Hey everybody, sorry this has taken so long, life is starting to get in the way right now. with Work and some photography and music projects it's been pretty hectic.
Thank you for everyone who has reviewed. and thanks to goku90504 who has been keeping tabs on spelling mistakes and some grammar issues in the story which I have since changed and updated.
Hope you enjoy this one.
The Founders Riddle
Chapter 7 - A Darkened Mind
Hermione awoke to complete darkness, cold moisture on her face and warm arms wrapped around her. As she began to move she felt a hand holding her down and the cold moisture leave her. As she looked up she saw Sirius looking down upon her smiling, clutching a damp cloth in his hand. Beside her lay Daphne hugging her side in comfort, she smiled as Hermione looked at her, but it held a note of fear and worry within it that Hermione could sense immediately.
"Sirius? Daphne? What happened? Why am I lying down? She asked quietly.
"you Fainted after you heard what happened to Harry, when you didn't get up right away, we moved you to your bed so you could rest." Said Sirius holding her shoulder and rubbing gently to sooth her.
"Oh my god! Harry!' Hermione shouted at the reminder. 'Sirius, are you sure it was Voldemort who did that to him? I mean, Voldemort was just a wraith the last time we encountered him. Surely he couldn't have done that." Hermione's eyes were frantically moving, scanning Sirius' face for any reaction, hoping against hope that he was wrong.
"Hermione… We don't have all of the details yet, since Harry has not woken up since he was brought in. But something you should know, is that, before being sent to Azkaban, and before Harry's Parents deaths, James and I were Hit Wizards. A lot of our jobs, Hermione, was learning how to decipher, and read magical signatures. That ability and knowledge allowed us to figure out who did what and how to track them. I did that test on the signature found on Harry's mind, and it came back as Voldemort…'
Hermione began to cry as this was said. Clutching on to Daphne in a near death grip, Sirius quickly back-pedalled to placate her. 'Now, Hermione, that could mean one of two things. Either Voldemort has returned to a body and is truly back… or, somebody out there has Voldemort's wand and used it against Harry for that attack. In either case, this is something that could mean long term damage for Harry, or a very bad time ahead for the Wizarding World at large." Sirius bowed his head in tiredness and frustration, rubbing his temples slowly.
"So we have to wait until Harry wakes up to find out?" Asked Daphne quietly, still comforting Hermione in her arms.
"Unfortunately, yes. We have to wait. But when he does wake up we'll at least have some good news for him. As of tonight, I am a free man, for all intents and purposes.' Said Sirius jovially. 'When we go to see Harry tomorrow, I'll be able to walk right in the door without being bothered."
Hermione's face showed her shock as she looked at the Marauder. "Sirius that's amazing! but how? I thought Amelia said it would take time to put it through the courts?". Both teens' faces showed their confusion and Sirius could only smile.
"It will all be explained in the prophet tomorrow. Amelia sent a letter in to the editor tonight for them to run in the morning edition. Apparently..' He said winking, and smiling mischievously. 'Amelia is going to crucify fudge and a few other big names in the ministry with this one."
His Grin was almost manic as he looked at them with mirth in his eyes, both girls looking glad but confused as to what could possibly bring so much turmoil to the Ministry.
"Okay…' Sirius said rising from his place before Hermione and Daphne. 'I'm off, I have to be home soon. Both of you get some sleep, alright?' he said pointedly. 'It's been a stressful day for everyone and I'm sure you two are exhausted. tomorrow we'll go see Harry and check on him for any improvement. Goodnight girls."
"Goodnight Sirius." They both Chorused as he left the room.
Once they were alone, Daphne shuffled back into position, holding Hermione tightly to her in the bed. She realized while Hermione was sleeping earlier, how much Harry really meant to her..Girlfriend?.. good friend?… to Hermione. Daphne knew that Hermione was sincere when she told her earlier that she'd like to give them a go, and that she really did like Daphne. However, Daphne also knew that Hermione's feelings for Harry, platonic and otherwise, would not go away easily. If she really thought about it she realized that Harry would end up a part of.. whatever this was… at some point, and knew she wouldn't be one to protest when he did. For now though, Hermione needed comfort and assurance from someone who cared for her, and Daphne would freely give that for the time being.
"Daph? do you think Harry will be okay when he wakes up? what if he's a different person, what if that cruciatus destroyed his mind?" Said Hermione worriedly, biting her bottom lip almost to the point of piercing the skin.
"Hermione, he will be alright. The Healer said so didn't he? If Harry's mind was damaged by the curse we'll be there for him to make sure he recovers. I know you love him Hermione, as a friend and more… and I like him too, so I know we won't rest until he's back to his old self." She said hugging Hermione tightly to her and giving her a soft kiss.
"Daph, I've already said this but thank you for being with me, I really need you here today. My best friend is in the Hospital, so it's nice to know that my girlfriend is with me. Let's get ready for bed and get some sleep okay." As Daphne went to grab the pj's she had worn last night, Hermione just removed her clothes and got into bed wearing only her knickers, as Daphne looked on gobsmacked.
"Hermione! Aren't you going to put on some sleep clothes?" She asked questioningly.
"This is how I usually sleep Daph. I only wore something last night to be polite, but since we've decided to see each other now I don't see a problem sleeping like this with you here.' She said with a soft smile. 'So come here, get into bed and hold me.. please?"
Daphne didn't even bother with the pants she had just picked up, and instead took off her bra and also got into the bed. Pulling Hermione into her chest she became aware of just how soft her skin was against herself, and after placing a searing kiss on Hermione's lips, both girls cuddled into the comforter and drifted off to a slightly restless sleep.
*********Black Manor***********
"Sirius are you sure this is what's best for Harry? I mean, we would be honoured to be his guardians but if you're being exonerated shouldn't he get the chance to be with you? You are his godfather after all and it's apparent that he cares for you a great deal."
"Andy, I understand that but right now…. I Just can't… I have to deal with many things in the Ministry and people still won't trust me for a while. It's not a good situation for Harry to have to deal with when he's going to school and all. I think with your family he can just be himself and besides I'm still going to see him every chance I get, nobody can deny me that." Said Sirius smiling, giving his cousin a wink.
Andromeda Tonks was a woman of integrity and poise. With her long, thick black hair, heavy-lidded violet eyes and a tall, thin stature, Andromeda was the very picture of nobility. However, she had a kind, heart warming look in her eyes which was vastly different than the cold, hard looks which her sisters seemed to prefer. Standing beside her was her husband Ted and daughter, 'Don't-call-me-Nymphadora' Tonks. Ted stood about 3 inches shorter than his wife, but had a friendly look with sandy brown hair and a 'mousy' face, a trait which his daughter had inherited in her natural form. Nymphadora could change her features at will, right down to fingerprints and retinal sequencing, which made her a master of disguise, and quite a laugh to be around. At the moment she had not done much to change her appearance. She had kept her overall shape and hight, which was about 5'9", and athletically thin, along with her natural face shape. The only thing that seemed to have been changed that day was her haircut and colour which was a bright pink and pulled back into a medieval plait braid down her back.
"Well, If you think it's best Sirius then we'd be glad to take him in. I just hope he likes us." Said Andromeda with a soft smile.
"Oh goodie,' Squealed Nymphadora excitedly. 'I'm getting a little brother? oh this is GREAT! and it's Harry Potter of all people. my friends will be so jealous."
"Now Dora, don't get ahead of yourself. Harry's had a tough time in his life, he doesn't need to be smothered right when he comes into a new family. How about when we meet him, you and him take some time to get to know each other in a relaxed setting. Like take him and his friends to a movie, or out bowling or some such thing to chat. That way he won't be overwhelmed by meeting so many people." Said Ted seriously. He didn't want Harry being uncomfortable and running off.
"Sure Dad, that sounds like fun. and from what Sirius has said about him, he's a great guy so it shouldn't be that hard to get along with him."
"Well with that settled, I'll let you three know when he's up and about to meet him. Talk to you soon, Andy, Ted. Nymph, I'm glad you're still just as mischievous and entertaining as I remember you."
As the Tonks family left Black Manor, Sirius sat back and held his face in his hands. His godson, the most important person in his life after James died was laying in the hospital unconscious, and nobody could tell what state his mind would be in when he woke up. As of that afternoon Harry had still been shaking from the aftereffects of the Cruciatus curse and from experience Sirius knew that could last days.
Sighing heavily, Sirius lifted himself from his chair and made his way to his room to get some sleep. Sleep, he knew, would not come easily but he needed rest before the next day. Things were about to happen in the Wizarding World that would shake it to it's very core.
Harry Potter's Life Stolen? Ministry and Wizengamot Responsible.
by: Thomas Clearwater, Editor-in-chief
Late last night a letter appeared on my desk written by none other than Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones. In the Letter, the Head of the Ancient and Noble house stated that Investigations have been launched, looking into allegations of vault tampering and breach of wills, of one Harry James Potter.
The boy-who-lived recently inquired at Gringotts in regards to his inheritance and the wills of his deceased parents. After a quick interview with a Gringotts goblin about the matter, he quickly stated. "Gringotts business has nothing to do with Wizards, if there has been a breach, it will be dealt with swiftly." In another portion of Lady Bones' letter, we at the prophet were told in no uncertain terms to release this information.
As of This day, July 22nd, of the year 1994, The search for Sirius Black, supposed Mass Murderer, has been ended and will be cleared of all charges against him, citing appeal and subsequent hearing to learn his side of the story.
It seems, that on that infamous day 13 years ago, Sirius Black, Head of the Ancient and Noble house of Black, was sent to Azkaban without a trial or even a questioning of the events. Even after 3 attempts to appeal his case and give evidence of what truly happened, he was still denied and kept imprisoned without ever being found guilty of a crime.
In her letter to me, Lady Bones noted, "Despite Minister Fudge's insistence, Sirius Black is not! a convict, a criminal or a Mass Murderer, I have been doing my own investigation of this matter for some time now, and have found evidence of foul play within the Ministry and the Wizengamot which kept an innocent man in Azkaban. Furthermore, seeing as there is no law against breaking out of Azkaban, he can not even be charged with escaping custody. In future, I hope that Minister Fudge will keep his nose out of the DMLE's business, seeing as he has no jurisdiction or input into these matters."
As for the case pertaining to , Lady Bones had this to say. "The breach of His [Harry's] parent's will is the main issue to in this case. According to the will he was never supposed to be placed with his muggle relatives for any reason, yet was still brought there, even though at the time his godfather was still a free man, and had full legal custody of the child. These events are under scrutiny and are being investigated to my best ability. We will get to the bottom of this blatant kidnapping of an infant, and the people responsible will be prosecuted."
For more on the exoneration of Sirius Black, please see pg.6, for more on the Charges being investigated in Harry Potters case turn to page 3 and for more on the involvement and speculated involvement of Minister Fudge and the Wizengamot see page 8.
Minister Fudge stormed through the hall to the offices of the DMLE. Pushing past aurors as they tried to block him, he barged into Amelia Bones' office, his face a deep shade of crimson and seemingly every vein in his neck throbbing in his rage. As Amelia looked up at the intrusion, Fudge stood menacingly in front of her desk and slammed down that mornings edition of the Daily Prophet right on top of the copy which Amelia was just reading.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS BONES!' He screamed for all to hear. 'I SHOULD HAVE YOU ARRESTED FOR TREASON FOR WHAT YOU SAID IN THIS LETTER. YOU ARE HEREBY FIRED AS HEAD OF THE DMLE."
Fudge was breathing heavily now and looked about ready to explode. All the while Amelia just glared and stood to her full hight, which was quite substantial compared to the portly Fudge.
"Minister, Get out of my office. You have no authority when it comes to MY Department!' she stated venomously. 'The DMLE works independently from the rest of the Ministry, therefore you have no power here. As for my letter…. you are quite lucky you are not under arrest already for trying to have Mr. Black Kissed by dementors a month and a half ago. As minister you have no Jurisdiction to order such a thing and if you overstep your bounds again, I will have you rotting in Azkaban before you can say bollox!" As Amelia said this she walked around her desk and began to back the Minister out of her office punctuating every word she spoke with a poke to the chest of the pompous fool.
"This is not the end Amelia, I will make sure you are put in your place for this. Mark my words you will regret your actions today."
"Threatening me is NOT a good idea Minister. Not only are you speaking to the Head of the DMLE, But also to the Head of an Ancient and Noble house. Don't forget who really runs this government Cornelius."
"HA, there are only two families sitting on the Wizengamot Amelia. All four need to have their place for you to be effective, and even then, since when do you agree with anything Orwell says."
"You're wrong Fudge. We may have different views of the world, his.. business, mine.. law. However we both see how corrupt things are, and as for the other two. Sirius is taking his seat immediately after his exoneration, and Harry will be taking the Potter seats by proxy by the time his birthday comes. Face it Fudge, you have nothing, and no real power, so you'd best start running now before you're buried by accusations and charges."
Fudge's face was now puce and he couldn't seem to draw a breath. He was stuttering trying to say something in retort but couldn't get the words out.
"Auror Shacklebolt, Auror Dawlish, get this scumbag out of my sight…. and don't worry about being gentle either." Said Lady Bones rather ferociously.
"Well, It seems as though Harry has left his relatives' home without informing me… that will not do. I'll make some enquiries as to his whereabouts. Fawkes! I have need of you. Take me to the ministry please." And with a flash of flame an old man and a bird disappeared.
Hermione woke up slowly that morning. Her sleep had been filled with visions of Harry laying motionless in a bed, Harry being tortured, Harry writhing in pain, and Harry Kissing her soundly when he awoke… Wait, What! Where did that last one come from?, thought Hermione wearily. Needless to say, her sleep was not peaceful, but that is not the only reason she did not want to move.
As Hermione woke up she found herself in the most comfortable position of her young life. She purred softly as she lay with one arm under her pillow holding her head, her body pressed against warm soft skin, and her other arm draped across Daphne's body with her hand on her girlfriends right breast. Hermione was startled and blushed as she realized where her hand was, and quickly but softly tried to remove it, her movements were cut short, however, when Daphne grasped Hermione's wrist and held her hand in position over her breast.
"Mmmm, Hermione don't move yet, that was really nice.' Said Daphne sleepily. 'I never realized touching my breasts could feel good Hermione. Just keep doing that a bit longer okay."
As Daphne was talking Hermione had begun to knead her breast softly, learning the difference between feeling her own breasts and someone else's. Hermione was no stranger to self satisfaction, and the joys of playing with her most sensitive areas, but she had never felt another persons naked skin and to her it was amazing. During their first overtly sexual contact with another person Hermione decided to do something completely out of the ordinary for her, and be bold. So, with just the slightest bit of hesitation she leaned into Daphne, and as she closed her eyes and puckered her lips for a kiss, Hermione changed course and moved her head lower and grazed a tentative lick over Daphne's hard, pink nipple.
"Oh Merlin!" sighed Daphne, at the contact. As Hermione began to fondle and tease her breasts more confidently, Daphne grabbed the back of her head and held it hard to her chest, making sure there was as much contact as possible.
The two teens were so engrossed in their shared first experience, that they did not hear the 'whoosh' of the floo downstairs, or the subsequent knock on the bedroom door. So when the door began to open and Hermione did notice, there was a very loud, very shocked 'SQUEAK' of surprise, before Hermione got tangled in the sheets and fell off the bed onto the floor, leaving a panting, red-faced, topless, Daphne laying on the bed, in front of a gobsmacked Sirius Black.
"Oh my… I'm sorry you two.' He said backing out of the room with his back turned to the teens. 'I thought you two were still asleep, so I was going to wake you to go see Harry." Even though he looked apologetic and even abashed at walking in on the girls, Sirius couldn't quite keep the chuckle out of his voice as he left the room.
"Hurry and get dressed you two, we leave in 15 minutes." He said, finally closing the door.
"Sirius! I'll get you for this... I SWEAR!,' shouted Hermione, blushing madly. 'AND DON'T TELL ANYONE… PLEASE?"
"Oh god, Daph, I'm so sorry. I got so carried away, and I didn't hear him coming and, oh god I have all the blankets, so you were left the-"
"Hermione! stop… it's okay,' said Daphne placatingly. 'I'm embarrassed yes, but Sirius isn't going to say anything. He may use this to get jokes in on us, but he won't blurt out in front of everyone that we were messing about.' Hermione relaxed a bit. her breathing still a bit ragged and her face still flushed from their activities. 'Plus,' Daphne added. 'I never told you to stop, it was actually quite nice. And, , I intend to return the favour soon.
Daphne and Hermione smiled at each other, shared a brief Kiss, and got dressed as quickly as possible. Once downstairs they saw Sirius sitting in the living room, with a look between amusement and seriousness. Completely out of his normal character he didn't immediately crack a joke at their expense. Instead he sat both teens down and put a hand on each one of their shoulders.
"Hermione, Daphne… I'm not going to say anything about what I just saw up there, it's a natural thing to be curious and to experiment, so I'll move on to a different topic alright.' He smiled at both of them to calm their nerves, but both teens could see that it did not reach his eyes. 'Now, I'm going to bring you two to St. Mungo's if you really want to go, but I'm just warning you now… Harry still has not woken up, so I don't know if you'll be able to see him awake. But even so, maybe you two talking to him will help bring him out of his own mind. If he does wake up while you two are there, make sure you notify somebody immediately, and remember, because this is crucial. When Harry does wake up, he will be scared, confused and possibly a little mad, after the cruciatus curse, so don't expect him to be completely himself right away. It will take a bit of time for him to be okay again.
The two teens nodded and hugged Sirius before going to the fireplace and flooing to St. Mungo's. Once there they were led to the mental care unit on the 3rd floor. Apparently the same unit Neville's parents were in, because they ran into him on their way up.
"Hermione! Hey! what are you doing here?" He said jovially, although his expression was quite subdued.
"Hi Neville. Uhm, We're here to see Harry. I suppose you don't know what happened to him but he's in a bit of bad shape." She said quietly, not quite meeting his eyes.
"I've actually just been to see him. His room is right across the hall from my parents' so I was here when they brought him in yesterday. Do you know what actually happened? nobody's told me, they all said I shouldn't hear such things." Hermione could see the disgust in Neville's eyes at the condescension of the adults words.
"All we know is that somebody mentally attacked Harry and cast a cruciatus curse directly on his mind. We woke up to him screaming yesterday morning and couldn't understand what was happening."
"That's what they did to my parents the night they broke into our house.' Neville said darkly, looking angry. 'My parents were held under the effects for hours, that's why they're locked up here… wait you said we.. who was the other person?" He looked around quickly and realized that there were two other people with Hermione. One he had never met before but she was very pretty, and the other he instantly recognized as Sirius Black, but having read the paper that morning to his parents and hearing Harry talk about him in the last few days of school, he knew not to be alarmed. 'Oh!, Sorry. I didn't see you two there.
"Neville,' Hermione said formally, 'I'd like you to meet Daphne Greengrass, she's in our year, in Slytherin but she's a good friend of mine and a great person.' At this Daphne gave Hermione a small shove with her elbow and a knowing glance, and Sirius held back a laugh at the use of 'good friend' after this mornings episode. 'And I believe you know of Sirius Black?"
"Yes, I read the paper.. n-n-nice to meet you D-Daphne.' he said nervously. 'And s-same to you Lord Black."
"How are your parents doing Neville? We were good mates back in the day, It was a sad day when I learned of what happened at the hands of my lunatic of a cousin."
"They're… okay… Some days are better than others but it's always been like that. The healers keep saying they're completely around the twist, but sometimes my mother remembers… Just last week I came in to see them and my mum started crying and hugged me saying she couldn't believe how big I had gotten and how much she misses me when I'm not here. My dad has bits and pieces from time to time. He'll remember some names or something that happened, but then he'll revert back to laying in the bed, doing nothing like it never happened." He looked at Hermione and gave a smile. Looking serene and forlorn at the same time. 'Thanks for asking about them Lord Black… maybe you could look in on them? maybe if they saw you it could re-enforce some of their memories."
"I will Neville, they'll be back to their old selves one day, Frank and Alice are too strong willed to let this take them over. I bet they've been fighting this all these years." Sirius said grabbing Neville's arm in a friendly gesture.
"Well I'll see you all later. Tell Harry that I came by will you?"
"I will Neville, thank you." Said Hermione.
With that the two parties went their separate ways, Neville back to his home, and Hermione, Daphne and Sirius to Harry's room.
They spent the whole afternoon with him, just talking to him, willing him to wake up and rejoin their group. As Hermione sat beside her best friend she couldn't help but feel guilty. Over the past two days she had given in to her passions and her hormones twice while her best friend had been suffering. She had allowed Daphne and herself to delve deeper into an intimate relationship, with complete abandon while Harry had been suffering the effects of the worst torture curse known. And as she watched him, she cried. She had failed him as a friend, she had used her grief and her fear for a friend as a bargaining chip for a relationship to start.
Daphne's thoughts were not much different. She was thinking of how vile it was to have that much pleasure while someone was in so much pain. The feeling of Hermione's soft hand on her breast, and her hot mouth on her nipples, were still making her shudder, still making her yearn for more contact. Yet here was Harry, a person that Daphne wanted to get to know better, and her girlfriends best friend, laying in the hospital hanging onto his sanity by a thread. She felt cheap, and unworthy of his friendship after what they had done. She also knew that these feelings of guilt did not change how she felt for Hermione, and how much she wanted that companionship. They just needed to work on their timing. As she watched Hermione cry at Harry's bedside she reached her hand across the bed and held onto both Harry's and Hermione's, to show she wanted to be there for both of them.
Daphne's parents came later to bring Daphne home, finding the last few days exhausting Daphne agreed. And with Hermione refusing to leave and eventually falling asleep in the chair she sat in, Daphne gave her girlfriend a hug and a discreet kiss, and floo'd home.
Harry was in darkness. Cold, Biting, and endless. In the distance he could hear a muffled voice pleading for him to wake up, a constant cry of "Harry please come back…. Please Harry come back to me… to us.." He could not recognize the voice, and had no way of knowing where it was from, all around him was eternal pitch black darkness and he knew no way of escape.
Over and over he relived the pain, the feeling of thousands of hot knives piercing his skin again and again, and over and over he recalled his worst memory to date… His conversation with the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort.
"CRUCIO!' Voldemort laughed mercilessly at Harry's plight, walking slowly around in his mindscape. 'Harry, Harry, you seem so weak compared to how I was at your age… How is it, that two people, with.. such.. similar backgrounds could end up so different. In fact I believe, from the stories I've been told that you had a worse upbringing.' He smiled at Harry, a smile so genuine that Harry could actually admit that Voldemort looked handsome when he did so.
"How-could… we-ever-be-… similar…" Said Harry weakly.
"Think Harry. Both of us orphans. Both of us raised in places we were not wanted, picked on by other children, barely fed, wearing rags for clothes.." Said Voldemort slowly, his voice turning smooth and sultry, instead of the high pitched hiss that Harry was used to.
"You're the one who made me an orphan Tom… We are nothing alike!"
"Ah Harry, another lie that you have been told. I became an orphan when my mother died giving birth to me. and my father… well lets just say… I.. gave him what he deserved.' He said ominously. 'As for your parents.. no, I never did kill them Harry. That particular act was performed by Wormtail… As snivelling and pitiful as he is, he really did hate your parents."
Harry's eyes were wide now. Non-believing and shocked. "No, No… you're l-l-lying."
"No Harry… I have no reason to lie to you now. My sole intent that night was to come for you, I needed Wormtail to tell me where the house was, so he accompanied me. When you're father saw Wormtail and I blast through the door he froze. Before I even raised my wand Pettigrew had killed him. Personally, I did not wish your mother to die. She was a frighteningly talented witch. An excellent spell crafter and a potions mistress of no equal. Why, even Snape took pointers from your mother, and Snape's talent with potions is something most must see to believe.' Voldemort's tone was almost consoling at this point, which, to Harry, was more frightening than anything he had ever encountered. 'So Harry, alas, I did not wish to kill your mother, I even offered her the chance to join me and live, but again, the rat interfered and killed her before I had a chance to convert her.'
"Why would you want to kill me? I was just a baby… what kind of threat could I have possibly been to you.' Harry asked, now showing his anger on top of his fear. 'Why in the world would you deem an infant a worthy target to kill. Why would you use a killing curse on somebody who wasn't even able to fully walk yet.!" Harry was screaming now and Voldemort looked shocked, before his shock quickly turned to amusement and almost glee.
"Potter, don't tell me that in all his infinite wisdom, Albus Dumbledore has never told you the real reason I went after you that night. The old fool has really never told you the Prophecy?' He said mockingly, laughing all the while. 'Forgive me Harry but you have been given false information. Were you under the impression that I came to that house to kill your parents? Why would I do that, they were both exquisitely powerful people and had already held me at bay more than once. The only reason they are dead is that they were caught by surprise. I personally wanted your father on my side, and I have already told you the reasons I wanted your mother alive." His whispered voice was chilling and dark, but Harry sensed no lie in his words.
"What is this prophecy? I've never heard of one being about me… and how would Dumbledore know it?" Harry questioned, becoming interested in the topic despite who he was talking to.
"I do not know the full prophecy Harry, it was made to Dumbledore and the first part of it was overheard by a servant of mine whom you may know. Ask Albus about that one.' He said with a humorous grin. 'I know two lines. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies …" that is all I know Harry, if you want to know it ask the old fool. So you see, I couldn't have someone being born that could defeat me. So I did my research and knew it would be the child of either the Potters, or the Longbottoms. The night my body was destroyed I meant not only to go to your house Harry, I was going to the Auror Longbottoms' as well. But my blasting hex rebounded unexpectedly and destroyed me instead."
"So all of this? Everything I've been through has been because of a prophecy?…,' Harry was appalled and showed it quite easily. 'Why would you of all people believe in prophecies Tom? I'm just out of my 3rd year, and I already know that prophecies aren't reliable and have no true meaning unless people take the time to make the events happen. Are you really stupid enough to risk everything on hearing half a prophecy told to someone you despise?"
"So you do not trust divination Harry.' He looked thoughtful at the idea. "it is no matter, even without the prophecy Harry, we are now linked, and I will not stop until I am the only one left to be true to Salazar Slytherin."
At the statement, Tom held up his right hand and showed a gold ring with a black stone which Harry had never seen before. it looked much like, his own Potter family ring but the stone on his ring was a ruby, while the stone in Riddles looked to be onyx.
"Why do you keep talking about Slytherin Tom?' Harry began to hear the voice again in the distance. 'Harry… Harry wake up soon please?' , but returned to the matter at hand 'Why do you keep referring to the last true Slytherin and the only Slytherin left? What do I have to do with Salazar Slytherin?" Harry was very confused by this, and it was grating on his nerves.
"Oh come now Harry, do you not know your own history?' He said with a smirk. 'The Potters and The Gaunts, the last of the Peverell lines. One brother died before having children, The Gaunts descendant of the second son, and the Potters the descendants of the third. And of course the Peverell brothers, were the children of Salazar Slytherin's granddaughter… So you see harry, I am the heir of Salazar Slytherin, but you.. and only you, can take my place should I die. This ring is the last known relic of my family line. You, I believe, have a handy little cloak, passed down by your father? that, my boy, is the last relic of Ignotus Peverell and Antioch's wand has been lost for centuries. However they are all relics of the Slytherin family and I intend to find them.'
"So I really am an heir of Slytherin? How is it that nobody knows this? people suspected back in second year but I didn't think it could be true."
"No Potter!, I! am the heir of Slytherin, your family was a cadet line, and as long as I live you will never have that title. The only thing you gain from your Slytherin heritage is your ability for parseltongue and your family relic. Nothing more."
Harry was reeling, so much information he had never known, but as he finally started to once again get his bearings he noticed the image of Tom Riddle starting to fade from his mindscape.
"Thank you for the chat Potter. For now I must leave you, but rest assured, we will meet again very soon. I promise you that."
As the last of Toms presence left Harry's mind, he found himself drifting away from his own mindscape and the voice in the distance became louder and louder until finally, in the real world, Harry opened his eyes.
