A/N:
This story is no sequel to any other I have written, although, I do have a side story, but that is something I have to keep to me until I have written a little bit more about the past and to James Potter.
I want to thank Lexi and Anna for fixing some of my spelling, grammar and punctuation. You're a great help!!! Thank you so much!
Well, I hope you like this chapter.
Enjoy^_^ !
Chapter 4Harry awoke feeling slightly better than he could remember over the last couple of days. He had finally gotten a good night's rest and his head no longer seemed to try to cause a mass of nauseas in the pit of his stomach thanks to no-ending headaches. He truly had to thank Madam Pomfrey for whatever she had drugged him with. For a moment he considered his own stupidity for not coming earlier to her for help. The only thing that would make his morning completely perfect now was, if he could get rid of the sensation of burning up and feeling cold at the same time. The stupid fever is still there, he sighed.
Sitting up slowly it occurred to him that Draco probably would notice his absence in class and come wandering in asking what was up. And as his life was considered a not-private matter in the wizarding world, it would only be a matter of time before the whole school would be notified of his cold.
He coughed a few times into his hands. Somehow he doubted he really had a cold. His illness was getting more and more like Tom's and if that were the case… He shuddered; he didn't even want to think of the consequences. He still remembered far too clearly how the other had almost been killed by the 'Karerukoto' epidemic. It had been truly fearsome. He could just hope that the next Death Eater meeting would prove to be better as to reconsider this so-called project to reduce Muggle Pollution.
He reached for the glass of water at the table next to his bed and drank. A good thing to this actually was, that the doomed conversation with Snape was going to be delayed. Harry was a Gryffindor and they hated to run, but sometimes, just sometimes the Slytherin in him kicked him into realizing that hiding was not such a bad thing after all. He certainly didn't want to have a conversation with his teacher about that incident.
He put the glass back on the table and lay back into the bed starring at the ceiling as he pulled the covers up. Damn it! If he could at least remember what exactly had happened, he could think about a way to talk himself out of this, but fate didn't even allow him that bit of hope. It was truly frustrating.
He laid an arm over his eyes. Merlin! How had he ended up in all this mess in the first place?
~*~*~*~*~
*Flashback*
The crowd of London's street was thicker than usual. It seemed as though everybody was out today shopping. Harry sighed and tried to keep up with the Dursleys. Normally he had no trouble with that, but today everything seemed to work against him. His mind was so concerned with the events of last year's tournament that he tended to get lost in thought when he least needed it. It was no wonder that after a few shops he lost his aunt and her two walking whales. He stood on the tip of his feet glancing around for two big moving human-balls, but no such luck.
Suddenly he was grabbed from behind and a hand pressed against his mouth. He tried to struggle but strength greater than his held him.
"Shh…" a voice whispered in his ear as he and his attacker stood in the shadow of an ally.
He blinked; he knew that voice. Then someone came trotting towards them a tall red-haired figure. Harry's eyes went wide. It was one of the twins, then… he was released and he turned around to see the apologetic smile of Ron's older brother.
"Sorry buddy, but you were just about to walk into the arms of a bunch of Death Eaters. " George said.
*Flashback End*
~*~*~*~*~
Pain struck him and he curled up to the side whining. God, his stomach hurt! He could feel his muscles trembling for a moment uncontrollably and his vision blurred. Then as suddenly as it had come it ended. But he remained still, not daring to move, afraid of the pain.
Damn it! This was his own fault!
Harry cried quietly into the sheets. If he just hadn't followed Fred and George that day… If he had remained with the Dursleys his fifth year would have been different. His life wouldn't be like this and-
He sobbed like a child. But he had chosen this path and he would not turn his back now that he had made it this far… Not yet…
~*~*~*~*~
*Flashback*
Harry followed Fred and George into the depth of the dungeon underneath the sealed-off theater. The place was humid but remarkably large and clean considering that above it looked as though no living soul had passed for at least a few decades.
They stopped at a large metal door, which George opened by muttering a spell. Harry wondered for a moment if the other Gryffindor had used a wand. Fred nodded him to follow and they stepped into a cave, if anything the air got even more humid and it tickled his nose unpleasantly. He took a quick glance around as they made their way through the stalactites and stalagmites.
Since they had saved him from walking into Voldemort's arms a while back they had not spoken much. Fred had simply stated that it was time for Harry to learn about his heritage and that, if he was willing to follow, Harry would be told everything he needed. Unsurely he had agreed after George assured him that the Dursleys would not be expecting him back anytime soon and when he would be returning home, they would not even have missed his absence. And so he had followed them unaware that his life was going to have a major turn-around.
After a long walk Harry saw the outlines of a building rising from the stone and filling the rest of the cave. It seemed new but its aura was ancient. It stood there in all its pride and glory, shining in white marble in the dark. Ironically Harry remembered that moment when people said that when they died and walked trough a tunnel towards a white light. He shook his head, dismissing the thought, and followed the twins inside.
Large pillars marked the entrance to a hallway, soft voices sang. They made their way up a stairway towards a bridge that united the first building with another. Harry looked down and was amazed to see various dragons and humans sitting next to the each other, walking peacefully around or talking. He blinked and wanted to ask where they were, but Fred and George had moved on and he was forced to run after them. The twins stopped in front of a large door with Runes written all over it.
"You must go in there alone, Harry." Fred said calmly.
"Do not fear what you'll see." His brother added as he moved to open the door.
"And most important of all Harry." Fred laid a hand on his shoulder locking their eyes. "Listen before judging and deciding your path…"
And the doors were pushed open and with an uneasy feeling Harry stepped inside, the doors closing behind him again…
"Come closer…" a female voice spoke from further behind.
Harry took a deep breath but did as asked. He saw the outlines of large figure in the too bright room and as moving step by step towards it, he realized with rising horror that he knew that form from an encounter he really did not want to remember. It was a dragon, larger than the one from the Tri-Wizard Tournament. It was slender and elegant in its own way, it's gray-blue eyes looked at him calmly. There was an aura of authority in it, and yet somehow with the realization of what he saw was real, it did no make him afraid. It was as though something deep inside was telling him that he was in no danger, that this dragon meant no harm.
The white- pale blue creature remained in a laying position as it spoke. "Harry Potter…" the female voice echoed in the room. "Come closer, I shall tell you a secret. The secret of your heritage…"
*Flashback End*
~*~*~*~*~
Draco ran into Fred outside of the Transfiguration classroom. The teacher's assistant grabbed him by the cape turning him to face him.
"Didn't you get the note?!" Fred snapped trying not to catch the other bypassing students' attention.
Draco scowled. "I did, but I can't come running whenever you want me to when I still have to keep up some façade." He glanced around with his eyes checking that no one was listening.
"Do you know what happened?" Fred asked as they made their way down to the Great Hall for lunch.
"No, but I've heard you brother say that he seemed to have caught a cold…" Draco stopped suddenly as realization hit him.
"What?" Fred asked curiously. "Something wrong?"
"Shit!" and with this the Slytherin turned on his heels and ran back the way he had come from.
~*~*~*~*~
*Flashback*
Harry starred dumbfounded at the Dragon. Was it true what she was telling him? But… Impossible! He couldn't be a Dragon… Suddenly he started laughing, he couldn't help it.
The dragon frowned annoyed. "What's wrong with you?" That wasn't the expected reaction from the boy. He had just been told that he was the last of his kind, of his clan. What his father had done to assure his survival. He had just been told he was the Yorae Dragon, the Head of the Visionary Clan, the one that would have to lead the Dragons in the upcoming battle.
Harry smiled sadly. "Its just kind of karmatic, the shine of being the boy who lived wears out to let me know I'm the last one of my species…"
Gray eyes widened shocked not having considered this.
"Don't worry, the seriousness of it hasn't sunken in yet." Harry said as he sat on the ground tired of standing. "Listen, if I should believe what you've just told me, then how come I don't have fangs and wings or a dragon form like you? Don't tell me I'm some failed genetic abnormality or something."
The Dragon smiled. "You can transform, but only from a certain age on. Yorae Dragons are different from the other clans since there are a breed of Dragons and Gods. Things will not work for you the way they work for example for Fred and George."
"They are Dragons?"
"How else would they have known their way here? Only Dragons know of the existence of this sanctuary."
Harry leaned his head to the side. "True, but then the rest of the Weasley would have to be Dragons as well…"
There was a sigh. "No, only the twins are, but you better ask them about the details…"
A long moment of silence followed before Harry spoke again. "Okay, let me try to summarize what you have told me so far..." He took his glasses of massaging with his other hand the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. "Dragons are beings that live in secluded areas avoiding as much contact with humans and other intelligent species as possible for reasons I didn't quite get. The Dragons are divided in various family branches. Important for me to know are the two main types: the Elemental Families and the Old Clans, which are represented in the High Council. The High Council is formed by the Head of Clans of each of a region. Next to the Council there are the Visionary clans. They are a cross breed of Gods and Dragons and are lead by the Yorae Clan…" Harry opened his eyes to see the dragon nod affirmatively. "The Visionary clans are separated from the other clans due to their level of power. Their magic is more spiritual than usual and as their name says, they have visions of things to come. After that it got far to complicated for me to remember…" If Harry didn't know better he would have sworn having seen a smile on the dragon's lips.
"You truly have more to you than I ever thought… Maybe I judged you too early, or maybe I expected you to be like your father… But you are just yourself, not him." Sadness filled those eyes. "Very well then. Harry Potter, will you accept the teachings of the Clan, which I can provide to you, if you accept me as your mentor, and follow your rightful destiny and path? Will you follow the laws of the Old Teaching and the High Council keeping your heritage a secret until the time is right to let the world know once again of our powers? Will you lead us in the coming battle and do as necessary to assure a safe and peaceful future for those who come? Will you agree, Harry Potter, or will you turn around now and walk away on the path you came in by? Think well before answering, young Yorae, for your decision will be your future and the consequences to come are your own. There will be no turning back once you take a step forward."
Harry took a deep breath. All the things he had been told during the last hours were still dazzling his mind. He couldn't turn back; he wanted and needed to know where his origins were. He could learn so much to help others and maybe even convince the Dragons to help him and the wizarding world in their fight against Voldemort.
"Black and white?" the dark haired man shook his head. "No, the world is shades of gray and things are never what they seem, my friend, so you shouldn't judge until you've seen all the puzzle pieces in order in front of you."
"James, I'm not saying that things will be easy from here on, but at least would you consider what I'm telling you?" the figure in the shadow asked.
"If there is one thing I want to teach those who will follow me, is that sometimes your worst enemy is your best friend and that those you thought your friends will be the first to turn their back on you when they see you broken."
"Harry?"
He shook his head startled and looked into the worried eyes of the dragon. "I… I just had a… err… I saw my dad… he said that the world was… shades of gray?" he murmured, passing puzzled a hand through his hair. "Never mind…" This was not the right moment to analyze those foreign thoughts. Taking another deep breath he stood up and locked his eyes with the dragon's. "I accept. No matter the consequences, this will be my path. I am the Yorae Dragon and I will take my duty seriously, and follow the teachings. I am grateful to know you as my mentor."
"Then, young Dragon, I will tell you my mortal name and hope that we may get along." A bright light formed around the large figure. Harry heard the flapping of wings and the air move around him. Feathers touched gently his face as he lowered his arm with which he had protected his eyes from the brightness to see the form vanish. Footsteps moved towards him as someone approached him. A dark cloak zipped trough the air. Harry's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the person. A hand stretched out for him to take.
"Welcome young Yorae, I'm Draco, Head of the High Council, leader to the Wind Clans and from today on, I shall be your mentor."
*Flashback End*
~*~*~*~*~
Madam Pomfrey came to give him some medicine and breakfast. He was glad he was in a better state by then, because he certainly didn't want to have Draco's plans in any way damaged just because she started to ask questions about his true sickness. If he could convince her that it was a simple cold, then Draco wouldn't find out about it either. Harry really didn't want to be excluded from the next Death Eaters' meetings only because he hadn't paid attention and had gotten himself ill. The Inner circle would decide on their next moves and Draco and them needed to inform the Dragons of the current situation in the wizarding world if they intended to ask for the magical world's help… It was essential that the Yorae Dragon attend as well as Jathy…
~*~*~*~*~
*Flashback*
George walked side by side with Harry as they entered Privet Drive. Draco had told the boy many things during the last hours. He had explained him the ways of the Dragons, and most important of all he had told Harry the truth. The truth behind the façade of Lord Voldemort… So, George could understand why Harry had not said a word since they had left the sanctuary. It was remarkable how the boy seemed to have accepted everything so far without actually panicking. Yet Draco had said that he might still go hysterical once all the information was throughout processed in the boy's mind.
"George…" Harry stopped turning to him with a strange expression on his face.
"Yes?" He sincerely hoped that Harry wouldn't go crazy on him right now. Fred was much better handling people than he was.
"Why are you here?" the boy tilted his head to the side.
George shrugged his shoulders confused. "What do you mean?"
"Malf-" he shook his head. "I mean Draco. He said dragon leaders are always born twins and that they are never allowed on the same mission with his or her twin. Why are both, you and Fred here then?"
"That is…" George sighed and leaned against a garden fence as he crossed his arms. "Seventeen years ago, when your parents were still alive, your father and the Head of Council had a huge fight. I don't know what it was about, back then my mother and uncle were the leaders of our clans. As far as I have been told it had to do with the fact that the Yorae Dragon wanted to marry your mother, but I personally think there was more to it. Whichever, the Council was not really pleased with that, because it left the Visionary Clans without their leader. James had already been in the human world over 15 years by then and he was beginning to neglect his duties. Your father insisted anyway, and as we can see..." He nodded to Harry. "… he did as he wanted. But…" He glanced uncomfortably at Harry. "I don't know if I am the right person to tell you this, Harry…I mean, I shouldn't talk about things I don't really have much clue about…"
"I just asked about you and Fred…" Harry pointed out, although he was rather intrigued to hear more about his father.
"The thing is, that my being here has to do with what happened back then, and Fred's too…"
"Oh."
George mimicked him. Rain started to fall upon them as they remained where they were. No one moved; no one spoke.
"Maybe you should go inside… The spell might wear off…" George finally said as he pushed himself away from the fence.
"You'll have to tell me someday, George." Harry said as he walked towards house with the number 4. "Eventually, you will have to trust me enough to let me know everything."
George watched him disappear into the safety of the house.
*Flashback End*
~*~*~*~*~
"Well my dear, you seem to be back to your old self." Madam Pomfrey said after she finished her check up on him. "The fever will still be there for a while, but if you take good care of yourself for the next days, you should be able to go and run into some Slytherins."
Harry grinned. He loved magic; it allowed one even to trick a medi-witch like Poppy. "Thanks, I really don't want to miss any more classes than strictly necessary."
She nodded in understanding. "Just drink this potion and get going then." she handed him the vial and waited for him to empty it. Harry heard the door of the infirmary open and a few quick footsteps approached. A familiar figure came into view. Harry tensed unwillingly.
"Malfoy…"
"Potter…"
The two boys glared at one another even as Madam Pomfrey spoke: "What can I do for you Mr. Malfoy."
"I was having a headache and wondered whether you had anything against it." He said not taking his eyes of Harry.
"Of course." She got up and Harry followed suit to leave. "And Mr. Potter?"
Harry turned to her. "Yes, ma'am?"
"I want to check on you tomorrow when you have time."
He nodded slowly, walking as quickly as possible past Draco, who was practically penetrating his mind with his eyes. Madam Pomfrey disappeared into her office and Harry felt the magic pull of the Slytherin as he stepped out of the infirmary.
/Where do you think you're going?/ Draco growled into his mind.
\Me? Back to the Gryffindor Tower to catch up on my lessons…\
/…Why were you here?/
\I didn't feel well and Madam Pomfrey said I had caught a cold and wanted me to stay overnight.\ It wasn't a complete lie, just half the truth. Well, it was better that than having him known he had gotten infected with that deadly virus Tom had been struggling with for the last three weeks.
/Are you fine then?/ The Dragon's voice asked suspiciously.
\Why shouldn't I be?\ If Draco figured out what was truly going on, he would make Harry remain here for the rest of the coming month. Harry wouldn't be able to attend the meetings. They couldn't afford that…
/…/
The link remained in silence and Harry sighed relived as he made his way back to the Tower before he might actually run in one of the other dragon leaders. Merlin! He sometimes hated his life…
~*~*~*~*~
*Flashback*
"You have got to be kidding me!" Harry snapped as he paced back and forth. "How can that bastard be a Dragon!!"
The twins sighed as Draco tried to calm him but to no use.
"You know, Potter, I wasn't very happy about it either!" Tom Riddle growled.
Harry scowled waving his arms around him. "Right! You don't want power to spread your hands over the world to just kill a few more people off!!"
"I was talking about us being related." Tom said annoyed.
"He's not even denying it!!!" Harry was about to hyperventilate.
Fred leaned towards his brother. "He's not taking it very well."
George rolled his eyes annoyed. "I wouldn't either, if you turned out to be someone who has been trying to kill me for most of my life…"
"That would be a perfect waste of my time…" Fred stated as he continued to watch Harry and Tom screaming at each other.
Draco finally settled down next to them. "If I had know it would be this hard to make them work together, I would have kicked them unconscious and then dragged them into Voldie's office putting some nasty spells on them to make them listen."
George leaned forward to look pass Fred at him. "You could still do that."
"HE WILL NOT!!" Tom and Harry snapped in unison.
"Merlin! They are related!" Fred stared at the two black haired glaring daggers at one another.
*Flashback End*
~*~*~*~*~
Draco knocked on Professor Sprout's office door, hoping to find George here. A voice from inside called for him to step inside.
"Mr. Malfoy, what can I do for you?" the professor asked as she looked up from her desk where she currently was grading some essays.
"I was looking for George Weasley." He smiled calmly. "I have a message from Professor Snape for him." The Slytherin lied.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley is in Greenhouse 3," replied the Professor.
"Thank you, professor," and turning he made his way there.
George was watering some plants as Draco walked up to him. "Weasley!"
"Hey, Draco." The read-haired didn't turn to look at him, but continued with his work. "How's Tom?"
"I was going to ask you. Harry was in the infirmary last night and ran out on me telling me had work to catch up with." He crossed his arms. "He has been hiding something from me…"
George smiled as he glanced at the Slytherin. "And why would you think I know anything about it?"
"Because, you will go ask Tom tonight what the hell he and Harry are up to." Ordered Draco.
A sigh escaped the young teacher's assistant. "I can't. Tonight is staff meeting and I have to be there, not just Fred."
"Well, I can't go because I have detention with Filch…" Draco cursed under his breath. "By the way… Did you see that Peeves was released from the spell last night?"
George nodded. "Yes… I find it suspiciously unnerving that we don't know who did it. I mean, I couldn't even see where the energy lead to."
Draco came closer to him and touched the plant carefully. "There is something else. I received a message from the High Council."
George looked at him shocked.
"They want us to come back with Harry…"
"But we can't!" exclaimed George carefully as he saw some students enter the greenhouse. "His powers are still in dormant form as you have said. It would be disastrous to make him do the journey. Tom won't allow it!"
"Don't you think I know that!" he snapped back.
"Draco, you're the Head of the Council!"
Draco let out a frustrated growl. "That doesn't mean I can walk over the decision of the Council! If the majority decides that the Yorae is to be brought back… If they decide that we should go back, then we will follow. That is how we have always worked."
"Tom is the current head of the Yorae Clan until Harry awakens fully. If he could convince the council that-"
"Don't you think I have considered that option?" he quieted as the students walked pass them to the back of the greenhouse. "Tom is in a far more complicated and intertwined position with the wizarding world than any of us."
George nodded for Draco to follow him outside as he lowered the water cane to the ground. "The Yorae Clan is always above the Council when it's necessary for our survival. As the current leader Tom could base his decision to remain here on that…"
Draco shook his head with a sigh. "It's not that easy. Tom is in a difficult position. As twin to the late Yorae Leader he is technically seen as the Head of the Visionary, but genetically Tom is of the Gods Clan. The Council wouldn't recognize his decision, you know that. Also, Tom did not absorb and unite with James's memories and essence. I'm not sure why, but is has to do with the negative energy which Tom stores within his body." They made their way back to the castle. "Whatever the reason, James knew this would happen. He told the Council, before you got introduced as a member, that the Visionary wouldn't purify the world anymore. That with the birth of a new Yorae the era would change and the Protocols renewed."
"I don't understand."
"Neither did I…"
~*~*~*~*~
*Flashback*
Harry stared expectantly at the thin glass bracelets around his wrists. He brought one closer to his face to marvel at the carefully and detailed handwork of its maker. He could feel magic pulsing through every Rune that covered its delicate surface. It was beautiful and fragile.
"I can't take them." He told George as he was about to take them off but a pair of hands stopped him.
"Harry. These bracelets are the only way you will be able to attend the Death Eater meeting with us and the only way you are going to learn to think not only from one perspective but also from that of your enemy." Fred let go off him as he settled down by the campfire next to him.
George watched them from across the fire keeping an eye on the Burrow, waiting for their two younger siblings to return after cleaning up the dishes from dinner.
Fred continued to explaining, using what time they had. Soon, probably tonight, Tom would summon his followers and Harry would be introduced to them. It was necessary that the boy understood the situation and all the things that he could use to his advantage while being a spy. "The bracelets will alter your outer appearance to some extent. It will create an illusion that not even magic will be able to break and won't allow anyone to see the real you pass your mask." He pointed at Harry.
The green-eyed boy shook his head slightly. "I don't quite understand…"
Fred smiled at him warmly like a father to his son. "You still think too much like a human. You must let your inner instincts act more on their own."
Harry looked annoyed at him. "That usually gets me into more trouble."
The older boy chuckled. "Nevertheless, one school starts again Draco will start tutoring you and you will come to see that things are far more complicated than you realize by now."
"Oh, great!" Harry rolled his eyes. "Still, will they not break, I mean it's glass!"
This time he heard George chuckle from across the fire. "Harry, have you ever wondered why wizards and witches keep their potions in glass vials?"
The boy replied negative.
"It is because glass can seal magic as well as produce and hold it. It may look fragile to you, but if you tried to smash them against a stone you would soon learn that the magic they hold will assure they remain just they way they look right now. And also…" George moved his hand swiftly through the flames before pulling it out again. "They will hide themselves from the human eye for as long as you need it…"
And as Harry starred at his wrist there was nothing on them any longer, although he could still feel the magic around them. "Wow!"
"Yes, my mother is a very good craftswoman." Fred laughed.
"Mrs. Weasley?"
The twins shook their heads. "No, our real mother. She was not only leader of our clan, but also a master of illusion."
George spoke. "We, of the Fire Elemental Family are known for being able to fool the eye and for being tricksters."
"Explains a lot." Harry smiled amused.
"Hey, Harry!" The three at the campfire turned towards the house as Ron came running towards them. "Harry, Mom just said were are going to go to Diagon Alley tomorrow to buy our school supplies, isn't it great! Hermione will be there too."
Harry grinned while he unconsciously moved a hand over the invisible glass bracelet on his wrist. "Of course…"
*Flashback End*
~*~*~*~*~
Harry settled tiredly on his bed when Hedwig flew in. She landed and fluttered her wings while she jumped towards him.
"Hey, what did you bring me?" he asked with a warm smile noticing the parchment hanging on a string around her neck.
She puffed up and flapped her wings excitedly. Harry raised curiously an eyebrow. She usually behaved like this whenever she had just gotten a few treats from someone. He reached for the note and opened it.
Harry,
We need to talk! There will be a DE meeting tomorrow night. Need to make sure your head is clear and won't interfere on the mission Jathy has to go with Snape. Also, I received a letter from the Council… Write back, use Fall for delivering the message. Would be unwise to use Hedwig. People gossip a lot…
Tom
Harry burned the letter in his hand to ashes causing Hedwig to fly up in surprise. He took out a quill and a parchment and a book to use as stand to write on. Harry really didn't want to have to talk to Snape in any way. And he certainly had no interest on going on a mission with him. How was he suppose to look him in the eye after what happened?
Funny you consider what happened!!
You idiot!
I can't look the man in the face and pretend nothing happened even if I don't remember!! I refuse the mission beforehand!
I'll be dropping by tonight around 2 am!!
Harry.
Harry called Hedwig over and put the parchment the way he had received his note. Then he turned the small pendant that hung on the owl's leg and saw the feathers change from white to black.
"Well, Fall, you know what to do…" he gave her a treat and the owl leaned her head to the side looking at him as though he had gone nuts, but she didn't care. Harry knew she was quite intelligent and understood that it was necessary to change her appearance and name.
And the moment she was out of the window his roommates walked in. Classes were finished for today…
That night, when the others lay in bed sleeping he waited for the hours to pass, his thought wandered back to the day he had first stood as Jathy by the Dark Lord's side trying to calm his heartbeat and keep the calm air he needed so he wouldn't be discovered as a spy. He recalled the time Tom had taught him how to move and act around the Death Eaters and how Draco had suggested that he take a closer look at Snape and learn to keep his face expressionless as the professor did. And Harry had observed and learned, more than he was willing to acknowledge at the moment…
~*~*~*~*~
*Flashback*
Nothing in his life was ever going to be easy, especially if he considered that he was standing in the center of Death Eater Community, to his side current Dark Lord and momentary greatest annoyance to Harry Potter's irritated mind.
"Would you stop pacing around like a madman!" Harry said as he tried to calm Tom Riddle for the fifteenths time in the last hour. "You said everything would be fine."
"Potter, I don't know about you, but if something goes wrong tonight, not only will they want your head but the rest of ours too! I believe a little nervousness isn't wrong." Tom turned again, still annoyed. "And if you don't mind, I think it would be wise for you to activate those bracelets!"
"Listen, old man! I'm doing this out of goodwill and I won't stand here letting you, spoiled little Dark Lord, order me around!!"
Tom raised an eyebrow spinning around menacingly. "You can always walk out of here. I'm sure Dumbledore and your friends would be thrilled to know about your current whereabouts." He hissed.
"You wouldn't dare…"
Tom laughed darkly. "You don't know me half as well as your father did. I dare the world to stop spinning if I want to!!"
A hand hit hard on the table at the window. Tom and Harry twitched visibly turning to see Draco glaring icily at them. "If you two don't shut up, the Death Eaters will be your least to worry." He bared his fangs and growled at them. "Now, Harry, change! Tom, make sure he's ready for the meeting tonight." This said he apparated away to attend other matters.
Harry sighed and did as Draco had asked of him. He felt the glass on his wrist vibrate as he activated their magic. Their aura expanding quickly over his skin altering his appearance enough for people not to recognize him. The soft humming of magic around him calmed his senses, as he called forth the first level of transformation to a dragon. He felt his ears growl longer and pointy to the ends, automatically bettering his hearing. In his mouth his teeth grew enough for him to pass as a vampire. And he took his glasses off, knowing he wouldn't need them, and looked down at his pale hands, his fingernails seeming too long for a man.
Tom clapped his hands impressed. "A mastery, I must admit…" he walked once around Harry checking here and there that everything was indeed in place. "You don't look anything like yourself anymore…"
"Really?" Harry spoke with a voice that was also not his own, it had a low hiss in it, the way he remembered listening to snakes.
Tom nodded as he passed a hand over his youthful face. "Just your eyes remained the same. Emerald green…" He nodded amazed. "I mean your skin is all sallow and…" he picked Harry's arm up pushing the fabric of his sleeve up. "Your skin is almost transparent, it's rather disgusting… it looks like mine did after the Tournament." Harry's face darkened. "I… I'm sorry…" Tom apologized as he let go of the boy…
"I don't want to talk about that right now…" Harry shook his head trying to suppress the rising memories of the last school year. "Rather, tell me, what I should wear and what exactly you expect me to do…" he paused taking a deep breath before looking as expressionless as possible. "My Lord…" he finally added.
Tom pulled his hood over his face. "Then come…Jathy…"
*Flashback End*
~*~*~*~*~
Yes, that was how all his troubles had started and his life had gone from bloody complicated to fucking impossible to handle. Nowadays he had a pretty good deal of respect for Severus Snape who managed to remain—to some point—sane leading a double life. Harry himself found it rather difficult and sometimes he had trouble deciding who he truly was at the end of the day when he lay alone in bed brooding over his life. Was he Harry Potter, the boy who had a bounty on his head by Voldemort or was he rather Jathy, Voldemort's closest and most feared servant? He had no answer.
All Harry had clear was that he was not an ordinary boy as he so often had wished to be. He was not even human! At least not fully… Just from his mother's side and he somehow doubted that was even true.
He rolled to the side curling into a fetal position.
Draco had told him so many things over the last year. So many things he was forced to accept as facts and part of his life, that he wondered if he really did cope with all that, or if he just suppressed all his problems into some subconscious level and one day they would all pop up and strangle him senseless for forgetting them. Whichever the case, he would have to wait for it to come when it came.