There is breakfast waiting for him on the table when he exits his room the next morning. Eggs, bacon and toast. Voldemort is reading and there is a cup of tea in front of him.
"Good morning." There is a slight emphasis on morning and Harry gets the impression that Voldemort has been up for quite some time. "The food is cold."
Harry sighs. "I am sorry," he says for some reason and sits at the table. The food tastes good even if it's cold. The scrambled eggs are just right.
Voldemort stands. "Enjoy." He puts the cup in the sink and places the book on the coffee table. He is dressed in one the robes Tinsy had delivered with a winter cloak over. The cloak is embroidered with silver threads and there is grey fur around the neck. Harry swallows. The man looks incredibly handsome. If Voldemort notices that Harry is staring, then he doesn't comment on it. He only smirks and heads for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"My office," Voldemort smirks. "After all, some of us do have a job ."
Harry wonders if he is still dreaming. It might be possible.
"Come by when you have eaten and we will discuss the classes and your involvement in them."
Harry takes a bit of the toast. He has a suspicious feeling that he will regret this.
"How can you not know this spell?" Voldemort asks in exasperation. Not for the first time. His hair is messy from where he has pushed his hand through it several times in frustration.
Harry has a headache.
" Lacarnum Inflamari then?"
Harry shakes his head.
"You did finish your fifth year as far as I can remember? You took your OWLs? I remember Severus telling me something about it." Voldemort leans forward over the desk and rubs his fingers against his forehead. Apparently he too is getting a headache from the whole thing.
Harry suddenly understands why he can't remember that spell. "Do you have the list of subjects the fifth years are supposed to cover that year?"
Voldemort hands him a list that shows the subject for the fifth year. Harry scans through it.
Ghoul
Pixie
Boggart (Revision)
Snake
Hex-deflection (such as with Salvio hexia)
Impediment Jinx
Tongue-Tying Curse
Trip Jinx
Deprimo
Smokescreen Spell
Lacarnum Inflamari
Reductor Curse
Snake-Vanishing Spell
Everte Statum
Densaugeo
Human-presence-revealing Spell
Protective enchantments
Harry raises his eyebrows. He is pretty sure none of the things on the list had been covered in his fifth year. "I don't think we went through any of this."
"What?" Voldemort looks bewildered which is a rather interesting look on him. It's not often someone catches him off guard, Harry thinks. "What in the world did you learn that year?"
"Ministry approved theory."
Voldemort looks speechless. Quite a feat Harry thinks and smirks.
"Dumbledore knew I was back at that point. Why would he not try to educate the students? He knew I would turn my eyes towards Hogwarts at some point."
Oh, so Voldemort doesn't know everything that happened that year. "Ah, yes, but Dumbledore was absent for a good part of that year and we had Umbridge Dolores as our DADA professor and she didn't allow us to practise any magic in her class."
"That explains a lot." Voldemort rubs a hand over his face. "Fine. Come on." He stands and exits the office. Harry follows him down the stairs to the classroom.
Voldemort walks over to the blackboard. After a couple of seconds he starts pulling open the drawers, muttering something under his breath. Slamming the last one shut he glares at the desk as if it has personally insulted him before looking back up.
"Can you conjure up some chalk please? I assume you have learned that much in transfiguration."
Ah, yes. Most of the teachers use magic to draw and write on the board. Voldemort doesn't have that option. Perhaps he should, Harry thinks. Would it really harm anyone if he can use magic to write on the board?
"There has to be something here?" Harry looks around as he takes out his wand. He has no idea how to conjure chalk but is not about to tell Voldemort that. " Accio chalk ".
The door to one of the cabinets opens and a box comes floating into Harry's hand. "Here."
"Thank you." Voldemort says and takes out a piece. He walks back to the blackboard and starts writing.
"The incarnation for the Lacarnum Inflamari is la-KAR-num in-flah-MAR-ee . The wand movement looks like this." Voldemort draws something that looks like a child's version of the head of a dinosaur.
He turns towards Harry and gestures for him to sit down on one of the desks in the first row. "From the name alone can you deduct what this spell does?"
Harry hates latin. " Inflammare means setting something on fire so I assume this spell produces flames og sparks?"
Voldemort nods. "Very good. Lacarnum Inflamari literally means 'to set fire to a cloak'. It produces either a small or a large ball of flames that burns with a very high intensity. It is a spell which it is not risk free to learn and the chances of nasty burns are quite high. It would be smart to have burn balm available in the cabinet just in case. There might be some even."
Harry notes to ask the medical witch for some.
"The spell has several practical uses like the Incendio spell. The difference is that while incendio produces a beam of fire, while the Lacarnum Inflamari produces balls. Can you think of a setting where this spell would be ill suited?"
Harry looks at the blackboard as he thinks. Voldemort is half sitting on the desk, twirling the chalk around his long fingers. The incarnation is rather long he notes.
"Duel?" He ventures a bit hesitant but as Voldemort nods he continues. "Battle. Situations that are time sensitive. Like dealing with a Devil's Snare."
Voldemort smiles. A genuine smile that makes Harry feel a bit warmer. "Very good, Harry. That is correct. And why is that?" The prais feels surprisingly good.
Harry points to the blackboard. "The incarnation is too long, and the wand movement is rather complicated."
"Correct. Ten points to Gryffindor." Voldemort stands. "Now, I would normally show the students how to perform the spell first, but as that isn't an option I will have you show them." He walks over to the fireplace and gestures for Harry to come as well. "Seeing as this is a fire spell and I assume Severus would be very displeased if you burn down the room, we will use the fireplace. It is built to handle fire. If you would lend me your wand for a moment I will show you how to do the wand movement correctly."
When Harry hesitates, Voldemort rolls his eyes. "Come on Harry. I know hundreds of wandless spells. If I had access to my magic then I would not need something as simple as a wand . That piece of wood helps channel the magic and levels the playing field for those who have less magical powers than you or me."
Harry can disagree with that and hands over the wand. Voldemort shows him a couple of times how to do the wand movement and then he has Harry practise a few times.
"Good. Now try casting the spell. Don't put too much power behind it or you might destroy the room." Voldemort takes a couple of steps back.
Harry feels nervous. He has a childish need to master the spell on the first try.
"It is not normal to get it right the first time," Voldemort says behind. "The first few tries normally result in just some sparks."
That just makes Harry more eager to get it right the first time. " Lacarnum Inflamari!" A ball of fire forms in front of his wand before it hits the fireplace setting the wood on fire.
Harry grins and turns to Voldemort. Voldemort smiles indulgently. "Very good, Mr. Potter. Another ten points to Gryffindor. Now use your magic to clean the blackboard and sit back down. We are going to take a look at the Densaugeo spell since you have not learned that one either."
Harry takes a gulp from the firewhiskey Snape hands him.
"How was the first day? I understand you two were hauled up in the classroom for most of the day," Snape says and Harry coughs as the whiskey goes down the wrong way.
"Yes, he is teaching me all the spells we didn't learn during my fifth year."
Snape crosses his right leg over his left and drinks from his glass. "I assume that went well?"
Harry smirks. "I don't think I've ever learned so much in such a short amount of time. He has an incredible way of explaining things but at the same time he encourages you to think for yourself to find the answers. Not to mention he showed an amazing amount of patience when I didn't understand something or couldn't make a spell work. His voice is also very engaging when he speaks about something he cares about and Tom really cares about magic."
Snape nods. "Yes. He is a very good teacher because he loves to learn new things and as such he is very patient when he teaches because he wants others to have the same pleasure of learning new skills as he does. When it comes to teaching he is not playing a role or faking it."
He takes another sip from his glas.
"Outside teaching however. Riddle was incredibly charming and charismatic when he needed to back then when he was a student, and the first years after. He shifted personalities like a chameleon. He will do the same now. He will find a way to fit in with everyone. To be accepted. But that doesn't mean he is not plotting or planning something. He is still dangerous. Don't forget that."
That sounds like Voldemort.
Harry hesitates but in the end he decides to just ask. "I was wondering if he could be allowed to use magic to write on the blackboard. It is huge and it's not made to be written on by hand, and what harm can it do for him to be able to use his magic to do that?"
Snape pinches the bridge of his nose. "No. Potter, giving him access to any kind of magic will then lead to you being in here in two days asking for him to be allowed to use his magic for something else. If you give him an inch then he will take everything."
"How do you expect him to use the blackboard then? It is massive!"
"A ladder?"
Harry sighs. "He can't do the job properly that way. Don't you want students to have the best education they can?" He knows he is on thin ice as Snape has made it clear more than once that Voldemort is not allowed any magic.
Snape knocks back his drink. "You will be the death of me," he mutters. "Fine. But," he points a finger at Harry. "If this backfires then you will be the one to handle it. And before you ask, no. He will not get access to his wand. He is perfectly capable of doing magic without it."
Harry nods.
The scent of food hits him as he opens the door to the apartment. Voldemort is in the kitchen. In front of him there is a pan with something and as Harry enters he can see Voldemort pouring pasta through the sive.
He feels bad that Voldemort feels he has to cook in order to have something to eat when Harry can simply call the house elves whenever he wants something.
"Is Severus satisfied with my behaviour so far?" The question is asked in a sarcastic tone that tells Harry Voldemort doesn't enjoy having Snape in a position of power over him. Harry can relate to that.
Voldemort stirs the pan before adding what looks like cheese. He then pulls down two plates and sets the table like the night before. The pasta is poured into the pan and stirred into the sauce before Voldemort puts the whole pan on the table.
"Pasta bolognese," he says when he looks up. Harry nods and takes a seat at the table.
Voldemort takes a seat too. He waits while Harry transfers some of the food to his plate before doing so himself.
Harry spins his fork into the pasta before taking a bite. It's good.
"You are allowed to use your magic to write on the blackboard in the classroom, but only that."
Voldemort's head comes up from where it was bent over the food. A smile spreads across his face making him even more handsome than usual. Across the link Harry can feel pure happiness and once more he feels bad for having cut Voldemort off from his magic.
"I don't know how," Harry waves his hand between them. "In regards to the oath. Is there anything I have to do?"
Voldemort shakes his head. "No, your words are enough."
Harry nods. He thinks about Hermione and her concern about the oath. Perhaps he should ask Voldemort to explain how it works? Before he gets around to it, Voldemort speaks.
"Why would you let me have access to any magic?" Voldemort stares intently at him and Harry gets the impression he is trying to figure out why Harry is being kind and probably wondering when the other shoe will drop.
Good question, Harry thinks. If someone could find a way to hurt someone with a writing spell then it would be Voldemort though.
"It's practical. The board is massive and it will be difficult to properly use it without being able to use magic."
Voldemort smiles that blinding brilliant some that makes him look gorgeous. "I would be able to be a more adaptive teacher if I had access to my magic."
The thought makes Harry nervous.
"I have after all sworn not to hurt anyone, or torture them. I can't do anything to the innocent little lambs you expect me to teach how to defend themselves.
If there is one thing Harry knows then it is that if Voldemort is given free access to his magic, then he will find a way out of the oath and then he will be gone. He might not try to take over the Wizarding world again, but he will disappear and Harry will spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder. The rest of eternity if the rumours about his position as Master of Death are true. Hermione tried to figure it out but she had to concede.
In the meantime Harry has hidden the resurrection stone and the wand in seperate locations, but the cloak he kept. It reminded him of his parents. That and the Marauder's map.
"No."
The smile disappears off Voldemort's face. He looks somewhat disappointed but he doesn't push the tropic. Instead he returns to his food and Harry does the same. The pasta is really good. Not that it is a surprise that Voldemort is good at cooking. The man seems to be good at everything he tries.
There is breakfast on the table when Harry gets up the next day too. This time is not quite cold, but Voldemort is nowhere to be found. There is tea too. Which is cold. Harry eats the food and drinks the tea anyway. He doesn't understand why Voldemort makes him breakfast. Perhaps it is just simpler to cook for two, or perhaps it is another tactic.
He eats and gets dressed and heads to the Great Hall to meet with the rest of the staff. Snape has ordered him to attend, but not Voldemort.
The meeting goes well, but there is some tension. Professor Slughorn and Professor McGonagall pull him aside.
"What were you thinking, Potter?" McGonagall demands. "Letting him out of prison!"
"Now, now, Minerva," Slughorn tries. "Riddle still holds the highest scores ever given at Hogwarts."
"He also killed several children and grownups and started two wars!"
Slughorn can't deny that. "He can't hurt anyone. Look, he has been here two days and I have hardly seen him except for the meeting Snape forced him to attend yesterday and even then he looked like he wanted to be as far away from us as possible."
"That doesn't prove anything. For all we know he is simply plotting and planning."
Harry wonders if he should interrupt them.
"Minerva with that bond he sealed his own fate." For some reason Slughorn looks a bit sad.
"Bond? Kingsley said it was an oath?" Something prickles at the back of his neck. The same feeling that is telling him that he is missing something.
McGonagall and Slughorn exchange a look. "Yes, of course, my mistake, Harry."
There is something amiss.
He checks the library and is not surprised when he finds Voldemort there with several books in front of him. He looks up as Harry approaches.
"Staff meeting go well?"
Harry sits in the chair across from him. "Yes. The news about you being here was published in the Prophet today. There were some outside reactions and Snape has received several letters, but as this was sanctioned by the Wizengamot there isn't really anything anyone can do or say."
He has decided not to read the article.
"The rest of the Professor will tolerate you as long as you behave respectfully, which I expect you to do." Harry knows he has no influence over Voldemort except from the restrictions he gave him in Azkaban, but he gives it a try and is surprised when there are no mocking words from Voldemort about Harry's childish attempt to control him.
Instead Voldemort simply returns to his book. "Of course, Mr. Potter." There is a slight feeling of something in the voice along with the use of his surname, but Harry can't grasp what it is.
"Snape doesn't want you in the Great Hall for any meals for the first few weeks. The students will of course be wary of you and he wants them to get used to having you here first."
"As he wishes."
Voldemort is very amiable. Harry finds it a bit suspicious.
"What are you reading?" It looks heavy.
"Researching the tropics the first years are going to cover. It's been a long time since I have used such childish hexes."
It sounds about as boring as it probably is and Harry leaves him to it. The weather is fairly good, even if it is cold so Harry gets his broom from the apartment and goes flying.
It's freezing outside but he doesn't care as he flies around the castle at a comfortable speed. The sun glitters over the snow and makes the castle look like something out of a fairytale.
A feeling of home washes over Harry. This is truly the only place he has ever called home.
A movement on the Astronomy tower makes him turn his head. Voldemort is leaning against the rail looking out over the grounds. He has his winter cloak on and black gloves. It doesn't seem like he has spotted Harry yet because he closes his eyes and turns his face towards the sun. There is a small smile and he looks like he is enjoying the feeling of fresh air. Harry reaches for the link and it confirms that Voldemort is almost happy if that is a word one could associate with the man.
The scream makes Harry sit up in bed and he reaches for his wand as he pulls on a t-shirt and a pair of pants. He doesn't bother knocking, simply opens the door to Voldemort's room.
Another groan and half scream. Harry puts his wand away and approaches the bed. Voldemort is twitching and turning. Half curled into himself. He is frowning and there is sweat on his forehead.
Harry sits on the edge of the bed and reaches out. "Voldemort. Voldemort!" He shakes the man's shoulder. The man seems to be caught pretty deep in his own head because he does not wake. He twitches under Harry's hand and Harry can feel how tense his muscles are.
He tries shaking him a bit harder.
The brown eyes open and Voldemort flinches backwards. In the small light provided from the fireplace he looks completely terrified. Then awareness bleeds into his eyes and he blinks. The breathing evens out, but he is still shaking.
"You okay?" Harry asks. It feels a bit like he is intruding, seeing Voldemort this vulnerable.
Voldemort nods. He drags a hand over his face and sits up. "I am fine." The voice is hoars.
"Do you want a calming draught or a dreamless sleep potion?" Harry has both in his bathroom.
Voldemort shakes his head. "I have already taken a Dreamless Sleep potion. Two at the same night would be dangerous."
Oh.
"They don't always work anymore," Voldemort explains to Harry's surprise. He sounds exhausted. "The body grows used to it and the effect lessens."
It seems like Voldemort has been having trouble sleeping for a long time then.
"The body from the graveyard did not require much sleep, if any at all, but this one does." He sounds frustrated. Probably at the fact that he is human with the same basic needs as anyone else.
Harry pulls out his wand and accios a bottle of firewhiskey and two glasses. He pours a measure into each and hands one to Voldemort who takes it with a surprised look on his face. "Might help you calm down," Harry says with a shrug.
Voldemort nods and knocks back the glas. He winces a little but Harry can see his body is relaxing a bit more.
As he tilts his head and closes his eyes, Harry notices that the tattoo is gone.
He freezes.
Voldemort opens his eyes and notices that Harry is staring at his neck. "It has just bled into the skin, Harry. No need to worry. The oath is active. I can't break it."
Harry wants to believe that.