Chapter Three
~One Week Later~
Harry had spent the better part of the week getting situated with his new life. While he had the knowledge of centuries, his body didn't. He had spent most of each day tuning his body to be used to his new magical output and to get it used to using Dark magic.
While he could certainly threaten to use a Dark curse on someone, the more powerful curses would cause one to go insane on the Dark power if the magic was not used gradually. Being able to use the more powerful curses – especially the Unforgivables – was crucial to his plan; after all, if he was going to face Tom and Dumbles seriously, he would have to know them.
It would take some months for his body to be completely used to Dark magic to the point where he could use the Unforgivables without the threat of personal consequences. After all, he had no desire to become like Bellatrix. Tom, of course, was a different story. He had been smart enough to gradually immerse himself with the Dark Arts. However, his insanity came about by the foolish choice to split his soul and gain partial immortality.
Splitting his soul was the start of his mistakes and insanity; not putting his soul back together for decades was the second mistake. His final mistake that completely destroyed any sanity he had left went completely out of the window when he re-created his body. *
Harry knew that if he was going to play on the Dark side of this war, he would have to fix Tom; Voldemort was too unpredictable currently. That was going to take some planning, though if he thought briefly that it could be far more amusing than it should be. Harry smirked at that last thought passed through his mind. Shoving another fork full of eggs into his mouth, he conjured some parchment, some ink and a quill. Now to start setting my plans into action.
To the Beautiful and Powerful High Council of Veela
It has come to my attention, that while you have no wish to enter a war centered on wizarding affairs, you are being forced to choose a side. I am not seeking an alliance, for that would be rude and inconsiderate. I am offering you a way out. I am becoming neutral for the time being, and I offer you another side to choose from. While I am not arrogant enough to state that I would never enter this war, for we all must choose a side eventually, I am offering you a chance for you to remain neutral until youare ready to decide. This war will spill into every crevice of the magical world, but if you decide to follow me then you will not be pressured to choose. All I ask is your loyalty until you have chosen your side. I care not which side you choose, for I have a respect for your people, and I know you will make an intelligent choice. I would like for you to tell me when you finally side with either the Light or the Dark – I will not stop nor hinder you in any way, and I will respect your decision. I await your reply.
May your day be pleasurable,
Harry James Potter, Lord of the House of Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Lord of the Most Dark and Powerful House of Le Fey
-Please keep my Lord status within your own community. Take my trust in you and believe in me.
One down, I think I'll write to the Goblins next…
To the Head and Overseer of all of Gringotts
As I am well aware of, the goblins have stayed neutral to all wizarding conflicts for thousands of years. However, I also am aware of a bit of information that your race has kept hidden. As the Lord of the Most Dark and Powerful House of Le Fey, I am collecting the debt that your race owes to my ancestor and request that you give me your allegiance. If you wish to prove this claim then please check my vaults that I own, I only request that you keep this information private to all those that are not goblins. I will, however, nullify this debt if you are truly opposed to siding in this current war that will soon spread overseas if not won soon. I, myself, am weary of both the Light and the Dark. Let me offer you this temporary neutrality. I await your reply.
May your day be prosperous,
Harry James Potter, Lord of the House of Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, Lord of the Most Dark and Powerful House of Le Fey
After finishing, Harry conjured some more parchment. I think I'll see if I can get some Masteries while I'm in the mood to write out some letters.
Russian Ministry of Magic, Department of Education*
While I am not a member of your country or a student in one of your educational centers, I request to take the Mastery level exams in the following subjects:
Dark Arts
Potions of Dark Arts
Blood Magic
Necromancy
Forbidden Arts
You may not wish to proceed with this request, however, being able to boast giving my Masteries in the following subjects will most likely gain publicity to your country and people. I am fully capable to pay extra in order to take these exams.
Sincerely,
Harry J. Potter
-Please contact Gringotts if you need proof of my eligibility.
Done. Okay onto the next one.
Ministry of Magic, Department of Education
I request to take my NEWT and Mastery level exams for the following subjects:
Defense against the Dark Arts
Charms
Care of Magical Animals
Potions
Herbology
Transfiguration
I would also like to take all the OWL exams and corresponding NEWT and Mastery level exams for the following subjects:
Arithmancy
Ancient Runes
Though I may not have taken the course offered, I would also like to take the Apparition test. As the Savior of the Wizarding World, I believe it is MOST necessary for me to be able to legally apparate. I'm sure that you will agree.
I appreciate your cooperation in this manner.
Sincerely,
Harry J. Potter
-Please contact Gringotts if you need proof of my eligibility.
"Here you go Hedwig." Harry said as he gave his beloved owl all the letters, specifically indicating to the snowy owl which letter goes where. "Have a safe trip and come back safely."
Might as well get some income aside from my inheritances, they might be being watched. On top of that, it will open up some more doors. Oh! I'll have to get started in finding a proper guardian for my new vault as well.
An hour later, Harry was seated in his massive library, hoping that Hedwig will not be too tired when she comes back and promising himself that he would spoil her rotten for a few days as thanks for the work she was doing for him. He had been quite happy that she had no problems finding him, with his new home's wards and all, but his smart owl had come to him without any trouble. He had searched the wards for holes after that, slightly paranoid that since Hedwig could find him that someone else could, but he had not found anything amiss. Harry had concluded that it was his bond with her that had allowed Hedwig to find him.
Thinking back on the wards, Harry felt slightly bad that the owls from his friends had been blocked; though it was so long ago that he had actually had friends, that the feeling was dulled. I wouldn't put it past the old coot to have tracking spells on the owls anyways. Paranoia is sometimes a good thing.
A book was thrown at the far wall and impacted with a loud thud.
/Tom…/ A large snake hissed in worry.
/A week! A week Nagini!/ The Dark Lord hissed angrily. /We've been here for a WEEK!!!/
/Perhaps you should try Slytherin's books?/ Nagini suggested as she slithered over to her master.
Voldemort sighed and pt his head in his hands. Groaning, he ran his hand through his hair. /Perhaps…/
/Look on the bright side./
/What bright side?/ Tom asked sarcastically as he looked over his snake.
/With your old body regenerated, you have hair to take your frustration out on./ Nagini snickered.
/Nagini!/ Tom snarled and threw another book at the wall, watching as it joined the previous one.
/Of course…the transformation did not turn out as you planned…/ Nagini taunted, wishing that she could properly smirk.
/…/
/Should have used those books./
/…/
/Of course they did mysteriously disappear./
/…/
/But you just had to go through with the ritual without the full information offered by Salazar's other books./
/When I find out who stole those books, they will bleed out from every pore in their body!!/ Tom practically screeched, his face turning red from rage.
/Oh please. "Whoever" it was spoke Parseltongue. We all know that there are only two people in existence who can do that./ Nagini replied sarcastically.
/There's no way that Potter was in Knockturn Alley or a Dark Arts bookstore! It's preposterous!/
/Yeah? Well what else explains it?/ Nagini asked joyfully, giggling at her snakeling's distress.
/…/
More snake laughter.
/…Nagini./
/Yes…?/
/Shut up./ Tom ordered proceeded to ignore his familiar hissing in amusement, in order to glare at the pages of new book.
/Come on Tom, it's not that bad./ Nagini said gleefully trying to suppress her laughter.
/Yes itIS!/ He hissed angrily. /Why would ANYONE want to go back to…to…being like THIS!?!?/
/It's just adolescence./ Nagini stated seriously, staring at her Lord gravely then suddenly cracking up in hysterical laughter. /I mean you're just a…snort…just a…giggle…just a teenager!!!/With that, Nagini started rolling around in sheer amusement, not being able to hold her laughter in any more. If snakes could cry, then she would be bawling in glee.
/…I hate my life./ The Dark Lord sighed pitifully.
/Don't be so dramatic./
/…/
"Ah Minerva, any luck?" Albus asked when his Deputy Headmistress and Potions Master walked in the door into the living of the Order's Headquarters.
"We didn't find Harry." Minerva stated as she sat down on one of the many chairs. "Though when we were at Gringotts…Well…You're no longer Harry's Magical Guardian, Albus."
"What?!" The Headmaster all but yelled, momentarily losing control. He then closed his eyes and leaned back into his chair to calm himself. Damn that brat! "Minerva, please explain."
"There's not much to tell. The goblins all but refused to tell us anything. Since you are no longer his Magical Guardian we didn't have the authorization for such information." McGonagall explained with a sigh. "Though I suppose it does prove that Harry's alive and not captured, since he did do business with Gringotts."
"I see…" Dumbledore muttered, deep in thought. If he went to Gringotts then he knows about his Inheritances, including Headquarters…He's becoming too much trouble! I should have used the Longbottom boy and just gotten rid of Potter! Severus, do you have anything to add?" Albus questioned as an afterthought.
"No." Snape said with narrowed eyes and clenched teeth.
"Very well. It looks like Harry has left on his own seemingly without coercion. We still should check the shops at Diagon Alley for clues. It's not safe for him to be on his own. He will most likely need to buy quite a bit of supplies, especially with the school year coming up." Dumbledore suggested while fiddling with his beard.
"Albus, will Harry be okay? Why didn't he just come to the Burrow or here?" Molly Weasley asked with a sniff and had tears in her eyes. Her husband pt a comforting hand on her shoulder and looked at the Headmaster in question.
"I'm afraid I don't know what is going on in young Harry's mind. We can only hope that he will come here eventually if we are unable to find him. But I have confidence that we will find him before any harm can befall him." The Headmaster stated confidently with a slight smile and twinkle. The brat couldn't possibly have found anything out…
"Won't be that easy." Moody stated as he leaned on a nearby wall. "The kid's gotten help."
"Help? What do you mean?" Remus asked in shock as he lifted his head out of his hands.
"Hm. I can't get any tracking or locating spells targeted on him. That's advanced ward magic; far beyond his level, far beyond most for that matter." The ex-Auror muttered darkly.
"They boy's gone Dark, then?" Shacklebolt questioned seriously.
"No! Harry wouldn't do that!" Tonks shouted in protest.
If the Light has so many dark secrets, the Dark might be better for Harry. Remus though darkly. Then again…The Dark Lord is out to kill him…
"Then who the hell is helping him?" Shacklebolt questioned angrily. "No one from our side is talking!"
"Maybe they're neutral and don't want to actively get involved!" Tonks cried out in frustration.
"If they're not with the Light, they might as well be Dark!" Alastor stated convectively.
"How can you say that?!" Tonks yelled aghast.
"Easily. This is war. Everyone must take a side." Shacklebolt interjected and then continued to argue with the Metamorphmagus, drawing everyone's attention to the fighting pair. Taking advantage of this moment of distraction, Snape quietly edged his way out of the room and silently left.
'Pop'
"Master has a guest, shall Minny show Master's guest in?" The cowering House Elf asked timidly.
"Do so then." Lucius Malfoy ordered, setting the parchment he was reviewing on his desk. A few moments later, Severus Snape walked through the study's door with a scowl on his face.
"Severus, what brings you here?" Lucius asked his long time friend, as he motioned for the Potions Mater to take a seat.
Sighing, Snape sat down and looked at the elder Malfoy in worry.
"What's wrong?" Lucius asked, surprised that his friend's mask had almost been completely destroyed.
"I…I don't know anything anymore." Severus uttered, depressed-like. "Nothing makes any sense anymore." Lucius looked on in confusion and gestured for him to continue.
"Two prophecies, one stating one thing and the other the exact opposite," Severus nodded his head in thanks as he took the offered alcohol. "Then Potter went missing."
"Potter's missing?" Malfoy asked in surprise.
"No one knows where he is, not even the wolf." Sighing, Severus took another sip of the Firewhisky. "Only the goblins have any idea, and somehow Potter either became a Lord or found some way to force the goblins into secrecy."
"Severus…" The elder Malfoy startled with surprise. "The possibility of either of those two circumstances being true…The goblins are never forced to do anything. It just doesn't happen. To be a Lord…there is criteria to be met; criteria that Potter couldn't possibly have."*
"I know, even with the Black inheritance he still doesn't have enough criteria to be a Lord, but there's no other explanation. Unless…"
"Unless?"
"Moody said something about not being able to find him with tracking or locating spells. That's highly advanced magic. Do you know…?"
"If our Lord's been in contact with Potter? No. Is that the only other option you see?"
"Yes."
"There has to be another one."
"I hope, or the Wizarding World will be turned upside down…"
The two Dark wizards sat in foreboding silence, each thinking of possible explanations but shooting them down shortly after.
~The Next Day~
"Nothing?" Minerva asked her companion after they had spent the day talking to all of Diagon Alley's shopkeepers.
"Pertaining to Potter? No." Severs replied with a sigh. "Though…there was some unknown activity in Knockturn Alley."
"Like what?"
"Some mysterious figure. Not a regular and apparently never seen in the Alley before." Severs explained and then hesitated before continuing. "There was…one shop owner. He's known to Dark families as being the person to find rare Dark texts."
"What happened?" McGonagall questioned as they proceeded into the Leaky Cauldron.
"He was terrified. No matter what I threatened him with-" Snape started to explain and only paused briefly at his colleague's stern glare before continuing. "He refused to tell me any information, even information that's common such as if he was even there in the first place."
"What makes you think that someone was there and he wasn't just scared of you?"
"A theory," Was Snape's only reply.
"A theory?" She asked as they stopped in front of the fire place.
"Yes. The only person that would stop in that store and completely terrify the owner into denying everything at the cost of his own well-being…I can think of only one person." Snape looked over at the Transfiguration professor seriously before he threw the floo powder into the fire, stated his destination and disappeared.
"…The Dark Lord." Minerva muttered to herself, before she too followed the Potions Master to the Order's Headquarters.
~12 Grimmauld Place~
"The Dark Lord?!" McGonagall demanded in question. "The Dark Lord was out in Knockturn Alley the day Mr. Potter went missing?!"
Everyone already present for the Order meeting stated at Minerva in horror at her explanation. Albus closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them once more, the ever present twinkle only slightly less intense than normal. The elder Weasleys were looking at each other with worry and dread, while Arthur held his depressed wife closely. Remus' eyes widened and then narrowed, his fist clenched as he let out a low growl. Only a calming had from Tonks let him regain control over his inner creature.
"It's only a theory." Snape replied as he sneered at the sight before him.
"How sound Severus?" Dumbledore asked gravely.
"…unless there is a new player in this war, quite sound."
"I see, well this makes it all the more important to find young Harry. If Voldemort has the ability to walk around without any one of our spies noticing, then our situation is very problematic." Albus stroked his beard before turning towards the fire and his two professors. "Severus?"
"It's news to me." The Potions Master stated before sneering some more. "If I could go now…?"
"Yes, yes, my boy. I believe we've done all we can in the Alleys." Albus dismissed his professor. "Just be sure to let me know about anything new." The slight threat underneath those words was all but hidden to everyone except the wolf and the spy.
Inclining his head, Snape acknowledged the Headmaster and then flooed back to Hogwarts leaving the Order behind.
AN: Just to make some things clear and give tidbits of information…
Tom is slightly saner than Harry thinks…just remember all of Harry's memories of Voldemort are when Tom was trying to kill him.
For this story, Dumstrang is going to be located in Russia. This is because I don't like that it's 'somewhere' in Scandinavia…._
The criteria for being a Lord will be explained eventually.
AN 2: Sorry for the lack of updates lately. T_T I've been busy. Hopefully since my schedule has slowed down I can update more. ^^;
Reviewers!
InzanityRulz – I hope this was interesting as well.
itachisgurl93 – Yeah…I want that house too… T_T
XxsneakydevxX – Rants are always amusing to me…I think I should become a therapist or something…Hopefully this won't be a filler chapter…I DID show what's been going on…_;; Anyways, thanks for the email. Hopefully you won't find any mistakes…
yaoifangrl4ever – Harry should have been smart and cunning in the books – I mean he was almost put into Slytherin…what happened to that?!
dragonfly422 – The part about the blood in the bowl at Gringotts is going to remain a bit of mystery for now. Also…I'm not going to name the goblin since that one won't be appearing again. He was night shift. :P
Blood Lust 777 – I think I'll keep Harry making up stories every so often. It's always fun!
Kitsunechibiko – Oh…I'm going to be so mean to Tom…^^; But when they meet, his suffering will lessen…maybe.
LittleMrsAdams - Be patient about the ring. All in good time. Though you should have gotten a BIG clue in this chapter.
sexy fox 101 - Thanks! ^^ As for what Harry looks like, he looks like he does in the books. However, he might be changing his looks soon. Voldie and him will meet up eventually. I'm not sure yet if it will be before he goes back to school though. As for making more stories like this. I do have to ideas.
A: Harry travels through time to be prepared to have a soul mate and to also prepare his soul mate for him. He'll travel to the founders' era, the 1930s, the 1940s, the 1970s/80s and back to his present time. (Though not in that order.) HPLV pairing.
B: Harry finds a VERY wounded and unconscious Dark Lord in a muggle park. For some unknown reason he can't leave him, so he takes him to his new home (12 Gimmauld) and slowly helps him recover from his injuries. (Though there will be surprises too, like a new enemy.) HPLV pairing.
voodoo-voldemort - There needs to be more HPLV love!
Lostariel - Hopefully this will continue in your tastes. I'll try to keep everyone slightly in character, though there are going to be exceptions.
PegasusChained - "...giggle in malicious glee..." 3 I do so love you right now. ~^^~
daughterofpenthesiliea - Quite true.
Frnight - You get a little here, and then there will be more in the next chapter.
Olikard - Snape will never die! I won't allow it!!! I defy the book's ending for him. HE WILL LIVE!!!
darkwish3 - Totally. ^^
Thanks everyone for the reviews!!!