?"
Sirius was already putting some food on a plate while Harry wobbled to a kitchen chair.
"I've already eaten Sirius," cringed Harry. He didn't like it when his friends had to give up precious food for him when he couldn't give them something in return.
"Yeah, as if that would ever be enough. Here you go."
He put the plate down in front of Harry who couldn't resist the urge to dig in.
"So…" Sirius began while watching him eat like a starved dog. "Why now? I mean, after all those quiet months..?"
"How should I know," grumbled Harry in between two mouth full.
"Aw come on! Something unusual must have-…Aha! Hey, what are your thoughts about that new lord?"
"He's crazy."
Sirius laughed. It was loud and warm. He laughed often and Harry liked it. When it wasn't used to make fun of him that is…
"You like him don't you? Remus was right after all! Come on- say you like him."
"Stop it!"
"Aw don't be such a tease, out with it I say!"
Unnerved, Harry rolled his eyes. "Better you tell me where Remus is. He must have found me, I want to thank him for getting me into bed."
"Hmm, I don't know why he would just leave you there… I haven't seen him since he left about an hour ago. I guess I could ask for him in the headquarters."
Harry stood up and wiped his mouth. "Thanks Sirius, I'll see if I run into him on the streets."
"Woah! Where do you think you're going? You have to lie down Harry! Hey! Listen to me you little-..! Harry!"
But Harry was already out of the door and winked at him over the shoulders.
With his stomach full and his strength slowly returning, Harry was feeling better every second. He didn't really had a goal as he walked down the streets, but he was looking out for phoenix members who might have seen Remus.
"Yo Harry!"
Stanley Shunpike waved at him from the other side of the street. He wasn't really the cleverest member of group phoenix, and Harry wondered if that's why Stanley didn't seem to know he should keep his distance from other groups' members. And non-members like Harry.
"Hi Stanley," smiled Harry, "did you happen to meet Remus?"
"Lupin?" Stanley frowned in concentration. "Ah yeah I think so. He didn't really saw me though. He seemed to be deep in thoughts or something."
"Do you know where he went?"
"Nah, but he was walking down that road over there." He pointed to it.
Harry's stomach began to hurt again. This time not from hunger, but from worry. The only place worth visiting down that road was the inn. And the only reason why Remus would go to the inn in the middle of the day was…
"Riddle."
"Huh, what?" Stanley looked confused.
"Nothing. Thanks Stanley, have a nice day!"
Harry began to run. Dreadful scenes were playing in his head. If that bastard did anything to his friend…He would personally go to Fudge and make sure Riddle would not live at the end of the week.
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"That boy really is trouble," gritted Voldemort. He was standing in front of the window, his back to Remus who was still sitting in the armchair.
"How should I possibly know how far I can push him?"
"You'll know," Remus insisted. "I can feel it. If you can't handle him then I don't know who will."
Lord Voldemort turned. "All that, however, doesn't explain why Harry would possibly want to join me. As far as I can see, it would be healthier for him to stay away from group politics and its many problems."
Remus smiled sadly. "I wouldn't be so sure about that milord. You see, Harry hasn't had a blackout for over half a year now."
"So…That's good right?"
"Not if you consume riddles like normal people eat food. There's a reason Harry has taken a liking to inventing new things; he has to occupy his mind or he'll get so bored, he wouldn't see any reason to live on. It puts his life in danger, yes, but he also needs it. Over the last few months he has distanced himself from everything. He lived like a rabbit in his hole. That's not living, it's simply existing."
He looked up at Voldemort. "He needs you. He needs someone who can put his hyperactive brain to use. And you've already done it. I don't know what is going on, but I know you are the reason why he had a new blackout. You are already occupying his mind."
The lord smirked and below his hooded eyes, Remus saw a fire getting bigger and bigger.
"You can leave him to me Mr Lupin. I assure you, I won't stop until I am all he can think of."
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A/N: Anyone else always thought Voldemort and Lupin would get along rather well? I dunno why, just always wondered how Tom Riddle would have turned out if he had Lupin as a teacher... Remus is just always so calm and wise but also kinda straightforward. I think they would have gotten along rather well (if Tom didn't split his soul and Lupin was older that is).
I'm running out of new ways to beg for reviews, but they are as much appreciated as always!
A response to tum who asked me whether this story is slash (I couldn't send you a message, I think you disabled the option): As stated at the very beginning, this story will contain slash (Tom/Harry). But like I also said it will still take quite some time for anything to happen. I can't really say when or what or how much will happen between them, because quite frankly I never thought that far ahead when I started this story. I have the basic concept and wanted it to be slash but other than that...I'll be surprised at what happens in between certain points of the story just as much as you are :)