Harry looked outside his carriage window; he was nearly at the manor. It had been a long journey, even with the aid of magic travel it had been at least an hour or two. Not that he was complaining, he had managed to relax a little, prepare himself for the night ahead.
The Gaunt manor was everything Harry had expected it to be, a hauntingly beautiful building . The building itself was built in the centre of a shallow lake and towered up in spidery, delicate designs, making a graceful and artistic pattern on the water .Harry wondered how it didn't all collapse into itself, but concluded magic saved it.
For miles around all you could see was a dark, rich forest and Harry almost felt at home as he stared into its shadows, it looked so peaceful and comforting , so wild.
Suddenly the carriage stopped signillaling that they had arrived at their destination, looking out Harry could already see the platform area was already very busy with guests and Harry gave a sigh of resignation before placing a smile on his lips . He had to go through with this and he had to do it right.
"Sir," The carriage driver said opening the door and giving a hand for the young boy to hold as support to get down "welcome to Gaunt Manor"
"Thank you" Harry said taking the hand and stepping out elegantly and landing on the platform, looking down he gasped in surprise as he realised that he was standing on pure diamond. Not a chip or scratch in sight.
"Please follow me, young master, to the door." The servant said bowing low and Harry nodded before obediently following the man, his father beside him looking serious and protective of him, the prefect image.
Looking around Harry noticed something odd about the guests, they were all adults, except for him. The other guest had also seemed to notice this as well and he was finding it hard to keep his face calm under their curios looks they were sending him and the whispering.
The entire crowd, much like himself , looked like something out of a fairy-tale book. Long, sweeping gowns, Diamond chokers, lace fans and silk dresses from styles all over the world. The most beautiful clothes belonged to an Asian couple. They were wearing traditional low cut kimonos of yellow and blue silk, all hand embroiled with illustrations of bird and orchids with matching ornate silver wear and head-dresses.
Harry walked into the entrance, trying to keep the wary expression of his face; he didn't have a good feeling about meeting the Lord again. The man was obvious smart, and being smart made him more dangerous than anyone he knew.
Still, had to be done.
Walking into through entrance he found the inside was just as entrancing as the outside.
Servants lined every corner of castle, serious and observant expressions on their faces as they waited for a sign to serve. All dressed in pale silks and wearing their hair white and curled like something out of the 17th century.
The walls and ceilings held detailed illustration of the forest and it's dangerous , but never the less enchanting creatures. Illustrations of Water nymphs flouted around seductively along the walls, with aloof and teasing expressions as their faces while rare birds flew above them on the ceilings.
Everything, from the plates to the furniture seemed to be made of some sort of rare substance. Diamond cups, emerald vases, silver cutlery. It was a public show of superiority through wealth.
It wasn't the airy kind of beauty the Malfoy manor was, it was darker, more mysterious and seductive. It even had a hint of danger about it that Harry found amusing, the house suited the owner.
The last thing that took Harry's notice about the manor was the flowers, rare and beautiful, most of them deadly. All kept in pristine condition. Harry had to admit, however grudgingly, he was impressed.
Distracted for a second he walked over to one of the most beautiful plant he could find, Venus's Dolus (Venus's Treachery, in Latin). It got its name simply because the plant, pretty to the eye, was the most poisonous and non-detectable plant around.
It had always been a plant Harry had been drawn to and wanted to see for real, he simply couldn't help but to be drawn to it . It potion maker wished to own such an exotic plant, but it was such a priceless object that for most it was unattainable. It was a priviliage just to be able to see it, let alone own in .
The potions you could make with it were endless. Reaching out he stroked the petals, admiring how soft they felt under his fingers, smiling almost adoringly at the plant. It certainly lived up to it name.
"Beautiful, no?" Said a voice behind Harry, Harry swivelled round cursing himself for not paying attention, His Lord stood staring down observantly and Harry blushed slightly.
"yes, it certainly lives up to its name. "Harry responded and The Lord smiled.
"So how have you been since I last saw you, still sneaking around? " The Lord said and Harry bit down a scowl .
"I wasn't sneaking" Harry respned
"Of course not, you were playing hide and seek." He said sarcastically "anyway, please follow me.I'll show you into the grand hall, and then your free to do whatever you want"
Harry looked up wondering what the point was to inviting him if he didn't want to socialize with him or introduce him to people , and then it clicked, he was being observed. Lord Voldermort was figuring him out . Wheather he was really as intelegent as he belived, if he had any secrets or desires. Everything that might come in usefull in the future.
He was spying on him, testing him.
"Thank you. Your most gracious my Lord." Harry responded respectfully , not really meaning a word of it and obediantly followed him into the grand hall. With a poliet smile Lord Voldermort walked away leaving Harry unintroduced and in the deep end with a group of strangers he barely knew . Harry figured he was putting him a stressfull position on purpose to see how well he would mange on his own.
The night was interesting for a change however , even though he wasn't invited into the adult conversations, he enjoyed listening in. They were talking about thing he could understand; things like politics, seduction and work. Not clothes, quidditch and the other trivial subjects children his own age were interested in.
If nothing else, it was a pleasant night off from babysitting the pureblood brats.
Looking across the floor he could see Lord Voldermort observing him, though his face was relaxed and casual, his eyes told a different story. They were serious and observing him intently. Harry purer-than-white face and the Lord stopped staring and returned to his conversation, obviosly realising he had been caught .
Needing some air and time away from everyone he walked over to the balcony to sip his juice in privacy, away from watchfull eyes . Staring out into the landscape he relaxed slightly, just seeing the forest seemed to comfort him, it had been so long too.
"You won't fool him you know." Came a quiet voice from behind him. Harry almost jumped, it was a rare occosion when anyone manged to sneak up on him. Just as he went to turn round the man ( it was a definatly a man by his tone of vioce) gave him a command "Don't turn round"
Harry obliged and then asked "and who are you? "
"Just a friend. Harry." He said coolly, all the blood rushed form Harry's face as he realised the man knew who he really was "and as a friend I am giving you the most useful advise you could possibly hear. Run. Get out before it's too late. He's still testing you at the moment, to see if you are really all he hopes you are. But, you will be, and then you will end up trapped. "
"Like you?" He whispered bitter way the man spoke suggested he was talking from experience . Though why the man was trying to help him he didn't understand, he didn't have friends.
"Like me. He likes to collect people like us, people who are intelligent. Dangerous. And if we don't stay by free will he keeps us by force..." he responded "and it doesn't matter how powerful or smart you are, he will always be one step ahead."
"I can't. I have plans" Harry responded, hating how stupid he sounded for saying it.
"Yes, I got stuck here for the same reason. Plans" He scoffed "make new plans, get out. You don't know how stupid you sound. You'll regret it if you don't. These purebloods, they'll take everything from you if you're not careful."
"Not this time" He whispered. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Why does anyone tell anyone anything?" He responded unhepfully "Fine, I'll explain it in a way you will understand better , I don't want more of your kind here."
"Competion?" Harry asked, tensing as the man laughed at him.
"Goodbye Harry." He said , and he disappeared before Harry could even get a glimpse.
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