Longest chapter I EVER posted - 3,873 words! 3 I know, it's amazing. My brain just kind of went on it's own ^^' Anyway~ this is the chapter I promised to put up tonight so here it is! All mistakes are my own, I hope you all enjoy it!

Warnings: PLOT! SERIOUS PLOT! Foreshadowing as well. This chapter is gonna be a gateway to a lot of things that will be happening.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor any characters used. I do not make profit from writing this either.

Anything that is bold is written letters/notes

Voldemort sat behind his desk, his hands folded neatly on top. Before him stood four red-heads of rather tall height and a smaller, blonde young man. They all seemed to stare at one another, except the small blonde boy who looked to his feet and stood beside Charlie.

"These are the people you choose? I told you to bring 5 people, if this is all; I'll count off the last person."

"That's fine, I'm more than confident in my choices. There's no one better. Especially the little one right here, no one cares about him more." The blonde boy, Colin Creevey, refused to look up. It was slightly awkward when the man who ruled their world had seen him on his knees servicing Charlie.

"Alright then, everyone sit down." Fred and George didn't say anything but took the loveseat side-by-side. Ever since the war ended, they had preferred to keep to themselves; only talking with their lasting family and a few lasting friends who had integrated. They'd petitioned for their shop to stay, explaining that it would help a lot of children who attended Hogwarts to feel at ease with some form of comfort from the past. Bill stood beside the couch the twins resided one, lanky arms crossed over his chest. The attack of Greyback left him scarred but alive; though his instincts were a bit troublesome at times. Charlie and Colin moved to sit at the other loveseat as Voldemort stood before them in front of the fireplace.

"I am assuming your brother or owner has informed you why you are here at least." It was not a question, but merely a statement. Weasley's had the sickening habit of trusting each other no matter what but this situation called for more than just familial promises.

"All he told us,-"

"Was that there was a proposition,-"

"That could use our services,-"

"So how could we say no?" Both twins ended with a grin, causing Voldemort to flinch at the annoyance of the habit. He never got use to it because he preferred to leave civilians to their own devices as long as they followed his laws.

"Yes, well that is of his opinion. You are here because your brother wishes to share a secret with you. Something the rest of our world knows nothing about; nor will they. You will swear now upon your magic and life, that everything that is said in this room – stays between everyone in this room. As well as, anything discussed of this situation outside of this room, at any time. Is everyone understood?" Voldemort didn't wait for answers and finished the Unbreakable Vow.

"Now gentleman, there is a guest residing in my home. He has lived here since the end of the war, and I consider my home my greatest place of privacy and safety. Recently, that has been tested and faltered; at least where safety is concerned. One of my own inner circle, Lucius Malfoy, has tested my patience. He assaulted my guest, violated him, then had his voice forcibly removed and has been banned from my home until I consider otherwise. I realize a lot of you are shocked; I am more than positive that your brother has informed you that his own son, Draco, handed out the punishment and was lenient based on the habits of our guest. I had commissioned Charlie to watch his every move; who he talks with, where he goes, what he does. I am assuming you are here because he wishes for your assistance in this situation which is perfectly fine as I trust him to be competent."

"This is all good and well, no problems there. Who is your guest? They must be someone really important if you're taking this situation so seriously." Bill broke in, his deep low voice breaking the awkward tension in the room.

"Instead of me telling you, how about I show you?" Without another word, and ignoring the hopeful look on Charlie's face, Voldemort conjured a huge rectangular mirror. The reflective glass was completely black, the border in a jarring silver with snake decorations carved in it. The twins moved to the edge of the couch in curiosity as did Charlie. Bill rearranged his stance while Colin peeked over Charlie's shoulder. With a flick of his wrist, the mirror erupted in to an image of the front of his home, gravel driveway surrounded by flowers and trees. Moving the image closer, a tall, lithe man with black hair became more and more apparent.

"Oh my god, it's Harry!" Colin yelled, rising to his feet and rushing over to the mirror. The twins followed suit, the looks on their faces shocked and hopeful. Bill was stunned, his arms falling to rest at his sides as he looked to his brother Charlie who looked like he swallowed something foul.

"What is the meaning of this? How is it possible that Harry's alive?" Bill broke in before the twins turned to Voldemort in a flurry.

"You yourself told us,-"

"That the Savior of the Wizarding World,-"

"Our dear brother Harry-,"

"Died the night of the final battle,-"

"So explain to us how Harry is alive and we didn't know?" Both twins were hurt, but angry. Harry had become family to the Weasley's quickly. They all loved him dearly, at least the twins knew they did, and it was hard accepting his death right after the death of their own immediate blood. Now to see him again, looking as he always did, make the shell they had built up shatter. Just a little too thin, just a little too lost; Harry still looked the same only older.
"I lied to you all, which shouldn't be very surprising. I captured Harry Potter personally after the end of the battle, returning him to my home where he awaited punishment by my hand. There was only one problem when the time came." Voldemort moved forward, staring at Harry as he wandered through the front gardens. He moved towards his cabinet and grabbed a bottle of Fire Whiskey, 6 glasses appearing on the table on their own as he poured them.

"I demanded that Harry make a last statement before I ended his life. All he asked for is death, demanded it of me. When I looked into his eyes, I realized that would not be possible. He has been here ever since, under my protection." The twins were shocked, moving back to the couch and having to drag a crying Colin with them while never looking away from the mirror that showed them Harry. Bill looked between Voldemort and his brother Charlie, nodding his admission. Voldemort raised a brow, leaning forward as in wanting to know what was being discussed.

"My brother wanted to know if you were lying, but your scent gives away more than you would like." Bill tapped his nose, reminding Voldemort that he wasn't so normal anymore.

"Though I smell a lot more than I wish to, but I'll let you keep those things to yourself." Charlie looked to Bill confused and curious but Bill shook his head in denial.

"Something's are private to a person, even to someone like Voldemort. I said I would tell you if he's lying, not everything about him." Voldemort felt a small amount of pride well up in his stomach for the oldest Weasley but didn't show it.

"I thank you for that. Harry is healing quite well; the violation wasn't as extensive as to hinder his ability to move. For now, he has strict bed rest orders from Severus, as well as being made to eat when he refuses. He spends most of his time now-a-days wandering through the gardens." Everyone in the room looked to the mirror to watch Harry as he seemed to aimlessly walk with no determination to where he wanted to go or what he wanted to do.

"Tell us everything you need,-"

"You'll have whatever you want,-"

"As long as we get to see Harry at some point." Bill broke in, interrupting the twins who looked ill from sadness. Voldemort looked off to the side, swirling the dark liquid in his glass before downing it.

"I will have to discuss it with the owner of Harry, but otherwise; I'll make it happen."

"Owner? Owner?! You son of a bitch, you never mentioned you gave Harry to one of your men as a play thing! I could kill you!" As soon as Charlie went to lunge for Voldemort, Bill wrapped a strong arm around to him to hold him back.

"You had no right! You can't do this to him!" Charlie shouted, enraged at the situation. It was bad enough knowing that Harry had been alive all this time, but to know the man was given to someone as a present was sickening.

"I can do as I please, Mr. Weasley." He noticed all the Weasley's flinch at the reminder of their late father which gave him a small bit of pride. He felt no guilt for his actions, or the actions of his followers, except where Harry was concerned.

"It was my job as the ruler of the Wizarding World to put everyone into place. Harry may not have had a choice in the matter, but he's had the choice for a very long time to remove himself from the situation if he did not like it." The twin's looks shocked, Fred wrapping a strong arm around George as he shook; who in turn was holding Colin.

"Harry is to be utterly respected in my home, he is held above the rank of my own men. The situation with Lucius was unplanned, and completely unexpected on everyone's part. What Harry does now has nothing to do with all of you and you will do well to remember that before trying to assault me in my own home!" When Voldemort's magic sparked, everyone could see Harry's eyes rapidly turn towards the manor in worry; but continued on his way.

"You're connected to him, aren't you? Even now, there is a link between you that can't be broken." Voldemort calmed himself before fixing another glass.

"That is right, Harry is very…special to me. He is a strong person and a good ally to have on my side; even if no one else knows it. All you need to know is he's alive, he's well, and I want Lucius Malfoy to not even be able to put his own shoes on without me knowing. You do as I ask, and I will work on allowing you audience with Harry." Charlie had relaxed some, but Bill kept an arm fully around him in case he lunged again.

"I don't know about you all,-"

"But I'll do whatever he wants,-"

"Even if it only means a possibility of seeing Harry again," the twins jumped in, having their older brother's look to them. Nodding their head in agreement, Charlie turned back to Voldemort.

"Tell us everything you want, we'll tell you what we need; and everything Lucius Malfoy does from now on will be personally noted for your preference." Voldemort smirked, moving over to his desk to gather a stack of papers before handing it to Charlie.

"Glad to do business with you, I'll be seeing you all very soon I'm sure."

`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`

Harry wandered through the flower beds, his bare feet dragging along the gravel, dirt, and grass. He'd never been in the front of the manor, though he was sure no one would be able to see him. Whether they were in the middle of no-where or not, Harry had no idea of the location, but the protection spells around the place was enough to suffocate someone. He'd been wandering aimlessly, not sure exactly what he wanted to be doing; what he wanted to be thinking about. The past had been on his mind a lot, more so since the passing date of the final battle. Living within Riddle Manor was more peaceful as time went on, but still painful. It was hard being forced to live somewhere and not have the ability to leave. It seems his whole life had been dictated, controlled, and leashed by someone at some point. Even now, when life should be able to move on for him, he seemed frozen in this place. Dragging his fingers through patches of lilies, he made his way over to a huge spacious area. The grass was softer here, thicker under his feet. After feeling Voldemort's energy spike, he figured he would be out here alone for a while longer. Lying back in the grass, he tucked his arms under his head; closing his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he allowed his mind to wander; thinking back to how he and Voldemort had become so close.

It had been 10 months since Harry had been locked inside Riddle Manor and each day seemed more suffocating. He stopped fighting Draco as much, knowing that he was fighting a losing battle every day. After fighting most of his life, he figured he should just take a break from it; it wasn't like he couldn't always find a fight later if he needed one. The past few weeks, Voldemort had requested his audience. He had refused at first, ignoring the man's attempts to talk to him. After a while though, the loneliness started to become unbearable and Harry needed some kind of contact other than Draco. A small flush worked its way to his cheeks when he thought of the man he was required to call 'Master'. It wasn't so hard most days to agree to Draco's wants. It was rather pleasant to be worshiped so easily without even having to try. It wasn't as though he was beaten like he had been at the Dursley's. No, Draco only took it upon himself to deal out punishment when Harry had been rather nasty about something. Harry could only agree, knowing his actions were rather callous. Entering the library for the third time in a little over a week, he moved over to the couch where Voldemort normally moved to. He didn't speak much, and barely listened to what was being said to him unless he deemed it important. The man was stubborn, prideful; rude beyond words when he felt disrespected. It was rather annoying, though slightly entertaining to his normal daily routine.

"I see you finally decided to start joining me of your own free will. What is it you would like to eat today Potter?" Harry didn't reply, just looked to Voldemort in a numb manner as the man spoke to him. He fought off a satisfied smile when he saw the man's jaw clench.

"Alright then, I'll have the House Elf bring a variety of things. Draco mentioned you weren't eating still and asked I not allow you to leave until otherwise. So unless you wish to be stuck in my presence until you eat, I recommend you cave fast." Harry frowned, looking down at the tray of food that appeared before him. He truly wasn't hungry, the nightmares making his appetite completely disappear with no hopes of returning soon. It was rather odd that Voldemort would even bother trying to make him eat, even under Draco's request. Looking back up at the man, he stared at him oddly.

"Is there something the matter, Potter? Normally you don't look at anyone that way." Voldemort had noticed the changes in Harry after he woke up from passing out when he realized who would be 'taking care of him' almost a year ago. The boy was sullen most of the time, lost in his thoughts. His magic raged out of control at the worst of times, always exploding in a heap of emotion that could never seem to be contained. The fire was still within him, raging with his pride that he not be used. It was rather invigorating to be around, though annoying when turned to him in the attempts to bother him. Harry Potter was something he could never truly figure out. The boy had a similar childhood to his own, yet took a completely different path from him. Harry never wavered in his want to do what he felt was right, yet neither did Voldemort. They were so different in their expectations and assumptions of the world yet they went about achieving their goals with the same constant pride, determination, and force. Even now, one didn't give the other more than a foot space before creating the next challenge.

"Why did you do it?" Voldemort looked up from his cup of tea, surprised to hear Harry speak to him at all.

"Pardon me for being so blunt, but I really have no clue about what you're referring to exactly." Harry tried not to roll his eyes but couldn't help it; so Voldemort couldn't help his own grin at the action the boy made.

"How were you able to kill my parents so easily? How were you able to keep me alive after trying so long to kill me? How? Why?" harry hated how his voice turned desperate but it had been on his mind lately; weighing down his feelings just as often as the nightmares occurred. Voldemort sat his cup down, staring straight at Harry. It wasn't something he truly asked himself often, not one to question his choices or actions that brought him to this point. Voldemort did what he wanted without really caring about how it affected everyone else as long as he reached his goals. Looking at Harry closely, he suddenly saw himself at that age; just more determined to fit his own mold and not be what everyone expected him to. Feeling an odd pressure lay on his stomach, he cleared his throat in an unusual manner.

"I have always set out goals, no matter what they may be, to accomplish what I have now; to be ruler of the Wizarding World. To bring purity back to our bloodlines, and rid ourselves of exposure to Muggle; no matter what it takes. The prophesy, to me at the time, was the most important objective. I couldn't have some child getting in my way of changing our world for the better. Everything I've done, has always been for the better of our world. I can admit that my plans changed slightly along the way as I lost myself; but I have regained the right to think clearly in my actions. I do not regret killing your parents. I do not regret in choosing to keep you alive." He watched all the emotions pass across Harry's face, causing the pressure in his stomach to increase to an uncomfortable level. It was like talking to a version of himself, in such an odd way that made him feel sick.

"Harry Potter, if there is anything I regret in my life, it is making someone go through the same thing I had to and nothing more." Not able to face the boy in front of him that he caused such pain, he rose from his seat and left the library; leaving Harry stunned in his thoughts. It wasn't Voldemort saying his name, no, he'd done that before. It was the realization that Voldemort was actually apologizing for leaving Harry without parents; leaving Harry in almost the same situation as himself. Quickly looking up to the door and hoping to catch sight of the man who spent all of Harry's life trying to kill him; he felt an odd sadness fill his stomach when he was nowhere to be seen.

"Tom…"

Harry's eyes opened, looking straight into fluffy clouds that hid the sunlight from his eyes. From that point on, Harry's and Voldemort's conversations happened more and more. They spoke more often, spent more time together. They had reached a level of friendship that wasn't understood or could be understood by anyone else. Two enemies had made a connection within a connection; no one else alive could even attest to doing something even similar to that. Harry knew in his heart that Voldemort regretted the things he'd done to Harry personally. Whether it be putting him through emotional distress, or physical harm. He never verbally said it but it was expressed in his actions more and more everyday; even now. The way Voldemort treated him became more and more fatherly as time went by. It was slightly heartbreaking, yet appreciated given the circumstances. Feeling the soft tingle in the back of his mind, Harry knew that Tom was coming outside to see him. The connection always tingled when the other got close; sometimes strong enough for them to pass thoughts to one another; though Harry tried to avoid that because of his nightmares and day dreaming of the past. Staying in his spot, he was not surprised when less than a minute later, Voldemort sat down right beside him. The man was still in his robes, never normally to be seen without them unless alone for hours in the library.

"It seems you were lost in thought for some time. I hope you are not disagreeable to my prying." Harry had felt the man probing through their connection when he thought back to that day and shook his head.

"No, I don't mind. It's what it is; you have that memory stored away somewhere as well." Voldemort hummed a reply, looking down at Harry who still had his eyes closed.

"You've been lost in thought a lot recently. Anything specific you needed to speak about?" It was the first time Voldemort had ever broached a subject they considered 'taboo' or 'off-limits'. It made Harry feel slightly warm, but he shook his head.

"Not really, just remembering." There was so much Harry wanted to say but couldn't find it in himself to do so. Another hummed reply was all he received before silence once again fell upon them. Without going to speak, Voldemort laid down beside Harry; moving his arms into the same position yet keeping his eyes open. Staring into the clouds, Voldemort took a deep breath before closing his eyes. He tried remembering the last time he did something so normal. He felt a slight pang of regret towards himself when he couldn't recall anything at all. Together they both laid there, lost in thoughts on how their relationship went from trying to kill one another to this slightly blissful peace between them.

`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`.`

I apologize for not being able to speak to you in person but a situation has occurred and as of now I do not have the ability to verbally speak with you. For now, these notes will have to be enough. I am in need of your assistance and I promise the benefits will be more than worth your time. If you are agreeable to the possibilities, do meet me with the portkey I have attached to this letter. It will take you to the meeting place tomorrow at noon. I will wait no longer than one, so make sure you choose wisely. If I forget to mention before, The-Boy-Who-Lived is my intended target and before you think to ask, he's more than alive.

L.M.

Oh shit, I totally just went there! :) So here is an outlook on what's going down, the breaking point where Harry & Voldemort reached an understanding of sorts, & well, I'm sure you get the last part ;) -R.F.