A/N: Hey you lot, I'm back and I seriously cannot say thank you enough! Your support is absolutely amazing. I'm back with the next chapter, and this is quite a bit of Harry and Tom bonding – so I hope you like it!
Disclaimer: I'm not J.K, but you know this plot is mine :P
Warning: Slash, mentions of violence, language – the usual!
Parsel
Chapter 39:
Tom had just picked up a book when Harry appeared in a swarm of shadows, the teen was feeling a lot of resignation and self-pity when he arrived and Tom raised an eyebrow.
"What is it now?" He asked, fighting back the urge to sigh and Harry shot him a winning smile.
"Hi, to you too." He responded brightly, and Tom rolled his eyes.
"Yes, yes, I can feel your emotions," He reminded him and Harry groaned.
"I forget about that." He complained.
"Apparently," Tom said, "Now, I repeat. What is it?"
"We've come up with a plan," Harry informed him, "But you are not going to like it."
"There are many things I do not like, Harry." Tom pointed out and Harry shot him a look.
"Yes well, you are really not going to like this." Harry sighed, "We need to draw Dumbledore's attention away from the castle and, by extension, me."
"That's going to me near impossible." Tom stated and Harry nodded.
"I know," Harry agreed, his hands coming up to absently fiddle with the locket around his neck. "The only way that Dumbledore would even think about taking his eyes from me is if the distraction is somehow linked to me." Tom looked at him and his eyes were drawn to his neck, where Harry was turning over his locket in his hands and his mind clicked in to place.
"Absolutely not." He denied vehemently, "I will not allow it." Harry chucked to himself without humour.
"Yeah, we thought you would respond like that."
"I will not dangle a part of my soul within reach of the old man." Tom stated firmly and Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Do you believe the old man able to get past your defences?" He asked lightly and Tom shot him a dark look.
"Completely beside the point. This is not information, nor is it location of war necessities – this is my soul!" Tom exclaimed, "He's been close enough as it is." Harry ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath, he could feel how opposed Tom was to the idea, it was practically pulsing within his mind and he doubted that there was anything even he could do to make him change his mind; but he had to try.
"Please Tom, will you just listen for one moment?" He quietly asked but Tom shook his head.
"There is nothing to listen to," Tom informed him, "I will not do it." There was an air of finality around his words and Harry almost choked on the heavy feeling that settled in his stomach, it burned, and Harry realised it hurt that Tom felt so little about his continued existence. That confused him because, logically, Tom was under no obligation to keep him alive, and it was merely the man making sure his own survival was foremost protected – it was completely understandable. But yet it hurt. Harry blinked a few times and pushed everything back and away, leaving him cool and focussed.
"You'd have me die?" He questioned, his voice cold even to his ears, and detached, "Huh, cold even for you, but then again, you are the Dark Lord." He reasoned and Tom's eyes narrowed at the change in behaviour, and the sudden absence of any feeling from Harry; it was as if he was hollow.
"Die? No, I have already told you that you are not to die." Tom reminded him, his voice sharp, his anger leaking in to his tone without his permission. Hadn't he already expressly told Harry that he wasn't going to die, that he wouldn't allow it? He didn't like the sudden detachedness in which Harry was speaking to him, it made something shift within him and it took more effort that he allowed himself to acknowledge to push that away.
"Do you think I would even contemplate this as an option if we had anything else at all?" Harry demanded incredulously, "Besides, if you would just listen for one freakin' second, you would hear that we have a safety measure suggested." Tom narrowed his eyes.
"Go on,"
"You'll strengthen the defences on one of the locations, but leave a trail, one so subtle that it suggests to Dumbledore that it was your belief in your superiority that he would never find them that caused you to make a 'mistake'." Harry explained, and Tom nodded slowly, he could see that as a plausible idea but he still didn't like it.
"And this safety measure?"
"Simple really," Harry began with a smirk, "The horcrux won't be a real one." Tom's expression went blank before his eyebrows shot up.
"Excuse me?"
"Paws is working on a spell weave that should mimic the feeling of the horcrux as we speak, she thought it best that she start in case you gave us the ok." Harry told him, "We'll get a replica and we'll cover it with the weave and hide it for Dumbledore to sniff out."
"You think it possible? To put a fake horcrux for him to find and he'll go for it?" Tom questioned slowly, interested but sceptical. It would be a long shot that Dumbledore would go for it if a horcrux suddenly fell in to his radar, surely he would be suspicious?
"I think it's the only shot we have. It would have to be in a location that wasn't suspicious." Harry said, "He's been researching you your entire life, he thinks he knows you so it would have to be in a place that fit the idea he has of you. One that he would associate…" Harry trailed off and tilted his head to the side, something coming to mind; he stopped fiddling with the locket and held it up. "Where was this originally hidden?" Tom blinked at the sudden switch, but he was getting used to that habit of Harry's.
"It was in a cave I had found, off the coast. I took two of the more bothersome orphans there to make them see things my way." He answered and Harry flashed a dark grin.
"Perfect." He murmured, "This is perfect."
"Explain," Tom ordered and Harry turned abruptly to face him.
"How does this sound? We'll put a locket in the very same cave and set Dumbledore after that one, he'll believe it, he would be foolish not to." Harry said, excitedly, "It would be something you would do, you did do it, Slytherin locket in a place where you were fully able to control your powers. He'll bite that within a second." Tom smirked at that, he was liking the sound of the plan more and more, and he would know that the real thing would be safe because Harry currently had it around his neck and the teen would be within his reach.
"The only problem I can foresee is the trail." Tom said thoughtfully, "I would have to be so subtle that even Dumbledore would consider overlooking it."
"I think I already have that." Harry said, and he laughed. "And it's so simple," his mind was rapidly forming this plan and he grinned, oh this was brilliant. "I swear. My best thoughts come from these situations." Tom rolled his eyes, he could feel the teen again, and his mind was turning over so quickly that he hadn't a hope of keeping up.
"Would you care to share?" Tom drawled and Harry pouted.
"You couldn't let me bask for even a minute." Harry asked and he sniffed when Tom shook his head in exasperation.
"You are impossible."
"Fine fine," Harry huffed, "This locket was found in the House of Black, and Regulus is dead. So how did it get there? Who could have found the cave and escaped with the locket?"
"It should have been impossible for the person to escapes, there was extensive defences to prevent them leaving the cave." Tom said thoughtfully, "Even I took an elf there. The potion I created to hide the locket would severely weaken them." Harry had to laugh at that and Tom shot him a confused look.
"I thought you would say that." Harry said, clarifying Tom's look.
"How?"
"I've worked it out, and if I'm right this just got a whole lot easier." Harry said and Tom blinked.
"Go on?"
"The elf you took with you, it would have happened to be Regulus' elf, would it?" Harry inquired.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, it was." Tom confirmed slowly.
"It all makes sense." Harry breathed, "It is such a shame that so many, especially those who have been in the wizarding world for so long, often forget the power of magical creatures."
"How does that have anything to do with the current situation?" Tom questioned and Harry grinned.
"Isn't it obvious? Wizard magic has very few things that can counter or block house elves. The reason this locket was found in the House of Black is so simple that it's very clear why you didn't even consider it." Harry said enthusiastically, "The reason Regulus was able to get the locket out was because he took his elf with him, and when he had the locket he ordered the elf to go home." Tom looked at him blankly and Harry rolled his eyes. "House elves cannot disobey a direct order like that, therefore, he went home. He simply apparated home after his master ordered him to, taking the locket with him, and bypassing all the, no doubt, intricate and powerful defences you created to stop wizards from getting to your horcrux."
"Ingenious." Tom whispered stunned and Harry grinned.
"I love house elves." Harry decided.
"I would never had come to such a conclusion." Tom admitted, "It seems too simple to even be plausible, and yet it makes perfect sense."
"I know, and this is where elves are going to come in handy again." Harry said.
"How?"
"I think the same elf that took the locket in the first place is still alive." Harry told him.
"Oh?"
"Yes, one moment." Harry said, "Kreacher?" the elf popped in immediately and went to address his master, but he caught sight of Tom first and released a muted scream of fear and tried to hide behind the table and his own hands much to the Harry's amusement. Tom looked at the elf with an incredulous expression and then rolled his eyes at Harry's silent laughter.
"Honestly,"
"Sorry," Harry didn't even sound remotely sorry, but he calmed himself and knelt down next to Kreacher. "Don't worry about him, Kreacher, ignore him, he's a giant teddy bear." Harry told the elf soothingly and Tom threw a dark look at the teen's back, less than impressed with the comparison.
"Teddy bear?" He repeated sharply, and then to his utter incredulity, and amusement as much as he hated to admit it, Harry merely waved him off without so much as looking at him. The Dark Lord shook his head and looked to the heavens, waved of in favour for a house elf, what was the world coming to? He didn't even know why he put up with such actions, if one of his death eaters were to do such a thing, even his elite, who he actually liked, they would have been cursed before he had even thought about it. But Harry did that and nothing, absolutely no reaction whatsoever! What in Merlin's name was going on with him? While Tom was having his mental conversation, Harry had all of his attention focussed on his elf and getting him to calm down.
"Now Kreacher, I am going to assume that you were the one to help Regulus in his final task." Harry said and Kreacher nodded.
"Kreacher was forbidden from speaking of it to anyone." The elf croaked.
"Do you still want to help Regulus, in his memory?" Harry asked and Kreacher's eyes widened almost comically.
"It would be Kreacher's honour, Master Harry."
"I need you to make sure Dumbledore hears you speaking about the cave you and Regulus went to, but what is really important is that you make it sound like you were unable to get the locket. Make it sound as if you failed and you came back empty handed." Harry told him and the elf nodded slowly.
"Kreacher can do that, master Harry?" He said, but he was confused and Harry picked up on it in an instant.
"I know Regulus didn't fail, but I want Dumbledore to go to the cave and suffer like Regulus." Harry explained, "See, if it wasn't for Dumbledore, then Regulus would probably still be alive, and so it's only fair that Dumbledore has to pay." Harry watched Kreature's eyes flash and he nodded furiously.
"Kreacher will make sure Dumbledore hears him, and Kreacher will make sure Dumbledore believes the first locket is still in the cave. Dumbledore won't suspect a thing, no he won't, because Kreacher will make him believe, in honour of Master Regulus." The elf said surely and Harry grinned.
"Brilliant, Kreacher. You will do Regulus proud." Harry told him and the elf bowed and popped away. Harry rose back to his feet and turned back to Tom.
"Dumbledore is to blame for Regulus' death?" He repeated and Harry shrugged.
"Well, I can't think of a plausible reason for Regulus' sudden defection and him trying to take out a piece of your soul." Harry reasoned.
"That is true. He did not know what the locket was, and he was very loyal – all the Blacks are." Tom conceded.
"I don't know if's it's the truth, but Dumbledore is to blame for most other things. This really wouldn't surprise me." Harry said.
"You need to make sure you're friend has the weave ready at the soonest possible time." Tom pointed out and Harry nodded.
"And you'll need to make sure the cave is ready," Harry added, "I'll sort the fake locket and the spell, I'll go and check on Paws in a second to get a time estimate. Once I have that, I'll come to you and we'll go to the cave to plant it."
"Very well." Tom cast a tempus, "I have to show my face at dinner for a moment."
"That's fine, I'll go see Paws and meet you back here." Harry said, Tom nodded and left as soon as his glamour settled over him. Harry prodded the connection he had with Paws and waited for her to respond.
Yes?
Where are you? Harry asked her.
Peverell ritual room, it was the only places safe enough to build the weave away from anyone and everything. She replied.
Ok, I'm coming to you, I'll arrive outside so I don't disrupt the magics. He told her and stepped through the shadows, she had already opened the door to the stone room when his shadows had vanished and Harry grinned.
"Hey,"
"Hi," She returned, leading him in to the room, "What brings you?"
"I finally got Tom to give the go ahead on plan trinket." Harry told her and she looked at him in shock.
"Already?" She exclaimed, "Wow, I thought it would have taken until Monday in the least."
"Yeah, well it wasn't looking promising until I told him that it would be fake." Harry said, "But then I had a bit of an epiphany while I was trying to convince him, and it sealed the deal."
"Oh Merlin, what did you realise." Paws questioned, somewhat dreading the answer and Harry looked marginally offended.
"It wasn't a bad thing." He said hotly and she raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, it wasn't."
"What was it then?"
"How did the locket get back to the House of Black in the first place, if Regulus was dead and Sirius was with Dumbledore and then Azkaban?" He asked her and she blinked a few times.
"I have no idea." She said slowly, "No doubt the Dark Lord put up protections against theft."
"Exactly, my thoughts were quite simple really. It wasn't a human that took it from the cave." He said and she gasped.
"House elf!"
"Yep, and not just any house elf either." Harry informed her.
"Kreacher?" She tried and Harry nodded.
"Yes, so we have the locket safely around my neck and around Tom, and an elf that would have plausible reason for knowing about the locket and cave. He's agreed to mutter about the cave, the locket and Regulus failing to get in within Dumbledore's earshot." Harry listed, "It's practically set itself up."
"That was a rather brilliant epiphany." Paws noted, "So I am to assume you are here for a time estimate?"
"Yes,"
"Well, you are in luck." She told him, "It should be done by Monday, Tuesday the latest."
"Perfect, you are great, Paws." Harry said honestly, "It you could weave it around a locket then I would be most grateful."
"I can do that." She confirmed, "I'll let you know when it's done."
"Thanks." Harry hugged her and vanished back to Tom's rooms. The man was still in the Great Hall Harry found, so he went to the kitchen and called for Winky to bring him a number of ingredients and certain pots and pans. He lost himself in preparing and cooking, so much so that he didn't notice when Tom returned, or that he wasn't alone when he returned. The Dark Lord was speaking to Severus and informing him of the recent backlash when they stepped in to his rooms, and the potions master turned to him in question when sounds from the kitchen drifted over.
"That would be Harry cooking, he's trying to keep himself focussed on something." Tom told him, as if that explained anything to someone who didn't really know the teen. Snape followed his Lord in but he stopped short as the kitchen came in to view and he took in the Potter-Black teen, and everything going on around him.
"Can he cook?" Snape questioned, looking at the mess and Tom smirked.
"I wouldn't let him hear you ask that, he'd get very offended." Tom said.
"It just doesn't fit." Snape said.
"Oh, and you have found anything else that has?" Tom inquired and Snape made a sound in the back of his throat.
"Yes, that is true." He allowed.
"In answer to your question, however, is yes. He can cook, very well, surprisingly."
"Then what in Merlin's name is all of this?" Snape indicated the mess that Harry had created around him, and the multiple things going on at once.
"He's making something he has done before, frequently I would presume." Tom answered.
"Really?"
"Yes, his eyes are somewhat glazed, indicating memory movements. His actions are absent, the way he is stirring the pan and then going back to his previous task without so much as a blink. He hasn't got his head tilted to the side, showing that he is not curious. Finally, he hasn't noticed us. He's oblivious to his surroundings meaning he isn't even contemplating something going wrong." Tom explained easily, without even a touch of hesitation.
"He looks very different without his glamour." Snape muttered, "I still find it so very strange."
"That is normal compared to the rest of him." Tom murmured, before he raised his voice and flared his magic slightly, "Harry?" the teen's attention snapped to him instantly, even if his hands didn't stop moving, and a warm smile came to his face much to Tom's confused pleasure.
"Tom! You're back." He said, "I didn't noticed, sorry."
"I see you are busy."
"Yes, but it is fun. I changed a few things up when I got working, and you'll just have to deal with my weird presentation. I think it's cool." Harry told him brightly, "You're drink is already on the table." Tom looked to see a glass of red wine sitting for him and smiled.
"I was informing Severus of the recent backlash." He told the teen, taking his seat and indicating Snape to sit too. Harry looked up again and started when he saw Snape there.
"Oh, hey Snape. Did not know you were there." Harry said, "You don't want food, do you? Because I don't think I've made enough." Snape blinked.
"You are quite alright, Potter. I ate in the Great Hall."
"Good," Harry threw two steaks in his skillet pan and they sizzled loudly.
"What in Merlin's name are you making?"
"My version of a mixed grill." Harry answered without a thought, he threw in two tomato halves to griddle with the steaks as waved his hand and cleared an area. The two dark wizards watched him work for a few moments before going back to their conversation.
"Dumbledore's actions show that he is getting desperate." Snape agreed, "The Order is up in arms over the latest article and Dumbledore is working on cleaning up this mess. Though, from the last meeting, I am beginning to believe that it will never work as much as he wants it to."
"What of the Order?"
"With the escape of Lupin, and the relentless bad press, they are becoming distracted. The last meeting was more of a debate on whether finding Skeeter was as much as a priority as finding more of the dark allies." Snape said in disgust, "And Dumbledore seems more inclined to find the blasted reported currently. He was furious, and he said something about using his contacts to get her. By the end of the meeting, he was convinced, and had convinced most of the Order, that Skeeter was hiding out with Dark Creatures, so the hunt has begun."
"He'll never find her." Harry informed them, from the kitchen.
"Why?" Snape asked and Harry shot him a smirk.
"He would have to tear down the blood wards to do so." Harry said, "She's hidden in one of my properties and while Dumbledore is keeping an eye on them, he has had more important things to do than watch properties that belong to me because I am right under his nose."
"I see you thought this through." Tom commented and Harry nodded.
"Of course. I knew as soon as the articles started, and they were rather brutal, that he would be going after the author. I needed to protect my investment, and Rita did deserve a reward." Harry explained easily.
"Fortunately, the Dark Creatures are already being monitored and Dumbledore's connections are being tracked." Tom said, "You will need to watch him carefully, Severus. If he is removed from the school then we are no longer going to have eyes on him."
"Wouldn't it be prudent to keep him somewhere we can see him?" Snape asked and Harry snorted, Tom rolled his eyes at the teen.
"No, Dumbledore cannot remain here. There is too much riding on Harry and his friends' work for him to stay." Tom said, "And I do not wish to taint this castle any more than strictly necessary."
"I see," Snape paused, "It is unsure to what Dumbledore will do if he is removed."
"Yes, which makes your position even more important. He trusts you, Severus, and he will come to you." Tom said.
"Especially if everything goes to plan. January is going to be beautiful." Harry said, "Ok, nearly done."
"What are you going to be doing in January?" Tom questioned and all he got was that annoying smile that Harry gave when he wasn't going to say a thing. "I should curse you."
"Yeah, probably. But you won't." Harry said lightly, "It wouldn't end well."
"Does Dumbledore still have hopes on Scrimgeour?" Tom questioned Snape, ignoring Harry's comment much to the potion master's confusion.
"Yes, and his Wizengamot power is spreading. Shaklebolt, Vance and Jones are dealing with the lower levels and he has someone feeding things to and from the Noble and Most Ancient circle." Snape answered.
"Augusta Longbottom." Harry called over.
"What makes you so sure?" Snape questioned.
"Other than the fact that she sold her grandson to Dumbledore to spell and manipulate? Not much." Harry said sarcastically, "She's obsessed with her son, and his image, to the point where it's almost deranged. Dumbledore opposes the force that took Frank away from her, of course she'll do anything to help him. She's twisted the logic that the prophecy was Neville's fault, which is why she sold him to Dumbledore."
"But the old fool faked the prophecy." Tom pointed out.
"Yeah well, I didn't say it made sense." Harry shrugged. Snape quirked an eyebrow, but that was the only sign he gave that he, too, found the situation odd, the potions master rose to his feet with the Dark Lord.
"I shall keep keen eyes on him, My Lord, and report anything back."
"Very well," Tom said and Snape was dismissed.
"Everything is done now, I hope you're hungry." Harry said and Tom turned to face him, he blinked at the dining table which was now in his rooms but decided not to bother asking and just took his seat. Harry came over with rectangle slate plate and placed it in front of Tom, he places a black bowl filled with wedge potatoes next to it and a square black bowl filled with onion rings.
"So, we have medium rare sirloin steak, with bacon, because I don't like gammon, sausages and chicken, because I prefer it to lamb. Served with mushrooms, griddled tomatoes, onion rings, season wedge potatoes and salad." Harry told him and Tom gave him a smile.
"Thank you, and I do like the presentation." Tom said and Harry grinned.
"Thanks, I like the plates." He brought over his own food and sat down. They enjoyed their meal in relative quiet, only the odd word exchanged between them; it was peaceful. Harry protested when Tom cleared the table, but he was silenced with a kiss and a smirk, the teen huffed playfully and vanished the table instead.
"Winky," Harry called, "Can I have my ministry box please?"
"Right away, Master Harry." She said with a nod.
"Can you not just bring it to yourself?" Tom asked, and Harry nodded.
"Usually I'm able to, but I can't actually remember where I left it exactly." Harry explained, "I need to know where to direct the shadows precisely when I'm trying to grab things, unless if I'm taking myself."
"I see,"
Winky handed Harry a tomb size box full of sheets, journals and books and Tom blinked, he thanked her and threw himself on the sofa in front of the table.
"I can see that look." Harry said, "Just think, this has a shrinking charm and an extension charm on it too."
"Dear Merlin, what is in that?"
"This is all of my personal work that I intend to do to the ministry, with the books and references to back everything up. It still needs work, obviously, and there are some departments that have a lot more details than others, but yeah." Harry shrugged.
"What departments are privy to more details?" Tom inquired taking a seat next to the teen.
"The Department of Child Welfare and the Improper Use of Magic Office are the current ones that have the most details. I plan on opening different offices and departments to manage a few things, or possibly get rid of them, depending on how things work out." Harry told him.
"Oh? And what are you going to be working on tonight?"
"Ah, now this is something that Lucius is absolutely going to adore." Harry said brightly, summoning a wad of parchment and a black journal.
"You enjoy teasing him much more than you should." Tom informed him and Harry smirked.
"I really don't get to do it enough." He countered, "In all seriousness, he will either love or hate it, but I'm having Bleach present it to him with me."
"It is something to do with blood." Tom stated and Harry nodded.
"Yes, this whole blood purity argument is bullshit and you know it. We could both flatten every single one of the purebloods in this country without so much as breaking a sweat, and one of the most powerful people within your ranks is Snape." Harry pointed out, "That right there pretty much counters their arguments. Add to the fact that, as much as we hate him, Dumbledore is very powerful."
"Yes, I am aware that there is no actual merit to the blood purity argument, however, I have found that majority of the distaste for muggleborns come, not from their blood, but their ignorance, and their insistence of changing the wizarding world to fit their world." Tom responded, "At least to those who actually have a brain."
"Hm, well, then this might not go down as badly as presumed." Harry acknowledged, "You intend to cut out muggle influence, correct?"
"Yes, it is better for us if we are completely hidden from the muggle world."
"I agree, but there were a few gaps in your idea." Harry said, "The major one being muggleborns. They are magical, and it is not right, nor fair, should they be forgotten about."
"No, no magical child should be subjected to muggles."
"But it wasn't even that that caught my attention." Harry commented.
"No?"
"No, it was the title itself." Harry admitted.
"Muggleborn?"
"Yes." He confirmed, "You are cutting out muggle influence and yet you still have an entire section of the magical world labelled as muggleborn. It didn't fit."
"I see your point." Tom allowed, "What did you have in mind?"
"They will no longer be called 'muggleborn'." Harry said simply, "Because they will no longer be recognised as being born from muggles."
"Explain," Tom ordered and Harry pulled out a sheet of parchment.
"I was looking in to what actually defined the blood status' and they are truly shockingly bad." Harry began, "To be a pureblood, both sets of your grandparents have to have been magical, anything less than that puts you are halfblood apparently."
"Yes, I know this."
"So when two muggleborns have a child it is what? A halfblood, according to the current classification. Well, what happens when that halfblood then has a child with another child born from two muggleborns? Is their child suddenly a pureblood, even though its parents are halfbloods?"
"I see your point, it does not make sense at all. What are those children? And it could go on for generations." Tom noted and Harry nodded.
"Exactly, and it is one of the greatest reasons why our world is unable to move forward and expand." Harry said.
"In what respect?" Tom questioned and Harry frowned.
"Ok, just for a moment, clear your mind of any and all things you have heard about magical blood. A muggleborn is, to what we currently know, the first person within their family to have magic, a brand new magical person, yes?"
"Yes," Tom agreed slowly.
"So their blood is fresh blood, their magic is new magic. It's bright and clear and pure."
"It is,"
"And like I said before they are the first in their family, a first generation. A first generation with new blood and new magic, a-,"
"A first generation pureblood." Tom finished for him and Harry grinned.
"Yes!"
"I much prefer that." Tom decided, "But how does it link in to our world stilling?"
"All of these children have been pushed aside and told they won't amount to anything because they are muggleborn, they can barely get decent jobs, and they haven't a hope of getting even close to the Wizengamot because they cannot ever become a house." Harry said, "If that changes then we will grow and we will expand because the muggleborns won't be so set on leaving."
"I see, so you'd reclass them to enable them to further themselves in our world."
"Yes, and I think that they should be able to make their own Houses. If two first gens were to marry, their child would then be a second gen, then a third gen and then a fourth gen and so forth. Is that not the basis of the Houses that sit within the Wizengamot now? Houses that have built themselves up over generations, collected knowledge, power and wealth over hundreds of years to become what they are today?" Harry argued, "Without the label of muggleborn and the stigma and laws that follow it, the possibilities would be astonishing. And those houses that have died out, leaving our halls with larger and larger gaps would be filled again in a couple of hundred years. We could possibly have every house category filled again, from Presidential to minor."
"It is almost impossible to imagine, but the thought…" Tom drifted off, "We would, theoretically, be the most powerful wizarding nation in the world."
"If we had the ministry running like that, along with the changes we make, our government would be untouchable." Harry agreed excitedly, "Then, we would be safe from invasion due to, well, you. It would become obvious, when everything is in place, who is ruling, and your presence, and your army would stem most. Those who did attempt it would be decimated."
"Yes, and it would be your influence that would keep many from our own country from trying to rebel." Tom continued, "Your name and legend would have many of those in disagreement coming around."
"The possibilities." Harry whispered.
"We shall just have to make sure that those possibilities become reality." Tom stated and Harry nodded.
"Most definitely."
"Luna, my darling sister, I am yours." Harry announced grandly, strolling in to his rooms, much to her amusement.
"Good morning, Harry." She greeted, grinning at his actions.
"I am free for you for hours, make use of me as you will." He told her, dropping in to his chair with absolutely no grace whatsoever.
"Oh, really?" Luna stroked her chin thoughtfully, "Decisions decisions."
"The suspense is killing me." Harry joked and she laughed.
"Well we cannot have that."
"No, I would prefer life, if I'm honest." Harry agreed.
"Yes, we have worked very hard to preserve it." Luna mused, "It would be a shame for it to all have been for nothing."
"A crying shame indeed."
"Before we go on," Luna said, "Paws dropped this in this morning, something about it was due yesterday but given the circumstances…" she threw a folder at him and Harry flicked it open to see the blood bank information. Hermione, the diamond that she was, had extended his outline and gotten the necessary research references to back it up. She had also highlight a few spells that were highly recommended, by healers, for storing things like blood and human tissue, they did keep a small amount in case of extreme circumstances.
"I love this girl sometimes." Harry stated, "This is perfect."
"You can put it away, though." Luna told him, "No work, as such, today."
"Oh Merlin, that doesn't sound promising." He muttered and she threw him a look.
"Hush you,"
"Meh!"
"You should be nice to me, I've done something nice for you." Luna informed him primly and Harry smirked.
"You always do nice things for me." He pointed out, "What makes this occasion so much different?"
"You'll see." She said mysteriously and Harry huffed.
"Fine fine. Let me go and put this away." Harry darted up to his room and put the folder on the bedside table, he grabbed his and Luna's sketch books and went back down. "I want to show you a few things."
"You've been designing?" She asked and Harry nodded.
"I thought that, if everything went well and I was free over the Yule holidays, I could make them there." Harry explained, flipping over the book. "This one is something I am undecided about, it could work for many seasons, and I haven't decided the material or the colour. That and the final neckline has yet to be confirmed."
"I still like it, not as good as mine, mind you, but nice." Luna said, "Which reminds me, these came today." She walked over to the kitchen and brought over four very formal looking envelopes.
"Ball invitations," Harry said.
"Yes, daddy wrote to me and told me that, given the changes he can feel happening, we shall be attending all of the balls this year." Luna claimed brightly and Harry grinned.
"Wonderful. Let's see which order they are actually in." Harry opened all four envelopes and pulled out four different formal invitations. The Malfoy invitation was written on silver card, with golden details, and the information was written in a fetching shade of blue. Nott's was on pale orange, written in purple and decorated in blue. Zabini was written in black, on yellow and decorated in purple. Finally, Hadrian's was on blue, decorated in red and written with bronze, and Harry checked the dates and times on them carefully, alone with the details in case of a underlying themes or tips that many of these invitations often carried.
"Hadrian's is first, like you first believed." Harry said, "And he has an announcer, meaning statement outfits are a must, especially if I arrive how I wish to."
"You want to do the Golden Trio, don't you?" Luna laughed, "Oh the shock that people would have."
"Exactly,"
"I think it's a brilliant idea." Luna added and Harry grinned.
"Thanks," He said, "Now, Zabini's is next, which, if I am completely honest, I am not looking forward to as much. I will attend simply because it is a different circle and we'll be able to pick out what they are currently doing and speaking about. I know that Zabini is allied with Selwyn and Bullstrode at least, and there will be the top three families, which means I'll be sat with the Malfoys at least, and probably the other newcomers, which, in this case, are Swift and Paws."
"Yes, I will more than likely be sat with you at Hadrian's ball, he and my father are well acquainted." Luna put in and Harry smiled.
"Good, it will be nice to have you there." Harry told her, "It'll be the Malfoys, Swift, Paws, but I don't know who else. I don't know who Hadrian is allied with currently, if it is still Davis or not."
"No, I am unsure also. I do not know if Hadrian is as closely acquainted with Nott as he is us." Luna mused, "It will be interesting to find out."
"Nott is going to be highly interesting. The man hates my very being, so I do not even want to assume what is going to happen at that ball." Harry commented, "That's going to be fun."
"I believe there will be something there that will put other things in motion." Luna guessed, "He is too foolish not to make some sort of slight."
"I hope he does, I really really hope he does." Harry murmured, grinned darkly, "And finally, the Malfoy Ball. The one we know is going to be the best."
"I know I won't be sat at the main table." Luna admitted, "But I bet Hadrian will be now, what with his recent promotion."
"That should be interesting. I know Lucius is allied with Nott, and then there are the Lestranges, which should be interesting seeing as Rabastan and Paws have now actually met and Bella isn't fully insane now." Harry decided, "Then there is also Nott's ball to take in to account, because if he does something to me then all cards are off the table."
"Of course, we cannot forget the arrival of the Lord Prince." Luna threw in with a smirk and Harry grinned.
"Oh yes, we cannot forget about that." Harry agreed, "Snape is going to have kittens, or bats, whatever he breeds as."
"I doubt he will attend any other than the Malfoys, and he'll only be going to Lucius' because of friendship obligations." Luna said and Harry smirked.
"That, and like everyone else, he's scared of Narcissa."
"Yes, I would not like to be the one to anger the Lady Malfoy." Luna shuddered at the thought.
"I'll send of my replies as soon as Hedwig gets back," Harry decided.
"That should be fine," Luna said, "We have things to go through." Harry grimaced.
"I don't understand why it is hitting me so hard now." He complained.
"It is simple really. You spent eleven years of your life forcefully squashing your emotions and natural reactions, and then, for a further five, you were not given access to your own thoughts and feelings, despite being in a better situation. Now, for the first time in sixteen years, you are able to feel and process everything that's going on in your head, or at least attempt to process it." Luna explained gently.
"But I don't understand them anyway." Harry sighed, "I feel things, they affect me and I don't know how I am supposed to react because I don't know what they are. And when I do recognise whatever emotion it is, I don't understand why I'm feeling it."
"I know it is difficult for you, but there is nothing that can be done. It is something that you will need to process yourself." Luna told him.
"Why are they even necessary?" Harry burst out. "Yesterday, for example, for some reason, which is beyond me, I was hurt because Tom wouldn't, at first agree to the horcrux plan. I was hurt! What even is that? I don't feel hurt, and not for some trivial reason such as that. I mean, come on! Tom is just looking out for his own survival, it makes perfect sense."
"Do you have no explanation to why you would be hurt that the Dark Lord would not agree?" Luna asked and Harry frowned, scrunching his nose up as he thought and Luna had to bite her lip to stop mentioning how cute he looked.
"Well, I suppose that I was a little shocked that he would have me die instead, but then again, he is under no obligation to keep me alive anyway." Harry said slowly.
"So you didn't like the fact that your life was worth so little in his eyes? Does that sound about right?" Luna suggested and Harry blinked.
"Yeah, yeah that fits." Harry agreed, "But why would I care about that? He's the Dark Lord, we had already established that he's a selfish, cold, unfeeling bastard waaaay before this year started."
"Do you still actually believe that?" Luna questioned, "Now that you've spent time around him?"
"Well no, not in to such degrees. Don't get me wrong, he's still cold, arrogant and has an ego the size of Everest, he's mean, sadistic, possessive and a complete bastard, but its Tom." Harry couldn't stop the smile coming to his face even if he tried, and he looked at his hands wondering exactly what it was happening to him. "He's gorgeous, powerful, a freakin' genius and a Klepto, he can do things with magic that you wouldn't believe and he is so strong, he's doing so much to change this world that, despite me never telling him this, I admire him." Luna carefully hid her reaction to Harry's words, it was much more serious than even she had believed. Harry wasn't just attached to the man, he didn't just care for him, he was in love with him, and he didn't even know it.
"Could your feelings have something to do with your change in perspective?" She asked.
"It might be, I guess I don't see him like I did before." Harry shrugged, "Its his damn charm."
"His charm?" She repeated amused and Harry grumbled.
"Bastard made me blush," He admitted and Luna's eyebrows shot up.
"What?" She all but shouted in shock, "You don't blush."
"Yeah well, apparently I do when Tom decides to be all charming and nice to me." Harry muttered somewhat petulantly, "And I don't know why I'm reacting like this."
"What did he say?" She asked interested and, to his, and Luna's, utter shock, Harry felt his cheeks heat up when he remembered what Tom had said. Luna looked at him in shock before hiding her smile behind her hand, this was a very different side of Harry that's for sure.
"I told him he should be nice to me," Harry began, his hands fiddling with his sleeves. "He said I was smart and brilliant."
"But that wasn't it." Luna said, already smiling, which told Harry that she knew.
"No," He allowed, "Stupid man called me beautiful." Luna had to stop herself from cooing as Harry would really not appreciate that whatsoever, but that was ridiculously sweet and it obviously worked.
"I see what you mean." She said instead, "Did you dislike the feelings that it brought?"
"Yes, I mean, they weren't horrible, but I don't like the confusion." Harry confided, "The feelings were all warm, but I don't know why. What makes Tom's words so different? I've been called beautiful before, and smart and brilliant, but when Tom says it its different." Harry huffed. "Am I missing something?"
"You just need to figure out what's going out in your head." Luna said carefully, "It's pointless me telling you how you feel because I'm not you, I don't know what's in your head or heart." Harry frowned.
"I know, but it would be easier if you were." He grouched, "Ok, enough of the depressing and messed up shit within my head."
"Yes, my nice thing has just arrived." She said and the portrait opened, the twins came in grinning and Harry's eyebrows shot up.
"As much as I love the twins, they are with Bleach now and Tom would actually kill them." Harry said and Luna rolled her eyes.
"I am well aware." She told him primly, "You have forgotten what I drew for you a few weeks ago?" Harry blinked a few times before he hit himself.
"My remembrance tattoo." Harry remembered, and then he grinned, "You set it up for me."
"Yes, now shirt off and get ready." She ordered and Harry mock saluted.
"Gentlemen!" He greeted the twins, "I've just been told that you're here to tattoo me again."
"Yes, Miss Luna told us and gave us the picture." George confirmed, "It's amazing."
"Yeah, so you heard the girl, shirt off, Snake." Fred told him and Harry rolled his eyes.
"You sound way to enthusiastic about me removing my clothes." Harry informed him and Fred smirked unashamed.
"I'm set with our dragon." Fred said, "Doesn't mean I can't admire a gorgeous form when I see one."
"Well, I am rather good to look at." Harry agreed thoughtfully, he tugged of his top and threw it on to the sofa. "Where do you want me?"
"Here," George flicked his wand and transfigured the table in to a camp bed as Fred set up the equipment, Harry shrugged and led down and settled himself.
"So where are we having this one?" Fred asked and Harry pointed to his left collar and chest, just above his heart.
"Do you want to make any changes?"
"I am not sure about the caption." Harry admitted. "I think I'll change it and go for Recordatus est, in aeternum."
"Forever remembered," Luna murmured, "Very nice."
"Let's get to work then, Snake." Fred said, "Want the numbing potion?"
"Nope, let's have a dose of pain." Harry decided, and they shrugged. George tapped his wand in the area Harry wanted the design and they began to work, the buzzing of the guns filled the room and Harry breathed in deeply as the first wave of pain washed over him.
"Have you thought about the backlash that is going to hit when Dumbledore is forced to leave the castle?" Luna questioned and Harry hummed.
"Yes, and Snape brought it up yesterday too." Harry admitted, "The biggest one being that we are not going to know what Dumbledore is doing, nor where he is."
"Yes, and there isn't much to be done about that."
"Though, come January Dumbledore is going to know anyway." Harry pointed out, "Shit will be getting hot then."
"We'll be a little bit protected here." Luna mused, "But we will have to be so careful."
"I know, it's going to be a tense few weeks, and then it will explode when February hits." Harry stated.
"Is that the plan?" George asked, "To get him out of the Wizengamot in the February?"
"That's the idea." Harry confirmed, "It's not plausible to go for a Vote of No Confidence and a Breach of Oath in one session."
"Would it be better for Fudge to go first?" Fred questioned, "When Dumbledore sees you he's going to know, wouldn't it be better to get rid of him first?"
"I would usually agree, however, I highly doubt it will be any of us to call for the Vote. When the article comes out, the public and many of the Lords and Ladies are going to be pissed." Harry explained. "Clear Fudge and put someone who will actually do what we want in to power, and then our only enemy is Dumbledore and his sycophants."
"Ah, that makes sense."
"This is all, of course, basing on the fact that I don't die." Harry pointed out.
"You won't die," all three of them shouted and Harry grinned.
"Ok ok, I'm not dying." He repeated, "It will depend on if I'm underground or not. If I'm hiding then things might be a bit more difficult."
"Positive thinking, Snake." Luna told him, "We'll get through this."
"Sorry,"
They lapsed in to a peaceful silence and Harry allowed himself to feel the needles currently sticking in to him as the twins focused on his tattoo, it was painful, but Harry enjoyed the pain. It was rather grounding for him. It was nice, the quiet. Nothing was needing to be done and nothing was buzzing around in his head, he was just led in utter peace. He must have drifted in to a trance because Luna flicked his nose making him snap his head back in shock, she giggled at his reaction and he glowered at her.
"What was that for?" He asked, rubbing his nose.
"You're finished." The twins said and Harry blinked.
"Really? That was quick."
"We've been here for about three hours." Fred told him, "Be careful with your arm." Harry got up and rolled his shoulder, hissing when it burned.
"Lovely,"
"Do you want it wrapped, or shall we put the potion on it and leave it?" George inquired.
"Just put the potion on it, I don't want it wrapped and if the potion sets in now I can shower later." Harry answered.
"Got it."
"HOLY MOTHER OF MERLIN!" Harry yelped, and the twins burst out laughing.
"Yeah, it's cold by the way." They remembered.
"You bunch of utter cu-,"
"ANYway," Luna interrupted, pushing the twins away from Harry and standing in front of the teen with her hands of her hips. "You have to rest for the rest of the day, you can show me the rest of your designs and go over mine." Then she turned to the twins, "And you have an illusion base to build and a blond to see."
"Right away, Miss Lovegood." They chimed together and then shared a grin, Luna sniffed.
"Good."
The twins cleared up and said their goodbyes, leaving Harry and Luna to sit back and do what they did best; gossip, eat and draw.
"I think, Mr Potter-Black, we have a lot to do."
Harry barely stopped his hiss of pain when he caught his arm as he pulled of his jacket, Tom looked up with a small smile that Harry returned.
"Did you enjoy your day of peace?" Tom asked.
"Yes, most definitely." Harry confirmed, accepting the kiss Tom gave him and returning it.
"Hm, it seemed so." Tom placed his hands on Harry's hips and pressed light kisses on his neck, Harry sighed in contentment before his arm twinged and he remembered.
"Ah ah ah," He stopped Tom's ministration, and stepped back, "You are not allowed to touch me tonight."
"Is that so,"
"Yup, so all thoughts should be cleared right now." Harry said firmly.
"And why exactly?" Tom questioned, his eyebrow quirked,
"I'll show you in a minute, I need a shower," And when Tom smirked Harry prodded him in the chest with a warning look, "Don't even think about it, you are not getting anywhere near me tonight. It's not happening, and don't touch my torso." Tom rolled his eyes as Harry darted around him and vanished in to the shower. He shook his head and followed the teen, deciding that if he wasn't allowed to do what he wanted then he might as well wait for his highness to be ready. He flipped open his book and led back on the bed, switching his clothes to sleepwear. When Harry stepped out of the bathroom, it became very apparent why he didn't want Tom to touch him, he was shirtless, revealing his toned chest that was, last time Tom saw him, unblemished. Tom looked at him in shock and tugged Harry down gently next to him so he could have a closer look, the tattoo was red around the edges, and it looked slightly sensitive to Tom's eyes.
"It's beautiful," He murmured and Harry all but beamed.
"Thank you," Harry replied brightly.
"What made you get it?" Tom asked, his eyes still trailing over the design, going over the moonlit lilies surrounding the elegant stag and the dangerous looking grim, settling on the inscription underneath.
"Luna drew it for me a few weeks ago, and I don't really have a lot that actually represents them." Harry shrugged and then hissed, "That wasn't the best idea."
"You will have to sleep on your side." Tom noted, "To relieve pressure."
"Hopefully it will have settled by tomorrow, the twins did say it should be fine, just a bit tender." Harry said and then he huffed and led down on his back. "I am not looking forward to tomorrow."
"No, it is not set to be a pleasurable day." Tom acknowledged, "Come directly here after class ends."
"You will be keeping your temper and your possessiveness in check tomorrow or so help me you won't lay a single finger on me for an entire week." Harry stated firmly, and Tom shot him a narrow eyed glared.
"She is going to be draping herself all over you tomorrow, you cannot expect-," Harry cut him off, he sat up and turned to face him sharply.
"I expect you to keep all of that shit behind your shields." Harry snapped, "I actually have to deal with her remember. It's me that has to deal with her simpering and her advances, while she will go back to Dumbledore to plan my demise and what she's going to do with my fortune."
"You know very well that despite my shields, anger will leak through." Tom stated and Harry glared at him.
"Then don't get angry. The last thing I need is a vile headache from you as well as dealing with her." Harry told him, "I'm here, aren't I? I'll be here until Yule no doubt, and if you want a peaceful time of it, and want to actually touch me at all this week, you will keep it together."
"I could go elsewhere." Tom pointed out and Harry smirked, he knew it was an empty threat by what the man was feeling.
"You could." Harry allowed, and his smirk stretched in to a nasty smile, full of white teeth, "But you've insisted that I stay here with you, which I don't mind, so if you so much as look at someone else while I'm staying here then not only shall I slaughter said person in the most vicious possible way, but I will make you live to regret it and you, my dear Dark Lord, will never lay a hand on me again. Ever." There was something about the thought of Tom sleeping with someone else that made him want to hurt something. Tom looked at him and Harry raised an eyebrow as if to say do you want to try it? He sighed and pulled the teen down to kiss him, Harry had to stop himself from smiling at Tom's resignation and acceptance, he might actually get through tomorrow without wanting to carve his head open. The Dark Lord let Harry go enough to lay down on his side, and he wrapped his arm around his waist, Harry's back pressed against his chest. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore the frustration that was flowing through him, he shouldn't have been forced to change by a threat from the teen, but even contemplating not touching Harry again was not even plausible. His mind had vetoed the idea immediately, despite him saying that he could go elsewhere. While that was true, he could go somewhere else, he didn't actually want to. He sighed, it was confusing and frustrating. Harry shifted in his arms and squeezed his hand.
"Stop thinking about things, Tom." Harry murmured, "Sleep, we're going to need it."
Aaaaaand there we have it! I really like the ending of this, so I would really appreciate it if you would drop me some feedback!
Thanks guys,
Jess*