Chapter 5: Learning

"Ok, guys, I'm going to try now, if anything goes wrong, call your mother," Harry said as he closed his eyes. He saw the others nodding, then for a moment all he saw was darkness, then he heard a rushing sound, and suddenly he was looking down at a prostate group of figures in black robes. Two of the figures, however, were standing in front of him. The one on the left had a white mask on, but Harry recognized the other. It was Draco Malfoy.

Rage surged through Harry as he stared at the pale face, which seemed even whiter than usual, but when he spoke it wasn't his words or voice. "So, Draco, unlike your father you were unable to perform your task, and Severus had to do it for you." Then a long-fingered, pale hand reached out toward the masked figure on the left, and the mask flew off to reveal the face of his hated ex-professor. "and you, Severus, disobeyed my orders and killed Dumbledore yourself instead of allowing Draco to complete his task. I assume the both of you have sufficient reasons that will allow you to escape punishment?"

"My Lord," Malfoy started. "Dumbledore was influencing me somehow. As he spoke, I felt the will to curse him draining aw-"

"Crucio" spat Harry, feeling a small smile curve his lips as he watched Malfoy collapse, writhing on the ground. He lifted his wand 10 seconds later, and turned to Snape. "And you, Severus?"

"I saw that Draco was unable to perform the curse successfully master. He wouldn't have had enough power or intent in him. I think Dumbledore had been afflicting him in some way or another before I entered."

"Very well Severus, for now you have escaped punishment. I know as well as you do that the old fool had abilities which were capable of influencing minds. Take young Draco with you and head back to the manor."

"Amycus, come forward!" There was no mistaking the sudden coldness in Harry's voice as one of the prostate figures stood up, walked forward, and kneeled before him. "Severus tells me you cursed Mr Potter twice, when you had full knowledge of the fact that he was to be unharmed."

"My Lord, I sincerely apologize!" the figure replied in a wheezy voice, as Harry remembered when he had been hit from behind and the cruciatus curse. "I couldn't see who it was that was chasing Draco, or who was duelling Severus." "Crucio," Harry spat again, watching as the Death Eater collapsed, screaming in pain. Eventually, Harry raised his wand, then commanded the Death Eaters to leave.

Now that he was alone, Harry immediately worked on looking inside Voldemort's mind, rather than through his eyes. Almost immediately, he saw images of the life in the orphanage, commanding the basilisk in Hogwarts, poring over restricted books in the forbidden section, and talking with Slughorn about horcruxes. Then, suddenly, he was in Gringotts, opening a vault that had statues of snakes on either side. Ignoring the galleons, he walked over and picked up several large books. Harry immediately stopped searching, and waited until he saw the younger Voldemort open the first book. He jumped slightly when he saw the title: How to become a vamperic wizard