Birth of a Nightmare Man
Summary: Prequel to The Nightmare Man. How did Harry Potter become a feared lord of ancient times? Here we'll see the start of it.
Pairing/s: None.
Warnings: Violence, gore, evil!Harry and Twisted!Harry. Seriously, for quite a bit he's not friendly at all with humans. Be warned.
Disclaimers: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I make any money writing this or any other fanfiction.
-o-
Shorter chapter than usual, I just haven't had the energy or time. Read and enjoy.
Violence is described here.
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Chapter Nine
Barely two months after the death of Shacklebolt Kingsley, and Albus urged every Order member to go into hiding. So far twelve more had been killed in the same gruesome manner as Shacklebolt and they were no closer to capture Potter, who now had begun to leave magical traces on the scene, either not caring or wanting to make sure they knew he'd committed those murders.
The Weasleys abandoned their home and spread out in safe houses. Ginny's body was still at St Mungo's but Arthur believed she was safest there; Potter wouldn't be stupid enough to attack an entire hospital filled with wizards and witches.
Albus was safe at Hogwarts for the time being due to new wards aimed specifically at not letting Harry Potter inside the grounds, and offered safety to some of the Order members inside the school. While the students were aware of events outside, they didn't mind the presence of adults, some actually feeling safer when they saw an Order member.
While this all happened, Albus vented his anger at the walls of his office, all of his frustration at the boy who was supposed to have died trying to kill Voldemort. Everything had gone wrong after that. Potter had slipped between his fingers, become something Albus hadn't calculated, and apparently had it in him to torture people just as much as Voldemort did.
Twelve people, thirteen counting Shacklebolt, had to put their lives down for that bloody boy. Would he stop now, when they hid? Would he make a mistake? Albus didn't dare having Order members posted outside in public too often and therefore he had no other choice but to rely on the Ministry.
Amelia Bones had however seen the direness in the situation and ordered a search throughout the entire country, looking for Harry Potter. If they encountered wards hiding a property and they couldn't find the owners, the Aurors had been ordered to tear down the wards. Potter's house had to be somewhere.
Dumbledore wanted to search for the house himself, but everyone urged him to stay safe, he was the most important member, he couldn't risk his life like that. Albus conceded to that but urged outmost caution in turn; that they were not to risk their own safety. He realized he wouldn't be travelling much beside to the Ministry, a place Harry never could be so foolish to try and attack.
The faster they found the boy and got rid of him, the better.
-o-
Harry didn't like people who went into hiding when he wanted to kill them. It was rather rude of them to do that. However, he wasn't that surprised. He was just surprised it had taken them two months to realize that it would be safer to them to hide. Like, shouldn't they have realized that when he killed Shacklebolt?
Still, it meant he now had no idea where anyone of them was.
"Damn…" he said and Rabastan looked up from his breakfast. "I should've at least kill Hermione and Ron. Just one of them had been fine. Now I have to search for them. Maybe they even went to another country…"
"Use the Dementors," Rabastan suggested. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to help and with winter coming their cold won't be noticed as much."
"Yeah, I suppose…" Harry looked out the window. "You know, I never got to celebrate Christmas with George in this house."
"What, you didn't like the Christmas pudding at Azkaban?" Rabastan asked. Harry looked at him and Rabastan grinned. "Bit dry, wasn't it?"
"And mouldy. Let's not forget mouldy. George wouldn't have given me mouldy Christmas pudding."
"I'm sorry you didn't get to celebrate with him. He's the only reasonable Weasley I've ever met. Then again, I didn't really meet many of them."
"Well, I don't know about Bill and Charlie," Harry said. "They seemed… different than the others. Bit more rebellious. I don't know, maybe they hate me too now, I mean, I'm responsible for basically two deaths, and I dug up Fred's corpse."
"Yeah, you might not be on their favourite-people list," Rabastan agreed. "But maybe they're smart enough not to oppose you in the end."
"You make it sound like I'm scary."
"You are scary, Potter."
"No, I'm not."
"Don't even try to deny it. You basically rule over the Dementors, how much scarier can you get than that?"
Harry picked up his mug of tea, and then said:
"Does it mean I'm scarier than Voldemort?"
"Hmm, give it a few years and we'll see."
"Aaw, you make it sound like you want to hang around!"
"Yeah, don't get used to hearing that, Potter. So, you're gonna look for the rest of them?"
"Of course I will!" Harry said. "I've hardly even begun!"
"… How come you don't realize you're scary?"
Harry blinked. Rabastan rolled his eyes and continued:
"Play innocent if you wish to, but you ain't fooling me. Who's first?"
"I don't know yet. I keep thinking Ron and Hermione, but it would be even funnier if I killed some more of Ron's family…"
"Again, how come you don't realize that you are scary?"
-o-
It wasn't very easy to find them. Harry had to admit he got bored as well, and frequently gave up to do something else that caught his fancy. But sooner or later this need to cause them pain and suffering, create chaos and disrupt the fragile peace reared its ugly head and he'd go into a frenzy searching for the Order members.
The Dementors moved throughout the country, bringing back news. They found some Order members, but it was harder to find the ones Harry truly wanted to kill.
What he suspected but could never be sure of was that the Order was planning to capture him, but one visit to Diagon Alley proved to be a disaster.
Either the Order members decided a daytrip to the alley for a bit of sightseeing was the perfect way to spend their time or he had walked right into a trap. Harry suspected the latter as he ducted underneath an arm, moving quickly through the thick crowds with a hood over his head.
It wouldn't hold up for long, not with this many Order members crawling around. If he killed one, five would be ready to attack him.
There were several alleys he could sneak into, quiet and dark alleys but there were too many people or a bloody Order member was posted there. When he saw McGonagall at the last one, he cursed his luck that he hadn't tried any of the earlier ones. Last thing he wanted to do was to try and fight his way out of there against his former professor.
He could try and Apparate out, like he did when George was killed but saw that as the last option, as he wasn't sure he could pull it off again.
A hand grabbed his arm and pulled him away from McGonagall and into an alley he had passed earlier. Just when Harry was about to protest, he saw Draco's pale face before the young man pressed them both into the shadows.
They stayed quiet, Draco watching the street, Harry watching Draco. After a few minutes Draco beckoned him deeper into the alley, and through twists and turns the young Malfoy led him to Knockturn Alley where people didn't look at them and there wasn't an Order member in sight. What, did they think the darkness of the alley would catch on, like a disease?
"Malfoy," Harry finally said. "What are you doing?"
"I have no idea," Draco confessed, "but I think you didn't want to get caught."
Draco, his school enemy… Harry couldn't hate him. What was there left to hate? Harry was ready to admit that if given the chance now he probably would've worked together with Voldemort instead of against him. That much change in his own character made their rivalry at school seem rather petty.
Yes, Draco had been a git. He probably still was. He wasn't kind, he just admitted to not knowing what he was doing, saving Harry now; he probably had an ulterior move, just not aware of it yet.
Harry didn't mind. As long as he was aware of someone wanting to use him, it was alright.
Draco led the way until they could Apparate out. Harry hesitated only for a moment before grasping Draco's arm and allowing him to Apparate Harry with him. They landed outside the gates to Malfoy Manor and Draco pushed it open.
"You aren't keyed into the wards," the blond explained as they walked up to the house.
"Makes sense."
Harry was aware that Draco kept glancing at him. He didn't mind. Draco walked up to the double doors and pulled them open, inviting Harry inside.
"Does it freak you out, being here?" Draco wondered as they came into the entrance hall.
"What do you mean?"
"Granger was tortured here?"
"Hermione can burn at the stake for all I care. No, wait… forget that, that would mean I wouldn't get to torture her myself."
Draco stared at him.
"What?" Harry said. "By the way, I think almost all the rumours you've heard about me this time is true. As long as they said I'm a crazy killer. Because I am. I like it. It's fun; Rabastan even helps out."
"Rabastan Lestrange?"
"Yeah, I broke him out of Azkaban! Him, and others. I also took the Dementors with me."
Draco stared some more.
"There's something wrong with you, Potter," he summed it up finally. "Tea?"
"Yes, please."
-o-
Lucius was withdrawn and silent but Narcissa made pleasant small talk and when Harry talked about torturing Hermione again she said:
"Well, I'm not the expert but I believe pulling out the nails is quite effective."
"Right. Yes, I have heard it's good. I'll have to try it then."
"I must say, Mr Potter, you've changed a great deal since I last saw you."
"Last time you saw me Mrs Malfoy, I was a moron. I'd like to believe I'm not quite as much of a moron now," Harry replied. "Of course, had a bit of relapse today but luckily your son was there to save the day. Or my neck. Most likely my neck."
"I heard Rabastan was with you?"
"Yes, he lives with me. But it's alright, he buys groceries from time to time."
"With whose money?" she wondered.
"With all due respect, Mrs Malfoy, you probably don't want to know with whose money."
Lucius finally looked at him. Harry didn't look away.
"The Dark Lord would've liked this you," he finally said.
"Oh, I don't know Mr Malfoy; did he ever like anyone? Perhaps he wouldn't torture me death, but it's too late to see if that's true."
He didn't mention that was his fault, and none of the Malfoys brought it up.
Harry ended up staying the night, and something must have happened because in the morning Lucius met him alone, and said he offered his services.
"It's not much now," Lucius confessed, "but whatever you need; if it's in my power I will help you."
"Not that I don't appreciate that, but why?" Harry wondered.
"You're different from before. I'm different as well. Shall we leave it at that?"
Malfoys apparently didn't discuss deep things with people outside the family. Harry did as Lucius said and left it at that, and asked him for help to find Order members and Dumbledore supporters.
"The supporters are easy to find, they're all over the place nowadays," Lucius said with a sneer. "Order members are a bit trickier. When they move, they move in groups."
"I want to know where they live," Harry said. "I want to go into their homes and take away their feeling of safety."
Lucius watched him for a bit.
"As I said yesterday, Mr Potter; the Dark Lord would've liked this you."
-o-
Rabastan wasn't that surprised when Harry came home and told him about what happened, including what Lucius had said.
"Lucius will do anything to stay safe," Rabastan said.
"Safest would be with the Ministry, right?"
"Potter, you're wrecking havoc on the Ministry's nerves, and the Order. Lucius obviously thinks you'll win over them."
"What does he want from me?"
"Just leave his family alone, and if you really want him on your side, protect his wife and son. Malfoys are said to be one of the most arrogant families in our society…"
"Well, Draco certainly lived up to it…"
"I wouldn't know, but I know Lucius did. However, in the end, they do love each other. More than they ever let the Light know. Bellatrix thought it was disgusting how Lucius and Narcissa would care for Draco." Rabastan rose up. "But then again, Bellatrix was never cut out to be a parent."
Harry decided to go along with it for now. He saw no reason why the Malfoys would sell him out to the Order, or the Ministry. They could have done so while he slept; there hadn't been any Dementors around, just him and a big, moody room with way too many ornate vases.
After that he got more careful about moving around in the open, and generally let himself be stalked by the Dementors. Rabastan came and went but mostly stayed near the house.
Percy Weasley became the first one after the Order members had gone into hiding. It was surprisingly enough Narcissa that managed to get a hold of Percy's location, and shared it with Harry over tea and scones.
"I have ears," she explained, "and can remain unseen if I wish."
"I find that kind of hard to believe. I mean, Malfoys, don't they generally rule the space they're in?"
"Oh, but I was a Black before that. We had some sense of hiding in the shadows," she told him. "How are you going to do it?"
"Well, I want it known. Like, really known so the Order members in deep hiding know what happened. First page on the Daily Prophet, in the mouths of everyone!"
"How about in the Ministry?" Lucius asked.
"What do you mean?" Harry wondered.
"You kill him and dispose of the body in the Ministry, perhaps in the atrium. During the night, there's hardly anyone there despite everything that's happening now, and I know ways to get inside undetected."
"You mean from before, when Voldemort ruled the place?"
"Last time I used such an exit was yesterday, Mr Potter; I'm quite sure they still work."
Lucius conjured a piece of paper and drew on it a map on how to get in and out. Harry then left, alone to think up a method to kill Percy with, and how to display the body. He wanted it to be really, really bold. Maybe leave a note behind; just to be sure everyone knew he'd done it. There could be no hesitation about who it was; everyone had to know Harry Potter killed Percy Weasley and displayed his corpse in the Ministry.
Two weeks later, Harry set his plan in motion.
He began by going to where Percy lived of course, and watched the man from the outside. Percy looked relaxed and as happy as he could be considering the circumstances, and that's what Harry wanted. Think you're safe… until you weren't.
Capturing Percy had been so easy Harry almost wanted to cry. No challenge, no nothing, just a lot of screaming at Harry once Percy had been tied up.
"You monster!" Percy howled as Harry walked around in the house, exploring, Percy's wand in his pocket. Other trinkets joined it. "You bloody freak, just wait until I get loose!"
"Oh, don't worry," Harry said as he popped his head into the room where he had left Percy. "You won't. I must say, cosy little place you got here. Makes my fingers itch to burn it up."
"We should have killed you the night you killed Voldemort," Percy hissed.
"Yes… you really should have. Tongue or fingers?"
Percy glared at him.
"Silence won't help, that means I'll choose for you," Harry said. "I don't know if you want that."
He sat down next to Percy, leaned in closer. Percy spit him in the face. Harry sighed and cleaned it off.
"Should've expected that," he muttered, "I really should. Tongue then."
Percy tried to fight him off, tried to bite him and kick him and Harry decided not to do it with magic. He went to the kitchen, heard the thumps as Percy tried to get away but with most of his body bound, the best he could do was wiggle a lot. Harry tapped his fingers over the knives and selected a blunt one.
"Might as well make it very painful," he mused and went back to Percy. "Lookie here, Percie, I found this really not sharp knife! What should I do with it?"
"Nononono…"
"Oh, yes, I should try it out on your tongue!"
It was sloppy work and Harry ended up with a lot of blood on his hands and clothes but in the end he got the tongue out. He threw it over his shoulder and watched Percy for a while, his gurgling screams and blood running out on the floor.
Should he feel something? Perfect Percy, proper Percy… Harry had liked him once upon a time. But once upon a time was also a long time ago so he shrugged and pushed into Percy's head. Like Ginny, Percy's shields weren't impressive, and Harry wondered whose were.
Dumbledore, obviously. He was powerful, no doubt about it. McGonagall? Sure, why not? If not, she was still a difficult opponent to get rid of. He had seen her fight, and still had no real wish to go up against her. Oh well, he had time to think about it when he faced her again. Right now he had Order members to find in little Percy's head.
"Now, Percy, this will hurt a lot," he assured the redhead. "Where are the others?"
Percy was trying to scream as Harry tore through memories and conversations in his head. He found out where several Order members were. Harry chuckled to himself. When he came out from the man's head, Percy was merely groaning, eyes rolling up.
"Hey. Hey!" Harry slapped his cheek. "First lesson; learn Occlumency, just in case. Aaw, yeah, I forgot; you won't have the chance to learn it! Silly me."
He dragged Percy out of the house. A few Dementors approached him.
"No, no, I got him," he reassured them. "Just make sure no one gets close, yeah? You have permission to eat their souls, unless it's Hermione or Ron. You know their magic, right?"
The Dementors nodded and then spread out. Unlike humans, they did not find the sounds of Percy's garbled screams unpleasant, nor did they flinch away from the unmistakable noise of an arm being ripped off the rest of the body.
"Whoops!" came Harry's voice. "I still have to hang you up, so you gotta have at least a few limbs still attached! Oh well, one arm… what can be the harm? What was that? Sorry, you'll have to speak up, I really can't understand you."
Death did not bother Dementors either and they didn't even turn about as Percy's screams was abruptly cut off.
-o-
Only two Dementors followed with him into the Ministry. Harry looked both ways in the dark hallway before starting to walk, Percy's corpse slung over his shoulder, one Dementor holding Percy's left arm.
"Corpses are heavier than I thought," he told one of them as they approached the atrium, Harry walking as silently as he could. "Maybe I should work out, you know, get some more muscles. I have the feeling I'm going to this kind of thing a lot in the future… here we are."
He put the corpse down and looked around. Harry pulled out a few twigs from his pocket and turned them into stakes. He levitated the corpse up near the ceiling and hovered the stakes nearby, barely noticing he wasn't really using his or Voldemort's wand. He was focusing more on the task itself that pure magic poured out of him. He used his fingers to move the stakes or Percy.
Finally he got it into position and jammed the stake through Percy's body until it pierced part of the ceiling. Then he stopped to have a look.
"Not dramatic enough," he concluded and let Percy's body drop. "Oh, I know; the statue! But then I need something sturdier than wood to keep him there…"
It took some time, but finally he had some swords instead. Well, it looked like swords at least.
"Have you never heard the tale about King Arthur?" he asked when one Dementor seemed dubious of his attempt to nail Percy to the stone statue in the middle of the atrium. "Well, Excalibur didn't pierce a human body, but the gist of the tale was a sword in a stone. So why can't I do it too? It'll be fun!"
Yes, but it took a long time and Harry was quite nervous when he was done. He'd made noises and was therefore surprised no one came over.
"Honestly, and they're supposed to be on high alert," he scoffed as he wrote out a message to the Light.
He finished the whole display by pinning the message to Percy's clothes and placing the arm on the floor, pointing at the corpse.
"You think they'll notice?" Harry wondered to the two Dementors. They merely started to tug him towards their escape route. "Alright, alright, I get the message, 'stop dawdling stupid human and let's get the hell out of here'. You know, you are expressive, just not with your faces…"
He wished he could see the Ministry workers' faces, when they discovered the body. Oh well, the Daily Prophet always liked details.
-o-
The first one to discover Percy Weasley was a secretary to the Minister. Her screams alerted Aurors and Order members alike but there was little they could do but stare at what met them.
Percy was pierced by several swords to the statue, his eyes vacant and blood covering his skin and clothes. His arm, torn off, lay pointing at him. One of the Aurors saw the note and retrieved it without touching the body. He furrowed his brow, then blanketed his expression.
"It's for Hermione Weasley," he stated to no one in particular.
Hi Hermione (Weasley now, isn't it?),
It's Harry! Look; I tried to do King Arthur and Excalibur, only Percy got in the way and I used five swords instead of one. Do you like it?
Anyway, how about a game of tag? We're both it. You hunt me, and I'll hunt you. Let's see who finds who first!
Bye bye
Harry Potter
PS. Can I call myself a Dark Lord? I mean, it sounds so pompous…
When Lucius Malfoy arrived, the body had yet to be taken down and he eyed it curiously.
"Mr Malfoy."
He turned to look at Amelia, steadying himself on his cane.
"Minister," he said, bowing. "Dreadful business, dreadful… this was not the sight I expected this morning."
"So you're not supporting Potter in this?" she wondered.
Straight-forward, like always; he did have to admire that about her. Never afraid of stating her opinion, no matter to who.
"Not at all, Minister. Why, I've learnt my lesson well enough."
"Your and Mr Weasley always had your differences."
"Yes, indeed we did but I would never wish for the death of his children. He has already lost too many family members, so this is truly a tragic event."
When he returned home Harry was there, drinking tea with Narcissa and Draco. He accepted a cup from Narcissa as he sat down. He smiled at Harry and said:
"That was quite the display. Pray tell me, why the swords?"
"Well, Mr Malfoy, have you ever heard of King Arthur and Excalibur?"
Tbc…
Short chapter, but hopefully I'll be able to whip something up for Halloween, on the 31st!
Chapter ten: Who's next? Oh, I know; a redhead and a smart one, with two adorable children…
Until later,
Tiro
