Here's the next chapter :) I started it in class today & finished it instead of studying; which I really should be doing. Hope you all enjoy it.
Also , I don't want to come off rude, but I will post as much as I can whenever I can. I always try to put more up but having school full-time, working part-time, & taking care of a kid is not easy & does not leave me with a lot of free time. Sorry for the rant but I just needed to get it out there why I don't always post as much as I would like to.
Warnings: Angst, flashbacks, just mainly plot.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. Nor do I make profit from writing this.
Charlie sat at the desk, stunned silent and wide-eyed.
"Are you…are you fucking kidding me?! How could you not tell us?!" A silencing spell shut Charlie up as Voldemort glared at him.
"Your reaction should be enough to understand why I could not tell the world that he was alive; nor any specific individuals outside my inner circle. Uproar would occur, a whole new war would start and I can promise you he would not be a part of this one and you would all fall. It is not important that I lied about his death, he is alive; that's the point of this conversation. He resides in my home, under the protection – we'll call it – of one of my higher Death Eaters. He is safe and cared for. The problem at hand is Lucius took it upon himself to…seek service of him and use him." The rage that went across Charlie's face silently as he rose from his chair made Voldemort realize, as always, he was right in who he choose to keep around.
"Sit down you fool. If you keep your mouth shut, I'll take the spell off. Either listen to what I have to say and speak; or I will Obliviate you." Charlie growled but reluctantly sat down; giving a sharp nod in reply as to say he understood what was required of him.
"Good," Voldemort flicked his hand, canceling the silencing spell before continuing.
"As I said, proper action has been taken so that Lucius knows his place and that he was in the wrong. His own son took it upon himself to take away his Father's voice as well as ban him from my manor until I deem otherwise; which you can ensure will be a good while. The problem now is making sure Lucius' doesn't retaliate. I made sure he understood that if he sought Harry out with harmful intent, or any other kind of intent, I would take it upon myself to behead him. I know Lucius and he won't let this blow to his pride go so easily. I want his movements to be watched . Who he talks to, who talks to him, if he makes any trades with anyone, what he is trading. I want nothing to be missed. Do you understand?" Charlie was silent; waiting to make sure it was ok for him to speak. When he was cleared, he was trying to keep the aggression from his frame and tone.
"I will tell you everything you need to know about Lucius Malfoy; even to go as far to tell you as what he eats every day and what times he takes a shower. I have a few conditions of my own if I am to do this for you though, and it won't be a small price to pay." Voldemort glared at him but nodded swiftly; taking into consideration that this conversation could have gone a lot worse.
"Alright, I'll hear your conditions but don't believe that I'll easily agree to your wants."
"If I'm to do this, I'll need assistance. I don't want to use any of your Death Eaters in case any of them are feeling sorry for Lucius. I want to use my brothers." Voldemort glared, fighting off his own aggression.
"Let's say I agree to this, how do I know that you won't go against me?"
"That's where the rest comes in. I want to know that Harry is safe. He was a part of our family and we were all devastated after we found out he was dead. It was bad enough the rest of our family died. I want to be able to see Harry, in person, and speak with him. If I believe he's safe and as well as you portray; then I'll do whatever you want."
"I suppose I can accept that request. You are only allowed to tell 5 people though, so I would choose wisely. If I find that these people cannot be trusted, they will be killed immediately without say for treason. You will be among them as well, do you understand?" Charlie nodded sharply, making it clear that the terms were agreeable.
"How do you want to do this? I assume that you'll want to have everyone I tell here at the same time?"
"I do not wish to conduct private matters further here. You will come to my manor, straight into my library with the 5 people of your choice; no one else. Once there, you will tell them only what is needed and they will swear on their life and magic that they will tell no one of what is said within that room; or anything that pertains to it outside of it. Is this understood?"
"Clearly, I'll be there this afternoon with all of them around 5."
"That is acceptable, I will see you then." Rising from the chair and heading to the door, he stopped when he heard Charlie rise.
"And Harry?" Voldemort sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"You will not be seeing Harry today. I have to discuss this matter with his protector." There was a pause, before he heard Charlie moving towards him.
"I don't like the way you keep referring to this person as his protector. I want to know that Harry is safe. Are you saying that someone has more power than you, Voldemort?" Before the sentence was finished, Charlie had a wand to his throat with an angry Voldemort in his face.
"You will watch your mouth. I will only take so much of your attitude before I fix it. I made an agreement; I stick by it. You will be there at 5." Putting his wand away, he turned and left.
'I wonder exactly who he'll bring by. Now to figure out how to explain this to Draco.'
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"You make me sick. The only reason I stood by you for so long was because of our son. I have a turned many a blind eye to your actions Lucius, but this time you have gone too far." Lucius was shocked at Narcissa's actions .She'd never been so angry as to lash into him in such an uncontrolled manner.
"No I will not stand here and let you try to explain; I know you can't and I believe that's a fitting punishment. I know your pride is hurting but it is deserved. I have been a faithful, loving, and devoted wife. How do you treat me? You shame me, Lucius and I am thoroughly disgusted to be called a Malfoy. If it wasn't for Draco we would still be down in the dirt, even in Our Lord's circle. If it wasn't for him even now we might be right back there." She was beyond livid. Narcissa had known of Lucius' taste even before they got married. It was tolerable, as long as he kept it private. The fact he preferred younger men was a bit vile on her level but she let him do as he pleased. His actions had reached a new low and gone too far to just be brushed aside.
"Even if I could get Draco to give you your voice back, I wouldn't. You deserve this; you deserve everything that gets handed to you. What you did to Harry, of all people, is unacceptable. The fact that you'd resort to rape to get what you want is appalling." Her cheeks were a bright pink, her breathing slightly more rapid than normal. Smoothing her hands over her dress and hair, she cleared her throat.
"I'll let you know now that I will be moving into Draco's room. My things have already been moved there, and I will not be moving back into your rooms until you decide to become the man I first married." Without another word, she walked off down the hall to her new rooms. Lucius stood there, shocked. If he was able to speak at the moment, he was sure he wouldn't be able too. Once the shock wore off, the anger settled more heavily in his resolve. Storming off into his library, he slammed the doors behind him.
'You will get what's coming to you, Harry Potter; just you wait.'
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"You see where my problem is now, don't you? There is no way I will be able to convince Draco to allow Harry to be seen by them, let alone interact with him."
"My Lord, I do not mean to call your authority into question. You gave Harry to Draco, so in the end, what you say is law. If you demand he allow this, he has no choice."
"I know that Severus, but Draco is stubborn; he dislikes the fact that Harry comes to me as it is for many things."
"I understand that, but my godson is a selfish man. He wants the world to think he has Harry at his feet waiting when it is truly the other way around. Draco has never been a cruel person; the way he lashes out at Harry is his own defense fighting himself. If you show him that this is for Harry's best interest, he'll fall in line with whatever you want; that I can promise you."
"You know him better than I do, so I will try it your way. Thank you Severus, I didn't want this to become more complicated than it needed to be."
"It is never a problem, My Lord. I am always at your service." A soft smile that was rarely seen graced Voldemort's features as he stared at his lover.
"Then I hope to see you in my bed this evening." A flush worked its way over Severus' pale skin and he cleared his throat with a nod.
"Whatever you wish, My Lord." Once the fire call ended, Voldemort was in a much better mood. Now all he had to do was convince Draco that this was of importance to Harry's safety and health. After that, it would all follow through smoothly.
'At least I can hope so.' Looking at the time, he knew he had a few more hours before Charlie arrived with the others.
'I'll have to leave a note out that I'm not to be interrupted at any time while they're here. I need to let Harry know not to come around today. Maybe I can convince him to be in the garden?' With that thought in mind, Voldemort headed to Draco's rooms.
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"You realize he'll figure this out eventually, right Hermione? There's no way he hasn't got a clue you're doing this."
"Shush Ginny, I already told you. If I bring Harry to them, we'll all be spared. No more people have to die if Harry just does what he's supposed to."
"Are you sure? I mean, it's his job as The Chosen one to defend us all from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Do you really think we can convince him to go with us?"
"Of course we can. I know he's just been busy lately. From what I could get Ron to tell me, his nightmares have gotten worse. So he'll be off guard."
"If you're sure Hermione. Wait; does Ron know what we're doing yet?"
"No, I can't get him alone long enough to explain it all. You know how stubborn he is, he won't listen. We'll just do this ourselves; you'll see."
"Alright, I'll see you back here tonight then. Still need me to bring the ingredients for the potion?"
"Of course Ginny, otherwise I wouldn't have asked you. You slept with him, right? He gave you the key?"
"Of course I did, Nott is so smitten he'd given me anything I wanted if it meant him having me. Though it's all an illusion, he just doesn't realize it yet."
"Good, see you tonight." With that, both girls parted ways. Harry still stood in the corner of the alcove, shaking with tears in his eyes. How did it come to this? The people who he trusted, loved – protected – to his best abilities were willing to sell him out and kill him. For what? The possibility of living? Did they actually believe that Voldemort would spare their lives? Fighting off more tears, Harry made his way back to the dorm under the invisibility cloak. There was no way he'd be going anywhere with Ginny or Hermione. Now he just had to figure out a way to tell someone what was going on.
Blinking up out of his thoughts, Harry glanced back from the window at the doorway as it opened.
"Are you alright, Harry? You seem distracted." Harry only nodded, looking back out the window.
"I am fine Tom, only thinking of the past." Again, the subject was always taboo for them and they never breached it.
"Yes, well I only came by to tell you I have an appointment this afternoon and that I can't talk with you. I was going to see if you wanted to go outside for the day; maybe some fresh air would help?" He didn't want to specify the garden, if it triggered something bad. Harry only took a deep breath, fighting off the queasy feeling he got when he thought of going back out to the garden. He knew Lucius wouldn't be back anytime soon; so there was no one there to hurt him. He needed to face his fears like he always did, it was just so tiring.
"That would be nice, to go outside. Do you think I could spend it out front?" Voldemort fought off a frown, knowing why he wanted to go there instead of the back.
"Of course Harry, there are limitation markers to prevent you from going around to the back. Is that alright?"
"Perfectly fine; thank you Tom." Harry still hadn't looked back at him through the whole conversation, his mind lost in thoughts.
"You're welcome, Harry; I'll see you this evening at dinner." Voldemort made sure that Harry understood his words as an order and not a request before leaving. He wasn't sure where Draco was but it couldn't be too far. Shutting the door behind him, he made a reminder to himself to have Severus have a talk with him sometime soon.
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Draco came back from the floo call with his godfather, trying to figure out why he wanted to talk to him about Harry. If his feelings were starting to show, he needed to talk with his Mother sooner than he thought. Entering back into the room, he frowned slightly when he saw Harry sitting where he left him. Making his way over to him, he wrapped his arms around him.
"Sometimes I wonder what you're thinking." He whispered against his ear, kissing his cheek. Harry leaned into him slightly but didn't speak, still looking out the window.
"Sometimes I wonder too," was his only reply. Frowning a little more, Draco pressed his face into Harry's hair; breathing his scent in.
"What are your plans for today? I needed to find some time to speak to Mother again but do not wish to leave you alone." He left the mention of his Father being home out of it, knowing that Harry already knew.
"Tom said it was alright for me to spend time outside today. He has an appointment and does not wish to be disturbed. Is it alright for me too?"
"Of course, whatever you want," was Draco's immediate reply.
'Anything to get you to show some life again.' IF anything, maybe his Mother could tell him what was going on with Harry. She was always very perceptive when it came to him.
"I will be back for dinner, floo me if you need anything; alright Raven?"
"Yes Master," was the mumbled reply from Harry as he stared out the window. With a frown still plastered to his face, Draco placed a soft kiss on Harry's head before leaving.
There you have it :) This was one of the longer chapters - 2,659 words. Hope the flashback also helped with explaining the betrayal of his friends. Let me know what you thought & who you think Charlie will choose? -R.F.