Possession
Chapter XLIII - Green Eyed Basilisk
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Harry apparated. It was the second time he'd done it and he didn't think of his ability to do it, he just did it, especially this time, when he was apparating to a place he had never seen before. He looked around the room and smiled softly. The room was bare but that was because you were meant to focus on the Lord and the Lord alone. He could detect the faint odour of blood but he sighed easily, it was to be expected. He was no fool.
Xaos hissed from behind him before bending slightly, fixing his lips on the back of the Dark Lord's robes to hold him upright while Harry did his work.
"Help him," Harry ordered the shadows. He was expecting company soon and his beloved had to be ready.
From all around the room, the shadows gathered and approached the Dark Lord but they did not enter him as they had their master.
-You must come as well, Master.-
Harry nodded and sat back into the throne that was his beloveds. "Keep the rebels jumping until we are ready."
-It will be our pleasure, Master.-
Harry closed his eyes, reaching out for the Dark Lord's presence in his mind, the red presence that had always been so gentle with him. -My Lord,- he whispered in the silence of his mind at the presence that was now cold. -My Lord,- he whispered again, reaching through the veiled darkness he knew was death. Emerald eyes opened and he fixed his gaze on red glassy eyes and he felt himself drawn forward. -The only one to know me, my love.- The room disappeared.
Once again he found himself in the dark timeless nothingness that was everything. There was another here and this time it was not an abstract feeling that had been Sirius' presence, this time, the other was fully with him.
"Harry."
He shivered at the timbre of Voldemort's voice. It wrapped around him and he felt warm. He raised his hand to his mouth as he felt his eyes fill with tears. He had denied for so long what he should have realised what was truth. The only one to ever have understood him, to have ever truly cared was the one they would have him call enemy. "I'm sorry," he whispered as the tears traced down his face.
The Dark Lord smiled and stepped forward. He reached out, cupping Harry's face gently and wiping away the tears with one thumb. "There is nothing to be sorry for."
"There is everything to be sorry for," he countered looking into red eyes that were watching him kindly.
"But there was no other way," Voldemort refuted him. "You were taught nothing else and in truth, it was not until now, that I was ready. But then is the past, and now is now and we can make up for the time that has gone." The Dark Lord reached out with his other arm and pulled Harry to him, stroking his back soothingly, as he lowered his head to breath in the scent of Harry's hair as small arms reached around his waist.
"Why?" Harry whispered, so softly that the Dark Lord had to strain to hear him. "Why me?"
"Why you?" Voldemort's voice was amused, as if the answer should be obvious. "Any number of reasons - you are attractive, you are very powerful and for one like me, who seeks power over darkness, you are the ultimate prize and I will never let you go."
"No," Harry shook his head. "Tell me the real reason."
Voldemort half closed his eyes as he sighed. How was it that this child understood him, knew him inside out, knew everything when he'd barely spent five cordial minutes in his presence? And those who had spent their lives with him knew nothing. How did he know? $Because...$ he lapsed into parcelmouth. $Not even I want to spent eternity alone and you are the only one who could even hope to stand with me.$
Harry twisted in his arms, fierce green eyes looking up at him and a smile that was almost a sneer on his lips. $And what makes you think I want to stand with you?$ He asked in a hiss more suited for delivering a challenge, than talking in the arms of a lover.
$Heheheh!$ Red eyes glittered with mirth, he'd expected nothing less. $Who else could be your equal?$
Harry looked away into the nothingness, $True,$ he conceded the point before he stepped away. "But there is still much between us that must be decided now."
"True," the Dark Lord echoed his words. "I want to rule," he said firmly.
"Fine," Harry countered. He hadn't really thought that Voldemort would give that up so easily no matter who was asking it. "Muggle and mudblood killing?"
"Ah," the Dark Lord responded carefully. "What about them?"
"Will it stop?"
"I have never killed without consideration."
"I know. And I know that no matter what others think, you remember as well."
"Her eyes were fathomless weren't they?"
"Mother or daughter?"
"Daughter."
"So clear. There was no other colour there, just blue. Her skin was milk white and that hair was the softest blonde I've ever seen."
"A possibility gone," Voldemort said. "Every life is a possibility and it's gone now. Who knows? She could have been the greatest ally I have ever known but that possibility is over but let's not consider the irrelevant. I have killed, Harry. I have killed hundreds and through the path I have chosen I have caused thousands to die. I do not apologise. I do not regret."
"But you will stop?"
"No. I'm not about to make a promise I cannot keep," Voldemort explained. "Random muggle and mudblood killings are no longer necessary but if I perceive reason, I will not hesitate." Harry was intelligent enough to realise reason meant threat and he spoke the truth about the muggle and mudblood killings. There was little need for them now and the killing of mudbloods was just placing a large strain on the wizarding community and it was a strain that would not be necessary, not if he was ruling.
"Lucius is mine," Harry said suddenly.
"Oh?"
"You got the one's who hurt me. I owe you the one's who hurt you."
"So you will give me Dumbledore?"
"I would prefer to give you the ones directly responsible but I gather I am too late for that," Harry sighed. "In time then."
"In time," the Dark Lord echoed, his red eyes smouldering. "So what about now?"
-That is the question,- the Shadows whispered. -We do not want our master hurt.-
"I do not want your Master hurt," Voldemort agreed with them. His eyes narrowed as he forced himself to consider the situation with the calm and logic he had employed during his rise to power. As much as he wanted Harry, allowing his emotions to interfere too deeply with this would only led to disaster. "The problem isn't so much now but what happens in the weeks ahead."
Harry nodded as the shadows fed him information about the Dark Lord's plans and what had transpired during the night. He growled softly as he realised how much damage Lucius' rebellion had wrought. It could be rectified but any position would be precarious for some time and that was where the problem lay. The Ministry would use the time to re-group and the Dark Lord's forces would lose the gains they had worked towards in the past months. And while Lucius wouldn't be a problem for much longer others could be tempted to follow his path. Not to mention the machinations of the Order.
Everyone would be planning and plotting and it was almost certain that no one would ask his opinion.
The Dark Lord looked disgusted as he turned back to Harry. "You'll have to go back to Hogwarts," he said.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Harry asked dubiously.
"Oh, I don't think so," Voldemort hissed, raking his eyes over the younger boy predatorily. "While I still do not know who they are but if they get within ten feet of you, I fully expect your..." he paused, a feral smile on his lips, "protectors to take action."
"So what if I don't want to go?"
"Harry now is not the time to be stubborn. I do not want you to go either but there is no choice. It is partially for bluff, partially for protection," the Dark Lord spoke frankly. "The Ministry does not concern me. They cannot raise enough defences to stop me, not even if they join with Europe. And I'm sure you will deal with Lucius thoroughly. It is Dumbledore who worries me, and the vampire.
"The vampire is comparatively easy... but Dumbledore has had decades to scheme."
"But he lacks one thing," Harry said suddenly, understanding something that the older wizard had been trying to convey to him.
"Oh?"
"A weapon."
Voldemort unexpectedly smiled as everything became clear. "So why don't you become that weapon?"
"What?" Harry gasped before he laughed, admiring the cunning of the Dark Lord. "That could work," he mused softly. "There are still..." He hesitated, looking up at the older man to assess his reaction to what was to be said. "There are some people I wish to protect."
Ruby eyes narrowed slightly before Voldemort nodded. "Your friends?" He asked.
"Yes. They have never betrayed me."
"But they are so poor."
"That is Malfoy talking," Harry snarled, emerald eyes blazing angrily. He didn't stop as Voldemort flinched at his words. "It seems to me that you have forgotten a basic premise. You want wizards to take their rightful place and to rule Muggles but you forget that to rule, there must be wizards. Those old families with their pure blood and single child could never rule and are asking for their own destruction. The Weasley's might be poor but they have ensured the survival of their bloodline and their magic and those that survive rule. They have also ensured that in a few generations their bloodline will dominate. If those old families were truly devoted to their ideals - Narcissa, Arianna, Bellatrix, Gwyna - would all have presented their husbands with at least three to four children. After all, it's not like they can't afford it."
"Urk..." Voldemort looked both disgusted and sickened. "A dozen Lucius' in the next generation... And they call me evil."
"I said if!" Harry objected. "That is not the point though. You are going to have to accept my people."
"I know. I'll need them anyway since you and your allies are about to create some rather large gaps in my forces. You are right, my little one, bloodlines that breed true, no matter who they are, are valuable. Children may be trained."
"And since you don't wish to wipe out whole civilisations and your rule will be fair," Harry said easily, "most wizards will accede to your desires."
"Those that don't will be destroyed."
"If they actively fight," Harry added, his green eyes hard. "There is no point in wanton destruction, and they may live as they will, if they don't interfere."
Voldemort closed his eyes as he considered Harry's words. He should have been expecting something like this and his supposed he should be willing to give his young paramour something as Harry had already done in acknowledging his desire to rule. "If they don't interfere," he agreed.
"So what happens now?"
"Now?" Voldemort asked as he stepped back towards Harry. "Now, you entertain me."
"Entertain?" One eyebrow rose above a green eye, glittering with mirth and a sly smile on his lips. "Tell me your pleasure, my Lord."
"Hahahah!" The Dark Lord laughed aloud, red eyes brilliant. "Right now, my pleasure is you. Followed, I think, by your plans for Lucius. After that," he licked his lips, as a thrill of pleasure passed through him when his mind provided him with a vision of Harry splattered with the traitor's blood, "who knows."
"I'll give you the world," Harry promised as the older man embraced him again.
"Not, if I give it to you first."
Around them the shadows swirled and Voldemort felt the exact moment his heart began beating again. Back in his throne room his body jerked as it reflectively drew breath and the pallid tone of death retreated from his skin.
"Ahh..." he sighed. "You are a very useful person to have around," he purred, rubbing up against Harry experimentally. The boy was ready for something more physical than just talk. He was ready as well but he sensed their time here was almost at an end and the next time they lay together was too important to waste with an effort, no matter how pleasurable, that was rushed.
Harry seemed to sense this as well, and looked up at him through liquid green eyes, the small arms around his waist tightening their grip slightly. $Kiss me?$
$All you had to do is ask.$ He raised his long fingered hands to Harry's face as he lowered his lips to the waiting cherry petals.
Harry was as sweet as he remembered although this time the sharp complimenting tang was stronger. He bit softly on Harry's lower lip before extending his tongue, tracing it over the boys lips before demanding entry. Harry submitted to his desires for a few moments before he accepted the challenge implied in the Dark Lord's kiss and pushed his own tongue forward.
They parted only when they both needed to breathe although desire still burnt strong in both their eyes.
$Oh yes, I will never let you go,$ Voldemort hissed as Harry panted slightly.
The shadows swirled again and red eyes blinked as black nothingness disappeared and reformed into the vista of his throne room and he found himself looking into green eyes that were shining in relief.
"Comfortable?" He asked before laughing at the blush that coloured Harry's cheeks as the boy realised where he was sitting.
Xaos curled around the throne protectively, $My King,$ he greeted the Dark Lord before resting his head in Harry's lap, forcing the green eyed boy to remain seated. Harry looked mortified but he couldn't do anything and his hands automatically moved to pet Xaos' crest, a gesture the now giant basilisk hissed appreciatively at.
Voldemort grinned before his expression returned to its usual superior sneer as he realised they were not alone. He reached out, tugging Harry's cowl so that the shadow it cast over his face was complete. -It's better this way, my little one,- he purred through their link reassuringly. -You have the same right to that throne as I do and if nothing else, it will confuse the hell out of Lucius.-
Harry nodded before he spoke aloud. "Are you ready?" The question was directed to Voldemort and to the loyal Death Eaters who had gathered along the edges of the room, their red masks the only point of colour on their black robes. Only two of them had any inkling about who now sat on the throne but the others were content that so long as their Lord seemed to accept this being, they would follow his lead.
There were murmurs of assent all round and at Voldemort's sharp nod, Harry looked deeply into the shadows. "Bring the traitors here," he commanded, his voice older than his fifteen years. The shadows churned and obeyed, depositing the black robed, white masked forms of Lucius' forces before another, deeper shadow formed, delivering the blond to the feet of the Dark Lord and his beloved.
Voldemort smiled cruelly at him. "This is just the ending, my Lord Malfoy," he mocked his former servant, echoing the words that had been spoken to him what seemed ages ago. "I trust you won't be disappointed."
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