"For someone who has supposedly had all his various injuries healed, had an induced dreamless sleep and plenty of strength restoring potions..." Lord Voldemort hissed, "he certainly isn't acting like a normal boy. In fact I'd associate him more with a mute seven year old. Have any ideas, Narcissa?"
She balked under his accusing gaze.
"Err, well, he has been through a lot..."
"How thoroughly did you check for injuries?" Barty asked, who was leaning leisurely against the wall.
"Oh honestly Crouch! It was obvious, severe bruising-"
"But I dare say your feeble mind never though of-"
"While you were having your mindless fun with Longbottom some of us were trying to heal-"
"If you let me get a word in-"
"I don't need a man's advice on looking after children!"
"I'll be sure to relate that to Lucius when I next see him them-"
"Crucio."
Barty and Narcissa both hit the ground screaming.
"If I wanted to hear pathetic childish squabbling I'd be in the Children's Area," Voldemort glared down at the two, "now - Barty, you seem to have some idea on what is wrong with Harry."
"I have a theory, if you would let me..."
Voldemort gave a nod of ascent and Barty - with passing smirk at Narcissa - strode into room. Harry was sitting there on the bed, Barty decided immediately that he was wincing slightly as he stared meaninglessly up at the ceiling.
"Hello - Harry isn't it?" of course Barty knew his name, but he wanted to try and persuade Harry to talk.
The boy nodded. He looked away, letting some of his unruly black hair poke into his face. He didn't bother pushing it away. It always grew like that.
"You're being rather quiet, you know..." Barty heard Narcissa snort from the doorway. He gritted his teeth. He and Narcissa had been enemies ever since she read the angry letter from his father ('the dishonour of having his only Son in Slytherin!') when they first started Hogwarts and spread it around the whole school. Since then they'd passionately hated each other with a vengeance.
Ignoring Narcissa Barty turned back to Harry.
"Are you in pain Harry?"
The boy merely looked at him, Barty thought he spotted a glimmer of fear behind the smooth mask. Ah. Barty knew all about been afraid of having a weakness. It seemed the Dursleys possibly thought along the same lines as his own father.
"See this nasty scar here," Barty sat down conversationally on the bed, ignoring Harry's recoil at the motion and confidently pulled up his sleeve - the one without the Dark Mark. It was a horrible scar - red with a slightly black tinge to it. Harry bit his lower lip as he considered it.
"Yes... got it playing Quidditch," Barty grinned and ran a hand through his straw coloured hair, "I dare say with the muggles you don't know about that?"
Harry nodded slowly.
"Didn't catch that, sorry?"
Harry nodded again.
"Eh?"
"W-what's, what's Quidditch?" Harry whispered, his voice wavered slightly and it was tense with pain.
"Best sport in the world," Barty beamed at the boy as if he'd done him a great favour, "played on Broomsticks and-"
A small cough from outside interrupted them.
"- but maybe we'll go over it later," Barty added hastily, "anyway I made a magnificent save I did! Absolutely awesome! Don't reckon we could've won the game without it but, anyway... I had a really tough team captain I'll tell you. Wanted everything perfect he did. And didn't give a sh-"
A louder cough this time.
"And err... didn't give a gargoyle for nobody. We used to have well good Chaser - but he got thrown off for complaining over a broken arm! And there was this really talented seeker- but he said he would be too small! Imagine! Just because of someon's size or popularity. You know the type?"
Harry nodded, of course he did. Though what was a Chaser and a Seeker?
"Right, so I didn't really want to show anyone my cut. Sounds stupid now I know. I collided with this tree you see - and well I don't know the details (A/N: and neither do I, sorry I'm winging it here) something about the branch ripping through some cells... but I was too busy trying to be the man - you know? And so it got all infected and then, Merlin, was I in trouble!" Barty gave Harry a hearty clap round the shoulder.
"ARGH!"
Barty leapt about four feet in the air and raised his eyebrows at Harry.
"You alright, boy?" he knew he hadn't clapped it that hard.
Harry held his arm, gasping for breath, slowly he raised his eyes up to Barty.
"You 'urt? From that man? Vernonny - thing?"
The boy nodded, looking away again and blushing.
"Aint nothing to be ashamed of! Better to tell then wear a scar I always say! Let me get Narcy and we'll have it sorted," Barty had a mischievous gleam in his eyes, and let out a piercing whistle, "Yoohoo!!! Narcissa! Get here and do your job properly woman!"
Voldemort and Narcissa strode into the room.
"Very good Barty," Voldemort nodded his praise, "I trust this isn't beyond your skills, Narcissa?" he added venomously.
She paled and nodded, 'broken arm most likely - concealing spells, wandless magic. Give me some room-'
Of course, as the Hogwarts matron will state, a broken arm is nothing to mend magically, though is very painful until it's fixed."
"So he concealed it, afraid of showing weakness," Voldemort murmured as Barty smirked at Narcissa, lounging against the wall again, "nothing else hurting you Harry?"
Colour was slowly coming back to Harry's face, the pain which had distracted him for so long and distorted everything was slowly disappearing. Now images of the last few days flooded through his mind. He had a Father! And- and there was that man with all the blood, and this man Barty, and - and magic!
"I'm, I'm fine," Harry said, sitting up suddenly, and added softly; "thank-you."
Barty grinned and patted his shoulder. Voldemort allowed a satisfied smile.
Narcissa nodded approvingly, but caught Voldemort's eye and retreated away. She knew she was going to pay dearly for overlooking Harry's injuries.
"Do you remember much?" Barty asked curiously.
"Yeah- yeah I think I do," Harry wiped his glasses and peered around, then disregarding an annoyed look from Narcissa in the background and an amused one from Barty he swung himself off the bed and stood up rather shakily. He was relieved to find he could still do so. The floor was freezing though and he was still in far too big stripy blue pyjamas from the Dursleys!
"You know then, that his is Lord Voldemort - and he is your only relative," Barty said with a grin. (A/N: I'm sure you can guess what happened to the Dursleys).
Harry froze, feeling his throat constrict. He'd been suppressing that thought.
A cold fingertip tenderly pulled up his chin so that he was forced to look into the red gaze of Voldemort. It was spooky and Harry suppressed a shiver.
"You'll do," Voldemort said after a long, intent moment, "I'm sure you're still mentally exhausted, so I'll talk to you again this afternoon Harry.
"Err-" Harry looked away, and when he finally stopped staring at the ground - Lord Voldemort had gone.
Where were the Dursleys? Where was home? And what was this weird world?
"Come on Harry," Barty put a hand on the boy's shoulder, and added - as if reading his thoughts, "this is home now. You're the son of the master - the most powerful wizard in the world and you can do whatever you want! But I think we ought to find you some clothes, show you your room and maybe introduce you to some of the other kids - what do you reckon?"
Was he really related to that red eyed man?
"Harry," Barty's voice barely registered in Harry's head. With a sigh the man steered Harry out of the ward, not even looking at Narcissa, and guided him through a seemingly endless maze of rooms and corridors. Something was screaming in Harry's head. He didn't know whether to trust these people, hadn't been offered any proof, so what was he doing going along with them? On the other hand - anything was better than the Dursleys. It was too much for him to take in.
"Sir-" Harry began.
"Call me Barty, Harry, everyone does."
"Right, well - can you really do magic?"
* * *
For someone who had grown up with the Dursleys, and therefore been shunned wherever he went, whatever he did, Harry was certainly in for shock. After being shown his bedroom - which was fit for a king really - Barty had taken him to the
'Children's Common Room'.
"You need to be around people your own age," Barty explained, lightly, "don't worry, you'll be fine. Most Death Eater families live here at the base, safer that way you see? The Ministry of Magic might try to kidnap their kids, or take over their homes while they're out helping your Father in hope to catch them."
"Oh, right," Harry murmured. He felt so numb! Everything seemed extremely weird and he was trying very hard not to think about the red eyed demon who he was supposed to call Father.
"Right, I'll leave you here so you can get to know everyone without a silly grown up hovering over you..."
Before Harry could protest Barty just - there was no other word for it - disappeared with a crack like a whip. Harry found himself shaking slightly. It was madness, complete and utter madness.
So why not just go along with it?
Taking a deep, shuddering breath Harry Potter (as he still couldn't help calling yourself) gave a quick knock and opened the door.
There were about five kids, some talking, some playing. But they stopped instantly when the door shut.
"You're, you're the Dark Lord's son?"
"He must be, he's got the scar."
"Honoured, sir."
Harry took a step back, some what worried and surprised at their bows. Why were they bowing? No one had even done that with Dudley!
The fifth boy, the only one who had not bowed, laughed suddenly. He was a little taller than Harry had blond hair and a slightly pinched face.
"Oh leave him you lot," he drawled, "he's obviously not used to who he is," the boy laughed - not unkindly though, "guess the muggles didn't treat you like this then?"
Harry stared for a moment. Muggles? Oh yes.
"No, they were grim," Harry shrugged with an apologetic grin.
"Can't stand the lot of them," the boy held out his hand, "so I guess you don't really know what this whole thing is?"
"No," Harry admitted, feeling a little stupid and small.
"Name's Draco Malfoy," the boy held out his hand importantly, "and I can help you there. My Father's your Father's top man."
"Pleased to meet you," Harry shook the boy's hand warmly, feeling a little better.
"This is Crabbe, Goyle, Nott and Pansy," Draco quickly introduced the others, giving Harry a look that said none to subtly not to think too much of them. Harry was somewhat intimidated, Crabbe and Goyle looked rather like two Bouncers, Nott reminded him of one of Dudley's friends and Pansy... well all in all they made him think of Dudley's gang.
Draco seemed to be able to read Harry's expression.
"You want me to show around a bit? We could go to my room - I've got a racing broom!"
"Err- sure," Harry nodded, "racing broom?"
"Yeah you know, racing broom, it'll make more sense when you see it."
With a grin Harry followed Draco out the door. The other children followed like little ducklings. Harry swallowed, most overwhelmed.
Draco turned suddenly, his eyes swiftly taking in Harry's expression, and then the other kids.
"Hey, you lot, shoo!" he said.
"What?"
"He needs some room you morons! You'll have plenty of time to get to know 'im later. Now he needs a break. He doesn't want you lot gawping at him like some exhibition all day!"
Harry blushed slightly, but didn't protest outright. He didn't like Draco's manner with the others, but was quite grateful.
"Thanks," he said quietly as he followed Draco down the hall.
"Don't mention it," Draco shrugged. He had a lot of instructions from his own Father and planned to stick with them, "so what do you want to know?"
"Err... I dunno where to start really," Harry admitted, "what do you think I ought to know?"
Draco pondered it for a moment.
"Well some things would be best for the Dark Lord to explain rather than me," Draco confessed, "but well... you've got to know about Quidditch."
And hour later Harry and Draco were out on the field with the racing broom in tow.
"I don't know about this," Harry murmured.
"You'll be fine. I don't how young I was when I went on my first broom. Probably a baby I guess. Just put your hand over it and say 'up!'"
"Up!" Harry said, his hand over the broom. He then yelped as it rose to his hand.
"There you see!" Draco grinned, "now you mount it like this and away you go!"
By the time it was starting to get dark Harry never thought he had laughed and grinned so much in his life. Indeed he had rarely ever laughed freely. Nor had he ever been with someone who didn't detest the sight of him. He and Draco had taken it in turns to fly around - and Harry discovered he loved diving. In fact he loved flying. It was the most amazing thing he'd ever done in his life. They had at one point, for a laugh, tried going on the broom together. But ... lets just say that really didn't work. Harry managed to get a few bruises - but for once they for reasons any normal boy would have.
They were just about to see who could go the highest when -
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
Terrified the two turned, marching towards them was an extremely angry looking Narcissa Malfoy.
"DID YOU EVEN THINK TO ASK FOR PERMISSION?" she glared, "YOU'VE BEEN FLYING UNSUPERVISED - YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! YOU COULD HAVE -"
She stopped short, Draco looked quickly from her to Harry - and also froze. The boy's arms were raised like a shield above his head, his black hair was mingled with sweat.
He was shaking.
"Please don't hurt me, I swear I won't do it again," he whispered randomly under his breath, fresh in his mind were the memories of the many times Uncle Vernon had come rounding down on him.
"I think that's quite enough Narcissa," a soft, venomously snake like voice echoed over the courtyard.
Narcissa's pale face quickly went to green. Lord Voldemort approached them in several swift strides.
"You have to remember," he whispered quietly into her ear, so that neither boy could hear him, "my son has spent his entire life being abused. I am quite pleased that he has managed to forget that for a while. You know I believe this is the first time he has laughed, or been about having fun with those his own age. Advancing on him like that has reminded him of those years of abuse..." Narcissa was trembling, horrified at herself, staring blindly at Harry... "now Harry," Voldemort turned to his son, who slowly lowered his arms, "I think it's about time we had that little talk I mentioned."
What happened in that talk Harry wouldn't tell Draco. But he seemed a lot better for it. He was finally starting to enjoy himself, to let go. He didn't think much of the Dursleys. He was safe there with his father. The only problem were those like that filthy Albus Dumbledore who believed muggles like his aunt and uncle were good. And his real Father was going to take care of that. Harry had never had friends before in his life, but now he and Draco were inseparable - and frequently in trouble together. During the week Bellatrix Lestrange had used shaving cream instead of toothpaste, Barty had eaten a worm in his pasta, Crabbe Senior had blown bubbles all day - and not just from his mouth. It had been great fun. Harry had been introduced to numerous Death Eaters and told about the schooling arrangements.
"Most magical children go to Hogwarts," Draco explained, "but that's being run by Albus Dumbledore-" the two pulled faces and shuddered, "so I don't think we'll be going there. It's horrible - they let in Mudbloods!" Harry understood that Mudbloods were basically like Dudley - only worse; they had magic to use aswell as fists! More distasteful looks followed this subject.
"So where are we going to go?" Harry asked eagerly. He wanted to learn how to use his magic, the talent that saved him from the Dursleys.
"That's what I want to know. We need to ask someone," Draco declared stoutly. Harry smirked. They were eating dinner together on a separate table to the adults.
"You reckon Father would tell me," he whispered quietly. He was still someone nervous of talking to him.
"Yeah, come on," Draco noticed Harry hesitating, "go on..." he urged, "I'll be right behind you."
Quietly and unobtrusively as possible the two tip-toed over to the high table, giggling slightly in their excitement. They always started laughing when they were doing something possible exciting or scary. It's what tended to get them caught on their practical jokes - and several Death Eaters gave them worried looks as they passed.
"What are you two up to now?" Lord Voldemort mused as the two boys came near. He rather liked children, and was known to have much more patience with them than with the adults.
"P-please sir," Harry stammered, gathering up his courage, "we were just wondering..."
"Yes?"
"Whether we're going to go to school, or, or be taught magic?"
Voldemort turned to face his eager faced son and Draco.
"Come," he told them, and beckoned them to follow him to his private quarters. They both shared a look before trotting after him. Draco came somewhat reluctantly, trying to catch his parent's eyes on the way out of the room but at no avail.
"Harry I don't like this," he whispered anxiously to his friend, "I really, really don't like this. He might, he might..."
"Eat us?" Harry supplied with a grin.
"Mr Malfoy," Lord Voldemort said without turning round. Draco almost yelped with fright, but his Malfoy pride just saved him, "you have my fall assurances that I am in a very good mood and am a little too full to use you as nourishment."
Wow, he'd just made a joke. He had to be in an extremely good mood. Yes, his son pleased him very much. He liked the way he was maturing.
Draco tried to laugh, but choked on it, so Harry did so for him.
"In here," Lord Voldemort lead them into a dimly lit study and seated them in front of his desk.
"So, you've been here a week Harry," Voldemort smiled, "and you already want training?"
"S-sorry sir," Harry said quickly, "I-"
"Nonsense," Lord Voldemort chuckled, "it's quite alright. Now tell me- what do you think of Muggles?"
"There the scum of all the earth, Sir," Harry replied with confidence. He'd heard Draco saying this when asked the same thing by his father and agreed whole-heartedly.
"And Mudbloods?"
"I hate them, they're filthy," Harry answered adamently.
"What about Albus Dumbledore?"
"He's a horrible, muggle loving fool," Harry told him.
"Very good, Harry, very good," Voldemort's smile became wider. Yes his plan was
indeed working well, "you're answers please me. As has watching you this week. You know how to choose your friends well," he added and Draco blushed furiously with pride.
"Now, would you like to go to Hogwarts?"
Harry was confused for a moment.
"I don't know Sir. I don't want anything to do with Dumbledore, and he's there, and he lets in Mudbloods, but I do want to learn magic very badly."
(A/N: Don't worry Hogwarts will be in this fic).
"Why do you want to learn magic?"
"I don't want to be a muggle."
"Extremely good Harry," Voldemort said, "I have many connections and intend for you to be taught here. If the results are pleasing - and I will be getting a weekly report - I may even teach the two of you myself."
This was a very great thing and Harry knew it. He didn't know what to say.
"We would be most honoured my Lord," Draco filled in for him.
"Very good then, you'll start tomorrow-"
"-my Lord!" Avery choked, flinging the door open, "Sirius Black has-"
TBC...
Whew. I always seem to have problems writing chapter three! Very sorry about this. But I've got it out! Took a week! The next chapter contains what actually gave me the idea for this! So dabady doo! Can't wait! Hopefully I'll have it out soon.
I know I'm only responding to reviewers every fifth chapter, but there's something a lot of you have mentioned. Two things in fact...
1.) Yes, Harry has acted very young for his age. I'm really sorry about this and hope it has been rectified. As you read, Lord Voldemort noticed this too. It was because Harry has been badly abused in this fic (AU remember) and was in such great pain he was concentrating on subduing it with magic (not that he was conscious of this). I apologise now for my lack of description in his wounds and broken arm etcetera.
2.) I want you all to remember that Voldemort is a Dark Lord. Rest assured there will be DarkHarry in this, but it won't be an easy road. I intend for him to be rebelling against everyone.
I also strayed a little from the canon in this one - making up that history for Barty and Narcissa. Also we don't know much about Barty in the books, especially as he was acting when he was Mad Eye Moody and Veriteserum doesn't leave much personality. What did you all think of this? Also did you think the Harry and Draco friendship was alright (sorry peeps, no slash in this). I had a little but of writers block in this so I hope it turned out ok.
Dumbledore enters next chapter! WOOHOO! (Sorry, but you don't know what's he's going to do ... oh the suspense, and I just realised I left you on a cliffy! Whoops! Sorry! Haha! MWHAHA! Oh happy days! (falls of chair in truly insane moment).
And by the way - don't worry of course they'll be visiting Hogwarts.
Thank-you so, so, so much for all the reviews! You are all absolutely awesome! I value all your opinions very highly and want to give you all personal replies. However I've decided only to respond to them every five chapters so that I don't get so wrapped up in talking that I never get round to the story (;
You know when I started this fic I promised I would stick to short A/N's. Oh well! (:
