Embracing His True Self

Chapter 96

"Harry! Get up! Our Lord wants you, now!" Barty called out, his voice wasn't too urgent, but it was clear he was following orders to the letter. One hand was massaging his temples, misery pouring off him in droves. He'd had hardly any sleep, having stayed up all night – despite Hermione leaving at a reasonable hour – their celebration had continued well on into the evening even after Luna and Rodolphus had left on their honeymoon.

"Bugger off!" Harry called out, his voice becoming muffled in the end as he pulled the duvet over his face.

Barty swore under his breathe, before knocking more firmly on the door, "Come on, the meeting's about to start in five minutes!" he was not going to go back into that meeting room and tell the Dark Lord that Harry wasn't moving. He couldn't even go in there and drag him out of bed either.

The next thing Barty was aware of was, "IT'S NEARLY ELEVEN O'CLOCK?" followed by thumping, grunting and quite a colourful set of swearwords that left Barty giggling outside the room.

Amused eyes met irritated ones, as Harry opened the door, "It's not that funny!" he complained, leaving the door open he moved to their bathroom, leaving it open a crack so they could talk. "Are they all here?"

"Yes, five of them, they made their way directly from France." Barty explained, raising his voice when the toilet flushed so Harry could hear him. "None of them are related, their spouses and family aren't coming, and they are considered…royalty amongst their kind, they're the most powerful too."

"How powerful?" Harry asked, brushing his teeth a bit more harshly than needed, but his breath absolutely stank, it was making him feel sick. Opening the cabinet door with one hand, removing the anti-nausea and headache reducer vials, he slid them into his pocket for later.

"For their kind? Very, I don't think they've met anyone impervious to their abilities," Barty said in awe, "That's why most wizards and witches are terrified of them. Most of them stay in France where it's safe, their abilities even the children are illegal here…the USA is a bit more tolerant towards their kind. Not that there are many pure ones left and what ones are…we're meeting today."

"They used a portkey two days ago to arrive here, what have they done since?" Harry asked, stepping out of the bathroom, taking off his bathrobe, which contained the clinking vials, he rushed through to his and Tom's walk-in wardrobe picking something up absently.

"Looks like they went to see the sights," Barty told him, sitting on the bed, taking liberties he wouldn't have if the Dark Lord had been there. "Both Muggle and wizarding sites, primarily stayed in London though near their hotel." Dolohov had missed the party last night having been watching them for the past few days.

"Sounds like they've never visited before," Harry mused, as he dressed.

"I don't think they have," Barty shrugged indifferently, "The law and regulations on creatures here are worse than anywhere else in the world." Remus Lupin had no idea how lucky he was, the incident that happened? It would have been enough to see the wizard/werewolf put down, regardless of his age.

Harry paused, "That bad?" he knew it was ridiculous the laws on creatures here…but he'd had no idea it was the worst in the world.

"Why do you think you never see anyone with a hint of creature blood here? Sure, sometimes they've visit if they're invited but nobody stays." Barty pointed out to him, "Except the giants and trolls of course, but they're well established and actually kill any idiot stupid enough to encroach on their territory."

"And if they were easier killed, they wouldn't still be standing," Harry deduced tiredly. Giants and Trolls were impervious to magic. Their thick skin and the fact they live together made them quite a threat that the Ministry didn't want to deal with apparently.

"Hey, if the ministry wants to send their people to be a snack they're welcome to," Barty snorted in amusement, "I would have resigned so fast if it were me, anyone they send it just guaranteed to never return." And still they went, idiotically wanting to prove themselves. Why? In a misplaced hope they'd move up in the ranks? Those sorts of positions very rarely opened, people stayed in their spots until they retired at a really old age or died while still on the job.

"Logic isn't exactly most of wizard kind's strong suit," Harry said, emerging fully dressed and ready for the meeting.

"I find that insulting!" Barty grumbled, huffing at the insult.

"Doesn't make it any less true," Harry pointed out, gesturing with his head, indicating for Barty to move. Both of them were quick to leave the bedroom, "Shit, I'll be back in a second!" he added, before rushing back to get his potions, the pounding of his head reminding him that he hadn't taken his potions. Nor had he eaten either, hopefully something was going to be offered at the meeting.

Uncorking the vials, he swallowed them both as quickly as possible. Groaning in delight, as the potions almost immediately began to take effect. The sickness disappeared and slowly his aching head began to ease. Thank Merlin for that, he couldn't even remember when he went to sleep last night. "Where's Hermione?" he couldn't see Barty just up and leaving her in the manor.

"She was up at the crack of dawn and heading home, something to do with her parents?" Barty told him, a frown marring his features, "The tracking charm puts her in Hogsmeade village though…"

"What's got you so worried?" Harry asked, knowing something was bothering Barty.

"There's been…talk of secret meetings, a new order…" Barty revealed, rubbing his temples, "Considering it's locations…we're assuming young teens, trying to replace Dumbledore and the real order."

Harry stopped abruptly, staring at Barty, eyes narrowing in displeasure, "And why exactly is this the first I'm hearing of it?" angry at them from keeping this from him.

"If you'd woken this morning you'd have heard at the meeting," Barty pointed out, "The Dark Lord has been up since six o'clock this morning." Five hours of meetings, it was a surprise he hadn't lost his temper especially on so little sleep. Yes, since the ritual he'd done after his return…he was like a completely different wizard…more grounded, less likely to curse and trigger happy. The way Rabastan had complained – until Severus cautioned him to stop – had almost made that change.

"Tell me everything," Harry said, walking again, keeping close, ready to listen to everything he'd missed this morning. Inwardly cursing himself for sleeping in so late, he'd make sure to get an entire run down of the meeting, in a pensive so he didn't miss anything. "Especially about why you think there's a new Order starting up?"

"There's been a lot of teens meeting in Hogsmeade village, teenagers that are not normally seen together," Barty explained, "They aren't friends, so far they're doing their due diligence, and we've not been able to infiltrate the meetings."

"Infiltrate, bloody brilliant, so there's definitely something happening," Harry said, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Well, I honestly can't say I'm surprised. If anyone would do anything it would be impulsive students who still hold a deep admiration for Dumbledore despite everything." Sure, they'll have read everything…but denial was very strong, especially in teenagers who especially looked up at Dumbledore.

"We aren't either, we should consider ourselves lucky," Barty said, stalking quickly through the halls. "I mean come on…if they were smarter, we wouldn't have a clue."

"It has to be someone who believes in Dumbledore fully, someone exposed to the Order, it makes an alarmingly short list." Harry said, pursing his lips, narrowing them thoughtfully. "Maybe even someone wanting revenge for what they believe we did." Everyone believed it was something in the food, they just never figured out what killed the Order members. They didn't think to use Muggle means to find out.

Which was exactly why Harry had used the method he did.

Barty grimaced, "He won't let an uprising start…not this close to winning," he warned Harry, eyes solemn, as if he expected Harry to argue. "And…and I have no clue how to find out if Hermione's taking part…and what will happen if she is." So worried for her, he loved her, but he was first and foremost loyal to his Lord…and he didn't want to know if he was capable of choosing. It would destroy him. In a way that his father's absence and uncaring attitude never could. He'd loved his father, as a little boy, of course, he had. He hated him as he grew up into a teenager but that small part of him would always love him. Barty hated that part of himself wholeheartedly.

"I'll talk to her today," Harry said, reassuring Barty, he knew what his next statement would have been. Yawning tiredly, he stretched out, blinking rapidly trying to get himself under control. Barty had stopped for a reason, clearly this was where the meeting was taking place.

"Thank you," Barty said in gratitude, he honestly wouldn't have known how to bring it up. Not without alarming her and making her realize something wasn't right. "I…I wouldn't have known where to start." He confessed.

"I know," Harry said sincerely.

Unbeknown to any of them, there was going to be a perfect opening for them.

Giving him a nod, Barty opened the door, went in and kept it open for Harry, only closing it when he entered. The moment Harry was in the room, his gaze roamed around, taking everything in. Barty remained at his side, acting as a bodyguard of sorts. The five figures looked just as Harry thought they would. Well, when it came to their hair and features of course.

All of them had really long blonde hair, almost to the point of being white. Harry couldn't see where their pleats ended. All of them were delicate to the point of all looking feminine. Three were men, two were women, and all of them were full blooded Veela's. Full blooded Veela males had the ability to have children, they were greatly desired anywhere in the world except the UK and a few other insignificant places in the world that were as backward as them. He knew despite how 'delicate' they were, they would be fast, vicious and bloody. Everyone thought their allure was the most dangerous thing about them…but they were wrong. Their traditions and religions made them quite fearsome creatures.

Of course, not even half their traditions and religions were known, they were very secretive.

"Good morning," Harry said, turning to face Tom, who sat with Severus and Rabastan. They eased a little, presumably at the fact they were now not vastly outnumbered. In fact, they were now quite even.

Nobody would be willing to bet on which group would emerge as victors.

Voldemort watched his partner with an amused lilt to his face, wondering if he could even remember half of last night. Apparently, alcohol made Harry rather…affectionate, and he confessed himself rather smitten. He'd never seen Harry like that before. Drunk, yes, but never to this extent, and he wouldn't mind experiencing it again.

"Oh, goodie, coffee and food," Harry said, his relief obvious as he sat down next to Tom, shoving a plate full of finger food towards him, and his much sought-after coffee. He ignored the snorting taking place around him, too grateful for the coffee to care. "Why do you want to move?" he asked them.

"Excuse me?" came the surprised and startled exclamation from the male to the right. The leader, Harry summarized, none of the others attempted to speak, but they were listening intently.

"You wouldn't be here unless you wanted desperately to strike up a deal," Harry explained, stirring in some milk to his coffee. "If you want to deal with us, you'll want to move here…it's obvious. What makes you want to move here? Our weather is more or less strikingly similar. It's not as if you'll find more of your own kind here…unless you will…" eyeing them looking for classic tell tale signs. "Bingo. This isn't your first visit at all…they're in London, aren't they?" it explains why they'd remained mostly around their hotel, and only visited a few sights.

A smug smirk began to tug at Voldemort's lips, it was always amusing to watch Harry just completely surprise people. The leader, Gabriel was part impressed but mostly vexed that he had been so thoroughly read within a few moments. There was probably something in there an anger at being followed and watched as well.

"You had us followed?" Gabriel asked, eyes flashing to Voldemort, barely containing his own flare of temper. The urge to leave and caution the others that someone knew where they were.

"Introductions are in order," Voldemort stated coolly, unbothered by the accusation. If they didn't think they would be watched closely here, well, that was on them. He kept an eye on all possible allies, for information to use, for their protection, they were well rounded reasons. "Gabriel Lavigne, Hugo Blanchet, Agnes Garner, Amelie Arnaud, Josephine Vigier." Introducing each of them, who nodded when their names were mentioned, giving a secondary acknowledgement that that wasn't needed due to the gestures.

"Good to meet you," Harry said, neither he or Tom needed an introduction, "This is Bartemius Crouch," a grumbled complaint followed that, he hated using his full name still. Harry wondered if there was anyone actually here that liked their goddamn names except Rabastan. "Severus Snape-Prince," he had a Mastery under Severus Snape, he was well known all around the world, so of course, he'd give him the respect he deserves. "His partner Rabastan Lestrange."

"Well met," Gabriel said, inclining his head, still pissed at being followed but now that he'd had time to process it…he couldn't say he was in any way surprised by their actions. "These are a list of the laws and regulations that must be changed immediately following the takeover." Handing over a thick piece of parchment that didn't fold or curl up, which spoke of a great deal of money to waste.

Harry was the one that reached over and took the parchment. The five tensed a little, clearly, they weren't expecting a favourable reaction to their demands. Although, well done to them, for having the guts to go after what they wanted. Most did, it was all they dreamed of, a better life one that was free of prejudice.

Leaning towards Tom, making the parchment seen by the pair of them as they read. Harry was very impressed with the calligraphy writing. It must have taken them forever to write this out, and he wondered how many times they'd started all over again. Their needs were rather simple, not as extravagant as he feared given their reactions…unless the stiffening hadn't been in conjuncture to the reading of this.

"These are the demands you require?" Voldemort asked, staring at the group blankly. Glancing at the back of the parchment as if it was miraculously going to shed some light on why they were asking so little. Glancing at his partner who was just as perplexed as him, but there was a glimmer of sympathy starting to make its presence known.

"Yes," Gabriel agreed, looking between the two leaders, nerves getting the better of him but he refused to show it at all. Potter had hit close to the truth, but even he didn't know the full picture, didn't know they didn't care about the war, they'd do whatever it took to just live, and if Voldemort was their best chance, they'd take it.

"Why?" Harry asked, "What's here that you want so badly? And why not just return to France with them?" astutely picking up what he was missing. Tom was on the same vein too, Harry could feel it through the bond, at the exact same time as him.

"A mother? Father? Sibling? Daughter? Son?" Voldemort slowly enunciated, watching them closely, "Ah, a son…"

"You just found out, didn't you?" Harry asked, fingers trailing over the ripped expensive paper. As if they had torn what stipulations they didn't desperately need, to ensure success of this merger. "What age is he?" how long had it been since they visited? If there were a pure Veela living here, they'd do everything to stay under the radar, including keeping this knowledge to themselves, even if it went against their instincts. Veela's were very, very family orientated, he couldn't imagine how difficult it was to keep it a secret.

"Five," Gabriel replied, if they were smart it meant they might actually succeed.

"Do they have someone to help?" Harry asked.

Severus suppressed a smile even as Rabastan rolled his eyes. Harry was far too sympathetic to everyone; it was ridiculous really. Severus wasn't surprised by Harry's ability to empathise with people, even if ultimately, he didn't do anything. It was life that had made Harry the way he was, nature and nurture. If he'd been raised right, he wouldn't have been able to deal with here.

"No," he confessed, the others glanced at Gabriel, sharing his grief and sympathy.

"What has them confined to the UK?" Voldemort queried, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.

"Family vows sworn in blood hold him here," Gabriel said, eyes flashing green, showing protective fury before they returned to their normal blue. He'd been that terrified he'd take their son that he'd decided against telling him. The only thing he had left, he lost his family the day he gave birth the stress of it too much. Merlin, he'd actually passed out just seeing him, it had not been the happy reunion he'd expected. The fear was for naught, they had no idea if the vows would hold their son here too. Not that he would have ever thought to take his son away from his carrier. He would have stayed with them, made sure they were safe.

"Let me guess, he can't even tell you which family?" Severus asked smoothly, shaking his head, otherwise he wouldn't have been surprised if they killed them in order to release the family from the vow. It's exactly what he would have done the very first night.

"I'm not sure he even knows," Gabriel replied coolly, he really shouldn't be giving this group any information on him. It was a dangerous game to play, they'd go to any lengths to win. The only reason he wasn't panicking too badly was the fact they didn't know who it was, and he definitely hadn't left a trail. Unfortunately, he couldn't say, he didn't know the carrier of his son as well as he liked.

"I'm assuming you've had a change of plans and intend to remain here for the foreseeable future?" Voldemort deduced.

"We'll be using the official Portkey back, then returning through any means necessary," Gabriel agreed with his assessment. He'd need to get in touch with a few of his contacts that were still free, get a couple of Portkey's made-up ASAP. It would be a steep price but this would be worth it.

"Shall we get back down to the purpose of the meeting?" Voldemort questioned, placing the parchment on the table. He wasn't about to get them to change their minds, if that was all they wanted then he'd do it. He was a Slytherin through and through, not a do-gooder Gryffindor of Hufflepuff. He was going to use each situation to his own advantage. It wasn't as if they too, wouldn't benefit from the arrangement after all.

There was a general rumble of agreement from everyone, as they settled down and formalities truly began. Which for Voldemort, was definitely the most interesting point of the meeting. After it started Harry remained quiet, eating and drinking his fill, content to let Tom handle it.

"Wait, are you saying even you're susceptible to it?" Harry interrupted them, gaping at Severus, glancing at Rabastan and then Barty finding it incredulous. "You didn't seem to react to Fleur…"

Agnes snorted, "I assume you mean the Delacour's?" the bite in her voice spoke of nothing but disgust. The quarter Veela had been rather popular, shed some decent light on Veela's but the newspapers had been very quick to point out she was merely a quarter Veela.

"Okay, that's a whole load of prejudice in that tone, right there," Harry said wryly, "Why?" he felt no defensiveness for Fleur, he knew her for less than a year, she was insignificant to him. His quest for answers were bland, making it clear to those he was meeting he didn't care much for the girl other than in passing.

"They used to be part of your group," Voldemort deduced, that sort of hatred? It was personal, she was furious, angry and it wasn't generic.

"Must have been a hell of a long time ago, Fleur is like…quarter Vela," Harry said, "Something about her grandmother being a Veela? I know she has her grandmother's hair in her wand from the weighing of the wands during the Tournament."

"She married a wizard," Agnes explained, tone curt and clipped, "Committed suicide when he died." Veela's lived extraordinary long lives, more so than any wizard could hope to accomplish even with a very good diet all their lives. With the tainted blood none of her children had lived much longer than wizards, the grandchildren less so.

"Huh," was all Harry had to say, rather impressed, they hadn't just known the family, they'd been good friends with them. It was a bit insane considering that they didn't look a day over twenty-five if that, it's difficult to tell since they weren't wearing make-up and a lot of girls around the age, they looked actually did wear it plastered on.

"You weren't affected by this Fleur's allure at all?" Josephine asked before they could gracefully change the subject. Leaning forward, her face adopting a curious look, glancing briefly at Severus who had confessed to having been susceptible to it much to Harry's shock and astonishment.

"No," Harry shook his head, "Seriously? You were affected?" looking at Severus again, before glancing at Rabastan who nodded and Barty who shrugged, he didn't care much about the conversation at hand. Plus, he hadn't exactly interacted with this Fleur despite watching Harry so closely.

"I was, minuity, but it makes sense she wasn't actively using her abilities," Severus answered offhandedly, she hadn't been actively using her alure.

"Does it affect those that are attracted to the opposite gender?" Harry asked, Severus was bisexual, he swung either way, as evidence by the fact he'd loved his mother for years. Now he looked very contently in a relationship with Rabastan.

It made them all chuckle, "It does."

Harry cocked his head to the side, staring at his bonded, "Even you?" it was almost a challenge.

"Even me," Voldemort agreed, "I have since created a shield of sorts that prevents the allure working."

"Against a full blooded Veela?" Hugo asked in interest, there had been nothing created thus far – at least Ministry wise – that would prevent their allure from working.

"Yes," Voldemort said smugly, lips twitching into a smirk, when he put his mind to something…he accomplished it.

"May I?" Hugo gestured between them, eyes alight with wonder and interest.

"You may," Voldemort had full confidence in his abilities, but he hadn't tested it out yet. This would be a good way to actually find out.

Barty made a discontented noise, but said nothing against the plans. He knew better than to suggest to the Dark Lord that it was a bad plan. He knew better than to question it full stop. Rabastan and Severus moved a little, but once the allure was switched on so to speak, they were going to be affected.

Harry sat up watching them curiously, Hugo looked to Gabriel seeking permission before he grinned impishly.

"Look at me," Hugo purred, and without a second though, Barty, Severus, and Rabastan did glance directly at Hugo.

Harry was just about to do it when he wrenched his gaze in the opposite direction.

"Look at me!" Hugo hummed, the full extent of his abilities on display.

Gabriel inhaled sharply, "Does your partner have the same protections?" noticing that Harry was actively fighting the allure while the Dark Lord Voldemort was entirely unaffected from presumably behind the spell.

Barty laughed, a deviously wicked grin on his face, "Oh man!" he said chuckling.

"Definitely not," Voldemort confessed, watching Harry with inquisitiveness. Wondering if he would have had the same immunity, especially with having Harry's blood, any protections he had, or abilities were now equally shared amongst the other. "The Imperius Curse?" correctly interpretating what held Barty's merriment.

"It's like your fourth year all over again," Barty commented still chortling.

"It did feel that way too," Harry nodded, "The compulsion to do what was asked was really, really strong."

"You make it look effortless," Severus said grimacing, he disliked not having full control over himself, he was grateful that the allure had already faded. "Was that how his class went?" almost wanting to kick out and pout. Honestly, he had worked for days, weeks on learning how to successfully fight off the Imperius Curse just in case it should be cast upon him.

"How long did it take?" Hugo asked, fascinated by Harry.

"Three," Harry revealed.

"Weeks?" Severus asked, he knew Barty hadn't stuck to the curriculum but other than that, he had no idea what he'd done and how long he'd done it.

"Days?" he asked again when Barty cackled.

"Attempts?" incredulously asked after a shake of the head.

Barty nodded, "Three attempts."

"My knees hurt for weeks afterwards," Harry complained at the remembered agony. "Like seriously, he was telling us to jump, and in mid thought/motion I was trying to stop myself. It was like a literal bodily tug of war."

"And how did my allure affect you?" Hugo asked, sounding like a child in a sweet shop. "I mean what were your symptoms?" he'd never met anyone who had the ability to fight off their allure before. They were full Veela, with very powerful allures.

"Less fuzziness, less artificial calmness…it just sorts of felt like a sharp command," Harry said thoughtfully, the others all nodded, agreeing with the differences between a Veela's allure and the Imperius Curse.

"Indeed," Severus murmured his agreement, and silence begun to descend for the first time since the meeting begun.

"You've been saying there won't be an all-out war, what sort of guarantee's will we have that it won't come to that?" Gabriel questioned, filling in the silence, with something that was causing him worries.

"Because my people have almost all been replaced in crucial departments," Voldemort replied, eyes gleaming with victory. "Without Dumbledore and their hero, the Boy-Who-Lived…they will have no hope, so if any suspect…they will easily be cowed." There was no order, there was no possibility of an all our war.

"You speak as if The-Boy-Who-Lived is an entirely different entity from…" before Hugo could finish, Harry interrupted him.

"That's because it is," Harry replied, "I created him, don't get me wrong, I am Harry Potter…but I created The-Boy-Who-Lived in order to survive. Fortunately for my own health, I no longer have to pretend to be something I am not."

"I see," Gabriel was the one who replied.

A knock on the door had all of them startling, Harry glanced at Tom, nobody would dare to interrupt a meeting without a very good excuse or reason. They watched Barty stand and move towards the door, open and then close it, talking to whoever it was outside.

"If you're that close to taking over…why do you need any more allegiances?" Gabriel continued their conversation.

"Seriously?" Harry muttered under his breathe, was this guy stupid? "We can do without the uprising, so the more allies we have the better." they didn't want any part of the magical world wiped out. If they had to though to keep the peace then so be it. Hence all the alliances, and this guy surely knew this…what was he attempting? To appear dumb? To see what they'd say? He relaxed when he felt calmness through the bond.

Gabriel's mouth twitched as if about to turn into a smirk but he fought it down. "You're not very…diplomatic, are you?"

"No," Harry said shaking his head, as the door opened, "And I have no desire to be." that was all up to Tom.

"They've released a second Daily Prophet newspaper today," Barty whispered to Harry and the Dark Lord grimly, it was unfolded, and placed in front of them.

"Well, shit," Harry said, staring at the picture of him and Tom on the front page, including Tom's name, and pseudo and their 'sensational' relationship.

They'd just been outed to the entire magical world.

Okay, so will this information be discarded as false warmongering or will the public become aware that Voldemort is really back and without anyone to fight for them bowing down to his demands? when will Dumbledore die? after the war is truly over or just before the last chapter? Will Barty remain with Hermione...or will Barty be forced to chose between the Dark Lord and his brethren and her? Can Hermione know who they are and survive/live? Hmm also need to decide what happens to Tonks too :) I keep forgetting about her lol definitely soon though :) R&R