Chapter 12 A Matter of Trust

Letting someone become their ally would be a show of trust from most people but Harry knew better than to think that Voldemort trusted him. He knew that Voldemort had only let him join because he feared Harry and didn't want to face him. Voldemort trusted nobody to such an extent that it could almost be classed as paranoia and Harry knew he would be tested, many times. They would be subtle and Voldemort would pretend that he wasn't testing him but would really be watching closely. Even if he passed he knew he still wouldn't have Voldemort's trust and he would always be watching him. He knew that if he wanted to keep his position he would have to pass the tests and show where his allegiances lay.

After completing the tour of Voldemort's mansion Harry left. A time for planning attacks would come very soon but he didn't want to hang around the dark house any more than he had too. As he left through the doors he saw two Death Eaters whom he didn't know standing guard. As he walked past them they sent fierce glares at him and he heard them muttering. It came as a sharp reminder to Harry, even if he had needed one, that while he was with the Dark side in name there was a long way to go before he was accepted by the Death Eaters as they had long memories of him as the savior of the light and it would take a lot for them to forget the Golden Boy they had once hated. Harry made sure the Death Eaters didn't try to hex him as he walked past them towards the apparition point outside the wards that surrounded the house.

As Harry neared the old graveyard at the end of the town he was about to apperate back to his apartment when he heard a small noise behind him. He turned just in time to see a curse flying at him from behind nearby trees and flung himself on the ground. The curse narrowly missed him, skimming just over his head. Harry jumped up and walked towards the trees with his wand ready.

'Who's there? Show yourself!' He yelled.

'Very well. Here we are.' A cold voice said and Lucius Malfoy and Snape walked out in front of Harry. They were both wearing black robes but neither had masks on. When Harry turned around he saw Crabbe and Goyle senior behind him.

'What do we have here? Dumbledore's little Golden Boy.' Snape said smirking. Harry was about to comment about Snape working for Dumbledore when Malfoy spoke.

'So why have you come crawling to the Dark Lord, Potter?' He asked, 'Is it perhaps that your scared and want him to protect you? Well he isn't here to hold your hand now.'

'He wouldn't be very happy if you hurt me.' Harry said. At this Malfoy laughed.

'Do you really think so? Do you know how happy he would be if we killed you? And you know I think we will. Its very tempting with you here all by yourself.'

'Do you really think you could? The Dark Lord wouldn't care much if I killed you either and like you said it sure is tempting.' Harry replied. 'Why don't we make the odds a little better? This fight is just between me and you.' Harry spun around and before the stupid Crabbe and Goyle had realised what was happening they were flung across the graveyard. They landed hard on tombstones that cracked their heads open and they both slid to the ground, unconscious. Crabbe was so heavy that the cross he landed on shattered under him. Harry faced Snape and Malfoy again and now there wasn't just hatred on their faces but rage. At the same time they both sent curses flying at him. Harry hastily put up a shield and the duel between them began in earnest.

Harry was forced into defence as Snape and Malfoy sent curse after curse at him. He didn't have time to curse them back because he was constantly putting up shields to block their onslaught. He ducked behind a gravestone and sent a curse flying over the top. He didn't know if it hit either of them but the next second the gravestone exploded and he was flung to the ground. Harry dazedly looked up and saw Malfoy and Snape approaching him. He looked down and saw his wand resting near his hand. Harry quickly grabbed it and quietly muttered a spell.

'Serpentasia.'  The look of absolute horror on the faces of Malfoy and Snape were priceless and Harry would have loved to be able to enjoy them but he had more important things to worry about as snakes turned towards him.

'Get them.' he hissed. Harry had time to leisurely stand up and watch as the snakes chased the two Death Eaters and the surrounded them. They were throwing curses at the snakes but it was to no avail because for every snake they killed or maimed there was ten more attacking them. As amusing as it was to watch them suffer Harry decided to stop it so he could talk to them. With a quick spell their wands flew into Harry's hand and the snakes vanished.  The two Death Eaters that Harry slowly approached were very different to when they had originally attacked him. They had fallen to the ground and wore identical expressions of weariness and pain.

'Has anyone learnt a lesson today?' Harry asked in his best teacher impersonation. All he received back was a glare from Malfoy and sneer from Snape but this didn't stop Harry from continuing. He lent down so their faces were close and spoke in barely more than a whisper but his voice was now fierce.

'I think you two should know now not to try not to challenge me. Next time you attack me remember I won't be so nice as to actually let you live.' Harry stood up and walked off but stopped a few meters away and turned around.

'Oh and Snape don't think I don't know where your loyalties lay.' Harry called before apperating away, their wands still in his pocket.

When Harry arrived back at his apartment he looked at the two wands, deciding what to do with them. He certainly wasn't giving them back, they could just do without their wands until they managed to buy new ones. Harry suddenly realised he wasn't alone when he remembered the small snake up his sleeve.

'Shonda,' He hissed, 'it's okay to talk now.' A small head poked out of Harry's sleeve and looked up at him.

'What happened in there?' She asked, 'I tried to listen but I don't understand much English.

'It went just like I planned. I managed to convince him to let me join him.'

'And that is good why?' Shonda asked in surprise at the victory in Harry's voice.

'The bond between us is growing, it is already much stronger,' he replied.

'I take it this is a good thing from the happiness in your voice? I don't even want to know why,' Shonda asked.

'Yes. It is very good.'

Author's Note: I am so, so, so SORRY. Please forgive me everyone who was waiting for the next chapter. I am sorry this took so long. I just got really busy and by the time I was less busy I just didn't feel like writing and had a total block of what could happen in this chapter or the next couple. Anyway I'll try to get the next chapter out quickly but I can't make any promises because I'm really busy but I will try very hard. Thank you again to everyone who has reviewed, especially the regulars.