Author Note: Woot one hundred thousand words and still going. Also 139 reviews and climbing which is quite a lot by my standards.
Reviews
Hypnosis Writer
Doesn't that involve learning magic used by monsters in the Final Fantasy games by being attacked by those monsters?
douchiesnacks
I think this story is getting to the point were it starts writing itself. The words are just pouring out of me like when I wrote parts of Overlord Gothic only this story is better planned.
CookieMonsta1233
Well the point of these stories is that Gothic has special powers as that was the reward and I simply can't see the list alone being enough even if he is the only one who has it.
Unless he's already a typical dark lord but without special powers, maybe just wealth and his brains like say Lex Luthor, and then he uses the list to actually beat the heroes and rival dark lords.
Given that your reviewing for chapter 21 then by this point I already did.
Lennex MacDuff
I like to think that my trick to writing interesting SI fics is that I imagine that the character is an alternate version of myself rather than the true me. Makes it a bit less egoistical that way. Not all of my stories as a good as this one The First Gothic seems to be the most popular by far.
The First Gothic. Book One. A Wizard In Training. Part 23.
St. Mungo's Hospital. Long Term Spell Damage Ward. The Wizarding World.
After a good nights sleep I felt much better about things but not to the point were I could pretend (at least not to myself) that everything was okay.
I was still angry at those fucking Death Eaters. Scared that my girlfriend might actually be the one manipulating my life. And worried about a lot of things. Mostly about myself.
It hadn't hit me until this morning but I might of played a big part in allowing some demons to suck out some people's souls. Granted they weren't souls worth saving but still I felt a little guilty about the whole thing. Not enough to do anything about the situation but it still bothered me.
I was also worried about Dumbledore and that I might of made him my enemy more so than before. Until now I hadn't really done that much against him (at least nothing he could prove) but yesterday I'd stood up to him publicly and pretty much told him that I completely disagreed with his methods.
There no chance of me joining the Order any time soon, not that was a great loss and I was too young anyway so it was of no real concern. What was of concern was that people who don't support the Headmaster are often seen as Dark Wizards. Being seen as such was something to be avoided at least for now.
An idea suddenly popped into my skull. I could send Dumbledore a letter saying I was sorry for what I said claiming that I had indeed let my anger control me. If the old man really did embrace the idea of forgiveness for those who seek it then the letter could get me back into his good graces or at least out of his bad ones for a while. If not well it was still worth trying as it wouldn't take a lot of effort.
I quickly wrote the note gave it to Tizzy who send it off via Owl and I also told her to get me some Muggle style clothes.
Having a House Elf totally rocks within thirty seconds she was back and I was getting dressed.
I wanted to walk around a bit. It was less embarrassing to that if you had more between flashing your private parts to people than string holding up some pj bottoms.
Really at this point I should be going to see Luna along with something brought from the gift shop, but like a coward I was avoiding her so I ended wandering aimlessly.
The reason for this was that last night I'd come to the conclusion that was Luna was manipulating me much like Dumbledore manipulated Potter.
Sure everyone manipulates everyone else but most people just don't realise it as its not done on purpose. You buy a round in the pub and that manipulates everyone into liking you a lot more than the bloke who never buys a round. But its quite different to purposely manipulate someone your suppose to love in an attempt to turn them into a Dark Lord To Be.
To be fair it might of happened anyway but I just hated the idea that anyone was forcing me into the role and if Luna was purposely doing it then she was also betraying me, and that hurt.
On some level I knew this made me a hypocrite as if Luna hadn't turned out to be a Seer I might never of become her friend in the first place but still I felt like she'd moulded me into the man she wanted to be.
Physically I wasn't even fourteen but I'd already killed five possibly six people and if Luna had been subtlety guiding me into the man I now was then she'd made me a killer.
On the other hand if I was honest with myself I might have been a killer much sooner. Snape could of died at my hands before the end of my first school year or at least been horribly wounded.
Maybe it just because it was me who was getting manipulated. I knew other people were trying to be the one controlling me it was just that it was easy to see through their manipulations. Maybe Luna's manipulations hurt because I didn't see them due to the trust I'd given but that she had abused.
Add to all the fact that she was either corrupted by or of her own free will worshipping an evil god and it was somewhat understandable why I was a bit upset with her.
Sure some of that demon god worshipping issue was my jealously, I wanted her to worship me not some horned pervert monster from another universe, but there were valid concerns to be addressed on that subject.
Perhaps I was being to harsh on my other half. She did saved my life during that detention and gotten hurt fighting along side me at the World Cup. A person doesn't risk themselves like that unless they really care.
Still some time apart in order to think was a good idea. We did need to talk but this wasn't the place for such a discussion. Later when there was no one around to overhear us we could hash this out.
I mentally switched topics to another concern. That of the Carrow twins who had also figured out that I was the one behind the Outcast paper and they wanted in.
Also I'd killed their aunt and uncle when preventing Voldemort's return. I knew this because the the twins had identified the bodies. They didn't know that I had killed the older Carrows but the twins wouldn't of minded as their aunt and uncle were Death Eaters who the twins suspected had murdered their parents for not being Death Eaters.
The twins had then offered to back me if I made for a play for a power at the school. The vacuum they wanted to fill didn't exist just yet but with so many Purebloods either now dead or about to be Kissed a lot of teenagers were about to become like me which is to say orphans with a lot of wealth and no parental oversight.
A tempting offer but I had no desire to led the next generation of Death Eaters and I had enough Purebloods in my life as it was.
The counter offer was more enticing. They would join me in whatever power bloc I did form. They were offering loyalty oaths in exchange for protection and a high rank in what group I did end up leading even if it was anti Death Eater and anti Dumbledore.
So I could form a third party. The Outcasts as more than a group of ignored kids rallying behind the one person who noticed they existed when at school.
I liked this idea and the twins new oaths nearly as good as the unbreakable one.
They hadn't told me why they wanted an alliance but I got the sense that they needed it badly and that they could tell that I was going places.
That might be due to Slughorn he was a good judge of character. The teacher could tell who was going to go places and he did devote a lot of attention to me at the club's meetings, not that I'd ever cared.
Add to that my wealth, my actions so far and the fact that I was once again top of my year. And from an outsiders point of view it could add up to 'this guy is going to either be the next Dark Lord or the next Minister of Magic'.
Both could be possible. I had the money to fund both careers and the family heritage needed to rule Pureblood society (despite being a half blood) either legally or not.
Becoming Minister of Magic I hadn't until today given that idea much thought. I could do it, it wouldn't be easy or cheap but I did rise to the top of this generation and exploit the coming power vacuum it was possible.
In fact it was possible to be both but that was risky. As Ministry of Magic, or even someone just gunning for the job, I'd have next to no time to do the stuff a Dark Lord needs to do. I'd also be the public eye quite often.
Perhaps then a puppet Minister someone I put into office while me the Dark Lord is the power behind the throne. Voldemort had done that in the Deathly Hollows and it had worked for a while.
Still no matter what my plan was I foresaw a use for the Carrow Twins, they were pretty, young, talented and most importantly power hungry. Perfect future Outcast versions of Death Eaters.
Once I was in school I take their oaths tell them the truth and see if how things went. I might have to wipe their memories if they were thinking Minister of Magic rather than Dark Lord.
"Damien".
A girl's voice got my attention and to my surprise it was Granger and she looked hot. Short denim skirt, a top that exposed her navel along with a denim jacket over it. By Wizard standards she walking around half naked. By Muggle standards it was a bit sluttish but not that bad.
"Looking good girl" I said with some charm in my voice.
I was actually pleased to see her. She was a welcome distraction right now which was something I needed as I really didn't want to go and see Luna.
"Thanks" she replied trying not to blush "its nice to dress in something more normal. I'd never get away with it if Molly Weasly was around but what she doesn't know won't kill her".
Ah teenage rebellion its always amusing to watch.
"They do have a very Victorian mindset" I agreed "thank goodness I had a muggleborn mother otherwise I'd either be calling you a scarlet woman or possibly I'd simply faint from all the excitement".
My joke made her smile but its wasn't all good humour.
"Sometimes it is like going back to the Victorian era" she said as we took a seat in the waiting room my legs had led me to "well maybe not that bad but the swimsuits aren't very sexy. I go topless when in France but I'd probably arrested if I went swimming in the lake while wearing my bikini".
I stopped talking in order to imagine topless Hermione. She wasn't that well endowed in the chest department but given that I hadn't seen any boobs for a while I didn't care.
Then it clicked. She was flirting with me! And doing it rather well. Ah damn it why did she have to look like Emma Watson with the hair tied back and normal looking teeth!
Luna would kill me if I did anything and you can't hide anything when your girlfriend sees what you do before you've even done it. Yet part of me wanted to do something but that would be foolish.
Then again I'm suppose to be a Dark Lord (something Luna not only supported but also encouraged) and this whole situation was one big chance to gain another follower.
And there was that little voice in the back of my head screaming HAREM!
"Are you alright?" asked Granger.
Unlike my other friends she wasn't use to the fact that my mind tended to wander off while leaving my body behind so I explained.
"Don't worry I was just having some deep thoughts. Its a problem I have"
I didn't need to be a mind reader to know that she thinking about how refreshing it was to be to talk someone who could actually have deep thoughts or at least ones that didn't come from the mind of a broody teenage Boy-Who-Lived.
Okay so right now I was thinking that my boner was much easier to hide thanks to the jeans I had on but I did have deep thoughts most of the time.
Given that Granger was making an effort not to look as if she was looking at me she must of noticed.
"So what brings you here?" I inquired.
"You actually" she replied "well that and I need some things for school".
Motivated by shopping and boys, she really was a girl under the bookworm costume.
"I did mine before the World Cup" I told the girl trying to think of something to say "best to avoid the back to school rush".
"Did you by some dress robes?" she questioned "Ron had a hissy fit when he saw his".
For that I didn't blame him. No man should wear something with frills and ruffles its just plain wrong at least outside of a Shakespeare's plays.
"Already own some there not to bad and they expand to fit me being tailor made".
Which was great because there was no way I was going to buy more of the horrid things.
"Don't suppose you know why we need them do you?" the teen asked.
I leaned to make it seem as if I was sharing a great secret.
"My informants".
Granger giggled at this but I pressed on.
"Yes I have informants, and they tell me that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place this year. This involves a Yule Ball and that's why we need formal dress robes".
She believed me but still she couldn't help but pry into my business.
"How do you know?".
I smirked and told.
"The Ministry wants to put up some foreign diplomats in Malfoy Manor which I inherited what with being Draco's second cousin so they needed my permission. Which led to telling me why they needed to use the house".
I could have been more impressive if I had mentioned that Fudge himself had asked but I didn't need to show off that much nor did I need to tell her that no had actually mentioned what the important event after the World Cup was either.
"Draco was your cousin!" she said with shock in her voice.
"Second cousin" I clarified "We'd never even met. Most of the Pureblood families are interrelated but because Lucy I shampoo my hair three times a day Malfoy"
She giggled again.
"has... had so many family members locked up I got everything. If its a choice between innocent orphan and insane Death Eaters who can't even get to the money its not hard to see why I was picked. Even Wizards (or at least the Goblins) know that money needs to spent and people need to be paid. If one of the DE's had gotten the money then a very large family fortune would be sitting in a vault doing nothing but I can pay the people who worked for the Malfoys and collect the rent on their lands. Or at least authorise other people to do it".
Granger nodded her understanding.
"If Sirius Black hadn't been locked up he would of gotten the money or maybe Harry".
Hermione looked confused so I explained further.
"All the Purebloods are distant cousins there's a team of people at Ministry who keep track of this stuff as reading family trees requires years of study. What's important is that while we might have different points of view which led us to fight in these Blood Purity Wars pretty much anything short of being caught in the act of killing a family member won't stop the money from staying the family if your the heir. Its a bit like being part of one big messed family of medieval nobility really some branches will even marry cousins to help avoid the money going to someone who isn't of pure Pureblood".
"That's barbaric" she protested.
"This whole society is barbaric" I pointed out "arranged marriages are the norm, there's a strict class system that ensures that unless you have the right parents you will never have any position of power, and you'll be the target of Death Eaters who will try and murder you, after the torture, because your not an inbred sicko like them".
The sad thing there was that I didn't have to embellish anything.
"Your only hope for any sort of decent life in this world is that Harry beats Voldemort and that you marry a Pureblood".
For a second I thought she was going to run off crying but she held her ground.
"Dumbledore..."
"Is either a fool or a monster" I said interrupting "he left Harry with abusive relatives, he left bait for Voldemort in a school full of children. He let the school be guarded by soul sucking demons. He hired a known Death Eater to teach. He let Sirius Black rot in jail. Oh and he tried to kill me",
Her shock gave me the chance to explain what I had just said.
"Dumbledore knew that Potter would suffer at his aunt and uncle's but left him there anyway without even bothering to let him know he was a Wizard. You know that because Harry despite coming from a family nearly as old as mine knows nothing of the society he's a very important part of".
She knew I was right I could see it in her face. My enhanced charisma was working its wonders once more.
"He put that stone in the school and three first year students got past its defences. Think about that three kids got past them so they had no chance of stopping Voldemort which means Dumbledore wanted him to get to the stone. He did that despite the fact that letting a mass murdering Wizard anywhere near the school is criminal in of its self never mind the fact that if the stone was real it might of given Voldemort the chance to come back into power".
I pushed a bit more.
"And there's Sirius Black. Innocent man locked up Dumbledore had to know who the Secret Keeper was because he would of performed the charm".
Okay that part was speculation but given that he had done the charm on the Order's Headquarters it did make one think that it was possible Dumbledore had done the charm in Godric's Hollow. Of course it was also possible that Lily Potter, who was known for being skilled at charms, had done the spell but there was no proof to support that idea.
"So that means that Dumbledore let Black rot behind bars. Why? So that Potter could be abused by Muggles!".
She was crying by this point and without warning she ran off but that might have been because she didn't want Neville, who had just walked in on us, to see her cry. Up until now we'd been alone as this ward didn't many visitors but now that we weren't she had a reason to leave.
"What was that about?" asked Nev.
"Evil Dumbledore speech" I explained.
Neville understood at once having heard the speech but I had to wonder if he was really that evil because it was Luna who had told me that the Headmaster was evil. But the evidence did support my girlfriend there so I didn't doubt her about that issue at least.
"No grapesm no card" I said to my best friend who was empty handed "I'm deeply hurt Neville".
The smile on my face and tone of voice made it clear that I didn't really mind.
"I only just found out" he informed me "I came straight here on the Knight Bus".
Understandable he would have been catching up with parents and not reading the paper.
"Not to worry" I said "I'm fine Luna is fine. Everyone else got away okay".
Well everyone we knew anyway. A lot of other people couldn't say the same but everyone Nev cared about was still breathing.
"Gran was summoned to the Ministry for a vote on what to do about the Death Eaters" Nev was saying "she voted for the Kiss you'll be happy to know".
Good.
"Bellatrix Lestrange wasn't caught but her husband was and Crouch".
Again good as it meant that Bellatrix could be killed by Neville if I could arrange such a thing.
"I wanted to say thanks for bringing my parents back"
This was something I'd hoped to avoid as I had worried that he might be angry for not letting him do it or at least about not being involved but Luna had been right. Neville was just happy to have them whole again the details didn't matter. Still I felt the need to say something.
"I would of told you but I didn't want to get your hopes up. If I'd told you and it didn't work it would have been... well really bad".
My way with words still needed some work.
"I know" assured Nev "you did the right thing and I owe you".
A protest died on my lips as my friend kept talking.
"Whatever it is your planning I'm with you. Dumbledore could never do what you did and He-Who-Must- I mean V-V-Voldemort well he's the reason they needed you to heal them in first place so fighting either or both I'm with you".
If only there were more Neville Longbottoms in the world it would be a much better planet to live on.
"Thanks Nev that means a lot".
It really did it was better than any magical oath.
Men sharing feelings is never easy so Neville changed the subject.
"Have you seen Snape? I've heard he's nice now. Thinks he's a teenager".
Of course Snape would be here why hadn't I realised that. This was the long term spell damage ward after all where else would he be.
The bit about being a teenager again amused me. I was a grown man's mind in a teenagers body and he was teenager's mind in a grown man's body. This was something I had to see for myself
"Show me" I requested of my best friend.
Nev led me to one of the private rooms and until the door was opened I wondered why a memory wiped Death Eater rated a private room. The reason was that he could afford to pay for it.
The room was part bedroom part potions lab. Snape was brewing up a storm or at least a fog judging by the air quality in the room.
"Oh hello" greeted Snape with nervousness in his voice "your not healers. What do you want?".
Any desire I may have had to to gloat vanished. Snape wasn't Snape he was child in a man's body. He was a completely different person.
"We were students of yours" I explained "we came to visit".
Snape brightened up.
"Like Hermione she was here yesterday. Do you know her?"
She must save the hot outfit for Lockhart then or that effort had been for solely for me as I had thought earlier.
"Yes were both in her year" I answered as Neville seemed to be unable to fully process all of this he hadn't actually spoken to teenager Snape as of yet I guessed.
"Was I as a good of a teacher as she says?"
That was question hard to answer without lying. Truths that didn't really answer the question were better in my opinion so I gave the best answer I could.
"You knew... well still do it seems a lot about potions and your book was really good".
Damn I should not of mentioned that.
"I wrote a book?" he asked confusion "I have the essays I got published but there's no book".
No reason to lie now.
"It was a school book you wrote in. Lots of notes I follow them in class and my potions are the best in class so that means yours were as well".
Neville left to laugh or cry I couldn't tell but I saw his red face as he exited the room.
Snape seemed not to notice or perhaps he just assumed Nev wasn't well. This was a hospital so sick people were a common sight.
"Oh I remember that" informed Snape "I called myself the Half-Blood Prince. Which school book was it?"
"Advanced Potions" I answered.
Snape looked confused, another expression I'd never seen before, and shook his head.
"That's NEWT level I'm still... I mean was in third year".
So he was about thirteen then mentally but that wasn't stopping him from running a small potions lab. I was rather impressed clearly he had relearned a lot very quickly.
The former potions teacher noticed that I was impressed with his set up and commented upon it.
"The Headmaster got me all of this. He said we were friends. He visits sometimes and buys my potions for the school".
Maybe true talent never really goes away that or Dumbledore really did have a soft spot for Snape. That was something worth testing.
"So you do potions for people who pay?" I inquired.
"Just above cost" he answered "its not like I need the money now but I'm saving up for more equipment for when I get out".
Out?
Ah yes he was a teenager but he could rebuild his life he was only a few years away from being mentally seventeen again and at that point he could start taking care of himself assuming he was recovering as well as he seemed to be. He was doing a lot better than Lockhart that was for sure.
"Done any Everlasting Elixirs?" I questioned.
Most potions either medical in application or not were not permanent in effect for example Drinking one Skele-Gro potion would only regrow a bone once it didn't stay in your body and regrow any bone that was later removed. Another example were love potions which required the victim to be dosed regularly or it wore off. Like what had happen to Voldemort's Muggle Father.
But not Everlasting Elixirs they were potions which never wore off their effects lasted forever, well as long as you lived, and the potions had an equally long shelf life meaning that you could drink them years after they were brewed and they still had a permanent effect. And unlike poisons they couldn't be countered with an antidote which made them all the more valuable.
"Just the Wit Sharpening one" Snape explained after stirring a few brews "there are others but they have some nasty side effects like memory enhancement".
I'd read about that. Memory Enhancing Potion sounded good on paper but it had the bad side of effect making a person unable to forget the bad stuff as well as the good. I would never drink it because then events like watching Luna get bitten by that giant spider would haunt me like the school is haunted by ghosts.
"According to one of my essays I drank one. That was silly of me" added Snape who was now putting something still alive into a bubbling potion.
Must of needed it for his spy work. Details were very important to spies when working.
Then I realised that it would also make any childhood trauma quite unforgettable like say being bullied by James Potter. No wonder Snape hated the guy. It would also make it impossible for his memories of Lily Potter to ever fade away.
Drinking that potion had indeed been silly of him. No wonder he'd lashed out at the living reminder of both those sets of vivid memories. It didn't excuse what he'd done but it did explain it all somewhat.
"I'd like to make a few Wit Sharpening Potions but they are hard to brew could I hire you do it?" I asked of Snape.
Really I would be able to do it myself soon as it would covered this year by Slughorn but I wasn't asking for it just for me and it would be more effective if someone with a real talent for potion making did the work. I was sure that Snape would make a better potion that I could even without most of his memories.
"How many?" asked Snape "its not that complex but I make lots I'll need to clear my workspace which is more work".
He sounded very professional when he said that.
"Let's see" I said while thinking it over
Neville, Luna, Ginny, Susan, Hannah and I made six. Best to get one for Granger that made seven. Maybe the new twins in my life although being cunning little snakes they would likely already have drunk one so no. Potter perhaps? Might as well he might like it if he didn't have to brew it himself.
"Eight by Christmas. Bottled up ready to drunk. Price isn't important I'll have my Elf pop by later today to pick up the bill and to get you anything you need to make the potion".
"Eight by Christmas" Snape repeated "easy".
"Well I want the best" I told the man/teenager "they will be gifts for my friends".
"Still easy" he insisted.
I couldn't help but smile.
"Well we can discuss something more challenging after Christmas" I offered "maybe some Felix Felicis".
I turned to leave calling him Professor Snape as I did. Once I closed the door my eyes showed me the sight of Neville in some state of shock.
"Nev" I said while waving my hand in front of his face "mate what's up?"
"Snape he's nice" replied the youngest Longbottom.
"Yes" I said back "you told me that".
"But he's nice" insisted the Pureblood.
Wow Snape must of really done a number on Neville's psyche. Perhaps wiping Potion's Master mind had been had right thing to do for both of them.
"Come on Neville lets get out of here and find some food" I decided.
Without saying a word Nev followed me only speaking once we left St Mungos which I should have done really as I hadn't be discharged.
"Snape he's nice" repeated Neville in an odd voice.
Even when mind wiped back to his teenage years Snape could still make Neville a mental wreak.
How fucked up was that.