Embracing His True Self

Chapter 91

Harry did indeed visit Knockturn Alley, noticing that the development was coming along nicely. The foundations had been laid, and he could feel the magic at work. Not yet harnessed, but it wouldn't be harnessed until the buildings were complete. Which wouldn't be for a long time yet, he wasn't the only one there, he noticed. A lot of his own tenants – or would be tenants? Since there were no homes yet – were watching with a look of reverence and awe. Unable to believe their good luck, better homes, better protection and the same rent. It was almost too good to be true.

Harry Potter's name was whispered in awe around all corners of the Alley. Not for being The-Boy-Who-Lived. Not whispered even quieter still, for being the Dark Lord's consort. No, for the simple reason he was changing the magical world, making their lives better. For that they would always owe him their allegiance. If he ever needed anything they would do everything in their power to see that Harry, has it.

Hidden by his cloak, masking his presence, Harry heard and saw all. All this would be his legacy, what he would leave behind. Just knowing he'd deprived Dumbledore of his own legacy – the front he put on – was just a cherry on top of the sundae really.

"Lording over what everyone considers your estate?" came a voice speaking directly to Harry causing him to jump a little in surprise.

Whirling around, wand already out, but the vampire merely stood still. There was no sign of a wand, or any threatening moves whatsoever.

"At ease," the vampire said, not even the slightest bit amused, he knew what the boy was capable of. How powerful he was, he'd need the back up of dozens of vampires if he hoped to defeat this wizard unless he catches him unawares. Even then it was iffy if they'd actually get the upper hand. "I mean you no harm, Lord Potter, it isn't quite so easy to hide your presence from vampires."

"It's Potter-Black, actually," Harry said, relaxing his shoulders and sheathing his wand, not that made him defenceless, if anything he was more dangerous for it. He did not need a wand to cast magic and his favourite element happened to be fire. "And I wasn't exactly lording, I just want to see how it's going…and make sure they're working." He wasn't going to be made a fool of.

"Oh, they definitely are that," The vampire commented definitely sounding amused now. "There's always someone down here, especially granny Edith," he told Harry pointing the elderly witch out, sitting beside an entire flagon of pumpkin juice and plastic cups. Presumably for the workmen.

Harry grinned wryly, "Mothering them?" somehow not surprised, this community looked after their own and others. Despite being constantly looked down on for their lack of money, lack of name and where they lived as if it were something to be ashamed of. As if Knockturn Alley hadn't been there since its inception.

"Indeed," the vampire inclined his head, agreeing fully. She was one of their oldest residents – except for him – she always made sure to take care of everyone when she could. Brewed salves and potions for the people when they need it. Made sure the kids had something to eat, and the stray animals that ventured down too. The shop keepers in Diagon Alley just kicked them away, as if they were diseased, they found people who cared down here. Not all of them, but most of them.

Harry turned back, only to find that the vampire had vanished. Humming thoughtfully, wondering if he was part of the clan, they'd just ensnared or if he was just a lone vampire. There were a lot of lone vampires, just like there were lone werewolves that refuse to join packs. Remus was just one of the many examples, only because Dumbledore had got his mitts into him.

Fenrir actually wanted Remus to be part of the pack, that still lived abutting Slytherin estate. He'd seen and interacted with them all, and they were happy the way they were. Didn't rely on anyone and were content to wait and participate in the outcome. They didn't want to have to hide, be seen as beasts, wanted a piece of land to build on and thrive in.

He'd been really surprised by the way Fenrir had reacted to learning Remus took the wolfsbane potion. It was clear he cared in the only way the wolf could, especially for everyone he bit. He considered them his, he wasn't sure how well Remus would deal with having an alpha. He was used to being the 'alpha' in his relationship with Sirius…he could go either way. Annoyed at the constant demands or actually relieved to have someone take the burden off him.

He wondered why Fenrir hadn't approached Remus, then again, the entire pack were likely busy. They had a pup in the pack now, Fenrir's son, who was growing thick and fast. He might not have a mother but he had an entire pack ready to defend and protect him at all costs. They might not accept anyone else into the pack they couldn't trust until he was a little older.

Despite having Umbridge as a mother, the kid was actually turning out to be quite powerful. No surprise there, really, since Greyback was from a pureblood line, Umbridge they'd found had a Muggle mother so mixed lines. They did have a habit of producing extremely powerful offspring.

Removing his cloak hood, he let the spells wash off him as he approached the working team of wizards. "How is everything going?" as if he didn't get very regular updates.

The boss looked up, unsurprised to see him, "We're ahead of schedule by a few days," he didn't add that if things kept going this way, they might finish ahead of schedule. Saying stuff like that was guaranteed to make things go wrong, it was just typical.

"That's good," Harry nodded, "No problems?" with equipment, ingredients, or absences or anyone being hurt, it was a general question encompassing everything.

"No problems whatsoever," the boss confirmed, calling out to where he wanted his workmen to put things, stepping away from the area so that the levitating items didn't hit either of them.

Checking the time, Harry slotted his pocket watch back into place. "I have forty minutes free, show me around." It wasn't just the one building that had been torn down, it was dozens upon dozens to make way for flats.

"Of course," he rushed to say, passing over a hard hat, "It's required," he told Harry firmly, he wasn't going to let him go around a building site without one. "Oh, there was one little bit of trouble." He realized, thinking it best to inform him about everything that happened.

"Oh?" Harry asked curiously, as the two of them began to move around the building site quickly.

"Aurors," the disgruntled worker said, bitterness coating his voice.

Harry narrowed his eyes, "What did they want down here?"

"Anything 'suspicious' they said, but they were clearly looking for the building site. They kept looking for it for hours before they gave up." The building site boss informed him.

"Why would Aurors have any interest in a building site?" Harry asked utterly bewildered, as they moved, keeping up with the wizard's quick pace.

"I'm not entirely sure, but the spells you have up are holding strong," he told Harry nodding firmly. It was to prevent anyone from vandalising the development, thieving or actually staying there while it's so dangerous to do so. "Probably looking for anything illegal, they have frequent raids down this way," it was quite close to the alley of shops which sold a whole variety of things.

"Figures," Harry scoffed, "One time they actually do their job." he couldn't wait until they took over the Ministry of magic. Sure, they were not going to be paragons of ultimate truth, but the system right now was broken. It needed to be fixed, one corruption was better than dozens upon dozens of corruptions and with a well-oiled machine…it would be better. He must confess his curiosity of who would become the Minister of magic.

Tom with a different identify? Or would he lead from the background?

The wizard laughed, he had a good point, but it wasn't really funny. The Aurors liked to target anyone in Knockturn Alley, they never once did the same to Diagon Alley. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, Eric Borgin,"

"I remember," Harry nodded, he'd hired him after all, the other workmen on the force he didn't know so well. "Have you figured out what's to happen with the gardens?"

"Considering how small they are? You're right, communal is the only way to go, either that or two below share one side and the flats above the other side?" Eric told Harry, before pointing out everything out that had been done, the plans the were making for that particular plot. Excitement and enthusiasm wafting from him in droves. They'd also been hired to make the changes to Lestrange Manor, they were making a killing on those two projects alone. With the Lestrange and Potter names using their services? They'd end up with more jobs than ever, he was excited.

"The gardens this way might be able to be made into four individual gardens, two up near the front, two at the back." Gesturing with his hands as they went deeper into Knockturn Alley. The rubble and everything was gone, leaving it looking rather empty, the foundations had been laid though. He was responsible for everything happening here, including the gardening work. Harry had already hired someone to get it all done, but they were still putting last minute suggestions forward. Something that would make it aesthetically pleasing as well as giving everyone a piece of land.

"When's the demolition going to be done on this side?" Harry asked, glancing at the time, before refocusing his attention to the buildings on his right-hand side that were emptied but still standing. "And why weren't they demolished along with the others?" they had been emptying for ages, he had been paying for their stay in the Leaky Cauldron for Merlin's sakes. He needed it all done as quickly as possible. Especially before he began losing money. Or rather more money, he'd be losing it for a bit before this place was up and running and by a year, he'd have more than tripled his income.

"That's scheduled for demolition in four days' time, we can't work on that side until the magic settles after the warding hubs are placed on this section." Eric explained, gesturing for the sections they'd passed before, or plots rather. "Which takes two days, by that time, everything will be demolished and the foundations being laid here then warding hubs erected. By then we'll be starting back up front again." Keeping it simple since Harry had demanded it the first time they spoke. Keeping their jargon out of it, since he wasn't very familiar with it and didn't want to have to ask. Both their time was much too valuable.

"Good, that's perfect," Harry nodded, glancing up when he heard someone calling for their boss, "I'll let you get back to work." After another look at his pocket watch, time was ticking down.

Eric inclined his head, "I'll keep you updated," as always, with that he made a beeline for his worker, but Harry didn't stick around after that.

Harry Apparated straight back to Slytherin manor. Luckily it didn't take as long for magical buildings to be completed unlike the Muggle counterpart. He just didn't understand why no changes had been made to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. Changing with the times, to make more properties so that more wizarding folk remained in the magical world. Living in the Muggle world was just risking more chance of exposure. Hell, he'd almost exposed magic himself! He'd turned his teacher's hair blue! Apparated on top of the school in broad daylight.

His thoughts continued as he made a direct beeline for the Potions lab that Severus favoured. Hopefully he was there, but if he wasn't, he knew exactly where he'd be. Luckily Severus was predicable like that. Unlike the rest of the wizarding world.

Wizards just shouldn't live in the Muggle world, especially children who couldn't control their magic. It just meant more and more exposure, and Muggles were becoming more and more crafty as the years went by. What if magic was caught on video? It was a terrifying concept.

Luckily Voldemort had a lot of laws he was going to see through that would ensure the wizarding world's safety. Thankfully that beautiful mind had once again been restored by absorbing the Horcruxes. He'd seen some of the creations he'd invented. He couldn't wait to see them in effect, just like he always loved trying out his own inventions. It was going to be a regime change compared to what the magical world was used to. It was needed though; the entire overhaul was needed.

The debates they got into were awesome, although those listening weren't in agreement. The looks they got on their faces; Harry sniggered softly, just recalling their pale features. Grinning wryly, he opened the Potions lab door and silently wandered in.

Severus stood brewing, stirring two potions a look of concentration on his face. Harry stood unobtrusively, waiting for Severus to finish. Which took longer, since there were six cauldrons, and when he was down stirring the first two, he automatically stepped to the side and begun to the second set. Twenty-five stirs anti-clockwise, he moved on to the last set, before removing the ladle and turned his attention to Harry. "Fifteen minutes before they need my attention again," Severus commented pensively. "Nurmengard?" he commented, his worry hidden.

"He doesn't deserve to be there, and the Ministry aren't doing anything to help him." Harry said firmly, "Would you leave Rabastan or my mum there?"

Severus inhaled sharply, "That's entirely different, Grindelwald means nothing to you." Harry really didn't mind pulling punches, for some so utterly Slytherin he could be so nauseatingly Gryffindor when he wanted to be.

"Or me?" Harry ventured, but he wasn't as firm in his belief that Severus would help him.

Severus winced, the mere thought of what he would have to do making him feel rather sick. He would have done it, especially if he was 100% sure that there was no coming back. Because he knew he himself, would prefer that outcome than live a life as someone's puppet. They didn't know whether Grindelwald had been aware of his actions all this time, cut off from being able to react. Stuck in his own mind, Barty of all had an understanding of what Grindelwald went through and had sympathy for the wizard. "I'd do what you intend to do, but you are more than a stranger."

"We have a lot in common…and would have had a lot more if I hadn't left when I did." Harry sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"I know," Severus replied sombrely, "Be careful and please take a few of the others with you." he couldn't take him, he had potions to brew, and a deadline to meet. "We have no idea of the orders that might be implanted."

Harry nodded, "I will," he conceded, surprised by how worried Severus was. He didn't think it was aimed at his abilities, but just worry. Then again, Severus had spent the past what? Six years worrying about him.

Severus eased just hearing the agreement, Harry generally wouldn't lie about something like that. If he didn't intent to, he'd argue or just flat out say he wasn't doing it. "I think Grindelwald will find a kindred soul in Barty," plucking up the vial from the side and handed it over.

"How long will this give him? After the stasis spell wears off?" Harry asked, was it just a short ten minutes? Or had he altered it to make it longer?

"A minute, given his age, maybe even less," Severus said sombrely, "This is all guesswork, we cannot judge how long, for this is all untested waters."

"Not ten minutes?" Harry asked, how could he and Tom's guess have been so vastly off? "Oh, malnutrition, age, likely illnesses and magic." He muttered shaking his head, of course, they hadn't included those factors when they thought it through.

"You'll have precious seconds after administering the potion to cast the spell." Severus warned him, "The second it's in his throat, cast the spell, but don't rely on getting however long you think the spell will last. Gellert Grindelwald's magical powers are off the chart. He'll be able to easily break that spell down, consciously or unconsciously."

Harry listened intently before nodding, "I will," he agreed, inhaling sharply, "They're not going to do anything to help him…or even make his life a little easier." Still angry over that.

"No, they aren't, you must understand that he's still as dangerous as ever. Even the three brightest minds alive cannot think of an antidote – which isn't possible which is something we can all agree on – that will keep him alive. The magical world think Dumbledore is still out there, still free. Nurmengard will be closely watched. They will think he's likely to make a move towards there." Severus sympathised, there was more they could be doing but Grindelwald was dangerous. Giving Harry a pointed look, knowing better than to think he could talk Harry out of this. He was determined to do what he must.

More dangerous than the Dark Lord he currently served, just as dangerous as Dumbledore had proven to be. The two were intertwined, Dumbledore had made Grindelwald after all, who he is. For now.

Harry grumbled, but reluctantly nodded his head, yeah, he knew they had a point. Still, least they could have done was take pity and end his life, instead of letting him continue to suffer as he had done for so long. "I'll let you know how it goes."

"Be careful," Severus said, watching Harry go, still that brave Gryffindor sometimes, that honestly made Severus believe he was going to go grey before his forties. He wondered if Rabastan would like that, but before he could dwell too much on his partner the alarm went off, and he was off back to his potions, beginning the progress of stirring thirty times, clockwise, repeating the process again and again. It calmed and relaxed him, as much as he would until Harry returned anyway.

"Oi, Barty, you busy?" Harry asked, peeking around the library, he didn't spend an awful lot of time in the manor anymore. He still had his bed and most of his clothes here, but the case he carried had three days clothes and various other items he'd need every day. When he did return it was because he'd been summoned or warned that he was requested. The rest of the time he spent with Hermione or at his ancestral home doing it up. He was so utterly besotted with her. He wanted the manor to be a surprise.

"Not really, just checking in," Barty said, "What's going on?" wondering what Harry was up to. He always made time for Harry, "I'll come, but I have a few questions for you actually…"

Harry grinned wryly, "We're breaking into Nurmengard,"

Barty's eyes widened, not bothering to ask if the Dark Lord knew. "Risky business that, especially considering they'll be watching the prison closely." It wasn't as if the prison was busy, there was only one person in it, well, prisoner really. Grindelwald and his guards. Truthfully, he wasn't a bit surprised that he was still in prison despite being innocent all along.

"You're the second person to say that today," Harry grumbled, annoyed that he hadn't thought of it himself. "Not that it matters, they won't be able to see or sense us." the only person who ever deduced he was under his cloak had been Severus due to his bat like hearing and Dumbledore who he was sure had read Hagrid's mind.

"Let me guess, Invisibility cloak?" Barty said, excited at the thought of it. He'd seen Harry use it as Moody.

"Oh, right, Moody's eye could see through my cloak… I forgot about that." Harry realized with amusement.

Barty smirked, "You didn't use it all that often to be fair," he pointed out, he'd have been using it every single day just for the fun of it.

"Even less now," Harry said wryly, as both of them left the library. "Now it's going to be used twice today. Let's go find Macnair…what questions do you have for me?"

"How stubborn is Weasley?" Barty asked, if anyone knew the boy it would be Harry. Who had pretended to be the boy's friend for years while they attended Hogwarts.

"Ah," Harry murmured as they moved through the manor, "Quite determined, stubborn to the core. He defended me you know, to the Order…which was a surprise…not even Hermione did." He said thoughtfully. He hadn't expected to learn of that, considering how Ron could be.

"And is Hermione a danger from him?" Barty asked seriously.

"No, Ron isn't…violent, he's stubborn and impulsive but not violent. He'll get over her in time." Harry shrugged, even completely pissed off at Draco the worst he did was try to make him regurgitate slugs. With his wand of course, it had backfired.

"Yes, but he was raised by a mother who thought it was fine to give someone a love potion." Barty pointed out, clenching his fists at the mere thought of anyone tampering with Hermione that way.

"True," Harry said slowly as they made their way to the training rooms. "Even if he did attempt that, you'd know. If you're that worried, commission a pendant or ring for Hermione that works like the heirship rings. So that if anyone attempts to give her one, she'll know. Add a tracking charm or something if you can't? Best tell her though, unlike Ron, she definitely has a temper." He surely didn't need to tell Barty that.

"Yep, best make sure we get through this unscathed otherwise you'll be feeling her wrath." Barty chuckled as Harry opened the room door. That's if they received extradition and didn't end up in their Ministry of Magic. They were attempting to break into a prison in a foreign prison at that after all.

With Harry's luck rubbing off on them it should be easily done.

"Hey, Macnair, your expertise is needed," Harry called as they entered the training room properly.

"I was warned," Macnair said his voice a little breathless, as he appeared soaked in sweat. Having been training physically, his wand nowhere to be seen. The Dark Lord needed everyone in very good shape, and surprisingly demanded a rigorous workout for those in the inner circle. They were held above the normal standard. "You don't do things by half, do you?" staring at Harry, his features entirely impassive.

"You don't have to come," Harry said shrugging his shoulders, he didn't know Macnair well.

"Are you kidding? And miss this?" Macnair replied, "A true test of my skills? Breaking into an unbreakable fortress like Nurmengard?" a crooked smirk crossing his features. Eyes alight in sheer delight, he was going to enjoy himself.

"Can you take orders from me?" Harry asked, not breaking eye contact.

"Yes, My Lord," Macnair said giving a short bow, not as far as he would for Voldemort, but showing his neck nonetheless and it was the most respect Harry had received yet.

"Then let's go have some fun," Harry said, green eyes gleaming very reminiscent of the Dark Lord that both Macnair and Barty shivered a little.

Macnair grinned, showing all his teeth in a facsimile of a smile. "Let's go." He declared, flicking his wand at himself a few times, cleaning himself up, and summoning his cloak from the peg on the wall.

"Who were you training anyway?" Barty asked, as they turned to leave, excitement thrumming through him. It had been ages since he'd done something like this. As amazing as it was spending time with Hermione…nothing could replace this feeling.

"All the young ones, they've been gone about half an hour now," Macnair leisurely stretched out. Stretching out his muscles so they didn't end up tense after his abrupt stop.

"Stop," Voldemort ordered, making his way towards them in swift steps, Barty and Macnair stopped automatically but Harry kept walking but turned around and walked backwards. Slower than normal, so that Voldemort could catch up.

"This is an untraceable portkey to the Dominican Republic, the Lestrange's have granted you use of their beach house, it's privately owned property on the Boca Chica beach, magically concealed." Handing Harry, the portkey, arching a brow wondering what favours Harry had asked of the Lestrange's now.

"Not me, it must have been Luna," Harry said amused, as he accepted the trinket.

"The password is their motto which is a crow will not pull out the eye of another crow but said in Latin." Voldemort informed him, "Return here immediately afterwards, is that understood?" giving Macnair and Barty a look that suggested they best make sure his partner best return in one piece.

"We'll that's definitely a lot less words in Latin," Harry said wryly, "And I will, I'm not sure how long it will take though." He couldn't give him a number, even Tom said himself he didn't know how long the stasis spell will hold.

Barty and Macnair were blatantly confused, just what were they doing that needed them to go to the Dominican Republic? Wasn't this an in and out mission?

A/N – Well, you're definitely going to need tissues for the next chapter if it goes the way I plan on it going let me tell you 😉 so you've got plenty of warning to keep those tissues handy! Once again thanks to those who gave me suggestions and pointed out my mistakes! I really, really appreciate it! 😊 I still don't know how I could have forgotten about Gellert so badly LOL I wonder if it was during the time that my computer broke on me – I was lucky enough to get it sorted though – I did lose all my documents which is why the one for this story is a particular mess anyway it's nearly done and I've got it fixed now although I've learned to add a WHOLE lot more detail 😉 do you want to see more of Voldemort's ins and outs? The politics and what he's doing has largely been left out and only mentioned…do we continue it until the final showdown where they take down the Ministry? Or what's left of it 😉 As for Tonks I'm really conflicted on what to do with her…shove her in with Dumbledore with a truth potion in him or kill her? I keep going back and forth and ignore her until I come up with an answer which has gone on way too long 😊 R&R please