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Chapter 4 – Training
An alarm clock sounded off from near Harry, and with a groan he shut it off. Any other morning and he would already be up doing chores for the Dursleys, but after the good talking to they had the other day, the Dursleys had eventually decided that he was exempt from doing chores.
Harry might have threatened them with Voldemort coming back, but the Dursleys did make the decision themselves.
Voldemort had told him that he would be picked up somewhere between 6:30 and 7, which gave Harry time to have some food before he left. He pulled the black robe over his head, marvelling at how light and soft it felt. He held his hand out for the newly named Apep who slithered up his arm, before he went to exit his room.
Harry was not surprised that none of the Dursleys were awake or downstairs yet, but paid it no attention since he didn't want to see the Dursleys anyway. He sat down Apep and started to eat. Halfway through, a noise drew his attention as Petunia went to walk into the kitchen. When she saw him, she eeped and went to leave.
"Stop." Petunia stopped in the doorway, not moving or turning. "If you want to get breakfast, that is fine. I won't stop you from doing that." He watched as Petunia nodded, almost muttering to herself before she drew herself up and turned back into the room. She tried not to flinch when Apep hissed at her before she rushed over to the cooker to make breakfast. After being forced to do it for years, Harry didn't feel bad for making her do it herself.
Movement in the corridor drew Harry's attention, though he didn't react to it thinking that it was Vernon or Dudley, so he was quite surprised when Voldemort stepped into the room. Petunia flinched from where she was stood but didn't react otherwise, simply turning back to the cooker. Voldemort sat down at the table.
"I hope there was no trouble yesterday after your return." Voldemort said. Even though his voice was low and the tone soft, it still carried around the whole room. Harry could see Petunia stiffen up and decided that she had been tormented enough for now.
"None at all. My relatives were more than … accommodating." Harry said, watching as Petunia visibly relaxed before resuming cooking. Her reactions weren't missed by Voldemort, amusement flickering in his eyes. He turned towards Petunia.
"You need not worry about me being here every day. I simply wished to make sure that you treated my protégé with the respect he deserves." Petunia didn't turn around but nodded. That seemed to satisfy Voldemort who turned back to Harry. "Are you ready to leave?"
Harry nodded and picked up Apep. Together they walked out the door, and Voldemort grabbed Harry's arm and apparated them away.
Hogsmeade
The two reappeared in the backyard of the house that Voldemort showed them the day before. Hermione was sat out on the back porch reading a book, and Nagini was curled up on the porch looking like a guard dog. When she spotted them she seemed to perk up a little. {Young Massster! You've returned!}
Harry laughed. {Yes, we have. How are you enjoying freedom?}
{It isss much better than having that woman hurt me and being trapped in that sssmall cage} Nagini hissed, rubbing her head against his hand when he crouched near her.
A noise from the door drew Harry's attention to Voldemort. "Come. We have much to do in a short time." Harry got up and followed him inside, Hermione right behind him. Voldemort indicated to the table and they all sat.
"Obviously, you know what my eventual goals are. In the meantime, there will be much preparation that has to be done. If you are to be my protégés, you'll need to protect your mind with Occlumency. You'll need to have your minds sufficiently protected before the start of next term, otherwise we run the risk of Dumbledore finding out that I am not as defeated as he believes."
Harry looked over at Hermione, who looked just as confused as he felt. "Sorry, what's Occlumency? And what does it have to do with Dumbledore?"
"Occlumency is the art of protecting your mind from mental invasion. It allows you to remember more clearly, you learning capacity increases, your control over your emotions increase, and you gain the ability to protect the memories that are most important to you. As for Dumbledore, he and Snape are both highly accomplished Legilimens, people who are able to enter your mind and find the memories that they seek, without you being aware."
"Wait, they do that? That's an invasion of privacy!" Hermione bristled. Voldemort chuckled. "As if that would stop Dumbledore or Snape. They can perform Legilimens wandlessly, however for that they have to be looking into your eyes or face. They do it, to ensure that they know exactly what's happening in the castle, and who is doing what. It allows for Dumbledore to appear to be omnipresent. This is why I must teach you Occlumency, for if he discovers the truth all our plans will fail."
"Occlumency is much more difficult than Ligilimency. Many books will teach you that you have to build a defence around your mind, or a mindscape with defences. However, that is foolish. One who can perform Ligilimency will know that you have studied Occlumency. When Snape had joined my Death Eaters, I knew straight away he practises Occlumency. As such, I could never fully trust him."
Harry looked at Hermione, who looked to be on the edge of her seat. Harry admitted to himself that he was also interested to learn more. "You say that it is foolish. What will you be teaching us instead?"
Voldemort chuckled. "The true art of Occlumency. Think of your mind as a river. Your thoughts, emotions, desires – they all make up the water." He waved his hand and an illusion of a river appeared on the table. "Now, think of what I just described as Occlumency. That is the same as placing a dam." A wall suddenly built up through the illusion, blocking the flow of the river. "You see how it stops? Nothing comes through the other side. You notice that the flow has stopped on the other side. It is obvious to one who looks."
"Now, take away the block. The river flows again. Now, say a stone was placed in the river." A stone dropped into the illusion, but the flow of the river didn't stop or alter. "Note that nothing else has changed. That is what I will teach you. The true art of Occlumency. Rather than hide your mind, you simply distract them. You hide the memories away, the things you don't want seen by anyone, and allow the rest to flow from you unimpeded. It will distract the one performing Ligilimency as they won't notice one small 'stone' that is in the 'river' of your mind."
"Why would they want to look through our minds though?" Harry asked. He felt icky at the fact that Snape and or Dumbledore had seen what he was thinking. A quick look at Hermione told him she felt the same.
"Because you are the Boy-Who-Lived." Voldemort replied. "Dumbledore knows about the 'prophecy' and as such will want to keep you, the 'weapon' of the Light, close. No doubt you had some hero worship for him because you felt he was responsible for freeing you from your relatives when he took you to Hogwarts." Harry nodded. "Exactly. You would then listen to him, follow his every word and every plan and eventually you might win the war. However, he doesn't disclose everything – never has, never will. He'll keep everything close to his chest, dole out small bits of information here and there, and force you without you even realising to not share that info with anyone else."
Harry sagged as Voldemort talked – all that he had said did seem like something Dumbledore would do. He hadn't provided any information in the hospital wing. "He seemed so sincere though. And Hagrid, he sent Hagrid to collect me."
"Did you not find it odd that you got a visit from someone who wouldn't be threatened easily by your uncle? By someone with hero worship for Dumbledore, and a prejudice against Slytherins? That every single muggle-born, including Hermione who had no idea about Hogwarts or its layout before finding out about Magic, knew where to go for classes in the castle? That a wizarding family who also worship Dumbledore would just be wondering through muggle King's Cross?"
Harry ran through the events in his mind. Thinking about it, it was strange about the Weasleys who had seven kids, two of whom had already left Hogwarts. What were the odds that they had forgotten where the station was? The mother and daughter had even mentioned the name of the station! "How do magical families get to the station then?"
"Floo or apparition" Hermione said. She had noticed these events happening, but she hadn't thought to say anything. Harry nodded and kept thinking. Why would a groundskeeper be sent to collect students anyway? He had taken him to Gringotts and withdrawn the stone rather indiscreetly. But, thinking on it, was it possible he was meant to know that the stone, even though he didn't know it was the stone, had been taken to Hogwarts?
Harry looked at Hermione who appeared to be thinking hard as well. She had known where all the classes were, what they involved, how the school worked. Some of the things she had known weren't in Hogwarts: a History, and the rest of the books were only on classes. The rest of the muggleborns knew as well where the classes were as well! Hagrid had told him things, but Harry hadn't been left with anything for it – so he hadn't been given anything he needed.
It all seemed to come back to Dumbledore, Harry realised. Dumbledore had placed him at Privet Drive, Dumbledore was responsible for the mess of a reintroduction to Hogwarts and the Wizarding world, Dumbledore was responsible for the lack of safety and security at the school, Dumbledore was behind the mess that was the whole Philosopher Stone.
Harry looked over at Voldemort. "Did he know, that you were in the school?"
Voldemort nodded. "Of course he did. But he wanted to test you. Why do you think those traps were so easy for you? And they played to all your strengths?"
Harry and Hermione gaped at him. He sighed. "A cerebrus from the gentle giant who can't keep his mouth shut and has a love for giant animals. Keys that played to a seekers strength. A chess game that played to the redhead. A logic puzzle that played to your brilliant mind."
"But what about the Devils Snare, and the troll?" Hermione asked.
"Simple. I imagine that Dumbledore hoped that Neville Longbottom went with you, as he considers him the other child in the prophecy. As for the troll, it was added after the three of you defeated the troll on Halloween. All of them would seem complicated to you, but it was child's play for any adult or even a seventh year. All Dumbledore did was place notice-me-not charms on the corridor to repel everyone but you three."
"But why? Why is Dumbledore so determined to manipulate me?" Harry asked. He looked down when he felt something heavy on his leg, finding Nagini resting her head. He reached down and started stroking down her scales softly. Nagini released a hiss of satisfaction.
"Because he has been the leader of the Light for so long he has begun believing only he can make the decisions. And since he heard the prophecy, he believes he has to make sure it is completed to the way he has interpreted it so that the magical world can go back to basking in the Light he provides."
Voldemort leaned back in his chair and with a lazy wave had three cups of tea brought over. "But enough about the manipulative senile old goat. Do you have any other questions?"
"How has no one noticed that Harry is using magic at Privet Drive? And won't Dumbledore notice us using magic to bring Harry here?" Hermione asked. Voldemort nodded. "Dumbledore placed a ward over Privet Drive to hide any magic performed at the location, so that the Underage Magic Department in the Ministry wouldn't find him. However, he also placed a ward that would alert him to any magic performed by Harry, so he could monitor him. But that ward has a weakness, in that it only monitors Harry. I can use magic, you can use magic, but Harry shouldn't."
"But I was using magic! I used magic against my relatives!" Harry almost shouted.
"Yes, but that is because your new wand has a ward around it that hides any magic use using it. And I hid magic use around me, which is why it didn't register. However, it will register any portkey you use, so the portkey I gave you is only to be used in a dire emergency. Until I teach you apparition, you'll have to deal with us taking you everywhere." He got up. "Now, follow me."
Harry and Hermione got up as well. Nagini, slightly annoyed that she was no longer being stroked, slithered off to find somewhere to nap. They followed him outside to a clearing in the backyard. He gestured and they both sat.
"Now, to evaluate your capabilities, I'll have to perform Ligilimency on you. The first few times will be … disconcerting for you. Attempt to repel me from your minds." He turned towards Hermione. "Legilimens"
Memories started to flash before Hermione's eyes. She saw flashes of her mum and her aunt, flashes of times where she was reading a book under a tree or sat on a swing. Where she started primary school, eager to make friends, but the kids seemed to be put off by her love for books and knowledge instead of dolls and dresses. How the older ones pushed her around and tore up her books. A birthday party where she invited her classmates but none of them turned up, nor did they say anything to her the next day at school.
She saw how excited she was when she got her letter to Hogwarts, hoping that things would change. That the older students stared down at her because of what she was wearing. The feeling of kinship with Harry when she met him on the train. Despair when she was ignored at Hogwarts for those few weeks. Anguish when she was bullied and couldn't talk to her Aunt about it.
Hermione gasped as she found herself back in the kitchen. Harry was holding her hand while Voldemort was putting his wand away. Hermione took deep breaths to calm herself down, only just becoming aware of the tears running down her face.
"I'm sorry about that, Hermione. I know just how unpleasant other kids can be to those that they consider different. Your defences are good – you certainly have the capability of Occlumency, and with some training in it you'll be able to fool all the idiots out there. When you go home, I want you to meditate. Search for your subconscious, your essence. Often by finding that, you'll find what essentially is your mind as how others see it. Do that until you are able to find it as easily as blinking."
Hermione nodded. She moved over to the table where Nagini was curled around Apep and Nuwa, the black mamba she had gotten. Nuwa, sensing that Hermione was upset, uncurled from the others and climbed up her arm, settling around her shoulder and gently hissing.
Harry turned to look back at Voldemort, who simply lifted his wand. Harry nodded and Voldemort flicked his wand, muttering the incantation.
Unlike Hermione, though he didn't know that, Harry didn't get any happy memories. He saw Dumbledore, McGonagall and Hagrid abandoning him. He saw how he was thrown and beaten around, dumped in the closet under the stairs for hours or days at a time. How his aunt hit him around the head with whatever she had nearby when he made a simple mistake or a little bit of mess. How all the students would either ignore or beat him up. How the teachers ignored his injuries and would never pay him any attention, always praising the other students in the class.
He saw the meeting with the Weasleys at the train station and how much it stank of a set up. He saw how everyone judged him on the train, in the Great Hall during the sorting, in classes. He fell out of his memories as Voldemort staggered back. Hermione moved over and crouched in front of him. "Are you alright Harry?"
He nodded. "Yeah. How were my defences?" he asked Voldemort. "Good – damn good for someone who's had no training. I imagine if I was to try the Imperius curse on you, I would struggle to get it to hold. Like Hermione, I want you to meditate, find your essence and learnt to control it. When you have done that, Occlumency will be relatively easy for both of you."
He stood up and waved his wand. Both Harry and Hermione noticed that their clothing changed into exercise clothing. "Come. You're going to do some physical exercise."
Once outside, Voldemort got them to start with laps of the magically expanded garden. To encourage them not to drop their speed, he started to launch random hexes at them. When the two were sufficiently done according to Voldemort, he gave them a few minutes to rest before starting them on some push ups, crunches, lunges and pull ups. He got them doing resistance training using machines that were designed to shrink and expand, meaning they could use them anywhere.
"Why are we doing this?" Harry asked at one point during the workout.
"Because, during a fight, the one who moves the most and is the fastest and strongest usually is the one who wins. The purebloods are lazy, often just strolling and firing. Luckily for them, most of the other wizards are cowards who don't want to fight and just run away. When Aurors would turn up, the purebloods would simply leave. A good fighter is one that has the physical strength and endurance to last a fight."
Once done, Harry and Hermione collapsed onto the chairs in the kitchen, tired from the workout that Voldemort had put them through, both physically and mentally. Voldemort didn't even look like he had broken a sweat and was more amused than anything else. He placed two books on the table.
"I expect you both to read that book. In it is a variety of spells and rituals that many in the Ministry would label as 'Dark'. We will perform a couple of rituals before you return to Hogwarts, and as such I expect you to know what they do."
Harry and Hermione nodded, pocketing the books. "Now, as for your tasks, they are going to be quite simple this year. I expect the both of you to identify those at the school who will be sympathetic to our cause, those who could be useful and those who are a grave threat. We need allies or even those who can provide us with access to areas within the Ministry."
"I already know one – Susan Bones." When Harry looked confused at Hermione, she rolled her eyes. "Honestly Harry, you should pay more attention to people. Susan lives with her Aunt – Madam Amelia Bones, Department Head of the Magical Law Enforcement."
Voldemort nodded. "Excellent – get close to her, and even if she isn't going to be a part of our cause we can still use her to get an in with the Aurors. Don't just focus on her though."
"Here's the thing – what is our group going to be called?" Harry asked. Voldemort looked confused, so he elaborated. "Your Death Eaters are just a bunch of Pureblood bigots, and our cause isn't related to that. To those Death Eaters you're fooling, yes, we should and will pretend to be Death Eaters, but to those in the know, we should be something different."
Voldemort sat back, clearly thinking hard. After a few minutes he looked up. "That's an excellent idea. Ideas for a name though?"
"The Shadows. We aren't going to try and take over overtly. Instead, we're operating in the shadows, working quietly and slowly." Hermione suggested.
Voldemort smiled. "The Shadows. Very well. I like the idea. Therefore, as the founding member of what is to be called the shadows, I hereby induct you both into the new order."
"You called us something different in the wand store. Why did you give those names?" Hermione asked.
"Because they are anagrams of your names. Not the full name – Dumbledore knows that the name Lord Voldemort is an anagram, and therefore he will be able to deduct that your names are also anagrams. However, it will fool the other idiots in this world. It will be a persona for you, allow you to act differently than you can do in public. They will be your names for when we want to further our agenda and to make sure that no one else knows that the Golden Boy and the Smartest Girl of her Generation are involved with the Dark Lord Voldemort."
It made sense to both Harry and Hermione. "Now, Harry I'll take you home. I want both of you to study that book – we'll practice some of the spells tomorrow."
Harry and Hermione nodded. Voldemort placed his hand on Harry's shoulder and the two disappeared. Hermione was about to leave when Nagini slithered over. Hermione crouched down and stroked Nagini, before grabbing her portkey and Nuwa and disappearing.
Number 10, Downing Street
It was a quiet day, all things considered. John Major sat staring at the large pile of paperwork that was in his in tray, contemplating if he could just palm it off to his Chief of Staff or one of the other workers.
A cough from a painting made John groan. "The Minister of Magic is about to arrive for a meeting Muggle."
John looked at the painting which was staring back at him before rolling his eyes. He had learnt when he had first taken the office that no matter what he thought, the Minister for Magic had decided that he was more important than anyone or anything else he could be doing. He despised the man, wearing his striped pinstripe suit and with that stupid bowler hat. He walked over to his cabinet and pulled out a bottle of whisky. He had requested his staff to go out and find "the nastiest whisky possible", and the man within the hour had achieved it. It was so atrocious that John didn't even pretend to drink it anymore when the Other Minister was there.
His fire flared green and he watched as the portly man stepped out of the fire. The man pulled a stick out and waved his hand, removing all the soot on his suit. The soot on the floor remained. "Ah, Majet, it's good of you to find the time to meet me."
It took all his internal strength not to react to the butchering of his name. "Likewise, Minister. You know that I am more than happy to see you. Drink?" he held out the glass, which Fudge took with a muttered thanks. Fudge took a sip and immediately he grimaced. John took a sip of his drink (having used his good whisky) to hide the small smile on his face. "Honestly, I don't know how you muggles even stand drinking this rubbish. But then you don't have magic, so you can't make Firewhisky."
John grunted and gestured to the seat opposite. Fudge sat down, trying to make himself comfortable on the hard wood seat. "I assume, Minister, that you aren't here for a social call."
"No, no. I'm just here to tell you that there is to be an election for my position coming up. As you are the Muggle Minister, I am per Ministry Charter obliged to notify you of the election, in the case that I am not elected. If that happens, then the new Minister will introduce themselves to you. Hopefully that won't happen!" Fudge laughed and John nodded.
"Well, thank you for letting me know. Anything else you need to tell me? I have a lot of work to do."
"No, no, I'll leave you to it. Hopefully I'll see you after the election." Fudge placed down the glass and walked towards the fire. It flared green and he stepped through, disappearing in a whirl.
John downed the rest of his drink, picking up one of the files on his desk which was in one of many reports he had received, detailing how a mass murdering magical lunatic had broken into the premier magical school to steal some fabled stone that could make you immortal. What was worse was apparently everyone just accepted the word of the old man running the school.
John knew that Fudge was deep in the pockets of the old man, who if the reports were right was not only essentially in charge of the magical government of Britain but was also in charge of the International government. That wasn't the only reason he didn't like or trust the man. There was also that he didn't get his name right; that the man seemed to think everything was a joke; that this man also gave off the impression that he didn't think that He, the Prime Minister, was even worthy of his time, nor that he was really worth anything. It was the sense of superiority that he hated from the Other Minister. He was just glad that all his thoughts were protected behind 'Occlumency shields' that his secretary, Alex, had taught him. The man had no love lost for the magical people, who had thrown him away just because he was a squib. No, it was time to change things.
He pressed a button on his phone. "Alex? Schedule a meeting with Stella Rimington. Make that with Colin McColl as well."
"Certainly sir. Will the meeting be held here?"
"No. See if they can arrange one in a place without oversight of m." John replied. The phone was silent for a couple of seconds. "I will have that done at once, sir."
"Thank you Alex." He released the button and picked up his glass. It was time to start making plans against the incompetent magical government – though any plans would have to be altered depending on the outcome of the election. He snorted – the odds of getting a Minister that was actually competent was about as high as John flying to the moon using only his arms.
Malfoy Manor
The only sound in the study was that of the fire gently crackling and popping. A man sat in the chair in front of it, idly swirling a glass of amber fluid as he stared into the fire. It had been a long day at the Ministry; meetings with Fudge and several Wizengamot members, discussing the newest bills and handing over bribes to ensure the bills were either pushed through or delayed. The main one he wanted delayed at the moment was Arthur Weasley's Muggle Protection Bill.
Lucius thought it was completely unnecessary to have this bill. While he had a lot of dark artefacts and items in his home and vault, it wasn't like most of the Darker Aligned Purebloods actually used them on muggles. He felt it was Arthurs, and therefore Dumbledore's, way of gaining blackmail material on them. Luckily, most of those on the Wizengamot didn't like the bill because it gave the Ministry more abilities to search their homes, and no wizard liked their home invaded.
However, Lucius had a slightly different motive for not allowing the bill to pass. His eyes drifted to his left arm where the Dark Mark sat. He knew that his Lord had survived that night, but where he was Lucius wasn't sure. He had his suspicions, based on whispers and what little useful info he could get from Draco between his cursing of "Stupid Potter" and "the Mudblood Granger".
Lucius sighed and rubbed his eyes. His son was, perhaps, his biggest disappointment in his life. He was spoiled, had no subtlety and seemed to have no desire to actually put his brain to use. When the Dark Lord returned, and Lucius knew he would, Draco would most likely become a liability. Lucius held out the hope that when the time came, Draco would step up or otherwise the Dark Lord would kill him.
On the other hand, maybe it was time to give Narcissa that second child she always wanted.
His own plans had worked. His influence in the muggle world had increased, he held a vastly greater number of shares in companies or positions on their boards than he did 11 years previous, his influence in the magical world had increased, he had more money in a hidden vault. When the Dark Lord returned, Lucius hoped that he would be happy with his progress, that it would further their plans.
He got up and walked over to his desk, and placed his wand on a little groove and pushed his magic slightly. A few seconds passed before a wave of warmth passed through his arm and with a click a secret drawer opened. He reached in and pulled out the photo inside. A small smile ghosted his lips as he looked at the people who were smiling and waving in the photo. The photo was taken a few months before the Dark Lord was 'defeated' and the Potters were killed. It was the last time they were all together.
The two Potters were stood next to each other, little Harry held between them. Bellatrix stood next to Lily holding onto Hermione. Lucius wondered how Draco would react if he ever found out. Lucius stood next to James, laughing at some long forgotten joke. The Dark Lord was stood at the edge of the photo, looking bored. Lucius sighed as he placed the photo back and pulled out the other object in the desk. He walked back over to the fire and sat down, placing it on the side table.
Even now, he could feel the sheer malevolence coming from the little book, along with the compulsion to pick it up. While he could try and destroy Arthur in many other ways, he felt it would be better if he not only destroyed any chance of Arthur passing the bill but also destroyed his family. The shame of what that diary would make the child do would destroy the reputation of the Weasleys, at a minimum.
He knew it was a massive risk, handing over one of the Dark Lords soul pieces to a family that was deep with Dumbledore. While the old man was getting more senile, it didn't change the fact that he was still quite powerful and intelligent, and it wouldn't take him long to work out what the item was. However, if this played out right, the Dark Lord would be pleased.
Or at the very least, wouldn't immediately kill him. That was entirely too possible.
All that was left, was to wait for the day he could drop off the diary.
Unknown to him, a small figure was stood watching from outside his study door. The creature panicked and disappeared.
Privet Drive
Harry was lounging on his bed, reading the book that Voldemort had given them. The number of spells in the book, ones that were considered to be light, dark or a mix of both, was fascinating, and Harry had already tried to practise a few of them, with his illegal wand of course. Apep was stretched out in the sun, and Hedwig was preening herself on his desk. He was drawn from his reading when there was a knock on his door. He didn't move, instead listening when he heard his uncle grumbling as he walked towards the door. That changed when he heard his uncle call out to him.
Harry ran down the stairs, wand in hand to find Hermione stood in the hallway. Harry noticed that his uncle looked extremely pale and surmised that Hermione had threatened him in some way to stop him from yelling out and slamming the door in his face. "Hey Hermione!" he ran over and gave her a hug.
Hermione found herself surprised by the hug but returned it with just as much vigour. Harry never seemed to initiate any form of contact with people, which she put down to the abuse that he had suffered from the fat walrus. She vowed to make the Dursleys pay – depending on if there was anything left over after Harry took his revenge. "Hey Harry! I was wondering if you wanted to go hang out."
"Yeah, let's go." Harry took her hand and practically dragged her out the door. They didn't slow down until they had made it to the park at the end of the street. They sat, slowly swinging, and Harry turned to look at Hermione. Perhaps it was because he had spent a whole year with her, but he already noticed a few small differences in her. She seemed to hold herself higher, a little bit more confident, and her hair seemed … different somehow.
"How did you get here, Hermione?" She turned to look at him and smiled. "Well, you had mentioned your address to me – I worked out you lived all of a half hour away from me, so I simply caught a bus. I can see why you don't like your relatives."
Harry grunted. "I'm just looking forward to giving them their just rewards for the hard work they put into rescuing me." Hermione laughed and they slipped back into a comfortable silence. It was a while before Hermione spoke. "I actually wanted to talk to you about what Voldemort said. Are you ok with it all?"
Harry nodded. "I am, actually. Seeing all those memories, being abandoned, abused and then they all seemed to just stare at me and expect me to be happy with their praises. I hate it. If we can change this world for the better, and we side with Voldemort, then I'm more than happy to. You?"
Hermione nodded. "No one has been kind to me except for you and Voldemort. My aunt and uncle as well, but they're family."
Harry frowned. "Just because they're family, doesn't mean that they can't hurt you."
Hermione turned to him. "Oh god, I didn't mean that! I'm sorry." Harry waved it off. "Its just, after being put down so much by everyone for being the bushy haired, buck-toothed freak, it would be nice to make them pay."
Harry nodded. "Then we do it together." Hermione looked at him. "Voldemort wants us to develop those personalities, Seraph and Aeriel. What if, we were a duo? One is not seen without the other."
Hermione nodded. "It would strike terror, that's for sure. What if we swap our attitudes?" At his confused look, she continued. "What if, I'm more impulsive and emotional, while you're the calmer and more collected one?"
Harry nodded. "What if we addressed each other as brother and sister? Dumbledore and the Aurors would look for a brother and sister and wouldn't consider us."
Hermione nodded and laughed. "Voldemort's proteges, brother and sister." She grabbed his hand. "I think that it is a great idea. And when we reveal our alternate personalities, I think the world is going to panic."
Knockturn Alley
Senior Auror Robards watched over the two Junior Aurors as they completed scans of the building. It was unusual for the Aurors to be actually doing anything in Knockturn, but the patrolling Auror team had been grabbed when people had tried to visit the store. When they had entered the premises, a quick search had resulted in them finding the storeowner dead in front of a large empty cage. As such, he had been deployed to the scene.
One of the Junior Aurors came over. "Sir." He nodded. "We finished the search and the forensics. The snake that was in the empty cage wasn't sold apparently, and if what is listed in the ledger is correct then it was the snake that attacked her."
"Ok. No signs of forced entry? No struggle?"
"There are rope burns on her wrists, but a search upstairs shows some … adult bondage toys, including rope, which appear to match the burns on her wrist. Other than that, no Sir."
He nodded. "Any sign of the snake?" The Junior Auror shook his head.
He looked over the notes that the Junior Auror had given him. A few minutes passed before he looked back up. "Alright. Have some men from the Magical Creatures Department come and collect the rest of the animals in the store, and have the body taken to the morgue. Clean up the rest and finish up your report back at HQ"
The Junior Auror nodded. "Sir, yes Sir." He walked off. Robards looked around. He stepped outside and waited until more officials turned up before apparating back to the Ministry. Days like these were good, where all the cases he got were nice and easy.
Next Chapter: Training continues, Voldemort schemes and Harry gets a visit