A/N: Wao. 11, 984 words. I could faint. Still took a month to write but I hope it is satisfactory. I do my own editing so please ignore my mistakes and blunders. Too tired to fix them.
~Marvolo is talking in someone's mind~
Chapter 37.
Albus Dumbledore felt rage burst in his veins. He could barely see the letter in front of him, his hands shaking. A sound distinctly close to a snarl left his lips as he re-read the letter his former spy had written to him.
He could feel his plans cracking and crumbling. Severus Snape was ruining everything, that stupid man. Could he not have removed the boy's memory if he had raped him? The weak fool let a seven year old get the better of him.
Fawkes watched as the man got up from his chair and started pacing, the letter crumpled in his arms.
Dumbledore paced and thought to change his plans to include this disaster but his mind seemed hazy. He threw the letter into the grate in a burst of anger and burnt it. Slumping in his chair again, he collected the remnants of his composure to think of the situation. Severus had probably left already to who knows where, which meant he needed a new Potions teacher on a really short notice…hmmm... He would need to ask Lily to help him get Slughorn.
He could always use this situation to bring one plan forward and ask Slughorn about the number of Horcruxes Tom might have made. He was sure that Tom had gone to Horace to talk to him about it, why else would Horace have gone into hiding if he did not have knowledge he was afraid Tom might kill him for.
The real question was how many people knew about this situation. If the child was at home, he could easily go and read the boy and change things.. Although from what Severus had written Lily had not believed him, but Severus's disappearance would increase the doubt in her mind and make her see the truth. Dammit! Why had Severus run, they could have handled it and silenced the boy but Noo... the man had to feel guilty over something that was not in his control in the first place.
First and foremost he needed to go and keep the Potters quite. He needed them to allow Severus to come back to Hogwarts when Sebastian arrives. Severus was a very important piece and could not be lost. He might have to tell the Potters that there was a curse of Severus, a lust curse maybe... hmm… Hopefully they would not ask too many questions.
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Lily Potter looked at the clear night sky, the starts twinkling without a care in the world. They looked happy up there, it seemed unfair that her life was crashing around her and the world was going as if nothing had taken place.
She had decided to think and let Harry gather the courage to tell her the truth. Then Sebastian had come home and James soon after. She had become so involved that it was not until James asked about Harry that she remembered. She had not gone up because she wanted him to come to her and tell her the truth but it was very late. She went to the room only to find it jammed. Seeing the empty room had given her a shock and her stomach cramped with worry.
Her worry had started to worsen when on calling for the house elf, a tousled and bound elf had appeared. Lily had been numb on hearing the elves tale. Even now after everything she still felt numb. She had run to Sirius to talk to him when Sirius had informed her that Harry was with him, he knew everything and he would see her tomorrow.
Lily did not know what had happened, and she was glad for the numbness that would not allow her to feel what she knew was a storage of rage, guilt and … hatred…
"Lily?"
James voice seemed to be coming from a great distance,
"Yes dear."
"Is everything alright? Where is Harry?"
"Everything is fine. Harry went to spend the night with Sirius. He- he wanted to spend some time"
James looked at his blank eyes wife and knew that something was really wrong but he also knew that pushing her would do no good. She would tell him when she was ready.
"Come to bed then" James did not wait for Lily to respond but took her arm and led her to the bedroom. He put her in bed and laid down beside her, wrapping his arms around her, a frown marring his brow at the chilly skin of his wife. He turned the fire grate higher and pulled her closer hoping to get her warm.
"I know something is really wrong. Please tell me when you are ready."
Lily did not respond, and James felt a leaden feeling enter his system. Whatever was wrong was not a small matter. He just hoped it was nothing too bad.
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The scream was loud enough to wake the dead. Lucius jumped out of bed and ran to the small bed that had been placed at the other end of his room. He shushed the child and tried to calm him, sending soothing magic, until the child had stopped his thrashing and only whimpers escaped before he fell in a deep sleep again.
Marvolo had been right with his assumption that the child needed to be as close to them as possible. His fear was too strong, and he did not trust any man at the moment other than Lucius and Marvolo. Both had actively used magic to protect and soothe him, and his subconscious accepted them.
When Sirius had picked him earlier that day, Harry had consciously known that Sirius would never harm him, but the only thing the child had felt was that a man was touching him.
They had a long journey ahead of them to help the boy deal with this. Harry needed to be close to them to help. That was only possible if they had complete access to the boy. Sirius would not be backing out at this point. Harry needed to leave the Potter household before he was damaged beyond anything they could help with. This would also help them find out how powerful Harry was and help him control it rather than the other way around.
"Come to bed Lucius. We will deal with it all in the morning."
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Harry looked at Potter manor. His home, or what was once his home. He clutched the arm under his hand until the flinch made him realise that his nails had dug into the skin. He tried to loosen his hold but his fingers would not work.
Lucius turned to look at him, "Harry. I promised you that I will not leave you and that promise stands. We are only here to resolve the matter and to tell your mother the truth. You do not have to be afraid."
Harry could only nod his head as he looked at the looming picture the house represented. He had refused to use the floo. He was too old to go through the floo with Lucius and he could not imagine going in alone.
Lucius managed to keep his expressions serene as he knocked on the door and a house elf opened the door. The elf looked at Harry and seemed to fold in on itself.
"Master Harry! Tibby sorry! Tibby failed" The brawling and crying was giving him a headache. Before he could snap at the elf, Harry let go of his arm to pull the elf into his arms. Lucius had to withhold a shiver. How could Harry touch the elf?
"It's okay Tibby. I forgive you. You tried to help"
Sounds of running feet came towards the door before a distraught and frazzled Lily appeared in the entry way.
"Harry!"
Lily almost shoved the elf aside to gather Harry in his arms and hugged him tight. Harry was frozen in her arms, not returning the hug but not pulling back either. Lucius watched and waited to see if he would have to interfere.
"Oh Harry. I am so sorry. I am so sorry. I don't know what happened." She looked back at Harry with tear filled eyes and seemed to be searching his eyes for something and despair entered her bright green eyes when she could not find what she was looking for. Harry turned his head to look at Lucius, the plea and lost look in them made Lucius want to hurt Lily.
"Mrs Potter, your child is not yet well. Please put him down and escort us to the room where everyone is meeting. It is better to get this over with as quickly as possible."
Lucius helped take Harry away from Lily's arms, her protests and inability to let go telling of the dire effect this had on her. She obviously knew the truth but was wilfully being ignorant of her action in it. She was also more than a little confused. Dumbledore should have been here to do damage control, maybe he had not started yet, but this was a situation that was in Lucius's control, not Dumbledore. How good it felt to get one over the man, no matter how much he despised the situation that had bought him here.
He was a born and bred Slytherin, and he was knew it was important to use every situation to their benefit no matter how distasteful.
Lily finally let go of Harry who went and again held Lucius's arms. His grip tightening with every breath he took.
He is afraid Lucius. This place will bring him fear. A home is where you are safe, his home was where he was attacked in a way his mind does not yet comprehend. This is no longer home for him, just a house with very bad memories. Be careful.
Lucius placed his hand on Harry's and squeezed before nodding towards Lily to show him the way. Lily could not take her gaze away from Harry but turned and walked away.
She took them past the entry way and the staircase to the formal parlour where he had visited a long time ago. It seemed longer. Dumbledore was already there, along with James, Sirius and Sebastian. Sirius had been informed to tell everyone that Harry came to him the after the attack and he took Harry to Narcissa who was a healer. Narcissa healed Harry and Sirius took him home.
Harry had gone to Narcissa in the morning for another check- up and Lucius had agreed to bring Harry to Potter manor and help resolve the situation, due to his legal and political knowledge.
Lucius looked at each face in turn. Lily looked shaken and close to breaking, eyes too bright and shadows darkening them, sitting as far away from James as possible. James looked livid, Ah, Lily had not told him about the incident until Dumbledore and Sirius came to tell him.
Sirius's face was a cold sleet, not an expression to be seen. The man was too lost and confused after yesterday's events. He was just following orders at the moment so that he would not have to think. The dullness in his eyes and black shadows under them spoke of his sleepless night. Sebastian just looked confused and annoyed, the kid wanted to play, not sit with the grown-ups over some boring matter. He doubted the kid had listened to a word that had been spoken in that room.
Lastly Dumbledore for once was not out of his reach to read. The man was grasping at straws, he would try to shove this all under the table, but this time Lucius would not let him, at least not until he got what he wanted.
Too much had happened and Harry needed them too much for this to go on any longer. Harry did not feel safe here.
"Good morning everyone" Lucius spoke, waiting for the reactions.
James broke first with the snarl, "There is nothing good about this morning! And what are you doing here anyways? This is of no concern to you, unless you came to side with that friend of yours who ATTACKED MY SON!"
James was shouting at the end, which seemed to frighten both the kids. "Control yourself Potter before you frighten the kids more. Let us discuss this calmly and rationally."
Lucius went and took the seat furthest from the group, which would allow him to look at all off them. Harry stood still for a moment before following and sitting next to him. Dumbledore's bewilderment had such a soothing effect on him.
The chuckle in his mind bought him out of his thoughts. Dumbledore had decided to use his silence as a way to take control of the situation.
"Now as we all know, Severus attacked Harry" turning to a sneering James, he spoke calmly, "Severus was not at fault" Dumbledore then turned towards Lily, wanting to use her friendship to remove the well of guilt and anguish that was spreading as Harry refused to even look at her,
"Lily dear. Severus is not a paedophile. He was cursed. He has been working in Hogwarts around kids for almost five years and nothing has happened. When Severus realised what he had inadvertently done, he was guilt stricken. He has left Hogwarts, refusing to tell me where he is going. All he says is that he is sorry. It was the curse Lily, he could not control his actions"
Lily looked up at that, hope in her eyes, hope that her reaction was not wrong. Harry had not lied but she was right to trust Severus as well, he would never do anything of the sort. Lily was not a bad person, she would never hurt her son on purpose.
Lucius's next statement took the breath right out of her lungs,
"Lily hit her son. She hit him for telling the truth. Harry was ruthlessly attacked and instead of listening to her son, she chose to be blinded by her selfishness. Yes, her selfishness. Because if Harry was right, then Lily would lose Severus. That is why she refused to listen" Lucius's eyes glinted like stones, "You wanted to shut your son up. You did not want to hear anything anymore and you hit him. You hit an innocent child, a child who had at that moment needed you the most and you refused to believe in him"
Lily felt blackness cloud her vision. She turned to look at Harry only to see him shaking and looking at the floor. His eyes were closed and he had put his fingers in his ears. She moved to get up and comfort him when Lucius Malfoy of all people, wrapped an arm around him and seemed to calm him down with just his voice.
"It's okay harry. You are not to blame. Lily should have believed you, that is her fault, not yours"
The broken emeralds that looked at her made her want to brawl. A keening noise left her mouth, which made Malfoy glare at her, as Harry flinched at the sound.
"Why does he need to be here" Sirius broke in, "The kids should go, they don't need to hear this"
"Yes they do" Lucius refuted, staring calmly at grey eyes. "Harry needs to know what will happen now"
"What will happen?!" James burst out, barging from his chair, "What will happen is that I will search for Severus Snape and have him killed for ever thinking he could land a hand on my son, curse be damned; that man is a Slytherin and a liar. What else will happen is that Harry will come back home and I will protect him. That is it!"
Dumbledore had seemed to speak up at punishing Severus but seemed to quieten on hearing the rest. Yes everything would be settled down calmly if this matter was just shoved aside. He would deal with everything else and change minds at a later date.
Lucius could finally read the man, although he did not know why or for how long. The man wanted the situation gone with and no news of this reaching the outside world. That would not happen.
He looked towards Sirius and his gaze must have been enough because Sirius straightened his shoulders.
"No."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Two years ago, when James made a muck of a simple situation I told him that if Harry ever suffered at his hands I would take him away. He has suffered. I don't care where the pain came from but Harry is no longer staying in this household. As my right as Lord Black I am taking my heir Harry Potter from this household and into mine, to keep a better eyes on him, when his parents could not"
Lily felt the blow down to her very soul. What? No! He could not do this. How could she make up to Harry if Sirius took him away, "NO!" came her strangled voice, "No Sirius please, you can't!"
Sirius felt his resolve breaking at the anguish in Lily's eyes and the betrayal in James. It was not their fault. It was Severus who was twisted, but was cursed apparently. What was the proof he was cursed? This could all be Voldemort's plan to take over and break the light side.
But…. Rabastan… and Harry… What to do…?
"I think it is best if we ask Harry what he wants as well," Lucius broke in.
Lily and James looked relieved, as if Harry would never want to leave them. But they did not know. What Harry had with Malfoy was something that went past anything he had seen. The child had refused to leave with Sirius, or even let Sirius touch him, but he stuck to Malfoy like glue. After the incident Harry went to Malfoy, who knows how, but he did not go to Sirius, Why?
Because he does not trust you Black. He thinks you would never believe him and he knows that Lucius always did, does and will.
The sibilant voice in his mind sounded like … that demon.. But how? Now was not the time.
"Yes Harry" Dumbledore said. "Do you want to stay here, with your family and brother where they can look after you and protect you?"
Harry looked up from where he was gazing at his knees. He looked at every person in the room, including Sebastian, who had a confused look on his face, and turned to Dumbledore. Harry tightened his grip on Lucius.
"I don't want to stay here. I don't like it anymore." He looked up at Lucius, his terrified expression making something catch in Lucius's throat, "I can't stay here. I can't. It's not safe. I d-don't want to stay here."
Harry was clutching tightly at Lucius. He did not want to stay here. He could still remember the feeling of being shoved down, a heavy body, hands and lips... No!
"Harry!"
Harry snapped open his eyes to look into bright sapphires, calm as the lake in Malfoy manor.
"Breath Harry. Breathe with me"
Lucius took deep breaths and Harry tried to follow, feeling his heart slow and his panic recede.
"See what the thought of living here does to him. How can you possibly think he could stay here?"
Sirius looked at the wide eyes, the shaking body and felt his shattering resolve firm into steel. Harry would not stay here. He would stay where he felt safe. Everything else would just have to wait, this was about Harry.
"I am sorry Lily and James. You are my best friends and I love you dearly but Harry is the most important to me right now, and his safety. Harry is leaving. "
Dumbledore could feel control slipping from his grasp, he needed to do something quick.
"Sirius my boy that is a very unwise decision. Harry can learn to feel safe here again. Taking him from his family will only break them apart, not help them learn to be together. The media will also have a field day. Do you want everyone to know what the boy went through? Severus Snape is a good man, who was cursed into doing something despicable. He is already punishing himself, spreading the news would make life difficult for him and for the Potter's"
"As if I care what happens to Snape or with the media" Sirius snapped.
Lucius decided it was time to close the matter, "It is very simple Dumbledore. Harry leaves the Potters to stay with Black. No one needs to know. There will be no media attention to the fact that one Potter child is not here"
As if they ever knew he was there in the first place,
Lucius continued, ignoring Marvolo for now,
"The Potter's can arrange to meet with their kid, if they want to with Black and can meet. It is all legal. Sirius can petition for his heir to stay with him, and I will make sure the news never leaks. Only the Minister and the Head Auror will know of this change."
"Severus-"
"Dumbledore, we will not mention what happened with Severus, on your insistence. But you will have to deal with that man, if he were to ever return, which I hope he does not, or until there is proof that he was cursed"
"But-"
"I guess that settles it then" Sirius spoke up.
James looked from Lucius to Dumbledore to Sirius wondering what had happened. Lily looked panicked and jumped up, running towards Harry, "No!"
Lucius stood up and pulled Harry behind him, "Enough Lily, it has been decided"
James went to hold Lily, who was struggling to get to Harry, while Sirius shook his head and moved towards the fire place, Lucius and Harry behind them. Dumbledore sat in his chair, a smile turning at the corner of his lips. Everything had gone better than he had expected. Excellent.
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Lily helped as Rike served lunch. The table was silent, everyone thinking over the events of that morning.
James was still angry at her for not telling him about what happened, and also for allowing Severus access in their house in the first place. The sound of clattering dishes made her realise her hands were shaking. She put the plates down carefully, afraid they would break. Actually what she felt was that she was going to break.
She felt tears cloud her eyes, as she looked at the plates in front of her. So breakable, so easily breakable. She used to scoff at parents who would allow atrocities like this to happen in their own homes, unaware, while their children suffered.
Lily shuddered as another tear slipped down her cheeks. She felt the breaking point reach, she had to leave, she could not let Sebastian see this; she could not. Lily quickly left the room, James bellow for her falling on deaf ears.
She looked around the room she ended up in. The mural of the trees and flowers on the walls, the books on the corner shelf, and the memory of his soft laughter seemed to echo in the room, her baby, her baby... Oh God! What had she done? What had she done?
Lily broke. She slumped in the ground with a scream. She wrapped her arms around herself, shudders wracking her frame, as she tried to comprehend how she could have allowed it to happen. Guilt started its work on her, her child was assaulted, assaulted! Oh God, what had she done? Sobs shook her as the memory of broken emeralds swam in her mind. Strong arms wrapped around her as they steadied her, a kiss barely touching her hair.
"I am so so sorry," she whispered.
James allowed Lily to cry as if her soul was shattering. He was still angry at Lily for not telling him, but what could Lily had done. Sirius was the one to blame, he decided to take his son after all. The splatter of his own tears was ignored as he tried to comfort Lily, because she needed him to be strong.
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Sebastian watched from the door as his mother broke down. She was crying so badly because Harry left. Why did he have to leave? He could have said he wanted to stay. Why was he hurting mummy and daddy? Only bad people hurt others…. Harry was bad...very bad…
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4 YEARS LATER
Harry Potter watched the sun set from his position on top of Malfoy manor. If he closed his eyes and concentrated hard, he could feel the earth humming in satisfaction. He could feel the animals of the night stirring and moving, the preys running to hide, the leaves closing up as food source disappeared for the night.
Footsteps broke his concentration before the familiar aura sat next to him. He tried to control his urge to lean into those arms that had protected and cared for him for as long as he could remember but he was no longer a child. He had to grow up. He would be going to Hogwarts soon.
"You were so relaxed just a moment ago, and now so worried. Do you want to talk about it?"
A smile curled at Harry's lips as he opened his eyes to look at bright sapphires, glinting in the setting sun. The curious gaze made him sigh, "Nothing is wrong."
The quirk of the eyebrow made him huff, "Fine. I was just worried about going to Hogwarts. Sebastian will be there, and there will be no adult supervision. The Malfoy's and Weasely's don't get along and it is going to be a mess. Sebastian seems to have something against me now, I don't know what I did to make him hate me, but he seems to have it against me worse than ever. Plus… I heard that-"
Lucius looked at the worry in those green eyes, and felt his own turn sombre.
Marvolo, could you come to the top roof please. Harry's occlumency is too strong now for me to read him. He is worried about something.
Lucius, he is going to Hogwarts soon. (Sigh), Fine, I am coming up.
Lucius become aware of his surrounding to glowing eyes and a scowling child.
"You called HIM?"
Lucius refrained from rolling his eyes, "Yes. Since you won't tell me what is bothering you."
Harry jumped up, face flushed with anger, "I don't want him here! Why don't you get it?" Harry did not want to show his weakness to Marvolo, "There is nothing wrong…. Besides it's not like either of you would understand. I get that you helped me, but I don't need your help anymore."
Lucius jumped up as fire erupted from Harry's feet and narrowly missed him.
Harry suddenly found himself unable to breathe, the shock taking him away from his anger and the fire hissed into the air and vanished.
Harry wrapped his hands around his throat, gasping. The voice made him stop his futile attempt as tears filled his eyes. "Behave yourself."
Harry fell on his knees when the pressure disappeared, coughing and gasping.
He curled in on himself as sobs broke past his lips. No, he was a big boy now, he did not need them.
Strong arms wrapped around him, and he could not help but lean in, letting the two auras mingle and mix until they calmed every nerve in his body.
Marvolo spoke, "Harry you need to control your anger. The closer you get to your maturity, the more volatile your skill gets, until it burst. Yours is very closely linked to your emotions. You also have access to the powers that many kids don't, so you need to be double careful. You already know this, so why did this happen?"
Harry bowed his head, the worry slowly working its way in again. They must have felt him tensing, because the next moment he felt the sensation of misting as Marvolo took them both to Lucius's office.
He removed himself from the arms holding him and sat in the sofa and with him arms around his knees, trying not to look at them.
Lucius came to him first, "Harry.. Tell us."
Harry closed his eyes and tried to just breathe past the fear that was starting to come back. Fear he had not felt in three years.
Marvolo had decided to stop being patient, "Lucius, he reacted with anger, but he was not angry. He is worried and afraid. He just used the anger to cover it."
Harry wanted to put his fingers in his ears. Why did he always feel that Marvolo could look into his very soul? He was the soul reader, dammit, so why did he have to be so vulnerable when it came to that man.
"Harry" Marvolo was serious now.
Harry felt the command down to his very being, "I- I heard that man is in Hogwarts again" he whispered.
Harry felt Lucius jerk and Marvolo's aura turned sharp. Not at him. Never at him. At the man.
Lucius took his face from his arms and Harry turned to look at him, his eyes were sad. No he did not want to make Lucius sad, never sad.
"Sorry", he whispered.
"Oh Harry"
"Lucius tell him, as will I. He is old enough to understand now."
Harry was curious now. He looked from one to the other.
"Understand what?"
Lucius stood from the setae and started pacing the room.
"You always wondered Harry, how Marvolo and I could begin to understand what you went through. I have to admit that I don't understand as much as Marvolo, but I do know"
Harry felt confusion and a leaden feeling began to spread. How could they know what it felt to be violated? He was almost raped. He knew what it was now. Marvolo had explained it all to him. Marvolo never hid anything from him. There was a lot they did not tell him, but they never lied about it… They would tell him when he was ready…
Lucius came in front of him and took his hands,
"Harry, you know Marvolo and I are lovers, and you have asked why I married Narcissa if I was in love with Marvolo. "
Harry nodded, "It was because you wanted an heir"
Lucius shook his head, "No… I would rather be married to Marvolo then have an heir, though I love Draco and don't regret him... I –"
Harry had never seen Lucius so…. out of sorts.
"Harry, you know that I am a dark supporter. I followed the Dark lord willingly and I am still loyal to him."
"Yes, but you told the Ministry that you followed him because of a curse"
"Yes… the curse. The reason everyone believed me is because I have been under the curse. I did not exactly lie. My father placed me under the curse, but not to follow the Dark Lord…"
Harry watched as Lucius became still and Marvolo went rigid, "He cursed me to make me marry Narcissa. I had refused to marry her, and he could not have that. That curse Harry, is abhorrent. You do as the caster wants, like the imperious, but you feel everything. I felt getting married, I spoke the words and joined our magics. I slept with her. I felt my body arousing and I felt myself come and I could do nothing to stop it. I don't think it is anywhere close to what you felt Harry, but I know what it feels to have something taken from you that you never wanted to give to someone else."
Harry felt tears cloud his eyes; to not want to do it, and unable to help as your body did it anyway and you enjoyed it. "I am sorry"
"Oh Harry. You have nothing to apologise for. You were dealing with your own pain and we never wanted to burden you with ours. Marvolo thought we should tell you but I never could."
"What happened to the curse? Is it still on you?"
Lucius chuckled at that, a sinister gleam entering his eyes, making Harry smile, because it meant everything had gone well, "Marvolo had been gone during that time and when he came back and found I had been married, he lost it. It was the first time, I think, that he ever crucio'd me. When he found out about the curse… Well, let's just say that my the curse was lifted, and my father learnt never to mess with Marvolo"
Harry looked at Marvolo with bright, curious eyes, "What did you do to him, and what about the Dark Lord, was he not upset that you killed a follower of his?"
The delight and reddening of the eyes told Harry all he needed to know, "No, he was not upset over a death of his follower, especially not one as stupid as him."
Harry just nodded, he knew they were hiding something big, but he had learnt to be patient, as his flowers waited for the next sun to rise, so would he for the day he would know all about them.
Marvolo looked at glowing eyes and knew Harry was assimilating everything he had been told. It was time the boy knew about him as well… He hated talking about that time, but Harry needed to know before he went to Hogwarts. He would face Severus knowing he was not weak and neither was he a victim.
"Harry, Lucius could have blamed Narcissa or himself, but the blame was for Abraxas and the curse. As with Severus, you know he was under a curse."
"The same one that he used on the Dark Lord?" Harry asked.
"The very same. He was not at fault, and yet Harry I made sure he was punished for what he did to you. That does not mean that you are not allowed to hate him, but if you hate him, you give him power. He is nothing Harry. Severus has been warned never to come close to you by us, Sirius, Dumbledore and your parents."
Harry shivered as the memory worked at his edges. "No Harry", Marvolo snapped, bringing him back to the present.
"I think it is time I told you why I hate the muggles. I grew up in a muggles orphanage, and I always knew I was different. I could help you control your powers Harry because my skill erupted well before its time as well. Blood skills require a trigger to burst earlier than puberty, which is what happened to you the day I- the Dark Lord attacked you. My trigger though was different"
Marvolo stood up from the chair and looked outside the window, muscles tensing but in control. He would never again lose control.
"The orphanage where I lived was a very poor one and all the children were asked to help out. Everyone did by cleaning, washing and doing the out jobs. I was a very beautiful child though and the Lady who owned the orphanage thought she could make better use of me. I was 5 the first time she thought to sell me."
Marvolo felt as Lucius turned to stone and Harry jumped from the chair, both shocked. He wondered for a second if it was wrong to tell this story to an eleven years old, but Harry needed to know he was not alone. He had needed to know for a long time, but Lucius had been unwilling. Lucius himself only knew that Marvolo had been abused, never how, when or at what age. It was time to come clean.
"I never forget that moment, unlink horrible memories mine did not disappear but remained ever strong. The pain, the screams, the disgust. I had read enough books, stolen, by then to know exactly what was happening to me. My powers broke through but were too late to save what had been left of my innocence. The power had been strong enough to break the windows of the room the old hag had given us. The man was about to run, screaming demon, when I realised I wanted him dead, and he was."
Harry and Lucius were both silent. Harry weaved his powers around Marvolo, trying to absorb the pain but he was blocked.
"That is my pain to deal with, it made me the man I am today. You will not take that from me."
Harry looked at crimson eyes and nodded, tears still streaming down his face.
"Do you think I am weak Harry? " Marvolo tilted his head to look at Harry as he asked the question.
Harry looked at the tall man, strong shoulders, red eyes, and gasped as the room filled with magic so strong it seemed to cover every inch of space.
"No" he whispered, "You are not weak"
Marvolo then looked him straight in the eye, "Then how can you think you are weak because of what happened?!"
Harry felt his eyes widen as realisation hit. He had always been ashamed of not being able to run away faster. But if Marvolo was not weak, then …. Neither was he.
Harry felt a burden he had hidden and carried for three years lift as he looked at crimson and spoke from his heart, "I am not weak my lo-"
The narrowing of the eyes and the startled sound from his left told Harry that he had made a blunder...Oops.
"You knew?" Marvolo hissed.
Harry swallowed as his saliva dried up, "Well…. It was not really a secret and I heard Uncle Sirius fighting with Uncle Rabastan... and it came up"
Harry tried to stay strong as those eyes decided to plunge into him again, the magic increased in intensity until he felt like it was going to attack him; he let it.
"Yet, you trust me."
"Yes… I- I don't know a lot about the Dark Lord, but I trust you Marvolo. You would never hurt me. You saved me, you healed me. You taught me how not to be afraid of my magic. You helped me find that I was not crazy. You taught me about my skill, you taught me to ride a broom, the one thing my brother could do and I was afraid of, which made me think I was less than him. Not trusting you would be like not trusting my magic. As for your attack on me, you were also cursed and mad. If I am to forgive that- Snape, who has given me nothing but pain, then how can I not forgive you? "
Lucius felt pride burst in his chest at the young child standing resolutely in front of the dark Lord, because that is exactly who Marvolo was. They were one and the same. Harry was not looking down, but staring Marvolo in the eyes with respect and awe shining in his eyes. No person was strong enough to withstand those eyes.
Marvolo let out a chuckle, breaking the tension that had arisen. "Well, well. I guess I did not overestimate you after all"
Harry only nodded, and hesitated as if going to bow. Marvolo chuckled again, "Don't bow to me child, never until I ask that of you, and I will ask you one day. Come let us decide how you will deal with Hogwarts and that Headmaster."
Lucius closed his eyes as he tried to look across to potential problems….. All their plans were laid out and would be put in motion the moment their time arose. They were in the clear for now. Things had been laid quite well.
Harry had been given to Sirius, who had barely had Harry under his roof for one day when said child transported himself to Malfoy manor to be close to Lucius. Lucius had already planned on having Harry stay at Malfoy manor while the rest of the world though he was with Sirius, but that one move had made things infinitely easier.
They helped Harry to control his fear of being touched. They helped him learn. Marvolo personally taught him occlumency and magic. Harry would meet with his parents every weekend at Sirius's place. Things on that account had not gone well. James had blamed Sirius, as expected. Lily had kept trying to get Harry's forgiveness, which the soft hearted child had given, but not forgotten. He did not trust Lily and Lily knew that.
Sebastian had blamed Harry was causing strife in his family and for abandoning them. Lucius had not decided whether he ought to change the child's thinking so he had let that remain. It seemed better to let it stay. The child could not be trusted with Harry.
Lucius had gained a lot of support in the Dark section at the ministry. While the news had not been widespread, Lucius had let the information leak to a few members about the Potter's treatment of their non-chosen child, all true. The result had been quite satisfactory.
Marvolo had gone back to Germany and a few dark curses later, they found the group who had killed the Longbottoms. They had been interrogated at the German ministry and then sent to England to face trial. The entire group had disappeared when they entered English soil, and had been found dead. Dumbledore had accused the Germans for killing them before they could confirm that they were doing it on the Germans orders for the dark Lord.
Only Lucius's forethought and Marvolo's careful planning had resulted in the truth coming out. The German gang had been paid by an English to kill the Longbottom's and to say that they had done it as revenge for the fallen Dark Lord.
Memory orbs of the veritaserum induced culprits had allowed the Germans to regain their footing in the English ministry, this time stronger. The English were now aware that one of their own had done it and wrongfully blamed the Germans.
Germany could have taken advantage of that, but under Marvolo's guidance they had not, which only increased the trust the Ministry had towards the Germans, and increased the chances of a united front. Dumbledore had not been happy.
Rome was not built in a day though, they still had a lot of work to do. Trust would be a long time coming, especially since the Germans were known to have a very strong dark sect and the ministry was filled with light fanatics, who knew nothing of true darkness, or the truth about the light for that matter.
"Lucius!" Harry's shout broke Lucius from his reminiscence, "Where are you? Marvolo is showing me his book on Alchemy! Come on!"
Lucius chuckled, eyes alight with delight at his brilliant lover, "Coming".
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Harry Potter stood at Platform 9 and 3 quarters, his belly alight with nerves that he hoped did not show on his face. He wanted to take hold of Sirius's hand, who was next to him, but he would not show weakness. He was old enough to know Marvolo's complete story, he was old enough to be strong.
"Harry! Harry!"
Harry turned around just in time for Neville to slip and fall on him. Sirius's hold on his back the only thing stopping the two of them from tumbling over.
"Neville Longbottom!" Harry felt Neville flinch at the screech. The old women on the corner of the station had screeched, a women who made Neville afraid. Harry guessed it was old hag grandmother.
"Augusta, how are you? I was not expecting to see you here?" Sirius greeted the lady.
The women seemed to scoff and looked down at Neville, "Well I guess the Lestranges did you no good. Still the worthless brat aren't you"
"Augusta!" barked Sirius, just as Augusta whelped and turned to stare at cold brown eyes,
"I believe my brother informed you that any interaction with your grandson was to be cordial, and any abuse, may it be verbal, on your part, would result in strict actions"
Augustus stuttered, "Well, young man, I was just saying hello to my grandson. I have not seen in a while as your wretched brother kept me away from my own flesh and blood" She turned towards Neville, eyes malicious, "Especially after your brother and his wife, killed my son and daughter," She pointed to Neville, "Your parents! They killed them!"
"That is enough!" Sirius barked out, taking hold of Harry and Neville, moving them towards the train...
"Control yourself Mrs. Longbottom. Let's go kids."
Rabastan watched the beady witch smile as she turned and left. Dumbledore it seemed had started the game. Lucius needed to be made aware.
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Harry and Neville entered the first empty compartment they could find. Harry helped Neville put the things in the compartment and closed the door. They sat on the opposite benches facing each other.
"How are you?" Harry asked.
Neville shrugged, "I always knew I would have to meet her someday. It's funny, I remember her always scolding me about one thing or the other, and when we meet, she is again scolding me on how clumsy I am"
"Don't take it personally Neville. Earth elementals are known to be clumsy, the earth calls them so strongly that they can't control their own reactions sometimes. Ma- My teacher told me that they will get worse as you reach puberty and then they will get easier, as you learn to control your skill"
Neville spluttered and blushed red. Harry tilted his head in confusion, "What?"
Neville cleared his throat, and looked around as If to make sure no one could hear, "You said. Puberty" he whispered.
Harry was still confused, "So? Puberty is the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction."
That just caused Neville to turn beet red and sudden laughter came from outside the compartment before it was shoved open. Draco stood there, small chuckles still escaping.
"Only you Harry."
"Dray!" Harry exclaimed as he stood and hugged the boy. Neville then talking his place. All three of them had not been together for a while now. Harry had not been to Malfoy manor since before his birthday. It had been to make sure that his letter was addressed to the right place. After which Harry had been too busy buying books and learning as much as he could before they reached Hogwarts.
All three of them moved into the compartment again as they shut the door. Draco took his seat next to Neville, closer to the compartment doors.
"What was so funny anyway?" Harry asked.
Draco shook his head. His friend had grown up surrounded by books and plants the first half of his life and the second half surrounded by books, Lucius and the Dark Lord. The kid had no idea how to be a kid. He knew about polite company and how to address them, he just did not know what had Neville so embarrassed.
Most kids would have been told about sex around the age of 12 or 13, but being magical they would start experiencing the effects sooner, especially the three of them, because they were so powerful, so they had been told earlier than most.
Neville's story had been the most funny and embarrassing. Aunt Bella had gone as far as to tell Neville how she once kissed his mother. Poor kid.
"Harry I think Neville was embarrassed over the use of words 'sexual' and 'reproduction'."
While Neville tried to fight of his blush again, Harry wondered why that would be embarrassing. Marvolo had told him that sex was a part of life, and it was okay to want to have sex and to touch people. Though he had explained that some people did not find it comfortable to talk about such matters, maybe Neville was one of those people. Strange earth elementals were known to be very earthy and lustful, was Neville actually one?
Neville did not like the way Harry was assessing him, not one bit.
"What?"
Harry just shook his head, "Nothing".
Harry moved closer to the window and looked outside, trying to spot the silver hair. He could not see anything. He felt strange not seeing the two of them for so long. He had been constantly surrounding himself with their presence for the last 3 years and suddenly being cut off for so long felt strange, as if something was missing. He did not like it.
"He did not come"
Harry turned to look at Draco, "What?"
"Father had some work at the Ministry and he said he would try to make it, but he was unable to. Mum dropped me off. Look", he pointed, "that's mum"
Harry saw Lady Malfoy and remembered the story Lucius had told him. Lucius had Marvolo, who did the Lady have? He would have to ask Lucius.
The sound of the trains hoot had the children running towards the train. Just then a fleet of red burst from the entrance, with only one black head in the lot. Harry pulled back from the window before he could be seen. He did not think he could meet with parent's right now His feelings towards them were too confusing.
"Everything okay?" Draco asked.
"Yes, everything is fine."
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Sebastian looked at the green fields as the train moved across the tracks towards Hogwarts where he would be spending the next seven years of his life. His mother had been crying as they had said goodbye. His father had been so proud. They had come with the Weaselys and had been a late.
He and Ron had managed to find a compartment at the very end of the train. There had already been a bushy haired girl there, but they were too tired to go searching for more and the girl looked like a first year so they asked her if they could sit in and now they were.
The girl was too quite.
"Hi, I'm Sebastian Potter"
Sebastian took out his hand to shake.
The girl's big brown eyes widened as she gasped. He could see her long teeth from here, ugh, she was ugly, but he had to be polite. There was an ally everywhere, she could be useful.
"Are you really? I'm Hermione Granger and I have read so much about you!"
"Well yes, I am sure everyone has heard of me"
"Do you really have the scar?" Hermione whispered in awe.
"Yes. Of course" Sebastian showed her his palm, waiting for the exclamation that soon came afterwards.
"But how can you tell this is a phoenix. I mean it's just a burn, you could at it from a different angle and see something else. It's very subjective isn't it?"
Sebastian pulled his hand back, shocking Hermione, and looked at it. No the stupid girl was wrong, it was a phoenix, he could see it.
He looked up at her with a scowl, "I guess you are too stupid to see it then"
He then jerked his head away from the girl to look outside the window again. Stupid girl, could not see what was right in front of her eyes.
Hermione then looked towards a scowling Ron, "I am sorry…uhm.. I don't know your name…"
That caused the scowl to tighten, "I am Ron Weasely, best friend of Sebastian Potter"
Hermione looked at the two scowling children and did not know what she did wrong. Her first day at a magical school, she had so looked forward to making friends, especially when she found that the Sebastian Potter would be going to Hogwarts as well. She just blew it.
"Shit!" Ron cursed.
Hermione looked towards the red head, "Don't curse".
"I just lost Scabbers, my rat. I'm gonna curse if I want to!"
Ron started looking around in the compartment, going down on his knees to look under the seats. Sebastian sat where he was, indolently picking up his legs so that Ron could look beneath and putting them back again.
Hermione decided to be nice to them, hoping they would agree to be friends, after her original blunder.
"Do you want me to help you look for your…err...rat?"
Ron looked so grateful for her assistance that she could not help but feel proud of herself and a little happy. Maybe she would have some friends after all.
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The knock on the compartment door made the three kids look up from their reading. Draco had been busy reading Quidditch through the ages, while Neville was absorbed in a Herbology journal. Harry was trying to read the book on Alchemy that Marvolo had given him. He had put a spell on it to hide the name.
The door opened to reveal a bushy haired girl already in her uniform and a red head who was undoubtedly Ron Weasely.
"Yes?" Harry asked.
"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger and this is-"
"Hermione, let's leave here. We don't need their help!" Ron broke in.
The girl Hermione looked confused while Ron had a scowl on his face. Did that kid even have another expression? Whenever Harry saw him, he was either gloating or scowling.
Draco broke the silence, "Weasel, don't you know never to interrupt a lady when she is talking? Please continue miss."
The girl seemed to blush as she stuttered, "Well we were just looking for a rat. Ron lost his."
"And I can find it myself!" Ron scoffed as he grabbed hold of the girls hand and tried pulling her away, "Come on!"
The minute flinch and spike Harry felt told him more than the expression on the girls face. Draco must have seen the flinch as well. He took out his wand and pointed it straight at the red heads nose, silver eyes cold.
"Weasel, you know I hate you and would love to curse you. Just give me a reason."
Ron swallowed as he felt the heat from the wand. Harry took out his wand, "Accio – What's the rat's name?" "Scabbers" Hermione broke in, "Accio Scabbers"
The sound of screams were heard as zooming object came from the corridor and hit Weasely on the way. Draco jumped back and the rat hit Harry's hand.
It was screeching and scrambling to get away. Hmmm. There was something funny about this rat.
"Give me Scabbers!" Rom shouted, as he pushed Draco to get his hands on his rat. Neville stood up and stood in front of Ron. "Harry is not mean. He will give it to you. Harry?"
Harry opened his senses, holding the struggling rat in his hands. He felt his senses increase and narrowed it only towards the rat, as Marvolo had taught him. The aura from the rat…. It was human. Oh… This must be Wormtail. How he hated that coward. What to do about this? Lucius did say to ignore it if it came up… Sigh… He did not like listening to this piece of….advice. Oh well.
"There you go. Have it" Harry said.
Ron snatched the rat from his hand and ran from the corridor, not even looking at the girl or them.
Harry felt the girl, Hermione was in pain, not physical this time, though it seemed as if her shoulder was throbbing, it was her emotions that were in pain.
"Hermione, was it? Please come in" Harry said.
Neville and Draco looked at each other before they sat down, making space between them for the girl, so that she faced Harry.
Hermione was hesitant but she came in and sat.
"We forgot to introduce ourselves properly. That is Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom and I am Harry Potter"
Hermione's eyes widened, Oh no, he knew what was coming and he braced himself for it.
But it never came. Hermione seemed to consider him for a moment.
"Nice to meet you all. So are you all first years?"
Harry relaxed, a smile hovering at his lips. Draco and Neville relaxed as well and the environment turned friendly as they answered her.
Hermione watched the three boys, each holding a book in their hands. She had made the right choice not asking Harry about being a Potter. She asked them about the books and as the discussion continued to how much they had already learnt, Hermione felt herself calming. She had finally found her place.
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The four Hogwarts students sat on the boat as it took them to Hogwarts. They were silent for the first time since they had gotten together, eagerly waiting for their first view of Hogwarts. Harry though was having trouble.
There were too many sensations that were trying to grab his attention. There were creatures in the water. They could feel him and he could feel them. The castle was close and it was so powerful. He could feel it. Potter manor felt like pain to him, Malfoy manor spoke of luxury and freedom, Grimmauld place secrets and deceit, but this; this was wisdom and knowledge so vast he could feel it reverberating in his soul.
Hogwarts could feel him. Harry lost himself as he tasted the soil, the centaurs in the forest, the many creatures in the forest, the elves, and a beast?
"Harry!"
The shout brought him back as he tightened his occlumency shield and scolded himself for slipping. Marvolo would not be happy.
Harry looked up just in time to duck as a thick stump came in his path. He looked up and saw it, Hogwarts. Gasps sounded around him but no sound could escape him. He saw the majestic sight and he felt the magic surrounding the castle. It was so pure, so beautiful, but wait…. Harry concentrated on a piece of magic that seemed to be corroding and dying. What? Why was this beautiful piece dying, it was in pain. He needed to help.
The boats shook as they reached land and Harry pulled his powers back as he stood up. His attention was bought to his surrounding by a tripping Neville and Draco who tried to help, only to end up stumbling and barely saving himself from falling. The laughter from across the field fell on their ears. It was Sebastian and his posse.
"Well, well. What do we have here? A clumsy oaf, a loser and a brat, and my, my, Hermione, have you joined the dark side after all. I guess you must be a muggleborn since you apparently don't know about these four. Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, right hand of Voldemort. Neville Longbottom, brought up by his parents killers, the Lestranges, dark as they come, and Harry Potter, the boy who was a coward and could not face his fears. Losers the lot of them, they will dump you, just you watch, and I won't be there to catch you!"
Sebastian laughed and the people behind him laughed as well, as they moved towards the gates where the half giant, Hagrid was taking them. Hermione looked at the three of them with fear in her eyes before they resolved with determination. She jumped from the boat and gave her hand to Neville, "Come on, we need to hurry or we will be late"
Neville smiled as he took her hand. Harry moved towards the gate and started walking, his two best friends and one new friend behind him. Sebastian had made his first move to alienate them. He would never speak of what happened to Harry because it was a secret so that Severus could stay in Hogwarts, but that did not mean he would not allude to it. The fool, he thought it was a weakness, but Harry knew better now.
A Slytherin used whatever they had to get their way, even a perceived weakness. Harry smirked as he looked up at the gates of the beautiful castle. He would not fail, and he would find out what was wrong with the castle. He needed to write to Marvolo and Lucius…
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They first years all waited in front of the Great Hall. Everyone was frightened about the test they would have to give. Even Sebastian seemed worried, did his parents never tell him? Oh well. His attention was caught by Hermione who was revising spells under her breath.
He chuckled, "Hermione it won't be a test like you are thinking. Most students have never performed magic in their life and won't know a thing. It's just a process, which I won't ruin by telling you, which tells you which house you belong in."
"I just I knew what it was so that I can prepare. I want to be in Gryffindor so badly. It's where Dumbledore was and he is considered the only one You-Know-Who was afraid of"
Harry withheld the spike of anger and his palms started feeling hot. He knew not a shred of his true feeling were visible on his face.
"I won't tell the h- process where to put me. It knows best. Gryffindor is for the brave, Ravenclaw for the smart, Hufflepuff the loyal, and Slytherin the sly."
"Well I won't want to be in Slytherin, imagine being in the house of You-Know-Who"
Draco broke in, "Well both my parents were in Slytherin and I like to think that they turned out right. Slytherin is not evil, just the same as Gryffindor is not good"
"Yes" Neville broke in, "The guy who betrayed Harry's parents to the- to You-Know-Who was a Gryffindor, and I heard he was a coward, so it makes no sense"
"I rather think I will be in Ravenclaw" Harry continued, "I mean, I love books, and I am sure I could find people with the same temperament as me, but I would still trust the decision. My teacher said that it always knew."
Hermione listened to the three, and regarded Draco and Neville, "So which house do you think you will be?"
"I am most likely going to be in Slytherin. Father said I was a Slytherin and my father is very good at guessing the houses."
"Really?"
Hermione looked at them, they did not seem bothered by that, so it must be okay. It's not like they were evil, they were just kids.
"What about you Neville?"
"Hmm. I don't know to be honest. I like books but only Herbology, I am not a book worm like Harry, neither am I cunning like Draco here, nor am I very brave, so I guess I'll end up in Hufflepuff most likely" Neville sounded morose as he said it.
Harry snorted just as the doors of the great Hall opened, "Neville, you grew up with Aunt Bella"
Draco chuckled at that, while Hermione wondered why that was so significant, but did not have time to ask as Professor McGonagall took them to the great Hall. Hermione was awe struck at the beautiful display.
At the end of the Hall, there was a stool and a ragged looking hat sat on top of it. The brim of the hat opened and it began to sing. Hermione took a relieved breath as the hat finished singing. So she just had to put on the hat and it would tell her where she belonged. Okay…
Professor McGonagall unrolled a parchment and started calling out the names, until it was Hermione's turn.
"Granger, Hermione"
Hermione felt a hand on her back and took courage from that. She walked towards the front of the hall, not looking anywhere else. The last thing she saw was her three new friends before the hat covered her view.
"What do we have here? Hmmm. A strong mind, sharp and wise…. You are not for Hufflepuff and neither are you a Slytherin, you are too blunt for that…. Hmmm. You are brave as well, courageous to stand next to people you just met rather than joining the crowd… Do you have a choice?"
Hermione listened as the hat spoke in what had to be her mind. She felt heart speed as she realised she would have a say, she was about to speak Gryffindor when the memory spoke, It knows best.
Did she really want to be in Gryffindor that badly? She already had friends, and none of them might end up in Gryffindor, and she really wanted to be with someone she could discuss magic and magical theories with.
"Ravenclaw!"
The loud voice of the hat startled Hermione and she let out a breath. She guessed the hat had chosen after all. She jumped from the stool and went towards the clapping table with the blue raven, shaking a few hands as she sat.
She ignored the few other names after her as she listened to the talk around the table. Yes she could fit in here just well.
"Longbottom, Neville!"
Hermione looked towards the entrance just in time to see Neville trip and fall on his way to the stool. Damn. A peak at the entrance showed Draco with his eyes covered and shaking his head, while Harry did not have a single expression on his face. They had all been blasé in the entrance Hall, but this was very important to them as well, as could be seen by their reactions.
Neville finally reached the stool, face still flushed, as the Professor put the hat on his head. It was quite for a while, the hat seemed to be taking some time to decide,
"How long does the hat normally take?" Hermione asked.
The girl on her right answered, whose name she heard was Chang something.
"Well it depends, sometimes it's pretty quick but sometimes it takes a while. Not too long though."
Hermione looked towards a sweating Neville and saw the smile that burst on his lips just as the hat announced, "Gryffindor!"
At the entrance, Harry and Draco both relaxed. They were happy for their friend. Harry knew how badly Neville wanted to be in the same house as his parents, as a way to get closer to them. The guy had no idea how brave he actually was.
Harry and Draco exchanged glances before moving closer so that no one could hear, as they knew Draco's name would be coming soon.
"Hold tight and meet me at the Seventh floor tomorrow morning, the ghosts will show you the way. I was told of a place we could use." Harry said.
Draco nodded just as his name was called,
"Malfoy, Draco"
Draco moved towards the hat; shoulders back, the arrogant tilt of his head that he had learned from Lucius, and he looked as if he was floating more than walking. He reached the hat and put in on. The hat barely touched his head before it shouted,
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table clapped ad Harry joined in, laughter escaping him. Draco was his father's son. Slytherin to the very end.
The snort from his left caught his attention, "Of course you would clap at the ponce's sorting. Have you turned dark on us then Harry? Have you really betrayed the light, just as you betrayed our parents?!"
Only the knowledge that Marvolo would be disappointed in him and the truth that he never betrayed his parents kept him from lashing. He allowed himself to feel his brother, just so that he could understand. Betrayal, the only thing his brother felt when it came towards him and he had no idea why.
"Potter, Harry!"
Harry shook off his thoughts as he gathered and tightened his occlumency barriers and moved towards the front. He kept his head high, and ignored the whispers and the students rising on chairs to look at him. They were all wondering who he was and why he had the Potter's surname. Fools, all of them.
Harry sat on the chair, and ignored the people around him, his attention caught by the hat, whose aura he could feel, now that he was close enough. This barriers and Hogwarts own aura had prevented him from feeling it before. The hat was sentient, just like Hogwarts.
The hat came on his head and all was silence, Harry waited for something to happen and nothing did. Then he felt something at his barriers trying to get in and allowed only the thread entrance, keeping his memories and thoughts behind another barrier.
"Well, well, this is interesting. You certainly are as paranoid as any Slytherin."
"Swear on you essence as a sentient that you will never reveal what you find in my head to anyone." Harry demanded.
Chuckles filled his mind, "Ah, a Slytherin we have here. I do so swear on my being that I shall not repeat or think of anything that passed between us"
Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he felt the promise hold. Marvolo had warned him to be careful, they were not sure to whom the hat's loyalty belonged.
The chuckles continued again, as the hat took access to his mind, the front part at least, it would not be very Slytherin of him if he showed all his secrets.
"My, My, I have never met a child quite like you before. As for loyalty, I am only loyal to Hogwarts. I reveal no secrets to anyone. Not even the headmaster."
Harry hummed in acceptance, "So….. My sorting?"
"Oh yes, my mistake. I was just so interested in your mind. It is a wonderful place is it not. Slytherin you are and became so after you left your parents. Ravenclaw you were and always have been and always will be, and bravery…. Yes… You sir are brave to face your fears and enter this place where the person of your past nightmares now resides. Very brave as well, to trust the man who once wanted you dead!"
Harry stiffened as the hat tried to probe deeper, "No! Just sort me already."
"Ah, the stubbornness of a Gryffindor as well, but what about Hufflepuff…. hmmm. Let's see now... Loyalty... How loyal are you dear Harry Potter Black?"
"I don't know what you mean." Harry responded.
"Hmmmmm. You trust and are loyal to only two people in this world, is that not true. The people you see as your saviours. You trust anyone they trust but they come first in your eyes."
Harry shut his eyes as he tried to figure out what the hat wanted. Yes he trusted Marvolo and Lucius more than anyone in the world. The saved him, when they had no reason to. Lucius believed him, always believed him, always.
"What if your two friends were in danger from your parents? Hmmm. If you had to save them but doing so would kill your family… What will you do?!" the hat asked.
Harry tried to think, what did the hat want? He refused to answer that question, he refused.
"I will not sort you if you do not answer Harry Potter. You will stay here until you answer that question."
What? Why? Why was the question important? He did not want to answer but he had to get sorted. He needed to control his emotions. Marvolo said to focus on the most calming feeling he had and let it clear his emotions and head.
Harry brought the feeling of being wrapped up in two sets of magic as they helped him and felt his entire being shudder in relief. The question came floating in his mind, what would be do?
Harry spoke with determination that came from somewhere deep inside him, "I would save them, even if it meant my parents, or even the world died. They are my first and only priority. I choose them!"
Harry took a shuddering breath in light of his announcement, barely aware as the hat shouted,
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Harry heard gasps around him as he came back to the present. The hats laughter ringing in his mind, "Finally! The time has come."
A/N: HEHE.. Yayyy.. Finally at Hogwarts... Okay. So i really need to know what you guys think, cause for some reason i am really nervous about this chapter. Please let me know.. :) And what do you think about the sorting?