I want to thank everyone for reviewing, I really am too tired to go through them one by one. However, I will address a few of them at the bottom. For those of you interested (and old enough) I have a yahoo group, where my chapters are posted before they're posted on you Traveler for helping me work out some of the kinks with some of my chapters, and for any of those interested I'm looking for a beta. Thanks. Enjoy!
Chapter 13
• New Paths •
The door, blessedly, took the password and opened without difficulty. Harry was glad, because he knew he was probably angry enough to attack it if it hadn't opened.
He stepped into the quiet room, and moved towards the female dorms. There was movement, but whoever it was disappeared around the corner the moment Harry looked their way. "Christine," Harry said and Christine moved up beside him instead of trailing behind. "I apologize for not having breakfast, we'll go get something to eat in a little while, when people aren't around to bother us."
They waited in Blaise's bed for almost twenty minutes before she finally appeared. She looked a little troubled about something and was relieved to see Harry sitting on her bed. Her face was quick to take on an expressionless look, as if she'd not been worried about anything. Harry wasn't in the mood to mention it, but he was still a little angry about being locked out, and he was having trouble keeping his temper down. He didn't want Voldemort in his head, and though he hadn't felt the haze, he wasn't sure that it meant Voldemort was or wasn't there.
"Are we going to meet the Leviathans?" Harry asked once Blaise had turned on her normal face.
"There will be a slight delay." Blaise said. "There was quite a fight in the hallways. I wondered if you might have been a part of it."
"A fight?" Harry asked, wondering who had fought.
"The damaged the castle itself," Blaise said. "Knocked out two Gryffindor second years, not that that would have been too difficult, but they damaged several classrooms and some structural damage to most of the hallways leading away from the Gryffindor Tower."
Harry knew from her calculating look she believed he was a part of it. "Why do you think it was a fight?" Harry asked quickly.
"The sort of magic that was given off was destroying things with indestructible charms on them," Blaise said. "Granted they're old charms, but they're not that old, they're recast every few years. Magic that destroys them is either directly meant to do it, which it wasn't because of the sort of expansive damage that was done, or it's the result of a magical explosion – usually two spells striking one another."
"What if it was just anger?" Harry asked. "You know, like wandless magic, the sort you do when you get real emotional."
"Not of that magnitude. Besides, most witches or wizards don't do that sort of things after they've started going to some sort of schooling for their magic."
"I blew up my Aunt before third year," Harry said, "My wand was locked away when it happened."
"Are you saying it was you?" she asked, eyebrow quirked and a faint look of disbelief on her face. "You really did blow up the west half of Hogwarts?"
"I didn't blow it up," Harry defended. "I only blew out a few windows and a couple of doors."
"Merlin Harry!" she said, taking a step back. "Please don't tell me you always do that when you're angry."
Harry shook his head. Christine's head was in his lap and he was stroking it softly, keeping himself in check for the moment. It was much easier to stay focused when he was touching Christine in some way. "I only do stuff like that when I'm really angry or scared. I apparated once when I was younger because my cousin was chasing me. I didn't know I'd apparated; I simply appeared on the top of the school. It was quite scary since I was only seven or eight."
"What happened at Gryffindor towers?" Blaise asked, all pretenses gone. She was mystified, and curious now.
"Hermione locked me out," Harry said angrily. "Told everyone that they weren't allowed to give me the password."
Blaise blinked a few times, opened her mouth, closed it again, and then threw up her hands. "Remind me never to piss you off." She said, turning and walking out of the room. "I'll be back in a few minutes when we're ready for you," she added before closing the door.
Harry lay back, pulling Christine's head up to his chest. "Do you think I'm scary?" he asked, feeling a little afraid of what he was doing, of who he was becoming. What had really done it was Brandi telling him what had happened. What had Voldemort done to him, or was it even Voldemort? Was it something he'd done without Voldemort? Either way, why couldn't he remember doing it?
The door opened and Genevieve entered, looking sullen. Harry gently pushed Christine out of the way and stood up. "Hello Genevieve," he said as she approached. She seemed surprised to see him, or surprised that he knew her name. She dropped to one knee, spilling the books she'd been carrying.
Feeling comfortable with her at his feet, he stepped forward. "You are welcome in my bed anytime," he said, smiling. It took a moment, but he shook the thought away, angry at what he was telling her, but his anger made it seem right. "I feel the need to compliment you for your wonderful talents you displayed while with me. I was truly impressed by your... actions. I would like to discover more of your talents in the future."
It took a great deal of focus to keep from saying more. Harry wasn't sure if it was Voldemort this time, he was having difficulties feeling him and that made the fact that he was saying it even harder, because it might have really been him, been what he was becoming. A week before he wouldn't have imagined saying something so... thoughtless, so... lewd.
"I don't know what you have been told about me," Harry said, accepting that he was going to be saying something wrong, trying to maintain his dignity and courage while he did. It wasn't really that hard with Genevieve kneeling in front of him, it was more than just a confidence booster, it made it easier to be snide. "I don't want you to treat me any different though. I want to be treated normal, it makes things easier for me."
"Yes... Harry," she said, trying to make sure to say his name straightforward.
Harry leaned forward, and lifted her chin so that she was looking at him. "You may call me Potter if you like. Please don't bow to me though, it makes things difficult."
The Slytherin stared at him, but Harry couldn't help but notice the way her lips curved up in a slight smile, they looked absolutely wicked. He wanted to wrap his mouth around them, to kiss her. She'd slept with him already, but he hadn't kissed her, or Veranda, not mouth to mouth, they'd used their mouths for other things. He briefly wondered what would happen if they did kiss, if everything Brandi had told him was true. It might do more harm than good. If it had felt so good to Brandi he wondered how it had felt to him, the best he could figure that he had kissed her and gone on, only to be brought to the hospital by Blaise later in the evening. He still hadn't asked Blaise what had happened, but she hadn't volunteered the information either. Did that mean she wanted him to ask so that she could ask for something in return?
Pulling away from the temptation of her lips, Harry closed his eyes. "Thank you, for everything."
Genevieve smiled, in response and Harry had difficulty not smiling back. "It was my pleasure, I always wanted to find out what you were like in bed Harry."
"So you don't think I'm... him?" Harry asked, trying to determine what she meant.
"Even if you are, you are in Harry's body," she pointed out. "So I would know about how Harry is in bed."
Harry shook the thought away even though it was disturbing; he had after all, been in bed with Bellatrix, among others according to Voldemort, while he was inhabiting Harry body. He was disgusted by it, but he had no one to blame it on.
Blaise interrupted their conversation. She seemed a little disturbed to see Harry standing over a kneeling Genevieve, but she didn't say anything about it. "You're on Harry," she said, turning to leave. "I would hurry if I were you, you don't want to make them angry."
Harry stepped back, watching as Blaise left with mild resentment at how he was being treated. He was a guest, and he'd been invited before them, and yet it was them who were treating him with such little respect. He was looking toward Genevieve, who was still kneeling. "You may come with me," he stated, seeing that the girl was interested. He somehow knew it wasn't following proper protocol, that she should wait until the doors opened by themselves, allowing the Slytherins to come watch the judgments.
A glance towards Christine brought her bustling over to Harry; before she took his hand, he waved his wand and her outfit changed into something more fitting for a meeting. It was not more revealing or less revealing, just a different style. He looked to Genevieve, but decided it was best to let her make that decision. She took his other hand, but didn't ask for anything. He nodded, and followed Blaise through the doors.
The doors opened as he approached them, but he could see that others were peaking out of their dorm rooms, watching him march past with Genevieve and Christine at his back.
The common room was empty except for the far end. Somehow the room had extended by another dozen feet, and the Leviathans sat there, at the end of the room, in raised seats. The symbolism was not lost on Harry, sitting above the rest, in the darkness. The sides of their faces were the only things that were visible; they were otherwise cloaked in darkness. Harry could almost feel what it was like to sit there, above everyone else, with Leviathans on either side of him. He noticed then that they were in two groups of chairs, leaving a dark spot in the center. A chair perhaps? Harry squinted to try and make out some shape, but nothing was there. He knew that there should be something though, something just a little larger than the chairs that the other Leviathans sat in.
As Blaise stepped forward Harry's eyes darted to the companion chair, studying the little bit of features he could see. It took a moment, but he decided that it was most definitely Veranda, which meant the chairs on the other side were for the two males, two people he didn't know.
The side doors opened immediately, allowing for several Slytherins to enter the common room. Harry wondered why they'd been kept out, assuming that the Slytherins already knew whom the members of the Leviathans were, Brandi had. It was curious; the charade that was in place, but it also lent the Leviathans a sort of intrigue, which was another sort of power.
Still, Harry watched the other Slytherins as they filled the common room; the older one's found places in the seats while the younger ones sat on the floor. Not all the Slytherins were there, mostly younger students, but what did surprise him was Malfoy's presence. All he received from the boy was a long, loathsome stare, but Harry just smiled back as serenely as possible, knowing that Malfoy could do nothing to him.
"Harry Potter," a voice said, booming throughout the room. He couldn't tell which of them was speaking, but he didn't recognize the voice at all. "A request to accept you into the Slytherin rooms has been made, brought to the council by one of our own."
Harry nodded, his eyes narrowing, he looked out to the guests that were surrounding him and wondered how many of them realized how important this was, a Gryffindor in the Slytherin common room, and speaking to the Leviathans.
"I am here for that reason," Harry said simply. He wasn't going to lather them up, he didn't feel the need or desire to. There were other places he could go. Harry fought against himself, trying to say that if they were to accept his request he would be safe here, and more importantly, Christine would be safe. He needed to make sure that was known though. "Also to ask that not only I, but my property is also treated with respect."
"Property?" Another voice asked. There was very little difference in the voices, it was subtle, but Harry thought it just might be the tone. It spoke vaguely of surprise, though it was covered up.
"I have only a few belongings," Harry replied. "But I own a slave as well, and if I am to come here she must be treated as I would be." The whispers behind him were hushed, but there were many of them. Many of them must have assumed that what Hermione was screaming about during the fight had been nonsense or personal. He was surprised at how many of them seemed sheltered from the rumor though, there must have been more than one rumor going on around about him.
"Are we to assume that is a statement and not a request?" one of the voices asked. Harry wasn't sure if it was the same voice as the first one though. They must have been using some sort of magical spell to keep their voices from being identified, which was curious still.
"It is among the reasons I have returned here today," Harry said calmly, trying to keep his anger from showing. They didn't realize they were talking to him, someone they should fear, not tease. He was Harry Potter, the world knew him.
"Are there additional requests that you wish to have brought before the council then?"
Harry decided it would be best to just keep things basic; it made it a whole lot simpler. "No," he said. "I don't. The shelter of the Slytherin house for myself and my property is enough to ask."
"That it is," a voice said. Harry was almost positive that this was a third voice; it could have even been the fourth. "Your request has been noted and discussed in private, but the vote was split, so we brought it to council, to allow you to speak for yourself, support your request with something that might make the council receptive to your plea."
Harry gritted his teeth at how they were making fun of him from above, teasing him about their decision, making fun of his predicament. "It is not a plea," he said, bowing slightly so not to show the emotions on his face. "I was brought here for safety, because it is the least likely place where another would look for me. I have discovered that, while some of the Slytherins do not enjoy my presence, it is rather comfortable here and safe, as I said before." His eyes slid along those that were at the meeting, a few of them were people he knew well, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode. He seemed a little surprised to see them, he hadn't seen them at all in the dorm rooms, and he knew they were both seventh years, although Pansy had only barely made it into 7th year. It was a standing fact that Pansy was stupider than even Crabbe and Goyle, who had remarkably never had any difficulties in most classes except for potions, which a lot of people were horrid in.
He gave those who were watching him with contemptuous flares, a sweet smile, and returned his look to the Leviathans ahead of him. "It would be an honor to have the Slytherin house accept me as one of their own even if I was not sorted into their house. Difficulties in my own house have forced me to leave it, and when I returned today... for some of my personal effects, I discovered that I had been locked out of the house altogether."
"The council will note that the damage done to the castle was a result of this," one of the voices said, Harry smiled smugly, knowing that it was Blaise. He'd only just told her, and unless they could communicate without anyone else hearing them there was no way that the other already knew. A lot of people had startled looks, it had only just happened, but apparently new had traveled extremely fast, it seemed as if they all knew about it.
"Damage to the castle, was this not a result of fighting?'
Harry shook his had, his eyes roaming across them, waiting for them to make a mistake, do something that would give him the upper edge. The fact that they were letting him come was one of them, he couldn't believe that he was a Gryffindor and there. What he really needed was something to appease them, make them think it might be good to have him. He knew what he could do, but wasn't sure if he was willing to risk it.
"No, it wasn't," Harry said. "It was uncontrolled magic, I do it when I'm angry."
They didn't respond immediately, but Harry could see they were moving around just a little. He wondered if they could talk between themselves, it almost seemed as if that was what they were doing.
"What assurances do we have that you will not get angry and use this magic within the confines of our rooms or on one of the members of this house? You have already injured two of our own house during a previous incident only a week ago."
Injured? Harry knew what they meant, but he hadn't injured anyone, not really. Brandi had been hurt, but it was not exactly because of his kiss, it was because he'd pulled away. It occurred to him that he might have pulled away for a good reason, that it was possible that he'd known what was happening and pulled away before Brandi fell even further into it. Maybe he hadn't really meant to hurt her. And the Slytherin in the portrait, Travis, he seemed to want to be in the portrait. It was twisted, but somehow it all made sense in Harry's mind.
"What assurances would you like?" Harry shot back at them. He was not a Slytherin, he could have been, but he was not one of them, and did not know what he could offer them that would suffice. All they wanted was assurances, which was a little foolish, but good for him.
There was a lot he could offer, especially now that he'd been removed from the Gryffindor common room. A thought passed across his mind and he smiled wickedly. None of the Leviathans had spoken yet.
"A demonstration perhaps?" Harry asked. "Something to prove that I no longer have associations with my former house. Something that would prove your house better than them."
More silence, they may have been discussing something, Harry wasn't sure. He sneered after almost three minutes of silence. "Is this not a council? Why is it that you speak so little?"
"Mr. Potter," one of the voices snapped. "You would be well to stay quiet while we consider your offer."
Harry's nose flared and his eyes darkened. "While the Slytherin house is my most obvious choice, it is not my only one, nor would I have to give up so much to prove my worth."
"Mr. Potter," another of the voices snapped. "Another outburst like that and your request will be considered moot."
"Fools!" Harry roared angrily, no longer even speaking English. He rarely spoke in Parseltongue, but occasionally he did when he was angry, it helped to think and speak in different languages, and it usually turned people white when he did, especially those in the magical world. Right now it just sort of made sense though, as if it was something he should be doing.
No one spoke, even the quiet whispering that had been going on behind him had disappeared. It was as if there was no one there at all. He could actually hear the single intake of breath behind him.
"You sit before me acting as if you are better than me," he hissed. "Do not be so presumptuous."
"Mr. Potter," a voice said after several minutes. It was soft, not like it had been before, they were not angry. They seemed surprised, maybe startled. "We would appreciate it if you did not speak to us with such disrespect."
Harry blinked, unsure how to react. Had one of them understood him? Did they know what he said?
"It is unfortunate, but few within our house can understand the language, let alone speak it," the voices stopped. "We have determined that we will allow a demonstration if it proves that your allegiances no longer lay with the Gryffindors. Though, such things do not matter in the world, so we may require further... display of your loyalties. How is it you wish to show us your loyalties?"
"A gift," Harry said, wondering if it would be enough. It would be obvious enough how angry he was at his house. He determined that he would speak directly to the Leviathans again, so he focused, letting his anger bring out the snake inside. "While there may be some uproar within my house I am still captain of the Quidditch team," he hissed. "We have a match in two days, I will provide you with information that will allow you to win without difficulty, and I'll even insure that I allow the snitch to be caught, or will not catch it until your team has enough points to win."
There was a pause. A long pause and then a hiss came from the Leviathans, a long hiss of words. Harry wondered which of them spoke Parseltongue, but realized that none of them did immediately; It was something they were allowed to do because of the chairs they sat in. Salazar had done a great deal when establishing tradition within the houses.
I wondered whi"You did well to speak directly to us about this. While it would boost the morale a great deal within the house, the fact that it was given to use might disturb some of the younger members of the house, a little jumpy, which could likely bring a inquiry over the game. It is best that a few of us know, the others may suspect, but that is not enough."
There was a short pause this time, and the voices were English again. "Mr. Potter, you are hereby allowed within the Slytherin house until a formal hearing rescinds the order, or he abuses his privileges."
Harry couldn't help but smile. He didn't want to stay around for too long, but it was nice to know that he could return at any time.
He would have to attend the scheduled meeting of the Quidditch team, something he'd considered skipping, but that might make things easier, especially if he got Ron angrier. Ron was a great keeper, but fifth year had demonstrated how much his emotions affected him.
It was an hour later when the room finally emptied out. The Leviathans had disappeared into the darkness, and a little while later Harry could see Blaise flitting around the back of the room, making it obvious she was waiting to speak with him.
Harry and Christine followed her into the dorm rooms, which were empty.
"Why did you have to go and pull out the Parselmouth in front of us?" she asked with a sigh. "We were trying to squash the rumor with the younger students."
"Why?" Harry asked immediately, not wanting to respond.
"You don't understand the Slytherin traditions well enough to explain it simply," Blaise retorted. Harry stared at her. "I could have," he said, "if I had let the hat have its way."
"The ramifications of what you just did make things... difficult for us. You knew that, didn't you? You know so much sometimes that it's sickening to think you were ever anywhere else."
Harry smiled. "I don't plan on staying here tonight," he said, changing the subject. "Now that I have a safe place I need to do some things."
"Where do you plan on sleeping?" Blaise asked sarcastically. "A Hufflepuff bed?"
Harry thought about it, and nodded. A Hufflepuff bed sounded right just about now, he needed to make sure that not everyone was against him, and they were the best place to start.
"You don't like my bed?" Blaise asked glowering.
"I don't think it's a question of distaste," Harry answered, slipping his hand up Christine's back until he was fingering the edge of the color that had become a part of her skin. He could feel it there, tickling at his senses. "It's more of a question of you loathing men."
"That..." Blaise said angrily. "You think I want to hate men?" she demanded. "Your all so... disgusting sometimes. You think the world revolves around you."
Harry leaned forward and stared right into her eyes. "Doesn't it?" he asked, before turning away, pulling Christine along with him.
• Edited 2005.05.27 •
HG: If you're reading this... well I'm glad that you're still reading my stories. I really am sorry about what happened, and it's difficult for me not to be able to talk to you. I'm not sure why anymore, I think because it was sort of an addiction. Enjoy life though, and don't forget me.
Uten: Don't life Gryffindors? smirks I'm a... Hufflepuff for life – (so much easier to take control of the house). Harry will not exactly turn 'dark' but he's not going to be a golden boy anymore. And sooner, rather than later, Harry's going to lose Voldemort's influence and it'll all by himself. Voldemort is trying to create what he can. He knows Harry won't ever let himself be controlled, however, having him on the dark side could cause considerable panic in the wizarding world.
Frank Cadena: It's all about belief's, and which one's are stronger. In this story, Hermione's outright disgust at slavery is stronger than her friendship. She'll go even further later, but she's beginning to collapse in on the weight of everything, and that's what is that cause of her extreme nature later on.
Genma: Oh, there will be a clash, a very big one, just not quite yet.
Surarrin: I'm sure you're not. Generally (you wouldn't know it from this story) I like Hermione, and give her one of the strongest roles next to Harry. However, in this story it will not be so.
BabyRuth: laughs. Nix keeps my busy sometimes, but then, well, sometimes she gets really angry at me and that gets me even more frustrated. You know, I still find your reviews extremely amusing and enjoy reading them... As for any extreme comments, they're meant as sarcasm (seeing as they're dripping with it) which means they're meant to be taking very lightly. Don't be sad about being a 'different' reviewer, I don't have many, and I always enjoy their reviews more.
Supreme Gamma: Thanks for the comments, I don't usually write anti!hermione, but it's the way the story went, and I'm running with it. Besides, I don't see Hermione exactly happy with Harry when he starts sleeping around, and er... other things that'll happen soon.
Dragon Sword Master: I may bring Genevieve back, but no major roles at all.
bLacKBodian: my stories generally leave people in the dark until the time comes, give people nibbles of ideas and scenes, but not until the right time. Everything will get explained, but it happens over time.
timydamonkey: I like Hermione, really, I just didn't write her as a strong support!harry role in this fic. And Ron's so explosive that when faced with everything he was, I don't see it going any differently, it's exactly how he acts in the books. Ron's angry, and that's why he's convinced Harry's being bad. It's the same thing with him not believing Harry during the TriWizard tournament, plus Hermione has some thoughts on it that haven't been brought out yet, thoughts that may ... well they're making Ron see Harry a little differently. The Bella stuff will get a little more intensive, but it's still going to be several chapters before it does. Thanks for reading, hoped you liked this chapter.