The Riddle Answered
Disclaimer: SEE PREVIOUS CHAPTERS FOR PLOT AND TAGS AND DISCLAIMER
Pairings: Harry/Daphne; Draco/Ginny
DEDICATIONS: I WISH TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION: SelwynSentinel has wrriten a brilliant story named The Serpent Lord and it is well worth the read: also, I wish to thank Mrs Vega, Tiro and Shadow Bubbles for the inspirations behind this story…
Normal Speech
(Thought)
{Parseltongue}
Mental Bonds (Harry with Daphne, Fawkes and his Father)
Review Answers for Chapter 7:
FireFriday: Someone the World thought dead is alive and all they can think of is potions: it's a case of 'don't care as long as he's here'
D-M Likely Together: Perhaps; but if it is, then why would he? Harry has one familiar, so who does Fawkes belong to?
Slytherin66: Yeah, I kinda liked writing that part myself; Not a bad idea concerning McGonagall and as for Ginny, find out in the next chapter;
DalekDavros: A good idea, but sadly, I already have a way for Harry Potter to meet his end; however, they say the mind plays tricks on someone; so an idea like that has potential;
Fifespice: then your going to hate me with this chapter;
Nightwing27: that's why I put her in the poll; but yeah, she's someone you have to be sorry for;
Gallantmon228: thanks; I kinda played with 'Golden Boy of Gryffindor' and fused it with Harry's legacy as the TRUE Heir of SS;
Last Time…
"Daphne," he whispered, running his fingers along her hair, "I'm sorry!"
Then, as his skin touched Daphne's skin, there was a sudden burst of magic and, as Harry tried to stand, he found a scream of pain and anguish leaving his lips before, tearing his robe from him, Harry's hands scrabbled for his back: his dragon tattoo was on fire! The very sword used to brand his spine felt like it was now peeling the mark of Demonio Espíritu from his back with a rusted sword.
As soon as the driving pain filled his spine, Harry opened his mouth and let out a bestial roar before a voice spoke through his mind, a sweet voice that made his eyes widen with shock.
"Harry, do not fight this: it must have been pre-determined: let me help you."
Harry gave into the pain before he felt a second mind touch his own and, as he fell forwards, he realised that he could feel a soft hand now clasping his.
"Daphne?" he asked, using his mind.
"Yes, Prince Slytherin," replied the female Slytherin, "A Soul Bond has united us; but don't worry, I will support you first; I am your chosen one and still your ally."
"No," Harry whispered, feeling his consciousness fading, "You are who this says you are; Daphne Greengrass; you are…Lady Slytherin and Mistress of the Dark, but do you want to be my girlfriend just because of this or…"
He faded into a deep, magical slumber before he could finish the question, unaware of Professors Orion, Lupin, Snape and Madam Pomfrey smiling at them:
Both Slytherins lay against each other, their bodies radiating a powerful silver aura of magic; Professor Lupin looked to Professor Orion before he saw the Magical Focus tutor nod with agreement.
(She will be his,) thought Voldemort, aware of Madam Pomfrey watching him, (And she will be the perfect queen for him: Harry Potter is the Golden Boy of Gryffindor; well now, he, my son, Harry Riddle, is the Silver King of Slytherin.)
Chapter 8: Silver King
Hogwarts; Hospital Wing:
Harry tossed and turned as his magic seemed to be on overdrive inside him: it felt like at one moment, he was calm as the seas and then a raging maelstrom of magic would burn inside him. The only comfort came from the seemingly-now-bound voice of Daphne telling him to ride this out and that she would be there for him.
In all honesty, the Soul Bond had shocked Harry, but, as he tried to calm his magic again, it was then he felt his Father's presence and Harry actually sighed as his magic was vented out through their bond; he knew that if his Father were watching over him, then he would be safe from any and all who tried to hurt him.
Avoiding the part of his mind where the magic seemed to be centred, Harry spoke in the bonds, "Father, Daphne, can you hear me?"
"I hear you little snake," replied Tom, before a feeling of relief joined them as the Dark Lord added, "For a minute there, I was worried you would over-exert yourself with magic."
"What about Daphne?" asked Harry, trying to feel his mind for his fellow fifth year. "Can she hear me? I heard her before I blacked out!"
"I'm here Prince Slytherin," replied the sweet voice of Daphne, before she then added, "I failed to reply because my mind was hurt from your magic: however, I do recall you wanting to ask me a question about why I like you: well, here's my answer: I LOVE you with all my heart, Harry Riddle and would be honoured to be your Dark Queen and Lady of Slytherin!"
"Thanks Daphne," Harry sighed; if he had been awake, he would have smiled; for now, he asked, "What do you say Father?"
"You have my blessing Harry," the Dark Lord answered, "I have also felt the pull of a heart and I know Lord and Lady Greengrass will be honoured and proud to have their daughter standing at the Dark Prince's right hand."
Harry could only allow his Father and his new Lady to feel his satisfaction, before he asked, "Father, what has this bond done to me? It feels like my magic is burning up inside me."
"It's not burning Harry," answered Tom, "It is evolving and splitting so that your bonded can feel your power; now, as Heir of Black Magic, you will be the more powerful of the two of you, but Daphne will be able to hold a small amount of this power. Also, as you can see, or hear, you also share the same mental bond with Daphne that you feel with me; she will also share your gift of Parseltongue and have her own magical familiar. If you truly want my advice, little snake, then allow this to happen: your magic will be done by the end of the day and then you two can go on your way to becoming the Lord and Lady of Slytherin."
"The Silver King and Queen of Slytherin," Harry cut in, before he added, "I feel it has a ring to it; after all; that pretender is the Golden Boy of Gryffindor, and, speaking of that fraud, I am going to deal with him."
"I will do what I can to help you Harry," Tom explained to him, before Harry then felt something soft touching his body before he realised it to be his Father's hand.
"Careful Father," Harry warned him, "We don't want the old man to discover your true identity; now, once I am out of this comatose state then I will deal with Professor Umbridge and my plan to get the Ministry on my side; I actually do have an idea for that and, if you can leave me to it Father, I also have a plan to get Dumbledore out of Hogwarts!"
"Which will leave Potter defenceless," realised Daphne: when she had joined the other Slytherins at Harry's 15th birthday ball, they had been told the full story behind the Dark Lord's son and that included the shocking resurrection of Lily and James Potter and revelation that Harry Riddle had once been Harry Potter. "You're a genius Harry…I mean, my Lord."
"And I'm also your new boyfriend," Harry told her, feeling Daphne blush slightly at the expression, "You will not address me ever again as Lord, unless it's in a…intimate way; instead, you can continue to be formal around me. However, you are right Daphne: I am a genius and yes, it will leave Potter defenceless. How would you like to help me make this dream a reality?"
"I would love to, my dark prince," answered Daphne, before they both felt their magic spiking, creating a strong burn in Harry's chest and the tattoo on his spine; when the burn faded, Harry opened his ice-blue eyes and looked to his left, where Severus, Remus and Professor Orion were watching the two of them. Looking to his right hand, Harry found Daphne holding on to him, a strange emerald green and black aura covering their hands as their magical potential completed its bond.
Looking back to his professors, Harry then slowly sat upright before he asked, "How long have we been out?"
"A few hours," explained Professor Orion, "But when Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were told, they excused you both; McGonagall even went as far as to have a word with young Mr Potter about what had happened in Severus' lesson."
"Professor!" gasped Harry, before he switched to the bond and asked, "Do you have a death wish? I know you take your teaching ways from Snape, but there's no reason to be so formal Dad; what if someone figures it out?"
"Nevertheless," replied Orion, "I would like to see you and Miss Greengrass in my office when you feel up to it; I may have some means to help you with your unified magic."
Harry, catching the hidden message, nodded to the teacher before he looked to his right, now aware of Daphne leaning against his chest, her eyes still closed, but her pale skin and long brown hair were now slick and straightened almost like Harry and, when she moved, she smiled once and seemed to be merely sleeping.
Lowering his voice, Harry asked, "If we're bound by magic, how did I wake up before her?"
"Your magic is stronger," explained Severus, "Miss Greengrass must adjust to the new sensations of magic that are currently fusing with her magical core; if you wish to wait for her, Master Riddle, then you may go with Professor Orion and wait in his office; just be either back here or in your dorm before ten o clock tonight."
"Yes Professor," smiled Harry, sliding his arm from under Daphne as he followed the Magical Focus teacher out of the Hospital Wing, the occasional spark of magic reminding him of his bond with his new girlfriend.
HJSRR
Hogwarts; Professor Orion's Office:
When Harry closed the door to his Father's office, the privacy and silencing charms were replaced before the Dark Lord once again stood before his son, a proud, relieved smile on his face. Smiling in return, Harry wrapped his arms around his Father and allowed the Dark Lord to look him over before he commented, "No real damage; magical strength as normal: I'd say you're either lucky or immortal."
"Be kinda cool if I was the latter," Harry remarked, before he laughed and added, "But since immortality is rarer than the power to cheat the AK, I guess that leaves lucky."
Tom slapped Harry across the back of the head before he asked, "So? What are you going to do about Umbridge and the Ministry?"
"That's easy Dad," grinned Harry, a note of maliciousness in his voice as he asked, "What do Muggles say is the enemy of my enemy?"
"Your friend," Tom nodded, before he looked to his son in confusion and asked, "So what? You're going to get the Ministry to support the Death Eaters?"
"Nope," Harry answered.
"Oh thank Merlin," gasped Tom and Harry actually sniggered at the thought of the Death Eaters with the Ministry, or at least, their Master with the Minister.
"No," Harry laughed, "Like you Dad, I'm going to use their biggest weakness and manipulate it to my own goals, which is why I asked you to leave this one to me."
"Which I will," Tom agreed, before he whispered a quick cutting spell and Harry watched as several long strands of black hair fell away before the Dark Lord added a styling spell and gave Harry a braid of black hair with a shorter, styled appearance on his head. "That's better," he sighed, allowing Harry to clean the room with a quick Evanesco and Scourgify Charm.
Running his hand through his hair, Harry then asked, "Why did you send this to me by the way?" he reached under his robe and pulled out Slytherin's Locket; showing it to his Father, Harry told him, "I can tell there's something else Dad: some kind of dark magic is sealed inside this locket, but I can't seem to open it."
"That's because it's a form of the darkest magic on Earth," explained the Dark Lord, before he asked, "Harry, in all your studying, did you ever come across the magic of a Horcrux?"
Closing his eyes for a few moments, Harry mentally ran through the archives of information he had studied over the holidays, before he opened his eyes and replied, "No, but there's something about the way you ask that tells me I've seen something like this before."
"And you have," sighed Tom, "My diary: when Lucius gave the diary to Miss Weasley, my spiritual self possessed her and was slowly draining her of strength; then, as we know, he used her to open the Chamber and attack mudbloods before, like Dumbledore wanted, you went into the Chamber and rescued her."
"But I destroyed the diary," Harry admitted, his voice trying to tell his Father that he was sorry for it, "With a Basilisk Fang; I destroyed the diary and defeated your younger self."
"And earned yourself an ally for life," added Tom.
"I know, but I haven't heard from her for a while; Dad, maybe you could direct a meeting with McGonagall and ask about her; I swear," Harry clenched his fists and his eyes went as red as blood before he hissed, "If that old bastard has hurt her, I will take the greatest pleasures on Earth in making his little zombie saviour beg for his life!"
A nearby glass bottle suddenly smashed as Harry's anger was turned into magic; repairing the bottle, Harry looked around the room as he leaned on his Father's shoulder, "I'm sorry; I shouldn't lose it like that, especially not over a Gryffindor!"
"You shouldn't and yet you still did," grinned the Dark Lord, tapping Harry on his own shoulder, making the Silver King of Slytherin sit upright; looking to his son, Voldemort continued, "Leave the mystery of Miss Weasley to me; besides, you have to learn to use this magical bond forged between you and Daphne: now that she is bound to you, the two of you almost radiate and reflect each other's magic. Let her help you get to Umbridge and manipulate the Ministry as you wish to; I expect you to either send a hidden owl to me or report here at least once a week with your progress. On the second Hogsmeade weekend in October, I want you, Draco, Daphne and Dudley to return to Riddle Manor and take charge of a meeting: do whatever you have to, but remember what you told me: even the Dark Lord cannot be in two places at once."
"Yes Father," replied Harry, watching as Professor Orion reared his head again, before Harry then laughed, "Be honest though; are you enjoying being Professor Orion?"
Professor Orion/Tom Riddle then laughed as he admitted, "Between you and me; I love it!"
HJSRR
Hogwarts; 3 Days Later
A/N: In the last chapter, I stated the Slytherins had DA with the Ravens; I am changing this to the Gryffs and putting the Ravens in HoM with the Snakes.
It had taken all night and most of the following morning, but, at long last, Harry was reunited with Daphne and word of their sudden relationship spread, but, in all fairness, Harry didn't mind the stares that most of the girls sent his way, nor did he mind the eyes of those who had clearly had their eyes on Daphne. All he was truly interested in was his plan to use the Ministry and to deal with Dumbledore and his zombie-saviour; as he sat at dinner that Thursday, Harry then noticed that Professor Umbridge wasn't sitting at the High Table.
(Probably preparing for her first lesson,) he thought, before rising and turning to leave; to no-one's surprise, Draco, Dudley and Daphne escorted the Silver King; while the boys themselves had become known as the Silver Triad, Harry was always happy to include Daphne in their missions and meetings. The other boys of Slytherin were simply guards and watchers of the Triad while the girls kept their eyes on Daphne and also watched the younger years.
Making his way to the third floor, Harry took a deep breath and knocked on the door, a familiar sickly-sweet voice answering, "Come in!"
Opening the door, Harry kept his formality to its highest standards as he spoke, "I'm sorry for intruding Professor Umbridge, but I was wondering if I could have a word."
Looking up, the new Defence Teacher, who was dressed in another pink dress, nodded and asked, "What can I do for you Master Riddle?"
(Clearly respects those who aren't with Dumbledore,) thought Harry, before he spoke again.
"Well, as we both know, a certain Gryffindor who will remain nameless has tried to convince the school that a certain Dark Lord who will also remain nameless has returned; we both know this is a lie Professor and I was wondering if, at your permission, I could suggest a way to combat said Gryffindor."
Umbridge then looked up again as she asked, "What do you suggest Master Riddle?"
Harry motioned to her office before he asked, "May we discuss this in private?"
As he followed Umbridge, Harry sent a thumbs-up to Draco, Daphne and Dudley: the trio knew that, despite Harry's eagerness to be private, they would know his plan and so would Professors Snape, Lupin and Orion/Riddle.
After ten minutes, Professor Umbridge emerged from her office with a smiling Harry Riddle, the latter looking to his quartet of followers, all of whom were sat in the front of the class, with successful eyes. Professor Umbridge was also smiling before she asked, "When can you have this plan of yours ready Master Riddle?"
"Give me until after the second Hogsmeade Weekend Professor and you will have what I spoke of," Harry told her, knowing full well that his meeting with the Death Eaters as well as Hogsmeade would support this plan of his and help guide it along. "Until then, the Trio and I shall keep a close eye on the Golden Brat of Gryffindorks!"
Umbridge smiled her thanks as Harry took a seat in the midst of the quartet, Daphne at his right and Dudley next to her with Draco at his left; moments later, the door opened and the other Slytherins and Gryffindors entered the room, the Silver Triad watching as the Golden Trio sat not three rows behind them; Daphne meanwhile was watching the faces of said Trio before she looked back at Harry and spoke through their bond.
"Weasley's not giving anything about his sister, my love," she told him, before watching as Harry Potter locked eyes with the Triad as she added, "But I would keep your shields up; I sense a great magic within Potter that will not relent."
"Thank you my Queen," Harry returned before he faced the front, aware of Professor Umbridge also watching the Golden Trio before she addressed the room.
"Welcome to your first Defence Lesson of the year, fifth years; now, this year, as most of you know, is your Ordinary Wizarding Level year, more commonly known as OWLs. This year, you will all be studying from these books," she flicked her wand at a stack of books before handing them to each student; looking at the book, Harry raised a confused eyebrow as he read Basic Magical Theory and Defence, before he looked back as Umbridge continued, "This year, the Ministry have felt the need to go, as Muggles would say, back to basics given your lack of proper education in this subject."
When Harry looked past his allies to the Gryffindors, he was greatly displeased to notice Hermione Granger with her hand in the air; when Professor Umbridge nodded to her, Hermione commented, "There's nothing in these books about using spells."
"Using spells?" asked Umbridge, "I can't really think why you would want to use spells?"
"Are you crazy?" asked Potter, the Dark Prince trying not to laugh as he counted off Step 1 of his plan: hear Potter's propaganda.
"Students will raise their hands when in my lesson," explained Professor Umbridge sharply, before she added, "And that's 5 points from Gryffindor for insulting a teacher Mr Potter."
Potter reluctantly raised his hand before he asked, "What about all the dangers out there? Won't we need to use spells against them?"
"Dangers?" asked Professor Umbridge, "Whatever could be out there that could harm you?"
"I don't know," Potter replied sceptically, "Lord Voldemort?"
There was a collective shudder at the name; even Harry dared to flinch before Professor Umbridge's calm, sweet demeanour faded as she looked to the crowds and whispered, "Now let me make this quite clear; you have all been given the information that a certain Dark Lord has returned: this is a lie!" She seemed to take a pause between each of the last words as she walked closer to the Golden Trio, the Silver Triad watching as she seemed to fall under some hidden pretence.
"Looks like you did well to talk to her," whispered Draco, noticing a near-gleeful look in Umbridge's eyes, as if something had been confirmed.
"It's not a lie!" snapped Potter, "I saw him: I fought him: a student died at his hand!"
"Detention Mr Potter!" retorted Professor Umbridge, before she turned and continued, "These are all falsehoods and they are not real!"
"So you're saying that Cedric Diggory died of his own accord?" asked Potter, Harry slowly clenching and unclenching his fists as the images of that fated night came back to him.
"Mr Diggory's death was an accident—"
"It WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT: IT WAS MURDER!"
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone turned at once and saw Professor Umbridge now close to tears as she looked to the class, before she added, "See me tonight Mr Potter; my office; Master Riddle, would you also see me after lesson please?"
"Of course Professor," replied Harry, before he pretended to read his book as he hissed in a tone that he knew only two others in the room would understand:
{You're losing Potter; just give up!}
The reply came almost as quickly, {Never…I will kill him and then kill you!}
At the end of the lesson, Professor Umbridge looked to Harry, watching as the class left, before she nodded to her office and, after a few more minutes, Harry emerged with his red eyes shining and sparkling with magic as he looked to his own Slytherin Inner Circle and announced;
"We have work to do!"
HJSRR
"Master Riddle!"
Harry grit his teeth together as he turned and acknowledged Professor McGonagall walking towards him, her eyes narrow as she noticed the Triad behind their leader.
"Something I can help you with Professor? I was just on my way to a meeting with Professor Snape!" Harry informed her, making sure he had the same hissing tone he had inherited from his Father to show he was annoyed.
Despite the tone, Professor McGonagall explained, "Professor Snape is on his way to meet with the Headmaster; he has requested that you are there as well Master Riddle."
"Dad!" cried Harry, making his bound voice echo all across Hogwarts.
"I know," answered the Dark Lord, "Lucius is on his way Harry and so is Professor Orion; see you there."
With a close to defeated sigh, Harry nodded and hissed, "Lead the way Professor!"
Following McGonagall, Harry was led into Dumbledore's office where he was surprised to find that Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, was watching him warily, almost as if trying to warn him of something.
Ignoring the bird for a few moments, Harry turned and noticed Professors Snape and Orion sat there, the end of the table occupied by Lucius Malfoy, who nodded his head respectfully as he looked back to the reason they were here.
Professor Dumbledore, dressed in a long red robe and cloak, smiled and nodded himself, "Master Riddle…or would you prefer…Harry Potter: thank you for coming!"
Harry then felt a powerful magic all around him before the door to the office closed and Fawkes practically screeched the room down as Dumbledore indicated for Harry to take a seat.
"I'd sooner stand," Harry answered, "What can I do for you Headmaster?"
"Drop the act Harry," Dumbledore insisted and Harry shrugged before speaking again.
"I'm not Harry Potter anymore Albus," he smiled, "You don't control me!"
"Oh no?" Dumbledore then raised his hand and, as everyone watched, the room darkened before Dumbledore's hand began to glow a deep crimson colour; when he next spoke, Dumbledore's words were not with a kind, grandfatherly voice, "You will obey me Harry Potter!"
Harry went rigid; at the same time, he felt a light pressure on his mind and his body began to glow a powerful, hypnotic shade of gold before he wspoke with a monotone voice, "Yes Master!"
Professor Orion stared in shock before he snarled and dropped his guise, revealing the Dark Lord, who turned and pointed his own wand at Dumbledore, "Release my son old man!"
"I am not your son," Harry said in a cold voice, his eyes red like blood, before he then declared, "I am your executioner: I must do as my Master wishes!"
"Yes Harry," grinned Dumbledore, "And I wish for you to kill Tom and then kill yourself!"
Harry raised his black oak wand before the glow around him intensified to a point where his wand tip sparked with an Avada Kedavra green light as he answered:
"As you command, my Master…Goodbye Tom!"
All the Dark Lord saw was a blinding flash of emerald and gold…
HARRY? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT'S DUMBLEDORE DONE? WILL HARRY BE FORCED TO KILL HIS OWN FATHER?
Keep Reading to Find Out…
In the Next Chapter: Daphne speaks to Harry about their 'event': Draco seems concerned for a certain ally of the Dark Prince; is he in love? Plus, in Hogsmeade, Harry, Draco and Dudley meet an unlikely enemy and Harry begins to build his dark forces with the Inquisitorial Squad; plus, there's an attack by the Dark Lord, but Professor Orion is still at school; can he really be in two places at once?
Chapter 10: The Death Eaters have their meeting with their Dark Prince and the Order also have a meeting, but one of those things is not like the others…
Chapter 11: Harry's spy gives him some interesting news about Harry Potter's plans and current situation; plus, Tom is leaving Hogwarts and Harry finds trouble sleeping at night; also, the Dark Lord makes plans to give his son a special Christmas Present and Daphne gives Harry her answer…
Chapter 12: Christmas brings a joy to Harry Riddle he has never felt; plus, his training begins as the Heir of Black Magic and he discovers an unusual, yet clever, way to get under his devious doppelganger's skin;
Please Read and Review…