Snakeheart: Chapter 25: The Marauders and the Reavers
Disclaimer: AS BEFORE: Also, several parts of this story are taken from ideas seen in films, television and, yes, from books; whatever references I made, I do not own the idea; all credit goes to the original designers.
Normal Speech
(Thought)
/Parseltongue/
High on the mountain, Harry leaned against the statue and cried his eyes out as he felt his fears and concerns grounded inside him.
Suddenly, he felt a soft hand touch his cheek and, when he opened his eyes, Harry saw Luna looking at him, her grey eyes looking into and past his violet eyes.
"I know one thing I care about," she told him, leaning in close, "I care about you Harry; I'm sorry I shut you out; please don't shut me out."
Harry wiped his eye before he felt something soft and warm caress his lips; as he stood there, savouring the moment, he heard a voice speak in his mind: (I will never abandon you Harry; I will always be there for you.)
Pulling away, Harry smiled and whispered, "Thank you Luna."
()()()()()
The morning after their little party, the five Reavers awoke in the summer house to find several owls from Lucius, the Weasleys, Luna's parents and, to Harry's immediate worry, his Father. Each one of the letters said the same thing:
How could you trash a high-rank house and cause a large amount of damage? You're lucky that we were able to apologise on your behalf otherwise you would be facing serious trouble. One more slip-up and you are coming straight back home.
After sharing a moment of guilt and acceptance, the five Reavers all began laughing amongst themselves, each one realising the same fact: they had still gotten away with it.
After receiving their letter, however, the five Reavers all began wondering just what the future would hold for them: the one thing that they all agreed on was the legend's idea that Faulkner's Cove was a place where those who were lost found out about themselves and others. Harry and the others had found out that Ginny enjoyed being different; Draco and Gabrielle had discovered Harry still had demons that needed to be vanquished as far as his past and powers were concerned; Luna had discovered that she had feelings for Harry that were now out in the open; Ginny and Luna had found out the truth about Harry and even Draco had seen the level of power that his blood-brother possessed.
However, apart from Ginny, the others had also found out something that they agreed should not be revealed until Harry thought the time was right: despite his family, his Father, his power and title as the Heir of Slytherin, Harry still had skeletons in his closet that were raging to be released upon the world. As he had said;
"For so long now I thought that if my family accepted me, I'd be happy: I have a home now and a Father who talks to me: he even thinks I'm a real dark wizard, a hero for Slytherins. Everything should be perfect and I should be happy, right? Well I'm not: I'm angrier than ever and I don't know why! I'm angry because I'm confused; I have all this power and I'm not sure I know the difference between right and wrong anymore. My Father told me something that makes me see magic in a whole new light and yet I still feel trapped by who and what I am."
Yet the one thing that the four Reavers agreed as one about their leader: he was a true Slytherin who was worthy of his power and, aside from Ginny, who knew nothing about Harry's blood lineage, Luna, Draco and Gabrielle agreed that, when the time came for their allegiance to be put into question, they would have no doubts, no regrets and no emotions against siding with the future Dark Lord.
()()()()()
On the seventh day of their vacation, Draco and Gabrielle were enjoying the sunlight down on the beach; Ginny was reading through some advanced spell material that Leia had given her and Harry and Luna were sat together in the shade of Faulkner's statue, Luna resting her head on Harry's shoulder as she watched the Dark Heir create and dissipate lightning in his fingers.
"Today's our last day," Luna commented, "Tomorrow; we wake up back in the Manor as if this was all nothing, but a dream."
"Except it isn't a dream," Harry replied, his hand closing into a fist, "Everything about this week has been real; our camp-out, the party, our revelations and…and…"
"This?" asked Luna, before she kissed Harry's cheek and ran a hand through his sleek, black hair.
"That," smiled Harry, returning the kiss with true passion, "I don't understand love, Luna; it's the one thing that, before Hogwarts, I never really experienced, but I do know when my heart is telling me to listen. I do have one question, though."
"What is it?" asked Luna, looking to her boyfriend's violet eyes.
"When did you fall in love with me?"
"Christmas before last," explained the white-haired Slytherin, "As soon as I saw you, the real you, I felt my heart stop and I was just enchanted by your body as well as your aura."
"I thought you said you didn't believe in auras," Harry teased, his eyes shining like they always did when he was being friendly.
"Harry," groaned Luna, "I'm the daughter of a Seer and I am experienced in several meditation techniques; how could I not believe in auras?"
"Good point," laughed Harry, before he then changed tack as he asked, "So, when should I tell Ginny that my Father's Voldemort?"
"Technically, your grandfather," Luna reminded him, "But as for when; maybe you should ask her how far she's willing to go to be different. When you know you can trust her, then you tell her; speak with Knight about it, or even talk to Lucius and Narcissa."
"How do you know Severus' alias?" asked Harry suddenly, "Only Draco and Gabrielle know it."
"Like you told a certain Gryffindor last year; you should be careful when you speak to those friends of yours, you never know who might be listening." Luna gave Harry a wink before she added, "Besides, why do you think I was so calm when I found out who the Dark Lord was? It was because I'd accidentally overheard you three talking about him. But don't worry Harry, because the only one I care about is you; I would never betray you."
"Thanks Luna," Harry smiled, before he looked out over the ocean, Luna's revelation running through his mind.
That afternoon, Harry was sat with the others, enjoying their last meal together, when Draco spoke up, "You know something? We're becoming a right band of friends aren't we?"
"Yes," Ginny replied, "We're almost like a new age of Marauders."
(Marauders?) thought Harry, (Where have I heard that before?)
(Flashback)
Well, well, Mr Potter, how nice to see you at last, a soft voice whispered inside his head, Now let's see what the newest generation of Marauders has to offer…
"Yes," replied Lucius, before he continued, "There was once a man, Narcissa's brother in fact, known as Sirius Black: he was a member of the darkest house on the planet: Gabrielle's family, in fact: the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. But, when he went to Hogwarts, he insisted on not only being put in Gryffindor, but turning against tradition and siding with the Light."
"Why would he do that?" asked Harry, wondering why the name of this blood-traitor sounded so familiar.
"He was coerced," explained Lucius, "By someone you should know very well: your birth father, James Potter: together with two other wizards, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew, they formed a group known as the Marauders and remained not only friends, but allies until…well, I think you can guess when?"
"But what does this have to do with having feelings of angst against a family member?"
"Sirius betrayed the House of Black," explained Lucius, noticing how Harry seemed to be getting slightly upset by this news, "So Narcissa spoke with the other members of the family and had Sirius disowned: he was given his fortune, but, until this day, the Houses of Malfoy and Lestrange have hated Sirius."
(End Flashback)
(Of course,) Harry nodded, noticing the others watching him as his eyes lit up, (Black, Pettigrew, Potter and Lupin; the Marauders!)
"Why would you compare us to them?" he then asked Ginny, "One; they were Gryffindors; Two: they were pranksters and didn't bother about power and three: one of their members was made an outcast."
"Yeah," Draco added, "And we're nothing like that: one: we're all Slytherins; two: we care about power and are all loyal to the cause of becoming stronger and three: well, if you think about it Harry; three is true because Ginny has been shunned and exiled by her brothers."
"But not her family," Harry added, "Sirius Black was made an outcast and he betrayed his family's beliefs by siding with Gryffindors."
"So we can look at this glass as being half-empty?" suggested Luna.
"Not really," Harry explained, before he and Gabrielle shared a glance, "Because Gabby's family with that blood-traitor and he'll always be that way."
"Same with us," Draco added, "Since Harry was adopted by Father and given the rank and privileges of a Malfoy, he was made a Malfoy and, thanks to Mother, we share some blood lineage with that monster."
"Even so," Ginny smiled, "As a team, we're like Marauders version two and we're going to be better than them."
"Right," chorused Harry and Draco.
"Sure," Gabrielle smiled, but she couldn't hide the look of angst from her two cousins.
"That's true," Luna finished, "And weren't the Marauders also known for nicknames? What if we had those? At least we'd still be able to feel like we're together even though we're a year apart."
"She's right," Draco nodded, "But what should these aliases be?"
"Well," Harry commented, "You and Gabby already have yours: Vesta, as in the Roman Goddess of Fire and Whistler, the trainer of a great hero."
"Maybe Gabby should be something else," Draco returned, "After all, she's a Water Magus as well as a Charms Prodigy."
"Well," suggested Harry, remembering some words and phrases from before, "What about Aeqour? It's Latin for the Sea!"
"Aequor?" asked Gabrielle, closing her eyes for just a second before she nodded, "I like that; Aequor, but what about Draco?"
"Whistler's fine," Draco explained, "And I actually have a good one for Luna, if you don't mind Harry?" When the young Slytherin shook his head, Draco continued, "I was thinking Yue, which was once a name for a spirit of the moon – also known as Lunar as a star."
"Yue's perfect," Luna nodded, knowing full well that her mother had named her after the moon, "What about Ginny?"
"Well," suggested Gabrielle, "What can we say about Ginny?"
"She was possessed," Harry blurted out.
"She's a loner from her family," Draco added.
"She's strong," Luna commented, "Not to mention she's as graceful as an elf and has the agility of a wolf."
"Well," Harry suddenly grinned, "What about Fenrir: it was the name of a Norse spirit who usually took the form of a wolf."
"Fenrir?" asked Ginny, trying out the name herself, "Yeah, I like that: Fenrir; spirit of the wolf."
"And then there was one," Draco explained, "That's you Harry: your original name was Fuego, the Spanish word for Fire, but things have changed since then."
"Yes," Harry replied, "I've become the Heir of Slytherin; survived death itself; embraced the elements inside me and learned to use the shadows."
"Not to mention who you're related to," added Gabrielle, "That's a big bonus."
"That too," added Harry, again noticing Ginny look at him with curiosity. "So what could we use?"
"What about a God's name?" asked Draco, "Since you did survive death twice and have so much power: let's think."
"Raiden?" asked Gabrielle.
"Too cheesy," Draco replied.
"Jupiter," suggested Luna.
"Too easy to mock."
"Zeus?" asked Ginny.
"Can we steer away from Lightning?"
"What about…Osiris?" asked Harry, "The Egyptian King of the underworld!"
"Perfect," Draco nodded, "That is perfect Harry; Osiris, a deity who has visited and survived the thralls of death."
"Then that's who we are," Harry explained, "Osiris (Dark King), Whistler (Loyal Ally), Yue (Spirit of the Moon), Aequor (Water/Sea) and Fenrir (Spirit of the Wolf); and I have the perfect name for our group: Reavers; second generation to the Maraduers, but number one in the race of power."
"Reavers, I like it," Draco nodded, the others agreeing with Harry: it was fitting: a reaver was someone who broke, pillaged or carried something forcefully. The five of them were carrying the ways of darkness and breaking the chains that bound them to being manipulated by others beliefs.
On their last night, Harry was sat on the balcony that overlooked the ocean when he heard a soft voice speaking to him, "Harry, can I ask you something?"
"Come in Ginny," he replied, watching as the youngest Weasley entered his room, noticing him sat on the balcony.
"Harry," Ginny told him, "I never got a chance to thank you for forgiving me; I had no choice and you saved me, which I why I want you to know that, if you have something that I need to know – as a Reaver – and you think I can't be trusted: I just want you to know that I will keep your secrets to my dying day; on my magic, I swear it!"
There was a ripple of magic, before Harry smiled as he realised what the young Weasley had done: she had just sworn her fealty in magic to the Dark Prince and now he knew it was safe to tell her.
"Ginny," Harry explained, "You have been a good friend and I wish I could have told you before, but you are also a Weasley and I didn't know you too well; now I know you as you know me, I can tell you."
He beckoned her over and watched as she took a seat next to him, the light of the evening sun reflecting in his eyes as he looked at her and announced:
"Ginny, I'm the son and Heir of the Dark Lord Voldemort!"
()()()()()
The following morning, Harry awoke to find the magic that Lucius had told them about had worked: he was now lying in his own bed, in his own bedroom with his things stacked neatly near his door. Sitting up, Harry thought about everything that had happened the night before: he had been surprised when Ginny had said she didn't mind who he was before she explained that he was still Harry and nothing would change that.
After that, Harry had taught Ginny the basics of Occlumency to help shield her mind before he had sent her away and got ready for bed; now, as he looked around his room, Harry sighed with contentment before he climbed out of bed and slipped on an emerald dressing gown with a black dragon crest.
Opening the door to his room, Harry made his way downstairs and was just about to go and prepare himself some breakfast when he overheard voices coming from Lucius' study.
Slipping into the shadows, Harry crept close and nearly gave the game away when he heard his name being mentioned: straining his ears through the darkness, Harry listened:
"So he's escaped then?" asked the voice of Tom Riddle, "And they're adamant that he's coming after Harry?"
"That's the rumour," replied Lucius, "The guards say he's been talking in his sleep; always the same words: He's at Hogwarts; he's at Hogwarts."
"Black never was one for subtlety," commented Severus, "But I will be damned to hell the day I allow that man, that monster, that traitor to come anywhere near my godson."
"Watch your words Severus," hissed Voldemort; through the darkness, Harry saw a pair of red eyes glowing with malice, "Black betrayed us, but the rumour is that he betrayed them. Now that Harry is with his family, Black cannot touch him."
"What if he tries to claim guardianship?" asked Lucius, "Lily, bless her soul, made Severus godfather, but Sirius was made Harry's secondary guardian in the event of their deaths."
"And I was made his legal guardian," argued Severus, "Harry is not going to go with that blood traitor and he is not going to know that Sirius Black, once loyal friend of James Potter, is the reason they're dead!"
Harry stepped out of the shadows, his eyes filled with rage and dark purpose as he hissed, "He already knows!"
Every head turned to Harry, before the young Slytherin asked, "Sirius Black has escaped? From where?"
"Azkaban," replied Voldemort, shocked at seeing his prince looking so murderous, "He was sent to Azkaban for betraying your parents!"
"Is it true?" asked Harry.
"Yes," Severus explained, "It was all a ruse to try and win back your…your Father's favour: Sirius betrayed Lily and James, but was betrayed himself when he found that we would never welcome him back."
"Why?" asked Harry, his violet eyes sparking dangerously, a strange ozone-layer effect filling the room as sparks of lightning danced at his fingertips.
"He was too close to Dumbledore," explained Lucius, "And we feared that if he got to the Dark Lord then he would kill him."
(Dumbledore,) hissed Harry, his thoughts filled with rage, (Why is it every time something is connected to my parents deaths it is always that senile fucking bastard who's responsible?)
"And now he wants me," Harry nodded, "He wants to reclaim the old fool's little puppet. Well, let him come; let him find me, because…" He held up his hand and summoned a bolt of lightning to his palm, the black lightning bolt crackling with dark energy as he hissed, "When Sirius Black comes looking for the son of James Potter; all he'll find is the heir of the Dark Lord. I'll let him find me and then, when he does…"
He threw the lightning bolt against the wall, its energy radiating through the room as he added:
"When he does, I'm going to be ready; when he finds me, I'm going to kill him!"
Chapter 25 and Harry has made his mind up about Sirius, but what will he do when the two meet? Can he who betrayed his friends at Hogwarts be redeemed or will the head of the Reavers show Sirius just how dark he truly is?
Also, now that Harry knows one piece of the puzzle, what will happen when he sees the rest?
Keep Reading to find out…
Next Chapter: Lupin, Dementors – who seem to have a strange effect on Harry – and Dumbledore just WON'T give up: time to call in some help…
Following Chapter: 3rd year, 1st week: Lupin would like a word with Harry and the Reavers; also, Harry decides to look up some info on how to be an Animagus…
Chapter 28: Defence lessons with…SEVERUS? Where's Lupin and why does Harry suddenly feel so afraid; also, the first Quidditch Game of the year brings an unwelcome consequence for the young Slytherin and there's an attack…on the Gryffindors!
Chapter 29: Hogsmeade; Lupin offers Harry some help and reveals a startling secret about the young Slytherin; also, Christmas comes to Hogwarts and Harry spends it – for the first time – at Hogwarts where he receives a surprising present…
Please Read and Review…
AN: The above disclaimer is used to show that I understand about copyright and, to prove I have used other ideas; here's a list:
Chapter 23 – the dialogue between Thomas and Harry is used in Merlin S1 as well as BTVS
Chapter 11 – the construction behind Voldemort's offer (before he recognises Harry) is used in Merlin S2 Ep 1
The majority of the story is from the HP books with names changed to suit the situation
And YES Chapter 24: The beach scene and the confrontation between the Reavers is taken from Avatar: The Legend of Aang.