See chapter 1 for warnings and disclairmer. Happy reading.
Tonks hadn't stayed long, not wanting to arouse too much suspicion with his guard. She had also been eager to get back to the research, wanting more than ever to prove Dumbledore dirty after her confrontation with Moody.
She had made sure to pass on the charmed thermos of juice and the package of crisps she had brought just for him. In spite of his embarrassment at the handout he was grateful as once again his aunt waved him upstairs without a bite to eat. Petunia shifted guiltily at the glare he sent but didn't relent.
In his room he hid the new bag of food for later choosing to finish off the cold chips from the day before.
Once sated he wandered restlessly around the room. His schoolbooks held no appeal, instead reminding him of Hermione and her potential betrayal.
He didn't necessarily blame her, he was sure Dumbledore had taken her to headquarters for her safety. And to control of her of course. He wouldn't be able to limit her letters with her in the muggle world after all.
What really annoyed him though was that she and Ron, the twins and Ginny were all together, all supporting each other while he was in seclusion. He was the one that needed the support the most after witnessing Cedric's death. Had she even tried writing him? Did she question why they were all there and he wasn't? 'Probably not.' He snorted. 'Dumbledore's word is law after all.'
"Stupid old man." He grumbled aloud.
Thinking of Dumbledore drew him back to the conversation he'd had with Tonks. Evan Rosier had killed his grandfather, most likely out of revenge. Harry found it hard to blame the man. From what he could guess his grandfather had attached Rosier's father without provocation.
Harry wished he knew more about his family. Was his grandfather Potter a cold blooded killer or had he believed he was doing the right thing because Dumbledore told him? What other atrocities had he committed on the old man's orders? Worse what sort of things had his own father done?
It worried him what plans Dumbledore might have for him, his teenage weapon. It was obvious he planned on Harry killing Voldemort and if not for the dreams he probably would have been happy to do so.
His head was aching both from the anger and the confusion. Tossing himself on the bed he stared up at the ceiling for what seemed like hours. He never noticed his eyes sliding shut.
Harry found himself once again in Tom's office. The man himself was seated at his desk penning a letter when the door opened and Cygnus Black walked in.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you." He said taking a seat.
"Just writing letters to the boys." Tom answered sitting back with a sigh.
The other man cocked an eyebrow at the amount of parchment on the desk. "Letters or books?" He asked with a smirk.
Tom gave him a mock scowl. "So I'm a little apprehensive about Rabastan being away at school. It's bad enough that I had to send him away when he's still so young but I sent him off to Drumstrang where he's alone."
"He's not alone. A lot of our side goes to that school." Cygnus pointed out.
Tom rubbed his hands over his face. "I know and he's already made friends with the youngest Mulciber and Edmond Travers has taken them under his wing. Still I would feel better if Regulus were with him."
"It is a shame that Reggie had to go to Hogwarts but Blacks have always gone to that school. If you hadn't sent him people would question why and that would put him at risk. Are you still having to disguise your letters in Walburga's handwriting?"
Tom curled his lips. "Yes and Regulus asked that I not send as many this year since it would make him look childish to receive so many letters from his 'mother'. But you didn't come here to listen to me whine about my empty nest syndrome. What's on your mind?"
Cygnus sighed looking tired. "There was another scuffle, in Devon this time."
"Which side started it?" Tom asked narrowing his eyes. More and more the younger generation had initiated the attacks instead of just defending themselves.
"Not sure but it doesn't matter. The aurors got involved before anyone got hurt." The other man informed him.
"So what's the problem?" Tom asked knowing his friend wouldn't have bothered him unless something serious had happened.
Cygnus shifted in his seat. "Our boys were restrained and searched. They were all bearing the new mark. That was all it took. They were transported straight to Azkaban.
Toms eyes flashed as he began pacing around the room. "You're telling me that they're putting people in Azkaban without a trial? Are they planning on just forgetting about them?" He asked in disbelief.
"Most likely. They seem to think that these new tattoos are a confession of murder and mayhem." The older man gave another sigh, getting up and fixing himself a stiff drink despite the early hour.
"Idiots." Tom growled.
Cygnus snorted. "Who, the aurors or the youngsters marking their bodies?"
"Both." Tom bit out. "The aurors should know they can't take the law in their own hands like that. But we're making it easier on them by branding ourselves so everyone knows exactly which side we're on."
The other man shrugged. "The tattoos weren't that bad until Dumbledore caught a whiff of them. Now he's got those lieutenants of his putting the mark over every house they attack. It's like he's signing our name to them."
"That's exactly what he's doing." Tom hissed, his anger growing. "And our reputation, or should I say Voldemort's reputation is growing. He's even come up with a name for the minions now. Death eaters."
Cygnus bit back a laugh. "I can't see high and mighty Lucius responding to that name."
"It's his own bloody fault." Fenrir growled as he slammed into the room. He looked at Tom. "You asked me to ferret out who created those tattoos. You need to be talking to the blond ponce."
Harry watched as Tom's eyes flashed dangerously. "Cygnus, have the parents or guardians of the ones sent to Azkaban to file complaints with the Wizagmont. Have Orion assist, he has the political clout to get them released and no one will think twice about him speaking for the supposed murderers. If you'll excuse me I have someone to talk to." He stormed out of the room leaving behind two bemused men.
Harry was pulled with the older man as he apparated to Malfoy Manor. They found Lucius sitting at the dining table sipping a cup of tea.
"Tom, what do I owe this honor?' He asked smoothly indicating the seat beside him.
Tom grabbed the other man's left arm and pushed up the sleeve. "You can tell me what you were thinking when you invented this."
The blond admired the mark for a moment before pulling his arm away and smoothing down the sleeve. "It wasn't some whim I assure you. I was thinking about community, companionship and loyalty. Its a sign of our dedication to our cause and to each other. It connects us."
"It makes you a target." Tom reproached him sternly. "You're telling everyone which side you're on which is the side that Dumbledore has declared illegal."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing." the prideful man pointed out smugly.
Tom slammed his hand on the table. "Of course its a bad thing. You're basically wearing a sign that says kill me or throw me in prison I'm evil."
Lucius scoffed, though Harry noticed a bit of fear cross his face at the older man's anger. "Oh come off it, its not as bad as all that."
"Perhaps you'd like to explain how its not to the three people that were sent to Azkaban merely because they were wearing your little mark. You don't seem to understand. They don't need witnesses anymore. That little mark is all the evidence of wrongdoing they need."
Lucius's eyes widened and his hand shook as he sipped his teeth.
Tom continued with his lecture. "I don't believe for one minute that you did this selflessly for the betterment of our community. If you really wanted that you would have brought the idea to me or Cygnus and had us encourage the marking. But no you wanted the prestige and the adoration. You set yourself up as my second and you don't deserve that spot, not when you do stupid things like this."
"I might be the leader of the dark side but I am not the Dark Lord and if I ever hear you taking up that mantle I will challenge you, Lucius, and I assure you you cannot take me."
The blonde swallowed thickly. "I admit that I might have liked the attention the marks gained me but the idea behind them was sound. It was good for morale, especially considering the number of deaths we've had in the last couple of years."
Tom relaxed back in his seat. "Like most of your good ideas you don't think them through. I'm assuming that they can't be removed?
He shook his head. "They are a form of an oath."
"Lovely." The older man sighed. "No wonder Dumbledore is so willing to use them. Have you heard that he's even made up a pet name just for your group? Death eaters."
"How crass." The blond sneered. "We are not eating death. The skull represents the dark side of this conflict and the snake represents Slytherin and you."
"I'm touched." Tom spoke with wary amusement.
"It won't be fair not to mark anyone else, not when they believe its a mark of honor. What should I tell them?" Lucius asked.
"Now you ask for advice." Tom signed. "I can't forbid anyone from getting a tattoo if they wish. But make sure they know the potential consequences and the need to get it hidden. And absolutely no one underage."
He stood up to leave. "Oh and Lucius? Merlin help you if either of my sons ends up with that little mark."
Harry woke the next morning slowly. His aunt knocked again telling him what had woken him.
"Coming." He croaked out, rubbing his hands over his face. He felt confused, like he was missing something but couldn't think of what.
He gave a mental shrug as he rolled out of bed. He grabbed a set of clothes winching as he noticed the large stains. To compensate he spent a couple of extra minutes that he couldn't afford in the bathroom, cleaning up as much as possible.
"Took you long enough." Petunia grumbled. He gave a shrug and opened the refrigerator, pulling out large amounts of eggs and butter.
"Are you going to feed me at all today or do you actually want me to die from starvation?' He asked as calmly as he could, hoping to capitalize on the regretful look he'd noticed the night before.
To his misfortune he hadn't gauged her mood right. He watched as her lips thinned even further. "Why should we spend our money to feed you when hose freaky friends are sending you food?" She snapped.
He gave her a look of astonishment. "What? They haven't…"
"Don't give me that boy. Of course I noticed. I didn't say anything last summer out of the goodness of my heart and how do you repay me? By being lazy and surly this summer. Well I'm not putting up with it. You'll make due with what they send you or nothing at all." Her chest was heaving and droplets were flying off the damp washcloth in her hand.
Harry gave her an angry look. "They haven't sent me anything this summer and you locked up the food I brought home."
"Don't lie to me boy or I'll tell Vernon. We'll nail your window shut so none of those blasted birds get trough."
"Go ahead." Harry muttered turning back to the stove. He immediately regretted it when he thought of Hedwig. Of course she hadn't come back yet. He scowled making a mental reminder to ask Tonks if she was being kept from him.
Thinking about his quirky new friend brought back his dream in a rush causing him to wobble the plate he was filling. He managed to retain his hold, something he was very thankful for as Vernon choose that moment to enter.
The overlarge man gave the teen an evil look before sitting at the table with a grunt. "Boy I want you scrubbing the glass walls of the greenhouse, inside and out. They're looking a mite scummy."
Harry gave an internal sign. It would be hot and sweaty work, especially with the sun pouring in through the glass.
An hour later the breakfast dishes were done and the kitchen cleaned to his aunt's satisfaction. He set the cleaning solution and pile of rags in the middle of the room and set about moving the furniture and plants away from the glass walls.
His mind invariably drifted back to his dream. It was odd that he hadn't remembered it first thing. Maybe because it hadn't really affected him or had a big impact on his feelings. Mostly it had confused him.
He was sure he'd heard that the dark mark was placed by Voldemort himself. And wasn't he able to call his followers to him using the mark? Isn't that how he had called all the death eaters to the graveyard during his rebirthing ceremony? But if the dream was true Tom had nothing to do with the tattoos and didn't even support them.
He sighed and scrubbed unnecessarily hard at the glass. This was the first dream that directly contradicted real life. Always before he'd been able to convince himself that Tom could have been that way before but something had happened to change him. But now he had to decide which to believe. After all he had witnessed first hand when Voldemort had used Wormtail's mark to call his followers. It was so confusing. Maybe Tonks would have some insight.
It had been funny to watch Malfoy senior get scolded like a little kid though. Almost as good as watching Draco have his ear yanked on by McGonagall in their first year. He couldn't fault Malfoy for the idea though, it was a good one. He could see him and his friends doing something like that. Well maybe not a tattoo but maybe a bracelet or a pendent or something. Of course that is if he still had friends when school started again. Considering the way they were avoiding him probably not.
He shook off those thoughts as he began to move the furniture back. He thought about the dark mark again. He found it hard to believe such a stuck up like Malfoy would get a tattoo of all things. Maybe they were popular back then. He was willing to bet Sirius had one or two hidden under his robes. But still why didn't they put the mark somewhere where it wasn't as conspicuous or at least make it smaller? And where had Dumbledore heard about them? It wasn't like the purebloods went around wearing short sleeve tee shirts. Did the dark side have a spy in their mist?
Wiping sweat off his forehead and neck he headed outside, looking around discreetly for Tonks. He had deliberately done the inside first knowing that she didn't usually come around until late afternoon.
He debated telling her about his aunt's decree about food. It wasn't something he wanted to admit but she'd already been feeding him. And well she was going to be his only source of food. Maybe she could take some money out of his vault so he didn't feel guilty about her going broke feeding him.
He'd see. Maybe he'd test her out by telling her about Dudley's diet last year. If he hinted that he'd only survived because of his friends and they weren't communicating with him his year…..
He was just finishing the last pane of glass when the setting sun caught his attention. He frowned looking around. It was well past the time Tonks would have normally been there. He guessed she wasn't on duty and that someone was that she couldn't get around. He had an irrational urge to flip off the bushes.
Having no reason to linger outside he quickly finished up and cleaned up his supplies. His aunt met him at the door. "Boy, we're going out to dinner. You're going to be locked in your room."
Harry barely kept from rolling his eyes. "Of course I am." He said snidely though inside he was gloating. He made a show of stomping up the stairs and slamming the door, giving it a good kick as it was locked.
He waited ten long minutes before picking the lock. He threw a load of clothes in the wash, picked the lock on the cupboard and quickly went through his trunk, being careful to take only a couple things. A box of chocolate frogs and his second and third year charms texts. After reading the first year book he was anxious to continue his studies. Keeping an ear out for the sound of a car he look a shower being care to wipe up all the stray water.
Gathering his now dry clothes he relocked himself in his room, settling himself on his bed with the bag of crisps and his charms book feeling accomplished.
Tonks hurriedly finished her paperwork as her shift ended. She was anxious to see Harry but knew Doge was on duty and she wouldn't be able sneak around him So she had a least a couple hours until Dung took over and she was determined to find the information on Riddle's wife. As far as she was concerned that was the most important piece to verify, the piece that Harry wouldn't have picked up somewhere.
With a determined look she headed down to the records department changing her hair and face so that no one would recognize her. Dumbledore had many people that did his bidding within the building. Several hours went by and she was just about to give up for the night when she found the marriage certificate.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle and Sara Catherine Finely on Feb 14, 1960. Aww he was a romantic."
She made a copy and eagerly began looking for more information. It wasn't long before she found the death certificate. "Killed by Voldemort." She murmured in disgust, turning the parchment over for more answers. "But how did she die?"
"Can't find what you're looking for?" A voice came from behind her causing her to jump. She whirled around to see a person in the long tan robes of the Unspeakables. His face was completely obscured by the hood.
"I found it." She answered his question. "Its just not telling me what I want to know."
His robe ruffled as he leaned over to look at the paper in her hand. "That's was a long time ago." he said. She was surprised to hear an edge of anger in his voice.
"I'm looking into it for a friend." She answered vaguely. She suddenly wondered if this was one of Dumbledore's people.
"For Dumbledore?" He asked mimicking her thoughts.
She bit her lip before taking reassurance in her disguise. "Um no. Actually I kinda of don't want him to know about this."
She got the impression that he was pleased with the news. "Then you might want to check the Daily Prophet archives." Before she could blink he had glided out of sight.
