*** I do not own Harry Potter I wish I did! I'm not J.K. Rowling! I just like to borrow her characters! PLEASE READTHE NOTE AT THE END! ***

Giving In

Chapter 14: Better Day part 2

Lunch was a nice affair. Compared to a morning of duels lunch was quite boring and Harry didn't mind it one bit. Voldemort and Harry had simple sandwiches that were served to them in the dueling chambers. They wanted a quick snack before they started to actual train. Voldemort informed him that he wanted Harry to learn other magic. To not just rely on defensive and offensive areas of magic but to be able to understand it. There were so many other sides of magic. The light side never explored other sides of magic because they believed that it was dark but what they never understood is that magic is magic and Harry wanted to be able to show the world that their was nothing to fear. Voldemort explained that their was different ways to use magic like wandless and to be able to use the elements around you as well. To say that Harry was excited was an understatement he had always been fascinated with elemental magic and he couldn't wait to try it. To be able to manipulate the elements was magic only fit for the powerful and Harry was determined to master it.

"I was thinking we could spend the afternoon in the Riddle Library." Voldemort stated as Harry finished his sandwich. Harry nodded he hadn't seen the Library yet. He had wanted to explore the manor more but he was afraid he would run into something he didn't want to see. He believed the Dark Lord when he said he wasn't the man Dumbledore depicted him as but Harry wasn't a hundred percent sure he believed him. The last thing he wanted to see was people being tortured or a creepy dungeon of doom. Even though Harry was considered to be on the Dark side he didn't think he would be able to torture the innocent. Dumbledore on the other hand was a different story; Harry couldn't wait to get his hands on the man. He caused Harry so much pain and he wanted revenge. No matter the cost.

With that thought Harry and Voldemort were on the way to the library after lunch. It took a while for Harry to realize that Riddle manor was HUGE and that was an understatement. The only thing bigger than Riddle manner was Hogwarts but it was only slightly bigger. After about a few minutes of walking they were outside a huge set of double doors. With a wave of Voldemorts hand the door opened to reveal the most luxurious library. It was also huge and must have been at least three stories. Harry walked in and he couldn't help but gape. It was simply magical. There must have been hundreds of books if not thousands. Imagine the best library you've ever seen and multiply it by ten. This library seemed to never end. Harry walked down an isle and it seemed to go on forever. It was like a maze one could get lost in there and Harry loved it. Voldemort stood just behind Harry as he walked around he just couldn't stop watching the boy with rapt attention. Harry had walked to the nearest bookshelf and picked up a book on standard spells he then proceeded to walk to an area of couches, which was right next to him because the library had a couch everywhere. Voldemort too picked up a book, which was on Dark creatures. He sat near Harry but instead of watching the boy he turned his attention to the book.

They must have been silent for an hour before a house elf appeared out of nowhere. Harry didn't even jump. He was completely engrossed in his second book because he had already finished the other one. It wasn't until the squeaky voice spoke did Harry jump a little at the distraction "Master Voldemort there be a guest for yous sir. He is put in your office" vally said as she bowed to Harry and Voldemort "alright. vally that'll be all." Voldemort told the house elf as he waived his hand lazily in her direction. She popped away after a quick bow to Harry and Voldemort. Harry looked worried 'A guest? Who could it be?' Voldemort looked a little concerned but not overly so. He sat down his book and turned to Harry "I'll be back. Don't leave the library till I return. I won't be long." He turned to walk out but Harry grabbed his arm "sorry..." He said letting go of the mans arm. "I was just wondering if I could write to my friends? Only the ones whom I know won't blow up too much." Harry said with a sheepish grin. Voldemort looked at him and sighed, "if you must but just give the letters to vally and she'll deliver them. Don't tell them everything. You may tell them that your with me just don't mention Severus or Mcgonagall. I'll be back when I can." He said and with a swish of black robes he walked out of the library.

Voldemort walked swiftly to his office. 'I really need to update the barriers. If two people could get pass them in the same week I can't image my fortress being a safe place for Harry.' Voldemort was getting angrier with each step he took. His Manor had been impregnable for years. 'What changed that made it so weak?' he asked himself 'Harry. He's a distraction.' His thoughts said. He shook himself. Harry was the best thing to happen to him how dare his thoughts try and sway his feelings for the Young man.

He reached his office within a few minutes and with a flick of his hand the doors burst open. "Who are you and how the hell did you manage to get in here?" Voldemort all but screamed at the intruder sitting at his desk, in his chair. The intruder turned toward Voldemort with an air of confidence. Voldemorts anger disappeared for a second but was back in an instant. "Of course it would be you." Voldemort stated as he shut the door behind him so that he could interrogate the man before him without Harry seeing who it was.

Harry instead of going back to his book decided to go to one of the desks on the far side of the library. He sat down in the chair and fell silent for a few minutes. He was trying to decide what he was going to tell his friends. When he realized that he didn't have any parchment, Ink, or a quill. He decided to look in one of the drawers of the desk. Sure enough the first drawer he opened was equipped with stationary supplies. He took out the paper and quill and ink and got straight into writing a letter to Hermione. He decided it was best to write to her first before he started to write to his other friends. If there was one person he could trust to understand in the world it was Hermione. She would understand and look at the logic of everything. She tended to look at all the facts before she judged. That's exactly what he needed her to do right now. He wrote a simple letter and then after minute decided it was completely rubbish. He threw it away and started a new one. The same thing happened. Why couldn't he write a simple letter? It was just a few paragraphs was he so ashamed of the truth that he couldn't tell his best friend? Was he afraid that she would reject him? That she wouldn't understand? With frustration he threw the quill against the desk. He calmed down for a few minutes and tried to sort out his thoughts. He then picked up the quill again and started to write a new letter. This time he took his time and wrote from his heart.

Dear Hermione,

Please don't be mad at me. I did something rash but I don't regret it. What's done is done. Dumbledore probably told you that Voldemort kidnapped me... This is untrue. Don't start calling Ron or the Order but please let me explain first. Ron is not going to understand the way that you will so please finish reading this letter first. He might take it the wrong way. I'm going to be straight to the point and just say it! I wasn't kidnapped. I went with Voldemort willingly. I'm not crazy nor am I being cursed. Voldemort is not the man we thought he was. Dumbledore has been lying this whole time. He's been using me for years and I've had enough. I won't be the controlled little a puppet I used to be. I am no one's golden boy. The weight of the wizarding world shouldn't have to be on my shoulders. I've spent my whole childhood fighting battles. Its time for me to live my life the way I want to live it. Voldemort has been nothing but kind to me these past few days. That may be hard to believe but he has changed, truly he has. He offers me a simple life. One where I don't have to be alone. I hope you will join me and will continue to be my friend. Please don't be alarmed by the house elf that I have sent with this letter. She's one of voldemorts. Letters are hard to be sent to Riddle manor. So please write back soon and give your letter to the House elf her name is vally. I'll be writing whenever I can. I have so much to tell you. Speak soon and please don't worry. I'm in good hands and I'm truly happy here. Only you are able to see this letter so don't try to show it to anyone else. I'm fine! Please don't worry!

Always your friend,

Harry

P.S. I know I missed the last few days at Hogwarts and I didn't get to take my exams. Please send me the summer reading and essays (I can't believe I just wrote that). I think the Riddle library is getting to me. It's huge! The perfect place to do homework. That and I'm bored. Send me something please.

After he finished his letter and put it in an envelope. He wrote Hermione on top and cast a spell over it to conceal the ink of the letter. He called vally and sent her off to Hermiones house with the letter. He gave her explicit instructions to wait for Hermiones reply. He walked back to the couch. He again picked up his Book and continued to read. After about 20 minutes of reading the library doors burst open. Harry looked up to See Voldemort striding in the room. "Still reading I see." Voldemort said as he sat next to Harry on the couch. Not too close but close enough that Harry was just an arms length away. "Actually I wrote to Hermione and sent my letter off with Vally. It took me forever to get it right. I just hope she doesn't hate me." Harry confessed. Voldemort put it an arm around Harry "she's a true friend. She could never hate you. I've seen the way you care for her and I'm sure she cares for you. Everything will be fine. You'll see." Voldemort stated. He wished Harry could see that people cared for him. Severus had shared with him before he had left that he suspected that Harry had been subjected to child abuse. Voldemort knew that Harry seeked comfort so much because at home he was never granted it. Voldemort needed to sit and talk to Harry about the abuse but he could tell by the way the boy was looking at him that now was not the right moment to bring it up. Harry was confused about his feeling for Voldemort. He didn't fully trust the man. He trusted him enough but not to the point where he would be open about his family with the Dark Lord.

After a few seconds of silence Voldemort cleared his throat and spoke once more. "I've been gone most of the afternoon. It's almost time for the meeting I thought I should come and get you and we can walk in together. You still don't have to go if you don't want to." Voldemort stated. "It's okay if you want to sit this one out." He said again. Voldemort tried to sound as reassuring as possible. Harry shook his head "If I don't go to this one. I won't ever go. I'm fine. I can do it." Harry said as he got up and stretched. He put his book on the couch and looked at Voldemort expectantly. "Well what are you waiting for? Let's go introduce the new Dark Lord... Sorry Dark Lord in training." Harry said shooting Voldemort a cheeky grin. Harry seemed to remember something "Do they know I'm going to this meeting? Have you given them a warning?" Harry asked suddenly. Voldemort shook his head indicating a no. "It's a surprise." Voldemort stated with a wicked grin. He too got up and took Harry by the hand. " Oh you really are evil! They're going to have a Heart attack!" Harry said. Voldemort Merely chuckled.

He then led Harry to the situation room, which actual turned out to be a bunker that was 6 floors under the Manor. They had to take a hidden Shaft that led them down to the entrance of the room. Voldemort held Harry close to him as the shaft dropped them. Harry stomach gave a lurch but Voldemort held Harry so close that it was okay. Harry smiled when Voldemort looked down at him. Voldemort smiled back. They entered the bunker. It was like a vault. It had a solid steel door that resembled the opening to the chamber of secrets because it had a snake guarding the door. "Everyone's already inside. Severus and McGonagall couldn't be here for obvious reasons but I think you'll have a surprise when you go inside. Make sure that you show that you are in charge. You are strong! Just have confidence. You are my equal. Make sure that they know that!" Voldemort looked Harry in the eye as he said this. Harry nodded and stepped away from Voldemort and straightened himself. He let out a breath and nodded to Voldemort. The Dark Lord nodded back and opened the door with parseltongue "open".

The room reminded Harry of a scene from a book he once read about King Arthur. It was a simple gray stone room with an oak round table at the center. Only at this table it was obvious from the two empty thrones at the table that not everyone was equal but it was close enough. As they walked in the occupants sitting at the table stood up and gave a deep bow to Voldemort. "My Lord" was heard from around the room. There must have been no more than fifteen people. This was the Inner Circle, the most elite of Voldemorts Death Eaters. Harry stood his ground as he kept his chin up and waited for Voldemort to introduce him. But from the looks he was getting he didn't need one. They all knew who he was. The only thing was that everyone in the room was wondering what 'The Harry Potter' was doing standing next to their Dark Lord. Voldemort and Harry walked to their thrones ignoring the looks. Harry just looked straight ahead.

Before they sat down Voldemort looked at each of his Death Eaters in the eye "Loyal Inner circle members it is with great pleasure that I announce that Harry Potter has decided to join us. I now introduce you to your new Lord. He is my equal and is to be treated as such." Voldemort announced. Each member looked shock but non-protested. They each looked at Harry and gave a Deep bow "My Lord" they said in unison. Harry and Voldemort sat at their thrones and Harry visually relaxed.

Now Harry actually looked at each member. He recognized many. Such as Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, and The Lestrange Brothers. Others he knew their faces but not their names. Many were part of the ministry and Harry recognized them from the pictures he had seen of them in the daily prophet. Only one person caught him off guard. The man sat next to Harry. Harry had to stop himself from squeaking in surprise. It was non other than Remus Lupin. How Harry didn't see him sitting next to him before he did not know. He looked at Lupin with a raised eyebrow and Lupin just shrugged and gave a look that said they would talk later. Harry then turned to look at Voldemort and gave him a small glare. How dare Voldemort not tell him that Lupin was part of the Inner circle! Voldemort didn't even indicate that he saw Harry glare at him.

None of the Inner circle members looked at Harry throughout the whole meeting. Everyone simple looked down. Many of them gave reports about Raids they had been on in the past week. Voldemort simply nodded and occasionally gave his input. It was actually a super-boring meeting. That was until Voldemort gave them all a look. "I understand that all of your are quite shocked that Harry Potter is on our side but try and act like this is a productive meeting. You all look like your going to be cursed. You are my Inner Circle I value your input and ask that you speak your mind." Voldemort stated. This actually shocked Harry. He had always imagined that Voldemort just barked out orders and everyone just dumbly followed. But that didn't seem to be the case with the Inner circle members. They all nodded.

Bellatrix was the first to speak "My Lord this is all just simply shocking for many of us. If you don't mind me asking how did this occur?" She tried to ask as civil as possible. Voldemort nodded and motioned for Harry to answer "I realized that Dumbledore is nothing more than a meddling old coot who uses others for fame and praise. I will not be controlled and used by anyone. I have power and strength that shouldn't be restricted by anyone." Harry said with confidence in his voice. Bellatrix nodded. Voldemort continued for Harry. "Harry looked to me when I arrived at the Ministry and he decided to join the right side. I agreed immediately and brought him back here where it was revealed that Dumbledore had been trying to restrict Harry's magic. Severus and I removed the charms and Found that Harry is as strong as myself and more so than Dumbledore." At this news several of the members of the Inner Circle gasped and Lupin seemed to be trying to hold back his anger.

It got quiet again before Bellatrix once more spoke up "I would like it to be noted that I didn't kill Sirius." She said looking straight at Harry. "I aimed a simple crucio but it missed him. But someone from behind me aimed a killing curse at Sirius. It hit him and it looked as if I had killed him. I may have hated my cousin for being on the light side but I would never be able to kill him. You may check my memory if you would like." She said. Harry just sat their looking furious 'Dumbledore! He must have done it! Sirius was probably getting close to the truth about Dumbledore and had him killed!' Harry thought. Voldemort looked Bellatrix in the eye and looked at the memory. When he got out of her mind he turned toward Harry and nodded "she speaks the truth." Voldemort stated simply. Harry picked up his fist and banged it on the table. Many of the Inner circle members jumped "it was Dumbledore wasn't it?" Harry asked his green eyes were ablaze with anger. Voldemort nodded. "I want Dumbledores head on a plate!" Harry gritted out. And once again he banged his fist on the table. Many of the people in the room felt the temperature drop several degrees. No one said anything. Until a few second later Harry regained control of his emotions and made his face go blank.

The meeting continued on as Voldemort changed the subject to Lupin. "Your fallen brother has decided to return to us." Voldemort indicated to Lupin who just nodded. "With normal circumstances I wouldn't allow such a thing to occur but Lupin has proven himself in the past and I agree that we need everyone from Dumbledores side to turn toward ours. Don't give Lupin to hard of a time. He is quiet useful after all." Voldemort stated. Many of the members nodded and some shot soft smiles of 'welcome back' toward Remus. The meeting ended a little while later and many of the members left. Only a few stayed behind to talk with Voldemort. Harry took this as a time to ask what the hell Lupin was doing. Harry turned to Lupin "what the hell do you think you are doing?" Harry shot at the man. "This is not the time nor the place to discuss this. All I can say is that it's good to see you and you can expect me tomorrow. We shall discuss everything in due course." Lupin said formally. This wasn't the Lupin that Harry was use to. Harry nodded but Lupin got close and whispered in his ear "I'm glad that you are okay. I was worried. I'll explain everything later where we can't be over heard." And with that Lupin got up and went to Voldemort. He bowed deeply and left the room.

Voldemort came back after everyone left and sat next to Harry once more. The room was silent "so what do you think? It wasn't what you were expecting was it?" Voldemort asked Harry. Harry nodded "it was... Interesting to say the least." Harry said. Voldemort nodded "I was speaking to many before they left and they like you. You are feared and respected." Voldemort smiled as he said this. Harry just nodded. His mind was being clouded and he needed air.

He had so many things on his mind he needed time to think. He got up "I'm going to bed." He said, "You don't want dinner? It's early." Voldemort asked as he too got up and followed Harry out of the room. "No I'm fine I have a lot to think about. Lupin's coming by tomorrow and I want to be well rested when we talk" Harry said. Voldemort nodded and led Harry into the shaft that took them up to the main floor and he then led Harry to their room "would you like your own room?" Voldemort asked abruptly as they reached the door to the bedroom. Harry looked up "not really. I like your bed. And I like the fact that you're only a few seconds away. Unless you want to sleep in your own bed? Do evil nasty Dark Lords sleep?" Harry said half blushing half sticking his tongue out. Voldemort glared a little and picked Harry up. Harry shrieked. Voldemort opened the bedroom door and dumped Harry on the bed. He then started to tickle Harry senseless. Harry started to laugh and tried to get away from the man but Voldemort held him in place practically straddling Harry's hips. "I'm… Sorry…" Harry managed to rasp out. The tickling ended. Harry was breathless and Voldemort was smiling and laughing. He was still on top of Harry. Voldemort looked down and saw that Harry was smiling back up at him and he saw his chance and so he just went with it. Voldemort leaned down and kissed him. It was a sweet kiss that Harry responded to. It only lasted a few seconds but it felt like hours had gone by. Then all at once Voldemort pulled away and got off of Harry and left the room. Leaving a very confused Harry behind. Voldemort had just added to the list of things that Harry had to think about.

*** That is it! Thank you for reading and please REVIEW! I have several things! I'm sorry I haven't updated I've been meaning to but I've had like super bad writers block. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter their might me one or two mistakes and for that I apologize! I hate writing on an iPad because of stupid auto correct! I tried writing Hermione and it changed it to: her my knee! It was super stupid! I hope that you enjoyed the Voldemort and Harry moment at the end! Please leave a Review and Favorite! Sorry for the long note and until next time BYE! *** -Castlerocks