Embracing His True Self

Chapter 64

Harry trudged back into the manor with Rodolphus, Grant and Voldemort, grateful to be back. They'd just visited Bellatrix Lestrange, well, Bellatrix actually, since she was no longer a Black or a Lestrange. She was a nameless woman, which was lesser than a squib in magical society, which she was even lesser now. "Well, I'm glad that's over with," he said with a groan, as he sat himself down on the chair in the dining hall in order to eat.

"I did not think it was possible for her mind to decline so readily," Grant admitted, joining them, a perturbed look upon his face.

"It's not, not really, she's just lost her magic, she's going to be that way until she calms down." Harry sighed, putting a healthy portion onto his plate. "Which might not be ever, its…just that you're getting to see what was there all along. I mean seriously…is there any difference in her since the last time you saw her?"

Grant paused in plating food for himself, a thoughtfully look adorning his features, "I do believe it's very similar, I'd be hard pressed to find any differences." He conceded.

"And Rodolphus, any difference from what you're used to enduring when she was your wife?" Harry gave him a wry look.

Rodolphus' head snapped up, swallowing down his food looking a bit pained. Whether it was the food or the conversation, Harry honestly wasn't sure. Voldemort himself was leaning back listening to the conversation pensively. He'd taught Bellatrix for years, while she'd been adoring and excitable and desperate to prove herself…he had never truly seen a side to her that seems so apparent to everyone else around her. Had the Horcruxes made him ignore what was in front of him? And yes, she'd been a little spacy and out of it when he interacted with her after he got them out of Azkaban…but he'd never seen her so rabid as he had just experienced right now…was that what the Lestrange's had been forced to deal with?

"She had…episodes like that yes, it was…difficult to reign her in. We learned over the years how best to deal with her." Rodolphus explained, wary and caution exuding from him, due to worry that the Dark Lord would be upset with him. If he hadn't been aware of the changes in his Lord, he would have been downright petrified and refusing to answer. They didn't know what had caused the turnaround…but they knew it had something to do with Harry and they were all grateful to him for it. Well, most of them, there were others who didn't like the thought of 'Muggle-born filth actually coming from their disgusting squibs who had been cast out instead of being killed' their own words not his.

"In other words you went along with her crazy schemes but made sure she didn't go too far. Which led you to end up at Longbottom Manor." Harry pointed out with his knife, before cutting up a piece of succulent beef, already planning on eating more, it was lovely. Then again all food that came from the Dark Lord's stores was the best he'd ever tried.

Rodolphus winced, hating how well Harry could read him, it was obscene really, "Yes," he agreed, it made him wonder just how the hell the boy was so…smart and how he figured everything out. It truly was obscene, and he wished he could be annoyed with the fact that everything he and his father and brother had done to hide Bellatrix instability was coming to light. It was an embarrassment, but at least it was no longer the Lestrange name, he had no obligation to her whatsoever. He was finally free.

"How long will the sedation spell hold?" Voldemort asked of Grant, reeling over everything he'd learned. Perhaps it would have been kinder to have her put down, the Black family madness seemed to have hit her the hardest. The Black family madness, it had never been uttered by anyone in pureblood society, at least the dark faction. The light faction was a different thing altogether, they constantly brought it up, used it to explain why the Black's were all insane. Due to the fact they just didn't understand that it was marrying your own family repeatedly that caused the insanity.

"At least twelve hours, perhaps longer without magic to fight it off," Grant informed him promptly, "I think perhaps for her safety she should be put on a potion treatment."

"Like those in St. Mungo's," Rodolphus murmured, not sure what to think of that. During their most desperate moments, Rodolphus actually considered prescribing them. Unfortunately, it would have made her docile, unable to use magic, and absolutely no good to the Dark Lord. So, inevitably the idea was nixed.

"It's probably for the best if you want her to live Rod, despite the fact there's nothing in the cabin she could use to hurt herself or others…desperate people find a way, she'd find a way." Harry explained without an ounce of guilt. She'd tried to hurt Rodolphus and Luna, inevitably hurt him, so hell if he would feel guilt for anything that comes her way.

"I know," Rodolphus admitted, was it better than being killed? Probably not, Bellatrix would probably prefer death…but he honestly didn't want to see her killed. He didn't love her, never had, loved the idea of her perhaps in the very beginning. She was a beautiful woman, dark enough to suit his tastes, or so he thought, enamoured with the dark side like he, and also became a Death Eater too. Not many witches had done so, been able to impress the Dark Lord. Then came the obsession, and frankly, he'd been so very tired before Azkaban and it had been worse when they were released albeit illegally. Then Harry had given him his freedom from her, but he still, despite the damage and danger she posed, couldn't wish her dead.

"Get Severus to brew enough for a month and make it a standing order," Voldemort informed Grant, "Narcissa cannot visit her sister until she's under control. Is that understood?" knowing Grant and a few House-elves would be looking after Bellatrix, mostly the House-elves, who would be giving her the potions to ensure she didn't act up.

"I shall inform them, My Lord," Grant dipped his head in understanding of his new orders and respect.

"Good," Voldemort stated firmly, considering the matter resolved.

"Hey," Luna said cheerfully, as she entered the dinning room, "All done?" she asked, referring to the visit to Bellatrix, as she took a seat next to Rodolphus, who unconsciously relaxed at her being here, at being safe and sound.

"Indeed," Voldemort said sardonically, not used to anyone being cheerful in his presence and truly not sure how to process it at all. Luna Lovegood was an odd one for sure, but she was also a hidden gem, a seer that had chosen a side…well, such things rarely happened and Voldemort wasn't one for looking a gifted horse in the mouth. Oh, he knew why she was there, and it wasn't anything to do with him, it was Harry. Merlin, he was so grateful he had decided against killing him. For more than one reason now. A wry smirk appeared on his features.

"Oh, it looks like Sirius and Remus have paid for their holiday," Luna said absently, "It was a good thing you did send them away. They would have been caught in the crossfire."

Harry straightened up, eyes narrowing thoughtfully, "What crossfire?" was the first thing he asked, he was glad Sirius and Remus would be away to avoid whatever conflict they'd end up in by accident. He would miss them, but he knew given time he would lose them anyway, they'd never tolerate him knowing he'd joined his 'parents killer' no matter what or why he did. Let's not forget that they might find out that he and Voldemort had…something going on. He couldn't say he had slept with him yet, but it was only a matter of time.

"St. Mungo's, they find out you will be there," Luna said, head cocked to the side, as she saw the future. It was still freaky as hell when it happened, she was used to it only happening when asleep. Until that day where she saw a lot of the future while awake. Her abilities were advancing, so much so that it did worry her constantly.

Rodolphus grabbed a hold of Luna when she swayed a little, he'd never seen her 'see' anything before. He catalogued everything he was seeing. Her swaying, her glazed eyes, her drooped relaxed posture, mentally putting it away so if it happened he would know and understand what was happening. He'd find out what she would prefer him to do if such an instance happened again.

"The Order…" Harry nodded thoughtfully, and no doubt Voldemort would send the Death Eaters to fight, and knowing Remus and Sirius…despite not being Order members anymore, would see it as their duty to help. Especially if it involved him, yes, he was grateful he'd managed to convince them to leave. "The potion definitely works within the next six months then." since he assumed that's how long Sirius and Remus were going for.

"Potion?" Voldemort asked with deceptive mildness, watching Luna with rapid fascination, much like Rodolphus gazed at her with awe.

"A potion to correct the long term exposure to the Cruciatus curse," Rodolphus was quick to state.

Harry just smirked at Rodolphus, he sounded like a brother trying to get his sibling into trouble and deflect attention from himself.

"You've figured it out?" Voldemort asked slightly impressed, "How long have you been working on it?" it had taken him a considerable amount of time.

"I had help," Harry conceded bemused, "So you could say I cheated, it hasn't been done yet." he hadn't had a chance to look over the book. He would have obviously succeeded on his own at some point, so that made it less of a cheat in his book.

"You're alright with this, My Lord?" Rodolphus asked, mouth slightly open, surprised.

Harry rolled his eyes, "It's not like I'd let the Longbottoms be a threat," he groused, "I think that I'd have them leave the United Kingdom, go to Australia or something like that. Augusta would do anything to have her son back, even if it meant leaving Britain. A fresh start for all of them, they'd need it I think, being attacked so ferociously in their own home…they'll be grateful for it."

"And Neville?" Rodolphus questioned caught of guard that Harry was even planning on shipping the Longbottoms far away. as far as he was aware the boy was actually a friend of Harry's wasn't he? Of both Luna and Harry come to that.

Harry gave Rodolphus a blank look, "Do you honestly think our friendships' to Neville will survive this being found out?" disbelief in his tone. "No, it won't neither Luna or I have a hope in hell of maintaining a friendship with Neville and we get it, we're going in eyes wide open, hell I actually became friends with him knowing it wouldn't last."

Luna just smiled sadly, "Not all hope is lost," in that mysterious way she has.

Voldemort barely refrained from rolling his eyes at the conversation taking place in front of him. He didn't care for the banality of their lives, it held no interest to him whatsoever. Although, if he ever became a danger to those he considered his, and Luna and Harry were his, even if in different ways, he would end the Longbottoms where they stand, regardless of whether they approve or not. It was his prerogative to protect them.

"How are you going to get them to leave? They're a noble house, they've always been in England, it's something they are proud of." Rodolphus said thoughtfully.

"Wait, that's what this noble stuff comes from? So long in the UK?" Harry asked, surprised by that statement.

"Yes," Rodolphus nodded curtly, as always happy to educate. "We aren't a noble house, a few more generations and we would be eligible for it. I believe the Malfoy's are closer to that, Draco Malfoy's son would be part of a 'noble' house,"

"I never thought of why some have noble on them, I just assumed it was because they were 'pure' or something," Harry muttered shaking his head in silent exasperation at himself. "So the Black's have always been in Britain," good to know, it does explain why the Lestranges and the Malfoy's and all the others weren't noble lines. He'd truly never thought of it, of why the 'noble house of Black' was so proud of their name.

"A Lot of those lines have died out, or ended up with different names due to only birthing witches," Rodolphus continued to explain. "Most witches only ever have one heir and a spare, and they need at least three to give the third the name of the witches family."

"Not the 'spare'?" Harry asked doubtfully, frowning, that made absolutely no sense to him, unimpressed with calling a child a 'spare' it was entirely distasteful.

"Most Lord's wouldn't allow it, if anything happens…" Rodolphus trailed off.

"Then the second born can't take up the mantel, it doesn't matter to them what age they are, keeping the family name going means more. Only the head of the family can give permission, despite the fact that it's the matriarchal side of the family that should be giving the agreement since its her family. Unfortunately, when a witch marries into the family, she's considered property of that family." Luna explained.

"And if men got married?" Harry asked, arching a brow, "Say they were both equal in terms of status and all the hierarchy stuff," Harry did not glance at Voldemort, he did not want him thinking this was why he was asking, he was genuinely curious.

"It's rare that two families would marry of their heirs to another heir of equal standing," Rodolphus confessed, a thoughtful frown on his face, "They usually like to ensure that they pick someone…lesser as to not take from their own family legacy." So they could bully their own expectations upon

Harry threw Voldemort an incredulous look at what he was hearing, "No wonder everyone looks miserable, they bloody are," he muttered, shaking his head in exasperation. Making sure they didn't marry their kid off to someone with equal standing, people weren't commodities, for Merlin's sake, they deserved to experience love, to be happy not just marry for the expectations of their families.

Voldemort smirked, glad that he was immortal and had no family pressures, although if he had, he would have certainly ended them. Nobody told Lord Voldemort how to live his life after all.

"Not all marriages are bad," Rodolphus admitted, although he looked pained doing so. "Some are exceptionally lucky," thinking primarily of his own parents and the Malfoy's, Narcissa and Lucius had a contractual marriage, and they were happy and well suited together. And sometimes…just sometimes they were lucky the second time around when it came to a partnership. Imagining himself and Luna marrying a few years down the line.

"So, are marriage contracts still a thing?" Harry asked, green eyes alight with curiosity.

"Parents still have a great deal of say in who their child marries, yes, but contracts…not so much, it's becoming an obsolete practice. It may have something to do with the decline in births in magical Britain." Rodolphus informed him, which was true enough.

"Mostly threats to disinherit them which would leave them penniless and nameless," Voldemort imputed drolly. "That threat always works wonders, I don't believe I've actually seen any child defy their parents to the extent they allowed themselves to be disinherited for love."

"Sirius still uses the Black name," Harry pointed out, a great deal of this was still odd to him.

"He wasn't officially disinherited, only Orion had the ability to do that, Walburga didn't have the ability, not even after Orion's death. Orion wasn't by any means an irrational wizard. He understood that the Black line was close to obscurity, only he out of all the Black's had sons, and one was rebelling, no doubt he hoped that he would return at one point. The fact that he was still with a Black family member…perhaps helped." Voldemort explained, Sirius would have been unable to use the Black name if he had been disinherited, literally unable.

Harry listened to him, digesting everything he was learning, "You went to school with Sirius' father…and probably the rest of the Black's…Sirius has explained his family tree to me a few times, and it always gives me a headache trying to work it out there's like dozens of Regulus', Orion's, and Sirius'," obviously exaggerating a little, but not by much, they really did reuse the names a lot in the Black family. "There was a lot of Black's back then, eight or nine right?"

"Seven, they never include the squibs as family," Voldemort told him with blunt truthfulness.

"Marius Black," Harry nodded, yes, Sirius had told him about Marius, although he hadn't explained his exact relation to him. It was before his time and with how messed up the family was, expecting Sirius to know exactly who Marius Black was to him was asking a lot.

Rodolphus blinked in utter astonishment that Harry knew this piece of information. Then again, he doubted Black cared about any secret shames to the family. He hated the Black's anything to embarrass them further he'd do it.

"Correct," Voldemort nodded curtly slightly surprised, he'd only ever heard it uttered once, but it had been a slip-up. Even the eleven-year-old heirs were never to mention 'the squib', including his name and everything else about him. He understood the desire to hide the shame that stained the family name, but they brought it on themselves. It was something he understood now, but before he'd just assumed they were weak, unworthy of being wizards. The desire to find two squibs and see if they could produce a magical offspring was strong. It was definitely something he wanted to observe for himself, the prospect of it was rather thrilling.

The rest of the meal passed by rather quickly as the four spoke about things less grim than the ideals and practices of renown in the magical world. Voldemort didn't speak often, but did give his own opinions when he felt the situation warranted it.

Harry moved through Slytherin Manor, on the hunt to find Voldemort, who had disappeared after dinner commenting he had things to do. Luna and Rodolphus had gone to Lestrange manor for a visit. It was a must after all, since Lord Lestrange had to approve the match, which he would of course, nothing could be worse than Bellatrix after all. Lord Lestrange would definitely permit it, the guilt he felt for marrying Bellatrix was strong that Harry reckoned he could get away with marrying a damn Muggle-born in order to prevent the end of the Lestrange line. Fortunately, for Lord Lestrange, his son had found someone he would find more than adequate for his son.

After dinner he'd contacted Sirius and Remus only to find out what he already knew, they'd immediately gone off after their conversation to book a holiday before they closed for the day. A six month round the world cruises, the excitement they expressed over it, had genuinely taken Harry aback. They'd had planned doing something together apparently, James, Remus and Sirius, the unmentionable name not being mentioned as well, when they were teens before the war got worse and James ended up in love with Lily. All plans had been put on hold. Sirius had tried once again to get him to agree to go with them. Honestly, Harry had just threatened to cut the call off. In the end he got through to Sirius, and they'd spoke for another twenty minutes, before he'd called it, he wanted to get started on his research.

He found Voldemort quite quickly, "Hey, do you have of Tarek Gladstone's Mind and Matter matter? Lestrange's copy is missing three double pages,"

Voldemort arched a brow, surprised by that, it wasn't like his old friend to be careless with books, "I do, it's on the third bookcase," he informed Harry before turning back to his work.

"Really? Well, that's a surprise, Luna said it was the only copy left," Harry muttered mostly to himself, as he stepped up and began searching through the large shelved bookcase that housed dozens and dozens of books.

"Mine is an original, not a copy," Voldemort informed him with that smug tone of voice.

Harry just grinned wryly, making a mental note to remember that, Luna still liked to speak in riddles with him. He'd thought all that ended with the news that she was a seer coming out, but evidently not. Sneaky girl that she was, more amused than anything, certainly not remotely upset over it. "Of course it is," he said trying to sound as condescending as possible, which wasn't actually as easy as one might think.

Voldemort shot him an indignant glare, something he wouldn't do with anyone else. Oh, he knew he was being teased and taunted, Harry had made a habit of it, much to his consternation. He had learned where to draw the line, the one time he'd mentioned him being like Dumbledore…that had saw him seeing red, and he'd cursed Harry. Not that the boy had reacted accordingly, no, he just whined about how he hadn't used his wand. When one was used to pain however, there was never an expected reaction. He hadn't cursed the Dursley's anywhere near half the amount they deserved but Harry had wanted them to be punished by him. So, he had allowed it, the Dursley's had abused Harry for years, so of course, he deserved to kill them. Plus, with how…creative he was, he'd wanted to see which spells from his Grimoire he'd use and their effects in their entirety.

They were all dead, the Dursley's and the squib Figg. All he had in the inner dungeons was Nymphadora Tonks, her use was over with, and he quite frankly hadn't had a chance to discuss what would come of her. "We need to come to an understanding about Ms. Tonks," Voldemort stated, putting his quill down and stretching out his hands and body languidly. He'd been busy writing for hours since dinner and he was rather tired of it but a Dark Lord's business was never over.

Harry blinked blankly, "You're asking me for my opinion?" he asked incredulously, which was not faked at all.

"Despite her…loyalties she is a Black, a daughter of the eldest female, she could revive the Black legacy should you have no desire to do so. I very much doubt Black will have any children, and quite frankly I'd be concerned if he did." Voldemort informed him, leaning back in his seat, watching Harry remove the book he wanted and move over nearer him and claim a seat.

"I agree," Harry sighed, that would be a serious concern, Sirius was definitely not father material, when he'd been thirteen and desperate he had been blind to what it would have been like living with Sirius. He wasn't sure what James had been thinking to be fair. "Plus, Sirius would only want a kid with Remus, and I doubt Remus wants kids, he wouldn't risk passing on his…infection as he sees it." he hated the fact he was a werewolf and had refused to accept that part of himself.

"It would be rather troublesome, but we could get a Vow from her, that encompassed everything that's potentially concerning." Voldemort informed him. In fact, he had already written everything down and made it fool proof, so that once she had made the Vow they could safely let her out should she desire to do so. She might prefer death to stating the vow, especially if she was blindly loyal.

"I'm surprised you don't just want to kill her," Harry confessed, it would make everything much easier in the long run and he had resigned himself to it really.

"That would be the preferable method," Voldemort stated immediately, "But I am reluctant to kill off more wizards or witches. Our world has significantly declined, Lucius has given me the figures, including Squibs, and there are if you are lucky thirty students per year studying at Hogwarts."

"I agree, around about that, isn't that the norm?" Harry asked, "I mean don't people go to Durmstrang, Beauxbaton or home-schooling?"

"Did you get offered to go to those schools?" Voldemort pointed out wryly.

"Well, no, but I had been down for Hogwarts since I was born according to…well, everyone," Harry pointed out, "So I wouldn't get offers would I?"

"Yes, if they accepted anyone into their school you would have, you have to be in the right 'district' so to speak to be accepted into the schools. If someone wishes their daughter to attend Beauxbaton, they have to move to France before they turn eleven to gain admittance, or after and become a transfer student." Voldemort informed him, as always surprised by how little Harry knew about some things but so knowledgeable about others. There were definite holes in his education that could do with polishing over, fortunately, he was young and had many years ahead of him in order to learn properly. it would help if he didn't focus solely on his spell crafting and potion creation.

"So in all of the United Kingdom there were only thirty eleven-year-olds that were wizards and witches to attend Hogwarts although, to be fair some might not have attended," Harry said, mind reeling over such a small number. "Sixty five million people in the UK and not even two million of us are magical…I always knew we were a small community but hearing this makes us even smaller by comparison."

"Less than a million," Voldemort corrected his assumption, a lot less, "Which is why I believe each of us is important. Not important enough to let them go under their own power." He wasn't going to let Tonks go and tell the Order everything including the potions for the Metamorphamagus, the blood they took from her or Harry's allegiance.

"And it would be able to be worded in such a way she wouldn't be a concern?" Harry asked, thoughtfully, bloody hell, they really needed to do something to have the magical world prosper, it would help if they stayed in the magical world too.

"Yes," Voldemort replied immediately, fishing out a slip of parchment and handing it over, going back to his writing while Harry read it as short it may be.

"Damn that's iron clad," Harry said, with a whistle ten minutes later, unable to think of a single damn way she would be able to get around the orders. He'd even made sure she couldn't tell portraits or ghosts, to then relay her words to the Order, it was a work of art really, this Vow.

Voldemort's lips twitched smugly, always smug when his work was appreciated for what it was. Genius, especially from a boy who admittedly was very canny and if there had been a way around it, he would have spotted it. "Indeed, did you expect anything less from me?"

"Definitely not," Harry answered as he put the parchment back into Voldemort's desk. "With that, I don't see why she can't be let out, although, as a Black female, I could potentially set up a marriage contract for her…" he mused, "There is old ones that would have her lose her magic if she didn't comply…" it would enable someone to keep a very close eye on her.

"After your…declaration earlier I am surprised to hear you say that," Voldemort couldn't help but snort, reminded of the look on Harry's face, the indignation of one house constantly having to be 'better' than the other just so they could control them.

"I wouldn't let just anyone marry her," Harry conceded, "It would have to be someone who would treat her right," just because he was thinking this through, didn't mean he wanted to see her beaten down or anything like that. But he also knew that introducing new blood would help pureblood society thrive. "The potion won't allow the metamorphamagus gene pass to the next generation…they'd need to take the potion…but its just not the same really…it's a Black family trait and the trait shouldn't be lost."

Voldemort nodded his agreement, that was probably true. "Rabastan would be the perfect candidate," he commented, he was nearer her age, and he wasn't ruined by Azkaban and he wanted a family. He would take care of Tonks in all ways a husband should. "He's one of the more tamer of the Death Eaters." By tamer he meant he wasn't especially violent. Despite what the Longbottom incident would tell you, Rabastan had acted less than all the others there, not that he'd been 'innocent' so to speak, but he hadn't been as feral and angry as the others.

"Tonks wouldn't go for that, I mean his reputation would have her running for the hills and losing her magic before she even contemplated it." Harry cocked his head to the side, "Unless, we let her see…his…softer side before the vow is taken." Just mentioning the Cruciatus curse would terrify most people, let alone marrying someone with the propensity to use it. "That's even if he'd go for it, two unwilling people in a marriage will get it nowhere. One willing to put the effort in…might have a good thing coming out of it. So, we would need to ask Rabastan alone, his father doesn't get a say in it unless he agrees," That's if Rabastan had any patience to play the long game.

Voldemort arched a brow, slightly impressed with his thinking, "Tell me, why are you so determined to see this through? Why do you care about rebuilding family names? Thus far, you have not expressed anything good regarding the pureblood lines other than the fact trying to keep them 'pure' has made them inbred," which hadn't helped make him liked within the ranks, but they did like his honesty and the fact he could duel with him without losing sweat…that he'd managed to beat Bellatrix on a one-on-one duel, and now he was untouchable as his.

"You thought I didn't care?" Harry asked blankly, "If I didn't care I wouldn't have brought it up so much," he pointed out the flaw in Voldemort's thinking. "I've read about the families, their importance, and I understand their view even if it is wrong."

"You read Nott's book," Voldemort realized, for a pureblood, he was very…unbiased when writing that book, from a certain view at any rate.

"The sacred families, yes, there was nothing in it about noble families being different from other wizarding families," Harry conceded almost pouting, "I had no idea about that." which irked him something rotten, he hated not knowing information. He'd refused to be ignorant, and had read what he could, when he could, a lot of those books had been copied from the library so that he could read it in the darkness of his own room or the dorm. Nobody knew, he had ensured he wasn't ignorant, but kept it a secret, not wishing for Dumbledore to know…suspecting he had plans for him so he made sure the old fool didn't know anything about him.

"Mmm, the book you'll be looking for is Lord Abbott's book, Legalities of the old Houses," Voldemort explained, "It has everything regarding the old ways, the hows and whys, it's clearly written for a Muggle-born so you might find it rather…tedious with the constant explanation's and the author treating the reader as if they were eleven-years-old." A curl brought to his lips. Summoning the book, he handed it over, knowing that Harry would definitely read it and most assuredly probably complain too.

"Is there flats in Knockturn Alley?" Harry asked.

Voldemort blinked at the non-sequitur, "Excuse me?"

"Flats, are there any in Knockturn Alley?" Harry asked, a frown on his face, "I think I remember seeing some..."

"And when were you in Knockturn Alley?" Voldemort gaped in utter surprise, yes, he'd been through Harry's memories but he hadn't seen everything after all. He was very surprised, honestly, he had no idea why the boy would have risked it.

"Said Diagon Alley wrong, took me to Knockturn Alley, don't ask me how, cus even now I have absolutely no idea," Harry explained, shrugging his shoulders, "It was the day that Lucius was trying to unload your diary on Borgin actually. Trying to get rid of all the dark artefacts because Arthur Weasley was heading the raids," hence the reason he'd put it in Ginny Weasley's cauldron. And that Draco had wanted the hand of glory that was on display if he recalled correctly.

Voldemort nodded, so he hadn't been down there for a specific reason, "Yes, there are flats down there, but most are condemned, the structures deemed unsafe. Nobody that lives in Knockturn Alley can afford the money it would take to fix it. Without funding coming in, I presume the owner couldn't have them fixed."

"Hmm," Harry murmured, "I don't suppose you know who owns the majority of the buildings?"

"I do," Voldemort stated, slightly insulted that Harry doubted him. "Barnaby Babbling, I do believe he's distantly related to the Runes Mistress employed by Hogwarts. What are you thinking?" knowing Harry wouldn't ask for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

"Well, I have the funds, I could have the places fixed, rent them out, more people will live in the magical world…when funds start coming in…I could expand. I mean there is a lot of land in Hogsmeade that's unused, flats would allow for a larger population." Instead of a few cottages that house maybe one or two people. It would ensure more people actually remain in the magical world full stop, instead of living in the Muggle world. It didn't seem like a good idea to him or good planning but the magical world didn't seem to be able to think things through.

"It didn't work well for the others," Voldemort pointed out, "You would need to ensure it would produce a profit before you begin." Even though Harry had more money than he could likely spend in twenty lifetimes, it was…idiotic to spend money with little to no return. "Plus, those who would live down there cannot pay an extortionate rent rate."

"Yeah," Harry mused, remembering who was down there, hags and the like, people who probably didn't get well paying jobs. He wouldn't be surprised if people were staying in the condemned buildings rent free, squatting really. In fact, you rarely ever saw those deemed 'dark creatures' anywhere, if he hadn't been down to Knockturn Alley…he wouldn't have ever seen one. Although, they do often venture to Hogshead, a place where they were actually permitted to be in, and it was a place that was quite cheap to drink in. "Do I really come across as not caring about the magical world?" he asked, after a few minutes of comfortable silence. Placing the two books on the desk, until he was ready to leave.

"For someone that doesn't know you…yes, you could be perceived as not caring," Voldemort answered with honesty, he detested lying. "It's the manner in which you word things without going into specifics."

Harry nodded, not sure whether he could change his way of speaking, he was just used to giving it how it was. The freedom of being on the Dark side was…liberating and he didn't need to watch his words…trying to reign them in seemed like too much for him. He'd need to look into the properties, find out if there was a profit in buying the buildings, how much it would cost to renovate and find a company willing to do it and give him estimates. "Alright, I'll leave you to your work…I want to work on mine anyway," Harry said eventually standing up, before kissing him without thinking about it, freezing before glancing up at Voldemort, only to find amused eyes gleaming at him.

"Er…is that alright?" he didn't know how to do all this dating business thing.

"You certainly wont find me complaining," Voldemort commented utterly amused, although, he didn't like the reminder of just how young Harry was. He was glad to be his first, but at the same time…it made Harry's innocence more…pronounced. Gripping his hips, and bringing him down onto his lip and allowed himself some free time. "Just as long as we are alone, I'd rather not give my followers a free show." He added after they came up for air.

Harry snorted, "You mean another free show?" he added pecking him on the lips, before standing, "I think everyone got the picture…I wonder how they'll react around me now."

"I have a meeting in ten minutes if you wish to find out," Voldemort replied smugly, eyes gleaming with a vindictive sort of amusement.

"Maybe," Harry said thoughtfully, it seemed as if he wasn't meant to get those books read at this rate. "Is it just an inner circle meeting or is it everyone?"

"Everyone," Voldemort confirmed.

"They're not as fun to tease," Harry replied almost pouting over the idea, or as much as Harry ever pouted.

"Go on," Voldemort said, lips twitching, oh, Harry definitely liked winding up his inner circle Death Eaters, the only ones that didn't get teased mercilessly was Severus and Barty. Lucius was by far the one who endured the worst of Harry's wicked sarcasm. Not surprisingly, other than Severus, Lucius was the only other one he'd had contact with before he switched sides…and those meetings…nay altercations weren't exactly…amiable.

Lucius was still smarting over losing his House-elf, as a matter of fact, not that he could blame him, they were rather expensive. With all the private information the Elf knew he could have proven to be a danger to the Malfoy family. He will have learned from that, even at twelve Harry had been a smart teen, accurately able to predict a wizard like Malfoy's reaction to having a diary and an accusation thrown in his face.

Well, if he didn't attend the meeting, then he'd request his presence later. He understood probably more than most how…protective and possessive Harry was of his suite. He remembered his first flat directly after leaving Hogwarts, while he worked with Borgin. Before he had built up his empire from scratch and had more money than almost everyone else. Financing a war was expensive after all, although he did admit if he won any time soon…he'd aid Harry in his latest venture, by pouring money if he needs it to have more properties in Hogsmeade.

Shaking off his thoughts, Voldemort returned to his work, the annoying urge to check and see how much of 'Hogsmeade' was actually belonging to the castle grounds and whether they'd gain the permission to build. He had other more vital things to oversee. For the moment. He did make a mental note to check.

AN – alright maybe one more chapter before we have the trial with Dumbledore…next one I think we'll have a Death Eater meeting and maybe some sexy times with Tom/Harry what do you think? Still too early? Personally it kinda is for me since I'm not used to writing anything before they're seventeen…but sixteen is legal age in UK so…if you're all alright with it then I'm happy to write it 😉 I think Dumbledore's had his time and won't get back out I don't think…so who is leading the Order? Who do you think would have the backbone to do it without Dumbledore? Will there be a failed attempt to get Dumbledore free and cause more Order members to be arrested alongside him? heck have I even mentioned a Minister? Ugh another story I'm going to have to re-read before the next chapter comes out deary me! I'm going to be so busy re-reading my stories these days instead of posting chapters but you gotta do what you gotta do! Will Tonks be married off to Rabastan? Will she come to like the Dark side or resist it constantly? Or will she realize both sides have a reason for fighting for? A cause that she actually comes to realize is worth fighting for? R&R please!