AN: This chapter is unbeta'd. I will likely repost it at some point but it's been so long since the last chapter that I didn't want to wait.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and I am not even really responsible for the main plotline, as I said it is a challenge fic…
Chapter 10
The air is dark, the night is sad,
I lie sleepless and I groan.
Nobody cares when a man goes mad:
He is sorry, God is glad.
Shadow changes into bone.
Every shadow has a name;
When I think of mine I moan,
I hear rumors of such fame.
Not for pride, but only shame,
Shadow changes into bone.
When I blush I weep for joy,
And laughter drops from me like a stone:
The aging laughter of the boy
To see the ageless dead so coy.
Shadow changes into bone.
--Allen Ginsberg "Refrain"
Hermione Granger was gasping for breath when she finally reached the portal to the Slytherin common room. A girl, a seventh year, was just entering when Hermione skidded to a stop.
"I need to see Malfoy and Parkinson." She shouted. "It's an emergency! Tell them that Harry needs them." Hermione begged as tears began streaming down her face. Her hair was wild and her face flushed from her wild dash to the dungeons. The seventh year looked at Hermione closely before nodding.
"Alright." She said. "Come in, but wait here and don't move a muscle. Gryffindors aren't particularly welcome around here-"
"Whatever! I don't care! Get them now, please."
The older Slytherin whirled around and sprinted to the boys' dormitory. The shock of seeing the normally composed Gryffindor fall apart was enough to spur her into action.
Hermione was still trying to catch her breath as Draco and Pansy tumbled into the room.
"Granger." Draco barked. "What is it? What about Harry?"
Pansy gripped the Gryffindor girl's arms in a painfully tight hold. She locked eyes with the hysterical girl, willing her to calm down.
"What is it?" Pansy said slowly.
"I need you to come with me." Hermione cried. "He is acting really odd and he's… He was so quiet on the train back to school and then he never showed up in the common room. I went looking for him and I found- You need to stop him. Please! He listens to you—the both of you."
Draco pried Pansy's hand from away from Hermione's arm took it firmly in his own.
"Lead the way." He said.
Hermione turned and rushed out of the room with Draco and Pansy on her heels. They were both surprised when she skidded to a stop in front of a heavy wooden door on the school's seventh floor. She hesitated before putting a shaky hand on the tarnished doorknob and pushed open the door.
Draco and Pansy were confused by what they saw. At first glance it would have appeared to be a simple meeting of friends. Harry sat on an elaborate, almost throne-like chair. His hands resting lightly on the arms and legs crossed elegantly at the knee. He was watching the other boys in the room with a benevolent smile and calculating eyes. Several of the boys started nervously when the door opened and looked ready to bolt. Harry merely shifted his weighty gaze to the newcomers.
Harry blinked rapidly a few times before his expression warmed.
"Well this is a surprise."
Draco leaned against the doorway and sneered at the two Gryffindors before turning and nodding to the Slytherin and Ravenclaws. Draco ignored the Hufflepuffs altogether.
"Now Potter," Draco drawled. "I thought we were friends. But here you are having a party without me… I find myself disappointed."
Harry had gathered a collection of students from a variety of houses; all of them (save one) were related in some way to important figures in the wizarding world from politics to media and music. Most of them had a reputation for being both powerful and all were infamously nasty. Draco quickly committed their names to memory so he could discuss this latest development with Severus and Cassius.
Those in the odd group were: Cormac McLaggen a seventh year Gryffindor; Zacharias Smith fifth year Hufflepuff who was rumored to be a direct descendant of Helga Hufflepuff; Hector Cuffe, Slytherin seventh year whose father, Barnabas Cuffe as was the editor of the Daily Prophet; Solinus Wimple, a sixth year Hufflepuff who was the grandson of Gilbert Wimple who was on the Committee on Experimental Charms; Lennox Mockridge was a seventh year Ravenclaw and the grandson of Cuthbert Mockridge, Head of the Goblin Liaison Office; Anthony Chittock another seventh year Ravenclaw was the son of Glenda Chittock, a popular presenter on Wizards Wireless Network (WWN); Cyrus Wagtail sixth year Ravenclaw was the nephew Myron Wagtail of the Weird Sisters; and last and certainly least was Seamus Finnegan who was not particularly powerful or of an influential family but was as nasty as they come.
Blaise Zabini was sitting, half-dressed and rumpled, on the lap of a very flushed looking Anthony Chittock.
Zabini scrambled awkwardly from Chittock's hold to kneel at Harry's feet soon after the newcomers had entered the room.
"Oh Draco, I didn't think that you would be interested in this particular party or I would have invited you." Harry ran his fingers through Zabini's dark curls. Zabini leaned into Harry's hand like an adoring pet. Draco felt ill.
"I really didn't think that dear Pansy or Hermione would wish to come, but I firmly believe in equality and certainly wouldn't discriminate. Witches are quite welcome as well."
"Thanks for my part, but I don't think that I would like your kind of party." Granger hissed. She was looking at Harry in horror. None of them had missed Chittock zipping his trousers as Zabini left his perch.
Harry smiled more broadly as the other boys tensed. He gave Zabini one last pat on the head and laughed. "We are all friends here, Hermione. No one is forced into anything, but I knew that you wouldn't understand."
He tilted his head and looked at her in question. "Or perhaps…"
He stood up and sauntered over to stand directly in front of Granger--crowding her so that she stumbled back as he caged her against the wall with his arms. Harry placed one hand on the crook of her neck; his thumb gently caressed the pulsing vein. He leaned forward and pressed his cheek to hers and purred into her ear:
"There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead,
When she was good she was very very good
And when she was bad she was very very popular."
"Don't you want to be popular, love? Be more than the bookworm friend of Harry Potter?" Harry smiled as Granger's breath hitched noisily and let his lips graze softly against the side of the girl's throat. "Don't you want to know just how good very very bad can feel?"
Draco glowered at the young men Harry had gathered. They were watching closely, some with naked adoration, as their apparent leader seduced the famously hard-headed girl.
"Out!" Draco barked, causing them all to jump. Only Harry and the mudblood were unfazed. Granger was breathing heavily and looking at Harry with dull, glassy eyes.
"Potter will undoubtedly call you all again for another philosophical chat at later date." Draco mustered up the most condescending sneer he could muster--or at least attempted to copy one he had seen his father use when dealing with low ranking Ministry workers. It mostly worked.
Harry turned his head and smirked "There is always time for philosophy gentlemen. I'll be in touch." He winked at Draco before leaning his body heavily against Granger, who actually moaned. Draco could barely breathe--the feeling of horror clawing its way up his throat was becoming entirely too familiar.
"Anthony." Harry called out before the Ravenclaw had left the room. "I trust you will have that chat with your mother that we talked about? Hmm?" Harry's lips were a breath away from Granger's as he gazed into her eyes.
Chittock immediately began to sputter, assuring Harry that he would do as Harry had asked. His voice was oily and repulsive as he leered at Zabini, who was still kneeling beside Harry's "throne".
"Good." Harry purred. "Blaise darling, why don't you go with Anthony for a private tour of Ravenclaw Tower? I am sure that he will have much to show you."
Zabini scrambled to his feet and attached himself to Chittock's side. He never said a word and left with the older boy.
Pansy managed a sickly smile for the boys as they filed out the door. Of course, none of them spared her a glance as they tried to see just where one of Harry's hands had disappeared to under Granger's skirt.
When the last boy had finally shuffled out, Draco shut the heavy door with a slam and scowled at Harry.
Harry pulled slowly away from Granger who was panting, almost gasping for breath. She stumbled a bit as she had begun to press herself against Harry's body. He smiled and smoothed the back of her skirt with his hand and brushed her hair gently from her face.
"I think that you would like my kind of party just fine, Hermione."
He laughed at her dazed expression and turned to look quizzically at Draco and Pansy.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Harry asked.
"W-what is-is going on Harry?" Hermione asked, her voice shaking slightly. She had yet to recover from Harry's seduction. "I don't understand."
"Oh, love. I just thought it was time to get to know people from other houses. They have potential, I think." Harry smiled easily. "The world isn't only Gryffindor, after all."
"But what was happening here? This wasn't just a simple party, Harry!"
"Hermione," Harry began gently, "if I am to fight a war don't I need support? Do you really think that we are capable of fighting against Voldemort and all his minions with just Gryffindors and the few others that were in the DA? The Dark Lord doesn't limit his options so why should I?"
Granger looked relieved. "So that is why you have been acting so strangely?"
Harry laughed. "Strange? You think? Maybe a little. But I feel good now. Better than ever, in fact! I feel strong. I feel confident, Hermione."
Granger flew into Harry's arms, causing him to stagger back a step and laugh.
"That's my girl." Harry patted her back lightly. "Everything is fine, I promise."
Draco couldn't listen to anymore of their prattle. He glared at the pair.
"That is quite enough." Draco snarled. Pansy was tense at his side. "What are you thinking? You know what, I don't care! We are going to talk to Snape-"
"Professor Snape?" Granger interrupted. "What do we need him for? Although maybe we should tell the Headmaster your new plan-"
Harry's face darkened and he shoved the girl away from him.
"I don't need the Headmaster." Harry spat. "Not for anything."
Draco grabbed Harry's arm tightly before the conversation could continue. Granger was puffing up like a bullfrog in her indignation.
"We are going now. No more talk."
Pansy moved to flank Harry's other side as Draco dragged him out of the room and towards the dungeons. Granger was huffing and sputtering behind them.
Severus was quick to answer Draco's sharp, insistent knocking. He raised an eyebrow in question when he noticed Granger's presence.
"Talk to him." Draco spat. "He's more screwed up than usual!"
Harry's expression became as glacial as Severus's was shuttered.
"Talk to me? Who are you Malfoy, to give orders? And what the hell do you expect him to do? As if I could be persuaded of anything by this disgusting creature!"
Harry turned and shoved Severus back into him rooms and stalked in, looming over Snape's uncharacteristically stumbling form. Harry's magic rose, violently churning around him. He waved a hand towards Severus and the potions master fell heavily to the ground, his head striking the stone floor with a sickening thud.
Harry whirled around and glowered at his fellow students.
"I will not tolerate such insolence from you, Malfoy." Harry snarled.
Pansy stepped in front of Draco as they felt Harry's magic begin to surge again.
"Who do you take orders from now, Harry? This isn't you. I know it." Tears streamed down her face as she stood trembling, but defiant in front of the furious wizard.
"You came to me for help and I've quite clearly failed, Harry. What am I supposed to do now?" Draco asked shakily.
Harry tore his eyes from Pansy and looked at Draco in shock. The blood drained from his face and he staggered away from the other students.
"What- I… Oh, God! What have I done?" Harry tripped as he backed into Severus. He stared at his professor--taking in his disheveled and bloodied appearance.
"What would you have me do, Mr. Potter?" Severus asked. He bowed his head submissively, awaiting a response. Blood was dripping into his eye from the deep cut on his brow. Severus ignored it. He was unsure of what incarnation of Harry Potter he was dealing with. The naked fear that he read on Draco's face combined with Harry's actions didn't bode well.
"Stop that…" Harry breathed. "Stop acting like you are one step away from kissing the hem of my robes because, so help me, I am half a step away from wanting you to."
Harry collapsed to the ground, sobbing and wringing his hands. Severus immediately fell to his knees and pulled the trembling boy into his arms. He rocked Harry, muttering nonsense. Draco withdrew quietly, unnoticed by the pair. He cast one last worried glance over his shoulder before rejoining Pansy and Hermione in the hallway outside Snape's quarters.
Harry continued to cry. The hysteria had passed, but Severus could sense that it wouldn't take much for him to fall into apart again.
"Tell me what has happened. What has brought you to this state?" Severus finally asked.
Harry turned his tear-stained face to Severus. The pain in his swollen, red eyes was heartbreaking.
"I was bad." Harry whispered. Severus almost smiled at how much like a little boy he sounded. He rested his cheek on the tangled, dark hair and hugged Harry before pulling back and looking into his eyes.
"Tell me. Together we can fix it." He replied.
Severus was not so surprisingly reminded of the one time that he had felt anything close to this before. Cassius had been seven-years-old and had just found out that his father was the one who orphaned Harry Potter. He had been devastated by the news and begged Severus to tell him that it wasn't true.
After that day "his" little boy had changed irrevocably. Cassius became a far-too-serious little man, rather than the happy, cheerful boy he had been before. A person who hid hurt, hopes, and wishes behind wit and sarcasm and a thick veneer of aristocratic politeness. He became a person who held all others at a distance… everyone but Draco and his dream of Harry Potter.
"Something changed over the holidays." Harry said hoarsely, his forehead pressed into Severus' shoulder. He could feel the boy's burning tears soak into his robes. "I changed."
"I can't hear him anymore but I am still not right… Why aren't I better?" Harry asked. His breath hitched and he began to tremble violently.
"I was so bad." He cried.
"Tell me what happened, Harry. Tell me so we can fix it."
"Everything I saw that he wanted to do to me, everything that he did to me… I did it to him--and worse." Harry sobbed. "I had his mother send Scrimgeour away. I held them both under the Imperious. I hurt him and liked it! I hurt them both. Made them hurt each other." Harry struggled violently and pulled away from Severus only to tumbled back to the floor.
"I'm hurting him even more now. I might be killing him…"
He huddled against the wall and began to mumble. "I'm a monster. That's what Dumbledore knew. The prophecy. That's how you kill a monster! You find one even worse to take its place."
"No, Harry." Severus said, in the most soothing voice he could manage, as he approached the boy cautiously. "A monster would never question his actions. A monster would not regret those acts or believe himself to be monstrous."
"I know why you were left like this… I took away the crystal from Dumbledore's office. It is no longer in Hogwarts. I replaced it with an item of similar appearance and properties that has no connection with you."
Harry looked at him blearily. Severus was concerned by how disoriented the boy was.
"So this is me?" Harry laughed harshly. He turned his face into the wall and whispered "This can't be who I really am. It can't. No, no, no, no…"
-0-0-0-0-
"What. Was. That?" Hermione demanded the moment the door to Snape's quarters shut.
Draco and Pansy shared a cautious glance before Draco turned to Hermione and sneered.
"Not that it is any of your business, but Harry and Blaise have been having some difficulties lately-"
"Don't you dare try to write this off as a little stress from relationship trouble! There is so much wrong with what happened tonight I can't even begin
"Listen here Muggle-" Draco snarled before Pansy interrupted him. All tears and uncertainty were gone from her face as she gave Hermione a long, probing look.
"Hermione, dear." Pansy began as she reached out and hooked her arm through Hermione's and began to lead her away from Snape's door. "Do you mind if I call you Hermione? Harry is such a dear friend and he talks about you so much I feel as if we have been friends for years."
Pansy frowned at the material of Hermione's sleeve. "What is this? Polyfester? I've heard about that… it's rather unpleasant isn't it… What was I saying?"
Draco thought that Granger would be lucky if she didn't crack a tooth, she was gritting her teeth so hard.
"You haven't said anything as of yet, Pansy." Draco said. Pansy always knew how to create an amusing distraction, he thought fondly.
"Oh yes, I remember. Harry has always spoken very highly of your intelligence and loyalty. He relies on you tremendously and he needs you now more than ever as he's going through a bit of trouble at the moment. Please, for Harry, could you not tell anyone what you saw tonight? I promise you will get an explanation soon."
Pansy stopped dragging Hermione down the corridor and rested her hands on the bushy haired girl's shoulders.
"Harry needs you, Hermione. He needs you desperately. Will you help him?"
"I-I… of course. Harry knows that I am here for him always. But I don't understand why he didn't want to see the headmaster. He-"
"Hermione." Pansy said firmly cutting off what looked to be the beginnings of a pro-Dumbledore diatribe. "Harry is a little fragile right now and he doesn't like the idea of the Headmaster seeing him weak. We all know how much depends on Harry and he just wants to straighten out his thoughts before approaching Professor Dumbledore. Help him with this Hermione. Help him to be the hero we all need."
"Promise me that you won't tell anyone about tonight. Harry will talk to you soon about it. I know he will. You and Ron are his best friends. He needs you. Will you be there for him now?"
"I-Yes. Of course." Hermione said shortly. "But I will have an explanation tomorrow. Not just about tonight but also why Harry's suddenly such good friends with you lot. About Zabini… everything. If I'm not satisfied I will go to the headmaster. He cares about Harry. He needs to know if there is trouble."
-0-0-0-0-
Gregory Goyle was not a clever boy. He had never had aspirations of glory or power. His greatest ambitions in life were to make his father proud and to be of use to his friends. Gregory's secret desire, one that he never thought he could possibly achieve, was to serve a truly great wizard.
His father had told him many stories of the Dark Lord. The stories always began when Tom Riddle was a young wizard fresh out of Hogwarts and ended decades before he was defeated by Harry Potter. They were stories filled with political maneuverings and leaps in magical research that neither Goyle really had any chance at understanding, but were no less impressive to either. Gregory never noticed that the glory days his father liked to talk about ignored so much of their Lord's later life.
As a child he had been taught to give great respect to both Cassius Riddle and the Malfoy family. The Malfoys had a long history of turning out strong leaders and Cassius, his father said, had the breeding to be an even more impressive man then his father had been. It was from Cassius that Gregory had discovered just where he wanted his life to go.
The Boy Who Lived. That appellation still gave Gregory chills when he thought of it. A baby defeated the wizard that his own father revered. What amazing things would that child be capable of later in life? Cassius loved the tales of Harry Potter just as much as Gregory did. Cassius, the boy Greg's father told him to follow, led him through wild, imaginary adventures with Harry Potter as their leader. In their tales Merlin himself served Harry and would follow the boy hero anywhere.
Meeting Harry had been a bit disappointing. Harry was small and dark and fragile looking, but that didn't change Gregory's expectations. He knew that due to magic appearances often meant less than nothing. When Harry dismissed Draco's pompous overtures, Gregory was slightly hurt but held fast to his belief in Harry. It was only when Harry Potter didn't even give Greg a second glance he was crushed.
Over the course of their first year in Hogwarts Gregory began to hope again. He knew that Harry was watching and biding his time. The Boy Who Lived would not just accept any wizard who offered his loyalty. Greg believed with absolute certainty that Harry was looking for the worthy to prove themselves before he would allow them at his side. The Weasley children made for an excellent distraction until the day came when he would acknowledge Gregory's usefulness. Great wizards were entitled to their entertainments, after all.
So Greg did everything Draco told him to do to the best of his ability. He proved his dedication time and again to show that he could follow orders. Greg worked hard in school, although it had never come easily, to discover his strengths.
Gregory's father told him that he was a true Slytherin and Greg took pride in that. He understood the value of power. He understood loyalty.
So when he saw Draco, Pansy, and that Gryffindor girl leading a visibly angry Harry into the dungeons, he followed. When Draco and Pansy led the Gryffindor girl away from Harry, he followed. When the Gryffindor girl stomped off after threatening Draco and Pansy, he followed. When the Gryffindor girl wandered into a little used, secret passageway on her way back to Gryffindor tower, he followed.
Gregory was never a strong wizard or a clever one. But he was loyal. He protected his friends. He served a great wizard.
When the Gryffindor girl gasped in shock, or maybe fear, as she looked at Gregory down the length of his wand, he acted.
"Obliviate."
-0-0-0-0-
AN: I'm very sorry for the ridiculously long delay. I took a break from fanfiction for a while but now I'm back and ready to write. I might have even worked out a plot for this story. It only took me about 100 pages to do it too.
Chapter 11 should be out pretty soon. It was actually the first thing that I wrote other than the prologue if that gives you a hint on what will be happening…
I know people like to have theme songs for chapters sometimes. When writing this I definitely had "Monster" by Skillet in my head. It fits Harry at this point in the story perfectly.