Readers: I'm very sorry for the delay, I don't like being a hypocrite. I had my first spring semester exam today. I'll be getting other chapters up quicker now.
I've been looking forward to writing this chapter mainly because I really like the emotional roller coaster that is Harry and Voldemort's relationship. I love making Harry the martyr.
I hope I pulled it off ok. I'd appreciate reviews.
Hogsmeade was everything that Harry remembered it to be. The town consisted of one long street of shops, taverns and Inns. Unlike other towns, Hogsmeade can an entirely magical population with made it perfect for their once a semester trips.
It was half eleven before Harry, Ron, Hermione and Conor actually got as far the town. The quota of students that visited had risen considerably from last year and as a precaution professor McGonagall had split the students into different groups. Each group was headed by a teacher who brought them to Hogsmeade and Chaperoned them.
Harry waited until the students had entered Zonko's then turned to Conor and scowled.
"I've got to go now. Don't move from Ron and Hermione's side ok?" Conor nodded and Harry smiled.
"Harry" Hermione crossed her arms. "I really don't think this is a great idea. What if he tries to take you away again?".
Harry silenced her with a finger pressed to her lips. Daring a quick peck he smiled at her. "He won't. I'll meet you all at the Madam Rosmerta's at two O' Clock, no later".
The sweet shop door jingled as the students began to exit and Harry pulled his inviability cloak over his head before he rushed off down the street.
He made it to the Hogshead and pulled off his cloak around the corner. Harry entered. The Hogshead was one of the more seedy taverns in Hogsmeade. It was known for it's more sinister clientèle, which is why Harry had chosen to meet Tom here.
All eyes turned on him as he entered but quickly went back to their business. The barman, a tall stocky grubby looking wizard eyed him warily before serving him the Butterbeer in a dirty glass.
Harry took a seat at a table by the fireplace and waited.
One Butterbeer and an upset stomach later Harry checked his watch. Twenty past twelve. Harry felt a sickening twist in his gut as he wondered if Voldemort had decided he didn't want to see Harry after the letter he'd sent. He tried to shake the thoughts away and drummed his finger impatiently on the bandy legged table in front of him.
"Cone on Dad" Harry muttered to himself.
In the next moment, a gust of frigid air hit his face, as the door to the tavern opened and a cloaked man entered. Harry gasped as the mans eyes settled on him and he made his way over. Much to Harry's relief and disappointment it Lucius Malfoy.
Harry chuckled as he realized he'd actually thought it was Voldemort. That would have caused quite a stir.
Lucius frowned as he reached Harry's table. "What are you sneering at Potter. Get up and follow me".
"Where is he?" Harry asked excited as Lucius opened the door and let Harry walk out ahead of him.
"The shrieking shack, now come quickly". Harry paused as Lucius ducked around a corner and waited for Harry with cocked eyebrows. "We are going to apparate" He said seeing the question on Harry's face, he extended a long elegant hand which Harry took, albeit reluctantly. A loud pop sounded and Harry felt the uncomfortable pressure as he felt himself crushed to Lucius side before his feet hit a wooden floor and he stumbled forward slightly. Harry tensed at the hands on his arms as Lucius righted him and huffed. Harry looked around recognizing the tell tale dilapidated landing of the Shrieking Shack, having met Sirius here in third year.
Lucius pointed to the door at the end of the hall and Harry went on alone.
He felt the usual tension in his muscles, caused by the strange mixture of anxiousness and excitement and he willed himself to relax. His hand gripped the door handle and twisted.
The room was no larger than the Dursley's sitting room but looked much grander in appearance. Harry knew it was glamor but the rich caramel and vanilla colors in the room added warmth to the atmosphere.
Voldemort had been pacing the room and looked up as Harry opened the door. Straight away a light smile quirked at the corner of the pale lips and Voldemort swooped forward to wrap him in a hug. Harry allowed himself to be draw to him, surprised and enjoying the unusual show of affection his father was lavishing on him.
"Hey Kiddo" the voice muttered as Harry was released he smiled. Voldemort led Harry to the chocolate cushioned couch by the window and sat him down. He raised his wand and a teapot on the coffee table in front of the boiled.
"So how has my Slytherin been eh?" He smiled as he handed Harry a cup before picking up his own. Harry inhaled the scent of Earl Grey and took a sip, delighting in the warmth that spread to his stomach.
"Good" Harry said "You?"
Voldemort grinned "Busy. So are you going to tell me why you've change houses?".
Harry groaned inwardly, Voldemort always liked to cut to the heart of a conversation. Harry sighed and shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know myself Dad" Harry felt ridiculously unprepared for the conversation. Tom's green eyes locked on his and narrowed.
"That's a lie Harry., I can tell" he frowned slightly.
Harry chuckled weakly. "Legilimency right?". Tom's nodded smiling.
"Why not. You yourself have studied Occlumency have you not?"
Harry winced "Briefly yeah, but I was never very good at it to be honest".
Voldemort laughed slightly and took another sip of his tea, his eyes were on Harry's cup.
"Dad, I'm sorry if I got your hopes up". Harry said dropping his eyes to his lap.
The couch dipped as Voldemort leaned forward and cupped Harry's chin to raise his head. His green eyes sparkled. "It's ok Harry, honestly" He sat back "Tell about your friends. You mentioned this Conor boy in your letter, what is he like?".
Harry felt an ice cold trickle down his spin but resisted the urge to shudder.
"Oh he's ok I suppose. I look out for him because he doesn't have many friends, you know?".
Voldemort nodded "I do. Sirius teaching now you said?"
Harry nodded. "Yes, he's actually really good too". He fought back a yawn and failed. Finishing the tea in his hand Harry put the cup down on the table.
"Tired?" Tom grinned. Harry nodded fighting back a second urge to yawn. "Just having been sleeping much lately".
"Any reason?".
Harry shook his head "Probably just moving into the Slytherin house. They didn't exaclty roll out the welcome matt for me". Voldemort chuckled.
Harry yawned a third time and felt his eyes getting heavy, feeling very sleepy all of sudden.
Rivets of shock coursed through him and he darted a look of fear to Voldemort.
Voldemort smiled apologetically and placed a hand on his head. "I'm sorry Kiddo, it was the only way".
"No!" Harry gasped. He stood up and grasped at the coffee table as his vision began to swim from the effects of the sleeping drought. Missing it Harry stumbled back into the wall panting.
Voldemort stood up then and placed his cup down on the table. "Take it easy Harry".
Harry slid down the wall feeling the all too familiar drug settle over him and dull his thoughts.
"You..lied to...me" Harry panted as Voldemort took a step forwards towards him.
Voldemort's weak chuckle reached his ears as he came to stand over him. "Really Harry, no need to be so dramatic".
Harry felt the strong hands sweep under him before he was lifted. Voldemort laid him delicately on the cushion of the couch.
Harry scrunched his eyes up, trying his best to fight the drowsinesses that was trying to overpower him. Voldemort was sitting beside him stroking the fringe of his forehead.
"Don't..Take...me..me" Harry heard the soft chuckle once again before he passed out.
When Harry awoke it was on large four poster bed draped in black mesh. The room around him was lavishly decorated with antique looking furniture and a large bay window to his left. Harry didn't feel the pulse of magic. He winced as he realized this was no glamor. He was no longer in the Shrieking Shack.
It took him a moment for the fog clouding his brain to lift. Harry was in shock. How could he have so stupid? Voldemort had drugged him plenty of times before why wouldn't he do it again.
Harry knew trying to door was futile. He tried and as he expected the handle didn't move, despite it Harry pulled frantically at the door. He raced to the window if he could identify where he was he could Apparate. A large manicured lawn stretched out before him for a few hundred meters, and the manor was boarded by a large woods that stretched as far as the horizon. Dark cloaked figures stood out against the green lawn and Harry whimpered as he realized how many of them there were, escape would be almost impossible.
It was getting dark so Harry knew he'd been asleep for a few hours. He thought of Conor and his friends. What would they do once they realized that he wasn't going to meet them.
A loud click sounded and Harry turned to face Voldemort as he entered. He spotted Harry and smiled.
"You are awake, good".
"Why?!" harry challenged him immediately "Why take me? I TRUSTED YOU!" Harry yelled feeling his anger bubble.
Voldemort settled himself on Harry mattress. "What difference does it make if you join me now or later?"
"Because I'm needed back at Hogwarts" Harry growled. "I don't want to be with you!".
Voldemort frowned slightly. "That will change".
Harry felt his jaw drop. He stared at Voldemort in utter shock. "Dad" he whispered "We've been through this, I won't turn for you".
Voldemort shook his head "You will Harry, it's finally kicking in. Moving into Slytherin was only the first..." He stopped as Harry covered his eyes with his hands shaking his head. Harry mashed his hands against his eyeballs in frustration. "Stepping stone. I'm just helping to reach the bank quicker".
Harry's head snapped up in anger. He paced the room. He reached out for the door again. Voldemort raised his wand and the telltale click of the lock snapping into place rang out.
"No! Let me out!" Harry shouted furious and panicking. Voldemort shook his and Harry stared at him. "Dad" Harry pleaded "Don't do this".
Voldemort shook his head "LET ME OUT!" Harry shouted, startling Voldemort. Harry paused as the red eyes flared into existence smoothing the green.
"No Harry, and I'd really prefer it you didn't shout at me" His tone was cold and it sent shivers up Harry spine.
"So what? You'll keep me prisoner again, until I escape again and then we're back to square one aren't we?". Voldemort's eyes died and were replaced the cool green again.
"Staying with me is not a punishment Harry".
"It is for me!" Harry watched Voldemort flinch, and tried to steady his breathing.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean it like that but you have to understand Dad, I'm happy at Hogwarts. I want to return. I thought you told me last year that you'd wait until I graduated from school before you'd come and take me. At least let me finish my time there!" Harry stopped speaking.
"No" Voldemorts tone was final and Harry felt despair wash over him. Voldemort tapped the mattress beside him "Now come here, I've something important to tell you".
"What?" Harry snapped, his stomach flip flopped as the red eyes flashed again but Voldemort repeated the tapping. "Come here and I will tell you".
Harry forced his legs to move and seated himself beside the older Wizard.
Voldemort let out a sigh. He looks uncomfortable Harry thought suddenly. Voldemort ran a hand through his black choppy hair, so like Harry and Conors.
"You have a brother Harry" Came the quiet voice. When Harry didn't respond Voldemort frowned. "Harry?"
Harry was frozen solid. He knows, he knows about Conor!
This didn't feel like one my better chapters. Not sure I did this reunion justice. I'd appreciate feedback on it. Next chapter to come soon.