Chapter Nine

The third condition

It turned out to be a good thing they got their business at Diagon Alley done and out of the way. Osias had pressed Severus into preparing him to meet Voldemort's last condition. He wanted to be ready for it as soon as possible. He didn't want to take the chance that Dumbledore would find out what they were up to before they were securely under the Dark Lord's protection.

This meant Severus was pushing him to his limits every single minute. It was harder than Osias had ever imagined was possible but he was soon getting used to it. That didn't make the training sessions any easier. He never dropped himself into bed before midnight and was roughly awoken at five in the morning. He was allowed half an hour for each meal, and that was the extent of his breaks.

Severus though wasn't being cruel in his teaching all he was doing was preparing his son for whatever the Dark Lord threw at him. He made sure not to actually hurt his son. He managed that extraordinary feat by alternating the physical activity with book learning. Osias spent exactly half of his time book learning and half practical.

This training had a remarkable effect on Harry's build. His creature inheritance had done him a lot of good physically but it didn't quite erase the traces of his upbringing. The longs days of hard work, three square meals a day, and time in the sun did wonders. Not only was he physically healthier but his attitude had improved greatly.

Osias was not completely alone. Draco was not being trained as hard as Osias but he was there for all of his theory lessons and some of his practicals. While Osias was physically training Draco would just hit the books more.

Osias had been amazed when the Slytherin had confessed his wish to become a Healer. That and an Unspeakable was the hardest profession to get into after Hogwarts. You needed to be good in all subjects not just one or two. That was the reason Draco kept his grades so high. Although it was fun to rub it in Granger's face when he did manage to beat her at something, he had confided to Osias with a smirk.

The boys didn't get much of a chance to socialize between their hard schedules. When they did they still had trouble not getting into petty arguments. One night off, a bottle of pilfered booze, and a rousing game of I never changed their opinions of the other some what. After all when you get down to it that simple game revealed just how much they had in common.

Once the rivalry cooled off Severus had heaved a huge sigh of relief. He had worked them double hard the day after discovering the missing fire whiskey but in the end even he agreed it had been worth it. He even had himself a private laugh as he watched the boys attempt to run laps at five in the morning with horrible hangovers.

They all knew the time would come when the curses flying out of Osias's mouth would no longer be destined for an inanimate object. He would actually have to use these lessons if he had a hope of surviving the war. They knew Osias, when he was still Harry Potter, had beaten the Dark Lord too many times for him to just lay back and take it, he would do his worst to Osias not caring if the boy lived or died.

Time soon ran out for them. The school year was fast approaching and Voldemort's third condition had to be met. They only hoped Osias was prepared enough to win.

This time three hooded figures glided into Voldemort's lair. Draco had decided to come despite the danger of his father. He would keep his hood up unless directly ordered to remove it by Voldemort.

Osias reached the enthroned serpent first. Bowing down he spoke in a deep voice. "I have come to complete your final challenge. Who do you choose for me to duel?" He asked respectfully.

The death eaters that guarded the entrance to his dwelling had already warned Voldemort who was approaching he was ready to meet the challenge. He rose from his throne like chair, and was revealed to be wearing dueling robes. "You will duel me!" he hissed out in a mockery of human speech.

Osias really wasn't surprised, after all the man/snake did have a rather large grudge against him. It wouldn't be satisfied until blood was spilt by either party. Osias would have probably done the same thing had the roles been reversed.

With that order the room quickly cleared. The only people left were the two duelists plus Severus and Draco who stood together in silence.

The only sound in the entire room was the soft slithering sound of Osias's black cloak falling to the ground. Underneath it Osias had put on his dueling robes, they were made of dragon hide and were deep black with a blood red lining. Voldemort's own dueling robes were Slytherin green and silver.

The first curses flew and the duel began. No one was holding back in the least. Blood was flowing from both opponents within minutes. No one was fatally wounded so they kept going.

Severus looked on with pride his son was doing better than he had expected. There was more blood staining Voldemort's robes than Osias's. He really wasn't sure how the duel would turn out. They were very evenly matched.

Draco looked on with well disguised awe. The sheer power the two duelists were emanating was enough to make a demon swoon. Malfoys were drawn to power like a moth to a flame. That could explain their tendency to marry magical creatures who generally were magically stronger then a human wizard.

The dueling wizards were actually beginning to have fun with each other. Voldemort was an extremely gifted duelist who enjoyed using these skills that cannot be taught it was all instinct. Osias was just reveling in the feel of unfettered power, for too long he had been held back by definitions such as Dark and Light magic, in truth those definitions didn't exist. Voldemort had been correct in Harry's first year there was no good or evil only power, and the intent behind it.

The duel came to a surprising end. Voldemort was bested by his own vanity. He was too busy gloating over a spell that had hit Osias he left his flank unguarded. Osias took the opportunity given to him he struck out at the Dark Lord with a simple exspelliarmus hex.

Voldemort was left standing in shock without his wand. None of his death eaters had ever managed to beat him. They were too busy trying to save their own skin. When fighting the Dark Lord you had to realize that Voldemort's strong point was offensive magic he had little or no defensive magic. Osias was lucky, while he wasn't the best at either type of magic he was gifted in both.

"You have met my challenge, you will be marked tonight and join my death eaters beside your father in the inner circle." Voldemort said gravely. "You have two hours to go refresh yourself and report back to me for marking." He ordered.

"You will not regret this milord." Osias replied with a bow and a swift turn on is heel. He waited for Draco and Severus to come to their senses and follow him out of Voldemort's labyrinth like lair.

"I think you may be right," Voldemort said to himself as he watched the powerful young hybrid depart from his presence. He would definitely be an asset. He hadn't partaken in a duel like that for some time. He wouldn't be adverse to that kind of thing happening again.