Chapter 22

Influential Connections

Harry and Tom spent much more time in Slytherin's Study. They were either kissing, plotting, or just talking about whatever came to their mind. In front of them currently was an ever-expanding list of events that they plan to happen, events that have happened, and events that were Harry's past. Mainly, these were events that surrounded the creation of the Death Eaters. Harry looked down at the sheet and frowned when he saw Sirius' name. "Tell me again, who is this man?" Tom asked, pointing to the name. "Every time we talk, you end up staring at it and get a lost look.

"Sorry," Harry muttered. "It's just weird for me. Knowing that he isn't born yet. That our actions might delay or even prevent his birth, to begin with."

"Well, first tell me who he is fully, and we can plan this through," Tom said, moving to sit a little close to Harry on the loveseat.

"Where to begin?" Harry sighed. "First off, he's Orion's and Walburga's son. I know, someone that disgusting and odious actually produced something good in her life."

"I will keep those comments to myself," Tom interrupted.

Harry gave him a soft look before continuing, "He was the first Black to become a Gryffindor. From what I heard, Walburga hated that. She all but cut him out of the family, while his younger brother Regulus was their pride and joy, first because he was a Slytherin and second because he later became a Death Eater."

"So they had one sensible son," Tom muttered.

"It got him killed," Harry said gravely. "Regulus. Sirius told me that you killed him yourself." He looked at Tom for a moment before continuing. "Anyway, Sirius was my dad's best friend, along with a boy named Remus Lupin. And Pettigrew." Harry added bitterly. "That cowardly rat." He shook his head. "Remus was a werewolf, and the three of them, my dad, Sirius, and Pettigrew became illegal Animagus to stay with Remus during the full moon. The four of them created my map of Hogwarts. Later on, Sirius became my godfather and I was supposed to go to him when Voldemort killed my parents. But he didn't. He went after Pettigrew instead. The sneak sold my parents out to you, he was the reason why you knew where to find us. Sirius tried to get him to confess, but Pettigrew got away, he cut off his own finger and caused an explosion that killed thirteen muggles. Sirius went to Azkaban for that, and he escaped when I was in my third year." Harry gave a dry chuckle, "It's funny looking back, I thought he was out to kill me, but he really wanted revenge on Pettigrew, who hid as a rat with the Weasleys. Long story short, Pettigrew got away, but I had Sirius again. I have a loving family. But we couldn't be together because he was on the run. But I still wrote to him, confided in him. He was the first person I told, actually, about my sexuality."

"How did he respond?" Tom asked.

"Fully supportive," Harry smiled. "Hell, he even wanted to meet Viktor, see if he was 'good enough' for his godson."

"Viktor was your first, correct?" Tom asked. "Was he a Hogwarts student too?"

Harry shook his head, "No, he was from Durmstrang. He came during my fourth year where we held the Triwizard Tournament."

"Ahh, continue," Tom nodded. Harry couldn't help but giggle at the obvious signs of jealousy from his boyfriend. He kissed Tom's cheek and smiled.

"I had Sirius for two full years, my fourth and fifth years at Hogwarts. But it was at the end of the fifth year, where I broke into the Ministry to steal the prophecy that connected you and me, that he died. His cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, killed him. And I lost the only remaining true family I had left."

"Until you became mine," Tom said. He looked down at Sirius' name. "What do you want to do? We still have time."

Harry looked at the list with Tom. "I want to give Harry Potter the life I desperately wanted. I want him to grow up knowing his parents. To have fun with his godfather. To be fully open about who he is, and never feel burdened by life's expectations or any heroic callings."

"You want to prevent everything that caused the misery that surrounded your life," Tom said simply.

"Yeah, I do," Harry nodded. "But that means I will have to live through seeing others' pains. Seeing Sirius being ostracized by his family, seeing Remus Lupin turned into a werewolf when he was only a young boy. If I could, I would cut off Pettigrew entirely, making sure that the coward never even meets my father."

"Well, that we can do right now," Tom said. "We have enough potions." He pointed to the standing cabinet which all held the infertile poison. "The only Pettigrew I know is a Gryffindor named Franklin Pettigrew, he is a second-year if I am remembering correctly."

"Franklin Pettigrew," Harry repeated. He frowned, "twelve years old, huh."

Tom laughed, "Don't tell me you are getting second thoughts," he said. "What would you do if I order you to do it?"

"Then I would have no choice," Harry said automatically, "if you are ordering me as my Lord."

"Good, then I am," Tom said, his voice growing cold. "Find a way to slip one of our vials into Franklin Pettigrew's morning tea. Do it, and I will reward you immensely Harry."

"Yes… my lord," Harry said grimly. He nodded and looked at the list. "What else will we do?" he asked. "I mean moving forward."

"First, we will expand our members of the Knights," Voldemort said. "Right now our ranks hold a miserable amount. And though we are high in quality, if we are to change the world we also desire quantity as well. This is why I ordered all of you to bring someone in our next meeting. So we can start expanding and turn our movement into an Inter-House phenomenon. This will make sure that we have immediate access to more outside authority through their relatives along with a continued control when we graduate Hogwarts and enter the working world."

Harry nodded, and blushed, "I haven't found anyone yet—but I'm looking," he said.

"January isn't over yet, you have time," Tom hummed. Harry nodded. "Which reminds me," Tom said, looking down at his ring. "Something rather humorous happened. At least to me."

"What?" Harry asked.

Tom looked at his ring and slowly pulled it off, examining the black stone and the mark on it. "It appears that I was wrong," he said. "I thought that this mark was the mark of the Gaunt family. However, it is not. Harry Peverell, this mark is the Peverell Coat of Arms."

Harry looked at the coat of arms, surprised. He gave out a small gasp as he looked at the ring. Tom gave it to him, dropping it in the palm of Harry's hand. Harry ran his thumb over the black stone. "You don't think that this is…"

Tom nodded softly. "Most likely, this is the Resurrection Stone from the tale." Harry looked down at the stone this time in a different light. His eyes sparkled lightly and looked up at Tom, smiling.

"Then let's test it," Harry said, giving the ring back. "Think of someone—like your mother, try and bring her back."

"My mother," Tom frowned, looking down at the stone. "I'm not sure, I never knew the woman. Or really have any attachment to her. She was just an idiot in love in my opinion. Falling in love with a boorish man who was more pig than human."

"But still we need to see if it works," Harry said. "Everyone who I know who died aren't even alive yet."

"Can it be anyone who died?" Tom asked, looking at the stone. "I wonder, does there have to be an emotional connection in order for it to work?"

"I don't know," Harry said honestly. He frowned and looked at the ring. Tom turned the ring around in his hand, holding it tightly as he hummed thoughtfully. There was a soft noise, like a breeze from nowhere, and Harry screamed. A man was standing in front of them.

He had a long skinny white beard and looked frail and ethereal wearing dulled green robes. The man looked at the two students, his eyes going to their robes before looking around slowly. "What are you doing in my study?" he asked.

"It works," Tom smirked, looking at the ethereal man. He glanced at Harry and smirked. "It looks like there is no need for any familial or emotional connections to work, after all, here is our proof. Salazar Slytherin."

"You! Who do you think you are summoning me in this manner?" Slytherin demanded.

"I am your heir," Tom shrugged, "and I needed to make sure this little resurrection stone works. You can go away now."

Slytherin seethed with rage. "You insolent child! Do not think you can order me like so! I am Salazar Slytherin! Founder of the greatest house of Hogwarts! My Basilisk waits outside these walls to get rid of my enemies and all the mudbloods."

"And she listens to me and my beloved, not you," Tom said. He turned the stone in his hand once more and Harry watched as Slytherin disappeared.

Alone, Harry looked around the room before looking down at the ring. "Two, we have two," he said.

"Indeed, we do," Tom smiled. "I want you to hold onto it."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked.

"That is my Horcrux, Harry," Tom said. He reached for Harry's hand and closed his hand over Harry's. "My soul resides in there, and I am your Master. It does not matter who holds the three gifts, for, in the end, I will become Death's Master as well."

Harry did not comment on that. Instead, he brought Tom's hand to his lips and kissed deeply before putting the ring on his finger, smirking slightly. "You know I expect a proper engagement ring when we are older," he said.

Tom laughed. "I will adorn you with every kind of jewelry that will compliment your beauty my little snake."

Harry blushed and shook his head. "We should focus on what we're doing first," he said.

"That we should," Tom said. "And right now, your Master wants to kiss his little snake."

"Please Master," Harry moaned, and Tom fell on top of him, stealing Harry's lips. They kissed and grinded against each other, their members growing hard, but they did not move past that. They kept it at kissing, their lips gliding against each other as Harry submitted. They moved apart only an hour later when they had to go for Potions.

Professor Slughorn seemed extraordinarily giddy that day as the sixth years worked on their potion. With the help of Harry's textbook, he once again provided the best version of their assignment and Slughorn gave him more praise. "Every day you seem to impress me more and more Mr. Peverell," he said, admiring Harry's potion. "A perfect draught."

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said.

Slughorn nodded and smiled. "Mr. Peverell, if you would stay after class for a quick word?" he asked, his eyes glinting. Harry already knew what he was going to ask, recognizing the look whenever he looked at him in the future, or whenever he looked at Tom. He agreed and Slughorn went on to see the rest of the classes' potions.

When the last student left, Harry walked up to Professor Slughorn, who pulled out a crystal bowl filled with crystallized pineapple. "Have one Harry," he offered.

"No thank you," Harry politely declined.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. What is it you wanted to talk with me, Professor?" Harry asked.

Slughorn took a pineapple and examined it carefully, "I would like to invite you to a sort of a little gathering I am having at the end of this week. A small thing, where a select number of students come along with a few of my alumni students, including the Minister of Magic himself! I am sure that they would all be fascinated both by your story and your skill as a Potioneer. Of course, your friends will be there too, Riddle, Avery, and Lestrange to name a few."

"Are you asking me to join the Slug Club?" Harry asked.

Professor Slughorn jumped. "And where did you hear that term?" he asked ruefully.

Harry shrugged, "Tom likes to talk a bit," he lied.

Slughorn laughed. "Does he now? Well, that is the first I heard of it! Young Riddle is an excellent student, isn't he? You are great too, but Riddle. There is something about that boy that is just on the next level if you know what I mean. But I never heard him being described as talkative."

"He is with me," Harry said easily. "But I would love to go."

"Excellent Harry! Excellent!" Slughorn grinned. "You will not be disappointed now! It is at eight o'clock in my office—follow your friends they will take you there." There was a knock on the door and Slughorn stopped. He looked at the door and called out, "Come in."

The door opened and a sixth year Gryffindor walked in. Slughorn smiled. "Ah! Another member—Harry, meet Castor. Castor Warbeck! You may have heard of his older sister, Celestina Warbeck, the up and coming singer!"

"Professor, please," Castor said. He was a handsome teen with dark skin. He seemed friendly enough and smiled at Harry. "Hello Peverell," he said quite cheerfully.

"Hello," Harry said a little hesitantly.

"Young Castor here is a singer just like his sister," Slughorn said with pride. "Who knows? He might be singing smash hits with his sister on stage one day!"

"Professor, I didn't come here for you to talk about that," Castor said, looking a little embarrassed.

"Sorry, sorry, just telling young Harry here about our little gatherings," Slughorn chuckled merrily. "He will be there on Friday; I hope I can expect you too."

"Of course, Professor," Castor nodded, "but I wanted to talk to you about the book to borrow."

"Leaping lizards! I completely forgot!" Slughorn jumped to his feet. "I'm sorry boys—just wait right here and I will pop to my office to get it!" He rushed to the back of the classroom where there was a door.

Harry stood a little awkwardly and glanced at Castor. Castor licked his bottom lip and looked at Harry.

"You're gay right?" he broke the silence. "I saw you with Riddle, holding hands and kissing."

Harry immediately went on the defensive. "What about it?"

"Nothing—nothing," Castor said, holding up his hands. "Gosh are all you Slytherins so defensives," he smiled. "It's strong, you know, doing what you two do. I mean, I could never do that."

Harry looked up at Castor, who shrugged. Harry sighed and shook his head. "You know that there are more of us than you think," he said.

"Yeah, I know," Castor said. "Doesn't mean we can do anything."

"What do you want? In a perfect relationship in a perfect world?" Harry asked suddenly. Castor was shocked by the question and looked at Harry for a moment.

He looked pensive before answering, "It would just be me and a cute boy," he said. "We'll live in the city, like a huge city filled with wizards and magic's not hidden."

"Interesting," Harry smiled.

"Why do you ask, Harry Peverell?" Castor Warbeck asked.

"Why did you ask if I'm gay?" Harry questioned back.

Castor laughed and smiled, "Honestly because I look up to you—I mean you're dating Riddle, right?"

"I am," Harry nodded.

"Then why else?" Castor shrugged. He sighed and smiled longingly, "To think a Slytherin would be braver than a Gryffindor," he muttered.

Harry couldn't respond as Professor Slughorn ran back in holding a book. "Here it is Castor! First edition just as I told you! You take care of it now, okay?" He handed the book to Castor and looked at both boys. "I will you both then at my gathering!" he said. "Castor, it is always good to see you. Harry, any time you are by my office please visit."

He waved them off and the two walked out. Tom was waiting for him as expected, with a raised eyebrow. Harry glanced at Castor and kissed Tom fully. "It's not that hard you know," Harry smiled, "you just have to be true to yourself, Castor. I'll see you on Friday then."

"Yeah," Castor said slowly before walking away.

Tom watched him leave before looking at Harry. "Explain."

"I just found another gay," Harry shrugged, "and maybe my person for our meeting. I'll ask him on Friday at Slughorn's party."

"Expected as much," Tom chuckled. "Well then come along, I will make sure that you look flawless for this little gathering." Harry giggled and allowed Tom to pull him along.

Friday night came rather quickly. Harry found himself in the boy's dormitory fixing his clothes in the mirror. He was wearing a tailored set of dress robes that were a dark emerald over a button-up shirt and waistcoat along with black dress pants. He turned around slightly, watching as his robes swirled with him. Smiling, he turned around to see Tom, Jasper, and Colin dressed up as well. "Shall we?" he asked.

Colin Avery sighed and stretched, "I guess," he said, looking at the other two. "I just hope Slughorn doesn't zero in on any of us."

"He will be busy dragging Harry around since he is the newest member," Tom said, "however I will be there with him. You two can socialize as much as you want, just don't waste your time there."

"Yes, my lord," Jasper perked. "Come on Harry!" He grabbed Harry's hand and smiled, and he pulled Harry on out of the dormitory. Their hands slipped away but Jasper's perkiness stayed as they walked through the common room and out of the dungeons.

The three went to Slughorn's office and Harry opened the door. The usual furniture was pushed to the sides of the office. His desk disappeared completely and instead, there were a number of house-elves that navigated their way squeakily through the forest of knees, obscured by the heavy silver platters they were carrying, so that they looked like little roving tables. Slughorn's wide mast appeared immediately in front of them as the four walked in. "Boys! So glad to see you've come! Tom my boy it is always great to see you. Lestrange, Avery—AH! Harry, come here, come here there are some people you just have to meet!" Slughorn grabbed Harry by the arm and pulled him into the mass of people in the office.

They stopped in front of a rather stoic looking man with an approachable face and short black hair. "Harry, I want you to meet our Minister, Leonard Spencer-Moon. Leonard, this is the young Harry Peverell I told you all about," Slughorn said, smiling with a flourish as he made Harry shake hands with the Minister of Magic.

If Harry were to judge by looks alone, this Minister looked much more competent than Cornelius Fudge. However, he did not know anything about this Minister and decided that it would be best to gauge his feelings towards the current events. "Hello Minister," he said.

"Peverell! That is a family name I haven't heard in a long time, Hello young man, hello," the Minister said, shaking Harry's hand in a hard grip, squeezing Harry's fingers. He winced slightly. The Minister only regarded Harry for a second before looking at Slughorn. Harry took that moment to ask a question.

"Minister, if I may, I have a question," he said. "What exactly are your plans in regards with the wars? Both the muggle war and Grindelwald?"

"You have nothing to worry about," the Minister said offhandedly.

"What about the ever-present dangers that both represent to wizardkind?" Harry insisted. "Grindelwald himself is a clear danger to us obviously, his movement is gaining popularity and momentum frighteningly quickly. He doesn't present himself as a clear enemy of witches and wizards and he is using that to gain new followers. Just a few months ago he attacked Diagon Alley and the Ministry has done nothing, no increased defenses reported in the newspaper, no additional support for Hogwarts. How will you respond if instead of Diagon Alley, Grindelwald decides to go after Hogwarts itself?"

The Minister looked off-balanced by Harry's questions, clearly not expecting them. His shock quickly turned into a hardened stare as he said, "These are matters that concern adults, not children."

"Now, now don't be so rude Leonard," Slughorn said good-naturedly. "The boy here is quite smart for his age and very worldly.

"That so? Then he should know that keeping our existent a secret is the Ministry's highest priority. The muggle situation is a terrible ordeal, but we must remain hidden. Grindelwald's actions are horrible, yes, and we are working our best to stop him, however, our secrecy must remain our top priority," the Minister answered.

Harry frowned. He didn't like that answer. "However if that secrecy leads to our demise wouldn't that be worse than what is going on?" he asked. "I mean, we have two forces after us, Grindelwald is the more direct threat because he is a Dark Wizard, yes, but that doesn't mean that we can't help our muggle friends! Or even our international wizards. I've read of no reports in the newspaper of any international hunt or gathering against either force. Minister, are you purposefully keeping them a secret, or am I just led to being expected that there is no formal cooperation between the other Ministries of Magic?"

The Minister looked very annoyed. He glared at Harry before turning to Slughorn. "I just remembered something I have to take care of. I'll talk with you later, Horace." He walked away, leaving the two alone. Professor Slughorn was left at a loss and Harry used that opportunity to slip away from the Professor. Squeezing through the guests, Harry reached the edge of the office. He found Castor Warbeck leaning against the wall watching the crowd. He was alone but smiled when he saw Harry. "We meet again," he said.

"Seems so," Harry nodded.

"Where is Riddle? I thought he would be right by you," Castor said, looking around. Harry moved to stand next to him and looked around the crowd too.

"He's somewhere around here," he said airily, "He gave us a bit of a mission actually."

"A mission for a party? Sounds weird," Castor snickered.

"That's Tom," Harry shrugged. "He wanted us to, what was it, 'socialize' which is his fancy way of saying make connections."

Castor laughed, smiling he looked around, "Well Riddle's smart at least," he said. "I mean we have important witches and wizards here, even the Minister of Magic himself!"

"I know, I think I pissed him off," Harry shrugged. Castor laughed and smirked at Harry.

"Oh really?" he asked, "How is it that we never met before? You just are becoming more and more interesting. So what did you do to get the Minister angry?"

"I asked questions," Harry said simply. "I wanted to know what he was doing with the wars, and his answers were honestly bullshit." He sighed and looked at the crowd for a moment. "Tom and I, we have this dream… no, not a dream, we have this plan to change the world. We are going to destroy the boundaries between our world and the muggle world. But not in a superior way, we want to combine the two worlds. I want to start a school for young magical kids, like an elementary school for Hogwarts. It'll bring Muggleborns in and teach them about the specifics of our world so that there isn't much of a culture shock. But more importantly, I want to make a world where we're valued for who we are, not by what our last names are." He turned to face Castor directly. "I want to marry Tom, I want to walk around holding his hand and not feel scared, I want to go on dates and act like a normal couple—but as you know that is impossible in the world we live in now. So I'm determined, stubborn, to change the world. And I don't care about what stands in my way because I know that I'll beat them."

Castor hummed in agreement, nodding along. "Big thoughts for our age," he said. "And you and Riddle are working at this? Just the two of you?"

Harry smiled, "No, there's more of us actually," he said. "a small group of us but we're growing. We're all students here, all Slytherins so far but Tom wants us to branch out. We want to change the world. To be honest, only a handful knows of my and Tom's full aims, but they all agree on changing the world for the better. Of opening up Magic and coming out of hiding."

"Sounds interesting," Castor said. "Any cute boys there?"

"Well, why don't you come for yourself and find out?" Harry smiled. "I know of at least one other gay person there, and he is very cute and very single."

Castor thought for only a second before agreeing. Nodding he said, "Sounds like fun. When is this meeting?"

"Next Saturday actually," Harry said. "I'll come to get you when it's time. Tom didn't specify that part yet."

"Very well Harry Peverell, I will see you next Saturday," Castor smiled. He looked around to make sure nobody was watching before kissing Harry's cheek. "A custom from my family, it is how we say goodbye to friends. See you." He said and walked away.

As though on cue, Tom immediately appeared, watching Castor walk away. "You have an unbelievable charm it seems," he muttered.

"You know I only have eyes for you, my Lord," Harry said.

"I know, and his eyes are on you in a platonic way," Tom said, watching the Gryffindor for a moment. "I'm guessing he will be your guest on Saturday?"

"He will be," Harry smiled. "In fact, if you want, we can change where we hold our meetings since we are now an Inter-House club. I don't think an empty classroom will do."

"Oh? And where will you suggest?" Tom chuckled. Harry smiled innocently and pulled Tom along.

"Follow me, and when we get there I can show you just how much I appreciate my Master," Harry whispered in Tom's ear and the two slipped out of the party and towards the seventh floor.

A/N: Thank you for reading.