Embracing His True Self
Chapter 107
"A few minutes earlier and I wouldn't have missed all the fun," Antonin groused, staring blankly at the body of Ronald Weasley. Less money to spend on those disgusting little brats, who thought they could get whatever they liked from his sister. Well, no more, he'd make sure she put her foot down with the girl as well. Boo fucking woo they'd lost their damn mother, but you don't see his sisters' children acting out the way the Weasley's youngest were. If kept up his niece and nephews would learn bad bloody habits.
Harry glanced at Ant having heard him, "I'll show you the memory in the pensive." He promised, but his tone was off, something Severus naturally noticed.
"Harry?" Severus murmured quietly, heard by all the occupants – except the dead Weasley – they were in a small enclosed stone cell, naturally his voice echoed. He didn't outright demand answers, he couldn't, Harry was above him in the hierarchy of things, in private it was different, but in public they had to do this, hierarchies existed for a reason. The Dark Lord enforced it heavily, and he was not going to be cursed for such a newbie mistake. Although, to be fair, the Dark Lord hadn't been really trigger happy, curse happy since slightly after his return.
"We suspect who has another vial of the potion," Harry said, trying to smile, but it came out a grimace.
Severus' breathing hitched, "Not Draco?" terrified that it was, besides Harry, Draco was the only child he could say he would die for, whom he loved dearly, despite the attitude he had on him.
"No, not Draco," Harry reassured him, his smile a bit more genuine, which helped ease Severus' sudden spike in anxiety.
"Someone on our side?" Antonin asked, stepping in, a thoughtful look on his face. "At Hogwarts…but someone not too obvious…" but for the life of him, regardless of his thoughts, he just could not fathom anyone being chosen. Dumbledore had loathed Slytherin's from a young age and encouraged – actively encouraged – the resentment and bullying between the houses.
"Vincent or Gregory," Severus said, his tone subdued, glancing at them for confirmation or denials.
"Told you," Harry said shooting Tom a smug superior look, smirking all the while.
Voldemort just gazed back, "Indeed," he murmured wryly.
"Not Vincent, he's literally the last male heir," it would devastate the Crabbe Matriarch.
The silence was answer enough.
"Shit," Antonin cursed, furious all over again with Dumbledore, hating that he was right. Everyone loved Dowager Crabbe, although nobody dared call her that. She'd light a fire under your ass quicker than you could finish saying it. She loved everyone, defended and listened to them and when needed, gave them the truth that they wouldn't get elsewhere. She was a grandmother to them all in other words. "He's a stupid idiot but likeable enough…what's going to happen?" was he going to be killed? Went unasked but certainly understood by everyone in the room. The Dark Lord he could see coming up with solutions if it were anyone but Harry, with it actually being the Lord Consort, it was likely Vincent Crabbe would be dead before the night was out.
All because he was foolish enough to be on his own with Dumbledore and let him use magic.
All of them wanted to strangle the idiot.
"How do we get where the potion is out of him when he likely won't remember?" Severus questioned pensively, without utterly destroying the boy's mind. destroying his mind wasn't an option, neither was killing Vincent, they would not let Dumbledore win. Each person they had to kill because of this? Would be allowing Dumbledore to win.
Voldemort arched a brow, "He will not live regardless." His tone was cold and serious as it had ever been.
"My Lord…without the potion he could do no harm," Severus said, risking it, as he always would for one of his snakes. That and the guilty feeling he had over the relief that it wasn't Draco was so paramount. In heart of hearts he'd pick Draco over Vincent any day of the week.
"Depends on the other orders," Antonin confessed tiredly, a resigned look crossing his face.
"He's not getting killed, we'll just send him abroad to live out his life," Harry retorted, rolling his eyes, "He can't really curse me from across the world, like Australia or New Zealand and forcing an Unbreakable Vow on him would negate all other magics placed on him."
"That is true…" Antonin conceded with a twitch of his head. "Although, the Crabbe's have always been here, they will want an heir to be born in Britain." Vincent once sent away would never get to be Lord Crabbe, hell, the heirship would be stripped from him as well. Some people would prefer death over that, but the Crabbe family were rather simple in their belief and desires. Money – while they had a lot of it – didn't motivate them.
"Then use a freezing spell on his sperm," Harry said through gritted teeth, it was as if they were fighting him when he was trying to save the idiots life. "Preferably using a Muggle-born witch to bring some intelligence and magic back to the family line." Not to mention looks, he thought, rather uncharitably.
Severus, Ant and Tom all simultaneously blanched, they did not want to think about the boy like that at all. Although Antonin did slide the information away for later. It might offer the Crabbe Matriarch some comfort that her line would continue, even if Vincent was sent away for the good of everyone else.
"Uprooting his life for a maybe isn't ideal," Severus said, it wasn't fair on Vincent, "And it may blind us to a real threat." Cautioning them that they might be getting ahead of themselves without knowing the real truth, the last thing they needed was to be blind to all else that moves on what was left of Dumbledore's chessboard.
"Indeed, something we've both agreed on before you appeared." Voldemort said still pissed beyond belief. He did not like the fact there were still finding these potions. That Dumbledore was still winning when his partner was beyond terrified. Oh, he made a good show of not revealing that, but he was bound to Harry on an elemental level, he knew everything he felt. "Even if this proves to be true, there is still one out there, and that is one too many." He would not allow harm to come to his partner, never in a million years.
"The kid is going to piss himself," Antonin muttered to himself but was heard nonetheless.
Harry snorted out a laugh, that was likely true, they were honestly harmless. The boys looked intimidating but were so kind to children and animals. The only times they were 'violent' you could say was in protection of those they cared about and if Draco told them to do something. They were emotionally stunted, and would never really be fully grown, at least Harry believed it to be that way. It wasn't something he'd have noticed if he didn't spend a lot of time with them, thankfully without Malfoy, he doubted they'd ever like each other.
Voldemort pressed his lips together, wrinkling his nose a little at the thought but conceded that Antonin was likely correct.
Severus himself snorted, but it was hidden behind Harry's louder one, and would deny he snorted indelicately to his dying breath.
"He was bloody jealous that Dumbledore was paying anyone any attention from another house," Harry said bitterly, staring down at the body of the boy the world knew as his best friend. Kneeling before the idiot, as if a different angle could help make sense of it all. "Especially a Slytherin." Disbelief pouring off of him, he was jealous of everything that moved.
"He did have to compete with not only five successful elder brothers, and a much-anticipated girl," Severus stated, being rather kind all things considered, when he only wanted to sneer. Harry had to have some feelings over what happened, and they surely couldn't all be negative.
"Is that hurting?" Harry asked him, smirking up at Severus.
"Decidedly so," Severus confessed dryly, nudging him to get up, it was not his place to be on the floor net to him.
"What are you doing with it?" Antonin questioned, peering at the redheaded idiot, the Weasley clock was gone, there would never know what happened to him. "Him," he corrected himself.
Harry felt a twinge of regret, but not for Ron, no, it was for the others, especially the twins. He did care for some members of the Weasley family, and here he was about to hurt them again. "Let him be found, in Diagon Alley, nowhere near Knockturn Alley." He was not going to let something like Ronald destroy the budding goodness that was Knockturn Alley now. People wanted to live there, the new builds was attracting a lot of good press and attention. Harry made sure that everyone who had lived there before got to stay, even at a reduced rent price – he wasn't a total arse – but it was only so as long as they made what they did, when they got a better job, or a rise, Harry would raise the rent too.
"What about near the Shrieking Shack?" Severus suggested, "I'm sure the rumours will be amusing to listen to." he knew it wasn't in Diagon Alley, but there was less chance of someone being observed in Hogsmeade than Diagon Alley, the Alley was small, clustered. If he suspected what they'd be doing tonight…they couldn't risk mass panic, so he added, "Tomorrow? Since I do believe finding a dead body will have everyone's defences up."
Voldemort curtly nodded just once, entirely in agreement. Not surprised that Severus knew what was happening, or had correctly deduced it more like. Most of his inner circle had probably realized what was going on the moment everyone began to appear when he called them. Except of course, Rodolphus and Barty, Barty he would speak to about it, and decide on whether he wants to take part of remain at home with his pregnant girlfriend. He already knew the answer – Barty would never miss a fight, let alone the last one – he'd be there with bells on.
"Still likes to mess everything up," Harry huffed out displeased with Ronald Weasley and everything he stood for. "I'll give you 'have a job to do'," scowling darkly, turning to face them, they could do whatever they liked with the body.
Voldemort chuckled, he rather liked when Harry got petulant and angry – especially when it wasn't at him – he was amusing to observe.
"My Lords? Everyone is here," Lucius said, entering the dungeon cell, eyes flickering over to the red headed Weasley that had been captured before. "Including Rodolphus and Luna."
"Ha! You're owe me twenty galleons!" Harry said cackling in delight, "Told you."
Voldemort's mouth moved a bit, likely to pout but remembered where they were. "By mere minutes," he sighed, staring at the watch as if it had personally betrayed him.
"Nope," Harry said, making a popping sound, "An hour and a…five minutes." Leaning over Tom to see the time himself, green eyes twinkling brightly, as always, able to enjoy the good times as they came. Here though, there were a lot more good times than bad. It's why he'd never regret the decision to actually stay, when he had the ability to leave that is.
Tom grumbled non-committedly, not agreeing or disagreeing with his comment.
"My Lords?" Lucius repeated, waiting at the door respectfully waiting to know what the next step would be.
"Take your places, we will join you soon." Voldemort commanded of all of them, except Harry, obviously, since he was not a Death Eater.
"Yes, Sir," the three murmured obediently, inclining their head just so, before leaving.
Harry watched Antonin, Lucius and Severus leave.
"Will you be joining me tonight?" Voldemort asked, raising Harry's chin so that his partner was looking at him.
"Just you try and stop me," Harry said, eyeing Tom suspiciously, wondering if that's what Tom wanted to hear, or if he had genuinely hoped it was a no. Tom was very protective of him, so he wouldn't be surprised if it was what Tom wanted.
Voldemort nodded, not surprised, Harry had never been one to take a back seat when it came to the action. Regardless of what side he was on at the time – not that it had really been his side – of the fight. "I want you to remain beside me, no matter what happens, do you understand?" the grip he had on Harry's chin a little tight.
"I get it, I'll stay beside you no matter what," Harry said, yanking his chin out of the painful hold giving Tom a warning look, that had bloody hurt.
"Do I have your word?" Voldemort replied, knowing that if Harry gave his word…he would do all he could to keep it.
Harry licked his lips, slightly overwhelmed by the intensity he could feel burning through the bond and in Tom's eyes. "You have my word that I'll remain at your side." As powerful as they are, the magic flared and he'd be kept to his word.
"Good, now my becoming Minister is the first step tonight," Voldemort replied, relaxing fully now that he had Harry's cooperation. Oh, he knew Harry would have tried to keep his word, but this way he would be forced to. He would not do this without Harry, and he would not allow anything to harm him.
"I still don't get how, you aren't a Minister employee, and aren't on the list of who can become the interim minister." Harry said, stepping out of the cell, closing it when Tom came out, as they both made their way up the stairs, aiming straight for the Great Hall, where the Death Eaters awaited the Orders from their Lords.
Their Lord and Lord Consort.
"You'll find by the end of the night, that my name is the only one of that list alive," Voldemort said smugly.
"Wait, you never mentioned actually knowing the contents of the list!" Harry grumble, feeling left out.
"Oleander only successfully got it for me this morning," Voldemort informed him, instead of letting him sweat.
Harry hmphed all the same. But asked, "Is there anyone I know on the list?"
"Are you really familiar with those that work in the Ministry?" Voldemort questioned; he honestly wouldn't be surprised if Harry was familiar with a few of people he was unaware. Harry didn't reveal everything he did, and he didn't expect him to unless it pertained to something they were planning.
"Other than the Weasley's, not really, well Bones too, she was at the trial, I'm a bit iffy on everyone else." he couldn't put a lot of names to faces, not without at least viewing the memories again in the pensive. "I mean other than the guys I know here who've taken over jobs in various different departments." The majority of them were all dark supporters or those that wanted to be or were Death Eaters.
Voldemort made a sound of agreement, as the traipsed towards the meeting room, and as always, he flung open the doors like the dramatic ass his partner always said he was.
"Dramatic Ass," Harry hissed, rolling his eyes, "And I'm saying that while looking at your dramatic ass!"
Voldemort withheld his smirk with a great deal of difficulty, his eyes however were a little brighter than they had been before. Normally this was only said behind their closed bedroom doors, or their wing where not many – if any – could gain entrance. Luckily though, nobody could understand a thing they said.
A few may be able to figure it out without needing any translations, Harry's sassy nature wasn't lost on anyone.
At the top of the dais, there were two thrones, one a little bigger – because Tom was a dramatic ass – okay, maybe a big bit bigger. Harry as always, who loved stirring the hornet's nest, folded himself gracefully into the bigger seat, a peaceful serene smile on his face, but the bond they shared was thrumming with amusement and a surprising amount of arousal. There were a few titters from the large assembled group.
"My followers…today is the day we've been waiting for," Voldemort declared loudly, wand out, playing with it absently, as he spoke to his people.
Luna almost made Harry shit himself when she spoke (albeit quietly) to him suddenly from behind that chair, "Hi, Harry!"
Voldemort paused; he was increasingly on edge knowing that tonight it all played out. If anything were to happen it would be tonight, he just knew it. Luna was very lucky he had such composure, bred into him out of the need to lead, and ensure none of his followers got the wrong idea of him being replaceable.
"Bloody hell, Luna, are you trying to kill me?" Harry asked, his hand held dramatically to his chest as he stared at her sideways.
"Of course not," she said staring, adopting an affronted tone at his words.
"Tonight, we reclaim the Ministry of magic and the magical world on a whole, and change everything for the better!" Voldemort didn't need to shout; he raised his voice a little but that was it. He was looking forward to tonight, and he knew the others were all as well.
"Luna, tell me everything is going to be okay," Harry said quietly, listening to the cheering that reached the rafters.
Luna smiled, "The future is looking good." She replied sincerely.
"Does Tom survive?" he asked staring intently at her.
"Yes, he does," Luna told him.
Harry relaxed back and nodded, it didn't matter if he didn't survive, he'd already had so much freedom granted to him by this side. He wanted to survive, just to have a relationship with Tom, to see the world flourish into what it could be. He had so many things he still wanted to do including build on the shops in Knockturn Alley next.
And he listened to his bonded make battle plan after battle plan, he couldn't help but be in awe of him and his dedication. They would do this; they could do this. There was nobody else left that could possibly want to make a stand against the new regime.
The magical world was already theirs, just nobody knew it, but tonight they would.
Yes, they'd already won, all they were doing was claiming what was theirs.
Harry slid off the chair and joined his bonded as they all came together to make the best possible plans for the take over and what to do in the event things don't go as planned.
Best be ready for all and any happenings.
"Be ready to leave in an hour, Snape, Dolohov, Lucius, Crabbe's stay behind." using Lucius' given name because he did not want Narcissa and Draco to stick around.
A/N – Oh my gosh! I can't believe how close I am to finishing this one *sobs* I don't want it to end but on the other hand it's nearly finished (I know I've changed my tune) there's not going to be much else to write…Luna's words were a little bit ominous…will Harry survive the final battle? Or will they be overwhelmed with people they didn't expect to defend themselves? What will be done with those that do try to fight the new regime? Azkaban or killed? After all this was all being done to preserve magical bloodlines Will the Malfoy's end up with more than just Hermione? Will they have another child to raise from the age of eleven?…R&R please!