Chapter 6
Bonding Necklace
Harry couldn't feel the glamour at first. They appeared directly into a clothing shop that Harry has never gone into, and he was facing a mirror as the world came into view. There weren't many changes, his hair was longer, and his eyes were now brown. But still, it was enough for Harry to stare at the mirror a second longer than usual to recognize it was him. Even his glasses changed, turning from the round frames to a thinner, more sleek design with a slightly thinner frame. He took them off and turned them over as he examined them and slid them back on.
A man was wearing an expensive set of robes was standing behind them, bowing low, "Welcome to Twilfitt and Tattings, where you will find all of your clothing needs at no expense of quality. I am Mr. Twilfitt, and how may I serve you, fine gentlemen, today?"
"We are here to buy an entire wardrobe for my son," Voldemort said, motioning towards Harry. "His previous clothes have all perished in a fire sadly."
"That is truly horrible! And you left him in this state?" Twilfitt gasped, giving Voldemort and Harry a scandalized look.
Voldemort gave the man a sharp look, growling slightly. "You will provide my son with clothing without your comments or else we will take our money elsewhere."
The man jumped, whimpering slightly, "So sorry, Alpha," the man said. Voldemort smirked, "Then get to work," he commanded.
Twilfitt jumped once more and turned to Harry. "If—If the kind sir would just step this way?" he said fully nervous. Harry nodded and offered a smile as he followed the man, Draco, and Voldemort trailing behind. He motioned for Harry to stand on a podium and he quickly started to take measurements until he stopped. "Um, sir... these clothes, they are three sizes too big," he said hesitantly. "I cannot properly measure him without—"
Voldemort's face made the man scream in fear as the blood drained from his face. "Sir, please," he said.
"Draco make sure that this omega does not look," Voldemort commanded. Draco jumped and looked up at his lord for a moment before nodding. He stepped forward and grabbed Twilfitt, his eyes meeting Harry's for only a brief moment before turning around with the man, their backs to Harry. Voldemort stepped to Harry and whispered, "You have scars."
"I do, please don't let Draco or anyone see," Harry whispered. Voldemort nodded and turned to the man, his wand out and digging into his neck. "You will have your measure tape measure my son and have a quill write it down automatically. You will stay staring far away from my son, understood?"
"Y-Yes sir, of course," Twilfitt gave a high yelped, the omega trembling between the two alphas. Voldemort kept his wand pressed against the man as he looked at Harry. "You may undress," he said. Harry offered a small smile and started to take off Dudley's clothing. Voldemort watched, memorizing every scar and bruise that marked his poor son's body. His anger boiled, but he suppressed it, bottling his feelings for later use. He will kill the monsters who did this, and he will need his anger then, not now. Harry stood in only underwear, the only thing that fitted his frame, and the measuring tape went to work. Twilfitt whimpered and nodded as he looked at the quill in front of him that wrote on a scroll. Voldemort looked from the man to the other Alpha. Draco looked to be showing great self-control as he kept his back firmly towards Harry. He chuckled and looked back. "My son looks beautiful," he purred. "A perfect omega, with a body full of beauty, grace, and power. He will make a wonderful mate to any lucky Alpha... any Alpha that I approve of, of course." He chuckled.
"Y-Yes sir," Draco forced out, a small sweat forming at his forehead.
"Father!" Harry yelled, his cheeks blushing red. Voldemort ignored Harry and turned back to the other omega. "How long will this take?" he demanded.
"I'm—I'm just about done, sir," Twilfitt said, looking down at the piece of paper his quill has just finished writing on. "Please, put away your wand."
Voldemort hummed and turned to his son. "Would you rather wear these disgusting clothes until we find your first proper set of clothing or wait in a changing room?" he asked.
Harry thought for a moment, "Can I please wait in a changing room?" he asked.
"Of course," Voldemort nodded.
"Sir, I can wait with Harry—outside of course—I know where it is," Draco offered.
"Very well," Voldemort nodded. Harry quickly rushed to put on the shirt at least, thankful that it swallowed his body and almost reaching his ankles. The two left together and Voldemort finally removed his wand from Twilfitt. The omega man visibly relaxed and turned slowly, cautiously, to face Voldemort. "Sir, um Mr. …"
"Riddle. Now come and if you behave, your fortunes will increase immensely today," Voldemort said. "First, a simple set of clothing for my son can walk around without shame."
He motioned for Twilfitt to start showing him clothes. The two walked around, Voldemort's critical eyes searching the clothes as they walked past. Several times, he continued to walk as Twilfitt tried to stop and show off some of the more expensive merchandise. The money would be no problem for the Dark Lord, he has his followers give freely their money when needed, however, he knows from years of experience that price does not equal quality. He stopped by a similar emerald shirt that he was wearing, it was lighter than his dark emerald, and it was perfectly Harry's size. He selected that, along with a pair of black slacks and new underwear. He then went around looking for shoes to replace his son's beaten up muggle trainers. It took some time, but he found a pair of serviceable black shoes that would work for now. Harry could pick out better shoes and clothing on his own.
Leaving the man to follow him, Voldemort made his way to the fitting room, stopping when he heard his son's voice.
"… are absolutely stupid to think they would win! Have you seen their seeker? He's broader than a barn and stupider than a pigeon!" Harry said.
"Ha! He's still better than those Cannons that Weasel fancies! Honestly, Pot—Riddle, you think that any team favored by Weasley actually has any chance of winning?" Draco laughed with a friendly sneer.
"No, but at least their seeker actually looks appropriate!" Harry said.
"Alphas can't help but look extraordinary sexy, you're just a jealous little omega," Draco said in a righteous tone.
Voldemort cleared his throat and Draco jumped. He was standing in front of the door that led to a small changing room. Voldemort did not say a word, he just stared at the young alpha for a moment, thinking that he was too close to the door for his liking. Draco moved out of the way as Voldemort walked near and rapped on the door with a knuckle. "Harry, your clothes." He said.
The door opened and Voldemort handed Harry his clothes before closing the door once more. He turned to Twilfitt and said, "Harry will be wearing them out."
"Of course."
The three waited in silence for Harry to dress. When the door opened again, Voldemort couldn't help but smile at his son. He looked stunningly beautiful in clothes that finally fitted him properly. Harry smiled softly as he admired himself and looked around. "Well?" he asked, looking at both his father and Draco.
"You look beautiful Harry," Draco said.
Harry smirked at that, "Beautiful enough that you'll admit you're wrong?" he asked.
"N-No," Draco said stubbornly, his cheeks growing pink.
"Shame," Harry hummed. He looked around and smiled, "Can Draco and I look for more clothes?" he asked Voldemort.
"Of course," Voldemort nodded. "Harry, I will be getting you a few… special outfits and suits. For formal wear. You and Draco just focus on more casual wear."
"Okay," Harry nodded. "Come on Draco," he walked without even looking to see if Draco would follow him, knowing that the Alpha will. Voldemort chuckled at their interaction and saw the omega Twilfitt staring in shock.
"S-Sir... your son is the omega? Correct?" he stuttered.
"Yes, is there a problem, Twilfitt?" Voldemort asked coldly, looking down on him.
"N-No! He just doesn't act like one—"
"Your profession is to sell clothes. It is not to make comments on Omegas stronger and better than you," Voldemort sneered. "So stick to your profession. I need dress robes for my son. Now."
The omega jumped and nodded, immediately running to show off the store's collection of dress robes. Voldemort selected several colors and styles, some shorter and longer than each other in shades of greens, blues, and blacks. He did not talk while doing so, his manner business-like as he listened to Harry and Draco talk with each other, sometimes bickering over colors.
"Riddle! There is no way I will even dream of letting you walk out with a pink shirt!" Draco yelled.
"Why not? It looks good on me and I like the color—besides, we are buying clothes for me, not you, and I need something normal to wear that isn't all button-ups and slacks!" Harry countered.
"It's called having taste now put that shirt back or else I will—"
"Oh, these robes are nice," Harry interrupted, "and look, it goes well with my pink shirt."
"God I hate you," Draco muttered causing Harry to laugh. Voldemort smirked at their antics and glanced at Twilfitt. "After the dress robes you will show me your collection of everyday wear as well," he said. The omega only whimpered.
By the end of it all, Voldemort brought enough clothing to fill up several wardrobes, several pairs of shoes along with Harry's pink shirt, and its matching robes. He shrunk the bags so that Draco could carry them easily and looked outside. He saw no need to go out and wander around as they had nothing else they needed to buy. So he instructed Harry and Draco to hold onto him once more and apparated away.
Safe in Malfoy Manor, Voldemort took away Harry's glamour and walked away, leaving the two for "business reasons." Harry smiled and turned to Draco, "Draco, can you help me put away my new clothes?" he asked. "Afterwards we can do some flying or something."
"Alright, sounds good," Draco shrugged. Harry's grin broadened and lead Draco to his room on the second floor. As they stepped in, Draco couldn't help but look around, frowning. "This won't do," he muttered. "The Dark Lord placed you in one of the smaller guest rooms."
"He did? But the room seems fine to me, it's bigger than my room in the Dursleys' home," Harry shrugged.
"Disgusting, your room must have been the size of a cupboard or pantry," Draco said, making it sound like an obvious joke, but Harry didn't laugh. He just stood awkwardly and rubbed his arms. Draco stared at him for a moment. "Wait," he said.
Harry nodded. "For eleven years," he said softly. "They put my stuff in there now but still, my mattress and old toys are still there."
"Those disgusting muggles," Draco sneered. "I'll tear their throats out and force them through—"
"Draco!" Harry yelled as the room was filled with the Alpha's anger. Deep down he wanted to flinch and immediately apologize even though he knew it wasn't his fault at all.
"No! They dared force you into a cupboard! For eleven years! The Dark Lord's son forced to live in such humiliation—"
"Shut up!" Harry yelled. "I don't want to hear it."
Draco growled for a moment before remembering where they were. He backed off and still looking angry, said "Sorry. Come on, let's just put the clothes away." He walked towards the bed and started pulling bags out of his pockets and onto the bed, the bags resizing to their original size. Harry stood still for a moment, looking upset, but shook it off.
"I don't need your pity or your anger," Harry said shortly when he reached the bed. Draco looked up at him. "Never in my life have I ever pitied you," he said seriously.
Harry sighed and shook his head once more, "Can we just move past this? I want to get this done as soon as I can."
Draco agreed. Organizing Harry's clothes have taken up most of the afternoon. The two stopped for a break when food appeared around lunchtime, and thankfully for Harry, the conversations never reached any touchy or serious topic as soon enough they fell to arguing over Quidditch once more.
Harry actually felt pretty tired by the time they were done, and he collapsed onto his bed just as Draco opened the window for the evening breeze. "Harry, your owl is here," he said just as Hedwig flew in. Harry jumped up and watched as Hedwig landed right in front of him. She dropped a letter and looked up at Harry expectantly. "Oh—Draco, can you get me some treats for Hedwig?" he asked.
Draco snapped his fingers and a house-elf appeared. "Get me owl treats," he commanded, and it disappeared. Harry just stared at him. "What?" Silently, Harry shook his head.
"Finally, it's Ron's letter," Harry smiled. He opened it and held the letter with one hand as the other went to pet Hedwig affectionately. The bed dipped a little as Draco moved to sit next to him.
Harry,
Don't worry about my letter, that article in Daily Prophet was just awful! And you won't believe the stuff that they're putting in Witch Weekly—Ginny's reading it obsessively though I don't know why. I hope that the letters stopped now! I know how bad howlers can be.
Anyway, as I said in my last letter, I came into my second gender finally! I'm an Alpha! The first Weasley Alpha in seven generations! I can't believe it! Mum and Dad are going ballistic about it, and Fred and George are so jealous. I'm getting used to it too, I mean I knew I was a bit different but still, an Alpha. To think that I can actually bond with someone. Sounds weird right, me giving an Omega a Bonding Necklace. Sounds so unusual. But it would be nice, yeah, giving an Omega a Bonding Necklace, seeing them wear it and letting the world know that they're mine. Have you ever thought about that Harry? About wearing a Bonding Necklace? I heard that it makes the Omega feels different but in a good way, you know? Will you tell me about it when you get one? I mean if you get one. I don't know how the Alphas will treat you now because of what happened, but if any try to take advantage I'll beat them to a pulp! That's what friends do eh? OH! I got an idea! I'll give you a Bonding Necklace but in a friendly way! Bonding Friends Necklace that'll get them off your back!
Anyway, Hermione's coming over by the end of next week for the summer. Can't wait until you're here too. The sooner the better, eh? How are the muggles treating you? I hope you're being alright. I bring it up with mum telling her to bring you here sooner, but she kept saying no, that Dumbledore has a plan. Does he? Did he write to you?
Hope you're well and that you don't rip this letter up again with any other howlers.
Ron
"Giving you a Bonding Necklace as a friend? Honestly does that Weasley know anything about being an Alpha?" Draco grumbled.
Harry frowned. "I don't get it," he said, "What's a Bonding Necklace?"
Draco didn't even look surprised at Harry's question. "A Bonding Necklace is a very important step in courting an Omega. It is a special necklace that is full of the Alpha's scent and magic. It is essentially a way of letting Alphas know that the Omega is 'taken' and a way for preparing the Omega to accept the bite during mating."
"Ohh," Harry nodded. He frowned, "But still Ron means good."
"Still it's a reckless decision," Draco shrugged. Harry sighed and fell back to his bed.
"It would be nice, having something to keep any Alphas away," he muttered. "But I see your point Draco. I rather have it from an Alpha I care about … at least in that way." He stared at Draco for a moment too long. Draco nodded and fell back on the bed with him.
"We still got some time," he said, "Would you like to go flying before dinner?" Harry grinned at that.
Life with the Malfoys and Voldemort was oddly perfect in Harry's opinion. He was surprised at how quickly he adjusted to having Voldemort in his life as a father-figure and how quickly he and Draco became friends. The two spent any moment they could together. They walked, ate, and flew together and Harry couldn't believe at how fun it was at times. The week was flying by and before Harry knew it, it was almost time for him to return to the Dursleys. A great sadness fell upon him and he brought this up to his father. "I know that I have a couple of days to suffer through with the Dursleys afterward but, I still don't want to go," Harry said to Voldemort.
They were in his study, both men sitting in comfortable chairs by the fire, books on their laps. Harry was reading a new book on Quidditch while his father was reading something drier. Voldemort sighed and looked up at his son. "I will take care of the muggles; you do not need to worry about them. They will never hurt you again, my Harrison."
"It's not that, it's Dumbledore," Harry said. "This time away has made me feel stronger, clearer minded somehow and it scares me a little. To think that Dumbledore could have had a hand in that."
"He did," Voldemort said. "Yaxley reported it to me the same day we went shopping. There are several charms on the muggle household. Only one protection charm, tied to your and Lily Potter's blood, that lasts as long as you are convinced that the place is your home and those muggles are your family. The rest are magic suppressors. Harmful magic suppressors targeted specifically for your magic."
"That's horrible!" Harry gasped. He felt both angry and sad. "Why would Dumbledore do this?"
"To keep your malleable is my guess," Voldemort said. "Or perhaps he is afraid of you. After all, you are the son of Lord Voldemort, and more importantly, you are the son of my Adrian. He was the most powerful Omega I ever saw."
Harry felt a tug at his heart. He closed his book and sat up. "Can you tell me about him? About Adrian?" he asked.
Voldemort smiled. "He was kind, very kind. He always talked about being a househusband. …My househusband. He was powerful, perfect at Charms, and had a charming personality. However, instead of wanting to rise in the ranks of the Ministry or becoming a Healer, his dream was having a family. He was younger than me, scandalously young some would say, but we did not care. The moment I saw him I knew he would be mine, and he did. We married and tried for years to conceive. It was three years until Adrian conceived with you."
"How did…" Harry felt his throat tighten suddenly. He had to swallow to relax the muscles and force out the question. "How did he die?"
"Childbirth," Voldemort said sadly. "It was quite sudden. Both you and Adrian were healthy throughout the pregnancy, and Adrian was always a strong man. He never was a sickly child when he was young. Then, only a week before your due date, he became deathly ill and they had to get you out of there. The healers suggested against natural birth, but Adrian insisted, he was always stubborn, and with the last of his strength, he brought you into our world."
Harry felt tears pool in his eyes as he looked up at his father. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so, so sorry."
"It is not your fault Harrison," Voldemort sighed. "I've… I moved on."
"Have you ever felt anything or any pull since then?" Harry whispered.
"If I did, I pushed those feelings down," Voldemort said. "Those feelings were useless to me. They're still useless to me. Love and affection, they only stood in the way of my goals."
"I don't like that," Harry frowned. "It makes you look so sad, especially when you watched Draco and me."
Voldemort gave a dry chuckle. "I must be losing my touch if you spotted me," he said. Harry gave a small smile and shook his head.
"No, it just means that for the first time I feel like I have a real family who loves me, a family that I can connect with. I know we do not have the strongest history, but I can't help but feel happy to be with you," the Omega admitted. "Besides, I do not like the sad looks you have. I think that even you deserve to be happy."
Voldemort chuckled. "To think my old enemy would be worried about my love life," he muttered.
Harry chuckled and smiled, "Well I'm not worried about my enemy's love life, I'm worried about my father's love life."
"Cheeky little snake," Voldemort muttered. "It is a shame you haven't been sorted in either of your fathers' Houses. Although it would be embarrassing for me to have my enemy be from Hufflepuff." His nose wrinkled and Harry chuckled.
"I'm fine in Gryffindor," he said. "It's where I belong. Besides, I um was supposed to be in Slytherin… but I had the hat change its mind."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow at that, "Interesting," he muttered, "and I suppose the reason is because of the Malfoy heir?"
Harry blushed slightly and nodded. "Actually, yes," he said.
Voldemort hummed and nodded softly. "Even if I could somehow get you resorted, it would not do us any good," he said. "Dumbledore, first of all, would be immediately suspicious, and second of all that would give you unneeded attention that I am sure you would rather avoid."
"I would," Harry nodded. He sighed, "Though, I think it would be nice to be in Slytherin, especially with having Draco as a friend."
"Is that all he is?" Voldemort asked.
Harry looked up. "It's—I mean no but... it's complicated. And it makes no sense. I mean I have only been friends with him for less than a week but—"
"You already imagine your life with him," Voldemort finished. He gave a chuckle and looked towards the fireplace. "That was how it was with Adrian and me. When an Alpha and Omega meet each other and they connect instantly, it doesn't matter how long or how short they knew each other. They fall in love and let instincts take over. I remember giving Adrian a Bonding Necklace the day after I met him, and it was only a month afterward that I marked him."
"That soon!" Harry gasped. Voldemort shrugged.
"We knew we were made for each other," he said. "We gave each other our purities."
"Ohh," Harry nodded but frowned. "But how do I know that Draco and I were made for each other? I can't give him my purity, so what worth—"
"Harrison! Do not even start," Voldemort snapped. "That does not matter! The past does not matter if you and Malfoy connect. All that matters is what you two do with it. And don't you dare even think of sullying your name or esteem by the trash Skeeter and her fellow reporters write. You are Harrison Salazar Riddle, the son of the Dark Lord Voldemort and the greatest man the world has ever known, Adrian Harrison Riddle. You ignore what the petty masses say, do you understand? What they say does not matter at all. It is what you do, and what you feel. Those are what mattered!"
Voldemort gave a short breath after his little speech and cleared his throat. Harry watched him in silence for a long time before standing up. He made his way to his father slowly and stopped in front of him, hesitating. "Thank you," he whispered and surprised Voldemort when he bent down to kiss his cheek. "I'll listen to what you say, as long as you listen to what I said," he whispered in Voldemort's ear and moved away. "It's late, I'm going to sleep," Harry said, and he left the room.
Alone, Voldemort stared into the fireplace. He scoffed slightly and sighed. Silence followed, with only the small crackles of the fireplace breaking it every now and again. Voldemort tried to return to his book but found that he couldn't. The material turned too dry, the sentences too long and complex for him to bother. He closed and returned the book to its shelf and sat down. "Dark Lords deserve to be alone," he muttered. "We don't need any silly emotions like love. … Still, I must admit I miss the companionship and returning to a warm bed." Voldemort gave a cold laugh when he realized what he was thinking about. "Harry Potter, will you ever stop vexing me?"
A/N: Good news! I now have it who Voldemort will mate with. Who it is? I won't say. You'll just have to find out in a couple chapter. The only hint is he is something that Harry knows very well. That said, if you still want to play the shipping game, I need an Omega for Ron now. We won't see him, and his Omega be explicit, but it will be cute, I promise.
HoneyBear84: I'm so happy that you're loving it! I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
Sonic Unicorn: In my defense I never make promises or declarations that I am serious. If you get that impression I am so sorry.
Littlesprout: Interesting choices and thank you for reading!
Dulzura Letal: Thank you for all of those choices, I am definitely going to look some of them up later.
Janessa Wolf: You just put in more thought than I usually do when making pairings lol. Thank you so much and even if I end up not choosing Voldemort/Bill I hope you continue to stick around!
Porshia Johnson: I update at least every Thursday, and sometimes on Monday if I am very ahead on the chapters I have written (for example right now I'm posting chapter 6 but I have up to chapter 9 written).
AnnaMerteuil: Thank you! I hope you enjoy the further development of the Drarry!
DZ2: Yeah, Harry/Draco is always a favorite of mine, however I tend to be really picky with them because, at least for the explicit stories, I don't like reading stories where Harry tops. To me, when he's with Draco, he will always be the bottom. And I thank you for suggesting Adrian, however unfortunately, what is dead will stay dead.
LGilbert1982: You are totally correct about everything you've written about and I really hope that chapters 8 and 9 specifically will make you very happy.
WereBunny87: Thank you so much! I am so glad that you've enjoyed that chapter and I hope you enjoy this one too!
Rori Potter: So far, I don't think Bellatrix will learn any lessons. Or who knows, maybe once she sees her Master happy with an Omega it'll finally kick in. And she'll either get over it like an adult or do something stupid.