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 10:
Darklight-phoenix: glad you like the content so far; always nice to hear from new reviewers;
GBMSCR: I appreciate the compliment;
Reblchild: I forgot about Marge, but maybe a bit of torture; also, Hermione WILL NOT be joining the Triad; instead, she's joining the Society;
Smaginn: So sorry, but I can't reveal plot twists; read this chapter and find out:
Omnitrixian: the question was never posted; that's my fault: it's whether or not Daphne wants to learn Black Magic;
Slytherin66: I enjoyed writing the chapter and Kiyo was just an inspired idea; congrats in order if you can figure out where I got the name from for the warriors;
Hivedragon: You only have a bit longer to wait before you find out;
Mrs Vega: Kiyo, personally, didn't serve the original, but the Kariyami will be revealed soon about their own past;
Gallantmon228: All interesting points; as for Harry's form, I have my own idea for it: something original or a cliché idea? I haven't decided yet…
Last Time…
"Mr Weasley," Harry suddenly spoke up, addressing Charlie, "I believe that, in light of what I have just witnessed, there may be more here than we believe," turning to his professors, Harry asked, "Do I have your permission to cast a little charm to see what's really going on?"
McGonagall, shocked at the sudden alliance of her two ex-students to a Slytherin, not to mention how she then seemed to notice Ginny Weasley hand in hand with Draco Malfoy – neither having noticed themselves – McGonagall nodded and explained, "As their Head of House and Deputy Headmistress, I give you permission, Mr Riddle!"
"Then you may want to stand back," Harry informed them, before he pulled out his black oak wand and, swishing it along each of the students, Harry commanded, "Spirit-Retrorsum Maxima!"
There was a blinding flash of light, which filled the whole room, before, as the light faded, Harry then saw the green flames rise again, but didn't bother to notice that they were also now one teacher down; instead, he kept his eyes on the four Gryffindors and Ravenclaw as his eyes lit up with hope:
(Now,) he thought, watching as they effect of the spell finally took hold, (The moment of truth: I always thought the Gryffindor Trio acted a little different and now we find out what the old man has done to them…hey,) he then looked behind to his teachers and, with narrowed eyes, finally noticed the missing person.
(Where'd Dad go?)
Chapter 12: Sleepless Winters
Umbridge's Office:
As his spell faded, Harry watched with baited breath, hoping beyond hope that his quest was not in vain; first, as the effects of his spell seemed to sink in, the Dark Heir shared a glance with Draco and Ginny, before he turned and asked, "How do you feel?"
"H…H…Harry?" asked Hermione, looking into the Dark Prince's blue eyes, "What happened to us?"
"If I had to guess," Explained Bill, "I would say that Dumbledore tried to confound you against Slytherins and against Harry; Hermione, tell me: do you remember anything from a while ago?"
"I remember him," explained Hermione, "He told us that Harry was dead and then tricked me into saying that I would do anything to avenge his memory; when I found out what his plan was, I didn't want any part of it, but then…"
"Dumbledore broke you," nodded the Riddle Heir, "He made you into his puppet and spy; taming the powers of life and death is impossible Hermione, but he did it and that's why you wanted nothing to do with him, am I right?"
"Yes," Fred answered, "Dumbledore drew us into his web too, Harry."
"He made us turn on one who we didn't know," added George.
"And he made sure we told him everything!" they finished.
"And what about you two?" he asked, looking to Luna and Neville, "Where do you fit in with this little game of cat and mouse?"
"We were fooled into thinking Dumbledore was an ally," explained Neville, "That pretender calling himself Harry Potter turned on us and made it seem like Luna and I were his friends. When I heard the rumours that Dumbledore had declared his return, I decided to lose myself from Gryffindor, but Potter wouldn't hear of it."
"And you, Miss Lovegood?" asked Harry, looking to the blonde Ravenclaw, "I never took you to be one so gullible."
"I wasn't," Luna explained and Harry noticed that her voice seemed stronger than before, "Dumbledore manipulated my family into helping Potter and his band of renegade wizards in their battle against a dead man; if you don't mind me saying, Master Riddle, you're quite a nice guy."
"Thank you," Harry grinned, before he looked at them all and asked, "Now I present you with an opportunity; to help me and the Ministry stop Potter and Dumbledore once and for all; I have a plan that involves so many different witches and wizards, but, if you help me, then I will rewards your loyalty like you would never believe."
"What would we have to do?" asked Fred.
"Dumbledore's got the Army watching us," added George.
"And Potter!"
"I wouldn't worry about them," explained Harry, his blue eyes darkening as he looked to each of the students, "Dumbledore is a weak man with weak-willed ambitions and followers, whereas I am a boy with so much influence that the Minister himself would do what I ask; you ask me what you would need to do? Well, all I require is an oath of magic, upon your very bloodline and life that you mean well to serve the Ministry's plans and follow the path of their Regent. Once you have all sworn this oath, you will be free to pursue your individual paths as you wish, so long as you all report back to me."
"I understand," Hermione nodded.
"We'll do whatever it takes." The twins chorused.
"I will help you, Master Riddle," Luna replied.
"If it means silencing Dumbledore and Potter, then I'm in." Neville agreed.
"Durmstrang agrees, Meester Riddle," Krum explained.
"You have my oath Monsieur Riddle," finished Fleur, Harry already knowing that he had Bill and Charlie's agreement from an earlier encounter.
"All right," Harry nodded, "Now swear; remember, you are keeping my secrets and staying true to the path."
Each witch and wizard raised their wands in unison, before a chorus of voices announced, "I, Hermione Granger/Viktor Krum/Fleur Delacour/Fred Weasley/George Weasley/Neville Longbottom/Luna Lovegood, do solemnly swear on the ancestral magic of my bloodline and my life that I will keep to the path offered by Harry James Salazar Rasputin Riddle and keep the secrets of said wizard; so mote it be!"
"So mote it be," Harry answered, his Black Magic adding the privacy restrictions he had used on the others that had joined him.
When the powerful flash of light indicated Harry's Oath, the dark heir smiled coldly, before he whispered, "And now, it is time for you to know the truth about me."
His magic faded and Hermione was among those to gasp in shock:
"HARRY?"
HJSRR
Slytherin Dormitory:
"Merlin that took forever," sighed Harry, flopping down on his bed, Draco shaking his head as he watched his Lord almost fall asleep.
"Was it worth it?" he asked, looking to Harry, "Getting Granger and the others on our side, I mean? Was it worth it?"
"Oh yes," nodded Harry, his blue eyes becoming crimson as he added, "Once Granger and the others accepted the truth about me, they were all more than willing to help me; little did they know," he added, chuckling to himself, "That with those oaths, they guaranteed their silence and sealed their fates: besides, the more Gryffindors I have at my disposal, the more I will be able to undermine Dumbledore and gain my powers."
"So when do we strike?" asked Draco, watching as Harry changed into his night robes, the Dark Heir looking ready for his sleep.
"New Year," explained Harry, looking to his right hand man, "For now, Granger and the others return to Dumbledore's…army," he scoffed as he said the last word, "But, in the mean time, I will meet with the Death Eaters and work on my followers. Once I have them, I will speak with Lily, James, Sirius and Remus about teaching them the Dark Arts and then, one by one, each of them shall become my Scion of Darkness, a member of my Society of Shadows, and each of them will do as I command."
Sliding into bed, Harry then sighed deeply as he added, "However, there was one moment in that room that really confused me."
"What was that?" asked Draco, readying himself for bed.
"Father," Harry answered, "He just disappeared and I didn't sense a magical energy, which meant he just vanished: Draco, I need to speak to him."
"Then do so," Draco urged him, "I won't stop you; if you need some privacy, I'll tell the others to busy themselves."
Harry suddenly looked up as he thought on Draco's words, before, with a slow, creepy smile, he answered, "No Draco; I will wait for now; somehow, I feel that this is all part of Father's plan for this year. On the next Hogsmeade weekend, I'll visit the Manor and ask him myself why Professor Orion has suddenly decided to leave work."
"Speaking of Professors," Draco then spoke up, "What about McGonagall?"
"Leave her to me," replied the Dark Prince, his voice cryptic and icy as he closed his eyes and settled into a deep sleep.
However, as he slept, Harry was unaware of his body tossing and turning as his dreams began to appear more vivid than any reality, before, a dream, so powerful that it pulled Harry from his body, made its presence known:
Subconscious Start:
Harry wandered, slowly and methodically, through a seemingly endless corridor, the colour of jade green all around him, the smell of rotted flesh and burning smoke filled the air. Ahead of him, Harry then heard a creepy, archaic voice speaking in an ancient dialect; peering through the darkness, Harry saw a figure with his back turned to the Dark Heir, the body of said figure covered in a long black robe.
{Who are you?} asked Harry, before he gasped as he found his words speaking in Parselenic.
The figure, on the other hand, didn't answer; instead, he continued speaking in the archaic tongue; Harry, aware then of a powerful and dark magic filling the air, reached out and slowly brushed his hand over the black robe, feeling what could only be described as spider-webs under his fingers.
{Who are you?} asked the Dark Prince, {Why am I here?}
{You are here to learn, little one,} answered a silky voice, before the figure turned and, when Harry saw the image, he did the only thing he could:
He screamed!
The face before him was not human: it had pale deathly skin and eyes as black as night: its hands were gnarled and curved like talons and its mouth was ridged with sabre-length teeth and fangs that, at first, made Harry think this creature to be some kind of vampire.
Behind the creature, Harry saw a black cauldron filled with a sickly yellow potion that bubbled and frothed, its gelatinous surface letting off a spark and a pop of magical energy.
{What are you?} asked Harry, looking to the horrendous face, {What are you doing in my mind?}
The figure's words would lie within Harry for the rest of his life: {I am the spirit of the Black King and I have come to turn you into the Dark Ruler that you are.}
Subconscious End:
Harry snapped his eyes open as he fumbled for his Father's necklace, feeling the protection charms well up inside his mind, before, with a sigh, Harry sank back onto his pillows and, staring at the ceiling, asked aloud, "What was that all about?"
He rubbed his eyes and looked over; Draco was fast asleep, his eyes narrowed as if he was dreaming of some kind of incident that had hurt him; on Harry's other side, Blaise was mumbling about Quidditch and then about a girl Harry had never met; clearly he and Draco weren't the only ones with love on their minds.
Sliding out of bed, Harry looked around the room, before deciding to speak personally with his family: he couldn't speak with his Father, but Severus was still here and, as Harry's Head of House, he was the right man for the job.
Making his way out of the dorm, Harry was then surprised when a feeling of power and warmth spread through his fingers and, as he neared Severus' chambers, the Dark Prince gasped as he felt the older man's presence in the room beyond.
(What is happening to me?) thought Harry as he knocked once and then opened the door, revealing Severus looking both tired and yet, as he saw who had walked in, ready to listen.
"My lord," bowed Severus, "What is it?"
"Severus," Harry answered, seemingly becoming his true self as he spoke, "Do you know why Professor Orion has left the school?"
"He had a rather urgent call," answered Snape, "The leave has been seen to by Dolores and now your Magical Focus lessons will be with Remus."
"And off the record?" asked Harry, nodding to show he was being serious.
"He didn't say," answered Snape, "However, there was a message for you: take care little snake for you have only brushed the surface of your powers."
Harry heaved a sigh that showed him to understand: and, personally, he agreed with the message; as far as his powers were concerned, he had only just brushed against the surface of his magic and his true potential.
Severus, however, then caught Harry's rather disturbed look as he asked, "Why? Has something happened my lord?"
"Nothing I need Father to worry about," answered Harry, filing his dreams away with the rest of his random thoughts, "I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Professor; I'll just return to my dorm now."
Severus watched as Harry left the office, aware of a strong pulse of magic suddenly filling the halls as the Dark Prince made his way back to the Slytherin Dorm; at that moment, Harry's case was revealed to Snape and, as far as the Potions Master could see, he had an obviously large problem to vent out so much magic.
HJSRR
Riddle Manor: 3 Days Later:
"I see, thank you Severus."
Snape bowed before he left the Dark Lord's side, Voldemort looking over the top of his hands at his Inner Circle, which, since Harry's return, had changed drastically: now, aside from Lucius and Severus, there were the Marauders, minus Wormtail, and Lily as well as Petunia and Crouch as Harry's liaison between the Death Eaters and the Society of Shadows.
Seeing Tom looking so distressed made her worried, so, with a careful voice, Lily asked, "What's wrong Tom? Is it Harry? Is he all right?"
"He's fine," answered the Dark Lord, "I just think my absence is having an effect on him: I left without telling him why and now it seems he needs someone to talk to." Leaning back on his throne, the Dark Lord asked, "James, when is the next meeting?"
"This Saturday, my Lord," answered James, before he added, "Prince Riddle requested personally that he attend the meeting."
"And he shall," explained Tom, "But instead of going back to Hogwarts, I want one of you to send a message claiming that Harry will spend the weekend here; Petunia, see to it that Dudley comes as well and you, Lucius, will inform Draco."
"Yes my lord," the two nodded, before they left, escorted by Crouch, leaving Sirius, Remus, Lily and James watching the Dark Lord with concerned eyes; it wasn't like him, as far as they knew, to show any signs of weakness in front of the Inner Circle, which was why Harry had replaced them most likely. However, as Lily looked to her husband, she then asked, "What is your wish, Lord Voldemort?"
"Tonight," Tom explained, "The plan that I had must happen tonight: Harry will be coming home, so what I have planned must not interfere in that: Lily, can you keep Harry's 'surprise' at Evans Castle for me?"
"Of course," answered the ex-Slytherin, before she took James' hand and left the meeting hall, Sirius and Remus waiting for news on their little pup.
"Sirius," added Tom, "Go back to Grimmauld Place and keep watch over Harry's allies; inform those whom Harry has bound of the meeting and then, after Saturday, tell them that they must make the choice; if Harry is troubled because of their allegiance then they must be silenced."
"Yes my Lord," bowed Sirius before he left the room, Remus standing alone with the Dark Lord.
Daring to speak, Remus addressed Tom, "You know Albus didn't suspect you, so you could return tomorrow and say you had family business or that you were helping me with my changes, which is tonight, hence why I am here. If the young Master is troubled, perhaps the company of Professor Orion would help him."
"I know you care for him Remus," explained Riddle, "But I can't return to Hogwarts; Harry has a plan to take down Hogwarts and keep the Ministry off my back; if I returned, it would appear that I wish to interfere in his plan; no, I have left for good and now, I entrust you the responsibility of watching over Harry; do this for me Remus and I will reward you with whatever you desire."
"Yes Lord Voldemort," bowed Remus, before he too left, Tom rising from his throne as he made his way to a portrait of Salazar Slytherin.
{Slytherin Honours,} whispered Tom, speaking Parselenic, before the portrait parted and revealed a hidden cache; reaching into its dark interior, Tom pulled out a photo album with a specific family picture resting on its top: in the picture, a one-year old baby was smiling in the arms of his Father, a bushy-haired woman next to him as she playfully tickled the small boy.
With a smile, and what could have been mistaken for a tear, Tom replaced the picture and, turning back to his throne, sighed with purpose. "Soon Harry," he whispered, "I'll see you smile again."
HJSRR
Hogwarts School: Slytherin Dormitory:
"Harry!"
The Dark Prince looked up as he saw Draco and Dudley making their way towards him, the well-built teen looking at Draco in shock, but, then again, as Harry's cousin, he had the right to address his family so formally, even if said family was the Lord of Slytherin.
"Draco," Harry replied, straining his neck as he looked to the parchments around him, "Just finishing up some essays for Severus and Remus; not to mention my plans for the Society; come Christmas, Hogwarts will be the centre-point for a gang war!"
"About that," Draco sighed, looking almost nervous as he held out a parchment, "Message from Tradire."
Taking the letter, Harry read it once and once only, before his magic spiked and the parchment burst into flames, the eyes of the Dark Prince becoming blood-red as he commanded, "Find Daphne and meet me at Severus' office."
When they left, Harry used a handy powerful Advanced Repairing Charm to completely mend the ashen pieces of parchment, before he read the message:
Erus
Can't say much while Gryffindorks are watching me; only say this: Cerberus' home is being watched and therefore O.O.B for leaving over the Christmas Holidays: other Chimeras not happy about this, but Marauder Apprentices say they will find a way to reach you. Pretender is acting suspiciously and came last night to say that DL is planning something to do with his mind; need to see you very soon…and Dragon as well; meet in the Snake Palace later and I will explain further.
Tradire
Harry slowly folded the letter as he thought on what he had heard: Marauder Apprentices obviously meant Fred and George; other Chimeras must indicate Neville and Hermione and there was no guessing who Pretender was.
But for Ginny to enter Snake Palace, or the Chamber of Secrets, meant that she needed a Parselmouth, which meant that something else had happened; tossing the letter into his robe, Harry rose and began to walk towards Severus' office, his eyes glinting as he made his way through the dungeon corridor.
(On one note,) thought Harry with a sly smile, (Draco's going to flip when he finds out that Ginny has the same feelings he does for her.)
HJSRR
Chamber of Secrets:
It had taken a bit of time and a lot of magic, but Harry was pleased with what he had done to the Chamber: now, instead of a more morbid look, it was fit for a prince: the main hall had been transformed into a study hall and gathering area with the large statue of the Founder overlooking everything. Taking one of the seats, Daphne curling in his lap, Harry waited patiently, trying his best to deny what his mind was telling him: Ginny couldn't enter the Chamber since she was no longer possessed by his Father's soul.
However…
"Harry, I mean, Lord Slytherin, there you are!" Harry looked up, Daphne rising so he could move, as Ginny stood in the entranceway, her eyes scanning the room.
"Tradire," Harry nodded, watching as Draco made his way over to her, shaking her hand and giving her a check, in case she was betraying his trust. When he saw Draco and Ginny quickly shy away from each other, Harry shook his head, an amused laugh on his lips, before he asked, "What are you doing here? You're not a Parselmouth anymore, so how did you…"
"Your Father gave me his gift," explained Ginny, "When you called in the debt and freed me from Dumbledore, I somehow found myself having the same abilities as a few years ago; I can understand Parselenic and find Potions a lot easier, but, what I have to tell you is important."
"I overheard Ron talking to the pretender," explained Ginny, "And they have some kind of cold plan for Cerberus."
"Who is Cerberus?" asked Draco.
"Sirius," answered Harry, not liking where this conversation was going, "What about him Ginny?"
"They plan to set him up," explained Ginny, "Ron is too into Dumbledore's plan to hear his own friend's words, so there was nothing I can do; Potter said that what Sirius gets is what he deserves; I think they're going to try and turn him back through torture."
"Well Harry won't let them," Draco said firmly, "Sirius is his Uncle and family; it's not like he'll risk coming here anyway, will he?"
"He will," Ginny added, "Because Cerberus has been playing double agent and felt it better if they met face to face: Harry, if they get hold of Sirius, you'll be exposed."
A snarl touched the lips of the Dark Prince as he hissed, "Don't you worry Tradire; Sirius will be informed: when are they making this plan?"
"Monday night."
"Perfect," Harry grinned, "And I think it's time I put my own plan into action: Tradire, speak to the MAs and get them to set something up: then, speak to the Chimeras and Eclipse about a way around this."
"I understand Lord Slytherin," Ginny nodded, before she asked, "What will you do?"
"You'll see," Harry answered, his eyes glowing red like blood as he whispered, "You'll see."
Meetings, Marauder Apprentices and Mayhem are coming to Hogwarts, but why is Lord Slytherin so calm and just what is Tom's plan for Harry?
Plus, will Riddle be able to stop his devious doppelganger or are we looking at the end of Sirius Black earlier than canon?
Keep Reading to Find Out…
In the Next Chapter: Harry has a meeting with the Death Eaters, a private conversation with his Father, and another encounter with Professor Dumbledore and his devious doppelganger, but why is he so calm? Also, Christmas comes to Hogwarts and a long-awaited person makes her debut in the story and brings a joy to Harry Riddle he has never felt; also, a certain couple seek permission from their families…
Chapter 14: Harry puts the pieces of his life together as he figures out Dumbledore's manipulations: Draco and Ginny get closer, as do Harry and Daphne; also, the Silver Triad find their Animagi forms and Harry begins his training as the Heir of Black Magic; what secrets await Harry in this rare and forgotten power…
Chapter 15: 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 and Harry Riddle finally learns of a certain prophecy, but what is the truth behind it and why is Ron so adamant about staying true to the Light...
Please Read and Review…
Also, as the Dark Prince, what should Harry be known as to the Death Eaters? Take into consideration his allegiance to the Black Magic and this mysterious visitor in his dreams…
And, also check out my rewritten story: Black and Gold; if we reach 300 for this story, I'll post a new chapter for Child of the First, Black and Gold and The Riddle Answered for the end of next week…