Embracing His True Self

Chapter 63

"Hey, Siri," Harry answered the call, surrounded by the books that he'd found pertaining to the potions that corrected mental states, all minor, but Harry was hopeful nonetheless. The mirror levitated with the aid of magic, allowing Harry his hands free to continue scribbling on the parchment he'd gotten from Severus earlier that night.

"Merlin's beard!" Sirius blurted out, "Remy! Come see! Our little Harrykins has a boyfrienddd!"

Harry blinked, glancing back up at the mirror, giving Sirius an indecipherable look.

"Spill all the details! Come on! have we met her?" Sirius said eager to know more.

"Or him," Remus gently reminded him with an amused look on his face. Giving Harry an apologetic look over Sirius' enthusiasm.

"Or him, yes, yes, so?" Sirius asked almost vibrating out of his system as he stared expectantly at his godson.

"You get nothing," Harry stated firmly, he wasn't about to tell Sirius he was dating Voldemort for Merlin's sake. It would probably get out one day, just like his allegiance and he knew he'd lose them both…why risk it happening earlier? No thank you, he'd rather keep them in his life as long as he could.

"What?" Sirius cried out in surprise, genuinely taken aback, "Why not? Did it end badly?" his tone sobering a little.

"No, nothing like that, I'm just not telling you," Harry stated firmly, before glancing down to find that Severus had changed things around, a new order for the ingredients to go in to maximise the effect and make it more potent. This was all sound theory, but they weren't exactly hopeful that it would work. Wanting something to work was completely different from the possibility of it working.

"Fine," Sirius pouted, "Can I get something at least?" trying to wheedle for information, looking proud as punch.

"Sirius," Remus reprimanded him gently, seeing Harry wasn't comfortable with this line of questioning.

"Ugh, come on, this is the first partner he's had! I want to know these things! I missed out on everything else!" Sirius complained.

"Emotional manipulation? Very Slytherin, Siri, admit it…the hat wanted to put you there didn't it?" Harry said grinning widely, almost proud of Sirius for using emotional manipulation, if it hadn't been against him he would have definitely been completely proud of him for it. Perhaps he and Sirius weren't so different after all.

"Nope," Sirius said smugly, "Barely had the hat on for a few moments before it shouted out Gryffindor, like your dad, and probably like yourself,"

"Took me ages to get sorted actually," Harry refuted that statement, he couldn't allow Sirius to live on with his delusions.

"Ravenclaw?" Remus guessed shrewdly, considering how Harry was always surrounded by books, it honestly wouldn't surprise Remus at all.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Boring!"

"No it was stuck between Slytherin and Gryffindor actually," Harry explained, shrugging his shoulders as if their responses didn't matter to him.

"Bloody Slytherin?!..." Sirius swore with a grimace on his face. "OUCH! Remus!" Sirius grumbled rubbing his shoulders were Remus had pressed down hard, preventing him from continuing on that statement.

"Yes, Slytherin," Harry said simply, "The House Dorea Black was from, the woman who took you in after your family disowned you. The House Merlin himself was sorted into during his time at Hogwarts. The House I nearly got sorted into…and if I hadn't met Ron or Hagrid I would have gladly gone into Slytherin because the entire time I WAS TERRIFIED I'D BE SENT BACK TO THE DURSLEY'S AND THAT IT HAD BEEN A MISTAKE!" unable to believe the sheer nerve of Sirius, he liked him, part of him loved him a bit, but his prejudice was fucking awful, no downright disgusting. "Let's not forget it was a fucking Gryffindor who betrayed your best friends to begin with! Grow the bloody hell up!"

Remus' eyes were wide with astonishment by the end of Harry's rant, while Sirius curled up on himself trying to make himself smaller. Face flushed red in humiliation and embarrassment, once again the fact he just didn't think before speaking had caused him yet more grief than Sirius knew what to do with.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Sirius said quietly, contrition eating him whole. "I didn't really mean it," he offered up as if it made everything he'd said at the heat of the moment suddenly alright and water under the bridge and all that.

"Doesn't make it alright," Harry said exasperated, "I thought the potion was supposed to help with this?"

"Oh, believe me, the potion did work wonders…Sirius has always been like this, impulsive and thoughtless." Remus said, thinking of the time where Sirius had very nearly gotten himself and Severus killed with his stupid thoughtfulness antics.

Sirius scowled at being spoken to like he wasn't even there like he was a kid.

"How often are you his minder instead of partner?" Harry asked, with a new sudden understanding of Remus he didn't have before.

Sirius steadily begun to get redder in the face at them talking about him like he wasn't there.

"Sometimes…" Remus said, glancing at Sirius, before being honest, "Too often,"

The anger Sirius felt burst like a balloon, guilt and shame coursing through him.

"Can't be easy especially with everyone just assuming you need to do it, that you're expected to do it," Harry said quietly, a grimace on his own face, he was beginning to understand why Remus had been sent to Hogwarts that year when it so oddly coincided with Sirius ending up escaping Azkaban. Remus was the only one who could control Sirius. Or so they believed. everyone could be impulsive, but Sirius took it to a whole new extreme. "He's better off than some of the Black's," Narcissa and Andromeda seem to be the most normal…at least in public at any rate…whether their partners had to control any impulsivity from them was anyone's guess.

Bested only by Bellatrix.

"I am sitting right here," Sirius managed to get out through gritted teeth highly unimpressed.

"Think before you speak, Sirius, please, before you say something you can't take back." Harry said softly, he cared about Sirius in his own way, wanted him in his life. "It's not the first time you've done it either." He pointed out sombrely, he'd almost destroyed any chance of a relationship with him a few times.

"I'll try," Sirius promised sincerely, but whether he could live up to it…even he didn't know.

"That's all I can ask," Harry said, smiling in commiserations. "So, what have you been up to? Still planning on going on holiday?"

"Yes, we…thought about doing a cruise?" Sirius said, it was more of a question than an answer.

Harry had been encouraging them to go out of the country, to forget the war, to have a holiday. Being stuck in the same house all the time, just waiting for something bad to happen was…not good for either of them. Somewhere they could enjoy some fun and sun, all those years in Azkaban he had missed out on a lot of things.

"We've narrowed it down to a six month round the world holiday or backpacking a few countries we like the sound of." Remus said, sounding very excited, the thought of getting out of the UK and exploring – all the while remaining safe in the trunk with Sirius during the full moon – it was…exciting to say the least. "We don't know about the six months thing though…it's a bit too long…what if something happens?"

"Something is always going to happen, Remus, welcome to the world," Harry said dryly, "It's just how things are. Being here…isn't going to change the outcome, go the six month holiday if that's really what you want to do. Everything you did once you were out of Hogwarts…and the struggle to survive the past decade…you deserve it."

It was clear they were struggling with their own conscience.

"Plus, if anything really did happen…I mean you're just a portkey away, a few minutes is all it would take to return." Harry pointed out, which unconsciously made the two relax, it was clear to see they did want to go but were so worried. "You should go, and we will still keep in touch every day…we just need a set decent time to talk depending on the country you're in." he further pointed out.

"What do you think, Siri?" Remus asked, glancing at his partner, he loved him despite his impulse issues. He always had, there had never been anyone else for him, and despite him grumblings he and his wolf (whether he agreed with it or not) loved having someone to take care of in his little pack.

"Every day?" Sirius asked, sounding contemplative.

"Yeah, every day, and you have to send me stuff from where you are," he added, with mock seriousness, grinning widely. Less chance of them being manipulated back into the fold of the Order if they were out of the country. "And don't tell anyone else where you're going, safer that way." Not above manipulating in order to make sure the Order didn't get a bloody clue and try to track them down. "That way we can play a game of guess where you are," yep, definitely manipulating them, as Harry feigned enthusiasm over a non-existent game.

"How about you come with us? You can bring your partner?" Sirius asked, eyes wide and hopeful, soulful.

"We…aren't serious right now, Siri," Harry explained patiently, "Plus, if word got out about us dating…they'd never leave him alone. I want to make sure that this is the life he wants before well…everything…" ironically enough he was telling the truth…to an extent, wouldn't be his fault that they'd assume he was talking about the press. It's the Order and Dumbledore's fanatics that definitely wouldn't leave them alone. The thought of the press approaching Voldemort was a very hilarious sight to behold in his mind.

"If you're sure?" Sirius said, leaving it open for him to change his mind.

"I am, going on holiday with someone says a lot when it comes to partnerships, and we aren't there yet," Harry said firmly, making it clear he wouldn't change his mind. "So, get booking that holiday and get the stuff you need and go, have a blast, you both deserve it." technically he would be financing it, since he had control of the Black estate, despite the fact his godfather was the last male heir, the eldest son of Orion Black, the previous Lord Black of the Estate. Although he had made sure that they both had enough money to be comfortable for a few lifetimes. Sirius had been cut off, living off money from his Uncle, but it had been topped up with his old trust fund thanks to Harry, which had in itself got a lot of interest, and of course, more that Harry had decided to add. He couldn't touch it anymore, it legally and rightfully belonged to Sirius, with Remus being allowed entry into the vault, as his partner.

"Okay," Sirius said, grey eyes filled with excitement. "Okay, we'll go,"

"Good," Harry said, "Did you find the books you wanted, Remus?" they spoke every day, about absolutely anything that caught their fancy. Never for too long though, twenty to thirty minutes maximum. Only because it was usually late at night, and Remus and Sirius weren't as young as they used to be and are normally tired by then. Harry is usually busy trying to multitask on a few things.

"No, Flourish and Blot's offered their services in tracking it down…but the prices are extortionate." Remus shook his head, bemused, he hadn't realized Harry had heard him, when he spoke about it.

"Ever thought of going to the bookstores in Muggle London?" Harry suggested, "They have entire sections dedicated to magic, there have been a few brilliant books for the next to nothing… admittedly they were copies of the originals,"

"You go to Muggle London?" Remus wasn't sure why he was surprised, he had to get the books he reads from somewhere. He'd assumed he just went to Flourish and Blots, it was the most popular place to get anything and everything.

"Yeah, quite a lot actually, not just for Magical books either," Harry explained, shrugging his shoulders, and he went with Barty, he refrained from adding that part. They would most likely end up having a heart attack, if they knew that. Glancing at his door when he heard slight creaking, but paid no mind, they knew better than to interrupt his conversations with Sirius by now.

"Well, if we're going on holiday I should pick a few books…I'll have a browse," Remus nodded, he always loved browsing for books. Normally in the libraries because he couldn't afford to buy new books often. Things had changed, for both him and Sirius, so he could now afford to buy a few books.

"You definitely should," Harry said enthusiastically, smiling at Luna as she plonked herself down on his bed. "Hey, Sirius, Hey Professor Lupin!" she said cheerfully. Rodolphus remained at the doorway, not wishing to intrude in Harry's room and also aware that Black and Lupin were to remain ignorant of Harry's true…loyalty.

"Hi, Luna," Sirius said, while Remus said, "It's Remus, please, I'm no longer your professor."

"Remus then," Luna said, looking as pleased as could be. "I hope you have fun on your holiday, best make sure you make everything waterproof,"

Remus and Sirius didn't blink, assuming Luna had been listening in on their conversation from the other side of the room the entire time. They didn't think for a moment that Luna was anything remotely resembling clairvoyant.

"Of course," Remus murmured amused, lips twitching, he'd always found Luna quite…strange but a lovely girl nonetheless.

"Okay, I best get going, I want to focus on this, talk to you both tomorrow alright?" Harry said, grateful for the excuse to get away.

Sirius and Remus gave their own goodbye's before Harry gratefully deactivated the mirror.

"Bloody Black's honestly, preserving the bloodline my ass!" Harry huffed out, "All it created was complete and utter chaotic out of control wizards and witches!" it was a stark contrast really, when Severus found out he'd given him a talk and made sure it was what he wanted…while Sirius was just nosy and wanted information…honestly, they were the same age and the contrast was as clear as night and day. It just went to show that even if Sirius had been free to take him in…he was clearly in no shape to look after him and be a parental figure. It's like Sirius just wanted a friend…maybe even James back in his life in some form. It was disheartening really.

"You're related to both," Rodolphus pointed out, arms crossed as he observed the pair from the doorway.

"Yes, but the infusion of my mothers blood probably stopped me being royally screwed both magically and mentally." Harry snorted, shaking off his thoughts of Remus and Sirius, "Either that or the Potter blood…" and he truly believed that, the old families had realized that probably too late, or the lack of suitable partners they let their kids choose and boom a bloom of kids that weren't mentally unstable. Didn't always work that way he knew, but it was just a matter of what gene won out.

"You can come in you know, I don't bite," Harry grinned almost ferally at Rodolphus. "But she might," gesturing towards Nagini who was making her way towards the bedroom.

Rodolphus froze immediately, barely daring to breathe as Nagini approached him, she totally ignored him and made her way into Harry's bedroom. A broken choked wheeze left Rodolphus at having the vicious snake anywhere near Luna's vicinity. Nagini and Harry had a short conversation before Nagini quietened down.

"Not fond of snakes?" Harry asked innocently, barely wincing at Luna's punch to the arm, which seemed to alarm Rodolphus more, honestly the guy looked ready to pass out.

"Not after seeing her eat someone whole," Rodolphus admitted, yes it had been a traitor, he hadn't cared about the idiot but the sight had been rather disgusting.

"She has?" Harry asked, eager to know more.

"You'll probably see for yourself some time," Rodolphus grimaced.

"Would have liked to have seen Pettigrew being chewed out," Harry said his eyes lighting up with savage glee.

Rodolphus snorted, he'd never particularly liked Pettigrew, he was a coward through and through. It also irked him that Pettigrew of all people were more…capable than him for a while, able to do things while he was unable to help his lord in any way after being released from Azkaban.

"And you think we're the mad ones?" he added wryly, entering the room and sitting down on the chair closest to the door as he often did. Keeping an eye on Nagini who had just curled up in the corner of Harry's room contently.

"Meh, nurture versus nature, did I start out innocent or was I always going to be a vindictive little shit?" Harry shrugged, he didn't think he was mad, but those that were never did now did they?

"You busy?" Luna asked, glancing down at the books, and paperwork strewn across the bed.

"I was, but I keep getting interrupted," Harry teased her, "Anyway, what's up?"

"I'm surprised you're still in this room," Luna commented, ignoring his question for now, "Don't you have somewhere else to move to?"

Rodolphus groaned, hiding his face with his hand, Merlin help him, women were more trouble than they were worth…why did he want to go through it again? He wondered, but the joy Luna gave him definitely was worth any trouble she caused…which wasn't any really.

"Even if I did I'd probably turn this room into a sanctuary or an office of sorts," Harry said thoughtfully, but he didn't see anything like him moving into Voldemorts rooms any time soon. Nobody as far as he was aware was even allowed in there, well…except him, but they'd been rather busy…and not exactly sleeping. He wasn't going to presume anything, he was interested in seeing where it was going, but that's not to say they were going to be going steady or anything. "Plus, it might not be something long term."

Rodolphus barely refrained from snorting, that was definitely a load of nonsense. He'd never seen the Dark Lord look at any of his conquests the way he looked at Harry. Not to forget the fact he never publicly claimed them, declared them off-limits to any wandering eyes. Merlin help anyone who did try…for nobody else would help them.

"Have you been to see her yet?" Harry asked, shovelling his books around, until he found the one he wanted to read next.

"I'm going with the Dark Lord when he has a moment," Rodolphus explained, not needing Harry to elaborate on who 'she' was.

"Rather you than me," Harry said wryly, stretching out with a groan, he'd been sitting basically in the same position for hours, and he ached.

"You're missing Tarek Gladstone's book Mind and Matter matter," Luna commented idly, blue eyes gleaming. "You'll need to go to Knockturn Alley, it's the only place that has a copy left, it's in a drawer with the Lestrange coat of arms."

Rodolphus sat up an indignant look on his face, they did not just give away their property. There had only been one time things went missing actually, just before they were arrested actually. They had a warrant to search the property, which they had done, in the ensuing chaos his father hadn't realized what had gone missing or when it had occurred leaving him unable to mount an adequate defence against the Aurors who'd dare steal from him. gritting his teeth, eyes flashing furiously, "Is it a dark oak bureau?"

"Yes, the main part can't be opened, it's why they sold it for the next of nothing," Luna said, eyes slightly glazed as she spoke. "Stealing while on the job, disgusting really," and it wasn't due to the fact it was Lestrange property, her partners property, it was anyone rifling through someone's private property only to deal a priceless heirloom in change. Which probably originally cost more than Auror's make in five years.

"If that's true then it's a the height of irony that the book your father was reading when you were arrested…is the book that could right that wrong." Harry snorted, Borgin and Burkes was open late, he could actually wait until later tonight to get it.

Rodolphus curled his lip into a sneer, before the look was wiped off his face when realization dawned exactly who he was sneering at. He would need to have more care, if he did that in the presence of the Dark Lord…or Harry when he realized his place well, he'd find himself in a world of pain. Yes, he'd tortured the Longbottom's, yes he regretted it, regretted getting caught and wasting his time, after all they hadn't known anything, it had been a waste of time. "The Dark Lord will not approve of this," he warned them, belatedly realizing what on earth the pair of them were implying.

"You have a lot of faith in my if you think it will actually happen, I'm not sure how to feel about that…" Harry said wryly, before Rodolphus changed his hair blonde briefly, as if to silently prove a point. "Point well made," he conceded, with a rueful grin. He wasn't above acknowledging his own accomplishments, he wasn't someone who acted all bashful over his accomplishments. He acknowledged them after working long and hard on them. "Wasn't just me though, if Sev hadn't helped I'm not sure you'd have that potion quite yet." oh, he knew it would have dawned on him at some point, just not so quickly.

"You are brazen I'll give you that," Rodolphus conceded, with a quirk of his lips, but the fact he acknowledged everyone else's part in the potion spoke of confidence and understanding of his own limitations.

Harry merely shrugged his shoulders, "How about putting it to good use and coming with us?"

Rodolphus stiffened, "You wish to go out there? With Luna?" then damn right he was going to come with.

"She isn't in any danger," Harry pointed out seriously, "If anything they'd come after me," referring of course, to the Order and Dumbledore if they ever managed to corner him, but he was too careful for that.

"No, they'd use her to get to you," Rodolphus argued, and despite Harry's Slytherin tendencies, he knew that Harry would do anything for Luna. The Order still believed Harry would sacrifice himself for everyone no doubt, which included Luna and his so called 'friends'. The chance of them being utterly unaware of Harry's shift in loyalty was…ludicrous.

"Look, we're only going to Knockturn Alley, we will be all of fifteen minutes…and it would take that long for them to get to wherever the hell Dumbledore is…and the chance of more than one of them being in the area would be more than bad luck." Harry argued, he understood Rodolphus' worry, to a point, but he wasn't going to begin stopping Luna from doing whatever she wanted. It wasn't a good thing in a relationship, whether he was old fashioned or not.

Without another word, Rodolphus' features began to change, he became less…thin, but no means overweight. His hair became blonde, his features more angular, younger, almost childish none of his 'pureblood' features could be seen. He looked like an unassuming Muggle-born child and he did it very well with grace.

"I always thought it would be difficult to work with the Metamorphamagus abilities," Harry said, impressed despite himself, that was…a smooth transition. "I was led to believe it would take months if not years to gain control…can you keep the shift for long?" which is exactly what it was, he had shifted forms to one that wasn't his own.

"I kept one for two hours but then I shifted back," Rodolphus said smugly, and he had a right to be, he had the best control over his new abilities, his brother could only keep it going for half an hour before he slipped up.

"So you actually use magic to keep it up, I summarise once your health if completely reformed that it will be as easy as breathing." Harry nodded, as always fascinated about everything that was remotely magical. "I wonder if that's even remotely true…who's the most magically weak of all of you?"

"None of us are magically weak," Rodolphus declared with a vicious intensity that showed he hadn't even thought of an answer before answering.

Harry just gave him a flat unimpressed look. "Out of everyone that you know who has taken the potion…is the least magically proficient?" he repeated himself.

"I'll be right back," Luna climbed back off the bed, flouncing out of the room.

"One of the Crabbe's or Goyle's," Rodolphus conceded, with a scowl on his face.

"Your new face doesn't suit that look…nor does it look particularly threatening," Harry teased him, getting up himself, and rummaging in his trunk until he found what he wanted, his galleon bag.

Rodolphus watched the teen, he could see why Barty would like him so much. It wasn't often they were teased good naturally, everyone was too terrified of their reputation and position in the Dark Lord's army to even think of it. Bellatrix had made sure that they were never spoken to really, going off on the deep end if anyone did, and it just got to the point where everyone avoided them. They built up a camaraderie between the three of them, Barty and his brother and him.

He had gotten so defensive that he didn't know whether it was well meant or being sarcastic some of the time. He wanted to change that, even if he didn't know how…although, he had a feeling Luna would make it so. At least with Harry, Luna was good friends with him after all and Barty too.

"Let's go!" Harry said, almost rubbing his hands together gleefully, like with all things, when he had a way to get his own way he felt a sense of accomplishment. This was something he was doing, something he could do. Dumbledore had tried to snuff that independence from him, but in the process had just made him even more independent but hidden it from the old fool. To think of all the ways he could have changed the magical world already actually hurt a little that his accomplishments were hidden.

Severus had done the same thing as him, but for different reasons.

"You really should inform the Dark Lord what you intend to do," Rodolphus said quietly, giving him advice instead of demanding he do so. It was an odd feeling in doing so, but judging by the way Harry looked at him, he was actually thinking about it.

"You honestly think he doesn't know already?" Harry asked wryly, "He's read everything in my Grimoire, Rod, and he's probably already corrected a dozen of my spells and potions, maybe even this one, who knows?" and Voldemort wouldn't bloody correct them, not unless it benefited himself.

"Oh," Rodolphus murmured, feeling slightly foolish, those thoughts were abruptly halted as Luna came back into the room, ready for her trip outside. "Ready to go?" checking to make sure his wand was on his person and his Gringotts key was there. It was something he kept upon his person at all times, his key, money and his wand. Three of the most important items one ever carried upon them. He was getting that damn piece of furniture back even if he had to kill the shit that bought it in the first place.

"Come on then, don't want to be absent when Voldemort wants you," Harry said, as the three de-parted from the manor, making a quick run to B&B, Borgin and Burkes.

Half an hour later

"I don't think I've seen anyone alive pale so much and still be breathing," Harry commented, amusement coating his voice. "Like seriously, vampires have more colour in them."

"He should have known better than to buy things belonging to my family and then expect us to pay for stolen items." Rodolphus hissed, still furious over his audacity. He'd been so enraged that he'd turned back to himself, and coolly informed the owner what he would do to him in great detail if he didn't get his possessions back. He'd lost control over himself, it wasn't a side he'd ever wanted Luna to see.

"It's beautiful," Harry admitted, admiring it, "You don't these sort of things nowadays," everyone has mass designed items for their house, it was cheaper. He knew this thing had probably been hand carved, or magically hand carved, either one had a lot of time and effort put into it.

"You've probably got dozens of them stashed away in the Potter-Black vaults and properties." Rodolphus scoffed, but he was warmed that he liked it, Harry's attention was solely focused on the coat of arms that had been painstakingly carved into it. As of right now, Harry was probably one of the closest people with Lestrange blood…if anything happened to him and his brothers, Harry could fight for the Lestrange Estate and more than likely win.

"Probably," Harry said, "Most of all I've seen was just stuff salvaged from Godric's Hollow, which wasn't much, I've been told that Muggles and Wizards alike descended on the property and stole what they could." His tone cold and harsh, if he ever came across anyone that did that…he would kill them.

Rodolphus grimaced, "A trophy, no doubt," even they didn't steal items when they went out on raids, it was a disgrace really.

"Probably," stealing stuff from where Voldemort was defeated, as if it was some sort of game.

"Do you even know how to open it?" Harry asked after a few moments silence, he wanted the book, everything else Rodolphus could take with him, he didn't really care. Or, if they protested, a copy of the book then everything could go with them.

Rodolphus just gave him an inscrutable look, turning towards the furniture and the latch opened a few seconds later. "My father will want this back," Rodolphus declared, as he imperiously handed it over. He scowled at the sight of the important bank documents someone could have got their hands on Admittedly they were old, a decade old now, but it was still vexing.

"Older than I thought it would be," Harry admitted, opening the front page delicately, it was an old book, but not too old that the science behind it would be difficult to understand. Now those kinds of books were utterly annoying to try to read. "I'll just make a copy," and that's exactly what he did, the book was old enough that Harry was able to do so without having to circumvent the spell that prevents copies being made of it. Which wasn't easily done, but with enough magic…anything was possible. "Thanks Luna," he commented, as he handed the real book to Rodolphus. No doubt the guy was going to be returning it to Lestrange manor where it belongs.

"My Lord," Rodolphus inclined his head, giving his Lord the proper respect.

Voldemort nodded, giving a curious look at the furniture in the middle of the room. Then a quick look at the book, the copy and then Harry with an arched brow. Harry just grinned a smidge cheekily at him. "Rodolphus, Harry, follow me," was all he had to say.

"Me? Why? I really couldn't care less about seeing Bellatrix…and if you want to talk to her, you really should leave me behind." Harry said, she'd be absolutely pissed at him, and honestly, Harry didn't blame her.

Rodolphus bit his tongue, the urge to deride Harry for his defiance was strong, yet he knew out of them both, only Harry could get away with such blatant display of questioning the Dark Lord. Even if he was making a certain amount of sense.

"I wish for your opinion, now come, let us go," Voldemort commanded, it was time to get Bellatrix situated into her new…accommodations until something better could be opened to her, such as St. Mungo's when the war is won. "Miss Lovegood," he gave her a nod of acknowledgement, which made Rodolphus' eyes widen in astonishment, he rarely acknowledged anyone that wasn't in his direct sight for plans, best you'd be able to hope for was being ignored.

Even Bellatrix hasn't been acknowledged unless he had a need for her.

Rodolphus, still startled made his way out of the bedroom, Harry just chuckled as he made his way out of the room too. "Close the door behind you if you leave," he reminded her, he didn't want anyone managing to get into his room, especially if nobody was there. Years of no bedroom, no privacy – with the Dursley's just bursting into his locked from the outside room – you're damn right he preferred his sanctuary to remain just that.

With that Harry followed both wizards out of the manor and onto the grounds, their pace brisk and didn't falter once. Those that saw them made quick work of avoiding them or giving reverence to the Dark Lord.

Eventually they rounded yet another load of shrubbery to be met with a grand sight.

"Whoa," Harry muttered, eyes wide slightly impressed, "This was all made within a few hours?"

Voldemort smirked smugly, "It was indeed," he agreed.

"Bloody hell," he said whistling in admiration.

Ugh the muses for this story keep getting away from me! BUT seeing as the muse is still strong for this one...I'm going to keep going along with it! :) I hope you don't mind and I know you're all probably looking forward to the trial but I'd like to keep this up, with Harry and Voldemort getting to know each other better and then of course...the trial ;) the question is will Harry and Voldemort reveal themselves to Dumbledore? or will we wait until the very end of the story where he's never going to be a problem again? Will we see a Bellatrix who comes to accept her life or will she end up dead by the end of the story? will the lack of magic actually calm her down? R&R please!