First I wanted to thank everyone for continuing to read and support my writing. Whenever I get a little email of a review or story alert it makes my day. Secondly I just wanted to let everyone know that I like constructive criticism. I'm known to let things fall into clichés or be lazy one day so part of the chapter is rushed. Really, let me know! I'm not an evil angry person and I do like to hear about things that could improve my writing. However, if all you're saying is annoying bitchy crap about how much my story sucks please refrain from leaving a review, just stop reading the story.
Also I just wanted to comment on a review. I know that some things may seem like, they're cut short or not just coming out and saying what is happening, but this is because I want secrets and pieces of the story to be revealed a certain way. Please be patient because almost all the questions will be answered in this chapter or the next.
On that note! Please enjoy what is written, some things that seemed like they were left unsaid will be revealed!
Last, I promise!
"This is Parseltounge"
'This is them thinking'
Sorry if it's confusing!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter. Characters and main plot are property of J.K. Rowling. However, in this story the main plot will be manipulated to fit my imagination.
A True Heart of Darkness: Chapter Seven
Frustration and an Unexpected Encounter
To say Harry was angry was an understatement. He was blinded with rage as once again his attempts to lure Black into the castle were thwarted. While his initial plan of luring the man into the castle to a place where Harry could easily corner and question him had succeeded, the part where Harry would encounter Black had failed. He had told Neville to make a list on a piece of paper every week of the passwords into Gryffindor Tower and to lose it on Monday's so that Black would have them to get into their common room. That had followed through, Black had somehow gotten in and found the list and made it into the tower. However, he chose a night that Harry was in the Sanctuary researching his symptoms and looking into various curses that would cause them. The young Gryffindor had been reading and taking notes when he heard loud shouts and screams coming from outside the entrance to the large room. Being located next to the Fat Lady he presumed something must be going on inside the tower. He quickly marked his spot in the old book and placed it along with his notes on small table. He then took out his wand and walked over to a portrait near the entrance.
"Serpent, what is going on outside this place?" He spoke as the black portrait filled with the presence of the snake holding an ancient scepter. The serpent bowed its head while lowering its blazing eyes in respect as it spoke in reply.
"Young King there seems to have been a breach in security concerning the Gryffindor Tower. The wanted one was found inside and narrowly escaped before the Fat Lady alerted those in the castle." The Serpent kept its head lowered as it felt the anger rolling off its master in waves of raw magic. Harry hissed some curses and then ordered the snake to open the door and, throwing his invisibility cloak on, stepped out to the now filling corridor. He spotted the Headmaster questioning the Fat Lady as Ron the Weasel stood telling all the other Gryffindors about how Black had come into their dorm and held a knife to Ron and almost killed him. They all seemed in awe of the red heads narrow escape and listened to him tell his over dramatized story. Harry rolled his eyes at the fool, but felt jealous at the thought.
'Why did he go after Ron? As far as I know he is of no real importance' Harry then noticed the red head holding his pet rat, that looked like it was trying to squirm its way out of Ron's hands. Harry raised an eyebrow at that and let his curiosity fill him. He looked around and spotted Neville looking every direction with a scared look on and asking others if they thought Black had really gone or not. Though, behind his false fear if looked at close enough, you could spot his eyes calculating all the exits and looking at everyone to see if they were really themselves. Harry grinned and made his way over to the boy. Harry placed an invisible hand on Neville's shoulder and felt the boy stiffen for a second before sensing Harry's magic in the touch. Is shoulders relaxed once more before he continued looking around or seeming to pay attention to what the headmaster was now saying. He lent in close to his ear to make sure he was not overheard.
"Something is going on here. Why did Black have such an interest in seeing the Weasel and his pet. It would be beneficial if we got a sample of them to analyze if you understand what I mean. Do it once the commotion is over and the two animals are back asleep." He saw Neville look up then down signaling he understood his new task. Harry gave a malicious smile.
"Good, keep them in a stasis charm and bring them to the Sanctuary tomorrow to analyze. Continue your previous work as well, we need to lure him back in" With that he took his hand from the boy's shoulder and returned to his rooms to vent his growing anger. He weaved through the students easily, using his magic to push them aside if needed. He did not even need to utter a password as the portrait opened and let him inside the Sanctuary. Harry then threw off the cloak and began pacing in the living room.
Did months of planning go all to waste? Harry had never experienced this kind of failure. 'Wait till I get their results back, then I'll use them as bait to get Black. Even if I have to kill them to draw his attention, I need answers.' Harry had been troubled ever since his session with Remus Lupin. The man had confuse and frustrated him, not allowing Harry to even bring up his parents at all in conversation. His own research brought up nothing of interest about the Potter bloodline so he had no idea where his symptoms were coming from. He was counting on Black filling in the blanks his counterpart seemed reluctant or unable to reveal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DRACOHARRYLOVE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Behave Potter or next time I won't let you get off so easily!" Draco Malfoy sneered in Harry's direction. The boy had bumped into him, which caused the two to begin bickering, slowly getting closer till they were yelling in each others faces. Wands were drawn in threat, but before either could cast a hex a teacher had broken them up. However, the blonde Slytherin had to make sure his performance was believable. Thus his last threat before he gave his famous sneer and took off gracefully in the other direction. Truth be told the two had been spending the nights in the Sanctuary together. After the Slytherins had been given their correct codes to enter Draco did all his homework and extra studying in the room, mostly in the company of the raven-haired Gryffindor. They had not done much except get to know the other and dance around each other, teasing and plotting their next moves together. Every once and a while they would try and get on serious topics. Draco had talked to Harry about the Dark Lord and the boy found himself growing more curious of the man. Draco had told him how he was still alive, to Harry's shock, and that he was residing in an old Slytherin Mansion as to not be bothered or found by anyone. Harry had asked Draco to see if he could find a way for Harry to speak to the man. There seemed to be more going on than he knew. Draco said he would talk to his father and that since Harry was in contact with the elder Malfoy to write him as well so the man would get right on the task.
Draco found that he was growing fond of the group once he got to know their true personalities, and that the vast library inside the secret place was one area he loved. Draco and Hermione would sometimes be in there for hours researching spells and counter spells, using it for homework, or trying to brush up their potions skills. The others seem to become aquainted with the newcomers and open up to them quickly. The Slytherins had fallen into the group easily as Pansy and Blaise found themselves spending a lot of their time there as well; Pansy mostly gossiping with Luna and Blaise talking to Neville and the two practicing dueling. Draco was still known as the Slytherin Prince and so he fell quickly into another top leader position, with Hermione, of the group if Harry was not present. The two boys soon became figures of strength in the small group.
Harry had grown accustomed to the burning sensation he felt and now had no problem being around Draco. If anything the burn let him know when the blonde was near and help him learn more about the boy. Though it did hinder their physical relationship. Harry did not want to risk the dragon when he had just gained control over the sensation to suddenly jump into unknown territory. Which is why he was more persistent to find Black. To get answers that he could not find in books, so he could get closer to Draco, the one thing he wanted to do. He knew the Slytherin was patient, but how much waiting could he take.
While Harry brooded in his secret room another powerful wizard was contemplating his strategy. Albus Dumbledore was known to all as the most powerful wizard alive, defeater of Grindinwald, and leader of good. He had been seen as a protector, and wise man to many. However, the true colors of the headmaster were far from it. At the moment he is thinking of a peculiar boy, which he feels may no longer be under his complete control.
'Potter seems to be rather strong and confident. Two qualities I had not expected when I left him at his aunt and uncle's house' The elder wizard thought. He had expected the boy to come in meek and vulnerable, damaged goods. He knew how much his relatives hated magic and expected their abuse to make the boy humble and pliable for him to use. The abuse making him follow the first person to be kind to him, making a nice weapon against the Dark Lord. Though the results of those eleven years confused him. The boy had come into Hogwarts looking excited at the prospect of learning magic, but he held a confidence that Albus had not expected. The elder wizard knew there was something deeper hiding behind the boy's eyes, and caught a glimmer of something he couldn't name when he watched the young Potter.
And his friends, the elder man scoffed. How he had failed there. He had chosen the Weasley boy in hope that his financial status would create an instinctual need to help in Harry, however the red headed boy was doing more bad then good. Ron had been his spy, watching Harry's every move in Gryffindor Tower, but somehow that Granger girl had slipped in and gained the role Albus had planned for the ginger. Oh he had been annoyed to hear from both the boy and his mother why he was not the boy who lived's best friend as promised. If anything Harry made sure to keep away from Ron Weasley. The only bit of helpful information the boy had given was the secret passage Harry and some other students sometimes used. That had thrown the wizard for a loop, as he had never seen the portrait before. And, being Headmaster, he was magically connected to the school, but had never known the room existed nor how to get in or use a portrait. He had tried to use other portraits to get a look inside, but the only eye in and out was from the serpent guarding the entrance. From the various experiences of denial the Weasley had gotten from the door the wizard did not dare to try and force his way in. From what he understood a password was needed and bound to a certain person. How they got the password or where it all started was a mystery to Albus. Though at the thought he scoffed and began to chuckle. He had planned to meet with the Potter boy that evening to talk about the Black incident that had happened to make sure he was 'okay and not frightened'
'Black, that stupid, mangy, meddling dog!' He cursed in his head. All his plans had been going smoothly. After hearing the prophecy made about a small boy he had begun the steps to create Harry Potter into the savior. The Potter boy was to be made humble, set in Gryffindor ways, and become the greatest weapon against Tom Riddle and his followers. Though that night the dog had gotten in his way so Albus made sure that he wouldn't be able to ever tell what he knew. The elder wizard gave a menacing grin and began to plot more on the thought of how to get rid of Black permanently.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HarryDracoLove~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry and Draco were currently sitting on a couch in the Sanctuary talking about various differences between muggle and magical items. The conversation started off serious, hit a little soft spots, but ended up mostly with Harry being unable to contain his laugher at Draco, who was confused for the most part on muggle items. Harry laughed at the blonde that had a confused look on his face. Harry found it so adorable, not that he would tell the boy. He had just been explaining how moving photographs were similar to a muggle invention.
"Draco, a television is not that complicated." He continued to laugh at the Slytherin's expense. The said Slytherin turned to glare at Harry and scoot away from him, moving from off his lap to sitting next to him. The boy crossed his arms and half-heartedly glared at him.
"Well excuse me but how exactly do they get the photograph to move on a piece of glass without magic? And how do they make it take a moving photo from so far away. I just don't believe they could think of this without the use of magic to aid them." The boy finished while Harry gave him a sympathetic look. He pulled the blonde in closer and began to explain the advances in the muggle world that the magical one had missed.
"They don't have magic Dray so they had to use technology to help them do things that we can easily do with magic. That's why I think that we should take some of their inventions to help progress the wizarding world as a whole. I've found a way to manipulate electricity with magic. Like using a giant lumos spell on light bulbs along with a stasis spell to hold them lit for as long as needed. That way you wouldn't have to wires all over the school or actual electricity to run them. The stasis spell doesn't take too much magic to sustain and you just remove the stasis to turn out the light. I mean we still use candles and old age things." At the blonde boys hard glance Harry sighed. He ran a hand through his hair, now almost touching his shoulders, before responding.
"I'm not saying tradition and that is bad Dray, just that we need to advance with muggles not fall behind them. That way if one day we do need to go to war with them we can protect ourselves. They need to be able to know no matter what we are always the superior race. While I don't think they should all die a painful death anymore I still don't like them having the possible upper hand against us. They need to be kept oblivious and in their place." He finished and the blonde was looking at him with an emotion Harry couldn't quite place.
"Harry Potter why have I not gotten to see this brilliant side of you in three years?" He leaned in closer and Harry's breath hitched. Draco looked into his emerald eyes and Harry felt he could get lost in the boy's stormy grey eyes all day. Like the boy could penetrate the mask and pierce right into his mind without even knowing. Sometimes the power the Slytherin had over him made Harry nervous, but other times it filled him with an odd feeling.
"Where have you been all my life," He stated and then proceeded to kiss the stunned boy's cheek and lean back down, burying his head in the crook of Harry's shoulder and neck. Harry closed his eyes as he willed himself to relax. The familiar burning coming back at the intimate touch and how Draco was lying on him. He kept his eyes closed till the feeling went back to the small dryness instead of the burning feeling in his throat. He relaxed into the couch as the boy sitting on him fit him perfectly. Harry wished he could lie like this forever. Then wishing he hadn't thought of later that day the raven groaned. He felt Draco shift on him, moving to look into his eyes and ask him what was the matter.
"I have a meeting with the old coot tonight, I just remembered." Draco gave him a dry look, but Harry saw the unasked question behind his eyes.
"I think he wants to make sure I'm okay after Black almost got into the tower, though he doesn't know I wasn't even in there. He also likes to check on me every once in a while to make sure I'm still his little puppet, which of coarse I play perfectly. I just dislike going into that office and feeling him roaming around my head when I HAVE to look at his face." The way the old wizard was always looking into his mind was getting on the raven boy's nerves. He had learned how to shield his mind and place fake memories there, but the uncomfortable feeling was still persistent. He just held Draco closer to make sure the boy knew he didn't want to leave their comfortable position.
"Well to me that means that I'm not doing any homework before you leave I presume?" Harry just laughed at the boy in his arms and placed a kiss to his temple.
After spending the afternoon in the presence of his Dragon Harry felt better going to face Dumbledore, but the annoyance was still there as he made his way to the old coots office. He glared at the gargoyle statue that he was coming up to in the corridor. He really disliked going to visit the Headmaster. The man would get on his last nerve and the young raven would always feel like casting a silencing hex, yes he found a silencing HEX, and torturing him into submission. Though he had to play his part, and torturing the man would not give him the image of 'the Golden Boy'. He sighed trying to suppress his dark feelings so the old coot wouldn't catch onto anything. He smiled up at the gargoyle nervously, he knew the statue reported to the man of what it sees.
"Umm, Lemon Drop?" He let his face show a big smile as the staircase started coming into view. Harry made his way up to the office making sure to take calming breaths and focus on the fake memories in the front of his mind. He came up to the large door and raised his hand to knock. However, the door opened before his fist could connect with the door. ' Show off' he thought as he pushed his real self into the deeper areas of his mind, bringing the Gryffindor up to the front. He took a few steps in and saw the Headmaster sitting behind his desk looking as if he was doing paperwork. Fawkes was beside the desk on his perch resting with his gold and red feathers huddled around him to keep warm. Though as Harry got closer the phoenix raised its head and locked eyes with Harry. The mystical bird bowed its head and Harry blinked in response, the way the two acknowledged each other every time Harry came into the man's office. They had made a weird connection the first time Harry came into the office first year. Ever since then they would acknowledge each other as so. Harry felt somehow that the creature respected him. Once Harry looked back up the Headmaster had just put aside his papers to smile at him.
"Hello my boy," Harry winced at the name, but smiled at the older wizard.
"Hello Professor what is it you wanted to see me for?" He asked and tried to not fight back as he looked into the man's eyes. Noticing the twinkle then the pull he always felt as his mind was being looked through. He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at the floor.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay after the Black incident. I'm just glad he got the wrong bed and you were unharmed. How are you feeling about it? Do you wish me to move you into a safer part of the castle? We wouldn't want Black getting ahold of his target would we?" He said with a smile, the twinkle back in his eyes.
"No sir I wasn't even in the dormitory when Black got in. I'm just glad I wasn't caught by that madman. I would feel safer, and I know going away would keep my housemates safe, but I can't leave there. It has been my home for three years." Harry kept his voice a little sad and nervous hoping the man would just go into some crazy rant on how humble and shit he was. Then Harry could just go into autopilot and not have to keep up this charade for much longer. Dumbledore, however, caught the slight change in the boys eyes. 'annoyance, why is he annoyed?' He thought.
"Harry does it annoy you that I am asking you to leave the common room? I am only thinking of your safety, surely you would want to protect your fellow housemates?" He said as the boy paled slightly.
"No professor I'm just tired of people coming after me just because of my name. First Voldemort and now this Black person. It just seems like nothing good is ever happening and it's my fault. I want to keep them safe, but giving up my friends and my home here is just too much" He sighed in relief as the headmaster nodded his head, buying his story. The man was looking at him with a sad face which just made Harry angrier and brought a slight pain to his head. He closed his eyes for a moment to calm down. He hated being looked on as weak, even if it was necessary.
"Harry I am sorry that this life has been so unfair to you. Though you have been blessed with wonderful friends, remember them always. They will be there for you, but I think there is one you are mistreating as well." He paused as Harry gave him a confused look, though he was pretty sure he knew who it was.
"Mr. Weasley is feeling very left out. He had tried countless times to be a close friend but you seem to just keep pushing him away. He has only been looking out for what is best for you, and the greater good in which you fight for. I think you should look into fixing and strengthening that friendship. It may be what your missing in your life."
What was Ron his boyfriend or something? The boy was such a child to be telling the Headmaster his personal issues. Plus like he was about to let that ginger baby get in the way more than he already was. Harry came to a stop and had to resist the urge to smirk or smile. He had an idea.
"Headmaster I was actually hoping to talk to you about Ron. He was the one Black was threatening when he broke into the common room. Him and his rat that is." He saw the Headmaster pale slightly and knew there was something to that rat now, but knew to trust Neville to find the answer.
"I was worried because it seemed, from the look of the room, he went straight for Ron and not even trying to find me, which I find strange, is he after Ron, to hurt him? That is why I have been staying away from him, to keep him safe." He ended his lie with soft pleading eyes looking into the older man's. Dumbledore smiled and in his mind he was laughing in pleasure. It looked like the boy was slowly coming to form the weapon he needed. He knew the Weasley would come in handy on his side of the war.
"As far as we know Harry Black is only after you. Perhaps he thought of hurting Mr. Weasley to get to you. He may have just gotten the wrong bed and in his rage decided to attack the poor boy. Just stay safe Harry and try to talk to Ron. Being around you may actually keep him safer than to ignore him. Remember you are a loyal Gryffindor and they never leave anyone behind. " He smiled and Harry felt the slight compulsion charm hidden in his words and shook the charm off in his annoyance. He held onto the last bit of control he had and smiled at the Headmaster.
"Thanks Professor I'll do my best, but I should be getting back now before curfew hits." The older man laughed and bid him a goodbye. Harry waved as he left the office, hell bent on making his way to the common room to find Neville.
He needed to see the hairs that the boy had acquired and analyze them. He had found the correct potions earlier while spending time with his dragon. One was to identify any spells or charms placed on what it was exposed to or if one were to dink it any charm or curse on them would be released and appear in letters before them. This was to show if either Ron or the rat had any enchantments on them that would help reveal why Black was so intent on getting his hands on them. The second potion was for the rat specimen only. The hairs would be dipped into a reverse of the polyjuice potion. Revealing if the rat was anything but an animal. He had found that potion in a very old book and had Draco help him make the two potions so they could investigate the two. He was contemplating his thoughts while passing the third floor when all of a sudden he was grabbed by the arm and pulled into a room. He had no chance to grab his wand, or even perform wandless magic as he felt himself being placed under a body bind curse. He looked up and glared at the hooded figure in front of him. Harry looked around the room, which wasn't much since he couldn't move his head, and saw he was placed on a chair and that his whole body was bound by the curse. 'This is NOT the time to mess with me!' He thought in anger as his magic began to slowly destroy the curse restraining him.
"Harry I know you can take the curse down in a flash, but please refrain from it till you have heard me out. I need to speak with you" Said a gruff voice. Harry glared at the man and only slowed his magic, still allowing it to slowly deteriorate the curse. Of coarse he didn't trust the stranger, but he would hear what he had to say, knowing he could full destroy the curse without a thought. Though for protection he placed a wandless protego around himself to prevent any other magic affecting him. He heard the man sigh.
"Thank you. Please I cannot say much because it is not time yet for you to know the whole truth but please Harry. Something is going to happen next week, that will…change and destroy everything in the world you hold true. " Harry felt the man place something beneath his frozen fingers. To Harry it felt like a large bunch of parchment folded.
"This is a letter from your mother Harry." Suddenly all the power left him as he openly expressed his shock. His eyes were wide as he looked down at the parchment in his hands. He looked back up at the man with a questioning glaze, promising pain if he was lying. The man laughed and Harry's glare only intensified.
"Do not be mad pup, I am not lying. Next week the spell on that letter will release, and you will be able to read it. Please remember to read it that morning, trust me you will know which day I am talking about when it happens. Stay safe pup, I'll talk to you again soon." And with that the man dashed out of the room.
Immediately Harry broke the curse and flew from the chair after him. He exited the room, letter in hand, and saw the figure rushing down the stairs to the ground floor. Harry growled and tore after him. Harry weaved through students who were still roaming the halls, even pushing one out of his way. He saw the man get through the large entrance doors to the school, and before it closed completely Harry opened it up and dashed through. He stopped stock still outside the doors looking around with a calculating gaze. The man had disappeared. Harry looked around, a growling sound resonating from deep in his chest, as he drew his wand and cast a spell to alert him to any other person in the courtyard. It came up with nothing, letting him know for a fact the stranger had made his escape. He clenched the letter in his and raised it to look at the front. It was parchment in an old envelope with a seal on the back closing it. Harry let his magic feel the letter and he sensed there was old magic surrounding it that felt unbreakable. Looked like he had to wait till sometime next week to find his answers, and it was Friday. Thankfully not too far away.
He glared into the darkness and then turned to make his way back into the castle. He made his way back to the common room, going back to his original plans. For now no one needed to know what had happened with the stranger. This was something Harry had to figure out on his own. And he had before sometime next week to figure it out. 'Damn it where is he' the raven thought as he entered the common room not finding Neville in sight. He sighed and headed up to the room to find Weasley, Seamus, and Neville asleep already. Harry glared at the sleeping boy, then sighed, running his hand through his untamed hair. 'Tomorrow we need to figure this rat business out once and for all' He thought as he changed and placed the letter in his trunk, locking it with a wave of his hand. He placed his glasses on his bedside table and attempted to fall asleep. However, the encounter with the stranger playing over in his mind as he tried to analyze the situation, but finding no revealing results.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENDCHAPTER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you everyone for reading! I know its kind of spotty and it may seem a little different than other chapters, but schools really been hitting me hard. I don't know how many times I rewrote this chapter, but I finally found a draft that was reasonable. Three guesses to who the stranger was! haha And it may seem that Harry was out of character in that scene, but he was just so caught off guard and the body bind hit him so fast, he didn't see it coming. Though I hope you enjoyed it! I am doing my best to get the chapters out every two weeks, but don't count the days. Thank you for all your wonderful reviews!
Kakeru