IX
.. .. .. .. .. .
S,
I share your eagerness to proceed, however, the only opportunity for advancement is during the next gathering. If the draught is as essential to his well being as you claim, it won't be long before we can indeed end this.
L
Albus slowly lowered the parchment.
"It seems we must wait. This isn't good, Albus."
"We'll think of something, Severus. Harry does well by himself...I don't believe the worse has happened--"
Snape looked doubtful.
"--but yes, unfortunately, we must wait."
"If word gets out about what happened, the entire Wizarding world will fall to panic."
"We've a month till the start of term, Severus. I do believe we'll have him back before then."
Snape was again doubtful, but he kept his negative thoughts to himself. He contemplated pointing out that it could be weeks, even months until the next gathering, but he could see the effects the situation was already having on the headmaster. Instead, he brought up another detail.
"He thinks we've...abandoned him."
Albus didn't need the potions master to clarify who he was speaking of. He turned away.
"We can not jeopardize this..."
"You don't need you to remind me, Albus. I'm just making sure you're aware that Potter isn't as infallible as you seem to think he is. There's no way for him to know what we're doing. There's no one to stop him from throwing in the towel, if he isn't already."
"Then someone will have to make contact. When the time is right you'll find a way to speak with him."
"...You're joking."
"A week should be sufficient."
Snape digested the new plan slack-jawed before deciding that the headmaster was indeed serious....and insane. "I'll...see what I can do," he replied slowly.
Albus merely nodded and watched Severus leave his office.
Dear boy, please forgive me.
.. .. .. ..
Harry woke with a jolt, instantly confused with his surroundings. He didn't remember a bed being in Riddle's study.
He sat up, squinting in the dim lighting. His limbs felt like jelly, his shirt hung off of his shoulders...Riddle was nowhere to be found.
Maybe he's angry that I...I...
...passed out? Fainted? Whatever it was, he hadn't meant to do it and hoped Riddle wasn't taking it personally.
Harry started to get off the bed he'd been laying in but the folded parchment waiting beside him drew his attention. There was an 'H' on the front and a message written in brown ink.
--Wait there and do try not to fall asleep again.
Tom--
It was strange to see his writing again. After his second year at school with the whole diary fiasco, he could still remember the neat little script magically appearing on the blank pages. And here it was again, coming from the real Voldemort....or should he say 'Tom'?
He sat back on the bed - he assumed it was Riddle's - and took in the room. It was large, much larger than the one he'd been given, and a little drafty. The fire was out in the hearth and he only light came from an arrangement of candles hovering where a chandelier might commonly fit.
The bedroom...he was in Riddle's bedroom.
His only conclusion was that after he'd 'fallen asleep' Riddle must have brought him there so that when he woke up they could...do whatever it was Riddle had in mind.
A pit formed in Harry's stomach. Merlin, he couldn't do THAT with he? He had next to no experience as far as sex went. And he doubted the older wizard would let him get away with just lying there this time. Riddle seemed so experienced. Harry's skin still tingled where the tips of those long elegant fingers glided up and down. It was like he knew just where to pinch and where to caress.
Oh, Riddle was in for a grand disappointment if he had high expectations
Harry pulled his knees up to his chin and contemplated making a run for it. But then, he realized how pathetic that would be, not that he could leave the mansion anyway. He sat there imagining Riddle's reaction to his incompetence until the doors opened and said Dark Lord came in. His crimson eyes fell on the boy and the corner of his mouth twitched in an almost-smirk.
"I do hope you don't plan on making a habit of blacking out like that," he claimed wryly.
Harry shook his head.
"Didn't do it on purpose."
On the contrary, he thought smugly. For Potter to think his touch was that mind blowing was certainly a good sign. Harry unfolded himself as Riddle came towards him and made to stand up. Riddle arrested the movement by placing a hand against his shoulder.
Harry was uncertain as he scooted back enough to let his legs dangle. Riddle's silence worried him about as much as the hand lingering there on his left shoulder. He really hated not knowing what do.
"What happened?" he inquired in Parseltongue.
Harry's brows furrowed.
"Huh?"
Potter winced at how dumb he sounded to himself. Riddle raised a neat black brow.
"I asked you what happened," he said pointedly.
"Yes...I know. I mean, what are you talking about?"
"You're fidgety. And you weren't fidgeting back in my study, if I may recall."
"I'm....not fidgeting," he denied after a moment's pause.
However, to prove his point, Riddle slid his hand around the boy's neck. He felt the vibration of Potter's twitch under his fingers and 'hmmed' deep in his throat. It seemed Potter realized it as well.
So the boy had been hasty back in the study. And after having a moment to actually think about their actions, his little bold streak was dwindling.
Harry's sudden unease was unfortunate but nothing Riddle couldn't mend. They had come this far, after all, in such a short time.
The older wizard sat down beside the boy and studied his profile. His hair was, of course, a mess...nothing profound in that observation. His posture was a little stiff, jaw clenched...he never had been comfortable under scrutiny.
"You might as well just tell me you're nervous."
Potter turned to him instantly, a denial tumbling from his lips defiantly.
"I'm not. Just do it."
Riddle's expression was one of genuine amusement. It made Harry more than a little perturbed to be found so funny.
"Always the martyr. Do you even know what 'it' entails?"
The Griffyndor colored noticeably and turned away mumbling.
"What was that?"
"I said I have an idea...somewhat." Which he did, though he never cared to go further then simple 'fooling around' in the past.
"An idea? You mean you were willing to rush into something without even knowing what to expect?"
Harry was reminded of the gathering and how Riddle had reacted to his pissing Snape off.
...does leave one wondering whether or not you ever consider the consequences.
"I..."
"Never mind." He supposed the best plan of action in their case would be to take it slow, and it would be worth it in the end if the boy could trust him.
He brushed Harry's cheek with his thumb enjoying the tantalizing smoothness. A shiver rippled through the boy and he looked up at the older wizard.
Until that moment, it never occurred to Harry that red eyes could be so damned hot. They were full of desire and intrigue. His lids fluttered shut as his mouth was met by a pair of slightly parted lips. It was indeed strange to be kissed by someone he grew up hating...but some part of himself had trouble identifying Lord Voldemort and this Tom Riddle as exactly the same person. This wizard intrigued him and aroused him in mysterious ways, just as he was doing now.
Harry could feel Riddle drawing slow circles on the nape of his neck with his fingertips. Harry reached blindly for Riddle's chest, hesitating when his palm met bare skin. Riddle had certainly been wearing a shirt moments ago...
Catching wind of the boy's thoughts, Riddle resisted the urge to roll his eyes again. Instead he willed the boy's shirt away as well and guided him onto his back. Harry sucked in a breath when his bare back touched the bed clothes.
"One would think you'd notice a spell being cast on you...."
For a moment Harry opened his eyes, emerald gems flashing hotly in response to the jibe. It sent a shiver down Riddle's spine.
"......and for a second I almost cared to know how you did that..."
Riddle began kissing his way around the boy's jaw, smirking into the skin. And so the boldness had officially resurfaced.
"Well, I'm glad you lost interest...would take me all evening to show you how."
Without thinking Harry blindly pinched a nipple. Riddle's eyes widened in surprise, before he recovered to bite the crook of Harry's neck - not hard, but firm enough for the boy to yelp.
"Consider yourself warned," you feverish imp.
"...Against what?"
While digesting the experience of being spoken to with an emotion other than fear or complete hatred, Riddle's previous concerns that the boy was uneasy dissipated. The little imp had only needed warming up. Harry barely flinched as he felt the beginnings of the burning curse.
"A favorite of yours then?"
"Hmm...one of them."
"Well....you use it often enough."
"Apparently not nearly often enough. But there are others....Crucio."
The curse was breathed out in a exhaled whisper. And whether it was the way he said it or simply the Dark Lord's intention, the spell only sent a dull pain . Whatever the case, Harry had never heard an unforgivable cast so sensually. He felt himself growing hard again rapidly.
The pain originated where Riddle's hands contacted his skin and spread in pulses. The curse traveled with Riddle's fingers, skirting around his torso barely even touching the skin in some instances.
Harry wasn't exactly sure when Riddle had removed the rest of his clothing but he remembered hissing lightly through his teeth when long slender fingers gripped his inner thighs. The dull pain and proximity to his erection had him biting his bottom lip.
"Don't try to hold it in...I know what this is doing to you."
Harry didn't reply, just concentrated on breathing. He had to keep from coming so soon this time - the fact that Riddle wasn't even hard before he came the last time was pathetic.
Not to mention I passed out....
And from the feel of whatever Riddle was doing with his tongue, he just might be fainting again.
Riddle pulled himself up over Harry completely and reached for the boy's swollen member. The pain curse was still in affect, and rose slightly in degree. As Riddle's fingers slowly found the sensitive flesh of his cock a moan escaped his lips.
"That's it, Harry..."
The boy's mind was a complete mess of feelings - pain...pleasure...nerves...excitement...... It seemed pain was more of a turn on for Harry than the younger wizard was willing to admit. He arched up into Riddle, seeking more of everything...the caressing...the pain.
Riddle pressed him down with his own body and grasped his wrists above his head.
"Not so fast, boy. I want to hear you."
What on earth was Riddle playing at? Harry was painfully hard, and from what he could feel...Riddle was in similar condition. When Harry opened his eyes to see Riddle, they were hazy with arousal. The Dark Lord's eyes were alive with desire and tended to catch flickers of candlelight. Somehow, they made Harry feel drunk.
Harry ground his hips up in frustration, earning himself a heavier dose of the pain curse. He grunted, squirming beneath the older wizard.
"Do something....I can't take this...."
"Then don't hold back."
Riddle ground his hips against the boy, their erections pressed together heatedly. Harry sucked in a sharp breath and moved with him...
...and the ability of forming coherent thoughts left him entirely.
He was distantly aware of someone crying out...someone else's voice in his mind saying all sorts of things that probably would not have been erotic in any other circumstance. He could no longer distinguish between the pain of the curse and the pleasure he was getting from the body on top of him. It was all one big delectable and intoxicating mess of feeling that drove him over the edge far too soon.
Riddle was still moving rhythmically, as if in no rush for release. His mouth lazily played in the crook of the boy's neck, licking slightly feverish salty skin. Harry had obviously come a few seconds ago, and lay panting as Riddle found his own release. The name 'Tom' fell from his lips repeatedly in those panted breaths. The boy was clearly drained and out of it, though the sound of his given name on Harry's lips irked the Dark Lord.
He tossed the thought aside and whispered a cleaning spell for their soiled bodies. He rolled onto his back and eyed the boy's lithe form beside him. His eyes were closed but, it seemed he hadn't lost consciousness this time.
Miracle of miracles...
He waited for Harry's breathing to return to normal and the pale little torso to stop heaving so dramatically. He had to admit, it was taking the boy considerably more time than it had taken himself...and he had been doing most of the work.
It was no matter. He supposed the younger wizard would adjust. But he was still anxious, though reluctant to admit it, to know how Harry was going to take the turn of events. That is...when the post-superior-orgasm cloud settled enough for concrete thought.
The Griffyndor in question slowly turned onto his side, eyes amazingly clear for his tired state. He watched Riddle right back as if considering the situation at hand rather astutely. Riddle wondered whether he had ever been fixed with an expression of that sort before. The closest he could truly recall came from, of course, the headmaster many years ago.
Indeed, the cloud had begun to settle.
"That was....." the boy began, searching for the proper description, "brilliant." There was a brief pause. "Should I consider it a first lesson?"
Riddle thought back to the library when he promised the boy 'instruction' of a kind in that area. Well, he concluded, sex could be as useful as any non-wand magic given the proper situation.
"More.....a placement exam."
Harry's eyes narrowed.
"You were testing me?"
He hadn't been, not exactly. But it was entertaining to see how offended the boy would get.
"One might say that.."
Brows still reasonably furrowed, Harry turned onto his other side so that his back was facing the older wizard. Riddle eyed the systematic bumps of his spine poking out along his pale back. Wasn't that boy eating enough? Come to think of it, the boy was on the thin side when he'd been brought to the mansion.
"Did you eat something before coming up here?"
".......I wasn't really hungry," came the muffled reply.
"The next time you skip a preordained meal I'll place an engorgement charm on you . I'll not have a charge of mine wandering around the mansion like a specter."
The words lacked the proper bite to be coming from the Dark Lord. In fact, given enough thought, they might be mistaken for conc--
"Now turn around. I believe we were having a discussion."
Perhaps not.
It felt a little strange for Riddle to keep such authority in his voice while they were laying in bed naked. But he acquiesced, nonetheless.
"I meant what I said about considering the consequences. I trust that this means you've done just that and don't plan on changing your colors should the irony of the situation finally reach you."
Harry didn't meet his gaze.
"Look. At. Me."
Bright green eyes drifted up enough to mix with equally bright red ones. Riddle held his stare in all seriousness.
"If at anytime you decide to fancy yourself a victim, it'll be because of nothing that happens in this room. Is that clear?"
"Yes," he answered when the meaning of the words had been properly digested. This was his choice, his doing, and Riddle was refusing to take responsibility for it if Potter had a change of heart.
Decidedly satisfied with his reply, Riddle slid off the bed, effectively flashing Harry with a view of his naked rear. A robe materialized onto his bare skin.
"I'll allow you to rest here for tonight. Be ready to work in the morning."
The sudden shift to a business-like manner left Harry feeling off center once more. "Yes,si--I will," he stuttered.
And Riddle disappeared into his adjoining study.
.. .. ..
About a week had passed and most of it had been spent studying and practicing spells. Riddle had ventured to the forest again for ingredients and other things, allowing Harry to accompany him. The time outside of the mansion was...nice, Harry decided. There were many things of interest in the enchanted woods they scouted, and Potter had surprisingly few threats to concern himself with so long as one of the world's most powerful wizards was with him - even if it was Lord Voldemort.
Riddle sat with him more frequently at meal times, and Harry began to mind the occasional scrutiny less and less. Harry devoured his food and Riddle lectured. It was a surprisingly balanced system they'd fallen into, and had brought the boy surprisingly far in his studies. So far, in fact, that Riddle thought they might begin dueling.
They decided on the drafty ballroom used for Death Eater gatherings for its high ceilings and lack of obstructions. Harry hadn't been in the room since the night of the gathering and observed it, for once, without the gaggle of hooded figures gathered in the center.
They assumed positions opposite one another in the center.
"You already know how to duel with your wand. And while the wand does make things simpler in a duel, it isn't always a luxury your opponent is willing to grant you." He waved a hand and Potter's wand flew from his fingers, clattering to a halt some yards away. "Let just say you wand has been taken away...what do you do?"
"Distract you and call it back?"
The wand disappeared with a crackle and white smoke.
"You can't call it back."
Harry thought for a moment, suddenly uneasy without his wand in sight.
"Then I...try to disarm you as well...you know, even things up a bit."
"Show me."
Riddle stood calmly, showing no outward preparation for an attack. He did, however, hold his wand in his left hand, as if expecting not to use it.
Harry's empty wand hand clenched and unclenched as he began to concentrate on a wandless spell that would take away Riddle's wand. The older wizard instantly knew the spell wouldn't be successful the first time. Harry had a persistent habit of tensing up before using his raw magic, which proved to be more of an inhibiting factor. But he didn't correct him. Perhaps the boy would identify his own mistake.
Harry shouted a spell and a blue spark danced from his palm and died with a crackle. Riddle still held his wand, as he predicted, and Harry's mouth fell into a baffled frown.
That was the right spell...he was certain of it.
He tried a different one - something to simply blast the polished wood from Riddle's long fingers. It had about as much success as the previous spell.
" Enough. Stop. You aren't relaxing."
Harry's protest died with the knowing look Riddle was giving him. It was true; he wasn't relaxing because he didn't feel settled. He hated being closely observed or evaluated in any way. The fact that Riddle stood there, in full black robes, wand in hand, watching every move....
He was still not a completely comforting figure for Harry. Even with their arrangement, and apparent symbiosis, he couldn't just ignore his discomfort...except when he was lying in Riddle's bed. Then everything seemed so clear and foggy all at the same time.
"...or focusing, for that matter."
Harry's thoughts snapped back to the task at hand. Riddle had crossed his arms casually, waiting for him to collect himself.
"You really ought to learn to relax and focus without me directing your attention to it. All it takes is for your attention to wander for a split second. The right wizard could have you simmering in a puddle before you realized what was happening."
"Well you aren't the most calming presence," he muttered wryly.
"Oh? We've crossed paths more than a few times. You should be quite used to me by now."
How they had 'crossed paths', as he had put it, so many times and both remained alive was a mystery to Harry. By all accounts one of them should be dead by now.
"I don't know about 'used to', but I'll get over the jitters soon enough." Harry raised his palm, a sign that he was ready to try again. Riddle uncrossed his arms and inclined his head.
The magic built up this time and Potter held it at the ready until he was sure of his aim. When he released the spell, it flew as a blue disk...knocking Riddle's wand into a far corner.
"Well done. But just so that you're aware, that spell is easily blockable. And unless you're quick enough, it will be anticipated." Riddle flexed his fingers as if in preparation, and suddenly Harry's wand was back in his hand. "You might try a succession of spells..."
Without warning the Dark Lord hurled a bright green ball of magic at Harry, followed by a blue disk similar to the one Harry had used. The boy blanched at the sight of the first and was thrown horribly off his feet. The second spell sent his wand flying off the the side with a clatter.
The boy lay stunned and coughing the wind back into his lungs. It was a minute or two before he could stand up again.
"What....was that?"
"Just a shove. I supposed its strength depends on the wizard..."
Was that so? And just what the hell was Riddle grinning about? The older wizard watched Harry catch his breath in subtle amusement. The boy's face had been priceless, though it probably was low of him to use a spell resembling the killing curse.
Potter gave no warning before sending a few of the spells he'd acquired in practice. Quite pleased with Harry's renewed vigor, Riddle humored him for a while...only blocking and dodging. It was a short while before the boy showed signs of tiring. Riddle held up a hand, freezing the boy's next movement.
"That'll do for now. Your stamina needs to grow before we can try extended battles." He dropped his arm. "You might want to learn your limits; it wouldn't do to have a faint in the middle of a duel..." Though, Riddle had to admit the boy was incredibly strong for is age. Casting one spell without the aid of a wand would have many wizards sprawled unconscious.
He could tell Harry wasn't satisfied with stopping at the moment, but the younger wizard nodded rationally. He was indeed getting tired.
"Clean up and come to dinner. I have another book for you." And he disappeared through the ballroom doors, likely to the cellar where he spent the majority of his time these days. Harry gathered his wand and headed up to his room, his feet dragging slightly in his exhaustion.
... ... ...
A/N:
For those of you who are completely sure of what's happening....you can skip this. But i think some might need a little explanation of events...i know i'm not always too clear with the characters' motives and all that. But believe me when i say i am trying!
Ok.....As you've probably already guessed, Riddle doesn't hate the boy. At the not-so-subtle hinting of Salazar, through the portrait, Riddle has realized the potential Harry has for working with him instead. After all, their wands don't seem to wanna clash. Harry feels the change, though he still has the original image of the Dark Lord hanging over him sometimes. Riddle has clearly....changed...or grown, as he explains in the previous chapter and doesn't do things quite like he used to. i.e: killing first and asking questions later.
Now, Harry is quite attracted to Riddle...in a lusty sort of way. And Riddle doesn't want to act on it unless Harry is completely sure...because trust is important in his little scheme of unification. So he teases and frustrates Harry some - just getting him all worked up, until well...he ends the game and they get serious.
As for the good side and all that.....
Snape knows about the potion...so now Albus knows. Their plan is to wreck it so that Riddle weakens and then they can make a move. They employ Lucius knowing he already wants Voldie gone so he can take his place....though Lucius isn't completely sure why Snape wants Voldie dead. He thinks he has ambitions of his own which he'll worry about later.
Albus doesn't mean to leave Harry hanging. He didn't intend for him to get captured but now that he is, he can't just tell him what they're planning to do. I mean, what if he spills it? So they keep him in the dark...praying the boy doesn't give in and quit hoping. Though, to me it looks like he's quite settled where he is. And the rest...well...it should be easier to understand i hope. Srry about the wait....Many things to consider while writing this...though i have myself largely to blame for that.
Next chapter already in the works!