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Weapon (Possession Chapter LVIII)
Chapter VII - When Everything Starts Again...
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Ginny opened her eyes before she sighed. She was in the medical wing of Hogwarts although this should be her last night here.
Unlike the others she knew Harry was back. The bond, one sided though it might be was effective enough for that. She also knew that her memories were false but if that was what Harry wanted then she would act as if they were real.
While the link she shared with him was blocked from his end she could determine some few things. Something had changed, something in him. She didn't know what but she knew it was something important. Unfortunately though she wasn't sure what, if anything there was she could do about it.
"I still mean it Harry. It doesn't matter if you hate me, it doesn't matter if you don't want me around, I still meant it. I will die for you Harry. The same way as I will kill, live and love you, no matter what..." She whispered the words, dashing the tears from her eyes.
He would have to speak with her soon.
She hoped.
"I love you."
---
Voldemort sat quietly as several Death Eaters reported to him. He knew how his forces had pulled up after the battle but some of the specifics were only now coming to light and as much as he enjoyed his amusements with Bulstrode and Zabini it was time to get back to work. Especially if he wanted to see Harry in his bed again any time soon. The Shadows had been clear on that.
He allowed himself a small smile. It would appear that when it came to a particular green-eyed Gryffindor that he had somewhat of a one-track mind.
"So how are the Eastern European forces doing?"
"With the Ministries there also fighting the Vampires, they are still holding their own but, my Lord, that probably won't last. Xeoaph will most likely call in the alliances and they will begin targeting your forces soon."
"Ah," he sighed. It was to be expected. He would have to start gathering supporters quickly to reinforce his position or he risked losing further ground. "Tell them to hold out as long as they can," he instructed, "But for now everyone is to remain in hiding, until the first target is decided upon. I only need one thing done immediately."
"My Lord?"
"As much as I despise that insipid paper, if I cannot destroy them it is time they began working for me. I think it's time I granted an exclusive interview."
The Death Eater's eyes widened but they were wise enough to say nothing passed their confirmation of his orders. "It will be done, my Lord."
"Good."
The red masked Death Eater bowed and vanished.
"As for you werewolf," the Dark Lord looked into the shadows where another being waited, "I need you to get in contact with your leaders. Let them know that I'm more than willing to discuss terms with them."
"We'll see," the were growled before leaving.
"We will indeed," Voldemort said after the creature had left. "Nagini!"
$Yes.$
$Are they gathered?$
$Yes, although you should speak with them.$
The Dark Lord rose, his red eyes burning as he stepped forward. He hissed softly and his skin began to discolour, scales appearing. With a sibilant hiss he shed his human form as he became the true Serpent Lord.
Split snake eyes looked down at Nagini before he lowered himself completely to his now serpentine belly. $I will speak with them,$ he hissed easily, his inflections to those who knew what to listen for now far more arrogant and assured. In this form, the serpents could not deny him.
---
Harry sat at the table. Sirius had brought him down early and was now sitting under the table on his feet as Snuffles. It was actually very nice to have his own personal foot warmer and in the event that anyone tried anything stupid, they would be doubly foolish to do it in the presence of his Godfather. He hadn't missed the small signs of frustration in Sirius' human form. The man was looking for a way to prove that he could protect him.
It was going to be an interesting morning. Most of the school didn't know he was back and he was looking forward to their reactions when they walked in for breakfast. Then once that was settled, he was going to enjoy Blaise and Millicent's distress although he had been careful to keep that anticipation from the Phoenix he could now feel. That wouldn't be for a few days yet... but he was enjoying the anticipation. It should put them into a fine dither so close to their OWLs, and not to mention their summer plans. He didn't really know what happened to orphaned wizard children but... He suppressed a tight grin.
The initiation into the Order had gone as well as could be expected, he supposed. He couldn't feel Xaos but wasn't overly worried. The Shadows had assured him that the serpent was unharmed. Besides if he could feel him, there was the chance that the phoenix could feel him as well.
It wasn't so much that the phoenix was within him, not like the way the Dark Lord or Xaos were, it was that there was a small presence there. It wasn't an active link but it was something he knew was recording things and when Fawkes wanted he could access it. So for the moment his true self was trapped. He only hoped that the resentment he couldn't hide would be taken as nothing more than usual teenage frustrations.
He'd be able to judge better how much this was going to affect things after he had that talk with Dumbledore tonight.
Harry resisted the urge to sigh... He had to talk with Dumbledore. He wasn't looking forward to it but it was necessary. He also had to speak with Ginny. The bond the girl had formed was still there and they needed to deal with that. He some idea but he didn't know what she wanted to do. He hoped she'd be mature about it. And he had to find some time to speak with Remus. If the Shadows were talking with the werewolves then he wanted to know more about them. When he considered what he knew, then he came to the conclusion that he really didn't know much. Oh, he knew the facts but the facts were so sterile. He wanted to know something more personal.
Then depending on how everything went he really needed to speak with Sirius because he needed his Godfather to do some specific things. And then he really should try to find a serpent so that he could communicate with his beloved. They shared a bond but it was not something they could use. Not with the Phoenix.
Although... he frowned... Would it be possible to seduce Fawkes?
-No,- the Shadows whispered but offered no further explanation.
Harry sighed softly. He should have expected that. So for the moment, the last person he needed to speak with was Draco. He'd so hate for the boy to think that his efforts had not received anyone's attention. It would be fun to watch the blond squirm.
There was so much for him to do.
There was a stir at the door. Ravenclaws, Harry identified them by their house colour. They were surprised but no so surprised that they cried out or did anything stupid. Some of the older one's blinked before shrugging, pushing their younger housemates towards the table. There was more going on here than they knew but they were smart enough to know that they weren't going to get an explanation now or by standing in the door.
He suppressed a smile. It was almost like a Hufflepuff. Speaking of which... a few of them had just trailed in, looking at him curiously. He nodded to ? as they passed. Sigh... a few more Ravenclaw's, one or two younger Gryffindor's who smiled widely at him before moving further along the table and finally... the first Slytherin's.
Not Draco... Older one's who'd probably been there. He resisted the urge to grin toothily at them although he felt the low growl from Sirius echoing through his feet. It was message enough, he reflected snaking one hand under the table to stroke his Godfathers ears.
"Harry!" There was an ear-piercing squeal and he suddenly found his breathing restricted as a fluffy brown mass latched on to him. It was followed quickly by what seemed never ending waves of red.
"Hermione," Harry laughed, returning her embrace before he looked up at the male Weasley's who had gathered around him.
"You're all right, you're all right, you're all right!" The girl repeated the whisper.
"Yes, I'm fine," he responded to her, pushing her back slightly, using the corner of his sleeve to wipe at her eyes. "I've been back for a day or so now."
Blue eyes hardened. "Does Ginny know?"
"Yes." He could answer that one truthfully. He might have closed the bond she had initiated but she could tell that much. "Sorry I couldn't tell you sooner," he added, knowing that they'd want an explanation. "But Dumbledore felt it best that at least for a day or so, no one knew. Sorry I worried you."
"It doesn't matter," Hermione sobbed. "Just so long as you're okay."
"I'm fine," Harry repeated. "I really don't know why he bothered this time. He was so busy co-ordinating that strike that I barely saw him and the first time I'm in his presence for any length of time, the pains too much and I instinctively apparated back!" He grinned.
That was the story Dumbledore had settled on the other day. Of course, with his Initiation into the Order, there was a new layer now, that the Dark Lord had kidnapped him to place the serpent Xaos within him, thus gaining a valuable spy within the ranks of Light. The Order of course had saved the day by saving him from himself.
"Thank goodness!"
"You'll have to tell us everything later mate," Ron said, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder before he sat down. In a lower tone of voice he whispered, "You'd better see Ginny. Don't do this again, or I'll kill you. We were worried."
Harry looked over at him, green eyes reflecting his thanks. "I'll talk to her," he promised as quietly serious as his friend had been, "and I'll try. Now let's eat!" He finished loudly enough to be heard by the others surrounding him.
He sighed as he filled his plate with sausages. It was good that they were concerned but in the distraction caused by the entry of his friends he'd missed Draco and companions reaction his presence.
-We'll show you later.-
-You'd better.-
Right now the blond looked tense but only if you knew what to look for. He'd obviously had time to get used to the story of Harry's abduction and had come to the conclusion that eventually he would be back. Although the reality of the situation was probably troubling him greatly, he'd seen Harry's body. He knew he had not failed.
Grey eyes meet emerald for a moment and the promise to talk was exchanged. Heh, he could hardly wait.
Breakfast was a subdued affair and Harry could tell from the buzz around him that most of the students were just bursting to ask him where he had been and what it had been like. He could hear the whispered speculation but kept his face neutral. Although, you could tell everyone was expecting an announcement because no one wandered off after eating to get ready for their first classes.
Eventually Dumbledore decided to notice the air of anticipation and he rose. He chuckled slightly at the speed with which the murmurs disappeared as he became the centre of attention.
"Never let it be said that a body of students cannot be quiet," he started with an undertone of amusement as his blue eyes twinkled. "Try to hold on to this quiet for your classes today."
Snape rolled his eyes at the advice. He wasn't that lucky.
"As I'm sure all of you have noticed, Mr Potter is back amongst the student body, thanks to the combined efforts of the Order of the Phoenix and the Aurors."
There was a polite smattering of applause.
"As I'm sure you have also noticed Auror troops are positioned around the school to prevent this from happening again. This time it was courageous young Harry, next time... well, there will not be a next time," the Headmaster's eyes were hard. "As a community we must work together from now on and through the efforts of us all we will find that our differences aren't so great. Ah... but now is not the time for speeches as you all have classes to attend and for the fifth and seventh years, last minute study revision, I'm sure. For the moment though, I would ask that you refrain from asking Mr Potter about his ordeal as he is already working with Auror's to locate the Dark Lord.
"Now... to class." The ancient wizard brought his hands together in a loud clap as he sat back down. It was a clear dismissal and most students after looking at him for a few more moments, shrugged and turned to leave.
"Come on, Harry, you've got a tonne of revision!" Hermione pulled lightly on Harry's sleeve.
He smiled up at her. "Actually I don't," he said softly. "I wasn't going to tell you, but because of what happened, the Auror's asked the Ministry if I could take my OWL's over the summer since they want me to help them now."
"But, but... that means..." Hermione seemed flabbergasted.
"I know."
"You lucky devil!" Ron moaned. "That means I'm all alone!"
"Oh, poor Ronniekin's is all alone," Fred and George cowled!
"Come on then Ron," Hermione said briskly after she'd finished processing this new information. "We've got to study! I'll give you my notes from the classes you missed later then Harry."
"Aw, geez," Ron groaned as he got up. "Do you think I could get the goblins to kidnap me?"
"Nah," Fred shook his head, laughing as Hermione dragged his baby brother out of the hall, "You don't want that."
"You couldn't afford the repayments!" George added as his brother disappeared.
The twins sat down opposite Harry, effectively isolating him from the rest of the school as they moved towards their class rooms. "Shouldn't you be going to class?" Harry asked softly.
"We will, we will."
"We just had to check that our financier is in tip-top condition."
"Thank you."
"Nothing to it, mate, nothing to it."
"Just go see our sister."
"We mean it."
"Or she'll make your life not worth living."
"Believe us, we know."
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