Harry jolted awake in a world of pain, limbs aching and chest burning. He struggled weakly, eyes rolling in his head as he panicked.
Tom's poisonous presence was lingering, and Harry could still fell the horrific pull on his soul, twisting and manipulated against his will.
Voldemort was standing close, with the same intense gaze and lipless mouth that was Tom. It was too similar as Harry jerked away, moving his legs quickly to press his back to the stone cold wall.
Eyes wide and heart hammering as his vision blurred. He didn't want to go back, had never imagined that Voldemort would attempt to kill him.
He could still feel the chains, tight and cold against his red hot skin, as if it was Tom who was controlling them and not just metal placed by Voldemort. Harry scrabbled at them, nails scratching into his skin, he wanted them off, he needed to be free.
Harry could barely concentrate, unable to shut himself off and detach himself from the pain, his shut his eyes, but Tom's mocking face was there too.
Escaping Tom was the whole point, and if Voldemort was going to send him into the abyss he knew he wasn't going to last long. The vague memories of what Tom had told him did little to reassure Harry. He wanted to shut everything out, but he was still too shaken, too confused to gather himself together.
XXXXXXXXXX
"My Lord?"
Voldemort looked up distracted, peeling his eyes away from the wreck that was Potter. The boy had quietened for now and was currently crouched with bleeding wrists from where he had attempted to dig his bare flesh from his shackles.
Remorse was a concept Lord Voldemort could not understand. It was weak and pathetic, Potter's mental anguish was enough to confirm this as he stayed almost lifeless and trembling.
It had been intriguing to watch the boy lose composure, from being clearly in control and unattached to exactly what the Dark Lord needed.
"This should be easy" Bellatrix grinned, she skirted over to Potter who seemed to be completely oblivious to his surroundings.
"It looks like killing did tear Potter apart" She whispered as she crouched down beside the boy.
Potter flinched away, muttering under his breath but Bellatrix was quicker as her hand shot out to hold him still.
"Let go" Potter hissed wildly, his voice sounded desperate, it was more of a plea then a command.
Voldemort sneered as Bellatrix's grin widened.
"Hush" She mocked, grip tightening to still his struggles.
Her hand traced through the boys hair and the result was instantaneous. Potter stilled at once, blood shot eyes dilating as his breathing slowed.
"I must admit" Voldemort commented, staring down at Potter with interest. "I had my doubts about the ease that Potter came to us. His last attempt at murdering his friends was much closer in time to the triggers that were implanted"
"Severus separated the boys emotions apart." Lucius added, stepping closer which only caused the boy to flinch back. "A lack of emotions is far more dangerous in any circumstance, it destroys all empathy"
Voldemort's eyes shot across to his death eater at this. Although true, he had not anticipated this situation at all. Severus who had helped heal Potter, knew the depths of his trauma, to have it so beautifully backfire has been a pleasant gift.
Lucius however continued.
"Now though it also puts rise to the question, would the boys remorse only fix himself?" His face was the perfect mask of indifference.
"No" Voldemort answered. "His soul is broken but it is not incomplete. A vessel is needed to create a Horcrux and in turn remorse is the anchor to pull oneself back together"
Bellatrix was having too much fun, half paying attention to the conversation but her main focus was still on Potter.
"Do you know what you have done Potter?" Bellatrix whispered coldly her hand withdrawing. "Do you remember who you killed?"
Potter's bloodied hands at once flew to his ears, his head shaking.
"Stop it" He pretty much pleaded.
"Longbottom was my favourite" She continued excitedly. "So much blood"
Potter closed his eyes, shaking uncontrollably as his fingers dug into his head.
"Stop it" He repeated, weaker this time.
Voldemort knew little about remorse, but it was fascinating to watch the pain it inflicted upon the boy.
"This would not have been possible without Draco" Lucius spoke up, so pitiful as he looked proud.
Voldemort's eyes narrowed at this, wand in hand as he sneered. "And yet I would still have my immortality if it weren't for your son" He hissed.
He would never forget what had been taken from him, Lord Voldemort would have his revenge.
Lucius looked instantly ashamed as he asked tightly.
"You still question my sons loyalty?"
Voldemort's eyes flashed dangerously as he hissed mockingly. "Your son is a traitor Lucius. I would be a fool to trust him"
Lucius bristled at this, but otherwise bowed his head low in respect.
"Forgive me My Lord" He muttered. "You are right of course"
Voldemort stepped closer as his death eater held his tongue. He supposed there were two sides to this after all.
"And yet he has delivered Potter to me and the result has so far been promising." Voldemort stated slowly watching carefully. " You know I am a merciful Lord Lucius, your son may be spared yet, depending on how things proceed"
Lucius dropped to the floor. "Thank you My Lord, I am grateful and hopeful for your forgiveness."
Bellatrix however was still occupied with the boy, half distracted as she hummed under her breath, eye glinting with cruelty.
She had helped programme the boy, on top of the influence of dementors so she couldn't help but be attached.
"Your orders my Lord?" She asked, turning to face him with longing in her voice.
Voldemort stared down at Potter, a thin smirk resting on his face. The boy was still alarmed, his eyes wide with bloody hands pressed against his ears but Bellatrix's trigger was still holding him relatively calm. Her fingers gracefully teasing through the boys hair.
Voldemort nodded, he was satisfied.
"We shall proceed" He commanded. "Restrain him"
XXXXXXXXXX
Harry was lost, torn between disgust and a level of calmness. Fingers were gently running through his hair, relaxing and horrifying as he tried to get his thoughts coherent.
Bellatrix was too close, as if her evilness was tainted his head but at least she was a distraction, keeping his own terrifying thoughts from Tom.
Voldemort too seemed a distant threat as he spoke to his death eaters. Harry kept his hands pressed to his ears, Voldemort's voice sounded identical to Toms.
Hands reached out, pulling Harry to his feet.
Lucius Malfoy held him tightly by the arm, as Harry swayed eyes unseeing before he was slammed painfully onto something hard.
Winded, Harry felt sick, blinking rapidly as his feet left the floor.
Harry wanted nothing more then to draw away, to be left alone in the dark to piece himself back together as his body was manipulated against his will. Just like Tom had done.
Bellatrix was laughing giddily as Lucius Malfoy waved his wand. Securing Harry tightly to the table.
His hands were still locked in shackles and Harry tossed wildly, itching to scratch at his skin as he hissed in agony.
Voldemort was too close, lingering directly behind him. Harry didn't like it, he couldn't see where the threat was.
"Hold still" Voldemort hissed in his ear.
Harry shivered, trying to jerk away but he was secured completely. Wrists and ankles locked against the table.
He wanted to protest, to speak out, but complete fear and uncertainty kept his voice dead in his throat, he didn't know what was happening.
Long cold fingers scratched down the side of his face. Harry panicked, as Voldemort's nails dug into his pressure points. He felt like Tom, too close and overbearing in his proximity. Harry scrunched his eyes closed breathing increasing.
He wanted to stop, to cut himself off but it was if he was reliving the nightmare he had been promised.
XXXXXXXXXX
It was if he was being guided, knew exactly where he had to step. His feet were echoing loudly off the bathroom floor, clear and determined.
Harry was in Hogwarts, he was certain of that, the small wooden cubicles leading off away from the giant circular sink that was the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.
The quiet sobbing barely registered into his conscious thought as he gripped the small leather bound book in his hand, his wand in the other. This had to go right, he had prepared for months.
His thoughts were coming together, so concise as he gripped the diary tight.
The chamber had been hard to find, for years he had soured every part of the castle, but it had paid off over the last few months. Now he had unlimited power and Lord Voldemort could take the castle so easily if he wished it.
"Open" Harry commanded, turning to face the chamber arms outstretched.
The small engraved snake on the sink responded, it's beady eye flickering as the stone began to separate.
Harry smirked as he hissed his next command.
"Rise Slytherin's greatest treasure"
And from the depths something was stirring, moving up the pipe slowly with tremendous strength and power. Harry grinned, his eyes now moving away from the entrance as Slytherin's monster approached.
The sobbing had stopped abruptly, disturbed by the unusual sounds, the pathetic girl was coming out to play.
"What do you think you're doing, are you a boy?" The high pitched voice cut in his direction sharply, Harry wasn't bothered he would deal with them.
Tilting his head he waited, one word ready on his lips as the Basilisk appeared.
"Kill" He instructed, mouth curling into a wide grin as his wand hand itched.
The large serpents body beside him was coiling out of the entrance, his beautiful snake to command left by Salazar Slytherin himself.
It was too perfect as the girl stepped out.
Myrtle was muggle-born and hardly popular, no one would miss her. Particularly as she didn't deserve to live with her pathetic tainted heritage.
It was quick and easy, so beautifully done as her eyes glistened over as Myrtle gazed on the one thing he could not. Harry was envious, that she would set eyes so clearly on his monster.
Now was the time to act as he moved his wand perfectly, holding his diary close so that the deed could be done. It was personal to him, his darkest thoughts poured onto paper with ink and the ideal item to hold such an important part of him. It already had the imprints of himself and now his soul would make it come alive.
It was such a rush, Harry could feel the power coursing through him, the magic rushing from his body and into the pages.
It hurt.
Harry fell to the floor, dropping both his wand and diary as his very core burned. His very being was being ripped apart and stitched together, as if it was in flux. Picking and choosing what would be left of him and what would remain to protect him from death.
His throat was raw from screaming, his eyes bloodshot as his body shook. His surroundings were non existent as his desires became true.
And then everything settled as abruptly as it had started.
It was instantaneous, his vision clearing to perfection, so sharp with everything defined.
The presence of his Serpent was an immediate comfort, to know that in his temporally weakened state that he had been guarded, watched over by something so strong.
Harry felt dizzy and exhilarated as the diary pulsed in his hands, an imprint of himself, his very soul now tucked safely away.
It had worked, he could feel the magic buzzing in his fingers, so dark and enticing.
He felt elated, overpowered as he steadied himself, pulling himself to his feet as Harry stepped closer to the body.
"My Pet" He hissed over his shoulder as the large serpent hissed gently, he could feel it's large head moving forwards behind him.
Harry held out his hand, waiting for the soft scales to rest against his palms. His Basilisk's breath was warm as Harry's hair brushed in the makeshift wind.
His soul was separated as Harry grinned wildly, nothing could stop him now.
And then he broke the surface of the memory screaming.
XXXXXXXXXX
Unlike the complete lack of feeling Harry had experienced butchering the death eater with the broken mirror, a more sinister feeling was consuming him. Overwhelming and intoxicating. It was almost like an addiction, suffocating and commanding his senses like a burst of adrenaline.
The Basilisk had acted on his wishes, so perfectly and in tune. His desire to kill, the beauty and strength behind it. All that power.
Harry was panting heavily, drenched in sweat as he locked his eyes onto deep red. Tom had been so perfectly correct, he had guessed the Dark Lords intentions so accurately it was frightening.
Now he was awake, at least Harry's mind was slowly distinguishing the differences between his and Voldemort's emotions, but it felt startlingly fuzzy, as if it had really been him, it had been so real.
His head was ringing, full of conflicting emotions as he could remember Myrtles body falling to the floor. He was disgusted and fascinated at the same time, and slightly relieved that it hadn't been him who had been feeling murderous.
"Our bond has always been strong Harry" Voldemort hissed as Harry's inhaled rapidly, eyes darting around wildly. "If only you were still my Horcrux, the things I could have shown you. The power you would have held"
Harry struggled, trying to pull away from Voldemort's captive gaze, but he was fastened to the table as he failed hopelessly. At least his scar wasn't hurting, although if anything the pain might have been a good thing, to help separate himself from Voldemort further.
"How did you do that?" Harry whispered, absolutely terrified. It shouldn't have been possible to be that immersed, it wasn't even like it was a pensive, he could remember everything, all of Tom Riddle's thoughts as if it had been his own decisions.
Voldemort however did not answer, his red eyes darkening.
XXXXXXXXXX
Lucius Malfoy led him carefully back to his room, one hand gripping tightly on Harry's shoulder. It was a small relief to finally be away from Voldemort, the Dark Lord now satisfied with how the initial progress had began.
What had not been predicted was how rapidly their plan had deteriorated. Voldemort had taken control so forcefully, despite the appearance of already having it.
Harry shivered, feeling so cold as his head rung. Myrtle's body had been identical to Hermione's, still and unmoving, only with a distinct lack of blood whatsoever.
As the door melted away Draco and Neville were waiting anxiously.
"What happened?" Neville rushed over at once, staring horrified at Harry's ripped apart wrists.
Harry was shaking, but he tried to dismiss it with a shrug, attempting to push himself away tiredly.
"The Dark Lord cast the killing curse" Lucius explained, his voice stiff as he only tightened his grip preventing Harry from leaving.
Malfoy responded to this, hands darting out to check over Harry immediately as his shackles vanished.
"What can I do to help?" Neville demanded, pulling out his own wand rapidly.
"There is nothing you can do" Malfoy cut across him sharply as he himself attempted to clean up his bloodied wrists. "Potter can only do this himself"
Harry knew what they wanted, what he had to do. To stop feeling.
It should have been easy, he'd practised this time and time again.
But that's what Tom had been like. Inside Voldemort's mind, it had been so calculating and sharp, knowing exactly what he wanted without fear and without guilt.
It had been terrifyingly calming, even the moment when Myrtle had lost her life had just been part of the plan. Necessary and reasoned.
Harry shook his head, hand flying to his head to rub it. He shouldn't be thinking that, those were Voldemort's thoughts, not his own.
"This was something we didn't take into account" Lucius Malfoy continued sharply. "Potter is being forced to relive the moments the Dark Lord tore his soul apart"
"What?" Neville gaped, doing nothing to reassure Harry as he finally pulled himself away from Malfoy's grip.
"I'm fine" He snapped. He didn't want them to treat him like he was pitiful and pathetic.
"You are not fine" Lucius Malfoy interrupted coldly.
Harry glared at him as he sat down on the bed.
"It involves watching his murders" Harry explained. "It's fine, I know what he is capable of"
He didn't want to repeat Tom's words, that he had to feel them. His thoughts were already moving onto Voldemort's other victims, five to go and Harry knew he hadn't seen the worst.
"It just seems he's not taking any chances." Harry stated bitterly. "We'll only be here a little longer is all"
He was so tired as he lay back, thoughts swirling.
"We have to get you out of here" Neville was arguing. "This will destroy you Harry"
"He cannot leave." Malfoy hissed coldly defencelessly. "The alternative is worse"
Harry flicked his eyes over at this but didn't say anything.
Neville froze at this. "What is this all about really?" He jabbed loosing patience once more. "Harry would never return here just to kill Voldemort, there is something else going on?" He gestured wildly.
It was one word, but Malfoy acted so quickly. Wand directing towards Harry so his body froze in an instant, locked to the bed. Harry's own mind was blank, Voldemort's name ringing in his head. He immediately felt sick, wanting to move and fall to his knees. It was an impulse but a clear indication to how weak he was.
"Watch what you say" Malfoy hissed towards Neville. At least the Gryffindor looked guilty.
"Potter would only return here if he had no other options" Malfoy stated fiercely. "Do you at least understand that?"
Neville's jaw tightened but he nodded sharply as Harry lay still.
Sorry that this chapter is significantly shorter than the others. I sort of see it as an extension of the last chapter and a taste of things to come. If anything it feels better to update this separately than with half of another chapter.
Anyways, thanks for reading as always.
