Embracing His True Self

Chapter 55

"Shit," Harry cursed viciously, glancing behind him, all the while yanking his cloak up over his head. He might have a million questions flying through his mind, he knew better than to not listen to Luna. Especially after what he had learned about her during his visit to the Lovegood property that day with Neville. She hadn't come right out and said it, but that was Luna for you. Spoke in riddles half the time, riddles that by the way were impossible to decipher.

They'd need to go somewhere, a café in London, but first he'd need to make sure she didn't have any sort of tracking charm on her. So a pitstop then they'd talk and eat at the same time. Harry was literally just reaching out to Apparate Luna with him. "Damn it!" he scowled in mounting fury when Rodolphus grasped a hold of Luna and Rabastan before Apparating away. He wasn't pissed that Rodolphus had helped Luna, not at all but the fact he knew where the idiot was taking her. Straight into the den of Death Eaters, Death Eaters who still didn't bloody trust him completely, and would be more liable to kill Luna than trust her for a second. Voldemort wasn't going to let her go without erasing the memory of the place from her or worse…demanding oaths and endless vows. That was if he was feeling generous, if he was in a mood he was liable to bloody kill her.

Growling lowly, "I'm going to kill him," he vowed as he snatched Barty and Apparated them away from Grimmauld Place, into what he suspected would be one hell of a confrontation. He didn't Apparate into the manor, like he could, due to having access to the wards, instead he went to the usual stop point for the Death Eaters, if they were anywhere it would be there.

He was quite correct, Harry's stomach sank, Rodolphus had Apparated Luna to Voldemort's manor. Honestly, for a smart wizard he was being completely stupid. Removing his wand, he looked around warily, glad to see that there was nobody lurking outside. "What the fuck do you think you're doing bringing her here?!" he roared at Rodolphus, his magic leaking from him as he struggled to control his mounting fury.

Rodolphus took a step back, fear slithering down his spine, when you felt dark magic that way…the first instinct is to take cover. He was utterly saturated in it, and the magic was sparking out of him in droves. With the Dark Lord it was cold, calculated and controlled, Harry's was the opposite, hot, untameable and relentless. Gulping slightly, once again reminded just why Harry Potter-Black fitted in so well.

"You might want to calm down, Harry," Barty warned him, standing close to Harry, "You'll have a very uncontrolled situation on your hands otherwise…" the Death Eaters would converge on them in droves, wanting to see what was going on, and they were tense due to the lockdown. If anything happened to Luna…Harry would never actually join the dark side…potentially also begin moving against them.

"I already have!" Harry spun around to face Barty, hissing the words out through gritted teeth. "You seriously think she's going to get to just walk away?" he wouldn't even be able to convince Voldemort of that, not even if he had a million years. He'd be lucky if he managed to stop Voldemort killing her for Merlin's sake.

"She is standing right here," Luna pointed out crossly, "I knew very well what I was getting into!" at the same time Rodolphus spoke, "It's your fault anyway," Rodolphus argued, "You should have secured the damn place! You said he didn't remember where it was!"

Harry stiffened, his brow furrowed, "Yeah, I guess it is," he revealed with deceptive calmness, "He shouldn't have been able to find it, Sirius swore he changed the wards, tore down the old Fidelius Charm and made it so that only, me, Remus and Sirius had access," had Sirius given Dumbledore renewed access after everything they'd found out? Betrayed him by getting into bed with Dumbledore again? Oh, he sincerely hoped not.

Harry didn't even blink at the sudden appearance of Voldemort, who looked just as pissed off as him. Instead he just raised his hands in the air in defeat. "Brilliant!" he muttered darkly. He'd sort of expected him sooner, like the second they Apparated sort of soon.

"What is going on here?" Voldemort demanded, eyes narrowed in on the blonde haired girl he knew to be Luna Lovegood, he also didn't fail to notice the protective stance his Death Eater had on her. Apparently Rodolphus had become attached to the girl while doing a favour for Harry during the past few weeks.

Harry sighed, brushing his hand through his hair, thinking of the best way to reveal everything to Voldemort without Luna being killed on sight.

"Dumbledore placed wards around the vicinity of Grimmauld Place, he might have forgotten the address, or how to find it, but that doesn't mean anything in the long run." Luna was the one who spoke, quiet and respectful, but she wasn't doing that because it was Voldemort, that was just how Luna always was. Even towards those who bullied her she had been tranquil and humble. "He's grown more desperate to find you, Harry, and he if he did…you would have been…changed," a shudder ran down her spine.

Everyone narrowed their eyes for different reasons, "What does that mean?" Harry asked, almost afraid to know.

"It's a long story, one that's best told away from prying ears," Luna said, giving a subtle glance over to where she knew Draco Malfoy was watching.

Harry impatiently closed his eyes, not even having to look over to know who she was referring to. Draco Malfoy was quite quickly becoming a thorn in his side, he was tempted to kill the idiot. Especially the way he was feeling, which was more vulnerable than he had in a while and he did not like it at all. "I wish to grant Luna Lovegood safe passage," Harry eventually asked of Voldemort, green eyes unconsciously pleading.

"Very well," Voldemort conceded, unable to say no to Harry when he begged so sweetly.

Rodolphus, Rabastan and Barty startled at how quickly the Dark Lord had given in to Harry's demands. Rodolphus shared a look with his brother, perhaps there was something in what Barty and Rabastan said. They would need to keep an eye out, truly curious to know if perhaps he was right, that they would have a consort – if Harry could be coined one which really he shouldn't be since he was a Lord, twice, in his own right. He was as high up the hierarchy in terms of the pureblood ladder, perhaps just as high as the Dark Lord…some might say higher actually. Although not out loud if they want to live.

As if Rabastan agreed with his brother, understood where his thoughts were going nodded just once.

Despite the agreed safe passage, Rodolphus kept Luna behind him as they began walking into the manor, with the Dark Lord leading. His strides were quick and urgent, it was clear to see that he wanted answers. Answers he'd only get once everyone was settled in for the time being. Rodolphus worried regardless, just because she had safe passage in, didn't guarantee her complete safety. Perhaps Harry was right to be furious, he was placing her in unprecedented danger. He hoped, should the worst come to the worst that he could beg the Dark Lord for him to take her punishment. To let Luna live in repayment for all the years of loyalty he had shown the powerful wizard before him.

It did not take them long at all to reach the Dark Lord's downstairs office, the moment they were all inside, the door was slammed shut and wards flared to life. Nobody, not even Draco Malfoy could hope to tear them down, although it would be amusing to see Voldemort's reaction if he did try.

"Luna what's going on? what do you mean by I would be changed?" Harry asked, as they all sat down, his confusion taking prominence. Sure, he understood that Luna might not know the answer to that question. She was a seer not a know-it-all. She had confessed that her abilities didn't work the way the world expected them to after all.

"You forget how smart Dumbledore is, he's created a potion that's part alchemy, part potion, it works like a liquid Imperius curse, giving you traits that he wished for you to have and without an anti-dote you would have remained his version of what he wanted you to be." Luna explained.

Harry paled, his stomach rebelling dangerously, what the fuck? He knew just how smart Dumbledore was, that's why he was considered a danger to them all. Yet to think Dumbledore was desperate enough to give him an untried potion without an antidote to get him to do his bidding…it was exactly like the old fool really. He was obsessed with ending the war, of him being the one to end it. They why only really made sense now, after Voldemort explained what he had inside of him. He was a Horcrux, he could imagine Dumbledore's plan alright, and he did not like it one bit.

"What are you?" Voldemort demanded, already heavily suspecting she was either a spy or something…much, much more. He knew everyone Dumbledore paid special attention to, Luna Lovegood wasn't one of those people. Nine times out of ten, those he paid special attention to he recruited for his Order. Unless, Severus had been mistaken, but he very much doubted it. Severus had been good at what he did, and he'd seen his memories of his time under Dumbledore's thumb. The thought of such a potion going into anyone let alone Harry infuriated him, causing his maroon eyes to flash dangerously.

"I am a seer," Luna spoke the words out loud without riddles for the first time in her life. She never thought she'd see the day where she actually joined a side, let alone revealed that information about herself. The fact that it was Voldemort himself, well, the irony wasn't lost on her at all. Yet she could see what was happening with greater accuracy each day that passed. It was almost as if events that had to pass unencumbered had done so allowing her to see fully for the first time. Although it may have something to do with her age, if this was it now she wondered how much better control she'd have when she turned seventeen.

Harry suddenly smirked, green eyes gleaming, noticing the subtle reverential gleam in Voldemort's eyes. Oh, he was definitely not going to kill her, at least not unless he had absolutely no choice. She had chosen to come here, had chosen to warn him despite the obvious consequences – becoming entrenched in the dark was consequences enough you'd think – the outcome had to run in her favour…and she obviously wanted what was best for him too. He'd sort of gathered as much during their last meeting that he'd keep at least one friend when his allegiance came out. "We need to take him out, now," he demanded, shuddering violently at the thought of what could have come to pass had Luna not warned them.

"You also need to find out if Dumbledore has access to Grimmauld Place," Barty pointed out, "If Black has betrayed you…" well he didn't need to finish that sentence. The only reason they were being left alone, despite the fact they were former Order members and quite frankly been thorns in the Dark's side since they left Hogwarts was because of Harry.

"What else do you know?" Voldemort asked, eyeing the girl with highly suspicious maroon eyes.

"I know a lot," Luna revealed, "Some of which cannot be revealed until its time, others completely insignificant, my abilities haven't always been…so clear."

"Do you know where that potion is?" Harry asked, mildly, green eyes flashing furiously, the desire to feed the old bastard the very potion he wished for him to take…it was very much prominently on the forefront of his mind. "Or more accurately where the old fool is staying?" would she give him the information he so desired?

"The most obvious place you can think of," Luna replied a knowing look on her face, "Who do most people go to when they're in trouble?"

Harry just stared blankly, how the hell should he know? Was this something he'd have to figure out on his own?

"Family," Rodolphus blurted out, "I'd go to family," which was true enough, the first thought when he got out of Azkaban was his father, who he knew was alive due to the letters they received from him. It was the only contact they were allowed with the outside world due to the fact they were top level Azkaban detainees.

"His brother? You mean he's in Hogshead pub?" Harry muttered incredulously, that he hadn't seen coming, at all. Why the hell would Aberforth even think of helping his most wanted brother? They didn't get on, in fact Aberforth hated his brother, he might not remember the interrogation he'd undergone but they sure as hell did…and the newspaper got a whole flew of information because of it. Harry groaned and pressed the palm of his hand against his forehead, Merlin help him, they really did need to take care of Dumbledore and very soon. "He'll probably have his room warded to the nines, if he's still near Grimmauld Place now might be the only time we have to get the damn thing. Maybe inform the Aurors where he is…give us time to get it?"

"Or we can take a leaf out of your book and send your House-elf to claim it," Voldemort stated with feral viciousness. Oh, he knew what sort of person Dumbledore would have turned Harry into. He would have had no choice but to fight his horcrux and Harry himself, since Harry under that influence wouldn't stop until he was dead. He didn't delude himself into thinking it could have been fought, the seer had brought them this information for a reason. Harry definitely had found a rare gem to call a 'friend' then again, he would have 'befriended' someone unique as well.

It was an odd experience for Luna, to have seen this conversation in clarity to have it play out in real life. It was giving her such a sense of Déjà vu. Of course, some things were different, she didn't just envision one potential outcome but one, two sometimes three. It made things a little exciting, she was definitely glad she hadn't seen her own death. The one difference was the fact Voldemort hadn't been pissed off enough to end her life before finding out she was a seer and not a spy for the Order.

"Destroy the potion and remove the memory from Dumbledore," Luna cautioned, "Such a potion should not exist, not even for one's own ends." Giving Voldemort a knowing look, she knew what he was tempted to do, and it would largely backfire at some point. She just couldn't see that point due to the fact that future was so undecided at the moment.

Rodolphus listened and watched Luna closely, feeling proud of her ability to be calm and respectful in the face of the Dark Lord. Not many could say they reacted this way. Most people he had seen meeting the Dark Lord were usually speechless, and embarrassed themselves or terrified and wetting themselves. Both scenarios actually amused the Dark Lord to no end. Perhaps he had a chance with his angel after all, she had just helped the dark side, immensely at that. Hope began to really brew within him for the first time. He'd assumed that she would be forever beyond his reach, despite his hopeless delusions that he could have her. She was polar opposite from Bellatrix, yes, he'd heard she was 'loony' and all other variations of what people called her, but she was definitely different to Bellatrix and it made him want her all the more.

"Dobby?" Harry called out, commanding the House-elves presence without being a nasty shit about it, like the others all were.

"What can Dobby do for Master Harry?" his eyes brightening when he noticed Luna – Harry Potter's Loony as he liked to call her – he always helped take care of Master Harry's friends even if they – or Harry – didn't know about it. He owed his master everything after all, for saving him from the daily beatings and mental abuse the Malfoy's inflicted upon him. He didn't care what side his Master was on, even before he had the spells – quite willingly actually – placed upon him to ensure there was never any question of his loyalty.

"Dumbledore is currently staying above Hogshead pub, with his brother," Harry explained, ignoring the disgust coming from the Lestrange's at his casual way of speaking to Dobby. "He has a very dangerous potion that would cause a lot of trouble…that would harm me, I want you to find his room and bring back every single vial or goblet of potion you find. It needs to be destroyed, Dobby, as quickly as possible." If Dumbledore was arrested by the Aurors at Grimmauld Place then fine, it didn't make it any less urgent to see that potion destroyed. The last thing they needed was the Ministry getting their hands on such a horrific potion and imbibe it to others.

Once Dobby disappeared, Harry glanced up at Voldemort in silent query, a single nod was his answer. The Aurors had already been informed and were on their way to Grimmauld Place to deal with Dumbledore. Voldemort obviously had a way of communicating with the Death Eaters, since Lucius was already at the Ministry and presumably already informed the Aurors or subtly manipulated them into believing they had a sudden 'tip' from a source who wished to remain 'anonymous' out of fear of retaliation.

"Does your dad know where you are?" Harry asked, knowing that it would kill Xeno if he believed anything had happened to his daughter. She was all he had left in the world, and he adored the ground she walked on, he only needed to look at him to know that.

"He knows," Luna reassured him, seeing the cross look on Voldemort's face, "Or rather understands that I won't be back for a few days at least," she hadn't actually told him she was going to be in the Dark Lord Voldemort's manor. Her father probably wouldn't have let her leave if she told him that.

"I want to talk to Ms. Lovegood, alone," Voldemort demanded, telling them to get out of the room without saying the words.

Harry and Rodolphus opened their mouth to protest.

"Now," Voldemort added, not in the mood to listen to them protest against his decision, especially not in front of this newcomer, seer or not he demanded respect.

"Fine, I need to contact Sirius, I have to find out if Dumbledore has had access or not," Harry stated with a bite to his voice, clearly telling Voldemort he wasn't happy without so many words. "I'll be back in about ten-fifteen minutes," giving Voldemort a look that suggested she better be fine at the end of this and NOT in a cell along with Tonks. Or he would break her out and leave.

The second he, the Lestranges and Barty were out of the room, leaving Luna inside with Voldemort Harry rounded on Rodolphus. "You ever, ever do anything like that again and I swear I'll make what you did to the Longbottom's pale in comparison to what I have in mind for you. You'll be begging for death and I will never grant it. You could have gotten her killed! You still could!"

Rodolphus outwardly remained stoic despite the fact he was a quivering wreck inside. Being on Harry Potter's bad side was a very…ill-advised idea apparently. If there was any truth to Harry's potential place at the Dark Lord's side…it made him a threat that he had best not antagonise. He didn't want to test the theory on whether Harry was more important than him, that's for damn certain. He had reacted to the potential threat without truly thinking it through. His desire to protect Luna had superseded any logical thought on what bringing Luna here actually meant. "I…apologise," Rodolphus managed to get out through gritted teeth, a sign of weakness apologising, but he conceded naturally that he owed the boy it. "I will keep her safe," and he meant that, even if it meant with his life.

"Damn right you will," Harry spat, before he stalked off, fury exuding from every pore of his body.

Barty let out a breath, well, that had gone pear-shaped very quickly.

"You were right," Rodolphus told his brother, "Did you see the way he got away with asking questions?" none of them would have dared to do that, if anyone else had done it they'd have been cursed within seconds. The way he had looked at the Dark Lord spoke volumes too.

"He's been doing that since the beginning," Barty shrugged, "He holds no fear of the Dark Lord and I personally think he likes that," he finished wryly, his voice low just in case the Dark Lord could hear them, even if they could hear nothing coming from within the room. Hell he had guts to talk so casually with the Dark Lord at meal times, it had been quite hilarious to see everyone's reactions and indignation at what they felt was a slight and disrespect. The others just didn't get it. But they would. It would just take time.

That's if Luna's arrival and potential danger didn't send Harry disappearing for good.

"At least she's marginally safe," Barty offered, speaking mostly to himself, "I mean…a seer," he whispered almost reverently, prophets were dime a dozen, but seers were rarer. After seers were abducted and taken for powerful men wishing to know the future, and keep it themselves, the Ministry and Dark wizards included, seers never boasted about their abilities, they kept themselves hidden in plain sight. The fact Luna had revealed she was a seer to Voldemort…it spoke volumes, she had to trust what she'd seen in the future to have faith him. That got his blood pumping real good, between a seer, Harry Potter…the building blocks to them being successful was all laid out there for the world to see.

Rodolphus barely blinked at the reminder that the girl he was so enamoured with was a seer. Truthfully it didn't mean anything to him, other than attract him to her more. Seer or not, she was beautiful, beautiful enough to get any mans attention. Even dark and jaded ones like him, her delicate features and vulnerability made his stomach twist in knots. Every time he looked at her he just wanted to feel the softness of her skin with his rough calloused hands. His hands were right now sweaty, he didn't like the fact Luna was on her own with the Dark Lord…who could be doing anything to her. Luna hadn't been raised the way they were, she might not know what would set him off. The thought of her being cursed…and him being the inevitable cause of it caused the knots to fester further. Merlin help him, Harry was right to be furious…he shouldn't have brought her here. She was too bright and beautiful to see destroyed by this way of life. Even Lucius kept Narcissa as far away as possible, wishing to keep her out of this, all the while insisting 'that this was men's work' in order to defect from his real reason – concern.

For the first time Rodolphus was beginning to understand that sentiment.

"Sirius Black?" Harry called into the mirror as he paced back and forth, an impressive scowl on his face.

"What's wrong? Is everyone okay? Do you need help?" Sirius fired off the second he saw Harry's face, now that they were talking every day and visiting each other often, he liked to think he knew his godson well. The look on his face suggested something had gone wrong, had something happened at this birthday do he'd attended? "Harry, are you okay?" knowing it was actually best to ask after Harry, although he should have asked that first.

"Sirius, I need the truth from you, no matter what, can you do it?" Harry asked, the urge to get back to Luna and Voldemort was strong.

Sirius blinked, staring at Harry bewildered from the mirror, "Of course, I promise, what's wrong?" Sirius asked, well it seemed as though he was at least fine health wise, that was something at least.

"Can Dumbledore access Grimmauld Place?" Harry's voice was curt and demanding.

"No, no, definitely not, no," Sirius stated firmly, reassuring Harry, "Only me, you and Remus can go near that property, not that he and I ever do. You're welcome to it I've said it before. The goblins checked it thoroughly before the new spell was cast, it's safe as can be."

"Good," Harry sighed, at least there was not going to be any nasty surprises waiting for him inside.

"Why? Dumbledore shouldn't even remember where it is let alone anything else," Sirius asked, perplexed by Harry's attitude.

"Does that go for memories in a pensive?" Harry questioned mostly to himself.

Sirius' jaw opened and closed, "Um…" speechless, "I have no idea," could he have retained knowledge of Grimmauld Place through his use of a pensive? It seemed unlikely, but it was the most unlikely things that usually surprise the hell out of people. "He nearly caught you I assume?" Sirius asked, nostrils flaring, it was the only possible way Harry could have come to such a conclusion.

"Oh, yeah," Harry said dryly, along with Barty and the two male Lestranges, would have blown everything in their faces, just like the latest article had the Aurors going after Dumbledore and him escaping. It was becoming a clusterfuck of epic proportions. "Nearly, thankfully didn't see me though,"

Sirius closed his eyes in irritation, "Stay away or maybe just…use the Floo from now on," Sirius suggested, "He definitely can't get inside, you'll be safe with using the Floo." The last thing he wanted was his godson being forced to fight for the Order when it was more than clear he didn't want to fight. He blamed Dumbledore and the Order for things that he quite rightfully should. He had finally learned after spending time with his godson that he was his own man, he wasn't Lily or James, had no interest in fighting on either side of the war. If Harry had grown up with his parents, it would have been different.

"I'll definitely be doing that," Harry said in agreement, "Look I have to go, I'll call you tonight, same time!" promising to explain in other words.

"But you're safe though? If you need to, you know where Remus and I stay," Sirius said firmly, and it would protect him this place was under the Fidelius Charm too. Noticing Harry hadn't given away which one he intended to do, stay away or only use the Floo until Dumbledore was captured. Then again the Aurors hadn't been able to catch him, chances of them finding Dumbledore were rapidly declining every hour that passed. The sooner he was caught the easier he'd breathe. He was obviously worse than he could have expected, could do anything to Harry the thought of him being caught by the old man terrified him. And wasn't that strange? He would have thought that of Voldemort…but at least Voldemort only wanted to kill him…he had no idea what Dumbledore would do in the light of all these new truths regarding the old mans character come to light.

"Yeah, yeah I'm safe, I promise," Harry reassured him, "There's yours and Neville's place, all under the same charm, so I have plenty of places to go in order to keep safe if I need it." Which he didn't he just wanted to wipe the look of worry on Sirius' face. He didn't want Sirius beginning to ask him to come to live with him again. Now that had been awkward, and he didn't need a repeat, not when he had so much going on at the moment.

"Alright," Sirius conceded, having to bite his tongue and not beg Harry to stay with him, where he could see him, so he knew he was safe. He'd just have to contend with the conversations they have every night, which was better than they used to have before they grew closer. He'd like to think he was doing better at being a good man and a good godfather. "I'll hold you to that," he told his godson seriously.

Harry smiled, but it was rough around the edged, Sirius realized, he must have been terrified that Dumbledore would catch him. Had he been reading too much into the newspapers as well? Perhaps his speculation that Harry had something to do with it was wrong. Some of the information shared…quite frankly, was enough to have them wanting to question Harry. They didn't of course, the information contained within, was important to get out to the public if it was true – and they believed it was – after all Dumbledore had let him suffer in Azkaban for over a decade, twelve years of his life, a life he would never get back. No, Dumbledore deserved all the exposure he was receiving, and they could only hope that the bastard would pay for what he was doing.

Dumbledore was basically terrorising his godson, who had declared basically that he wanted nothing to do with the war. Yet he continued to hunt him down, worse still, tried to rope him and Remus into it as well. He'd never expected all this when he broke out of Azkaban, or finding out Dumbledore knew after the will reading. His family had warned him about how deceptive the light side was, how they wouldn't understand him. They'd been right, what a bloody fool.

"I have to go, talk tonight," Harry called before murmuring 'Deactivate' and flinging the mirror on the bed before vacating his room. pausing for a second before ensuring it was closed tightly and his wards were in full affect. He was not going to let Draco Malfoy near his stuff, and no doubt he knew which room he was in. He was close enough to see the room, and with his father being so high up the ranks, he could visit this area, and Harry wasn't risking that the bloody idiot could too.

Once it was secured, Harry bolted back down towards Voldemort's office, eager to see how the meeting had gone and make sure Luna wasn't hurt. He knew damn well, with experience, how quickly Voldemort got angry, and how painful the Cruciatus Curse was. He liked to think Voldemort would favour Luna in hopes of learning more, and treat her with greater respect than the normal Death Eaters. He could hope, but it was probably not accurate, it was nearly impossible to tell how Voldemort would react to something.

"Well?" Barty asked warily, as Harry approached, still looking very pissed off, Rodolphus should really avoid Harry for a few days.

"He can't access it, the Goblins helped," Harry sighed as he approached them, brushing his hand through his hair again, feeling anxious. Which sucked, it had been such a long time since he felt anxious here.

The three relaxed completely hearing that, the goblins didn't make mistakes, they took their reputation extremely seriously. So far, there had been absolutely zero complaints. Given how long Gringotts Goblins had been at it, it was a miracle, no matter how good a company is, there's always one or two complaints. If they didn't quite believe Sirius or Harry, they could believe the goblins.

"Quick question…is it possible to remember the impossible by using a pensive?" Harry asked them casually, leaning against the wall, a picture of nonchalance.

The Lestrange's and Barty blinked blankly at him before it was replaced with a thoughtful frown, it was a very good question…one they hadn't contemplated before. "You think that's how Dumbledore remembered the area?"

"It's just a thought," Harry replied, and he definitely wasn't going to be looking it up any time soon, he had enough on his plate as it was. His attempt at 'Nonchalance' deteriorated quickly, as he began to impatiently tap his foot. "I'm done," 'waiting' went unsaid as he stalked over to the door and opened it, he found Luna and Voldemort eyeing each other like predators, as if trying to win the upper hand over the other. "Any news?"

Annoyance flashed over Voldemort's face for a moment, but his eagle eyes caught the apprehension Harry was trying to hide. Interesting, he wasn't used to anything affecting Harry, yet this news apparently troubled him greatly. "There has been no news from Lucius yet, I believe he will head back as soon as he gets word to let me know." The connection didn't work both ways, he made demands of Lucius and that was that.

"Speaking of Lucius…tell him to get that spawn of his under control," Harry hissed out in annoyance.

Voldemort blinked in surprise at the abrupt change of subject, "And what exactly is young Malfoy doing to have your ire directed at him?"

"He's been following me, and it's beginning to get on my nerves," Harry revealed in aggravation. "If I catch him in the mood I'm in…" he gritted his teeth, well, Draco Malfoy would find himself in a world of hurt.

Luna sniggered, before her hand slapped over her mouth when she realized it had come out loud. "Nice to see some things never change, he best watch himself otherwise he'll end up like Marge did."

"Who's Marge?" Barty asked, always eager for information especially on Harry.

"Vernon Dursley's sister," Harry stated coolly, raising his hands in the air in defeat, seems like his conversation was over then.

Barty's eyes gleamed, "What happened to her?" whatever it was, he imagined it was well worth it.

"Actually…to this day I'm not exactly sure," Harry admitted as he slumped down in his usual seat, right next to Voldemort and across from Luna. "She just started to inflate, she was already a huge woman to begin with so it didn't take much to have her you know…floating up to the ceiling. Then like a balloon she began floating away. They managed to find her eventually and return her to normal though…minus the memories," which had irritated him, not that he'd shown that. He hated the woman with a fiery passion.

"Brilliant," Barty whistled, "Leave that on long enough they will explode, their internal organs pack in, damn, that's dark magic, wonder how they managed to keep that quiet."

"Too bad the Ministry was alerted the moment I used magic then," Harry said, almost sounding petulant.

Barty just grinned wickedly, as always Harry reminded him every day that he had a steel backbone, and he might not be like the others but he was still wickedly devious and dark as they came.

Rabastan grinned, seeing the Lestrange in Harry Potter-Black for the first time, well, if you exclude the duel he summarised internally.

Rodolphus smirked a little, respect once again pinging inside of him for harry, his emotions for the teen keep ping-balling back and forth. Of course, none of this concern showed on his face. He felt like a young teenager again, especially emotionally. More so when it came to Luna, she made him feel things he hadn't felt before. While it should scare the shit out of him…it didn't, only screwing up did.

"All of you, leave," Voldemort barked out, his annoyance obvious for all to see. "As for you, Harry, I expect you back here within the hour." He ordered.

Harry nodded, "Alright," taking Luna's elbow and guiding her out of the room, "Come on lets go,"

"She remains within the property," Voldemort demanded, his tone booking no arguments.

"I figured," Harry threw back, "See you later,"

The two Death Eaters just stared at the sigh of exasperation that left their Lord.

Barty left the room sniggering, it was now the second person who had left Lord Voldemort's office laughing, which is exactly what he did moments after stepping out, unaware that he could be heard.

There we go! The Next chapter...will I show the conversation between Luna and Voldemort or shall we keep that a mystery or see Harry and Luna discussing it in the next chapter? What exactly would they talk about? Voldemort subtly trying to dig and find out just how much she knows? Will Luna slowly begin to know more or will she know it all enough to hedge her bets? Will Rodolphus court Luna officially? over the course of the year? then if all goes well a year long engagement marrying when she's seventeen? Ugh the downside of her being so young...no confrontation yet ;) I'm still not sure whether to have the confrontation happen in front of the entire dark fraction or just the Death Eaters...what do you think? Read and Review please!