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 Ch 9: 228 REVIEWS: THANK YOU EVERYONE!
Moonpower02: more Harry/Daphne? Yeah, there will be, but nothing graphic, I'm afraid…
Murdrax: yes, he was a bit silly: but, desperate men do desperate things…
Credo-Spero-Fides: Now that would be telling, but I think it's obvious from this chapter…
Nightwing27: Ouch; bit below the belt, yet every word is true…
Rebelchild: Tonks…possibly, and Narcissa will take a role; after all, someone has to convince Harry the prophecy's wrong…
Mrs Vega: Not a bad idea; literally, I'm impressed; like a previous suggestion, it has potential…
Slytherin66: It's all right; I imagine a few of them did; I just wanted a way for Harry to prove his power…
Gulian: Oh, I'm afraid that battle isn't for some time yet…
Last Time…
As Harry sat back down on one of the large leather sofas, he was then aware of Daphne next to him, the fifth-year snuggling next to her boyfriend; with a smile, Harry asked, "How was I?"
"A true leader," Daphne answered, "Just like your Father."
"I agree," laughed the voice of the Dark Lord, before he then noticed Harry staring into the fire.
Daphne must have picked up on this, because she asked, "What is it, my love?"
"Can I do it?" asked Harry calmly, "Can I lead an army within the army?"
"Hogwarts is yours," Daphne told him, "Slytherin are yours; power is yours and…"
She then looked to him and embraced his lips in a kiss of true conviction, before she wrapped her arms around Harry and deepened her meaning as she spoke through the bond.
"And I am yours; Harry, our bond has strengthened us both: whatever you do, I do; wherever you go, I will follow and so will all of Slytherin; our event gave us both awesome powers and we must now work together to use them."
"You're right Daphne," smiled Harry, breaking from the kiss; resting in front of the fireplace, Harry smiled again as he whispered, "I am Prince Slytherin: I am Slytherin; my word is law with this House and, when my plan comes full circle, even Albus Dumbledore will fall before me."
"That's my dark prince," sighed Daphne, getting comfy against Harry's chest, listening to the sound of his breathing and beating heart.
Chapter 10: Ministry, Meetings and Masters
Hogwarts: Mid-October:
As the term began to slowly disappear, Harry knew that he would soon have to put the third part of his plan into action, but, for that, he needed Potter to really lower his defences; thankfully, as Hogwarts had said goodbye to September, he found a way to do just that. According to Tradire, Potter had worked with Weasley and Granger to form a group of their own known as Dumbledore's Army and, as Harry's spy in the ranks, Ginny had told Potter she was with them.
At first, Weasley had been suspicious, but Ginny explained about how not even Riddle would touch her after their duel in Hogsmeade and it was like offering water to a desperate man. Now, as October slowly passed them by, and the date of Harry Riddle's meeting with the Death Eaters came around, there were many big changes in Hogwarts.
As High Inquisitor, Dolores Umbridge became truly hands-on with her punishments and lectures to those 'breaking Ministry protocol' and siding with Dumbledore. Anyone, even Potter, in her lessons who even spat the name Voldemort were rewarded with a detention, during which they would leave with particularly deep looking wounds on their wrists that read I must not tell lies.
The only ones who could do no wrong in Umbridge's classes were the Slytherins and the known members of the Inquisitorial Squad; with Commander Riddle at the head, the Squad were able to match Dumbledore's Army point-for-point; however, the Tuesday before his meeting, Harry was just leaving Magical Focus when a voice called to him.
"Riddle? Can I have a word please?" Looking to the source of the voice, Harry nearly choked on his breath as he saw Cho Chang walking towards him, her face showing that she had been crying, a clear spot on her robe ripped off; Harry guessed that it had once held the Ravenclaw Prefect Badge.
"Miss Chang," he replied curtly, before asking, "What can I do for you?"
"A friend of mine, Anthony Goldstein, told me that you have started a group for those who wish to silence Dumbledore and Potter, is it true?" the question actually caught Harry off guard, but, when he nodded, the surprises continued, "I wish to join this group!"
"Why?" asked Harry, using mild Legilimency on Cho; sure enough, he found mention of a room in Hogwarts where the Army were hiding, and she was a member.
"I know you've just read my mind," explained Cho, "But I don't care: Potter had me accuse Umbridge in her own lesson and for that, I lost my badge; he doesn't even care about the injuries of his actions…I mean, I can't talk to anyone for fear of being expelled."
"So you wish to join the Squad to shun him?" asked Harry, looking to the girl; her eyes said different, "There's more, isn't there?"
"I do this in honour of Cedric," explained Cho, "He died because of Potter's lies; Harry…I mean Riddle, I don't care what you have me do; I will give you everything you need for the Army to fall, I just want to honour his memory for something that matters."
"It's all right Cho," Harry told her, before he added, "As long as you're true to your cause, I will speak to Professor Umbridge about returning your badge and inducting you into the Squad; the more people, especially in different Houses, who help us silence Dumbledore can help us in other ways."
Cho smiled as Harry wiped her tears and smiled back, his emerald eyes full of emotion, as he explained, "For what it's worth, I think Cedric would be proud to have still called you his girl."
"Thank you Harry," Cho whispered, unaware of Harry's hidden meaning in the compliment; even as he watched her walking away, Harry knew that, in another lifetime, he would have actually been proud to get close to Cho, but now, with Daphne at his side and his regrets about that night in the past, Harry was just happy to reward loyalty and punish disobedience.
"Well," laughed a voice, making Harry turn; Professor Orion was standing there and he had clearly heard everything, "Even Harry Riddle has a heart."
"Do you think I can't know the difference between a friend and an enemy, Professor?" asked Harry, following Orion back into his office, "Need I remind you, sir that I am the current top wizard in Slytherin."
The ward was thrown up, before Orion answered, "I think you have the means to lead all of Slytherin and the Squad into the future, my little snake."
As he said the last words, Orion became Voldemort, who smiled at his son as he busied himself with some paperwork, "You have amassed your own army and your own forces; with your powers, connections to Umbridge and clear-cut rivalry with the old man, you are the sole most influential wizard in the school Harry."
"Not to mention Tradire and you being here as well Dad," Harry smiled, before he opened his mind, feeling the waves of magic course all through his body, as he added, "I hate having to hide my true potential, but, if Professor Umbridge and my plan for her work together, then I won't have to hide anything."
"Give it time, little snake," Voldemort told him, "I know you can do anything you have to in order to achieve your goals; you are a bright, young wizard and a loyal member of the darkness; now, I also have some news for you."
"What?" asked Harry, helping his Father pack away some materials with wandless magic.
"Another raid is coming," explained Tom, "And I need to be able to…"
"I'll take care of it Father," Harry laughed, before he added, "Wait until the next weekend and I will be able to give you a true feeling of pride; after all, I do have to meet with our Forces this Saturday, so…"
"Say no more," Tom nodded, "Just be ready before Halloween Harry and make sure you don't let them intimidate you on Saturday."
HJSRR
Friday: Defence Classroom:
"You wanted to see me Professor?"
Professor Umbridge looked up as Harry entered her office; it was just before their lesson earlier that morning when Umbridge had asked for Harry's presence after dinner. As he looked around the office, noticing the surplus of cat pictures, Harry looked ahead again as Umbridge began to speak, "Yes I did Master Riddle; the Minister will announce tonight that I am to begin inspections of lessons and the teaching standards of the staff here at Hogwarts, but, as the Commander of the Inquisitorial Squad, I want you to tell me now whether you have any queries about who should and shouldn't be inspected."
"Well," answered Harry, a smile dancing on his lips as he looked to Umbridge, "I don't mean to sound biased, Professor, but Professor Snape is one of the few teachers I trust with my life, so he's clean. And, before I continue, I would like you to be honest with me," he locked eyes with Umbridge, but knew it would be useless to try and use Legilimency; after all, he didn't want to lose his only weapon in the Ministry.
"What do you wish to know Master Riddle?" asked Umbridge, watching as the tall teen seemed to concentrate on his nails.
"Professor McGonagall," explained Harry, "I have it under good information that she has actually been helping the Inquisitorial into Dumbledore and I just wanted to know how she's been treating you."
Umbridge actually smiled as she explained, "Your source, whoever they are Master Riddle, speaks the truth: Minerva has been surprisingly helpful towards our cause; I actually enjoy our often-long tea sessions and discussions about the students; she seems to take a special liking, so she tells me, towards you and the Silver Triad, as I believe you are called. When I asked her why she had this interest, she explained, in no uncertain terms that it was simply because you would have to be crazy to stand against Dumbledore at the age of fifteen!"
"She actually said that?" asked Harry, "Word for word?"
"Like I said," Umbridge repeated, "In no uncertain terms; all I can say is that the wording was very different and she seemed like she had wanted to say it for a long time."
(That is interesting,) thought Harry, before he then added, "In that case, she's clean, but I'll keep an eye on her for you, Professor; now, the only other teacher I can think of would have to be Professors Orion and Lupin."
"But," gasped Umbridge, "Lupin is a follower of that old man; plus, Master Riddle, he's a…"
"Werewolf, I know," Harry nodded, "And I actually trust him Professor; from what I've seen of him, or heard from the other Slytherins, he doesn't even try to encourage the thought of You-Know-Who being alive; so, please, him as well. As for the others: Sprout, Flitwick, Hagrid, Sinistra, Vector and the fraud Trelawney – and you can have her especially – they need to be inspected and, if possible, replaced at the first moment."
"I see," Umbridge nodded, "Very well, thank you Master Riddle; you may go."
"Thank you Professor," Harry added, before he stopped and, with a turn, added, "By the way, be careful; if you try and replace anyone, Dumbledore will try and intervene, so just be careful."
"I will," Umbridge replied, "Thank you…Harry."
HJSRR
Riddle Manor: Saturday:
When Harry used a portkey to arrive in the hall of the Manor, he wasn't surprised to find Lily, James and Lucius already there waiting for him; when he noticed the lack of Sirius, however, Harry supposed that the old man must have called a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix, a cult name he had learned from Tradire, using Harry's chosen alias of Erus – meaning Lord – as a sign she was always loyal.
Lily and James bowed to their godson before Lucius kneeled before his lord and nephew, his eyes down as he said, "This way, my Lord; the Circle are assembled!"
Harry nodded, before he flicked his wand and summoned a jet black robe embossed with his real Riddle Coat of Arms, the dagger of Salazar Slytherin at his side, his magic radiating all through the Manor as he followed Lucius, Lily and James through to a room where several other figures were gathered; recalling the event over three months before, Harry knew them by sight: Avery, Macnair, Goyle, Crabbe, Rookwood, Wormtail - who squeaked with fright when he saw the Dark Prince enter the room – as well as Lily, James, Lucius and a final figure who bowed with graceful respect, before he revealed the face of Barty Crouch Jr, his own personal right hand in the Dark Forces.
Stepping up to the throne that was usually occupied by his Father, Harry turned and, seating himself, commanded, "You may begin, Lucius!"
The ten wizards then all kneeled before him as the Malfoy elder spoke, "My Lord…I mean, my Prince, we have successful news concerning the Ministry and the success rate of the raids conducted by the Dark Lord."
"Here's a question," Harry then spoke up, "The last raid, dated I believe on October 1st, was performed personally by, as the Ministry told it, pranksters who were charged the 5,000 Galleons fine for riling the wizarding world, but, at the same time, Professor Vincent Orion was teaching my class of students in Magical Focus, so, how could he be in two places at once?"
"A Time Turner, my lord?" suggested Avery.
"Crucio!" Harry snapped, forcing the rather lean man to flail in pain, screaming as the power of Harry's magic hit him; when he released the man, Harry became the Dark Prince as he asked, "Do you think for one second Avery that I would be foolish enough to try and construct a Time Turner and use it on my Father? To use a Time Turner, there would have to be an alibi for Professor Orion to appear and disappear; I have experienced said magic before and the suspicions were many, so next time, use that brain of yours before you speak."
"Y…Yes, Master," bowed the Death Eater, before Harry then looked back to Lucius.
"The answer, Malfoy, lies in my magic: as the Circle knows too well, I, Harry James Salazar Rasputin Riddle, am not just the True Heir of Salazar Slytherin, but the Heir and Sire of Dante Martinez, the founder of the rare and deadly powers of Black Magic; when I created the Dark forces, I began to inspect Black Magic and found a very rare form of ancient alchemy: tell me Lucius, have you ever heard of a Homunculus?"
"A magical vessel in which temporary life and movement can be granted," nodded Malfoy, "It is very rare and dangerous magic, my lord; it is how your Father survived the year before his return."
"I was able to use his magic," explained Harry, "Gathered from all those times I wished to talk to him. I would always leave with a piece of his magic now stored in my own magical reserves and with that, I would read and practice creating a Homunculus in the hope I could help him be in two places at once; then, I simply tapped into the right over Hogwarts that I hold as Lord Slytherin and this homunculus was able to go about the business of the Dark Lord while Father kept his guise as Professor Orion; I know that this is only a temporary body, but it will last long enough for Father to get a closer look at Hogwarts and Dumbledore."
"Especially since he has also defied death and resurrected Potter," commented James, looking to Harry as if afraid this news would upset him enough to hurt the man.
"Yes," growled Harry, feeling exactly that; gripping the ends of the throne, he explained, "Potter is mine! Understand this: no matter what plans that senile old bastard may have for the so-called Golden Boy of Gryffindor, Potter is mine to do with as I wish: if he dies by any one of you, then I will take your life instead, am I clear?"
"Yes Master," chorused the Inner Circle, before Harry then turned to Crouch, Lily and James.
"My Father spoke to me the other day," he explained, "And said he had another raid in mind; I want you three to escort him on this mission; now you know who he is really, I want you to do whatever you have to in order to protect the homunculus."
"As you wish, My Lord," Crouch bowed, kneeling in respective servitude to the Dark Prince.
"I also want you Malfoy," Harry continued, his eyes trained on Lucius, "To find out what the Minister could be hiding or what it is that Dumbledore would want his golden zombie to find; report either to Crouch or James with your discovery and then meet me in Hogsmeade near Christmas, am I clear?"
"My Lord," bowed Lucius.
"Master," James added, nodding his head at Harry as the Dark Prince looked on.
"The next meeting," he explained, "Will be held shortly after Halloween; once my Father has succeeded in the task he has in store for the world, then I will inform him of your success, but just remember…Wormtail, step forwards!"
The treacherous Marauder crept closer to Harry, before the Dark Prince then raised his wand and commanded, "Crucio!"
Wormtail screamed in pain as Harry fixed all his past rage and vengeance on this man; keeping his wand held there, Harry then spoke in succession, "Finite; Brachium-Confringe!"
There was a sound like a firework exploding before Wormtail screamed in pain, his hand clutching at his recently-healed right-hand, which now had a gaping hole right through the palm, splinters of bone hanging out of the flesh.
"Now get out of my sight!" demanded Harry, before he added, "And remember, fail me and I will, no, I can personally deal with you! Dismissed!"
The Circle, save for Lucius, Lily and James, all vanished in an instant; leaning forwards, Harry slowly rubbed his temples as he asked, "How does Dad do it? That was both fun and stressful; I mean, I know that I based this meeting more on what I needed, but he does this on an almost fortnightly basis; how does he keep up?"
"I see my son at night," answered a voice; Harry's head snapped up and Lily, James and Lucius went to their knees as Tom Riddle, the real Tom Riddle, stood there, smiling proudly as he walked inside, "Just knowing I can see my little snake afterwards is more than enough for me to get through these meetings."
"Why are you here Dad?" asked Harry, rising and offering his Father his throne; taking his seat, Voldemort then watched as Harry sat in his own seat, before Harry asked, "I know I have an alibi, but you need one."
"Professor Orion is in Hogsmeade with Master Riddle and the Slytherins," explained Tom, watching as Harry continued to rub at his forehead; tilting his head, the Dark Lord asked, "Headache?"
"Pounding," Harry answered, before he raised his voice and called, "Ari!"
There was a crack and a grey-skinned House Elf appeared; dressed in the Riddle robe, the elf bowed before he asked, "Master Riddle summoned me sir?"
"Fetch me a Headache Relieving Draught!" commanded Harry, before the elf vanished instantly; looking to Lucius and his Father, Harry then asked, "How did I do then?"
"Perfect," laughed Tom, "But a Bone-Blasting Curse: was that necessary Harry?"
"You said I could lead the meeting," Harry reminded him, "You didn't say how I had to react to them; besides, he deserves it."
"Maybe," Voldemort laughed, giving Harry's hair a light ruffling, "But you've been punishing him ever since you found out about your true power; why make him suffer any further?"
"Because the next step is the Avada Kedavra Curse," Harry answered slyly, "Anyway, back to business, how much did you hear?"
"Everything," answered his Father, "So, a homunculus? I had no idea that you had learned that much power Harry; I am very proud of you, my little snake."
"Thank you Father," Harry smiled, hiding his eyes as he was actually slightly embarrassed by the praise; being so unaccustomed to hearing it, before he then asked, "By the way Lucius, why weren't Aunt Cissa and Petunia here with us?"
"Diagon Alley," Lucius explained and it was a case of say no more for the Dark Heir; once Narcissa got Petunia to the Alley, they were clearly worse than Muggle women at a Christmas Sale and you wouldn't see them for hours.
As Harry sat back, Ari returned with the draught; downing it, Harry quickly felt better as he tried to focus now on his life ahead; with Umbridge inspecting several lessons as well as the inter-House mutiny of Slytherin, life at Hogwarts was going to be so much fun.
HJSRR
Grimmauld Place:
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black's ancestral home was playing host to the Order of the Phoenix, but, as Sirius left the main lounge, he scoffed and looked up to where a gang of red-heads and a certain Muggleborn had obviously been trying to listen in on a meeting; however, as Sirius went down to his study, he opened the door and was surprised to find Ginny there, reading the Daily Prophet.
"Tradire," Sirius nodded, using the alias that all Harry's followers knew about.
"Cerberus," replied Ginny, putting down the Prophet as she looked to Sirius and asked, "What's been said?"
"The prophecy," sighed Sirius, "What else? Has Lord Slytherin been told about this yet?"
"No," Ginny answered, before she indicated the Prophet and added, "However, I'm guessing Umbridge's newest declaration may have something to do with Harry; speaking of our Lord, what's the news on the pretender?"
"The Army continues," explained Sirius, "Fenris will be helping teach duelling after the New Year, but apparently, Dumbledore has to try and get around Umbridge. He's getting desperate Tradire and it will be up to Lord Slytherin to try and work this out; Potter is getting desperate, especially since Albus can't even speak of Harry as his old self thanks to the Founder's Decree."
"So I should warn him to watch out?" asked Ginny, "What about you Cerberus?"
"I'm going to keep an especially close eye on a certain member of the Order," explained Sirius, "Afterwards I think our Lord would feel better knowing he had some other allies; so, I'll help you with your brothers Tradire."
Ginny rose from her seat, before she nodded and, turning to a private Floo in the study, transported herself back to the place she had come from known as the Room of Requirement. When she emerged, Ginny found Draco and Dudley waiting there, both of them watching her; with a sigh, Ginny explained, "Message from Cerberus; we have work to do."
As Draco walked past Ginny, he accidentally nudged her hand, which made them both stop and stare at one another as a strange spark of magic had passed between them.
Shaking his head, Draco laughed, "Sorry Tradire."
"My fault Dragon," replied Ginny, before she walked away: all the way, before he turned to make his own report, Draco couldn't help, but notice that Ginny Weasley had become a real young woman...
(And a cute one at that,) thought Draco, before he realised what he'd thought and quickly distracted himself with his report.
HJSRR
Riddle Manor:
"Thank you Draco," Harry nodded once Draco had made his report, "Now, tell Tradire to keep a close eye on those she wants to join our cause, while I attack Dumbledore from the Ministry side of things; once that's done, then our plans can progress."
"Yes my Lord," Draco bowed, before leaving through the Floo Gate.
Once he was gone, Harry smiled slyly and, looking to his Father, actually laughed as he whispered, "I knew it!"
"What?" asked Tom, catching his son's mischievous glare.
So as not to scare Lucius, Harry said the next part in Parselenic, {Draco MALFOY is in love with Ginny WEASLEY!}
All Tom Riddle could do was laugh at the irony as Harry looked to Lucius and shook his head, his almost sorrowful smile confusing the Malfoy elder.
Draco's in love; Harry's in charge; Dumbledore's in the desperation zone and Hogwarts is in for a big change; can that school ever have a normal year? What will happen when Umbridge begins to exert her power over the teachers and students?
Also, why does Sirius seem so confident about his allegiance and who is he keeping an eye on?
And, when will our Dark Prince learn of the infamous prophecy?
Keep Reading to Find Out…
In the Next Chapter: 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; also, Harry speaks to an 'old friend' of sorts about an alliance…
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;
Chapter 13: DUMBLEDORE'S GETTING FIRED! Harry makes an approach to the Minister and Hogwarts is in for its darkest days; plus, a certain visitor pays a visit to the Golden Brat of Gryffindor…
Please Read and Review…
OC Spells:
Brachium-Confringe: The Bone Blasting Curse: Sends a powerful painful blast through the bones of a target; WARNING; can cause death and leaves an incurable hole in the target…