Possession
Chapter XLIV – Lesser Serpents
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Harry sat quietly as the Dark Lord baited Lucius. He had cast a lot of magic today and the strain of the day was beginning to affect him. He was tired and the room was warm, making him sleepy. Xaos was hissing softly as he stroked the feather like crest, his eyes gleaming from under half closed lids. Well, Voldemort could play with Lucius for a while but he would deal with the traitor's final disposition. He let his beloveds rich voice flow over him leaning back in the throne, relaxing.

Lucius and his followers seemed stunned as they took in the sight of the living, breathing Lord Voldemort standing at the right hand of another who seemed completely at ease in the Dark Lord's throne. It was incongruous. It wasn't so much the fact that the Dark Lord was alive; it was the fact that he was ease with another in the position of power.

Several of the traitorous Death Eaters, shook off their shock and banded together, knowing that their only chance of survival lay in fighting their way free. "Protes" They cast the charm as one before they began urgently whispering at their fellows, urging them to fight with them so that at least some could survive. None of them had visualised this place when they apparated but they could not question that now. They had to fight. It was the only choice.

Harry blinked as he felt the power of the charm before he raised one hand, making a small archaic gesture, almost as if he was slashing downwards. The shield cracked and disappeared and Harry went back to petting Xaos as the Dark Lord smiled chilly, raking his eyes over the assembled wizards who had dared to betray him. They were not all here, his throne room was not big enough for that, but these were a sample from which he would know all. These were the ones the shadows had deemed the most powerful and so were the ones it would be wisest to destroy now and it certainly seemed as if his little one, even if somewhat tired, was more than equal to the task.

"Do you wish to try something else?" The Dark Lord dared them mockingly.

"Who?" One of them breathed, stepping forward to cover Lucius as the blond began weaving his wand in a more complex charm.

"Ah... I apologise," Voldemort said smoothly. "I have been impolite. Allow me to make some introductions. I am your Lord, the Serpent Lord, and this is the Shadow Lord. The Basilisk Xaos is the living representation of our union."

"Your Master?" One of them made the insinuation.

The Dark Lord decided to humour them as he felt his little ones amusement at the words. "And my slave," he said easily, loving their confusion as they tried to discern meaning. A crystal laugh echoed in his mind.

"So he doesn't talk?" One of them sneered.

Xaos' tongue flicked and he shifted his coils restlessly as he hissed softly. $Shh ss suu.$

"Not to you," the Dark Lord provided the translation and would have spoken further but he was interrupted.

"My Lord, forgive me!" Three of the Death Eaters broke rank, throwing themselves to the ground at the feet of their former lord. "It was all Malfoy," they begged.

Voldemort's expression did not change as he looked at them. There were always some like this who thought they could play it both ways. Did they truly believe that he would accept them back? And even if he did, did they truly believe they would live? They had made their choice when they had followed Lucius, when they had failed to report the dissent to him, their rightful Lord.

He looked down coldly, fingering his dagger, Slytherin's weapon. These traitors were dead, but they would serve once more, as they died. The daggers hilt was adorned with rubies and emeralds, its pommel stone was a large emerald held in the jaws of a snake but when the weapon had been gifted to him, it had been decorated with nothing but rubies. It was a true magical blade though and he'd quickly worked out its ability. Each ruby on the encrusted hilt could catch a charm, any charm, funnelling the magic into its structure, protecting its wielder and in containing the magic, the ruby was transmuted into an emerald. It was a useful tool but there were only a limited number of rubies on it and it was the final charms that Slytherin had cast on his weapon that made it truly a great weapon.

Men, like those quivering in front of him, both needed and resented their Masters. They would follow but they looked for the chance to be free of their Master, even if it meant following another. However should their original Master discover this or should they prove stronger than the upstart they had followed, these men were too weak to even hold to their conviction and begged to return to the fold, claiming that they had been deceived, claiming that they were following the new master, only for the opportunity to betray them to their former master, claiming anything, providing they could live. Such weakness was displayed throughout history but it was the blood of these traitors that sustained the dagger. They could never be allowed to return but in a small ceremony, in which they re-swore their loyalty to him, before the dagger was driven into their hearts, they could serve him again as their heart blood absorbed the magic the emeralds contained, returning the stones to a brilliant ruby. Slytherin had been wise to see that such fools always existed and to know how to use them.

The Dark Lord waved his hand, "I will speak to you about the conditions of your return anon," he said as the transported the shivering idiots to several cells, where they would no doubt spend their time before the ceremony rehearsing their speeches of abject thanks and empty promises.

He felt mild curiosity from his treasure that turned to understanding with a gentle touch in his mind, indicating that Harry had extracted the reason why he was being merciful. There was outright disbelief that quickly vanished from the other traitorous Death Eaters at his actions but most of them were intelligent enough to remember his contempt for the weak and to realise that he had chosen another punishment for them. Red eyes flicked over them and the Dark Lord noted several small gestures of impatience and his eyes opened fractionally wider as he realised their plan, even as Lucius struck.

"It's over!" The blond shouted triumphantly, pure red energy pulsing in his hands. He flung it forward, directly at Voldemort, grinning with the knowledge that nothing could block this spell.

The Dark Lord didn't move. He didn't have time to move and he was only vaguely aware of the half articulated shouts of concern coming from his loyal servants surrounding the room. The spell that had been hurled at him with all the considerable force Lucius could muster stopped and simply hung in the air as if it was a slightly discoloured lumos charm. Malfoy blinked, his features stained red in the light but he was incredulous.

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening. The Noitaniur charm, the ultimate destructive magic of the Malfoy clan was unstoppable. It borrowed the force of time and creation itself and thus could not be stopped by anything but yet there was no denying what he was seeing. The first part of the charm had been halted.

Grey eyes met the Dark Lord's red and from the slight look of surprise Lucius knew this was not his former Lord's doing. His gaze shifted slightly and while he couldn't see the eyes beneath the cowl, he could feel the power. The small being on the throne was upright, a glowing red wand that Malfoy recognised only too well in one hand, pointed directly at the heart of the manifestation of his Noitaniur charm.

"It's not possible..." He whispered as with a precise flick of the yew wand his spell was negated.

The quietly confident voice that had addressed the Atrium spoke again. "I think that's quite enough, Malfoy. You've lost." Around the room, the shadows began to move, skittering as their Master's voice filled them with life.

Lucius shivered, blinking as he tried to clear his vision, everything was moving and Xeoaph's words flashed through his mind - If the shadows know life, you have lost. Was this what the vampire had meant? But who had the power to control absolute darkness?

"Who are you?" The blond snarled as every erg of power he raised was crushed.

The blond wasn't expecting an answer so he stood transfixed as the figure stopped petting the basilisk and reached up, pushing his cowl back. For an instant Lucius thought he was looking at a teenaged version of Voldemort but then he noticed the small differences. Emerald eyes, tousled hair that seemed to have no conception of the word neat, creamy white skin, cherry lips and a pale pink lightning scar on his brow.

"It's not possible!" He said again as he realised it wasn't an illusion.

"Which bit?" Harry asked. "Alive? Here? Or opposing you?" He offered the choices.

"He is your enemy!" Lucius snapped, pointing at the Dark Lord. The other traitorous Death Eaters nodded their agreement.

Harry stood slowly and Lucius noted the fatigue in his movements. The boy may have been able to stop the first part of his Noitaniur charm but he would not stop the second. He took the two steps necessary to stand beside the Dark Lord.

"You should know Lucius. You have seen the evidence more than anyone else. You condemned a man for me but yet you still question how I can be here?"

"He killed your parents!"

Harry nodded, wondering idly why everyone insisted on making an event he barely remembered the central fact of his life. "But he saved me."

"No," the blond shook his head, misunderstanding. "He didn't save you. He didn't spare you. He would have killed you."

"You do not understand Lucius. Yes, he would have killed me then, but he did not, could not. It was not mercy then, not intended. It was my mother's final, greatest act of magic but that is not of when I speak. He saved me Lucius and he has given me the power that is rightfully mine."

"He saved you? From what? Those Muggles?"

"Those Muggles, that wizard, these memories, this life. Once again Malfoy, pick one."

"I do not believe you."

Harry sighed. At least he now knew where Draco got the wide streak of abject stupidity from but it would be pleasurable to show Lucius the truth. He reached out and drew Voldemort to him to place one kiss on the Dark Lord's forehead, before he turned to stand in front of his beloved. Lucius was gaping at the gesture. It could not be falsehood. The Dark Lord would not allow such liberties but it was a union he had never thought possible.

"You see?" The Boy Who Lived expression asked.

"Die with him!" Lucius snarled as he released the second half of the Noitaniur charm.

This time, the red energy did fly true. It struck the black robed couple in an instant before expanding to consume the dais. Lucius laughed as the red energy seethed and churned like rolling storm clouds. "You are a child still, to believe that I would lose!" He said triumphantly, brandishing his wand as the spell began to fade.

"And you are a fool to believe that such a weak charm could hurt me," came the smooth reply when an invisible wind shredded the remains of the red energy.

The Dark Lord and Harry were both unharmed and each bore an expression of calm superiority. Voldemort's arms were around the smaller boy, one arm holding him close, one holding a wand extended. Ruby eyes narrowed slightly as he considered his power flows. Harry had slipped the wand to him when he'd kissed him but that wasn't what was offering him the surprise. The Noitaniur spell was very powerful, its main draw back was the length of time it took to cast but Lucius' confidence in it hadn't been misplaced. It should have worked.

But he had dissipated it as if it was nothing and even now he could feel his power rushing through his body as it sought release. The wand Harry had passed him was pulsing in time with his heart and from the hum of magic he could feel on it, it too wanted to be used. The completed bond with Harry and the boy's full acknowledgement of that bond had pushed both their powers to their absolute peak.

Emerald eyes flicked around the room. The shadows skittered uneasily under the gaze but they moved obediently when the order came. "Take their magic," Harry ordered softly. The shadows converged from everywhere, touching every traitorous Death Eater before pulling back as quickly as they had come. -There is no reason to rush this,- he sent the thought to his beloved.

Voldemort's red eyes glanced at Harry, his mind voice was almost trembling with fatigue and it was only then did he become aware of how much power the boy had used today and how much had been channelled to him. -You are right. They aren't going anywhere.- "While it would please me greatly to kill you now, Lucius, that hardly does your crime justice," the Dark Lord smiled as he waved his new wand at the traitors, transporting all of them to cells except for Lucius.

Two red masked Death Eaters stepped forward and grabbed roughly at Malfoy as Voldemort moved backwards, seating himself on his throne, with Harry nestled comfortably in his lap. It was only with his most trusted servants here that he displayed his affection and he could feel Harry's understanding. Xaos hissed butting his head into the boy softly before he muzzled his nose, kitten like into Harry's hands.

"It surprises me Lucius," Voldemort said easily, "and it leaves me somewhat amused," he added, "that even after all this time, and all that you have done, you still cannot say my name. In fact, the only time you said my name was when you thought I was dead. So tell me, can think my name?"

The blond remained silent as Voldemort chuckled. "And you thought you could betray me? You thought you could stand equal to my power when you can't even speak my name. Say my name Lucius."

More silence greeted the Dark Lord's command. "Say my name," he repeated. "It's not that hard."

Lucius glared at him, grey eyes filled with hatred. One of the Death Eaters holding him made move to twist his arm but the Dark Lord waved it off. "You seek to overthrow me, you seek to fight me but I can sense, even now, your fear. You may have had the power to match me Lucius, but you have never had the will. Your inability to speak my name is the embodiment of your fear and how can you fight that which you fear?"

The blond said nothing although one or two of the red masked Death Eaters snickered and from all of them there was a feeling of amusement. The rebellion was lead by one who could not even say their Lord's name? Even the petty resistance offered by Aurors was worthy of more respect, since most of them, by the end, at least, had overcome the fear enough to speak the name.

Voldemort regarded him with hooded eyes before he seemed to dismiss the matter. "Don't worry Lucius," he said as he prepared to transport the blond to a cell to wait upon his pleasure, "you'll be screaming my name before I'm through with you." He flicked his wand.

"My loyal followers," Voldemort began as the red masked people moved forward, and on mass knelt before him. "Absolute victory over the Ministry has not been achieved thanks to the petty actions of a few but victory has been achieved on a far more important matter," he glanced down at Harry, who appeared to have succumbed to sleep. "We will regroup for now," he ordered as he looked back up. "The next time we attack, there will not be a repeat of tonight. Go now, spread the word to your fellows, that for the moment we wait."

"The ministry knows my strength. Let them know fear before we crush them."

The Death Eaters nodded before most of them apparated. Two remained behind and Voldemort recognised them as those who had accompanied him to the Muggles house, moons ago. "My Lord," the said quietly, mindful of the sleeping boy. "We wish to offer you a second oath of loyalty."

"Go on."

"We will maintain our oath to you but we also swear loyalty to your mate."

"So noted. You will be the first of our followers," the Dark Lord said.

The two Death Eaters nodded and after bowing once more at him and his mate, they apparated, joining their fellows in biding their time, secure in the knowledge that their Lord was, now and forever, invincible.

"Harry," Voldemort said somewhat regretfully. "Harry, wake up, you have to go back."

-Not for a few days,- the Shadows whispered to him.

"He has to go back, or that meddling fool Dumbledore will know something has happened."

-We have already altered the memories of those at Hogwarts and no one at the Atrium knows who he was.-

"What do they think happened?" The Dark Lord asked curiously.

-That you sent a dedicated small infiltration unit to grab our Master. Consider it a gift to you.-

The Dark Lord felt a surge of pleasure pass through him. Harry didn't have to go back for a few days... The possibilities were endless.

-There are a few at Hogwarts who's memories we haven't altered, but they are not in a position to speak out however, if you wait to long they may, so this time, Lord Voldemort, it is a few days at the most.-

Voldemort nodded. A few days of limited time was better than none at all. "Your gift is gratefully accepted," he said, as he rose and began the walk to his chambers, Harry cradled in his arms and Xaos slithering behind them.

"Rest now, my precious one," he murmured to the sleeping boy, telling the stirring in his groin to be patient, "you're going to need it."

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Noitaniur – Ruination – for those of you who have played FF, think ultima spell, but in red. (So I wasn't feeling that creative when I thought this one up.)

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