Chapter 14
He looked over the quiet town nestled in a valley. Blossom's nest was a tranquil village located in the countryside. Few knew of it and even fewer visited it. Barring that, it was perfect for what he wanted to do. It was small and isolated enough that it would be days before anyone heard anything, but large enough that it would satisfy him.
He grinned and shadow walked into the village, his sword glinting ominously as he walked through its streets. Every house was silent and dark, it was a little till midnight after all. With a bit of concentration, he sent his shadows to wake the residents from their wonderful sleep. A few seconds later, a scream pierced the calm night air. Soon enough doors burst open, the inhabitants pouring out of their homes, some clutching their children. The door to Harry's left open, a heavily pregnant woman stumbling out. As soon as she laid eyes on Harry, she screamed in terror. She was silenced by Harry's sword being buried in the belly and a follow-up slash at her throat. She dropped down like a puppet with its strings cut. He flung his hands to the right. A group of shadows dispatched toward a group of people running down the street. They were pierced by the blade-like darkness, tearing them apart. The raven spun around with a manic laugh, catching a girl that was trying to flee away from him. He severed her head from her body. Her mother gave an enraged scream and attacked him. He cackled, punching her in the chest and ripping out her heart.
As he continued to tear down the masses he reveled in the thrill of excitement that was wrecking his body. He went all out and blood rained, the streets were filled with it. He was in his true form, tail swishing from side to side, wings spread wide. His eyes were blown wide with pupils dilated to take in all that was around him. He ripped a man's limbs apart. He felt alive, he felt like he was on top of the world. He allowed his inner demon to take over completely and he blanked out.
He screamed in glee, cackling as the screams grew an octave. His sword butchered, his shadows ripped, his claws slashed. The life force of a recently killed little boy slid down his face, making his visage even more terrifying. A brave teen took a picture of him. He made sure to smile at the camera before gutting the boy. Then he proceeded to destroy the camera, watching it go up in flames.
From a distance, the village appeared to be covered in a wraith of impenetrable darkness, silent as a grave. Thirty minutes later the place truly resembled an open graveyard, bodies and body parts littered the streets, walls and ground painted crimson. Everything was truly silent now, no one was screaming anymore, no one was left alive.
Harry giggled, throwing his sword to the ground. It held no purpose now. His eyes widened and he collapsed to the ground. He screamed, clutching his head in agony. "What are you doing, you weakling!" he hissed in an enraged voice. A snarl left him. 'No. I will not let you take over. You are not my master!' He laughed. ~You are nothing, little boy! You have all you do because I manifested in you. You would still be mopping floors and taking out trash at the Dursleys if I never showed up. You are weak!~ He roared in pain again, convulsing on the floor. ~If I was so weak, how come I kept you back all this time? If I am so weak, how come you did not attack me at my strongest, when you first came? I know why. You were scared of my strength.~ "I fear nothing! I certainly do not fear a wimp like you! I could crush you then, I can crush you now! It is time for me to reign. To take my place as a shadow fae!" "I will never allow you to take over my body, you filthy peasant! You are a commoner, a demon like the rest. You are nothing special." "Do not insult me, boy! I am better than you!" Harry laughed. "You can talk all you want but one fact still remains. You are my inner demon. You are just a part of me that refuses to abide. I am master of this body, my will is law. You will obey!"
The shadows shuddered and moved, converging on the teen on the floor. Harry fought with his inner self, trembling on the floor. He choked on his own breath as pain wrecked his body, his nerves felt as if they were frying. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and darkness overtook him as he lost consciousness. The last thing he heard was Lelita's soft voice. 'Well done, my lord. It is over now. Rest, your soul is at peace.'
The Yule ball was now in full swing, with many respectable wizards and witches interacting with each other. The Minister of Magic was there, of course, all smiles for the cameras and sucking up to Lucius Malfoy. Purebloods were there in their finest robes, exchanging pleasantries and subtle barbs, threats and bribes rife in the party atmosphere. The children were sent to their own section in the room, talking about school and other things that plagued teenagers these days.
Draco was swishing his drink around morosely. Harry wasn't here. It has been ages since the party started and he had waited in the receiving room for over an hour waiting for his friend, but he never showed up. Did Harry change his mind about the invitation? Did he miss the portkey? Did he lose the letter with the portkey?
"Draco don't be so upset. You'll meet Harry at school once the holidays are over. Then you can tear into him all you want." Draco nodded, not really listening to Blaize's words. He let the chatter around him wash over him in his depressed mood. He was really looking forward to Harry attending. He had a Christmas gift for him that he was waiting for ages to give to him. It was a book title Stranger in our midst that explained most techniques wizards used to hide and how to counter them. It was a rare book that he only managed to get after begging his mother for weeks to find him a copy. He got it a while before the Christmas break. Now he could give Harry something both informative and useful. Harry was a Ravenclaw; Draco was sure he would appreciate the gift.
"Hey, is that Harry?" Tracy asked, squinting. Draco perked up along with his peers staring in his direction. "It is!" Tracey was right. There was Harry Potter, wearing expensive fairy silk emerald robes that complimented his eyes and his skin tone, making it easy for him to stand out among the other party goers. He was communicating with Nott Sr. His body language screamed Lord, with a relaxed stance and facial features, looking like he was master of the room, the conversation he was having, like he owned the whole manor! How the hell did Draco miss him?
Lucius joined the two conversing individuals, smiling amiably at them. Harry returned the gesture easily and confidently, replying to whatever Malfoy said. A flash of surprise crossed the blonde's face before it cleared again, though more guarded. Nott looked like he wanted nothing more than to get out of there, tense and sweating a bit. Harry got in another word before he walked away to Lady Greengrass. The two men exchanged glances, talking heatedly under their breath. Lucius did not look pleased. Draco wondered what Harry had done to upset his father.
After exchanging a few words with a curious Lady Greengrass and managing to make her giggle and blush a couple of times along with her fellow ladies, Harry moved on to the minister who was all too happy to kiss his ass. Daphne sneered "Potter seems to be charming everyone tonight." She was not pleased that her mother was blushing over a third year. The indignity! Tracey agreed "He looks stunning tonight. I've never seen him this dressed." "Well, he had no reason to be dressed before this." Millicent Bulstrode said, also appraising the raven.
Harry finally paid attention to the group of children gathered at the far end of the hall. With an easy smile, he approached them. "Evening ladies, gentlemen. You look dazzling tonight." He greeted, taking a sip of his red wine. Millicent looked envious. Tracey replied. "So do you, Potter." "How come you get to drink wine while we are stuck with juice and butterbeer?" Bulstrode asked. Harry smirked. "Because only children drink butterbeer. I just so happen to be a bit more grown up."
Before Millicent could argue, Draco hissed. "When did you get here Harry? I have been waiting for you to show up all night!" "That is surprising. I have been here all night, since it began in fact." Harry said. Draco sputtered "B-But…I've been waiting! I even looked all over!" "Weird. Though it could be possible that you missed me. Lord Malfoy toured me around the manor the first thirty minutes and offered the library that I could browse to my content. After that, I mingled with the fair witches and wizards until now." The children gaped at him. Astoria managed to squeak "You were allowed in the Malfoy private library?" Harry nodded, a tiny smirk playing at his lips. "It was impressive, what with all the obscure books filling the shelves."
"W-Why did father take you there?" Draco asked. Harry replied. "Mr. Malfoy owes me quite a bit. I was just cashing in on the debt." "Mr. Malfoy is indebted to you? H-How?" Blaize asked. Harry just grinned. Draco cleared his throat after a while then leveled Harry with a look. "Why didn't you find us earlier?" The raven shrugged but offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I guess I forgot, in the long run, to come meet you. I had to mingle with them." "No, you didn't. They are grown-ups, not to mention politicians. You have no business 'mingling' with them." Daphne said. Harry said "Actually I do. I got emancipated a while ago and have taken the title of Lord Potter-Black. I attended a trivial Wizengamot meeting last week so I was introduced. Since I am a Lord, I am required to mingle with other Lords and Ladies."
They all stared in shock. That seemed to be the common reaction to everything he said. He chuckled and turned to Draco. "Before I am dragged back into underhanded political scheming, I have something for you." He took out and unshrunk a few parcels. He handed out the boxes to his peers then handed Draco his. Before he could leave again Draco stopped him. "Wait! I have a gift for you too. Here." Harry took the wrapped gift with a small smile. "Thank you. Happy Yule." He said to everyone and was lost in the crowd.
Tracey started tearing into her gift, drawing the attention of the group. Daphne hissed "What are you doing? Presents are opened after Yule!" Tracey gave them an impatient look. "Are you listening to yourself? Harry Potter the loner gave us presents. Don't you see that as weird? I will not open this gift when I'm seated alone in my room, no way! Besides, I'm excited to see what it is." She unwrapped the gift then screamed in excitement, jumping up and down. Half the room turned to see what was going on, but Tracey did not mind them.
"Morgana's tits, he got me that Veela Charm perfume I have been yearning for all my life! It is the original too, it must have cost over fifty galleons!" she squealed. The girls quickly came over, gasped and started gushing over the gifts. They quickly opened their gifts too, getting excited. They all got what they had been wanting for some time. Blaize snickered. "The girls will now vie for Harry's undivided attention. He's a Lord and very perceptive." He said to Theodore. The boy looked uncomfortable. He opened his gift and almost dropped it in shock. Potions Journal: Can You Decode It? "T-This contains all the potions experiments that have been recorded so far. It can answer all my questions about potions." "So you also got what you wanted. I wonder what I…Oh Shit!" Blaize exclaimed. His gift was a memory. Epic Battles through the ages. Nicholas Flamel vs Albus Dumbledore and others. He looked faint.
Draco opened his gift and gasped. It was a sapphire clasped in golden vines held together by a chain of white gold to form a necklace. He could literally feel the enchantments woven into it and just knew it was Harry's magic. "What is that Draco?" Astoria asked, drawing everyone's attention. Draco quickly returned it in the box and put it in his pocket. "My gift. What did you get?" She smiled widely, holding up a box of expensive chocolates. Draco nodded then turned to speak with Blaize, who was still marveling over his own gift. Crabbe and Goyle got a voucher to an all you can eat buffet. After a while, they went back to idle chatter, after Draco had got Blaize to promise to let him watch and after Draco had told Blaize about his gift and endured the ensuing teasing. Harry only came back to be with them a short while before the party was over, sharing a dance with each of the girls before he bid them a good night.
Later, when he was alone, Draco put on the necklace. A rush of magic went down his spine and he felt safer. He loved his gift. An owl flew into his wonder and dropped off a letter.
Dear Draco,
I hope you have had a pleasant evening, and hope you appreciate the gift. It has a few enchantments on it but I am willing to share that some of them are invisibility charms, silencing spells and a few enchantments that allow you to avoid revealing charms and bypass simple wards. I have included instructions on how they work. I hope your late night snooping would go smoother than the last two years and some.
Thank you for your gift. You do not know this but Black is an animagus. This will be very useful.
Harry
Draco smiled. Harry really was perspective.
"Draco, what is that around your neck?" Draco jumped at his mother's voice. Narcissa was just entering. She sat on her son's bed, looking at him questioningly. Draco cleared his throat nervously. "It's nothing mother. Just a gift." "A gift? From whom?" she pressed, suspicion in her eyes. Draco avoided her eyes as he answered. "From a friend of mine. Could we leave it at that?" She smiled. "Alright. I just hope this friend of yours does not become too much of a distraction. You obviously care if you won't show the gift even to your mother." She said and stood to leave after a good night.
Dumbledore looked upon the scene that greeted him with a grim face. Muggle police were milling around along with media representatives. That was not what drew the old man's attention though. No, that was hardly the case. It was the carnage that happened in the small village. Bodies and body parts littered the ground, blood painting the streets crimson. The horror etched onto the faces of the dead spoke a story as much as the state of the village, if not more so. There was not one living being left alive, even the animals had perished here. Little children, men, women, the elderly, no one was spared. The scenery was disgusting; it looked as if a wild feral animal ripped through the lonely village. No muggle, no human being even, could have done this.
A half-blood with relatives here reported this event to the Aurors, and a spy within informed Dumbledore. It was a good thing too because he wouldn't have believed this if he hadn't seen it for himself. It was a good two days before anyone noticed that the residents lived no more, all but massacred in their homes.
One of the officers saw him. "Hey old man, what are you doing here?" Dumbledore turned to the young man with a sad smile. "Forgive an old man's curiosity, but I was just passing by. Do you have any idea what happened here?" The police shook his head. "We are just as clueless as you are. I think it would do you some good if you left. The scene isn't pretty, you know?" Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that would be good. Good day young man." He walked a ways out of the village then apparated back to Hogwarts. He walked the path up to the castle slowly and in deep thought.
Who could have done such a heinous crime, murdering hundreds of innocent people? Why would they do it, what could they possibly benefit from it? As he entered the large building something hit him. No, it couldn't be. He has read a passage that shadow daemons sometimes killed mortals for a deep satisfaction that nothing short of genocide could bring about. Could it be that Harry did this? He saw a disturbing glint in Harry's eyes the last time he saw him, a crazed look hidden beneath layers of excitement and glee. At the time he dismissed it but now…
He sat in the chair in his office with a world-weary groan. How did they get so far, how did they get to this point? How did he lose Harry so thoroughly? What would Lily and James think of him now, the man they trusted with their very lives? What would they think of his actions and his accomplishments? It is for the greater good, he would console himself, they would understand. What would they think of Harry and what he has become? He sighed. He would have to question Harry about it. He just prayed that he was wrong.
Harry came back to Hogwarts a few hours earlier than the other students. The professors were surprised to see him enter the great hall in elegant robes and come straight to the head table where McGonagall was having a cup of tea. She stared at him questioningly while Professor Burbage, who was passing by, stopped to stare. "Mr. Potter, aren't you supposed to be on the train?" Harry dipped his head in greeting. "Yes I am, but I missed the train due to unforeseen circumstances so I took the floo to Hogsmeade and walked to the school. I hope this does not inconvenience you in any way." The Transfiguration professor waved him off with a smile. "Oh don't worry about it Harry, though I could use an extra set of hands in preparing my classroom. You showed me you were well versed in inanimate to inanimate transfiguration; we would need that." She said, finishing up her tea and standing. Harry nodded with a warm smile that softened McGonagall further. "Of course professor, I would love to help."
They both walked to the Transfiguration classroom. It was a complete mess. They spent the next two hours arranging furniture, transfiguring objects back to their original forms and cleaning up. They talked mundanely all the while, getting to know each other better. McGonagall was clearly pleased to be spending time with her favorite student's son. When they were done she thanked Harry for the help and allowed him to leave.
Harry walked brusquely to the Slytherin common room. No Slytherin stayed behind for the holidays and during holidays no passwords were set on the doors. Carefully avoiding Snape's office he slipped into the Slytherin common room. He went straight to the left corner where there were various house ornaments such as the house tapestry that contained names of famous Slytherins, cursed quills for curse-breaking practice and some parchment. Harry took a transfigurator out of his pocket. He nicked it from McGonagall's collection while they worked.
The use of a transfigurator is to make transfigurations smoother to perform and permanent. He placed it on the desk along with a cursed listening device he bought in knockturn alley. With a twist of his wand, he connected the transfigurator to the listening device then transfigured it into a quill. He then placed it in the collection of cursed quills along with a permanent sticking charm to the container.
The advantage of transfigurators besides the obvious is that it contained its own store of magic to make the transfigurations easier, so when an object is transfigured your own magical signature is not left behind, so it is impossible to tell who performed the transfiguration. It was perfect for unspeakable and hit wizards, but it was not easily available to the general public. McGonagall though was a well-known transfigurations master so it would not be questionable for her to own one.
With that, he left the common room with the transfigurator back in his pocket, just in time too because the hall was starting to fill up with students. He slipped into a seat next to the ever elusive Luna Lovegood and started a conversation. As they were talking Hermione bounced to his position and threw a hug at him. Harry responded with a surprised huff. "What is this about?" he asked when Hermione pulled back. The girl smiled broadly at him. "The gifts Harry, they were fantastic. All those books were very informative and entertaining. I especially appreciate Time Turners and Time Bloopers. Thank you!" Harry smiled at her. "You're welcome, Hermione. Want to join us?" She nodded and sat next to him. He continued the conversation he was having with his fellow Ravenclaws.
The students all came into the great hall in their numbers, excitedly talking about their holidays. Then the welcome feast started. Dumbledore gazed thoughtfully at Harry. McGonagall noticed this. "He is growing to be a fine young man, isn't he Albus? He is good mannered like his mother." The old man nodded distractedly. She frowned at him. "What are you thinking about Albus?" "The massacre of Blossom's nest. It worries me." The woman looked confused for a second then her face lit up with horror and anger. "Albus, you wouldn't be accusing that poor boy for this! Have more common sense than that." She hissed furiously. Dumbledore jumped at her outburst, then calmed when he remembered what he said. He smiled benignly. "Oh, don't worry about it, Minerva. I haven't accused anyone."
She calmed down but still glared at the man. He sighed. What happened to make Minerva like Harry? She was always on her guard around that boy. Well, that is until he started seeking her out to spend time with her and ask about his parents. Could he have charmed his way into her good graces? He sure did change his manner of acting around her to be more innocent yet still intelligent. Dumbledore frowned. It is as if he molded himself into the perfect student and companion for McGonagall. The thought was disturbing. Even Snape did not hold much grudge over him any longer even if he knew exactly what he was. Snape had the mind that Potter couldn't possibly hurt anyone voluntarily, Dumbledore doubted that.
Later that night Harry laid on his bed listening to conversations in the Slytherin common room. One particular conversation caught his attention. "That Gryffindor was not a death eater. He couldn't cast a proper crucio if he tried!" "How are you so sure? He was thrown in Azkaban for crimes against the light side. He betrayed the Potters, you said that yourself." "Mother said that he was never a death eater; she was one remember? He may have killed the muggles and Pettigrew but he never betrayed the Potters. He was too loyal to them to do so." "Then why is he chasing after Potter?" "Who said he is chasing after Potter? All we know is that he escaped Azkaban and is now in or around Hogwarts. Also, he tore up the Gryffindor portrait; Potter is a Ravenclaw." "Perhaps Black does not know that. He just escaped from Azkaban and both Potter's parents were Gryffindors." "I guess you are right."
Harry leaned back. He knew Sirius was not looking for him but Pettigrew. Harry planned to stay the hell away from Sirius. The man would expect quite a lot from him and would want to take him in. He needed none of that. Even so, Harry wondered if there was more to this whole situation? When Sirius was arrested Dumbledore was Chief Warlock. Surely he could have force proved the man's innocence. Why didn't he? What role did Sirius play? Obviously, keeping Harry with the Dursleys was one, but is there another reason?
This bore a lot of thought and research. He'd have to contact Gringott's soon. With that, Harry turned in for the night.
Snape was pacing. It was rare for Draco to see the man pacing like that and he had to wonder if he did it often, just out of his sight. Once the man stopped pacing, the nervousness that had settled in his got spiked again. Those piercing black eyes were staring holes into him.
"This is the sixth time this month alone. I cannot keep on giving you potions. This needs a permanent fix." Severus said. Draco bit his lip. "I understand why she got mad, it's all my fault. It won't happen again." "Do not make excuses for her!" the professor snapped, making Draco jump. "Do not blame yourself for her actions, she has no right! Why do you not tell your father of this?"
Draco sat down on the nearest chair. "He found out. Last summer." Snape frowned in confusion. "Then…" "But she cursed him. A dark spell from the Black family. He cannot do a thing. He follows her like a sick puppy when she sees her, and when she is not around he cannot talk about it. He is trapped, we are trapped and there's nothing we can do." By this point, tears were rolling down Draco's cheeks. Severus sighed, seating down too. He looked lost.
After a few minutes of silence, Draco left, feeling no better than when he came in. He rubbed his shoulder, wincing at the sting. Perhaps sleep would make the pain go away.
Back in his office, Severus ran his hand over his face, feeling himself getting older than he should. His thoughts were running around on how to help Draco but he was reaching no solution. He had no idea how to help his godson without directly confronting Narcissa. Doing so would lead him straight in court and he had no funds to support a court case with the Malfoys. He signed. At this point, only emancipation at seventeen would free the boy, and that was too far away.
The next time Itachi visited he at least had the decency to send a letter beforehand. He found Harry on the shore of the Black Lake opposite the school grounds. The wind was whipping at the Akatsuki member's dark robes. He stood a few feet from the silent child. "What news do you carry this time?" Itachi barely heard the muttered question. "The vampires. They have decided to discard the contract you had drawn up." Itachi could feel the air getting colder than it had been, his breath visible in steady pants. "Why?" "They wish to rule alone. They refuse to be led by 'children'." There was silence for a few minutes, then Hadrian's voice rang in the wind. "Kill them." Itachi nodded and made to leave. "Oh, and Itachi. Send Naruto and Sasuke to Hogwarts. I need them close." "It will be done Hadrian-sama."
Draco sat still in the uncomfortable chair, feeling very much like prey under that green gaze. "You're hiding something." Harry stated. Draco snorted. "Like you don't hide things." He yelped when his silky blonde hair was pulled harshly, snapping his head back. His watery eyes met Harry's rage-filled ones. "This is no time to be smart with me Draco." He hissed lowly and let go. He continued to pace around the now scared blonde. "What are you hiding." The silence made Harry snap his attention to the boy trapped in his chair by fear. He placed his hands on either side of Draco on the arm's rests. "Tell me."
"M-My mother. She doesn't treat me well." Draco stammered. Harry's dragon-like eyes narrowed further. "What has she done?" "She ab-abuses me when she's mad. She uses a cane on me sometimes, at other times she uses a stinging curse. She's always mad during the holidays, I don't know why? She's gotten worse. My dad can't do anything because mother cursed him with a love spell. Uncle Sev can't do anything either." The words were whispered lowly, but Harry caught every syllable and every emotion hidden behind it.
He growled angrily. "No one harms my Dragon." He pulled away suddenly, making to leave. Draco shot up. "Where are you going?" "To fix a few discrepancies." "Please don't hurt her. She's my mother." Harry paused at that statement. Draco was afraid he would ignore his plea, but sighed in relief when Harry said: "I won't touch her."
Author's note:
This is in part a response to Djberneman's question.
I haven't mentioned this but the Akatsuki are not shinobi in this story, just extraordinary wizards with powerful elemental abilities. Harry collected them for these elemental abilities, which he also has. I hope this clarifies things.