A/N:This is rated M for Mature! Sexual situations ahead… (blushes)
Dark Opportunity
Harry moved his piece without really thinking about it. He knew that was a horrible mistake. Severus would take advantage instantly and use his distraction against him, but he couldn't stop worrying at where they stood. He usually avoided thinking about that summer. He had honestly hated Snape then. Now that he had a bit distance, he realized that Snape had been kind, too.
It threw him off balance. It wasn't bad, exactly. He needed Severus on his side to be able to pull this off, and them barely being able to talk to each other wasn't going to work. Harry hated to admit it, even if just to himself, but he was lonely. He missed talking to his friends. His thoughts drifted to their last meeting, where Severus had actually told him about himself. Maybe Harry could get more from the man. It would help him to see Severus as a person outside of Snape the professor who tormented him and the warden of his torment.
"What was getting your Hogwarts letter like," he asked as casually as he could, hoping to hide his nervously pounding heart.
Pale lips turned down at the edges in a thoughtful frown as Severus moved his rook to threaten Harry's bishop. The silence stretched. Harry affected an uncaring demeanor to cover his disappointment. Last week had been a fluke, obviously. Severus probably regretted saying as much as he had. He'd been a fool to think maybe they could be something like friends. But then Severus met his gaze, dark eyes staring intently. Harry held his breath. Severus broke their eye contact. When he spoke, his voice was low, calm.
"It wasn't a purely happy time for me as it was for many others. Born in November, my mother and I feared my letter wouldn't come until the next year. She'd been ill for a long time by that point and feared for my life should I be left at home alone with my father. Luckily the letter came despite my still being ten years of age. I remember my mother crying when she opened it. I was spared from being left alone in that house but not she." Severus lowered his head, hiding his hard expression and hateful eyes. "Instead of pride in my ability, I felt shame that I was leaving her. However, I could never do anything to help the situation, and I was honestly relieved to escape. So I went."
Harry stared at the chess board between them, hands fisted in his lap. He was both grateful for being trusted with the truth and disturbed by the picture those understated words painted. The silence was loud and he twisted his hands, knowing he should reciprocate. But it was so hard. Especially since it reminded him of their disastrous Occlumency lessons.
"I also had mixed feelings about the letter," he began carefully. "I had no idea what they were. My uncle destroyed them and grew angrier when more kept coming. I knew they were important to me, but I half wished they'd stop. The way he looked at me, I really thought that'd be the end. Then Hagrid literally knocked down a door to fetch me. I'd hoped for so long that it was all a lie – about my parents being worthless drunks and me being a disgusting freak – and Hagrid told me it was a bit of both. My parents weren't drunks, but they were freaks. And so was I. Magic and murder, evil wizards and heroes. It was like falling down a rabbit hole."
Severus tilted him a bitter smile that included him instead of mocked. "Hogwarts wasn't the answer we'd hoped it'd be, was it?"
Harry felt relief, almost giddy with it. He felt more of his reservations fall away. "Well, no, but it was always interesting," he replied almost playfully.
Severus snorted. "Especially after a certain messy-haired Gryffindor started attending."
Harry smirked slyly. "Could've been worse. I could've been a Slytherin."
"Heaven forbid!" Severus looked honestly disturbed by the notion. "We'd never have been able to keep up with you."
He laughed. "Check," he added, eyes bright and happy for the first time in weeks.
"Is that your plan, Harry? Distract me so you actually have a chance of winning?"
"Of course not." He flashed him his most innocent look. No doubt it was ruined by Voldemort's visage, but sometimes he forgot he wasn't himself, especially around Severus. "That would be too Slytherin by half, and we both know I'm Gryffindor through and through."
Harry thoroughly enjoyed the suspicious glare thrown his way between stringy, black hair.
xXxXxXx
"Harry, can I talk to you?"
Voldemort closed the book he'd been reading. One of the best parts about coming back to Hogwarts – besides torturing Dumbledore, Draco, and Severus – was the library. However, he was very careful to glamour the covers of the books he read so Potter's watchdog-friends wouldn't realize he was researching advanced magic.
"Yes, Hermione?"
The girl looked around and seemed satisfied that there was no one else in their vicinity. "Look, Harry. You know you can trust us, right? I mean, I can see why you would be nervous to say something, but we're your best friends."
"What are you on about," he asked absently, his attention still on his book.
"You've got something going on with Malfoy. I saw you sneaking off to see him last night."
She definitely had his attention now. He wasn't prepared for the Gryffindors to discover their perfect little Potter was not so lily pure any longer. His confrontation with Severus made his image all the more important. There was a chance that it would come down to his word against the Potion Master's, and so far he was confident the old fool would choose his cookie-cut-out Savior over the washed-up spy. He couldn't allow that to change.
"I don't understand, but maybe I could if you told me about it. As it is, I'm worried about you," the girl blathered on, self-righteous and annoying.
Voldemort prepared himself for his best Potter performance yet. "Hermione… I… I wanted to tell you…" He ducked his head, eyes glancing around to see if anyone could overhear them. Lowering his voice despite seeing no one, he asked her to sit next to him. "At first, I didn't know if I could trust him. He's a Malfoy, but… after he told me what happened to him… I had to give him a chance, even if it was a small one…"
"What did he tell you?" she asked in a whisper, following his cues.
"You can't tell anyone. Draco trusts me to keep it private."
"Of course, Harry."
Voldemort made his face pale, his eyes wide in feigned anxiety. "He met the Dark Lord and was disgusted. Voldemort wasn't anything like what his father described as he grew up. It shocked him terribly. When he said as much to his father, expecting an explanation, well, Lucius tortured him." If his need wasn't so great, he'd never be able to talk about himself so, but Granger would only accept an answer along these lines. Everything else would make her suspicious.
Hermione gasped softly, her hand coming up to her mouth.
With a private smirk, he continued. "It was awful. Especially for someone as spoiled and sheltered as Draco was. It almost broke him utterly." Voldemort paused in his story, thinking of how he should play this. To stall, he took his glasses off and rubbed at his eyes. Really, the best lies had a foundation of truth. "Draco's not stupid, mean-spirited and spoiled, but never stupid. He knew there's no such thing as being neutral in this war. So he decided to join my side. It was his only choice. He was so afraid…"
"So you've been meeting him since school started," she prodded softly when he trailed off.
"Yeah." He stared into her eyes, made his voice breathy with fear. "Just before Halloween, it became something more, though. I knew he was being honest by that point and I was thinking of telling you, but then I was so confused about what I felt and I…" He blushed and ducked his head, fists clenched before him.
"Oh, Harry…" Warm hands covered his own.
"I really like him, and it turns out he feels the same, so… We're together, I guess." He peeked at her to see how she took this bit of news. Her eyes were sympathetic, but she was still very cautious. The little Malfoy Heir had done some damage to Potter and his friends over the years. It wouldn't be forgotten lightly. He had to step up the game, appeal to her female nature. "Draco isn't like anyone else I know. He's so arrogant and competitive. There's this spark, this tension between us. And he's beautiful and courageous when he has to be. I know you can't see it. You don't really know the better sides to him, but he's not just a Malfoy. He's Draco, too."
"Why didn't you tell us," she asked, disappointed.
Voldemort gave a bitter laugh and pulled his hands away as if ashamed. "The Boy-Who-Lived-To-Be-Gay. I can just see the headlines now. Come on, Hermione. I'm an icon. They want me to be completely perfect. I'm supposed to grow up and marry some Light witch, probably Ginny or something, and have lots of little Potters..."
"Harry Potter! I would never think less of you. Not over something like this. You're like a brother to me."
He grabbed her hand, staring pleadingly into her face. "But it's Draco. I… I was afraid you'd think I'm betraying you or something… but I can't… not see him, Hermione. I was afraid you'd make me choose…" He bit his lip, mentally cheering as she literally melted into his hands. "It would kill me to choose between you now, and I'm so sick of hurting all the time. He makes me forget, makes me happy."
"Then I'll have to get used to it." She smiled at him, teary-eyed. "You're right. I don't really know Draco very well. I trust your judgment. If you see something of worth in him, then I will have to learn to see it, too."
He pulled her into a tight hug. "Thanks, Hermione. I should have told you a long time ago. I was being stupid."
"I'm used to it by now," she teased, hugging him back tightly. "And don't worry about Ron. I'll talk to him."
"Thanks," he murmured, thrilling in the feel of her soft breasts against his chest.
Draco was fun and all, but maybe he should look for a female toy as well. It wasn't like he'd have to go begging. There were dozens of girls who'd wet their pants for the chance to have sex with Harry Potter. Even if another long-term toy like Draco proved to be too much work, he could certainly find a few one-nighters. A truly terrifying smile slid across his face and he hid it against the Mudblood's shoulder.
xXxXxXx
A knock on the door drew Harry's attention from the ancient tome spread open before him. He frowned. The Death Eaters never disturbed him unless it was an emergency, instead saving their reports and concerns for the weekly meeting Harry held in the throne room.
"Come in," he called, bracing himself for whatever disaster would follow. The last time he was disturbed, it led to Karkaroff's torture and death.
Lucius slipped into the room and knelt before the desk, bowing his head before rising. "I have news, my Lord."
"What news, Lucius?"
"The Light is moving. Amelia Bones is pressing for the secrecy spell to be lifted from the Muggle Prime Minister so he can consult more freely with his advisors should a crisis occur of a magical nature."
Harry did a quick sweep with Legilimency. Amelia Bones, Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry, an Order of the Phoenix member. "You can't stop this?" Harry's voice was dangerously cold, hopefully hiding his pounding heart and sweaty palms.
Lucius paled. "My Lord, many of us have had our influence diminish after the attack on the Ministry, and Dumbledore has swayed many to fear any who might have a Dark nature. I've made Cornelius hesitate to allow this, but the Wizengamot can overrule him. I believe it is leaning that way, my Lord."
Dumbledore was a member of the Wizengamot, Harry knew. His fists clenched. He understood that the Headmaster felt he needed to prepare for a devastating war, not knowing of the switch or Harry's intentions as the Dark Lord, but why did he insist on involving the Muggle community? It wouldn't help him win the war. He would do better to focus on defensive strategies and information gathering. Even an amateur at tactics like Harry knew that much.
Lucius was staring at him expectantly, blue eyes glinting in the dim light. Harry felt the man's growing anxiety, his restless dissatisfaction over his standing among the other Death Eaters. Especially since it seemed Harry favored the older members. If he wasn't careful, the man would begin to suspect something was different with his Lord. He'd already blocked Lucius' attempts to strike out at the Light to protect Fred and George. Plus, he couldn't hold the Death Eaters back completely from spilling blood. This was war, even if it was now a different one. He had no choice. None.
"You've done well in bringing this to my attention. Dumbledore," he hissed, summoning his very real irritation with the man, "has gone too far."
"My Lord."
Lucius practically vibrated, he held himself so still. Harry let his eyes fall half-closed lazily as he listened to his quick breathing. It was as if he were seeing Lucius for the first time. This was someone who enjoyed cruel power-plays and craved the purest form of power – that of holding someone's life in your hand.
"This will be a small mission. Fenrir has been promised predominance in the next action taken against the Light. I am trusting you to keep him under control and to make sure this unravels flawlessly." Harry let Dark magic swell and caress his servant to indicate his pleasure. Lucius shivered, red staining his fair cheeks. "Bones has no care for the future of the Wizarding world. Therefore, she shall be removed from it. Capture her. Show her the error of her ways. Then release her back to the Light so that she can correct her mistake and tell those in charge she changed her mind about this Muggle motion. Be sure she dies not long after."
"Yes, my Lord. All will be as you say." Lucius bowed deep, obviously excited.
"Don't forget to question her about the Order, Lucius. We need to know what the Light is planning."
"Of course, my Lord." With another bow, he left the room, his stride purposeful and strong.
Alone, Harry felt chilled. The Dark wasn't some misunderstood noble cause. It was dangerous and, well, dark. Their beliefs were justified perhaps, but that didn't erase the fact that the Dark reveled in destruction and the freedom gained by disregarding all morality and civilized behavior. It was a primal and violent force, and so were its followers. He couldn't change it or the Death Eaters. If he tried, he'd only lose control of them.
It has to be this way, he reassured himself. If it weren't for the switch, Voldemort would have done worse.
He knew this, but it didn't stop the anguish and regret. His stomach rolled with nausea. Miserably, he wondered if Susan Bones, fellow Hogwarts student and member of the DA, was related to Amelia, Head of MLE. He wondered if it would feel like her heart had been ripped from her chest when she heard the news.
Sirius
With a shaking hand, Harry covered his eyes and tried to find the quiet place in his mind, to escape – just for a little while.
xXxXxXx
Voldemort watched as the Slug Club disbanded, the students wandering out in pairs and small groups still talking. Slughorn had done well. Each child was either exceptionally skilled – like Granger – or abnormally well connected – like Geoffrey Hooper. They met a few times now, every other Saturday night, and already Voldemort was making progress with over half of them. They often discussed school work, offering each other help, and talked about politics (though not the war). Soon, if Slughorn followed the same pattern as last time, he'd encourage them to grant each other favors during breaks and the summer, further entangling them in a political give and take.
His eyes caught on the sole Slytherin invited to the club, Blaise Zabini.
Slughorn wanted nothing to do with the war and rather naively thought if he excluded those rumored to have an alliance with the Dark, he'd be safe. Little did he know Voldemort was right next to him and well aware of the knowledge he held. So it was strange that the well known neutral Zabini was so antagonistic toward 'Harry Potter'. It went beyond mere House rivalry, for the black boy treated the other Gryffindors with politeness and indifference.
Voldemort frowned, honestly disturbed. He detested ignorance, and the fact that he couldn't unravel the Slytherin's motives annoyed him greatly. The only access he had to Slytherin was through Draco. The clueless blond insisted Zabini had no particular grudge against him. The cold blue eyes and disdainful sneers told a different story, however.
"Are you coming tonight, Harry?"
Voldemort smiled at the bulky seventh year Gryffindor. "I'll be there in a minute, Jeff. I want to ask Slughorn something."
"Don't be too late. It's bad luck to miss the first hand."
"I don't need luck when I've got skill," Voldemort bantered back.
The wealthier students gathered once a month to play poker and other card games in a sixth floor abandoned classroom. This was the first game he'd been invited to, and it had taken a week of being overly friendly with Hooper to earn. He definitely wouldn't miss it, not after all that work. His business with old Horace wouldn't take long.
"Ah, Harry, is there something you need?" The fat man smiled at him beatifically, reminding Voldemort of a clueless child.
"I want to ask you something, sir," he answered with shy sweetness that the teacher swallowed whole.
"Of course, dear boy. You can ask me anything."
Voldemort made his green eyes wide, all the while slipping oh so carefully through the man's thoughts. "Is immortality possible?" He purposefully used the same phrasing as he had all those years ago to hopefully trigger the memory he was looking for.
Slughorn paled, his jovial expression disappearing. "Why do you ask?"
"Something Dumbledore said. It's my destiny to stop – well, you know. He can't be immortal, then, right? Real immortality doesn't exist."
"I don't know…" Slughorn was sweating now, panic speeding his heart.
"I mean, in second year, Dumbledore told me about the Flamels. They could live forever, but once the stone was destroyed, they began to die. So it wasn't true immortality. Not like Fawkes, right? You know who has a weakness like the stone, too, don't you think?"
"I'm afraid I really can't help you, Harry."
"Oh." Voldemort adopted a crestfallen expression. "Well, thanks anyway."
"Anytime, Harry. Now I really have to see to these papers and you have a poker game to get to." Slughorn tried to smile, but it was strained.
"Oh! You won't tell anyone, will you, Professor? It's just a little game, and we go straight to bed right after!" He wondered if he was laying it on too thick. Surely he sounded like an idiot, but it seemed to work. The old man relaxed and this time his smile was more genuine.
"Your secret is safe with me. I remember there being a few poker nights in my time here, as well. Now go, go. I wouldn't want to keep you."
"Thanks, Professor!"
Voldemort practically skipped down the hall. Slughorn was no threat. The man was absolutely terrified. He remembered the beginning of their conversation, but had altered everything after. Instead of going into detail about Horcruxes, in his new memory, he sent Voldemort out from the room. But the man knew that wasn't the truth, knew it was a false memory. Even though he couldn't remember what really happened, he was aware that the truth could get him killed. He'd once been aware of the Dark Lord's secret, which was normally a death sentence. Yes, the man's terror pleased him. He was so cowardly that he probably destroyed the original memory. If not, he certainly wouldn't hand it over to Dumbledore and invite Voldemort's wrath. Not when he went to so much trouble to save himself.
"Harry! Wait for me!"
He'd been so distracted, that he'd gone past Granger without even noticing and now the girl was almost running to keep up with him. He sighed, his good mood waning. "What is it?"
She blinked at him. How someone supposedly smart could look like a stupid cow was beyond him. "Are you really going to go gambling with Hooper? It's almost past curfew as it is and gambling is against school rules, not to mention a horrible habit. Do you think your parents would approve of spending your vault this way?"
He slammed her against the wall hard enough to make her head bounce. His vision had gone red in his rage, and he wished so badly to curse her. Fortunately, all the spells that came to mind were Dark ones he couldn't cast any longer. It gave him time to collect himself. It would be bad to hurt one of Potter's little friends. But bloody hell she was annoying! How dare she question and scold him. It was never ending, and he'd had enough.
She whimpered in pain, eyes huge in her pale face. His enjoyed the look. Especially the way her chest heaved with every frightened breath.
"Don't talk about my parents," he growled, scrambling for an explanation for his outburst. "They're dead. I never got to know what they'd think about anything. And I'm sick of you acting like I'm some kind of idiot! Of course I'm going to be careful, but it's just a game. I'm allowed to have a bit of fun. I think Sirius would have approved." He made a chocked up nose and was pleased to see her expression melt from terror to concern. "Just leave me alone, Hermione."
He strode down the hall, happy again. That would buy him a couple days of peace, at least. And soon he'd have the wealthier kids in school under his thumb in addition to the Slug Club. It was definitely time to play a little poker.
xXxXxXx
Harry mentally braced himself as he strode across the throne room, readying himself for the weekly Death Eater meeting. This one especially promised to be draining. He had to report the success of Lucius and Fenrir's mission. He took his seat and stared down at his followers as they arrived in twos and threes. Finally, the last Death Eater arrived.
"Lucius, Fenrir, come stand by me." They did so with straight backs and gleaming eyes. Harry gave his followers a blood-thirsty smile. "These two have pleased me. Their mission was executed flawlessly, and now the Light has been diminished. Better, they protected the Security Act. Let their work be an example to all of you. They captured Amelia Bones, Head of MLE, despite her ability and defenses, and escaped again without alerting the Light. They moved in perfect Darkness and secrecy. This is the standard I hold you all to."
The Death Eaters shifted, taking in the two proud men. Harry let them stew for a moment before letting his eyes settle on Caiden Rosier.
"How do we progress with the papers?"
"The old ways continue to increase in popularity. However, the Wizarding world is in turmoil right now over Bones' death."
"Are they printing why she was killed," Harry demanded. It would piss him off if she died without them gaining something from it.
"No, my Lord. They say only that she was killed for her position in MLE. The Light is using it to incite the neutrals further against us."
Harry narrowed his eyes. "This will be fixed, Rosier."
Several Death Eaters flinched at his anger and the use of Caiden's last name. Curses weren't long to follow at this rate.
"It will be as you say, my Lord," he answered calmly.
"Dolohov, what is your progress at Durmstang?"
"I'm gaining trust, my Lord," the man groveled, bowed low. "Several are ready and willing to join you."
"Brothers Lestrange. Deal with the new recruits. Assign them jobs to help our cause but not put my plans at risk. Make it clear only the best will be marked."
"My Lord," Rabastan and Rudolphus said together, lowering their heads.
"My Lord, if I may?"
"Go ahead, Atticus," Harry allowed with a flick of his fingers.
"The Ministry raided one of my family manors. They search for Dark artifacts and evidence of a connection to you, my Lord," the old man reported with cold eyes. "Several things of value were taken. I believe the other Dark noble families should be prepared for similar experiences."
Harry felt his heart begin to race. He could feel their outrage grow, twinned with the expectation that their Lord would do something about it. "Defend your homes and possessions, but do not act to overtly. If needed, you can store items here for safe keeping." Harry almost laughed. That would let him keep an eye on the more dangerous items as well as something Voldemort really would have done, greedy bastard that he was. "In time, the Ministry will be forced to return things to their rightful place."
It was perhaps a bit vague, but he wasn't ready to attack the Ministry yet. Still, he backed it up with a vicious smile to assuage his followers and it was reflected back at him. Harry shivered and hoped no one noticed.
Belfry Goyle hesitantly lifted his head. "My Lord, you are most likely aware already, but my son tells me Potter acts strange. He's drifting slightly from his core group of friends and is behaving almost like a Slytherin. Making connections with the wealthier and more politically connected students."
Harry narrowed his eyes. When he spoke his voice was icy. "I am aware of the situation. But it is good to inform me of your son's observations. Just make sure you pass along facts and not merely gossip."
Goyle flinched. "Yes, my Lord. Thank you."
In truth, he had no idea what was happening at Hogwarts. It was too painful to talk about, so he avoided it. Strangely, Severus had let him. No longer. He had to keep aware, if only to keep pace with the Death Eaters. He couldn't let them be more informed than he. Any weakness would have him devoured by these men.
"My Lord," Thornfinn Rowle spoke into the short silence that followed. "I notice Severus misses many of these meetings. I've yet to hear an accounting of his progress."
Harry sensed a trap in these words and reacted immediately. "Crucio!"
The big man fell with a wheeze and grunt, just barely holding back screams. Harry held it for almost two minutes before sharply flicking his wand and letting the man go.
"You are a powerful dueler and a useful tool, Rowle, but do not overstep yourself. It is not your place to question. Merely obey."
"Yes, my Lord. Forgive me," Rowle rasped as he clumsily pushed to his knees. His hood had fallen back, revealing his sweat-soaked face.
"Does anyone else have anything to add?" He glared hotly at them and was pleased when none spoke up. "Dismissed. Lucius, stay behind."
The Lord Malfoy stood relaxed and poised as the others left. Fenrir practically strutted from the room. Harry saw a few jealous glances thrown the feral wolf's way and almost sighed. Fenrir was the last person they should emulate.
"My Lord," Lucius asked oh so respectfully once they were alone.
Harry hissed a Dark hex. The blond fell with a groan of agony. The skin of his right arm stretched and swelled as water filled the appendage steadily. Within minutes the skin split under the pressure. Lucius screamed as water and blood gushed from the tears, landing on the floor with a quiet splash. Harry incanted the spell again, this time on the man's right calf. Lucius shrieked, tears streaking his face.
"Next time don't use a proxy to question me, Lucius," he hissed quietly. "Severus is where I want him. It's no concern of yours."
"My Lord! Yes!"
The grotesque limb split apart, the skin bruised, tight, and shinny. Harry hadn't even had to descend into the Dark inside himself. This was all him. He wondered how much of his fury was because Lucius threatened Severus and how much was because Harry was still angry about Bones. Whatever the source, he coldly cast the torture spell once more, this time on the man's right thigh. Lucius was incoherent now, keening like a wounded animal. Harry turned his face away, sickened even as he felt justified. Lucius had certainly done worse to others, he knew.
"Get out of my sight," he hissed furiously.
Harry was so angry. At himself, at Malfoy for being a sadistic arse, at the world for forcing him to become this creature. He forced himself to watch as Lucius literally crawled from the room, dragging his right leg behind him. He left behind a wide smear of blood-tainted water. This was the result of losing his temper. He almost screamed. The sight of his own cruelty enraged him further. He stormed from the throne room, heading for his sanctuary. He needed a drink to steady his nerves. Or maybe two or three.
O
Utterly exhausted, Severus made his way to the Dark Lord's study. He'd be worthless at chess tonight, but he couldn't refrain from attending their weekly meeting. He'd come to need them. They kept him sane and granted him some relief from Hogwarts if only for a few hours.
He knocked once on the solid oak door, a quick rap before slipping inside. The door shut behind him, and he paused a moment to let his eyes adjust. The room was even darker than normal. Slowly he was able to make out the Dark Lord sitting behind his ornate desk, but instead of the relaxed red gaze he'd become accustom to, Harry had his head back, eyes closed. His arms hung loosely on either side of the chair, his legs stretched out in front of him.
"You look about how I feel," he drawled in amusement.
A single hand waved toward the desk, indicating two glasses of brandy. Severus moved to his customary chair and sipped at the rich drink. It was thick and warm, decadent. He hummed in approval. Slowly the liquor relaxed his muscles and warmed his belly. After a few minutes, he found himself slouching slightly, his head propped up by his right hand, his elbow braced on the arm of the sofa chair.
"It couldn't be avoided," Harry spoke softly, voice tight.
Severus knew instantly he was referring to Bones. He'd thought perhaps the Death Eaters had acted without permission and Harry had been forced to punish them, but now he knew Harry had known, had ordered it done. He closed his eyes, pained. "Tell me."
"She was pushing for the Secrecy Act to be changed, to allow more Muggles to be told of our existence."
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I didn't know. Albus has been gone. He doesn't confide in me as he once did. Not since we've been arguing so much over the pretender." He tapped the desk to get his Lord's attention. "You did what you had to, Harry. What you must."
"It's still awful." Harry met his eyes briefly before closing them again. "How's Susan?"
"She's grieving," Severus relayed reluctantly. "Bones was her aunt. She raised Susan when her parents died in the first war."
"I tortured Lucius," Harry said, effectively changing the subject. "He insinuated your unworthiness at tonight's meeting."
He snorted. "How tedious for you. That man always did let his ambition carry him away." He was pleased to receive a wry smile and have the red-eyed gaze focus on him.
"I thought he was your friend. You're Draco's godfather, right?"
Severus didn't want to think about Draco. He'd planned on attending the meeting tonight, but he'd found Draco sobbing in a bathroom on his way. It had taken him almost an hour to soothe the boy and he'd given him a sleeping draught in the end. No doubt, despite his misery, he'd go running back to the pretender when he was calm again. Exhaustion washed over him again. This time it was he who shut his eyes.
"Sometimes. Slytherins aren't friends like Gryffindors. It's never unconditional; instead it's governed by the tide of life. That's not to say we can't be supportive or loyal, only that we must be aware of the relationship at all times, aware of the changes."
"I understand." There was a slight pause and he cracked open an eye to see his Lord staring at him pensively. "I need an update about Hogwarts."
Severus knew this had been coming, but he still flinched a bit inside. "As I said, Albus is gone on some secret business. Minerva has taking over most of the Headmaster's duties while he is away. In turn, I've been roped into helping her. I'm practically bogged down with paper work." He took a breath and carefully entered a topic he needed to be careful to tread. The Unbreakable Vow hummed unpleasantly in his mind, warning him. "The Pretender is gaining more control over those in school, and …" my godson is breaking, he finished silently, unable to speak the true source of his distress.
"And?"
He opened his eyes to see Harry watching him intensely. If he didn't know better, he'd think his Lord was trying to Legilimize him. "And I'm tired," he answered, praying Harry left it at that. He didn't know what would happen if his bond to the Dark Lord came into conflict with the vow.
Harry studied him a moment longer. It was clear he knew something was being left unsaid, but to Severus' relief, he nodded once and let the matter drop. They sat in comfortable silence of the rest of the meeting, just resting in each other's undemanding presence.
xXxXxXx
Voldemort followed the soft sounds of crying to a nook behind a suit of armor. A sixth or fifth year girl with a Hufflepuff crest sat with her face pressed to her knees. Skimming her thoughts, he almost grinned. She was related somehow to Amelia Bones. Her mine was saturated with vulnerability and grief. Lust almost took his breath away as he looked down on her bowed shoulders. His pleasure was heightened by the knowledge that taking advantage of the girl would hurt Potter. The blasted boy was making even more progress, even moving to have Bones removed! He couldn't let the upstart think he could replace Voldemort without retaliation.
"Hey. It's okay." He sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She sniffed and clung to him. "No one understands," she rasped.
"I will," he offered.
She hesitated, but then soon was ranting about her friends acting like this should make her stronger or something. That she should be strong even though her Aunt was dead, and so on and so forth. Voldemort didn't really listen. He kept his face sympathetic while he plotted. Eventually she was sobbing into his chest and he rocked her back and forth. This was going perfectly.
"You can't let them win, Susan," he told her. "It's okay to be weak sometimes. It's okay to fall apart."
She nodded, sniffling.
His lips brushed her temple. "If you fight back, you'll do it your way."
"You mean the DA?" She pulled back to stare at him with watery eyes.
"We'll start it up again. Together," he told her, reading her mind. "Come on."
Voldemort took her hand and guided her to the room she saw in her mind. In his time, he'd used the room but didn't fully understand its potential. Another thing to feel vexed at Potter about. The Room of Requirement, how perfect. He opened the door to reveal a dimly lit lounge. Susan looked at him curiously.
"Let's get you cleaned up. You don't want them to see you like this," he explained gently, still holding her hand.
She blushed and let him guide her to a couch. A shallow bowl with a cool damp rag sat next to it on a low table. Voldemort gently cleaned her face. She let him, smiling tearfully at him. He sensed resistance still, and felt his way through dismantling it.
"I know how it feels, Susan. To think you're helpless to fight back, that they've already won. There's no point in going on when you've already lost what you would've fought for."
"Yes… exactly…" she gasped, tears in her voice again.
"It's okay to feel like giving up, Susan. I feel like that all the time. My friends don't understand either. They want me to keep fighting, but we're allowed a moment of weakness. We are." He hugged her and she melted against him. "I always thought we could be good friends. I'm glad I found you."
"Really?" She sniffed and wiped at her face, her blue eyes boring into him oh so innocently.
"Yes, of course. You're a strong, beautiful witch. Why wouldn't we be friends?"
"Harry…"
"I know it hurts," he continued. "I just want to help you forget for awhile. Because we're friends."
He leaned forward and kissed her gently. At first she sat unresponsive, her surprise filling Voldemort's head, but as he knew would happen, she began to respond. As the kiss progressed, Voldemort used all his skill to seduce her into a lustful haze, letting his magic swirl and coax her own. Her heart beat fast against his chest as he ran his hands in her hair, over her neck, caressed her face.
When she relaxed completely, he let his hand wander over her chest, gently rubbing her breasts as he sucked and bit at her neck. Susan arched and moaned. Voldemort made similar sounds, knowing it would increase her desire. When his hand slipped up her shirt, her robe discarded on the floor, she tensed. He soothed her by kissing her deeply, pulling back just enough to whisper against her swollen wet mouth.
"It's okay. It's just us here. Let everything else go. I want to make you feel good. Just for a little while. Let's forget together."
He kissed her gently, coaxingly, a soft moan escaping his throat, and she melted again, wrapping her arms around him. Slowly his fingers caressed the heated skin, teased the sensitive places until she was a panting mess. Her eyes were dilated, her mind incoherent and overwhelmed with sensation. He slipped her shirt off, now using his mouth on all the places he'd discovered that made her undulate against him.
"Harry… Harry…"
"Susan, oh Merlin, so beautiful. Feels so good…" he chanted back to her, making her shiver and open more to his ministrations.
Overwhelmed, out of control, slightly afraid, she reached for him. He made her forget the fear, made her only able to feel the pleasure he wrapped her in. Until the body's needs drowned her thoughts completely. He waited for just that fevered moment before allowing his hand to slip up her skirt. The intimacy shocked her, made her tense.
"Wait, wait…"
He made his voice low and hypnotic as his magic caressed her with a mild calming charm. It was just enough to soothe her fear without removing the lust he'd been carefully building. "Trust me. I won't let anything hurt you, Susan. Just forget everything. Don't think. Just relax," he whispered into her ear, kissing and sucking along her jaw until he reached her mouth. As he teased her clit, she cried out, tension disappearing under a primal wave of lust and need. "That's it. I've got you."
He let her slide close to the edge but wouldn't allow her to orgasm. He did it twice more and now she was practically begging him for release. Tears once more drenched her flushed face. He kissed her hard, passionately, and she responded hotly, her legs falling open. With a smooth push, he let two fingers enter her. He quickly felt around and groaned when he found she was a virgin.
"Oh Susan… need you so bad…"
"Harry…" almost delirious she could hardly speak his name.
Voldemort grinned against her neck and reached down to free himself from his pants. Slowly he thrust inside. She arched, clinging, overwhelmed, but unable to stop herself or him. He moved in smooth thrusts, murmuring and moaning his pleasure. Slowly she relaxed, and still sobbing, they both climaxed together.
He soothed her tears as she slowly came down from the physical high. He stroked her hair and told her how wonderful she was, how perfect it had been. When her trembling eased, he helped her dressed, kissing her frequently and rubbing his hands down her arms and over her back.
"I wish I could stay here forever with you," Voldemort said sadly, kissing her chastely.
"What…"
"The Quidditch game… I told Ron I'd go and watch him play, and you should cheer for your team, too."
"Yeah…" she said dazed, staring at him almost desperately. She was shocked over what they'd done together.
He smiled at her. "I'll come find you tomorrow. We still have to get the DA together."
"Okay," she nodded, feeling more reassured. "Yes. I'd like that."
"Me, too." He kissed her and led her to the door. "Come on. We'll need to run to catch the beginning of the game." He flashed her a happy grin and she smiled back. Hand and hand they ran for the Quidditch pitch and the Hufflepuff/Gryffindor game.
End chapter
A/N: Sorry for the delay, but it really wasn't my fault! My computer died a painful death. I tried to have it fixed, but it was deemed unsalvageable and so I had to buy a new one. All of which took time. Time where I didn't have a computer to type! Hopefully I'll be able to continue without further delay.
