Descend to Darkness
By: Kyuubi04
HARRY POTTER FANFICTION
Chapter 12: Desirable Meetings
Summary: Harry defeated Voldemort through some unknown magic and has been in a coma for months. Upon waking up, he had somehow changed, in both attitude and stance, and was confusing everybody. During a visit to the infamous Chamber of Secrets, he discovered the reason behind this change along with the confirmation of one Albus Dumbledore.
Warnings:There will be slash... Harry is Salazar Slytherin and will be calmer and colder than before. It will be a Dark Harry but he's not evil. There will be Ron and Ginny Bashing as I don't like the two of them and they will be the main antagonists along with Seamus Finnegan and Lavender Brown. Pairings would be HPDM, SSRL, LMSB, NLLL, DTPP, BZHG, and TNPP. This will probably be a short series and updates will probably range from twice to once a month. Also, there will be mention of male pregnancies but only in theory. 'Coz I don't know how to write lemon fictions.
Notes:"Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness" – regular speech
Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness – thoughts
-Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness- parseltongue
+Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness+ gobbledegook
=Fall Prey to the Eternal Darkness= temporary mind-speak between Harry and Draco
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The day after their confrontation, Ron and Harry had avoided being in contact with one another for different reasons. Harry did so unconsciously, as he was too wrapped up in his plans for the day. Ron, on the other hand, avoided Harry in fear of feeling the overwhelming force of the other teen's magic. After all, he didn't want to be petrified again. In addition, he was still considering what he would do next. For once, he felt like cursing himself for stupidly ruining his own plan of using Harry as a stepping stone to further his own ambitions. Now that Harry had vocally cut all ties with him due to his own prompting, he had to find another way to use the boy-hero. As he spent his time listing his options, he came up with a sudden thought. If I want to be recognized, then I need to do something that would drag down that damned orphan boy in the mud and raise myself up. I guess doing that would be my best option. After all, the public must know the secrets of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Defeated-He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and who better to reveal it but his own best friend. Let's just see if you won't bend over and beg me to regain my friendship.
All the while, the Hogwarts populace was in an uproar. They were trying to makes sense of what had just occurred between the so-called best friends. They were also highly disgusted by the action of the redheaded siblings. Really, they were dragging the Weasley name down in the mud. It would have been hilarious had not the two committed deplorable actions so unlike the pranks committed by the twins.
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Meanwhile, on another part of the castle, as the redhead was planning his strike against Harry, the boy in question was busy preparing for his departure. Silently, he brought out a stone, most likely made of sapphire, and chanted a spell that transformed the gem into an exact replica of himself. The copy was almost perfect aside from the fact that it had two major defects. One, it can only function based on the will of its original through a mental connection enforced during the activation of the 'Replication Stone'. And two, it was incapable of any form of communication unless the original used their mental connection to communicate, which was very tedious and distracting on the part of the original. He placed a command that would make the golem go through his daily schedule and imbued it with enough magic to be able to perform school-related activities along with the thought of subtly avoiding being in contact with anybody unless he commands otherwise. He was only grateful that with his expertise with Occlumency, he was made capable of dividing his attention without much difficulty. Although, he was still a bit miffed because of his slip up with Snape, he resolved to think before doing or saying anything that could further expose him until it was time.
As soon as he finished with his preparations, he walked down an unused hallway that leads to a secret passageway towards the Headmaster's Office, while morphing into his second identity as Gerald, unknowing of the calculatingly curious pair of eyes watching his departure from the shadows of the corridor.
-o-o-o-
The owner of said pair of eyes stepped out of the alcove from which he was hidden and contemplated the implications of what he had seen. He thought of scenarios in which he confronted Harry with his discovery and decided on how to broach the subject cautiously. After all, it would not do to allow others to learn of this fact unless he was sure that it needed to be discovered.
As he contemplated all this, the watcher allowed a smirk to appear on his face and headed towards his original destination before he spied the scarred boy.
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As soon as he reached the office, Harry immediately informed Dumbledore of what had transpired between him and the potions professor. He also told the aged wizard to expect another confrontation between Harry and Snape with himself as the witness. Upon hearing this, Dumbledore solemnly nodded his agreement and watched as the teen departed.
-o-o-o-
Harry stepped out of the fireplace of Number Twelve and prepared himself to apparate towards Diagon Alley. This time, he was wearing one of his dark green robes that made him look more elegant. He purposefully walked towards Gringotts and asked for an audience with Ragnok. Surprised, the head goblin received him with eyes brimming with curiosity.
+Greetings, Ragnok.+ Harry inclined his head in acknowledgement, waiting for the goblin to respond.
+Greetings, Lord Moonhaven. How can I be of service?+ The goblin replied curiously.
+I am here to inquire as to the result of my prior request.+ Harry answered casually, taking his seat as soon as Ragnok indicated that he could do so.
+Ah, that one. You need not be troubled by it, my Lord. The heirs of four of the Great Houses had already received their inheritance.+
+Are there any setbacks that I need to be aware of?+
+I would be insulted for your lack of faith had I not come to understand the need for such caution, my Lord. But worry not, your request had been carried out without ramifications.+
Harry gave a satisfied nod and told the goblin, +Very well. You may take the appropriate sum from my Gryffindor Vault as compensation for your services, Master Ragnok.+
+As you wish.+ The head goblin answered.
As soon as he concluded that part of his business, Harry reverted back to using English and asked courteously, "Master Ragnok, would you please summon one of yours to lead me to my trust vault. I have a need to withdraw some spending money apart from the card that you have supplied me. Also, I would like to ask if you could recommend someone to be my account manager, in order to help me monitor the changes in all of my accounts."
The goblin eyed him for a moment, testing to see whether there was some hesitation in assigning a goblin to handle his fortune from the teen. Seeing none, he gave a short nod and asked, "Do you have a goblin in mind, my Lord?"
Harry thought about this and asked, "I seem to recall being assisted once by a goblin named Griphook. Is he competent enough to handle five accounts or do think that he needs someone to assist him?"
"Griphook, eh? Well, he is one of the oldest employees of Gringotts and probably one of the most competent ones when it comes to managing accounts. He is also trustworthy as well as honour-bound not to disclose anything with regards to what he does for you. Also, he is also allowed some leeway by the supreme council and has the authority to carry out most of your requests, as long as they do not conflict with his duties to the Goblin Nation."
Satisfied, Harry said, "If I am to make him into my account manager, does this mean that I no longer have to come to you in order to have my request carried out or do I have to ask for your confirmation before I could relay them to him?"
"As long as it does not pose a problem to our nation, then yes. However, if your request involves the goblins to take some sort of direct action, then you have to take it to me first before it can be carried out." Ragnok responded.
"Very well. I would like you to assign Griphook as my account manager as soon as possible." Harry said.
The goblin gave a smirk that was almost frightening and reached out to grab a glowing red orb. As soon as he had it in front of him, Ragnok called out, "Griphook! Come to my office this instant."
Harry amazed said softly, "Who would have thought that there are still an existing ascertia in this world. I thought that they were all destroyed during the failed demon invasion."
"You would be surprised as to how much of the Ancient Arts had survived the Demon War a thousand years ago, my Lord. In fact, most of them were safely kept inside the Moonhaven and Sagebryne Vaults."
"Really? Man, it means I have to dig through all those junk in there just to find something useful. It'd take me years to sort those out." Harry whined, showing the teenage side of himself, making the head goblin raise an almost non-existent eyebrow towards him before saying, "It seems that you have forgotten that all our vaults are magical ones that allows the head of the family to merely summon the item wanted as long as it is there."
Acquiring a sheepish look, he said, "Oh. I guess, I just have to ask my manager to give me a full inventory of all my possessions." Truth be told, Harry was slightly embarrassed to be caught acting like he did but hid it well before relaxing back into his seat as he waited for Griphook to answer the summons.
He didn't wait for long, since as soon as he eased himself, the goblin entered the room with the stiff confidence of a warrior. Griphook asked with reverence, "How may I be of service, Chief Ragnok?"
Ragnok answered him with the air of authority that he usually held back when speaking with Harry, "Griphook, do you know who this young man is?"
Eyeing Harry's disguised form for a moment; the goblin shook his head negatively.
Maintaining his tone, Ragnok continued, undeterred by the negative response, "This young man is Lord Gerald Gabriel Moonhaven, otherwise known to the world as Harry James Potter, defeater of the self-proclaimed Dark Lord Voldemort, Tom Marvolo Riddle. He has requested that you become his account manager for the five houses that are currently under his power." The Chief Goblin waited for the response of the stunned goblin much to the amusement of their guest.
Griphook, finally able to get a hold of himself, cleared his throat and answered as befitting of a goblin warrior, "I am very much obliged by the honour that you have granted, Lord Moonhaven. It'll be my pleasure to serve you to the best of my abilities."
Harry smiled and nodded, "I am convinced that you would carry out your duties well, Griphook. And for you first duty as my manager, I would like you to perform a thorough inventory of all of my current holdings and file them separately according to the vault and house to which they belong. Now, I would like you to escort me to my trust vault for I need to withdraw from my account." Harry stood at this moment and headed towards the door but not after giving a farewell nod towards Ragnok.
Griphook, on the other hand, almost scrambled to follow his new employer, still unable to believe that someone of his station had easily risen in rank just because of a request of a certain lord.
As soon as they reached the vault, Harry immediately withdrew a thousand galleons, sickles and knuts and piled them in his bottomless pouch. He, then, instructed Griphook to prevent any information with regards to the revival of the other houses apart from the Moonhaven Line from leaking out into the public before it was time. The goblin nodded and vowed to perform his duties well.
With his business done, Harry stepped out of the bank and went to shop in Diagon Alley, where he would soon meet a very unlikely ally.
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He entered Flourish and Blotts and immediately set out to search the store for something useful. He was actually planning on setting up a new residence that he would use as his public address and as a public library. He wasn't really interested in making any sort of profit but needless to say, this was only the first step in his attempt to revitalize the stagnant wizarding world. His only problem was finding a partner. After all, no matter how legendary his name was, he was still a teenager and that could prove to be a setback in his plan to acquire the attention of the general populace and use it to educate them as to the necessity of achieving new heights and having them re-learn the importance of the so-called dark creatures in the society.
He shifted from shelves to shelves, all the while pondering on the topics that needed to be broached in order to make people see the results of their prejudice. He knew that no matter how much effort he tries to change the people's views, there would still be a few that would be stuck in their bigotry. But, at least, if he became successful in his venture, then the British Wizarding World would finally be able to move onwards towards improvement and if there was room for it, he would make measures to educate people in the Lost Arts, otherwise known to those who practice it as the Ancient Arts.
Now that he thought about it, Harry, currently in the guise of Gerald, groaned mentally at the tediousness of carrying out his plans. He just wished that all of this would turn out well. He knew that he could ask Sirius to support him but the end result would probably link itself on Harry and that it something that he would prefer not to happen.
As he skimmed through the books, he saw something that caught his eye. It was a series of books entitled 'Magical Theories and Applications for Easy Understanding: A Collaborative Work of the Great Wizards of Ancient Past'. As he leafed through the books, he recognized some of the theories and beliefs that had been taught to him by his five mentors as well as some of the ones that he and his friends had developed. Turning the book over, he looked for the name of the person who compiled these ideas. He wanted to know how this notes were discovered since he knew that Rowena kept all of these inside Hogwarts.
Noticing the focus of his attention, the shopkeeper approach him and asked good-naturedly, "It seems that the book had caught you fancy. Do you plan to add it to your collection?"
"Excuse me sir, but I would like to know as to how you came about this book? From what I have learned from my great ancestor's journal, the original notes regarding these theories are safely kept in Hogwarts. So, how is it that someone managed to make an exact compilation of these pieces of work?" Harry almost shook the man for answers but was thankful to have enough restraint not to do so.
The shopkeeper looked at him for a moment and answered, "I do not know where you learned of this fact, young man. But, you are correct in saying that the originals are at Hogwarts. In fact, they still are. It just so happens that the one who compiled this works created a copy due to the written request of Rowena Ravenclaw to spread this knowledge to the world after it has been polished. Truth be told, the compiler tried to take the originals but it seems that nobody could remove it from Hogwarts' Library, so he had tediously re-written all of this and developed this series according to the level of understanding necessary to learn them."
"Do you know the person who compiled all of these?"
"Well, I believe he referred to himself as Rian Shail."
"I see. Thank you for that piece of information. I will be purchasing the whole set if you do not mind." Gerald – Harry – smiled disarmingly at the stunned shopkeeper and made his way to the counter while carrying a basket of the other books that had caught his eye along with the series that he had just looked through. He was waiting for the shopkeeper to check all of his purchases and at the same time, he was also pondering on why the name 'Rian Shail' seemed to be familiar to him somewhat. Once done, he step out of the bookstore and went towards the apothecary to replenish his stock of potions ingredients.
-o-o-o-
As soon as he stepped out of the apothecary, he didn't notice that he was going to collide with someone until he, being smaller in stature, fell down on the ground while unconsciously moving his purchases so as not to damage them. He blinked as he came to terms with what had happened and was pleasantly surprised to hear the voice of someone that he didn't expect to meet.
"Are you unharmed, young man?" Lucius Malfoy, Lord of the Venerable House of Malfoy asked him while offering his hand to the disguised youth. Harry took it gratefully brushed off the dust that had settled in as soon as he was standing.
He turned to face the person that he least expect to meet, gave a serene smile, and said lightly, "It seems that no matter how I try, I would still remain with such small physique so as to be easily floored in an unexpected collision."
"Indeed, but I do not think it unfortunate. In fact, you should be thankful for you'd be able to slip through as easily as you can be felled by those of larger stature than yours." Lucius remarked in response.
"Well, I suppose that such logic would be acceptable. I am Gerald Gabriel Moonhaven at your service, Lord Malfoy." Harry introduced his chosen persona, giving the blonde aristocrat an acknowledging nod as opposed to bowing.
If Lucius Malfoy was surprised, he didn't show it. In fact he merely returned to nod and replied amiably, "So you are the current Lord Moonhaven. I didn't expect you to be quite so young to hold such a powerful title."
Raising an inquiring eyebrow at the blonde, Harry asked good-naturedly, "Is that so? Why, sir, would you rather have me as a wrinkly old man barely capable of walking without heaving?"
"Not at all. It is just that I expected you to be a bit older than your actual age. After all, I've heard quite some rumours about you in several circles in our society." Lucius answered, this time with a look of calculation in his eyes.
"Ah. I do hope that I did not ruin any other expectations you have of me or I would be at a disadvantage." Harry replied, silently motioning the older to walk with him towards the ice cream parlour owned by Florean Fortescue.
Walking elegantly, Lucius raised an elegant eyebrow and asked with a touch of curiosity, "And why would you be at a disadvantage? After all, this is the first time that we've met personally."
"That may be, however, it seems that while I continuously shatter you preconceptions about myself, you continue to strengthen the image that I have of you, Lord Malfoy." Harry answered lightly, not indicating whether the image that he referred to is positive or not.
Intrigued, the Malfoy Patriarch asked again, "And what image would that be, young man?"
"Well, whenever I hear of you, I seem to think of a man who is cool, calm, perceptive and witty. And right now, you continue to prove me right and that's put me at a disadvantage for I feel the need to live up to the expectations of such a person who deserves high regard." Harry silkily enunciated, trying to dispel his earlier notions of the man's supposed cruelty before his occupation as a spy was announced.
"Very flattering. If I do not know better, I would think that you are trying to get on my good graces, Lord Moonhaven." Lucius drawled in response.
Not giving in, Harry answered, "And what makes you think that I am not, as you say, trying to get on your good graces? After all, the Malfoy name is quite powerful compared to a mere historical influence that my title gives me."
Smirking a bit, Lucius answered, "If that is so, then you would probably begin simpering and asking me inane questions about my day while trying to scrounge inane favours out of me."
"And what makes you think that I am not merely using a different tactic?"
"Even if you are, I would still not believe it of you. After all, you seem to be a reasonable young man with enough decorum not to conduct yourself in such a manner."
"Now, that is flattering, Lord Malfoy. I do not believe that I deserve such high praise from you. After all, I've been called uncouth several times by sensible ladies of our social circle. "
"If that is so, then you have been able to hide your uncouth behaviour so well that I seem to have missed it. Besides, being called as such by those dear ladies does not take much to achieve."
"Why? Do not tell me that you have been called by such a title as well?"
"Indeed, I am. I have been branded as such when I refused to dance with one of the simpering fools who refer to themselves as the ladies of the pureblood court."
"How utterly revolting. I pity you, Lord Malfoy, for having to endure such torture."
"Oh, but it is worth it for I have been gifted the chance to hear what a promising young lord you turned out to be."
"To be held in such regard is quite flattering and I do hope that I have lived up to it today. After all, I would not want to be a part of such a stagnant group as is the one we are currently tolerating, don't you think so, Lord Malfoy?"
"Indeed. It would be disappointing to stay the same when we have the power to change for the better."
"Ah. It seems to me that our opinions are in accord with each other. Would you mind if I ask you to meet with me again to discuss some issues that run along the same line?"
"Not at all. In fact, I would find it much welcome to have such a refreshing conversation from someone as intriguing as you. Would Saturday noon next week at 'The Three Broomsticks' acceptable?"
"I wouldn't call myself intriguing but then again we have our own preference when it comes to how we think of things. Very well, Saturday it will be, Lord Malfoy."
"It is quite a pleasure meeting you, but for now, I must go. I have to attend an important meeting at the ministry today so I best be off. Until next Saturday, then."
"Until next Saturday it is. Good luck on your meeting." Harry bade the Malfoy Patriarch. As soon as the blonde was out of sight, he gave small triumphant smirk and ordered a chocolate sundae from Mr. Fortescue, who genially gave him his order.
As soon as he finished, he set off towards Hogwarts thinking on what an interesting and profitable day it had been for him. Now, the only thing he had to do was convince Lucius Malfoy to become his partner in advocating the modernization of the Wizarding World while re-educating them about the Lost Arts.
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When he stepped through the Headmaster's fireplace, Albus asked him about his day so he recounted his whole experience with no little amount of triumph in his voice.
Meanwhile, on some obscure part of the castle, Harry's unintentional observer was thinking on ways on how to confront the emerald-eyed teen with his newly-possessed knowledge.
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Finally! It's done! After ten thousand years of waiting!
Hehe, I'm sorry for the very late update.
It just so happen that our internet connection got a bit sketchy and it was hard to connect to the net, then there's the thing called the start of classes and all the rot.
I was hoping to have uploaded this in June but I got sidetracked.
The next update would probably be late as well since I'd probably take some time in writing the next chapters due to school matters and my own laziness...
Hope you'd like this one.... Kyuubi04...