Sept 10
Hari woke to find a very heavy, very large snake draped over her and Tom. She shifted slightly and stared at the black eyes staring back at her. She smiled softly. :So you convinced him to bring you:
:I ran away since he apparently did not want me anymore:
Hari snorted. :Ran away?:
:Yes, I made him search for hours in the forest behind our home before I let him find me:
Hari bit back laughter. :You know we can't call you Nagini. Nagini is Voldemort's familiar and we have them convinced he is not Voldemort:
:Call me what you wish. I want to be with you two and the coming hatchling and I want a warm fire to lay near and fat mice to eat:
Hari ran a hand affectionately along the sinuous body. :We can do those things. There is also the forbidden forest you can hunt in when it is warmer. We will make sure the centaurs know that to harm you will be to start a war:
~I will keep the slithering one safe~ Hedwig joined the conversation sleepily.
:I do not need you to keep me safe: Nagini hissed.
Hedwig hooted derisively. ~The unicorn herds would trample you before they saw you crawling on the leaves and the giant spiders…~
:I have protected myself longer than you have lived you overgrown winged rodent!:
Hari felt amusement over the link and turned her head to see cobalt eyes twinkling with mirth. "I'm glad you brought her."
"Me, too. I hated leaving her to begin with but I figured everyone would be frightened enough without adding a fifteen foot snake to the mix."
"Did you really have to hunt her down in the forest?"
He scowled at the snake even as he laughed over their link. "Yes. There was this trail of animal bones out the back door and into the forest. Broken saplings and obviously scuffed up areas led me deep into the forest then she got subtle. I hunted her sorry hide for four hours and finally had to promise her she could have rabbit for the next two months before she came to me."
Hari chuckled. "So what are you going to call her now?"
"Brat."
Nagini raised up and hissed at him.
Hedwig fluffed her wings and hooted, clearly laughing at the serpent.
Tom cocked his head at her. :Samira:
:I like that: Nagini bobbed and weaved happily.
"I'm glad now get off us so we can shower. We need to be downstairs in an hour."
Nagini slid onto the floor and slid across the floor to the fireplace coiling up on the heated stone ledge with a hissy sigh.
Tom kissed Hari tenderly then hustled from the warm bed to the shower. Under the hot water, he kissed her again more passionately.
Howlers were going off all over the Great Hall. Parents outraged at the change of their children's House.
HUFFLEPUFF! HUFFLEPUFF! YOU'RE A DISGRACE! NO BULSTRODE HAS EVER BEEN SORTED INTO HUFFLEPUFF! YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A DISAPPOINTMENT! WE WILL DISCUSS THIS WHEN YOU COME HOME AND THE HAT BETTER PUT YOU BACK IN SLYTHERIN!
FIRST A LIBRARIAN NOW A HUFFLEPUFF! BE GLAD YOU ARE MY ONLY SON OR I'D DISINHERIT SUCH A DISAPPOINTMENT. PERHAPS….
Tom frowned. How dare they show displeasure at what was clearly an action of his as it was up to him whether or not to do the resorting! Letting just a little of his upset show on his face as appropriate for a headmaster at hearing students being raked over the coals by parents in such a public manner, Tom discreetly pressed fingers against his snake tattoo and softly hissed Bulstrode's and Crabbe's name before sending intense displeasure down the link. If they thought him soft now they were mistaken and he would take great pleasure in teaching that lesson.
In their homes the two men sank to their knees as their lord's displeasure sent waves of agony through them. He had approved the resort and, in Crabbe's case, the vocation so they had no reason at all to disapprove especially publically.
Hari flicked her wand out and hit the howler with a reducto. She sent Crabbe a sympathetic look. She looked around and saw many of the resorted children with letters some looking relieved at their parents responses; some clearly upset.
"Hari."
She looked at Sirius then followed his finger to the small owl laboring toward her with a howler. Molly Prewitt.
"HOW DARE YOU SORT MY CHILDREN TO SLYTHERIN! MY BABIES ARE NOT EVIL, BACKSTABBING SNAKES! YOU ARE THE LYING BETRAYING MURDERER NOT THEM! YOU WON'T GET AWAY WITH THIS! YOU AND THAT DARK WIZARD YOU'VE TAKEN UP WITH. YOU PUT MY CHILDREN BACK IN GRYFFINDOR WHERE THEY BELONG! YOUR PARENTS WOULD BE DISGUSTED WITH YOU HARIKA POTTER. THANK MERLIN THEY ARE DEAD AND HAVEN'T SEEN WHAT A HORRIBLE IMMORAL PERSON YOU'VE GROWN UP TO BE!
Hari glared at the howler from Molly Prewitt then squared her shoulders and turned back to her breakfast.
"Don't listen to her, Hari." Sirius grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently. "James and Lily would be disgusted at her behavior. They loved you so much. They would have understood and supported you just like me and Remus."
"Thanks."
Tom laid his hand on her leg stroking gently. "She is a small minded bigot. You have more understanding, love and compassion in your pinky finger than she has in her whole fat, dowdy body."
Hari chuckled. "I'm alright guys. Really. I learned long ago to ignore her opinions." She stood up and kissed Tom lightly before heading to class.
"Whoa, wait." Sirius nabbed her hand. "To do list." He held out his hand. "I know you have one and you have enough to do with classes."
Hari sighed and pulled out the list and handed it to him.
He stood and hugged her before letting her go to class. He glanced at the list – opening the south tower for vampire families who would want to come ensure their children's safety; finding appropriate housing for werewolves; securing a run to the shrieking shack; expanding and cleaning up the shack; warding a large area for them to run freely in.
He nudged Remus and handed the list to him. Remus glanced down at it then looked at him with wide, disbelieving eyes.
Equality. A chance for all to be educated. The things Dumbledore had spoken of yet never lobbied for. "We can start on the shack after lunch."
Sirius nodded as they stood and headed for their classes.
Tom headed back to his office. Inside the sanctum, he stroked his serpent tattoo calling several of his followers. Hogwarts had tied up much more of his time than he had thought it would. He needed to find out what was happening in the ministry, with various allies and in the Wizengamot.
The floo activated and Lucius Malfoy, Rabastan Lestrange, Barty Crouch, Ian Gaffe, Robbet Towler, Stephen Moshner, Michael Adler, Alida Rostler, Peter Abercrombie, Tristan Carnaq, Maven Peakes and Helga Smith stepped through. They all bowed to their lord.
"Ackerley and Nostrum, Lucius?"
"Dead, my lord."
"Good. Sit," he murmured and chairs appeared for everyone. "I want these articles appearing in the papers." He passed several parchments over to regarding the truth of vampires and werewolves to Towler. We have until next September to educate the masses well enough that they don't panic completely when vampire and werewolf children attend Hogwarts next year."
"Yes, my lord." Towler tucked the information packet away.
"For those on the Wizengamot. Once the information has circulated you will begin lobbying to remove the demeaning anti legislation."
"We're really going to let vampires and werewolves think they are our equals?" Alida Rostler asked with disgust plain on her face.
"We are. I promised them equality if they sided with me or remained neutral. They kept their end of the bargain now it is time for me to keep mine."
"Yes, my lord." She murmured reluctantly.
Tom stared at her a moment before letting it go. Not everyone would agree with his stance. He knew that. As long as they obeyed he would let them be. "Is there anything I need to know about?"
"There is talk spreading quietly throughout the Ministry, my lord." Maven Peakes spoke up. "Unrest at how Fudge was apparently involved in covering up the lack of trial for Lord Black, the obvious favoritism of those wealthy enough to bribe him, his lack of action against the threat of Voldemort. This would be the time to work on removing him if that is your wish."
Tom leaned back and stared at his desk thoughtfully. He smirked when Nagini slid through the chairs startling everyone. She curled around his chair and up his torso to drape herself over his shoulders. He could feel her happy contentment to finally be back with him. He reached up absently and stroked her.
"Do we have someone positioned that we can insert into the Minister's office?" He looked at Lucius.
"The ones in the best position at the moment would be Gaffe," he nodded toward the man. "Wapps possibly." Lucius paused and took a deep breath. "There is someone…I am hesitant to put forward."
Tom motioned for him to go on.
"Arthur Weasley."
"WEASLEY!"
"THE BLOOD TRAITOR"
"ARE YOU MAD?!"
Lucius kept his gaze on Tom who looked startled at first but now was looking very thoughtful.
"Explain your reasoning." Tom finally murmured wanting to know if Lucius saw what he saw. With Arthur now privately on their side it would be very advantageous to have the Light wizard in the Minister's position. He was also a morally strong man that wouldn't cave to pressure or bribes if he didn't agree with the proposition. They would just have to keep their…less than acceptable…plans from him.
"Arthur is a Light wizard known for his moral stances and his fair treatment of all. He is also loyal to Lady Slytherin. You and he have had several conversations. He knows where you want the country to go and doesn't seem to have an issue it. The Light members of the Wizengamot would be more likely to even listen to the proposed legislation with it coming from Weasley than from any Dark wizard we could place in the position. He himself won't be able to vote as minister, but the Weasley seat can be given in proxy to one of his sons or someone else of his choice."
Tom nodded after a thoughtful pause. "I agree. Feel him out. In the meantime dig up every tidbit you can find not only on Fudge but for contenders that we may need to discredit. Lucius Malfoy, Rabastan Lestrange, Barty Crouch, Stephen Moshner and Michael Adler stay everyone else can go."
After the others had left to get started on their new assignments, Tom looked at the remaining five. "Any more leads on those consorting against Hari? Have we found MacNair, Nott, Cornfoot, or Parkinson?"
"I found Nott late yesterday, my lord. He is in your dungeon." Adler growled.
"I take it you made your own displeasure known."
"I did."
Tom smirked and stroked Nagini. Merlin he was glad to have her back with him. "Did he have any other names?"
"No, my lord."
"Good. Perhaps we are reaching the end of this mutinous affair."
"Parkinson has departed for the Balkans." Barty added. "I was about to follow after him when I received your summons."
"Go after this meeting." He shifted slightly. "What I'm about to say is not common knowledge. Lucius, Narcissa, Severus and of course her godfathers know. Hari is pregnant." He paused. "End this threat."
"Yes, my lord," they all murmured with renewed determination.
Once they were gone, Tom sent another wave of intense displeasure through the mark to those few still evading him. They would all soon realize that it was foolish to act against their lord's wishes. He stood careful not to dislodge Nagini and moved to stare out the window. He saw Hagrid building stables and pens.
:Would you like to meet a half-giant who loves large, dangerous creatures?:
:Will he feed me rabbits and mice?:
:I am positive he will:
:Yes:
Tom chuckled and headed out of his office. He strolled through the halls with Nagini draped around him. He turned the corner and barely managed to hide his smirk when two students screamed and plastered themselves against the wall.
Tom stopped and stared at them. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"
Eyes wide, faces white they nodded while their eyes stayed on the snake.
"Ah, this is my familiar, Samira. Now, five points each for being out of class. Which class are you skipping?"
"Latin, sir."
"Get to class." He sighed. "I will check with Professor Zortz to see if you arrived."
The two boys nodded and raced off.
Tom stepped out into the sunshine and paused to enjoy its warmth before heading to where Hagrid was working. He hadn't spoken with the half-giant since the takeover. He was certain the groundskeeper was avoiding him.
"Hagrid," he called out as he came close. He noted how the large man stiffened before turning.
"Headmaster," Hagrid's eyes widened at the sight of Nagini. "That there is a beauty you have." He uttered, voice full of admiration.
Nagini raised her head and weaved in appreciation.
"This is my familiar, Samira. As I'm sure you know Hari and I are both parselmouths. I wanted to introduce the two of you since you'll be seeing her around the grounds. She is especially fond of rabbits and large mice."
:Deer as well. Don't forget deer:
:You'll get fat:
:I will not:
"Ah, headmaster," Hagrid shuddered at the parseltongue even as he gave them curious looks.
"She also likes deer but too many and she'll be too fat to hunt on her own." He smirked at the aggravated hissing from Nagini.
Hagrid found himself grinning at the young man he wanted to hate.
Riddle became serious. "Hagrid, I understand how close you were to Dumbledore and that you hold a bit of animosity toward me for recent events. I hope though that we can work past it."
"You killed Headmaster Dumbledore!"
Samira hissed as Riddle nodded. "I did. He was a threat to my wife."
Hagrid's hands clenched at his side. "Dumbledore was a good man! He loved Hari like she were his own!"
"Then I pity any of his children. Dumbledore was neglectful and manipulative toward Hari. He knew how the Dursleys treated her and ignored it. He hid her inheritance from her and was setting her up to be a sacrifice in his war against Voldemort. I'm sorry if you do not wish to acknowledge those facts. I will swear to them on my magic if you wish."
Hagrid shuffled and looked around uncomfortably. "All those things the paper said about him – they were true? He really did those things to Hari?"
"Yes, they are true."
Hagrid turned and stared out across the grounds. "A good man as I thought he were wouldna done them," he murmured. "Hari has never been nothing but kind to me and what yer doin' here is some good that needed doin'. Can't say I'm happy with ya killin' Dumbledore and I don't know if its all true what they're saying about him now, but I guess it were yer right being Founders' heirs and all to take the castle back and defend yer wife."
Riddle stayed silent for a minute deciding that the half giant wasn't holding a grudge. "I heard Remus Lupin got with you on the animals and farming."
"Yeah, we're getting six milk cows, one bull, three goats, ten pigs and nineteen hens and two roosters. This'll be fer the chickens and the goats. I've fenced several acres off fer the cows and put the pig sty next to 'em. By next year we should be able t' supply all the dairy needs an' provide 'bout half th' meat."
"Excellent work. I'll leave it to you and Mr. Lupin. Feel free to come to me with any needs."
"I will, Headmaster."
Sept 11
Draco was waiting for Hari when she exited Transfiguration. "I found them!"
"Found who?" Hari smiled at the house elf that appeared with a fruit and nut snack for her.
"The Meridans – the family you have a non-combative alliance with."
"Oh," her face brightened up. "Who are they?"
"The Finnegans."
"Finnegans? Seamus' family?"
"Yes."
"Huh, okay I'll send a letter off to them. Thanks Draco for helping me with all this."
"No problem, my Lady." He gazed at her expectantly.
She eyed him. "Hmmm, yes…fine…I owe you a favor."
Draco smirked at her.
BREAK
Arthur reflected on the changes in his life and beliefs as he flooed over to have tea with Lucius Malfoy. Having spent time at Westmoor with the blonde actually discussing issues he realized they weren't that disparate in core beliefs although they did differ in opinions of muggles and the superiority of purebloods. He actually liked the young Dark Lord as well.
"Arthur, thank you for coming." Lucius murmured graciously.
"Thank you for the invitation."
They walked in companionable silence to the sitting room.
"I take it you are pleased that Draco remained in Slytherin." Arthur teased lightly.
Lucius shuddered. "Crabbe and Goyle are horrified that their sons went to Hufflepuff not that they will do anything about it." He glanced at the redhead. "I heard yours have joined mine."
"Fred and George are ecstatic. Ron and Ginny horrified. Bill is eagerly awaiting Winter break so he can spend days playing with Hogwarts' wards."
Lucius shivered. "I want nothing to do with them. I swear that castle is semi-sentient."
Arthur chuckled.
Lucius sipped his tea and studied his former enemy. "Just how invested would you like to be in overhauling the ministry?"
Arthur looked up startled. "What?" He pinned the blonde with a sharp look. "What is the Dark Lord planning now?"
"You know the talk in the Wizengamot is one of no confidence in Fudge. We, of course, want someone that agrees with at least a good portion of our goals in the office." He gave Arthur a very pointed look.
"Minister?!" Arthur's voice was a bit shrill and he flushed. Glancing down and clearing his throat in embarrassment.
Lucius smirked at him.
"The Dark Lord wants me to run for Minister?"
"Yes."
Arthur frowned down at his teacup. "Minister." He blew out a breath and looked up at Malfoy. "Did you ever think you'd be offering to get me into the Minister's office?"
Lucius snorted elegantly. "No."
"I wouldn't be a puppet. I've stuck to my beliefs and morals all my life. I won't always agree with what he wants or does and I will stand against him in those instances."
"He is aware of your moral fiber. You do agree with his ideas in the broad scope – unity, equality, wizarding celebrations instead of muggle ones, improved education. The fact that you will, in cases, oppose him is actually to our benefit. No one will be able to say you are in our pocket."
"I won't support bills that limits the rights of any group or race. I won't advocate keeping muggleborn downtrodden."
Lucius frowned slightly. "You would put those that trample our ways in positions to permanently ban them. We might as well become wand waving muggles! That is what will happen if muggleborn and raised reach the higher echelons!"
"Not all things muggle are abdominal." Arthur exclaimed. "We need to understand the culture and be a bit flexible in what we allow in." Seeing the obstinate look on the aristocrat's face, Arthur sighed and took a mental step back. "What about a compromise? What if we insist on the incoming muggle raised being indoctrinated into the magical culture. Insist they learn our ways and traditions and the reasons that we do the things we do, but we also learn about their technology and see what can be usefully adapted instead of just shutting out their ideas blindly. Even such a token effort to at least consider muggle ideas would lessen resistance to learning wizarding ways. Here, look at this…pen…Hari gifted me. Muggles call it a fountain pen for some odd reason."
Arthur uncapped the pen and handed over to the aristocrat. Lucius studied it at first with complete disdain then curiosity. It had a tip like a quill, but no feather.
"Just write with it like a quill." Arthur enthused. "The ink is contained within the body of the pen."
Lucius quirked an eyebrow in disbelief but summon a piece of parchment and hesitantly began to write. Ink flowed evenly out of the metal tip and across the page drying nearly instantly without blotches or drips. He lifted the pen and studied it. "The ink is inside?"
Arthur held out his hand and Lucius reluctantly handed the item over. Arthur deftly unscrewed the top half of the pen and pulled out the ink cartridge. "You can exchange the ink cartridge with ones of different color and the tips for thinner or thicker lines. Hari says you can buy tips and ink for as little as a sickle to upward to twenty galleons or more. No ink pots to tote about or knock over or break. No ink blotching after a few practice sessions. No ink stained cuffs."
"I…would not mind trying one of these fountain pens." He finally acceded.
Arthur smirked.
Lucius scowled down into his teacup. "That…might be an acceptable compromise. They embrace our ways. We bring magical traditions back out into the public way of life instead of being forced to hide in the shadows and in exchange we become a little less adamant against muggle advancements. Small things like these pens."
"Will you support bringing them in younger? Teaching them culture and traditions before Hogwarts?"
"Yes, I believe that would minimize the culture shock Young children believe and adapt more easily." He paused and took a deep breath. "So, minister?"
"Yes." Arthur inhaled deeply and straighten in his chair. "If you believe you can get me in, I'll accept the position."
Lucius gave a predatory smile. "Oh, I can get you in."