Flashback to Harry's time in Death's realm;
When Harry woke up, it was immediately a shock to his system. For a second, he didn't know where he was. He was lying in a strange bed, the walls were not something he recognized, and the magic around him seemed more alive than he had ever felt it.
After that first second, it slammed back into him. He had accepted Death's hand yesterday, and now he was in Death's realm. Bloody hell .
For a moment, he was internally panicking. He could remember how Dumbledore had screamed for him to stop, to not go with Lord Death. Should he have listened? Should he have stayed and entered the Tournament as a fourteen-year-old?
Then his resolve came back to him. No, he should have the same opportunities as every other contestant. He didn't even want to be in this crazy Tournament. It was dangerous, and for all his Gryffindor braveness, he had some self-preservation. He grabbed his glasses from the table next to the bed, where they were thankfully put.
He didn't know how long he had stayed in his bed. To be honest, he doesn't know what to do right now, just thinking about everything that happened in just a short period of time when there was a knock on the door.
''Come in!'' He replied on a reflex. He wasn't used that people knocked when entering his room. At Hogwarts, he slept with four other boys, and with the Dursleys, well, they didn't knock. They were more the 'if you aren't out of bed within five seconds, I drag you out of it' kind of people.
The person that walked in took his breath away for a moment. Lord Death was imposing in the mortal realm, but it was so more intense in his own realm. You could practically taste the power that surrounded him, and Harry had a couple of moments where he couldn't find the air to breathe.
Lord Death stood in the middle of the room Harry had been sleeping in and let Harry acclimate to his presence. When Harry was breathing calmly again, and when his magic was more settled, Lord Death came closer before settling on the edge of Harry's bed.
''How are you feeling?'' Death asked like everything was just completely normal. Maybe it was for him, but Harry suddenly felt the urge to give a manic laugh. He swallowed heavily before responding.
''Fine, I guess, it's- it's a little strange. Everything feels-'' He hadn't had the words for it, or so he thought. When his mind settled, it was clear that everything felt like magic, where Hogwarts was a magic castle where you also could feel the magic around you. Here in Death's realm, it was so more suppressing. The magic felt dark. Harry didn't like that very much. The weird thing was that his magic was a-okay with it. It seemed to react to everything around him, and it made Harry even warier.
''You'll get used to it.'' Death simply responded, and he gave Harry a smile that Harry copied.
They were silent for a moment, and Harry fidgeted a little with the blanket that was thrown over him. It was not weird for him to wake up in a strange place tucked under a blanket. Godric knows how many times he had woken up in the Hospital ward at Hogwarts.
''What are we going to do now?'' Harry asked finally in a small voice, hunching in himself, he hoped that he wasn't overstepping, but he was never sure. The smallest things always set off the Dursleys.
A hand settled on his own fidgety one, and Harry looked up again. Death had a calm expression on his face, and it made Harry relax a little.
''What we are going to do first is make sure that you are okay to be in this realm. You are a mortal, and this is no longer the mortal world. If you allow me, I want to make you - resistant to some things. I also want to make sure you are in good health. If you wish, I can heal your bad eyesight-'' Before Death could say anything more, Harry already responded. ''Yes! Yes, please fix them!''
Harry always cursed his bad eyesight. He was practically blind if he hadn't had his glasses. Something that has been used against him before. He doesn't want to have it happen again.
Death seemed taken aback for a moment before chuckling. He then reached inside his robes and drew a small potion bottle. ''Drink this, and after a couple of minutes, you will never need your glasses again.''
Harry looked at the potion incredulously. ''Don't they have this in the wizarding world? It seems like something that more witches and wizards would want, wouldn't it?''
Harry then sniffed the bottle when Death responded. ''Ah, but they have this in the wizarding world. It's nothing special.''
Harry blinked a couple of times while mulling this over. He could've been cured of his bad eyesight years ago! Why didn't anybody tell him?!
Death seemed to pick up his suddenly sullen mood. ''Harry, drink the potion, please. Then we can do the other things if you agree.''
Harry nodded and drank the potion. It tasted rather nasty, and he smacked his lips a couple of times. Then his vision started to blur, and his eyes started to sting. He blinked and started to rub them, but nothing worked. It didn't hurt, but it was rather annoying. When the stinging retreated, he blinked a couple of times and still saw blurry until he noticed he was still wearing his glasses. He took them off and laughed. Everything was so much clearer! He knew the prescription of his glasses weren't right, so he always saw a little blurry, but for the first time since he could remember, everything was clear. He could see the lining on the walls and the details of the art that was on the ceiling. It was beautiful.
''Thank you.'' He said sincerely, and Death simply replied with a smile.
''Sorry that I interrupted you.'' Harry then said quickly. He was over the moon that he finally could see clearly that he had forgotten that Death was still talking when he asked for the cure.
''Not a problem. Like I was saying, I want you in good health, and I want to make sure you are safe in this realm.''
''Why wouldn't I be safe?'' Harry asked curiously. Death didn't seem to mind the question and answered.
''Because it's not your own world, almost everyone who enters here is dead. And there is a reason why religious people call it hell.'' Death paused for a moment so it could sink in for Harry.
''Are we in hell?''
''As I said, some people call it that. For me, it's my home, my realm,''
Harry nodded. ''I don't know much about how religious people see hell. Could you tell me about it?''
Harry was a little afraid of how it would be, but he would listen to Death so he could pass his own judgments. How Death described the realm, it was clear that there were things Harry should stay away from, parts that were dangerous because they represented the seven sins, and the parts where bad people were punished.
Death also explained that Harry would not leave the mansion or garden when he was here, at least the first year, mostly because Death was afraid that it would be too much, and after the first year, he wouldn't be alone, Death would always be with him.
Harry asked questions and Death thankfully answered them all. Harry always liked to learn, but when he was younger and got better grades than Dudley, he was punished for it. So he made sure he would never be better than Dudley in all of his classes. And when he entered Hogwarts, he was a mediocre student, but that was because he was more focused on his friends and the dangerous things that happened around him. He hadn't had a calm year at Hogwarts yet, and it was clear that he wouldn't get one when he got back.
But he could feel that he could learn so much here, and Death replied to all of his questions, so Harry wasn't going to hold back.
Death then asked Harry if he agreed with a couple of enchantments that would help him in the realm and with his magic. He didn't know what that meant exactly, but he agreed. He was a little afraid of what would happen if he hadn't walked straight into a trap and would be trapped here forever.
Death placed his hands on Harry's head, and Harry closed his eyes without a second thought.
He didn't really feel any different at first, but for some reason, it felt like something snapped inside of him that had restricted his breathing without him knowing it. After it snapped, he sucked in a greedy breath, feeling as if he just came up for air after being underwater for too long.
''What was that?'' Harry asked in awe. Death looked away for a moment before responding. ''I just made it safe for you to be in this realm.''
Harry had the feeling that that wasn't the whole story, but for some reason, he trusted Death to tell him more about it at a later date.
After that, Death showed him the mansion they would stay in, the rooms where Harry would get training, and where he could get something to eat whenever he wanted. Death was very adamant that Harry could get everything he wanted before setting him down again for another talk.
This one was very, very, very uncomfortable for Harry.
He knew that how his relatives always had treated him was wrong. That they shouldn't have done anything like that to him, but Harry hated talking about it. He had let snippets shown to the Weasley's and Hermione, but when nothing came of it, he stopped. He felt ashamed of what happened and never wanted to impose on others. He could endure it. When he was seventeen, he could leave, because according to the wizarding world, he would be an adult. And with everything he had in the Potter vaults, he could buy any house he wanted. He was sure of it.
Ron, Fred, and George had saved him in the summer before second year, quite literally, he almost didn't get any food that summer, and he was already too small for his age.
Death explained to him that because of how the Dursleys had always treated him, he was underfed and, with it, malnourished. This was the reason why he was smaller than the other boys his age. Why he looked even younger than he actually was. Unfortunately, Death told him that there wasn't a quick fix for that. Harry needed to eat better, and exercise and hopefully, with patience, Harry would grow more and feel better.
Harry felt small during the whole talk, he didn't want to know how wrong it had been how he had been treated, but Death still confronted him and wasn't taking no for an answer.
At some level, Harry felt good about it because for the first time ever, someone actually took notice and knew about what had happened and wanted to help Harry so he could feel better.
A bell chimed, making Harry jump a little. Death gave him a smile. ''Don't be scared of the servants in the mansion. They will stay out of your way unless you need something. Then all you have to do is ask.''
Before Harry could ask what Death exactly meant, the door opened, and Harry's eyes grew wide. An entirely black-winged creature came in wearing an apron and carrying a tray with food. Harry was pretty sure his eyebrows had risen to his hair right now.
The creature just placed the tray on the table before settling a plate with food in front of Harry and one in front of Death.
Then he bowed before retreating again. When the door closed, Harry turned back to Death, who had an amused smile on his face.
''What was that?'' Harry blurted out.
''A low-level demon, my realm is full of them, they help me with the dead, and help me in the mansion.'' Death calmly explained.
Harry seemed wary for a moment, but when Death indicated his plate, he started to eat. It tasted good, so Harry ate as much as he could. He felt a little ashamed that he couldn't eat everything, but Death assured him it was not a problem.
Death then told Harry that he should rest for the remainder of the day so they could start with training tomorrow. Harry felt a little restless but still listened. He was also secretly relieved that Death let him be for the rest of the day. One of the demons still brought him food, but Death didn't make another appearance.
The next day they started with magical theory, and Death told him about how magic started in the mortal world. Harry hung on every word until they were suddenly interrupted quite harshly.
''Sweetie, you know that magic isn't your area, so how about I explain it to him.'' A woman's voice suddenly said, sounding quite condescending.
Harry jumped at the sudden voice, not expecting anyone else. Death cursed, clearly also taken by surprise.
''What are you doing here, Lady?'' He finally sighed. Harry was looking around the room wildly but didn't see anyone else, but then the air in front of him shimmered, and a beautiful woman stepped out of thin air.
''I'm here to teach your adopted son, of course,'' The woman said with a wink before turning to Harry.
''Hello, little one, can I just say that I'm so glad you're here? I told Fate that if she messed with you any more, she would have to deal with me, but did she listen? Of course not-'' She scoffed, and Harry was a little lost. What the hell was happening?
''I'm so sorry, sweetie, how rude, I am Lady Magic.'' She then said with a bow, and Harry could only gape.
This-well, he hadn't expected anything like it. He just started to believe that Lord Death seriously took him from his own world, and here, here was suddenly also Lady Magic, the one that had blessed the mortal world with magic. That created the wizarding world.
''I'm Harry,'' Harry stumbled out, gaining a giggle from the deity.
''I know, little one, I know all about you.'' She says it as a fact and with a smile, and Harry ducks his head.
They settle down again, and Death seems to have accepted the fact that Lady Magic is going to meddle in Harry's training. Then Lady starts to talk.
Harry is even in more awe than he had expected. The way Lady talks about magic is like it's her child. And every witch or wizard that is gifted with magic deserves it. Harry found that hard to believe, but he isn't going to speak up to two deity's who are way more powerful than him.
The first couple of months, it goes like this, he wakes up in the morning, does his exercises, eats breakfast, gets taught magic by Death or Lady Magic, eats lunch, discusses his morning lessons, so they are sure he understands, then he reads a little, then diner, and he has the evening for himself.
They aren't practicing magic that first couple of months, and Harry has the feeling that there is a reason for that, and one morning, it becomes clear why.
They had talked in length about the affinities of magic, and Harry thought he knew what his affinity was. It turns out he was wrong.
Finding out he had a Dark affinity did more to Harry than he expected. He felt angry and betrayed but also afraid.
Voldemort had told him that they were so much alike, and Harry didn't want to acknowledge it a the time. He was just 12 when that was said to him, he couldn't deal with that, and here it was.
A Dark affinity, in other words, Harry was a dark wizard, just like the man that had killed his parents.
After he had found out, Death tried to talk to him, but Harry was angry at first, thinking that it was because of Death that he was like this. Then Harry ate less and less, but this time on his own accord. He wasn't hungry. He just didn't want to do anything. He didn't care about anything, and he didn't want to learn anymore. Lady Magic and Death tried to get him out of it, but it didn't work for a long time.
Then one day, Lady Fate came by. Harry had heard about her but hadn't seen her.
She was a big red-headed woman, and in some way, Harry thought about Mrs. Weasley.
Fate sat with him while he was lying in bed. He knew that Lady Magic and Death were worried about him. He had barely left his bed the last couple of weeks.
''I wanted to tell you I'm sorry.''
Harry almost didn't react. He only shifted his eyes to look into her eyes. She seemed apologetic but didn't explain why she was. But Harry seemed to understand on some level.
''But you aren't going to stop?'' Harry didn't recognize his own voice, it was raspy from the disuse, but he didn't care.
''I can't.'' She simply replied, and that simple sentence seemed to get through to Harry.
There was nothing anybody could do about it. His fate had been decided, and he needed to deal with it.
It took a long time for Harry to scrabble back to the right health, not only his physical but also his mental health, but Death was there for every step of the way. Even if Harry lashed out in anger or retreated back into himself. Lady Magic also was one of the constants in his life, and it helped a lot.
It was, unfortunately, not the last blow he was given. He thought being a Dark wizard was bad at first. But Lady Magic set him straight. That even if he is a Dark wizard doesn't mean he is a bad man. It just means his magic reacts better to dark magic than light magic, but he's still capable of light magic. The Patronus charm is the perfect example of that. And even if Harry struggled with it for a while, that doesn't mean it worked less. Hell, he fought off hundreds of Dementors with it.
It did make Harry feel better about it. That was until Lady and Death started telling him about what would happen if the wizarding world, especially wizarding Britain, kept demonizing Dark magic.
There needs to be a balance, and ever since the second world war, and the great war of Grindelwald, people started to be afraid of Dark magic.
Ever since Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, he talked about how Dark magic needed to go and how it doesn't have a place in the wizarding world. But now Harry heard about it. He could understand that it was a man talking that was afraid. But with it, he did the same as the man he had defeated. He was discriminating against an entire population for something that couldn't be helped.
Then Dumbledore even started to craft laws against Dark magic and Dark creatures. It became even so bad that people were afraid to tell others that they had indeed a Dark affinity, that werewolves and vampires mostly hid away from the wizarding community. Only some pureblooded wizards were unashamed. And that's where Voldemort came in.
Death told him about Tom Riddle and how he was the Dark Lord. This was not a title he had given himself but a title he had earned. He would've been perfect to even out the wizarding world until he lost his way by making Horcruxes.
That had been a shock. At some level, he could understand what they were telling him, but on the other, he couldn't comprehend that Tom Riddle was needed for healing the wizarding world. It seemed wrong somehow.
But then, when he got over the first shock and the second, third, and fourth, he understood.
Tom Riddle shredded his mind with the Horcruxes, and without his mind, he became crazy. The lines blurred with what he could do and couldn't do. Murder was, of course, one of the things he shouldn't have done. And that was one of the biggest points Harry brought up with Death.
Death explained everything he knew about Tom Riddle and the reasons why Tom committed those murders. He didn't say it was right or wrong. It were just facts for him. But Harry took everything in like a sponge and made his own decisions.
Tom killing Myrtle had been an accident. He hadn't expected anyone to be in the bathroom that day when he came out with the Basilisk. Tom killing his relatives was a personal vendetta for turning his mother away, but Death told Harry that even Tom could see that his mother had been wrong with feeding a love potion to his father. From that moment on, his mind was too shredded to make the right decisions. And he became Voldemort. The man who so many witches and wizards feared.
Harry had thought about it for a long time, he couldn't excuse every murder for Tom, but on some level, he could understand the need to get revenge, even if he himself wouldn't seek out revenge, he knows that if the Dursleys came for him now, he would kick their asses. But he won't seek them out and kill them. That's not the kind of person Harry is.
Harry had made a plan. He needed to fix the wizarding world. Not only for himself as a Dark wizard, but for all the witches and wizards, otherwise the wizarding world would cease to exist because of the imbalance with Dumbledore as the Light Lord and Tom Riddle as the Dark Lord. And Harry would be in the middle of it all.
Tom needed to come back to life. He needed to work with Harry to fix the wizarding world, and even if Harry had hated Voldemort for the last couple of years, he began to understand that he couldn't do this without him. And Harry needed to remind himself that Tom and Voldemort were two whole different people.
Harry needed to fix Tom's mind and body, and with it, he could fix the world. It seemed surreal, but he believed Lady Magic and Death. He talked about it with them, and they gave him the information he needed and discussed everything with him.
Three years he stayed in Death's realm, learning and training, and finding himself and finding a goal for himself. And now, now it was time to return.
End flashback;
Voldemort's POV;
The Potter boy was making no sense. Why would the brat want to bring him back? There needed to be another reason. This had to be a trap.
Potter had explained why he wanted to bring him back, but Voldemort couldn't understand. Maybe he didn't want to understand. But how could he explain the figure that was standing guard next to Potter?
Voldemort could feel the power coming from the man, and he tried not to let him show how afraid he was.
There he was. The thing that had caused nightmares to return every night. Death .
Why was he here? Why was Potter talking to the man fondly? Why did respond Lord Death in kind? It didn't make any sense! And that was something he hated truly.
''So you see, I'm going to make sure you have a functioning body again, and you are going to help me to save the wizarding world. Make Dark magic equal to the Light. It is needed for the balance of it all. And you are the Dark Lord. I can't do it without you.''
Ah, there it was. Potter also needed something.
''How can I be sure that you won't kill me as soon as I'm vulnerable?'' Voldemort asked the boy, who responded with an eye roll.
''Do you really think that I would go through all this trouble only to kill you after? What kind of moron do you think I am?'' The Potter boy replied with a sigh.
''Do you want a serious answer to that question?'' He retorted, making Potter scowl.
''You know what, I don't have to do this with your consent. I can just throw you in the potion we brewed.'' Potter said heatedly.
Voldemort pursed his lips. ''Why do you think you can overpower me? I'm the most powerful wizard that has walked the wizarding world! I went above and beyond to-''
''To destroy yourself and with it the wizarding world, congratulations,'' Potter replied with a sarcastic slow clap, making rage course through Voldemort.
''I can kill you even in this form!'' He bit out. He hadn't expected the boy to laugh.
''No, you can't because your magic is blocked.'' He replied simply with a shrug.
Voldemort could only gape. What was the boy talking about?! He couldn't be telling the truth! He already had little to no magic in this body. After the ritual he had planned, it would probably take months before he was back to his former strength, but to have his whole magic blocked?! That wasn't something Voldemort could fathom.
''He's right, love.'' Came a female voice, making Voldemort almost gasp. Thankfully he could keep it in. He didn't want to look weak in front of these people.
A woman materialized in front of them. She was petite and had light blonde hair, her eyes were a dark gold, and if Voldemort thought that Death had a lot of power, or at least, magic, it was nothing compared to this woman.
''Lady, thank you for being here,'' Potter said while kissing the woman's cheek.
''Everything for you, little one.'' She said fondly before turning to Voldemort.
''I'm Lady Magic. I'm the reason that you have magic at all. And now, I've blocked it. Don't worry, you will get it back, but I don't want anything happening to my beloved nephew.'' The woman was fierce, and Voldemort cowered just a little bit. The deity was too much for him. Not even he could withstand her.
''Lady Magic, it's an honor.'' He replied in a raspy voice. Hoping that she was telling the truth, that he would get his magic back eventually.
''The honor will be all mine when you're back to your rightful self. Listen to Harry, and never fall as far as you have now.''
Voldemort didn't want to look chastised. He was the Dark Lord, for heaven's sake! But to have Lade Magic herself here... Well. It's not something Lord Voldemort ever had expected.
She then stepped back and ruffled Potter's hair. Voldemort swallowed heavily. Knowing he was defeated. Potter had two deities on his side. There was no way for Voldemort to get out of this.
''What is going to happen, Potter?'' Voldemort spat.
''I'm going to call some help for the ritual, and then we begin. You will go into the potion with the other parts of your soul and mind, and-''
''You're going to destroy all my Horcruxes?'' Voldemort asked, sounding appalled.
Potter glared at him again. ''Yes. Because it's necessary.''
''No! I - I can't die!'' Voldemort knew he sounded desperate, but he didn't care. He made those Horcruxes with care. They were his safeguard. He doesn't think he could live on if they were gone.
''Everybody needs to die someday.'' Lord Death said solemnly. Making Voldemort swallow heavily.
''But-''
''But you won't die for a long time after tonight.'' Death seems sure of it, and Voldemort doesn't know why, but he turns to Potter.
''You and he won't kill me?'' Voldemort asks, expecting a sarcastic retort, but he needs to know.
But unlike he expected, he gets a solemn nod and response.
''I promise we won't kill you.''
It feels like an oath, and Voldemort feels like they are telling the truth.
''Fine.'' He responds, making Potter smirk.
''Great. Let me call my help.''
Potter then walks a bit towards the large cauldron before vanishing the entire potion. Voldemort would like to sputter, but one glare from Lord Death stops him.
Potter then opens his bag and draws out familiar objects. At least, they are familiar to Voldemort.
His ring, Slytherin's locket, Ravenclaw's diadem, and Hufflepuff's cup.
''That are not all of them.'' He says before he can stop himself. Potter glares at him but then smirks.
''I know. Your diary was already destroyed a couple of years ago, and I need you to call your pet.''
Voldemort scowls but does as asked. He can't fight against two deities. He doesn't know how Potter has gotten their attention, but unfortunately, it means that he has to listen.
''Nagini.'' He calls in Parseltongue.
It doesn't take long before the snake comes into view, eyeing all the people with wariness.
Before he can say anything else, he gets a shock because Potter suddenly starts talking in Parseltongue.
''Nagini, we're going to need your help to restore your Master. Can you come here?'' Potter says, and Nagini eyes him with distrust before turning to Voldemort.
Voldemort smirks but knows it isn't the time. ''Will she be safe?'' He asks Potter, and Potter raises his eyebrows as if not expecting that but nods.
''Yes. She will survive and will be fine after the ritual.''
Voldemort nods. ''Do as he asks, Nagini.''
''Of course, Master.'' She replies and slithers towards the other Horcruxes.
Potter then pulls out something else from the charmed pack and touches the runes on it. Voldemort can't see what it is precisely, but it doesn't take long before he hears three pops of apparition.
''Thank you for coming tonight,'' Potter says with a bow towards the other men. Voldemort is watching closely and growls when he sees Snape with them.
''Are you betraying me, Snape?!''
The man looks towards him with a stoic face before answering. ''Of course not, my Lord, I've brewed the potion that will return you to your body.''
Voldemort doesn't trust it but doesn't say anything else.
The other two men aren't even looking at him. They are glaring at Wormtail, who is now whimpering on the ground.
''Do we really need him?'' The black-haired wizard asks at no one in particular. When Voldemort watches closer, he knows that it needs to be a Black. Those cheekbones and black hair with grey eyes are recognizable.
He remembers a Black heir in his ranks. He only doesn't know what happened to him.
''If you want to walk around a free man again, I suggest that you put your wand down, Black.'' Snape sneers, making Black glare at him.
''If you hadn't put your long nose in our business, I would've walked free a year ago.'' Black snaps back, and the other man next to him places a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
''No need for this now.'' The man says, Voldemort doesn't know who he is, but Wormtail had told him about the fourth friend of their group, the reason they are animagus. This has to be the werewolf.
Black seems to calm down, and the smirk on Snape's face says enough that he enjoyed toying with the man.
''Okay, you done?'' Potter says rudely. Making all three men look a little ashamed. It's something that Voldemort hadn't expected, but it seems like all three of them have respect for the Potter brat. Something Voldemort is curious about how it became.
Snape then steps up next to Potter and earns a hiss from Nagini. Potter doesn't seem impressed, but Snape takes a step back. Potter then fills the cauldron with water, and Snape takes out a large vial from beneath his robes before pouring it carefully into the water in the cauldron.
They start heating the potion, and Snape gives Potter instructions. Potter follows the instructions without a problem, and they work together seamlessly.
It doesn't take long, but everybody else is silent. The two deities look as if they are carved out of stone. Not a single hair or muscle moves while they are waiting for the potion to be ready.
Black is another story altogether. He is twitchy, and the werewolf tries to calm him down.
''The potion is ready.'' Snape declares after a couple of minutes.
''What's next?'' Voldemort can't help but ask, making Potter turn to him.
''Next, is you going into the potion with your other Horcruxes, and we will finish the ritual.''
Voldemort wants to protest, but before he can even utter a word, Potter lifts him and drops him into the potion without another word.
Harry's POV;
''Harry, are you sure?'' Remus asks when Harry has just dropped Voldemort into the cauldron without ceremony and with a lot of satisfaction.
''One hundred percent.'' He replies without a doubt, and Remus sighs and nods.
Harry then picks up the other Horcruxes before dropping them one by one in the cauldron. Nagini is last.
''You will be okay, but I need you to go into this. Just like your Master.'' Harry tells the snake. The snake looks at him as if it's looking into his soul before circling around Harry's arms to be lifted.
''Make my Master himself again,'' Nagini says before Harry puts her carefully into the cauldron. He is a little confused by her words because he hadn't expected her to understand what they were doing. He shakes it off and steps back from the cauldron.
''Sirius, can you take place on my right? Lady, are you ready?''
Sirius gives one last squeeze in Remus's hand before stepping up to Harry's right. He claps Harry's shoulder and gives him a little smile before taking a deep breath.
When Lady stands in front of him on the other side of the cauldron, they begin.
''We are here to give the Dark Lord a second life. With me today is Harry James Potter-Peverell, Sirius Orion Black, Remus John Lupin, Severus Snape, and Lord Death. Are you all ready?'' Lady Magic says in an eternal voice, making Harry shiver.
''Yes, my Lady.'' They all chorus.
''I ask Sirius Orion Black to step forward-'' Sirius does immediately as asked. ''-What are you bringing to this ritual today?'' She then continues.
''I'm here as a hopeful participant. I'm here to donate a part of my flesh for the new body of our Dark Lord.'' Sirius's back is straight, and he seems ready for his part in the ritual. Harry feels really proud of his godfather.
''Proceed.'' Lady Magic says after a moment of deliberation, and Sirius steps up to the cauldron. He pulls out a knife and sets it to his right earlobe. He hisses when he cuts off the lower part and drops it into the cauldron.
''Flesh donated by a hopeful participant.'' Lady Magic says at the same time. Then Sirius steps back and puts a handkerchief to his ear.
''I ask for assistance from Lord Death for the next part.'' Lady Magic says, and Lord Death nods before turning to the grave where Tom Riddle Sr. is buried. He raises his hand, and the ground burst open to reveal a bone of Tom Riddle Sr. He picks it up carefully before walking up to the cauldron.
''We thank the dead for giving this sacrifice.'' Lord Death says before putting the bone into the cauldron. Lady Magic speaks at the same time.
''Bone from the father unknowingly taken.''
Harry feels anticipation crawl over his skin. It's his turn next, and the magic that is humming around the kettle is intoxicating. A ritual that is dark but also full of life, it's the biggest ritual Harry has been part of.
''I ask Harry James Potter-Peverell, to step forward.'' Lady Magic asks with a small smile. Harry steps forward immediately and looks into the cauldron. The potion is swirling, and glowing green before Harry is pulled out of his thoughts by Lady Magic. ''What are you bringing to this ritual today?'' She asks.
''I'm here to donate my blood willingly as an equal.'' Harry's heart is pounding. He knows his words are being weighed, checked if they are true. Only Lady Magic can approve of the sacrifice.
It seems like hours tick by before she simply says, ''proceed.'' He wants to sigh with relief, but now he pulls out the ritual knife he had on himself.
He puts the blade to the inside of his right hand and slices quickly. The blood wells up, and Harry holds it above the cauldron. As soon as the first drops fall, the color changes from green to blue. Harry doesn't know if that's a good thing, but he likes to think that it is. He hears Lady Magic say, ''blood willingly given from an equal.''
He stays like that until he hears, ''that's enough.'' Harry pulls his hand back and wraps it into a cloth. He can heal it later.
Then Lady herself steps up to the kettle and peers into the cauldron. She then puts her hand above the potion before whispering. ''And magic from Lady herself.''
She then pushes magic into the potion for some time before stepping back. She looks at Harry with a smile.
''It worked. I need to return now because this has taken a lot out of me. I will see you soon, okay little one?'' She says, and Harry nods before hugging her. ''Thank you.'' He says sincerely, and Lady kisses his forehead before vanishing on the spot.
Harry knows it will take another minute or so before the potion and cauldron will vanish, and a body will come out.
He is waiting with bated breath when it happens.
The cauldron starts to shake, and steam comes out of the top. Then with a flash of light that blinds Harry for a moment, the cauldron is gone.
He looks down and sees a naked man lying in the middle of where the cauldron was, surrounded by the Horcruxes, who are now devoid of the soul pieces.
Harry takes him in and sees the resemblance to sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle he saw in the diary. The man only seems a little older. If Harry guesses, Tom is about twenty right now.
''Tom?'' Harry says carefully, afraid of the response he will get.
Tom just groans and opens his eyes, Harry gasps, Tom in the diary was never entirely there, just an echo of the boy himself, but here and now, this is Tom in his full glory, his eyes are bluish-green, his hair is dark brown, and he's entirely naked. Bloody Hell.
Harry rolls his eyes, more to control himself and to contain his blush. He then holds out his hand for Tom to take. He sees the mistrust in his eyes but takes it. Harry takes a deep breath and keeps his eyes on Tom's eyes instead of letting them wander. He feels a blush rising on his cheeks but ignores it. Thankfully, Snape pulls out his wand to conjure a robe for Tom. He wants to kick himself. Why on earth would he think that Tom is hot? That is seriously not something he can act on.
When Tom is standing, Harry sees the ring lying on the ground and feels joy fill him. He takes it from the ground and puts it on his finger immediately, feeling more himself with the ring back on his finger. The resurrection stone without the soul piece feels right on his hand, and he sighs in relief.
''What on earth are you doing with my ring?'' Tom says, and Harry startles from the deep, grave voice that comes out of him until he suddenly remembers what he promised to himself.
''Oh, yes, before I forgot,'' Harry replies casually before he suddenly punches Tom right in the face.
Tom's POV;
Tom blinks open his eyes and groans in pain but also in relief. He can feel that he is himself again, his own body, his perfect handsome self again. And for the first time in a long time, he's not in pain. It is such a relief that he needs a second to anchor himself.
He looks around him and sees Lord Death, Potter, Black, Snape, and the werewolf standing around him. Lady Magic is absent, but Tom doesn't really mind. He tries to access his magic but still feels the block Lady had put on him.
Potter then rolls his eyes and holds out his hand to Tom. Tom eyes him warily for a moment before he takes it. He's suddenly clothed in a robe, and he sees Snape putting his wand away. He gives the man a nod in thanks.
When Tom is on his feet again, he sees that Potter is looking away with a little blush on his cheeks and putting on a ring on his finger. Tom frowns. He knows that ring.
''What on earth are you doing with my ring?'' His voice sounds a little unused and grave, but it sounds at least human.
Potter freezes for a moment before his eyes snap to Tom, and a scowl is aimed at him.
''Oh, yes, before I forgot,'' Potter says casually before he suddenly punches Tom right in the face.
''You-what-you little-!'' Tom splutters in rage while clasping his now bleeding and broken nose. And the pain is back, in much less levels than he has become used to the last couple of years, but still. Potter can pack a punch.
Potter seems a lot more satisfied now while shaking out his hand. ''You deserved that. Who the fuck puts a Horcrux in one of Death's Hallows? You must be a complete fool!'' Potter is screaming at the end of it, and Tom takes a careful step back. He's still weak. He blames it on that, not because Potter feels powerful. Correction is powerful. He did find all Tom's Horcruxes, got him a body, blocked his magic, and seems way too close to Lord Death and Lady Magic. Nobody should be close to such powerful beings, and Potter treats them like family.
But admitting out loud that Potter is powerful is something Tom will never admit to, of course.
Tom frowns to himself. It has been a long time that he referred to himself as Tom. But for some reason, Voldemort doesn't fit anymore. It gives him a nasty feeling, and he knows that he isn't that - thing - anymore.
Tom is also pretty sure his nose is broken, and hold up, what did the Potter brat say?
''Death's Hallows? You mean from the fairytale?'' He sounds like he's talking with a cold, and he feels blood on his face.
Potter rolls his eyes, as does Snape. ''Let me, my Lord.'' Snape drawls before he whispers, ''Episkey,'' Tom groans when his nose snaps back in place but is relieved that he can breathe again. He scrunches up his nose carefully, but it doesn't hurt anymore.
''So, Death's Hallows?'' He then asks while looking at Harry. Trying to hold himself up in confidence. He will not cower before Potter or any of the others.
He's watching the Lord Death with interest. He was always interested in that story, Master of Death was something he dreamed of becoming, but all the lore showed it was just a fairytale. How wrong he has been. Well, on multiple accounts. But again, not something he will admit out loud.
''Yes, my invisibility cloak, your family ring, and Dumbledore's wand, together they are the Deathly Hallows, according to Death I was chosen by the Hallows to be the next master, so that's why I'm keeping the ring,'' Potter tells him in no uncertain tone, Tom would like to protest, but he doesn't really care about the ring. And if the Hallows have chosen Potter, he better doesn't interfere. Otherwise, he will probably be dead before he could say 'Quidditch.'
He does see the opportunity to mess with Potter, though.
''I didn't know that we were in that part of our relationship already, Potter,'' He drawls with a smirk.
Potter just looks confused, and it's now Tom's time to roll his eyes.
''Isn't it a Muggle thing to exchange rings before they are-'' before Tom can finish, he's rudely interrupted, but he sees that Potter got the gest of it because he turns crimson. Tom decides it's a nice color on the brat.
''OKAY! That's enough, you Dark Lordy, don't taunt him. He did help you get you a body.'' Black says while pointing at him sternly, Sirius, he should call the man Sirius. The man deserves respect for giving him part of his body. Even he can agree to that.
He could feel what was happening while in the potion, and he knows that Sirius has donated flesh just like Harry donated blood. He refuses to call Potter Harry, though.
''You're lucky that I decided to help you,'' Potter states with a smug look aimed at Tom. Tom glares at Potter. He still feels a little unstable in his new body, especially on his legs. He's glad that Snape at least gave him a robe to wear. It would've been embarrassing to be naked the whole time. He gently touches his nose, but Snape has healed him perfectly. He only doesn't know if he's still covered in blood.
''Oh, and why pray tell me is that, Potter?'' Tom drawls, but he's still prodding his nose a little. Bloody Potter.
''Because without me interfering-'' Potter starts before Tom starts to mumble. ''Meddling with business, you know nothing about.'' Potter aims another glare at Tom while Tom just smirks at him. He likes how easily Potter is irritated. He is going to have a lot of fun with that. ''I was interfering for the sake of wizarding Britain and the world!''
Tom rolls his eyes at Potter's dramatics. Lord Death looks between Potter and Tom, clearly amused while his eyes jump from one man to the other like a tennis match. Snape looks sour, and, together with Sirius and Remus, it's clear they rather want to be somewhere else.
''But, without me interfering, you would probably look like an Albino snake person.'' Potter then says with a big grin. Tom looks in shock at Potter.
''Albino snake, what now? What the bloody hell, Potter?!'' He demands.
Potter shrugs his shoulders like he couldn't be bothered with it, and it enrages Tom. He's just getting up steam to rant to the brat when Potter sighs. ''You trusted Wormtail of all people to brew a potion,'' He waves in Wormtails general direction on the ground.
Tom looks at the man in question in disgust, something Potter copies.
''I like snakes,'' Tom replies, he tries not to sound petulant, but he knows he failed when Potter snorts.
''Oh. Really? Couldn't have guessed.'' Potter replies, sounding utterly sarcastic. Tom wants to stick his tongue out to him, but he knows that is even more embarrassing and petulant. Salazar, what has Potter done with him!? Lord Death snorts out a laugh while Harry waves to Snape.
''Tell him!''
Snape pinches the bridge of his nose, sighing like everything that's wrong with the world is Potter. Something Tom can relate to.
''According to my calculations on the potion Wormtail was using, you would've looked like an Albino snake person after the ritual, my Lord.'' Snape drawls.
Tom scrunches up his nose in distaste. Potter points at Snape emphatically with a smug look. But Tom isn't one to accept this lying down.
''And now I look like my twenty-year-old self. I'm almost seventy!'' He tells them indignantly.
''Well, your diary was stuck as your sixteen-year-old self. You didn't act like an old person back then.'' Potter tells him with a shrug. ''-be glad we didn't use that one because I'm pretty sure you would have been in your sixteen-year-old body if we had.''
''And what's that supposed to mean?'' Tom asks heatedly.
Potter smirks at him, and Tom swallows harshly, he's furious at Potter, but the boy does look attractive. He shakes himself. Now is not the time! More like NEVER is the right time for that. Ugh. He can't believe his brain thinks Potter is attractive.
''You're acting like a child, my Lord ,'' Potter drawls with emphasis on the 'my Lord' part. Tom shivers but covers it with a snarl aimed at Potter.
Before Tom can retort, Lord Death is at Potter's shoulder. Tom takes a step back on a reflex. It doesn't matter what Potter has promised. He's still scared of Lord Death.
Lord Death claps Potter's shoulder, and Potter looks up at the deity. ''You should go back before they miss you.'' Potter nods in response.
''What am I supposed to do now?'' Tom doesn't whine. He doesn't! He isn't a child. He points towards a bound Wormtail. ''You bound my way out, and I don't think I'm going to get him back.''
Wormtail is still whimpering on the ground, and Tom sneers in his direction. Stupid, disgusting follower. He really doesn't understand what his older self thought when he let that vermin join.
He's still reeling from the fact that he has his body back, but he's annoyed that a lot of his memories are gone. It's all just one fussy mess in his head. He really needs to work on his Occlumency so his mind will be back in order.
Sirius kicks Wormtail, earning another whimper.
''Nope, you're not getting this one back. This one is ours. I want my freedom back like a normal person.'' Sirius tells him with a smirk.
''You're going with Sirius and Remus to Peverell Mansion. When I get home for the end of term, we can work on the next step.'' Potter tells him dismissively.
''I beg your pardon?!'' Tom demands, he's not going to wait in some kind of Mansion until Potter is ready to join him. He wants to take over Wizarding Britain now!
Potter again rolls his eyes. He should've seen his own peanut brain by now by how much he's doing it, Tom thinks. Irritated at the world but mostly annoyed at Potter.
''You-are-going-with-Sirius-and-Remus-to-Peverell-Mansion. We-will-take-the-next-step-when-I'm-home.'' Potter tells him slowly as if Tom is an imbecile.
Tom snarls at him. ''And why would I listen to you?'' He grounds out. Barely restraining himself from flinging a fist in Potter's face.
''Because otherwise, you won't get your magic back.'' Harry simply replies with a dangerous gleam in his eyes that has Tom swallowing harshly, but he's the fucking Dark Lord. He will not be intimidated by this teenager!
''Fuck you, Potter!'' He snarls out. If he had had his magic, he would've punished Potter for speaking to him like this.
''Fuck you too, Riddle,'' Harry replies, seeming more amused than angry, which Tom only angers more.
''This is going to be a long summer, isn't it?'' The werewolf, Remus, sighs while rubbing his head.
Harry's POV;
Harry tries not to snort at Remus's remark, but he still gets a glare from Tom. He doesn't try to show how amused he was about the bickering he had with Tom, but he doesn't think he succeeded.
Harry turns towards Death and hugs the man before he vanishes out of existence. When he turns back towards Tom, he sees that he is watching with rapt attention and quickly turns away when he sees that Harry is looking at him.
Harry narrows his eyes before sighing. He needs Tom's cooperation. So before he goes back to Hogwarts, he needs to talk to the man.
He looks at Sirius and Remus, who roll their eyes before they walk a little away, so they don't hear them. Snape sighs and tells him that he will return to Hogwarts. Harry nods, and the man apparates away.
Then it's just him and Tom.
''Listen, I understand that you hate me-'' Harry starts, but he's immediately interrupted by a scoff from Tom. ''Hate? Hate isn't the word I would use. It doesn't describe the epic debts of my loathing of you.'' Tom sneers, making Harry groan.
''Will you stop and listen for a second?'' He barks out. Tom replies with a grimace but waves his hand as to tell him to proceed.
''I understand that you loathe me, whatever-'' He waves a dismissive hand. ''-but we need each other. I have power in the Wizengamot, and together we can bring Dark magic back again, make it equal to the Light, instead of being shamed and put away.'' Potter seems excited to do this, and Tom must give it to him. Dark Magic deserves its place back into their world.
''And why would I want to help you?'' Tom asks with a scowl while crossing his arms.
''I'm not saying that you should do it for me. Hell, please don't if you hate me so much. Do it for the wizarding world. The wizarding world will fall apart if we don't help it.''
Tom raises his hands in the air. ''And why would I help other people? I'm the Dark Lord. Everybody is afraid of me!''
''Yes, they are! But do you even want that? From what I understood about you, you wanted to make sure that the wizarding world was equal in every aspect, that even muggle-borns and creatures could live in it without having to be afraid. But you ruined it with your Horcruxes. You lost your goal, and it made you reckless. Do you even know why you hate me? Do you actually have a fucking reason to do so?''
Tom takes a step back from Harry as if he's spitting venom, and Harry knows he has the arsehole now.
''You hated me because of a Prophecy. You killed my parents because of a Prophecy you only heard half of. That's how scattered your mind was. If you now think back on that, would you have done the same? Would you have gone through all those lengths to find me and kill me?''
Tom's silence speaks for itself, and Tom looks away.
''People have always been afraid of me,'' Tom whispers before looking back at Harry. ''Why would that change?''
Harry takes a step towards Tom, ''Because you have me now, and together we can make this work, and you will be loved after we are done. I can promise you that.''
Tom scoffs again, but Harry can see that he's getting through to him.
''Love is underrated, Potter,'' Tom mutters before walking away towards Sirius and Remus.
''I'm ready to go now.'' He tells them in no uncertain terms. Remus smiles at him, it's a little strained, but Harry is glad that he's trying.
Sirius scratches his beard for a moment. ''Good. We will say our goodbyes then.''
He then quickly makes his way to Harry to pull him into a bone-crushing hug. ''I'm proud of you, pup. I know this is hard.'' Sirius whispers before clapping him for the last time on the shoulder when he pulls back. He then holds out his arms for Tom to take. Tom doesn't hesitate to take it so he can get away as quickly as possible.
He does glance one last time at Harry before he is apparating away.
Remus then also hugs Harry before hauling Wormtail to his feet and also apparating away.
Harry doubles over and just breaths for a moment. Bloody buggering hell. What has he gotten into?
When his breathing is back under control, he straightens again.
''Accio cup.'' He says, and the cup comes flying into his hand. The familiar hook behind his navel pulls him away from the graveyard, and it just takes seconds before he lands on the ground in front of the maze.
The sudden noise of the band and the cheers of the audience slam into him at once. It's so sudden that he stumbles a little before he lifts the cup above his hand in victory and grins at the ecstatic spectators.
He gets swept up by different people but notices that the other champions are being picked up from the maze. In between all of the people, his gaze falls on Albus Dumbledore. The narrowing of his eyes tells him enough that Dumbledore suspects something. But he will not find out what. Harry will make sure of that.
Before he knows it, he is in the Great Hall with a loud celebration, getting the prize money handed and giving interviews while smiling for the camera. He hates to do this, but he just smiles and waves.
When the festivities are dying out in the Great Hall, he's being swept up by the Slytherins, an after-party in the dorms follows, and Harry can finally relax a little with his friends. He probably drinks way too much, but he doesn't care. He has multiple reasons for a celebration.
He sees a couple of flashes of Snape, but the man doesn't stop the party, which Harry hadn't expected.
Some random Slytherin girl comes up to him and kisses him full on the mouth, Harry is too shocked at first to do something about it, but thankfully Izzy interferes. She whispers something in the girl's ear as soon as Harry has taken a step back. Harry is watching with a little detached amazement and amusement how the girl turns white before disappearing for the rest of the party.
He may be bisexual, but his preferences are mostly towards guys. He just hasn't had found the one that can hold his attention for long enough, though.
Fred and George had made some advances on him, but Harry hadn't really taken them seriously enough. Convinced it was one of their pranks. Then there was Cedric, a fine first date and kiss, but that just didn't feel like how Harry wanted it to feel like.
Now looking around the room, he suddenly got a little nostalgic. In just a couple of weeks, he will be going away from Hogwarts for the last time.
He maybe had just four years here instead of seven, but it was his first home.
For that reason, he actually wanted to be alone for a while. He made his way to his bed and pulled his invisibility cloak from his trunk.
He wandered the castle, remembering all the things he had gotten up to with Hermione and Ron, and the last year with the other seventh years or the Weasley's.
He was just wandering the seventh corridor when a crash caught his attention. He pulled out his wand, even if he didn't need it, and walked closer to where the noise was coming from.
There he found a frozen in terror Neville Longbottom, a wand in his trembling hand. Staring at a wide-eyed Barty Crouch JR.
''Oh, shit.''