FULL SUMMARY, since it didn't fit
°°°this is a dark-ish, sarcasm filled story. Beware°°°
Sick of Dumbles manipulations, Harry struck a deal with Voldemort after his resurrection ritual, which made his summer much more... interesting.
See, everyone expected Harry to be a light, reckless, self-sacrificing Gryffindor and not a charming, cold and powerful Slytherin, who had a knack of getting under people's skin and wasn't afraid to curse those in his way. Nobody expected him to be ~dark. Not even Tom (which - much to Harry's horror - helpfully pointed out that Harry was acting like a Tom Riddle 2.0, gathering followers and such)
With Harry blatantly denying Dark Lord's return, they work together in destroying scheming Dumbledore and gaining followers, exploring their newfound bond and... sneaking into the Chamber to visit Basilisk?br /
As Tom learns of Harry's past he realizes, everything he was told about his young nemesis was a lie. A carefully sculptured persona Harry created duped even Dumbledore. He finally met his /
Not everything is at is seems.
IMORTANT TO STORY NOTES
* Grimmauld place is not under Fidellius
*! the Winchesters are NOT relevant to the plot, they are here as OC characters, who were convenient to bring out some darker parts of Harry's character, as well as his past. They show up in the FIRST chapter in order to get some of Harry's past, and once or twice in upcoming chapter you can pretend they're just common muggles. THEY ARE HERE TO BRING OUT HARRY'S pAST
*The past is different that in the original books, it will be shown furhter in the story (which i have already written a good 80 pages of:))
* The Harry/Tom thing won't start in a while. But it's there, trust me
* There might be some dead characters i bring back, but they show up like once or twice.
* Yes
This story is posted on ao3 and i decided to post it here as well. yeehaw
Let's just say, Harry was not pleased to be brought to Grimmauld's place and told to stay .
He wasn't a goddamn dog. He'll leave if he wishes to.
Of course, having a free range of the Black family library was something he was looking forward to. Oh, they had the books that sounded positively delicious , he was sure of that. After all, the Blacks were a dark family. And he was going to take advantage of the situation the best he can. It's not like he can read books on dark magic in Hogwarts, not unless he's in the Room of Requirement or in the Chamber of Secrets. Nowhere else was safe enough. But here… he had a free range.
Harry knew why he was brought here, he wasn't stupid.
It was because of Voldemort, and this stupid Order of Chickens. As if he cared. For one, they were suppose to help him fight the Dark Lord, and yet, kept him completely in the dark. Of course, this was all Dumbledore's doing, his manipulations, but Harry could see right through them. He had to, in order to survive. He was not the submissive, malleable boy they thought he would be. No, he knew who he was. He will not be manipulated by anyone.
And besides, he and Voldemort came to some sort of arrangement, not that anyone was aware of it.
He never, not once claimed he'd fight for the light side. Everyone just assumed .
Oh, they were in for a shock.
"Harry!" Sirius ran to him and enveloped him into a tight hug.
"Evening, Sirius" Harry replied, stiffening a little. He didn't exactly liked to be hugged like that . And it's not like he and Sirius were that close. Sure, they've been corresponding much more this year and even talked, but Harry was still wary of how much Sirius trusted the old coot.
"It's good to see you, Harry. Welcome. Now, I've got to go to the meeting, so, I'll see you at dinner, alright? Room for you is set up, these two will show you up" he pointed at two teens he's never seen before. "These are Samuel and... Dan? Dean? Anyway, they'll be staying here for some time. Play nice, boys" He patted Harry on the back and ran off.
Harry turned his cold and piercing gaze to the two boys who were eyeing him with curious, yet calculating looks. The older one looked around twenty, short hair, protective stance over the long haired boy, who looked maybe sixteen. Neither of them looked like a wizard, but looks can be deceiving - just look at the Weasleys.
"I'm Sam" one of them spoke, smiling shyly. He coked his head to the side. "That's my brother Dean. He can be an ass sometimes"
Dean kicked Sam, who yelped in pain.
"Good to know. My name is Harrison James Potter, heir to the Houses of Potter and Black, as well as the heir of Slytherin" he said with a proud smirk on his face. Oh, he always loved startled reactions he got from people when he mentioned being an heir to Slytherin. And why would he hide it? He was proud.
Not that it stopped Dumbles from trying to hide it from everyone.
He also failed to mention getting his Lordship rings and becoming a Lord - a courtesy of Voldemort, actually. He had no idea that by entering the Triwizard Tournament he became an adult in the eyes of magic itself, which meant a few things - he could take on his Lordships and the trace didn't apply to him. So, the Dark Lord told him to visit goblins - in secret, if possible - and take them. Which he did. And he was very grateful for it.
"You may call me Harrison or Harry" he added once he saw dumbfounded faces on the brothers.
"Well, if we may , your lordship" Dean's tone was mocking. Who needed these titles anyway?
Harry turned to face him and wandlessly and wordlessly sent a mild stinging hex.
"Ouch! What the hell?!"
"Shut your face, moron, or do you want that woman to start screeching again?"
"Show me to my room" Harry demanded. He was getting tired of these childish antics.
"Fine" Dean shot at him and started thumping up the stairs.
"FILTHY MUDBLOODS AND BLOOD TRAITORS! WALKING IN MY ANCESTORS HOUSE, FILTH-"
"I told you to shut up-"
"Yes, well-"
"Who is that?" Harry demanded and with a swift of his wand the curtains covering the portrait were shoved aside.
"HOW DARE YOU TO DIRTY MY ANCESTOR'S HOUSE, YOU FILTHY MUGGLE LOVING FREAKS! BRINGING SHAME ON THE BLACK HOUSE FAMILY NAME, YOU FILTHY MUDBLOODS AND BLOOD-TRAITORS! YOU WILL-"
" Enough !" Harry commanded, his eyes glazing with such fury, that the brothers took a step back. "How dare you insult me?"
The lady stopped screaming and stared at the boy in front of the portrait.
"Who are you and how dare you walk the halls of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black?"
Harry's chin shot up.
"My name is Harrison James Potter, Lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Potter, heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black" then smirked. "The Heir of Slytherin." He lavished at the expression of the portrait. "And I demand an apology for being called a mudblood and a blood traitor" his tone was back to being harsh.
"My most sincere apologies, Lord Potter. I did not know." The Lady bowed her head.
"I accept your apology, Lady Walburga. However, you shall call me an heir, or Harrison, if you could refrain from screaming."
"Well, of course, my dear. I apologize." She paused for a moment. "So you didn't bring those blood traitors into my ancestral home?"
"Of course not, Lady Walburga. I was not aware of anyone else being here, and I was brought here against my will. If it was my choice, none of them would have stepped a foot into this house."
The woman nodded.
"Dark days, dark days are upon us, young heir. The House of Black is proud to have you."
"Thank you, Lady Walburga" Harry inclined his head in respect.
"Oh, such manners! Not like those filthy animals, occupying this place. You remind me so much of my young Regulus! You may call me aunt Walburga, young heir. You may ask me any questions you have."
"Thank you again. I shall go now. Would you mind not shouting at everyone, dear Lady? You may curse whomever you wish, but please, refrain from shouting - I'd like some peace and quiet."
"Of course, my young heir. Not that these mudbloods don't deserve it"
Harry just smirked and bowed his head to show respect. When he turned to walk up the stairs, he saw two pairs of wide eyes staring at him.
"Yes?" he asked, getting irritated.
"That bitch has been screeching almost non-stop for weeks! How did you do that?"
"With manners and respect for our ancestors. Something you seem to lack."
Both of the boy's seemed to take the hit differently - the older one looked insulted, while Samuel looked somewhat ashamed.
"Now show me to my room or are you going to stand around, staring at me for the rest of the night?"
"Fine, your majesty" Dean grumbled and started walking. "Here we are." He opened the door, then turned around and left.
Harry looked into the room, nodding approvingly. The Slytherin theme was obvious - green and silver bed sheets, dark, emerald green walls, done tastefully. Serpent motives on the wall, as well as the door handle. It felt… homey.
"Sorry about Dean, he's… well, he can be standoff-ish. Especially if he doesn't know you."
Harry shot the boy a calculating look. He seemed different than his brother.
"Well, he doesn't know me."
"Yeah, uh… well, I'll let you settle in then" the boy backed out awkwardly.
Harry nodded.
It's not like he needed company anyway. Actually, he was still reeling over the fact of being brought here and away from his training sessions with Voldemort.
Harry quickly pulled his stuff out and put it in places, then took an ancient runes book and began to read.
Sometime later, there was a knock on the door.
"Reading? Harry, it's summer!" Sirius whined, as if it was him who had to read.
Harry raised his brow.
"I actually enjoy reading, Sirius, it is the source of knowledge, you know." A smirk made his way on his face. "I know there's a library in this house as well, would you mind-"
"Oh, no, no, no, Harry, no library tonight. I'm just after a meeting, and dinner is ready, let's go eat, huh? Library can wait. How about we prank someone?" he smiled mischievously.
"How about I'll see who annoys me the most tonight, then we'll make plans?" Harry suggested.
Sirius clapped his hands, then grabbed Harry and pulled him into the hallway.
Harry looked down, hearing multiple voices.
There were over a dozen people there.
"Let's go down, Harry"
He did, reluctantly. He just knew he was not going to like most of the crowd. And oh, how right he was.
"Ah, Harry!" Mrs Weasley screeched and ran towards him. "So good to see you!" she was obviously trying to hug him, but Harry moved out of her way, a sneer of disgust plastered on his face.
"Do not touch me" his voice was ice cold. "You are neither my family, nor a friend, therefore I don't appreciate strangers trying to… hug me."
Mrs Weasley seemed shocked.
"Harry, it's just a hug, I'm sure she didn't mean-"
"If Mr. Potter says he did not give his permission to be touched, I suggest you respect it" a voice from behind Harry drawled. A small smile crept on his face when he recognized it.
"This is none of your business, Snivellius" Sirius' tone was demeaning.
"Professor," Harry's tone, however, sounded relieved. "Good to see you. I hope you're faring well." Then Harry shot a disapproving look at his godfather, who was looking at him with surprise and maybe betrayal?. "Sirius, you're a grown man, I'd appreciate it if you could act civil with my professor. He is, after all, quite right" he shot a pointed look at Mrs Weasley, who seemed to redden. Then turned around and left.
Sirius looked uncomfortable.
"Harry- I- what?"
"Loss of words, Black?" Snape taunted.
"No, but it wasn't very nice. She was just-"
"Just what, Sirius?" Harry cocked his head to the side. "Let me make this clear, I am not friends, nor will I ever be with the Weaslys. The only ones who seem to have some common sense are the twins and perhaps the older ones. They are more annoying than ever. I don't want to talk to them or be touched by any of them. In fact, she seems to have some unhealthy fascination with me. How would you feel if strangers came onto you like that? Cause let me tell you, it's uncomfortable. And you justifying it only makes it worse."
Sirius looked shocked by what his godson was saying. Was he really doing that?
Shame flooded him.
"I'm sorry, Harry, I didn't realize."
He just nodded, accepting the apology, but still somewhat weary.
"Are you staying for dinner?" he asked Severus, who nodded. He didn't look overly pleased, although he rarely did.
Harry sat between Sirius and Severus, observing the others. The Weasley clan was here, much to his annoyance. Granger as well- no wonder Lady Walburga was shouting about mudbloods. Then there was a woman he heard someone call Tonks, an auror Kinglsey, who was quietly chatting with Lupin, and then the brothers he met earlier, sitting opposite of him.
"Is this always this crowded?" he asked Severus.
"Unfortunately. Sometimes more."
Harry made a face.
"I'd rather stay at the Malfoy Manor"
"So would I, but you know Dumbledore. He thinks they're Death Eaters, just waiting to hand you over to the Dark Lord."
Harry snorted.
"So what, he put me here with…" he glanced at the Weasleys. "With that , and expects me to not go insane and possibly kill everyone by the end of the summer?"
It was the Potions Master's turn to snort.
"Good point. You can always hide in the library."
"Oh, I plan to. I also wish to see Draco. I'm assuming, they'll try to lock me in here?" When Severus nodded, Harry grimaced. "Of course. Would you escort me to Diagon Alley then? For the sake of my sanity?"
"And why would I do that to myself?" Severus smirked.
Harry's smile turned feral for a moment, before a look of complete innocence was back. He leaned in closer.
"Because you don't want a completely insane heir of Slytherin on the loose in Hogwarts. Again . Some Chambers might open up once more. Mass panic. Death. All falls on the Head of my House. Because he couldn't take his student to Diagon Alley. Just imagine how much trouble that would be for you compared to what I'm asking." Harry smiled knowingly - he won.
"Fine, you brat"
Harry knew someone was looking at him, and most likely listening to their conversation. When he lifted his head, he met the eyes of Sam, who looked mildly impressed and smirked at him.
At least he wasn't acting like Weasley or Granger, who would have run to snitch about his evil slytherin plans to someone by now.
Speaking of Weasley…
He was shooting him and Snape some dirty looks. How predictable.
Harry smiled sweetly at him and told Severus, who glared at Ronald. The boy went pale.
Harry chuckled.
Then he heard Granger going on about the Draught of Peace. How ironic. He's getting anything but peace now.
"-I mean, it just doesn't make sense! Hellebore should not be put in the draught! It's like putting rat poison into pancakes!"
Harry snorted.
"Seriously, Granger? Are you so dense ? That's why you put 7 drops of hellebore to the Draught of Peace, not the entire bottle! Unless you plan putting someone into a coma?" he raised his eyebrows, his look challenging. Then continued: "Besides, hellebore is also used in Volubilis Potion, which restores the drinker's voice if he has lost it or just alters it. Therefore, it is not the same as 'putting rat poison into pancakes'. Perhaps you should read up on the ingredients before berating them."
"Well said" Severus nodded, looking proud, while Granger's face turned bright red.
"How do you know about Volubilis Potion? It's N.E.W.T's level" Kingsley looked surprised. So did everyone, after hearing this.
Harry just smirked.
"Besides, why are you arguing with Ronald about potions? He's clueless and had exploded more cauldrons than Goyle, and that's saying something. Or do you just need someone to nod along, even though you're in the wrong?"
Harry felt gleeful. Oh, how he enjoyed winding them all up. And he will do this a lot, especially if he's forced to reside with them.
Even Mrs Weasley looked somewhat embarrassed.
"Granger, if you're so keen on arguing about potions, why don't you ask Severus?" He could barely contain his laughter when he saw everyone's faces once he called Snape by his name. "After all, he's the youngest Potion's Master in Britain, if not the whole world. I'm sure he could answer a few less idiotic questions."
Severus looked positively painted by that idea.
Thankfully, Granger decided to pass this… opportunity.
"Harry, that was quite rude" Sirius whispered to him, looking concerned.
"Actually, it wasn't" Harry stated firmly. "Everything I said was the truth. And if I'm forced to be around them for some unforeseen reason, I will not keep quiet to such nonsense. Because that's what it was." Harry turned back to a still smirking Potions Master, cutting the conversation short.
"Would you mind asking Tom if there's a way to meet before September? That is, if he wishes to speak with the sane Harry, I can't promise what the version who is forced to live with those... Neanderthals will be like. Or better yet, ask him to kidnap me, please. I'll even behave. Anything but this ."
"I'll see what I can do," Severus smirked. Oh, he knew how the boy was feeling.
"Sirius had a two-way mirror. Maybe we can find something like that?" Harry wondered out loud.
The very next day, Harry turned up late for breakfast and was left to eat alone.
Thank Merlin.
Once he was finished, he was startled by a house elf, who didn't even spare him a glance.
"Mudbloods and blood traitors, darkening my Mistresses doorstep. Filth, unworthy creatures-"
"What is your name, elf?" Harry asked in a commanding voice, looking down at the weird creature. He's never seen a house elf behaving like this.
"My name be Kreacher, sir. I serve the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. And the filth, dirty mudbloods-"
"Stop mumbling," Harry said sternly. "Do you know who I am, elf?"
"Kreacher does not, but Kreacher knows house is full of blood traitors and filth-"
"Are you insulting me?"
"No, of course not-"
"My name is Harrison James Potter" Harry started going off about his titles again and watched how the elf's eyes went round and how it stared at him in awe.
"Kreacher is sorry, sir, Kreacher did not mean to insult the young Master. Is the Master be in Slytherin?" he asked with hopeful eyes.
"Why, yes. I am the heir after all. And I am residing in Regulus room."
"Is the young Master liking the room? Kreacher be keeping it clean!" The elf looked proud.
"I am, Kreacher. Now, while i understand that the house has some… less than likeable people around, that does not mean you shall abandon your duties. Or do you wish to see the House of Black in a bad state? Unclean?" he asked, knowing this light manipulation would work like a charm. Which it did, when the elf started shaking his head.
"No! Kreacher be a good elf and help clean! Young Master will see!"
"I trust you, Kreacher" Harry said, knowing the elf will take it to his tiny little heart. He did, however, asked him not to touch the rooms anyone else lives in. "Now, may you show me where the library is?"
"Young Master will be wanting to read from the library? The bad Master Sirius never does! Come with me!" Kreacher looked as if someone gifted him the moon.
Oh, it was so easy to win the house elf's loyalty.
"Most books will only let be read to someone of Black's blood" the elf announced gleefully, and Harry fully understood. He wouldn't want Granger reading these books either.
"Kreacher, is there a way to make it so no one can enter the library while I'm here? Especially if I'm reading… darker books?" he whispered, as if a secret.
"Yes, sir, but the bad Master Sirius may still enter. If the Young Master wishes, he may go to the private study chambers." The elf pointed at the wall in the back of the library. When Harry looked blankly back at him, the elf smirked.
"You is need to put a drop of blood on there-" he pointed at one specific place. "And the door will open. No one will bother the young Master!"
Harry smirked. It seemed like he and the elf had an understanding.
"Thank you, Kreacher. You've been a great help. You may go now."
The elf bowed and disappeared with a pop.
Harry smiled.
It looks like things were looking his way.
"Harry! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Sirius shouted, looking relieved.
"Clearly, not everywhere . I was in the library"
"No you weren't! The door's wouldn't even open!" the Granger shouted.
"Of course they wouldn't, because you're not Black by blood" Harry retorted, looking bored.
"You aren't either!" she argued back, and oh, how wrong she was.
"Actually, my grandmother was a Black. And Sirius happens to be my godfather." Harry couldn't hide his smirk, when he saw jealousy flash across her face.
Good. She didn't deserve to see the books in the library. And, well, the books in the private study were… breathtaking. Dark Arts, centuries of knowledge in one place.
Sirius smirked.
"Hiding already?" he teased. Then leaned in: "How about pranking, huh? Any plans?"
"Perhaps" Harry smiled innocently. "Planning to be accessory to a crime, Sirius? Didn't know you had it in you"
"Oh, you don't know the half of it, kid."
Apparently, they weren't the only one's thinking about pranks. During the dinner, explosions started going off once Ronald sat down on his chair, only to immediately jump and start screaming.
The twins broke out into laughter.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mrs Weasley demanded.
"Oh, nothing permanent, he's just gonna be sore for a while" Fred shrugged.
"You're gonna wake her up, guys" Granger hissed and they all went quiet, but despite loud explosions, the house stayed quiet.
"Huh, that's weird," Sirius frowned. "She usually starts screaming at the tinies of sound"
"I asked her not to," Harry shrugged, as if it was nothing, while everyone turned to stare at him.
"And what, she just listened to you ?" Granger spat out.
"Well, yes. I didn't wish to hear screaming every day, but it seems that you don't need a portrait, when you do plenty of screaming yourself" he couldn't help but bite back.
"H-how?" Sirius looked speechless.
"She likes me. And honestly, Sirius, I don't see why you can't speak to Aunt Walburga. You might be surprised at what she has to say."
"Au-aunt Walburga?" Mrs Weasley stuttered, when everyone else shot even more disbelieving looks his way.
"She asked me to call her that. We had a pleasant conversation. Sweet Lady" he shrugged nonchalantly.
"Sweet Lady" Sirius repeated, looking as if he was going to faint. "My mother is anything but a sweet lady. Did you hear what she was shouting about?"
"Sure. Would you be happy if thousands of years of traditions would be thrown out of the window because of muggles? For example, we no longer celebrate Samhain and honor the dead because muggleborns who came into this world did not feel comfortable, didn't want to adjust, instead of a sacred celebration we have a what? Halloween? Pumpkins and candies? Please. It's pathetic. And you wonder why people are angry."
Sirius looked constricted. Like he wanted to argue, but he agreed with Harry.
"She called Hermione a mudblood!" Ronald finally came back into the dinning room, red as a tomato.
Harry just raised his eyebrows, as if saying 'so what?'
"Actually I have no idea what she's doing here in the first place. And if a portrait decides to insult her, well…" he shrugged, not even a little bothered and more than a little hopeful that it might even make Granger leave.
"I told you, he's a slimy snake!" Ronald shouted again.
"Actually, snakes aren't slimy, as you say, but dry and cool to the touch. Would you like a demonstration?" his grin turned feral as he hissed in parseltongue, making some of the people at the table jump. When a snake slithered out of his robes, everyone jumped.
Harry just chuckled darkly.
"Wh-what is the snake doing here?!" Molly Weasley screeched. "Get rid of it!" she moved to pull out her wand, but Harry was faster.
"You will do no such thing" his own unwavering wand was pointed at Molly. "Onyx is my familiar. If you dare to harm him I won't be responsible for what happens to you."
"You can speak to snakes?" Sam chimed in, his eyes wide, but curious.
Harry shot him a look and nodded.
"Cool"
"Don't you dare to threaten my mother!" this time, Ginevra stood up and screamed at Harry.
"She threatened Onyx first. Not my problem if your mother can't restrain herself from trying to touch things that aren't hers without permission."
Ah, and there was another jab at that insufferable Weasley. She seemed to realize it and didn't say anything, just put her wand away and sat down with her head down.
Harry stood up to leave, having enough of this charade.
" Onyx, we're going. Wrap yourself around me."
"Yesss, Master. That woman smells of fear"
Harry chuckled.
"Good. She threatened you, I threatened her back."
"Would you like me to bite her, Massster?"
"Not yet. But if I need you to bite someone, you'll know."
Harry was well aware of startled looks he was receiving from everyone, which only made him smirk.
Pathetic Gryffindors, all lot of them.
"How did you learn that?" Sam asked behind him, startling Harry a little.
"Learn what?"
"To speak to snakes?"
"I was born with it. It's a trait passed on by Slytherin's bloodline" he explained proudly. "And yet, people like Weasley's think it's a dark gift."
"That's just stupid. It's a rare talent, how can it be dark?"
"Indeed" Harry was honestly surprised to hear this. "So what are you doing here, Sam?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Apparently, Dumbledore owed our father a favor, so he let us stay here to be 'safe' while he's looking for a demon."
Harry froze.
"A demon, you say?"
"Yes"
"You don't look too happy about that"
"Because I'm not" Sam sighted. "My family… they love this life. I hate it. I want normal, I want to go to school and that's it. You know, normal. But it's been like this all my life and is unlikely to change."
"Neither of you are magical, are you?" Harry asked cautiously.
"No" Sam tensed up.
"And yet, Sam, you faintly smell of darkness" Harry leaned in closer, curious. it was barely there, but it was.
"Wh'what?"
"Yes, I don't know what it is, but it could be the demon you were talking about"
"Leave my brother alone" Dean stepped into the room they were in, looking angry.
"Dean, stop it. He might be able to help us"
"How?" he huffed. "He's fucking evil"
Harry slowly turned to look at the older boy, his eyes gleaming in semi light. When their eyes met, he started probing inside his mind.
"I see you've spoken to Weasel about me. Shame. Should really see who you're speaking with in this world, Dean, or you'll end up at the wand-point of a wrong person."
"And is that wrong person you?"
Harry just wiggled his brows, letting some of his magic touch the boy. He should be able to feel the power behind it, muggle or not. And if Dean's sharpened look was anything to go by, he did.
"Why are you so mean towards them?" Sam asked.
Harry's eyebrows shot up.
"Because I can. Because they treated me like some disease, only because I got sorted into a different house than Ronald wanted me to. The first year of Hogwarts he did nothing but stalk and harass me, saying I needed to be re-sorted into Gryffindor and that I must be his best friend. And when I declined, especially after he kept insulting my friends, he declared I was evil. He grew up with some delusions that he will meet the famous Boy-Who-Just-Can't-Fucking-Die and they'll go on adventures together." Harry's face clearly showed disgust.
"Then my second year, the youngest Weasley female appeared with the same delusions, except it turned into stalking and I had to involve my head of the house. And so on and so on. Tell me, Dean, how would you feel, if you were 11 and came to a new world, where everyone expected you to kill the Dark Lord while still being a kid and then dumped their expectations on who you should be? And then declare you evil if you weren't?" he stepped closer to the older brother. "I know your father puts unrealistic expectations on you and a load of responsibilities. So you know a fragment of what everyone is expecting of me. Except while you want to please your father, I don't care about everyone's opinions of me. I'm sick and tired of being controlled or manipulated. So you can think whatever it is that you want, but if you're gonna start accusing me, you better have some hard evidence, because I will not tolerate being insulted." And with that, he turned on his heel and left two stunned boys behind.
"Yeah, great job, Dean. He was just trying to help"
"Was he?"
"He's actually pretty nice. But you just can't help yourself and be rude and call him evil. I mean, seriously ? Who are you to judge him? I've asked Lupin about him, he's been put through so much shit and you act like a complete asshole! I don't know if you noticed, but he's not friends with anyone here and is forced to stay here, because some Dark Lord wants him dead. So you better get your head out of your ass and apologize, or you and I are gonna have a problem"
Dean stared at his sibling, dumbfounded.
"Self righteous much?"
"Well, at least one of us has to think, since you're not thinking. You didn't even give him a chance. Why?"
The boy kept quiet, looking thoughtful.
"He wasn't really nice to the ladies"
Sam snorted.
"Maybe because they harassed him? You heard what he said, his first years he was stalked because he was sorted into Slytherin, not the Griff-whatever. Which is stupid, by the way, but that's not the point. You know how it feels to be new at school. One wrong move and you'll end up with your face shoved into trash. And these guys went after him demanding to be his friends and to be re-sorted, while attacking everything that he was. Let me tell you, I probably would have reacted the same way, if not kicking the shit out of them. Which you probably would've done."
Dean was nodding absently, looking somewhat guilty.
"Now, do you get it?"
"Yeah" his voice was quiet. "Fuck, I really was being an ass, wasn't I?"
"That's one word for it. Maybe you're pmsing."
"Bitch"
"At least you admit it," Sam smirked, seeing a horrified look on his brother's face.
"You'll regret that, you little shit"
"Aha. We'll see about that. After you apologize to Harry"
"Ugh, fine."
There was a knock on Harry's door and he sighted.
What now?
"Come in"
The door opened and a very nervous looking Dean walked in.
Oh, this shall be interesting.
"Hey, uh… I wanted to apologize" he looked somewhat ashamed, and when Harry met his eyes he could feel sincerity behind it. "I shouldn't have said what I did and… I was acting like an ass. I know it's not an excuse, we've been cooped up here for weeks and I took it out on you, without even knowing you. So, yeah."
Harry nodded, accepting the apology.
"Why have you been cooped up here for weeks? You're certainly of age. You can leave."
"My dad told me to keep an eye on Sammy. And apparently, it's safe."
"Well, he's not wrong about the safe part. However, I don't see what could be a danger for you in London."
"Probably the demon. He's after it."
"Hm…" Harry looked thoughtful. "Do you know its name? What has it done?"
Dean's eyes darkened. It was obvious, it was something painful.
"He killed our mom when I was four, then set a fire to our house. And all I know is that it's powerful."
Harry nodded.
"I don't know much of them, it's considered Black Magic and is extremely dangerous if you can't control it. Yet, you must always have its name, that much I know. They can be contained, I just don't know how" he shot Dean a long calculating look. "You said you were four, have you seen anything?"
"I don't remember much," Dean admitted, although sometimes it felt as if he could feel the flames on his skin still.
"If you let me, I can look into your memories and see if there's something you forgot."
"You can read minds?!" Dean stepped back, shock written on his face.
"It's called Legilimency and it's more than a simple 'mind reading' as you put it" he sounded mildly insulted.
"So now you're telling me that y'all can read minds?!" Dean looked somewhat panicked. He had a lot to hide.
"Relax. Nobody's going to read your mind. For one, no one in this house besides me is a legilimens, two, it's a rare talent, I have a natural affinity to it, it can be taught, but it's extremely difficult if you're not a natural. Three, you have to be powerful, and let me tell you, those Weasels are anything but, so your secrets are safe. Oh, and four, it's not that i can hear every thought running through your head, it's… I can tell if you're lying, what you're feeling, I can glance into your memories. It also requires direct eye contact" Harry paused. "A piece of advice? Do not look Dumbledore in the eye. He's a manipulative bastard and he'll do whatever he can to get to you."
Dean seemed paler.
"That's… that's a lot." He gulped. "I don't want you looking through my memories" he sounded defensive.
"I understand. And I only offered to look at the demon anyway. Trust me, if I wanted to see into your mind, I wouldn't need your permission." He smirked, then leaned back. "But I have no intention of hurting you. This is completely your choice."
Dean seemed conflicted, his mind running a hundred miles per hour.
"Fine. But only those memories? No funny business, you hear?" he put effort to make it sound like a threat.
"Or what?" Harry asked, knowing this will unnerve the boy. Oh, how he liked getting under people's skin.
"Or I'll start with chopping off your fingers"
Harry laughed, a genuine smile planted on his face.
"Well, that would be fun to see" he grinned. "Haven't heard this threat in years"
Instantly, Dean froze. There was just something in the way Harry said it, in his eyes that made him uncomfortable.
The young wizard was what? Fifteen? And someone already threatened him like that years ago? That didn't sit well with him.
His 'older brother' instincts kicked in.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked carefully, watching his reactions closely.
"What? I didn't grow up with wizards, Dean. I was… raised, if you could call it that, with filthy muggles who believed that magic can be beaten out of a child." He noticed Dean paling at his words. "But don't worry. They've been threatened and leave me alone, for the most part. I only spend a few weeks during summer in that place."
"That's- that doesn't make it okay"
Harry just shrugged. What could he say? Dursleys will get what's coming for them one way or the other. He wasn't that bothered. He also knew once Tom finds out, and he will, he always does, there will be no safe place on this planet for his so called relatives.
"Now back to you. Do you wish me to see the memory or not?"
"Give me a moment to process, will you?"
"Alright. But know this, everything we've talked about never leaves this room. If someone in this house finds out about it, you will find yourself with… how would you like to have a tail? Or perhaps lose all your hair? Let me tell you, i can be very creative, even without causing any pain" Harry smiled to get a point across.
"Alright, alright, I get it. No babbling. Do you want a pinky swear? No? Good. let's do this."
Harry sat up straighter. He wandlessly locked the door.
"Look me in the eye. Do not fight me, it will only give you pain. You might feel a light pressure. Now, before we start, close your eyes, clear your mind, and bring out the memory to the surface. I will do the rest."
It didn't take long before yellow eyes flashed in his mind.
"Bloody hell" Harry muttered, once he pulled out of Dean's mind.
"I feel dirty," Dean grimaced.
"That demon? I'm positive I know who that is, I just need to fact check." And if he was right, they were in for a lot of trouble.
"So, can I go now? Or do I need a permission slip?"
Harry shot him a sharp look.
"Do you plan on staying in the wizarding world, Dean?" Once the man shrugged, he nodded solemnly. "I'll give you some advice you didn't ask for. Mind how you talk and act around certain people. You think it's fun, being a smart ass and all, but in our society it is guaranteed you will end up insulting someone, and trust me, they don't take insults lightly. You will end up cursed and no one will help you."
"You seem to have enough snark and jab at other people." Dean pointed out.
"Because I have power and status to back it up. Besides, everything you heard me say was true. If i have to insult them to get a point across, then so be it. I will not be treated like some spineless idiot."
"Very well, your lordship" Dean mimicked british accent.
Harry sent a stinging hex his way.
"Hey! That's not fair!"
Harry just smirked and let his magic push the boy out of his room, then shut the door.
His stay here might turn quite interesting, after all.
The young heir could hear arguing downstairs.
"I am not letting Harry anywhere with you!" Sirius shouted at someone, so Harry leaned over the rails to see who he was speaking with.
Ah, that explains it.
"Harry explicitly asked me to take him, Black. It has nothing to do with you."
"Nothing to do with me? I'm his godfather!"
"Clearly, you-"
"Ohh, what is going on?" the Weasley twins made their way out of the room. Soon after, Sam and Dean joined them too.
"Just some drama" Harry sighted. It was way too early for this.
"Would you like us to prank them, Harry? Because we do-"
"Have something-"
"Up-"
"Our-"
"Sleeves!"
Harry just smirked.
"Do you really want to piss off Snape before even the school starts?"
"We'll blame it on them" both twins pointed their fingers at the brothers.
"Hey!" they both retorted, insulted look on their faces making this more fun.
"As long as it's not me, i don't care"
"Sweet!" the twins high fived.
Harry decided it was time to make his presence known. And in time too, since Mrs Weasley seemed to think it was her duty to argue on Harry's behalf.
"Severus! Good to see you. A bit early, are we?" he greeted the Potion's Master, ignoring a blatant look of shock on Molly's face.
"You knew about this?" she asked. "Does Dumbledore approve?"
"What I do in my free time is none of your business, Mrs Weasley, and I don't need permission from a headmaster to go anywhere. Now please, refrain from sticking your nose into the business of others" he stated coldly, noting the smirk on Severus face.
"Harry, it's too dangerous! You can't go with Snape !" Sirius stepped in, looking positively freaked.
"Dangerous? Why? I will be in Diagon Alley. It's full of people. And I'm not going alone, therefore, I'm going. I'm meeting Draco, and I need new robes."
"Then I'll ask an auror" Sirius looked desperate.
"What for? I'll have you know that Severus is an excellent duelist. And if Voldemort will be waiting for me in Madam Malkin's, I'll be sure to let him know." Harry let a genuine smile show on his face. "Sirius, I'll be fine. We talked about this. Enough with this charade. If I need something, I'll call you on the mirror, alright?"
Sirius seemed reluctant, while Molly looked positively pouting.
"Today would be nice, Mr Potter"
Harry just rolled his eyes and followed the older wizard.
"Seriously? The Weasleys? Yuck" was the first thing Draco said, once Harry told him what's happening.
"And their mother keeps sticking her nose into my business. No manners at all."
They kept their banter light, until Severus interjected, just before they were to enter Madam Malkin's store.
"This is a Portkey" he shoved a silver ring engraved with snakes into his palm. "Say 'Order of Chickens" in Parseltongue and it will take you to the Dark Lord."
Harry chuckled.
And people said Voldemort didn't have a sense of humor.
He whispered the password just after his fitting, wasting no time, and was immediately taken to… Riddle Manor?
"Ah, Harry Potter. At last." Voldemort stood up from his throne like chair, eyeing him like prey.
"Oh, please, drop the dramatics. And seriously? Order of Chickens?" Harry chuckled again.
Voldemort smirked, transforming from his snake-like self into an older Tom Riddle version. He only acquired it a week after returning, Harry still had no idea how.
"Severus tells me you're not… pleased with your current residency arrangements?"
"Would you be? Living with those blood traitors Weasleys, their mother sticking her nose into my business and personal life, having no boundaries whatsoever. It's exhausting ."
Voldemort narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean, no boundaries?"
"Tried to squeeze me to death my first night there, i gently told her to fuck off" Harry smirked, remembering her going red in the face.
"Did she now" Voldemort looked positively furious, his eyes narrowing into slits.
"Please, don't go on a killing spree, I can handle it. If anything, I've been embarrassing her, if anything to go by her face" a sadistic smirk made his way onto Harry's face. What? It was funny and not his fault they can't take his accurate insults.
Tom stepped closer, gently brushing his finger against Harry's cheek, then lifted his chin up so he could meet his eyes. "Show me" he half asked, half demanded.
Harry just sighted.
He was still somewhat baffled to be speaking to Voldemort out of all people, like a normal human being.
The younger wizard lowered his mind shields and allowed the Dark Lord to see his memories of the Grimmauld Place. He stepped back, once he was done, his expression unreadable.
"So you did ask Severus for me to find a way to kidnap you" the Dark Lord smirked. "You still seem sane. Well, your usual sane."
"Out of all of that, this is what you get?" Harry huffed, rolling his eyes. "At least he did ask you."
"He may have implied you going completely off the rails and releasing the basilisk, he said he didn't have time for teenage dramatics"
Harry pouted.
"If I'm forced to reside with those clowns I might as well get some fun while at it."
"Indeed. It seems like you found the Black library. It does have many useful books." Tom shot him a suggestive look. "They did in my day, not that they'd let just anyone read it."
"And they let you."
"Well of course. I was a very promising student."
"Why Riddle Manor?" Harry changed the subject, looking around.
The Dark Lord shot him a weary look.
"How did you recognize it?" he demanded.
"When you were going nuts last year, planning my death, I kinda… I guess, peaked into your mind? You, Nagini and Wormtail were here" Harry sneered in disgust at the reminder of that rat. The day will come after Voldemort doesn't find him useful and he will be Harry's to deal with.
Voldemort was watching him intently, something clearly on his mind. Harry felt as if he was under magnifying glass.
Harry didn't particulary liked it.
"How much do you know about Horcruxes?" Tom asked after a long moment.
"Not much, basically a soul peace put into something. Why?"
Tom looked surprised. That was more than he expected. Even back in this day such information was scarce.
"Where did you come by that information? Surely, not in Hogwarts, that old coot took most of the books on Dark Magic out."
"Actually, I found a reference on Horcruxes as the very Dark Magic on some book in the Room of Requirement, but couldn't find anything else on it."
Tom nodded. Then frowned.
"You know about the Room?" he seemed genuinely surprised.
"You're not the only one who searched the castle, Tom. I was looking for some place… peaceful."
The Dark Lord nodded again.
"A Horcrux is indeed a soul piece put into something, a container. In case of death, the soul piece stays alive, anchoring said person to this plane, therefore, that person can't die" he smirked, realiziation dawning on Harry's face was amusing him so.
"Ah, so that's why you're still alive. Why are you telling me this?"
There was that calculating look again.
"I will tell you some other time we meet, Harry. We simply don't have enough time to discuss everything. But for now, we still have at least ten minutes. How about a short duel?"
Harry grinned.