What to do?
by BEWD Sorcerer
Disclaimer: It's not mine! I would love to have it, but it's not mine! sob All I own are the copies of the books I've bought, but not the copyrights.
AN: Long time no see! Did you miss me? XP Kidding. Yay! I finally have an idea on how we're going to get to the end point! Hope you enjoy!
:telepathic link speech:
"out loud speech, English"
'Parseltongue'
So here I am, resisting the urge to twiddle my thumbs as I wait, slumped against the dirty wall in a dingy cell, for the Order of the Toasted Turkeys to come 'rescue' me. I have, thanks to that experimental potion, a plethora of bumps, bruises, cuts, and even a cracked bone or two to attest to the fact that, yes, I have been in the care of the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.
I can't help but wish that Severus had waited a few more days to tell the Order about 'finding' where I am being 'kept'. There had been only one day of romping about the Manor with Draco when Tom had to work since the second day was used to explore Knockturn Alley and then later Diagon Alley with some very strong glamours.
Pelting groups of Death Eaters with random Change bombs had been a blast and so had running to Tom's office had kept us from getting skinned by said embarrassed and infuriated Death Eaters. Hitting Bellatrix Lestrange with a Sex Change bomb and a Hair Color Change bomb had been the highlight of the day, that and the look on her face when she burst into the Dark Lord's office to find me lounging in said Dark Lord's lap with Draco snickering from behind a chair. Bellatrix had then realized who it had been that had pranked her - or should I say - him and left rather quickly and quite shocked.
Tom had smacked me playfully on the stomach, then ordered Draco out unless he wanted to play voyeur as his new friend was ravished on the desk. Draco had swiftly exited and I thoroughly ravished.
Then poking around in some of the most interesting, creepy, and disgusting shops in Knockturn Alley with the Dark Lord had been quite an experience. Luckily it had been just me and Tom, otherwise Draco'd probably have scoffed at me. I did not need to see pickled dick floating in a jar in the shop of an obsessive fan of Voldemort's. Let's just say that she hadn't and didn't and won't know that Voldemort had been in her shop that day.
Otherwise it was a really nice day with us arriving back at the Manor after purchasing new robes for me, certain illicit potion ingredients for both Tom and Severus, some books on not-quite Dark spells for me from the Malfoys as a birthday gift, a baby runespoor from Tom as a second pet for a birthday present, and a new watch for me that had on the top the time, then there was a clip that lifted the lid and revealed how all my friends were with an unknown spot that stood for Tom and then a little pop-out Foe Glass. Rasim, Raisel, and Razvan are really good conversationalists and we're already close. Tom's taking care of them and my stuff until I can increase my possessions without question, probably over Christmas Break.
I come back to the present when I hear the cell door open and five pairs of feet shuffle around toward me, recognizing the alternating wooden thump as Moody and the soft pat-pat-pat of a canine's feet as a Wolfbane-calmed Moony.
"Wotcher, Harry." Ok, so it's Moody, Moony, Tonks, and one other is probably Snape.
"Get up, Potter. We don't have all day." I was right; Severus is playing spy for the Light again. I scramble to my feet, wincing at the artificial soreness and wounds.
"Shut up, both of you. I'd rather not have to fight on the way out." Moody snarls softly and Moony backs him up, padding up to me for pets, which I give gladly. We creep carefully out of the cell; Moony's practically carrying me, but he's not complaining.
Severus leads us through dark corridor after dark corridor, purposefully going in roundabout circles from what I can tell, confusing the Order, so they'd need Severus to lead them around. It's ingenious and not even Mad-Eye can tell, only I can and that's because Draco's quite good at leading people around so they'll not need his assistance again.
When we finally reach an out-of-the-way door to the outside, we exit just as carefully as we did my cell and slink off into the forest where they can apparate. On the way out we had glanced a few guards, but we weren't seen.
That's what they thought, at least.
Just before Moony and I touched the portkey I felt drawn to look up and saw red eyes staring out from a shadow, but Severus pushed me to touch the bent rusty clothes hanger and I was whisked away. Tonks, Moody, and Severus arrived a few minutes later looking a bit worse for the wear. Apparently despite what Voldemort knew what needed to be done, he didn't want me to leave either. It made me feel a little better even as I entered headquarters.
September 1st
Staying in Sirius' old house had been horrid because not only did everything around me remind me that Sirius was dead, being there meant that I wasn't with Tom or even at Hogwarts where I could at least fly around the Quidditch pitch, visit Hagrid, or make up some interesting pastimes in the Room of Requirement.
I'm hyper and want to bounce off the walls because we're finally going back to Hogwarts and very tempted to belt out the school song, no doubt there would be entertaining reactions. The only thing better will be when they find out about Tom. I repress a giggle just at the thought. I'd tell them now, but then Tom would be upset. At least it wouldn't be rescue attempts; they'd be assassination attempts!
I should probably train harder, but Dumbledore's practically forbidden it. I'm supposed to study for classes since they're my only training. Voldie's got fifty years more experience than I do, but they refuse to train me anymore than the rest of the children. I'm not children; I'm the Prophesy child!
Pffffft!
I really should stop thinking like this Hermione and Ginny are looking at me funny. This is serious business and I'm grinning like a loon and giggling at odd times. Onward! To the train station we go!
Ok, fine. Disillusionment Charms all around and now we leave. I hate the eggy feeling; it makes me uncomfortable and reminds me of the time that Dudley and his gang coated me in egg on Halloween when we were seven. I, of course, got blamed for all of it. Damn old cat lady didn't help at all even though she saw the whole thing and knew that I knew she saw. I only remembered that a few days ago.
It seems now that I stop and think about the past the worse the Light appears. Dumbledore knew all about the Dursleys hating me, but didn't do a damn thing. I'm also remembering things that I may not have naturally forgotten about the Dursleys like the bullwhip that Vernon so favors, but how I could not remember some of these incidences until recently is most assuredly suspicious.
I've also noticed that the bond between Tom and I is much stronger and while we can feel each others emotions easier, clearer, it no longer hurts, which is lovely since I no longer have the splitting headaches when he gets angry. Sadly that tends to be the only emotion he's felt since I was 'rescued'.
I really want to go back to him now.
Unfortunately I'm snapped back to reality and realize that I'm aboard the Hogwarts Express, though by the fields and cows we aren't too far from London. Glancing around I try to figure out what brought me back and notice the tense atmosphere of the compartment caused by the entrance of the current Slytherin Prince of Hogwarts, Draco Malfoy. I sorely wish I could patrol the corridors with him, by patrol I mean prank, but that would start rumors that I'm not able to deal with at this point.
If only I had chosen Slytherin back then, we probably would have ended up something like the Marauders, so despite being a snake, Sirius would have been proud of my prankster reputation.
Tom and I had had some very interesting conversations about 'what if...' and 'if only...' and were later joined by the Malfoys. It had felt like a family gathering, something that I had never felt before but wonderful.
Eh? It appears that they've been trying to get my attention for awhile now...
"Harry, you alright mate?" Ron's typical question, I wonder if I'll ever hear it again after this year... or the next, I'm not sure which will be my last at Hogwarts.
"Is there something you want to talk to us about, Harry?" Hermione's questions are almost always longer or at least more complicated than Ron's, as usual, but for how long will it be usual? How long will it be until thoughts about Ron and Hermione sink unnoticed into the sands of Time. Tom means for us to be immortal together and no one else will stand with us.
"Harry?" Malfoy's question has so much hidden within it. 'What's going on?' 'Are you alright?' 'Is something bothering you?' 'Is it Him?' All those questions and more in two syllables. How much longer until he slips away and Tom is the only familiar one?
I shake these thoughts from my head... for now.
"I'm alright. You three shouldn't worry so much." Ron sputters at this, Hermione looks thoughtful, and Draco scowls.
"What are you including him for! He's not worried about you!" Ron is as typically brash as he always is and Hermione is as bright and perceptive as always.
"Something's changed since you were kidnapped." Draco scoffs as I smile wanly.
"Of course something's changed! He was in the clutches of the Dark Lord himself! Who wouldn't change after being treated like that!" I smirk at what he said and didn't say, so very Slytherin...
"Draco, come sit down so we can have a private conversation." I'm pleased that he doesn't argue and sits beside me. "Do you think he's ever treated anyone else that way?" Draco smirks.
"From what father said, no one has before because he wouldn't have treated anyone else after that the same, so, no, he's never acted that way. He is a snake after all and more so than I think anyone could have guessed even with the physical resemblance so startling. Research shows one and only one for snakes." I sigh in relief and Draco just looks all the more smug. "You really are serious about this, aren't you?"
"You doubt?" Ron is staring at us incredulously and Hermione is looking all the more confused as Draco shrugs calmly.
"Anything could happen. It is the first time this has ever happened, so they're obviously going to be thrown for a loop until they can get it through their thick skulls that, yes, it is happening and it's not some bad joke. I think Aunt Bella is going to take it the hardest, so watch out." Hermione's curiosity has finally gotten the better of her.
"What happened to change your relationship so drastically?" Ron seems to really want to know, too, so I decide that I might as well explain at least a part of it.
"Draco and I had a talk while I was with Voldemort. He's not so bad when he's not trying to be a git." Draco nudged me in the ribs with his elbow as he is known to do when he's teasing or being teased. It's a sort of play punch on the shoulder or slap on the back, but that would be below him, so he nudges ribs with his elbow. It's also easier to conceal the fact that it happened.
It didn't take long to get used to it and even start doing it back as I just have, making Ron look uncomfortable. Tom said that when we played around like that that we seemed like we had been close childhood friends and it must be a realization that isn't reserved for Tom and the Malfoys because Ron is now looking distinctly jealous. I smile reassuringly at Ron.
"C'mon, mate, all three of you are good friends of mine now and I will not play favorites. If you're fighting, then unless it involves me I will stay out of it until it's settled, just like in the past." Ron just nods stiffly as Hermione smiles weakly. Draco smirks again.
"But there will always be one above us, won't there?" I blush and look out the window, making Draco practically crow with mirth. Ron and Hermione are back to being upset and puzzled when I refuse to explain and prevent Draco from spilling any of it to them before I sound them out, but Draco's not to be put off. "Harry's met someone." I nudge him none-to-gently, but he just chortles.
Both of my friends look surprised, pleased, and a bit scandalized since they had to find out from someone that they're not very fond of. I still refuse to meet their eyes.
"So who is it?" Hermione looks so excited and Ron grins broadly.
"Yeah, so who is she?" My blush increases as does Draco's mirth. Sadistic jerk.
"They don't know? All this time and all these clues and they don't know?" Draco still adores making my life more difficult, even after my befriending of him. He's just a difficult person in general and I am inclined to think it has something to do with his parents.
"Harry, are you going to tell us?" Hermione looks dejected that someone who had been an enemy not too long ago knows, but they, my best friends, don't. I know she's trying to make me feel guilty and it's working, but Draco seems to be enjoying my discomfort too much to let this opportunity slip by.
"I think Harry's too embarrassed to inform you of his preferences." Ron cringes and sidles away from me and Draco notices, scowling. "I doubt he's ever looked at you in such a way. You're probably too much of a brother to him for him to think about you that way." I nod vehemently to what Draco says. To think of Ron that way would probably make me puke. The sentiment must have shown on my face because Ron relaxes, scooting back over to where he had been sitting quite close to Hermione.
"But what about Cho?" Lovely, Ron, bring her up.
"She-I... we just don't fit that way." Ron seems confused, but then brightens, a typical 'wha? Oh.' moment courtesy of Ronald Weasley.
"So who is he?" Hermione isn't one to be distracted. Damn, I thought that we could have avoided this talk longer. Draco's practically rubbing his hands together in glee. I send him a look, telling him to be nice. It would be best if I had these two for support.
He starts in, explaining about Tom Riddle's life and the similarities between his and mine. When he drops the bomb about how I was an experiment, they react accordingly, which is a positive sign, Ron with righteous anger for the wrong doings done to me and Hermione with sympathy and understanding.
"It's Tom, isn't it? You're in love with Tom." I nod slowly, hoping that my good luck continues. It does.
"Why didn't you tell us before, mate?" I laugh, shaking my head.
"Yeah, I can just see it. 'Hey, guys, I'm in love with Lord Voldemort!' It's distinctly reminiscent of when we were wondering how to ask Hagrid if he'd set something mad and hairy loose on the school in second year." Ron winces and Hermione giggles. We explain to Draco when we notice his curious expression.
We soon launch into explaining and reminiscing about our years at Hogwarts, only pausing to order from the witch pushing the cart, and before we know it we've arrived. Reluctantly we separate when we reach the Great Hall, waving and promising to continue later.
When we take our seats at the Gryffindor table, we're bombarded by questions about our sanity and independent will, but Ron shuts them all up with his answer of, "Well, he's not such a bad bloke when he's not trying to be a git." I resist the strong urge to fall over laughing and shouting, "I told you so! I told you so!" with great difficulty. Both Ron and Hermione realize this when they see my smirk. Ron grumbles that, yeah, I was right, making Hermione giggle.
Professor McGonagall chooses that moment to enter with the stool, the Sorting Hat, and all the little first years. It's only a few moments after the Sorting Hat finishes its song of how change is ahead and the Key has turned that I feel a burning of someone watching me from the teacher's table.
Normally this isn't a big thing, but this stare is almost hostile, so I glance over and lock eyes with who I guess must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I suddenly feel like rearing back and hissing, knowing that this must have shown in my eyes because of the suddenly startled blue eyes of the new DADA teacher. I don't like him and apparently neither does Tom if I'm interpreting the burning emotions swirling violently down our link.
His aura is odd, I note, but maybe it's just me because I only learned to read auras that one shopping day with Tom, though he did say it was one of my innate abilities, just like it was for him. It has a distinctly grayish tinge that I haven't seen anywhere else. Tom's had been rather dark, but that was expected.
He keeps staring and the more he stares, the more I have to fight down the urge to strike, ripping out those bright blue eyes that won't stop staring. The staring that makes me wants to hide behind Tom or shout that I belong to someone else, I'm taken and there's no changing me. His stare makes me sick, so I try to lose myself in my thoughts.
Tom wants me to become an animagus and made me test out this potion that gives hints as to what the form will be. He was ecstatic to find that I am a rare magical snake, so rare that my type doesn't even have a proper name, though in some ancient cultures called us the tai'ran. He had grabbed me up, swinging me around, kissing me enthusiastically. Remembering that really makes me miss him, even more now that I'm somewhere that he also loves.
He's still staring and it's really getting to me. Then I notice how everything's getting all fuzzy and my head feels too heavy for my neck. What's going on? I hadn't even noticed that the sorting was over and we had started eating. Whatever it is must have been in the food and I can't believe I was that careless. I feel faint as I desperately try to focus on Hermione.
" 'Mione." She starts, turning to look at me and notices that I don't look well. "Don't let them take me. Make sure I go straight to the dorm and don't leave it till I'm awake again. Please, 'Mione-" My mouth has finally lost it to whatever they drugged me with. I try to finish, but the darkness is rapidly enveloping me and I barely hear Tom's yelp as I'm forcefully dragged under.
AN: So it's a little weird, this chapter. Hope it's not too funky. I'll be putting up some song fics later. Please bare with me.
Who is the DADA teacher? Is he a danger to Harry? No one knows! ... Well, I kinda... do. He just popped up in there... I wasn't planning on someone like him and then... well...
Harry's going to be stuck at Hogwarts awhile yet. 'Vincent Potter' will pop up later with plenty of time to prove himself so he can whisk away Harry for Christmas.