The-Demon-Who-Lived
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Naruto. They are both respectively owned by J.K Rowling and Masashi Kishimoto.
A.N: Someone suggested that Harry use the Rinnegan and the stone to bring back his parents. While a good idea you have to remember that the Rinnegan can only bring back the recently dead, his parents would have passed on a long time ago. Also they are too pro-light to realistically corrupted.
Chapter 6: Serpent
-Wednesday, July 29th 1992-
"Harry Potter sir." the house elf squeaked. "So long I has wanted to meet you, sir ... Such an honor it is .."
Harry groaned.
"Hello elf, who are you?" he asked in a kind tone.
"Harry Potter sir wanting to know Dobby's name?" The elf asked with wide teary eyes "Harry Potter sir is a great wizard, just like Dobby thought!" the elf squealed running to hug him.
Said hug was immediately cut off as a blur shot out from under Harry's bed towards the elf. Before Dobby could even notice he was taken down and wrapped up, the elf tried resisting but immediately stopped moving when it heard a low hiss coming from beside its head. Dobby' eyes widened comically as it spotted the fanged maw of Hebihada just inches away from its neck.
"EEEK!" it shrieked causing Harry to clap his hands over his ears, good thing he had silencing wards up here or the whole house would have heard. It got so tiring putting those muggles in their place every few days.
"Run Harry Potter sir, Dobby will hold off the bad snakey, leave Dobby and escape Harry Potter sir, Harry Potter sir is too impor.."
"Dobby, shut up!" Harry ordered sternly. The elf immediately clamped its mouth shut but continued to struggle vainly in Hebi's grasp. From the fear in its eyes he could tell it already found use of it's magic missing.
/Can I eatsss him Masster? Jusst a sssmall sssnack?/ Hebi hissed pleadingly. Causing Dobby's eyes to widened in more fear as the serpent looked over at the boy-who-lived.
Harry chuckled /Not yet little sserpent, firsst I musst sssee what the elf hass to ssay./ Harry replied. He chuckled again as Dobby's eyes snapped to him in shock.
"Harry Potter sir can speak to snakey's? But Harry Potter sir is a good wizard." Dobby said in a low tone.
"Being a parselmouth isn't a bad thing elf, now tell me why your here." Harry ordered. Moving over to his bed, he snarled at the stains left by the creatures feet before throwing the blanket off and taking a seat.
"Oh! Dobby came to warn Harry Potter sir" the elf squeaked. Its eyes widened once more and it began to bash its head against the floor "Bad Dobby, Bad Dobby" it chanted over and over.
Harry rose a single brow, so the elf was here against it's masters will and with a warning for him?
Interesting.
Grinning darkly Harry released a sliver of his aura allowing it to coat the room. The elf immediately seized up as it sensed the aura radiating off the young boy..no not boy, Harry Potter sir is not a boy...Demon..Dobby thought shaking fearfully.
"You know what I am elf?" Harry asked in a deep tone, the elf nodded rapidly "And you know what I can do to you?" rapid fear filled nods again. "Good now listen up."
Harry smirked as the elf perked up and listened intently. It may be bound to a master now but all house elves listened to beings of greater power, it was part of their punishment.
House elves were created many centuries ago when several dark elves rebelled against the high elves that ruled them, their attempt failed and they were all captured and judged. Their punishment was to be reduced into an imp-like form and to forever serve a master they were bonded with, if such a bond was ever broken and the elf didn't find a new master in a months time they would die. In order to prevent another uprising they were also cursed to never harm another magical creature. Because of this, house elves instinctively followed the commands of any magical creature more powerful than them lest they receive punishment, unless they were commanded to harm their master of course.
"Tell me why your here?" Harry asked.
"Dobby came to warn you Harry Potter sir." the elf squeaked "Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously for coming to see you, sir. Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this."
Harry rolled his eyes "You will not punish yourself for anything that happens in my home, is that clear?" the elf nodded repeatedly again "Good, now what are you here to warn me about?" Harry asked.
"Harry Potter sir must not return to Hogwarts!" Dobby shrieked "There is a plot sir, a plot to do great evil at Hogwarts this year."
"A plot by whom?" Harry asked with a frown. The elf attempted to reply but its face screwed up in concentration before its head drooped down "By your master then?" Harry asked, he got a small nod in reply. No point asking who said master was or what they planned since Dobby couldn't reply.
"Well that's too bad Dobby but I have to return to Hogwarts, you know what I am so you know that I'll be safe." Harry stated forcefully, the elf gave a sullen nod again.
"Good, I'm going to free you Dobby, you're going to return home and tell no one of what transpired here. Understood?" Harry asked in a low tone that promised death should he disobey. The elf gave a rapid nod.
/Releasse him Hebi, thiss one meanss us no harm./ Harry hissed.
Dobby shivered as the serpent hissed back.
/Not even a little bite masster?/ Hebi asked gloomily.
Harry smirked /Fine, take a sssample incasse we need to find him again./
The serpent hissed gleefully and Harry saw Dobby's eyes widen as a portion of it's magic was drained. Sighing in satisfaction, Hebi unwrapped itself from the elf and lazily slithered back under the bed.
Harry rose a brow when the elf remained looking down at the ground nervously. "Was there anything else Dobby?" he asked. Dobby looked around the room nervously before reaching into his pillowcase clothing and pulling out a stack of papers.
"D-dobby thought if Harry Potter sir didn't get letters from friends," the elf began nervously "that maybe Harry Potter sir wouldn't return to Hogwarts." it explained.
Harry frowned at this, he had wondered why he received no mail all summer but had just put it aside since he knew his friends would be busy. Now he finds out that this elf was stealing his mail? Growling deeply Harry flared his aura causing Dobby to whimper before his hand snapped out and grabbed hold of the pile of letters.
"I would suggest you leave quickly Dobby, before I reduce you to elf paste." Harry snarled. The elf squeaked before vanishing with a pop.
Sighing to himself Harry got up and walked over to his desk, he would need to read and answer all these letters now before anyone got too worried.
'So much for getting some rest.'
-Monday, August 3rd 1992-
W-welcome once more L-lord Potter" the goblin stuttered out bowing. "P-please take a seat.''
Harry smiled back and took his seat, he was meeting with the manager of the Potter accounts today and would be enacting the first stage of his plan, acquiring funds.
"H-how may I help you today? I-Is there a problem with your accounts?" the goblin asked.
"Come now..Mr. Slaptick..you know what I am, correct?" Harry asked in a sweetly voice. The goblin 's eyes widened fearfully before it nodded slowly.
"Good then here's what I need you to do." Harry chirped slapping down various parchments on the table. The goblin picked up the parchments and skimmed through them, its eyes widened comically as it read each one. "As you can see there, each of those is written and signed in blood by Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Ravenclaw. They rightfully relinquish control of their vaults and properties to the line of Gryffindor and as you know.."
"The Potters are the last main line of Gryffindor." The goblin finished in a daze "You do know I will have to authenticate these Lord Potter" it added looking up.
"Of course of course, the blood they signed with should be more than enough and I will also need access to the Peverell Vault. A simple blood test should prove my claim." Harry replied nonchalantly.
The goblin looked from him to the parchments and back again before gulping. "Very well Lord Potter, I'll just go get the required tools."
Harry grinned "You do that."
-Back at the Cavern-
"Arrgh I'm so bored! Let's do something" a voice shouted.
From the other end of the cavern Fred and George Weasley stopped their training as they turned to the direction the voice came from. Spotting six figures arranged in several positions both twins groaned.
"Not again" they muttered simultaneously. Ever since he created his paths Harry had been using them to annoy the twins when he could, although he didn't bother them directly, they still found it hard to train with the bodies of several prominent witches and wizards acting silly behind them.
"Come on Rowena, Salazar! Lets do something!" Godric shouted, he was standing before the entire group with his hands held high. For some reason or another his hair was now bright blond, like sunflower-yellow blond.
"Hn.." Salazar grunted sitting on top of a large rock, He slightly rolled his eyes at Godric's behavior, brushed his black hair aside, interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them before closing his eyes.
"CHAAAAA! Stop bothering Salazar!" Rowena shouted before proceeding to punch Godric in the back of the head knocking him to the ground face first. She then proceeded to giggle and hang off Salazar's arm.
"Aww that hurt Rowena, why are you always hitting me?" Godric whined sitting up and rubbing his face.
"Maybe its cause you're so annoying, why cant you just leave Salazar alone?" Ariana huffed flipping her long blond hair over her shoulder and attaching her self to Salazars other arm. Both girls glared at each other before staring at the dark haired man lovingly.
"Tch troublesome blonds.." Ignotus muttered laying on his back and staring at the roof lazily. He received a glare from both Godric and Ariana.
"Munch..Munch..Munch!" Helga added polishing off her fifth bag of chips.
Across the room both twins groaned and shared a look.
"Kill Harry Potter?" one asked
"Definitely" the other agreed.
With a conspiratorial smirk both nodded and returned to their training, trying to ignore the various shouts coming from behind them.
(Those of you that have read or watched Naruto should get that. If not then read/watch it again.)
-Back with Harry-
Grinning widely Harry examined the new ring on his finger, it was a simple gold band with the family crests of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Potter, Peverell and Black encircling it. The last one had caught him by surprise since he knew about the famous House of Black. Apparently his godfather had named him heir to the family before he was thrown into Azkaban. Something strange for a betrayer to do.
'Perhaps I'll pay Uncle Sirius a visit.' Harry hummed slipping the ring onto his middle finger, right next to his now invisible Akatsuki ring.
Ignoring the various looks of admiration and envy he was receiving from the wizarding public Harry purposefully strolled through Diagon Alley, exiting through the Leaky Cauldron he hid behind an illusion before disappearing into a vortex.
'Now who should I send to the old man?'
-Friday, August 7th 1992-
"Welcome once more everyone." Dumbledore announced studying everyone in the room. This was the fourth meeting of the order this summer and with school starting next week they would need to spread out the meetings. "I don't want to keep you long so lets get down to business, has anyone found anything new?" he asked.
A cough from Snape drew all eyes to him, leaning forward the man drawled out "Lucius is planning something, he has yet to inform me of what it is but I received a warning to take care at the school."
"Hmm..this is troubling." Dumbledore hummed "With Tom still out there and the Akatsuki doing god knows what we don't need the Death Eaters creating more trouble."
"I'll keep an eye on Lucius and see what I can learn headmaster." Snape drawled.
"Good, does anyone else have some news?" Dumbledore asked, everyone focused on Dung as he gulped loudly.
"W-well...uh I managed to see another one of those Akatsuki in Knockturn again." Dung announced shakily, eyes widened as everyone focused on him.
"Well? Out with it dung." Moody growled "Was it Pein or Tobi?"
Dung shook his head "Neither, this one was a woman." he explained.
"A woman? How did you tell, did you see her face?" Arthur asked.
"No no, she had one of them cloaks on and with the hood up so her face was hidden, the only reason I know it was a woman was cause she spoke." Dung replied.
"She spoke? To you?" Lupin asked bewildered.
Dung shook his head again "No, after what happened last time the fellows learned to avoid anyone in the orange mask and cloak. But a few of the drunk ones saw this person was different and decided to cause some trouble." Dung explained "She only spoke once and told them to move but once they figured out it was a woman they redoubled their efforts."
"What happened then? I'm assuming this woman escaped?" Dumbledore asked.
Dung shook his head, his eyes seemed to glaze over with fear as he replied "No, she only sighed once and then said some words, next thing I know the five fellows go flying away and splatter against the buildings, only thing left of them was some red paste. The woman didn't even look bothered, she just kept going on her way."
Gasps rang out around the room before everyone went silent.
"She just said some words? No wand?" Molly finally asked.
Dung nodded.
"Hmm, perhaps a powerful banishing charm then? But to do so to several men and wand-less..." Dumbledore trailed off.
"Did you hear what spell she used?" Moody asked Dung.
He received a reply not from Dung but from the fireplace behind him "It was Shinra Tensei." a soft voice answered.
Everyone startled, Moody leapt from his seat with his wand in hand and rolled away from the voice. He came up crouching as every other wand in the room pointed at the fireplace. Sitting unperturbed on the mantle with her legs crossed was a hooded figure wearing the Akatsuki cloak.
'Why didn't I see her? It was like she just appeared from nowhere.' Moody thought angrily.
A pale Dung was the first to speak "I-Its her.." he squeaked.
Dumbledore immediately took charge "My dear girl, I'm afraid you've caught us at a bad time. Perhaps you should take a seat and tell us how you found this place." Dumbledore asked. They were currently in Moody's home, one of the most well protected and hidden buildings in the wizarding world yet this woman had entered unannounced.
"Oh don't worry old man, I'm only here to deliver a message." the woman hummed completely unperturbed by the various wands pointed at her.
"A message?" Minerva asked with a raised brow.
"Oh yes." she replied happily "We know you've been looking for us, we also know that the 'dark lord'" This she said with a sneer "Is still alive and searching for a way to return. Our leader, Pein, has decided to hold off all hostilities until Voldemort either dies or finds his way back." she explained.
Dumbledore's mind raced. Could the Akatsuki be working with Voldemort? Why did they want to wait until he returned? Why tell the Order that?
"You're buying for time." Remus muttered "You want us to think your waiting for the dark lord and put us at ease but you just need more time to prepare."
The woman giggled softly "We could be doing that." she replied neither confirming or denying his accusation.
"Then why?" Moody growled "Why tell us this? Why wait for the dark lord to return?"
They could practically hear her smirk when she replied "It's more fun that way."
Dumbledore sighed "Very well then miss.." he rose an eyebrow when no name was provided. "Very well, we thank you for this information. I hope you'll understand why we must now take you in for questioning."
The woman giggled again and held up a hand causing every one to stiffen, they watched warily as she clenched her hand then unclenched, this was repeated several times before a ball of pure white energy came to life in her hand, the ball seemed to glow brightly before solidifying into a clay like substance. Moody growled and immediately fired off a stunner.
Eyes widened when rather than hit her the spell flew right through her and splashed harmlessly against the wall behind her.
'Wraith? Ghost? Specter?' Dumbledore pondered as the woman giggled once more, his eyes widened when she squeezed the ball in her hand before releasing it 'Danger!'
"Fawkes!" He shouted erecting the most powerful shield he knew. A fireball above him announced the birds arrival, it trilled once causing the woman to shudder, glared at her before its tail feathers grew rapidly and snaked around each individual behind the shield.
The woman giggled again and spoke one sentence as they left.
"Art is a blast. Katsu!"
Dumbledore had enough time to see the ball hit the ground and glow before Fawkes dragged them all from the house. A violent explosion shook the street as Moody's home and lawn were destroyed in an enormous firestorm.
Across the country the inner circle of the Order stumbled as they were dropped in the headmasters office.
-Sunday, August 9th 1992-
"Hello Godfather." Harry said cheerily stepping out from the shadows of the room.
Sirius Black startled and jumped from his cot at the sound of the voice, his head darted about randomly as he sought out the source. Harry chuckled and dropped his illusion allowing Sirius to see him in the corner, the mans eyes lit up as he spotted him and he took a step back.
"H-harry?" Sirius asked warily.
"Huh, seems your not as insane as your fellow inmates." Harry mused. He could see the intelligence and life burning in his godfathers eyes, something the rest of the inmates here lacked.
"H-harry? What are you doing here? Did they capture you too?" Sirius asked hysterically
"Sirius."
"Oh god, maybe I'm finally loosing it, is this is all just part of my imagination..?"
"Sirius."
"The Dementors finally got me, but I'm innocent, they shouldn't have worked on me.''
"SIRIUS!" Harry finally shouted drawing the mans attention "You're not crazy, well not as much as you're fellow inmates. I wasn't captured, I came here to see you."
Sirius immediately collapsed onto his bed "To see me? Why? Oh Harry don't believe whatever they told you, I would never betray James and Lily...Never!" Sirius shouted.
"I know."
Sirius's eyes snapped up and widened "You do? Who told you? Am I getting out?" he asked quickly.
"No one told me Sirius, I came here to find out why my parents 'betrayer' would make me his heir," the mans eyes dropped at this "As for figuring out your innocence, well you're mind isn't as protected as you think it is." Harry hummed.
Sirius gaped "You can use Legilimency? But you're only 11.."
"12" Harry corrected.
"12, that should be impossible." Sirius finished.
"Nothing is impossible godfather, my skills at the mind arts are unrivaled. Don't you think someone would have come to investigate by now? Considering the amount of noise we've been making." Harry asked calmly. Sirius's eyes snapped to the prison door where a group of aurors were just passing by, even though Harry had been speaking loudly the group paid them no heed.
"A simple suggestion to their minds and they don't even remember you're here." Harry explained.
"Oh.."
"Now then godfather, if you are innocent why are you still here?" Harry asked with a raised brow.
Sirius growled under his breath "That damn Ministry and Dumbledore, they wouldn't give me a trail. They just threw me in here and left me to rot while Pettigrew still runs free.."
"Ah yes Peter, we'll have to do something about him." Harry hummed
"We?" Sirius asked with a raised brow
"Of course, you don't think I'm going to leave you in here do you?" Harry asked with a grin.
"You can get us out of here!" Sirius asked excited.
"Yeah, it won't be too hard but you'll have to wait. The minister has an inspection scheduled for next summer, it will make a bigger statement if I free you while he's here with more Aurors." Harry replied.
Sirius gave him a questioning glance "A bigger statement? Harry why do you need to make a 'statement' at all?"
Harry grinned at him "Tell me Sirius, what are you're views on pranks?"
Sirius grinned back "A prank on the Ministry?"
Harry's grin grew widened "No."
"Who then?"
"The world." Harry replied waving his hand. A table for two with a full course meal appeared in the center of the cell. Sirius gaped while Harry took a seat.
"Come godfather, sit. We have much to discuss."
-Back at the cavern-
"YOSH! Look at these two training their hardest, they truly represent the springtime of youth!" a voice shouted from behind.
Both twins sighed and lowered their wands, almost regretfully they turned around to look...only to gag when they spotted not only Salazar Slytherin but Godric Gryffindor wearing skintight green leotards.
''Oh god.." Fred muttered.
"That's just cruel and unusual." George added.
"COME MY FRIENDS, LET US TRAIN TOGETHER AND SHOW THE WORLD OUR FLAMES OF YOUTH!" Godric shouted grinning widely and holding out two leotards for the twins.
Flames seemed to ignite in Salazar's eyes "YOSH! A brilliant idea Godric!" He shouted. "We shall run 300 laps around the cave and if we cant do that we shall do 1000 push ups and if we cant do that we shall climb the walls with only one hand and a boulder strapped to our back and if..."
Tears seemed to well up in Godrics eyes as he looked over at Salazar.
"SALAZAR"
"GODRIC"
''SALAZAR''
''GODRIC''
''SALAZAR''
''GODRIC'
The two clashed together in a hug of epic proportions causing a sunlit beach to appear behind them. Both twins who were currently staring wide eyed screamed and began clawing at their eyes as they rolled around on the ground. Off to the side Rowena sighed.
"Poor guys, we should have warned them." she muttered twirling a dagger in one hand.
Ignotus snorted "It wouldn't have mattered, it was their fate to see such a sight today.
-Friday, August 21st 1992-
"If you like having that arm attached to your body you had better remove it." Harry snarled.
The hand on his shoulder immediately withdrew as the blond haired man gulped, turning on his heel Harry ignored the gathered crowd and looked the man up and down.
"What do you want?" he asked with a frown.
"H-Harry Potter, my name is Gilderoy Lockhart. I was going to invite you to take some pictures with me for the paper." the man stated giving him bright smile.
Harry simply snorted before looking over at the crowd. Both he and Lockhart were receiving admiring glances from the various women in the book store while a few of the men looked annoyed. Spotting Draco and Hermione watching him, Harry gave his friends a smirk before turning to back to Lockhart.
"Very well then, make it quick and don't touch me." he replied.
Lockhart immediately beamed and stood beside him as the cameras flashed.
"Really now Potter, was all that necessary?" Draco joked from beside him.
Harry grinned at his friend "Maybe not but at least I got my schoolbooks for free Draco." Harry replied patting his pocket which held the shrunken books.
"How lucky you are Harry, not only did you get to meet Lockhart but you also got free books out of it." Hermione pouted.
Harry chuckled in reply "You can have them if you want Hermione dearest, I've already read all these books."
Hermione immediately brightened "Really? Are you sure?"
Harry gave her a soft smile before nodding and handing the books over to the giddy girl.
"Come on you two we have to meet the others at the ice cream shop in a few minutes." Draco snorted.
They were almost out the door when voice from behind stopped them.
"Famous Harry Potter, cant go anywhere without having you're picture taken huh?"
Turning around the three spotted the source of the voice as one Ronald Weasley, beside him stood a shorter red haired girl and behind them were the twins who gave Harry a small wink.
"Ah Rufus, how nice to see you again." Harry said in a tone that dripped with false cheeriness. "How has you're summer been?"
"My name is RON damn it!." Weasley shouted drawing some attention from nearby shoppers.
Harry rolled his eyes "Whatever. Who is this vision of beauty beside you?" He asked giving the girl a slight bow. He had already heard all about Ginerva Weasley from the twins, they had wanted to make her part of the Akatsuki since she had potential unlike the rest of the family but Harry had decided to put it off for a year so he could meet and study her at school.
Ginny blushed red at his comment and looked down while the twins chuckled. Ron on the other hand turned red from anger and growled under his breath.
"You stay away from Ginny, Potter. She'll have nothing to do with you slimy snakes." he snarled earning him a glare from Ginny.
Harry rose a brow "My word Roscoe! Must you say such horrid things about me?'' he asked in mock indignation "Besides I would think that Ginny knew enough to make her own decisions, isn't that right young miss?"
The girl blushed a darker shade as all eyes turned to her, she managed to give a slight nod ignoring the glares sent her way by the other women. Harry smiled before turning his attention to the twins.
"Fred, George so good to see you two again. How has you're summer been?" he asked in a polite tone.
The twins grinned back before replying.
"It's been good Harry-"
"So nice to see you too."
At this point Ron was looking from his brothers to his sister with a betrayed look on his face before he turned back to the source of his problems, Harry Potter. Harry simply gave him a cheeky smile and a wink causing him to go for his wand, Before Weasley could even raise his wand he found two others in his face.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Weasel." Draco drawled out finally glad to be included in the conversation. Hermione nodded from beside him with her wand poking the redhead in the throat.
"What going on here, what are you doing to my boy?" a deeper voiced asked from the side. Turing to look Harry spotted the source immediately. It was a tall red haired man who looked like a much older version of Ron.
"Ah you must be Mister Weasley." Harry replied.
The man turned his sights on him and frowned. "Yes I am, now who are you and why do two of your friends have my son at wand point?" he asked.
"I believe the question should be why your son was about to attack mine and his friends." another voice drawled from the crowd.
Turning his head to the other side Harry smiled as he saw Lucius Malfoy step out from the crowd.
"Lucius." Mister Weasley muttered.
"Arthur." Lucius sneered.
"Would you kindly ask your boy and his friend to withdraw their wands?" Arthur Weasley asked.
"Oh I'm afraid it wont be so easy Mister Weasley." Harry cut in drawing all eyes to him again "You see you're son was about to attack me for reasons unknown, as head of the Potter family that would be a grave offense."
Arthur paled while Lucius smirked in approval.
"Y-you're Harry Potter?" Arthur stuttered out.
"Yes, yes I am. Now unless you want a blood feud between our families, I suggest Rory here apologizes." Harry stated smirking at the flabbergasted look on Ron's face.
"My name is RON!" the boy shouted.
"Shut up Rory!" his father snapped accidentally using the name Harry had provided causing the Twins to snicker behind their enraged brother. "I'm terribly sorry if he offended you Lord Potter, he will apologize immediately."
Harry grinned as Ron was forced to give an apology much to the enjoyment of the twins who were still snickering at their brother. Red faced and angry Ron Weasley gave his apology before his father sent him out of the store. Whispers broke out among the crowd after this but a glare from Lucius Malfoy caused the gathered crowd to disperse.
"I hope that was satisfactory Lord Potter, our family means you no ill will." Arthur said in a low tone. Harry gave him a small smile.
"Oh don't worry Mister Weasley, I quite like the rest of your family. The twins are enjoyable to be around and little Ginny here is simply divine." Harry replied giving the girl another smile, her ever present blush deepened another shade before she squeaked and hurried out of the store. The snickering twins followed behind. Harry rose a brow when he saw Lucius's eyes following the young redhead while he frowned and patted a bulge in his robe pocket.
"Thank you Lord Potter, you have my apologies again." Arthur stated before following his children out of the store.
"You handled that quite well Lord Potter." Lucius stated with a small smile as he came over.
"Thank you Lord Malfoy and please call me Harry."
"Then I must insist you call me Lucius, you are quite mature for you're age." Lucius replied "Hopefully Draco can learn from your example." he finished looking over at the boy. Draco kept his eyes to the ground but Harry could see the frown on his face.
"Oh don't worry Lucius, Draco conducts himself in a respectable manner." Harry stated receiving a grateful smile from his friend.
"Yes I suppose so, but perhaps you both should reconsider the company you keep." Lucius stated giving Hermione a disgusted glance.
Harry frowned "I assure you we only associate with the best." he replied. Lucius was about to say something but thought better of it when something seemed to flicker in Harry's eyes, something dangerous.
"I mean it Narcissa, there's something about that boy." Lucius stated in a firm tone.
"Oh pish posh Lucius, Harry is such a charming young man. You're just over reacting." Narcissa said waving him off and taking a sip of her wine.
"I have to agree with Narcissa on this, I've watched the boy all year and I barely noticed anything too out of the ordinary." Severus added. They were currently in the Malfoy's study discussing the feeling he had recieved from Harry Potter today, Severus had been called in for some outside perspective. Perspective he choose to keep to himself until he unraveled the mystery that is Harry Potter.
"Perhaps Professor, you only noticed what I wanted you to notice." a voice said from the beside them.
All three adults startled as they turned to the voice only to see a smirking Harry Potter sitting in one of the free chairs around the table.
"Potter? How the hell did you get in here?" Lucius asked in a startled tone as his hand went for his cane.
"That's for me to know and you to hope you never find out." Harry replied in a cheery tone. Severus shuddered as he heard the veiled threat while Narcissa simply sipped at her wine as if the boy wasn't there.
"Did you let him in here Narcissa?" Lucius asked looking at his wife suspiciously, her only reply was a small smile as she continued to sip her wine.
"Don't even bother Lucius, she doesn't even know we're here. For all she knows you're both discussing business while she's finishing her wine and heading to bed." Harry stated. As he finished speaking Narcissa polished off the last of her wine, stood up and left the room.
Lucius rounded on Harry with his wand drawn from the cane "What did you do to her? What do you want Potter?" He snarled.
Harry smiled ignoring the weapon pointed at him "Oh don't worry Lucius, it was only a simple illusion. As for what I want, well something brought me here today and for you're sake you better hope I'm wrong." Harry finished in a dark tone causing the other two to shiver.
"Is that a threat Potter?" Lucius sneered lifting his wand, Harry simply smiled and snapped his fingers. Both adults blinked as the wand and cane in Lucius's hands flickered and disappeared before appearing leaning against Harry's chair as if they had been there the entire time.
"Oh no Lucius, I don't make threats. I give warnings and make promises but never threats." Harry stated leaning forward "Now can we get down to business?"
"Yes why don't we, what did you come here for Potter?" Snape asked watching the boy cautiously.
"Well I had this nagging feeling in the bookstore today, a feeling that came from you." Harry began looking at Lucius "It wasn't until I got home and felt something similar that I recognized what the feeling was." He stated. Both men stiffened when he reached into his robes and pulled out the most impressive wand they had ever seen.
'A crystal focus? How can the boy be so powerful as to use a secondary focus?' Lucius thought rapidly.
'That's not the wand he uses at school, where did he get a second wand?' Snape pondered.
"This is my personal wand, I made it myself from Demon bone." Harry explained fingering the wand.
Something seemed to click in Snape's mind "Demon bone? Demon...Akatsuki?" he muttered aloud. Lucius gave him a questioning glance while Harry smiled.
"Ah yes, I forgot the old coot has you looking into my little organization. The fact you were able to find any information on us is commendable." He stated jovially. Snape's eyes snapped up as he stared at him, a moment later they widened.
"Y-you're Pein?" He whispered.
"The one and only." Harry replied smirking.
Lucius having gotten bored of being a bystander decided to cut in "What the hell are the two of you talking about? Demons? What Organization?"
Harry simply gave him a smile "Ask Severus about it once I'm gone, meanwhile let's get back to why I'm here." Harry replied "Accio Horcrux"
Snape was distracted pondering this new fact. Harry Potter the Boy-Who-Lived, the mysterious Slytherin was in fact the dark god he had met months ago? But how? Why? How did someone like Potter become so powerful in the dark arts at such a young age? Considering that the boy knew little about the magical world until last summer it was simply mind boggling. But at the same time it made sense, all those strange discrepancies he had noted. The boy's abnormal behavior and appearance as well as the fact a Potter had some how been sorted into the house of snake.
The more Severus thought about it the more it made sense. After the first few months Potter had reverted into a regular eleven year old Slytherin allowing Severus to forget about the strange facts he had mentally noted about the boy. But now that he thought about it it was possible for Potter to be some sort of powerful dark wizard.
After all there was the Veela like allure he exuded which could be created through the use of a variety of powerful spells, then there was his ability to control seven elements. Something thought impossible for centuries. There was also that dangerous aura of malice and bloodlust the boy seemed to exude whenever he was angered. Not to forget the fact that the boy defeated the most powerful dark lord in a century. If that were true and he added the dark aura that had been released that day in the chamber then perhaps Potter was in fact the new dark lord.
Snape was drawn out of his thoughts when a small dark book flew across the room and into Harry's hand, he noted how Lucius paled when he saw the book while Harry frowned.
"Its unfortunate you have this Lucius, do you know what it is?" Harry asked frowning at the older man, Lucius shook his head "Yet you were going to give it to the Weasley girl correct? Oh don't deny it, I saw how you looked at her when she left and how you patted your robe, the same robe this book was hidden within."
Lucius snarled at this "So what if I was? What about it boy?"
"Do you know what this could have done Lucius? It contains a fragment of Voldemort's soul." Both flinched at the name while Harry rolled his eyes "Had you given it to the girl she would have most likely have died and Voldemort would return." Harry explained.
Lucius seemed to perk up at this as he looked towards the book "So what? At least the blood traitor would be out of the way and the dark lord would return." he sneered.
Harry shook his head and glared at the older man, Lucius froze as he felt a powerful aura of evil and death rolling off the teen in front of him.
Snape stiffened as he felt the familiar aura once more. So the boy was telling the truth, he really is Pein. Now lets see how he handles Lucius.
Lucius on the other hand was trembling as the aura continued to fill the room. He found it hard to breath yet alone stand due to the pressure in the room. Try as he might he couldn't move or tear himself away from the glowing green eyes that stuck him where he stood.
"Don't call that filth the dark lord." Harry snarled "Voldemort is just another pathetic power hungry human grasping for something he shall never reach."
Lucius snarled as he bunched his fists "How dare yo-"
"Crucio!"
The torture spell struck Lucius directly in the chest and his world exploded in pain.
Snape watched wide eyed from his seat as Lucius screamed and writhed under one of the unforgivable curses. He looked over at Harry but rather than the glee filled look most got from the pleasure the curse filled them with Harry simply sat there looking indifferent. After ten seconds the curse was lifted allowing Lucius to lay on the ground twitching in pain.
"I like you Lucius, I like your wife and your son. That is the only reason I haven't killed you for simply being in possession of this Horcrux. So you better behave before I change my mind understood?" Lucius nodded meekly "Good. Now then, I suppose you can feel my aura in the air?" Harry asked looking at both men.
Snape gave a quick nod while Lucius slowly nodded.
"I will tell you now that this is but a fraction of my full power, should I release my full power you would both most likely lose consciousness. Something that Voldemort can not boast." Harry stated getting wide eyed looks from the two. "You are both dark wizards, I know you feel the pull my aura has on you. That is why I am giving you the chance to join me." Harry stated.
Snape's eyes widened as the boy mentioned his power, they bulged when he recieved the recruitment offer. He had already planned to join Pein when the man and his organization struck, but now that he knew Pein was Potter could he really do it? Of course he could, this didn't change anything. If the boy was as powerful as he said, and he had already proved that he was, then not joining him would be foolish.
Lucius was torn. He thought he had pegged Potter as a much more mature but still weak Slytherin, then the boy enters his home unmolested and undetected, practically unravels his plans, unleashes a powerful dark aura and then holds him under the most powerful Crucio he had ever felt. Now he was recruiting him? For what exactly? The boy already mentioned something about an organization but he knew nothing about it. Harry already proved himself to be a powerful wizard but that wasn't enough, no he would need to speak with Severus first before making a decision.
Harry ignored the looks the two were giving him and continued on "Of course you don't have to make your choice now. As Severus already knows, Voldemort is still out there and looking for a way to return," Lucius's eyes snapped over to Snape who gave him a small nod "When he does return I will destroy him, at that point you will either die with him or join me, I hope you make the correct choice." Harry finished.
Both wizards took a moment to ponder this while Harry continued to speak.
"Now I've cast secrecy wards on the room so you won't be able to tell anyone else about this conversation but I suggest you discuss it amongst yourselves and make the right decision." Harry stated "Oh and Lucius, if you ever insult one of my friends again I will make that last Crucio feel like a love bite." with that he smirked and disappeared in a vortex.
Lucius immediately turned his eyes on Snape. "What the hell is he, tell me what you know. Now!"
Snape took a deep breath as he sorted his thoughts.
"As you can tell Lucius he is a powerful dark wizard, even at such a young age. He wasn't lying or bluffing when he spoke of his power. The aura you felt tonight is nothing compared to what I felt months ago, the boy may very well be more powerful than the dark lord." Snape explained.
Lucius looked at him with wide eyes before his features settled into an impassive mask.
"And what was that about an organization?" he asked.
"Months ago Hogwarts was infiltrated by a man named Pein, we found out he was the leader of an organization known as Akatsuki. Tonight I found out that Pein and Harry Potter are one and the same, the auras are a perfect match." Snape explained.
Lucius took a moment to ponder this "Why have I never heard of such an organization? I have many contacts that should know something."
"The organization's name is well protected but you might know some of the members already. They all wear black cloaks with a red cloud design." Lucius's eyes widened at this "Yes, you might have heard of what transpired in Knockturn alley. So far we only know about three members Harry himself also known as Pein, the masked man known as Tobi and the unnamed woman."
"My gods, I heard about how powerful the woman and this Tobi fellow were. And you say they both work for him?" Lucius asked.
"According to the memories Albus pulled, Pein is the leader and Harry is most definitely Pein." Snape replied.
Lucius took another moment to think "Was it true what he said? Is the dark lord still alive?"
Snape nodded "It's true, he is no more than a spirit now searching for a way to return but it is inevitable."
"What do we do then?" Lucius whispered looking at the Dark Mark on his left arm.
"I don't know about you but I'm siding with Potter." Snape replied, Lucius shot him a questioning glance. "I told you the boy may very well be more powerful than the dark lord. He must be to have such powerful servants. You must know how powerful black flames are and how hard they are to control, yet this Tobi fellow can summon them with a simple glance. I've met the woman face to face and she not only infiltrated an Order meeting but also turned our headquarters into a crater with one attack."
Lucius looked shocked at this new piece of information.
"Placing our loyalty with Potter may be the best choice, you've already seen how protective he is of his friends. The dark lord would sooner watch us die than lend a hand, Potter cares for his friends and subordinates." Snape finished.
Lucius gave a nod at this "Very well, I will speak to Draco about the boys personality before sending him an owl." Lucius decided.
"It would be the best choice." Snape agreed.
-Sunday, August 23rd-
"Hahaha..you really used an unforgivable on Lucius?" Sirius asked between laughs.
"Oh yeah, it was hilarious. You should have seen both their faces." Harry snickered.
"I can imagine it, especially Snivellus." Sirius chuckled.
"Ah you really should call him by his proper name Sirius." Harry replied shooting his godfather an admonishing look. "No matter how much you deny it you are of the dark just like him, dark magic flows through your veins."
Sirius frowned at this "Yeah yeah, I'll play nice with Snape but only cause you asked pup." He said with a cheeky grin.
"Good, I would hate to punish the two of you." Harry sighed. "Now finish you're meal, you need to get back in shape."
Sirius stuck his tongue out.
-Monday, August 24th-
"Hello Tom." Harry greeted as the familiar but younger form of Tom Marvolo Riddle rose from the diary.
The teen startled as he turned to Harry. "Who are you? Where am I?"
"You don't have time to be asking questions Tom, you will be giving me answers." Harry replied.
The teen sneered at him "Do you know who I am boy? You will treat me with the respect I deserve."
"Please, you're nothing but a weak fragment or a weaker whole. Lord Voldemort died at my hands, reduced to nothing but a wraith clinging to life." Harry spat.
"You lie, as if a child like you could defeat the greatest dark lord since Salazar Slytherin himself." Tom snarled.
"Oh please, I could wipe the floor with you boy." A deep voice said from Tom's right. The teen immediately turned to the voice and took a step back when he found the source.
"H-how? Y-you're supposed to be d-dead." Tom stuttered out.
"So are you." Salazar sneered walking up to the teen, Tom's mouth opened and closed repeatedly as he tried to speak but Salazar ignored him and grabbed the boy by the neck. Toms eye's widened as the Outer Path rose from the ground but before he could say anything Salazar turned and dropped him into the demons gaping maw. The teens screams resounded around the hall as the soul fragment was devoured by the Outer Path.
Harry's eyes closed as memories and images entered his mind. He sat still for a few minutes before opening his eyes and sighed.
"Damn, this one was made when he was 16, he knew nothing the other soul didn't." he stated.
Salazar snorted "No matter, there are more Horcrux's out there-"
"We'll just hunt them down-" Harry continued.
"And devour them all." Salazar finished with a dark smirk mirrored by the teen sitting across from him.
From the shadows Fred and George shuddered.
"It's not that creepy-"
"When we do it-"
"Is it?" they whispered.
"Oh very much so." Ariana replied in a sing song voice
-Monday, August 31st 1992-
"Hey Harry, so good to see you again." Daphne purred taking a seat beside him.
"Nice to see you too Daph." Harry replied with a bright smile. She was the first one to find him in the compartment but he could already sense the others making their way down the train.
"Did you miss me?" She asked in a silky tone inching closer.
"Of course my dear." Harry replied with a kind smile.
Daphne's followup comment was cut off as the compartments door was thrust open and Draco, Theo, Crabbe and Goyle entered.
"There you are Potter." Draco exclaimed.
"Here I am Draco." Harry chuckled.
"What did you do to my father?" Draco asked taking a seat between Harry and Daphne earning him a glare from the girl.
Harry blinked at him in confusion "What do you mean?"
''Well one day he's yelling at me for hanging around Granger and acting immature, the next he's apologizing, giving me permission to associate with muggleborns and asking questions about you." Draco replied in a heated tone "You obviously did something to change his mind and make him curious."
"Ah, I just sent him a small note Draco, don't worry about it." Harry waved him off.
"That's it?" Draco asked suspiciously.
"That's it." Harry lied. Draco seemed to accept it and nod. They both turned back to the others and joined the conversation between Daphne and Theo. A few minutes after the train set off the rest of the group entered the compartment.
"Hey Harry, did you have a good summer?" Millie and Pansy asked at the same time before glaring at each other.
Harry chuckled "Yes Ladies I did, I told you all about it at the ice cream shop the other day remember?" Harry replied. Both girls blushed in embarrassment.
"Oh..right." Pansy muttered.
"So have any of you read the school books yet? I know Harry has." Hermione asked excitedly.
"You're such a bookworm Granger." Pansy joked. Harry laughed at Hermione's pout.
"Don't mind her Hermione, being a bookworm is a good thing." He stated, Hermione smiled while the others looked at him incredulously.
"Is that so?" Blaise asked with a raise brow.
"Of course," Harry said cheerily "Haven't you heard the saying 'Knowledge is Power'?"
Draco snorted "Granger's got plenty of knowledge but I haven't seen any of this so called power." snickers broke out as Hermione pouted again. Their attention was drawn to the doors as Ron Weasley backed by his friends and his sister entered the compartment.
"Ah Regis, so good of you to stop by." Harry said in mock cheer "And you brought your lovely sister along."
Weasley who was about to speak reddened and glared at Harry "For the last time my name is RON." he gritted out.
Harry stood and walked up to him "Whatever." He said throwing his arm around the boy's shoulder much to Ron's indignation. "Thanks for showing your sister the way, we'll take good care of her." Harry continued on leading the boy out of the compartment.
"Er..uh..you're welcome?" Ron sputtered in confusion, walking away. His two friends Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan shared a confused look before following after him. The compartment broke down in laughter as Harry closed the door and placed a locking charm on it,
"No offense my dear but your brother is a tad slow." He said to the giggling Ginny. The girl nodded before she realized who she was speaking to and squeaked before trying to hide in her robe.
"Now now none of that, we're all friends here." Harry chided "Guys this is Ginny Weasley, Ginny these are my friends Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Millie Bulstrode, Hermione Granger, Daphne Greengrass, Theo Nott, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle and of course Draco Malfoy." Harry announced.
Pansy scrunched her face in disgust "Weasley? Why are you friends with a Weasley?" She asked.
Harry sent her a warning look before placing his smile back on "I've heard good things about Ginny here from the twins, you all know how much fun they are to be around. We shouldn't punish Ginny for Ronald's stupidity." Harry explained.
They nodded in understanding before the girls grabbed hold of Ginny and dragged her to the corner of the compartment amidst giggles. Harry sighed and joined the boys, Blaise was already puling out a deck of exploding snap cards.
"HEY!" The voice of Ron Weasley resounded through out the train causing everyone to laugh again.
"Quite slow that one." Blaise commented.
"Indeed." Theo added drawing his cards.
Harry chuckled and took to watching as Weasley tried to force open the compartment door to no avail.
''GRYFFINDOR!''
Harry clapped with the rest of the school as Ginny Weasley pulled off the hat and ran to join her brothers. The girl shot him and his friends a nervous glace but breathed a sigh of relief when Harry gave her a small smile.
"Ugh, I told you she would be a Gryffindork!" Pansy hissed across the table.
"Oh don't be like that Pansy dear," Harry admonished "The twins will keep her on the right path."
"Psh, and what path is that? They're Gryffindors too." Draco added. Harry rolled his eyes at the boy.
"We all know those two are Slytherin in all but name, they'll keep her on the correct path." Harry replied.
"And what path is that?" Draco asked again.
Harry smirked "The entertaining one. She may be Gryffindor at heart, but when we're finished with her she'll practically be a Slytherin."
Pansy snorted "And why should we waste our time with a Weasley?"
"Because it makes Ronald angry." Theo answered for him.
And sure enough they all turned to see Ron Weasley glaring at Harry from across the hall. When Harry caught his eye he gave him a wink which seemed to infuriate the boy even more. The feeling of being watched drew Harry's eyes from the redhead, his eyes traveled along Slytherin table to find the source of the feeling.
Terence Higgs was glaring at him while whispering to one of his friends.
After the fight last year Higgs and his friends had backed off and stopped bothering him, for some reason it seemed that was going to change. Locking eyes with the sixth year Harry sent out a minor mental probe and grinned at what he found. Apparently Terence had spent the last year training on his dueling skills while watching Harry's every move, this summer his father had taught him several new curses in order to defeat the 'Potter brat'. Harry grinned in anticipation of this years council battle.
-Tuesday, September 1st 1992-
"Welcome one and all to this years Slytherin council battle, I'm last years council leader Harry Potter." Cheers broke out from the gathered audience as they roared in anticipation of the battle. "Now I would like to say a few words before we begin..."
Moving into the yearly speech given about the council and its duties, mainly for the benefit of the first years, Harry glanced about the chamber taking in his surroundings for the coming fight. He spotted Snape watching him intently and the older man gave a sight bow when he caught Harry's eyes.
'So they agreed.' Harry thought 'I should expect a message from Lucius soon then.'
"...And lastly, this years representatives for the first years, Geoff Malcarve." He finished, the audience clapped politely as the fighters took their spots. He could hear some whispering about last years battle and others leaned forward in their seats in anticipation. With Harper having graduated last year, Harry was the favored choice to win the position of council leader. Snape, who was once more refereeing, set up the wards and raised his wand.
"Begin.'' he announced emmitting green sparks from the end of his wand.
Harry took a step back as spells flew towards him. He was last years winner and most likely the strongest one there, the others had decided to take him out first. He smiled nonchalantly as he saw the dark grin on Terence's face.
"Aww this isn't very fair" Harry pouted at the six people in front of him. Kristine -and several girls in the audience- practically swooned at his pout but the fourth year girl quickly got herself under control and tightened the grip on her wand.
"We're Slytherin's Potter." Vaisley chuckled "We don't play fair."
Harry gave a slight smirk "No I suppose we don't."
Faster than any of them could notice, his hand snapped out and a bolt of blue light flew from his wand. None of them had time to react as the light hit Geoff Malcarve in the chest, the mild banishing spell sent the boy flying across the platform and into the wards. Before anyone could figure out what had just happened, the boy dropped to the ground unconscious.
Cheers of approval rang out among the audience as the other fighters scattered to avoid his next spell. Harry simply grinned and put his wand back in his robe. Vaisley was the first to regain his nerve and fired a barrage of spells at Harry who just smiled and stood still. As the spells flew across the platform, yells broke out for him to move. Vaisley grinned in anticipation as his spells inched closer and closer, he only had time to see a blur around Harry before the world went black.
"Did you all really think it would be that easy?" Harry drawled out standing above the unconscious seventh year.
The others took a step back in shock as Vaisley's spells hit the wards. Most were already used to his speed but even the older students joined the first years in their surprised whispers. All they had seen was a blur as Harry avoided all the spells, rushed across the platform and stunned Vaisley.
All in less than two seconds.
Higgs gulped before he reaffirmed his conviction and raised his wand higher. Harry simply ignored him as his eyes focused on Alexov, the fifth year grinned before firing out a stunner. Harry ducked under the powerful spell and drew his wand again. Alexov's following barrage splashed against his shield while he avoided spells from the other fighters, when the other boy took a pause in his casting Harry would fire a minor curse in order to keep him moving.
After a few minutes the four remaining fighters synchronized and began firing spells at him simultaneously in an attempt to take down his shield. As several high level curses flew at him, Harry grinned and prepared for his next maneuver.
"Finite Spatium! Obnubilo!"
Snape's eyes widened in amazement as a dome of anti-magic burst out from Harry's position, he watched as all the spells flying at Harry fizzled out and his wards dropped. By that time Harry's second spell had already struck the surprised Alexov in the chest rendering him unconscious.
'What the hell was that? The finite isn't an area of effect spell. Did he create it? He's only a second year.' Snape thought rapidly
Harry stood in the center of the shocked room grinning at the other fighters.
'A powerful second year with his own organization you dolt.' Snape added as an after thought, he could only hope his new master would show some restraint on these students. Especially since Higgs seemed to have lost all sense of self-preservation.
"What the hell was that?" Patrick muttered "You just canceled all our spells."
He startled when a voice whispered from beside his ear "Trade secret". He only had time to notice that Harry was no longer standing in the center of the platform before everything went black.
"And then there were two." Harry announced drawing all attention to his new spot as he smirked at Kristine and Terence. Kristine took a moment to survey the other bodies before dropping her wand in surrender. Harry gave her a smile causing the girl to heat up as she made her way off the platform.
Snape chose this time to call a halt as he moved the others off the platform and repaired the barriers, the now silent audience watched as Harry and Terrence took up positions across from each other and prepared to duel. Snape watched them both intently as he raised his wand, he frowned at the murderous look on Higg's face and shuddered at the glint in Harry's eyes.
"Begin!" He announced reluctantly.
Higgs immediately started off with a stunner that Harry dodged. The follow up spells were easily dodged as Harry side-stepped them with a bored look on his face.
"Is this the best you can do Terence?" He taunted "I know you've spent the last year training for this, can't you do any better."
Terence growled and fired more spells, Harry simply continued to dodge.
"Tollere Clavi! Intestino Comburet! Oculi Lare! Stay still dammit!" Terence shouted as all his curses were easily avoided.
"Why would I do that? I'm not some stupid Gryffindor." Harry replied in a bored tone.
Higgs snarled a reply "Could have fooled me, hanging out with that filth Granger and now a Weasley. You're practically one of them Potter, you don't deserve to win."
Snape groaned in disappointment, couldn't the stupid boy have just kept his mouth shut? Didn't he realize what happened to those who insulted Potters friends? Considering he had been warned twice already one would think he would learn.
"You don't learn, do you Terence?'' Harry snarled
Higgs staggered back a step as the temperature in the room drastically dropped. He whimpered in fear as memories from the last encounter came back to him.
'Oh god, why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut? Insulting his friends always sets him off.' the boy thought fearfully as he continued to fire off spells. Harry didn't even bother dodging any more as he glared at the boy across from him. The spells splashed against him to no effect. His skin was as resistant as a Basilisks or Dragons and unless he chose to let them, spells had no effect on him. Only the most powerful spells could even hope to harm him.
"It seems you haven't learned you're lesson Terence, perhaps some time to think will help." Harry whispered in a menacing tone.
The audience watched in shock as all the shadows in the room seemed to waver before rushing at the frightened boy. Higgs shouted out in surprise as the shadows surged up and wrapped around him, more shadows pooled at his feet and rippled like water as he began to slowly sink in. He screamed, thrashed and fired spells at them but nothing seemed to work. Everyone could only watch in shock as the shadows dragged him down before returning to their normal positions.
The wards wavered and fell as Snape shakily made his way across the platform.
"Please tell me you didn't kill him." he hissed. Dumbledore already frowned on this activity, if word spread that his so called golden boy had killed another student, well shit would hit the fan.
Harry's glare caused him to stumble back as the boy regarded him with disinterest and a veiled threat should Severus push him.
"Don't worry professor. I only sent him somewhere to think, he'll turn up eventually." Harry replied aloud for the others to hear. Giving Snape a curt nod he turned and strode from the room leaving a stunned audience in his wake. Just the way he preferred it.
-Friday, September 11th 1992-
Harry grinned as he watched Higg's shudder and whimper at the other end of the table. After the incident last week the rest of the house had been sworn to secrecy by Snape in an attempt to keep this hidden. Of course word still spread to the other houses but all they knew was that Terence Higg's had gone missing and Harry Potter had something to do with it.
It was three days after the fight that the boy was found in the infirmary showing signs of exposure to Dementors. He had been questioned several times by both Snape and Dumbledore but all Terence would do was shake his head and whimper in reply. Even Dumbledores attempts at legilimency failed since Harry had place a mild protection on the boys mind. He couldn't afford to get expelled now could he.
Word quickly spread around the school of what happened to Higgs. The rest of the houses would look at him with fear in the halls and classrooms while whispering behind his back. But Harry paid them no mind, this would pass after a few weeks so there was no point getting bothered about it.
Slytherin house on the other hand had been treating him like a celebrity. Various students would come up to him with respectful or awe filled eyes and ask him questions about the techniques and spells he used during the fight. Some would ask about what he did to Terence but didn't pry when he refused to answer them. His friends had tried as well to pry into his secrets but Harry would easily dissuaded them and when that didn't work on the willful ones -coughHermionecough- he would have to turn up his allure as a distraction.
After a few days in the infirmary Terence was deemed fit to return to class. Anytime someone brought up the incident he would shake and whimper causing them to drop the subject for fear of him going catatonic. If he came across Harry in the halls or common room he would immediately bolt from the area lending more credence to the rumors spreading around the school. Thankfully with no evidence and no witnesses coming forward the headmaster could do nothing about it.
Dumbledore had already called him up to his office once for questioning but Harry had played the innocent act and the man had been forced to let him go. Although he did keep an eye on Harry or at least which ever clone was playing Harry that day.
Smirking to himself Harry turned his eyes back to the parchment he held, he had been contemplating the letter before he had been distracted by Higgs. It was a simple piece of parchment with only a few sentences written on it, but the meaning held within was clear.
Lucius sided with him.
The letter had just been a note about House Malfoy allying with House Potter but it was Malfoy's reply to his offer, he would choose Harry over Voldemort.
-Monday, September 21st 1992-
Under the cover of darkness two cloaked figures raced towards the castle.
Flitting from shadow to shadow they made their way through the halls towards their goal. On silent footsteps they move soundlessly into the room, the sounds of a crying girl muffling the creaky door. Walking up to the large sink in the center of the room one of the figures kept an eye out while the other hissed silently.
/Open./
A quick silencing charm kept the sound of stone grating on stone from escaping as the sink slid open to reveal a dark tunnel.
/Sstairsss./
Another charm and the stone stairs slid out without a sound. Taking one look at the room the two figures stepped onto the stairway and began to descend into the depths of the castle.
/Clossse./
The sink silently rose once more to cover the hole and the two figures continued deeper into the castle.
Dumbledore startled out of bed as the wards alerted him of an intruder. Grumbling to himself he cleared his mind and sought out the mental connection he held to the wards. He frowned at what he found.
According to the wards two individuals entered the castle from the front gates, fortunately both were already programmed into the wards making them either students out after curfew or professors sneaking back in after a night at the pub. Grumbling to himself Dumbledore sought out the location of the two individuals but found nothing, a search of all beds showed that everyone was in bed and asleep, so the two either vanished or made it to their rooms quickly.
Rolling over the Headmaster disconnected himself from the wards, nothing was amiss and if they were students they deserved to get away with it if they made it back undetected.
Entering a large cavernous space the two figures threw off their hoods as torches flared to life. One figure whistled in appreciation as his eyes surveyed the chamber of secrets and landed on a large stone statue.
"Full of your self much?" Harry snorted.
"Shut up." Salazar replied in an annoyed tone as he walked to the center of the room. Harry chuckled and followed after his path. Salazar's memories had helped him discover what creature resided deep below the castle and how to reach it. Hopefully the creature still remembered who it's master was and would obey.
/Awake and obey, hear my wordsss and come, you're massster commandss./ Salazar hissed using his personal command instead of the one meant for his heirs.
The statue shook and trembled as the mouth slid open to reveal a dark cavern. Harry waited patiently as the magics that kept the snake asleep wore off and faded away, the creature hissed as it began moving towards the exit.
/Tom? You're back!/ the large Basilisk hissed in excitement as it slid out from the statues mouth. Harry took a step back in surprise, from Salazars memories he had expected the snake to be at least 20 feet in size but it would seem that the centuries of life had done much for the serpent. The Basilisk that exited the statue was at least three times larger then he 'remembered' it was at least 60 feet in length. The feminine hiss, yellow eyes and lack of a red plume denoted it as a female. Luckily of them she had been wise enough to bring down her secondary lids, preventing her deadly vision from striking them down.
/No Essper, it is I/ Salazar hissed him reply, the serpent seemed to grow excited.
/Ssalazar? Tom told be you had died, you tasste of death./ She hissed in reply flicking her tongue out.
/I did die my empress. The one beside me iss known asss Pein. He iss my masster and hass brought me back to life, we sserve him now./ Salazar hissed in replied pointing Harry out.
/Very well Ssalazar, if the boy hass fought death to bring you back I will sserve him ass well. He musst be powerful./ Her tongue flew out to taste him, getting his scent the snake reared back in shock /A demon? A demon walksss the land? What alliess you make little Ssal./ She hissed in excitement ignoring Salazar's grumbles at the nickname.
Harry smirked, this was going well. With Salazars memories within that body he could easily play off as the real Salazar Slytherin, down to the last mannerism. It made him feel less crazy when he talked with himself. Taking a step forward he addressed the serpent.
/Greetingss great empress, it isss an honor to meet one such asss yoursself./ Harry hissed.
The serpent seemed to startle /You ssspeak the ssnkae-tongue? You are full of sssurprisses little one, long have I lived and never before have I sseen one of you're kind, I have heard the legends, heard the stories of the thingss our ancessstorss could do before our blood was dirtied. It iss a pleasure to meet one sso pure of blood./ She replied.
Harry gave a slight bow that was returned.
/Worry not great empress, you have far surpassed you're ancesstorss, though you have lossst the knowledge of the human tongue you have gained much much more./
She leaned forward and listened, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
/Your very sscaless are far harder than even thosse of the eight-headed sssnake demon Orochi, father of Manda and sssire of your race. Your gaze alone can kill, something they lacked. Your poissson is the mosst powerful and potent with no cure but the tearsss or blood of the mossst powerful light creaturesss. No, great empress, the years have been kind on your kind. You may lack in numberss but your sstrength is practically unrivaled./ Harry finished.
The snake hissed happily /You know much for a young one, your complimentsss are welcomed. Assk of me what you will and I will do my besst to help. You may call me Essper, pure one/ Esper hissed in reply.
/Thank you Essper, you may call me Pein. Asss for my requesst I have hopesss to bolssster your numberss, there are few of you're kind left in the world and we will need your help in the coming war. I ask for your blood, with which I can create you a mate, one that shall give you hatchlingss./ Harry hissed in reply.
/A requesst I gladly fulfill, Tom promisssed to find me a mate. It hass been a long time ssince I lasst ssaw him, do you know of him?/ She asked coiling up. It was Salazar who replied.
/Tom has become our enemy my empress, he hass ussed the the mosst pervesse forms of magic to mutilate himsself. He iss no longer my heir or the kind boy you once knew./ Salazar replied.
Esper gave a sad hiss /That iss unfortunate, Tom wass so good to me. But I will sserve you Pein, Ssalazar trussts you and sso do I. Come take what you need from me./
Nodding in reply Harry pulled out several large vials and took a step forward. What he had planned would need a large amount of her blood and he would also need some extra blood for his other ideas It took a few minutes to make some cuts under the scales and fill the vials but when he finished he quickly healed her up and stepped back, the vials already disappearing into his dimension.
/Thank you empress, I sshall bring your mate in a few monthss time./ Harry stated /For now you are free to hunt within the foresst, the yearss of ssleep may have weakened you. Regain you strength for now./
/A wise idea and one I sshall enjoy following./ Esper replied.
/Good, Now I have someone to introduce you to. Thiss is Hebihada, my familiar./ Harry stated pulling the serpent from his dimension. His familiar took a moment to gain its bearings before both serpents flicked out their tongues to taste each other.
/King of the Sseass, I greet you./ Esper hissed easily recognizing the other serpents species. She seemed startled though when a pair of wings unfurled from Hebi's back and he took to the sky hovering just in front of her.
/Lord of the Ssky, I greet you./ she added.
/Empress of the Land, I greet you./ Hebi replied before gliding back to Harry and coiling around his outstretched arm. Harry smiled softly as he pet his familiar.
/Hebi will come here from time to time to keep you company empress, Ssalazar as well unless I have need of him. Should you meet any more of your brethren within the forest you may bring them back here. Soon there will be a Sserpent Emperor and he shall require an army./ Harry stated.
/Very well Lord Pein./ Esper replied. Giving him a slight bow she uncoiled and slithered deep into the chamber, most likely towards the forest for a meal.
Turning towards Salazar Harry gave his path a nod and strode back towards the exit. Salazar would stay within the chamber, cleaning it and preparing it for use. The chamber was large enough to house several creatures Esper's size and would be a good place to house his serpentine army. The snakes wouldn't really be welcome back at their other base so Harry would keep them here, beneath Hogwarts.
There was plenty of prey in the forest, several whole colonies of Acromantulas, for them to feast on. And if all went as planned he would soon have two Basilisk's under his command, with the Emperor and Empress under his command all other snakes would follow. Humming to himself Harry petted his familiar as he ascended up the stairs to the girls bathroom.
His army was growing by the day. He now had himself and his paths, four powerful humans with more to come, practically every breed of serpent he could find and a giant Basilisk. Not much but it was still something, he would focus on building up the serpents this year and next year perhaps the dragons. He had plenty of time until Voldemort returned, and more time after that while the dark lord attempted to bolster his forces.
Harry frowned as he slipped out of the castle, there was still something he was missing. He lacked information on his opponents, he would need someone to spy on the ministry, Dumbledore and Voldemort when he returned. Lucius would suffice for the ministry and Voldemort, Sirius for the order, Snape for the order and Voldemort but even they couldn't learn everything. They could only function as spies if the information they gave him was first given to them. No he would need a way to spy on his enemies even in private.
Harry grinned darkly, perhaps it was time to check on his greenhouse. If everything went well he would be needing far more ghosts than he first thought.
-Friday, September 25th 1992-
"Mister Potter, what is that?" McGonagall asked with a deep frown. Harry's eyes followed her sight and spotted what she was talking about, the large serpent coiled around his neck.
"Oh this is Hebi, my familiar." Harry replied indifferently. The other Slytherins had already been introduced to Hebi so they could act indifferent as well, the Gryffindors on the other hand with the exception of Hermione were staring at the snake in disgust.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow "A familiar Mister Potter? You are far to young to have formed such a bond yet." she said slowly.
Harry kept a polite look on his face, the woman may be susceptible to his allure but she was still just as stern. She was probably a dom in bed, something he hoped he would never have to find out.
"I may be young professor, but even you can tell I'm more than powerful enough to form such a bond." Harry replied in a polite tone.
Across the room he heard Weasley whispering about slimy snakes or something like that, the boy really needed some new material. And of course the oaf was still too stupid to realize that snakes were smooth and dry not slimy.
"Be that as it may Mister Potter, the rules only allow students to bring a cat, owl or toad." McGonagall said.
"Not really professor, I checked and that rule only applies to first years. Being a second year student I'm allowed to have any sort of pet I please as long as it doesn't eat another students pet or harm another student." Harry replied in a polite tone "Hmm that's weird, I could have sworn Weasley had a rat in his first year. That was definitely against the rules." he added with a hum.
A few eyes turned to Weasley who was now turning red and glaring at Harry.
McGonagall sniffed ignoring the red haired boy "Be that as it may Mister Potter, could you not bring your pets to class." Se ordered.
Harry gave a slight nod "Yes ma'am, I'll have him go back to the common room now." He said leaning in to whisper to the serpent.
"That's fine Mister Potter, I wont have a snake slithering through the halls unatt-" She stopped in shock as two leathery wings burst from the snakes back and it launched itself from Harry's back and out the window. The Slytherins having not been told about this gasped with the Gryffindors and stared after the winged serpent.
"W-what was that Mister P-potter? You're f-familiar was an O-occamy?" McGonagall asked in shock. She already knew that answer was negative since Occamy had legs and did not hide wings like that, but the feathered snake was the only thing she could think of that would make any sense.
"Oh heavens no." Harry replied with a grin "Hebi's a magical halfbreed."
"Halfbreed? Halfbreed of what?" she asked.
Harry smirked "He's Half Dragon," At this point eyes widened as everyone listened to him "And half Oceanus Rex."
McGonagall practically swooned as she took a seat, a creature like that was extremely rare to come across and had never been heard of before. Half dragon and Half Oceanus Rex? How could such a thing even exist?
Ron being as confused as a few of the other students piped up "What's an Oceanus Rex?" he asked in confusion.
Hermione was the one to answer "The Oceanus Rex which translates to ' King of the Ocean' is a rare breed of sea serpent. They are said to be the largest sea creature ever recorded and can grow up to several hundred feet in length. Oceanus Rex are incredibly fast on land and faster under water, their scales are more resistant to magic than a dragons and their venom is just as potent as a basilisk's. They were also said to have died out centuries ago.
Harry nodded to her explanation "I found and hatched Hebi just last year so he's still pretty young and small, his venom sac hasn't developed yet so no need to worry."
McGonagall finally calming down asked "How ever did you come across such a creature Mister Potter?"
Harry shrugged "Magic."
He almost laughed at the faces everyone was making but managed to keep his mask up. At the far back of the room a small fly went up in a poof smoke that was unnoticed by anyone.
Deep inside the forbidden forest Harry's eyes snapped open as he began to chuckle, his chuckle soon broke out into a full blown laugh.
'I really need to get this memory made into a picture.'